Peoples Daily Newspaper, Saturday 2, March, 2013

www.peoplesdaily-online.com weekend.peoplesdailyng.com

VOL. 3 NO. 29

. . . putting the people first

SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

RABI’UL AKHIR 20-21, 1434 AH

N150

Peoples page

Meet Idris, the blind radio technician >>Page 8

The Amazon of Kirikiri Prison, >>Page 38 Isioma Onwuli

COVER

How we were arrested and detained —Students >>Page 13

KANNYWOOD We need companies to supply equipment to improve our movies, says cameraman

News

Nasarawa University killings:

The inside story INSIGHT

How herbalist make a living killing people in Kogi >> Page 5

Court okays Jonathan for 2015 election >> Page 5 WEEKEND.PEOPLESDAILYNG.COM

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

News Daily Independent honours customers

By Aminu Imam

D

aily Independent newspapers, in conjunction with SERVICOM on Thursday honoured select government agencies, corporate organizations and institutions during its 2012 Customer Service Award, in recognition of their contributions, demonstrating strong capacity and exemplified value in setting benchmark in the national quest for improved customer service delivery in Nigeria.

According to the organizers, the Customer Service Award, with the theme, “Service Failure-the Bane of Governance and Business in Nigeria”, in “was conceptualized to bring to the fore of our national discourse and collective consciousness that quality service delivery must be a national phenomenon and seen as a social contract that must be driven by performance, both in public and private sectors respectively.

In his remarks, Managing Editor of the newspaper, Mr. Akpandem James, that, “this Customer Service Award is the maiden edition in a series of forthcoming ones and seeks to recognize the unique of contribution of the awardees in ensuring quality service delivery both in public and private sectors in Nigeria.

The Senior Special Asstistant to the President who is also the National Co-coordinator, SERVICOM, Mr. Sylbriks G. Obriki, in his keynote address, stated that, “it is indeed our goal to key into the global re-awakening to terminate bad service from our system and to encourage Nigerians to demand good service at all times.

“This further explains why this year’s Customer Service Awards simply identified what we regarded as unique services that touched lives in different ways and even in the most obscure circumstance.”

Kaduna Assembly denies plan to remove Speaker

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h e Kaduna State House of Assembly has dismissed the reports of plans by the legislators to remove the Speaker, Alhaji Muazu Gangara.

Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Alhaji Yakubu Yusuf, told newsmen in Kaduna yesterday that there was no rift between them and the speaker.

“It is an unfounded rumour.

There is no rift between the members and the speaker to warrant such action.

“The speaker has been running the affairs of the house without bias and with all sense of responsibility, and we are satisfied.

“He has never shown any form of discrimination or favouratism between the members of PDP and those in the CPC. “He regards us as representatives of our people and gives us the respect and encouragement to do our job,” Yusuf said. (NAN)

Acting Governor of Taraba state, Alhaji Garba Umar, administering polio vaccine to a child at the inauguration of the second round of polio immunisation programme in Mutum Biyu, Taraba, on Friday.

Kogi clears 3,000 hectares land for dry season farming, says Gov. Wada From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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inister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has described agriculture as veritable means of wealth creation especially for the teeming population of the unemployed.

The Minister who spoke in Lokoja at the flag off and launch of the

distribution of African Development Bank inputs and equipment under the flood disaster relief support Tagged, “Towards making agriculture attractive,” noted that, the Federal Government has begun a rapid modernization and mechanization of the sector.”

He urged Nigerians to start creating wealth from agriculture as it has the potentials of providing jobs for Nigeria’s teaming graduates.

Adesina lamented the impact of last year’s flooding on farmers in the state and assured that, towards overcoming the challenge posed by climate change, there will be early release of seedlings while proactive measures will be taken to avoid similar occurrences in the future.

Also speaking at the programme, Governor Idris Wada said that government had begun an Agricultural Development

Programme with about 3,000 hectares of land already cleared for dry season farming, to make up for washed farmlands during the flooding.

Earlier in his speech, the National project Co-ordinator, FADAMA Development Project, Chief Tayo Adewumi, commended ADB for the release of N400 million and the Federal Government’s N9 billion support to flood affected states.

A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting said the Ivorian president had demonstrated good leadership in handling the crisis in Mali and Guinea Bissau.

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Desire-Kadre Ouedraogo, said that, “the conference pays high respect to President Alassane Ouattara.

“We commend his effort and positive contribution in the search for peace in Mali and Guinea Bissau.

“The conference decided to re-

elect the president as the chairman of ECOWAS for a new mandate of one year.”

He said the next meeting of the regional bloc would hold in Nigeria at a yet to be fixed date.

The 16 heads of states at the meeting were, President Goodluck Jonathan, Dicounda Traoré (Mali), Macky Sall (Senegal), Ernest Bai Koroma (Sierra Leone), Faure Gnassingbé (Togo) and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Libéria).

The others are, Alpha Condé

(Guinée), Blaise Compaoré (Burkina Faso), Issoufou Mahamadou (Niger), Yaya Jameh (Gambia), Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo (Guinéa Bissau) and John Dramani Mahama (Ghana) The summit was also attended by host President, Alassane Ouattara (Côte d'Ivoire), Président Idriss Déby Itno (Chad), Pierre Nkurunziza (Burundi) and Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz (Mauritania). The Republic of Benin and Cape Verde were represented by their prime ministers. (NAN)

Ouattara elected ECOWAS chairman

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resident Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire was on Thursday elected the Chairman of ECOWAS in the country’s political capital, Yamoussoukro.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president was elected by a consensus among the 16 heads of states at the 42nd ordinary meeting of ECOWAS. The Ivorian President was earlier elected to the position on Feb. 17, in Abuja.

Group wants banks to sell hajj seats

I

ndependent Hajj Reporters (IHR) says the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to create a policy that will enable intending pilgrims to purchase hajj seats directly from banks.

The group contended in a press statement that the move would reduce the menace of racketeering in the system.

According to the statement, signed by the group’s National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, and Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Mahmoud, said, “the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) should involve state pilgrims welfare boards as well as reputable financial institutions for the sale of the seats to reduce racketeering that characterised sales of hajj seats by the

pilgrims’ boards in previous years.

“The sale of hajj seats to intending pilgrims has been characterised by hoarding, bulk purchase for resale at exorbitant prices to unsuspecting pilgrims, hijack of hajj seats by state government officials and other corruption-related activities.

“Financial transactions worldwide have virtually become on-line because of its flexibility and

minimal risk of fraud and hajj is an exercise that involves international stakeholders.

“For a way out, NAHCON should organise seminars for stakeholders to include officials of state pilgrims welfare boards, banks and information technology consultants with a view to formulating a workable policy that will make payment of hajj seats through a third party feasible.”

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

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News Absentee Governor, Liyel Imoke returns T

he Cross River state Governor, Liyel Imoke, who travelled abroad for treatment for an undisclosed ailment, has returned to the country.

Former Minister of Information, John Odey, told PREMIUM TIMES yesterday that Imoke arrived Lagos from the United States in the evening evening and is being expected in Calabar, the Cross River State capital today.

“I can confirm that the governor has returned,” Mr. Odey, one of Mr. Imoke’s closest political associates, said with glee.

“We are all here waiting to receive him. We have been in touch with him while he was undergoing treatment. But we are more than

2015: Court ruling on Jonathan, ACF says Nigerians have final say

By Jamila Nuhu Musa

T

he Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has said that the time is not right for it to comment on the issue of ruling by the court, that Jonathan is eligible to contest in 2015.

In a statement made available to Peoples Daily Weekend and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Anthony N.Z Sani, the forum said, "It is not the correct time for ACF to comment on this because apart from the possibility of joining the fray to heat up the polity prematurely, the court judgment is just the beginning of the court process that is yet to be exhausted by the litigants, so ACF would prefer to wait for the final verdict".

The statement recalled that the six governors who had re run elections had dragged INEC to court on grounds that since the tribunals had nullified their elections and ordered for re runs , the periods served before the reruns should also be discounted. "Left to the lower and Appeal courts the periods before re runs should not be counted and so the governors could serve more than the maximum of eight years that is allowed by the constitution' ACF noted that the Supreme court rejected this, therefore it would be premature to comment on such matters until the court processes were over.

Sani said he did not think that the matter of agreement, whether signed or not , is the matter of the constitution but about its effects on national ideals and moral values, saying Nigerians would want leaders whom they can trust to deliver on their promises, be they campaign promises or government policies and programmes.

The ACF insisted however, that Nigerian voters had the final say on who becomes the president of Nigeria in 2015 especially if they made judicious use of their democratic rights during elections.

excited to have him back.”

It would be recalled that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had

on January 29 expressed happiness over what it described as the remarkable recovery of the

Cross River state governor, Liyel Imoke

governor.

The Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said in a statement the party received the news of the governor’s recovery with great joy, adding that he was being expected back to his duties soon.

“We have just received news of the remarkable recovery of the Governor of Cross Rivers State, Liyel Imoke and we are very happy. We expect that he will be back to his office very soon to continue the good works he has been doing in his state,” Mr. Metuh said at the time.

The party spokesperson also commended the leadership of the party at various levels in the state for holding fort and ensuring smooth running of government affairs in the absence of the governor.

The state Commissioner for Information, Akin Ricketts, had also on December 15 issued a statement to debunk speculations that the governor was dead.

He said then the governor was recuperating.

Mr. Rickett said the governor officially wrote to the state House of Assembly early December transferring power to his deputy, Efiok Cobham, to enable him proceed on a two-month accumulated leave.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary and Special Assistant on Media, Christian Ita, had in a statement on December 6 explained that Mr. Imoke was away on medical grounds.

The statement did not disclose the ailment but explained that Mr. Imoke started a two-month accumulated leave on December 7.

According to the statement, Mr. Imoke had informed the State House of Assembly through a letter to the Speaker, Larry Odey, that Mr. Cobham will act for the duration of the leave in line with the provisions of the constitution.

Jonathan charges African leaders to ensure political stability

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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resident Goodluck Jonathan pledged yesterday in Yamoussoukro, Cote D’Ivoire that he will continue to work with President Alassane Ouattara and other leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to

achieve greater peace, security, political stability and economic prosperity in the sub-region.

Speaking at the City Hall after being presented with the keys to the city by its Mayor, Konan Ouanigbe Jean, President Jonathan said that African leaders must carry on doing their best to foster greater political stability and accelerate

economic growth within their countries and across the continent as no significant progress can be attained without stable governance structures and stronger national economies.

President Jonathan who formally began his State Visit to Cote D’Ivoire earlier in the day noted that there was an intrinsic link and a symbiotic relationship between political stability and economic development.

NANS threatens nationwide protest over Keffi killings

By Joy Baba

T

he National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has said it would not hesitate to call out Nigerian students for a nationwide protest if the officer who authorised the deployment of troops to shoot unarmed students of Nasarawa State University while on peaceful protest over water scarcity was not produced.

NANS made this known yesterday at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Abuja in a peaceful protest to register their grievance over the killing and shooting of Students of Nassarawa

State University, Keffi earlier this week.

Though the protesting students were prevented from gaining access to premises of DHQ but some members of NANS executive were allowed in to deliver their protest letter to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Ibrahim.

NANS president, Mr. Donald Onukogu, who spoke on behalf of the protesting students called on President Goodluck Jonathan, National Assembly and the Chief Justice of the Federation to bring the officers responsible for the killing to book.

Onukogu also called on the CDS

and other Military Chiefs especially Chie of Army Staff to probe the killings and fish out the officer of the Nigerian Army who allegedly ordered the deployment of the troops that did the killing.

The NANS president further said they had video evidence and pictures to show that the late students were shot by soldiers so all they want to know is who deployed them to shoot unarmed students.

"We demand justice because this is unacceptable", he added.

It would be recalled that some students of Nasarawa State University were on 25th February 2013, shot dead by security operatives while protesting the non availability of water and other basic amenities in the institution.

“Without political stability our economies cannot grow and stronger economies will help us achieve greater political stability.

We need to strengthen ECOWAS by strengthening our individual countries economically and politically. We must continue to do our best in this regard,” President Jonathan said.

The President thanked the Mayor and people of Yamoussoukro for honouring him and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan with the freedom of the home town of late President Felix Houphouet-Boigny who he described as “one of Africa’s greatest sons”.

Noting that Nigeria and Cote D’Ivoire already have excellent bilateral relations, President Jonathan assured the people of the city that he will work in partnership with President Ouattara “to bring our two countries even closer politically and economically”.

He welcomed the offer of admission by the elite Felix Houphouet-Boigny National Polytechnic in Yamoussoukro to 50 Nigerian students in the next academic year as a further gesture of friendship, saying that the Federal Government will sponsor at least one student from each state of the nation to take up the offer.

... Senate to investigate killings

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he Senate is set to investigate the alleged killing of Nasarawa state University students during a protest in Keffi on Feb. 25, a senate member said yesterday in Abuja.

Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (PDP-Kebbi) , Chairman Senate Committee on Interior, gave the assurance to members of the National Association of Nigeria

Students (NANS).

The student union members led by NANS National President, Mr Yinka Gbadebo, had embarked on peaceful protest on the streets of Abuja and some select Federal government offices.

This assurance came on the heels of Tuesday’s resolution by the House of Representatives which mandated its committees on

Army, Security and Police Affairs to investigate the alleged killing.

Addressing the protesting students in front of the National Assembly entrance, Bagudu condemned the killing of innocent souls.

He commiserated with the students on the tragic incident and added that the senate committee on education, which he is a

member, had already discussed the issue. `We condemn the forceful killing of innocent souls as we do condemn all acts of violence and force against Nigerian students and citizens wherever they may be. ``I want to assure you that the committee and the senate are with you on this issue. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

Photo News

L-R: Kano state Governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala holding the Award, Anambra State Governor, Dr. Peter Obi, Bauchi State Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Worgu, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke and Secretary to the State Government, Akwa Ibom, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, during the Silverbird Man of the Year award to Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, at the Muson Centre in Lagos, Friday.

Some of the Cash Flow Customers protesting in front of the Federal High Court Abuja, over their money been seized from Cash Flow Account by EFCC, during the court seating at the Federal High Court.

L-R: Chairman Nigerian Governors Forum/Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi with Youth Leader Garkuwan Ruruma, Alhaji Babangida Abubakar , during the Governor’s visit to the National Assembly, recently in Abuja.

Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (L), immunising a child during the commencement of polio campaign at Ayobo/Ipaja Local Council Development Authority in Lagos.

Photos: Mahmud Isa and NAN

L-r: Acting Governor of Cross Rivers State, Mr. Effiong Cabham, Chairman Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator James Manager and Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Dr. Chris Oboh. , during the Senate Committee oversight function to NDDC Projects, recently in Cross Rivers state.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 5

News

Court okays Jonathan for 2015 presidential election

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin n Abuja High Court yesterday cleared the coast for President Goodluck Jonathan to vie for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the second term in 2015.

The court held that Jonathan is legally qualified to contest the Presidential election in 2015 as his tenure started counting from May 29, 2011 and not May 2007, because he was not a presidential candidate in the 2007 general election.

In the judgment delivered by Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi, the

A

court held that Jonathan assumed the office of the President by the doctrine of necessity following the death of the then President, late Umaru Musa Yar'adua in 2010.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Cyriacus Njoku had dragged President Jonathan, PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the High Court seeking an order to prevent Jonathan from contesting the 2015 Presidential election, having taken the oath of office and oath of allegiance twice.

The Plaintiff, who is a card carrying member of PDP from Zuba Ward in Abuja, also sought

for a perpetual order of injunction to stop PDP from nominating Jonathan for another Presidential election and INEC from accepting any nomination of Jonathan as a Presidential candidate.

But Justice Oniyangi, who upheld the submissions of the counsel representing Jonathan, Mr. Ade Okeaya-Inneh (SAN) agreed that Jonathan was not a Presidential candidate of PDP in the 2007 election, but only assumed office in 2010 following the death of the elected President.

The Judge said the combine effects of Section 315 (2) and Section 137 (1) (b) of the 1999

constitution which deal with qualification and tenure of office of the President cannot be used to disqualify Jonathan from 2015 Presidential election in the absence of established facts that he has been elected twice in the previous elections.

Justice Oniyangi therefore held that, “if Jonathan so wish, he can seek for sponsorship of the PDP ot any other political party of his choice to actualize his presidential ambition in 2015.

“Let me put on record in order to guide against any mischief, that the court is not saying that the 1st Defendant (Jonathan) is an automatic

candidate of the PDP or any political party of his choice for the 2015 presidential election”, the Judge added.

Besides, Justice Oniyangi held that part of the grounds of the Plaintiff in the suit were speculative because he (Plaintiff) failed to establish the fact that the Jonathan was warming up for the 2015 presidential election.

The court also held that the Plaintiff lacked the locus standi to institute the legal action because he failed to disclose the injuries he will sustain t if Jonathan and others are allowed to contest the presidential election with him in 2015.

.... PDP hails Police nab judgement 125 suspects over Wukari crisis

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

h e Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday commended the judiciary for declaring that President Goodluck Jonathan is constitutionally free to contest the presidency in 2015.

The party in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, stated that the ruling was another victory for democracy as it has laid to rest debates on whether or not the President is constitutionally eligible to contest the 2015 election adding that it now depends on the party and Nigerians to decide when the time comes.

Stating that the ruling party has freed the nation from the shackles of intimidation and harassment by some desperate elements seeking to impose themselves on Nigerians, the party said the judiciary has also restated the freedom and right of every Nigerian to seek for any office under the constitution.

“The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) applauds the ruling by the FCT High Court that President Goodluck Jonathan, as a Nigerian, has the constitutionally guaranteed right to seek re-election in 2015."

From Yusha’u Alhassa , Jalingo

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b o u t one hundred and twenty five suspects have been arrested by the police in connection with the recent conflict in Wukari.

Of the number, seventy two are found not too involved while fifty four others are going to face charges.

The Taraba state Commissioner of police, Jubril Adeniji disclosed this yesterday at a stakeholders meeting on peace and security in Jalingo.

He described the conflict in Wukari as enormous and senseless considering the death toll and destruction to properties.

The police commissioner said what triggered off the conflict was a minor issue that could have been amicably settled.

He also expressed sadness over incessant attacks on his men across the state by unknown gunmen, assuring that the Command was ready to fight criminals in the state to a standstill and urged the people to be security conscious.

L-R: HRM. Asagba of Asaba, Professor Chike Edozien, Deputy Governor, Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama with the Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri , during the NOA 2-day Workshop on Promoting Women Political Empowerment, Peace and Security , on Thursday in Asaba, Delta State.

Kebbi NURTW gets new chairman From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

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h e Kebbi state branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has announced the removal of its chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Kiruwa Zuru.

Addressing newsmen yesterday at the cabinet office

shortly after the close door meeting with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Mohammed Nora Kangiwa, the new elected Chairman of the union, Alhaji Garba Kindi Koko, said the removal of Zuru followed the due process based on the NURTW guidelines. Koko pledged to operate an open door policy.

Early morning fire guts shops in Kaduna From Nasiru Mu'azu Isa, Kaduna

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n early morning fire which was said to have started around 8am has razed down shops 12 shops located along Ghana road, Malali District Kaduna North Local Government yesterday.

Two security officers were injured and are receiving treatment at the Medic Center Hospital Malali.

Mr. John Audu, a victim of the fire blamed the incident on electrical fault.

According to him, the owner of Shop NO.4 forgot to put off some electrical appliances and when power was restored there was a spark which led to the fire.

“Because of somebody’s carelessness we are back to zero level for me I don t known where to start from. I am calling on the Government and other Nigerians to come to our rescue.”

According to Mrs. Rehab Moses who operates a vegetable shop opposite the burnt shop, the fire caused

pandemonium and people started running because nobody was sure of what was happening.

"Immediately we noticed smoke coming out from one of the shops people who were around started moving goods away from their shops. But the fire soon got out of control but fire Officers from Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency {SEMA} arrived and put out the fire.”

The Public Relations Officer of Kaduna State Emergency Management

Agency, {SEMA} who confirmed the fire incident said when the distress call was received firemen from the office were dispatched to Malali to put out the fire.

"As I am speaking to you we are waiting for the comprehensive report before we decide on the next action.”

As at the time of filling this report security personnel from Kaduna State Security outfit Operation Yaki and malali Divisional Police Station have cordoned off the area.

'Security of immunization teams guaranteed in Kaduna' From Nasiru Mu'azu Isa, Kaduna

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s the Polio immunization exercise starts today in Kaduna, the Executive Secretary of the state Primary Health Care Agency, Dr. Sufiyan.

M. Babale, said government has put good security measures in place to avoid any skirmish.

Dr. Sufiyan further said that the Governor Rammallah Yero during a task force meeting on the immunisation exercise, instructed that a letter be sent to every Local Government Chairman informing them of the immunisation exercise as well as reminding them that the security of their local governments is in their hands.

He said high level security meetings have been held between local government chairmen, the Police, SSS and other security agencies to ensure the safety of immunisation staff during the exercise.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

News

Group urges FG to disband STF, JTF

By Nasiru Mu'azu Isa, Kaduna

T

he Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP) has called on government to disband its current security structure with regards to the Joint Task Force (JTF) and Special Task Force (STF) units.

The call was made in a communique issued to newsmen after its one day stakeholders meeting at Arewa House, Kaduna under the chairmanship of Dr. Usman Bugaje.

While they welcomed the cessation of hostilities by the Ahlas Sunna li dawa'ati wal Jihad popularly known as Boko Haram, the group decried the wanton destruction of lives and properties by the JTF and STF operating within the conflict zones.

Dr. Usman Bugaje in a chat

with newsmen, said the JTF has become a problem in itself, " everybody is aware of the dehumanisation they bring about, everybody is aware that they hardly make any difference

anyway and yet it has gone on like that".

Dr. Bugaje said Arewa Research and Development Project is trying to bring all the ideas, people and resources to

create a political will that will bring about the much needed change in the region.

He observed that usually the elites have their own forums but ARDP is bringing the grassroots

groups like the Road Transport Workers, Hausa musicians, Motorcycle Riders Association, Zabi Sonka groups so that they'll be part of the larger engagement with the public.

PDP Governors not divided, says Tukur's aide

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Special Adviser on governors and governance to the National Chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Earl Osaro Onaiwu, has said that the PDP governors are not divided contrary to speculations.

Onaiwu said the PDP Governors showed a united front when they all endorsed the idea of a PDP Governors Forum and subsequently attended the inaugural meeting the next day at the Akwa Ibom state lodge.

He further said the PDP Governors Forum was not formed as an alternative to the Nigeria Governors Forum, describing them as identical, but different in aims and objectives.

"The Nigeria Governors Forum is not a venue for politicking, it is a coming together of governors in Nigeria to share ideas and find a common front to fight common problems such as polio, insecurity amongst others regardless of party affiliation while the PDP Governors Forum, which I believe is long overdue, is the coming together of PDP governors to ensure they help execute and articulate the party manifesto since they are the ones closest to the electorate in the various states controlled by the PDP" he explained.

According to Mr. Onaiwu this is not different from the Republican or Democratic Governors Associations in the United States while they are all members of the National Governors association in that country.

The PDP Chairman's aide also expressed confidence in the leadership of Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state.

Reacting to the news that certain governors and lawmakers were under surveillance by the party, he said this was an exaggeration as the PDP is no stranger to members having differences as debate is integral to furthering internal democracy in the party.

L-R: Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state; outgoing president, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Gbenga Adefaye and former president of the Guild, Mr Baba Dantiye, at the Guild of Editors' Conference in Ibadan yesterday.

Photo: NAN

Nasarawa varsity sets up panel to investigate students' protest

By Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

F

ollowing the protest by the students of the

Nasarawa State University Keffi, which resulted in the shooting and killing of two students by

armed soldiers, the Senate of the institution has set up a committee to investigate the matter.

This was contained in a

Four arrested for killing local security men in Yobe

By Uche Uche, Damaturu.

F

our people have been arrested by the Joint Military Task force (JTF) in connection with the killing

of seven vigilante members in Ngelzarma town of Fune local government area of Yobe state.

The spokesman of the JTF in Yobe, Lt. Eli Lazarus who disclosed this to Peoples Daily Weekend in Damaturu, the

state capital has assured the public of the force unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and properties of all law abiding citizens.

He however appealed to the

PDP mourns Guardian Editor

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday expressed deep sorrow over the shocking death of Assistant Political Editor of the Guardian Newspapers, Mr. John-Abba Ogbodo, who died in an auto crash on Thursday.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh in a statement yesterday said the party was thrown into mourning when the news of Ogbodo's death got to the National Secretariat.

The statement described the late Ogbodo, who covered the activities of the PDP for many years, as an exceptional and very hard working journalist who contributed immensely to

the development of the country through his reportage of political events.

The PDP said Ogbodo remained dedicated to his calling as a journalist and carried out his duties with a great sense of responsibility that reflected in the credibility of his reports.

"The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) received the shocking news of the Assistant Political Editor of the Guardian Newspapers, Mr. John-Abba Ogbodo with deep sorrow.

"Ogbodo was an exceptional journalist who remained dedicated to his calling as a journalist. He covered the activities of the PDP for many years and during this period, he carried out his duty with great

sense of responsibility which reflected in the credibility of his reports.

The party condoled Ogbodo's family, especially his wife and children; the Guardian family and all members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for the death of "this great Nigerian who lost his life in the line of duty".

Similarly, the PDP Press Corps in a statement made available to newsmen condoled the family of the deceased.

The statement read "As we condole his family and relations and indeed the journalism family over this sad demise, we, his immediate constituency who interacted with him on daily basis, feel deep sadness over this irreparable loss."

press statement issued to journalists yesterday, signed by Jamil Mohammed Zakari, Information and Protocol Officer of the university.

In the release, the ViceChancellor of the university, Professor Shamsudeen Amali, while expressing regrets over the unfortunate incident that led to the death of the two students, observed that the closure of the institution by the Senate was taken in the best interest of the students to ensure their safety.

Prof. Amali regretted further that the protest on the federal highway against the shortage of water supply in Keffi town, embarked upon by a few students staying off-campus, was hijacked by some hoodlums.

While also regretting that the protest took place on the federal highway, when majority of the students were engaged in their classrooms, the VC, said the university relies on the goodwill and support of the general public to maintain its leadership as a stable, peaceful and foremost centre of learning.

The statement went on to say that appropriate measures are being taken to re-open the university as soon as possible.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

Personality

Meet Idris, the blind radio technician

By Lawal Sa'idu Funtua, Katsina

T

he popular adage "There is ability in disability', best sum up the story of 20-year-old Iliyasu Idris, who despite his physical disability, has carved a niche for himself as a technician.

Although, blind and would have been seen as a liability by many like his counterparts, residents of Rafukka quarters in Katsina metropolis, Katsina state, where Idris resides now celebrate him due to his rare ability to repair all types of radio, torch lights and handsets chargers.

The indigene of Gazawa, in Kano state, a village bordering Niger Republic, where both his parents and relations live, has today become renown in his locality because he opted to explore his innate potentials despite his physical disability.

When Peoples Daily Weekend encountered Idris recently, he narrated how he lost his two eyes According to him, he had been born with his sights intact until the ill-fated day that one of his eyes got blind following an infection which later spread to the second eye.

He further narrated how he had left his village to Potiskum in Yobe state in search of religious knowledge and scholarship.

His hope of acquiring the Islamic knowledge however, came crashing with the unfortunate precarious security challenges bedeviling the state like other states in Northern Nigeria- Kano and Maiduguri among others.

"I left my village to Potiskum to learn various branches of Islamic Knowledge. I stopped going to Potiskum in the last two years due to the deteriorating security situation in the area", he told our reporter.

The blind radio repairer said it was during his stay in Potiskum that he worked closely with a radio mechanic, from whom, he learnt how to repair all types of transistor radio.

Idris testified that one of his God's given gifts is the ability to quickly identify the brand and make of a radio immediately he touches it.

"The moment I touch a radio, torchlight, or handset charger, I can identify its brand", he said.

One other unique quality of Idris, our reporter gathered, is his brevity in handling any kind of job brought to him by his numerous customers despite

Iliyasu Idris the complicated nature of the job.

Our correspondent during his encounter with the genius, decided to put him to a test by giving him a faulty torchlight to identify the problem and surprisingly, after touching it for few seconds, Idris identified the problem to be dead batteries, which turn out to be the exact problem of the torchlight.

Despite his inability to pursue his Islamic knowledge in Yobe state, the blind technician has not given up his quest as he has been able to cover 30 Hizbs as at the moment.

Asked how he managed to master the verses of the Qur'an,

he said whenever a verse was recited to him once, he memorises it so that he doesn't forget it.

He said he does not allow his job to hinder him from pursuing his scholarly dreams.

The greatest worry of the husband of a beautiful woman is that he had been abandoned to his fate, as he told our reporter that he has never received any assistance from the government, either state or federal.

Interestingly, Idris however, revealed that no matter how hard his struggles for survival, he would never take to begging as a means of

survival.

This was as he argued "begging reduces the credibility of human beings and since God created us, he will surely find a way of assisting us to survive if we are committed, focused and disciplined".

In addition to his means of livelihood, the blind technician said he has taken to crop farming and rearing of animals to augment his income from radio and torchlight repair job.

He shared his future plans of expanding his business with Peoples Daily Weekend, saying he intends to make some savings to enable him buy working tools and rent a shop

to enhance the expansion of the business.

This, according to him, would also enable his customers to have easy access to him.

The technician closed the discussion with our correspondent with a word of advice to people living with disabilities and other unemployed youth to look inwards as there are many genuine avenues of making money.

"No matter your nature of disability if you resolved that yes, you must succeed God will surely assist you to succeed", he advised people living with disabilities.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

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Nasarawa University killings:

The inside story

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem & Ali Abare Abubakar

I

t all started as a peaceful demonstration to protest the non availability of water in their residential areas, but on that fateful day, penultimate Monday, students of the Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK), saw hell when, by a cruel twist of fate, rampaging soldiers, from the 177 Battalion, supposedly on routine patrol let loose on the students, killing two youths in their prime. Many were injured as the army boys raided the university community, chasing away and flogging everyone in sight.

It was indeed a tale of sorrow, tears and blood as a detachment of armed military personnel, threw caution to the winds and descended on the protesting students, who barricaded the busy Keffi-Abuja way, shooting and firing into the air, until the

situation got out of hand, leading to the killing of the two students, with scores injured and yet many arrested and detained.

Expectedly, different threads emerged to tell the story of how a peaceful demonstration by students was hijacked by miscreants, how soldiers on routine patrol, who might have felt handicapped by the blockage of the road, visited terror on an otherwise peaceful community, sending two young men to their graves.

One of such threads in the story explaining the fracas, has it that when the soldiers arrived at the scene of the protest to disperse the students and make the road free once again for commuters, through the use of force though, miscreants who took advantage of the breakdown of law and order to perpetrate their acts, pelted one of the soldiers on the head, who lost his balance and threw down his gun. Then followed a pandemonium

as the soldiers fired into the air, with the students taking to their heels.

Another version, as was gathered by our correspondent in Keffi, has it that when a rumour about the death of a student circulated, the students resorted to stoning the soldiers who in return opened fire to frighten the students.

According to the President of the Students' Union Government (SUG), Rabiu Tijjani Omameh, the protest was not organised by the union but that he woke up early that Monday morning to the chanting of students at his front door, demanding for him to supply them with water.

Narrating the genesis of the incident further, Omameh told our correspondent that a day before the protest, he got wind of it and as always was the case, he wasted no time in informing the university security department, as well as the director of works for the institution.

He stated that on most occasions, whether there is the scarcity of water or light, the university authorities ensured that they calmed the students by arranging palliatives for them. And that on this particular occasion, the university quickly dispatched a water tanker to supply the students with water pending when the taps will flow again.

The union president added that following the insistence of the students on tap water, he left to place a complaint with the water board but could not find any official on ground, as according to him, "I went there very early and the staff were yet to arrive for work."

Omameh said he was on his way back to meet further with the protesting students when he saw that the road was blocked, "and I was left with no option than to join them, if only to coordinate and Contd on Pages 10&11

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Contd from Page 9

control them."

He explained that even though the students were actually expressing their grievances by protesting, they were however misled by miscreants who eventually took over the crisis, using the moment to rob residents of their phones and cash, even inciting the wrath of the soldiers.

The SUG president stated that the arrival of the military on the scene of the protest marked the turning point in the crisis, as according to him, "shortly before their arrival, we were able to prevail on the students to leave the highway but as soon as they came, hell was let loose."

"I made an effort to reach to the soldiers, raising my two arms up and telling them that Iam the SUG president, only for one of them to say they were looking for me. And before I knew it, they were kicking at me and beating me and it was apparent the students did not like that."

He explained that the soldiers did not even recognize an official of the university, the students' affairs officer, a man popularly called "Papa Aluta", who together with the SUG president almost succeeded in persuading the students to leave the highway, with the soldiers equally assaulting the officer. This action further drew the angst of the students who then pelted the soldiers with stones and this led to the shooting and eventual killing of the two students.

As soon as the students were forced to abandon their cause, hastily taking refuge in their private residences, mostly in the Angwan Lambu area, the overzealous, trigger-happy soldiers invaded their privacy, as they attempted to forcedly eject the students, shortly after the authorities ordered the shutting down of the institution.

It was gathered that after chasing students away from the highway, the soldiers went further to smoke them out of their accommodation, using every form of brutality and in the process inflicting severe injuries on many.

Investigations by our reporter, showed that the soldiers stormed Angwan Lambu in a commando style, breaking down doors, assaulting restaurants and business centres, as they rampaged the area, lashing out at female students with military issue belts, hitting out with their gun butts.

A victim of the assault by the soldiers, Achanya Aaron, a 400 level English Education student, who prior to the incident, was lying sick in his hostel accommodation, was forcefully ejected from his room after the soldiers had kicked him severally with their booths. Even with his cry that he was sick, the military men did not relent until a female student living in the same compound, shouted at them, saying the person they were beating was sick.

When they realised what they were doing, the soldiers commandeered some fellows to take Aaron to the school clinic but as if his tribulation in the hands of the first batch of soldiers was not enough, another batch, this time by the entrance of the university, pounced on him and the others conveying him to the clinic. The soldiers asked them to lie in the hot sun, while they pinned them down by placing their booted feet on their chests.

Victim who got black eye after a soldier hit him with the butt of a gun When Aaron again complained that he was sick, one of the soldiers replied that, "you can die for all we care. After all the government will still pay us."

By the time the soldiers allowed the students to go, Aaron has already fainted and it was only later, when he came to himself that he learnt that his friends carried him the rest of the way to the clinic.

By the time the soldiers left the area,

400 level Engilish Education student beaten by soldiers

Angwan Lambu, a thriving commercial area, with restaurants, business centres, barbing saloons, etc, all servicing the needs of the almost 95 percent student population, has been abandoned.

An observer who didn't want to be named held that the students have the right to express their grievances by protesting. "But as is always the case, where one's rights ends, another person's

Entrance gate of the unversity, in Keffi

rights begins. By blocking the federal highway, the students didn't do well by infringing on the rights of others, particularly, commuters.

He continued: "If the soldiers were trapped by the blockage of the road, have they exhausted all peaceful means to disperse the students? For instance, did they use sufficient tear-gas on the mob to Contd on Page 11

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The inside story Contd from Page 10

dislodge them from the road? They however, have no right to shoot at the students or even eject them from their private residences."

Now academic activities have been disrupted, with the students asked to go home. This has implications for both the institution and the students, as well as their parents, who now have to make other arrangement for the subsequent return of their children.

Even though the management of the institution have done their best to not only persuade the students to leave the highway, which is out of control of the university, it still went ahead to provide alternative water supply to the students, who in turn refused the offer, insisting on flowing taps.

A major factor that needed urgent attention, investigations revealed, is the exorbitant rent being paid by students for accommodation around the vicinity of the university, with land lords collecting as high as N80, 000 for a single, selfcontained room, with a two-bedroom going for N250,000. With such rates, it would have been appropriate for the land lords to provide an alternative means of water supply to augment the public system. But that is not the case, creating a near-panic situation once the taps run dry. It will not be out of place, for the local authorities to ensure that landlords sink wells or boreholes in their houses before charging such huge sums as rent.

The Precedents Going down history lane, it is obvious that Nigerian students have been at the receiving end of different forms of brutality from the state and its agents as well as from the larger society. While this was commonplace under the military, recent events have however shown that democratic dispensation is competing with the military in the area of students' brutality.

The recent Aluu 4 killings is a case in point. It was gathered that the community saw the situation as an opportunity to vent their anger on the students after being terrorised by armed robbers for some time.

It later emerged that the victims were not guilty at all.

Photographs of how the four suspects were killed were immediately placed on the social media, even as most commentators condemned the act and described it as jungle justice.

During the 1970s, the National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS), a governmentsanctioned federation of all student unions in Nigeria and of Nigerian students abroad, actively opposed government policies on several issues, including students' rights and educational conditions. In April 1978, NUNS instigated or participated in nationwide campus protests against increased university fees, during which police and army units killed or seriously wounded at least twenty students. The FMG responded by closing three universities indefinitely, by banning NUNS, and by appointing a commission of inquiry, after which several senior university officials and students were dismissed.

The next major round of violent student demonstrations occurred in May 1986, when police killed more than a dozen Ahmadu Bello University students protesting disciplinary action against

Nasarawa state Gov. Alhaji Tanko Al-makura

Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai

VC Nasarawa State University, Prof S. Amali

COAS Maj. General Azubuike Ihejirika

student leaders observing "Ali Must Go" Day (referring to the then minister of education), in memory of students killed in the 1978 demonstration. Disorders spread rapidly to other campuses across the country. The government imposed a national ban on demonstrations and closed nine of Nigeria's fifteen universities, which were not reopened until July. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), founded in 1980 to replace the banned NUNS and itself theoretically banned as a result of the May 1986 riots, called for dismissals of government, university, and police officials. Its call was supported by the NLC. After a commission of inquiry, the government accepted some recommendations for removals but dissolved all student unions for the remainder of the academic year. NANS, however, rejected the commission's findings and, in May 1987, five universities were closed in connection with

campus incidents involving remembrances of the anniversary of Ahmadu Bello University student slayings the year before.

In February 1988, the government closed Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Nigeria campuses at Zaria and Nsukka respectively and narrowly averted a NANS-supported nationwide student strike by rescinding a decision to try nine Nsukka students for arson and property damage. Two months later, five universities were shut down after student riots in Jos to protest a 3-percent rise in gasoline prices, during which several persons, including two police offices died.

Between May and July 1989, student riots in several southern states again led to closure of several universities and a secondary school and forced Babangida to cancel an official visit to France. Student rioters in Benin City, joined by townspeople, burned vehicles,

government buildings, and two prisons from which about 600 inmates escaped; the riot was put down by police and army units two days later. Rioting soon spread to Ibadan and Lagos, where soldiers again were called in to restore order; to Obafemi Awolowo University School of Agriculture's Akure campus near Ibadan, where about seventy students were arrested; and to the College of Agriculture in Yande, near Loko, in Benue State. The government closed six schools until March 1990 but permitted them to reopen on October 30 after requiring returning students to sign a formal pledge of good behavior. To deter further student unrest, in early 1990 the AFRC issued Decree Number 47. It imposed a five-year jail term and/or a N50,000 fine on any student found guilty of organizing or participating in demonstrations, set up special tribunals to try offenders, and again

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

Cover Interview We did not invite military to quell students' protest —Registrar R eports have it that the management of the Nasarawa State University Keffi, invited soldiers to disperse protesting students of the institution, who turned up in their numbers to block the busy Keffi-Abuja way, to press home their demand for portable drinking water, which led to the killing of some students. How true is this?

That is very far from the truth. We didn't invite any military man, and if you have also followed the news, in an interview granted to the spokesman of the army, he made it very clear that they were on routine patrol. Nobody invited them.

There are also conflicting reports on the actual number of students that lost their lives as a result of the protest.

How many students actually lost their lives as a result of the shooting by the soldiers?

People will only publish what they want and they hear from the grapevine. Iam happy that you have taken the trouble to come and confirm the true situation. And the true situation is that two students died as a result of the shooting. But I must also add that this incident occurred outside the university campus. It was on the federal highway, where the university authority lacks control.

It has become recurrent for students of your university to take to the street protesting the lack of drinking water, especially around Angwan Lambu, where many of them reside. What steps are you taking to resolve the matter?

Well, I don't know. But universities nationwide are faced with the problem of accommodation. So it is not

Recently, two students of the Nasarawa State University Keffi, were shot and killed by soldiers while staging a protest over scarcity of water. Alhaji Dalhatu O. Mamman is the Registrar of the institution. In this interview with Ali Abare Abubakar, our Lafia correspondent, he denied media reports that the management of the institution invited soldiers to disperse the protesting students. Excerpts: students reside. What has the university done to alleviate their plight?

Well, you must understand that it is not our responsibility, as a university to provide municipal facilities to people living outside our campuses.

We have been providing municipal facilities such as water and electricity for those living on our campuses and we have done our best.

But we have also realised because these students are ours, we have gone the extra mile to provide palliative measures when in crisis, when lack of water or electricity becomes

peculiar to this university. In fact the National University Commission (NUC) requirement is that we should accommodate one-third of the population of our students. The implication is that the remaining will also find accommodation elsewhere. I know that we have been battling with that problem, and what we have tried to do is to get private developers to come and build hostels for our students. We have gone very far with three such developers. Donnel, which we have not yet signed agreement with, Mindsworth and Puzzles Group, which we have signed agreements with.

Three companies that we have arranged to provide in total, 6000 bed spaces. This is the effort the

Alhaji Dalhatu O. Mamman

university has been making. On the part of the government too, since the assumption of office of the present governor, he has been happy with the idea of building hostels. Because even during the first visit we went to see him, he expressed his displeasure at the manner he is seeing our students

“

I don't know about instructions to the soldiers to eject students from their residences. I know that the circular we sent out made it clear that they should vacate, that they should go home. But we had informed the security agencies about the closure of the school, we did not inform them to go and eject them from their residences.

along the road and he knew that was because the students must be living in make-shift accommodation outside. And he had wanted for the government to put up hostels for our students.

That we are still waiting. Even before his administration, in 2009, before the former VC left office, the administration of former governor Aliyu Akwe Doma, requested the university to organise a special convocation and during that convocation, we did a second endowment launch and a citizen of Nasarawa state promised to build a hostel for us worth N500 million. That is yet to take off. So you can see, from all angles, the university is working to see that the number of hostel facilities is improved, to be able to take care of this kind of problem.

Back to the issue of the shortages of water in Keffi, and especially in areas where

manifest. For example, it is on record that this university provided a transformer for the Angwan Lambu community when they ran into problem. This is because we realised that a large number of our students reside there. Every time we have crisis of prolonged shortage of water, we used our water tanker to provide water where we have large cluster of our students, like the Angwan Lambu and the High Court area. These are efforts that we have been putting in place.

This time around, with this crisis, the students refused to accept even this palliative measures, insisting that the water flows in the taps and you know that is not in our control. We don't have a dam where we pump water. It is a municipal facility which is provided by the government and we also know that governments worldwide have their limitations. Because increasingly we are becoming, in Nigeria, we

are beginning to have what I will call large governments, with government expected to provide virtually everything. And this is why it is becoming very difficult for government to do most of these things. Government is to build roads for you, provide water, electricity, schools and so on. With the limited resources available to government, this is very difficult. People should understand and learn to bear with government when situations such as this arise.

Instead of resorting to mischief and all sort of blockage of road.

The management of the institution was said to have employed the services of the military to drive away students from their private residences following the indefinite closure of the university, resulting in some sustaining injuries and others arrested.

How true is this?

I don't know about instructions to the soldiers to eject students from their residences. I know that the circular we sent out made it clear that they should vacate, that they should go home. But we had informed the security agencies about the closure of the school, we did not inform them to go and eject them from their residences. And where there were arrests, we don't determine who gets arrested. It is the responsibility of the law enforcement agencies to determine who gets arrested or not. And if they arrested our students, again it places some burden on us because we want to find out that our students are properly treated. So, why will we go and ask them to arrest students? And in any case, the injuries that the students sustained are more as the result of pandemonium that they caused. We have advised them to avoid the highway, it is not within the precinct of the university but they will not hear. So to put the record straight, we did not instruct any security agency to arrest or eject students from their hostels.

There is disruption of academic activities in the university presently; do you foresee resumption soon?

Yes, in no distant future.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

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Cover Interview

How we were arrested and detained – Students The Nasarawa University crisis over lack of portable water started as a peaceful demonstration but turned sour and escalated into a crisis that resulted in the alleged killing of four students, alleged rape of some female students, unlawful arrests and detention of over 60 innocent students. Aisha Biola Raji captures students' ordeal in Keffi and Lafia.

I

nvestigations by Peoples Daily Weekend in Keffi revealed that, while the protest was going on, soldiers, who were deployed on an assignment around the area, met the situation and therefore, tried to clear the road in order to proceed on their trip.

Some students, who spoke to our reporter, confirmed that Mobile Policemen (MOPOL) started arresting students randomly at restaurants, those trying to board vehicles to their various homes were also arrested, while some soldiers were seen breaking into some of the houses of students residing off campus.

One of the victims of the arrest, who preferred anonymity, narrated his ordeal to Peoples Daily Weekend in the wake of the crisis.

"On that faithful day I woke up around 7 am and was told that students had blocked KeffiAkwanga federal road because of scarcity of water that had lingered for about three weeks.

"I took my bath and headed for school, it was on my way that I heard gunshots. I did not know the direction it was coming from but I saw students running into the school compound through the main gate and I also learnt from some of them that some students had been shot.

"Due to this, I did not stay more than an hour on campus, I had to go back home for safety where I locked myself up. While inside, I was still hearing gunshots. Some hours later, that was around 12:40pm information reached us that the school had been closed till further notice and all the students were given four hours to vacate the school environment," he said.

Continuing, he said: "I took my little bag containing some books and set to travel to Abuja, on my way, (that was after everything had died down) I saw other students also trying to leave for their various destinations. I saw them raised their hands, I didn't know why but I thought maybe because of the soldiers.

"From nowhere, some mobile police appeared and started arresting us at the spot where we were waiting for vehicle.

They harassed us; hit us with hose pipe and even threatened to shoot us. From there they took us to Keffi Area command. We were warned not to run away as they had authority to shoot whoever tried to do so".

"Only twenty nine of us were taken to Lafia out of about 60 or more of the students arrested

Inspector General of Police, MD Abubakar and it was while I was in the police custody that I learnt that the MOPOL men even went as far as removing burglary proof of some students' rooms to arrest them.

"We spent more than 48 hours behind bar at Lafia without any evidence against us because all of us taken to State CID Lafia, were either taken on their way to their various destinations or were arrested in their rooms or restaurants where they had gone to eat.

"Luckily for me, I had access to my phone so I was able to contact my family because the Area Command Keffi, did not make any attempt to let our people know where we were or where we were being taken," he added.

To confirm this victim's account, our reporter who was at the Keffi police station, at about 8:00pm on Monday, was told the students had been taken to Lafia.

When our reporter requested to see the DPO, SP Mohammed Ndagana, but the officers who were at the entrance said he was

not around, unknown to this reporter, he was actually there standing among them.

Together with other police officers, the DPO, Keffi Police Area Command whom the officers had pretended was not around chorused: "The students were arrested by soldiers and brought to our station but we have taken them to Lafia".

When it seemed to them that

our reporter was asking too many questions such as, whether the parents of the students had been informed of their arrest, if the students were arrested at the scene of the demonstration, why they had to select some to be taken to Lafia, or if there was any incriminating material found on them, the officers became angry and threatened to arrest and

“

"We spent more than 48 hours behind bar at Lafia without any evidence against us because all of us taken to State CID Lafia, were either taken on their way to their various destinations or were arrested in their rooms or restaurants where they had gone to eat.

detain her.

They insisted that all they did was to receive the students from the soldiers that arrested them and that they had taken them to Lafia based on a directive from above.

They shouted and rained abuses on this reporter, ordering her to leave the place.

Our reporter however followed the case up to Lafia where the students were divided and taken to different stations; B division, A division and the State CID, said to have authority concerning the arrested students.

A relative of one of the arrested students, Bola Bello seen at Lafia, narrated how she involved the media in securing her brother's release.

She said: "When I got a text message from my brother that he had been arrested while trying to leave school, I knew with the killing that had happened, the police or soldiers might use them as fall guys, so I quickly involved the media".

"I called the Brekete family radio and the issue went on air.

"Police PRO, Nasarawa police command, DSP Michael .O. Ada was quickly contacted on the program. With his immediate intervention, the Nasarawa state Commissioner of Police,Mr. Abayomi Akeremale intervened and the students, including my brother were released on Wednesday 27th of February after spending two days in detention".

Peoples Daily Weekend investigation showed that there was no evidence on the arrested students. Though the students claimed not to have been manhandled or, maltreated by the police officers at the various stations they were taken to in Lafia, but they were not happy with the way they were unjustly arrested and how the DPO in Keffi handled the matter.

Speaking on how they were transferred to Lafia, one of the students who also pleaded anonymity said: "The DPO's men selected about 17 of us and put us in an office for some times. Later, we were asked to enter two vans. With siren blaring, they headed to Lafia with us. The driver of the van did not mind bumps or potholes and was driving at top speed, not minding our safety. The worst part of it was that, they did not dim it fit to inform our parents or relatives since some students had during the fracas misplaced their mobile phones".

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

Special Report Third World’s socio-economic advancement imperative —Jonathan President Goodluck Jonathan last week attended the 3rd Africa- South America Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea where as keynote speaker, he made far- reaching recommendations on how African countries can boost their economies and strenghten ties with Latin Americans as part of efforts to tackle the basic challenges that bother the two continents. The President said he was taking his transformation campaign beyond Nigeria while cementing Nigeria's leadership position on the continent and beyond. Abdulrahman Abdulraheem who covered the Summit, reports.

African and South American leaders at the opening ceremony of the 3rd ASA Summit held in Malabo, Equitorial Guinea

T

h e Africa- South America Summit/ Collaboration is a child of necessity born at a time two prominent regions of the world saw the need to extend their tentacles to other parts of the world in search of partners with common political history, economic challenges and social realities.

The two regions suffered from colonization, neo- colonialism, and economic slavery imposed on them by western countries and thought it wise to take advantage of their common history and vast natural resources to advance economic ties for the benefit of the two regions.

The Forum was formed by the joint efforts of former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and former Brazilian President, Ignatio Da Silva.

The first Summit was held in Abuja, Nigeria, on 30 November 2006 while the second one took place in Isla de Margarita, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, on 27 September 2009. The third summit was to be held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, from 15-16 May, 2012 before it was postponed to 20-23, February, 2013. The original host for the 2012 Summit would have been Libya but the crisis that eventually consumed Mummar Ghaddafi stopped the Summit.

So, participants in the last Summit in Malabo had it at the back of their minds that not much had been achieved in the partnership as attempts are currently being made to put in place the necessary mechanisms that would ensure the effective implementation of the process. The partnership is inclined towards political solidarity, perhaps because of the shared historical

background of the two sides. However, concrete projects could be realized and Africa needs to define its core interests and propel the partnership towards economic sustainability.

The ASA collaboration faced some challenges. These include the need to clarify outstanding issues such as the role and functions of the Strategic Presidential Committee, the Permanent Secretariat and its Executive Secretary as set up in Isla de Margarita, their working relationships with existing ASA structures. There is also need to identify the financing mechanism of the projects/programmes of the partnership in order to achieve concrete deliverables. In this respect, a financing mechanism was proposed by the African side and a Working Group of both sides was mandated to study it and submit a Report to the third ASA Summit.

With these issues in mind, Goodluck Jonathan in his address called on both African and South American leaders to take advantage of their common political history and economic resources available in their regions to advance their ties for the benefit of their respective people.

Speaking in line with the theme of the Summit, "Strategies and Mechanisms to strengthen SouthSouth Cooperation', the President said: "Africa and South America are two regions of immense possibilities imbued with both human and natural resources. The combined population of over 1 billion people and the vast natural and mineral resources available in the two regions, should place our regions at an advantageous position in the wider context of global multilateral engagements."

"The President continued: "

Therefore , our objective should be to take advantage of the conducive setting in order to give further impetus and practical expression to South South cooperation that our two regions have long been engaged in, under similar multilateral fora, such as the South South-Arab Countries (ASPA), Africa- Asia Summit and the Africa- China cooperation.

The President made a strong case for the establishment of a well structured secretariat for the Summit, adding that the lack of it was hindering the smooth operations of the organization.

"There is however the imperative need for this Summit to deepen the emerging partnership between Africa and South America as a mechanism to promote and enhance the political and socio- economic conditions of our countries" According to the Nigerian President who doubles as the Coordinator of the African leg of the partnership, "It is against this background that the eight thematic areas of cooperation were carefully selected, namely agriculture and environment (including food security and water resources), educational and cultural issues, institutional strengthening, governance and public administration, peace and security issues and related matters, social issues, and sports (including health, gender, and youth issues), science and technology and ICT, trade and investment and tourism, infrastructure, transport and energy ( including mining).

The President however insisted that the collaboration must develop on the basis of certain shared and core values including the strengthening of representative and participatory democracy, respect for human rights

and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, good governance, the fostering of political pluralism, international peace and security, political stability and trust among nations.

"We also have to exert our best efforts to complete the construction and consolidation of the institutions that would drive the collaboration. It is not enough to have the Strategic Presidential Committee play the role of an interim Secretariat when have already agreed to establish a permanent Secretariat at our previous Summit.

"Therefore, I urge that the Secretariat be established without further delay. We must also put our minds into the creation of the ASA Trust Fund as well as the modalities for the deposit of funds into it," President Jonathan stated.

"Here, I suggest that we do not limit ourselves to the traditional ways of funding the activities of international organizations and partnerships such as assessed contributions from regular budgets.

Given the objectives we have given ourselves, it is important that we consider innovative mechanisms for funding our activities.

He further suggested that a flat minimum sum of $500,000 be contributed by each member state as a take-off grant for the Trust Fund. " I would also urge leaders of the two regions to implement the priority projects agreed upon to the benefits of our peoples. I strongly urge all member states of the two regions to take a more holistic approach to concretize the partnership as a cohesive bloc. I believe that we should use this platform to strengthen our partnership in such a way as to encourage businessmen from both sides to develop a long lasting

relationship that would stand the test of time," President Jonathan noted.

Speaking in the same vein in his opening address, the host President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo said the establishment of a "functional and permanent" secretariat for the firm was long overdue.

He added that the two regions had a common history in colonialism and political cum economic exploitation, hence the need to strengthen existing relations with each other for their mutual benefits.

Brazilian leader, Dilma Rouseff and AU Commission Chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma also made speeches at the opening ceremony.

Present at the ceremony were South African President, Jacob Zuma, Zimbabwean leader, Robert Mugabe, Malawian leader, Joyce Banda and Ethiopian Prime Minister, Haile Mariam Desalegne who doubles as African Union Chairman and many others.

Other countries represented at the Summit were Venezuela, Rwanda, Algeria, Swaziland, Cote d' Ivoire , Namibia, Niger, Peru, Sudan, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Swaziland, South Sudan, Tanzania, Chad, Togo, Uganda Uruguay, Djibouti, Zambia, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau , Guinea Conakry, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Madagascar, Mauritius, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Chile, Columbia, Congo among others.

Speakers after speakers paid tributes to the ailing leader of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez who missed the summit due to his ill- health, and wished him quick recovery. He was represented by his deputy, Elias Jaua.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 15

City Life

With Stanley Onyekwere 08138559513

'Illegal petrol station' operator arrested in Kabusa … I'm test running the pumps, not selling – suspect claims

CITY BRIEFS: Abuja court issues bench warrant for arrest of mother, son for jumping bail

A

n Abuja Senior Magistrates' Court on Thursday, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a 38-year-old woman, Safiya Ahamed and her 19-year-old son, Aminu Mohammed for jumping bail.

The two are facing a fourcount charge of joint act, criminal force, assault and battery in a case now in its second year.

The accused are alleged to have beaten up their neighbour, Miss Vivian Ani, at their residence at No. 11, Carnival Street, Jikwoyi Phase 1, Abuja, sometime in October 2011. (NAN)

Man, 31, bags 4-month jail for attempting to steal cartons of beer

A

Commandant-General,NSCDC, Dr Ade Abolurin

O

ne Moses Adejo is currently cooling off behind bars following his arrest on Wednesday by men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Federal capital Territory (FCT) command, for allegedly operating an illegal petrol station in Kabusa area of the territory.

The operatives, acting on a tipoff, raided suspected spots and hideouts used for petroleum pipeline vandalisation and other illegal petroleum trading activities in Gwagwalada and Kabusa areas of Abuja, on Wednesday; and in the process identified two unnamed illegal petroleum stations along the Abuja-Logoja axis.

In the process, the NSCDC officials also discovered a total of 69 jerry cans of petroleum products suspected to be stolen through vandalism, and arrested seven members of a suspected syndicate operating there. Out of these, two were in 50litre containers whereas the remaining 67 were in 30litre containers.

Adejo, who was among the seven suspects paraded before newsmen, in Abuja, on Thursday by Abdullahi Aminu, the commandant, FCT command of the corps, however denied selling the products when he was arrested claiming the place was still under construction.

Some of the items paraded alongside the suspects included four power generating sets / water pumping machine and different tools with which the suspects allegedly facilitated their trade.

According to the suspect, he

Suspected vandals arrested and paraded by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), FCT command in Abuja, on Thursday. In the fray are 69 litres of petroleum products, 4 generator sets and tools they allegedly used in perpetrating the crime in Gwagwalada and Kabusa areas of Abuja. had led his men to the site with 50litres of petrol and an electricity generator to test run the pumps and the underground tanks, so as to ensure they are in good shape, adding that that was the time the officers swooped on them, and took custody of all of them on site.

"Although I don't have a license to operate the business but I believe it is when I must have finished construction that I intended applying for due authorisation; but I was a DS member before I resigned to build my own station, so I have been in the industry.

"Of a truth (sic), when the NSCDC officials stormed the site we were not selling as the place was still under construction; I had

only mounted the underground tanks, and I needed to test them to ensure that there are no leakages so as to avoid future loss when it is fully operative", he insisted.

However, in a dramatic twist, Adejo while speaking to newsmen pleaded for forgiveness from Nigerian public as he was ready to stop the building of the station, saying it was his first time of getting into such act and that he had not started selling the products.

Meanwhile, the FCT commandant disclosed that some of the suspects were caught while engaging in selling and diversion of petroleum products to

“

However, in a dramatic twist, Adejo while speaking to newsmen pleaded for forgiveness from Nigerian public as he was ready to stop the building of the station, saying it was his first time of getting into such act and that he had not started selling the products.

operators of filling stations without license, while others engaged in vandalising and scooping petroleum products from pipelines in the area.

According to him, so far, the FCT command has been able to identify two illegal filling stations operating currently in Kabusa and Gwagwalada axis of the territory.

He said intelligence reports at the corps' disposal indicates that some individuals were seen siphoning petrol from the pipeline and conveying the products in jerry cans in vehicles for supply to surface tanks and illegal filling stations operating in the FCT. Aminu said the corps would ensure that all the suspects arrested and currently in NSCDC custody are prosecuted to serve as deterrent to other illegal operators in the territory.

Kuje Area Court in the FCT on Thursday sentenced Yahaya Ahmed of Anguwan Ekwa, Zuba, Abuja, to four and half months imprisonment for attempting to steal cartons of beer.

Ahmed, 31, was convicted for joint act, criminal trespass and attempt to commit an offence punishable under sections 97, 348 and 95 of the Penal Code.

The judge, Mr. Nuhu Ibrahim, however, gave him an option to pay N9, 000 fine. He said the court convicted Ahmed having found him guilty of the offences he admitted to have committed.

Aluu four: Port Harcourt Magistrate Court transfers case to High Court

A

Port Harcourt Magistrate court has transferred the murder case involving a paramount ruler Hassan Welewa, police sergeant and nine others, to a high court for lack of jurisdiction.

The 11 suspects out of 18 were arrested for their alleged complicity in the murder of four University of Port Harcourt students in Oct. 18, 2012 in Aluu, Rivers.

The presiding Chief Magistrate, Emmanuel Woke, on Thursday, said the transfer of the 11 suspects was based on the report of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

CITY QUOTE "For the majority of individuals the necessities of life are the same. It is therefore logical and consistent with an economic approach to satisfy these homogenous needs uniformly and consistently. Hence it is not justifiable for each house to have a different floor plan, a different shape, different building materials, and a different 'style.' To do this is to practice waste and to put a false emphasis on individuality".

Got interesting stories about life or happenings in your neighbourhood? Contact CityLife, and let others read about them. Send suggestions/comments with your names and phone numbers via mycitybeat2pml@gmail.com.

—Waltern Gropius

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

Tourism

Olumo:

An under the rock tourist destination O

l u m o rock, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nigeria, sits in the ancient city centre of Abeokuta, a name which means "Under the rock". Abeokuta was originally inhabited by the Egba people who found refuge at the Olumo rock during inter-tribal wars in the 19th century. The rock provided sanctuary to the people as well as a vantage point to monitor the enemy's advance leading to eventual triumph in war. The town of Abeokuta eventually grew as these new settlers spread out from this location.

Abeokuta is just about an hour's drive from the bustling metropolitan city of Lagos providing convenient access to an array of hotels, restaurants, clubs, casinos and various nightlife activities. Lagos is also home to the closest airport to Abeokuta, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Hotels in Abeokuta within minutes drive from the rock include Gateway Hotel and Olumo Guest House.

Tourists definitely need to consider putting Olumo rock on their travel plans.

New renovations completed early 2006 upgraded the infrastructure of the site to include a new museum, restaurants, water fountain and an elevator that will provide even the climbingchallenged a wonderful view of the surrounding city.

The ancient Itoku market where local artisans and traders

enjoy haggling over price just as much as the customers like to find a bargain lies just outside the Olumo rock premises and is a must-see. The market is the center of the indigenous Abeokuta industry of tie-and-dye, locally known as Adire. Adire crafters, usually women, both old and young show off their designs in sheds alongside the roads. Behind these sheds are buildings where many of these crafters live and work and their parents before them. In places where the plaster has cracked off the walls, you may see traces of the mud bricks used in the original construction. The locals are very friendly and if asked, will often give tourists and visitors informal tours of the dyeing processes. Other popular items to watch out for include local beads, bracelets, sculptures and musical instruments like the sekere and talking drum.

A trip to Olumo rock usually commences with a climb up the man-made stairs carved into the rock. While this sounds easy enough, it leaves many breathless and ready to take a break to rest on the benches under the trees growing from the rock and enjoy some clean breeze. The journey continues with climbs on irregularly sized rocks (or ladders which are now thankfully provided) through a narrow corridor that leads to the top of the rock. All along the way, catch sights of carvings in the rock, cowries-studded statues and the ancient abode of the priestesses who live in huts on

“

The ancient Itoku market where local artisans and traders enjoy haggling over price just as much as the customers like to find a bargain lies just outside the Olumo rock premises and is a must-see.

Yoruba traditional musicians

the rock. And yes, it is not uncommon to catch a sight of the very aged women who live there and mutter greetings or blessings as people make their way through.

It is often helpful to enlist the services of a guide who possess vast knowledge of the history of the rock and the culture of the people. This makes for an interesting climb as every twist and turn will reveal a significant story making the trip a truly memorable one.

On the way back down the rock, the sight of the Ogun river running like a silver chain amidst a forest of aged red corrugated roofs bordered by thick green forests which melt into the horizon is breathtaking.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 17 With Sonde Abbah 0803-2159-249 (SMS only) asonde@yahoo.com

Busy Body

H

er 'MAJESTERIAL' ExcellencyThe story is told of how, on stepping into the presidential palace in Uganda, Samuel Doe's wife wallowed in the luxury for what appeared like an eternity. Then, turning to her hubby (President Doe) she crooned: "darling, we're never gonna leave this place".

Busy Body does not know if Naija's own version of Mrs. Doe uttered such a historic declaration upon settling down at the luxurious palace near the Rock called Aso. But it is gradually becoming evident by the day that like that Ugandan power-miss-road lady, our dear Patience Dame is losing patience with due process. And thus now carries on like an imperial ruler.Hear this, for instance: "It (the Mission House) should continue as proposed." Continue without any opposing view, that is (as in Dame's case, no appeal!)Not a few people shudder to think of what would be her Imperial Majesty's next "interest."

Let's assume that she becomes interested in erecting in, say a N50 trillion Patient Dame Joe Phantom Clinic in Kubwa. Who will stop her?

We could hear her majesty voice booming to the effect that "this N50 trillion project must go on at all cost, damn it!

“Raw deal for “food basket” teachers These are not the best of times for those who teach our kids A,B,C in one of the states that prides itself as the nation's food basket.Reason?

While every public servant in the land was enjoying the national minimum wage since the executive grace of their excellencies across the states, this set of workers have been abandoned to their fate.

What happened? According to reliable insiders, in the heat of the workers' agitation for payment of the minimum wage, the state's lord of the manor, who is notorious for ceaseless foreign trips, played maximum "wuru-wuru" on the unsuspecting workers.Before you could say "Sus-wetin", the teachers, who had been on indefinite strike hitherto, were coned to return to work, with the assurance that their reward would materialise here on earth.

That was way back in 2011.Ever since then, no single reward has come to the long-suffering teachers' way. While their colleagues in the same civil service smile home with the new pay package every month, the chalk-carrying workers get only 419 promises all the time.

Meanwhile, the state's helmsman has reportedly "settled" the workers' union leaders. Talk of government by deception!

Etsu Karu: A true man of his people T h e r e are leaders and there are leaders. Some are barely tolerated by their people. Others are however adored with a passion Take the Etsu Karu, HRH PharmLuka Baba, for example. In Karu LGA of Nassarawa State, one needs not be a rocket scientist to perceive the special bond between the traditional ruler and his subjects.

On a typical day the Etsu Karu reportedly attends to all and sundry like a caring parent. "Irrespective of how busy he is, and no matter how many of us (residents) go to his palace with one problem or the other, he usually listens patiently, and is so empathetic," remarked a resident, Hycinth Umar.

Hajia Jamila Mohammed, Executive Director of Destiny Youth Forum, probably spoke the mind of majority of the people when she said that: "As a traditional ruler, Pharmacist Luka Baba is, in my view, ahead of his time. His humility, magnanimity, devotion to the common cause and exemplary leadership, make him a true man of the people."

MAN OF HIS PEOPLE: HRH Baba

Bill Clinton’s home truth for Naija "I would say you have challenges (in Nigeria). First of all, like 90 percent of the countries who have one big resource, you haven't done well with your oil money. You should have reinvested it in

different ways…

"There has to be a way to take the huge intellectual and organizational ability that Nigeria exhibit in every country in the world in which they are immigrant, and bring it to bear here,

Zakari, NSU PRO, gets married

so that the country as a whole can rise."

That was the ex-President of USA, Bill Clinton, speaking at the THISDAY Awards in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday.

Frank and forthright, Clinton has, with these few sentences, clinically diagnosed one of the main ailments that have been at the root of Nigeria's lack of progress for so long.

Need we add more?

T

hese are the best of times for Jamil Zakari, head of the Public Relations Department of Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

On Saturday 2nd March, 2013, his wedding fatiha will hold at the Wuse II Mosque, Life Camp, opposite Julius Berger Hospital Gate, Abuja by 10.am.

Reception follows in Keffi at 3.00 pm prompt.

Here is wishing him and his beautiful bride a happy married life.

Ameen.

HOME TRUTH: Clinton

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 18

Relationship If you have any relationship story you want to share with our readers, please send to the above address.

Let's share your love story.

Tips for successful online dating (II)

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

Should I forget him and move on

I

first saw him when I was in my 1st year in the University. He was at the same 1st year as I was but in a different department. During that time I only see him as part of the crowd. We didn't get close at that time. I didn't even know his name.

Not until when we were in 300 levels. We became a little close and that's when I developed this feeling towards him. He is so kind, handsome and silent. I'm part of the crème of the crop at our class and good at Physics and Mathematics, which are actually two of his weaknesses.

One day, he asked a favor over the phone (texts) if I could explain Theory of ordinary differential equation to him because it's his turn to present in class that day. I agreed, and

By Erin J. Shea The picture Stay recent and real, Casey says. All pictures should be taken within the last six months and feature a head shot, as well as a full body shot. "Putting up pictures that represent what you look like means you don't have to worry later, if he or she doesn't call you to go out again, that it's because of how you look," Allison says. "Be honest about who you are."

Avoid pictures of yourself with either too many props or too many other people. "Find a happy medium between being Action Jackson and Mr. or Miss Poser," Casey says. "Your main picture should be just you, and not you wearing sunglasses or you holding your dog. Use those photos for the supplemental pictures."

Update photos as much as possible.

Casey suggests including photos from recent vacations as well as those that feature you taking part in a hobby you enjoy. "They make good conversation starters," she says.

Don't include too many

pictures of you with other people. "There are so many guys online who will include pictures of themselves with other women," Allison says. "You don't know who those women are, and it sends the wrong impression."

The username Don't be too mysterious.

Casey says it's fine to select a name that's clever, but don't pick something that will likely go over people's heads or come off as inaccessible.

If the name you want is taken, don't try to force one.

"Some people have usernames you need a decoder ring to decipher," Casey says. "All the numbers and letters jumbled together make it really hard to figure out what it means."

Stay clear of anything too provocative. "Using something like 'legsfordays' as a username is probably not the impression you want to give if you're looking for a serious relationship," Casey says.

The headline or status line Your headline should answer a basic question such as "What am I looking for?" Casey says the answer should be fun and

“

Your main picture should be just you, and not you wearing sunglasses or you holding your dog. Use those photos for the supplemental pictures.

playful and prompt people to want to click into your profile to get to know you better.

"Something like 'This week I'm looking for a great cocktail date' is fun and makes your profile stand out.

Like the username, stay away from being too clever.

"When you use too many puns or inside references, people aren't getting to know the real you," Casey says.

The description Create three separate paragraphs. The first, Casey says, should be about whom you are and what you like to do. The second should contain things such as your pet peeves and personal quirks, anything that is unique and stands out from the crowd. The last paragraph should detail what your life looks like now, including the most recent movies you've seen, books you've read or places you've visited.

Be brief. No one wants to read a novel, Casey says, and users should be careful about sharing too much.

Be as unique as possible.

"There was a point where everyone dating online was reading The DaVinci Code and they all made statements like 'I'm equally at home in a dive bar as I am dressing up,'" Allison says. "Those people don't seem real. Specificity is what makes you stand out. Tell people if you took a week off of work to follow Pearl Jam. Let them know about your Lord of the Rings collection!

It's the best way to catch someone's eye." Spell check.

Concluded.

he called me and I explained it to him over the phone. That was the beginning of closeness.

I later hated myself for it because he only approached me whenever he needed my assistance. Due to his lack of interest in me, I decided to get him off my mind and it worked.

When he noticed I had withdrew from him, he came close again and the feelings I had for him also developed again.

Unfortunately, his attitude towards me remained the same.

It has been four years now that we have known each other, I can only feel the pain the relationship is causing me. Why did I even consider meeting getting close to him, please tell me, could he be feeling what I am feeling?

—Eniola

She prefers my friend to me

M

y name is Bode; I am a native of Ado-Ekiti. I really like Teni, a pretty girl living in my neighbourhood. I thought she liked me too but recently, she released a bombshell telling me she likes my friend. My friend doesn't like her. Instead of accepting me as her boyfriend, she said I should help her talk to my friend. I can't keep her out of my mind but she seems not to understand.

What should I do?

—Bode

PAGE 19

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

Beauty Tips

Natural facial fix-ups

Lavender

1) Corn and oat face scrub 1/2 cup oat flour 1/2 cup corn flour 1/3 cup whole milk powder 1/2 cup corn meal - Grind milk powder in a mortar and pestle to get the lumps out.

- Sift the dry ingredients together Mix with water to get a thick paste and smooth on, splash off with water. To make the misture astringent use Witch Hazel To make it soothing add Aloe gel To make it less drying for ageing or very dry skin add a few drops of Almond oil and mix before adding water.

Note: Use extra fine corn meal for face scrubs and coarser grinds for body scrubs. Do not premix with wet ingredients as this mixture will not keep if wet. Most women use this mixture but exclude the meal for a daily face wash.

2) Oatmeal powder 1/2 C. oatmeal powder 1/2 C. bran 1/4 C. cornmeal 1 tsp. zinc oxide Mix all together into a paste with water.

Massage on face; rinse off.

3) Frozen egg & honey facial mask (Smoothens and moisturises) 1 egg 1/2 cup coconut oil 1 tbs. honey

Beat the egg in a small bowl. Add the coconut oil and honey slowly, beating until it's the consistency of mayonnaise. Spoon mixture into a cardboard toilet paper roll, sitting upright in a small bowl. Set in the freezer overnight. To use, peel away the top of the cardboard roll and smooth the frozen stick over your face. Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes, then wash off with warm water. Keep the stick covered with plastic wrap and freeze for the next use.

4) Lemon mask (for oily skin) 1 Tablespoon clay 1 Tablespoon lemon juice Mix in the palm of your hand. Apply to your skin and wash off after some minutes, to clean and smoothen your skin.

5) Eye puffiness easer 2 tsp. grated raw potato (no skin) 1 tsp. moisturizer (without urea) Mix well, then apply around the eyes. Cover with cool, damp cotton or gauze for 10 to 15 minutes.

6)Excema cream 8 oz petroleum jelly (big jar) 1/4 cup (approx 4 8oz) Beeswax 1 tablespoon Lanolin 10-15 drops lavendar oil Rub a little dab into the affected area right after a bath while the skin is still moist (but not wet)

Beewax

Lemon

Grated potato

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 20

News Adesina emerges new President of Nigerian Guild of Editors

By Inumidun Ojelade, with agency reports

T

he Deputy Managing Director/Executive Director of The Sun Newspapers, Mr Femi Adesina, has emerged as the new president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) .

Adesina was elected yesterday in Ibadan at the end of the 2013 convention of the guild..

At the election, which ended around 7.00 pm, at the Premier Hotel, Adesina polled a total of 149 votes to defeat Malam Tukur Abdulrahman, Managing Director, New Nigerian Newspapers, who secured 57 votes.

Mr Isaac Ighure, Managing Editor /Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) was returned unopposed as the General Secretary of the body.

Only four positions were contested for during the election with the other candidates returning unopposed.

Among the contestants returned unopposed are Victor Agusiobo (Vice President, East); Steve Ayorinde (Vice President, West); Ogbang Akwaji (Treasurer); Mustapha Issa (Assistant General Secretary) and Funke Egbemode (Social Publicity Secretary).

Others include Yinka Atolagbe of Voice of Nigeria

(Standing Committee, West); Fred Fabor (Standing Committee, East); Chooks Oko (Standing Committee, East); Ken Ugbechie (Standing Committee, Lagos/ West) and Ray Echebiri (Standing Committee, West).

Results for the other three positions showed that Aisha Sule, Deputy Director News, Kano

State Radio and Television, emerged as Deputy President after scoring 137 votes to beat rival Ken Njoku who garnered 57 votes.

Malam Suleiman Gaya emerged as the Vice President (North) by beating Alli M. Alli with 102 votes to 62.

The posts of the two standing committees were contested for by Alli Hakeem, Managing Editor/ Director also of NAN, Hajia Sani (Voice of Nigeria), Gbenga Adesina and Sebastian Abu.

Hakeem, with 108 votes and Abu with 105 votes emerged victorious while Sani and Adesina, who were defeated, scored 62 and 21 votes respectively.

In his acceptance speech, the new president expressed appreciation to his colleagues for voting for him.

He said that he would, among other things, make as priority training of members, welfare and the construction of

FCT earmarks N500m for renovation of NYSC camp R-L: Nyanya Lay President, Bro. Atta Esa, Bishop of Nyanya, Rt.Rev Samuel Nortey and Bishop of Kubwa, Rt.Rev. Rufus Babalola at the 3rd Annual synod of Methodist Church Nigeria Diocese of Nyanya on Friday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Zamfara govt disbursed over N300 million to disaster victims in 2012 – Official

T

he Zamfara Government yesterday said it spent more than N300 million to assist victims of flood, windstorm, fire outbreak and robbery attacks in the state in 2012.

Alhaji Atiku Maradun, the Executive Secretary, Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA), disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau.

He said government provided relief materials such as food items, clothes and building materials, as well as money to the victims.

The ZEMA official said the federal government also donated 27 trailer-loads of food items through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. ``The items were distributed to victims through the state Ministry of Agriculture," he said.

Maradun said the federal government also donated N200 million to the state government to relocate floodprone villages and to build river embankment in Gummi, Maradun and Shinkafi Local Government Areas (LGAs).

He also explained that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) donated cement, zinc, timber and food items to the

a befitting permanent secretariat for the guild.

The results of the election were announced by the Chairman, Electoral Committee, Malam Mohammed Haruna, who presided over an eight - man panel that conducted the election.

Haruna commended the delegates for the peaceful manner they conducted themselves during the election.

He urged both the winners and the losers to take themselves as friends and to cooperate as colleagues to develop the NGE. However, a twist was added to the election when Aisha Sule, who emerged as the Deputy President earlier, sent in a letter before the votes were counted that she was stepping down for her fellow contestant, Ken Njoku.

However, the electoral panel, after seeking legal advice, overruled her intent and also declined the request of the loser, Njoku, who demanded he be sworn-in as the winner.

Members of the new NGE executive were immediately sworn into office by Mr John Ndukauba, a legal practitioner.

windstorm victims in Maradun and Maru LGAs. The ZEMA executive secretary said the items were also distributed to the victims by NEMA officials. ``We received donations of mattresses and mosquito nets

from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), which were distributed to flood victims in Talata Mafara, Gummi and Gusau LGAs," he added.

Maradun also stated that the agency's annual enlightenment campaign tour would commence

soon, as part of measures taken to prevent a future recurrence of flood disaster. ``We usually go out for enlightenment campaign every year before the commencement of the rainy season, where we visit the 14 LGAs of the state.

Kebbi Commissioner gets award

By Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

T

he Center for Ethics and Self Value Orientation has bestowed its prestigious National Certificate of Credence on the Kebbi state Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Hon. Hussaini Abdullahi Raha.

Speaking at the induction ceremony, the group's Executive Director, Prince Mohammed Yakubu, noted that the recognition was based on the Commissioner's prudent management of the resources of his Ministry and ethical administration of the staff, among other qualities.

According to Yakubu, the campaign for a new Nigeria as championed by his organization was an attempt to discourage corruption at all levels of government and abuse of power by political appointees.

Accepting the award, Raha said that he was motivated in his work by the transparent and

prudent manner Governor Saidu Usman Dakingari handles the affairs of the state.

Outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis recorded in Jalongo

By Yusha'u Alhassan, Jalingo

A

n outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis has been reported in Murkuni village in Kona ward of Jalingo Local government.

Investigation by our reporter shows that a ten year old child was infected and is now receiving treatment at Federal Medical centre Jalingo.

There are still signs of the disease manifesting in several people in the village.

The Jalingo Local Government council has

dispatched a team of health personnel to the area to curtail the outbreak.

The team which is headed by the Director of Health of the Council, Mohammed Nagogo started by sensitizing the people on the significance of healthcare delivery and the need for them to maintain a clean environment before administering the vaccines on them.

Ngogo assured the villagers that the health team was well equipped to carryout preventive measures against the spread of the epidemic.

T

he Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, said yesterday that more than N500 million had been earmarked for the renovation of NYSC Camp in Kubwa, Abuja.

The minister announced this in Abuja while inspecting the ongoing renovation of the camp.

She said the camp would be moved to its permanent site in Abaji, adding that construction work would commence soon. ``We are going to move this camp down to Abaji, its permanent location; we have identified the site where construction will commence, probably by next year," Akinjide said.

Akinjide said the FCTA had deployed its share of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) fund to cater for the renovation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SURE-P was initiated early in 2012 following the partial removal of subsidy on fuel.

For the FCTA, the SURE-P fund has been mainly used to support projects on youths and women empowerment, transportation and health, among others.

She said the camp was intended to be a temporary site for corps members, adding that the increase in population of members had put a lot pressure on the facilities leading to their decay. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 21

Healthy Living

Girl, 7, loses an ovary to rare cancer

By Claire Bates

A

seven-year-old girl rushed to hospital with a suspected stomach infection stunned doctors when they discovered she had tumour the size of a grapefruit on her ovary.

Ellie-Louise Lewis was rushed to hospital on January 18 by her mother Rachel, 25, after complaining of crippling stomach pains.

Doctors suspected gastroenteritis but quickly realised her swollen stomach was due to juvenile granulosa, a rare form of cancer.

Rachael Lewis rushed her daughter Ellie-Louise (right) to hospital after her stomach swelled and her skin turned grey. She was diagnosed with a rare ovary tumour (see X-ray above) Four days later she underwent a three-hour operation to have the 4.7in (12cm) malignant tumour removed from her ovary.

Mrs Lewis, from Carlton, Nottinghamshire, first took her daughter to the GP who sent them straight to Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre.

The mother-of-two said, "She was massive, if she wasn't seven, I

would have thought she was pregnant.

"She had that grey colour that people have when they look like they're going to die.

"Everyone was shocked. You just don't expect this to happen to your daughter. I thought I was going to lose her, as she was really ill.

"We were waiting up in intensive care, I was just panicking.

It was the longest three hours of my life.

"She usually does not stop, but she's very quiet at the moment.

She's usually the loudest. She used to love swimming but she can't now.

She's upset about that. "She also loves singing and dancing.

"Hopefully nothing will come back, but it's still scary. The main thing is being there for her."

Most patients with the tumours are adults, but five per cent are in the early stages of puberty or prepubescent.

The cancer originates in the granulosa cell in the sex cord, a tube that links to testes in males and ovarian follicles in women.

Ellie-Louise had an ovary removed along with the tumour

and will have four sessions of chemotherapy over three months with MRI scans every three months to check the cancer does not return.

Her grandfather Alex Lewis, 48, added, "When we first saw her in hospital we didn't think she was going to make it.

"The weight of it was stopping her breathing. If I could have taken it off her, I would. I'd have preferred it to be me.

"She looked like she had two footballs in her belly. It was terrifying but we are grateful she was diagnosed early enough.

"She still has to go through chemotherapy and we are hoping to send her to America for specialist treatment but we are trying to stay positive."

Professor Richard Grundy, who is Ellie-Louise's consultant said, "The tumour was life-threatening. "We had to seek international guidance on how best to treat her.

"We had plans to operate but she became increasingly unwell over the weekend.

"It was a large tumour in a small girl. It's a relatively difficult operation and she came through it very well."

Ellie-Louise now faces three months of chemotherapy, after having the life-threatening tumour removed

Ellie-Louise Lewis in hospital after having a three-hour operation to remove an ovary and the tumour

Rachael Lewis rushed her daughter Ellie-Louise (right) to hospital after her stomach swelled and her skin turned grey. She was diagnosed with a rare ovary tumour (see X-ray above)

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

With Aunty A'isha

Sights and sounds Why is the sky blue?

PAGE 23

rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com 08082071393.

SHOR T ST OR Y SHORT STOR ORY

The little fish that swam to the big ocean

A

clear cloudless day-time sky is blue because molecules in the air scatter blue light from the sun more than they scatter red light. When we look towards the sun at sunset, we see red and orange colours because the blue light has been scattered out and away from the line of sight.

The white light from the sun is a mixture of all colours of the rainbow. This was demonstrated by Isaac Newton, who used a prism to separate the different colours and so form a spectrum. The colours of light are distinguished by their different wavelengths.

The visible part of the spectrum ranges from red light with a wavelength of about 720 nm, to violet with a wavelength of about 380 nm, with orange, yellow, green, blue and indigo between. The three different types of colour receptors in the retina of the human eye respond most strongly to red, green and blue wavelengths, giving us our colour vision.

Tyndall effect The first steps towards correctly explaining the colour of the sky were taken by John Tyndall in 1859. He discovered that when light passes through a clear fluid holding small particles in suspension, the shorter blue wavelengths are scattered more strongly than the red. This can be demonstrated by shining a beam of white light through a tank of water with a little milk or soap mixed in. From the side, the beam can be seen by the blue light it scatters; but the light seen directly from the end is reddened after it has passed through the tank. The scattered light can also be shown to be polarised using a filter of polarised light, just as the sky appears a deeper blue through Polaroid sun glasses.

This is most correctly called the Tyndall effect, but it is more commonly known to physicists as Rayleigh scattering-after Lord Rayleigh, who studied it in more detail a few years later. He showed that the amount of light scattered is inversely proportional to the fourth power of wavelength for sufficiently small particles. It follows that blue light is scattered more than red light by a factor of (700/400)4 = 10.

O

nce upon a time, there was a fish named George. He lived in the water, as all fish do but something was different about George, he did not like the water. First, he said that the rocks were too big, and then he said that the rocks were too small. Nothing would please him.

The other fish in his schoolwould try to cheer him

up. They did not understand why he was unhappy. They loved swimming around in the shallow water and being together.

There was always plenty of food and activity and there was never a dull moment for these fish. However, for some reason, George felt restless and he wanted more.

One day, a big, old and wise fish came to visit his school. He

listened intently. The old and wise one was telling of vast waters and limitless swimming.

He was telling of great whales and big fish. He was also telling about great light and darkness.

Suddenly George wanted to experience this too.

The other fish in his school were not interested but George was eager. He swam with the big fish towards these vast waters with great dreams. He did not know where he was going but he trusted the older and wiser fish.

Soon the water began to feel cold and he was seeing giant fish that looked very hungry. He would have been afraid for his life, but he was much too excited by the new sights. Soon they came to a cave and they found a safe place for the night with food nearby.

George liked it in the cave.

It was very quiet and he could hear calming sounds. Musical sound seemed to be coming from a long distance. Even when the big fish swam away, George decided to remain.

This was against all normal fish instinct, as fish wants to be with other fish. The melodious sound fascinated him and he could not stop listening to it. He listened and he listened,he did not eat or move because he was so busy listening.

The more he listened, the more he began to understand about who he really was. The more he listened, the more he fell into a different awareness and soon he forgot that he was a fish and that he did not like the water.

HIS AND HERS CORNER

Young ones and the world of Ankara

PAGE 24

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

Kannywood

PAGE 25

We need companies to supply equipment to improve our movies, says cameraman Nasiru Abubakar Dorayi also known as Nasiru Dorayi is a Director of photography and has been practicing for over 20yrs. In this Interview with Nasiru Mu'azu Isa, he talks about his start In the profession, the challenges of equipment and how profitable the job is.

What is your specialty?

I'm a camera man in the Kannywood industry also known Director of Photography (DOP).

How long have you been doing the work?

Well, I have been in the industry since 1990. Then, there were not many home videos, among the films shot in 1990, include "Inda so da kauna", "Da kyar na sha" and some others.

Suspected cultists kill upcoming Samklef in ghastly auto crash Singer, Damoche at LASU

R

eports reaching Nigeriafilms.com have it that upcoming Nigerian singer, Damino Demola Damoche, has been shot dead by suspected cultists.

According to the report, his bullet ridden body was found lying in his pool of blood after he was shot at the main gate of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo by the suspected cult members Thursday.

Some reports say he was shot by rival cultists who were on a motorcycle popularly called okada.

‌as UNILAG students smash Davido's car at First Bank show

S

When you say you are a camera man, what exactly does that mean, are you like the "wait and get" kind of camera man?

It's not like Still photograph which is printed on paper but moving pictures for video.

ome over-excited fans of the singer reportedly damaged a crooner car

belonging to pop star, Davido, poropularly referred to as 'omo

Why did you choose camera work instead of acting?

It is a profession and that is what I am interested in, I sometimes produce but only with my own money. My qualifications are in photography.

When I started in the industry, people were into writing books predominantly love stories and then gradually home videos started being shot, so I decided that I needed to specialise in one area of film production so I can be an expert in that area.

What is the difference between Still photographs and shooting of video?

There are a lot of differences. Still photographs require a person to pose and stand still which is where the name "still photography" comes from but photography in films is about moving images. In films there is need to rehearse and also decorate a set were the action is taking place and that is the major difference.

What inspired you to do photography?

I read Mass Communication in BUK, and it was during that time that I thought about venturing into camera work.

What are the challenges of photography in films?

There is the aspect of religion and how it is viewed within the religion.

Some people think it is wrong and there is also the issue of where this work can take you to, sometimes you are required to work in places, which ordinarily you will not go such as churches and other places but to me it is just a job and if the producer says we are shooting in a church or anywhere else that is where I have to go, and if I don't they will just look for someone who does not have an issue with going into places like that. I think people should not judge us because it is through this work that I earn my living and take care of my family.

Nollywood

Entertainment

baba olowo', at the campus of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) for a First Bank sponsored event, Youth Excel.

R e v e a l i n g how t h e i n c i d e n t happened, Davido, who took to twitter, twitted "damn, they (UNILAG students) broke my car window at UNILAG. Still love my fans though. Bless you all. Amazing show."

Nigeriafilms.com learnt the incident happened at the end of the event which was held at the main auditorium of the school, just as the singer was making his way out of the school; some excited students reportedly besieged him by chasing his car, which resulted into one of his car's windows being damaged in the process.

Nse Ikpe Etim's Hubby's 15 Year-Old Son, Jermaine Sule Revealed!

I

t's no longer news that Nse Ikpe has perfected all plans to h r o w mother of all wedding soon.

The versatile Nollywood icon recently had her superlative engagement reception to her heartthrob, Clifford Sule at Sky Lounge, Eko Hotel, Lagos Nigeri recently Findings by Nigeriafilms.com, however, revealed that Clifford Sule, a senior lecturer in Computer Communications at Middlesex University, United Kingdom has a 15 year old son called Jermaine. t

Nasiru Abubakar Dorayi So what sort of equipments do you use and how did you acquire them?

Some of the equipments are mine and some are provided by the producers. There are different types of equipments that we use; it's actually a long list. But there also companies that rent out equipments.

These are cameras like Z5, Z1, Sony 500 and many more.

Are these equipments readily available or are they difficult to access?

In the industry there is quite positive development but there is still the need for companies to bring in standard equipments so we can access them when they need them.

What is your preparation like when you are contracted to work?

First of all I ask about the kind of camera the producer intends to use, then advice him on whether it is the appropriate camera or not and if not, I suggest the kind of camera the

producer should use. That is part of my job, to advice producers on the kind of equipments to use.

There is the view that Nollywood is far ahead of Kannywood, why do you think that is so?

Yes! In the past, I will say, that was the case but there have been great improvement. The thing is, Nollywood has better access to better equipments and support from individuals and government. There is also the way the industry is viewed by the public, in the north film making is still seen as not serious business or profession and there is no major support from the public in terms of their support in helping us with items and locations that we can use for our shootings.

There is a negative view about people in Nollywood, that all they do is play and involve in all sorts of negative activities, do you agree?

No, I don't. I don't know why people have such views because we are just

like everybody else with our own share of bad eggs. I think people have such views because we are in the public eye and that is one of the things with being in the movie industry. If the public checks other professions they will equally find bad eggs. Another thing is our religion and our culture, but through this job I got married and have three kids and it is through this job that I have been taking care of them. It is really not fair to us that people criticize us the way they do.

Do DOPs have fans?

Of course, though we are not in front of the camera. In every aspect of the industry there are fans, our producers and actors make sure that they introduce us to fans whenever an opportunity arises. There are those who are also interested in what we do, so they make efforts to know us.

Do you face similar problems like producers and actors, where fans call them at all times and in some instances have been the cause of marital problems?

Before I married my wife I made her understand the kind of work I do and even now when I leave my phone with her she gets tired of answering my calls. I actually don't have such a problem; moreover I have a separate phone for my business.

Is being a DOP profitable and how much do you make on the job?

Yes! it is very profitable because I have been doing this for over 20yrs and through it I got married, and taking care of my family. I make enough money but there are times that I work for less than that due to personal relationships.

What is your advice to those interested in joining your kind of work?

My advice to those interested is to know what they want from the industry. There are different specialties in the industry, so whoever wants to join should focus on a particular area within the industry.

According to the report, after relocating to the United Kingdom few years after they completed their secondary school education in Nigeria, the two lost contact but were reunited when Nse ran into Cliff's mum-a meeting that reopened a line of communication between the two.

"An inside source squealed that Nse had expected their romance to continue from where they left it off but Cliff retreated to his shell.

"However, Cliff's heart had been struck with cupid arrow since he asked Nse out at the age of 17, and he had no doubt that

they were meant to be together when he asked her out again and after much thought she gave in to her emotions to become Mrs. Sule".

B

ut for the timely intervention of God, the Nigerian entertainment industry would have recorded another demise of one of her top music producer and singer, Samklef who was said to have been involved in a car crash in the early

hours of Thursday.

According to an eye-witness account, the motor mishap happened around Anthony area of Lagos, and in the process his car, was badly damaged but thankfully neither he nor the other occupant of the car, his driver was injured.

Benita is NAMA's air safety Ambassador

By Suleiman Idris, Lagos

T

he Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has named Nollywood actress, Benita Nzeribe as Air safety ambassador for Nigeria.

Managing Director of the agency, Engr. Nnamdi Udoh said the choice of Nzeribe was informed by her interest and enthusiasm in the aviation sector and her patriotic zeal to promote air safety in Nigeria.

He enjoined Nzeribe to use her position as a Nollywood star to propagate the activities of NAMA, and to take the message home, that the Nigeria airspace is safe and that air travel is cheaper considering the speed and comfort compared to other modes of transportation.

"NAMA is striving to sustain an environment that promotes air

safety particularly in the area of surveillance for pilots to fly with less talking from the controllers, where pilots can fly more directly to their airports of destination and this is called direct air navigation."

He told the new air safety ambassador that the agency is also doing a lot in the area of manpower development, saying that the "sophisticated equipment deployed by the agency would have to be manned by Nigerians" Udoh said NAMA would soon deploy Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast [ADS-B] to capture low flying aircraft like helicopters to enhance safety and revenue generation.

Miss Nzeribe expressed gratitude to NAMA for finding her worthy of this appointment, stressing that she would do her best to justify the confidence reposed in her.

She noted that she is highly delighted to discover that the Nigerian aviation sector is

managed by a crop of highly trained, responsible and dedicated personnel, working tirelessly to enhance safety in the Nigerian airspace.

?

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

Hollywood/Bollywood Sridevi driven by a female taxi driver to Design One

B

ollywood actress Sridevi was driven by a female taxi driver to Design One, a fund-raising exhibition, she inaugurated in Delhi, recently. The female cabbie named Savita, works for Sakha Cabs which aims to provide safe transport for women in the capital.

Sridevi's latest flick English Vinglish saw the actress's reel character supporting women

empowerment, where she was seen making laddoos and learning English. Sridevi was all praises for Savita.

"Like the first time when I worked with a woman director in English Vinglish, I travelled with a woman taxi driver. It was quite exciting and thrilling," Sridevi said.

The actress added, "Her name is Savita and she was really good."

World premiere of 'Mistaken for Strangers' to open Tribeca Film Festival

T

Sridevi

Amitabh allows shooting in 'Pratiksha' for the first time

A

mitabh Bachchan's part in the movie 'Bombay Talkies', which is titled 'Pratiksha' will be shot

Amitabh

in his house for the first time, and will be directed by Anurag Kashyap.

Amitabh who is getting better with his age in terms of performances, is now acting in the movie,which is a collection of four short stories with four directors Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, Dibarkar Bannerji and Karan Johar directing it.

It was gathered that he does not agree for any shoots in his house, but he did it for the first time because he was very much convinced by the story and the situation which focuses on a die-hard fan of his; who wants to cherish her mother's last wish of feeding AB with her dish 'Murabba'.

Aisha, producer of the film, who is all excited about the sequence said, "Shooting at Mr Bachchan's home is a central part of the script. We are grateful to him for allowing us to access the porch and reception area of his bungalow. This is the first time that his house will be seen on celluloid."

'Bombay Talkies' is set for release on 3rd of May on the occasion of Bollywood's 100 years anniversary.

he Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) has announced that the world premiere of Mistaken for Strangers, executive produced by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Marshall Curry and produced by Matt Berninger, Carin Besser and Craig Charland, will open the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival, presented by American Express. Director Tom Berninger chronicles his experience on tour with his brother.

According to the plan, The National's frontman Matt Berninger, in this funny and affecting film, which will also play during the Festival's 12th edition. The premiere, taking place on Wednesday, April 17, will be followed by a special performance by The National. The Festival will run through April 28.

Mistaken for Strangers follows The

National on its biggest tour to date. Newbie roadie Tom (lead singer Matt Berninger's younger brother) is a heavy metal and horror movie enthusiast, and can't help but put his own spin on the experience.

Inevitably, Tom's moonlighting as an irreverent documentarian creates some drama for the band on the road. The film is a hilarious and touching look at two very different brothers and an entertaining story of artistic aspiration.

The Festival founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 has screened more than 1,400 films from more than 80 countries since its first edition in 2002. Since inception, it has attracted an international audience of more than 4 million attendees and has generated an estimated $750 million in economic activity for New York City.

'Identity Thief' tops weekend US box office again

procured the film for just $5 million, so this is a solid win all-around. The picture played 77% 18-49 and 53% male, earning a B from Cinemascore.

The solid 3.17x weekend multiplier, especially considering the predicted Oscar drop today, means that the film may have legs and an outside shot at $45 million. It's not a massive success, and it means that Dwayne Johnson needs a viable franchise to be 'box office', but for a film with nothing but The Rock to sell, this isn't a bad debut at all (it's higher than the $8 million debut for 2010?s Faster, for example). Johnson still has G.I. Joe: Retaliation next month and the sure to be huge Fast & Furious 6 on tap for May, so this almost qualifies as his "one for me" art film.

U

nconfirmed reports have it that based on a Frontline documentary Snitch 'Identity Thief' has the biggest opening weekend of all time for a film in the United States box office chart.

According to Hollywoodnews.com, the 'mandatory minimum sentences are evil' action drama debuted with $13 million this weekend. That's not a huge figure, but it's above the sub-$8 million debuts from Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jason Statham in the last two months. Lionsgate/Summit

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

Homes

PAGE 27

Tips for living room decor

D

e c o r a t i n g your living room is a good idea. It will save you money and give you significant knowledge about interior designing. Also, you can do it as a pass time or a hobby.

But, then things could also go wrong and you could make a fool of yourself. Therefore, it is always better and recommendable to get your hands full with some ideas about how to go on with decorating your living room. So, here are a few things to know before you take the plunge to decorate your living room.

It is always advisable to set off with a plan in your mind and a generic outlook of what your living room should be like. It does mean that you should know every head and tail in advance but a general idea will add the icing on the cake. It will help you during the decoration. As behind every successful project, there is a strategy and a plan, same should be applied here.

You should do a lot of research work before deciding on the look of your room. Just go through some magazines or catalogues and search for the designs, colors or styles you desire. Just tear the page of the design which you like and keep it aside for future reference.

After you get a collection of different designs, try to choose those designs which catch your interests and ideas the most. It is agreeable that a lot of confusion will also prevail but you should be able to think and act fast and come to the conclusion as confusion will eat your time and take you nowhere. Also, once decided, you should not regret. So, you should also decide carefully and be firm by sticking to the decision.

Lighting plays a significant role in the success of your decoration. It does create a good ambience. It adds to the shine and glitter of the room, also making our moods shine and glitter. It can spur our senses and raise our oxytocin levels which are responsible for emotional joy.

Also, scented candles can bring in an additional spark to the

room.

Choosing the right furniture is as essential as oxygen is for our body. After choosing, placing the furniture in a proper way is also equally important.

Mostly, you should not place the furniture lined up against the wall. Your room will be looking smaller by this kind of arrangement.

Another important thing is making use of the right curtains.

Your efforts may seem like a flash in the pan if the curtains are not proper. Mostly, choose the curtains which match he color of the furniture. So, do not lose it all in the last minute just because of one silly mistake.

Adding to the most important things, flooring is also another thing that should be kept in mind.

It is essential for furnishing. The coverings of the floor can be tiles,

carpet or wood. You should see to it that it should be of a similar colour or a darker shade than the walls.

There should be proper amount of free space for the functioning of daily activities, for example, walking; or else, the room will appear like a furniture shop.

Any cool accessories could add a zing to your room. You could pick up some pieces from craft shows. Mostly, accessories should be artefacts, goodies or some items that you treasure.

One could use plants, flora or trees to provide a kind of natural beauty to the atmosphere of the room. It will also fill in the empty spaces.

Some interesting paintings can really bring in a wave of deftness to your room. It acts as a style to your room.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

Cuisine

Pots & Pans

Unique plantain delicacy Plantain is usually enjoyed fried, boiled or roasted and eaten with sauces.

Plantain porridge is delicious and quite easy to prepare.

Ingredients: -300g unripe plantain, diced -200g ripe plantain, diced -Pumpkin leaves or spinach, chopped -2 tbsp scent leaf, finely chopped -Chilli Pepper to taste -1 large onion bulb

-1 cup crayfish, ground -1 1/2cup Palm oil -2 Seasoning cubes -400g Dried or Smoked fish -500g Meat (optional) Directions: -Peel and wash the plantain -Season the meat and cook till it is soft -Fry or grill if necessary -Dice the plantain scraping the sides of each before dicing to get a thickener

-With the stock, cook the plantain adding salt, crayfish, pepper, palm oil and seasoning -Add water to be a little above the plantain level in the pot -Add the dried or smoked fish -When the plantain is soft, mash slightly with a wooden stick -Add the vegetable and cook for another 5minutes -Taste for salt and serve with the meat

Grilled shrimp-marinated Ingredients: 1 teaspoon olive oil Juice of 3 lemons 1/4 soy sauce 1/4 parsley 3 teaspoon tarragon 3 teaspoon garlic powder Preparation: Cut down back of each shrimp shell but do not remove shell. Wash and drain.

Place in covered container. Add marinade. Marinate for 2-4 hours in refrigerator, tossing now and then to mix well. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Grill about 5 minutes.

With Hajiya Ramatu Usman Dorayi

Fresh carrot juice Carrot juice is a nutritious drink and easy to make without a fancy juice machine. Adding orange juice to the mix makes it especially tasty and a typically Nigerian drink.

Preparation: Clean your carrots. Wash 2 pounds (1 kg) of carrots (about 8) under cold water. Scrub them with a vegetable brush if possible.

Puree the carrots. Place your cleaned carrots in a blender or food processor and process until finely chopped or mashed. (It may be necessary to add a small amount of water if the carrots are not very moist.)

Add water. Pour the puree into a large glass measuring cup and add 2 cups (500 ml) hot water, and stir then let it steep. Allow the mixture stand for 15 to 30 minutes.

Remove the pulp and using a hand strainer, strain the juice into a 2 quarts (2 L) pitcher.

Using the base of a glass or other blunt object, press the mash to extract as much juice as possible from the strainer.

If you want to strain out even more pulp, pour the resulting juice through a jelly strainer.

Add orange juice. It's optional, but very tasty! Juice 2 oranges, and add that tasty nectar to the carrot juice.

Adjust the blend. Depending on how rich you like your carrot juice, add additional water to taste. Serve over ice. Enjoy the healthy, natural goodness of a fresh glass of homemade carrot juice!

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2012

PAGE 29

Online comments What we are witnessing My brother Yakubu did you devolution Boko Haram: What see a copy of the agreement manner of truce?

In order to emerge a successful today is the complete The ceasefire declared by Boko Haram is doubtful. The security operatives, particularly the top shots know much about the modus operandi and the capacity of Boko Haram, even when the issue of negotiation came up, the military too was doubtful about it. History has never shown where meaningful negotiation between any government and terrorist groups has been achieved, so we should stop deceiving ourselves.

– Suleiman

Jonathan's plot to remove Amaechi fails again Gov. Amaechi should thank God for frustrating his enemies. He should watch it and vacate the seat for the flirty and desperate ones, He should not be ungrateful to God like those that want him out by all means because of their lust for power, which has made them to deny agreement with Governors and Nigerians.

- Yakubu Bala Nyatse

which anybody has with the governors and Nigerians?

Please stop this your bandwagon criticism because it is not doing us any good. Is the so called Amaechi better?

Go to Rivers and see the mess he has done in that place with uncompleted projects littered all over the place.

– Mohamed Bala

Maina fingers HoS in pension fraud

What is the essence of pension if pensioniers cannot have access to their money on retirement.

I think government should consider scrapping the scheme so that we all will have access to our hard earned money when we are alive instead of leaving it in the hands of thieves & robbers.

– Williams

This is a well conceived and articulated plan. I just hoped these lofty ideas will not be circumscribed by administrative and political contraints.Given the pervassiveness of our sociopolitical environment.

– Ozioma

Jonathan'll return in 2015, says PDP

Nyako counsels Tukur to respect PDP constitution.

I disagree with you totally.

Amaechi has not done well for his people in Rivers. Let him leave that seat and face the work he swore to do for the Rivers people.

– Anonymous

counterpoise to the PDP, I suggest that the APC manifesto must be woven around a strong,clearly discernible peopleoriented,well-digested and perhaps even populist ideological framework with realistic,implementable,timebound action points.

Besides,arrowheads of ideologically-driven action points must see themselves as sacrificial lambs for the sacred altar of the emerging nation of peoples whose common destiny is entrenched in the sands of greatness. Otherwise, the current merry-go-round will continue to hound us all. God bless Nigeria.

– Ozioma Ezeogu

I would like to advise every sensible person in PDP to leave the party and join APC. The going is getting tough in PDP as the President is fighting his own people with whom he reached an agreement. Let them kill the party because that is our wish.

– Sanusi A. Yaradua

APC promises power

PDP, don't play God, it is no longer a secret, Nigerians are tired of cluelessness, deceit, lies and looting in the name of leadership, it is for sure God will come to the aid of Nigerian masses in 2015 by giving us just, fair, honest, and focused leadership. We are praying to whoever is planing to cheat Nigerians by imposing incompetent leadership on us this time around, may God stop and destroy the person, amin.

– Abubakar

unmasking and unraveling of Goodluck Jonathan. This is a man God lifted up and placed on a national pedestal but he decided to challenge Him after a sumptuous meal at the Aso Rock dining table – Wujuwuju

Electricity: Nigeria to generate 8,000 to 10,000 MW by December – Minister

This minister must be hallucinating. He seems to have truly encountered some demons otherwise he will not be saying Nigeria will generate between 8000 & 10000MW by December 2013.

Where are the infrastructures to bring about this?

Nigerians should be told the truth.

Enough of this deceit. The only reason why Government is bent on giving the power sector to private hands is because the thieves in PDP think that it is another gold mine where they can make money in continuation of their thieving culture. They have finished the railways. They have ruined NITEL. Now it is the turn of the power sector. Let Nebo tell Nigerians the power facilities that will bring about the realisation of his promise. It is ridiculous to hear him speak such lies. We have been hearing of this huge figure since the days of Imoke and Obasanjo, yet we have not arrived at that destination which in itself lies grossly inadequate for a nation as large as Nigeria. It is most unfortunate that Nigerians are being given this type of shit and they are eating it with relish.

– Saka Alapafuja

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

Archives

Do you have old pictures for memories?

Send them to julius2001_a@yahoo.com

First Photographic Studio (1893). A photographer photographing himself in the 19th-century

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa at the celebration of “Nigeria at 51”

From left: Sir A.O Durojaiye, Alhaji A.O.O. Otiti, Malam Adamu Ciroma, Mr. Alavodo and Alhaji A. Adetunji

Mohammed Ali in Nigeria in 1963

The Passing Out Parade of the first Nigerian Women Police.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 23 — SUNDAY 24, FEBRUARY, 2013

PAGE 31

Leisure Photo of the day

WORD SEARCH Find the friendship related words listed at the bottom of this page in the friendship word search grid. The words may be forwards, backwards, up, down, or diagonal. Circle each letter separately but the letters in each friendship related word may be used in more than one of the words.

Friendship Word Search

ACQUAINTANCES BOYFRIEND BUDDY CLOSENESS COMPANIONS CONFIDE

FAVOR FONDNESS FRIENDLINESS FUN GIRLFRIEND GOOD TIMES

Words of wisdom “I'll love you, dear, I'll love you till China and Africa meet and the river jumps over the mountain and the salmon sing in the street.”

“If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don't ask for observers from Africa or from Asia. But when we have elections, they act as observers.”

“The white man is not indigenous to Africa. Africa is for Africans. Zimbabwe is for Zimbabweans.”

“In time, we shall be in a position to bestow on South Africa the greatest possible gift - a more human face.”

“I am an international leader, the dean of the Arab rulers, the king of kings of Africa and the imam of Muslims, and my international status does not allow me to descend to a lower level.”

The Power Of Thinking • There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.

– Shakespeare • Every person who has become successful has simply formed the habit of doing things that failures dislike doing and will not do.

– John C. Maxwell • Never let go of a dream until you're ready to wake up and make it happen.

• One difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't.

– Henry Ward Beecher • Your attitude is either your best friend or your worst enemy, your greatest asset or your greatest liability.

– John C Maxwell • Don't just learn something from every experience; learn something positive.

With Emmanuel Eko junioremma419@gmail.com 08165618872 (text only)

– Allen H. Neuharth • People are changed, not by coercion or intimidation, but by example.

– John C. Maxwell • One definition of insanity is to believe that you can keep doing what you've been doing and get different results.

• Stop trying to grow your organization. Work on people's attitudes. If you do that, your organization will experience 10 percent growth overnight.

– John C. Maxwell • Leadership determines the direction of the company.

Organization determines the potential of the company.

Personnel determines the success of the company.

– John C. Maxwell • The best cure for a sluggish mind is to disturb its routine.

– William H. Danforth • He who is good at making excuses is seldom good for anything else.

– Benjamin Franklin

“The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing.”

“A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.”

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

CARTOON

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F

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

Compiled by Miriam Humbe

t r i k s l l u f a r a e w o t How

A

full skirt could be separate with a blouse, or attached to the top. In any case, fuller skirts look b e s t when worn with a hem that e n d s at a slimmer part of your leg (right above o r below t h e knee.)

Tips t o remember when going for a full skirt style, don't wear a full skirt that is too long.

A better option would be to wear the full skirt in a figureflattering length like right below the k n e e instead of frumpy mid-calf.

Petite frames can pull off the f u l l s k i r t silhouette.

But it works best in sophisticated styles but avoid anything too short or little girly, especially on smaller women, it will look ridiculous. Don't wear ruffled full skirt; wear a full skirt if you are curvy, for super sexy look while puff skirt is also beautiful. The last thing you will want to do is make the full skirt look frumpy by add old-fashioned elements like out datedlooking florals. Lastly, do keep it ladylike in the way you walk.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 33

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

Business President Jonathan's transformation agenda and diversifying Nigeria's economy

By Dr Socrates Chime

I

n his essay, 'Social Analysis of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan' published in the European Scientific Journal July edition vol. 8, No.16, 2012, John E. Gyong, a Sociologist from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, presented a classic analysis of the Transformation Agenda, its strengths, weaknesses and what it must take to realise its targets. According to the ABU Sociologist, Nigeria is not new to having its leaders come up with a number of visions and policies since Independence. He however maintained that Jonathan's 5-year development plan 20112015, differs from others based on its being a well thought out policy document backed by a world class team of 28 technocrats under his personal Chairmanship and the coordination of the renowned Economist, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala.

The Transformation Agenda was necessitated by the need to correct the flaws in the country's drive for development where there is absence of long-term perspective, and lack of continuity, consistency and commitment (3Cs) to agreed policies. The culminating effect of these has been growth and development of the Nigerian economy without a concomitant improvement in the overall welfare of Nigerian citizens. According to the information contained in the enabling document, the Transformation Agenda is based on and draws inspiration from the Vision 20:2020 and the first National Implementation Plan (NIP) and aims to deepen the effects and provide a sense of direction.

Leaving no one in doubt as to the 'how' of the Transformation Agenda, the President stated that he has great confidence in the ability of Nigerians to transform the country. What should be required of his Administration was to provide a suitable environment for productive activities to flourish. He went on to appeal all good people of Nigerian to enlist as agents of the great Transformation Agenda.

The Transformation Agenda is based on a set of priority policies and programmes which, when implemented, would transform the Nigerian economy to meet the future needs of the people. Implicit in its DNA is the determination of the Jonathan Administration to diversify the economy away from oil and make sure that the external sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, solid minerals, and services sectors are vibrant and thriving.

The call by the President for everyone to enlist as agents of the Transformation Agenda was heeded by all well-meaning Nigerians, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government with an uncommon patriotic zeal.

The Coordinating Minister of the Economy (CME), Dr Okonjo-Iweala, quickly got the President's assent to introduce, for the first time in the annals of Nigeria's public service, a performance-based system which requires the various Ministries (and by implication, Departments and Agencies under them) to present their scorecards at agreed periods. The idea was to underscore the needlessness of a 'workshop syndrome' where 'blueprints and strategic documents' are churned out regularly, but filed away. The 'Bible' for the Jonathan Administration will be the Transformation Agenda document and commitment to its implementation should be

President Jonathan the creed by which every public servant should live.

Among the institutions under the Federal Ministry of Finance is Nigerian Export-Import Bank - NEXIM. For the Bank, the question of embracing the Transformation Agenda was not just about political correctness, but more fundamentally because it is a raison d'ĂŞtrefor its existence. Fully reinventing itself from a loss to profit making institution from 2010 under Orya's leadership, the then new NEXIM management, with the endorsement of its Shareholders embarked on a Strategic Transformation Plan (2010 - 2015) with the assistance of KPMG Consulting firm. A key aspect of the initiative was the redefinition of the Bank's target sectors to focus on high growth sectors with significant employment generation potentials. The sectors, termed "MASS Agenda", are Manufacturing, Agriculture, Solid Minerals and Services. The Services sector is further broken down into three major subsectors, namely Creative & Entertainment, Tourism (Hotels, Resorts, and Arts & Craft) and Transport.

An important factor in the strategic transformation by NEXIM was the holistic approach taken by the Management to ensure adequate capitalisation, adoption of a robust enterprise-wide risk management framework, good corporate governance principles, smarter business processes, clearer focus and compliance with regulations and relevant government policies.

Towards delivering its mandate, the Bank has till date intervened in the Nigerian economy by providing credit and risk bearing support in excess N82.21bn and US273.24million to over 900 projects. It has also aided the creation and sustenance of over 46,110 direct jobs and many more indirect jobs, in addition to generating over US$1.2billion inforeign exchange earnings.

More specifically, from August, 2009 when the Orya-led Management came on board, about N23billion has been disbursed and this has created 10,728 direct jobs and foreign exchange earnings of about $188.47million.

This statistics are almost 5months retro as the Bank continues to improve on its performance by the day.

As the Trade Policy Bank of Government of Nigeria, NEXIM participates actively in the formulation and implementation of the Government Trade and Industrial Policy. The Bank is a member of the Trade Facilitation Task Force, whose main mandate is to improve Nigeria's Ranking on 'Trading across Borders'.

Towards this, the Bank partners with relevant trade facilitating institutions to organise seminars and discuss policy issues with agencies such as CBN, NEPC, NIPC, NDE, SMEDAN, NACCIMA, MAN, Chambers of Commerce, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NEPC).The Bank is also the National Guarantor under the ECOWAS Interstate Transit Scheme. Just recently, on February 22, 2013, the Bank was given the right to host the 2014 Borderless Alliance Conference in recognition of its role towards making Nigeria Africa's export trade springboard.

At various times, the Bank has been involved in some of the President's initiatives on targeted development in sectors/ industries like Tourism, Cocoa, Textile, Cassava, Sesame seeds and more recently the Creative and Entertainment Industry through the Nigerian Creative and Entertainment Industry Stimulation Loan Scheme (NCEILS).

This is part of the Federal Government's effort to bolster the industry and has seen practitioners granted loans of over N800 million according to data from the Bank. One of the movies, Dr BELLO, funded from the facility is well on the way to becoming a global hit with premieres across several continents

and in box offices across about 50 theatres in the US alone.

Presently, NEXIM is in the last trimester of its gestation to birth the laudable Sealink Project which aims to boost maritime trade within the economic community by 300 per cent. The new shipping company will connect West and Central African ports with a fleet of 3,000 to 5,000-tonne ships that will greatly reduce goods shipment times, in addition to lowering the cost of business for regional companies. The Federal Government has technically endorsed the Sealinkproject as of Wednesday February 13, 2013 after the brilliant presentation of the CME/Minister FMoF, Dr Okonjo-Iweala on the Ministry's enviable scorecard to the FEC. The Sealink Project has also consistently enjoyed the support and advocacy of the Trade and Investment Minister, DrOlusegunAganga who cannot wait for its take-off. For all that, it will be not be a Government-driven project, but private sector driven or at best a PPP. On its part, NEXIM is merely facilitating the initiative, in collaboration with other stakeholders such as ECOWAS and the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry, FEWACCI. One of the key objectives of President Goodluck's Transformation Agenda is in the area of encouraging large-scale industries and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMES) to manufacture goods, revitalize ailing industries, promote agriculture and agro businesses, encourage local content strategy and develop Information Technology and Communication (ICT) to be the major driver of the economy. With the giant strides NEXIM is taking, it is safe to say that the Transformation Agenda is realistic and achievable.

Dr Chime, a former diplomat, contributed this piece from Lagos

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 35

Business News Naira weakens further on strong demand

T

h e naira yesterday eased the third day this week by 31 kobo against the dollar, closing at N158.58/$ as against N158.27/$ on Wednesday at inter-bank market.

The naira fell against the dollar at the inter-bank market due to strong demand by endusers, Sewa Wusu, head of research, Sterling Capital, said in a text message.

According to him, this potentially pulled down the naira.

“Besides, the anticipated monthend forex sales by oil companies came in at a relatively small space. This could give naira the needed strength”, he said.

Wusu had predicted that naira would appreciate within a couple of days if the oil companies make their month-end sales. The nation’s currency on Wednesday depreciated significantly against the dollar by 53 kobo to close at N158.2750/$ as against N157.80/$, according to the data from the Financial Markets Dealers (FMDA).

Analysts who spoke with BusinessDay on Wednesday attributed the naira fall to withdrawal of offshore dollar transactions by two foreign banks operating in the country. As a result of this, there was increased demand for dollar.

93 ships to arrive Lagos ports from March 1 to March 27

N

i n e t y three ships are expected to arrive the Lagos ports between March 1 and March 27, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said.

NPA said this in its daily publication, `Shipping Position’, made available to newsmen on Friday in Lagos.

The document showed that the ships were laden with rice, fresh fish, vehicles, mobile crane, semitrailer, general cargo, bulk wheat, containers, bulk fertiliser and petroleum products.

It indicated that a ship would berth and discharge fresh fish.

The document also stated that four fuel-laden ships would berth at the various oil terminals in the ports.

According to the document, the ships are laden with petrol, bulk gas and aviation fuel.

It said that the fuel-laden ships would discharge their products at New Oil Jetty, Atlas Cove Jetty, Petroleum Wharf, Apapa and Lister terminal.

The document showed that four other ships laden with petrol and diesel would berth at the Ibafon Jetty.

L-R: Acting Director General Bureau of Public Enterprises, Benjamin Dikki; Chairman Technical Committee on National Council on Privatization, Mr. Atedo Peterside; Chief Executive Officer Forte Oil, Akin Akinfetiwa; and President Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce of Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Herbert Ajayi, during the payment for Egbin power plant held at Presidential Villa on Friday Abuja.

Photo Joe Oroye.

This week's money market T

he Nigerian money market witnessed major development during the week as President Goodluck Jonathan signed a budget of N4.98 trillion for the 2013 fiscal year.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the budget, representing a five per cent increase over the 2012 budget of N4.7 trillion, was signed into law on Feb. 26, in Abuja.

Assenting to the budget title: ``Budget of Fiscal Consolidation with Inclusive Growth’’, Jonathan said it was premised on oil benchmark of 79 dollars per barrel in a volatile oil market.

In the week under review, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

extended the deadline for the ``Know Your Customer (KYC)’’ requirement in respect of designated non-financial businesses and profession.

NAN recalls that the CBN had in a circular issued on Feb. 26 announced that the deadline had been extended by three months to April 30, following representation made by some stakeholders.

KYC refers to due diligence activities that financial institutions and other regulated companies must perform to identify their clients and ascertain relevant information pertinent to doing financial business with them.

The CBN had in a circular

issued in August last year, said that financial institutions were required, prior to establishing business relationships with DNFBPs, to obtain evidence of registration with the special control unit on money laundering of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Industry.

The DNFBP, according to the apex bank, refers to dealers in jewelry, precious metals and stones, cars, and luxury goods.

Mr Akin Ojo, a Deputy Manager, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), said that the extension of the KYC would make more customers to comply and update their accounts.

Ojo also said that the directive would make customers'

transactions traceable and transparent, adding that the activities of money launderers could also be curbed under this policy.

According to him, the early assent to a budget bill will aid the implementation of the budget.

Delay will have some effects on budget implementation, especially capital projects although it will not be critical.

When assent to a budget is delayed it creates uncertainty for the economy.

In the future, we expect the legislature, the executive and even the ruling party, to intervene since the party has the majority in the National Assembly,” Ojo said.

Jaiz bank’s share capital rises to N11 bn

T

h e Jaiz Bank Plc on Friday said its share capital has risen to N11 billion from the initial N5 billion when it started operation in January 2011.

The Managing Director, Alhaji Mohammed Bintube said this on Friday at the ongoing 34th Kaduna International Trade fair.

Represented by Malam Hassan Usman, the General Manager, Business Development, Bintube said work was in progress to upgrade the bank’s licence to allow it operate branches in all the states of the federation.

He said that 25 new branches of the bank would be opened this year, with 10 of them coming on

stream before the end this financial quarter.

The bank was built on strong fundamental principles of high ethics, fairness, objectivity and transparency.

Jaiz offers financing of products and services like other conventional banks except of course, these are devoid of interest.

“Our services are available to all irrespective of race or religion and it is about building partnership for mutual interest.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bank currently has only five branches located in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Maiduguri and Gombe. (NAN)

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

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

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

CHAIRMAN MALAM WADA MAIDA, OON, FNGE DIRECTOR/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF RUFA’I IBRAHIM ACTING EDITOR, DAILY HAMEED M. BELLO

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

ACTING EDITOR, WEEKEND JAMILA NUHU MUSA

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

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

Re: Sovereign wealth Africans and the fund colonialists’ death wish

I

t is intriguing to observe how Africans have so eagerly embraced the Europeans as role models and godfathers barely a century after suffering decades of dehumanizing victimization and exploitation under oppressive colonial rule. Though time is a healer, the extent of atrocities meted out during slave trade and apartheid alone should have left indelible memories and taught bitter lessons sufficient to make generations of Africans extremely wary of the “white-man”. And even if we could forgive, we should not forget so soon what the Europeans had in store for us had God Almighty not intervened with divine mercy.

Sadly, from all indications experience even when harsh and brutal is not always the best teacher if the pupils just won’t learn. From national governments that kow-tow sheepishly to the dictates of neo-colonialist leaders and institutions to the average African who would rather ape Western culture than dignify his forefathers with respect and emulation, the mindbending tragedy of cultural imperialism whitewashing the dark history of colonialism is unmistakable.

It is a measure of the depths of indoctrination to which we have plunged that we remain hopelessly hoodwinked despite clear signs of unmitigated hostility towards our collective well-being and progress after decades of “development partnership” with Western nations and institutions.

We have just been offered yet another devastating wake-up call on what is aptly tagged “the Crime of the Century” courtesy of a phenomenal documentary detailing the callous antics of Western pharmaceutical companies and governments as they tirelessly and ruthlessly worked to block access to cheap AIDS drugs for African countries from 1996, leading to the death of an estimated ten million African AIDS victims who could have lived with the disease. FIRE IN THE

WRITE TO US Peoples Daily Weekend welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed to: The Editor, Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.

Email: opinion@peoplesdailyng.com BLOOD is the title of the documentary that focuses on the morbid mix of “medicine, monopoly and malice” deployed by the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies with the tacit support of collaborating national governments and international health organizations who simply turned blind eyes and deaf ears to the 20th century holocaust against Africans.

According to the film’s director Dylan Mohan Gray, the inspiration for embarking on the investigative journalism film production came in 2004 from an article in The Economist about the travails of Yusuf Hamied, an Indian generic drug maker who was battling to get lower-cost AIDS drugs into developing countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa where the disease was killing people “like flies” as former US President Bill Clinton who was interviewed in the film remarked. As the human catastrophe unfolded the issue of unfettered and urgent access to available medicine became a matter of desperate concern to everyone- except the pharmaceutical conglomerates who held onto patents on the drugs that blocked production of cheap generic versions in order to maximise their profits.

As a result, while AIDS victims in Europe and America were living with AIDS as benefit of affordable antiretroviral drugs manufactured by their pharmaceutical conglomerates, millions of their hapless African counterparts suffered painful deaths, not just because

the drugs were expensive but also due to the callous denial of rights to produce generic lower cost varieties by people like Yusuf Hameid of India for local distribution to poor AIDS victims.

The film captures vividly the epic battle fought by DESMOND MPILO TUTU, Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize (1984), anti-apartheid activist, WILLIAM J. CLINTON . 42nd President of the United States of America (1993-2001); PETER MUGYENYI, Director and Co-Founder, Joint Clinical Research Center (JCRC), Kampala; physician and leading authority on treatment of HIV/AIDS in Africa, PETER ROST, Former VicePresident of Pfizer Inc., Pharmacia and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals; physician and author of The Whistleblower: Confessions of a Healthcare Hitman that described the illegal business practices in the

pharmaceutical industry, WILLIAM F. HADDAD “Father of the American Generic Drug Movement”; co-founder, the Peace Corps and the Generic Pharmaceutical Industry Association; investigative journalist, DONALD G. McNEIL, JR. Health and Science Reporter for the New York Times and JOSEPH STIGLITZ, Economist, Winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize for Economics, among others against the formidable pharmaceutical giants backed by complicit governments and duplicitous international health organizations.

The film throws the spotlight on how the drug patent/license monopolies operate solely motivated by profitaccumulation, leveraged by the awesome influence they exert on world leaders and governments to compromise state policy and morality at their behest as demonstrated in the saga of AIDS treatment deliberately priced above the majority of African victims. It is therefore disheartening to observe the irresponsible aloofness of African elite and leaders to the ugly side of the “civilized world” even when so compellingly exposed in hostile actions causing human tragedy targeting Africans. Colonial mentality is a continuation of colonial rule!

Abdulhamid Babatunde is a former editor in Kaduna

“

It is a measure of the depths of indoctrination to which we have plunged that we remain hopelessly hoodwinked despite clear signs of unmitigated hostility towards our collective well-being and progress after decades of “development partnership” with Western nations and institutions.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 37

Opinion Mustapha Aminu should stop lying against Shema

By Abubakar Umar Danmusa

I

t is always amusing to hear a former secretary to the Katsina State Government, Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa, criticise the administration of Governor Ibrahim Shema. In a society where premium is placed on honour and integrity, the likes of Mustapha should not speak. In every civilized society, constructive criticism serves as impetus for development, while myopic and mischievous criticism retard the progress of the society.

Mustapha Inuwa, standing truth on the head, went ahead in an interview he granted to Daily Trust edition of Monday, February 25,2013, to concoct lies against Governor Ibrahim Shema in order to mislead the public.

Unfortunately, the critical issues that Mustapha talked about are the issues that are well known to every active politician in Katsina state. According to him, "I felt duty bound to talk for two reasons: one, Katsina is my state , therefore, I should be concerned, and two, as I said we went round to seek people's mandate to make him (Shema) a governor and he knows the role I played in doing that."

If it is true, as Mustapha claimed, that he played a crucial role in making Shema a governor in the year 2007 when he was SSG, it will also be of interest to the public if he can explain to the people the circumstances that led to Shema losing the gubernatorial election in Mustapha's local government during the said election, in spite of Mustapha's claims to being a

kingmaker.

Mustapha was talking about probity and accountability. On this, he can continue to sing to the hearing of novice and unsuspecting members of the public. He will do a great service to Katsina state and also Nigeria , if he can defend himself of an allegation making the rounds in the state that over N4 billion was spent in the absence of the then governor, the late Umaru Musa Yar'adua. As at the time Mustapha was Katsina state SSG. Not only this, he should also come out clean on allegation of how he came about the money he used to built the magnificent Manson in Katsina GRA in the twinkle of an eye in the last days of Yar'adua as governor.

Mustapha needs to tell the public the source of his income in the last five years that he has been out of government. The desperation of Mustapha is not about the quest for good governance or transparency in government, but his battle to survive financially outside government.

Although one is not totally surprised because that is the nature of Mustapha. He has carved a niche as a man known for mispresentation of facts. How does he want the public to take him serious, when at one time he was spear- heading the criticism against Yar'adua, when he was the state chairman of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Katsina State, only to later get a political appointment under the same administration and sing praises of Yar'adua as the best governor.

In the last twelve years of democratic government, Mustapha has changed political

parties three times. He moved from ANPP to PDP and from PDP to CPC. From Mustapha's history and record, where is integrity and honour, not to talk of credibility? Despite the human nature of the Executive Governor of Katsina state, his detractors, and those plotting to create crisis in the peaceful political atmosphere of the state, he needs to realize that a man does not test the depth of a river with his two feet.

Mustapha needs to know that his campaign of calumny cannot stand the test of time. This is simply because it is based on falsehood. He will do himself and Katsina state a lot of good, if he can simply go back to the school to complete his PhD program after spending more than six years on the study. This becomes, necessary more so that Katsina now has a state-owned University, and also a Federal University. One would have expected that with Mustapha's level of education, he will be the last person to serve as a willing tool in the hands of miscreants some of whom could not differentiate between their left and right hands.

It is unthinkable that a man of Mustapha's standing would claim that workers in Katsina state are not getting their salaries on time. This can only happen in the Katsina state of Mustapha's dream, not in Katsina of today, where workers get their salaries before the end of the month. Katsina state people are still waiting for the outcome of Mustapha's case with ICPC, the result of which will determine if he has the perquisite to speak on probity and accountability in governance. The anti-

corruption agencies tendency of delaying action on suspected corrupt public office holders has always given room for people of questionable characters to present themselves to unsuspecting public as agents of hope. For Nigeria to progress, this trend must stop.

Danmusa wrote from Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina state.

“

If it is true, as Mustapha claimed, that he played a crucial role in making Shema a governor in the year 2007 when he was SSG, it will also be of interest to the public if he can explain to the people the circumstances that led to Shema losing the gubernatorial election in Mustapha's local government during the said election, in spite of Mustapha's claims to being a kingmaker.

As David Mark, Al-Makura plan to storm New Nyanya…

By Jamila Erina

F

o r many years all of us were held spellbound by his technical, management and leadership wizardry.

Call him an embodiment of the 'American Dream' and you would have hit the nail squarely on the head. Lee Iacocca's can-do spirit in particular is as remarkable as it is infectious.

"Get all the education you can, but, by then, do something!" Iacocca, the legendary automobile genius of the Ford Motors fame, declared. "Don't just stand there; make something happen! It isn't easy, but if you keep your nose to the grindstone and work at it, it's amazing how….you can be as great as you want to be."

Were the former Ford Motors chief executive addressing a Nigerian man of God called Rev. Fr. Lawrence Soja Anyembugu, he would have readjusted that statement thus: "… make something happen! It isn't easy, but if you keep your nose to the grindstone and work at it, it's amazing how…You can help make many people out there as great as you want them to be."

Make other people as great as you want them to be? Yes, indeed. For this, in a nutshell, encapsulates the life of Rev. Fr. Lawrence Soja Anyembugu, the quintessential man of God for whom a legion of both ordinary and prominent Nigerians are scheduled to "storm" New Nyanya in Nasarawa state, on March 3, 2013. Among these expected at the forthcoming two-in-one event in honour of the young, reputable priest are the Senate President, David Mark; Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State; ex-Plateau state Deputy Governor Pauline Tallen; and erstwhile Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, among others.

Who, you may wonder, is this gentleman Rev. Fr. Lawrence Anyembugu, and what distinguishes him? In what ways has he "made something happen" as admonished by Lee Iacocca? More significantly, in what ways has this man of God helped make many people out there as great as he wants them to be? What are the virtues that make Anyembugu exemplary to the extent that the Marks, Almakuras, Tallens, Okiros, and their ilk, wouldn't hesitate to identify with him? And what lesson, if any, can we learn from Anyembugu's chequered sojourn in the Lord's vineyard?

Rev. Lawrence Soja Anyembugu is the parish priest of St. Sylvester's Catholic Church, New Nyanya, Nasarawa State. For a young man who has spent barely five years in his priestly adventure, there is little or nothing remarkable about this. But as a notable Isreali philosopher, Hakiem Benjamin said, "It's not how long you live or do something that makes the hosts of heaven and earth rejoice but how well". In this respect, Anyembugu has distinguished himself as a priest, educator, philanthropist, writer and mentor. Ask the parishioners of St. Sylvester's Catholic Church in particular and resident of New Nyanya in general, and they would candidly concede that "Father", as they affectionately call him, is "a priest like no other". A priest who, despite his busy schedule, always finds time to care for the spiritual and welfare of his parishioners and compatriots alike.

In fact, his residence is like a Mecca of sorts for all and sundry, what with every member and non-member alike flocking there every now and then with their personal challenges.

Irrespective of how busy he might be, Anyembugu is likely to squeeze out time for

you, to listen to your concern, and to demonstrate uncommon empathy.

Space constraint does not allow us to dwell on the legion of examples of this man's exemplary ways of impacting people's lives.

Suffice it to mention the free medical check-up he organized for his parishioners and community only last week. Organized in conjunction with Manifestation Laboratory Health Centre, the two-day programme witnessed multitudes of people enjoying the best of state-of-the- art medical services, free of charge. Infectious disease tests (HIV, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, etc), pulse rate, blood pressure and ulcer screening, among others, held sway on

“

Organized in conjunction with Manifestation Laboratory Health Centre, the two-day programme witnessed multitudes of people enjoying the best of state-ofthe- art medical services, free of charge. Infectious disease tests (HIV, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, etc), pulse rate, blood pressure and ulcer screening, among others, held sway on those two days.

those two days.

It's pertinent to point out at this juncture that the founder of Christianity , Jesus Christ, set an abiding example for all his followers by not only spreading the Good News, but also caring for the people's welfare, even as he cared for their physical needs by feeding the hungry and healing the sick. Rv. Fr. Anyambugu and his ilk could have been content with providing only spiritual food for their parishioners; instead they are going to extra mile by imitating the Lord's life-changing examples.

No less remarkable are the books which Anyembugu have been writing over the years, including the latest one entitled "Shadows of Existence." The work, scheduled to be launched on Sunday 3rd March 2013, has been described as a "treasure trove of insight into not only spiritual matters, but a variety of other issues that are not necessarily spiritual." In short, Senator David Mark, Governor Tanko AlMakura and a legion of others would be in New Nyanya not only to recognize an exemplary priest but also to appreciate a selfless compatriot who goes extra miles to impact people's lives.

In conclusion, I sincerely believe that all of us have one or two lessons to learn from Rev. Fr. Anyambugu. And the main lesson is this: no matter where we may be and irrespective of the position we occupy, we should not just do our work and leave it at that. Rather, we should go the extra mile so that, like Anyembugu and others like him, we would touch as many lives as we can one way or the other. *Jamila Erina, the Executive Director ofDestinyYouthsInt'lForum,isreachable via jamilaerina@yahoo.com GSM: 08068231314

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

Interview

Ibadan Grammar School is celebrating 100 years of growth —Alumnus

P

lease can you give insights on your planned celebration and the contribution of your set to the event?

I want to first of all thank our Alma Mata. Ibadan Grammar School is going to celebrate 100 years of churning out of quality educational human resource for the development of our community, nation and world as a whole to serve humanity by doing what it deserves to celebrate the centenary anniversary.

Our class of IGSOSA 84/89 set has a plan to use this window of opportunity to give back to our prestigious Alma Mata by taking up a project that is global which can ultimately enhance the virtue of education of present crop of Mountaineers (present and future students of the school), which is coming up on March, 31, 2013.

What is the place of alumni in the development and growth of other schools?

The place of alumni in the development and growth of other schools is multi advantageous and absolutely necessary because it is established truth that government alone cannot single handedly provide the needs that come with quality education and the environment that such quality education demands. So, it is imperative for alumni of whether secondary or tertiary schools are to find ways to back their respective Alma-Mata and to contribute their quota in improving the standard of education they got when they were there as students.

Do you think the government is currently investing much in the This is a very critical yet subjective question. I believe government is a system being run by human beings like you and I who went through schools that are in this educational sector. So, I will naturally expect this practitioners or policy makers whether as executives or legislators to be proactive in wanting to let the system that produced them (educational sector) to get the "best".

One will be tempted to conclude that government is not investing much in

Mr. Siyanbola Odunmorayo is the Class Set Coordinator of Batch 84/89 (IGSOSA84/ 89) of Ibadan Grammar School Old Students Association, and he is also an architect by profession. In an interview recently with journalists in Abuja, he revealed how the association intends to celebrate the school's 100 years anniversary of churning out of quality educational human resource for the development to Ibadan community, nation and world for the service of humanity. Adeola Tukuru was there. Excerpts: the military took over.

How will your 100 years anniversary transform your school positively?

The centennial celebration of our Alma Mata will sure have long term positive effects and transformation in our school both in educational resource (the intangibles) and infrastructural upgrading (the tangibles). Let us imagine that every class that had come out of the school within this hundred years will pick a project whether tangible or intangible no doubt the result would sure transform the school in every facet of education.

“

Mr. Siyanbola Odunmorayo education. However, every year some chunk of national budget is allocated to education sector on paper. The dynamics we don't understand is whether those funds allocated year in and year out are actually getting to the sector or are being mismanaged.

Tell us what it was like in your school days?

Well, in our days as students, it was so interesting. Surprisingly, this complaint of underfunding and mismanagement has always been there; maybe the intensity is high and more prominent because of some socioeconomic indices e.g. population increase and the failure of successive governments to put in place long term fiscal plans. During our own time, we had briefly free education before

One will be tempted to conclude that government is not investing much in education. However, every year some chunk of national budget is allocated to education sector on paper. The dynamics we don't understand is whether those funds allocated year in and year out are actually getting to the sector or are being mismanaged.

The amazon at Kirikiri Prison —Isioma Onwuli Matthew Aramunde

H

er simple mien notwithstanding, Isioma strikes you from a distance as someone that God Almighty created and endowed her with lots of milk of compassion.

She has so far proven to her critics and secret admirers that her decision was not a wrong one when, she opted to join the Nigeria Prisons several years ago where no doubt this "milk of compassion" she freely distributes to needy inmates at the Female wing Kirikiri where she holds sway today.

Little wonder it was when she assumed office as the Deputy Controller of Prisons Female Wing Kirikiri, Prison official and inmates witnessed a turnaround in their lives and this she has achieved in strict compliance with the standing order of the prisons

At the resumption of office, she vowed on noticing the dietary and sanitary situation which the hapless and hopeless inmates were subjected to, to turn things around, for improvement.

Not given to making empty promises, she gets to work and daily and the inmates are full of prayers for this officer who has gone extra miles to better their lives.

Generous to a fault, Isioma as she is fondly called by close friends and relatives, is said to give away her things as long as those in dire need wears a smile.

All these she has brought to bear as inmates at the female wing are now treated to meals like indomie, yam (fried and cooked), and other delicacies that they had salivated about in their dreams. They are also provided with toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet soap and detergents on regular basis A Public Relations personality

per excellence, Isioma has cannily brought in credible NGOs from across the country, who could not stand the overtures of this lady but to aced to her pleas thaat fellow Nigerians behind Prisons wall needs and wants be met It is to her credit that Stephen and Solomon Foundation donated brand new furniture-tables, chairs, plasma TV set, and giant size photocopier machine. It is also to her credit that churches like Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Catholic Church, Baptist Church of Nigeria, House of Rock, Christ Embassy and others are doing their best to please this rare breed of Prison officer in their service to humanity. This Amazon no doubt has come to make life easier for inmates, officers and men of her formation alike. It is hoped that the relevant authorities assist her in this noble objectives of hers.

Isioma Onwuli

PAGE 39

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

International

US braces for $85bn in budget cuts T

he US government is heading towards $85bn in automatic budget cuts, after Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on an alternative deficit-reduction plan.

The cuts to areas including the military and domestic spending are due to hit late on Friday after the White House and congressional Republicans failed to come up with a better plan to tackle the country's $11.7 trillion debt.

Barack Obama, the US president, has invited congressional leaders to the White House for last-minute negotiations before the deadline for cuts that the IMF has said could have a global impact on growth.

Obama is required by law to order the budget cuts, known as a sequester, by 11:59pm on Friday Washington time, and the cuts are all due to be made by the

end of the year unless a political deal can be reached.

The president says the problem with the Congressional stand-off is not technical, "it's political".

Obama said that by refusing to allow a vote on a bill that included a balance of tax revenue and targeted cuts Republicans were "threatening our economy with a series of arbitrary, automatic budget cuts that will cost us jobs and slow our recovery".

Political observers in Washington said an agreement is unlikely before the cuts are due to take effect.

Going through the motions on Thursday, senators failed to advance two bills, one Democratic, one Republican, to avert the sequester.

Republicans who lost a showdown on raising tax rates on the rich late last year, have refused to accept any revenue raises, part of the "balanced" solution, also involving targeted spending cuts that the president wants.

President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner remain divided on the issue of budget cuts (AFP)

UN accused of Zimbabwe cholera cover-up

A

Filipino clan leader who occupied a Malaysian village in the island of Sabah with nearly 200

followers has said the Malaysian police opened fired at them, reportedly killing at least 10 of its members.

Findings refer to UN operations during a Cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe in 2008 that claimed more than 4,000 lives (EPA)

Raja Muda Abimuddin Kiram, the leader of the armed group, told Al Jazeera's Jamela Alindogan that authorities fired at them in an apparent bid to end the three-week standoff that threatened to complicate the relations between the two countries.

Alindogan reported she "could hear gunshots [in] the background", when she talked to Kiram on the phone.

Raul Hernandez, spokesman of the Philippine foreign ministry, has confirmed the incident but did not elaborate on the reported Filipino fatalities.

Hernandez, however, said two Malaysian police officers were killed and another one

wounded, after their vehicle were reportedly fired upon by the Kiram group.

"The ambassador said that the standoff is now over," Hernandez said refering to Datu Mohd Zamri, Malaysian ambassador to the Philippines, who met with Philippine foreign minister Albert del Rosario.

In Malaysia, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said the armed Filipino clan should leave the area as soon as possible, according to the Bernama state news agency.

"We will not let this issue to prolong," Razak said. "We will do what it takes to defend the sovereignty of our country."

China parades prisoners ahead of execution

C

hinese television has broadcast live footage showing four foreigners being led to their executions for murdering 13 Chinese sailors.

State broadcaster CCTV showed live pictures of a Myanmar drug smuggler and three members of his gang being led from their cells at a jail in southwestern Yunnan province's capital of Kunming on Friday afternoon.

State broadcaster showed the four being led in shackles and handcuffs from their cells at a jail in Kunming prior to their execution by lethal injection.

Their deaths were announced two hours later by the Yunnan provincial police department.

Accused ringleader Naw Kham and accomplices Hsang Kham, Yi Lai, and Zha Xiha were

found guilty of the murder of 13 Chinese sailors in an October 5, 2011, attack on the Mekong River.

The four are of Myanmar, Thai, Laotian, and unknown nationality. Two others were given a suspended death sentence and eight years in prison for involvement in the killings.

The publicity of the executions is a throwback to the mass public execution rallies of past years.

China has mostly abandoned the practice of parading condemned criminals before crowds.

China's Public Security Ministry made the case a top priority, forming a 200-officer special investigation group and working with Thai, Lao, and Myanmar authorities to gather evidence and track down the perpetrators.

CCTV screen grab shows convicted murderers Naw Kham of Burma and Yi Lai being led to their executions (AFP)

Manning pleads guilty to minor charges

T

he US Army soldier accused of providing diplomatic cables and other secret documents to the whistle-blower WikiLeaks website, has pleaded guilty to misusing classified material, but denied the most serious charge in the case - aiding the enemy.

Private First Class Bradley Manning, 25, entered the pleas on Thursday prior to his court martial, which is set to begin on June 3, in a case that centres on the biggest leak of government secrets in US history.

"I believe that if the general public ... had access to the information ... this could spark a domestic debate as to the role of the military and foreign policy in general," Manning, dressed in full military uniform, testified calmly.

The US soldier pleaded not guilty to the most serious charge, aiding the enemy, through his attorney.

Manning, who has been jailed at Quantico Marine Base in Virginia for more than 1,000 days, could face life imprisonment if convicted of that charge.

He pleaded guilty to a series of 10 lesser charges that he misused classified information at the hearing before military judge Colonel Denise Lind.

He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for those charges.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

Politics

2015: Aliyu re-echoes Obasanjo on single term pact

President Goodluck Jonathan

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

W

h e n Niger state governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu came out to declare that there had been an existing pact between the PDP governors and President Good luck Jonathan that the latter would only run for a single term, the reminder was all but a repeat of what former PDP BoT chairman and former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo had said before the 2011 election.

Obasanjo had made similar remarks just before the 2011 general elections, calling for President Jonathan at the time, to be commended for agreeing to serve for one term as President. Obasanjo’s comment then was one of the moves which paved the way for Jonathan’s election, amidst the controversial zoning policy of the party.

The revelation from the Niger state governor may have been occasioned by the President’s unambiguous moves to run for a second term. Although the President had repeatedly distanced himself from the subject of re-election in 2015 arguing that the time for political discussion is not yet ripe a flurry of the President’s campaign posters and declarations from his party and other lieutenants indicate the contrary.

While referring to a meeting held before the election with the PDP governors in 2011, Babangida Aliyu recalled: “It was agreed that President Jonathan would serve one term and we all signed and when he went to Kampala, he said the same thing. But for now, President Jonathan has not declared his candidacy and we must not be speculating based on those who are benefiting from such a thing. I believe that we are all gentlemen enough and when the time comes, we will all sit down and see what the right thing to do is.”

As this statement continues to raise dust, it would appear that Babangida Aliyu was just treading the very path Obasanjo followed on the eve of the 2011 election, when he stated that Jonathan should be encouraged to stick to the vow of single term to assuage the bitterness of then pro-zoning elements.

The former president had told Nigerians on the eve of Jonathan’s election back in 2011

Gov. Babangida Aliyu that Jonathan had made a vow to run for only one term, should he be elected as President.

Given Babangida Aliyu’s position as the chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), a forum that has been pushing for the return of power to the North, his statement at this time further fuels what large sections of the public believe to be his ambition to contest the presidency in 2015.

Without doubt, the promise by Jonathan in 2011 was a move to appease the North over the truncated zoning formula, which at the time, caused the President and other PDP stalwarts sleepless nights.

Obasanjo, who was then the chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) came out at the grand finale of PDP campaign rally in Abuja barely a week to the 2011 presidential elections to declare the that the party’s policy of zoning public offices remained "alive and kicking", but called on Nigerians to understand the situation that threw up President Goodluck Jonathan as the PDP presidential candidate.

Obasanjo had at the time said the emergence of Jonathan as the PDP candidate must not be seen as a violation of the zoning and federal character principle of the party, but that the situation of the time was what made it imperative for Jonathan to emerge as the party's candidate.

While emphasizing that the dream of the PDP is that of growing the country, the then BoT chairman underlined that PDP is the only party that respects the federal character policy in line with the nation's constitution.

He therefore mentioned how as chairman of PDP BoT, he had met with former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida, former National Security Adviser, Aliyu Gusau as well as the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on the issue on which he assured them that federal character, zoning and rotation policies would continue to be alive so long the party remained in power in the country.

Presumably, this agreement which the former president sold to Nigeria on the eve of election, and which from all indication was the same pact the Niger state governor meant when he stirred the hornets’ nest a fortnight ago, was arrived at in a meeting back in

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo December 2010, when some 21 PDP governors and other party bigwigs resolved to allow Jonathan run for one term.

Moreover, the proposition by the president for a constitutional amendment to elongate the tenure of executives to a single term of seven years further lent weight to the credence of a single term pact reached between him and the governors.

Although there had been series of denials from the presidency that even if the proposed amendment had scaled through the National Assembly, Jonathan would not have been among the beneficiaries of the change.

Again as in 2011, matters have begun to assume political ambiguity concerning the eligibility of the President with respect to 2015 general polls; pointing towards another denial of a pact, which some of the Presidency’s foot soldiers are already dismissing as inferior to the constitution.

It is to forestall the orchestrated plot to draught Jonathan for the next presidential race, that a member of the party, Cyriacus Njoku, filed a lawsuit to stop the President from running again in 2015.

While citing Section 137 (1) (b) of the Constitution; the plaintiff maintained that the President cannot swear to an oath of office thrice, asserting that Jonathan cannot be a candidate in 2015 because he is running a second term in office.

Instructively, this suit prompted the President, through his lawyers, to openly declare that as a citizen of this nation, he is entitled to contest an election in 2015, citing the 1999 Constitution which permits him to seek an office since he was just serving his first term as the elected President of the country.

Jonathan and Obasanjo have been at loggerheads over who takes control of the party as 2015 draws close, and eventually affected the party’s quest to replace Obasanjo who surprisingly resigned as PDP Board of Trustees BoT chairman.

But Jonathan appears to have triumphed having installed a protégé, Chief Tony Anenih, as chairman of the party’s BoT. Anenih has swung into action, quickly crippling the growing influence of Rivers state governor,

Rotimi Amaechi as the chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), who has been using his position to oil his ambition of being the running mate to a Northern President in 2015 in opposition to Jonathan’s ambition for the Presidency.

The formation of the PDP Governors’ Forum chaired by Akwa Ibom state governor, Godswill Akpabio, another Jonathan protege is calculated to put a spanner in the works of whatever project the NGF is executing under Amaechi, who dramatically escaped impeachment from the NGF chairmanship position, a day after PDP formed its own Governors’ Forum.

With the current structure in the PDP, the Jonathan preparedness to overturn any pact on ground and contest the coming election have started gathering strength; as a clear signal, the party’s chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has come out in no unclear terms and openly declared that Jonathan is free to run in 2015. According to Tukur, “Jonathan is the President under our party and what is wrong if he decides to run?”

“

It was agreed that President Jonathan would serve one term and we all signed and when he went to Kampala, he said the same thing. But for now, President Jonathan has not declared his candidacy and we must not be speculating based on those who are benefiting from such a thing.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 41

Weekend Odemwingie may dump Eagles for West Brom N

i g e r i a striker, Peter Odemwingie said that he's not considering a return to the Super Eagles 'unless things get straightforward'.

The forward was controversially left out of the Nigeria squad that went on to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title in South Africa and could yet remain in limbo if his latest declarations are anything

to go by.

"I am not seeking a comeback as I have showed you last year I am not so interested now. If things get straight forward maybe one day," Odemwingie revealed.

The forward then took the time to respond those who have questioned his temperament and attitude in recent days stating that he was more interested in

fielding questions about issues relatined to his taste buds.

"So I am happy to please those tired of my wahala that there will be no more wahala. I will answer no further questions about our football.

"I am open to talk about Egusi soup, pounded yam, rice and plantain. Calabar festival, Naija got talent and the rest," he said.

Head coach of the Nigeria

national team, Stephen Keshi has announced that he would unveil the list of players to face Kenya in a 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifier next month on March 9 and it is looking increasingly unlikely that Odemwingie will earn a recall.

The West Bromwich Albion attacker has played 55 matches netting 9 times for the Super Eagles.

Lobi will outrun Sunshine today —Agbaji

Iorfa

L

Odemwingie

Street to be named after Mourinho in Portugal

R

e a l Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho is to have a street named after him at Setubal, Portugal, his city of birth, the region's town hall has announced.

According to a resolution passed unanimously, the name of the Portuguese manager, who received the keys to the city located roughly 50 kilometres south of Lisbon in 2009, "must also be eternalized on the local

geography".

"Jose Mourinho fully deserved it, one of the most prestigious and most qualified coaches in the entire world," the statement added.

The street in question still needs to be designated by the town hall, but a local source indicated to the Lusa news agency that Mourinho's name would be affiliated with one of Setubal's main streets.

Mourinho

o b i Stars' defender, Anthony Agbaji has said his side will maintain their newly-found winning mentality against Sunshine Stars in today's pre-season test match at the Emmanuel Atongo Stadium, Katsina-Ala in Benue State.

The nation's Caf Confederation Cup campaigners had earlier defeated Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Wikki Tourists 3-1 in a build-up match heading to the commencement of the 2012/13 season on March 9.

Lobi will travel to Yenagoa to face former Nigerian champions, Bayelsa United on Matchday 1 of the NPFL while the Akure Gunners will host Kaduna United in the season's opening match.

Agbaji said though the encounter is friendly they intend to record a convincing win to further boost their confidence for the continental and league hostilities.

"After last week's 3-1 victory against Wikki Tourists, we're determined to stretch the winning run against Sunshine Stars on Saturday.

"We're expecting a tough challenge from Sunshine Stars that will help us prepare adequately both for the league and the Confederation Cup. "We've learnt our lesson at the Super Four tournament which exposed few lapses. We've worked on the loopholes and are now in top shape. We'll be the team to beat this season," he said.

The Lobi strongman said his side will use the season's opener against newcomers, Bayelsa United to announce their intention to challenge for the league shield.

"Starting our league title chase away is an advantage as we intend to win massive and make a bold statement of our resolve to claim the league title this season. We're preparing very well for a dance party in Yenagoa," he said.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

I take committed players to South Africa —Keshi T

he Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, has explained why he opted to exclude some of the nation's established stars from the 2013 Afcon squad.

He gave detailed explanation on his decision to leave out the like of Peter Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins, Kalu Uche, Taye Taiwo and Yakubu Aiyegbeni among others.

Keshi was also specific in explaining the Africa Cup of Nations blackout for Obafemi and Odemwingie.

"If you have one or two who do not get along, whether they are superstars or not, the team will fall apart. We can manage some of these players with a little bit of character problems, but when it comes to a long period of time, that's difficult.

"Odemwingie is a very good player, a player I will love to have in the team, but he wants to do what he wants to do.

"We talked on the phone, and I told him what I wanted from him, but he had his own notion and I said 'for now I will skip you.'

"We decided not to take some of these superstars to the Nations Cup because it is (a competition with) a long period of time and for the long period of time, you need characters who go together.

"Martins was not ready for the Cup of Nations. But he is still part of the group. If his name is in the next call-up, if he wants to come, we will see how it goes," Keshi said.

However, Keshi was full of praises for Newcastle United striker, Shola Ameobi, who did not turn up for the Afcon despite being named in the pretournament provisional squad.

Keshi also held up his hand in defence of Ameobi missing the Afcon due to a clause in his contract.

"Honestly, I missed Shola Ameobi.

In our game against Venezuela, he showed a lot of presence in the locker

room, and he came in with this coaching ability and togetherness.

Whenever he talked to the boys they always listened. And you could imagine that this was the first time he was coming.

"A leader is somebody who could talk to players on the pitch, because I know what I did as a captain on the pitch. He was really ready to come, but what was on his contract denied him from coming," said the former Mali and Togo coach.

The Nigerian manager then broke off to talk on his 14 years as captain of the men's national team, adding that he was "not bigger than Nigeria" in spite of being the skipper.

"In the national team, where I was captain for 14 years, you are nothing but a figure in the team; you are not bigger than Nigeria. If you are not ready to give the green and white shirt the due respect, you are walking out of my team," warned Keshi.

Stephen Keshi

Tunisia beats Flying Eagles Plateau United aim 2-0 in warm-up match to widen NNL lead

F

l y i n g Eagles lost 2-0 to their Tunisian counterparts in a warm-up match played at the Esperance training ground complex.

The Nigeria U20 fell behind after 20 minutes through a glancing header inside the six-yard box, which goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel helped into his goal.

The hosts doubled their lead six minutes later through another header inside the box off a free kick from the left.

Coach John Obuh made three changes by the 37th minute, replacing Azubuike Okechukwu, Abubakar Aliyu and Nzube Anaezemba with Ovboka Agboyi, Chidi Osuchukwu and Moses Orkuma.

These changes seem to stabilise the Flying Eagles and just before the second half, Alhaji Gero came on for Bright

Osagie and Umar Aminu replaced Oluwaseun Taro.

Gero sparked the Junior Eagles strike force. His header after 46 minutes went wide and five minutes later, his shot at goal almost missed target as the Flying Eagles took full charge of proceedings.

The African champions continued to dictate the pace with Uche Agbo failing to make hay when clear on goal after 65 minutes, before Gero created yet another opening only for his chip to go wide.

On 70 minutes, Metz midfielder Saliu Sodiq replaced Agbo. Gero was again involved in two serious incursions by the Flying Eagles to the Tunisia goal area.

First, in the 77th minute, his header from inside the box brushed against the post before it rolled out for a

goal kick.

And in the 82nd minute, Aminu's header off a cross by Gero missed its mark. The Flying Eagles will play a second test game against Esperance on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Denmark-based winger Edafe Egbedi will join the Flying Eagles in Tunisia on Tuesday after he encountered a visa hitch.

Egbedi has residence permit in Europe, but that was not enough to get him into Tunis. He will now have to fly to Nigeria to obtain an entry visa and then join the squad on Tuesday.

"He will join us on Tuesday. We have put everything in place to ensure he comes on this day," said team secretary Aliyu Lawal Ibrahim.

Otherwise, Metz midfielder Saliu Sodiq and Mikel Agu from FC Porto have joined up with the squad as expected.

P

l a t e a u United forward, Edward Weng, has said his side's target is to widen the leadership gap at the Nigeria National League (NNL) Division A. The Tin City side is leaders of NNL Division A on superior goals with 18 points same as city rivals, Giwa FC and Adamawa United.

The Jos-based landlords will play hosts to Jigawa Golden Stars in a tough NNL Matchday 11 today at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos. Weng said his side trained twice daily this week with the aim of picking all points off visiting Jigawa Golden Stars as well as stay beyond the reach of the chasing pack.

"We want to widen the gap at the top, and good enough our closest rivals, Giwa are on the road so a victory against Jigawa Golden Stars will give us a clear

three-point lead.

"We're mindful of a photo-finish at the end. So we've decided that in addition to the three points we must win our games with a wide goal margin.

"After Week 7, we took a vow not to go down once we claim the top spot and we're religiously keeping faith with the vow.

"Jigawa Stars have a crop of good players who can turn things around that's why we're not pretending that the encounter will be easy. So we're not going to underrate the side or any other side but play each game as if it was the final and with a specific strategy," said the former El-Kanemi Warriors hitman tnoted.

Plateau United have never hidden their intention to gain promotion to the elite league where they were relegated at the end of the 2010/11 NPFL season.

Worgu returns to Enyinba

S

Abdul Jeleel Ajagun

triker Stephen Worgu has made a dramatic return to sixtime Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, Enyimba.

Worgu, who joins the club for an undisclosed fee for the 2012/13 season, had previously played for the People's Elephants between 2006 and 2007 helping the club win the NPFL title in his final season at the club.

The 23-year-old also played for Al Ahly Benghazi and Al Merreikh scoring seven goals in 41

appearances for both clubs within a troubled four-year stint in North Africa.

He has now made a detour and will try to help the Aba club win their seventh NPFL title as well as add to their two FA Cup triumphs.

"It feels good to be back. Enyimba is a big club and I want to help them win more titles this season," Worgu said.

Worgu began his professional football education with Ocean Boys in 2005 and helped the club win the NPFL title a season later.

Stephen Worgu

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 43

Casillas wary of Barcelona backlash R

e a l Madrid captain Iker Casillas is expecting a backlash from Barcelona when the two meet again in the league today after Madrid's 3-1 victory over the Catalans on Tuesday.

The Spanish champions booked their place in the Spanish Cup final with a complete performance that restricted Barca to very little going forward and contained their usual lightning speed on the counter-attack.

But Casillas believes he knows many of his international colleagues in the Barca side too well to think they will take defeat lying down.

Despite their joy in the cup, in the league it is Barca who have been the dominant force this season as they arrive in the capital with a 16-point advantage over Real.

And with another huge Champions League game to come against Manchester United on Tuesday, many expect Jose Mourinho to make a number of changes.

However, Casillas believes it is important to try and maintain their positive momentum heading into their trip to Old Trafford with the teams locked 1-1 after the first leg of their last-16 duel.

Casillas will definitely miss the match as he continues his recovery from a broken bone in his hand and Angel Di Maria is suspended after being sent-off in the 2-1 win at Deportivo La Coruna last weekend.

Mourinho is also expected to give playing

Messi

Casillas

time to Pepe, Luka Modric, Kaka and Karim Benzema after they were all left on the bench on Tuesday.

Barca meanwhile are recovering not only from the blow inflicted by Madrid in midweek but from their 2-0 defeat to AC Milan in the Champions League six days previously and

midfielder Andres Iniesta accepts they have some issue to address.

In the other standout game of the weekend second plays fourth as Atletico Madrid travel to Malaga looking to take advantage of at least one of the big two dropping points at the Bernabeu

Manchester United juggle priorities

M

anchester United must weigh the prospect of a 15-point Premier League lead against the importance of next week's Champions League clash with Real Madrid when they entertain Norwich City today.

United go into the weekend with a 12-point advantage in the league and with second-place Manchester City not in action until a trip to Aston Villa on Monday, they can strike another blow in the title race by defeating Norwich.

However, with such a commanding points cushion beneath them, the priority is likely to be Tuesday's encounter with Madrid, which United will approach in a strong position following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Alex Ferguson's team selection for the Norwich game is likely to reflect the importance of the European tie and the United manager is expected to make several changes to his starting XI. But with Robin van Persie sidelined by the

hip injury he sustained in last weekend's 2-0 win at Queens Park Rangers, Wayne Rooney looks likely to be handed a starting berth in attack.

Whether he starts on the pitch or on the bench, Ryan Giggs stands to make his 1 000th appearances in senior football after taking his career tally to 999 games at Loftus Road last weekend.

Fifth-place Arsenal, who visit derby rivals Tottenham on Sunday, now trail Chelsea by only two points, while Everton are five points further back in sixth.

Chelsea welcomes West Bromwich Albion to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, when attention is sure to focus on home manager Rafael Benitez after he criticised the club's fans on Wednesday for their continued protests against him.

With Chelsea having picked up just 11 points from a possible 24 in the league, winger Victor Moses says his side cannot afford to take their eye

Bale flatter by Messi, Ronaldo comparisons

T

ottenham Hotspur's man of the moment Gareth Bale is flattered by comparisons with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but says he is determined to forge his own identity in the game.

The 23-year-old has been in scintillating form in recent weeks, scoring eight times in six games as Spurs have climbed to third place in the Premier League and reached the last 16 in the UEFA Europa League.

The Welshman's goals have taken his tally for the season to a career-high 19 and prompted comparisons with Real Madrid star Ronaldo, whose pace, power and free-kick

prowess are echoed in Bale's own style of play.

British media pundits have started to ask whether Bale could stand comparison with Ronaldo and his Barcelona rival Messi, but the man at the centre of the fuss says he tries to ignore the hype.

Bale also paid tribute to Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas for adding a new dimension to his game since succeeding Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham host Arsenal on Sunday, bidding for a victory that would give them a seven-point lead over their north London rivals in the Premier League.

off the ball against a West Brom team chasing a third consecutive win.

Everton will also hope to make ground on the teams above them when they host struggling Reading, who slipped to second from bottom in the table after a chastening 3-0 defeat at home to Wigan Athletic last weekend.

Wigan's win took them out of the relegation zone at Villa's expense and ahead of Saturday's game with Liverpool, captain Gary Caldwell has urged the club's supporters to re-create the atmosphere that helped them escape the drop in 2012.

QPR's hopes of avoiding relegation are fading fast, with just 11 games remaining for them to bridge the seven-point gap that separates them from safety.

Harry Redknapp's side visit Southampton, who were left three points above the bottom three following a 4-2 loss at Newcastle United last weekend.

Persie

WEEKEND FIXTURES Barclays Premier League Chelsea v West Brom Everton v Reading Man Utd v Norwich Southampton v QPR Stoke v West Ham Sunderland v Fulham Swansea v Newcastle Wigan v Liverpool Sunday Tottenham v Arsenal CAF Champions League Djabal Club v Orland Tusker v St M/United Kedus Giorgis v Jamhuri Vitalo v APR FC Olympique Real v Kano Pillars M/C Chiefs v Maxaquene Uganda R/A v Cotonsport S/ de Ela Nguema v Asante Kotoko ASFA-Yennenga v ASPAC Diamond Stars v AFAD Olympic Niamey v JSM Bejaia Real de Banjul v FUS Rabat Sewe Sport v Horoya Confederation Cup Anse Reunion v Gor Mahia Liga Muculmana v G/ United Elect-Sport v Panthere Sahel SC v R/C du Kadiogo Onze Createurs v Stella club M/ Highlanders v Terreble CO Police v LLB Academic US Bougouni v Unisport Bafang K/Alwatani v Al Nasr Dedebit v Anges de Fatima US Bitam v Guadalupe FS Sequence v The Panthers Diables Noirs v New Edubiase Johansen v Barrack YC II HLM v GAMTEL S/Sport United v Don Bosco Sunday CAF Champions League Mbabane Swallows v Zanaco Lesotho C/Ser v Dynamos R/ do Libolo v Simba Al-Ittihad v Bizertin AS Adema v 1Âş de Agosto Casa Sport v M/ Tetouan Mounana v L/ de Dolisie Dynamic Togolais v AS Vita Club LISCR v Union Douala Gazelle v Zamalek Sunday CAF Confederation Cup R/da Caala v Power Dynamos French Ligue 1 Reims v PSG St Etienne v Nice Lorient v Valenciennes Sochaux v AS Nancy Bastia v AC Ajaccio Toulouse v Evian TG Sunday Brest v L/ Francis le Ble Marseille v Troyes Lille v B/ Grand

PAGE 44

P I C T O R I A L

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

David Beckham has warned Manchester United that Cristiano Ronaldo will be inspired by his return to Old Trafford for the second-leg of Real Madrid's Champions League tie with the Premier League leaders

London 2012 star Jessica Ennis is appointed CBE by the Queen, while Team GB cycling boss Dave Brailsford is knighted

Gareth Bale has expressed his delight at being compared to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, stressed that he doesn't model his game on anybody else, and praised Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas.

Kevin Pietersen and Nick Compton fall cheaply but England extends their lead to 333 against a New Zealand XI in Queenstown.

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer remain on course for a final showdown at the Dubai Championships after reaching the last four.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 45

Womanhood

ESPIN helping women in solving domestic conflicts From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

I

n order to help women manage domestic conflicts and run peaceful homes, Education Support Programme In Nigeria (ESPIN) came out with School Based Management Committee (SBMC) to reach out to rural women and men to brainstorm on how to create better learning environment for their children on the one hand, and a good family on the other.

The UK-based NGO in collaboration with the Kwara state government, set up SBMC in 40 schools within Ilorin East local government area. The committee includes wives of community leaders, heads of primary schools, wives of religious leaders as well as youth.

While speaking with Peoples Daily Weekend on their experience, the headmaster of Bishop Shith Primary School A, Mr. Makanjuola J.O who participated in the discussion, noted that the forum gives both teachers and parents an opportunity to examine the problems in schools, community and how to resolve it.

"It gives parents the sense of belonging, that they are also part and parcel of bringing development to the schools and proper upbringing of their children. This is also an opportunity to let them realise that the schools are not only owned by government but the host communities."

Wife of Magaji Maraba area, Hajia Hadijatu Mogaji, said the forum has given women an opportunity demonstrate their skill and talent on how to bring up children even with limited resources. She observed that many women had few problems which may be difficult for them to resolve within themselves but with the interaction with others, they would be exposed to many things which could help them a lot.

Master Adebayo Oluwasegun, a bachelor and youth, said the forum has exposed him to many things about women, marital life and prepared him ahead as a bachelor.

Similarly, the Coordinator and Head of Centre for Helping Rural Women, an NGO, Mrs. Victoria Dunmade, said the 42 schools where the SMBC was going on was an avenue to ensure Kwara State Ministry of Education's reform policy that 'every child counts', came to reality.

Dunmade who led the centre with series of lectures on women conflict resolution, said: "We want our children to have good background. If they don't get basic education, their future may be in jeopardy. So, with the incorporation of parents, the schools would be seen as our schools not government schools."

Access and Equity Specialist, Mrs. Funke Bolaji, who works with ESPIN, Kwara state and monitored all the schools where the forum was held simultaneously, said the aptitude test the participants were exposed to, was to train them how to resolve domestic

Women at their training centre problems without subjecting themselves to unnecessary threats.

"The target of ESPIN is to align with education reform of the state which says every child counts. The state government has identified the role of rural women in the developmental process of children. That is why we established SMBC. " Bolaji said the programme consisted

of women and children committees to further strengthen the opportunities for mothers and children in the society.

Speaking on the aptitude test, the Equity Specialist said "the test is to turn the forum into participatory one. It would help them to bring that skill in them which they had and fully utilize same. Women would also earn skills on conflicts resolution. You know, it is

among women one get some of these little conflicts as a result of side talks, gossip among others. So, there is always crisis at home but the solution must also start from the home; mothers must be the first instrument.

"So, if they are able to solve their problems at home, resolve petty conflicts, it would be better for the society", she said.

“

Mrs Victoria Dunmade

Women would also earn skills on conflicts resolution. You know, it is among women one get some of these little conflicts as a result of side talks, gossip among others. So, there is always crisis at home but the solution must also start from the home; mothers must be the first instrument.

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

Feature

How herbalist makes a living killing people for rituals in Kogi From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

T

he Criminal I n v e s t i g a t i o n Department of the Nigerian Police, Kogi state command has arrested a 45year-old herbalist, Mr. Ejide Ojile in Adupi Egbe, a village near Aloma in Ofu local government area of the state in connection with the ritual murder of two men, Ojodale Usman and Sunday Abutu - a vicious act which has lifted the lid on several killings in this community.

Usman and Abutu had put behind themselves the unemployment shackles to venture into self-assisted aluminum building business but the said Ojile cut short their lives as they were brutally hacked down, their bodies dismembered, vital parts removed and left in the pool of their own blood.

The artisans; Sunday Abutu, 24 and Ojodale Usman 18 met their brutal end on the fateful day of February 9 2013, at about 4 am when an apprentice in their workshop and trusted friend of Ojodale lured them into the hands of their assailant. They went there to see Ejide Ojile thinking he had business for them but they, (Ojodale and Abutu) became the business as they were killed.

The apprentice, Samuel Michael, who is said to be 17 years old, was alleged to have entered into a contractual agreement with the herbalist to bring his two masters for rituals in exchange for a Jincheng motorcycle.

The suspect, Ojile, a close source told our reporter in Aloma, had been in the business of killing people whose parts were sold out to unknown buyers.

His younger brother, Sule Ojile died in mysterious circumstances, most vital parts of the body were removed; a Fulani boy herding cattle in the area was found dead near the man's farm with body parts slashed off and now the two artisans.

Sources who spoke to our reporter alleged that the herbalist was untouchable and that he had police contact who

would not allow him stay long in the police net. Following the killing of Ojodale and Sunday, police hurriedly arrested some suspects and subsequently remanded them while the principal suspect, Ejide Ojile is free.

It was gathered that late Ojodale had declined Michael's invitation but the duo had no choice but to follow him on his motorcycle to the village on the fateful day.

It was on their way back to their own village (Agbaduma) that the smarter Michael now decided to take another road where the assailant and his agents were stationed a n d combat ready t o strike at the u n suspecting victims.

When t h e deceased asked h i m why he h a d decided to take another r o a d instead of the former o n e , Michael said the road will make the journey faster since time was running out. Before they could realise in the ensuing argument they were already in the den of Ojile.

The victims were allegedly

rounded up according to a confessional statement

collaborators took their corpses to their village at Agbaduma and dumped it by the road side. It was few minutes after the corpses were littered on the road that the villagers now got the wind that the boys had been murdered by yet to identified ritual killers.

Michael who was seen the previous day with them before the incident was

Gov Idris Wada made by Michael to police and a powder-like substance was sprayed on their faces before they were brutally beaten to death while some of their body parts were removed.

Michael and his alleged

“

later apprehended by angry villagers to tell them what happened to his friends. He was alleged to have accused his own uncle and a younger brother to the former governor of the state who

The police authority later went to Ojile's village to arrest him. Three coffins were recovered from his shrine as well as many strange objects which can be likened to human parts deposited before his shrine.

hailed from the area as the brain behind the murder of his two colleagues.

The people were promptly arrested by the police and taken to Lokoja along with Michael who served as witness.

It was not long when the Village Head, Chief Sule Kolofo and his council of elders wrote a strong worded petition to the police asking them to do proper investigation on Michael as to his level of involvement in the saga.

Upon receiving the petition the police now intensified their effort to uncover the secret behind the dastardly act.

After Michael was subjected to serious grilling, he opened up that he had a hand in the death of his two friends. He allegedly said that he was contracted by a herbalist, M r .

Ejide Ojile t o bring t h e m for him and he was the one that killed them after weakening them with powdered substance.

The police authority later went to Ojile's village to arrest him. Three coffins were recovered from his shrine as well as many strange objects which can be likened to human parts deposited before his shrine.

The families of the two victims are now calling on the police to ensure justice is done by conducting proper investigation into the activities of ritualists in the area.

However, Police spokesman ASP Ajayi Okansanmi, said some arrests have been made over the killing. He disclosed that two people have been interrogated and released while two others have been taken to court. The court had remanded them till May, 2013, he stated.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 47

From the Pulpit Walking in dominion (II)

I

’m pleased to bring you the concluding part of this message which I started last week. In the last edition, I talked about how God gave man dominion in the Book of Genesis.

I explained the dominion mandate and said that you’re either dominating or you’re being dominated. Today, I want to talk about the restored dominion and how you can walk in dominion.

Restored dominion The first Adam was a living person but the last Adam (Jesus Christ) is a lifegiving spirit. (1 Cor. 15:45) The dominion Adam lost, Jesus has restored to us in greater dimension. Our dominion today is more than dominion over the fish, the birds and other creatures of God. Our dominion is not only in the various scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs man has made harnessing the resources on earth, we now have: Dominion over sin – We have dominion over sin. Sin made Adam lose the former dominion. Rom 6:14 says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (NKJV) If sin shall not have dominion over us, it means we shall have dominion over sin by the help of the life-giving Spirit of God. Sin can only rule over you by your permission.

Dominion over death – Jesus has dominion over death. Because of the death of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection, death does not have dominion over Jesus, and invariably death does not have dominion over everyone who believes in Jesus. Every child of God has dominion over death.

That does not mean he or she will never die. But there is resurrection after death, and every child of God shall live with Jesus forever! (Rom 6:8-11)

Dominion over every other dominions – In Jesus Christ, every child of God is above every other dominion because Jesus is seated at the right hand of God far above all principality and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. (Eph 1:20-23) Verses 22-23 say, “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (NKJV) Did you see that? God has put everything under the feet of Jesus, and invariably under your feet too as a child of God. You have nothing to fear. You should be in charge.

You must walk in dominion over the devil and his cohorts or you will be under their dominion. God forbid!

Where Jesus is sitting, that’s where you’re sitting. What Jesus is sitting far above,youarealsoabove. Godhas“raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

(Eph 2:6 NKJV) There is no reason for a child of God to be afraid of any demonic power because every other power is subject to the power of Jesus, and the name of Jesus is above every other name.

Alleluia! That same name he has given to everyone who believes in him.

InLuke9:1-2,Jesusgavetothetwelve disciples power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, preach the KingdomofGodandhealthesick.(Mark 6:7, Matt 10:1)That is part of the dominion mandate – the power to work signs and wonders; the power to do miracles, heal the sick, deliver the oppressed and set the captives free, the power to undo all the works of the devil.

This same power he has given to everyone who believes in his name.

In Luke 10:17-20, the seventy

Matthew 5:3 h e n the Lord Jesus Christ began His ministry, the people gathered to Him because He touched and transformed their lives.

They became His converts and disciples. Prior to His coming into the world, humanity had lived without the revelation and power of God for 400 years. So, when He saw the multitudes, He saw their ignorance and separation from God. If a preacher does not see his audience with spiritual eyes, he will not be able to give them the revelation from God. But when the preacher sees the nature and needs of his audience, he realizes his inability and lack of the wherewithal to minister to them without God’s grace. With this, he sees the need to come up to a plain higher than the people. Those who minister to multitudes must, like Christ, be higher spiritually than their audiences. As a minister, you will not be effective if you are at the same level of blindness or ignorance with your audience. To be an effective minister to multitudes of blind, ignorant, weak, sick, fainting and discouraged men, you must be on a higher plain spiritually.

As our Lord begins His message by drawing the picture of blessedness, He tells who the blessed man is. The path of blessedness as revealed by Christ is different from that advocated by the people of the world. The poor in spirit are the lowest in the rung of the ladder and the kingdom of God is at the very highest. He was teaching that, blessed are the people that are lowly

because they are the ones that will be high and lofty; blessed are the humble, they are the ones that will have the exaltation and glorification.

“Blessed are the poor [not the proud or arrogant] in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” These are the first recipients of the blessedness of the kingdom.

1.

MEANINGFUL PERCEPTION OF THE POOR IN SPIRIT Matthew 5:3; Isaiah 66:2; 57:15; Psalm 49:6-8; Revelation 3:17-22; Psalms 34:6,18; 40:17; Ecclesiastes 7:8; Proverbs 16:5; John 9:26-34; Matthew 18:3,4; James 4:6-10.

What does Jesus mean by being poor in spirit and who are those who are poor in spirit? (i) Being poor in spirit does not mean poverty in substance. There are people who are poor in substance and yet are very proud. A person may be poor in substance, having nothing and yet is still very proud. (ii) It does not mean the poverty-stricken people. A person may be poverty-stricken and yet not be poor in spirit. (iii) It does not mean those who are in penury and starvation. There are those who are in penury and are starving but will reject help because of the pride in their hearts. The poor, literally, are those who lack money to provide for the basic necessities of life. With regard to eternity, the basic thing is salvation. The poor in spirit is one that realizes that he has nothing to pay for his salvation but relies on Christ completely for his salvation.

The poor in spirit and the proud in spirit are different. In fact, you cannot be poor and proud in spirit

W

disciples returned with the testimony that the devils were subject to them through the name of Jesus, and Jesus restated that he has given them power to tread upon scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt them. They were to live in dominion, and you are also to live in dominion.

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus gave everyone that will believe in him power to cast out devils in his name among others things. (Mark 16:17-18) By that, Jesus was talking about empowering those who believe in his name to have dominion over the forces of evil. This mandate is not for some special Christians. Every child of God has the authority to exercise this mandate.

How to walk in dominion Have a revealed knowledge of who you are in Christ–It takes a revealed knowledge of who you are in Christ to live in dominion. A child of God who does not know what the death and resurrection of Christ has accomplished for him will live a life far from dominion.

Satan, though already defeated, will continue to harass him when satan is supposed to be under his feet. Such Christians need the eyes of their hearts to be enlightened. (Eph 1:18) Daily renew your mind in the Word of God – A child of God who will walk in dominion must have his minds daily renewed with the Word of God so that he can think like God, see himself exactly the way God sees him in His Word and talktheWord.“Anddonotbeconformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Rom 12:2 NKJV) Such a Christian must operate from the heavenly places far above

GREEN PASTURES

By Pastor T.O. Banso cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 situations and circumstances, problems, challenges, oppositions etc.

Walk by faith – You must not live by fear if you want to live in dominion.

2 Tim 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (NLT) You cannot live in dominion without acting in faith, and you cannot act in faith without speaking out boldly the Word of God. “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”

(Rom 11:3 NKJV) David confronted Goliath by faith and he spoke what he believed both to Saul (1 Sam 17:32-37) and to Goliath. (1 Sam 17:45-47) God would not have given David victory if he had not declared boldly and publicly his faith in Him to give him victory. God is looking for those He will show himself strong on their behalf. (2 Chron 16:9) You need the Word of God in your own mouth to frame your own world.

Faith confession will cause you to walk in dominion. Quoting Ps 116:10, Paul said, “And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak.” (2 Cor 4:13 NKJV) If you believe the Word of God, you will speak it; you’ll declare it boldly.

You must act on the Word of God believing that the Word will do what God says it will do. (Isa 55:10-11) You

must speak fearlessly the Word of God. You must speak as you are moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21)You must say with boldness the Word of God to all contrary situations and powers, and bring them under God’s control. You must speak the change you desire. Faith speaks what it believes. (Matt 21:21-22, Mark 4:39-41) Beloved, it’s time to walk in dominion.

TAKE ACTION! If you are not born again, kindly say this prayer now: “0 Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to him today. I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I am saved.

Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God” I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in your area where you will be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May the Lord make you a Cedar Christian. May you grow into Christ in all things becoming all God wants you to be.

Divine promise for the poor FAITH DISCOURSE WITH

Pastor W. F. Kumuyi simultaneously. To be poor in spirit is to realize that you have nothing to pay for your salvation and therefore, tremble before God: “him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” The poor in spirit looks at the might, greatness and justice of God and sees his insignificance and absolute need of the mercy of God. Wealth and riches have limitations. There are some things rich people cannot have. They may be rich but that does not necessarily make them knowledgeable. Wealth may be there yet they are not immune from physical or emotional pain. There are those who are rich yet lack wisdom to live and interact with people peaceably. If, in spite of their riches, they are not able to buy physical things with money, how much less the kingdom of God and all its wealth.

There are those who are poor but do not know that they are destitute like the Laodicean church. Yet, by heaven’s estimation, they are

“wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked”. When you realize who God is and who you are before Him, pride will have no place in you even after you have been born again; you will maintain an attitude of contrition in your relationship to Him. 2. MERCIFUL PROMISE FOR THE POOR IN SPIRIT Matthew 5:3; Isaiah 57:15; 2 Chronicles 12:6,7,12; 33:12,13; Luke 15:17-24; 2 Chronicles 7:14; 1 Kings 3:7-14; Proverbs 22:4; 29:23; Job 22:21-29.

There is a misconception that those who are poor in spirit, who are always conscious of their spiritual weakness are miserable. These know that they merit nothing and have nothing. They only depend on the grace of God. People think that this virtue, characterized by a humble lifestyle, is hopelessness in the natural. Thus, the proud in spirit avoid them because they are thought capable of infesting others with their plight. But God reckons with them.

But “blessed [happy, fortunate and favoured] are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). To acknowledge that it is only God that can meet your need and that nothing else qualifies you to receive from Him is poverty of spirit that God blesses. Everyone is a real beggar in the sight of the Lord. But everyone who refuses the offer of salvation and passes to the great beyond becomes a miserable beggar.

Every sinner, big or small, is poor.

He must beg for the redemption of his soul from the Lord. When we come to the Lord with a humble spirit and with the understanding of our poverty of spirit, trusting only in His mercy, He gives us salvation. This is because Jesus paid for it so we possess it freely. If we are poor in substance, He also gives us His substance, supply and sufficiency. He cares, not only about our salvation but also for our physical well-being that, as believers, we do not have to beg unbelievers to maintain or sustain us. As you remain poor in spirit and depend upon the Lord, He gives you strength to live righteously and power to be victorious over sin when you call upon Him. The Lord protects you from the wicked in the world too because He’s the Defence of His people. The poor then are not miserable as the people of the world think. They are not even to suffer dejection. Rather, they are the blessed and favoured ones who should rejoice in the Lord.

BIG PUNCH “We no longer talk of balanced national budgets anymore. It seems we’ve accepted that anytime they bring a budget here, it must come with deficit. There have been reports of recovery of funds from the late Gen. Sani Abacha but it’s never reflected in the budget. What’s happening? “In fact, there’s no criterion for budget performance!”

—Sen. David Mark on Budget

SATURDAY 2 — SUNDAY 3, MARCH, 2013

Pyromania!

‘C

hief of Defence Staff Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim says Nigeria and other African countries currently involved in the military support mission in Mali are the ones to do the dirtiest part of the job after French forces may have finally left the scene.

Admiral Ibrahim told Weekly Trust in Bamako that the UN-backed African forces will go on with the military operation in Mali's northern part and at the same time maintain law and order in other parts of the country.' [Daily Trust 13/2/13] France and her allies are in Mali to do the clean job; Nigeria and her sisters or what the Western powers condescendingly call 'the Africans' are drafted to do the dirtiest job. In strategic terms, Nigeria is conscripted into France's Operration Serval to clean the streets, clear the sewage, evacuate the decomposed corpses plus other detritus - 'the Africans' are there to kill fellow Africans and be killed by fellow Africans, that is their job, that is their worth. France is in Mali for the clean and most noble job, to secure its topmost national strategic goal, energy security, and, therefore, its own future. To achieve her goal, France needs not sacrifice it's own citizens, it needs not place it's own army in harms way unnecessarily, it needs not involve in drudgery: 'the Africans' - Nigerians, Chadians, Ivorians, Ghanaians, the hirelings whose blood is cheap, are the more appropriate for the task.

France and her allies are involved in the game of Blood for Uranium, Blood for Gold, Blood for Oil. For this, they are setting Africa on fire, deliberately, consciously, strategically. This is pyromania - an uncontrollable impulse to deliberately start fires for gratification.

The Senegalese novelist, Boubacar Diop, in an interview withThe Guardian [guardian.co.uk 8/2/13 1651GMT] has offered what the paper calls an incisive and complex critique of the French invasion of Mali. We feel compelled to highlight some of the issues he has elaborated. Diop is dismayed by the ineptitude, lack of depth and appalling ignorance being exhibited by African leaders and intellectuals in the

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current crisis. All the African countries queuing behind France in the occupation of Mali under various guises such as ECOWAS, African Union and so on, have turned a blind eye to the 'criminal excesses of France' in Africa, Mali is in fact the ninth time France is violating the sovereignty of Africa; but even more disturbing is the fact that they fail to understand the very nature of the invasion itself. 'We have lost all sense of nuance, especially the ability to situate specific political events within a global logic,' Diop said in utter anguish. '[French intervention] should be viewed through the logic of global war.

The model is really based on the US invasion of Iraq.' Diop told The Guardian: 'Here, we need to look at the sequence of events. After Muammar Qaddafi was killed, under appalling circumstances, the French government believed the time had come to entrust the outsourcing of war against AQIM [al-Qaida in the Maghreb] and MUJAO [Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa] to the Tuareg rebellion. As Ibrahima Sene recently pointed out Paris and Washington then decided to help the Tuareg in Libya return, heavily armed, to Mali - but, more interestingly, not to Niger, where they did not want to take any risk because of Areva [French nuclear energy company mining the uranium of Republic of Niger]. The Tuareg were delighted to finally realise their dream of independence through the new state of Azawad, an ally of the West.

'Some French media were then asked to "sell" the project of the "blue men of the desert" who were willing and ready to go to war against Mali. Just take a look in the archives of France 24 and RFI to see how the MNLA [National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad], in particular, has been created from scratch by Nicholas Sarkozy's services.

These strategists knew very well that this would lead to the collapse of the Malian government and the division of its territory. But this did not make them hesitate for a second. French politician Alain Juppé was allowed to minimise the Tuareg's slaughter of about a hundred or so Malian soldiers and officers on January 24, 2012, at Aguelhok, and suggest the possibility of a sovereign state of Azawad in the north. Ultimately,

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Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim the MNLA, which could not live up to the expectations of its sponsors against the jihadists, has virtually scuttled, and this is also probably a first in the history of liberation movements. In this case, France clearly occupies the role of a pyromaniac firefighter.

Everything suggests that the French will defeat the jihadists, but this victory will cost the Malians their government and their honour.'

Boubacar Diop then hazards the likely outcome of the crisis within the overall strategy of France in particular and the West in general. He told The Guardian: 'I just want to say that this is the end of independence for Mali for a long time, and for its relative territorial homogeneity. It would be naive to imagine that, after having worked so hard to liberate the north, France will hand over the keys of the country to Dioncounda Traore [Mali's interim President] and to the Malians and be satisfied with effusive farewells. No, the world does not work that way. France has put itself in a good position in the race for the prodigious natural resources of the Sahara, and it would be hard to imagine that the French will just drop the

Tuareg rebellion, which has always been their trump card.

'There is an episode in this war that has gone unnoticed, yet deserves some consideration: the capture of Kidal. We initially conceded that Kidal was "captured" by the MNLA, which no longer has any military presence, and a few days later, on January 29th, French troops entered the town alone, not allowing Malian forces to accompany them. Iyad Ag Ghali, head of Ansar Dine, discredited by his affiliation with AQIM and MUJAO, is already almost out of the game and his "moderate" rival, Alghabasse Ag Intalla, head of MIA (Islamic Movement of Azawd) is in the best position to find common ground with Paris.

As a matter of fact, after this military debacle, the Tuareg separatists are going to have political control over the north, something they have never had before. It's a great paradox, but it is in the interest of the West that Mali has no hold over the northern part of it's country.

Traoré is already being pressured to negotiate with the moderate Tuareg backed by Paris, and it is unlikely that we are going to see a president as weakened as

Dioncounda trying to resist [French President] Hollande.

Whether we like it or not, the Arab Spring is completely detaching North Africa from the rest of the continent, and in some respects, the "new border" is Northern Mali. This is a clear and coherent strategy that the West is in the process of implementing.'

Reflecting on the whole issue in general, Diop said: 'More importantly, the question is how is it that our people are left in such a state of abandonment? How is it that the French troops who occupied Mali for centuries as barbaric colonisers have come back 50 years later to be greeted as liberators? Does this not leave us seriously perplexed? What is Malian independence really worth? The question ultimately for all of us, and probably even more strongly for former French colonies in sub-Saharan Africa, is that of national sovereignty.

These historical reversals are hard to swallow, and we all have a responsibility.

'The real aims of the war will become clearer for Malians, and time will not be on the French's side. Benign foreign forces don't exist anywhere. The French media can delude themselves, but for them, I would say that the bride is still too beautiful! And then, you know, as Operration Serval is taking place, the Parisian press is simultaneously disclosing more and more precise evidence of the active French role in the attack of 6th April 1994 in Kigali, Rwanda, where the plane carrying Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana was shot down by missiles as it was about to land in Kigali. This, as you know, triggered the genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda. The strong involvement of France in the last genocide of the 20th century is an indelible stain on its honor, and the momentary cheering [of French troops] in Gao and Timbuktu cannot deflect from this. It must be extremely hard these days to be in the Malian military. Here is a national army fighting in its own country, and its soldiers' deaths do not even count, unlike that of the French helicopter pilot, Damien Boiteux, who was shot on the first day of fighting. All these humiliations will show Mali that a certain democratic comedy, aimed at pleasing foreign backers, is meaningless.'

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