Peoples Daily Newspaper, Wednesday 01, May, 2013

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 10 No. 88

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

. . . putting the people first

Judge wants stiffer penalty for corrupt leaders >> 3

Jimadal Akhir 21, 1434 AH

FG to outlaw indiscriminate sack of workers

N150

>> 6

NCAA slams fine on Amaechi’s aircraft

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has confirmed that the

...It’s witch-hunt - Reps

grounded Bombardier – BD 700 Global Express aircraft marked N565RS, belonging to the Rivers

state government will be penalised for gross violation of civil aviation regulations.

But reviewing the controversy surrounding the grounded aircraft yesterday, the House of Representatives noted that the entire scenario “raises

serious issues as to the abuse of powers by the executive and the use of state machinery to witchhunt perceived political Contd on Page 2

FG squandered N1trn special fund - Senate

Reps probe N100bn unclaimed funds

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

A

report of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts yesterday revealed that Federal Government squandered a total of N1,043,150,990,411.61, out of the sum of N1,518,871,357,426.64, which accrued to the Special Funds Accounts (SFA) between 2002 and 2012.

The fund divided into Stabilisation Account, Derivation and Ecology Account, and Development of Natural Resources Account, was established in 2002 as an interventionist fund for the development of the solid minerals sector, ecology and other critical areas of the economy.

According to the report, successive governments of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan mismanaged the funds established in 2002.

The committee presented its findings on the floor of the Senate yesterday, by its Chairman, Ahmed Lawan (ANPP-Yobe).

He said that several approvals of funds from the SFA during the period did not conform to the purposes for which the funds were established.

The Accounts, managed by the Federal Government, comprises three per cent Development of Natural Resources Account, 1.46 per cent Derivation and Contd on Page 2

L-R: Chairman, Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman, FORTE Oil, Chief Femi Otedola, and Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yarima Ngama, during the National Economic Management Team meeting, at the State House, Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

First Bank hits N92 billion profit - Report

>> 3

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

CONTENTS News

2-10

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

Stockwatch

23

Property

24-27

Motoring

28

Jonathan receives Army, NEMA report on Baga massacre

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has commended the military high command, the National Emergency Management

Authority (NEMA) and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development for their swift response to his order for immediate action to investigate

the incident in Baga, Borno state, assist and rehabilitate the victims, and make all necessary findings available to the government.

Jonathan gave the commendation yesterday after receiving preliminary reports of

the investigations carried out by the Military and NEMA into the incident.

President Jonathan also welcomed the plan by the National Human Rights Commission to carry out independent investigations into the matter.

NCAA slams fine on Amaechi’s aircraft Contd from Page 1 opponents.”

Owners of the aircraft, whose licence was suspended by the NCAA four days ago, are to face fine which would be determined by the regulatory body.

Acting NCAA DirectorGeneral, Mrs. Joyce Nkemakolam, stated this in a chat with newsmen saying that the fine would be “in monetary terms."

She said: “We will calculate it.

The fine to be paid by the owners of the aircraft would be calculated

after aviation officials have concluded a series of meetings in Abuja and Lagos on what the regulations stipulate as offence for such violation.”

The NCAA had at the weekend suspended the operating licence of the aircraft which it said had been operating illegally since the expiration of its approved flight clearance on April 2.

The Bombardier – BD 700 Global Express aircraft is said to be owned by the River state government and used by Governor Rotimi Amaechi who

has been at loggerheads with President Jonathan.

However, the House of Representatives yesterday condemned the grounding of the jet belonging to the Rivers State by the National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) describing it as witch-hunt of perceived political opponents.

While mandating its committees on Justice and Aviation to investigate the circumstances of the incident, the House further knocked the Federal Government for the action and

further described it as, “detrimental to any democracy and tends towards dictatorship and draconian tendencies typical of the military era."

Adopting a motion sponsored

by Ahmed Idris, representing Wase Federal Constituency in Plateau state, the House directed the two committees to, “extensively investigate the justification and circumstances surrounding the grounding of the Rivers state aircraft and report back to the House within two weeks.”

FG squandered N1trn special fund - Senate

May Day: Not yet ‘uhuru’ for Nigerian workers, Page 4

Arts

29-30

Int’l

31-34

Strange World 35 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-45

Leisure

47

Columnist

48

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU The Peoples Daily wants to hear from you with any news and pictures you think we should publish.

You can send your news and pictures to: letters@peoplesdaily-online.com pictures@peoplesdaily-online.com contact@peoplesdaily-online.com

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

Contd from Page 1 Ecology Account, and 0.72 per cent Stabilisation Account.

Those deductions came from the federation account, the report explained, noting that N1.51 trillion accrued to the SFA as at June 30, 2012, from figures obtained from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).

Out of the amount, N1.23 trillion was recorded as total payments to beneficiaries from the account, the report said.

However, the report noted that the operation of the natural resources, ecology and stabilisation accounts were grossly abused.

On the natural resources account, the report detailed 16 abuses under it which amounted to N701.4 billion in 10 years, representing 100 per cent of the total amount released under the period.

The report listed some of the infractions to include a N2 billion loan granted for payment to Gitto Costruzioni General Nigeria Limited on Sept. 19, 2005.

Gitto, an Italian construction company, is said to have been involved in several questionable deals with Nigerian government officials including the controversial donation of a church to President Jonathan’s Otueke hometown in Bayelsa at the president’s request.

The report also indicated that the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs was granted a loan of N3.7 billion in 2004 to purchase a chancery in Tokyo, from the account that was meant to assist states develop alternative mineral resources to oil and gas.

The report noted further that N5.7 billion loan was granted to the Ministry of Power and Steel in 2005 for the payment of severance package to disengaged steel workers.

And, in October 2007, the Ministry of Finance also withdrew

N10 billion for the payment of arrears of monetisation benefits owed Federal Government parastatals.

On the ecology account, the report said that out of N329.8 billion released during the period under review, N149.8 billion was abused, representing 45 per cent.

According to the report, N750 million was also released for the development of the Abuja Downtown Mall in 2007.

Also misappropriated from the ecological funds was a N1 billion loan to Edo state government, released in November 2002 and March 2003, respectively.

The Presidential Research and Communication Unit also received N200 million loan from the ecological fund in November 2002.

On the stabilisation account, created to provide for unforeseen contingencies and economic downturn, the report noted that N191.7 billion from the account was misapplied.

A total of N255 billion was released to the account between 2002 and 2012, and the report put its level of abuse at 75 per cent.

From the account, a loan of N309.2 million was granted to the Inspector-General of Police for purchase of vehicles for the UN peacekeeping operations in Haiti in 2006.

Also, a N2.8 billion loan was granted to pay Federal Government of Nigeria 50 per cent contribution to the Phase 1 of the pioneer car finance scheme for public servants in paramilitary agencies in 2007.

The report by the committee also observed that out of N580 billion loans granted from the three accounts, N347.9 billion had yet to be recovered from various beneficiaries several years after.

It also noted that there were no regular reconciliation between the OAGF and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The committee’s recommendation for the Federal Government to recover all outstanding loans within six months did not pass through at the Senate.

Also a recommendation for a legislation to be passed by the National Assembly to establish and regulate the SFA was also not passed.

In his explanation, Senate President David Mark said some of the recommendations by the committee had already been captured in a bill before the Senate to regulate the operations of the SFA. Mark described the report was a “wake-up call’’ to the legislators to be active in their oversight functions.

The Senate, therefore, directed its Public Accounts Committee to investigate further the disbursement and repayment of loans from the SFA. Earlier, several Senators, who spoke after the presentation of the report, commended the committee for a painstaking work.

The Senators were unanimous in their outrage over the revelations from the report and they conceded blame over their lax oversight functions of government agencies.

In his contribution, Victor Ndoma Egba (PDP, Cross River) said the report had shown that, “we are here because the system has allowed too much discretion to the Executive and when you have too much discretion, it becomes the rule of man as against the rule of law.

“This is because we have failed here. As far as I am concerned, this is more of an indictment of the NASS than of the Executive.

“How come we allow such huge funds to be spent without any law or guidelines from 2002 till today?”

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives yesterday,

mandated its committee on Justice and Judiciary to liaise with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, to simplify the process of claiming funds for beneficiaries of dead account holders in Nigerian banks and courts.

In a motion, by Abiodun AboduBalogun, Ogun ACN said the House is aware that about N100Bn of deceased persons' money is presently left in dormant accounts in Nigerian banks; and while the bank continues to trade with this money, beneficiaries of the deceased persons' accounts are living in penury mostly unable to feed.

He described the frustrations beneficiaries go through when trying to access funds of their dead loved ones as very "disturbing".

"Anytime beneficiaries show up to access the funds as the next of kin to the deceased, the banks usually place official and unofficial hurdles to frustrate them.

“The courts that are supposed to issue Letters of Administration also engage in unwarranted delays sometimes for a period of up to one year before such Letters of Administration are issued, thereby adding greatly to the frustration of the already traumatized beneficiaries."

Leading the debate, Abiodun pointed out that, "even the beneficiaries of the bereaved contributors to the Contributory Pension. Scheme (CPS) are not left out as they are frustrated due to their inability to make claims for their entitlements as a result of the cumbersome process of getting letters of Administration; and the inability of beneficiaries to access unclaimed funds may further discourage people from saving in our banks he echoed.”

The motion was unanimously adopted by the house and refers the motion to the committee on Justice and Judiciary to report its findings to the House within two weeks.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 3

Judge wants stiffer penalty for corrupt leaders

By Umar Muhammad Puma

C

hief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, yesterday suggested that corrupt-related offences should not have any option of fine in the dispensation of justice in Nigeria.

Speaking at a one-day public hearing on 'the administration of Criminal Justice Bill 2013, organised by the House Committee on Justice, Auta said that, “when penalties are stiffened, the incidence of commission naturally comes down but when they are relaxed, the opposite is the case.

Corruption related offences should not have any option of fine."

“Most of us still remember the hue and cry that greeted the discretion a judge recently exercised in favour of imposing a fine of N750,000 on a culprit who had allegedly stolen money running in billions."

“Corruption is the only reason that can explain the snail's speed at which the administration of criminal justice is moving in Nigeria and if it is not checked, it will be curtains for judicial growth in Nigeria.”

Speaker of the House of

Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, in his remarks noted that, Nigeria needs to pay more attention to its laws particularly those pertaining to the system of criminal justice administration.

He explained that, “this is because it is impossible to have a sound economy without a solid foundation of good laws that can curb anti-social behaviours and other disruptive tendencies.

“It is against this background that I welcome the proposal to enact a modern legislation as this for the reformation of our criminal procedure system.

“It is gratifying that this Bill makes several provisions for

addressing the bottlenecks that currently afflict our criminal justice system. These provisions will be highlighted in the course of your deliberations today.

“The absence of effective and timely procedures for curbing criminal behaviours discourages investors from taking the risk of investing their resources in an economy such as ours where such investments are seriously needed.

“The ultimate purpose of the Bill is to ensure that the legal system is sound enough to advance the well-being of the greater majority of the citizenry whilst bringing anti-social

conduct under control".

“I have no doubt that in view of the dynamism of the House Committee on Justice and the sustained support of all stakeholders, this Bill will be passed in no distant time. While looking forward to the suggestions of the stakeholders here present, let me declare this Public Hearing open.

Earlier in his address, Chairman of House Committee on Justice, Hon. Ahmad Ali said that when passed into law, the Bill would significantly improve the nation’s Criminal Justice system.

He explained further that, “the Bill deals fundamentally with the problem of delay in the dispensation of criminal justice.”

First Bank hits N92bn profit

By Abdulwahab Isa

T

R-L: Kebbi state Governor, Alhaji Saidu Dakingari, conducting Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, on an inspection of rice farm, yesterday in Argungu local government area of Kebbi state.

Photo: NAN

Reps seek improved maternal health, safety

By Umar Muhammad Puma

W

orried by the increase in the global statistic of maternal health and safety in Nigeria, the House of Representatives yesterday mandated its Committee on Health to investigate the high rate of maternal and child mortality in the country and make recommendations on how to improve maternal health and safety in the country.

In a motion by Daniel Effiong Akpan (PDP Akwa Ibom), said despite the huge funds appropriated to the Health Sector in the annual budget, the Primary Health Care System in the country is still poor as majority of women are unable to afford access to quality health services.

According to him, the primary health care system covers maternal health and constitutes the key focus of safe maternity programmes in the country, as the country is a signatory to the Bamako Declaration of reducing maternal and neonatal (newborn) mortality by 50 percent and reducing mortality by 30 percent in 2011.

"We are aware that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 are concerned with reducing the infant mortality ratio by two third and three quarters respectively between 1990 and 2015. Worried that current statistics shows that maternal and infant health status in Nigeria is one of the worst globally according to the 2008 estimates produced by the World

Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Bank.

“Further worried that about 50, 000 women die annually from pregnancy related complications and this constitutes 14 percent of global estimates of 358, 000 deaths, according to the Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS). Disturbed that the country’s maternal mortality ratio is 545 per 100, 000 live birth. The United Nations (UN) agencies put the lifetime risk of maternal death in Nigeria as one to every 23 which poorly compares with figures of one to 4, 300 for developed countries and one in 120 for developing countries”, he explained.

He however regretted that

Nigeria’s neonatal deaths in the first 28 days of life as indicated by the NDHS is 30 per 1,000 live births and that one million children die each year before their fifth birthday, which represents about 10 percent of the global total.

he FBN Holdings Plc yesterday declared a profit after tax of N92.7 billion for its 2012 operations representing 158.5 percent rise in it earning from previous year.

The report shows gross earnings of N359.8 billion, up by 31.4 per cent from N273.8 billion it declared during the same period last year.

The group also recorded an increase in net interest income of N287.3 billion, showing a 27.8percent increase from N176.2 billion it had last year.

Its non-interest income stood at N73.1 billion, as against N60.8billion recorded in previous year.

It recorded a growth in assets as group now peaked at N3.2 trillion, up by 11.4 percent from the N2.9 trillion declared in the same period.

It's customers’ deposit is now N2.4 trillion, showing an increase of 23percent from N2 trillion recorded at the same period in 2011.

Loans and advances netted N1.5 trillion, from N1.3trillion previous year.

Pirates kidnap five foreign sailors in Niger Delta

P

irates stormed a cargo ship in Yenagoa, kidnapping five foreign sailors and stealing cash, a watchdog and a security source said on Monday.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said the April 25 incident was carried out by "14 heavily armed pirates" who boarded the vessel 45 nautical

miles off the Nigerian town of Brass.

They forced their way into the ship's safe room, making off with crew and cash, the IMB said in a statement.

A security source, who asked that his name be withheld, said those taken included three Sri Lankans, a Russian and a sailor from Myanmar

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

May Day: Not yet ‘uhuru’ for Nigerian workers

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

T

oday, May 1, Nigerian workers will join their counterparts all over the world to celebrate the International Labour Day. International Workers' Day is the commemoration of the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago, the U.S. Reports had it that the police were trying to disperse a public assembly during a general strike for the eighthour workday, when an unidentified person threw a bomb at them.

The police reacted by firing on the workers, killing dozens of demonstrators and several of their own officers.

In 1889, the first congress of the Second International, meeting in Paris for the centennial of the French Revolution and the Exposition Universelle, following a proposal by Raymond Lavigne, called for international demonstrations on the 1890 anniversary of the Chicago protests.

May Day was formally recognised as an annual event at the International's second congress in 1891 The first Workers' Day in Nigeria was celebrated in Kano State in 1980, as the then governor, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, declared the day a public holiday.

In 1981, however, the Federal Government declared May 1 the Workers' Day. Since Nigeria started celebrating the May Day, the occasion is often used as an avenue for stock-taking by the organised labour and employers of labour.

The theme of this year's May Day is ``100 Years of Nationhood, Challenges of National Development''.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says that Nigerian workers have every cause to celebrate the 2013 May Day ``with pomp and pageantry.''

Mr Promise Adeusi, the Deputy NLC President, said that the union had able to fight for the interests of Nigerian workers, citing the current national minimum wage as an instance.

Adeusi said that the congress had also intervened by forcing telecommunication providers in the country to bring down their tariffs. ``There have been some gains and pains. For instance, the minimum wage issue, we have been able to force some states to pay their workers what they should earn, just like their counterparts elsewhere. ``Nowadays, the awareness of Nigerian workers is more than what it used to be in the past. ``Telecom providers have come down with their tariffs and it is all about the input of the labour movement. ``We are still working to keep the workers' head up high and very soon, all this struggle will bring about

L-R: NLC President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; and TUC President, Comrade Peter Esele, during the pre-May Day symposium, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN shinning results,'' he added.

The Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, said that the Federal Government had always supported the May Day celebration, adding that President Goodluck Jonathan would be part of this year's celebration. ``We are getting ready. You can see the excitement in the air. From what they told us, the organised labour will be 100 years this year and next year, Nigeria will become 100 years old. ``So, we are celebrating the labour movement at the eve of 100 years of nationhood and there is no doubt that organised labour played a major role in the race for independence,'' he stressed.

However a cross-section of workers wants the government to give more attention to the workers' welfare.

They insist that Nigerian workers have been adjudged as the poorest remunerated among the top 10 global oil producers and members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Miss Tochi Nwofor, a public

servant, said that that the workers' salary vis a vis the people's cost of living is still very poor.

She also said that the government failed to build new staff quarters after selling the old staff quarters to their occupants some years ago. ``An average Nigerian worker is always in need because he or she can hardly cope with the high costs of living in the country. ``Some years back, several civil servants did not have to contend with house rent as they were living in staff quarters but the story is different now,'' she said.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr Emeka Okoronkwo, a public servant, stressed that the wages of civil servants were still very poor.

He argued that poor workers' motivation would always foster low productivity because the workers, irrespective of their multifaceted responsibilities, lacked the financial capability to function efficiently. ``The so-called minimum wage is too insignificant to improve the lives of workers in these harsh economic times,''

“

Okoronkwo called on the government to enhance the workers' salary to reflect the high cost of living in the society, particularly the soaring prices of goods in the market and the high cost of transportation and accommodation.

he said.

Okoronkwo called on the government to enhance the workers' salary to reflect the high cost of living in the society, particularly the soaring prices of goods in the market and the high cost of transportation and accommodation.

He urged the government to either build staff quarters or allocate land to its agencies to erect low-cost houses for their staff, adding that such an policy would alleviate the plight of workers in getting affordable accommodation, particularly in expensive cities like Abuja, Lagos and Part Harcourt.

Nevertheless, Mr Paul Olowo, another public servant, bemoaned the high level of corruption in the country.

He urged the anti-corruption agencies to make tangible efforts to curb corruption in the country. ``The level of corruption is still astronomical; people are looting public resources with sheer impunity. ``Most times, monies meant for the welfare of workers in some parastatal agencies are pocketed by some highly placed persons in these agencies and nobody does anything about it. ``With the level of kidnapping, armed robbery, assassinations and the violence perpetrated by Boko Haram, many workers now operate with fear; they, therefore, cannot put in their best, '' he said.

All in all, analysts urge the government to give priority attention to the workers' welfare.

They also want the government to close the gap between Nigerian workers and their counterparts in other oil-producing countries.

Source: NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 5

Court warns accused Thisday office bomber over threat

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

J

ustice Adeniyi Ademola of a Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday warned the alleged bomber of SOJ plaza in Kaduna, housing the offices of Thisday newspaper, Umar Mustapha, to desist from further threat on the court.

Umar is standing trial on a one-count charge under the Terrorist Prevention Act 2011 slammed against him by the Police.

At the resumed trial, prosecution counsel, Shuaibu Labaran informed the court about the accused person's pronouncement of death on the life of the first prosecution witness during proceedings on Monday.

He alleged that, "many have heard the accused persons said in Hausa language that the witness shall be killed for testifying against him.

"My Lord, I thought you heard him because it was not long that you directed that the witnesses be made not to enter the court through the axis where the accused was docked", he added.

Counsel to the accused, Sulaiman Nureni interjected and denied that such a threat never came from his client.

The Hausa interpreter in the case, (name withheld) confirmed the threat as, according to him, the accused person wished death for the first witness for lying against him while giving evidence.

Justice Ademola however held that, "the allegation of threat to the life of a witness made by the accused person is taken seriously.

"I believed the accused person has said those things but I want to warn you to desist from that because a threat on witnesses is a threat against all of us and

against the court.

"It is therefore incumbent on the defendant counsel, Mr. Sulyman Nureni, and his team to ensure that the accused person is well behaved. There shall be no repeat of such thing as it will not be tolerated.

The star witness in the trial which was shielded from the member of the public except journalists wearing a mask,identified the accused person as the man who bombed the ThisDay Newspapers House April 26, 2012 in Kaduna.

He said the accused person implanted 12 camp gas cylinders as improvised bombs connected with wires to the steering of the car he (Mustapha) used for the operation.

Also testifying, an Investigative Police Officer, who took the statement of the accused person, said Mustapha confessed to have committed the act, adding that: "My Lord, the

accused person told me in Hausa that he attempted to blow up the entire ThisDay Newspaper office as a revenge mission".

Another prosecution witness who testified explained that the police authority directed him to transfer the accused person to the Headquarters of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) in Abuja.

According to him, "I was ordered by my superior officer to convey the accused person in Police Clinic Ambulance with full security escort which I led to Abuja on April 26 by 11:30 pm.

"I was told that he was a suspect rescued from the scene of bomb blast at Kontogora Road, Kaduna earlier in the day," he said.

After taking all the Prosecution Witnesses,the court adjourned till May 14 and 30 while June 4 and 5 were fixed for the accused person to open his defence.

R-L: President Goodluck Jonathan receiving the Baga mayhem report from Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye.

Trial of LEADERSHIP editors begins

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

A

Federal High in Abuja yesterday commenced the trial of two journalists with Leadership newspapers who pleaded not guilty to the amended six-count charge slammed against them by the Federal Government for allegedly forging a presidential directive and publishing the same as true.

Before their pleas were taken, the lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) mounted an intensive campaign to stall the accused persons' plea to be taken by the court.

Mr. Falana insisted that the written statements of the prosecution witnesses which the

prosecution intends to rely upon in the course of the trial should be served on his clients to enable them prepare adequately for their trial in line with the provisions of section 36 of the constitution which guarantees his clients' right to fair hearing.

He demanded that the statement of President Goodluck Jonathan where he stated that his signature contained in the bromide upon which the publication he is complaining about was made should be given to his clients to help them build their defence so as not to be ambushed in the course of the trial.

"Everything must be laid on the table so that we are not ambushed. Even President

Jonathan whose signature is allegedly forged in the "Presidential directive" document would have to come and testify that his signature had been forged.

"Every material in this case have to be given to us to enable us prepare our defence", he said.

On his part, the prosecution led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) opposed the submissions of Mr. Falana and contended that the accused persons are only entitled to know the nature of the charge brought against them and not the evidence against them.

He argued that proof of evidence which the court ordered to be served on the accused persons does not include the

written statements of the prosecution witnesses, which he said is the prosecution's material for trial.

"Proof of evidence is not the same as the written statement of prospective witnesses of the prosecution, there is a procedure for requesting for such materials as it is not a right.

"This court has the power to order the accused to take their plea".

The presiding judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, relying on the position of the Supreme Court in Wagbara and Uwazuruike cases as cited by Chief Awomolo, held that the accused have the right to know the nature of the charges brought against them in a summary trial but not the nature of the evidence.

He thereafter ordered the journalists to take their plea.

Nigeria records zero cases of Guinea worm disease From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

E

fforts to eradicate Guinea worm disease in Nigeria appear to have yielded fruits as the country has not recorded fresh cases of the ailment since 2008, according to the Programme Officer of the Nigeria Guinea Worm Eradication programme (NIGEP), Mrs. Dorcas Henry, has disclosed.

Speaking at a program to mark the 2013 national guinea worm disease day held in Kaduna, she explained that the disease mostly affects rural dwellers, especially where safe water supply is inadequate or totally lacking.

According to her, a total of 653,620 guinea worm cases were identified at the inception of the NGEP in 1988 in 5,879 villages throughout Nigeria.

She said the last case of the disease in the country was reported on November, in 2008 in Ekerigwe village, Abakaliki, Ebonyi LGA in Ebonyi State.

"Nigeria has maintained zero guinea worm case status for 52 consecutive months since the last case was reported in November 2008; and the success story is due to adequate safe water supply and management in villages at risk.

"Guinea worm is a poverty generating disease which affects agriculture productions adversely, incapacitate affected people and communities; it also causes school absenteeism by children", she said.

She further explained that the disease, which grows in the human of an infected person and emerges from different parts of the body after maturity, the matured ones are about 1.8mtres long, and people get infected by drinking water from ponds or other unprotected and unsafe water sources.

Soon after their pleas were taken, Mr. Falana challenged the competence of the charge, noting that the court lacks the jurisdiction to conduct the trial as the charge is not competent.

He contended that the six counts charge bordered on forgery which is a state offence and had nothing to do with the revenue of the federation.

He argued that the Federal High Court is not the appropriate venue for the trial.

The court granted bail in the sum of N500, 000 to the journalists with one surety each in like sum.

Further proceeding was subsequently adjourned to 16th May for Falana's application challenging the jurisdiction of the court and the competence of the charge to be heard.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

FG to employers: You can’t sack workers at will

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Federal Government yesterday disclosed that a new law is in the offing which would make it impossible for employers of labour in the country to hire and fire without following the provisions of the labour laws.

Labour and Productivity Minister Emeka Wogu, who made the disclosure at the opening of the National Human Rights Stakeholders Retreat and Programme of Inspection and Consultation Visitors in Abuja, maintained that under the law, no employer of labour has the right to hire and fire without due process.

He stated that efforts were being made to arrest this ugly development especially from the private sector that often fail to abide by the labour laws.

While acknowledging the complaints against human rights violation by the nation's security officials, Wogu explained that President Goodluck Jonathan has already put in place a machinery to constitute a commission of inquiry to unearth the veracity of the recent claim of genocide in

Baga, Borno state.

He made commented on the decision to place women in key position of responsibility in the Federal Executive Council and other agencies to reiterate President Jonathan's commitment to rule of law and uphold the rights of the citizenry.

Speaking at the opening of a stakeholders retreat in Abuja yesterday, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights, Beni Lar, decried the activities of security agencies just as she expressed concerns that in all the crisis-ridden areas of the country, nobody has been brought to book.

She particularly cited the crisis-

ridden Plateau state where nobody has been found wanting and sentenced in accordance to the rule of law.

"It is sad to note that in an attempt to contain the insurgency, the security forces have become violators of the 'right to life' of citizens", she noted.

But the lawmaker also called for a reversal of the development with the application of justice to perpetrators of unlawful killings in the country.

"We can begin changing this trend by providing better training for the security forces so that they improve their collaboration with communities to pursue the targeted criminals," she said.

Condemning the incident in Baga which led to the loss of 185 lives in Borno, Lar insisted that while justice is sought for them, the security forces themselves must also be held accountable for the loss of innocent lives.

She disclosed that the parliament was working on some proposed legislations, notably the Violence Against Persons, Anti-Terrorism, Anti-Torture, Anti-Discrimination, and the Prison Reform Bills among others to improve the current state of human rights in the country.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was represented by the Majority leader, Mulikat AkandeAdeola said that much needed to be

done to address human rights abuse in the country.

He said that every law abiding Nigerian deserved the right to basic amenities, adding that democratic government was created to provide an environment where the rights of the citizens would be guaranteed by the constitution.

"Democracy is not democracy if it cannot expand the opportunities available for the people and provide a conducive environment for hardworking citizens to thrive," he said.

Minister of Women Affairs and social development, Hajia Zainab Maina, urged the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of bills on the promotion of the disabled persons.

Plateau understudies Lagos transportation sector From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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delegation from the Plateau state government has visited the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation to understudy the success recorded by that state in the transportation sector.

Plateau State Commissioner for Transportation, Ghamzaki Abdulhamid, who led the delegation, said that the visit became necessary in order to learn the strategies behind the transformation of the Lagos Transport sector, with the aim of replicating them in Plateau State.

Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Commissioner for Transportation, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Oluseyi Coker, enumerated the various activities of the Ministry and assured the visiting team that the State Government would support Plateau State in the development of its Transportation sector.

The delegation is expected to visit some of the Agencies under the Ministry, such as the Lagos Area Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA), Lagos State Number Plate Production Agency (LNPPA), Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and LAGBUS Assets Management Company Limited.

L-R: Ondo state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; Akwa Ibom state Governor, Obong Godswill Akpabio; and Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, after the meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday granted leave to one of the associations jostling for registration under the African Peoples Congress (APC) acronym to proceed with hearing in its suit seeking judicial review of the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to reject its application for registration as a political party.

Delivering ruling on the exparte application brought by the party, Justice Gabriel Kolawole granted the party leave to hear and adjudicate on the application filed in suit number FHC/ABJ/ CS/224/2013.

The court subsequently gave the party a week to file all its processes and serve same on INEC. The ruling has now paved way for a full blown legal battle over the APC name and acronym.

No date has been fixed for the hearing in the substantive suit.

The court action instituted by the APC was on the strength of the provisions of Section 79 of the Electoral Act which empowers

Rival APC: Court okays judicial review of INEC's decision on registration any association denied registration as a political party

by INEC to seek judicial review within 30 days of being notified

by INEC. The plaintiffs numbering about 30 who sued on behalf of themselves and the party’ are seeking a declaration that INEC lacked the discretion to refuse to register an association as a political party once the conditions stipulated by the said defendant for registration are met.

In an application filed by their counsel, Ededem Ani of Awa Kalu SAN's chambers, they asked the court to declare that being the principal members and promoters of the association known as African People's Congress have met all conditions of eligibility for the registration of African's People's Congress as a political party.

The plaintiffs also wanted an order directing INEC to register the association known as and called African People's Congress as a political party forthwith and

an order prohibiting the registration of any other association known as and called African People's Congress or having the acronym APC as a political party pending the hearing and determination of their application.

The plaintiffs are also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC from registering any other association or known as and called African People's Congress or having the acronym 'APC' as a political party.

The plaintiffs had hinged their reliefs on the grounds that INEC gave notice to the plaintiffs in directing their intention to apply to register the association called APC as a political party and that INEC outlined in writing to them the conditions that precede the registration of an association as a political party.

They said that they had complied, or substantially complied, with all the conditions stipulated by the defendant but

the defendant on tenuous grounds declined to register the association known as the 'African People's Congress' as a political party.In an affidavit deposed to by the acting National Chairman of the party, Chief Onyiye Ikeagwonu and filed in support of the application, the party said the association submitted all relevant documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in respect of its application.

He further stated that the association had complied with all the requirements for registration but that INEC had refused to register it.

He averred that for the purpose of the registration of the African People's Congress, the association paid the Defendant on receipt no 085003 dated 04-032013, the sum of N100,000.00 and the sum of N900,000.00 as payment for the registration of African People's Congress as a political party.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 7

Terrorism: US to partner Nigeria on border security

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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eputy Coordinator for Homeland Security and Multilateral Affairs in the Bureau of Counter-Terrorism at the United States (US) Department of Counter Terrorism, Anne Witkowskya, has expressed the readiness of that country to assist Nigeria secure its porous borders in order to stamp out terrorism.

BRIEF NEWS

This partnership is in response to reports of infiltration of Nigeria by foreigners from neighbouring countries suspected to be members of different terrorist networks.

Speaking yesterday when she led a delegation on a visit to the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, Witkowsky noted that the world is plagued by activities of terrorist network groups who are bent on making life unbearable for othercitizens of the world.

According to her, "terrorism

has shaken us as a people and we have the responsibility of protecting ourselves from the various terrorist groups who are daily working to destroy world peace. "We are here in Nigeria because we want to assist the government of this country to stamp out acts of terrorism "It has always been the desire of the United States to address insecurity among its ally nations which we will continue to do in order to achieve world peace."

Witkowsky said that the US was already in partnership with

some other African countries in order to combat this menace and that various forms of technologies will be deployed to checkmate the movement of persons.

She pointed out that finger prints of immigrants must be identified to know who goes in and out of the country.

Responding, the Minister said that Nigeria was going through turbulent times addressing insecurity in the country and that the Federal Government is willing to partner with the US in order to achieve peace.

Moro said that President Jonathan had already appealed to friendly nations to assist the country arrest insecurity.

He noted that only advanced technology will be able to secure the border in order to regulate the number of illegal immigrants in to the country.

On the issue of dialogue with insurgent groups, the Minister said the nature of the country's democracy informed the decision of government to explore various methods aimed at achieving peace.

Two killed in Edo crash

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

A

n accident involving a Toyota Hiace bus and a timber lorry at Igieduma community in Uhunmwonde local government area of Edo state has reportedly claimed the lives of two persons.

The incident occurred yesterday at about 4: 45 am with children among the injured.

The bus driver was said to have rammed into the stationary truck along BeninOkene-Abuja road.

Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) unit Commander at Iruekpen in Esan West local government area, Mr. Udeme Eshiet, confirmed the report and warned motorists against drunk driving.

Lagos CJ frees inmates From Matthew Irinoye, Lagos

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agos state Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Philips, yesterday released a couple, Bassey Okon and his wife, Comfort Itua James, alongside 96 other awaiting trial inmates, from the Kirikiri Medium Security Prison, Apapa.

They have been awaiting trials for upward of between three and nine years.

Philips noted that their release was aimed at decongesting the prisons and in exercise of her powers under Section 1 (1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Special Provision Act. "I release you all from custody today and admonish you to go and sin no more," she said, adding that the matter of awaiting trials and decongestion of prisons is very close to her heart.

L-R: Former Country Representative, Pathfinder Nigeria, Dr. Mike Egboh; Project Officer, International Fellowship Programme Nigeria, Dr. Aba Nwachukwu; Project Officer, Association of African Universities, Mrs Arabo Botchway, and Country Representative, Population Council, Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi, during International Fellowship Programme, organize by Ford Foundation, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Nothing wrong in demanding accountability, forum tells Kwara govt From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

K

wara Awareness Forum (KAF) has faulted the position of the Kwara state government over its position on the evaluation of activities of the administration and appointment of

commissioners and special assistances stressing that there was nothing wrong in demanding for accountability.

Spokesman of the forum, Dr. Salihu Ajibola Ajia, in a statement entitled, "Re-promised threat of visitation of violence on considered activities by Kwara

state government", made available to our correspondent in Ilorin, regretted that government decided to threaten the group. “Is there any crime in suggesting alternative for revenue collection in the state that will be people-friendly and

will not impoverish our people any further?� said the forum.

"Kwara state government must learn to be tolerant of alternative views in line with democratic tenets and traditions.

"Freedom of speech, expression and of association are some of the universal beauties of democracy."

I run all-inclusive government, Ethnic militia kills three in Nasarawa the mercy of the Ombatse who says Zamfara Gov burnt and ransacked the place here was an outbreak of From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

From Salisu Zakari Maradun, Gusau

G

overnor Abduaziz Yari of Zamfara State has described media as a strong weapon with which he can use to achieve his desired goals.

Yari made the disclosure in Gusau at a dinner organised in honor of the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, who was in the state in continuation of his good governance tour.

The Governor also pledged to continue to carry everyone along for the development of the state.

According to Yari, the power of media cannot be over emphasised, noting that it is only through them that any

government in the world can succeed.

He said he regretted ignoring the media when he assumed duties as a governor.

According to him, government has been able to provide social amenities to the people, ranging from roads, healthcare, education and security which are some of the apparatus of improving the standard of economy of the people.

He said his administration would continue to maintain the tempo, and urged the people, particularly the good governance tour team, to ensure honesty in the course of their tour and come up with something that will give governors more encouragement to serve their people better.

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fresh hostilities in the early hours of yesterday at the Yelwa community of Kokona local government area of Nasarawa state.

Reports said that the attack which started at about 4 a.m. left three people dead and over 15 houses burnt.

Eyewitness accounts fingered an ethnic militia group, Ombatse, as responsible for the attack.

A resident of the community, Mallam Adamu Zakari, gave the names of those killed as Alhaji Rabo, Alhaji Saidu Maitaro and another man name could not be immediately ascertained.

According Zakari, "at about 4 a.m, we started hearing gunshots and we immediately took our families to the bush for cover leaving our community at

for several hours."

When contacted, the community leader of the predominantly Hausa settlement, Alhaji Yunusa Salisu, said though he was not present when the incident occurred but that he was reliably informed that three people were killed with several houses burnt after being looted by the militia group.

He lamented that the attack was the third of its kind in the past two months during nine of the sect members were arrested and are still in police custody.

According to him, "Yelwa is only three kilometers from Bassa where soldiers and police are camped.

"Despite the sound of the gunshots and repeated appeal by the community members for their intervention, they allowed the killings to go on unabated."

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY, 2013

A group of cadets of the Eagle Charplain Corps, including the Area Commander, Nasarawa state chapter, Okwori Success Godwin (c) Franca Abbah(r) and Jamila Mohammed (3rd r) during their recent exercise at Nyanya Gwandara, Nasarawa state.

Former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power and Steel, Alhaji Abubakar Mamu (left), presenting a certificate to one of the beneficiaries, Mr. Obong Peter Akpan (middle), during the building capacity training on effective management, yesterday in Abuja. With them is Director Operations, Sterpro Corporate Service, Nuhu Musa Tsanda (right).

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Chairman, Adamawa State Local Apprenticeship Scheme (Las), Alhaji Sani Jada (left), presenting carpentry tools to a graduate, Malam Musa Yahya (right), during the graduation ceremony, yesterday in Yola South Local Government Area.

Photo: NAN

L-R: Chief Corps Commander, Discipline Corps, Olalekan Lawal, Asst. Director, Ministry of Special Duty, Cordelia Okechukwu, Commander, Nigeria Army Cantonment, Ojo, Lagos, Lt. Col. Emmanuel Emekah, ASP Mfon Ukpang, and Special Discipline Corps, Alimosho, Lape Oshodi, during the passing-out parade of 1,000 Regular Discipline Corps RDC/06/13, yesterday in Lagos. Photo: Olawale Rotimi

L-R Director General, State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Ita Ekpeyon, Inspector General of the Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Dele Ezeoba, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Bundu, and Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Azubuike Ihejirika, after security meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo Joe Oroye

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 9

Diko market traders demand social amenities

By Usman Shuaibu

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L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Justice, Hon. Ali Ahmad, Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and Minority Whip, Hon. Samson Osagie, during a public hearing on Administration of Criminal Justice Bill 2013, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

First Lady’s Initiative facilitates employment for 700 women From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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he First Lady’s pet project, Women for Change Initiative has provided employment for about 700 women from the north-west zone, through the efforts of Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan.

The group’s National Coordinator, Dr. Princess Rabi Ibrahim, disclosed this in Kaduna

on Monday at the inauguration of the Women for Change Initiative for the area.

She explained that the Initiative was designed to empower women and make sure that they make meaningful contributions to policy decisions in the country.

According to her, “the First Lady has also said that Women for Change Initiative is tool to

ensure that the poor and orphan in the society are catered for.

“Women need to be encouraged in politics and education, empowering them to achieve all their aims and with the Women for Change Initiative, the issue of women should not start and end in the kitchen.”

The coordinator called on the wife of Kaduna state Governor, Hajiya Fatima Yero, to continue

with their efforts in touching the lives of the people and urged her to use her God’s given position to enhance the activities of Women for Change initiate in the state.

Responding, Hajiya Fatima Yero commended the First Lady for her love towards improving the life of women.

She promised to support the initiative and make sure that it succeeds in Kaduna.

Medical workers protest in Ilorin over insecurity From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

H

undreds of medical workers including doctors staged a peaceful protest in Ilorin yesterday over what they described as the poor level of insecurity in the state and Nigeria as a whole.

The procession of the workers went round major streets in Ilorin and environs and ended at the at the Government House where Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed addressed the aggrieved workers.

Addressing the protesters, the state Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Prof.

Olayinka Buhari, expressed the association’s displeasure over the state of insecurity in the country.

The late NMA ViceChairman, Dr. Adewumi Ariyo, was assassinated recently in his house by unknown gunmen in his house in Ilorin.

Buhari said, “the purpose of our gathering here is to have a procession in honour of our member who was killed few weeks ago.

“We also want to use this opportunity to let the authorities know that medical workers are not happy with the level of insecurity in nation and in this town in particular.

“We are concerned because given the nature of our duties, we work even at odd hours.

“From the beginning of this year till today, about 10 medical practitioners have lost their vehicles either through car snatching or outright theft where the vehicles are parked. We are not saying we are better than other people but we will talk about what we know.

“The situation is affecting all sectors of the economy and we are asking the concerned authorities to

do something about it.

“We have the political power and will to lean on those people who have been given the responsibility to protect us.

“That is what we are emphasising this morning.

“We are honouring our late colleague and if in the process, we are able to bring a positive change in the polity by way of improved security and to have better working environment to do our duties, then we would have achieved our aim and our colleague did not die in vain.

“We want to make a change.

How many of our public and private hospitals can give medical personnel the opportunity to stay in staff quarters to save lives?

“We risk our lives everyday doing our work, saving lives.

“Look at the hospitals, how many of them have effective and efficient security?

“We only have some unarmed security guards who cannot even protect themselves, how much more protecting others. We are hoping that the people in power, the Inspector General of Police, the Executive Governor of Kwara state and every other person in power or responsibility will do something to improve security.”

In his response, Ahmed who was represented by the Commissioner of Health, Abdul Kayoed Issah, sympathised with the NMA over the killing of their member noting that, “he was a dentist to the head of Service, SSG and even his Excellency. His death is very painful because it is not a good thing when your doctors are dying.”

He assured the association that state government would take of his immediate family stressing his death would not deter the state from sustaining the position of one of the most peaceful states in the country.

he traders at the Diko Market in Gurara local government area of Niger state have called on the Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Gani, to provide social amenities in the market.

Speaking to Peoples Daily on behalf of marketers, the manager of Diko Market, Mallam Garba Kusodo, said that despite the revenue being generated by the the council, no tangible structure has been put in place in the market.

Kusodo urged the chairman of the council to fence the market to arrest the security situation faced by traders.

He further appealed to the chairman to allocate more land to the leadership of the market to enable the traders have enough space for their transactions.

He called on the various associations in the market to join hands with him to fight for the progress of the market, saying that Diko market is neglected in the area of infrastructural development.

On his part, Vice Chairman of Diko Junction Traders Union, Mallam Haruna Musa, appealed to Gurara council chairman to provide a transformer for the traders in Diko junction market to boost power supply in the area.

Group hails Almakura over new commissioners From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

T

he Kaduna branch of Nasarawa State Youth Forum (NSYF) has urged Nigerians to shun violence and live in peace with one another as that is the only way the nation can develop.

Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna yesterday, the NSYF President, Mr. Moses Jikka Mcdaniel, commended measures taken by the Nasarawa state governor, Umaru Almakura, to tackle the crisis in the state.

According to him, “we should see ourselves as brothers and sisters and say no to violence.

“We also hope and pray as Nasarawa indigenes that we should always see ourselves as one big family with a view to ensuring permanent peace and progress of our beloved country and state.

“Permit me also to use this opportunity to commend governor, Almakura over the appointment of professionals as commissioners in the state.

“We particularly commended the appointment of one our members, Sani Yakubu Hauwa, as commissioner of Justice.

He called on the new commissioners to support and cooperate with the governor to bring development to the state.

Macdaniel said that, “we hope they will use their wealth of experience with a view to ensuring progress and development in Nasarawa state.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

BRIEF NEWS Orhii urges economy diversification From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

D

irector General, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Paul Orhii, has stressed the need to diversify the hub of nation's economy from crude oil back to agriculture.

Orhii who said this yesterday at the palace of the paramount ruler of Tiv nation, Tor Tiv, Dr. Akawe Torkula, noted that recent reports indicate possibility in the fall of crude oil in the global market.

He described Benue as a land blessed with agricultural potentials arguing that the state alone can feed the entire nation if it exploits the potentials.

The Tiv Tor who commended the director general for his contribution to the fight against fake and counterfeit drugs in the nation, urged him not to relent but remain focused in the task.

Niger earmarks N324m for tricycles From Iliya Garba -Minna

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iger state Commissioner for Transport, Abubakar Mohammed, said yesterday that government had earmarked N324 million to purchase 592 tricycles to add to the 1,000 that are on ground.

He reaffirmed the government's decision to ban the operations of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada, in the state capital.

Justifying the ban, Mohammed said the killings and death recorded in accidents involving commercial motorcycles in the last few years had been on the increase and called for the ban.

The Commissioner who spoke at an interactive session with journalists, said that "the cost of each keke Talba is N400,000 and government granted an initial payment of 40 per cent and the balance must be paid and spread within a period of 18 months" The commissioner said government has given it out on a subsidized rate to enable the association of motorcycle riders foot the bill, stating that this will help in poverty alleviation.

L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe; Chief Executive Officer, Silverbird Group, Mr. Ben Murray Bruce; and representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Ferdinald Agwu, during the workshop on Effective Information Management and Public Communication, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Insecurity: ‘Taraba will collaborate with other States’ From Yusha'u Alhassan Jalingo.

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araba state government has reiterated its commitment to work collaborate with governors of the north-east geopolitical zone to tackle the security challenges in the area.

The acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, disclosed this in Abuja shortly after receiving the report of the committee on reconciliation, healing and security set up in August last year.

The committee, according to the Umar was set up by 19 northern governors to find lasting solution to the lingering security facing the northern region.

Umar said Tarba state is one of the most blessed in terms of natural endowment which if properly harnessed will not only serve the region but the entire country.

That the problem of insecurity in the north should be a collective responsibility of all.

He said the state government would do everything possible to ensure that peace is maintained irrespective of religion, ethnic or political differences of the people.

In another development, members of the new council of the Boundary Commission have been charged to meet monthly to deliberate on issues affecting the borders of Taraba state.

Umar and chairman of the Boundary Commission gave the charge while inaugurating the new councils.

Umar said the inauguration of the committee became necessary considering the sensitive nature of boundary matters which have serious security implications on the people.

He urged the new members to be fair and free in their deliberations so that they can

achieve the desired objectives of establishing the commission as well as to promote peace, sociocultural values and development.

Responding on behalf of the

committee, Dr. Shekarau Angyu Masa and Chairman of the Taraba state Council of Chiefs, thanked the government for its decision.

He pleaded with the state government to consider their

request of assistance financially to enhance the functions of the committee stressing the need for unity between the committee and the government as important.

Gombe gets new judges From David Hassan, Gombe

T

he Chief Judge of Gombe state, Justice Hakila Y. Heman, has sworn-in 10 new area court judges and four magistrate judges.

Speaking at the ceremony, Heman warned the judges against delving into the finances of their various courts.

Heman implored them to shun corrupt practices that will tarnish their image as judicial officers in the temple of justice who are charged with

the very delicate duty of administering justice to people without fear or favour.

According to him, "as all of you are literate and trained, you are expected to record your proceedings yourselves", warning that "you should have full control of your courts and guide and direct your staff, particularly your Registrars in the day to day running of the courts".

The Judges were also charged to be conversant with the provisions of the

Constitution, the Evidence Act, the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code.

The appointment of the judges and the two court members were sequel to the recent appointments and upgrading of some magistrates as deputy chief registrars, as well as the retirement and deaths of some Area Court judges.

The appointments were confined to only serving staff of the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.

World Malaria Day: Minister advocates more action

By A'isha Biola Raji

M

inister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, has described the celebration of World Malaria Day as a platform for action and not for lengthy talk.

Speaking on Monday in Abuja at the grand finale to mark the celebration organised by the ministry in conjunction with National Malaria Control Program (NMCP).

According to him, "we should be practical in the aspect of control and if our environment is adequately taken care of, there will not be need for the distribution of mosquito nets.

"If we talk from now till eternity, malaria will not go.

We just have to do the right

thing."

"We have decided to spend money on our health and that we will do."

He said the meeting of African leaders for the control of malaria which was held at Addis-Ababa at the time when the world malaria day ought to have been celebrated last week has come up with the decision to use the indoor spraying technique in combating malaria.

In a goodwill message he sent to the occasion, Alhaji Aliko Dangote who was represented

by Managing Director, Dangote Foundation, Dr. Adhiambo Odaga, described recent malaria figures in Nigeria as worrisome especially as it concerns pregnant women.

According to Dangote,

"sixty-six per cent of Nigerians have had malaria in the last one year hence the need to bridge the funding gap.

"As stakeholders, we need to get engaged in the battle against malaria and as malaria Ambassador, I am in this fight."

He urged government to invest and educate the general public more on the preventable and curable measures concerning malaria.

Also in his message, the Emir of Jiwa in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Alhaji Idris Musa, said that there was the need to pay more attention to malaria due to the danger associated with it. "As we sit discussing how to control malaria, it is at our backyards destroying us," the Emir said.

PAGE 11

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

Guides on what to look for in your short-term loan

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here are a variety of companies out there offering you more ways than one to get into debt to them.

There are a lot of offers and some of them seem too good to be true.

Whether they are called payday loans or fast loans, you want to be absolutely certain that you have the funds to repay the amount of money on time.

Here are some points to consider, look for, and be on the lookout for when getting your loan.

Credit rating.

With small amounts of money there might not need to be any reason to dig into your credit history. For those of us who have fallen on the wayside, it can be hard to get ahead even if you have paid a debt off. Look for reputable companies that are not interested in your credit history for small amounts of money where possible.

Fine print.

When I think of fine print, and especially when I see fine print, I think of the same thing. Why did they write this part of the contract in small writing? The answer is simple. They don't want you to read it. For those of you who have poor eye sight this can be particularly annoying.

Why fine print has not been

made illegal, it still amazes not just me. Modern day contracts should be written in plain and easy to understand language. If there is fine print, consider going to another company.

Repayment options.

Make sure that you can have the option to pay back the cash

loans faster if you want to. As a matter of fact this should be a pre-requisite of any loan that you are ever involved in. Look for even better borrowing terms that will reduce the amount of interest that you will pay. This way you can plan ahead and know the last possible time and

date for repayment.

Reward programs.

Does the company or institution clearly state what kind of reward they will offer you for being a long term customer?

Are you aware of exactly what benefits you will be getting as you pay one or more loans back

promptly? The problem in Australia particularly exists because of the old-fashioned nature of a dominant and uncompetitive banking market. This is why we have seen an explosion of alternative lending facilities - and about time. They should be telling you why they want your business and what they are prepared to do for it now and in the future. Lending is just like any other business -- you are the customer.

Co-operative nature.

Just like any other business, a lending institution should be providing you with a positive experience, particularly when you are in a time of need. The days where the bank manager thought he was a Roman Emperor and we are all just peasants are long gone.

Expect your loan terms, tools to deal and manage it, and the staff that you deal with to be friendly, modern and service orientated - this is actually most of what they do.

It is important to understand your position as a consumer, and understand the modern and easy to use terms that many companies, institutions and organizations are already providing. The world is getting smaller and technology should be making things simpler and more cost effective for you as a consumer. Always shop around and don't take second best.

Money Tip: Choosing the right investment firm as the way forward Perform a top-tobottom walkthrough

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ow is the time to put your systems and procedures under the microscope.

Have they kept up with the times? Are they efficient? Are any employees gumming up the works?

Small business owners often fall into a pattern and stick with inefficient business processes or, even worse, bad employees. This walk-through and the improvements that it elicits are a chance for you to reassert your leadership and exert your authority. As McBean so bluntly put it, "if you're not controlling your procedures and processes, you don't really 'own' your business."

Don't let outmoded ways of doing business or poorly performing workers determine your business' outlook in the New Year.

Quote Being rich is a good thing. Not just in the obvious sense of benefitting you and your family, but in the broader sense. Profits are not a zero sum game. The more you make, the more of a financial impact you can have.

- Mark Cuban

Nigeria's Trade and Investment Minister, Olusegum Aganga

S

o, you've decided to invest; good for you. It's (almost) always a good idea to start putting away money for the future, whether for retirement or some other goal. Chances are that the first place you should start investing is in your 401(k) (or equivalent) plan at work. Not only will you get a nice tax break, but your company might even match a portion of your contributions; if that's the case, you're giving up free money by not contributing.

Once you've maximized your contributions to your salary surplus (or at least,

invested enough to get the maximum match from your employer), though, you might find yourself with more money that you'd like to invest. If that's the case (and again, good for you if it is), you'll need to open an account with an investment company in order to keep investing. Which brings up the obvious question, which investment firm?

How to choose the right firm After all, there are quite a few choices out there, each offering different investment styles and services, to say

nothing of different investments. How can you be sure that you make a wise decision about where to invest?

Well, luckily, there are steps that you can take to help ensure you choose the right investment firm for your needs and your goals. The first step to doing so is, of course‌ Knowing your investment goals and needs: There's any number of reasons you might want to invest, from saving for retirement to wanting to test your ability to 'pick' the most profitable stocks. Likewise, your needs as an investor can run a wide range; you could be a seasoned pro who just wants to be left to your own devices, or you could be an investing novice who wants a lot of hand holding. There is brokerage firms who cater to each end of this spectrum, as well as plenty that hit various points in between.

A major decision at this step is whether you want a discount or full service broker; that is, one who will provide you with little, if any, personal consultation (a discount broker) or one that can provide you with much more assistance (a full service broker). Which one you choose will determine not only how much assistance you get, but everything from the level of fees you pay (discount brokers, as you might guess, tend to be cheaper) to how much research you have access.

Knowing what you want to invest in:

Different firms specialize in different types of investments; the ideal firm for a mutual fund investor will frequently be a poor choice for a stock investor, and a firm that's great for an active trader might not be well suited at all for a buy and hold investor.

Knowing what the firms you are considering specialize in is important in narrowing down your options, and eventually choosing the best firm for your needs. You can use on and offline resources, such as Smart Money's annual broker survey, to get a better idea of what the firms you're considering do well, or not so well.

Knowing the history and reputation of the firms: Once you've narrowed down your options to a few of the most promising candidates, it's time for the real research to begin.

Using online reviews, magazine articles, and perhaps even friends and relatives, find out what you can about the firms you are considering, and whether they are right for you.

Even try calling or otherwise contacting their service department for more information; not only will you learn more about the company, but you can get an idea of how they respond to requests from customer in the process.

If you follow all these steps, you should have a pretty good idea of what firm will be the best for you. When you do, you'll be all set to start your investment journey. Good luck, and here's hoping you have a profitable time!

Share your Money Tip: do you have a business/money idea, and you want to share it with our dear readers? Then, send it to: ikabirsule@gmail.com or (text it to 08091904890)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

T

Plots to kill Adamawa, Gombe deputy govs

o the serious threats to security in the northern part of the country a new sinister dimension has been added. Two serving deputy governors in the north-eastern states of Adamawa and Gombe have alleged plots to assassinate them. In Adamawa, gunmen killed two policemen attached to the country home of the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bala James Ngilari, and burnt his house in an early morning raid on Midlu village in Madagali Local Government Area. Ngilari, who normally spends weekends in his country home, was not at home when the gunmen struck. An eyewitness claimed that the two policemen were gruesomely murdered.

A resident of the Midlu, who sought anonymity, said that the gunmen arrived in the compound at 2 am, shooting randomly and setting houses on fire. "The gunmen attacked Ngilari's house and killed some occupants including two policemen guarding the house," he said.The Adamawa state Police Command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Mohammed Ibrahim, confirmed the incident, but said 11 people were killed in the dawn attack.

Ngilari believed he was the target of the Midlu attack and the invasion of his Abuja residence during which his 15year-old daughter was abducted, subjected to mental torture before being released. However, the police command assured that he would be given adequate protection. Mohammed said that since the deputy governor "is an important citizen", the Nigeria Police would ensure that "additional security is deployed to protect him, his family

and properties". According to him, the police are holding "marathon security meetings" with Ngilari.

In Gombe state, the allegation of a plot to assassinate the deputy governor, Mr. Tha'anda Jason Rubainu, did not come from him but the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Sule. He said two men and a woman arrested for their complicity in the plot had confessed culpability and would appear in court

“

Between now and 2015 there are a good two years, time enough to get to the root of the matter soon. According to him, they confessed that their sponsor promised them N3 million if they succeeded in killing the deputy governor. One of the suspects, Mohammed revealed, was a dismissed police officer under him. It was while they were out looking for more hands that the plot leaked.

While the Adamawa deputy governor was convinced it was not the insurgent Boko Haram that was after him, though the fringe Islamic sect has carried out a number of bombings and killings in the state in recent times, his Gombe counterpart has offered no personal opinion on who might be after him.

Ngilari also denied he had political

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opponents that might want his job, saying he did not lobby to be named deputy governor, so he did not know who might want him dead. However, his closeness to the governor, Murtala Nyako, who has managed to spawn a legion of political enemies in Yola, the state capital, and Abuja, does make him a marked man. This is one angle the police will need to look at closely in their investigation.

In Gombe, the fact that all three suspects napped over the plot to assassinate the deputy governor there bear Christian names might have ruled out a possible Boko Haram link, more so that the sect has not admitted it has members of other faiths in its ranks.

However, an intriguing fact that emerged from the statement of the Commissioner of Police is that the police corporal named in the alleged plot was fired from the police force because he opted to report the plot to the deputy governor instead of the force for which he worked. Did the authorities suspect a conspiracy to extort money from the deputy governor? If so, why say there had been an assassination plot? Has the would-have-been victim told the police anything that has not been said in public?

However, these queries do not in any way reduce the gravity of the events in Adamawa and neighbouring Gombe.

This is more so as an election year is not too far away. The two states face succession challenges in 2015 and the battles promise to be quite bruising. An advantage the police have, in both cases, is the time factor. Between now and 2015 there are a good two years, time enough to get to the root of the matter.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 13

Our resource curse: Dutch or Nigerian disease?

By Abah John Abah

E

xperts on resource rich countries have noticed a negative developmental pattern in most of them, what they have come to call the Resource Curse or the Dutch Disease. So infamously named after the Dutch experience, the Dutch disease is a syndrome where exploitation of abundant natural resource exerts a negative drag on long term economic growth. Call it the curse of oil in our case. While some nations are shinning exceptions and others showing growing resistance/immunity to the disease, we are witnessing a growth of deadly strain I can only call the Nigerian disease.

The trend was first observed in the Netherlands in the 50s when abundant natural gas production brought rapid foreign revenue but declining local productive sector. There are exceptions as demonstrated by Norway, Australia, Chile, Canada and Botswana. Even though the phenomenon is prevalent in most resource rich countries the fact that countries like Norway and others successfully mitigated the curse reinforced the belief that the syndrome is only a result of poor institutions of government.

The Dutch Disease manifests many symptoms, chiefly the inability of local productive economy to compete as a result of the bloated value of the local currency, helped by inflow of foreign currency. The high exchange rate means local goods

and services are expensive, making them uncompetitive in international market and even encouraging import of cheaper alternatives. Other symptoms of the resource curse, some of which cannot be directly related to the Dutch experience, include weak institutions, official corruption, assertive resource nationalism, internal unrest and even external aggression from envious neighbours. Many of these factors are common in our system but the main effect of the syndromethe high exchange rate that makes local products uncompetitive is not the case in Nigeria. Even countries that found themselves caught in this economic web are wriggling free, developing resistance to the resource curse. What then makes the Nigerian case so unique? This article is only x-raying those absurdities that make our case legendary.

It is a comic conclusion now that the only sector that is booming in the Nigerian system is corruption. The excess liquidity/inflow of foreign earnings has the tendency to create administrative recklessness/complacency but beyond this, ours has resulted in unprecedented corruption that has almost been institutionalized.

Only in Nigeria is the concept of national cake invented to exalt this malaise. Everybody wants a piece of the cake. Politicians seek office to amass wealth for themselves, their kith and cronies. They deploy every resources of the state to recycle themselves and their

descendants in power. The oil resources that should have been used to boost other sectors of the economy only become a rentieristic tool to pay off supporters or suppress detractors.

Subsidization is a major effect of the Dutch disease but the corruption strain in our case is clearly noticed in the muchtalked-about subsidy scam. What we have is a clear case of cross subsidization to powerful business moguls that bankrolls elections or who are ghost business fronts for the politicians. It is only in Nigeria that subsidy payments can balloon from N300 million to N2.1 billion in one year! We have seen billions of dollars thrown into the turn-around maintenance of refining and power sectors without appreciable improvement.

Closely related to official corruption are weak institutions.

It is hard for efficient and working institutions to thrive where corruption is prevalent.

Norway and few other countries successfully mitigated the Resource Curse by building strong institutions that eliminate corruption and make sure the oil revenues are ploughed back into the economy to create a strong productive base.

Beyond this they invested in education and educational institutions that became the engine of research that is driving their industries. We have become like the proverbial farmer that consumes all his yields and forgets there should be seeds for the next season. Why are we not investing in our agricultural and

solid mineral sector that was the engine of our economy before oil?

There are hundreds of oil/gas vessels, rigs, barges and other offshore facilities deployed in our petroleum industry, either owned or leased by Nigerian companies, but we don't own even one functional repair/refit yard for these facilities, not even to talk of replacing them with home-built versions. In a complex deal wrapped in corruption, the politicians in charge of our oil resources cannot even force the international oil majors to refine locally the oil they produce.

More amazing is the refusal of a national gas company, in which Nigeria has the controlling equity, to sell gas to local independent power projects. Our large population provides cheap labour that the Chinese and Indian industrialists are exploiting but our leaders forgets that this is an asset for a strong manufacturing sector. We cannot even handle basic infrastructure of power and transportation. Yes, our political institutions are seriously floored but when we talk of institutions, the press, civil societies, NGOs and the society at large are involved. We all owe ourselves a duty to hold government officials accountable by bringing to light their ills, bring them to book and, if need be, by getting to the streets in protest. The Arab Spring of North Africa and Middle East is a point of lesson, that we should not remain so pliable in the face of official ineptitude.

In a bid to make the NNPC

viable, among other things, the government had put together a Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that is expected to give a new Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) when passed. The PIB in its present draft has raised a lot of contentious issues bothering mainly on transparency, resource allocation and care for environment. The PIB does not tackle the issue of transparency if it makes the oil minister and her principals' overlords in the running of the petroleum industry. One cannot overestimate the importance of transparency in a country so polarized by religious/ethnic strife and economic inequality, not in a clime where government has perpetually shown abuse of discretionary powers.

The issue of Petroleum Host Community Trust Fund, dubbed PHC Fund, is generating an unnecessary heat. The argument by Northern politicians that the Niger Delta already had a fair deal in the present resource allocation misses the point. Superior argument however is that PHC Fund duplicates the role of NDDC, and that billions of dollars this region had garnered in allocation over the years has not translated to real improvement of life for the common people of the region because of gross mismanagement by their political elites. I think we should only try to build in the bill aspects that will check mismanagement of this fund. abahjon@gmail.com

A defining moment for FCT land swap programme

By Emma Agu

I

f FCT Minister Senator Bala Mohammed has carved a niche for bluntness, his performance at Friday's town hall meeting on the land for infrastructure programme (land swap, for short) would pass for the epitome of courage. The four hour event was remarkable not only for the brutal frankness that pervaded the exercise but the fact that it demonstrated the sincerity of the Jonathan Administration in enthroning true democracy in Nigeria.

The crux of the matter is the novel land swap programme, an ingenuous arrangement whereby private sector organizations take the responsibility for providing infrastructure in a district in exchange for land. In adopting the system, variants of which have been used to turn cities in Europe, Asia and America into architectural wonders, the Bala Mohammed-led FCT Administration was motivated by the desire to leap-frog the development of Abuja while sidestepping the acute shortage of funds that had all along stunted the city's growth.

Trouble, however was lurking as the vast expanse of land to be acquired for the project entailed the displacement of FCT natives residing in the affected areas. It was these groups who, predictably, turned the town hall meeting into fireworks of sorts.

One would have thought that the minister was going to be drowned by the flurry of

invectives from angry natives who unanimously lambasted successive governments for allegedly grabbing their land while reneging on promises of compensation.

From the urbane and highly organized Abubakar Yakubu, the Chairman, Ketti-Waru Youths Forum who fired the first salvo to the mercurial and populist Pastor Jeji Danladi, President of Original Inhabitants Development Association (OIDA), who literally brought down the roof with his near inciting speech, a common denominator among the indigenes centred on the tendency to treat Abuja as a noman's land, a position that was supported by many other speakers. They lamented the dispossession of their farmlands which were subsequently turned over to 'strangers' who in turn made a fortune by speculating on the lands. What emerged from the meeting was that but for the FCT administration's foresight in pressing on with the town hall meeting, the revolutionary land swap project would have become an unfortunate victim of the justified rage of the indigenes.

But that would not justify the inflammatory threats of Pastor Danladi whose fiery speech was, understandably, the toast of the natives.

Perhaps it was Danladi's speech that motivated Bala Mohammed to deliver one of the most impassioned and nationalistic responses ever made by a Nigerian politician. If his candour was disarming, his logic

was devastating, his passion infectious. Little wonder his points were punctuated by applause even by the hitherto restive natives. Truth, however, is that, if the land swap project were to take the form of ice, Bala Mohammed would sell it to the Eskimos. That was the power in his speech.

But on a day that particularistic nationalism threatened to snowball into an ethnic cauldron, the FCT minister, in a bold and measured nationalistic response, reminded the audience that Abuja was a creation of the constitution designed to accommodate all Nigerians. To the claim that FCT natives were never consulted before decisions concerning them were made, he agreed but said

the town hall meeting signaled the desire to redress the slight; to the argument that the original residents were dispossessed without remedy, he posited that the interest of project affected people (PAP) had been factored into the overall plan of the project; to the argument that compensation had not been paid to the natives, he reminded them that the problem spanning 37 years could not be resolved in under two years and to the allegation that the land swap project was a predatory vehicle to fleece the natives of their commonwealth, he assured that they would have the first offer in the employment that would drive the massive construction work to provide engineering infrastructure at the 15 project

“

Friday's town hall meeting was a defining moment for the land swap programme. If it was a contest, it is safe to say that there was no loser. If anything, everybody was a winner; FCT Minister Bala Mohammed and his management team witnessed firsthand the very deep reservations of the natives who in turn demonstrated practical recognition of the vision, passion and sincerity of the minister and his team

sites.

It will be premature to conclude that all obstacles to the land swap project have been removed with one town hall meeting. That was not the impression created by the young native elements who had strategically positioned themselves all over the Abuja International Conference Centre venue of the meeting. But one thing is clear: going forward, it will be very difficult for any selfserving individual or group, feasting on the ignorance of the people, to try to derail the programme, not when the minister had promised to set up an all-inclusive committee to study the submission of Abubakar and other speakers at the town hall meeting.

It can be said without equivocation that Friday's town hall meeting was a defining moment for the land swap programme. If it was a contest, it is safe to say that there was no loser. If anything, everybody was a winner; FCT Minister Bala Mohammed and his management team witnessed firsthand the very deep reservations of the natives who in turn demonstrated practical recognition of the vision, passion and sincerity of the minister and his team. One can only urge the minister to quickly raise the harmonization panel that would recommend ways of alleviating the fears of the affected people and clear the way for the uninterrupted implementation of this revolutionary program.

Emma Agu wrote from Abuja

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 14

Nigeria's woes: How much are technocrats to blame?

By Paul Omoruyi

I

ndubitably, Nigeria has been blessed with some of the finest minds in the black race. I see some of these amazingly smart Nigerians doing great things as Medical Directors, multi-million dollar Project Managers, Senior Engineers, Legal Advisers, Financial Advisers, and Political Advisers all over the world. But truth be told, Nigeria today is like a nation of unintelligent people who lack the capacity for creative thoughts to change their sordid and dysfunctional society.

The question is what happened to all these intelligent and "good" Nigerian people that they cannot come up with a decisive and transformational strategy to move the country forward?

I have been pondering this question lately and discussing it with my fellow compatriots. The more I see the downward spiral of the Nigerian state, the more I find prowess to get over the trepidation and apprehension of my mother.

Should we continue to complain about thugs and feeble minds parading themselves as leaders in Nigeria or should we get involve and change things? This is a dilemma that many good, intelligent, technocratic and well meaning Nigerians grapple with everyday. No nation of the world has progressed and developed when insipid, stale and visionless minds inundate the entire system of governance. Not until the technocrats took over Brazil, Russia, India, China, Singapore and Malaysia that those countries witnessed growth and development. Just less than a

systemically decade ago, wresting power these countries out of them were still called without gun third world shots. Think of countries on Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text Obama's same par with messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written community Nigeria. But contributions should be concise.

Word limits: Letters 150 leadership today, they are words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and strategy that flourishing with a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed pulled the rug productive and from under the educated to: feet of the workforce Republicans. because of the The Editor, Before they policies and Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, could say Jose, reforms 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. he became the executed by president and technocrats.

Email: opinion@peoplesdaily-online.com started fixing Many SMS: 08134607052 the damage technocrats done by the have jobs, Republicans policies that brought legitimate businesses, political and and ideas to re-configure the economic woes to America. non-political positions that provide current socio-political and economic landscape in the We never change things by them and their families decent country. This is not about getting fighting the existing reality. To middle-class living. So why get change something, we need to involve with the semi-literates and a large sum of money from a godfather sponsor to run for a build a new model that makes illiterates death-squad thugs that political office. There is no new idea the existing model obsolete. run the daily politics? This in that strategy. It is about using Nigerians are all too familiar argument has been made but does knowledge and modern thoughts with the guns and bullets no longer hold water if Nigeria that the old dogs lack to mesmerize approach. That approach is the must move forward. Our them; thereby subtly and path of least resistance. A new technocrats need a new strategy

WRITE TO US

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We never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, we need to build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete. Nigerians are all too familiar with the guns and bullets approach. That approach is the path of least resistance.

A new knowledge-based paradigm shift is the way to go. I have seen the knowledge-mesmerizing approach work when the thieving Nigeria politicians get to the Western World with their stolen wealth

knowledge-based paradigm shift is the way to go. I have seen the knowledge-mesmerizing approach work when the thieving Nigeria politicians get to the Western World with their stolen wealth. They become like the proverbial "chicken" begging for explanation for everything.

They shiver at the thoughts of speaking with an American just to hide their ignorance. Look at most interviews where a Nigerian politician had to speak with a foreign news network. You will see the lack of exposure on display - Christiane Amanpour Vs. Goodluck Jonathan might be a good place to start.

To save Nigeria, the skilled professionals, technocrats, knowledge-based state actors with the "interest of Nigeria at heart" would have to rise up and take over the affairs of the nation. Anyone with his country's interest at heart will not siphon his country's wealth and take it abroad to buy houses and keep it in their banks to develop those countries. Anyone with his country's interest at heart will develop his country and people because of the future of their children and children children's future. Let me end this by re-iterating Edmund Burke "that when bad men combine, the good must associate, else they will fall one by one, an un-pitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle". All that is necessary for evil men to triumph is for good men do nothing. God bless Nigerians and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Paul Omoruyi blogs at www.diasporascope.com and is also reachable on eng.p.omoruyi@gmail.com

My friend, Amaechi, what is happening?

By Anayate Ephraim

R

otimi Amaechi became the governor of Rivers state following the landmark ruling by the Supreme Court in June 2007.

Before then, he was the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly - a post he held for eight years. I was around on when the Odili regime took off, so I had a little knowledge of the workings of his government and party.

Amaechi's meteoric rise to the post of Executive Governor of Rivers State was not without opposition as he will tell you himself. In fact the issue is still lingering in the state as his erstwhile cousin Celestine Omehia whose face was on the ballot papers and stood for the election was declared by the Supreme Court as not the bona fide candidate. Omehia it would appear is still nursing the injury of his short lived Brick House experience and working assiduously to get Amaechi out of the coveted Brick House.

Since coming to power, Amaechi has held sway in Rivers State and even beyond. He appears to have played his game well and has been reckoned upon as a youthful governor who is eager to make changes in his domain and Nigeria in general.

He has also been accused of arrogance and being disrespectful to his seniors in the business. I have not worked with him but those who have and are continuing to do so say that this young man has guts. They say he says it as he sees it. But continuous reckoning in politics requires tact and only those who have good tactics can survive it.

Ask Bola Tinubu and he will tell you. There is time to fight and there is time to retreat. That is Nigerian politics.

I know that Amaechi has his supporters who will go the whole length to praise him and take whatever he says as correct and divine. I have seen and noted this online and even on facebook. He also has his opposition who will not waste time to vilify him for his wrong deeds and his arrogance.

Politics is about power. The first law written down among the 48 laws of power is "Never outshine the master". My friend seems to have forgotten this rule.

Ask Dr. Odili and he will tell you his experience. One would have thought that Amaechi who is a student and political son of Odili would have learnt from his master. I however believe it is not too late.

In Nigeria the federal government is the most powerful organ. Given that the Federal Government does play such an

important part in our life, it follows that any group or class (or even, in some instances, an individual) that can control the various agencies of the government is potentially very powerful in political, economic and ideological terms. I guess this is what my friend forgot. One can change the power base through influence.

Confrontation, overt or direct, brings out the beast in those confronted. Amaechi will remember that was what happened in Rivers when a faction of the PDP raised its head.

They were crushed and nobody is hearing of them again.

Call me myopic, the core issues which seem to pitch Amaechi against Jonathan, I believe, have nothing to do with the people Amaechi governs. I am from an oil producing rural community which gives the Rivers state government quite a lot of revenue, yet my community has no water to drink and Amaechi's government has been there since 2007. There are many communities like mine and this is worrisome.

With lack of such basic amenity from government, theextortions which Amaechi is fighting against at the federal level are bound to take place even in his backyard. Just

recently, I was informed by my community that Dame Judith his wife through her pet project (ESI) wanted the community to cough out over 40 million Naira to establish a nursery school and she will in turn help the community with a water treatment plant which I understand is less than half the amount she has asked them to bring. Imagine an NGO making a community to cough out such an amount of money which could have provided the school on its own. Three months after, about half of the money has been wired to the board of directors of ESI, nobody has heard anything.

Those who are involved with this act tend to justify the need for education of our nursery aged children so that they will not be involved in militancy. However, they forget there is no good primary school to continue these children's education. Also I ask them; has Mrs Amaechi ever visited the community to understand the needs of the community if she so desires to help? I understand the agreement was signed far away from the community. Who told her a nursery school is the top priority in this community without portable water, jetty and constant electricity or even a functional health centre? At least through facebook shouting and

sharing of the coloured water in the community, efforts are being made to make water available via the SA on MDGs in the state.

This is the politics we are seeing in the state. However, my friend governor has the money to buy jet and helicopters in collaboration with federal government. Don't tell me about safety and security because the greatest security is the welfare of the people.

Coming back to Amaechi's disagreement with the Presidency which seems to be in the news every day now, I think my friend and governor requires wisdom. I have read in some media that Jonathan versus Amaechi is about Ijaw and Ikwerre. I bet you this is not about Ijaw versus Ikwerre as some will portend it to be. Some others have also said it is because Amaechi has fallen out with his erstwhile confidant and chief supporter Hon Wike. There also appears to be other reasons adduced such as the trouble of oil wells between Bayelsa and Rivers, as well as Amaechi's positions on critical national and party matters. Whatever the reasons may be we all know the bottom line is about power. It is obvious, at least, for now where the balance of power lies.

Dr. Anayate Ephraim wrote in from Port Harcourt.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

By Adekoya Boladale

B

efore Monday last week Nigeria mobile subscribers have been in captive of telecom operators. It is a slavery to be hooked to a nonperforming, fraudulent and carefree company with no alternative to switch side without losing contact with friends and family. So you can imagine the joy and sigh of relief on the faces of these helpless subscribers when the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) rolled out the Mobile Number Portability exercise; a system that gives subscribers the opportunity to switch between telecom operators without losing the widely known-with mobile number.

If these telecom operators have kept subscribers in captive then Nigerians are in nothing short of hell. The country is presently been led by a political party that has failed in all ramification. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been running the administrative and structural affairs of this country for fourteen years and the only significant thing they have achieved so far is the revamping of the telecom industry which is even rumored to have been kick started by the Late Gen. Sani Abacha's regime, other than this the nation has been thrown into

PAGE 15

Before we 'port' to APC perpetual corruption, maladministration, dictatorship, insecurity, deceit, aggressive hunger, betrayal and numerous loans. To say the least, PDP murdered that infant baby called Nigeria right from birth.

Like the telecom industry Nigerians deserve the right to 'Port' to a better, people oriented, creative, sincere and visionary political party. It is high time the country gain freedom from the captive of the mighty.

However, the big question is to which political party? It is certain that come 2015 the Peoples Democratic Party will be widely denounced by change seeking Nigerians who can't wait to enjoy good governance and development but which political party posses the qualities that Nigerians long for?

A fortnight ago the former Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) concretized the move to merge with other opposition parties to form All Progressive Congress (APC), a move which was widely supported by all members present at the national convention. During this period the party made available the manifesto of the new political party which they (merged

political parties) believe would solve the manias in the country.

Obviously the most reasonable alternative party presently is the All Progressive Congress (APC), I understand some Nigerians feel the need to have a political party free from politrickers and opportunists, a party solemnly formed and funded by ordinary Nigerians who have no hidden or personal agenda whatsoever, however the present political structure of the country coupled with the political orientation and level of public awareness of vast majority of Nigeria electorates will make this impossible at this point in time. However, the All Progressive Congress really needs to put its house in order. Its decision in the next few months will determine if truly it has what it takes to deliver Nigerians from these shackles of slavery.

The attempt to renegotiate the oil deals is a laudable plan but this brings to mind the question of to whose ends would the renegotiation favour?

Ordinary Nigerians and oil producing communities or the new breed of sycophants and rogues that my end up dominating the villa? The plan to also investigate the oil revenues and past political office

holders is well thought of but is the party truly ready to face the challenges of combing corruption which requires that no sacred cow be left untouched?

Would the party be ready to prosecute ex-governors, senators and honourables who have contributed immensely to the sour situation of the country even when these people are founding members of the party?

Is the party ready to put the likes of Tinubu, Okorocha, Amosun, among others on the stand if need be?

Nigerians have been promised white elephant for so long that we easily realize when such lies are been told. Am not disputing the ability of APC to perform, that would be like condemning the masquerade before it get the chance to dance but I strongly believe Nigerians are tired of sweet and cheap talks channeled only to winning voters sentiments and emotional. If truly APC is ready to be the vehicle of change for Nigeria then we require a party that will opens its arms to welcome ideas and inputs from the people especially the youths, and not one that claims to be constructing a merger committee without the presence of the 'future generation'. The

party also has to take into cognizance the importance of the female gender as a resourceful and core element in nations building rather than the usual role of augmenting political formation and political gender equality gospel.

The most important task of the party is ensuring an open and democratic presentation of a truthful, brilliant, courageous, dogmatic and God fearing individual to bear the party's flag in 2015 and not just some handpicked scholars who lacks absolute knowledge about leadership. Nigerians can no longer take the nonchalant attitude of an acclaimed president to multiple civil genocides. The pills of hunger and unemployment shoved down our throat can no longer be accepted. What we require is a listener and a performer rather than an 'I-don't-give-adamn' leader.

On a last note, Mr. Tinubu and General Buhari should be aware that this time around it is no longer a Bourdillion or Daura affair which the world gives little attention to how it goes down. The situation at hand is long pass a beer parlour selection and negotiation mode, Nigerians are watching with keen interest if truly the APC is what it preaches.

Adekoya Boladale via adekoyaboladale@gmail.com Twitter: @adekoyabee

Is Nigeria becoming Africa's rape capital?

By Dotun Adepoju

R

arely day now goes by without one reading the sad news report of yet another rape atrocity against women in Nigeria! This madness is now getting to such an extent that even the already pathetically useless, badly trained and incompetent Nigeria Police Force (NPF) who so happens "to be our friend" do almost little or close to nothing in prosecuting alleged suspects of rape. They just do not have the training even on how to handle victims. The male members of the NPF who attend to rape reports, and thus victims, are so crass it is unbelievable!

One of the most annoying things one comes across in the news report is where the alleged suspects use that same old chestnut "I am sorry, it was the devil that tempted‌if you let me go I will not do this again". These stupendous statements to one's shock are sometimes accepted not only as mia culpa indeed but sometimes reasons for letting alleged suspects get away with it.

Their release from detention is predictably and always usually after a short spell in police custody after they would have bribed their way out of prison. These shameless lunatics - alleged suspects - sometimes often return to the same neighbourhood where their victims reside simply because they too happen to live in same place! Are the authorities in charge of managing these

incidents so callous?

Nigeria's domestic rape victims are getting younger and this often now borders on pedophilia! How on earth does one stomach the news of the raped babies and children yet undeveloped? Rape victims are also sometimes young girls usually children of other people brought to the city from the village as house help or maids.

Why are we so unprepared to make an issue of these atrocities and cry out loud? If you are a parent reading this how would you address the issue if your child was a victim of rape? Would you be embarrassed by it or would you fight ferociously for the suspects to be brought to justice?

Why do we treat the abuse of children of poor people as being inconsequential? When did you ever read in the news of the rape of Mr Big Time's daughter in VGC, Ikoyi or some posh neighbourhood in Lekki? Why is the rape of the poor bus conductor's daughter, house girl next door, etc so irrelevant?

It is about time Nigeria and her rulers took the issue of violence against women and their protection very seriously.

In the absence of real justice for rape victims it is almost tempting to suggest that rapists should be treated as armed robbers caught in the act where instant and street justice is dealt.

That would result in anarchy but where is the justice for example, for the illiterate house girl raped by oga's best friend when Nigeria Police say it has

been 'settled'?

Where is the justice for the little girl raped by the deluded Pentecostal preacher who claims to be healing her of evil spirit?

Where is the justice for the rape of a baby by the next door neighbour in the face-to-face room type accommodation in that poor part of town? Where is the justice for the abuse of school girls fingered and interfered with by a deranged school head mistress? Where is the justice for twelve year old girl raped but still yet still beaten and tortured by her guardian for being raped as if it was her fault? Are we as Nigerians so stupendously barbaric?

This brings me to role of our so called First Ladies or whatever these sometimes inconsequential

time wasters are called at federal or State levels. If in the absence of anything tangible to do, why can't these women take up this issue of violence against women and rape issue in Nigeria? Do women have to be attacked, raped and sometimes killed as in often reported in India today before these currently inconsequential First Ladies (sic) get off their over-privileged narrow behinds to take up these issues? If there is only one thing these so called First Ladies (sic) can do and achieve during their husbands' tenure in office, it should be to address the issue of women's health, their Rights and protection from domestic violence and more importantly the rise of rape and abuse of women in Nigeria. Yes! It happens in

“

It is about time Nigeria and her rulers took the issue of violence against women and their protection very seriously. In the absence of real justice for rape victims it is almost tempting to suggest that rapists should be treated as armed robbers caught in the act where instant and street justice is dealt. That would result in anarchy but where is the justice for example, for the illiterate house girl raped by oga's best friend when Nigeria Police say it has been 'settled'?

Nigeria and in your faces too! We can not pretend and look the other way hoping this embarrassing and dirty deed would be swept under the carpet.

Nigeria might not be a haven for peace, tranquillity, good governance and accountability but heck it must not be allowed to become the rape capital of women in Africa. A certain part of the continent holds that dubious record (go figure for yourself).

Rape and abuse of women is something we must not continue to look the other way and just hope the issue would go away.

Nigeria is not 'yet' at India's level of reported rape and abuse of women. However the rape and abuse of our women, girls and babies must not be allowed to go unpunished. With a population of over 160 million in the country, treating and counselling rapists is of no consequence and not a priority in myriad of issues facing the country under bad and corrupt governance. Capital punishment for convicted rapists would NOT be too harsh in my books. There are many Nigerians out there who will be happy to pull the lever and watch rapists swing. Alternatively convicted rapists can volunteer themselves for chemical castration provided they pay for it themselves and is not funded by tax payers money from the State. As a man I am really angry. I can only imagine what and how Nigerian women feel.

Dotun Adepoju is reachable on Dotun1uk@yahoo.com

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

FCTA provides twelve emergency rooms for hypertensive patients

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he FCT Administration has provided twelve wellequipped hospitals and state-of-the-art emergency rooms to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of Hypertension in the Federal Capital Territory.

The FCT Minister, Senator BalaAbdulkadir Mohammed stated this at the just concluded 2013 FCT World Health Day Celebration with a theme, Hypertension with the sloganControl Your Blood Pressure.

The Minister who was represented at the occasion by the Secretary of Health & Human Services, Dr. Ademola Onakomaiya, further said services available in the Primary Health Care Centre across the six Area Councils of the FCT to confront headlong the silent killer disease in the remote areas of the Territory.

His words: “In addition, services had been scaled-up greatly in the Primary Health Care Centres of all the six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory to effectively combat

the disease”.

Senator Mohammed at the occasion directed the Health and Human Services Secretariat to create aggressive awareness so that FCT residents will avail themselves of this opportunity to live a better and quality life; insisting that all the residents of the Territory must know and control their blood pressure through appropriate means.

“As part of the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President, qualitative health care delivery is critical to bring

about economic growth in our great country of which the FCTA has substantially keyed into,” the Minister emphasized.

Senator Mohammed remarked that Hypertension is a silent killer responsible for over 10% of all Nigerian adult death and that over 25% of Nigerian adults suffers from the disease.

He stated that the World Health Organization has identified Hypertension as the most important preventable risk factor for premature death; lamenting that most times it

remains undiagnosed until lifethreatening complications sets in, thereby making it difficult to control at that stage.

In his keynote address, the Secretary of FCT Health & Human Services Secretariat, Dr. AdemolaOnakomaiya who was also represented at the occasion by Dr. Benjamin Udofia, Director Medical Diagnostics said that noncommunicable diseases like hypertension have in the recent years posed great health challenges across the world.

According to him, globally, hypertension is responsible for estimated 45% of deaths due to heart diseases and 51% of deaths due to stroke.

Dr. Onakomaiya reiterated that according to the 2010 World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global status reports on non-communicable diseases, the African region, has the highest prevalence of hypertension, estimated at 46% of adults aged 25 and above.

District head of Kwali vows to bring peace among the residents

By Adeola Tukuru

T L-R: Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT) , Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, National Director, Millard Fuller Foundation, Sam Odia, and President , Federation of Urban Poor Association, James Uguh, during the handover of social housing allocation to Millard Fuller Foundation /Federation of Urban Poor Association, on Monday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Abuja residents express mixed reaction to CCTV surveillance camera

R

esidents of the FCT yesterday said the installations of CCTV surveillance cameras in the city will guarantee adequate security of lives and property.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project which costs the Federal Government billions of naira with a two year maintenance deal, was yet to impact on crime and accident investigations.

NAN also learnt that some of the cameras that had been installed in urban centres, like Wuse and the Murtala Mohammed International Airport were functioning.

Some residents told NAN that they have been seeing the cameras flashing light, but not sure if they were really functioning.

A resident in Gwarimpa

Estate, Bwari Area Council, Mr Thomas Okon, said that cameras were crucial in monitoring activities at various strategic positions in and around the FCT. According to him, the beauty of CCTV cameras is to assist in detecting crime and also assist security agencies in investigation purposes.

“This has happened in developed countries like the recent Boston bomb episode in the U.S. “We need them to be installed in all major cities as urban terrorism is growing.’’

Mr Celestine Ike, a staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said that the cameras since they were installed had assisted them in preventing crime around the airport.

“It had helped prevent theft

of property, especially at the airport’s car park,’’ Ike said.

Also Malam Bala Usman, a gold seller in Wuse market advocated that the cameras were efficiently used to ensure optimum results, particularly now that the country was faced with security challenges.

He said that he would be happy to see more of them in strategic locations in the FCT. Miss Tosin Shobande, a civil servant said that the cameras give a psychological effect that everyone was under surveillance and some form of security.

“I am at ease and comfortable parking my car in public places with a conviction that it is safe and under watch.’’

However, some people said that they were skeptical over the functionality of the

cameras.

Mr Boniface Aluko, an Information Technology Consultant, said that there must be proper maintenance of the facilities for it to give maximum results.

“It is this maintenance culture that will guarantee that the cameras are all working perfectly and always. It will amount to a breach of contract if many of the cameras are not working.

“It is not only government’s responsibility to ensure that the cameras are working, but also individuals have a key role to play.

“The public has a key role to play in the protection of government property and can as well invest in the project as it will be beneficial to all of us.’’(NAN)

he newly appointed District Head in Kwali Area Council of the FCT, Chief Yunana Yatsu has promises to use available traditional support given to him in the area to bring about enduring peace and security.

Chief Yatsu who expressed happiness as the newly appointed head, explained that his action plans for the council and his people to carry everybody along in terms of developmental process.

According to the traditional ruler, the people must learn to live together in peace also warned that his administration shall never tolerate any form of violence from bad eggs who claims to be fanatics in order to cause friction in Kwali.

He also promised to use his new office toward ensure that parents can pay for their children school fees in order for them to continue their studies, noting that education remains the bed rock of every civilized society in the world.

He also called on the incoming administration in the council to forget and fogive all who have offended him either as a person or as a representative, adding that those things that happened before and during the election should completely be behind him for peaceful co-existence in the council.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 17

Tailor, 34, bags 4 months imprisonment for cheating

A

Kuje Area Court in the FCT on Monday sentenced a 34-year-old tailor, Segun Sunday, to four months imprisonment for criminal breach of trust and cheating.

The Judge, Mr Nuhu Ibrahim, however, gave the accused an option to pay N12,000 as fine.

E a r l i e r , the prosecutor, Samuel Ochefu, had told the court that the case was reported at the Kuje Police Station on April 25 by Mrs Hajiya Sa’adu, who resides at Kuchiyako Kuje, Abuja.

Ochefu said that the accused, who also resides in the same address with the complainant, rented out her

house without her consent.

He added that Sunday gave out two units of one bedroom self contained apartment belonging to the complainant at the rate of N310,000 per annum without informing her.

He said the accused rented out the houses in June 2012 and diverted the money to his personal use, an offence which

contravened sections 311 and 320 of the Penal Code.

The complainant told the court that she doesn’t want the money back but the accused should not come near her property again.

The accused pleaded guilty to the charge and begged the court for leniency. (NAN)

Goat meat (mutton) being transported on a motorcycle along AbujaZuba outer Northern Express way, on Monday.

Photo: NAN

Pastor, 50, in court for allegedly raping 3 pupils T

he General Overseer of the Choice Bible Church, Mpape, Emmauel Mathew (50) was yesterday arraigned before Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf of the FCT High Court for alleged rape of three pupils in his school.

Mathew, who is the pastor and General Overseer of The Choice Bible Church, Mpape, and proprietor of the primary school

where his victims attended, was arraigned on a six-count charge of rape.

He was accused of having carnal knowledge of two seven-year-old pupils and a nine-year-old on different occasions in his school office without their consent, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 283 of the Penal Code. ``Whoever has canal

intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 14 years and shall also be liable to fine'', the Penal Code reads.

Mathew pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge, while the presiding judge ordered the prosecuting counsel to amend the

remaining three-count charge against the accused.

The prosecutor, Stalley Nwodo, urged the court to fix a date for the amendment of charges.

Baba-Yusuf granted the prosecutor's application and adjourned the matter to May 8,2013 for amendment of charges and re-arraignment of the accused.

(NAN)

Two men docked for alleged stealing

T

he police on Monday arraigned two men, Ibrahim Ameh, 36, and Morris Dinang, 42, before a Gwagwalada Upper Area Court for alleged stealing.

Ameh and Dinang, who reside at Angwan Dodo and Paiko village in Gwagwalada respectively, are accused of alleged stealing of a 2000 KV generator belonging to MTN. They were charged for alleged joint act, mischief, negligent conduct and theft.

The police prosecutor, Insp.

Martha Paul, told the court that the accused conspired and stole a 2000 KV generator set belonging to MTN. The accused were said to have stolen the generator, which was serving the MTN mast situated on the Lokoja-Kaduna road.

She told the court that the accused destroyed the iron door and the fence protecting the generator worth over N2 million before removing it.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Ayam Michael, urged the court to grant his

clients bail, saying that, “the matter was a mere allegation and the accused remain innocent until the contrary is proven’’.

He said the accused would not jump bail or tamper with police investigation, adding that they would produce reasonable sureties if granted bail.

Michael said the accused had no previous criminal record and urge the court to grant them bail in liberal terms.

The Presiding Judge, Alhaji Babangida Hassan, granted the

accused bail in the sum of N500,000 each and a surety each in like sum.

Hassan said the surety must be resident within the FCT and must be a civil servant or own a landed property.

He said the surety’s passport should be attached to the bail bond and that the prosecutor should verify the addresses of the surety.

“If the accused fail to meet the terms of the bail they would be remanded in prison,” Hassan said, and adjourned the case to June 12,2013 for hearing. (NAN)

INSIDE FCT COURTS Two men docked over alleged public nuisance

T

he police on Tuesday a r r a i g n e d t w o men, Chukwudi Obi, 25 and Jagudu Alli, 30, both of no fixed address, in an Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court for allegedly constituting public nuisance.

The accused persons are standing trial for public nuisance before Senior Magistrate Zubairu Mohammed.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Friday Idi, said the matter was reported by a team of policemen on patrol led

by Mr John Nanjing of the Nigeria Police attached to Gwarinpa police station, Abuja, on April 23.

Idi said that the accused persons were arrested while parading along the streets of Gwarinpa Estate by a police patrol team.

He said that Obi and Alli could not give a satisfactory account of themselves when they were arrested.

According to him, the offence contravenes Section 183 of the Penal Code.

Both accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Senior Magistrate Zubairu Mohammed granted them bail in the sum of N50,000 each and one surety each in like sum.

Mohammed said the sureties must live within the jurisdiction of the court and must have evidence of good means of livelihood.

He adjourned the matter till May 6,2013 for hearing. (NAN)

Man bags 6 weeks imprisonment for attempting to commit theft, hurt

A

Grade 2 Area Court in Kado, Abuja, on Tuesday sentenced one Obinna Okezea, to six weeks imprisonment for attempting to hurt one Chris Okoye.

Okezea, 25, of Karmo village, Abuja, was tried on a two-count charge of attempting to commit theft and causing grievous hurt.

The Judge, Mr Ahmed Ado, however, gave him an option of N2,500 fine.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Simon Ibrahim, had told the court that Okoye, of No.16, Aguru St., Dawaki, Abuja, reported the matter to the Utako police station on April 27.

Ibrahim said the convict was caught coming out of the complainant’s Mercedes Benz car with the number plates.

“When confronted, you turned violent and inflicted injury on him.’’

He said the offences contravened the provisions of sections 79 and 247 of the Penal Code.

The convict pleaded guilty to the charges, but urged the court to be lenient with him. (NAN)

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

Bwari Area Council centralises exams for students

By Adeola Tukuru with agency reports

T

he Chairman, Bwari Area Council in the FCT, Mr Peter Yohanna, said examinations for students in the area had been centralised.

The chairman said that the aim was to promote educational development in the council.

He said that the development had raised the standards of education of students in both the rural

and urban areas of the council.

Yohanna lamented the inability of the council in the past to have a centralised examination for the students in the area. “ The centralised examination now helps the education authority to impact the same knowledge in all our students in the area.

He noted that students in the council had been participating in several quiz and debate competitions which accorded them the

opportunity to compete internationally.

Yohanna promised to award scholarships to the best students who represented the council at any level in quiz and debate competitions.

He also said the council would ensure that students in the area continued to study in a conducive environment of learning to promote quality education.

The chairman commended students of the area for their excellent performances in international competitions.

Health secretary, FCT urges the need to maintain culture for learning

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he Secretary of the Health and Human Service, FCT, Dr Ademola Onakomaiya has said there is the need to maintain a cultural carnival as social interaction to promote their cultural background and exhibit how effective it can enhance learning.

Dr Ademola noted this during the 6th Annual Cultural Carnival of the

students of the FCT schools of Nursing and Midwifery in Gwagwalada, FCT. According to him, the cultural activities will go a long way in further enhancing their position as one of the best schools of Nursing and Midwifery in the federation.

He called on the students to work hard till they posses higher degree in Nursing education ,adding that as part of their support towards the development of the school ,they have fulfilled their

Advert

promises of giving automatic employment to the best five graduating students, two years subscription of DSTV and the purchase of a photocopier machine.

Also in her remarks, the Chief host and also the Acting Director, Nursing Services, Health and Human Service Secretariat, FCT, Miss Onukwue Onyinye lauded the staff of the schools whom without their contribution, these wonderful stories about the students would not be told.

Participants at the FCT town hall meeting on land swap initiative, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

NURTW urges FCTA to develop Jabi Park

T

he National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to develop the Jabi Central Motor Park to a befitting standard.

Secretary of NURTW Mass Transit Nigeria Ltd, Mr Lawrence Fadipe, made this known in Abuja on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Fadipe said that developing the park to a status that befits the FCT would improve transport services in the territory.

“The government should develop the park by constructing accessible road and drainage system in the park, during the rainy season, the park is always flooded and filthy

because of lack of drainage system.

“The NURTW is appealing to the FCTA to try and look into the matter by assisting the union to put the park in order.’’

Fadipe expressed dissatisfaction over the neglect of the park, a situation which the “Mai Bola, Pan Takers and Mai Ruwa people’’ (scavengers and water peddlers) took advantage of and moved in.

The secretary said the development should be extended to other parks in the FCT as “none of the parks in the FCT is developed.’’

On the maintenance of the park, he said it was given to a particular company for maintenance.

According to him, nothing has been done in

the park by the so called contractor in the past 10 years which has further deteriorated the condition of the park.

Fadipe urged the government to revoke the contract since the company could not meet the expectations.

He said the money being generated from the park was being paid to the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) on daily basis.

On sanitation, he said the NURTW carried out monthly sanitation in the park to ensure the environment was kept clean at all time.

To this end, he said an Environmental Task Force was constituted to strengthen the sanitation exercise and to promote security in the park. (NAN)

Man, 31, arraigned for alleged criminal trespass

T

he police yesterday arraigned one 31year old man, Eze Benking of Mabushi, before an Abuja Grade 2 Area Court for alleged criminal trespass and attempt to commit an offence.

Police prosecutor, Sgt. Christopher Roko, told the court that the case was reported at the Utako Police Station by one Mr Ibrahim Umar of Jabi on April 28.

Roko alleged that the accused person criminally trespassed into Umar’s welding workshop with the intent to steal working tools.

Roko said that the accused was caught in the act.

The offence, according to him, contravenes sections 342

and 95 of the Penal Code Law. According to Section 342:“Whoever enters into or upon a property in the possession of another with intent to commit an offence or to intimidate, insult or annoy any person in possession of such property, or having lawfully entered into or upon such property, unlawfully remains there with intent thereby to intimidate is said to commit criminal trespass.’’

Section 95 states that “Whoever attempts to commit an offence punishable with imprisonment or to cause such an offence to be committed and in such attempt does any act toward the commission of the offence shall be punished with

imprisonment for a term which may extend to one half of the longest term provided for that offence or with fine as provided for such offence or with both.’’

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the twocount charge levelled against him.

The prosecutor thereby asked the court for an adjourned date to enable him bring his witnesses.

The presiding Judge, Mr Ahmed Ado, granted the accused bail in the sum of N10, 000 and one surety who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

He adjourned the case to May 15,2013 for further hearing. (NAN)

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

Mob: 08033644990

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

NAMA co-operative’s savings nets in N11m

Nigeria spends N41bn on champagne annually

N

igeria spends an average of N41.41 billion on champagne yearly and is rated as the second fastest growing market in the world for champagne.

In a research conducted by Euromonitor International, between 2006 and 2011, Nigeria achieved a compound annual growth of 22 percent in champagne consumption.

Total champagne consumption reached 752,879 bottles (75cl) in 2011, higher than consumption in Russia and Mexico; therefore, placing Nigeria among the top 20 champagne markets in the world.

In 2010, Nigeria consumed about 593,000 bottles, the highest consumption in Africa.

The closest to this figure was South Africa, another country that has been identified as an emerging market for luxury goods, in addition to Nigeria.

South Africa’s champagne

NCC declares MTN, Glo dominant operators

By Chris Alu

T

he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has named mobile operators MTN Nigeria and Globacom dominant players, following a market analysis conducted by KPMG Professional Services.

According to the regulatory agency, measures have been put in place to prevent both companies from exploiting their dominant positions and undermining competition in the Nigerian telecommunications industry.

MTN was declared a dominant operator in the mobile voice market and wholesale leased lines and transmission capacity, and Glo was declared dominant in the wholesale leased lines and transmission capacity market.

According to the NCC, although there are several operators in the mobile market, its study shows that the mobile voice market is not effectively competitive. The two dominant operators will be subject to regulations requiring accounting separation, symmetric retail tariffs for onand off-net traffic and detailed reporting of operations, as requested by the NCC. The regulator also plans to set prices for other mobile operators in the market and introduce a price cap for wholesale leased lines and capacity. The rules take effect today (1st May).

consumption was 384,000 bottles in 2010.

“Nigerian champagne consumption is quite big,” says Charles Armand de Belenet, global marketing and

communications director, Pernod’s GH Mumm and Perrier Jouet Champagne brands, adding, “We are building our network here and it is one of the most attractive places for us at

the moment”.

It took the European markets by surprise that Nigeria could rank that high in global champagne consumption.

Looking at the list of the markets

expected to post the strongest gains in total champagne volumes over 2011-2016, France tops the list followed by United Kingdom.

Brazil and China are not missing out so are the United States and the upbeat Australian market. “However, what did come as a surprise was Nigeria’s second place in these global rankings,” says Spiros Malandrakis, senior alcoholic drinks analyst at Euromonitor International, in a keynote presentation at the 2012 Champagne Assembly held in London.

According to the Euromonitor International data, wine consumption in Nigeria grew from 18.8 million litres in 2006 to 44.3 million litres in 2011.This is expected to increase by 80.4 percent, that is, 79.9 million litres by 2016.

[Euromonitor]

MTN must raise tariffs - NCC L-R: Sales Director, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Mr. Paul Udochi; Brand Manager Tang, Mrs. Bunmi Adeniba; Managing Director, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Mr. Emil Moskofian and Marketing Director, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Mr. Dele Anifowoshe, during the Media briefing on Tang Powdered Fruit Drink in Lagos.

Foreign remittances to Nigeria hit N 3.36tr

By Aminu Imam with agency report

N

igeria and five other countries have been named by the World Bank as top recipients of global remittances in 2012.

A report released by the bank said; “The top recipients of officially recorded remittances for 2012 are India $69 billion, China $60 billion, The Philippines $24 billion, Mexico $23 billion, Nigeria and Egypt $21 billion (N 3.36 trillion) each.

Other large recipients include Pakistan, Bangladesh,

Vietnam and Lebanon.

Remittance flows to developing countries have more than quadrupled since 2000. Global remittances, including those to high-income countries, are estimated to have reached $514 billion in 2012, compared to $132 billion in 2000.

Remittance flows to SubSaharan Africa have been recovering from the contraction associated with the global financial crisis, but growth has been modest.

In 2012, the region is estimated to have received about $31 billion in remittances, only about one per

cent increase over 2011.

Nigeria is by far the largest recipient of remittances in the region, accounting for about 67 per cent of the inflows to the region in 2012, followed by Senegal and Kenya.

Zero growth in flows to Nigeria in 2012 is partly attributable to the feeble labour market recovery of its major remittance source countries in Europe, the UK in particular.

Remittance flows to Nigeria and the rest of the region are expected to grow significantly in the coming years to reach about $39 billion in 2015.

Management Tip of the Day

A

Walk at your next meeting

mericans sit for an average of 9.3 hours a day. And a slew of studies have shown just how unhealthy that is, linking it to heart disease, obesity, and cancer. So next time you need to meet with a colleague, don’t book a conference room.

Take a walk. Aside from the much-needed exercise, there are

numerous benefits: Having a common goal. There’s something about being side-by-side that puts the problem or ideas before you and allows you to work on them together. You may even be able to listen better when you’re walking next to someone rather than sitting across a table.

Increased focus. The simple act of moving means your mobile

device is more likely to stay put away and you can give your undivided attention.

Not everyone will take you up on this offer, but even if you make just a few of these kinds of appointments a week, you — and your body — will be better off.

Source: Harvard Business Review

By Chris Alu

M

TN Nigerian Communication Ltd., the country’s biggest phone company, has become “dominant” and must raise internal mobile tariffs to boost competition, Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said on Monday.

An industry review showed phone calls between MTN customers cost three times lower than calls to other networks, the NCC said, in a statement on its website. “This is indicative of the likely establishment of a calling club for MTN subscribers,” the regulator stated.

MTN, which has about 44 percent of the market, must cut the difference in price and face further scrutiny to ensure the competitive landscape is even for all operators, the NCC further said.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with more than 160 million people, had about 113 million mobile phone subscribers at the end of 2012, according to the NCC. MTN Nigeria, the local unit of Johannesburg-based MTN Group Ltd., is the market leader with 47 million lines.

Nigeria’s Globacom Ltd. had 24 million users, Mumbai-based Bharti Airtel had 23 million customers and Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Telecommunications Corp., known as Etisalat, had 14 million, according to data on the NCC’s website. In an industry with 25 different operators, the top four have about two-thirds of the market.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS

Stanbic IBTC Holding Coy

S

tanbic IBTC Holding Co, the Nigerian unit of South Africa’s Standard Bank Group Ltd., plans to raise $150 million in new capital this year, Chief Executive Officer Sola David-Borha said.

The bank plans to use the Tier 2 capital for investments in infrastructure and lending, David-Borha said on a conference call Friday in Lagos, the commercial capital, without giving further details.

“Loans and advances are planned to grow by 15 percent by end-2013, from 6 percent in 2012,” she said.

NSE/LCCI

T

he recovery or otherwise of the Nigeria’s capital market will take the frontburner at a stakeholders’ forum being organised by the Financial Services Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Thursday, 2nd May at Commerce House, Idowu Taylor street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Annual Business Clinic of the Group will address the theme: “The Nigerian Capital Market: The Outlook,” with the leading of the DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema, who is Guest Speaker, and the Chief Executive Officer, IBTC Asset Management, Olumide Oyetan, as analyst.

Chairperson of the Financial Services Group and Managing Director of Resort Development Limited, Olajumoke Fashanu, who disclosed this, said the time had come for Nigerians to be made fully aware of the state of recovery of the nation’s capital market.

PHCN

T

he Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Ibadan zone, has appointed Mr. O. Akinyosoye, as the new Business Manager for Ilesha business unit of the company This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by the Public Affairs Officer for Ile-Ife/Ilesha business units of PHCN at the weekend.

The new business manager, who was transferred from the Jebba business unit, took over from Mr. S. A. Awoniyi, who had been transferred to Dugbe business unit.

FG must consider security implications of Bi-Courtney Hotel, Centre - ATSSSAN Stories from Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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resh agitations on safety has been raised over the proximity of a hotel and conference centre opposite the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos, a place where the president aircraft land and take-off whenever the President visits Lagos.

The construction of the facilities by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN) have said, does not take into account its security implication and said government must ensure it is fully converted into other use as being canvassed by staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

National President of ATSSSAN, Benjamin Okewu, while reacting to what he

described as the controversial and scandalous matter of BiCourtney’s Hotel and Conference Centre, affirmed that the hotel should be turned into office buildings as the project has been breached severally by BiCourtney.

The union leader charged government to ensure all unfavourable concessions in the aviation industry skewed in favour of the concessionaire against the collective interest of the state must be reviewed or revoked.

Okewu said that it was wrong for any organisation to mislead the public by smearing the integrity of the union, stating that it has never addressed any press conference for or with any group or body on the matter connecting to the hotel and conference centre until now.

Bi-Courtney last week issued a statement that ATSSSAN had washed its hands off comments

that its workers in FAAN are urging management to transform the hotel being built into its headquarters since FAAN will take over after series of breaches from its concessionaire.

A letter signed by the Secretary of ATSSSAN, Comrade Olayinka Abioye said in parts that, “ATSSSAN reiterates its commitment to ensuring that all obnoxious agreements between BiCourtney and the Federal Government through FAAN must be reviewed and or cancelled, where it is established that such agreements are skewed in favour of the concessionaire against the collective interest of the state”.

“On the controversial and scandalous matter of BiCourtney’s Hotel and Conference Centre, ATSSSAN had earlier drawn attention of the government to its safety and security implications and

demanded for the outright cancellation of the project and conversion of same to office buildings”.

The statement went further: “As a matter of fact, the union is aware that the terms and contents of the agreement of the project had been breached severally by Bi-Courtney which legally and technically gives FAAN the right to terminate under the agreement”.

The statement however said their stand on the matter is not an affront on private sector investment in the aviation industry, stating that in fact, it was the only way to go but that things must be done within acceptable norms.

ATSSSAN further advised the management of Bi-Courtney to face its business within the industry professionally and transparently, in the collective interest of Nigerians who are to benefit from such ventures.

Dana Air launches mobile checkin device

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NAMA co-operative’s savings nets in N11m

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anagers of co-operative societies in various government agencies have been charged to be above board, in order to restore member’s confidence in them.

The president, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NMIA) staff co-operative investment and credit society Mr. Edino Amos, who gave the advice at the 11th Annual General Meeting of the co-operative, said some members have lost confidence in the leadership of some managers of the cooperative.

Amos explained that the essence of co-operative societies was to give a sense of belonging to members and strengthen the weak ones.

He said the savings of NAMA

cooperatives under him rose to N130m in 2012, from N88m in 2011, while the amount of loans disbursed to members was over 40% in the year under review.

He affirmed that the society has the capacity to give several millions of naira to individuals as loans as a result of confidence on the executive.

According to him, the cooperatives made a net profit of N11.2m, adding that cooperative was set up with a mission to create a co-operative alive to the yearnings of its members by striving to improve the socio economic status of members.

He noted that 2012 remained one of the challenging years but with determination and

dedication the co-operative was able to scale through with its significance achievements.

Amos disclosed that 2012 was a year of relentless building and repositioning for the future to develop structures that will assist the co-operative to deliver its goals.

According to him, the cooperative has been able to assist members and imparted positively in meeting up with their obligations through securing loans at a very low interest rate.

Amos advised young workers to join them as soon as possible in order to safe guard their future adding that 35 years in the civil service will be nothing if not well planned.

uests of Dana Air will now enjoy quicker and more convenient checkin services with the launch of the ‘Roving Agent’, a mobile device which allows guests to be checked-in on arrival at the airport by mobile airline staff.

Strapped with tablet PCs and mini printers, the airline’s mobile check-in agents can now issue boarding passes to guests even before they reach the check-in counter as the company said the new initiative complements the airline’s existing check-in counters and on-line check-in service.

“What we are offering in roving agents is immense value-addition for our guests,” said Obi Mbanuzuo, Dana Air’s Head of Commercial.

“With this solution, our mobile check-in agents can quickly access and verify the travel reservation details of guests, book them on their choice of seat and generate boarding passes”.

“Now, guests with hand baggage need not wait at the check-in counter to collect their boarding pass; they can simply approach any of our easily recognizable mobile check-in agents on arrival at the airport and then proceed through airport security to the boarding gate”, Mbanuzuo explained.

“We will continue to use technology to enhance the flying experience of our guests by simplifying air travel and saving valuable time”, Mbanuzuo said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

The best festivals around the world this May LONDON Spin LDN | 4-5 May 2013 Spin London, the UK's first urban cycling show and festival, is debuting at The Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane this year.

Those looking to buy, build or merely browse bicycles by some

SPAIN National Cheese Festival | 1-5 May 2013 More than 100,000 avid food-fans are expected to flock to the historic main square of Trujillo (birthplace of the

Conquistadors) in Spain this summer for what can quite literally be described as a cheesefest. Visitors will be able to sample over 500 different flavours and dine in one of the square's six restaurants, which will be serving up traditional dishes starring the festival's star

- queso - and other regional delicacies.

For more information, visit www.trujillovillasespana.com/ fiestas-festivals. Bespoke tours are available with Trujillo Villas E s p a Ăą a (www.trujillovillasespana.com)

AUSTRIA The Vienna Festival | 10 May - 16 June 2013 The Vienna Festival offers five weeks of dance, music, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

NEW YORK

The Comedy Hullabaloo | 23-26 May 2013

Frieze Art Fair | 10-13 May 2013 A highlight of the year for the culturally minded, the Frieze Art Fair in New York showcases more that 1,000 contemporary artists. This year, The Surrey hotel is the fair's official Upper East Side partner, and is offering special room rates for guests staying between 115 May. For more information, visit http:// friezenewyork.com.

Brand new festival The Comedy Hullabaloo is making its debut in Shakespeare's LEICESTERSHIRE Noisily Festival | 24-27 May 2013 This year is only Noisily Festival's second on the summer scene, but its returning to Leicestershire's Coney Woods with

ST. PETERSBURG The Whites Nights Festival | 24 May-14 July 2013 The White Nights Festival of ballet and opera is held at the city's famous Mariinsky Theatre during the magical summer period when the sun never sets.

For more information, visit www.mariinsky.ru/en

PORTUGAL International Sand Sculpture Festival | From 25 May See 200 tons of sand transformed into intricate art and huge sculptures at the International Sand and Sculpture Festival.

For more information, visit www.fiesa.org BRISTOL Upfest | 25-27 May 2013

of the leading designers (think tokyobike, Bicycle Taxidermy and Ally Capellino) will be overwhelmed with the array of two-wheelers on show. There'll also be talks, screenings, music and food.

For more information, visit www.spinldn.com

theatre, and visual arts, It offers a modern and multilingual program that covers everything from the classics to the avantgarde.

For more information, visit www.festwochen.or.at birthplace of Stratford-UponAvon this summer.

Comedians Al Murray, Milton Jones, Mark Watson and many more will all be vying for the last laugh.

For more information, visit www.comedyhullabaloo.com a fresh line-up of electronic acts to play their Tipi and Treehouse stages. Guests can apply for grants to create zany art installations, and the festival's eco ethos means guests can stay in one of Green Yurt's environmentally-friendly tipis.

For more information, visit www.noisilyfestival.com A hipster's heaven, Europe's biggest street art festival takes place in Bristol over the UK Bank Holiday weekend. The free event will see Bristol's Tobacco Factory and just about everything in the nearby vicinity (think car parks, skate parks, theatres, gardens, streets -even a subway train) taken over by 50 odd artists, who will paint, spray and generally create live in front of onlookers. Pop up cafes and music acts will also be on the arty scene.

For more information, visit www.upfest.co.uk and follow @upfest NEWCASTLE Evolution | 26-27 May 2013 Evolution, Newcastle, is known for its great line-ups and great value (weekend tickets are less than ÂŁ40). The Spillers Wharf stage will host The Vaccines, Ellie Goulding, Paloma Faith, Jake Bugg, Lethal Bizzle and more.

For more information, visit www.evolutionfestival.co.uk (Source: CNTraveller,com)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 22

SEC gives investors June 3 deadline to submit bank details

By Abdulwahab Isa

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orried by the alarming growth rate of unclaimed dividends among quoted companies in the country, the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), has directed shareholders and investors of public companies to

forward their bank account details to their registrars and stockbrokers by June 3, 2013.

This, the commission said in a circular, is to facilitate the electronic payment of future dividends.

The SEC Director-General, Ms. Arunma Oteh, last month put the value of unclaimed dividend by

Rosehill Group appoints Rilwanu Lukman, Mandela, others into board

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

O

ne of Africa’s fast growing conglomerates, Rosehill Group has announced the appointment of former OPEC Secretary-General, Dr. Rilwanu Lukman and Nelson Mandela’s first grand daughter, Ndileka Mandela into its board.

Also joining the board as advisor is the top risk manager, business strategist and a Cambridge University scholar, Mr. John Iyobhebe.

The trio shall join other advisors which include Ike Nwachukwu, Nigeria’s former foreign affairs minister.

In a statement in Abuja, chairman and Chief Executive of the group, Alhaji Suleiman Yahyah said, ‘’The new advisors would unequivocally add value to our efforts in creating a worldclass conglomerate that would ginger Africa’s economies and create jobs opportunities for people around the world”.

He said, as a former minister of mining and petroleum in Nigeria and OPEC scribe, Dr. Rilwan Lukman would, without prevarication, bring his wealth of experience to bear on the various business stakes of the group in Africa, Asia and Europe.

He said, on her part, Ndileka Mandela is a consummate tactician and strategist, and an

advocate for peace and good governance.

“She represents her family on the board of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. She would also advise Rosehill Group on strategy, Africa expansion and governmental relationships.”

Mr. Yahyah said Mr. John Iyobhebe is an international business executive with over 20 years’ management experience across a number of industries. An expert in setting up, structuring and growing new businesses, he is also a top risk manager and was also a former Political Assistant at the House of Commons in Westminster and an Analyst for Oxford Analytica, Oxford United Kingdom.

Rosehill, headquartered in Nigeria, is one of Africa’s most diversified investment group with stakes in construction and engineering, oil and gas, aviation, IT, hotel, agriculture and transportation.

The group recently qualified for the land swap policy for building new infrastructure and districts in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

South African envoy to the United Nations, Kingsley Mambolo, at a recent gathering in Abuja said the Rosehill Group is one of Africa’s reputable conglomerates growing economic ties among countries on the continent.

investors in the country’s capital market at N60 billion by December 31, 2012, representing N19 billion, or 46 percent rise, over the N41 billion recorded at the end of preceding year.

According to the SEC circular, signed by the “management”, the commission expressed confidence “that the introduction

S

pocket or small bag for reading and entertainment on the g o .

The

s l e e k a n d s t y l i s h d e s i g n encompasses thinner bezel than

distribution season, the value of such that remain unclaimed may balloon to N50 billion by this year.

The decision to enforce the edividend service is therefore seen as part of efforts to ensure that the quantum of such unclaimed dividends reduce drastically, rather than bloat.

N 15,000 shirt you can wear 100 days without washing

The secret appears to be the material used which are fine wool thread and used wool science to deal with temperature, wicking, thread dynamics and cotton comparison.

I

n 2011, a college student from the University of Alberta, Josh Le, were only one pair of jeans for 15 months and to his surprise found that the germ level of the garment was not worrisome.

Could the same thing be said of shirts?

A shirt manufacturer, Wool &Prince, said it has made a wool button-down shirt that one can wear for days without wrinkling, smelling or showing any dirt.

Samsung unveilsthe 7-inch Galaxy Tab 3 amsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced the introduction of the GALAXY Tab 3 – 7-inch tablet featuring sleek design a n d e n h a n c e d capabilities that bring capabilities that bring better performance and multimedia experiences to your fingertips.

With the new GALAXY Tab 3, Samsung has evolved its range of innovative tablets, making them smaller and easier to carry, while increasing the user experience overall; Its compact, one-hand grip form factor ensures users can hold comfortably for hours as well as store in a

of the e-dividend payment system would reduce4 to the barest minimum the accumulation of unclaimed dividends promptly, thereby improving confidence in the market.”

The move may not be unconnected with insinuations among operators that with the coming of another dividend

the previous GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0).

Enhanced User Experience: The GALAXY Tab 3 7-inch is equipped to better capture life’s moments in stunning clarity and resolution with its 3megapixel camera rear camera and 1.3 -megapixel front camera. Combined with the latest Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), it allows users to share photos, videos, and life’s s p e c i a l moments through a few quick taps and swipes.

The GALAXY Tab 3 7-inch Wi-Fi version will be available globally beginning May and 3G version will follow in June.

The product availability varies by market and will be rolled out gradually.

The firm hired 15 shirt testers who were surprised that whatever they did, the shirt still looks like it just came from the dry cleaners.

The 15 engaged in different activities wearing the shirt such as backpacking in the Andres and dancing in New York City clubs.

Wool &Prince also showed a video of its founder, named Mac, who wore the shirt for 100 days without any undershirt, while talking with random people for

their feedback on the buttondown topwear.

The company pointed out that wool lasts six times longer than cotton and has naturally anti-wrinkle and odour-fighting properties. Wool fibres resist tearing and can bend back more than 20,000 times without breaking versus 3,200 bends for cotton after which the fabric breaks.

(Source: ibtimes.com)

LG to start selling curved OLED TVs in South Korea

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G Electronics says it will begin deliveries of curved OLED television sets next month, making it the first to offer such a product to the public.

The use of organic lightemitting diodes allows screens to be made thinner and more flexible than before.

The 55in (140cm) model will cost $13,550 (N2, 168,000) and is initially limited to sales in South Korea.

LG Electronics and its rival Samsung Electronics both showed off curved OLED TV prototypes at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January, but did not announce release dates at the time.

The two businesses are part of larger conglomerates that have separate divisions manufacturing their own television display panels. Many of their competitors buy in the components from third parties,

making it harder for them to claim such an exclusive.

OLED tech is based on carbonbased materials that convert electricity into light.

While LCD screens need a backlight to illuminate their crystals, OLED does not need a separate light source.

This allows the newer type of TVs to be made thinner, lighter and more energy-efficient than before, as well as offering the advantage of deeper blacks.

In addition, the OLEDs can be fabricated onto a flexible plastic substrate rather than a rigid glass layer, making it easier to manufacture them into a curved screen.

LG said it was now accepting orders for the curved TV set in South Korea, and would announce the timing and pricing of versions for markets elsewhere “in the months ahead”.

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PEOSPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

Report as at Tuesday, April 30, 2013

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

07055652553 udennaorji@yahoo.com

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Land Use Act will not be repealed – FG

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Integax boosts mortgage development with Rent-toOwn scheme

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Curved buildings by Frank Gehry in Dubai

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Bathroom Inspiration The concept of the bathroom has changed over the years. No longer are bathrooms those small rooms where the mere obligation of a bath is done. Now, they are designed to offer relaxation and inspiration, plus outstanding aesthetics. The idea is that you should never be in a hurry to leave your bathroom.

Who knows, it may be where you will hit the winning idea that will get you shouting "eureka!" You may not be an Albert Einstein but please find inspiration for your next renovation or new construction in these stylish bathrooms that range in attitude, from simplicity to opulence.

This venerable limestone mansion has been transformed into a sleek, contemporary space with the help of designers. The master bath makes a minimalist statement with an overscale eggshaped tub and a vintage ceiling fixture.

When designing an extension for a late-19th-century home, the architect and interior decorator wanted to create a space that was at once ultramodern and livable. The master bathroom is just that-a sleek yet inviting, marble-lined retreat. The design team created a sun-splashed room featuring walls painted a soft green, and mirrored surfaces that reflect both light and views.

Designers understand the transformative power of even a small renovation.

To take advantage of all the extraordinary ocean views, the designer ripped out the false ceiling in the bathroom and installed dramatic double-height windows.

Architect Kengo Kuma created a guest bath clad in wooden slats and with a striking window wall that lends the feeling of a tree house. The rectangular tub and basin are made of hiba wood and are offset by a sculptural stool.

The design sense envisions a house where "every window would be a picture." In this master bath, the tub is installed between a pair of stately walnut shelving units, which display ceramics and provide easy access to stacked towels while framing the extraordinary mountain views.

This country house celebrates classic English style with an American point of view. The stately master bathroom features a fireplace with an 18th-century mantelpiece, and a freestanding marble bathtub. The mirrored wall reflects views of the lush gardens.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

Integax boosts mortgage development with Rent-to-Own scheme

By Udenna Orji

T

he gale of change blowing through Nigeria's growing mortgage subsector has raised another notch with the introduction of a Rentto-Own housing finance model

by Integax Jubilation Homes Limited. Called, Jubilation Landlord's Owner-Occupier Programme, this housing finance model is the first of its kind in Nigeria. Under this programme, with only 5% Down payment, a subscriber secures a home under a rentto-own programme that converts your rents to ownership equity until the home becomes yours in 5 - 10 years.

There is also the company's BuildEasy Flexi-Pay Scheme.

This is a scheme for serviced plots of land in their well designed estates with first-class infrastructure. This scheme allows you to invest by installment on a plot allocation or more in any of their estates under the scheme, over a period of time. You will take possession for construction on meeting the target of just 40% of the expected total investment on each unit. The company's various housing schemes have freed many Abuja residents from the rental prison and they are proud homeowners today.

These housing finance models are some of the many housing finance innovations that developers have been thinking up which have been helping to deepen the mortgage sector and boost homeownership in Nigeria.

Last June, Nigeria's sole secondary mortgage banker, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) launched an electronic collection platform to drive its National Housing Fund (NHF) collection from contributors and NHF designated banks.

Tagged "NHF e-Collection Platform", the product is

designed to among other things check sharp practices within the mortgage industry and enhance fund mobilization under the NHF scheme.

This is coming soon after the recent increase in the capital base of mortgage banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The nation's apex bank increased the capital base of mortgage banks from 100 million Naira to 2.5 billion Naira for mortgage banks that want to operate within a state and 5 billion Naira for those that want to operate nationwide. The increase has started a flurry of activities and unease in the industry as some weak mortgage banks are now in search of funds to recapitalize or partners to merge with.

Market watchers say more innovations and changes are expected in the industry as the Federal Government prepares to execute the new National Housing and Urban Development Policies approved last week by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) The Managing Director of the FMBN, Mr. Gimba Ya'u Kumo while commenting on the new product said "the ecollection platform will address a number of problems facing the NHF scheme such as refusal of some employers to deduct their employees' NHF contributions, failure of some employers to remit NHF contributions after deducting such contributions from their employees and failure of some employers to provide remittance schedules to FMBN. All these sharp practices enable some unscrupulous employers of labour to misappropriate NHF monies or even embezzle such funds" How does the new FMBN ecollection platform work? As soon as an employer instructs a designated NHF collection bank to pay the monthly salaries of its workers into the

“

What FMBN has done is to turn the usual pass book into an electronic card. Though you cannot withdraw with this card, with it you will know details of your contributions unlike before when you did not have any details. With this new card, you can go to any ATM or computer with internet access, log onto the FMBN portal and see details of all your contributions".

Managing Director of the FMBN, Mr. Gimba Ya'u Kumo workers' individual bank accounts and the bank makes the payments, the NHF ecollection platform will automatically deduct 2.5 % of the basic salary of each worker (being the NHF component of the salary). The deducted component (i.e. the 2.5% NHF contribution from each worker) is also automatically and instantly channeled into a dedicated NHF collection account generated by the ecollection platform. Equally generated are details of each worker's contribution history, including the worker's identity and amount contributed so far. FMBN instantly credits each contributor's NHF account with the amount remitted for the month.

Explaining further, Mr. Kumo said "the platform, for example, will make it easy for NHF contributors to check their NHF contributions using the NHF e-cards on any ATM machines nationwide, the

amount of money they have contributed to the NHF scheme and thus be in a position to know if their employers are making the appropriate NHF remittances as and when due".

A top executive at mortgage bankers, Resort Savings & Loans Plc, Mr. Aliu Oshoke told Peoples Daily that "What FMBN has done is to turn the usual pass book into an electronic card. Though you cannot withdraw with this card, with it you will know details of your contributions unlike before when you did not have any details. With this new card, you can go to any ATM or computer with internet access, log onto the FMBN portal and see details of all your contributions". He added that the e-collection platform would help in mobilizing more funds under the NHF scheme as it would check sharp practices by some stakeholders.

Mr. Geofrey Ozoani, Group

General Manager of mass housing developer, El-Salem Nigeria Limited while hailing the new NHF e-collection Platform said "it will create more awareness of mortgages among Nigerians. There is a burning need to create awareness to Nigerians about mortgages and Nigerian mortgage institutions. Even contributors to the National Housing Fund do not know what they are contributing for".

The NHF Act No.3 of 1992 which set up the National Housing Fund scheme stipulates that a Nigerian worker earning the minimum national wage and above per annum in either the public or private sectors of the economy shall contribute 2.5% of his/her basic monthly salary to the Fund. The Fund provides long-term loans to mortgage institutions for onlending to contributors to the Fund for the purpose of building, purchasing and improvement of residential houses.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 27

Experts identify obstacles to housing development in Nigeria

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state surveyors and real estate practitioners who concluded a two-day international conference on housing held at Lagos have identified the following as obstacles to housing development in Nigeria.

Low Income Nigerians have a per capita income of about $1000, about half our National per capital income in 1975. Despite the high oil revenue of the last three decades, poverty has remained with us in Nigeria. Poverty in Nigeria used to be rural-based but between 1985 and 1992, the number of the poor in rural areas fell sharply from 25.3 million to 22.8 million while those in urban centers rose from 9.7 to 11.9. A low income is a big constraint in accessing affordability because mortgage is all about the ability to service loan when due. For this reason the majority of Lagosians live in rooming houses (73 per cent) as tenants. Singapore which was our peer in the early sixties has managed to house up to 85 percent of its citizens in owner-occupied flats and houses.

Dearth of Long-Term Funds High rates of interest and inflation have been typical features of our volatile economy since the introduction of Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) in 1986. The Naira has suffered extensive depreciation averaging 45 percent per annum between 1987 and 1993, from an exchange rate of N1.0 to $1.0 in 1987 to N120.0 to $1.0. Because most of our building materials have traditionally been imported, the effect of this depreciation has been a rapid rise in cost of construction.

Interest rate has been similarly high at times as high as 72 percent in 1995: became stable around 18 percent after conclusion of the banking consolidation; but now on the rise again as a result of current global financial meltdown. The combined effect of these has been

a sharp rise on the price of homes.

The inability of Nigerian banks to harness savings from the people has been a major reason for the lack of long-term funds in the economy. The commercial banks have traditionally served only the mercantile class and lately the oil and manufacturing sector.

The Primary Mortgage Institutions and microfinance teams are recent efforts to harness savings from the masses but they are mainly urban based and

Nigeria’s real estate market outlook favourable, say foreign bankers

A

new World Bank report says Nigeria has the potential to become Africa’s foremost economic power, with an average GDP of six per cent per annum, buoyed by a young and growing population of 160 million.

Morgan Stanley, an investment banking institution, has also predicted that Nigeria’s economy would outperform South Africa’s by 2025 to become the biggest in Africa.

Both institutions say Nigeria’s macroeconomic outlook is favourable. With an expected stable inflation rate, five per cent rural to urban immigration, and three per cent population growth, the financial institutions say Nigeria is a huge real estate market by all standards.

Concurring with the statistics, Mohammed Jibrin, Managing Director of mortgage banker, Sun Trust Savings and Loans Limited noted that “in the

highly developed economies, the average contribution of the real estate and housing sectors to the GDP is 40 per cent. In every economy, there is an engine room for that economy. The Nigerian housing sector can serve as that engine room as we seek to diversify our economic base. The sector has the potential to generate and create huge economic activities. The housing sector needs to consume other building materials and products such as electrical equipment, furniture, paints, roofing, cement, etc. The sector can help in developing small and large scale production of these key inputs thereby generating employment and increasing the level of national income.

Addressing the housing sector problem is the same as addressing the unemployment problem and one avenue to diversify the economy away from dependence on the oil sector”.

operate more or less like banks with very high appetite for quick profit.

High Cost of Construction Our refusal to build houses with locally available materials has been a major cog in the wheel of housing delivery. A look at our urban centers will show that our houses are built mostly of imported materials (cement, iron rods, aluminum roof).

Low Level of Economic Activity Statistic recently release by

Nigerian Insurance Commission indicates that only about 15 million Nigerians are in regular employment. The vast majority are still employed in subsistence agriculture or in menial services like okada riding. The level of industrialization is low so also is commerce which is characterized by street trading. Though the oil industry is strong but it is unfortunately not linked to the local economy. The combination of these factors is that the

disposable income of the average Nigerian is low to build a house or qualify for mortgage assistance.

Access to Land The main objective of the Land Use Act was to facilitate access to land by the generality of Nigerians. Unfortunately the act has had the opposite effect.

Though it has made it easier for the elite to acquire land, it has made it much harder for the majority of Nigerians to access land.

Land Use Act will not be repealed – FG A

s housing development stakeholders continue to lobby for the repeal of the Land Use Act to make land more available for housing development, the chairman, Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform, Prof.

Peter Adeniyi has said the Federal Government has no plan to repeal the Act. In several presentations to the Presidency and the National Assembly, housing stakeholders, including property developers, estate surveyors and valuers had called for the repeal of the Land Use Act saying the power it gave state governors to control land allocation in their states had politicized land administration and made it cumbersome,

expensive and time-consuming to obtain land and title rights for housing development. They had argued that a repeal of the Act would enhance affordable housing development and drastically reduce Nigeria’s estimated deficit of 16 million housing units.

But while speaking with newsmen at the weekend, Prof.

Adeniyi revealed that the Federal Government would not repeal the Land Use Act. According to him, “It is important at this point to state categorically that the land reform programme of the Federal Government is not intended to repeal the Land Use Act or usurp the powers of the state governors and local

government chairmen in land administration or deny individuals or communities the right to their lands”.

While noting that land reform is critical in achieving President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda, he said the federal government’s land reform was focused on identifying and removing bottlenecks hindering land titling and registration process within the current land administration system in Nigeria. He said his committee was working on pilot schemes in Kano and Ondo states involving identification and registration of title rights that may usher in a new land administration system in Nigeria.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

T

he Mazda 6 has always been a darling of car critics everywhere, yet for a multitude of reasons, it has never quite caught on with the masses.

So Mazda has redoubled its efforts with the new 2014 Mazda 6, and the result is a more stylishlooking 6 that gets better fuel economy while still being roomy, practical and fun to drive.

The new Mazda 6 has one of the more striking designs in the class, and to our eyes is an easy rival to the elegant Ford Fusion.

Under the sleek skin there's a new 184-horsepower, 2.5-liter fourcylinder engine that provides spirited performance along with pleasantly subdued noises and an impressive 30 mpg combined fuel economy estimate. As a sign of these more fuel-efficient times, a V6 upgrade is no longer offered.

Instead, Mazda will introduce a turbocharged 2.2-liter diesel four-cylinder later in the model year that should return at least 40 mpg highway while offering stronger acceleration than the base gasoline engine.

What separates the 2014 Mazda 6 from most of the pack is its sporty, involving personality.

But it's not the only midsize sedan vying for your attention, of course. The Nissan Altima is also one of the sportier entries in the class, while the Honda Accord offers an excellent all-around package. The aforementioned Fusion and the Kia Optima are also worth a look if sharp styling and creature comforts are high on your priority list. Nor should you ignore a perennial sales leader like the Toyota Camry. In short, there are many other outstanding choices in the family car segment, but if owning a classy midsize sedan that's also enjoyable to drive sounds appealing to you, the Mazda 6 is a great choice.

The 2014 Mazda 6 is a fivepassenger sedan offered in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trim levels.

Standard features on the base manual-transmission Sport include 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, a tilt-andtelescoping steering wheel, airconditioning, cruise control, full power accessories, a 60/40-split rear seat, a 3.5-inch multiinformation display and a fourspeaker sound system with a USB/iPod interface and an auxiliary audio jack. If equipped with the optional automatic

Mazda 6 comes with more striking designs in class transmission, the Sport also includes Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a 5.8-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera and audio upgrades (voice commands, HD radio, Pandora, text-message display function and automatic 911 notification).

Stepping up to the Touring trim adds 19-inch alloy wheels, premium vinyl (leatherette) upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a sliding console armrest and a six-way power driver seat. An optional Touring Technology package adds keyless ignition/entry, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rearview and driver-side mirrors, heated side mirrors, navigation, an upgraded 11-speaker Bose audio system and the Smart City collision mitigation system.

The Grand Touring includes all of the above as well as unique wheels, a rear spoiler, adaptive/ bi-xenon headlights, LED running lights, foglights, a power sunroof, leather upholstery, an eight-way power driver seat (with power lumbar support), a four-

way power passenger seat, driver memory functions, heated front seats and satellite radio.

Optional for the Grand Touring is adaptive cruise control bundled with a forward collision warning system. An Advance package (late availability) includes those optional features

as well as lane-departure warning, automatic high beams and an energy capture system called i-Eloop ("intelligent energy loop") that can store energy during deceleration to a capacitor, which can then power air-conditioning, lighting and accessories for about a minute while the stop-start system shuts down the engine at a stoplight.

The 2014 Mazda 6 is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 184 hp and 185 pound-feet of torque. It can be matched to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission (with shift paddles on the steering wheel). The Grand Touring comes standard with the automatic.

In Edmunds testing, an automatic-equipped Mazda 6 sprinted to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds, making it one of the quickest four-cylinders in its class. Fuel economy estimates stand at 26 mpg city/38 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined for the automatic, with the manual-transmission numbers rating 1 mpg less across the board.

Standard safety features for

the Mazda 6 include antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.

The Touring and Grand Touring trims additionally include blindspot and rear cross-traffic monitoring.

The Grand Touring alone has Mazda's Smart City Brake Support, which is a collisionmitigation system that uses an infrared laser sensor at the top of the windshield to detect an imminent collision. It can automatically brake the car to a stop at low speeds if the driver doesn't react. A separate package (late availability) for the Grand Touring bundles a forward collision-warning system (that uses radar to detect your closing distance on vehicles ahead and then provides visual and audible alerts) with a lane-departure warning system.

In Edmunds brake testing, a 6i Grand Touring came to a stop from 60 mph in 128 feet, which is a bit longer than average for the midsize sedan class.

Source: Edmunds.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 29

FR OM THE FROM LIVE ST AGE STA with Patrick-Jude Oteh 0803 700 0496, 0805 953 5215 (SMS only)

The citadel of king Christophe

T

Cross section of participants at Abuja Writer’s Forum April session.

University don, Journalist stun guests at Abuja Writer's Forum's April Guest Writer's Session

By Miriam Humbe

A

buja Writer's Forum April Guest Writer's session last Saturday hosted two prolific writers, Dr. Obari Gomba, who is a lecturer of Literature and Creative Writing at the University of PortHarcourt, UNIPORT and ace Journalist, Crispin OduobukMfonAbasi who stunned guests with their most recent works of drama and poetry. Crispin read from his drama piece; This is Lagos. The drama piece paints a vivid picture of a society beclouded by neglect.

The reading of This is Lagos got the audience throwing so many questions at the writer from every corner of the hall.

This is the story of the lifestyle of a young man residing in the slum and struggling to keep life going. It speaks about the ills of society such as armed robbery and other crimes such as illegal possession of fire arms.

Interestingly, This is Lagos is currently being auditioned for production in the Nollywood industry.

Dr. Gomba read Journal of the Militant which is a long narrative poem and George Bush, among others from his new book, Length of Eyes, which is his fourth collection of poems.

Dr. Gomba teaches literature and Creative Writing at the University of Port-Harcourt. His previous poetry collections are Pearls of the Mangrove, George Bush and other observations and Canticle of a Broken Glass.

Before he read the poem Journal of the militant, Dr. Gomba x-rayed the Nigerian society with rhetorical questions such as: "Isn't it obvious that we are all cheating ourselves when we run a system where no member of the power block can allow his own child to go through the educational system in Nigeria?

"Isn't it obvious to us that we are all cheating ourselves? And

you find out that this road sided programme of accumulation and control has continued to become a stimulus for dysfunction, for discontent and for civil strife in this country.

And this strife has several forms of manifestation. It has manifested into civil war, has manifested into ethnic bigotry, it has manifested into state terror, sectarian terror, religious terror, and all forms of things that come upon us, talking about corruption", he said.

The event marked the presentation of certificates to participants of the April Abuja Writers Forum Creative Writing School; said to be the first of its kind in the country, and participants of the April Writing Workshop.

Mathematician-turned inspirational rock singer, Zainab Sule who was said to be on the tour of Abuja, entertained the guests with her heart wrenching tunes of Second Chance and I'll make you dance.

FTAN set to organise 2013 Tourism Investors' Forum

T

he Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) says the Nigerian Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE), will focus on funding as vital to the development of tourism in the country.

The maiden of the exhibition, which will hold from May 21 to May 22 in Abuja, is expected to feature seminar and exhibition of Nigerian tourism and hospitality destinations.

The National President of the association, Chief Samuel Alabi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the two-day event would address the issue of funding as vital element in promoting development and maintenance of tourism

products and destinations. ``It will also showcase tourism potential in different zones of Nigeria for investment opportunities toward the economic development of the country. ``The event will further strengthen relationships among the tourism investors and their service and product providers,'' Alabi said.

He, however, urged the Federal Government to give the tourism sector a commensurate attention given to the oil sector as a way of diversifying the nation's economy. ``Accordingly, the relevance of the forthcoming programme to the National Gross Domestic Product cannot be over

emphasised. ``Tourism is not only an economic multiplier, unlike petroleum; it is a veritable ingredient for nation building and physical growth. ``It helps preserve the environment rather than destroy it, opens up the rural areas to development and supports good image building and general poverty alleviation,'' Alabi said.

NAN reports that FTAN was initiated in 1997 as the umbrella body for all tourism and tourismrelated associations in Nigeria.

It serves as the mouth piece of private sector for the advancement of tourism in the country. (NAN)

he play, The Tragedy of King Christophe (1767 1820) was written by Aime Cesaire an Afro Martinican Francophone poet, author and politician in 1963 as a drama of de-colonization in 19th century Haiti.

Christophe was an important general of the Haitian revolutionary army under Dessalines.

He aided Toussaint Louverture who liberated Haiti from the French.

When Dessalines declared himself Emperor, Christophe a pure blooded Black took part in a successful plot against Dessalines and was selected President of the Republic.

Christophe then proceeded to wage a savage and inconclusive struggle with Alexandre Petion, the champion of mulatto supremacy who retained control of Southern Haiti. In 1811, entrenching himself in Northern Haiti, Christophe declared and crowned himself King as Emperor Henri I. Christophe had been a slave and before his career in the army he had been a cook and a waiter in a public hotel.

He was an illiterate but he learned to speak English and French fluently. As Emperor and King he built a court full of sycophants and tolerated no opposition to his dictates. He built and created an autocracy patterned after the absolute monarchies of Europe.

Compulsory and free labour coupled with crippling corruption became the order of the day and he and his inner caucus were thus enriched.

Eventually from being a benevolent ruler, he transformed into a tyrant ruling the people with an iron fist all of this geared towards his vision to build a capital city upon a hill which he called The Citadel.

Christophe surrounded himself with lavish and sometimes ludicrous magnificence with parties and orgies becoming the norm and the fabulous Palace at Sans Souci at Cap Haitien, his capital was transformed into one huge edifice of parties and orgies which occurred at the slightest opportunity.

The Citadel of La Ferriere was a formidable fortress on top of a mountain surrounded by cliffs and mountains which was built with forced free labour.

Emperor King Christophe turned his people

into slaves and the complaints rose from the fishermen to the sugarcane cutters. There was general despair in the land. The peasants expressed the complaints of the people saying they were tired and they had lost hope as they all felt and hoped that with the ascension of one of them to the throne they will be rewarded for their unwavering loyalty, hard work and heroic struggles. Emperor Christophe turned the people away saying that he would very much detest their victory if it allowed laxity. He reminded the people of the poverty and hunger in the land and that the only solution was to rebuild and recultivate the wastelands as they were once among the best cotton estates in the world. He told the people that no Haitian had the right to be lazy sending them away with spades and picks to continue the work for the Kingdom.

The people at this point could not understand him for they felt that they had given up their freedom under the French for a new form of slavery. They revolted against him. His generals deserted him and at the peak of his powers he started to engage in voodoo worship alongside his professed Christianity which was the official religion of the new colony that was peopled by freed slaves from France. When the then Catholic Archbishop criticized him, Christophe had him buried alive in the Archbishop's official residence.

In his later years, he had a stroke and became partially paralysed, committing suicide when he felt that life was no longer worth living as he had been deserted in his magnificent citadel atop the hill where he was eventually buried in a standing position.

Today, the once upon a time magnificent palace of Sans Souci at Cap Haitien and the formidable fortress called The Citadel are nothing but ruins sitting atop a forgotten mountain with shanties surrounding it in a Kingship that fell into ruins.

When asked why he wrote such a haunting play, Aime Cesaire replied that he wanted to send a powerful message to newly independent African countries of the 1960's to beware of vanity and the use of excessive force and power on their people.

PAGE 30

By Obi Enweze

A

rrows of Rain is a fascinating satirical allegory that reveals in gory details the terrible effect of military rule in a country named Madia in the novel, but which is, in fact, a thinly disguised Nigeria. The book opens in captivating fashion with the story of the dead body of a woman sprawled on the sandy shores of B. Beach on New Year Day. The police arrive but do a terribly patched-up work under the guise of investigation. The only person who can give a credible eyewitness account is a maverick vagrant named Bukuru; he is a highly educated former journalist, but presumed mentally unstable.

As he reveals that soldiers caused the unknown woman's death and discloses that a highly decorated Army officer has done unspeakable violence to women, the police begin to hatch a cover-up, discounting Bukuru's account - and accusing him of multiple homicides.

The novel's opening pages limn the poignantly detailed story of oppression, corruption, egregious human right abuses, brutal killings and other ills visited on the Madian populace by the higher echelon of the military. After reading it, one is left with nightmares of the total evil called militarism in Nigeria, and governance in general.

A book filled with spectacular intrigues Arrows of Rain is, in my view, a book for everyone's library. I read the book by pure accident. I was ordering the much-talked about memoir of Professor Chinua Achebe, There Was A Country: A Personal History of Biafra, and saw this book listed. Being a great fan of Ndibe's erudite weekly commentaries on the litany of Nigeria's social issues, I ordered a copy. I am rather surprised that the existence of such an important book, rich in the history of class struggle in Nigeria, was unknown to me.

The plot of Ndibe's novel sounds at once prophetic and realistic. Some of the book's dramatic events will be familiar to most Nigerians, but Ndibe's flair as a novelist enables him to avoid the trap of recreating the staid realities of Nigeria's political history. Yes, the novel offers an all too familiar canvas of corruption and massive looting by politicians, which occasion military intervention in a coup d'ĂŠtat. The military regime offers lots of promises that keep the expectant populace relieved and happy. However, the military soon becomes dictatorial, triggering once again a yearning for the corrupt elected politicians. The cycle continues again.

This book will be of immense interest to a variety of ideologically driven minds.

From the women's rights advocate, who wants the world to understand the plight of women under a military dictatorship, to the historian who wants to grasp the nature of military rule in Nigeria, to a

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

Book R evie w Re view

Arrows of Rain

law student who wishes to gain an insight into the real drama of cross-examination, rules of evidence and expert testimony there's a treasure trove in this fine novel.

The beauty of the book is that many readers will finish it and then spend days discussing many of the social issues that the author has adroitly embedded in a short book of 247 pages. If you haven't read the book yet, but want to debate which is better a very corrupt civilian democracy (in the case of Nigeria, government by looters) or an equally corrupt military regime - you should probably stop the debate, run out and order a copy of the book first. Part of the story centers around the unspeakable crimes committed

by General Isa Palat Bello (IPB), a very powerful and dreaded military ruler of Madia.

Elected but rather corrupt civilians, who squandered the wealth of Madia in a most reckless manner, are at first Madia's rulers. The elected president, Askia Amin, is both clueless and indulges excessively in sexual liaisons with women as well as hedonistic consumption of alcohol. The massive looting and lavish lifestyle of these elected officials leads to the country being ranked as sixth on the list of countries rated as "disasters in waiting" by a world organization. Dr. Bato, a brash Ivy League economist who heads Madia's Economic and Planning Ministry, dismisses the report as "misleading" and actually puts a spin by calling the rating as "good news." In total disregard to the true state of Madia, Dr. Bato swears that nobody in the country is dying of hunger. He also justifies needless death in Madia, arguing in Malthusian terms that people need to die and be replaced by newborns. Dr. Bato is summoned by Madia's legislators to explain his statement; he talks down to the lawmakers. His insolent manner triggers a huge parliamentary row. All bets are off, and pockets of protests erupt all over Madia.

University students take to the

streets to demand the firing of Dr. Bato. Instead, security agents slaughter hundreds of the defenseless demonstrators, triggering more and wider protests.

The disruptive atmosphere enables General Isa Palat Bello, an emir's son, to sack the elected government and assume office.

The corruption-ridden administration of Askia Amin is consigned to the rubbish heap. Bukuru's already difficult life takes a turn for the worse with this development. He knows too much about the new dictator. He knows about the general's rape and murder of Iyese, a former teacher turned prostitute who once got entangled in a three-way relationship with Isa Palat Bello and Bukuru. When Iyese got pregnant and bore a son, Isa Palat Bello, who has a long history of unspeakable violence against women, wrongly assumes that the male child is his (he has no male child with his wife and badly wants one).

When Iyese insists that the child is Bukuru's, IPB kills her, leaving the new-born baby an orphan.

Terrified, Bukuru never accepts responsibility for the child. When General Isa Palat Bello becomes president, Bukuru fears that his days - as someone who knows too much about the new military ruler are numbered. He develops a deep paranoia and even starts hallucinating. His terror gets worse when two men show up at the newspaper where he was a member of the editorial staff, and demand to see him. The fear of IBP literally drives him to the brink. He calls off work, and then starts a long but sad journey that sees him take refuge on B. Beach. In the end, he makes a home on the beach.

And it is there, years later, that he witnesses more violent rapes and the killing of prostitutes by Isa Palat Bello's soldiers.

Life eventually takes a more terrible turn for Bukuru when he testifies in court about the death of the young woman who dies on B. Beach at the outset of

the novel. His revelations in court about the heinous crimes committed both by soldiers and the dictator, General Bello, create an international sensation. He becomes the victim of a conspiracy featuring a corrupt high court judge, dishonest police officers, and a terrified psychiatrist.

The machinery of state power is mobilized to provide false testimonies implicating Bukuru for the murder. Since Bukuru's truth is all too frightening, the judiciary as well as other officials conspire to portray him as a mad man and to depict his own indictment of General Bello and soldiers as figments of his deranged imagination. Reading this novel, I recalled a statement

by Karl Max and Engels in their slim book, The Communist Manifesto: "the bourgeoisie has stripped of its halo every occupation hitherto honored and looked up to with reverent awe.

It has converted the physician, the lawyer, the priest, the poet, and the man of science, into its paid wage laborers. The bourgeoisie has torn away from the family its sentimental veil, and has reduced the family relation to a mere money relation."

The best part of Arrows of Rain is that, despite the seriousness of the issues in the book, Ndibe uses his great gifts as a writer to weave in stories that illustrate the richness of Igbo culture as well as relationships and funny tales. There are such vignettes as traditional marriage rites as well as a sampling of the type of advice given to young women about to enter into marriage.

A grandmother advises her bride-to-begranddaughter: "a wise woman can take any man and mould him into the husband she wants."

The title of the book, Arrows of Rain, is also taken from an enthralling folklore, which holds that rain brings life to things and people, but its arrows can also create such problems as floods and death.

I think Ndibe's portrayal of the manipulation of power jives with an already-established mythology of extreme corruption and careless attitude towards the plight of "the masses."

The point he makes in the novel is as compelling as the techniques presented are accessible. His style of writing is alluring, crisp and lucid. Even when he uses unfamiliar words, the context always lends them clarity, rendering the words easy to understand.

Ndibe's views are stacked heavily against the ruling class, and in favor of the downtrodden in society. This is likely to make him a target of right-wing apologists who argue that he is too egalitarian, even socialistic in outlook. But he is a novelist who portrays his characters, whether poor or rich, weak or powerful, with great complexity.

POEM OF THE WEEK I Never Said I Wasn't Afraid -By Ibrahim Zakama

I may be grown But I have my fears Sometimes they put me to tears, I am afraid of not having my parents beside me When one thing or the other starts to bother me, I'm afraid when my elders start to scold me I'm scared to think, about my marriage Will it be awesome, will it be terrible?

I hope it will be just like my parents'.

I'm scared when I wake up all alone At least I'm safe, they haven't all gone, I'm frightened that my answers may all be wrong And I'll remain on the same question a bit too long, I'm afraid of dancing to the same song Not changing a tune, not even one time, I'm scared my life will be filled with pain Working without any gain.

I'm afraid my words might put my family to shame My enemy is the real me I fear the person by my right Wields dagger out of sight, What if my words made no sense To everyone else I'm just so dense, May be it's true my brain had a problem And the solution was hidden deep in my thoughts, I don't want to be on the naughty list of Santa Claus.

I'm scared of the animals that lurk in the dark Am I soon to become their midnight snack?

What if this earth was not my home And my body stays still like a garden gnome?

I pray these things stay trapped in my head, Imagination can be a fascination. *Poem excerpted from the 12 year old poet, Ibrahim Zakama's first book of poems, THE BEGINNING OF SILENCE, (2012) Source: Africanwriter.com

QUO TE UOTE

Humorists can never start to take themselves seriously. It's literary suicide.

- Erma Bombeck

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 31

Islamophobia: Myanmar's racist fault-line ANALYSIS

By Penny Green

A

bu Tahay is a small passionate man who has something important to say. He has said it to David Cameron, to William Hague, to Hugo Swire and now here in the single air-conditioned room of a small local grass roots organisation (optimistically named "Smile") in MingalarTaungNyunttownship in Yangon, he is saying it to me. It is a desperate story and he is well-versed in it.

It is the story of the Rohingya: rendered stateless at the hands of the military junta, brutalised by armed Buddhist nationalists, abused, dehumanised and displaced by the current Myanmar state and now fleeing the country which refuses to recognise them.

The Rohingya are an ethnic group with ancient traditions in Myanmar and a continuous physical presence there for at least past two centuries. But they are defined by the Myanmar state as Bangladeshi nationals with no right to the privileges of Myanmar citizenship.

Abu Tahay, chair of the Union National Development Party, shows me the historical evidence which positions the Rohingya ethnic minority in Myanmar before the military's precolonial citizenship cut-off date of 1823.

He shows me research from the Australian National University which identifies 8th century Rohingya stone monuments, in the Myanmar state of Arakan (also known as Rakhine). It is compelling evidence and he leaves nothing out.

On its basis, the Rohingya are surely entitled to Myanmar citizenship and ethnic minority recognition. Instead, theirs is a "bare life" in which every aspect of social and political life is restricted and diminished.

The "reforming" government of TheinSein has shown no sign of affording the Rohingya anything but continued persecution, dehumanisation, discrimination and violence.

Unconscionable then, that theInternational Crisis Group chose to honour TheinSein with its peace award this year.

There are an estimated 800,000 Rohingyas living in Arakan state, but the number is dwindling fast.

Thousands have fled and continue to flee on boats into the Bay of Bengal to escape the anti-Muslim state-sponsored violence which took the lives of nearly 200 in late 2012. Tens of thousands of Rohingya people were displaced in the terror that ensued, and 130,000 were forced into detention camps near Sittwe after their homes were destroyed in June and October.

According to Chris Lewa, coordinator of the Arakan Project and Rohingya expert who visited the camps, "They are jails where people cannot even lie down." There are also an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 Rohingya refugees in detention camps across the border in Bangladesh and another 180,000 in Thai detention centres.

During the second wave of violence, however, it was not only the Rohingya, but also Kaman Muslims from coastal fishing villages in southern Arakan were forced to flee as their communities were attacked. Although the Kamanare a recognised ethnic group with full citizenship rights, those rights

Aung San SuuKyi'swillful silence on racism in Myanmar suggests only "a form of cynical politicking" [EPA] did not protect them from racist statesponsored violence that destroyed homes and livelihoods.

Nor has citizenship protected those thousands of Muslims currently subjected to a vicious wave of antiMuslim violence across Myanmar - in Meiktila, Yamethin and in the Pegu townships of Zigon and Nattalin. These attacks, which left many dead and thousands displaced, demonstrate that citizenship is no protection against the communal violence and Islamophobia corroding Myanmar's reformist agenda.

The targets of these attacks were not the ArakanRohingya as much as Muslim citizens, their mosques, businesses and homes. State-sponsored violence against Muslim communities has been orchestrated by Myanmar's security forces - specifically the NaSaKa border force and assisted by Arakan nationalists, paramilitaries and extremist Buddhist monks. They have been able to act with impunity.

The cruelty and ferocity of the recent violence has been wrenchingly captured in photographs and footage of charred bodies, blazing villages, displaced people, IDP detention camps, armed monks and Buddhist nationalists.

Across the country, the violence is being reinforced by the "969" anti-Muslim campaign. Led by the militant racist monk, Wirathu, the campaign is gaining traction with local groups across the country that are holding meetings and producing CDs, pamphlets and stickers in an effort to persuade the Buddhist majority to boycott Muslim businesses.

According to Andrew Selth, these anti-Muslim riots are not simply a manifestation of the new freedom Myanmar is experiencing (as some

would argue). Rather Selth contends that religious tension has always been a feature of the Myanmar political landscape: "Full rights for Muslims were enshrined in the 1947 constitution, but in 1960 Buddhism was made Burma's state religion and after the 1962 coup the military regime tended to equate Muslims with colonial rule and the exploitation of Burma by foreigners. Muslims were not permitted to run for public office, join the security forces or work as civil servants. The number of mosques was restricted, some Muslim cemeteries were destroyed and a number of madrassas were closed."

Chris Lewa concurs. "Buddhist nationalism," she says, "means that there is strong anti-Muslim feeling here - they are frightened by the change and fearful of losing traditional superiority."

TheinNyunt, chair of the New National Democracy Party, made no concessions in his defence of the current 1982 law when hedeclared: "The citizenship law is intended to protect our race; by not allowing those with mixed blood from making political decisions [for the country], so the law is very important for the preservation of our country."

Back at the "Smile" office, as our interview draws to a close, Abu Tahay shows me the statistical data he has painstakingly gathered and meticulously compiled on the current abuses suffered by his people.

The arrest figures, deaths in custody, deaths in detention camps and rape statistics - all derived from Arakan court records and information drawn from victims' families - are further evidence of his people's anguish.

“

He believes it is this kind of proof that will persuade the international community to challenge the Myanmar government on the question of its citizenship laws. This evidence is every bit as - indeed probably more credible than anything produced by the Myanmar authorities and clearly demonstrates that the Rohingya are victims of systematic and enduring state crimes.

But Abu Tahay's struggle for recognition is dictated by and predicated upon the terms of the former racist Junta. If the Rohingya can prove and in turn convince the authorities of their ancient right to citizenship and win their place at the Myanmar minority table they will win something - but they will not win a victory against Myanmar racism or protection from the violence preached by hate-filled Buddhist monks like Wirathu. Unless racism is defeated, the violence we have witnessed against the Rohingya, the wider Muslim community and other minorities will be sure to continue.

Inside Myanmar, the lack of discussion surrounding the Rohingya Muslims reveals how deeply ingrained and institutionalised Myanmar Buddhist nationalism is.

Why are many of the most courageous Myanmar human rights activists, many of them former political prisoners, so unwilling to engage in support of the Rohingya?

One such activist from 88 Generation told me, "The Rohingya is not our ethnic group. Bengalis use the label 'Burmese Rohingya' as a passport for asylum‌ we need to examine who should be a citizen‌ but it will be difficult to support citizenship. If,

History forces us to move beyond the immediacy of the Rohingya in order to challenge the more pervasive violence corrupting Myanmar's transition from dictatorship.

however, the Rohingya ask for their human rights, we are ready to support."

His question is perhaps the most pertinent challenge to Myanmar's ruling elite. SuuKyi insists that questions of justice cannot be addressed until Myanmar's constitution is amended and the rule of law is adopted. Why this is so, is puzzling: surely, building a just society requires, at the very least, the immediate demand for justice when injustice abounds.

SuuKyi'swillful silence on racism in Myanmar suggests only a form of cynical politicking. Until the holy grail of constitutional reform - which would free her to run for President - is within grasp, she is apparently happy to side with a regime which uses brutal force to suppress dissent (see the Letpandaung Copper Mine protests) and engages in the ethnic cleansing of an abject group of Myanmar people whose demands are simply to be recognised as such and treated with dignity.

Racism is Myanmar's political faultline and while the epicentre might reasonably be understood as the ethnic cleansing of Myanmar's Rohingya community in Arakan, the central fracture itself must be understood as institutionalised Islamophobia, deeply embedded and historically informed.

There is little dispute that the Rohingya Muslims have suffered the most pervasive and brutal of recent statesponsored crimes, but to focus only on the Rohingya is to fragment the racist violence experienced by the whole Myanmar Muslim community and to be drawn into arcane legal debates around the rights and wrongs of immigration and citizenship policy which pertain most specifically to the Rohingya.

History forces us to move beyond the immediacy of the Rohingya in order to challenge the more pervasive violence corrupting Myanmar's transition from dictatorship.

Abu Tahay's faith in the British political elite is touching. "They were very supportive," he tells me about the meeting with David Cameron and other UK government representatives in April 2012. I am sure they were. In the comfortable surrounds of the British Ambassador's Residence in Yangon, it would have been impolite to be anything less.

But Cameron, Hague and Swire have done nothing at all to help the Rohingya, nor are they likely to.

Their signatures were glaringly absent from the December 11, 2012, and April 4, 2013, House of Commons Early Day Motions, condemning the Myanmar government for its treatment of the Rohingya and other Muslim minorities.

For the moment, the Rohingya must rely on the moral force of their cause. But while there is more economic and political mileage in doing business with their oppressors, the British government will continue to pay only lip service to Abu Tahay and the Islamophobia that underpins the relentless persecution of his community.

Tahay's stateless people continue to live in cruel isolation with few friends. And Tahay is growing tired, "I don't have the inner strength that's why we need the international community," he says quietly.

Source: Al Jazeera

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

Mali court drops case against newspaper editor Egypt walks out of nuclear talks in Geneva

E

gypt has walked out of a round of global nuclear talks in protest at what it called the failure to implement a 1995 resolution for a Middle East as a zone free of nuclear weapons.

A statement from Egypt's foreign ministry on Monday said the nation ended its participation in two weeks of Geneva talks out of frustration that the zone has yet to be created. The talks run through this week.

"We can't wait forever for the implementation of this decision," said the ministry's statement on Monday night, explaining that Egypt's walkout was meant to send a message to the world that it can no longer accept what it considers to be a lack of seriousness on the issue.

But establishing the Middle East as a zone free of nuclear weapons has long been an elusive goal.

US and Israeli officials have said a nuclear arms-free zone in the Middle East could not be a reality until there was broad Arab-Israeli peace and Iran curbed its nuclear programme, which Tehran says is for peaceful energy and research purposes.

The Geneva talks, which have included no negotiations on such a zone, are meant to prepare for the next major review of the 1970 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in 2015. Such reviews are held once every five years.

The NPT, which has been signed by 190 nations, is the world's single most important pact on nuclear arms, credited with preventing their spread to dozens of nations since it was adopted.

At the 1995 review, nations adopted the goal of a nuclear-free Middle East, in a concession by the US and others to the Arabs, who wanted Israel to join the treaty and to give up its unacknowledged arsenal of nuclear weapons. In exchange, the Arabs backed the treaty's permanent extension.

But after 15 years of inaction on a nuclear-free zone, Egypt proposed that the 2010 conference endorse launching negotiations to establish one. With no talks started, Egypt said on Monday that some other members of the treaty - and non-members - are "obstructing" the goal. Though it did not specify, the reference to non-members was seen as implying Israel.

Ahead of the Geneva talks to prevent the spread of nuclear arms, the UN Security Council's five major powers - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - had again called for progress in establishing a nuclearfree Middle East.

BoukaryDaou (L) published a letter critical of the salary of a coup leader (R).

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court in Mali threw out a case against a newspaper editor who was arrested after publishing an article criticizing the leader of last year's military coup.

BoukaryDaou was detained on

March 6 and charged with inciting revolt after an open letter in his Le Republicain newspaper accused Captain AmadouSanogo of taking a large salary while leaving his soldiers poorly equipped.

Sanogo headed a putsch that toppled President AmadouToumaniToure.

The editor's arrest by intelligence services demonstrated the coup leaders' continuing control over state

security even after they officially handed power back to a civilian administration.

The presiding judge said on Tuesday the authorities had failed to follow proper procedure and the case was therefore invalid.

"I pay homage to my country's legal system, which has just rendered justice through a sane, clear and correct application of the law. It has proved its independence by voiding the case against my client," Daou's lawyer HamidouDiabaté said.

Al Qaeda-linked Islamist fighters took advantage of the power vacuum caused by the March 2012 coup to seize the northern two-thirds of Mali.

The letter published by Daou said Malian soldiers fighting the Islamist rebels in the desert north were angry about their lack of equipment and rations, while military leaders in Bamako were living in comfort on high salaries.

It said Sanogo, who was given the job of overseeing military reform by an interim government, was getting about 4 million CFA francs ($8,000) a month.

ANC criticised over Mandela visit video

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new video which shows South African President Jacob Zuma and officials of the governing African National Congress visiting a frail Nelson Mandela has stirred controversy.

The video of the encounter, aired by state broadcaster South African Broadcasting Corporation, has sparked accusations of exploiting the antiapartheid hero's illness.

This is the first television appearance Mandela has made in almost a year.

Zuma and ANC officials are shown visiting the former South African president at his Johannesburg home, where he has been resting after a bout of pneumonia.

Mandela stares mostly straight ahead, his face showing little expression in the footage.

The 94-year-old was in "good health" and "good spirits", the ANC said after Monday's visit, in the first update on his condition since he was discharged from hospital in early April.

The footage shows Mandela sitting next to Zuma with a pillow behind his head and his legs propped up under a blanket.

"After receiving a briefing from the medical team, the national officials are satisfied that President Mandela is in good health and is receiving the very best medical care," the ANC said.

But the video shows Mandela in an armchair looking greyskinned and unsmiling with his cheeks showing what appear to be marks from a recently removed oxygen mask.

Zuma jokes and laughs with two officials of the ANC, some Mandela family members and the former president's medical team while Mandela stares straight ahead.

Zuma tries to hold Mandela's hand but, given his lack of response, ends up covering it with his own.

Mandela spent more than a week in hospital being treated for a recurring lung infection identified as pneumonia - the

President Jacob Zuma seated by Madiba with officials of the governing council of the ANC standing. third health scare in four months for the Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

He stepped down as president in 1999 and has not been politically active for about a decade. But he is still revered at home and abroad for leading the long campaign against apartheid

and then championing racial reconciliation.

Mandela's lung problems date from his time as a political prisoner when he contracted tuberculosis. He spent 27 years on Robben Island and in other jails for trying to oust the whiteminority government.

say.

At its peak, the UK's aid for South Africa was more than £40m in 2003.

Ms Greening will make the announcement at a conference of African ministers and business leaders in London on Tuesday.

"South Africa has made enormous progress over the past two decades, to the extent that it is now the region's economic powerhouse and Britain's biggest trading partner in Africa," she will say.

"We are proud of the work the

UK has done in partnership with the South African government, helping the country's transition from apartheid to a flourishing, growing democracy.

"I have agreed with my South African counterparts that South Africa is now in a position to fund its own development.

"It is right that our relationship changes to one of mutual cooperation and trade, one that is focused on delivering benefits for the people of Britain and South Africa as well as for Africa as a whole."

UK to end direct aid to South Africa

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Justine Greening

nternational Development Secretary Justine Greening is to announce that the UK will stop giving direct aid to South Africa in 2015.

The government's aid programme to South Africa is currently worth £19m a year.

This funding has focused on reducing the mortality rate among women giving birth, as well as supporting businesses.

The UK's relationship with South Africa should now be based on trade and not development, Ms Greening will

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 33

Asia and North Korea ignores overture on industrial zone Middle East

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orth Korea has ignored a plea by South Korean businessmen to visit a joint industrial zone on Tuesday for talks on its future, an official in Seoul said, amid fears of a permanent closure.

About 10 leaders of the

group of South Korean firms with factories at the Kaesong complex sought to visit the site, the last remaining point of contact between the two Koreas.

But the North has not responded to the request, making the trip impossible for Tuesday, an official at Seoul's unification ministry handling

cross-border affairs told the AFP news agency.

The complex, built 10km north of the tense border in 2004 as a rare symbol of inter-Korean cooperation, has fallen victim to a recent surge in military tensions.

Pyongyang banned entry by southerners and pulled out all its 53,000 workers from the

complex in early April.

Seoul last week ordered all remaining South Koreans to leave after Pyongyang rejected its call for talks.

Forty-three South Koreans returned early on Tuesday, but seven remained to settle unresolved administrative issues over unpaid taxes and wages for North Korean workers.

It is unclear when the seven will be able to return home, the ministry official said.

South Korean companies with interests at Kaesong have expressed shock at the sudden pullout, which has taken a heavy toll on their businesses.

Seoul has promised to draw up measures to support the companies.

Musharraf banned from politics for 'life'

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Pakistani court has imposed a lifetime ban on former president Pervez Musharraf from contesting elections, the latest blow since he returned from exile to make a political comeback.

The Peshawar High Court handed down the lifetime ban Tuesday after hearing an appeal

by Musharraf's lawyer to allow him to run in the upcoming election.

"The former dictator [Musharraf] had ordered senior judges and their families be put under house arrest and twice abrogated the country's constitution," Court Chief Justice Dost Mohammad Khan said when reading out the order.

Musharraf returned to Pakistan in March, planning to stand in May 11 vote after four years in self-imposed exile. But, judges barred him from running and put him under house arrest in connection with a pair of court cases against him.

One involves his decision to fire senior judges, including the

chief justice of the Supreme Court, while in power. The other relates to the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007.

Government prosecutors have accused Musharraf of being involved - allegations he has denied.

Musharraf seized power in a coup in 1999 when he was serving as army chief and ruled for nearly a decade. He stepped down in 2008 because of growing discontent with his rule.

One of Musharraf's lawyers, SaadShibli, said he would go to the Supreme Court to challenge Tuesday's ruling, claiming the former leader should not be singled out for punishment for his actions while in power since others were involved.

"About 500 officials at different levels and institutions were part of Musharraf's actions, and if those actions come under scrutiny, all those people should be involved in this matter,'' Shibli said.

It was the first time a court in Pakistan had declared a citizen ineligible from running for public office for life.

Pervez Musharraf

Israeli air strike kills Palestinian in Gaza

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n Israeli air strike has killed a Palestinian man and wounded another in the Gaza Strip, medics said, in what appeared to be the first such attack since a ceasefire ended an eight-day war last November.

Israel confirmed Tuesday's attack, saying it targeted a fighter.

"A man in his 20s was martyred and another injured in an Israeli air strike... in Shati refugee camp in western Gaza City," Ashraf al-Qudra, Gaza health ministry spokesman, said.

The aircraft hit a motorcycle as it was travelling northwest of Gaza City, killing the driver and wounding a passenger.

A bystander was also wounded, according to Gaza medical officials.

Witnesses named the victim as a 23-year-old member of an armed group, Haitham al-Meshal.

The air raid came just two days after Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, warned of a strong military response to sporadic rocket fire into Israel.

"A global jihad-affiliated terrorist has been targeted by an IAF [Israeli Air Force] aircraft in the northern Gaza Strip in response to rocket fire towards Israel," the military said.

"On April 17, Meshal was involved in the [Mujahedeen] Shura Council organisation's firing rockets at Eilat," it added, without giving further details.

Hamas, the group that rules Gaza, condemned the Israeli attack but also signalled that it is eager to preserve the truce.

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blast near Syria's interior ministry has rocked the central Damascus district of Marjeh killing 13 people and injuring over 70 others, state television said, just a day after the country's prime minister survived a car bomb attack.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) gave a lower toll, saying nine people were killed in Tuesday's blast.

The group, which relies on a network of activists based in Syria, did not immediately provide details on those reported casualties, but warned that the number of casualties was expected to rise.

Sharif Shehadeh, a Syrian member of parliament, told Al

Medics to the rescue at the scene of the strike.

Deadly blast hits central Damascus Jazeera "terrorism sponsored by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United States" was harming "innocent civilians".

Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey have been at the forefront of backing Syrian armed opposition while the United States has provided "nonlethal aid" to groups fighting Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Regarding whether the recent bomb attacks are a response to the government counter-offensive on rebel strongholds, Shehadeh said: "The Syrian army is doing [an]

excellent job in the Damascus suburbs and [the] countryside, as they have directed a big blow to the terrorists in many of the areas they are based in. The Syrian army and state is closing in on them day after day."

On Monday an explosion that targeted Prime Minister Wael alHalqi's envoy in central Damascus damaged cars and caused casualties, state media reported.

The car bomb, which exploded as his convoy passed through the upscale al-Mazzeh neighbourhood, killed one

of his bodyguards and five other people, according to SOHR. Damascus has seen a wave of major bombings in recent weeks, including on April 9, when a massive blast in the centre of the city killed at least 15 people.

Tuesday's attack came as the British charity Oxfam warned that the human cost of Syria's conflict had risen beyond all expectations.

In a report, Oxfam said there were already more than 1.3 million Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries. Inside Syria itself, 6.8

million people struggle in urgent need of assistance, it said.

The money to help some of the refugees and displaced people is running out, Oxfam said.

UN appeals have received only half of the funding they sought - to help far fewer people than they now need to assist, according to Oxfam.

The charity's humanitarian programme is also struggling with insufficient funds to help as much as it needs to, despite the generosity of its supporters and the public, the report said.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 34

Europe and Crown Prince installed as new Dutch king Americas D Obama renews push for closing Guantanamo

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S President Barack Obama has said he will renew efforts to close down the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay, after extra medical staff were sent to the facility to help address a hunger strike that spread to nearly twothirds of the detainees.

He told a news conference on Tuesday that he has asked a team of officials to review the issue and will make another appeal to Congress to shut down the prison holding "terror" suspects in Cuba.

Obama, who ordered the detention centre closed upon taking office but was thwarted repeatedly

by Congress, which made it harder to move prisoners elsewhere, also said that he was not surprised that there are problems at the facility, where 100 of 166 inmates are on hunger strike.

"I continue to believe we have to close Guantanamo. I think it is critical for us to understand that Guantanamo is not necessary to keep America safe," he said.

"It is expensive. It is inefficient. It hurts us in terms of our international standing. It lessens cooperation with our allies on counterterrorism efforts. It is a recruiting tool for extremists."

Some 40 US Navy medical personnel, including nurses and specialists, arrived over the weekend, Lieutenant Colonel Samuel House, a military spokesman at Guantanamo, said on Monday.

"The influx of personnel was planned several weeks ago as increasing numbers of detainees chose to protest their detention," he said.

With the strike now entering its 12th week, President Barack Obama has faced fresh calls to honour his promise to close the prison at the US base in Cuba, which holds 166 individuals captured as part of the "War on Terror."

House said 100 of the 166 inmates are striking, a number that has not changed since Saturday. Of those, 21 are receiving feeding through nasal tubes, the spokesman said, one more than on Saturday.

Five are hospitalised, he added in the statement, without specifying whether any were in lifethreatening condition.

Lawyers for the detainees have said around 130 inmates are observing the hunger strike, more than officially acknowledged.

The rapidly growing protest movement began on February 6, when inmates claimed prison officials searched Korans in a way they considered blasphemous, according to their lawyers.

Officials have denied any mishandling of Islam's holy book.

But the strike has now turned into a larger protest by prisoners against their indefinite incarceration without charge or trial over the past 11 years.

utch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander has been installed as Europe's youngest monarch after his mother, Queen Beatrix, abdicated, making way for a new generation of Dutch royals.

In a ceremony attended by future kings and queens, including Britain's Prince Charles, Willem-Alexander, 46, became the first Dutch king since 1890.

Amsterdam, the capital, is set to be crowded on the occassion with at least 800,000 visitors flooding the city's streets and canals as Beatrix, 75, ends her 33-year reign by signing the act of abdication at the royal palace.

Al Jazeera's Emma Hayward, reporting from Amsterdam, the royal family went out on the balcony of the palace to greet the crowd said after signing the paperwork.

"The family is perceived to have moved with the times, they have maintained a degree of popularity, and they are quite relaxed," added Hayward.

A steady festive stream of wellwishers poured into Dam Square opposite the palace early on Tuesday, all bedecked in orange, hoping to catch a glimpse of Willem-Alexander and his glamorous Argentine-

born queen-to-be Maxima, 41.

"We've been here for several hours, we wanted to be sure to have a good place to see them appear on the balcony," said Edith, 22, who sat with two friends on a large piece of cardboard on Dam Square

since 5am.

Over 10,000 police have been deployed in Amsterdam, and bomb-sniffing dogs carried out last-minute security checks for the expected 25,000 orange-clad crown on Dam Square.

Police said they had arrested 70 people since Monday, including 15 involved in a fight for a good spot to set up a flea market stall. The Dutch traditionally sell their unwanted goods on April 30, a national party usually known as Queen's Day. Authorities have closed off Amsterdam airspace to civilian aircraft for three days and issued strict orders prohibiting the use of drones, with rooftop snipers keeping a watchful eye.

Beatrix, 75, bade farewell to the nation in her role as queen in a televised address to the nation late Monday, before becoming a mere princess again.

"Not power, nor personal will, nor hereditary authority, but only the will to serve the community can give substance to a contemporary monarchy," said an emotional Beatrix.

Willem-Alexander is wellprepared for the task ahead of him and will stand above party and group interests, she said.

The monarchy is popular in the Netherlands, but some question the cost of the royal household and republicans are seeking to get the king's 825,000 euro (million-dollar) tax-free salary reduced.

United States.

Tymoshenko, an architect of Ukraine's 2004 pro-democracy Orange Revolution, was sentenced to seven years in prison in October 2011 after being convicted of exceeding her powers as premier while negotiating a gas contract with Russia.

Tymoshenko says her jailing was intended to keep her out of politics and that her rights were

violated. The court found unanimously that her detention in August 2011 was arbitrary.

It's unclear if a decision by the European court would be legally binding in Ukraine.

The rights court's pronouncement came as a presidential pardon commission said on Saturday it was too soon to consider pardoning Tymoshenko.

The commission said that as

some criminal charges against Tymoshenko were still being investigated and the courts had not yet ruled, the "issue of her pardon is premature."

Last Thursday foreign ministers of several EU countries visited Ukraine and said there was unlikely to be rapid progress on free trade and political association deals, citing the Tymoshenko case as a major obstacle.

Royal duty: King Willem-Alexander raises his right hand as he swears to uphold the Dutch constitution during his investiture ceremony next to Queen Maxima in the NieuweKerk or New Church in Amsterdam

Ex-Ukraine PM jailing was 'rights abuse'

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urope's human rights court has said that Ukraine's jailing of former P r i m e MinisterYuliaTymoshenko was a politically-motivated violation of her rights.

A Ukrainian government official stormed out of the courtroom after Tuesday's ruling in a case that has strained the former Soviet state's ties with Europe and the

Venezuela charges ex-general for violence

Antonio Rivero, a member of the Popular Will movement, was arrested over the weekend [Al Jazeera]

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Venezuelan court has charged retired General Antonio Rivero with inciting post-election violence in the latest political flash point in the bitterly divided nation.

Authorities say Rivero, who was charged on Monday, was one

of those behind a wave of violence, on the day after Maduro's disputed April 14 election, that led to fears of a coup attempt and killed nine people.

Rivero, a member of the Popular Will movement, was charged with "conspiracy" and

"public instigation" at a court in the capital, Caracas, after authorities showed a video of him helping coordinate protesters in the streets.

"This is part of the persecution the government has carried out, to spread fear," said Henrique Capriles, opposition leader and losing presidential candidate, calling for Rivero's release and an end to alleged harassment of his supporters.

"If they continue like this, they are going to have to jail eight million Venezuelans."

Opposition leaders said Rivero, who was an ally of former president President Hugo Chavez until 2008, became new President Nicolas Maduro's first political prisoner when he was arrested over the weekend, calling the move a crackdown on dissent..

Though his case appears to be losing steam and has not garnered much support from other Latin American countries, Capriles plans to challenge the presidential vote both in local and international courts.

He has asked for a full vote

recount, alleging thousands of irregularities and accusing Maduro of "stealing" the election.

A political party allied with the government said on Monday it had evidence of corruption by construction companies linked to Capriles' family that it would present to state prosecutors and the country's top court.

At the same time, a special congressional commission created to investigate the postvote violence said it was sending legislators into the interior of the country to probe the incidents.

The commission, made up only of pro-government deputies, has said it will "determine responsibility for violent actions directed by Capriles" alongside parallel investigations by state prosecutors.

Maduro, who was Chavez's chosen heir and won the vote by less than 2 percentage points, has warned Capriles of legal action against him, too, and called the opposition leader a "fascist" bent on destabilizing the OPEC nation.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 35

Looking for time twins - man travels the world to meet people born on the same day as him

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urious to know what other people who have spent the same number of days on Earth as him have achieved, English writer Richard Davis is traveling around the world looking for individuals who share his birthday.

Were you born on December 1st, 1974? Than you just might be on Richard Davis' to-visit list. The oddball English writer has embarked on a journey to meet 40 of his "time twins" in different locations around the world and put his experiences down on paper for his new book.

"I was not alone in being born on that day. Families across the world celebrated their new additions on that day 38 years ago," Richard writes on his website. "But what kinds of lives have these people lived? With the same length of time on this planet as me, what have they achieved? What have been their greatest achievements; and what are their burning ambitions?

Do they see themselves as young, middle aged or old?

Have they achieved their defining moment, or is that still to come?

Are they married with children, or single, backpacking round the world?

Are they successful - and how is this judged? How have their lives been affected by the accident of geography that led them to be born where they were? Is our age a defining similarity, or does the concept of age change from country to country?" These are the questions he's trying to find answers to through his unique Time Twins project.

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Mexican official's daughter has caused a scandal by sending inspectors to shut down a restaurant that did not give her the table she

Result from Stockholm Photo: Richard Davis So far, Richard's curiosity has taken him to meet nine different people who share his birthday, including a bodybuilding champion in Holland, an actor in New York City, the mayor of an Italian town affected by earthquakes, an Olympian in Norway and a fellow writer

in Ireland. In the coming months, he plans on traveling to Austria, Thailand, Russia, Indonesia, Croatia, Morocco, Slovenia and Brunei to meet more special people born on December 1st, 1974.

According to Richard, "the project, and the book we're

producing, is examining the similarities and differences of the lives of people born around the world on the same day as us; their perceptions of age and success; how the place of their birth determines these things and how people with the same length of time on the Earth have such different lives. It also

examines the events that have shaped their lives, the issues that they care about and their hopes and concerns for the future, both on a personal and political level. The book will, ultimately be a celebration of cultural diversity and of human achievement in all its forms."

Mexican official's daughter gets restaurant shut down over wrong table

The federal attorney general for consumer protection, Humberto Benitez Trevino

wanted.

It is the latest of several cases of seeming arrogance by the wealthy and wellconnected that have caused anger recently in a country with deep class divisions.

"As a society, we are fed up with, disgusted with this," said writer Guadalupe Loaeza. "This is an attitude of the past; it doesn't fit with the times."

The government said uit has launched an investigation into the incident over the weekend at an upscale Mexico City restaurant.

The announcement came after an outpouring of anger in social media over the raid by inspectors - a contrast to the past when people didn't have the means to publicize such incidents.

Andrea Benitez, the

daughter of the federal attorney general for consumer protection, Humberto Benitez Trevino, went to the MaximoBistrot restaurant in one of the capital's trendy neighbourhoods and apparently didn't get the table she wanted or had been promised. Just hours after the incident, inspectors showed up with official "suspended" signs to punish the restaurant.

Benitez Trevino issued a statement apologising for "the inappropriate behavior of my daughter Andrea." While he didn't explicitly say his daughter sicced the inspectors on the eatery, his apology implied she did.

S o u r c e : odditycentral.com/the telegraph

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

Are soya beans the key to wrinkle-free skin?

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By Liz Hull

t has already been heralded as a natural wonder drug which stops the spread of cancer.

But now scientists have discovered that a substance found in soya beans could also be the answer to youthful, wrinkle-free skin.

Genistein, a natural planthormone in soya, has been found to boost the production of collagen, the protein which gives skin its strength and elasticity that depletes with age.

In clinical tests, 53 per cent of women who used genistein said their skin felt firmer and appeared younger looking within just one month.

It was so successful at reducing wrinkles that users dubbed it a 'facelift in a bottle.'

Now British women are set to get their hands on the miracle serum when it goes on sale online in the UK for the first time later this month.

Formulated by Swiss cosmetic firm, Swisscode, genistein works by inhibiting the action of enzymes which reduce and degrade the production and quality of collagen and elastin - the protein which gives skin its elasticity - as the body ages.

Blocking the enzymes also stimulates the production of new collagen.

Around 2,000 women, aged between 50 and 65 took part in a clinical trial in 2011.

Photographs were taken of the 'crow's feet' wrinkles around their left eye area and they were asked to apply two or three drops of genistein to the same area twice daily.

The women were photographed again after one month and, in 53 per cent of the volunteers, the results were visibly improved.

Genistein is particularly

effective in women going through the menopause because it is a time when oestrogen falls, accelerating the depletion of collagen and elastin in the skin.

Experts have found that genistein molecules are structurally very similar to oestrogen and therefore act in a similar way to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), but without the nasty side effects.

Research published last year also found that the hormone, or isoflavone, also reduces the frequency and severity of hot flushes in older women by around 26 per cent.

Wolfgang Mayer, spokesman for Swisscode said: 'As we age the skin becomes thinner, looser, and less elastic. In men this is a fairly gradual process, but in women this accelerates as we age and there is a drastic change with the onset of the menopause.

'Genistein works in a similar way to oestrogen, without any of the associated hormonal side effects. It blocks enzymes which cause the depletion of existing

collagen, as well as stimulating the production of new collagen.

'Women who've used the serum have seen a dramatic reduction in lines and wrinkles in just a few weeks and have been astounded by the results.'

The 15ml bottles of genistein, which cost ÂŁ54, will be available in the UK via swisscode.co.uk, before potentially being launched on the high street later this year.

Celebrity make-up artist Tina Earnshaw, who has done the make-up on blockbusters such as Titanic and Spiderman, has been using genistein on her film star clients.

'It is an excellent tool to counteract the ageing process and a staple in my makeup kit,' she said.

Film stars are understandably conscious of how their face appears when magnified on the big screen, so I use genistein to prep my celebrity clients' skin before makeup and the results help me to achieve a flawless look.'

User Julie Martin, 63, added: 'The genistein serum is superb. My skin is 63 years old and needs a lot

Genistein, a natural planthormone in soya, has been found to boost the production of collagen of help. My skin feels so supple after application and the skin around my eyes has definitely improved.

Powerful: The Swisscode serum was found to be of particular help to menopausal skin

I never would want to be without it.'

Recent studies have found genistein to be an inhibitor of both breast and prostate cancer. It stops an enzyme that switches on cancer genes and also inhibits angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels needed to feed growing cancers.

In the laboratory it has been proven to curb the growth of all types of cancer cells, including those affecting the breast, lung, colon, prostate and skin. It also works on leukaemia.

Genistein is also thought to be useful in the fight against heart disease by preventing fatty plaque build-up in arteries.

It also deters the activity of thrombin, which promotes blood clotting, thus helping prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Green spaces boosts wellbeing of urban dwellers - study

Parks, gardens and green space in urban areas can improve the wellbeing and quality of life of people living there, says a University of Exeter study.

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sing data from 5,000 UK households over 17 years, researchers found that living in a greener area had a significant positive effect.

The findings could help to inform urban planners and have an impact on society at large,

they said.

The study is published in the journal Psychological Science.

The research team examined data from a national survey that followed more than 5,000 UK households and 10,000 adults between 1991 and 2008 as they

moved house around the country.

They asked participants to report on their own psychological health during that time to estimate the "green space effect".

Dr Mathew White and colleagues at the European Centre for the Environment and Human Health found that individuals reported less mental distress and higher life satisfaction when they were living in greener areas.

This was true even after the researchers accounted for changes over time in participants' income, employment, marital status, physical health and housing type.

Dr White compared the scale of the effects of living in a greener area to "big-hitting" life events such as marriage.

"We've found that living in an urban area with relatively high levels of green space can have a

significantly positive impact on wellbeing, roughly equal to a third of the impact of being married."

The effect was also found to be equivalent to a tenth of the impact of being employed, as opposed to unemployed.

Even when stacked up against other factors that contribute to life satisfaction, living in a greener area had a significant effect, the study said.

"These kinds of comparisons are important for policymakers when trying to decide how to invest scarce public resources, such as for park development or upkeep, and figuring out what bang they'll get for their buck," said Dr White.

While the effect for an individual might be small, he pointed out that the potential positive effects of green space for society at large might be substantial.

"This research could be

important for psychologists, public health officials and urban planners who are interested in learning about the effects that urbanisation and city planning can have on population health and wellbeing."

Beth Murphy, information manager at the mental health charity Mind, said: "For people living busy lifestyles in densely populated areas, being able to get outdoors and access green space is a great way to escape the stresses of day-to-day life.

"Our research has shown that 94% of people who took part in outdoors 'green exercise' said it benefited their mental health and can have huge impacts on physical health.

"We believe this is food for thought for any policymaker involved in urban planning, or local authority developing its public health strategy."

Source: BBCNews.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

Politics not warfare, Dosunmu warns From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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agos state People’s Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate in the 2011 elections, Dr. Ade Dosumu, has urged politicians in the country to eschew violence, political vendetta, acrimony, character assassination and bloodshed in their quest for political offices.

Dosunmu stated this during the conferment of Merit Award on him by a Non-Governmental Organization, Global Foundation for Unity, Peace and Development (GLOPEF) at Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos.

The politicianwho was honoured for the peaceful manner with which he conducted his gubernatorial campaigns in 2011 election said democracy cannot guarantee good governance when politics degenerates into warfare.

He said the primary desire of politicans should be the sustanance of democratic ideals to promote national development.

“There is the need for politicians to recognize that election is not the end of political engagement and therefore be committed to campaign that are devoid of rancor, tension, acrimony, political vendetta, character assassination, unhealthy antagonism, violence and bloodbath” He noted that Democracy remained the right type of government if it is based on free and fair elections. He identified tribal or regional politics, religious bigotry, political, rivalry and fear of domination, marginalization, corruption and leadership deficit as the major challenges of sustaining Nigeria’s nationhood.

He called on political class to always develop genuine and right courage to participate in electoral process with good intention and accept the wishes of the people in order to sustain the nascent democracy. “the challenge of peaceful elections remains that influential members of the political class have demostrated much less commitmernt to free and fair process despite the efforts and sacrifices demonstated by wellmeaning Nigerians who continue to endure long hours of stress with patroitic patience at voter registration centres and at the polls. Over the years, it has almost become a standard to perceive electoral process with a mindframe of ‘end justifies the means’. It has become rather convinient to situate electoral process within the context of corruption in the system without reckoning with the fact that lack of credible electoral process undermines democracy and good goverance and obfuscates the desires for genuine national development.”

PAGE 37

Adamawa Assembly by-election: CPC to support ACN candidate From Umar Dankano, Yola

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ongress for Progressive Change, CPC, in Adamawa state has withdrawn its candidate for the May 11th by-election into the Nassarawo/ Binyeri Adamawa State House of Assembly, and urged its followers to support the Action Congress of Nigeria candidate,

Mr Yohanna Mathias.

The Chairman of a committee saddled with responsibility of mobilizing and sensitizing people at the grassroots on the merger, Alhaji Musa Kamale, stated this yesterday at a press conference, in Yola, stressing that the action was in line with the planned merger of the three political parties.

"The reason for the call to support ACN candidate in the coming by-election was as a result of the ongoing merger of our political parties and also to adhere to the directives of the national chairman of the party, Chief Tony Momoh," he added.

Kamale explained further that at a joint meeting of the stakeholders and the state

L-R: Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, and Chairperson, House Committee on Human Rights, Hon. Beni Lar, during a stakeholders retreat and programme of inspection and consultation visits, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

executive committee of the party which took place on 29th April, 2013 at the State Secretariat, party members alleged that there was controversy and conspiracy by some party officials where they gave one Ibrahim Umar Yaware the candidature of the party for the House of Assembly By-election illegally.

He added that Yaware was able to manipulate his way into the CPC through a deal with some PDP bigwigs diabolically and he was never screened by the CPC because there was no primary elections conducted for him in order to authenticate his candidature and therefore stands disqualified.

However, in a swift reaction Yaware told newsmen at the CPC secretariat that he is the candidate of the party because he had obtained the nomination form for the primaries of the party in respect of the bye election.

But Alhaji Musa Kamale, had alleged that the said Yaware had earlier sought nomination of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, and lost and he is therefore not a bonafide member of CPC. Yaware alleged that he was the only person that obtained the CPC nomination form and was not aware of the party supporting the candidate of the ACN in the spirit of the planned merger of the opposition parties.

Opposition merger, a revolution, says CPC Chieftain

By Femi Oyelola

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he merger of political parties in Nigeria today has been described as a revolution that would change the country’s political landscape.

A former Senatorial candidate for Nasarawa West Senatorial District, in Nasarawa State, under the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), General Ahmed Abdullahi Abokie, told Peoples Daily in Kaduna yesterday, that the coming together of the four political parties to form the merger is highly commendable.

According to him the merger will revolutionize Nigerian politics, which would at the end have only two parties, the revolutionaries and the ruling party, which will make it easier for Nigerians to choose their leaders without fear of rigging and intimidation.

Abokie while speaking on the security situation in the country said it is worse and things are very bad for Nigerians. The reason for this, he explained, is because the leaders are not accountable to the electorate who voted them into power.

“To many politicians their contract with the electorates expired immediately they are declared winners of the

election. They start living as lords over those who elected them, looting the treasury at any given opportunity without any fear, because the law of impeachment is more or less a dead law and non-existent in the nation’s democratic system”, he stressed.

General Abokie who is also the chairman of Asa Pyramid Group of companies, operators

of Asa Pyramid Hotels, said the insecurity in the country is gradually killing the hospitality industry.

He said many tourists change their destination from Nigeria because of constant attacks and killings and this is not good for hospitality industry as much needed foreign currency has stopped flowing in to the country.

I will unite ACN, says Ohikere From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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he former Commissioner for Information under former governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, Dr Tom Ohikere, has pledged to use his platform to achieve success for Action Congress of Nigerian, ACN. Dr Ohikere who was a one

time hatchet man for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the central senatorial district of Kogi state disclosed this when he was formally announcing his defection from PDP to ACN in Lokoja, yesterday.

He averred that the present composition of leadership in the Central by the present administration of Capt Idris Wada

does not show any clear departure from those who champion mayhem in the area, wondering how these people could have credibility.

Ohikere who defected with about 2, 000 supporters said he would use his normal connection in PDP to disarm them when the need arises starting from the LG election billed for May 4, 2013.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

Concentrate on BoT, PDP chieftain warns Anenih INTERVIEW

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s we gear up to 2015, the greatest party in Africa is being plagued by serious crisis; what do you think is responsible?

It is unfortunate that the party is witnessing this crisis at this particular time when it has one of the finest man at its helm of affair. Basically, what is responsible for this crisis is personal interest.

Certain political elements in the party who prefer to achieve personal victory at the expense of national interest are nursing grudges.

This is one party that the youths of the country look up to, not because it is the largest party in Africa but because it has gained grounds over the year and it has been well managed to serve the interest of the people.

There are people in the party who are encouraging sentiment.

This is also a time that the country is troubled by ethnic and religion sentiment. Unity of purpose is what we need instead of widening the differences that exist among us. We need not deter from the soul aim of keeping this country together. Anybody from any region can be the President or leader of the party.

So why not stay focused? The most important thing is to look at whether the person has what it takes rather than where he is coming from.

Also, with the current leadership that the party has, this is not supposed to happen because the man, Bamanga Tukur, commands respect and he is being admired by many youths in the country. We see him as a role model in this country and he has been trying to restructure the party to serve the common man and not just a particular region. It does not matter where one is coming from. But what matters is

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the self acclaimed largest party in Africa, has been attributed to personal interest and sectionalism on the part of the country’s politicians. Comrade Erebuoye James, an Europe based Human Right and Anti-Corruption Activist,in this interview with Tobias Lengnan Dapam, bares his mind on this and the seeming conflict of interest between the PDP Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and the BoT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, over their reconciliation efforts in the party amongst other issues. Excerpts:

Comrade Erebuoye James whether he will be able to unite our differences and bring us under one platform as a people. I tell you, for the first time I see the party coming close to international standard. The present leadership of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur is sanitising the party for the better.

Make no mistake that the blundest mistake that PDP will make is to change the leadership of the party. This will not only

destroy, but sink the party in such a way that it will not recover in a long time. It will give chance for the opposition to take over the affairs of the country.

What do you think is the problem with the politicians?

Lack of discipline, selfishness and greed. In foreign countries, the politicians are disciplined.

They work for the people, that is why people from the grassroots can contest and win. But in our

country, it is always about money. It is only in Nigeria that politicians are extremely rich, representing their pocket interest rather than the will of the people who elected them. Have you ever seen a politician that is poor in this country before? That is the problem that is tearing us apart and it is not good for the future of this country. The politicians are suppose to be role model for the youth who are the future leaders of tomorrow. But what do we see?

A chunk of old wine fighting to enrich their pockets everyday instead of improving the the lots of the people.

How will you describe the effort of the BOT chairman in trying to reconcile the different factions in the party?

Well, Chief Tony Anenih is being respected as an elderly man in the country. However, he should not meddle into the affairs of the party. He should concentrate and work with the executive and leave grassroots politics to the present chairman who has a lot of credibility and is capable of taking every body along.

What advice will you give to the leadership of the party so that they will not head for the rock in 2015 and lose to the opposition?

I am not the kind of person that beat around the bush. Chief Tony Anenih should concentrate on the BOT and not to meddle in the affairs of the party. If he continues, PDP will crash land like an air craft. This is because, when people abandon their primary duties and begin to rival

other people in their work, then crisis is unavoidable. PDP should trust the chairman to do his job which they elected him to do. This man is occupying this position today because of the pedigree he has. He is a reputable business man who is not corrupt like many others we see flaunting their egos trying to achieve personal victory and do not care about other Nigerians. Anineh should stay out and allow Bamanga Tukur to solve the problem.

As for the opposition, they will also have their own problem as to who will be the leader. It is always easy for people to come together as a group at the early stage, but when the journey gets tougher, the real politics will set in. That is when those ugly incidence of sentiment and personal interest will take the centre stage. It is not easy to form alliance.

To bring different parties together and to expect one mighty Chairman to worship the other.

It is not as easy as saying it. We are still watching and you will confirm what I am telling you.

If any party will beat the PDP, it is going to be in a long while.

For now, they are just dreaming.

Should you meet Bamanga Tukur, how would you advise him?

He should not be distracted by the activities of those who are trying to cause confusion in the party. He should focus and do the good work that he has started. And he should also know that the youths are solidly behind him.

State creation won’t solve Nigeria’s problems, Catholic Church warns

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he Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria on Monday cautioned the federal government and lawmakers to tread carefully on state creation and instead focus on more disturbing problems Nigeria is facing.

The Director of Communication of the Secretariat, Chris Anyanwu, a Reverend Father, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

Mr. Anyanwu said that though the issue of state creation was important, there were other issues of national importance that required the attention of government. He said the reasons behind the present agitations for state creation were not in the interest of majority of Nigerians.

“For me there is nothing wrong if there is a clamour for state creation, although the problem Nigeria has is beyond creation of states,” he said.

“If it is going to bring about more voice for some people who feel marginalised, I don’t see it as problem; but it is just that it is becoming too political.

“Any issue that will bring about balance and help in making people have a sense of responsibility is always being politicised; that is the problem we are having,” he added.

State creation has been a major issue in the ongoing constitution amendment being executed by the National Assembly Media and Peace building The cleric also said the Catholic

Church is set to organise a workshop to educate the media on peace building and conflict resolution.

He said the date and venue for the workshop would soon be made known by the secretariat.

Mr. Anyanwu said that the workshop, which would focus more on responsible journalism, would be part of the church’s contributions to help restore peace to parts of the country ravaged by conflicts.

He said that the Church acknowledges the role and responsibility of the media in peace building in the society hence its decision to organise the forum.

“The use of the media in conflict resolution; that has been a major aspect that we in the Catholic Secretariat will want to also engage

government, particularly in the professionals – those in the media industry; how we can use the media more to see how we can build peace in our society; so we need to really see how to use the media so that we can achieve peace.

“What I may call peace-sensitive journalism; so, this is part of the strategy we shall contribute to the growth of our society in terms of achieving peace and security in Nigeria,” Mr. Anyanwu said.

He urged the media to be more responsive to the needs of their immediate environments by reporting objectively and responsibly to avoid breakdown of law and order. He said that the church would continue to play its role of building the morals of the

citizens to enable them contribute positively towards the growth of the society.

Stiffer punishment for corruption Mr. Anyanwu also urged the National Assembly to amend sections of the laws to impose stiffer punishments on corrupt persons, agencies and groups.

He said there was an urgent need to strengthen the mechanism of handling cases of corruption in Nigeria, noting that the anti-graft institutions as presently constituted were ineffective.

The clergyman said that the church would, on its part, continue to pray for leaders at all levels to intensify the fight against corruption and other vices. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 39

Deepening Democracy In Nigeria: Implications For Africa (I) Being a speech delivered at the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Geneva, Switzerland, by the former Vice-President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Protocol appreciate the privilege given to me by the President of this Institute to address this assemblage of distinguished scholars and diplomats. It is a great honour to be invited to this citadel of knowledge and global reputation, a citadel known for its persistence and diligence in sharpening minds, promoting fine ideals in diplomacy and international relations and setting the agenda for the debate on democracy and development. Dr. Murphy, I thank you.

I also thank the leaders of this great institution for giving me the honour to speak to you about my country, Nigeria, and how the promise of democracy there could impact on its prospects in contemporary Africa. This comes at a very auspicious time when Nigeria is preparing for another round of democratic elections while the rest of Africa and the world anxiously watch and wait on us to get our act together and lead the continent to its long awaited destiny.

Nigeria is well known, but not known well.

Tragically, the country has been in international news a lot in recent years owing primarily to the violent insurgency in the oil rich Niger Delta and more recently, in Northern region of the country. The attention paid to these insurgencies is an indication that the rest of the world considers the affairs of Nigeria important enough to warrant such attention. And there is good reason for that view.

Some of you may not know that: Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, with a population of about 170 million.

One in every four Africans lives in Nigeria. In a continent of 54 countries that is quite significant. Presently, Nigeria is the 7th most populous country in the world with more than 20% of the world’s black population living there. We are a diverse and young country with, 51% of the population rural and over 65% below the age of 40. We have more than 250 ethnic groups with over 500 living languages, creating a country of rich and diverse cultures. We are also home to 2 main religions, Islam and Christianity, each with a strong presence in different sections of the country and claiming roughly about equal number of followers. All these tend to

I

accentuate regional, ethnic and religious distinctions. This diversity of age, ethnicity and religion should make us stronger.

Nigeria has the 2nd largest economy in Africa, with a GDP of 239 billion dollars in 2011.

By the standards of Switzerland, which has a GDP of 659.3 billion for a population of less than 8 million, that is small change.

However, Nigeria’s GDP is higher than that of the bottom 34 African countries combined. We are also the largest crude oil producer in Africa, producing 2.2 million barrels per day in 2012. And the country is a major crude supplier to Western countries, with the bulk (33% in 2011) going to the United States of America.

Nigeria is located in the Gulf of Guinea, which has become a key energy source for the major energy consumers in the world, helping to fuel economic development and lift people out of poverty. Accordingly, events in Nigeria have wider implications for this vital energy source for the world. We are also the 2nd highest destination for foreign direct investment in Africa, after South Africa, with the largest share of the investments going into the oil and gas sector.

On the international scene, we have been very active in promoting regional trade and economic cooperation, peace and good governance in Africa and elsewhere. Nigeria is the largest African contributor to peace-keeping operations within and outside the African continent. The country has also been the main driving force behind the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS).

This organization has been working on the economic and political integration of countries in the

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar West African sub-region, and has contributed immensely to the maintenance of peace in the sub-region.

We have also maintained a leadership role in the African Union since its inception as the Organization of African Unity in 1963. Through a Technical Aid Corps scheme, we have been assisting other African countries in a variety of ways with their economic development and the building of peace and cooperation.

History/Context: As many of you know, Nigeria was a British colony.

When we gained political independence in 1960, there was a lot of optimism regarding economic development and the growth of democracy and freedoms. That optimism soon turned into disappointment.

“

Now listen carefully: The long period of military rule ensured the permeation into the fabric of society of a culture of command and control, intolerance of opposition, disregard for rules and regulations and utter impunity, which characterized military rule in Nigeria. Indeed governance and politics became militarized

This was largely because the nationalist leaders who inherited political power from the departing British failed to manage particularly well the enormous challenges of a new country fashioned out of a multiplicity of nationalities, classes and faiths.

The democratic experiment ended six years later when the Nigerian military overthrew the civilian government and imposed military rule. The crisis that followed the first military intervention ultimately led to a 30-month civil war which cost close to a million Nigerian lives, most of which were on the losing secessionist side. The military returned power to civilians in 1979 but struck again four years later and imposed another round of military rule which lasted for two decades culminating in the general elections of 1999.

Now listen carefully: The long period of military rule ensured the permeation into the fabric of society of a culture of command and control, intolerance of opposition, disregard for rules and regulations and utter impunity, which characterized military rule in Nigeria. Indeed governance and politics became militarized. Thus, by the time the military was, once again, forced to hand over power to civilians, this culture of intolerance of opposition,

disregard for rules and impunity had become pervasive.

To make matters worse, many of those who came into power as politician-successors to military rulers were themselves ex-military officers.

This was a logical development given the length of time the military had been in power, the wealth that many of them had acquired during their tenure, and the influence the departing military leaders had exercised in selecting and empowering their successors.

Despite this militarypolitical complex, we saw early democratic gains.

Many freedoms were restored to Nigerians: freedom of speech, including speech critical of the government, freedom of assembly and freedom to organize politically. Our courts also cast aside some of the shackles of an authoritarian justice system and moved towards a more democratic judicial practice. The mass media, which remained resolute under the military, also became less constrained in their work, now less afraid of holding government to account and acting occasionally as the conscience for the society.

Unfortunately, we were not able, as a country and as a leadership, to fully purge ourselves of the former dictatorial military culture and pervasive insidious corruption that feeds it. Thus, under the civilian democratic dispensation, we continued to see the political opposition as the enemy that has to be crushed, rather than patriots, as loyal opposition, who happen to disagree with us simply because they hold political ideologies and points of view different from ours. This culture of intolerance best characterize the postmilitary political era, especially the period after 2003 as attempts were being made to remove tenure limits of a sitting President beyond the period allowed by the country’s constitution.

Intolerance was by no means directed only at the members of the opposition political parties.

Targeted members of the ruling party were also severely punished for any perceived opposition to the sitting president or other executive power holders. The attempt to change the constitution to extend the tenure of the sitting president led to attacks by the presidency against democratic institutions including the parliament, the judiciary and even the ruling party itself.

These attacks significantly undermined these institutions and their ability to execute their duties according to democratic principles.

PAGE 40

Gov Akpabio Saga: Senator Etok faces recall as deadline expires today From Mike Etim, Uyo

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rocess aimed at recalling Senator Aloysius Etok, who has been embroiled in face off with Governor Godswill Akpabio over the Senate seat in 2015 in the District, gathered momentum yesterday when stakeholders under the aegis of a leading socio-cultural group in the District "Ita Afe Annang" organized a Town Hall meeting to facilitate his recall.

The meeting which was held in Ikot Ekpene old council hall, attracted all the serving commissioners of the Senatorial District in the Akpabio Administration, the ten Local Government Chairmen from the District, all House of Assembly members representing the ten Local Governments making up the District, some members of the National Assembly, past Commissioners, Traditional Rulers, youth groups, women groups and major stake holders in the Senatorial District.

Addressing the mammoth crowd who had filled the council chamber, the leader of the Ita Afe Annang" Okuku Pius Eside said the meeting became necessary because of the recent remarks credited to senator Etok who is theSenator representing the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District in most media alleging that the Senatorial seat for 2015 in the area was not vacant and also alleging that Governor Akpabio was after his life.

The Royal Father said he deemed the statement as unfortunate considering the fact that it was Governor Akpabio who pleaded with the Senatorial District to make way for Senator Etok to represent the Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

He stressed that, having served two terms as a Senator from 2007, Senator Etok, who hails from minority constituency in a largely Annag minority should have treaded cautiously in his statement by respecting the person of Governor Akpabio who was his benefactor to the position.

He however said, the 7 days deadline given to Senator Etok to apologize to he governor by the ten Local Government Chairmen that represents the district and other groups still stands.

The monarch maintained that at the expiration of the deadline, yesterday, the Senatorial District will resolve to begin the recalling process.

A former Speaker of the State House of Assembly representing Senator Etok's constituency (Ini and Ikono) Chief Ukata Akpan called on the people of the Senatorial District to tread with caution of over the hasty recall process of Senator Etok.

He asked for more time to be given to the Senator, while negotiations are going on to settle the matter.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

Group condemns prolong investigation of former Ogun Gov From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he Yoruba for Democratic Values (YDV), has express discontent over what it termed, renewed aggressive investigation tactics by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on some political associates, staff and aides of former Governor of Ogun state Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD),

despite ongoing trial.

The group in a statement signed by the group’s secretary, Kola Are, described the interrogation of a number of OGD’s political associates, staff and aides as deliberate attempt to harrass, intimidate and coerce innocent citizens into submission and possibly cripple political and business activities of the former governor at all cost.

“YDV notes specifically that OGD is unarguably the most investigated political office holder in Nigeria in recent time inspite of the fact that affairs of his government had been subject of monitoring and surveillance by the antigraft agency since 2006 at the heels of his election for second term in office.

“It is therefore curious the EFCC was yet to conclude

L-R: INEC Chairman, Professor Atahiru Jega, INEC National Commissioer, Dr. Nura Yakub, and Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yarima Ngama, after their meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday at the State House, Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

investigations into OGD’s political and business activities which commenced vigorously almost two years ago at the expiration of his 8 years tenure as governor and over a year after his rearraigment for the ongoing trial.”

The group said further: “It is also important to alert the public of renewed efforts by political opponents of the former governor to mislead the public regarding a supposed N58billion corruption charges against OGD. The so called N58billion corruption charges only existed in the imagination of detractors whose agenda is to mobilise negative public opinions and anger against the former governor.

“Whereas media reports regarding N58billion naira charges against the former governor had been denounced by the EFCC through its counsel at a court hearing in Abeokuta, political opponents of OGD has continued to peddle misinformation regarding the details of the charges involved in the ongoing trial for inordinate political reasons.”

The group averred further that certain powerful interest are bent on continuous harrassment of associates of the former governor through aggressive investigations which seem unending and whose intent and purposes are to give credence to falsehood regarding OGD’s personality and businesses.

The anti-graft agency is currently prosecuting the f o r m e r governor overalleged N58billion corruption charges at an Abeokuta High Court of Ogun state.

Probe Obasanjo now, CACOL tells FG From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has called on the Federal Government to expedite action at prosecuting former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the financial malpractices he perpetuated during his eight year tenure.

This call followed the statement credited to the former president asking the FG to prosecute him for all wrongs done in his administration rather than prosecuting his aides.

Obasanjo allegedly made this statement at the 50th Birthday Anniversary of the former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili.

Reacting to the news, the Coalition’s Executive Chairman, Debo Adeniran averred that it is high time the former president is brought to book for the atrocities perpetrated in his regime.

“The ex-President is right after all. He should be held

liable for every financial malpractices perpetrated in his regime. CACOL has in many petitions and reminders provided the anti-graft agencies, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC, with all evidences required to investigate the allegations and prosecute the cases against former President Olusegun Obasanjo for corrupt practices committed during his eight years in power. Our Coalition provided them with enough leads that they ought to have worked with since six years ago, it is baffling that the former president has not been docked now.

Now that he has volunteered to face trial, the FG should not hesitate to grant the old man’s request. It is clear fact that the old soldier presided over scandals of international dimension. It has been revealed that 60 per cent of the Halliburton bribe money

was collected during Obasanjo’s regime; the Wilbross Scandal is there, the Siemens Scandal, and even the Pentascope, which was said to have been registered on a Sunday and incurred more debt that the NITEL it came to rescue.

The Ndudi Elumelu’s Power Probe Report should also be revisited where the former president allegedly expended N16bn on Rural Electrification Scheme Project without any positive result to show for it.

The pogrom he committed in Odi, Zaki-Biam and the killings of the O’odua Peoples’ Congress members in the South West should be investigated. His door-die politics, which led to thousands of lives wasted should be probed; the land grabbing allegations against the old man, and using his office to garner donations for his presidential library,” Adeniran submitted.

Speaking further, the anticorruption crusader disclosed that the former president

should also face trial for the illegal excess crude account opened by his administration.

“It is worthy of note that the so-called Excess Crude Account created by Obasanjo is illegal.

He must tell the whole world why he created the account in the first place and what he used the money for. Why must his administration stack some much money in the account while many sectors of the country were in comatose. The roads were bad, the hospitals were nothing to write home about, and even the prices of petroleum products were jacked up making life unbearable for the masses.

The ex-President must also tell Nigerians where monies recovered from Abacha and other looters went to.

Plunderers of our collective patrimony and national heritage must be brought to book. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo must be adequately punished for his financial malpractices during his tenure as the president.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 41

DSTV Men’s Basketball: Union Bank, Dodan Warriors in perfect start

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nion Bank and Dodan Warriors Basketball Clubs, both of Lagos, in the Atlantic Conference, have recorded two straight victories in the ongoing 2012/2013 DSTV Men’s Basketball League, which began on April 26.

After two postponements, the league eventually dunked off with eight clubs, including the newly-promoted Oluyole Warriors of Ibadan.

The other clubs in the Conference are defending champions, Royal Hoppers of Port Harcourt, Police Batons, Comets, Lagos Islanders and Customs, while eight clubs are also in the Savannah Conference.

Two teams in the conference which were out of Lagos, namely: Hoppers and Oluyole, would play their home matches in Port Harcourt and Ibadan, respectively.

In the new format of the league, two clubs would meet twice in the first leg and also meet twice again in the second leg.

Organisers said that the new format was to create more matches to be played in the league, to make it more competitive.

Union Bank in the first leg, won its first match 66-48 against Comets and also its second match, also against Comets at 69-51. Dodan Warriors in its first match beat Customs 91-67 and in its second, also against Customs, 82-63.

Coach Johnson Ayinla of Union Bank said after his last

match against Comets, that the results proved their readiness to challenge for the league title.

Coach Ayo Bakare of Comets, whose team lost its first two matches to Union Bank, admitted that his team played below expectation, but that they would bounce back from their losses.

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he National Council on Sports has approved the National Sports Commission’s proposal for a National Open Sports Festival and National Youth Games, in place of the present National Sports Festival (NSF).

The council gave nod to the proposal at a recent meeting held in Ilorin, Kwara state even as it appeals to states to take advantage of the economic benefits and potentials accruable from the competitions by bidding their hosting rights.

Following the positive reception it accorded the proposal, the council directed the NSC to forward a formal memorandum to the National Council of States intimating them of this development.

According to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the council also directed the commission to set up a 12-man committee to work out modalities for the organisation and management of the National Open Sports Festival as well as the National Youth Games.

It specified that the committee

second leg against Islanders at 50-45.

Matches continue at the Conference on May 3 and 4 with Police Batons meeting Comets, Union Bank meeting Lagos Islanders, while Customs would meet Oluyole in Lagos. Dodan Warriors would travel to Port Harcourt to meet Hoppers.

Aminu Kurfi promises radical changes in tennis federation

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he Nigeria Tennis Federation will experience a radical administrative restructuring with the ultimate aim of regeneration of talents that would see the nation

Aminu Kurfi

returning to global reckoning within the next few years, according to newly elected North West representative in the forthcoming board of the NTF, Alhaji Aminu Kurfi.

Besides, tennis federation in the next dispensation will be financially independent, private sector-driven with focus on international exposure for players, improved training for coaches and high rating at the ATP for Nigerian players.

Alhaji Kurfi, a sports philanthropist, who defeated Honourable Shehu Liman in the election conducted yesterday in Kano, further promised to create an atmosphere conducive for realistic grassroots interest with a view to boosting the interest and participation of younger talents in the game.

Council on sports approves Youth Games, urges states to bid for hosting rights Stories by Patrick Andrew

Coach Daudu Adeka of Dodan Warriors said that their victories signaled the depth of their quality and that they were well prepared to achieve victory at the end.

In other matches, Lagos Islanders beat Police Baton 6840 in the first leg, but the Baton overturned the results in the

be composed of six states Directors of Sports from the respective geo-political zone, five representatives of sports’ stakeholders and the representative of the NSC as Chairman.

Further, the council threw its

weight behind the current efforts by the NSC to concession five federal stadia in accordance as recommended by the Federal Executive Council Committee.

The stadia are: Ibadan, Kaduna, Bauchi, with Abuja and Lagos as pilot scheme.

“We intend to give tennis fresh breathe in administration and sponsorship by restructuring and relying less on government appropriation for the game as we will aim at sourcing funds largely from our pockets to drive the desired processes for development.

“We also want to take the game to schools by providing needed resources for training of the grassroots talents discovered, endeavour to expose coaches to better training facilities and work hard to eliminate conflict areas between administrators and the supervisory organ,” he said after his opponent who was overwhelmed by his vast contributions to the game before now stepped down for him.

Peoples Daily Sports recalls

that Aminu Kurfi had sponsored a national player to the USA where he is currently undergoing training, sponsored some national players to the All Africa Games, then sent some to Togo for a West African tournament, assisted some coaches to Ghana for refresher courses as well as refurbished the dilapidated Kaduna tennis courts, among other contributions.

The proprietor of Future Africa Football Academy assured that as an elected representative of the North West he would traverse oceans to rekindle the interest of the game in the zone adding that he has clear projection of what he intends to achieve especially he is neither an anointed nor accidental leader.

Peoples Daily Sports recalls that 10 out of the 33 sports federations have already been

concessioned even as the commission hopes to place some for consideration subsequently.

... Backs LMC to overhaul domestic league management

T

he National Council on Sports has called on the Association of Club Owners and other stakeholders to rally round the League Management Company (LMC) in its quest to overhaul the administration and structures of the domestic league.

The council said rather than

Some of the members of the NFF, LMC and Association of Club Owners just after the mediation meeting yesterday. The meeting to resolve the hiccups between the LMC and club owners

disparage the on-going processes initiated by the leadership of the LMC, key operators of the league to should recognise their efforts and align with them in these processes stressing that the domestic league needs overhaul to compete favourably with its peers in Europe.

In apparent reference to the agitation against the LMC, the council applauded the LMC and appreciated Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, for his deliberate efforts to revamp and reposition the administration of the domestic league, stressing all should accept the present approaches being adopted to achieve the objective.

Peoples Daily Sports notes that only one (ABS) of the 20 premier league clubs is privately owneda position that club owners association had been drawn to even as they insisted they have the backing of the respective state governments.

But the position of the states directors, who constitute the council of sports has contradicted that and reinforces the insistence of the Nduka Iraborled LMC that those purported club owners are mere appointees and their current agitation does not therefore represent the view of the real financiers of clubs.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

Havelange resigns as honorary FIFA president Former FIFA President Joao Havelange resigned as honorary president of soccer’s governing body in a World Cup bribery case that has tarnished the organisation’s image for more than a decade.

FIFA ethics court judge Joachim Eckert said in a ruling published yesterday by FIFA that the 96year-old Brazilian resigned on April 18. The resignation had not been made public until now.

Eckert cleared current FIFA President Sepp Blatter of wrongdoing in the case, which involved millions of dollars in kickbacks from World Cup contracts marketed by the ISL agency which collapsed into bankruptcy in 2001.

Blatter said he received the verdict on his own role ‘’with satisfaction”, but acknowledged that the 12-year-old case, which has clouded much of his presidency, had done ‘’untold damage to the reputation’’ of FIFA. Havelange, who led FIFA from 1974-98, and his former son-inlaw Ricardo Teixeira were guilty of ‘’morally and ethically reproachable conduct,’’ Eckert wrote.

The German judge noted that it was not a crime in Switzerland at the time for Havelange, Teixeira and then-South American football confederation president Nicolas Leoz to accept bribes between 1992 and May 2000.

“However, it is clear that Havelange and Teixeira, as football officials, should not have

accepted any bribe money, and should have had to pay it back since the money was in connection with the exploitation of media rights,” the judgment said.

Eckert said their conduct predated FIFA’s current ethics code, which came into force last year after Teixeira resigned from football, including as head of the Brazilian organising committee for the 2014 World Cup and as a FIFA board member.

Leoz also resigned last week, citing health reasons, days after Havelange also secretly walked away.

“Any further steps or suggestions are superfluous,” Eckert concluded. “No further proceedings related to the ISL matter are warranted against any other football official.”

Eckert based his judgments on a 4,000-page investigation report submitted by FIFA ethics prosecutor Michael J. Garcia.

Havelange and Teixeira were previously formally identified last July for taking bribes, when Switzerland’s Supreme Court ruled that a Swiss criminal prosecutor’s report on the case should be made public. FIFA, Havelange and Teixeira had tried to suppress it.

Havelange also resigned in 2011 as a member of the International OIympic Committee, to avoid sanctions stemming from his role in the ISL case.

ISL was created in the 1970s and helped fuel the boom in sports marketing, while also working

closely with the IOC. Swiss prosecutor Thomas Hildbrand wrote in a case dossier that the agency funneled money through Liechtenstein to pay commissions to officials ‘’favored in order to promote sports policies and economic goals.’’

Six former ISL executives stood trial in 2008 and were cleared of charges relating to fraud.

In court evidence, Leoz was identified as having received two ISL payments totaling $130,000 in 2000. The BBC later reported that he received further payments of at least $600,000.

Payments attributed to accounts connected to Havelange and Teixeira totaled almost $22 million from 1992-2000.

Joao Havelenge, ex-president of FIFA

Coach Luxemburgo handed six-match ban

G

remio coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo was suspended for six matches on Monday for his part in a wild brawl, after a Copa Libertadores fixture earlier this month.

The former Real Madrid and Brazil coach was also fined 25,000 dollars, South American football’s governing body Conmebol said in a statement.

The April 18 melee occurred after the final whistle of Gremio’s 1-1 away draw with Huachipato in the Chilean city of Talcahuano, a result that guaranteed the Brazilian club’s passage to the knockout phase of South America’s premier club competition.

The penalty means

Luxemburgo will only be eligible to return to Gremio’s bench if his team makes the final in July.

“It’s difficult to understand,’’ Luxemburgo said on Monday night. The only thing I did was run to the dressing room and laugh because they were all chasing after me.’’

Gremio assistant coach Emerson da Rosa and defender Douglas Grolli were also fined and banned for eight and five matches, respectively. The Porto Alegre club said it would appeal the sentences.

Conmebol also issued fines of 1,000 dollars and one-match suspensions to Huachipato coach Jorge Pellicer and physical trainer Marcelo Rosemblat.

“Improvements in our league will go a long way to entice more people to the match venues to watch our league.

“In the 1980s and early 1990s, match venues were usually filled to capacity and fans had to travel far to support their teams’ in away matches.

“The people currently in charge of the league should, therefore, take the much-needed steps to upgrade our league,’’ he said.

On the level of officiating in the league, the former Abiola Babes FC of Abeokuta player noted that officiating had improved since the commencement of the 2012/2013 season.

He urged the referees to continue to discharge their duties, without let or hindrance from any quarter.

The NPFL is currently in week 9 and Rangers International FC is currently topping the league standings with 17 points.

Ekpo tasks LMC on improved NPFL to return fans to stadium

Rangers vs Pillars match

F

riday Ekpo, a former Super Eagles midfielder, yesterday said that the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) would have to be repackaged, in order to attract fans to match venues.

Ekpo, who was speaking in Lagos, said that adequate measures should be put in place by the NPFL administrators to improve the standard of the league.

The former midfielder spoke against the backdrop of the near

absence of fans during league matches across the various centres nationwide, and stressed that the League Management Company must be on its feet to ginger fans’ interest in the league.

Huachipato defender Juan Espinoza was suspended for five games and fined 10,000 dollars, while Francisco Arrue and Nicolas Nunez were given two-match penalties and fined 5,000 dollars.

Ogunbote applauses Bayelsa United

C

oach Gbenga Ogunbote, Technical Adviser, Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, has described their match against Bayelsa United of Yenagoa which ended 2-1 in favour of Sharks as “tough’’.

Sunday’s match was part of the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). “A draw in the match could have been a setback to my club,’’ Ogunbote disclosed.

According to him, I pray to God to help me to take the club to the “promised land’’, while Bayelsa United striker, Peter Ebimobowei, said his club was still on course, in spite of the loss.

Ebimobowei, however, added that the league was still fresh, urging their supporters not to entertain fears about their ability to perform better in subsequent matches.

“In every game, what comes to you, you take, because there must always be a loser or a winner in a match. “We played well; my anger is that we failed to take our chances during the match. But, I still thank God and believe we will still perform better as the league progresses,” he said.

Che-Che Iwu, a football fan, commended tactical improvements of the Sharks, attributing the club’s current 19th position in the league to a lack of coordination by players.

“When the league started, Sharks did not start well, but looking at their match with Bayelsa United, they have improved tremendously,’’ Iwu said.

He urged the players to keep up with their good performance in subsequent matches. “Money is not everything; I urge you players not to compromise your victory at any time,” Iwu added.

PAGE 44

E

ight boxers of the Lagos State Amateur Boxing Association (LSABA) will

Olawale Edun, Chairman, Lagos boxing association

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

8 Lagos boxers for London tourney in October challenge their British counterparts at the fourth international bouts organised by the Lagos State Boxing Hall of Fame (LSBHF).

Olawale Edun, LSBHF Chairman, who confirmed this yesterday in Lagos, said that the competition would hold in October in London and added that the boxers are seven males and a female.

Edun said that the motive for the bouts was to give the state boxers some

international exposure, in order to increase their proficiency and prepare them for other i n t e r n a t i o n a l engagements.

According to him, the British Boxing Association invited the state boxers for the international competition, to enable the state boxers to be wellgrounded in the sport.

“The international bouts will expose our boxers to i n t e r n a t i o n a l competitions, as well as

helping them to sharpen their competitive edge for other international engagements,’’ Edun said.

Edun, who declined to name the boxers and officials for the international bouts, added that the officials that would accompany the boxers to London would undergo a coaching clinic before the bouts.

He said that the clinic was to upgrade their proficiency to international standard,

before the bouts.

Edun, the promoter of the monthly “Saturday Boxing Show,’’ maintained that his initiative for the international bouts was to promote amateur boxing in the state to international standard.

The promoter, a former commissioner for finance in Lagos State, recalled that since the LSBHF began in 2010, it had helped the state to reclaim its lost glory in boxing.

Edun said that the state

boxers since the programme, had continued to top the boxing medals table at the National Sports Festivals (NSF).

According to him, the state topped the table at the 17 th NSF in Port Harcourt with seven gold, two silver and a bronze medals.

He added that the state also topped the medals table at the 18 th NSF last year in Lagos with eight gold and two silver medals.

UEFA CL: Mission impossible for Barcelona?

B

arcelona uncharacteristically conceded a catastrophic 4-0 loss in Germany, to Bayern Munich, the 2013 Bundesliga champions. By the quality of the team in opposition, the lingering argument is that the match is well beyond redemption for the Spanish side that is well ahead to clinch the La Liga title.

In today's herculean mission, Barcelona will be aiming to repeat their superb Round of 16 comeback against AC Milan, when they posted a 4-0 home victory in response to a 2-0 away reverse.

That will mean injecting fresh energy into a side struggling to maintain its trademark fluidity, partly due to a string of injuries and suspensions in defence.

Indeed, the Catalan

outfit displayed fragility at the back once again in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Athletic Bilbao, a game in which their final touch also let them down. Not for the first time, they were left in debt to Lionel Messi, who came on after an hour and struck an excellent goal - Barça's 100th this season - and contributed an assist in the space of ten minutes.

As for Bayern, already racked up their 14th consecutive Bundesliga win and 27th in 31 outings, and with 84 points they are set for a new record in Germany's top flight. Belief is soaring in Jupp Heynckes' squad and, confident in their own ability and the scale of their advantage, they have left Barcelona needing a miracle to claw their way back.

After the heartbreaking manner in

which Bayern Munich lost last season's UEFA Champions League final, they seem to have steeled themselves for this campaign, according to manager Jupp Heynckes who will be keen to make up for that disappointing loss.

That will be a remarkable achievement given how last year's tournament ended up.

Technically at home to Chelsea in a Munich final, Heynckes men were beaten on penalties as their dream fell apart around them. But once the debris was swept up, Bayern were able to regroup and have marched their way back to the brink of European glory.

That though will be if Barca's talisman failed to click. Lionel Messi was almost a spectator in the first leg with just a shot on

goal. Messi did the magic against PSG and is likely to repeat the same but whether it would be enough to guarantee them passage to the final would be a different ball game.

Barcelona have triumphed in their last ten home games against German clubs, winning three of them by four or more goals. They swept aside Bayer Leverkusen 71 in the last 16 in 2011/ 12, beat Stuttgart 4-0 at the same stage in 2009/ 10 and prevailed by the same scoreline in the 2008/09 quarter-finals against Wednesday's opponents Bayern.

Bayern are hoping to reach their ninth showpiece in Europe's premier club competition and their third in the last four seasons. Only Madrid and Milan have graced more finals, contesting 12 and 11 respectively.

Mark tourney: Squash federation to Mayweather punish erring players planning UK debuts U T Floyd Mayweather (jr)

he Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF) has vowed to sanction some of its players for misconduct at the just-concluded

David Mark, Senate president

Sen. David Mark Squash Championships in Abuja.

Femi Ajagbe, the NSFpresident, disclosed, who said this yesterday in Lagos, lambasted the players that had pointedly refused to play the final match of the championships for “untenable reasons”.

The players concerned are: Longdi Dasbak, Kali Yashim, (Female category) and Sodiq Taiwo and Jonathan Peters (Male category).

“Their attitude depicts lack of discipline, no professional will behave the way they have behaved and the federation will continue to instill discipline in its players.

“I have written to the National Sports Commission (NSC) on

the development; they have forfeited their winnings and they have been banned from any N S F - o r g a n i s e d competition for the next two years,’’ the president said.

Meanwhile, one of the affected players Dasbak accused the NSF of not living up to expectation, in terms of players’ welfare, which she said was almost non-existent.

“The tournament did not start on schedule due to the protest by players over poor welfare. There was no medical personnel to attend to injured players during the championships and matches were compacted because of the protest which affected the duration of the championships.

“We had to complain over the shoddy treatment, and we wanted the organisers to spread out the playing time, so that injured players could be able to get treatment,’’ she said.

Dasbak added that the alleged refusal of the players to feature in the final match was being misconstrued by the NSF president.

“We needed enough rest time before the final match, after playing the semi-final matches; but the president would not want to hear anything of such.

“By the time we finally agreed to come and play the final matches, the invited dignitaries had left, and Mr Ajagbe got very angry over the development,’’ Dasbak added.

n b e a t e n welterweight star Floyd Mayweather Jr is planning to fight on British soil within the next 18 months, according to the fighter’s advisor Leonard Ellerbe.

Mayweather Jr defends his WBC welterweight title against Robert ‘The Ghost’ Guerrero in Las Vegas on May 5 and, if the 36-yearold extends his undefeated run to 44 fights, it could open up a potential bout with Amir Khan.

Bolton-born Khan is currently the No. 2 contender for the American’s title, but Ellerbe has confirmed that Mayweather Jr has been given several options in an attempt to lure the star across the Atlantic for his first fight on UK shores.

“Floyd has a tremendous fan base in the UK and

we’re looking at working on something now where he’s going to come over there,” Ellerbe told Bunce’s Boxing Hour on BoxNation.

“Ever since the Ricky Hatton fight back in 2007, UK fans have been very loyal to Floyd and he definitely acknowledges that and he wants to bring a big, big event to the UK.” Mayweather Jr has never fought in a professional bout outside of the United States, but Ellerbe believes that ‘Money’ is keen to come over and continue a “love affair” with his British fanbase.

“There’s definitely a very strong possibility that Floyd will fight in the UK,” Ellerbe added. “We’ll see how this thing plays out, his focus is Saturday night and then we’ll go from there,” he said.

PAGE 45

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

Strange Life Facts

Say what?

•53. Everyone thinks they're an above average driver.

•The urge to punish others has much more to do with venting frustration than correcting behavior.

•By default, people think far too much.

•If anything is worth splurging on, it's a high-quality mattress. You'll spend a third of your life using it.

•There is nothing worse than having no friends.

•To write a person off as worthless is an act of great violence.

•Try as we might to be otherwise, we are all hypocrites.

•Kids will usually understand exactly what you mean if you keep it to one or two short sentences.

•Casual swearing makes people sound dumb.

•Words are immensely powerful. One cruel remark can wound someone for life.

•It's easy to make someone's day just by being uncommonly pleasant to them.

•Most of what children learn from their parents isn't taught on purpose.

SUDOKU

•Stuff that's on sale usually has an annoying downside.

Last edition’s solution

•Justice is a human invention which is in reality rarely achievable, but many will not hesitate to destroy lives demanding it.

•The secret ingredient is usually butter, in obscene amounts.

•It is worth re-trying foods that you didn't like at first.

•Problems, when they arise, are rarely as painful as the experience of fearing them.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

•Nothing - ever - happens exactly like you pictured it.

•North Americans are generally terrible at accepting compliments and offers of help.

•There are not enough women in positions of power. The world has suffered from this deficit for a long time.

•When you break promises to yourself, you feel terrible. When you make a habit of it, you begin to hate yourself.

•A good nine out of ten bad things I've worried about never happened. A good nine out of ten bad things that did happen never occurred to me to worry about.

•You can't hide a bad mood from people who know you well, but you can always be polite.

•Sometimes you have to remove certain people from your life, even if they're family.

•Anyone can be calmed in an instant by looking at the ocean or the stars.

•There is no point finishing a book you aren't enjoying. Life is too short for that.

Swallow your pride and put it down for good, unfinished.

•There is no correlation between the price of a brand of batteries and how long they last.

Our mothers love: I love watching the affection and attention that Bonobos have for their young. They truly are a wonderful species of ape. Photo captured at the Jacksonville Zoo, in Florida.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PUBLIC NOTICE HIMIKEY UNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2004.

THE TRUTEES ARE: 1.LAWAN TEAKWANYE 2.HON. JOSEPH T. KWATRI 3.MR. MUSA NDUPWA SOLOS 4.SINI DRAMBI 5.BULUS T. SINI 6.TUMBA DALE 7.LUKA KWAZHE AIMS & OBJECTIVES. 1.TO PROMOTE CULTURE AMONG THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND TO PROMOTE UNITY AND SOCIAL ORIENTATION AMONG SOCIETY MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTIONS TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: USMAN ANDUWI DIBAL ESQ.

PAGE 43

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CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS BUBA PHIBI, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS PHIBI IRIS. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. C. WORKS N.P.F., BAUCHI AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE 1.REV. FR. GABRIEL ANGELUS OKOYE, CMF 2.REV. FR. SIMEON NWOBI, CMF 3.PROF. GABRIEL MARY AGBASI, OCDS 4.MR. EMEKA OKOYE 5.MR. UCHENNA FREDRICK EZEAPUTA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO PROVIDE FREE MEDICAL CARE TO THE LESS PRIVILEDGE. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED SECRETARY

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THE TRUSTEES ARE 1.VINCENT NWANI -CHAIRMAN 2.CHUKWUKA OGBUE -SECRETARY 3.IKEDIASHI CHUCKS 4.NWAYOR PETER 5.NWAOSHAI MICHEAL 6.OGABU PETERS 7.OJIAWUNA NDUBUISI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. YOUTH COORDINATION FOR EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT. 2.PROMOTION OF YOUTH INTEGRITY & PATRIOTISM.

SIGNED SECRETARY

SIGNED BARR. UMAR B. BELLO 08060302061

SIGNED SECRETARY

SOUL EDIFYING CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED SECRETARY

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSEMBLY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C' OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1.EVANGLIST OSEZELE FRED OSEZUA -CHAIRMAN 2.EHIMEN MAXWELL OSEZUA -SECRETARY 3.PASTOR (MRS.) ONOSE GIFT OSEZUA 4.MR. AUSTINE ITSENEGBEMHE 5.MR. OSADEBAME NAPOLEAN THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO PROVIDE UNITY AMONG MEMBERS.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO HELP THE NEEDY 2. TO GIVE CHARITY

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED SECRETARY

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVES HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C' OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1.DR. KUNLE OKE OLORUNTEGBE 2.MR, KAREEM DADA SALAMI 3.MR. LANRE OLADAYO OLORUNTEGBE 4.MRS. AARINOLA AKINSETE 5.MRS. ELIZABETH OLUREMI AYENI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO SENSITIZE STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND THE ENTIRE PUBLIC IN IMBIBING ENVIRONMENTAL CONCIOUSNESS. 2.TO SENSITIZE AND INCULCATE IN THE ENTIRE PUBLIC, THROUGH CAMPAIGNS, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND ACCOUNTING. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED SECRETARY

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PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

IHOVBOR COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

CHURCH OF HIS HARVEST INTERNATIONAL

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVES HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C' OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1.HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS FORTUNE OSAKPANWAN IGBINAKENZUA (THE ENOGIE OF IHOVBOR COMMUNITY (CHAIRMAN BOARD OF TRUSTEE) 2.MR. OSAROBO IDUWE 3.MR. OSIFO OSEMWENGIE 4.OSAHON AUSTIN AIMIUWU ESQ. (LEGAL ADVISER) 5.MR. PULLEY OSAYANWEN 6.OSARETIN OBASUYI (SECRETARY 7.OSEOSA JOHN AGBONWANEGBE (TREASUREER) 8.JACKSON OSAGIODUWA AIYANKHOGBA(PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER) 9.HENRY NOSAKHARE ISIBOR (FINANCIAL SECRETARY) 10.KINGSLEY EHIBOR (EX-OFFICIO MEMBER) THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PROVIDE UNITY AMONG MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAME CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISION OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIANCE MATTERS ACT 1990 UNDER PART ‘C’.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1.PASTOR OLAWALE MICHEAL BAMISAYE (CHAIRMAN) 2.MR. AJAYI JOSEPH (SECRETARY) 3.MR, ADEKULE EZEKIEL 4.PASTOR OLUWAYEMI JOHN 5.DR. OJO OLUWASOLA MICHEAL 6.MR. ADAH STEPHEN 7.MRS. BAMISAYE OLUWAFUMIKE CHRISTIANAH 8.MRS. OJO RACHEAL 9.MRS. OLOFINLADE ABOSEDE ABIGAEL THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PROVIDE UNITY AMONG MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF LETTER OF OFFER WITH BLOCK 14 FLAT 7 IKOT ABASI CLOSE GARKI I, FCT ABUJA, ISSUED BY THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ADMINISTRATION ON THE 7TH DECEMBER, 2006, BELONGING TO ONE LATE KABIR SULE MAIYWO. ALL EFFORT MADE TO TRACE THE ABOVE PROVED ABORTIVE, GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS ANNA HADIZA BRAIMAH, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS MRS. ANNA HADIZA AGBONKONKON. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

SIGNED SECRETARY

SIGNED IDOWU & ORIARAN ASSOCIATES 0805734046, 07030820506 SUITE 6, SHALOM PLAZA, GUDU DISTRICT, ABUJA

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHANGE OF NAME

ALLIED CARE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

JESUS FOREVER DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR ADDITIONAL TRUSTEE UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MARYAM UMAR DANGE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS MRS. MARYAM UMAR BAWA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. NYSC AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

CHANGE OF ONE BAORD OF TRUSTEE FROM BARR. ONYINWAJAGU TO BARR. LADY ONYEMA GLORIA EZEZIKA APPOINTMENT OF NEW CHAIRMAN IN PERSON OF BARR. LADY EZEZIKA OLD CHAIRMAN IS SIR CHUDE EZEZIKA

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PST. MINISTER ELUEME -CHAIRMAN 2.PST. (MRS.) VICTORIA ERINWO ELUEME 3.DEACON BRO UCHE OMHA 4.EXCELLENCE MINISTER ULUEME 5.TONIA OGHANIOM ELUEME -SECRETARY NEW TRUSTEES ARE: 1.TO SPREAD THE WORD OF GOD.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED SECRETARY

SIGNED: CHAIRMAN

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

FLORENCE AJIMOBI EDUCATE A RURAL CHILD FOUNDATION

UNIQUE GENERATION INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

MISSION OF HOLY REGENERATION OUTREACH

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.FLORENCE AJIMOBI -CHAIRMAN 2.MRS. TOKUNBO FAYOKUN 3.MRS. OLAYINKA OGUNDE 4.DR. CLEMENT KOLAWOLE NEW TRUSTEES ARE: 1.TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN EDUCATION PROVIDED IN THE RURAL AREA AND THEIR COUNTERPATS IN THE URBAN AREA. 2.TO INITIATIVE ADVOCACY PROGRAMS AIMED AT CREATING AWARENESS FOR EDUCATION IN THE RURAL AREAS OF THE STATE. 3.TO IDENTIFY AND SUPPORT PUPILS WITH EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCES BY AWARDING SCHOLARSHIP. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1. MR EMMANUEL EJETA ENEKOHOBOR 2. OHAKWE ONYINYE CONSOLATA 3.OGHENERO BLESSING UKPE , ESQ THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1.TO HELP INDIVIDUALS DISCOVER AND DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIALS, DESTINY AND TALENTS 2.TO INSPIRE, MOTIVATE YOUTHS IN THEIR CHOSEN CAREER 3.TO PROPAGATE THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF EMPLOYMENT

SIGNED: TUNDE & ADISA LP

SIGNED; OGHENERO B. UKPE, ESQ OGHENERO UKPE & CO 13, TIWALADE STREET, SHOGUNLE- IKEJA LAGOS STATE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.DEACON OLALEKAN ISHOLA BABATUNDE 2.PASTOR JONATHAN IYIEKE 3.MRS OMOBOLANLE AJOKE LANIYAN 4.MRS OMORINSOLA YETUNDE OKEDIJI 5.MR VICTOR OLAGOKE LANIYAN THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ALL OVER THE WORLD 2.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL AND TEACHING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO ALL MEN 3.TO PROPAGATE THE WORD AND FOLLOW UP MEMBERS IN THEIR FAITH 4.TO PROCLAIM TO THE WORLD THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT,AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED; J.J IYIEKE ESQ 08021221416

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

WINDING UP

DIASPORA HOME LINK INITIATIVE

CLUB G10, ABUJA

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990 RC. 1050418 FRANCIS OF FRANCOM GLOBAL LIMITED (VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE OF SPECIAL RESLOUTION TO WIND UP NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF A LIQUIDATOR PURSUANT TO SECTION 491 (1) OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATERS ACT, 1990, THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MISS ROSE EZIHE UCHE A SOLICITOR OF J.J IYIEKE & CO AT 9 THOMAS ADEBOYE STREET, OLOWORA-ISHERI, LAGOS, AS THE LIQUIDATOR OF FRANCIS OF FRANCOM GLOBAL LIMITED WHOSE REGISTERED OFFICE IS AT ENUGU BY A SPECIAL RESOLUTION OF THE COMPANY DATED 2NDDAY OF APRIL, 2013 IN COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 464 OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

ALL DEBTORS OF THE COMPANY ARE DIRECTED TO DELIVER THEIR PAYMENT CHEQUES ISSUED IN FAVOUR OF FRANCIS OF FRANCOM GLOBAL LIMITED (IN VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) DIRECTLY TO THE LIQUIDATOR AT HIS OFFICE AS STATED HEREUNDER. ALSO ALL CREDITORS, PAST OR PRESENT OFFICERS OR AGENTS OF THE COMPANY WHO ARE IN CUSTODY OF ANY ASSETS OF THE COMPANY ARE DIRECTED TO YIELD SAME OVER FORTHWITH TO THE LIQUIDATOR AT HIS OFFICE. MISS ROSE EZIHE UCHE ESQ THE LIQUIDTOR J.J. IYIEKE & CO, SOLICITORS 9 THOMAS ADEBOYE STREET, OLOWORA- ISHERI, LAGOS

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT,AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OTUNBA OLUSEGUN OLAREWAJU PRESIDENT 2. ABAYOMI BOLA BALOGUN SECRETARY AIMS: 1. TO CARE FOR THE WELFARE OF ITS MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

I, OLANIYI JOHN OLAIFA 3, BIMA CLOSE AREA 11, GARKI, ABUJA LOST THE ORIGINAL COPY OF RE-CERTIFICATION COPY BELONGING TO DR. REMI ILUPEJU WITH FILE NO. OS10287 DISTRICT MABUSHI LOCATED AT PLOT SIZE 1012.60sqm ALL EFFORTS MADE TO TRACE THE DOCUMENT PROVED ABORTIVE. IF FOUND, RETURN TO NEAREST POLICE STATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. GODWIN DANIEL 4. EZEME CLIFFORD 2. AUGUSTINE OJOBO 5. ALEXANDER ABONYI 3. KENETH JOHNSON AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. TO FOSTER GOOD RELATIONSHIP AMONG MEMBER. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

PAGE 47

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

EXCELLENT POWER GOSPEL MINISTRY

NIGERIAN ASSOCIATION OF NOTORIES PUBLIC

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR JULIUS IGBINOSA ODIASE 2. PASTOR BLESSING NGOZI ODIASE 3. MR TRIUMPH IGBINOSA 4. REV. EHIOROBO ODIASE AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. TO MINISTRY THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACROSS THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD. 2. TO SUPPORT RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS THAT WILL FURTHER THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST LIKE CHURCHES, EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS ORPHANGES AND HOSPITALS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION OF ITS INTENTION TO APPLY TO ALTER ITS CONSTITUTION WITH THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMSSION, ABUJA PURSUANT TO SEC. 594 OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, CAP C20 LFN2004 TO REFLECT THE NEW NAME. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TECHNICAL ANALYST SOCIETY THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED SOCIETY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. BABATUNDE THOMAS 2. SOYELE OLUMIDE PRESIDENT 3. ADELEYE ABIODUN ADEBOLA 4. ABIODUN BABALOLA SECRETARY 5. ADESHINA ADETUNJI 6. BANKOLE DAVID AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROVIDE CENTRALIZED EXCHANGE AND INFORMATION OF VARIOUS CENTERS. 2. TO PROMOTE THE USE AND ACCEPTANCE OF TECHNICAL ANALYSIS AS A VALUEBLE RESOURCE FOR ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN MARKET ANALYSIS, BOTH PROFESSIONALLY AND PRIVATELY. 3. TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS, TECHNIQUES AND METHODS USED IN THE APPLICATION OF TECHNICAL ANALYSIS. 4. TO ENCOURAGE NETWORKING BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL ANALYSIS BOTH WITHIN NIGERIA AND AROUND THE WORLD. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: MRS PRICILLA JUMBO 07037969222

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

ALYATAMA AND DA’AWAH FOUNDATION

NWAUDO FOUNDATION

NEW DESTINY INTERNATIONAL CHURCH THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR BANKS ANTHONY OYINKURO 2. MRS NGOZI BANKS 3. MR ADAGA GOD’SGIFT EDWIN 4. MR PREYE ERE 5. MR MIEBI DEBEKEME 6. MRS STANLIANA AGBOBU 7. MR TUBODIENYEFA YEN AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: ROTIMI OBASUYI, ESQ

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. RABIU SALISU - CHAIRMAN 6. KABIRU SULEIMAN 2. HARUNA SAIDU - SECRETARY 7. ALH. ALI ADAMU UMAR 3. ABDULLAHI HARUNA 8. HAMISU YUNUSA 4. ADAMU MUAZU 9. MUSA HUSAINI 5. ABDURRAHMAN USMAN AIMS 1. TO PROVIDE SHELTER, FOOD, CLOTHING, HEALTH FACILITIES, SOCIAL WELFARE, CONVENTIONAL AND ISLAMIC EDUCATION TO ORPHANS, CHILDREN WITH SINGLE PARENTS, LESS PRIVILEGED CHILDREN, PRISONERS, WIDOWS, AND RESTIVE YOUTH AND NEW CONVERTS. 2. TO PROMOTE THE SOCIAL WELLBEING, AND PROMOTE SCHOLARSHIP, VOCATIONAL TRAINING TO THE AFORE MENTIONED PERSONS. 3. TO BRING HOPE, PEACE AND JOY TO THE ORPHANAGES, WIDOWS, LESS PRIVILEGED CHILDREN AND THE NEW CONVERTS, AND RENDER ASSISTANCE FINANCIALLY, SOCIALLY AND MORALLY. 4. TO PROPAGATE THE RELIGION OF ISLAM THROUGH PREACHING, TEACHING AND BRING AWARENESS AND GOOD TEACHING OF ISLAM. 5. TO ENLIGHTEN AND EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE MISCONCEPTION OF ISLAM. 6. TO ORGANIZE LECTURES, SYMPOSIUM AND PREACHING TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC TOWARDS ERADICATION OF ILLITERACY, POVERTY, UNEMPLOYMENT, BAD CONDUCTS/ BEHAVIORS AND ACT OF VIOLENCE. 7. TO DISCOURAGE YOUTH IN ENGAGING OR PARTICIPATING IN ANY VIOLENT ACTIVITIES THAT WILL DISRUPT THE PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE IN THE SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

HOPE FOR THE ANAWIN FOUNDATION WORLDWIDE

ALL CHRISTIANS FELLOWSHIP MISSION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR CHANGE OF ITS AIMS AND OBJECTIVES UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES REMAIN THE SAME AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROPAGAGTE THE FULL GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN ALL PARTS OF NIGERIA AND BEYOND. 2. TO ENGAGE IN SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY WORK BY ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING FACILITIES FOR THE NEEDY. 3. TO CREATE, PROMOTE, SET UP AND USE OF PENSION AND ENDOWMENT FUNDS FOR FURTHERANCE OF THE OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES OF THE MISSION. 4. TO ESTABLISH, MAINTAIN AND OPERATE YOUTH CENTERS, RECREATION CENTRES AND YOUTH CAMPS. 5. TO PEACH AND PRACTICE HOLY LIVING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCRIPTURES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS CHANGE SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EMMANUEL EKECHUKWU 5. MRS CHIOMA BENA CHIEKE 2. NWOKO KENNETH CHINEDU 6. MRS VERONICA ONYEBUCHI 3. MRS MARIA-STELLA UGOCHUKWU 7. UZO ANOZIE AYOKA 4. REV. FR. CHARLES UGO 8. MICHAEL UGO AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF THE LESS PRIVILEGED. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: EMMANUEL NWAGWU ESQ 08037788519

SIGNED: CHAIRMAN

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

AFRICAN INITIATIVE FOR CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS

IMO INDIGENES ASSOCIATION, ZAMFARA STATE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. SOLOMON MUSA ODOLE 2. ABUBAKAR ABDULLASAN 3. EJERENWA CAROLINE AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. TO ENLIGHTEN THE PUBLIC ON ONLINE SAFETY AND INFORMATION 2. TO ENHANCE AWARENESS ON CYBER SAFETY [AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND FOR THEM TO KNOW ABOUT THE SOCIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES RELATED TO INTERNET USAGE. 3. TO EDUCATE ALL INTERNET USERS ON SAFE ONLINE HABITS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR. INNOCENT ANOKURU 4. MR EMMANUEL ANOKWURU 2. MR MIKE DABINZE 5. MR CHIKE EHIRIM 3. MR EZE UWAKWE EZENWA 6. MR JOHN NWANERI AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. TO ENCOURAGE BROTHERLY LOVE, UNITY AND PROGRESS. 2. TO PROMOTE THE GOOD NAME OF IMO STATE AND ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO BE LAW ABIDING CITIZENS OF THE STATE AND TO CREATE A FORUM WHERE IMPORTANT ISSUES OF INTEREST ARE DISCUSSED. 3. TO PROMOTE CO-OPERATION, BROTHERLY LOVE TO EVERY MEMBER 4. TO ASSIST AND HELP MEMBERS IN NEED. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: PWAHOMDI M. LASCO ESQ P.M. LASCO AND CO. NO. 12, ZARIA ROAD, GUSAU, ZAMFARA STATE

SIGNED: SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

IKECHUKWU UCHENDU 2.

ESTHER UCHECHUKWU UCHENDU 3.

CHUKWUMA UCHENDU 4.

CHINAZAEKPERE CHRISTIANA UCHENDU AIMS 1. TAKING CARE OF WIDOWS: BASED ON THIS I HAVE BEING CARING FOR WIDOWS IN MANY CHURCHES, COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS. 2. CARING FOR ORPHANAGE HOMES 3. ASSISTING THE WIDOWERS 4. ORGANIZATION FOOTBALL TROPHY FOR YOUTHS ONCE IN EVERY YEAR. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Too little, too late for Madrid as Dortmund gets through

R

eal Madrid scored two goals in the last seven minutes to beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at the Bernabeu but it was not enough to progress as the German side booked a place in the Champions League final with a 4-3 aggregate victory.

The last 10 minutes were daunting for Borussia Dortmund who worked to survive a frantic finish at the Bernabeu and thus earned a place in the Champions League final despite the two late goals

by Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema in the 83 and 88 minutes.

Real,who trailed 4-1 from the first leg, needed to score three times without reply to progress but wasted a series of early chances in an open game.

In deed from the beginning they attempted to turn the heat on the Germans who defended bravely.

The half ended in a rather drab manner as Real failed to breakdown Dortmund and on resumption, the German champions stepped up performance and created several chances which sadly they were unable to convert.

Twice in the half the hit the bar even as Real seemed frustrated as they continued in search of the opener which soon after Kaka and Benzema came on.

Real had a penalty appeal turned down before the end as Dortmund held on.

Bayern Munich and Barcelona will settle the other ticket for the May 25 final.

Barca are 0-4 disadvantage. of May at the FIFA Goal Project Abuja," Abubakar disclosed.

Pillars, Heartland to replay

P

illars and Enugu Rangers have been ordered to replay their abandoned Week 8 league match on May 29 in Abuja by the League Management Company (LMC).

LMC chief Operating officer Salihu Abubakar confirmed the decision after listening to both clubs presentations on Monday and Tuesday. "We have ordered a replay of the game on the 29th.

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QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE Anyone, whether at the party or presidential level, who thinks they can clip the wings of the (state) governors is wasting their time..

— Dr. Mu’azu Bababangida Aliyu, Niger state Governor and Chairman, Northern states’ Governors Forum

Kuku in Abacha’s cocoon T

he speech last week in Washington, DC, delivered by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Kingsley Kuku, in which he threatened the Americans that oil would not be mined in Nigeria's Niger Delta if the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, does not get a further term of office from 2015 should officially mark the commencement of the mandate government has given to persuaders.

In that famous speech, Kuku was reported by ThisDay as insisting that "the current peace, safety and security in Niger Delta was tied to the continued stay in office of President Goodluck Jonathan in office." Does that remind you of Wada Nas? Kuku who spoke at an interactive session with very Senior State Department officials led by the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Bureau of African Affairs) Ambassador Donald Teibeltaum, said that it is "only Jonathan Presidency that can guarantee continued peace and energy security in the Niger Delta." As Simon Kolawole brilliantly wrote in 2010 in an essay "Youth Earnestly Ask for Jonathan," this is a path we have trodden before.

Simon wrote in that piece that persuaders, of which Kuku eminently qualifies as one, "all claim to be doing some good and fighting for justice and equity and fairness. The impression being created is that the President does not know anything about it. It is Nigerians who are trying to exercise their freedom of speech.

But haven't we been here before?"

The campaigners for Jonathan's second, or is it third term, are not in any significant manner different from those who campaigned for military dictators such as General Sani Abacha, and those well-known faces who stood there to canvass for President Obasanjo's constitutional amendment to make for a third term of office.

Chief Anthony Anenih, Senator Ibrahim Mantu and Ojo Maduekwe, three very powerful men now around President Jonathan, played exactly the same roles for Abacha; for Obasanjo and they are now doing that for Dr. Jonathan. Also in that infamous league is Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe, a former Ambassador and Chairman of a succession of important federal boards including the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, who Newswatch quoted as saying: "the UNCP must not renege on the decision to present General Sani Abacha as its flag-bearer. For,

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MUSINGS By

Garba Shehu garshehu@yahoo.co.in

Kingsley Kuku contrary to utterances by a few people who have access to the press, the majority of the people are in support of continuity of General Abacha. They are in alignment with the regime's efforts and eagerly want to give him a stronger mandate come August 1, 1998."

In words similar to those read out by Kuku in America, Daniel Kanu, leader of Youths Earnestly Ask for Abacha, YEAA, said "the youths will not only go on hunger strike but would cripple the economy and make the country ungovernable if Abacha refuses to succeed himself."

In that Newswatch report, the late Sultan Maccido said of Abacha: "we have looked carefully around

and hasten to say that you are the person fully qualified to occupy the seat". For Prince Arthur Eze, "our lives are in the hands of Abacha. It is either Abacha or war."

During that period, even men of scholarly bent and of sound erudition like Dr. Ibrahim Tahir lost all moral courage and temperament to join the bandwagon. Tahir said since George Washington was adopted, there was nothing that stops Abacha from being adopted like the former American President.

Pundits like Simon who try to make a distinction between what Jonathan is trying to do and that which the army generals did miss one point. The words of a man are his band. If a man

voluntarily enters into an agreement on a given matter as Jonathan did with the Governors, he or she is bound to keep that.

He stops being a gentleman the moment he gets no constipation from eating his own words. In politics, the greatest sin is hypocrisy, which is saying one thing and doing the opposite. No constitution or court of law can absolve a man of his moral burden in situations of honour such as we are dealing with.

The Americans to whom Kuku went to launch the President's politics of brinkmanship cannot be swayed by cheap blackmail. Don't forget that the U.S. just called the bluff of the North Korean dictator, the dangerous 29-year-old Kim Jung-Un and the skies have not fallen. To say that Niger Delta will boil and the amnesty will crash if Jonathan doesn't get four more years in 2015 is a silly threat. In any case, we are already there.

Amnesty in the Niger Delta has broken down. Today, pipelines are being broken and oil to the tune of 300,000 barrels per day is being stolen. This is three times more oil than Ghana proudly produces. Is it also not a fact that the killing of soldiers and policemen has resumed? What about piracy, for which Nigeria is rapidly gaining a notoriety? We just overtook Somalia as the world's most dangerous maritime waters. As I write, five sailors were kidnapped in the morning on Nigerian waters aboard their ship. Can it get any worse than this?

As one politician in the North said in a recent newspaper article, Niger Delta leaders should call off such threats as saying that they would stop restraining their youth.

The question he asked such "leaders" is that are you the only ones who have youth?

The Kukus of this world should break out of their cocoons and wake up to a wisened, democratic Nigeria.

“

The Americans to whom Kuku went to launch the President's politics of brinkmanship cannot be swayed by cheap blackmail.

Don't forget that the U.S. just called the bluff of the North Korean dictator, the dangerous 29-year-old Kim Jung-Un and the skies have not fallen. To say that Niger Delta will boil and the amnesty will crash if Jonathan doesn't get four more years in 2015 is a silly threat. In any case we are already there. Amnesty in the Niger Delta has broken down. Today, pipelines are being broken and oil to the tune of 300,000 barrels per day is being stolen

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