Peoples Daily Newspaper, Saturday 01, June, 2013

News

COVER

Special Report

Jonathan’s many wars

– 9,10,11

Vol. 3 No. 42

Why we are planning review of almajiri, begging in Kano – Hisbah

SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

– 8 & 14

Lightening kills pregnant woman in Kaduna

RAJAB 23 - 24, 1434 AH

-2

N150

How soldiers tortured groom to death over GSM phone -7

News JTF frees 58 Boko Haram insurgents in Borno, Yobe -2

Kannywood

I have sang about 50 Islamic songs, says Fadar Bege -24 Some members of Boko Haram released by JTF yesterday

Page 2

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

News Extra

JTF frees 58 Boko Haram suspects in Borno, Yobe From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

M

ilitary authorities in Borno state yesterday released 20 suspected members of the Boko Haram sect and handed them over to Governor Kashim Shettima. 38 of them were also released to the Yobe state government.

The suspects, who looked hale and hearty, were escorted into the Borno Government House by military personnel.

Spokesman for the Joint Military Task Force, (JTF) Lt-Col. Sagir Musa, accompanied by other top military personnel of the 21 Armoured Brigade, Maiduguri and operatives of the

State Security Service, (SSS) at a brief ceremony, handed over the suspects to Governor Kashim Shettima at the Government House, Maiduguri.

According to Lt- Col. Musa, the measure followed President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent pardon granted to some insurgents being held at various military formations.

The JTF spokesman told the governor that the 20 insurgents, comprising of six women as well as 14 boys, ages between nine and 14, had been arrested at various locations for allegedly concealing arms, ammunition and Improvised Explosives Devices, (IEDs) for top members of the sect.

He said the freed persons were equally found to have been involved in planting IEDs at various military and civilian locations, in addition to providing information to the militants on the movements of security forces for planning of attacks on them.

“Your Excellency, these persons are active members of the insurgents and engaged as informants as well as hiding of weapons and planting of explosives at civilian and military formations”, he further told the governor.

The spokesman added that the suspects were released to the government for rehabilitation and re-integration into the larger society

L-R: Commissioner for Education, Niger State, Mr. Danladi Umar Abdulhameed, Director Human Resource, National Orientation Agency(NOA) Mr. David Mayan Dogo and the Author of the Book, Dr. Rosemary Nwangwu, at the Public Presentation of The “Transformational Teacher” A Practical Handbook for Head Teachers and Principals, on Thursday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

in line with President Jonathan directive.

Receiving the freed persons, Governor Shettima thanked the President for his foresight, magnanimity and courage for pardoning the sect members, which demonstrated his commitment and quest for the return of peace and normalcy in the state and the country at large.

He equally commended the security agencies for safe keeping the freed persons and handing them over to government in good health.

“We will do our part by ensuring that they are integrated into the larger society after rehabilitation to become better citizens. The Federal Government has shown the commitment by releasing the wives and children of Boko Haram sect members under detention. We would admit the women into our develpment centres for rehabilitation while the children, we are going to hand them over to the ministry of women affairs and advertise for their parents to come and receive them after they might have written an undertaking to enroll them in schools, “Shettima said.

The governor also said the boys will be enrolled into schools to acquire formal education and promised all parents who ensure that their children attend classes for a complete 30 days, a N10,000 monthly stipend.

Shettima however urged the women to turn a new leaf and not to regress their steps back to the wrong path, saying government would unveil effective rehabilitation and enpowerment scheme for them that would yield fruitful impact to their families and the society at large.

JTF commences handing over Boko Haram suspects From Uche Uche, Damaturu

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he Military Joint Task Force (JTF) in Yobe state has commenced the release and handing over of Boko Haram suspects in its custody to the state government with a release of 17 women and 21 children aged between One (1) to Seven (7) years old.

At the handover of the suspects to the state government, represented by the chairman of a 12 member committee set up by the state government, Commissioner for justice and State Attorney-General, Barrister Ahmed Mustafa Goniri, the Spokesman of the JTF, Lt. Eli Lazarus who spoke on behalf of the JTF Commander, said the handing over was in compliance with the directive of the Defence Headquarters to release such detainees in batches.

He said the release is the first of its kind while praying that it would serve the purpose it is expected to achieve.

“It is our purpose that this release would serve the purpose it is meant to achieve, Lazarus said Responding on behalf of the state government, the AttorneyGeneral, Barrister Ahmed Mustafa Goniri thanked the JTF for taking such bold initiative which he said would go a long way in restoring peace in the various communities and the state in general.

He pointed out that the state

government has for this purpose, set up a high powered committee in order to receive and rehabilitate those detained suspects to be released after rehabilitation to

their various towns and villages and to their relations.

He said the mandate of the committee is to rehabilitate those suspects, give them some

token that would enable them set up some businesses of their own adding that Yobe state government is well committed towards achieving this objective.

Gov Al-makura’s Director of Press escapes robbery attack From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

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he Director of Press Affairs (DOPA) to Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura, Mallam Iliyasu Ali Yakubu, yesterday evening, escaped a robbery attempt, shortly after NasarawaEggon, on his way back to Lafia, after attending an assignment in Karu.

Mallam Iliyasu told Peoples Daily Weekend that he was on his way to Lafia, in his Camry car, when shortly after leaving Nasarawa-Eggon, he ran into a robbery operation mounted by some hoodlums dressed in army fatigues and wielding dangerous weapons.

According to him, he was in company of an armed police escort who realizing the situation, fired at one of the robbers approaching their car.

“The orderly fired at the approaching robber from inside the car, shattering the windscreen, with the robber veering away and running off into the bush,” the DOPA narrated.

Peoples Daily Weekend recalls that barely four days ago, another robbery took place at the same

spot, involving the Nasarawa state correspondent of the Sun newspaper, Abdullahi Shuaibu, who was travelling with two others in a car on their way to Akwanga.

One of the robbery victims, Mallam Suleiman Tafida, a resident of Nasarawa-Eggon, told our correspondent, that they were on their way back after attending a function in Lafia, when they ran into the robbery operation on the

outskirts of Nasarawa-Eggon.

“It was getting to past seven o’clock in the evening and we met this long traffic hold-up.

Initially, we thought it was a police checkpoint but soon realized it was a robbery operation as the robbers approached our vehicle, asking us to come down and hand over monies in our possession, together with our handsets,” Suleiman narrated.

Lightning kills pregnant woman in Kaduna From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

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esidents of Shanono in Rigasa a suburb of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna metropolis on Wednesday night were thrown into confusion when thunder storm followed with lightning struck and killed an eight months pregnant woman, Maryam Abdulkadir inside her room.

The incidence which made most of the people, especially women who saw her lifeless body lying inside the room shed tears

occurred during a heavy down fall around 7:30 pm that fateful day.

It was gathered that the deceased was due to give birth to her first baby this month June when the tragedy occurred.

‘Maryam was eight months pregnant with her first child when she was hit by the lightening that night,” said her grandmother.

Neighbors told Peoples Daily Weekend that the noise that emanated from the lightning scared them all but that when they heard the deceased’s sister screaming for help, they knew something awful had happened.

Community aid STF to arrest insurgents

By Joy Baba

A

group of terrorists moving from village to village in search of large quantity of food were tracked and apprehended following a tip off from civilians.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information,(DDI) Brig Gen Chris Olukolade in Abuja, yesterday.

According to the statement “the intensive cordon and search operation being conducted by the troops of the Special Forces received a major boost from civilian cooperation in communities close to locations being focused on the operation on Friday.

“The group which was moving around in a Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep with registration number Borno XA 428 ADM, which is suspected to have been stolen was eventually arrested at Daban Masara with weapons such as AK 47 rifle, single barrel shotgun, double hand shotgun and various calibres of ammunition”.

Kano Lebanese community dissociates self from Hezbollah armoury From Edwin Olofu, Kano

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he Lebanese community in Kano has distanced itself from the arms cache recovered by the Nigerian security agents that was linked to international terrorist organization, Hezbollah.

Briefing reporters in Kano in its first reaction to the shocking discovery, Chairman of the community, Tahir Fadlallah stated that the Lebanese Community ‘’unequivocally condemn crime in whatever form’’.

Tahir Fadlallah, who is the chairman of Tahir Guest palace in Kano said that “with almost a century of our stay in Kano, we have never been associated with any crime that threatened the peace of our host’’.

Tahir Fadlallah said that ‘’the community is ready and willing to cooperate with security and law enforcement agencies in their efforts to counter any act or activities associated or related to terrorists act’’.

The three unnamed Lebanese nationals arrested over the discovery of cache of arms have reportedly been released just as the Lebanese community in Kano has distanced itself from the weapons recovered by the Nigerian security agents that was linked to international terrorist organization, Hezbollah.

Though the circumstance to their release could not be ascertained as at press time, a reliable source told Peoples Daily that they have been released.

However, briefing reporters in Kano in its first reaction to the shocking discovery, the Chairman also revealed that the Lebanese community will give their full and unwavering confidence in the ability of the relevant authorities to carry out thorough investigations with a view to bring the culprits to justice.

Tahir also threatened to take legal action against a newspaper report (not Peoples Daily) that said he was arrested in connection with the discovery. “I am not involved and prepared to initiate a legal action to clear my name.

News

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 1 - SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

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Baba Suwe: Appeal Court voids N25m damages against NDLEA From Matthew Irinoye, Lagos

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ustice Rita Pemu of an Appeal Court sitting in Igbosere, Lagos, yesterday set aside the judgement of Justice Yetunde Idowu of an Ikeja High Court, awarding a damage sum of N25m against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over alleged infringement of the fundamental human rights of the Lagos based popular actor and comedian, Babatunde Omidina also known as Baba Suwe.

The appellate court in its judgment held that the NDLEA has the prerogative to keep the respondent in custody while investigation is being carried out.

Justice Pemu also declared that the Lagos High Court does not have the jurisdiction to entertain in the first place the funda-

mental human rights suit filed by Bamidele Aturu on behalf of the comedian, adding that it is only the Federal High Court that has the right to adjudicate on same more especially when it is a drug related matter.

The appellate court therefore held that the award of the damage sum by the trial judge is excessive, unrealistic and pervaded.

According to Justice Pemu, “The constitution stipulates the right to personal liberty. The results of the CT scan carried out on the respondent were in line with the appellant’s suspicion.

“The appellant took note of the respondent’s rights and that was why it applied for an extension of time to keep the respondent in custody which the Federal

High Court presided over by retired Justice Okeke rightly granted.

The detention of the respondent is therefore not unreasonable.”

The agency had arrested the comedian on October 12, 2011 at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport on his way to Paris, France and detained him beyond the constitutional provision of 24 hours without formerly arraigning him before a court of competent record over alleged complicity in the ingestion of hard drugs.

It would be recalled that Justice Idowu of the Lagos High Court in Ikeja had on November 24, 2011 ordered the NDLEA to pay the N25 million judgment fee awarded against it to Omidina within 21 days from the day the judgement was delivered.

ACN decries Varsity fee hike in Kogi From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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he Action Congress of Nigeria in Kogi State has decried the hike in tuition fees by the state tertiary institutions, describing the action as unreasonable.

In a statement in Lokoja, the chairman of the party, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo said the release of government white paper on views and recommendations of the visitation panels to tertiary institutions, which also recommended payment of N50, 000 tuition fees for both students of colleges of education and polytechnics, would throw many students out of schools.

Similarly, he averred that a situation where students of the state university would be asked to pay N100, 000 as tuition fees, would

only amount to taking tertiary education beyond the reach of the poor.

He pointed out that some parents have more than a ward in tertiary institution, even as some students are striving to pay their tuition fees on their own, adding that the position of the state government is like asking these unfortunate students to withdraw from school.

Ametuo stressed that the former governor of the state, Prince Abubakar Audu established the state university and polytechnic to bring tertiary education closer to the door steps of the masses, maintaining that with the new development, only the rich can afford to send their children

to school.

He therefore called on the well meaning people of the state, leaders and traditional rulers to advise the state government to drop the unpopular policy before it throws the state into serious crisis.

He stressed that the action of the PDP-led government had only confirmed that the party has no interest of the masses at heart, urging the electorates to vote them out in the next general elections.

According to the ACN chairman, the present administration, rather than concentrate on how to deliver gains of democracy with the federation account, had resorted to make life unbearable for the people, majority of whom are down trodden.

Boko Haram crisis must be resolved by politicians, says Don From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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Professor of Islamic Studies at the Department of Religions, University of Ilorin, Prof. Yasir Anjola Quadri has noted that the solution to the Boko Haram sect and other crisis in the country could not be attained through religious emotions.

Rather, he said, Nigerian politicians must be ready to build the nation and allow peace to reign.

Quadri, a pioneer Lecturer at the University of Ilorin who stated this while delivering the 133rd inaugural lecture of the institution entitled “All in the name of God”, noted that ethnicity, fear of domination of a group are major factors responsible for series of crisis in Nigeria.

He recalled how Islamic clerics in the past were being executed and persecuted by traditionalists, Muslim associations all in the name of God said hostility against Muslims in the past, did not escalate into war against the federal

government.

Quadri who charged Nigerians to respect each other’s religions, said “Nigerians need to tolerate one another and respect the religious teaching of one another as long as such teachings do not infringe on other Nigerians’ rights. Nigerians need mutual understanding to move the country forward.

“Everybody needs to enjoy religious freedom guaranteed by section 38 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, just as everybody is free to propagate his\ her religion within a reasonable limit without attempting to force one’s religion either overtly or covertly on others,” he said.

Quadri while speaking on the action of Boko Haram sect, said the group are not fighting for Islam but using religion as camouflage.

“From all indications, the group is not an Islamic organisation. Its demands and mode of operation are far from being Islamic, for example, it opposes man-made laws and westernisation. It seeks to

establish Shari’ah law in the country.

“Sharia’ah is already being implemented in the country in the states that enacted law to that effect. The only exception is the South-Western Nigeria where Muslims have been consistently denied the Shari’ah legal system by their various governors”.

The University don who quoted many verses of Qur’an and Hadith said “Boko Haram is not an agent of Islam, it is the handiwork of the destructive Nigerian politicians.

“If Nigeria must know peace, the Nigerian politicians must resolve to achieve it not through the manipulation of religion but by becoming nation builders”.

He also urged the federal government to solve the problem of poverty in the country while parents should take good care of their children especially the disabled ones in order not to push them to street begging.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and District 9125 Governor (2012/2013) of Rotary, Mr. Felix Obadan at the 4th Rotary District Conference 2013 on Friday in Abuja.

Dangote to build 150,000 metric tonnes sugar refinery in Jigawa

From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

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he Chairman Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has declared interest to construct a 150,000 metric tonnes sugar refinery in Jigawa.

Alhaji Dangote stated this yesterday at the closing ceremony of the First Jigawa Economic and Investments Summit held at the Sir Ahmadu Bello Hall, Dutse.

He said the Summit opened a window for investors to the state and he has taken a solemn decision to exploit the vast sugarcane production taking place at Kaugama Local Government along the Hadejia river valley.

Apart from serving as a market for sugarcane producing farmers from the area, the company, according to him, would also be

able to employ up to 15,000 people from the state.

Also at the occasion, the Diamond Bank Plc representative Alhaji Muhammed Shuaibu assured of the bank’s readiness to bring forth prospective clients that would invest in agriculture, healthcare and the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) at the Maigatari border town of Niger republic.

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

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Images

Participants in group photograph, when the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) organised Human Capital Development Workshop held in Zaria, recently in Kaduna State.

Chief Imam of Kontagora Mall Shehu Rimaye conducting the funeral prayer for the late Gen Mamman Kontagora on Thursday in Kontagora.

L-R: Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Ambassador Nuhu Audu Bajoga, Director of NYSC Kaduna State, Mrs. Victoria Ango and Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Alhaji Hamza Mahawayi, during the farewell dinner for 2013 Batch ‘B’ Corps members on Thursday in Kaduna.

L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi with his Counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), after Fayemi’s Victory, at the Supreme Court on Friday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Kano state Governor, Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso (centre) in a meeting with the President of Samuels International Associates, Inc, Amb. Michael A. Samuel (left) and the Deputy Head of Mission of the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, Ambassador Maurice Archibong (left) at Capital Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas, United states.

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

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News

Functional government exists in Nasarawa Democracy Day: Gov. not a gang of thieves, says el Rufa’i Shema From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

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ith the visible change taking place in Nasarawa, Malam Nasir el Rufa’I, former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has said the people of the state now know what it means to have a government rather than a gang of thieves.

Malam el Rufa’I stated this Thursday, on the occasion of the commissioning ceremony of the Nasarawa Geographic Information Service (NAGIS), in Karu, Nasarawa state.

Conceived and executed at the cost of N2.7bn by the Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura administration, NAGIS, according to el Rufa’I, is far advanced than the Abuja Geographic Information Service (AGIS), which he set up in 2003 and is capable of generating revenue to the state from land, “more than its monthly federal allocation.”

While commending the Nasarawa state government for the feat, which he described as the only one embarked by a state governor across the country, the former minister said Al-makura has set a standard, with the digital maps to be generated from the project being the most advanced in the country.

“Once again, you are setting a standard. Abuja used to be the standard but from today, Nasarawa state is a new standard for geographic information service,” he added.

Sharing from experience, el Rufa’I disclosed that prior to the setting up of AGIS, the highest revenue from land made by the

FCT was N248 m yearly but that within the first year of AGIS, land revenue shot up to N9 bn.

“The N2.7 bn you spent on this project, I assure you, from the Karu area alone, you will recover it from the first year. And by the time this project is replicated round the state, you will find that you are making more money from land revenue than what you are getting from the federal

allocation,” el Rufa’I assured.

The former minister added that with the execution of similar projects across the state, “I have no doubt that the people of Nasarawa now know the difference between having a government and a gang of thieves,” urging the people of the state to reciprocate by voting massively for the governor and the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the next election.

Earlier in his address, Governor Al-makura, recalled that it has become imperative to consider effective control measures as a result of the haphazard and indiscriminate physical development taking place in cities across the state, with the ugly trend most visible in the Mararaba-Karu-Keffi axis because of its proximity to the FCT.

From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

P

L-R: Chief Operations Officer, BEETA Universal Arts Foundation (BUAF), Bikiya Graham-Douglas, Artistic Director, National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr. Martin Adaji with Students of various schools in FCT, during the 2013 National Schools Dramatized storytelling Competition, with the theme, “Nigeria, a hundred years of existence, our story so far”, organized by BUAF, over the weekend in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Brazilian companies to invest in roads’ sector

By Miriam Humbe

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he Minister of Works, Arc Mike Onolememen has thrown open the doors of investment in the roads sector to Brazillian companies who have indicated their interest to operate in the nation’s economy.

The minister gave this consent when he received in audience, a trade mission comprising of 30 companies who are said to be specialized in road construction, high-ways and bridges, agricultural production of rice and poultry among others, from the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil led by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Brazil, Mr Vincent Okoedion.

He said Nigeria presently “has an average of 200, 000 kilometres of roads yet what we need to drive our economy is about 300, 000. It means we still have a deficit of about 100.000 kilometres”.

Onolememen said because of the problem of funding, government cannot handle all the projects alone and urged the visitors to “come and partake in the development of roads

urged to focus on people oriented projects

infrastructure in the country”, adding that the ministry will be ready to partner with them on a Public-Private-Partnership arrangement in conformity with

the Public Procurement Act. While speaking earlier, the Ambassador said he brought the team to the country to discuss with the minister in view of the fact that

“There are a number of projects waiting to be concessioned. That is why I brought these companies to discuss these issues with the minister”.

eoples Democratic Party Chieftain in Katsina State, Alhaji Dahiru Kurfi has called on the State governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema to focus his attention more on people oriented projects so that his people will enjoy the dividends of democracy in the state.

The Chieftain disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna to mark Democracy Day celebration.

According to him, late Yar’adua’s administration was missed because of his tremendous achievements in the 8 year tenure he served as governor of the state.

“His projects were people oriented; this is why an average Katsina indigene still misses him today. We hope Governor Shema will do the same for the benefit of the people in the state. People voted for PDP in 2011 election because of the performance of late Umaru Yar’adua. Therefore the performance of Governor Shema will determine the position of the party come 2015 election.

“If you ask me to score Shema’s government for now, I think I will give him 40 per cent because people are yet to see the so called dividends of democracy he promised during his campaign.

“Today in Katsina people are not happy with the state leadership because there is disconnect between them and the ordinary man in the state,” he said.

Idah Poly decries poor funding From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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he Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Idah, FPI, kogi state, Professor Mathew Akpata has attributed the infrastructural problem facing the institution to poor funding by the federal government.

Akpata who stated this yesterday at the visitation by the Senate Committee on Education which had invited heads of the three federal institutions in the state to Lokoja for a closed door meeting said his administration though with little resources, was able to bring the institution to an enviable height in terms of infrastructural and academic developments.

He said the institution is yet to access N 500 million from Tertiary Education Fund, TETFUND due to

one logistic problem or the other but however said the polytechnic didn’t relent in its efforts to ensuring adequate provision of infrastructural facilities to enhance a conducive atmosphere for students and staff of the institution.

On the ongoing strike, the Rector regretted that the matter could not be resolved which according to him, has taken a hard toll on the students and their parents.

He appealed to the federal government and the unions to ensure amicable resolution of the impasse and increase the funds for polytechnics in the country to promote productivity.

“The industrial dispute is not helping matters as the students are the worst hit. We are calling on the federal government and

the academic unions to look for a way out of the logjam because it is not good for both sides,” he remarked.

Speaking, Acting Bursar of the

school, Mathew Oni reiterated that till the issue of parity is addressed, the pains will remain and to ensure conducive atmosphere, there should be harmonisation.

Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Page 6

Crime Cycle

Man remanded in Ikoyi prisons for allegedly stabbing friend

Inspector General of Police, MD Abubakar

Salesman arraigned over alleged N3.4m theft

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33-year-old salesman, Fabian Ejembi, who allegedly stole drugs and money to the tune of N3.4 million, appeared before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Ejembi, who resides at No. 19, Ayoola St., Bariga, Lagos, is facing a count charge.

The Prosecutor, ASP A. C. Orji, told the court that the accused stole the drugs and money from his employer, God’s Own Pharmacy, located at No. 24, Church St., Lagos Island.

Orji said that the theft occurred between November, 2012 and May, 2013.

He submitted that the pharmacy was owned by Mr Anthony Emenime, and that the accused had been working there as a salesman since 2007.

“It was discovered that from November, 2012 to May 2013, the

accused had stolen various drugs with a total monetary value of N2,380,080.

“He also collected the sum of N1,114, 800 from various customers of the pharmacy without remitting it,” Orji said.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 285 provides that any person who steals any property is guilty of a felony, and liable, if no other punishment is provided, to imprisonment for three years, Ejembi, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs Abimbola Awogboro, granted him bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

The case has been adjourned till June 25 for hearing proper. (NAN)

…As husband and wife accuse each other of infidelity in divorce suit.

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42-year-old civil servant, Adeshina Tabura, told an Ikorodu Customary Court, Lagos, that his wife’s lover used to visit their matrimonial home.

Tabura, a resident of Gbenga Salami, Ikorodu, while testifying in a divorce suit he filed, said his wife’s lover was also always threatening him through phone calls.

“My wife once confessed to me that one man saw her in a hotel and the man had been threatening her to bring money.

“She doesn’t come home every day anymore; she is always going to night vigils without her children; and I have also seen her with different men; please separate us so that she can continue her wayward life.”

The petitioner also told the court that his wife was in the habit of spending his money on her lovers.

The respondent, Adenike, 38, mother of four, denied the allegations, saying that her husband was the one involved in extra marital affairs.

“Severally, I have seen my husband

flirting with different women that I know; as he had married three wives after me and I never complained, and now he wants to marry another wife, that’s why he wants me out of his house.”

She however prayed the court to help save the marriage.

The court president, Mrs Ronke Adetola, adjourned the case till June 24, for possible reconciliation and judgment. (NAN)

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28-year- old, Charles Nwobodo, who was charged with assault for allegedly stabbing his friend with a broken bottle, has been remand in prison custody following an order of An Ojo Magistrates’ Court, in Lagos.

Magistrate Taslimi Shomade remanded the accused, of no fixed address and occupation, at the Ikoyi Prisons, pending the outcome of legal advice from the state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The prosecutor, ASP Godwin Eze, told the court that the offence was committed on May 25, at Melody Hotel, Sabo, in the Ojo area of Lagos.

He alleged that the accused, at about 2:00 a. m., stabbed one Uche Orji, his friend with a broken bottle, causing him bodily harm and injury.

“There was a quarrel between the duo which led to a fight, but by the next adjourned date, more evidences and information will be revealed to the court,” Eze said.

The offence, according to the prosecutor, contravened Section 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The case was adjourned to June 24, for the DPP’s advice. (NAN)

Court dissolves 15-month-old marriage over threat to child’s life

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n Igando Customary Court in Lagos has dissolved a 15-monthold marriage over alleged threat by the woman to the life of the only child produced by the union.

The Court President, Mr R.I. Adeyeri, said that efforts to reconcile Mr Adebayo Akomolafe, 48, and Bunmi, 29, proved futile.

“Since both parties consented to the dissolution of the marriage, the court has no choice than to dissolve the union,” he said.

Adeyeri referred the custody of the only child of the union to the Family Court.

He ordered the petitioner to pay N50,000 rehabilitation cost to Bunmi as well as allow her to pack her belongings from his residence in the presence of court officials and policemen.

Adebayo had filed a divorce suit on March 5, saying that Bunmi threatened to kill their one-year- old daughter.

The estate agent told the court that Bunmi was violent and had, at different times, threatened to stab the daughter whenever she (Bunmi) had a disagreement with him.

“Anytime we have a quarrel, she will bring out a knife or dangerous weapons like cutlass or pestle, threatening to terminate the life of the baby.

“She tells me that if she kills the child, there will be nothing between us, and that that will end the union,’’ he said.

He added that Bunmi was too demanding and quarrelled with him anytime he could not meet her demand.

In her evidence, Bunmi, a trader, did not deny the allegations.

“I always use my child to threaten him because he has refused to sleep with me since the day I delivered my baby,’’ she said.

The respondent also claimed that Adebayo’s refusal to establish a business for her, contributed to their frequent fights.

Court remands bricklayer over alleged murder of colleague

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n Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos has remanded a 21-year-old bricklayer, Alaba Jonah, at the Ikoyi Prisons, over the alleged murder of his colleague, Segun Peter.

The Magistrate, Mr O.O. Olatunji, who gave the judgment, said the accused should be kept behind bars, pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Jonah, whose address is

unknown, is facing a charge of murder.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp.

Clement Okuimoise told the court that the offence was committed on May 7 at 6.00 p.m. at Mopo Road, Ajah-- on the Lagos-Epe Expressway.

He said the accused allegedly hit the deceased with a shovel on the head at a construction site where he was a supervisor.

“There was a fight between the

accused and the deceased and in the process, the deceased was hit with a shovel by the accused and was later confirmed dead.’’

The offence, Okuimoise noted, contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The case was adjourned to July 1 for mention.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 221 provides capital punishment for a convicted murderer. (NAN)

News Feature PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 - SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

7

How soldiers murdered 25 year old groom over GSM phone in Kaduna From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

I

t was a tragedy for the family of Malam Yahaya Mohammad who resides in PRP Street, Rigasa a suburb of Kaduna metropolis when his 25 year old son, Ahmadu Yahaya was alleged to have been beaten to death by soldiers while in their custody.

It was gathered that late Ahmadu a.k.a Madu was arrested by the soldiers because a GSM phone belonging to one of the soldier’s girl friend was found in his possession.

Investigation by Peoples Daily Weekend revealed that the incident which threw residents of the area in shock, occurred on May 7, 2013.

Sources close to the family of the slain groom who was said to have been preparing for his wedding scheduled to take place soon, said he was arrested in front of his father’s elder brother’s shop at Yar Kasuwa Market, Unguwar Sanusi that day.

Reports also have it that the deceased was badly molested by the three soldiers and probably died due to internal bleeding.

“He was with me when the soldiers came in with their vehicle to arrest him. I tried to ask them his offence but one of them pointed his gun at me threatening to shoot me if I came closer. I stayed away from them but still asked them what he did”. One of them said his arrest has to do with GSM phone,” he said. According to Malam Adamu, the soldiers drove the deceased away in their vehicle, scaring people around with their guns.

It was gathered that late Madu was detained at the Military strike force base along Bakin Ruwa, Rigasa where his legs and hands were tied down like an animal. His father, Malam Yahaya Mohammed who went to see his son at the military base said he was shocked to see how his late son was treated by the soldiers.

“Nobody told me he was arrested until around 9 pm on that day that his mother told me about it. While we were discussing the issue, I received a call from the soldiers that I should go to their base, if not they will send my son to where he will never come back. “ His elder brother and myself went to see him as ordered by the soldiers.

I was shocked to see him tied down with a rope like an animal, and they were beating him in my presence ;I asked of his offence to be treated in that manner. One of them told me that a phone was found in his possession.That they only invited me there for my son to ask for my forgiveness. I was surprised to hear that from them as they insisted he must ask for forgiveness so he did and I told him in their presence that I had forgiven him for all his wrong doing", he said.

He said, after that they told him to come back the following day and pick his son. “ My son was crying pleading with me not to leave him with them because according to him, they would kill him. So I begged them not to beat him again, they promised they would not touch him as they untied his legs and hands in my presence.

Although, he couldn’t stand up due to pains and the beatings,’ the father said emotionally.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Azubuike Ihejirika

Late Ahmadu Peoples Daily Weekend further gathered that the next day when the father went back to pick his son he was told the boy has been taken for breakfast. “ I met different faces at the base that morning so I asked them after my son and they told me he has been taken to have his breakfast. It was later in the afternoon that the soldiers met me in my home to tell me my son was dead", he said.

It was learnt that the soldiers under one Colonel Abdullahi went to plead with the deceased family over the death of their son. “ They came in vehicles fully

armed with soldiers to plead with us on the incident, in fact, they offered to bury him but myself and his mother insisted we want to see the corpse of our son.

They brought his corpse to us and gave us a hundred thousand naira for his prayers.” said the father.A source told Peoples Daily Weekend that the girlfriend of one of the soldiers gave late Ahmadu the phone and was arrested out of jealousy.

Effort to reach the girl proved abortive as his family did not even know where she resides.The father of the deceased confided in Peoples Daily Weekend that

the three suspected soldiers have been detained at 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna "They called me to go and identify them which I did. They brought them out for me to see them before I was asked to give my statement which I did,” he said.

Asked if he has forgiven them for killing his son?He said “How do you expect me to forgive them, this is a clear murder. He was not killed by mistake or by a stray bullet he was murdered for a GSM phone we didn’t even know anything about", he said in tears.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 - SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

8

Special Report

Why we are planning review of almajirci, begging in Kano –Hisbah From Mustapha Adamu, Kano.

T

here are strong indications that Qur’anic teachers who are the drivers of the Almajiri system of education would resist attempts for an outright ban of the system in the face of the quest by some politicians and other opinion leaders for an outright ban of the system while others are calling for caution.

The President of the Senate, David Mark, and his colleagues penultimate Wednesdaycalled for an outright ban of the system and also challenged northern states for failure to tackle the education system.

Senators argued that the system was unIslamic and had outlived its usefulness.

Mark said, “We must admit that politicians in the North have failed over the years to stem the almajiri system.

“In fact, if anything else, it will appear that they have encouraged it or for political reasons and they’ve been scared of making a comment on it.

“I think it’s a unique opportunity for governors in the northern region to ban the almajiri system today.

“It’s a system that is counter-productive, it is a breeding ground for irresponsible miscreants and we cannot tolerate it.

“I’ve heard that it is not an Islamic injunction, I think that system ought to have been banned long ago.”

Earlier, the Kano State government had on penultimate Tuesday signified its intention to ‘review’ the system, with some arguing that the government had ordered its outright ban.

The decision was introduced by the state’s Hisbah Command citing some anomalies in the system.

Deputy Commander-General on Special Services, Kano State Hisbah Command, Barrister Nabahani Usman, told Peoples Daily Weekend that the command was prompted to review the Almajiri education system and other forms of street begging because of the atrocities committed by the beggars.

“We were prompted to rise against the atrocities that are prevalent in this system following a raid we conducted along Sabo Bakinzuwo road, G.R.A, Kano. When our men reached the area where the beggars, men and women gather for alms, they arrested many of them and found that they engage in sexual activities in dry drains and under culverts which resulted to impregnating some of the women.”

Usman also lamented the situation where young children of between 3 to 4 years old roam the streets for what to eat and drink.

“I lament the situation where we see under aged children roaming the streets for food. It is in this situation we saw a gory scene when a young almajiri, around or close to 4 years of age, was found dead with his plastic dish in front of him and neither his parents or his school teacher was found. This is very sad and we will not allow this to continue to happen in the state.”

Meanwhile, Usman noted that the command, through the leadership of the Commander General, Mallam Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, deemed it necessary to confront the state government with a proposal to

review the system.

He noted that the proposal entails building of ultra modern schools in each of the 44 Local Governments across the state for the almajiris.

“We have forwarded proposal to the government which involves building ultra modern schools in each of the 44 Local Government of the state for almajiris.

The schools will contain classes, toilets and rooms for conducive atmosphere of learning.”

“Also in the proposal, we have introduced a good salary package for those that memorise the whole Quran for teaching it to the students”,he said.

Usman also revealed that the state has welcome the proposal and the command is now conducting a survey across the 44 Local Governments in the state.

“The government had accepted our proposal when we presented it and is now awaiting us to present our plans for approval. Our command is now conducting a survey on planning to review the system in all the

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 1 - SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

2015: Can Jonathan survive these battles?

10 & 11

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 1 - SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

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9

2015: Can Jonathan survive these battles?

By Lawrence Olaoye and Umar Muhammad Puma As the 2015 Presidential election, which promises to be historic approaches, not many people are in doubt now that President Goodluck Jonathan has made up his mind to crush any obstacle that may hinder him from renewing his residency in the seat of power, the Aso Rock. Though he has yet to officially declare his intention to contest the presidency, his suppressed ambition has continued to propel him into engaging in so many political struggles that may sap his energy ahead of the main battle.

With the opposition parties regrouping, consolidating and Jonathan’s action or inaction further alienating him from his admirers, the 2015 general elections promise to be challenging, not only to the President but to his platform, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The President, who seems to have come to the realization that he must not allow his perceived and real political enemies the luxury of space in the polity, has engaged in a war which he would need more than brawn to win.

Admittedly, the Nigerian President has enormous constitutional powers that he could deploy to intimidate and suppress his opponents, but a discerning leader must be cautious in using such powers so as not to unwittingly slide into avoidable dictatorship.

Events happening in quick succession from the Presidency has pointed to the fact that Jonathan is engaged in many battles with pundits wondering whether he could survive these brushes without having his political pedigree bruised.

The need to whip opponents and recalcitrant critics, both within and outside the ruling party into line, of late, has been the major preoccupation of Jonathan’s aides and they seem to be fast losing the sympathies of the teeming Nigerians who, in spite of all the odds, voted

him overwhelmingly in 2011 with a promise to enjoy the ‘Fresh Air’ of good governance.

Jonathan’s political battle began with what his friends and foes alike adjudge to be his unsatisfactory performance which has made his predecessor and mentor, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to openly criticize him. Obasanjo, though out of power but still holds the ace in the nation’s political calculations, has never hidden his disapproval of the manner in which the President is handling several national issues. According to him, the challenge of insecurity in the

Governor Sule Lamido northern parts of the country would have been a thing of the past if he had listened to the former President’s counsel. Instead of doing so, Jonathan castigated his mentor for employing military tactics in overrunning Odi in Bayelsa state. This ‘slight’ has evidently widened the gulf between them.

Apparently in a bid to silence the former President, there were moves by the Presidency to probe the activities of some of the ministers who served under Obasanjo, especially Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili who has never spared Jonathan over his alleged management of the foreign reserve left behind by her boss in 2007.

Miffed, Obasanjo had challenged Jonathan to leave his ministers alone and probe his administration in its entirety.

This further pushed the two men of destiny further apart.

Indication that the relationship between the duo must have been badly battered emerged on the Democracy Day when Obasanjo ignored Jonathan’s Score-Card event in Abuja to attend the one organized by the Jigawa state governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido. Obasanjo in Dutse where he openly endorsed Lamido for the Presidency ahead of 2015.

With the former President’s clout and widespread acceptability and support, especially in the north, it remains to be seen how Jonathan would wriggle himself out of the labyrinth of political intricacies he has found himself.

Marginalization South West

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

of

the

If there is a region currently not happy with Jonathan’s Presidency, it is obviously the South West. This is because the region has lost out in terms of political relevance at the federal level. The ruling PDP in its arrangement zoned the number four position in the country to the South West but this has since

been taken away from it with nothing in replacement.

The position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives was initially zoned to the South West but the current occupant is from the North-West, the same region that produced the Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo.

Several cries and entreaties to the President to balance the political equation and empower party men from the region ahead of the 2015 general elections have fallen on deaf ears.

This has even become more complicated when members of the PDP in the region who felt used and abandoned, are finding respite in the opposition government in that region. Observers are of the opinion that by the time Jonathan would require their votes in 2015, even at the PDP primaries, such may not be there for him for grab.

Battle for the soul of the PDP Jonathan, as a shrewd politician, realized that the journey for his reelection in 2015 must begin with his control of the ruling party’s machinery. He has therefore demonstrated, in no small measure, his determination to be the defacto leader of the PDP. This, he knew earlier by ensuring the emergence of his preferred candidate, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, as the National Chairman of the party. Those other candidates earlier enjoying the supports of most of the governors were stunned when told to step down for the octogenarian who is seen as a surrogate planted only to do the wish of the President ahead of 2015.

Not done, the President also muscled his way through to ensure the emergence of Chief Tony Anenih as the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) ahead of those enjoying the support of most of the governors and his benefactor, Obasanjo.

Collision with Amaechi

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 1 - SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

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2015: Can Jonathan survive these battles?

Former President Mohammadu Buhari What has become worrisome to observers in Jonathan’s crave to be in maximum control of the party and all it’s organs is that even those positions considered inconsequential in the scheme of things in the nation’s political hemisphere always have the imprimatur of the President.

Amaechi placed himself on the firing line when he declared his intention to run for the office of the Vice President in 2015. Amaechi’s ambition, Jonathan’s strategists believe, would jeopardize the interest of their principal and every measure must be explored to checkmate him.

This probably explained why Jonathan is interested in who becomes the PDP BoT’s Chairman and the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). The party had tactically withdrawn majority of the governors who are on its platform from the control of the larger NGF. The ruling party had carved out the PDP Governors’ Forum and placed it under the control of the Akwa Ibom state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio. With this, pundits believe that the struggle to remove the Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as the Chairman of the larger NGF was an avoidable overkill with little or no bearing to his political success or failure.

It is however clear that Amaechi, who succeeded in riding on the back of some aggrieved governors from the north to re-emerge the controversial Chairman of the NGF, may not win the political battle against the federal might. But the collateral damage his loss would have on the credibility of the President and his handlers would be unquantifiable.

Already the NGF has been factionalised with a splinter group under the leadership of the Plateau state governor, Jonah Jang. Plans are also ongoing to stimulate members of the Rivers state House of Assembly to move for the impeachment of the Rivers state governor. This is coming after the party platform in the state had already been taken away from Amaechi for Jonathan’s loyalist, Nyesom Wike, who is also the Minister of State for Education, firmly in control in the state.

Former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Clamour for power shift in the north Another strong battle confronting the President ahead of 2015 is how to break the resolve of the governors from the northern part of the country to ensure that power shifts to the region by 2015. Notable among the governors in this group is the Niger state governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, who recently disclosed that Jonathan indeed signed a single term pact with the governors before having their supports to get the PDP nomination as the party’s flag-bearer in 2011.

Events in the NGF, which saw eight of the northern governors on the platform of the PDP ditching Jang, the party’s consensus candidate for Amaechi has confirmed that the battle to wrestle power from Jonathan has begun in earnest.

The perceived betrayal among the PDP governors who earlier agreed to support Jang only to ditch him at the polls, only goes to show that unanimity procured with pressure will not work in 2015. This development has sent jitters down the spines of Jonathan’s strategies that their power of coercion, which hitherto is the strongest weapon of the ruling party, may not work again. Chances, according to critics, are that though the PDP may succeed at forcing Jonathan on its members, getting the governors, especially those from the north, to deliver their states may be Herculean.

The challenge of the opposition coalition

Gov. Rotimi Amaechi

With the registration of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), Jonathan’s political misery would multiply. This is because the APC would definitely provide the most needed alternative to the PDP, with majority of those expected to be frustrated by the ruling party’s gerrymandering, flooding into it to fulfill their political ambitions. This is coming as there are rumours that certain stakeholders currently rooted in the PDP are actually financing the opposition merger clandestinely.

Taming the ravaging APC is obviously the main challenge facing the Tukur-led PDP and the escalating crises rocking the party would make reconciliation of its members difficult ahead of 2015, critics say. With the South West firmly under the grip of the opposition; the North West only waiting on the fringe to be captured by the bourgeoning APC and some governors of the ruling party currently noncommittal to the cause of the party, it would be succinct to describe the PDP as a party hanging on the cliff. Therefore, the party would do more than surface reconciliation to sell Jonathan’s presidency to Nigerians in 2015.

Focus

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 - SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

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Governor Yero celebrates democracy day in style Youth at Katuru by Sardauna road cheering Governor Lamaran Yero, during Democracy Day, in Kaduna.

By Mohammad Ibrahim too deserve to be commended for this bold step.

It would be recalled that when Governor Yero became the governor he said that his administration would continue from where his predecessor has stopped. Therefore, by completing some of the projects left uncompleted by his late boss shows that Gov. Yero’s administration is truly a continuity government.

Speaking when he commissioned the Patrick Yakowa Way and a major bridge linking the southern and northern parts of the State, Governor Yero said “it is n ra imperaa m tive in La na r ta au h govd k r n Mu y Sa cts, i ernr rno u b je ance to ve atur pro o must listen to good K tate G e g be supadvice, ensure contat in of S a s ssion our n ported tinuity and also consolii t u d m is by all. date on gains of past adminisKa om g h c rin , Governor trations.” o u r Ye ad, d a.

According to him, the 10km road ro dun and the bridge has now ended hardships a K previously faced by residents of the southern parts of the state when crossing to and from the northern parts of the state for their daily activities.

Governor Yero said the project was initiated by Vice President Namadi Sambo during his time as the state governor; it was later awarded by late Yakowa and completed by the present administration.

The Governor also commissioned a 2.8km road at Kudenda which has opened up several communities and also provides access to the 250 megawatts power station located in the area. He also promised to consider building a bridge along the road to further open up the area.

Governor Yero also commissioned two other roads in Kaduna metropolis rehabilitated through the Kaduna Public Works Agency (KAPWA). The rehabilitated roads are Katuru Road off Sardauna Crescent and Kabala off Constitution Way .

While delivering dividends of democracy to the grassroots, the Governor commissioned solar-powered boreholes at the Our Lady of Fatima Girls Secondary School, Sabon Tasha and the Central Juma’at Mosque at Ungwar Rimi.

The ongoing projects at Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital , Kaduna is being done to upgrade it to a teaching hospital for the Kaduna State University (KASU) Faculty of Medicine. Part of the sections inspected by the Governor included theatre rooms, lecture halls and the dialysis centre for treatment of kidney patients.

At the end of the tour, Governor Yero reiterated the commitment of his administration to improve the overall living standards of the entire people of the state through Kaduna state Governor Mukhtar Lamaran Yero, commissioning Kudandan road, during his tour of State projects, consolidating on gains achieved by past administrations and in Kaduna. Photos: Mohammad Ibrahim completion of all ongoing projects.

A

s Nigerians, particularly state governments marked Democracy day celebration nationwide with passing parades and diners, Kaduna Sate Governor, Muktar Ramalan Yero spent the whole day touring the metropolis to commission important projects with direct impact on the lives of the people.

The governor who was just about six months old in office as the state governor, decided to mark his own event on the streets by cancelling all his engagements that day to go round and commission some of the completed projects and inspected ongoing projects within the metropolis.

It was gathered that some of the projects commissioned that day worth billions of naira, were awarded to contractors during the leadership of one of the best governors of the state, the late Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa.

Governor Yero was Yakowa’s deputy. He became the state governor after the demise of his boss six months ago.

Among the projects commissioned on that day were roads, water and electrification works within the metropolis.

The governor accompanied by most of his cabinet members, special advisers and other important political office holders in the state, including the media, inspected another ongoing project at the Barau Dikko Hospital , Kaduna .

The governor’s convoy was received by cheering youths in most of the areas he visited to commission the projects.

The beauty of it all was the turnout of people-old, adults and youths and women- in most of the areas were really impressive.

The governor’s face was full of happiness seeing the way and manner people welcomed him with open arms irrespective of their religious and tribal background. This has showed that the people of Kaduna are one indivisible family despite their differences.

Another uniqueness of the events was the naming of one of roads commissioned after his late boss, Sir Patrick Yakowa in southern part of the state. The decision to name the expressway after Yakowa was welcomed by all the people of the state irrespective of their religious and political affiliations because the fact still remained that late Yakowa was a transparent leader that spent most of his life trying to unite the people of the state. So, for him to be remembered by the state government for his good leadership is something t h a t

Y e r o

Feature

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 - SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

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Police Van burnt by protesters in Ilorin on Tuesday.

A victim of protest with blood gushing out of wound on his leg

Democracy Day: Kwara moving up amidst robberies, wild protest L

From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

ike the saying goes, once the head is rotten, other parts of the body are affected, this could be likened to the violence that characterised the Celebration of May 29, 2013, Democracy Day in Kwara State.

Kwara, fondly known as ‘State of Harmony’ was jolted by bank robberies at Omu-Aran, the headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area of the State.

On 14th May, 2013, armed robbers numbering about 20, invaded the ancient community and attacked three commercial banks Commando-style, killing three people and escaping with an unspecified amount of money.

It was gathered that the bandits stormed the town around 6: 30 pm with sporadic gunshots in an operation that lasted for more than an hour.

Eye witness accounts also revealed that the robbers attacked the police division and deflated the tyres of the police armoured personnel carrier packed outside the station and thereafter invaded First Bank Plc, Union Bank and Ecobank all along Aperan way in the town using grenades and dynamites to break the door and the banks vaults.

An accountant with Union Bank identified as Gade and a driver were felled by the armed robber’s bullet in the course of breaking through the barriers mounted by the bank.

Also, a member of a vigilante group in the town identified as Dapo (Alias Igbin) was also gunned down before the armed robbers escaped with an unspecified amount of money.

Apparently disturbed by incessant armed robbery attacks in the community and police efforts yielding any positive result, youths in the town stormed the OmuAran police division as well as the Area Commander’s office to protest the invasion. The youth, armed with stones and other items at the station, were protesting the invasion of the banks with no response from the police.

In the course of showing their grievances, a police patrol vehicle was set ablaze by the youth while the police responded with tear-gas to disperse the surging youths.

As the robbers unleashed terror in the community, the newly posted Commissioner of Police, Mr. Agboola Oshodi Glover was at the Government House to pay courtesy visit to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

The Kwara State Police Command through the Police Public Relation Officer(PPRO)DSP Olufemi Fabode, who confirmed the incident, said “the Kwara State Command regrets that on May 14, at about 18.00 at Omu Aran town, some hoodlums or armed robbery gang attacked the branches of First Bank, Union Bank and Eco-Bank of at Omu Aran town and made away with an undisclosed amount of money.

“The police in Omu Aran engaged the armed robbers in gun battle. The robbers threw explosives too on the mobile patrol vehicle while in the mission to stop the attackers. One of the mobile patrol vehicle was set ablaze, two of the banks officials and a viglilante man were killed by the armed robbers.”

He added that the police in Omu- Aran, with the help

of mobile Ilorin ena gun duel the attack AK 47 ri14 rounds ammutwo unexexplosive were reered.

Fabode closed that hoodlums the town b i l i z e d attacked station ining the commander. ever, the tenOmu-Aran faded away Commercial Banks operating in

men and the SARS men from gaged the robbers in to repeal while one fle and of live nition, ploded devices c o v -

also dissome i n moand t h e jurarea H o w sion in has not as all

Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed the town have shut down their doors since the incident.

Investigation conducted by our Correspondent showed that the Commercial Banks closure has compelled their customers including Civil Servants to travel to Offa, a journey of about an hour before collecting their salaries and undertake other banking services.

Similarly, others who could not do so come to Ilorin, the State capital to withdraw money in their respective bank accounts.

This, according to our findings increased the number of bank customers at various banks in Offa, Offa local government area and Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The robbery incidents in Omu-Aran could be described as one robbery, too many giving that no fewer than five incidents have been recorded in the ancient town in recent times. Each time they come visiting, they left sour taste in the mouths of their victims.

The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Oladele Ibitoye, who is also a first class traditional ruler in the state, has reportedly cursed the robbers and has canvassed for the posting of soldiers to the ancient town.

The monarch who expressed disgust when the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Glover visited the town to assess the situation, added: “I am not happy at all about the incessant robberies in my domain. I will appreciate it if government can send soldiers here to complement the efforts of the Police in combating this menace. This is one robbery, too many”.

Almost three weeks after the Omu-Aran incident, Ilorin, the State capital was awaken with wild protest by students of Kwara State Polytechnic, who were expressing grievance over an alleged shooting of a student, Ahmed Adewale of Accounting Department, Kwara State Polyteching on his way to school on Monday morning May 26,2013 along the Muritala Muhammed way by yet to be identified trigger-happy police officer attached to a Bank bullion van.

Despite the Kwara State government’s appeal to protesting students of the Kwara State Polytechnic to remain calm and avoid any action capable of disrupting peace and order, the protesters continued to occupy some major streets on Tuesday, a day ahead of May 29,2013 Democracy Day, and burnt down a van in Governor Ahmed’s team in retaliation.

The State government in a statement issued in Ilorin by Secretary to the State Government, Alh. Sola Isiaka Gold, described as unfortunate the reported injury of a student by men of the Nigeria Police and called on the students to maintain the peace and not to allow miscreants to hijack their peaceful protests.

Gold assured the students that the state police command has commenced disciplinary proceedings against the police officer at the centre of the incident and would take action to forestall a re-occurrence of the sad incident.

According to Gold, while government recognises the students’ right to peaceful protest, the full weight of the law would be brought to bear on anyone apprehended for breaking the law under any guise.

He urged parents not to allow their wards to be used for any acts of criminality.

The SSG called on the students to return to their various homes pending the reopening of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin which has been closed down following the incident.

Due to their wild protest, Governor Ahmed suddenly cancelled commissioning of Akerebiate-Sango road as few were awaiting the arrival of the governor before unleashing terror on the people. The thugs however descended on Ministry of Information staff who came with the van and public address system.

After a long battle with the thugs, a big generator was forcefully snatched away from the officials while a male staff was wounded in the course of struggle with them.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 - SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

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Special Report

Why we are planning review of almajiri, begging in Kano –Hisbah

Sheikh Anas Inuwa Assalafy 44 Local Governments of the state.”

He noted.

The decision to review the almajiri education system by Kano State government was greeted with mixed reactions by the local Qur’anic teachers.

While some have seen it as anti-Islam, some have seen it as a modern way of imparting the knowledge of the Qur’an A local Qur’anic school teacher in Gyadi-gyadi area of Kano State, popularly called Malam Mudi, said an outright ban would be counterproductive.

He said, “While we accept that there have been problems with the system over the years, banning it completely will create more problems than it can solve.

“Those calling for the ban are pursuing an agenda promoted by the Jews and westerners to halt the spread of Islam. We cannot be deceived”.

Another Qur’anic school teacher in Fagge Local Government in the Kano metropolis, called Mallam Ishak, said the decision to review the almajiri education system by Kano State is a good initiative.

“In my opinion, this is a good initiative that if implemented, would be better and we, the teachers, would be happy and those behind the initiative would be rewarded by God. The reason why I said that is that the government is not planning to ban the system, it plans to review it. If it bans it, we will suffer, because it is a system that has been in existence for hundred of years. Banning it overnight would deprive others of acquiring knowledge of the Qur’an. But

If the government review it, we will enjoy it because our children will learn the Qur’an under a better condition.”

Ishak also refuted the assertion that parents of the almajiris do not visit them in the schools, saying they visit the children to ascertain the level of their performance. “ Contrary to people’s perception that the children are dumped without being visited by their parents, they visit them at school and sometimes ask us to send them home to determine the level of their performance in school.”

People Daily Weekend visited the residence of Hajiya Mariya Sunusi Dantata, mother of Africa’s richest tycoon, Aliko Dangote at Koki area in the Kano metropolis, a rendezvous of beggars who collect daily meal day and night and interviewed some of them on their reaction to the decision.

Mallam Usman, a 70 -year old, physically challenged is from Garki town, Jigawa State said: “ I come to Kano to beg and take what I have got to my family in the village. I engage in begging because I am physically challenged, I’m cripple and can’t see well.”

Asked about his reaction if begging is banned, Usman said government should provide something for them in place of the begging. “ If government ban us from begging, let it give us some work to do in place of the begging. We don’t have work that is why we beg to fend for our family”, he said.

Another beggar, Zilai, said she begs because she lost her husband and has three children that she must take care

Deputy Commander-General, Hisbah, Barr. Nabahani Usman of. Like Usman, she comes to Kano to get money for the children in the village.

“I’m a widow, my husband died long time ago and nobody helps me while I have 3 kids in the village. I have to come here to beg and get something for them to eat.”

Huzaifa, a 12-year old almajiri, said he was been brought by his parent to study the Qur’an here from Katsina State. When asked how he gets food to eat, he said he gets it through begging.

But said he would go back home if begging is banned in the state.

“I am from Katsina state to study Koran and have to beg for food. My father visits me sometimes to check my condition and my knowledge. If government bans begging, I will go back home.”

However, a Kano-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Anas Inuwa Assalafy, said begging is of two types. The one that entails seeking for knowledge only, which is encouraged in Islam as well as the begging that entails asking for alms from people which is prohibited in Islam.

According to Assalafy, “Islam has categorised begging into two ways; one that means to seek for knowledge only wherever you are in the world and then come back home afterwards. The other one is asking for alms from people, which is discouraged in Islam.” He noted.

On the issue of local Koranic schools where children are sent to acquire Koranic knowledge, he said “there are

children in those schools that don’t go for begging because their parents send them money, clothes and food, so they just learn the Quran without going out to beg; this is good in Islam.” “ But Islam is against the act of sending a child to the Koranic school to learn Islamic knowlege but being abandoned at the school without being taken care of by his parents, which results in compelling the child to engage in begging for food, money and clothes.

This is really not Islamic.” He noted.

Giving further insight on the matter as it concerns the teeming beggars on the streets of Kano, he said, the Holy Prophet Muhammad ( Peace Be Upon Him) said; whoever engages in the act of begging unnecessarily will, on the day of judgement, rise without flesh on his face.”

“A person can beg in one instance, that is when he has nothing to eat or doesn’t have anything to fend for his family as at the time, so he is obliged to ask for that particular thing at that particular moment.”

Assalafy then commended the Kano state government and the Hisbah Command for the decision to ban begging, saying it is a welcome development if done sincerely.

“I commend the State Government and the Hisbah Board for the move.

And if the system is reviewed, Koranic education would become better than it is but I call on the government to implement the decision sincerely.”

Insights

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 - SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

15

6 million Nigerians die from smoking every year From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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s Nigeria joined the rest of the world yesterday to mark the 2013 World No Tobacco Day, experts have expressed concern over high smoking rate in the northern states and Lagos.

For that, the National Assembly has been urged to steps up work on the National Tobacco Control Bill (NTCB) with provisions to strengthen the ban on all forms of Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorships (TAPS).

Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) Director, Corporate Campaigns, Akinbode Oluwafemi stressed this at a media briefing in Lagos to Mark the 2013 World No Tobacco Day yesterday.

He lamented that smoking especially among youths in Nigeria over the last few years has continued to rise. “A survey conducted in 2001 showed that 9.1% of Nigerian youths smoke cigarette. The figure by another survey conducted in 2008 jumped to between 17% and 27%. A recent survey in four local governments of Adamawa state put smoking rates among the youth at 33.9%.”

Akinbode said research shows that about one third of youth experimentation with tobacco occurs as a result of exposure to tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Worldwide, 78% of young people aged 13-15 years report regular exposure to some form of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

“Bans on advertising, promotion and sponsorship are one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco consumption, with countries that have already introduced bans showing an average of 7% reduction in tobacco consumption.”

“WHO’s report on the global tobacco epidemic 2011 shows that only 19 countries (representing just 6% of the world’s population) have reached the highest level of achievement in banning tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorships.

More than one-third of countries across the world have minimal or no restrictions at all.

He said Nigeria is not the only country where the tobacco industry is breaching bans on TAPS. “Countries that are making strong progress in banning the last remaining forms of advertising include Albania, Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, Iran, Mauritius, Panama and Vietnam “Here in Nigeria, the British American

Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) which controls over 80 per cent of the Nigerian cigarette market has continued to undermine the treaty, not only through deliberate misinformation and illicit actions targeted at the youth, but also through brand stretching, point of sale adverts, diverse promotions and sponsorships. It has turned its so-called Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to a most visible tool for corporate brand campaign.

Not only does BATN utilize CSR for far reaching media mileage, the participation of top government functionaries in its CSR events is a tacit government support of BAT’s activities by government and a drag on attempts at effective regulation of the industry.”

Spokesman for the Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals, NATT, Philip Jakpor, said the theme of year: ‘Ban Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorships’ aims to draw the attention of national governments to industry activities that undermine the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) through Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorships.

He said the FCTC entered into force in 2005 and has since been ratified by more than 190

countries. Nigeria signed the FCTC in 2004 and ratified it in 2005 but its yet to domesticate the protocol.

“Ironically, that signing and ratification coincided with the same period that British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), controller of over 80 per cent of the Nigerian cigarette market started evolving new strategies to undermine the treaty, not only through deliberate misinformation but also through brand stretching – a form of advertising which targets mostly the youths.

He recalled that the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) in 2004 issued a directive banning all forms of TAPS. “But BATN lived up to its bidding in evolving newer strategies to gain good press through an annual farmer’s day event in Iseyin, Oyo State, where loyal farmers are giving electric generators, water pumps, knapsack sprayers, and fertilisers to keep them tied to its apron strings. This event is strategically targeted at painting the company as a socially-responsible company.

“Unfortunately, the participation of top government functionaries at the Farmer’s event is tacit endorsement of BATN so-called CSR and it has exploited this to expand its activities to other rural communities beyond Oyo. In 2011 the company donated a N4.5 million cassava processing cottage industry to Odo-Oro community as part of what it claimed was a poverty alleviation initiative. A similar initiative was implemented in Ogun state.”

He however called on the Lagos State House of Assembly to declare Lagos State smoke-free and prohibit smoking parties which BAT has clandestinely held in Ajegunle and Victoria Island in recent times.

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

People & Polity

16

Spring-tacular ‘view’ at Springview Resort

Mrs. Precilla Britto

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ant to be “spoilt” a little with spectacular services? Come over to Springview Resorts and

Hotels.

That is the tantalizing invitation that usually “greets” both clients and would-be clients of this wave-making hospitality outfit based in Asokoro, Abuja.

The question is: how really spectacular are Springview’s services? If you asked Mrs. Precilla Britto, the amiable Marketing Manager, she wouldn’t hesitate to croon that it is indeed

“spectacular and world class.”

Really? Last weekend this reporter waltzed to the facility strategically located near the Asokoro General Hospital. O! boy, come and behold a truly “Springtacular sight, complete with srecial “bush” bars that give the whole place a rather exotic outlook.

In terms of size, Springview isn’t all that remarkable, at least when compared with the heavyweights of the hospitality arena. In terms of being conducive, smart and efficient, however, this hotel is arguably second to none in its genre.

One noticed, for instance, that the much hyped “home away from home” is not merely a slogan here.

Rather, it seems to be a way of life at Springview. The management and staff alike deliberately go the extra mile to make every guest feel special.

Little wonder a legion of guests from different backgrounds flock to this facility daily, particularly during the weekends. “This place is truly unique in the real sense of the word,” remarked Mr. Tunde Oloride, one of the guest spending the weekend there. Need we add more?

Shame of a nation

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nprecedented. This word aptly describes the day-long traffic snarl which reigned supreme on the Keffi-Abuja highway on Thursday.

The cause? A minor rainfall, believe it or not. With the drainage blocked, flood took over the road. Needless to say, comutters and motorists alike endured hell upon hell throughout the day .

What a disgrace. What a shame. More so as this strategic road leads to the nation’s capital city.

P

What’s Dora Akunyili up to?

rof. Dora Akunyili. Remember her? Ex-Ministr of Information, ex-NAFDAC chief, and a recent Senatorial contestant in Anambra State.

After ducking out of sight since her failed Senatorial bid, the erstwhile NAFDAC Director General has bounced back lately.

When she is not waltzing from one public function to the other she would be flying around, collecting local and international awards like confetti.

What, you may wonder, is she up to? According to insiders, a plum federal appointment is being lined up for her in the next couple of weeks.

Apparently, Akunyili has decided to “water the ground” properly ahead of the rumoured Prof. Dora Akunyili appointment, hence her rather unusual visibility on the social cicuit in recent times.

SHAME: The water logged road at Mararaba on Thursday

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Homes

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Chinese Feng shui tips for ‘front of the house’

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ncrease your chances of bringing love and opportunities into your home with these fast, Chinese, positive feng shui changes. The area in front of the house and Chinese painting

the door should be uncluttered. This way, the energy isn’t blocked. Other good feng shui tips include keeping the door natural, or painting your door red (helps with

abundance) or green (helps with money).

-Hang a wind chime outside the front door.

You should also consider a bright, cheery welcome mat to increase the love your family and friends feel for you as they come in the house. Other feng shui tips include stringing up small lights to increase opportunities.

-If the front door looks straight through

the house to the back door, block the view with a large plant or piece of furniture.

Otherwise, the chi may pass straight through.

-The front hall should be appealing. Keep the paint fresh and a fill a vase of fresh flowers near the door whenever possible.

Green plants that thrive will add to natural feng shui. Good feng shui also suggests you use a statue near the door, to protect your house.

-The path leading to the front door should be curved, never straight so that positive energy can flow in, but negative energy cannot.

Wall hanging deco Status are like angels, they protect the house

Singing bowls

Red means ‘abundance’

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Relationship

18

Long distance relationship advice: how I am surviving it

Heart Matterz With A’isha Biola Raji

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ll too often people find themselves in situations where they have to part from the one they love or really like. People move because of work, school and other uncontrollable circumstances. A couple of months back my girlfriend found herself moving away to go to school, this was a situation that neither of us had any real control of. So it is safe to say that I myself am in a long distance relationship.

One day I was talking to a friend and during our conversation she asked me how my girlfriend is doing and I told her that my girl is good; she’s just studying a lot for school. She then asked me about the school. I told her about the school and what my girlfriend is studying and I also told her my girlfriend’s school is 2000 miles away. My friend’s next question to me was, “Are you still going to love her?” I replied to her, well of course, my love for my girlfriend is not based on our locations, situations, distance, or circumstances rather for reasons much deeper than that.

I will still love her because I love her for who she is and who she helps me to be.

How to make long distance relationships work?

I’ll tell you, it is not easy. At times I have to stay awake when I could have been sleeping but that doesn’t bother me at all. If anything I feel that if I don’t talk to her before going to bed it’s not going to be good night.

Be very supportive Try your best to be supportive of your partner. Your significant other will need all the help he or she can get from you while being away.

In my case my girlfriend is away for school, I have to understand although we agreed that we have to talk every day even if it’s for just a few minutes, I understand that she may not have the time when I have time.

School can be very overwhelming and at times she needs the support of her love ones. Although she’s getting love from her family but as her boyfriend, I have to show her some on my side too, if not more. You see, one thing I thank God for is that before she moved away for medical school I started working at a medical school. Seeing how the students at the school are struggling, studying long hours, trying to get ready for the exam helps me to understand what she’s going through.

I give her my undivided attention when she’s talking to me, complain about a stupid professor, how’s

E-mail: rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com Phone: 08082071393 (Text only)

What can I do to have him back?

– Ruky

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it’s snowing, etc. And I also do all that I can to give her some words of encouragement, not just saying things I think she wants to hear.

Cease every second with him/ her Whenever you get a chance, spend time with him/her and make it is memorable. For instance my girlfriend is about 2000 miles away for school. She’s been away for about 6 months. We talk all the time; we Skype and Gtalk because these things allow me to see her.

Hey, you have to make it work any possible way that you can.

So, when she came down last December on vacation although we had a lot planed and we didn’t get to do most of those things, however the activities we did do, we made sure that they were memorable.

Oh, guess what, when she came down it happened to be our many years anniversary so we went to a restaurant that we both love and took lots of pictures, enjoyed each other’s company and the food as well.

One other thing we did that was really good and memorable is, that night; we went bowling with friends and family. We had a great time. I know how important it is to her to

Different things will work for different couples but you really need to find out what makes you guys happy individually and as a couple. For the guys if you have to pick her up at the airport, I would suggest buying her some nice flowers, a teddy bear that will welcome her as she enters the car to sit down.

be with her family and friends.

Different things will work for different couples but you really need to find out what makes you guys happy individually and as a couple. For the guys if you have to pick her up at the airport, I would suggest buying her some nice flowers, a teddy bear that will welcome her as she enters the car to sit down. Trust me on that one, she will cherish that moment and will always look forward to coming back home after all, a happy girlfriend is a happy, you know the rest.

My last thought on long distance relationships for guys Guys, let me tell you something, no girl wants to be with a guy without knowing that there may be something in the future for them. You may not believe this but talking about your future with your girlfriend or boyfriend while being away will also help you guys keep it going.

No one wants to feel that he/ she is wasting his/her time with someone. Hey if you feel that you are wasting your time with a relationship that is not going anywhere, I say quit while you are ahead. It doesn’t make sense to be with a girl/guy in a long distance relationship where there’s no real commitment.

So show support to your significant other and cherish and cease every moment you guys spend together and these are things I think will help make your long distance relationship work.

From DRG1

If you have any relationship story you want to share with our readers, please send to the above address. Let’s share your love story.

y name is Ruky, I am in SSS2.There is this boy in my class that had a major crush on me. I didn’t exactly know him because he came to join us newly.

I instantly fell for him. I loved how he was the only guy that I felt like I could be myself with. He gave me gifts and whenever I was down, he always knew a way to make me smile.

I wanted to tell him that I liked him too but there was a problem. I wasn’t allowed to date. My friends said that I didn’t have to tell my parents but I didn’t want to go behind my parents back. It hurt every time I rejected him.

During holiday, we were always chatting on facebook 24/7. During summer school, I couldn’t hold my feelings in anymore. I had to tell him how I felt. The first day

of school, I found him hanging out with a different group. I was a little disappointed but I thought he only wanted to know new people so I brushed off the feeling.

I began to notice over the weeks that he hardly talked to me. He was never on facebook and every time he was, he didn’t seem excited to talk to me like he used to. It was like he transformed into a different person.

Months later he told me that he didn’t like me anymore. I felt my heart break but I covered up what I felt so he wouldn’t think I cared.

I watched him from time to time with his new girlfriend and how happy he looked. Most times I wondered would that be me if I had told him sooner. I still care for him, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget him. What can I do to have him back?

Beauty Tips PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 - SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

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How to get ‘Beauty Queen’ glow Radiant skin tips hen your skin glows, you look and feel happier and more beautiful. Radiant skin also exudes health and vitality. Such luminous skin does not happen overnight -- it takes work and time. Here are some tips to get gorgeous glowing skin.

Exfoliate Sure, you’ve heard that exfoliating your skin is important, but to achieve glowing skin, it is a must. Try exfoliators that contain alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid. Try this: Givenchy Peel Me Perfectly Tri-Performance Skin Polish ($45), a triple-action scrub that contains glycolic acid to promote natural exfoliation and clay extract to cleanse skin and tighten pores.

At-home peels are another effective path to smoother, more even-toned skin and generally contain up to 30 percent glycolic acid, whereas a dermatologist can use up to 70 percent concentrations for more dramatic results.

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Detox your body It is true: The outside of your body reflects what’s going on inside. Skin conditions develop when the skin can’t do its job of eliminating toxins efficiently which happens because the other eliminative organs are

overloaded as well. Talk to a natural health care professional to find a detox program that works for you, or take a load off your system -- and benefit your skin by doing the following: • Drink warm lemon water each day to help flush toxins from the body.

• Cut out sugar and alcohol for a few days (at least five) to give your body and skin a break.

• Up your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables to boost the amount of skin-saving nutrients you’re getting.

• Limit salty snacks which can cause swelling and water retention.

Eat and apply antioxidants Antioxidants help fight free radicals and protect the skin from environmental damage. Some popular topical antioxidants include vitamins C and E, coenzyme Q10, green tea and many more. They can counter the damaging effects of the sun, reduce wrinkles and improve skin tone. Eat fruits and vegetables that contain these vitamins, as well, so you get them internally and externally. Fill your grocery cart with the following: • Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries • Dark, leafy greens (kale, spinach, collards) •Orange fruits and vegetables (mangos, squash, sweet potatoes) Try coconut oil Virgin coconut oil has the ability to restore and rejuvenate damaged skin.

It heals, repairs and leaves your skin radiant. Coconut oil has excellent antioxidant properties and helps to destroy free radicals. It can also even out your skin tone, giving it a more healthylooking texture and a subtle glow.

Use radiance-boosting makeup Try the celebrities’ secret to glowing skin to get that “lit from within” look: Apply an illuminating cream under your makeup. Check out Nars Illuminator ($29) to easily take your skin from dull to bright and healthy.

Bronzers are also excellent for creating a healthy glow.

Choose an illuminating shade rather than a matte one and apply everywhere the sun hits your face: forehead, nose and cheeks.

Myjoyonline.com

N

aa Okailey Shooter, will be representing Ghana at the Miss World 2013 beauty pageant. In an interview, she expressed her confidence that she would win: ‘I believe that this is the year for Africa and specifically this is

the year for Ghana. When I stand on the stage, I am not standing there as Naa Okailey. I’m standing there because I am representing my country, Ghana and I don’t want to just make myself and my family proud, I want to make Ghana and Africa as a whole

proud,’ The aspiring medical doctor continued: ‘…in the history of Miss World, we’ve just had one lady with black skin. That was Miss Nigeria 2001 [that won the crown] and I want to be the next.’

Page 20

Learning

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

With Emmanuel Eko junioremma419@gmail.com 08165618872

Did you know that?

Book Review

The Numbers Game

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he story of how Billy Beane, and the maths wizards he appointed, transformed decades of major league baseball methodology is gripping. A tiny budget – the third smallest in the league – forced the Oakland Athletics to become revolutionaries.

Instead of listening to grizzled scouts with prejudices as ingrained as the varnish on the bleachers, they trusted in statistical models and metrics. Other teams’ hand-

G

eorge Monbiot’s dream of a wilder Britain would replace entire areas of sheep farming with natural ecosystems and restore species that have long since disappeared You don’t need to dig to uncover traces of prehistoric fauna and flora. If you know what to look for, the ecological biography of nearly half a million years ago can still be read in today’s landscape.

Many of our trees and shrubs, including oak, ash, beech, lime, sycamore, alder and willow, can re-grow from the point at which the stem is broken. This resprouting, or coppicing, could be an evolutionary response to attacks by elephants, who habitually snap or uproot trees.

The ability of some trees to survive the removal of much of their bark is also suggestive of elephant-proofing. In another adaptation, the robin may have turned to land disturbed by humans, following the demise of the wild boar, a notoriously messy eater.

An optimist might find something to celebrate here: the remarkable capacity of nature to adjust to change and its enviable escape from what Nietzsche termed “the malady of history”. The tree does not sigh for the elephant, the robin does not fret for the boar; they are not made melancholy or sleepless by the pastness of

me-downs, players ignored or undervalued, were recruited.

Many – surprisingly – flourished. So did the team.

The As went on a 20-game winning streak, a league record.

With football, the situation regarding analytics is far fuzzier – the game is more fluid and much more complicated to track and analyse. What’s more, the experts are yet to convince the masses or all of the managers. The mere mention of the word “data” makes some football fans’ eyes glaze over. So in what way is “everything we know about football” wrong?

The Numbers Game begins with a question, asked by Sally, a behavioural economist and football novice, of Anderson, who played in the German fourth division before becoming a politics professor: why, if Stoke City have had repeated success with long throws, haven’t other teams copied them? Anderson’s answers prompt further questions and encourage the pair to chronicle

Feral

the history of football analytics from pioneers such as Charles Reep – who in the 1950s published his theories in the magazine Match Analysis – to the present day, debunking several myths en route.

Pundits, armchair and professional, will find that several of their longcherished truisms are not true at all. That a team is most vulnerable immediately after they score has been a staple of TV commentary for decades, but the data shows it to be false. These minutes are, in fact, when a team is least likely to concede. Corner kicks have little effect when it comes to increasing a team’s chances of scoring, and even having more shots on goal doesn’t guarantee success. Anderson and Sally examined 8,232 matches in the major European leagues from 2005-2011 and found that the team that has more shots on target only wins between 50-58% of the time, depending on the country.

– guardian.co.uk

• 11% of people are left • 85% of plant life handed is found in the ocean.

• August has the highest percentage of births unless food is mixed with saliva you can’t taste it.

• Rabbits like licorice • The average person falls asleep in 7 • The Hawaiian minutes alphabet has 12 letters.

•

A bear has 42 teeth

•

An ostrich’s eye is bigger than it’s

brain.

• Most lipsticks contain fish scales blood into quieter channels”.

The closest we get to nature is feeding ducks in the park, and “the greatest trial of strength and ingenuity we face is opening a badly designed packet of nuts”. In short, civilisation has squeezed the wildness out of our environment and out of us.

Unable to flex our Paleolithic muscles, we have withered, aetiolated, gone to seed.

– guardian.co.uk

• Ralph Lauren’s original name was Ralph Lifshitz.

• No two corn flakes look the same • Lemons contain more sugar than strawberries • 8% of people have an extra rib.

• ‘Topolino’ is the name for Mickey Mouse Italy.

• A lobsters blood is colorless but when exposed to oxygen it turns blue.

• Armadillos have 4 babies at a time and are all the same sex.

• Reindeer like bananas the longest recorded flight of a chicken was 13 seconds.

Europe: The Struggle for Supremacy by Brendan Simms

the past. Animals may have memory, they may even have consciousness, but unlike humans they don’t strain to make urgent meaning out of life. Humanity is an existential prejudice of which they, like the trees, are free.

In Feral, we find George Monbiot in gloomy mood, mourning the loss of the improbable bestiary that lies under Nelson’s Column, and with it a world that was once rugged and wild and big.

Hemmed in by JG Ballard’s “drowsy villas, sheltered by benevolent shopping malls”, life feels shrunken, “cautious, constrained, meticulous”.

We are ruled by “prohibitive decencies”, our passions are sublimated, we have had to learn “to press our roaring

T

his principle, formulated

by Taylor nearly 60 years ago, has been taken rather too much to heart by Brendan Simms, both in his earlier book The Struggle for Mastery in Germany, published in 1998, and now in this ambitious new survey. Like Taylor, Simms sees European states as engaged in perpetual, Darwinian competition, a rivalry that determined almost everything that happened not only in relations between them but also in the internal development of their polities and societies.

His book purports to demonstrate these points through a detailed chronological narrative from the fall of Constantinople to the present day. Yet few will be convinced by this one-sided picture. Even on Simms’s own account, there have been long periods when the “struggle

for supremacy” gave way to various kinds of international co-operation, whether it was between European powers rallying behind the Habsburg empire to fight off the threat posed by the Ottomans who laid siege to Vienna in 1683, or the “holy alliance” and the congress system, making common cause under the leadership of Prince Metternich to suppress revolution in the decades after the battle of Waterloo. Or the concert of Europe, though which the great powers settled disputes on issues ranging from colonial rivalries to RussoTurkish conflicts in the 1870s and 1880s, or the post-Locarno order in the 1920s, or the powerblocs of Nato and the Warsaw pact in the cold war years, or the supranational institutions of the European Union in the decades since Maastricht.

– guardian.co.uk

Health

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 - SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

21

diabetes education as a tool in diabetes management Conversation Map Education Session where Sharing and learning takes place simultaneously.

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iabetes Education forms the bedrock on which other management principles of Diabetes rest. For those who have kept date with me on this column, we started with Diet, Medication (drugs), Exercise and now Education, this four forms the basis of modern management of Diabetes mellitus for a healthy and happier life for a person living with Diabetes.

Diabetes Self Management Education (DSME) is a new concept that is gradually finding its place in Diabetes management.

This module informs the importance of the role of the Diabetes Educator. The Diabetes Educator therefore, is someone who is knowledgeable following several trainings and certification to impact on persons living with Diabetes necessary knowledge to practice Diabetes Self management. It is important to note that Diabetes being a chronic disorder requires lots of information for daily decision making based on glucose levels, insulin adjustments amongst others to cope effectively.

Recently, I was carrying out Diabetes Awareness in a public transport in the Capital City of Nigeria (Abuja). I introduced myself as a Diabetes Educator, a fellow whom I later discover to be living with Diabetes, challenged me that he has not heard about the term “Diabetes Educator”. The role of the Diabetes Educator has come a long way since it was first recognized as capable of making a difference in management in 1918. Even though you have not heard about a Diabetes Educator, the need and the role the play leaves with us daily.

The Diabetes Educators are yet to be given their place in our health care systems currently. In some institutions, Nurses who work in Diabetes Clinics assume this role however due to lack of standardization and structured Educational module, different information are given out to people living with Diabetes.

Example “Don’t Eat Carbohydrate”, “Eat only Acha and Beans” or “Eat only Beans and Plantain”, such Nurses need Education to upgrade their knowledge base. A useful resource is www.idf.org/d-net.

The lack of standards in Diabetes Education in our health care system results in confusion on the part of persons living with Diabetes and this gives room for misinformation. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has been in the lead to project the essence of Diabetes Education in patient management. The person living with Diabetes needs to be empowered to carry out Diabetes self management, as

this will guaranty a committed behavioral change as a noticeable outcome measure.

Dr Joslin of Joslin Diabetes Center USA in 1934 said “Diabetics who knows the more, Live Longer”, the importance of Diabetes Education in the journey of living with Diabetes cannot be overemphasized.

How Can one get Diabetes Education?

Diabetes Education could be for the health care provider or the person living with the condition. For a health care provider who wants to be a Diabetes Educator there are opportunities for this see www. idf.org and for people living with Diabetes, this unique form of Education can be acquire via forums like Diabetes Association of Nigeria meetings in all states of the Federation, Diabetes Clinics amongst other places. Recently, the International Diabetes Federation introduced The Diabetes Conversation Map Education Tool. It is a new kit for Diabetes Education either as a stand alone or combined with existing curricula for group of patients 3 to 10 per time. It is Socratic (stimulates questions), pictorial and learning takes place eventually with the patient and facilitators having fun in course of this. A lot of patients are enjoying this module currently in different part of Nigeria however, there is more to be done to get across to other places.

The Conversation Map Education knowledge is delivered by group of professionals called Conversation Map Expert Trainers of which am privileged to be one among the three in Nigeria. Our responsibility is to train healthcare Professionals to use this novel Education tool for the benefit of those living with Diabetes and also conduct sessions for people living with Diabetes. (see list of Conversation Map Expert Trainers in sub-saharan Africa at www.idf.org). This important tool is yet to be integrated into our health care system.

The future prospects of the Diabetes Conversation Map Education tool is to integrate it fully into the healthcare system in Nigeria.

Anticipated needs is for the Federal Ministry of Health to fully partner with Diabetes Association of Nigeria to train health care professionals drawn from Gov-

ernment institutions and with collaboration from IDF to get The Conversation Maps to such institutions to use under close supervision by the Expert Trainers. The involvement of Federal Ministry of health will bring some seriousness to the adoption of the Map in the regular Diabetes Education module currently in place in healthcare Institutions.

There is also the need for coordination of the facilitators trained by Expert Trainers to ensure focus on the message of the Conversation Map and to collate appropriate statistics for future growth and expansion of the project.

There is the need for the Federal Ministry of health to recognize the importance of Diabetes Education as a form of therapy in the management of Diabetes in Nigeria.

This will form the basis for efficient use and monitor of the Guidelines for Diabetes Management currently introduced

by Diabetes Association of Nigeria and Strengthen Diabetes Self Management skills in patients.

Conversation Map Education Session where people learn from others experiences and everybody have fun eventually.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Kiddies World 22

With Aunty A'isha rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com 08082071393.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS Different Yoruba hairstyles and what they stand for

ByÌyániwúrà123

A

mong the Yorubas of southwestern Nigeria, the head (called ori) is given a very prominent position and particularly in the females, the hair is considered to be the crown of a woman’s beauty.

Over the years, the Yorubas have come up with various beautiful and dazzling hairstyles.

These hairstyles are not just for beautification. They also serve other purposes and these can be religious, as a sign of identification, age, political power, ceremony, occupation or even to reflect the mood of the lady. It can also signify the marital status of a woman.

Married women in Yorubaland in those days adopt hairstyles in which the hair flows from the front down to the nape of the neck, or it can emerge from both sides and culminate at the top of the head. Some other married women adopt the one in which the hair comes from the forehead and from the back and then meet up at the center of the head.

As for the single ladies, they use styles in which their hair flows from the right ear to the left.

Here are the different technics used are: Irun kiko: Hair knotting with thread (threading), usually black in color.

Irun didi: Normal hair plaiting, without thread.

Irun biba: Braiding.

In primary and secondary schools, headmistress (or head girl) announce hairstyle for the week, here are ten most fascinating hairstyles of Yoruba women. Each hairstyle has its unique message and is very beautiful!

Shuku (basket): This is quite simple and it is one of the most popular in Nigeria. It is a form of braiding in which the hair runs from the forehead to the nape of the neck or forms a rump on

top of the head. When shuku is blended with koroba, it is called orishabumni. At a time, it was only the wives of kings that could make shuku but that change over time and anyone can now adorn the style.

Koroba(bucket or pail): The braiding radiate from the center of the head to all parts, like an upturned bucket or container.

Kolese (means ‘Legless’): In this knotting style, each knot originates from the front and runs to the back of the head, not too far from the neck. It is also called ‘all back’.

Ipakoelede (means ‘occiput of a pig’ or ‘pig’s nape’): In ipakoelede, the styling starts from the back but everything eventually ends in front.

Panumo(means ‘Keep Shut!’): Panumo starts from two different points, one from the forehead and one from the back. The two meet at the centre of the head leaving a little hole.

Ojokopeti: (means ‘Rain is not beating the ears’): The styling technique of this is in such a way that it starts from one ear and then moves across to the other ear.

Moremi Kojusoko (Face your husband) Kehinsoko(Turn your back to your husband) When scaling the braids, the non-linear contours of the head are followed. There is a main middle model that the Onidiri (hair stylist, weaver or hair dresser) follows by repeating the units in an amazing form of fractal geometry. Ònsèsòó is the person on whose head the style is being made. And because the head is believed to be the seat of the soul, Ònsèsòó is forbidden to price the amount charged while the Onidiri is expected to shun food while working.

B E AD C

SHORT STORY

A

The ship

voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert-like island.

The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agreed to pray to God. However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.

The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man’s parcel of land remained barren.

After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the land. On the other side of the island, there was nothing.

Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food. The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.

Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island.

He considered the other man unworthy to receive God’s blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered.

As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from heaven booming, “Why are you leaving your companion on the island?”

“My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them,” the first man answered. “His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything.”

“You are mistaken!” the voice rebuked him. “He had only one

prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings.”

“Tell me,” the first man asked the voice, “What did he pray for that I should owe him anything?”

“He prayed that all your prayers be answered.”

For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us.

HIS AND HERS’ CORNER Having that simple bow in her hair is trendy

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

B

Kiddies World E AD

C

With Aunty A'isha rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com 08082071393.

AFRICAN TALES

The Ape, the snake, and the lion

23

MODEL OF THE WEEK Mercy Alaga John is saying hello

ACTIVITIES

Using the right colours, shade and name the image below. Show your work to your teacher for correction. Cheers!

L

ong time ago, there lived, in a village called Keejee′jee, a woman whose husband died, leaving her with a little baby boy. She worked hard all day to get food for herself and child, but they lived very poorly and were most of the time halfstarved.

When the boy, whose name was ’Mvoo′ Laa′na, began to get big, he said to his mother, “Mother, we are always hungry.

What work did my father do to support us?”

His mother replied: “Your father was a hunter. He set traps, and we ate what he caught in them.”

“Oho!” said ’MvooLaana; “that’s not work; that’s fun. I, too, will set traps, and see if we can’t get enough to eat.”

The next day, he went into

the forest and cut branches from the trees, and returned home in the evening.

The second day he spent making the branches into traps.The third day he twisted cocoanut fiber into ropes.

The fourth day he set up as many traps as time would permit.The fifth day he set up the remainder of the traps.

The sixth day he went to examine the traps, and they had caught so much game, beside what they needed for themselves, that he took a great quantity to the big town of Oongoo′ja, where he sold it and bought corn and other things, and the house was full of food; and, as this good fortune continued, he and his mother lived very comfortably.

But after a while, when he

went to his traps, he found nothing in them day after day.

One morning, however, he found that an ape had been caught in one of the traps, and he was about to kill it, when it said, “Son of Adam, I am Neea′neethe ape; do not kill me. Take me out of this trap and let me go. Save me from the rain, that I may come and save you from the sun someday.”So ’MvooLaana took him out of the trap and let him go.

When Neeanee had climbed up a tree, he sat on a branch and said to the youth, “For your kindness, I will give you a piece of advice,believe me, men are all bad. Never do a good turn for a man; if you do, he will do you harm at the first opportunity.”

To be continued…

CREATIVITY

• Place the petal pattern How to make silk Rose petals on the silk fabric in the lower left

Y

ou could purchase readymade silk rose petals or instead you might consider making your own. Making silk rose petals is not difficult.There is no sewing required. It is a simple process of creating a pattern and then cutting the petals at the correct angle on the silk fabric. When you pay attention to the placement of the petal pattern, the finished rose petals will curl attractively in the same way that a real rose petal often does.

What you need: • Thin cardboard

• Pencil • 1 yard silk fabric (color of your choice) What to do: • Draw a petal pattern on the cardboard. Generally, a rose petal will be teardrop shaped, with a wide rounded end and a narrow pointed end. Make the rose petal as large as you desire; 2 inches by 1 inch is a suggested size. Cut out the pattern from the cardboard.

• Lay the silk fabric flat on a work surface with the wrong side facing up.

corner of the fabric. Position the petal pattern so that the bias grain runs diagonally through the petal pattern.

Cutting the petals on the bias grain will create a lovely and realistic curl to the petals.

• Trace around the petal pattern with the disappearing fabric pen. Reposition the petal pattern (again on the bias grain) and trace around the pattern again. Continue repositioning the pattern and tracing around until you have all of the petals you desire. Position the pattern each time so that you get as many petals as possible from the fabric.

Page 24

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Kannywood

Entertainment

With Stanley Onyekwere 08138559513

I’m not an area girl” - Bimbo Thomas cries out

‘I have sang up to 50 Islamic songs’ Tell us about yourself?

I am Umar Abdul’zeez Baba, also known as Fadar Bege. I was born in Kofar Fada, Wudil Local Government, Kano State. I am 38 years old as I was born in 1975.

I am married to two wives but separately and have two children from each of the wives.

“Separately as how?

I married my first wife in 2003 but unfortunately it was unsuccessful, so we separated after a while.

Can you tell us the reason why the marriage broke?

No, because it is a secret affair.

You know marital affair is a secret that should not be disclosed unless necessary.

So, why are you nicknamed Fadar Bege?

The fact that I was born at Kofar Fada, Wudil Local Government Area and I always mention at the end of my song that I am from Kofar Fada, and the fact that we call Islamic song “bege” in Hausa parlance, my supporters then attached the Fada and Bege to form an adjective “fadar bege”. Hence I’m called and popularly known as Fadar Bege.

What motivated you into Islamic songs?

Every muslim is already in love and praise to Allah and his beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). One would only become more conscious and engage more in the praises by rising and embracing it tightly. An Islamic singer becomes motivated by listening to other singers, so I developed passion for Islamic songs and have eventually become a religious singer.

How many songs have you rendered so far?

I can’t tell you specifically but they are about or close to fifty.

How many albums have you made?

I have made about 15 albums.

Can you tell us some of them?

There are albums like “ mai cikar asali ne”,also known as “fadar bege”, “ labbaika rasulillah”, “ farkon mafadi”, “karshen zance”, “rokon da nake”, among others.

Among your songs, which is your most favourite?

Indeed all Islamic songs are favourites, they sound beautifully the moment they are sang and audience would instantly fall for them. It depends on the nature of the song and how audience

For 21 years, Umar Abdul’azeez Baba, popularly known as Fadar Bege, has become a maestro in Islamic songs in the Kannywood film industry. In this interview with MUSTAPHA ADAMU, the 38 years old and father of two, shares the experience and challenges in his career. love it. For instance, “ labbaika rasulillah” became very popular, even more than the rest of my songs, but “farkon mafadi” h a s

now overshadowed “ labbaika rasulillah”.

That is how the songs become favourites simultaneously.

Which kind of musical instrument do you use?

I started making songs with hand-clapping. Then I later became more developed b y

using the Arabian musical instrument called “ bandir”. It is a musical instrument made up of a ceiling wood and skin and it is made in a circular shape.

As the music becomes more developed, I now use computerised m u s i c a l instrument, the piano.

How much does piano cost?

It depends on the model as it changes timely, but it normally cost N300,000 or N200, 000.

Do you organise programmes?

Yes, I organise programmes of different events like wedding ceremony, naming ceremony or even pleasure. A person may deem it fit to organise a programme just for pleasure, I’m invited to play for that purpose.

Do you play for monarchs, politicians or business people?

Yes, I’m ready to play for whoever

invites me irrespective of wealth, social status, family or location.

I play for everybody since I play the songs for my beloved prophet (PBUH), and whoever invites me has invited me because of the love of the prophet.

Among the programmes, can you tell us your grand programme?

Yes, the programme we hold annually, on 19th Rabiul Awwal, to commemorate the birthday of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is my grand programme and it is the most favourite and most exciting.

Who are your target audience?

My target audience are Muslims, all Muslims around the world. Whoever loves Prophet Muhammad (PBUM) is my audience.

Which problem do you face in your career?

There are a lot of problems but the major one I face is travelling. I face problems in travelling a long distance for a programme. If it involves night journey and vehicle breakdown, tyres and other motor parts that may render it to stop, sometimes in a bush, that is scary.

But interms of making a song in studio, I don’t face any problem since I have the instruments.

How do you cope with fans, especially female fans?

I struggle with female fans.

They say they love me but I just regard it as love for the prophet (PBUH). I also struggle with categories of fans. Some are fools while some are smart. Some are supporters but when it comes to interaction, they annoy me. But I must resist and tolerate because I always struggle to make them understand my likes and dislikes.

Does your relationship with female fans threaten your marriage?

No, she knows me and she is aware that it is my business since before our marriage.

Do you write your songs?

Yes, but only in making videos that I use script.

Have you ever won any award?

Yes, I won an award which was presented by a magazine company titled SADAUKARWA in Kaduna State in 2012. I also won an award

by Emir of Kano’s wife also in 2012.

Page 25

Bimbo

Album

Abubakar Dan Auta in ‘Boko Zalla’, Hausa film

Talented Yoruba actress, Bimbo Thomas has cried for help, to clear ‘an area girl’ image she got from playing the role of ‘Nikki’ in Funke Akindele’s blockbusting movie, ‘Omo Ghetto’, where she interpreted her role in the film as if she is actually one of the street urchins that unleash terror in the society.

For her role in the movie, the actress is worried that now she is been stereotyped as an area girl’ which only few people knew she isn’t a thug or a street urchin.

The film painted her to be a tough lady, and Bimbo revealed that this development has affected her image as people fail to realize that it was just a makebelieve role.

What is even more disturbing is that that even some movie producers are making attempts to stereotype her as an area girl, the Creative Arts graduate from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) told Nigeriafilms.com in an interview. this, the actress confessed that she isn’t comfortable with such, adding that she has even started rejecting movie scripts that tends to give her such a role.

But speaking on how she deals with thugs and street urchins, who approach her to give them a dose of her ‘Omo Ghetto’ character, Bimbo said they (the thugs) even go to the extent of trying to fight her.

She said: “I have problems with the thugs (especially guys), when they see me, they always want me to flow with them.

“They want me to give them what they see on movie screen. Even when I try to give them ‘Bimbo Thomas’, they don’t want to see that; but they just tell me to stop pretending and give them my ‘Omo Ghetto’ character; and they even go to the extent of fighting me to make me come out of that shell.

“I always try to explain to them that I acted the ‘Nikki’ character as an actress and that I am not exactly that ‘thug’ character; but as a matter of fact, I am now careful about, where I go.”

HAPPY MARRIED LIFE

Engr. Abubakar Kailani wedded Hauwa Umar on 30th March, 2013

Page 26

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Hollywood/Bollywood Farhan Akhtar chops off French kiss scene from ‘Fukrey’ F

arhan Akhtar is not of the lot who will do anything to promote his film, as the no-nonsense filmmaker is clear about what he wants and just won’t unduly take advantage to make noise, as is the norm in Bollywood, says Glamsham.com.

According to the report, since he wanted to be true to the fukrapan

or the genre of his upcoming film Fukrey, Farhan didn’t mind chopping the steamy French kiss scene.

The elaborate kiss between Fukrey lead actors Pulkit Samrat and Priya Anand had been shot and was extremely hot and steamy, which it was gathered that In fact it had shaped up so well that there

was a massive debate creatively whether we should keep it in final edit or remove it.

However, when Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani saw the film they felt that the fukraness of the film shouldn’t get diluted at all, attention shouldn’t shift and after watching the final edit they decided to get it removed.

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani to release in Israel A fter a gap of over 10 years a Bollywood film was released in Israel, Eros International is all set to release its upcoming Ranbir KapoorDeepika Padukone starrer “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani “in the country, reports Bollywood Hungama News Network.

The report says: “The release date of the movie in India as well as in Israel happens to be on the same date; and there is a huge demand for these movies since Israelis and the local Indian population over there are fond of Indian content,” says Kumar Ahuja-President-Business Development -Eros International.

“Earlier Bollywood content was available on DVDs and Indian channels, but this can very well be called the beginning of theatrical age of Hindi movies in Israel”, he added.

According to the report, the Ayan Mukerji directed film has been subtitled in Hebrew for the audience there and is currently being promoted on television channels across the country.

Commenting on why no Bollywood film has released in Israel in the last decade, Ahuja said: “There was no solid distributor in Israel until now and getting prints of the movie is an expensive process; but now Shai Motion Pictures (an Israeli Distributor) has invested in a portable projector which gives them the mobility to showcase movies at different locations at a cost that is much lesser.”

Also the report stated that foreign distributors are equally thrilled about the film. “We are looking forward to it, and because it is after a long gap, after Devdas that any Indian movie will release here, this itself calls for celebration and we are anticipating good numbers”, says Shai Solomon, of Shai Motion Pictures.

Sailendra Nath Roy dies in India ponytail stunt

A

n Indian Guinness World Record holder who attempted to cross a river suspended from a zip wire attached to his ponytail has died during the stunt.

Sailendra Nath Roy, 48, was performing the feat on the Teesta river in West Bengal when he suffered a

“I didn’t get any discount to shoot in Pataudi house” – Faraz Haider

F

araz Haider recently shot in Soha Ali Khan’s Pataudi house for his upcoming war comedy “War Chhod Na Yaar”, and the director was very happy that he got such a beautiful location to shoot but also reveals that he didn’t get any discounts.

Explaining the same Faraz says:

“I have shot in both the exterior and interior parts of the Pataudi house with Soha Ali Khan and Manoj Pahwa.

“It is a very beautiful place and we have captured the full building in both day and night light. We have tried to show Pataudi house in a very different and beautiful manner. It

was very special for Soha as this was for the first time anyone from the family has shot in their own house”, he said.

Commenting on his decision of finalizing this location, he says, “The location was perfect for the scene; we had seen many other locations but later zeroed on this one.”

heart attack.

Hundreds of spectators watched his last moments in horror.

In March 2011, Mr Roy was named a Guinness World Record holder for travelling the farthest distance on a zip wire using hair.

He worked as a driver for the police.

Mr Roy was trying to cross the Coronation Bridge over the Teesta river near Siliguri town suspended from a zip wire 600ft (180m) long at a height of 70ft (20m).

Hanging for 45 minutes A large number of people had gathered on the bridge to watch the feat.

Witnesses said that Mr Roy appeared to make no progress after covering about 300ft (90m).

“He was desperately trying to move forward. He was trying to scream out some instruction. But no one could follow what he was saying. After struggling for 30 minutes he became still,” said Balai Sutradhar, a photographer, who was covering the stunt.

Police said he was hanging for nearly 45 minutes before he was brought down.

Doctors at the hospital said he had suffered a “massive heart attack”.

Mr Roy had arrived at the riverside on Sunday morning and set up the zip wire from the bridge with help from friends.

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Page 27

Hollywood Amanda Bynes fights back, says ‘I’m not crazy’

A

manda Bynes might be the subject of numerous headlines, seemingly constant Twitter feuds and mass speculation about the state of her

wellbeing – but according to the retired actress, she’s all good.

Accesshollywood.com reports that the 27-year-old earlier in the week through her Tweeter

account tweeted: “I’m Not Crazy.”

The report says, Bynes’ lawyer handling her April 2012 DUI case in California, Richard Hutton, who also spoke out about his

client, said he think reports are way exaggerated.

“I think Amanda’s fine, I have no problems with her whatsoever, as she’s a fine client; because

every time I’ve talked to her, I’ve had nice, attorney-client normal relations with her,” he told People magazine.

According to Hutton, he doesn’t believe her May 23 arrest in New York City – on charges of reckless endangerment, tampering with evidence and criminal possession of marijuana – will hold.

Regular guy Instagrams self into celebrity photosa

A

n unidentified regular Instagram user end up in photos alongside Nicki Minaj, Beyonce and Kim Kardashian, as the Photoshopping genius has become something of a cult sensation across various social media platforms for editing himself into famous pictures involving a number of very famous faces.

PeejeT (not real name), just a regular dude with a “regular 9-5 sales job in Kansas City,” who’s done all that and more; and he’s become a mini internet celebrity in his own right for doing it.

Grumpy cat movie actually in the works

I

n news that ought to put a smile on everyone’s face - except for the star himself - a Grump Cat movie is reportedly in the works.

According to thehollywoodgossip.com, the

film would turn this Internet legend into a Garfield-like big screen character, according to Deadline, giving Grumpy the power of speech and packaging him as the anchor of a family comedy.

Samuel L. Jackson in fun contest, offers to read winning monologue

Grump Cat, even though her real name is Tardar Sauce won the Meme of the Year at the 2013 Webby Awards and was also named the most influential cat of 2012 by MSNBC.

A

ctor Samuel L. Jackson is offering fans a chance to have their words read aloud by one of the world’s best known voices in a fun contest ‘muthaphukkas’.

According to recent reports, contestants are expected to just write up to 300 words on Jackson’s Reddit post and the comment that is up voted

the most times will be read in monologue form by the man who really hates having snakes on his plane The contest runs through today and supports the non-profit Alzheimer’s Society, and readers can donate $3 for a chance to win lunch with the star and/or $200 for an autographed hat.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 - SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

28

Gbegiri (beans) soup

Cuisine

Gbegiri is a tasty soup eaten with yam flower pudding (Amala) and Ewedu. It is made from beans, tastes really nice and is the favourite dish of the Nupe people from Niger state.

Ingredients: • Beans (black eyed peas)- 1 cup (milk tin) • Palm oil- as desired • Dadawa (locust beans)- 1 table spoon • Kaun (potash)- 1 pinch • Dried shawa (or any dried fish of your choice) - 1 big sized • Goat meat- 1/2 kilo • Dried pepper- 2 table spoons (or as desired) • Salt and seasoning to taste Preparation: Wash and peel off the back of the beans, sieve the shaft off with water until all the beans are without back peels.

Put in a pot to cook, add sufficient water, potash, and locust beans, [dadawa]. Cook till it is pulpy. Do not cover the pot when cooking the beans because the boiling water would over pour and cause a big mess.

Season and cook your goat meat till it is tender, Peel and wash your dried fish then add it to the cooking beans. This is to enable it get tender.

When the beans gets soft, pass it through a sieve to give you a pulpy texture.

Clean your pot and put the pulpy bean paste back on fire Add your dried pepper, goat meat, stock and palm oil, salt and season to taste.

Ensure that the beans paste is a bit watery but not too watery (the meat stock should help make it watery). Making it watery is because it thickens as it gets cold but you also dont want it too watery when it’s hot either Your gbegiri is ready after about 5 minutes of cooking all the other ingredients together.

Feel free to serve with amala, semovita, rice, tuwo and ewedu.

Corn flour food [Tuwon Masara] Tuwo Masara is a bolus meal indigenous to the northerners particularly the Fulani’s and Hausas.

Ingredients: 1 cup corn flour (coarse type, not the one for making Pap) 2 cups water Preparation: Put some water in a small pot and set the boil on medium heat. *Add the corn and stir continuously until you get a thick and stretchy mix..just like Eba, you can add more corn meal if you want it thicker. The mixture is thick and stretchy. Now add a little water, cover the pot, reduce the heat to low and leave for 2 minutes. * Now mix thoroughly until the Tuwo is smooth... serve hot and ENJOY! Tuwo can be eaten with any Nigerian soup, such as Ogbono soup, Egusi soup or Okra soup.

The Northerners enjoy it with Miyan Wake soup, Miyan Taushe soup, Miyan Zogale soup, Miyan Ridi soup, Miyan Tapasa soup and Miyan Shuaka soup.

Ingredients: 2 cups corn flour 3 cups water Direction: Combine the corn flour and water in a medium pot, place on medium heat and stir continuously until the mixture is thick and stretchy. Add ¼ cup of water, reduce the heat to minimum and leave the pot covered for three minutes. Stir until smooth and your tuwo is ready to serve.

Fresh mango juice Homemade fresh ripe mango juice Now that the mangos are in season, it is time to savour natural sweet mango juice from a variety of its best species around. Nicely, mango pulp blends well to yield a smooth creamy juice. So do yourself a favor by blending a glass of fresh mango juice to relish the real taste of mango with all its nutrients.

Preparation: Peel and chop ripe mango into pieces, place in blender with crushed ice, water and sugar or honey or dates [dabino] syrup as required. Blend to a smooth consistency and run through a sieve.

Discard the left over pulp in the sieve. Pour into tall glasses and serve.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Digest

29

Miracle baby rescued alive from a toilet pipe

By James Nye, Anna Edwards and Andy Mcewen

A

n abandoned newborn baby boy found trapped inside a sewage pipe after being flushed down the toilet by his mother, who did not want him, has been nursed back to health in a hospital in.

The infant was heard crying in a section of the pipe directly beneath a toilet commode, the country’s state television reported.

Firefighters had to remove the pipe and take it to a nearby hospital where doctors carefully used saws to rescue the baby boy.

The infant- named Baby No. 59 from the number of his hospital incubator - was in a critical condition when he arrived at the hospital with an apparent fracture to his skull.

But the baby boy has been pictured being nursed back to health in hospital as staff reveal his condition is now stable.

Nurse Zhang Songhe of the pediatric department of the Pujiang County People’s Hospital in the city of Jinhua, Zhejiang province, East China, told the Daily Mail: ‘When the baby arrived here, he was in critical condition.

‘We suspect he has a fracture in the top right section of his skull. But now everything has been stabilized.’

Staff at the Pujiang County People’s Hospital in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, said well-wishers have visited the hospital with diapers, baby clothes and powered milk for the child.

The nurse added that the mother of the baby has been found and is currently with her child in hospital.

They said: ‘The mother has been found. She is right now in the hospital.

I heard she is a 22 year-old single woman. I don’t know the reason she abandoned the baby.

Nurse Zhang Songhe added that news of the rescue prompted an outpouring from strangers who came to the hospital with diapers, baby clothes, powdered milk and offers to adopt the child.

The nurse continued: ‘There have been three or four groups of visitors delivering baby formula some of whom have expressed willingness to adopt him.

At a public toilet on the fourth floor firefighters were able to hear faint cries and, exploring further, spotted the baby’s foot deep inside the pipe ‘We’re going to take care of the baby.

We are not sure when the baby can be discharged.’

The baby weighs 2.8 kilograms (6.2 pounds) and still had his placenta attached to his body when he was rescued, reports said.

The disturbing case has sparked anger in China and around the world after harrowing TV footage of the baby’s two-hour-long rescue was uploaded onto the internet.

Residents living in a residential building in Jinhua in the wealthy coastal province of Zhejiang reported the sound of a baby crying in the public restroom.

Firefighters received a call from a

landlady of a block of flats saying that she thought a baby was trapped in a toilet pipe in the building as she had heard it crying The landlord of the building in Pujiang county told Zhejiang News that it was unlikely the birth took place in the restroom because there was no evidence of blood and she was not aware of any recent pregnancies among her tenants.

T h e b a b y w a s

stuck in an L-shaped portion of the sewage pipe with a diameter of about 1 0 centimeters (3 inches).

The video shows rescuers sawing off a section of the pipe along a ceiling that apparently was just below the restroom.

The rescuers then rushed that section of pipe to a hospital, where firefighters and medics alternately used pliers and saws to rip apart the pipe and free the baby.

The firefighters worked quickly to dismantle the pipe and rescue the trapped youngster, who was heard wailing Firefighters gently carried away

the section of pipe that contained t h e terrified

punished. ‘ T h e parents who did this have hearts even filthier than that sewage pipe,’ wrote one

baby His arms h a d b e e n p i n n e d to his side, and when the confines of the pipe had been delicately prised away, he let out a long wail - much to the relief of doctors who were battling against the clock to rescue him.

His eyes, face and body were covered in the filth of the pipe.

There are frequent reports in Chinese media of babies being abandoned often shortly after birth, a problem attributed variously to young mothers unaware they were pregnant, the birth of an unwanted baby girl in a society which puts greater value on boys or China’s strict family planning rules.

Doctors carefully cut around the sewage pipe to rescue the baby boy inside The case has been widely discussed on China’s Twitter-like service Sina Weibo due to the graphic nature of the footage, with calls for the parents to be severely

Recovering: The baby boy has been nicknamed number 59 after the number of his incubator

user.

It was not immediately clear how the baby ended up in the toilet, but police said they were treating the case as an attempted homicide. The Pujiang county police bureau said on its official microblog account that the boy’s mother has been located and that an investigation is ongoing, but gave no further details.

Firefighters and doctors rescue an abandoned newborn baby boy by cutting away a sewage pipe piece by piece, in this still image taken from video, in Jinhua city, Zhejiang province May 25, 2013 People have angrily reacted to the news, demanding the parents be punished and denouncing their cruel act The child is in a stable condition and the police are looking for his parents, Chinese state television reported The abandoned child has been named Baby No 59 from the number of his incubator, according to reports Nurses treat the baby, who was believed to be only a few days old when he was flushed away Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Firefighters and doctors rescue an abandoned newborn baby boy by cutting away a sewage pipe piece by piece, in this still photo, in Jinhua city, Zhejiang province in East China

Leisure 30

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Do you have old pictures for memories?

Send them to junioremma419@gmail.com

ARCHIVES

From left: Nigerian poet, Christopher Okigbo with Chinua Achebe and Alex Ajayi in the 50s

First ILO (International Labor Organization) African Regional Conference, Lagos, Nigeria, December 1960.

From left: Nigerian poet, Christopher Okigbo with Chinua Achebe and Alex Ajayi in the 50s

Oba Adenji Adele ll (a Yoruba chief) and his wife are welcome by the Duke of Devonshire at the Commonwealth Relations’ Office.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

31

WORD SEARCH

Photo of the day

Find the words which are listed at the right side of this page in the Word Search grid. The words can be forwards, backwards, up, down, or diagonal. Circle each letter separately and keep in mind that the letters in each words may be used in more than one words name.

Toothbrush Enamel Sealant Fluoride Plaque Flossing

Bacteria Dentist Dental Hygienist Smile Xrays

HISTORICAL EVENTS IN NIGERIA October 1, 1960 Nigeria gains independence from Britain, with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as the Prime Minister leading a coalition government of parliamentary system.

October 1, 1963 Nigeria becomes a republic, breaking away from the British monarchy.

January 15, 1966 Fall of the First Republic, as Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa is killed in unsuccessful coup led by some Majors.

January 16, 1966 Johnson AguiyiIronsi takes over as the nation’s Head of State.

Motivational Quotes “If they called everything divine which they do not understand, why, there would be no end to divine things.”

– Hippocrates “Colors fade, temples crumble, empires fall, but wise words endure.”

– Edward Thorndike

regions.

May 30, 1967 Chukwuemeka “Use what talents you Odumegwu Ojukwu, posses; The woods the Eastern Region’s would be very silent military governor, announces the breakaway of the eastern states as the Republic of Biafra, sparking bloody civil war that led to the deaths over a million people.

July 29, 1966 Aguiyi Ironsi killed in a counter-coup by a group of northern army officers who revolted against the government, and he is replaced by Yakubu Gowon.

January 12, 1970 Biafran leaders January 5, 1967 surrender, as the Military leaders and officer administering senior police officials the government, of each region (East, Phillip Effiong North and South) sign calls for a ceasean accord in Aburi, fire. The region was Ghana and agree on a reintegrated into loose confederation of Nigeria.

if no birds sang there except for the ones that sang the best.”

– William Blake “The ultimate court of appeal is observation and experiment--not authority.”

– Thomas H. Huxley “The most formidable weapon against errors of any kind is reason.”

– Thomas Paine

CARTOON

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

32 Compiled by Ekah Theodora

s n w

o

B

G

ehind every woman’s glamour is the effect of her feminine beauty.

The clothes she wears and how she wears them even when she wears them matters a lot pending on the shape and size of her body. A lady should consider little things like the tone of her skin and her height.

If an occasion is formal, either during the day or evening time, careful consideration should be taken care of. There are some garments that are timeless classics and gowns that fit this category perfectly.

Lately gowns have become the most preferred outfits for women at formal functions, awards and premieres. They make a woman feel like a queen with the flowing drapes and cuts. But one wrong choice and you may find yourself on the hitlist of the fashion police.

Learn from the mistakes of celebrities.

Here are some very basic rules that one needs to know in terms of cuts, fabrics and colours of gowns. Read on to see what the experts have to say…

Minimalistic all the way Gowns need to be simple, well cut with minimum embellishments, is what designer Anita Dongre feels. “You need to realise that not everyone can carry off gowns with

equal elegance and elan.

I believe in keeping the jewellery minimal because it might just kill the garment. Styling is an equally important factor and that includes your hair which is a personal choice and the shoes you wear. You need to wear a minimum of four to five inches of heels to walk gracefully in a gown.

Full-length gowns should preferably just touch the floor with your heels on.

Fabric conscious “The most important thing

Fashion

What you need to know about cuts, fabrics & colours

while choosing a gown is the fabric. It has to be soft, and extravagant fabrics like silk, velvet, satin and chiffon work best. For the lucky petite women the toga style is an all-time favourite. As for others, they need to pick up styles that accentuate their best features which can be their legs, shoulders or necks.

Assymetrical lines look shabby while sometimes a gown with a slight trail is very elegant, says designer Babita Malkani What’s your body type For any outfit, it is the occasion and the body type that calls the shot. So you can experiment and be a little quirky with the style and colours while for something as formal as an award night, you should preferably go in for solid colours and classic cuts.” Seamless gowns are perfect for almost all body types.

Gowns or for that matter anything you wear is an extension of your personality.

“I love Halle Berry and her gowns.

With an athletic body like hers, she juxtaposes it with a feminine gown,” she adds.

In terms of bags or

clutches, if you are wearing a solid colour then a jewelled clutch will work well while if your gown has embellishments on it go in for a metallic solid coloured clutch.

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Page 33

Style W

hen we’re talking about fashion, the word Bohemian is used to convey an attitude and style that says free-spirited.

Called Boho for short, the Bohemian look is earthy and layered, with loose, flowing fashions and accessories that are often made from natural materials like linen and gauzy cotton, wood, stones a n d leather. Woven items are

popular so are beads that are used in jewelry and to decorate purses, belts or anything else.

Tunics work over skirts or pants and can be loosely belted if you like.

Vintage jewelry and fashions always have a place in a Bohemian ensemble.

You can get a feeling for today’s Boho chics, Twins Mary Kate and Ashley, they are two people who often dress in a Bohemian style. Sienna Miller is another. Looking at photos of celebrities can often help you pick up ideas for and

perfecting your own Boho look.

The best t h i n g about

t h e Bohemian look is that nothing has to “match.” The pieces you choose should layer well and they work together to give you a classy, Boho chic appearance.

Think ethnic. Think organic -- earthy colors and fabrics. Think relaxed.

Boho, free style

Page 34

Business

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Economy: A paper growth 14 years on

By Abdulwahab Isa

A

cabinet Minister of present administration, Olusegun Aganga’s (Trade and Investment) romance with figure speaks volume of a man and his Goldman Sachs background.

Very articulate with figures that relate to volume of jobs government interventions have delivered; Aganga’s thumb up for economy is itself, an indicative of economy on a positive path.

Trade and investment Minster is not alone on this positive assessment of the economy under the current dispensation.

The National Bureau of statistics (NBS) the official agency of government that gauges economy performance has, equally posted positive ratings for Nigeria economy.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its recent submission said, the GDP growth was estimated at 6.6 per cent by the end of December 2012; compared with 7.43 per cent recorded in the corresponding period of 2011 while 2013 projection is 6.75 per cent.

Comparing the 2013 figures with December 2012 reveals a slight improvement in projected growth performance.

In a lay man’s world, growth captured in projected figures which does not translate to employments, affordable foods and affordable housing are of no impact.

Nigeria economy has navigated through turbulent climes since the return to democratically elected government on May 29th 1999. A solid 14 years of unbroken civilian rule ought to provide the economy with enabling elixir to prosper and bring the much chorus dividends of democracy, but in the case of Nigeria the chorus is that of mix bag of misgivings of a sluggish economy .

Whereas the GDP has shown measure of growth; such growth has yet to make positive-physical impact on the economy. To a large extent, the economy is still turbulent, saturates with high unemployment. Thus, they tag the GDP growth, a mere paper growth.

Agriculture: For instance, the agriculture which hitherto contributed substantially to the GDP has receded to the background.

Presently, the sector is characterized with low level productivity. The attraction to agriculture has significantly waned.

Young able men are drifted to allure of white collar job at city centers.

The return on investment is very low while peasant farmers who constitutes majority of farming populace find it extremely difficult to access commercial loans due to stringent lending condition attached.

A reputed agriculture nation, Nigeria leaders- past and present has consciously and meticulously promoted policies that make Nigeria strictly a crude oil nation. Other sectors of the economy such as agriculture and nonmineral sector are left in the lurch.

A hitherto food exporting nation,

Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga

CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Nigeria presently ranks one of the highest importers of consumables due to deliberate policies that have extinct agriculture sector.

The North used to be a haven for agriculture produce, but the region has lost everything to unfavorable harsh operating environment and discouraging government policies.

Added to this, is the social unrest in the region occasioned by the activities of Islamist fundamentalists - Boko Harram.

Inflation The war against racing double digit inflationary trend appeared won. From a double digit of 11 last year, inflation rate is now in single digit. It was 9 per cent in January and increased slightly to 9.5 per cent in February. Headline inflation increased from 8.6 per cent in March to 9.1 per cent in April, remaining within the target single digit range for the fourth consecutive month in 2013.

This is a positive development for the economy and private sector. Low inflation is good for the preservation of real incomes in the economy and the welfare of citizens.

But CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has warned of looming inflation occasioned by government spending in its effort to sustain military operations at the Borno, Adamawa and Yobe statethe three Northern states it declared state of emergency to contain activities of Islamist fundamentalists, Boko Harram.

Sanusi’s prediction of looming inflation was conveyed at the last Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

He said that “the state of emergency in the North-East and the accompanying military operations in that axis have the potential to adversely affect economic activities generally, including agricultural production and food prices as well as consumer demand”.

“In addition, the recent military action in the North-East will result in additional spending. Although the government has announced that there will be no supplementary budget, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance has already announced that there will be a drawdown on a contingency vote

embedded in the 2013 budget to cover emergencies.

“Overall, the committee is of the view that government spending will constitute a major risk to the inflation and exchange rate outlook, thus advising prudence in monetary policy action at this time.”

Banking sector: The nation’s banking institution witnessed series of transformations in the last fourteen years of democratically elected government. First, was the ambitious consolidation and merger of 2003/2004 under Professor Chuckuma Soludo former CBN Governor.

It witnessed the reduction in numbers of hitherto existing 89 commercial banks to 25 on threshold of new minimum operating capital base of N25 billion .

Just when Soludo’s banking solution was getting all adorations, the recess in global economy in 2007 and 2009 rendered Nigeria banks and her economy vulnerable to the sweeping shock occasioned by the economy recess.

The choice of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, a former Chief Executive Officer at First Bank of Nigeria plc as a successor to Soludo as CBN Governor ushered in more drastic reforms aimed at purging the sector of internal abuses and un ethical practices. A forensic audit of the bank’s balance sheet and assets revealed glaring mis –management in depositors’ fund.

Sanusi’s reforms - first of a kind in the entire history of Nigeria banking system saw to enthronement of transparent conduct of banking business.

Big players like Oceanic Bank, Intercontinental bank, and Bank PHB were absorbed by a stronger bank to forestall an imminent crash of the affected banks. Some bank CEOs found to have mismanaged their banks were prosecuted by a competent court of law.

Under Sanusi, banks operation come under a set of corporate governance structure which amongst others spells out maximum tenure for Bank CEO. Under the new rule, CEO of bank is allowed a maximum tenure of ten years.

This singular rule terminated tenures of flamboyant bank CEOs in the persons of Tony Elumelu of UBA, Jim Ovia of

Zenith Bank, Akinsola of Syke bank.

To insulate banking institution against perennial bad assets, Sanusi created Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) an organ to clean off banks off its bad assets.

AMCON has begun another phase in its operation with plan to pay off its outstanding obligations to all private sector investors by December 2014 leaving the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as its only creditor.

Sanusi said that, apex bank has reached an agreement with AMCON for the ‘bad bank’ to retire all existing bond series maturing in 2013 and 2014 and to reissue a new a N3.6 trillion bond to be held by the CBN under a new refinancing and restructuring arrangement within a period not exceeding ten years at single-digit interest rate.

“In December this year AMCON will pay off N1.1trillion, AMCON has series one bonds maturing in 2013 and will also call in all holders of series 2, 3 and 4 maturing in 2014. AMCON will issue a new bond of N3.6 trillion which we will invest in and that will be used to refinance our entire exposure at an interest rate of 6 per cent over 10 years” According to him, AMCON currently has over N800 billion in assets and at the end of this year, it will build that up to over N1 trillion.

“The result of this is that by October 2014, the only creditor to AMCON will be the CBN, every other person holding AMCON bonds will be paid off as at when due. This pay off will not be in the form of an injection of N1 trillion cash into the system. We already compelled AMCON to convert them into securities. So these securities are going to change.

“What you’re going to have is that

by December, the balance sheet of AMCON will reduce by N1.1 trillion.

And by October next year, the balance sheet will shrink by another N1 trillion, down to N3.6 trillion” he said.

While tremendous changes have taken place in banking sector to make it virile and strong, the economy is yet to be injected with a sufficient credit that bring about the desired growth and productivity”.

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Page 35

Business News

Nigeria ranks 96th on innovations index – Report

By Stanley Onyekwere with agency report

N

igeria ranks 96th in the overall innovation index with a score of 28.2 per cent in the ranking involving 100 countries, according to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) findings.

The report says, the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’I, who revealed this on Friday, in a report she presented

at the National Universities Commission, in Abuja, said the ministry held its first National Education Innovations Exhibitions in November 2012.

According to the report Nigeria scored 43.8 percentage points and ranked 21st out of 131 countries, in creative outputs, which implied that Nigeria was a very creative country.

It noted that with these strong points Nigeria was a creative

country, especially in the area of arts and film industry with the rapid growth of Nollywood over the years.

“The index also shows that Nigeria is innovative in business models and this is evident in the strong domestic competition between SME’s for market share.

“On all the other dimensions of the innovation index, Nigeria was weak as it ranked 106th on infrastructure with 21.0 per cent,

Senate President , David Mark (left) with his son, Mark Aikwuta Ahubi and a clown, during the 5th birthday anniversary celebration of Aikwuta, on Thursday in Abuja.

due to very poor scores in ICT. “Though low in infrastructure, it is worthy to note the commendable score in share of renewable in energy use (ranked 7th with 50.1 per cent) and ecological foot print and bio capacity (ranked 42nd with 36.5 per cent.

“This is quite evident in the country as energy, especially power supply, has been a great challenge and has greatly reduced the ability for the nation’s entrepreneurs to compete globally”, as contained in the report.

The report further postulated that Nigeria ranked low in scientific outputs, owing to poor score in knowledge creation and business sophistication.

Also the report noted that it is clear that innovation is not a preserve of any nation or people but an important tool for driving the economic progress and competitiveness of economies.

According to the report, innovation was highly inclusive, multi-disciplinary, inter-sectoral and interactive process involving a diverse network of companies, stakeholders, institutions, users and governments.

Also the report suggested that the task of rebuilding an eco-system to nurture innovation had become imperative; which requires for more comprehensive preparations to ensure the success and survival of Nigeria in international trade.

ALGON boss in Kebbi calls for optimal exploitation of mineral Alhaji Musa Dan-Illela, Chairman, Kebbi Chapter of National Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON), says the nation’s mineral deposits are not optimally exploited.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday that many state governments were not harnessing their mineral deposits to generate

revenue and create employment.

Dan-Illela suggested that governors should partner with their local governments in the extraction and utilisation of mineral resources for their economic development.

According to him, the state has gypsum deposits in commercial quantities which can increase the state’s ability to produce

cement.

“Kebbi State is endowed with gypsum, bitumen, iron ore as well as precious stones in commercial quantities; but what is needed is maximum exploitation of these mineral resources for the benefit to the people.

“I commend governors that collaborate with local council chiefs in their states in the

execution of projects that will improve the living conditions of the people”, he said.

Stressing the need for collaboration between the state and local governments could improve service delivery to the people, Dan-Illela also called for the reactivation of the state owned factories to provide employment for youths.(NAN)

Jetty operators urged to accommodate stevedores President of National Association of Stevedoring Companies, Bolaji Sunmola, has urged jetty operators in the country, to accommodate stevedores in all offshore operations.

Sunmola told the News

Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that it was the statutory right of stevedores to be at the jetties.

He said that the services of stevedoring companies should be sustained on offshore jetties as well as oil and gas jetties, saying

that the jetties were like extension of the ports.

“It is our sole right to discharge cargoes as enshrined in the Ports Act of 1999 and this has not been amended; because it is statutory that every work being done at the jetties should be handled

by stevedoring companies, even when the service is automated,’’ he stressed.

Sunmola however, commended the Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, for his plan to come up with guidelines that would help regulate the industry. (NAN)

reach 38,016.80 against the 37,358.74 posted on Tuesday due to huge appreciation by blue chip equities.

Nestle led the price gainers’ table by N98 to close at N1, 088 per share.

It was trailed by Total with a gain of N5 to close at N165, while Nigerian Breweries gained N3.92 to close at N178 per share.

Flour Mills gained N2.50 to close at N87.50, while Cadbury chalked up N2.28 to close at N54.56 per share.

On the other hand,

Guinness topped the losers’ chart with a loss of N3.40 to close at N275.61 per share.

PZ Cussons followed with a loss of N1 to close at N51, while NAHCO dipped by15k to close at N7.55 per share.

Dangote Sugar dropped 13k to close at N10.33, while Red Star Express decreased by 11k to close at N4.40 per share.

Unity Bank remained the toast of investors, accounting for 90.76 million shares worth N57.14 million.

Transcorp came second on

the activity chart with 36.37 million shares valued at N47.12 million, while FCMB sold a total of 21.92 million shares worth N109.62 million.

NAN reports that in spite of the growth in the market capitalisation, the volume of shares traded dropped by 6.38 per cent.

A total of 400.24 million shares valued at N3.25 billion were sold in 5,970 deals in contrast to the 427.51 million shares worth N4.45 billion exchanged in 6,355 deals on Tuesday. (NAN)

NSE market capitalisation hits N12trn mark

T

he market capitalisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Thursday hit the N12 trillion mark, the highest achieved after the stock market crashed in 2008, according to reports.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisation grew by N211 billion or 1.77 per cent to close at N12.15 trillion from the N11.94 trillion achieved on Tuesday.

Similarly, the All-Share Index appreciated by 658.06 points or 1.77 per cent to

Edo, Brazilian Govts partner on rice farming

T

he Edo Government says it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Brazil on rice farming, to eliminate the importation of rice and other produce.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Abdul Oroh, who made the government’s position known in Ekperi near Fugar in Etsako Central Local Government Area, recently, said that the state was determined to produce 25 per cent of rice consumed by Nigerians.

According to him, the government had created the enabling environment for business to thrive and opened up about 50 communities for farmers to bring their produce to urban areas.

Oroh, who received the 30-man trade delegation from Estado Rio Grande Sul, Brazil, who inspected some farms in the locality, gave the assurance of availability of land.

The commissioner emphasised that the state government would partner with investors who would in turn provide employment for the teeming youths.

Also, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Brazil, Vincent Okoedion, who accompanied the delegation, said that the MOU would also bring succuor to smallholder farmers and corporations in the state.

Earlier, the Brazilian Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Agro Business, Lois Menadi, told Gov. Adams Oshiomhole in Benin that the project intended to strengthen the cooperation between the state and Brazil.

Menadi added that Brazil was also interested in partnering with the state government in health, education, agriculture and finance sectors.

The farms inspected included T4M Agro-Tech farms and Jarsof farms both in Ekperi. (NAN)

Page 36

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

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LETTERS & ONLINE COMMENTS

Re: Why not a new Government House for Katsina State?

By Ahmed B. Kaita (MHR)

A

recent article by one Abdullahi Umar, cunningly written to remind Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina state about the numerous ghosts waiting to haunt him at the expiration of his tenure came at a period Katsina and its people were having a blissful sleep after witnessing the trashing of Governor Shema by an exhausted Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau state with the full backing of Shema’s ‘ogas at the top’ in the Presidency.

Umar was so insensitive bullying such a brand new political “orphan”, abandoned at this material moment.

Despite my classification as one of the critics of governor Shema, I wouldn’t attack him so. It would be an over kill. It is my belief that this is highly probable the article was an early shot to bring down the resurrected senatorial retirement plan of Governor Shema, having seen the writing clearly on the wall about his dream of chasing Namadi Sambo out of the political permutation of 2015. He has found out, as the Hausa people would say - Bakin rijiya ba wurin wasan yaro bane (Mouth of the well is not a playground for the child).

Honestly, I might have ignored the article out of compassion for Shema’s recent travails which exposed his soiled underbelly as well as his poor grasp of politics. But, Umar left me with no choice having isolated my humble self and my elder, Dr. Mustapha Inuwa among the

WRITE TO US Peoples Daily Weekend welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed to: The Editor, Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.

Email: opinion@peoplesdailyng.com over”6 million” critics of governor Shema that consist of each and every citizen of Katsina state; including members of his cabinet that are his most consistent critics albeit behind the shadows.

Still, keeping in line with my resolve to allow governor Shema nurse his overbloated ego that has been shattered to pieces with a single presidential blow, I wish to address, direct Umar to some of my unanswered questions still left hanging for lack of clear and decent response. Umar has to be living on planet Jupiter to deny reading the numerous articles I wrote that dealt with the new government house issue. In case he is new in the business, let me horn his skills. I hereby challenge him to provide the record of performance of the Shema regime from inception to date. These were

the challenges I threw at many before him that are yet to come up with an answer.

Perhaps, Umar may finally explain the deepening silence from government quarters anytime there are demands to discuss Katsina state projects against expenditure. Let Umar probe and prove the report card published in various newspapers by my colleague, the minority leader of KSHA, Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Mahuta, which the government is yet to challenge with satisfactory and intellectually acceptable response.

For Umar to hang his belief in the sincerity of Governor Shema by mentioning some inflated projects for which the government is still in court to prevent the public from seeing the details, speaks only one thing, the disconnect between the writer and the subject.

Not that I blame Umar for striving to survive the affliction the Shema regime has became, but still where is our sense of decency?

I challenge Umar to give me the figures of the projects that made Shema so dear to him against the glaring evidences of growing poverty in the state. Umar’s kind of argument is less than expected from somebody qualified enough to work in a local government. If there is any better proof of Shema’s destruction of our common good, it couldn’t be more than Umar himself. Only a politically traumatised person could think along the same line.

But if he insists, I challenge him to use this forum and swear by Allah SWT, the ALL KNOWING that he believes in what he wrote. I rest my case.

Ahmed B. Kaita is a member of the House of Representatives from Katsina state.

Umar may finally explain the deepening silence from government quarters anytime there are demands to discuss Katsina state projects against expenditure.

Let Umar probe and prove the report card published in various newspapers by my colleague, the minority leader of KSHA, Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Mahuta, which the government is yet to challenge with satisfactory and intellectually acceptable response.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Opinion

37

Amaechi and his 17 SANs

By Gladys Ikpem

T

he recent suspension of the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, by his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), took a legal dimension when it was reported in the Leadership newspaper of 28th May, 2013, (page8), that the Governor is heading for a Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the propriety of his suspension from the PDP. He is assembling a team of lawyers comprising 17 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).

This formidable team of learned men of the bar will be expected to explore every legal avenue to ensure the victory of their client.

We have been told many-a-times that the court is the last recourse of the commonman and Amaechi is no

stranger to the Nigerian courts. It will be recalled that in 2007, the Supreme Court of Nigeria gave its decision on a pre-election suit filed by Rotimi Amaechi, who had won the PDP gubernatorial primaries in Rivers State.

Just before the election, however, the party replaced Amaechi with Celestine Omehia, who contested and won the governorship election in Rivers State.

In its judgement, the Supreme Court declared Amaechi the winner of the election. Following the Supreme Court ruling, Rotimi Amaechi was sworn in as the duly elected Governor of Rivers State, although he did not participate in the election.

Since becoming governor however, many political watchers have argued that he has not allowed the commonman in Rivers State to enjoy the same unfettered delivery of justice in his State. They

specifically refer to the demolition of the waterfront settlements in Okrika Local Government Area by the Governor.

Amaechi explained his action saying that the demolition was to pave way for proper modern day development.

While speaking with Okrika Council of Chiefs in Government House, Port Harcourt, when they visited him to urge him to reconsider his plan, the governor, rather, went on to give them further details of his demolition plan, maintaining that after the breaking down of the houses, his government would sandfill the waterfront area to pave way for the infrastructural development in line with acceptable standards for waterfront settlements.

This decision did not go down well with many of the chiefs as well as the settlers who headed to the law courts to save the destruction of their ancestral land.

To their chagrin however, they did not receive the justice they urgently sought from the State judiciary.

Governor Amaechi is incidentally assembling his team of 17 SANs to seek redress through the law court.

Let charity begin at home; let the governor ensure that the judiciary in his State is free and fair. Let him rescind his decision of dissolving the democratically elected Executive Council of Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area of his State and let him show that he is a true leader by listening to his own political party. Let him stop fanning embers of political disunity in his party which he should be nurturing to political fruition and glory.

Gladys Ikpem is a motivational speaker working in Brass, Rivers State

Kudos to the new Kogi LG Service Commission boss

By Musa Wada

T

he story of Alhaji Nuhu Ahmed cannot be told without some standing ovation at the end for the epitome of excellence and administrative competence. Indeed Kogi State Local Government Service Commission is blessed at this time with a rare asset.

Alhaji Ahmed has a record of courage and conviction. He is never counted among men who sit on the fence. His is a mixture of humility, frankness, and boldness.

Alhaji never leaves any man in doubt where he stands on an issue.

His sense of judgment is always right; his compassion and love to

uplift the downtrodden are second to none. This, he has demonstrated in many spheres.

Back in school, during his days at Bayero University Kano, he was a crusader for social justice, fairness and equity. As a man who craves for prompt delivery of results, many back then knew that Alhaji Ahmed would go far.

It was that conviction and prophesy that landed Alhaji the onerous task to steer the ship of Kogi Local Government Service Commission.

And true to that, six months down the line have been fulfilling as much work has already been done and institutional frameworks set in place to reposition the

My Thoughts With Ayodele Samuel 08074420617 (SMS only)

T

his week I decided to share with you, what our readers are saying, even though ‘My thoughts’ was to be on the rape of democracy at the last National Youth Council of Nigeria NYCN election held in Makurdi, Benue state capital last weekend, supervised by the Minister for Youth Development, Mr. Inuwa Abdul-Kadir.

It was the Makurdi 2013 National Congress of the council ,where there was no election but a winner emerged courtesy of the Minister.

Hopefully next week I would bring you the drama, which unfolded during the NYCN event and the dangerous agenda ahead

of the council as well as the sad story of how elections are rigged

by Nigerian politicians while the youths watch helplessly. But here is what people have said about my previous ‘thoughts’: Re-Aganga, Where are the industries, jobs?

-We keep reading about the jobs, maybe Aganga specialises in creating jobs for ghosts – Ahmed Abdullahi- Keffi -The government should create funds for youths that want to go into agriculture that is the only way out of unemployment problem in Nigeria.

commission.

Of course, His Excellency, Captain Idris Wada exhibited foresight in appointing Alhaji Ahmed in December last year.

It is good Alhaji Ahmed has a competent team he works with.

They complement all efforts to transform the commission. The able team members include M.O. Sule (Permanent Member 1); Momoh Steeve Azeez (Permanent Member 2); Michael Nuhu Akeji (Permanent Member 3); Hon. Godwin Osuyi (Part Time Member) and Hon. James Olumorin (Part Time Member.)

To the people of Kogi State, the ultimate desire is good governance; it is the desire to see a transformed

service delivery system at the grassrooots level. No gainsaying the fact that it is expected to see the lives of the ordinary man improved.

With the expectations, the question over the years has always been, “Who will deliver the result; who will lead the effort.”

As an answer, Alhaji Ahmed has been brought to the scene to drive the developmental efforts and it is only evident that the end result will be success with the chairman of Kogi State Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Nuhu Ahmed on the saddles.

MUSA WADA sent this piece from Abuja, muswady@ yahoo.com 08035937424

Responses – A.A Bauchi -Am sure Aganga is not in your good book, if not you would know that SMEDAN, YOUWIN and the latest GIS among others, have been enhancing job opportunities across Nigeria, let’s be fair to our public office holders – B.J Abuja Re-Lets weep for Nigeria -You have made the point. We pretend to be moving forward whereas the reverse is the case.

-In addition to the need for free and fair elections, we need to educate the electorate to be wise in selecting political parties and candidates. Those who are seen to be credible should be voted into political office irrespective of the size of their parties, how much they have or ‘the children of whom they are’.

Similarly, the country needs to be restructured politically. The peculiar needs of each stakeholder (political unit) should be attended to.

We cannot do the same thing

all the time and expect different results.

– Umudu Michael Chika, Lagos -Nigeria needs prayer, our country is in total mess, if we take stock of lives lost to our failures, millions of Naira, truly we must weep for the wasted years – Ikpemose Momoh, Benin NYCN: Let youths lead the youths The NYCN crisis would be resolved in Markudi, by God’s grace, what happened in Ondo is a shame – Bashir, Abuja -NYCN is another youth wing of PDP, so why worry yourself about their problems?

– Aliyu, Minna -Even in our churches the youth leaders are of age, Nigerians don’t understand the concept of youth development – Evelyn Emmanuel, Kaduna

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Online comments

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Senator urges politicians to shun politics of deceit

Ok, just refund our money, president

he man is fooling himself. Twelve years in the Senate, he can only donate bus to Kwara South PDP. Nawa o.

– Taiye

Hmmmm! Witty lines from the ‘master’s’ stable.

Though a very serious matter, but delivered in an intelligent manner.

President GEJ is more of a liability than the asset he should be. He keeps embarrassing the nation at international and

T

Egya’s 12 years of representation has been a waste, says Nasarawa CPC Woman Leader So the former Governor did nothing for his people yet he still enjoys so much goodwill even in your zone. Hon. Egya too has done nothing for his people yet they love him. Haba madam, you are inconsistent and opportunistic (from PDP to CPC to only God knows what next time ). We in Nasarawa know the truth- at least during PDP government, we had peace and security in the state. We know you must eat madam, but does it have to be this way?

– Hajara

Opposition and Jonathan’s bullish ride towards 2015

I

am so disappointed that a newspaper published in 2013, could be this biased in misleading the reading public. All

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– Fran

Jonathan’s half-time: Club down, to work with him but manager out There is commitment on the part of Mr. President.

War mongers who have unleashed mayhem on innocent citizens, causing serious wastage of funds on security, should reconsider the infamous decision and join hands with him. He will not remain there for ever. However, those of us who had the opportunity

continental events. I can’t wait for him to be compulsorily sent packing from Aso Rock back to Otuoke, Bayelsa state. It’s a pity how his clueless reign as president has brought this nation to her knees.

– AbdullahiYunusa

choose to syphon public funds or fan embers of discord for parochial reasons among the citizenry would certainly pay for this either now or in no distant future. Mr. President, be strong and remain focused. God will continue to strengthen you.

– Emmanuel Tapshang

the points raised in this reports, to say the least is so childish, all in an attempt to rubbish the President.

Or else, why is it that the paper did not see anything wrong with statements credited to the likes of Alhaji Kaita, Alhaj iCiroma and Gen,.Buhari, threatening fire, if the North does not take over power in 2015.

Secondly, where and when did the President indicate that he is not prepared to accommodate impunity from party members?

Please be reminded that it is on record that this President has tolerated opposition and impunity more than any other that has ruled our country.

It is indeed, a shame that you now use your medium to lie and misinform Nigerians about the true situation of events.

– Kune Igoni

Transforming education in Kano state: Governor Kwankwaso Agenda The governor has done reward him for all his well for the people of efforts.

Kano state. May Allah – Abdulaziz M

Which President, do you have a President, Igoni?

S

omebody who failed in all aspects of the nation’s management? GEJ is a tribal leader who did nothing for this country but promoting sentiment and hatred among Nigerians. Do you think you can live in any other parts of this country today or me, a Hausa man live in your part of the country? We hate each other much more glaringly at his time than

ever. Is he the first person to rule this country? Or are you Igoni, happy with what is happening in this country? Is this not leadership failure? Mind you, GEJ is exposing you people to danger than to good, by using this gimmick of Boko Haram to wage war on innocent people in the north and you will come to know this when he is no more in Aso Villa.

– Dankasa

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

International

Page 39

FBI investigates ‘deadly poison’ mails to Obama, others

I A Turkish riot policeman uses tear gas as a demonstrator holds a banner which reads, ‘’Chemical Tayyip’’, referring to Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, during a protest against the destruction of trees in a park brought about by a pedestrian project, in Taksim Square in central Istanbul, on Friday.

Egyptian tourist critically injured as protesters got hit by Turkish police tear gas

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urkish police yesterday fired tear gas and water cannon at protesters occupying a park in central Istanbul, wounding scores including tourists in the harshest crackdown so far on days of antigovernment unrest.

A 34-year-old Egyptian tourist (woman), who undergoing an operation after suffering a brain haemorrhage, was in a critical condition after being hit by a police gas canister, Istanbul Medical Chamber board member Huseyin Demirduzen told Reuters.

A total of 12 people, including a pro-Kurdish MP and a Reuters photographer, suffered trauma injuries and hundreds suffered respiratory problems due to the effects of tear gas during the clashes, Demirduzen said.

The latest violence erupted after a

dawn police raid on demonstrators who had camped for days in the park in anger at plans to build a shopping mall.

Clouds of tear gas rose around the area in Taksim Square, long a venue for political protest.

According to the report, a broken glass and rocks were strewn across a main shopping street, a group of primary school children ran crying from the tear gas while tourists caught by surprise scurried to get back to luxury hotels lining the square.

“We do not have a government, we have Tayyip Erdogan...Even AK Party supporters are saying they have lost their mind, they are not listening to us,” said a political scientist at Bosphorus University, Koray Caliskan, who attended the protest. “This is the beginning of a summer of discontent.”

nformation emerged that U.S. authorities are probing a Texas man over threatening letters containing a potentially deadly poison mailed to U.S. President Barack Obama and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a law enforcement official said on yesterday.

A source said FBI investigators in Texas are questioning a man in New Boston, Texas after his wife called the police to report suspicious activity, the law enforcement source said. The agency is proceeding cautiously, and the man has not been charged.

The inquest comes as FBI officials continue investigating a separate batch of ricin-laced letters sent earlier this month from Washington state to the president and four other targets, including the CIA and a military facility.

However, the source told Reuters that at this point, investigators do not think the two cases are connected, the reports says, those letters, which media reports said were postmarked from Shreveport, Louisiana, referred to the debate over the nation’s gun laws and also

were sent to Bloomberg’s gun control group in Washington, D.C. Initial tests showed they contained ricin.

Earlier, in the Washington case, the FBI said that three of the five letters, including the letter to Obama, have been intercepted and contained ricin.

A fourth letter to Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane has been located, and a fifth letter to the CIA was detected but not found, the FBI’s Seattle office said in a statement.

The letter that has not been located was sent to a CIA location that does not receive mail, the FBI said in its statement.

Authorities have already charged a Washington state man, Matthew Ryan Buquet, for allegedly mailing one of the five letters to a U.S. district judge in Spokane. On Thursday, the FBI said that letter is similar to the other four letters from Washington under investigation.

Mail to top public officials is not delivered directly, but instead goes through off-site screening facilities first. The letter sent to Bloomberg’s group Mayors Against Illegal Guns was opened by its director.

President Barack Obama

UN Panel releases report for post-2015 development agenda

T

he United Nations’ (UN) High Level Panel on the Post2015 Development Agenda has released a report that sets out a universal agenda to eradicate extreme poverty.

The report, which was released Thursday, in New York, lays out plans for the eradication of extreme poverty from the world by 2030, and to deliver on the promise of sustainable development.

The report, entitled: “A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies through Sustainable Development’’, also called on the world to rally around a new Global Partnership that offers hope and a role to every person in the world.

In the report, the Panel called for the new post-2015 goals to drive five big transformative shifts, that should among other things ensure that no person regardless of ethnicity, gender, geography, disability, race or other status is denied basic economic opportunities

and human rights’’.

Others are putting sustainable development at the core, transforming economies for jobs and inclusive growth, building peace and effective, open and accountable institutions for all and forging a new global partnership for development.

PANA learnt that the report builds on the historic advances of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and harnesses the incredible passion and diversity of voices heard in the Panel’s consultations with people around the globe.

The Panel was established by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and co-chaired by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Liberian President Ellen JohnsonSirleaf and British Prime Minister David Cameron.

The Panel interacted with more than 5,000 civil society groups from 121 countries in developing its recommendations. (PANA/NAN)

… As U.S., NATO hold 2014 summit on Afghan troop withdrawal

T

he United States and NATO plan to hold a summit meeting in 2014 to discuss troop withdrawals from Afghanistan, President Barack Obama disclosed after a meeting with the alliance’s head, Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Obama said that Afghanistan was the main topic of talks between the two. Rasmussen said combat troops would be home by the end of 2014 but that NATO will prepare a training mission for 2015 with a smaller number of troops.

Page 40

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Page 41

WeekendSports

Kenyatta offers Harambee Stars N5.6m to beat Eagles as Minister dangles N.4m per goal launched that the president desires nothing but victory.

According to him, should the Stars beat the Eagles, their chances of hitting Brazil for the 2014 World Cup finals would be certain because all Kenya would need to do would be to win their last game against

Namibia.

At present, though Nigeria and Malawi have five points apiece, but the West Africans top the group by virtue of goals advantage. But all that could change should Nigeria slip in Kenya and Namibia stun Malawi.

On a personal note, ‘Sonko’ also assured that his earlier pledge of Sh1 million (N1.8m) for a win and Sh200, 000 (N373, 550) for a goal scored, still stands.

“I pledged to reward this team last week should they beat Nigeria and I am yet to change my mind.

2014 World Cup Owolabi warns Super Eagles against Kenyan weather Coach Stephen Keshi

By Patrick Andrew

K

enyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has issued the Harambee Stars a presidential fiat to beat the African champions the Super Eagles of Nigeria and earned Sh3 million (N5.6m) in the process.

The amount excludes all the other monetary promises made to the Stars by the Kenya Football Federation, which has apart from the Sh250m appeal fund, had upped the daily allowances of the the players to the equivalent of N17,800.

The Harambee Stars have a crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier against the Eagles on June 5.

Expectation is high that the Stars could beat the Eagles in Nairobi especially their 1-1 draw in Calabar in March.

Speaking yesterday, Nairobi Senator Mike ‘Sonko’ Mbuvi, said President Kenyatta has promised to top up all the pledges should Kenya upset the African champions. He confirmed at a press conference at City Stadium where sale of tickets for the eagerly awaited match was

F

elix Owolabi, a former Green Eagles defender, has warned the Super Eagles against the adverse weather condition that awaits them in their June 5 World Cup qualifying cracker against the Harambee Stars in Nairobi, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Kenya.

Issuing the warning in Ibadan yesterday, Owolabi advised the technical crew and the Nigeria Football Federation to give serious consideration to what the weather situation in Nairobi would be and to condition the players to adapt to it.

“I want to call on the handlers of the Eagles to ensure that the players arrive at the venue early enough to acclimatise with the humid weather in that country,’’ he said noting that the weather had been a factor when the Eagles forced the Harambee Stars to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the qualifiers in March.

The Eagles will need to win the reverse fixture of the qualifiers to boost their chances of qualifying for the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Owolabi, who was a member of the victorious 1980 Green Eagles squad that won the AFCON in Lagos, stressed that the Eagles should be physically fit for the encounter. ``Apart from that, Coach Stephen Keshi, should stick to the greater percentage of the Nations Cup squad that did Nigeria proud in South Africa early this year,’’ he said.

He also implored the coach to adopt a positive approach toward the match by making the players to believe that they could surpass what the Kenyans did at Calabar. ``The coach should condition the mind of the players by psyching them up that the match could be won even in far away Kenya,’’ he added.

Dennis Oliech, Harambee Stars’ skipper

News Feature PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 - SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

7

How soldiers murdered 25 year old groom over GSM phone in Kaduna From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

I

t was a tragedy for the family of Malam Yahaya Mohammad who resides in PRP Street, Rigasa a suburb of Kaduna metropolis when his 25 year old son, Ahmadu Yahaya was alleged to have been beaten to death by soldiers while in their custody.

It was gathered that late Ahmadu a.k.a Madu was arrested by the soldiers because a GSM phone belonging to one of the soldier’s girl friend was found in his possession.

Investigation by Peoples Daily Weekend revealed that the incident which threw residents of the area in shock, occurred on May 7, 2013.

Sources close to the family of the slain groom who was said to have been preparing for his wedding scheduled to take place soon, said he was arrested in front of his father’s elder brother’s shop at Yar Kasuwa Market, Unguwar Sanusi that day.

Reports also have it that the deceased was badly molested by the three soldiers and probably died due to internal bleeding.

“He was with me when the soldiers came in with their vehicle to arrest him. I tried to ask them his offence but one of them pointed his gun at me threatening to shoot me if I came closer. I stayed away from them but still asked them what he did”. One of them said his arrest has to do with GSM phone,” he said. According to Malam Adamu, the soldiers drove the deceased away in their vehicle, scaring people around with their guns.

It was gathered that late Madu was detained at the Military strike force base along Bakin Ruwa, Rigasa where his legs and hands were tied down like an animal. His father, Malam Yahaya Mohammed who went to see his son at the military base said he was shocked to see how his late son was treated by the soldiers.

“Nobody told me he was arrested until around 9 pm on that day that his mother told me about it. While we were discussing the issue, I received a call from the soldiers that I should go to their base, if not they will send my son to where he will never come back. “ His elder brother and myself went to see him as ordered by the soldiers.

I was shocked to see him tied down with a rope like an animal, and they were beating him in my presence ;I asked of his offence to be treated in that manner. One of them told me that a phone was found in his possession.That they only invited me there for my son to ask for my forgiveness. I was surprised to hear that from them as they insisted he must ask for forgiveness so he did and I told him in their presence that I had forgiven him for all his wrong doing", he said.

He said, after that they told him to come back the following day and pick his son. “ My son was crying pleading with me not to leave him with them because according to him, they would kill him. So I begged them not to beat him again, they promised they would not touch him as they untied his legs and hands in my presence.

Although, he couldn’t stand up due to pains and the beatings,’ the father said emotionally.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Azubuike Ihejirika

Late Ahmadu Peoples Daily Weekend further gathered that the next day when the father went back to pick his son he was told the boy has been taken for breakfast. “ I met different faces at the base that morning so I asked them after my son and they told me he has been taken to have his breakfast. It was later in the afternoon that the soldiers met me in my home to tell me my son was dead", he said.

It was learnt that the soldiers under one Colonel Abdullahi went to plead with the deceased family over the death of their son. “ They came in vehicles fully

armed with soldiers to plead with us on the incident, in fact, they offered to bury him but myself and his mother insisted we want to see the corpse of our son.

They brought his corpse to us and gave us a hundred thousand naira for his prayers.” said the father.A source told Peoples Daily Weekend that the girlfriend of one of the soldiers gave late Ahmadu the phone and was arrested out of jealousy.

Effort to reach the girl proved abortive as his family did not even know where she resides.The father of the deceased confided in Peoples Daily Weekend that

the three suspected soldiers have been detained at 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna "They called me to go and identify them which I did. They brought them out for me to see them before I was asked to give my statement which I did,” he said.

Asked if he has forgiven them for killing his son?He said “How do you expect me to forgive them, this is a clear murder. He was not killed by mistake or by a stray bullet he was murdered for a GSM phone we didn’t even know anything about", he said in tears.

Page 42

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Sports

Eagles begin June hectic schedule without top stars A

frican champions, the Super Eagles of Nigeria this morning kick-start their hectic schedule that includes an international friendly duel against the Tricolore of Mexico, the 2014 World Cup qualifiers and the FIFA Confederations Cup finals, all this month.

The Eagles will thus play a minimum of six crucial games within 24 days on three continents, and a further two if they reach the knockout stage of the World Cup dress-rehearsal. But the team will be missing the services of no fewer than six key players in the first- a friendly duel.

Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, Kalu Uche, Emmanuel Emenike, Ahmed Musa, Gabriel Rueben were all absent in the opening game of the hectic campaign this morning.

But the Obi, Moses, Musa may be available for the all-important 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Kenya and Namibia on June 5 and 12 respectively.

Chelsea midfielder Victor Moses, a revelation when Nigeria won the

Africa Cup of Nations in Soweto last February, is among those sidelined.

Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike, joint leading 2013 Cup of Nations scorer with Mubarak Wakaso of Ghana, also misses out through injury.

Scotland-based midfield enforcer Gabriel Reuben and Turkey-based midfielder-cum-striker Kalu Uche are other stars coach Stephen Keshi could not call up.

Keshi prepared to tackle Mexico with a training camp in Germany for foreign-based professionals and Nigerian Premier League stars.

Among the home-based footballers was Sunday Mba, the then Warri Wolves midfielder who sprang to prominence at the threeweek Cup of Nations tournament.

Mba scored the winner in a shock quarterfinals triumph over precompetition favourites Ivory Coast and the only goal of the final against surprise qualifiers Burkina Faso.

After facing Mexico – a team hoping to halt a run of five consecutive draws – Nigeria head back over the Atlantic Ocean for a

Emmanuel Emenike World Cup qualifier in Kenya.

A week after the June 5 Nairobi match, the Super Eagles will be on the other side of Africa in Windhoek for another World Cup Group F fixture against Namibia.

This will be followed by the

Confederations Cup, the traditional, eight-team dress-rehearsal staged by the World Cup hosts one year before the main event.

Nigeria face Tahiti, Uruguay and reigning World Cup and Euro champions Spain within seven days

at three venues with the top two progressing to the semifinals.

Should the Eagles make the final four, they would play an additional two fixtures, increasing the total to eight in 31 days during the ‘close season’ for much of the squad.

president of the Asian Football Confederation, had been widely regarded as a far stronger candidate with better credentials for the job.

One senior FIFA delegate told Reuters: “The whole system was flawed from the beginning and I am very disappointed with this decision.

“All Lydia has ever said in a meeting was: “Thank you for taking women’s football seriously’,” added the source, a FIFA executive committee member.

by knocking out Lukas Rosol, the Czech who shocked Nadal at Wimbledon last year.

For Serena, it took eight games and 33 minutes before her 26th-seeded Romanian opponent made a mark on the scoreboard, a feat that was greeted with sympathetic cheers from the Parisian crowd.

Serena, who won her only Roland Garros title in 2002, will play Czech Petra Cetkovska or Italy’s Roberta Vinci in the next round.

Maria Sharapova showed no mercy to Nike stablemate Eugenie Bouchard at the French Open yesterday, swatting aside the Canadian teenager 6-2, 6-4 to reach the last 32.

It was a lesson in bigtime tennis for the promising 19-year-old from Quebec, who won the Wimbledon girls singles title last year and who was playing in her first Grand Slam tournament.

Sharapova, a teenage tennis sensation herself when she won the 2004 Wimbledon title at the age of 17, will today

the United States 6-3, 6-1.

French No 1 Marion Bartoli battled into the third round with another hard-fought win, 7-6, (7/5), 7-5 win over Colombian qualifier Mariana Duque-Marino and has now spent over five hours on court in just two matches.

There was more Russian success when Maria Kirilenko eased past Australian junior hope Ashleigh Barty 6-3, 6-1.

… As Nsekera is first woman in FIFA Exco

L

ydia Nsekera of Burundi became the first woman to be formally voted on to FIFA’s executive committee yesterday but her election was not without its critics.

Nsekera, 46, president of the Burundi FA and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), was co-opted on to the FIFA

executive a year ago, becoming the first woman to sit at the top table since FIFA’s formation in 1904.

Nsekera polled 95 votes on Friday, ahead of the 70 gained by Moya Dodd of Australia and the 38 for Sonia Bien-Aime of the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Dodd, a former Australian international player and vice-

Roland Garros Sharapova, Serena ease through as Nadal, Bartoli place in the last 16. The Italian play China’s Zheng Jie, who struggle had reached the third round eased past Melanie Oudin of

FIFA Congress passes tougher anti- D racism regulations

By Abdulkadir Isa

F

IFA Congress yesterday adopted the recommendations stricter new anti-racism regulations, including five-game bans for players and officials and relegation for clubs.

FIFA president Joseph Blatter, who announced this in Mauritius said he hopes the regulations would “send a strong signal to the racists that their time is up.’’

Clubs, whose fans engage in racist chants, can be sanctioned with a warning, a fine or a match behind closed doors for a first offence. Repeat offenders can lose points, be thrown out of a competition or be relegated.

Players, coaches or officials found guilty of racism, face a minimum five-match ban, a rule that formerly only applied to national team games. These were

the recommendations put forward by the Anti-Racism Task Force of FIFA. The five-match minimum ban for offenders is only half of what Europe’s governing body UEFA decided at their recent Congress.

Blatter regretted that several despicable events this year had ``cast a long shadow over football and the rest of society. ``I am speaking of the politics of hate – racism, ignorance, discrimination, intolerance, smallminded prejudice. That uncivilised, immoral and self-destructive force that we all detest,’’ Blatter said.

In terms of the new regulations federations have to organise antiracism educational programmes, while observers are to attend matches to document racist behaviour.

efending champions Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal have booked their places in the next round but in different fashions.

Whereas Serena breezed past Sorana Cirstea 6-0 6-2 in the French Open third yesterday to extend her winning streak to 27 matches and laying down a marker of her title potential, Nadal suffered another false start before moving into the third round.

The Spanish third seed, chasing an unprecedented eighth Roland Garros title, saw off Slovakia’s Martin Klizan 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 to record his 54th win in 55 matches at the tournament.

It was the second round in succession Nadal dropped the first set as he struggled in the cold, heavy conditions where the temperature just nudged over the 12-degree mark.

Nadal goes on to face Italian 27th seed Fabio Fognini for a

Rafael Nadal

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Sports

Everton shortlist Martinez, T Rangnick, Kenwright to replace Moye

Page 43

Spurs may offload Adebayor, Ekotto others to save Bale move to Real Madrid

R

oberto Martinez remains the leading candidate on a three-man shortlist for the Everton.

Martinez, who met Everton chairman Bill Kenwright on Wednesday, is scheduled to hold a second round of talks on Friday.

Kenwright is also considering Red Bull Salzburg sporting director Ralf Rangnick and Porto coach Vitor Pereira.

Rangnick, 54, who speaks fluent English after studying at the University of Sussex in his 20s, led Schalke to the Champions League semi-finals in 2011.

He stepped down in September of that year due to stress, before taking up his current role in June 2012.

Pereira, 44, has led Porto to the Portuguese league title in each of his two seasons in charge since stepping up from the assistant manager’s position to replace Andre Villas-Boas in 2011.

Kenwright, who is hoping to install a new manager by early next week, is understood to

have spoken to both Pereira and Rangnick about the job, but Martinez is the first candidate to be granted a second interview.

The Everton chairman has also interviewed three members of Everton’s coaching staff for the

job - Alan Stubbs, David Weir and Duncan Ferguson - as well as departing club captain Phil Neville, who has just ended an eight-year playing stint at the club.

Martinez, 39, remains the favourite to replace David Moyes, who is moving to Manchester United following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

ottenham will embark on a summer wage cull to help pay for Gareth Bale’s bumper new contract after Real Madrid upped the ante in their quest to land the forward.

Just 24 hours after Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett rocked the North London club by admitting the forward is open to moving to the Bernabeu, the Spanish club’s president Florentino Perez further antagonised the situation by saying the Spurs winger is ‘born’ to play for Real.

The 66-year-old’s comments

will only serve to strengthen Tottenham’s fear that they will lose another one of their prized assets to the Spanish giants after Luka Modric moved their last season.

Spurs will look to offer Bale a new and improved contract in an attempt to keep him from Real’s clutches.

Bale still has three-years to run on his existing £110,000-perweek deal, but as Sportsmail revealed earlier this month the Wales international wants a deal closer to £200,000-perweek to stay.

Suarez closer to Liverpool exit as Real agreed to pay £40m

L Martinez, Pereira and Rangnick are the three remaining candidates

WEEKEND FIXTURES AF Confederation Cup Liga Muculmana v TP Mazembe ENPPI v St George CS Sfaxien v Enugu Rangers FAR Rabat v FUS Rabat Ismaily v Bizertin US Bitam v ES Setif Etoile Sahel v JSM Bejaia LLB Academic v Stade Malien FIFA Internationals Mexico v Nigeria Libya v Tanzania Kenya v Ghana Guinea v Congo Panama v Peru Sunday Fifa Internationals Lesotho v Republic of Ireland v Algeria v Honduras v Ukraine v USA v Brazil v

South Africa Maseru Georgia Burkina Faso Israel Cameroon Germany England

Spanish Primera Liga Real Madrid v Barcelona v Deportivo La Coruna v Celta Vigo v Mallorca v Real Zaragoza v Levante v Rayo Vallecano v Granada v Sevilla v

Osasuna Malaga Real Sociedad Espanyol Valladolid Atletico Madrid Real Betis Athletic Bilbao Getafe Valencia

uis Suarez looks to be heading out of Anfield after he said that now would be the right time for a change.

The Liverpool striker has been heavily linked with a £40million move to Real Madrid, but has been quick to play down reports that he has already opened talks with the Spanish giants.

Real have proposed a £140,000 a week for the striker, with incentives and bonuses on top for trophies won, goals scored and appearances.

But it does seem that his exit from England could be getting

closer as he would not commit to staying at Anfield and blamed his treatment by the Press for his reasons for going.

He scored 30 goals last season but missed the final two games of the campaign and will also miss the first eight games of next season after being found guilty of violent conduct for biting Branislav Ivanovic in April.

Suarez’s agent, Pere Guardiola - brother of new Bayern Munich boss Pep - is thrashing out personal terms with the Spanish giants ahead of a possible £25million transfer.

Strike: Suarez scored 23 league goals in 33 appearances for Liverpool last season

Fabregas to decide Manchester United move next week

D

avid Moyes fancies the frustrated midfielder but Barcelona must give Arsenal first option to buy back their former captain Cesc Fabregas will decide his Barcelona future next week and still dreams of a return to Arsenal.

Former Gunners captain Fabregas will meet with Barca coach Tito Vilanova once the Spanish season ends this weekend to discuss whether the Spain international should stay at the Nou Camp for what will be a World Cup year.

The Nou Camp giants do not want to sell, but Fabregas has grown frustrated because even though he has done well in domestic

competition but is often overlooked for the big European games.

Incoming Manchester United boss David Moyes is a big admirer of the 26-year-old midfielder and would like to lure him to Old Trafford.

But Arsenal holds the trump card as they wrote a “first refusal” clause into Fabregas’ Barcelona deal, which was worth around £40m in total.

Two years on, the north Londoners would be able to buy Fabregas back for between £20m and £25m.

If Barcelona receives any offer for the player, the terms of the buyback are that they must inform Arsenal to give them first option.

Page 44

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Sports

Premier league clubs’ greatest all time managers Liverpool Bob Paisley (1974-83)

Aston Villa George Ramsay 1926)

(1884-

Won six league titles and six FA Cups, leaving Villa as the most storied and prestigious club in the country. Under Ramsay, they were only the second club to do the double. Only Sir Alex Ferguson has won more league titles and no manager has lifted the FA Cup more often.

The only manager ever to win three European Cups, Paisley’s brief managerial career was also arguably the most glorious nine years any English club has ever had. He won six league titles, three League Cups and the UEFA Cup, taking Bill Shankly’s team and making them more dominant in both England and Europe.

Newcastle United Frank Watt (1895-1932)

Everton Howard Kendall (1981-87, 1990-93, 1997-98) In his fruitful first spell at Goodison Park, Kendall won two league titles, the FA Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup. Many an Evertonian thinks that, had they been allowed to enter the European Cup in 1985-86, Kendall’s side would have won that, too.

One of the old-style secretarymanagers, Watt’s mammoth 37year reign included a spell before World War I when Newcastle became the team to beat in England. They won the league three times in five years and reached five FA Cup finals out of seven.

Manchester City Joe Mercer (1965-71)

Chelsea Jose Mourinho (2004-07) Won two league titles, two League Cups and the FA Cup, reaching two Champions League semi-finals. Walked into a club that had won knockout competitions but no league title for almost 50 years and created a team of dominant winners. Got a record point total in the Premier League – 95 – in 2004-05.

Mercer oversaw the most celebrated spell in City’s history, winning promotion to the old Division 1 and, between 1968 and 1970, the league title, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup, building a stylish team who played fine football. He was part of a great managerial double act with assistant Malcolm Allison.

QPR Dave Sexton (1974-77) QPR finished second in 1976, a point behind champions Liverpool, after winning 13 of their final 15 league games.

Sexton’s classy side also reached the semi-finals of the League Cup and, in Rangers’ best European performance, the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup, earning him a move to Manchester United.

Fulham Roy Hodgson (2007-10) When Hodgson took Fulham to seventh place in 2009, it was their highest-ever league finish. That, however, pales into comparison with what followed. They defeated Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk en route to the UEFA Cup final the following season. Hodgson also reached two FA Cup quarter-finals.

Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson (1986-2013) Sir Alex Ferguson Thirty-eight trophies, a record 13 league titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, two Champions Leagues... the list is endless.

Inherited underachievers and turned United into the most successful club in the history of domestic English football with attacking play, a wonderful youth system and some superb signings.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Feature

45

How Democracy ruined Nigeria Manufacturing Sector

of gine . n e e ent e th d to b developm ed e t u p d re lop my is growth an nderdeve dent o n o c n u any e respo f an inable tor in r for susta mation o ustry cor emocracy c e s illa Ind ring sfor nd factu ultimate p r the tran my, our broke u n n u a s r The M and the wheel fo d econo f 15 yea o e th grow e steering advanc s impact it n h t a n to It is es o L writ omy econ LE SAMUE E reduce poverty and contribute to AYOD sector. e h t gross domestic product, GDP, has on been declining since 15 years ago, efore 1999, the manufacturing while elected democratic government sector was blooming keep paying lip service. and growing, businesses A performance of the sector in a report in 2009 from the We have witnessed the emergence of political Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the performance of the entrepreneurs and predators that have acquired sector fell from nearly 13 percent political influence to direct and control economic in the early 1980s to about 4.13 percent in 2008, the performance policy. In the process they became predators, of the sector according to MAN was however eroded by the global destroying the incipient industrial sector. They are economic crisis which rocked key macroeconomic variables not pro-industry and have succeeded in destroying all over the world which led to reduction in the capacity major industrial sub-sectors, particularly the textiles, utilization of the sector.

Also unemployment rates tyres, paper and vegetable oil. Their next target is 5 per cent for the period 1976-1998. However, the the cement industry.” statistics has dramatically increased since the closure of manufacturing at how democratic government open unrestricted imports through waivers. firms in the country.

Also President, NACCIMA, Dr. In 2009 MAN said our borders at the detriment of local about 820 manufacturing manufacturers, all these compounded Herbert Ajayi blamed the continued companies in Nigeria the problem of the sector which had decline in the manufacturing sectors on political and economic factors, closed down or increasable grow in the last 15 years” Alabi argued that employment citing poor infrastructure and epileptic temporarily suspended production between generation by the sector over the past power supply as key impediments to 2000 and 2008, 15 years has declined sharply, “Wealth the industries.

“The manufacturing industry as a while the Nigerian creation has been on the decline also.

Wealth can only be created when whole operates on more than 70 per Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry the prospective investors find the cent of energy it generates; using Mines and Agriculture business environment conducive and generators and operating these profitable to do business. In Nigeria, generators greatly increases the cost of since 1999 the operating environment manufacturing goods,” is very harsh and un-conducive – from Putting the country back on the path no power supply to insecurity of lives of recovery and growth will require and property, as is currently seen in urgently rebuilding deteriorated the northern part, in 2008 its was the infrastructure and making more goods Niger-Delta region of the country. and services available to the citizenry “The poverty level in Nigeria has at affordable prices. been on the increase in recent times Alabi said “if the problems in the due to deteriorating quality of work textile industry and the manufacturing life, especially in the area of reduction sector as a whole are to be effectively of job opportunities, high costs of tackled, the Nigerian government and living, poor infrastructure, and bad Nigerians in general must take definite living conditions. Manufacturing measures to revive the manufacturing contribution to GDP, which was 8.1 sector through deliberate policies Minister of Commerce and Industry, Martins Kuye percent after independence, fell to that would overhaul the country’s 3.51 percent in 2011, what do we have infrastructure and give locally today?” manufactured goods better patronage.

Former MAN President Bashir There is, therefore, the urgent need to environments were conducive and the NACCIMA last year said that no fewer Borodo while giving an extensive fix infrastructure, particularly power sector contributed to national output. than 800 companies shut up shop in over view of the latest development supply, to save manufacturers the huge However as Nigerian roll out drums the country between 2009 and 2011 in the sector, said since the return cost they spend on generators. of democracy in 1999, “we have The government also needs to to celebrate 15 years of unbroken due to harsh operating environment. witnessed the emergence of political review other policies, particularly the democracy, stakeholders in the Akindele Alabi, a business expert in Manufacturing sector and business an interview with Peoples Daily said entrepreneurs and predators that unfriendly (high) bank lending rate, operators are counting woes, to them despite the global economic crisis, have acquired political influence to that are stifling industrial growth if democracy has not been a blessing to the manufacturing sector is suffering direct and control economic policy. Nigeria is not only to stop the factory In the process they became predators, closures and the attendant problems the nation’s economy. under the democratic rule.

Despite its potentials as the “ Before 1999, the government take destroying the incipient industrial but to be one of the leading economies engine of growth, an antidote of manufacturing seriously, it was not sector. They are not pro-industry and in 2020. China, with its attempt to unemployment, a creator of wealth politicize even though the Military have succeeded in destroying major encourage economic growth and be and the threshold for sustainable head of states are not world best industrial sub-sectors, particularly comfortable in the long run, had to development, the manufacturing economist the economy was thriving the textiles, tyres, paper and vegetable reduce interest rate.

Alabi added that if the nation’s sector today has suffered severe doing business in Nigeria was easy, oil. Their next target is the cement monetary and fiscal policies works in decline in its contribution to national the business environment was far industry.”

The emergence of political tandem to enhance the growth and output. better than what we have today, Their lamentation include that the 1999 till date, how many companies businessmen who amazed much development of local industries and Nigerian manufacturing sector is in have folded up? How many of our influence after financing elections in the businesses, even more foreign direct a state of collapse as its capability to graduates are roaming the street in country, influence government policy investment will come to the nation’s generate employment, create wealth, endless search for jobs? Take a look towards the direction of enhancing economy.

B

Page 46

Politics

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Al-makura’s two- year revolution in Nasarawa “For ours is a peaceful revolution of opportunity and hope, anchored on a vision of a just and decent society where the freedoms, aspirations and needs of the individual are balanced against the imperative needs and interests of society for cohesion, stability and security.”- Gov. Almakura

T

he Wikipedia defines revolution, derived from the Latin word revolutrio, “a turnaround” as a fundamental change in power or organizational structure that takes place in a relatively short period of time. For anyone residing or even passing through Nasarawa state in recent times, the word aptly describes what Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura is presently spearheading in a state that previously suffered neglect and abandonment.

Since the inception of the Congress for Progressive Change administration in 2011, under the leadership of Governor Almakura, a revolution has swept across the state, casting aside deeply embedded profligate political culture, manifesting in ostentatious, grandiose and wasteful steering of the affairs of state, denying the masses the basic infrastructure necessary for a fulfilled and accomplished life, albeit enriching a few political cronies to the detriment of the state and the people.

Like he observed during his inaugural speech of May 29, 2011, at the Lafia Township Stadium, having met the state ‘held hostage to the folly and excesses of its rulers”, with stagnation and even decline and decay self-evident, the newly sworn-in governor then, lamented that, “We are caught up in a grave moral and ethical crisis. Our state institutions are poorly managed, our infrastructures dilapidated, while our economy is weak the result of myopia, greed and irresponsibility on the part of some but also of our collective failure to demand better from our leaders.”

While describing the emergence of the CPC as representing the triumph of principle over depravity, the triumph of change over reaction, the triumph of hope over despair, Al-makura noted that the people of the state were gathered on that day to give “a decent burial to the politics of arrogance, pettiness, division and false promises that have plagued our body polity.”

“So the time has also come to reaffirm our faith in the democratic process; to strengthen our bond with ordinary people; to insist on the old decencies; and give free reign to that noble idea that we are all equal, free and entitled to our fair share of opportunities and respect,” he stated.

Noble as this proclamations may seem, he was however quick to point out that, “In our quest for prosperity and freedom, it should be understood that these must be laboured for with resolve and diligence. They will not come to us if we choose the easy way out, if we settle for the life of the indolent or seek only the delights of easy riches

Gov. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura taking a walk while inspecting the NAGIS complex in Karu shortly after commissioning yesterday

and glory. Our choice, and the only choice, is the path of struggle, hard work and risk-taking, as well as openness to new ideas.”

And in other to halt the apparent decay in the society and to bring about a complete turnaround in the way things are done, aimed at fostering a thriving economy, improved health care facilities, provide functional education, build infrastructure, in short, putting the state back on the path of sustainable growth and development, Al-makura, pledged that,” our CPC Government will be an accountable and corrective one. We will insist that those of us who are entrusted with power and public funds will be required to spend prudently, change bad habits, conduct affairs openly, and be held to account, as only then can we hope to restore integrity, trust and faith to governance in Nasarawa State.”

It has been two years since Governor Al-makura made that epoch making speech, yet even the most ardent skeptic, would agree that the governor has so far remained true to his promise, ridding the state, particularly the public service, of frivolity and squander mania, gradually instilling a culture of transparency, prudence and accountability.

Not only that the fruits of his determination to challenge the status quo, characterized by profligacy and recklessness in government expenditure, exemplified by ostentatious and bogus officialdom, which has been a drain on the scarce resources accruing to the state, with previous administrations borrowing huge sums only to pay salaries, thereby mortgaging the future of the state, has already begin to fall from the high trees of hope watered through meticulousness, prudence and responsiveness.

Of course, pundits would readily agree that the biggest dividend of democracy Taal, as

Governor Al-makura is popularly called, is giving the people of the state is instilling fiscal discipline in the conduct of public affairs, which has earned the administration the peoples’ trust and confidence. Even though, for most political jobbers, the frugal Al-makura may not fit in with the image of their hero, a chief executive every ready to pander to their capricious whims, lavishly dispensing with public funds at the expense of state.

This singular achievement, pundits agree, is responsible for the avalanche of projects executed across the state, which are there for all to see, not projects conceived and initiated only on paper, though huge sums would have been appropriated for such nonexistent jobs. In two years of its inception, the CPC administration has been able to not only account for monies due to the state but has also directed such amount towards building the state.

Al-makura has further fueled his revolutionary spirit by putting together tested and proven professionals, bureaucrats, men and women of character, who working together as a formidable team, are currently transforming Nasarawa into the collective vision of the people of the state, altogether guided by altruism and a penchant for results.

For a state that is dependent on a N2.8bn monthly federal allocation, out of which N2.3bn is being expended in paying workers’ salaries, another N400 m in servicing debts, leaving the administration with a paltry N100 m to run the affairs of government, Al-makura’s managerial skills must be top class, having this far ran his administration, embarking on such ambitious roads construction, urban and rural renewal, interventions in power and water supply, giant leap in education, provision of

quality and affordable health care services, creation of selfemployment opportunities for youth and a lot more, without borrowing a single kobo.

Significantly, Taal, drawing from his experience as a business tycoon, saw to it that waste in public spending is cut to the barest minimum, with mostly government functions, which previously have been a major drain on scarce resources, bereft of the usual pomposity and pageantry, where huge sums of money are expended in oiling the political machinery consisting of retinue of political aides, hangerson, hired crowds and the rest.

Most functions in Nasarawa are now low keyed but effectual.

Confronted with the dwindling fortunes coming to the state, Al-makura, who has been a successful real estate developer before being elected governor, saw at once the proximity of the state to the federal capital as a way out of the logjam. Land, according to the governor, is the cash cow of the state, particularly, land contiguous to the FCT. The Nasarawa Geographic Information System (NAGIS), a N2.7 bn project, is the brain child of the governor aimed at reforming the state’s land management and administration and making the value of land in the state at par with that of the FCT. Already, even before NAGIS comes on board, proceeds from land have appreciated to about 300 percent, with the N5 m monthly previously accruing to the state, jerked to N45 m. Also, the Internally Generated Revenue of the state continue to appreciate, far above the N200-N250 m, with the state now accruing as from N300-N400 m as IGR. At the commissioning ceremony of the magnificent edifice housing the NAGIS, as part of the Democracy Day anniversary, Malam Ahmed el Rufa’i, former

FCT Minister, who conceived and actualized the Abuja Geographic Information Service (AGIS), commended Al-makura for the initiative, stressing that NAGIS is way ahead of AGIS in terms of sophistication, with Nasarawa state now setting the standard in the country in digital mapping.

What Governor Al-makura did, el Rufa’I, observed, “No other governor has been able to do that.”

According to the former minister, it was not possible to deliver the NAGIS project, “if the chief executive of the state is not willing to have it done honestly, is not willing to allow the professionals to take the decision, is not looking at the contract as a source of patronage but is only concerned with making such a project happen.”

But most importantly, el Rufa’I disclosed that before AGIS, the highest amount of money the FCT made from land proceeds in any given year was about N285 m, but that in the first year of AGIS, with full computerization, the revenue from land moved to N9 bn, adding that the N2.7 bn Almakura expended on the NAGIS, would be recovered in the first year from the Karu axis alone.

Thus, through Governor Almakura’s foresight, zeal and determination to reposition the state, Nasarawa, in the shortest possible time, would be able to generate IGR that is much bigger than even the monthly federal allocation accruing to the state, all from the NAGIS project, which would also provide employment for over 100 citizens of the state.

Yet and as is to be expected though, no great effort comes easy and Al-makura, despite his zeal and desire to bring change to the state, has to contend with obvious challenges, against both systematic challenges and the natural resistance against change. For even among the members of his team, there were those so used to the ways of past, those who see political appointments as avenues of amassing wealth and who would employ every means in their power to scuttle the good intention of the governor.

While describing the emergence of the CPC as representing the triumph of principle over depravity, the triumph of change over reaction, the triumph of hope over despair, Al-makura noted that the people of the state were gathered on that day to give “a decent burial to the politics of arrogance, pettiness, division and false promises that have plagued our body polity.”

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

Page 47

Issues

It’s all about human rights, when Islamic organisations meet in Lagos

By Abdulkadir Isa

N

igeria today has been caught up in a structure gridlock, system collapse and faulty paradigms so stiff and stressing that even rivers look congealed deep in humid temperatures.

Nothing seems to work for nothing is working – lax laws, prolonged malfunctioning structures and inconsistency in polity and policy has made ill will part of the DNA of both the leaders and the led.

Here, the nation smiles at treasonable offences, and even align with antination bodies. The nation’s fabric is weak, worn and tattered. Nigeria has become everybody’s breeding ground owing to its yielding structures.

Fifteen years into the current democratic dispensation, alas, the pivot is yet to be identified, as most of the geography is saturated with celebrating mediocrity, visionless and trackless movement.

This nation deserves more because more than enough has been injected to make things work.

Indispensable for rapid national development is true democracy. Practical democracy – at all levels, where the rule of law is duly observed, supremacy of the law is enshrined and all get equal treatment in the face of the law.

Part of the burning issues in Nigeria today is that of freedom. Many Nigerians wallow in shackles of fellow Nigerians and nothing seems strange about it. This seems so because over time, we have been made to believe so stands appropriate.

Recently, the network of Islamic organisations (NIOLAS) in Lagos under the auspices of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) held a press conference to express their concern on the state of the nation, and this conference wasn’t far from it – issues connected to the prosperity of the nation were raised.

It is for a caring government to be proactive regards the yearnings of the people as visionary leadership serves as fenders for fast moving ships like Nigeria.

In its 21st May event, NIOLAS raised basically three major issues that

Gov Babatunde Fashola, Lagos state

A little girl in Hijab

all centre on practical democracy – state of emergency declared by President Jonathan, the Baga saga, and the latest Hijab imbroglio.

Coincidentally, these issues also wobble around freedom, thus, another inevitable tool for advancing governments.

NIOLAS is of the opinion that the remaining 33 states left out of Jonathans state of emergency are no different as hunger, starvation, joblessness, homelessness among others have admitted at the emergency ward. The body claims Nigeria will make N12.7 trillion this year from oil alone while the budget stands at N 4.8 trillion. Posing the question, who gets the surplus?

This boils down to accountability in leadership, an ingredient inattentive across all cadres in today’s Nigeria. The nation currently lies on the platform where insincerity is assumed normal, doctored data widely in circulation thus not of relevance for performance measurement.

This is a wakeup call on the present administration to rise up to the challenges and dissuade the current believe that it is in a freefor-all feast on national treasury.

Allegations of eroding the federal reserves during the 2011 elections, over 2.7 trillion mismanaged

in the fuel subsidy regime are too massive for an administration to dust off , especially one that seeks reelection soon.

Secondly, NIOLAS made mention of human rights abuse by the military in the northeast region with specific reference to the Baga saga saying, “We reject reports of investigations of the Baga massacre by the Nigerian military.

They cannot investigate themselves. We demand an independent enquiry conducted by the UN. We also call for the involvement of the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague.

Those found culpable should be given the Charles Taylor treatment”.

From the foregoing, the message is clear, as their observations suggest mistrust in the regimes

handling of the Baga massacre considering the conflicting reports from the Nigerian army particularly as its casualty figures conflicts those presented by the Red Cross society, residents of Baga and even satellite images.

It is left on the side of government to clearly investigate these allegations as proffered

by NIOLAS and place stiff penalties on individuals found wanting in the genocide. This is a sure way of redeeming the lost image of the status quo.

The nation loses both ways if fairness does not come to play and the perpetuators will be eager to give us more episodes in the nearest future.

Another point raised was that of Lagos states’ ban on Hijab for pupils in public

schools. This is a major case of a kind needing federal attention as it undermines the coexistence of the nation.

Democracy is about human rights and even the Nigerian constitution made clear the freedom of religion and Denial of this agitation also constitutes a breach of Section 38 (i) & (ii) of the 1999Nigerian Constitution.

Freedom of religion is also provided for in the global arena as the provisions of Article 18 of the United Nations Charter and Articles9 and 14 of the European Treaty of Human Rights and Articles 18 and 19 of theTreaty of Civil and Political Rights buttress, all of which Nigeria is a signatory.

If the international community frowns at religious discrimination, why should a small political section of the country dissociate itself from that? The nation as a whole co-signs most of these treaties bringing forth clash of law and creating disharmony within the polity. The federal government must intervene in issues of this magnitude, unless if Lagos state is bigger than the nation.

In fact more pressing is the case of a pupil subjected to strokes of cane and humiliation in the same Lagos state by a teacher just for wearing the Hijab. This goes beyond individuals now for faith transcends geography or polity; the sensitivity is too fragile to toy with.

The workforce in Lagos state knows no faith nor is there preference in revenue generation regards faith.

It might look simple but the effects are complex, a committed regime should check this and similar sensitive issues to curtail future occurrence.

It is the responsibility of the government to safeguard the dignity and integrity of its people, and the best of governments are proactive.

In fact more pressing is the case of a pupil subjected to strokes of cane and humiliation in the same Lagos state by a teacher just for wearing the Hijab. This goes beyond individuals now for faith transcends geography or polity; the sensitivity is too fragile to toy with.

BIG PUNCH

Section 5(3) of the bill provides, “Any person or group of persons that administers, witnesses, screens, shields, abets and aids the solemnisation of a same-sex marriage contract or civil union or supports the registration of gay clubs, societies and organisations, processions or meetings in Nigeria commits an offence and liable on conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment

SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, JUNE, 2013

T

ony Attah is Vice President HSE & Corporate Affairs, Shell Sub- Saharan Africa.

He is responsible for company relationships with regional and municipal governments in the Niger Delta, as well as with more than a thousand local communities. At the Gulf of Guinea Security Conference, Chatham House, London in December 2012, Tony Attah analyses the reality and dynamics of Blood Oil in the Niger Delta.

Here is a gist: Oil Theft and Artisanal Refining in the Niger Delta are very crucial for the future of Nigeria and the future of the Oil Industry which drives Nigeria’s economy. Both constitute massive and growing problems, and cause unimaginable econo mic and environmental devastation.

In 2009 the UN estimated that thieves stole around 150,000 barrels of oil a day. Today the estimate is at least 400,000 barrels a day, or at least a quarter of Nigeria’s total oil revenues.

What has happened since 2009 Amnesty is that the 26,000 or so militants, who collect monthly allowance in leu of fighting from the Federal Government, simply transfigured themselves from fighters to oil thieves. They are the foot soldiers for the Niger Delta oil mafia, who run a multi billion dollar global industry, which on the surface appears chaotic but in reality has a structure and a strategy. The structure is a state within a state, and the strategy – simple and precise – is to politically control Nigeria for ever. The industry is escalating to a level that it now constitutes a clear and present danger to Nigeria.

‘But how worried should we be?’, Tony Attah asks, as he surveys the scenario as follows: ‘A recent headline in a Nigerian newspaper stopped me in my tracks. Here’s what it said: “Niger Delta: Oil thieves build roads, hospitals, schools for communities. As Navy deploys warships, gunboats, aircraft in N/ Delta.” This headline succinctly captures the looming threat: that in addition to the hard security challenge, oil theft has grown into a cancer that undermines the role of government and competes for the loyalty of citizens. When I learn that oil thieves have launched social welfare programs in the delta, it reminds me of drug cartels in Mexico, of militant jihadists in Pakistan and warlords in Somalia. In addition to the use and threat of violence, criminals win over parts of society by offering schools, security, food

The Transfigurations and education where government is unable or unwilling to deliver these services.’

‘Is this the future of Nigeria?’, Tony Attah asks. ‘I sincerely hope not’, he replies – but, in his words: ‘This is a well-financed and highly organized criminal phenomenon – a parallel industry with a developed supply chain and growing sophistication. It includes trained engineers who weld valves to high pressure pipelines, returning each night to siphon oil. Boat yards help construct and supply barges to the thieves to transport crude oil around the creeks.The majority of the crude is taken to large ocean-going tankers waiting offshore, which export the oil to refineries outside the country.

Some of these tankers reportedly meet in mid-ocean to share and blend stolen oil, thus making it more difficult to identify. Given its scale, we know others are involved – both in Nigeria and outside – orchestrating this business worth billions of dollars using influence, corruption and violence to protect their interests.

And the revenue flows likely end up in the global financial system and quite possibly fund other criminal structures, including terrorism and drugs around the world.’ But despite the existential threat of oil theft and artisanal refining to Nigeria, the nation’s response is at best cosmetic, if not cynical. ‘To date,’ says Attah, ‘we are not aware of a single oil thief being convicted. It appears that no significant players have been brought to trial and the big barons still walk freely... Alongside these domestic responses, it appears little is being done to tackle the international dimension to this trade.’

Worried over the complete lack of action from Nigeria on a threat that has the potential to ultimately consume it,This Day, citing specifically the recent NNPC report on the ever escalating crude oil theft, which amounts to a loss to Nigeria of about $1.23 billion or N190 billion in the first quarter of this year alone as well as the ever escalating pipeline vandalization which reduces crude oil revenues by about $554 million or N83billion in April and May alone, has this to say – perhaps echoing the concern and frustration of most Nigerians – in an editorial on May 13, 2013: ‘While these indeed are worrying developments, it would appear that the Federal Government is merely interested in passing the buck by putting the onus on the international buyers of the stolen crude.

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WEEKEND With

Ibraheem Sulaiman sa427420@gmail.com

Minister Of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Peter Orubebe, Yet the Coordinator of the Nigeria’s Honorary International Investment Council, Baroness Lynda Chalker, recently challenged the administration to provide solution to oil theft if it was desirous of convincing foreign investors to come to Nigeria...While it has become very clear that what we are dealing with is an international criminal cartel, it is baffling that the relevant authorities seem clueless about how to contain these acts of sabotage that have serious economic and security implications for our country.

‘Today, there are reports that a quarter of Nigeria’s crude oil production is unaccounted for and this massive leakage has been going on for years...There is no doubt that the incidents of theft of crude oil now pose a deleterious threat to the nation’s economy.

But even as we lament this deplorable situation, it is evident that the problem persists because there is some form of official complicity in what has become an organized crime. It is therefore time that the authorities took serious measures against these criminals. We have heard enough

of empty rhetoric.’

Joe Bavier, reporting for Reuters, May 29, 2013, analyses the other dimension of the Niger Delta phenomenon, one that is scarcely mentioned in the national discourse, even though its future repercussions could be profound: international piracy.

‘Some 26,000 militants accepted Nigeria’s amnesty offer,’ Bavier explains its origin. ‘However, many gangs simply reconfigured their operations and pushed westward as the United States had feared.’ Oil thieves, in other words, have transfigured themselves into pirates, and are now a huge menace to the entire Gulf of Guinea as well as some countries of West Africa, especially Benin, Togo, Ghana Côte d’Ivoire and, of course, Nigeria. In the words of Joe Bavier: ‘Born of an uprising in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta, which spawned a web of criminal networks, the gangs now threaten to derail the development of one of the world’s poorest regions as the Gulf of Guinea seeks to become a major oil and gas hub...

Styling themselves as fighters for independence, but with all the hallmarks of a criminal mafia, groups such as the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) had for years made big money taking oilmen hostage and bunkering – selling crude oil illegally siphoned from pipelines onto the black market.

In the gangs’ increasing mobility, Washington saw a nascent threat to the Gulf of Guinea’s host of oil discoveries.’ There is also a growing awareness that these ‘ruthless Nigerian gangs’ as Joe Bavier calls them, also now represent a potentially grave danger to the world. What implications lie ahead for Nigeria as a result of their operations are yet unclear.

The Nigerian Armed Forces currently fights on two fronts, under the name of Joint Task Force [JTF]. In Northern Nigeria JTF, with an annual budget of about a trillion Naira from the Federal Government, plus a-notso voluntary contribution from the States, battles what it calls ‘terrorists’ with some ‘resolve’ and ‘determination’, even though it perpetrates massacres and other crimes against humanity, with relish, as it pleases. In Niger Delta, however, JTF fights the ‘oil bunkers’ and ‘refiners’ – the hapless foot soldiers who toil for the untouchable Oil Mafia – in what is seen largely as a token war. But in reality JTF has largely and happily transfigured itself and joined the frenzy of oil theft.

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