Sunday observer 27 04 2014

CMYK

The Sunday

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968

• Vol. XI NO.4,045 •

INSIGHT

SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2014 • N 100.00

ISSUES

Olejeme And The Challenges Of Social Security In Nigeria

Nigeria Airforce @ 50

The Journey So Far Pg. 7

Pg. 8

Transformation In Edo

IBB Pours Encomiums On Oshiomhole

FORMER Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida says he is not surprised by the rapid transformation in Edo State under Governor Adams Oshiomhole, saying this is consistent with the Governor’s antecedents.

Speaking at Igueben, on Saturday where he was Chairman of the 70th birthday celebration of Chief Tom Ikimi, onetime Minister of Foreign Affairs, Babangida said “I

want to pay special homage to my Comrade Governor, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, who has been doing so much to transform Edo State.

“As a regular visitor to

Edo State, I could feel and inhale the impact of good governance not only on the faces of the people but also on infrastructure. I saw

several red roof schools on my way here. I saw well cultivated lawns, walk-ways and beautiful road networks. I saw expansions on roads

that were hitherto narrow.

In fact, the feeling of a transformed Edo State is palpable.

“I am not surprised that all these are happening

in Edo State given the antecedents of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

With courage and strong political will coupled with the support of political

leaders like Ikimi, it is understandable why the infrastructural architecture of Edo State has assumed this Continues on pg.2

Nyanya Bomb Blast:

Late Observer Staff Laid To Rest

By OSE EHEBHA THE remains of Late Mrs. Macelina Omon Iyogun, The NIGERIAN OBSERVER staff who died in the Abuja bomb blast was yesterday laid to rest at her home town, Uhiele-Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

She was until her death, the Abuja circulation officer of the newspaper. In a short exhortation that preceded her interment, Pastor E. O. Graham of PIC Trinity Zone of The Redeem Christian Church of God, Abuja, extolled late Omon’s virtues, describing her as loving and kind hearted woman who was good to

all that encountered her.

Graham admonished the bereaved family members to take solace in the fact that Late Mrs. Iyogun had gone to be with the Lord, judging from the Godly life she lived.

He reminded mourners at the burial of the need to give their lives to Christ, adding that it was the only way to guarantee eternal life in God’s paradise.

It would be recalled that Late Mrs. Iyogun died in Monday, April 14, 2014 Abuja bomb blast which claimed over 100 lives and injured several hundreds of persons.

The late Mrs. Omon Iyogun ((Nee Aigbirior) Continues on pg.2

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (left) and Chief Tom Ikimi during his birthday thanksgiving service at Igueben Edo State at the weekend. Photo: CHARITY OZIGBO-ESERE.

HEALTHY LIVING

LIVING

10 Ways Babies Are Smarter Than You Thought Pg. 15

Health Benefits Of Ginger Pg. 26

TOURISM

Pg. 27

Repositioning Jos Wildlift For Quality Ecotourism

IBB Pours Encomiums On Oshiomhole Continued from pg.1 enviable height.”

The former President was not alone in his praise for the Edo Governor as former Governor of Lagos State and leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu also praised Oshiomhole for concentrating on development rather than dancing Azonto in the face of developmental challenges.

He said: we have heard so much about what you have done for Edo state. When we were coming in here, it was not about dancing azonto but it was real development,

Thank you very much.

Dignitaries who graced the occasion include Ex Ghanian President Jerry Rawlings the former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former military head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Senator Ben Obi, National leader of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Audu Ogbe, Chief John Oyegun, Professor Osariemen Osunbor and Senator Chris Ngige. Others include Senator Domingo Obende, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Rt Hon Uyi Igbe, Members of the National Assembly and a host of others.

THE All Progressives Congress (APC), state congresses scheduled for Saturday have been postponed in Edo, Adamawa and Katsina states due to logistic problems.

Our Correspondents who monitored the exercise in these states on Saturday report that lack of logistics, non conclusion of ward and local government congress led to the postponement.

In Edo, the APC Publicity Secretary Mr Godwin Erhahon, told reporters that the state congress had been shifted to a date to be announced later.

He attributed the shift to logistic problems, saying “we want to put some things in place to ensure the success of the congress.’’

FAAN Records Drop In Air Travellers A total of 13.9 million air International Airport recorded travellers used various In 2013 passenger traffic of 1.2 million airports in Nigeria last year, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) announced in Lagos yesterday.

The reports state that the figure represents 2.9 per cent drop, compared to the 14.3 million passengers who used the airports in 2012.

The General Manager, Corporate Communications of FAAN, Mr Yakubu Dati, made the disclosure in a statement.

He said that the Murtala

Muhammed International Airport, Lagos had the largest passenger traffic of 6.7 million in 2013 as against 7.2 million passengers recorded at the premier gateway in 2012.

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, had the second highest passenger traffic, recording 3.8 million passengers in 2013 as against 3.5 million passengers in 2012.

However, the Port Harcourt

Eulogies For Late Omorodion At Funeral

By MARTIN ERHARUYI AS the world stand still to give the last respect to late Hon. Donald Omorodion, the Edo State Director Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) Mr. Emmanuel Anabor has described him as a generous and kind hearted man.

He said this during the social dance/entertainment of guest at the burial ceremony in Benin City.

Mr. Anabor said that the

Observer Staff Laid To Rest Continued from pg.1

was until her untimely death, a mother of two, and was said to be pregnant at the time of the incident.

She joined The OBSERVER Newspapers as a Circulation Clerk on January 3, 2000.

She was in the Benin Headquarter’s Office until 2010 when she was transferred to Abuja office following her marriage in 2009.

According to reports, Mrs. Omon Iyogun was on her official duty to take delivery of the day’s Observer Newspapers at Nyanya Park, Abuja, for circulation when she met her untimely death in the unfortunate bomb blast.

Born on January 12, 1979, the late Mrs. Omon Iyogun hailed from Uhiele, Ekpoma in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

deceased was a trailblazer, persistent and indefatigable director, who through his wealth of experience strengthened the ICTA, adding that his impact would not be forgotten.

He also said that his exit was a painful loss to the ministry. He prayed God to grant him eternal rest.

The event however featured dignitaries from across the state; the Chairperson Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Hon. Mrs. Itohan Ogbeide, Commissioner for Works Eng. Ogie, Staff of NDDC, members of the Benin Recreation Club (BRC) and staff of ICTA. Speaking with The SUNDAY OBSERVER Bar. Henry Okhuarobo, the immediate past NDDC Commissioner said that the death of late Hon. Donald was an irreparable loss to APC in Ikpoba Okha and Edo State at large; due to his prominent role in the party.

Also, he described him as a man who was gentle and easy going.

In the same vein, Prince Tony Momodu, the President (BRC) said that the deceased was an active, quiet and humble member of the club till his death.

Prince Momodu said that his exit has created a vacuum in the club, adding that his death came as a shocked to them.

According to him “His death came as a shock to my club and it is good to honour him by coming here, because he was so dear to us.”

The High point of the event was refreshment and entertainment of guest, dance and prayers.

in both 2013 and 2012.

The Kano International Airport recorded 297,293 passengers in 2013 as against 380,045 in 2012.

Dati said that Minna Airport had recorded 8,900 in 2013, compared to the 13,857 passengers recorded at the airport in 2012.

The FAAN spokesman said that Makurdi and Katsina airports handled the least numbers of travellers with 1,117 and 6,325 in 2013 and 2,064 and 8,177 in 2012, respectively.

He said that the management of FAAN anticipated an increase in passenger traffic across the airports in 2014 because of the re-modelling projects at the 22 airports in the country.

APC Postpone State Congresses In Three States Due To Logistic Challenges Erhahon also attributed non conclusion of the local government congress in the state as another reason why the state congress could not hold.

He said that local government congresses were yet to be concluded in Orhionmwon, Owan West, Etsako East, Etsako West and Etsako Central councils.

He said that a meeting had

been slated for this weekend to decide when the local government congress would be concluded.

“We are working to ensure the conduct of a smooth state congress,’’ he said.

Officials of the APC in Katsina state told reporters that the state congress was postponed indefinitely because of the non conclusion of ward congresses.

NGO Sponsors 4,600 Pupils Infected With HIV/AIDs In Benue, Nasarawa States MRS Rosemary Hua, the Coordinator, First Step Action for Children, said the NGO was sponsoring 4,600 children who were victims of HIV/AIDS in various schools in Benue and Nasarawa states.

Hua told newsmen on Saturday in Makurdi that some of the children were orphans living with the virus.

She said: “we started this assistance in 2011 and the numbers of beneficiaries kept on increasing every year.

“We have also enrolled vulnerable children in various schools and offered preventive healthcare services, psychological, and financial support to their parents where necessary.

“Our primary aim is to bridge the gap between urban and rural communities through the establishment of Early Child Care Centres in areas where schools are not handily accessible for

children.

“We intend to build a solid foundation for basic education by making the environment of education conducive for the children to learn.’’

Hua said that most of the beneficiaries were those whose parents had died of HIV/AIDS or living with the virus in rural communities.

The coordinator said the foundation took over the

THE Borno Government has denied allegation by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) that healthcare services have collapsed in the North-East, due to the activities of insurgents.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Salma Kolo,

Environmental Sanitation Exercise Holds In Ovia N/East

OKADA – This month’s environmental sanitation exercise held yesterday in Ovia North-East Local Government Council Area with low turn out of participants in the cleaning exercise.

The low turnout of residents could be attributed to the no restriction of movement order of the Edo State government

earlier announced.

However, some committed residents and traders were seen in major towns including Oloku and Ekiadolor clearing grasses and refuse round their surroundings while others were engaged in full business activities. Sanitation officers of the Department of Environment of the council were also seen supervised the evacuation of refuse around the ever busy Oluku

sponsorship of the children’s education to give them a new lease of life and re-integrate them into the society.

She said that majority of the children were already being stigmatised by their relatives and the society, owing to the circumstances in which their parents died.

Hua urged the public to stop stigmatising those living with the condition, adding that they did not intentionally choose to live with the virus.

Healthcare Services Not Shut Down In Borno, Says Commissioner

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole during the general’s visit to government house in Benin City.

By KEHINDE OSAGIEDE

A Senior Party Official in the state, who pleaded for anonymity, said the ward congresses in 25 local councils would hold on April 30.

It will be recalled that the congresses could not hold on April 5, as earlier scheduled due to non arrival of election forms from the party’s National Headquarters in Abuja.

area.

Speaking during the exercise the Vice Chairman of the local government council, Hon. Dumez Ugiagbe who led the council’s monitoring team urged residents in the area to always make their environment clean, advising them not to see the monthly environmental sanitation exercise as prescribed by the state government as punishment.

told newsmen on Saturday in Maiduguri, that the allegation was untrue.

Kolo said that no health facility had been closed down in the state due, to the Boko Haram insurgency.

“I wish to state categorically that no healthcare facility had been closed down in the state, in spite of the insurgency.

“All the four general hospitals at the state capital are working effectively, so also are the public health facilities in the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.’’

The commissioner, however, admitted that although, some health facilities were threatened in the past, they were never closed.

“It is true that some facilities were threatened in the past, especially those involved in the child immunisation programme.

“We have been able to forge ahead without closing them; our efforts have paid off as we have succeeded in preventing the spread of wild polio virus in the state.

“Let me say without fear of contradiction, that Borno State has not witnessed any new case of wild polio since the beginning of the year.’’

She said that the government decided to introduce new methods of distributing immunisation materials after receiving threats of attacks from suspected insurgents.

The commissioner said: “we decided to decentralise the distribution of materials among areas to make it easier for immunisation workers to get supplies without hitches’’.

It will be recalled that a report by NEMA on Thursday, said that insurgency had brought the health system to a “total collapse’’ in most Local Government Areas of Borno.

NEWS Maku Tasks Media On New Campaign Against Terrolrism the promotion of issues that would advance the region and not to the activities of terrorists.

The minister stressed the need for people of the region,

including the media to unite against anti-progressive elements operating in their communities.

“We need to defend our countries from the influences of local divisive groups, the first lesson for journalists, therefore, is that we must begin to sensitise our people to the dangers of terrorism.

“This freedom the media enjoys today in the region must not be extended to terrorists and their activities.

“We should not give terrorists a free reign of publicity; we should not report terrorism from the point of view of celebrating terrorists.

“There must be some level of

control on what goes out to the public about terrorists,’’ he said.

Maku said that the society was increasingly becoming vulnerable and could be divided if the media continued to give publicity to terrorist activities.

He said the domestic media must be propagated and supported to disseminate information from the stand point of promoting societal harmony.

The minister called on governments in West Africa to support the development of a strong and vibrant local media to ensure genuine development of the region.

THE Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said no fewer than 40 terrorists died while trying to free their captured members in an encounter with troops in the outskirts of Bulanbuli, Borno.

This is contained in a statement issued by Maj.-Gen. President Goodluck Jonathan welcoming Benin Republic President Boni Yayi to the 4th Presidential National Prayer Chris Olukolade, Director of Defence Information in Abuja at Breakfast at the State House Abuja over the weekend. the weekend.

It stated that a number of captured terrorists believed to be the ring leaders of those operating around Alagarmo, sparked off a major fight in the outskirts on Thursday night.

“Over 40 terrorists died in the encounter while four soldiers lost their lives and nine were wounded.

“More than 16 rifles and a substantial number of assorted calibres of ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) materials, SIM Cards and electronic items were recovered from the terrorists.

“Two of the terrorists were earlier arrested at a local market two days ago, while trying to procure foodstuff while others were spying on the military base in the area,’’ the statement stated.

The statement stated that other members of the group still being trailed included a terrorist medic who was on a mission to procure drugs for use by his colleagues.

It added that Bulanbuli is between Alagarmo and Sambisa Forest where the terrorists had been attempting to establish a stronghold in their campaign.

THE Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, has called for a new media campaign against terrorism and related activities

in West Africa and other regions of the continent.

Maku made the call at the opening of the 8th Congress of the West Africa Journalists

Association (WAJA) in Abuja at the weekend.

He said that the freedom enjoyed by the media in the region should be restricted to

...40 Terrorists Die trying To Free Captured Members -DHQ

Medical Experts Harp On Proper Treatment For Malaria MEDICAL experts has urged governments at all levels and other Nigerians to take proper measures to prevent malaria which has remained “a big health challenge’’ in the country.

The experts made the call in separate interviews with our correspondents on the sideline of the World Malaria Day in Abuja.

The day is commemorated on April 25 in recognition of global efforts to control the disease.

Dr Nwajiobi Princewill, a Senior Resident, Microbiology and Parasitological Department, National Hospital Abuja, told newsmen that about 60 per cent of people who visit the hospital were diagnosed with malaria.

Princewill also said that malaria accounted for about 30 per cent of child mortality and that about 30 per cent of women who died during pregnancy, had been traced to malaria. “ Part of the challenges we are still having with it is that we are not treating malaria properly, we are not diagnosing malaria properly.

“There are times when you have a fever, it is not malaria and people go ahead to treat.

There are times people say they have malaria and they do have malaria, but it is always good when it is also confirmed with a laboratory diagnosis.

“In cases where you diagnose it under the microscope, it is important it is treated properly and being treated properly means the correct drug with the correct formulation, meaning it is not an adulterated drug, at the correct dose, for the correct duration.

“If you take the drug after one or two days and you think you feel better and you do not complete the medication, you have not treated properly.

“But remember that dealing with malaria alone is not just going after people who already have the disease, what about prevention, the use of mosquito nets, clearing bushes around, clearing drainage, if you look at most of the satellite towns , this is not really being implemented.

“If that is not done, then we just keep treating ourselves, if we have all these I believe we

will have better control of malaria. ‘’ The microbiologist stressed the need for government and relevant agencies to ensure that only certified laboratories and laboratory scientists were permitted to carry out malaria tests.

Princewell explained that it would take an experienced and patient person to use a microscope to diagnose malaria parasite properly.

He expressed hope that Nigeria would overcome the scourge of malaria and focus on preventing more serious diseases such as cancers.

Also speaking with

newsmen, Dr Dennis Shatima, Head Paediatrics Department, National Hospital, said that awareness, sustainability and political will were needed to end the scourge of malaria in the country.

According to Shatima, ‘’from my medical practice, six out of 10 children who come to the hospital for malaria treatment are confirmed to have malaria after tests have been carried out’’.

He advised the public to refrain from taking anti malaria drugs without a doctor’s prescription.

“Taking anti- malarial has its

suggested that government should embark on sensitisation of students on security, to ensure their protection.

The stakeholders told SUNDAY OBERVER in separate interviews in Lagos

that the adoption of such measures would curb attacks on school children by insurgents.

Chief Yomi Otubela, President of the Lagos Chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of

Educationists Urge Sensitisation Of Students On STAKEHOLDERS in the Private Schools, told newsmen government at the three tiers Security education sector has that sensitisation of students, to provide adequate security

Rape: Court Adjourns Trial To June 19 SENIOR Magistrate B.A. Sonuga of an Ikorodu, Lagos Magistrates’ Court has adjourned the case of rape brought against one Momoh Lawal, 35, to June 19.

Lawal, a trader, was charged with raping his neighbour’s cousin when the case was first heard on Nov.15 last year.

The Counsel to the defendant, Mr. Adebowale Aromolaran, pleaded with the court to strike out the case for lack of diligent prosecution

because the complainant had missed two adjourned dates.

“The court is not a dumping ground, the witnesses are not present in court, the court should strike out the case on account of liberty for the defendant.

“The inconsistency by the complainant is a tactics to keep the defendant in custody, justice is for both parties.

“Although, he was granted bail but we want trial so that we will know the truth,”

disadvantages more than the advantage, the major disadvantage if you are taking anti - malaria and you do not truly have malaria is that it creates the issue of drug resistance. “ The other issue with taking anti-malaria is even to take the complete dose.

“A lot of people once they feel better then they abandon the medication, that also creates an issue of drug resistance. “so, therefore, it is not advisable that any slight hotness of the body you must take anti-malarial and not to take even the complete dose, we realise that it causes a lot of issues for us in the clinical side of health care.’’

Aromolaran said.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Iyabo Johnson, told the court on November15, 2013 that Lawal unlawfully had canal knowledge of a 25-year-old woman without her consent.

“The complainant went to her uncle’s house to pack her belongings but Lawal who opened the gate for her while her uncle was away raped her.

“He overpowered her, forcefully took her into his apartment, raped her, poured petrol on her pant and burnt

it.

“The complainant shouted for help but there was no one around to come to her rescue,” she said.

The accused was subsequently granted bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum but had been in prison custody since the hearing.

The offence contravenes Section 259 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State.

parents and teachers on security was a step in the right direction.

“Since the insurgents have gone as low as attacking school children, which does not in any way help their cause, every school should take the issue of security seriously.

“They should be trained on self-defence, in cases of security attack and even robbery.”

He also urged the Federal Government to work toward the immediate release of the abducted school girls.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has said that adequate security should be put in place in schools, to avert a repeat of the Chibok incident.

The Chairman of the Lagos State Branch of the NUT, Mr. Segun Raheem, urged

in schools.

“Our youths of today are our tomorrow; if Nigeria wants to have a better tomorrow, it must take care of their tomorrow. The insurgents’ terror on our tomorrow we regret.

“Government should do everything possible to stop this gruesome act before it escalates because the insurgents are penetrating into the educational sector.

“Their act is threatening the children of school age in the north, who are willing to acquire western education from going further.

“My sincere plea is that trained security personnel should be deployed in schools to ensure adequate security for our children,’’ Raheem said.

NEWS Adesina Advocates Adoption Of Modern Technology In Agriculture

THE Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina has called for the application of modern technologies in agriculture for the benefit of farmers in Nigeria.

Adesina made the call at the weekend while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in Abuja.

He said the MoU would facilitate access to technologies for local farmers that would boost their returns from the farm.

According to him, science and technology is the solution

to the challenges facing the agriculture sector and the best means to tackle malnutrition among the populace.

He said there were some who misunderstood biotechnology and as such did not want its application in Nigeria.

“Science and technology holds the key that allows us to deal with complex challenges.

“What is important is to make sure that we have the appropriate regulations that allow us use and benefit from applying any kind of technology,’’ he said.

Adesina said AATF was ready to transfer various technologies that would address the effects of climate

change on the sector.

He expressed confidence that the bio-technology bill at the National Assembly would be signed into law by the president when passed.

The Minister appreciated AATF for the support and assured the organisation of the Ministry’s support in ensuring the implementation of the

MoU. Earlier, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Mrs Asabe Ahmed, expressed the ministry’s willingness to work with AATF toward ensuring food security and poverty reduction in Nigeria.

She said Nigeria would benefit as they were proven technologies that had made

positive impacts on the lives of farmers in many other African countries and had the potential to do same in Nigeria.

“We envisage that, with such technologies, we could increase our agricultural productivity significantly,’’ she said.

In his remarks, the Executive Director of AATF, Dr Denis Kytere, said the project would improve

environmental protection through reduction in the use of harmful cotton pesticides.

He said that it would enhance soil fertility and stability, improve knowledge and awareness on biotechnology.

Kytere said it would also increase capacity building; enhance business for seed companies and agro-dealers, improve seed delivery system and create market linkages.

Lagos Threatens To Shut 2,500 Hotels Over Non-Registration THE Lagos State Government has threatened to shut over 2,500 hotels and restaurants in the state over failure to register their facilities.

Mr. Disun Holloway, the Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations, made the threat at the 2014 Ministerial Press Briefing in Ikeja.

He said out of the over 3,000 hotels and restaurants operating in the state only 350 had fulfilled their registration requirements.

Holloway described the situation as unsavoury and unacceptable.

The commissioner said that officials of the ministry would soon be sent out to sanction defaulting hotels and restaurants.

“The law is very clear on this issue. It says hotels, restaurants and others must register.

“It has security implication to it. We need to know where the hotels are located, their number, the facilities available in each of the hotels and other important things.

“So far, only 300 hotels out of the 3000 we have identified have registered. We will soon begin to shut defaulting establishments.

The law must be complied with,’’ he said.

Holloway said that the government had commenced the grading and classification of hotels to reposition the hospitality sector and promote standards.

He said 50 hotels had so far been fully classified, while some others were still

undergoing the process of classification.

The commissioner also said that government initiated moves to partner the private sector to establish beach resorts.

He said that one of such, the Ilase Beach Resort, would soon become operational between Takwa Bay and Badagry to enhance the state’s tourism appeal.

“The beach resort will be on a parcel of land measuring 13.4 hectres and located in the Ilashe Peninsular near Badagry.

General Ibrahim Babangida, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshimhole and General Abudusalam Abubakar during the generals visit to Government House in Benin City.

Okpekpe Community Enlogises Gov Oshiomhole

By AUDU ADAMA At Cultural Day THE Fifth Edition of the Annual Okpekpe National Day Celebration has been held at Ogwa Gbig, Okpekpe in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The Annual Festival which was chaired by Hon. John Akpede Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor on Rural Development, featured, Traditional/Cultural extravaganza and lectures in which Speaker after Speaker commended the Edo State Governor,Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for allowing God to use him as a Messiah for Okpekpe people through massive road infrastructural development.

In a short speech, the Onwueweko of Okpekpe Kingdom, HRH [APA] Peter A. Osigbemeh, told the mammoth crowd at the gathering that the objective of the Annual Day

which he noted was primarily to revive the dying Okpekpe Culture was gradually being realized. He stressed that instead of imbibing the more useful Okpekpe cultural Norms and Traditions, their Youths dance disco, and converge under the trees plotting evil against themselves as well as the Community While giving a critical analysis and historical significance of the various cultural groups that featured at the ceremony, the clan head expressed joy that now that Okpekpe Community can easily be accessed more people are now ready to settle permanently and invest in his domain. Oba Osigbemeh however decried the dubious manner in which large plots of land have been illegally acquired by a few persons – a development which he noted has not only made plots of land inaccessible to many but also being sold to people at very exorbitant prices without

paying any Tax to the Government.

The Monarch also commended the Edo State Government for transforming his domain as well as those who continually graced the Annual Event saying those lapses experienced this year would be addressed before the next

festival.

Earlier, the Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor on Rural Development in his Address of Welcome appreciated those who had in one way or the other contributed to the Political, Cultural and Social growth of Okpekpe Clan. He particularly

Staff Verification Will Expose Ghost Workers THE Imo government at another chance.

Chairman the weekend threatened to “Any worker who fails to consider local government employees who failed to provide their credentials at the ongoing staff verification as ghost workers.

The Chairman of the state’s Local Government Service Commission, Dr Mathew Nwogu, made the threat in an interview with men in Owerri.

He said the essence of the exercise was to fish out ghost

workers and those due for retirement but still in the service.

He said the state government would give those who failed to show up at the commencement of the exercise an opportunity to tender their credentials.

“There are some people who failed to tender their credentials when we started.

The state government has resolved to give such people

NBA Wants LASG To Reduce LASU Tuition Fees

THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, has urged the state government to review the high tuition fees being paid by students of Lagos State University (LASU).

The Chairman of the association, Mr Onyekachi Ubani, made the call at a media briefing ahead of the branch’s 2014 Annual Law Week

holding from April 25 to May 2.

Reports state that the state government had in 2012 raised fees in the institution from N25, 000 to N198, 000 for students offering arts and social sciences, while medical students are being charged N350, 000 per session.

Ubani said the government should empathise with the

parents of the students considering the economic situation in the country.

“The Babatunde Fashola’s government must appreciate what parents are going through economically by reducing the fees,’’ he said.

On the ongoing national conference, the NBA chairman urged Nigerians to offer suggestions on how the process

thanked the State Governor for reconstructing the erstwhile Okpekpe/Imiegbai/Apana earth and hilly road as well as the River Obe narrow bridge which he noted, was a death trap for users. Hon. Akpede further commended the State Government for making the Okpekpe International Road Race an annual event which he noted has now placed Okpekpe Community on the Global map.

should be handled in the best interest of the nation.

He said: “We feel very strongly that the salvation of this great nation lies in a roundtable where some of the issues plaguing the nation will be honestly discussed and practical solutions proffered.

“Therefore, everyone in the country is urged to overlook all the deficiencies of the

conference and put up a strong position for its success.’’

Ubani, however, condemned the recent bombing of Nyanyan Motor Park in Abuja and the abduction of over 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno.

He called for a collaborative effort by stakeholders in tackling security challenges in the country.

utilise the second chance may have himself to blame,” he said.

Nwogu said the exercise would enhance productivity, adding: “This exercise will reawaken workers as it will help us place qualified persons in their rightful place and sack those without certificates.’’

He said the government had discovered more than 4,000 ghost workers in the 27 local government areas during similar exercise in 2010.

The chairman, however, said the government would not relent in its effort to sanitise the system and urged the workers to be serious in discharging their duties.

He said the state government had concluded plans to conduct a promotion exercise for the council workers.

WORLD NEWS Evacuate Only Threatened C/Africans As Last Resort - UN

THE international community must do more to protect threatened religious minorities in the conflictravaged Central African Republic, UN experts said at the weekend, insisting evacuation should only be a last resort.

“The dilemma to either stay and risk one’s life or be evacuated is enormous for religious minorities in the Central African Republic,” the UN human rights experts warned in a statement.

A cycle of sectarian violence that broke out in the chronically unstable African country last year has caused much of the minority Muslim population to flee their homes, with the capital almost entirely emptied of

Muslims.

The mostly Christian “antibalaka” militias have taken a merciless vengeance on the community after the Seleka, a mostly Muslim rebel group, temporarily seized power in a coup in March 2013.

Since then, thousands have been killed and nearly a million displaced, amid warnings that the country is on the brink of genocide.

The United Nations and other humanitarian actors have helped evacuate some Muslims from areas where they are particularly at risk, but that has proven controversial.

On Monday, Central Africa’s Reconciliation Minister Antoinette Montaigne criticised the evacuation missions as

French soldiers, part of the Sangaris operation, patrol near the mosque where Muslims are gathered in the PK12 neighbourhood in Bangui, Central African Republic recently.

giving a “de facto acceptance of the alleged division of our country”.

“Evacuations have to be decided on a case by case basis, with the full individual consent of the persons concerned,” Chaloka Beyani, the UN expert on the rights of displaced people displaced, said in Friday’s statement.

“It is important that everyone has the right to decide to stay or to evacuate with the guarantee of return in safety and dignity once conditions allow,” he added.

Rita Izsak, the UN’s minority rights expert, meanwhile described the situation in the country as “extreme”.

“Saving lives must be a paramount concern in view of the current levels of violence and displacement,” she said, stressing that “any evacuation should be essential and shortterm with a prospect of return to their homes.”

Whether people under threat stay put or opt to be evacuated, they must “be granted protection urgently, and fully consulted on what happens to them in the short, medium and long-term”, she said.

The experts urged the international community to do more to protect those at risk.

The former colonial power France and the African Union have together deployed more than 7,000 peacekeeping troops in the country.

The UN has decided to deploy 12,000 peacekeepers, but they are not set to arrive until September.

G-7 Nations Agree To More a conference call with European leaders to gauge their Sanctions On Russia convened commitment to additional The United States and other nations in the Group of Seven agreed at the weekend to “move swiftly” to impose additional economic sanctions on Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine.

In a joint statement released Friday night by the White House, the G-7 nations said they will act urgently to intensify “targeted sanctions.” The statement said the G-7 will also continue to prepare broader sanctions on key Russian economic sectors if Moscow takes more aggressive action.

The White House said U.S. sanctions could be levied as early as Monday.

The announcement came as top Ukrainians spoke of imminent invasion and Moscow said that pro-Russian separatists would not lay down their arms in eastern Ukraine until activists relinquish control over key sites in Kiev.

The G-7 nations said they were moving forward on the targeted sanctions now because of the urgency of securing plans for Ukraine to hold presidential elections next month.

The penalties are expected to target wealthy Russian individuals who are close to President Vladimir Putin, as well as entities they run. However, the U.S. will continue to hold off on targeting broad swaths of the Russian economy, though the president has said he is willing to take that step if Putin launches a military incursion in eastern Ukraine.

A senior Obama administration official said each

country in the G-7 would determine their own sanctions.

While the sanctions will be coordinated, they will not necessarily be identical, according to the official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and insisted on anonymity.

The White House released the G-7 statement hours after Obama

sanctions.

Tensions were heightened on the ground, with Russian fighter jets reported crossing into Ukrainian airspace and a team of unarmed foreign military observers detained by proRussian forces in Slovyansk, the heart of the separatist movement in the east.

Obama Warns N/Korea Against Nuclear Threat PRESIDENT Barack Obama warned North Korea yesterday that the United States “will not hesitate to use our military might” to defend allies, showcasing U.S. power in the region amid China’s growing influence and Pyongyang’s unpredictable nuclear threats.

Obama’s visit to Seoul comes as North Korea has threatened to conduct its fourth nuclear test, leading Obama to raise the possibility of further sanctions.

“The commitment that the United States of America has made to the security of the Republic of Korea only grows stronger in the face of aggression,” Obama said in a speech to some of the 28,000 American service members stationed in South Korea to keep watch on its northern neighbor.

“Our alliance does not waiver with each bout of their attention seeking. It just gains the support of the rest of the world.”

The website 38 North, which closely monitors North Korea, said commercial satellite imagery from Wednesday

showed increased movement of vehicles and materials near what are believed to be the entrances to two completed tunnels at Punggye-ri nuclear test site. The movements could be preparations for an underground atomic explosion, although predicting underground tests is notoriously difficult.

Obama ridiculed North Korea’s attempt to show force.

“Anybody can make threats,” he said. “Anyone can move an army. Anyone can show off a missile. That doesn’t make you strong.”

He said real strength comes from having an open participatory democracy, open markets and a society free to speak out against its government.

“We don’t use our military might to impose these things on others, but we will not hesitate to use our military might to defend our allies and our way of life,” Obama said to cheers from the uniformed troops who filled a field house at Yongsan Garrison, headquarters for U.S. forces in South Korea.

E. A. ADEBOYE On Sunday

Sufficient Grace MEMORISE: “And he said unto me, my grace disobey Him. Even is sufficient for thee: For my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me..”

2 Corinthians 12:9 Read: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Bible in one year: Malachi 1:1-4 Psalm 90:7-17

when the path before us is hard and rough, His sufficient grace will assist you if you remain totally surrendered and obedient to Him. Another aid to receiving the grace of THERE is nothing Paul’s experience is God is humility James God wants us to do for similar to that of Jesus 4:6). A humble person Him or to become that who also prayed three goes to God and is not possible through times to the Father in the expresses his His grace. His grace is Garden of Gethsemane, willingness to please sufficient for us. requesting that the cup Him while Whatever we encounter of sin and suffering acknowledging his or experience while should pass over Him. inability to do so. God serving the Lord, His Paul and Jesus prayed is moved by the grace is sufficient to see with a sense of humility of the humble us through. His grace submission to the will of because He knows He insulates us from any God. God did not grant alone is the source of pains, afflictions and either of their requests, everything we need to difficulties that we may but He supplied please Him on earth. go through so that we sufficient grace for them When He sees the are not destroyed by to go through what was humble heart in us them. This same grace before them. Jesus went crying for His guards our hearts in to the cross by Gods assistance, He gives times of pleasure, grace and Paul finished grace to help us in the abundance, joy and his race with the thorn in time of need. What you prosperity so that we are his flesh by the same need to do everything not carried away. Paul grace. the Lord wants you to desired that God would Submission to the will do is His grace. We remove the thorn in his of God is the secret to should therefore go to flesh. He specifically receiving and enjoying the throne of grace to prayed on the matter more grace from God obtain grace for the help three times but the Lord because His grace is we need. We should be told him that He would only made available for humble to tell God we not remove the thorn in us to do His will. God cannot do anything his flesh. Instead, He will not give you grace without His grace and supplied sufficient to do your own will; be bold to ask for it. grace for Paul to carry neither will He impart There is no alternative on as though the his ability unto you to source where help may affliction did not exist. be obtained to please God. Jesus obtained grace to die on the Those who ran this race successfully relied on no other cross; Paul received thing but God’s grace grace to be killed for the gospel; you too can “Submission to the will of God is the secret receive grace to to your accomp lish receiving and enjoying more grace from God because assignment.

KEY POINT

His grace is only made available for us to do His will. God will not give you grace to do your own will; neither will He impart his ability unto you to disobey Him. Even when the path before us is hard and rough, His sufficient grace will assist you if you remain totally surrendered and obedient to Him.”

Cow And Bull Get Married In Lavish Indian Wedding Ceremony A cow and a bull have been married off in a lavish Indian wedding – costing £10,000.

More than 5,000 villagers turned up to watch sacred cow Ganga and Prakash get hitched

during the 1 million rupee Hindu ceremony held near Indore in Madya Pradesh.

Man Fakes Own Kidnapping, Mum Refuse To Pay Ransom A man accused of staging his own kidnapping failed to quickly make cash when his mother wasn’t willing to pay his ransom.

Zachery Logsdon, 25, of Knoxville, Tenn., allegedly sent his mother text messages on April 18 claiming his drug dealer was going to kill him if he didn’t pay $200.

Logsdon’s mother repeatedly

asked if he was telling the truth because, she told police,he had tried this scam before in order to get drug money.

This time around, she called 911. With her help, investigators set up a meeting to drop off the money. When Logsdon came to get the cash, he saw investigators and ran, according to newsmen.

After a short chase, Logsdon

Man Breaks Into Civil Rights Museum, Then Falls Asleep A Tennessee man looking for a place to sleep found a bed at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, where the Rev. Martin Luther King was shot and killed in 1968.

But the motel is now part of the National Civil Rights Museum, and Dexter Anderson, 33, was arrested as he slept in room 308 after a security officer called police to report a break in.

Rooms 306 and 308 of the

Lorraine Motel were booked by King’s group at the time of his assassination, and have since been preserved behind glass as permanent exhibits in the museum, which traces the movement from slavery through the late 20th century.

Anderson, of Memphis, was charged with vandalism and criminal trespass, Memphis police Sergeant Alyssa MaconMoore said.

was taken into custody and charged with filing a false report and resisting arrest.

He is being held at the Knox County Jail in lieu of $3,500, or $3,300 more than the amount he allegedly asked for his fake ransom.

Knoxville Police Officer Darrell DeBusk told the newsmen, he was unsure why the suspect chose $200 as the ransom amount.

“That was just the amount he used. Why he used that amount, we don’t know,” he said.

CHANGE OF NAME IGHARO – I formerly Miss Igharo Itohan Shonel now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Edigin Itohan Shonel. All former documents remain valid.

General public and all concerned authorities should please take note.

A Child Set Free After Annoying His Kidnapper A child was saved from abduction after annoying his kidnapper with a gospel song so

much he was let go.

Youngster Willie Myrick was snatched outside his house in

Atlanta, Georgia and bundled into a car for three hours.

He had apparently been enticed to the vehicle with the promise of cash, before being taken by a man who is now the subject of police investigations.

But his ordeal was cut short because he refused to stop singing a popular gospel song.

Willie sang Every Praise over and over, annoying the driver of the car to such a degree he was forced to let him go.

Lyrics to the song include “Sing hallelujah to our God, Glory hallelujah is due our God, every praise every praise is to our God.” The 10-year-old told reporters: “He opened the door and threw me out – he told me not to tell anyone.”

The nuptials were organised

by Ganga’s guardian, Gopal Patwari, to save the region’s harvest from a ‘natural disaster’.

He said:: “Natural calamities like hailstorms and heavy rain occurred in nearby areas, destroying their crops.

“To prevent this from happening to our villages we organised this wedding on the advice of Sadhus and holy men.

“We have been told this will maintain peace in our village.”

The wedding took two months to organise and invitations were sent to 10,000 residents of three closely connected villages, encouraging them to donate what they could spare.

Most are farmers growing wheat, barley, beans and cotton and so heavily depend on a good harvest to survive.

CowGanga, who is considered sacred in the Hindu religion, arrived early dressed in a red custom-made bridal saree, jewels, dyes and a garland.

The bull Prakash arrived in a decorated bugee and draped in a multicoloured sherwani and orange turban.

The ceremony started with Mr. Patwari giving Ganga away before a Sadhu performed all the traditional rituals.

This included Haldi, Ganesh Pooja, Mandap and Fera – where the couple are led around a sacred fire to affirm the marriage.

Mr. Patwari looked overjoyed as they were finally announced a couple, sparking hours of feasting and dancing to a DJ. He said: “I am happy. People around me are happy. Everyone is happy.”

Odd News Compiled By Loveth Ekemogie

Woman Bites Off Dog’s Ear To Save Daughter A dog in Texas was no match for a mom who used her teeth and fists to save her 2-year-old daughter.

Scars on little Mackenzi Plass’ face tell the story of a vicious attack. Last month she was with her mom, Chelsi Camp, who was dog sitting a friend’s pit bull when the animal snapped after smelling her.

The dog bit the 2-yearold’s face and arms.

While her little girl was bleeding on the floor, Chelsi’s own animal instinct kicked in. She shoved her fists in the dog’s mouth and

bit off a chunk of its ear.

“You do whatever you can,” she said. “I don’t have physical strength at my side.

How else do you get somebody to stop? I mean, I would do the same thing with a human being.”

Chelsi can now use her hands again. She says the hardest part of the injury was not being able to hold her daughter.

Little Mackenzi has to stay out of sunlight while she recovers. But the little girl is expected to be just fine.

The dog was euthanized.

Rabbits Have Sex On Studio Desk In Live Easter Broadcast TV viewers were left in hysterics after two rabbits had sex with each other during a live Easter special news broadcast.

Both pets, who had been brought onto the set of WBIR-TV in Tennessee, US, started mating on the desk in

front of the show’s cameras.

What follows is a stunned reaction from news anchors Moira Kaye, Russell Biven and Bob Becker.

Russell said: “Oh wait a second, we can’t do that up here – they can be up here but you gotta stop that!”

The rabbits were on the screen for several seconds before frenzied producers cut to another story.

When the studio shot resumed Russell jokingly added: “We will announce the name of the third rabbit in nine months.”

Criminal Checks In At Police Station To See If Corps Are After Him GERMAN sought by authorities for alleged fraud has been arrested in Austria — after dropping

into a police station to ask officers whether he was under investigation.

Police in Salzburg said

the 59-year-old man walked into a police station in the city recently night.

Spokesman Anton Schentz told the newsmen recently that he just wanted to check that they had “nothing on him.”

Officers checked their records and found a recent arrest warrant from a Vienna court on four counts of fraud and embezzlement. Police say the man, whose name wasn’t released, was taken to a Salzburg prison.

THE Nigeria Social Insurance Trust fund (NSITF) is redefining social security scheme in Nigeria.

Since the ratification of the Employee Compensation Act, the agency is seriously working on a social protection scheme that is adaptable to Nigeria. As conveyed by Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme, the board chairman of NSITF, “the social protection scheme will deliver a social system that can be compared to those of developed countries, it shall be accountable, it shall thrive with the principles of due process” the board chairman said.

When the Employees Compensation Act, ECA, was passed into law in 2011, it signalled an era in the history of Nigeria, where workers in both private and public sector can feel a sense of protection when unexpected incidences or accidents occur in the course of work. The bill also empowered NSITF with the mandate to design an adaptable social security system in Nigeria for the elderly and the unemployed.

Before now, workers have been at the receiving end of employer’s insensitivity; ranging from lack of adequate recompense for value addition to loss of limbs and lives in the workplace or in course of employment activities and these discomforts were mostly attended to with little or no compensation from the employers.

This injustice triumphed then, not now when the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has been given the mandate to provide social protection for the Nigeria workforce whether in private or public sector.

To correct this anomaly, NSITF, was established with a clear mandate to be proactive in providing social security protection and safety nets for all Nigerians against deprivations and income

insecurity in accordance to international best practice.

Today one of the core mandate of the NSITF is to implement the Employee Compensation Scheme ( ECS.) This scheme has empowered NSITF with the

grounded and knowledgeable as the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund. NSITF is the most appropriate agency of government that should serve as the coordinating agency for all social protection

The scheme is funded through the contribution of 1% of employers pay roll to be paid on behalf of their employees. Employees are prohibited from paying contributions from their salaries to the scheme.” said the board chairman. With the

Issues The beauty and uniqueness of the NSITF from other social insurance scheme is that most social insurance schemes are funded through tripartite arrangement. Under

Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme believe that with the scheme in full force, Nigerian workers will be happy and families more intact.

Immediate past President of

the ECS, it is not so. It is to be funded through employers’ contributions as purely social responsibility.

Government is only contributing as an employer of labour, no contribution is expected from the employees. This has never happen before in Nigeria, but

the Trade Union Congress, Peter Esele, expressed enthusiasm about the ECA, and praised the contribution of the board chairman and all those who made the scheme operational. “ I want to commend the effort of Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme for her passionate leadership of the board of NSITF. It takes someone with such passion and compassion to lead a compact board room.” Esele said. Esele, a former labour union leader should know better, he explained that Olejeme is a tireless worker, working very late into the night and driving all the board members on excellence, she has constantly supported various staff training, mentoring and other induction section in order to achieve maximum human development to enhance performance in dealing with the new functions of the agency.

As part of the process of institutionalizing the agency there are ongoing plan to develop anti-corruption and ethics programmes for NSITF staff at all levels to ensure efficiency and effectiveness both in the performance of duty and in service delivery.

The recent recruitment drive by the NSITF under the ministry of labour and productivity has set a high standard in the employment process in Nigeria, routed upon the guildline of the public service rule. As a government agency NSITF adopts due process through advertisement, applications, shortlisting and interview.

Recently, certificate of compliance was given to the NSITF by the appropriate federal character commission for its due deligence and compliance to recruitment standards. The painstaking process involved was to enable the scheme achieve the aim of the employment which is the filling of areas of need for the delivery of the objective of the scheme.

Olejeme And The Challenges Of Social Security In Nigeria

responsibility of taking care of all issues relating to workplace injuries, accident, and all other work place hazard and even death. The ECA is binding on all private and public corporation with minimum workforce of 50 in Nigeria. The employee is to contribute 1% of the workers annual income to the scheme to qualify and secure their workers incase of any work hazard or epidemic. The primary focus of the scheme is to ensure enrolment of all workers in the Nation both at the Federal, State, local government, organized private sector and even sole traders. Milestone has been achieved in ensuring that all workers at the federal and various states are enrolled as part of the scheme. So many state Governors have been visited by Dr. Ngozi Olejeme and her management team, to advance the need for workers to be protected across the country and to help the various state domesticate the law and ensure its workability. With this feat achieved, Nigeria, now joins other nation of the world to boast of effective and efficient social security for its workforce.

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) which has been in the business of social security for over 50 years has been providing social security services in Nigeria.

This explains the fact that no organization is well

By BENJAMIN ATU

efforts of government. “The Employees Compensation Scheme is on course with most employers remitting one percent (1%) of the workers salary to the pool as spelt out in the NSITF Act. No worker salary is

signing of the ECA, NSITF is no longer a pension management agency, its scope and mandate now qualifies it as compensation management agency.

“President Goodluck Ebelle Jonathan is passionate about Nigerian workers and

Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme, Board Chairman NSIF deducted. Workers will contribute nothing but employers will remit 1% of total sum of workers salary.

so has expressed this with his relentless support for the implementation of this scheme” Olejeme said.

today the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has made it possible with the ECA in force.

“Today one of the core mandate of the NSITF is to implement the Employee Compensation Scheme ( ECS.) This scheme has empowered NSITF with the responsibility of taking care of all issues relating to workplace injuries, accident, and all other work place hazard and even death. The ECA is binding on all private and public corporation with minimum workforce of 50 in Nigeria. The employee is to contribute 1% of the workers annual income to the scheme to qualify and secure their workers incase of any work hazard or epidemic.”

JUST before I picked my pen to drop a piece about the recent blast in Abuja, I was greeted with the news about the 100 or 200 school girls abducted in a village in Borno State.

It’s quite unfortunate that Nigeria’s situation has gotten to a crescendo

of attacks is most unexpected and unpredictable because government appeared to have taken vital security measures around the Federal Capital Territory to avert any form of invasion. The explosion that rocked the densely populated Nyanya motor

both private workers and public servants in Abuja.

Bereaved families are still moaning loudly as innocent promising lives of loved ones have been cut short by terrorists.

The rate at which innocent Nigerians die as a result of bomb blasts by alleged members of the

impregnable nature of Abuja city due to the level of security presence in and around the Federal Capital Territory. And barely 24 hours after the Nyanya bomb blast, pandemonium broke out at the premises of the National Assembly as

Viewpoint miles in subjugating the fact that, there is need for intensive security consciousness.

For some time now, the federal capital has been relatively peaceful.

As a matter of fact, the last of any form of

checkmate any form of attack in and around the seat of power. During this period, an attempted jailbreak by suspected Boko Haram insurgents was foiled at the Department of State Security headquarters.

Nyanya Bomb Blast: Clarion Call To

level where virtually all aspects of life are calling for urgent attention.

Nonetheless, the issue of insecurity is the most important as you can only seek employment, good roads, electricity and other basic amenities of life, only if you are alive and well. In this vein, my heart goes out to all the victims of the insurgency and their families and I pray that God should bring an end to these inhuman activities.

Although the average Nigerian believe that activities of insurgents are restricted to the north east of the country, the reality is that virtually every part of the country is not safe. It is no more news that, north western states like Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina have not been spared of the maiming that has become the talk of the day in the nation.

This is not forgetting the rampaging marauders in North central states like Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states. This is a simple sign that insurgency is going viral and needs drastic action.

The latest development in the spate

Safety Consciousness

By MOSHOOD ISAH

park left dozens dead and scores critically injured.

A palpable level of frenzy, anxiety and hysteria enveloped the nation’s capital city as business activities were immediately brought to a halt. Fear of what would happen next and where, became the immediate issue of discourse among

Islamic sect, Boko Haram, has become a source of concern to many Nigerians.

This should be a major source of concern to residents of the nation’s capital and the country at large. This is so, despite the seeming believe about the

staff hurriedly abandoned their dutyposts as early as 1.30p.m following rumors of a bomb planted somewhere within the premises. Expectedly, everyone had fled for their lives within a twinkle of an eye. This goes more than many

insurgent activity happened towards the end of 2011 when there was an improvised explosive device explosion at the Mogadishu Barracks (formerly Sani Abacha Barracks). Afterwards, security agents have been on their toes to

The Nyanya attack serves as a clarion call to Federal Government in concomitance with all the security agencies that there is much to be done to safeguard the citizens of this nation within the FCT and other areas affected by terrorism. We sure never can tell where the next attack would come from, if the nation’s capital is not really safe.

Commentators have suggested that there is an urgent need for security agencies to step up their act and involve the use of intelligence in the fight against these terrorists, since a stitch in time saves nine.

Finally, there is need for critical safety measures in densely populated areas like popular markets, motor parks and other public places.

Everybody should always remain alert and security conscious. Security agents can only identify and track flashpoints. It is the responsibility of citizens to be conscious of strange movements and wary of inane objects for security and safety purposes.

“The Nyanya attack serves as a clarion call to Federal Government in concomitance with all the security agencies that there is much to be done to safeguard the citizens of this nation within the FCT and other areas affected by terrorism. We sure never can tell where the next attack would come from, if the nation’s capital is not really safe.”

Development

Confab: Sub-Committees

Start Submission Of Reports

By JOSES SEDE

SOME of the 20 Standing Committees set up by the leadership of the National Conference holding in Abuja to deliberate on specific critical national issues and make recommendations have started collating reports of their sub-committees for final submission to the Conference in plenary.

The Committee on National Security headed by former Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Gambo Adamu Jimeta, spent hours in closed session deliberating a report submitted by Senator Bello Maitama Yusuf of the Sub-Committee on National Security.

Jimeta told journalists at the end of the close session that already, the report held a lot of promise as a good policy document on national security.

Deputy Chairman of the Committee and former Director General of the defunct Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO), Chief Albert Horsfall, described the report as a preliminary document that would enable the Committee come up with a blue-print which would in turn enable the security forces to perform better than they have done in the past.

He expressed confidence that the report if adopted, would guide the operational commanders in carrying out their assignment successfully.

Horsfall went down memory lane on critical security challenges and linked them up with the existing security practice and architecture; he pointed out that what is available today can be restructured to meet today’s present challenges.

He cited situations that brought about security changes all over the world; and using the September 9, 2011 attack on the United States as an instance, said that attack changed the structure and approach to national security worldwide.

The former DG stressed that security failure in Nigeria was as a result of improper coordination among the various security agencies; explaining that security issues arising from the local government, the state and the federal levels have not been properly coordinated among the security agencies.

He pointed out that unlike the envisaged chain of operation, everybody seems to be taking decisions without relating to the next level but that if properly handled, the flow of the chain could solve the community policing issue being discussed by the Committee.

It was learnt that serious recommendations aimed at strategically dealing with the country’s security problems were put forward by the Sub-

Committee but such details and the position of the larger Committee after a closed session were not disclosed to the public.

However, highlights of the Sub-Committee recommendations touched on the need to set up a National Guard Force that should be responsible for border protection, internal conflict and special operations.

The Sub-Committee also recommended creation of the Ministry of Homeland Security Services to replace the existing Ministry of Police Services.

One recommendation that would lead to further debate was that of the serious need for community policing.

Some members believe if accepted, it would pave the way for creation of state police.

It also recommended welfare and disciplinary commission which it said should be created to handle issues of motivation and discipline among personnel of security agencies.

A chain-link form of security operations from bottom to top and vice versa

was recommended to enable everyone in a position to know to have access to required information that would ensure effective performance of security functions.

Bello was confident that if what they submitted would be accepted by the Committee and the Conference in plenary and eventually implemented by government, it would solve 90% of the security problems in Nigeria.

The Committee on National Security has 24 members and boasts of not less than 11 retired military personnel, nine of them retired generals; and three retired top police officers.

Some of them are retired Generals Zamani Lekwot; Alani Akinrinade; Muhammed Dan-Ali; Geofrey Ejiga; D. O. Idada Ikponmwen; Alex Mshelbwala; Paul Omu; Jeremiah Useni; Tony Nyiam; Joe Orji and Canice Ohadomere.

Besides the former IG, other retired police officers serving in the committee are retired Assistant Inspector

General of Police, Bashir Albasu and the retired Commissioner of Police, Samuel Adetuyi.

The remaining ten members are former members of the National Assembly, former ministers, accomplished lawyers, former top security officers, among others.

The Committee on Political restructuring, after extensive deliberations, agreed that Nigeria shall retain a Federal system of government. They agreed that the core elements of the Federation shall be as follows: 1. There shall be a central government with States as the federating units 2.

That Local Governments shall no longer be third tier of the Federation 3. That States that wish to, may create Local Governments, which shall be under the jurisdiction of the States 4.

That the number, structure and form of Local Government shall be determined by the States 5.

That any group of States may create a selffunding Zonal Commission to promote economic development, good governance equity, peace and security in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria 6. That without prejudice to States constituting the federating units, States that wish to merge may do so in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Provided that: (a). A majority of twothirds of all members in each of the Houses of Assembly of each of the States, in which such merger is proposed, support by resolution, the merger, and (b). A referendum is conducted in each of the States proposing to merge with 75% of the eligible voters in each of those States approving of the merger, and each House of the National Assembly, by Resolution passed by a simple majority of membership of each of the Houses, approve of the

“The Committee on Agriculture during deliberations noted that subsidy policies were being muddled up thus making it difficult to implement.

They also noted duplication of functions between the Federal and State Governments with more burden on the Federal Government while the states lack the ability to implement the policies.”

merger.

The Committee is cochaired by General Ike Nwachukwu and Honourable Mohammed Umara Kumalia.

In a Memorandum presented to the Committee on Law, judiciary and Human Rights and Legal reforms, Mr Femi Falana recalled that Sharia and Customary courts were not in the 1963 Constitution.

He suggested that the courts be removed from the Constitution and should be legislated by State Governments.

In reaction, a member referred to Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution and observed that the courts were listed as Courts of Record.

He added that if Nigeria will allow full implementation of true Federalism, the Federating Units would eventually take over legislations on issues relating to Sharia and Customary Courts.

However, after extensive deliberations, it was unanimously resolved that the status quo should remain.

The Committee on Agriculture during deliberations noted that subsidy policies were being muddled up thus making it difficult to implement.

They also noted duplication of functions between the Federal and State Governments with more burden on the Federal Government while the states lack the ability to implement the policies.

On the issue of mechanised agriculture, some of the thematic issues raised include lack of trained manpower and mismanagement of funds voted for agriculture by government agencies.

It was observed that land acquisition being solely vested in government may be dangerous as it raises issues of victimization and political witch-hunt.

It also observed that cultural anomalies poses threat to land acquisition including some traditional systems in the south eastern part of Nigeria which do not allow women to inherit land.

The Committee again observed that biotechnology has a lot of protocol, the level of manipulation can do a lot of harm if not properly monitored.

A question was posed: to what extent is Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) acceptable? It noted in their discussion and note that the issue of cattle rustling is a major problem facing cattle breeding.

It was noted that this also has serious security implications which need to be urgently tackled locally and within the sub region.

“The Government on their part, whether Federal, State or Local must set machinery in motion to fish out the sponsors and the children of belial who have sold their hearts to the devil to commit evil. The scripture says, the violent taketh it by force”. Government on all levels must set aside sentiments, to deal with the hydra-headed monster called Boko Haram insurgence .”

aked Truth

N

With

CITIZEN EMMA OKHAKHU pit of hell. They and their generations are cursed. The immortal spirit of the innocent slaughtered in the bomb blast will continue to hunt the perpetrators all the days of their life.

Again, it is a clarion call

What Is Your View On The Nyanya Bomb Blast And The Way Forward?

NYANYA BOMB IS ANOTHER EYE OPENER - Comrade Pius Ede ACCORDING to Thomas Jefferson, “The care of human life and happiness and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate objective of good government.

Leaders should have unquenchable love and passion for human lives as exhibited in this case by some federal legislators and women in the on-going national confab Abuja.

Nyanya bomb is another eye opener. Government should beef up security in public places. The country is spending so much on security yet we now count everyday we survive as a bonus, security-wise.

BOMB BLAST HAS FURTHER EXPOSED THE LAPSES IN OUR SECURITY APPARATUS - Obanor Friday THE bomb blast has further exposed the lapses in our security apparatus in the country. This also goes to show that the president, Goodluck Jonathan is not really in firm control of the Armed forces even though he is the C-in-C. To me, Jonathan should put every other thing concerning 2015 General Elections where he will be vying for his second tenure in office aside to concentrate on the security situation in the country.

President’s Goodluck Jonathan further made mess of the entire situation when after the Monday Nyanya bomb

blast went to Kano for campaign and in that event instead of him to address issues concerning what his party is capable of doing if re-elected, went pouring venom on the Governor of Kano State, what a shame of a nation.

THE ACT IS BABARIC AND MAN’S INHUMAN TREATMENT TO MAN - Osaretin Okhomina THE April 14, 2014 bomb blast in Nyanya a suburb of Abuja, brings to mind the September 11, 2001 bombing of the two tallest buildings in the world-killing over three

thousand people. I condemn in totality the senseless killings of defenceless citizens of this country. The act is babaric and man’s inhuman treatment to man. The perpetrators will not go unpunished, Prov 11: 21, Isaiah 57:21 on the way forward, all hands must be on deck to put an end to this unending carnage. The Government on their part, whether Federal, State or Local must set machinery in motion to fish out the sponsors and the children of belial who have sold their hearts to the devil to commit evil. The scripture

says, the violent taketh it by force”. Government on all levels must set aside sentiments, to deal with the hydra-headed monster called Boko Haram insurgence. God bless Nigeria.

THE FEDERAL G O V E R N M E N T SHOULD SEEK THE HELP OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY - Jones Badejo IT is callous barbaric and completely disheartening.

The perpetrators of this heinous crime are not humans but beasts from the

for the security agencies in this country to wake up to their responsibilities. The Federal Government should seek the help of the international community, particularly the US Govt. and Great Britain Enough is enough.

WE DON’T KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING - Ifada Oria Gabriel IT is disheartening it was like a dream on Monday 14th morning to Nigerians.

According to NEMA about hundreds of lives were wasted and many were injured. The activities of Boko Haram in the country

is becoming more serious.

All the security agencies should check the activities of Boko Haram. One thing I want to advice Nigerians, should be more security cautious that will help to curb the insecurity in the country. We don’t know where we are going I pray God should accept the souls of those who lost their lives on the Nyanyan bomb blast.

A PLOT TO RUIN P R E S I D E N T G O O D L U C K J O N A T H A N ’ S POLITICAL CAREER - Faith Isikhuemen THE Nyanya bomb blast of April 14 could only be described as gruesome. It is the height of man’s inhumanity to man.

The entire terrorist attacks in the nation is a plot to ruin President Goodluck Jonathan’s political career.

The terrorist are poised to incite the entire nation into fighting and dishonouring the president as well as disencouraging him from venturing into elections come 2015.

The solution? Yes, everyone blames Mr. President for his interest in running the next presidential race to the detriment of the lives of the citizens and expect him alone to solve it. But this is not an individual fight, but a collective one.

We must continue to pray for the oneness of the nation.

I therefore urge the President to form an alliance between the Armed Forces and the Navy within and outside the country so as it fight this ‘small group’ called the Boko Haram Sect.

We should all support Mr. President all the way to 2015 elections and beyond, so as not to leave the presidential seat vacant for selfish persons that would make Nigeria an unbearable nation to live in the future.

WITHOUT a doubt, the increasing level of insecurity in Nigeria today did not start in one day. It started as a result of accumulated years of ‘bad decisions’ made by past and present political leaders in various government circles.

In other words, we are where we are today because of every decisions/ indecisions and actions/ inactions of our past and present leaders in different strata of government.

In as much as we agree with the fact that Nigerians are made to be in a ‘mourning mood’ every now and then as a result of the insecurity concerns arising from the Boko Haram sect that has become a thorn in the flesh of the government and security operatives, however, there are other security concerns like kidnapping; that has spread like a wild fire across the polity, which seriously needs to be given adequate attention as well by the government at all levels and security operatives.

Kidnapping, the taking away of a person against the person’s will, usually for ransom or in furtherance of another crime, is becoming everyone’s nightmare in our dear country.

When the issue of kidnapping started gaining grounds in the creeks of the Niger Delta region some years ago during the much reported ‘resource control’ and the development of the Niger Delta region struggle by militants, nobody thought this aspect of crime would become a nightmare today. Gradually but steadily kidnapping has become a ‘lucrative business’ for many of Nigeria’s jobless youths in the South East, South West and different parts of the country. Initially, it was the kidnap of expatriates that was predominant in the South. But today, the situation has gotten so bad that “nobody is safe”. Even serving government officials are not spared in the kidnapping menace, as their family members,

relatives and friends have become worthy ‘targets’ for kidnappers.

The sad truth is that armed robbers and other criminals are fast abandoning their trades for the more lucrative business of kidnapping. And behind the abduction gangs springing up across the country are young, smart and intelligent university

6th position. But Nigeria has since 2007 moved up to the third position, behind Mexico and Columbia.

Recent abductions and kidnappings with the whopping amounts of money raked in as ransom by the hoodlums are pointers to the new crime wave. Members of the gang of hoodlums which

Kidnapping: graduates who are being lured into crime by growing unemployment rate. A report by ASI Global Response on kidnapping shows that the victims are mainly business men and women, politicians or their family members. Also, at a summit held in Lagos last year, the Regional Vice President, Africa, American

Society for Industrial Security, Mr. Dennis Amachree, disclosed that of the top 10 countries with high kidnapping records in 2007, Nigeria occupied the

hours before they released their victim.

A kidnap victim, Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, whose family, allegedly, paid N15 million before he was released, said his return was miraculous. He said God made his captors to change their minds despite

Perspective country has not provided jobs for them and the same country that has rendered them unemployable spend billions of naira everyday on wasteful projects. They graduated about six years ago with no employment and they have to do this,

Clark. The Delta State government has already stated that such allegations

by MEND were false and a blackmail. In states like Imo, kidnappers are on the prowl in abducting children. In fact, within a record time of two weeks, no fewer than

An Increasing Security

By ZIK GBEMRE, JP

abducted former Minister of Petroleum and elder statesman, Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, some time ago, were said to have apologized profusely to the old man as they

their initial plan to kill him.

According to Bamigbetan, the kidnappers claimed that they were graduates and that they did not like what they were doing but had to do it due to lack of jobs. “One claimed to be an engineering

take the risk. They have to take part of the national cake.”

Delta State is one state that has witnessed a significant increase in kidnap cases in recent times. One time it was the mother of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was

dragged him into their car, insisting they are merely driven by the need for money. They were said to have been paid a whopping N50 million within just 72

graduate, another claimed to be a human resources management graduate, while another said he was already in final year in an American university when his father ’s shopping complex was demolished and he had to be recalled home. “One of them also said he was a commercial motorcyclist but his source of income had been outlawed by the state government. They were generally bitter about youth unemployment and I had to engage them on my various activities as a crusader for youth employment,” Bamigbetan was quoted as saying. “They said they were graduates and this

kidnapped and later rescued by security operatives. But more recently, it was Mr. Ebikeme Clark, son of elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark that was kidnapped and later got released.

Though, it was widely reported that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N60million to secure the release of the elder statesman’s son, but the police claims that no money was paid. There were also reports being spread by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which claimed that N500million was paid by the Delta State government to secure the release of Mr. Ebikeme

“Gradually but steadily kidnapping has become a ‘lucrative business’ for many of Nigeria’s jobless youths in the South East, South West and different parts of the country. Initially, it was the kidnap of expatriates that was predominant in the South. But today, the situation has gotten so bad that “nobody is safe”. Even serving government officials are not spared in the kidnapping menace, as their family members, relatives and friends have become worthy ‘targets’ for kidnappers.”

three reported cases of child stealing have been established, making scores of nursing mothers in different locations in the state to go hiding and guarding their babies jealously.

These are just few cases; even our dear President Goodluck Jonathan’s uncle, Nengite Nitabai, was not spared in the hands of kidnappers. Though, the 70year-old uncle to President Goodluck Jonathan was also rescued by security operatives, the fact we are trying to pin point here is that ‘no one is safe anymore’ from the clutches of the kidnap menace that has enveloped every part of the polity. It is also funny that, even with the regular arrests of kidnappers by security operatives (like was reported on the cases above), the kidnap menace in the country seems not abate but has rather been on the increase. Let us also bear in mind that the above few cases stated only made newspaper headlines because of the personalities in government circles that were affected. What about the other many cases of kidnap in different parts of the country that never made headlines or even noticed by security operatives? What about the so many other kidnap cases that were never reported to the security operatives simply because kidnappers are fond of threatening the families of their victim not to involve the police? Most times, in such cases; families quietly pay demanded ransoms to secure the release of their love ones without anyone even noticing.

That is how bad and saliently-threatening the kidnap menace is to the sanctity and security of our Nigerian society. Unlike armed robbery where criminals terrorize their victims and carts away their belongings (especially in cases that are not fatal);

leaving them in peace thereafter, kidnapping on the other hand is one subtle yet deadlier crime that is emotionally, psychologically and financially draining to both the victims of kidnap and their family members.

The torture the kidnap victims are usually subjected to; the hours, days, weeks and even months of waiting, panicking, trembling and in

2003 and 2007. A ‘failed state’ is often used to designate a state, which has become incapable of fulfilling the basic functions of a sovereign government.

These functions include physical control of its territory, provision of security of life and property for its citizens, the monopoly of the use of legitimate physical force and ability to

the country’s development trajectory and even the quality of governance.

Following from the above, while Nigeria is not yet a ‘failed state’, it could arguably qualify as a ‘failing state’. This in essence means that while addressing the problems of unemployment and inefficient and corrupt security operatives could be

There is a need to restructure the Nigerian state to enthrone true federalism, including true fiscal federalism. Classically, federalism is regarded as a system of government in which the centre and the federating units are each, within a sphere, co-ordinate and equal. A true federalism cannot work in Nigeria under the present condition where

Perspective including what such people do.

Two, the cost and efficiency gains from the consolidation of the present 36 state-structure could be channelled towards improved provision of public services and better quality of governance. A computerised

Threat That Needs More Attention fear the family members are made to go through, is something that separates kidnapping as a crime in a different class that strongly needs to be addressed headlong. We have heard of cases of released kidnap victims who later died from complications they were exposed to in the traumatic experience. In as much as we wholeheartedly condemn all forms of criminal activities in our society, kidnapping is one hellish-experience we would not want anyone or any family to go through.

And no government that genuinely cares for its citizenry would sit down and fold its hands and allow this menace called ‘kidnapping’ to daily make its people to live in perpetual fear and panic.

According to the General Overseer of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM), Pastor Williams Kumuyi, he hits the nail on the head by identifying high rate of unemployment, large population concentration especially in urban centers and lack of necessary amenities as factors responsible for the high level of criminality in Nigeria. In a similar note, a public affairs analyst, Jideofor Adibe, reiterated that the common tendency is to blame the pervasive wave of kidnapping outside the Niger Delta exclusively on the unacceptable rate of unemployment in the country, an inefficient and corrupt police force that is ill-equipped to fight crime, and collusion between kidnappers and politicians.

These factors however appear to be mere symptoms of a larger malaise, namely that pervasive kidnapping, is one of the major symptoms of both ‘failed’ and ‘failing’ states.

Most of the countries where kidnapping have been pervasive have been either failed or failing states – Baghdad after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Columbia from the 1970s until about 2001, and Mexico between

provide reasonable public services or to interact with other states as a full member of the international community.

A “failing state” on the other hand denotes a state in transition to a failed state.

Here while the state remains nominally a sovereign and fulfils a modicum of the functions of a sovereign government, the central government has become so weak and ineffective that it has little practical control over much of its territory, leading to an upsurge in pervasive insecurity such as kidnapping, organized assassinations and robberies.

A failing state is also characterized by a weakened ability to provide basic public services and widespread corruption as people think of themselves first, following the failure of the state to perform its traditional functions. Most of the countries in the developing world involved in civil wars or protracted internal conflicts could qualify as ‘failing states’.

There is no doubt that Nigeria is today one of the major kidnapping capitals of the world. This has obvious implications for investments,

good palliative measures in combating kidnapping, any lasting solution to the menace will inevitably have to address the key question of the nature of the Nigerian state, including why it has transited from a weak state to a ‘failing state’ and rapidly gravitating towards being a failed state.

On the way forward, it is expedient for the Nigerian Government to put everything to work in addressing this menace called kidnapping in the country. The same effort that is being put in the fight against terrorism from the Boko Haram sect should also be channeled towards addressing kidnapping.

the federating units are atomised into 36 unviable states, (with the possible exception of two or three states), which are dependent on the centre for their survival. Instituting true federalism will require merging the present unwieldy number of states into about six to make them manageable and cost efficient. The federating units should be allowed to run their own police force and to take measures they deem fit, within the law, to protect the citizens within their territory. Each federating unit ought to have a database of people living in its territory,

national identity card scheme has become an imperative.

Three, states should invest in “smart security”, especially “preventative security”, which could involve phone tapping, extensive use of moles, and possible use of private armies and private military companies in protracted conflict areas. In this sense, the call few months ago by former Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state that he would hold traditional rulers in the state in whose domain kidnapping takes place culpable, appears misplaced.

Traditional rulers, especially in the Southeastern states,

only have ornamental value and should therefore not be expected to be the chief security officers of their kingdoms. They are not paid security agents of the state, and should therefore not be expected to play the role of moles, which was never part of the duties of traditional rulers. There is however merit in the proposal that kidnapping should attract capital punishment.

Governors like Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Willie Obiano of Anambra State, have already vowed to fight kidnapping without any compromise.

Solving the problem of kidnapping will require the active involvement of all stakeholders in the country – government at the three tiers, the private sector, traditional institutions, religious institutions, opinion/ community leaders, etc. But most importantly, everything necessary must be done to significantly improve the economy to provide jobs for the youth. Nigeria must reexamine its economic roadmap to make it production-led. Considering how blessed Nigeria is, we should have no business with unemployment if the critical economic sectors – textile industry, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing etc – are working. These are sectors that could employ millions of people if the country stops importation of items it could produce at home, even in commercial quantities. We can stop kidnapping through a multilevel initiative, exploring all that is necessary to address the remote and the immediate causes. However, we must act fast as a nation as this crime is becoming more alarming and challenging.

We are getting late and behind schedule. The monster of kidnapping is capable of driving-dry foreign direct investment.

We ask that the right thing should be done.

“Solving the problem of kidnapping will require the active involvement of all stakeholders in the country – government at the three tiers, the private sector, traditional institutions, religious institutions, opinion/community leaders, etc. But most importantly, everything necessary must be done to significantly improve the economy to provide jobs for the youth. Nigeria must re-examine its economic roadmap to make it production-led.”

B

eauty Shop

With GLORIA OMORUYI

Bust: Avoid Wrong

Size Of Bra

BASICALLY, we inherit the way our bustline looks, be it large, small, uplifted or droopy. However, other factors affect its condition too like pregnancy, breastfeeding in which you will notice an enlarged breast.

Monopause, bad posture, drastic dieting, lack of exercise and going braless too often also contribute.

The breast are supported by a fine sheet of muscles (the pectorals) but contain no muscles themselves only a gland tissue held in a network of connective tissues and fat. Connective tissue has the important task of supporting the breast – rather-like muscle, but sadly once it slacks, it can not be exercised back into action as muscles can. And when you are not wearing a well-fitted bra there is every tendency that your breasts would droop.

A good bra is important for good looking bustline and many of us are opting for them now as bra sales have proved but a lot of others are yet to embrace the culture of wearing fitted

bras. Apart from bad posture which is responsible for many figure faults the wrong type of bra can make your bust look awkward. Some women don’t seem to measure themselves correctly. They tend to measure over the fullest part of the bust and leave it at that. The rib cage measurement is very important too for the actual bra size. The simplest way is to try on a cup size that you think will fit and take a larger and smaller cup into the changing room too.

The one that feels most comfortable is usually the correct one.

Apparently, one of the greatest mistakes is in thinking that a bra which gaps at the sides and has unfilled points in the cup is too big. Not so, larger cup is necessary for the whole bra to sit correctly in the right places.

It is always best to try on bras rather than buy one that you have guessed at from a counter.

Going braless? Fine, occasionally when you have supple, firm bustline. But in most cases, it is a bad thing especially in the day time when you may be running around, bending about jogging or

whatever, all these are harmful to the delicate and vulnerable tissue.

Bra comes in different shapes, and colours depending on the style of clothes and the task of the individual-strapless, long line, youngster, sexy, lacy, padded bone and boneless, feminine up to DD and maternity. All these are available in the shops.

For women with heavy boobs they really don’t need those padded bras. But for our sisters who are small breasted it gives them that extra “something”.

It makes them look cupsize bigger and it is also good when you want to give your décolletage a little extra wattage. Get yourself a well fitted bra today.

“A good bra is important for good looking bustline and many of us are opting for them now as bra sales have proved but a lot of others are yet to embrace the culture of wearing fitted bras. Apart from bad posture which is responsible for many figure faults the wrong type of bra can make your bust look awkward. Some women don’t seem to measure themselves correctly.

They tend to measure over the fullest part of the bust and leave it at that. The rib cage measurement is very important too for the actual bra size.”

10 Ways Babies Are Smarter Than You Thought

WHAT’S there to know about babies? They’re cute, and they scream. They are also really smart. Sure every parent thinks their baby is a genius, but truthfully human infants genuinely are pretty intelligent. They can distinguish emotion, make logical deductions, and can grasp abstract concepts. In a lot of ways they are not so different from adults except they are a lot smaller.

Babies Can Understand other People’s Thoughts.

Before we get started, we need to establish how scientists “interview babies as you might have noticed, infants are a little lacking in the conversational department, so scientists rely on other methods to interpret baby behaviour. When conducting experiments, researchers pay close attention to how long babies look at an object, if a baby encounters something surprising or confusing the child will stare at that object for a very long time.

Now, it’s long been common knowledge that babies don’t understand that other people have different ideas and emotion from their own. However, with new discoveries in the field of babyology happening every day, researchers are starting to have a new appreciation for infants ability to understand the thought processes of others.

Agnes Kovacs of the Hungarian Academy of sciences in Budapest ran an experiment on 56 kids, all seven months old. The children watched cartoons in which a character who looked like a smurf observed a ball rolling on a table.

Occasionally, the ball would stop behind a rectangle.

However after the character wandered off, the mischievous ball would move off screen. The children knew of this, but the character didn’t.

When papa smurf came back and discovered the ball was gone (via a dramatic removal of the rectangle), the babies acted surprised. They stared at the screen even though they knew the ball had rolled away. Researchers theorized their display of disbelief was because they were relating to the character onscreen. They were reacting to his reaction. They

By ESOSA EGUAKUN

understood what he felt.

Similar tests done in 2011, 2005 and 2007 also produced similar results, so perhaps we’ve been too critical of babies, maybe they really do know what we are thinking—which means these monsters know exactly what they’re doing when they start screaming in the middle of the night.

BABIES CAN SEPARATE SPEECH FROM GIBBERISH Babies can’t speak for themselves, but they can definitely differentiate between actual speech and made up gibberish.

Athena vovuloumanos of New York University played a series of recordings for a group of nine month old babies. The recordings included wide array of noises, all of which could be divided into four section first, babies heard a female voice saying words like “trick” and “dinner” second, they heard a parrot mimicking human speech.

Third and fourth, the kids heard human non-speech (throat clearing, whistling) and parrot sounds. While they focused on this ecletic mixtape, the babies were shown pictures of checkerboards, human faces and a cup.

By noting how long babies stared at the images, scientists could tell if the kids comprehended what they were hearing.

For example, when babies heard words spoken by a human, they stared at the pictures for a long time.

They didn’t have a problem identifying the sound of a real person. As for the human sound effects, when the babies heard coughs

and hacks, they didn’t pay any attention to the images on screen. They could easily tell the difference between language and gibberish.

However, thing’s got trickier when the parrot started talking.

If babies heard the bird say words like “how” or “bread”

while starring at pictures of a face or a cup, they knew they were hearing speech, even if it wasn’t a human. But if the more human images were replaced with the more abstract checkerboard, the babies couldn’t tell the difference between the parrot mimicry and the parrot whistles. So basically, if you want to play mind games with your baby buy a bird.

BABIES KNOW ANIMALS NEED ORGANS When do humans first realize all creatures, great and small, are packed full of intestines, is it something we all discover for ourselves, or is it something we just know?

According to researchers at the University of Illinois, it’s

hardwired into our brains.

Just ask a baby.

Professor Renee Baillargeon and graduate student Peipei Setoh believes babies understand basic physical and psychological facts. For example, if an infant sees something moving around by itself and

responding to its environment, then the baby assumes the object is alive.

Wondering if babies also understand basic biology, they gave toys to a group of eight-month olds and then broke the toys in half if the toy seemed self-propelled and agentive (making noises), the babies were perplexed. They would stare at the hollow insides for a long time, puzzled as how moving, noisy objects could lack organs.

BABIES CAN SENSE IF THEIR PARENTS ARE ANGRY When you are married with kids, things can get a lot bit tense. However, the next time you need to have a

Living heated “discussion with your spouse, you might want to step outside. It turns out babies-even sleeping babiescan sense if their parents are angry, and mad dads and moms might damage their psychological development.

In 2013, researchers from the University of Oregon had a group of mothers answer questions about how often they fought with their significant others, after the

survey, the moms put their babies to sleep and then the tykes were placed in an MRI. As the machine whirred and banged, the babies napped while wearing head phones while the kids snoozed, scientists played recordings of a male voice speaking gibberish.

However, sometime the voice was happy, sometime neutral and sometime it was ticked off.

All the while, scientists observed the baby’s brain activity based on their blood flow.

When the study was finished, scientists determined babies from “vocal” families responded quite differently to the angry

“What’s there to know about babies? They’re cute, and they scream. They are also really smart. Sure every parent thinks their baby is a genius, but truthfully human infants genuinely are pretty intelligent. They can distinguish emotion, make logical deductions, and can grasp abstract concepts. In a lot of ways they are not so different from adults except they are a lot smaller.”

voice than infants from more peaceful homes. Infants whose parents fought frequently had a much stronger reaction to the enraged recording, especially in areas of the brain related to stress and emotion regulation. Even though they were asleep, the babies could still sense hostility, and their brains responded negatively.

Psychologists think that children exposed to parents arguing at an early age might grow up more anxious and stressed out than other kids.

So remember, parents, the next time you need to exercise your vocal cords, the baby is listening.

BABIES CAN LEARN SONGS BEFORE THEY’RE BORN According to researchers from the University of Helsinki, music can aid in key areas like speech development. Even more fascinating, the researchers discovered babies have a natural ear for music and can remember songs they heard in uteri.

In 2013, the Helsinki scientists had 12 mothers play “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” for their fetuses five times a week, while a control group of 12 expectant mothers skipped the daily music sessions. After delivery, the moms brought the babies back for testing and using an EEG, scientists measured, the infants brain activity while they listened to the lullaby. Scientists found that babies who listen to Mozart’s melody in the womb still recognized the song after birth. Infant, the babies continued to recognize the song for up to four months.

This shows the human brain is an amazing organ and also proves you should be careful what you play for your kids, or they will have that awful voice stick in their head for a long time.

UNBELIEVABLE BUT TRUE FACTS You can break a rib while sneezing 12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents daily Bush pygmies name their children under the tree they were given birth in Never sneeze with your eyes open.

When a snake is born with two heads, both of them fight with each other for food.

Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb was afraid of the dark.

(To be continued)

• Governor Murtala Nyako

THE Governor of Adamawa State Murtala Nyako is in the news again for the wrong reasons. This time he is not leading a pack of other renegade colleagues of his to destabilize the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the political platform that brought him to lime light as a politician, neither is he threatening to bury the same party which he claimed had died waiting for him, the undertaker to bury it.

He is not also entangled in his local Adamawa State political feuds with other political big wigs from the same state like the former vice President Atiku Abubakar, immediate past Chairman of the PDP,Bamanga Tukur, Senator Jubril Aminu and General Buba Marwa etc over the spoils of Adamawa State politics.

He is out now to put a wedge on the unity and stability of Nigeria by his recent careless remarks contained in his memo to the chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) Dr. Babangida Aliyu where he made sundry allegations not befitting the status of holder(s) of the exalted office he currently occupies as governor.

Nyako had in the memo accused the Jonathan administration of embarking on an orchestrated campaign of genocide against the north who, according to him were being sent to their early graves in their thousands as a political strategy to depopulate the north.

The governor was soon to contradict himself when he accused the same administration of ineptitude

• Governor Babangida Aliyu

in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency in the North Eastern States of Borno, Yobe and his own state Adamawa. Nigerians are rather shocked and surprised at the statements coming from a man who by all standards was supposed to be a statesman especially by his military background where he retired as a Rear Admiral. They are really taken aback at the governor’s poor sense of history as it relates to the origin of the Boko Haram insurgents whose nefarious activities preceded the Jonathan Presidency.

Nyako’s letter attempted to side step the evidence and well known fact that the biggest source of mayhem as a result of social malaise in the north arose from the Maitasine episode of 1980 which found breeding ground in an ambience where ethno-religious identification is the principal political ideology.

All the history of blood letting on account of religion like the current most vicious killings by Boko Haram has always been linked to misguided radical Islamization or the politicization of religion, an ideology that Nyako or anyone else has never directly linked to the current federal government let alone President Jonathan.

The Jonathan administration has from records done a lot to advance the north in education, infrastructure and human capacity development more than any where else. The SSA to the president on Public Affairs Dr. Doyin Okupe described the letter as unmitigated leadership disaster and a sad betrayal of trust by a major beneficiary of the Nigerian nation. The military also dismissed the allegation of ethno-religious notions in the war on terror as untrue.

Some have called to question the governor ’s mental state with many ascribing his comment to be a direct product of Governor Nyako’s State of senility.

If the man had not gone senile, how would he justify his complaints of ineptitude in tackling a problem he Nyako never believed exists? Why should he look up to the same person he believed cause the Boko

Politics And With HAMEED BRAIMAH

Nyako: How Haram insurgency for solution?

Nigerians have not forgotten how the same Nyako disparaged the Federal Government over the declaration of the State of Emergency on Adamawa State. Nyako had argued then that the activities of the insurgents in Adamawa were infinitesimal as to call for any Emergency Rule.

But we are all living witnesses to how the Adamawa State Governor’s attempt to pay a sympathy visit to one of the communities attacked by the insurgents was aborted because of a rumour that a convoy of armed men were heading toward the area.

Since last Friday when the content of the governor’s memo came to public knowledge, outrage and condemnation had trailed it with many demanding to know what the Adamawa State Governor wanted to achieve by the memo which he did not address to the President but to his regional governor colleagues. Did he want to mobilize the support of his colleagues against the impending extension of the emergency rule in the region? If this was his motive, why did he not just say it? Many see the comments as a clear attempt to incite the northerners against the Federal Government and its security agencies who are engaged in the counter terrorism operation in the north-east.

Former military administrator of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Umar (rtd) in his reaction to Governor Nyanko’s memo described it as irresponsible and an incitement against the authorities of the Federal Government which must not be condoned. Col Umar said “Nyako’s allegations are wild and can not be proven.

They are inciting; what is his

A State

• President Goodluck Jonathan

aim. These are comments that should not come from leaders who want the nation to progress”.

Same was the reaction of Gen Buba Marwa, the Information Minister Labaran Maku who described the memo as reckless and a disincentive to the counter terrorism efforts of the Federal Government. Maku who

spoke at the end of Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council Meeting in Abuja wondered why a man of Nyako’s standing who served and retired from the nation’s military service could turn full circle to become a sectionalist.

One may forgive Labaran Maku for his misjudgment of the nationalist spirit in Goverrnor Nyako. What the Minister did not know of

Gov. exhib absen of th which soldie the na he str unite anyon that milita his s indiv

“Babangida Aliyu, Chairman inquisitive reporters at the e meeting that forum members Nyako’s memo any mention b the allegations were not base

Issues

taste.

The governor suffered the worst fate later that day on account of the reckless memo at the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) meeting when no mention was made of the memo

Not To Be esman

Nyako which he has bited for all to see is the nce of the required dose hat nationalist spirit h the average Nigerian er had displayed since ation’s independence as rove to keep the country d. But Nyako has told ne who cares to listen his sojourn in the ary was just to satisfy selfish interest as an vidual and advance his

misguided sectional sentiments of his Fulani stock in the Nigerian Federation and nothing more especially when he reportedly insisted at the National Security Council on Thursday when the content of his memo came up for discussion that he stood by the memo which every participant found to have been made in bad

n of the NSGF had told end of the closed door s did not consider giving because they all feel that ed on any evidence.”

which had been touted as constituting one of the main topics for discussion in the build up to the meeting date.

Governor Babangida Aliyu, Chairman of the NSGF had told inquisitive reporters at the end of the closed door meeting that forum members did not consider giving Nyako’s memo any mention because they all feel that the allegations were not based on any evidence.

Security experts see the Adamawa Governor’s vituperation as diversionary as their understanding of the operational tactics of the insurgent go beyond ethnic, religious, political or ideological considerations.

According to the security coordinator of the American University of Nigeria Mr. Lionel Von Frederick Rawlins, Alqaeda and Al Shabab terrorist organizations operating in the Magreb and the Arabian Peninsula have been aiding the Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria. He said that the insurgents were killing both Muslims and non Muslims including fellow tribesmen, stressing that the insurgents just believe that they can do any thing and get away with it.

Mr. Rawlins said the war on terror could not be won under a situation of disunity among the tiers of government but with the full collaboration of all including the involvement of neighbouring countries and the global counter terrorism network.

What this means is an end to this blame game between governors of state where the activities of the insurgents are worst felt and the federal government, if the war on terror must be won. The war can not be won under a situation of mutual suspicion and disagreement between the affected states governors and the federal government.

While the government at the

centre believes it is doing its best to put an end to the orgy of violence in the north east, political actors in the affected states feel the action of the military is not good enough to contain the violence which appears to have escalated in recent times with the insurgent taking hundreds of school girls hostage from the Government Girl College Chibok in Borno State.

Security experts believe that the federal government should consider more drastic measures such as the closure of the country’s land borders with Cameroon, Niger and Chad where the international collaborators of the insurgents are believed to infiltrate the country.

This is where the debate as to whether the emergency rule in the three north eastern states of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno to my mind is needless owing to the fact that both those for or against the extension have all agreed that the security situation in the area is anything but normal.

If this is the case, what is required is a total over haul of the security apparatus to eliminate any form of complacency on the part of the counter insurgent team with a view to making it more result oriented and in a better position to counter any moves by the terrorist.

Nigerians are not happy over reported cases where the insurgents would lay

• Alex Badeh, CDS

siege on a particular village or school for hours’ un-end without a challenge from the military who have always been quick to give lame excuses.

This type of attitude leaves Nigerians to begin to think that the counter insurgency strategies of the federal government have failed.

Granted that at the inception of the emergency rule in May last year the military exploits helped to restore normalcy to the Northern Borno Local Government Areas of Kondoga, Bama and Baga where the activities of the

• Abubakar Shekau

insurgents had paralyzed the socio-economic lives of the people, it is not enough for the military to continue to tell us that there existed one Sambisa Forest which though a part of Nigeria has remained impregnable to them, thus justifying why the abducted hapless school girls can not regain their precious freedom.

This is where the marching order given to the counter Terrorism team to ensure the immediate release of the innocent school girls is most heart warming, as it would rekindle the hope of possible early release of the school girls.

THERE are those who profess Christ as their Saviour and then believe it is okay to live independently of His Body. One of the

opposition and immense persecution. And they licked one another’s wounds as they gathered together as the Body of Christ.

Rehabilitation means the

Jesus Christ in corporate life as well as in individual life.

Jesus Christ sent apostles and teachers for this purpose that the corporate

putting back of the whole human race into the relationship God designed it to be, and this is what Jesus Christ did in Redemption.

The church ceases to be a spiritual society when it is on the look-out for the development of its own organization.

The rehabilitation of the human race on Jesus Christ plan means the realization of

personality might be realized.

It is vital that you establish in your Christian belief system or doctrine, the importance of Body Life and Body Ministry. Our Lord’s intention of the Church is not to be ignored.

(Read 1 Corinthians 12:1230).

One of the saddest statements you could ever hear is when someone says,

“I am my own church. Me and God are enough”. Many Christians have been infected with the most violent virus of modern

R

eflections

With MOSES EVBUOMWAN

Our Relationship With The Body Of Christ (1) strangest determinations people make for themselves, but I believe they do that independent of His Holy Word.

Communities as believers was so vital in the early days of the church’s birth. They had the call of Christ on their lives to touch their world with grace. And as they penetrated societies, governments and nations, often they faced extreme

“Christianity is not a solitary belief system. Any genuine resurgence of Christianity, as history demonstrates, depends on a reawakening and renewal of that which is the essence of the faith. That is, the people of God, the new society, the body of Christ, which is made manifest in the world-the church.”

S

unday Diet

With ERNEST IKHUREIGBE

WE are all the handiwork of His creation but not everyone knows the power of His mightiness to change situation. We need faith in Him but not every one has the faith to make things work. He is able by the power in him to deliver all from their troubles Psalm 34: 17 but not all are qualified to merit His blessings.

Beloved, everyone has the need of Him, as well as the righteous; Psalm 34:17 says “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The ones that truly do His will that He Knows; He does not hesitate to evidence His response through their testimonies that would glorify Him. His response to those that believe in Him is spontaneous and timely. He never delays in situations that would glorify His name,

no matter the calculations of man.

He knows the challenges of man and He does not delay to ensure He is glorified at the nick of time.

In Luke 7: 1-10: a certain Centurion’s Servant, who was dear unto him was sick and ready to die. Some elders of the Jews were sent to Jesus to intervene. Jesus immediately set-out to heal the sick in their house.

While the Master of the sick servant heard that Jesus was on the way to his own house, not that he did not want Jesus in, He felt that Jesus could come but He could as well speak the word of healing any where He was unto the sick and healing would take place. The faith expressed by the centurion spurred the instant healing that the centurion expected from the LORD Jesus. (verse9). Trouble not thyself; for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter

American life, called radical individualism.

They concentrate on personal obedience to Christ as if all that matters is Jesus and me”, but in so doing miss the point altogether.

Christianity is not a solitary belief system. Any genuine resurgence of Christianity, as history demonstrates, depends on a reawakening and renewal of that which is the essence of the faith. That is, the people of God, the new society, the body of Christ, which is made manifest in the worldthe church.

Salvation may be personal, but it is never private. Our relationship with Christ Jesus is never private but all – encompassing of the breath

of life and gifts of the Body that came to them in Christ.

When life on earth is ending, people don’t surround themselves with objects or say, “Bring my diplomas, degrees and certificates. I want to look at them one more time. Show me my awards, my medals, that gold watch I was given” what we want around us is people. People we love and have relationships with. In our final moments, we all realize that relationships are what life is all about.

Relationship in Christ apart from the church is destructive and descriptive of lives professing faith but failing to possess our Lord’s heart, spirit, and desire to “build my Church”.

When a professing

believer chooses to live apart from commitment to and fellowship in the Body of Christ, he has chosen the absence of grace personalized, the absence of God-ordained gifts for his encouragement, and the abuse of door of service and ministry unto those in the family of Christ, cheating others and one’s self out of mutual blessings. The bornagain believers life is a drama and its vast stage incorporates the church as well as one’s home and the world he is a part of the church is one’s audience of celebration, consecration, significance, and service. It is the authentic audience of sharing Christ and learning more about Him from one another.

God Knows Who Deserves His Blessings

under my roof” but in say in a word; and my Servant shall be healed Luke 7:7 The Bible records that the servant was found whole when those sent to Jesus returned home.

Beloved, God does not deny those that faithfully call or seek Him. That woman who has a flow of blood for twelve years conceived in her heart that the solution to her lingering fountain of blood was in her encounter with Jesus. Jesus knew her thought from the very moment she resolved to seek solution from Him. No wonder, when she navigated her way to where the saviour was, she was healed and the Healer knew about it because she did what made her to deserve it. Mark 5: 2833.

God is ever ready to showcase His power to people and situation that would glorify His name.

The blind Bartimaeus disregarded his distractors and concentrated on Jesus, whom He knew could take him out of his challenges to a position of testimony.

Mark 10:46-52. His continuous Cry to Jesus and his request provoked Jesus to grant him what he desired. (verse 52) Immediately, the Bible States. He received his sight.

It is no gainsaying that Jesus knows His own. He blesses those that deligently obey him. Deut 28:1 Also, he does not hesistate to bless those that are determined to make their marks in life.

Life without determination would end in a fiasco.

Anyone who fails to see God as the solution and He’s being deterred by the burden

of the challenge would have tales of woes.

Beloved, we also need the courage to forge ahead till when we are finally blessed.

We must never fail to pray as this is the vehicle through which we can reach Him. Life is full of challenges, we are being admonished to praise and worship Him at all moments of our life. God loves to bless those that would bless His name, even, when it is not convenient: Act 16 :25 states that “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises until God and the prisoners

heard them”. And the LORD responded and their freedom was ordered. They were not only freed, their jailer were also converted and saved.

Brethren, you cannot make any meaningful mark in life without Jesus.

Whatever you think you have attained may not be the height of what God has in stock for you. You need Him to move higher in life.

Except there is no higher position you can aspire, you can pray to God to sustain you if that is all you desire from Him. However, never rest on your oars, you could be lifted above your imagination if you take serious, as promotion comes from Him. Ps75:6

“His response to those that believe in Him is spontaneous and timely. He never delays in situations that would glorify His name, no matter the calculations of man. He knows the challenges of man and He does not delay to ensure He is glorified at the nick of time.”

THE past months have seen the spread of a killer disease called Ebola virus.

This deadly disease like wild fire has spread across east and West African countries leaving many dead in its trail. The Rumour of the appearance of the disease here in Nigeria caused a scare among the populace, but the assurance of the Minister of Health brought

disease sexually for nearly 2 months.

According to the world Health organization (WHO), while describing the signs and symptoms of EVD explained that, EVD is a severe acute viral illness often characterized by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is

farms to other areas can reduce the spread of the disease.

In a country such as ours, where we are still free from the dreaded virus. It behoves on us all as Government, Nongovernmental organization (NGOs), media and citizens alike to contribute our quota towards preventing the outbreak of

disease at bay, there are daily practices which must be imbibed. Some of which are: constant washing of hands after every activity, avoid eating or consuming fruits without washing them, as well as nonconsumption of fruits and other food stuffs that have been eaten by bats or other animals, Avoid eating dead

educating Nigerians”.

Haven said this, it is now our duty to put what we now know about Ebola virus to practice in order to prevent its outbreak. We should not fold our hands till it gets to us, our firebrigade approach has never been known to yield positive results in times of national crisis, hence we

educate the citizenry on the preventive measure and practices to inculcate

meat (except it is properly cooked) and once you are feeling feverish, visit the hospital quickly because Ebola kills quickly.

To show the resolve of

should try as much as possible to prevent its outbreak, because as they say “prevention is better than cure,” and in the case of Ebola, there is no cure or vaccine yet, so the time to act is now.

The Ebola virus had continued to haunt West Africa Nations, notably Liberia and Guinea, where so many people have been infected or killed by this disease within the past two months. West Africa is facing an onslaught of this contagion, where the Ebola virus is spreading rapidly. But thank God, the virus is not an air born disease, so only those who have been in direct contact with the infected run the risk of catching it. The reason for such heightened apprehension regarding the virus is that it ends up killing about 90 percent of those infected. The current outbreak, according to experts was due to animals that carried the virus from central Africa through forest regions to its current grounds in West Africa.

There is no specific treatment for the virus and the disease has a high rate of death, possibly up to 90%, it typically occurs in outbreaks and occurs in tropical regions of SubSaharan Africa.

According to report, between when it was first identified in 1978 and 2012 less than 1000 people a year have been infected.

But recently, in 2014 alone 137 cases and 86 deaths have been reported since January, in West Africa. At the moment there is no cure or vaccine for the killer Ebola virus.

Ebola Virus: Acting

By ANTHONY AIBANGBEE

succour to all and cooled frailed nerves. Despite this recent development, it has become imperative for every person to know what the disease ‘Ebola Virus’ is, what are the causes, remedy and prevention measures, because as they say ‘prevention is better than cure’.

Ebola virus disease (EVD) or Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) is the human disease caused by Ebola viruses.

The disease was named after a river in the Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire) here in Africa, where it was first discovered.

The disease is first acquired by a population when a person comes into contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected animal such as monkey Chimpazee, gorillas, forest antelope and porcupines found ill or dead. Fruit bats are believed to carry and spread the disease without being affected by it, According to recent discovery, once affected the disease may be spread from one person to another. Men who survive may be able to transmit the

followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding, low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes.

According to them, the incubation period that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms is 2 to 21 days.

Despite the killer instinct of this disease, we can still prevent and control it from spreading to our environment due to various hygienic practices.

According to WHO, Routine cleaning and disinfection of pig or Monkey farms (with sodium hypochlorite or other detergents) should be effective in inactivating the virus. Also if an outbreak is suspected, the premises should be quarantined immediately. Culling of infected animals, with close supervision of burial or incineration of carcasses, may be necessary to reduce the risk of animal-to-human transmission. Restricting or banning the movement of animals from infected

Health

enter the country, also consumable food items and Poultry should be properly checked by health officials and should be certified healthy for consumption before being allowed into the country, while also working in synergy with the media, religious leaders, traditional leaders, NGOs and opinion leaders to

Before It Gets To Us

the Ebola virus.

The government on its part, should secure our

Chukwu Onyebuchi, Health Minister

nation’s borders to prevent entry of the deadly virus, human traffic should be checked and given clean bill of health before they

in order to keep the Ebola virus at bay.

It is important for every Nigerian to know that if we must keep this dreaded

“Despite the killer instinct of this disease, we can still prevent and control it from spreading to our environment due to various hygienic practices. According to WHO, Routine cleaning and disinfection of pig or Monkey farms (with sodium hypochlorite or other detergents) should be effective in inactivating the virus. Also if an outbreak is suspected, the premises should be quarantined immediately.”

the federal government in making sure that the virus does not get to Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health is working hand in hand with stakeholders to make sure that it becomes a reality; hence we as citizens must also play our part if we wish for an Ebola virus free Nigeria. According to the Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu “we are working with groups, just like we are doing for polio, religious bodies, communities, traditional rulers and the media, …play your role by

s h o W b i z

Mercy Johnson, Chika Ike Deny Rumour

• Mercy Johnson

Chika Ike

Terry G Allegedly Slaps Hotel Manager, Beats Staff TERRY G is in the news once again. This time, it is reported that Terry G and his boys stormed a hotel to relax and when Terry G arrived the club, one of his boys forcefully jumped into the swimming pool without paying.

One of the hangout’s attendants asked the boy to come out of the pool but he refused. When he was dragged out, his colleagues reportedly reacted with violence.

The ensuing free for all, the source said, saw Terry G raining blows on the hotel manager “When Terry G and his crew arrived the

hotel around 6p.m., one of his boys just jumped into the pool without paying. The security guard called him to come out but he refused. Even the owner of the hotel, Mr. George Obot, shouted at him but he refused.

Terry G further messed up the whole issue when he started abusing Mr. Obot, telling the man what did he think he has and all sort of things..His boys started beating the security guards, while Terry G himself slapped the hotel manager who was trying to calm him down.”

Mr. Obot, the owner of Treasures Exclusive

THE cold hands of death have again snatched one of the well known faces in Nigeria’s movie industry as ailing actor, Chris Nkulor passed on.

The Abia State born actor was diagnosed with a kidney-related ailment sometime ago. A fund-raising campaign was

launched on his behalf to raise N 3 million for his treatment at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital.

In his lifetime, Nkulor starred in many movies, including Hidden Treasure and Hidden Treasure 2 as well as Battle of Indemnity.

Garden, in a phone chat with our correspondent, confirmed the incident. He said that he was disappointed in Terry G who came and messed up his place.

• Terry G

OVER the weekend, it was reported that Nollywood damsels; Mercy Johnson Okojie and Chika Ike were not in talking terms.

According to reports, the two pretty actresses were fighting over seniority issues. It was further reported that Mercy was particularly bitter because she expected Chika Ike to respect her more than she presently does.

Mercy and Chika have now debunked the rumour. The movie stars took to twitter to laugh off the reports, jokingly stating that if they would not fight, Purity, Mercy Johnson’s one-yearold daughter would be the referee. They also sarcastically said they

would now get hand gloves to slug it out with each other.

“Babe, I hear say we dey fight o, I don buy my boxing glove o, oya#bellringing# round 1,” Mercy

Johnson posted, while Chika replied saying, “my gurl4life, I hear am too ooo, me self go buy my own glove, oya make Purity be the referee o. LOL, #round2.”

Dr. Sid Steps Into His Late Father’s Shoes MAVIN records artiste, Sidney Esiri, popularly called Dr. Sid, has joined the movie industry, few days ago it went viral that Davido made an acting debut now it is Dr. Sid, he has followed the step of his late father Justus Esiri, who was a veteran actor before he passed away last year.

Dr. Sid made his Nollywood debut In the movie, ‘The Last 3 Digits’, the 33-yearold teams up with

• Dr. Sid

actor Nonso Diobi, the director of the movie is Moses Inwang, who has this to say about his performance: ‘In 2008 Justus Esiri gave me a wonderful performance in the film CHASE… 6 years later his son Dr Sid steps into his father’s great shoes and blows me away with this amazing performance in THE LAST THREE DIGITS playing alongside talented actor Nonso Diobi!’

Nollywood Actor Chris Nkulor Dies

Chris Nkulor

With FELIX OMOH-ASUN GSM: 07060576600

Seun Kuti To Protest Against Boko Haram LATE Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s son, Seun Kuti, is gradually following in his father’s footsteps.

With the current spate of terrorism and the recent killings of innocent souls in the country, Seun Kuti has taken it upon himself to lead a protest against the sects.

The father of one who is currently on tour in Europe upon his return is set to lead a protest tagged “Stolen Dreams” on

• Cossy Orjiakor

I Will Never Act Unclad CONTROVERSIAL Nollywood actress, Cossy Orjiakor although known for always flaunting her massive b**bs in a new interview talks about why she can’t act unclad in a movie. cossy Cossy says not even when money is involved she’ll still not go unclad: “Truth is I have a very good heart and am very emotional to people I care about. But no matter what I do, I always remember my mother’s advice that, no matter what I do, I must never go unclad in a movie or outside the set.

I can’t do anything for money if my comfort is at stake.”

The actress who said she will get married this year also talks about how men react on seeing her b**bs: “Most men notice my b**bs when they

-Cossy Orjiakor

meet me for the first time. They touch each other, arguing whether or not they are real. It will take a man with a lot of guts to walk up to me and approach me. But I believe in marriage and hope to eventually marry and have kids of my own.”

Cossy has been in the news a lot lately, from showing off her b**bs at an Easter party, to asking fans to write ‘I Love You Cossy’ on the cutest parts of their body and sending photos to her.

Name it, she’s one actress that no doubt loves controversy.

May 1st, 2014 in Lagos to fight against Boko Haram terrorists.

Seun’s manager, Oloye who confirmed the protest gave the reason as: “we want to protest and fight against the high rate of blood shed on children and women in the North.

“Nigerians can no longer condone the killings of these innocent souls. The massive long-walk is to demonstrate our grievance against terrorism”.

The father of one who is known for being outspoken would be recalled early this year, challenged President Jonathan over the authenticity of his PHD certificate and also showing his support for the gay community while condemning the antigay bill signed by the President.

• Seun Kuti

Banky W Plays Dual Roles At ‘Tee Billz, Tiwa Savage’s Wedding MAVIN first lady — Tiwa Savage and her husband/manager, Tunji Balogun aka Tee Billz are set to have their white wedding this weekend, in Dubai.

Banky W revealed that apart from being the host at the pre-wedding party, he will also be the Best man to Tee Billz.

Here’s what he captioned to a post on Instagram page: “This Friday night in Dubai… come and rock with us as we celebrate

Globacom Threatens To Terminate P-Square’s Contract If They Split AS the drama continues between the P-Square brothers, it’s beginning to threaten their business deals too.

Apparently, a PSquare split would mean the end of their

endorsement deal with Globacom, according to a source.

Stories have emerged about the impending split of the eccentric duo, reportedly over finances and a case instigated by Peter

P-Square Speaks On Alleged Break-Up:

Okoye’s wife, Lola Omotayo.

P-Square have been with Globacom since 2010, and according to media reports, it is revealed that a split would lead to the termination of the contract.

“Since Glo has a contract with PSquare, and not with Peter or Paul, their breakup will definitely lead to the termination of the contract,” a source told the media.

• Banky W

Harrysong Denies Saying His Parents Were Siblings IN a twist of events, Harrysong has come out to deny ever saying his parents are siblings.

One of his fans brought up the topic on

“We Are Stronger Than Ever” IT seems the storm is finally over concerning all the gist about the PSquare brothers breaking up.

The Okoye brothers seem to have finally resolved their differences as they all took to twitter to announce they are still as strong as ever.

@teebillz323 & @officialtiwasavage.. # T u r n U p # We d d i n g Ti n g z #BestManDuty #HostwitTheMost.”

P-Square’s family • Harry Song

Twitter, saying it was wrong for him to reveal his family’s darkest secret to the media but surprisingly the singer denied ever making such revelation.

IT was yet another special day for a former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu as he turned 54 on April 21, 2014. It has always been a day of fun and happiness for the dude and millions of his followership across the world. It is a day that many people are happy that a man like Kalu was born.

He has been brightening

very humble personality, Kalu sets magical standards anywhere he went. He loves his new age and is grooming the younger ones who would take over from him, whenever he retires hale and hearty to his Igbere-Bende country home.

He had a day like that at heart and he has been preparing for it, with the

the faces of many by making sure they achieve their nature-given purposes in life. His birthday is a day that is as special as Kalu is.

This year ’s birthday celebration of Kalu reminds the human-race of the day the Igbere-born politician and reputable international business mogul was sent to be a blessing to the world 54 years ago. Since then, his luck and stars have not ceased to shine. No matter all the daunting challenges that follow mankind, Kalu continues to unveil the good things that his fate had for him.

He is becoming experienced day by day, weathering all the storms that are associated with politicians and businessmen of his ilk. It is the prayer of his followership, that the happiness and joy he makes them to pick-out, shall not be in dearth where he is.

Kalu is a special man and majority of the people are attesting to this. He has had awesome birthdays’ celebrations. But this year’s own sends a message of hope, love and unity across all divides of human endeavours and environments.

Being a man with the miraculous wand to everything, his birthday is outstanding. Although, a

hope to give accommodation to more thousands of people. And this could be the reason he has built in his Neya’s Camp 400 rooms and is still building. He has hope beyond business and politics. He wants people around him and to live and be with him.

As a man who builds bridge across all divides of humanity, his birthday has always been as important as he is. His birthday is not like that of 18 year olds that wakes up as early as 4.30 in preparation for the event.

Rather, the atmosphere has woken up by 12am to start the birthday celebration of Kalu.

Over a week, Kalu has been traveling on courtesy visits to all the parts of the country to cheer the civilization in those areas up. Melodies and classics are being played in many quarters for him, from Zamfara to Zambia, from Abia to Abuja, from Lagos to Lokoja. It is Kalu everywhere! But in all this, he is bent on the observance of the Lent Season, being an untiring Christian.

Like Kalu would say, people are his best friends and he likes inviting people home. But this time around, the reverse is the case: People are inviting Kalu to come and celebrate his

birthday with them. The call is deafening! It is the same in Africa as it is in Europe, USA and Asia.

Everywhere, the song is Kalu. But the dude prefers to be in prayers in a tiny environment where he plays and jokes with kids and shares experience with the young at heart on this occasion. He has not printed cards or went to radio or TV

uncle, nephew, friend like Kalu. He reminds people of the special moments that human beings must share and enjoy. At every point in time, Kalu is happy, humble and humane and asking people to eschew worry from their lives. He has always admonished people that he was once a very poor man, but had to surmount that dreadful

Focus

achieve in three years. His many weeks trip to Europe has seen to the formation of business ventures and merges with leading business firms across the world. He has also been delivering lectures in one institution or the other across the world.

Such trips have seen to

business opportunities in and outside the country within the last one year, hence providing employment opportunities for job seekers and professionals and sundry.

One of his tours ended with the visit of Ben Bronfman (Grammy & Oscar nominee 2013/2014),

Orji Uzor Kalu: A Lover Of Humanity @ 54

By ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE

Orji Uzor Kalu

to announce his birthday, but people he does and doesn’t know are taking care of that, because he means a lot of positivity to many people.

Everyone dreams of having a brother, father,

position through a dint of hard work, through courage, resilience and assiduousness.

What Kalu has been achieving within the last one year is what some states in African countries cannot

the establishment of and, amalgamation with Bende Export Ltd, Gsc France, Belcarbon Belgium, Florasen Bruxelles and Matro Anterwarp in Belgium, amongst others.

He has attracted over 50

the son of the Billionaire Edger Bronfman Jr. to Dr. Kalu in North London; with Kalu Ugwuomo (Analyst and Business Development Global Thermostat New York); Robert Miguel Lavia, (Chief Investment Officer Veremonte) and; Ben Kalu, (CEO Bende EXIM LTD).

One of such institutions he had delivered lectures at in the past one year is the Georgetown University, with the paper titled: “Nigeria’s Opportunity to be Africa’s Capital by 2020.” The lecture, without doubt, attracted de crème de la crème across the world and they attested to the fact that Kalu is not only rich in pocket but also in head.

Students, graduate students, experts, journalists, etc. have not stopped researching on Kalu. He is an institution and the world after him would continue to learn about him. But upon all these, Kalu has said that he wants to go back to Aba, the land where he grew up, apart from his Igbere country home.

It is natural to do so, while all and sundry should wish him a healthy future to fulfill all that he has planned to bequeath to the world.

Happy Birthday, Emetu Mba Ahu Dike Ndigbo!

“Kalu sets magical standards anywhere he went. He loves his new age and is grooming the younger ones who would take over from him, whenever he retires hale and hearty to his Igbere-Bende country home. He had a day like that at heart and he has been preparing for it, with the hope to give accommodation to more thousands of people. And this could be the reason he has built in his Neya’s Camp 400 rooms and is still building. He has hope beyond business and politics. He wants people around him and to live and be with him..”

The Sound Of Kuduro

KUDURO is the soundtrack to modern life in Angola. It’s a musical genre that has given joy, the desire to dance and a voice to the young people of Luanda, one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

The streets of Angola’s capital, Luanda, are a study in contrasts. With its population of over 5 million, the city changes by the minute. Buildings mushroom along the

luxury have found their place among a large population still struggling to recover and rebuild.

Life on these roads is dominated by the sound systems of the

wealth and poverty A sound that originated in Luanda’s mousseque (shacks), often as a homage to life’s exploits, can now be heard booming out of expensive villas and exclusive nightclubs.

Kuduro is a blend of traditional Kilapanga, Semba and Zouk rhythms with house, samba and

Western electronic music had begun appearing in the market, which inspired Angolan musicians to incorporate their own musical styles. In the early 90s Angolan clubs started playing it and youngsters created new dance moves to go with the sound. Step into any club playing

People & Places kuduro and you’ll find the unmatched atmosphere of a Jamaican dancehall with loads of more vim and verve.

Like all the best music, it emerged underground with its tales of struggle and aspiration. It’s now extremely popular across the former Portuguese oversea. Provinces in Africa as well as in Portugal due to the large number of Angolan immigrants.

Kuduristas speak of at least three generations of artists. MC Sacerdote and Cabo Snoop are of the youngest generation. The second generation includes

Artists like DJ Kilamu, female artists like Fofando, and as Lamba. Most recently, a transsexual singer called Titica has defied all odds and taken the conservative country by storm.

Named ‘Best Kuduro Artist of 2011,’ her music plays from minibuses and clubs, she is a regular on television and radio, and has even performed in front of President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

This boundary defying sound born out of the poorest neighbourhoods, will come to define a generation, its dreams and an electrifying energy found only in Angola.

“Like all the best music, it emerged underground - with its tales of struggle and aspiration. It’s now extremely popular across the former Portuguese oversea.

Provinces in Africa as well as in Portugal due to the large number of Angolan immigrants.” coast, altering the cityscape for good. Roads are being built, services improved and expatriates stream into the oil rich nation. Since civil war ended in 2002 lives of

condongueiros - shared taxis - that rush around the city. The Kuduro beat that they play is a common thread through every strata of a society sharply divided between extremes of

techno. Its roots can be traced to the late 1980s when producers started mixing African percussion samples with soca rhythms to create a style of music then known as batilda

Powerhouse Musicians cabo Snoop (right) and the producer Hochi-fu at Power House studios. a Luanda-based production company who are a major force in the making of Kuduro music videos

There live a man who had two clever children, a boy and a girl. He used to go

place had round bellies from the goodness of their food, and could not fly as

Story Time

The Mysterious Bird

to a place where he knew there were juicy wild fruits to be picked.

This man knew a great deal about fruits, and he was always able to distinguish between those which were good to eat and those which were bitter in the mouth. His family, who all liked these fruits, used to wait to meet him in the evening and enjoy the food which he brought back from that special place.

It was while the man was gathering fruits that he saw a most unusual bird.

There were many birds in the fruit place as they liked to eat the seeds which the fruits produced.

Many of the birds in that

By Adela Brooks high or as quickly as other birds. For this reason, if any body wanted to catch a bird, then that was the easiest place for it to be done.

The unusual bird was standing in the grass, his head barely showing. If the man had, not been looking in that direction, he would have missed him but as it happened his eyes spotted on the bird head and he drew in his breath in astonishment.

On the top of the bird’s head there was a plune of feathers, these feathers were not grey as were the feathers on top of the snake eating birds, but were coloured red and

green. The neck, which could just be made out was white.

The man watched the bird, which had not seen him and was showing no sign of fear. After a moment or two, the bird walked proudly forward a few paces, and so the man was able to see more of its body. He saw now that the belly was covered with red feathers and those on the bird long legs were white and black.

The bird moved it head, as if looking for something, and took a few more steps.

The man watch the bird for a few moment. There was a great deal of fruit that had ripened that day,

but he found that he could think only of the bird home. He was worried that if he approached the bird, it would take to the air and disappear, but he knew that if he did nothing he would never be able to forget that he had lost the chance of capturing the most beautiful of all birds.

The man crept forward, taking care not to allow his foot-steps to be heard.

There were twigs on the ground, and large stones, but he avoided these carefully and was soon only a short distance away from his quarry. Then with a great jump, he flung himself on top of the bird and pinned it to the ground.

C

hildren’s World

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Jokes

TWIN SAGA AN ugly woman walked into a store with her two kids, yelling at them.

Akpos, the store keeper pleasantly said, “Good morning ma’am and welcome. Nice children. Are they twins The woman yelled “No they are not one is a year old and the other is 7 years old. Why the hell would you think they are twins, are you blind, or stupid?

Akpos replied, “I’m neither blind nor stupid ma’am I just can’t believe someone would sleep with you twice.

EAT AS MUCH AS YOU CAN

Poem My A,B,C,D Rules

BY ANI NJIDEKA GIFT

I came to this life, it was an Adventure I lived, it was Beautiful living more, I Conquered, I thought of Deciding on my life style.

Experience, Faithfulness

and Greatness became my Highlight, I became Indespensible Jotting, Knowledge in my Learning Mind Never Obstructing Possible Quest For Righteosness.

Selecting Toughly Unique Virtues Without X-tra Yearning Zeal.

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Joke

Every Time I Clap BARRACK Obama at a recent elementary school about gun violence.

Everywhere was quiet as the president spoke.

He wanted to show the pupils how terrible the gun violence in the country had gotten so he started to clap his hands slowly once

every few seconds. Then he said into the microphone, “Children every time I clap my hands together a child in America dies of gun violence.

Then little Richard Earl, with a proud East Texas “Well dump –ass stop clapping.

A signboard outside a restaurant said!

Eat as much as you can and let your grand children pay the bills.

A man entered the restaurant, ate as much as he could and when the waiter gave the bill he pointed to the signboard, don’t you see, only my grandchild need to pay for this bill.

The waiter said, “Sir, this is not your bill. This is your grandfathers bill.

I WASN’T DRUNK Friend: you were drunk last nightMe: no I wasn’t Friend: you called a taxi to take you home Me: Yes so I will not be involved in an accident Friend: (SMH) The party was at your house!

JESUS did not present to His disciples the hope of attaining earthly glory and riches, of living a life free from trial. Instead He calls upon them to follow Him in the path of self-denial and reproach. He who came to redeem the world was opposed by the united forces of evil. In an unpitying confederacy, evil men and angels arrayed themselves against the Prince of Peace.

His every word and act revealed divine compassion and His unlikeness to the world provoked the bitterest hostility. So it will be with all who will live in Christ Jesus.

Persecution and reproach await all who are imbued with the spirit of Christ. The character of the persecution changes with the times, but the principle - the spirit that underlies it, is the same. In my last article, I gave the story of a Muslim faithful who saw the truth in what some Christian women, were discussing about God behind his house in a rural area in the North. He refused to worship Allah and because of that, his family took him to a Psychiatric Hospital.’ The Christian doctor they met said there was nothing wrong with the man. When he got home, his family chained him so that he could not go to the church: He was given a choice — return to Islam or die! When the man refused to return to Islam, he was beaten and taken to a remote forest full of wild animals.

The man was marooned in the jungle at gunpoint. He managed to escape because of God’s protection in his life. After this ordeal, he came to the South to attend a Bible College. He could not speak English but he found there was Hausa department and he could study all the courses in Hausa language.

While in the College, God met with him and he was able to speak English to other students. After graduation, he was led by the Lord to start a Gospel Mission in his rural area, to minister the word of God. Today, he has brought all his people to know Christ.

If you are a Christian, you cannot go round some communities to preach the

gospel or else you are stoned to death. This thing is still happening today in the North and even in some communities in the South.

The Bible has a word for everyone who is afflicted.

Affliction is another word for being punished. If you are

forms of afflictions in Jesus name, Father comfort me on all sides in Jesus name, Lord Give me rest from mine enemies in Jesus name, my detractors will not prevail over me in Jesus name. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord

perpetual conflict, hostility, and battle between the seed of the woman and the seed of serpent, as prophesied in Gen 3:15. The battle will only come to an end when the seed of the woman would have conquered the seed of the serpent, ousting his control of the earth as

Religion Christ, you can always overcome, and you will overcome today in Jesus name.

Satan is a master strategist; we need to employ some strategies to be successful in

synagogues” you will be brought before governors and kings for His sake, for a testimony against the rulers and the gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought of how or what you

In Exile For The Faith

being afflicted because you are telling the truth, cheer up.

If Satan and his agents are making life difficult for you because you refuse to tell lies or cheat, cheer up. Here are some important things for you to know if you are afflicted, God will not allow you to be overcomed. God will answer the prayer of the afflicted. Jesus knows what affliction is all about. He cares for you. God will see

you through this day in spite of the troubles you have been in Jesus name. Pray: Lord deliver me from the hand of mine oppressors in Jesus name, Lord heal me of all

By PRINCE BAYO OKUO

delivers them out of all. Ps 34:19. Battles means armed conflict with an opposing military force or armed combat between enemy forces. It is the struggle of good against evil, Christ against Antichrist and light against darkness. The first battle was the one which God Himself declared, led, and

prophesied in Rev 6-19, and ruling as king of kings and Lords of Lords at His second advent. So, your daily motto must be: no retreat, no surrender. The lessons here are obvious: Firstly, battles have started from the beginning and will continue until the end of the

won in Gen 1-2. The enemy however came with counteroffensive in Gen. 3 when he succeeded in introducing sin into the human race. From here, there has been a

world. Everybody, young or old, rich or poor, is engaged in a sort of battle; so, yours is neither new nor an exception. Finally, whatever the battle you are facing or that is facing you, with Jesus

Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers them out of all. Ps 34:19. Battles means armed conflict with an opposing military force or armed combat between enemy forces. It is the struggle of good against evil, Christ against Antichrist and light against darkness. The first battle was the one which God Himself declared, led, and won in Gen 1-2.

the battlefield. The most important of them is for you to call on God for divine intervention before the fight.

In ancient times, some of the means by which God intervened in a battle include the use of the Urim and Thummim, through the Prophets, bringing the Ark of the Covenant which was the symbol of Jehovah Himself into the battlefield, or bringing the sacred ephod to

the battlefield. This was done at the battle of Michmash by King Saul and there was a great discomfiture of the Philistines. All these bore witness to the power of One mightier than Satan. Wicked men may torture and kill the body, but they cannot touch the life that is hid with Christ in God. They can incarcerate men and women in prison walls and chain them at home, but they cannot bind the spirit. Every believer in Christ is sent forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. You should therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Jesus Christ warned his disciples to beware of men “for they will deliver you up to the councils, and scourge you in their

are going to say, for it is not you that will speak but the spirit of your Father that will speak in you. Brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and father shall deliver up the child, and the children shall rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all men for His name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. The essence of the message is that believers in Christ are educated and disciplined in the school of Christ. Matt 10:16-22.

God is God of first class.

Old layer of Adamic nature has swallowed human beings.

Job was refining and his body was sore. Crude people find it difficult to refine their ways like Job and they remain as crude Christians. There is no ugly person in the kingdom if you allow God to refine you or handle you. If any person slap you, don’t slap back because through the endurance you will be refined as goldsmith refine the gold, Shedrack, Meshack and Abednego were tested through fire. Daniel was tested through the den of lions. God appeared to them during the test. A faithful Christian that is refined is a hot cake anywhere. Everyone needs refining to a golden Christian. Adamic nature includes fornicating, living useless life, wearing third class clothes instead of new ones. Third class clothes cause cancer. Jesus lived an example of first class life.

This was why when he sent for a Colt tied to a stake to ride to Jerusalem, the people laid down their clothes on the ground for the Colt to pass.

We must be golden Christians and not crude Christians. If you endeavour to move forward, enemies will clear from your way and go to your back. Jesus Christ warned his disciples that they should not fear those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul, but rather fear Him that is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. He gave the example of sparrow birds.

The birds are so cheap and were sold two for a farthing (one quarter of an old penny), but one of them will not fall on the ground except His Father allows it. Matt 10:2831.

Repositioning Jos Wildlife Park For Quality Ecotourism Wildlife Park and have a good time,’’ he says.

Yiljap describes the park as “very rich’’, adding that it is home to different species of rare animals like elephants, lions, hyenas, birds,

reacted if they were in the forest.

“Our hyenas are also fed with foods that contain calcium, while our pythons eat rabbits. The monkeys are kept as naturally wild as possible and that is why some monkeys even stray into the

medical screening of the workers that come in contact with the animals, especially during feeding, so as to ensure that they do not transmit any diseases to the animals,’’ he adds.

As government intensifies efforts to upgrade Jos

Namibia offered to donate some animals to the park, following requests by Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau.

Yiljap acknowledges that Jos Wildlife Park has lost a lot of revenue as a result of a decrease in tourists’ visits over the years, insisting, however, that the benefits of a functional wildlife park cannot be measured just in monetary terms.

“Sometimes, students visit

chimpanzees, baboons and monkeys.

As part of efforts to make Jos Wildlife Park lively and attractive to all kinds of tourists, the Plateau Tourism Development Corporation, the park’s managers, insists on retaining the hunting instincts in the wild animals, particularly the lions, by feeding them with live animals.

“We do not feed the lions with bones or food leftovers since they multiply consistently; they live in their natural habitat and when animals are thrown to them, they react as they would have

neighbourhoods,’’ Yiljap says.

Investigations, however, reveal that some animals such as buffaloes, rhinos and giraffes are no longer alive but officials say that a special place had been established where the bones, skins and other features of the animals are conserved for interested visitors.

To keep the animals healthy, Yiljap says that the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, has attached some wildlife officers to the park to constantly look after the animals’ health.

“There is also an annual

Wildlife Park, officials say that more animals are being acquired from various locations to increase the stock.

They say that over the years, the zoo has received animals via exchange programmes with other zoological gardens like the Audu Bako Zoo in Kano, Karami Zoo in Maiduguri, while some animals are purchased directly from vendors and hunters.

The officials add that some animals are donated to the park by some individuals and via diplomatic channels, citing a recent instance where

the zoo and the gains from such visits are usually massive; the young students learn to be animal-friendly and they also get to know how dangerous some animals could be.

“Again, the tourists usually stay in our hotels and make all manners of purchases; all of these add to the economic growth of Plateau,’’ he says.

Mr George Ajim, a teacher at Anglican Junior Seminary, Kafanchan, who has always led students on excursions to the park, agrees with Yiljap as to the usefulness of such outings.

“There is usually a lot of

By EPHRAIMS SHEYIN

AS peace and stability returns to Jos and other parts of Plateau, tourism sites are being upgraded to enable the state to maximise the gains from the expected influx of local and international tourists.

One of the tourism sites under focus is the popular Jos Wildlife Park, located in the hilly Rantya area of the city.

Established 30 years ago, the park is famed as the biggest man-made zoological garden in the country, according to records from the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Like similar tourism facilities in Jos, the park has suffered much neglect over the years, with the downturn reaching a crescendo during the protracted crises and massive violence that rocked Jos and its environs for more than 10 years.

Naturally, international tourists avoided Plateau State like a plague during the period, while the residents were also too scared to visit tourism sites.

Mr. Abraham Yiljap, Plateau State’s Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, recalls that at some point during the crisis period, it was very difficult to feed the animals, as the fear-stricken workers were too scared to venture out of their houses.

However, Jos Wildlife Park is fast regaining its status as a choice destination for local and international tourists, as the park recorded a boom in patronage during the last Christmas and New Year festivities.

Yiljap says that the state government is spending N2 billion to re-stock the park and transform it into a modern tourist centre.

“What we are doing is a sharp reaction to the huge decline in the fortunes and patronage of the park, following years of neglect.

“We want to upgrade the facility to enable it to realise its full potential; the multiplier effects are massive but we specifically target a situation where every family will want to visit Jos

Tourism

“Established 30 years ago, the park is famed as the biggest man-made zoological garden in the country, according to records from the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Like similar tourism facilities in Jos, the park has suffered much neglect over the years, with the downturn reaching a crescendo during the protracted crises and massive violence that rocked Jos and its environs for more than 10 years.”

excitement among the students whenever we visit the park; it gives the students an opportunity to see in real life, the animals they read about in books and see in pictures,’’ he says.

Ajim says that some of the most exciting sights are when students see the monkeys, chimpanzees and baboons jumping from one tree branch to another in their very natural habitat.

“The students also get to see dangerous reptiles and learn to stay off from places they could come in contact with them,’’ he adds.

Observers, however, underscore the need to fence the park, arguing that some monkeys sometimes stray into the neighbourhoods.

One of them, Jehu Yenlong, a worker in a federal agency, says that the animals ought to be constantly secured so as to protect them from the menace of poachers.

“Monkeys stray into neighbourhoods and that is dangerous because they could be killed by people who have a taste for bush meat (meat of wild animals),’’ he says.

Analysts say that the park’s fencing is also imperative in order to guarantee the safety of residents of nearby communities and visitors, as the wild animals could sneak out from the park anytime.

They also want regular electricity and water supply to the park, insisting that the government should give this priority attention while expending the N2 billion voted for the park’s renovation.

All the same, Yiljap says that the ministries of tourism and agriculture are discussing ways of boosting agric tourism in the state by opening up more tourism centres at the Butura Cattle Ranch and the Panyam Fish Pond.

“We have also revived the Jos Polo Club to enable us to organise more polo tournaments after years of inactivity because of the insecurity in Plateau,’’ he adds.

All in all, analysts emphasise that the government and other stakeholders should make concerted efforts to fully develop the tourism industry in Plateau and boost its revenue-earning potential.

A systemic but retrospect account of the prevalent presence of revolutions in all facets of human endeavour through the centuries, reveals the growing awareness that world peace is threatened not only by the arms race, regional conflicts and

on others and on the entire ecosystem. As it were, it has become a serious issue that has taken the center stage of world discourses. The word ecology was coined by a German zoologist, Ernest Haeckel, who applied the term “Oekoloqie” to the

Environment are questions that vividly reveal the extent to which these gifts of nature are either applied negatively or positively.

In the first place, we must begin by saying that man, the dominant organism on earth, has stood apart from the interaction of living

POISONING THE EARTH The health hazards arising from pesticides are now being appreciated by people in the first-world countries.

They are known to cause genetic disorders, sterility, skin allergies and emphysema;

fertility of soil. Pesticiderelated diseases are becoming a major health hazard in Third-world countries, Summarily, during the past forty years we have been progressively poisoning the body of nature in

Much of our industrial pollution stems from a “flush the toilet” approach. Once the harmful substance is out of sight, people tend to forget about it. This ‘out of sight, out of mind’ attitude, so common

Ecological Sensitivity Towards Nature continued injustices among peoples and nations, but also by a lack of due respect for nature, by the plundering of natural resources and by progressive decline in the quality of life. It has been the tendency of man to manipulate his environment in order to shape it to his intended taste. This tendency obviously has yielded both fruitful and destructible results which affects man and his environment in both capacities respectively.

In the light of this, the main thrust of this paper is to assess the environmental degradation of the earth, bearing in mind: Firstly, what the crisis actually is; secondly, the need to unfold the moral implications therein; and finally, envisage the need for security of the environment in promoting ecological sensitivity.

A DECADENT STATUS QUO Ecological crisis concerns the effect of all human activities on us,

“relation of the animal both to its organic as well as inorganic environment.” This word comes from the Greek “Oikos”, meaning “household, home, or place to live.” Thus, ecology deals with the organisms and its environment. The word environment in this context includes other organisms and physical surroundings. It involves relationships between individuals within a population and between individuals of different population. Thence, these interactions between individuals, between population, and between organisms and environment, form ecological system, or ecosystem. From the foregoing, the place of man in this order of nature is brought to question. But how has man been able to explore the gift of nature? Above all, how has man been able to influence the ecosystem? These and many more are the questions that are impressed upon us. They

By ESSIEN CHRISTOPHER

things; yet, as he is discovering, he is inextricably tied to his environment. The air he breathes, the water he

although, chemicals have been used in agriculture for the last forty years. At first, they were greeted favourably by almost

drinks, the food he consumes, and the products he uses and throws away binds him to the functions of local and global ecosystems.

everyone as they yielded bumper harvest. Soon, however, it was realized that constant use of chemicals destroy the long-term natural

“It has been the tendency of man to manipulate his environment in order to shape it to his intended taste. This tendency obviously has yielded both fruitful and destructible results which affects man and his environment in both capacities respectively.”

almost every corner of the globe-without any extensive knowledge about the harmful longterm effects of these chemicals, we have tampered with the delicate balance of

today, is very dangerous.

It is reported that thousands of fresh water lakes in Canada and the Scandinavia are now so acidic that all life-forms are dying. In Sweden alone, 18,000 lakes out

nature, ensuring in many areas problems greater than crop pests.

INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION Industrial pollution is not confined to the Firstworld industrialized countries.

These pollutions are responsible for a significant rise in respiratory diseases. A steel work also discharges dust into the air and pollutes the bay with acids and chemicals. A vinyl plant produces caustic soda, hydrochloride and polyvinyl chloride.

of a total of 96,000 are affected. The creeks in Nigeria as well are not left out.

AIR POLLUTION Humans are bringing about changes in the atmosphere which can affect the global climate.

How do we cause these changes? Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by 30 percent since 1850. In the 1970s, about 15 billion tones of carbon dioxide were injected into the atmosphere each year mainly through industrial activity, coal burning, car Continued on page 29

Continued from page 28

exhausts and inorganic fertilizer. Since increased carbon dioxide causes a “greenhouse” effect, it captures solar heat which eventually reflects back to space. It is expected that there will be a temperature rise of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius during the early decades of the next century.

DIMINISHING OUR HUMANITY The impoverishment which flows from this destruction goes far beyond our physical needs. We also diminish our own humanity when we destroy our environment, because we are integral with the life community. Our senses of wonder, beauty and joy come from the profusion of colour, pattern and music in the world around us. The great Rhineland mystic, Meister Eckhart, calls attention to the revelatory dimension of every creature when he insists that “every creature is a word of God and a book about God.” St Thomas Aquinas has much the same thing in mind in the Summa, Part 1, Question 47, Article1.

He argues that God Created a magnificent variety of creatures so that his goodness might be communicated to them and reflected by them.

THE ECOLOGICAL CRISIS: A MORAL PROBLEM Certain elements in today’s ecological crisis reveal its moral character. First among these is the indiscriminate application of advances in science and technology. Many recent discoveries have brought undeniable benefits to humanity. Indeed, they demonstrate the nobility of the human vocation to participate responsibly in God creative action in the

world. Unfortunately, it is now clear that the application of these discoveries in the fields of industry and agriculture have produced harmful longterm effects. This of course has led to the painful realization that we cannot interfere in one area of the

Environment celebration of the World Day of Peace, in January 1, 1990, Blessed John Paul 11 remarked that “the most profound and serious indication of the problem is the lack of respect for life,” evident in many patterns of environmental pollution.

In these cases, pollution

and well-being is ultimately to mankind’s disadvantage.

SECURING THE ENVIRONMENT IN P R O M O T I N G ECOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY Looking at the adverse effects of environmental degradation that befalls

or environmental destruction is the result of an unnatural and reductionist vision which at times leads to a

the society, many people might feel it may be too late to save the world and that the environmental challenges are too large

attractive. Advocates of this approach claim that technological solutions can be found for our entire environmental

government has made a number of attempts to preserve the environment. These include the establishment

genuine contempt for man. Thence delicate ecological balance are upset by the uncontrolled destruction of animal and plant life or by a reckless exploitation of natural resources. It should be pointed out that all of this, even if carried out in the name of progress

a task for human to contemplate or understand, much less solve. From the bible standpoint it is clearly stated that ‘you shall not pollute the land wherein you live” (Numbers 35:33). This brings to mind that we should all

crisis.

Obviously, some of our environmental problems can be resolved through technology. This is however a short term solution with piece meal effect; but what is needed is a fundamental and long term measures.

of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA). But a lot of setbacks abound especially the very poor attitude towards environmental sanitation.

As a result of this, one wonders what this agency can achieve.

accept the responsibility of caring for this precious earth that was beautifully created for all. Suggested methods and means of securing and preserving the environment, like the technological approach have been popular and

Consequently, people must realize that our misuse of the environment can come home to roost. Not only non-human life forms are endangered, human life itself is threatened. In Nigeria, for example, the

...Sensitivity Towards Nature

ecosystem, and neglect the consequence of such interference in other areas and to the wellbeing of future generations.

The above position of the moral implication of ecological crisis is rightly stated in the following statement credited to the US conference of Catholic Bishops: the smog in our cities; chemicals in our water and on our food; eroded topsoil blowing in the wind; the loss of valuable wetlands; radioactive and toxic waste lacking adequate disposal sites; threats to the health of industrial and farm workers. The problems, however, reach far beyond our own neighbourhoods and workplaces. .., Acid rain pours on countries that do not create it.

Greenhouse gases and chlorofluorocarbons affect the earth’s atmosphere for many decades regardless of where they are produced or used.

Secondly, in his message for the

“Looking at the adverse effects of environmental degradation that befalls the society, many people might feel it may be too late to save the world and that the environmental challenges are too large a task for human to contemplate or understand, much less solve. From the bible standpoint it is clearly stated that ‘you shall not pollute the land wherein you live” (Numbers 35:33). This brings to mind that we should all accept the responsibility of caring for this precious earth that was beautifully created for all.”

NEWS EXTRA Nigerians Warned Against Using Chloroquine, Artesunate For Malaria Combination Therapy Treatment NIGERIANS have been

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Halliru Alhassan Presenting a long lasting insecticticide treated net to a boy at dange town to mark the 2014 World Malaria Day in Sokoto over the weekend.

advised against the use of Chloroquine and Artesunate for the treatment of malaria.

Mrs. Nnenna Ezeigwe, National Coordinator, National Malaria Control Programme, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

She, however, recommended that people should take only Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACTs) when they test positive for malaria.

“If your test result is positive, take only Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACTs). Do not treat malaria with

chloroquine, Artesunate or other monotherapies.

“The ACT with green leaf is good quality and affordable; Ask for it,’’ she said.

Contacted, Mrs. Adeline Osakwe, Deputy Director, Pharmacovigilance, Food and Drugs Information Centre, NAFDAC, said the use of chloroquine and artesunate in Nigeria was being gradually phased out.

“Since 2005, the use of monotherapies such as Artesunate, Chloroquine had been discouraged in favour of Aretmisinin

Imam Urges Politicians To Stop Blame Game On Insecurity

Malam Muhammad Nafi’u, the Chief Imam of Nupe Road Juma’at Mosque, Kaduna, has urged politicians to stop blaming each other over the security challenge threatening the country.

Nafi’u made the call in an interview with newsmen after Friday prayers in Kaduna.

He advised the politicians to join hands with government in addressing the problems facing the country for peace to reign.

According to him, security is the responsibility of all citizens.

He said it was the civic responsibility of everyone to report any threats to relevant authorities for action that would nip such threats in the bud.

The chief imam also urged government to secure the release of abducted GGSS Chibok students in Borno in fulfilment of its responsibility.

The cleric condemned those behind the Nyanya bomb blast in Abuja, describing it as a “ devilish

act’’.

He said the Boko Haram terrorists were not Muslims and don’t represent Muslims in any way.

“Islam does not preach violence, but a religion of peace.

“However, Boko Haram is waging war with the entire

country, and no good citizen will accept that. The insurgency must be crushed.’’

He further called on

By AUDU ADAMA

responsibility to provide for youths, the youths however have a duty to protect itself from self – destruction by not engaging in untoward activities but should engage themselves effectively in productive ventures and exploit the world’s endless possibilities.

The School Principal stressed that idleness, laziness, frustration and depression which are the hall marks of problems confronting youths in most societies could ultimately lead to youth involvement in cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, drug addition and cyber crime etc. He stressed that while the older generation used cultism to advance humanity and fight against oppression, today the

phenomenon has assumed a vicious dimension as it is now being used to realize petty personal and selfish interest in their bids to avoid failure and frustration.

He advocated youth’s engagement in vocational and productive ventures such as photography, laundering services sporting activities as well as go into animal rearing and poultry etc, as a means to escape from these Vices.

Chief Joseph Jekpe, who is the Chairman, Planning Committee, Okpekpe National Day had in his Address of Welcome, told the gathering that the Okpekpe National Nay was specifically intended to bring together their Sons and Daughters at home and in the

the judiciary is the cornerstone of the rule of law which is indispensable in a democratic society, we shall guide it jealously,’’ it said.

“We shall keep faith to the four cardinal programmes of the old UPN because of its comprehensiveness in addressing the core issues of the

problem of this nation.

The party, in the statement, also extended its hands of fellowship to all the political parties to elevate the country’s democratic practices.

It also commended the officials of INEC for their painstaking efforts in registering the party.

diaspora to project the community’s rich cultural heritage towards achieving the physical development of the entire kingdom.

Mean while Okpekpe sons and daughters have been enjoined to imbibe the spirit of orderliness in the face of provocation and not be unnecessarily egocentric in their relationship with the larger society.

According to Professor Richard Imasagbor of Benson Idahosa University in his paper, former promotes love, selflessness, leading ultimately to development, the latter usually result in self destruction.

While cataloging the implications of the exhibition of egocentric trait for a Community, the Professor of English emphasized that the egocentric man plays down on the other man, sees what belongs to his family as solely his, perceives his community’s land belongs to his group thus exhibiting not just the spirit of selfishness which in most cases lead to disunity within an entity.

Agency (SMEDAN) has promoted Mr. Levi Anyikwa, Deputy-Director (Corporate Affairs), as new South-East Zonal Coordinator of the agency.

This is contained in a statement signed by Anyikwa and made available to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

According to the statement, Anyikwa’s appointment is part of the ongoing decentralisation of the agency’s services for optimal result.

The statement said the new posting automatically placed Anyikwa as head of the Zonal

Office in Enugu from where he would perform supervisory roles in Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo and Abia branches.

The statement said that the appointment was conveyed to him by the management of the agency via a letter dated April 23, 2014.

It said that Anyikwa was born on March 27, 1965, and hailed from Umuchu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra.

According to the statement, Anyikwa attended the (CMS) Primary School Umuchu from 1972 to 1978.

He attended his post primary school in Boys’ Secondary School Umuchu from 1978 to 1983, and afterward proceeded to Anambra State Polytechnic Oko (now Federal Polytechnic, Oko) from 1984 to 1986.

He later proceeded for his degree in the former Anambra State University of Technology (ASUTECH) now Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) between 1986 and 1989.

The release said Anyikwa later attended the University of Lagos

Okpekpe Youths Told To Be Proactive Youth have been described as the Heart Beat of the Community which should be nurtured, cultured, refined, and guided to reflect on future expectations as Youths not guided are future disaster in the brew.

This was the one of the submissions made in a Lecture titled ”Youth and Community Development” delivered by Mr. Uduimoh Ayo, the Principal of Comprehensive College , Okpella during the 5th edition of Okpekpe National Day held at Okpekpe last weekend.

He acknowledged that though it is a societal

INEC Approves Registration Of Unity Party Of Nigeria THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that it had approved the registration of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UNP).

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, the Commission’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity.

It said that the registration of the party was approved at the last meeting of the commission.

“The commission at its meeting held on Thursday April 17, approved the registration of the UPN, the applicant having met the legal requirements for registration.

“The registration of UPN brings to 26 the total number of political parties in Nigeria,’’ it said.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Adedeji Salau, the UPN National Publicity Secretary, said in a statement posted on the party’s website that the journey was a long and tedious one.

Salau thanked all “Nigerian

government to be proactive and give schools maximum security to avoid what happened at Chibok.

He enjoined Muslims to sustain prayers for peace, unity and good governance in the country.

patriots” who had kept faith with the party.

“There has never been any occasion before now when an unregistered party has generated so much interest as that of the UPN,’’ he said.

The party also promised to make the needed difference, saying “with the UPN, it shall not be business as usual.

“We will always remember the sons and daughters with whom we are in the philosophy of serving the generality of Nigerian people.

“Ours is the pursuit of an egalitarian society, serving the greatest good of the greatest number.

“We owe it to the Nigerian people in all the states and the geographical zones to be fair to all in dispensation of justice,’’ it said.

According to the statement, the UPN shall hold the freedom of the press and individual sacrosanct.

“To us the independence of

(ATC) for uncomplicated malaria.

“These ATCs include Arthemeter/Lumenfantrine, Artesunate/Amodiaquine, and other registered ones.

Osakwe said that the monotherapies are gradually being phased out by not registering new ones and not renewing those that their licenses had expired.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) had placed a global ban on the use of chloroquine and Artesunate in 2005.

Speaking on the World Malaria Day celebration, Ezeigwe advised pregnant women to register early for ante-natal care in order to receive preventive treatment against the disease.

“Expectant mothers should demand for preventive treatment, ‘Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTP)’ during ante-natal visits from 16 weeks of pregnancy,’’ she said.

She said that the Federal Government and Roll Back Malaria partners had over the last decade committed huge resources to ensure that malaria was brought under control.

She said that the efforts had led to a reduction in malaria prevalence by more than eight per cent, adding that much more needed to be done.

Ezeigwe called on the private sector, the media and the academia to play active roles in the fight against the Malaria.

“It is only working together that we can end the needless suffering and deaths caused by Malaria.

“Keep your environment clean and free of puddles, and always sleep inside long lasting insecticide treated nets.

“Wear protective clothing against mosquitoes when necessary, and always get tested before you treat for Malaria,’’ she said.

SMEDAN Promotes Head Of Corporate Affairs THE Small and Medium 1994 and 1996.

To Zonal Coordinator between Enterprises Development It said Anyikwa had acquired varied experience in journalism, public relations, human resource management and enterprise development.

According to the statement, Anyikwa is a World Banktrained Strategic Communication professional and an alumnus of the School of Media and Communication, Pan-African University, Lagos.

It also said Anyikwa joined the services of SMEDAN in 2004 as Chief Press Officer and rose to the position of Deputy Director (Corporate Affairs) in 2012.

Ferguson Backs Giggs For United Job

Flying Eagles Coach Wants Players To “Shape Up Or FRANCIS Ewulu, Flying Ship Out” Eagles’ goalkeeper trainer, on Friday urged old and new players in the team to either “shape up or ship out’’.

Ewulu gave the charge in an interview with reporters in Abuja, after the team thrashed FC Abuja, a Nigeria NationWide League (NNWL) side 7-2 in a test match.

The match was played at the FIFA Goal Project pitch, located at the package ‘B’ of the National Stadium, Abuja.

Ewulu told reporters that the team was gradually improving on its performance as it continued to use test matches to perfect strategies for next month’s African Youth Championship (AYC) qualifiers.

“It is our duty to let them know that they have graduated from U-17 to U-20 where you have a different standard altogether.

“They must raise their game and know that it is tougher here in U-20; the psychological aspect of it we are also working on it, for them to understand that.

“The over-confidence of a thing, yes we noticed that, but we have been talking to them to understand that the game of football should never bring over-confidence.’’

According to him, it cannot be under, it cannot be over, you players must maintain the standard at all times.

Ewulu said “we are going to meet a tougher opposition in the African qualifiers and you know that it is always physical.

‘So, we are trying to let them understand what they are going to see and that is why we are bringing them up toward that.’’

He noted that Benin Republic U-20 national team was chosen for their last

international friendly match before their main game against Kenya or Tanzania, in the African qualifiers because of their physical strength.

“I think Benin is good and they play almost the same type of football with the Kenyans and the Tanzanians; they are physical.

“So, that is why we need to play Benin. I think it is a good choice and it will afford us the opportunity to see exactly what the game will look like,’’ Ewulu added.

Flying Eagles are scheduled to face the winners of the first round of the AYC qualifier between Kenya and Tanzania which will be decided this weekend.

Both team played to a goalless draw in Kenya two weeks ago as the AYC is scheduled to hold in Senegal in 2015.

SIR Alex Ferguson believes Ryan Giggs is ready to lead Manchester United.

United are believed to see Giggs as a potential manager of the club a few years down the line, but they are currently searching for a more experienced successor to Moyes, which could mean a boss of the calibre of Louis van Gaal or Carlo Ancelotti.

But many United fans want 40-year-old Giggs to take the role on now despite his lack of managerial experience.

Ferguson is convinced the player he brought through the United ranks over two decades ago has the qualities required to take charge of the first team.

The Scot said at a function earlier this week, according to the Daily Telegraph: “I think that he is the one man they should go to really.

“He’s got 20-odd years of experience at Manchester

Tibo Vilanova

Barcelona Mourn Passing Of Vilanova

BARCELONA were in mourning on Saturday following the death of their former coach Tito Vilanova from throat cancer at the age of 45.

Vilanova’s former players with parotid gland cancer in led the tributes to a man who, November 2011 and the alongside Pep Guardiola, disease returned in December helped mould them into one 2012. of the best teams in the He was away from the history of the game. team from December, Vilanova led the club undergoing surgery and during the 2012/13 season treatment in New York as his after taking over from assistant Jordi Roura took Guardiola, having spent four charge in his absence, but trophy-laden years as his returned in late March and assistant, but was forced to still won the La Liga title resign last July because of ill again - and with a record health points haul - before stepping Vilanova, who as assistant down in July last year. helped Barca win three Messi, the star of his team, Primera Division titles and said on his Facebook page two Champions League alongside a picture of the pair crowns, was first diagnosed together: ‘’I will never forget Tito. Forever with you. All

my love to his family.’’

Vilanova and Guardiola formed their friendship as players in Barca’s youth setup. Although Vilanova never played a first-team game for the club, instead spending his career largely in the Spanish second division, he linked up again with Guardiola when the latter took over the Barcelona B team in 2007.

The club’s president Josep Maria Bartomeu said his death had left everyone at the club “feeling very empty”.

“He’s been an example to us and we have all learnt a lot from him as a person. We will

Sunday Pools Guide Week 42 Nottmfor; Accrington For “X” SAYS DR. J. K. POOLS

THIS week 42, the matches to be played on 3rd/4th May 2014 is a week that would definitely tell who is the world acclaimed pools consultant cum analyst.

The above captioned Headline however is a typical example of what I am saying.

This week captioned Headline games are Nottmfor vs Brighton at No 19 in the championship and Accrington vs AFC Wimbledon at 35 in English Division two for one compulsory draw on Saturday.

In the same vein, Millwall vs Bourmouth at 18 and Yervil vs Middbro at 22 for an “X” come rain or sun at the weekend.

In summary No 18-19-22 and 35 for at least two draws must.

This week No 19 xx19xx19 plus 2 others. They must draw.

This is the week if DR. J.K. POOLS is still that DR J.K. the pools surgeon of the late forties.

A look at the premiership, Man-Utd vs Sunderland at No 6 and Swansea vs Sunderland for a draw. They are No 5, 6 and 9.

Already I have mentioned those in the championship

which include Yeovil vs Middlebro at 22, Millwall vs Bourmouth at 18 and Nottmfor vs Brighton at 19 for at least two draws.

A look at English Division one Walshall vs Colchester at 33 and Wolves vs Carlisle at 34 for inseparable “X” on the card on Saturday.

Lest I forget Suentrope vs York at 44 is a tradition one banker draw. HOT LINE 07039275802 8 TREBLE CHANCE 1. Suentrope vs York 2. Northton vs Oxford 3. Accrington vs AFC Wimbledon 4. Newport vs Rocdale 5. Walshall vs Colchester 6. Wolves vs Carlisle 7. Millwall vs Boormouth 8. Nottmfor vs Brighton

0 0 1 1 2 2 3 3

– – – – – – – –

0 0 1 1 2 2 3 3

3 HOT PAIRS (A) 18 – 19 (B) 33 – 34 (C) 42 – 44. Good will says DR. J.K. Pools Box 34 Irrua or opposite Police Station, Irrua Esan Central, Edo State.

miss him terribly,” he added on the club website.

Barca’s sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta added: “ We have lost a true Barca man who knew this club from the old Masia (Barca’s youth academy) to the changing rooms, from the Barca B manager’s job in the third division to becoming the first-team coach.

United. I signed him as a kid at 13 years of age. He’s gone through the gamut of emotions at the club - he’s experienced all the highs and lows. He knows exactly what’s needed to be a Manchester United player and I was so pleased he brought Paul Scholes back in, and Nicky Butt of course two great professionals.”

Ferguson, who stepped down at the end of last season and played a key role in bringing in Moyes, can see the likes of Giggs, Scholes and Butt having long-term senior positions at Old Trafford.

He added: “It’s a very difficult industry to say you can have succession planning. But in the case of what we were doing in the last few years, with bringing Nicky Butt into the fold, Ryan into the fold, Paul Scholes into the fold, and Gary Neville was offered a position but he decided to go into television. He could easily come back.”

Ferguson, who played a key part in knocking Liverpool off their perch following their success during the 1980s, was immediately consulted when Giggs took the job.

“He was the first person I picked up the phone to,” Giggs said on Friday.

“Why wouldn’t I? He’s been everything you can as a manager - a young manager, an experienced manager, a successful manager.

FIFA Probe Into Qatar Vote May Be Over By June FIFA may conclude its investigation into the voting procedure that resulted in the 2022 World Cup being awarded to Qatar before this year’s finals starts in June, secretary general Jerome Valcke said on Friday.

“An investigation is being run by (New York lawyer) Michael Garcia and the commission is interviewing all those involved in the case and it will soon be delivered to the (FIFA) ethics committee that is going to decide if any measures should be taken,” Valcke told reporters.

“That will be soon, maybe we will have a decision before the 2014 World Cup,” he said after a four-day trip to Brazil.

FIFA’s investigation was launched last year into alleged corruption surrounding the voting procedure for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively.

The choice of Qatar was controversial given that the small Arab nation has little footballing culture and summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (40 Celsius).

Garcia, a former New York attorney, was empowered by FIFA’s Congress to “leave no stone unturned” in his quest to

discover if there was any wrongdoing in the voting process.

As FIFA’s first independent ethics investigator and prosecutor, he was also empowered to investigate the votes-for-cash scandal that led to long-serving FIFA officials Jack Warner and Mohammed Bin Hammam leaving the organisation.

FIFA’s executive committee meets in Sao Paulo in June in the days before the start of the 2014 World Cup, which will be held in 12 cities across Brazil.

Garcia’s report could be ready by then, according to Valcke.

Sepp Blatter

CMYK

Dangote Group Donates Relief Materials To Benue

President Goodluck Jonathan (right) with the Crown Prince of Benin, HRH Eheneden Erediauwa who paid him a visit in Abuja at the weekend.

THE Pan African conglomerate, Dangote Group, has donated 12 trailer load of relief materials worth N40 million to the Benue State Government.

This is contained in a statement issued at the weekend by the Group and made available to newsmen in Abuja.

The relief material, according to the Group, is meant to support the effort of the state government to bring succour to the victims of the recent crisis in the state.

The statement on Friday said the President of the Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, represented by his Special Adviser, Mr. Joseph Makoju handed over the items to the displaced persons in Makurdi.

“We have a very cordial relationship with our host communities in Benue and it is only natural we identify with them at a time like this,” Dangote was quoted as saying.

Confab C’tee Revisits Resource Control Tomorrow

BY JOSES SEDE

As the on-going National Conference committees turn in their reports for further discussions at the plenary, the vexed issue of resource control is yet to be settled.

Views were varied on the issue of resource control.

Most members of the Committee on Devolution of Power saddled with the onerous assignment, made contributions to the discourse on resource control.

While some members insisted that resources belong to the constituent states in which they are located; others claimed they belong to the Nigerian sovereign nation; while others believe that mineral resources belong to the

communities in which they are found.

Some members were also of the opinion that the 13% derivation formula as contained in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria be retained while some drew the attention to the fact that the Constitution states “not less than 13 %, and therefore suggested that it be increased to 50%.

However, they pointed out that distinction should be made between the concepts of derivation and resource control.

By Thursday, the Committee made marginal progress on the issues raised and hoped to

discuss and resolve some of the contending areas when it resumes sitting on Monday.

Issues under consideration in the Committee on Devolution of Power when it commenced sitting on Tuesday revolved around: 1. Whether members of the Committee agreed that Nigeria should remain united as a nation and whether there should be devolution of power (from the centre to the federating units in Nigeria).

2.

Whether the committee Should first of all consider discussing the review of the Legislative list or start with

resource control 3.

Creation of subcommittees that would facilitate the work of members of the Committee.

4.

Whether the committee should continue the discussion on resource control the next day or go ahead to open discussion on the review of the Legislative list.

5. Whether there was need for the committee to liaise with relevant committees of the conference whose work might have some relevance to the work of this committee.

The Committee then agreed that Nigeria should remain united but that there should be

Benin Monarch Prays For President Kingdom.

THE Oba of Benin, Omo Jonathan’s Success Benin “He is praying fervently for n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa, at the weekend in Abuja enjoined President Goodluck Jonathan to contest for the 2015 Presidential Election to enable him continue his good work for the country.

Erediauwa, who made the call when he addressed State House correspondents in Abuja, after a closed-door meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, said his kingdom had since embarked on special prayers for

the success of the president in next year’s general elections.

The Oba, who was represented by his Son, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, said the kingdom had also embarked on special prayers for the continued survival of Nigeria as a geopolitical entity.

“On behalf of my father, who sent me here to convey this message to Mr. President that he

has been following the things that have been happening in the country.

“All these disturbances, the distractions Mr. President has been having, that Mr. President being his own Son, he considers Mr. President as his Son and he has asked me to present this special message to Mr. President, to tell Mr. President that he is praying for him in the

INEC Begins Continuous Voter Bayelsa. “‘ Though the dates of the Registration In May CVR of the outstanding phases THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it would begin the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) nationwide from May 28 to June 1.

This is contained in the daily bulletin of the commission released in Abuja at the weekend.

It stated that the CVR would

be preceded by a nationwide distribution of Permanent Voter Register (PVCs) in states to be involved in the launch from May 23 to May 25.

It stated that the CVR would be in three phases.

The bulletin listed states in the first phase as Taraba, Gombe, Zamfara, Kebbi, Benue, Kogi, Abia, Enugu, Akwa-Ibom and

and states are yet to be released by the commission, each phase of CVR will be preceded by the distribution of PVCs. “The decision to stagger the CVR exercise and the distribution of PVCs is informed by lessons learnt by the commission from the recent CVR exercise and distribution of PVCs in Ekiti and Osun states,’’ it stated.

him to be able to withstand the pressure, to go through the pressure.

“And also to pray that the opportunity will come for him to continue the good work he is doing in Benin and other parts of South-South for at least another term. ‘‘I believe that is the commitment we have in this kind of special prayer coming from the Oba of Benin, my father.

Erediauwa, who expressed the support of people of his kingdom to the Federal Government, urged the President not to be distracted from his good works by those who were bent on causing social discontent in the country.

He said the kingdom would continue to pray for the president to enable his administration overcome all security challenges facing the country.

The monarch said that he would continue to offer ‘fatherly advice’ to the President, to guide him in facing future challenges.

devolution of power (from the centre to the federating units).

Members decided to discuss resource control independent of the Legislative list. They agreed that each member of the Committee should be given an opportunity to discuss each thematic issue.

He described the crisis as “unfortunate’’, saying that the insurgency was diversionary to the government’s effort at bringing the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

“Governor Gabriel Suswam administration has done a lot to improve the wellbeing of the good people of Benue State through massive upgrade of infrastructure, empowerment of rural farmers and among others,” he said.

Dangote said that the relief material donated was part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme that covers health, education, empowerment and disaster relief in the state.

He said that in Gboko, the group had over the years built blocks of classrooms, constructed water boreholes and provide electricity in communities around its Cement plant.

The statement quoted him as saying, “the company gives an annual scholarship grant of N10 million to the people of Gboko communities.’’

According to the statement, Gov. Gabriel Suswam, who inspected the relief items, expressed gratitude for the gesture and prayed that God would continue to bless Dangote Group.

Nigeria, Benin Customs Establish New Vehicle Transit Regime

IN a bid to beat smugglers at their game, the Seme Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) and its Benin Republic counterpart at the weekend established a new vehicle transit regime.

The Area Controller of the Seme Command of the NCS, Mr. Willy Egbudin, said at the inauguration of the new regime in Badagry that the measure would reduce the smuggling of vehicles.

Reports state that there is a park in Cotonou, near Seme, where vehicles coming into Nigeria are parked to pay N5, 000 per vehicle for easy passage.

Newsmen, also reports that the process gives fillip to the smuggling of vehicles into the country.

According to Egbudin, with the new vehicle transit regime, the Benin Customs will hand over imported cars from Benin to Nigeria Customs.

“A fixed location for the formal handling over was mutually accepted to be at the front of the Gendarmerie Office at the Seme border complex,’’ he said.

“We have been working on various ways to strengthen the relationship between Nigeria Customs and our Beniniose counterpart and this has gone a long way in doing that.

“We know the importance of synergy between the two customs administrations in revenue collection, anti smuggling and facilitation of legitimate trade, the Seme area controller said.

According to him, the new vehicle transit regime will drastically reduce smuggling of vehicles and boost revenue for government.

“My joy knows no bounds because this transit arrangement will reduce the loss of lives of our officers and smugglers.’’

Egbudin said that the regime would reduce the security challenges in the country.

“With this, we will be able to conduct proper examinations on the vehicles to ensure that arms and ammunition are not smuggled into the country.

“This will also help to reduce the rate at which youths in this area engage in smuggling because the vehicles will be handed over directly to the customs,” he said.

Imorin Idrisso, the Chef de Brigade in Charge of Enforcement of Customs in Cotonou, said that the Benin Government was committed to assisting Nigeria.

“Issues in Nigeria are also our issues, so we are always glad to help Nigeria in the little ways we can.

“This is part of the reasons why the Benin Government decides to officially relate with the Nigerian Customs because we are committed to strengthening the relationships between both parties,” he said.

Mr. Lawrence Obisakin, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, said the handing over would bring transparency and help in boosting the economy of Nigeria.

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