THE SUNDAY
The Sunday
SUNDAY AUGUST 11, 2013
CMYK
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PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968
SUNDAY SERMON
Pg. 7
Restoration Through Prayers
• Vol. XI NO. 4,009 •
MOTHERHOOD
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11, 2013 • N 100.00
Pg.14
Divorce Trauma On Children (1) Nigeria’s Preparedness Weak THE African - AfDB
Poverty Reduction:
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru (left), introducing members of the Rivers State Executive Council to President Goodluck Jonathan as he arrives Port Harcourt International Airport on his way to Otuoke for the Sallah holiday weekend.
Development Bank (AfDB), says the Federal Government’s effort to reduce poverty rate by 2015 seems weak. This is contained in the African Economic Outlook, an annual report of the bank, made available to newsmen yesterday in Abuja. “Nigeria’s prospect of halving poverty by 2015 seems weak. The proportion of people living below the national poverty line has worsened from 65.5 per cent in 1996 to 69.0 per cent in 2010. “Poverty is higher in rural areas at 73.2 per
cent than in urban area at 61.8 per cent,’’ it said. According to the document, inequality as measured by the GINI coefficient rose from 0.429 in 2004 to 0.447 in 2010 GINI coefficient is a measurement of statistical dispersion developed by Italian Statisticians and Sociologist, Corrado Gini. Gini index measures the extent of distribution of income or c o n s u m p t i o n expenditure among individuals or households
trying to go back to that training programme and looking at the possibility
of securing loans from the Bank of Agriculture
Continues on pg.2
EDSG To Train Youths On Modern Farming YOUTH unemployment in the state will soon be reduced to the barest minimum as the state government is set to resume the training of some youths on modern methods of farming. The Commissioner for S U N D A Y Agriculture and Natural OBSERVER. Resources, Hon. Abdul The training, Oroh gave this hint in a introduced about two recent interview with the years ago, was however
INSIGHT Together As One
Pg. 22
suspended because according to the Commissioner “we
don’t want to train some people and don’t have enough resources to
support them.” Continuing, Hon. Oroh said “now we are
POLITICS AND ISSUES
The Many Hurdles Before The APC
Continues on pg.2 Pgs. 16/17
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NEWS Nigeria Preparedness Weak Continued from pg.1
The report noted that the rate of poverty varied significantly between the urban and rural citizens and among the geographical zones, adding that 66 per cent of the rural population lives below poverty line of one dollar per day. “Malnutrition is widespread. Rural areas and disadvantaged groups are particularly vulnerable to chronic food shortage and unbalanced nutrition. “41 per cent of Nigerian children are stunted, nine per cent wasted or thin and 23 per cent underweight,’’ it said. It added as at 2011 unemployment rate was at 24 per cent compared to 21 per cent in 2010, adding that the rate was high among the age bracket of between 15 and 24, and 25 to 44, at 38 per cent and 22 per cent, respectively.
The report noted that an average of 1.8 million people entered the labour market every year over the past five years. It quoted the statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics to have projected that number of entrance to the labour market yearly, would grow from three million in 2012 to about 8.5 million in 2015. “Unemployment, particularly youth unemployment is an urgent policy priority, several agencies and plans have been established to tackle poverty and unemployment,’’ it said. It said that this must be enhanced to ensure effective engagement of the youth for economic growth and development. On social protection, the report said that though it was a priority in Vision 20:2020 plan, it was yet to have a comprehensive policy and
budget support. “Social protection policy has been on the agenda for some time. Several actors are involved in funding and ensuring social welfare. “Mainly civil society groups with programmes supporting orphans, widows and people living with HIV/ AIDS,’’ it said.
and Bayelsa. According to him, the need to increase the number of campuses became necessary toward achieving effective impartation of knowledge and efficient administration of the school. “With the number of lawyers we have in the Nigerian Law School today, it will be very cumbersome and almost impracticable to give them good lectures and lessons in one location. ‘When we were in the Law School, we only had one campus in Lagos. But now that place cannot accommodate even 20 per cent of the students in the law school.
Founder of Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF), at the weekend urged all tiers of government to develop a culture of creative arts in the youth. Shyllon told reporters in Lagos that with government’s involvement, Nigerian art would be accorded the right priority and placed on the world map. “We should aim at growing Nigerian art by letting the world know what we cherish it and sell it to the world. The engineer turned art enthusiast, said that he was
appropriate for us to have about six campuses of the Nigerian Law School in Bayelsa, Enugu, Abuja, Kano, Adamawa, and Lagos. “You have Deputy DirectorsGeneral and one DirectorGeneral covering all of them. It is to allow for concentration of lecturers, lessons and good delivery for all of them. “The decentralisation is a positive development, which is necessary for the promotion of qualitative legal education and professional legal practice in the country, ‘’ he stressed. Enang told newsmen that the lack of prompt prosecution was the major factor affecting the fight against corruption and not necessarily the absence of stiffer penalties.
I Want To Be A Broadcaster By VICTOR OMOALU
AGAINST the backdrop of some youths sticking to one professional ideology, especially in this jet age, a 200 level student of the Delta State University. Wede Onajite has expressed zeal to exploit her discipline within the broadcasting profession
– Onajite
Onajite who noted that rather than aspiring for unactualised goal, she is determine and working assiduously towards achieving her dream of becoming a renown broadcaster. She stated further that her
passion for the media profession informed her decision to aspire to become a professional broadcast. “I really want to perfect my discipline with the use of the Mass Media, like having a good microphone voice and avoid unnecessary Newton,” stated Onajite.
EDSG To Train Youth Continued from pg.1
to support them after completing the training.” On his message to Edo Farmers, the Commissioner said “Edo State Government is now absolutely committed to developing agriculture as a way of raising income of
farmers, by ensuring food security, creating employment for our citizens, industrialization, economic development,” etc. Continuing, he said “our strategic plan is targeted at a major transformation, a major boost.”
Trad Ruler Commends Oshiomhole By OKOH INNOCENT wailed over the damage and menace caused by heavy gully erosion in his domain, lamented that the havoc has persisted for over ten years now while two lives and hundreds of millions of Naira have been lost to the erosion, he however expresses
Govt Urged To Encourage Youth To Develop MR Yemisi Shyllon, the Culture Of Creative Art
Decentralisation of Nigerian Law School has added “So it became necessary and THE Chairman, Senate value - Enang
Committee on Rules and Business, Sen. Ita Enang says the decentralisation of the Nigerian Law School has added value to the quality of legal education in the country. Enang (PDP-Akwa Ibom), told newsmen yesterday in Abuja. He said that the provision of valuable education to the large number of aspiring lawyers would have been difficult without the establishment of more campuses of the Nigerian Law School. The Nigerian Law School formally started operations in Lagos in 1963 while additional five campuses were established between 1997 and 2009 in Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Adamawa
THE Executive Governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has been commended for the frantic efforts he has taken so far in controlling erosion menace in the state. The traditional ruler of Ewu kingdom in Esan central LGA, HRH, Rasak Yusuf Isesele Ojeifo the 3rd, made this commendation during the weekend when he played host to newsmen. The traditional ruler who
“We want to be able to register about one hundred and fifty thousand farmers, with the idea of giving them input every year like fertilizer, improved seedlings, access to credit to develop effectively,” he said. See details on pages 26 & 27.
using the foundation to mobilise children and direct them towards arts and culture. ‘We don’t want the present generation to be a wasted generation. That is why I am doing what I am doing to let them know the importance of arts and culture. “It is a long road but we are ready to travel that road to get it right,’’ he said. Shyllon said that in April, the foundation and the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, co-sponsored Secondary Schools’ Art Competition. He said that 20 secondary schools participated in on-thespot life drawing. “I am already working in conjunction with an organisation in Jos, Plateau State, to sponsor primary and secondary schools’ arts competition. “I want to help to develop the culture of creativity in the young ones; I want to catch them young. “It (art competition) is also to
make them know that hard work pays instead of involving themselves in the vices that are ravaging the country now. “I will also sponsor children’s workshop and the national art workshop with the University of Lagos Creative Arts Department on September 23,” he said. He, however, said that what he was doing was measurable because he had produced numerous artists. “Yes, what OYASAF is doing is a fulfillment of my life ambition to leave a legacy in life and the area which I decided to leave a legacy is in the art,’’ Shyllon said. Reports say that since Shyllon ventured into art collection at the University of Ibadan decades ago, his interest in art had grown. This preoccupation led him into not just art collection, but also sponsorship of art programmes and promotion of research in the visual art. Shyllon is one of the leading art promoters in Nigeria, especially visual arts.
Etsako Central LG Boss Visits PEMO Group THE Executive Chairman of Etsako Central Local Government Area, Hon. Emmanuel Momoh has visited Pemo Group of Companies, Anegbette. In his speech, the Etsako Central Local Government Area Council Chairman, Hon. Momoh said the visit was to familiarize himself with the management of Pemo Group. He asserted that the local government council will partner with the company in the area of logistics and protection of lives and property stressing that there will be a synergy between the various Vigilante Groups and other security agencies across the local government. In his words “Let me state once again that my administration is highly committed to the protection of lives and property as that is the primary responsibility of any government. There will be a synergy between the
various Vigilante Groups across the local government.” On his part, the Managing Director of Pemo Group of Companies, Mr. John Yacin thanked the council chairman for the visit. He said the visit has further strengthened the relationship between the company and the leadership of the local government council. He enumerated some of the challenges facing the company to include lack of assessable road, unstable power supply stressing that PEMO was established to curb youth restiveness and unemployment within and outside the local government area. Responding, the council boss said he would look into their requests to see how the local government can render assistance. Hon. Momoh however, promised to channel their request to the appropriate authorities.
hope that when eventually the world bank grant sourced by the governor is released, erosion problem in Ewu and environs will be brought to bearest minimum. He further commended the state law makers for approving the grant, emphasising that the grant will go a long way to solve the problem of erosion faced by many communities, especially Ewu community, where the major road has been cut off from motorists, a situation that has affected the economic life of the town. Also responding, the Executive Chairman of the Local Government Area, Hon. Prince Eromosele Solomon Erabhahiemen, called on the Federal Ministries of Works and Environment to come to the rescue of the people as the effort of both state and LG will not solve the heavy damage done by the heavy gully erosion even as it now threatens other communities around Ewu and Iborri communities.
Etsako Central LG Begins Monthly Fellowship
IN order to commit the local government into the hands of God, the Executive Chairman Of Esako Central Local Government Area, Hon. Emmanuel Ozemede Momoh has introduced an interdenominational monthly fellowship at the council secretariat. Hon. Momoh while thanking God and the people of the Local government for giving him their mandate said he was not unaware of the devices of the enemy and our imperfection as humans, stressing that the breath of God will continue to flow in the land. The council boss commended the council staff and the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) leadership in the local government for putting up such a fellowship. He called on the various Christian bodies to always pray for the local government adding that prayers do not have boundaries. In his short exhortation, Pastor Emma Unuokhogie said God designs throne to respond to a certain altar stressing that throne is a position of power and authority. Taking scriptural text from the book of Revelation 8:3, the minister of God asserted that God either uses throne to bless or punish his people. High point of the fellowship was the blowing of trumpet to signify the success of the administration and the offering of prayers for the council’s chairman.
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NEWS ASUU’s Fight Not About Salary - Odekunle Strike:
A lecturer at the University of Abuja, Prof. Femi Odekunle, says the current ASUU strike is not about salary or benefits but about ensuring an effective university system. Odekunle, who spoke with newsmen in Abuja said that the claim by the Federal Government that some of the agreements reached between the union and government were not implementable was untrue. “I do not believe that any agreements reached are not implementable, otherwise they would not even have been reached in the first place. “And these issues that ASUU is fighting for have to do with infrastructure, funding and conducive environment for learning and all capture such nuts and bolts that drive the system.’’ “So the claim by anyone to say that certain aspects of the agreement are not implementable is fraudulent. “If the Federal Government can put funds into the National Assembly in terms of salary and
allowances, why can’t it do the same for education that produces the manpower for the development of the nation.’’ Odekunle accused the Federal Government of employing tactics that were creating division between ASUU and management of universities by its sudden increase of vicehancellors’ salaries and allowances. The don, who noted that some lecturers were also culpable in contributing to the sector’s decay, noted, however, that majority of the lecturers were serious and committed. He said that government should address issues, including the misuse of resources, corruption of the political and government class, high cost of governance and other issues that had continued to have adverse effects on the country’s development. Odekunle advised the government to address the ASUU strike from its root cause and not to “play politics and games with our children’s future’’.
PEOPLE Living with HIV/AIDs in Yobe say they now live a normal life as a result of their access to free anti-retroviral drugs in designated health institutions across the state. In an interview with newsmen in Damaturu, they lauded the state government’s effort at making things easy for them. One of them, Bukar Mallum, told newsmen that they had surmounted all the challenges associated with their predicament, noting that “with the drugs, people living with the virus could live a normal life.” “We commend the state government for making the drugs accessible and free to People Living Positive in the state,” he said. A 25 year-old house wife and mother of two who did not want her name mentioned, said her consolation was that her
assistance of the state government. “I am happy that my two children are negative, courtesy of the free drugs and ante-natal care programme for pregnant women, which helped in the prevention of mothertochild transmission,” she remarked. Another person living positive, Usman Abba, told newsmen that he had developed the needed confidence to withstand fear and stigma “because if you hide the disease, the disease will hide you”. He commended the state agency for the control of HIV and AIDS for sensitising the people, fighting stigma, providing drugs and empowering people living positive to be self reliant. Abba also said the support from the leadership of state assembly had given people living with the virus, a sense of belonging. Hajiya Farida Mamudo,
Eid el-Fitr: Cultural dancers entertaining guests at Tafawa Balewa LGA of Bauchi State weekend.
Expectant Mothers Urged On Regular Checks THE FCT Primary Health Care Development Board has advised expectant mothers to
Govt Applauded Over Free ART children were free from the Executive Director of Yobe Drugs virus, courtesy of the State Agency for the Control
of HIV and AIDS, said the ‘free drugs’ programme introduced by the state government, had encouraged ante-natal clinic visits by pregnant women, which helped in detecting pregnant women living with the HIV virus,who were assisted to deliver healthy babies. “The free drugs programme introduced by the Gaidam administration, had tremendously encouraged and increased ante natal clinical visits by pregnant women, which assisted in checking mother- to- child transmission, child birth complications, maternal and infant mortality in the state,” she said. The director also said that the agency introduced ‘Community Dialogue’ which promoted free discussions on HIV and AIDS, thereby making the people to develop self confidence and overcome fear.
undertake regular pregnancy checks to ensure safety of their babies and reduce infant mortality. The Executive Secretary of the board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, who gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja said the expectant mothers should also endeavour to give birth in hospitals. Mohammed emphasised the need for pregnant women to attend ante-natal clinics to be taught many things, including care of their pregnancy, preparation for labour and care for the baby. He expressed concern over decisions by some pregnant
women to give birth at home, saying that this could lead to complications that could result in death. The executive secretary who gave an insight into the advantages of giving birth in hospital, noted that the financial implication of treating a woman who developed complications after delivery at home could be huge. “If they deliver in the clinic, they will be forced to come back and take immunisation, take family planning and other necessary things like nutritional support after exclusive breast feeding.
THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said more Nigerians were applying for clearance from the agency to travel to “drug-sourced’’ countries. This is contained in a statement by NDLEA spokesman, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, in Lagos. Ofoyeju said that such applications was meant to be screened by the agency and recommended to the country’s embassies for visa issuance.
He said that the agency received 2, 172 applications in 2011 and 3, 255 in 2012. “Similarly, there was an increase in the number of successful applicants from 2,026 in 2011 to 2,845 in 2012. The applicants are usually required to present two guarantors. “The agency is very strict with the process because of the need to protect the image of the country from being smeared by some unscrupulous persons.
“Once they deliver at home they always think since it was easy giving birth at home every other thing for the child is not necessary.’’ Mohammed said that government had provided vaccines that should be given to children free of charge but that many parents often denied their children the right to immunisation and freedom from preventable diseases. He explained that immunisation helped to prevent many child killer diseases such as polio, adding that all vaccines were safe for children. He advised the public to maintain good hygiene practices, to control the spread of diseases.
NDLEA Clears Nigerians Travelling To “Some applicants collect the Drug-Sourced Countries forms and never showed up because they cannot get credible people to guarantee them,’’ Ofoyeju said. He further said that the agency had cleared Nigeria’s most beautiful girl 2013, Miss Anna Banner, for her trip to Jakarta, Indonesia, for the forthcoming Miss World Beauty pageant. The spokesman said that her request for visa clearance certificate was approved on merit having met the stipulated requirements.
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NEWS
Elechi Sacks Commissioners GOVERNOR Martin Elechi of Ebonyi has sacked, Dr Paul Okorie, the Commissioner for Environment, for alleged acts inconsistent with his office mandate. This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Chike Onwe, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, in Abakaliki. The statement directed Okorie to handover all government documents and property at his disposal to the ministry’s permanent secretary. “The removal takes effect
from Wednesday, August 7, 2013, as he ceases to be a member of the State Executive Council,” the statement read. It stated that the decision to remove Okorie, who was the Commissioner for Works and Transport in the state from 20072011, was reached during the council meeting The governor on July 13, 2013 also sacked, Dr Nora Aloh, his Personal Assistant on Primary Health. Aloh was also removed for alleged acts inconsistent with the mandate of her office.
THE National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) says it will train 21 corps members on seeds field certification with a view to ensuring quality and standard seeds production in the country. Mr. Adelere Emmanuel, the council’s North-Central Zonal Coordinator, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Jos. Emmanuel explained that the 21 corps members, who are graduates of agriculture, would be drawn from the six states in the zone and the FCT. He said that five corps members would be selected from Plateau, five from Niger, three from Benue, two each from Nasarawa and Kwara, three from the FCT and one from Kogi. He said that the training would equip the corps members with the skills and knowledge of seeds field certification process. According to him, after the training, the beneficiaries will assist the certification officers of the council in the inspection of fields of seeds producers/ growers to ensure standard. “In Plateau State alone, seeds growers are growing seeds on more than 1,521 hectares for three seeds companies namely Romarey Ventures Nig. Ltd, Reedall Integrated Services Ltd and Savanna Seeds and Livestock Ltd. “We need to supervise them to ensure that they comply with minimum standard.“ According to him, the central goal is to make available and affordable quality seeds to farmers as a sure step towards attaining the goals of the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda. “This is because in agriculture, whatever inputs you bring in, seeds remain central. “Whether you bring in fertiliser, herbicides and other inputs from land preparation to other aspects of cultivation, if you don’t have good seeds, your tireless effort will amount to nothing.’’ The coordinator said that the
council was responsible for the multiplication of breeders’ seeds from research institutes thereby ensuring high yields. “The council receives breeders’ seeds from various research institutes across the country and develops them to foundation which we then give out to the producers for multiplication.
Council To Train Corps Members On Seeds Certification
Fun seekers at a bar beach in Lagos weekend
EU Donates 14.25m Euros For Water, Sanitation - UNICEF
THE European Union (EU) has allocated 14.25 million euros to the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene sector in Nigeria through UNICEF for the improvement of the sector, a UNICEF official has said. Mr. Kanan Nadar, the UNICEF Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) chief made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. Nadar said that the amount was allocated to the sector as part of the EU support to improve sanitation in the country. He said that the money would be used to execute projects in three states — Plateau, Adamawa and Ekiti — because they were rated lower than 30 per cent in sanitation coverage. “14.25 million euro was the specific allocation for the WASH sector and looking at three states which are Plateau, Ekiti and Adamawa. “The EU support to the Nigeria WASH sector had always been there for sometime and some of these states like Plateau, Ekiti and Adamawa have been part of the support.
“If you look at Plateau and Ekiti, their coverage for water and sanitation together is less than 20 per cent; for Adamawa it’s about 27.2 per cent. “If you look at sanitation, except for Adamawa which is 36 per cent, others are less hitting 26.9 per cent, which is less than the average of 31 per cent.’’ According to him, the project is at the inception stage currently, which is establishing baseline and assisting local government
areas in the states to double their investment plan. He noted that the present stage would take about one year, adding that the project would run for five years for the desired goal to be achieved. Nadar told newsmen that the aim of the project was to achieve complete Open Defecation Free status in these states and to provide adequate access to water supply. He said that the EU was also supporting 14 other
states in the country through UNICEF, to ensure total sanitation coverage and adequate access to good water supply. The WASH chief noted that Nigeria accounted for a significant portion the high mortality rate of children under the age of five in Africa. He identified the major cause of the high mortality rate as inadequate hygiene management and the lack of access to potable water, resulting to water-borne
FLOODING recorded in the first week of August, has claimed one life and damaged no fewer than 14 houses in Bauchi metropolis, an official has said. Malam Inuwa Bello, the Head of Emergency Operations, Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), made this known in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi. He said that state assessment team who visited the affected areas, confirmed the death of a nine-year-old girl at Shekal ward in the state
capital. Bello said that plans were under way to assist the victims with food and other essential items. According to him, the SEMA has also intensified its sensitisation campaign on appropriate measures to be taken by residents to avert disaster. He, however, expressed regret that in spite of all enlightenment efforts, some people still blocked culverts with garbage and built structures on water ways. Commenting on the issue
in an interview with newsmen, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Mohammed Damina, said the ministry had also intensified its sensitisation campaign. “We have adopted several awareness creation strategies to draw the attention of the people on the need to take proactive measures to avert a recurrence of the flood disasters.’’ Report recalls that heavy rainfall in the last one week, caused flooding, submerging some houses and roads in the
diseases. “In Africa, mortality rate of children under the age of five is significantly high unlike in Asia, where it has drastically reduced since 1990. “And Nigeria is a big contributor to this burden; So for us at UNICEF, it is a burden because WASH is one of the underlining causes for this high under five mortality rate.’’ He added that the absence of Water Sanitation and Hygiene Departments in many local government areas in the country constituted a major challenge to UNICEF’s work.
Flood Destroys Houses, Kills Girl In Bauchi - Official state capital. Areas worst affected by the flood were Fadaman Mada, Yelwa, Gwallaga, GRA, Palace Road and Shekal, among others. Those rendered homeless are currently squatting with friends and relations. The Federal Ministry of Environment had issued an alert, warning that heavy rainfall could be witnessed in some states, namely Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara, Kebbi, Bauchi, Katsina, Borno, Yobe, Gombe and Benue
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WORLD NEWS Turkish Airlines Staff Abducted In GUNMEN abducted two saying they had no link to the Beirut Turkish Airlines pilots in Beirut Beirut abductions. But shortly on Friday, forcing them from an airport bus in the early hours of the morning and prompting Turkey to urge its citizens to leave Lebanon. Lebanese media said that a group claimed responsibility for the abduction in the name of nine Lebanese Shi’ite Muslims kidnapped near the TurkishSyrian border last year, saying the two Turks would be freed if the Lebanese captives were released. It was not immediately possible to verify the reported claim. Turkey’s foreign ministry and the airline said they were in close contact with Lebanese authorities but had no immediate information on the condition of the two airline staff. “We announce that the Turkish captain Murat Akpinar and his copilot Murat Agca are our guests until our brothers ... who were abducted in Azaz are released,” said a statement from the group, according to a Lebanese television station and the National News Agency. It said it held Turkey responsible for the fate of the Lebanese Shi’ites, who were among a group of 11 men abducted in May last year by Syrian Sunni Muslim rebels in the northern town of Azaz, close to Turkey. They were seized on their return from a pilgrimage to Shi’ite religious sites in Iran, their families said. Two were later released. Turkey warned it citizens
against non-essential travel to Lebanon and called on those already in the country to return home. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said he had spoken with the Lebanese prime minister about the abductions. “As in previous such cases we are making every effort to reunite the pilots with their families safely,” Davutoglu said on his Twitter account. Friday’s incident came days after a senior Lebanese political source said that authorities had information suggesting that families of the Lebanese detainees, or their supporters, were planning to take Turkish hostages. Lebanese media quoted a spokesman for the families as
after the claim of responsibility was issued, celebratory fireworks were set off in the Bir al-Abed district of southern Beirut where some of the relatives live. A Turkish diplomat said the two Turks were seized early on Friday when gunmen stopped a vehicle carrying the Turkish Airlines crew to their hotel in the Lebanese capital. Their plane, carrying 144 passengers from Istanbul, had arrived at 3.30 a.m., according to sources at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri airport. Security sources said four or five gunmen were involved in the abduction. They forced all the passengers off the bus and let all but the pilot and his assistant go free.
Lebanese Army soldiers patrol on their vehicles the road leading to Beirut international airport, following the kidnap of a Turkish airlines pilot and his colleague in Beirut.
Obama Tech Exec Meets On Surveillance U.S. President Barack Obama quietly met with the CEOs of Apple Inc , AT&T Inc as well as other technology and privacy representatives recently to discuss government surveillance, according to a media report. Google Inc computer scientist Vint Cerf and civil liberties leaders also participated in the meeting, along with Apple’s Tim
- Report
Cook and AT&T’s Randall Stephenson, Politico said late Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter. The session was not included on Obama’s daily public schedule for Thursday. The closed-door meeting followed another private session on Tuesday between top Obama administration officials, industry
US Not Good Mideast Mediator - Iran’s Leader IRAN’S top leader lashed out at the United States weekend. He said that America is not a good mediator in Mideast peace talks because it allegedly always sides with Israel. The comments by Ayatollah Ali
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Khamenei delivers his sermon of Eid al-Fitr prayer, marking the start in Iran of the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the end of the holy month of Ramadan at the Tehran University campus in Tehran, Iran, weekend.
Khamenei came ahead of the second round of U.S.-brokered Israeli-Palestinian peace talks next week. The talks resumed after a five-year freeze. Khamenei argued that the results of any U.S.-hosted talks will eventually damage the Palestinian side and force the Palestinians to “abandon their rights and encourage the occupier.” “The U.S. is not a real mediator, it stands by the Zionists,” said Khamenei. “Definitely .... it is against the interests of the Palestinians.” Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, spoke during a prayer ceremony marking the start in Iran of the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The Palestinians seek to establish a state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, lands Israel captured in 1967. Israel has since built dozens of settlements there that are home to about 560,000 Israelis.
lobbyists and privacy advocates, Politico reported, adding that the latest meeting “was organized with greater secrecy.” One administration aide characterized Tuesday’s meeting was as part of a larger outreach effort, Politico said. “This is one of a number of discussions the administration is having with experts and stakeholders in response to the president’s directive to have a national dialogue about how to best protect privacy in a digital era, including how to respect privacy while defending our national security,” the official told the news outlet. This report comes after revelations about the U.S. government’s secret surveillance tactics detailed in various media reports from information disclosed by fugitive former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden. Tuesday’s meeting included representatives from tech lobbying groups Information Technology Industry Council, TechNet and TechAmerica as well as The American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Privacy Information Center, Politico said, citing sources. Groups invited to Thursday’s meeting included representatives from privacy groups such as the Center for Democracy and Technology, Politico said, citing sources familiar with the meeting. Gigi Sohn, the head of another similar group, Public Knowledge, was also invited, it said. White House representatives
E. A. ADEBOYE On Sunday
Nothing Too Sudden MEMORISE: For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5 READ Luke 8:22-25 storms never give busted. She could
THE scripture in today’s memory verse, tells us that negative events have time limits. If this were not the case no one would be able to enjoy life at all. This also means that the fact that something went wrong is no reason why it will end wrong. Weeping, can last for a night, but it will be gone in the morning. Are you weeping? It shall soon give way for joy. It also tells us that no matter the situation you are in now, as long as you are linked with Jesus who is a Master of Situations and circumstances (M.Sc.), it shall end in joy. From the story of the Shunammite woman recorded in 2 Kings 4:18-26, we learn that often times,
notice before they came. Early that morning when the woman woke from sleep, the temperature of her son was normal, if it was not so, the boy would not have been allowed to visit his father in the field. You may never know when you will need to cry to God, therefore you must not owe God in vows (Psalm 50:14-15). When Jesus asked that they go over to the other side, the storm did not give any indication that it will come. One of my daughters was travelling to the Eastern part of Nigeria, sitting at the back seat of a Peugeot car as she read her Bible. Then suddenly while at top speed, the front tyre of the vehicle she was in,
KEY POINT
only remember one word – Jesus. She shouted it while the car began to somersault. At that point, there was no time to confess sins. Suddenly, the door was flung open and invisible hands picked her up and gently sat her down by the road, from where she became an onlooker in an accident she was involved in. At the end of it all, she was the only survivor who narrated the story. Usually, what occurs so suddenly may be out of the control and timing of man, but it is within God’s control. No sudden event can take God by surprise. The Lord will step into that socalled sudden event and bring you out of trouble. However, let your ways always be right with God.
The reality of sudden disasters is a good reason to always be prepared for death.
“Usually, what occurs so suddenly may be out of the control and timing of man, but it is within God’s control. No sudden event can take God by surprise.”
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SUNDAY AUGUST 11, 2013
Woman Offers Breastfeeding Service To Gay Parents
A woman has posted an offer on a French website to breastfeed babies of homosexual male
couples for 100 euros ($130) a day, stirring up media interest just weeks after a divisive same-
sex marriage law was passed. The post, which the website
A mysterious Catholic priest showed up at the site of a car crash in Missouri with witnesses saying he offered a blessing before disappearing just as quickly as he arrived. But those at the site of the crash, including a number of rescue workers, are now at a loss after realizing no one knows the identity of the mysterious holy man who does not appear in any of the nearly 70 photographs taken at the scene of the accident. “I think it’s a miracle,” Raymond Reed, fire chief of New London, told USA Today. “I would say whether it was an angel that was sent to us in the form of a priest or a priest that became our angel, I don’t know. Either way, I’m good with it.” Reed and other rescue workers spent 45 minutes attempting to remove 19-year-old college student Katie Lentz from the wreckage, to no avail. While Lentz was conscious and communicating with authorities, they said her vital signs were
quickly dropping. Rescue workers were left with little choice other than to turn the flipped car over. But such a move posed a potentially lifethreatening injury to the young woman, who subsequently asked for someone to pray with her. And that’s when the mysterious priest reportedly appeared, saying “I will,” praying with Lentz and some of the rescue workers and sprinkling the young woman with oil. Reed and his team then turned the car over and freed Lentz, who was taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital. But when Reed and other emergency workers tried to find the priest to thank him, he had already left the scene. “We all go back to thank this priest and he’s gone,” Reed said. The man was described as being in his late 50s and dressed in full priest’s garb. “Where did this guy come from?” added Lentz’s friend Travis Wiseman . ”We’re
looking for the priest and so far, no one has seen him. Whether it was a priest as an angel or an actual angel, he was an angel to all those and to Katie.” “We’re all local people from four different towns,” Reed said, noting that police had put up barriers to the crash site for two miles in each direction. “We’ve only got one Catholic church out of three towns and it wasn’t their priest.” “I have 69 photographs that were taken from minutes after that accident happened — bystanders, the extrication, our final cleanup — and he’s not in them,” Reed added. “All we want to do is thank him.” Lentz’s mother says her daughter is recovering from her injuries and gives the mysterious cleric credit for helping her pull through in her time of need. “I do believe he certainly could have been an angel dressed in priest’s attire because the Bible tells us there are angels among us,” Carla Churchhill Lentz told USA Today.
Mysterious ‘Angel’ Priest Appears At Crash Site
Disabled Get Swim Thanks To But despite Seatrac’s growing PARALYZED from the waist Solar Chair appeal - it has already been down, Lefteris Theofilou has exported to Cyprus and the team spent nearly half his life bound to a wheelchair and recalls as if it were a dream the first time a solar-powered chair enabled him to swim on his own in the Greek sea. “It was unreal,” Theofilou, 52, a burly mechanic with graying hair, said as he lifted himself off his wheelchair one warm summer evening, sat on the chair and with the push of a button rode, unassisted, 20 m (yards) to the shore and into the water. “It makes you feel free and able to do things you could not imagine you could do on your own,” he said.
Disabled
Founded by a team of Greek scientists in 2008 and covered by European and U.S. patent laws, the Seatrac device operates on a fixed-track mechanism which allows up to 30 wheelchairs to be moved in and out of the water a day - all powered by solar energy. In a country with one of the world’s longest coastlines and thousands of islands, it has come as a welcome relief for many Greeks, boosting demand each year. Currently, 11 devices operate in Greece and there are plans to expand the network.
are in talks with architects in Croatia, France, the United Arab Emirates and Israel - it faces hurdles in Greece, where facilities for the disabled are poor. In the capital Athens, bumpy pavements and potholed roads make moving around difficult. Wheelchair ramps had to be installed during a July visit by German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, who is paralyzed and uses a wheelchair. Seatrac’s founders have taken advantage of Greece’s climate the country is drenched in sun almost all year-round - meaning that the devices can be set up easily on beaches without an electric line to hand and taken down at the end of the season, all without damaging the environment. The team hope the device could boost tourism, the Mediterranean country’s biggest industry, but lament a lack of support by the local authorities which bought the device for 30,000 euros ($40,000) each and are responsible for maintenance after the first year. Engineer Ignatios Fotiou, one of the inventors, likened the lack of support to “building a penthouse apartment without a building underneath it”.
said it verified as genuine and legal, reads: “I am a young mother in perfect health, a trained nurse of 29, and I am renting my breasts to milk-feed infants.” The offer, addressed to male homosexual couples who can marry legally in France since May, promises up to 10 breastfeeds a day. The woman is mobile and based near Paris, it says. Alexandre Woog, chief executive of the e-loue website where the offer appeared, said its staff had contacted the person and had no doubt about her identity and the seriousness of the proposal, nor the legality of the service proposed.
Odd News Compiled By PAUL OKOMANYI
“Our legal advisers are sure of this. It’s illegal in France to sell maternal milk but this is a person proposing a service, not selling the milk in flasks,” Woog told Reuters. While France has just joined more than a dozen countries to legalize gay marriage and adoption of children by samesex couples, it does not permit surrogacy or assisted reproduction for gay and lesbian couples. Reuters was unable to independently confirm the authenticity of the French breast-feed offer or the identity of the person behind it, who said in response to queries via
the website that many people had replied to the proposal. “I’ve received more than a dozen requests, but only half of them were serious. The rest were from perverts,” the poster of the offer, run like all adverts under a pseudonym, said in an exchange with Reuters. Woog said his website, created in 2009 as a platform where users can offer or hire anything legal online, checks any posts that raise eyebrows. The breast-feeding offer was the second major eyecatcher since the website was founded, he said. Another user previously offered to rent out two goats as lawn-cutters.
Man Finds Maggots On Sandwich At Atlanta Airport
A restaurant says it has switched vendors after a customer found a cluster of maggots on his sandwich at Atlanta’s airport. Weekly traveler Joel Woloshuk told WSB-TV Tuesday (http:// bit.ly/1895s6l ) that he bought a sandwich from Café Intermezzo and realized the white specks on top of it were maggots — not parmesan- when they began
moving. In a statement to WSB-TV, Café Intermezzo’s president said the case was isolated and the problem could not have originated at the restaurant. He says the restaurant switched bread vendors and “not a single crumb” from the original bakery remains.
WHEN you hear about a man saving his dog from a sinking ship, it’s hard to not be moved by the tale of an animal lover’s heroism. But the story becomes slightly less heroic when you learn that the man saved his dog before his own wife. But that’s apparently what happened when Graham Anley and his wife, Cheryl, found their yacht sinking after it hit a reef while on a voyage from East London to Madagascar. National Sea Rescue Institute North London station commander Geoff McGregor said all three were wearing life jackets. The 9year-old Jack Russell terrier named Rosie was wearing a tailored life jacket equipped with a strobe light beacon. “As the incident happened
Graham sent a Mayday radio distress call and activated the EPIRB (a GPS beacon) but they were immediately forced to abandon ship,” McGregor said in an interview. “He first swam Rosie ashore safely before returning for his wife, whose safety line had snagged on the steering gear,” McGregor added. The couple and their dog all made it out free of injury. Graham, a longtime volunteer with the National Sea Rescue Institute, said it was “humbling to have the shoe on the other foot and need to be rescued.” Some details have yet to emerge. So, it’s likely that Cheryl was in a position of relative safety and Rosie might
Atlanta Department of Aviation officials say they’re distributing ultraviolet lights to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport restaurants so they can better inspect food shipments. The Clayton County Board of Health says it found no citable violation at the location that it inspected.
Man Saves Dog, Then Wife have been in a more perilous position had she been left on the boat. The couple did not want to speak with the media about their rescue. So, for now, it’s left to readers to speculate about Graham’s priorities during their ordeal.
Family Hopes For A Girl, Gets KATERI and Jay Schwandt of 12th Baby Boy Rockford, Mich., welcomed their 12th baby into the family last week. A brood of now — count ‘em — 12 boys. “We didn’t know what he would be when he was first born,” a smiling Kateri Schwandt told the local NBC News station. “We don’t find out. It’s always a boy, but it’s always a surprise.” Tucker Ray Schwandt was born on August 4 — the newest sibling among the other boys ranging in age up to 21 years old. Tucker’s 11 older brothers rushed into their mother’s room
at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich., to greet their newest brother. “I never imagined I’d be sitting here with my 12th child,” Jay Schwandt, said. The proud parents told the station they had been hoping for a girl, but this time, like the past 11 times, it was not to be. “I’m sure a little girl probably would be fun, but we know what we’re doing. Sometimes I feel like I’m living in a locker room,” Kateri Schwandt said. She
certainly has enough sons to form a football team. The family’s oldest son, Ty, said there are benefits to being part of such a large family. “I know how to manage time and manage a schedule and make sure kids get where they need to be and get picked up when mom forgets every now and then,” he said. Amazingly, dad Jay says he’s not opposed to having more kids. He says maybe the 13th “will be the charm” that gets the family a girl.
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SUNDAY AUGUST 11, 2013
RESTORATION is defined by Oxford Advanced Learner’s dictionary as the act of returning something to it’s correct place, condition or owner. Joel 2:25-26 says
Sunday Sermon With Bishop Clement Ehidiamhen
frequently especially in a way that is annoying and cannot be stopped. One of the secret that the widow exployed was that she kept coming to meet the judge despite the fact that he refused answers to her
Restoration Through Prayers
“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed”. The areas we need restoration differs from one person to another. Some need restoration in their health as they live on drugs on daily basis to be able to see another. There are some that need marital restoration since their marriage relationship is passing through turbulent times and it is near clashing as it is about to hit the rock. There are many others that need financial restoration. As at the moment, they are eating from hand to mouth, they are barely surviving. There are people that have lost their children to drugs, addictions, prostitution, fraud etc and they are believing God for the restoration of their minds. Even many believers have lost sweet fellowship with God and need urgent restoration to that place of sweet communion. The list is in-exhaustive, for those that want that restoration of position and promotion or those that need the restoration of properties. One major key that opens the door for restoration is prayers. Leviticus 6:12-13 says “And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings. The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out”. What is prayer: It is the act of communing with the creator. Prayer is the bridge between divinity and humanity. Every relationship without communication is a bias type and incomplete. Prayers strengthen the relationship between God and man. A truly prayerful Christian is a Christian who is spiritually current. What is prayer altar: It is a place established by man where he/she meets with God. It is place of communing, a place of intercession and a place of
supplication. The scripture quoted above admonished us to keep the fire of communication, relationship, prayers in our altar burning. In others words it should not be a place of petition alone, it should be a place of intercession, adoration and supplication. It should not be a hit and run arena i.e. It should be a place where you visit everyday not only when you have problems but when you are at ease. The fire of prayers must continually burn to keep the altar alive. Apart from the altar in churches, each family should have a prayer altar. It may not be an exalted podium rather it can be a place in the house and time of the day free from all forms of distraction to have an appointment with God through prayers. Jesus our perfect example was a man of prayers. Matthew 14:23 says “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone”. While Jesus was on earth in the human form, though He was God yet had daily appointment with God the father through prayers. He kept the altar of relationship with the father burning with prayers without stopping. Often times we read in God’s word concerning Jesus in the New Testament how he will always go to mount Olives to make intercession before God the father. Jesus indeed was a man of prayers, no wonder He was current spiritually. Even before the fulfillment of His major purpose on earth which is to die on the cross for the redemption of man, it was said of Him in Luke 22:3946 “And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly:
and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples,
he found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation”. Jesus came and shew us an example to follow and in one of His teachings in Luke 18:1-7 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? The first charge given to us in this parable is that men ought to pray and not to faint which means men should cultivate the lifestyle of prayers but suffice me to say that the reverse is the case
today, men instead of praying are playing. They only visit the place of prayers at convenience or when they are having issues
that demands God’s intervention. Prayer is more than you asking God for anything rather it is you knowing God’s intimately through communications. SECRETS IN PRAYER THAT BRINGS ABOUT RESTORATION From the parable above, we discovered that even when the judge will not fear God and will not even consider man yet for the widow exhibited some secrets that gave her answer and they are (i) She Was Specific: All the time she came face to face with the judge she will always says “avenge me of my adversaries” she knew what exactly she needed and
she presented her needs specifically without jumping from pillar to post, Matthew 6:7-8 says “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the
heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him”. And there are many people that go into their prayer closest without any prayer point which may eventually make you tired without praying long. There are others that go into their prayer closest with prayer points that are against God’s will for their life. You must be specific in your request to command the attention of divinity. (ii) She Was Persistent: To be persistent means to continue for a long period of time without interruption or repeated
request. We live in a world where we give up soon. A song writer once said “Don’t give up on God; for He won’t give up on you, He is able” in 1st Thessalonians 5:17 says “pray without ceasing”. Isaiah 62:6-7 says “But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them”. God is telling us in the scriptures quoted above that a believer that desires restoration in any facet of life must learn to persevere in prayers. This is more than the morning and evening devotion type of prayers. It is the type of prayer that you challenge God continually via His word. It is a type of prayer you pray until something happens. This is the type of prayers that does not need distractions. This kind of prayer should be the one prayed by Elijah when the command the rain not to fall for (3) three and half years and he prayed earnestly again and the heavens gave rain to the earth as it was recorded for him in James 5:16-18 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit”.
“The first charge given to us in this parable is that men ought to pray and not to faint, which means men should cultivate the lifestyle of prayers but suffice me to say that the reverse is the case today, men instead of praying are playing. They only visit the place of prayers at convenience or when they are having issues that demands God’s intervention. Prayer is more than you asking God for anything rather it is you knowing God’s intimately through communications.”
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SUNDAY AUGUST 11, 2013
Practicability Of Legal Measures In Adapting Climate Change
NIGERIA has a lot of laws that has been put in place to address climate change, but they are not changing into a live lion that is difficult to hold its tail. Having a body of laws is one thing, and whether they help to realise their intended objectives is quite different. UNFCCC The UNFCCC has been criticized on its objective and have argued its vagueness, to protect the planet from the serious impact of climate change which the world has already begun to experience. Also, though the provision may be adequate and convenient for some developing countries, its adequacy for developing countries includes, climate needs are questionable. The reason is; Article 2 makes room for postponement of measures and does not provide a framework for testing whether the current targets are consistent with preventing dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. The legal problem is that climate change is not (physically) imposed by one state upon another state. As a result the traditional legal principles governing transboundary pollution
do not apply. But if the atmosphere is a common concern of human kinds, all states have an interest and duty to protect it from serious harm. A state on one side of the globe is thus affected by a state on the other side of the globe that is emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. KYOTO PROTOCOL TO THE UNFCCC Critics of the Kyoto protocol said that it focused on the fact that it levied restrictions only on developed nations of the world and not on developing countries like China, India, Nigeria and Brazil. Nigeria signed the Kyoto protocol as part of the Non-Annex 1 economies so, it is not committed to take measures, but according to IPPA (Institute for Public Policy Analysis), Nigeria would be better off to handle climate change with its own initiatives. N I G E R I A N LEGISLATIONS. Section 20 of the Constitution of Nigeria makes provisions for environmental protection; however this section is under chapter 2 of the constitution ( Fundamental Objective and Directive Principles
of State Policy) which has been rendered nonjusticiable by section 6(6) c of the same constitution. And since it is not under chapter 4 which makes provision for Fundamental Rights under the same constitution; it thus create a slack in the government’s effort in p r a c t i c a l l y implementing these
legislate on oil and petroleum matters. The oil and pollution industry contribute a very high quota to the flaring of gases, emissions of CO 2 , CFC’s, methane which deplete the ozone layer resulting in the negative effects of climate change. The main flaw in these
rights. The NESREA Act 2007 which is so charged with the responsibility of protecting and development of the environment poses some inherent weaknesses. Section 7 (paragraph 7 (g)-(j) and section 8 (im) excluded the power of the Agency to
instrument is that there is lack of clear mechanism to check compliance with the obligations held by the states parties. Any international or domestic policy instrument can be effective only if accompanied by an ample mechanism of monitoring and enforcement. There is a
Environment With CLEMENTINA UKIRI nexus between compliance enforcement and the quantity of international cooperation that will actually be sustained. Recommendation Owing to the adverse effect of climate change, members ofGROUP D, IN THEIR ESSAY ‘EXAMINATION OF THE LEGAL MEASURES FOR ADAPTING AND M I T I G AT I N G C L I M A T E CHANGE’IN JUNE. 2013, suggested the
following measures listed in the underlying paragraphs. Involving the local people at the grassroots level in fighting against climate change. Most of the gas flaring activities are carried out in these rural communities. And these rural dwellers are easily swayed when
“. . . an environment which was intended to shield humans from dangerous gas of the atmosphere has in the opposite become man’s enemy causing harmful effects to man and properties. If the environment is then to become a safer place, adequate measures must be taken to combat this problem.”
there is monetary compensation. So adequate enlightenment and involvement of the rural communities would go a very long way in combating climate change. Owing to the absence of case laws on climate changes in Nigeria, aggrieved individuals are not encouraged to institute actions in court on the effect of climate change on their health, family life and otherwise. It will be wise to establish environmental courts, whereby the courts should be allowed to entertain matters as relates to the adverse effect of climate change on aggrieved persons. Encouraging individuals to plant more trees is a good way to combat the emission of gasses into the atmosphere especially Carbon Dioxide. NGO’s who are concerned about adverse effects of climate change on the nation and the people should be encouraged to carry on their awareness campaign, educating the people on how best to carry out their activities so as not to cause incurable damage to the climate CONCLUSION With an overview of climate change in the country; it is thus clear that an environment which was intended to shield humans from dangerous gas of the atmosphere has in the opposite become man’s enemy causing harmful effects to man and properties. If the environment is then to become a safer place, adequate measures must be taken to combat this problem.
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SUNDAY AUGUST 11, 2013
Eating Healthy Or Just Pleasing Your Taste Buds (3)_
Tips for eating more healthy carbs Include a variety of whole grains in your healthy diet, including whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, and barley. Experiment with different grains to find your favorites. Make sure you’re really getting whole grains. Be aware that the words stone-ground, multi-grain, 100% wheat, or bran can be deceptive. Look for the words “whole grain” or “100% whole wheat” at the beginning of the ingredient list. In the U.S., Canada, and some other countries, check for the Whole Grain Stamps that distinguish between partial whole grain and 100% whole grain. Try mixing grains as a first step to switching to whole grains. If whole grains like brown rice and whole wheat pasta don’t sound good at first, start by mixing what you normally use with the whole grains. You can gradually increase the whole grain to 100%. Avoid: Refined foods such as breads, pastas, and breakfast cereals that are not whole grain. Healthy eating tip 6: Enjoy healthy fats & avoid unhealthy fats Good sources of healthy fat are needed to nourish your brain,
heart, and cells, as well as your hair, skin, and nails. Foods rich in certain omega-3 fats called EPA and DHA are particularly important and can reduce cardiovascular disease, improve your mood, and help prevent dementia.
pecans), and seeds (such as pumpkin, sesame). Polyunsaturated fats, including Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, found in fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and some cold water fish oil supple-
primarily in animal sources including red meat and whole milk dairy products. Trans fats, found in vegetable shortenings, some margarines, crackers, candies, cookies, snack foods, fried foods, baked goods, and other processed foods made with partially hydrogen-
Add to your healthy diet: Monounsaturated fats, from plant oils like canola oil, peanut oil, and olive oil, as well as avocados, nuts (like almonds, hazelnuts, and
ments. Other sources of polyunsaturated fats are unheated sunflower, corn, soybean, flaxseed oils, and walnuts. Reduce or eliminate from your diet: Saturated fats, found
ated vegetable oils. Healthy eating tip 7: Put protein in perspective Protein gives us the energy to get up and go—and keep going. Protein in food is broken
By BINITIE ROSELINE/CLEMENTINA UKIRI
ealth Watch
H
With CLEMENTINA UKIRI
down into the 20 amino acids that are the body’s basic building blocks for growth and energy, and essential for maintaining cells, tissues, and organs. A lack of protein in our diet can slow growth, reduce muscle mass, lower immunity,
and weaken the heart and respiratory system. Protein is particularly important for children, whose bodies are growing and changing daily. Here are some guidelines for including pro-
tein in your healthy diet: Try different types of protein. Whether or not you are a vegetarian, trying different protein sources—such as beans, nuts, seeds, peas, tofu, and soy products—will open up new options for healthy mealtimes. Beans: Black beans, navy beans, garbanzos, and lentils are good options. Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and pecans are great choices. Soy products: Try tofu, soy milk, tempeh, and veggie burgers for a change. Avoid salted or sugary nuts and refried beans. Downsize your portions of protein. Many people in the West eat too much protein. Try to move away from protein being the center of your meal. Focus on equal servings of protein, whole grains, and vegetables. Focus on quality sources of protein, like fresh fish, chicken or turkey, tofu, eggs, beans, or nuts. When you are having meat, chicken, or turkey, buy meat that is free of hormones and antibiotics. (To be continued in the next edition).
“Polyunsaturated fats, including Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, found in fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and some cold water fish oil supplements. Other sources of polyunsaturated fats are unheated sunflower, corn, soybean, flaxseed oils, and walnuts.”
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WE are faced with a major crisis on the earth today. We live in a world where more than half the population, really do not understand why they are on the earth. The philosophies and the traditions of men have failed in explaining to the world the purpose of man on earth. Many wander the earth today seeking answers from the stars (astrology), from eastern religions and even from the entertainment industry. Our present day movies and music seem to suggest that man’s sole purpose on earth is his own pleasure sex, party, fun, fame, fortune etc. And whether these pleasures are harmful to mankind or not, is never considered; we are just encouraged to “enjoy life and die happy.” The consequences of these are clearly seen in the world today. AIDS, venereal diseases, murder, rape, divorce, drug addiction, suicide and so on, are presently at their peak. The truth is, as it is commonly said, “where purpose is not known abuse is inevitable.” The earth is in a state of chaos simply because men have lost touch with God’s purpose for their lives. This condition is clearly expressed in the book of Proverbs 29: 18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he”. The Good News Bible says, “A nation without God’s guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God’s law!” From this scripture one can arrive at the following conclusions: (i) that a world without the revelation of God is lost and destined for calamity and (ii) only through the revelation of God and His guidance can one’s purpose be discovered. SO, WHY AM I ON purpose for being on the THE EARTH? earth must begin by Revelation: 11 says, being God centered in “Thou art worthy, 0 his approach to life. Lord, to receive glory Pleasing God simply and honour and power: requires loving Him and Him. for thou hast created all obeying things, and FOR THY Ecciesiastes 12: 13 PLEASURE they are (GNB) - “After all this, and were created.” there is only one thing to Have Everything God created, say: He created for His REVERENCE FOR pleasure and satisfaction. GOD, and OBEY HIS Man was made to bring COMMANDS, because God pleasure. In simple THIS IS ALL THAT WE terms, you and I are on WERE CREA TED the earth to please God FOR.” The psalmist in Psalm and not ourselves. 90:12 prayed “Lord 2Cor.5:15 (TLB) - “He died for all so that all teach us to number our who live-having days, that we may apply received eternal life from our hearts unto wisdom.” him-might live no longer The Good News Bible for themselves, to please says, “Teach us how themselves, but to spend short our life is, so that their lives pleasing we may become wise.” Christ who died and rose Life is too short for one again for them.” This to be preoccupied with completely contradicts worthless pursuits. Time the system of the world on earth is a gift and we which is fully centered would give account to on the pleasure of self; a God concerning how pleasure that only brings well we have invested pain and destruction. A our time in His man eager to fulfill his assignment for our lives on the earth. I believe
SUNDAY AUGUST 11, 2013
that God is calling us again to wise living. A life inspired by the wisdom of God and you and I need to take heed and awaken to God’s
are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may DO THOSE GOOD
BRIO With Francis Odupute
Man On A Mission By EFE OHOOBO
assignment for us on the earth. Confirming this, Jesus says in Mark 13:34, “For the Son of
WORKS which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He
man is as a man taking afar journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to EVERY MAN HIS WORK, and commanded the porter to watch.” God has a work (an assignment) for each of us on the earth. Ephesians 2:10 (AMP) gives us further hint concerning this: “For we
prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” Based on the New Testament, we can summarize in simple points God’s basic assignment for every man as: 1. TO WORSHIP
GOD IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH: God demands from all men worship that is true and genuine (without hypocrisy) and inspired
Word. (lPeter2: 2; Rom8: 29; Eph.4: 13). 4. TO WAIT FOR THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST AND THE
by the Spirit of God (John 4: 23-24, Phil.3: 3). 2. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL AND WIN SOULS FOR CHRIST: (Matt 28:19, 2Cor. 5:18-19). 3. TO CONFORM TO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST: This is achieved through daily obedience to God’s
ESTABLISHING OF HIS KINGDOM ON THE EARTH: This is referred to in scriptures as the Blessed Hope (Heb.9:28, Phil.3:20-21, Titus 2:13, 1 John 3: 3). But no man can fulfill purpose without first encountering Christ at the Cross-Matt. 16:2426. (To be continued)
A man eager to fulfill his purpose for being on the earth must begin by being God centered in his approach to life. Pleasing God simply requires loving Him and obeying Him. Ecciesiastes 12: 13 (GNB) - “After all this, there is only one thing to say: Have REVERENCE FOR GOD, and OBEY HIS COMMANDS, because THIS IS ALL THAT WE WERE CREA TED FOR.”
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Which Party System Is Ideal For Nigeria?
Naked Truth With CITIZEN EMMA KOLA OKHAKHU – OSARETIN OKHOMINA Nigeria today, is replete with more than forty (40) political parties which does not allow the true beauty of democracy to be manifested. Multiple political parties is not good for Nigeria. The reason being that there will always be conflict of interest, betrayal when it mattered most, sell out and what you have. I think that two party system is ideal for this country. The party system that exist in America and Britain are beauty to behold. In America, you have the Democrats and the Republicans while in Great Britain, they have the Labour, Conservative and one other. So, to say two party system is okay for Nigeria, is not an exaggeration. God bless Nigeria.
RIGHT from Independence, Nigerian as a country has continued to practice different party systems in the various democratic dispensations that she has experienced. Haven undergone or experimented with these various party systems, one begins to wonder what party system is more ideal for a multi-cultural, ethnic, religious and lingual state like our’s? Naked Truth went to town to seek the views of the Citizenry on what they think is the ideal party system for Nigeria? Excerpt:Two Party System is okay – ODEKHE M.O. There is no doubt that twoparty system is the best for Nigeria. The reason being that election rigging, election tribunal and corruption in office will drastically reduce. About sixty-two (62) political parties are registered by INEC and only three (3) contested or rather fielded candidates in the last presidential election. Also, most of the political parties have no functional offices. Most of our politicians form political parties because of some financial gains while others join or contest election as a gimmick to get political appointment. Two party system will create the opportunity for the best candidates to vie for elective position. And it will also make it easy for one party to wrestle power from the other whenever the party in power fails to fulfil electoral promises. Two Party System is Ideal – Ikhureigbe Ernest Nigeria as a heterogeneous society needs a workable political system that stored incorporate the entities that make up the Nigeria state. For political and economic development of Nigeria on the comity of nations to be fully harnessed and maintained, a two party system is ideal and should be adopted. This, would no doubt submerge and fuse together the
likely attrition and differences in areas of larguage, religion, tribal and other unforeseen factors inherent in a multiphase society like Nigeria. The advantage of a two party system could, inretrospect, be noticed in the election that ought to have ushered in late Chief Abiola as President and Amb. Kingibe as Vice President. They were voted for in an election still be adjudged as the freest election in the History of Nigeria. Though, they did not allow them take over, a two party system had been experimented and found to be very acceptable. On this note I advocate it should be adopted against the backdrop of faceless political parties without structures. Multi Party System is better – BLESSING SALAMI One or two party system is not ideal. Nigeria is a great Nation and so deserves the best party system. One or two party system is not ideal for Nigeria because most people want to be out for either the governorship position, or for the presidential so that is why I will say multiparty system is good for Nigeria. Multi-party system is good in the sense that so many people would like to contest for a particular position, but they don’t like the party on ground that is why we need to have more than one or two political parties in Nigeria.
President Jonathan Multi-party system is also good for Nigeria because the people can choose the best candidate they want to represent them in an election. I suggest two-party system – Adam Oyiboke The ideal party system for Nigeria is no other system but two-party-system. Two party system no doubt will be able to check Nigeria
ethnocentric/ religious problems. Today in Nigeria there is no middle class. All that pervade is the pure wealthy class otherwise referred to as (bourgeoisie) and the proletariat (downtrodden). Two party system will help to address the wide gap between the rich and the poor. This bringing into two political hemisphere of capitalist or progressive. This is what Nigeria needs. It will on the long run bring down all manners of electoral vices. Four-party system is fine – OGIESEWU KESTER Looking back at the nation’s history, one would like to conclude, almost in a hurry that the four party system under a presidential system of
government is the most ideal for the country. This is arising from the numerous benefits within this political arrangement. The four party system is enough to nurture the type of democracy we crave for ourselves and this will also bring about the strict observance of the rule of law which will also bring about good governance that will ultimately impart positively on the lives of the people. Again, a four party system also has the advantage to checkmate clumsy and electoral process where a lot of electoral malpractice take place which eventually lead to bad leadership. Therefore, the lesser the parties the better for the entire country. My suggestion is two party system
Two party system is the best – Efemwenkiekit Osas Kelvin The adoption of a two party in the country will stabilize the polity to a reasonable extent because a majority or registered 62 political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), only exists in the register. Out of the existing 62 political parties in the country today, about 30 of them are owned by member of the ruling party PDP. It is very clear that most of them do not have functional offices in the nation’s capital. About nine of them actually have functional offices in Abuja whereas the rest of them have briefcases. Where do the remaining have their offices located at? “So the best party system for this corruption-ridden country is a two party system because such arrangement will definitely make it difficult for rigging system because it is just two party system and the cases of ballot box snatching will drastically reduce. Two party system is ok – Bernadette Idalu It erases the unnecessary spending of money and the belief that politics is a do or die affair, instead, Let the best man win. It aids a better, more coordinated party structure and true loyalists.
“The adoption of a two party system in the country will stabilize the polity to a reasonable extent because a majority or registered 62 political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), only exists in the register.”
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VOX POP
Towards 2015: Which Is A Better Choice, PDP Or APC? WITH the trend of things in the country, it seems Nigeria is heading for a twoparty system. This is so as we now have two mega parties in PDP and APC. It was all over the news that the merger between some small parties into one mega party, All Progressive Congress, (APC) was not just successful but was duely ratified and registered by INEC. With this development, some Nigerians are of the opinion that the existence of the two mega parties will create a level playing field for fair political play and largely strengthen our emerging democracy. But others are of the view that the new APC is but a recycling of old politicians who were in PDP, and as such, much is not expected from them. In view of this, SUNDAY OBSERVER interns, Ukiri Clementina, Salami Blessing, Binitie Roseline went out to feel the pulse of the people. Excerpts.
APC will strengthen democracy in the country – Professor Sam Osemene The formation and ratification of the newly formed political party, APC would strengthen democracy in the country. If APC becomes a strong opposition party with defined goals, it would enhance checks and balances, promotes good governance and represents the interest of the people. APC should not become opposition without positions. It would be judged based on who emerges as the presidential candidate. It should avoid recycling old politicians in order to win. This an opportunity for new generation of leaders to emerge and take the leadership mantle for the betterment of the country. We must not allow those that drove the car into a ditch to drive it out of the ditch. Nigeria needs new drivers. It would be political suicide to conclude that APC alone is a better option than the ruling party, Nigeria does not have a party problem but is
infested by political criminals. They loot the nation without conscience. It’s too soon to make m e a n i n g f u l comparisons between the two parties – Dr Silver Yeibake To the Nigerian mentality, politics is not a matter of mere expediency. It actively includes blatant lying, cheating, and all sorts of moral deviations. As a consequence, our political parties and apparatus have become formal entities behind which unscrupulous elements hide their misdeeds. In the good old days, when the PDP was making waves, it was perceived by many of us to hold the panacea for credible leadership and better governance. However, in a short while the PDP having gained a strong power base, decided to adopt the Nigerian idea of politics and in time conveniently forgot their responsibilities to the citizenry, perhaps simply because power intoxicates. To guite a
party different from the old party – Osakpolor Osas Whether APC or PDP, I am not interested in any party any more. The problem with Nigeria is not the issue of party because it is those that were in the old party that are still going to form new party or is it that the new
people are complaining about it. I think with the emergence of APC, Nigerians can still believe in democracy as a system of government for the people and by the people. It is a well come development. Another party should be given a chance, who knows, the party may be good.
see that APC will be the strongest and voting for, this party will never be a waste of time by Nigerians.
Let’s watch and see how the 2015 election will go – Osazee What I want to say about this is that, let’s watch and see how the 2015 election
number of Nigerians they were happy and PDP later took away the happiness only to replace it with anger, corruption and lawlessness. Unlike the PDP, the APC is relatively new and has no track record of its own even though its membership brims with contemporary political bigwigs. In my view, I think the APC indicates the creation of an alternative, not necessarily better option. Although, some of us in search for an alternative can accept and follow the devil, provided he is bedecked in white apparel, I think it’s too soon to make meaningful comparisons between the two parties. I am not betting on them to do better than PDP – Esedunme Victor I am not betting on them to do better than PDP because the composition of APC are disgruntled politicians from the fold of PDP and with the age bracket of their leaders, it is going to be the same old story except they prove me wrong. Are the people in the
party that is formed is made up of new people entirely or angels? Why now stressing on party? Nigerians should be wise because these politicians are good propagandists. Let not fall prey to their tricks, what we need is not party, we need good and God fearing leaders. It is a welcome development – Benjamin Abraham PDP has been ruling this country for years, still
Nigerians now have a better choice – Desmond Osayi My view is that yes Nigeria now have a better choice because the party is made up of the three strong parties in Nigeria. The ACN as we know and have seen in our state today is not doing badly at all. We see development here and there, not to talk about the CPC that is doing very well in the North. So you
will go, because as for me, the party on seat now, has not done anything that will make them come back in the 2015 election. We are still suffering from insecurity, unemployment most of our youths today who are graduates are still going about looking for jobs here and there, the federal government has not done anything as far as I am concern. So, I think Nigerians now have a better choice.
“The problem with Nigeria is not the issue of party because it is those that were in the old party that are still going to form new party or is it that the new party that is formed is made up of new people entirely or angels? Why now stressing on party? Nigerians should be wise because these politicians are good propagandists. Let not fall prey to their tricks, what we need is not party, we need good and God fearing leaders.”
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NEWS EXTRA Govt Takes Delivery Of $1m Sports Equipment
Inaugurated Board of Directors of African Project and Programme Management Board (Nigerian chapter) in Abuja weekend.
NNS Thunder Departs For Australia
THE Nigerian Navy ship, NNS Thunder, has left Calabar Port enroute Australia, to participate in the Royal Australian Navy’s International Fleet Review (IFR). The Chief of Naval staff, Vice Adm. Dele Ezeoba, told the 177-member crew ,including 37 officers and 140 Ratings, to be of good behaviour in Australia. Ezeoba, who was represented by Rear Adm. Joe Aikhomu— the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command— said the crew would participate in the exercise slated for October 3 to October 11 in Sydney, Australia. He said that the crew would
spend about five months before returning to Nigeria, adding that the welfare of crew members was paramount to the Federal Government and the naval hierarchy. “This is a diplomatic exercise. The benefit is quite enormous. This mission is not an accidental thing. “A lot of things have been put in place right from the welfare of the crew, training and logistics, so that they will go there and represent this country well. “There are things that we expect from our sailors. We expect them to respect the laws in the host country. We
have participated in similar exercise in the past, so, it is not a new thing to us,’’ he said. He said the Nigerian Navy participated in a similar exercise in 2005, when NNS Aradu visited the United Kingdom for the bicentenary (200 years) of the Battle of Trafalgar. He also said that in 2007, the NNS Nwanba visited Brazil for a similar exercise. It was learnt that the NNS Thunder will return to home port in December, after making outbound port calls at Luanda, Cape Town, Port Louis, Freemantle and Sydney.
decisive in the clamp down on culprits. “They are criminals, just like the thieves we catch on the streets,” he said. According to him, the agencies should go all out and eliminate piracy as no crime syndicate should be stronger than the government. “We know that it cannot be wiped out in one day, it will take time, but we all should come on board and start on the right path. “ To be honest with you, corruption is the reason why piracy is still a major issue in Nigeria. “If radio stations are not
paying royalties, government should know that they are losing a lot. They should help artistes get royalties, so that we can also pay tax for the nation’s development. “ If the government knows that these artistes have to pay heavy taxes and they are going to make a lot of money from collecting these taxes, they will do something,” he said. Idibia expressed disappointment that the police could not see people who sell pirated compact discs and other copyright materials as criminals.
On the in-bound leg, the naval ship will also visit Melbourne, Albany, Port Des Galet, Durban, Walvis Bay and Pointe Noire. The Fleet Review will start on October 4. The formal review of the participating ships will take place in Sydney Harbour on October 5, 2013.
Obudu International Mountain Race, within the same period,’’ Ugbe said. The Director of Sports, Jude Amadi, also told newsmen that the arrival of the equipment would boost Cross River ’s Comprehensive Sports Development programme. Consultant to Cross River State Government on sports, Bruce Ijirigo, also said that the equipment would be judiciously utilised for the purposes that they were intended. “We are going to use it strictly for the development of these young athletes. We believe that the equipment will enable us to develop training programmes for individual athletes. “We intend to nurture these athletes appropriately over a long period of time; specifically, to peak at certain competitions and certain ages for them to be successful. “It is primarily for us to intensify our training and be specific in what we want to achieve for our children. We have enough equipment for primary and secondary schools’ athletes and for our elite. “Some of the equipment will be distributed to six schools of Sporting Excellence across the state. Note that athletics is our strong point,’’ Ijirigo said. The equipment are for many sports, including boxing, weightlifting, wrestling and athletics.
reaping the bounty of a working courier industry, while the sector is grossly under-used in Nigeria due to lack of adequate logistics and infrastructure,” he said. Olukoya said that there was the need for an increased usage of the Internet for purchase of goods and services to guarantee improvement in the sector. “Increased Internet usage can only be encouraged through proper government initiatives and policies. “This increased usage will bolster e-commerce, which will advance courier service,” he said. Olukoya urged the government to establish policies that would encourage Internet browsing at home. He said that such a development would encourage e-commerce. “Not only will employment be generated with the increase of activities in the sector, traffic will reduce, time will be saved and tax revenues generated,” he said. Olukoya said that the courier association in Nigeria would
standards by partnering with the government on policies and training of its members. “The recent initiative of a National Addressing Policy should be promptly implemented because the policy will make it easier to locate individuals. “It will also improve transportation,” he said. Olukoya also said that the association would partner with foreign organisations to train its members on recent innovations in the industry to keep them abreast of developments. He said that proper government intervention would enhance the welfare of stakeholders in the sector. “The recent restriction of the motorbikes to some roads in Lagos State is a challenge to some of our members. “We now we have to purchase motorbikes of 250cc capacity at the cost of N500, 000 or 600,000 compared to the N120, 000 that we used to spend on the bike. “Government can assist by negotiating with banks on our behalf to grant us loans to be able to break even,” he said.
Operator Urges Support For Courier take necessary steps to elevate THE Chairman, Fast Express Industry the industry to international Courier Nig. Ltd., Mr Olusegun Olukoya, has called for additional support for the courier industry to enhance standards. Olukoya told newsmen in Lagos that the Federal Government should come up with policies that would advance the industry. “Developed countries are
Shun Pirated Materials - Tuface
NIGERIAN music icon, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tuface, has urged Nigerians to shun pirated intellectual materials, just like adulterated drugs. “If pirated copyright materials do not have people to buy them, they will stay on the shop shelves and the shops will eventually close. “But if we continue to patronise them, the pirates will continue to sell,’’ Idibia told newsmen in Lagos. He also implored the government and agencies saddled with the enforcement of anti-piracy laws, to be
THE Cross River Government has took delivery of the second batch of equipment worth about a million dollars, for its ‘Comprehensive Sports Development Programme’. The equipment was received by the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Patrick Ugbe at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar. He told newsmen that the government was excited at the arrival of the equipment. “These equipment, which represented the last batch of supplies we ordered from the U. S., are meant for the development of sports in Cross River. “ Today’s arrivals are for the development of boxing and weightlifting; we also have some of the athletics equipment in there as well’’. He said that they were worth about a million dollars (about N160 million). “Our sports administrators have been mandated to maintain the equipment and use them with care in the course of training our budding youngsters in sports. “ Some of the first batch of equipment were put to use during the All Nigeria/ Cross River Athletics Championship that the state hosted in July. “We are also preparing for the hosting of the 2014 National Sports Festival (NSF) and the
“If you complain, the police will look at you, just like you want to deny these boys of their means of livelihood. They do not even know it’s a crime, and it is a punishable offence; so, it is a serious issue,” he said. Idibia said that his desire was to see the return of high quality music to Nigeria in terms of production and its packaging. “When this happens and you sell it for the appropriate price, we will be able to make more money and be able to compete with our counterparts in other parts of the world.”
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Divorce Trauma On Children (1) IN today’s society we all know that the cases of divorce is so alarming that it is like a fashion vogue in place, as if it is such a proud thing to say, I am getting a divorce, I am divorced. Among many circle of friends, you find that 3 out of 5 friends are divorced or getting divorced. A case of “show me your friend and I’ll tell you who you are”. But in many of these cases, the couple tend to overlook one important aspect of the situation which is the children, it is only if the lives of the children are in danger that divorce could be considered. Otherwise, putting the children first should be the ultimate consideration before taking the option of divorce. It’s easy for parents to over look the protection of their children, instead fight over custody, rights of visitation. This process of divorce is always ugly, rough and full of trauma in all ramification for the couple and even more for the children for it’s directly affects them. However, the impact of the divorce depends on how well the couple are able to isolate the children from the process during the time of
separation and actual divorce. During the process, there are bound to be changes in all aspects of the family life which the couple need to look at and protect the children from by maintaining consistency as much as possible. Because the children will definitely find it hard to cope with the changes of either not living in the house, changing school, father or mother not there, not living as a complete family, better to keep the routine the same way, for children feel safe when things are familiar, a stable home/residence and school life helps the children from the trauma of the divorce process.
During this process of divorce, the couple’s emotional feeling are mostly mixed up with anger, bitterness even
scared or lonely, so be careful and show more affection, for your children’s interest are more paramount and not
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parents divorce. That is why couple seeking for separation or divorce should at all cost spare the children from being
presence of your children for the criticism can cause harm to the children’s self-esteem. Avoid confrontation in their
“This is the time that the children need your assurance more than other time, letting them know it is not their fault for most time, the children feel they have done something wrong or they are to blame for their parents divorce.” confusion that the place of love is mostly at the back ground and then the children suffer the loss of love and attention. But it’s said that tough times are the best times to be more affectionate. The children become
yours. This is the time that the children need your assurance more than other time, letting them know it is not their fault for most time, the children feel they have done something wrong or they are to blame for their
expose to fighting, abuse or insults, have all the disagreement out of sight or earshot of the children. Never make the children take sides or act as go between in your disagreements. Don’t disparage your spouse in the
presence as much as possible. It is better for the children to see their parents resolving conflicts the escalating it. The trauma of insecurity play a lot in the lives of the children in all aspects especially the basic necessity like food and money surely, there is bound to be loss of income after the divorce which usually puts the children at a financial disadvantage and can affect them for a long time. It is very important that you reassure your children about the basic necessities by honestly telling them that food, shelter and clothing won’t be a problem and if you are to pay child support, do it as at when due. To be continued
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Sex In A Relationship
SEX in a relationship is often seen as a bond between couples to seal their love and help to strengthen it. It is something to be enjoyed and cherished by both partners. It helps to cement the relationship, a proof that you are involved with someone, giving of yourself totally. Though, having sex is not an indication of a relationship, you have what is called a one night stand, a fling or casual sex with someone you barely know. Before going into any intimacy with anyone, ask yourself, “do I want sex or a relationship?” Most relationship out there are often based on sex and not an indept intimacy or love. Having great sex with your partner often does not mean there is love. It maybe a physical attraction or a craving but then all of a sudden the interest is no longer there, the craving for that person has gone, a disconnection in sex has occurred, either one of the partner is not satisfied, is tired or just realised that he/she is giving more than the other. Women are believed to give of themselves on the first day while men realise what they lost at the end. That is why talking or speaking one’s mind in a relationship is very important, letting the other know your intention, every relationship happens when both partner reached the middle of the stick from both ends.
Relationship With Chelson SMS 08023457637
Some partners go into extra martial affair because they can’t find satisfaction in their sex life, hoping it will help,
a short one, at the end of it all, you succeed in sacrificing yourself and probably becoming bitter or hateful. Some
traumatise the children, hurt them, and can even mar them for life. Divorce doesn’t stop
not start on the bases of sex, no matter how many butterflies are in your stomach whenever you see him/her, or the craving to have sex. Having butterflies merely means you are overwhelmed by the physical attraction. It is
though, there are cases where these extra marital affairs have helped them to survive, sometimes guiltless because of excitement outweighting the guilt, while some time the guilt becomes too much and end the affairs. Looking at it, these affair never solve the problem because you are using one bad habit to replace another. Going into an extra martial affair is looking for solace, which is but
have even gone to the extent of having to divorce their partner based on lack of sex and the extra affair. Remember that divorce
you from being a parent but a partner, don’t let your kids become victims of the guilt of failure of your both. A relationship should
better to give time for discovering each other, checking each other’s attitude before having sex. Be sure to have a good character, for men
don’t fall for women without good character, it makes the relationship more interesting. If you are going into a relationship, if you like or really love your partner, you will wait, stay for sometime to get balance of the
relationship. Be sure you are not a trash can, be selective and make choice based on what you value, “sex or relationship?”
“ A relationship should not start on the bases of sex, no matter how many butterflies are in your stomach whenever you see him/ her, or the craving to have sex.”
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CONGRATULATORY messages have continued to rent the air over the long awaited registration of the All Progressive
democracy, just as it boasted that the registration does not in anyway pose any threat to it as a party, but the conclusion seems to be a
Ibrahim Babangida era. It is not new in Nigeria to see Nigerians dissatisfied with existing parties, and in order to
Congress (APC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) even as Nigerians in their large numbers have continued to applaud the efforts of INEC in making sure that this historic feat is a reality. The merger of these prominent opposition parties is seen as an avenue to form a formidable opposition and an alternative to the crisis ridden ruling party at the centre. In reacting to the birth of APC, the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said, Nigeria now has an alternative to a ruling party that has taken the people for a bad ride in the past 14 years while according to Governor Fashola of Lagos State, “This is not just a merger, it is history, the first merger in Nigeria.” In the same vein, Chief Frank Kokori, former General Secretary of the National Union of Petroleum and National Gas Workers (NUPENG) said “I am happy about it because the small parties we had before now were inconsequential. This development will create a viable opposition and it will also present a credible opposition to the ruling party.” On their own part, the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said that with the registration of APC as a political party by INEC, it expects a vibrant opposition that will constructively engage it on issues of governance, while describing the action as a healthy development for Nigeria’s
subject of discussion for tomorrow. With the emergence of the APC as a New Political Party, what does it portend for the average Nigerian? Are we going to see something different from what we have been seeing since 1999, which was built on failed promises? Or have we landed in the ‘El dorado state, where promises made to the citizenry will come to pass as expected? These and more questions begging for answers are what we should consider as we welcome another new party with lots of promises. Many political analysts have continued to say that Nigerian Politics is in a vicious circle, but many will not believe this thought or view but a look at issues before now and present happenings in our polity will make you give this view a second thought. But it is pertinent to place all the contentious issues of the past that might crop up in the present day before the APC leadership in order for them to tread with caution in their adventurous quest to salvage the country from imminent danger. With this latest development of APC, there seem to be a foreseeable tilt or movement towards a two party system, where one will be the ruling party and the other being the strong opposition, as was experimented before now in the country, and the most recent being the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republic an Convention (NRC) days of the
defeat the party in power often realize that they would have to put together another sprawling organization, much likely to move towards a two party system. This has always been the situation, for example in 1964 and 1982, with the formation of the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) and the progressive Parties Alliance (PPA) respectively. Not forgetting the 1999 coming together of All People’s Party (APP) and the alliance for Democracy (AD) to bring a single Presidential Candidate in the person of Chief Olu Falae to challenge General Olusegun Obasanjo of the PDP, hence this recent move by the APC is just the latest in our polity with an aim to better the lot of those aforementioned and achieve the ultimate goal that has always eluded others before now. A major stumbling block to the success of this political voyage is, is the APC hierarchy ready to reduce the ‘political salience’ of ethnicity, religion, regionalism and statism, which is the bane of politics in Nigeria? According to Professor Omo Omoruyi, this is a fundamental issue which the APC must take serious if it must become very relevant, big, popular, strong and reliable among the populace. They should borrow a leaf from the SDP success, the success of SDP was the reduction of ethnicity, religion, regionalism and statism to the barest minimum. Can you still
Politics And With
The Many Hurdles APC ANTHONY AIBANGBEE
remember that the SDP had two muslims on its ticket? who were Chief M.K.O Abiola and Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, the presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates respectively, of SDP. This ticket was the choice of majority of Nigerians irrespective of their religion, state, regional, ethnic or tribal affiliation. There was no one to cry of zoning formula or that it was their turn to be president, in fact, there was no desperation for power to return to a certain part of the country at all cost. The new APC must bear this in mind as they begin their quest to wrest power from the ruling party. Their personal or parochial interest should not be their priority but instead to salvage the country from possible disintegration or major crisis come 2015. The Agenda of APC should be according to the speech delivered by one of it’s leaders Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the British House of Commons, London, last June, when he said the party’s plans (within 4 years) include: Lifting at least 20 percent of Nigerians out of poverty; Introducing National Social Security Scheme under which Nigerians above 60 years would be entitled to monthly handouts from the Federal Government; fast – tracking the construction of Independent Power Projects (IPPs) in Industrial Zones and Initiating the construction of Trans-State highway and speed trains that will
connect the Nations Zones and move people, fuel, farm produce and goods, cost-efficiently across the country. If these promises are borne out of their guest to serve
imminent danger, then who a
their father land and salvage the country from
they will be embraced by better a More majority of Nigerians,
“Infact, Nigerians need a bit of I may borrow that from preside organisation. Part of Jonatha and which his party capitalized in the politics of Nigeria, hope that went to school without a s time Nigeria needed a change.
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Issues
Congress of Nigeria (A.C.N) was Yoruba inclined, while the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and the Congress
change, or ‘fresh air, if I may borrow that from president Jonathan’s campaign organisation. Part of Jonathan’s success
National executive, as the interim National executive have shown to be an almost all muslim affair. Knowing fully
tasking political odyssey to salvage their motherland. The registration of members for example will
for Progressive Change (CPC) are Hausa inclined. There is the need for the new APC to be an all comer affair, irrespective of tribal or ethnic groupings, as this will forester unity within their ranks since they came from different political entities with different ideologies before now. It might interest you to know that one of the secrets of the success of the ruling party at the polls, was their stronghold on all parts of the country, irrespective of tribe or religion, hence they were able to capture power in their respective states or become the major opposition in every state of the federation, whereas in the case of these individual merged parties, each laid claim to a certain part of the country, this feature has been their bane all these while. This was the secret of SDP success, it goes to show that the party was a National Party. In addition, the question on the lips of many ardent followers of Nigerian politics is, will the APC pick Buhari as its presidential candidate or perhaps from the oldguard who have always been in Nigeria politics since Independence? This issue is one which the new party must take a critical look at, because Nigerians have always showed in words and actions, that they are tired of these old politicians, moreso, the person of General Muhammadu Buhari is to be avoided by the party as his choice might be the party’s greatest undoing. Infact, Nigerians need a bit of
at the polls and which his party capitalized on was that he was new in the politics of Nigeria, hope you remember the boy that went to school without a scandal? He came at the time Nigeria needed a change. And since the masses once again seem not to be satisfied with the current situation of things in the country, as they are eager for another change, this present situation is an advantage which the APC must make good use of by presenting a credible, capable and young candidate, different from those who have been around all this while, irrespective of tribe, religion or geo-political zone, the APC should forget the likes A Buhari, Bola Tinubu, Bisi Akande, Theophilus Danjuma, Babangida, Nyako and others whom we have always known. A quick reminder for our new bride APC is that they should not make the mistake of having an all muslim or all Christian
well that Nigeria is a multi-religious state with majority muslims in the North and majority Christians in the South the tilt to either religion will spell doom for the party. If Christians and other religions can vote enmasse for late chief MKO Abiola, then you will understand what is meant by religious tolerance and accommodating all religious. So the APC hierarchy should not forget this as the National Convention approaches. More so, all parts of the country should be carried along in the scheme of things, as the party should show the national character that it profess to possess. Even as the congratulatory messages continue to pour in, the APC hierarchy should not rest on their oars, as the challenges encountered on their way to being registered are just a tip of the ice-berg compared to what lies ahead of them in this
be an herculean task before the party, as various interest groups will attempt to out do one another in getting hold of the party structure, through the registration of their followers to the detriment of the other group, this is where factions emerge in most political parties which later metamorphose to crisis in the party. The party also, should not be hijacked by a few selfish individuals with the intention to grab power for their own personal aggrandizement. This has always been the pattern of other parties before now. So, as the APC begins this rigorous, painstaking and tasking journey to salvage our beloved country from these political locusts, caterpillars, cankerworms and palmer worms, let us, as the Benins will say ‘wa gia ye erhun su ere,’ which interpreted in English means, ‘let’s accompany him/her with prayers,’ so that the Nigeria of our dream and the change we crave and yearn for can be realized come 2015.
Before The New C
are yearning for a
alternative. e so, the SDP success
of the Babangida era was an all ethnic group affair as it was not for one major ethnic group, considering the fact that the different political parties that merged to become APC
were formed along ethnic lines, as the Action
f change, or ‘fresh air, if ent Jonathan’s campaign an’s success at the polls d on was that he was new e you remember the boy scandal? He came at the .”
• APC Acting National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande
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SUNDAY AUGUST 11, 2013
Preaching Christ - His Unveiling (6)
AS you preach Christ, notice His own unveiling of His Godhead as He mercifully forgives sin. In Luke 5:17-26 there is the beautiful story of the friends who brought a paralytic to where Jesus was and let him down through the rooftop because the house was so crowded. And the Word says, “when He saw their faith” (an amazing revelation), Jesus said in verse 20, “man, your sins are forgiven you”. Later the man arose and walked. We need to grasp that but my words shall not pass the forgiveness of one’s sin away.” In John 6:63 Jesus says, is more vital than bodily health though Jesus gives “the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and both. Do you remember the life”. Let that divine truth adulterous woman brought grip your mind and heart. In Matthew 7:28 the into Jesus presence in John word says, “the result was 8:3-12. Notice especially verse 11, “And Jesus said that, when Jesus had to her, neither do I finished these words, the condemn you, go and sin multitudes were amazed at His teaching.” And if that no more”. Colossians 1:14 says, in is true, preach the words of whom we have redemption Jesus, over and over again. In John 7:45-46 the through His blood, the officers had come to the forgiveness of sins.” As you preach Christ, chief priests and Pharisees notice His own unveiling without bringing Jesus. of His Divine nature, as He They asked the officers, reveals His heavenly “why have you not brought wisdom, mandate, and Him? And the officers message. In Matthew responded, “No man ever 24:35 Jesus says, “Heaven spoke like this man”. Preachers, say what and earth will pass away
Jesus said often, more often, even continually. As you preach, notice His own unveiling of His Divine intent as He told of Calvary and its victory. In John 8:32-33 Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth (the cross), will draw all people to myself. This He said, signifying by what death He would die.” (study also Matthew 16:21; Matthew 27:26-37; Psalm 22:1-18 and Isaiah 52:13-53:12). As you preach Christ,
notice His own unveiling of His Divine personhood as He tells of His role in judgement. In John 5:22, Jesus is speaking, “for the father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son.” Imagine those who refuse the Cross of Christ, but one day will stand before Him to give an account of their unbelief and His saving power. Acts 17:30-31 nails this truth strong for us, “truly, these times of ignorance.
R
eflections
With MOSES EVBUOMWAN
God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead”. Timothy was challenged by Paul in 2 Timothy 4:1, “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom.
Romans 2:16 says, “in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel”, that day is coming soon. Prepare your people to meet their God. As you preach Christ prepare the people for the promise of His return, but not in the form of the Lamb but in the Roaring Spirit of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. (Acts 1:9-11). Carefully study these references (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 and Revelation 19).
“As you preach Christ, notice His own unveiling of His Divine personhood as He tells of His role in judgement.”
The Most Qualified Can unday Diet Be Abandoned
S
With ERNEST IKHUREIGBE
WHEN the Israelites decide that they needed a King to rule over them like other nations (I Samuel 8:6). Prophet Samuel was displeased but the Lord made Samuel to inform them that they would suffer under a king. As being requested, prophet Samuel was sent to look for the Lord’s anointed in the person of saul, a goodly and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he from shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people 1 Samuel 9:2. He was anointed and made the 1st King of Israel. In course of time, he disappointed himself by failing to heed to God’s instruction to totally destroy the Amalakites for their sin against the Israelites. 1 Samuel 15:2-3. For his disobedience, he
lost his crown. 1 Samuel 15:26-28. God has a replacement for whoever goes against his will. So was Saul rejected and David was anointed King while he was still alive. Beloved, being qualified for an assignment is the prerequisite of the Lord. He could decide to compel anyone to carry out an assignment for a purpose. It is not that there is no other suitable person, but for you and I to know that He rules the affairs of men. He does all things according to his own will to achieve a purpose that would serve as lesson to the simple. Psalm 119:130 states. The entrance of thy words giveth light. It giveth understanding unto the simple. No wonder in Isaiah 1:19, those that deserve the good of the Lord are the ones that are willing
and obedient. Though, the most qualified in terms of strength and knowledge could decide to disregard God’s instruction, but He ensures he is sent, not because God wants him to fail, but for him, to display his level of compliance to divine instructions. King David was chosen to lead God’s people at a time God wanted it. God did all he could to ensure his enthronement as King. Even when the prophet thought his own brother Eliab could be the King to be anointed;
God was emphatic that the one yet-to-appear before the prophet was the chosen one. 1 Samuel 16:6-13. God gave room for man to exercise their freedom of choice but God’s choice remains supreme. No wonder when David was anointed in the presence of his brethren, no body did contend nor contest it. Just because the choice was God’s In the book of Exodus, 3:10-13, Moses was picked to deliver the Israelites from
their task masters. He was compelled to carry out this task with his elder brother Aaron. He successfully led them out of Egypt via a dried land in the Red sea caused by the Lord God to show His rightness as the great deliverer. Exod 14,21 Moses, who was the choice of God at one time was later dropped and replaced by Joshua for disobedience caused by the pressure of the people on him. Number 20:2-12. Before Samuel came into recognition, Eli was in
“God has substitutes to replace whoever feels he/she is indispensable and important. Nobody is in indispensable as far as God is concerned.”
charge, with his children, assisting him in the work of the Lord, but it came to a time that, He lost the favour of God for the waywardness of his children, who chose to do the work with disdain 1 Samuel 2:12-17:6 God’s promise for Eli and his children was for them to work in the Vineyard forever 1 Samuel 2:30, but for the misdeed of Eli’s sons, that he could not address, they incurred the wrath of God. Eli’s ministry was immediately taken over by Prophet Samuel and Eli and his children suffered a shameful death. Finally brethren, God has substitutes to replace whoever feels he/she is indispensable and important. Nobody is indispensable as far as God is concerned. May the Lord grant us the grace to live within the instructions given unto us because He only blesses and honours, who is willing and obedient to His instructions. Remain blessed.
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BECAUSE wearing high heels on a daily basis takes a severe toll on your feet, knees, hips, and back over time, it is critical for professional women to be able to find dress, shoes that are both comfortable and stylish. While surfing the net I stumbled on best brands for comfortable dress shoes; they are here presented for your delight.
dress shoes for both men and women. Their women’s shoes range from elegant pumps and sparty slip-ons to stylish leather flats with Nike air cushioning unlike others,
comfortable. Dansko These study but comfortable dress shoes are worn by most medical professionals, who tend to be
Fashion & Style
With ROSE ORHIBHABOR
some great finds. The prices
others will strike you
are almost always reasonable. Life Stride Life stride shoes reminds
instantly as cute and comfortable. The good news is that they churn out new design faring frequently, so
me of Aerosoles, they sometimes struggle to find a balance between comfort and style, often veering too far to one side of the spectrum while some of their pumps and heels can look bland and outdated,
every time you check back, there will likely be new comfortable dress shoes available. Life stride prices also tend to be also very reasonable.
Top Best Brands For Comfortable Dress Shoes For Women
Cole Haan Though their prices tend to run upwards of $100 (N15,000), Cole haan has a solid reputation for making high-quality, comfortable
By IKIKA CLARA
their focus on comfort overshadow any attempt at style, Cole Haan Shoes are classy and chic while staying easy on the foot. Those are a worth while investment. Anne Klein I will be the first to admit that I was surprised at how comfortable Anne Klein dress shoes can be especially the “iflex” series, which is created with thinner, softer leather, more flexible than the stiff leather you normally find in dress shoes so they do not rub your feet and leave blisters after a day of wear. What I like about the shoes is they actually look very classy and fashionable (pointy toes, heels and all while staying remarkably
on their feet all day. If you visit any hospital, you will likely see most of the doctors and nurses sporting Dansko in a variety of colours and designers. The clogs and Mary Janes, known for their foot support are especially popular and known to last for years. Borns You can tell the difference the minute you slip on borns that they are completely focused on comfort and construction. Though the designs are mostly on the casual side, the thick cushioning built into each shoes is incomparable, it’s like having little pillows sewn into the soles. Women who spend a lot of time on their feet will appreciate these comfortable dress shoes. Keep in mind though that the soled construction and cushioning built into each shoe means that borns tend to be a little bulkier than the average shoe. Clarks Clarks has been a long time favorite American brand for comfortable woman’s shoes. you will probably encounter Clarks at any shoe store, department store or mall you visit. The selection is huge compared to other comfort shoe brands, and the prices are reasonable. Tory Burch – These are stylish, comfortable flats paddled insoles that look good with Jeans or dresses. When you buy Tory Burch it high quality. Soft Yes, that is spelled correctly. Soft shoes are highly padded, so they tend to be a little thicker than the average shoe though they do offer some chic designs. This is probably not the right brand for a 20-some thing woman, but if you prize comfort over all else and still want to wear heels, softs are worth checking out. Aerosoles Every one knows this brand. In my opinion, aerosoles tend to be hit or miss. Well-known for reasonable attractive designs, have slipped a bit with so much competition from other shoe makers focused on comfort, Aerosoles sometimes struggles to find a good balance between style and comfort still, the company offers enough selection that you will occasionally come across
To be contd.
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S h o
Music
Afrocandy Raps Nigerian Men JUDITH Opara Mazagwu aka Afrocandy is at it again, like a tortoise that will always reoccur in moon light tales, she will always stir the hornet nest to attract attention. Recall she is the queen of pornography in the Nigerian home movie known as nollywood. She hit out at the Nigerian men on Friday, who she describes as shameless. From the the tone of her anger, it appears she is not happy with the sales of her movie and she thought the only way to get back at Nigerians is to make a mountain out of it. Just read her vituperations on her Facebook: “Shame on you Nigerians! Shame on you. So you guys have to pay additional money to the cable companies to watch some tasteless sex scenes by dirty, ugly bitches on BBA? Sex scenes that cannot move a single hair on my body? South Africa is busy making millions out of you, using it to fix their country while you are all fooling around and calling youselves conservative cultural people. Meanwhile your youths are roaming the streets hungry, tourism is in complete zero, your infrastruture in a complete shamble. Tell me if the
W b i
z
Movies
government would allow such programme if it was created by a Nigerian. Hell no! they would tell you its not our culture. Culture my foot. All you holier than thaws are hiding in your bedroom watching it and you come out to pretend like you don’t. Some day you will all wake up to see that have nothing more to brag about or live on… Giant of Africa my ass. Ya’ all can kiss my juicy brown ass”, she fumed.
• Afrocandy
2 Shotz Replies Beverly On Battering Allegation LAST Thursday, the Nigeria’s Big Brother Africa (BBA) - The Chase representative Beverly Osu claimed that her ex-rapper boyfriend often used her as a punching bag while they dated. She went ahead to show her lover in the House, Angelo, some of the marks she sustained during some of the very severe beating episodes. She said one time while he was beating her she ran into the bathroom to escape, but instead of leaving her alone, he broke down the bathroom door and continued beating her. Beverly who has continued to run her mouth like a broken pipe
in BBA, said 2shotz is a woman beater, However on Friday, 2shotz took to his Facebook page to address the battering allegations. He said all the allegations were nothing but figment of imagination of Beverly who has continued to portray her uncultured character in the BBA House. Remember last week she told her boyfriend in the House that she was once a prostitute. And that the best thing that had ever happened to her was
the dishing of 2shotz as her lover.
ACTRESS, Benita Nzeribe who recently confessed that all she looks for in a marriage is true love and not material things, has confessed she is
prepared to marry anybody especially now that age is not on her side. Benita poured out her mind on what true love and marriage should be in a recent
I’m Prepared To Marry Truck Pusher - Benita Nzeribe
AFTER much dallying, volte faced denials and ostrich like braggadocio, sultry diva,
• Beverly Osu
WILD actress Halima Abubakar cannot understand why people focus much on celebrities. In a recent interview she revealed her relationship status but wondered why people are so interested in celebs and their relationship status. “My love life right now is actually quite boring. I am resting my head, heart, body and everything that has to do with love for now. There is nothing like a love life to talk about at the moment. But why are people so interested in other people’s love life, especially celebrities? If you are in a relationship, they will talk. If you are single, they will talk. You marry, they talk. You divorce, they also talk. What exactly do they want?”, she queried.
• Halima Abubakar
Genevieve Unveils Daughter
• 2Shotz
Halima Abubakar Queries People’s Interest In Celebs
• Mother and daughter
Genevieve, finally unveils her jewel of inestimable value to the public via facebook.
interview. Listen to her, “If I have to say the truth, marriage is not all about money or the little things of life. We should marry for real love. That is why I see myself as being able to marry whoever I am in love with, no matter his status in life. That is to say, even if the guy is a wheelbarrow pusher, I will marry him so long as my heart is with him.”
• Benita Nzeribe
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SUNDAY AUGUST 11, 2013
Theatre
Concert
Zack Orji Condemns Indecent Dressing In ZACK Orji, a Nollywood Nollywood actor and former Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has condemned the level of indecent dressing among actresses in the country. Orji, a pastor in the Power Life Assembly Ministry, Owerri, made the condemnation in Owerri. He noted that movies which were originally meant to promote the people’s cultural heritage and discipline were being destroyed in the name of civilization. “Most movies shown in recent times are capable of destroying the moral background of children as
they have become the most popular movie audience. “Film production must be properly checkmated before circulation because it is wrong for an actor or actress to expose his or her body to the world in the disguise of acting,” he said. Orji said that some actresses were suspended during his regime as the chairman of the Actors Guild. He advised actors and actresses to lead lives worthy of emulation. He said that in spite of ministerial work, he was still active in the industry but could only accept scripts that promote morality.
• Zack Orji
Terry G Set For European Tour ECCENTRIC and talented singer and entertainer, Terry G will soon begin a European music tour, Show Biz gathered authoritatively. He has already signed a deal to enable him do a series of performances in some countries in Europe as revealed by an insider. Terry G, as we reliably learnt, put pen to paper with Bigjamz World Entertainment, which put together Davido’s successful European music tour that made him perform in 10 countries. The new deal with Terry G’s TGP Entertainment will make the music producer-cum-singer perform in some countries • Terry G.
Nigerian Idol Season 3 Runner Up ALTHOUGH he did not debuts Nigeria and beyond. win Nigerian Idol season 3, but one contestant
• Jay Feel
people won’t forget in a hurry is 3rd runner up Joshua Enakhimion aka Jayfeel. After garnering fans on the show and having fun while doing it, Jayfeel went on to sign a $150,000 deal with Optima Media Group (OMG) and is set to debut on the music scene as not just a charismatic face and beautiful voice, but also a great performer and relevant brand to music in
Signed on to Klefsound Management founded by award-winning producer Samklef, the young singer is releasing his debut single not just as a music file but with a viral video to express himself to fans better before the official video drops. The title of the song is “Ghetto Love” produced by Samklef and the video also directed by Samklef as well.
in Europe from the month of September 2013. It is tagged “Tour Of A Street Legend Part 1” Terry G is billed to perform in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, Holland and Hungary.
Mike Okri Remixes Hit Song With Omawumi A few months after the successful remix of Dr Victor Olaiya’s “Baby Jowo’ with 2face Idibia, another new generation artist has collaborated with an old generation artist. This time it is Omawumi Megbele and Mike Okri on the remix of Mike’s popular 90’s hit, “Omoge”. The two have already recorded the song and is ready for release any time from now.
• Mike Okri
With MISTER FELIX
GSM: 07060576600
GLOBAL BUZZ Oprah Winfrey:
Victim Of Racism
BILLIONAIRE US talk show host Oprah Winfrey said she was a victim of racism during a recent visit to Switzerland. Oprah visited Zurich last month to attend Tina Turner’s wedding and while there she visited an up market handbag shop but a shop assistant refused to serve her, saying the bags on display were “too expensive” for her. The bag on display was a $35,000 bag. Too expensive for one of the richest women in the world? Well, The Oprah Winfrey Show is not shown in Switzerland so they don’t know her there but even at that no black person can afford a $35, 000 bag? Oprah said she left the shop
calmly without arguing, but that the experience was proof that racism continues to be a problem. “There’s two different ways to handle it. I could have had the whole blow-up thing... but it still exists, of course it does”, she said
PENDO is one of the hottest female singers in Kenya today who has a pool of followers. Recently, the lady confessed that her flirty night with Davido was the best in her entire life. Though, Davido, we gathered, has denied ever having anything to do with the artiste, however, the lady has confirmed that they actually have a pleasurable night together. “If people had done even a little research, they would Davido does not even have a Facebook account. I never said I was in touch with him through Facebook. I got in touch with
him through a good friend of his *redacted* and that’s where everything started. He did the intro,” she said. On if she actually slept with him and if the reason was to obtain money from him, she was too incoherent and couldn’t answer the question straight. (Laughs cheekily) No, I didn’t get money from him. I didn’t want money from him. I did it simply because I find him hot and he is pretty legit in the music industry in Africa. Yeah, I am attracted by his talent, his fame, his power, but honestly, who isn’t? And people are talking so much because a lot of women wanted to be in my shoes, but were not. I’m not afraid to go after what I want. That’s just me. And I am unapologetic for it. I am content that I got what I wanted -which was to know him- and I guess it just naturally progressed from there. He was perfect. He is much better than your “average Kenyan”. He is big. Both length and width. (Giggles) And best part is he really knows what he is working with.”
• Oprah Winfrey
Kenya Singer Relishes Sweet Time With Davido
• Davido
Beyoncé’s Album Delayed NEWS filtering from Beyoncé’s Camp says her album may not be released this year. Though a release date was never announced, a lot of music fans have been hearing whispers that we would have something this summer or even in the fall. According to a recent report, the songs that the singer has already recorded have been scrapped. There were 50 songs that were being considered for the unnamed album, some of those songs were written by singer/songwriter’s Ne-Yo and The Dream; however, now Beyoncé is starting from scratch. We’ve heard about two songs from Beyoncé, “Grown Woman” (a snippet of this track was first heard in the Pepsi
commercial starring the singer and her many mirror reflections) and the egosmasher “Bow Down/I Been On.” The good news is that Beyoncé’s tour is seeing great success, reportedly already racking in $55.6 million.
• Beyonce
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Together As One THE number of churches that profess the name of Jesus in Nigeria is increasing in an alarming rate. Sometimes, more than two churches are located at the same building while others continue to spring up as a result of’ disagreement between head pastors. I sincerely do not have a problem with spirit controlled proliferation of churches for the expansion of the kingdom, but the reality is pretty obvious. To begin to count the Some have used this amount of churches we have opportunity to exploit the in Nigeria will be a big job religious population of Nigeria. The main focus of this piece is not on proliferation of churches, but an appreciation of its main focus will help in curbing the abuse of the expansion of the population of Heaven. Nigeria as a country has Christianity as one of her major religions. “According to a recent pew studies conducted in 2011, to do. But if you stay in Christians form the majority urban area, using your street of the nation, comprising as a case study will convince 50.8% of the population” you of how numerous the (Global Christianity’: A denominations are. report on the size and The barriers of Distribution of the world’s denomination, doctrinal Christian Population). biases, and any other According to Wikipedia division that divides the online encyclopedia, church should be broken. Nigeria has the largest Pastors, preachers and Christian population religious leaders should compared to any country begin the processes of with Christians in Africa repairing the broken bridges with more than 70 million and begin to emphasise the persons in Nigeria importance of a personal belonging to churches of relationship with God, various denominations, and which will always lead to I believe that with the recent unity of the body of Christ. increase in evangelism and The power of the church is missions the population founded in unity; the more would have increased. Can we continue to find ways to you imagine how this break the bond bought with country would have been if the blood of Jesus, the more we have 70 million united the world continues to move Holy Ghost filled, probably against us with our weak tongue speaking, Jesus points. If you read through believing Christians in this the book of Acts, you will nation? I am pretty sure that find out that majority of the this country would be better times, the church progressed than the way it is. and something mighty Before I continue, let me happened, words like “in emphasise that Jesus is Unity”, “In one accord”. coming back for a church Hence if we are to come and not churches (Ephesians close to the power wielded 5:25-27), he is coming back by the church in Acts, the for a bride and not brides importance of unity cannot (Rev 21:9), hence be overemphasised. irrespective of the Scripture explains that the denomination you find glory of the latter House yourself, Jesus is coming for shall be greater than the his children and not factions. former, hence it is important Christians in Nigeria should that we get to understand our begin to understand and functions as members of the function under this umbrella same family, bounded by of unity, if we are to move one blood (the blood of forward and drive the Jesus) to function in development of the country. different part of the body.
By OLUGBEMIRO OPEYEMI . M. Just as an injury on your small toe will affect the whole body, so also if we do not work together, little pain to a concerned part will affect the whole body (church).
because the church is moving into the phase of the Kingdom Agenda in preparation for the second coming of his son Jesus Christ. And anybody, preacher, pastor, apostle that
“The bible states that let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, if we all allow the mind of Christ to rule our communality will show forth, because we naturally have the same blood line and with the same aim.” I cannot categorically say that it is a Nigerian problem but charity they say begins at home, hence the importance of this piece. It is not hard to find members of church A looking at members of church B as sinners or people that will not make heaven, sometimes the competition is so unhealthy that it generates into malice, hatred and victimization; is this the kind of Christianity Jesus started and wants us to practice? I want to establish with confidence from my spirit that Christian leaders that fuel denominationalism and division in the body will soon loose relevance in the spiritual significance,
is not connected to the kingdom agenda of bringing together his sons as one body ( Bride) ready for the coming of the bride, will soon not have anything to do except having a form of religion and lacking the power thereof. I was born into a church that has had two factions since I was born, all efforts to merge them since I was born has not succeeded and the funny thing is that they bear the same name? Like seriously can you imagine. Not to talk of congregation from different denomination. It is high time; we started hanging on the bond (Jesus) rather than doctrinal insinuations that divide the
body. They are some obvious and uniform objection e.g. Christian is against sin. Let us avoid standing on assumptions or different insinuations from scriptures that have overtime become doctrines, but fight to maintain unity among the flock. Continue to pray that God comes into the situation. and there is no better way to influence a person than love, hence proper unity can help eliminate doctrinal biases. Paul emphasised unity when he said in Philippians 2:1. “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being likeminded having the same love, being of one accord of one mind. There is a call back to the cross for all of the churches. We need to start rehearsing what it will be like in heaven. When Jesus comes, only the believers and faithful will be raptured and this not based on your denomination affiliation, hence we should begin to stay together as one. The bible states that let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, if we all allow the mind of Christ to rule, our communality will show forth, because we naturally have the same blood line and with the same aim. I reemphasise again that one of the best ways to control
INSIGHT abuse of church proliferation by fraudsters is through unity of the churches founded on God’s word. In Unity alone, is the awe sometimes of his power expressed, until we begin to look at other Christians as family members irrespective of denomination, things will not be fine. To the pastors, evangelists, prophets, apostles and every other nomenelature through which religious leaders are known; I appeal to you in the nature of Jesus, let the unity of the body of Christ once again be emphasised. He is coming very soon and very soon. Competition and disunity is not in His agenda. He is coming for a body made up of people bought and redeemed with His blood and not church name. Let us enjoy people’s contact and blessing, enjoy the benefit of iron sharpening iron, expressing the love of God through our actions. Together we can take this country for Christ, Paul took the whole of Asia for Christ. Can you imagine what will happen if all the pastors in Benin alone are united to further the move of God? The unimaginable will happen. We will be an unstoppable force and righteousness will be established. We are the priests and holders of the shift of this nation, based on who we are in Christ, the more we stay disunited, evil continues to triumph… let us come together and establish the Kingdom of God in Nigeria.
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SUNDAY AUGUST 11, 2013
Tourism: Places
TOURISM is relatively a budding enterprise in Nigeria but owing to Nigeria’s potentials, it has undergone a gradual but progressive evolution in the past decades. Nigeria is a country greatly ecosystems with unique They play endowed. It is blessed with attributes. warm sundry climate. Over unquantifiable roles vital to 800 kilometers of fascinating national/regional well-being as beaches and evergreen well as act as a catalyst for the vegetation in the South while development of eco-tourism. in the North alluring landforms They also enhance ecological overshadows Savannah processes and the life support grasslands. Added to these are systems such as soil the interesting natural features regeneration, protection of in form of water falls, springs, nutrient cycles, cleansing and hills, some mountainous areas purifying hydrological cycles. with temperate climate and a There are eight such parks in range of special and common Nigeria, they are. Yankari national park – species of tropical wildlife. These coupled with wide This is situated within Duguri, market opportunities, diverse Pali and Gwana District of socio-cultural heritage that Aikeri Local Government Area give the nation its uniqueness of Bauchi State. It could be and the hospitality of about 120 reached by road from Jos million people which earn Airport through Bauchi State Nigeria the sobriquet giant of route and from Kano through Africa. It is almost impossible Jos – Bauchi route. Kainji Lake National to deny Nigeria its prime place amongst the richly endowed park – This is closely linked potential tourist destinations in with the famous Kainji Lake Hydro Electric Complex, it lies the world. Place of interest (Tourist between Borgu and Zugurma sectors of Kwara State. It can attractions in Nigeria). Tourist attractions in be reached through Lokoja Nigeria can be classified as from Lagos through Ibadan, Ilorin and Jebba. The park is follows. Natural attractions – full of diverse sites amongst There are abundant physical which are Kobs, Antelopes, attractions, which includes Hippopotamus, Lions etc. Old Oyo National Park – hills, caves, springs, lakes and mountains across the entire This is located in the Northern country. These fascinating part of Oyo State . It is rich in flora and fauna features and alluring scenes are good sites for leisure, resources, significant species adventure and other tourism of animals of which are the related endenvours. Examples Kobs, buffaloes, bush-buck of these physical attractions are and wide variety of birds. The old Oyo National Park, Yankari Park is close to cities like Games Reserve in Bauchi, Ibadan, Ogbomosho Oshogbo, Obudu (Protea) Cattle Ranch Abeokuta, Lagos, Saki, Iselin. in Cross River State and the Jos These are cities and towns that Wildlife Park in Plateau State. have commercial and rich Man – made attractions – traditional impacts in Nigeria. Gashaka Gumte National These are man – made sites created for the purpose of Park – This Park is regarded relaxation. These includes the as the most scenic of all the Rayfield Holding Resorts in parks in the country. It is full Jos, the Bower’s Tower in of natural scenery such as Ibadan and various amusement mountains, valleys, rivers, parks that dot the length and streams etc. It also has pleasant breath of Nigeria’s major sub temperate climate and a home to some very highly towns and cities. National parks – National endangered species of wild parks are special natural life.
Tinapa resort
Of Interest
By BLESSING SALAMI The Gashaka Gumte National Park has two sectors, each rich in its own unique flora and fauna species. The Gumte sector is located in its Northern fringe while the Gashaka is on the Southern fringe. The twin park is regarded as the largest in Nigeria and situated on a vast land of mountain and valleys shared between Adamawa and Taraba in the North-East of
TOURISM
Park – This is about an hour drive from Calabar and can also be linked through the Port Harcourt route. It is in the forest zone of South-East Nigeria. It has two sectors the Southern urban division near Calabar and Northern Okwangwo near Obudu. Kamuku National Park – It falls wholly within the Benin Gwari Local Government Area
Cultural Attractions – These are activities based on people’s ways of life expressed as religious beliefs, colourful festivals, dance, songs, artworks etc. The cultural assets of Nigeria are amongst the most fascinating in Africa, some of which include the Osun Oshogbo festival in Osun State, Eyo festival in Lagos State, Igue festival of Edo State Kano/Katisna Durban, Argungun in Kebbi State and Mmanwu festival in the SouthEastern Nigeria.
wood works, calabash decorations, leather works Ivory, jewelry etc. Sport Tourism – Nigeria can pride itself in the area of sports tourism. It has produced stout and soccer veterans whose names are today household name as far as sports tourism is concerned. Such leading veterans include Chioma Ajunwa, Akeem Olajuwon, John Fashanu, Bash Ali, Nwankwo Kanu, Jay-jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Taribo West and Sunday
Museum and Monuments – Nigeria is enriched with finest collections of arts and crafts as well as archaeological relics showing our historical past like Terra-cotta head from the Old Nok Culture, the famous Benin Bronze art works and the Yoruba’s exciting sculptures. These great varieties of ancient relics can be found in all the branches of Nigeria national museums. Nigeria Crafts – Crafts are symbols of Nigeria’s material and spiritual heritages. Crafts are well integrated into the living patterns of Nigerians and inseperable from their spiritual philosophies. They are therefore prized objects for the promotion and preservation of tourism. Nigeria crafts are grouped into textiles, pottery and ceramics, fiber crafts, bronze, brass and iron works,
Oliseh etc. Nigeria hosted the 1999 edition of world soccer championship in Lagos, an event that brought to Nigeria at least over 60 countries around the world. In 1985, young talented Nigerians captured the Maiden Kodak under-16 world cup held in China and in 1996, the under 23 Eagles (Dream Team) made an impressive outing at the Olympics held in Atlanta. Eco-Tourism and Recreation – Park viewing and bird watching are prominent recreation activities, others are hiking among the trails. The Dogon Ruwa waterfalls has a high potential for the development of swimming pool. The rocks are not only fascinating but are good training grounds for mountaineering and endurance training.
A beach resort Maiduguri, Jalingo and Republic of Cameroun. Chad Basin National Park – It situated between Borno and Yobe States. The wet – lands of Bade and Buguru are internationally acclaimed as congregation site for migrant birds coming all the way from Europe. The Park contains some rare desert fronted gazelles etc. Cross River National
of Kaduna State. The Park could be reached through the Kaduna – Lagos route from the South – West and North East and through Central parts of the country from Abuja the park is 305km, from Lagos it is 780km and from Kaduna it is 125km. The park has elephants, antelopes, Oribi water busts, hunting dogs, wet cats, green monkeys, side-stripped hyena and jackal. A wide variety of birds also are found in the park. Okomu National Park – It is located in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State. It lies 45km West of Benin City and South of Udo town. It can be linked from Lagos and Warri. This Park is endowed with forest elephants, Buffaloes, Red River hogs, chimpanzees, Leopards white throated guenos. Okomu is also rich in bird life.
They play unquantifiable roles vital to national/regional well-being as well as act as a catalyst for the development of eco-tourism.”
THE SUNDAY
24
ONCE when he was thus standing behind a tree, he saw that an enchantress came there and he heard how she cried, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair to me.” Then Rapunzel let down the braids of her hair and the enchantress climbed up to her. ‘If that is the ladder by which one mounts, I too will try my fortune,’ said he and the next day when it began to grow dark, he went to the tower and cried, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair to me.” Immediately the hair fell down and the king’s son climbed up. At first Rapunzel was terribly frightened when a man, such as her eyes had never yet beheld came to her but the king’s son began to talk to her quite like a friend, and told her that his heart had been so stirred that it had let him have no rest, and he had been forced to see her. Then Rapunzel lost her fear, and when he asked her if she would take him for her husband, and she saw that he was young and handsome, she thought: ‘He will love me more than old Dame Gothel does’, and she said yes, and laid her hand in his. She said ‘‘ I will willingly go away with you, but I do not know how to get down. Bring with you a skein of silk every time that you come, and I will weave a ladder with it, and when that is ready I will descend and you will take me on your horse. They agreed that until that time he should come to her every evening for the old woman came by day. The enchantress remarked nothing of this, until once Rapunzel said to her: ‘Tell me. Dame Gothel how it happens that you are so
SUNDAY AUGUST 11, 2013
Story Time
Rapunzel (2) much heavier for me to draw up than the young king’s son he is with me in a moment.’ ‘Ah! You wicked child cried the enchantress. ‘What do I hear you say! I thought I had separated you from all the world, and yet
the enchantress fastened the braids of hair, which she had cut off, to the hook of the window, and when the king’s son came and cried, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair to me. She let the hair down. The king’s son ascended,
despair he leapt down from the tower. He escaped with his life but the thorns into which he fell pierced his eyes. He wandered quite blind about the forest, ate nothing but roots and berries, and did naught but lament and weep over the loss of his dearest wife. Thus he roamed about in misery for some years, and at length came to the desert where Rapunzel with the twins to which she had given birth
C
hildren’s World
With CLEMENTINA UKIRI 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789
POEMS By BINITIE ROSELINE
Covenant Child I am a covenant child Born to serve the Lord Born to possess my possession Born to win and never to fail
Am A Baby Today Am a baby today I am a baby today A child tomorrow An adult to uphold my country years to come.
Vulture’s Choice
you have deceived me!’ In her anger she elutched Rapunzel’s beautiful tresses, wrapped them twice round her left hand. seized a pair of scissors with the right, and snip, snap, they were cut off, and the lovely braids lay on the ground. And she was so pitiless that she took poor Rapunzel into a desert where she had to live in great grief and misery. On the same day that she cast out Rapunzel, however
but instead of finding his dearest Rapunzel, he found the enchantress, who gazed at him with wicked and venomous looks. ‘Aha!’ she slit mockingly. ‘you would fetch your dearest, but the beautiful bird sits no longer singing in the nest; the cat has got it, and will scratch out your eyes as well. Rapunzel is lost to you; you will never see her again.’ The king’s son was beside himself with pain, and in his
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RIDDLES
(1) I am good servant but a bad master what am I? Fire (2) I am an object when I fall into water I produce no sound what am I? Needle (3) We are three sisters when we are running we don’t touch each other what am I? Fan
does it takes to cook ten egg? Five minutes.
(4) It takes five minutes to cook an egg how many minutes
(6) I am a long snake I swallow
(5) I am fruit if my first letter is cut off I am a crime what am I? Grape.
thousand of people alive and bring them out alive what am I? Train. (7) I am an object when I am coming from Lagos I face Lagos when am going to Lagos I face Lagos what am I? Talking drum.
a boy and a girl, lived in wretchedness. He heard a voice, and it seemed so familiar to him that he went towards it, and when he approached. Rapunzel knew him and fell on his neck and wept. Two of her tears wetted his eyes and they grew clear again, and he could see with them as before. He led her to his kingdom where he was joyfully received, and they lived for a long time afterwards, happy and contented . (The end).
The vulture wanted a child Six years was a long time To be married and no child What if the fetus should drop? Then I shall eat it for breakfast What if the wife should die? Then I shall eat it for lunch What if mother and child should die? Then I shall eat both for the night Six years is a long time To be married and no child.
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JOKE
THE NPF, The SSS, and the CID are all trying to prove that they are the best at apprehending criminals. The president decides to give them a test. He releases a rabbit into a forest and each of them has to catch it. The CID goes in. They place animals informats throughout the forest. They question all plants and minerals witnesses after three months of extensive investigations they concluded that the rabbit does not exist. The SSS goes in. After two weeks with no leads they burn the forest, killing every thing in it, including the rabbit and they make no apologies. The rabbit had it coming. The NPF goes in. They came out two hours later with a badly beaten bear. The bear was yelling “okey, okey, I’m a rabbit, I’m a rabbit”.
THE SUNDAY
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SUNDAY AUGUST 11, 2013
RELIGION
The Sands Of Time Are Sinking (4) IT does not matter how a person lived in this world but where he is going after leaving this world. All things worketh together for good to those who believe. When Government decides on a thing, God gives them the revelation to take that decision. The era of motorbike blocked the vision of many people from moving ahead in life, initially as bikes came as a means of transport like other vehicles such as motor-cars. But people jumped into bike riding and started using it as a means of livelihood, and refused to learn any other trade. Some people who were in other professions such as Carpenters, Bricklayers, Mechanics e.t.c. abandoned their professions to become professional bike-riders. This was because it was cheaper to purchase a bike than car and make quick money, despite the dangers that bike constitutes to lives on the roads. Those who could not afford a bike went to hire one and after a short time, they had their own bike. Owning a bike became a priority to many people and every other business became secondary. To get a labourer to work for you on a farm became difficult. Some people stopped going to school because of bike business. Those who managed to finish school graduated into professional bike riders instead of going to learn a trade. Stopping motor-bikes is not a curse. God gave Governor Adams Oshiomhole the revelation to stop motor-bikes. Before the banning of motor-bikes, many people died as a result of accidents involving bikes. After the banning of bikes, the number of accident cases in government hospitals reduced. A medical Doctor working at UBTH said that he now takes his breakfast before leaving home in the morning unlike before when he would receive phone calls and leave his breakfast halfway to attend to victims of accidents in the hospital. He said there was no day that passed without a person being rushed to the accident and emergency ward, it was
By PRINCE BAYO OKUO either the bike rider or passenger or both of them that suffered injuries. Since the banning of bikes about a month ago, a number of women that would have turned widows are now with their husbands, children that would have become fatherless are now with their fathers. The blaring noise of the siren of SAVAN (Save Accident Victims Association of Nigeria) vehicles carrying accident victims to hospital has now
to where they were going. They refused to give priority to owning a car even when they had the money to buy one. After the ban on bikes, these people were forced to buy cars. Most of the former bike riders now have their own cars. Some have A/C in their cars and enjoy the comfort of carrying their children inside A/C cars to school The former bike owners have found out that bike is not car. Bike is bike. Car is car. There is no A/C
by Satan not because of the ban on bikes. There are many things a person can do to make ends meet. If you plant cassava on a land, you will only endure for 6 months before starting to enjoy bountiful harvest with your family. People easily get frustrated when they experience anything that affects their means of living. Walking is one of the stages in the development and growth of a human being. This sounds obvious to most people but they often take it
now off our roads. But any girl who does so inside the car or bus will be corrected inside the car or bus by slapping her on the buttocks. A girl was disappointed by the man she wanted to marry because the man saw that she exposed her buttocks on the bike. She felt so bad when she heard that the man went to marry another lady. There is room for fair hearing when a man finds his proposed wife doing something he doesn’t like. When Adam and Eve committed sin, God called out to them and spoke
Okada riders: Every disappointment is a blessing in disguise reduced. The traffic hold-ups caused by the scene of road accidents has also been reduced. Many people have bought cars to carry their children to school and get to work early. God will always make you stronger when you are going through challenges. Before the banning of bikes, some people believed that bike was car because it could carry them and their children
in bike. Some of those that abandoned their professional businesses have gone back to them. Some of them have turned into bus conductors with the hope of having their own buses. In Kano State, unlike Edo State, a man was said to have committed suicide following the ban on bike in that State because he was using bike as his means of livelihood. The man was predicated to die by suicide
for granted until they see a lame person. Any person who wishes to develop and grow has to have a firm grip of what had been before him so that he can stand securely and progress. The former bike rider who committed suicide is now languishing in hell fire. Girls who used to expose their buttocks on the bikes and tell the bike men to run before they are caught are
with them. He didn’t throw them off just like that because they sinned. (Gen 3:8-1 3). Every man has a vision of the girl or woman he wants to marry in the same way that every church has a vision for each of its members. If the girl wears trouser or expose her buttocks and the man doesn’t like it, he should call the girl and tell her, and not throw her off just like that.
“After the ban on bikes, these people were forced to buy cars. Most of the former bike riders now have their own cars. Some have A/C in their cars and enjoy the comfort of carrying their children inside A/C cars to school.”
If a member in a church is doing something against the doctrine of the church, the elders in that church should call the member and talk to him or her and not expel the member just like that. If God had thrown off Adam and Eve because of their transgression, the plan of God for man would not have been achieved because God created man for a purpose. if Adam and Eve didn’t sin, there would not have been multiplication and the earth would have remained void just like that. If the girl in this story had married the man, she would have become a widow today. But it is possible the man would not have died if she married him. Only God can predict what will happen. Good people are hard to find in the world.(Gen 6: 58). This is because of problem of the heart, mind. In the time of NOAH, only his family consisting of NOAH, his wife, his three sons and their wives were saved in the whole world. It was not that NOAH was perfect, but he hung on to God. Cain killed Abel. Why? This is the wickedness of the world today. Brothers hate each other. People are very bad. If God is to screen the people in your work environment, He will only manage to get 30% that are good people. The rest will be bad people. Some people will hate another person to the extent that if the person fouls the air, they will not show any sign of repulsion by the horrible smell. When God wanted to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness and sins, He asked Abraham to find people to save that will bring the news. The only four persons Abraham could find in the whole place was Lot, his wife and two daughters. Lot’s wife looked back and was turned to a pillar of salt. The two daughters got their father Lot drunk and he slept with them. They gave birth to Edom and Moab. So the whole world has been full of bad people. Send your reaction on this message to E-mail or 07055599615.
THE SUNDAY
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SUNDAY AUGUST 11, 2013
INTERVIEW
Government Is Set To Revive Agric In Edo State - Hon. Abdul Oroh
HE is unlike so many highly placed individuals in our country today who because of their positions become puffed up and unaccessible. He is humble, unassuming and an interviewer delight. He is Hon. Abdul Oroh, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Edo State. In this interview with the Sunday Editor, he bares his mind on the state of agriculture in the state and other sundry issues. Happy reading. How has it been since fine now while the ones you came on board? the state is managing are I think it has been quite not doing well. And also, interesting because if we looked back at the you do something that farm settlements that we gives you satisfaction, it started, a cattle ranch and becomes interesting diary farm at Ubiaja, a though not without cattle ranch also at Igarra challenges. Because we and then we had the are dealing with the Agenebode farms and so question of hunger and many others that were poverty and how to deal run by the state but later with it, you know we are became moribund. So endowed as a state in we looked and thought of terms of good soil, good how to draw up a new weather, good water strategy to develop body spread all over the agriculture in Edo State. state. Now if you have Was the strategy to such endowment, the revive those moribund challenge is how to farms? secure your people No, it was to revive against hunger, to agriculture generally. For increase the income of the moribond projects, farmers, to expand the some were sold to economy, create job private individuals. The opportunities around it Igarra cattle ranch was and even develop the not sold but there is a value chain of the dispute around it of various products in order which the case is in count to establish the agro now. The various industrial base. These are communities are laying some of the challenges. claim to the land. Then We have had a lot of for the persons who experiences to draw purchased the Agbedefrom, for instance, before Warrake farm, we are in now, the state touch with them and they government was have said they are going involved in agriculture to re-activate it, but the but we saw that most of dilemma is that most of those projects were not the farm is already being sustainable and many cultivated by members were moribund, so some of the community as of them were privatized farm land. So we are and they are doing very looking at how we can
reach an understanding between the people farming the land and the company that bought it to see if there’s a means by which the farmers can plant crops that the company wants on the
local farmers, to increase their income, to expand their farms or at least to increase yield and to prevent post harvest losses. These are some of the issues we are trying to sort out. We are
seeds and cassava cuttings to plant. Then off course, we have given them loans and support in different forms. For instance, you know about 2 or 3 years ago, the Governor
Hon. Abdul Oroh, Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources
farm and sell to the company. That would create a ready market for the farmers and it will also satisfy some of the needs of the company. We are looking at all the moribond projects to see how we can re-activate them, working with the present owners of the company. We are also looking at how we can raise the standard of the
working with various farmers co-operatives across the state and have started enumeration of farmers. The idea is that we are able to reach them directly. Presently, we have registered about 100,000 farmers so far. We have their contact details. It is now possible for us to subsidize their farming inputs like fertilizers, we give them improved variety of
“Presently, we have registered about 100,000 farmers so far. We have their contact details. It is now possible for us to subsidize their farming inputs like fertilizers, we give them improved variety of seeds and cassava cuttings to plant.”
approved 1 billion naira loan which was given to about 750 co-operatives and then under the FADAMA project, we have given them about 371,986, 454 naria as loan as at March this year. We suddenly realised how vulnerable we could be in this part of our natural endowment during the flood last year. Even in Benin here, we could not find crops like vegetables, water melon, tomatoes etc, so this shows how vulnerable we can be if we don’t sit up properly and plan our agriculture. We also have what we call IFAD/Federal Government/NDDC Community based
natural resources management program in the Niger Delta. Edo State Government has also paid its counterpart funding, we have disbursed about fifty four million to the twenty seven benefitting communities, that is what we did in 2012. They do small projects like garri processing, fishery, yam miniset. They introduced new ideas in agriculture to reduce the burden of having to work very hard and get virtually nothing out of it. We assist the farmers to make things easy for them; like if you see these miniset, very small pieces of yam planted and you see them grow. All these have been developed overtime through research; that is one of the areas of our intervention to be able to reach at least four hundred thousand rural households. We have made it that 75% of our population is engaged in agriculture, so that is where we are for now. You talked about value chain, we used to have Cassavita factory in Uromi and fruit Juice factory in Ehor. Do you also have plans to bring investors to get them running? Well, as you all know, the Ehor Fruit Juice factory was privatized. When Ehor started, we even did about fifty hectares of pineapples to feed it but it was sold along with the Mill. So because of that we don’ t have control over it now. But as I said, I am interested in the reactivation of all moribund agricultural projects in Edo State Contd on pg 27
THE SUNDAY
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SUNDAY AUGUST 11, 2013
INTERVIEW
...Revive Agric In Edo State Contd from pg 26
including that fruit Juice factory. As regards the Cassavita Factory, it is also the same problem. It has not been privatized but it was actually never completed. What we are planning to do now, the Governor has set up, PPP office (Public Private Partnership). We are working towards privatizing it because our experience is that the State really cannot run any major business activities, we have tried it in the past, it was not successful. I was in Agbede farm, you need to see the equipment that were abandoned, everything rusting away. They used to have an air field; that is where small aircrafts can take off and spray the crops, rice and all, against birds and against pests and all that. I don’t think we want to go back to such an era where we have to do so many things and then we cannot sustain them. Those that were privatized like Presco and others, clearly you can see they are doing well. They are quoted in
Farmers at work
the Stock Exchange and they are making profit every year. If the North which is the major food producer in Nigeria breaks away from the South, how do you think we would cope? Let me say that it is not the wish or it should not be the wish of any Nigerian that our country should break up. We should continue to work to strengthen those things that bind us together. We should work on the unity of the country. There are challenges definitely, we are inter-dependent as a country because no state or community can claim that they can survive without support from their neighbours or without engaging others. There are things available in the North that are not available here and vice versa. But one thing I know is that Edo State alone can produce about 50% of the food needed in this country. Edo State has about 19,794 square kilometers of land mass and if we focus on
agriculture by tilling one million hectares of land, planting different crops with improved yield, mechanised agriculture, develop agriculture,
food and there will be a strong Agro Base Industry here and I think we have a strong Agro Industrial Base. Are there some of the assisted farmers who
Benin. So we are talking to some private individuals and companies so as to work with them to make it sustainable. In these Agro Service Centres,
have started mechanized farming? You know mechanized farming is capital intensive, that is one problem we have in the state. We don’t have enough equipment to extend mechanized agriculture to all the farmers. You know the largest mechanized farms are available here in Edo State. We are looking at the possibility of setting up Agro Business Centres, Agro Service Centres using the facility we already have on ground like the ADP in Auchi, Irrua and
we have all the mechanised equipment that we need to develop agriculture. Is there anyway the government is encouraging young graduates by means of loans? We have what we call Edo Youth Agro Business initiative which was introduced almost two years ago. We have been training some youths on modern methods of farming. We had to suspend the training because we don’t want to train some people and don’t have
A palm plantation
operate agriculture as a business, Edo State will not just be producing enough food for the country but also it will be a major home for marketing agricultural produce for processing
enough resources to support them. Now we are trying to go back to that training programme and looking at the possibility of securing loans from the Bank of Agriculture to support them after completing the training. What is your message to Edo farmers Edo State Government is now absolutely committed to developing Agriculture as a way of raising income of farmers, by ensuring food security, creating employment for our c i t i z e n s , industrialization, economic development, food and raw material securities for the state, high revenue income for the state through e m p l o y m e n t advancement. If we can do 50 hectares of oil palm, at maturity we would provide income at the range of N30 million and then we will employ more 30,000 people. Our strategic plan is targeted at a major transformation, a major boost. Even while we support the rural farmers, as I said concerning the enumeration we are doing. We want to be able to register about 150,000 farmers. The whole idea is to be able to give them input every year like fertilizer, improved seedlings, access to credit, to be able to develop effectively.
“Edo State Government is now absolutely committed to developing Agriculture as a way of raising income of farmers, by ensuring food security, creating employment for our citizens.”
THE SUNDAY
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SUNDAY AUGUST 11, 2013
Barcelona Risk Ruining Neymar If . . . THE gifted attacker’s former boss has voiced his concerns with the Blaugrana’s plans to improve his physique by placing him on a weightgaining programme Former Santos coach Muricy Ramalho has hit out at Barcelona over their plans for Neymar to gain weight to boost his physical prowess. Barca doctor Ricard Pruna said earlier this summer that the 21-yearold must gain weight in order to reach his peak physical condition, after the Brazilian was diagnosed with anaemia following his +57 million switch to Camp Nou. Ramalho, however, believes the Blaugrana are
risking damaging Neymar ’s long-term effectiveness, claiming it could lead to a serious injury like that suffered by compatriot and former Barcelona star Ronaldo. “If Neymar puts on weight, they’re going to take away everything that’s best about him,” Ramalho told Jovem Pam. “They’re going to take away his speed. With small players such as Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta and [Lionel] Messi at Barca, I never imagined that they would do this. “If he puts on weight he could suffer a knee injury, like what happened to Ronaldo. It’s a dangerous business.” Neymar scored his first goal for Barcelona earlier this week in the 7-1 friendly win over Thailand.
Arsenal’s Gervinho Joins Roma
• Andrea Pirlo
Pirlo Hints At Juventus Exit • Neymar
ANDREA Pirlo has admitted that he could leave Juventus at the end of the 2013-14 campaign if he no longer feels important to the team. The 34-year-old, who certainty that he will ink a joined Juve from AC Milan new deal with his current in the summer of 2011, has a club. “I’ll certainly play on, we’ll contract with the Old Lady until June 2014, but has just have to see where,” Pirlo stressed it is by no means a told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Pep Expresses Bayern Readiness For New Season BAYERN Munich coach Pep Guardiola has declared his side “are ready” for his first game in the Bundesliga. Reigning champions Bayern have the honour of opening the new season with a home match against Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday. Sporting director Matthias Sammer recently said now was the time for results, and Guardiola believes his side are more than capable of getting off to a flying start. “The season starts now, and we are ready,” he said. “It’s difficult to say where we are right now. We are in a process.” Bayern humiliated Monchengladbach 5-1 in a pre-season game, but Guardiola is sure Friday’s clash will be a far tighter affair. “They are one of the best teams in the Bundesliga,” he said. “They can be very, very
dangerous.” The Treble winners may have to do without Thiago Alcantara, who missed the last training session with flu, while Mario Gotze will definitely be missing after only recently returning to team training. The former Borussia Dortmund man is set to make his Bayern debut in a friendly on Sunday. Out-of-favour holding midfielder Luiz Gustavo will also be absent from the European champions’ squad. Guardiola said in his prematch press conference that his instructions to his team will be to “take the ball, enjoy, and attack as much as possible. And when Gladbach have the ball, help each other. And win”. The game at the Allianz Arena is set to be a sell-out, however, recent turbulences between Bayern and the influential Club Nr.12 fan
group could result in a lack of atmosphere inside the stadium. “There will be a call for a boycott,” Bayern CEO KarlHeinz Rummenigge was quoted as saying by MerkurOnline, although a Club Nr.12 spokesman replied: “Nobody plans a boycott on Friday. Nobody knows what the atmosphere will be like.”
• Pep Guadiola
“I’ve already spoken to the club and we’ll meet again at the end of the season. Juve are my priority, but I don’t want to be a weight for anybody. The years go by, but it is not written that I have to stay here just because I am called Pirlo. “I want to feel important and a part of the side’s success, otherwise I’ll leave. If I had to change, perhaps I’ll go abroad. I’ll certainly continue playing for a highlevel team.” The Italy international then revealed that he is in regular touch with Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, but added that he has not received an offer from the
Spanish giants. “I’ve spoken with my agent and with Ancelotti, someone who I regularly talk to, but nobody has offered me the chance to join Real.” Pirlo made 32 Serie A starts for the Italian champions last season as they secured backto-back Scudetto titles under Antonio Conte.
GERVINHO ended his disappointing spell at Arsenal on Thursday as the Ivory Coast striker joined Roma for an undisclosed fee. The 26-year-old scored just 11 goals in his two years with the Premier League club and failed to convince boss Arsene Wenger he was worthy of a regular place in the Gunners’ forward line. When Roma made their bid, reported to be in the region of 8 million euros (£6.8 million, $10 million), Wenger quickly agreed the deal and Gervinho flew to Italy last weekend to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms. He will link up with Roma coach Rudi Garcia, who he played for earlier in his career at Lille. “Gervinho has joined Italian Serie A side AS Roma for an undisclosed fee,” a statement on Arsenal’s website confirmed. “Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Gervinho for his contribution to the club and wish him well for his future career.”
• Gervinho
No Chance For Suarez To Move Before Window Closes - Henry LIVERPOOL owner John Henry has told want-away striker Luis Suarez that there is no chance he will be sold before the transfer window closes. Suarez, 26, accused the club of breaking a promise to allow him to join a club in the Champions League this summer after Liverpool failed to finish in the top four. And after manager Brendan Rodgers admonished the striker for going to the press with his demands for a transfer to Arsenal, Henry has now underlined that Suarez will not be allowed to leave this month, and certainly not for Arsenal — who have had two bids rejected — as a Premier League rival. Suarez also insisted on Thursday that he has had no contact with one of his other supposed suitors, Real
Madrid. Henry is quoted as saying in the Daily Telegraph: “We are not going to sell Luis. It’s a football reason. It’s not finances. At this point, so late in window, with everyone who’s already moved or isn’t moving, we do not have time to replace him. “So for football reasons we can’t –- and especially to Arsenal. We’ve made that clear. I have said to Ivan Gazidis [Arsenal chief executive] in a personal conversation that we will not sell to Arsenal. It is unequivocal, but that doesn’t seem to slow them down so I can’t wait to see what the next bid is. “We’re not in Europe this year and have not been in the Champions League for a while. To sell to a rival for those Champions League positions, or one of them,
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Suarez Too Good For Liverpool, Arsenal
UEFA Says Clubs Support Financial Fair Play UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino has pleaded for confidence in Financial Fair Play, given question marks about whether continued big spending in European leagues flout new rules designed to curb debt. Spanish giants Real Madrid in particular have come under scrutiny after reports suggested that the club would pay star striker Cristiano Ronaldo 17 million euros ($22.7 million) a year and make a world record bid for Tottenham winger Gareth Bale. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said last week that Real’s reported offer of nearly 100 million euros for Wales international Bale “makes a joke” of the new rules. But Infantino said in an interview with AFP that there were no restrictions on how much clubs spend, provided they had the funds in place. “Every club is free to act according to the revenues that it generates,” he said. “The system has to be sound. Insofar as a club is able to make transfers and pay salaries while respecting the rules there’s no issue.” Problems only occurred “when you spend more than you earn and you live beyond your means”, he added. Infantino also said that it was up to independent bodies to decide whether big-spending, foreign-owned clubs such as French Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco have adhered to the rules. “Everyone knows the rules. You’ve got to have confidence. You can’t think that people want to dodge it,” he added. Financial Fair Play,
introduced by UEFA with the agreement of clubs, is designed to rein in excessive spending on players and to reduce losses, with the threat of sanctions for noncompliance including exclusion from European competition. Spanish side Malaga were the first to fall foul of the system, when they were banned from competing in either the Champions League or Europa League for one season from this year due to outstanding debt payments. The Andalusians — quarter-finalists in last season’s Champions League — appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in June but lost. “Financial fair play is working very well,” Infantino continued. “It’s been in place for a while and has become the bread of butter of everyone in football. “It’s now ingrained in everyone. People in the game realise that we’ve got to do something to stop the spiral of losses.
- Carragher
Greg Dyke English FA Boss
English FA Backs Winter World Cup In Qatar
F O O T B A L L Association chairman Greg Dyke insists it will be “impossible” to stage the 2022 World Cup in Qatar during summer, supporting calls for the tournament to be moved to winter. Last month, FIFA president Sepp Blatter confirmed he plans to ask the governing body’s executive committee to bring forward the World Cup in an attempt to avoid the stifling heat in the Gulf state.
Glanc during the Pole’s discusswinging warm-up routine. European bronze medalist Semenova, who had been sitting on a bench minding her own business, received treatment for a deep gash on the bridge of her nose and was able to continue but she managed only one legal throw and failed to qualify.
many people have been to Qatar in June,” Dyke said. “I have. The one thing I can tell you is you can’t play a football tournament in Qatar in June. “Even if all the stadia are air-conditioned - which seems a bit strange in terms of the green policy - it would be impossible for the fans. Just go out there, wander around in that sort of heat. “It’s genuinely becoming accepted that you can’t play it in Qatar in the summer. The FA’s position will be that you can’t play it in summer in Qatar. “Fifa therefore has two choices: you either move it in time or location. I suspect either ends up in some sort of litigation, but then someone should have worked that out in 2010 when it was awarded. “I understand the reaction of the Premier League to not want to move it. I have
THE athletics world is determined to reintroduce fouryear bans for serious first-time doping offences and will push for the necessary amendments in the World Anti-Doping Code. The IAAF congress has passed the bill, according to statement by its council by acclamation. The code of the World Anti-Doping Agency is to be reviewed in November, with the new code to go into effect in 2015. “The new WADA code, which will come into force on January 1, 2015, will reflect our firm commitment to have tougher penalties and the IAAF will return to four-year
The IAAF imposed four-year bans between 1991 and 1997. WADA has issued two-year bans for first-time offenders, as the WADA rules are to apply across all sports, since the first code in 2004. There are now plans to punish serious offenders with four-year bans as the rules on cheats could be tightened. The IAAF is in full support, but other sports federations have raised objections. “We have added more weight to our instruments,’’ IAAF president Lamine Diack told a news conference. “We have a whole battery of instruments to fight doping.’’ IAAF council member
The Premier League responded swiftly to Blatter’s comments, claiming “the prospect of a winter World Cup is neither workable nor desirable for European domestic football”. But Dyke has suggested the Premier League’s position is changing, admitting player welfare is more important than the domestic schedule.. “I don’t know how
Athletics: Fans Stay Away As Worlds Get Off To Sweaty Start THE world athletics championships got off to lowkey but high-humidity start in front of a few hundred hardy fans scattered around the 81,000 Luzhniki Stadium yesterday, with star attraction Usain Bolt ready to be unleashed in the evening. Among those braving the warm sunshine and sweltering air were Bolt’s parents, on board for the first appearance of the world record holder later on Saturday in the first round of the 100 metres. The double Olympic champion, out to reclaim the title after being disqualified for a false start in the final two years ago, makes his first appearance at 16.15GMT ahead of Sunday night’s final (17.15GMT). The first medals of the
Usain Bolt
championship will be decided later in the women’s marathon and the early stadium action centred on the decathlon and various qualifying rounds. Organisers have claimed to have sold 80 percent of tickets for the Aug. 10-18 event but there were acres of yellow, red and orange seats vacant on Saturday, producing a multicouloured backdrop to the vivid blue track and artifical green grass infield. American Olympic champion and world record holder Ashton Eaton set the early pace in the decathlon with a 10.32-seconds 100 metres and 7.32 metre long jump for a twoevent tally of 2003 points. Germany’s Michael Schrader was second on 1944 with another American, Gunnar Nixon, third on 1907 after a personal best long jump of 7.80. There was a surprise in women’s discus as China’s Siyu Gu, whose 67.86 metres makes her second in the world this year behind dominant Croatian Sandra Perkovic, had a miserable morning with three fouls and failed to reach Sunday’s final. Ukrainian Natalia Semenova will not forget the event in a hurry either after being cracked in the face by Zaneta
some sympathy with them. They didn’t have to choose to give it to Qatar in the summer but that’s where it is. It will either have to be moved out of the summer or to another location. I suspect the former is more likely than the latter.” Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge revealed plans on Friday to gradually adjust the Bundesliga season to accommodate a winter World Cup.
FORMER Reds defender Jamde Carragher feels suarez ability warrants a move to one of Europe’s top clubs, and he admits to being “puzzled” by his desire to join the Gunners Luis Suarez is too good for Liverpool – but is also out of Arsenal’s league, according to retired defender Jamie Carragher. The Uruguay striker publicly declared his desire to leave Anfield on Tuesday, although manager Brendan Rodgers has warned him that he must accept the club’s policy not to sell him to Arsenal. However, Carragher believes Suarez’s ability warrants a move to one of Europe’s top clubs, although he stipulated that a move to the Gunners would not make sense for the 26-year-old. “Luis Suarez is too good for Liverpool,” the former England and Liverpool defender wrote in his column for the Daily Mail. “He is one of the top players in the world, whereas Liverpool were only the seventh best team in England last season. “His talents are greater than the stage on which he plays. Not only does he deserve to play in the Champions League, he should be winning it. “Luis Suarez is also too good for Arsenal. In recent years, they haven’t challenged for trophies; they have not made an impact in the Champions League and they are no closer to winning the Premier League.
Nadal Sets Up Djokevic Showdown In Montreal NOVAK Djokovic and Rafael Nadal advanced to a mouthwatering semi-final showdown at the Rogers Cup in Montreal after they crushed their quarter-final opponents in ruthless fashion. Djokovic, the world number one, was flawless in a 6-1 6-2 demolition of French seventh seed Richard Gasquet while Nadal was equally
... IAAF Backs Four Year Ban For SeriAbby Hoffman expects tough for serious doping ous doping sanctions talks about the WADA code, offences,” the IAAF said. saying “the four-year ban is not a slam dunk. A lot of work has to be done.’’ “If others don’t want it, there should be space carved out to make the IAAF impose the sanctions it wants,’’ she added. Athletics has a long history of doping offences, and has been confronted with positive tests involving sprinters Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell, Veronica CampbellBrown and Sherone Simpson in the final weeks ahead of Saturday’s start of the world championships. In addition, a long list of Turkish and Russian athletes has been banned for doping over the past months.
emphatic in a straight sets win over Australian qualifier Marinko Matosevic. Serbia’s Djokovic and Spaniard Nadal will face off for the 36th time after the 11th seed Milos Raonic and local wildcard Vasek Pospisil compete in an all-Canadian semi-final. Djokovic was imperious against Gasquet as he produced his best performance since returning from a month off after losing the Wimbledon final. Unleashing his full repertoire of big serves, crushing ground strokes and plenty of touch, Djokovic barely raised a sweat as Gasquet was emphatically dispatched in just 52 minutes. The crowd then got more entertainment when Djokovic returned to the centre court for what has become his customary celebration dance as the stadium roared its approval. “It’s a great feeling when you’re playing this well and you beat a quality player like Gasquet,” Djokovic said. “I’m going to try to memorise what I’ve done today and how I felt and hopefully take it on the court tomorrow ... same kind of feeling.”
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Nigeria’s Improved Performance Stirred By Jonathan’s Reward For Excellence - Rep Gaya GODFREY Gaiya, Chairman House Committee on Sports said Nigeria’s improved performance in international competitions could have been stirred by the resolve of President Goodluck Jonathan to reward excellence. Gaya made this assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja. “It’s a departure from the past where promises were made
and were never redeemed but we thank God for President Jonathan who believes that the sacrifices of these athletes must not go in vain. “I believe President Jonathan means well for those who have distinguished themselves to represent this country. “Nigeria is such a wonderful country that if you do well, the country will not forget you and I think that is the most important message
Idiko Urges Players, Teams To Retain Agents MIKE Idoko, the Coordinator, Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) on Friday in Akure said that there was need for players and teams to retain the services of soccer Agents in consummating contracts. These agents will be empowered to represent players and teams during the signing of contracts. Idoko told newsmen said that retaining agents would help to curtain issues that might arise from poor execution in the transfer of players. According to him, agents are supposed to be specialists in this area; therefore, their services will promote transparency in the execution of deals. “If players and clubs have their representatives while signing contracts, each party will have noted the number of years that they are bound in a contract and all the issues related to such contracts. “Clubs should also know their responsibilities toward players, while players too should relate with their agents and determine all the knotty issues before entering into a contract,’’ Idoko said. Only recently, his club, the
Sunshine Stars was entangled in a contract quagmire with the Rangers International of Enugu, as well as the Shooting Stars (3SC) of Ibadan over the eligibility of some players. Idoko, who is also a member of the League Management Company, also suggested that there should be standard local transfer certificates that would be endorsed by, not only the league board, but the Nigeria Football Association, as well. Meanwhile, Fatai Amoo, Technical Adviser, Sunshine Stars of Akure, said that the transfer of players should be done professionally, since there were rules guiding the movement of players from one club to another. He noted that issues arising from transfers were not known in the country’s football in the past. Amoo, then, advised all stakeholders to ensure they followed the rules and regulations of buying and selling of players, as laid down by FIFA. “NFF should ensure that rules and regulations concerning player’s transfers are followed when clubs are buying and selling players,’’ he said.
that has been lacking. “Now we have seen that message put to effective implementation will do well for the country and nobody will forget you.’’ Gaya also attributed the successes of Nigeria to the committee’s commitment to sports development. “The committee was challenged to perform its oversight functions considering the importance of sports to the wellbeing of the country. “It is the seriousness the committee attached to sports development in the country that paved the way for the success the country recorded at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa. “Sport has become so critical to the wellbeing of Nigeria that anybody that wants to excel in this country should never overlook it. “It’s an important unifying factor that any government must key into to bring a better understanding that this country desires. He said that the committee had gone round the country to ensure that facilities were in
place for potential athletes and sportsmen. Gaya said that this would ensure that established facilities were not allowed to
Sunday Mba
proposed move to the EPL for Mba fell through because in the last two years, the player has only played 10 of the 20 internationals involving Nigeria. Umejei disclosed: “It’s a pity Mba can no longer go to Stoke City because of work permit issues. “He played 10 matches out of 20 matches, which is far below the 75% required for him to be granted a work permit. Had he played another five matches, he would have
committee chairman on sports because I know that if Nigeria is doing well today in sports nobody talks about religion, origin or tribe,’’ Gaiya said.
President Jonathan
Injured Omeruo To Decide On Surgery
CHELSEA doctors are waiting on Nigeria defender Kenneth Omeruo to decide on whether he would want surgery on a problematic shoulder injury. Omeruo’s adviser Chika Conleth Akujobi informed MTNFootball.com: “The doctors at Chelsea have given Kenneth the option of surgery or theraphy for his shoulder problem. “They want a permanent
solution to this problem and so they expect him to decide in the coming week what he wants. “If he opts for surgery, he will be out for eight weeks.” Akujobi added: “There is no panic as Kenneth is in very good hands. “George Weah is staying
been good to go. Both the Stoke chief scout, Kevin Cruickshank, and director of football, Mark Cartwright, were keen to invite him before they researched that his international appearances fall short of minimum required for a work permit. Kevin Cruickshank told Umejei, “I’ve been looking into his playing record for Nigeria and I’m not sure he qualifies for a work permit. He has only played 10 of the last 20 competitive games (50%)
for his county in the last 2 years.” Among the games he missed were 2013 AFCON group matches against Zambia and Burkina Faso as well as qualifiers against Liberia both home and away as well as the home game versus Rwanda in Calabar. Director of football Cartwright said Mba as a talented player. “Having now watched his last three games while he does look a talented player, he has been played in midfield,” he remarked.
Work Permit Stops Mba Stoke City Move
EPL side Stoke City will not consider a move for Sunday Mba as he did not play enough games for Nigeria to be granted a work permit. Netherlands-based agent Richard Umejei told MTNFootball.com that a
rot because if they did, it simply meant that athletes had no place to go. “So, I am always very happy whenever they call me
in the same hotel with Kenneth and he told him there is no problem as he also had surgery on both his shoulders while he was at Chelsea.” The Netherlands-based football expert said Omeruo’s latest injury setback will not have any negative impact on his future at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea technical chief and former Nigeria
international Michael Emenalo has already suggested the player go out on loan, while manager Jose Mourinho is to decide on Omeruo’s fate. The 19-year-old central defender was to have begun training with the Chelsea main squad in the new week on their return from a training tour of the United States of America. He has also pulled out of Wednesday’s friendly against South Africa in Durban on account of this injury.
Swedish Club Grabs Nigeria U-20 Star Gero
SWEDISH club Osters IF have signed Nigeria U20 striker Alhaji Gero on a contract to run for three and a half years. The deal was brokered by football agent Goke Oshatoba in collaboration with the player’s agent Adam Mohammed. “It’s a great start for a very promising player and everybody is happy with the deal,” said Oshotoba. “All the personal terms of the player have been agreed on and his work permit will come through next week.”
Osters have won the Swedish league four times with their last triumph in 1981. They are back in the Swedish top flight this season after they dominated the lower league last year. Gero sparked off interest in the Netherlands, Libya, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. Big striker Gero featured at the recent FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey and has also been capped by Nigeria at ‘B’ level. He has been at Enugu Rangers on loan.
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Mourinho Vows To Continue CHELSEA have seen two Rooney’s Pursuit bids already rejected for the Manchester United striker, but the Blues boss is hopeful of seeing progress before the end of the transfer window Jose Mourinho has warned Manchester United that Chelsea will continue their pursuit of wantaway striker Wanye Rooney “until the last day”. The Blues have seen two bids for the England international rejected by the Premier League champions with their most recent offer thought to total £30 million with add-ons - with the forward understood to fear a backlash from the fans if the club force him to stay at Old Trafford. Rooney was told to train with the reserves on Thursday with manager David Moyes angered by his efforts to engineer a move, and Mourinho insists he will not stop chasing the 27-year-old. “There is no time limit on it,” Mourinho is quoted as
saying by the Daily Mail. “We have identified the player as one we would like to have with us. We have done it in an ethical way and we are going to do that until the last day. We are doing things legally, making the official bid directly to the club.” Mourinho, though, insists
... Barca Wasting Time CHELSEA boss Jose Over Luiz Mourinho has insisted Barcelona are wasting their time in trying to take David Luiz to the Camp Nou. The Catalans have already had a reported +40m offer for the Brazilian international rejected by the Londoners, but Mourinho has told them in no uncertain terms that the central defender will not be leaving Stamford Bridge. “The bid? It’s lost time for them,” Mourinho was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. “My advice to them [Barcelona] is to go to the second player on their list
Nathan Ake Pens New Chelsea Deal CHELSEA youngster Nathan Ake has signed a new five-year contract with the club. Ake, 18, moved to Stamford Bridge from Feyenoord in 2011 and managed to break into the first-team squad last season, making six appearances. And the Dutchman, who can play as a centraldefender, left-back or deeplying midfielder, is thrilled to have committed his future to the Blues. “I’m very happy that
no Chelsea official has spoken to Rooney regarding a move to Stamford Bridge without the consent of United but is hopeful of entering negotiations before the end of the transfer window. “There have been no direct relations with the player, no contact - absolutely nothing. So let’s see if things change.”
Chelsea is rewarding me with a new contract for my effort and development over the last years,” he told the club’s official website. “I would like to thank everybody at the club for everything they did for me. Thanks to them I have come so far. I won’t let them down and will keep on working as hard as I can.” Ake was part of Chelsea’s Under-18 side which won the FA Youth Cup in 2012, while he has represented Netherlands at Under-17 and Under-19 levels.
because they are wasting their time. “We don’t want to lose our best players. No chance.”
Manuel Pellegrini
Pellegrini Says City’s Squad Best In England MANCHESTER City’s manager Manuel Pellegrini has emphasised his confidence for the new season by hailing his squad as the best in the Barclays Premier League. Pellegrini, who took charge at the Etihad Stadium this “We hope that from the first summer, has inherited a squad that has been bolstered match against Newcastle at by the signings of home we will start winning, Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, and we will try to bring Alvaro Negredo and Stevan another trophy here.” The event also saw Jovetic for a combined neardefender Pablo Zabaleta £90million cost. Pellegrini gave his opinions receive the club’s player of on stage during a question the year award for 2012/13 and answer session for fans and the Argentinian also at the club’s season launch spoke of his confidence for party in Manchester city the year ahead. He said: “I can guarantee to centre. The Chilean said: “I think everyone that we have been we have the best squad in working really hard in preseason and we are very England. “We bought four important hungry for more trophies, and players, we already had a we aim to win something this very good team and with season. “The atmosphere in the these four players I think we dressing room is great. We improved a lot.
Sunday Pools Guide Week 05
Bristol C; Portvale To “X” SAYS DR. J.K. POOLS
A critical x-ray of the 49 programmed fixtures of this week 05 matches to be played on 17th and 18th August 2013, I fancy the above captioned headline games: “BristolC; Portvale for “X”. The games are Bristol C vs Wolves at No. 23; and Portvale vs Bradford C at 29. Again, they are Nos. 23 and 29 in the local coupon of this week. In the same vein, Preston vs Milton KD at 30 and Crawly vs Rotherham at 25 for an “X”. The above games are 23-25-29 and 30 for at least three draws. Scanning through the Whole fixtures with a visit to Premiership, I see Crystal P vs Tottenham at No. 3 in the local coupon to register a draw. A visit to Championship, Doncaster vs Blackburn at No. 16 and Nottmforest vs Bolton at 20 for an “X” must. A heavy permutation for this week 05 is 16-23-25-29 and 30. After this week results, send N5,000 (five thousand naira) only for 3 NAKED NAP without fears. Please don’t wait to be told if you fail to register for the 3 Bradford. Naked NAP.
A look at English Division two, I see a draw between Cheltenham vs Plymouth at 36 and Fleetwood vs Burton A at 38. This is inseparable for an “X” on the card. All readers of this usual column in SUNDAY OBSERVER Newspaper should try as much as possible to call your loved ones that Dr. J.K. is set to bombard pool Promoters this season again as he did five years ago. Please, watch out for the bombardment. Hot Line 07039275802 8 Treble Chance 1 Doncaster vs Blackburn 0 0 2 Nottmforest vs Bolton 0 0 3 Bristol C vs Wolves 1 1 4 Portvale vs Brandford C 1 1 5 Crawly vs Rotterham 2 2 6 Preston vs MiltonKD 2 2 7 Chetenham vs Plymouth 3 3 8 Fleetwood vs Burton 3 3 3 HOT PAIRS (A) 23-29 (B) 25-30 (C) 16-20. Good luck, says Dr. J.K. Pools. Box: 34 Irrua or opposite Police Station, Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area, Edo State Tel: 07039275802.
wish the new manager and all his staff the very best of luck for the future.” City finished runners-up to
rivals Manchester United last season and suffered a shock loss to Wigan in the FA Cup final.
Cissokho Agrees Terms With Liverpool THE Valencia defender has revealed the two clubs remain at loggerheads over the deal, with the Liga side keen for a sale and the Reds hoping for a loan with an option to buy Valencia left-back Aly Cissokho has revealed that he has reached an agreement with Liverpool and that it is now up to the clubs to negotiate a deal to take him to Anfield. The Premier League side have been busy in the transfer market with four signings to date - Simon Mignolet, Kolo Toure, Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto - but are light on fullbacks following the retirement of Jamie Carragher and Jack Robinson’s loan move to Blackpool. And Cissokho has now claimed he is close to joining Liverpool, but states the two club are at loggerheads over
Aly Cissokho
the structure of the deal with Valencia after a sale and the Reds keen on a loan-to-buy option. “Liverpool have made me an offer and it is true that I have reached an agreement with them,” he told Le 10 Sport. “It is now up to the clubs to agree terms. I expect to know more later this week. “If nothing happens this week, it probably means that I will not be going to Liverpool. “The conditions of the transfer are the problem. Liverpool prefer a loan deal with an option to buy, while Valencia want to sell straight away. If the transfer doesn’t take place, it’s not a problem either. I am feeling well at Valencia.” Cissokho made 20 appearances for Valencia last term after joining from Lyon on a four-year deal.
CMYK
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Trade: Expert Calls For
Regional Integration
THE President of the Direct Leadership Institute, Ghana, Dr Donald Agumenu, has called on African leaders to ensure regional integration by deepening trade in the West African sub-region. Agumenu made the call at the inauguration of the Nigerian Chapter of the African Project and Programme Management Board in Abuja. He said that customs laws and regulations had been identified as being among the many obstacles that hindered free flow of trade in the region. “We need to clear the barriers,’’ he stated, adding that trading was more difficult in the West African sub-region. “If you want to move from Ghana to Nigeria or from Nigeria to Ghana, before you cross Togo, Benin and Seme borders with a product on the road, a product that should be in Lagos or Accra in one day, you may spend one week on the road. “Because the transport system is not regionalised, there is the need for us to look at the regional economic integration, there is the need to look at the monetary and financial economic integration.’’ Agumenu also advised West African leaders to ensure the implementation of the regional currency to facilitate economic
development. He said that implementation of projects should be the priority of leaders, noting that African leaders needed to work in unity to achieve growth and development. Agumenu challenged the media on positive reportage of projects in Africa to let the world understand that African remained the best investment environment in the world. According to him, Africans have pioneered many theories that have contributed to the development of commerce, industry, aerospace, among others in the world. “We need to tell our story, nobody can tell our story more than we can do,’’ he added.
L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State, Dr. Adefolarin Malomo; Secretary, Dr. Kolawole Aramide and Chief Executive Officer, Premier Medicaid, Dr. Kayode Obembe, at the Continuing Medical Education lecture of NMA, Oyo State branch in Ibadan weekend.
ANEEJ Condemns Police Killing, Teachers’ Abduction AFRICA Network for Environment and Economic Justice has condemned the killing of two police men by suspected hoodlums in Edo State. In a press statement signed by the Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Reverend David Ugolor, ANEEJ said it is painful that those who have
patriotically volunteered to ensure peace and orderliness for the safety of all in the state are being killed time without number in a manner as if they are not Nigerians like any other citizen in the country. “It is painful that our brothers and sisters who have patriotically volunteered to ensure peace and orderliness for the safety of all in our state are being killed time without
Salary Delay: AGF
Warns MDAs On NUBAN Compliance
ALL Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that are yet to comply with the CBN’s directive of the Nigerian Uniform Bank Account Number (NUBAN) policy have been directed to do so immediately. The Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Jonah Otunla, who gave the directive in Abuja, advised the affected MDA’s to update the bank details of their staff to avoid unnecessary delays in the payment of their salaries. This directive was contained in a press statement signed by the Deputy Director, AGF’s Office, Mr
Charles Nwodo, which was made available to newsmen in Abuja. “Failure to comply may result in some delay in the payment of salaries, henceforth. “However, if any staff experiences any delay in the payment of his or her salary, he or she should confirm that the banking details have been accordingly updated and forwarded to IPPIS,’’ the statement said. It would be called that the CBN released the guidelines on the NUBAN scheme in August 2010, to achieve uniform numbering structure among all money deposited in banks in Nigeria within
nine months. NUBAN, according to the CBN, “has great potentials to resolve the observed problems with electronic payments in Nigeria, as many of them are related to specification of wrong beneficiary account numbers’’. The initial deadline was June 1, 2011. This was extended by the CBN to June 1, 2012, at the expiration of which it was further extended to July 1, 2013. Consequently, NUBAN became fully operational on July 1, 2013 and all banks were expected to have had the policy fully operational.
number in a manner as if they are not Nigerians like us. “It is sad that after countless killings of security agents in the state, two police men were again killed on Wednesday along Benin-Auchi road by a group of criminals who obviously derived joy by taking the lives of others”, said ANEEJ. “Anytime a security man is killed; a family or group of families among us are thrown into mourning and as well into dehumanizing state of poverty most
especially when the slain security man is the breadwinner at home”, said ANEEJ. ANEEJ therefore called on all Nigerians to see those killing the nation’s security agents as enemies of progress. “We in ANEEJ hereby call on all Nigerians to see those killing our security agents as enemies of progress because those they are killing; are not only our security guards looking after our safety but our blood brothers and sisters”. Furthermore, ANEEJ said that anyone actually concerned about the eradication of poverty must first join in the campaign
against the killing of security agents in the country, adding that, such killings amongst others frustrate the fight against poverty in the country. Meanwhile ANEEJ has condemned the kidnapping of three primary school teachers in Edo state. The body said it is sad that poor salary earners like primary school teachers who find it difficult to sustain a living with their meager salary are now target of kidnapping. ANEEJ however appealed to the kidnappers to have a rethink and set the primary school teachers free without ransom.
Eid-el-Fitr Peaceful In Jos - Police
THE police said in Jos that the Eid-el-Fitr celebration in the city was a huge success. Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Mrs. Felicia Anslem, told newsmen in Jos that the celebration was very peaceful. “All security agencies were at alert to ensure that prayer grounds were protected. No negative incidents were reported. “We have not received any negative report concerning the day. So, I want to categorically say that we have recorded a huge success in this year’s Ed-el-Fitr
celebration’’, she said. She assured the people of adequate protection during and after the festival for which the Federal Government had declared public holidays for Thursday and Friday. Reports say that security personnel were stationed at areas considered to be flash points in the city. Officers and men of the Special Task Force (STF), the police and other security agents were also seen patrolling the city.
Security personnel were also seen at the various prayer grounds to ensure that no one flouted the ban in some areas. Mr Badamasi Sadu, Public Education Officer of FRSC in the state, also told newsmen that accidents were not recorded before the interview. Saidu commended the orderly manner motorists conducted themselves, saying that people were beginning to heed the warnings against reckless driving during festive periods.
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