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Vol. 10 No. 3

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

. . . putting the people first

Safar 19, 1434 AH

N150

SSS releases We’ll contain Boko 13 insurgents, one Al-Mizan journalists Haram, says soldier killed as JTF Jonathan engages gunmen in Borno >> PAGE 3

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>> PAGE 2

2013: Be serious with governance, ACN tells Jonathan From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has urged the Jonathan administration to shake off what it describes as its trade mark lethargy and take governance more seriously in 2013.

The party in a New Year message yesterday in Lagos by National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the

administration must take drastic steps to ease the hardship which it visited on Nigerians, especially in the past year.

It said since the country's return to democratic rule in 1999, the year 2012 ranked among the worst years for Nigerians, “going by the very low standard of a non-performing and profligate administration like President Jonathan's.”

It accused the government of

“ambushing Nigerians on January 1, 2012, with a totally unnecessary and punitive fuel price hike” and ensuring through 2012 “that everything went downhill from that moment until the end of the year.”

The party lamented that Nigerians were made to pay far above the official price for fuel, with its bandwagon effect on the prices of goods and services, adding that such eroded the trust

Nigerians reposed in the administration. ''Mr. President, that singular act of your administration helped to erode whatever trust Nigerians reposed in you. Since trust is a critical element between the government and the governed, you must begin to rebuild trust by delivering on your promises, since trust can neither be decreed nor forced,” the statement said. ''Suffice it to say that Nigerians

cannot and will not trust an administration that promises to fight corruption but has presided over the worst cases of corruption in the history of the country; Nigerians cannot and will not trust an administration that set up committees after committees to probe the oil sector, only to shamelessly dump the reports of the committees in the garbage can! And Nigerians cannot and Contd on Page 2

2015: Jonathan’s campaign posters flood Abuja

By Richard Ihediwa, Lawrence Olaoye, Umar Muhammad Puma

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till two years ahead of the 2015 Presidential election, posters drumming support for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan have taken over major streets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Residents of the FCT woke up early on New Year day to see the President’s posters, which were apparently placed on Sunday night or in the wee hours of yesterday.

The posters came barely a day after the Jigawa state House of Assembly endorsed Governor Sule Lamido for President in 2015.

The Jonathan posters were placed at strategic places in Asokoro, Wuse, Maitama districts of the FCT, including the entrance of the Headquarters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), major news stands and waste bins, walls and trees among others.

They have inscriptions drumming support for the President and declaring that there is “no vacancy in Aso Rock”.

The posters have a broad picture of Jonathan in his signature bowler hat with two PDP logos. On them are inscriptions which read: “No vacancy in Aso Rock”, “Let’s do Contd on Page 2

— Say “No vacancy in Aso Rock”

It’s handiwork of mischief makers - PDP

It was suprising yesterday as Abuja residents came out to see President Jonathan’s 2015 campaign posters flooding the major streets in the city.

Photo: Ahmed Shekarau

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

CONTENTS

We’ll contain Boko Haram, says Jonathan

News

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

2-10

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

Property

24-27

Motoring

28

Arts

29-30

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan gave Nigerians cheering New Year news yesterday when he disclosed that almost all the Boko Haram elements responsible for the deadly attacks on the United Nations building in Abuja, the Nigeria Police Headquatres and St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, have been arrested.

The President while worshipping at the All Saints Anglican Church, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, said the people responsible for those bomb attacks “are no longer free men”.

He added that the country's security agencies are doing more than what most eyes can see to contain insecurity.

“The church's prayers have been helping us to stabilise the country in these challenging times”, he said.

“There was a time the country was drifting and everyone thought the country would not endure but the prayers rescued us.

“We shall overcome terrorism, kidnapping and armed robbery with more prayers from the Church.

“Most of the recent terror suspects have been arrested. Most people will not know what the security agencies have been doing.

The people who bombed the Police

Headquarters, United Nations (UN) House and St Theresa's Catholic Church in Madalla have been arrested. We will continue to improve security architecture."

Speaking on expectations for the new tear, he said: "The new year will be better for the country.

We have a huge population and we will continue to provide employment for our people and encourage entrepreneurship.

The Old Testament lesson was earlier read by the First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan from Gen. 17: 9-16.

According to the preacher, Nicolas Okoh, the Anglican Church

all over the world was celebrating the naming and circumcision of Jesus Christ as well as the New Year. The theme of sermon was "circumcise your heart" The preacher urged Nigerians, the church, businessmen, civil servants and politicians at all levels, to “circumcise their hearts.”

He also challenged teachers and academicians as well as students who dress indecently on campuses to do the same.

He told market women who sell fake products, oil marketers and transporters who hike prices in festive periods, kidnappers, armed robbers and members of the Boko

Haram sect to "circumcise their hearts".

The preacher also advised young men who are in a haste to ride jeeps having graduated from school to be patient and "circumcise their hearts."

According to him, traditional rulers, university authorities who sell doctorate degrees and titles to those who are not worthy of them also need to do a rethink.

Also present in church were Minister of Police Affairs, Capt Caleb Olubolade (rtd) and Minister of state, FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide. The President's mother also attended the church service.

13 insurgents, one soldier killed as JTF engages gunmen in Borno From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

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he Joint Military Task Force, (JTF) in Borno state, yesterday, said its troops engaged suspected insurgents in a gun duel, killing 13 of them, while a soldier was killed, with two others wounded.

Spokesman of the JTF, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, in a statement emailed to newsmen last night, said the incident occurred at about

4.pm in Bulabulin and Bayan Quarters Ward when a team of soldiers burst into a house believed to be the hide-out of Boko Haram members.

“At about 1600 hours today, (yesterday) troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) had an encounter with Boko Haram terrorists at Bulabulin and Bayan Quarters of Maiduguri.

During the encounter, the JTF lost one soldier and two others were wounded, while 13 Boko Haram terrorists lost their lives. Civilians

were well protected and have no casualty recorded as a result of the encounter”, the statement said.

According to the task force, the operation is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang and recover more weapons.

Items recovered from the insurgents comprised of three AK 47 rifles, one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, (RPG) as well as large quantity of assorted ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

2015: Jonathan’s campaign posters flood Abuja Jonathan fulfilled campaign promises in 2012, claims Okupe, Page 39

Int’l

37-38

Politics

39-40

Sports

41-46

Leisure

47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

Contd from Page 1 more”, “One good turn deserves another” and another”; “Support Goodluck Azikiwe Jonathan for 2015 Presidency” just under the President’s portrait.

No support group acknowledged being behind the posters which are now raising dusts in Abuja, especially against the backdrop of the reiteration by Jonathan that he is more interested in his transformation agenda and does not want to be distracted by 2015 presidency issues.

There are, however, speculations in opposition groups that Jonathan’s supporters were behind the posters and wanted to use them to test the waters ahead of party preparations for elections expected to commence next year.

This is especially against the backdrop of stiff opposition already mounted by some northern elements against any move to allow the President to run in 2015.

However, reacting to the posters, the leadership of the PDP yesterday described it as “the

handiwork of mischief makers who are trying to tarnish the image of the President and that of the party.”

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, told our reporter on the phone that the President and the PDP had no hand whatsoever in the posters.

According to him, “The party and the President have consistently maintained that what they are concerned about now is performance by all the political office holders on the platform of the party. We are not at this time thinking about who will contest in 2015 or not.

“We have always maintained that it is too early to start campaigning. The President and the party are definitely not part of the posters pasting. It is purely the handwork of mischief makers.”

Also reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Alhaji Balarabe Musa, described the mounting of the Jonathan posters as mere act of arrogance.

“I really don’t want to comment on that, but it is mere arrogance for anybody who is behind this; I think Nigerians are better placed to say that through the ballot box in 2015”, he said.

Despite several assurances by the Presidency, there are mounting speculations that the President could be interested in the race especially as his lawyers recently submitted in court that Jonathan was in his first tenure and remained eligible to contest for a second term in 2015.

They based their argument on the calculation that his first coming from 2010 to 2011 was part of the tenure of late President Umaru Yar’adua.

The lawyers who were responding to two suits challenging Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the 2015 Presidential election in an Abuja High Court also asked the court to dismiss the suit.

In the first suit, a member of the PDP and a Port Harcourt-based legal practitioner, Henry Amadi, had approached the court for an

order to stop Jonathan from contesting in 2015.

Amadi had prayed the court to stop Jonathan from r participating as candidate for 2015 election at the end of his current term of office in 2015 as doing so will hoist illegality in the polity since the oath of allegiance and office he will take if he wins will violate the two oaths of allegiance and office stipulated by the 1999 Constitution.

But in his counter-affidavit filed on the President’s behalf by Mr Ade Okeaya-Inneh (SAN), Jonathan urged the court to decline jurisdiction to entertain the suit, saying the plaintiff is an ordinary individual who is not qualified to ask the court to stop him from contesting 2015 Presidential election.

The President had put up the same defence in the other suit filed by another member of the PDP, Mr. Cyriacus Njoku, who prayed an Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi to block President Jonathan suspected bid to seek reelection in 2015.

2013: Be serious with governance, ACN tells Jonathan Contd from Page 1 will not trust a spendthrift administration that wastes scarce resources on flimsy projects like banquet halls and mansions for a few government officials, when millions are jobless and homeless'', ACN said.

The party advised him President Jonathan to drop what it described as his “amorphous Transformation Agenda in favour of a compact programme that prioritises security, job creation, infrastructural development and

the fight against corruption”.

It also said the administration should stop relying on phantom statistics to give Nigerians the impression that it was delivering the dividends of democracy, “when indeed the opposite is the case. ''Despite this so-called economic growth, the reality of the Nigerian situation is that more of our youths are daily meandering through traffic in our major cities selling toothpicks, rat poison and pure water. What does this so-called

economic growth figures mean to them? ''The Jonathan administration trumpets economic growth figures with glee, but of what use is economic growth that has not translated to better lives for the people, create jobs, put food on the table and make our roads more passable?

“In 2013, the Jonathan administration must jettison cooked-up economic growth figures and make concerted effort to reverse the situation that has seen an estimated 11 million

Nigerian children out of school, 46 percent of our youths unemployed, made Nigeria a country with one of the highest rates of road crashes in the world, put the country's life expectancy at a mere 51.9 years (compared with 62.7 for Gabon, 73.4 for Mauritius and 74 for Libya) and the indignity of annually seeing the country ranked among the most corrupt.”

The party wished all Nigerians a Happy New Year, and prayed that 2013 would bring peace and joy to all.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

PAGE 3

Shettima frees 30 inmates of Maiduguri Prisons From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

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s a New Year gift, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state, yesterday signed warrant for the release of 30 prisoners after which he placed them on N10, 000 monthly allowance which they are to receive in their three months vocational jobs training before their re-integration into the society.

Governor Shettima who signed the warrant during his visit to the Maximum Security Prison in Maiduguri handed over N1million to the Deputy Controller in charge of the prison, Mohammed Bello Bomoi out of which N300,b000 is to cater for monthly allowance of the 30 freed inmates while he directed that each person be given N5,000 as transport to reunite with their families.

The governor noted that the training will be held at the premises of the prison so as to keep other inmates in high hopes, strengthen the capacity of the prisons in providing vocational

skills while making the freed inmates keep in touch with their former colleagues in the next three months to give them confidence and reassurance.

Governor Shettima also released six hundred thousand naira by government to settle fines for other prisoners serving various jail terms who went to prison for inability to pay fines as options during their convictions.

He also interacted with all inmates, consoled them and donated food items to them.

The Governor called on the inmates to regard their conditions as trial moments and reform processes that should make them good and better citizens.

Earlier, the acting AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for JUSTICE, Barr. Kaka Shehu Lawan, said a committee on prerogative of mercy under his chairmanship went round the various prisons in the state as directed by the governor and recommended 30 inmates for release following the receipt of application on same as required by law.

Recuperating Taraba state Governor, Danbaba Suntai (middle) with his wife, Hauwa (left), a family friend, Prince Tita Nbalam (right), and his three-week old twins in a cafeteria of a German hospital On Monday.

Photo: NAN

SSS releases Al-Mizan journalists From Mohammed Adamu, Kaduna

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usa Mohamed Awwal and Aliyu Saleh, workers of Al-Mizan, a Kaduna-based Hausa newspaper who were detained by security operatives for a week without

charges were released by the State Security Service at about 12:30pm yesterday.

The men were seized from their homes on Monday, 24th of December and taken away to an undisclosed location by heavily armed security operatives.

Their arrest and detention have been linked to a story published by the newspaper on its website www.almizan.info on Friday, 21 December. Until their release yesterday from SSS custody in Abuja, their whereabouts had remained

unknown and several organisations and pressure groups called for their release.

The SSS had demanded to see the Editor-in-Chief of Al-Mizan, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa before the release of Awwal and Saleh. It was not clear yesterday if Musa had been found.

Poverty cause Pharmacists assure Kano residents of of conflict in drugs availability despite market closure North – NMFUK From Edwin Olofu, Kano Mohammed, said the decision of drugs section of the Abubakar

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

P

overty in the North has been identified as the major causes of conflict in northern Nigeria. This was the position of speakers last month at the end of Nigeria Muslim Forum in the United Kingdom, (NMFUK).

A communiqué issued at the end of the 22nd annual conference at Stamford Court University, Leicester in UK, indicated that violence in northern Nigeria, usually in the form of ethnoreligious conflicts is caused by poverty and adverse hunger.

The communiqué which was signed by Aliyu Musa, on behalf of the communiqué drafting committee, added that the scourge has affected the society with such depth that people react in sometimes very unpredictable and unreasonable manner.

On how to tackle the insecurity in the region, the body said "serious, sincere and deliberate efforts must be made to significantly reduce poverty.

"Also, justice must be dispensed to all irrespective of gender, tribe/ ethnicity or creed", the body said.

It also called on governments at all levels, social and religious institutions and members of the society to contribute their bits in ensuring fairness and social cohesion.

T

he Kano state branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), has assured the residents of the ancient city of the availability of drugs in registered pharmaceutical shops and government hospitals in the state despite the closure of the Sabon-Gari drugs market.

A statement made available on Sunday to newsmen in Kano signed by the PSN Kano branch chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Gana

the government to close the market is in the best interest of the people of the state.

It will be recalled that the government took the decision to close the market in on the premise that the concentration of drugs shops in the market breeds counterfeit and fake drugs around the state.

The closure came into effect the 31st December, 2012. Our correspondent observed that the sellers complied and the entire

Rimi market has been shut down.

The statement reads in part: “we assure you that the decision of the government to close the market is in the best interest of Kano people and all beneficiaries of pharmaceutical service.

“The people in the state can get drugs prescribed to them from government hospitals, registered pharmaceutical premises and patent medicine shops including Lafia Jari shops”.

Auto crash: Churches pray for Wada From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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ost churches in Kogi state yesterday, pettitioned for the quick recovery of the state governor, Capt Idis Wada from the injury he sustained during an auto crash on Friday

December 28, 2012.

At Saint Francis Catholic Church Ganaja Junction, Lokoja the congregation prayed against anything happening to the governor at this point, as it would be a serious setback.

According to Rev Father John Femi of Church of the Archangels, Gadumo along Lokoja-Ajaokuta road, "anybody who wants to rule Kogi state, sentiments apart, should canvass for his own votes and leave the present governor alone".

We'll overcome security challenges in 2013 – IGP

By Lambert Tyem

T

he Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) MD Abubakar, yesterday on behalf of the Police High Command promised that the force shall overcome the insecurity confronting the nation

in 2013.

Speaking through PPRO, Frank Mba, the IG saluted Nigerians both at home and abroad on the auspicious moment of the New Year celebration.

He commended Nigerians for their vigilance, partnership and

support for the Police, without which the task of policing Nigeria in 2012 would have been near impossible.

Abubakar enjoined citizens not to relent, but rather continue to assist the force even with greater vigour in the months ahead.

Nigeria on verge of change – Okotie From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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residential aspirant, Rev. Chris Okotie has warned that Nigeria is on the verge of change that would usher the country into a new era.

In a New Year message in Lagos yesterday, the pastor-politician said: “Nigeria is on the verge of change and it is imminent and auspicious. Chairman Mao said: “If the people no longer fear your power, it is because another power is on its way”.

Reviewing the state of the nation in 2012, he observed: “Poor governance is at the root of most of our national problems. The spate of high profile kidnappings, terror attacks, criminalities of all shades are directly related to the failure of governance in 2012. And unless the ruling elite change the paradigm and embrace purposeful governance, things are not going to change as expected.

“Our leaders should also do away with the habit of bandying economic indices of positive growth that cannot be directly related to the mass poverty and dysfunctional realities on ground”, according to Okotie, adding “we must begin to close the gap between rhetoric and service delivery”.

He argued that the pursuit of true democracy, equity and justice were sine qua non for peace, and development in any modern society. The pastorpolitician called on President Goodluck Jonathan to exercise strong leadership expected of a president whose country is embroiled in complex sociopolitical and economic crisis.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

PAGE 4

Jigawa fire service saved properties worth N359m in 2012 From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

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he Jigawa State Directorate of Fire Service says it has saved properties worth over N359 million in the outgoing year 2012.

The deputy director of the Directorate, Muhammad Rabiu Nda, made this known while briefing newsmen on the activities of the agency in the outgoing year.

He said other properties worth over N139 million were lost during the period under review.

Malam Nda said 80 lives were lost through various fire outbreaks and road accidents in the 2012.

He also said 253 person's lives were saved and 95 animals were also rescued while 35 animals were lost during the period under review.

Nda explained that the Directorate received 194 fire calls and one 144 rescue calls.

He then called on people to be extra careful while handling fire especially during the harmattan.

Vigilantes arrest seven cattle rustlers, recover arms in Bauchi

Jubril Aminu flays Governors' Forum

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en.

Jubril Aminu, yesterday described the Nigerian Governors' Forum as strange and an instrument for oppressing the Federal Government and the people.

Aminu made the remark at a media briefing, organised by the Adamawa Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Yola.

"It is very strange. I worked in many countries and have not

seen anything like such a forum.

"The Governors' Forum is what is used to oppress everybody, including the President", Aminu said.

He said the forum always ensured that state governors had their way in everything, including nominating who became an ambassador or member of the National Assembly.

"I don't know how the forum came about in this country. And if it is not checked, it will put the country in serious trouble, as the state chief executives unite to challenge the Federal Government", Aminu said.

He called for the application of internal democracy in the running of the political parties. He cautioned against the politics of sentiment and stressed that the

introduction of sentiments in the nomination of candidates would bring about tyrants in public office.

Aminu protested against the intervention of Gov. Sule Lamido committee in the crisis in Adamawa PDP and said he had no confidence in the choice of Lamido, because of his relationship with Gov. Murtala Nyako of Adamawa state. (NAN)

R-L: President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife Patience, and the President’s mother, Mrs. Eunice Jonathan, during worship New Year service, yesterday at the All Saints Church of Nigeria, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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vigilante group known as Donga Security in Toro local government area of Bauchi state has arrested seven suspected cattle rustlers over stolen cows and recovered arms from them.

This was disclosed by the state chairman of the group, Alhaji Shehu Musa in Bauchi. Musa said "We received a report that many cattle were stolen, so we followed and pursued them inside the bush between Dass and Toro local government areas. And we succeeded in arresting the suspects and we also recovered all the stolen cows.

According to him, the suspects have confessed to have committed the offense saying "during the arrest, we recovered two guns, two axes, three machetes, three bows and arrows".

He said the suspects will be handed over to the Divisional Police Officer in Toro for further investigation and prosecution.

He solicited the support from the people as well as useful information that could lead to the arrest of criminals.

Two of the suspects, Mohammed Kabiru and Buba Alhaji, said they stole two cows each separately and added them to their own herd on their way to grazing areas and pleaded for leniency.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of Bauchi state command, ASP Abbas Abdullahi, said they are yet to receive the report saying they may get the report after the public holidays.

NGO gives free eye treatment to 160 persons in Kogi From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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o fewer than 160 persons have been operated for various eye diseases including cataract, glaucoma and therrigium, in the ongoing free eye care treatment being carried out by a nongovernmental organisation, (NGO), Asmau Foundation, at the Okene General Hospital in

Kogi state.

The president and founder of the organisation, Alhaji Sanusi Abubakar, who disclosed this to journalists yesterday in Okene, noted that the death of his mother spurred him to rededicate his life to service to humanity.

"My late mother meant everything to me. She loved me so that she stopped at nothing to

make me happy. Unfortunately when I was to give back what she gave to me, she died. I then decided that I will start an NGO to immortalise her name and that was the birth of Asmau Foundation", he said.

Abubakar also stated that this was the sixth edition of the free eye treatment at the Zonal Hospital Okene in Okene local government area of Kogi state.

Jigawa to construct 271 kilometres roads at N26bn From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

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he Jigawa state government is currently constructing 271 kilometre-lengths of various roads awarded in the out gone year 2012 worth N26 billion.

The Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Baba S. Aliyu stated this while speaking on the achievements of the Ministry in 2012.

The commissioner said the roads comprise six roads that cut across all the three senatorial zones in the state.

Alhaji Aliyu explained that in order to ensure prudent management of government funds, the ministry's engineers

were responsible for the design, plan and award all the projects that saved the state over N500 million if it had engaged the services of external consultants.

He stated that the ministry had never abandoned projects it started or even inherited, assuring of strict adherence to due process in the execution of projects.

The roads awarded include Unguwar Mani-Koriyal to Gwiwa, Limawa-WarwadeJidawa to Sakwaya, DanladiHammado to Sule Tankarkar, Arawa to Baturiya, SukullufiKale to Gunka and to Wurno.

The commissioner said the ministry has established a design laboratory for the easy designing

and planning of new roads in the state.

He said the ministry has achieved a lot under the leadership of Governor Sule Lamido in the provision of roads and other infrastructure, adding that roads have key value to the lives of people especially to their economic activities and transportation of their loved ones.

He said the ministry has constructed five valley bridges in 2011 and in 2012 comprising that of Gunka which was over flooded during the rainy season.

The commissioner said the state government has constructed 20 roads with a distance of 1,300 kilometres at the cost of N56 billion.

He noted that the foundation was primarily established to bring light to humanity; "thus choosing free eye treatment was a fulfillment of the mandate", stressing that he would work hard to remain consistent with the operation.

According to him Asmau Foundation which commenced eyes treatment at the central senatorial zone of the state three years ago has so far treated over 5,000 persons adding that over 1500 patients have so far been attended to on this edition.

"When I look at this figures who in their closet would say Asmau had given us sight, it makes me a fulfilled man" he noted with enthusiasm.

He added that as a Muslim, he did not embark on the project for political consideration but to contribute his quota to the enhancement of the wellbeing of the people, saying "I would be a happy man if I could cover the entire state in the shortest possible time".

He however urged well-to-do indigenes of the state to make philanthropy a culture, noting that government alone cannot provide all the health needs of the people.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

PAGE 5

‘Alleged N3bn Scam: Ex-PICOMSS chair fights back’ – MY RESPONSE

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n its 15th December, 2012 edition, The Nation newspaper carried a story with the above heading, based on an interview it had with the EX-PICOMSS Chairman, AVM Atawodi (rtd), in which he denied all allegations of wrongdoing I levelled against him in my petitions to The President and the DG, SSS, and challenged me to prove the allegations.

There have also been appearing in newspapers, stories alluding to my having collected from the government huge sums of money which I have supposedly diverted without fulfilling my contractual obligations to the government.

1. I have wholly and fully accepted the challenge to me by Atawodi as contained in the said edition of the “The Nation” newspaper captioned “ALLEGED N3bn SCAM: Ex– PICOMSS Chair fights back.”

MY RESPONSE AND EVIDENCE ON AVM ATAWODI (RTD) I, Rabiu Hassan, hereby confirm, re-assert and declare that it is absolutely true that the N620, 910,000.00 paid to me by AVM Atawodi and credited into my account on the 28th November, 2011 with A/C. No. 1830010246947901- HYPERTECH NIGERIAN LTD was indeed and in fact mostly converted into USD$ which AVM Atawodi collected and diverted for his private use. EXHIBIT A here attached is an extract from the official statement of account detailing the transactions carried out by me, the dates, specific amounts, the names of the beneficiaries and the Bureaux De Change that I used to purchase USD$ which, with the exception of the last item on the extract, were mostly delivered by me personally to AVM Atawodi. The Extract statement from ECOBANK speaks for itself even though it excluded some of the transactions carried out through a micro-finance Bank to purchase USD$ for the same purpose. The extract also does not contain details of some direct withdrawals by me and or through other parties, all of which were for and at the behest of AVM Atawodi (please find here Exhibit A 1 which is from the original statement of account showing those items omitted in Exhibit A above).

What is fundamentally proven by the extract from ECOBANK is the fact that monies from the N620,910,000.00 paid by PICOMSS were at various times and in varying quantum withdrawn or used to purchase USD$.

Exhibits A & A1 on their own do not prove that the Dollars so converted were actually collected by AVM Atawodi, it may be argued.

But I have three (3) living witnesses that could testify and (two) 2 have indeed testified, one via sworn court affidavit and the other in witness statement as being privy to the fact that AVM Atawodi did collect the monies. In fact, on the 1st occasion, one of the witnesses was actually physically present.

These 3 witnesses are: (a) The Bank branch manager-Ecobank Plc. (b) Jingina Mohammed – My driver and a witness to the actual exchange of the 1st sum of USD$ 1.3 Million given to AVM Atawodi. (c) Mr. Roland (second name unknown to me) a protégé, close confidant and right hand man of AVM Atawodi, who in fact lives with the Atawodi family in the family home at Maitama, Abuja, for very many years and is, as far as I know, still living there.

Mr. Roland took physical possession of the money USD$ 1.3million at the car park of the IBB Golf Club and on the instructions of AVM Atawodi.

From the very beginning, I was fully aware that the N620 million was meant to be stolen because Atawodi made it very clear to me that he was in a hurry to get some money and service some judges handling the various litigations that followed the outcome of the Kogi State gubernatorial election disputes in which Atawodi was a candidate. Atawodi also confided in me the need to service some members of the National Assembly working for his bill before the NASS for the conversion of PICOMSS from an AD-HOC Committee into a full government agency.

I am no saint myself in this matter. On Atawodi’s instruction, I took USD$400,000 for myself. I have freely confessed to this fact in my statements to the SSS and EFCC investigators.

The transfer to my account was done without any documentation whatsoever. I never ever presented any invoice or demand for payment. I did not sign any payment voucher nor was there any contract or agreement between PICOMSS and myself

as at the time the money was credited into my account.

For the record the N620,910, 000.00 paid by PICOMSS is not USD $ 4.4 million as reported by The Nation newspaper. As at the 28/11/2011 the open market value of the Naira to Dollar was at N167.5 – USD $ 1, which means the N620,910,000 was worth USD $3,760,925.37. EXHIBIT A1 also shows that Mohammed Mustapha of Hypertech Nig. Limited received the sum of N10 million from the N620 million largesse. M. Mustapha should step forward and tell Nigerians what the N10 million he collected was for. For the record, M. Mustapha was a direct beneficiary and part and parcel of the stolen N620 million.

2. ON N 1 BILLION CLAIM “There is fresh evidence showing that over N1 billion was paid out so far but none of the six Boats has been delivered”.

The quote is attributed to a source close to the SSS investigation team as reported in The Nation’s news story.

I bought these six (6) boats at an auctioned price of only Euros • 250, 000.00 each (basic), which amounts to Euros •1.5 million for the six (6) boats.

Atawodi requested the inclusion of optional items such as Radars, Navigation equipment’, night vision systems and spare parts etc. which after negotiations brought the total cost of the boats to Euros • 2,013,563.00million. And it was this price that the then NSA – Gen. Azazi (late) insisted on paying for the boats, less the cost of

AVM ATAWODE (rtd) The man at the centre of it all!

NSA SAMBO DASUKI ‘what is his agenda?’

DAVID MAMAN & SHAY TAL - The Notorious ‘Jews’

shipping and my agency fee. See Exhibits B1 – B10. So where does the alleged N 1 billion come from? I challenge anyone in this world to come up with proof that I got paid N 1 billion or more!!

Exhibits B3 – B5 are proof that I paid Euro 1, 820,000 to TP Marine out of Euro 2,013,000.00 with all transfers and receipts attached. Exhibit B6 is a copy of the certificate of ownership all of which have been released to me by TP Marine.

2A. WHY THE SIX BOATS ARE NOT DELIVERED The conspiracy between Atawodi, the “2 Jews” who own M15 – and Mohammed Mustapha of Hypertech Nig. Ltd is the reason why the Boats have not yet been delivered. 1st, M15 sued Mohammed Mustapha in court in Holland and obtained a temporary court order attaching 3 of the 6 boats. See EXHIBITs C1 -C7. Place these in context with particular notice to the dates and the conspiracy is glaringly clear. With Azazi out and Sambo Dasuki in (Dasuki being another colleague and course mate of Atawodi), Atawodi must have been emboldened to re-launch his bid to defraud Nigeria of the 15.5 million Euros.

The “2 Jews” are ostensibly claiming USD$500,000 from M. Mustapha which they allegedly paid as deposit for the boats on behalf of Mustapha and 50% of the PICOMSS contract profit due to M. Mustapha. They showed an agreement they signed with M. Mustapha as proof.

I challenge anyone including the “2 Jews” Mustapha and PICOMSS to produce any contract awarded by PICOMSS to Mustapha to supply the 6 boats! I aver and assert that no such legally binding contract exists anywhere between PICOMSS and anybody.

I challenge the “2 Jews,” Mustapha and PICOMSS/Atawodi to show proof that PICOMSS or any of them paid a single kobo to TP Marine on the so-called PICOMSS contract. And I assert that the claim of the “Jews” to have invested USD$500,000 is a fraud and blatant lie! Exhibit B10 proves that beyond doubt.

3. ON HOW THE N 620,910,000.00 (USD $ 4 MILLION CAME ABOUT) The deal for the purchase of the six (6) boats at the cost of Euros •15.5 million was based on Atawodi’s claim that the then NSA (now late General Azazi) had in fact jointly with Atawodi determined that the boats should be bought by PICOMSS at the cost of Euros 3.2 million each. Azazi was going to release the money to PICOMSS to pay for the boats. Atawodi reminded me that Azazi was a very close friend and confidant, that they were actually course mates at The Nigeria Defence Academy and that with Azazi in on the deal and paying, we had no need for due process certification. In fact, Atawodi assured me that the full •15.5 million would be paid by Gen. Azazi within a week and that the entire deal would be wrapped-up in 2 weeks time.

Atawodi collected my banking details, summoned his accountant and ordered that the sum of USD $ 4 million in local currency be paid into my account. N620, 910,000.00, apparently calculated as the equivalent of USD $4,000,000.00 at the official rate, was paid into my account by PICOMSS. My evidence here is the sales contract signed between PICOMSS and Hypertech UK Ltd/Hypertech Nig. Ltd for •15.5 million without recourse to any due process or approval. See Exhibits D1-D3 (Note: The EXHIBIT here attached is a back-dated document. My witness is PICOMSS’ secretary, Col Gabriel Musa).

4. ON GENERALAZAZI (LATE) After a period of one month passed with no payment coming from Azazi, and with my personal investment already committed and the N620,910,000.00 paid by PICOMSS already gone, I became very worried and decided to enquire as to what was going on.

Atawodi’s response was that he had suddenly realised that Azazi was his enemy and was in fact not only refusing to release the money to PICOMSS but was also behind the withdrawal of PICOMSS bill before the National Assembly.

Atawodi assured and advised me not to panic as he had cut a deal with the National Assembly for PICOMSS to be voted huge sums of money in the 2012 budget which this time around would not be buried under the NSA’s budget, but CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

MOHAMMED MUSTAPHA ‘Hungry and desperate’

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‘Alleged N3bn Scam: . . . . .

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

would be paid directly to PICOMSS. He also said that I should just wait for the budget details to come out and he, Atawodi, would have the money to pay me to continue with the transaction.

Atawodi informed me that all he needed to do was pass my papers through the BPP, obtain a certificate of no objection and that he didn’t need the NSA anymore.

This was patently absurd and total madness to me. Here was a man, whom Atawodi alleged was in on the deal to inflate the price of the boats and overnight this same very man became Atawodi’s greatest enemy on earth. My senses simply could not accept this abrupt somersault and I knew something had gone badly wrong with the deal.

I personally knew Gen. Azazi as a friend and associate to whom I had free access as the NSA. I decided to check on Azazi to find out what had gone wrong as I was still working on the assumption that Azazi was part and parcel of the deal.

I made arrangement and saw Gen. Azazi, confronted him with the case of the PICOMSS deal and required to know what had gone wrong.

Azazi was utterly and totally shocked and rendered speechless by my assertion that he and Atawodi had fixed the price at which the boats should be bought by Nigeria and which had led me into a major financial commitment only for things to go awry at this late stage.

After Azazi had regained his composure, he sat me down and swore in all the names of what is holy that he has never sat down with Atawodi to discuss, determine or fix the price at which the boats were to be bought by PICOMSS. Azazi informed me that Atawodi came to him requesting him to approve and release •15.5 million to enable PICOMSS acquire 6 boats which they had sourced in Holland, and that his response to Atawodi was that he couldn’t release that kind of money to PICOMSS unless Mr. President approved such an expenditure.

Azazi told me he advised Atawodi to write him an official memo stating PICOMSS’ requirement, and he (Azazi) would then forward his own memo to Mr. President seeking for Mr. President’s approval for such expenditure by PICOMSS. Atawodi presented the memo on the basis of which Azazi filed a memo to The President on PICOMSS request.

According to Azazi, Mr. President, having gone through the memo informed him that he would only approve the request if the original due process certification of the contract for the boats originally awarded by MOD in 2007, was made available to him.

Mr. President’s position was conveyed back to Atawodi by Azazi, with a request that Atawodi comply and present the certification for presentation to Mr. President. Azazi insisted that was all that ever occurred between him and Atawodi on the issue of the 6 boats.

In fact, Azazi went on to intimate me of the fact that on 3 consecutive occasions Mr. President had cause to ask him about the due process papers and that he felt very embarrassed before The President and that consequently, he chose to completely ignore Atawodi/PICOMSS on the matter of the boats and never referred to it again.

I had every reason to believe Gen. Azazi’s version because he was clearly unaware of the true cost of the 6 boats which was only •1.5 million, as against the •15.5 million PICOMSS was requesting and was stunned beyond belief when I casually revealed to him the actual cost of the boats.

I suggested to Azazi that since Atawodi was one floor below his office, he should Summon Atawodi to join us and confront him with all these facts.

Gen. Azazi decided on a different approach, probably considering it beneath his dignity to have an open confrontation with Atawodi, especially in front of a relative outsider like me.

On the spot, Azazi took a number of decisions: He directed me to steer clear of the PICOMSS contraption, and deliver the 6 boats to the Nigerian Army and not PICOMSS; and he assured that he, Azazi, as the NSA, would pay me for the boats as part of his contribution to the Nigerian Army.

In front of me he summoned the Chief of Army Staff, who arrived Azazi’s office while I was still within the premises. And Azazi later informed me that he had asked the Chief of Army Staff to, with immediate effect, forward him a memo as to whether the Nigerian Army still required the boats or not, and that the COAS promptly submitted a memo strongly soliciting for the boats. Azazi also informed me that he had already given his approval to the transaction on the memo submitted by the COAS. Azazi made it very clear to me that he was not awarding me a contract but is only cleaning up the mess created by PICOMSS and therefore he was paying for the boats at the exact auction price that I got them for i.e •2, 013,000.00 million – not a kobo more, not a kobo less – and that he would pay me for my services only the sum of •600,000.00, for which I thanked him and indicated my acceptance.

See EXHIBITS D1 & D2 in evidence of the instalments approved and paid me by Azazi and Col. Sambo Dasuki, the new NSA. Both Azazi & Sambo paid me and dealt with me as HYPERTECH (MR) Ltd. Neither of them recognised any other company or names.

As far as the case of the Army Boats is concerned, Gen. Azazi played a very positive role by stopping the PICOMSS scam and saving the Federal Government of Nigeria over 13 million Euros. If he – Gen. Azazi – was part of the scam, he wouldnt have done this.

Gen. Azazi is now late and cannot speak for himself. But Mr. President is very much with us and is best placed to stand up for Azazi by confirming or denying what Azazi had attributed to him.

The Chief of Army Staff is still with us as the COAS. The Special Assistant to the late Gen. Azazi and Gen. Wiwa, Azazi’s Chief of Operations are all alive and may have been privy to Gen. Azazi’s side of the story. I think the least that Gen. Azazi

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013 deserves from the COAS and those that worked closely with him is the moral courage to speak up for the dead man who was their close friend and mentor. See Exhibit D3.

5. ON THE “JEWS” (DAVID MAMAN AND SHAY TAL) OF M15 There have for decades been operating in Nigeria, largely legitimately, serious minded, committed and honest Israeli businessmen and women with very solid names and reputations built over time.

The “JEWS” typified by the characters behind M15 are relatively new breed of Israelis and distinguished from the normal Israelis we knew by their utter and complete lack of conscience, insatiable and vicious greed and their capacity and willingness to do anything for money. These characters are the “MONEY GRUBBERS”, “the USERERS” and “heartless exploiters.”

M15 or David Maman and Shay Tal, whose generally unscrupulous conduct in handling government contracts is widely known, are out only to fleece Nigeria at all cost. These crookish businessmen are not only behind the 145 million Euros project designed to dupe Nigeria on the so-called 5 year contract for the leasing of 2 Israeli spy satellites from IMAGESAT – an Israeli state owned company – a project whose real value is less than USD $40 million (note: USD $ not Euros), they also are guilty of having duped both the BPP and the FCTA administration into approving the purchase of 1 unit surveillance balloon at USD $1.9 million while the actual cost of the project is less than USD 300,000. The same Jews were kicked out of Akwa Ibom state by current Governor - Godswill Akpabio – for duping the state in a deal for provision of equipment and material support for the tracking and apprehension of kidnappers. The duo are also, even as I write, still being investigated by the EFCC for alleged criminal breach of contract against the FGN. These “2 JEWS” are Atawodi’s henchmen and professional experts at misleading, manipulating, concocting and feeding false information to the BPP for Atawodi – PICOMSS to obtain the desired Certificate of No Objection on the 15.5 million Euro boats deal. They deliberately lied by giving the BPP false information and specifications about the boats. They also lied and presented themselves to the BPP as the manufacturers’ representatives. See Exhibits E1 – E3.

6. ON MOHAMMED MUSTAPHA OF HYPERTECH NIG. LTD This is a young, very hungry, unprincipled, opportunistic and desperate Nigerian. It is very easy to understand how and why M. Mustapha can so easily be drawn into the web of conspiracy and deceit by Atawodi and the 2 “JEWS,” given the figure of 15.5 million Euros being dangled before the eyes of such an unprincipled and desperate character.

Mohammed Mustapha was nothing more than an ingrate, a liar, impostor, betrayer and convenient tool at the hands of Atawodi and M15 – the “JEWS”. The boy is so desperate that he actually wrote the NSA asking for a double payment of N659,332,144.00 to get the boats delivered.

7. CRUX OF THE MATTER: ARE THE 6 BOATS PAID FOR

BY ME OR NOT? WAS THE MONEY PAID ME BY THE NSA FOR THE BOATS DIVERTED OR APPLIED FOR THE PURPOSE IT WAS MEANT FOR? Here, I need not comment. Refer to EXHIBITS B1 – B10 above.

And I challenge anybody in this world to prove the contrary! I have paid fully for the boats less an outstanding balance of Euro 154,000 which my lawyers in Holland refuse to release in view of the court attachments by M15.

8. THE CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE: A COVER-UP OF JUST SHEER INCOMPETENCE? Here is a very interesting question! You have a situation in which The President’s NSA paid up a total sum of EURO 1.5 million to me for the supply of the 6 boats to the Nigerian Army! On the other hand, you have “2 JEWS”, M. Mustapha and Atawodi/ PICOMSS claiming ownership of the very same 6 boats on which the ONSA expended the sum of EURO 1.5 million!

And yet, neither the NSA nor any other relevant authority in Nigeria is asking questions or bothered to find out what is going on until my open petition to The President and the D-G SSS. This is so incredible! What is going on? The least one will expect is that I be taken to task to explain the anomaly? No one did! And this is in spite of my innumerable letters, reports, memos and pleadings to the NSA, all of which to date I’ve never ever received even an acknowledgement letter. This is also in spite of my Holland lawyers’ several written requests to the NSA and other authorities which were never either acknowledged or replied. This is also in spite of the various written communications by TP Marine – the manufacturer of the 6 boats – to both the NSA, the Army authorities and the MOD, none of which was ever acknowledged or responded to!

EXHIBITS F1 - F5 here attached speak for themselves!

So why the conspiracy of silence? Is it an attempt to coverup and save one of “our own” or just sheer incompetence or the usual NO ONE GIVES A DAMN!! I demand an answer!!!

9. BELLO FADILE & THE NSA’S INVESTIGATION The investigation instituted by the NSA and being handled by Col. Bello Fadile (rtd), Director for Special Duties, ONSA was from the very beginning either diversionary or mischievous or is meant to achieve an undisclosed agenda. Clearly, the investigation is not really about the 6 boats/PICOMSS. Nor was it about the very serious crimes against Nigeria as reported by me in my petition which includes the Euro 145 million satellite deal, the Naval Dockyard fraud, the MOD failed contracts scam deal, amongst others. What agenda are the NSA and Bello Fadile pursuing?

Are the NSA and Fadile on the side of Nigeria or whose interest are they serving? See Exhibits G1-G3.

10.

ON PICOMSS Most of the Newspaper stories about the scandals at PICOMSS have focused largely on the issues of the supply of the six patrol boats and the scam associated therein.

In my actual petition, I had emphasised more on the fundamentally very very corrupt and rotten structure that PICOMSS had become, principally used as a vehicle for the siphoning of public funds.

I had for instance, referred to the 2011 National budget of Nigeria in which PICOMSS, an ad-hoc committee set up by the presidency, was somehow allocated the sum of N50 billion, which is twice the N25 billion allocated to the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) in the same 2011 national budget.

Nobody seems to have paid much attention to this anomaly. In spite of the fact that legally and constitutionally, PICOMSS is not entitled to a share of the national budget of Nigeria in its capacity as an ad-hoc committee, it was allocated such a mind-boggling amount in the Appropriation Act of 2011, hidden under the budget of the ONSA. This has been the tradition since I knew PICOMSS. To the best of my knowledge, PICOMSS was not set up by, neither does it report to the NSA. PICOMSS was originally set up by the presidency under the umbrella of the Federal Ministry of Transport with the Honourable Minister of Transport as Chairman and membership drawn from various places.

In fact, PICOMSS was originally housed within the premises of the Ministry of Transport. I’m not privy to how it came about that the Minister of Transport no longer Chairs PICOMSS. Nor am I aware as to the fact and circumstances under which PICOMSS was lent office spaces within the office of the NSA. It is a fundamental breach of our constitution for PICOMSS to have direct access to the national budget of Nigeria. But it was very convenient for PICOMSS and its promoters and patrons for PICOMSS to appear to be part of the office of the NSA. My petition did not focus on the so-called N3 billion scam over the supply of six units of K38 boats. I had, in my petition, brought up specific charges of massive official corruption, total disregard to and the manipulation of the due process or procurement law which under the leadership of AVM Atawodi led to the massive fraud perpetrated in the acquisition of two or three private air crafts, the project for hanger construction in Benin and Lagos and the project or contract for the supply and installation of a National Maritime Rader coverage of the coastal waters of Nigeria, to mention just a few.

All these allegations have been totally ignored by the Bello Fadile-led NSA’s investigation in spite of my assertions that if investigated none of these projects would be found to have conformed with, or passed the due process of Government in the management of public funds. These projects have cost Nigeria tens of millions of Dollars & Euros, carried out by an ad-hoc committee which I still challenge to produce evidence of a Presidential or Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval for any of its projects or contracts.

But this has always been the case in PICOMSS, as even before the ascendency of Atawodi as Chairman of PICOMSS, a fraud of monumental proportion in which Nigeria was bled of over •240 million Euros, ostensibly paid as the cost of a contract for the total radar coverage of Nigeria’s Maritime borders, at the end of which only three units of unserviceable UAVs and five units of 40 nautical mile capacity of unusable radars were supplied and dumped in Nigeria, none of which had ever worked to date, occurred.

This grand theft was perpetrated by an even more notorious Israeli defence contractor called Amit – owner of the infamous company known as DOLYATECH – through a front company registered in Israel called AERONAUTICS and with the active connivance and collusion of the leadership of PICOMSS and very top-placed government and close personal aides of The President of Nigeria.

The recent revelations by the Nuhu Ribadu committee about the over N19 billion paid to PICOMSS from the NNPC accounts only confirm my stated position that PICOMSS has been a massively corrupt and major drain pipe of the Nation’s resources, not accountable to any body and operating in total disregard to any laid down procedure or due process of Government.

11. THE THREAT TO MY LIFE My life and that of my family have been under threat since my petition on the official corruption and the subversion of Nigeria’s security and defence interests through the award of fraudulent and often unexecuted defence and security contracts or projects.

This threat to my life and my family are very real and serious.

Just last week, Thursday, December 27, 2012, my house was invaded and forcefully broken into by 3 truck-load of heavily armed policemen in company of the “2 Jews,” Shay Tal and David Maman, at about 2pm in the afternoon. Investigations are going on to determine where from and by whose authority the police came and invaded my house in company of the “Jews.”

The invading policemen and the “2 Jews,” where at my house demanding for my whereabouts, knowing fully well my office address. The invaders illegally arrested 4 of my domestic staff, and had them detained for hours at the Life Camp Police Division on no account.

My lawyer and I have sought for protection from the SSS and Police. Suffice it to say that no amount of threat to my life or my freedom can silence me. I have a lot more documents and information on what has been going on. And I will sing like a canary. I say to all my detractors, please bring it on. I am equal to the challenges, even though they control and have access to the apparatus of state coercion and I stand alone with only the truth and with God on my side.

I hereby call on Mr. President to institute a high-powered judicial commission of inquiry into the Defence and Security contracts awards for the last two decades to see how Nigeria lost hundreds of billions of US Dollars.

Signed: Rabiu Hassan Abuja 02-01-2013

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

2012 full of insecurity, tragedies – Yuguda From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

T

he Bauchi state governor, Malam Isa Yuguda has described the outgoing year as one full of insecurity and tragedies for the Nigeria and many families.

The governor who stated this in his New Year l message in Bauchi Monday said 2012 witnessed the passing away of prominent Nigerians, natural

and man- made disasters particularly in Nigeria.

He urged all and sundry to reflect on the previous year and take stock of happenings during the year with a view to planning for a better 2013.

He said “the last one year witnessed many tragedies which included the passing away of prominent Nigerians. Various parts of the country were also ravaged by flood disaster during

the last raining season. I wish to use this occasion to commiserate with the families of the deceased and victims of the flood disaster.”

Yuguda noted that the year under review witnessed security challenges in his state but which he said were brought under control “by the grace of the Almighty God through collective efforts of the state government and security agencies.”

The governor enjoined every

citizen in the state to resolve in the New Year to live in peace with his neighbour irrespective of religious, cultural or political differences.

“We should also continue to fervently pray for the security challenges to come to an end and for the peace to reign throughout the country,” he said.

Yuguda reiterated his commitment to promoting mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among citizens in the

state.

He said: “As government, we are committed to ensuring the security of lives and property of all the people of Bauchi State”.

“We would leave no stone unturned in our efforts to ensure that we continue to enjoy peace in Bauchi State where all citizens will move freely without any molestation. I therefore call on you to support us in realising this goal”, he added.

PCC goes tough on aviation, telecom sectors in New Year From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

P

L-R: Kano state Governor, Dr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso going through a road project design with a consultant, Engr. Hassan Kuliya, on Monday at Government House, Kano.

Wada calls for peace From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

T

he Kogi state governor, Captain Idris Wada has urged Nigerians to continue in the spirit of unity and brotherhood that have long kept them as one big family.

In his New Year messages on Monday, Captain Wada congratulated indigenes of Kogi State and indeed other Nigerians, especially the Christian community for witnessing these festivals.

"It is my prayers that the New Year will usher our country into a season of unprecedented peace, security, joy and economic well being "For us as a government, this

year’s celebration is unique. It is the first New Year season our administration is marking in office "Let me therefore commend indigenes and other people resident in our dear state, for the level of orderliness and peace in our society.

"Your unflinching support and cooperation with our administration has ensured the steady transformation being recorded by government", he said.

According to him, "If not for anything, we must remember our country and its leadership at a festive season such as this. Indeed, the receding year has come with its own challenges.

"We recall the enormous challenge posed by the recent flood

that ravaged our state and other parts of the country".

The governor therefore called on Nigerians to pray and commit the land to the protection and blessings of the Almighty God adding that his administration was committed in the last months to laying the foundation of a genuine transformation agenda for the state.

"As we go into the New Year, government will continue the execution of programmes that will emancipate our society from the shackles of despair and poverty" he said and called on the security operatives in the state to maintain order and respect for humanity and security of lives and property of the state.

ublic Complaints Commission (PCC) said it will focus more and investigate the activities in the aviation, telecommunication sectors and employers of labour, in general, this year.

PCC Federal Commissioner, Mr. Funsho Olukoga while briefing newsmen in Lagos said that the commission would focus on complaints arising from airfares in both domestic and international routes.

“Secondly, if there is sufficient reason to investigate injustice or the breach of rights of Lagos citizens by service providers in the telecommunications industry, we will investigate.

“We will also probe the activities of employers who terminate services of employees without paying them due benefits,” he said.

Olukoga said the commission received 349 complaints in 2012 and 255 complaints were fully resolved since it was inaugurated in May 2012.

The commissioner also disclosed that in the last seven

Nasarawa gets N300m IGR monthly From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

N

asarawa state now realises N300 million monthly as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which represents a slight increase over the average N280 million previously attained.

Acting chairman of the state revenue board, Usman Okposhi, disclosed this to journalists in Lafia, Monday, in response to allegations of underhand dealings at the board, which he dismissed as normal

NOA boss calls for more unity in 2013

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

A

s Nigerians celebrate the New Year, the Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri tasked them to be more united in 2013 to project the country in good light.

Omeri also called on Nigerians

to exhibit more tolerance and good neighbourliness in order to enjoy greater peace and stability in 2013.

A statement issued yesterday by the Chief Press Secretary of the agency, Paul Odenyi, challenged Nigerians to resolve to make 2013 the year in which all forms of insecurity would be brought to a

final end so as to proceed to a future where national development is unhindered.

He praised the resolve of Nigerians to remain invisible and urged them not to be distracted by elements that are hell-bent on creating chaos in the land.

Further, Omeri asked Nigerians to continue to have faith

months, the commission performed well by identifying with Lagosians and registering itself in their minds.

He explained that in the course of analysing complaints registered with it, the commission became convinced that there was need to focus more on certain areas which could potentially generate complaints from Lagos residents.

He explained further that as part of measures to bring the activities of the commission to the people, the commission would embark on sensitisation and collaboration with relevant organs such as consumer protection agencies, labour unions, DPP and law enforcement agencies to ensure that citizens rights are protected.

Apart from these, he assured that the commission would establish units in the local governments where citizens would be sensitised and encouraged to bring their complaints to the commission.

The Public Complaints Commission was enacted through the Act of Parliament and was commissioned this year.

in President Goodluck Jonathan’s leadership, just as he assured that better days were ahead.

He reiterated the commitment of the present administration to providing adequate security for protection of lives and property as well as providing basic infrastructure to enhance the living conditions of Nigerians.

political witchhunt by rival parties.

Okposhi observed that since his assumption of duty as acting chairman of the board, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura, has sustained a close supervision on the activities of the board, warning him not to compromise on matters relating to revenue due to mounting pressure.

According to the acting chairman, “we don’t collect cash here. All the ministries, boards and parastatals pay their taxes at the bank and only tellers are forwarded to us.”

While observing that the payment of taxes in the state has been affected by the recent implementation of the new tax regime, as well as the new minimum wage, Okposhi stated that despite the lean resources, the governor is doing his best, though “Nasarawa lacks good sources of revenue because it has no industries”.

“So if we cannot help him (governor), let us not abuse him”, he maintained.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Insurance gift for the new born I

t is usually exciting when a new baby is born. Now you find friends and relatives of the celebrating family troop in their numbers to present one form of gift or the other. These come in form of cash or baby things, which help the nursing parents, start life for the new born.

Unfortunately, some of these gifts are forgotten after sometime and even the new child may not have a trace of the gifts received on his behalf when he eventually grows up.

But if you give insurance to the child, not only would it make more impact on the life of the baby, he or she would grow to enjoy the benefit, and incidentally traced to the source of the gift.

So, one gift that remains memorable which can be presented to the child via his parents is education insurance policy.

This insurance gift is taken by either parent who will continue paying the premium for the term period, that in the event of the unexpected, the child's education who is the identified beneficiary is unhampered.

Education insurance policy is a means by which a breadwinner can ensure that the education of his dependant/s is not unduly terminated because in the event of death or permanent disability or job loss.

On the other hand, if the unfavourable event that was insured does not occur, the child may still have some benefits that will accrue to him at the maturity date of the insurance policy. This is dependent on the premium and it can also be review up or down depending on the capacity of the

benefiting parents.

However, to secure the future of the children, experts have said that a parent can consider getting a life insurance policy that protects the child's education in the event of the unexpected.

Insurers say this type of life insurance policy is a targeted

savings plan geared towards financing the future education of a named child. "It is an instrument by which sufficient funds can be accumulated for education and it protects children from being forced to end their schooling prematurely."

The policy's coverage include, death of the parent, guardian or sponsor of the named child, total permanent disability of the parent, guardian or sponsor due to an accident or critical illness, loss of employment of the parent and guardian or sponsor resulting from redundancy.

According to insurers, a lot of parents and guardians usually develop cold feet when the children are returning to schools at the end of each holiday, and so get irritable at the slightest opportunity because it is usually a time to pay school fees.

So education insurance whatever type is dedicated towards giving quality education, which is the principal desire of all parents. The product is targeted at easing financial pressure of sponsorship of children's education on parent and ensuring continuity of children's education, in case there is an occurrence of the unexpected." This insurance policy can be found with the insurance companies doing life insurance businesses.

Planning a wedding on a shoestring budget

T

he times are hard and many would get more delayed in getting married because they could not imagine how much it would take embarking on a wedding alone.

This is after the main expense which is payment of bride price would have been settled. This is depending on the tribe. But in all, if you are operating on lean budget, see these: 1. Inexpensive invitations are a great way to cut back on expenses. (Most of your guests will end up pitching the invitation in the trash after the wedding anyway.) To help make the invitation memorable for your close friends and family, consider framing the invitation and decorating the frame with special flowers or keepsakes from the wedding. You can also opt for handmade or scrapbook invitations for a personalised feel without excessive cost.

2. If you are really pinching pennies for your wedding, the cost of food for the reception can be quite daunting. Instead of cutting out a wedding reception because you can't afford the meal, try adding a request to your invitations and have your guests bring a covered dish or dessert. A potluck wedding

Quote In all realms of life it takes courage to stretch your limits, express your power, and fulfill your potential. It’s no different in the financial realm.

— Suze Orman

is better than no wedding at all, and you won't be stuck with a large catering bill.

3. Include the items you need for the wedding on your gift registry for your bridal shower.

This especially comes in handy if you've already set up housekeeping and don't need an extra glass measuring cup, bath towels, or cookie sheets.

4. If you're renting tables and chairs, splurge to have them delivered and set up. This additional cost will save you money in the long run.

5. For decorating on a budget, try going with fewer flowers and add candles or edible treats for table decorations.

6. If you're crafty, you can find tons of great instructional videos online to help you arrange your own wedding flowers.

7. Provide disposable cameras for guests to take snapshots at the wedding. You can also ask a friend who enjoys photography as a hobby to do your wedding portraits instead of hiring a professional photographer.

8. Call your local culinary or vocational school to check out rates for catering and wedding cakes for less.

9. If your wedding dress covers your feet, consider wearing a pair of shoes you already own, or even white slippers for maximum comfort at a low cost.

10. Make arrangements to donate your leftover wedding food to a homeless shelter or church, or ask family members to bring containers to cart the leftovers home to avoid waste.

11. When making your seating chart, appoint one person at each table to oversee the reception. This person is responsible for cleaning up spills, ensuring rental property isn't damaged, and the facility is returned to a pre-rental state to ensure you get your deposit back.

12. Ask your church or social group to make cookies as appetizers for the reception.

13. Serve cupcakes instead of cake. (You can make these easily yourself).

Guide your finances for a worthwhile travelling experience

T

he regular season of people travelling to see their loved ones and touring is almost here. "A tempting period" if not planned. Tours and travels are meant to be all fun, as seeing ones grandparents or relatives makes one very happy.

However, such stories do not always have a happy ending as many holiday trips end up like a tsunami; leaving behind a financial mess that may take months or years to clean-up if not well planned. Now, many people plan, but most people fail to stick to their plan. They are usually carried away with the season of excitement.

Financial Expert, Sanjay Matai give tips that would be useful from the regret of a fellow tourist.

Never try to imitate others Just because the "Ojos" travelled abroad last year, does not mean that we too should have flown to foreign locales. This "metoo" culture and unbridled consumerism is one of the most common causes of financial misery. Let's take note and check our motives on why we want to travel.

Make sure you plan: Poor planning produces poor output. We should have set aside a spending limit that will not strain our finances. For instance, we could keep aside 5-10 percent as contingency amount, so as to not constraint ourselves too much or leave room for unforeseen expenses. We should understand that spending more money doesn't necessarily mean more enjoyment Consider the gifts you want to give out This is important as people in the villages or wherever expects a package from you especially when you are coming from Lagos. it is advisable to list all your friends and relatives for whom you want to get a gift so as to avoid unplanned spending.

How you can make efficient travels at cheaper cost

B

efore you plan to embark on that trip, you need to ask yourself sundry questions that will put back more money in your pocket, than spending, spending.

Sometimes, it does not mean that the more you spend, the higher you have access to best airlines products or the better treatment you get on your trip. It may simply mean that you are just wasting that money because you did not take a lot of things into consideration.

First of all, consider if 'you actually need to travel?

This may sound a bit obvious, but seriously, are you planning to do a series of trips? Could they be combined? Is there a fellow colleague who is travelling in that

area who could attend your meeting instead?

With careful planning, the number of trips and hence time out of the office could be reduced, not only cutting your travel expenditure but increasing staff productivity too.

Some 'full fares' are based on maximum permitted mileage, thus enabling the traveller to stop en route. So to combine meetings for instance, like in Singapore and Sydney by using a full fare ticket to Sydney would be considerably cheaper than planning two separate itineraries.

Secondly, check it out if you truly need to travel in business class / first class.

Whilst cost is an important consideration, the choice in class of

travel is frequently influenced by status, comfort and flexibility.

These factors often confuse, distort and inflate the budgeting process.

A fully flexible Economy ticket has the same versatility as a first class ticket.

Someone travelling to New York wanting a fully flexible ticket with British Airways is going to be paying about £760 including taxes. However if you want to travel on Business Class, that same trip will cost you over five times as much, about £4,200. If however you wanted to travel further forwards on the aircraft, in First Class, then you will be paying over 50 percent more again, nearly £6,700.

Also, have you considered alternative suppliers and

products?

Most frequent travellers will have their preferences, likes and dislikes. How might this be translated into purchasing patterns? Are travellers selecting certain airlines or hotels over others for personal reasons or gain?

Is this possibly at conflict with the corporate objective?

For instance, a certain airline for example, by many considered the nation's favourite, may be the first choice for many by virtue of its profile, loyalty schemes or general popularity, but there are comparable alternatives based upon service and scheduling who have slightly different products or fare structures, better suited to the company wanting to control costs.

Source: www.moneyning.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

Zuma and the fate of ANC E

arly in December last year, Africa’s oldest political party, African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa, held its much anticipated 53rd elective conference in Manguang municipality. Long before the conference, it was well known that one crucial decision it would have to make was the political fate of President Jacob Zuma. His loss of political momentum became obvious after the Marikana massacre in which 34 miners at South Africa’s platinum mine were murdered by police in what was widely believed to be an unprovoked attack on the defenceless miners asking for pay rise and better working conditions.

Opponents of President Zuma had seized on the Marikana massacre to trumpet government’s insensitivity and collaborationist stance with big business. Erstwhile ANC youth leader Julius Malema made political capital out of the Marikana debacle against Zuma.

However, when the conference finally took place, Zuma romped home, winning with a convincing 2,983 votes to his challenger, the incumbent Vice President Kgalema Mollanthe’s paltry 991 votes. To boot, Zuma’ allies won all the five top party posts and scooped most of the 80 seats on the National Executive Committee (NEC). More dramatically, Cyril Ramophosa, a billionaire businessman and former Secretary General of the National Union of Mine Workers, who sits on the board of many blue chip corporations which he had battled

against in the past as union leader, won the vice presidency of the party.

The outcome of the conference has raised President Zuma, whose political obituary most pundits were predicting, from the ashes. In an ironic twist, from being at its mercy, Zuma now holds the fate of the ANC. Formerly a fiery populist leader on the left wing of the party, President

“

We believe that while the ANC’s historic role in the emergence of South Africa in its current stage and form is assured of a noble place in history, the glory of the past does not translate to immutable wisdom Zuma has gradually moved to the centre, eschewing that free-wheeling populist rhetoric that he was wellknown for.

Ejecting the fiery Julius Malema from the party clearly indicated that while he could dance to the populist tunes of anti-apartheid songs, the character of his regime is at once merging with the international political oligarchy. All said and done,

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”

President Zuma is firmly at the political top.

We think that Zuma’s focus on a legacy would make him a mere hands-off leader. Even Ramophosa’s complete ideological turnaround, in which a former militant trade unionist is now a tycoon with interests in all the commanding heights of the economy, makes any prospects of good policies suspect. A leaked e-mail he had sent to the management of the Lomin Platinum, the firm at the centre of the Marikana massacre, urged more police action on the striking workers.

However, South Africa is believed to be in political and economic transition with structures and institutions still in their formation.

We believe that while the ANC’s historic role in the emergence of South Africa in its current stage and form is assured of a noble place in history, the glory of the past does not translate to immutable wisdom.

ANC is still the biggest political formation in the country but the fate of the country should not be tethered to the sole drama of its fortunes.

Meanwhile, President Zuma must view victory as a rallying and clarion call for inclusion even of those who vehemently opposed him, like Malema, currently in political wilderness. He had written to the conference to be recalled to the party but was ignored. This is not good for Africa’s most dynamic democracy.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

PAGE 13

Our not-so-distinguished Senators

By Chido Onumah

D

istinguished Senator David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark is a very lucky man. Indeed, he is one of the luckiest Nigerians dead or alive. In the last three decades, he has featured prominently on the national stage as minister of communications, Governor of Niger State, four-term senator and two-term Senate President.

Other things being equal, Senator Mark may yet end his long and illustrious career by emerging as President of the Federal Republic, an ambition I am sure he doesn't take lightly, the constant denials by aides notwithstanding.

Senator Mark has had occasion to take shots at the Jonathan government on the problem of insecurity, poor infrastructure and the government's fiscal policies. It is the mark of a military strategist. In all, though, he is a loyal party man; and a patient one at that.

Every now and again, aides of the Senate President alert us of mischief makers "bent on causing disaffection between President Goodluck Jonathan and the President of the Senate". The reference is to the cacophony of voices championing the 2015 presidential ambition of Senator Mark. The Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, to Senator Mark, Kola Ologbondiyan, had this to say recently in response to one of the ubiquitous "Mark for President 2015" groups: "It is imperative to state and emphatically too, that Senator Mark and President Jonathan are on the same page in the onerous task of providing democratic dividends for Nigerians. It is therefore irresponsible, mischievous and misplaced for any set of Nigerians to embark on overheating the polity at this time of our national history. The Senate President is faced with providing qualitative

legislative leadership for our nation and (has) urged mischief makers not to distract him".

I had the fortune of encountering Senator Mark in all his power and splendor earlier in the year. It was during a casual visit to a friend, a former legislator, at the Apo Legislative Quarters in Abuja. After my visit, my friend decided to drive me home. A few metres down the road, we were halted by a detachment of policemen. While I wondered impatiently what was going on, my friend who obviously was used to the scenario just rested both hands on the steering wheel and waited as a convoy of more than ten vehicles, including three black limousines, a bomb disposal van, an ambulance, numerous police escort jeeps with heavily armed policemen, crawled into an imposing edifice few metres ahead of us.

After about five minutes, we were given permission to continue our journey.

My friend commented offhandedly: "That is the Senate President". My immediate reaction was amazement and then revulsion when I realised that the Senate President was coming from his office a few kilometres away. My mind wondered furiously about what democracy was costing the

mass of our people; the cost of maintaining the Senate President's fleet of vehicles and aides; of the imposing house we just drove past and the fact that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, was building a new official residence for the Senate President and the three other presiding officers of the National Assembly, the Deputy Senate President as well as the Speaker and his deputy, for more than N1bn each.

So, it was a bit of a surprise when Senator Mark spoke recently during his condolence visit to the family of the late Senate Leader in the Second Republic, Dr. Olusola Saraki, in Ilorin, Kwara state. While praising Saraki, the Senate President noted: "Baba is not dead.

He lives on because a man who lived as he did does not die. In everything, he was always himself.

He did not pretend. He was a natural man doing what he loved best. He did all he did from the bottom of his heart. Unfortunately there are many actors and pretenders on the political scene in Nigeria today. Politics should be played with honesty, with honour and a lot of integrity".

It seems Senator Mark never misses an opportunity to say the right things. But doing the right things is a different kettle of fish.

“

this is no rumour because I have been involved with two federal agencies where this issue came up. It seems the only reason our senators enjoy this privilege is that they have control over the budget of these agencies. It is understandable if senators use their influence to help their "constituents"

Someone once asked: "What manner of 'god' is the office of Nigeria's Senate President that the occupant should earn six times more than what President Barack Obama of the United States takes home and three times more than what the British Prime Minister earns, in a country where over 65 per cent of the citizens wallow below the $1 benchmark?" That is the tragedy of the Nigerian situation.

This piece is as much about David Mark as it is about the "hallowed chamber" he leads. It was prompted by an event earlier last month, involving the chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Deaconess Joan Ayo. During its 2012 budget performance before the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters, Deaconess Ayo was confronted by the vice chairman of the committee, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, who alleged that there was a rumour making the rounds that "some staff of the commission were compelling young job seekers to part with N500,000 ($3,000) to get jobs".

Senator Ojudu noted that "such a rumour is not good for the image of this committee; it is not good for the image of your commission and the image of the country." The FCSC chairman responded by saying the commission had zero tolerance for corruption and corrupt practices and that she was hearing the rumour for the first time from Senator Ojudu. She challenged the senator to show proof of the alleged money-for-job scandal.

Of course, Deaconess Ayo was being economical with the truth.

I don't know if Senator Ojudu was able to provide proof as requested

by Deaconess Ayo, but the exchange threw up an issue that is equally troubling. Talking about rumours, we have heard allegations that senators collect bribe before approving budgets.

But this pales in comparison to the fact that many government agencies now insist that job seekers must get letters from senators before they are considered for employment. And this is no rumour because I have been involved with two federal agencies where this issue came up. It seems the only reason our senators enjoy this privilege is that they have control over the budget of these agencies. It is understandable if senators use their influence to help their "constituents", but it is criminal for them to legalize it.

Dr. Sam Amadi, Chairman/ CEO of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), put this phenomenon in perspective during the 7th Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture organised by the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), on Friday, November 2, 2012. In a speech titled, "Terrorism, Insecurity and Irredentist Movements: the Challenges for Nation-Building in Nigeria", Amadi noted, "Today, Nigerian leaders have added to their sin of the exclusion of Nigerian citizens from the wealth of the nation, the sin of excluding them from employment opportunities. Every employment in private and public sector in Nigeria today is based on a letter of sponsorship from one senator or governor or Minister.

This is what the average job seeker in Nigeria has to contend with. Senators Mark and Ojudu can't say they are not aware of this phenomenon. And if they are not aware, I am using this medium to bring it to their attention. They should denounce the agencies that are bringing the Senate into disrepute. For the amount of money the country spends maintaining the Senate, the last thing we need is for our so-called lawmakers to become a menace to society by shamelessly acting out the despicable role of thoughtless enablers and overseers of an extremely dysfunctional polity.

Chido Onumah is reachable on conumah@hotmail.com

Overcoming corruption in Ghana: A new dimension towards a model (I)

By Kwesi Atta Sakyi

F

or this article on corruption, I wish to propose a model which I have dubbed the OPENS model.

O stands for Organizational, P for Political, E for Economic, N for Natural resources and S for Socio-cultural factors. We can therefore safely state that corruption emanates from these five broad sources in all the countries of the world.

Organizational corruption is associated with bureaucracy, red tape and officialdom. It is a systems or structural corruption which manifests itself in the way an organization is structured, or the way it operates. This organizational corruption may also be linked to the culture of the organization. The internal or immediate micro environment of the organization may determine whether corruption exists or not. This may be a stable or competitive and

turbulent environment. In most rigid and tall organizational structures in stable and less changing environments, with many levels of hierarchy, decision making is slow as many conservative procedures have to be followed, such as excessive form filling and having to produce many documents. Of importance, also are internal controls and effective risk management measures which are in place.

Organizations operating in stable and uncompetitive environments in LDCs tend to be corrupt, such as the civil service, the police, the judiciary, tax and revenue offices, local government, licensing offices, public educational institutions, and public health institutions in Ghana. The degree of freedom or decision making latitude or centralization/decentralization will also determine whether or not corruption exists. If the organization is highly

centralized, it gives room for corruption. If it is also highly decentralized, there is crisis of control and lack of standardization, giving rise to petty and localized corruption.

Therefore, the ideal structure is a middle way of some centralization of critical functions, and some decentralization of less critical functions. Dysfunction and atrophy, in organizations which do not undergo change, can cause corruption. This is why we need more of mixed economies and Public Private Partnerships (PPP).

Organizations which substitute technology for labour, and which tend to ignore people skills and 360Âş communication, may also experience heavy doses of corruption.

Political corruption becomes prevalent where too much power is concentrated in the hands of the ruling elite, where election results are manipulated

and it is a foregone conclusion, where multiparty democracy is endangered, because minority political parties are crowded out of political space, and the NGOs are crippled, muzzled and given no political space. Fortunately for Ghana, our democracy is burgeoning, as there is political space for opposition political parties, and we have a lot of checks and balances in place, among the arms of government, namely the executive, legislature and judiciary.

It seems our judiciary is not doing very well in Ghana because of organizational capture and paralysis. This is because the judicial procedures are long, convoluted and obscure. Oversight in the judiciary is weak as members of the bar and bench, manipulate the system to gain personal pecuniary advantages by invoking legal technicalities.

This is where we need a radical

shake-up of the judiciary by the Legislature and Executive, despite their independence. We need to strengthen the gatekeeping functions. Judges and magistrates delay cases unnecessarily in order to continue exploiting clients financially. They forget the axiom of justice delayed is justice denied.

Even though judicial independence is cherished, I think the Executive and Legislature in Ghana have to move in to stop the rot in the judiciary by using their checks and balances.

Political corruption can also be stopped in its tracks by considering the funding for the political parties.

Politicians have to declare their assets prior to taking office, and after leaving office. We need more entrenched separation of powers.

C o n t a c t : kwesiattasakyi449@gmail. com

PAGE 14

By Ose Oyamendan

A

bout this time last year, I had picked my likely candidates for the man of the year. It was going to be easy. 2012 was the year of the Olympics.

Given the assurances and boasts from the Nigerian Lords of sports, I thought it was not going to be tough choosing from the medal winners. But, the Nigerian Olympic team went shopping in London for souvenirs instead of medals.

To make it worse, the current Lords of Nigerian sports told the tall tales they and their predecessors have told for eternity – other countries invest heavily in sports and Nigeria does very little. And, just to satisfy all the old men with fading memories, they promised to start preparing immediately for the next Olympics. Just like always. A few weeks ago, I took a drive around some sports centers.

And, I could see athletes and officials were preparing hard in beer parlors at the stadia.

Just like old times.

Who would have thought that the “Occupy Movement” would berth in Nigeria? But, the Nigerian leadership contrived to make it happen.

Nigerian leaders who never feel a rise in prices of goods tried to slip a hike in gas prices overnight hoping no one would listen. It blew up in their faces like all those pipeline explosions. It is tough to name the “Occupy” activists as my men of the year. Who do I pick?

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

My ‘Man of the Year’ The big men in Ikoyi and the I thought of two radical parties, what if they all decide elitist streets of Abuja who took choices. Muhammadu Buhari to show up? Where are we going occupy stroll around their and Bola Tinubu. They are to host the award? Besides, blocks and return to leaders of the opposition and what have the Nigerian people champagnes lunch in their seem hell bent on pushing PDP done in 2012? Despite all their mansions. Or, the ordinary folks out of power. I’m not crazy about complaints, there still exists a who were protesting against the Buhari but you know the man group called Nigerians. Not too excesses of the previous group? has built a reputation on impressive.

The president was of course Two women were prominent credibility and forthrightness. on my short on my shortlist. list.

Why Diezani Alisonwouldn’t he Maduekwe and be?

Being Aruma Oteh. The t h e two women are Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text president of powerful and I messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written N i g e r i a love powerful contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 qualifies you women. I had to words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and for the man disqualify Oteh a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed of the year because she’s to: award. The kicking the butt peaceful of Nigerian looking man legislators. And, The Editor, wandered we can’t allow Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, into a that. What would 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. position women do after Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com where he that? Tell the men SMS: 07037756364 wears the the ruined the national country? Or win this man of the year award I’m I like Tinubu but the yet to be headache. You have got to pity seriously trying to rig for the forcefully denied stories down the man. People hate him. men? Diezani blew it by the coast about his empire puts People insult him. People agreeing to the appointment of the two men at odds. So, if the blame him for what he hasn’t Nuhu Ribadu to look into the marriage is not exactly made done. No one gives him credit immaculate house of Nigeria’s in heaven, you’re not getting for what he has done. And, gas. Since when did Ribadu not my award. Besides, they have some spiteful people even say find fault with anything? You not done anything yet but make he’s clueless. Just sad. He deserves my man of the year. would think he would return a white noise. verdict of best gas management As a last resort, I thought of But, I don’t give awards out of system in the world and get a giving the award to the pity.

Turns out, my man of the few oil wells as a reward. Then, Nigerian people. But, there was I can tell him what he has a problem. Who will accept the year was right in my face all always suspected – that I’m his award on their behalf? You along. He’s not on the corridors long lost brother. know how Nigerians love of power. He has been in power

WRITE TO US

so long he’s a power unto himself. He gets his boys to bash the presidency on weekdays and on Sundays, he’s right there beside the president at Sunday service. He’s so smooth if he was a woman, I’ll take a loan and take him out to dinner.

I first met him a long time ago when he was in Babangida’s Armed Forces Ruling Council. I was this bumbling teenager who stupidly believed my pen is mightier a guns. I cornered him for a quick interview. He shot me a look that I read to mean, “buzz off you, little pest!”

But he did it with a smile.

Unlike Theophilus Danjuma who took my interview request note, tore it to shreds, summoned me and promptly turned my open arms into a dustbin.

My man of the year is the Senate President, John David Mark. Any man who has three of the key names in the Bible would be on my short list any day. If I was the president, I would go medieval on his butt and send him into exile before 2013 is over. That’s what you do to your rivals in the old days.

But, then Mark may go Biblical on the president’s butt. All of which makes the road to 2015 very interesting.

Ose Oyamendan is Nigerian filmmaker based in Los Angeles.

Role of bureaucracy in the work of National Assembly

By Ibrahim Biu

F

ederal legislators have been congratulating themselves on carrying out their task satisfactorily the past year. In fact, most of them have been beating their chests, claiming to have deepened Nigerian democracy through people-friendly legislation.

One of the “achievements” they lay claim to is the passage of 21 bills by the Senate, the adoption of very important resolutions and the comprehensive discussions and debates carried out by the two houses and motions initiated by either the government or originating from the general public.

They say all that they had done was with the greatest sense of duty. True. There is no doubt that their performance in the last legislative calendar had been stellar as their output far outweighed that of previous years.

However, in giving kudos to the legislators I am of the firm view that mention must be made of the National Assembly bureaucracy without which the lawmakers could not have achieved such a high level of performance. It is obvious from

information available that the management of the National Assembly under the leadership of its team leader, the Clerk of the Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, had in the past year worked assiduously but silently to provide the necessary infrastructure and the enabling environment for effective legislative work by the lawmakers.

It is on record that the National Assembly bureaucracy had at the beginning of the seventh assembly provided, among others, competent legislative aides, resource persons and other necessary requirements of the lawmakers which

facilitated their various assignments. The legislative aides and others were responsible for carrying out detailed researches and investigations on sensitive issues which were successfully debated and subsequently deliberated upon by the lawmakers in the year under review.

Both houses successfully debated and adopted several resolutions and motions which have no doubt impacted positively on the lives of the majority of Nigerians since the Assembly took off last year after the lawmakers were sworn in June, 2011.

Nigerians are aware that the new wing of the National

“

These actions made the federal legislators to commend the bureaucracy on many occasions during the year for a job well done. Both the Senate President, David Mark, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, as well as the principal officers of the Assembly, have all commended the civil servants

Assembly, which has continued to provide adequate security and conducive accommodation for the Assembly members, was vigorously pursued and completed by the Assembly’s bureaucracy.

A group of journalists and some lawyers recently brainstormed on the performance of the National Assembly and arrived at the conclusion that even though the federal legislators actually gave of their best this time around, they could not have achieved much had it not been because of the solid infrastructure provided by the Maikasuwa-led management team.

The forum was of the belief that if any group should beat its chest or celebrate the success of the federal lawmakers in 2012, it should be the entire staff of the National Assembly bureaucracy, from the messenger to the highest paid director as well as the Clerk of the Assembly and his able lieutenants, made up of his deputy, the two clerks, senior directors and their deputies as well as all the other civil servants in the National Assembly.

They deserve commendation because of the exemplary manner in which

they discharged their assignments and the high level of cooperation they gave to the lawmakers. In addition, the civil servants consistently cooperated with their colleagues who were assigned to the lawmakers in both the Senate and the House of Representatives to ensure that assignments given by the lawmakers were properly and promptly handled and delivered.

These actions made the federal legislators to commend the bureaucracy on many occasions during the year for a job well done. Both the Senate President, David Mark, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, as well as the principal officers of the Assembly, have all commended the civil servants. Even people outside the National Assembly have at one time or the other commended the bureaucracy.

I believe that though the civil servants deserve such commendations, they should put more grease on their elbows so that more could be achieved by the lawmakers in the years to come. This action could also enhance the country’s democratic practice.

Ibrahim Biu sent in this piece from Abuja

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

PAGE 15

Reflections on the last twelve months

By Ifeanyi Uddin

A

n eventful year ends, much as it began — inauspiciously. Which is sad! For we recall the immediate past not so much for how well off we have turned out (though, arguably, the past twelve months had moments that, had the brave been sufficiently persuaded to try, held out the promise of real redemption). Instead, what is etched, indelibly in most cases, in our minds are the episodes (the bombings, the unresolved murders, the melodramatic kidnappings and ransoming, the deaths by a thousand different ways) that remind us of how far we have veered off the beaten path. Why not then look away from Janus’ rear-facing visage, and instead contemplate tomorrow? Too early to call the New Year! Nevertheless, I suppose it is safe to presume that the federal government will not muddy the waters as perversely this year as it did last year. Still, in a way, the disruption to social

By Nicholas Ibekwe

W

hen she says those words be assured you’ll soon get it. It means she’s tired of meting-out those stinging correctional backhands that gradually lost their didactic impact as we grew older. It’s a warning she’s saving the best cracks of her pankere cane until the day she decides your cup has run over (which could be in a few hours, actually). Gosh! And mom knew how to crack those whips!

Hey, before you start saying how abusive she was, just know that when you have 11 children running amok all over the place, your closest friend has to be the pankere. For one, there was no way you could’ve tamed a rampaging hothead like me without constantly resorting to this infamous (many Nigerian parents will disagree) tool.

Let me not bore you with my family tales. But, as the year peters out, it’s necessary that we calculate the miles we’ve covered as a people. Need I warn you that what you’re about to read won’t be pleasant? My intention is not to make your delicious festive jollof rice and cold beer taste like sawdust and piss; actually I hope to stir you into doing the needful if you want to eat jollof rice and beer come next Christmas.

We’re about to get it. If nothing is done to gauze this haemorrhaging country it would soon crumble like akara paste in lukewarm oil. If things continue the way they are, next Christmas some of us would be eating powered egg yolks from USAID or some other white saviour organisations.

Yeah, it is that bad. Oh, you think it hasn’t got that bad? Tell me that when you’re done reading this.

Agreed, the rain didn’t start beating us today. But 2012 was a particularly terrible year for this country. It was a year when the absurd became normal and the

and economic life, which heralded 2012, was a potent augury for the year.

At this point, we could be talking just about anywhere in the world. All through last year, global output growth sputtered and stuttered. The euro zone struggling with sovereign debts, agreed solutions that it just as soon found very hard to implement. US numbers were all over the place, everywhere, that is, but the one place everyone wanted them to be — up. Asia was unsure what portion of the shoe that belongs to the world’s growth engine it was willing to take up.

Emerging markets? These were in better fettle. But collectively, still too puny to affect much besides their own nationals.

But my concern, today, is with activity much closer home, where the sense is that the more crucial motion and movement last year were either lateral or backwards.

Is this raw pessimism? Am I guilty, as bruited about in the corridors of power concerning perspectives

similar to mine, of the charge of being no longer able to see the trees for the woods? I concede that the incumbent administration may have been very hard at work all through last year (it could hardly have been malingering all year long). The difficulty is ascertaining the nature (and ultimate ends) of its exertions.

I spent much of the last year looking at the numbers from the official bean counters. None improved by much (the savings on the excess crude account, and improvements to the external reserve balance were notable exceptions). Government, hard at work in those arcane spheres of the economy did not quite help the key measures. Higher tariffs on rice and wheat hit pockets harder at the lower rungs of the ladder. Even the gods were unusually unkind, last year. Once the Cameroonian government opened the sluice gates at the Lagdo Dam, our agricultural sector was never going to look quite the same again. Worried by

the huge task of comforting the displaced, we cannot do much, but pray, about the farmlands still under water.

Add double digit (and trending up) inflation levels to the unsupportable unemployment numbers, and our misery index is headed in one direction only. Now, there is one index that might support a panglossian gloss on the economy’s performance.

Regrettably, it is not the fiscal deficit numbers.

At the beginning of last year, we were shooting for a fiscal deficit of around 2.27% of the budget (about N1.16tn). We ended up with a slightly higher deficit, although we earned more from the sale of our sole revenue earner, and spent less on creating fixed assets than we had budgeted for. All of this extra spend did end up somewhere, if the gini coefficient for the economy bears true witness to its performance.

If income inequality worsened last year, as indeed most observers say it did, then government may

have operated in the interest of the top earners in the country.

Accordingly, these latter elite are getting richer, not so much at the expense of the rest of us. But through their knowledge of and access to the location of government’s bakery.

The cure to our myriad problems over the next 12 months might not be how to bake a cake big enough for the poor and the vulnerable to be assured a share of. Anyway, not if we all do not know our way to the bakery.

Better yet (even as we try to redress this information asymmetry) to restructure the way government’s money is spent. Or, put differently, to put enough money in the pockets of the millions of Nigerians who (for diverse reasons) currently contemplate a bleak New Year.

At least they will spend it in a way that drives demand locally, rather than find novel ways of ferretting such monies abroad.

Ifeanyi Uddin is reachable on Facebook

Welcome to Nigerianistan normal sounded outlandish.

President Goodluck Jonathan promised during his Christmas day speech that 2013 will be better. But many of us know that the president’s promises are as dubious as a molue built with plastic. I’m not Prophet T.B Joshua’s protégé, but 2013 will be tougher. You know why? This government hasn’t got what it takes to get us out of limbo. In fact, from all indications, it’s accelerating our passage into hell proper. I’d never expect an apple from an agbalumo tree. Honestly, anyone who expects this crop of politicians to wake up tomorrow morning and set their ways straight is as self-delusional as someone trying to get a high by smoking uju.

Increasingly, Nigeria is being mentioned in the same breath as those Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries or regions with the “-istan” suffix such as Waziristan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, when people talk about the quality of lives, insecurity and total breakdown of law and order.

If you noticed, I left out corruption and I’m sure you know why- we’re the undisputed world champion of corruption. Besides I really don’t want to bore you with talk about corruption in this piece. Seriously, how does one begin to explain that N5 trillion (over $33 billion) has been stolen under the watch on this government? Please how?

In 2012 we found ourselves occupying similar (sometimes worse) positions on every study or statistics with the “-istan” countries or regions. I remember watching Al-Jazeera about three years ago and was trying to imagine how tough life was for civilians living in Taliban-infested Waziristan, Now all I’ve to do is look

at Maiduguri and other NorthEastern states to see the vilest example of human survival.

Let’s look at some of the studies in the outgoing year to appreciate how dire our situation is. In 2012 we became the kidnap capital of the world. Last October the African Insurance Organisation (AIO) released a report that stated that a quarter of the global kidnap for ransom takes place in Nigeria. With over 60 million youth out of illegitimate work, Kidnapping is the fastest growing business in the

many people especially from the East would have travelled to their hometown to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays. But the fear of being abducted has forced people to stay back in the relatively safe Lagos for the holidays.

Earlier in December, we received the “honour” of being rated the seventh most terrorised country in the world on the first ever Global Terrorism Index done by the Institute for Economic and Peace. In fact, Nigeria and

“

Few days ago, the U.S., Canada and Taiwan warned their nationals against traveling to Nigeria. Just like the U.S. government had done few days earlier, the Taiwanese government fear that there may be a terrorist attack in Abuja in the coming days. They also warned that Boko Haram may extend its killing campaign to southern part of the country South-East and the Niger Delta (apart from oil theft, of course).

Some weeks back the Minister of Finance’s mother was abducted from her home in Delta State. For several days the police and army were running dizzy and confused all over the place like a colony of soldier ants visited by a burning touch. She wasn’t released until her family paid the ransom. But for the stupidity of the kidnappers they wouldn’t have been caught. So think, if best detectives and intelligence officers couldn’t find her how secured are you?

Lagos witnessed the heaviest traffic in recent times this December. Usually, the last two weeks of the month used to be fun for commuters within city as

Somalia (that has been without a functional government for decades) were the only African countries in the top ten. In fact we marginally lost the sixth place to Somalia. Nigeria scored of 7.242 while Somalia’s score was 7.244.

Few days ago, the U.S., Canada and Taiwan warned their nationals against traveling to Nigeria. Just like the U.S. government had done few days earlier, the Taiwanese government fear that there may be a terrorist attack in Abuja in the coming days. They also warned that Boko Haram may extend its killing campaign to southern part of the country. So if you’re in Lagos acting all detached and thinking you’re safe from the

Haram boys, think again!

On education, last March a UNESCO official revealed that 9 million of the 70 million children out of school worldwide are Nigerians. I’m not saying the chunk of this figure was accumulated in the last two years, but a feeling president will, instead of spending N2.2 billion ($14 million) to build a banquette hall, spend some of the money in building new schools and on training teachers.

Talking about kids, in Economist November, the Intelligence Unit (EIU), a sister company of The Economist, rated Nigeria as the worst place to have a baby next year. The country was placed at the bottom of the Whereto-be-born-index 2013. Countries such as Bangladesh, Kenya, Pakistan, and even Syria did better than Nigeria. Please, make family planning your top priority in 2013.

Like I said at the outset, I don’t intend to frighten anyone unnecessarily. All I’ve done here was to calculate the miles we’ve covered after a horrendous race in 2012. Though I’m not a pessimist, I’ve extricated myself from the ego-beta brainwash. It’d only get better if we snap out of this political numbness and actively demand the best from politicians. Like I told a friend who was worried about my criticism of the government on Twitter and Facebook, government decides how many morsels of eba you would swallow during lunch. It decides if you’d have orishirishi in that egusi soup or if you’d merely settle for crayfish. Happy New Year! I sincerely hope 2013 proves I’m a terrible social commentator.

Nicholas Ibekwe was a recent Chevening scholar at City University of London

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Fulani community laments clash with Gwari indigenes

T

A taxi overloaded with goods and passengers, yesterday in Area 1, Abuja

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Perpetrators of Gwari, Fulani clash to face the law – Minister

By Josephine Ella Ejeh

T

he Federal Capital T e r r i t o r y Administration has said that all those found the recent unfortunate Gwari/Fulani hostilities that left two persons dead in Gwako village in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory would face the full wrath of the law.

The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed gave this assurance on Monday, during an emergency meeting of all stakeholder including representatives of the Gwaris and Fulanis at the secretariat of the Gwagwalada Area Council, Gwagwalada town.

“Anybody found to be culpable or have participated in the perpetuation of this heinous crime, whatever his or her position in society will face the full

wrath of the law,” he said, urging them to continue to live in peace and harmony.

Senator Mohammed called for calm and urged members of the communities to continue to maintain peace and harmonious co-existence amongst themselves since they have a long standing history of living together as one.

He expressed the desire of the government to get to the root cause of the matter to ensure that this unfortunate incident never happen again.

He seized the opportunity to sympathize with those who lost their loved ones, or were injured or lost their property during the incident.

In a related development, the minister set up a 15-Member Reconciliation and Investigation Committee headed by the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Aderenle Shinaba to look into the

crisis.

According to him, the constituted committee which is given one week to submit its report is expected to find out the remote and immediate causes of the incident; assess the damages; required compensation as well as recommend those that will face prosecution.

He also directed the FCT Urban Affairs Department and NEMA to continue to take care of those displaced by providing succour to them, appealing to all the disagreeing factions to forgive one another and warned against any reprisal attack.

The minister announced that his Administration would take a major step in creating a grazing zone in the Federal Capital Territory to reduce the reoccurrence of similar incidence.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Gwagwalada Area Council,

Alhaji Zakari Angulu Dobi thanked the Minister for his prompt response to this unfortunate incident and revealed that all stakeholders of Gwaris and Fulanis across the Gwagwalada Area Council had been invited to be part of the meeting.

Pn his part, the Aguma of Gwagwalada, Alhaji Mohammed Magaji appealed to residents to stop rumour mongering and to continue to live in peace and harmony.

Also, the Chairman of FCT Miyetti-Allah, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu advised residents to shun rumour mongering and promised that the Fulanis will not carry out any reprisal attack but challenged the authorities that they are waiting to see what actions the government will take against the perpetrators of the crime.

he displaced Fulani community in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) has condemned the killings and loss of property during a clash with the Gwari people.

Two people were killed and many people displaced to the skirmish that took place on Saturday.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited the displaced Fulani community camped at the University of Abuja permanent site reports that the victims were counting their losses.

Malam Mohammed Lawal told NAN that the incident escalated on Sunday when some herdsmen were feeding their cattle with remnants of grains belonging to a Gwari man.

Lawal noted that Fulani and the Gwari communities had leaved in harmony for over 30 years and wondered why the misunderstanding should erupt now.

He called on government to resolve the crisis, pledging to live in peace and harmony with the Gwari people.

Another displaced herdsman, Malam Shuaibu Adamu, also told NAN that a Mobile Police unit be created in the area to avoid a repeat of such ugly incident.

Adamu commended the FCT minister for the prompt attention given to them in the camp, as they were given foods, fruits, and blankets, among other relief materials in the camp. Alhaji Alhassan Gangari, a livestock attendant with the Veterinary Medicine Department of Univeristy of Abuja, said that government should allow those whose houses were not destroyed to return to their original abode.

NAN reports that the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, had set up a 11man committee to look into the clash within seven days.

(NAN)

Board warns against drilling boreholes near septic tanks

T

he Director of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Water Board, Mr Jibril Ibrahim, has warned FCT residents against drilling boreholes close to septic tanks.

Ibrahim who gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) explained that drinking water from borehole drilled close

to septic tanks could lead to cholera and other serious health challenges.

“Borehole or well water close to soak away is not good for drinking except for laundry and other domestic purposes,” he said.

He said the board’s regulation on the issue would have been effective if there was adequate water supply in the FCT.

“We have a regulation but we are being careful to monitor influx of boreholes in the FCT because of some areas that do not have tap water. Although some people do come to seek our advice before they drill borehole and we normally ask them what they want to do with the boreholes. We test the soil of the land and water from the boreholes and we help

them to remove iron from the water to make it safe for drinking,” the director said.

According to him, government will soon ratify and put in place an enabling law that will allow the board to check boreholes in all households.

“The law will be enforced next year because we will soon have treatment plant to provide water

to all residents of FCT and the drilling of borehole will reduce,’’ he said.

He said that the Abaji treatment plant was near completion, adding that government was also working out modalities to construct a dam and reservoir for Karshi residents and its environs.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Worshippers offer special prayers for God’s intervention in 2013

W

orshippers in Abuja offered special prayers for God’s intervention in Nigeria’s numerous challenges and wisdom for its leaders at church services to usher in the new year.

In many of the churches visited by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the eve of the New Year, the faithful sang praises to God and offered special prayers for Nigeria, its people and leaders.

At the ECWA Church in Wuse II, the faithful sang and praised God, read relevant Bible passages and offered special prayers for the country.

In an interview, the senior pastor of the Church, Rev. Barje Maigadi, assured Nigerians of God’s love for Nigeria. He predicted that God had designated the year to address the numerous challenges confronting the economy and the people of Nigeria.

Maigadi called on politicians and Nigerian leaders to work for the good of the people by raising their standard of living.

He said that God would use Nigerians to improve on the economy and make things better.

The clergyman urged Nigerians to continue to persevere and imbibe the habit of togetherness and care in 2013.

Also at Abuja Breakthrough Chapel in Area 11, Garki District, Bishop Ben Oruma said the year held great promises for Nigeria but urged the people to work hard and pray for God’s intervention in the nation’s affairs.

At the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Area 1, worshippers offered special prayers for members of the church and the country.

Pastor Dele Babade, the pastor in-charge of Province 4 of RCCG, urged political leaders in Nigeria to be united irrespective of their religious and political affiliations.

Babade said that there was no need for bickering among politicians, stressing that division among politicians would not encourage development.

He urged the leadership of the country to be more sincere with their programmes of alleviating poverty and improving the economy.

He urged all Nigerians irrespective of their backgrounds to work harder in the new year.

Babade called on the Federal Government to initiate measures to dialogue with aggrieved groups in parts of the country in the interest of peace and unity.

The story was the same at the All Christian Fellowship Mission, Maitama as the faithful praised and worshipped God at the traditional crossover service.

Worshippers were excited at the service conducted by the General Overseer of the Church, Rev. Williams Okoye. Okoye said although the situation in the country was frightening, God was in control and would intervene at the appointed time. (NAN)

PAGE 17

INSIDE FCT COURTS

Guto community wants health care centre The Guto Community in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), has called on the council to provide a health centre for them to reduce the rate of preventable deaths.

The Community Leader, Mr Timothy Tiyok, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that their major problem was

conveying sick persons to Bwari General Hospital for medical attention.

According to him, the distance from the community to the council headquarters is not long, but the deplorable state of the road remains the major challenge.

“The distance is not that far, but the road is in bad shape, it

is usually very hard to find a vehicle to convey the sick, but only rickety ones and motorcycles, even if you request for a chartered vehicle they hardly come here.

“This is due to the bad nature of the road as vehicle owners fear that their vehicle may break down,’’ he said.

Tiyok said that many

Children having fun, during the New Year celebration, yesterday at Millennium Park, Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

pregnant women and those with life threatening diseases or sickness died on their way to hospital, especially during the rainy season.

He, therefore, appealed to the council and the Federal Capital Territory Administration to, as a matter of urgency, build a health care centre for them to reduce the hardship.

Mrs Mariam Kato, a Women Leader in the area, said she was a victim when she had her last pregnancy five years ago, as there was no vehicle to convey her to general hospital for delivery.

She said that if government would provide a health facility it would go a long way in reducing the hardship, not only for them alone, but for the Fulani herdsmen around them.

She said that some of the residents had resorted to using herbs for treating their sick ones instead of going to the hospital.

Also speaking, the Youth Leader, Mr Danlami Dogo, said the youths were working out an arrangement with motorcycle operators on responding to sick person during crisis.

NAN reports that there are five health centres in the area council, which have not been put to use after inauguration two years ago. It was also discovered that the nonutilisation of the centres had adversely affected healthcare delivery service in the area.

(NAN)

Gwagwalada budgets N4.8 billion for 2013

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he Chairman, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Zakari Angulu, has presented N4.8 billion budget proposal for 2013.

Presenting the budget estimate to the legislative arm of the council at Gwagwalada for endorsement, Angulu urged for speedy passage.

He said that recurrent

expenditure would account for 45 per cent of the budget, while 43 per cent was earmarked as capital allocation. According to him, overhead cost would account for 12 per cent of the total budget.

Angulu explained that the increase in percentage estimate for recurrent expenditure followed the inclusion of Local Education

Authority (LEA) in the fiscal framework of the budget. He said necessary provisions that would take care of departmental, legislative and other vital issues were given premium consideration in the budget estimate.

“The budget estimate is a clear demonstration of our genuine desire to leaving Gwagwalada Area Council better than what we met on

ground six years ago,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr Yusuf Mohammed, Leader of the legislature, commended the council executive for the timely presentation of the budget.

He pledged the commitment of the legislators to ensure that due consideration to enhance speedy passage in the interest of the electorate. (NAN)

Construction of pedestrian bridges on course - RSDT boss

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he Unit Manager of the Road Sector Development Team (RSDT), Mr Ishaq Mohammed, has said that the construction of pedestrian bridges in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) is on course.

Mohammed told the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) in Abuja that the master plan of the city must be considered before the construction of pedestrian bridges.

He was reacting to the notion by some residents of Abuja that the sites of the ongoing

pedestrian bridges were wrongly placed.

He explained that before the project was awarded, the team had met with the Federal Capital Development Administration and the Urban Development Board to ensure that plans for the city were not tempered with.

Some observers also complained that the pedestrian bridges sited miles away from the bus stops may not achieve its purpose.

NAN reports that six pedestrian bridges awarded in September are to be constructed

in six months.

The project was awarded to three construction companies at the cost of 10 million US dollars.

The companies are Messrs Enerco Nigeria Ltd; Messrs Rural Steel Bridging Ltd; and Messrs Dutum Company Ltd. The project is a collaboration between the World Bank and Federal Government with a financing ratio of 9 to 1 respectively.

NAN also reports that the six pedestrian bridges in Abuja are located in different areas including the Nnamdi Azikiwe expressway by Tafawa Balewa

Way (Old Secretariat) and the Nnamdi Azikiwe expressway by Olusegun Obasanjo Way (Wuye junction).

Other locations are the Nnamdi Azikiwe expressway by Ahmadu Bello Way (Banex Junction) and the Nnamdi Azikiwe expressway by Shehu Shagari Way (NICON Junction). The remaining two bridges would be located on Shehu Yar’Adua Way by Okonjo Iweala Way (VIO-Mabushi Junction) and Shehu Shagari Way by Ladi Kwali Way (Sheraton Junction). (NAN)

PAGE 18

INSIDE FCT COURTS Complainant forgives burglar

A

n Abuja Senior Magis trates Court has warned and discharged Shola Ogungure of House 15, Trademore Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, over a charge of burglary.

Senior Magistrate Hadiza Shagari discharged the accused based on the submission of the prosecutor that the complainant was no longer interested in the case and that the accused had been forgiven.

Inspector Jeremiah Elijah had told the court that Ogungure was charged with burgling the house of Samson Sholademi on November 9, 2012.

“The accused and one other, who is now on the run, were reported at the Lugbe Police Station by the complainant who lives at House 13 of the same estate on November 10.

“The complainant left his house for work on Nov. 9, but when he came back, he discovered that the accused and the other had entered the house through the ceiling.

“The accused stole the complainant’s Laptop valued at N130, 000 and computer networking equipment valued at N25, 000,’’ he told the court.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Banker docked for accusing man of stealing sex organ A banker, Rashidi Bello, 32, of Kurudu, Abuja, has appeared before a Karu Upper Area Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for alleged defamation of character.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Francis Udofia, told the court that

one Louis Aigbinemolen of Jikwoyi, Phase 5, Abuja reported the case at the Karu Police Station on December 27, 2012.

Udofia said that on December 26, Aigbinemolen was conveying Bello in his Toyota car when at Area 11 in Garki, Abuja, he

accused Aigbinemolen of “secretly taking his penis and rendering him useless or incomplete’’.

He said that Bello’s offence contravenes Section 391 of the Penal Code. Bello, however, denied the allegation. The judge,

Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted the accused bail in the sum of N20, 000 with a credible surety that must be resident within the court's jurisdiction.

He adjourned the case to March 20, 2013 for hearing.

(NAN)

Two suspected mobile phone snatchers nabbed

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wo suspected Mobile phone snatchers, Innocent Dagala, 19, and Sunday Jacob, 20, both of Kabayi area of Mararaba in Nasarawa State are now in police custody for allegedly stealing a cell phone.

Sp. John Emego, in charge of the Kabayi area Police station, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the suspects were arrested by members of a vigilante on December 25, 2012.

He said that the complainant, Mr Chijioke Ameh, also of Kabayi area, was standing beside his car, when the suspects attacked him with harmful weapons.

Emego added that the suspects threatened him with a knife and stick and demanded that ``he releases his phones and money to them’’.

He said Ameh had no choice than to comply, adding that the suspects were arrested by a vigilante while they were trying to escape and handed over to the police for further investigation.

Emego advised parents to always watch their wards and the type of company they keep in order to avert any unpleasant peer influence and ensure a crime-free society. (NAN)

Roadside barber attending to a client, yesterday in Garki village, Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Two men in court for forgery

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wo men, Ayodele Akindipe of Samora Street, Asokoro, Abuja and Okechukwu Osuwa of Utako District, Abuja, appeared before a Karu Upper Area Court in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) for alleged forgery and joint act.

The charges said the offences contravene Section 79 and 364 of the Penal Code.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Philip Akogwu, told the court

that a couple, Mr and Mrs Erasmus Morah of No. 18, Aude Ogbe Street, Jabi, Abuja, reported the case at the Asokoro Police Station on December 19, 2012.

Akogwu said the couple and Akindipe had an agreement for the lease of the couple's property sometime in June. The property was to be leased for a year for N12 million.

He added that the rent ex-

pired in June, and instead of renewing the rent, Akindipe forged another leased agreement.

“Akindipe claimed that the couple had an agreement with one school, and the school sublet the property to him for N13 million,’’ Akogwu said.

Akogwu added that during investigation, it was discovered that Akindipe conspired with Osuwa and forged the lease agreement.

The two accused also forged the signature of the couple without their knowledge. The accused, however, denied the allegations.

The Judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted them bail in the sum of N300, 000 with a credible surety who must reside within the court's jurisdiction.

The case was adjourned to January 2, 2012 for hearing.

(NAN)

Police arraign preacher for cheating, possession of stolen goods

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he Police in Abuja have arraigned a commercial bus preacher, Chuckwuemeka Okere, 36, before a Karu Senior Magistrates Court for alleged cheating and being in possession of stolen items.

Police Prosecutor, Eze Okechuckwu told the court that

on Dec. 10, Okere, who resides in Nyanya Gwandara area of Abuja, lured Zamani Zuneya of Garki II, Abuja, to a hill in Kubwa under the pretence of preaching to her.

“While praying for Zuneya on the hill, he stole her bag containing two cell phones and N15,000. During police inves-

tigation, one of the cell phones was recovered from the accused,” he told the court.

Okechuckwu also told the court that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 319 and 322 of the Penal Code, but Okere pleaded not guilty.

Senior Magistrate Bashiru

Alkali granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 and two sureties in like sum.

He said the sureties must have a reasonable means of livelihood and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

Bashiru adjourned the case to January 16, 2013 for hearing. (NAN)

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

Nigerians lament lack of lower currency denominations

Mob: 08033644990

CBN suspends nationwide cash-lite policy indefinitely

By Abdulwahab Isa

T

he proposed plan by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to introduce the cash-less policy to other states of the federation in 2013 has suffered a major setback following the decision of the apex bank to suspend the plan indefinitely.

CBN spokesperson, Ugo Okoroafor, who disclosed this

recently, said the decision to suspend the plan was made to afford CBN the opportunity to correct all the anomalies noticed in the Lagos implementation of the policy.

“For now, the CBN has suspended the plan to introduce the policy to other states next year. The test run we did in Lagos showed some problems in the implementation.

For instance, people complained

there were no enough POS and Automated Teller Machines (ATM) machines, which we also noticed. The problem of awareness was also there as some people said they were not well informed about the policy,” he said.

He continues, ‘So, before we introduce it to other states, we want to correct the problems.

There are some states that do not have enough banks and ATM

machines like Lag0s and provisions have to be made for the policy to work in those places. It will also afford the banks to upgrade their systems for effective operation of the policy. So, when we are convinced those things have been put in place, it will be extended to other states.”

He, however, said the policy will continue to operate in Lagos.

Customers patronising the second hand clothes sellers, on Monday at Wuse market in Abuja.

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

A

s the on-going glut in the nation’s cement market continues unabated, the Management of Lafarge Cement WAPCO Plc has significantly reduced its production capacity to make stay competitive in the industry.

Plant Manager, Lafarge’s Ewekoro (two) cement plant, Mr.Lanre Opakunle, noted that presently, 50 percent of Lafarge’s Shagamu plant was already shut down and the factory was currently running at 50 percent less than what it normally does.

He also noted that the Company’s Ewekoro plant (one) had cut down production by 40 percent in response to the distress in the market.

He further disclosed that at the moment, the various Lafarge factories have excess cement and clicker inventory at their plants of about 300,000 metric tonnes, which cannot be absorbed by the Nigerian market because it is already over supplied As for the Ewekoro (two) plant, which Opakunle operates, he said they had since began to run the plant on skeletal schedule to prevent the total shut down of any part of the plant.

Conducting journalist around the Ewekoro (two) plant, which

Photo: NAN

Lafarge reduces capacity as cement glut intensifies was littered with various heaps of clinker and bulk cement that are spillover from the overflowing clinker and cement silos in the facility, Opakunle said the factory was already running out of space where excess clinker can be deposited.

“We do not have space in our strategic storage facility for more than 20,000 tonnes of clinker, which is only the output of four days production and if things still do not change in the market the factory may be force to either

scale down its production or shut down its production lines,” he said.

“All you need to do is to look at our 80,000 tonnes per hour cement parking facility from where trailers load cement and take to the market, you can see that the 10 units each of 80,000 tonnes per hour parkers are totally deserted. It is about 2.00 pm now and only 180 tonnes of cement have been loaded off, normally by this time not less than 1,400 tonnes would have been loaded off,” he lamented.

Opakunle, who advised that the Federal Government should do all within its power to ensure that local investors who have committed huge funds into actual cement manufacturing do not run into crisis, warned that using imported products to replace locally made ones portends various socio-economic problems including declining capacity utilisation, increased unemployment and paucity foreign investment.

Management Tip of the Day

I

Help your team mind their manners

t’s natural to want colleagues to treat us with respect. Yet as companies become more virtual, global, and stressed out, common courtesies can go by the wayside. Here are two steps toward restoring civility on your team:· Convene a meeting to discuss expectations. Bring your

team, including virtual members, together to talk openly about the kind of behaviors you expect from each other. What does it mean to act considerately, and what’s getting in the way?

Assume that people aren’t intentionally acting disrespectful.· Ask people to push

- Pg 20

back. Some people may not realize how their actions make others feel. When your team sees bad behavior, encourage them to call it out and explain the impact it has on others.

Source: Harvard Business Review

Ajimobi assures massive infrastructural devt. in 2013 From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

G

overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has congratulated the people of the state on the occasion of the New Year, promising that he would redouble his efforts to make life more meaningful to them in 2013.

The governor, in his New Year message to the people of the state, assured of new lease of life which he said would be brought to the state through aggressive infrastructural development.

He said that the infrastructural activities, which would be unprecedented in the history of state, would cut across all sectors of the economy.

Governor Ajimobi also said that the beautification efforts of his administration, which he said were now being widely acknowledged and applauded, would continue unabated until the entire state was given the necessary facelift.

He craved for the understanding of the people of the state, particularly those affected by the ongoing removal of illegal structures across the state, stating that it could be likened to the proverbial circumcision which comes with pain but whose elegance later on becomes a thing of pride.

The governor said that the neighbourhood markets being constructed by his administration, and which would be ready soon, would afford them the opportunity of plying their trade in safe, secure and decent environment.

Acute fuel scarcity hits Dutse

A

n acute fuel scarcity in Dutse and its surroundings has left motorists frustrated in long queues at filling stations, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The situation has negatively affected free flow of vehicular and human movement and brought hardship to the people.

A NAN correspondent, who went round some fuel stations yesterday, reports that because of the non-availability of fuel in major filling stations, there are long queues of vehicles at NNPC retail stations which have stocks.

Meanwhile, in the thriving black market, a litre of petrol sold at N150. A commercial bus driver, Malam Haruna Manga, said that the persistent fuel scarcity had affected transport services and forced transporters out of business.

Manga said that he patronised the black market in spite of the exorbitant price. “Most of the service stations are not dispensing fuel and the situation is pathetic and exposes us to difficulties,” Manga said.

PEOPLES DAILY,WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS

Emirates

E

mirates, one of the world’s fastest-growing airlines, says it is offering special fares to customers from Nigeria travelling to over 120 destinations on its networks.

The special fares, according to Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ executive vice president, Passenger Sales Worldwide, apply to more than 120 destinations across the airline’s network if booked between December 26, 2012, and January 10, 2013, for travel from January 18 to June 10, 2013. ”The raft of savings means that passengers can fly, for example from Nigeria to other Middle East destinations for as little as $989 and to Dubai from $956.

Niger Insurance Plc

D

r. Justus Clinton Uranta has bowed out as the managing director of Niger Insurance Plc after 35 years of meritorious service in the insurance industry. Mr. Kolapo Adedeji, the deputymanaging director, would succeed Uranta.

At a send forth party organised for him in Lagos recently, Uranta, who has been MD/CEO of Niger Insurance since 2005, informed that he voluntarily resigned from the organisation after having spent 35 years in the insurance industry.

However, due to the fact that the company’s board of directors is convinced that Uranta still has a lot to contribute to the insurance firm, the board has decided to retain him as a director.

Mutual Benefits Assurance

N

otwithstanding the hostile business environment, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc has announced a gross premium income of N5.471 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011.

This represents an increase of 62 per cent over N3.368 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2010, while the profit before tax increased by three per cent from N892.293 million to N916.996 million.

Nigerians lament lack of lower currency denominations W

hile Nigerians have been told that their quest for lower value naira notes may soon come to fruition by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), many Nigerians, particularly traders and commercial vehicle owners and commuters are crying out to the concerned authorities over the persisting lack of lower currency denominations in the Nigerian financial system.

Since about 85 per cent of the nation’s daily transactions are conducted in cash, it is becoming a daily hassle for most ordinary Nigerians to access lower currency denominations, so much so that the issue of one getting ‘ordinary change’ in lower denomination of Naira notes has become a daily nightmare for most Nigerians.

It has become almost a crime now in Nigeria to walk into a restaurant or supermarket, or board a commercial vehicle and not hold your own change. After buying stuff and trying to pay, the first thing you hear is something like, “ Hold your change o!”

Since when did it become a customer’s duty to hold his or her change? And since when did Nigerians have to pay the price for not having that said change?

Most businesses only require lower currency denominations for petty-cash purposes which are not frequently a significant amount. For retailers and others dealing directly with the public, there is often the need to pay in substantial amounts of cash in different denominations of notes.

A fried yam seller at Utako market, who spoke to our correspondents, but preferred anonymity, described the problem of change in her business as ‘seriously’ affecting her business.

“Actually, we get serious problem with small changes with customers like if somebody comes with N1, 000 or N500, because some people will not even buy if you don’t have change. They will ask you first”.

However, despite the agreeing with the problems associated with larger denominations, the yam seller doesn’t believe that the attempt last year by the CBN to introduce N5, 000 notes would have solved the problem. She said, “I think the problem will even get worse if CBN brings out new N5, 000 notes.

Even now, we

Naira currencies encounter problems of changing N1, 000 or N5, 00 notes, so if it’s N5, 000 it will be worse.”

A conductor with one of the Mass Transit Buses, popularly known as “subsidy bus”, who could barely speak because of emotion opined that they used to tell passengers to hold their change before they enter such buses, because of the challenges they face. He stated that they waste long time looking for change, especially when a passenger is dropping before they reach their bus stops, which according to him affects their bottom line.

“We dey tell passengers to hold change for hand before they enter. Na because of the problem we get; na im be the reason we dey tell passengers.

We fit stay long on the way before we get change. The problem e no be small ooo”, he lamented.

When pressed to talk about his opinion if CBN introduces coins this year, the conductor frowned his face, and answered thus: ”For this kind our work, if you come bring coins, we no fit collect am, I tell you, bros; For where we go keep am?” he angrily queried.

Also, a mechanic along Jabi road, Hassan, said that he often encounter problems with the issue of change. He cited the nature of his business and the fact that he, most times, deals with commercial transport.

When asked whether he would welcome the introduction of new N5, 000 notes, Hassan stated that it wouldn’t affect his mechanic business much. “If they bring N5, 000 notes, it will make no difference to my business, because I deal with lower notes.”

On lower

denominations coins, he claimed that “most people will not be going round with coins in their pockets, so you see they won’t last before they disappear.”

According to a bus driver in Jabi, Felix Emmanuel, “Sometimes, we find it difficult to give our passengers change and it affects our business”. Could you believe a passenger will give you N1,000 from Area 1 to Berger, how can you manage to find a change? Especially when you just came out in the morning; To me, I find it difficult to leave change for any passenger because the gain is not much.

The botched planned introduction of N5,000 note by the CBN would surely have affected many businesses in Nigeria where people are suffering in their daily search of livelihood. Whenever you go to the market with huge amount to buy foodstuff of N500, where do you expect the trader to find a change?

It’s either you as the buyer forfeit your change or the seller does, which will surely affect your budget as the buyer and in turn affect the seller, because he might not meet up with his/her profit at the end.

According to a taxi driver, Suleiman Abdullahi , having the requisite change is very important in every business because according to him, “It gives you rest of mind, any time you have passengers and issue their change to them without any hitches.

On the issue of the N5,000 notes by CBN, he said, “It is a good idea, in terms of travelling safely with a large amount of money without being noticed by thieves or hoodlums; also, it will make

transactions easier and faster as one can be able to keep a large amount in his house or office for business transactions”.

However, he noted that when carrying out a transaction, one sometimes find it difficult to buy some items in the market as sellers refuse to accept higher denominations because of change. This will surely affect the seller, according to him, who is likely to take longer time before selling his goods and “it would also affect the buyer if he/she is pressed to buy the goods, leaving his change behind. It will also affect the economy, putting more hardship to the poor.

Cash is still the king of transaction in the country, even in Lagos state where the CBN introduced a new cashless policy last year as a pilot test, and therefore the availability of lower denominations is a task for the CBN The amount of the huge loss to the country arising from aborted transactions due lack of appropriate ‘change’ can best be imagined. Even the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) dotting the country’s landscape for now dispense minimum of N500 currency note.

Most people, especially the affluent of the society, may see this as a small issue as they are wont to leave their change rather than face the hassle of, “No change o.” But for the rest of most Nigerians, who are left to bear the brunt of endless frustrations, and sometimes degenerating into quarrels and even exchanging blows.

It has therefore become imperative that the CBN should come to their rescue so that real change can be effected.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

By Miriam Humbe

I

n the third week of December, 2012, the Pridemark hotel in Abuja, venue of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) governing council meeting, was a beehive of activities.

Investors in the hospitality sector of the tourism industry had converged there in order to brainstorm on a proposed programme coming up in April 2013 with the theme: "The Nigerian Tourism Investors Forum 2013".

Discussions were centred on the event which will be in two in segments. The first part of it, according to FTAN president, Chief Samuel Alabi, is an exhibition, where tourism subcontractors or service providers could come out and exhibit their products. These comprise of the bottling companies, suppliers of tea items and a lot of other items. They are expected to showcase their products for possible consumption by the tourism investors.

The other part which he explained as very essential has to do with the intervention fund.

"We are reviewing the fund challenges as it affects the tourism sector", he said. The tourism intervention fund is an issue which has remained on the drawing board for a long time now. At the April programme, speakers will be invited who will include government functionaries.

They are expected to give a talk on what the federal government has in stock for the tourism industry especially with regards to alleviating the funding challenges facing the tourism sector.

Chief Alabi said, "We equally want to use the opportunity to find new tourism frontiers. We have limited numbers of tour operators in Nigeria. We believe this is the right time government should do something to empower people to set up their businesses in order to ensure that Nigerians themselves can consume Nigerian tourism products".

Expectations from government: "On the basis of the series of letters we have written, we are expecting an intervention fund in the region of N500bn to assist those with existing businesses to upgrade their facilities, those that have taken loans and their loan is now proving difficult to service due to very high interest rates", he stated.

"We believe that if government give us the tourism fund, the rate will be competitive and will be easier to repay", the FTAN president said.

Those categories of investors will be able to repackage their loans and pay at cheaper rates. The association is also banking on the fact that there are a lot of ways if the fund is availed, that tourism products will spring up here and there in Nigeria, to boost the economy", he further stated.

The FTAN president was sure that there would be no difficulty

Need to fast-track Tourism Intervention Fund

Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke disbursing the funds as the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), as the regulatory body in the tourism industry has the records of all hotels in the country at its disposal.

At a forum earlier in 2012, Chief Alabi had pleaded that the government should not wait until the businesses of their members become comatose before coming to their aid, "if the Federal Government's determination to reduce over dependence on oil revenue is to be achieved, the development of tourism industry must be encouraged by provision of cheap funds", he said.

The Deputy President of the association, Mr., Tomi Akingbogun also added his voice when he appealed to the Federal Government to release modalities on how the approved tourism intervention fund would be generated. Just like intervention funds helped to stabilise the banking industry and other sectors, Mr. Tomi Akingbogun optimized that the tourism fund would strengthen the sector.

"All we need is affordable loans and long-term loans for long term investments, the short term loans is killing the tourism industry,'' Akingbogun said.

He said the association hoped the intervention fund would not be in form of taxes on guests lodging in hotels. "Tourism is all about life. We patronise musicians, painters, artists and

Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, DG, NTDC

FTAN President, Chief Samuel Alabi even the DSTV. Tourism could reduce the rate of unemployment and contribute to economic development of the country if the potential in the sector was fully harnessed", he added.

Akingbogun called on government to work out modalities to disburse the funds as soon as possible as most hotel

owners had collaterals to enable them access the fund. There is the need to fast track the release of the tourism fund in the only sector which is the highest employer of labour in the country today where government agencies are downsizing its work force.

Unfortunately, unlike the banking industry, textile

industry, and agricultural industry and of recent, the capital market sector, the Federal Government is yet to give intervention fund to tourism investors. "We find this very curious and strange and this is part of the reasons why we put up the event in April, the second quarter of 2013.

Government has not done any direct empowerment to tourism investors in Nigeria", Chief Alabi lamented.

Shortly upon assumption of office in July 2011, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, who is a tourism practitioner, spoke on his agenda for the culture and tourism sector when he promised to bring his wealth of experience to bear on the development of culture and tourism in Nigeria.

He was positive that Nigeria, which has, over the years, laboured under the challenges of the mono product economy, equally has the opportunity of rolling tourism out as the new frontier for the nation's growth and development.

With the support of stakeholders in the sector, Duke pledged to foster a new agenda for the sector and turn the oncerelegated tourism sector of the economy into a major contribution to the growth of Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and second to the oil and gas sector in the revenue profile of the country through the provision of jobs for women and youths.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

PAGE 22

Making Nigeria preferred investment haven

O

n assumption of office on May 29, 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan created the Ministry of Trade and Investment to boost the fulfillment of his embryonic Economic Transformation Agenda.

The new ministry was carved out from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with an expanded mandate of creating the enabling environment to stimulate domestic investments and attract foreign direct investments.

The raison d'être behind the ministry's creation ministry was to enhance job creation, wealth generation and all-inclusive economic growth in the country.

A year after the ministry's creation, stakeholders and industry watchers say that the government's action is, to a large extent, getting the desired results.

Commenting on the ministry, Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger commended the Federal Government for its establishment, saying that it had since been providing quality service delivery.

He noted that the Mr Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment, had also brought his wealth of experience to bear on the affairs of the ministry.

“His (Aganga's) appointment

by President Jonathan, first as the Minister of Finance, and now as Minister of Trade and investment, has resulted in the introduction of policies and reforms which have helped to put Nigeria on a sound footing to attract local and foreign direct investment across all sectors of the economy," Aliyu noted.

Aganga's most favourite slogan since his assumption of office has been the popular “Investment Golden Rule'', which states that “investment flows in, settles and ultimately grows where it is treated well and appreciated."

As part of efforts to make Nigeria the preferred investment destination, Aganga said that the ministry had embarked on the reform of the country's investment climate, working in tandem with UK's Department for International

President Goodluck Jonathan Development (DFID) and the World Bank.

He has also inaugurated committees on “Doing Business'', “Competitiveness'' and “Investor Care'', while establishing the “Competitiveness Council''.

In addition, the ministry has made concerted efforts to strengthen the One-Stop Investment Centre (OSIC) of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission.

Just recently, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) officially inaugurated its start-tofinish 24-hour business incorporation service.

What this means is that it now takes just one day for anyone to register or incorporate a business.

Aganga stressed that the target was to ensure that companies were registered within two hours, while instituting a vibrant and

“

Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga transparent companies' registry.

“We want a registry where services will be user-friendly; we want to show local and international investors that Nigeria means business,'' he said.

To ensure the scheme's effectiveness, the minister directed that a complaints register should be opened to accommodate the complaints of those who were not able to get their companies registered within 24 hours.

All the same, these investment climate reform programmes have been yielding the desired results, going by the latest statistics released by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The statistics placed Nigeria as Africa's biggest destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2011, with a total FDI inflow of

Aganga’s most favourite slogan since his assumption of office has been the popular “Investment Golden Rule'', which states that “investment flows in, settles and ultimately grows where it is treated well and appreciated."

8.92 billion U.S. dollars (about N1.3 trillion) According to the 2012 World Investment Report, subtitled “Towards a New Generation of Investment Policies", released by UNCTAD in Geneva in November, Nigeria received 8.92 billion dollars in FDI, thereby placing it as first in Africa.

In the report, South Africa was ranked second with a total FDI inflow of 5.81 billion U.S. dollars.

Besides, reports from the Ministry of Trade and Investment indicated that Nigeria secured over N6.8 trillion investment commitments from local and foreign investors within the last one year.

Aganga explained that the investment commitments were secured from over 70 investors' meetings held at home and abroad.

The minister said that such meetings held in 2011 alone showed a total commitment of N3.9 trillion over the next three years.

International relations experts and diplomats have attributed the growing interest in Nigeria by both local and foreign investors to the large untapped investment opportunities existing in the country.

Speaking during his visit to Nigeria, Mr Simon Smits, Kingdom of the Netherlands' ViceMinister of Foreign Trade, noted that the opportunities in Nigeria far out-weighed the challenges.

“What I have observed during the past few days of my visit to Nigeria is that when I discussed with business people from Nigeria and The Netherlands, they agreed that the opportunities in Nigeria out-weigh the challenges,'' Smits said.

Similarly, a renowned

economist, Mr Charles Robertson, said in a recent interview with Reuters that Nigeria was currently the best investment destination globally, with prospects for high returns on investments.

“We know Nigeria is not risk free. But look around the world and find another economy with a population of 160 million and with such a great potential. It's a struggle to find them,'' Robertson said.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr. Ketan Makwana, the Special Adviser on Youth, Commerce and Culture to the Cabinet Office of the British Prime Minister, said in a recent interview that foreign nationals should disregard insinuations that Nigeria was not safe for investment, visitation, or residency.

“Nigeria is most definitely an emerging economy, with more of its population seeking entrepreneurship as a way of life.

I am one of those who believe that you cannot comment on something except you have experienced it yourself.

“I will advise foreigners to disregard the erroneous impression that Nigeria is not safe.

Ignore what you hear, come and experience it yourself. Then, you can make a decision. Nigeria has almost become a second home to me,'' Makwana added.

Economic analysts, nonetheless, appeal to the government to sustain the drive for foreign direct investment in the country, while providing the necessary logistics support for the Ministry of Trade and Investment.

“The ministry is wellpositioned to boost the country's economic growth,'' some of them noted. (Source: NAN)

PEOSPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Report as at Monday, December 31, 2012

PAGE 23

PAGE 24

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

07055652553 udennaorji@yahoo.com

Bill on Social housing out soon Pg 27

Foreign investors rush for real estate opportunities in Nigeria Pg 26

Why Tata is developing India’s cheapest housing units Pg 27

Recapitalization heats up competition in Nigeria’s mortgage sub-sector Pg 26

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

PAGE 25

Design tips for 2013 As we enter into the new year, part of making the year really new is to redecorate our homes; the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, patios; indeed to have the entire home oozing out a new look that enables our minds to function afresh and open to us new thoughts and fresh ideas that will have us approaching challenges with well-thought out winning strategies. Want a really new year? Then try out these design tips in your home.

Think Upward The designer of this small kitchen extends the kitchen upwards to ensure accommodation of stuff and to avoid clutter.

Home Depot designer Emily O'Keefe added cabinetry with period charm to this small kitchen.

"Since space was tight, I went up, stacking the cabinets," she says. "The ceilings are 11 feet high, but not every cabinet touches the ceiling - that way they look more like furniture." Its a smart idea worth trying in your own kitchen.

Mirrors Work Magic A kitchen with a mirrored backsplash as in this picture gives the illusion of more space. The kitchen opens up to the living room on one side and the family room, where we eat and watch TV, on the other.

The idea is that it should be an extension of both of these spaces.

Leave Cabinets Open An open cabinet is more interesting than a closed one. Let people into your secret world.

Wallpaper Is Easy The fastest way to make over sliding closet doors is to wallpaper them, like Melissa Warner did to turn a bedroom into her office.

Go Dark Dark walls do the opposite of what you’d expect: They make a small room feel bigger.

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Foreign investors rush for real estate opportunities in Nigeria

I

nterestingly, despite the recent global meltdown and turmoil in Dubai where property prices are coming down, discerning investors, with eyes on the future are building more portfolios in real estate.

And following the approval of a new National Housing Policy and a new Urban Development Policy by the Federal Executive Council last June, foreign capital has been flooding into the country

for housing development under the Private-Public Partnership (PPP) through which the federal government intends to build one million housing units annually under the new housing policy.

The reason for the blossoming real estate sector in Nigeria, according to Seyi Oyetunde, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Continental Estates, is because “real estate cannot crash, it stabilizes.

Demand is higher than supply in real estate. I tell you there is nowhere else like real estate. The richest men in the world, if you look at their wealth, the bulk of it comes from real estate. I can’t remember exactly now but I know about 90 per cent of the world’s richest men thrive in real estate. Even when they do other things, it is based on their stock of real estate. They own corner shops everywhere, corner shops

that enjoy appreciation. Because they own their own shops, they don’t rent and if at all they’ve got to rent, maybe it’s out of compulsion. But 90% or 95% of their locations are out rightly owned. People whose wealth is phenomenal and will last about four generations without effort are in real estate. I tell you it is exodus syndrome that happens in Nigeria. With the direct foreign investment into the

Nigerian market too, many shops are opened, so many people globally are beginning to realize that the local market in Nigeria is attractive for their various businesses. One of the first things they will need is commercial real estate and then maybe back it up with one serious luxury apartment for the CEO and then the other managers can be given housing allowances and the rest of them.”

Recapitalization heats up competition in Nigeria’s mortgage sub-sector

By Udenna Orji

T

he gale of change blowing through Nigeria’s growing mortgage sub-sector has begun to heighten as mortgage banks enter the final lap of their consolidation exercise in 2013.

The Central Bank of Nigeria had last year increased the capital base of mortgage banks from 100 million Naira to 2.5 billion Naira for mortgage banks that want to operate within a state and 5 billion Naira for those that want to operate nationwide.

The increase quickly sparked off a flurry of activities and unease in the industry as some weak mortgage banks have since been in search of funds to recapitalize or partners to merge with.

The intensity of the battle to recapitalize has further been increased by the plan of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration to announce a housing roadmap early this year. The coming roadmap is expected to boost homeownership in Nigeria and drastically reduce the nation’s rising deficit of over 16 million housing units. The roadmap is expected to put pressure on the mortgage banks as the expected increase in the construction of housing units will require increased and wellpackaged mortgages to be accessed by Nigerians. As much as this will lead to a virile and thriving mortgage sub-sector, the current economic slowdown in Nigeria is making fundmobilization for recapitalization by the mortgage banks a daunting task.

The housing sector is expected to be very active in 2013 as the Bill on Social Housing, newly-approved National Housing and Urban Development Policies, mortgage banks recapitalization programme and many housing bills at the National Assembly all come up for implementation in the new year.

In readiness for the expected revolution in the housing sector, Nigeria’s sole secondary mortgage banker, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has launched an electronic collection platform to drive its National Housing Fund (NHF) collection from contributors and NHF designated banks.

CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

FMBN boss, Gimba Ya'u Kumo

Tagged “NHF e-Collection Platform”, the product is designed to among other things check sharp practices within the mortgage industry and enhance fund mobilization under the NHF scheme.

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

Market watchers say more innovations and changes are expected in the industry as the Federal Government prepares to execute the new Housing and Urban Development Policy approved last week by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) The Managing Director of the FMBN, Mr. Gimba Ya’u Kumo while commenting on the new product said “the e-collection platform will address a number of problems facing the NHF scheme such as refusal of some employers to deduct their employees’ NHF contributions, failure of some employers to remit NHF contributions after deducting such contributions from their employees and failure of some employers to provide

month.

Explaining further, Mr. Kumo said “the platform, for example, will make it easy for NHF contributors to check their NHF contributions using the NHF e-cards on any ATM machines nationwide, the amount of money they have contributed to the NHF scheme and thus be in a position to know if their employers are making the appropriate NHF remittances as and when due”.

A top executive at mortgage bankers, Resort Savings & Loans Plc, Mr. Aliu Oshoke told Peoples Daily that “What FMBN has done is to turn the usual pass book into an electronic card. Though you cannot withdraw with this card, with it you will know details of your contributions unlike before when you did not have any details. With this new card, you can go to any ATM or computer with internet access, log onto the FMBN portal and see details of all your contributions”.

He added that the e-collection platform would help in mobilizing more funds under the NHF scheme as it would check

remittance schedules to FMBN. All these sharp practices enable some unscrupulous employers of labour to misappropriate NHF monies or even embezzle such funds” How does the new FMBN ecollection platform work? As soon as an employer instructs a designated NHF collection bank to pay the monthly salaries of its workers into the workers’ individual bank accounts and the bank makes the payments, the NHF e-collection platform will automatically deduct 2.5 % of the basic salary of each worker (being the NHF component of the salary).

The deducted component (i.e. the 2.5% NHF contribution from each worker) is also automatically and instantly channeled into a dedicated NHF collection account generated by the ecollection platform. Equally generated are details of each worker’s contribution history, including the worker’s identity and amount contributed so far.

FMBN instantly credits each contributor’s NHF account with the amount remitted for the

sharp practices by some stakeholders.

Mr. Geofrey Ozoani, Group General Manager of mass housing developer, El-Salem Nigeria Limited while hailing the new NHF e-collection Platform said “it will create more awareness of mortgages among Nigerians. There is a burning need to create awareness to Nigerians about mortgages and Nigerian mortgage institutions.

Even contributors to the National Housing Fund do not know what they are contributing for”.

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

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

PAGE 27

Bill on Social housing out soon

By Udenna Orji

A

s 2013 sets in, activities in the housing sector are expected to be revved up as stakeholders prepare for the final passing of the bill on social housing, now in its final stages at the National Assembly. The bill is a major part of the housing roadmap which President Goodluck Jonathan said would be announced early this year. The roadmap is expected to revolutionize the housing sector and tackle Nigeria’s worrisome deficit of over 16 million housing units.

Housing stakeholders in Nigeria are calling for a constitutional provision that will make it mandatory for the various tiers of government in the country to provide decent and affordable housing for all Nigerians. This will usher into Nigeria, Social Housing, which bill will soon be passed by the National Assembly, according to the Senate Committee Chairman on Housing & Urban Development, Senator Abba Bukar Ibrahim.

At a one-day seminar on Social Housing held in Abuja recently, participants unanimously called for “a comprehensive Housing Provision Law on the recognition and inclusion of “Housing Right” like Civil Rights as a specific provision in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not just as a preamble in the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy”. They argued that Nigeria is a signatory

to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights which also recognizes housing as a human right and as such should join her developed counterparts in putting in place policies that will boost homeownership among Nigerians and develop social housing for the no-income and

low-income earners in the country. Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and wellbeing of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, Housing, medical care and necessary social

services and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control”.

The seminar was organized by the Forum of Advocates on Social Housing (FASH) and had in attendance the Honourable Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple, Senator Abba Bukar Ibrahim, members of the National Assembly, property and construction professionals, bankers and members of the public while some of the resource persons were drawn from Nigerians in the diaspora with specialization in social housing development and management.

Senator Ibrahim assured that the National Social Housing Bill before the senate would be passed by the senate in a few weeks,

adding that virtually all the members of the senate were committed to the commencement of social housing in Nigeria. He said President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly were determined to kick-start a housing revolution in Nigeria hence the holding of a Presidential Retreat on Housing next Monday.

Social housing is an umbrella term referring to housing which is owned and managed by the state, not-for-profit organizations, or a combination of the two, usually with the aim of providing affordable rental housing. It is the provision of affordable, non-profit driven, mass produced houses that could be occupied by low income earners, who may wish to save towards eventually buying such houses with time.

Why Tata is developing India’s cheapest housing units

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Housing and Urban Development Minister, Amal Pepple

ata, the Indian company that made worldwide headlines with its $2,000 (about N300,000) Nano car plans to build 1,000 tiny apartments outside Mumbai that will sell for $7,800 to $13,400 each. The company plans to roll out low-cost projects outside other major cities.

Tata’s housing division is targeting a segment of the market that was largely overlooked during the housing boom. India’s builders were concentrating on building shiny new high rises

after profits, but they were also trying to justify their fastaccelerating land costs, especially in and around Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) and other major cities.

But some business consultants (most prominently renowned management expert, C. K. Prahalad) were arguing that companies would profit handsomely if they target the “bottom of the pyramid” where the bulk of consumers are. It looks like Tata is taking that advice.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Honda Civic comes with sportier look T

he 2013 Honda Civic proves that Honda is no slouch when it comes to acting on constructive criticism. The Civic was redesigned just last year, but the overhaul was panned as being too slight to give the car any real advantage in the very competitive compact car segment. This year, Honda responds by sprucing up the Civic with improvements that address the previous model's biggest flaws.

The most obvious changes are the styling upgrades, which give the car a sportier look that's also more distinctive, compared to the previous-generation car. Inside the cabin, many of the cheap plastics that drew fire last year have been replaced with materials that boast a more high-end look and feel. The design is largely the same, though, meaning it lacks some of the visual pizzazz and sophistication of some rivals.

Also important to note in the cabin is the significantly expanded standard features list. Additional included amenities now include Bluetooth, a rearview camera, text message functionality, an iPod interface and Pandora functionality. Most of these items are often options on competitor vehicles as well.

There are mechanical revisions as well. Honda recalibrated the suspension and steering for more responsive handling, and added additional sound-deadening material for a quieter ride. On the safety front, the new Civic benefits from an updated body structure that's said to provide better frontal impact protection, revised frontseat side airbags, and the addition of optional forward collision warning a n d lane

departure warning systems for the Civic Hybrid model.

These

are also very rare items in this price range.

So it seems as if the 2013 Honda Civic is now truly up to speed with its well-dressed and fully loaded rivals, which means the list of excellent choices in this segment just got a little bit longer. We'd still suggest looking at some of our other favorites, including the 2013 Ford Focus, 2013 Hyundai Elantra and Mazda 3, as they're competitive in terms of value, feature content and interior quality. Civic Hybrid shoppers will find the Toyota Prius C and

Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid to be strong alternatives.

And gearheads hankering for the Civic Si should test-drive the Ford Focus ST, Mazdaspeed 3 and Volkswagen GTI since they still significantly outdo it from a performance perspective.

Overall, however, we're impressed with the revitalized Honda Civic and find it to once

again be among the top choices for a small sedan or coupe.

The 2013 Honda Civic is a compact car offered in coupe and sedan body styles.

The standard Civic coupe and sedan come in LX, midrange EX and top-of-thel i n e

EX-L trims.

The sedan is also available in a fuelefficient HF trim.

Entry-level LX models come equipped with 15-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, full power accessories, airconditioning, a tilt-andtelescoping steering wheel, a onepiece fold-down rear seatback and

cruise control. Electronic features include a 5-inch central display screen, a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, SMS text messaging

functionality and a four-speaker (six for the coupe) sound system with a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack, an iPod/USB audio interface and Pandora radio functionality.

The fuel-efficient HF sedan starts out with standard features similar to those of the LX sedan, then adds a few upgrades designed to deliver maximum mpg. These include low-rolling-resistance tires and aerodynamic cast-aluminum wheels, windcheating underbody panels

and a rear spoiler.

The EX model adds to

or supplants those features with 16-inch alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, a sunroof and 60/40 splitfolding rear seatbacks. EX coupes get an upgraded sevenspeaker sound system, while EX sedans step up to a sixspeaker sound system.

The EX-L model adds foglights, heated mirrors, leather upholstery and heated front seats.

The Civic Natural Gas is available in one trim whose features largely mirror those of the LX. The Civic Hybrid sedan is available in two trim levels, with the base model's list of standard features being similar to those of the mainstream EX sedan. The Hybrid also comes with forward collision warning and lane departure warning. The top-of-theline "Leather" trim level for the Hybrid adds extras found on the regular EX-L. The sporty Si coupe and sedan come in a single trim level that includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a bigger engine, a limited-slip front differential, a sport-tuned suspension, foglights and front and rear spoilers. Inside upgrades include most of the items from the EX model's standard features list plus front sport seats, a leatherwrapped steering wheel, an aluminum shift knob and red backlit gauges.

A navigation system with voice controls, satellite radio and realtime traffic updates is optional on all Si, Natural Gas and Hybrid models, and on EX and EX-L sedans and coupes.

The front-wheel-drive 2013 Honda Civic is powered by a 1.8liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 140 horsepower and 128 poundfeet of torque. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual and an available five-speed automatic (HF and EX models get the automatic as standard equipment). With the automatic, the Civic returns an EPA-estimated 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway and 32 mpg combined.

With the manual these numbers are slightly lower at 28/36/28, whereas they go up to 29/41/33 on the HF model. In Edmunds performance testing, a Civic EX-L went from zero to 60 mph in 9.2 seconds -- an average time for this segment.

Source: Edmunds.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

PAGE 29

Don’t allow extinction of Igbo language, says Clergy

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ishop Ikenna Uzoewulu of Christ Foundation Deliverance Ministries Worldwide, on has appealed to Ndigbo not to allow Igbo language and culture to go into extinction.

Uzoewulu made the appeal in Aba, Abia, while on a pastoral visit to the Church. He said it was imperative that Igbo language was repositioned because it was the Igbo man’s only lasting identity.

Uzoewulu, who is the Deputy President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),

Orumba South Local Government Area in Anambra State, urged the churches to preach the gospel and conduct other activities in Igbo language.

He advised Ndigbo to be conscious of their language and do everything to preserve it. He said it would spell doom for the Igbo nation in the near future if the language was allowed to go into extinction, as had been predicted.

“All hands must be on deck to ensure that Igbo language does not die by putting its usage in practice in our everyday affairs. “We

should also make it as a duty and see it as a pride to teach our children the mother tongue, “ he said.

The clergy decried the security challenge in some Northern parts of the country caused by the activities of Boko Haram sect. He urged Christians to pray earnestly and ceaselessly for God’s intervention. Uzoewulu commended President Goodluck Jonathan’s efforts to reform the power and agriculture sectors, adding that more needed to be done. (NAN)

The Eze-Dunu, traditional ruler of Ifite-Dunu community, Igwe Chukwuemeka Ilouno (2nd right), doing the Ofala dance to mark his 3rd Ofala festival, on Sunday at Dunukofia local government area in Anambra state.

Photo: NAN

Hotel operators record high patronage at 2012 Calabar Carnival

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ome operators have attributed the high patronages of at their hotels to the high turnout of tourists at the Calabar Carnival which ended on Monday.

Mr Michael Idakwo, General Manager, Tinapa Lakeside Hotel, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar that the hotel made N15 million from patronage during the festival which lasted for one month.

He said that the hotel rooms were fully booked, adding that more visitors came on daily basis to enquire if there were still empty

rooms. “We have 242 rooms and the whole rooms were occupied by visitors that came to the carnival.

“Some visitors had made their bookings two months before the festival, “ he said.

Idakwo said that 25,000 customers visited the hotel in 2012. Miss Offiong Bassey, Senior Supervisor, Formula Hotel, said that there were 25 rooms in the hotel which were fully booked during the festival. “The management was recording N30, 000 daily sales before the festival, but during the carnival, we recorded an average of N70, 000.

Mr Ettah Enem, Manager, Gomez Plaza Hotel also attributed the high patronage to the turnout of visitors at the carnival and urged organisers to continue to initiate programmes that would bring visitors to the city on regular basis.

Miss Mary Nick, Front Desk Manager, Naks Hotel and Towers, said that hotel almost lost its favourite customers because visitors had booked the whole rooms in advance. She said the favourite customers were complaining that there was no room for them to lodge. (NAN)

Benue Govt. will organise subsequent youth carnival

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he Benue Government has promised to organise subsequent editions of the Youth Carnival in the State. Gov. Gabriel Suswam, represented by his Deputy, Stephen Lawani, announced this in Makurdi at the end of the Youth Cultural Carnival in the state Suswam explained that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism would henceforth, partner with the office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Affairs, to organise subsequent youth carnivals.

He said the just-concluded carnival was the best of its kind in the country due to its positive effect on the dying cultures in the state.

The governor said the carnival was

capable of transforming Benue youths into international celebrities if they were adequately trained.

“I am satisfied with what I have seen this evening; I have never seen anything like this.

Your performances were great. ``The costume, dancing steps, music and everything about this carnival was unique. ``I know that you will become the most celebrated artists in the world if you are adequately trained and we would try our best to give you that opportunity,” he said.

He expressed satisfaction with the behaviour of the youths during the carnival. He said the carnival taught the youths the importance of their culture as an embodiment of the Benue tradition.

Mrs Comfort Ajene, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, said the main objective of the carnival was to showcase the numerous cultures in the state. “It also served as a medium to promote our culture which is being seriously destroyed by western culture,’’ Ajene said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mnena Kershima, 22, from Oshongo Local Government Area, beat seven other contestants to win the Miss Carnival 2012 competition. NAN also reports that Ipusu Dance group beat 50 other contestants to win the dancing competition. No fewer than 43,000 youths participated in the carnival. (NAN)

FR OM THE FROM LIVE ST AGE STA with Patrick-Jude Oteh 0803 700 0496, 0805 953 5215 (SMS only)

Oh! What a year!

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his is how my Dad where he alive would have put it.

It has been an eventful year and at this point I can dare to say that there has been a lot of motion but no movement. In all facets of our lives.

I just got back from a much deserved trip to Agenebode.

From there I went to Igarra where I practically grew up. I also went to Auchi which was a transit point for me and siblings when we were also growing up. Igarra left a big gap in my soul. In twenty years, nothing has changed.

The landmarks are all the same and I still recognised all those haunts we used to frequent as teenagers. They have become dilapidated but not changed.

The main road from Igarra Oke to Ugbogbo was still the same.

I could even swear that the potholes were the same. I was told that it was majorly because Igarra has always been in the opposition. Hmmm....

The roads from Jos to Agenebode have not changed.

What happened to the presidential directive that all roads must be repaired in one month?. A journey of about nine hours thus became a nightmare of twelve hours. In the case of fuel, there was a major change.

All the mega stations did not have fuel except Lokoja which had a queue running for almost ten kilometres. If you were patient enough, you joined the queue and bought fuel for N97 but if you were in a hurry all the stations along this route sold fuel between N115 – N125. Take it or leave it. Many thanks to that excellent organization – FRSC that ensured that there was smooth flow of traffic in Lokoja and Okene.

A friend at Agenebode said he paid N45,000 to be able to get a ticket on the flight from Lagos to Benin. All of these distortions of economics without meaning – how on earth can one buy a ticket on-line and the ticket is not honoured because there are more people willing to pay double or triple the price of a normal ticket. I am beginning to think that we should be getting to the point in Nigeria where for any infraction we should be ready to take the court route.

In the arts sector, we witnessed a lot of movement.

But for a country of 167m people it is not enough that in a year

there are less than forty theatre plays that can be reckoned with. One is not talking of the airport receptions for visiting dignitaries or those organized when the CEO is visiting or jetting out. I am talking of theatre productions. The audiences are beginning to increase and this is good but we need more ambitious productions and productions that will make the soul to soar.

This is still lacking. But 2013 is giving us the opportunity to consolidate on the little gains of 2012. As for government patronage for the arts, I know it is still a very painful fact that it is all an issue of ‘who know man/woman’. Many of our leaders still do not appreciate or even know the use of the arts in any society especially one like ours. If they do know they pretend that all is well in the arts sector. All is not well. I know of a lot of promises made in 2010 which are yet to be fulfilled at the end of 2012.

So it has always been. For the avoidance of doubt let them all know that no matter how successful a show or performance, ticket sales account for only 40% of the entire production costs. The rest is left for individual, corporate or government patronage (if one has the patience to chase them). I have been reliably informed that there is no endowment fund for the arts but there is a moribund arts policy. Let us see what 2013 holds.

Hmmm...

Ann John Mafai died towards the tail end of 2012. It was a very sad way to go after a long and protracted battle with cancer. She was one of our most faithful artistes.

When she died my thoughts went to an organization in the UK that arranges for cheap and affordable treatment for dancers who have retired and are ill either from bone weaknesses or the inability to continue to work. We are currently looking in that direction. Been able to provide an endowment of sorts for ourselves.

To those who continue to support and cherish the arts, we can only say, do not be tired. The light in the tunnel is not too long. We thank you at the close of this eventful year.

PAGE 30

BOOK REVIEW

By Isaac Ewuoso

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here are times when I have followed literary wisdom from the western sage that to be a good poet one must write and think like William Shakespeare or John Milton. The works of poets who are “good” or even “great”, I used to reason, must be popular and historical. This logic also applies to African writers and brings to the forefront several reasons why Vultures of Fortune should be of interest to any reader of serious poetry.

To understand Vultures of Fortune is to understand a normal man’s protestation against the injustice that he sees all around him and in his native country. I believe Vultures of Fortune, as its name reveals, is a book that explores the nature of betrayal and vain promises men love to make to their fellow human beings. When a vulture feeds on a carcass it did not kill, it is in fact reaping where it did not sow. In essence, this sums up the story of the activities undertaken by greedy multinational oil companies in NigerDelta, an oil rich region in Nigeria where most of the country’s wealth comes from.

The Niger-Delta has produced many talented writers who have sought to voice out her pangs through poetry. The world would recall the late Ken Saro Wiwa, an activist in the early ‘90s from Ogoni land, the ethnic village of the Ogonis in Niger-Delta, who tried to use poetry and oratory to raise awareness about the plight of the Niger-Delta people. The passionate Saro Wiwa was later put on trial and hung for treason against the Nigerian government.

Wherever and whenever there is injustice, there will be profiteers and charlatans; Pious Okoro makes this keen observation in Vultures of Fortune.

In my estimation, Vultures of Fortune is not just a collection of short poems but a poetic work filled with protestation in the midst of injustice perpetuated by cunning and crooked human beings. How one man obtains his riches may be more hidden than meets the ordinary human eye. Racial and ethnic discrimination seems in the 21st century fabulous to the denier of such unless he or she has encountered one personally. A leech, like an opportunist, operates

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Vultures of Fortune

like a vulture. Okoro does well to depict foreign oil exploiters as people “who lay golden eggs in distant lands where their nest are built.” In the poem “Before Oloibiri”, the unlucky village where oil was first discovered, Okoro in Vultures of Fortune metaphorically describes the multinational oil companies and its key ally, the Nigerian government, as having abandoned the village, its people, its concern and welfare “like a harlot after the exploits.” Though Niger Delta is a now a veritable oil mine, Okoro notes that it formerly was a place “where mosquitoes once guarded bravely from desecration.”

Now if you have ever experienced the loss of a close friend or a relative, you should find Okoro’s poem written for a late childhood friend, Chinedu Isiodu, very poignant. In “The Way of Man” Okoro states that in life there is a “shrouded mystery mortals

would always face.” I do not believe a real mad person is one who has been declared as such by a mental institution, be it public or private. So who are the real mad men of today? In “And we Call them Mad Men”, Okoro illustrates how garbage searchers, naïve fellows who fall victim to the opportunists or vultures, and poor fellows who could barely provide shelter for themselves are all mad men.

When you have to prove that you are an American or a soul brother, then you know that racism and stereotypes often go hand in hand. Though I am a natural born American with an accent and I am “African looking”— so I have been told — I can share the sentiment of Okoro in the poem “I, too, I am a brother” when you have to prove yourself to someone or a group of people that you are no different than they are.

Therefore I can boldly say that “I, too I am a brother” and no less an

American than a second generation Irish or German American. Okoro protests: “I plead to be heard I, too am a brother The one, who was spared The sea experience But made it to the land.”

Who is to say or argue convincingly that western exploitation of Africa, particularly of Nigeria and Niger-Delta, has ended? Western exploitation of Africa is not just limited to oil and gas but can be seen in second-hand industrial materials and vehicles exported to Nigeria called Tokunbos in popular Nigerian slang. In the poem “Car, cash ‘n’ Carry” Okoro writes: “Drunks parade tokunbos The good ‘n’ the worst The West seeks to dump In the wastelands That produce nothing But receive everything Like the open sea.”

But Okoro’s book leaves us with the question: where do we go from here? I once heard a wise witty saying from a psychologist on radio that “in order to deal with a problem you must identify it.” I agree with that statement absolutely! But I say in regards to the problems revealed in Vultures of Fortune that not only must we identify them and the causes but also provide solutions for them— some means of alleviating the plights of Niger-Delta inhabitants, if not, eliminating them. If the Nigerian government and its’ Western oil consumers who serve as allies for “color blind” exploitative business overtures cannot assuage the pains of the Niger-Delta, the privileged Nigerian who lives as an expatriate in the west or the privileged “oil expatriate” or better still the privileged Westerner who indirectly benefits from the region through oil purchase and technical mechanical support, should have some compassion and even guilt to help out the poor of the poorest who live there. There has been no time in which we need too much doing as opposed to too much saying about the injustice and poverty we see all around us than in the 21st century. May God help us and give us wisdom.

Source: Africanwriter.com

13 states attend 2012 Igbo cultural carnival in Abia

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o fewer than 13 states are participating in this year’s Igbo (Uturu) cultural Carnival organised by the Igbo Renaissance Centre of the Gregory University, Uturu, Abia.

The Chairman of the carnival, Professor George Obiozor, commended the initiator, Dr Greg Ibe, the Chancellor of the university, for his efforts toward the preservation of the Igbo culture and values.

Obiozor, a one-time Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the Igbo culture was facing serious threat of extinction, but that it could be saved through such initiative. He

enjoined Ibe not to rest on his oars and expressed the confidence that the carnival would achieve greater national and international acclaim.

Senator Uche Chukwumerije, representing Abia North Senatorial District, enjoined the people not to allow their rich cultural heritage to extinct.

Chukwumerije said many Nigerians were imitating foreign cultures at the detriment of the country’s rich culture. He noted that advanced nations, including America, were spending so much to preserve their own culture.

Mr Olusegun Runsewe, the Director-General, National Tourism Development

Corporation, said it would help to preserve the Igbo language and culture.

Runsewe, represented by Mr Vincent Arua, said the lack of such carnivals portrayed the Igbo as a people without a culture. He expressed the hope that the carnival would help Africans in Diaspora to trace their root, in addition to wealth creation through tourism.

The initiator of the carnival said that he drew his inspiration from his belief in the study of anthropology that “culture is life.

“The Igbo culture and language will not go extinct if it is passed on from the old to young ones,’’ Ibe said.

He said that the carnival, being the fifth edition, would set goals for the organisers, beyond the celebration of the people’s cultural heritage.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that traditional rulers are among those attending the carnival. It featured children’s carnival, Uturu special carnival, carnival float, ‘egwuonwa’ command performance, culture Christmas cantata and a cross over church service/fireworks. States from the south-east, south-south and some from the north attended the four-day fiesta with the theme: ``Harmonious Diversity’’.

(NAN)

PEOPLES POEM OF THE WEEK Title: Once Upon a Time…

By C. Uche Onuora New pilgrim on stilled horizon Scours a virulent threshold through a prism Wasted lands tell a sordid tale; a life of its own With twists and turns – a fire-lit tail…

Invocations were deaththroes galore As baldies with hook beaks circled patiently “One last time!” was the bellow yielding a sob “For my fathers and my children’s children…”

Beyond the chants and the heaving pants Beyond even the memories gone-by with recants “We who walked with thunder and supped with gods!”

“We who bestrode colossally – wielders of fiery word swords!”

Bones of old pilgrims were littered in plain sight They with plain beaks, dared to salivate intently When Canines cracked canines encored in vain plight Once upon a time, everyone knew their place…

We swill the caustic froth of fermented truths We yield to the relentless pace of fleeting youth Beyond the Crier’s bell clang – the dreary herald Our dreams yield sharply to our reality’s pangs…

Wasted lands tell of wasted lives As new old pilgrims retreat in peace New Prodigal of soil returns with fleece

QUO TE UOTE

“Love is not a thing to understand.

Love is not a thing to feel.

Love is not a thing to give and receive.

Love is a thing only to become And eternally be."

– Sri Chinmoy

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

NPA donates relief materials to flood victims in Kebbi From Ahmed Idris, Brinin Kebbi he Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has donated relief materials to flood victims in Kebbi state .

The relief materials consisted of 7,800 mosquito nets ,750 blankets and 750 mattresses which were presented to the Kebbi State government through the Deputy Governor, Alh. Ibrahim Khalid Aliyu by the NPA‘s Assistant General Manager, Buhari Abdullahi .

According to Abdullahi, the relief materials were intended

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to bring succour to the families of flood victims in the State and that similar gesture was extended to other states affected by the flood depending on the degree of the flood.

“We are joining other well meaning Nigerians to provide succour to the families of the flood victims in Kebbi under our corporate social responsibilities” The Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Alh. Ibrahim Khalid Aliyu thanked and commended individuals like Senator Atiku Bagudu and NPA as the first Governmental organization to send relief to the flood victims.

Osun warns public defecators Fund seekers during the New Year celebration, yesterday at Millennium Park, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Agriculture to generate three million jobs in 2013 – Maku

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule & Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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he Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, has stated that so far the Federal Government has generated two million jobs in agricultural sector alone, and expressed government’s intention to generate three million jobs to Nigerians this year.

The minister, who made this known during ‘2012 End of the Year Media Briefing’ Monday in Abuja, disclosed that a new system targeting the entire agricultural chain is being pursued by the Federal Government as a departure from previous programmes.

In the power sector, Maku maintained that for the first time in Nigeria, the country’s power generation has reached 4, 500 MW from the inherited 2, 500 MW and attributed the progress to the reforms and deregulation in the sector.

Stating that three out of the 10 new power plants projects being undertaken by the Federal Government have been completed, the minister declared that “a new contract for the hydro-power plant in Kaduna was awarded towards ending of the 2012 year” in addition to the MoU signed with a Chinese company to generate 3, 0050 MW in Mambilla.

On the country’s present security challenges, the minister stated the FG’s determination to tackle insecurity and commended the efforts of the security officers which has “nipped in the bud several planned attacks”, describing the Joint Task Force (JTF) as the heroes of 2012.

Maku rounded off with achievements in the transport sector, which, according to him, for the first time in over three decades, train movement from Lagos to Kano have been restored, restating that the dredging of River Niger is progressing well with the completion of the Niger section targeted for March next year.

‘Stop insulting Jonathan on social media’

By Stanley Onyekwere, with agency report

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he Niger Delta Youth Initiative for Positive Change, has warned some Nigerian youth against the recent trend of using the social media as platform to criticize the President Goodluck Jonathanled Federal government, even as it called on the President to start delivering his election promises in the New Year.

The group who decried the delight in using offensive words against leaders, said the attitude of abusing leaders was not common in other countries.

According to Daily Post, an online news portal,the National Coordinator of the group, Mr. David Ato who issued the warning on Sunday, while addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital

noted that Jonathan had good plans for the country.

Ato pointed out that insulting him on Facebook and other social media was not the best, but rather, people should learn how to respect leaders whom they elected into office.

“The truth is that Nigeria has been facing a lot of economic and political problems for a long time. Jonathan did not create these problems, so the youth should desist from using abusive words against the President of the country”, he said.

While calling on the youth to support Jonathan , Ato reminded those insulting the president that he did not create the economic and political crisis currently being faced by the nation.

The group therefore called on the President to start delivering on his election promises in the

New Year, stressing that the country had waited enough for his transformation agenda to yield results.

Furthermore, the group leader lamented over the continuous killings of innocent Nigerians by the dreaded Boko Haram sect, calling on every Nigerian to pray fervently for peace and progress, noting that the ongoing crisis in the northern region was affecting the image and economy of the country, as nobody would invest in a volatile environment.

While urging the president to quickly curtail the rising insecurity presently threatening to tear the nation apart, the group advised the security agents to liaise with members of the public on security-related issues to help bring the situation under control.

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he Osun state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Prof. Olubukola Oyawoye, said that the state government will no longer tolerate defecation in public places from next month.

Oyawoye, who gave the warning in Osogbo while speaking with newsmen, decried the way and manner some public places in the state operate without functional toilets.

The commissioner called on business organisations to provide toilets for their workers and customers to ensure public health.

Oyawoye warned that as from January, the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) Task Force would embark on inspection visits to public places and houses in the state.

She admonished operators of

motor parks, markets, hotels, restaurants, filling stations and canteens to build toilets in their own interest.

The commissioner said the need to provide toilet facilities for their workers and customers was to complement government’s efforts at promoting healthy living.

Oyawoye described the habit of defecating in public places as worrisome, stressing the need for quick government intervention to prevent an epidemic.

She recalled that Gov. Rauf Aregbesola’s administration had built 32 functional toilets in public schools in Ejigbo Local Government Area.

The commissioner warned that anyone who failed to comply with government’s directive would face the wrath of the law.

(NAN)

Fashola signs 2013 budget into law From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos agos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Monday gave his assent to the 2013 Appropriation Bill totaling a sum of N499, 105,000,000 and appealed to all public servants that the time to buckle up and get down to work again has come.

Capital Expenditure took a lion share of N269,376 billion which represented 54 percent while a sum of N229,729 billion which represented 46 percent was approved as recurrent expenditure.

The governor who spoke at the Conference Room of the Lagos House, Ikeja added that the State government’s successes has been and will remain measured by the overall output and percentage performance of the budget year on year.

Governor Fashola said the budget would be fully operational as it would commence full operation from January 2.

He thanked the members of the State House of Assembly for working round the clock to ensure a quick passage of the

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2013 Appropriation Act. Speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Hon Mudashiru Obasa said the House made a corrective amendment to the draft figure submitted by the Executive to arrive at the N499, 105,000,000 figure.

The 2013 budget is made up a sum of N269,376 billion as capital expenditure and a sum of N229,729 billion as recurrent expenditure all totaling N499, 105,000,000.

He added that the increase was necessitated by a discovery of the Appropriation Committee that a cut down in overhead on all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) has seriously affected the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) against the existing law that established the agency as well commitment for the Lagos State House of Assembly in the area of capital projects.

Hon Obasa explained that observations were also made during the Year 2012 budget as it affects some of the MDAs that a few of them performed well in the area of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

60 killed in Ivory Coast stampede

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CAR rebels reject AU call for talks

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ebels fighting the president of the Central African Republic, Franรงois Bozize, have rejected appeals from the African Union to form a coalition government and to halt their advance on the capital Bangui.

"We are not convinced of the commitments made by President Bozize," said Juma Narkoyo, the rebel spokesman, when reached by telephone by the Associated Press in Bangui on Monday.

"Bozize has always spoken, but he never keeps his word."

The rebels said they would enter negotiations "only if the head of state releases all our relatives they have arrested without reason".

The AU is trying to secure a lull in fighting, which has seen the rebels take several towns, to encourage them and Bozize to form a unity government.

The rebels' refusal to halt their advance came as dozens of troops from neighbouring Republic of Congo arrived at sunset on New Year's Eve in Bangui as part of an effort to step up the presence of a multinational regional military force.

After disembarking from their military aircraft, the group of about 120 men headed towards the line between government forces and a coalition of four rebel groups known as Seleka north of Bangui.

About 10 towns, including Sibut, which is about 185km from Bangui, are currently in the hands of the rebels who have vowed to advance on the capital.

Fighting began less than a month ago and the rebels have taken town after town, sometimes without a shot being fired.

The government imposed a curfew starting from 7pm, leaving the streets largely empty on New Year's Eve. The rebels claim that Bozize has abducted more than a dozen of their family members and warned if the president uses foreign troops to protect his government, they may continue their military campaign towards the capital.

But the African Union has told the rebels that if they seize power they will face sanctions and Central African Republic will be suspended from the continental bloc.

Meanwhile, Francois Hollande, France's president, welcomed the efforts by the AU and the group of neighbouring states to find a negotiated solution.

Hollande called for "opening a dialogue between CAR authorities and all the parties present, including the rebellion".

t least 60 people have been crushed to death and more than 200 injured during new year festivities in Ivory Coast's main city Abidjan, officials say.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday near a stadium in the central Plateau area of the city where a fireworks display was held.

The cause of the stampede is not yet clear. It occurred as people were heading home after the event.

Most of the dead are believed to be children aged between eight and 15.

The death toll is expected to rise.

The crush happened near the entrance to the stadium after the fireworks ended at about 02:00 local time.

According to some reports, thousands of people were trying to leave the stadium at the same time as another large crowd was trying to get in, the BBC's West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy says.

"In the crush, people were walked over and suffocated by the crowd," Lt Col Issa Sako, head of the military rescue effort, told public television.

The site is littered with abandoned clothes and blood stains.

Relatives have gone there to get news of missing loved ones.

The distraught mother of a nine-year-old boy told local

media: "I have just seen all those bodies, but I can't find my son."

The 65,000-capacity Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium was named after the founding president of Ivory Coast.

The fireworks event had been organised to celebrate the recently re-established peace.

The night before the tragedy, the stadium hosted a concert by US performer Chris Brown.

Unclaimed belongings at the stadium.

Jonathan, other African heads to grace Mahama's inauguration

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n less than a week to the swearingin of Ghana's President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, President Jonathan and a dozen heads of African countries have confirmed their participation in the event.

Leaders expected include Faure Gnassingbe of Togo, Mahamadou Isoufou of Niger, Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, African Union (AU) Chairman, President Thomas Yayi Boni of Benin Republic and Alassane Ouattara of Cote d'Ivoire.

The Presidential Transition Team spokesperson, Mr. James

Agyenim-Boateng, reportedly said in Accra that "all is set for the inaugural ceremony on January 7" and invitations had been extended to 50,000 guests from around the world.

James disclosed that work on the ceremonial ground has begun and will be completed by January 5, adding that the team had received all hand-over notes from ministers and government officials.

For now, there were indications that opposition New Patriotic Party, NPP, may shun the event on account of alleged irregularities that marred

the polls over which it filed a petition at the Supreme Court.

The oppositions Director of Communications, Nana Akomea, said the party was yet to confirm whether or not it would attend the inauguration of President Mahama on Saturday. If it fails to attend, it would be the first time a main opposition party is shunning the inauguration of a president-elect since the return of democracy in 1992.

Akomea stressed that he was uncertain the party would send representatives to the event.

However, he said the party's decision

would be informed by legal advice, saying they would attend if their presence would not invalidate the suit filed against Mahama's victory.

"If lawyers so advise that your presence there when you believe that the whole process is based on an illegality and your presence there compromises you, the legal opinion will hold sway," he added.

The NPP Presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, had earlier told journalists after filing the challenge with the Supreme Court that the alleged discrepancies were too large to overlook.

M23 rebels placed Jose Ramos-Horta gets under UN sanctions UN Guinea-Bissau role

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he UN Security Council has imposed sanctions on leaders of the M23 rebel movement in DR Congo.

Under the measures, those linked to the group will have their assets frozen and be barred

Col. Sultani Makenga, leader of the M23.

from travel. Similar measures were taken against Rwandan FDLR rebels.

Made up of deserters from the army, the M23 captured Goma - on DRC's eastern border with Rwanda - from government and UN troops last month.

It later withdrew from the city, following international condemnation.

The New Year's Eve sanctions come the day before Rwanda joins the Security Council for a two-year term.

The UN and DR Congo government accuse Rwanda and Uganda of backing the rebels, an allegation they strongly deny.

Rwanda is widely seen as having backed armed groups in the east of DR Congo as a way to fight Hutu rebels who fled there after the genocide of the 1990s.

It has been accused of using militias as proxies in an on-going battle for the region, which is

U

N Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed the former president of East Timor, Nobel Peace prize winner Jose Ramos-Horta, as his special representative to GuineaBissau.

Mr Ramos-Horta will take up the post on 31 January, a UN statement said.

He will take over from

Rwandan diplomat Joseph Mutaboba.

The military seized power of the West African nation in a coup in April, and instability has turned the country into a prime drug smuggling spot.

The UN Security Council has demanded that Guinea-Bissau's rulers restore constitutional rule.

Mr Ramos Horta shared the Nobel Peace prize in 1996 for working towards peace in East Timor.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Asia and Middle East

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orth Korean leader Kim Jongun has called for an end to confrontation between the two Koreas, technically still at war in the absence of a peace treaty to end their 1950-53 conflict, in a surprise New Year speech broadcast on state media.

The address by Kim, who took over power in the reclusive state after his father, Kim Jong-il, died in 2011, appeared to take the place of the policy-

PAGE 38

North Korean leader reaches out to S/Korea setting New Year editorial published in leading state newspapers.

Impoverished North Korea raised tensions in the region by launching a long-range rocket in December that it said was aimed at putting a scientific satellite in

orbit, drawing international condemnation.

North Korea, which considers North and South as one country, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is banned from testing missile or nuclear technology

under UN sanctions imposed after its 2006 and 2009 nuclear weapons tests.

"An important issue in putting an end to the division of the country and achieving its reunification is to remove confrontation between the north and

Iran blasts Obama for Latin America law

India to charge five gang-rape suspects

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ran has blasted US President Barack Obama for enacting a law aimed at countering Tehran's alleged influence in Latin America, saying it was an overt intervention in the region.

"It is an overt intervention in Latin American affairs... that shows they are not familiar with new world relations," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters on Tuesday.

The United States, he said, "still lives in the Cold War era and considers Latin America as its back yard".

"We recommend that they respect the nations' right in today's world... world public opinion does not accept such an interventionist move."

Mehmanparast said Tehran's relation with all nations, in particular with Latin American countries, was "friendly" based on "mutual respect and interest".

On Friday, Obama enacted the law which through a new diplomatic and political strategy to be designed by the State Department is aimed to counter Iran's alleged influence in Latin America.

Seven charity workers shot dead in Pakistan

Kim Jong-un made the call in a televised New Year speech.

Protesters call for trial of the rapists.

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even charity workers, six of them women, have been shot dead in north-west Pakistan, police say.

The women, some of them teachers, were attacked near a children's community centre. A male colleague died with them. All were Pakistani citizens.

Their vehicle came under gunfire near the centre run by Pakistani charity Ujala, or Light.

Militants targeting a vaccination programme are suspected. No group has said it carried out the attack.

The incident happened in the Swabi district close to a road connecting Peshawar to the eastern city of Lahore.

The centre was part school and part clinic, specialising in maternal health.

"Four men came on two motorbikes.

They attacked their van. They opened fire to the right and left of the van and fled on their motorbikes," Swabi district police chief Abdul Rashid Khan said, according to AFP.

the south," Kim said in the address that appeared to be pre-recorded and was made at an undisclosed location.

"The past records of inter-Korean relations show that confrontation between fellow countrymen leads to nothing but war."

Venezuela's Vice-President Elias Jaua (right) ignored US warnings to avoid close ties with Iran's Ahmadinejad (2nd right).

ndian police have said they expect to formally charge five of six suspects with murder in the death of 23-year-old woman who was raped on a moving bus in New Delhi last month.

The sixth suspect in the case that has outraged the country is under 18-years old. Under Indian law, juveniles cannot be prosecuted for murder.

Police ordered a bone test for the sixth accused to confirm his age, according to a police officer who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to talk to reporters.

Rajan Bhagat, New Delhi police spokesman, said on Tuesday that a charge-sheet in the case will be filed in court on Thursday.

Police also said they expected to receive the victim's postmortem report on Tuesday.

The suspects face the death penalty if convicted.

The physiotherapy student died last week in a Singapore hospital where she had been sent for emergency treatment after the crime in India's capital on December 16.

The case has triggered protests across India and raised questions about lax attitudes by police toward sexual crimes.

Protesters and politicians from across the spectrum called for a special session of Parliament to pass new laws to increase punishments for rapists including possible chemical castration - and to set up fast-track courts to deal with rape cases within 90 days.

Thousands of Indians have lit candles, held prayer meetings and marched through various cities and towns to express their grief and demand stronger protection for women and the death penalty for rape, which is now punishable by a maximum of life imprisonment.

Authorities clamped down on demonstrations in the heart of the city before Christmas, but hundreds of people gathered for vigils on Monday nigh.

Protesters were seen sitting at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi's famous protest site and were shouting slogans.

More events were planned across the city.

Meanwhile on Monday, the Indian army and navy canceled their New Year's celebrations, as did Sonia Gandhi, head of the ruling Congress party.

PEOPLES DAILY, WENESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

PAGE 39

Jonathan fulfilled campaign promises in 2012, claims Okupe INTERVIEW

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n fulfillment of campaign promises Jonathan’s Okupe, refuted claims that President Jonathan has not fulfilled most of the promises he made to Nigerians during the election that brought him into power saying, he was optimistic that the year 2013 will be the "year of Nigeria's glory. He also added that Nigerians were seriously lamenting before the coming of Jonathan, but according to him, the lamentations have started to decrease.

"To say that Nigerians lamented the most in 2012, that is not true. There were lamentations before.

The President on assumption of office said the days of lamentations are over, so in gradual sequence, the lamentations started to decrease.

Gladly enough, stage by stage, most of the promises he made are being fulfilled gradually.

"2013 is a year of Nigeria's glory. The president has said it.

Good things are coming to Nigeria. There will be growth in all ramifications. There will be regular power supply" he said.

On Boko Haram Okupe said even though the President has not foreclosed direct interface with the group, the dialogue would have to be constructive with highest level of sincerity. He said the Federal Government was not against dialogue but that the real representatives of the sect must first of all be identified before genuine dialogue can take place.

"I believe that most Nigerians are interested in dialogue and that this ultimately would be the best way of resolving the issue, but dialogue would have to be constructive. You have to identify genuine people and when the proper stage is set for dialogue, the government would surely be interested", he said.

Even so, the President said more than 70% of the intended action of the sect is being foiled by security agencies, adding that Aso rock has the capability to secure and protect the people of the country.

"The Federal Government has curtailed the insurgency, it's no longer escalating. There is containment with both the numbers and locations. Don't forget that insurgency is not easy to contain anywhere in the world, but the government has a responsibility to protect the people and it's doing just that.

Dr. Doyin Okupe, Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs in this interaction with newsmen in Lagos recently spoke on the “achievements” recorded by his principal in year 2012 and other issues of national interest. Our Lagos Correspondent, Ayodele Samuel was there.

Dr. Doyin Okupe

President Goodluck Jonatha "So, we should be careful with the way we criticize the President; we should measure our utterances. You don't destroy a country because you want to criticize the Federal Government.

Boko haram only spread to seven states when it began and has been contained to three states. How then can people be saying that the country is not safe?" He asked.

On Anenih's appointment as NPA Chairman Reacting to condemnations that trailed last week appointment of Chief Anthony Anenih as the Chairman of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), the

Presidential spokesperson said that there was nothing wrong in appointing the veteran politician to use his vast experience to guide the professionals in NPA. He said the various allegations leveled against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain have not been proven in the court of law and that records have shown that they are all lies.

He particularly mentioned the billions of Naira that Anenih was alleged to have collected when he was the Minister of Works, saying that the money was only budgeted by the ministry and was not

“

"I believe that most Nigerians are interested in dialogue and that this ultimately would be the best way of resolving the issue, but dialogue would have to be constructive.

released. "Why then should people be accusing him of embezzling money when the money was not released?" he queried.

On FG's action on fuel subsidy Okupe assured Nigerians that the coming year will be the country's year of glory and that the Federal Government did not make a mistake in its handling of the fuel subsidy issue in January this year. He said the Jonathan's administration is a very responsive government and that, according to him, explains why the government, after due consultations bow to the wishes of the Nigerian people through the reduction in petrol price from N141 to N97 per litre.

"I am not being pompous or irrational but I don't agree that government made a mistake given the way it handled the fuel subsidy issue. As responsible government, if you do something wrong and you come to the realization, you should agree that you make a mistake, but in that particular situation, from government perspective, it wasn't a mistake. I don't think government made a mistake; I am

speaking from government's position, I don't think it was an error. Government backed down to the wishes of the people which are a responsible thing to do in a democracy".

On refineries He also spoke on the nation's refineries saying just like an old car, the refineries in the country are old and instead of spending money on frequent maintenance, the best option is to sell it off and purchase a new one.

On why the federal government did not partner with those operating illegal refineries in the creeks to raise the refineries to a standard level and make them legal, Okupe said the operation of illegal refineries has nothing to with national growth and development. "The refineries are working and I believe that even in recent times, the recent figure that we have is that majority of the refineries we have are very, very old. The least of them is about 30 years in age or more. So, we are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

The best thing to do is to do away with these refineries. It is like having an old car and you don't have money to purchase a new"

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

2013: CNPP seeks global sanctions against corrupt leaders

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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he Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), has called on the international community to activate laws to sanction corrupt leaders in the country in the year 2013.

In its New Year message to Nigerians, the Secretary General of CNPP, Chief Willy Ezugwu, said the international community and agencies cannot stand by and watch the plotted disintegration of the country.

"It is on this note we urge nations of earth and the international community to strongly consider: international sanctions against corrupt Nigerian leaders, similar to those imposed on South Africa during the apartheid era, until the country's corruption perception index improves "Nothing presently works in Nigeria except for what is merely the semblance of a country to the extent that it is now a shadow of what is was before the military snatched power back in 1996 or when Nigeria joined the comity of nations as a giant of Africa in 1960. The state can no longer guarantee the fundamental rights of its citizens with the state of security abysmally poor and states in several parts of the country, particularly in a state of war; "We urge the international community to freeze and or closure of questionable International Bank Accounts especially those in Switzerland, Cayman Island, Dubai, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil,

2013: Ihedioha urges renewed faith

By Lawrence Olaoye

D

eputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has called on Nigerians to put the past behind them and look forward with hope, optimism and renewed faith in themselves and the country in the year 2013 and beyond.

In a New Year message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Oke Epia, the Deputy Speaker said the challenges of 2012 have helped to strengthen the resolve of Nigerians to overcome the hurdles of nation-building, noting that the country has come out stronger in spite of them.

He expressed hope that Nigeria will be better in the New Year and that all citizens must continue to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the country.

He congratulated Nigerians, Imolites for the God-given opportunity to see a brand new year. He pledged increased commitment of the House of Representatives improving the lives and living conditions of Nigerians generally.

‌Says NASS is corrupt Argentina, the US and UK; and vetting of all international businesses that require specified amount of transfers. We believe these measures would bring significant improvement in the situation of the country when taken promptly".

Ezugwu added that, since coming into the office after the 2011

elections, President Jonathan, has not visited Borno state even if only to reassure the suffering citizens of that place that Nigeria has not and will not forsake them.

Considering the size of the country in all ramifications and the series of Federal Government's failed boasts to rout out the

insurgency by extremists in the North East of the country ,the Conference said the ongoing carnage is a massive tragedy of international proportion.

"The President is making a show of coming to terms with the reality on ground but his actions throughout 2012 told Nigerians of a man who will rather groom corruption to thrive to get whatever reprieve he seeks for

himself. He continues to surround himself with questionable characters with most of those around him being neck deep in sleaze from Ministers, Special Advisers to heads of extraministerial departments. He himself admitted that some directors are richer than governors. A known ex-convicts struts the corridors of the presidential villa". l-R: Chairman, Appropration Committee, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Monsuru Obasa, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo, the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and his deputy, Mrs. Joke OrelopeAdefulire, during the signing of 2013 Appropration bill into law, on Monday in Lagos.

Photo: NAN

2015: UPP zones presidential ticket to S/East

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he newly registered United Progressives Party (UPP) yesterday disclosed that it has zoned the Presidential ticket of the party to the South East geopolitical zone of the country, challenging President Goodluck Jonathan to sit up and tackle insecurity, corruption and poverty head-on.

In a statement signed by the

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ogbuechi Dike, UPP said that in consonance with section 14(2)b of the 1999 constitution (as amended), the security and welfare of the people remains the primary purpose of government.

It urged the President to stop executive rigmarole and provide abundant democracy dividends to the long suffering Nigerians, recalling that in the previous year 2012, hell was

let loose on Nigeria due to unprecedented violence, flood, corruption, armed robberies, infrastructural decay, hunger, executive recklessness, which created despair in the land.

On this basis, UPP reiterated that it remains a party to beat in 2015, saying it is battle ready, having conquered the south east zone in its march to Aso Rock.

In another development, UPP called on Governor

by its Director General, Hon. Bisi Kolawole, the PDP governorship hopeful said the people's goodwill and support towards the PDP in the year 2012 had further reinforced his commitment to serving the state wholeheartedly and making life more meaningful for the downtrodden.

The statement read, "We in PAAM wish to congratulate the entire people of Ekiti State for m a k i n g i t t o this brand new

year.

"We also wish to urge our people, especially supporters of the PDP to remain calm, focussed and keep hope alive in the New Year, because God will surely manifest Himself concerning Ekiti State this year.

"Therefore, our people should remain steadfast in their support, commitment and loyalty for us and our great party, the PDP, bearing in mind that in this new year 2013, we will remained committed to serving them."

God will manifest Himself in Ekiti in 2013 - PDP guber aspirant From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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eoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Prince Dayo Adeyeye has described the new year 2013 as the year of clear manifestation of the will of God concerning the State, saying; "No matter how thick a cloud is, there will always be sunshine at the end."

In a New Year message by the Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement (PAAM), signed

Theodore Orji of Abia State to take immediate steps to provide infrastructure to the displaced spare parts traders at Ohiya Mechanic Village Umuahia who have been trading in unhygienic and uncompleted buildings where the state government relocated them.

It also called on the governor to intervene and reduce the high cost of the newly built shops placed at one million naira, each at Azueke Ibeku Umuahia building material market to make it affordable for most of the traders, saying it is the essence of good governance and compassionate leadership.

Meanwhile, it commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for de-registering unviable political parties, urging the commission to start preparation for the 2015 general election in order to avoid a fire brigade approach that could impede our frail democracy.

It also advised INEC to provide a level play field to all political parties and maintain its integrity as an unbiased umpire.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

PAGE 41

Igiebor, Uche link up with Eagles in Barcelona

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eal Betis of Spain midfielder, Nosa Igiebor and Villareal striker, Ikechukwu Uche, yesterday joined the Super Eagles fold ahead of the international friendly against Catalonia selected later tonight.

Celtic’s Rabiu Ibrahim was also part of the party that joined the Eagles for the only training session.

There were fears that Igiebor, might not make the team, when he failed to arrive Faro, Portugal as arranged with Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, but immediately evaporated when he appeared in camp yesterday afternoon, as the team landed in Barcelona.

The team departed its Browns Resort and Sports Centre camp on schedule at 4am, Portuguese time, which is 5am, Nigerian time, but experienced some little delay at the Faro Airport, but eventually arrived Lisbon at some minutes after 9am.

The flight took just 35minutes. After immigration formalities the team set out for Barcelona and arrived the city at about 11:20am Nigeria and Spanish time.

The flight lasted 1:30minutes Officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Spain led by Head of Chancery, Mr Safiu Olaniyan, Deputy Consul General, Mr. Nze Nnadi, Curtis Aghedo, who is President Nigerian Union in Barcelona, Kingsley Lawal, President Nigerians in Valles and Gbenga Adegoke Scribe of Nigerians in Valles, were on hand to

receive the team at the magnificent Barcelona International Airport.

There were also about 20 Nigerian football supporters who were at the airport to bid the team welcome.

The team was immediately moved to the equally eye-popping Hotel Fira Palace in the heart of Barcelona, where they were addressed by Mr Olaniyan on behalf of the Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Amb. Bainca Olivia Odimegwu Ojukwu, who was unavoidably absent due to other engagements.

In her speech, Ambassador Ojukwu, described the national team as the higher grade of ambassadors of Nigeria and urged the players to go all out and do the country proud in the friendly against Catalonia and at the upcoming Nations Cup in South Africa.

She said she was aware that the government of President Goodluck Jonathan was solidly behind the team to achieve success at the AFCON tourney as football is a major unifying force in Nigeria.

Head Coach Stephen Keshi, said he was humbled by the kind words of the ambassador and assured that the Super Eagles will do all within their powers to defend the green white green colours of the nation at all times.

“We promise never to let the confidence and trust of the nation down at all times”, he said.

NPL stars dare Barcelona Stories by Albert Akota

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he Nigeria Premier League (NPL) stars have said they will take on the Barcelona stars who will line up for Catalonia tonight.

Eagles take on Catalonia, who

Warri Wolves defender Azubuike Egwekwe

has named 10 players from mighty Barcelona, while several players from the NPL expected to be part of the action.

Warri Wolves defender Azubuike Egwekwe said that they are unfazed by the prospect of coming up against some of world football’s top stars like Xavi, Puyol and Victor Valdes.

“I am aware the Catalonia team is a star-studded with most of the players from Barcelona. I am not afraid to mark or face any player.

We are professional players just like them so no cause for alarm, “Egwuekwe declared.

Sunshine Stars right back Solomon Kwambe said the Eagles will be up to the task.

“We fear no one. We have been training hard for the game and we are ready. They are known stars

but we are ready to make a name and show the world we are equal to the task, “ Kwambe said.

Kano Pillars star Gabriel Reuben will battle the likes of Xavi for the control of the midfield and he said he is looking forward to the challenge.

“It will be a great experience for me battling for the control of midfield with Iniesta and Xavi. I will battle them to the best of my ability,” he stated.

“I am not intimidated one bit. It will be a great experience for us as individuals and as a team.

The Catalan side thrashed Nigeria 5-0 when they first clashed in 1998.

Today’s game will be staged at the home ground of La Liga side Espanyol and it will kick off 9pm Nigerian time.

Catalonia lists 10 Barcelona stars, 7 Espanyol players against Eagles

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ead Coach of Catalonia side, Johan Cryuff, has listed 10 players from Spanish La Liga leaders Barcelona for the international friendly against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

He has also picked seven players from Espanyol FC, whose ground will host the encounter.

The list made available to the Nigerian delegation on arrival in Barcelona has Barcelona first choice in goal, Victor Valdes, Xavi Hernandez, Carlos Puyol, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Martin Montoya, Sergio Roberto, Christian Tello and Marc Bartra all listed from the Catalan giants.

From Espanyol, there will be Joan Verdi, Joan Capdevilla, Sergio Garcia, Kiko Casilas, Raul Rodriguez, Victor Sanchez, and Sergio Tejera. Others in the team list are AC Milan’s Bojan Rkic, Getafe’s Alvaro Vazquez, Jordi Amat and Francesco Medina ‘Piti’ both of Rayo Vallecano and Red Bulls Zalburg’s Jonathan Soriaro.

“These are big names no doubt but our players know that names don’t play football these days, we will just go out there and give our best against them”, Head Coach Stephen Keshi said.

The match time has also been brought forward, as it would now be played at 7pm, Nigerian and Spanish time from 9pm that it was earlier slated but the venue remains Espanyol FC home ground in the Catalan city.

Carlos Puyol

Chibuzor Okonkwo

Okonkwo sure of Eagles

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uper Eagles right full back, Chibuzor Okonkwo is positive his side will have a good game against the Catalonian selected side in today’s friendly in Spain.

Okonkwo missed the friendly tie no thanks to non-possession of valid Shengen Visa.

The Eagles are already in Faro, Portugal and will head to Spain for the crunch encounter that will serve as tune-up match for the side’s 2013 AFCON title chase in South Africa.

Okonkwo said if the Eagles adhere strictly to instruction they will be able to nick a positive result against star-studded Catalonian side.

“I’m confident that the Eagles will get a good result against the Catalonian selected once they play according to the coaches’ instructions.

“The Catalonian side we’re told are star-studded but they’re

beatable. We’ve been given the best training and equally prepared mentally and physically to stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

“I won’t be there physically but I’ll continue to pray for their success not only in the friendly game but during the AFCON proper,” said the former Heartland strongman to supersport.com.

The former Bayelsa United defence ace is still hopeful that a miracle will see him feature for the side in South Africa.

“Everything is still possible; I could still be in South Africa if God decrees it to be so. So I live each day believing that a miracle could still happen,” he said.

The Eagles will head to Nelspruit, South Africa where they are due to start their title campaign against Group C West African foes, Burkina Faso on January 21 before they face Cup holders, Zambia and Ethiopia.

Ikpeba disowns Twitter comments

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ormer African Player of the year Victor Ikpeba has said he is being impersonated on Twitter as he does not have such an account.

Ikpeba made this clarification following an exchange on Twitter purportedly between him and Osaze Odemwingie after the West Bromwich striker was sensationally dropped from the AFCON. “I make bold to state categorically here that I don’t have a Twitter account, neither have I exchanged words with anybody on the social network site,”said Ikpeba in a statement.

“I only have a Facebook account, which I even seldom visit. I would rather spend my precious time with my family than confront anybody on a social network site.

“I am using this medium to call on Nigerians to disregard statements or comments from this Tweeter account opened in my name and picture because such remarks are not from me.”

Ikpeba, who is on the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), instead enjoined the Eagles to go

to South Africa to prove they are the giants of the continent.

“They should go out there and prove once again that we are the true giant of African football, irrespective of who is selected or not,” he urged.

Victor Ikpeba

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Eagles arrive Spain for today’s cracker

T

he Super Eagles arrived in Spain yesterday to prepare for the Nations Cup in Catalonia after having been camped in Faro, Portugal for a week.

Celtic playmaker Rabiu Ibrahim is expected to join his team mates yesterday as he could not make the camp with them in Faro, Portugal because of un-anticipated delays in his flight schedule.

Ikechukwu Uche and Ibrahim will be the last duo to make the Eagles’ camp just in time for the clash on Wednesday Jan. 2.

Midfielder Nosa Igiebor who was to have joined up with his team mates in Faro is ‘AWOL’ as the team’s technical crew has no clues regarding his whereabouts.

“We are still waiting for word from Nosa at the moment, so we cannot say he will be in Catalonia or Faro for the game”, Team Secretary, Dayo Enebi Achor.

Today’s match against the Catalonia select managed

by Dutch legend Johann Cryuff will be played at the home of La Liga side, Espanyol at 9:00pm Nigerian time.

Agbim to start against Catalonia arri Wolves’ goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim, will be between the sticks for Super Eagles in today’s pre-AFCON game against Catalonia.

Reports in the local media this week had suggested that overseas goalkeepers, Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide, will link up with the Nigerian squad for the friendly match.

But Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi has said not to have had the trio of

captain Joseph Yobo, Ejide and Enyeama in his plans for the game against Catalonia at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat.

The absence of Ejide and Enyeama now leaves Agbim as the most experienced keeper in the team in spite of the presence of Heartland shotstopper, Daniel Akpeyi.

“The two goalkeepers, Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide as well as captain Joseph Yobo were not part of the plans for the

Catalonia game.

“Myself and the coaches including the head coach (Keshi) were surprised to read that they were set to arrive in Spain for the game. The report never emanated from the Super Eagles’ camp.

“There are two goalkeepers (Agbim and Akpeyi) here as well as a handful of players, so one of the two will take to the goalpost.

“Spokesman of the Super Eagles, Ben Alaiya said yesterday as the team travelled out of Portugal

“And now I have to play with David Luiz. It’s just a lot, I think, psychologically as well.

“You think, ‘If I’m playing today, who am I going to play with?’

“I’ve played with Frank (Lampard) for a long time and I’ve always enjoyed playing with Frank and Rami as well and (now) with David,” said Mikel.

Benitez, however, stuck to Luiz for Chelsea’s game at Everton over the weekend despite Mikel being available after serving a three-match suspension.

The former Liverpool manager first experimented with Luiz in the holding role at the recent edition of the Fifa Club World Cup.

John Obi Mikel

W

Chigozie Agbim

Mikel admits challenge at Chelsea N

igeria international, John Obi Mikel is now aware that he faces a battle for a starting place at Chelsea.

M i k e l ’ s acknowledgment stems from the conversion of centre-back David Luiz to a defensive midfielder by Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez in recent games.

The 25-year-old

Nigerian midfielder has been the man for the dirty job at Chelsea for the past six years and has become accustomed to the partnership of either Ramires or Frank Lampard in the heart of the pitch.

“I think he (Luiz) needs to play at the back. It affects you because I’ve been here for a long time.

Rabiu Ibrahim for today’s match.

But Alaiya was tightlipped on the goalkeeper, who would be picked for the game in Spain.

“Honestly, I cannot say (which goalkeeper will start against Catalonia).

The coaches will take that decision and when they do I will inform you,” he offered.

It is the second time Nigeria will come up against Catalonia after a 05 loss to the Catalunya selected team at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companyson on December 22, 1998.

Mancha blames wards for defeat

P

Emeka Inyama, NNL chairman

lateau United Coach, Patrick Mancha has blamed his wards for the 1-2 loss to FC Abuja in Nigeria National League (NNL) Matchday 2 in Abuja.

The Tin City side had looked forward to consolidate on their 2-0 emphatic home win against Spotlight FC in the season’s opening day.

Mancha, who has course to complain on the handling of the match, said his charges would have negated the poor officiating if they had converted several goalscoring chances that came their way.

“The way you prepare your bed so will you lay on it, we got the match wrong and we paid dearly for it.

“Fine, there are lots to be bitter over the referee’s handling of the match but I don’t want to dwell on it.

“I blamed my wards for their failure to convert several

goalscoring chances. They blew over seven such glaring chances. I think we lost the game ourselves.

“There is always a lesson to learn from each game, it’s an eye opener if we must make headway in this year’s league season,” said the former Nigerian player to supersport.com.

Mancha said they will make up for the defeat against their Matchday 3 opponents, Niger Tornadoes at the Rwang Pam Stadium on Sunday.

“We’ll make up for the loss when we host Niger Tornadoes on Sunday,” he said.

The former Golden Eaglets player said he is praying for a good football year free of crisis.

“We pray for a football season free of crisis in the New Year and beyond,” he enthused.

Dolphin’s female team wins basketball competition

D

olphins female basketball club of Lagos has emerged winners of the 2012 Mark D-Ball tournament.

The club defeated the defending champions Pearls basketball team from Lagos to clinch the trophy.

The final match, which took place at Otukpo Sports

Arena, was a thrilling moment for the champions when they beat their rivals 32-24 points.

The defending champions, which had 10 points against the 11 points on the Dolphins side during the first time out, could not equalize at the end of the fourth quarter.

Okworogun Ochuko, Head Coach of Dolphins,

said she was very happy and impressed by the performance of the girls.

Ochuko said it was possible that their opponents underrated them after beating them at the group stage.

“I feel so happy; the first time we met at the group match they defeated us. ”So, may be, they have underrated us and it was

in their mind that they have beaten us once and they can do it again,” she said.

Ochuko said after they were defeated by Pearls in the group match, they went back to work on their lapses and were determined to come out strong at the final. ”Being that we lost before, we now went back

and looked at where we were lacking, what we did wrong and what we did right.

“So, we went to work on them and came back, they were not expecting what they got and when they realized it was already late,” she said.

The Captain of Dolphins, Tokunbo Olaoshibikan, said she felt

so great that they won the trophy, adding that they had sacrificed so much to attend the tournament.

“I feel so great because coming down here we had to sacrifice our Christmas and New Year with our families and coming down here for the first time it was tough but am happy we won,” Olaoshibikan said.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

PAGE 43

Consider paralympians for honours, minister tells committee

F David Weir

ormer sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe says members of the New Year honours committee made a “big mistake” in not recognizing more Paralympic athletes.

He said Paralympians were not put on an equal footing with Olympic medallists and that was a “missed opportunity”.

Wheelchair athlete David Weir, who was made a CBE after winning four gold medals, has suggested Paralympians have to work harder to earn recognition.

Cyclist Sarah Storey became a dame, the top award to a Paralympian this year.

Olympic cyclist Bradley Wiggins and sailor Ben Ainslie were knighted

Cycling and rowing performance directors Dave Brailsford and David Tanner were knighted for their services to both Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In total, 29 athletes from ParalympicsGB were recognised following their achievements in the summer.

“Paralympians would get honours; the committee said it was unlikely. We managed to get them to change their mind and have a separate category for Olympians and Paralympians.

Saying they had had made a “big mistake” in not awarding the highest honour to Paralympians like Weir, he said: “There was an opportunity to be consistent and if you look at his record over several Olympics I think the least he should have got is a knighthood.

PDC world darts: Taylor apologises to Barneveld

P

hil Taylor has apologised to Raymond van Barneveld after the altercation at the end of their PDC World Championship semi-final.

Taylor appeared agitated with his opponent following the 6-4 win.

“Raymond’s a big lad and has a strong handshake. When he pulled me, it hurt me, said the 16-time world champion.

“I’ve contacted Raymond to apologise and

hopefully we can put it behind us now. I reacted wrongly and I’m ashamed of that because I really like Raymond.

He added: “I’m gutted about what happened. It’s upset a lot of people and it’s also “I’m very close to Raymond. He’s a great competitor and it was something that happened in the heat of the moment.”

Van Gerwen, 23, has won his last two matches against Taylor, but will

ndy Murray says he feels better prepared for big tournaments following his US Open victory.

Murray, who also won Olympic gold in 2012, ended Britain’s wait for a Grand Slam champion when he beat Novak Djokovic at Flushing Meadows.

“The last few years I got close but never managed to get over the final hurdle,” said the world number three.

“Now that I’ve managed to do it, I hope that when I’m in those situations again I’ll deal with them better.”

“I probably just feel a little bit more relaxed in the last few weeks than I normally do a few weeks before a slam.

The Scot begins 2013 as the number one seed at the Brisbane International and will face local qualifier John Millman, the world number 199, on Thursday after receiving a first-round bye.

That tournament will act as preparation for the Australian Open - where Murray reached the semi-finals in 2012 which begins on 14 January.

Following the 25-year-

Phil Taylor

old’s success in 2012, when he also reached the Wimbledon final for the first time, he was made an OBE in the New Year Honours list.

Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins and four-time sailing gold medallist Ben Ainslie received knighthoods, but Murray said he would need to achieve more before he could join them.

Murray, who joined forces with eight-time major winner Ivan Lendl 12 months ago, said his new coach had helped him deal with the pressures of being a Grand Slam champion.

Watson enters second round of ASB Classic in Auckland

B

ritish number one Heather Watson beat fifth seed Sorana Cirstea of Romania to advance to the second round of the ASB Classic in Auckland.

Cirstea retired having lost the first set 6-3.

Meanwhile, British number two Laura Robson lost 6-2 6-3 to Romania’s Monica Niculescu in the second round of the Shenzhen Open in China.

Robson, the world number 53, will now prepare for the Australian Open, which starts on 14 January.

Top seed Li Na beat Mandy Minella of Luxembourg 6-4 6-0 to reach the second round.

Sharapova pulls out of Brisbane International

M

aria Sharapova has pulled out of the Brisbane International on Tuesday as a precaution before the Australian Open.

The French Open champion recently withdrew from an exhibition in South Korea because of an injured collarbone.

American Serena Williams, ranked third in the world, advanced to the quarter-finals with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Alize Cornet of France.

Williams, 31, who won Wimbledon and the US Open last year along with Olympic gold and the season-ending WTA Championships, only needed an hour to beat the world number 44. The former world number one will play either fellow American Sloane Stephens or Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden in the last eight.

Edwards quits London Irish role for Wales duties

D

Murray set for 2013 after US Open victory

A

Andy Murray

not be underestimating the challenge posed by his number-one ranked opponent.

“I like playing him and he likes playing me so it should be a hard game,” Van Gerwen said. “It’s one for everyone to watch - it’s going to be a cracking match.

“He’ll be ready to play me. He wants his title back, I want my first title.

We are both going to work very hard and it’s going to be a cracking game. For me it’s a dream come true.

Shaun Edward

Sharapova, 25, withdrew from the Brisbane event last year but recovered to reach the Australian Open final, where she lost to Victoria Azarenka.

The French Open champion added: “I still have quite a bit of time to prepare for Australia. I’m on the right track, been training really well.”

The 2011 champion Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic lost 6-4 7-5 to Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova while fifth seed Sara Errani of Italy was also knocked out, losing 4-6 6-1 7-5 to Slovak Daniela Hantuchova.

The season-opening event has now lost five of its top eight seeds following first-round exits for seventh seed Sam Stosur of Australia and eighth seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark on Monday.

Maria Sharapova

efence coach Shaun Edwards has quit his consultancy role at London Irish to concentrate on his duties with the Wales national team.

London Irish have the worst defence in the Premiership and lay second bottom in the table.

Edwards was defence coach for the British and Irish Lions’ tour of South Africa in 2009 but was overlooked by his Wales head coach Warren Gatland for this year’s Australia tour.

London Irish, who reached the Premiership final in 2009, have struggled this season, conceding 31 tries to lay only one point clear of bottom-club Sale.

Edwards worked alongside Gatland at London Wasps and the club went on to win two Heineken Cup titles.

He linked up with Wales at the end of 2007, with the national team winning the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2008 and 2012 as well as reaching the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup.

Cheltenham’s New Year meeting abandoned

C

heltenham racecourse has been forced to cancel its prestigious New Year’s Day meeting because of a waterlogged track.

The ground was heavy and saturated in places leaving some areas of the track unraceable.

And with further rain forecast, clerk of the course Simon Claisse made an early decision.

He added: “Sadly we’ve had to take the decision earlier than we thought to abandon the meeting.

“We’ve had more rainfall - it’s still raining here now and there’s quite a lot more rain forecast.

Heavy rain also put paid to Monday’s meeting at Warwick but Uttoxeter does go ahead after passing an inspection.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

2013 Nations Cup finals

Why I miss AFCON list – Nsofor

NFF threatens to petition FIFA over players’ delay

V

ictor Obinna Nsofor has explained that moving to Eastern Europe may have hurt his chance of making Nigeria’s AFCON provisional squad.

The Nigerian striker joined Russian Premier League club, Lokomotiv Moscow from Inter Milan in June 2011 but now feels the move may have cost him a place in Stephen Keshi’s team to the Africa Cup of Nations.

“Players in the English league as well as the Spanish league always do have the advantage.

“Every fan back here (in Nigeria) follows those leagues because they are on TV every week unlike other leagues. So it’s easier to know who is doing well in England and Spain as well as Italy unlike in Russia.

“May be if I play my football in these leagues I would have had the opportunity to be called up. But since I’m not in the team I can only pray and wish them a great outing in South Africa,” said the 25year-old striker.

Nsofor last played for Nigeria’s Super Eagles in September 2011 in an AFCON qualifying against Madagascar.

T

Victor Obinna Nsofor

Uganda FA boss upbeat on 2014 World Cup

T Ahmed Musa

Musa wants AFCON trophy as New Year gift

he President of Uganda FA Lawrence Mulindwa has tipped the country to go past the group stage of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Uganda is second in Group J with two points from as many matches after draws against both group leaders Senegal and Angola.

“We have managed two draws against Senegal and Angola, but have four other games and have a chance to get out of that group,” explained the FUFA president Mulindwa.

Mulindwa attributed the country’s failure to feature in major competitions to lack of enough sponsorship including little support from government.

“We have struggled to get our teams to qualify for tournaments and we have done our best despite limited resources,” said Mulindwa, who was flanked by his Vice President (Administration) Moses Magogo and the CEO Edgar Watson.

For 2013, Mulindwa said they will ensure that the national team are well prepared for tournaments, while maintaining good working relationship with FIFA, CAF, CECAFA, the government and sponsors and also promote and develop women’s football.

However, Mulindwa said he is happy since he took over administration of the sport in Uganda; the country has won the regional Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup four times.

Gyan wants to win AFCON as captain

A

hmed Musa has said a befitting New Year gift for the fans would be Nigeria winning the 2013 AFCON. The CSKA Moscow star said that the fans, who last celebrated a Nigeria triumph at the AFCON 19 years ago, deserve a trophy for their support over the years.

“I am wishing Nigerians and the fans a great new 2013. My New Year resolution is to win 2013 AFCON because it would be a perfect gift for Nigerians, who have stood by the national team, “Musa said.

Musa has also insisted the Eagles will not be intimidated by the top stars they will face when they take on Catalonia tonight in Spain.

He will up against Barcelona defenders Carlos Puyol, Gerrard Pique and Jordi Alba in this AFCON warm-up clash.

“Personally, it won’t be hard to face them. I have faced a lot of world-class defenders especially in Champions league. Others in our team have played at top level, so there is no reason to be afraid of facing any one,” he declared.

“Emma (Emenike) took on the Barcelona defence at Camp Nou, for one, so no cause for alarm. We are ready for them.

A

Asamoah Gyan

samoah Gyan wants to become Ghana’s first captain to lift the Africa Cup of Nations since 1982 in South Africa.

The Al Ain striker was installed Black Stars skipper in September last year due to the physical frailties of John Mensah, who was elevated as General Captain.

Gyan wants to succeed where is predecessors Abedi Ayew, CK AKunnor, Stephen Appiah have all failed.

His first major test will be in South Africa where the Black Stars begin their campaign against DR Congo on 20 January.

The four-time champions will also face Mali and Niger to advance to the knock-out stage. “I think the GFA and the players have given me the support. So it will depend on us,” Gyan said in an interview.

As a captain I will make sure I help my team with my advice and the rest will be left to the team to deliver.

“Hopefully we will be ending the long wait for an African title next year in South Africa.

Ayew tips Ghana to win AFCON

G

hana winger Andre Ayew has boldly declared that the Black Stars will win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The four-time champions flattered to deceive at the last

edition in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea 2012 where they finished fourth.

Ghana has a tough Group comprising DR Congo, Mali and Niger at the tournament in South Africa.

Kwesi Appiah’s side will begin preparations in Abu Dhabi on January 5 where they will play Egypt and Tunisia in warm-up matches.

Ayew, who is on the verge of recapturing his verve after a

slow start to the season in the French Ligue 1, believes Ghana will win their fifth title.

“Please, I’m not here to talk about the Nations Cup. I can talk about it when the time is right,” the Olympique Marseille ace said in Douala where he joined Samuel Eto’o for a book launch.

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has threatened to petition FIFA if Newcastle United and Millwall FC of England failed to release Eagles players for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) competition.

The federation had invited Shola Ameobi of Newcastle and Millwall for the AFCON competition holding in South Africa from Jan. 19 to Feb. 10. Chris Green, Chairman, Technical Committee of NFF, made threat known in an interview in Port Harcourt.

Green said if by Jan. 5 Ameobi and Shittu failed to report to the Eagles’ camp, the federation would write to FIFA against the clubs.

“Now, for Danny Shittu and Shola Ameobi, as far as we are concerned, we do not want that matter to distract us because the coach is ready to work without the players.

“But again, the football federation shall consider such attitude as quite unwholesome on the part of the players as well as their clubs because as it appears, it’s the clubs that are pushing for these players not to honour the invitation to play for their country.

“So, of course, we are going to take the matter to FIFA; we are going to write appropriately; we are not going to lie low because, at least, let’s do what is right, that we should not be taken for granted.

“After all, these players were found in Nigeria, these players are from Nigeria and they also desire to play for Nigeria.

“So, what is the problem? Why would they have to stop them, using underarm tricks to stop them.

That will not be right,” he said.

Green said both Newcastle and Millwall had not communicated with the federation officially over the inability of these players to play for Nigeria.

However, the NFF official said the coaching crew of the Super Eagles had other players to replace Ameobi and Shittu if they failed to report to camp.

He said more players would join others already in camp in Faro, Portugal, and that the team would play a friendly match with Cape Verde before the tournament, in South Africa.

Chris Green

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

PAGE 45

PICTORIAL

1 1] QPR boss Harry Redknapp has confirmed he will speak to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers about the potential signing of Joe Cole, although a deal will need to be struck over the midfielder's wages.

2] Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has rubbished reports that they will attempt to lure Ashley Cole from Chelsea during the January transfer window.

3] Legendary running back Eric Dickerson's 28-yearold single-season rushing record is threatened by Adrian Peterson.

4] Britain's Andy Murray says he is feeling more relaxed as he prepares for this month's Australian Open.

5] Test Match Special commentator Christopher Martin-Jenkins dies of cancer at the age of 67.

6] Ex-sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe says the sport honours committee made a "big mistake" in not recognising more Paralympic athletes.

2

3

4

5

6

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Manchester clubs cruise, Spurs go third

P

remier League leaders Manchester United began the year of 2013 by maintaining their seven-point advantage at the top of the table, exorcising a ghost from last season’s failed title bid in the process.

Rivals City also picked up three points at home to Stoke while Tottenham kept up their pursuit of a top-four finish, but relegation-threatened Aston Villa were denied victory at the death against Swansea.

ManU lost a pivotal encounter at Wigan during the ultimately doomed 2011-12 campaign, handing City the lifeline they needed to eventually claim their first Premier League crown.

There was to be no repeat at the DW Stadium on New Year’s Day, with United comfortable 40 winners thanks to braces from Javier Hernandez and Robin van Persie.

Sir Alex Ferguson continued the easing-in process of Nemanja Vidic after the defender’s return from injury by leaving him on the bench at kick-off, but top scorer Van Persie was restored alongside Hernandez up front as both men got on the scoresheet before half-time.

The opener came in the 35th minute after Ali AlHabsi, who looked shaky in the Wigan goal all afternoon, parried Patrice Evra’s shot to Hernandez, allowing the Mexican a simple task of converting the rebound.

Van Persie then made it 2-0 at the break with a glorious strike, stepping inside Ivan Ramis to bend one in with his right foot.

Arouna Kone thought he had halved the deficit for Wigan just before the hour, only to be correctly flagged offside, and Hernandez quickly killed the game off with a predatory volley after Van Persie’s free-kick hit the wall.

The last say came from the Dutchman, who converted Danny Welbeck’s pass after poor defending from Wigan.

Manchester City continues to battle to defend their crown after they deservedly beat Stoke 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium. James Milner and Joleon Lescott replaced Samir Nasri and Matija Nastasic for the hosts, whose goals came from Pablo Zabaleta, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero.

Roberto Mancini’s men were excellent without scoring for the first half-hour in front of their home fans, Aguero hitting a post with their best effort.

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Robin Van Persie

The breakthrough arrived two minutes before the interval when Zabaleta followed up Milner’s effort to poke past Asmir Begovic.

Tottenham’s push for Champions League football continues apace after they beat Reading 3-1 to chalk up a seventh win in their last nine league fixtures.

Michael Dawson, Emmanuel Adebayor and Clint Dempsey got on the scoresheet as Spurs somewhat nervily came from behind to move above Chelsea into third.

Andre Villas-Boas’ side were stunned in the fourth minute by Reading, who led through Pavel Pogrebnyak’s close-range strike after Ian Harte’s freekick rebounded off the bar.

West Brom’s hopes of keeping pace with the top four suffered a big setback after they were beaten 21 by Fulhamat The Hawthorns.

Steve Clarke’s side are now five points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea courtesy of goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Alex Kacaniklic.

At the bottom of the table, Aston Villa picked up a valuable point in their battle against relegation, drawing 2-2 atSwansea. The result moves Villa two points clear of the bottom three, although they were only seconds away from a victory.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

PAGE 47

Quick CrossWord (102)

Say what?

ACROSS 4 Howler (4) 7 Serious play (5) 9 Young Pooter in The Diary of a Nobody (5) 10 Abbot’s subordinate (5) 11 School exam (inits) (4) 12 Family animal (3) 15 Similar in years (2,2,3) 16 Odd specimen (5) 17 Follows (6) 18 Small freshwater fish (6) 21 Custom or mannerism (5) 23 Pungent chemical used in smelling salts (7) 25 __ and Dec, TV presenter duo (3) 26 Giant teal-brewing vessles (4) 28 Compensage (5) 30 Of the Netherlands (5) 31 Zipped bags (5) 32 Freedom from worries and problems (4)

SUDOKU Getting Started Each sudoku puzzle is a 9 by 9 grid of horizontal and vertical rows, evenly separated into 9 squares with 9 spaces each.

Instead of word clues, each puzzle’s solution is determined by the pattern of the numbers already filled in you. You solve the puzzle by filling in the missing digits so that, when completed, each row and each square will have all the number from 1 to 9; each number will appear in exactly nine spaces within each puzzle.

DOWN 1 Instruct thoroughly (5) 2 Domestic fuse unit (3) 3 Soft animal hair (3) 4 The __ Sleep, Philip Marlowe mystery (3) 5 Promptly (2,3) 6 Start to perspire (5,5) 8 Military weapons (9) 9 Worshipped (5) 12 Energetic person (10) 13 Sailors (4) 14 Declaring formally (9) 19 __ Bawden, children’s author (4) 20 Trust (5) 22 Strong links (5) 24 Unsuitable (5) 27 Prosecute (3) 28 __ of God, result of natural forces (3) 29 ‘To __ is human; to forgive, divine,’ Pope quotation (3)

Yesterday’s answer

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Yesterday’s solution

Panda-style: Giant bear gets in on the Gangnam craze as he dances on his back legs Source: Dailymail.co.uk

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. . . putting the people first

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE I have facts and figures for my belief and that is why I keep talking about those things. The North-east zone remains the largest political zone and it is the most neglected of all the six geo-political zones.

— Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim

SPORTS Is Fashola becoming a bad governor?

LA TEST LATEST

NPL chairman wants sports minister sacked

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rstwhile Nigeria Premier League (NPL) Chairman, Rumson Victor Baribote has angrily hit out at the sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi for saying he is the problem of the nation sports.

Baribote is claiming that the sports minister is responsible for the melee between the clubs owners and the out-gone board.

Baribote was in December last year thrown out as the NPL chairman after being accused of lack of transparency and accountability at the seventh annual gathering of the NPL held in Abuja.

Last month, the NFF however set up a 13-man Interim Management Committee that has temporarily taken charge the affairs of the NPL pending when another election would be conducted.

The committee is headed by former lawmaker, Nduka Irabor and has former Nigerian international, Kanu Nwankwo as a member.

Baribote disclosed to supersport.com that the sports minister should honourably resign his appointment adding that the head of the sports ministry is not worthy of being at the helm of the football and others sports in the country.

“He said he wants to sanitize sports in Nigeria, and if he really wants to lead by example as a leader, then he should resign having wasted billions of the tax payers money at the 2012 Olympics without a medal.

“He is a failure and he has his own hidden agenda by bringing IMG from London into the NPL without consulting either the NFF executive committee or the NPL board.

“Nigerians should know that the reason of removing the board was not for the interest of the game, but for the greedy act of the minister who sponsored the clubs owners to fight me in Abuja as he wanted to make something out of the system.

The court case has been adjourned to January 22 where the truth shall be unveiled,” Baribote explained.

Meanwhile, several attempts to speak with the sports minister, Abdullahi was futile as his phone was switched off.

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ow can Nigerians be governed with this high level of cruelty by means of obnoxious laws here and there? Why is it that laws are executed with the speed like that of an angry hunting lion when it has to do with the poor in this country but when it concerns the bigger criminals in the name of political leaders and elites every government begins to form committees that never find them guilty? Why this impunity of recklessness?

Why is it that Nigerian leaders at various levels are very insensitive to the cry of the people, but yet expect to win the war against crime and social vices? Objectively speaking, how can Nigeria’s “vision 2020” policy of being one of the world’s leading political and economical powers in 2020 be realized when average Nigerian citizens still live under $1 a day and their leaders do not see them as partners but as slaves?

Who is advising Governor Fashola with this heinous law to ban commercial motorcyclists popularly known as ‘okadas’ in Lagos state without first of all honestly providing an alternative? This law is nasty and has got no human face. I was shocked and felt sick when I saw thousands of destroyed motorcycles proudly displayed to the media as an achievement by the agents of Governor. Oh, my heart bleeds! I do not know if Governor Fashola is aware that as his agents destroyed those thousands of 'okadas' that they also destroyed many homes, shattered many dreams, jeopardized the future of many children and created more hooligans and criminals.

By Nigerian standards of governance and development, Governor Fashola is one of the very few governors in Nigeria that I still respect and that is why I am making my stand known.

Can somebody please tell Governor Fashola that he has at this juncture woefully failed the people because the reason of banning ‘okadas’ is shallow and laughable? If part of the reasons of banning commercial 'okada' operators was because many of the riders were engaged in nefarious activities with their ‘okadas’, can we now say because of some people that may be thieving politicians in Lagos state that we should stop having a government in the state?

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo said that there are rogues and thieves in the National Assemblies. Can we now ban law making in

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GUEST COLUMNIST Uzoma Ahamefule uzomaah@yahoo.com

Gov. Raji Fashola Nigeria because of many of these merciless Nigerian law makers in the National Assembly? Can we say because there are too many air crashes in Nigeria due to the fact that a few individuals assigned with the responsibility to certify that planes are in very good conditions before they are put in use have collected bribes in order to allow coffins to airlift Nigerians ban the use of aircrafts? Or can we because of numerous motor accidents in Nigeria as a result of the failures of government at various levels ban the use of motors?

Governor Fashola said that it was because of many ‘okada’ accidents that made him ban commercial motorcyclists. What did he do to reduce the number of accidents before this unfounded action? Is it not the responsibility of every government to find out the causes of problems? Did Governor Fashola’s government try to find out why there were many 'okada' accident cases? Do the agents of the governor, Does LASMA, the body of the executioners of this unfriendly law have the ordinary alcohol testing instruments in order to examine and know who is driving under the influence of alcohol on Lagos roads especially when an accident occurs? Did the government of Governor Fashola provide standard traffic signs and speed limits on all the roads where he has banned ‘okadas’?

If Governor Fashola cannot

comfortably provide answers to the aforementioned questions; can he now see that the people did not fail but rather the inability of the Lagos state government to thoroughly view the issue and come up with a sound solution that failed the masses?

If Governor Fashola continues to refuse to reverse this antimasses law, the governor may have indirectly advocated that Nigerian banks should be closed because there are some bank managers who cooperate with fraudsters to steal millions or some workers of some banks who work with criminals by informing them when, where and how to break their banks and steal. If this obnoxious law is allowed to stand, Governor Fashola has equally advocated that the Nigeria police should be closed because there are many criminals and bribe takers in their midst whose work also has been to gather false evidence against helpless poor Nigerians.

Some Nigerian military personnel have been dismissed from service, charged to court and found guilty as criminals.

Consequently, the military should also be scraped in Nigeria because they are equally a failure since some of them supply sophisticated arms to armed robbers to kill and wreak havoc on Nigerians.

I feel pained to see that Governor Fashola has quickly started to play on our collective intelligence with a massive campaign that since the ban of commercial ‘okadas’ that the number of accidents has reduced in Lagos state, but decided to remain silent whether crime has reduced or increased.

Governor Fashola, do not forget that directly or indirectly you used the same ’okada’ people during your election campaign for votes. Why did you not ban 'okadas' before the 2011 election?

Contrarily you made a law for all 'okada' riders and their passengers to be within certain safety standards before they could operate in Lagos state? Could that law have been a mistake on the

side of your government or a calculated attempt to deceptively win the confidence and the vote of the 'okada' riders? Most of the 'okada' riders, who bought their motorcycles under credit or ‘higher purchase’, borrowed money to comply to your order and now that you are comfortably sitting as the executive governor of Lagos state you have stopped their source of daily bread.

Because in Nigeria everything is possible, therefore, dear Governor Fashola, could it be that the idea of safety gadgets was not well thought of when you came up with the policy or that some people in your cabinet could have imported helmets without your knowledge and had mounted pressure for the implementation of the helmet law through advice so that their business could flourish? And now, perhaps the business of helmets seems no longer lucrative they have again channeled their deceptive policy somewhere and ‘okada’ operators and their families can go to hell.

Dear Governor Fashola, this is a message from your fellow governor who also happens to be in the same party “ACN” like you, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state, “I think it’s, for me, a class issue and I belong to the working class, so I cannot ban ‘okada’. First, I believe that ‘okada’ is a response to certain deficit in our intra-urban transportation system. From the 60s to the 70s to the 80s, we never had ‘okada’.

If you ask a lady to take a ride on a motorbike it was like a taboo. Now it has became fashionable to have a woman and two children on top of a bike. It is not a culture choice.

It is as a result of deficit in our intracity transportation system.”

Dear Governor Fashola, I appeal to you to please reverse this policy because a good leader must have good listening ears.

The ban of ‘okadas’ from Delta state to Lagos state or anywhere in Nigeria under any guise is an economic murder on the part of the poor masses. However, if Governor Fashola insists not to heed to the plea of the people, well, we will grudgingly and helplessly succumb to his wish, but he should understand that he has only used his position and might against us but has not won our respect and that a day shall come when Lagosians will remind him this issue like the way Nigerians have kept on reminding IBB the annulment of June 12 that has irredeemably murdered his political return to ‘Aso Rock’.

Uzoma Ahamefule wrote from Vienna, Austria

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