Peoples Daily Newspaper, Saturday 01, December, 2012

www.peoplesdaily-online.com www.peoplesdaily-online.com

. . . putting the people first

VOL. 2 NO. 18 SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

Condolences pour in for Buhari over daughter's death Late Zulai

PDP BOT chairman to emerge January 8

>> Page 13

>> Page 21

AL-MUHARRAM 16 - 17, 1434 AH

Kannywood:

Matan Arewa is a tribute to our womenfolk - Fatin Nigeria >> Page 24

Insecurity

Is Nigeria heading for anarchy?

Failure of intelligence the problem- Former IGP, Ibrahim Coomassie

ACF National Publicity Secretary, Anthony N.Z Sani

Jonathan is not competent to rule the nation-Former CP, Abubakar Tsav Pages 9,10,11&12 INTERVIEW

Corruption has eaten away Nigerians’ future –ACF Page 40

WWW.PEOPLESDAILY-ONLINE.COM

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

News

Army uncovers bomb factory in Zaria …60-year-old suspect arrested From Agaju Madugba & Moh’d Adamu, Kaduna

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h e Army authorities in Kaduna have announced the discovery of a bombmaking factory in Zaria, some 18 kilometres from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, where suicide bombers attacked a church last Sunday, killing scores of worshipers.

Briefing reporters yesterday, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations at the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, said various improvised explosive devices (IRDs) at various stages of completion were impounded in a two-bedroom bungalow in Zaria city.

According to Usman, “a 60year-old man, Umar Mohammed,

was arrested within the premises and in line with our resolve to deter terrorist, the building housing the factory was demolished.

“The operation was conducted by a combined team of troops of the Nigerian Army, elements of the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Security.

“The combined team carried out a cordon and search operation at Kwanar Shahada, Jushin Ciki,

Environment: Stakeholders advocate for holistic data mgt system for effective monitoring

By Augustine Aminu

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he National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) recently organized her 6thNational Stakeholders’ Forum on the New Institutional Mechanism for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development in Nigeria at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, with stakeholders advocating for adoption of a comprehensive data and information management system for environmental compliance, monitoring and enforcement in the country.

This year’s National Forum with the theme; “Data and Information Management in Environmental Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement” was held from 26 - 27 November, 2012, is a key component of NESREA’s programme on public

involvement and citizens’ participation in environmental governance.

Participation at the Forum included all major Stakeholders and Sector players at national, state and local governments in the area of environmental protection and sustainable development, as well as in data and information management. Participants also included Legislators, State Commissioners, Members of the International Community/ Development Partners, and the Media.

The Chief Host, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia, Honourable Minister of Environment delivered the Welcome Address. She was ably represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Taiye Haruna. The Keynote Address was delivered by Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Honourable Minister of Communication Technology, ably represented by the Director

Planning Research and Statistics, Mr. Wole Edun. Goodwill messages were given by Chief (Mrs) Uche Ekwunife, Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, the Executive Secretary NEPAD Business Group, Nigeria.

Chairman of the Forum, Prof.

A.M.A. Imevbore, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Board, Joseph Ayo Babalola University was represented by Prof. Niyi Osuntogun, Chairman, Resource Integrated Development Foundation, who also made remarks. Commissioners of Environment from Kogi and Plateau were present. Dr. Imeh Okopido, former Minister of State for Environment was also present. The Lead Paper on “Information and Data Management in Nigeria: Imperative for Effective Environmental Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement” was delivered by Prof.

Jide Alo, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos.

Nigerian economy to hit N5 trillion in five years —HIIC

…Council tasks media on positive reportage

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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i g e r i a is set to becoming a five trillion naira economy in the next five years if the current growth environmental score is sustained.

Members of the Honorary International Investments Council (HIIC), a group comprising prominent investors across the globe that advises the Federal Government on investment drive, made this observation yesterday in far-away London.

At the end of its 13th meeting at Berkeley Hotel, London, chaired

by Vice President Namadi Sambo and coordinated by Baroness Lynda Chalker, the council however, noted that more needs to be done to project Nigeria positively to the outside world.

Chalker spoke further on the need for Nigerian media to shift

focus from negativity to positive projection of the country to the outside world.

"As I said in Abuja at the last meeting in July, Nigeria has real opportunities and I hope that you members of the press will talk about these real opportunities. You actually let your own country down when you focus on the negatives. We have to see what we can do to make sure you focus more on the positive because really it is there", Baroness Chalker noted.

Speaking further on the meeting, the Minister of Trade and Investments, Olusegun Aganga, said one of the two external speakers, Jim O'Neill, chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, informed the council that Nigeria has recorded improvement in terms of growth environment score in the past 14 years.

"We are delighted to note and

hear from an independent source globally and internationally acknowledged source that in the last 14 years for example, Nigeria has been one of the biggest improvement in terms of the growth environment score, which is an indication of the economy that is growing…”

The minister also spoke about the macro economy, which, he said the council expressed satisfaction going by the available indicators.

"We spent some time looking at the macro economy. The good news from that is that Nigeria has a very good and compelling story to share with the world. It has a strong and stable macroeconomic environment.

From all indicators, exchange rate has been stable for quite some time.

Nigeria credit rating has just been upgraded when you compare to other countries that have been downgraded, Aganga said.

Zaria City, Kaduna state on Thursday 29th November 2012.

“Both the suspect and the items recovered are under custody of the Headquarters of 1 Div, Nigerian Army”, he said.

Among the items recovered and displayed to newsmen were: seven sensor mechanical timers (remote controlled); 11 primed suicide bombers vests; 36 primed IEDs in 'Bobo' drink cans; one

military kitbag with support items like saw, hammer, celotapes and gums; two gallons of Turkey oil brand with prepared IEDs; seven rolls of wire of various lengths; one bag containing several sensors and 25 9-volt batteries.

He commended the efforts of well-meaning citizens who reported the matter and also reiterated the Army's resolve to fight terrorism in the country.

Nigeria, hot cake for investors —Sambo

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

V

ic e President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo has said the policies of the administration have made Nigeria the preferred investment destination in Africa, and attracted over N6.8 trillion local and foreign direct investments in recent times.

Sambo stated this yesterday at a meeting with members of the Nigerian Community resident in the United Kingdom, after a two-day meeting of the Honourary International Investors Council (HIIC).

“Nigeria has become the preferred destination for investment in Africa, ranked in the top 5 host economies for Foreign Direct Investment, and accounting for over 20% of total FDI inflows into the continent”, he said.

He said Nigeria has been included in the JP Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index, signifying increasing investor confidence in the economy, while the World Economic Forum has upgraded the country’s ranking from 127 to 115 in the global competitive index.

The Vice President told the Nigerian Community that three of the 10 thermal power stations under construction were being fast-tracked to add 1,055MW to the national grid by the end of the year, while designs for the construction of both Mambila and Zungeru hydro plants, which will add about 3,700MW to the grid have been completed.

On transportation, Vice President Sambo said Nigerians have started to enjoy rail services again, with the completion of the rehabilitation of parts of the Lagos – Kano line, while work was continuing on the Port Harcourt – Maiduguri line, and the Abuja – Kaduna line had reached 46% completion.

He stated that airport terminals were being remodeled, new ones planned for Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Lagos and Enugu, while six perishable cargo terminals would be provided to enable export of agricultural produce.

The Vice President also told the Nigerian Community in London of the efforts being made to provide more jobs through the You-Win and SURE-P programmes as well as creation of 3.5 million jobs in the agricultural sector.

Earlier, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, had commended the administration for providing the resources needed to totally improve the High Commission, resulting in many Nigerians now enjoying seamless services. He said many Nigerians who had turned their backs on the High Commission in the past were now working with the officials.

Also at the meeting were the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Gbenga Ashiru, Information, Labaran Maku and Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga.

CPC commiserates with Buhari over daughter’s death

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi with agency report

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h e Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), has commiserated with the family of the leader if the party, General Muhammadu Buhari, over the recent demise of his first daughter, Zulai Buhari, describing her death as painful and irreparable.

In a condolence message to the family which was issued by the national publicity secretary of the party, Rotimi Fashakin, CPC also condoled with the friends of the family, especially the close relations

and the entire CPC family on the loss.

The party regretted that the death has made the season difficult for Buhari, wishing comfort for the family and the party’s leader the fortitude to bear the loss.

Meanwhile, Zulai Buhari, a graduate of Economics from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), until her death at the age of 40, was a staff of Nigerian Raw Materials Research Development Council in Kaduna.

She died on Thursday from complications resulting from child birth and has been buried according to Islamic rites.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

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News NLC, TUC issue 10-day ultimatum to Plateau govt over LG workers minmum wage

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h e Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), have issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Plateau state government to pay the N18, 000 minimum wage to council workers or “face economic paralyses”.

The chairman, Plateau Council of the NLC, Mr. Jibrin Bancir, made this known at a news briefing in Jos on Friday.

The NLC also charged the government to end the eight-month old strike initially championed by the state branch of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

The NLC chairman told newsmen that “the NLC/TUC at their central working committee held on Nov. 27 resolved among other issues that a 10 -day ultimatum be issued.

Bancir said the ultimatum takes effect from Nov. 30 and will elapse on Dec. 9 midnight.

According to him, if the impasse is not resolved, all workers in the state, including private organisations, will embark on total

withdrawal of services.

He said that the affiliate unions to NLC and TUC would relocate their national headquarters to Jos to see to the success of the struggle.

The NLC chairman called on all workers to remain resolute and to continue to mobilise for the impending action.

He said that the strike would have since been suspended if the state government had been sincere and willing to accept the union’s earlier position.

Bancir refuted the allegations that the NLC was sponsored by opposition parties and challenged the government to tender proof for the public to see.

“They claimed that we met with politicians on Nov.27 in Abuja whereas we were having a meeting with CAN in Mangu local government”, he explained.

He blamed those he described as the lieutenants of Gov. Jonah Jang, for not telling him the truth, thereby worsening the situation which would have been resolved a long time ago. (NAN)

Benue LG polls: Victory product of effective planning —Suswam’s aide From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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p e c i a l Adviser to Governor Gabriel Suswam on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Solomon Wombo, has stressed that the success of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) at last Saturday’s local government elections was a product of conscious effort by the PDP and good planning.

Wombo who said this during a chat with newsmen in his office yesterday, maintained that a level

playing ground and effective security was provided and so there was no harassment and any case of violence recorded during the polls.

“The election was extremely successful. It was devoid of violence and almost near perfect”, he stated.

The Special Adviser said his office would enforce strict monitoring and supervision of the new chairmen to ensure that they provided the needed development of their areas in line with the developmental blueprint of the governor.

Bauchi Jigawa states set committee to look in to border problems From Ahmed Kaiogama, Bauchi

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a u c h i and Jigawa states have set up a committee to look towards the amicable settlement of disputes between communities at the borders of the two states.

The committee comprises representatives of the emirs of Katagum in Bauchi state and Hadejia in Jigawa state; attorneysgeneral of both states; surveyorsgeneral of both states; and chairmen of the affected local government councils of the two states.

A communiqué at the end of the joint committee’s meeting in Bauchi also gave other members of the

committee to include representatives of local government ministries of the two states, State Security Service, the police, and district heads of the disputing communities.

The terms of reference of the committee include finding remote causes of the disputes; determining the boundary line of the disputing communities/states among others; as well as co-opt any person(s) that could facilitate the work of the committee.

The meeting which was chaired by the Bauchi State Commissioner of Lands and Survey, Alhaji Aminu Hammayo, gave the committee four weeks within which to submit its findings.

L-R: Representative of the Director General, National Action Committee on AIDS (NACA), Hayiya Maimuna Mohammed, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of women Affairs, Mr. George Ossi and Director, Child development, Ministry of Women affairs, Hayiya Rabi Galadima, during the Media briefing for the commemoration of the 2012 world AIDS Day, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Attah, Akpabio steal show at Attah’s wife funeral T

From Mike Etim, Uyo

housands of sympathisers thronged the funeral service of Mrs. Allison Attah, wife of Obong Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa Ibom state in Uyo on Friday.

However, there was a surprise when incumbent Governor, Godswill Akpabio in company of his wife, Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, and members of the state executive council and supporters stormed the funeral ceremony held at the Cardinal Ekanem Seminary Playground, Uyo.

Governor Akpabio and Obong Victor Attah have been at war since the former succeeded the latter in 2007.

Though both are members of People Democratic Party (PDP), but their rift saw Obong Victor Attah withholding his support for Akpabio in his re-election bid in 2011.

This action gave the opposition party the ACN a big boost in the state which almost won the election against Akpabio’s reelection bid in 2011.

Sensing the long drawn differences which existed

between both men, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Uyo, Bishop Joseph Ekuwem, used his sermon at the occasion to urge both parties to bury their hatchet and reconcile their differences for the interest of the state.

The highlight of the ceremony was when Akpabio embraced Attah during the cause of the service when Bishop Ekuwem asked members of the congregation to turn to the person near them and speak: “peace”.

The action drew a loud ovation from the crowd.

We can’t fight for God, says Mark

By Richard Ihediwa

P

r e s i d e n t of the Senate, David Mark, for the umpteenth time yesterday counseled religious leaders and followers across the country not to see the present security challenge facing the nation as a religious conflict;

adding, however, that no one can fight for God. Mark re-echoed his advice on Friday during a funeral service for late Lady Hannah Ugboyibo Chukwudozie held at the St. Peters Anglican Church, Ubahu, Okija, Anambra state.

He stressed that as a nation, "we must learn from our past civil

strife which left Nigeria backward economically and politically…"

"No matter our challenges, we must leave the fight for God and believe in ourselves as a nation".

He however extolled late Lady Chukwudozie for an exemplary life of service to community and humanity, saying her death was a great loss and an irreparable one.

Increase in population hinders boundary resolution —DG

T

he Director General, National Boundary Commission, Dr. Muhammad Ahmad, on Friday in Abuja, identified increase in population as a hindrance to the commission’s effort to resolve boundary disputes in the country.

Ahmad, who stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the increase in population had resulted in

greater demand by communities for resources.

“The world as a whole is increasing larger and larger, so increase in population is complicating issues in resolving disputes.

“Larger population attracts greater demand for resources and where there is struggle and crises, peace will cease, this can delay boundary resolution”, he said.

He said increase in population

against scarce resources often causes communities to clash.

Ahmad added that some of the embattled communities sometimes showed selfish interest in the struggle to acquire the best which often aggravates crises.

He also identified failure of embattled communities to iron out their disputes amicably based on understanding, as one of such challenges militating against the

effort of the commission to execute its activities.

Ahmad said that whereas one community might want to opt for peaceful resolution of a particular dispute, the other might not – thereby compounding the problem.

“In a situation where one party is ready for settlement and the other party is not ready for dialogue, it will be difficult to resolve disputes.

This is another challenge we are facing in resolving disputes”, he said.

The director general said that in spite of the challenges, the commission had resolved to handle them “methodically and carefully”.

He said the commission adopted such methods to douse tension and promote the concept of brotherhood among warring communities.

(NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 10 — SUNDAY 11, NOVEMBER, 2012

Photo News

L-R: Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, former member House of Representatives, Hon. Abdullahi Faruk and the Guest Speaker, Barrister Charles Inyang, during the Political Summit Group Colloquium recently in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Chief Press Secreatry to the Gov of Nasarawa State, Iliyasu Ali Yakubu,during his wedding and India night occasion

Mr and Mrs Albert Akota during their wedding recently

Primed IEDs in “Bobo” cans recovered from a bomb factory in a twobedroom bungalow in Zaria, Kaduna state

A wheelbarrow pusher hawking firewood

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

News Ajimobi vows to make Oyo cleanest state From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

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h e governor of Oyo state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has said the resolve of his government to clean the state and make it one of the cleanest cities in the country was unshakeable.

He made this known at the inauguration of 39 mini refuse trucks for 13 local government areas in the state held at the House of Chiefs, Governor’s Office, Ibadan.

According to him, the state had lost so much by its being considered as a place where filthy people inhabit, thus scaring away investors and those who could have helped develop the state.

“Today, at the launch of these mini refuse trucks, we are fulfilling a major kernel of our promise to the good people of Oyo state to institute an urban renewal programme that will reposition our state and our people as lovers of a clean environment and the aesthetics that go with it”, he said.

The governor said the procurement of the trucks was based on the requests of 13 local government councils in the state, while the remaining 20 local government councils with agrobased inclinations opted to be provided with tractors and other farm implements.

The governor explained that the provision of the trucks would enhance clean environment while also calling on the people to cooperate with the government by cultivating the habit of healthy living.

“Our administration will leave no stone unturned in making sure that Oyo state wears a new toga of a clean and aesthetic state, as against the general belief that we are a filthy people... This is why I call on the people of Oyo state to cooperate with this administration in ensuring that the efforts of government at ensuring a clean environment are fulfilled”, he said.

Explaining the rationale for the demolition of some structures under the Molete Bridge and in the Dugbe area of the state capital, the governor said the people must obey town planning rules.

“We do not have any interest in destroying the livelihood of our people. But it is also incumbent on us all to adhere to rules and regulations of town planning in not erecting houses or stalls on setbacks and in not selling our wares at designated road paths”, the governor said.

Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Oyo state branch, Hon Yekeen Popoola, had said that the provision of the trucks would address the delay in the evacuation of refuse in the local governments where the trucks were designated.

Executive Governor of Nasarawa state, His Excellency Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura, (middle) flanked by the Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Isa Mustapha Agwai, (Right) and the Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, during the Foundation Laying ceremony of Nasarawa Office complex of National Orientation Agency (NOA), recently in Lafia.

FG should encourage states to own dams, says Tambuwal From Umar Dankano, Yola

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h e Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has advised the Federal Government to encourage state governments for the utmost utilisation of rivers and dams situated in their geographical locations.

Tambuwal gave the advice at Kiri Dam in Kiri town of Shelleng local government during the signing of build, operate and transfer (BOT) agreement, as well as the groundbreaking ceremony of Kiri Dam Hydroelectric Project.

Tambuwal said those (dams) that can be converted for irrigation schemes should be allowed to be

converted by the states where such dams are cited for irrigation so as to benefit the people that they are meant for.

“Where such dams like the Kiri Dam can be converted as a source of power supply, such dams should be allowed to be converted so that electricity can be generated for the benefit of the teaming Nigerians”.

He also commended Governor Murtala Nyako administration for the foresight and assured Nigerians that the National Assembly is ever ready to continue to make laws that will not only facilitate establishment of businesses in the country, but will also be investor friendly.

Earlier in his address, Governor Nyako said his administration in

line with Nigeria’s Vision 20-2020 is complementing the Federal Government’s efforts in various socio-economic sectors.

Governor Nyako explained that in 2007 his government wrote the Presidency for support to upgrade Kiri Dam to a hydroelectricity generating dam. In this regard the Federal Ministry of Power and that of Water Resources were graciously directed to cooperate with the Adamawa state government, he said.

He therefore, appreciated the supports from the federal and US governments for the project stating that after completion, Kiri Dam will generate up to 35MW of electricity which would benefit Adamawa and Taraba states respectively.

Zamfara ALGON implores citizens to embrace peace From Salisu Zakari Maradun, Gusau

C

o m m u n i t i e s in Bakura local government area of Zamfara state have been urged to embark on prayer for the continued peaceful coexistence among then, and by extension, the people of the state.

The chairman of the council, Alhaji Bello Dankande Gamji, made the plea while speaking

exclusively with our reporter in his office.

Dankande who doubles as the chapter chairman of the Association Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), also stated the need for them to be law abiding while transacting their daily businesses, especially now when things are becoming harder and unusual.

He explained that so long as people continue to live with

hatred in their minds against one another, they should forget progress and development.

The council boss further stated that ‘no responsible leader will want to see his people suffering, in this local government the state and the nation in general, there is nothing we need more than peace. We believe that with your prayers we will get it, and with it, definitely the nation will prosper’, he said.

'No hope for Nigerian youth in govt' From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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i g e r i a youth have been told not to place their hope and priority on government due to decay the public sector and lack of values in government.

Kwara state governor, Alhaji Abdulfattah Ahmed who stated this in Ilorin during the official release of a music album by a journalist, said both the poor and youth have been in the political policies but they never benefit from anti-poverty policies of government.

"In Nigeria, the poor have been in the political center of all policies, but it is very doubtful if the poor have benefited much from anti-poverty policies of the government in the country.

"Both the United Nations and the World Bank have recently made poverty eradication a development priority. Following what is seen as the failure of the old order, attention has since shifted to the youth.

"This, however, can only be a wish if nothing is done to empower and give confidence on the youth. This national rebirth can only be possible where the society inculcates the right values like that of honesty, hardworking, fairness and justice”.

Governor Ahmed who was represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba in a paper entitled: "Youth and National Rebirth".

NASS to make French compulsory in schools

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

h e r e are indications that the National Assembly would soon pass a law making the study of French language compulsory in primary and secondary schools in the country.

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka

Ihedioha, disclosed this during a lecture he delivered at the 20th anniversary of the Nigeria French Language Village in Lagos, on Thursday.

Ihedioha said the proposed legislation is part of the measures that can enhance the use of French for the purpose of being able to fully tap into “numerous advantages to be derived in its usage in the area of economic, political, diplomatic

and cultural relations”.

While congratulating the Nigeria French Language Village for attaining the milestone feat of 20 years, the Deputy Speaker recommended that French be made a compulsory elective for all undergraduate students in the country to “create an opportunity for all Nigerian students to know how to speak the language, at least

enough to enable everyone deal with the basic challenge of functioning in a bilingual environment”.

He also urged all government functionaries to learn how to speak the language so as to be “more effective at international negotiations, meetings and shared organisations like ECOWAS and its other institutions”.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

PAGE 7

News UNICEF urges more commitment to HIV and AIDS reduction efforts in Nigeria

ASUU chides UniAbuja VC

By Usman Shuaibu

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U

n i t e d Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for more commitment from government, stakeholders in reducing HIV and AIDS prevalence in Nigeria.

UNICEF `D’ Field Office communication specialist, Malam Rabiu Musa, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

He spoke on the sideline of the 2012 World AIDS Day. Musa said at present, resources from donor countries were dwindling, hence the need for government and all other stakeholders to show greater commitment to funding to reduce the scourge.

“It is very clear that what is happening now, to address HIV issues and campaign, and all of what it takes, HIV prevention, HIV care, treatment and the establishment of a functional PMTCT, it is more or less donor-driven – about 90 percent.

“The hard truth is that, resources are dwindling; donors may reduce the level of support to developing countries, and where else do we go…”

According to Musa, the Nigerian government is trying in its HIV and AIDS prevalence drive, but more efforts are needed to scale up resources at meeting the target of zero new infections.

He, however, put the HIV prevalence at 4.1 percent as against 6.2 percent and 5.2 percent in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

“Nigeria government is responding to the HIV campaign but it definitely requires increased political commitment to put the necessary resources, both human and financial, and most importantly, financial.”

The communication specialist said that government and the private sector should demonstrate ownership in the HIV reduction effort so as to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

He said that emphasis should be placed on awareness prevention, stressing that a functional prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) should be encouraged at all levels of the society.

“Government and the private sector can demonstrate increased and greater ownership, so that we can be able to contribute and ensure that Nigeria is one of the countries that would be able to celebrate achieving the MDGs by 2015.

“The point is, we need to do more in terms of awareness on HIV prevention; we need to do more on establishing functional and active PMTCT. “We need to encourage mothers or pregnant mothers to go for antenatal care; we need to encourage people to go for HIV testing and counseling so that every one of us can know his or her status, which is the bedrock of addressing the issues.”

NAN reports that the 2012 World AIDS day has its theme `Getting to Zero’, with emphasis on Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths. (NAN)

Colonel Martins Odior, demonstrating with a recovered suicide bombers vest in front of all the IEDs recovered in the Zaria operation.Photo: Muhammad Adamu, Kaduna

Minanuel Estate demolition: Minister says developer has no legal title to ownership

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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h e Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, on Thursday, said there was nothing the court could do with respect to the suit filed by Minanuel Investment Limited challenging the demolition of 372 housing units at its estate in Abuja since the act has already been completed.

Besides, the minister through his legal team headed by Chief Joe Kyari Gadzama, told the court that Minanuel did not possess a legal title to claim ownership of

the property and added that all the plots in the estate have been reallocated to their rightful title holders.

But the plaintiff's counsel, Femi Falana, countered his submissions alleging that the documents may have been back dated. Meanwhile, the court sitting before Justice Danlami Senchi which ordered an accelerated hearing of the matter, adjourned to February 25 to 28, 2013 for hearing.

The adjournment came after counsel to the plaintiff withdrew his motion seeking an injunction

to stop the government from further demolition of structures or interfere with development on the site of Minanuel Estate along the Airport Road in Abuja.

The government on its part, withdrew its notice of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit.

It would be recalled that Minanuel Estate went to the court with a N5 billion suit against the FCT Minister, over the demolition of 372 housing units belonging to the developer, Minanuel Investment Limited between September 29 and October 2, 2012.

North-east to hold economic summit

By Umar Muhammad Puma

A

two-day economic summit is expected to kick-start at Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi state on December 6 with the aim of working out a comprehensive action plan for the development of the region, under the aegis of North-east Alliance for Transformation ( NEAT).

President Goodluck Jonathan and Gen. TY Danjuma (rtd) are expected to declare the event open.

The spokesman of the organisers of the summit and Senior Special Assistance to the President on Energy Partnership, Ibrahim Shehu Njiddah, told newsmen yesterday in Abuja that the six

governors of the region, Murtala Nyako, Adamawa; Isa Yuguda, Bauchi; Kashim Shettima, Borno; Ibrahim Dankwambo, Gombe; Garba Umar, Taraba; and Ibrahim Gaidam, Yobe would chair the sessions.

“In the past few years, the North-eastern region has been beset by critical issues such as insecurity, poverty, disease, hunger and unemployment.

The governors of this region are sensitive to these socioeconomic conditions of the people and are keen to respond to the critical challenges plaguing this region and have come together under NEAT to jointly improve the region.

Bauchi will host NEAT 2012, the first in the series of the annual summit that would be

hosted by each of the six states in the region in subsequent succession,” Njiddah said.

He said every facet of challenges would be considered and stakeholders included in the summit, which is why entrepreneurs, academics, international speakers, activists and other dignitaries and stakeholders are expected at the event.

“Plenary sessions will be held on each day of the event to facilitate discourse and the agenda would include state security, poverty alleviation, human capacity development, education, employment, agriculture, environmental sustainability, infrastructural development and culture and tourism among others,” he said.

o l l o w i n g the protest masterminded by the students of the university of Abuja on the 19th of November 2012, over the non-accreditation of four courses, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja chapter, has accused the vicechancellor of the university, Prof.

James Sunday Adelabu of failing to provide a purposeful leadership capable of satisfying the aspirations of the students.

The chairman of UniAbuja chapter of ASUU, Dr. Clement D. Chup, who made this known while briefing the newsmen in Gwagwalada, noted that despite the promises made by the vicechancellor to ensure the accreditation of the courses within six months, he had failed to keep the promise.

He further alleged that the vice-chancellor had failed to provide the facilities that would pave way for accreditation of the courses.

The ASUU chairman called on the executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie, to as a matter of urgency release the white paper of the report of the last Special Visitation Panel to the university in order to guarantee good governance in the institution.

Nigerians can get Caribbean citizenship as Ekweremadu seeks greater ties

By Richard Ihediwa

N

i g e r i a n s can now get full citizenship of St. Kitts and Nevis if they invest up to $400,000 in the Caribbean nation.

This is just as Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremmadu has called for greater collaboration between Nigeria and the Caribbean countries in areas of common interests.

Ekweremmadu spoke in Lagos on Wednesday at a business Dinner he organised in collaboration with Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) in honour of the visiting Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Denzil Douglas.

He noted that the Caribbean nations and Nigeria have a lot in common adding that Nigerians consider citizens of the Caribbean nations as brothers and sisters.

He commended the Prime Minister for taking part in the Abuja Carnival, adding that St. Kitts and Nevis was an example on how to deploy technology, human capital, culture and tourism to drive economic transformation.

Commending the NESG for its role as a major stakeholder in the governance of the country and for serving as a platform for hosting the event, the senator urged drivers of private sector in both countries to explore the abundant areas of common economic interests.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

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By Nasiru Mu'azu Isa and Lawal Sa'idu Funtua

I

t is settled law that the state in exchange for the peoples obedience is enjoined to protect their lives and property, but the increasing spate of violence across the country has since showed an unsettling signal that the Nigerian state is failing in this task.

Nigerians first got used to the term "Boko Haram" in 2009 when the group became more violent because its former leader, Mohammed Yusuf was allegedly killed by the police in detention. He has since been replaced by Imam Shekau who alongside other top commandants has been declared wanted with ransom by the Nigeria Police.

The Boko Haram sect abhors western

civilization and anything or anyone that has connection with government, military or police authorities.

Since 2009, it has claimed responsibility for series of bomb and gun attacks in Borno, Yobe, Plateau, Taraba, Adamawa, Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Niger, Kogi and Abuja. These have led to the death of not less than 4,000 people with several others sustaining life-time scars.

The group makes use of suicide attackers, plant bombs and also uses sophisticated weapons like AK-47 to attack its victims and engage security operatives in face-offs. The Joint Task Force (JTF) responsible for containing the insurgency of the group has proven largely incapable of doing the job with repeated accusations of maltreatment of

innocent civilians in the name of fighting Boko Haram.

The sect makes government look incapable, renders security outfits incompetent and makes President Goodluck Jonathan to goof often. Their relentless attacks on innocent Nigerians make him speak from both ends of the mouth. Today, hope is raised on dialogue but another day, you may hear there is no dialogue. Today, we may hear Boko Haram elements are too "invisible" to discuss with.

Boko Haram in its so-called jihad does not spare Muslims, women, children and the elderly. It doesn't regard any Mosque or church too sacred to massacre people in thousands.

The most memorable and daring onslaught of the deadly sect include that

of UN House, Police headquarters and the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) in Abuja as well as the Command and Staff College, Jaji. Borno, Kano, Yobe and Kaduna have been too much of a Boko Haram stronghold to even list or separate the worst set of attacks in these states. A particular attack in Kaduna and Zaria Churches in the same weekend led to some reprisals in parts of the state and this led to many deaths and threatened the very first foundation of the country's multireligious togetherness.

Many politicians, their relatives, security operatives, their relatives and clerics as well as their loved ones have died through the bullets and bombs of

Contd on pages 10

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Nigeria heading for anarchy?

NSA Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) Contd from page 9 the sect.

Media practitioners are not spared as the parents of the Channels Television reporter and NTA cameramen killed by the terrorists in Kano and Borno states respectively, are still mourning their loved ones.

The recent attack on a military fortress, the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji as well as the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) office in Abuja, jolted the nation; bringing it to a standstill momentarily.

A retired Inspector-General of police, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie, said the trend of attack on the installations is a dangerous dimension. Reacting to the incident in Katsina, Coomassie observed that lack of sufficient intelligence by the security agencies is the major factor militating against the security situation in the country and measures must be taken urgently to find solution to the problem. Commassie noted that: "They said Tony Blair is coming to talk on interreligious relations, would that solve the problem? Former President Olusegun Obasanjo travelled to as far as Borno over the issue, did that solve the problem?

In an interview with Peoples Daily Weekend, a former Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Tsav on his part said the Jaji bombings and SARS attack, as well the violent robbery in Auchi and the killings, all are indications that anarchy looms. He lambasted the Federal Government for not

Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi showing much concern on insecurity issues in the country.

"Nigeria is in near state of anarchy despite the huge amount budgeted for security last year; instead government is embezzling the funds.

Jonathan is not competent to lead the nation."

Abubakar Tsav particularly frowned at the manner in which General Shuwa was killed, saying up till now there is no clue as to the whereabouts of the assailants and concluded that "nobody is safe except those at the helm of affairs."

Also placing the blame at the doorstep of politicians, Tsav said "since the coming of democracy in 1999, the spate of insecurity has been on the increase because of their quest to remain in power. That is why there is proliferation of arms and ammunitions."

Some security experts speaking on AIT's Kakaki recently, said that the concern of government "is not only in combating culprits and seizing cache of weapons but in also educating the populace on preterrorist attack indicators in their domains so that they can know how to tackle them.

According to one of them, government's failure in empowering youths has led to waywardness among youths and violent tendencies.

Referring to the Auchi robbery attack, he noted, "the gangs walking that axis know the porosity of the area and that they were in charge not the police or any security agency".

They observed the ineptitude of the police and said that in Lagos for instance, Area

boys do the job of the police; they harass innocent people while the police and other security personnel look on. A security expert, reminiscence the good old days of policing when police officers carried out their duties with dedication and commitment, he recalled how a police commissioner in Kano in those days, would drive an unmarked car around the Kano metropolis to see how his men were doing their job compared to the present style of arm-chair policing and the submissive attitude of the force where for instance, the police would only appear after a dastardly act.

They lamented the double speak of the Presidency that the Boko Haram sect is faceless, yet it placed a tag on their heads with huge amounts as ransom.

They expressed optimism that with the right measures peace could reign again in Nigeria.

The Presidency has however refuted accusations that it is sleeping over the recent terror onslaught in the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji and the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) office in Abuja.

Suspected members of the Boko Haram sect had launched twin bomb attacks on a church in the Jaji Cantonment on Sunday, leaving scores of Nigerians dead with others severely injured.

Barely 24 hours later, another attack claimed by a new group, the Jama'atul Ansarul Muslimina fi Biladissudan, was made on SARS headquarters in Abuja, killing some policemen and freeing some of their members

CP Abubakar Tsav (Rtd) in custody.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati who fielded questions from State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting last Wednesday noted that a couple of steps have been taken by the President since the incidents occurred.

According to him, the President had been briefed on the incidents by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa'd and the Minister of FCT, Bala Mohammed.

He added that the Minister of FCT was also mandated by the President to hold a Security Council meeting at the level of the FCT as part of ways to further secure the capital city.

Abati further stated that part of the Federal Government's response to the incidents was the committees set up by the Minister of Defense to look into the incidents, adding that the "Ministry has also held a security meeting at the level of FCT." The Federal Government had agreed too that the country is heading towards anarchy as the AGF, said recently that it was "working hard to stem the gradual descent to anarchy by diligently prosecuting all those indicted for civil disturbances to serve as deterrence." While governors of five of the six Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)-controlled states in Nigeria have canvassed a total review of the nation's security system, warning that the

nation may be drifting towards anarchy unless something is urgently done.

The governors, namely Raji Fashola of Lagos; Rauf Aregbesola of Osun; Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo; Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, made this position known when they paid a condolence visit to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, over the death of his Principal Private Secretary, Olaitan Oyerinde.

The governors of the ACNcontrolled states condemned what they described as unfortunate incidence of violence which occurred in the state saying it was the result of the failure of the states to control fully the management of security operatives in their domains.

Governor Aregbesola said "It is not enough to say desperation was the cause of this; it is to enunciate the fact that politics has been reduced to a level by those who have no other reason to be involved than because of their own greed and personal benefit. What we have been witnessing in our land generally is almost an indication of total failure of governance.

A monarch, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi reportedly expressed worry over daily killings in Nigeria, saying the country is not safe for anyone anymore and maintained that with the spate of violence, the country is almost turning into a state of anarchy. He was lamenting the killing of the Aluu 4 in Rivers state.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

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Failure of intelligence the problem, says Former IGP, Coomassie From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina and Ai’sha Biola Raji

A

retired InspectorGeneral of police, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie has described lack of sufficient intelligence by the security agencies as the major factor militating against the security situation in the country.

Coomassie who stated this while fielding questions from newsmen, yesterday in Katsina, noted ‘like the issue of Boko Haram, we need to know who are they, how it started, those involved, do they have foreign backing, do they have any internal support, what are the sources of their funds and getting arms’.

‘Like they said Tony Blair is coming to talk on inter-religious relation, would that solve the problem? Former President Olusegun Obasanjo travelled to as far as Borno over the issue, did that solve the problem’.

‘The constitution is clear about arrest and prosecution in courts.

What is happening to those arrested by the security agencies, how many of them were taken to court for prosecution. These are all issues that have to be addressed’.

‘If you look at the constitution a citizen has rights such as economic, social and education rights. We have three tiers of government, the Federal, State and Local governments, are they discharging these responsibilities’.

‘And even the issues of Boko Haram I believe we have the Boko Haram, the criminal gangs and those with political scores to settle hiding under the security situation to perpetrate crimes’.

‘On the issue of dialogue, yes, it should have started earlier than now, but the issue is with whom are you going to negotiate. Who knows them? We only heard that they picked some people to negotiate on their behalf’.

‘Look at this issue, the constitution says you can reside in any part of the country, but a certain governor said no matter how long you stayed in a place you are a settler. This kind of scenario is wrong’.

‘The police have been neglected for long. Take the instances of various security outfits like the NDLEA, SSS, EFCC, FRSC and many others their roots started as a unit under the police. But they now have better remuneration than the police. In this case where is the motivation’?

‘During ‘Yar’adua he set up a committee on police reform under M.D Yusufu, I was a member. We presented a report, a white paper was issued and a minister was

asked to implement it. Whether it was being implemented or not we know we did our part’. ‘ T h e attack on security formations is not a new thing since t h e beginning of this Boko Haram issue but the trend of attack in Jaji and SARS is a dangerous dimension.

But to us who are religious we would say these are signs of the end time’.

I n another interview he granted the m e d i a

Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie (Rtd IGP)

months ago, he spoke on the security issues. Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie said, “Something is wrong somewhere, because you have heard President Goodluck Jonathan gave a pass mark to security agencies. “I want to recall what I said in June this year about the problem of Boko Haram. I said it is as a result of lack of proper and authentic intelligence and I still maintain that if you don’t have accurate and authentic intelligence, you can’t dislodge any opponent or saboteur and or any trouble-maker.”

According to him, the situation would be different if the security agents are well-trained; if they are the right people to do the job, if they are well exposed and if they are on top of the job. “If all these are put in place, then, we will not find ourselves in the present situation of insecurity.”

On his take on what makes the security system and intelligent units ineffective, he explained that, as a former IGP, he thinks there is lack of motivation.

“I don’t understand. If you said our security agents are welltrained, well paid and were provided with working equipments, then we will ask, are they motivated to do their job effectively? As it is, there are so many things connected to the success story of any organization.

“First, is the right person doing the job? Second, is he trained on

the job he was asked to do?

Thirdly, is the person educationally qualified to do the job? Fourthly, is he interested in the job? Fifthly, has the person got appropriate tools, gadgets and other sophisticated facilities to carry out the job? Sixth, does the person have exposure to do the work? This is because intelligence people must have connections globally not only internally.

Intelligence people must always be up-to-date. In other words, they must know what is happening. If they are lacking in this area, there is big trouble.” He lamented.

Discussing what the situation was like when he was the IGP, he said there was a more coordinated security system as there were numerous security apparatus in use. His words “Of course, the situation was not like this! Look at what happened during the Maitatsine crisis in Kano for instance, although there was intelligence then, but Justice Anthony Aniagolu, the man who headed government’s investigation committee, said the intelligence was not enough.

“He also discovered that police had no intelligence outfit because the police intelligence outfit, which was the special branch, was severed from the police and called the Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO), which is now called the State Security Service (SSS). It has received priority over

and above the police.

This created the complex of superiority between the police and SSS personnel.

Aniagolu then made a recommendation, as a result of w h i c h government created the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) unit in the police but they did not give CIB the courage to do the job effectively.

“It remains like what we used to have in the past. In the past, we have so many s e c u r i t y apparatus, such as crime branch, where we had the ‘suspect squad’ which was doing intelligence job locally. The personnel were mostly Native Authority (NA) agents and they successfully penetrated and got intelligence about criminal activities. We also have the X-squad which went about sniffing for information about criminal activities and then they would strike. After that, we had the CIB and later, we got SSS as an organization.

“We also have intelligence units in other security organizations, such as the Military Intelligence and the NIA,”he explained.

According to him, if all the intelligence from these organisations pass the report to the appropriate organisation that will operate, that is the police, are they (the police) being fed with authentic intelligence, are they well-trained, and are they professional enough to handle the situation? He said, these are some of the things the government should look into.

Coomasie stressed that, the police the country has today is not the same police it had 20 and 30 years ago. His words, “I have said it before and I am not afraid of repeating it again, the quality of police we have now is not the same quality of the police we had in the past. First of all, the men must be suitable for the job; they must know rights and wrongs, right from their respective homes. This

will enable them to avoid what is wrong and try to do what is right after joining the force and the attitude can be transferred to the public, which they protect. They must also have enough education to do the job. They must be professionally trained to be policemen. They have to be retrained for the various jobs they have been doing in the service.

Then, they have to be motivated.”

He said for them to deliver the mandate of protecting lives and properties, good welfare package must be available for them and they must be up to date scientifically as the world is now a global village. “We are now working scientifically. You can get information through your GSM, so our policemen must work scientifically. If you have been attending seminars, workshops and trainings, you would have colleagues elsewhere that, when the need arises, you can call them to help you with useful intelligence data that can help you get through with your job.

That is the importance of connections.”

According to him, this is not what is being realised in Nigeria.

“Is this what we are doing now?

The answer is no. So these are some of the things we have been talking about concerning insecurity in Nigeria,” he said.

However, he called on the need for government to look into the welfare of the police and find ways of bringing it back to its glory. His words, “Like I have said, government must look into the shortcomings of the police now and beef it up. For example, the M.D Yusuf’s committee on police reform had recommended that we should stop recruiting policemen; upgrade all our training institutions to appreciable standard, comparable with anyone in the world, at least, in Africa, before we go to the world.

“Then, look at the trainers.

Retrain them, let them be focused and professionals so that they can train people to become policemen.

Look inward, retrain the trainable among those already in the police and get rid of those that are not trainable. After you finish that, then you can start recruiting fresh policemen. There are always jobs in the police, so you can go out and get the right people for the job of policeman.”

He also called attention to the need for resolving religious and regional differences. According to him, doing this will entail having to apply the federal character law.

“Every region now has got qualified people to fill in its own places at all levels of government.

So, when you come to that, just look for quality, not quantity.

Contd on page 12

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Failure of intelligence Contd from page 11 During my time as Inspector General of Police, I stopped recruitment. I never recruited constables because I was implementing the recommendations of the M.D Yusuf’s committee. However, I did not get the money to upgrade my training institutions and do the other things. When we handed over in 1999, the government gave them power to recruit 40,000 policemen, and as a result, they lowered the standard of the police and recruited all kinds of people into the Police Force,” he stated.

On whether the problem of the Nigeria police emanated from the recruitment exercise, he said it is part of the problems.

“Recruitment, coupled with what is now obtained in the service, compounded the problem of the Nigeria police.” He declared.

On whether Boko Haram is a creation of Northern politicians to destabilize Jonathan’s administration, Coomasie said if they are not a religious sect, they are aggrieved members of the society that are not pleased with the way things are run in the country hence the need for talks with them.

He said, “at least, if it is not a religious sect, is a group that is not satisfied with the way things are going on in the country and they thought this is the way to show it.

And that is why, at one time, we

Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie (Rtd IGP) recommended dialogue with them. If you know who they are, if you know what they are after, if you know where they are and if you can identify their leadership, then you can get them and dialogue with them. One of the problems of Boko Haram, which is now known, is the killing of their leader and members in

Maiduguri. They were killed openly and it was shown on Aljazeera satellite cable. The clip is everywhere in this country,” he said. According to him, the killing particular did more damage to the country than good.

On if confrontation between soldiers and Boko Haram members can solve the problem

he said involvement of soldiers signifies failure in police system, “soldiers were deployed to the crisis areas because the police had failed to tackle the situation. Like I have said, if they could act on authentic intelligence, they could get to the root of the matter and address the situation,” he said.

Also on whether part of insecurity can be traced to sign of failure on the part of the traditional institution, he said Traditional institutions are veritable tools for security in the country. He said, “First of all, they are well established, they have the emirs, the councils, the district heads, the village heads and the ward heads, so they are well-established and they have been doing their jobs for many years. If a stranger enters a village, the ward head must know and he will then communicate to village heads to district heads and then to the emir and the emir will know what to do about the stranger.”

He called for the need to check if politicians have adulterated the traditional institutions. “ They are fathers of the whole society, even the Government knows, because if there is crisis, the emirs are being used to act during fire brigade approaches but, honestly, emirs are supposed to be members of the state security councils and the district heads to be members of the local

government security councils. If this is not made functional, then something is wrong.” He called.

He however agreed that, the insecurity in the country is as a result of injustice being perpetrated by leaders. “Injustice is now common, just like corruption. One breeds the other.

If you are corrupt, you will not be just to your subjects as a leader so it is correct, and unless we check these evils, we will not go anywhere. And that is why I said it has to do with the leadership.”

On what the future holds for Nigeria, he said the future of Nigeria depends on the people of Nigeria. “It can be bright and it can continue to be gloomy. It depends on us, especially the leadership. Although both the leadership and the followership have their faults, it is mainly the leadership because if you have a leader who is sincere, committed, honest and God-fearing, and interested in giving his best to the development of the country, and who is ready to do things correctly without favouritism and corruption, things would be better. In other words, our leadership must be firm and security agencies must be able to do their jobs without hitch or hindrance. But if you know that if you commit an offence you can talk to somebody at a higher level to stop authorities from punishing you, then there is problem.”

Meeting of the Africa-European Union Joint Experts Group on Peace and Security

T

h e JEG meeting, which takes place twice a year, was co-chaired by Ambassador Abd El-Naceur Belaïd, Algeria’s Permanent Representative to the AU, and Bernard Friedling, from the European External Action Service (EU). It was attended by members of the JEG from Africa and EU, African and EU member states, as well as representatives of the following Regional Economic Communities/ Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution (RECs/RMs): Community of Sahelo-Saharan States (CENSAD), Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community (EAC), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Eastern Africa Standby Force Coordinating Mechanism

(EASFCOM) and the North Africa Regional Capability (NARC).

The meeting discussed the three priority areas of the Partnership on Peace and Security of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy, namely Political Dialogue, Operationalization of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), and funding for African-led Peace Support Operations (PSOs).

The political dialogue encompassed the situations in Mali/Sahel, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Guinea Bissau. The participants exchanged views on the efforts to combat the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and on maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea and off the Horn of Africa. The session on APSA focused on progress achieved in operationalising its key components, including the Africa Standby Force and the African Training Centres, as well as on priorities for 2013, and other areas of capacity development. In view of the discussions on priorities during the 28 November 2012 session

of African Peace Facility (APF) Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), the meeting also

exchanged views on the on-going and potential African-led PSOs, including the AU Mission in

Somalia (AMISOM) and the ECCAS Mission in Central African Republic (MICOPAX).

Addis Ababa, 29 November 2012: The Africa-European Union (EU) Joint Expert Group (JEG) on Peace and Security met on 29 November 2012, at the AU headquarters, in Addis Ababa, within the framework of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

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News Extra

UniAbuja: Group advocates revolution to end decay … Fingers V.C over alleged attack on students

By Stanley Onyekwere

F

ollowing recent unrest by some aggrieved students of University of Abuja (UniAbuja) that prompted the closing of the school barely two weeks to their examinations, some students under the aegis of Coalitions of UniAbuja, said it revealed the rotten system in the institution, which only revolution is need for immediate change.

The group, in a recent statement made available to newsmen, expressed concern over the handling of the issue by the

management also challenged the Vice Chancellor (V.C.) of the University, Prof. James Adelabu, to explain the ‘attacks on students on Monday 19th November, 2012.

This is coming on the heels of mixed reactions trailing the decision and directive of Nigeria University Commission (NUC) earlier this year, to suspend the continuing offering and award of certificate in courses like, engineering, chemistry and economics by UniAbuja for ‘falling short of qualification for due accreditation by the commission’.

According to the spoke person of the group Mr. Tope, in addition to unveiling of the rotten system operated there, which requires radical steps to correct, the group it also calls for the school authority to sit up and do what is right as regarding the accreditation of the affected courses.

He said: “University of Abuja is the only school that runs a different calendar from other schools in the nation, where exams are fixed at the convenience of the Vice Chancellor (V.C.) and it must be written within one week regardless of the unit load.

“It’s only in the University of

Miyetti Allah wants IGP to apprehend ‘killer police’

By Miriam Humbe

A

Fulani socio-cultural Association, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has called on the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar, to urgently arrest and prosecute the police officers who killed three Fulani herdsman in Nike town of Veti District in Karshi development area of Nasarawa state last Wednesday.

National chairman of the association, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi, made the call while addressing newsmen at the association’s headquarters in Nasarawa on Friday. He said the herdsman Alhaji Shehu Ado and his two children, Pueri and Rabo, where innocent of any allegation leveled against them.

According to the chairman, "we are not happy with the action of the police. No responsible government would allow such things to happen in its country”.

Narrating what he knew about the incident, a member of the association simply identified as Bodejo, said the incident occurred when a farmer called Namaria, reported to the police at Uke Division about the destruction caused by some cattle in his farm and after two days, he brought some policemen to Shehu's house, pointed at him and said he suspected him to be the owner of the cattle that destroyed his farm.

“Without any question, the police officer took up his gun and told Shehu that today is your last day and opened fire killing him and his two children," Bodejo added.

He appealed to the IGP and Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa state to compensate the family and do everything possible to prosecute the officer involved to serve as a lesson to others.

The association further called

on herdsmen to shun crisis and go about their normal businesses, adding that Miyetti Allah is an association that is law abiding in the society and a respecter of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He also called on farmers and cattle rearers to always settle their differences through the traditional rulers in their communities, and not through the police.

T

Babangida Aliyu, he enjoined the former military leader and his family to be encouraged by the fact that his late daughter lived an inspiring and a fulfilled life.

He said life was not about how long people lived, but how people impacted positively on the environment around them.

“Though Zulai lived a short life, she brought change to her

Unprofessional and political replacement of experience and qualified deans and lecturers must stop; and the V.C. must come out and tell the whole world the actual truth about some of the attack on students on Monday 19th November, 2012”, Tope insists.

The group also pointed out that the school authority insists on going on with the exams despite the fact that the school has been shut down by the Federal Government. This according to them is lack of respect for the Federal Government by the V.C. and his cabinet.

Jonathan condoles Buhari over daughter’s death

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with former Head of State, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) on the death of his eldest daughter, Zulaihatu yesterday.

In a condolence letter to General Buhari, President Jonathan prayed that God Almighty would comfort him, and grant him and members of his family succour from the pain of losing a beloved child who has been nurtured and raised to adulthood.

“I write to extend sincerest commiserations to you and your family on the death of your eldest daughter, Zulaihatu yesterday November 29th, 2012.

“I can well imagine the profound pain, sadness and sorrow brought upon you by the tragic loss of a beloved child whom you have nurtured and raised to adulthood.

My heart goes out to you as you mourn Zulaihatu. I pray that God Almighty comforts you and grants you and your family succour at this very traumatic time for all who knew and loved her,” President Jonathan wrote.

Kogi youths hail selection of new Atta Igala

By Stanley Onyekwere

T IGP Mohammed Abubakar

Northern govs commiserate with Buhari he Northern States Governors Forum has condoled with former Head of State and leader of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, over the death of his daughter, Zulai.

In a statement issued by Danladi Ndayebo, the Chief Press Secretary to the chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger state, Dr. Muazu

Abuja that there is no Student Union Government (SUG); it has been dissolved for the past eight years”, Tope said the group has been trying to meet with the V.C. to see how they can resolve the conflicting issues affecting both management and students over time, with the aim of bringing sanity into the system, but all to no avail.

“We demand the following; that all courses yet to be fully accredited must be accredited before the commencement of exams; a fresh election must be conducted for anew SUG;

immediate family, her community, and all those she met, especially women and children”.

Aliyu said the best tribute that the CPC leader could pay to his late daughter was to sustain her good deed of touching lives of the weak and poor.

He prayed especially for her husband and her children, to have the fortitude to bear the loss.

h e Chairman of Kogi Youth Progressive Association, Comrade Ibrahim Mohammed has hailed the choice of Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni as the new Attah Igala, saying the decision was in line with fairness and justice.

The chairman who spoke the end of the year party of the group, expressed joy that the controversy surrounding Aliyu Obaje’s successor was laid to rest recently with the right choice.

Comrade Ibrahim Mohammed had in an earlier forum before the selection urged the kingmakers to be sincere and dedicated to their responsibilities by choosing the right person to mount the vacant throne.

He had urged Igalas to be prayerful and peaceful and accept whoever is chosen to lead the Igala race.

Speaking during yesterday’s event, the comrade therefore implored the new monarch to be magnanimous in victory and see the entire Igala race and Kogi state in general as his immediate constituency.

“We are calling on our new God-given leader to give the necessary support to elected leaders from Igalaland as part of ways to uplift the standard of the people,” he said.

Ameh Oboni Idakwo

Gov Yari tasks political leaders on performance

By Augustine Aminu

G

o v e r n o r Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state has urged politicians in the country to make the fulfillment of the promises they made to people their top priority in the course of their stewardship.

The governor said this during the commissioning ceremony of a project provided by a member of the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Shehu Gusau in Gusau.

The governor who was represented by the Speaker of Zamfara state House of Assembly, Garba Rikiji at the commission

said that his efforts in the provision of the social amenities will go a long way in curbing youth restiveness in the constituency adding that other leaders need to emulate the leadership of Hon. Gusua.

Governor Abdulaziz said his government will provide

enabling environment for investors who are willing to invest in Zamfara state.

Also speaking at the occasion the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who was represented by Deputy Majority Leader, Kawu Samaila

commented the lawmaker for providing some infrastructure for his people, stressing that the House of Representatives will continue to support and encourage Hon. Gusua toward helping his people to reduce poverty and provide employment in the state.

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

Feature Ira, where ancient masquerade brings rains, success to people From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

I

r a , a town in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara state hit the Nigerian map recently when soccer icon, Rasheed Yekini died. It was in the town that the wife of Sango, a Yoruba god of thunder called Oya disappeared into a hole which is now called Oya grave.

With this uniqueness, Ira town has continued to receive different people from all walks of life who visit regularly for tourist purposes.

There is also an ancient masquerade called 'Wonu eke' (investigating wickedness), which according to the people's belief has power to solve poverty, barreness and bring rains at a time of need.

The masquerade was also part of other traditional masquerade that entertained guests at the Oya festival day at Ira on November 17th, 2012. It stole the show along its controllers and master.

In an interview with Peoples Daily Weekend, Mr. Job Ogunwale, great grand son of the owner of the masquerade revealed that the ancient mask entertainment idol was brought to Ira when the town was founded many decades ago by a hunter called "Onuu".

He said the hunter settled in their present compound "Aro Compound with the masquerade.

He added that the usefulness of the masquerade were many to ancient people and the present generation.

"In the olden days, my father told me that when there was a drought, community leaders would ask Wonu Eke to come out and move round the community with its full uniform. Before completing the movement, everybody would be wet with plenty rainfall.

For instance, my brother and his wife did not have children after many years of marriage. He was told to come home (Ira) to carry the masquerade uniform. He did that and his wife got pregnant. Today, he has two wives with many children.

Like me now, I did not have success or progress in Lagos. I was told to come home. On getting to Ira, I started having continuous dreams about the masqurade. When I told elders in my community, they told me that I need to carry Wonu Eke uniform. But they argued that the community had abandoned such ancient culture.

When I discovered that I have to do if my life must change for the better, I did that and today, I am out of poverty and mysterious things."

While speaking during the festival, traditional ruler of the community, Onira of Ira, Oba Abdul-Wahab Oyewale Oyetoro said Nigerians were beginning to forget their culture in favour of foreign tradition.

"We bleach our dark skin and change our indigenous names to foreign,meaningless ones which do not express who we are. We use spoon and folk to eat okro soup and prevent

our children from speaking Yoruba language. It is said to be barbaric, not a mark of civilisation to speak it.

We swallowed foreign culture hook, line and sinker."

The monarch appealed to parents to teach their children local languages and culture.

The promoter of Olokun Festival, Otunba Gani Adams who berated the high rate of divorce among Nigeria women today noted that mothers of today's Nigeria see it as escape route "Women have a role to play, because men,including myself will never stop misbehaving like children sometimes. That is why a woman needs patience and tolerance, to be patient to the misdemeanours of her husband and to be tolerant in the manner of a good wife."

Adams, the national coordinator of Odua Peoples Congress(OPC) explained that Nigeria women have to learn a lot from Oya, who married Sango, the god of thunder despite Sango's troublesome and aggressive nature.

"Oya used her patience and endurance to win the heart of her husband.We may blame infidelity for the collapse of many marriages, that is the problem of all men. But past mothers including Oya, used their wisdom and patience to control their homes. I am sure the creator who made women of the past also made women of today".

He added that members of the society should not adopt divorce as a consolation, saying "divorce is the failure of marriage, the failure of individual involved in it and an insult to the culture."

A united family will produce a responsible child. Yoruba culture believes in conflict resolution, a resolution that only sane elders can organise. Because conflict cannot be resolved by partiality,it should have be handled by sane elders, I mean sane elders! Parents should be sincere with every issue that emanates from the relationship of their children, because only the leg that suffers a sore knows its pain."

Masquerade Wonu eke

Oba Abdul-Wahab Oyewale Oyetoro, traditional ruler of Ira

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

Tourism Abuja National Carnival 2012: Lessons for the future The 8th Abuja Carnival has come and gone but many of the residents of the FCT, may not have known that it took place, as many expressed surprise and wondered if there was anything like a carnival that took place within the precincts of the city. It was also observed that the spate of insecurity in the country and poor pre-event publicity on the part of the organisers may have been culpable for the low turnout of people at the various events that marked the supposed historic event. Miriam Humbe, reports.

A

t h o u g h the event was held in a peaceful atmosphere and contingents from within and outside the country fully participated in the activities that culminated in the emergence of Rivers state as the overall winner of the fiesta, it left lessons for organising carnivals in the future.

Participants from the 36 states of the nation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, stormed the designated venues in colourful costumes drumming, singing and dancing.

They were all so excited about taking part in the four-day fiesta but residents of Abuja, the host city, on the other hand were not in the same high spirits as their visitors.

For instance, Malam Garba Halidu who resides in Maitama district said the impact of the festival was not felt by residents due to insufficient publicity on the part of the organisers.

"With the poor pre-event publicity, the low turnout of spectators should be expected.

Personally, I did not know there was an event of such magnitude in town and if the residents can't feel the impact, the aim of investing huge sums of money to host the festival is defeated. I think there should be more publicity next time," he said.

Mr Peter Oni, a resident, said the carnival could generate a lot of income for the nation if handled properly. ``Since the inception of the carnival, we just wake up to see the street blocked without prior information. This has always been the problem. It is high time things are done the right way. Last year's carnival by my assessment was more elaborate than this year's.''

Mr Olu-Martin Abe, another resident, said the carnival would have grown by now to a level that corporate bodies would clamour to sponsor if handled properly.

While some residents called on the Federal Government to ensure proper sensitisation of the public before holding subsequent Abuja Carnivals claiming that poor publicity had over the years hindered the growth of the event, others offered the opinion that private corporations be encouraged to invest in subsequent events.

Security men and women drafted to keep law and order at the venues may have done a good job as the event was successful from the beginning to end. But no one was spared their high-handedness; not even the journalists covering the event.

Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and representative of President Goodluck Jonathan while delivering the keynote address to mark the end of the ceremony, urged the participants to be good ambassadors of Nigeria as they return to their various states to re-strategise for the 2013 Abuja National Carnival in-order to achieve peace for national development.

The minister of tourism, culture and nation orientation, Chief Edem Duke opened the floor, doing a few dance steps with Ekpe maiden dancers from Cross-Rivers state and then stepped aside to watch the procession of

dancers from the international community including Cuba, Namibia, Egypt, China and Trinidad and Tobago. These were followed by contingents from some states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. Meanwhile, hawkers of all kinds of wares and other traders were seen making brisk businesses at all the venues of the carnival which had events such as the Durbar, Boat regatta, Children fiesta and food fair, among others. The increased business activities left a huge task of cleaning the city to the staff of Urban Development Board.

The events were well competed for and at the end of the day, a winner emerged. Losers also emerged. But the Director of Abuja Carnival, Dr. Ojo Bakare, while presenting prizes, said everyone was a winner. The participants waited patiently at the Eagle Square on Tuesday, as awards for winners in different categories were announced. Prizes were presented to participants including the foreign countries except for the Chinese who were said to have been home-bound at the time.

Awards were presented to state governments of Osun, Jigawa, Yobe, AkwaIbom and Kaduna among others for their unflinching support to Abuja Carnival. The Emir of Muchina presented the award for best durbar costume which was clinched by Kano state in the first position, while Yobe state was overall best for best durbar performance.

The best decorated horses' award went to Niger state in the first position.

Bayelsa state won the best masquerade display award while Rivers state got the award for best masquerade costume and went on to win the first position in boat regatta, best regatta costume, even as Lagos state won best children cultural night performance. From that point on, Rivers state went on to win most of the prizes either in the first or second categories until they emerged overall best winners of the carnival event.

Rivers contingents were ecstatic, as the final results were announced. They poured into the Eagle Square in joyful jubilation.

Participants from other states who spoke with our reporter said it was a victory well deserved. Mr. Hakeem Owolabi of the Lagos state council for arts and culture said in the national spirit of oneness, he was appreciative of what his state got and congratulated the winner.

"Rivers state deserves to win, they performed creditably well and put in their best at all the events," he said.

"I am very happy for Rivers state the overall winners for winning in most of the categories," said Saminu Garba, a contingent from Kano state.

With the end of the 2012 fiesta, the participants have gone back to the drawing board to embark on fresh preparations ahead of events that will mark the 2013 national carnival. But the crown goes only to the overall best, which is what everyone hopes to get next time.

The best decorated horses' award went to Niger state in the first position

Participants from Rivers state who emerged overall winners of the carnival in celebration mood

Emir of Munchina arriving for the closing ceremony on Tuesday

Children were not left out

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

Weekend

PAGE 17

Cocktail

Matan Arewa is a tribute to our women folk – Fatin Nigeria >>Page 24

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

PAGE 18

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

5 habits that lead to divorce

Heart Matterz With A'isha Biola Raji E-mail: rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com Phone: 08082071393

I am confused, when is he going to propose?

I

have been in relationship with this guy for ten years now, since I was in the University. We were in the same school and I've always thought he is the ideal man for me. I understood why he wasn't discussing marriage back then when we were in school. But now, we are both working and I don't know what is stopping him from proposing to me.

I was thinking that, maybe he was seeing another lady but I have done all the necessary information and there is nothing of such. He is still faithful to me.

What could be the matter? I have tried to discuss the matter with him but he keeps telling me to give him time without any concrete reason.

Now I am getting fed up, I would have left him but I don't have reason to as he keeps showing me how much he loves me and I love him too. I don't know what to think of this anymore.

Please readers, advise me. —Halima

S

t u d i e s show that a lack of communication is the number one reason couples break up or get divorced.

Nagging is a major culprit relentless reminders, suggestions and advice on how, when and why we should do things. But what are some of the other bad communication habits that erode away at couples?

1. Inauthenticity. How many times do you catch yourself saying "yes" when you really mean "no?" Do you say, "I don't know" for fear of being judged, dismissed or rejected? When we systematically accept things against our will, shut down to keep the peace and rationalize why that's okay, we set ourselves up for resentment and anger down the line.

Covering up our feelings and not trusting our partner to be mature enough to manage their response to "no" just won't work.

It's better to say, "No, I'm not available to discuss this right now.

I need to unwind and think about it. I'll be ready to talk about it in an hour." Then keep your promise.

2. Incongruence. Most of our communication is non-verbal, and when it's out of sync with our words, we are sending mixed messages. No wonder couples argue, get frustrated and eventually tune each other out!

When we say one thing while rolling our eyes, tightening our lips and/or shrugging shoulders, we send another message, usually one of being dismissive, defensive and/or judgmental. One way to

avoid this is to maintain eye contact. This ensures active listening and allows you to focus on what the other person is saying instead of considering what you are planning on saying next.

3. Win-lose attitude. In the world of neuro-linguistic programming, we say that effective communication is when your message is not simply sent, but transmitted and received by the listener. When talking about uncomfortable subjects, it's too easy to become judgmental, blaming and defensive - tactics that all lead to communication breaking down.

Priding yourself on being a pitbull, taking things personally, finger-pointing, finding fault, and needing to have the last word, well, it just doesn't work. Instead, set your intention for how you want the conversation to go so both of you win and take some time to really think about all the different possibilities and outcomes.

Creating a peace treaty together that sets up the guidelines for communication to ensure smooth, respectful and authentic communication is a great tool.

4. Interrupting, finishing sentences and forgetting to pause. This is a bundle because when you have one you almost always have the other two as well.

How many of us have forgotten what we learned in grammar school? Don't interrupt and let the other person take time to formulate an answer. On this level, men and women

communicate so differently.

Men often complain that they are still thinking about an answer when their partner starts badgering them for a quicker response or asks another question while they are still thinking about the last one. Take time to pause by counting to 30 before saying anything at all and don't ask several questions at once.

And while you're at it, do as we do in France: Roll your tongue around your mouth seven times before you speak.

You might look like a cow chewing your cud but it forces you to slow down and really think about what you're going to say. It might even get a smile in an otherwise tense situation, but at least your partner will feel respected and know that you're patiently giving him to time to respond.

5. Focusing on the negative, and impoliteness.

Somewhere along the way, the idea of polite requests, please, thank you and other words of appreciation in everyday conversations have disappeared Instead, adopt this simple oneliner that will train any man to jump up and help. "Honey, I feel like a queen when you see the trash can is full and take it out for me! Thank you so much for doing that!" There's nothing wrong with a little over the top appreciation which always works and is the best way to foster open, loving authentic communication. www.naij.com

Her mother is my problem

I

have been dating a girl for the past six months; I am okay with her because she is gentle, honest and God fearing. She comes to my shop at Wuse market in Abuja, where I sell ladies wears to help out. I have been very happy with her as she possesses all the qualities one can desire in a woman.

Recently, I decided to go and see her parents who also reside here in Abuja but I was disappointed.

Her father happens to be a God fearing man and I believe she took after him but her mother on the other hand is something else.

She kept giving me this kind of face I did not understand.

I went there the second time and the father was not around.

While the girl was busy in the kitchen preparing something for me to eat, the mother was busy telling me to start a relationship with her.

I was confused; I didn't know what to tell her so I left in anger without bidding my girlfriend farewell.

I started thinking, what should I do? Can I still go ahead and marry the girl despite her mother's behavior or I should leave her? I love her so I can't make this decision without getting advice from fellow readers like me. —Ephraim

PAGE 20

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

Learning Book Review

With Augustine Aminu 07038749120 julius2001_a@yahoo.com

7 Tips to Boost Your iPhone's Battery Life

A review of “City A of Memories” C ity of memories follows the illtimed love affair of the children of two rivalling political colossus, Eunice Pam and Ibrahim Dibarama, in the north-central state (Plateau). The book is set in an alternate reality where there is a junta in present day Nigeria The feud, spanning for decades, between these titans would catch up with their hapless childrenthe conservative Faruk, son of Ibrahim Dibarama; and the idealistic Rahila, daughter of the powerful Eunice Pamconsequently leading to the subtle, yet explosive scheme of things that made City of memories.

In this book, the first of its kind in Nigerian literature, Richard Ali mirrors how religion has become a weapon for people with a lust for contemporary relevance and political power. The warring sides in this book are armed in one hand by a sword and a holy book (Bible or Quran), and in the other hand by love.

Against a backdrop of ethno-religious sentiments and political skirmishes, Richard Ali makes love the central theme in this book.

Beautiful: the love between Eunice Pam and her daughter Rahila, between Ibrahim Dibarama and Faruk, between Rahila and Faruk, then, a different type of love is introduced by a virtuous Bolewa

s we rely on our smartphones more and more, battery life becomes an increasing concern.

While the iPhone isn’t a horrible power hog, particularly in terms of standby time, there still are situations where your battery can drain too quickly. If you have trouble making it through the day without charging up, here’s what you can do right now to boost your iPhone’s battery life: 1. Disable as many

maiden, Maryam Bazaar, a love more fated than Romeo and Juliet’s.

But, that is not all that there is to love in City of memories, our story begins from the little town of Bolewa, a town which has somehow managed to discard a history which otherwise should be haunting.

Richard Ali painted this little northern town so dreamily that I find myself these days punching ‘Bolewa’ into a search engine.

Ali’s intricately woven story of

“

Richard Ali mirrors how religion has become a weapon for people with a lust for contemporary relevance and political power

love begins from Bolewa, the original city of memories, where the protagonist Faruk must find out how love destroyed his mother Ummi al-qassim and nearly brought Bolewa down in an inferno. Faruk must pick the fragments of his mother’s tragic life and piece it together with recent developments to answer the Nigerian question One has to envy Ali’s bravery to have attempted a work so unconventional.

He becomes a master of flashback, mixing the past and the present with mathematical brilliance.

Ali’s prose is virgin and unique, a stunning blend of philosophy and poetry.

The memoirs of Ummi alqassim alone were worth well over a thousand naira. There are many passages one has to read endlessly for personal enjoyment. His language control is highly commendable, rare in many first novels. Ali’s use of dialogue was awesome.

notifications as p o s s i b l e .

Notifications were a battery drain with earlier versions of iOS. I usually kept them turned off on test handsets, and saw several days of standby time on a charge even with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS enabled. But iOS 5 has a completely different notification system, with an Android-style pulldown bar at the top that collects multiple notifications and organizes them.

In the process of adding this, Apple removed the global notification toggle in the Settings menu, so you can’t just disable them all in one shot anymore.

You can, however, disable app notifications, while leaving important ones (such as text and voicemail) intact. In other words, you can turn it back into an approximation of the original system, which separated call notifications from app n o t i f i c a t i o n s automatically. To do this, head to Settings > Notifications, tap a given category (Phone, Messages, Reminders) or app (Words With Friends, Zillow, etc.), and toggle Notification Center at the

top to Off. The fewer notifications you enable, the more standby time you should see. While you’re in there, note that you can change the way they appear; you can return a given notification to an alert window in the center of the screen, the way it used to be, instead of with the new bar on top.

2. Turn off Location Services. You can also disable all Location Services,

which is a good general rule for conserving battery life, as the iPhone’s GPS can blaze through your battery. Head to Settings > Location Services, and tap the On/Off slider next to Location Services to turn all of them off. You can also disable these services on an individual app basis below.

3. Check for email manually. Push email is another perennial battery drain. Normally I set all accounts to receive updates manually (i.e. when I load the app), instead of at a set frequency or via “push.”

The same goes for Facebook and Twitter updates; if the app is constantly refreshing them in the background, it’s hitting the radios and consuming power, and you’re not even reading them. Head to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Fetch New Data, toggle Push at the top to off, and then set Fetch to Manually.

4. Watch your signal strength indicator. If you spend a lot of time in areas with poor reception,

your iPhone will search harder for stronger signal.

This drains the battery much faster. I’ve left my iPhone untouched on my desk, where there’s a particularly poor signal, and watched the battery drain by almost half over the course of a workday.

Short of switching off your phone, there’s not much you can do about this one, but keep in mind that it could be your powersucking culprit.

5. Check for s o f t w a r e updates.

With

the advent of iOS 5, you can check for OS updates right from the phone, instead of using a USB cable and syncing with iTunes.

Simply head to Settings General Software Update.

6. The old powersaving standbys still help. You can still do all the basic, old-school things to improve battery life, such as reducing screen brightness, disabling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and so on.

The one that helps most here, in my experience, is screen brightness, but you need it cranked up to see the Retina Display in bright sunlight.

7.

Consider a battery case or an addon battery. Battery cases from Kensington, Mophie, and other manufacturers combine a hardware enclosure, which protects your phone, with an extended battery that can double your iPhone 4 or 4S’s endurance.

PAGE 24

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

Kannywood

Fatima Ibrahim Halil popularly known as Fatin Nigeria is young musician who is well known on the political and wedding circuit in the north. In this interview she talks about her need to produce an album and her beginning as a musician.

She also talks about her pride in the Northern woman.

Fatima Ibrahim Halil popular?

There are 2 or 3 of them like “Matan Arewa”, “Yar gala-gala” and a lot more in films.

How come none of them sounds like a love song from their titles because most of our artists are into love songs, are you not romantic? (laughs) Of course there are love songs; “Yar gala-gala” is a romantic song.

Are you married?

Not yet but very soon.

Would you mind telling us about the lucky man?

No, but you’ll get to know when the time comes.

Why is it that you people sing more for politics and weddings?

I think it’s because that is how we started and then it became the norm, but gradually our artist are beginning to realize that there is need to develop that aspect of singing.

When should we expect to see your album in the market?

You’ll not have to wait that long,

Nollywood

Entertainment

Matan Arewa is a tribute to our women folk – Fatin Nigeria

When did you start singing?

I started singing in 2004, over 7yrs ago.

So why did you go into singing?

I got into singing because of interest and due to the influence of watching Indian films. When I was growing up it was one of the things I liked the most.

So do you understand the Indian language?

Not really, I could pick a word here and there but I don’t understand nor speak the language.

Did you face any problems from your parents when you told them you were going into singing?

Initially, my parents had a problem with it because they didn’t understand what it was all about and also the fact that the Kannywood industry had a bad reputation. After some time they understood what I will be doing and they allowed me to follow my dreams.

What was their main concern specifically?

Well it all boils down to the bad reputation of the industry. I had to make them understand that, being loose is not about what you do; rather it is all about upbringing. I also made them understand that it has nothing to do with the profession but the people who are in it; I also assured them of being upright and of good behavior.

How many albums have you released so far?

I actually did not think of doing albums. It was later on I decided to make an album, which is currently in the pipeline. Hopefully the album will be out by next year.

So how many songs do you have now?

So far I have 7 songs for the album.

After 7 years singing, you only have 7 songs?

Not that I don’t have songs but they are mostly songs for politicians and weddings and also if individuals request for it and also for films.

So what made you decide to do an album?

I realized that as a musician, one can’t make an impact without having done a couple of albums. An album also builds up the profile of the artist and that is why I decided to make an album.

Which of your songs are

PAGE 25

in a few months time it will be out in the market for everybody to buy.

Is singing profitable?

Yes, we have reason to be happy about what we make.

Do you just choose what you want to sing about or are you commissioned to sing the songs, like “Matan Arewa”, were you commissioned to sing it?

No I get to choose what I want, but sometimes I get commissioned especially for weddings and politics.

“Matan Arewa” was my own

initiative; I felt the need to celebrate our women, their dressing, pride and our traditions.

What sort of songs should we expect from the awaited album?

Well the scope of the songs is very broad, apart from the 2 I have mentioned, there are more like “Sha Kallo”, “Dan Adam” and “Dauda Soyayyar Zamani”.

“Dauda Soyayyar Zamani”, what is it about?

Well the song is about the different negative things people do when they are in relationship or when they want to go into a relationship. I talk about men that deceive girls into going out with them and so on.

Isn’t that one sided, what about girls that deceive men into going out with them?

I’m not trying to be biased, I also point out that it is the greed of the ladies that allows them to be deceived.

I met you now in the studio, how do finance your recordings and studio time?

Well like I said earlier on, we do a lot of wedding and political songs it’s from the proceeds of such that we are able to pay for our studio sessions unless we are commissioned, then whoever it is will have to pay for the studio sessions.

How much does a studio session cost?

For every song you can spend up to 20,000 naira for a session. It also depends on what kind of song you want to sing, some are longer than others.

After you finish your songs, do you market them yourself or do you sell the rights to the marketers?

Well it all depends on you. You can do either of the two, it all depends on you and what you think is best for you.

How do you duplicate the cds?

There are companies that do that.

And the same thing applies like the marketing, you can either do it yourself, meaning you go look and for it or you get someone to do it for you and pay them.

Finally what is your advice to young women who are also interested in joining the industry?

My advice is, they should first understand the industry before joining. The industry is an open one but they should understand that if you go into thinking you’re there for fun, you’ll meet a lot of people who only there to find girls for fun. They should get into with pride and make sure that pride is intact during their time in the industry. Girls that come into the industry just for fun are the ones that give us all a bad name.

F

ew months ago, the world was shaken with the news on the gruesome killing of four promising undergraduate students of University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Rivers State, Nigeria. The four boys; Ugonna Ibuzor, Tekena Elkanah, Lloyd Michael and Chidiaka Biringa were stripped unclothed, beaten while being paraded round the village, Aluu, and finally set ablaze which led to their deaths.

The killing of the four UNIPORT undergraduates heated the world polity as international media reported the story, with diverse reactions from the public.

It further affected the image of Nigeria as some foreigners reportedly stopped having anything to do with some Nigerians both home and abroad.

Barely three months after the death of the four students, a Nollywood producer Simony Productions, which shot BlackBerry Babes, has reportedly decided to shoot a movie on the Aluu murder when those behind the incident have not been brought to book yet.

Producer to shoot film on Aluu 4, as Nigerians Lambast Nollywood

According to industry sources, the movie of the unfortunate Aluu killing is at an advance stage of its shooting now.

However, some Nigerians have kicked against the development which they see as a mockery of the death of the students. “I can bet that this movie would be a wack one. The censor board should never pass this movie because it is totally uncalled for,” an angry Nigerian said.

Another Nigerian said, “What is wrong with Nollywood? Why would a producer shoot a movie about a bad incident that was condemned by the world? It is too

early to shoot a movie on Aluu because this would hurt the parents the more.”

“I doubt if they got the approval of the late victims’ parents before doing this movie. That is my problem with this industry called Nollywood. They keep spoiling Nigeria with their dirty lifestyles.

If the family of this movie producer was involved in the incident, would he have gone ahead to shoot this movie? He just wants to make money out of Nigerians with the ugly incident, said another vexed Nigerian.

An industry source, who begged for anonymity told us, “Simony is

a businessman that wants to rake Nigerians through the Aluu 4 incident. If he goes ahead with this movie on Aluu 4, then he should be ready to hear from the spirits of the dead four guys. Why must he put the families of the dead boys in another agony when Christmas and New Year celebrations are just around the corner?

Speaking with Nigeriafilms.com when contacted on phone, Simony claimed the movie is not about Aluu 4 as being reported. He said Nigerians and the press in particular would have waited for him to release the film before concluding the flick was about the unfortunate incident.

Ex-Nigerian Basketballer, Chinedu Onyeku shot dead in alleged US Burglary

R

eports say that a former basketballer with the Nigerian national basketball team, D’Tigers, Chinedu Onyeku, was shot dead in a failed burglary that happened in Texas, USA on November 21, 2012.

The 29 years old former player was alleged to have broken into a residence on Rio Grande Street, Plano with another person, who is now being tracked by the police.

Chinedu was said to have been shot dead by their alleged house burglary victim.

Nollywood Actor, Yomi Fabiyi marries White woman

I

t’s obvious that Nigerian actors know their onions when it comes to choosing a spouse. One of the reigning actors in Nollywood who reign supreme in the Yoruba genre of Nollywood, Yomi Fabiyi, is set to remarry, this time, with a white woman.

The Yoruba actor will be getting married to his lover next month.

“After a serious heartbreak some years back, I was scared falling in love until I met Fran. Aside every other qualities she laughs at my jokes even when they are not funny. She loves me for who I am. There may not be a perfect marriage but I will marry with whom I can find rest of mind and peace.

Though she later found out I’m an actor, she loves my job and has

promised to support me in all ways.

She understands. She said she loves Africa and Nigerians. It’s not a secret wedding but my immediate family and few close friends are going to attend,” he stressed.

Yomi Fabiyi and his new wife

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBF) has released a statement on the death of Chinedu, who played a role in Nigeria’s qualification in the 2012 London Olympics but didn’t make the team. “[His] passion for playing with D’Tigers was deep-seated and he will be greatly missed.

The federation joins his family and team mates to mourn a departed son, father, husband and great patriot,” part of the release reads. It is still unclear if his remains will be flown to Nigeria for burial.

How I cope with stardom-Osita pawpaw Iheme

H

andsome but miniature in nature actor, Osita Iheme popularly called Pawpaw in Nollywood, has revealed the secrets of how he is able to cope with stardom.

According to him, ‘’each time I leave the house, I always have it at the back of my mind that I am a celebrity.

I know that people will come to me and do all sorts of things out of excitement. I try to be involved in such scenario whenever I find myself in a situation where fans gather around me. I try to always remember that these fans are the ones that admire my work. I always try to keep a head straight and carry on with my fans.’’

Osita who is still single unlike his friend, Chinedu Aki said he wants to help the younger generation by building a solid foundation for them. ‘’I want to help a lot of people in future. I want a situation where young and talented people can say that Osita Iheme inspired them to be what they are. I want them to say that I was the one that influenced their lives positively. I also try to help people in need.

I just want people to look back and say that they are what they are because God used me to touch their lives.’’

Osita Pawpaw

Omotola Jolade’s Hidden secrets exposed!

M

ovie star mother of four, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, having recorded an unprecedented success in all these years of her selfless service in Nollywood, is poised to open up on some of her best kept secrets in a new and exciting reality TV show dubbed: Omotola: The Real Me. And this December, DStv audience on AfricaMagic Entertainment will get an up close and exclusive look at Omosexy’s personal life in the new reality series that will definitely enthrall her teeming fans and followers.

In the forthcoming show, viewers will join the famous actress as she launches her latest movies, expands her business interests and takes on all the challenges of being a groundbreaking celebrity with fans across

the continent. At the same time she remains devoted to her marriage and family, working to maintain a balance between her professional and personal responsibilities.

Filmed on location in Lagos,

London, Ghana, Miami and Kingston (Jamaica), the reality show will be screened on AfricaMagic Entertainment, starting from December 6 and premiering a new episode every Thursday, for 13 weeks.

Talking about the series, Omotola says nothing was off limits to the team filming her.

“You will get to see everything.

What we are doing is very real. It’s basically my whole life. The parts where I’m taking care of the kids, the parts where I’m taking care of the home, the parts when I am working, the parts where I’m yelling. It’s crazy.

My life is crazy!”

But she reassures fans that the show was designed for a wide audience.

“Yes my image is ‘omosexy’ but this show is for the whole family. It’s good content for everyone.”

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER, 2012

Hollywood/Bollywood Chan's new film will be last big action

C

han wrote, directed and produced his latest film, set to premiere in cinemas in China next month. He also plays the lead role and said that he regarded it the "best film for myself" in the last ten years.

"I'm the director, I'm the writer, I'm the producer, I'm the action director, almost everything," the 58-yearold Hong Kong actor told Reuters while in Beijing to film a documentary.

"This really, really is my baby. You know, I've been writing the script for seven years," and the film took a year and half to make, he added.

In the film, Chan is a treasure hunter seeking to repatriate sculpture heads of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, which were taken from Beijing's Summer Palace by French and British forces during the Opium Wars.

He said it was an important movie for him because it will be his last

major action feature, although he insisted it is not the end of his action career.

"I'm not young any more, honestly," he said, noting that with special effects technology and doubles a lot can be done without physical risk.

"Why (do) I have to use my own life to still do these kind of things?" he said. "I will still do as much as I can.

But I just don't want to risk my life to sit in a wheelchair, that's all."

Chan was recently awarded the Social Philanthropist of the Year award by Harpers Bazaar magazine. He said he wanted to increase time devoted to charitable work and hoped China's leagues of newly wealthy will follow his example - which he underlined by auctioning a Bentley 666 for around 6 million yuan ($961,837).

China now has more billionaires than any other Asian country, but very few philanthropic

Jackie Chan organizations, and giving to charity remains a relatively new phenomenon in the world's most populous country.

Chan said while Chinese philanthropists have made some encouraging strides, much more still needs to be done a task made harder by the Internet, with netizens willing to leap on every perceived wrong move.

"Right now people (must) very, very be careful, but that doesn't stop them to want to do the charity. I think it's a good sign," Chan said.

Elmo left behind on 'Sesame Street' as actor exits

E

v e n on "Sesame Street," where everything is famously A-OK, problems can arise for its residents.

And that includes the Muppets. Cookie Monster grapples with an eating disorder. Oscar the Grouch gets cranky.

Mr. Snuffleupagus gets the blues.

But Elmo seemed immune to any of that.

Since enjoying his breakout success more than two decades ago, the 3 1/2year-old red monster has radiated good cheer, love and trilling giggles. No wonder everyone - adults as well as children - adore him.

The key to Elmo is "his innocence, his positiveness and his sweetness," according to Kevin Clash, the man who created him and once told The Associated Press, "I would love to be totally like Elmo."

Kevin Clash

Now Clash has been scandalously separated from Elmo and from "Sesame Street," the TV series where he reigned behind the scenes for 28 years.

Clash spoke of "personal matters" as the cause of his resignation Tuesday after an unthinkable nine-day stretch that began with an unnamed man in his 20s claiming he had sex with Clash at age 16. That allegation was quickly recanted. But then came another accusation of sexual abuse, and a lawsuit.

That second accuser, a 24-year-old college student named Cecil Singleton, said the actor had engaged in sexual behavior with him when he was 15. He is suing Clash for $5 million.

"I am deeply sorry to be leaving," said Clash in his parting statement, "and am looking forward to resolving these personal matters privately."

But privacy may no longer be possible for Clash, the 52-year-old divorced father of a grown daughter who acknowledged last week that he is gay.

Singleton's lawyer, Jeff Herman, said he has been contacted by two other potential victims of Clash and expects additional legal action.

At a news conference

Tuesday, Singleton said he and Clash met on a gay chat line and then, for a two-week period, they engaged in sexual contact, though not intercourse. Sex with a person under 17 is a felony in New York if the perpetrator is 21 or older.

Singleton said he didn't know Clash's profession until years later, when he Googled the man's name.

"I was shocked when I found out what he did for a living," said Singleton.

Now that career has ended for Clash, who, in his dream job as a puppeteer for "Sesame Street," was assigned a little-used puppet now known as Elmo, then turned him into a star. In the process, Clash won 23 daytime Emmy awards and one prime-time Emmy. He published his 2006 autobiography, "My Life as a Furry Red Monster," and was the subject of the 2011 documentary "Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey."

He is also a major moneymaker for Sesame Workshop, the New Yorkbased company that produces the show, and for licensees.

At his merchandising height in 1996, he inspired the Tickle Me Elmo doll, which became a cultural phenomenon and that Christmas season's hottest toy.

Huma Qureshi doesn’t feel like outsider in filmdom

H

u m a Qureshi’s first two films were appreciated and she is getting good offers too. Contented with her career, the actress doesn’t see herself as an outsider in the film industry.

“I don’t feel I am an outsider. I was already shooting for other films even before the release of my first film Gangs of Wasseypur (GOW). While shooting for GOW, I was simultaneously shooting for Vishal Bhardwaj’s Ek Thi Daayan, and while shooting for Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana, I was shooting for Nikhil Advani’s D Day,” Huma, who is from Delhi, told IANS. She started as a model and featured in various TV commercials .

Talking about movies, she said: “It’s an exciting new phase. Both parts of my first film received critical acclaim, Luv Shuv... was also appreciated by many.

I hope it continues to be like this.”

Ek Thi Daayan and D Day haven’t come out yet.

She considers herself lucky to have bagged films with established filmmakers.

“I am blessed to have got a chance to work with directors like Anurag Kashyap, Vishal Bhardwaj and Nikhil Advani at such an early age. Moreover, good scripts have been coming my way so I am really excited about it,” said the 26-year-old who doesn’t want to restrict herself to doing a certain kind of role.

“I have tried to be different in each of my films - be it Gangs of Wasseypur or Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana. My roles in other two films are also different.

I can’t put myself in a box and be an actor,” she said.

When it comes to looks, Huma is different from the typical Bollywood actresses

and she says she isn’t trying to fit in anyone’s shoes.

“I agree that I am different from others. I am not trying to fit in someone else shoes. I am being honest to myself. The audience is loving me the way I am and that’s most important for me,” she added.

Huma Qureshi

Jab Tak Hai Jaan, SRK’s best after ‘Swades’: Big B

M

egastar Amitabh Bachchan, who attended the starstudded premiere of late Yash Chopra’s last directorial “ Jab Tak Hai Jaan” (JTHJ), can’t stop singing praises about the film. He feels lead actor Shah Rukh Khan has delivered one of his best

Shah Rukh

performances.

“Each portion poetry, each artist at his and her best, and for Shah Rukh, his best performance after ‘Swades’,” the 70-year-old posted on his blog.

Also starring Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma, JTHJ released Tuesday.

Bollywood bigwigs came together under one roof at the Yash Raj Films (YRF) studio for the premiere of the movie here Monday night.

Yash Chopra, who directed the movie after a gap of eight years, passed away Oct 21 following dengue and multi-organ failure.

The premiere was planned to be a perfect farewell to Chopra, who entertained legions of movie buffs through his 40 years in the Hindi film industry.

Amitabh says the studio was done in a magical way

just for the premiere.

“The studio floor was converted into a theatre and film projection was conducted there and then.

An unbelievable setting of Baroque and modern tiered as in some prestigious halls anywhere in the world.

“And the film and stand alone theatre built of such period architecture, reflecting the original carving of the columns, and the entire ambience in the style of some old castle in early Europe.

“It was magical... just the way Yashji would have wanted,” Amitabh said.

It was a memorable evening for Big B, who worked with Chopra in films like “Silsila” and “Deewaar”.

“Danced my shoes off with all the youngsters... an amazing evening... spending time with Salman (Khan), Aamir (Khan), Shah Rukh, Katrina (Kaif) and Anushka (Sharma),” he added.

'The Attacks of 26/11' profits will be donated to victims

T

h e profits earned from Ram Gopal Varma-directed " The Attacks of 26/11", about the 2008 terror attacks in the city, will be donated to victims and heroes, says the film's producer Parag Sanghvi.

As many as 10 Pakistani terrorists attacked Taj Mahal Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, Nariman House and CST railway station here on Nov 26, 2008 and killed 166 people.

Sanghvi said: "I don't look at this film as a commercial venture. The profit that will be earned from the film will be given to the victims and heroes of the Mumbai attacks."

"It is a huge film for me.

It's a very expensive film.

We didn't get to shoot the film in the original locations, so we had to create the entire set. We had to create the CST Station, so it wasn't easy at all," he added.

Sanghvi wants the world to see what exactly happened that day.

"The idea to make the film is that we want the world to see what happened that day. It's been a very emotional journey. We are planning to release the film early next year. I want to take this film across the world," he said.

"The Attacks of 26/11" features Nana Patekar and Sanjeev Jaiswal, among others.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER, 2012

PAGE 27

Homes If you must sleep on your couch M M

o s t people tend to sleep on their couch, or allow their children to do so instead of sleep on the bed in the bedroom. It is not ideal. When we sleep, we sweat through our pores, no matter what the temperature outside is. Sweat contains salt. Salt is not good for fabrics, whether they are manmade, synthetics, or natural fibers. We can wash our clothing and free the fabrics of salt.

You cannot wash the couch in that way. So, it is not a good idea to sleep on the couch as it is not good for the fabric, and or leather.

There are reasons why some people prefer the couch-sleep but according to health experts, if you don't sleep well in bed, but you keep tossing and turning for hours yet you can fall asleep without much efforts on the living room couch, this may be a form of conditioned insomnia. Your bedroom can become a powerful cue that keeps you up.

If, for instance, you have eight hours available for sleep but toss and turn for five of those hours, you are spending more time in bed awake and frustrated than actually sleeping. In this way you can become unwittingly conditioned to associate your bed and bedroom more with wakefulness and stress than with sleep.

On the other hand, an entirely different sleeping environment won't have the same cues and associations as your bedroom. Some insomniacs toss and turn in bed, then move to the living room couch and immediately fall sound asleep.

Or go on vacation and have no problem sleeping in motel rooms, in a tent, or just about anywhere besides their own bedroom. This sort of conditioning is actually fairly common among insomniacs.

This is one reason why many sleep experts suggest getting up and out of bed if you are tossing and turning in frustration. Don't let yourself lie there for hours and hours. The couch may just be the sleeping pill you need to fall asleep again. Just go back to bed once you feel drowsy so you can reinforce the association of sleep with your bedroom.

There are ways to effectively deal with conditioned insomnia, both behavioral and cognitive. On the behavioral side, you can try creating as much of a stress-free bedroom environment as possible.

Getting rid of clutter or anything that might cause stress can help, as can avoiding any stressful activities in the bedroom.

But equally if not more important is to enter this negative cycle of insomnia at the mental level, and constructively deal with the thoughts, often subconscious, that you inadvertently associate with your bedroom and insomnia.

If you must sleep on your couch When you are in the position to get your beauty rest on the sofa you must know some great survival

tips. Sleeping on the sofa will allow your better half to calm down after a fight and rethink their decision.

Whatever your situation, snoring, coming home late or just being not bedroom friendly, there are ways to be comfortable and have some quality self time on the sofa or couch.

What you need: Two pillows, eye mask, ear plugs, vibrating back pillow, great attitude and a comfortable couch. The pillows and other comfort items will assure you a comfortable sleep and avoid back pain while sleeping.

Remember, a very soft coach can hurt your back. A real firm coach may also hurt your back and be less comfortable to sleep on. So be very careful about sleeping on the sofa so you don't develop backache.

Whatever you decide choose a couch or sofa that will allow you more space for your legs.

Now that you have learned how to be comfortable while sleeping on your couch you should also learn how to avoid quarrelling with your spouse so you don't have to sleep on the sofa in the first place. Running a smooth home is necessary and being comfortable is also a must for every member of your family.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

Cuisine

Pots & Pans

With Hajiya Ramatu Usman Dorayi

Burabuskon alkama: A touch of tradition Ingredients: 6 tins of tsakin alkama onion, green pepper salt g/oil M e t h o d: wash tsakin alkamma and drain and allow it to absorb water in it.

Get a steamer pot and put the tsakin alkama and put on fire then cook for 20-30 then remove from fire and pour it

in a clean bowl then add salt chop onion slice green pepper and add groundnut oil mix well, add some little water then take it back to the steamer pot again and cook for 20-30 minutes until soft then serve with vegetable soup or meat stew or cabbage source.

Burabusko: Pound or grind your wheat for a coarse outlook

Burabuskon alkamma (wheat delicacy)

Facts about wheat

W

heat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East and Ethiopian Highlands, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2010 world production of wheat was 651 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize (844 million tons) and rice (672 million tons). In 2009, world production of wheat was 682 million tons, making it the second mostproduced cereal after maize (817 million tons) and with rice as close third (679 million tons).

This grain is grown on more land area than any other commercial food. World trade in wheat is greater than for all other crops combined.

Globally, wheat is the leading source of vegetable protein in human food, having a higher protein content than either maize (corn) or rice, the other major cereals. In terms of total production tonnages used for food, it is currently second to rice as the main human food

crop and ahead of maize, after allowing for maize's more extensive use in animal feeds.

Wheat was a key factor enabling the emergence of citybased societies at the start of civilization because it was one of the first crops that could be easily cultivated on a large scale, and had the additional advantage of yielding a harvest that provides longterm storage of food. Wheat contributed to the emergence of city-states in the Fertile Crescent, including the Babylonian and Assyrian empires. Wheat grain is a staple food used to make flour for leavened, flat and steamed breads, biscuits, cookies, cakes, breakfast cereal, pasta noodles, couscous] and for biofuel.

Wheat is planted to a limited extent as a forage crop for livestock, and its straw can be used as a construction material for roofing thatch.

The whole grain can be milled to leave just the endosperm for white flour. The by-products of this are bran and germ. The

whole grain is a concentrated source of vitamins, minerals, and protein, while the refined grain is mostly starch.

Nutritional importance of wheat Wheat is grown on more than 240 million hectares, larger than for any other crop. World trade in wheat is greater than for all other crops combined. With rice, wheat is the world's most favored staple food. Wheat provides more nourishment for humans than any other food source. It is a major diet component because of the wheat plant's agronomic adaptability with the ability to grow from near arctic regions to equator, from sea level to plains of Tibet (4000 meters above sea level). In addition to agronomic adaptability, wheat offers ease of grain storage and ease of converting grain into flour for making edible, palatable, interesting and satisfying foods.

Wheat is the most important source of carbohydrate in a majority of countries.

Wheat protein is easily digested by nearly 99% of

human population , as is its starch. Wheat also contains a diversity of minerals, vitamins and fats (lipids). With a small amount of animal or legume protein added, a wheat-based meal is highly nutritious.

The most common forms of wheat are white and red wheat. However, other natural

forms of wheat exist. For example, in the highlands of Ethiopia grows purple wheat, a tetraploid species of wheat that is rich in anti-oxidants.

Other commercially minor but nutritionally promising species of naturally evolved wheat species include black, yellow and blue wheat.

PAGE 29

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER, 2012

Womanhood

Tips for driving safely during pregnancy N N

ow that your pregnancy is getting advanced and your belly is expanding, you may be wondering what changes you should make, if any, in order to drive safely and protect your unborn child. Unfortunately, some accidents are unavoidable. Therefore, it is important to maximize your safety and that of the little one by following these guidelines: -Though it may be uncomfortable, doctors recommend that pregnant women continue to wear their seatbelts during their pregnancy. Just remember to never place the lap belt above your belly. You should place the shoulder strap across your chest, between your breasts, away from your neck and place the lap belt across your hips and pelvis just below your belly.

-Never place the shoulder strap behind your back or underneath your arm.

-Remove extra layers, like coats and jackets, so they do not interfere with the placement of the seatbelt.

-Continue to wear your seatbelt even if your car has airbags. Studies have shown that using seatbelts properly nearly eliminates the increased risk from airbags in car crashes.

Airbags and seatbelts work together simultaneously to provide optimal protection.

-You should also move the front seat back from the steering wheel.

Your breastbone should be at least 10 inches from the steering wheel or the dashboard.

-When it is possible, opt to ride as a passenger instead of driving. This will help you avoid contact with the steering wheel in the event of a crash.

-Drive defensively! There are a lot of careless drivers out there.

If you ever get involved in an accident, it is important to seek medical attention quickly.

This is true regardless of whether or not you have any physical injuries. Trauma from a car accident can cause preterm labour and if there are injuries to the foetus, chances are that you won't be able to see or feel them. www.everydayfamily.com

Strap the seat belt over your shoulder and between your breasts

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER, 2012

Archives

Do you have old pictures for memories?

Send them to julius2001_a@yahoo.com

The G.O.C. Royal Nigerian Army, Major General Christopher Welby-Everard, welcoming Lieutenant Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo on arrival from a peace keeping mission in Congo (1961)

Brigadier Muhammadu Buhari and Lieutenant General Olusegun Obasanjo.

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (Prime Minister, Nigeria), Otunba T.O.S Benson (Minister of Information, Nigeria) & Nikita Kruschev (Premier of the Soviet Union).

(L-R) Col U.J Esuene (Governor, South Eastern State), Navy Capt Alfred Diette-Spiff (Governor, Rivers State), Col David Bamigboye (Governor, Kwara State), Gen Yakubu Gowon (Head of State & Commander in Chief) during Gowon's visit to Kwara in 1973

Raymond Njoku welcoming President Nnamdi Azikiwe

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

PAGE 31

Leisure WORD SEARCH

PICTURE OF THE DAY

With Augustine Aminu

A Real Lagos Child

Find the words about Olympic Luge racing that are listed below in the word search grid. Circle each letter one by one. Each letter of the luge word search grid may be used in more than one word.

Olympic Luge Word Search Puzzle E

F

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AERODYNAMIC BANKED CURVES DOWNHILL FAST FEET FIRST FEET STEERING FLAT POSITION

M L

ICE TRACK LUGE ONE PERSON QUALIFIERS RUNNERS SLED SUPINE

FOUR RUNS TIMED GRAVITY TWO PERSON HANDLES TWO RUNS

Many hands in a small bowl

QUOTES "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now - when?" —Hillel "Come my friends, 'tis not too late to seek a newer world." —Tennyson "If you understand, things are just as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are." —Zen proverb "If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice." —Meister Eckhart "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." —Albert Einstein "The most important question you'll ever ask is whether the Universe is a friendly place."— Albert Einstein

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Proverbs and wise sayings 1. A fowl does not forget where it lays its eggs.

2. The habit of thinking is the habit of gaining strength.

3. It is one word of advice that one needs to give to a wise man, and that word keeps multiplying in his mind.

4. Does a man not know when he has pepper in his eyes?

If we forget yesterday, how shall we remember tomorrow.

5. Thoughts and dreams are the foundation of our being.

6. We are what our thinking makes us.

JOKES My Father and I went to camp. We set up our tent and fell asleep inside it. Some hours later, my father woke me up and said; Ofego, look up and tell me what you see. I replied; papa, I see a million stars. My Father asked; and what does that tell you? I replied; it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and planets. My father quickly gave me a hot slap and said; idiot, our tent has been stolen.

CARTOON

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

PAGE 32

F Think colour blocking stops with ladies?

Compiled by Miriam Humbe

M

en! Think colour blocking stops with the ladies? Think again. This trend of mixing solid blocks of bright and muted colours has as much of a statementmaking effect for you as it does for the ladies. Colour blocking with bright colours offers a visual punch that is certain to wake up your sartorial senses.

Just remember, the goal isn’t to look like a box of Crayola crayons, but to wear multiple complimentary colours simultaneously Colour block fashion is one of the hottest new trends for the season. It combines the use of two or more blocks of colour in an ensemble. This could be for a top, bottom, tunic, shirt and even bag or shoes. Simply, it means creating an outfit by putting areas or blocks of solid colour next to each other.

Tips for male colour blocking Create secondary colours, orange, green and violet, by combining two primary colours. Orange, created by combining red and yellow (two warm colours) always falls under the warm category.

Green and violet, created by combining equal parts yellow and blue or equal parts red and blue respectively, fall in the cool category. Unlike orange, green and violet, it can be relatively warm hues if a greater amount of yellow or red is used than blue in the colour mixture.

Finally, combining one primary and one secondary colours offers a third group of colours called tertiary colours: red-orange, yelloworange, yellow–green, blue-green, blueviolet, red-violet.

Colour blocking can be a combination of these colours

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

PAGE 33

Business

L-R: Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri welcoming the Chairman, National Council, Nigeria Union of Traders Association, Ghana(NUTAG), Deacon John Igwe Ukala and Secretary General, National Administrative Council, Comrade Jasper Emenike, during the councils courtesy to NOA, recently in Abuja.

Photo : Justin Imo-Owo

Nigeria, Sweden trade volume hits $900m

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

T

h e volume of trade between Nigeria and Sweden has increased from $500million to $900million in 2011 with Nigeria’s exports to the European country up 50 percent during the period.

Swedish State Secretary for Trade, Mr. Gunnar Oom, who disclosed this on Thursday when he led a business delegation to Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment in Abuja, expressed delight that trade relationship between the two countries had received a boost in

recent years.

Oom said: “My mission to Nigeria is pure business. We want increase in trade relations Nigeria and Sweden even though Nigeria’s export to Sweden increased by 50 per cent last year.”

“Nigeria is one of the 10 fastest growing economies in the world today and Sweden’s second largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. There is doubt in my mind that there is potential to rapidly increase exports further in the years ahead”, he said.

He added that Swedish companies have been doing business in Africa for many years, and was happy that they were doing

well, assuring that “what we have seen so far, is only the beginning.”

Oom also promised that Swedish government is firmly committed to further developing and broadening the economic ties between the two countries.

He listed areas of collaboration with Nigeria as sustainable and innovative solutions in energy, infrastructure, transport, telecommunications and ICT, among other areas which are the core of Sweden’s knowledge and expertise.

According to him, the delegation would provide platform to learn more about opportunities in these Nigerian sectors and make valuable business contacts that

would help expand the trade relations between the two countries.

Responding, the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom said though the trade volume between the countries increased from N15billion to N65billion in terms of Nigerian currency last year, he called for an improvement in the years ahead.

Ortom said: “Nigeria is looking forward to do more, especially now that the country has opened more doors to investments in all sectors of the economy. This will include areas like trade, industrialization, transportation, energy, ICT and infrastructure, among others”.

Export warehouses will formalize unrecorded trade within ECOWAS –NEPC boss

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

U

nrecorded trade within ECOWAS countries may soon be a thing of the past, as plans are underway to establish warehouses at Maradi and Birnin Konni in Niger Republic under the auspices of the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission (NNJC).

The Executive Director/CEO of the National Export Promotion Council (NEPC_, David Adulugba said this in Abuja on Thursday while inaugurating the Interim Management Committee (IMC) on the Non-oil Export Products Warehouses at Maradi and Birnin

Konni in Niger Republic, and Collection Centres in Jibia and Illela in Kastina and Sokoto States, respectively.

This is in furtherance of the approval by the Council of Ministers of the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission for cooperation for the establishment of these warehouses during the Council’s meeting in Dutse, Jigawa state, in 2008.

The decision of the Council of Ministers gave the responsibility of the physical establishment of the warehouses to the Council.

The NEPC boss disclosed that the objectives for setting up the warehouses include among others the need to reduce informal export of Nigeria goods by some exporters, mitigate the cost of

logistics associated with exporting within the sub-region, curb the activities of smugglers along the border post as well as serve as an effective market entry strategy for Nigerian goods.

The project has immense potentials to generate income, employment and investment in the two countries when it eventually comes on stream, apart from assisting in formalizing unrecorded trade between our countries.

Speaking in the same vein, the Secretary-General of the Commission, Ambassador A. Abduljalil, said there was need to engage a Consultant to draw-up a feasibility study, work plan

and budget for the establishment of the warehouses.

The IMC comprises NEPC, NNJC, Conference of Northern Chambers of Commerce, Nigerian Customs Services, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, FACAN, Consul General of Niger in Kano, representatives of states involved both in Nigeria and Niger and Ecobank. NEPC serves as the Secretariat.

It would be recalled that the NEPC has earlier spearheaded the establishment of similar structures (known as NEXPOTRADE House), in Lagos and its environs, to provide warehousing facilities for Nigerian exporters on the West African coast

NDIC pays N73.55b liquidation dividends to 250, 119 depositors in 2011

T

he Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), said it had paid N73.55 billion as liquidation dividends to 250,119 depositors as at Dec. 31, 2011.

The corporation made this known in its 2011 Annual Report, saying that the payments were made to 11 banks out of the 13 liquidated banks within the period under review.

NDIC said that it declared additional liquidation dividends to depositors of Cooperatives and Commerce Bank, Commercial Trust Bank, Commerce Bank and Ivory Merchant Bank.

It said that the capital adequacy ratio of commercial banks rose from 4.06 per cent in December 2010 to 17.71 per cent in December 2011.

It said that the banking industry’s capital base was strong during the year under review as equity capital decreased by 11.81 per cent from N249.71 in December 2010 to N220.21 billion in 2011.

NDIC said that banks’ reserves with the apex bank increased to N2.266 billion in 2011 from N179.89 billion in 2010.

The report stated that adjusted shareholders funds increased to N1.93 trillion in 2011 from N312.36 billion in 2010.

It said that the improvement in the banking industry’s capital adequacy was primarily due to the activities of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON)

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

The Entrepreneur “Proceeds from imported pidgeon and animals made me self reliant�

From Lawal Sa'idu Funtua, Katsina

A

bdulrashid Saleh Sa'idu in Katsina metropolis is well known for the sale of birds such as chiken and pidgeon. What is peculiar about his own bird business is that he imports them from outside the shores of this country.

Sa'idu established his one man bird business along Katsina-Kano road, Katsina. The popular birds' seller who is now 35 years old told Peoples Daily Weekend that he completed his secondary school in 1996, but had to jettison the desire to continue his education due to harsh economic conditions and moved to Kaduna where he opened a provision store. Sa'idu said the provision store could not last as a had a penchant for hunting and rearing birds.

According to him, while in Kaduna in 1998 he started selling birds and animals but at that time delivering them on request.

The popular birds seller stated that in 2002 he moved back to Katsina where he started rearing the birds in his house but later got the site he is now operating. Sa'idu

noted that all that he got in life were as a result selling these birds.

He said 'I married my wife and built my house from the proceeds I'm getting from selling these birds. I will next week Insha Allah moves to my new house'. The birds' seller noted that he has a time and a child and had about three boys who are learning the trade from him.

Similarly, the type of birds species sold by Sa'idu, include Labanese pigeons, Cotonou pigeons, Sudanese pigeons, NorthAfrican rabits, Sudanese sheep and those from the Sahara desert.

He also sells Quail birds and their egg, peacocks and French guinea fowls. He disclosed that he use to travelled far and wide to look for these birds and animals for his clients. He noted that he specifically gets birds and animals from Lebanon through Lebanese resident in Kano. On Quail Birds eggs Sa'idu said ' I use to sell Quail birds eggs worth N2000 daily', adding that most of the buyers use it for medicinal purposes, for diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

He lamented that his major challenge now is lack of space since

the space he occupies by the EEC fence in Katsina has already been marked for demolition. He said 'you can see they have already marked the area for demolition. But I asked why? Because the area I'm occupying is not close to the main road. Similarly, Sa'idu added, that he had never received any assistance from the government despite the numerous loan inceptives advertised by its agencies.

He argued that people like him who wants to be on their own, and add value to the economy need to be assisted to grow. He stressed 'you can't be assisting people who cannot add any value to the economy. Loan and assistance should be given to the real people who need it'.

The birds' seller advised the youth to look for ways of engaging themselves in ventures that would make them self reliant. He noted that no matter how little you start if you are committed God will surely help you to grow.

Sa'idu stated that the greatest ingredients for success are prayers, discipline, commitment, honesty, hard work and moral uprightness. He said with this the sky is the limit for any youth who wants to grow.

Abdulrashid Saleh Sa'idu

Malam Sa'idu holding a rabbit

One of the animals in a cage

Pigeons imported from Lebanon

Sheep from Sudan

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

PAGE 35

Travelogue

Networking For Justice and a US road trip (I) You think solutions to the conflicts and crises ravaging Northern Nigeria could not be found from within our shores or sub region but the United States?

Sure. We are merely going to interface with scholars and nationalities of countries with experience in rigmaroles of pluralist existence, to appropriately analyse, understand and afterwards advocate strategic policy inputs and best practice approach for practical interventions. Like you frequently gallivant across the globe retrieving stolen artifacts and generating ideas about how to raise the standards of our museums to world class quality.

By Dalhatu Yola

T

h e decision by Dr. Bashir Kurfi, Executive Director of the Network for Justice, a human rights based civil society organization to sponsor me along with six others to a conference on Nigerian conflicts in the United States precipitated discussions, above, between me and Yusuf Abdallah, a one- time journalist colleague at The Triumph stables, now Director General at National Commission of Museums and Monuments (NCMM).

Yusuf Abdallah obviously does not keep tally on the Network for Justice.

He would have known that the organisation was formed based on the common belief that political instability, which has been the bane of Nigeria since independence, is directly related to the level of oppression and injustice in the society. Flagrant disregard and violation of the rights and aspirations of the citizenry are amply replete and routine. Like-minded people and organizations committed to reversing this unfortunate trend constituted this formidable Network, and since 1994, the organisation has assiduously been on the forefront of the vanguard for entrenching democracy, good governance and social justice. Its track record of mediating in raging conflicts and human rights abuses in Northern Nigeria, the ethnic cleansing pograms in Plateau state and Southern Kaduna as well as providing aid to disaffected individuals shortchanged by state institutions and various forms of assistance to the displaced victims of 2011 post election violence of Southern Kaduna proclaims its milestones loud and clear.

To Dr. Kurfi therefore, participation at the conference on Conflict Resolution and Reforms in Northern Nigeria arranged by the National Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru and the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University Arlington Virginia from 16-19 October 2012 is a call to duty. More so as the conference also would coincide with the launch of

George Mason University, GMU, USA a monograph written by Professor John Paden entitled "Post Election Conflict Management in Nigeria: The Challenges of National Unity". It was an opportunity that will avail Network for Justice with ideas to shape conversations about how Nigeria can respond to its current crises and tensions in ways that would strengthen national unity and possibly meet the competing interests of its diverse citizenry, the sub region as well as the world at large.

This road report would not bother with the razzmatazz of the trip but concentrate instead on the intellectual leverages gleaned therefrom. I am sworn to Chaltenham rules, a policy of non attribution, the mention of specific individuals who said what is therefore avoided.

Wednesday 17/10/2012, By 5.30 p.m., launch ceremonies of the monograph "Post Election Conflict Management in Nigeria: The Challenges of National Unity" by John Paden were well underway at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S- CAR) George Mason University (GMU) Arlington Virginia.

Inside the Founders hall, several distinguished American scholars with abiding interest on Nigerian affairs were seated. They include Professors John Paden himself, Andrea Bartoli, Peter Lewis, Darren Kew, Sarah Cobbs, Aaron Sayne, Ambassador John Campbell and host of others including two Nigerian post graduate students at the S-CAR Ahmad Abubakar and Ernest Ogbozor.

NIPSS Delegation led by Professor Tijjani and his directing staff had the complement of Professors S.A Riskuwa

(VC- UDUS), Tukur Baba, Auwalu Yadudu and former FCT Senator Isa Muhamad. Military top brass were also there, notably Lt. General Abdurrahman Dambazau (rtd) and representatives from Nigeria Defence College consisting Major General Muhammad Inuwa Idris, Air Commodore Shitu Alao and College Provost Prof. Istifanus Zabadi. Dr Hamid Bobboyi and Abdulmumini Bello erstwhile Chairman of Media Trust showed up for the conference the following day.

The late entrance of the Network for Justice Delegation composed of Dr. Sule Bello, Muhammad Abubakar Sokoto, A'ishatu Dankani, Chom Bagu, Yuwana Mivanyi, Sanusi Maikudi and Dalhatu Yola elicited welcoming applause and self introductions to be re-enacted all over.

Open discussions thereafter oscillates on possible lessons to be discerned from the thoughts and ideas expressed in the monograph and the pontifications expected to be articulated during the conference.

The richness and instructions of Paden's monograph elicited surprise announcements. It is going to henceforth be made a required reading for course participants at some Nigerian institutions.

Announcements were also made to the effect that Uthman Danfodio University Sokoto will confer honorary doctorate degree on John Paden at its January 2013 convocation in commemoration of his scholarly works on Nigeria and fostering bridges between George Mason University, UDUS and the NIPSS. Paden's previous Nigeria related works include Religion

and Political Culture in Kano; Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto: Values and Leadership in Nigeria; Muslim Civic Culture and Conflict Resolution: The Challenge of Democratic Federalism in Nigeria and Faith and Politics in Nigeria: Nigeria as a Pivotal State in the Muslim World.

Lots of laments were made about Nigeria's wasted opportunities, strains and stresses of state and society as well as the wanton neglect of ample academic and operational researches capable of meaningfully transforming Nigeria. It was stressed as sublime that the following day's conference should devise strategies to make state and non - state institutions in Nigeria more impactful.

An informal reception was held at the same venue affording participants opportunities to mingle informally. The combined delegation retired to their accommodations in Mason Inn at GMU Fairfax Campus.

Thursday 18/10/2012 A f t e r breakfast at Mason Inn, the Delegation was driven in two buses to GMU campus Arlington for all day conference. Each member signed in and got name tag.

In the preliminary remarks, it was mentioned that Italy, even though 150 years old, still convolutes from 'reductionist territorialism' and could greatly learn from how Nigeria manages to rise above current conflicts and crises. It was also stated that Nigerian state institutions should undertake honest assessments and respond tactically. Participants were urged to talk and listen to each other.

Reporting events transpiring there however came under the hammer of

'Cheltenham rules', a policy of non attribution. The readiness of S-CAR to continue to be of service for this kind of intervention, "To be a private Camp David - where people could come and talk to each other" was reiterated.

GMU's support and gesture was appreciated, particularly for the provision of the 'space to think' and the platform that brought together different people to talk alongside friends of Nigeria as part of 'human family'. As every strand of opinion is represented (i.e. scholars, activists and policy makers), participants were urged not to engage in long speeches but reflect on the gains and reversals of conflict resolution measures in Nigeria with utmost sense of urgency.

"These conflicts could precipitate the end of Nigeria and become catastrophic to the entire sub region".

Nigerian stakeholders and friends should debate and think through these issues and propose way forward ideas with long term commitments.

First segment of the Morning Session witnessed three scholarly presentations on Narratives, Media and Conflict Resolution. It was noted that contemporary world regale in stories not only for providing meanings but constituting frameworks for understanding relationships. To imagine and think about the future, conflict stories need to be recognized as providing instructions about marginalized positions.

The first presentation entitled Conflict And Resetting Narratives defines narratives as market place ideas that could be self contradictory but are essentially democratic.

Contd on page 39

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

OUR MISSION “To be the market place of ideas and the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while delivering value to our stakeholders”

OUR PEOPLE

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“To be a reputable, profitable, innovative and technologically reliant media company offering world class services and products”

As Danfodio Varsity honours Tambuwal Re: Sovereign wealth fundtoday

T

o d a y , in the Caliphate city of Sokoto, Nigeria's Number Four citizen and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, will be conferred with a honourary doctorate degree by one of the country's premier institutions of higher learning, the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto (UDUS).

For many Nigerians, the emergence, ability and Tambuwal's foresight in managing the affairs of the lower chamber of the National Assembly has given much hope for optimism. The reason for this is not farfetched.

As the leader of a vanguard of new breed politicians determined to halt the drift and make the system work, Tambuwal's contribution towards national development and integration is gradually boosting confidence of the people not only in their leaders but in the polity as a whole. The little he has done as Speaker in the last one and half years has increased transparency in governance and made for a better economic management of affairs in Nigeria.

I am sure the authorities of Usman Danfodio University are not oblivious of the effort put by the 7th session of the National Assembly to halt the fallen standard of education in the country. Tambuwal, himself an alumnus of the institution, recently told a gathering of his former school mates that allowing the present state of things in the education sector to continue would lead to catastrophic consequences. He said any country that desires to achieve its maximum potential must take the education of its

A

s an expert and a player in the downstream sector of the Oil and Gas industry I want to let Nigerians know that the government is on top of the situation, in fact I give credit to the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiary the Pipeline Product Marketing company (PPMC) for providing prompt solution to the crisis at hand.

The allegations are; absence of coherent explanation from official querters and that government is not doing anything about it.

The Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) have been doing everything to update the public of developement in the downstream sector, especially with regards to the fuel supply situation in the country. As professionals in the downstream sector, we have read and analysed several publications in some Newspapers about the real reasons of the fuel crisis.

In other to make things clear, we wish to

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: letters@peoplesdaily-online.com citizenry seriously.

In the same vein, speaking when he inspected the construction of school infrastructure at the Nigeria-Gambia International School in Banjul, The Gambia last July, Tambuwal made it clear that the future of Nigeria is closely tied to how it handles the education sector. He said while Nigerians have excelled in schools abroad, only a small fraction perform to acceptable standards at home, a situation he said must be changed.

Not only does the Speaker mouth his concerns at what is happening in our schools, he has taken practical steps to ensure he make his mark where necessary. Apart from building school infrastructure from his earnings in some schools in the country, Tambuwal recently gave scholarship to about 20 young girls of an Abujabased Girl-child education foundation to enable them realize their future dreams of having qualitative education.

Realising the importance of Information and Communication Technology as a tool for sociopolitical emancipation, the Speaker made it a point of duty to encourage all legislators in Nigeria

acquire computer education in order to enhance their lawmaking capabilities. For those in the House of Representatives, becoming computer literate is a mandatory requirement preparatory to the full implementation of the Eparliament component of the House Legislative Agenda. The electronic parliament blueprint seeks to elevate the National Assembly operations to international best practices and ensure public access to parliamentary information and process.

It is not just in his contribution to the education sector that the UDUS authorities found Tambuwal a worthy recipient of their honourary degree. In words and deeds, the Speaker has proven himself adept at providing quality leadership needed to make the necessary impact in the polity.

Of particular reference here was his speech to the extra ordinary session of the House of Representatives in the wake of the bribery allegation against members of the Ad hoc committee that investigated the management of subsidy funds in the country. On that

memorable Friday, Tambuwal gave a doughty and inspiring speech, one that matched the occasion and rose to a high level of succinctness and elegance comparable to any speech anywhere.

He proved that when the time and place are right, a leader is often judged not by the rightness or wrongness of what he had to say, but by the dashing jauntiness of his words, the sweet cadence of his expressions, and how effectively the words persuade the heart rather than the head.

As we've seen times without number, Tambuwal has demonstrated courage, intelligence and goodwill towards the Nigerian masses through his actions and commitment regarding issues that affect them. This is no surprise considering his apparent willingness not to be encumbered by the political exigencies that had stunted our progress in the past. For him, what matters is the nation's interest.

The exemplary conduct of Tambuwal as the Speaker of the House of Representatives signifies the end of an era of self-representation, when lawmakers took decisions that were at variance with the wishes of their constituents.

Thanks to Tambuwal's leadership credentials, the present House has proven to be what a parliament should be: focused, vibrant, independent and one that gauges the pulse of the nation and works in tandem with the needs and desire of the people.

As he steps out today among his kinsmen in Sokoto to receive his doctorate degree, we can only say congratulations and more grease to your elbow, Mr. Speaker.

ImamistheSpecialAdviseronMediaand Public Affairs to Speaker Tambuwal

The truth behind the fuel crisis state for the umpteenth time the reasons for the fuel crisis, it is as a result of old and present factors, the old factors range from absence of investment to local refining capacity and the politisizing of the of the routine maintenance of existing refineries over time which has affected the efficient running of the refineries. The national dependence on importation of our petroleum product needs, is the shameful result of this.

The present factors incude the Fuel Subsidy Probe which delayed the payment of subsidy claims to marketers, this affected their ability to import products and the vandalism of the system 2B pipeline at Arepo, Ogun State, this has seriously affected the distribution of products to some of NNPC depots; a situation which has confined NNPC to the use of Trucks to convey products across the country. Since the begining of this year, niether the Independent Petroleum Marketers association

of Nigeria (IPMAN) nor the major marketers, nor indeed the oil marketers who get querterly allocation from the PPPRA to import petroleum products have performed on their allocation. The NNPC through the PPMC has acted the role of supplier of last resort of PMS since january 2012, this has made the supply situation fragile. In August, the problem was compounded as a result of the vandalisation of the Arepo Pipeline compounded the problem, the killing of 4 NNPC engineers and others that were wounded by oil thieves in their attempt to fix the pipeline was also a reason that aggravated the scarcity. The corporation has since requested the security agencies to provide security guarantee before deploying engeneers to the site to fix the pipeline, which takes products to Mosimi, Satalite, Ore, Ibadan and Ilorin depots. At this moment, the NNPC is still working on it and it will soon be on stream.

Meanwhile, to counter the second allgation which says the government is not doing anything about it is also not true. NNPC has increased import of products to make up for the shortfall, there have been several media reports of petroleum cargoes arriving the country on a several time, there have alse been several press release of trucks loading products to several parts of the country, the PPMC has also alerted the public of some marketers that are engaged in product diversion, which they have even set up a monitoring team together with DPR to curb the trend. The Honourable Minister of Petroleum has also initiated a long term plan to revive the refineries. These are all efforts inplace to bring solutions to the crisis.

Muhammed wrote in from Abuja. Wuse II, Abuja

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

PAGE 37

Opinion LG autonomy: Aliyu's prognosis for constitutional amendment

By Ayegba Israel Ebije

A

s the debate towards according autonomous statues to Local Governments in Nigeria continues to gain momentum as Nigeria prepares for another constitutional amendment, the Governor of Niger state, Dr. MuazuBabangidaAliyu has insisted that while the move is progressive, pro democracy and a remarkable achievement for the third tier of government, the need for caution cannot be ruled out.

While the art and science involved in the ongoing debate attracts two separate camps one for and the other against, it is important to tease out issues that has over the years characterized the weaknesses of no fewer than nine reforms since 1976 to 2003.

According to the Chief Servant of Niger state, it is the closest tier of government to the people insisting that it is the cradle of democracy, foundation of development and an assemblage of the most vulnerable people in the country. It is therefore in this direction the Chief Servant is passionate about the entire debate, which will at the end of the day bring succor to the poor.

In his keynote address at the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) meeting recently in Enugu, he reiterated the need to empower the local government for service delivery but was quick to identify systemic challenges in leadership of local governments in parts of the country.

Sad realities abound where some states in

By Okachikwu Dibia

T

w e n t y three years after Nigeria's independence was an era that witnessed huge capital investments by the Federal Government to lay the foundation for a strong and vibrant economy. Such investments were in all aspects of the economy: oil and gas ( including refineries and depots and petro-chemical plants), mines and steel, infrastructure especially inter regional roads, electricity and telecommunication, vehicle plants, building and development of seaports and airways, building of financial institutions, post offices, textile factories, river basin development authorities, etc. These investments were estimated to be over five trillion naira. Almost at about that time, it was discovered that most of these investments were going down the drain largely due to poor management. Thus the enterprises were not able to provide the economic and social services for which they were established. The accumulated result was that Nigerian economy became comatose and so sick it needed a surgeon's attention immediately.

So, the Federal Government led by Alhaji Shehu Shagari consulted the World Bank and the IMF who, as usual to the economic challenges of Third World countries, recommended austerity measures which included deregulation and devaluation of the naira. Devaluation was devastating because it led to very high rising of the prices of goods and services, just like the Udoji era in 1975.

Inflation due to Shagari's austerity measures was well captured by Jimmy Conter, the Eze Agala 1 of Ikwerre in his song titled "Austerity Measure". According to Jimmy, before the austerity measures, a cup of gari used to sell for twenty kobo in Port

the country have never had local government elections since 1999. Such states practice a revolving chair of planted stooges working to feed the gluttonous appetite of their masters.

The Servant Leader also mentioned the role of carefree elected chairmen of local governments who visit their secretariats once every month to collect their allocations, go off on spending spree oblivious of the plight of those at the grass rootsa behavior that goes on in a continuum.

In his submission, the local government needs to be well funded, well prepared to dish the meal of democraticdividend to the larger chunk of Nigerians at the local level. He however warned that the move should be well calculated against the glaring challenges especially in states where the practice of bring and share is still in vogue. He called for the education of Nigerians at the grass root level to demand for service, cautioning blackmailing councilors to be result oriented rather than engaging in self-based-service.

The Chief Servant also seeks a total overhaul of the local government to prepare the tier of government adequately for the task ahead. In his recommendation, he submitted that the tier of government should collaborate with state government just the way the government at the state level collaborates with the Federal Government.

Dr. Aliyu added that counterpart funding between the state and local government should be established and sustained, urging that when state governments renege on prearranged agreement, the local administration

should have the rights to go to court just the way it is between states and Federal Government.

The issue of revenue sharing formula as it concerns resources accounts for another major clog that would surely affect the decision of local government autonomy. The imbalance in revenue sharing formula has in no small ways affected the development process of states especially in the Northern region. This reality has left affected states largely underdeveloped, poverty level on the increase and tension level at its explosion point.

He therefore emphasized on the need to review allocation of resources. He maintained that the tension between the local government and the state government are mostly on account of limited finance, corruption and negative approachto work by elected/ selected council chairmen.

While it is necessary to fashion out a roadmap that would give local governments in Nigeria unfettered operational latitude, it is very important for the third tier of government to re-brand. It must redefine its operational concept as enshrined in the 1976 local government reform, it must correct inherited administrative laxity, should articulate development plans for the grass root people and seek service instead of self serving interests.

Before the British colonialists introduced their own form of local government administration, Nigerians had their own type of grass roots administration. Then, it was assemblies of clan heads, peer group meetings

etc. These pockets of decision-makinggroups formed the first local government administration in Nigeria.

As the development process democratically continues to unfold in Nigeria, the need to get it right according to global best practice becomes inevitable, not negotiable and that is what the Chief Servant wants Nigerians to look into while stakeholders are discussing the local government autonomy.

According to him, the word autonomy is relative, subject to variables, which includes reforms, relationship between local government, other tiers of government and the attitude of council executives to duty.

The dialectics of autonomy therefore suggests that it is not absolute as some people are erroneously led to believe. Between the three tiers of government, there must be relationship that complement and not that which seeks to exclude. According to the Chief Servant, there is no perfect Constitution that can fashion out the best formula to address some deep-rooted ills in our body politics as it regards the local government administration. He maintained that Nigeria can't get anywhere if local government chairmen reduce their job to salary payment and sharing of allocation, by visiting their offices only at month end; or by operating from the capital city. In his final submission, there must be a revolutionary change at the local level, insisting that the systemic rot caused by corruption must end.

Ebije is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Niger state on Media Analysis

Deregulation, BPE and PIB Harcourt, but had to rise to one naira due to Shagari's austerity measures. Such unprecedented 400% rise in the price of gari and indeed other goods had continued since then.

After Shagari, came the Buhari government which threw the issue of IMFWorld bank's recommendation open to Nigerians for debate. At the end of the debate, most Nigerians rejected the IMF-World Bank prescriptions and so the government refused to buy the drugs. When Babangida came as leader of the government, he welcomed the prescriptions and bought the drugs. The prescription was re-christened Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) whose key recommendation was deregulation of the Nigerian economy. So in 1988, he formed the Technical Committee on Privatization and Commercialization (TCPC). The key objective was to open up and liberalize the economy such that the private sector will lead the economy and enable the enterprises deliver the services for which they were incorporated. So the TCPC was to privatize or commercialize selected government enterprises found guilty of inefficiency and ineffectiveness. This was why the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was commercialized in about 1988. As we talk today, staffs of the NNPC are happy that the corporation was commercialized and indeed they would prefer that it be privatized.

What this means was that all was not well with the management of the NNPC. That was why the law establishing the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) listed NNPC for privatization. The BPE metamorphosed from the TCPC. It is the key and authentic deregulation agency of the

Federal Government of Nigeria. With the support of the World Bank, DFID etc, the BPE remains the most capacitated institution in Nigeria that can reform an enterprise, all things being equal.

This is why all the reform bills that later led to the privatization of government owned enterprises originated from the BPE. It was the BPE (while acting as the Secretariat of the OGIC) who drafted the first and original PIB that was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) but never saw the light of the day after it was sent to the law makers. That was the draft that was redrafted several times to a point there was no true copy of the original draft because there were then over ten versions of the PIB. This led to the current government doing a new and clean draft now before the National Assembly for passage.

BPE, like all such institutions across the world, has been having it rough with the powers that hate privatization and can influence government decisions in Nigeria.

While BPE will always stand on the part of due process, these enemies of true capitalist progress would always want to arm-twist the BPE and the government to have their way. They are mostly in government and some in the private sector. They are the ones that have frustrated the privatization of NITEL/MTEL, PHCN and now they have succeeded in preparing and smuggled in a Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that may not serve the interest of Nigerians.

It is now common knowledge that out of the 122 enterprises privatized by the BPE, about 65% of them are doing excellently well while the rest are facing one challenge or the other arising from policy environment.

If this is a testimony of good performance by the BPE, why should the current PIB seek to delist NNPC from being reformed by the BPE? This is the question Nigerians are asking the Minister of Petroleum Resources and the NNPC. Why should the current PIB provide for the NNPC to reform itself and at the end still retain itself with a new name National Oil Company? Why should all the key decisions to be made in reforming the oil and gas sector be made by the Minister of Petroleum Resources? Is it reasonable for the Minister to be in-charge of the reformation of NNPC under her? Knowing full well that the Minister was a staff of Shell who has been against true reform of the sector, who said that there is no correlation between Shell's interest and the current PIB? Again, can what will be in the interest of Shell be favourable to Nigerians?

The new PIB before the NASS is too cosmetic and may not lead to a true reformation of the Nigerian oil and gas sector. One would therefore suggest to Mr. President to quickly recall the PIB from the NASS and throw it open to Nigerians for detailed discussion. Comments emanating from the House of Representatives show that the PIB was like the proposal for the printing of the N5000 currency note by the CBN. As at today, a good number of opinions from Nigerians are against the PIB. Indeed as a mark of respect and honour for the Nigerian people for which the PIB was meant to serve, it is absolutely reasonable that in a democracy, an important document like the PIB should savour a rich public debate before sending it to the NASS for passage.

Dibia wrote from Abuja

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER, 2012

Tribute Late Alhaji Abdulkadir Baba Manu: The light of Gombe dims "You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him”.

—James Mills

N N

o v e m b e r 14, 1935 is to me a significant date in the history of Gombe Kingdom, it was the date of birth of a great philanthropist, an illustrious son and a leader with enviable attributes. It was reported that right from childhood, his good sense of judgment, humbleness, hard work, and consistent dedication to a good course always placed him in positions of giant strides in life. This tribute is written to mark the date of birth of a great Nigerian whose persistent urge in the development of his region and the country at large was never in doubt.

Late Alhaji Manu served the nation in various capacities and his services were frequently needed by authorities, establishments, religious organisations, communities among others. He held various responsibilities including adhoc Chairman, A B Manu and Company (Nig.) Ltd; Chairman, Gombe Oil Seeds Processing Ltd; Chairman, Garu Water Resources (Nig.) Ltd; Chairman, Gombe Spinning Mills Ltd; Member Board of Directors, Doma Enterprise; Member, Gombe State Committee on Industrial Policy; Member, Presidential Business Delegation to Germany during the Shehu Shagari Administration; Member, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

The late Icon was deeply involved in community development services which include building of Islamic schools and Mosques in Gombe, Bauchi, Lagos, and other parts of the country. He established the famous Usman Memorial Islamic School (LADDO), a school with reputation in educating and enriching the younger ones with sound knowledge. He has touched the lives of persons from various walks of life through philanthropic activities.

He, together with Gombe LGA, and Senator Haruna Garba formed the ABM Football Club, Gombe (now Gombe United Football Club), a professional Division Football Club side.

The famous football club has a record of representing the state from Amateur Division to ProDivision and also winning national club side championships. The Club has represented the country in the West African Football Union (WAFU) and Confederation of African Football (CAF) continental matches in 2007-2008 championships. He was a member, adviser, Trustees, and Patron of a number of organisations which includes Jama'atu Nasril Islam, Gombe Development Association, Gombe State Student Association (GOSSA), Muslim Student Society (MSS), Gamji Members' Assoc.

( G A M A ) , N a t i o n a l Association of Road T r a n s p o r t Owners Assoc., National Union of Road Transport W o r k e r s (NURTW) etc. In recognition of his i m m e n s e contribution to humanity, he was awarded the National Medal of Honour, Member of the Order of Niger (MON) in 2003 by President O l u s e g u n Obasanjo.

After his death, in recognition of his exemplary life, a memorial lecture was held in his honour in February, 2012 by the Gamji M e m b e r s ' Association, an association that immortalizes the

Late Alhaji Abdulkadir Baba Manu

exemplary leadership qualities of late Sir Ahmadu Bello and other past national leaders. The lecture showcased a number of dignitaries from diverse background namely associates, traditional institutions, relatives, students, members of the association and the general public.

The Gombe State Chairman of Gamji Association, in his welcome address, pointed out that the decision to hold the lecture was in recognition of the tremendous contribution of the late philanthropist to the state and the nation at large. He saw the lecture as an opportunity for the state to commence the process of immortalizing the late philanthropist. In his remark, the chairman of the occasion, Senator Ajuji Waziri (Wazirin Tangle), commended the association for the initiative in honour of late Alhaji Baba Manu, who worked diligently to see that Gombe and Nigeria at large became a better place. He called on leaders to wake up and contribute adequately to the development of the society. The Guest Speaker, Professor Saleh Abdu (Wamban Kwami), Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Social and Management Sciences, Federal University, Kashere in a paper titled ' The Importance of Life Writing, in the life of a Community: Towards Memorialising Alhaji. Abdulkadir Baba Manu, pointed out that from the outset, Alhaji Baba Manu did for Gombe State financially what apparently none did in the years of its formation. We are gathered here to remember him for this and for other numerous things this patriotic gentleman did for us, as individuals, for Gombe State and the nation at large. He further

threw some challenges to the state thus, has Gombe State since its formation reciprocated in any way to ABM, the sacrifices he made for the young state before or after his death? Has it paid back the gargantuan financial sacrifice made by its 'chief financier, pillar of sport? 'And can it ever? And shouldn't it? ……He then proposed approaches by which ABM could be properly honoured; that the State Government should institute an ABM Foundation which will among others, write and publish a comprehensive biography of the late patriot; the foundation when established should co-ordinate, revamp and maintain some of the legacies of ABM; Government should institute an academic prize, the ABM Prize for the best graduating student in Business/ Entrepreneurship studies in Gombe State University and Federal University of Kashere; one of the main township streets under reconstruction should be named 'ABM Street'.

The two discussants namely, Mallam Aliyu Kamara (Registrar, Gombe State University) and Barrister Zubair M. Umar (Chiroman Gombe), both agreed with the submission and recommendations of the Guest Speaker.

In his contribution, Ambassador Ibrahim Yerima Abdullahi, the Sarkin Bai of Gombe, called on the authorities to immortalize late Alhaji Baba Manu. He updated the audience on the numerous positive developments late Sarkin Yamma embarked on during his life time and suggested the need for proper documentation of his life and legacies.

The Royal father of the occasion, the Emir of Gombe) represented by Alhaji Abdulkadir Abubakar, the Yeriman Gombe) was full of praises for the association and acknowledged the positive attributes of the late Sarkin Yamma. On his part, HRH Alhaji Hassan Jonga Usman (Emir of Yamaltu) said, "Baba Manu has worked very hard for Gombe citizens and the nation at large during his life time.

He did what a good citizen is expected to do at all times.

The Governor of the State, His Excellency Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim Dankwambo, in a remark delivered on his behalf by the State Attorney General, Barrister Abdul-Hameed Ibrahim (Dan malikin Akko) praised the association for deeming it fit to hold a memorial lecture in honour of one of the state's illustrious citizen. He said the history of the state cannot be complete without the mention of the contributions of late Alhaji Baba Manu and promised to look at the suggestion of the Guest Speaker and other contributors towards immortalising the late philanthropist with a view to implementing it.

The Attorney General was to further give his own account of the magnanimity of the late Sarkin Yamma, "… after securing admission to Law School, Lagos, I had no place to stay, and late Baba Manu's residence was suggested to me. I was a complete stranger, yet he not only accepted me, he made adequate provision to make me comfortable. I later realized that it was the usual first point of call of numerous Gombe citizens on visit to Lagos in search of greener pastures, for accommodation and assistance. He concluded his remark thus "Alhaji Baba Manu is the Gamji of my generation.

For Justice Usman Baba Liman, the Grand Khadi of the state, the late Baba Manu left three veritable legacies behind; the gift of a good life for people to appreciate, an educational foundation for the community to continue to benefit from after his demise and disciplined children that understood their father's humbleness and respect for the society.

On his part Ambassador Abdulmumini Abubakar (AIG Rtd.) put it this way; "indeed to organize such a memorial lecture

at this time of our critical existence in Nigeria is apt, when especially the North in particular seems bereft of a leader who commands the respect of the generality of the populace as witnessed during the late Premier's time. It was in the footsteps of the late Sardauna of Sokoto that some Northern crop of leaders like Alhaji Baba Manu took up the courage in promoting the philosophy of the Premier. Baba Manu established schools and was generous to a fault. He left his footprints of philanthropically attributes on the sands of time".

This position was also shared by the following contributors; Inuwa Lamido (Iyan Gombe), Awotundun Babatunde, Ahmed Yaro, Abubakar Ali J, Ahmed Umar Kwami, Muhammad Kurama and Mohammed Deba.

One of the elders, Alhaji Sani Labaran had this to say, " for most part of our life we shared different political ideology, he was with the 'conservatives' while I'm with the 'progressives', but this varying affiliations did not in any way affect our friendship and closeness.

It is therefore saddening how politics is practiced today, once you belong to a different political group you become arch enemies.

In his contribution, Professor Mohammed Kabiru Farouk, Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Kashere wrote: "The Ideal and principles that guided the life of this illustrious son of Gombe should also guide our leaders and youth today.

His sterling qualities of humility, honesty, selflessness, sense of brotherhood, his desire for unity and progress, his respect for all irrespective of background, his dedication to the pursuit of excellence, his commitment to education, his leadership qualities, and many others too numerous to mention, should be preserved and chronicled for the current and future generations to know and emulate".

Representative of the family and the present Sarkin Yamma Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Baba Manu thanked the association for honouring their late father with a memorial lecture, and also thank the guests for honouring the invitation.

Judging from these submissions, one could conclude that late Sarkin Yamman Gombe represented what life of an individual should be; a trusted leader of his people, a shoulder for deprived to rest on, a source of inspiration, a shining example for younger ones to emulate and a sovereign hope for the deprived.

He departed this world on the 7th May, 2005 at the age of seventy. May Allah subhanahu wata'allah grant him aljanna Firdausi (Ameen).

Abdullahi Bala Isa is the National Deputy President, Gamji Members' Association, get2balaisa@yahoo.com

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

PAGE 39

Opinion Travelogue Why is Hon. Kaita against Katsina solar energy project?

By Aliyu Hassan Katsina

H

onourable Ahmed Kaita representing Kankia/Kusada/Ingawa Federal constituency of Katsina state in the House of Representatives, in his traits recently raised a false alarm in an opinion article published in newspapers with the above topic. For the sake of clarity and better understanding of the above subject, on Monday, November 12, 2012, Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shehu Shema flagged off the construction of a 30mw solar energy plant in Kankia town of the state.

The Kankia solar plant was a product of the conception of Nigeria/ German partnership. Under this arrangement, the company, Hellious Group from Germany, will use German technology to generate electricity through renewable energy sources. This project that is part of other numerous peopleoriented projects being executed by the Shema administration is to be completed within 18 months.

Katsina state government, apart from providing land and facilitating the process of getting all the necessary approval from the federal government agencies, will also

invest 15 percent of the cost of the project.

According to the well publicised contractual agreement with the German company, the total cost of the project is N13.7 billion. Apart from the fact that the project, when completed, will boost electricity supply in the state, Katsina state government will also benefit to the tune of 15 percent of the total profit generated from the sales of power for the period of 25 years, after which the German company is expected to hand over the plant to the government. If Kaita could not understand and interpret correctly simple contractual agreement which a layman can simply understand, how then will he be able to understand the complex processes of lawmaking, which he was elected for? No wonder, his duty on the floor of the House since he became a member has been reduced to only voting without contributing to debate in the House.

However, Ahmed Kaita in his assuming position of armchair quarterback criticised Katsina state government over this laudable project which is sited in his constituency. While drawing a comparison between the Shema led administration's 30mw plant project

with another 10mw plant project initiated by the federal government in the state, Kaita further exposed himself as a federal lawmaker who is totally bereft of ideas.

According to him, "while exposing myself to the danger of being termed an alarmist, such fear would not deter me from asking for a fair deal for the people by demanding for probity and accountability. Already there are palpable fears about non-commission of the late Yar'adua initiated 10mw project in Lambar Rimi. This fear was amplified by the management of Vergnet Engineering Company, the contractors. The company reportedly assured that the project was completed and ready for commissioning. The only thing delaying the commissioning was the inability of two of its engineers to come from France to inspect the equipment because they could not get the visa for them. This sound really silly and sure rings a warning bell. I don't think there is any country, least of all Nigeria that will deny people with evidence of contractual agreement visas to come and inspect their investment".

The above assertion shows clearly that Kaita's conduct as a member of House of Representatives is not only an embarrassment to the

people of his constituency, and Katsina state, but also to all Nigerians whose resources is used to pay Kaita fat salary and allowances. The 10mw wind mill farm is a federal government project.

If Kaita discovers that something is wrong with the contractual agreement, his duty as a member of the House is to raise the matter on the floor of the House. Kaita needs to know that the tax payer money is being used to pay him salary and allowances as a lawmaker but not as a newspaper paid writer.

According to the lawmaker, that Governor Shema sited the project in Kankia, "my constituency, was simply a matter of technical convenience. With an existing power substation located in Kankia for easy upload of any generated electricity from the project I can't think of a better place for a location". The question Kaita needs to answer, is it only Kankia town that has power substation in Katsina state? His conduct as a federal lawmaker is doing more harm than good to his constituency. At a time other lawmakers are busy lobbying for projects in their constituencies, Kaita was busy chasing shadows.

I have said it before that Ahmed Kaita has lost focus as a representative

of his constituency in the National Assembly. I am challenging Ahmed Kaita that if he is sure of himself as a federal lawmaker, let him stand on the floor of the House and articulate any issue of national interest before the House will embark on recess this year even if it is just a minute. The idea of him paying for masquerade to write for him using his name on the pages of newspapers because he has the resources will definitely not help him. Governor Ibrahim Shema is an accomplished politician that stands tall among his peers. His record of achievement is ringing bell not only in Katsina state but in Nigeria as a whole.

It is a good development that Kaita is now talking about probity and accountability. There is a saying that charity begins at home. It will be good and a welcome idea if Kaita can give account of his stewardship in the National Assembly to the people of his constituency. In doing so, he should begin by telling the people how much he has received as salary and also as constituency projects allowance in the last one and a half years that he has been in the House.

Aliyu Hassan Katsina, wrote fromKatsinaLocalGovernment, Katsina state

Networking For Justice and a US road trip (I) Contd from page 35 Narratives contain hidden scripts, stereo type reasoning and powerful actors often have greater voices in narratives. Key sources of the narratives obtained on Nigerian conflicts were traditional media, social media, interviews and focus groups.

Nigerian narratives were classified into three sub themes. First is the frustration narrative that decries irresponsible governments, grinding poverty, corruption, ineptitude, impunity, lack of serious political opposition, sense of loss etc. The second strand of narratives are complaints about Northern marginalization arising from massive rigging, loss of presidency, being pushed from power, the disrespect of the informal principle of the ruling party, under development in the North, division among Northern elites and the lack of enough Northerners in powerful positions. The third narrative follows from the liberalization of the religious sphere and advances the view that political Islamic alternatives i.e. Shari'a could stop decadence. There are two distinctive trends of political Islamic alternatives: Islamic democrats that are liberal and committed to democracy, social welfare and the other segment, the anti system Islam, who are largely ambivalent and possess violent Taliban vision. This strand also embraces Christian re-awakening in Northern Nigeria which propagates that Christianity is under siege, there are attempts to finish Dan Fodio Jihad till Holy Qur'an is dipped in the coastal areas of south and that Middle Belt minorities have been dominated in the North.

Media and CSOs are shouldered with the responsibility of resetting the narratives. The snag however is that media houses are themselves known to encourage confrontation because

of hidden scripts while the social media network (e-mail and text messages) is notorious for being marketplace for all kind of ideas and rumours.

Prior to re-tooling the media, there is need to agree on which of the narratives to be reset. For the frustration narrative, common grounds could be found in adequate provision of social and economic goods whilst the Christian/ Islamic narrative stressing that "Jihad is in the offing and that Christianity is giving up could be taken handled through Conflict Resolution workshops and dialogue sessions between Christian and Islamic groups.

The paper Media and Management in Conflicts acknowledges media as the place where most of the narratives arise and proceeds to ask these following important questions: what is the nature of the media; how does it operate; who accesses the media?.

Rather than in-depth reportage and rigourous analyses arising from investigations, media products innocently consumed by Nigeria's gullible public are mostly opinions and press statements. Nigerian media was also described as both a victim and peddler of 'rumours'. Public Relation Officers of public institutions and corporate organizations routinely 'bribe' their way through because media potency as not only a "sources of news but a source of influence".

Print and electronic media are virtually inaccessible to most people because they broadcast dominant voices mostly. As a result, ordinary masses have responded by gravitating towards social networks and list serve discussion circles. Text messaging is on the rise mostly because whenever conflicts are going on, instead of live

broadcast of the events, state owned media choose to play music. CSO's, are thus the only serious group capable of properly enlightening and bringing the people together.

The next presentation, Reforming Media Culture and for Conflict Management expresses the belief that media in Nigeria in Nigeria are vibrant, as evidenced by the fact that many political actors were one time journalists.

But for the culture of reporting from the narrow ethno -religious prisms to change, enabling environment for efficient media practice have to be provided i.e. provision of insurance, capacity building programmes alongside co-ownership of the news industry by the workers.

During floor space discussions, commentaries highlighted by

participants were mainly that -The intensity of internet traffic on different kinds of debate in Nigeria indicates need to revive nationwide coalition like was witnessed during the short lived 'Occupy Nigeria' movement. An independent platform should spearhead the momentum and create a pan Nigeria movement.

-Narratives truly represent collective wisdom of the locality and should not be ignored. In nominally democratic spheres, differences are negotiated.

Oral traditional narratives as well as others should be styled to resolve, not fan embers of, conflicts.

- There are laws binding media practice. Regulatory agencies, Nigerian Press Council and National Broadcasting Commission, presently

Lt. Gen. Abdurrahman Dambazau (rtd)

dormant on account of either ineptitude or plain partisan complicity, should be reinvigorated to confront their primary obligation of sanitizing media practice.

Second part of the morning session focuses on Economic and Structural reforms. The paper Northern Nigeria: Strategies of Economic Reform and Recovery straightaway dissects the "political factors" contributing to Nigeria's multiple and convergent crises. These were identified as "the 2.3 million dollars salary national legislators pay themselves, rise of political violence and several facets of urban socio economic challenges.

Dalhatu Sani Yola sent this contributionfromtheDepartment ofPoliticalScience, AhmaduBello University, Zaria.

Mr. John Paden

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

Interview Corruption has eaten away Nigerians' future —ACF W W

h a t is your opinion about President Jonathan's policies since he came on board, especially in terms of consistency? And how would you describe the role of his aides in enhancing credible administration?

It seems the policies of the current regime are yet to find expression in the lives of ordinary Nigerians, considering the level of poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, infant and maternal mortality rates, are still on the high side. What is more, the power and energy have improved just marginally. These are some of the socioeconomic indices that people use to assess performance of government policies. As long as Nigeria still carts home gold medals in Misery Indices and brings up the rear in Human Development Index, government policies would be rated low despite tremendous efforts.

And that is why we always say that the level of implementation of the budget by the government and signing of performance contract with ministers is not the concern of most Nigerians. This is because budget implementation is an effort and not results of government policies. And it is still possible to score A in effort and still score F on result in so far as effects of policies on the people is concerned.

It is not important whether the policies are consistent or not. All Nigerians need is for government policies to deliver on their promises. After all, policies are function of situation the nation finds itself. When conditions change policies should also change in order for desired result to come to pass.

Nigerians are simplistic when they berate roles by aides of Mr. President in enhancing credible administration. This is because the buck stops on the table of Mr. President who appoints them. You see, leadership is bringing the team together and enables them to unleash their synergy. Mr. President multiplies his strength through his aides. Motivation is the instrument while social skill is the requirement. The tasks as listed in elementary text books include: -Securing interest of the aides, by keeping them informed of developments and progress.

-Maintaining loyalty, by fairness in allocation of portfolios and patronages.

-Sustaining keenness, by fostering a sense of participation.

-Promoting harmony through joint consultations.

-Preventing frustration by providing sympathetic outlet for grievances and grumbles, as well as encouragement of responsibility among members of the team.

From the foregoing, I wonder whether it is fair to blame only the aides. I think if Mr. President is given credit for good performance of the administration, he must be ready to cart home their liabilities as well. That is how it works.

Did you listen to the President's media chat recently? What is your opinion about it?

Media chat by Mr. President affords him the opportunity of interacting with the people over whom he presides as Mr. President uses it to make them have a realistic appreciation of the circumstances the nation finds itself. Such media chats by the national leaders are beneficial because they can engender national discourse that can bring about change from the robust debates. For example, contrary to the views expressed by Mr. President during the chat, many Nigerians believe corruption is the number one problem of the country. It

Mr. Anthony N.Z. Sani, is the National Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF).

He avers that as long as Nigeria carts home gold medals in misery indices and brings up the rear in human development index, government policies would be rated low notwithstanding the concerted efforts. He re stated the position of the ACF in recommending that state creation be put on hold because states have become mere effort or cost centers at the expense of real development. He also spoke on other national issues in this interview with Jamila Nuhu Musa.

Mr. Anthony N.Z. Sani has stolen people's empowerment, stolen their opportunity and their future. As a result, some people have lost the will to live and so they have taken it out against the society through violent crimes of insurgence in the North, armed robberies in South West, kidnappings in South East and piracies and oil bunkering in South South for the simple reason that they do not want to die alone.

Other damage done to the nation includes collapse of national ideals, moral values and core values of humanity. As a result, there is no more social contract among individuals and between groups as symbolized by our total loss of our sense of what is right and what is evil.

Consider people who help themselves into commonwealth at the expense of common good, are the ones honored by our universities, traditional rulers and given thanks giving services. Cash-For-Peerage galore. Our finances are obeying Greesham's law where money with low utility chases away money with high utility. And that is why ACF has suggested maximum punishment for corrupt practices.

Some people do not like it. That is normal.

But let them suggest better and more effective approach. After all, good reasons give way for better ones.

Many believed the media chat was clustered around political correctness rather than provide honest and accurate information. Do you agree?

I do not agree because in an era of technology and social media that overcome time and distance, it would be foolhardy for Mr. President to think it is possible for him to deceive all the people. For example, his view that he is out to create wealth and not to reduce poverty may be a mistake of the head and not heart, precisely because reduction of poverty is a measure of performance of the economy.

And that is why it has often been reported that the upsurge in economic performance of China's economy has taken 300m Chinese out of poverty. And that is also why Nigerian economy is often berated for growing at about 6% yet poverty, illiteracy, unemployment,

infant and maternal mortality rates are also on the increase. That means macroeconomic and microeconomic policies are managed as if they are mutually exclusive, which should not be the case.

Nigeria operates a political economy in which politics goes beyond ideals to include about who gets what, why, how, where and when. And so unless we get our democracy to premise on triple foundation of liberty, justice and common decency, other things would not follow. I want to believe that is what has informed the political posturing of Mr. President. And so I wish to say that as long as internal democracy in our political parties are flawed, and the choice between political parties is about which parties have capacity to win elections and not capacity to deliver on the promise of democracy, it would be hard to produce leaders who reflect the wishes of the people. So Mr. President's transformation agenda should include cultural renaissance and enthroning a democracy based on liberty, justice and common decency as well as making hope smarter for collective good.

The presidency has been criticized for misleading the nation on some national issues. What is your own opinion?

That may be true, but I believe it has been mistakes of the head and not that of the heart.

And that is where the benefit of the media chat comes in. People can challenge Mr. President on some of what have been said by the presidency that appears misleading.

So, how would you describe the situation where a statement is made and then denied, as in the case of Manitol power contract? Can we honestly have answers to our power problems, for instance?

I am not properly informed about the Manitol saga, and so no comment on that. But the reasons why public office holders make statements and deny same is because they do not know that they are symbols of national values of trust, confidence and of honor or integrity. They also do not know the import of losing moral authorities on their positions and on their persons.

Yes, we can overcome our problems of power and energy, given the will. After all, adversity can be cathartic and constructive as well. I have always maintained that over the history of nations and long lives of individuals, the powerful and the powerless, the rich and the poor, often change places.

The situation is not beyond redemption, given consciously directed effort to overcome.

What is your interpretation of credible government?

I am not a political scientist. I only read Pharmacy and MBA. But I would hazard a guess that a credible government is one which is able to rewire the polity in such manner that politics, economics and morality intersect for common good.

Would you say that several government programs such as You-win have reduced poverty and empowered the youths and women across the country?

I think they are yet to find expression. I guess it is too early for an objective assessment of the progress against plans.

Though a suit has been filed that President Jonathan is no more qualified to contest election in 2015, but the president via his lawyers has said he is still eligible. Do you think the nation may have a Jonathan presidency in 2015?

I think the court may decide that. Mr. President is more qualified to answer that question. But he chose to say he is in a catch22 situation: if he said he would contest, it would heat up the politics; and if he said he would not contest, he would be regarded as a lame duck and his cabinet would start to leave the government for contest.

The raining season seems to have passed now, but can you assess the handling of the flood at all levels across the country?

I think they have done their best, but their best do not seem to be good enough. Please note, we are well known for managerial imperfections even in normal times.

Do you think the nation's food security is guaranteed in the light of this?

Even when there have been no natural disasters, there have been no food security, considering the high level of food imported into the country. Food security will come with consciously directed efforts by the government in the area of food production.

It was reported that ACF does not want more states; this has been interpreted in some quarters to mean the forum does not want other regions or groups to have more states. What is your explanation?

There is no doubting the fact that creation of states has helped in no small measure in socioeconomic development of this country. It stopped urban drift to former regional capitals as well as engendering sense of belonging and harmony. But we have reached a level of diminishing returns where states are becoming mere effort or cost centers at the expense of real development. Hence ACF's recommendation that the exercise be kept on hold.

I know some groups like the South East, those for Apa in Benue state and those of Southern Kaduna are not happy with ACF's position. But we did not target any group. For example, the South East argues on the basis of equality, but the North west counters that injustice is not only when equals are treated unequally but also when unequals are treated equally. They site their population which is about 35m as against those of the two zonesSouth East and South South-which population is 37m.They also talk of their land mass of North West which is more than those of the two zones put together. Yet it has only seven states while the two southern zones have eleven states.

Our position is that the exercise be kept on hold. But if there must be any exercise for creation of additional states against our recommendations, then land mass and population must be part of the important criteria.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

PAGE 41

Weekend Dec 21 proposed for NPL kick-off

D

ecember 21 has been proposed as the kick-off date for the new Nigeria Premier League season, officials have informed a wire service.

A top official informed on Friday: “We will propose that the league begins on December 21 with the star match, while other games are played the following day.”

The NPL congress will take place in Kano on Thursday after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) gave them a go-ahead in that respect.

The congress is expected to deliberate on several vexed issues concerning the league, from title sponsorship to the TV rights of the competition.

The fixtures for the new season are also expected to be announced during the congress.

Four teams have been promoted from the lower Nigeria National League (NNL), namely Nembe City, Bayelsa United, Nasarawa United and El Kanemi Warriors.

Four other teams lost their places in the top flight. They are Jigawa Golden Stars, Niger Tornadoes and Rsing Stars, while Ocean Boys were expelled from the league for not honouring a minimum number of matches.

Kano Pillars are the defending champions and along with runners-up Enugu rangers will represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Champions League.

Lobi Stars, who finished third on the NPL table, will also feature in the 2013 CAF Confederation Cup.

Eaglets in last hurdle duel in Mali

A giant of an U-17 Mali against an Eaglets during the first leg in Calabar

By Patrick Andrew

W

hether or not the Golden Eaglets will feature at the CAF U-17 Championship finals will be determined Sunday at Stade Mamadou Konate in the Kouluba district of Bamako

when they clash with their hosts for the final slot.

The Eaglets hold a 2-0 advantage and need to consolidate against their obviously bigger opponents to finally seal a place in the finals to be hosted by Morocco in March next year.

Nigeria had protest to CAF over the suspected use

Some states import boxers into from Benin Rep From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

S

ome states are alleged to have into boxers from Benin Republic to represent them at the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival.

The allegation caused no little stir on Thursday when it was blown open and forced organisers to again relay assess pugilists already registered and certified okay to box at the fiesta.

The boxers themselves were alleged to have blown the lid on their true identity as they were said to have confided in some persons that they are not true Nigerians but were approached to represent some states that were ready to engage their services.

They revealed that the practice had been on since the last edition of the fiesta Garden City Games, where they purportedly won medals to the states they represented.

Three states were fingered by the source who

pleaded with journalists not to publish his name as he claimed that from the behavior and language spoken by the said boxers, it was clear they were not citizen of Nigeria lamenting that the development negates the spirit of the game.

“My brother, there is a new development in the games by some states.

These states imported foreign boxers from Benin Republic to represent them, and the lid has been blown open.”

The official said “From the behaviour and language spoken by these boxers, you will know immediately that they are not Nigerians. Aside that, these foreign boxers confided in some of the officials, that they are not Nigerians. I do not know where actually we are going and what we want to achieve with the National Sports Festival’’ an official who did not want his name in print said.

of over-aged players by Mali but no response has yet been made by the African football ruling organ on the matter. However, before departing for Bamako midweek, the Eaglets had undergone tactical training at the FIFA Goal Project pitch.

The team had to relocate from Calabar to Abuja to familiarise themselves with the synthetic pitch which is similar to what they would be expected to play in Bamako.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s game, Assistant Coach, Nduka Ugbade said that the players were battle ready and would leave no stone unturned to ensure that they return to the country with the ticket in their bags.

He disclosed that the players have been told to forget the first leg 2-0 advantage and play as if they had not scored and must in order to secure the ticket.

“Anything can happen in football more so when some would prefer to resort to unfair means to secure victory, we must play with caution yet determined and tactical to seal our place in the tournament proper,” he had said shortly before departing for Bamako.

Also, in respect of the pitch, he okayed it stressing that the players would cope with whatever pressure may be exerted on them by the crowd as well as the weather condition.

“The pitch is okay and it is not as heavy if compared with the synthetic pitch in Abuja and as such, it would suit us well,” noted the foremost Golden Eaglets’ captain.”

Of course, the pitch is hot as expected of any synthetic pitch but we know exactly what we are going to do on Sunday,” he concluded.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

PAGE 42

Team Rivers tops medal table with 13 medals

T

he medals table of the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) is currently being led by Team Rivers; defending champions of the festival, with 13 medals, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports..

The agency says that from the latest release from Games Services yesterday at noon, which was signed by Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Okaro (rtd.), Team Rivers has accumulated seven gold, three silver and three bronze medals.

Team Rivers is closely followed Team Delta with four gold, two silver, and six bronze medals. It will be recalled that Team Delta came second in the 17 th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Port Harcourt in 2011, behind Team Rivers.

The host of the 18th NSF, Team Lagos, is currently in the third position with four gold, two silver and three bronze medals.

Team Oyo now has two gold and four silver medals, while Team Edo has two gold, one silver and two bronze medals.

Oyo and Edo states are both ranked in the fourth and fifth positions with two gold, four silver and two gold, one silver

Rivers and Ogun volleyball teams competing at the Eko 2012 and two bronze medals, respectively.

Team Rivers emerged as winners of the 17 th NSF in Port Harcourt, with a medal haul of 135 gold, 79 silver and

85 bronze medals.

Other participating states are still jostling for laurels at the sports fiesta which is scheduled to end on Dec. 9.

Judokas urge sponsors to help to develop the sport

J

udokas featuring at the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Lagos yesterday urged corporate organisations to partner with the Nigeria Judo Federation to promote the game in the country.

The judokas, who pleaded for ths assistance have the belief that such a help would help to grow the game in the areas of championships thereby harnessing the budding grassroots talents available.

Tunde William. a male judoka who won a gold medal in the 66kg category, said that organising championships on a regular basis would help players identify their areas of strength and weakness and how to keep improving themselves.

“Judo is a sport that needs regular championships through which judokas could express themselves and be able to assess their performance.

“One needs a lot of championships because without competitions, we become restless and lose shape. With more competitions, we can be able to assess ourselves,” he said.

Catherine John, a female Judoka from Nasarawa State, who won the bronze medal in the 48kg category, said that the Judo Federation should be proactive, in order to be able to attract sponsors.

John, however, noted that as a female, the sport had improved her skill, saying that she can defend herself; all she needed to do was to get close to her opponent.

“Judo is also good for females because I can proudly say that I can defend myself,” she said.

Haruna Abdul, a male Judoka from Kano State, who came third in the +100kg category, said more competitions should be organised to

further develop players and coaches.

“I am appealing to corporate bodies to come to the aid of Judo because we need more competitions to help make us stronger and better. Without sponsors, JFN will have limits to championships that will be organised,” he said.

Meanwhile, in some results from the judo events at the Games, Onyebuchi Nonso from Edo State got the gold, David Joseph from Oyo State (silver) while Haruna Abdul from Kano and Rivers State’s Mohammed Abdullahi won bronze, respectively, in the +100kg (male).

In the 66kg male, Tunde Williams of Kogi (gold), Eveshode Jegede from Kaduna (Silver), Emmanuel Sanni

from Delta and Aikorogie Emmanuel from Bayelsa (bronze).

Lagos State’s Jide Daniel (gold), Abdulkareem Abdullahi from Niger State (silver), Samuel Oyewole from Delta State and Paragon Osa from Rivers State (bronze) in the 73kg (male) category.

In the 63kg of the female category, Elizabeth Peter of Rivers State (gold), Isaiah Bukky (silver), Joy Aaoonye of Delta State and Vera Akhihiero from Kogi (bronze).

Yemisi Okelola from Delta State (gold), Adewunmi Olowokande of Ondo State (silver), while Bilikis Zubair of Lagos and Catherine John of Nassarawa State clinched bronze in the 48kg female category.

Ondo sports council chairman pledges cash rewards to medallists

T

he Chairman, Ondo State Sports Council, Bamido Omogbehin, has announced instant cash rewards for the state’s athletes who win medals at the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Lagos. Omogbehin was quoted yesterday in Lagos to have promised cash gifts purely borne out of his desire to motivate them to perform and meet set targets.

“I personally watched the male volleyball team beat Rivers 3-0 on Thursday and I was so impressed with their performance. I believe that by motivating the athletes, it will encourage them to surmount the challenges others states may pose in the competition.

“It will also help them to defend the titles they won in Port Harcourt in 2011 at the 17th edition of the festival, tagged “Garden City Games,’’ he said.

According to Omogbehin, gold medalists will pocket N20, 000, while those who win silver and bronze will smile home with N10, 000 and N5, 000 respectively.

Team Ondo has so far won a silver medal and two bronze, all from the judo event of the Games.

Kwara not under any pressure, says commissioner

K

wara is not under any pressure to surpass the record it created at the last National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt at the ongoing 18th edition of the festival in Lagos. Hajia Rahmat AdesinaAbaya, the state’s Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, disclosed this to newsmen on Friday in Ilorin. The commissioner, who was redeployed from the Ministry of Social Development, Culture and Tourism two weeks ago, added that she was also not under any pressure to deliver in her first major assignment in sports. “I believe that everything is in the hands of God as the state’s athletes and their officials have worked hard enough to make an impact at the Games. “I have to commend the athletes and the officials for maintaining high level of discipline so far and I also assured them of the state government’s support to deliver at the festival,’’ she said. AdesinaAbaya charged the people of the state to give their maximum support to the state contingent at the festival for their success.

Ebonyi sports stakeholders rule out successful outing for state contingent

S

ports stakeholders in Ebonyi have written-off the state’s chances of excelling at the on-going 18 th National Sports Festival in Lagos.

The respondents who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abakaliki based their views on the state government’s lackadaisical approach to the team’s preparation.

Chief Israel Afoke, a sports administrator, observed that the sordid state of sports in the state was re-enacted during the events leading to its departure to Lagos for the festival.

“The funds for the festival were released by the government on Nov. 26, the day the contingent departed Abakaliki for Lagos.

“It is also disheartening that the team had no form of serious preparations for the festival. The athletes trained on their own.

“This form of approach by the government discourages private

investment in sports because such investments would not be appreciated by the government,” Afoke said.

A member of the state football team, who pleaded anonymity, noted that any medal won by the state at the festival would be a miracle.

“We the footballers and other teams are at home because the state did not qualify for any team event, whether male or female.

“We saw hell at Enugu during the zonal eliminations, as we were left on our own due to lack of funds,’’ he said.

Chief Alfred Nkama, another sports administrator, said it was better the state pulled out entirely from participating in national sporting events.

“If not for the threat by the National Sports Commission that states who fail to participate at the festival would be severely sanctioned, the Ebonyi government would not have released funds for the festival,’’ he said.

Mr Simon Uyanna, a trader,

expressed regrets that sports had gone into extinction in the state because the state government had blacklisted sports from its priority policies.

“The athletes who won the state’s three silver medals at the last festival in Port Harcourt had not been rewarded till date, so also are other athletes who won medals for the state in various national sporting events.

“It is unfortunate that the government has failed to use sports as a tool of providing employment for its teeming youths which will also aid in massive talent discovery,’’ he said.

Mrs Olunna Nwobo, a member of staff of the state sports council, however, urged the citizens to pray for the contingent to record a successful outing at the festival.

“The state government is doing its best to promote sports and other sectors in spite of its lean financial resources,” she said.

The state placed 34 th at the last festival in Port Harcourt in 2011 with three silver medals.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

Anambra joins medals table with silver

T

eam Anambra has joined the medals table of the ongoing 18 th National Sports Festival with a silver medal won in the judo event by Chinwe Mba. Mba fought in the +75kg category, knocking out her counterpart from Delta. She had earlier knocked out judokas from Taraba, Ogun and Ondo in the preliminaries.

Delta won the gold in the +75kg, while the bronze medals went to Edo and Ondo.

The judoka, who rued the loss of the gold medal to Lagos, said she was glad to be the first member of Team Anambra to win a laurel at the festival.

She dedicated the medal to the government and people of Anambra, who gave her the opportunity to represent them at the Games.

“It is good that I won silver, but I had my eyes on the gold medal, I am dedicating it to the government and people of Anambra state,” she said.

Other winners in the judo event which took place at the Indoor Sports Hall of the University of Lagos are Rivers, that won gold and Lagos, which had silver in the 52kg female category.

Lagos also won gold and Edo silver, while Akwa Ibom and Rivers won bronze in the 70kg female category.

The coach of the Anambra judo team, John Ofuluozo, said they still had high prospects for medals for the state as combat continued on Friday.

Meanwhile, one of the judokas from Anambra, Ejike Amah, had sustained an injury in the rib during his fight with his Bayelsan counterpart, which he won in the preliminary stage.

He was to undergo an X-ray yesterday for doctors to determine the degree of the suspected fracture.

PAGE 43

Plateau ‘Dambe’ athlete faints after victory A

Team Plateau athlete fainted after winning a bout in ‘Dambe,’ a traditional sport, at the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) yesterday at the National Stadium, Lagos.

Yusuf Dogo-Auta of Plateau fainted shortly after defeating Abu Shago-Dusemari of Team Kebbi in the third round of the competition.

The athlete was jubilating after overwhelming his Kebbi opponent when he started vomiting and then fainted. It took the prompt intervention of the medical team to resuscitate him.

Coach Safianu Zaki of Traditional Sports of Plateau State said that this was the second time that his athlete would faint after defeating the same opponent at a National Sports Festival.

“At the last festival held in Port Harcourt, Dogo-Auta defeated Shago-Dusemari at the finals, where he won gold and the same thing happened.

“He fainted shortly after

Dambe fighters at the ongoing festival beating his opponent in the final round and now the same thing has happened again, but this time, at the group stages,”

he said.

As at the time of going to press, Dogo-Auta had showed signs of recovery, and was

Sokoto reaches handball quarter-finals

T

he Sokoto State handball team to the 18th National Sports Festival proved a force to reckon with on Friday by beating Enugu 25-22 to advance to the quarter-finals of the competition.

The win over Enugu was the second successive victory for Sokoto following an impressive 24-21 win over Bayelsa in their first match.

In his reaction, an assistant coach of the team, Ibrahim Idris, said they deserved the wins recorded so far in the festival.

Idris said they had been working hard as a team and commended the state governor, Aliu Wamakko, for

his support by getting the Team Sokoto prepared for the Games.

“We are no doubt pulling the strings so far and these wins have by every standard been well deserved because we have worked so hard to get here.

“I also want to express my gratitude to the state government and Gov. Aliu Wamakko because it is with his support that these victories have been achieved,’’ he said.

The coach added that though they had yet to know their quarter-finals opponents, he believed that Sokoto was on the verge of winning its first medal of Eko 2012.

Team Sokoto is also proving

an emerging force at the Games having secured another quarter-finals ticket in traditional wrestling, “Dambe”, after defeating Yobe in the 75kg category.

The state has also advanced to the quarterfinals stage in table tennis after beating Bauchi state in a thrilling encounter held at the National Stadium gymnasium, Surulere.

Sokoto State did not win any medal at the “Garden City Games” in Port Harcourt in 2011 but have expressed the state’s commitment to make the medals table in Eko 2012.

Lagos says Rivers, Delta threat to its ambition

W

aheed Enitan-Oshodi, Lagos State Commissioner for Sports has said that the only feasible threat to Team Lagos are Team’s Rivers and Delta.

Lagos State had so far won two gold medals in Judo and in Taekwondo at the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF). ‘’Team Delta and Team Rivers we hear claim they came into Eko

2012 to prove a point, but Lagos State is ready to take them on,’’ the commissioner said yesterday while speaking on their chances of topping the medal table at the end of the festival. On their prospects at the medal table, Enitan-Oshodi said they were impressed at results being posted at the preliminary stages so far. “I think that will have to go between Delta and Rivers state, Rivers the defending champion.

Delta claims they were cheated at Rivers State, no evidence of that. I think both of them are coming here to prove we are the best state in the nation. “But I think we will give them something to think about. Well you know the competition so far so good we are still in the group stages in many tournaments in early stages. I think we are quite satisfied with what we have seen so far it’s very exciting. “Lagos State’s

prospects we are hopeful you know this is a very strong competition are here a lot of big teams are here big state the Delta, Rivers, Ondo and Ogun. “I think we are competitive so far we have seen that we can do it and we hopeful that we will finish high up, on the table.’’

Team Lagos had finished 9th at the “Garden City Games’’, in Port Harcourt, with 16 gold 16 silver and 29 bronze at the previous festival.

subsequently moved to the stadium’s Sports Medicine Centre in an ambulance, for a full diagnosis.

Judokas, officials clash over allegation of bad officiating

A

judo match between Team Lagos and Akwa Ibom on Thursday ended abruptly in an uproar following an allegation of biased officiating.

The ugly incident occurred at the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) reports that the event held at the University of Lagos UNILAG) Indoor Sports Hall.

The fight erupted after a controversial point was awarded to Team Akwa Ibom, which the Lagos Team protested. It led to uproar which eventually degenerated into throwing of stones, bottles, flower vases and sachet water, which left spectators scampering for safety.

However, normalcy was only restored when security personnel were called in to enforce sanity at the venue. In response to the issue, the Chief Referee, Alfred DeSouza, ruled that the point awarded to Akwa Ibom was a foul and ordered that it be deducted.

DeSouza said that such acts of indiscipline were well addressed during the four-day Judo seminar that preceded the commencement of the Games.

The chief referee then advised officials to be very careful as the goal of the Games is to encourage the unification of the country, rather than tearing it apart.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

PAGE 44

Mourinho faces Atletico tough derby A

tletico Madrid take on derby rivals Real Madrid this weekend aiming to pile up the pressure on underfire coach Jose Mourinho whose team already trail leaders Barcelona by 11 points.

It is the first time in almost 14 years that Atletico take on their illustrious neighbours with more points in La Liga they are second with an eight-point lead over a stuttering Real who were beaten once again last weekend by Real Betis.

Despite winning the league last season Mourinho is coming under fire from a demanding Madrid media who are speculating whether he will be still at the helm next summer.

He also had the backing of captain Iker Casillas who played down whistles that have been heard recently at the Bernabeu for the coach.

Atletico’s fine start to the campaign is partly due to the form of Radamel Falcao who has hit 14 goals in 13 games and he is now geared up for the derby.

Jose Mourinho Barcelona take on Athletic Bilbao aiming to maintain their prolific start which has seen them only drop two points

so far in the Clasico against Real Madrid.

Lionel Messi has hit 19 goals in the league and is only three away now from

former-Germany striker Gerd Muller’s record of 85 in a calendar year.

“Messi is the best player in the world but there are other footballers with great qualities like Xavi (Hernandez) and (Andres) Iniesta who are not far behind,” said midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

Malaga responded to a dip in form with a convincing 4-0 win over Valencia last weekend and now play Getafe while Real Betis who are level with them on 22 points are away at Deportivo la Coruna.

At the other end of the table Javier Aguirre is preparing for his first league game at the helm of Espanyol against Granada after Mauricio Pochettino was sacked following just two wins all season.

Above them Osasuna take on Rayo Vallecano.

Levante look to respond to their 4-0 defeat by Barcelona away to Celta Vigo and Valencia hope to maintain their strong home record against Real Sociedad. Elsewhere, Mallorca play Zaragoza and Sevilla entertain Valladolid.

Ibom Angels’ coach blames Kawu urges use grassroots soccer to curb unrest in experience for defeat

By Patrick Andrew

C

oach Ime Otu of Ibom Angels on Thursday attributed the team’s inability to book a place in the final of the 2012 confederation cup to inexperience of the players.

Ibom Angels of Akwa Ibom was trashed 4-0 by Rivers Angels in one of the semi final matches played in Abuja, while Inneh Queens beat defending champions Sunshine Queens 2-1 to advance to the final today.

Otu said after the match that the team played against a better side with experienced players in the national team.

“The team we played against is a highly experienced team packed with players of the national team, Under-17, Under-20 and the senior team, Super Falcons.

“We played against a team that has their players tested already even before this competition, but there is no national player in my team.

“All the same, I have to commend the players for the effort they put into the game in spite of the fact that we don’t measure up to them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Coach Edwin Okon of

Rivers Angels credited his team’s performance to dedication and hard work of the players and the coaching crew.

“The two teams were in a hurry to play and score, which is why they were just playing the ball as it comes and no quality pass was made.

“But in the second half, we were able to put the ball on the ground which gave us the four goals,’’ he said.

Coach Okon added that his ultimate target after the match was to bring the team together and defend the title it won in 2011.

“Football is not one plus one plus, where you can predict what happens next.

“But, there is no coach that will go for any competition that will want to lose; every coach wants to win, so I expect to lift the cup by God’s grace. “As the defending champion, I still want to win the cup to show that our victory last year was not a mistake but a deserved victory,’’ he said.

Rivers Angels will play Inneh Queens of Edo in the finals while Ibom Angels will meet Sunshine Queens in the third place match, which will precede the final at the FIFA Goal Project pitch.

R

ecurrent unrest in the country would be brought under control if the Federal Government turns attention to grassroots football by encouraging the game at that level.

The Chairman of the Nigeria NationWide League (NNWL) Alhaji Ahmed Kawu who, made the appeal yesterday, said that such deliberate use of the game would engineer restive youths to channel their energies into useful ventures, stressing football has been known to serve as a unifying force in the country.

According to him, incidences of insecurity which have posed no little socioeconomic challenge to the nation could be easily curbed should the government channel resources into the development of grassroots football.

“You see, it will keep the youth busy, thus provide them gainful employment, ginger national consciousness and integration as well as eliminate youth restiveness which has posed serious security challenge in the past two years or so,” he said stressing it was important for the government to rise to arrest the drift through grassroots soccer.

Kwau, who announced that the NNWL’s

Everton out protect proud record against City

T

he Etihad Stadium will be the place where defending Premier League champions Manchester City host Everton this afternoon in a Barclays Premier League match.

Both teams will head into this league fixture coming off different results in midweek.

Man City swept Wigan aside at the DW Stadium in midweek away with Mario Balotelli and James Milner strikes.

It’s no fluke that City are the last unbeaten team in the Premier League and Balotelli is as an example of the champions’ resilience. For all the criticism levelled at City this season, there is a reason the champions remain the last unbeaten team in English football. In midweek they once again demonstrated why.

An ability to dig results out of decidedly ordinary performances is keeping Roberto Mancini’s side in touch with Manchester

United at the top of the table, and nobody showed that better than Balotelli.

It was Balotelli who came up with his first Barclays Premier League goal of the season, indeed, his first away from the Etihad Stadium for almost a year, to make the breakthrough just when City looked to be heading for a second goalless draw in four days. No wonder Mancini declared his intention to keep the player in Manchester when the January transfer window opens.

Everton boss David Moyes takes his side to the Etihad attempting to maintain an enviable recent record against Premier League champions. In the last ten meetings between the two North West clubs, both home and away, Moyes has triumphed eight times and lost just twice. City, for all their success, have found themselves a bogey team in Everton.

Joe Hart

annual congress would be held in Sokoto from December 15 to December 18, added that a Super 8 that would feature newly promoted teams and would be used to herald the congress.

He appealed to all clubs to come forward with useful recommendations that would be presented at the NFF AGM scheduled for Port Harcourt on December 13 and 14. ”I want all the clubs to come up with their observations during the past season and recommend what needs be done in the forthcoming 2012/2013 season.

“The recommendations and observation will be used to amend our status in areas we feel are contrary to grassroots football development aspirations.

These recommendations would be tabled before the NFF Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Port Harcourt for ratification,” he said.

31 football teams hit Uyo for FEPSGA Annual Games

By Albert Akota

N

o fewer than 31 football teams are set to hit Uyo, the Akwa-Ibom state capital on December 10th for the Annual Federal Public Service Games (FEPSGA).

Making this known to newsmen in Abuja yesterday, the national President Mr. Victor Orji said 8,000 civil servants have indicated interest to participate at the fiesta.

He assured that machinery has been put in place to ensure that only civil servants participate in the fiesta.

Orji said FEPGA would ban any corporate body found to paraded mercenaries at the event stressing that the aim of the Games was not to essentially to win medals but promote unity among the civil servants as well as boost their physical and mental wellbeing.

He assured civil servants that adequate security personnel will be on ground during and after games to ensure a hitch-free fiesta and commended the Akwa-Ibom state Governor, Godswin Akpabio for accepting to host the Games.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

PAGE 45

FORMAT IN BASKETBALL Compiled by Augustine Aminu with Agency report

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et’s talk about the basketball well. This is a very popular sport in America. We will talk about the ball, stop the ball. The player who has the ball while standing still or while it is stopped by foul ball. This can be done by lifting the feet in order to jump to the main goal. Or whether it is a ball. ‘s The caveat I have is that the ball must leave the player’s hand before both feet are lifted off the floor.

For penalties if a foul is a player of the other team to foul the ball near the line with the most foul.

Figures are regarded as an advantage as well as the need for a new ball from their own territory.

Based on the rules. In basketball, the judge would be required to determine the reasonableness prior to the seizure. Or to have a party at a disadvantage. If such were to pass the ball to your team, then the decision is taken, it will be helpful for the team to play the ball. Or your opponent will have a ball. It would be a disadvantage as well.

For the jump ball can be played in 3 cases.

- When the ball from leaving the field. The teams and players are with the ball before the ball is played off the field, it will make the jump. To make a game.

- You can play the jump ball call with more than two players hold the ball for a throw jump balls to play.

- If the end is then attached to the stem loop.

Figures are not able to play with it. I do not know who you are as a player.

Rotation in basketball For the sport of basketball. Players are able to play the ball in different ways, whether it be to throw the ball to feed the ball forward. Or whether the rotation.

The rotation is performed on an athlete’s ability to hold the ball a foot or a foot just one single step or multiple steps in any direction. It has one foot in the foot rotation. By contact with the ground and not spin it. Not to be able to take your opponent to the ball of the hand. A simple technique to play basketball, to prevent the opponents from taking the ball.

In basketball, the story of the movement along with the ball. The player is able to take the ball to any direction. The rule on the motion and the ball.

- For a player who has the ball while standing still may be turned by a foot or a foot or a foot, mainly to prevent the ball from the other team scramble.

Switzerland played a gag ball in basketball For the rules of the game of basketball. It is up to the players to learn to play the position. To be successful and more fun. And as well to play basketball, it will be a foul ball came into force.

Because basketball is a sport that requires hands to play the ball but it must take a stand in the rush to get the ball to score a goal. Therefore, the athlete kicked or punched ball. It was the Basketball Foul Rules for Small ball is not the player that kicked the ball. Or other parts of the body to block the ball with the act’s intent. Are considered to play ball with the rest of the body was the foul.

In the possession of the ball. Who can have possession of the ball is. Players who are in possession of the ball field. Players who want to steal the ball from an opponent. And the player who has the ball foul. I will start with the ball. The possession of the ball could be a team. The players can pass the ball to

the other players in the same team I have to feed the ball to score a goal. The other party can try to steal the ball from the player in possession of the ball.

The ball will c h a n g e possession of the ball to the other parties.

If the other party can prod the ball. Or the ball out of the ball made out.

Or when a goal has been scored, then the other party will be the first start playing ball.

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

Peoples Yakowa @ 64: Service to mankind

By Emmanuel Ado

G

overnor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna state graduated from the famous Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in 1972 with a degree in Public Administration. In 1973, he did a post-graduate diploma in Public Administration at the then University of Ife, and not in business administration, which would have placed him in a better stead, to take up employment in the private sector. He bagged a Masters Degree in Public Administration, as he continued to prepare himself for service to mankind.

Unlike now that graduates, including PhD holders are applying to be drivers, Yakowa had several employment opportunities.

If his motivation in life was money, the United African Company (UAC), John Holt, Kingsway, etc, would have been his first choice, where the salary cannot be compared to “living wage “ civil servants earn. But the choice of the civil service was not difficult, because from the outset, his life has been about service to humanity.

Those who know him from childhood attest to this fact.

So, early in life, he made the conscious decision to be a servant of the people epitomized by service which climax, is not governor, but permanent secretary in the federal civil service and minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As a federal civil servant, you make policies for the 36 states and the federal capital; though in Nigeria, most people prefer to be governors, so they can be “emperors”. This may be why some senators would rather to be governors than legislate for the whole country. It is all about control.

Given that he lost his mother at the tender age of six and his father at 19, Yakowa would have ended up at best, a village champion, having no one to pay his fees.

Through doing all sorts of jobs, the goodwill of people and the missionaries he was able to go to school. It was obvious to him that the only way to succeed was hard work, determination and focus; a principle that is still part of him.

His Excellency, Mr. Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa

Yakowa stays awake into early hours, seeing people, treating files and by 5am, he would already be up. And as a devout Catholic (a Papal Knight), he will go for mass and the ritual of seeing people, treating files, etc, begins all over again. But when the day is really choked up, he would apologise, and if it can be solved by a phone call, he will ask that the person calls or sends a text message.

Treating people with respect and decorum is second nature to him. When he became governor, he had no hesitation moving with Hajia, in charge of his guest house from his days as deputy governor, Kabir director in charge of security when he was the Secretary to State Government (SSG), as well as Atama, now made permanent secretary. For Yakowa, they deserve “divine elevation,” the same way God Almighty elevated him, when President Goodluck Jonathan picked his predecessor, Arc. Namadi Sambo, as Vice President. This and the appointment of a Muslim as his ADC went a long way in re-assuring he would remain fair and just to all.

He cracks jokes, but can be very serious when the circumstance demands, even

though most times he shows his fatherly nature to overlook acts that require tongue lashing. This is considered weakness by some people, especially the generation that are so used to the military era, when appointments could be terminated on the network news.

For instance, when he drives around in the night to see things for himself, God bless the ineffective commissioner – dead streetlight, potholes on the roads; refuse heaps that have not been evacuated, etc.

People have also spoken about his loyalty to friends and bosses, attributing this ‘obedient and loyal servant’ nature to his long years in the civil service. I disagree.

Loyalty is his second nature. Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi and Namadi Sambo are by age junior to Yakowa.

But haven accepted to work with them, they became his bosses and his respect for them had to be total and remains so. If Yakowa was a bad man, he would have shown his true colour now that he is governor. But to the chagrin of those who want him in the typical Nigerian style to become disrespectful to them, he has refused, because it is just not in his nature.

And he has made some enemies over this. What is

unknown to many people is that his skilful management of very difficult relationships has gone a long way in ensuring that Kaduna state is not plunged into the crisis some states experience whenever they produce President, Vice President, Senate President or Secretary to Government of the Federation. We have seen raging “war” in some states, between Abuja based group and the home front. But rather than indulge in such unhealthy rivalry, he has ignored insults, even when they come from people who have no pedigree.

For all that God has done for him, his song has remained – I can only repay it by being gracious and dedicated to the service of humanity.

A life of ostentation is not in his dictionary. So he still rides the same cars he inherited from his predecessor. He is also not in a hurry to move into the new multi-billion naira office complex, the present office is functional and good enough for him.

That is Yakowa, a gentleman in the real sense of the word!

Having been around for long, one would presume he has made many enemies.

Quite to the contrary, the knack for managing relationships is the essential Yakowa. This is how he became a minister under General Abubakar Abdulsalam (rtd). As Chief of Defence, Yakowa worked with him and it is in recognition of his hard work and loyalty that he became minister of solid minerals.

Virtually everybody that had worked with Yakowa speaks well of him and maintain good relationship with him. It is part of the “I owe you” that he has been cashing on for Kaduna state.

No doubt, expectations are high for him to deliver, despite the terrible financial base of the state. Kaduna is the third most populous state in Nigeria with about 7 million people. It receives N4.5 billion to N5 billion monthly, from the federation account.

Its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is about N700 million. The wage bill of about N4.3 billion, which is a large chunk of the funds aside security; there is virtually nothing for capital projects.

The question being asked is, where is he getting the money to convert the state hospital into a teaching hospital, so that medical students of the state university will have a place for their clinical, the more than 1,000 kilometres of road costing over N50 billion, the various water schemes and the biggest of them all, Zaria Regional Water project, that has now been expanded to supply water to five more local government areas. One can go on and on. The simple answer is prudent management of resources and continuous efforts to block leakages.

But as one who never complains, haven asked to be elected, Yakowa has identified untapped revenue sources and workable strategies towards exploring them.

The immediate objective of his strategic revenue objective is the funding of the overhead expenditure of government in the short term and in the long term, the over N4.3 billion monthly wage bill.

The state has started reaping the benefits of improved revenue. Just last week, the governor flagged off the construction of 31 new roads, at a whooping cost of N28 billion. Flagging off the road projects at Karatudu, in Chikun Local Government Area, Yakowa almost shed tears, when he saw the rickety bridge that the people call “the killer bridge” because of the many lives of school children it has claimed. With the new road, there will be no more such avoidable deaths.

By next year, the governor will further surprise cynics, with some critical projects that will change the fortune of many citizens.

Yakowa has stressed his readiness not to rest and as he gets into the New Year, there is a clamour to drop those not adding value to governance.

As he celebrates his birthday, one can only ask for continued good health and protection for him and his family, especially his beautiful wife, Amina , that covers the home front while he steers the ship of state.

Sir, happy birthday and God bless.

Ado is media consultant to Governor Yakowa of Kaduna state

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER, 2012

PAGE 47

From the Pulpit Doing what is right in God's eyes (l) "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."(Judg 17:6 NKJV) h e r e may be more than two ways to look at an issue but there is only one standard God wants you and me to use to judge any matter, and that is God's own standard - not our own standard.

In the Scripture above, the Israelites did what seemed right in their own eyes andnotwhatwasrightinthesightofGod. Because of the fallen nature of man, what seems right in the eyes of man does not always equal what is right in the sight of God. Man must therefore rise up to the standard of God and not set his own standards.TheIsraelitesmisseditsetting their own standard and doing what seemed right in their own eyes.

Judg 21:25 says the same thing as Judg 17:6: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (NKJV) This was contrary to the commandment of God to the children of Israel in Deut 12:8: "You shall not at all do as we are doing here today - every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes." (NKJV) The children of Israel continued to violate this instruction of God and did what seemed right in their own eyes.

In Judg 17, we see a Levite who also did was right in his sight. Levites were descendants of Levi who served as assistants to the priests in the worship systemofthenationofIsrael. Leviteshad no permanent land allocated to them to live but were allocated 48 cities within whichtolive.(Josh21)ButthisLevitewas inabacksliddenstateengaginginidolatry because of love of money and position.

"Micah said to him, 'Dwell with me, and

T

Nehemiah 4:1-23

N

e h e m i a h was a singleminded believer who was focused and determined, especially in times of difficulty, conflict, opposition, persecution, confusion, and pressure. Nothing could dissuade, discourage or distract him. He must have taken to the path of his predecessors that made up his name.

When fully spelt out, each letter of his name, NEHEMIAH, could stand for: N - Noah. Noah was a single-minded believer who was focused till he finished the project of building the Ark. Despite the opposition and frustration from scorners around him, he kept to his vision for 120 years. E - Enoch. Enoch followed the Lord faithfully in spite of challenges and oppositions. He walked with the Lord without deviation for 300 years when he was taken away. H Hezekiah. Hezekiah was a singleminded believer who reversed the prophecy of death through prayer. He knew that he still had much to accomplish for the Lord; hence, he prayed and another 15 years were added to him. E - Elisha. Elisha was a man who coveted a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Hence, he was focused on his goal, purpose, desire and request, distractions notwithstanding. He was a man of one goal and destination. M - Moses.

Nehemiah often referred to Moses in his prayer. He saw him as a model who had the opportunity of becoming a great political leader in Egypt but rejected the throne and royalty in order to be a deliverer of God’s people (Acts 7:22; Hebrews 11:24-26). I - Isaiah. Through the Holy Spirit, he gave prophecies that were difficult to be believed during his

be a father and a priest to me, and I will give you ten shekels of silver per year, a suit of clothes, and your sustenance.' So the Levite went in. Then the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man became like one of his sons to him. SoMicahconsecratedtheLevite,and the young man became his priest, and lived in the house of Micah. Then Micah said, 'Now I know that the LORD will be goodtome,sinceIhaveaLeviteaspriest!'"

(Judg 17:10-13 NKJV) This Levite from BethlehemlefthisplacefortheMountains of Ephraim to the house of Micah to endorse their idol worshipping by becoming a personal priest and father to him - Levites were not to be a personal priest to anybody or family. He was performinghisdutiesinahouseasagainst the Tabernacle or a designated city. A Levite who was supposed to be involved intheworshipofGodandteachthepeople to do so became a family priest. That was strange. This Levite should have known better than supporting Micah's error. Ps 49:20 says, "Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish." (KJV) This Levite demoted himself.Thatscripturesayshebecamelike oneofMicah'ssons.Thatwasstrange!He lost whatever honour he had remaining when he also allowed himself to be consecrated by Micah. Micah had no power to do that. But why not? Everybody did what seemed right in his own eyes. Everybody, including this Levite, was guilty.

Did you notice what Micah said after employing this Levite? "Then Micah said, 'Now I know that the LORD will be good to me, since I have a Levite as priest!'" (Judg 17:13 NKJV) That was not true. Even if an Arch-bishop supports you in your error, it doesn't make you

right; it doesn't bring God's presence to you. God is angry with the wicked every day. (Ps 7:11) No servant of God should allow his ministry to be for the highest bidder.

Your anointing should not be for sale.

Don't become the servant of a man when you have been called to be a servant of God. Don't allow filthy lucre to blind your mind to the truth of the word of God. Jesus said, "Give as freely as you have received!" (Matt 10:8 NLT) The motivation of a servant of God should not be filthy lucre. No. The Bible says a servant of God must tend the flock of God, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. (1Peter 5:2 ASV) Others may be commercializing the anointing but a genuine servant of God whose call has not been perverted must never join them. Even where you are rightfully paid in accordance with the Word of God in appreciation of the ministry you have done, you must not forget that you're still a servant of God not a servant of the people. Paul says, "…I amnotboundtoobeypeoplejustbecause they pay me, yet I have become a servant of everyone so that I can bring them to Christ." (1 Cor 9:19 NLT) You are not bound to obey people just because they have paid you or will pay you. You shouldn't obey them to do what is wrong just because they have paid you or will pay you. They may rightly pay you but you're a servant of God. Paul says again: "Obviously, I'm not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If Iwerestilltryingtopleasepeople,Iwould not be Christ's servant." (Gal 1:10 NLT) This Levite didn't behave as a servant of God. He eventually became a

GREEN PASTURES

By Pastor T.O. Banso cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 servant of Micah. Hear what he said in Judg 18:4: "Thus and so Micah did for me. He has hired me, and I have become his priest." (NKJV) Who is your boss? God or man?

In Judg 18, we see how the tribe of the Dan in Israel also did what seemed right in their own eyes by stealing and adoptingtheidolofMicahandalsohiring the Levite to be their father and priest.

"And they said to him, 'Be quiet, put your hand over your mouth, and come with us;beafatherandapriesttous.Isitbetter for you to be a priest to the household of one man, or that you be a priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?' So the priest's heart was glad; and he took the ephod, the household idols, and the carved image, and took his place among the people." (Judg 18:19-20 NKJV) Take note again the attitude of this priest. The Bible says he was glad. Amazing! He has completely gone astray doing what was right in his own eyes!

Space won't permit me to talk more on what transpired in Judges 18. I will talk more on this next week. But let me emphasize that you shouldn't do what is right in your own eyes but what is right in the eyes of God. Follow God's Word not just anything that catches your fancy.

TAKE ACTION! If you are not born again, I urge you to take the following steps:*Admit you're

a sinner and you can't save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life - your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start to attend a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church.

There you will be taught how to grow in the Kingdom of God. Kindly say this prayer now: "0 Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to him today. I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God" I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in your area where you will be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May the Lord make you a Cedar Christian. May you grow into Christ in all things becoming all God wants you to be.

Single-mindedness in difficult times time. A - Abraham. He was a singleminded believer who willingly offered Isaac, his only son, to God. H - Hannah.

She was so single-minded that she wept and requested for a male child whom she would give back to the nation of Israel as a prophet. Like these Old Testament believers, when we see what others fail to see through faith, our focus will be on one goal, passion and pursuit.

Nehemiah was a single-minded man. He had set his face steadfastly in the direction of God’s calling upon his life and nothing was going to deter him from it. Like Moses, Daniel, Ruth, Esther, Stephen, and Paul (Acts 20:24), he was the opposite of a double-minded man who is unstable in all his ways. There was nothing unstable about Nehemiah. He was going to rebuild the walls to restore the lost glory. There was no hesitation, indecision, excuses, fear, retreat or compromise. Everything about a singlemindedmanpointstohiswhole-hearted determination to do God’s will. He deliberately refused royalty; choosing rather, like Moses, to suffer affliction with the people of God. Although there was no pressure or motivation, the information he got about the state of Jerusalem made him to work for God, the challenges he faced notwithstanding.

Single-mindedness does not only show in one’s attitude or language, it is also revealed in comportment, character and consecration. Nehemiah was resolute and irresistible. Like him, we must be determined and resolute in giving our lives to the work and ministry the Lord has called us into.

FAITH DISCOURSE WITH

Pastor W. F. Kumuyi 1.

SINGLE-MINDED COMMITMENT AMID REPROACHFUL CONTEMPT Nehemiah 4:1-6; Isaiah 50:6,7; Psalms 57:7; 108:1; 112:7; 119:23,22,51,60-63, 69, 83, 87, 95, 110; 141, 143, 161; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

Nehemiah came from the palace with royalty, prestige, position, experience and letter of recommendation from the king; yet, the people did not recognise him. In the midst of reproach and contempt, he was single-mindedly committed to the call God gave him. The great work Nehemiah did could not have been done by an attention-seeking, praise-hungry, self-conscious, skilled and talented minister. Nehemiah was singleminded; and he was dead to self. When he knew that God had set the direction of his life, he committed himself unreservedly to following through. The enemy may want to make us forget the promises of God, the prize of our high calling and goal. But, like the Psalmist, our hearts must be fixed on God’s unchanging word and promises.

Tobiah and Sanballat were no mean or weak enemies: they were strong and powerful. They had royal authority and military might on their side. They had patriotic citizens too and noble supporters behind them. They were also well connected with influential people in the inner circle of Nehemiah. They employed some people with prophetic ministry who made him afraid by their prophecies and dreams. Without singlemindedness, Nehemiah would not have had a chance in a thousand to be successful. These enemies, Tobiah and Sanballat, were actively opposed to him fromtheverybeginningtotheend.Ittook a single-minded man to persevere in the face of similar opposition and persecution.Anyonewithlessdedication and devotedness would have lost his bearing; and the walls might never have been built. Each of us needs the mind and motivation of Nehemiah today.

2.

SELF-SACRIFICING COURAGE DESPITE RELENTLESS CONSPIRACY Nehemiah 4:7-11; Daniel 9:25; Psalm 2:1-8.

The goal of the enemy is to try to stop us from doing God’s work through his emissaries. But with Christ on our side, we shall overcome all their tricks.

No good thing has ever been done on earth without opposition. Because Satan is still in the world, he opposes the work of God. And those who wait for better times before answering God’s call will never find it. Some believers, not knowing the Scripture and the purpose of God, think the persecution they suffer is too much and therefore give in. While the wicked men are waxing worse and worse, we should be waxing stronger and tougher. While the enemies engaged Nehemiah full-time, he was determined that nothing would stop the work of God he was involved with.

3.

STRATEGIC CREATIVITY UNDER RECURRENT CONFLICTS Nehemiah 4:16-23.

Nehemiah was always ahead of his enemies because of his strategic plans.

He divided the workforce into two: those who were committed to building the wallsandthosewhokeptwatchwiththeir weapons of war. Although Nehemiah had not been a builder, captain of an army or governor before this time, he allowed God to use him to accomplish His purpose. He was a focused and single-minded man. Like Nehemiah, when we depend on the Lord in the face of oppositions and persecutions, He will give us a better strategy. And with God on our side and unity among us, the Discipling A Whole Nation (DAWN) project will be accomplished.

BIG PUNCH “To make sure that the bill sails through, I discussed with President Umaru Yar’adua the difference between the bill and what the Constitutin says and he was exited and looked forward to being the first President to present the State of the Nation Address” – Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu accusing President Jonathan of killing the State of the Nation address bill since the death of his predecessor

SATURDAY 1 — SUNDAY 2, DECEMBER, 2012

The Almajiri (2) ‘AND YOUR GOD is the One God: there is no deity save Him, the Most Gracious, the Dispenser of Grace. Verily, in the creation of the heavens and of the earth, and the succession of night and day: and in the ships that speed through the sea with what is useful to man: and in the waters which God sends down from the sky, giving life thereby to the earth after it had been lifeless, and causing all manner of living creatures to multiply thereon: and in the change of the winds, and the clouds that run their appointed courses between sky and earth: [in all this] there are messages indeed for people who use their reason.’ [Quran 2:156] hat we have said so far about so far about Ibn Sina, particularly his extraordinary, indeed unprecedented, output in medicine, represents only one of the several facets of his contribution to knowledge, science and human civilization. His Canon on Medicine has been described as the greatest work on medicine ever produced by a single mind. His other work, The Book of Healing, an encyclopedia of philosophy and science represents another facet. The aim of the work is to heal the human mind of the disease of ignorance. Together, the two encyclopedias [minus the other one in His mother tongue, Farsi] help greatly in the transformation of the world to the age of science, and from there to the Scientific Revolution. This genius is universally acknowledged as a teacher for the East, a teacher for the West, a teacher for the World.

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In one of his many original thoughts he puts forward the following hypothesis: ‘Suppose that a man is created all at once, fully developed and perfectly formed but with his vision shrouded from perceiving all external objects – created floating in the air or in space, not buffeted by any perceptible currents of the air that supports him, his limbs separated and kept out of contact from one another, so that they do not feel each other. Then let the subject consider whether he would affirm the existence of his self. There is no doubt that he would affirm his own existence, although not affirming the reality of any of his limbs or internal organs. Hence the one who affirms has a means to be alerted to the existence of his soul as something other than the body and to his being directly acquainted with his existence and aware of it.’

Five decades later, René Descartes, regarded as the Father of Modern Philosophy, and a key figure in the Scientific Revolution will echo Ibn Sina’s allegory of the ‘Floating Man’ in what is now regarded as his immortal words: Cogito, ergo sum [‘I think, therefore I am.’ The hypothesis will also, some nine hundred years later, according to Michael Morgan, find expression in modern psychology as well as science fiction, just Ibn Sina himself has been proven right by thinkers like Sigmund Freud, [the Austrian neurologist and father of psychoanalysis], Carl Gustav Jung [the Swiss psychiatrist and the founder of analytical psychology] and Norman Causins [a biochemist of human emotions] in many of his beliefs about mind-body 311 689 606 327 454

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WEEKEND Ibraheem Sulaiman sa427420@gmail.com

Portrait of Ibn Sina connection and the emotional and intellectual sources of disease, beliefs he derives from the ‘holistic Muslim views of the interconnectedness of all the physical processes within God’s universe.’ In short, in Ibn Sina remains a truly universal and cosmic intellect, the veritable product of the Quran.

Jim Al-Khalili has given the following assessment of Ibn Sina: ‘I will argue that just as Ibn al-Khytham should be regarded as the world’s greatest physicist in the time span between Archimedes

and Newton, so Ibn Sina was the colossus of philosophy and Islamic theology between Aristotle and Descartes. His synthesis of philosophy and Islamic theology would influence later Jewish and Christian scholars such as Maimonides in the twelfth century and Roger Bacon and Thomas Aquinas in the thirteenth.

‘It is not surprising that Ibn Sina is a national icon in Iran today, and one can find countless schools and hospitals named after him in many countries around the world. Indeed, his legacy stretches even further, for

there is an ‘Avicenna’ crater on the moon, and in 1980 every member country of Unesco celebrated the thousand-year anniversary of Ibn Sina’s birth. As a philosopher he is referred to as the Aristotle of Islam; as a physician he is known as the Galen of Islam.’

Prof Hossein Nasir has made these remaks: ‘Ibn Sina’s greatest significance for the sciences, as far as contemporary Muslims are concerned, is his natural philosophy, or, in modern parlance, philosophy of science, and medicine. Today the Islamic world is in dire need of developing its own natural philosophy rooted in the deepest teachings of the Islamic revelation and fourteen centuries of a living Islamic intellectual tradition. The contributions of Ibn Sina are indispensable in order to accomplish this task successfully.

No amount of scientism wrapped in piety by certain contemporary Muslims can prevent Ibn Sinan philosophy, including his philosophy of nature, from remaining as a very important component of the still living Islamic intellectual tradition. After over a thousand years, Ibn Sina still has a great deal to teach us, not only about logic, philosophy and medicine but also about science itself, about how to be an authentic Islamic scientist, and about how to integrate the sciences of nature into the total scheme of knowledge in such a way as to preserve tawhid and to prevent a partial knowledge of the relative from eclipsing and marginalizing the knowledge of the Absolute, the attainment of the knowledge of Which is the ultimate goal of human existence.’

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141