THE NIGERIAN
The Nigerian
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
cmyk
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PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968
ART & CULTURE Page 19
Ugba dance troupe of Edo Culture
• Vol . 38 NO.290 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013 • N100.00
HOS tasks civil servants on rules, financial regulations BENIN CITY- Edo State Head of Service, Princess (Mrs.) Ekiuwa Inneh has charged civil servants in the state to
acquaint themselves with financial regulations and civil service rules. Making the charge in Benin City at a seminar
on corrupt practices, work ethics procedure and discipline, the Head of Service disclosed that such rules are meant to
regulate the conduct of civil servants. The seminar was organised by the Continues on page 2
2015: Nigeria ’ll not disintegrate ABUJA - President Goodluck Jonathan has frowned at those predicting the disintegration of Nigeria by 2015, saying such people or organisations would be disappointed.
REFLECTION Page 23
Relationship between Ramadan and Lenten season
Jonathan said this when, Vice President Namadi Sambo and other Muslim faithful, paid him Sallah homage at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. According to him, some of the problems the country is experiencing are temporary and largely being fuelled by some selfish elites. “Let me use this opportunity again to also reassure you, Muslim brothers, and indeed, the whole country that myself, the vice president and our team will do our best to reposition the country. “Christians and Muslims are brothers
and sisters and we must live together. Those who are predicting that this country will separate based on our frontlines as at the time of amalgamation by 2015, they will know that those predictions may not be true.’’ He said that Nigeria would continue to remain one indivisible country, noting that Nigeria’s uniqueness was borne out of its position as “a deeply religious people of Christians and Muslims”. “For us, we cannot imagine a Nigeria without Muslims and Christians. You can call it another name, but not Nigeria.
of Minna, Alhaji Umar Bahago, called on people to support g o v e r n m e n t programmes, especially the polio campaign by allowing their wards to be immunised. In Enugu, the Chief Imam of 82 Div., Col. Mustapha Garuba, called on Nigerians to always embrace peace in all their dealings. “All religious scriptures either Muslim or Christian preach peace, therefore, Nigerians
should adhere to it and put aside selfish interests,’’ Garuba said. Similarly, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, called on the people of
“So it is a blessing that this is one country that you have significant population of Muslims and Christians and this religious diversity will enhance our development because we can get across the whole world. Wherever we go we are accepted. “That helps us in so many ways. We are not
- Jonathan
even exploiting our diversity because of the myopic views of the elites about our situations,’’ he said. The president, who also joined the Muslim community in observing
the fasting for 29 days, congratulated all Muslims for the successful fasting. “My brothers and sisters assalam alaiku. Let me first and foremost use this
unique opportunity to congratulate all Muslim brothers and sisters from this great country, and indeed, all over the world for going through this tempting period, in this month of Ramadan in the Holy month that the Qur’an was revealed to humanity. “Sometimes when you Continues on page 2
Sallah IBB, Abdulsalami, others preach peace
ABUJA- As Muslims across the world celebrate Eid-el-Fitri yesterday, former Nigerian leaders and other prominent Nigerians, have called for peaceful coexistence among different ethnic groups for the country to develop. In Minna, Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, former military Heads of State, were among the Muslim faithful, who worshipped at the Minna main Eid prayer ground on Thursday. Abubakar urged Nigerians to imbibe the lesson of the Ramadan fasting by living peacefully with one another irrespective of difference in religion and ethnic grouping. In a sermon, the Emir
EID-EL-FITRI FESTIVAL: The Chief Imam of Benin Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdul-Fatai Enabulele (middle) flanked by the Chief Imam of Hausa Community, Alhaji Muhammed Aminu Usman (left) and the Chief Imam of Yoruba Community, Alhaji Rasaq Albani at the prayer ground during the celebration of Eidel-Fitri festival yesterday. Photo: SOLOMON ENAIGBE.
Edo assures all faith of fairness
Eid-el-Fitri: Continues on page 2
By CLIFFORD AGBAJOR
BENIN CITY – Edo State Government yesterday assured that it would remain fair to all persons in the state irrespective of their
religious faith or ethnic origin. The state Governor,
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole gave the assurance when some
ethnic groups in the country. Mark made the call in Abuja in a goodwill message to Muslims across the country as they joined their
counterparts all over the world to celebrate this year’s Eid El Fitri. The goodwill message was signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the
Senate President, Mr Paul Mumeh. Mark commended the Muslims for their steadfastness and Continues on page 2
Mark, Tambuwal urge unity
ABUJA - Senate President David Mark has urged Nigerians to sustain the harmonious relationship and mutual co-existence existing between different
muslim faithful led by the Chief Imam of Benin Central mosque, Mallam Abdul-Fatai Enabulele paid him Eld-El-Fitr homage at the Government House, Benin City. The governor who was represented by the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, stated that the current pace of
infrastructural development geared towards improving the quality of life of people will be sustained. He commended the muslim community in the state for the continued peaceful relationship with other religious bodies, urging that muslims should let the lessons of Ramadan continue to direct their daily activities and interaction with other people. Continues on page 2
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
News
HOS tasks civil servants on rules, financial regulations
Continued from page 1 Department of Establishment in conjunction with a private firm for senior and middle level officers in the state public service. It was aimed at reawakening the consciousness of the public officers on the need to adhere to the principles of honesty, transparency and integrity throughout their service year as well as reposition the public service to perform optimally. The Head of Service who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Establishment, Mr. Alfred Omorogbe Olaye regretted that the principles of morality integrity and accountability are now observed more in breach than compliance. While applauding the state government’s commitment to building a virile, competent and result oriented public service, the Head of Service urged participants at the workshop to reciprocate government gesture by rededicating themselves to service. In a lecture, Mr. Osahon
Woghiren who dwelt on corrupt practices and other related offences Act 2000, stated that the federal government has indicated interest in setting up special
courts to try corrupt officers. Speaking on, “Protocol and Dress Code in the Administration and Management of the Public
Nigeria ’ll not disintegrate
Continued from page 1 are not involved in fasting you will think it is an easy thing to go through. My trousers are just pulling out from my waist. “So you should know that it is not easy to forego food for a reasonable time within 24 hours of the day. “For you to have gone through this is worth congratulations, so I congratulate you.” Jonathan called for more prayers not just for peace in the country, but in the world, saying that “there can be no development without peace. “Today is a unique day, and I urge our Muslim brothers and sisters that they should continue to pray for peace not just in Nigeria but all over the world. “If you watch television these days, more than 60 per
cent of the time is spent on showing crises all over the world. “And for the world to move ahead and for Nigeria to move ahead, for us to develop first and foremost, there must be peace and security. “Nobody will come and invest in an environment where you are not sure of your workers and investment. “As a nation, for our children to get where we want them to be, we must create a very peaceful environment for them. So, they can develop mentally and be focused and use their brains in a manner that will bring economic changes to us. “In Nigeria, we are very religious people and we believe in one Almighty God and we will continue to pray,
IBB, Abdulsalami, others preach peace
Continued from page 1
the state to continue to pray for the sustenance of peace and stability in the state and the country. Bayero told Muslims faithful at his Palace after the Eid-elFitri prayer at the Central Mosque, Kano, that no society could achieve any meaningful development in an atmosphere of rancor and uncertainty. Represented by Wamban Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, the emir warned the people, particularly Kano residents, to desist from indiscriminate building of structures on water ways to avoid flood disaster. Sheikh Ali Ukiwo, a cleric and an Imam in Umuahia, enjoined Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan, to ensure the realisation of the transformation agenda. In a sermon at the state Library worship ground, Ukiwo said: “as you celebrate, I urge you all to imbibe the tenets of oneness, love and mutual
service, Mr. P.N Osemene said ‘Protocol’ plays an indispensable role in appearance and in the execution of official duties in government.
cooperation in building a greater Nigeria’’. The Deputy Governor of Yobe, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, in his message urged Muslims to maintain the religious and moral lessons of the Ramadan fasting to promote peace in the state. Aliyu noted the efficacy of prayers in stemming insecurity in the state, saying, “we must not relent in prayers because the efforts of security operatives combined with our prayers have brought relative peace in the state’’. The deputy governor urged the public to continue assisting the security agents with useful information as part of their contributions to sustaining peace in the state. The Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Sunusi, prayed for peace and mutual co-existence among the people in the
country. In his good will message to mark the Eid-el-Fitri celebration in Dutse, he advised Muslims to consider the fasting as a period of repentance and sober reflections. The emir also enjoined Muslims in the country to live peacefully with one another irrespective of religious or ethnic differences.
God will see us through,’’ he said. Jonathan reiterated the commitment of his administration’s determination to reposition the country for better. Earlier, in his remarks, Sambo thanked Jonathan for providing the required leadership in the country. He said Nigerians had started witnessing the fruitful results of the ongoing transformation agenda of the government. “We are here again this morning after the Eid prayer to pay homage to your Excellency and to thank you for all you have been giving to Nigeria. “We appreciate the fatherly nature you have continued to hold us, the brotherly nature that you have been a teacher and a leader to all of us and we are learning about. “We continue to pray that the transformation agenda which already is showing effect in this country particularly when you look at the area of power supply, the area of transportation. “Today we have railway that is moving in this country after over 40 years.” Sambo and other government functionaries conducted their Eid- el-Fitri prayer on Airport Road, where they prayed for peace, progress and rapid development of the country. The prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Abuja, Ustaz Musa Mohammed.
prayers, especially, during the Ramadan Fast for the sustenance of peace and unity in the country. “The Almighty God did not make mistake by putting different ethnics and religious groups together to form a one united nation called Nigeria. “It is therefore incumbent on all of us to work towards the peace and unity that would engender progress in the country. “We have come a long way as a people bonded by common destiny; we can do better by being our brothers’ keeper at all times and making our society a better place for all.
“All hands must therefore be on deck to stop these ugly trends of violence and crises of various degrees that have tended to tear our nation apart,” he urged. Mark pleaded with Nigerians to join hands with government in the implementation of its policies and programmes. He said development could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and cooperation. The senate president restated the resolve of the National Assembly to continue to lay a solid legislative framework needed for the smooth delivery of the dividends of democracy.
By ROLAND OSAKUE
BENIN CITY- The National Adviser to the President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPAMN), Elder Peter Agbonkonkon has expressed dismay over the flagrant disobedience to a court order by some of IPMAN/ members who parade themselves as officers of the Midwestern zone of the Union. Elder Agbonkonkon who spoke with newsmen in Benin City yesterday in the wake of the officers visit to Government House said their action negates the union’s constitution. While
relating the likely consequences of the action of the officers, Agbonkonkon disclosed that IPMAN, as a responsible corporate entity operates within the confines of the law. He reminded them of the subsisting suit they filed at the industrial court, saying”, “we are not barbarians; constitution is placed above everyone in association. “We are aware that election into the various offices have not been conducted and those parading themselves must think trice,” he added. He therefore called on law abiding members of the union not to allow themselves be swayed wrongly but to remain steadfast on the path of truth
2 students docked for stealing from Church M A R A R A B A (NASARAWA STATE) The police on Wednesday arraigned two students at a Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, Mararaba in Nasarawa, for alleged criminal conspiracy, trespass on place of worship and theft. The accused persons are Freeman Michael, student, 18 of Base 1, Aku village, Mararaba and 17-year-old student, of Aba Gana st., Mararaba. The police prosecutor, Cpl. Inuwa Maigida told the court that the matter was reported at the ‘A’ Division Police Station, Mararaba by Benjamin Chikodiri of Base 1, Aku village on July 26. “On July 26 at about 1.30 a.m., the two accused conspired and broke into the Divine Favour Ministry Church located at Aku village, Mararaba. “They stole 1 music mixer valued at N47, 000, 1 microphone receiver valued N18, 000 and 1 DVD player
valued N4, 000. “After the crime, the accused escape to an unknown destination, but were later arrested in Mararaba,” he alleged. Maigida said the offence contravened provisions of sections 97, 213, 347 and 288 of the penal code. The accused are liable to ten years in prison if convicted on the charges. The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The presiding judge, Mr Albert Maga admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N200, 000 each and two sureties each in like sum. Maga said that one of the sureties must be a traditional title holder with landed property and reside within the jurisdiction of the court. He also ordered the sureties to write an undertaking promising the court that the accused would not commit similar crime. Maga adjourned the case to September 5 for hearing.
Edo assures all faith of fairness Continued from page 1
While congratulating them on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fast, the governor solicited their continued support through prayers and wise counselling in the quest to turn Edo State into a vibrant and economically viable state. On Boko Haram set, the
governor advised the muslim community in the state not to allow them to infiltrate their ranks, and therefore urged them to remain vigilant and security conscious. He tasked them not to hesitate to report suspicious persons or activities of individuals or groups, to law enforcement agencies. The Chief Imam of Benin Central mosque, had attributed
Mark, Tambuwal urge unity
Continued from page 1
IPMAN chief flays disobedience of court order
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, has urged Nigerians to promote attributes that would unite the country during this period of Eid-El-Fitr celebration. This is contained in a message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, on Wednesday in Abuja. Tambuwal appealed to leaders at all levels to close ranks and work for the unity and progress of the nation. He said the devotion and sacrifices made by Muslims in the last 30 days should be replicated in our
everyday lives. According to him, the month-long period of selfrestraint should serve as reminder of our commitment to our Fatherland and humanity. “The same way we all remembered the less fortunate and those afflicted by poverty and disease during Ramadan, I implore us to carry over those attributes to our engagements after Ramadan. “Only by so doing can we truly say we have imbibed the teachings of the Holy month into our everyday lives,” he said. The speaker restated the House of Representatives’ commitment to the unity of the country.
the numerous problems facing the country to injustice. He lamented the inability of those at the helm of affairs in the country to provide the necessary leadership that would translate the country to a better one. The Imam berated some religious leaders who have deviated from their calling, noting that instead of preaching against social vices and immoral behaviours plaguing the society, they have chosen to preach materialism. On ASUU strike, he stressed the need for all hands to be on deck with a view to ensuring that the strike is called off for the overall interest of the country. The State Head of Service (HOS), Princess (Mrs) Ekiuwa Inneh and other top government officials were present at the occasion. Meanwhile, the League of Imams, Edo State, led by Mallam Abdul-Fatai Enabulele were in Government House, Benin City, on Tuesday, to pray for the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, his family, the Oshiomhole-led administration as well as members of staff, office of the Deputy Governor. In his remark before the prayer session, Mallam Enabulele who is also the
Chief Imam of Benin Central mosque said they decided to pray for Dr. Odubu as much is expected from him as the state deputy governor. The Chief Imam described the month of Ramadan as a holy month in the sight of God, when prayers are quickly answered by the Almighty God. He said they deemed it necessary to support the deputy governor with prayers to enable him continue to contribute his quota towards the development of the state. Mallam Enabulele noted that the month of Ramadan is special as it is expected to remould and inculcate discipline and steadfastness in muslims. The state deputy governor thanked the League of Imams for organising the prayer session. He thanked the leader of the League of Imams, Mallam Enabulele for his untiring
support for the Oshiomholeled administration in the state, saying it is indicative of the fact that, he is on the side of the people. Dr. Odubu used the opportunity to appreciate the muslim community in the state for making peace and tranquility their watchword, particularly with other religious bodies and therefore urged them to sustain it.
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Inside Edo HOS Commiserates With Okoro Family
BENIN CITY - The Edo State Head of Service, Princess (Mrs) Ekiuwa Inneh has paid a condolence visit to the family of late Dr. John Bursari Okoro, a former Director of Sports and prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Princess Inneh described the late Dr. Okoro as an astute administrator who lifted sports in the then Bendel State to an enviable heights. The Head of Service who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Central Administration, Mr. Evbagharu Idahosa and his Establishment counterpart, Mr. Alfred Omo-Olaye stated that as Director of Sports, the late Okoro assisted athletes to win laurels for the state and therefore asked the family to take solace in the
fact that their late son brought honours to his motherland. On behalf of the Okoro’s family, Mr. Osaretin Okoro thanked the Head of Service, the State Government for not forgetting the contributions their departed son made to the development of sports in the State and the nation in general. Other members of the Okoro’s family at the visit included Mrs. Estella Nekpen Okoro the widow and Mr. Osaretin Okoro son.
The Chief Imam of Benin Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdul-Fatai Enabulele, leading a prayer session at the Ikpoba Slope Prayer Ground during yesterday’s Eid-El-Fitri celebration in Benin City. Photo: SOLOMON ENAIGBE.
Council Boss Tasks Mulims To Pray For Peace OKPELLA – The Chairman, Etsako East Local Government Council, Hon. Abdulmalik Suleiman Afegbua has urged Moslems to continue to pray for peace and stability of Nigeria. He stated this yesterday in a sallah message to the people
of the local Government Area when different Islamic groups visited him as part of the IdelFitri celebration. While calling on Moslems to continue to uphold the tenets of Islam beyond the Ramadam period, he advised them to live
PCRC Boss Charges Trado-Med Practitioners without necessarily engaging By JOEL CHUKWUAGHONIM
OGWUASHI-UKU – A Trado-Medical Doctor and the chairman, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, High Chief Okafor Enujekor has charged fellow practitioners in Nigeria to make honesty their watchword. Giving the charge in Ogwuashi-Uku, Delta State, High Chief Enujekor said
honesty could propel any individual to the zenith of his career. A member of the defunct Bendel State TradoMedicine Practitioners Board disclosed that one sure way of honesty in traditional medicine practice is to stick to professional ethics. While expressing faith in the Nigeria project, he noted that abundant opportunities abound in Nigeria where individuals could excel
WHARC To Commemorate Int’l Youth Day By DANIEL EDOBOR
BENIN CITY – The Women’s Health and Action Research Centre WHARC, will on Monday next week commemorate the International Youth Day. The event which would hold at the WHARC headquarters, Igue-Iheya, Benin-Lagos Road, Benin City would feature a lecture with the theme, “Understanding Fela, his music and message to the youth” and it is to be delivered by the daughter of
the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti. The event would provide a forum for building consensus among policy makers and youths on ways to formulate appropriate policies and programme for addressing the problems of youths in Nigeria. The annual International Youth Day was established by the United Nations in 1999 to raise awareness on youth related issues, especially on the need for countries to invest in youth development.
in unethical practices. He therefore called on all Nigerians, irrespective of profession or status to live up to their responsibilities as citizens of the nation so as to make the country a better place for all. High Chief Enujekor used the occasion to applaud the vigilante groups in the locality, for their efforts in crime reduction in the area, while urging them to collaborate with the police for better performance. He advised members of the group to be above board and exhibit only characters that would not alter their integrity for bad.
harmoniously with people of other faiths, saying that no society obtain development in an atmosphere of rancour The council boss, who reiterated his commitment towards the speedy development of the Local Government Area, said that he requires the support of the people to effect the much needed change.
He called on youths in the locality to rededicate themselves to God and engage in profitable ventures, noting that his administration has plans to ensure youth empowerment. Hon. Afegbua described Etsako East as richly blessed with abundant Natural and Human Resources and added
that these will adequately be tapped within the constitutional powers of the local government to fight poverty. “We have huge solid mineral deposits, tourism sites, water and rich agricultural land and we are not supposed to have any business with poverty,” he concluded.
Chief Imam of Benin Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdul-Fatai Enabulele, leading a prayer session at the Ikpoba Slope Prayer Ground during yesterday’s Eid-El-Fitri celebration in Benin City. With him are other Muslim faithful. Photo: SOLOMON ENAIGBE.
Ikpoba-Okha LG Council Donates Chairs Mr. Sunday Osagiede a IDOGBO THE promised to construct more Chairman, Ikpoba-Okha blocks of classrooms in the To Schools community chairman in school. Local Government, Hon. (Mrs) Itohan Osahon Ogbeide has extended the distribution of chairs with desk to Urora Primary School, Urora in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area. The council boss while presenting 60 set of chairs with desks to the school
Each of the classroom will be provided with chairs and desks, including teacher’s table and chairs. Also 50 chairs and desk were distributed to Akengbuda Primary School. Receiving the chairs and desk on behalf of the Primary
Schools authority the headmistress of Urora primary School Mrs. Momoh and her counterpart at Akengbuda Primary School Ogieva R.U thanked the council boss for remembering their schools and for the provision of chairs and desk.
Urora thanked the council boss for the surprise package. Also, the Enogie of Urora, HRH Eghosa Ugiagbe appreciated the chairman over the gesture and her promise to construct new blocks of classrooms in the school.
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Inside Edo Obadigie Hails Appointment Of AAU Governing Council Chair By ISEMHENBITA FAITHA
BENIN CITY- Chief (Elder) G.E. Obadigie has lauded the appointment of professor Gregory Akenzua as the Chairman, Governing Council of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma by Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole. He gave the commendation in a statement he personally signed and made available to The NIGERIAN OBSERVER. According to the statement, there is no doubt that the appointment was well made, knowing Prof. Gregory’s background as a seasoned administrator and an astute manager of men and women in the tertiary education system. He added that Prof.
Gregory’s records outside the University system, especially in traditional institutions also speaks volumes in the way he has served as Enogie of Evbuobanosa and Abudu Communities and thanked the Governor for the appointment. He said he has no doubt that Prof. Akenzua will excel in his new exalted position, and prayed God to grant him the grace and enablement to transform AAU into a modern and vibrant institution that would be an envy of all.
L-R: Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos and his wife, Abimbola during the President’s Condolence visit to Governor Fashola on the death of this father, Pa Ademola Fashola in Lagos on Wednesday.
WAI, Council Officials Clash In Benin Enforcement Of Traffic Law:
By VICTOR IMADE
BENIN CITY-It was a rowdy session last Wednesday as members of The War Against Indiscipline (WAI) and members of
Oredo Local Government Road Obstruction Committee engaged one another in a free for all fight at the Ring Road over enforcement of road traffic
regulation. The situation culminated in police officers attached to the WAI officials assault, on an internship with The Nigerian OBSERVER who attempted
Teachers Corps Scratch Card
Group Dissociates Edo Govt BENIN CITY - The Youth Empowerment Education Initiative (YEEI) has dissociated Edo state government and the state Universal Basic Education
(UBE) from the sale of Teachers Corps scratch card by Access Bank PLC, Akpakpava Road, Benin City. A statement signed by
the Executive chairman of YEEI, Christopher Edewor indicated that YEEI is responsible for the sale as part of administrative charge for the teachers
corps programme in the state. The statement also directed the bank to stop the sale of the scratch card forth with pending when the controversy surrounding it is resolved. The statement however apologized to the state government and the UBE for the embarrassment the issue might have caved them.
Kidnapping:
By INNOCENT OMOAKA/ ISEMHENBITA FAITH
President Goodluck Jonathan (left), signing the condolence register at the Resident of the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (right), when the President payed a condolence visit to the Governor in Lagos on Wednesday.
BENIN CITY-The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo State, Barr Henry Idahagbon has commended the Edo State House of Assembly for the “AntiKidnapping Bill” recently passed into law. Barr Idahagbon commended the House in a chat with The Nigerian OBSERVER in Benin City.
to take a photo shot of the rowdy session. The police officers had prior to the assault apprehended as well as seized the reporter’s cell phone even after identifying himself as a photojournalist for daring to take the shot. The intervention of another reporter with The Nigerian OBSERVER did not help matters as the assault continued unchallenged. However, after much plea, the seized item was released, but not without warning that the photo shot of the scene be deleted from the memory of the cell phone. Trouble was said to have started when a driver to a red Audi 80 car who stopped at the Ring Road, almost opposite the main entrance into the museum premises,
apparently to discharge passengers was confronted by WAI officers for vidating traffic rules. They were said to have arrested the driver with the car for stopping in an authorised place, and initiated a process of towing the Audi 80 car to their office when officials of Oredo Local Government suddenly appeared and pleaded that the driver with the car be released. Men of the WAI were said to have rebuffed the plea and insisted that the car be towed to their office. The development which did not go down well with the committee officials resulted in exchange of words which culminated in a free for all fight between the two agencies, with their official uniform torn on them.
Ag Hails Passage Also, the Commissioner Of Bill described the recent visit of According to him, the bill which is aimed at checking kidnapping in the state, will also serve to deter kidnappers from killing their victims. He also assured that the state Governor speedy assent to the Bill saying that had earlier expressed his hatred against crime and criminality through his various actions and policies.
the State Administration of Justice Committee to Prison formations across the state as a step directed at decongesting the prisons as well as reducing the high incidence awaiting trial inmates in prison custody law. He however, assured of the ministry’s commitment and co-operation to the speedy administration of justice to awaiting trials, inmates prison custody.
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Across The Nation NDDC Hands Over 100 Jeeps To Police PORT HARCOURT - The Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) has handed over 100 Jeeps fitted with communication gadgets to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar. Dr Tarilah Tebepah, chairman of the commission, said in Port Harcourt that the Jeeps were for effective policing of states in the Niger Delta Region. He said the commission was determined to develop the oilbearing communities, in line with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan. Tebepah said, “We recently provided some social facilities for the Army. It is in the same spirit that we are now assisting the police with logistics support. “The police deserve all the support that they can get, because they are the ones working, while the rest of us are sleeping.” He said the NDDC would not have been able to perform well without the support of the security forces, especially the police. The Managing Director of the commission, Dr Christian Oboh, said that providing security required collective efforts. “We believe that our contribution will help in facilitating the activities of the security agencies in the Niger Delta,” he said. The I-G, Mohammed Abubakar, said he was delighted by the partnership that existed
between the commission and the Police. He said the vehicles would serve the police and the entire people of the region. “We are making efforts to modernise the police in many ways, it is good that the NDDC has contributed in this little way to this effort,” he said. Abubakar said the various police commands that would benefit from the donation would use the vehicles for the purpose for which they were provided. The police boss said the vehicles would be used for patrols, surveillance and general security operations for the benefit of Nigerians. Abubakar handed over the keys of the vehicles to the Rivers Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Mbu, on behalf of other eight police commands in the Niger Delta Region.
A cross Section of Muslims at the Ikpoba slope prayer ground during the Eid-El-fitri celebration in Benin City yesterday PHOTO: SOLOMON ENAIGBE
Boko Haram: Anglican Primate Advises
Against External Prosecution ABUJA - The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, has advised against external interference in the prosecution of Boko Haram members. Okoh gave the advice while answering questions from newsmen in Abuja. He held that the Nigerian justice system was well
equipped to handle matters relating to the Boko Haram sect. He, therefore, called on the Federal Government to shun overtures in prosecuting members of the sect. “I have always advocated that Nigeria has the necessary instruments to punish members of the Boko Haram sect whenever it desires to do so.
“We do not need any body anywhere to prosecute criminals in Nigeria; we have the necessary laws to punish them. “Nigeria should not allow the international community to interfere in the prosecution of Boko Haram members.’’ The primate said the federal government must be discouraged from allowing international discussions as far
Police Arrest Fleeing Driver For Killing 14 Kids JOS - The Plateau Police Command said that it has arrested the driver who killed 14 children at Mazat village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. The deceased were among 40 Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Guide of COCIN Church and Assembly of God Church who
were on training early morning of August 3, but were ran over by a speedy car on Bokkos– Barkin Ladi road. Mrs Felicia Anslem, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, told newsmen in Jos, that the driver, Jacob Joshua, ran away when he committed the offence only to be arrested
in neighbouring Bokkos Local Government Area of the state. “We are able to track the driver down after he ran away when he killed the children at Mazat village of Barkin Ladi Local Government. “Our officers and men tracked him down last Sunday evening (August 4) and he is
now in detention,” she said. Anslem said that an investigation into the incident had commenced and that the driver would be prosecuted. “Nobody who commits such a crime can run away from the law; he or she must face the wrath of the law,” she said. She said that the vehicle, which was involved in the accident, has been in police custody.
as the prosecution of members of the sect was concerned. Okoh, who opened the church’s Conference for 2012, told the bishops and members of the diocesan boards to take more interest in the welfare of their employees. He decried non-payment of salaries of priests and other employees in some dioceses. Okoh said the situation was unhealthy for the growth and inimical to the aspirations of the church. The primate warned that dioceses that were incapable of paying priests and other workers would be merged with vibrant ones for easy administration. “I want us to join the crusade to ensure that our clerics get paid. It is the responsibility of the diocesan boards and the bishops. “You do not employ people and refuse to pay them; it is a moral evil and we will not encourage it at all.
“In fact, the committee set up to investigate the matter is going round and dioceses that are incapable of paying employees will be merged’’, he stressed. On the emergence of a group known as the Orthodox Anglican Communion, Okoh said the matter would soon be taken to the court. He said that the hierarchy of the Anglican Communion had made futile efforts in the past to stop the group from using the name ‘Orthodox Anglican Communion.’ Okoh said that the matter would be handled by lawyers of the church to put an end to the activities of the group. The primate challenged the conference to come up with recommendations that would address problems confronting the church in the country. Reports say that the conference was attended by chancellors, registrars and legal officers from the various provinces, dioceses and archdeaconries across the country.
Jonathan, Shonekan, Govs Extol Fashola’s Late Father and we cannot fully express it.
Federal Road Safety Corps embarking on Special Eid-El-Fitr patrol of Abuja-Lokoja Road on Wednesday
LAGOS - President Goodluck Jonathan, a former Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan and two governors have extolled Pa Ademola Fashola, the late father of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State. The governors are Mr Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Dr Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti). Jonathan, in a message to the interment at Ikoyi, Lagos, said Fashola lived a fulfilled life and died at the ripe age of 80 years. “I express my condolences to the governor and other members of the family; I wish the late governor’s father Aljanah Fidau (the biggest paradise),’’ the president said. Reports say that the Minister of Sports, Malam Bolaji Abdulahi, represented the president on the occasion.
Governor Fashola, who hurriedly returned to Lagos last night from Saudi Arabia where he was performing lesser hajj, carried out the dust-to-dust ritual on behalf of family members. He commended President Jonathan for rallying round the family in the moment of grief. “I thank Mr President who called persistently until he got to me; he sent his representative to this occasion today — the Minister for Sports. “I will like to say thank you very much to everyone who has rallied round the family even before I came back from Saudi Arabia. “My brother governors, Imams and everybody, I thank you. Our gratitude is deep and immense
“My father was a loving friend, who allowed us to be the best we can. He guided us and encouraged us to succeed,’’Fashola said. The governor said the family was glad that Pa Fashola passed on in the holy month of Ramadan and prayed to God to grant him a comfortable rest in Allah’s bosom. Speaking on the occasion, Fayemi thanked God for giving late Fashola the grace to live an exemplary life. ‘The legacies he left behind are worthy of emulation. “We thank God that he left good children who are going to continue where he stopped and further promote the development of humanity.’’
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
News Abiola’s Wife Optimistic AlMustapha Would Be Punished By RAHEEM IBRAHIM
Former Minister of FCT, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, signing the register during his condolence visit to Governor Babatunde Fashola on the death of his father, Pa Ademola Fashola in Lagos on Wednesday.
Infrastructural Development
Nigeria Requires N464trn LAGOS - Dr Shamsudeen Usman, the Minister of National Planning, has said that the nation required 2.9 trillion dollars (N464 trillion) for infrastructure development in the next 30 years. Usman said this at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Infrastructure Round Table held in Lagos. He said that 127billion dollars (N20.3 trillion) would be required in the next five years for infrastructural development. The minister said that the country needed to invest an average of 25 billion dollars (N4 trillion) per annum from 2014 to 2018 on infrastructure, compared with 10 billion dollars (N1.6 trillion) the government currently spent. According to him, transportation sector will gulp 800 billion dollars (N128 trillion), energy sector 900 billion dollars (N144 trillion), Information, Communication and Technology 300 billion dollars (N48 trillion). He added that agriculture, water and mining would take 350 billion dollars (N56 trillion). Usman said “Budgetary resources alone were inadequate to meet the infrastructure requirement.’’ He said that capital market operators, regulators and private sectors had major roles to play in enhancing infrastructure development of the country. Mr Yerima Ngama, the Minister of State for Finance, said that the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan would require N464 trillion. Ngama said that the poor
infrastructural facilities was a major hindrance to the nation’s economic growth, adding that, good infrastructure was imperative for vision 20: 2020. Ms Arunma Oteh, the Director-General of SEC, said
that infrastructure was important for the development of any economy. “Infrastructure is the life blood of any economy as no economy can grow and develop without a reasonable stock of
critical infrastructure,’’ Oteh said. She said, “Where infrastructure is inadequate or ineffective, growth is affected and people’s standard of living is negatively impacted.’’
connected the hose to the pipe. “What happened is actually the collaborative efforts of security agencies and I sound a note of warning to persons who may want to indulge in such act of criminality. “No act of criminality will be allowed in Ogun state and Nigeria in general, as far as
pipeline vandalism and any other act of criminality are concerned,” he said. Also speaking, Commander of NSCDC in Ogun, Akinwande Aboluwaye, said that seven vehicles, 363 fuelladen kegs, a long hose and substances believed to be charms were recovered from the scene.
LAGOS - All is not yet ended with the release and acquaital of Major Hamza AlMustapha and Lateef Shofolahan by an Appeal court as one of the wives of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola declared that the two men would still face punishment over their alleged involvement in the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. Mrs. Modupe OnitiriAbiola, a politician cum activist, said this during an interview with P.M NEWS at her Ikeja GRA residence while speaking on her Lagos State governorship ambition in 2015. The death sentence passed on Al-Mustapha and Shofolahan by a Lagos High Court for the assassination of the wife of the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election on June 4, 1996, was recently upturned by the Appeal Court. Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, and Shofolahan, an aide to Kudirat, were subsequently set free from Kirikiri Maximum Prisons in Lagos after spending over 14 years in detention. Speaking on their release,
Security Agents Arrests 28 Pipeline Vandals
OGERE-REMO (OGUN) - No fewer than 28 suspected pipeline vandals were arrested in a joint security operation in Ogere-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun. The operation was carried out by the military and Ogun Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The Commanding Officer, 35 Artillery Brigade, Abeokuta, Brig.-Gen. David Ahmadu, told newsmen during his on-the-spot assessment of the area that the arrest was effected in the early hours of the day. He said that the suspects were arrested while syphoning petroleum products from Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines in Ogere-remo. According to him, the operation was made successful by the combined efforts of military men and anti-vandalism unit of NSCDC, who acted on a tipoff by some villagers. “Criminals that were caught for perpetrating this act are 28; where we stand is the loading point and it is about 2km away from where they
He added that all the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation into the matter was concluded. Newsmen who were at the scene, report that petroleum was still gushing out from the hose connected to the pipeline as at 10 a.m.
Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru (left) and the Chief of Staff; Arm Directorate of Public Relations, Lt.-Col. John Agim at a news conference on recent developments in the Force in Abuja on Wednesday.
Onitiri-Abiola, the author of Farewell To Poverty-Let There Be Light In Africa, a book she dedicated to the memory of her late husband, Abiola, said that the duo would still receive their judgement on earth like the Lckerbie bombers, Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gadaffi. Noting that the Court of Appeal’s unjust acquittal of AlMustapha and Shofolahan makes nonsense of Nigeria’s judicial system, she said, “I felt so much pain for Alhaja Kudirat’s children. Suddenly, they became orphans through government assassination of their parents. Suddenly again, they were denied justice for the brutal killing of their mother”. “Al-Mustapha was Abacha’s main chief security officer. Directly and indirectly he committed so many atrocities in the name of protecting and securing Abacha’s hold on power. One of them is the murder of Alhaja Kudirat, another is the arrest and inhuman incarceration of my husband, MKO Abiola, and more. “He cannot bring so much unnecessary pain to innocent children and hope to enjoy the freedom he unjustly received,” said the business broker, consultant and realtor. On her reaction when Alhaja Kudirat was murdered, the Bsc graduate of International Management from Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut, said: “Great shock! I did not believe an innocent woman could be killed for the sake of so-called power.” Speaking on how the family is faring now that most of her husband’s investments like Concord newspapers, etc, have crumbled, the mother of four said that she has a very strict policy not to discuss her family publicly. When asked that as a woman, is she not afraid of the violence that characterizes Nigeria’s politics, especially during election period? She said that she is counting on the grace of God. “Before my husband’s election, it used to be very violent but his election was the most peaceful that this country ever had and after that, the people went back to the normal violent ways of winning elections at all costs. “Things have changed now. This is a new beginning. In 2015, those who think that they can get into office or win election violently are dreaming. They are very wrong. They are dreaming of failing because it is not going to happen.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Across The Nation Flood Ravages 5 LGAs
KATSINA -Flood has rendered many people homeless and destroyed properties worth millions of Naira in five local government areas of Katsina state. Alhaji Hassan Rawayau, the Executive Director of the state’s Rehabilitation and Emergency Relief Agency (RERA), made this known in an interview with newsmen in Katsina. Rawayau said the incident followed a heavy downpour that occurred last week in the affected areas. The flood, he said, affected Kankia, Charanchi, Mashi, Daura and Zango local government areas, where houses, household items and some farms were damaged even though no life was lost. Plateau Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Steven Barko (R), presenting a herbicide sprayer to Mrs Maryam Nge, Chairperson, Women vegetable farmers, Haske Progressive Association in Jos on Wednesday
Lagos Assembly Commiserates With Late Journalists Families LAGOS - The Lagos State House of Assembly has commiserated with the families of the Journalists who died in a ghastly motor accident. The House also sent a condolence letter to the family of Kafayat Odunsi who was an NTA correspondent covering the Assembly’s proceeding. The body of the female Journalist, Kafayat Odunsi, who died in the accident along the other journalists, has been committed to the mother earth. The late Kafayat Odunsi was the Treasurer of the Lagos State House of Assembly correspondents Association (LAHACA). She was 31 years old before her death. Kafayat Odunsi lost her life at Osho along Ilesa Oshun Road in a ghastly motor accident which involved members of Lagos State Union of Journalists who traveled to Abuja for an official duty. However, the Lagos State House of Assembly has sent a condolence letter to the members of Lagos Assembly correspondents Association and the family of the deceased. The House, during a plenary session, observed a minute silence for Late Kafayat. It could be recalled that the late Journalists are Adolpus Okonkwor from Voice of Nigeria, Kafayat Odunsi from NTA and journalist from FRCN Ibadan, Olatunde Ojenike. Speaking to journalists at NTA premises, the chairman house committee on information and strategy, Hon. Segun Olulade, described the late Kafayat as hard working, respectful and dedicated House of Assembly Correspondent
National Union of Bauchi State Students (NUBASS) at a Bank in Bauchi waiting to collect their annual allowance on Wednesday
Boko Haram’s Attack Is Crime Against Humanity - ICC
HAGUE (NETHERLANDS) - The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) reported that there was reason to believe that crimes against humanity have been committed in Nigeria by the militant group known as Boko Haram. A report issued by the office of ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, identified the crimes committed the group as murder and persecution. It found that the group had, since July 2009, “launched a widespread and systematic attacks that have resulted in the killing of more than 1,200 Christians and Muslims civilians in different locations throughout
Shell Donates Road Safety Equipment To A/Ibom UYO - The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has donated assorted road safety equipment to the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Transport. The Managing Director of the SPDC, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu, who presented the facilities in Uyo said that road accident was the 10th leading cause of deaths in the world. Quoting statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Sunmonu noted that 90 per cent of road mishaps occurred in low income countries with the highest mortality rate coming from Africa. Sunmonu, who was represented by the Government Affairs and Community Relations Manager (East) of the company, Mr Edesiri Akpomujere, said that safety
was an integral part of Shell’s operations in Nigeria. He explained that the slogan, ‘Safety First’ was a way of life and work in all operations of the company in Nigeria. “We have achieved great success in helping to keep our drivers safe through training programmes, eliminating of unnecessary journeys and enforcing of our global road safety standards. “Our provision of road safety equipment is the continuation of our national programme of support for the improvement of regulatory road safety risk management.” He disclosed that the company had earlier organised capacity building workshops for officers of traffic management and road safety agencies in four geo-
political zones of Nigeria. Sunmonu said that the donation of road facilities to Akwa Ibom was in continuation of an exercise earlier done in Bayelsa and Rivers. Reports say that equipment donated, include speed guns, traffic cones, breathalysers, clamps and traffic batons. Receiving the equipment, the state’s Commissioner for Transport, Mr Austen Mbeh, lauded the effort of SPDC towards ensuring road safety in Nigeria. He said that with the support of corporate organisations like the SPDC, the attainment of best practices in transport engineering was feasible in Nigeria. Mbeh noted that the state had witnessed massive infrastructure renaissance with the construction of 500
He said that following the incident, officials of RERA and NEMA North-West zone have visited the affected areas to sympathise with the victims and assess the extent of the damage caused by the flood. Rawayau said the assessment of the damage was aimed at providing assistance to the victims of the flood. He urged the victims to consider the flood as an act of God and prayed against future reoccurrence. Reports say that in Kankia local government area the flood also caused the collapse of Kankia dam which washed away several farmlands.
new roads, covering 1,200 km in the last six years of Governor Godswill Akpabio’s administration. “There had been a boost in road transport activities and upsurge in vehicular transportation in the state. “The sudden transformation of the state has its attendant constraints, it has become imperative for road users to stay safe by observing road safety rules and standards,” Mbeh said. In his remark, the Zonal Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Asst. Corps Marshal Yakubu Attah, said that the duty of keeping roads safe was everybody’s responsibility. Attah, who thanked SPDC for the gesture, said that the commission was happy to collaborate with the Akwa Ibom Government to make roads safer for users.
Nigeria. ’’ “The scale and intensity of the attacks have increased over time,” the report which is based on preliminary information through December 2012 added. The Office stated that it was now assessing whether the national authorities are conducting genuine proceedings in relation “to those who appear to bear the greatest responsibility for such crimes, and the gravity of such crimes.” The report also added that the Prosecutor was still assessing three other phases of the situation in Nigeria, and that once completed, she would decide if these situations meets the legal criteria established by the Rome Statute. Reports say that the “Rome Statute’’ is the Court’s founding treaty to warrant an investigation by the ICC. During the time frame of the report, the UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) repeatedly warned Boko Haram against attacks on civilians. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in May to fight Boko Haram. Related anti-insurgent operations and general insecurity have uprooted thousands of people in northeastern Nigeria, with more than 6,000 of them fleeing to neighbouring Niger for safety, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had reported in June. Located in The Hague, in the Netherlands, the ICC is an independent, permanent court that tries persons accused of the most serious crimes of international concern namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes if national authorities with jurisdiction are unwilling or unable to do so genuinely.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Abuja Nigeria Girl Makes Forbes By JOSES SEDE Magazine History (with agency reports)
Intimidation
Court Jails Man
ABUJA - An Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court has sentenced Oluwatobi Oyediran, 34, of no fixed address, to three months in prison for criminal intimidation and possession of a dangerous weapon. The Magistrate, Mr. Celestine Odo, who sentenced Oyediran after he pleaded guilty, did not give the convict an option to pay a fine. Odo said the court had recognised the fact that the convict was a first time offender and also that he did not waste the time of the court. He held that the convict must, however, be punished to serve as a deterrent to other offenders with similar intention. The convict, who pleaded guilty to the charges against him, begged the court for leniency. He said “It is the work of the devil. I did not know why I held Ms Rahab Idris hostage; I am sorry and I am begging the court for mercy. Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. Sani Yusuf, had told the court that the convict was arrested in a black spot in Mabushi on Aug. 1. Yusuf said the convict was caught at the spot where he held Idris, hostage demanding that she must become his girlfriend. He said the convict threatened to stab Idris with a poisonous jack-knife when she refused to succumb to his request. The prosecutor said during investigations, Oyediran confessed to committing the crime and the weapon was recovered from him. He added that the offence contravened sections 397 and 95 of the Penal Code.
Permanent secretary, Adamawa State Ministry of Health, Dr. Louis Mandama (R), presenting motorcycle keys to programme supervisor, tuberculosis and leprosy control, Madam Charity Wakawa, in Yola on Wednesday.
National Award
Ten year-old Nigerian girl Zuriel Oduwole has made history as the youngest person ever to be interviewed in Forbes, the global iconic magazine title. The interview with the award winning documentary film maker, conference speaker and writer is featured in the August 2013 edition of Forbes Africa. Touted by some as the next Larry King, and ARISE News at the next Oprah Winfrey, Oduwole is reportedly committed to Rebrand Africa by showing the positive things
20 Individuals, 10 Organisations For Honours
ABUJA - No fewer than 20 individuals and 10 organisations drawn from all sectors of the economy will be conferred with the National Productivity Order of Merit Award. Chief Emeka Wogu, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, made this known at a news conference in Abuja. Wogu said that the companies and individuals would receive the award during the 2013 National Productivity Day on Aug. 15. He said the awardees, drawn from all sectors of economy, were selected after a thorough screening exercise, adding that President Goodluck Jonathan would confer the award. The minister said the occasion would feature made-in-Nigeria goods by manufacturers in both small and medium-scale enterprises. He said the activities would include a national symposium with the theme, “Productivity and Competitiveness: Determinants for Achieving National Transformation’’.
Wogu said the Minister of National Planning Commission, Dr Shamsudeen Usman, would be the guest speaker, while other eminent resource persons would present papers at the symposium. The reports say that those for individual awards include, Mr. Joseph Adeseluka, Mr. Ajose Kudehinbu, Chief Mao Ohuabunwa, Mr Ndoma Nyambi and Chief Omenihu Nwuogwugwu. Others are: Dr Emily Mieyefa, Mr John Nwosu, Alhaji Mohammed Bana, Chief Charles Ogbonna, Dr Ausbeth Nnamdi, Mrs Abiodun Aiyerin, Aminu Sharehu, Mr. Sunday Olom, and Engineer Godwin Omene. Mr Promise Adewusi, Chief Linus Ojimba, Mr George Uriesi, Mrs Maimuna Bala, Prof. Shuaibu Abdulraheem and Dr Aliu Ma’ Awuya. The organisation categories
are Benue State Control Agency, Be-Bless Industries, Akwa Ibom State, Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority, Eagle Food
Processing Industry Nigeria Ltd., Anambra State, Sahad Stores Limited, Abuja, Forestry Research Institutes of Nigeria, Ibadan, Oyo State, Borno State Ministry of Environment, Tito Yoghurt Company Ltd, Makurdi, Nisa
in about the continent, and making the case for education the Girl Child in Africa and Emerging Markets. As an invited guest to the recent African Union 50th anniversary celebrations in Ethiopia, she has in her quest of pursuing her goal interviewed leading African business, political, and sports personalities, including eight current African Presidents, Africa’s richest person, Aliko Dangote and Tennis super stars – Venus and Serena Williams. Zuriel (which is Hebrew for God is my Rock) believes if she can walk a mile, then there are girls who on seeing her work and progress made, would walk a mile and half. That, she believes is one simple way to inspire the African Girl Child, and show the world the need to educate the continents often forgotten Girl Child, of which Zuriel is one.
Group Tasks APC On Internal Democracy ABUJA - The Policy Advocacy and Integrity Network Nigeria (PAIN-Nigeria), a coalition of civil society groups, on Sunday urged leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) to promote internal party democracy and the rule of law. The group made the call in Abuja via a statement signed by its National Secretary, Mr Joe Mesele. The group stressed that the promotion of internal democracy within APC would make the party more democratic, transparent and effective.
It congratulated members of the political parties which fused into APC for their resilience and respect for rule of law in their efforts to register the party. The group also commended INEC for its ability to manage the processes which led to the eventual registration of APC as a political party. It, however, expressed concern over the incident that led to the closure of the Adamawa State House of Assembly and urged the lawmakers to rise above personal interests in tackling the crisis.
“We advise the Adamawa legislature to look inward in efforts to develop the ordinary people and the state at large, instead of advancing the interests of any vested group,’’ it said. The group underscored the need to work for the state’s development and the development of democracy. It commended Dr Ahmed Gulak, the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, for his contributions toward the development of democracy in state and the country at large.
Borehole Drilling
Board Calls For to the state assembly when ready. ABUJA - Mr. Elisha John, the Regulation “A time is coming whereby Assistant General Manager (Commercial), Kaduna State Water Board, has called for a law that would help check indiscriminate borehole drilling. Speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Monday, John said series of reforms and workshops organised by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, was to make stakeholders in the water sector to wake up to their responsibilities. “The state water supply and sanitation policy has already been approved by the government and the water bill is being prepared that will take care of the issue of the supervision of borehole drilling and will be sent
before you sink a borehole, you have to receive a licence. “You must take the chemical analysis of your borehole to the Kaduna State Water Board laboratory for it to be analysed. “ If it is good, then you continue; if not, they lock it up, that is coming under way,” he said. He said this was to make sure that the quality of water supply to the people met the prescribed standard. It would be recalls that some years ago, the Ministry of Water Resources instituted a national standard for drinking water by which the utilities are judged.
L-R: Special Assistant To The President on Ethics and Value, Dr. Sarah Jubril; media consultant, Mr Celsus Ohain, Head, Media and communication Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr Daniel Alabran, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Val Ntomchukwu and Author of the book, Emerging issues in Niger Delta & True Federalism, Mr. Julis Enehikhuere, at the Book Launch in Abuja recently.
THE NIGERIAN
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Business + Economy Air Space Security: NAF,
NAMA To Collaborate By AYO AYENI
LAGOS- The Nigerian Airforce (NAF) has re-affirmed its commitment to sustain relationship with the Nigerian Airspace/ management Agency (NAMA) to ensure that the security of the nations airspace is not compromised. Tax chief of Air staff, Air/ mashal Alex Badeh who played host to the management of NAMA led by its managing Director, Engineer Mazi Nnamdi Udoh in Abuja at the weekend said Nigerian Airforce would
continue to collaborate with the agency on issues bordering on security surveillance and personnel training. Air Marshal Badeh, who appreciated the courage and operation of the new radar in the country said that the system has improved the surveillance of the space tremendously. He lauded the initiative of the agency on its proposed deployment of automatic dependent surveillance Broadcast (ADS) –B multiateration to capture low flying aircraft like helicopters in
the Niger Delta area. In his speech engineer Udoh had acknowledged the current partnership between the two organisation pointing out that such effort has enhanced the smooth running of the nations airspace under the joint Civil/ Military joint users collaboration. NAMA’s boss assured the chief of Air staff that the agency would always be willing to make available facilities for NAF personnel training that are necessary for their practical exposures, especially on engineering and Air Traffic control.
well for the host communities.” He advised the people to desist from obstructing operations of oil and gas companies. Besides canvassing dialogue and patience as means to peaceful resolution of contentious issues and conflict management, the commissioner gave assurance that, “Delta State government is always open to consultations on issues.” Speaking in his personal capacity, the Special Adviser decried pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft with the attendant negative social and economic effect on the host communities. While observing that the state lost economically, he lamented that, “the host communities are also losing their lives, environment and aquatic lives” and therefore urged inhabitants especially opinion leaders to advise and work against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft. In his remarks, the PAN OCEAN Assistant General Manager, Special Duties and Operations, Emmanuel Omo Irabor, who represented the company’s Chairman and Managing Director, recalled the Jesse pipeline fire disaster and condemned the associated vices, stressing that, “It is not a responsible business; it is not right; it is not lawful; it is a very risky business.” On information flow from
he expected community representatives to report back to their respective communities on the issues raised and discussed at any town hall meeting, pointing out that, “There must be confidence-building.” While appealing to them to be peaceful and work in harmony with one another, the Assistant General Manager enjoined the communities to see themselves as major stakeholders with PAN OCEAN as their partner in progress, saying, “No matter the challenges existing, once PAN OCEAN makes a promise, it will deliver on it.” The PAN OCEAN Community Relations Manager and convener of the town hall meeting, Olabanji Ajijola later moderated an interactive session on two topical issues, “Roles Of Communities and PAN OCEAN In Enhancing a Peaceful And Conducive Operational Environment” and “Effects Of Community Development Programmes On Stakeholders Relationship,” wherein matters of employment and social amenities among others were discussed. While enumerating some of the projects executed in its Delta state host communities as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Olabanji Ajijola made it clear that, “PAN OCEAN does not and will not engage in divide and rule in its host communities.”
PAN Ocean Holds Meeting With Host By THOMPSON oil and gas firm to the host Communities the ERHOMONSELE communities, Omo Irabor said People queuing in a bank in Nyanya, Abuja on Wednesday.
N/Delta Surveillance: NAMA To
Deploy Multilateral System
LAGOS - Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, (NAMA), is poised to deploy multilateral surveillance system for helicopter operations in the Niger Delta area within the next twelve months. The managing director of the agency, Engr. Mazi Nnamdi Udoh disclosed this in Lagos at a stakeholders’ meeting to address the improved safety plan for low level flying traffic in the Delta region. . He told the forum made up of aviation operators in the oil and gas sector that the deployment of the new surveillance system by the federal government would improve security and air safety in the area. Engr. Udoh said the federal government had already provided the capital for the execution of the project saying this had made it expeditious for the agency to fast track its implementation for the benefit of the stakeholders. David Brocklebank of Saab Sensis UK in a presentation said airspace capacity utilization would require an appropriate technology ,pointing out that deployment of multilateration surveillance in the Delta area would effectively capture the activities of the low flying aircraft. Brocklebank, who recalled the effective deployment of the system in the North Sea in 2010, said the new technology would deliver a safe, high integrity scalable solution and transfer technology of engineering and project management skills to Nigeria. Captain Dele Sasegbon, Director, General, Aviation Terminal Authority (ATA) expressed delight over the development and appreciated the valuable contributions of the stakeholders at the
meeting, saying, “the impression we are having here now is to have the system deployed immediately” NAMA, early in March this year, received a preliminary survey report on the multilateral surveillance
system for helicopter operations in the region. The survey became necessary in order to discover the weather, volume of traffic and type of intervention to be provided by the agency ,especially given the strategic nature and the large scale of exploration activities in that area.
AMUKPE - PAN OCEAN Oil Corporation has held a town hall meeting with its seven host communities in Delta State with the theme, “Town Hall Meeting: A Catalyst To Strengthening Stakeholders Relationship.” Representatives of the host communities in attendance at the ceremony held in Amukpe, Delta State presented their respective of demands to officials of the company. In a keynote address, Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, represented by his Special Adviser, Godwin Omadoye said, “The Governor is happy that PAN OCEAN is toeing the path of peace by holding this town hall meeting,” adding that, “It means
UNEP Report On Ogoniland
NGO Urges FG, Shell To Act ABUJA - Two years after the release of the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) assessment of Ogoniland, the Environmental Rights Action (ERA), an NGO, has urged the Federal Government and Shell to act on the report. Mr. Godwin Uyi, the Executive Director of the organisation, made the call at a one day Civil Society meeting held in Abuja to mark the second anniversary of the release of the report. Uyi demanded the Federal Government to demonstrate its commitment to implementing the recommendations of the UNEP report by compelling Shell to clean up its mess in Ogoniland. He said it was shocking that two years after the UNEP assessment was submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan and having set up a committee on its implementation, nothing had been done. “There is still virtually nothing meaningful on ground to show that the Nigerian government is ready to compel shell to take responsibility for its environmental crimes of ecological disaster in Ogoniland.” Newsmen reports that the UNEP findings on Ogoniland were released on August 4, 2011, which confirmed claims of ecological disaster by locals’ communities and civil society groups. The report also showed hydrocarbon pollution in surface water throughout the
creeks of Ogoniland and up to eight centimetres in groundwater that feed drinking wells. Uyi, however, drew the attention of the Federal Government to the issues of total neglect of the protection of human life and the survival of Ogonis from what he described as a wrecked environment. He accused Shell of promoting what he called “cosmetic approaches” to remediation measures recommended by the UN. “We demand that Shell
immediately clean up of all impacted sites to ensure remediation, restoration and compensation. Uyi said that to address the recommendation of UNEP, ERA was demanding the immediate release of one billion Ogoni restoration of fund by Federal Government and Shell. Other demands were that shell should commence immediate commissioning of its abandoned facilities in Ogoniland, take responsibility for the clean-up of impacted, sites among others.
L-R: Assistant General Manager and Representative of the Chairman and Managing Director of PAN Ocean Oil Corporation, Emmanuel Omo Irabor, Special Adviser to Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Godwin Omadoye, PAN Ocean Community Relations Manager, Olabanji Ajijola during the company’s Town Hall meeting with its Delta State host communities held in Amukpe recently.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Health
Urban Mums At Greater Risk For Postpartum Depression
RESEARCHERS are narrowing in on the host of factors that can contribute to postpartum depression, from genes to social connections. The latest work focuses on where a new mother lives. The new study, published in the journal Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), looked at whether urban or rural locales played a role in postpartum depression rates. More than 6,400 women who lived in a variety of different geographical areas, including urban, rural, semi-urban and semirural areas, participated in the 2006 Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey. (Rural living was defined as settlements with fewer than 1,000 people but more than 400 people per square kilometer. Semirural settings included up to 30,000 people, while semiurban was defined as including 30,000 to 499,999 residents and urban areas included 500,000 people or more.) They also accounted for whether a woman commuted for work to urban places. (MORE: For Moms with Postpartum Depression, the Nation’s First Inpatient Unit) Overall, 7.5% of the women who had
recently given birth in the weeks prior to the survey developed postpartum depression, but women from urban areas were at a greater
been previously associated with postpartum depression. In the current study, for example, many of the city-dwelling mothers
risk, with a 10% rate, compared to 6% of women in rural areas, nearly 7% in semi-rural areas and 5% in semiurban areas who developed the condition. The discrepancy is likely due to the disproportionate distribution of known risk factors such as social support and a prior history of depression that have
who developed postpartum were members of immigrant populations, which typically have weaker social support networks. That could explain the counterintuitive result that a woman living among thousands of people in an urban setting, where post natal care and support may be more accessible than in less populated rural areas, can still
mother’s coping skills. “People say poor mothers suffer from depression. Why is this a surprise? If you’re trying to be a good mother, it is very hard if you are poor and if you are isolated without having a sense of helplessness,” says Caplan. (MORE: Pediatricians Should Start Screening for Postpartum Depression) Changes in the family dynamic also play a role; women are more likely to live further away from home than they have in the past, which means they are forced to manage without help from family members. While social networks may be more extensive thanks to social media, those connections still can’t replace the support and reassurance provided by the physical presence of a friend or research psychologist at loved one - especially Harvard University and for a new mother. “There author of “Don’t Blame are mommy blogs and Mother: Mending the social media, but there is M o t h e r - D a u g h t e r no substitute for having Relationship,” who was someone right there who not affiliated with the can break down our study, says that women isolation and tell you living in urban you’re doing fine and environments are also your kids are okay,” says likely to be working Caplan. multiple jobs, and to be While hormones as living in poverty. These well as possible genetic stressors, on top of markers have also been raising children, can test connected to postpartum the limits of a new depression, Caplan experience social isolation that can contribute to feelings of helplessness and despondence. Paula Caplan, a clinical and
believes that classifying the condition as a mental or physiological problem could take the focus away from social changes that could be made to support mothers. As the study results suggest, isolation and lack of social support can intensify feelings of discouragement, being overwhelmed, and loneliness that any new mother naturally experiences. (MORE: Study: Fish Oil May Prevent Symptoms of Postpartum Depression) “We have completely unreasonable expectations for mothers,” says Caplan. “We live in a motherblaming society where mothers get blamed for almost anything that goes wrong with their child. Mothers can feel isolated or scared to death. There are social changes that need to be made. These women do not need to be treated for alleged mental illness.” The study authors say better daycare options and more supportive services for women who have recently given birth could alleviate some of the burden that mothers feel. And as the results show, these services are needed not just in sparsely populated areas but in densely packed urban ones as well, since it’s possible to feel lonely even when you’re surrounded by people.
“People say poor mothers suffer from depression. Why is this a surprise? If you’re trying to be a good mother, it is very hard if you are poor and if you are isolated without having a sense of helplessness.”
THE NIGERIAN
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IN spite of the outcry against the imposition of three thousand pounds (£3,000) announced by the United Kingdom authorities against tourists visa seekers from six Commonwealth countries: Nigeria, India, Kenya, Sri-Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh in June, Britain has formally announced that the scheme will commence in November 2013 as reported by Financial Times of London which quoted Home Office as saying. THE United Kingdom considers Nigeria and other affected countries as “high risk” countries. According to the Home Office, some visitors under the scheme, will be asked to pay the sum of £3,000 cash bond in return for visas that allow them to stay in the UK for up to six months. THE Home Office in a statement in London on Friday said that “only individuals deemed “high-risk” would be asked to pay the bond. He argues that in the long run, the UK is interested in a system of bonds that deters overstaying and recovers costs if a foreign national has used its public services.” FIRSTLY, we condemn Nigerians who indulge in circumventing immigration rules who are the reasons for the new policy, which will now be visited on innocent travellers who ordinarily will indulge in overstaying their visa permits. HOWEVER, we fault the new policy because, the world over, there are other laid down policies and rules that can help check the activities and influx of overstaying visitors. The UK could even resort to surcharging them at point of departure without necessarily over burdening an
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013 THE NIGERIAN
UK £3000 Visa Bond innocent tourist with a whooping three pounds bond who comes for visa. WHILE we recognise the sovereignty of policies of the United Kingdom, we join the Nigerian Government to protest this imposition, which we consider as prejudiced. To say the least, it fails to take into record, the age-long diplomatic ties between both countries from the colonial era till date. WE contend that Britain has benefited more from the relationship of both countries than Nigeria and, therefore, do not see any cogent reason being advanced by the UK for the latest visa policy for tourist visa seekers from Nigeria. Even though a UK official data explains that “these six countries accounted for more than half a million visa application in 2012”, we find this explanation pedestrian because, in our considered opinion, there are several other ways of tackling the observed overstaying of some tourists. WE equally welcome the denunciation of the bond imposition by the business community in UK, some of whom mull over the plan as “insulting deterrence,” and a move capable of hitting sales in the UK and damaging London’s reputation. WE are pleased that the Federal Government through the Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, had in June registered “the strong displeasure of the
government and people of Nigeria” over the “discriminatory” policy even as he warned the British High Commissioner Andrew Pocock that the move would “definitely negate” the two country’s commitment to double trade by 2014. We call on the Nigerian government to call the bluff off the United Kingdom because; we believe strongly that Britain needs Nigeria more than Nigeria needs her. THE Federal Government should know that it has a responsibility to take appropriate measures to protect the interest of Nigerians who may be affected by the obnoxious policy. To this end, we recommend that government should equally retaliate with a stiffer visa condition for all Britons entering Nigeria for business purposes. We are aware that Britons equally overstay in Nigeria beyond the time permitted in their visas, yet such measures have not been visited on them. The Nigerian immigration must move quickly ACT against such Britons, no matter their mission in Nigeria. FINALLY, we call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to make effort to develop Nigeria, particularly basic infrastructure, as a lasting way of deterring Nigerians from leaving the shores of their fatherland. Nigeria should turn to China and Japan and other Asian Tigers for trade and business as the new move by Britain sends a dangerous signal for both countries. Nigerians who are keen at going to the United Kingdom should begin to change their levers to other more friendly nations of the world as a better way of calling the bluff of the ex-colonial masters.
THE NIGERIAN
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Trend
Traditional Wears For Benin Chiefs IN today’s modern world, people give information about themselves by the clothes they wear and the way they adorn their bodies. An age old saying has it that the way you are dressed is how you will be addressed. In Africa, body
decoration and attire may offer clues to a person’s age, ethnic, region, social position, and even political opinions. As western-style attire become more common in Africa, some traditional types of adornment and dresses are fading from everyday use, especially
By BENNARD O. OSIFO
in the cities. However, many Africans still wear traditional clothing and decoration for special occasions or as a form of self-expression some African attires special significance. A man’s social position may be proclaimed by the size and shape of his smock or by the decoration of his robe. Among the Bambara people of Mali, hunters display their skills by wearing white smocks adorned with leathercovered amulets and hunting trophies. An expert hunter’s shirt may be almost invisible under the horns, claws, and bit of fur or hide the wearer has attached to it. Sometimes a particular pattern of cloth has a name that refers to a proverb, local event, or political issue. People wear these cloths because of the messages communicated by the pattern. Our story this week is from Edo State, the land of the Binis to be specific. I personal spoke with a
couple of Binis guys wearing this outfit. There are numerous attire in Bini. The one that caught my attention is the outfit called Ukpon-OGhe-Khamwen (Palace chief’s cloth). In the days of yore, this outfit was exclusively used by the Bini palace chiefs, but nowadays, anybody who has got the confidence can wear it. In the past , those that used it were the Ekhanmwen who happen to be members of the council of elders/ministers of Oba of Bini cabinent. Also, the Enogies who are the relation of the oba of Bini and his representatives in the villages that made up Bini kingdom. However, this outfit is mostly made from plane white as wellas colored materials. The embroidery is normally designed with what the Bini’s call Ada Vbe Eben which is the Bini Coat of Arm. Bennard Osarumwense Osifo, a 400 level student of University of Lagos as
well as a staff of Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc and a propagator of Bini outfit says it is a statement of style that is good to be worn with beads, which is the ultimate symbol of wealth and honour in Bini kingdom. To bring out the beauty
of this outfit, the bead (Ivie) is very necessary. This outfit is mostly used during festive periods such as popular Bini Igue festival, which takes place annually in Bini kingdom. But today, the Bini man, ever so confident of his ability, now uses it for different occasions.
THE NIGERIAN
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
THE NIGERIAN
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Encounter
Oshodin Has Done Well . . . DR. Osagiede Francis, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Assistant Dean, School of Post Graduate Studies, University of Benin (UNIBEN) is one gentleman whose intellectual reasonings, strong character and deep sense of humility has popular appeal. As the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Osayuki Godwin Oshodin turns 63 today, this great mathematician speaks of the personality, tenure and achievement in office. He also spoke on the future and relevance of mathematics in national development, University Funding and the current ASUU strike. He spoke with our Reporter Isabemoeh James Roys. Excerpts:-
As Professor Osayuki Godwin Oshodin, Vice Chancellor, University of Benin celebrates his 63rd birthday, what can you say about this great scholar? Professor Oshodin is a man of integrity and rare character. He is a man of sound mind, wisdom, a pacesetter and goal getter. Indeed he is a social mobiliser who does not believe in failure. How can you assess his administration in the University of Benin in the past three years? He has engaged the use of open door policy. He is a friend to all, a bridge between the small and the big. To this end, he has uses the resources of the university to effect positive changes and development to the admiration of all. Could you identify some of the specific areas reflected in his development success? Absolutely, you can see completed and ongoing structures and projects in both Ugbowo and Ekenwan Campuses of the university. Apart from massive promotion of staff, promotion arrears have also been paid. This has strong
impact on our collective psyche and welfare. Many Professor, Associate Professors and senior Lecturers have been made within this period of
been introduced while others are on the pipeline. This is a tremendous achievement. What is your advice to him now? He should continue to do
today. Just as God breathed life into him and made him in his own image, so shall he
“Nigerian Universities are the least funded in Africa. This has led to lack of necessary equipment and reagents in laboratories. In South Africa, there is a mathematics laboratory. The result of this is felt in that country.” well as to take UNIBEN to greater height. What do you wish the Vice-Chancellor at 63? As rainbow is not just a combination of colours, but
crown him with his favour and move heaven and earth for his sake and take him to where he want to be. Come to the area for which you can claim
research in mathematics in the University of Benin? This is absolutely true, as we have secured several breakthrough, especially in the areas of Mathematics Biology and Operations Research. The University of Benin recently won the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) award in Producing the best desertation in Mathematics and Engineering. Like I always make people understand, Mathematics remains the mother of all sciences and the mother of the whole
• Prof. Osayuki Oshodin, VC UNIBEN
Dr. Osagiede Francis
our concern. Indeed this record is unequalled in the history of this university. Several programmes have
- Dr Osagiede
a sign of divine covenant of remembrance, may God remember him for good and make his life colourful
expertise, namely, mathematics. Is there improvement in the quality and the quality of
world. How do we solve the problem of mass failure and fears attached to the
study of mathematics in Nigeria? While fear is of the devil, the love of mathematics is the beginning of wisdom. Children and teachers should as a matter of fact love mathematics as a husband loves his wife. They should get acquainted with learning of mathematics because it is everyday life. Parents should encourage their children to read the subject. What is the way out of the current industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU? The federal government should adopt and implement the agreement entered with ASUU. What is the state of funding in Nigerian Universities? Nigerian Universities are the least funded in Africa. This has led to lack of necessary equipment and reagents in laboratories. In South Africa, there is a mathematics laboratory. The result of this is felt in that country. The proper funding of university education will not only lead to massive national development, our students will no longer go abroad in search of knowledge. In spite of the hardship experienced by our students in Nigeria they still excel and funding will make them rank among the best in the world. What is your message to the entire UNIBEN Community as Prof Oshodin turns 63? They should pray for him because the ViceChancellor has proved to be a man that can be entrusted with power and huge responsibility.
“While fear is of the devil, the love of mathematics is the beginning of wisdom. Children and teachers should as a matter of fact love mathematics as a husband loves his wife.”
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Insight
IT is very imperative for parents to know their children’s psychology as this is one of the roles of parents. While naturing the child. Children that are growing up should be under the proper surveillance of the parents. So that the child will not go astray in life. What is psychology? According to is the scientific study of human mind and its function, especially those affecting behaviour in a given contenxt, Or the mental characteristics or attitude of a person or group. For a parent to be able to understand their children psychology there is the need for such parent to understand the concept of psychology in relation to children as this will help them ascertain the mental states and processes of their children. The understanding of children psychology presents a procedure for assessing the qualitative nature of the infant mother attachment relationship application from age 11-18 month, and possibly up to 24 month hence it is with the help of child psychology (behaviour) that a parent can know what their child is capable of. Zodia sings are also believed to be responsible for children’s behaviour. Zodiac sings are astrologycal signs which represents twelve equal segments or divisions of the zodiac. According to astrology, celestial phenomena reflect, nearly every one has heard of these signs of tha Zodiac mostly through signs of astrology column where the sings are taken as the major determinant of the personality . It is also believed that zodiac sings can also influence a child behaviour. A Brief Summary Of All Zodiac Signs Aries Personality traits: Direct, energetic, independent, assertive, athletic, selfassured, restless, brave, enterprising, creative, competitive, fearless. Can also be: Impatient, aggressive, temperamental, arrogant, extreme. In a partnership: Bold, passionate, impulsive, sexual, exuberant, jealous, temperamental. Likes: Being active, being adventuresome, new ideas, being first, excitement, competition, being appreciated, being noticed, winning, achieving. Dislikes: Boredom, routines, criticism, feeling repressed, feeling ignored, losing, restrictions. Taurus Personality traits: Stable, patient, watchful, reliable, affectionate, persistent, down-to-earth, focused, dedicated, money conscious. Can also be: Stubborn, selfindulgent, materialistic, possessive, rigid. In a partnership: Loyal, sensual, protective, caring, stable, generous, possessive, jealous, controlling. Likes: Feeling secure, material comforts, traditions, nature and beauty, operating at own pace, feeling appreciated, gifts.
Dislikes: Feeling rushed or pushed, aggression, changes in plans, forgetfulness, feeling insecure, being told what to do. Gemini Personality traits: Friendly, talkative, active, intelligent, adaptable, versatile, curious and inquisitive, creative, c h a r m i n g . Can also be: Restless, easily bored, changeable, nervous, highly strung, superficial. In a partnership: Friendly, delightful, enthusiastic, adventuresome, engaging, child-like, fickle, changeable, immature, prone to mood swings. Likes: Talking, thinking, exploring ideas, technology, making friends, learning, exploring, personal freedom. Dislikes: Demands, routines, apathy, being restricted or confined, slowness. Cancer Personality traits: Sensitive, emotional, self-protective, caring, humorous, reactive, responsive, sentimental, home-loving, traditional. Can also be: Possessive, moody, clinging, demanding, melodramatic. In a partnership: Nurturing, loving, sensual, generous, sympathetic, protective, demanding, possessive, controlling, overly e m o t i o n a l . Likes: Comfort, security,
Understanding Children’s
feeling needed, family and friends, home, emotional honesty, stability, c o m m i t m e n t . Dislikes: Unpredictable change, insincerity, being ignored, dishonesty, impulsiveness. Leo Personality traits: Ambitious, proud, risk-taking, affectionate, passionate, gregarious, strong minded, powerful, dramatic. Can also be: Egotistical, opinionated, bossy, demanding, possessive, impulsive, melodramatic. In a relationship: Passionate, playful, sensual, adoring, generous, loving, demonstrative, jealous, possessive, demanding. Likes: Being noticed, being appreciated, leading, passion, drama, receiving gifts, family and friends. Dislikes: Feeling unnoticed, excessive demands, criticism, nagging, deceit, apathy, boredom. Virgo Personality traits: Efficient, practical, hard-working, diligent, focused, compassionate, health conscious, intelligent, thorough, shy. Can also be: Hypercritical, demanding, nervous, fussy, hard to please, selfconscious, reclusive. In a relationship: Devoted, nurturing, loving, sacrificial, uninhibited, considerate, p r o t e c t i v e . Likes: Routines, order, feeling needed, logic/ common sense, feeling secure, loyalty, honesty. Dislikes: Hypocrisy, disruptions, dishonesty, feeling unappreciated, crassness, tardiness, laziness. Libra Personality traits: Sociable, friendly, fair, open-minded, creative, peaceful, charming, balanced, idealistic, refined. Can also be: Indecisive, selfcentered, detached, lazy, easily-deterred. In a partnership: Affectionate, compelling, loving, romantic, generous, easy-going, charming, deceptive, aloof, unwilling to make decisions. Likes: Good friends, harmonious surroundings,
attention, intelligence, being creative/expressive, beautiful things, security. Dislikes: Criticism, coarseness, disruptive environments, arguments, being pushed into decisions. Scorpio Personality traits: Intense, penetrating, quiet, private, passionate, sexual, secretive, perceptive, deep, complex, d e t e r m i n e d . Can also be: Jealous, suspicious, controlling, aggressive, obsessive. In a partnership: Sensual, dedicated, supportive, unshockable, loyal, passionate, possessive, jealous, demanding. Likes: Honesty, commitment, being in control, a mystery to uncover, passion, privacy, s t r e n g t h . Dislikes: Dishonesty, surprises, being analyzed, insincerity, apathy, insecurity, being controlled. Sagittarius Personality traits: Gregarious, intelligent, extroverted, philosophical, witty, fun-loving, competitive, fair minded, o p t i m i s t i c . Can also be: Tactless, unreliable, sarcastic, careless, exaggerative, selfi n d u l g e n t . In a partnership: Spontaneous, joyful, playful, generous, captivating, sensual, unreliable, selfcentered, impulsive, critical. Likes: Adventures, freedom, intellectual peers, risk taking, socializing, competition, socializing. Dislikes: Possessiveness, jealousy, routines, apathy/ laziness, demands, feeling controlled. Capricorn Personality traits: Responsible, patient, selfdisciplined, focused, practical, reserved, conventional, selfc o m p e t e n t . Can also be: Controlling, cold, rigid, suspicious, demanding, insensitive. In a partnership: Loyal, reliable, patient, secure, sensual, stable, playful, controlling, demanding, possessive, cold.
“Astrology can give you a deeper understanding of your child’s unique personality, which can help you parent them in a more informed and enlightened manner.”
Likes: Loyalty, honesty, financial security, maturity, reliability, ambitious goals, h a r d - w o r k . Dislikes: Impulsiveness, demands, game playing, unreliability, insecurity, lying. Pisces Personality traits: Imaginative, sensitive, idealistic, friendly, spiritual, inspirational, accepting, open-minded, sensual. Can also be: Unreliable, distracted, neglectful, unrealistic, gullible. In a partnership: Loving,
caring, sensual, dreamy, understanding, devoted, tolerant, giving. Likes: Romance, mystical ideals, feeling appreciated/ loved, sharing thoughts, ideas, friends, selfe x p l o r a t i o n . Dislikes: Feeling insecure, being ignored, vulnerability, being uncertain, being alone. Monica Wallach, in her article ‘BETTER PARENTING THROUGH ASTROLOGY’in www.MonicaWallach.com gave the following inestimable valued information about how to understand and parent your children through the understanding of their zodiac signs. Astrology can give you a deeper understanding of your child’s unique personality, which can help you parent them in a more informed and
By UKIRI CLEMENTI enlightened manner. In this article, you will learn about the twelve zodiacal archetypes. Knowing your child’s type gives you information you can use for better parenting. I must emphasize that your child’s “Sun sign” comprises only one part of his or her astrological profile. The Sun sign is the sign of the zodiac the Sun was moving through on the day of birth. For example, a person born between July 23 and August 22nd each year would be
M infl astr pla alig as read und has diff birt CH A sel natu asso
known as a “Leo” since the Sun always moves through the zodiac sign of Leo during those days. The Moon sign holds just as much importance as the Sun sign, and possibly more. The sign of the zodiac that the Moon was passing through when your child was born is known as the “Moon sign.” And, finally, perhaps even more important than the Sun or the Moon sign, is the rising sign. The rising sign is the sign of the zodiac cresting the eastern horizon at the moment of birth. Since the zodiac goes around us once a day, each of the twelve signs will rise over the horizon once a day, for roughly a two-hour period. Hence, the rising sign becomes more specific to a person than either their Sun or Moon sign.
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THE NIGERIAN
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Insight
s Psychology Through Zodiac Signs NA/BINITIE ROSELINE
Many other factors luence a birth chart, and rologers take various anetary positions and gnments into consideration well. Therefore, please d these archetypes with the derstanding that your child s a mixture of many ferent energies in his or her th chart. THE ARIES HILD: Aries has a fiery, impulsive, f-focused, energetic ure. It has an archetypal ociation with a fighter or
arrior. Aries children to rush headlong into ger without the least ught of bodily injury. y often jump off roofs, ng from vines, and do k-flips off the high-dive. y tend to love sports and forms of physical vity. They do not like ts and they do not like g told what to do. They butt their heads through all rather than move over feet to use the door. y usually act in an upt manner, and have a veté that can seem pletely disarming. They ak the truth. They have ng and immediate otions. You will know at they feel just by king at their face (this is cially true with an Aries on). Aries children like to t things, but they may e need help and
encouragement to see them through to the finish, without heading off going after some new pursuit. Helpful Tips for Parenting an Aries Child: To best parent an Aries child, think of yourself as the river bank and them as the water. Rather than limiting or trying to control their boundless energy, help them channel it in the most useful and productive ways. Aries children often get diagnosed with ADD — attention deficit disorder — because they do not want to sit still, follow rules, or listen to their
teachers directions. They respond well to learning environments which encourage initiative and self-motivation. Surprisingly, they do well in military schools because of their innate physical prowess and leadership ability. They do poorly sitting at desks and reading books. Involvement in sports, particularly team sports, often proves greatly beneficial. Aries typically have a very sexual nature, and these children may start to experiment early, so have that talk sooner rather than later. Remember, Aries resonates to the energy of a warrior. By definition, a warrior has someone or something worth fighting for. Help your Aries child identify and pursue his or her personal cause, so that fiery energy can be put to good use. THE TAURUS CHILD: Taurus resonates to the energy of the earth — stable,
sturdy and stubborn. Taurus children like the established order of routine, and flourish with a secure and stable home life. They dislike change and do poorly with any unexpected events. They tend to be slow, methodical learners. Once they have mastered a lesson, they will not forget it. Taurus has a strong connection to the five senses, and Taurian children seem especially attuned to the sight, sound, taste, and feel of things. They respond well to environments where their senses can find peace — quiet gardens, soft clothes, comfortable chairs, etc. They may enjoy gardening, crafts, and working with their hands. They can act in a stubborn manner. Remember, Taurus is symbolized by the bull. Helpful Tips for Parenting a Taurus Child: Maintaining order and routine in their lives will hold great importance. They will take longer to accept and adjust to changes than the average person. Taurians tend to learn better by doing than by reading — so learning experiences which allow practical experience work better than regular classroom work. Taurians need a sense of safety, and reassurances of your love and stability help them. Taurus rules the throat, and many Taurians have gifts as singers, so voice lessons could help. Try to work with, rather than against, any stubborn streak in your little Taurus. Remember, you cannot push a bull with his feet planted, but you can hold out a carrot and make him come along quite easily. Your little bull will move, but only when he wants to!! THE GEMINI CHILD: Gemini resonates with travel and communication, and those born under its energy make natural travelers and talkers. They often have gifts in writing, speaking, teaching and social interaction. These little ones want to know everything and will ask endless questions. They have an insatiable intellectual curiosity, and may like to read the
encyclopedia cover to cover. They can have “mercurial” emotions (especially those with a Gemini Moon), and have a great deal of nervous energy. They may find themselves prone to restlessness and boredom. Calming their quick-moving minds may take effort. Usually, they dislike routine, preferring to have some type of variety and excitement in their day-to-day lives. They tend to do well in academia, and often love to read about a wide variety of subjects. Helpful Tips for Parenting a Gemini Child: These children flourish when allowed to satisfy their natural curiosity. They want and need to talk about what they learn, and do well in a social learning environment. Encourage them to express themselves verbally and in writing, you may find you have a great orator or novelist on your hands. They may need help sometimes to calm their restless minds, so you may find it beneficial to introduce them to meditation or yoga at a young age. You may find it helps to make long walks, or relaxing hot baths, part of their day. Gemini rules the lungs in the physical body, and Gemini children have a tendency to start smoking at a young age (to calm those nerves). Educate them early about the dangers of cigarettes. THE CANCER CHILD: Cancer resonates with the archetypal energy of nurturing and mothering. Cancer children typically have an incredibly strong bond with their mother. If the child has a positive bond with the mother, it will set the foundation for the child to grow into a loving and nurturing adult. Cancer children attach on the deepest subconscious level to their mothers. They often want to live near home their entire lives. They can act quite timid and shy, especially in their early years. Cancer children want reassurance of their parents’ love, and respond well to all manner of nurturing. They
need to feel secure and protected. They tend to have very emotional and highly sensitive natures. Helpful Tips for Parenting a Cancer Child: Make it a priority to assure your Cancer child that you love them. Do what you can to make them feel secure. Showing affection and nurturing will allow them to feel safe and protected enough to venture out of their shell (remember, the crab is the mascot of this sign). Cancer children like routine and a sense of safety. They do best in a settled home life, and if the family has to move, they will need emotional support through the experience. They tend to feel harsh words or aggressive discipline on a deep emotional level, where it will stay a long time. Cancer’s can have difficulty releasing emotions, and you must use care about what occurs in their emotional life. In the physical body, Cancer rules the breasts and stomach. If possible, breast feeding (while a great start for all babies) proves especially beneficial for a Cancer child. Cancer children can have trouble with their weight, watch for a tendency to overeat, especially due to emotional issues. THE LEO CHILD: Leo is the sign of the lion, the king of the jungle, and Leo children have a sense of regality about them. They enjoy the spot-light and make natural leaders. They have a great deal of pride, which you wound at your own peril — they do not forgive or forget insults. However, they respond like cats to milk when given sincere compliments or encouragement. Leo children like to have fun. They tend to have natural abilities as actors and actresses. It should not surprise you when they turn your porch into a make-shift stage. Leo children have a special bond with their fathers. Try your best to insure that your child has a positive bond with his or her father. Leo children
usually assume leadership roles in the world, so they do best when they have a father they can respect and emulate. Helpful Tips for Parenting a Leo Child: Make sure the Leo child spends quality time with his or her father. Encourage a close and positive bond between father and child. These children need positive male role models as well. Leo children respond well to heartfelt praise and compliments. If you want them to clean their room on a regular basis, rather than ordering them to do so, you may try saying “I makes me feel proud that you cleaned your room without me having to ask.” Encourage them to apply for leadership positions (school counsel, team captain, etc.) and guide them to using their authority in positive ways. Most Leo children want to be the center of attention, and will probably entertain the whole family when allowed to do so. Leo children have a great deal of charm, and they often have a natural ability to attract people. Like the Sun, people seem drawn to the warm and strong nature of the Leo child. THE VIRGO CHILD: Virgo resonates to the energy of analysis, discrimination, and purity. They tend to act in a smart, efficient, and organized manner. For example, they may arrange their pens by color, and their books in alphabetical order. They do well with all types of mental puzzles, and usually enjoy complex intellectual games such as chess or scrabble. Virgo tends to indicate a shy or unsure nature, and these children may be timid when young. They tend to be the wallflowers, but have an innate sweetness and willingness to help others which makes them popular despite their social awkwardness. Virgos tend to act in methodical and practical ways, so routine and order feel like second Continues on page 24
“Try to work with, rather than against, any stubborn streak in your little Taurus. Remember, you cannot push a bull with his feet planted, but you can hold out a carrot and make him come along quite easily. Your little bull will move, but only when he wants to!!”
THE NIGERIAN
18
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Art Alive
With FRANCIS ODUPUTE
And the “LOADING” continued: Viewers after viewers graphically added their voices to warn about the consequences of climate crimes in Nigeria. Graphic Communication is about making the visual legible to all
Pedagogy Of Visual Journalism...
(Continued from last week) ENGAGE Your Audience: What is one of the most effective ways to get the attention of the ordinary man on the streets understand and imbibe climate change consciousness? Show him a serious picture. A picture communicates more profoundly, especially x hen it really tells a story. Show a Lagos landlord, for example, horrible pictures of houses and properties destroyed by raging flood caused by climate change, people’s negligence and poor environmental habits. Then show him how his own houses or his son’s new building projects in flood prone parts of Edo State would soon be destroyed or submerged unless certain things are done fast-say a stop to building on water ways or dumping refuse indiscriminately in their environments and vicinity. That man will take you very serious because he has not just been told a abstract theory of what climate change means and can do, he has been shown what it means in reality he may soon be a victim. Such a fellow is more likely to take proactive measures immediately to avoid such calamity happening to him. Better still, where possible, find a creative way to involve the person in the very process of creating this strategic picture and then sit back and watch what magic it will do. While creating this mega— long cartoon master piece, I had the journalistic instinct that the best way I can tell such a serious human angle story or report an environmental crisis of such magnitude and urgency was to involve my immediate audience- the very objects or targets of the report— in telling this story or reporting this crucial matter. That v ay, they will not only fully grasp the import of my message, they will naturally feel obligated to pass the message on to others and be responsible themselves to not do anything that would further endanger the environment nor support those who do, under any guise. It’s like telling yourself’, “Practice what you preach”. As a social worker actively involved in youth outreaches for several years now, experience on the job has taught me that young people learn best when you engage them in the whole teaching process for them in a fun and creative way. When they are creatively involved in the very process of information communication or knowledge
sharing with others, it is easier for them to fully understand the information and assimilate retain the knowledge as a way of life and to pass same on to their friends and colleagues as peer educators. This worked like magic in BFI, a faith- based organization I have headed for some fifteen years now. I deployed that strategy somehow via non-verbal communication in this mega long advocacy cartoon report. Envisioning public comedic and satirical public art piece which final product is the result of public input and an artistic synergy with the target audience playing a critical role in supplying meaning, context and aesthetic force dynamism. I planned to leave a good part of the 30 feet long cartoon painting somewhat unfinished. I was going to leave a very large expanse of white space on the third canvas of the 30 feet megalong cartoon, as a metaphor for some parts of our beautiful Earth yet undefiled in its natural purity and aesthetics. Every viewer or visitor to the exhibition was expected to willingly be part of the production symbolically adding his or her voice on the consequences of further degradation of the environment through industrial pollutions and other climate crimes in Nigeria. How? By helping me to deface the canvas...! Take a critical look at the three-in-one artwork above. The gloom of dark smoke enveloping the entire atmosphere and horizons of our lives and our environments is progressively “LOADING”...
No thanks to gas flaring, oil spills et al, owing to oil explorations and exploitations in the Niger Delta. Responding to a written request pasted on the wall close to the half plain canvas (the third canvas) each visitor or viewer, if interested, takes the paint brush placed on top of a tin of black paint on a corner close enough to the hanging artwork on exhibition, and adds a brush stroke or two that further defaces the white canvas; and symbolically, the “LOADING” of pollution and environmental degradation emanating from the oil rig on the first canvas continues. Injecting Humour into Your Story: A good storyteller or communicator is one who is able to hold his audience spellbound, make them laugh, enthused, laugh again and take action immediately. There is so much bad news around that people need a break for some comic relief. No wonder in Nigeria today the comedy industry now thrives like the “pure water” business always in hot demand! What happens when you lace a bitter truth with a coat of humour? Yr message will sail through without necessarily hurting your intended target. It was the graphic humour and the interactive content of the mega—long cartoon, Oil Wise, WASH Foolish, that provoked Every Dick and Harry desire to identify with it at the NAC2OI2 grand finale exhibition in Lagos. Firstly, I purposeful employed circular design and delineated the work in a way that leads the observer from canvas to the last canvas in a satirical story line predicated on
the multifarious and interconnected development problems facing us as a people. An investigative study of the first canvas tells volumes of the issues graphically discussed. Then deploying the popular computer icon people are used to seeing while downloading documents online, I created a satirical conjunction linking the myriad of problems in the first canvas to the endless gloom to be expected... Particularly foreigners, tourists and expatriates working in Nigeria, most of the respondents to (he “LOADING” process of that advocacy public art approached mc laughing and excited: some said things like. ‘‘This is great idea. 1 love it’’. ‘‘this is innovative’’, “can 1, too, paint on it please?” These and many other imbuing comments made me feel that my efforts weren’t in vain. I could sense the literal excitement on each thee for the privilege given them to be an “artist’’ of sort for that vital moment in time! Tell me they would easily forget that creative encounter of staining their hands with the black gloss paints that dripped off the brush onto their fingers! Tell me they would easily forget the “LOADING..” issue at stake! After all. I made the visual legible enough for all to read in-between the lines and then draw personal conclusions. This is what graphic communication entails! And ho know if that was why Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, Managing Director/Chief Executive of Nigerian Breweries Plc, sponsors of the annual event, requested to acquire the megalong cartoon...? (To be continued)
The 30 feet comedic and mega-long advocacy media art piece hanging behind as visitors and participants trickled in for the 2012 NAC grandfinale in Lagos.
THE NIGERIAN
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Art And Culture
With AMBROSE EKHOSUEHI
Ugba Dance Troupe Of Edo Culture UGBA is a religious dance of an exciting dancing and clapping of hands. The dancer wear leglets jingles with rattles round their ankles and dance excitedly with singing — Igiangian, move sideways and then round in circles. The troupe dances round a lit pot with medicinal incense to ward off evils from the scenery. The people of Ugboko and Orogho of Edo State are the exponents of Ugba dance. They are the Idugba who dance to songs with powerful lyrics. The dance — Ugba which they evolved with creative style have reflected the social and traditional culture of the people to suit their elegance and artistry style. It is one of the most popular dance at festivals. Furthermore the instruments of Ugba dance troupe are used for musical and non-musical purposes. The most important purposes for which Ugba instruments are used include to evoke spirits, to symbolize deities, to symbolize social status and to send messages, hence “Ugba rrie ode Oghe edede” Ugba is going to call at the Old woman. Different instruments may be used to evoke spirits for prayers during festivals as well as everyday ceremonies but the most common ones at Ugba dance are eroro, egogo, gong clapper-bells, while elaghaloghodouble clapper bell is sounded to keep evil spirits away
during procession. Instruments that can be used to send messages have often attracted the attention of European visitors. The general Principle which underlies the various instruments is in the tonal quality that enables the instrument to reproduce the tones, stress and numbers of syllables in the various utterances. The instruments transmit an abstraction from the total speech utterance, therefore for this reason there is a tendency towards standardized messages towards fairly long utterances. The Edo languages and dialects are highly tonal in the sense that every syllable has a distinct and proper tone. The tone is phonemic which means that alteration of the tones of a word may change its meaning or render it unintelligible. The basic features are level tone, the pitch of which usually does not rise or fall during its pronunciation. Ugba music concerns the reasons for its employment and the broader purpose for which it serves, and are those of emotional expression, entertainment, communication, symbolic representation, enforcing conformity to social norms, validation of social institutions and religious rites. Ugba instrumental music gives its performers and listeners opportunity to express variety of emotions. Some of which are excitement — Igiangian, and
psychological relief, as well as dramatic tension at point of climax also express the excitement. Ugba instrumental music provides entertainment combined with other story telling, the art as a means to express and experience certain emotions. In this connection, it should be mentioned that some instruments are specifically associated
music performed in connection with various deities through its particular rhythms, melodies, song texts and an imaginary communication between the worshippers and the supernatural world. Ugba instrumental music has the function of enforcing conformity provided by the songs which instruct the younger members of the
in terms of song and dance. Canticles and recitations of myths and legends concerning establishment of existing social order and religious ceremonies usually express confidence in the deities. Ugba dance troupe which expresses existing relationships between men and women, between old and young in the community are validated
together with some friends and singing at a family gathering and relaxation. Sometimes instruments are used, as when a person sings alone to the accompaniment of lamella-phone. Occasionally people may also use instruments that happen to be around to make an instrumental music performance or to accompany their singing. Ugba dance troupe of
with entertainment functions such as lamellaphones, raft zithers and aero-phones. The functions of communication is provided in various ways by different types of music, such as music performed to communicate peoples history in song texts, and
community in proper and improper behaviour, especially at the time of initiation ceremonies. The function of validation of social institutions and religious rites is provided by most song and dances that are performed as parts of various deities, to offer loyalty and to pay homage
through song and dance in the festivals. Jingles of various materials and shapes are used as armlets, waist-lets, leg-lets and anklets but Idugba uses ekasa jingles leg-lets which consist of a number of dried seed pods originating from Ekasa tree. There are music for pure entertainment on a number of occasions in Edo culture, but one can distinguish between informal entertainment performed by professional entertainment on important occasions. Informal entertainment includes singing for ones own enjoyment, singing
Edo culture is a professional rite of several instruments between rites and ceremonies on various important occasions. In Edo culture, there are number of deities and spirits besides the major deities, thus there are Communal deities which are worshipped only by the village groups as well as minor deities and spirits with rather limited or specialized spheres of influence or activity. Ugba dance troupe in general is a religious dance of an exciting dancing and clapping of hands with rattle on their feet jingling -Igiangian of Edo Culture.
“Ugba music concerns the reasons for its employment and the broader purpose for which it serves, and are those of emotional expression, entertainment, communication, symbolic representation, enforcing conformity to social norms, validation of social institutions and religious rites.”
THE NIGERIAN
20
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Security
Terrorism In The Nation
THERE is no gain the fact that the Nigeria’s security personnel are doing their best to ensure safety of lives and properties from acts of terrorism in the country. As citizens, we still want them to do more even though domestic policing against sophisticated criminals can be daunting and risky. Collaborative efforts with relevant security agencies and other stakeholders Including volunteers and community leaders could make some positive differences. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Ahmed Tijani Jibrin, recently disclosed how Boko Haram members were arrested by his men in Ondo, Edo and Kwara states through the supports of the public who provide useful information on suspicious movement and behaviours of strangers in their communities. The military officer disclosed how the military had been on alert closely monitoring entries into various cities in the south. This, he added where necessitated after the declaration of state of emergency in some Northern states with awareness that some suspects may find their way to the South, particularly the South West. While admitting that the task of detecting and apprehending suspected militants and other criminals is not easy, he sought for more understanding and
support of the media and the public in curtailing the activities of the underworld. Also the recent boko haram attacks in Sabon Gari area of Kano came after persistent warnings by security agencies for the public to be more security conscious of strange objects and movement in their communities. The public refused to heed the warning until the terrorists attacked. In a statement issued by spokesperson of Joint Task Force (JTF) in Kano, it said that the disaster “could have been avoided if citizens maintain vigilance to observe when packages are dropped as it was in this case. The JTF had urged residents of Kano metropolis to keep an eye on their environment as members of the terrorist sect had planned to drop packages in bags or cartons in areas with high human traffic.” The JTF therefore reminded residents that the security agencies will continue to count on the support and cooperation to achieve an atmosphere of peace conducive for business. While the JTF and other security agencies should not rest on their oars to rid the state of all terrorist elements, the general public are enjoined to report promptly all unattended packages or suspicious persons to the closest security agency for immediate action. It is worthy of note the impressive activities of some of those jointsecurity team including the Quick Response groups that operate in fast-moving vehicles.
By OLA LOOKMAN
• Abubakar Mohammed, IGP
The security personnel are well composed in terms of men and equipment and able to rapidly assemble, come down, form quick checkpoints, conduct their checks and quickly assemble again and move forward. Deliberate measures should be put in place to ensure that, at least, the security agencies detect
movements of terrorists and other criminals and apprehend them. Relationship with people in the local communities should also be intensified, as most arrests have been made when the residents alert the appropriate authorities on movement of suspicious people in their environment.
Nigerians need to be extra careful when hiring security personnel. Such measures would circumvent the mistake of recruiting terrorists and people with criminal t e n d e n c i e s . Investigation had revealed that some of the security personnel patronised by several i n d i v i d u a l s ,
communities and organisations were in most cases unqualified people with questionable characters. While the military should ensure that they hand over suspected individuals to relevant agencies after investigation, regular patrol and surveillance should be mounted by plain-clothed military, police and SSS. The supports of critical stakeholders too are very essential like landlords, tenants, road transport workers, okada riders, traders, and others who come across travellers and strangers most of the time. As disclosed by Major General Ahmed Tijani Jibrin the security agencies need the media to draw the attention of the public to the fact that no matter how good the intelligence outfits are, no matter how well widespread they are, they are not as widespread as the people on ground. The public will help by giving information about the arrival of people from other part of the country. The media through their corporate social responsibility should also publish emergency numbers and email where the public and those in distress can send an alert on suspicious movements.
“Also the recent boko haram attacks in Sabon Gari area of Kano came after persistent warnings by security agencies for the public to be more security conscious of strange objects and movement in their communities. The public refused to heed the warning until the terrorists attacked.”
THE NIGERIAN
21
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Religion
Of Zakah And Sadaqat By IMONOFI TANUTI MOMODU
O you who believe shall I lead you to a bargain that will save you from grievous suffering (in this world and in the life to come)? You are to believe in Allah and His messenger and strive hard in Allah’s cause with your possessions and your lives: this is for your own good-if you had known it (as-saff 1011) (0 Muhammad) also mention (to the) in the Book (the story) of Ishmail. He was always true to his promise, and he was a messenger (of Allah) and a prophet, was enjoined upon his people prayer and Zakah, and found favor in his sustainer’s sight (Maryam:54). And remember we took a covenant from the children of Israel: Worship non but, Allah, treat with kindness your parents and relatives and orphans and destitute, speak fair to people, be steadfast in prayer, and give Zakah. Then did you turnback, except a few among you…(al-BeqAarah 83). He (Jesus) said “I am indeed a servant of Allah. He has given me revelation and made me a prophet; and he has made blessed wherever I be, and had enjoined upon me prayer and Zakat as long as I live” (Maryam:30). It seems the words sadaqah and zakah have been use interchangeably which more often than not cause confusion in some of our readers mind. Linguistically, sadaqah is derived from the root sadq or sidq, which means “ to speak the truth, to be sincere” It can also mean, candor or candid (quality of being honest and telling the truth, even when truth may be unpleasant or embarrassing) and efficiency”. The Quranic lexicon transfigures (change) this verbal root in to sadaqah- a term applicable to the concept of a gift offered some one from one’s rightfully owned holdings without regret or remorse or without any ulterior motives, in short for the pleasure of Allah, the Exalted. The messenger of Allah, sallalahu alehi wasallam, took our oaths of allegiance (on the points) that we would abide with him under all circumstances, that in riches as well as in poverty we will spend in the way of Allah, that we will enjoin goodness and for bid evil, and that will tell the truth for Allah with least regard to consequences. Sadaqat provided a safety net for the newly intiated into Islam who are alienating themselves from their kafir society and thus facing economic hardship and humiliation. It has no specified amount, according to the ahadith a sadaqt could be any thing, size, amount, or form is immaterial. A flicker of smile that comes on a believer’s face at the sight of another believer’s or removal of any hazardous material from a road is as valvable as a big donation could be. Sadaqat is peculiar to the spirit of Islam that it took upon itself the reconstruction of a new society where the poor were not to be despised or ignored, and were people felt bound to each other because of responsiveness and care. In a very remarkable hadith, Abu Musa al-Ash’ari reported Allah’s messenger, upon whom be peace, as saying that every Muslim must give sadaqah (charity). He (the messenger) was asked how this could apply to one had nothing, and he applied that he should work with his hands, gaining benefit for himself thereby and giving sadaqah. Asked what would happen if a person was unable to do this or did not do it, the messenger replied that he should help one who is in need and sad. Asked what he should do if he did not do that, he replied that he should enjoin what is good. Asked what he should do if he did not do that, he
replied that he should refrain from evil, for that would be sadaqah for him. On the other hand, zakah is a sadaqah of a compulsive nature which the rich have to pay to an Islamic state in order to help it create an economically conducive environment where its citizenry could live in love and friendship and whereby it could realize its ideological imperatives. In other words zakah, in its broad scope, deals with the fiscal policies of a state as it affects its moral and spiritual climate-a vehicle for social change, a source of its continuity, and a device for the safeguard of its ideological frontiers in a world not very friendly. DEFINITION: Zakah or alms tax can be defined as that portion of a man’s wealth which is designated for
the poor. The term is derived from the Arabic verbal roat meaning “to increase” “to purify”, and “to bless” it finds it origin in Allah’s command to “Take sadagah (charity) from their property in order to purify and sanctify them” (at –Taubah 103). Zakat-ul-fitr: It is obligatory on every muslim who has food that is surplus to his needs and the needs of his family members on the last night of Ramadan and Eid-Day. Zakatul Fitr is two and a quarter kilos of staple food of the country in which it is being given. This amount is person, male or female, and his dependants. It is beloved to give it out on the Eid Day before the prayer of the Eid. It is not before Edi. One also give to one person an amount of food that is enough for a group and vice versa. It is obligatory to distribute zakah immediately as it becomes due and the guardian is responsible to give zakah on behalf of children and the insane. It is sunnah for the responsible people to distribute it personally and let it be known to the people intention of the person on whose behalf the zakah is given is necessary. It is important to note that voluntary charity would not
“Sadaqat provided a safety net for the newly intiated into Islam who are alienating themselves from their kafir society and thus facing economic hardship and humiliation. It has no specified amount, according to the ahadith a sadaqt could be any thing, size, amount, or form is immaterial. A flicker of smile that comes on a believer’s face at the sight of another believer’s or removal of any hazardous material from a road is as valvable as a big donation could be.”
suffice for obligatory zakah, even if the person gave all his wealth away. It is preferable to give the amount of zakah to the poor of the country where the person lives but in case of some over whelming need, sending it to other countries is also allowed. Given zakah two years in advance is proper and allowed if the wealth reaches the amount where zakah becomes due. FIVE CONDITIONS
THAT MAKE ZAKAH OBLIGATORY When the following five conditions are met, zakah becomes obligatory: (1) Islam. Zakah is only obligatory on muslims (2) freedom from slavery zakah is not obligatory on slaves (3) ownership of the Nisaab (ownership of the amount upon which becomes due) (4) complete and stable ownership (5) completion of a year, except in the case of produce. PEOPLE WHO DESERVE ZAKAH The following people deserve zakah (1) For the poor and utterly destitute (2) For the poor who are needy (3) for the officials who collect and distribute it (4) for those who need additional attraction to Islam, whether muslims or non-muslims (5) for the liberation of slaves and captives (6) for helping who are burdened with legal debt (7) for those who are strdsggling in the way of Allah in Jihad. (8) for the travellers who are
cut off from their home land. THE NIYYAH (INTENTION) Since the payment of zakah is an act of worship, its validity depend upon the expression of one’s intention. That is, the zakah payer should pay it for the sake of Allah, he should make up his mind, with all his heart, that zakah is an obligation to be discharged. Allah says “And they are commanded not more than this to worship Allah, sincere in devotion in Him alone” (al-Bayyinah5) it is related in al-Bukhari and Muslim that the prophet, upon who be peace said the value of (one’s) deeds is determined by (ones’) intensions, and thus for each shall be according to his intentions. Malik and Shafi say that the intention is to be made at the time of rendering zakah. Abu Hanifah hold that the intension must be present at the time of payment or when zakah is being set aside from one’s asset. Ahmad’s view is that it is permissible to express the niyyah a little earlier before the payment. PAYMENT OF ZAKAH IN DUE TIME Zakah must be paid immediately at its due time. Deferring payment of zakah is prohibited, unless the payer for some valid reasons cannot pay it on time. PAYING ZAKAH IN ADVANCE It is permissible for zakah to be paid for even two years in advance Azzuhri did not see any problem in paying his zakah before the hawl-Al-Hassan was once asked if a man who had paid his zakah for three years in advance fulfilled his obligation. Al-Hassan answered in the affirmative of this view, ash –Shaukani said. ‘ this was the view of ash-Shafi, Ahmad and Abu Hanifah. It is supported by al-Hadi and al-Qasim” I N V O K I N G BLESSING FOR THE ZAKAK PAYER It is desirable that the recipient invoke blessing for the zakah payer at the time of its payment, for Allah say “ Take alms of their property that you may purify and sanctify them and pray for them verily your prayer is a comfort for them” (at-Taubah 103).s
THE NIGERIAN
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Tribute
Tribute To Lady Angelina Okhue Umogbai (Nee Lamai)
TODAY August 9 th, 2013 marks the beginning of the final return of the late Lady Angelina Okhue Umogbai nee Lamai to her final resting place after 65 years of her sojourn on earth. Born to the family of Agbomekhe Lamai in Ivhiokpo quarters Fugar, the administrative headquarters of the present Etsako Central local government area of Edo State, the late Lady Angelina Okhue Umogbai undoubtedly lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation, one that could be aptly described as fruitful in every sense of the word. Death remains death and it will come when the time has come. The demise of loved ones often throws the living into a state of agony, grief, pain and despair. When an individual dies, the African belief is that such person has gone to the great beyond and has joined his/her ancestors. While some great minds have argued that the longevity of human life is inconsequential and that the impact is what matters while others have said that the joy in existence lies in longevity of human life. Personally, I hold the view that while an individual lives, he or she should make the best use of the opportunity of living because the joy of life lies in existence. Death is said to be inevitable and that it will come when it will come but the question is when and how will it come is what we don’t really know. As it was, Mama was married to Sir Philip Umogbai at a relatively young age. The marriage was fruitful, resulting in the
birth of nine lovely children. Mama was a pillar and a wife, a confidant to her husband. This could undoubtedly be seen in the way and manner they groomed their children successfully. Her motherly love and the care she showered on her children undoubtedly saw them grow to enviable heights in the society. Evidence of mama’s success story in bringing up her children was a former member representing Etsako Central constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Chris Umogbai. Hon Umogbai owes much of his rise and success in life both as a businessman and a family man to the solid upbringing he enjoyed from the mother. A woman is meant to be a support and a pillar to a man. One whom the husband can always count on, a woman who is there to share in his joys and pains, and not only that, a positive influence to the children, in a world where these qualities are increasingly been lacked, the late Lady Umogbai was all of these to her home, her husband and children as well as every persons that ever came her way. Those who ever crossed her way can allude to the fact that she was a positive influence to them. She was a wife, mother and a woman with a difference. Her sterling qualities no doubt stood her out among the crowd. Little wonder therefore the Holy book says a virtuous woman builds her home. You will agree with me that there is scarcely any better way the success of a marriage is measured than in the life of the children. Today the late Lady Angelina Okhue Umogbai can boast of living
By LAMAI CASSIUS
behind fulfilled children who have found their ways to the peak of their career in life as a result of the love and solid upbringing they enjoyed from
wonder her children can look back with great confidence and satisfaction to say of a truth they had a mother and a friend indeed a counselor, one
Mama proved not only to be a source of inspiration to her children through her tireless physical efforts of keeping and building a home. Beyond that, she was a spiritual pillar to the children. A devout catholic who knows
Late Angelina Okhue Umogbai
their late mother. No wonder it is fondly said “Nneka” meaning Mother is supreme. Little
whom you can share your pains, fears and inner thoughts with. Mama was a wellspring of Godly counsel.
“The queen of our family, the epitome of beauty and the looking mirror of women, we love you but God loves you most, we all know it is very painful to say good bye most especially to a loved one. Adieu mother as you take your bow out of the world of mortals and make the journey to the great beyond.”
the teachings of the Holy book. She lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation by every mother such that today the Umogbai family is a prized family of accomplished men and women who have stuck to the exemplary spiritual foundation laid for them, just as it is written in the Holy Scriptures, train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. The Umogbai’s are obviously a glowing testimony to that.
Little wonder her children refer to her as a positive force in their lives, whose influence in shaping their lives cannot be underestimated. Her counsel and discipline, as well as her encouragement and support were no doubt timely. No wonder her exit came with great pain to her loving off springs who described her loss as monumental and irreplaceable, knowing fullywell that she will be missed for all these and most importantly her priceless presence. It would not be correct to say that Lady Umogbai was only a family woman, whose life impacted only on her immediate family. Far from it, the late Lady Umogbai was a glowing light and a strong influence on the people that came her way as her virtuous life rubbed off on everybody from the young to the old. Her love, warmth, kindness and generosity pervaded the people from her service to the church to her tireless service both as a wife, a mother, a sister and a friend. She was a warm, caring, very charming personality and a beautiful mother to be with any time of the day. It is said good men must die, but death cannot kill their names. This also reminded me of one of Bob Marley song when you live for yourself you lived in vain but when you live for others you die to live again. Though she is dead but her name will continue to remain in our lips forever as she had lived her life for others. The queen of our family, the epitome of beauty and the looking mirror of women, we love you but God loves you most, we all know it is very painful to say good bye most especially to a loved one. Adieu mother as you take your bow out of the world of mortals and make the journey to the great beyond. It is our fervent prayer that the Merciful God grant your soul eternity and rest in peace and give those whom you have left behind fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss. Once again adieu mother, good-bye till we meet to part no more. We will dearly miss you. Adieu mama.
THE NIGERIAN
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Reflection
With REV. FR. JOHN DAMIAN ADIZIE PHONE: 08076635886
Relationship Between Ramadan And NIGERIA is a nation that is richly endowed with variety of tribal, cultural and religious values/practices. Christianity and Islamic religions are the two major religions in Nigeria. Variety , people say, is the spice of life but unfortunately in the case of Nigeria the relationship between the Muslims and Christians has been characterized by misunderstanding, religious war, violence and terrorism that it will be very difficult to convince anyone that there is some kind of similarity between some Christian and Islamic practices. This ugly situation not withstanding, objectively speaking, can we still find some similarities between the Christian and Muslim practices? What is the relationship between the Muslim Ramadan and Christian Lenten season? What is the importance of fasting? Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God? How can the Christians and Muslims co-exist in Nigeria and other parts of the world without tension or terror? Christians, especially the Catholics, does not and should not discriminate against any religion. Rather, the Church recognizes the values that are common in every religion, especially the Muslims. For instance, In the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, no16, the church teaches that, “the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslim; they profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.” Christians and Muslims believe in the same one God. The God that created the Christians is the same God that created the Muslims. The only difference is that the Muslims do not accept the Christian idea of Trinity. Although they honor Jesus as a great prophet but they do not worship him as God. It is in the light of this and other teachings of the Church on Islamic religion that motivated me to reflect with you, my dear reader, the relationship between the Muslim Ramadan and the Christian Lenten season. Moreover, considering the religious tension and clashes that exists between the Christians and Muslims in Nigeria it is relevant to reflect on those values that are common in Christianity and Islamic religions. I strongly believe that together we can still do something beautiful for God and for humanity. The name “Ramadan” is the name of the ninth month in Arabian tradition. It is a time of fasting for the Islamic people. The Muslims strongly believes that Ramadan was sent down from heaven, onto earth to steer humanity on the path to righteousness. Each day during this month, Muslims all over the world abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and other forms of excessive and ill-mannered behaviour. They usually fast from dawn until the sun sets. This fasting is intended to educate them in spirituality, patience and humility. It is a time to focus attention on God, to cleanse one’s soul, and put into practice selflessness. Every authentic Muslim usually follows the five pillars of Islam in order to be accepted into heaven, just as Christians follow the Ten Commandments. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. Apart from growing one’s relationship with God. It is also known as Isyam; a time to feel what the less privileged feels. The Christian Lent, on the other hand, is a period of forty days praying and fasting. This practice was inspired by the teaching and life of our Lord Jesus Christ. Prior to his ministry, Jesus went into the desert where he prayed and fasted for 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew 4:1-2). After which he was able to conquer the temptation of the flesh and other satanic temptations. Lent is not just a period to feel how truly blessed one is by doing good deeds; it is also a time to turn to the heavenly father, just as Christ did in the desert. During Lenten season Christians highlight three important spiritual virtues: Prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Christians usually intensify their
Lenten Season prayer and spiritual life during Lent. Prayer and fasting are inseparable and both leads to almsgiving. Christians do not fast for the sake of fasting. Their fasting is meant to benefit the less privileged, through almsgiving. So, like the Muslims, the Christians give alms during Lent. However, one unique thing about the Christian fasting is the prudence and humility that is required of those who are fasting. Jesus does not want his followers to blow their own trumpet. Rather, he says, “Beware of practising your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received
their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:1-4). Christian almsgiving is a conscience-based exercise. Some extreme Muslims are very strict with their fasting. For them, the Ramadan fasting is compulsory and may even attract some punishment. “But if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number of Ramadan days should be made up from days later. For those who cannot do this except with hardship is a ransom: the feeding of one that is indigent” (Quran 2:184-185). The liberal Muslims, however, believe that the rule God lays down in Islam is “absolute freedom of religion” (Quran 2:256, 18:29). Hence, there should be no compulsion in religion. For the Christians, although fasting is an important spiritual exercise but there is no laid down punishment for those who fails to fast during lent. In fact, people do not even need to know whether you are fasting or not. Jesus insisted, “When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:16-18) to encourage their members to fast, the traditional Christians such as Catholics tend to give up some
“Every authentic Muslim usually follows the five pillars of Islam in order to be accepted into heaven, just as Christians follow the Ten Commandments. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. Apart from growing one’s relationship with God. It is also known as Isyam; a time to feel what the less privileged feels.”
things such as food, alcohol, sex, and other immoral behaviour during Lent. They also avoid eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Fridays of lent, especially on Good Fridays. The important thing is to enable one to draw closer to God and also to enable one overcome the day to day challenges, temptations or demonic attack. Fasting is an important and indispensable spiritual exercise both for the Christians and Muslims. In fasting we sacrifice some desire of the flesh because we have greater need of the spirit. However, not all fasting is a spiritual exercise. For instance, many people fast in order to lose or maintain their weight. Spiritual fasting is not just for loosing weight. Fasting must be spiritual and fruitful. It has to be rooted in prayer. It must lead to almsgivings and a change of heart. God condemned fruitless and self-centered fasting: “Behold, in the days of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel
and to fight. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high” (Isaiah 58:3-4). Some fanatic Muslims who call themselves boko harram usually fast with other Muslims during Ramadan yet, they still engage in terrorist attack. Even some Christians usually observe the Lenten fast yet they also engage in immoral behaviours, quarrel, corruption and injustice. The kind of fasting that God approves is fasting that leads to good moral bevaviour, almsgiving and justice, especially for the poor and other less privileged. God said, “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke. Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily” (Isaiah 58:68). This is what Fasting should be! There is no doubt, fasting is an important spiritual exercise for both Christians and Muslims. But if there is anything that Christians and Muslims need in Nigeria to co-exist, it is not just fasting, but LOVE. Jesus taught his followers to love, even their enemies, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45). Love everyone, even those who are not members of your religion. We need love, we need peace, and we need unity in our nation, Nigeria. We cannot co-exist without love. Only love can keep us together. United we stand but divided we fall. We are brothers and sisters, created by the same One God. So, let there be peace in Nigeria. I wish all our Muslim brethren happy Ramadan celebration and I pray that this celebration will bring lasting peace and religious tolerance.
THE NIGERIAN
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Insight Continued from page 17
nature to them. They often require a neat and organized space in order to feel comfortable. Helpful Tips for Parenting a Virgo Child: Virgo children like to help others and respond well when given the opportunity to do so. Virgos need to be needed. Involvement in volunteer organizations makes ideal use of their innate energies. They usually do well in traditional forms of learning, and tend to be good students. They will be thorough and diligent. They like to have order in their lives. Virgos need lots of compliments and assurances of their selfworth. They absolutely wither under any criticism. You see, Virgo is known as the sign of perfection. If you tell them ten things they do well, but then mention one thing they do wrong, all their focus goes to that one wrong thing. Virgos tend to have extremely sensitive physical bodies. You often find they have a low tolerance for strong odors, loud noises, or rough fabrics. (Many Virgos remove the tags from their clothes so they do not rub their sensitive skin). In the physical body, Virgo rules the intestines. These children may be prone to irritable bowel, constipation, food intolerance, allergic reactions, and other ailments of the colon. To help insure the health of your Virgo child, give them a simple diet of whole foods. This will build the base for a lifetime of good health. THE LIBRA CHILD: Libra resonates to the energy of the diplomat, the artist, and the romantic. These children desire peace and harmony in their surroundings, and dislike discord of any kind. They make natural peacekeepers, and find themselves very attuned to the dynamics of personal relationships. Libra children enjoy painting, dancing, music, and all forms of artistic expression. Encourage them, and they will bloom into full fledged artists. Libras enjoy the company of people and tend to enjoy social activities. They respond in a sensitive manner to the needs of others, and often sacrifice their own happiness to please someone else. They can have difficulty making decisions, as they easily see both sides of an issue.
Understanding Children’s Psychology Through Zodiac Signs
Helpful Tips for Parenting a Libra Child: Give them musical instruments and colored pencils as soon as they can hold them. Encourage their artistic leanings, and create a harmonious space in which they can explore them. These children enjoy peaceful and aesthetically pleasing surroundings. Trips to the art museum or a concert will expand their hearts and minds. Help them learn to value their own wants and needs, and to balance them with the desires of others. Give them the opportunity for a lot of social interaction, and realize they will always want to have their friends around. Avoid harsh words or angry emotions around them. They respond much better to polite requests and civilized interaction. THE SCORPIO CHILD: These little ones came into the world to experience it with passion and intensity. Scorpio resonates with the energy of power, control, and psychic ability. Scorpio children need to achieve mastery over themselves, and many times they want to control others too. These children have strong spirits and a great deal of personal power. Their challenge (and yours) comes in how they use that power. Scorpio children do not tend to take orders well, unless they have an established respect for that authority figure. They have a part of themselves which they do not easily show others. Scorpios tend to need a great deal of privacy. They have good intuition, and can read people very well. Helpful Tips for Parenting a Scorpio Child: Respect their need for privacy and do not try to understand all the recesses of their minds. You would do well not to get into any sort of power struggle with them, as they probably will outlast you (unless you happen to have some Scorpio energy in your chart as well). They rarely forget a kindness, but rarely forgive an unkindness. Establishing fair and respectful rules at a young age will prove beneficial. Scorpios do not mind going by the rules, but they do not take well to arbitrary impositions of discipline or control.
Scorpio has a deeply passionate and intense nature. As a parent, you can help them learn positive ways to deal with their intense feelings. THE SAGITTARIUS CHILD: Sagittarians tend to be expansive, optimistic, funloving, and out-going. They like to travel and often want to see the world. They love the call of distant horizons — both physical and mental. Sagittarians tend to have an interest in all forms of higher thought — philosophy, religion, politics, or
metaphysics. They make natural philosophers and metaphysicians. Sagittarius children have an open and generous nature. They feel as though they have a birthright to wealth and happiness. They dislike pettiness. They tend to see overall trends, and like to focus on an overall picture. They do not like details. They love a good party and enjoy the company of people. Often, they like spending time outdoors. They tend to enjoy all sports, whether playing them or betting on them! Helpful Tips for Parenting a Sagittarius Child: Get them a passport, a compass, and a road atlas, for they will surely need them. Open their world to exploration, whether a trip to the zoo when they are young, or a trip abroad for high school graduation. These children love to travel and have adventures. They want expansiveness in all areas. They will have big ideas and big dreams. Encourage them in their pursuits, and you may find yourself amazed at what they can attain. Do nothing to diminish their joie-de-vivre, for they have a magnanimous
and fun-loving nature. They enjoy the luxuries of life, and do well in the financial world. They enjoy social events and team sports. Sagittarius is symbolized by the archer — half man, half horse — and these children usually love horses, and may enjoy riding lessons. THE CAPRICORN CHILD: These children seem old and wise, even at birth. They have a maturity and wisdom about them well past their years. Quite often, the oldest
for accomplishing their goals. You can support their plans and cheer them on their way. Since they may have a somewhat cold nature, it helps to warm them up with a nice hug or loving word. They may not show appreciation on the outside, but will treasure it on the inside. In the physical body, Capricorn rules the knees, and these children have a tendency to knee injuries. Please give them knee pads,
child in a family will have Capricorn as the Sun, Moon, or Rising Sign. They like positions of authority, and tend to do well in structured, disciplined environments. Capricorn children seem naturally focused on ambition, success, and mastery of the material world. These children have drive and determination. They often start working at a young age, and often will amaze you with their hardwork and diligence. Capricorn children may seem cold or distant on occasion. They can have a reserved nature. They like to plan. They like to stay organized, selfmotivated, and determined to succeed. They have a strong sense of duty (especially if the Moon is in Capricorn), and they handle responsibilities well. Helpful Tips for Parenting a Capricorn Child: These children will become tomorrow’s business leaders, so encourage them in their climb to the top. Provide them with a sense of order and set down fair rules, for they do best in a disciplined and structured environment. They like to map out a plan
and proper knee support during sports, when required. THE AQUARIAN CHILD: Aquarius resonates with the themes of independence and individuality. Your little Aquarian travels to the beat of his or her own drum. Fairminded, socially conscious, and with a desire for freedom, these children need a great deal of space to develop their unique personalities. They will follow the crowd, but only if they can do their own thing as well. They have high ideals and often exhibit an altruistic concern for their fellow man. Aquarians have powerful intellects and often do well in science and math class. They have a natural affinity for computers. They tend to have a rational, rather than emotional, orientation. Helpful Tips for Parenting an Aquarian Child: These children need their space, and will want the room to explore their own unique views of the world. They do well in learning environments that encourage the use of rational thinking, such as scientific experimentation. They will probably want to enter the science fair or the spelling bee. You would do
well to invest in a computer for them at a young age. Aquarians will follow rules, even if they do not like them, so long as they have had a say in the decision-making process. Aquarius is the sign that rules democracy; they understand they can be outvoted, they just need to know they do have a vote. The Aquarian child often feels like an alien, just visiting our planet. Do not force them to conform to our norms. THE PISCES CHILD: Pisces has a strong association with dreams, spirituality, and non-reality. Often, the Pisces child talks to imaginary friends (whom they really can see). They may just like to sit and stare off into space. They tend to be gentle, sensitive, intuitive, and emotional. Pisces is a water sign, symbolized by two fish. Pisces tend to love the ocean and the water. They tend to love music and have innate musical talent. Pisces children may have very vivid dreams (especially if the Moon is in Pisces). Also, the Pisces child likes to live in day-dreams and fantasy worlds. You see, Pisces concerns itself with what happens in the spiritual world, so they have little use for the material or “real” world. They have very empathetic and empathic natures. They make great sacrifices to help others, and they Pisces comes at the end of the zodiac, and those born under its influence seem focused on the world beyond this one. Encourage their spiritual side, for they came here to perfect their souls, not to participate in the materialistic world. may have trouble learning to set boundaries. Helpful Tips for Parenting a Pisces Child: Act in a gentle, calm, and always loving manner. These children seem particularly psychically sensitive, and they will absorb emotions, whether good or bad. Pisces children can have difficulty staying grounded, so they need educational environments which support their dreamy way of learning. Schools specializing in art or music would suit them well. Discipline and restrictions just send them into their dream worlds for escape. Watch the use of any drugs, as these children may have stronger sensitivity to them.
THE NIGERIAN
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
International Features
Russian Summit Without Obama
THE common ground between the U.S. and Russia and Presidents Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin - has been shrinking steadily in spite of the much-touted “reset” of relations between the old Cold War foes. And it just got even smaller. The latest blow to improving relations came Wednesday when Obama, annoyed with Putin’s decision to grant temporary asylum to National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, canceled a face-to-face summit with the Russian leader. While U.S. and Russian foreign and defense ministers will sit down in Washington later this week, Obama won’t be going to Moscow next month. The Snowden decision was only the final straw in disputes that the White House cited for a lack of “recent progress.” The U.S. and Russia have been at odds over the Syrian civil war, Russia’s domestic crackdown on civil rights, a U.S. missile defense plan for Europe, trade, global security, human rights, even adoptions of Russian children by Americans. “We looked at the utility of the summit in light of a number of issues and a number of challenges that we’ve encountered and decided that it did not make sense to have that bilateral summit in Moscow in September,” White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters returning with Obama Wednesday on Air Force One from a trip to California. Noting that the U.S. and Russia cooperate on other matters, including the supply of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, Carney said the relationship “should not be viewed entirely in a black-and-white fashion.” He added, “Even when we’ve made progress in some areas in our relations with Russia we have continued to encounter disagreement in other areas, and I expect that will be the case going forward.” The Kremlin responded quickly to the canceled summit, voicing its own disappointment and blaming it on Washington’s inability to develop relations with Moscow on an “equal basis.” Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, added that the decision was “clearly linked” to the Snowden case, a situation that he said wasn’t of Russia’s making. While Snowden might have been the immediate catalyst for canceling the summit, the seeds of renewed U.S.-Russia discord were planted more than a year ago when Putin regained the Russian presidency. On returning to power, he adopted a deeply nationalistic and more openly confrontational stance toward the United States than had his chosen successor, Dmitry Medvedev, whose 2008-12 tenure roughly overlapped Obama’s first term in the White House. Where Medvedev abstained in a U.N. Security Council vote that authorized NATO airstrikes in Libya, Putin has refused repeated entreaties from Washington to allow the world body to impose even minimal sanctions on President Bashar Assad’s Syria. At the same time, Putin’s government has continued to supply its ally Assad with weapons. And it has not delivered on pledges to coax Assad into sending representatives to talks with the opposition aimed at finding a political solution to the 2year-old Syrian conflict. Obama sought to cultivate Medvedev as a friend of the United States, making significant changes to Bush
administration plans for European missile defense to try to ease Russian concerns about that project, signing a new arms control treaty and famously sending thenSecretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva,
end of 2010, and then things started going downhill gradually in 2011,” Kuchins said. “Then, when the announcement was made that Putin was coming back as president in the fall of 2011, the downfall of the reset got a little steeper. “ But he said he does not
now president of The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, said some positive steps have come from the reset, including Russia’s willingness to help the U.S. transport military materiel in and out of Afghanistan. “There still is cooperation on areas like
President Barack Obama (left) and President Vladimir Putin (right).
where she proclaimed a “reset” in U.S.-Russia relations. Putin, however, seems to want none of the coziness that a “reset” would bring and has actively sought to undo previous agreements on cooperation. Under Putin, Russia has stepped up its negative rhetoric on missile defense, ended two decades of democracy and civil society training by the U.S. Agency for International Development and banned adoptions of Russian children by Americans. Andrew Kuchins, a political scientist and expert on Russian politics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said he thinks the reset has been on hold for a while. “We hit the peak at the
“The Kremlin responded quickly to the canceled summit, voicing its own disappointment and blaming it on Washington’s inability to develop relations with Moscow on an “equal basis.” Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, added that the decision was “clearly linked” to the Snowden case, a situation that he said wasn’t of Russia’s making.”
think that Putin wants to trash the U.S.-Russia relationship and doesn’t think relations are as bad as they were after the Georgia war in the fall of 2008 and 2009. In 2008, Georgia and Russia fought a brief war after Georgia launched an intense artillery barrage on the capital of South Ossetia, and Mikhail Saakashvili, the president of the former Soviet republic, forged a deeper relationship with the U.S. Russian President Vladimir Putin listens during a meeting … Russian President Vladimir Putin listens during a meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Mos … “That was a pretty dangerous moment for the relationship,” Kuchins said. “Right now, I don’t see such a dangerous moment in the relationship, but we have some fundamental disagreements on nuclear security, missile defense, Syria. I don’t think the Russians are taking positions just to counter us, undermine us. But they have some fundamental differences. They have a different way of looking at some things.” Ivo Daalder, former U.S. ambassador to NATO and
Iran, where Russia voted four times in the U.N. Security Council to impose new sanctions,” Daalder said. “There is cooperation on North Korea — Russia has voted for new sanctions. And those are material, positive steps in the relationship that have been the result of the reset.” But he said that a reset also suggests a future relationship and that despite meetings Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry and former National Security Adviser Tom Donilon have had with Russian officials, there has been little progress on
Syria, nuclear arms reduction and missile defense issues. In April, Obama asked Donilon to hand-deliver a letter to Putin, proposing new ways to cooperate. Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, said Obama’s letter was “quite constructive” and contained specific proposals regarding arms control and economic cooperation. But Daalder said Russia’s responses to the letter have been “either nonexistent or negative.” Putin and Obama last met in June, on the sidelines of the summit of the Group of Eight industrial nations. Putin said then that he believed the U.S. and Russia had an “opportunity to move forward on most sensitive directions.” Obama said then that the two nations were poised to increase trade and investment and had pledged to continue to work together to counter potential threats of proliferation and to enhance nuclear security. “I think this is an example of the kind of constructive, cooperative relationship that moves us out of a Cold War mindset,” Obama said. That was just seven weeks ago. On Tuesday, a day before he canceled his meeting with Putin, Obama said on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” that there have been times when the Russians “slip back into Cold War thinking and a Cold War mentality.”
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THE NIGERIAN
26
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
International Features Is Zimbabwe Preparing Its Own Version Of Apartheid
LESS than a week after Zimbabwe’s strong man Robert Mugabe got reelected to five more years as president, his ministers and party officials are claiming a “mandate” to redistribute wealth, take over foreign-owned mines and banks with a value of some $9 billion, and to innovate a new stock market open only to black-owned businesses. The new plans, which at least rhetorically flow from campaign promises Mr. Mugabe made this spring, are buzzing through Harare, and largely supplanting opposition voices that claim the July 31 election was fraudulent. In Harare, full-page newspaper ads taken out by Mugabe’s party speak of a five-year plan that will move Zimbabwe toward “a unique wealth transfer model that will see ordinary people take charge of the economy.” Critics called the new parallel black-owned stock market a “half-baked” idea and a form of “apartheid in the stock exchange,” even as shares in the actual stock market plummeted 11 percent on Monday and 2 percent on Tuesday. To be sure, whether the government will do to banks, mines, and other businesses what it did to white farmers 10 years ago, is unclear. The central issue is the “indigenization” policy that Mugabe engineered, also known as “land reform,” which was designed to redress advantages in wealth and property, mostly farms, owned by whites. In practice, it forced a huge exodus of the white rural population as lush farms were confiscated. Questions and fears about the extent of action Mugabe will now take has put on hold any more liberal and open direction for the nation and its business and society– and squelched the desires of some of the 4 million Zimbabwe exiles and expats to return home, analysts say. One Zimbabwe economist, John Robertson, interviewed by the Guardian, speaking of the proposed “black” stock market, stated: “We are introducing apartheid in the stock exchange business. They [the government] are trying to capture assets that belong to whites. They want to make sure they take them to a marketplace where they cannot then be re-bought by the people from whom they were confiscated. They are being incredibly racialist in their approach.” On Monday, Monitor correspondent Aislinn Laing wrote this: Zimbabweans returned to work today in this subdued and overcast capital city as the row over Robert Mugabe’s big win in last week’s elections continued to simmer – and amid assertions by some in Mr. Mugabe’s inner circle that the elections are a mandate to take over foreign-owned banks and businesses. Mugabe was returned to power for his seventh term with 61 percent of the vote, while his ZANU PF party won two-thirds of parliamentary seats.
ON August 6, Japan launched its largest warship since World War II in a fresh demonstration of Tokyo’s steadily expanding naval capabilities. The unveiling of the destroyerwith a conspicuously large flight deck-has drawn attention from its neighbors, especially longstanding regional rival China, which in the past decade has embarked on a massive program of military modernization. Japan’s pacifist constitution, which was largely drafted by the U.S. after the war, renounces the use of force for purposes other than self-defense. That means the country has no offensive arsenal of long-range missiles, aircraft carriers or similar weapons of aggression. The Izumo, which can be
used to launch helicopters, still doesn’t cross the line, the Japanese government says. But the almost 20,000-ton vessel is capable of carrying up to fourteen helicopters, with a maximum of five taking off and landing at once according to Bloomberg. It’s set to be deployed by March of 2015. Tokyo says that the Izumo cannot carry planes, since it lacks the catapults necessary for seaborne take-off. Instead, officials maintain that the carrier will be used for disaster and rescue missions — in the aftermath of a tsunami, perhaps — as well as for responding to “various contingencies in waters near Japan,” reports broadcaster NHK. (MORE: For Better or Worse, Japan to Ease
At Mugabe party headquarters, the jostling has begun for key positions in the government vacated by members of the MDC, which has been in a fractious coalition with the ruling party for the past five years as part of a deal brokered after violent and disputed elections in 2008. A senior minister in Mugabe’s government said they would be pressing ahead with plans to take control of foreign-owned firms in the country, including banks and mining houses, in the wake of their massive election win. Saviour Kasukuwere, the youth development, indigenization, and empowerment minister, said the takeover of government by those in Mugabe circles was a “focused response” to Western sanctions that remain on Mugabe and his coterie, and which have blocked Harare from accessing international bank loans. With the Western powers now lining up to condemn the conduct of the elections, there is scant indication that these sanctions will be lifted anytime soon. “We will not do it as a response to what people are saying about our elections but have decided on this [takeover] policy because it’s the only way forward regardless of any move on sanctions,” Mr. Kasukuwere said.
“We have a new mandate given to our party by the people. We are creating the capacity for people to do things for themselves and creating jobs. Taking a majority share in foreign companies will create those jobs.” He dismissed suggestions that having led its campaign with “indigenization,” a practice of redistribution of land, mostly infamous as a takeover of white- owned farms, as a key pledge during the elections – that ZANU PF would now ease off on its plans to expand the policy for the sake of economic stability. “We are not implementing indigenization to destablize our economy but to grow our economy and develop our nation. Whatever critics say about it doesn’t bother us – we now must work hard to develop our country, create jobs, and help our people,” he said. Asked about reports that he was previously warned off taking over foreign banks by the head of Zimbabwe’s reserve bank, Gideon Gono, he said: “Our manifesto clearly states that this policy covers all the sectors of our economy. There will be no exceptions.” Given the brutal backlash against opposition supporters in past elections, some analysts are saying that a mere threat is now sufficient to dampen any revolutionary fervor. There is evidence that retribution against those who backed the MDC has begun. At the MDC’s downtown headquarters on Sunday night, some 15 party activists gathered for safety after allegedly being driven out of one of the city’s oldest townships by ZANU PF supporters. Outside Harvest House, the MDC headquarters, riot police with helmets, shields, and batons sat in a flatbed truck monitoring the situation. “The ZANU PF guys came to our houses chanting their slogans and said we should all go or they would kill us,” said Steven Mutsipa, a party worker. “They have guns, machetes and sticks,” said his friend, who gave his name only as Simon. “The police won’t help us because they’re ZANU PF. We’ve been beaten so many times before, so we just go.”
Robert Mugabe
Japan Unveils Warship
Reins on Its Military) But Chinese officials, who remain cognizant of Japan’s savage invasion and occupation of China some seven decades ago, say they aren’t fooled. The helicopter carrier could be easily retrofitted for fighter jet capability, Zhang Junshe, a senior researcher at the People’s Liberation Army Naval Military Studies Research Institute, told the state-run China Daily. “It is an aircraft carrier, and Japan just called it a helicopter destroyer to downplay its aggressive nature,” he said. (China recently debuted its first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning,a refurbished Soviet-era vessel.)
In recent years, territorial disputes between Japan and China have flared over uninhabited islands that Tokyo administers but Beijing claims. The return to power of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who campaigned on a nationalist platform, and the rise of Xi Jinping, China’s new patriotically minded President, have further heightened distrust between the world’s second and third largest economies. (MORE: The Identity Crisis That Lurks Behind japan’s Right-Wing Rhetoric) The Chinese remain aggrieved that Tokyo has, to this day, only offered
fumbling apologies for the savage bloodshed inflicted during World War II (apologies that are then undermined by the unrepentant utterances of Japanese right-wingers). Japan meanwhile frets over China’s increasing regional assertiveness as the budding global power flexes new muscles in the neighborhood. Tokyo’s response has been to place a new emphasis on its military capacity. In January, the country boosted its defense spending for the first time in a decade, albeit by 0.8%. Japan is also considering whether to ease restrictions on the
use of its military, which is currently barred by the constitution from almost all activities but national defense. China’s 2013 military spending, revealed in March, increased by 10.7% over the last year, although foreign analysts believe the hike may be even higher. The spats between the two countries have stoked public sentiment on either side. A survey published Aug. 5 by Genron NPO, a Japanese think tank, and China Daily found that more than 90% of Japanese and Chinese citizens had unfavorable views of the other country. Last year, 64.5% of Chinese citizens reported unfavorable feelings toward Japan, while 84.3% of Japanese felt the same way of their neighbors to the west.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
EVERY FRIDAY WEEK 04, 2013 LAST SEASON RESULT Anderson Richwell 1.2. X. Forecast
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THE NIGERIAN
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Only Best Replacement Can Determine Rooney’s Move GARY Neville believes the - Neville only way Manchester United
• Alvaro Morata of Real Madrid misses a header during Real’s match against Chelsea yesterday morning in Miami
Pre-Season Final Match
Ronaldo Gets Brace As Real Madrid Stun Chelsea
CRISTIANO Ronaldo scored a goal in each half to power Real Madrid to a 3-1 victory over Chelsea in a football friendly at Sun Life Stadium. Ronaldo scored off a free kick in the 31st minute and helped seal the victory with a header in the 57th minute in front of the crowd of 67,273. “The team played fantastic,” Ronaldo said. “This is what we are looking for. We are getting better.” Marcelo Vieira also scored in the 14th minute for Real Madrid in the game which culminated the eight-team, 12game International Champions Cup tournament. Ramires scored the lone goal for Chelsea in the 16th minute. “We are trying to find our fitness and get the team playing the right way,” said midfielder Frank Lampard. “We could have played better.” It was a disappointing loss for Chelsea manager Jose
Mourinho who was facing his old club just three months after his acrimonious departure from the Spanish giants. Mourinho left Real Madrid to rejoin Chelsea, a team he led to back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006. Real Madrid started quickly outshooting Chelsea 7-2 in the first 27 minutes and opening the scoring on a goal by Marcelo. Marcelo finished off a nice run to the goal by hammering a shot through the legs of defender Gary Cahill and past a diving Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech. Ramires tied it up just two minutes later as he sprinted past the defense before finishing off the play with soft chip over a charging
DEFENDING champions Bayern Munich will get the German Bundesliga underway on Friday evening when they host Borussia Monchengladbach at the Allianz Arena in what will be the first match of the 51st Bundesliga season. Kick-off is at 20h00 (CAT). Bayern dominated the domestic and continental scene last season winning an unprecedented treble of titles. Now the Bavarians start life under Pep Guardiola who takes over from the now retired Jupp Heynckes.
This match is a fitting start without a doubt, pitting together the two sides who between them dominated a previous golden era of German football in the 1970s. For much of the current period Bayern have continued to win titles, the Foals have struggled not only in the shadow of their former glory but also, and more than once without success, to even retain their place in the top flight Their renaissance under head coach Lucien Favre over the past couple of years, however, makes this a genuinely intriguing encounter, not least in
goalkeeper Iker Casillas from in close. The game was interrupted briefly in the second half when a Real Madrid fan ran onto the field and hugged Ronaldo, who held onto him until security arrived. That was as close as anyone on the pitch would get to containing the mighty Ronaldo all night. After missing a couple of early chances he finally connected for his first goal in the 31st minute. Ronaldo drew a foul and then found the back of the net with a perfectly placed bending shot from 25 feet that fooled Cech. Ronaldo connected again in the 57th minute as he sprinted towards the goal and headed in a cross from teammate ‘Isco’ Alarcon. “I just tried to help my team and score goals,” Ronaldo said.
Bayern Begins Title Defence Today light of the fact that Gladbach drew at Bayern last season against the treble-winners elect at the time- and beat them year the before. Bayern have now strengthened their squad with the addition of two young sensations in the mould of Mario Gotze and Thiago from Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona respectively. Mario Gomez who was Die Rotten’s top scorer two seasons ago has departed for Fiorentina in the hope of wrestling down a starting berth.
The three goals allowed by Chelsea were the first allowed in three Champions Cup tournament matches. “We had a long preseason. We travelled to Asia for two weeks, played three games here and we got one more. It is going to be an exciting season for us,” Lampard said. Earlier in the day, AC Milan won the third-place match by beating the LA Galaxy 2-0.
can afford to let Wayne Rooney move to Barclays Premier League rivals Chelsea is if they bring in someone of the calibre of Gareth Bale or Cristiano Ronaldo to replace him. United have rejected two bids from Chelsea for Rooney this summer after former manager Sir Alex Ferguson last season claimed the striker wanted to leave. Former United defender Neville feels Rooney would be a huge loss if he left Old Trafford and is adamant the 27year-old cannot be sold to Jose Mourinho’s side - unless David Moyes has a superstar signing lined up to bring in. He told Sky Sports News: “Manchester United can’t sell Wayne Rooney to Chelsea football club, unless they bring in a major major signing. “You’ve got here absolute gold in Wayne Rooney. You’re talking about someone who is proven over six, seven, eight years, to deliver season in, season out. “Wayne Rooney in this moment in time, from what I know, he’ll never drop his
• Wayne Rooney
Fabregas Confirms Barcelona Stay CESC Fabregas says he has never considered leaving Barcelona this summer, and his only thought is to stay and be a success at the Camp Nou. Fabregas was targeted by Manchester United, with the Premier League champions reportedly lodging three separate bids with Barca, and new Red Devils boss David Moyes regularly talking about the possibility of the move
. . . We Made Mistakes CHELSEA coach Jose Mourinho says his side made costly mistakes during Wednesday night’s 3-1 loss to Real Madrid. Ramires cancelled Madrid Marcelo’s opener but Cristiano Ronaldo netted a brace to help his side clinch the Guinness International Champions Cup in Miami. However, the Portuguese coach believes both of Ronaldo’s goals could have been avoided through better defending and concentration. “He (Ronaldo) is a great
standards in training, he’ll work his absolute backside off and that’s important to know. However, there is something brewing behind the scenes, you can see that. “Chelsea have made bids for him but Manchester United can’t sell him to Chelsea, unless they go and sign (the likes of) Bale and Ronaldo and you think ‘okay we can potentially sacrifice someboby’, but the importance of Wayne Rooney at Manchester United is absolutely vital.”
- Mourinho
player and has scored goals all his life,” he told reporters. “When he scores it’s not big news, when he doesn’t it is, but we made two mistakes for both goals. “For the first, we gave away a free-kick in a position where he’s happy to have it and then the second goal, I told the players with every cross he likes to try to get into space because he’s good in the air.” Nonetheless, the former Madrid and Inter Milan coach is positive that the blues will
taking place. Fabregas, 26, had dismissed the possibility of a transfer while on Confederations Cup duty with Spain in June, but then went silent on his return to preseason training with the Catalan club. This prompted speculation that he was actively considering returning to England, or was perhaps using the uncertainty to lever a new and improved Barca contract. Finally speaking from Kuala Lumpur as the Catalan club continued their pre-season Asian tour, Fabregas appeared to put all of that talk to bed. “My dream is to play here, I have never considered leaving,” he told Mundo Deportivo. “I am at the best club.” Fabregas said stories which suggested he had already spoken with United, and even agreed personal terms, had been pure fabrications, and that he had been reassured by the regular public statements of support from Barca figures including Tito Vilanova, Andoni Zubizarreta, Tata Martino and Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Tevez Contemplated Quiting Soccer Under Mancini
JUVENTUS forward, Carlos Tevez, has revealed that he almost quit the game following his fallout with former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini. The Argentine revealed to Fox Sports that he got tired of the game and was contemplating retirement at the age of 28. However, his move to Italian Champions Juventus seemed to
have rekindled his love for the game as he now looks forward to a new chapter in his life. “I always said that I would retire at 28 and I was close to retiring after the fight with Roberto Mancini,” said Tevez. “I was tired as well. I had spent six years in England and nobody would have given a cent for me to stay six years in England.
• Cesc Fabregas
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Rodgers Denies Making Suarez Promise, Demands Respect For Reds
LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers has returned fire in his bitter battle with Luis Suarez by strongly denying he made a promise that the striker could leave Anfield this summer. Suarez has made his the remarks I’ve read, it is position at Liverpool close to bitterly disappointing, but my untenable after accusing job is bigger than that. My job Rodgers of going back on a is to fight and protect the club. vow to allow him to leave the “We have a standard at club if the Reds failed to Liverpool and I will fight for qualify for this season’s my life to retain it. The Champions League. Liverpool way is all about With Arsenal offering being committed to the cause Suarez Champions League and fighting for the shirt. It’s football and the £40 million also about dignity and being transfer fee the Uruguayan dignified in how you speak believed he could leave for, about the club. And it’s about the increasingly public stand- unity. If anyone steps outside off became personal when the of those values then I have to striker lashed out at the Reds deal with it. boss, who has now hit back. “I will take strong, decisive “There were no promises action, absolutely, as there has made, categorically none and been total disrespect of the no promises broken,” Rodgers club. This is a lack of respect told reporters in Norway after of a club that has given him Liverpool’s friendly game on everything. Absolutely Wednesday night. “Obviously, everything.”
Goal-Line Tech Unveiled Ahead Sunday’s Community Shield THE Hawkeye goal-line technology system which will be used in the Premier League and at Wembley has been unveiled ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield game between Manchester United and Wigan. Referees will receive a signal via their watches and an earpiece within the space of a second indicating whether the ball has crossed the line. At an event held at the Emirates Stadium to unveil the system, FA general secretary Alex Horne underlined the importance of the technology.
He said: “This is one of the biggest changes that has happened in the 150 years since we conceived the laws of the game and it is fitting that it is happening in our 150th anniversary year. “The object of the game is to put the ball into the goal and the system will help referees to make the correct decision.’’ Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore added: “It’s a very exciting development in world football. It is a goal decision system - it is no longer just goal-line technology.
• Luis Suarez (right), and Liverpool Coach Bredan Rodgers
Suarez is set to face a club fine for his outburst and his antics seem to have hardened Liverpool’s insistence that they will not sell him to Premier League rivals Arsenal. Yet even though Rodgers concedes there are “a few bridges to cross” before Suarez can play for Liverpool again, the Anfield chief has
refused to entirely close the door on Suarez. “The reality is we don’t want to sell Luis Suarez. It’s as simple as that,” he added. “He is important for what we are trying to do. There have been a couple of offers but no promises broken — that’s the reality. “We can understand if he wants to play in the
League in 25 years, have been rewarded with a trip to Premier League West Brom. Elsewhere, five-time winners Aston Villa — only Liverpool have won the League Cup more times — will host Rotherham, while West Ham face Cheltenham and Newcastle United travel to Morecambe. Swansea are the Capital One Cup holders following their 4-0 victory in February over League Two Bradford, who have already been knocked out of this season’s competiton. Second Round - to be played week of August 26 Carlisle United v Leicester City Doncaster Rovers v Leeds Utd Nottm Forest v Millwall Sunderland v MK Dons West Brom v Newport County
bridges to cross before that can happen. It’s about the respect, that’s the only thing we look for. This is one of the most iconic football clubs in the world — you can’t disrespect it. “That’s something I will ensure before anything happens in the future. That bridge will need to be crossed.”
. . . Suarez Wants Peaceful Resolution To Exit Row
WANTAWAY Liverpool striker Luis Suarez still hopes to come to a “friendly” resolution with the club over his transfer saga despite incurring the wrath of manager Brendan Rodgers. The Reds boss is unhappy with the attitude shown by the
Uruguay international - who seems intent on forcing a move to Arsenal - in recent weeks and has been told to train on his own. Rodgers rejected Suarez’s claim he had reneged on an
Capital One Cup Draw: Liverpool, Everton Face League One sides LIVERPOOL and Everton will face League One opposition in the Capital One Cup second round after being drawn against Notts County and Stevenage respectively. The Reds, who won the competition in 2012, were one of 14 Premier League teams included in Thursday’s draw. Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Swansea and Wigan Athletic will all enter the compeition at the third round because of their participation in Europe. Newport County claimed a major scalp when they beat Championship side Brighton on Tuesday and the Welsh club, in their first season back in the Football
Champions League, but that doesn’t mean we’ve broken any promise. “What we are trying to do now is get the correct value for a player, but we know we don’t have to sell him. I don’t believe there is a clause in his contract that says he can leave for any sort of price. “Is there a way back for him at Liverpool? There’s a few
Peterborough Utd vReading Barnsley v Southampton Burton Albion v Fulham Burnley v Preston Liverpool v Notts County Norwich v Bury Leyton Orient v Hull City Everton v Stevenage Stoke City v Walsall Huddersfield v Charlton
Aston Villa v Rotherham Tranmere v Bolton Morecambe v Newcastle Utd QPR v Swindon Derby v Brentford Watford v Bournemouth Yeovil v Birmingham Accrington v Cardiff West Ham v Cheltenham Bristol City v Crystal Palace
MANAGER David Moyes believes the unsettled striker will not recover in time to face Wigan at Wembley on Sunday. And so Rooney is also set to sit out Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial against Sevilla at Old Trafford today, which was billed as the game that would help the forward determine his future, depending upon how the United crowd reacted to him. Rooney has only appeared once for United since May 5, playing in a behind-closeddoors friendly against Real Betis on Saturday. He was omitted from the
squad for the final two games of last season by Sir Alex Ferguson, who said the former Everton player had asked to leave the club, flew home from the pre-season tour of Asia and Australia with a hamstring injury and then missed Tuesday’s draw with AIK Solna because of his shoulder problem. And manager Moyes told Sky Sports: “I don’t think he is going to be fit and available. Of course we are still hoping he will, but I have a feeling he won’t make it.” There was better news on goalkeeper David de Gea and
agreement last summer which would allow the player to leave for a Champions League club, saying interviews given by the 26-year-old suggesting as much showed “total disrespect” to the club. However, Suarez remains determined to find a way out of Anfield and admits even captain Steven Gerrard’s pleas for him to stay cannot offset the lure of the Champions League, while also reiterating he would jump at the chance to go to Real Madrid. “I’m still defending the Liverpool shirt and I will do so until the last minute,” Suarez,
Rooney To Miss Community Shield striker Javier Hernandez, neither of whom travelled to Stockholm for the midweek friendly. Moyes added: “David has staved his finger — but he’s okay. He could have played in Sweden and we hope he will be fit for Friday night and Sunday’s Community Shield against Wigan at Wembley. “Javier has a bit of a hamstring problem that he picked up in training but we didn’t want to risk him.” Defender Jonny Evans and winger Nani are both doubts.
who was left at home for Wednesday night’s friendly against Valerenga in Norway because of injury and is unlikely to feature against Celtic in Dublin on Saturday, told Spanish newspaper Marca. “My aim is to reach an agreement with the club in a friendly manner and I hope the clause we agreed a year ago is fulfilled. Up to now, it hasn’t been. “It’s not that I want to or am desperate to leave, but I like things to be clear and a year ago I made my position to the club clear. “Gerrard has a lot of history with Liverpool and his words are very important but everyone should understand that I need to play the Champions League to keep growing as a footballer. “Now I have the chance, I want to take it. “A Champions League team (Arsenal) is making a big effort to get me and one always wants to be where they feel comfortable. “There were a lot of rumours (about Real) that were different to reality: Madrid never called me personally or Liverpool to try and negotiate. “Every player aspires to reach the top and Real Madrid is among the most important clubs in the world. It would be very difficult to say no to Real Madrid.”
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Anzhi To Sack Coach, Sell Stars
BIG-spending Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala are to be ‘reformatted’ with their expensive signings set to be put up for sale. Dagestan, have spent Anzhi have failed to win any millions on players since of their first four games of the being taken over by new Russian season and former billionaire Suleiman Manchester United coach Rene Kerimov in January 2011. Meulensteen is set to be sacked Samuel Eto’o, Lassana after just 16 days in charge. Diarra, Aleksandr Kokorin, The club, who are based in the Igor Denisov, Willian and volatile Russian republic of Christopher Samba are
among the superstar players who have been brought in for big money. However, according to Sports Express in Russia, Kerimov experienced health problems after the club’s embarrassing 1-0 home defeat to Rostov on Friday and has decided to pull the plug.
Helder Postiga Poised For Valencia VALENCIA are to sign Helder Postiga from Real Zaragoza after the two clubs agreed a deal worth a reported 3 million Euro plus 500,000 Euro extra if the Portugal international scores at least 15 goals next season. The deal was confirmed by Zaragoza’s director General Jesus Garcia Pitarch, who said it would be completed once the player and his soon to be former club sorted out a few last remaining details. “There is an agreement for Postiga with Valencia,” Garcia Pitarch told Superdeporte. “The only thing we are talking about now is a matter between Zaragoza and Helder.” Postiga, who turned 31 recently, scored 14 goals in 37 Primera Division games, even as Zaragoza struggled
unsuccessfully against relegation last term, and was also a reported target for Sevilla. He has agreed a two-year deal with an option for a further season, and will now be given the stiff task of replacing former Los Che captain and fans’ favourite Roberto Soldado, who on Monday completed a +30 million move to Tottenham. The Mestalla side are also keen to sign another striker before the current transfer window shuts, as last season’s back-up Nelson Haedo Valdez departure means coach Miroslav Djukic has just one senior centre-forward Spanish Under-20 international Paco Alcacer and he is currently sidelined through injury.
• Samuel Eto’o
The club’s president Konstantin Remchukov confirmed on Twitter that the club was going to slash the budget. “The main news is that Anzhi will undergo a reformatting,” wrote Remchukov.
“Many of our expensive stars will leave Anzhi, while the club’s budget will be decreased to $50-$70 million (£32.5-£45.5m) a year. “We failed to clinch rapid success. Now Anzhi will develop its academy according to the mediumterm plans of club
development.” It is believed that Kerimov has already met with the club’s players and told them of his plans. Sports Express says he informed the players he will meet his financial obligations to them while trying to find them new clubs. Striker Eto’o, who is still only 32, is the club’s highest profile player but also said to be the best paid player in the world on a reported wage of £350,000-a-week. The Cameroon man, who helped fire Barcelona to two Champions League titles (2006, 2009) and Inter Milan to one (2010), has one year remaining on his contract. Attacking midfielder Willian was the club’s record signing when he joined from Shakhtar Donetsk last season for a reported fee of £30.8m. The Brazilian is only 24 and is another who is likely to have plenty of suitors on the transfer market. Dutchman Meulensteen only took charge of the team on July 22 following the departure of Guus Hiddink but it looks like his spell in Russia will be short-lived.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Nigeria Remains 35th In FIFA Ranking
THE Super Eagles have dropped to the fifth position in Africa despite retaining their spot in the global ranking Nigeria’s senior national team has remained unmoved in the latest Fifa world ranking released yesterday.
In June, the African Champions were rated as the 31st best football playing team in the world before making a downward slide to 35 in the July ranking. This stagnant position however, was not good enough as they slipped to fifth place in Africa with the Desert Foxes of Algeria taking up their previous fourth position. Meanwhile Cote d’Ivoire remain at the summit of African football with 962 points which put them in the 18th position in the world while Ghana is 24th in the world and second in Africa. Mali took the third spot on the continent after amassing 735 points which places them in the 32nd spot in the world. The surprise package on the log is Cape Verde who moved up to the 36th place in the world and
sixth in Africa with four points behind Nigeria. Spain, Germany and
Colombia hold the first, second and third spots in the world respectively as Fifa Confederations Cup champions Brazil are ninth in the world.
THE former manager of English Premiership side Chelsea FC, Roberto Di Matteo, will arrive in Uganda on August 13. Di Matteo, who guided Chelsea to their first UEFA Champions League in 2012, is expected to make an exclusive announcement as a guest of Guinness, who are promoting football in the African continent. “The former Italian footballer and Champions League winning manager will be right here in Uganda
• Osaze Odemwingie in action for West Brom
to his Championship promotion chasers. But mirror.co.uk has reported that the 22-year-old has not yet flown to England for talks as planned, because Italian outfit Sassuolo - newly promoted to Serie A – have now offered more cash. Roma are also interested in Zapata, who had been linked
with West Ham, so Redknapp is now trying to bring in Odemwingie. The 32-year-old has been ostracised at West Brom since his aborted switch to Rangers in January, which saw him allegedly drive from the Midlands to London off his own bat on deadline day in
Youth, Sports Development
Osifo Tasks Edos In Diaspora By KEHINDE OSAGIEDE
EDO State commissioner for youth, Sports and Social Mobilization, Hon. Omorede Osifo has called on Nigerians in Diaspora to partner with the State Government in its efforts at developing youth and sports sector in the State. Hon Osifo made the call at her office while receiving Nigerians in Diaspora Organization. She commended the organization for its initiative to support the state Government through the empowerment of youths in the state. She said that some Edolites
for the launch of a brand new Guinness football campaign that is set to excite fans across the nation day of soccer activities with football stakeholders in Uganda,” said Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), who are coordinating the visit. Di Matteo was capped 34 times for his country, and the midfielder played for various
Coach Seeks NSC’s Support For Deaf Sport THE Head of Track and Field West Africa Deaf Union (WADU), Adegboyega Adenuga, on Wednesday appealed to the National Sports Commission (NSC) to support the Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation (NDSF) to organise local competitions. Adenuga told newsmen in Lagos that the federation needed resources to enable it to keep athletes fit. “The body has programmes lined up, but in most cases, the programmes are not executed as a result of lack of funds. I am appealing to the NSC for support. “We need to engage the athletes by ensuring that competitions are held across the country regularly. “It is the only way to assist the athletes to develop their skills,’’ Adenuga, who is also the NDSF athletics coach, said.
QPR Back For Osaze Transfer Deal QPR are considering reigniting their interest in West Brom striker Osaze Odemwingie, according to media reports. Rangers boss Harry Redknapp fancies adding Colombian hot-shot Duvan Zapata, who plays for Argentine side Estudiantes,
Di Matteo To Visit Uganda Aug 13
and Associations also supported the state Government by donating Basket Ball and Volley Ball equipment to the ministry, as a way of giving back to the society what it had benefited them. The commissioner further called on Corporate Organizations to take cue by lending their support to the state Government which has youth and sports development as one of its foremost priorities. Hon. Osifo emphasized the need for Nigerians in Diaspora Organization to liaise with other organizations in Diaspora in order to assist the state
Government to build the youth centre at Uwelu and equip it with sporting facilities as the state government can not do it alone. She expressed gratitude to members of the organization for promising to train and empower 100 youths in Edo state and solicited for their continuous support. Earlier, the General Secretary of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization, Mr. Benson Osawe said that they came to see the commissioner in order to know how they can partner with the ministry, and promised to empower 100 youth through skills acquisition.
anticipation of a deal. He was filmed sitting in his car near QPR’s Loftus Road home, voicing his delight at joining them, but the deal fell through and Osaze had to stay at Albion - without ever starting another match. The Nigeria striker can leave the Baggies for £2million, but Redknapp has to try to persuade him to drop down into the English Championship.
• Emmanuel Emenike
He told reporter that local competitions would serve as a build-up for international competitions, stressing that the West African body had series of competitions annually. “We don’t have to wait for an international competition to come up before we commence preparation. It is necessary to be ready at all times,’’ he said. Adenuga said that he was impressed with the level of commitment shown by the athletes during training at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
teams across Europe before becoming a manager. “We are extremely excited to be hosting such an esteemed and great icon in the world of football and, as Guinness, we are proud to be associated with a man who through his achievements is truly made of more, just like the brand,” Mark Mugisha, Marketing Manager Uganda Breweries Limited, told MTNFootball.com on Wednesday. Mugisha said August 13th will mark a historic day for Uganda and the entire East Africa football fraternity. “We can’t wait to announce what we have in store for Di Matteo and Guinness over the forthcoming months,” added the official. The UBL official said Guinness is underlining its commitment to football in Uganda through a bold, challenging, distinctive, entertaining and inspiring platform.
Spartak ’ll Live In Me Forever - Eminike FENERBACHE-bound Emmanuel Emenike has said that he leaves Spartak Moscow with many enduring memories. “Spartak is my home. We were like a big family. The fans, coaches, the management and my teammates have been wonderful for the past two years I have been there,” he told MTNFootball.com “The club will remain in my mind for long because I achieved one of my biggest dreams of winning the AFCON and emerged as the top scorer at the tournament while at Spartak. “I am now looking forward to a memorable stay at Fenerbahce.”
The 26-year-old Nigeria international striker arrived Istanbul to a rousing welcome on Wednesday ahead of signing a four-year contract with ‘The Yellow Canaries’. Meanwhile, the former Karabukspor of Turkey striker has dedicated his last goal in the colours of Spartak to mark the one year birthday of his nephew Chukwuebuka Emmanuel Emenike also known as Emenike Junior. “When the baby was born, I was not in Nigeria, when they did the Christening, I was also not in the country, but I went home after that to see the new Emenike indeed, and I found out he’s really a junior me,” Emenike said. “I love seeing kids, they make you to flash back and see how wonderful God is because you were at some point like that. “The only gift I have for him was my last goal against Kuba Krasnoda when we played a 22 draw.” Chukwuebuka Emmanuel Emenike was born on August 9 2012 to Ebuka Felix Emenike (Emmanuel Emenike’s older brother) and his wife Ogochukwu Mary Emenike, while the baby was named after the Super Eagles star.
CMYK
THE NIGERIAN
32
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013
Education Summit:
Matters Arising
SINCE the inception of the Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole administration in Edo state about five years ago, one of its prime projects revolves round finding the best way to rework the education sector with a view to bringing back the glorious days when pupils and students from the state held sway in competitive academic matters. So far, it has undertaken a remarkably impressive performance in terms of provide the requisite physical infrastructural base evident in the number of school projects, including new buildings in every local government area of the state. In addition to providing necessary teaching equipment, the administration took a moral boosting action which saw the salary of an average school teacher better than any of his or her counterpart in the state’s public service. In appreciation, the population of pupils and student in all public schools in the state, hitherto depleted for reasons of poor infrastructure, rose unprecedentedly. a move that culminated in a massive rise in the population of pupils and students who hitherto opted for private schools for reasons of the unbearable decay in both physical infrastructure and teaching resources. Still bent on creating the right ambience for upping the ante in the sector, the administration recently held a town hall meeting with all stake holders in the sector primarily to set a lasting agenda for ensuring that every child in the state enjoys the best of quality education. The meeting brought to the fore other major challenges which the administration intends to sort out in order for the dream to become a reality. Prominent among them include but not limited to the refusal of some teachers to be deployed to rural areas, systemic failure which saw those assigned with the responsibility of recruitment qualified teaching staff opting to enrich their pockets by offering employment letters mainly to those who were able to pay specified amount of money. Prominently, the need to find ef-
fective way of tackling certificate and age falsification discovered in the documents presented by the teachers during the mandatory screening exercise conducted by the state occupied a princely position in the agenda presented before the stakeholders. According to the state gov-
By ERNEST OMOARELOJIE
particularly gifted and they finished Primary School before they were born. In fact, some obtained their Primary School Certificates not more than two years ago, from the school in which they were employed as teachers. These are facts that have been well documented. The question is whether they
sic education board, SUBEB and post primary education board, PPEB, ran a cocktail of employment scams in which they solicited and received money from desperate job seekers in return for employment letters originally meant for suitably qualified persons. The development
takingly pursue the policy of regularly rotation of teachers by way of deployment between rural and urban centres, they turned the policy into another money making ventures by ensuring that any teachers who is able to pay specified amount of money will remain in urban centres. The result is that while most schools in urban
went to Teachersí Training College or obtained National Certificate of Education (NCE) before they went to Primary School,” the governor wondered. Not less disturbing is the rather unfortunate action of certain officials assigned with the responsibility of employing qualified teachers in the state. Investigations conducted by the state government revealed that officials of both the state universal ba-
which obviously ran counter to the administration dream of creating the right atmosphere for quality education for its youth, resulted in the recruitment of a huge number of persons who have no business being classroom teachers. Officials of the two agencies were also found to neck deep in another scam which also has the capacity to clog the wheel of progress in the sector. Rather than pains-
areas are brimming with teachers, often more than required, those in the rural areas are, almost always, short staffed. As the governor succinctly pointed out, “This cannot be helpful to the cause of education and our resolve to deliver quality education to our pupils if we do not deal with this issue decisively.” Meanwhile, certain steps have already been taken by the administration as part of
• Comrade Adams Oshiomhole
ernor who presided over the meeting, 789 of 1,379 teachers claimed to have obtained their primary leaving certificates before they turned eight or nine years. In the same vein, only 1,286 of 14,484, representing 9 per cent, have proper and accurate records. In other words, over 90 per cent of the teaching staff in the state have irreconcilable discrepancies. In addition to the discrepancies in their declared ages, 1,379 teachers, representing 11.5 per cent, claim that they obtained their primary school certificates after they had been employed as teachers with some actually obtaining certificates about two years ago. The implication is that rather than receive quality education, children in the state are under the tutelage of teachers who do not have the requisite teaching qualification. ìSome of the records show there were a few who were
its general effort to sanitize and overhaul the sector. Not too long ago, the administration dissolve both SUBEB and PPEB and as a mark of its seriousness to create a more responsive agencies, it sacked a number of their officials while others, including teachers, Assistant Chief Inspectors of Education, ACIEs and Zonal Inspectors of Education, ZIEs were reprimanded with a stern warning that the state will not hesitate to wield the big stick if they fail to sit up. At the moment, it is in the process of reconstituting both agencies with a view to running them with visionary men and women of proven integrity. Challenging as the task before the sector ’s stakeholders appear, actions taken so far by the state government are obviously encouraging in that there is a sincerity of purpose in them. For instance, in bringing to the fore the issue of system failure, the governor sent an unequivocal statement to the effect that his administration will not shield its officials found wanting, neither will it condone nor cover up rots within the system. Indeed, for revealing openly that state officials given the responsibility of sanitizing the system corrupted the system and have been dealt with accordingly, one cannot but hold the view that stakeholders will be gingered into offering their all in the quest to offer quality education to the children in the state. The real challenge here is for them to put on their thinking caps, suggest and help implement the policy direction that will optimize gains already made in the sector and generally put it back to winning ways. For the sake of our children’s future, the time to act is now.
“Rather than painstakingly pursue the policy of regularly rotation of teachers by way of deployment between rural and urban centres, they turned the policy into another money making ventures by ensuring that any teacher who is able to pay specified amount of money will remain in urban centres. The result is that while most schools in urban areas are brimming with teachers, often more than required, those in the rural areas are, almost always, short staffed.”
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