Peoples Daily Newspaper, Tuesday April 3, 2012

Again, EFCC bungles trial as court frees Erastus Akingbola

Vol. 8 No. 8

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Jimadal Ula 12, 1433 AH

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N150

Jonathan under fire over church ‘gift’ From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

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Lagos based non-governmental organisation (NGO), Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) yesterday, petitioned the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, to begin investigation into the allegations that Abuja-based Italian construction company, Gitto Construzioni Generali Nigeria Limited (GCG) gave to President Goodluck Jonathan Contd on Page 2

Exorbitant air fares: Reps threaten BA, others

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he House of Representatives yesterday threatened to sanction British Airways (BA), Lufthansa, Air France/KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Delta Airlines and other international airlines operating in the country, unless they reduce their air fares.

This is coming as the government disclosed that the report of the negotiation on the review of the air fares between Nigeria and British authorities would be concluded by middle of the year.

Although the BA Country Director, Kola Contd on Page 2

R-L: Yobe state Deputy Governor, Engineer Abubakar D. Ali, and Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, during the minister's visit to the Government House, yesterday in Damaturu.

INSIDE

Kogi senators vow to expose ex-Gov Idris >>PAGE 3

3 die in fresh Jos violence >>PAGE 4

Power equipment abandoned in ports since Sept 2011 >>PAGE 6

Edo: Gunmen abduct Reps Minority Whip’s father >>PAGE

WWW.PEOPLESDAILY-ONLINE.COM

NFF not autonomous, says minister 6

>>PAGE 41

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

CONTENTS News

2-11

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-17

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

S/Report

24

Defence

28

Agriculture

29

Gunmen kill SSS officer in Maiduguri From Mustapha Isa Kwaru, Maiduguri

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unmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram yesterday shot dead an officer of the State Security Service (SSS) at a barber's shop in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, a senior official in the service disclosed.

The security source told newsmen that: "Yes, he was killed today (yesterday). And that is all I can tell you for now," Ahmed Abdulhamid, the state director of the SSS in Borno, said on the phone without giving details.

Some security sources said the SSS agent was attached to the joint military task force

(JTF) deployed to fight the Boko Haram insurgency.

Residents of Bayan area of Maiduguri, where the shooting took place said the officer was having a haircut when two gunmen stepped into the shop and shot him dead before fleeing.

Gunmen shot dead a local government official at his

house in in the same area in Maiduguri on Sunday. The gunmen fled with his car and remained at large.

An attempt to hold indirect talks between the group and the government last month collapsed, with the mediator, Dr. Ibrahim Datti Ahmad, pulling out over leaks to the media.

Jonathan under fire over church ‘gift’ Contd from Page 1

as ‘gift’, a 2,500-seat church building in Otuoke, his village in Bayelsa state.

In a petition signed by SERAP’s Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the group said, “We are seriously concerned that given the huge sum of money involved and the timing of the church building ‘gift’, the acts may amount to a bribe to the government by a construction company that has sought and obtained huge contracts from the federal government.

“Procurement and investment agreements corrupted by this kind of ‘gift’ invariably lead to increased costs not only in higher prices but also in needlessly expanded and ultimately inefficient projects.

“Both the acts of giving and accepting the disguised bribe undermine the institutions and values of democracy, ethical values and justice, and jeopardizes sustainable development and the rule of law.

“The acts also hurt the government and ordinary Nigerians who may suffer as a result of bad execution of projects

by GCG.” SERAP urged the commission to exert its mandate, power, and resources to ensure that the allegations were fully and effectively investigated, the findings of the investigation published and the company and other suspected perpetrators held liable.

In its recent editorial comment on the matter, ThisDay said, "... it is patently inappropriate for President Jonathan to have accepted the Greek Gift and proceeded to make a light show of it".

It noted that: "Section 6 of the Code of Conduct for Public officers embodied in the First Schedule of the 1999 Constitution and the Code of Conduct and Tribunal Act (CAP C15) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, indeed frown at

what the president did. The Act states: "A public officer shall not ask for or accept any property or benefits of any kind for himself or any other person on account of anything done or omitted to be done by him in the discharge of his duties.

For the purposes of subsection (1) of this subsection, the receipt by a public officer of any gifts or benefits from commercial firms, business enterprises or persons who have CONTRACTS (emphasis ours) with the Government shall be presumed to have been received in contravention…unless the contrary is proved.”

The controversial gift came to light when President Jonathan commissioned the church a fortnight ago and called on the Christian community to continue to pray for the leadership of the country via a press statement issued by Reuben Abati, Special Adviser (Media & Publicity) to the President, on Sunday, March 18, 2012.

The President who made the appeal while performing the Ground-Breaking ceremony of his 2,500-seat capacity St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Otuoke, Bayelsa state hoped it would be completed by mid-2015.

President Jonathan said that he did not spend his personal money in building the church in his village and thanked all his “friends” who contributed towards the building.

The Anglican Bishop of Ogbia Diocese, Rt. Rev. James Oruwori, in his sermon, commended President Jonathan and his family for building a house of prayer for the Lord, noting that “wise men build houses of prayer.”

“He also declared that the detractors of this administration would always fail because the church is always praying”, the statement by Abati quoted Bishop Oruwori.

Exorbitant air fares: Reps threaten BA, other Dakingari sworn-in, assures decampees of patronage, Page 37

International 31-34 Strange World 35 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

Contd from Page 1 Olayinka was evasive when asked to explain the rationale for the high charges Nigerian passengers are made to pay in comparison with their counterparts in other African countries, especially Ghana, the House Committee on Aviation chaired by Nkiruka Onyejeocha, currently investigating the discriminatory charges, threatened to send the company parking should it insist on charging the high fares.

Lawmakers and the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authorities (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, expressed dismay over the hidden taxes (including $508 fuel surcharge) and discriminatory charges totalling $969.24 imposed on Nigerians by BA, as well as violation of extant laws.

Onyejeocha, faced with the reluctance of the BA official to make concession said, “You must reduce your fares; if you cannot reduce your fares, we will impose sanctions because Nigerians are suffering and you are not treating us well. We are interested in price reduction, if you are not going to do that tell us and we will impose sanctions, we are not interested in your story of demand and supply”.

She explained that the public hearing was aimed at compelling NCAA and other relevant agencies, including airline operators, to ensure a reduction of fares charged on customers, and also compel international airline operators to

improve their services and adhere strictly to international best practices.

She said, “Nigeria is a free market economy but the arbitrary air fare charges in Nigeria, you must admit is one of the highest within the West African sub-region.

Within the last few months, airlines flying international and domestic routes have increased their fares time without number and in most cases, without prior and adequate notice to travellers. We as a nation must curb and resist this trend.

“These arbitrary air fares are exploitative, particularly as Nigeria’s aviation fuel is one of the cheapest in the market as against what is obtainable in countries like China, India, Ghana, United States of America, among others. We have discovered that Nigerians pay higher to travel to places like Europe and America, while other countries attract cheaper fares even when the distances from these countries are farther than Nigeria.

“This exploitation must not be allowed to continue, more importantly as Nigeria is one of the most lucrative routes in the world with a minimum of over 1,000 passengers coming in and out on daily basis” , she stressed.

President of the Association of Travel Agencies in Nigeria, Aminu Agowa, who confirmed the discriminatory charges imposed on Nigerians, disclosed that travelling tickets worth over $1 billion were raked in by airlines last year without corresponding profits to the 600

licenced travel agents.

Agowa explained that the hidden taxes constitute 50 percent of the total charges imposed on travellers, adding that most of the tickets displayed by the foreign airlines through the internet were not attractive. He equally lamented that foreign airlines do not pay commission to agents requiring them to further request for service charge from their clients.

The NCAA director general, in his contribution, accused the travel agents of also indulging in sharp practices.

NCAA in its computation titled ‘Regional imbalance from global distribution system - Amadeus’ showed $4,239.27 fare variance on first class flight fare charged between Ghana and Nigeria; $1,055.22 fare variance on business/club class between Ghana and Nigeria; $92.02 fare variance on premium economy between Ghana and Nigeria, while economy class was $233.13 lower than fare charged in Nigeria.

Demuren said: “We have done the study and we have all the figures; we have the details. We have been on this for the past two years and that every Nigerian that has been ripped off must be paid back. I want to beg the House of Representatives to take on the travel agents because they are the technically involved. They will tell you the tickets are not available; of course it is the normal practice in business, but it’s unfair”.

He added: “Specifically, both airlines (British Airways and Virgin Atlantic) colluded to fix the

passenger fuel surcharge in a manner that eliminated or suppressed choice and competition and the Nigerian public are the victims of this conduct while both airlines reaped huge profits from their misconduct. In addition, both airlines deceived Nigerians and used unfair methods in procuring these huge revenues in their businesses.

“For these violations, the NCAA imposed monetary penalties and a decision that passengers who were exploited must be compensated. With respect to NCAA’s factual allegations and findings that both airlines engaged in deception, collusion (price fixing) and unfair methods of competitions, the panel found that all the allegations were sufficiently established by overwhelming evidence...”

According to him, in 2008, over 17,769 cases were handled

by NCAA Consumer Protection officer in 2008; 23,768 cases reported and handled in 2009 and progressively increase in 2010 and 2011 out of which 98,354 complainants have been compensated.

While responding to the allegations, Mr. Olayinka, who failed to provide answers to all the questions posed by the lawmakers, insisted that he could not provide answers in breach of European AntiTrust Regulation.

Olayinka identified demand and supply, competition and season as major determinants of BA fares.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

From Edwin Olofu, Kano

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ive persons including two members of the Boko Haram militants and two women were killed in separate gun attacks in the Kano state capital yesterday.

Two women were killed by the members of the joint military task force in Kano. The women, whose identities could not be ascertained as at press time, were allegedly hit

PAGE 3

5 killed in separate attacks in Kano by stray bullets at the Panshekara area of the city when some gunmen attempted to attack a JTF checkpoint.

But eyewitness account said the two women were killed by trigger- happy soldiers who opened fire on a car that refused to stop at the Panshekara roundabout’s JTF

checkpoint.

Peoples Daily equally gathered that in another attack carried out in Sheka, a remote part of the city, two members of Boko Haram sect were killed by their colleagues, apparently to avoid exposing them.

The dead Boko Haram members were arrested by members of the

public in Sheka and sensing that they were about to be handed over to the police, their colleagues stormed the area on a motorcycle and killed them on the spot.

Spokesman for JTF, and Public Relations Officers for 3 Brigade, Kano, Lt Ikedichi Iweha confirmed the incidents at Sheka

but denied that soldiers killed the women.

“Residents of Sheka this morning arrested two members of the Islamic sect but in their attempt to alert the police over the arrest, some members of the sect stormed the area on motorbike and shot the two arrested members to death before fleeing the scene to an unknown destination.

Senators threaten war with ex-Governor Idris

By Ali Alkali

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L-R: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Oyo state governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, former Secretary to Oyo state government, Chief Layiwola Olakojo, and wife of Senator Ladoja, Alhaja Mutiat Ladoja, during a reconciliatory parley at Ladoja’s residence, yesterday in Ibadan.

Photo: NAN

enators from Kogi state, Senator Smart Adeyemi (PDP Kogi West) and Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman (PDP Kogi Central) have yesterday threatened to take former governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris to the cleaners if he, again, dares to claim credit for what he did not do.

The senators were angry over Idris’ claim in an interview with Nigerian Tribune newspaper on Sunday that he was instrumental to their elections to the National Assembly.

Addressing a press conference at the National Assembly to debunk Idris’ claim, the Senators said “the blanket declaration by Ibrahim Idris that he was instrumental to the elections of members the National Assembly from Kogi state was a blatant lie.”

According to Adeyemi, “for those of us who went through the rigours and the pains of contesting primary elections and general elections, we take serious objection

Again, EFCC bungles as court frees Akingbola From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

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n another case of legal blunder by the anti-graft agency, Justice Charles Archibong of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday discharged former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access bank), Dr. Erastus Akingbola of the amended 26count charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over financial impropriety.

Apart from discharging him, Justice Archibong dismissed the charges and barred the prosecution from appearing before the court or another judge of the Federal High court over the matter on what the court termed serious and professional incompetence of the prosecution team made up of five Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).

The judge directed the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) to disband,sack and debrief the

present prosecution team, comprising of five SANs and their respective firms from handling the matter for serious abuse of court process and incompetence in their prosecution of the charges against Akingbola.

The court held that the prosecution team is “a drain in the public purse, a fact the AGF should be mindful of now if he was not before”.

“This prosecution team have chosen to pursue a campaign to scandalise the court, which amounts to serious and professional incompetence in the prosecution of the accused.

“This prosecution team or any part of it shall not be given further audience in this court in relation to the charges against the accused either before this presiding judge or any other judge of the Federal High Court, for the reason I have given in the foregoing.

It would be recalled that last week, Justice Abubakar Umar of an Abuja High Court also struck out a suit filed by EFCC against three persons named in the Halliburton bribery scandal for lack of diligent prosecution.

The EFCC arraigned a former Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu, retired AVM Abdullahi Bello and Mohammed Bakari of the Urban Shelter Ltd., on a nine-count charge bordering on corruption and bribery.

They were alleged to have used their companies; Intercellular Nigeria Ltd., Sherwood Petroleum Ltd and Tri-Star Investment Ltd. to benefit from a $7.5 million Halliburton bribe.

Justice Umar struck out the suit after the EFCC Counsel, Ms Kauna Pindam, prayed the court to grant the commission another adjournment to enable it to arraign the accused persons.

Umar refused to grant the adjournment but reminded the EFCC of an order he gave on January 23 that the commission should be ready to arraign the three suspects named in the 180 million dollars Halliburton bribery scandal unfailingly.

“I gave the long adjournment to allow the EFCC to interface with its U.S. sister agency in utilising security information you said you got.

“I warned the EFCC that upon its failure to arraign the accused today, I will strike out the case and write to the Minister of Justice to lodge a complaint about the attitude of the commission.

“I remember I also warned the EFCC and the accused counsel to adhere to the specific details of the order or suffer certain penalties for not following the instructions.’’

Umar warned the EFCC not to expose the judiciary to ridicule.

“I have checked my records and in the past one year, since February 17, 2011 when I granted leave to the prosecution to arraign the accused; they have not done so.

“It has been over a year now and still the EFCC is coming up with excuses; the EFCC should know that if it is not ready to prosecute and bring cases to conclusion, it should not apply for leave of court to arraign anybody.

“The EFCC should know that I am answerable to the National Judicial Council and what will I say is the reason why this case has been at arraignment stage for the past one year?

“I therefore strike out the suit for want of diligent prosecution.’’

to that statement from Alhaji Ibrahim Idris. In the first instance, what he said was not true. To put it bluntly, he lied.”

One after the other, the two senators narrated how the former governor did everything he could to scuttle their ambitions to run for the Senate.

Adeyemi said, “I contested the primary election, and indeed the general election, with one of his able lieutenants, former commissioner of local government in Kogi state, TJ Faniyi; and you all know the relationship between the chief executive and whoever presides over local government ministry.

They used the resources of the state to challenge us. Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, along with his cohorts, made efforts to pressurize the national secretariat of the PDP to conduct my primary election in Lokoja, the state capital, contrary to the regulations that all senatorial elections must be conducted at the senatorial headquarters. Thank God that my people were behind me. My election was annulled twice until the third one that I was able to win”.

On his part, Senator AbatemiUsman said, “much as we do not want to join issues with Alhaji Ibrahim Idris because he is the father of one of us and one of our colleagues, Muhammed Idris who is a member of the House of Representatives, keeping mute will go on record as agreeing with what he said.

“Clearly, Muhammed Idris could not have run or won that election without the help from his father, which is natural. But to extrapolate that help for his child to cover all of us, is something different. I seat before you to say very clearly that on Friday last week, March 30th 2012, the Supreme Court of Nigeria finally discharged with the last case against me instituted by Ibrahim Idris through his sponsored challenger of mine,” said Abatemi.

The senators challenged the former governor to tell Nigerians who, in the National Assembly, apart from his son, he has helped.

“The third Senator is from ANPP, who has he helped?”

The Senators warned that if Idris wants media war they are equally ready for the task, saying, “he should not push us to remind the people of Kogi state the maladministration and the financial misappropriation that took place in the last nine years in Kogi state under Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.

“If he wants media war, we are ready for him. We will take him to the cleaners and the court of public opinion”, they said.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

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Jonathan goes on leave

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday began a week-long break from his usual work routine.

The President will however remain in Abuja during the period and continue to deal with all essential affairs of state.

According to the President’s spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, he will return to his regular office routine after the Easter holidays.

Plea bargain laws only favour the rich, says Senate

Jonathan steps up support for Okonjo-Iweala’s World Bank bid

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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s the race for the position of World Bank presidency heats up with Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala among the top contenders, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday broke his silence and declared the country’s support for the Harvard-trained economist.

The President while thanking other African Heads of State and Ministers of Finance as well as regional groups for supporting Okonjo-Iweala’s nomination, argued that she

had the requisite expertise, experience and qualification more than any other candidate, to lead the topmost global financial institution. onathan also called for transparency in the entire electoral process. “As a preeminent development institution, the World Bank is well-positioned to play an important role in partnering with developing countries to promote growth, tackle poverty and uplift living standards.

Accordingly, the leadership of the institution matters

greatly and must be chosen with utmost care.

It matters even more in a complex, increasingly interconnected global environment characterised by volatility and uncertainty.

It is for this reason that there is a resounding call to ensure an open, transparent and meritbased process in the election of the World Bank President, which our country aligns with, and which has been promised by the G-20 countries as well as the World Bank’s Development Committee,” a statement signed by Presidential

spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati said.

President Jonathan stated further that: “I am firmly convinced that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s leadership will be beneficial, both to the World Bank and to its principal stakeholders.

I also believe that it would be immensely beneficial to Africa and the developing world at large. Nigeria urges that her candidacy receives fair consideration in an open, transparent and merit-based process, which should be embraced by all stakeholders.”

By Ali Alkali

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he Senate has revealed that it is looking into the desirability and legality or otherwise of plea bargain laws as part of its total legal sector reform in conjunction with the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA. Senate President David Mark made this known yesterday while opening a one-day public hearing on ‘The Plight of Persons Awaiting Trial in Nigeria Prisons’ organized

by Senate Joint Committee On Judiciary, Human rights and Legal Matters; Interior; and Police Affairs.

Represented by the Senate Leader, Senator Victor NdomaEgba (PDP Cross River) Mark said the Senate is worried that even though the EFCC Act has provisions for plea bargain, “the public perception is that plea bargain has been used not to serve the end of justice but more to protect the big men in our midst who have committed crimes far more heinous than those awaiting trials in our prisons.”

Senate President David Mark said he was aware that “Section 180, sub section 1, of the Criminal Procedure Act provides for situations where you have a number of charges, and somebody had been convicted for the most serious of these charges for the other charges to be dropped.

“Those who are for plea bargain say that plea bargain has its origin in that provision. Those who are against say the same criminal procedure provides that you cannot compound felonies; and that plea bargain amounts to compounding felonies. But in the EFCC act, there is very clear provision for plea bargain.

“But the issue is not whether plea bargain is desirable at this time when we are looking for creative ways to reduce the number of inmates awaiting trials in our prisons. I think the issue is how plea bargain has been used. Had it been used to meet the ends of justice?

How come it is only the high and the mighty in the society who are beneficiaries of plea bargain? “he asked.

Mark assured the nation that as part of the creativity in addressing the short comings of authorities in justice sector reform they will come with “guide lines that will address the issue of plea bargain.”

L-R: ASUU President, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, ViceChancellor, Nasarawa State University, Professor Shamsudeen Amali, and Chairman, Needs Assessment Committee of Nigerian Public Universities and Executive Secretary, Education Trust Fund, ETF, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during the committee visit to the university, at weekend in Lafia, Nasarawa state.

Wamakko swears in 21 commissioners, 14 SAs From Sadeeq Aliyu, Sokoto

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overnor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto state has yesterday sworn in 21 commissioners and 14 Special Advisers with a call to the new appointees not to run away from

their people in the grass root.

Wamakko said he expects the commissioners and special advisers to ensure full interaction with their constituencies to enable government justify the confidence people have in them.

He also advised them to have

harmonious working relationship with their permanent secretaries and all civil servants they would have the honour to work with.

Seventeen of the commissioners had served in the first tenure of Governor Wamakko and were reappointed

3 killed as festival turns bloody in Jos From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

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nnual festival of Miango people in Bassa local government area of Plateau state yesterday turned bloody claiming at least three persons and a police station and magistrate court were set ablaze.

Our correspondent gathered that hundreds of the villagers went wild damaging cars and other valuable properties.

According to an eyewitness, trouble started at Miango village last Sunday evening when two youths carrying

knives clashed at the annual celebration which later resulted fighting among themselves.

The eye witness further disclosed that the security personnel drafted to keep vigil at the venue of the festival celebration arrested some of the youths which triggered a confrontation between police and the youths.

The youths of the village who came out in their large number to prevent the arrest of their colleagues caused the dead of the three persons.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP

Samuel Dabai said usually the people had an annual festival which started on Friday and ended on Sunday but towards the end of the festival a fight ensued between youths and the policemen drafted to the area to ensured peaceful celebration arrested them and took them to a nearby police outpost.

According to the youths invaded the police station and released the two persons arrested and then set ablaze the police station and a court assuring that investigation is going on to fish out those behind the act.

along with four other new ones which included the former Director General of Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation Alhaji Nasiru Danladi Bako who was assigned to head information ministry.

The governor explained that it was the first time in the history of the state that entire members of state executive council who served in different dispensations were allowed to serve again, saying that “They served diligently and selflessly to deserve our confidence”.

He added that if any of the appointees was not deeply attached to the grass roots, “we would have witnessed uproars against him or her”. According him, the considerable successes his administration recorded were facilitated by the commissioners‘ sacrifices and candid advice in matters of governance.

Governor Wamakko however urged them to rededicate themselves to the service of their dear state, stressing that challenges ahead of them are beyond simple estimation.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Edo: Gunmen abduct Reps Minority Whip’s father From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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nknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers yesterday morning abducted the father of the Minority Whip in the House of Representatives, Pa Samson Imariagbe.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen

had unfettered access to the residence of the 75- year-old at Urhokuo-osa Village, near Ehor, the administrative headquarters of Uhunmwonde local government Council, and whisked him into their operational van.

In a telephone interview with Hon. Samson Osagie who confirmed his father's abduction,

said attempts to reach his father proved abortive, as his GSM phone was switch off. He could not confirm if any bounty has been placed on the victim's head.

Imariagbe's abduction is coming months after the septuagenarian alongside family members, were involved in a fatal road accident which claimed the

life of his father-in-law, leaving several others injured while returning from Abuja where they went to grace the swearing-in ceremony of Hon. Samson Osagie.

The Edo state command Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Etim Bassey said, he has not been officially briefed about the alleged abduction.

Flood: Oyo to demolish 56 structures From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

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yo state government has reduced the structures to be demolished from 2,105 to 56, just as it ruled out the payment of compensation to owners of the affected structures.

The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Bosun Oladele, who briefed newsmen at the end of the state executive council meeting yesterday in Ibadan, said that other makeshift structures like shops, portal cabins and containers would also be pulled down.

It would be recalled that the committee set up by the state government shortly after the August 26, 2011 flood disasters which claimed many lives and property, had recommended that 2,105 structures be demolished.

Structures billed for scrapping are those built on waterways, drainages and flood plains, thus affecting free flow of water likely to cause another flood disaster.

However, Oladele told newsmen that although the committee recommended a total of 2,105 for demolition, only 56 would be pulled down in the demolition exercise scheduled to commence on Tuesday.

He added that 40 out of the 56 structures had already been abandoned to their irredeemably bad state, while the remaining 16 are currently being occupied.

While ruling out any compensation for the owners of the affected structures, Oladele said they were built in contravention of the building laws, and that the havoc they had wreaked had both direct and indirect impacts on other structures.

L-R: Member, House Committee on Aviation, Nasir Ahmed, Deputy Chairman, Rufai Chachangi, and Committee Chairman, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, during the committee’s public hearing on high international air fares, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Power equipment stuck at ports since Oct. 2011

By Muhammad Sada, with agency report

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member of Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE), Mr. Ajibade Hafeez, has advised the Federal Government to speed up the clearance of abandoned power equipment at sea ports.

Hafeez, a former generalsecretary of the association, gave the advice in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday.

He said that the equipment, which were meant for the National

Integrated Power Projects (NIPP), had been at the ports since October, 2011.

He said that government's efforts to ensure stable power supply might not yield the desired fruits if the equipment were allowed to rot away at the ports.

According to him, the delay in clearing the equipment is a major hurdle in the completion of many of the NIPP projects.

He also added that many agencies at the ports were working at cross purposes to the detriment of governments' efforts to complete the projects. ``Government should

intervene to get these agencies to work as one,they should be made to realize that the projects belong to all Nigerians and the agencies should realize that some contractors have suspended activities on site due to their inability to get some equipment out the ports,'' he said.

Hafeez also identified lack of gas as another factor delaying completion of the NIPP projects and urged the Federal Government to intervene urgently.

He said the issue of gas had to do with having appropriate commercial pricing and advised the government to address the problem proactively.

Foundation partners Korea on Maths-craft workshop

By Mohammed Kandi

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hildren within the ages of eight and ten were yesterday exposed to education and entertaining activities aimed at boosting their ability for critical thinking and numerical interpretation.

At an event tagged "Having Fun with Numbers" yesterday in Abuja, a foundation called Creativekids Foundation in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Centre (KCC), organised a class where the children were encouraged to apply mathematics in their everyday life.

Coordinator of the foundation, Mrs. Anne Akahara, described the workshop as "first of its kind" and said such event has come to stay in Abuja considering its significance in assisting the children have access to things outside their academic circle.

Akahara further noted that as the foundation grows; it would coopt stakeholders like the Mathematics Board, other relevant government and private organisations, so as to encourage mathematics awareness among the children, teenagers and adults.

"The concept Maths-craft is all about teaching the children where art and mathematics connect. It is the use of arts to teach mathematics and reinforce exciting, colorful and decorative projects which can be created by the children while learning mathematics concepts," she said.

Excited about her visit to the KCC, one of the children, Chisom Angel, said the event was memorable and amusing even as she observed that the K-POP video shown had lots of similarities with Nigerian modern choreographic dance.

Also speaking, Director of KCC, SUH, Jeong Sun, who expressed delight partnering the foundation to support the event, said the effort was in line with the Korean government's desire to maintain cordial relationship and understanding with the Nigerian people and government.

He also assured that the embassy through the centre would not only continue to partner such programmes but ensure sustainability of the effort for the benefit of both counties.

Dangote donates N80m to Congo-Brazaville’s explosion victims

By Aminu Imam

P

resident and Chief Executive officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has helped to ameliorate the sufferings of victims of ammunition dump explosion in Congo with a donation of $500,000 (about N80 million).

Dangote announced the donation while on a condolence visit to the President of Republic of Congo Denis Sassou-Nguesso.

Speaking at the President's office in Brazzaville, Dangote said the visit was to commiserate with the President and people of Republic

of Congo on the ammunition dump explosion that killed over 200 people.

A series of explosions at an ammunition depot on March 4 killed 200 people and wounded about 2,000 more in Brazzaville, the capital of Republic of Congo.

The explosions occurred shortly when a fire at the depot set off a cache of tank shells.

He said Dangote Group felt the pains and sufferings of the victims of the explosion, adding that the donation was a gesture towards ameliorating the plight of the affected people.

He prayed that such disaster would not occur again in Congo.

According to him, the group identifies with the Republic of Congo which informed its decision to site a cement plant in the country.

Responding, the President of Congo, Denis Sassou-Nguesso expressed appreciation for the donation saying that the gesture is a true reflection of Dangote Group's pan-African stance.

Thanking Dangote for the donation, he said that Africa needs people like who have human sympathy and responds quickly to reduce the impact of disasters.

The Congolese President stated that government has started reconstruction of houses affected in the explosion, adding that "this contribution will go a long way in building new houses for the victims". He said that he is deeply touched by the gesture.

The President also thanked Aliko Dangote for the group's projects in the country.

Following the condolence visit, the minister of State in the Ministry of industrial Development and Private Sector Promotion, Rodolphe Adada with a nine man entourage visited

Dangote Cement's Ibese and Obajana plants in Nigeria.

Speaking after the fact finding visit, Rodolphe described Aliko Dangote as a sure partner in industrial development as well as job creation in Congo. According to him, "It is a privilege for Congo to be part of the 14 countries where Dangote Group is building cement plants. We are very ready to facilitate the establishment of the Dangote Cement plant in our country."

He added that 400 hectares of land has been allocated to the company and the ground breaking ceremony will soon take place.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 7

Blame parents for examination malpractice, educationists say

S

ome educationists have blamed parents for examination malpractice and mass failure in the examinations conducted by the Joint Admissions and

Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The educationists and parents were reacting to the mass failure recorded in the recently released JAMB results, and the number of

candidates caught trying to cheat during the examination.

Prof Dibu Ojerinde, the registrar of JAMB, recently displayed to newsmen foot wears embedded with cell

Ex-Niger Delta militants protesting negligence of oil communities by Mobil Producing Nigeria, yesterday in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom state.

Photo: NAN

BIodiesel refinery commences in Kogi From Sam Egwu, lokoja

T

he Kogi state government in collaboration with the Green Development Group from the United States of America has started the building of a BIODIESEL Refinery at Itobe in Ofu local

government area of the state.

The state governor, Captain Idris Wada while performing the ground breaking and foundation laying ceremony of the refinery at Itobe over the weekend stated that the first phase of the project would gulp

N2 billion naira.

He said that the refinery which would be completed in twelve Months, would have installed capacity of 40 million litres of biodiesel product and 4,000 metric tones of fertilizer annually.

Ministry will support workers strike, says Perm Sec

By Albert Akota

T

he newly appointed Permanent Secretary to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Tunji Olaopa, said the ministry will uphold the right of the organised Labour union to embark on strike when collective bargaining fails.

Dr. Olaopa stated this in Abuja during the change of baton of office with the outgoing permanent secretary, Engr.

Anthony Ozodinobi.

"I will never say industrial union should not do strike, strike is always a weapon when collective bargaining or all conversation has failed, "he emphasised.

He added that a major conference to engage organised labour union and stakeholders in the labour sector is imperative at this critical stage of the nation's development.

"We deserve to have a major conference to engage the unions and other stakeholders on how we can all sit together as stake

FG to reposition transport sector From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

T

he Federal Government is to re-positioning the transport sector with a view to developing alternative sources of revenue that will remove the

nation's over dependence on oil.

The Minister of Transport, Senator Idiris Abdullahi Umar who disclosed this in Gombe, said the transport sector will drive the economy as enshrined in the Vision 20: 2020.

holders and think the way forward", Dr. Olaopa affirmed.

In a press released signed by assistant director press of the ministry, Samuel Olowookere said the Permanent Secretary also advocated a paradigm shift in government labour relations.

"We need a labour/ government relation with a paradigm shift from the adversarial approach to something slightly developmental" the permanent secretary advocated.

Dr. Olaopa promised members of staff of the ministry that he will be a team player and contribute his quota to the development of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity during his tenure in the ministry.

Earlier, the out gone Permanent Secretary, Engr.

Anthony Ozodinobi urged members of staff of the ministry to extend the kind of cooperation he enjoyed to his successor.

phone that were seized from candidates during the 2012 UTME conducted on March 24 The stakeholders told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Monday in Lagos that apart from parents, the dwindling economic fortunes of most Nigerians had given room for malpractice.

Dr. Clementinah Owokade, a former Deputy Director, West African Examination Council (WAEC), said some parents often induced teachers to help their children to cheat in examinations.

"If students can be encouraged to learn, knowing that no one would assist them during exams, they would definitely study", she said.

Owokade also suggested additional motivation for teachers to make them reject financial inducement from parents who encourage malpractice.

She called for collaboration between schools and officials of the Ministry of Education to monitor examinations.

"There is little WEAC and other bodies can do. They are just the examination bodies and should not be saddled with total monitoring of their examinations", she said.

Also commenting on examination malpractice, an official of the Lagos State Examinations Board, Mrs. Yemisi Oguntimehin, agreed with the idea that malpractice started with the knowledge of parents.

"Parents are certainly behind the problem because they encourage their children to pay agents for special examination centres where malpractice are at the highest level", she said.

Oguntimehin said that children with such parents would then waste their time on the internet, instead of studying because they know that they

would be assisted in their examinations.

"It is indeed very sad that high reading culture has gradually been phased out, replaced with numerous forms of malpractice and laziness,'' she said.

Chief Abiodun Ajayi, a grandfather and a director with Palmline Agency, Apapa, blamed the situation on the current craze for greatness without hard work.

"All these problems of mass failure and malpractice are due to corruption. It is the basic bottleneck in our society", he said.

Ajayi believed that a good child, brought up in a good home, would produce an excellent result without any form of cheating.

Mr. Gerald Emejom, an English teacher in a private school in Lagos, also blamed parents who, he said, pay exorbitant fees to examination agents to assist their children.

"These parents pay as much as N60, 000 to agents who negotiate with invigilators and supervisor's, he claimed.

A mathematics teacher in a public school in Akure, Ondo state, Mrs. Juliet Tedheke, also expressed sadness that students have evolved new ways to cheat, despite JAMB's antimalpractice measures.

She told NAN on telephone that laziness on the part of the students and the economic situation of the country had forced people to engage in malpractice for money.

"The economy is so bad that questions are sold before the examination day. The teachers have less blame because they do extra work before the examination", she said.

NAN reports that about 27,000 results were withheld by JAMB for various malpractices in the recently released UTME results. (NAN)

Gombe to construct 14 model primary health care centres From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

G

ombe state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo has approved the construction of 14 prototype primary health care centres in order to improve health care delivery in the state.

The state's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Alhaji Umaru Gurama disclosed this at the one-day Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme (MCPDP) organised for nurses and midwives in Gombe.

Gurama further said after the primary health care centres, women and children hospital would be constructed in the state capital.

He urged the participant to make use of the knowledge they will acquire during the workshop.

In his speech, Alhaji Umar Gambo, senior assistant registrar of the National Nurses and Midwives Council of Nigeria said the aim of the workshop was to expose nurses and midwives to current development as well as new trend in health care delivery.

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PHOTOS: JOE OROYE, MAHMUD ISA and NAN.

1

National Commercial Motorcycles and Tricycle Owners and Riders Association, Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria, All Nigerians Autobike Commercial Owners and Workers Association and Okada Riders Welfare Association embarked on the strike, yesterday following a ban on their activities in the Ikeja business district of Lagos.

2

An octogenarian looking at the blown off roof of his house after a heavy rain storm on Friday, at Ijaye area of Abeokuta metropolis.

3

Food items to be distributed to widows by Adamawa state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Friday in Yola.

L-R: The Director, Research for Development (West Africa), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Robert Asiedu, Programme Officer, Agricultural Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Regina Kapinga, and Director General, IITA, Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, during the launch of the Yam Improvement for Income and Food Security in West Africa (YIIFSWA) project, yesterday in Ibadan.

4

1

5

L-R: Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and Chairman, Nigeria bar Association (NBA) Benin branch, Mr Rasaq Isenelumhe, during a visit by the executives of the NBA to the Governor, yesterday in Benin City.

3

2

4

5

PAGE 9

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Ghost workers: Jang set for war with stubborn officials From Bayo Alabira, Jos

G

overnor Jonah David Jang has promised to restructure the Plateau state civil service and deal with stubborn leaders who aid and abet ghost workers in the state.

Jang handed down this warning yesterday at Jishe Government Lodge while signing into law the 2012 budget amounting to N112,763,528,563.00 as passed

by the state legislature which presents an increase of 30.27 percent from the previous year, reflecting " an increase of over N720 million from the proposal".

He said, "inspite of this administration's effort to meet the needs of its public servants since inception, in addition to implementing the minimum wage, regrettably, some workers have continued to thwart government's effort through corrupt acts which

include falsification of names in salary vouchers. The state government has continued to lose millions of naira monthly through this racket; we will put up a machinery to fish out those behind this fleece and will deal with them appropriately".

Jang also announced that findings by the state government showed that with about 40,000 work force, its monthly salary

stands at N800 million only but Plateau state with only little above 17,000 workers pays about N1.5 billion monthly.

He pointed out that the Plateau state Civil Service Institute would take off for capacity building to enable the workers meet up the present day challenges.

The governor added that the Millennium Development Goals

(MDG) office in the state is also intervening in the water, agriculture and health sectors with the support of the state government through the prompt payment of counterpart fund, to enable it implement projects in the rural areas of the state. "I wish to call on our communities to take ownership of these schemes and other projects in their localities", he said.

ACOMORAN board disowns controversial chairman Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Abeokuta

B

oard of Trustees of the A m a l g a m a t e d Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (ACOMORAN), yesterday, disowned the factional chairman of the Ogun state chapter of the association, Alhaji Lateef Yekini.

Yekini had earlier declared himself the authentic boss of the association in the state, inspite of the unresolved crisis in the leadership.

However, the association’s Board of Trustees chairman, Chief Egunjobi Adeosun, while reacting to Yekini's threat, said such did not hold water, declaring his 'appointment' as a fallacy.

Adeosun stated that members

of the board did not meet at anytime to appoint, select or elect a new chairman for Ogun state chapter of the Association, stating that the current state leadership is occupied by Prince Adebayo Samsudeen Apelogun and not Yekini.

He further said the current tenure of Apelogun is in its second year of a term of four years, and therefore needed no change in government.

The BOT chairman revealed that Yekini was the former secretary expelled on grounds of stealing and embezzlement of the Association's fund.

He called on the general public and the state government to disregard Alhaji Yekini's chairmanship.

L-R: Director General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Engineer Mansur Ahmed, receiving some copies of Peoples Daily from Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Peoples Media Ltd, Malam Ali M. Ali, during the COO visit to the commission headquarters, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Kogi NLC rejects return of old cabinet members ‘No ban on Okada yet on Lagos roads’

From Sam Egwu, lokoja

T

he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Kogi state chapter, has charged the Kogi state governor Captain Idris Wada not to consider returning some of the members of the dissolved executive council.

In a statement issued over the weekend by the state chairman, Comrade James Odaudu which was made available to newsmen in Lokoja, he noted that the experience in the past eight years had shown that most members of the dissolved exco were non performers with poor output.

The release further stated that it would be counterproductive for Wada's administration which the people hold in high expectations, to bring on board those who contributed to low service delivery by the past administration.

He urged him to ensure that Professionals and competent persons were appointed to head critical sectors of the state's economy while calling on the governor to be wary of sycophants and other elements that have contributed to the slow pace of development in the

state.

The chairman also appealled to the state government to urgently intervene on the nonimplementation of the minimum wage for primary school teachers and local government workers in order to avert industrial crisis.

Investigation by our correspondent in most ministries in Lokoja yesterday showed that some commissioners and political office holders dissolved by Capt Idris Wada were still reporting to the offices, using official vehicles and living in official quarters.

From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

L

agos state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, yesterday, said the state government is yet to impose ban on the operations of commercial motorcyclists, otherwise known as okada, on Lagos roads.

Ipaye stated this while making submissions in a suit filed against the state government by four different okada riders associations.

The state Attorney General told Justice Stephen Adah of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikeja,

that the applicants were reacting to mere newspaper reports.

"The ban or restrictions alleged by the applicants has not taken place. All pieces of evidence supplied by the applicants to the court are press cuttings. There is no direct evidence regarding the true state of affairs and we all know what press reports represent", he said.

Ipaye sought to make clarifications on two issues raised in the written address submitted to the court by the applicants.

On the issue of a ban being a breach of fundamental rights of the applicant, Ipaye stated, "it has not

been alleged anywhere that commercial motor cycles would no longer operate on the roads".

"What is imminent are regulations which are facts of life in any business. It would therefore not be appropriate in any civilised society for there not to be regulations".

On the operation of the applicants for commercial purposes, the commissioner maintained that since they carry people in return for payment rendered, it was a business which must be regulated".

Justice Adah has adjourned the matter till May 4, 2012 for ruling.

ICRC boss harps on sustainable investment in infrastructure

By Abdulwahab Isa

T

he Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Engr. Mansur Ahmed has called for commensurate investment in infrastructure for the attainment of sustainable growth in the economy.

He affirmed that a sustainable investment in infrastructure in its entire ramification will put the nation at its threshold of economic growth.

Mansur stated these

yesterday while receiving the management of Peoples Media Limited, publishers of Peoples Daily and Peoples Daily Weekend, led by the company's Chief Operating Officer, Malam Ali M. Ali. While acknowledging that the country has recorded an appreciable growth in economy, leading to rise in GDP to the 7 percent, he said such growth was yet to translate to tangible development as according to him Nigerians were yet to feel in practical terms the impact of such

growth in the economy.

"This is an economy that everybody accepts has a potential to grow; to be a strong economy because it's an economy that has requisite potential for growth and development. By and large, while it has grown in terms of GDP that growth has not been translated in to development in the sense that the Nigerian people have not seen a great improvement in the quality of living. Part of the constraint is a very huge deficit in basic and social infrastructures", he

affirmed.

Engr. Mansur said the agency which came into existence in 2008 has been able to enthrone a Public Private Partnership (PPP) as a means for sustained investment in infrastructure development.

Within the period of its existence, he said, the agency has identified no fewer than 20 key infrastructure projects in various ministries, departments and agencies of government and said collaboration between ICRC and the agencies has begun.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

FMC CMD lambasts critics From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

T

L-R: Managing Director, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), Mr. Kayode Oluwasegun-Ojo, and Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, during the commissioning of the N68 million security equipment erected by NAHCO at its cargo shed of Murtala Mohammed Airport, at the weekend, in Ikeja, Lagos.

Koton Karfe jail break: ‘36 so far re-arrested’ T

he Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) said 36 prisoners of the 72 who escaped from the Koton Karfe Prison in Kogi state on February 17, have so far been rearrested.

The Deputy Controller of Prisons and spokesman for the service, Mr. Kayode Odeyemi disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday.

Odeyemi said the service was

committed to ensuring that all those who escaped were re-arrested and made to face the law.

It would be recalled that Boko Haram gunmen invaded the Koton Karfe Prison on Feb. 17 and freed the prisoners.

It would be recalled that an official of the prison was shot dead by the assailants during the incident.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Prison Service has denied any jail break

Monarch blames politicians, land speculators over Agbougoul crisis From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

T

er Makurdi, Chief Sule Abenga, has attributed the crisis in Agboughoul, a settlement in the Benue state capital to the influence of politicians as well as land speculators of the State Ministry of Lands and Survey who are only interested in achieving their selfish aim at the detriment of the residents.

Chief Abenga who made the accusation at the weekend during a chat with journalists in his palace, frowned at the large scale destruction of properties worth millions of naira.

He also lamented that the unwholesome attitude of staff of the Ministry of Lands who collude with land speculators to act contrary to the survey specifications of the area.

The royal father frowned at the role of the police whom he accused of always of chasing shadows even when the architects of the crisis are known to them.

“That’s why this crisis has been recurring because people who are behind it are well known to the police. Each time we held a meeting we will reveal these persons to the police and they will be arrested and the same people who are their godfathers will release them,” the traditional ruler fumed.

He however urged security agents to beam their searchlight on some prominent citizens in the state who had in the past vowed to set Makurdi on fire.

The chief equally called for an overhaul of the lands ministry as a panacea to restoring peace in Agboughoul and other areas of the state where land has become a threat to peace.

“Left alone with the people originally who stayed with those Tyoshin people, you won’t hear any crisis. But there are some people who have now graduated from visitors to landlords and they are now selling the land out,” Chief Abenga said.

in Gboko, Benue state.

Odeyemi, who made the denial, said that “all I know is that there were some disturbances in Gboko Prison by prisoners”.

“The prisoners, who were on hunger strike, were protesting against the ban on the use of GSM; they also called for speedy trials of their cases.”

The Controller of Prisons in Benue state, Mr. David Agada, had confirmed to journalists on March

26, that there was an attempted jail break by the inmates of the Gboko Central Prison, but none of them escaped.

Agada said the attempt was foiled by prison officials, who scared the prisoners by shooting into the air.

The controller, who said the Ministry of Interior and the prison authorities were on top of the situation, did not, however, give any reason for the attempt. (NAN)

SON embarks on nationwide survey of substandard goods

T

he Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) said it has embarked on a nationwide market survey of substandard products following consumers' complaints especially over cellphone accessories and electronics.

Director-General of SON, Mr. Joseph Odumodu said the outcome of the survey would be made public by the end of the month.

He, however, dismissed the speculation that 95 percent of cellphone accessories and electronics in Nigeria were substandard.

“I don’t know where the statistics came from but the basis cannot be true, we are currently conducting another survey and as soon as that is completed I would release the statistics.

“You should just give us another month for our final records to be out and we would be able to confirm the level of substandard goods in the country. The situation is very bad and people have a right

to complain.

“We have just secured a place in the market because that makes it a lot easier for us to monitor what is happening and also to ensure that our enforcement is targeted correctly and accordingly,” Odumodu said.

He said that SON had achieved a level of standardisation in spite of the activities of some fraudulent people.

“People who were having a field day suddenly called themselves to order and if you check very well, we have actually impounded phone accessories on a routine basis.

“The point to be made is that our markets are definitely awash with substandard products and they have been for a long time. We have started a process which has resulted in a drastic reduction of these products,” he noted.

Odumodu called for concerted efforts to protect the health of Nigeria and the environment.

(NAN)

he Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Center, Makurdi, Dr. Mathias Oyigeya has debunked insinuations that the healthcare delivery system of the center is declining.

Dr. Oyigeya who made the dismissal with a wave of the hand during an interaction with journalists in Makurdi, described harbingers of such rumours as mischief makers and idle people who only create negative impression of the hospital.

He said the center has been upgraded with modern and sophisticated medical equipment and offers the best quality healthcare services which were evident in the increasing number of people who patronise the hospital.

The CMD added that the center has 38 consultants and over 200 doctors including 2287 staff though he frowned at the attitude of work of some of the staff.

“I did a perception study using the four drivers of Servicom and discovered that some persons do nothing but hide under the canopy of unionism to disrupt services.

This is most unfortunate. The problem is not the workforce but their attitude to work”, Oyigeya lamented.

Enugu farmers celebrate first rainfall

S

ome farmers in Nsukka in Enugu State have expressed appreciation to God for Sunday’s rainfall, which they said would enable them to start planting their crops.

Mr. Jeremiah Ugwoke, said in Nsukka yesterday that, he was very happy for the rain.

He said that it would allow him to start planting his crops on his farm which he had cleared since February.

“I’m happy for that Sunday evening rain, the Almighty has answered my prayers. I will start planting my crops in my farms immediately,” he said.

Mr. John Aleke said that he had already bought some high breed seedlings, waiting for the rain so as to start planting them, adding that he was optimistic that rainfall would now be regular.

“I and members of my family will go to the farm to start planting.

I am happy that God heard my prayers during Palm Sunday service, during which I prayed for rain.

“I urge government to ensure that they provide fertiliser at the appropriate time during this farming season.

“With adequate encouragement to farmers by government through providing fertiliser and loans, the country will soon achieve food security.

“Farming has helped me a lot, as I have trained some of my children up to university level from the money I generated from it,” he said. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 11

Solid minerals: Kaduna Polytechnic gets N500m World Bank facility E From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

fforts by the Federal Government towards the diversification of the nation’s economy has received a further boost with the World Bank facility of about N500 million to the Kaduna Polytechnic, for the institution’s Centre for Solid Minerals Research and Development.

A senior education specialist at the World Bank, Dr. Tunde

Adekola, gave the figure in Kaduna when he led a team of other officials on inspection of facilities at the centre, located on the polytechnic’s main campus at Tudun Wada.

Adekola said there was remarkable progress in activities at the centre which was established in April 2011, designed to tackle the problem of low research output in key areas relevant to the solid minerals sector of Nigeria.

The centre which is also a

collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Jos, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa and Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, is expected to collaborate with other institutions abroad in the areas of training and research in mineral exploration, mining, processing as well as metal extraction.

In his remarks, acting Rector, Kaduna Polytechnic, Dr. Aliyu

Mamman, explained that, “the choice to pursue a research-based centre in the minerals sector was borne out of the desire of the institution to add value to the solid minerals sector in order to assist the nation in the diversification of its revenue base and to ensure the production of highly qualified manpower for the solid minerals sector.

“Experiences with countries like Botswana, Ghana, Namibia and

South Africa indicate that effective participation by all stakeholders in the solid minerals sector in research, investment and developments in the minerals cycle can help optimise the contribution of solid minerals to sustainable development and poverty reduction.

“The equipment that will be put in place will be modern and state of the art that will compete favorably with similar centres around the world”.

Taraba govt to build more rural roads From Yusha’u Alhassan, Jalingo

T

araba state government has expressed commitment towards construction of more rural roads in the state.

The Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, stated this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state executive council meeting last weekend.

He said government’s intention to construct roads would

enhance more development and boost the economic activities of the state.

The commissioner also said government was making efforts to address the problems of unemployment in the state.

He however appealed to citizens and residents of the state to cooperate with the present administration in its effort to transform the state.

He said government would continue to be responsive to the yearning and aspirations of the people of the state.

Ebonyi to plant one million trees this year

T

he Ebonyi state Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Paul Okorie, says the government will plant one million trees this year to improve the state’s green environment programme.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abakaliki that the tree planting programme would involve all the 13 local government areas and 64 development centres in the state.

Okorie said that the programme would commence immediately the rains sets in.

“As soon as the rains set in, the ministry would start the tree planting exercise to encourage and improve green environment in Ebonyi”.

“The exercise will greatly

enhance the State’s green house emission programme”.

Meanwhile, owners of illegal structures situated on the major roads and streets of Abakaliki, yesterday began to dismantle such structures to beat the government's deadline on the development.

Okorie explained that the government had given owners of such make shift structures within the capital city to remove them on or before April 1 or have them destroyed.

“The measure is to improve the aesthetics and beauty of the area as well as give the place a facelift.

“A bill on the make shift structure on major roads and streets of Abakaliki, which is before the House, was publicly heard on Thursday,” he said.

Police in Bauchi to partner security agencies in crime prevention From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

T

he Bauchi State Police Command bis to partner with the Army, Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigeria Immigration Service in order to fight crime in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ladan, stated this in Bauchi when he visited the security agencies in the state, saying that “as partners in progress we must work together in order to make the state a peaceful and better place to live in”.

The commissioner described the relationship between the police, army and other security

outfits as cordial and urged them to give him the maximum cooperation as they have been doing even before he was moved to Bauchi.

In his remark the Brigade Commander of the 33 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Agbo Robinson, said the police, army and State Security Services operate together in Bauchi when it comes to fighting crime.

Also speaking, the Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Corps, Zakariyya Mamman assured the commissioner of maximum cooperation in order to reduce crime and maintain peaceful coexistence in the state.

Special team ad hoc staff administering oral polio vaccine (OPV) to a child while others children waiting for their turn, during 2012 Immunisation Plus Day, at the weekend, in Almadarasatul Sa’adatul Islamic School, Kpakungu, Niger state.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Bauchi govt to secure admission for qualified youth in remedial studies From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

T

he Bauchi state government has concluded plans to secure admissions for scores of qualified youths under its special remedial programme into the newly established state owned university in Gadau.

Governor Isa Yuguda disclosed this during the send-forth/ Walimah of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Yankari Academy chapter, in Bauchi. Gov. From Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Abeokuta

F

ollowing the thunderstorm which wreaked havoc to many houses and rendered residents homeless, Ogun state has called on the Federal Government to assist victims of the disaster in the state.

The governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun made the call in Abeokuta while lamenting the damage caused by the rainstorm, noting that the scale of the damage was enormous, adding that government would give quick assistance to areas and structures

Yuguda said this is part of the state’s commitment to boost youth empowerment as well as provide employment opportunities for unemployed youths.

The governor who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Sagir Aminu Saleh, also said as part of its concern to the plight of the youths in the state, his administration established the Yankari Academy which admitted over 4000 youths from across the state in order to re-sit

their WAEC and NECO examinations.

A press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Ishola Michael Adeyemi, further stated that the government will continue to pursue creation of more job opportunities to both youths and women who are qualified both academically and otherwise just as those of them who want to further their education will be encouraged and supported by government.

Oyo govt seeks FG assistance for rainstorm victims affected.

He said government was committed to protecting the lives and property of the citizenry, adding that he was happy no life was lost.

Senator Amosun urged the Federal Government to provide funds for the state to control and prevent flood so that conducive atmosphere could be provided for the economic development of the state.

While addressing traders at Oke-Ilewo, Amosun stressed that illegal structures would impede development, advising residents to cooperate with officials of government in the removal of those structures.

He assured them that they would be relocated to where they would transact their businesses and urged them to be prepared to sacrifice for the overall development of the state.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

The pension scam probe and matters arising

P

resently six top civil servants among them a permanent secretary are facing trial for their culpability in the recent Senate probe into the Police Pension Fund.

Fingered in the multi billion naira theft are Atiku Abubakar Kigo who is presently a permanent secretary in the office of Head of Service of the Federation, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, John Yakubu Yusufu, Sani Habila Zira, Esai Dangabar and the lone female Veronica Ulonma Oyegbule.

They are facing a 16 count charge of defrauding the Police Pension Fund of a whopping N32.8 billion. According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that arraigned the suspects, their offence borders on criminal breach of trust and abuse of office. They are also being accused of conversion of public funds to personal use as well as receiving bribes at different times between January 2009 and December 2011.

The alleged offences are punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Act, CAP, 532, Laws of the Federal Capital

Territory (FCT) Abuja, 2007.

At once the trial confirms a widespread view that the entire gamut of the nation's civil service is riddled by graft and corruption. This manifests, in part, in the mind boggling choice property littering the federal capital allegedly owned by such

“

Shuaibu and Kigo represent a fraction of the massive sleaze in public service. Over time, graft and outright theft by those entrusted with public funds have become fashionable corrupt civil servants with no known source of income apart from their salaries.

An example of this condemnable disposition among civil servants is the seizure of such properties belonging to one of the other 31 accused persons involved in the pension scam.

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The accused identified as Dr Sani Teidi Shuaibu, a former Director, Pension Administration in the office of the Head of Service of the Federation, had four filling stations and two eight bedroom duplexes,5 units 2-bedrooms apartment and a mosque in one sprawling compound, held by the anti graft agency.

Shuaibu and Kigo represent a fraction of the massive sleaze in public service. Over time, graft and outright theft by those entrusted with public funds have become fashionable. The figures so embezzled or converted to personal use have steadily risen. We dare say this seeming impunity was fuelled by the perception and rightly too, that big time crooks are hardly punished. On the contrary, they are celebrated on account of the stream of tittles and honorary degrees bestowed on them.

Secondly, our judiciary have similarly failed to tame this cancer of corruption. We can list several instances where the judiciary has unwittingly aided the rise in corruption by setting free proven cases of graft on some legal loophole.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 13

David-West’s flaring faith for Nigeria Odimegwu Onwumere

P

rofessor Tam David-West had been endorsing positive policies for the youth. Take it or leave, not his.

Sometimes one wonders why he had so much sparkling faith for Nigeria. He could not stop hammering on bad policies the government was incessantly implementing that had windswept a lot of us. He had not limited his comments of valid points for garbage. He had always issued best statements on national issues, especially since the beginning of the fuel subsidy crisis. But it seemed that the government has had no valid point for refusing his call for a forum where Nigerians will publicly interrogate the government’s decision on fuel subsidy and sundry crass ideals.

His reactions to the fuel subsidy removal had opined one point: How a man of over 70years was ready to lay down his life for the future of Nigeria, if it called for that.

During the protest that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) organized to checkmate the government over the issue, he was among the frontrunners who led the protest before NLC started giving conditions to the government from the N141 hiked price to N97 that the government later unilaterally brought it to, for the price of fuel.

It was observed that NLC became fragile against its initial stoical stand against the tyrannical posture of the

government when the protest was intensified. David-West was so embittered with the divergent opinion of the NLC and asked the government to publish the names of those that were importing fuel.

He had been of the opinion that Nigerians should differentiate between metaphysical Nigeria and political Nigeria. Nigeria is a great country blessed by God. The way we are going, the political Nigeria will destroy the metaphysical Nigeria, because to keep Nigeria as one is a task that must be done. He would admonish.

While a layman could see those in the political positions as his leaders, David-West however has had a definition of them: “Most of those in government are rogues and thieves; they love themselves more than Nigeria.”

Against that influence, it had been perturbing to him why every Nigerian would not owe Nigeria more than what Nigeria owed him or her. He had been clamouring for more statesmen than politicians and believed that Nigeria would be better then.

A first time comer to Nigeria will be shocked what Nigeria is by reading numerous expository essays and interviews by DavidWest. He was disappointed that statesmen like him who were thinking of the future were being disrespected by a bouquet of politicians who only think of the next election, culminating to Nigeria being a country where a senator earned more money than the President of America, and even buy government houses and spend

billions on cars, yet they couldn’t pay the N18, 000 minimum wage to Civil Servants.

What else could be called moral corruption? To the intellect dude, politicians had morally crippled the country and the governance, but they will be destroyed by God. He had been weeping that some goons were doing all the atrocities in a great country as Nigeria where there had not been any case of natural disaster, but there were able men and natural resources that had been pilfered by a few clique of people for long years.

To him, it was shameful that the few opportunists had made the majority of the people to cry of no job, and compelled graduates to drive taxis and engage in other menial jobs; those frailhearted engage in armed robbery, because they have to survive. In his arithmetic, it takes integrity and rigidity not to be corrupt and lead the nation, and God will punish those that are punishing Nigerians and Nigeria.

“When the poor man weeps, the tears go to heaven and come down with burning fire and consume his enemies. And that is what will happen in Nigeria,” he also wept.

Professor David-West was competent to speak without sentiment on any issues besetting the country. He’s very interesting: a volcano vaporizer when it comes to truth. He abhorred the government for counting that the true price of oil must include the suffering of the people.

This was evident in a quote:

“Nigeria`s poor suffer the twin environmental perils of oil extraction — oil spills and gas flaring. Villagers draw their water directly from the same rivers and streams that become catch basins for oil spills. Sanctions for spills are minor. Between 1989 and 2000, more than 536,000 barrels of oil were spilled; only 23,000 barrels were recovered. Land and river restoration are rare. Meanwhile, gas flaring is the cheapest way to eliminate natural gas, a byproduct of oil extraction. Villagers describe the gas flares as “Flames from Hell.”

These flares contribute to climate change, pollute the air, and bring acid rain to the region.”

It’s a thing of worry that President Goodluck Jonathan and his cohorts had not put in great deal of strength to curb insecurity in the country the way they had expended much energy on the fuel subsidy removal which had impoverished the poor masses more. Many Nigerians were subjected to so much hardship whereas the song on their lips at every minute was supposed to be “Hosanna in the Highest” because Nigeria was endowed naturally more than wanted. Rather, Jonathan and his cohorts talk about cabal in the government but none have been seen meted with the rule they required. They were rather tapped with the kid’s glove on the wrist and allowed to be comfortable with their organized corruption to the detriment of millions of Nigerians.

It is on this nepotism’s way of handling cases of corruption in

Nigeria by the authorities that was making David-West to cry.

Nigerians are today languishing in the different prisons of the world, where they had gone to, beating the arctic weather situations of the western world, and enslavement, for the proverbial Golden Fleece.

Those that were in the prison are even lucky: there had been cases of Nigerians who lost their lives all the year round in the desert in their quandary for a greener pasture abroad. DavidWest had been crying that Nigerians lived all their lives struggling to feed their families and see them through school, whereas it was not supposed to be so.

Many of the parents who laboured to seeing their children tomorrow become better people in the society die painful deaths because their children were unable to reciprocate their gesture because of dearth of job that had characterized Nigeria.

Nigerians were being enslaved even in their own country to bad government policies, and their destinies sold to pains and too much sweat. It was on this premise that David-West had been crying that corruption should be eschewed and avoided and not become identical with political administration of Nigeria.

The country was hijacked by rapacious few men and women holding on to the club of control to exhibit cruelty to those who were supposed to be their subject. While these “unfortunate” Nigerians Contd. on page 15

In Nigeria, math doesn’t add up

By Prince Charles Dickson

T

he owner of the body does not say that he is in no pain, while we insist on showing empathy for his sleeplessness and his restlessness. (One does not commiserate with a person who does not admit their misfortune).

In Nigeria, it is not just about the more you look the less you see; the fact is that you rarely see much or see anything at all. The system, if indeed we have one, seems to defy all logic. When you expect it to falter, fall and fail, it takes a curve and strangely comes back on strong. The question is for how long we have to rely on autopiloting of the ship of governance.

I was taught in primary school math that one plus one would equal two; however, in our case, it could equal three, four, seven, and ten or even be zero. Every concerted effort at getting it right ends disastrously. It never adds up when Ibrahim Larmode, the EFCC chair, tells you that there is corruption in the Commission.

In January, this year, we were almost certain that change was on the horizon, that it would not be business as usual, but with each passing day we see our sensibilities continually assailed by just a few.

Little has changed, with three high profile ‘entertaining’ probes by the National Assembly—

subsidy, pension and SEC. What we see exposed is a generally mute public, outrage without action.

Three months into the New Year civil servants are being owed arrears of salary. In the Northern part of the country, the Boko Haram keeps changing colour as more join the fray and the death toll rises; every new attack raises question: why our maths don’t add up.

In a typical Nigerian twist, while poverty ravishes the land (the National Bureau for Statistics says that over 100 million are poor), yet luxury car maker, Porsche, is interested in the few rich ones and has opened a showroom in Lagos for them; it does not add up; millionaires are created everyday out of the system, few by dint of hard work, most through what CBN governor, Lamido Sanusi calls rent-seeking. It never adds up, they are poor in the morning and for doing next to nothing are rich in the evening.

Just be at the right place at the right time, know the right person and he better be ready to act right there for you and you are made—Just a supply of PDP wrapper for its convention or the supply of the new police Man o’ War uniform, get a contract for borehole in a community that has four non-functional boreholes...

An alarming size of the population have no access to quality education, some 1.5million Nigerians write the JAMB exams for less than 500,000 admission spaces, strange figures. We cry that there is a dwindling fortune in public schools, yet fraudulent private schools litter everywhere and almost quarterly the FEC approves a maximum of three new universities, at the moment there are over one hundred and fifty of them. Still there are ‘unbaked graduates’ are everywhere and billions is spent in neighbouring Ghana to get better education. The math does not add up...

In the last five years, the rail system, a supposed integral part of a new transport network remains only in public speeches and documents such as SURE and unSURE. We only hear budgetary allocations in millions and billions and are inundated with talk of the Lagos-Port Harcourt-Kano rail road and Abuja Mono rail projects, we see little or next to nothing.

While this writer appreciates the fact that these are not three minutes Indomie noodle projects, sadly we do not see hope, it all does not add up...

After several months of committee work, the Senate passed a budget of N4.877 for the

2012 fiscal year. It was N4. 484 in 2011 and in 2010, N4.608 trillion, the weed did not know that the farmer had a machete.

The evil doer does not consider the feeling of the person wronged. It all does not add up, three straight years and budgets of 4trillion plus consecutively and still nothing to show for it, except for a pot-bellied rich political class. It does not add up, but its Nigeria, it never does and does not need to.

A local axiom says a cripple does not block the road with his legs. literally meaning that a person with a handicap should not challenge those who are not handicapped, but in Nigeria, a few thousands challenge plenty millions, because it never adds up, the maladministration, unfocused governance, fraud and waste continues, for example as symbolized by what Ojo Madueke comically described as “...Maturation of internal democracy”. The maturation saw the emergence of a much ‘mature’ Bamanga Tukur as Chairman of PDP. One treats a disease; one does not treat death. My admonition every week dwells on the importance of attending to problems before they become unmanageable. Indians home and abroad have taken over our healthcare system, in cases

delivering quality and other cases facilitating suicide because of our failed medical health delivery status. In recent times ,we have received without compliant the news of UK banning our doctors from select Universities and almost every three months an arm of medical and health workers are on industrial action in one part of the nation or the other. Yet millions are set aside for health and nothing to show as infant and maternal mortality rate is on the increase unabated.

Former Lagos state governor, Bola Tinubu, in a recent interview stated: “They are liars driving the economy and feeding the public with fake statistics. If you have a solid economic programme, you will be able to articulate that for the country and you will strengthen our hope and determination. We are creating a hydra-headed accounting fraud but let’s leave that. Where is the number coming from; if not from somebody’s magical thinking?”

While I believe he is equally part of the problem, I ‘ll rather look at the message than the messenger and end by asking, do we need all these somersaults leading nowhere, certainly not, but do we want to go forward—only time will tell.

Prince Charles Dickson blogs at burningpot.com

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Who needs autism awareness?

By Emmanuel Onwubiko

C

aught between writing a piece on the deteriorating environmental situation of Abuja, the nation’s capital and the challenge posed by the large presence of street children in Abuja, yours faithfully made up his mind to reflect on the latter which is the increasing social/security threat posed to Abuja residents by the unprecedented presence of poverty-stricken, homeless, hungry-looking and desperate children as young as eleven yearold in the major streets of a place we proudly call our Federal Capital and these Children are not part of the usual annual budget of the political authorities at the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory.

But as I made to put pen to paper I received a powerful mail from the office of the United Nations secretary General in which Mr. Banki Moon extensively treated the contemporary issue of Autism and the urgent need for humanity to gain awareness.

The mail from the office of the secretary General of the United Nations was intelligently crafted and the heading was catchy, relevant and strategic.

The salient qualities inherent in the letter from the secretary

By Mohammed Aliyu Shehu

P

ermit me to use this medium to draw the attention of the InspectorGeneral of Police, M. D. Abubakar to the nefarious activities of armed robbers who have been terrorising the people of Isa and Sabon Birnin Local Governments of Sokoto state for over a decade.

The activities of these men of the underworld have brought untold hardship to many villages within these two local governments with hardly a day passing by without an innocent soul being killed, maimed or both.

They are becoming more daring and cruel by the day, moving

General of the United Nations region or a country; it is a especially in sharing good titled; “Message on World Autism worldwide challenge that requires practices. Greater investments in awareness Day”, made me change global action”. the social, education and labour my theme of my current piece to “Although developmental sectors are crucially important, deal extensively with the all disabilities such as autism begin in since developed and developing important question of who indeed childhood, they persist throughout countries alike still need to needs Autism awareness. a person’s life. Our work with and improve their capacities to address There are other physical for people with autism should not the unique needs of people with disability challenges that confront be limited to early identification autism and cultivate their talents. our younger We also need to generations that p r o m o t e are not f u r t h e r adequately research, Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text attended to by train nonmessages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written government and specialized other relevant care providers, contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 stake holders so and enable the words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and much so that a lot a u t i s m a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed of children are community to to: abandoned by more easily their mothers navigate care The Editor, once these systems to Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, uninformed but obtain services 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. poverty- stricken that can Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com mothers find out support and SMS: 07037756364 that their babies mainstream are born with one individuals physical deformity or the other. and treatment; it should include with autism”.

This trend of throwing away babies therapies, educational plans and “The annual observance of on the flimsy excuse that they are other steps that lead us towards World Autism Awareness Day is physically deformed must be sustained, lifelong engagement”. meant to spur such action and Mr. Banki Moon stated further; draw attention to the unacceptable effectively checked by government “Reaching out to people with discrimination, abuse and isolation and all lovers of humanity. spectrum disorders experienced by people with autism In the letter dated April 2nd autism global political and their loved ones. As 2012, the United Nations requires and better highlighted by the Convention on Secretary General wrote as follows; commitment cooperation, the Rights of Persons with “Autism is not limited to a single international

WRITE TO US

Disabilities, people with autism are equal citizens who should enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms”.

The South Korean-born Mr. Moon Sounded humane as he always does when he told his readers thus; “My wife has been very involved with autism awareness and advocacy efforts, and has shared with me inspiring stories not only about individuals with autism, but also about those committed to improving their lives. Let us all continue to join hands to enable people with autism and other neurological differences to realize their potential and enjoy the opportunities and well-being that are their birthright”.

From KidNeeds.com we were provided with profound body of knowledge regarding the challenges that parents face when they give birth to children with disabilities.

According to Kidneeds.com, for children with physical disabilities and their families each day may bring new challenges. Persons with physical disabilities may experience functional, visual, orthopedic, motor, or hearing impairments, which may impact upon their ability to walk, play and Contd. on page 15

SOS to IGP MD Abubakar

from one village to another, from one market day to another, robbing people of their hardearned with seeming ease and impunity. From 1999 to date, not less than 200 businessmen and women have lost their lives as a result of the dastardly activities of the robbers in these two local councils.

Just few days ago, they held the people of Garin Idi in Sabon Birni local government hostage from 2am till 8am. This time around, they went ransacking houses and maiming innocent

citizens in the process. Garin Fullo, another village in Sabon Birni Local government was not spared as recently, they engaged a team of mobile policemen in a duel.

In the process, they killed one policeman and set ablaze the mopol’s patrol vehicle. They also abducted another policeman, whose body was seen hanging in a bush two days after.

It is pertinent to note that these armed robbers are not coming from unknown places as there are allegations that they

are base in villages such as Tamuske, Zangon Zobe and Zangon Tanara, both in Sabon Birni local government. It is also alleged that they use Casea motorcycles for their operations, and every year they celebrate the coronation of their king in with great fanfare.

They have crippled the business activities of two local governments and its adjourning market days, as people hardly venture into any business journey for fear of their lives.

Despite several complaints that

have been lodged with the police and many petitions written to other security agencies against these people, the assaults keep increasing on a daily basis.

I hereby implore the police and other relevant authorities who are charged with the responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of Nigerian citizens, to come to our aid, before they kill all of us here in Isa and Sabon Birni Local Government.

Mohammed Aliyu Shehu, Sabon Birni Local Government, Sokoto state.

What hope for the future generation?

By Sani Abubakar Sadiq

N

igeria’s first generation of leaders was legendary in every sense. They were a set of people that all that matters to them was the collective progress of their people in every aspect irrespective of religion or tribal affiliation of the followers.

These set of responsible leaders gave an inspiration to a very robust and well synchronised near flawless governance system whose core mandate was the welfare of the Nigeria populace.

As with every purposeful leadership, those founding fathers saw education as a very important leverage for the sustenance of the nation’s very impressive growth and as such gave the educational sector a very critical attention regarding its funding and expansion. The future leaders of that time were

provided with the best teachers the world can offer, conducive learning environment, very well stocked and standard laboratories and functional libraries, the luxury of very decent hostels and huge sums as pocket money all in the bid to have them effectively grasp the art and science of nation building. Those set of leaders were literally pampered to study and were supposed to get their inspiration from the leaders of that time.

With the gradual demise of those purposeful leaders, the role of leadership fell on the laps of the then young Turks who were thought to be visionary too but have proven otherwise in every sense. Rather than treading on same path as their predecessors they took a complete 180 degrees turn to produce a very dangerous brand of leadership whose core mandate is self centeredness

rather than the collective progression of the masses . This generation proved to be nothing but power drunk rogues that come to with the sole intention of squandering the government’s treasury. A set of people that were taught to patriotic became adept in playing ethnic and religious cards whenever it suits them right. This has lead to the backward movement of a once united, prosperous and envious nation to a nation that has all the characteristics of a dividing and a failing nation. The Nigeria that was once feared among the comity of nations has become nothing but a clay-footed giant whose bark cannot scare even the tiniest of nations.

Since the eclipse of the first generation leaders, the rogues we have masquerading as leaders have not made any significant achievement as regards building

qualitative and sustainable infrastructure. Those same legacies that the founding fathers left are what the country is still relying on despite the exponential growth in the country’s population, which makes the infrastructures inadequate. In cases where this clueless leadership decides to build any infrastructure they use that as an opportunity to dip their hands into government treasury by inflating the contracts, and in most cases ,the contracts are awarded to political associates who end up doing shoddy jobs because they need to cut out their ‘shares’ out of the contract funds.

In saner climes the people that enjoyed government scholarships are supposed to be more patriotic in the sense that they will view the nation as their saving grace from ignorance. But in Nigeria, it is those who enjoyed

exceptional government scholarships that are ruling the country so dangerously to the extent that some people are clamouring for its disintegration.

Suffice to say that Nigeria as a nation is brought down to its knees by the people it helped to get out of abject poverty and ignorance.

The frightening thing is the upcoming generation of youths who are to be leaders of tomorrow.

The youths as they are now are a collection of semi educated disgruntled humanbeings who have not experienced any form of good governance. So the pertinent question is: If the country has not been steered well by citizens whom it groomed and polished to international standards then who will?

Sani Abubakar Sadiq can be reached at sanisadeep@yahoo.com

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

By Imam Imam

T

he recent allegation of corruption leveled against the chairman of the House of Representatives’ committee on Capital Market, Hon Herman Hembe, by the Director General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Ms. Arunmah Oteh, has no doubt brought unwarranted attention not only to the principal actors involved in the affair, but also on the operations of the Capital Market committee of the House as a whole.

Similarly, the approach with which the leadership of the House tackled the imbroglio has brought to the fore a hitherto unnoticed leadership quality of the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

While many Nigerians still look forward to the final outcome of the panel empowered to get to the root of the bribery allegation, as well as finding the reason for the crash of the capital market, the intervention of the leadership of the House has set a positive precedence in managing the affairs of the lower chamber of the country’s legislature.

Unlike the thinking in some quarters that the matter would be swept under the carpet, events of penultimate Tuesday where the Speaker set up an ad hoc committee to carry on with the capital market probe, as well as mandating the House Ethics committee to dig into the bribery allegation, have reaffirmed the confidence Nigerians have on Tambuwal to lead the House to the desired destination.

In June last year when he got the nod of his colleagues to head the House, Tambuwal laid out in his Legislative Agenda what can best be described as far reaching ideas that had the potential to radically change the way and manner in which lawmakers and the legislature as whole conduct Contd. from page 13 were languishing in pains on how to make the end meet, the selfacclaimed bourgeoisies were busy practicing corruption with their stealing and robbing of the country’s coffers. The most shameful side of it was that they were the same people who bring their selves and their ugly trade to the cleaners for the rest Nigerians to laugh at, while biting their

PAGE 15

Of bribey allegation and Speaker Tambuwal’s intervention affairs in the country. Since that momentous day when he laid his card bare to all Nigerians to assess, many legislators have followed suit by launching what they termed their legislative agendas, indirectly copying Tambuwal in their effort to bolster their social contract with their constituents.

At the crux of the Legislative Agenda is the determination to initiate a new order that fosters transparency leading to institutional integrity through efficiency of public expenditure management. Also, it seeks to restructure the management and functions of legislative committees towards adequacy in capacity and improved productivity.

In addition, the Agenda seeks to design and implement the electronic parliament (eparliament) blueprint that elevates the National Assembly operations to international best practices and ensures public access to parliamentary information and process.

Importantly, the Agenda seeks to review the legislative branch budget in line with the requirements of openness, effectiveness and accountability; review the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in all relevant areas in line with the aspirations of Nigerians; engage actively with other arms of government to restore public order and national security and finally to institutionalize mechanisms that facilitate effective engagement with various stakeholders including constituents and civil society organizations (CSOs).

Intent on implementing the

agenda for the collective good of the polity, Speaker Tambuwal approached the bribery allegation in a manner that reinforced his age-long stand on fighting corruption in its entire ramification. No doubt, his strong stance on discipline, accountability, and truth, as seen from the way he handled the allegation, is now setting the bar and becoming an example in a territory where the tenets of morality and social justice are seriously under the threat.

Tambuwal’s decision to appoint a respected MP, Ibrahim El-Sudi, to head the ad hoc committee and continue with the public hearing, along with Ini Idoku, Yakubu Dogara, Bimbo Daramola, Toby Chukwu, Usman Mohammed and Rose Oko, is no doubt a visionary step that would go a long in reaffirming the faith Nigerians have on him and the House. The decision to also appoint the Minority Whip of the House of the House, Hon Samson Osagie, to head the Ethics and Privileges Committee that will investigate the bribery allegation will go down in memory as a masterstroke aimed at giving all parties a fair hearing.

For those who may not know Osagie, apart from being a member of the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the honourable gentleman has built a reputation as a no-nonsense and uncompromising lawmaker whose voice is respected across political divide in the House. With Hembe being from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the intention is to ensure that no one accuses the majority PDP

members of moves to favour one of their own.

In a speech immediately after Hembe announced his resignation, Speaker Tambuwal described the event as a challenge “which though not unusual in the democratic process, has subjected this institution to further refining. These challenges are necessary for the strengthening of our democratic institutions.”

According to him, “The incidence of 15 th March 2012 which forms the basis of the deliberations just concluded arose from an investigative hearing which was being conducted pursuant to a resolution of this House. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) in Sections 88 and 89 places upon the legislature the duty and responsibility to conduct investigations into the activities of government for the purpose of exposing corruption, waste and inefficiency. This is no doubt a responsibility which is hazard prone. However, as I have stated elsewhere, these hazards notwithstanding, it is a duty from which we cannot and must not abdicate.

“Let me assure Nigerians once again that we are totally committed to the fight against corruption and shall deploy all energies available at our disposal to fight this war. The old saying that “when the going gets tough, the tough gets going” will continue to be our guide. I also wish to assure Nigerians that in fighting this war we recognize that we must, like Caesar’s wife be above board and suspicion.

“For the avoidance of doubt

David-West’s flaring faith for Nigeria fingers in abject pains.

Professor David-West had severally challenged the government to reinforce its argument for removing the oil subsidy with facts and figures, but the government’s apologists – real wasters – were singing the song of death for Nigerians. Without any

corollary, Professor David-West is the choice of every village, town, state and country for the marketing of truth. He has been saying it all, if specifics should be given and taken, confronted, questioned upon and concluded and finalized and be implemented.

A brilliant man with a good-

looking mind, he has been more judicious in his critiques of the government’s policies. He speaks with his head, not emotions. He’s a well meaning Nigerian who’s saying the truth, and asks those governing to better be careful before Almighty God crushes them to death for any form of bestial

governance.

May Professor Tam David-West live long for exhaustively breaking down and clarifications of national issues.

Odimegwu Onwumere, Poet/ Author, is the Coordinator, Concerned Non-Indigenes In Rivers State

to encourage your child’s development. Children learn a lot in the first three years, so it’s a good idea to start as early as possible.

Every child is a human being who deserves the protection of his/ her human rights. Government at every level must practically make transparent and accountable provision release and use of public fund for the adequate care and well being of all categories of the Nigerian Children. Stakeholders in the organized private sector must also make meaningful and practical social corporate responsible contribution towards establishing adequate health care facilities in the different parts of Nigeria and ensure that functional

health care are effectively rendered to our Children who are seriously in need because if we continue with the current maltreatment and neglect against our Children then we will breed a set of would-be adults that will inflict revenge violence on the larger society.

If we allow the Children to grow in the streets without care, then if they manage to rig their ways to become legislators or political leaders in the nearest future then the future of Nigeria is already jeopardized since these ‘wounded’ Children will inevitably inflict devastating revenge on the society.

Emmanuel Onwubiko heads HUMAN Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria and writes from www.huriwa.blogspot.com

Who needs autism awareness?

Contd. from page 14

learn. Physical disabilities are also often defined and categorized by some degree of limitation in the use of upper or lower extremities and maintaining posture and positioning.

KidNeeds.com which is committed to providing their visitors and subscribers with access to accurate and timely information on a broad range of topics relative to children with physical disabilities also provided sound information on developmental disability thus; “The term developmental disability commonly refers to a severe and chronic disability that

and the benefit of those who may be uninformed, all Committees of the House have constitutional backing.

“My dear Colleagues, we were not elected to lie on a bed of roses.

Those who elected us expect that we represent their yearnings and aspirations. Nigerians have chosen presidential democracy as a bulwark against dictatorship, against corruption and waste and above all against executive recklessness, this is the duty to which we have been called and we have sworn to promote, protect and preserve the will of the people enshrined in the Constitution.

The House of Representatives will continue to be a bulwark against injustice and vanguard for the promotion of good governance and the defense of the interests, yearnings and aspiration of Nigerians,” he added.

The Speaker has repeatedly said that the need to stimulate the socio-economic growth and development of the country is the cardinal objective of the Seventh Session of the House of Representatives. Accordingly, all hands are on deck to ensure that Nigeria becomes a great country that is the envy and pride of all.

This House, under Speaker Tambuwal, has certainly indicated its desire and willingness to redeem and reorder its perception among the populace as a pro-Nigerian parliament. The task ahead of us all is to rally round this objective and see to its realization.

Imam is the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to the Speaker of the House of Representatives

is often attributable to a mental or physical impairment that occurs prior to age 22”.

“A developmental disability can be expected to continue indefinitely and often presents significant challenges to children and families. There are five diagnostic categories associated with the term developmental disability. They are Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Autism, and Neurological Impairments,” they noted.

“A developmental disability can result in functional limitations in some of the following areas: selfcare; learning; language and communication; mobility and

movement; socialization; independence; selfdetermination”.

“Although developmental disabilities generally fall into these categories there are many different conditions and diagnoses that are also defined as developmental disabilities, including spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, deafness, visual impairments, brain and spinal cord injuries, and others”.

It is noteworthy to state here that just like what experts advise that we can help our children with disabilities to communicate and move if we encourage them to take part in daily activities. Dressing and bathing can be opportunities

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Kubwa residents decry state of market

By Adeola Tukuru

R

esidents of Kubwa, a suburb located along the Suleja express way in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday cried out over the state of the market located in the community. They insists that there is need for the FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed and other related agencies to come to their aide in providing a standard market befitting the developing standard of the community.

Kubwa according to people spoken to which happens to be one of the major suburban districts in Abuja cannot boast of a market befitting its status.

Peoples Daily findings observed that on getting to Kubwa village market, one can

hardly tell between the market and the road, as trading activities have almost taken up the narrow road leading into the market.

A resident, Mrs Georgina Abor told Peoples Daily that there is the need to relocate and upgrade the market.

Another resident of Kubwa Village, Ralph Asabe noted that the traffic congestion along the Kubwa market road has become very bad, adding that the proximity of the market to the narrow road was a major source of concern for residents and motorists.

He lamented that the traffic congestion around the market was due to the inadequate space for the market, suggesting that the market should be relocated to

a bigger site.

In his words: “The market ought to have been relocated before now, because when you visit the market during weekends, you will not be able to pass by because of the traffic congestion and the activities of bus drivers who drop and pick passengers by the roadside, blocking the only access way to the market.

“Vehicles are not supposed to be double parked. Double parking is wrong but in Kubwa market, the way the vehicles are parked, when there is an emergency, I doubt if anybody can survive it, because if anybody wants to leave immediately, they may not be able to make it, which is not good for a market in a developed satellite town like Kubwa,” he

added.

Asabe lamented the filthy nature of the market and called on the FCT Administration to work towards sanitizing it.

“There are a lot of attachments in the market and this makes it look even dirtier.

People selling fairly used clothes take over the entire road side, especially in the evening and if there is brake failure from a vehicle around there, you can only imagine the disaster that would occur”, he said.

Mr James Akintade, a butcher in the market explained to our reporter that the bad state of the market affect their sales, lamenting that consumers mostly don’t like entering the market, because of the bad smell emanating out of the market.

“Some customers call us on our phones to bring the meat for them in their respective houses, because they keep complaining that they cannot enter the market because of how disorganized the market is . We have contributed a lot of money to ensure that the market is put on order but it has turned out to be worse, especially now that it’s raining season”.

“We don’t know what our government, especially the chairman of Bwari, Hon Peter Yohanna and the FCT minister is doing to help we residents of kubwa, in terms of good road, befitting market and provision of other facilities, it is so unfortunate that we voted this people in, but now they are not paying attention us”, he said.

Open defecation: Bwari Area Council sensitises residents

T

The driver of this bus was in total confusion as his vehicle got engulfed in a tick smoke, yesterday at City Gate, Abuja. He was, however, lucky as sympathisers rallied round to put out the fire.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Man, 25, pleads guilty to theft A n Abuja Area Court has sentenced a casual worker at Coca-Cola Company, Idu, Godwin Agi, 25, to three months’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to theft.

However, the judge, Mr Ahmed Ado, gave him an option of N30,000 fine.

Agi was arraigned on a onecount-charge of theft.

The prosecutor, Mr Egwu Clement, said the offence contravened Section 289 of the Penal Code.

Clement told the court that Mr Raymond Ubani, who is

working with the company, reported the convict on March 23 at the Life Camp Police Station.

He said that on March 22, the convict stole two cartons of can coke belonging to the company.

Clement said that Agi was arrested by the company’s security guards and the stolen items recovered from him.

In a related development, the court remanded one Emeka Okeoma, 34, of Kado village in prison for robbery, pending when an application for his bail would be filed.

The police prosecutor told the court that Okeoma committed the offence contrary to Section 298 of the Penal Code.

Clement said that Mr Samuel Ukoh, the Manager of AP Filling Station Life Camp, lodged a complaint against the accused on March 24 at the Life Camp Police Station.

The prosecutor said there was a fire outbreak at the fuel station which made the manager to evacuate N3.19 million, the total money made from the day sales, and he gave it to four staff members for safe

keeping at the head office.

Clement said that on their way, the accused and nine others still at large came out from the bush and attacked them with dangerous weapons.

He told the court that, although the nine others made away with the money, the accused was caught and N688,480 was recovered from him.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

The judge ordered the suspect to be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case to April 12. (NAN)

he Bwari Area Council has urged residents of Dutsen Alhaji to be mindful of the danger inherent in open defecation and other unhygienic practices.

Three Environmental Health Officers of the council, Mrs Fasilat Balogun, Mr William Kolo and Mr Danba Danjuma, made the call recently in Dutsen Alhaji while enlightening the residents on hygienic living.

Balogun condemned open defecation and stressed the need for the people to adhere to safety measures to protect them from diseases.

“Open defecation exposes water and food to contamination by housefly and promotes the outbreak of diseases such cholera and diarrhoea.

“It also leads to contamination of surface and underground water,” she said.

Also contributing, Balogun expressed the commitment of Environmental Health Officers in the council to ensuring that landlords provided their tenants with toilets and bathrooms.

According to Danjuma, such facilities will stop residents from indulging in open defecation and other unhygienic practices.

The Hakimi of Dutsen Alhaji, Alhaji Abubakar Bako, expressed satisfaction over the enlightenment programme.

Bako, who was represented by his secretary, Mr. Hamzat Ya‘u, promised to ensure that residents of the area complied with the control measures against open defecation.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 17

Drinks hawker pushing his bicycle after it had flat tyre, yesterday at Apo village, Abuja.

Road constructions going on along Gwagwalada, yesterday in Abuja.

Scavenger out for business along Masaka/Keffi road last Friday.

Man hawking children's wares, at Karmo, recently in Abuja.

Scavenger pushing his truck along Kuje road, yesterday in Abuja. Photos: Mahmud Isa

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

AEPB expresses worry over menace of hawkers, miscreants at Area I

T

he Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has expressed worry over the menace of hawkers and miscreants around the Area 1 informal market in the city.

The Director of the Board, Mr Isa Shuiabu, said this in Abuja recently, during an environmental inspection of the area.

Shuaibu said that the presence of miscreants posed security threats to the lives and properties of residents.

It would be recalled that AEPB had on January 3 dislodged hawkers and miscreants from the area but they resurfaced shortly after.

He said that the board would take drastic measures to curb the menace of hawkers, adding that it would no longer condone hawking in the city.

“I don’t like the situation where people will sympathise with them but when they cause trouble for them, they will say that government is not working.

“If you do your job, people will say human rights, if you don’t do your job, they will say security risk; you better do what will not jeopardise the security of the city.”

Shuiabu said that the confiscated items would be destroyed, adding that the operation would be sustained to ensure clean and safe environment.

He said that the population of hawkers in that location was far more than the legal occupants of the area, adding that it was more of underage children.

The director called on the management of the informal market not to accommodate the hawkers but to report any illegal activities to the police or the board for immediate action.

“We have tolerated them for a very long time; we will no longer tolerate them if they fail to take action concerning the activities of hawkers around the market.

“The administration would be left with no choice than to remove the market.

“We allow them to be there out of pity but if they fail to do something about the environment, we will take action for security reasons.”

He said the operation would be carried out in four zones in the city namely Wuse market, Banex plaza, AYA junction and Area 1.

The Secretary of the Area 1 informal market, Mr Audu Gas, called for the assistance of the board to see that the hawkers did not come back to the location again. (NAN

Raring or trading with hyena? This man was caught by our cameraman along Shehu Shagari Way, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Muhmad Isa

Demolition: Court rules on contempt case, April 17 A

n FCT High Court sitting in Gwagwalada on Friday fixed April 17 for ruling in a contempt suit filed against the FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed and five others.

The suit was filed over the demolition of Gwagwalada Main Market.

The plaintiffs, Mr Musa Mohammed and 52 other traders in the market filed the suit through their counsel, Mr Michael Ayam, challenging the demolition in spite of a subsisting court order.

Other defendants in the suit are Gwagwalada Area Council

Chairman, the Federal Capital Development Authority, the Chairman, Market Motor Park Development Committee, Finamedia Global Services Ltd. and Gwagwalada Area Council.

Justice Mwoda Balami, had on Feb. 11, 2010, granted an order restraining the defendants from demolishing the market pending the determination of the substantive suit before the court following an application filed by the plaintiffs.

At the resumed hearing of the case, the plaintiffs’ counsel sought for an order committing the defendants to prison for

disobedience to the order of the court.

Ayam urged the court to restrain the defendants from clearing or erecting building on the demolished site by the defendants pending the determination of the substantive suit before the court.

He also sought for an order for exemplary damages for losses caused to his clients by the demolition of all the shops covered by the court order.

Ayam urged the court to grant his application to restore respect for Rule of Law and to serve as deterrent to others

wishing to disobey court orders.

Mr Chima Ede, counsel to the minister, had objected to the plaintiffs’ application on grounds that it was defective and incompetent in law.

He faulted the application on the grounds that service was not effected on his client personally as required by law since there was no order for substituted service granted by the court.

Ede urged the court to refuse the application and hold that the order was not duly served on his client in line with the requirement of the law.

The Judgeadjourned ruling in the case to April 17. (NAN)

Fire raze shops in Masaka market

By Josephine Ella

A

n evening fire, Sunday night, gutted some shops in Masaka Ultra Modern market, a suburb of the FCT located in Nasarawa state.

Eyewitnesses said the fire resulted from an explosion of a transformer at the entrance of the market. A hair stylist in the area, Comfort Akpoga said the fire started at about 8.pm, while extending to the main market,

where it razed the affected shops.

According to her, the shops include a rice shop and a recharge card shop, where the traders are deal in wholesale commodities. She said that the incident caused resident shop owners to look for

ways and means of safeguarding their wares from the ravaging inferno. But for the quick intervention of some of the residents, who made frantic efforts to put off the fire, more shops would have been razed, Akpoga said.

Pregnant woman arraigned for forgery impersonation

By Morufat Ojulari

T

he police on Monday, April 2nd arraigned at an Abuja magistrate court for forgery of license of the nursing and midwifery council of Nigeria and signed for one of their distinguished

members.

The accused, Marie Ophushcure of Karu, Abuja was reported by one Rev. Simon Asemota of Diff hospital to have been working with the hospital with the photocopy of a certificate bearing Maria Igubor and was caught when asked to produce the original

copy of the certificate during a verification exercise of members of staff embarked on by the management.

During the investigation of the police in the case, Mary confessed to have impersonated Maria Igubor while also accepting to have forged the practicing license.

The accused begged for leniency and promised never to indulge in such practice again.

The trial magistrate, Okeagwu Azubuike convicted the accused and sentenced her to 5 months imprisonment or pay ten thousand naira as an option of fine.

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

FAAC allocation for the month of March 2012 S/N

BENEFICIARIES

SUB-TOTAL (N)

1

FG (52.68%) States (26.72%) L/govt Councils (20.72%) Derivation (13% of Mineral revenue-oil/gas) Value Added Tax (VAT) & Transfers

620.7 billion

Naira gains on oil firms’ dollar sales

T

he Naira gained marginally against the U.S dollar on the interbank market and at the bi-weekly foreign exchange auction yesterday, supported by about $240 million in dollar sales by three local units of energy companies.

The Naira appreciated to 157.65 to the dollar on the interbank market, versus the 157.70 a dollar it closed at on Friday.

Traders said units of Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron and ExxonMobil sold around $240 million to some lenders on Monday, boosting dollar liquidity in the market and providing support for the local currency.

At the bi-weekly auction, the central bank sold $100 million at 155.90 to the dollar, compared with

Flight schedule AIR NIGERIA (MONDAY - SUNDAY) LOS-A BJ: 07.15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.30, 17.00, 17.20, 18.30 ABJ-LOS: 07.00, 09.30, 10.30, 11.15, 16.15, 19.15, 19.35 ABJ-KANO: 18.40 KANO-ABJ: 08.35 ABJ -SOK (MON): 09.35 ABJ-SOK (FRI): 10.10 ABJ-SOK (WED/SUN): 11.20 SOK-ABJ (MON): 11.35 SOK-ABJ (FRI): 12.00 SOK-ABJ (WED/SUN): 13.20

AEROCONTRACTORS (MON - SUN) LOS-ABJ: 06.50, 13.30, 19.45 LOS-ABJ (SUN): 12.30 LOS-ABJ (SAT): 16.45 ABU-L OS: 07.30, 13.00, 14.00, 19.00 ABU-LOS (SUN): 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 ABU-LOS (SAT): 18.30

DANA AIRLINES (MON - SUN)

$150 million sold at 156.01 to the dollar at the previous auction on Wednesday.

"The Naira should hover around the present level or appreciate a little for the better part of this week because of the expected dollar sales by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)," one dealer said.(Reuters)

Dangote Cement plans London listing

P

resident/Chief Executive officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote plans to list his $11 billion cement business, Dangote Cement, on the London Stock Exchange next year, the Financial Times (FT) reported yesterday.

Dangote is cited by the FT as saying he intends to free-float a 20 percent stake in Dangote Cement to finance its rapid expansion.

"We want to list in London next year. By then the upside to our business will be much bigger than today," Dangote is quoted as saying.

Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan have been appointed as co-leads for the London share issue, according to the Financial Times.

Dangote is cited as saying the company was on track to meet the corporate governance requirements for a premium listing, and that he would give up his current role as chairman. (Reuters)

P

an-African Ecobank Transnational yesterday said its 2011 net profits hit $206.8 million, up 57 percent from $131.8 million in 2010.(Reuters) EXCHANGE RATES

CBN

ABJ-LOS (SAT/SUN): 13.05, 18.00 LOS-KANO : 08.10 KANO-LOS: 11.25 KANO -ABUJA: 11.25 ABUJA-KANO : 10.08

IRS AIRLINES

CFA • £ RIYAL $

27th Mar, 2012 BUYING 0.294 206.819 247.4292 41.3449 155.06

SELLING 0.314 208.1528 249.0249 41.6116 156.06

PARALLEL RATES

LOS -ABJ: 9.45, 11.45, 2.45 ABJ-LOS: 11.30, 3.45, 4.45 LOS-KANO: 6.15 LOS-KANO (SAT/SUN): 16.30 KANO-LOS: 07.30 KANO-LOS (SUN/SUN): 10.30

INSIDE

- Pg 20

NNPC, IOCs to boost up supply chain management

Mob: 08033644990

Islamic bank aids Nigeria’s dev with N310bn

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem he Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has set aside about N310 billion to support the implementation of Nigeria's transformation agenda for a twoyear period, between 2012 and 2014.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo revealed this in his keynote address titled: "African Development Experience: What Successful Experiences to Replicate and Scale up," during the special meeting of African Governors Forum on the Special Programme for the Development of Africa (SPDA), yesterday in Khartoum, Sudan.

SPDA is an initiative of IDB for the acceleration of development objectives in African member countries.

While explaining the core provisions of the transformation agenda, he thanked the IDB President, Dr. Ahmad Mohammed Ali, for this development.

The Vice-President told his audience that the agenda itself was anchored on five pillars including accelerating and sustaining economic growth; improving and modernizing infrastructure; strengthening human capital stock and enhancing access to social services; improving governance and increasing competitiveness; reinforcing social cohesion and mainstreaming cross cutting issues.

He noted the problems of

T

developing countries and the efforts to address them particularly in Africa, pointing out that Implementation reviews had confirmed that significant private sector participation and financial support from development partners were critical, especially in the Priority Action Plan.

Vice-President Sambo observed that on the political and social fronts, the African continent was still evolving and reeling from some complex and multi-dimensional challenges especially how to eradicate poverty and provide decent and better lives and opportunities for the teeming population across the continent.

According to him, "it is on record that Africa is the only region in the world that is off-track in achieving most of the targets set in the Millennium Development Goals particularly in the areas of the mainstream inclusive growth, provision of basic services (infrastructure, water, sanitation, education and hospitals) and reversion of the spread of diseases, tackling of poverty, job creation and security.

"African countries cannot do all these things alone; they need help and assistance from development partners. The prospect of this veritable source of support is fast becoming less reliable, no thanks to the failure so far, to comprehensively resolve the high incidence of debts and deficits in

Japan, United States of America and some European Union member countries.

"The unpalatable fallout of this sudden shock is the declining flow of grants and Foreign Direct Investments to the continent of Africa."

To address this gap therefore, he said, African countries were left no option than to embark on farreaching economic transformation policies designed to promote private sector driven growth, strengthen regional integration, facilitate crossborder trade and harness economies of scale."

Noting that Nigeria was in the second year of its Medium Term (2011-2015) Development Strategy (MTDs), he stressed that the MTDs spelled out the key milestones of the transformation agenda which he said drew inspiration from our vision 20:2020.

On the SPDA-I, which covers the period 2008-2012, Sambo observed that it had proved to be a remarkable initiative of the IDB as it has made appreciable impact on poverty reduction and promotion of sustainable economic growth while also supporting regional integration in African member countries.

He said it was encouraging to note that so far the Bank had committed about $8 billion under the program, while SPDA-II, the envisaged successor is to span another five years (2013-2017).

Ecobank net profit climbs 57 pct in 2011

LOS-ABJ: 07.02, 08.10, 12.06, 15.30, 17.10 ABJ-LOS: 07.20, 09.36, 13.05, 14.40

PAGE 19

• £ RIYAL $

BUYING 210 255 40 158

SELLING 212 257 42 159

L-R: Managing Director, Commerz Bank (Africa), Florian Witts, Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited (FDC), Bismarck Rewane, CEO, African Finance Corporation, Andrew Alli, GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Phillips Oduoza, CEO, Rencap West Africa, Yvonne Ike, Deputy Governor of CBN, Suleiman Barau, CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema, and Partner Roland Berger Consultants, Christian Wessels, during the Africa Investors Conference, recently in Berlin, Germany.

Management Tip of the Day

Find a job by changing the way you network

T

he best way to find a job is through networking. But, don't limit your outreach to close friends and current colleagues. Cast a wide net and reach people beyond your immediate circle. Here are three steps to do that: Broadly define your network.

You have more contacts than you think. Consider former classmates, former colleagues, clients, and community acquaintances. When you make a contact, ask for introductions to others.

View discussions as learning opportunities.

Approach meetings as conversations, not

interviews. Ask about more than jobs. Ask about the industry, how to succeed, and how to position yourself.

Keep good records. Connecting with many people can be complicated. After each meeting, write down what you learned and what you'll do as a result.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS SON shuts warehouses over fake ballpoint pens

S

tandards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has sealed off warehouses involved in the sharp practice of selling substandard ballpoint pens in Lagos.

Skye Bank initiates ‘open house' for ebanking

S

NUPENG strike paralyses NLNG operations

By Muhammad Nasir

T

he Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), South-South zone has commenced a three-day warning strike at the weekend, resulting to the paralysis of operations of the Nigeria Liquefied and Natural Gas (NLNG).

This is sequel to the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum which expired on February 28, issued by NUPENG to the management of some foreign firms to the NLNG. It was noted that the daily operations at the NLNG locations in Bonny and Port Harcourt have been disrupted while only skeletal services were

being provided by administrative staff.

It was also revealed that the Port Harcout zone of the NUPENG, comprising 10 states of Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Imo, Cross River, Enugu, Anambra, Abia, and Ebonyi had called out its members on a warning strike after emergency council meeting in the rivers state capital last Thursday.

kye Bank Plc has adopted an innovative way of introducing e-banking services to its customers.

CBN explains role of NIRSAL to farmers, stakeholders

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has explained that Nigeria Incentive Risk Sharing of Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) would be a risk-sharing barrier between banks, farmers and stakeholders in espect of agriculture lending.

T

Investors stake N101.6b on FGN bonds in one week

T

ransactions on FGN bonds through the Over-TheCounter (OTC) market last week recorded a turnover of 116 million units worth N101.6billion in 1,029 deals, compared with a total of 91.23 million units valued at N75.1billion exchanged in 875 .

World’s richest now $13bn richer

T

he 20 richest people on Earth gained a combined $12.5 billion at the weekend, as Brazilian Eike Batista's net worth surged $7.2 billion after he sold a stake in his commodities empire.

Nigeria, S.Korea consider diplomacy in resolving oil blocs’ dispute

T

he Federal Government and KNOC, a South Korean oil company, may have opted for an out-of-court settlement over dispute on two oil wells in the country-OPL 321 and OPL-323, after almost seven years' standoff.

S

outh Africa is mulling the re-establishment of its uranium enrichment and conversion facilities, which were dismantled during the apartheid era, as it seeks to secure fuel for a new fleet of nuclear power stations.

The country, Africa's largest economy, which announced more than 40 years ago that it would enrich uranium as part of a military-linked strategy during the Cold War, wants another 9,600 megawatts of nuclear energy to help shore up a power grid under pressure from rising demand and decades of under investment.

The country's nuclear energy corporation, NECSA, is being encouraged to revive its participation in the nuclear value chain - including enrichment, conversion and nuclear fuel manufacturing - to reduce South Africa's current dependence on imported reactor fuels.

The country has some of the world's largest uranium deposits and the new nuclear fleet is likely to use 465 metric tonnes of enriched uranium a year by 2030.((Reuters))

Auchi consumers owe N600m to PHCN

NDIC seeks role in appointment of bank directors he Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) will seek collaboration to control the appointment of Board Members of Banks in Nigeria.

S/Africa considers nuclear fuel cycle facilities

L-R: President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Theo Okonkwo, with Airtel Zonal, Business Manager, South-Central, Mr Abidemi Ajagbe, during Airtel’s Special Day, at the on-going Enugu International Trade Fair, recently in Enugu.

Jos electricity distribution firm. CEO laments neglect in nation’s power sector From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

T

he Chief Executive Officer, Jos Electricity Distribution Company, Barr. (Mrs) Vera Ngozi Osuhor has attributed the long decay in the nation's power sector as responsible for the slow transformation witnessed in the sector.

Mrs. Osuhor, who made this contention in Makurdi at the weekend, during a visit to commission Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) projects in the state, added that the company is grappling with aged distribution

network that requires a lot of money to fix.

She said the present government is determined to ensure that the system works and appealed to Nigerians to be patient.

"We have allowed this decay in the sector over a long time. It will be inhuman to think that transformation will take place very fast. The system is coming back and government is determined to ensure that the system works. There would be light at the end of the dark tunnel", she stated optimistically.

The CEO lauded the Benue state business unit for the giant strides

achieved in erection of a customer care unit as well as the commencement of the Pre-paid Meter (PPM).

She contended that the PPM will go a long way to strengthen the life span of overloaded transformers in the State, noting that the unit has already commenced refencing to ensure electricity consumers begin usage of the PPM. Mrs. Osuhor sued for cooperation from the over 1,400 customers who have applied for the PPM, even as she warned them against bypassing the meter which attracts a fine of N50,000.

NNPC, IOCs to boost up supply chain management

By Muhammad Nasir

N

igerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC has maintained that it will sustain and ensure the prudent supply chain management in the Nigeria oil and gas Industry.

This was disclosed by the Group managing Director of the NNPC, Engineer Austin Oniwon during a workshop on supply chain management between the corporation and the

International Oil Companies(IOCs) in Abuja, that, in the face of the global business competition, the corporation would keep adopting processes and procedures that would impact positively in the Nigerian economy.

Engineer Oniwon, who was represented by the Group Executive Director, Engineering and Technology, Engineer Billy Agha maintained that the corporation would employ prudent spending measures in its supply chain management so as to deliver value

for money in the competitive global business environment.

"This workshop would help the NNPC and the other IOC's to rub minds on the best way to manage the supply chain in the Nigerian oil and gas industry and it will help participants to acquire more ethical issues synonymous with acquisition of assets, share best practices amongst professionals to guarantee efficiency in the industry and ensure the application of Government processes and procedures,"

By Muhammad Sada with agency report

T

he Auchi business unit of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) says that electricity consumers in the district are owing the company more than N600 million.

The spokesman of the company, Mr. Edekin Oarhe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Auchi that federal and state parastatals in the area including the army and the police were among the major debtors of the company, owing the company more than N158.94 million, while the Edo state government and local government areas owed N12.6 million and N307, 591.52 respectively.

Oarhe added that residential houses and other businesses in the area also owed the company and expressed concern at the continued refusal of the major debtors to pay up.

Urging the debtors to urgently and promptly settle their bills, the spokesman, however, said the federal agencies and the state government had set out to offset part of their bills.

He condemned the incessant harassment of the company's staff mandated to recover the debt by customers and also appealed to the Federal Government to ensure the completion of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) project in the area.

According to him, most customers did not always want to respond because of the situation of power supply in the area. "We know that power supply in the area is not what it used to be but we appeal to them to assist the utility company by paying up their bills. "We also call on the Federal Government to complete the NIPP project in the area as it will boost power supply to the area".

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 21

NNPC vows to rehabilitate 3 refineries

By Muhammad Nasir

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has vowed to rehabilitate the three refineries in the country.

This was disclosed by the Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr. Austin Oniwon, represented by the Executive Director, Port Harcourt Refinery, Mr. Dominic Ikpemauzu in Enugu at the recently held 23rd Enugu International Trade Fair.

He maintained that the rehabilitation has become

necessary in order to increase the domestic refining and stem products importation, adding that the refineries are located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna with a combined capacity of 445,000 barrels per stream day.

The GMD said the NNPC had engaged the services of the original engineering procurement and construction contractors who built the three refineries.

Oniwon noted that the contractors had inspected the three refineries and produced the analyses on how the plants could

be revamped to achieve 90 per cent capacity utilisation in the next two years.

He reiterated that other infrastructure being put in place by the corporation to drive the economy includes the conclusion of feasibility studies on the Greenfield refineries and rehabilitation of product pipelines such as Kaduna to Kano, Kaduna to Gusau and Kaduna to Suleja.

"It should be noted that all our efforts to build facilities in the downstream sector are aimed at increasing local refining

to a minimum of 60 per cent of local consumption by 2013 and 100 per cent by 2015", he enthused.

Meanwhile, the President of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Dr. Theo Okonkwo, addressed the problems facing the deregulation of the downsteam sector as well as seeking the support of the private sector toward the deregulation hoping that it would be carried out with strategic and tactical approach to reduce negative impact on the people.

L-R: Pioneer Managing Director, Sigma Pensions Limited, Alhaji Adamu Modibbo, Chairman, Audit Committee, Sigma Pensions Limited, Alhaji Mohammed Jalingo, Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Sigma Pensions, Alhaji Umar Modibbo, and Chairman, Board of Directors, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, during the 7th Annual General Meeting of Sigma Pensions, at the weekend in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

S/Africa’s Iranian oil imports soar in Feb.

S

outh African crude oil imports from Iran leapt in February, to $364 million from zero the preceding month, customs data showed yesterday, dashing the view that Pretoria has bowed to U.S. pressure to curb commercial links with Tehran.

The Revenue Service said Africa's biggest economy imported 417,000 tonnes of Iranian crude in February, a dramatic reversal of a declining trend seen since October, when it imported 467,000 tonnes.

South Africa has come under Western pressure to cut Iranian crude imports as part of sanctions designed to halt Tehran's suspected pursuit of nuclear weapons, although it has been unclear how diplomatically nonaligned Pretoria is responding.

Senior energy and foreign ministry officials directly contradicted each other last month as to the status of Iranian imports.

However, January trade and customs data showed Iranian

crude imports at zero compared with a monthly average of $280 million last year.

Iran has been South Africa's biggest crude supplier, accounting for a quarter of its oil imports.

The biggest South African buyer of Iranian crude is Engen, majority-owned by Malaysian national oil company Petronas .

Engen has not commented, but a Petronas source told Reuters last month.

Engen had stopped buying Iranian oil from March.

Petrochemicals group, Sasol, which took 12,000 barrels of Iranian oil a day, says its has already found new suppliers but has not named them.

In January, trade figures showed a spike in imports from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Ecuador, suggesting they were being used as alternative suppliers to Iran.

In February, Saudi Arabia was South Africa's biggest supplier, with 582,000 tonnes of crude, followed by Iran, Nigeria, Angola an Ecuador. (Reuters)

DPR, Norway renew bi-lateral pact

By Muhammad Nasir The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has signed a bi-lateral pact aimed at exploring the growing opportunities in the oil and gas sector of both countries.

The pact is aimed at discovering means of reconstituting the institutional cooperation that existed between both countries in the oil and gas sector since the year 2000 when the initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was

signed.

It was noted that the agreement was signed by the oil ministers of both countries at the time which expired in 2010 and it covered technical cooperation in areas such as data acquisition and management Resources and metering.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) had also joined DPR and NPD in a tripartite arrangement to strengthen inter-departmental cooperation in achieving the national objective of ensuring transparency and

accountability in the processes of yielding optimum revenue for the nation from oil and gas.

The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, who led the team, expressed her appreciation to the DPR management for extending unbridled cooperation to NEITI over the years, stating that NEITI's progress in its mandate was due in part to the assistance given by DPR especially in the area of data availability through DPR's NDR platform.

It was agreed that DPR should optimally support the development of relevant

capacity of NEITI in the use of the available data on the NDR platform and to continue to support periodic audit activities of NEITI by supplying all relevant information required, as well as develop a NEITI data portal at the NDR for seamless access to relevant production.

It was also agreed that, in order to further bolster this new pact and to ensure that it got full strategic support critical to its enduring success, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Abuja would be fully incorporated into the organisational structure at the steering level.

NEITI advises erring companies on industry audits

By Muhammad Nasir

A

ll companies in the extractive sectors have been advised to comply fully with the on-going Nigeria Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) industry audits or face severe sanctions.

This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the NEITI, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed on Friday while receiving the Managing Director of Shell Petroleum, Mr. Mutiu Sonmonu, who paid a courtesy visit to NEITI Secretariat in Abuja.

Ahmad noted that NEITI expects all companies to promptly pay in full what they are expected to pay to government in terms of royalty, profit tax, signature bonuses, tax, and other levies. All companies, she said, must also be prepared to disclose these payments to NEITI during the ongoing independent industry audits of the oil and gas sector and solid minerals industry.

She maintained that compliance to NEITI industry audits is not only statutory, lawful but mandatory, and reminded all companies that failure to comply will attract severe sanctions in line with the law that setup NEITI.

Association decries skills depletion in oil & gas sector

By Muhammad Nasir

T

he Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has called for the urgent intervention of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to arrest what it described as brain drain in Nigeria's oil and gas sector.

This was disclosed by the Financial Secretary of PETAN, Chris Onyekwere, who accused multinational oil service companies of illegally poaching and exporting skilled Nigerian workers trained by indigenous oil companies.

Onyekwere urged the regulatory authorities in the Nigerian oil and gas sector to also intervene on the matter because the action of the multinational companies has created technical gaps in the sector, thereby undermining government's intentions of developing content in the industry.

He also criticised the multinational service companies for not training their Nigerian staff, but noted that PETAN, as the umbrella body of all indigenous oil service companies in the country, will continue to invest in capacity development.

He disclosed that three local companies mainly have been hit by the poaching strategies of the multinationals.

PAGE 22

ANALYSIS A golden opportunity for the rest of the world to show Barack Obama the meaning of meritocracy

W

hen economists from the World Bank visit poor countries to dispense cash and advice, they routinely tell governments to reject cronyism and fill each important job with the best candidate available. It is good advice. The World Bank should take it. In appointing its next president, the bank's board should reject the nominee of its most influential shareholder, America, and pick Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

The World Bank is the world's premier development institution. Its boss needs experience in government, in economics and in finance (it is a bank, after all). He or she should have a broad record in development, too. Ms OkonjoIweala has all these attributes, and Colombia's José Antonio Ocampo has a couple. By contrast Jim Yong Kim, the American public-health professor whom Barack Obama wants to impose on the bank, has at most one.

Ms Okonjo-Iweala is in her second stint as Nigeria's finance minister. She has not broken Nigeria's culture of corruption-an Augean task-but she has sobered up its public finances and injected a measure of transparency. She led the Paris Club negotiations to reschedule her country's debt and earned rave reviews as managing director of the World Bank in 2007-11. Hers is the CV of a formidable public economist.

Mr Ocampo was also finance minister, though his time in office, 1996-98, saw the budget deficit balloon. He ran the mildly statist UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. His is the CV of the international bureaucrat.

Mr Kim, the head of a university in New England, has done a lot of good things in his life, but the closest he has come to running a global body was as head of HIV/AIDS at the World Health Organisation-not a post requiring tough choices between, say, infrastructure, health and education. He pioneered trials of aid programmes before they became fashionable and set up an outfit called Partners in Health which does fine work in Haiti and Peru. But this is a charity, not a development bank. Had Mr Obama not nominated him, he would be on no one's shortlist to lead the World Bank. (Indeed he is a far worse example of Western arrogance than Christine Lagarde, whom the Europeans shoehorned into the IMF job last year: the French finance minister plainly had the CV for the job.)

Ms Okonjo-Iweala is an orthodox economist, which many will hold against her. But if there

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Hats off to Ngozi is one thing the world has discovered about poverty reduction in the past 15 years, it is that development is not something rich countries do to poor ones. It is something poor countries manage for themselves, mainly by the sort of policies that Ms Okonjo-Iweala has pursued with some success in Nigeria.

Mr Kim's views on development are harder to divine. But what can be gleaned

is worrying. In an introduction to a 2000 book called "Dying for Growth", he wrote that "the quest for growth in GDP and corporate profits has in fact worsened the lives of millions of men and women", quoted Noam Chomsky and praised Cuba for "prioritising social equity". Were Mr Kim hoping to lead Occupy Wall Street, such views would be unremarkable. But the purposes of the World Bank, according to its articles of agreement, are "to

promote private foreign investment…[and to] encourage international investment for the development of the productive resources of members." The Bank promotes growth because growth helps the poor. If Mr Kim disagrees, he should stick to medicine.

Ready. Steady. Ngo For almost 70 years, the leadership of the IMF and World Bank has been subject to an indefensible carve-up. The head of

the IMF is European; the World Bank, American. This shabby tradition has persisted because it has not been worth picking a fight over. The gap between Mr Kim and Ms Okonjo-Iweala changes the calculation. It gives others a chance to insist on the best candidate, not simply the American one. Mr Ocampo should bow out gracefully. And the rest of the world should rally round Ms Okonjo-Iweala. May the best woman win. (The Economist)

Nigeria's Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Challengers for World Bank leadership ask for ‘a fair chance’

N

igeria's finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is Africa's standard-bearer in the contest to become World Bank president. Jose Antonio Ocampo, a former Colombian finance minister, is being championed by South America.

Both say they are better qualified for the job than the American candidate tapped by President Obama last week. But beyond that, each says the other would be better than Obama's pick.

The White House nominated Dartmouth College President Jim Yong Kim for the top World Bank post, instantly making him the front-runner to replace Robert Zoellick when he leaves office in June. Under a gentleman's agreement that goes back 60 years, the U.S. government gets to name the World Bank chief. But this time around, the American pick - and the U.S. prerogative - are being aggressively challenged.

In interviews, Okonjo-Iweala and Ocampo acknowledged that Kim has unquestioned expertise in public health. But they said public health is a narrow slice of what the World Bank does and an issue that many other global organizations address.

"He is known as a health expert who has helped developing countries and I have great respect for what he has been able to do. When you look at my experience you can see I have breadth and depth," Okonjo-Iweala said in a telephone interview this week from Delhi, where she was working to gather support for her candidacy. "You cannot just look at health and view development through that lens, or just at agriculture or manufacturing there are so many interrelationships."

Okonjo-Iweala, a former World Bank managing director, says she would make the institution faster to respond

when countries need help if she were chosen as its next president.

She would also increase its focus on creating jobs and addressing the massive need for roads, ports and other infrastructure in the developing world.

Ocampo, speaking by phone from his home in New York, where he teaches at Columbia University, said: "We are talking about the major development institution in the world. I can safely say that if they want to evaluate the candidates on their experience in development there is no question the finance minister of Nigeria and myself have a clear advantage."

Ocampo, who has also been a senior U.N. official and prolific academic, says he would put emphasis on helping poor and middle-income countries manage the effects of climate change. He says he would also represent a bridge between the World Bank's practical focus and the new ideas brewing in

academia.

Kim, a physician and founder of the Partners in Health program, is on a world "listening tour" to further his own candidacy. U.S. Treasury officials are accompanying him and said he was not available for an interview. In a letter to World Bank directors, who will choose the new president, Treasury Secretary, Timothy F. Geithner asked them to support the U.S. candidate. Geithner said Kim "brings the combination of experience, innovation and drive that will best serve the bank."

Both Okonjo-Iweala and Ocampo said they want their nominations to prompt an earnest debate on the 25-member executive board about who is most qualified. The three candidates are to be interviewed separately on April 9, 10 and 11, with a decision expected before World Bank spring meetings that begin April 20.

(Source: Washington Post)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 21

NNPC vows to rehabilitate 3 refineries

By Muhammad Nasir

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has vowed to rehabilitate the three refineries in the country.

This was disclosed by the Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr. Austin Oniwon, represented by the Executive Director, Port Harcourt Refinery, Mr. Dominic Ikpemauzu in Enugu at the recently held 23rd Enugu International Trade Fair.

He maintained that the rehabilitation has become

necessary in order to increase the domestic refining and stem products importation, adding that the refineries are located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna with a combined capacity of 445,000 barrels per stream day.

The GMD said the NNPC had engaged the services of the original engineering procurement and construction contractors who built the three refineries.

Oniwon noted that the contractors had inspected the three refineries and produced the analyses on how the plants could

be revamped to achieve 90 per cent capacity utilisation in the next two years.

He reiterated that other infrastructure being put in place by the corporation to drive the economy includes the conclusion of feasibility studies on the Greenfield refineries and rehabilitation of product pipelines such as Kaduna to Kano, Kaduna to Gusau and Kaduna to Suleja.

"It should be noted that all our efforts to build facilities in the downstream sector are aimed at increasing local refining

to a minimum of 60 per cent of local consumption by 2013 and 100 per cent by 2015", he enthused.

Meanwhile, the President of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Dr. Theo Okonkwo, addressed the problems facing the deregulation of the downsteam sector as well as seeking the support of the private sector toward the deregulation hoping that it would be carried out with strategic and tactical approach to reduce negative impact on the people.

L-R: Pioneer Managing Director, Sigma Pensions Limited, Alhaji Adamu Modibbo, Chairman, Audit Committee, Sigma Pensions Limited, Alhaji Mohammed Jalingo, Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Sigma Pensions, Alhaji Umar Modibbo, and Chairman, Board of Directors, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, during the 7th Annual General Meeting of Sigma Pensions, at the weekend in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

S/Africa’s Iranian oil imports soar in Feb.

S

outh African crude oil imports from Iran leapt in February, to $364 million from zero the preceding month, customs data showed yesterday, dashing the view that Pretoria has bowed to U.S. pressure to curb commercial links with Tehran.

The Revenue Service said Africa's biggest economy imported 417,000 tonnes of Iranian crude in February, a dramatic reversal of a declining trend seen since October, when it imported 467,000 tonnes.

South Africa has come under Western pressure to cut Iranian crude imports as part of sanctions designed to halt Tehran's suspected pursuit of nuclear weapons, although it has been unclear how diplomatically nonaligned Pretoria is responding.

Senior energy and foreign ministry officials directly contradicted each other last month as to the status of Iranian imports.

However, January trade and customs data showed Iranian

crude imports at zero compared with a monthly average of $280 million last year.

Iran has been South Africa's biggest crude supplier, accounting for a quarter of its oil imports.

The biggest South African buyer of Iranian crude is Engen, majority-owned by Malaysian national oil company Petronas .

Engen has not commented, but a Petronas source told Reuters last month.

Engen had stopped buying Iranian oil from March.

Petrochemicals group, Sasol, which took 12,000 barrels of Iranian oil a day, says its has already found new suppliers but has not named them.

In January, trade figures showed a spike in imports from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Ecuador, suggesting they were being used as alternative suppliers to Iran.

In February, Saudi Arabia was South Africa's biggest supplier, with 582,000 tonnes of crude, followed by Iran, Nigeria, Angola an Ecuador. (Reuters)

DPR, Norway renew bi-lateral pact

By Muhammad Nasir The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has signed a bi-lateral pact aimed at exploring the growing opportunities in the oil and gas sector of both countries.

The pact is aimed at discovering means of reconstituting the institutional cooperation that existed between both countries in the oil and gas sector since the year 2000 when the initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was

signed.

It was noted that the agreement was signed by the oil ministers of both countries at the time which expired in 2010 and it covered technical cooperation in areas such as data acquisition and management Resources and metering.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) had also joined DPR and NPD in a tripartite arrangement to strengthen inter-departmental cooperation in achieving the national objective of ensuring transparency and

accountability in the processes of yielding optimum revenue for the nation from oil and gas.

The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, who led the team, expressed her appreciation to the DPR management for extending unbridled cooperation to NEITI over the years, stating that NEITI's progress in its mandate was due in part to the assistance given by DPR especially in the area of data availability through DPR's NDR platform.

It was agreed that DPR should optimally support the development of relevant

capacity of NEITI in the use of the available data on the NDR platform and to continue to support periodic audit activities of NEITI by supplying all relevant information required, as well as develop a NEITI data portal at the NDR for seamless access to relevant production.

It was also agreed that, in order to further bolster this new pact and to ensure that it got full strategic support critical to its enduring success, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Abuja would be fully incorporated into the organisational structure at the steering level.

WAfrica Crude: Values slump due to demand lull

D

ifferentials for both Nigerian and Angolan grades slipped lower yesterday in a slow session, with traders citing muted demand from both Asian and U.S. refiners.

Traders said there were cargoes from at least five different Angolan grades remaining for May because of a slow-down in Asian buying.

Asian imports from the region hit a record high in the first quarter but have since showed signs of falling, according to a Reuters survey.

"Differentials have been moving South. No-one wants to offer - they are just looking for interest," said a West African crude oil trader.

Traders said that a cargo of Qua Iboe grade was last sold at dated plus $2.55 a barrel but that offers may now fall lower.

At least two cargoes of this grade per month were typically taken by U.S. buyers but refinery closures on the U.S. east coast have curbed demand.

Traders said that at least four of the May Qua Iboe cargoes are still unsold, including two Vitol tankers. (Reuters)

Association decries skills depletion in oil & gas sector

By Muhammad Nasir

T

he Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has called for the urgent intervention of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to arrest what it described as brain drain in Nigeria's oil and gas sector.

This was disclosed by the Financial Secretary of PETAN, Chris Onyekwere, who accused multinational oil service companies of illegally poaching and exporting skilled Nigerian workers trained by indigenous oil companies.

Onyekwere urged the regulatory authorities in the Nigerian oil and gas sector to also intervene on the matter because the action of the multinational companies has created technical gaps in the sector, thereby undermining government's intentions of developing content in the industry.

He also criticised the multinational service companies for not training their Nigerian staff, but noted that PETAN, as the umbrella body of all indigenous oil service companies in the country, will continue to invest in capacity development.

He disclosed that three local companies mainly have been hit by the poaching strategies of the multinationals.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

Much Ado about cashless economy

By Gozie Irogboli

S

ince last year, there have been so much fuss about Cashless Economy in Nigeria. Some have come to think of it as an alien and abstract concept. This piece therefore is in reaction to the whole din about cashless economy and the misleading notion that it can be decreed into existence.

The past Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regimes especially that of Professor Chukwuma Soludo made very remarkable efforts to improve the payment system in Nigeria. This is borne out of the desire to follow global trend, control the cost of minting currency, reduce the risk associated with handling and carrying cash, check the scourge of money laundry and most importantly, aid speedy transaction and efficient resource mobilization for production, economic growth and development. The overall objective is for efficiency, safety and reliability.

Within this period, the payment system witnessed a transformation.

The establishment of Nigerian Interbank settlement scheme (NIBSS) facilitated electronic funds transfer among banks. There was also the Nigerian Automated Clearing System (NACS).

The CBN authorities knew that a robust payment system is a key requirement for promoting financial stability. The use of the electronic payment system in payment, clearing and settlement led to the replacement of the manual cheques with the Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) cheques. Clearing settlement period reduced from 21days to 3 days. At present CBN maintains effective presence in all state capitals and runs two clearing sessions on daily basis.

The banks responded accordingly. Some IT firms keyed in by developing and providing supportive electronic platforms that enable banks interface with their customers and other banks. E-business became the buzz word in the sector. The banks fortified their Information Technology Units and acquired sophisticated software to support e-commerce.

Different banks established e-business department. So many electronic banking products and portals were developed for internet

banking, transaction notification, enquiries, funds transfer and payment.

Automated Teller Machine (ATM) were acquired and deployed to various business locations across the country.

Credit cards and debit cards were customized and given to customers. Bank in their quest to expand their market shares developed branches in every nook and cranny of the country. Point of sale (POS) devices and other electronic modems were acquired and deployed to customers. This electronic interface allowed firms and government agencies access to multichannel payment system that enable them collect fees, revenues as well as remittances and salaries for improved efficiency, fraud control among other benefits. Now all payments and remittances in government Ministries, Departments Agencies (MDAs) are done electronically.

Despite these revolution in e-business, the Nigerian economy remains largely a cash and carry affair due to low level of literacy especially financial literacy, technical inadequacy, low level of trust on financial instrument, on-line payment fraud, system unreliability, absence of credit facility and poor credit administration due to the absence of credit bureau.

There is also the problem of adverse socio-political environment, dualistic nature of Nigerian economy and the legal and institutional weakness in monitoring and credit administration.

Added to these, is the fact that Nigeria is grossly under banked. Over 60% have neither access to banking facilities nor financial and economic institutions. A sizeable portion of the total money in circulation is outside the banking system.

Thus achieving cashless economy will be much more than pegging the deposit and

CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

withdrawal limits as CBN has done, fixing =N=150,000 for individuals and =N=1,000,000 for corporate bodies. It must involve developing internal structures and the use of cash substitutes that will make cash transactions unattractive.

Putting a ceiling on deposit and withdrawal with the intention of encouraging cashless transactions is equivalent to attacking the effect rather the cause. It is always the case that when you attempt to solve a problem by attacking the effect, rather than the cause, the problem will resurface some other times in a more menacing dimension. This attempt by the current regime to fix deposit and withdrawal limits may lead to the

“

Added to these, is the fact that Nigeria is grossly under banked. Over 60% have neither access to banking facilities nor financial and economic institutions

following: 1 ) The banks may grant waivers to their valued customers especially key distributors who make daily huge cash lodgments and withdrawals.

2 ) People may be compelled to open multiple accounts in different banks to facilitate multiple deposits and withdrawals without paying the penalties.

3 ) Again and more dangerously, depositors may in an attempt to avoid the payment of the cash processing fee, hold more cash after paying in the stipulated amount permissible.

4 ) Some may be forced to change their money into hard currency and hold them in their private vaults.

5) Worse still, those who are not rate sensitive may carry on their usual cash transaction regardless of the processing fee.

Do not forget that bank customers are not new to cash processing fee. This has been introduced in the past by banks to discourage cash transactions but it proved ineffectual due to the inherent constraints in our economy.

Without doubt, attempt to improve our payment system through the use of Electronic Payment System

(EPS) started long before Sanusi Lamido Sanusi CBN. The Nigerian Payment System (NPS) policy has long been articulated as a prelude to the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ). So, attempt to achieve cashless economy by putting a withdrawal and deposit ceiling without necessarily strengthening the entrenched distortions in the system will amount to an exercise in futility. CBN has options depending on what it intends to achieve.

CBN can reconsider Soludo’s Currency Redenomination proposal for instance if it wants to reduce the cost associated minting, processing and holding cash.

CBN can further reduce the cheque clearing and settlement days.

It is not out of place to say that it is difficult to figure out the direction of the current CBN regime. For instance some of the steps taken by Sanusi upon assumption of office as CBN governor were antithetical to the apparent cashless economy drive.

Sanusi ordered banks to remove ATM from public places. He also halted branch expansion thereby denying some areas access to banking services in a developing economy like ours with very uneven spatial distribution

of banking facilities. Also, Sanusi’s actions tend to criminalise lending.

Remember that a cashless economy is more or less a credit economy.

Clearly, the current CBN regime cannot elicit trust about its sincerity of purpose neither does it inspire confidence about its capabilities to move the economy forward. Other economies have recovered from the shock of the global meltdown because they did proper diagnosis and took right decisions but ours is still comatose.

Three years after present reform, neither the economy nor the parties to the financial intermediation process has benefited from it.

Depositors have become disillusioned and some are forced to convert their deposits into other assets.

Some changed theirs into hard currency and kept them in their private vaults.

Investors no longer have access to investment funds as was the case hitherto. Some now source their funding offshore. The banking sector is currently in a state of topsyturvy. Our banks are no longer rated. Before now the sector was obviously booming and bourgeoning, acquiring and partnering with foreign banks and spreading beyond the shores of Nigeria. It was driving the economy and

“

After the Banking Consolidation, the system was awash with too much equity funds with which some banks indulged in cutthroat competition and with their universal banking licence, they began to diversify deeply into areas outside their core competences contributing significantly to employment. But now its vitality is gone. Now we have forceful merger and insidious acquisition. A situation where only 5 out of surviving 22 control over 50% of the total deposits is very unhealthy.

Over 50,000 bank workers have been sacked in the past three years. Some have received demotion, wage slash and casualization. Those in the system are searching for job since they are not sure of their positions. The stench of uncertainty is hanging in the air like a time bomb.

The morale is very low.

When morale is low, commitment and

productivity are low and employee fidelity doubtful.

The overall effect is that our economy is still in the doldrums. Unemployment situation is dangerously very high. Dependency ratio with its attendant crime and social vices are on the upward swing. Economic growth is visibly on the downward slide. Businesses are operating below their installed capacity. Some are closing and moving into more stable economic environment. Prices are still very far from stable as the cost of living and doing business in Nigeria are suffocatingly high. Our external balances measured

in terms of foreign reserve, foreign debt, exchange rate, balance of payment and others are still very far from the desired position.

Genuine economic progress is not achieved by fiat or propaganda but by planning and developing systems, structures and institutions that will support productive activities. We have waited patiently. The whole din about reform only exists on the pages of newspapers and on the lips of some ignorant members of the public. Reforms are carefully articulated programmes of action aimed at making a fundamental impact on a system. Reforms are strategic, cohesive and result-oriented.

As I told Joseph Sanusi the former CBN governor about ten years ago, (see “The Banks and the Rest of Us”. Thisday Newspaper 16th June, 2002 page 14.) Central Banking is not just about bank supervision. In a developing economy like ours, it goes beyond manipulating monetary aggregates.

Essentially it requires a holistic developmental approach. The financial system is the blood of the economy. Nigeria needs a virile financial system. We cannot get there by ad hoc half-hearted arrangement.

After the Banking Consolidation, the system

A banking hall in Nigeria with customers queuing to transact banking business. Cashless banking will eliminate such hassles

An automated teller machine

was awash with too much equity funds with which some banks indulged in cutthroat competition and with their universal banking licence, they began to diversify deeply into areas outside their core competences. Some of their subsidiaries were not contributing to the bottom line. Moreover, with the bourgeoning capital market stimulated by the bank consolidation, the banks were helplessly exposed to margin lending. In the midst of these came the global meltdown in 2008 and the collapse of the stock market. Remember that Nigerian economy is not insulated from external shocks. This was the mess that Sanusi met. Instead of following up with the post consolidation steps or some other positive steps, he blew the situation out of proportion by playing to the gallery.

We witnessed the hullaballoo that greeted the update of customer information in 2010. It was as if the system will come to an abrupt end by December 31 st 2010 if not completed.

But it was clear that the heat and the measure were uncalled for. Again, when the

issue of Islamic Banking came, Sanusi passed the buck. Instead of dwelling on the merit of non-interest banking as expected, he shocked everybody by saying that it was professor Soludo that approved Islamic Banking yet when he established Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) he never gave Soludo the credit for the idea.

Sanusi need to change his style and consult widely if he must make any meaningful impact. Often times, a marked difference exists between actual and expected result of a programme when the critical success variables are not factored into the design process. I believe that for public office holders especially economic managers the Structure and Problems of Nigerian Economy should be a prime necessity in programme identification, design and implementation. That is a sure way to have the desired result.

Gozie Irogboli is a trained economist, banker, consultant and a public policy analyst goziei@yahoo.com

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Re: Ikemba goes home (II)

By Ola Balogun Incontestably, a man like Steve Biko gave his life for Africa, but can the same really be said of Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu?

Although the millions of Ndigbo who gathered on the streets of Awka, Enugu, Onitsha, Nnewi, Umuahia etc. to pay homage to their departed “Eze Gburugburu” ( a rather strange sounding title that has no historical precedence in igboland) were genuinely convinced that Ojukwu was one of the greatest leaders that Africa has ever known, it is highly improbable that this was actually a widely shared perception in the rest of Nigeria, particularly among the peoples of the present Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, who claim to have been unwilling captives in the Biafran entity that emerged from Ojukwu’s ill-fated declaration of secession.

At the risk of appearing to swim dangerously against the tide, one cannot help noting that the vast outpouring of grief among the general Igbo population all over Nigeria on the occasion of Chief Emeka Odumegwu’s demise inevitably presents some puzzling aspects to those Nigerians who were already adults at the time of the Nigerian civil war.

To some extent, one does understand that the genuine sense of bereavement experienced by the quasi-totality of Ndigbo springs from the widespread nostalgia that many continue to feel for the failed dream of Biafra as an independent Igbo homeland, with which the late Ikemba is closely associated.

However, was Biafra ever really a viable proposition in the Nigeria of pre-civil war days?

Could an independent igbo homeland have actually thrived as a landlocked entity, cut off from the oil-rich riverine areas inhabited by hostile minority tribes?

To what extent were the Ijaws, Annangs, Efik, Ibibio etc. have been expected to buy into the concept of Biafra?

If not, would it have been truly possible to construct Biafra on the basis of massive regimentation and oppression of the minority non-igbo tribes by the majority Ndigbo?

And how long could that kind of situation have been sustained, once the creation of the new twelve state structure by General Yakubu Gowon had given the original COR (Calabar-Ogoja-Rivers) population states of their own?

More intriguingly, one notes with some degree of amazement that the rewriting of history has been carried so far by some people (including a number of prominent non-Igbo citizens) as to suggest that the late Ikemba was actually some kind of proponent of a new revolutionary entity that was supposed to replace the Nigerian state that was in existence of the time on the basis of the Aburi accords (which he apparently suckered his less well educated military colleagues into signing).

The last gasp hodgepodge attempt to provide some form of ideological clothing for the concept

of Biafra under the appellation of “Ahiara declaration” has also often been cited in recent days as a pristine example of Ojukwu’s farreaching political wisdom, which we now hear provides a valid basis for nation building in the whole of Africa!

Might this not be a little farfetched?

Amidst all the outpouring of heated rhetoric and sentimental hyperbole, the question that really needs to be asked is : Was Emeka OdumegwuOjukwu actually a reformist leader motivated by a desire to restructure Nigeria for the benefit of all Nigerian citizens, and not simply a champion of the igbo population?

Although it may not please many who are not conversant with the history of 1960s Nigeria to hear this, the answer to that crucial question does not lead to the conclusion that Ojukwu ever cared about the citizens of Nigeriaas a whole!

In reality, there is a fundamental contradiction that lies at the heart of Ojukwu’s role in history, which is currently mirrored by the largely incomprehensible attempt by a gentleman named Ralph Uwazuruike to achieve what he describes as “the actualisation” of Biafra.

The contradiction is this : CAN NDIGBO SIMULTANEOUSLY SECEDE TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT BIAFRAN STATE AND STILL REMAIN NIGERIAN CITIZENS AT THE SAME TIME? In the present-day context, is Uwazuruike saying that all those of igbo origin who are established all over the Nigerian federation in Kano, Jos, Maiduguri, Calabar, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Oshogbo, Bauchi, Lagos etc. should pull up the stakes they have built up in various parts of Nigeria, sell all their landed property and businesses and relocate to the igbo heartland?

How feasible is that?

And how would Ndigbo really stand to benefit from such a wild scheme?

And yet Uwazuruike apparently continues to present himself as a leader of some sort who has something valid to offer Ndigbo! How strange!

IS THERE SOMETHING THAT THE REST OF US HAVE FAILED TO UNDERSTAND IN ALL THE SEEMINGLY EMPTY RHETORIC ON WHICH THE RESURGENCE OF BIAFRA PROGNOSTICATED BY FOLKS LIKE UWAZURUIKE IS BASED? Travelling back in time to the tragic era that preceded the civil war itself, can one really describe the horrendous massacres to which thousands of Ndigbo fell victim at the time in some parts of Northern Nigeria as some kind of premeditated act in which the entire northern population took part?

Even though one cannot but sympathize deeply with the many thousand igbo victims of the massacres that occurred in the north at the time, a balanced examination of all available facts would tend to suggest that the

Late Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu pogrom and rioting to which massive numbers of igbo citizens fell victim in the north in the run up to the ciivil war was actually engineered by some disgruntled northern politicians and a northern military cabal who felt threatened by the impact of the January 1966 coup (which had led to the emergence of General Aguiyi-Ironsi and a mostly igbo clique at the head of the Nigerian Government, even though AguiyiIronsi and his clique in the army and civil service had not actually taken part in the coup that precipitated the collapse of Nigeria’s first Republic).

MOST IRONICALLY, OJUKWU HIMSELF WAS NEVER PART OF THE REVOLUTIONARY GROUP OF MAJORS (LED PRINCIPALLY BY CHUKWUMA KADUNA NZEOGU AND EMMANUEL IFEAJUNA), WHO LED THE MILITARY UPRISING THAT OVERTHREW THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NIGERIAN FIRST REPUBLIC ON JANUARY 15TH 1966.

On the contrary, it is on record that, far from supporting the action of the Nzeogu group, Ojukwu initially sat on the fence from the vantage point of his position as Commander of the 5th battalion, an army unit based in Kano!

It is also on record that Ojukwu eventually helped Ironsi to foil the revolutionary aims of the authors of the Janury 1966 coup!

Finally, it is a well known fact that as a reward for Ojukwu’s role in blocking Nzeogu’s take over of Northern Nigeria, General Ironsi appointed Emeka OdumegwuOjukwu to the position of military Governor of the Eastern Nigerian region, catapaulting him over the head of Lt. Col Hilary Njokwu (who was subsequently held in detention

by Ojukwu during the entire

duration of the civil war).

Nzeogu himself died in mysterious circumstances in Biafra shortly after the beginning of the civil war, while Emmanuel Ifeajuna was one of those who were tried by a kangaroo court headed by Justice Nkemena and executed on Ojukwu’s orders along with Victor Banjo, Sam Agbam, and Philip Alale on the grounds that they had “conceived of an intention” to overthrow Emeka OdumegwuOjukwu with a view to “procuring” the downfall of Biafra...

Clearly, Ojukwu was NEVER a revolutionary or a sophisticated political thinker, either in the context of Nigeria or within Biafra itself!

It is also obvious that those who now seek to bestow this wholly undeserved accolade on the late Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu are either carried away by sentimentalism or blinded by partisan passion!

From a certain perspective, it is however wholly understandable that Ndigbo should identify emotionally to such a huge extent with the late Ikemba...

During the course of the civil war, it can be estimated that between 80 and 90 per cent of the entire igbo population bought into the concept of Biafra as an independent igbo nation.

What is rather difficult to understand however, is that both then and now, most igbo people refuse steadfastly to attach any degree of blame on Ojukwu for some of the shortcomings in leadership that appear to have prolonged their suffering in the course of the ill-fated Biafran adventure.

True, thousands of innocent igbo people were maimed, tortured and massacred by rampaging mobs in some northern cities in the run-

up to the war.

The question that however remains to be answered is : DID THE TERRIBLE SUFFERING OF THE IGBO VICTIMS OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN THE NORTH SERVE AS A CONVENIENT JUSTIFICATION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A PLAN THAT OJUKWU AND HIS ENTOURAGE HAD ALREADY FORMED FOR THE DECLARATION OF SECESSION? Was there truly no alternative to Biafra and no hope for national reconciliation at all in Nigeria in the tragic weeks and months that preceded the civil war?

Opinions remain divided on the subject!

What is however clear is that the intransigence displayed by Ojukwu (who stubbornly rejected several opportunities for a negotiated settlement of the war) inevitably led to a tragic prolongation of the civil war, with the resultant multitude of avoidable deaths, and the widespread starvation and destruction that was provoked by the length of the war.

Obviously, it was this factor that led an elder statesman like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe to eventually abandon the doomed Biafran adventure and declare himself in favour of the federation of Nigeria.

The warmth with which Dr. Azikiwe was welcomed back into the fold by the entire Nigerian nation and the highly laudable policy of “no victors no vanquished” that was applied by General Yakubu Gowon following the end of the war offered abundant proof at the time that the vast majority of Nigerians were tired of the war and its inevitable cortege of horrors, and that they genuinely aspired to live once more in peace and harmony with their igbo brothers and sisters.

Unfortunately however, right up till today, the igbo psyche seems to have been unable to overcome the deep traumatism of the civil war experience...

To this day, (rightly or wrongly), many igbos continue to feel marginalized and unloved as Nigerian citizens, which is perhaps what explains the emergence of a character like Ralph Uwazuruike and his bizarre project for “the actualisation of Biafra”.....

If Ojukwu deserves acceptance as a kind of hero within the context of the lives of Ndigbo, can it be said that his actions following the final collapse of Biafra (when he claimed to have flown to a safe haven in the Ivory Coast in search of imaginary peace negotiations) truly in keeping with the image of a courageous leader?

Whom can Ojukwu be said to have gone to negotiate with in Cote d’Ivoire, especially as he had already handed over power in Biafra to a committee headed by Gen. Philip Effiong, which included elder statesmen like the late Sir Louis Mbanefo?

Would Churchill, Roosevelt or Stalin have flown away in “search of peace” at the hour of collapse of their homelands if their respective countries had been defeated during the Second World War?

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

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Two-year-old Indian plays with cobra as he learns family business from his grandfather

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hese pictures, which will be shocking to many British parents, show the dying tradition of snake charming in rural India.

For centuries, the charmers have enjoyed a celebrated place in the country’s history.

The hypnotic tunes they played to enchant snakes to dance have not only captured the imagination of Indians, but people around the world.

But now, the industry is fighting for its survival amid stringent wildlife protection laws.

Wearing a colourful turban, Budh Nath, 65, is training his young grandson to perfect the ancient art - despite the fact it is

illegal and he could be jailed if caught.

The family, which lives in Faridabad, an hour’s drive from Delhi, claim they used to make a good living and were respected as highly skilled performers.

Since the late 1990s, when the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) was implemented, members of the nomadic Bedia community have seen their meagre finances dwindle still further.

The Act bars people from using wild animals commercially or turning them into pets, including bans on performances with live snakes.

The Bedia community have no other source of income.

Turning on the charm: Budh Nath (left) is training his grandson Sumit, two, in the now illegal art of snake charming. The family, which lives in Faridabad, an hour's drive from Delhi, claim they used to make a good living and were respected as highly skilled performers

Consigned to hissss-tory: Tanu Nath, 9, with snakes hanging around her neck - but the snake charming industry is fighting for survival due to stringent wildlife protection laws

Beware the scales... of justice: Karan Nath, six, plays with a snake in a basket even though the practice of snake charming is now illegal

Two-year-old Sumit is encouraged by his family to play with cobras, nonchalantly wrapping them around his neck, as they expect him to continue the family tradition.

‘I have educated all my sons and all my grandchildren go to school, but I will always teach them our ancient ways so we do not forget our heritage,’ said Budh Nath.

Snake charmers, once a symbol of the mystical Indian culture, have all but disappeared.

Supporters of the community say it has become a victim of India’s strict wildlife laws, with hefty fines and up to seven years in prison for anyone who owns a snake.

‘For thousands of years we have earned our living by

entertaining people with snakes but now we are left penniless,’ said Budh Nath.

‘Earlier, we used to roam from village to village and do our shows, but now if the police see us performing they take us to jail.’

‘Before they banned us from performing, we could make a decent living - we could get our sons educated, our daughters married.

Now it is very difficult.’

Snake charmers used to perform on street corners, festivals and in the early days of Indian independence at international art festivals.

Clad in the traditional turban and sitting cross-legged on mats before a cane basket holding coiled serpents, the hypnotic performances became an iconic image of India’s colourful rural heartland.

Armed with a long gourd flute, called a been, the snake charmer

would coax the snake, usually a deadly cobra, from the basket by swaying their instrument from side-to-side.

The snake, appearing hypnotised, follows the movement of the instrument with its head, appearing to dance.

‘We still do private performances at hotels but only for people we know. Otherwise, you never know when the police will try to arrest us and take our snakes away from us,’ said Budh Nath, who insists everyone in his family retains their traditional skills.

His shy six-year-old grandson, Karan, regularly ignores his homework to practise playing the flute. ‘I love playing with snakes,’ he said. ‘When I grow up, I want to be a snake charmer like my grandfather.’

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Living dangerously: Tanu Nath, nine (left), and brother Karan, six, happily pose with their father Mukesh - and their slithery friends. But anyone who owns a snake is subject to hefty fines and up to seven years in prison

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Insecurity: Neigbouring countries, BY EMMANUEL our next target, says Ihejirika he Chief of army staff (COAS), factor all that into the training of “Like I earlier posited, by the Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika personnel.

As you are aware, I time we root out terrorism from this IRIOGBE has thumbed up the Nigeria flagged off recently training of country,the next phase will be for us emmacopi@yahoo.com 08026125552

Keffi Barracks needs attention

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he top hierarchy of the military must be commended for their proactive approaches in their reformation drive of the military since the advent of democracy in 1999.

At different fora, they have not minced words in telling the world how they have fared better under civil rule as compared to when they were in power. It is a good thing that money being made available to them is being put to judicious use that we now see military personnel and formations that both the country and the international community is proud of.

Only last week, the minister of defence, Dr. Mohammed HaliruBello commissioned army projects in Abuja. Among these projects were the 38 flats complete with a, air-conditioned, 1bedroom dog kennel at the Shehu Yar’Adua barracks, 36 flats at the Mambila Guards Brigade Garrison,48 rooms, soldiers transition accommodation located inside the Mogadishu cantonment and the 32 flats for officers at the WU Bassey Barracks.

The question on most lips is; should the army concentrate on only infrastructures located in major cities like Abuja and Lagos while those scattered in nooks and crannies around the country suffer neglect?

A typical example is the Shittu Alao barracks, Keffi which is home to the elite117 Guards Brigade of the Nigerian army.

For those not in the know, the Guards Brigade is charged with the personal security of Mr. President, his vice, and members of their immediate families.

Going by this background, one would have expected to see these men and women live in comfort so as to be able to discharge their assigned roles creditably and to the best of their abilities. This however is not the case as the barracks is in a sorry state of dilapidation with broken down houses and roads that can best be referred to as un-motor

able.

The Shittu Alao Barracks is a stone throw from the federal capital Territory (FCT), and nothing stops the army from extending the developmental projects to the elite barracks.

The Chief of Army staff should be aware of the deteriorating nature of the road net work in the barrack because he was there upper week for the annual army shooting classification exercise where he was a participant.

What could have been going through the mind of the COAS when he was been driven through the rough terrain that makes up the roads in the barrack. This is especially considering the cozy nature of similar facilities in Abuja he just left behind. After all, Gen. Ihejirika in his speech during last week’s commissioning of projects stated that in order to get the best out of troops their well being must take priority. He went ahead to disclose at the ceremony that similar rehabilitation of barracks were on going in such places like Sokoto, Akwananam in Enugu state, Adamawa and at the training base in Kontagora, Niger state without any mention of the all important Keffi Barracks.

Also at the ceremony, Defence Minister, Dr. Haliru-Bello was full of praises for the army when he said; “Projects of this nature that touch the heart of troop welfare are very important and significant” The ministry has over time boasted of rehabilitation of barracks, but is it aware that some barracks in the country are in such deplorable state that can only be compared to police barracks with the attendant inhuman living environment fit only for animals?

There is a popular maxim which states; “show me where you live and I will tell you who you are. The army has it in its logo that victory is from God but they must not also be mindful of the saying that ‘Cleaningness is next to Godliness’

Soldiers on patrol on a deserted street, what kind of accommodation are they returning to after a hard day's job?

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army in the fight against terrorism saying that the country would now extend the fight to neigbouring countries.

Gen. Ihejirika spoke recently at the ‘First Quarter Chief of Army Staff Conference 2012’ and revealed that the security situation in the country has improved tremendously.

“I want to say that the situation of insecurity generally has improved.

As we get more information through the cooperation of the people, operations become swifter and easier.I attribute our successes so far to several factors, one of which is adequate provision of equipment by government, secondly is in the area of training as there is no substitute for training.

“As we become aware of the modus operandis of the terrorists, we

soldiers in counter-terrorism in Kachia, Kaduna state and as we speak, a lot of training is on-going also in Jaji with about 2,000 soldiers currently undergoing training, we expect to see further improvement in their performances.

While refusing to give the actual figure of soldiers that have lost their lives in the fight against the Boko Haram sect, the chief of army staff however agreed that; “Like in every operation we have suffered a number of casualties, but I want to say that soldiers have continued to persevere and will continue to do so”.

Speaking on plans to take the fight to neigbouring countries, Ihejirika said the country and its citizenry cannot sleep comfortably if terrorist activities play out in these countries.

to prepare to help our neigbours in neigbouring countries to also root out the menace, because even if there is peace in Nigeria, that peace will not be complete, if our neigbours are embattled. You must also have learnt that some of these terrorist were training in neigbouring countries. I believe that our operation is to root them out of Nigeria,and then in line with the nations commitment to the sub region, we would be prepared to assist our neigbours”.

The Quarterly conferences according to the army boss provides the army with opportunities to take stalk of activities, make a review and take decisions with regards to activities in the coming quarter. The focus of this year’s conference he said is basically to concentrate on security and training.

Brig-Gen. Mobolaji Koleoso is new Army spokesman

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new Director of Army Public Relations Brig-Gen. Mobolaji Koleoso, assumed duty, Friday at the Directorate of Army Public Relations in Abuja.

Koleoso who takes over from Maj-Gen. Ralph Isa, and has since resumed as the Provost Marshal of the Nigerian army said he was happy with the achievements of the directorate and promised to sustain.

He reminded officers in the directorate of the vision of the Chief of Army Staff to transform the Army, adding that they should work toward the attainment of the goal.

“The vision is not new and the vision is being driven on daily basis.

We have seen the successes that the Army has made since the Chief of Army Staff came on board and I would want everyone to please cooperate.

“A tree cannot make a forest that is why I am seeking the cooperation of all, including our brothers and sisters in the media. ’’ Koleoso explained that the days of traditional media was gone and with the advent of social media, “whatever we do here now, may be transmitted all over the world. ’’ Earlier, Isa told his successor that since coming on board about a year ago, he has done his best to reposition the directorate.

“I have tried my best to reposition the directorate in the past one year and I will urge you to continue with the success story and to even surpass our record. ’’ He told the new director that he would be interacting with local and international press, stressing that he should operate an open-door policy.

The new director was until recently a directing staff at the Nigerian Defence College, Abuja.

In a related development, Col. John Agim has been posted to the headquarters as the new chief of staff at the Army public relations department and takes over from Col. OU Abdul.

Dr. Mohammed Haliru-Bello, Minister of Defence.

Awute, Ex Perm. Sec. hinges success on minister

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he immediate past permanent secretary in the ministry of defence, Mr. Linus Awute has attributed the success the ministry recorded for the 6 months he was in charge to the co-operation he received from his boss, the minister of defence, Dr. Mohammed Haliru-Bello and the minister of state in the ministry, Erelu Olusola Obada.

Mr. Awute gave the commendations Friday at the formal handover ceremony to his successor, Prof. Nocholas Damanchi at the Ship House in Abuja.

While describing the minister as one of the best things happening to the ministry and a befitting legacy of the 4th Republic’s democracy, listed his achievements to include barracks rehabilitation, military hardware and platforms acquisition, work ethics, discipline and general staff welfare.

The former PS who moved to the ministry of interior in the recent redeployment of permanent secretay, said the ministry within his stay recorded an increase in the supervision and control of the maritime environment at the gulf of

Guinea, the joint Development Zone and the Niger Delta Areas. Others he said include provision of logistics for the JTF, commissioning of 2No. Super Puma Helicopters among others.

In the area of discipline, he disclosed that all outstanding disciplinary cases have been investigated, treated and forwarded to the federal civil service. The disciplinary cases he said ranged from outright fraud, stealing, negligence of duties.

Awute who spoke passionately on the need for every Nigerian to be patriotic and do what is right, disclosed that over 40 contracts have been evaluated, revoked and terminated while efforts were on for a possible reaward and refund or recovery of 15% mobilization earlier advanced to such contractors between 2007 and 2010.

He called on the new permanent secretary on the need to fast track ongoing projects using the 2012 budget provision.

Prof. Damanchi in his response, thanked Mr. Awute for a detailed hand-over and promised to continue with the good works.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 29

Agric investment most effective poverty eradication method -IFAD

NGO trains extension agents, farmers on crop production technology

resident of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Dr Kanayo Nwanze, has said that investing in agriculture was the most effective way to eradicate poverty in Africa.

In a statement issued in New York recently, Nwanze said increasing investment in agriculture was essential to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

According to him, “Investments in agriculture are more effective in lifting people out of poverty than investments in any other sector.”

“They not only drive economic growth and set the stage for longterm sustainable development; they pay high dividends in terms of quality of life and dignity for poor rural people,” he said.

“The experience of IFAD has shown that agriculture is a business, and our business is to make sure smallholder agriculture profitable so that rural communities can thrive,” he added.

Meanwhile, Nwanze is expected soon at Addis Ababa for the Joint Annual Meeting of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance.

According to the statement, the IFAD President will, at the meeting, share his vision for ensuring that smallholder farmers are at the centre of any plan for post-2015.

(NAN)

he Sasakawa Global 2000, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has commenced a two-day training of 89 extension agents and farmers in Adamawa on crop production technology.

Sasakawa Global 2000 is a joint venture of two organisations Sasakawa Africa Association and the Global 2000 programme of the Carter Centre in Atlanta, U.S. Theme 1 Coordinator, Dr Idris Garko, Sasakawa Global 2000 in Nigeria, declared the training open recently in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, saying the organisation decided to assist the government with the training, following the successful implementation of agricultural projects in 2011.

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Agriculture: Commissioner decries clash within farmers associations

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he Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Daniel Kolade, has condemned what he called infighting within farmers and commodity associations in the state.

Kolade told journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, that one of the challenges facing the ministry was the numerous factions within farmers and commodity associations.

The commissioner said even the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), the apex body of farmers in the state, had been polarised.

“I have met with the state’s AFAN. The state’s AFAN is divided in two.

All of them put themselves into two, into three factions. There is so much infighting among them. You don’t really know who to deal with,” he said.

“When you are dealing with this one, another one will come up. And we have seen that they have so much polarised themselves along party lines,” Kolade added.

He said the polarisation of farmers groups along party lines had worsened, with members threatening to unleash violence on each other.

The commissioner said government had been pleading with the different associations to resolve their differences and engage government as united entities. (NAN)

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“As a result of the successful implementation of agricultural projects in 2011, we were encouraged to train more agricultural officers and farmers in the state,” he said.

The coordinator lauded the commitment of the state government to enhance farmers’

welfare and improve crop yield.

He, however, expressed concern that due to lack of support by Bauchi and Gombe State governments, the organisation could only train 22 and 20 extension agents respectively from the two states.

Earlier, Malam Mustafa Raji, ADP project manager in Adamawa,

urged participants at the training to pay attention to and tap from the knowledge of their resource persons.

“You are expected to impact the knowledge gained from the training on other farmers to improve agricultural production,” he said.

(NAN)

Lawmaker cautions NCS over cattle tax

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member representing Mubi South State Constituency in Adamawa House of Assembly, Alhaji Usman Lamorde, has raised concern over tension at the Mubi cattle market over the collection of cattle tax.

Usman told journalists in Yola recently that attempt by officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to collect custom duty from the cattle dealers had generated tension.

The law maker also said that he had presented the issue before the assembly, six months ago when the state command of customs explained that the tax would only be collected on cattle entering Nigeria at the border.

“This renewed attempt to collect the tax in the market, instead of border posts as specified customs regulation on cattle tax is causing tension in Mubi.

Cattle dealers in the market, which is the biggest cattle market in the North East, are complaining bitterly,” the lawmaker said.

Usman, who is the House Committee Chairman on Security, pointed out that there was enough tension in Mubi because of the recent sporadic shootings in the town.

He said that there was, therefore, the need for caution from all concerned, not to aggravate the situation.

“I want to call on the state custom command to look into the activities of its men, in Mubi particularly, now that we are experiencing serious security challenges in the town,” he said.

“We know the importance of revenue to government and we will do everything necessary to assist government generate it in a proper and peaceful way,” Usman stated.

When contacted on the allegation, the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr S.K. Taupyen, denied the allegation.

He said that he had contacted the officer in charge of Mubi unit command, who told him that no official was collecting cattle tax in the market.

“Our men only collect such levy at Mbila in Maiha Local Government Area, which is the entry point to Nigeria from Cameroon. Our men never entered the Mubi Cattle Market for anything,” Taupyen said. (NAN)

Bananas ready for export

Growing rate of rice importation may spell doom for Nigeria, Agric Minister

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he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, has said that growing rate of rice importation may spell doom for Nigeria if efforts are not made to curtail the practice.

Adesina, who stated this recently in Abeokuta in Ogun State, during an Investors’ Forum, said that Nigeria spent N1.3 billion on rice importation annually.

He said: “The Federal Government would be spending N150 billion dollars importing rice in 2050, unless the trend was reversed.”

The minister also projected that the consumption level would have risen to 36 million tonnes by year by 2050, as Nigeria currently consumed 5 million tonnes of rice annually.

Adesina, however, said that the level of rice production in the country had not matched the rate of consumption.

The minister described such development as unsustainable and undesirable, and called on the state governments to step up action towards guaranteeing food security.

He said that the present administration under President Goodluck Jonathan was determined to transform Nigeria into being a major exporter of rice.

According to him, the Federal Government is poised to create 3.5

million jobs in the agricultural sector as part of its transformation agenda.

As part of efforts to boost rice production, the minister said that the Federal Government had just established three new rice processing mills in Ebonyi, Niger and Kebbi states with a capacity of 90,000 tonnes.

He further said that the Federal Government would partner with Ogun in establishing three large-scale mills for the improvement of the local Ofada rice, produced in the state.

In his remarks, Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun called on civil servants in the state to embrace agriculture as a supportive source of income.

Aregbesola, who noted that majority of civil servants in the Northern states were engaged in farming, said such venture was not illegal.

The governor called on the Osun Head of Service to encourage civil servants in the state, particularly top officials to have farm settlements in order to complement the effort of the state government in agriculture.

He advocated that the promotion in the civil service be hinged on the evidence of diligent farming.

Also speaking, the host governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, said that Ogun was a viable investment destination in

its own right.

“In Ogun, we realise that we have a unique opportunity. Our huge agricultural base means that we have the ability to feed our sister state, Lagos.

“With our proximity, we are increasingly housing Lagos workers and we have a large and growing commuter community. Our low cost manufacturing base is ideal for any company wishing to sell into the lucrative Lagos market,” he stressed.

According to him, “our location advantages are not, however, restricted to Lagos. The appellation, ‘the Gateway State’ reflects the diversity of our borders. We have borders with Oyo, Osun and Ondo states.”

“We boast of the deepest shores of the Atlantic Ocean, which are already being developed into a much needed deep sea container port in Olokola,” he stated.

“We also have an international border with Benin,” the governor said, and urged investors to take advantage of the investment opportunities in the state,” the gogernor added.

It was however learnt that participants at the two-day programme include governors, captains of industries, business moguls, investors and top government officials. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 30

Agip oil distributes farm implements, cash prizes to 200 farmers in Rivers

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n furtherance of its Green River Project (GRP) initiative to boost agriculture, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) has doled out farm implements and cash prizes to 200 farmers in Rivers.

Managing Director of NAOC, Mr Ciro Pagano, gave the prizes at the 16th NAOC-GRP Farmers’ Day celebration and launch of the 2012 farming season in Obrikom, Onelga Local Government Area recently.

It was learnt that prizes won by the farmers included motorcycles, refrigerators, generators, wheelbarrows and fishing nets/ feeds.

Others are machetes, hoes, spades, head pans, rain boots and cash prizes of between N15, 000 and N30, 000.

Pagano said NAOC, through it Green Rivers Project, had disbursed N19 million to 35 farmers, cooperative societies, women and youth organisations in the oil producing areas.

He stated that the company also assisted 3,500 farmers with farming techniques and technologies aimed at enhancing productivity and promoting food security in the country.

According to him, 120 hectares of farm land have been provided for farmers and 300,000 bundles of improved cassava plantlets to 251 farmers.

Pagano disclosed that the oil company would soon unveil its robust initiative that would revitalise the agriculture sector and ensure food security in its host communities and in the country generally.

The NOAC boss said the existing peace and cooperation of the host communities had afforded the company a good operational environment.

Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Christian Oboh, said the Green River Project was a laudable one that had improved agricultural produce in the region.

According to him, NDDC will provide N1 million worth of farm tools to the best farmer in the Green Rivers Project initiative.

He also said farmers and cooperative societies could access loans by forwarding their interest to the commission, saying “I also want to challenge the youths that this is an opportunity for us to cash on what we have now. We have large pool of funds that youths can come partner with us to go into agriculture.

“It’s going to provide more foodsfor us and is going to provide employment for the youth. We are open to discussion with all communities; we are willing to establish large farms because we have the marching order of the President of Nigeria,” he stated.

The Green Rivers Project is a NAOC initiative that aims at revitalising agriculture and farming techniques in its host communities in Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers state respectively. (NAN)

Farmers appeal to JTF on curfew in Borno F

armers in Maiduguri metropolis in Borno State have appealed to the Joint Task Force (JTF) to review the curfew imposed in some parts of the state to enable them perform their farming activities.

A cross section of those, who

A cassava farm

Nigeria among emerging forest resources markets, says FAO

F

ood and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has said that Nigeria and three other African countries are emerging forest resources markets in the world.

A statement made available to journalists in Lagos recently, said that the survey, conducted by FAO Resources and Market Assessment in 60 tropical countries, showed that some African countries were improving in teak planting.

It was also learnt that teak is one of the most important and valuable hardwoods in the world, adding “the planted teak forests have attracted large private sector investments in Africa, Asia and Latin America.”

According to the statement, as a result, the planted teak areas have increased in Africa, Central America, South America and Asia.

“With the global decline in natural teak forest, the survey reveals that planted teak forests are increasing in

countries like Nigeria, Benin, Ghana and Tanzania,’’ it said.

The statement said that natural teak forests grow only in four countries in the world: India, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

“In 2010, their combined area of natural teak forest was estimated at about 29 million hectares (ha), almost half of its growing in Myanmar,’’ the statement said.

Myanmar is the only country that currently produces quality teak from natural forests- India, Lao PDR and Thailand has bans on logging in natural forests or on log for exports in place.

According to the survey, natural teak forests declined in area by 385,000 hectares globally, or by 1.3 per cent between 1992 and 2010.

It said that the improvement in planted teak forest in developing countries would have positive effect on the economy and the livelihood of rural dwellers.

FAO Forestry Officer, Mr Walter Kollert, said that the time the trees would reach harvestable dimensions was comparatively long and on average would take between 20 and 80 years.

“Teak planting serves local communities as a savings account and in the long run helps small holders improve their livelihoods and the livelihoods of their children," it quoted Kollert as saying.

Kollert said that there was no better up-to-date information on teak resources available at the moment, adding that data provided by the survey should be handled with care.

"It is difficult to obtain precise figures on teak forest loss, because teak trees do not grow in pure stands in nature.

“Natural teak forests are mixed deciduous or tropical evergreen forests which have a share of teak of between four and 35 per cent,” he said. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

How the West de-democratised the Middle East (II) ANALYSIS

By Irfan Ahmad Iran he next major theatre of dedemocratisation was Iran, whose elected government was overthrown, in 1953, by a US-UK alliance. Mohammad Mosaddeq was Iran's elected prime minister. He enjoyed the approval of Iran's parliament for his nationalisation programme.

The US and UK organised a CIAled coup to oust Mosaddeq because Iran refused make oil concessions to the West. During World War II, the UK had taken control of Iran to prevent oil from being passed to its ally, the Soviet Union. Through the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, the UK continued to control Iran's oil after the war. The Frencheducated Mosaddeq was highly critical of Iran's draining of resources to the West. Soon after getting elected as prime minister in March 1951, Mosaddeq and his National Front alliance had moved to nationalise Iranian oil and throw out foreign control of oil fields. One such was the Abadan refinery, then the largest in the world. The UK retaliated by imposing economic sanctions, backed by its heavy naval presence in the region.

Mosaddeq, however, was undeterred; his popularity only increased among the Iranian people. Faced with Mosaddeq's resistance, the UK-US alliance staged a coup to over throw Mosaddeq's government.

The 1953 coup in Iran was significant also for Central and South America.

Indeed, subsequently it became a model for regime change. Only a year later, in 1954, as the New York Times noted in 2000, the CIA staged a successful coup in Guatemala. We should also note the CIA plot on 9/11. Not the 9/ 11 we know think of - but the 9/ 11 of 1973. On that occasion, the CIA toppled the democratic government of Salvador Allende in Chile to replace it with the dictatorship of General Pinochet, who brutally ruled for 17 long years.

Bahrain Another theatre of dedemocratisation in the Middle East was Bahrain, formerly a British protectorate. In 1971, Bahrain became independent. In December 1973, the first elections (only men participated) were held to elect the thirty members of al-majlis al-watani, the National Assembly.

That assembly challenged the unbridled authority of the al-Khalifa family which had ruled Bahrain since 1783. A major challenge to the clan came in the form of the assembly's demand for the eviction of the US Navy base from Bahrain. Let it be noted

T

President Barack Obama that the US military presence in Bahrain dates to 1949. After the withdrawal of British forces from there, the US presence increased.

Legally, Bahrain's assembly was right in asking for the eviction of the US Navy. But the ruling al-Khalifas dissolved the assembly on August 26, 1975.

There was then no democracy until 2002. Various vibrant institutions of civil society, such as trade unions, were all crushed.

Clearly, what mattered to the US were not the voices and aspirations of Bahraini people but America's own national interest, which was to keep its base. Admiral Crow justified this, saying that "on general principles ... the [US] Navy did not want to leave a place where they were already established".

One may say that there was no "external" intervention and the al-Khalifa family took a "sovereign internal" decision to dissolve the assembly. However, in the Middle East (as elsewhere) the drawing of lines between

internal and external is a difficult business.

Afghanistan The West's dedemocratisation continued in Afghanistan. After the fall of the Taliban, an UN-sponsored conference took place (in November 2001) in Bonn to decide Afghanistan's future. The avowed objective was to install democracy and women's freedom in Afghanistan.

Leaving aside the issue of the extent to which the Afghan delegates invited to Bonn were representative of the Afghan population, it is instructive to note that the leader Abdul Satar Sirat, elected by a majority of votes to lead the interim government, was asked to give way to Hamid Karzai. The decision to install "democracy" in Afghanistan was itself taken undemocratically. The aim clearly was not to install democracy but to install Karzai, "our man", who was eager to pursue Western ambitions. A

“

I have argued how the West's claim of spreading democracy in the Middle East is bogus.

Against the West's claims, I have instead shown how it continually de-democratised one country after another.

decade since then, journalists such as James Fergusson, author of A million bullets and Taliban, now complain that Karzai is "absolutely not interested in the principles of democracy". Was this the goal, however? The former Australian prime minister, John Howard, later admitted that West did not want to get embroiled in Afghanistan's reconstruction or any messy "nation-building".

Surgical operations in Afghanistan were the key goal.

Iraq The story of dedemocratisation was similar in Iraq. Following the Western invasion of Iraq as the government fell in April 2003, people in places as diverse as Mosul (a Kurdish town), Samara (with a Sunni Arab majority), Hilla and Najaf (both Shia towns), and Baghdad spontaneously organised meetings to elect representatives for reconstruction, safety and provision of essential infrastructure. It was a popular democratic initiative in the true sense of the term. However, the US thwarted all such democratic initiatives by nullifying the decisions and plans the elected representatives of various councils had made. In their place, the US appointed their own, reliable (unelected) people, including former Baathists.

The 'why' of dedemocratisation Why did the West dedemocratise the Middle East? It did so, I submit, because seldom did its power elites see the region as a people with diverse, dynamic social-cultural texture instead of a repository of multiple resources and strategic interests. Hence their prime aim was to keep the Middle East "stable" and "manageable".

In 1984, Robert W Stookey, a prominent member of the US foreign service (with postings in the Middle East and a doctorate in political science), published The Arabian Peninsula: Zone of Ferment from Stanford University's Hoover Institution.

The books published from the Hoover Institution were "concerned with the US involvement in world and regional politics". Stookey began the book's introduction as follows: "Considering the economic and strategic significance for our national interests, the Arabian peninsula is not well known to the general public." And this is how, within the framework of US national interest, he made the Middle East "known" to his Western audience. Saudi Arabia, he noted, had the "possession of onefourth of the non-communist world's oil reserves" and thus described it (and Kuwait) as "oilrich". In contrast, he called the then-two Yemens "oil-less". It is evident how the Middle East made any sense to the West only in relation to whether it was "oilrich" or "oil-less".

Such a conceptualisation of the Middle East was articulated by imperial Britain, whose viceroy to India, Lord Curzon, wrote in the 19th century: "Turkestan, Afghanistan, Transcaspia, Persia - to many these words breathe only a sense of utter remoteness, or a memory of strange vicissitudes and of moribund romance. To me, I confess they are pieces on a chessboard upon which is being played out a game for the domination of the world." Indeed, the term "Middle East" itself is imperial. "Middle" between which two points or locations?

And yes, East of what? Clearly, it is a geographical designation which puts the West at the centre of the world. In the late 19th century, Alfred Mahan, a US navy officer, invented the term "Middle East" and used it in his book The Influence of Sea Power Upon History.

Halford Mackinder, a liberal imperialist of Britain, later popularised it.

I have argued how the West's claim of spreading democracy in the Middle East is bogus. Against the West's claims, I have instead shown how it continually dedemocratised one country after another. Like India, the world's largest democracy which is largely disinterested in - and indirectly hostile to - democratic movements in Bhutan and Burma, the West has been largely hostile to genuine democracy in the Middle East so as to nurture its interests geopolitical and strategic - by keeping the Mubaraks and the Shahs “stable”.

Irfan Ahmad is a political anthropologist and a lecturer at Monash University, Australia Source: Aljazeera.com

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 32

Senegal’s Sall sworn in as president S

Mali sanctions loom, rebels seize north

W

est African leaders will decide on Monday whether to impose sanctions on Mali after leaders of a military coup said they would return power to civilians in a bid to avert diplomatic and economic isolation.

A 72-hour deadline, set by West African bloc ECOWAS, for soldiers to start returning to barracks expired overnight as northern separatist rebels said they had completed a lightning push south, seizing three regional capitals in as many days as Mali’s army units retreated.

A senior ECOWAS official accused the junta of “buying time” with the promises but said a decision over sanctions would only be taken at a summit held on Dakar on Monday on the sidelines of the swearing-in of Senegal’s new president, Macky Sall.

Last month’s coup, weeks before President Amadou Toumani Toure was due to step down for elections, shattered the international reputation of stability and democracy that Africa’s No. 3 gold producer had previously enjoyed.

The push by rebels, whose ranks were swelled by fighters returning from the Libyan conflict, has also deepened insecurity across the SaharaSahel band, already awash with Islamists, traffickers and bandits.

France and Britain have advised their citizens to leave the country due to the insecurity.

“Captain Amadou Sanogo and his group are just buying time,” Remi Ajibewa, head of political affairs and international cooperation at ECOWAS, told Reuters after the coup leader pledged to reinstate the constitution and all state institutions before holding an election.

“Apart from announcing the restoration of the 1992 Constitution they have not set out any timetable to hand over power to a democratically elected government in Mali,” he added.

ECOWAS has threatened the closure of trade borders, diplomatic isolation and a freeze in funding from the regional central bank. However there was no sign early on Monday of moves to implement the measures.

Macky Sall

enegal’s Macky Sall took his oath as president of the West African country yesterday under the gaze of regional leaders due to hold emergency talks later on the crisis in neighbouring Mali.

The ex-prime minister won nearly 66 percent in last month’s run-off vote to defeat incumbent Abdoulaye Wade, his former mentor, in a tense election that nevertheless reinforced Senegal’s credentials as the most stable democracy in mainland West Africa.

But what was hailed as a victory for African democracy was overshadowed days later by a coup in Mali which emboldened separatist rebels to seize major towns in the northern half of the country

where they want to make their homeland.

Sall, 50, ran for a sevenyear mandate but has pledged to reduce the presidential term to five years and to stick to an existing two-term limit. It was the move by 85-year-old Wade to seek a third term that sparked street protests leading up to the election in which at least six people died.

Sall joins a new generation of African leaders born after the 1960 wave of independence declarations across the continent, and is one of the few of that number to have first gained power by way of regular elections.

Among his peers are Togo’s Faure Gnassingbe, installed as president in 2005 on his father’s

death; Democratic Republic of Congo’s Joseph Kabila, who came to power the same way in 2001; and Madagascar’s Andry Rajoelina, who with army backing declared himself president in 2009 after a political crisis.

Sall has pledged to make tackling poverty a priority, promising to fund cuts to the price of basic necessities such as rice with reductions in the cost of running the government.

Among his other top challenges is to keep Senegal’s dysfunctional power grid operational and ultimately revamp it. The sector is currently only producing electricity thanks to expensive generators hired last year from a U.S. energy group.

Sudan, S.Sudan accuse each other of attacks, talks delayed

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udan and South Sudan on Sunday accused each other of launching attacks in the oil-producing area straddling their border after talks aimed at ending the worst hostilities since Juba declared its independence were delayed.The United Nations and the United States fear the border clashes, which broke out on Monday, could escalate and re-ignite a civil war between the mainly Muslim north and the South where most adhere to Christian and animist beliefs.

Sudan said South Sudan’s army had attacked the Sudan side of the disputed Heglig oil field area, the scene of several clashes in the past days, state news agency SUNA said.

“The (Sudanese) armed forces are now dealing with the enemy forces,” army spokesman Sawarmi Khalid Saad told SUNA. There was no immediate

response from South Sudan, which accused Khartoum of having bombed two areas on the oil-producing southern side of the border.

“The government of Sudan attacked Manga today at two in the morning,” Pagan Amum, head of South Sudan’s negotiating team, told reporters in Addis Ababa, where the African Union is trying to restart talks between the neighbours.

“Panakuach, also in Unity State, has been subjected to aerial bombardment today, including attacks by helicopter gunship,” he said. “As we speak, Sudan is bombing South Sudan.”

Sudan’s army spokesman denied the allegation.

South Sudan became independent from Khartoum under a 2005 peace agreement that ended decades of civil war that killed 2 million people.

Both sides were supposed to

resume talks this weekend but African Union officials said key members of Sudan’s delegation, such as its defence minister and the chief-of-staff of its army, had yet to arrive.

Sudan’s delegation said it was committed to talks as Khartoum wanted peace, without giving a time frame.

“The government confirms that dialogue with South Sudan is the right way to solve all issues and to have peace between the two states,” the delegation said in a statement, SUNA reported.

Amum accused Khartoum of trying to delay the talks.

“The government of Sudan did not send the leader of their team. It is now clear that they have different intentions,” he said.

As well as agreeing a halt to further hostilities, the two sides need to decide how much the landlocked South must pay to export its crude oil through

Omar Al-Bashir Sudan. Juba has shut down its entire oil production to stop Khartoum taking oil as compensation for what it calls unpaid transit fees.

Tuareg rebels ready for Mali talks

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uareg rebels in Mali’s north have expressed a willingness to negotiate with the government or regional bloc ECOWAS after having seized the ancient city of Timbuktu.

The rebel offensive came amid the chaos gripping the West African country following last week’s military coup.

The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) said they were no longer seeking to expand their area of control, having secured the borders of what the group considers to be a Tuareg homeland.

“Our objective it not to go further than the Azawad borders.

We don’t want to create problems for the government of Mali, and even less create problems in the sub-region,” said Hama Ag Mahmoud, of the MNLA’s political wing.

“We don’t want to give anyone the impression that we’re gungho for the war, so from the moment we have liberated our territories, our objective is

achieved, we stop there.”

He said that while his group had not yet been contacted regarding talks, they were open to them.

“We are open to all attempts ... [to] all means of negotiations through ECOWAS [Economic Community of West African States], through another organ or through big powers, we are effectively open, but for now we haven’t received any attempt of negotiation,” he said.

Earlier, the rebels overran Timbuktu, a long-time target of their movement. “[Tuareg rebels] have arrived in the town. They are planting their flag,” El Hadj Baba Haidara, a member of parliament for Timbuktu, told the Reuters news agency on Sunday.

A resident told the Reuters news agency that the rebels had hoisted the Tuareg flag at the governor’s office, the mayor’s office and the main military camp.

Several witnesses told the AFP news agency that rebels were in

the city and that gunshots were heard.

The capture of Timbuktu came hours after the rebels took the garrison town of Gao, following a withdrawal by Malian army forces.

Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from Mali capital, Bamako, said that by capturing Timbuktu, the rebels had “managed to do what had eluded them for decades”.

He said that when mutinous soldiers overthrew the government, they said it was with the intention of establishing a genuine democracy in Mali.

“However, what they failed to take into account was that the army was sort of disintegrating and that the rebellion was going to take advantage of that situation to claim more than one third of the country,” he added.

Fighting under the banner of the MNLA, the rebels relaunched their decades-long

military campaign for a separate homeland in midJanuary and have since seized Kidal, another key town in the north.

The setbacks at the hands of the heavily armed rebels piled pressure on Mali’s coup leaders who had been given until Monday to start handing back power or face sanctions by the ECOWAS regional bloc.

Threatened with crippling sanctions, coup leader Amadou Sanogo has agreed to reinstate the constitution and hold elections.

Sanogo, who dissolved the nation’s constitution after grabbing power, said on Sunday that the 1992 law had been “reinstated”.

“We make the solemn commitment to restore, from this day, the constitution of the Republic of Mali of February 25, 1992, as well as the republic’s institutions,” Sanogo told journalists in Bamako.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Stage set for Russian plane crash Colombia kills 31, 12 survive hostage A release

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wo Brazilian air force helicopters have arrived in Colombia to whisk away to freedom the last 10 soldiers and police held hostage by Colombia’s main rebel group.

Piedad Cordoba, a former Colombian senator brokering the release, said she expected to obtain the co-ordinates from the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on Monday morning.

The Red Cross-emblazoned Super Cougars would then depart for a jungle rendezvous.

Brazilian helicopters have been used because it acceptable by all sides, and has been involved in previous hostage handovers.

It remains unclear whether FARC rebels will free all 10 captives - some held for as long as 14 years - at once or in several stages. Four of the hostages are soldiers and the rest are police officers.

The rebels have proposed peace talks, and recently announced a halt to kidnappings for ransom.

Al Jazeera’s Gabriel Elizondo, reporting from Villavicencio, Colombia, said the long ordeal for the hostages “may be coming to an end within a matter of hours now”.

He said the move was a humanitarian handover as opposed to a military one.

The handover is being led by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Colombians for Peace, an organisation made up mostly of women.

The group has been working behind the scenes for many months to make “this humanitarian handover possible”, said our correspondent.

He said one of the people who arrived to show support for the NGO’s effort was Rigoberta Menchú, a Nobel prize-winning human rights advocate from Guatemala.

“We know that there are sveral others that have been released this way. And we know that beyond the releases Colombia should have peace. We feel what Colomboans feel now,” Menchú said.

Our correspondent said that the FARC was also holding civilians but added that it was not clear how many were in the rebels’ hands.

“It could be as little as eighty or ninety, but some estimates are that it could be into the hundreds. Nobody really knows what the status of civilian hostages will be,” he said.

“There is a real hope that this hostage handover could open up doors of communication and dialogue between the FARC and the Colombian government, but it is unclear whether the government will want to engage in dialogue with the FARC.”

Russian passenger plane crashed and burst into flames after takeoff in an oilproducing region of Siberia on Monday, killing at least 31 of the 43 people on board, emergency officials said.

Thirteen survivors were pulled from the wreckage and rushed to hospital by helicopter but one later died. Television footage showed the plane, which had broken in two, lying in a snowy field. Only the tail and rear part of the fuselage were visible.

It was not immediately clear what caused the UTair airlines ATR 72 to crash with 39 passengers and four crew on board, the latest air disaster to blight Russia's safety record.

"There are no explanations yet," Yuri Alekhin, head of the regional branch of the Emergencies Ministry, told Russian television from the scene of the crash.

He said the "black box" flight recorder had been found and added: "Contact was lost with the plane just over three minutes after take-off."

UTair said on its website that the twin-engine, turbo-prop plane had been trying to make an emergency landing when it came down 1.5 km (one mile) from the airport in the western Siberian city of Tyumen en route to Surgut, an oil town to the northeast.

At least five of the survivors were in critical condition, RIA news agency quoted hospital officials as saying in Tyumen, some 1,720 km (1,070 miles) east of Moscow.

UTair has three ATR-72 craft made by the French-Italian manufacturer ATR, according to the Russian airline's website www.utair.ru.

ATR is an equal partnership between two major European aeronautics players, Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, and EADS. The crash was the deadliest air disaster in Russia since a Yak-42 plane slammed into a riverbank near the city of Yaroslavl after takeoff on September 7, 2011, killing 44 people and wiping out the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl ice hockey team.

Pakistan jails bin Laden’s family for illegal stay

A

Pakistani court charged former al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden’s three widows and two daughters with illegally staying in the country and sentenced them to 45 days in jail, their lawyers said yesterday.

In practice, that means 14 days in prison because they have been in detention since March 3. Bin Laden’s family members will eventually be deported to their home countries, the lawyers said.

“They (bin Laden’s relatives) were sentenced to 45 days imprisonment and fined 10,000 rupees ($110) each.

The money was paid on the spot,” Aamir Khalil, one of the lawyers, said.

“The Secretary of the Interior has been instructed to make arrangements for their deportation after that.”

Analysts had said that Pakistan may have wanted a lengthy prison sentence for the family to prevent them from discussing details of their time in Pakistan.

Once outside Pakistan, bin

Laden’s relatives could reveal details about how the world’s most wanted man was able to hide in U.S. ally Pakistan for years, possibly assisted by elements of the country’s powerful military and spy agency.

Pakistan’s government and military have said they had no links to bin Laden.

Any revelations about ties to bin Laden could embarrass Islamabad, and infuriate Washington which staged a decade-long hunt for bin Laden after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

Bin Laden was shot and killed in May last year by U.S. special forces who stormed his house in the Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad, about a two-hour drive from the capital Islamabad.

Yemen-born Amal AlSadeh, the youngest widow, and her four children were among the 16 people detained

by Pakistani authorities after the raid, which also included two other wives from Saudi Arabia.

Hungarian president quits after plagiarism row H

ungary's president resigned yesterday, bowing to pressure over a plagiarism scandal which saw him stripped of his university doctorate.

Pal Schmitt became the first president in post-communist history to quit the largely symbolic post. The resignation poses no risk to the government and his rapid departure might benefit his ally, Hungary's conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

The 69-year-old was stripped of his sports doctorate after the university found he had copied chunks of his thesis without proper acknowledgement, a charge he denies. Critics called for him to go, saying the scandal damaged the prestige of his office and harmed Hungary's image.

"When my personal issue divides my beloved nation rather than unites it, it is my duty to end my service and resign my mandate as president," Schmitt told parliament.

The two-time Olympic gold medal-winning fencer had an instrumental role in pushing the agenda of Orban's government, signing controversial reforms, such as retroactive taxes, into law.

Schmitt was elected president by parliament for a five-year term in 2010, after Orban's Fidesz party won elections.

Less than two years later, Schmitt vacates his palace in Budapest's luxurious castle district as the least popular president since the collapse of communism, according to a poll last week.

The controversy comes at a sensitive time for Hungary, central Europe's most indebted nation, as it tries to resolve a lengthy dispute with the European Union that has held up funding from the bloc. But it should not destabilise the government.

"This decision strengthens the government's stability," said Peter Kreko, an analyst at think tank Political Capital.

"Schmitt was a big political burden for the government and Fidesz ... and as it has been a quick resignation, I don't think this would erode Fidesz' support."

Despite his everyman charm, Schmitt could not connect with voters, many of whom derided what they saw as his lack of autonomy in signing bitterly contested reforms into law, in line with his inaugural pledge to be the "engine" of Orban's reforms.

Schmitt presided over the passage of a new constitution and about 300 new laws, some of which sparked a dispute with Hungary's international partners and the EU, hampering its bid for vital financial aid to avert a market crisis.

Budapest's Semmelweis University revoked Schmitt's doctorate last week, after its inquiry found his 1992 thesis, "An analysis of the programme of Modern Olympic Games", had not met scientific and ethical standards.

The university's decision went further than suggested by the findings of its investigative committee, which said while

Hungarian President Pal Schmitt arrives at the parliament in Budapest April 2, 2012. Schmitt, who was stripped of his doctorate last week in a plagiarism row, announced yesterday that he will resign from his post.

Schmitt's 215-page thesis contained "unusually large amounts of verbatim translation", it met the formal standards of the time.

Schmitt, a former Fidesz party vice president, said he would appeal the ruling on the grounds that the university had no jurisdiction in the matter and

only a court could revoke his doctorate.

"The process was unethical and unlawful," Schmitt told parliament.

"Naturally, I will appeal this decision and I will seek justice through the courts. For some, this is a political question. To me, it's a matter of honour."

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Palestinian on hunger strike deported to Gaza

H

ana Shalabi, a Palestinian woman on a hunger strike for 43 days, has been deported to the Gaza Strip after ending her fast under a deal that has been criticised by Palestinians.

Shalabi has been protesting against her detention by Israel without charge.

Witnesses and Palestinian officials told the AFP news agency that Shalabi entered Gaza via the Erez border crossing, and was transferred by ambulance to a local hospital for tests.

Shalabi, who met relatives on the Israeli side of Erez before entering Gaza, said she was “very happy to be in my country with my people”.

But, she added, the encounter with her family - from Jenin in the West Bank - was very difficult.

“I was shocked meeting my family, and they were shocked to see me,” she told the media on the Gaza side of Erez. “The meeting with my family was very difficult.”

Shalabi was received in Gaza by approximately 100 people bearing her picture and calling out her name. Officials from the Islamic Jihad and Hamas movements were also there.

Sivan Weizman, Israel’s prison services spokeswoman, said Shalabi, who ended her hunger strike on March 29, was transferred in a regular vehicle, and that she had no details on her condition.

Shalabi began her hunger strike after she was arrested on February 16 and held without charge. She was hospitalised on March 19, after 33 days without food, with doctors saying she had lost 14kg and her pulse was “feeble”.

On March 29, Palestinian authorities announced that Shalabi had agreed to a deal with Israel under which she would be released and deported to Gaza for three years in exchange for ending her hunger strike.

The deal has been criticised by rights groups and the Palestinian prisoners affairs ministry, which said she had

Shalabi was one of around 300 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli jails under administrative detention

been forced to accept the arrangement.

But in a statement released on Sunday through her lawyer, Jawad Bulus, Shalabi insisted she had agreed to the deal voluntarily.

‘To my dear family and my people and all the free people in the world, I thank you for your efforts and I appreciate everything you did for me and for the prisoners,” she said.

“I hope that you will understand my position and my decision, which was taken freely.”

“I chose to be transported to Gaza, which is half the homeland, and to be with my family and people there for three years,” she said.

“With no guarantees that she or her family will be permitted to travel, her expulsion could essentially become an extension of her previous isolation” “After that I will go back to

my home in Jenin and to my family. I hope that my decision will be respected and that we will continue to support together those who are fighting their battles for the homeland and for the prisoners,” said Shalabi.

Palestinian prisoners group Addameer and Israel’s Physicians For Human RightsIsrael, both of which worked on Shalabi’s case, expressed concern about the deal, in a joint statement on Sunday.

They noted that their officials, as well as Shalabi’s relatives, were denied access to her during the final days of her hunger strike.

And they warned that “aspects” of the deal “are fundamentally at odds with international law”.

“With no guarantees that she or her family will be permitted to travel, her expulsion could essentially become an extension of her previous isolation from her

home and family while in prison.”

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a statement issued in Geneva that it was not involved in the negotiations between Shalabi and the Israeli authorities “and is not aware of the details of the arrangement.”

However, the organisation said it “urges the Israeli authorities to comply with international humanitarian law ... which prohibits Israel, whatever its motives, from forcibly transferring Palestinians to another territory.”

The statement added: “On purely humanitarian grounds, the ICRC did facilitate a visit between Ms Shalabi and her relatives, which took place today at the Erez crossing.”

Israel had previously held Shalabi for 25 months but released her in October last year

under a prisoner swap deal with Hamas, which controls Gaza.

Shalabi was one of about 300 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli jails under administrative detention orders, which allow a court to order an individual to be detained for renewable periods of up to six months at a time.

Her action followed a hunger strike undertaken by another Palestinian prisoner, Khader Adnan, who also protested his detention.

Adnan refused food for 66 days, only agreeing to end his hunger strike after a deal was struck ensuring he would be released at the end of his fourmonth term.

In the wake of his hunger strike, dozens more Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails launched similar protests, according to Palestinian and Israeli officials.

Suu Kyi upbeat about post-poll Myanmar

P

ro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi has struck an optimistic note about Myanmar’s future, saying this week’s by-elections, which her party claimed to have won overwhelmingly, could be the harbinger of a “new era”.

Her National League for Democracy (NLD) says it won all 44 parliamentary seats it contested, including the one Suu Kyi was standing for.

The veteran activist’s election to political office, if confirmed, would mark the latest change in the country after decades of

outright military rule ended last year. It would also be the Nobel laureate’s first foray into parliament.

“This is not so much our triumph as a triumph for people who have decided that they must be involved in the political process in this country,” Suu Kyi said in a victory speech at her party headquarters in Yangon on Monday.

“We hope this will be the beginning of a new era,” said the activist, who was locked up by the former military rulers for most of the past 22 years.

Suu Kyi struck a conciliatory tone towards the other political parties.

“We hope that all parties that took part in the elections will be in a position to co-operate with us in order to create a genuinely democratic atmosphere in our nation,” she said.

The NLD said that it had won all of the seats it contested, based on its own tally, but no official results have yet been announced.

Suu Kyi’s win is “hugely symbolic,” Al Jazeera’s Wayne Hay, reporting from Yangon, said.

“And while she will have little

power, the mere fact that she is there means there will be a lot more international attention on parliament itself and the decisions that it makes.”

He said the success of these elections might mean bigger gains for the opposition in the upcoming 2015 general elections.

More than six million people were eligible to vote on Sunday, with a total of 160 candidates from 17 parties, including six new to the political stage, for 45 seats.

The number of seats at stake

is not enough to threaten the military-backed ruling party’s overwhelming majority, secured in full elections in 2010.

The government for the first time invited teams of foreign observers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, European Union and the US, and journalists to witness the elections.

Since taking office a year ago, President Thein Sein has carried out reforms including releasing hundreds of political prisoners, easing media restrictions and welcoming the opposition back into mainstream politics.

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Stage set for Russian plane crash Colombia kills 31, 12 survive hostage A release

T

wo Brazilian air force helicopters have arrived in Colombia to whisk away to freedom the last 10 soldiers and police held hostage by Colombia’s main rebel group.

Piedad Cordoba, a former Colombian senator brokering the release, said she expected to obtain the co-ordinates from the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on Monday morning.

The Red Cross-emblazoned Super Cougars would then depart for a jungle rendezvous.

Brazilian helicopters have been used because it acceptable by all sides, and has been involved in previous hostage handovers.

It remains unclear whether FARC rebels will free all 10 captives - some held for as long as 14 years - at once or in several stages. Four of the hostages are soldiers and the rest are police officers.

The rebels have proposed peace talks, and recently announced a halt to kidnappings for ransom.

Al Jazeera’s Gabriel Elizondo, reporting from Villavicencio, Colombia, said the long ordeal for the hostages “may be coming to an end within a matter of hours now”.

He said the move was a humanitarian handover as opposed to a military one.

The handover is being led by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Colombians for Peace, an organisation made up mostly of women.

The group has been working behind the scenes for many months to make “this humanitarian handover possible”, said our correspondent.

He said one of the people who arrived to show support for the NGO’s effort was Rigoberta Menchú, a Nobel prize-winning human rights advocate from Guatemala.

“We know that there are sveral others that have been released this way. And we know that beyond the releases Colombia should have peace. We feel what Colomboans feel now,” Menchú said.

Our correspondent said that the FARC was also holding civilians but added that it was not clear how many were in the rebels’ hands.

“It could be as little as eighty or ninety, but some estimates are that it could be into the hundreds. Nobody really knows what the status of civilian hostages will be,” he said.

“There is a real hope that this hostage handover could open up doors of communication and dialogue between the FARC and the Colombian government, but it is unclear whether the government will want to engage in dialogue with the FARC.”

Russian passenger plane crashed and burst into flames after takeoff in an oilproducing region of Siberia on Monday, killing at least 31 of the 43 people on board, emergency officials said.

Thirteen survivors were pulled from the wreckage and rushed to hospital by helicopter but one later died. Television footage showed the plane, which had broken in two, lying in a snowy field. Only the tail and rear part of the fuselage were visible.

It was not immediately clear what caused the UTair airlines ATR 72 to crash with 39 passengers and four crew on board, the latest air disaster to blight Russia's safety record.

"There are no explanations yet," Yuri Alekhin, head of the regional branch of the Emergencies Ministry, told Russian television from the scene of the crash.

He said the "black box" flight recorder had been found and added: "Contact was lost with the plane just over three minutes after take-off."

UTair said on its website that the twin-engine, turbo-prop plane had been trying to make an emergency landing when it came down 1.5 km (one mile) from the airport in the western Siberian city of Tyumen en route to Surgut, an oil town to the northeast.

At least five of the survivors were in critical condition, RIA news agency quoted hospital officials as saying in Tyumen, some 1,720 km (1,070 miles) east of Moscow.

UTair has three ATR-72 craft made by the French-Italian manufacturer ATR, according to the Russian airline's website www.utair.ru.

ATR is an equal partnership between two major European aeronautics players, Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, and EADS. The crash was the deadliest air disaster in Russia since a Yak-42 plane slammed into a riverbank near the city of Yaroslavl after takeoff on September 7, 2011, killing 44 people and wiping out the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl ice hockey team.

Pakistan jails bin Laden’s family for illegal stay

A

Pakistani court charged former al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden’s three widows and two daughters with illegally staying in the country and sentenced them to 45 days in jail, their lawyers said yesterday.

In practice, that means 14 days in prison because they have been in detention since March 3. Bin Laden’s family members will eventually be deported to their home countries, the lawyers said.

“They (bin Laden’s relatives) were sentenced to 45 days imprisonment and fined 10,000 rupees ($110) each.

The money was paid on the spot,” Aamir Khalil, one of the lawyers, said.

“The Secretary of the Interior has been instructed to make arrangements for their deportation after that.”

Analysts had said that Pakistan may have wanted a lengthy prison sentence for the family to prevent them from discussing details of their time in Pakistan.

Once outside Pakistan, bin

Laden’s relatives could reveal details about how the world’s most wanted man was able to hide in U.S. ally Pakistan for years, possibly assisted by elements of the country’s powerful military and spy agency.

Pakistan’s government and military have said they had no links to bin Laden.

Any revelations about ties to bin Laden could embarrass Islamabad, and infuriate Washington which staged a decade-long hunt for bin Laden after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

Bin Laden was shot and killed in May last year by U.S. special forces who stormed his house in the Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad, about a two-hour drive from the capital Islamabad.

Yemen-born Amal AlSadeh, the youngest widow, and her four children were among the 16 people detained

by Pakistani authorities after the raid, which also included two other wives from Saudi Arabia.

Hungarian president quits after plagiarism row H

ungary's president resigned yesterday, bowing to pressure over a plagiarism scandal which saw him stripped of his university doctorate.

Pal Schmitt became the first president in post-communist history to quit the largely symbolic post. The resignation poses no risk to the government and his rapid departure might benefit his ally, Hungary's conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

The 69-year-old was stripped of his sports doctorate after the university found he had copied chunks of his thesis without proper acknowledgement, a charge he denies. Critics called for him to go, saying the scandal damaged the prestige of his office and harmed Hungary's image.

"When my personal issue divides my beloved nation rather than unites it, it is my duty to end my service and resign my mandate as president," Schmitt told parliament.

The two-time Olympic gold medal-winning fencer had an instrumental role in pushing the agenda of Orban's government, signing controversial reforms, such as retroactive taxes, into law.

Schmitt was elected president by parliament for a five-year term in 2010, after Orban's Fidesz party won elections.

Less than two years later, Schmitt vacates his palace in Budapest's luxurious castle district as the least popular president since the collapse of communism, according to a poll last week.

The controversy comes at a sensitive time for Hungary, central Europe's most indebted nation, as it tries to resolve a lengthy dispute with the European Union that has held up funding from the bloc. But it should not destabilise the government.

"This decision strengthens the government's stability," said Peter Kreko, an analyst at think tank Political Capital.

"Schmitt was a big political burden for the government and Fidesz ... and as it has been a quick resignation, I don't think this would erode Fidesz' support."

Despite his everyman charm, Schmitt could not connect with voters, many of whom derided what they saw as his lack of autonomy in signing bitterly contested reforms into law, in line with his inaugural pledge to be the "engine" of Orban's reforms.

Schmitt presided over the passage of a new constitution and about 300 new laws, some of which sparked a dispute with Hungary's international partners and the EU, hampering its bid for vital financial aid to avert a market crisis.

Budapest's Semmelweis University revoked Schmitt's doctorate last week, after its inquiry found his 1992 thesis, "An analysis of the programme of Modern Olympic Games", had not met scientific and ethical standards.

The university's decision went further than suggested by the findings of its investigative committee, which said while

Hungarian President Pal Schmitt arrives at the parliament in Budapest April 2, 2012. Schmitt, who was stripped of his doctorate last week in a plagiarism row, announced yesterday that he will resign from his post.

Schmitt's 215-page thesis contained "unusually large amounts of verbatim translation", it met the formal standards of the time.

Schmitt, a former Fidesz party vice president, said he would appeal the ruling on the grounds that the university had no jurisdiction in the matter and

only a court could revoke his doctorate.

"The process was unethical and unlawful," Schmitt told parliament.

"Naturally, I will appeal this decision and I will seek justice through the courts. For some, this is a political question. To me, it's a matter of honour."

PAGE 33

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Palestinian on hunger strike deported to Gaza

H

ana Shalabi, a Palestinian woman on a hunger strike for 43 days, has been deported to the Gaza Strip after ending her fast under a deal that has been criticised by Palestinians.

Shalabi has been protesting against her detention by Israel without charge.

Witnesses and Palestinian officials told the AFP news agency that Shalabi entered Gaza via the Erez border crossing, and was transferred by ambulance to a local hospital for tests.

Shalabi, who met relatives on the Israeli side of Erez before entering Gaza, said she was “very happy to be in my country with my people”.

But, she added, the encounter with her family - from Jenin in the West Bank - was very difficult.

“I was shocked meeting my family, and they were shocked to see me,” she told the media on the Gaza side of Erez. “The meeting with my family was very difficult.”

Shalabi was received in Gaza by approximately 100 people bearing her picture and calling out her name. Officials from the Islamic Jihad and Hamas movements were also there.

Sivan Weizman, Israel’s prison services spokeswoman, said Shalabi, who ended her hunger strike on March 29, was transferred in a regular vehicle, and that she had no details on her condition.

Shalabi began her hunger strike after she was arrested on February 16 and held without charge. She was hospitalised on March 19, after 33 days without food, with doctors saying she had lost 14kg and her pulse was “feeble”.

On March 29, Palestinian authorities announced that Shalabi had agreed to a deal with Israel under which she would be released and deported to Gaza for three years in exchange for ending her hunger strike.

The deal has been criticised by rights groups and the Palestinian prisoners affairs ministry, which said she had

Shalabi was one of around 300 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli jails under administrative detention

been forced to accept the arrangement.

But in a statement released on Sunday through her lawyer, Jawad Bulus, Shalabi insisted she had agreed to the deal voluntarily.

‘To my dear family and my people and all the free people in the world, I thank you for your efforts and I appreciate everything you did for me and for the prisoners,” she said.

“I hope that you will understand my position and my decision, which was taken freely.”

“I chose to be transported to Gaza, which is half the homeland, and to be with my family and people there for three years,” she said.

“With no guarantees that she or her family will be permitted to travel, her expulsion could essentially become an extension of her previous isolation” “After that I will go back to

my home in Jenin and to my family. I hope that my decision will be respected and that we will continue to support together those who are fighting their battles for the homeland and for the prisoners,” said Shalabi.

Palestinian prisoners group Addameer and Israel’s Physicians For Human RightsIsrael, both of which worked on Shalabi’s case, expressed concern about the deal, in a joint statement on Sunday.

They noted that their officials, as well as Shalabi’s relatives, were denied access to her during the final days of her hunger strike.

And they warned that “aspects” of the deal “are fundamentally at odds with international law”.

“With no guarantees that she or her family will be permitted to travel, her expulsion could essentially become an extension of her previous isolation from her

home and family while in prison.”

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a statement issued in Geneva that it was not involved in the negotiations between Shalabi and the Israeli authorities “and is not aware of the details of the arrangement.”

However, the organisation said it “urges the Israeli authorities to comply with international humanitarian law ... which prohibits Israel, whatever its motives, from forcibly transferring Palestinians to another territory.”

The statement added: “On purely humanitarian grounds, the ICRC did facilitate a visit between Ms Shalabi and her relatives, which took place today at the Erez crossing.”

Israel had previously held Shalabi for 25 months but released her in October last year

under a prisoner swap deal with Hamas, which controls Gaza.

Shalabi was one of about 300 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli jails under administrative detention orders, which allow a court to order an individual to be detained for renewable periods of up to six months at a time.

Her action followed a hunger strike undertaken by another Palestinian prisoner, Khader Adnan, who also protested his detention.

Adnan refused food for 66 days, only agreeing to end his hunger strike after a deal was struck ensuring he would be released at the end of his fourmonth term.

In the wake of his hunger strike, dozens more Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails launched similar protests, according to Palestinian and Israeli officials.

Suu Kyi upbeat about post-poll Myanmar

P

ro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi has struck an optimistic note about Myanmar’s future, saying this week’s by-elections, which her party claimed to have won overwhelmingly, could be the harbinger of a “new era”.

Her National League for Democracy (NLD) says it won all 44 parliamentary seats it contested, including the one Suu Kyi was standing for.

The veteran activist’s election to political office, if confirmed, would mark the latest change in the country after decades of

outright military rule ended last year. It would also be the Nobel laureate’s first foray into parliament.

“This is not so much our triumph as a triumph for people who have decided that they must be involved in the political process in this country,” Suu Kyi said in a victory speech at her party headquarters in Yangon on Monday.

“We hope this will be the beginning of a new era,” said the activist, who was locked up by the former military rulers for most of the past 22 years.

Suu Kyi struck a conciliatory tone towards the other political parties.

“We hope that all parties that took part in the elections will be in a position to co-operate with us in order to create a genuinely democratic atmosphere in our nation,” she said.

The NLD said that it had won all of the seats it contested, based on its own tally, but no official results have yet been announced.

Suu Kyi’s win is “hugely symbolic,” Al Jazeera’s Wayne Hay, reporting from Yangon, said.

“And while she will have little

power, the mere fact that she is there means there will be a lot more international attention on parliament itself and the decisions that it makes.”

He said the success of these elections might mean bigger gains for the opposition in the upcoming 2015 general elections.

More than six million people were eligible to vote on Sunday, with a total of 160 candidates from 17 parties, including six new to the political stage, for 45 seats.

The number of seats at stake

is not enough to threaten the military-backed ruling party’s overwhelming majority, secured in full elections in 2010.

The government for the first time invited teams of foreign observers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, European Union and the US, and journalists to witness the elections.

Since taking office a year ago, President Thein Sein has carried out reforms including releasing hundreds of political prisoners, easing media restrictions and welcoming the opposition back into mainstream politics.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 35

World’s tallest treehouse makes popular Swiss family look like amateurs

Competition: The Swiss Family Robinson, from a 1960 Disney film, lived in a somewhat less elaborate structure

Ten stories: The tree house in Crossville Tennessee, the tallest in the world and it has taken 11 years for builder Horace Burgess to finish he world's tallest treehouse, located in Crossville, Tennessee, makes the Swiss Family Robinsons look like a bunch of amateurs - but that might be because it was commissioned by God. The 1960 Disney film about a family shipwrecked on an island, features an impressive treehouse complete with its own water mill.

But the Robinson's home pales in significance next to this structure, which took builder Horace Burgess 11 years to build.

Horace, who lives in the 10 story wooden house, said he begun the build in 1993 after he received a vision from God, who said he would never run out of materials More like tree mansion: The builder, Horace Burgess, calls if he built it.

The enormous treehouse is a this 10,000-square-foot whopping 10,000 square feet but structure only cost Horace a reasonable $12,000 thanks to his thrifty use of recycled materials.

Inside there are spiral staircases, a sanctuary, a choir loft, a basketball court, and countless rooms, walkways and balconies.

These photos were taken by photographer Tom Whetton, 63, on March 15, this year.

He said: 'The treehouse is incredibly impressive.

'You can't really appreciate the scale until you are standing next to it but it is absolutely huge.

'I was told that the whole thing Wonders inside: The tree is supported by just six trees and house features a spiral that Horace used 258,000 nails to staircases, a sanctuary, a put everything together. choir loft, a basketball court 'This house is every kids dream. and countless rooms, Even I wanted to go inside and walkways and balconies explore.'

T

Envious: The vast, cavernous, interior is large enough to make the likes of even Swiss Family Robinson envious. That family, from a 1960s Disney movie, built a splendid tree house while trapped on an island

Dream house: Tom Whetton, the photographer who snapped pictures of the place, said the house is the sort of place every kid dreams about exploring

PAGE 36

A

genetic discovery could help explain why flu makes some people seriously ill or kills them, while others seem able to bat it away with little more than a few aches, coughs and sneezes.

British and American researchers said they had found for the first time a human gene that influences how people respond to flu infections, making some people more susceptible than others.

The finding helps explain why during the 2009/2010 pandemic of H1N1 or ‘swine flu’, the vast majority of people infected had only mild symptoms, while others - many of them healthy young adults - got seriously ill and died.

In future, the genetic discovery could help doctors screen patients to identify those more likely to be brought down by flu, allowing them to be selected for priority vaccination or preventative treatment during outbreaks, the researchers said.

It could also help develop new vaccines or medicines against potentially more dangerous viruses such as bird flu.

Study leader Paul Kellam of Britain’s Sanger Institute said the gene, called ITFITM3, appeared to be a ‘crucial first line of defence’ against flu.

When IFITM3 was present in large quantities, the spread of the virus in lungs was hindered, he explained. But when IFITM3 levels were lower, the virus could replicate and spread more easily, causing more severe symptoms.

People who carried a particular variant of IFTIM3 were far more likely to be taken into hospital

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Genetic flaw that turns flu into a killer discovered when they got flu than people who carried other variants, he added.

‘Our research is important for people who have this variant as we predict their immune defences could be weakened to some virus infections,’ Kellam said.

‘Ultimately as we learn more about the genetics of susceptibility to viruses, then people can take informed precautions, such as vaccination to prevent infection.’

The potential antiviral role of IFITM3 in humans was first suggested in studies conducted by Abraham Brass from Massachusetts General Hospital in the U.S. Using genetic screening, he found that it blocked the growth of flu and other viruses in cells.

Teams led by Brass and Kellam then took the work further by knocking out the IFITM3 gene in mice. They found that once these animals contracted flu they had far more severe symptoms than mice with the IFITM3 gene.

In effect, they said, the loss of this single gene in mice can turn a mild case of influenza into a fatal infection.

The researchers then sequenced the IFITM3 genes of 53 patients who had been hospitalised with seasonal or pandemic flu and found that a higher number of them had a

A genetic clue may explain why some people experience mild flu symptoms while others are hospitalised particular variant of IFITM3 compared to the general patient population.

The researchers believe this variant results in a shorter version of the protein or one that

is less abundant in cells, leaving patients more vulnerable to flu when they get it.

‘Our efforts suggest that individuals and populations with less IFITM3 activity may be at

increased risk during a pandemic, and that IFITM3 could be vital for defending human populations against other viruses such as avian influenza,’ said Brass.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

the daily intake of whole grain.

‘The average person only gets about half a serving of whole grains a day, and popcorn could fill that gap in a very pleasant way.’

The scientists warned that preparation is key to culling popcorn’s health benefits.

Mr Vinson added: ‘Air-popped popcorn has the lowest number of calories while microwave popcorn has twice as many calories as airpopped.’

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Popcorn has ‘more antioxidants than fruit and vegetables’

P

lain popcorn has already been hailed as a great diet food for its low calorie content but now a group of scientists claim it may even top fruits and vegetables in antioxidant levels.

Antioxidants - known as polyphenols - have huge health benefits as they help fight harmful molecules that damage cells.

Popcorn was found to have a high level of concentrated antioxidants because it is made up of just four percent water while they are more diluted in fruits and vegetables because they are made up of up to 90 percent water.

Researchers discovered one serving of popcorn has up to 300mg of antioxidants - nearly double the 160mg for all fruits per serving.

They also found that the crunchy hulls of the popcorn have the highest concentration of antioxidants and fiber.

The scientists from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania unveiled their discovery at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Diego.

Researcher Joe Vinson said: ‘Those hulls deserve more respect.

They are nutritional gold nuggets.’

But Mr Vinson warned that people can’t forgo their five-a-day

in favour of popcorn - as it doesn’t contain vital vitamins and nutrients found in fruit and vegetables.

Although he added that popcorn has many other health benefits, stating: ‘Popcorn may be the perfect snack food.

‘It’s the only snack that is 100

As well as being a great diet food, popcorn also contains a high level of antioxidents, which help fight harmful molecules. Posed by model

per cent unprocessed whole grain.

‘All other grains are processed and diluted with other ingredients, and although cereals are called ‘whole grain’, this simply means that over 51 per cent of the weight of the product is whole grain.

‘One serving of popcorn will provide more than 70 per cent of

But researchers warn that while popcorn has a higher concentration of antioxidents it doesn't contain any of the vital vitamins or other nutrients found in fruit and vegetables

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 37

CPC rejects Kebbi Governorship re-run election’s results

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has rejected the results of the Kebbi state governorship rerun election held at the weekend that returned Governor Usman Dakingari as the winner.

The party in a release made available to newsmen yesterday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashakin said “The Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, having considered the results of the governorship election (of 31st March, 2012), hereby rejects in its entirety the electoral exercise as monumental charade.

“Undoubtedly, the hollow and shallow manner the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted

the election, despite evidence of CPC’s forced non-participation, clearly unmasked the electoral body as a thoroughly partisan umpire.

“The hubris of the response of INEC to CPC’s letter for more time to file for fresh nomination for another candidate to contest the election on the party’s platform (after the defection of the former candidate Abubakar Mallam to PDP) showed that the leadership of INEC is either in cahoots with PDP to foist dictatorship on the nation or is grossly incompetent.

“Meanwhile, our attention has been drawn to the statement credited to one Bashir Matawalle, wherein he stated inter-alia, ‘the CPC has no problem with the result and shall not contest it in any court.’

This is absolute balderdash because the fellow does not have

authority to speak for the party, having been part of the renegade group that cast their pearl to the pigs for a meal for the belly!

“This statement should be discountenanced as coming from a turn-coat because the party has commenced the process of redressing the infraction to the lawful electoral process that was evinced in the conduct of the Kebbi governorship election of Saturday, 31st March, 2012.

“Indeed, we shall continue to contribute our quota, as a party, to the entrenchment of enviable democratic values in the Nigerian state. It is our belief that it is the reducible minimum expected from us by our numerous supporters in the face of the PDP/INEC grand collusion at foisting one-party dictatorship in Nigeria. On this laudable endeavor, we shall not waver in our commitment!”

Dakingari sworn-in, assures decampees of patronage From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

T

he newly elected governor of Kebbi state, Alhaji Usman Saidu Dakingari, was yesterday sworn-in even as he assured that all those who decamped from the opposition to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would be carried along in his government.

Dakingari, who was given the Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC), Prof.

Attahiru Jega who was represented by the Col. Mohammed Ammaga, promised that he would continue to deliver democratic dividends to the people.

He explained that the Saturday election showed that the people of Kebbi state have demonstrated love and unity even as he pledged to reciprocate the good gesture by providing more developmental projects across the state.

He equally assured the

people that he would not disappoint them. He said ''pray for me, happened before the election showed good and progress of the state''.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by the former FCT Minister, Alhaji Adamu Aliero, the formerACN governorship candidate, Kabiru Tanimu, Former Sports Minister, Hon. Bala Kao'oje, and Samaila Sambawa, Senator Atiku Bagudu and other prominent stakeholder from the state.

Observers adjudge Kebbi governorship rerun poll free, fair and credible

Governor Saidu Dakingari

Dakingari’s election reflects peoples trust in PDP, says Atiku

By Lawrence Olaoye

F

o r m e r -V i c e P r e s i d e n t Atiku Abubakar has described the victory recorded by Governor Saidu Dakingari in the Kebbi

…Tasks INEC on accreditation procedures ahead of Edo gov. poll

By Mohammed Sada

T

he Project Swift Count (PSC) yesterday declared that the conduct of the Saturday's rerun governorship poll in Kebbi state , where the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Saidu Dakingari emerged winner, was free, fair, credible and transparent.

The PSC, a non governmental organization (NGO) had deployed a total of 627 observers to monitor the conducted of the governorship poll in the state.

The group acknowledged that the electoral procedure which allowed people to leave the polling unit after

accreditation opened the possibility of multiple voting, and therefore, advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address this concern for the upcoming governorship election in Edo state.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on its findings during the poll, the 1st Co-Chair of PSC, Dafe Akpedeye, said the order and magnitude of the INEC results for each of these parties that participated in the poll was the same as the Swift Count estimates.

He said "Because Project Swift Count was able to independently collate official results from polling units and arrive at the same results as INEC, political contestants and the public alike should

have a high degree of confidence that the official results as announced by INEC reflect the votes in Kebbi gubernatorial election."

Akpedeye, who said there were frequently reported incidents of irregularities including vote buying, simultaneous voting and accreditation, illegal voting, late arrival of election materials, shortage of election materials, intimidation or harassment and stealing of ballot papers as well as ballot box stuffing, said the irregularities were insignificant to discredit the results of the election.

The PSC, however, noted that "the election data provided by INEC officials were logically inconsistent in

a significant number of polling units. This reveals a need for better training of electoral officials to ensure competent administration of elections.

"People leaving the polling unit after they have been accredited remains a significant problem. In Kebbi, 75% of the polling units reported none or only few people left after being accredited; however, at 25% of the polling units, more than half of the people left after accreditation.

"Allowing people to leave the poling unit after accreditation opens the possibility of multiple voting, and INEC should address this concern for the upcoming elections in Edo state," he said.

rerun election held last weekend as evidence of the People’s trust and confidence in the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The former VicePresident who congratulated the governor elect through a statement issued by his media office in Abuja said the re-election of Dakingari has re-affirmed the trust of voters in the ruling party as the strongest political party in Nigeria.

Atiku urged Dakingari to use the opportunity of his reelection to correct past mistakes, improve his relationship with fellow party men and consolidate on the gains of his leadership.

Commenting on the recent PDP convention, the Turaki Adamawa advised the newly elected officials of the party to work towards genuine reconciliation and transform the PDP into a more people-oriented party, which should set standards for internal democracy, cohesion, unity of purpose and commitment to good governance.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Dokubo vows to monitor Edo guber polls From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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Former acting National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje (left), briefing journalists on the just concluded National Convention of the party, during his thank you visit to President Goodluck Jonathan, at the State House, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Reps insist on implementation of 35% affirmative action for women

By Lawrence Olaoye

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ouse of Representatives has again reiterated the call for full implementation of 35% affirmative action for women participation in politics and other public offices.

It noted that this remained a veritable tool to achieve result in all-round developmental goals of the present administration.

Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, made the call yesterday when he

received a delegation of women lawmakers from Uganda in her office. The Leader urged Nigerian policy makers to borrow a leaf from Uganda where a total of 131 out of 375 members are women.

She lamented to her Ugandan counterparts that a situation where there are only twenty five female members in the Nigerian House of Representatives; one of the least in Africa was unacceptable.

Akande-Adeola expressed willingness of the Nigerian

parliament to learn from other African nations where women have recorded equal, if not higher, representation in their parliament.

Ababiku Jesca, leader of the Uganda delegation narrated how her country has been able to come over socio-political challenges of the past to attain its current feat.

She listed current liberal gender policy of Uganda as one of the achievements of the female lawmakers in the country and urged Nigeria to follow suit.

Lawmaker calls for review of LG Act

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ameed Afolabi, Chairman, Kwara Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has called on the National Assembly to review the Local Government Administration Act to make it more responsive to the people.

“It is the local government that adequately takes care of people at the grassroots and the strength of any local government is measured by resources available to it,'' Afolabi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin.

He, however, said that the agitation for the scrapping of local government as the third tier of government would not be in the best interest of Nigerians. ``The call for the scrapping of local government system is baseless and counter productive to the social and economic well-being of the people.

Afolabi appealed to the Federal Government to disregard such call but strengthen the local government system.

Edo CRPP Endorses Oshiomhole for second term The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) in Edo on

yesterday in Benin adopted Governor Adams Oshiomhole as its candidate for the July 14, governorship election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the parties that make up CRPP are Accord Party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Alliance for Democracy (AD).

The Chairman of CRPP in Edo, Mr. Samson Isibor, told newsmen that CRPP at an enlarged meeting recently decided to adopt Oshiomhole because of his performance in the area of development.

Isibor said that the coalition had been the foremost critic of the Oshiomhole administration, adding that the coalition later discovered that the governor meant well for the people.

He appealed to the people of Edo to join hands with the coalition in ensuring the re-election of the governor for a second term to enable him accomplish his laudable programmes for the people. ``We, therefore say, there is no vacancy in Osadebey House, Benin,'' Isibor said.

He said, Oshiomhole said, ``He

has performed excellently, he is a democrat, a resilient fighter, always people driven and has a penchant for the people of Edo.'' Enugu givernor congratulates Dakingari, calls for qualitative, exemplary leadership Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has congratulated Alhaji Saidu Dakingari of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over his landslide victory in the last Saturday's governorship re-run election in Kebbi.

Chime, in a statement signed yesterday in Enugu by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Chukwudi Achife, called on Dakingari to provide qualitative and exemplary leadership to the people of his state.

He described the victory as a vigorous testimony of the party's overwhelming popularity among the people. ``I congratulate you on your victory, I urge you to make the people and PDP as a party proud,'' Chime said.

The governor commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for their contributions toward the successful conduct of the poll.

x-militant leader, Alhaji Asari Dokubo has vowed to personally monitor the forthcoming July 14th governorship election in Edo state in order to guide against rigging.

Dokubo who made the assertion at the weekend during an interactive session with members of Edo Youth for Good Governance, said experience has shown that organised riggings are mostly perfected at night.

He said “Go buy night vision Google because rigging is perfected in the night.I don’t believe in Western education, I believe that power flows from the barrel of the gun and the people have to confront the common enemy…Oshiomhole is an icon of the peoples face…If they have anything to offer, they should show the people example’.

He recalled the potency of prayer of the governed after endorsing the governor of the State, Adams Oshiomhole candidature over what he termed as unique visionary leadership; he warned corrupt Nigerian leaders, especially past governors charged with embezzlement of public funds to be wary.

The ex-militant leader said Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was not elected as President because he was the best man to govern the country, but he was elected to join the league of Nigerian leaders who have underdeveloped Nigeria over the past 50 years.

“We did not vote for Goodluck because he is the best man, we voted for him because bad People have been doing bad things since the past 50 years, so let Goodluck still do some of the bad things’.

“When I was in the prison, I realised that I billion naira was useless as one kobo. If not for the Koran I was reading, I would have run mad”, he said.

State governor, Adams Oshiomhole who recalled Alhaji Asari Dokubo revolutionary zeal by putting his life on the line to draw the attention of the world to exploitative and deprivation of the People of Nigeria, vowed to work harder to sustain on-going development if given the mandate and attributed the feat his leadership has attained to God. “I cannot compel anyone to support me and it’s also possible for one to do his best and yet you’re dismissed that your best was not good enough”, he said.

Rep pays tribute to late Ekiti NULGE chairman

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member of the House of Representatives, Mr Opeyemi Bamidele, has described the death of Mr. Ayo Afolalu, Chairman of the Ekiti state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees(NULGE) as a colossal loss to the state and the country.

Bamidele, said this in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Ahmed Salami. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Afolalu died alongside three other aides on Tuesday in a motor accident in Benin.

Bamidele described the deceased as a quintessential unionist and bureaucrat who contributed to the uplift of the local government administration in the

state, adding that he would be remembered for his sterling contributions to the development of local government administration.

He said the deceased served and rose to the pinnacle of his career as Director of Administration of several councils in the state. ``In the Local Government Service, Afolalu also proved a point that he was a committed professional who could be relied upon. ``In all the local government councils where he served, he instilled discipline, financial prudence and the doctrine of do-itright in all his dealings. ``The records are there to show,'' Bamidele noted.

Edo monarch advises politicians to avoid use of foul language

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traditional ruler in Edo, His Majesty, George Oshiapi Ecabor, has advised politicians to avoid the use of foul language and instead sell their party manifestos to the electorate.

The monarch, who is the Omoaze 1, and the Okumagbe of Agenebode in Estako East Local Government Area of Edo, gave the advice ahead of the July 14 governorship election in the state.

Ecabor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Agenebode on Sunday that ``political players should endeavour to discuss ideas, policy and programmes of their different parties with the people.

“Politics is about contest of ideas and programmes, and not condemnation or assassination of

peoples' character.''

The traditional ruler said: “Politics is not about hooliganism but about how politicians can sell themselves to the electorate by explaining how they want to lead the people and provide facilities that will better their lives.

“They should do this without the use of foul language because foul language creates problems and that is the beginning of political crisis which can snowball into either religious or ethnic crisis.''

On peaceful coexistence in his kingdom, the monarch said: ``We don't allow fanaticism to take root here at all because it is not how much fanaticism you exhibit that portrays you as either a good Christian or Muslim.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 39

Fusion of political parties will enhance progress in Kebbi, says Aliero

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ormer Kebbi Governor, Alhaji Adamu Aliero, has said that the state will experience accelerated development following the fusion of major political parties into PDP. Aliero told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday after voting in the re-run governorship election in Kebbi that such fusion had opened a new vista for speedy development.

According to him, the fusion of ACN and CPC into PDP would culminate into an amalgam of political forces that would lead to political progress that was free of unnecessary of rancour and bickering.

“We are now one as the contentious issue was how to forge ahead as a people,” he said.

Aliero recalled that Kebbi was an ANPP enclave, which he led to the PDP, adding that the step had yielded numerous dividends or the people.

He expressed happiness that the election was rancour free with voters casting their votes without molestation or intimidation.

Kebbi former acting governor adjudges election a success

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he former Acting Governor of Kebbi, Alhaji Aminu Jega, has described the governorship re-run election in the state on Saturday as a “huge success’.

“In spite of the low turnout in the morning, the exercise has turned out a huge success in most parts of the state,’’ Jega told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jega on Saturday after casting his vote at Sabongari polling unit. “ The voter turnout is impressive and all arrangements for the election are perfect,’ he declared.

He expressed optimism that the people would voted for the PDP because of its “tremendous achievements’’ over the years “Observers may claim that there was a low turnout but you can see voters, particularly women, trooping out to vote,’’ he said.

Jega appealed to the people of the state to continue to support government for the speedy development of the state.

Musa, who cast his vote at about 12.10 p.m., urged the people to remain peaceful and law-abiding so as to enjoy the fruits of democracy.

National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur (left), addressing party's supporters, during a campaign rally for Kebbi state Governor-Elect, Alhaji Saidu Dakingari, recently in Birnin Kebbi.

Photo: NAN

Kebbi re-run: There was no level playing ground, says ANPP guber candidate From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

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he All Nigeria People Party (ANPP) governorship candidate in the recently conducted rerun in Kebbi state, Alhaji Suleman Mohamed Arugugun, has said there was no level playing ground at the election.

Speaking to our reporter on phone while reacting on the election, Alhaji Suleman said “there was no level of play ground by the INEC, I decided not to participate in the election because INEC refused to carry other political parties along’’ he said.

He further alleged that the figure announced by the INEC was not correct as there was voters’ apathy insisting that the figure declared by INEC

were not the actual people that participated in the election. “I know I did not participate but I went round and there was a low turnout so INEC decided to allocate figure to the ruling party’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Congress of Nigeria Political parties (CNPP) and also the

state chairman of Action Democratic (AD) who was also a gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Boye Zayatu Jega said that they have accepted the result being declared by the INEC and have taken it in good faith adding that Dakingari was also their brother and that they were ready to support his

Kebbi poll: Voters without cards accredited to vote

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ome voters, who turned up to vote in Saturday’s Kebbi re-run governorship election without their voters’ cards were accredited to vote in some parts of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in Birnin Kebbi, Zagga and

Suru areas, some party agents and security personnel, who initially opposed the idea, had to succumb to pressure.

The opponents of the idea succumbed to pressure on the insistence of those willing to vote, whose attitude began to generate tension and

Defection of politicians won’t affect opposition in Kebbi -CNPP

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he defection of top members of the opposition to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not strangulate the opposition in Kebbi, an opposition politician said.

The Chairman of Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in Kebbi Alhaji Boyi Zaito, made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jega, Kebbi

recently.

Zaito told NAN soon after casting his vote at Sabongari polling unit that the opposition political parties would remain united and focused to ensue good governance in the state.

“We are intact and we will continue to be intact and oppose any unpopular policy of the PDP government,” he said.

The chairman said that as

administration’s mission and vision.

He commended the efforts of the INEC and the security agencies in the state adding that they are ready to work with governor Dakingari in order to promote the state, democracy and Nigeria at large’’ he said.

far as the CNPP was concerned, none of the 15 political parties officially withdrew from the rerun governorship race.

“None of the political parties wrote to INEC officially to convey any intention to pull out of the race,” he said.

He further said that the opposition parties would deliberate toward charting a new course for the progress and

speedy development of the state.

“For democracy to grow, there has to be sustained and constructive opposition that could put the ruling party in stead for good governance,” Zaito said.

He blamed the poor voter turnout in the election on the people’s belief that other political parties had withdrawn from the contest.

confusion around some voting centres.

Political party agents in some of the polling units held meetings and resolved to allow the voters to participate in the election.

A presiding officer in Zagga Primary School, Suru, Mr Aule Aminu, and a security officer, who preferred not to be named, told NAN that they abandoned their initial objection since the agents had agreed to allow the voters to cast their votes.

“The agents had resolved that voters, whose pictures were captured in the master list should be allowed to vote,’’ the INEC official said.

NAN reports that the decision to allow the voters to exercise their right calmed the situation and restored peace to the voting centres.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Kutigi urges PDP NWC to close ranks

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member representing Lavun/Edati/Mokwa Federal constituency in the House of Representative, Rep Mohammed Sani Idris Kutigi has called on the newly elected members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party to close ranks for the growth and development of the party.

According to him, the party needs to work as one big family so that it can reach out to all stakeholders adding that the just concluded PDP elections into national offices through consensus was an indication that, consensus if properly handled engender cohesion and harmonious relationship in the party.

Kutigi said “At this critical time of Nigeria national development, PDP as the ruling party cannot afford any internal wrangling that will cause disaffection among its members at all levels.”

He said for the party to continue to make the desired impact on Nigeria’s political landscape, the new leadership must hit the ground running. “The party chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur with other members of the executive must start to reach out to especially those who contested with them. They should bring them on board so that they have a sense of belonging. ” He congratulated Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and the National Youth Leader, Alhaji Garba Chiza urging them to strive to invest in the young people in the party for continuity.

PDP candidate wins Bagudo/ Suru Fedederal constituency

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Malam Bello Kaoje of PDP as the winner of Bagudo/Suru Federal Constituency re-run election held on Saturday.

The Returning Officer, Mr Shehu Abubakar of Othman Danfodio University, Sokoto, announced that Kaoje secured 74,232 votes to beat Malam Garba Abdullahi of CPC, who scored 17527 votes.

The re-run election, which held on Saturday alongside the re-run governorship election in the state, was necessitated by the annulment of the election conducted in April 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Election Petition Tribunal in Kebbi had nullified the election of Kaoje in April and awarded victory to the CPC candidate in the election However, the PDP candidate appealed against the judgment at the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, which cancelled the results in 154 polling units, which were the cause of the legal dispute.

Meanwhile, the CPC Secretary, Malam Bashir Matawalle, has said that the party would challenge the result because INEC it the mandatory 14 days notice before conducting the election. (NAN)

L-R: Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Ochei, Chairman, South-South Speakers Forum, Hon. Daniel Amachree, and Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Samuel Ikon, during forum for lawmakers, recently in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

Photo: NAN

NULGE wants democratically elected local governments N igeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has canvassed for a democratically elected local government system in the country.

Mr. Ibrahim Khaleel, President of NULGE, said, “In a democratic society any form of imposition of leadership is anti- people and to some extent it is also considered in democratic principles as a crime.”

Khaleel told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the union was not comfortable with the way some state governments denied the electorate at the grassroots level the opportunity to elect their leaders.

He said, “The people at the grassroots level are denied the opportunity to exercise their civil rights by electing the people of their choice to lead them.

“The provision of section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria guaranteed democratically elected

representative at the local government level.

“But this not so because administrators are “super imposed’’ at the grass root level.”

Khaleel said that the imposition of leadership as caretakers at the local government level had hindered development at the grassroots level.

He said that the local government system was at the verge of collapsing due to excessive control by the state governments in the areas of politics, socials, finance, and economy, among others.

Khaleel said, “That is the reason why the union has been agitating for the restructuring of the local government system in Nigeria to enable it function freely.”

He, however, said that the union was also making efforts to create awareness by sensitising the people on the need to have an autonomous local government

system in the country.

The awareness campaign, he said would make people to realise the importance of local government system and why it had generally failed to actually achieve its goals as a system of government.

“It will also expose unconstitutionality committed by the state governors and the state houses of assembly in the area of operation of local government.

“Because we believe this call for autonomy is not for local government alone, but for all Nigerians.

“If the local government system is strengthened, if it becomes autonomous, it will function freely, and I believe development and democratic dividends will go down well to our Nigerian citizens,’’ he said.

Khaleel further said that President Goodluck Jonathan had

shown commitment and concern towards the need for the restructuring of the local government.

He said, “The President had constituted a committee, headed

by Justices Alfa Belgore to look into the grey areas that needed to be addressed in the constitution to give the local government the autonomy it deserves.”

He also commended the National Assembly for the passage into second reading three of the local government bills before both chambers.

“The only problem we have now is gaining support from the state houses of assembly. We want to urge them to see themselves as the representatives of the people and no one else.

“We want to make them see reasons why they must respect the process of democracy, why they must respect the constitution,’’ Khaleel said.

At last, Abba-Aji congratulates Bamanga

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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enator Mohammed Abba Aji, a leading aspirant in the just- concluded election for the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has congratulated Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, on his emergence as the National Chairman of the party at the recent national convention of the party, held in Abuja.

In a press release issued in Abuja by the Director- General

of his campaign organisation, Dr. Bolere Ketebu, the former Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters said, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was eminently qualified to lead the party considering the many years of experience he has garnered in the public and private sectors.

Describing Alhaji Tukurs' emergence as an act of God, the National Chairmanship candidate said that he has confidence in the ability of Alhaji Tukur to give the party the

required leadership and direction and pledged his support to the new National Chairman as he sets out on his mandate. He called on his fellow aspirants to join hands with Alhaji Tukur to move the PDP forward.

Senator Abba Aji also congratulated the entire membership and leadership of the party including President Goodluck Jonathan, and the Vice- President Arc. Namadi Sambo, for a hitch- free and well-

organised national convention which, to a large extent, would make the party stronger in the years to come.

He thanked his supporters, friends and admirers nationwide, both inside and outside the PDP for their solidarity throughout the campaign period and after.

He urged them to assist the party and the new National Chairman with prayers to enable him succeed in the critical national assignment.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Stories by Patrick Andrew

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ll talks about the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) being an autonomous body were dismissed by the supervising Minister of Sports, Hon. Bolaji Abdullahi, who said the football federation remains a parastatal under the supervision of the National Sports Commission (NSC) like every other sports federations.

The Minister, who was a guest of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) sports programme said the football federation’s claims of independence from the NSC was not only erroneous but fallacious as it remains one of the 35 subordinate sports federations to the commission.

Buttressing his assertion, the minister said a body could only claim autonomy if such body is financially independent but so long as such body enjoys absolute sponsorship from an external body it remains subservient to whoever sponsors its activities.

According to him, since the NFF depends absolutely on subvention from the government it cannot claim to be an autonomous body because a body that is autonomous would be self reliant, sponsoring its activities without drawing any subvention or receiving budgetary allocation from government.

“The NFA can only be autonomous when they don’t depend on grants and budgetary allocation from the government. But now the NFA depends absolutely on whatever the government releases for the sponsorship of its activities. No, they are not autonomous but are a parastatal of the commission,” he said.

The minister though said he would encourage autonomy because it allows the respective sports federations to be independent and to conduct their businesses in whatever ways they deem fit without the commission demanding explanation of accountability.

“Autonomous funding encourages specialization.

And we would be glad to see the sports federations, especially the NFA, enjoy autonomous relationship with the government. That way they can conduct business in a manner that suits them without the government insisting on transparency and

PAGE 41

NFF is not autonomous, says Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, Supervising Minister of Sports

Aminu Maigari, President of the NFF

Chief Segun Odegbami

Davidson Owumi

accountability,” he said. Abdullahi said government would concentrate on creating an atmosphere conducive for sports to thrive through appropriate legislation and provision of necessary infrastructure should sports federations truly become autonomous.

But he regretted that rather than be allowed to concentrate energy on the provisions of facilities, the government is being compelled to bear both the cost of infrastructural provisions as well as sponsorships of the activities of the respective sports federations. Besides, the minister said sports administrators have failed to complement the efforts of the government through skillful administration of sports, instead tended to have been infamous for dissipating energies on needless and often selfish conflicts.

Peoples Daily Sports recalls that about three weeks ago, the National Assembly held public hearings on the sports with special reference to the NFF which sought to give legal to teeth to its change of name from NFA to NFF. Both the sports committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate conducted the hearing to enable public submissions on the 2004 NFA Acts as well as other matters of sponsorship and administration.

…Wants focus on sports development not competition

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ports administrators have been told to focus less on participation in competition but concentrate efforts on developing sports.

Besides, war lords in the Nigeria sports scene have been urged to sheath their swords in the interest of sports development and thus allow room for concrete development of sports in the country.

Supervising Minister of Sports, Hon. Bolaji Abdullahi, made the appeal while speaking on downward trend of Nigeria sports against the backdrop of incessant court cases over personality conflicts bordering on elections matters.

The minister said rather than concentrate efforts on participating in every competition, administrators should devote greater time to developing sports and thus avail the nation several options should the country choose to compete for honours in any event.

“It’s time for us to focus on sports development and shift from a competitive mindset

where sports administrators prefer to participate in every competition. It is this mindset or compete-incompetition mental attitude that has put us in messy,” he said in apparent reference to use of age-cheats in cadet tournaments.

Also, the minister, who has vowed to personally prostrate before the likes of Chief Segun Odegbami that are held bent on causing ripples in the football firmament because of personal wrangling with the present leadership of the NFF as well as others with seeming penchant for court cases against the NSC, NFF and other subordinates of the commission over elections and other matters, urged them to hold their breath.

“Since you (warring lords) have been part of the problem of sports, I appeal to you to shift focus, be determined to be a part of the solution,” the minister said stressing that an atmosphere of peace prevail.

Falconets’ likely venue in Japan 2012 announced, match schedules released

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hen the Falconets eventually sealed their place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup scheduled for Japan, they are surely going to showcase their skills at some of Japan’s premier stadiums which will be used for the Japan 2012 matches.

The organizers announced five host venues and the tournament match schedule. According to the Local Organising Committee the host venues and cities for the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup are Miyagi Stadium (Miyagi), Komaba Stadium (Saitama), National Stadium (Tokyo), Kobe Univer Stadium (Kobe) and Hiroshima Big Arch (Hiroshima).

It should be noted that among these venues are the Miyagi Stadium, host of matches at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/ Japan, and the National Stadium in Tokyo, which was used during the summer Olympic Games in 1964. Miyagi, a region which suffered significantly in last year’s earthquake and tsunami, will be the venue for the opening match on August 19 where the host nation will feature.

Meanwhile, the FIFA Executive Committee meeting held in Zurich over the past two days has confirmed the tournament match schedule.

Already, some countries have booked their places for the under 20 mundial and include the likes of China PR, Korea DPR, Korea Republic (AFC), Canada, Mexico, USA (CONCACAF), Brazil, Argentina (CONMEBOL), Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland (UEFA) and of course hosts Japan. Oceania (one representative) and CAF (two representatives) will finalise the 16-team field when their qualifying tournaments conclude this month and May respectively.

The tournament, the first FIFA women’s event to be held since last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup which was won by Japan, will be held between August 19 and September 8, 2012.

Edwin Okon, Coach Falconets

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Why African football talents don’t thrive, by Babayaro

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ormer Chelsea defender Celestine Babayaro says lack of structures and inept organisation by African football administrators has derailed development of the game on the continent.

Babayaro adduced the several talents that have emerged in the continent added that in spite of the abundant talents the game has remained poorly administered in Africa because of administrative ineptitude which have tendered to kill the game.

“We have plenty of talents in Africa.

But those running the game are not honest because some use the sport for their own selfish gains. Others use to gain political mileage and forget the youth who struggle to make a living.

With good football structures and good planning, we can match with our European, Italian and Spanish League counterparts,” said Babayaro.

Babayaro who is in the country along with his former coach at Chelsea; Ruud Gullit as Uefa Cup ambassadors, is accompanying the UEFA champions League trophy which is on a tour of four countries including Tanzania, Kenya,

Mexico and China.

He paid tribute to Zambian national soccer team for winning the recent Africa Cup of Nations saying there were no big or small teams in football.

Babayaro said playing for Chelsea for more than eight years under four different coaches from 1987-2005 remains his greatest achievement in football.

Coach in court for alleged Para-Soccer murder of girl friend

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46-year-old man, Emmanuel Temuru, was on Friday brought before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court for allegedly causing the death of his girl friend.

The accused was charged for allegedly causing the death of one Miss Margaret Usen, 35, but his plea was not taken as he was remanded in prison custody, pending an advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The prosecutor Insp. Philip Ugbodu, told the court that the accused, who resides at 5 Olupitan St., Idimu Lagos, is a football coach.

He said the accused had, on Feb. 13,

at about 6.30p.m. allegedly impregnated the deceased, travelled with her to Abeokuta after she developed some health complications.

Ugbodu told the court that the accused had allegedly taken the deceased to a Clinic/Maternity Hospital in Abeokuta, where she was given some herbs to drink and also bath with it.

He alleged that the health of the deceased deteriorated soon after the herbal treatment and she died hours later adding that the offence is contrary to section 319 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

The case was adjourned to June 6.

Handball Federation plans to raise formidable junior teams

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he Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) has promised to raise two junior national teams at the end of the U-18 National Championships scheduled for Sokoto.

The championships, which will hold in Gingiya Stadium in Sokoto from April 19 to April 29, is expected to throw up some talents that the federation would build two formidable male and female

“Playing under four different coaches led by Ranieri, Ruud Gullit, and Jose Mourinho had helped me to sharpen my football skills. I retired with great honour and am proud to be associated with youth development matters back in Nigeria.”

junior teams from.

Speaking on ‘phone, the president of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Mallam Dauda Yusuf, said the federation believes the competition would serve as the springboard for the discovery of the talents.

“The federation is working towards a formidable junior teams ahead of important international

Laurel Patrick receiving his certificate from the Head Teacher of Salem Academy, FHA, Lugbe, Mr. David Elijah while Miss Joy Iden looks on. The budding talent came tops in one of the athletics events during the school inter-house sport recently

championships, and the U-18 Championships is our target to achieve this vision,’’ he said.

According to the federation president, the junior championships is being organised by HFN in conjunction with the Sokoto State government.

He said that the championships had been scheduled to begin from Feb. 23 through March 4, but had to be postponed due to unfavourable security reports.

Yusuf said that seasoned technical officials of the federation would be present during the 10-day event to scout for skillful players who would be invited to camp after the championships.

He said that those who excelled during camping would represent the country at the Challenge Trophy holding in Ghana in June.

Yusuf said that those with outstanding performance during the championships would be rewarded with gifts to motivate upcoming players.

“We have good plans for the upcoming players and we are working towards giving them all the encouragement so that they can be committed to the growth of Handball,’’ he said.

The president said that the federation aspired to bring back the lost glory of Handball in the country and intended to revive the sport from the grassroots.

tourney begins Thursday, as sponsors give assurance

E

ight teams will slug it out from Thursday in the annual ParaSoccer Tournament at the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Lagos, even as the sponsors Promasidor Nigeria Ltd, has assured of sustained bankrolling of the competition to engage physically challenged persons positively.

The teams are TC Terrors, NAS Warriors, Lead United, Premium Sports, Nasarawa United, Plateau United, Kwara United and Adamawa State team.

Andrew Enahoro, who represented Mr Keith Richards, the Managing Director of the company, made the promise while speaking to newsmen in Lagos at the unveiling ceremony of teams participating in the 5 th edition of the tournament, said that Promasidor was committed to the programme.

According to him, the company feels that sponsorship of the competition is its own corporate social responsibility to the community noting that an investment in sports for physically challenged athletes remains their own way of taking them off the streets.

“We are happy that most of our athletes in this competition have not seen their challenges as a problem but have turned it to abilities. We promise to continue the sponsorship of the tournament for more physically challenged athletes to contribute their own quota to nation building,’’ Richards said.

Coordinator of the tournament, Theo Lawson, said that athletes were prepared to thrill their fans to an exciting Easter holiday and lauded Promasidor for its continued sponsorship of the tournament.

Meanwhile, some changes have been made in the tournament with the duration increased to four days instead of the previous three days.

It will also be round-robin instead of the former knock-out while the game will also be increased to 16 matches, instead of eight matches.

We won’t be relegated, says basketball coach

S

cott Nnaji, the Coach, Customs Basketball Club of Lagos, says in spite of winning just one match so far this season, everything humanly possible will be done by the club to avoid relegation.

The recently promoted Customs have lost five of the six matches so far played since the beginning of the season. But reacting to his team’s 56-52 win over Chariots Basketball Club of Lagos on Sunday in Lagos in the ongoing DStv Men’s Basketball League, Nnaji said that the team was determined to succeed

adding that with some luck they would avoid relegation.

“The league has become so competitive that every team wants to win at all cost. From the slight margin, it is obvious that we were lucky because Chariots were also all out to win’’ he said.

The week six match at the Indoor Sport Hall of the National Stadium saw Chariots leading in the first and second quarters 13-12 and 16-13.

Customs put in more effort in the last two quarters to beat their opponents 17-

11 and 16-13 to emerge eventual winners.

In his remark, Chariot’s Assistant Coach, Charles Ibeziako, attributed his team’s defeat to loss of concentration.

“It is unfortunate that our players lost grip of the match in the last two quarters, which denied us of our second victory,’’ Ibeziako said.

Chariots have also won only a single match out of the six played since the league started this season. The team defeated Ebun Comets of Lagos 73-67 in week two of the league.

Chief Patrick Ekeji, DG, NSC

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 43

Coaches assure of tickets to Olympics at Africa qualifiers Anthony Konyegwachie

“With just a few weeks left to prepare for the qualifiers in Casablanca, the combined team of coaches will present Nigeria with a team that will stand out in Morocco.

“We have been in camp for the past one and half month with no break, this shows how determined we are in pursuit of the qualification.

“The boxers are very determined and they are in good form in their different weight categories.

“With the current performance of the team, we are very sure and with God on our side the team will qualify for the London Games beginning on

July 27,” Konyegwachie said.

A female coach, Ijeoma Azubike, lamented the lack of international exposure for many of the boxers, adding that international exposure would have enhanced their performance.

She said that she would have suggested a training tour for the boxers but the time was short.

Azubike said though it did not happen, she was still hopeful of a good performance by the boxers.

She disclosed that 10 boxers, comprising five girls and five boys had been selected for the championships.

T

segay of Ethiopia easily outpaced Hervis Prague Half Marathon defending champions Philemon Limo and his colleague Henry Kiplagat after 15k in cold and windy conditions in the Czech capital this lunchtime.

In fact, those who thought he had accelerated too early were soon disabused of their doubts, when Tsegay, a 20-yearold from Addis Ababa just went further and further away from his pursers, eventually shattering Limo’s course record, by close to a minute, in clocking 58:47, the fastest time in the world this year.

The former champion was to comment later, “If there had been no wind today, this guy would have broken the World record,” opined the Kenyan after the Hervis Prague Half Marathon which an IAAF Gold Label Road Race.

Tsegay readily agreed with Limo, saying, “It was very difficult today, very windy. In my next race, I would like to try and break and the World record”. That belongs to Zersenay Tadese of neighbouring Eritrea, with 58.23, which he ran in Lisbon just over two years ago.

“I always knew he would be difficult, because he beat me in Marseille last year. We held him until 15k today, but after 15k it was impossible,” said Limo, who eventually finished third in 60.03, two seconds behind Kiplagat.

The Marseille to Cassis road race last October - an IAAF Silver Label Road Race - that Limo was referring to is on a very tough undulating course, and Tsegay broke that record too, as well as the 10km course record in another earlier French race, in Langueux.

His previous half marathon best was almost one year ago in Rabat, Morocco, where he clocked 61:12, so this comprehensive demolition of that time, in addition to his

Joyce Chepkirui

Henry Kiplagat

Atsedu Tsegay

Ethiopia’s Tsegay shatters Limo record in Prague

C

oaches training the country’s boxers for the London Olympic Africa qualifiers have assured boxing fans that the team would secure tickets to the Games.

They said that the combined team of coaches was putting finishing touches to their preparations with the few weeks left before the competition in Morocco later this month.

Anthony Konyegwachie said many of the boxers in camp now had won several medals in previous national competitions.

He added that with the rate at which they were preparing for the Africa qualifiers, Nigeria’s victory was sure.

recent victories signal a major shift upwards in Tsegay’s career, after an unspectacular international debut as a junior shortly after he began training seriously three years ago.

Tsegay’s immediate preoccupation is to make the Ethiopian team for the Olympic Games, where he will be more than a match for any of his colleagues at 10,000 metres at the moment, if he can translate his form, and pugnacious running style, to the track.

Kiplagat was satisfied with his debut at the distance, just outside the hour, and Limo, who in 59:30 last year, said, “Today was not my day; you can’t run well every time, so I’m happy with third place.”

The women’s race too was decided at 15km, when Joyce Chepkirui of Kenya eased away from her more favoured colleague, and defending champion, Lydia Cheromei, and another Kenyan, Gladys Cherono.

The trio finished in that order, with all of them running personal bests, headed by Chepkirui’s course record of 67:03, which was a personal best by over two minutes, and beat Cheromei’s former best by exactly 30 seconds. “I didn’t expect to beat Lydia,” said Cheromei, “but I got away from her at 15k, and I’m very happy with my new personal best.”

Incidentally her coach and husband, Erick Kibet finished tenth in the men’s race in 62.32.

Cheromei bettered her time from last year by seven seconds, with 67:26, and signalled her intent to return for the Prague Marathon on 13 May, to defend her title and course record then. Cherono also had a significant improvement today, with 68.18, like Chepkirui, a new best by over two

minutes.

This Hervis Prague Half Marathon was the biggest ever field for a mass race in the Czech Republic (close to 11,000 starters).

RESULTS MEN 1 Atsedu TSEGAY ETH 58:47 2 Henry KIPLAGAT KEN 60:01 3 Philemon LIMO KEN 60:03 4 Josphat BETT KEN 61:01 5 Senteyehu MERGA ETH 61:02 6 Kenneth KIPKEMOI KEN 61:25 7 Geoffrey KANYAJUA KEN 61:52 8 Dawid WOLDE ETH 62:19 WOMEN 1 Joyce CHEPKIRUI KEN 67:03 2 Lydia CHEROMEI KEN 67:26 3 Gladys CHERONO KEN 68:18 4 Rose CHELIMO KEN 71:35 5 Tetiana GAMERA UKR 72:15 6 Lyudmila KOVALENKO UKR 73:35

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Unical wins table Eguavoen says Enyimba to be fortified with new players tennis mixed doubles title

T

he University of Calabar yesterday won the mixed doubles’ title in the table tennis event at the on-going West Africa University Games (WAUG) at the University of Ilorin.

The pair of Prudence Joseph and Bassey Agbor helped their team to a three-set win of 11-6, 11-8, 11-2 over the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana. UCC were represented by the duo of Richard Donkar and Valpal Dzeshie.

The final match was delayed till yesterday’s morning after competition officials could not find time and space to have the game owing to the crowded nature of space and time at the gymnasium hall venue.

In the semi-final, UCC, which beat the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), IleIfe 3-0 in the quarter-final, defeated the University of Benin 3-0.

The University of Calabar also beat the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) 3-0 in one of the semi-final matches.

Competition in the men’s and women’s doubles was later continued, while the table tennis event in both categories of the singles event will continue on today.

We have all it takes to win gold, ABU men’s b’ball coach says

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oach Mike Akuboh of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria says his team will win the men’s basketball event of the ongoing West Africa University Games (WAUG) in Ilorin.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Sunday that he believed he had the team to beat all comers in the event adding that the ABU team won their opening game on Sunday with a 41-34 defeat of the University of Abomey Cotonou (UAC), Republic of Benin.

“Our target here is to win the gold, and we have the team to do that, irrespective of the way our game went this morning.’’

ABU had won the first quarter 11-4, but were stretched to their limits in the second quarter which they lost 8-11.

They, however, recovered to win the next two quarters to claim victory, and Akuboh said they were well prepared for such situations.

“We do know there is going to be pressure, and the others will not be lying low for us to beat them. We are well prepared for the task at hand and I can assure that we will achieve our target of winning the gold medal in the event.’’

ABU are in Group A of the competition alongside UAC, University of Abuja, University of Jos and Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil.

A

ustin Eguavoen, the Technical Adviser of Enyimba FC of Aba, has said that the club will take advantage of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) transfer window to fortify the team.

Eguavoen disclosed this after Enyimba’s 1-1 draw with Akwa United FC that the team still lacked the cutting edge to win the league.

“We have been talking about new players for sometimes now and we are just bidding our time until the beginning of the NPL’s transfer window, to fortify the team for the task ahead,’’ he said.

The technical adviser noted that some of the newly recruited players had yet to gel with the team, saying that this had distorted the team’s cohesion.

“We create series of chances but we can’t score, and yet we spend quality time on the training pitch to blend the team for better performance; but to no avail.

“We will keep working on the strikers to sharpen their ability to score goals,

because the chances do come, but to put the ball in the back of the net is the problem,’’ Eguavoen said.

The technical adviser, who was a former Super Eagles Chief Coach, expressed disappointment at the profligacy of his strikers “who cannot convert begging chances’’.

“We were out to grab the three points at stake but we eventually ended up with just one point which was not good enough; I am disappointed.

“In spite of the draw the team’s performance was quite encouraging, but the boys would have to work harder on their concentration levels during matches, a lapse our opponents exploited to snatch a draw.

“We allowed the one goal advantage we had to slip through our grasp, and getting one point at home is not good enough,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Solomon Ogbeide, the coach of Akwa United, has commended his players for rising up to the challenge

by levelling scores against a formidable team like Enyimba.

“We grabbed our chance in the 49 th minute and held on until the referee’ final whistle,’’ Ogbeide said.

A u s t i n Eguavoen

WAUG: BUK b’ball coach promises revenge against Unilorin

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oach Sanusi Shuaibu of Bayero University Kano (BUK), yesterday promised a revenge against hosts University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) when the two meet again in the men’s basketball competition.

Shuaibu made the promise after his team lost 23-26 to the hosts in a Group B match at the ongoing 13 th West Africa University Games

(WAUG). The result gave UNILORIN their second win in three games in the competition.

They narrowly lost their first match 52-53 to the University of Ghana (UG), Legon, on Saturday but defeated Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, 35-22 in their second match on Sunday.

The result also gave BUK their first loss in three matches, after 35-26

Philip Idowu, British triple jump medal hope at the London olympics Games

win over FUT, Minna, on Saturday and 40-31 victory over UG on Sunday.

Shuaibu expressed disgust with the officiating of the match and resorted to arguing with some officials.

“This is not the way to do things.

The officiating official particularly worked against us and in favour of our opponents. I had to give that official a piece of my mind. I do believe such a manipulation will not help the hosts at the end of the day,’’ Shuaibu had complained.

The coach later said that he was taking the issue lightly for now, and would wait until his team meets the host later in the competition. According to the draws, the two teams can only meet again in the third and final matches of the competition.

In the other matches played yesterday, the University of Abuja beat the Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil, 57-34 in the men’s Group A. In the women’s competition, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, beat Benue State University, Makurdi, 28-17 in Group B, while the University of Lagos also beat the University of Abuja 52-20 in the women’s Group A. The Games will end on April 6.

Heartland blame ill-luck for home defeat H

eartland FC of Owerri has attributed their 0-1 home loss to Sharks of Port Harcourt on Sunday in a Week 18 Nigerian Premier League match to ill luck.

“We are not destined to win,’’ Cajetan Nkwopara, Heartland Media Officer, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) following the match played at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

“May be this is what God has destined for us today; some days are like that. As you can see, we even lost a penalty, so you can say that we were unlucky today,’’ he said.

According to him, the team ought to have taken their chances right from the first half of the game, but the players wasted many chances.

“We couldn’t convert any of those begging chances and we paid dearly for our lackadaisical attitude in front of goal,’’ he added. Nkwopara further said the team needed to be aggressive upfront, adding that they have to accept the result in good faith.

In his reaction, the Technical Adviser of Sharks FC, Imama Akpakabo, said he was excited that his team won, adding that they deserved the win.

“I am excited because my team played

well and won,’’ he said, adding that the victory was his third consecutive away win against Heartland in three seasons.

This is the third year running that they have not been able to beat us.

“So, now I can beat my chest and say that I am the only coach who has defeated Heartland away and home for three consecutive years,’’ he said.

According to him, Sharks are gradually inching their way to the top on the league table after a slow start to the season.

“We had a challenge at the beginning of the season but gradually we are building a team that will challenge for

honours,’’ Akpakabo said.

NAN reports that Gomo Onalukwu scored the only goal of the match in the 78th minute after a solo run.

Centre referee, Ibrahim Majindadi, from Gombe State, awarded a penalty to Heartland in the 88th minute after Emma Amaefule was fouled in the 18yard box.

However, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu wasted the penalty and denied his side the chance of equalising. Heartland was recently banished to Calabar by the NPL disciplinary committee after their fans assaulted a referee in Enugu.

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Referees under surveillance, says NRA Scribe

By Albert Akota

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he Secretary General of the Nigeria Referees’ Association, (NRA) Prince Moruf Oluwa has said that the Nigeria Premier League, (NPL) Nigeria National League, (NNL) and Nationwide League referees are under the watchful eyes of the association.

The retired referee, who disclosed this to People Daily Sports in Abuja, said the association has turned a searchlight on them to ensure that they officiate strictly by the rules of the Game.

He said the association has mapped out strategies to monitor the referees and added that those found wanting would be sanctioned.

“Referees are being monitored. We want the game to improve especially in the aspect of officiating. We don’t want the referees to bring the game into disrepute that is why we are appealing to the clubs’ managements not to compromise referees. We don’t want them to offer referees any kind of gift or threaten any referee for following the rules of the game, “he said.

Moruf also appealed officials to educate their players both on and off the field, provide adequate security at venues as well as institutes crowd control measures. It would be recalled that Enugu Rangers coach, Okey Emordi recently criticized match referees and was corroborated by the a member of the NFF executive committee who alleged that referees often demanded for bribes.

The referees’ body has since refuted that and lambasted clubs for deliberately compromising its members.

Saintfiet to work with foreign assistants, as Peters to be named deputy

By Patrick Andrew

D

efending champions Barcelona could be eliminated today if AC Milan manage to score against them at Camp Nou and successfully sealed off their vital area just as they did during the first leg.

Barca were in rampaging form at the San Siro but in spite of shooting 17 times on target failed to put their noses on in front. The feat seems to give Milan an edge and they could exploit it to great advantage if they are able to wound Barca first. And they have the quality to do so.

Besides, it would be the fourth times both will be meeting year in this competition. They met at the group stage where were forced to 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou before winning 3-2 at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

Success in the return leg would send the Catalans through to the semi-finals for the fifth season on the trot, and

UEFA Champions League: Barcelona or AC Milan, Who bows out? allow them to equal the longstanding record set by Real Madrid from 1956-60. Real are already in the semi-finals.

Milan, meanwhile, will be looking to secure their first away victory in Europe this season.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is man that would revel the opportunity to return to haunt his former club while Leonel Messi should aim at denting Milan and increase his goal poaching record.

Another high flyer is Bayern Munich whose 2-0 win over Olympic Marseille give them clear advantage.

T

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will not hinder the plans of its newly-appointed football director, Tom Saintfiet from bringing foreign assistants, while former interim Super Eagles coach, James Peters will be named his deputy.

According to a wire service, the Belgian has been told he can work with two foreign assistants of his choice even as the NFF has insisted on the former director, technical work- Peters-work with the ex-Ethiopian and Namibian head coach in understudy capacity for the four-year period of his contract with the football federation.

It is also unclear if Saintfiet will be responsible for the wages of his foreign assistants. “Saintfiet reserves the rights to bring at least two foreign assistants of his choice,” an unnamed NFF source was quoted by the wire service.

“I don’t know if he or the NFF will pay for such but he is told he can bring two assistants at least. But the NFF has said his deputy that works directly with him must be a Nigerian who will learn the curve of being a technical director. “Right now James Peters looks like the man that will get the job of deputy technical director. But it is still not confirmed yet because Tom Saintfiet has not signed the contract,” he said stressing that barring any hitch Saintfiet will officially sign on as Nigeria’s technical director for four years this week.

“He is expected to arrive in the country this week and hopefully sign the contract and resume immediately,” SuperSport.com was informed.

Saintfiet was named technical director of Nigeria on March 28 in the nation’s capital, Abuja and will earn a monthly salary of $20,000 (about N3.2 million).

Zlatan Ibrahomic Mario Gomez’s 11 goal in this year’s competition will probably feel that they have done enough to extinguish Marseille’s hopes of reaching the semis. With that goal, Gomez is now hot on the heels of Messi, who has 12, in the race to finish as this season’s top scorer in the competition.

But in football nothing is impossible after all a sagging Chelsea suddenly became rejuvenated and humiliated Napoli which had a 3-1 advantage over them.

Marseille have the potentials but many say not enough to threaten star-studded Bayern.

MATCHES TODAY

18 Eagles resume training today

D

Gabriel Reuben

Barcelona vs AC Milan B/Munich vs Marseille

Leonel Messi

omestic league Super Eagles led by their skipper Chigozie Agbim resumed camping yesterday and will kick start preparations for the April 12 international duel against the Pharoahs of Egypt.

The Eagles will engage their counterparts in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and the technical crew led by the Dan Amokachi will drill the players ahead of the friendly. Agbim hit the camp yesterday along with of his Warri Wolves’ club mates; Azubuike Egwueke, Sunday Mba and Ossai Uche.

Agbim said he was happy to be back in the national camp along with his teammates and promised that they will do their best in the coming friendly against the seven times African Nations Cup winners. Other players yet to arrive have already given their words that they would be in camp latest today and on time to fit into the plans of the technical crew who want to team to gel for the game against Egypt and several other friendly lined up for the national team in the coming weeks.

Below is the list of players as at yesterday.

Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwueke, Sunday Mba, Ossai Uche, Ejike Uzoenyi, Adesope Hammed, Juwon Oshaniwa, Okemute Odah, Hassan Hussein, Shehu Maijema, Ogonna Uzochukwu, Nura Mohammed, Kalu Uche, Henry Uche, Solomon Jabason, Barnabas Imenger Jnr, Papa Idris Gabriel Reuben.

Inadequate funding hapers NIS’ programmes, says DG

T

he Executive Director General of the National Institute of Sports, Dr Sunny Ikioya has blamed the federal government for not properly funding the institution where sports administrators can be discover to run the country sports.

The DG, who stated this during Senate Committee on Sports public hearing in Abuja, said that the institution aim is to nurture sports administrators and groom athletes and players for the country.

Ikioya noted that lack of adequate funding of the institution to carryout it research work has had negative impact on its programmes, adding that the institution has two formulas which include manpower training and catch-them-young also place them on scholarship.

The director noted that the target has been totally defeated due to non availability of fund to execute it project.

“NIS is a training and research institute that has two centres, training centre in Lagos and teaching centre in Abuja, NIS has not be properly funded by the federal government in order to have an edge over countries we are compete with in the area of sports.

“Most of the athletes are from low in-come home backgrounds, they need adequate welfare package to take care of their needs but the reverse is the case we are facing in the institution, “he said.

Ikioya urged the government at all levels to join federal government in training it staff in aboard in order to acquire the optimal standard that the game requires.

He also requested the ongoing construction building at Abuja national stadium package B, should be converted to athlete’s hostel in assisting them in prompt sports development as well as the NIS having access to athletes as require by the management.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 47

Joyi cruises to points victory N

kosinathi Joyi of South African retained his IBF mini-flyweight title by winning the rematch against the Japanese challenger on points.

The scores were 116-111 on two cards and 117-110.

With two overseas judges, Shafeeq Rashada and Marcus McDonnell at ringside with Sylvia Mokaila, there was no hint of a hometown decision.

Joyi, who took too many damaging blows for his own good, showed superior skills against the aggressive challenger and gave Takayama no change to avenge his defeat at Carnival City, Brakpan, in January last year.

Joyi won that fight when Takayama was cut in a clash of

heads and the bout ended in a nocontest. The champion had not fought since then but showed little ring rust when he won the much anticipated rematch. His poor defence, however, was a worrying factor.

Joyi is still unbeaten on 22-0, with one no-contest and 15 knockouts. Takayama’s record now stands at 24-5, with one nocontest and ten knockouts.

Joyi’s trainer, Boyboy Mpulampula, said the champion had fought according to plan “as we knew what the Japanese was going to offer”.

The South African took control from the first bell, scoring with combinations and at times shaking Takayama with fierce

blows.

Takayama kept coming forward, showing grit in front of a crowd that was clearly backing Joyi at the packed Orient Theatre.

Earlier Sabelo Jubatha beat Wonga Ntoyakhe on a majority decision over twelve rounds in a featherweight bout and Zolani Tere stopped Sipiwo Ntsangani in the first round of a bantamweight bout.

Jubatha, the SA featherweight champion, improved his record to 14-1, with ten knockouts. He won the vacant national title in December last year when he stopped Simphiwe Tom 42 seconds into the fourth round.

He had previously held the SA featherweight title after beating Luthando Vukuza on a tenthround technical knockout in December 2009.

Ntoyakhe, whose record was decidedly poor before the fight, dropped to 5-6; 1 as he had also lost on points over six rounds to Jubatha on June 12, 2009.

Nkosinathi Joyi

Boxing sponsor harps on athletes’ medical fitness

O

lawale Edun, the Chairman, Lagos State Boxing Hall of Fame, has said that the medical fitness of boxers participating in the “Saturday Boxing Show” would henceforth be given priority attention.

Edun, the promoter of the Lagos monthly competition, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday after the 29th edition of the tournament.

He spoke against the backdrop of Fabrice Muamba, the Bolton Wanderers FC midfielder who slumped during an

English Premiership match against Tottenham Hotspur on March 17 at White Hart Lane.

Muamba was reported to have collapsed of cardiac arrest but is fast recovering in the hospital.

According to Edun, nothing must be taken for granted, especially athletes’ fitness.

The former commissioner for finance in Lagos state urged sports stakeholder to take cognisance of the medical fitness of athletes before they participate in competitions.

He commended the Lagos State Ambulance Service

(LASAMBUS) medical team for screening all boxers who participated in the show.

“I need not mention to anybody that the medical fitness of athletes is very important, for example, the case of Muamba, I wish him speedy recovery.

“Every boxer that participated here today was certified fit by the LASAMBUS medical team, I thank the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, for his effort,” he said.

Edun praised the boxers for displaying their skills to create excitement for their teeming fans.

He also said that he was excited with the large turnout by the crowd, including students who adorned the Indoor Hall of the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Yaba venue of the tournament.

“I am indeed very happy with the display of skills and the large turnout of spectators, it means that the show is becoming popular,” Edun said.

In the 10 bouts competition, Olaide Fijabi Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government defeated Sunday Oladele of Champion Club of Oshodi in the 64kg category.

Oliwo Kazeem, also of Star Club of Ajeromi Ifelodun beat Ibrahim Ali of Paramount Club, Agege in the 56kg.

In the exhibition bout to arouse the interest of students in boxing, Joseph Badejo defeated his Nigeria Model High School, Mushin counterpart, Saviour Francis.

In 60kg, Joseph Otto of Paramount Club defeated Eniola Korede of Progressive Club, Oshodi, while Nike Salami of Day by Day Club defeated Ayisat Oriyomi of Blessed Club, Yaba in the 54Kg female bout.

Sharapova hopes to have her clay day

M

aria Sharapova says she hopes to put the disappointment of losing her second-straight final on hard courts behind her with a strong showing this year in the upcoming clay court

Maria Sharapova

season.

“I feel like I’ve improved with every year that I have been playing on it (clay) and I enjoy it,” said Sharapova, after losing 7-5, 6-4 in the Miami final on Saturday to fifth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland. “I feel like you learn so much about the construction of the points and the games such a cat-and-mouse game. “I didn’t necessarily like that many years back, but I feel like I’m much better at it and I have improved physically as well.”

The 24-year-old Sharapova is now a four-time runner-up in Miami, having lost in the final back-to-back years twice, 2005, 2006, 2011 and 2012. She has also lost in all three of her finals in 2012, falling twice to world No 1 Victoria Azarenka (Indian Wells and Australian Open) and now to Radwanska in straight sets.

“It’s only 30 minutes after you lose, so it is not the easiest thing in the world,” Sharapova said. “But, these last two tournaments are always the toughest just because they’re so close together and playing six matches in an event. “I’m looking forward to taking a little break now and getting on the clay and starting the practice.”

Sharapova has a 30-9 career record at the French Open, the next Grand Slam tournament of the season, with her best result being two semifinal appearances, last year and in 2007. Shoulder and elbow injuries prevented Sharapova from playing in Miami for three years, 2008, 2009 and 2010. But she says the right shoulder problem that gave her so much trouble in the past is behind her now.

“My shoulder feels really good,” she said. “I’m really happy that I got over that injury.”

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE

The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your pr ob lems ar e y our o wn. You do prob oblems are your own. not b lame them on y our mother blame your mother,, esident. You the ecolo g y, or the pr president. ecolog realize that you control your own destin y — Alber destiny Albertt Ellis

TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

SPORTS

LA TEST LATEST Kanu Heart Foundation restates commitment to children with cardiac disease

T

he Kanu Heart Foundation (KHF) has expressed committed to scaling up its intervention programme to save the lives of children suffering from cardiac diseases.

Project Consultant Kanu Cardiac Centre, Miss Phil Okoroafor said in Abuja that the foundation would intensify efforts to ensure that many patients benefit from the activities of the foundation. "We are committed to doing it by all legitimate means to save the lives of our children," she said.

According to Okoroafor, the rising incidences of heart diseases among children in the country have become an issue of great concern to the foundation as about 1000 patients are now on its waiting list.

“We are worried by the growing number of patients suffering from congenital heart diseases now waiting on the foundation's list,” adding that since 2000 no fewer than 425 children had benefited from the its intervention, while only 10 children died after the surgery.

The project consultant said that as part of efforts to prevent the disease KHF had partnered with schools to create awareness on how people should take preventive measures and recognise symptoms of the diseases.

Okoroafo added that KHF had also invited experts from India and visited many communities in the country to enlighten and encourage people to report any case of heart abnormalities.

She said paucity of funds was militating against the foundation's efforts to treat more children, adding that it cost 10,000 dollars to send one child to Europe, America or India for open heart surgery.

Okoroafor disclosed that KHF would soon establish a Cardiac Centre to reduce the cost of sending patients abroad for treatment.

She called on governments in the country to partner with the foundation to fight against the disease so as to save the lives of children and to put a smile on the faces of parents.

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Boko Haram: GEJ’s boast and reality

F

or some time now there has been patting of back and excited chatter among top security chieftains about how the Boko Haram insurgency will soon be history. Its backbone has been broken, we hear. The talk everywhere among these chieftains is that the sect's military infrastructure has been virtually destroyed, most of its top leaders are behind bars, its major supply routes have been identified and blocked and its capacity severely weakened.

The fact that since the Kano incident in January this year there has not been any major attack anywhere by the sect is being cited as evidence of the successes achieved by the combined efforts of our security agencies in the campaign against the sect's insurgency.

Soon, it's being said, the country will be singing the dirge of Boko Haram.

But, now, the nation's Chief Security Officer and the Commander- in- Chief himself, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ), has moved beyond "soon" to something more definite. At separate meetings with investors and Nigerians in Korea last week, GEJ gave out that by mid-year the Boko Haram menace would be all over, and Nigeria would be safe again for investment. In three months' time from now, that is to say, the bombings will cease, the guns will be silent, the killings and destruction will end and the heightened sense of insecurity among Nigerians will vanish.

Long before now, both GEJ and his security chiefs have been talking about an early end to the security challenge posed by Boko Haram. But by giving a specific date in Korea, GEJ has made a firm commitment and, in the process, staked his honour on it.

The international community and Nigerians will hold him by it.

But can GEJ deliver on this?

Are we likely to see an end to the insurgency by end of June or even July this year? Is all the excited chatter among the security chieftains merely bogus, or is there a good ground for it?

Well, both GEJ and the security chiefs must know things that the rest of us don't. In Korea, beyond giving a definite time

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FOR THE MASSES

By Rufa’i Ibrahim ruf585@hotmail.com

President Goodluck Jonathan frame, GEJ offered his audiences no details about how the insurgency will be brought to an end, saying only that these are "top security matters". In any case, we must allow the president and the security chiefs a measure of the elation and optimism that they now so openly display. The fact is, Boko Haram has been dealt some heavy blows in recent months. Its military capacity has been considerably reduced as a consequence of sustained attacks on its bases. Many of its leaders, now in detention, are singing,

giving valuable information that is leading to further attacks and arrests. The assassination, about a fortnight ago, of Abu Darda's father in Maiduguri by gunmen believed to be Boko Haram members is evidence that the sect is being seriously hurt by the information obtained from its captured leaders and members.

Encouraged by these developments and mounting pressure from a strong 'nodialogue with terrorists' lobby, the authorities have completely closed the door on dialogue as an option for ending the crisis. Not that the authorities have ever been favourably disposed to dialogue with the sect. Which is why their attempts at dialogue, including and especially the most recent one involving Dr. Datti Ahmed, have been half-hearted, geared merely to create the semblance, without its substance, of a peaceful engagement with the sect.

There is hardly any doubt that it was the authorities themselves that leaked the details of this last attempt, or the Datti initiative, to the press, knowing that such a leakage was the quickest and surest way to

“

Long before now, both GEJ and his security chiefs have been talking about an early end to the security challenge posed

by Boko Haram. But by giving a specific date in Korea, GEJ has made a firm commitment and, in the process, staked his honour on it. The international community and Nigerians will hold him by it

truncate a process that, by definition, required the utmost of secrecy. Clearly, all that the authorities wanted was to put up a show that they believed would play well in especially those Western countries that have been canvassing for dialogue with the sect as the best option.

All along, the GEJ administration has treated the problem as essentially a security matter, without a social context or root. And the insurgents?

These are terrorists. And terrorists are fair game. Kill them without mercy or remorse, and the problem is over. After all, so goes the reasoning, have the successes recorded in recent months not been the result of better intelligence but especially intensified military action against the sect?

Boko Haram is now down. All that is required to ensure that it is also out, according this reasoning and plan, is a wellcoordinated final military offensive. Already, well armed soldiers, armed with a license to kill, are in the war front. Bloated with a loathing for for their own pitiable conditions, dripping with ethno-religious prejudice, stinking of misplaced selfrighteousness and trigger-happy, these soldiers are killing people at random, humiliating and molesting members of the public.

What is now needed to finish the job is more soldiers and more guns and bullets, and the final push, a scotched-earth attack that will ensure that by the end June, it is all over. QED. But this approach is ahistorical and too onedimensional. GEJ was part of the Yar'adua regime that wiped the entire leaders and hundreds of members of the Boko Haram sect in 2009. In only about one year they had re-grouped.

Boko Haram, as a sect, did not just happen on us. Its roots and history stretch back many years.

In terms of its ideology, at core of which is a deep-seated resentment against and hatred for Western influences and values, Boko Haram can righty be said to be the off-spring of the Maitatsine sect of 1980s. Maitatsine and the Taliban share roughly the same ideology as the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Contd. on Page 45

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos, Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com ISSN: 2141– 6141

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

PAGE 45

Boko Haram: GEJ’s boast and reality Contd. from Back Page After being wiped out in Kano in 1981, the Maitatsine sect, it may be recalled, resurfaced first in Yola, Adamawa state, and later in Bulunkutu, Maiduguri. It may also be recalled that the Boko Haram sect first started its activities in Yobe State, calling itself the Nigerian Taliban, before it moved to and formed its base in Maiduguri.

No final push, or scotched-earth attack or any sort of military action will wipe the sect out. A military option will bring only a temporary respite, not a permanent solution.

And the reason for this should be obvious. The sect, and others like it, are a product of the social conditions of deprivation, mass poverty, hopelessness and illiteracy that years and years of misrule, official corruption and impunity have helped to produce.

Governments came and go, all of them producing poverty instead of enriching the masses of our people, and making hope a rare commodity among the people. Yet, those in authority expect the masses to be throwing flowers at them.

The point is, wiping out Boko Haram, finding a lasting solution to the current security challenges, is not a three-month affair. It is a project that necessarily involes changing for better the underlying socio-economic conditions that give rise to such movements whose members, jobless, illiterate and without hope of a good future, are prone to imbibing ideologies that preach violence and harbour disdain for human life. And this will take years of planning, vision and hard work.

Besides, what makes GEJ so sure that "finishing off" Boko Haram within the next three months will be such a popular idea even among the members of the security agencies? There is hardly any doubt that Boko Haram is big business for many interests and forces across Nigeria, including top ranking security chieftains, rogue elements among the security operatives and officers and many others who "chop" from the crises.

And Boko Haram, it is now, has become factionalized.

In Maiduguri, there is now talk of

three factions, namely, Yusufiyya comprising the original member close to the slain leader, Mohammed Yusuf; the Sheriffiyya (those allegedly founded and being funded by the states former governor, Ali Sherrif); and A Azaziyya (those allegedly being funded by the top security

chieftain loyal to Azazi, the NSA).

There may be no truth in all this, but that point is that, as many have already pointed out, there are now many Boko Harams, and the name itself has become a franchise for all sorts of people and all kinds of things.

Which of the Boko Harams,

“

Besides, what makes GEJ so sure that "finishing off" Boko Haram within the next three months will be such a popular idea even among the members of the security agencies? There is hardly any doubt that Boko Haram is big business for many interests and forces across Nigeria, including top ranking security chieftains, rogue elements among the security operatives and officers and many others who "chop" from the crises

then, is to be wiped out in three months time by GET and his soldiers?

But there are other problems as well. It is said that after the Kano bombing incident in January, youths in many towns in the North were going about making enquiries as to how they could be registered as Boko Haram members. Secondly, in many parts of the world today, it is becoming a matter of pride and macho for youths to take part in violent operations. Nigeria is no exception.

Thirdly, only about a fortnight ago, a UNESCO top official disclosed that Nigeria has the world's highest member of children out of school. He gave the number as 8.6 million kids. Most of these kids must be Northerners, and, I believe, living largely in the areas of where Boko Haram is most active.

What is the future of these children? Will they grow up to feed the large army of the millions of unemployed youths, almajirai and the LUMPEN elements that are ready recruits for Boko Haram and other forces with untoward agendas?