Peoples Daily Newspaper, Saturday February 4, 2012

VOL. 1 NO. 79 SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

RABIUL AWWAL 12 - 13, 1433 AH

N150

Robbers seize Kogi again

·Bomb Police Station, Banks — Page 3

Cash Crunch!

Mass sack looms FG to slash overhead vote by N400bn Fear grips federal workers — Page 3 WWW.PEOPLESDAILY-ONLINE.COM

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

seeks Britain’s ACN in court, seeks Tambuwal assistance on Boko-Haram nullification of Wada’s election S

By Lawrence Olaoye

From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

O

pposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has filed a suit at the a Lokoja high court, seeking the nullification of governorship election conducted on December 3, 2011 which Governor Idris

Wada was declared winner.

According to the party, the judgment of the Supreme Court on January 27, 2012 sacking five governors, including Kogi state showed that the election was a nullity.

The suit stated that the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon Abdulahi Bello

should assume the office of the governor and that fresh election should be conducted in the state.

Joined in the suit are the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Idris Wada and his deputy ,Yomi Awoniyi and Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC).

Court refuses application seeking to stop Kogi governor from functioning

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

A

federal high court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, refused an exparte motion seeking to stop Governor Idris Wada of Kogi state from functioning as the governor of the state.

However, the court presided over by Justice Donatus Okorowo, ordered the governor to appear before it on or before February 8, 2012 to show why he should continue

in office before final determination of a case against him and others by a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Oyebode Makinde.

Justice Okorowo, in his ruling in the exparte motion asked the plaintiff to put Wada and other defendants in the matter on notice.

The judge who granted accelerated hearing of the matter also asked parties in the case to file and serve their processes on or before February

8, 2012, being the next adjourned date.

Makinde had asked the court to bar Idris Wada from parading himself as governor of Kogi state on the ground that two persons are laying claims to the governorship seat of Kogi state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attorney General of the Federation, Idris Wada, and Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly were joined as 1st to 4th defendants respectively in the suit.

Foreign missions: Reps query N5billion school fees for staff’s children

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he House of Representatives on Thursday, carpeted the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru, on the N5 billion his ministry earmarked for school fees of the children of its staff on foreign missions.

Ashiru was also queried by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Rep Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje for wasteful spending and for duplicating expenditures in the ministry’s 2012 budget currently before it for consideration.

Members of the committee at

a budget defense session at the National Assembly, expressed shock at the huge bill the ministry spends annually on school fees, insisting that the ministry had a case to answer for the vague presentations to the National Assembly every year.

The lawmakers noted that the ministry had always brought a long list of beneficiaries in the missions and the country, but never gave a breakdown to show the names and how many are the children of the staff and the amount due to them.

The members also queried the minister over multiple

security votes entries in its 2012 budget totaling close to N2 billion.

Elendu-Ukeje noted that there are templates given to MDAs on the issue of security, stressing that public office holders should learn to follow due process in their operations.

“You have put votes for security in four different places and that is the issue. You have four different sub-heads showing security votes. That is not acceptable.”

The minister however said he would not want to discuss the issue of security in the open with the media in attendance.

peaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday pleaded with the government of the United Kingdom to assist the country in quelling the security challenge posed by Boko Haram.

Receiving the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Lloyd, in his office at the National Assembly during the week, Tambuawal urged the British government to factor the interest on Nigeria in its effort to tackle its own security challenges, pointing out that Nigeria deserved to be given the privilege of a brother to Britain.

He said; “We are in interesting times in Nigeria. And I will like to use this opportunity to call on our friends to understand our situation. They should understand our situation because the phenomenon we are facing in Nigeria in terms of security challenge is not only peculiar to Nigeria as a country. It is becoming a global phenomenon. So while you are making efforts in ensuring that you address the phenomenon in your home country, also consider your brothers who are probably far away from you in terms of geographical expression but very close to you in terms of relationships.

“In his remark, Lloyd said that Britain and Nigeria were good friends noting that that friendship still existed.

Atuche: EFCC subpoena bankers to testify in court From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday subpoenaed some bankers to witness in the on-going trial of the former Managing Director of Keystone Bank (formerly BankPHB) Mr. Francis Atuche, his wife, Elizabeth and the former Chief Operating Officer of the bank, Ugo Anyanwu, over financial impropriety.

Representatives of banks subpoenaed that appeared before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, are Mr. Musediq Onasanya from Ecobank (formerly Oceanic bank), Mr. Sunday Esezobor from Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc, and Mr. Yusuf Abiodun

Nureni of First Bank Plc. Also, the court admitted as exhibits for the trial, the documents that the bank executives were subpoenaed to produce.

Documents admitted as exhibits before the court include certificates of identification produced by the banks in line with the provisions of section 84 of the Evidence Act 2011, third-party fund transfer documents and a letter titled statement of account reconciliation from Bank PHB to Oceanic bank.

Lead counsels to the defendants, Anthony Idige and Mr Sylva Oguemoh, were not opposed to tendering of the documents by the EFCC lead counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro. Justice Okunnu admitted all the documents as exhibits.

Niger PDP officials get automatic re-election From Iliya Garba, Minna

T

he Secretary of Niger State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Aminu Yussuf has said the expanded caucus of the party has resolved to give automatic second term appointments to its executive at all levels.

He said that the decision was taken yesterday at an emergency meeting held in Minna and would be ratified by the congresses of the party from the ward to the state level soon.

The PDP expanded caucus

include members of the state executive council, the Executive committee of the party, PDP elders and some stakeholders.

According to Yussuf the decision to give automatic reelection to the executive members was to further strengthen the party and remove unnecessary bitterness among the members.

He said that the meeting also agreed that the party should strengthen its disciplinary mechanism to “ensure discipline and good conduct among its members”.

EFCC key to Nigeria’s development —DFID

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

T

h e British Department for International Development (DFID) on Thursday, appraised the work of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and opined that its activities were crucial to the growth and development of Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary

of DFID, Mr. Mark Lowucock, while on a courtesy call to the Acting Chairman, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, expressed his agency’s desire to continue to work with the commission in its task of fighting graft.

“The work of the EFCC is fantastically important for Nigeria. Britain is keen in supporting Nigeria in all the programmes.

We are

collaborating with Nigeria, especially with the EFCC as it will help in moving Nigeria forward. We think the work of the EFCC is one of the most important things going on in Nigeria at the moment because the way resources are being used in the country is not optimal for the citizens of the country and the EFCC is a big part of the solution and that is the reason we are

supporting you”, Lowucock said.

Responding, Mr. Lamorde expressed appreciation to the DFID for its support and assistance to the EFCC right from the inception of the commission.

“The growth and achievements we are recording could not have been made possible without the British government and the DFID. You

have always assisted us in our investigations; some of our departments like the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, the Information and Communication Unit, have all benefited from your support and assistance. We hope to continue to collaborate with you in the pursuit of our mandate,” he said.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

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Cash crunch

Mass sack looms *FG to slash overhead vote by N400 bn *Fear grips federal workers

By Richard Ihediwa & Miriam Humbe

M

a s s sack looms in the federal civil service following the decision by the Federal Government to prune down its recurrent spending in the 2012 fiscal year.

This is coming against the backdrop of the prevalent cash flow problem in the country as well as the insistence by the National Assembly that the size of the federal bureaucracy is over bloated and as such should be pruned down to accommodate more resources for developmental projects.

Already fear has gripped federal workers as the Ministry of Finance has perfected plans to cut the overhead votes in the 2012 budget by N400 billion, a decision which might be followed by a downward review of the federal workforce.

The Senate in endorsing the 2012-2015 Medium-Term and Fiscal Framework (MTFF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) submitted to it by President Goodluck Jonathan, recommended that government should shed the weight of its workforce in 2012.

“The civil service should be restructured to enhance productivity and the fiscal deficit ratios of 2.7 percent, 2 percent, 1.5 percent and 1.5 percent for 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively, be adopted,” the Senate approved last week.

Apparently faced by serious cash flow problems, the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala said there are plans to yank off N400 billion from the recurrent budget adding that such has become imperative so as to get additional funds for projects.

The Minister, who stated this when she appeared before the Senate

Committee on Appropriation recently, said there was a cash flow problem adding that the Federal Government is now considering borrowing about N794 billion to finance the deficit in the 2012 budget.

In what appeared to be an announcement of the commencement of an austere regime, the minister said all Nigerians must be willing to make sacrifices, though she did not come out clear on how the slash in the overhead will affect the size of the workforce.

She also challenged the National Assembly to further cut its own overhead though the legislature had earlier slashed its budget by 40 percent.

“We need to make that sacrifice.

At the minimum, we need to find N370 billion, almost N400 billion so as to bring down the deficit to a manageable level.

“We still need to find more cuts.

As the Executive cuts its own, we hope that the National Assembly will still cut its own in order to help us. We are going to look at the statutory transfers, look at Judiciary, INEC and others; whoever we can negotiate with to help us out this year should do so”, she said.

Fears that a drastic measure could be taken in the line of rightsizing of the workforce heightened following apprehensions that the Federal Government failed to achieve the promise by President Jonathan to pay all workers by January, 20 due to cash flow problems.

This is in addition to moves to scrap or merge some agencies of government, which many workers now feel from part of the plans to reduce the workforce. It was gathered that the merger plan may be accompanied with a staff audit and rightsizing.

As at the close of work yesterday, most civil servants have not received their January salaries even as many agencies have not

started implementing the N18,000 new minimum wage.

Categories of workers that might be affected if government resolve to take the option of rightsizing as against reduction in wages, include those who have bad records or disciplinary issues, those who have reached their bars as well as those who have not upgraded their educational qualifications for a long time.

Others who could be affected include workers who were smuggled into the service by politicians without passing through the prescribed process.

These include those imposed on the system by federal lawmakers and ministers, who used the influence of their offices to get their relations and cronies into the service without passing through due process.

Though efforts to reach some top officials at the Office of the Head of Service did not yield any result, an official at that office confirmed that there are moves to restructure the service but did not give details on how.

Gunmen raid police station, banks in Kogi From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

T

h e steel city of Ajaokuta in kogi state yesterday came under heavy fire by dare devil armed robbers who used explosive devices to demobilise a police station after which they also bombed a bank in the town carting away huge sums of money in an attack that left one person dead while many others were seriously injured.

The robbers who were said to have operated on motor bikes took people unaware by shooting sporadically into the air to scare people away before attacking their targets.According to an eye witness the robbers entered the Geregu camp at about 2 30am and bombed the divisional police post setting it ablaze before attacking the banks.

He said the robbers were able to gain entrance into the UBA branch in the area forcing the ATM safe open and made away with an undisclosed amount of money.It was further gathered that on hearing the sound of the guns, the policemen on duty at the police post took to their heels before the robbers arrived.

The source further stated that the operation which lasted for over three hours as the robbers’ attempt to break into other banks proved unsuccessful.At the Kaduna Estate of the steel township, they shot sporadically at the only bank in the area the Ecobank but were unable to gain

access into the banking hall.

However, in the process a medical doctor identified as Dr. Ameh, who was returning from night duty was shot dead.

The source added that some staff of the Ajaokuta Steel Company who had come out to see what was happening, also received bullet wounds and were said to be receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital at the time of filing this report.Residents of the area told our correspondent that the robbers operated freely without any challenge from the police.

The state police command spokesman (PPRO) Mr. Ajayi Okansomi, who confirmed the incident however said the police were able to prevent them from gaining entrance to the banks.”Yes the incident occurred but our men were able to give them a fight. Let us say their attempt was foiled” he said.

Meanwhile, Peoples Daily Weekend checks on banks in the state capital, Lokoja and other major towns across the state shows all UBA branches in the state were closed to customers yesterday even as other banks in the state capital offer skeletal services. Robbers had used the same method in robbing other banks in the state by first attacking the police station, disarming the police, releasing the detainees and bombing the police station before hitting their target of invading the banks.

The police station bombed by robbers yesterday in Ajaokuta, Kogi state. (Pic: Sam Egwu)

Bomb scare in Katsina central mosque From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

T

he Katsina central Mosque was yesterday after the weekly Friday prayer thrown into pandemonium as worshipers scampered for safety following a loud bang which occurred after prayers.

Our correspondent gathered that the bang which was later discovered to have come from a tyre burst from a motorcycle parked at the mosque premises

saw worshipers running for cover.

An eyewitness told our correspondent that “when the loud noise from the burst tyre was heard people started falling over one another in order to escape the scene”.

As a result of the pandemonium our correspondent gathered that a lot of worshippers sustained serious injuries with some having fractured legs.

It was similarly gathered that most of the injured were taken to

hospitals while some of those with fractures were taken to traditional healers.

Our correspondent observed that since the Kano blast. security agencies and residents of Katsina metropolis have been on alert.

It was also observed that all roads leading to Katsina police headquarters were blocked while area commands and divisional areas have their premises cordoned off.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

Abuja: A costly city becoming costlier

Motorists will now have to pay to park on Abuja roads

By Udoh Chidozie Ernest

A

b u j a , Nigeria’s capital city is one of the fastest growing capital cities in the world. It has also started becoming one of the world’s costliest cities in the likes of London, Beijing and Washington among others.

Since inauguration as capital city, Abuja has remained a city where land is gold resulting in high costs for rents, commodities, transportation and other services. Currently, rents in Abuja for private and commercial purposes are ranked as the highest in the country.

Residents and visitors to the city are under heavy burden as they have to cope with high costs that have continued to rise by the day.

Apart from the city center which has become an exclusive reserve for the rich made up of top government functionaries and political office holders and their numerous aides and other cronies, costs in the satellite and shanty towns are also on the increase as landlords have already hiked rents since the increase in price of fuel was announced by government.

This is in addition to the hike in transport fares that followed the fuel price increase.

In the face of the hardship and prevalent cash crunch in

the city, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) recently introduced the controversial park and pay system in the city.

Proposed for implementation through Integrated Parking Services Limited (IPS), the authorities will now subject motorists to the burden of paying for parking their vehicles on roads even after paying to use the roads through motor licensing system and their income taxes.

Though the FCTA said the idea was aimed at curbing illegal parking and maintenance of clean environment devoid of traffic congestion, there are insinuations that it has been designed to stop the poor from driving on Abuja roads.

The system which compels motorists to pay a specific amount of money depending on the hours or minutes he or she spends wherever he parks has penalties for defaulters ranging from wheel clamp, car pound, and demurrage.

Motorists are to pay N50 for 30mins, N100 for 1 hour, N150 for 2hours, N650 for 12 hours and so on; but one may decide to purchase a scratch card if he does not fancy paying per hour.

The baby programme which is the first of its kind in Nigeria and which is to enforce on-street parking on controlled parking

zones, within the markings of the bay, has been described by many as another way of extorting money from them which consequently brought the question of where the accrued revenue goes.

The decision to introduce the scheme came even when there are not enough transport facilities as obtainable in other world cities where it is practiced.

Recently, the FCTA commissioned the 300 high capacity buses that are diesel driven, donated by the Federal Government, to the FCTA, which are to operate within the city centre and its satellite towns, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senator Bala Mohammed, pledged to subsidize it to the tune of N3 billion.

In his words, "I am delighted to inform you that the FCT administration is ready and willing to subsidize operations of the bus mass transit scheme to the tune of N3 billion to ensure that the scheme is sustainable, while the fare is affordable".

However, barely two weeks after the pledge with only few buses on the roads, the on-street parking scheme has commenced. This has forced residents in the FCT to jump to the conclusion that the N3 billion mass transit subsidy and the on-street parking system

was like giving them a gift with the right hand, and collecting it from them with the left hand.

While private car owners will bear much of the brunt on the new policy, it appears that it would be a case of one man’s food being the other’s poison as it would result in brisk business for commercial motorists since most private car owners may resort to not using their vehicles much around the city center.

There are apprehensions that the commercial motorists might further hike their fares as there might be an upsurge of commuters on the streets. This is also expected to lead to increases in other costs in the FCT especially for the middle class residents.

Though the park and pay system is expected to kick off in certain areas of the city, especially the high brow areas, it was gathered that there might be a steady extension until it gets to all areas in the city including to the satellites towns in the near or far future.

The plan is coming on the heels of moves by the authorities to dismantle illegal shanties in the FCT. It was gathered that the authorities had planned to commence a massive restoration of the Abuja master plan in which will see to the demolition of all shanty towns in the city.

This will result in harsher economic conditions for the

current residents of the area as they might not cope with the new costs that would come with development and might as such be forced to move.

However, some motorists interviewed, especially the commercial motorists have described the pack and pay plan as a good one that will decongest the city and help curb traffic but most private car owners are not comfortable with the idea.

Describing it as a good policy, Abdulahi Lawal, a commercial motorist, said it will help decongest the city but feared that the money from the scheme would not be used for further development of the city.

While it is obvious that Nigerians are very resilient people that have the unique feature of adapting to most difficult situations, the new policy may cause some bad blood between residents and the FCTA as some motorists may end up resisting moves to get them to pay.

On the whole, critics view the policy as expedient for a mega city like Abuja but they are quick to argue that such can only flourish if other transport facilities such as railways and mega city integrated transport systems were in place in the city.

However, in the mean time, residents of Abuja must begin to brace up for higher costs in the near future.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 7

We demand justice, says family of slained couple in Kano From, Bala Nasir, Kano

N

o t a few residents of Kano state were shocked at the attack of a couple by security operatives at Hotoro quarters, at about 1:00 am when they were asleep especially as it occurred shortly after the coordinated bomb blasts which rocked the ancient city.

Alhaji Uzairu Abba Abdullahi and his wife, Rukayya Khamisu lost their lives during the forty minutes operation. The incident instilled fear in the neighbourhood making many families to abandon their houses and take refuge elsewhere to safeguard their lives.

Members of the family of late Uzairu have at last broken their silence and are appealing to whichever security outfit that undertook the operation at their son's residence to please surrender his corpse and that of his wife.

Malam Ali Abdullahi is the cousin of the deceased who spoke on behalf of the family. He said they want Alhaji Uzairu's corpse and that of his wife to be released to them for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

He stated that they had checked hospitals' morgues in the state capital for the two corpses but they were not lucky to find the corpses and that after checking with the police and other prominent personalities to intervene in the matter, they are yet to receive any response.

Alhaji Uzairu, according to Malam Ali doesn't belong to Boko Haram but he is a member of Izalatil Bid'ah Wa Ikamatus Sunnah otherwise known as Izala.

The deceased, he said, is an indigene of Kano state from Gaya local government area. He attended his primary and secondary schools there and graduated from Bayero University Kano in 2002.

Late Uzairu had been a very hardworking person all his life and was never indolent. He single handedly sponsored his university education for more than eight years and many people knew him to be repairing motorcycles at Diga Junction near Silver Jubilee Square along State Road in Nassarawa, said Ali. "He spent more than six years at Diga and it was after his National Youth Service (NYSC) that he started his textile business at Kantin-Kwari market which he later joined with the selling of 'tokumbo' cars until he died last week."

According to Ali, prior to the

Alhaji Uzairu Abba Abdullahi

untimely death of his cousin, he was said to have told his friends about his encounter with many security officials at various check points after the bomb explosions in Kano that necessitated the check points at various points of the roads in the state capital.

He also told a friend how he feared their looks and how the security officials at the check points seemed to be looking uncomfortable whenever he arrived at their point.

This was because Alhaji Uzairu used to adorn bushy beard which many, especially in the security circle consider a sign of Islamic extremism, his cousin added. This was especially as he used to pass them at least twice a day. That is, in the morning on his way to the market and in the evening on his way back home.

Ali stated that his cousin was never invited or did he have any cause to be invited by any security outfit for questioning as far as he knew in spite of the

Rukayya Khamisu

seeming suspicion, nor was his house ever searched by them.

"If that had happened things wouldn't have been the same again with him as he knew his cousin would have take action to dispel the suspicion against his person."

Adding, when the suspicious perception from the security became too much for him he was even contemplating shaving his beard if at all it will save him

from their inquisitive looks, but knowing that he had nothing to hide, he discarded the idea.

The family stated that up till his death, Alhaji Uzairu identified himself with the Izala sect and nothing more because he used to pray four times at the Izala mosque along Beirut Road at the Civic Centre.

Explaining further, the family disclosed that after praying his dawn prayer at

“

The family stated that up till his death, Alhaji Uzairu identified himself with the Izala sect and nothing more because he used to pray four times at the Izala mosque along Beirut Road at the Civic Centre.

home, the deceased would then pray the remaining four prayers of each of the days while alive at Beirut Road and he was known by many people there.

Ali therefore, denied the insinuation about his cousin belonging to the Boko Haram sect in his life time, as such, he demanded that his corpse and that of his wife be released to them for proper burial.

He finally called on the state government to help them by interceding in the matter so that they could get the bodies and also ensure proper investigation is conducted as to why they were killed.

"Alhaji Uzairu and his wife were Nigerians who deserved every right to live and be protected by government as guaranteed in the Nigerian constitution like every citizen of the country, and where there is a breach of this provision, justice must take its course and this is what we are demanding."

The family spokeperson said in Kano.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

FOCUS

Jatropha: Tree that can yield diesel From Lawal Sa'idu Funtua, Katsina

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e t i r e d President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi has initiated a project aimed at using Jatropha seeds to provide energy, generate employment, provide education and health services and improve the economic status of residents six villages in Bagazamawa village located some 19 kilometers along Katsina- Dutsima road in katsina state.

Experts on development issues have identified the two basic principles of ensuring meaningful growth and progress of any economy.

These ingredients include the people’s ability to conquer their natural environment and the development of super structures.

The mono-cultural nature of Nigeria’s economy that depended largely on oil resources has led to the total neglect of other natural resources developments. With the instability of the oil price at the international market, the country’s only source of revenue came under serious threat. The threat became real with the government’s constant cry of dwindling funds to move economic activities.

Seeing the looming danger a lot of governments in the country have made attempts to solve the power problem through the alternative energy option. Some governments embarked on the ambitious project of converting Sun energy to power. Others have embraced the Bio-gas project scheme.

As the problem persists, agriculture which is the most reliable of all natural resources has been neglected but currently, the sector appears to have the answer for the nation’s economic recovery, not only in the area of food and raw material production but also in energy production and presently, a wonder tree has come to the rescue.

Ever heard of the Jatropha tree? That is the tree which product could take the place of fossil fuel in the country.

Specifically, the oil from its seed could be refined into diesel fuel that can be used with trucks, heavy duty equipments and other diesel powered engines.

In fact following positive results from scientific researches, the project for massive cultivation of Jatropha trees as well as establishment of refineries has started in Katsina state and the proponents believe that sooner or later, dealers will line up trucks to purchase diesel for commercial and domestic use

A Jatropha processing machine that provides gas for electricity in the farm in the country.

The seed of the Jatropha tree, which has great nutritional and medicinal value which gave it the names iastros and trophe, meaning “physician” and “nutrition”, respectively in Greek has been discovered to be replete with biodiesel.

The seed contains about 40 percent oil and the remaining press cake could also be considered for energy production. Currently, the oil from Jatropha seed is used for making biodiesel fuel in Philippines and in Brazil, where it grows naturally and in plantations in the southeast, north, and northeast of Brazil.

Likewise, jatropha oil is being promoted as an easily grown biofuel crop in hundreds of projects throughout India and other developing countries. In Africa, cultivation of jatropha is being promoted and it is grown successfully in countries such as Mali.

Once the seeds have been pressed, the remaining cake can be used as feed in digesters and gasifiers to produce biogas for cooking and in engines, or as fertilizer and sometimes even as animal fodder. The whole seed (with oil) can also be used in digesters to produce biogas.

In Nigeria, some well meaning Nigerians have started investing in the jatropha oil project to solve the power problems. One of such individual is the retired President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi.

Having studied the Katsina geographical environment through series of studies by experts, the retired judge embarked on the pilot project of using Jatropha tree to provide electricity power and other products of economic value to alleviate poverty and generate employment Justice Abdullahi’s project located at Bagazamawa village 19 kilometres along Katsina-

A Jatropha tree grown in the farm

Dutsin-ma road is under the supervision of an environmental expert, Dr. Abdulkadir ‘Yammama.

Conducting newsmen round the project sites, the supervising coordinator, ‘Yammama said the project plantation covers about 300 hectres of farm land.

He said apart from energy provision, it will also help reduce the desertification as the tree is highly resistant to harsh environment, disease and pests.

The environmental expert disclosed that millions of naira have already been sunk into the project which now has about 55 workers and is expected to train 1200 household in the selected six villages on how to use the seeds for making products of economic value.

At the farm training centre about 100 persons were trained on how to grow and process the Jatropha seeds and use it to produce materials of economic value. The products that can be

produced by the Jatropha seed according to Dr. ‘Yammama include, kerosene, soap, diesel, antiseptic materials and candles among many others.

Dr. ‘Yammama also informed that the farm now has a clinic and a primary school which were built to cater for the six villages.

Stating that there are plans to establish a refinery that would use the seeds to produce diesel, ‘Yammama said,“in few years to come you can come here with your trucks to buy diesel which is harmless and safer to use”.

On the use if the Jatropha tree to fight deforestation, Yammama said the deforestation in the area is at the rate of about 1000 hectres per day adding resilient trees like Jatropha would be the solution.

On the whole, the efforts of Justice Umaru Abdullahi must be commended especially as the face of the nation’s dire need for alternative source of energy to drive its critical sectors. This is just as the project also promises to be one of the biggest employers of labour in the country.

According to, Dr. ‘Yammama the whole concept of the project was copied from a similar project in Malaysia.

He assured that the education to be given to the children in the six selected villages would be of high standard so that in the future they can produce Engineers, Doctors and other professionals.

He also said a nurse has been provided for the clinic to cater for the maternal and other health needs of the six villages.

Dr. ‘Yammama noted that the candle making was specifically taught to the women in the six villages so that they could use it for their use and sell to the outside market to make money.

Similarly, an access road was constructed to improve accessibility to the project sites.

Jatropha seeds harvested from the farm

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 9

Death sentence

Al-Mustapha after he was condemned

Al-Mustapha’s desperate battle for life *How he was nailed *How Sergent Rogers put him in tight corner *May get reprieve at upper courts *Mixed reactions trail ruling

Pages 10,11

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

Death sentence

Al-Mustapha’s desperate battle for life *How he was nailed *How Sergent Rogers put him in tight corner *May get reprieve at upper courts *Mixed reactions trail ruling From Richard Ihediwa, Abuja & Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

I

t came like a thunder bolt.

The day was January, 30, 2012. A Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Mojisola Dada rattled the nation when it pronounced a death sentence on the Chief Security Officer to late General Sani Abacha; Major Hamza Al-Mustapha and former protocol officer in the campaign organisation of late Chief MKO Abiola, Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan.

In a judgment that lasted nearly seven hours from 9:58 am to 5:45 pm, Justice Dada found both men guilty and sentenced them to death by hanging for allegedly having hands in the killing of Alhaja Kuditrat Abiola, wife of the late billionaire businessman cum politician, Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola.

On June 4, 1996 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Lagos toll gate, opposite Cargo Vision, Ikeja in Lagos, Kudirat, who was championing the struggle and campaigns to protest the death of her husband in Abacha custody was shot and killed in her white Mercedes Benz car by maskedmen leading many to suspect then that the state had a hand in the killing.

The killing had sparked off protests in Lagos and few other cities in the South West especially as it was thought to have been masterminded by the state to quieten the agitations for the unravelling of the circumstances surrounding Abiola’s death.

At the wake of the incidence, pro-democracy groups especially those in the family of the National Democracy Coalition (NADECO) have been seeking justice against not only those who pulled the trigger but also those who gave the orders.

Eventually, accusing fingers were pointed and investigations by the state led to the arrest and prosecution of Al-Mustapha, Shofolahan, Sergeant Barnabas Jabila (aka Rogers) and Mohammed Abacha, son of the late Military leader.

While Jabila, who confessed that he pulled the trigger, became one of the principal witnesses that laid heaps of accusations against AlMustapha and Shofolahan, Abacha was released for want of evidence to

Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha link him with the killing leaving Al-Mustapha and Shofolahan in the long journey through the valley of the shadow of death.

While Jabila is now a free man, his statements in which he averred that Al-Mustapha gave him the weapons, while Shofolahan supplied the necessary information on the target had principally led to the conviction of the two men.

Their conviction came at a time many people thought he would be freed even as some sympathisers have been mounting pressure through the media for his release.

But the judge thought otherwise and nailed the two men even with a barrage of supporters seeking their release outside the premises of the court.

The idea that the men would be freed came against the background of perceived lapses the defence felt were inherent in the testimonies of witnesses. While being cross-examined by the defence counsel, the witnesses changed their stories. Both of them said they were compelled to lie by the investigating authorities who had promised them some gratification which included houses, foreign posting, among others.

With this, the defence team, was

almost sure if not certain that the accused persons would go scot free especially as Justice Mufutau Olokoba of a Lagos High Court had acquitted and discharged AlMustapha, Mohammed RaboLawal, Jubril Yakubu and James Danbaba who were being tried for an attempted murder of the late publisher of the Guardian newspapers, Mr. Alex Ibru. Justice Olokoba had in his ruling on that case held that the state had not made a prima facie case against the defendants since the prosecution witnesses had recanted their earlier testimonies which linked them to the alleged crime.

But in the case of Kudirat, the trial court thought otherwise and sentenced the accused persons.

However, as their detractors relish in their latest ordeal, AlMustapha and Shofolahan are now heading to the upper court in a desperate effort to remain alive and there appears to be some optimism among the defence and AlMustapha’s supporters that they will get reprieve.

Their trouble and struggle to escape the hangman’s noose started 13 years ago when they were arraigned over alleged complicity in Kudirat’s death.

In the last 13 years, Al-

Mustapha and his co-traveller have been going through the needle eye of legal fireworks as prosecution and defence engage in a battle that would see them either marching triumphantly home or forlorn to the cold and iron fist of the hangman.

By every indication, AlMustapha’s case attracted a lot of public interests as Al-Mustapha himself used the dock to raise some other controversial issues concerning some very powerful persons in the country.

In fact some Al-Mustapha supporters believe that some of those who fear that he has certain information wanted him out of circulation.

However, in the end, such issues appeared not to have counted as the court nailed Al-Mustapha and his co- traveller for allegedly masterminding the killing of Abiola’s wife.

When the state eventually established a prima-facie case against them, a four-count charge of “conspiracy and murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola on June 4,

charges before Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, then of the Ikeja High Court which set the stage for the trial. Mohammed Abacha, one of the accused persons was however set free from the matter and the charges against him quashed.

The then Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Yemi Osibajo, (SAN) led the team of the prosecutors, supported by the then Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey and other lawyers from Lagos State Ministry of Justice.

The defence team was led by the current President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Joseph Daudu, (SAN) a former Minister of Solid Minerals, Alhaji Ali Kaloma, Messrs Bala Ibn Na’Allah and Yakubu Mik’yau.

Then the state’s key witnesses, Sergeant Barnabas Jabila (aka Rogers), and another soldier, Mohammed Abdul (aka Katako) told the court that Sofolahan, acting as Kudirat’s aide, gave them information on her itinery, which aided them in accomplishing their task of eliminating her.

Jabila confessed that he shot at Kudirat, while Abdul, who served as personal driver to Mohammed, narrated how they (himself and Jabila) went out the day after meeting Sofolahan, trailed a white Mercedes Benz car from Ikeja to the old Lagos toll gate and how Jabila shot at the car and directed him to drive back to Dodan Barracks where they were staying.

In his evidence-in-chief, Jabila

Late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola 1996 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Lagos toll gate, opposite Cargo Vision, Ikeja in Lagos” was preferred against them.

They pleaded not guilty to the

narrated how he was, some days before Kudirat’s assassination, summoned by Al-Mustapha to his Contd on Page 11

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

Contd from Page 10 office in Aso Rock in Abuja who gave him some bags containing guns, and briefed on “a special assignment”. Jabilla also said Sofolahan’s information aided them in trailing Kudirat until he shot her.

Jabila’s confession caused ripples of anger across the nation with many instantly calling for AlMustapha’s head. However, some observers raised issues on the confession seeing them as looking more like an orchestrated performance which might not have a concrete factual basis.

In his defence, Al-Mustapha who witnessed for himself, denied all the allegations against him. AlMustapha, who earlier testified not to have tortured anyone in his life, later admitted, during crossexamination, that he tortured one Turner Ogboru and admitted that, as trained military personnel, he could take lives in public interest.

In his own testimony on August 17, 2011, Sofolahan, the third and last defendant also denied involvement in the offences for which he was accused.

He denied ever working for any member of the Abiola family or was a personal assistant to Kudirat.

He averred that he only heard about the woman’s death from media reports that she died in her car.

Parties adopted their final written addresses on November 10, 2011. In its submission, the defence urged the court to acquit the accused on the grounds that the prosecution had failed to satisfactorily discharge the burden of proof placed on it by law.

In his 112-page reply, Olakekan Ojo counsel to the defendants, raised five issues for determination.

First, he argued that the court had to find out whether or not Jabila and Abdul were credible and reliable witnesses, whose evidence could be accepted and relied upon by the court having regard to the evidences which he insisted had series of contradictions and inconsistencies.

He spoke on what evidential value the court could attach to the extra judicial statements made by the defendants and the extent to which they could be used by the court in the determination of the suit.

Ojo maintained that since some of the evidence, especially statements obtained from the defendants were allegedly taken under duress, the court should discountenance them.

In spite of the submissions of the defence team, the court found merit in the arguments of the prosecution, declaring that both men should be hanged until they are confirmed dead.

Ruling, Justice Dada held that the said contradictions in the evidences of Jabila and Abdul were immaterial and maintained that her decision was based on what she described as overwhelming evidences against Al-Mustapha and Shofolahan.

Justice Dada had in her judgment held that the retraction made by Jabilla and Abdul did not cancel their earlier testimony. She said that the retraction was even false adding that some of the words said by Jabilla and Abdul during

PAGE 11

Death sentence

Al-Mustapha’s desperate battle for life

Lateef Shofolahan ...said to have betrayed Kudirat the recant of their earlier testimonies were those put in their mouth by the defence team who appeared to have been trailing and stalking them.

The judge held that it was clear to the court that Al-Mustapha recruited Jabilla, gave him a gun and provided logistics for him and his team to travel from Abuja to Lagos to meet Shofolahan who provided information on late Kudirat.

She said the fact that AlMustapha in his evidence- in-chief admitted that he might have given his gun to Sgt Rogers for cleaning concurred with Jabilla’s testimony that Al-Mustapha provided a special gun that was used in the assassination of Kudirat.

She said that the earlier statements made by the two witnesses were too convincing to be brushed-aside as mere fabrications.

Justice Dada further observed that Al-Mustapha in his evidence showed that he was willing to do anything in order to protect the seat of power in Abuja even if it meant killing those who were seen as enemies of the government, like Kudirat.

The judge went ahead to describe Shofolahan as a greedy traitor and a viper. She maintained that it was Shofolahan’s greed that led him to Seriki Shasha who took him to Al-Mustapha and that made him participate actively in the 2million-man march in favour of the government of the day.

“He (Shofolahan ) is a blood thirsty traitor, the fact that he made people to laugh in court while giving his evidence was a facade that he deliberately sacrificed Alhaja Kudirat Abiola”, she said.

She sentenced them to death by hanging over the assassination of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, wife of the late Chief Abiola.

Following their insistence that

Sgt. Barnabas Jabila (aka Rogers) ...pulled the trigger

the trial court erred in its ruling, the two men appealed against the judgment within 24 hours before the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal. They described the judgment of the lower court as, "unreasonable, unwarranted and cannot be supported, having regard to the totality of evidence before the trial court".

They both raised five grounds of appeal and prayed the appellate court to set aside the lower court’s decision. They urged the court to discharge and acquit them on the two counts of conspiracy and murder on which they were convicted.

In the appeal document, Sofolahan and Al-Mustapha argued that the trial judge erred in law by holding that the contradictions in the evidence by Barnabas Jabila Mshelia (Rogers) and Mohammed Abdul (Katako) were immaterial.

They contended that the said contradiction in both witnesses’ evidence, which resulted from their recantation, were manifestly a disparagement of their evidence.

Their second ground of appeal was that the judge erred when she relied on the evidence of the first prosecution witness, Ore Falomo, a medical doctor, to the effect that the bullet extracted from the late Kudirat was a special one, not commonly seen.

They queried the judge’s decision to rely on the information

by Falomo, knowing that he (Falomo) is neither a Ballistician nor an expert in that field of science.

In ground three, the appellants accused the judge of bias against them by allegedly rejecting portions of Rogers’ and Katako’s testimonies that favoured them, but accepted and relied on the portions that were unfavourable to them.

They also argued that the judge erred in law by treating the contents of their extra-judicial statements as true without first, subjecting them to the necessary tests.

Currently, Al-Mustapha’s hope live will be based on the disposition and decision of the Appeal Court in Lagos. There is a wave of optimism on the side of his sympathisers that he might get reprieve as the appellate court is expected to take a second and thorough look at the issues and evidences tabled before the trial court and how that court arrived at its decision that the men should be hanged.

The optimism is heightened based on the fact that even if reprieve did not come from the appellate court, the accused also have the rights to head to the Supreme Court for the determination of the issues in the case.

However, for now, whether,AlMustapha and Shofolahan get reprieve of any sort is largely a matter of conjecture as the court will have the final say even in the face of placard bearing supporters as was the case at the trial court.

The conviction of Al-Mustapha and Shofolahan by the Lagos court have been trailed by mixed reactions. While the pro-Kudirat elements hail it, other groups have condemned it.

In spite of the appeal, the family of the late Kudirat Abiola; a chief of the Pan Yoruba sociopolitical organisation, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba; and the President, Campaign for Democracy, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, have hailed the judgment.

The daughter of the late Kudirat, Hafsat Abiola-Costello, described the judgment as good

news for Nigerians as it sends a message that people who abuse power will not be able to get away with it.’’

On the other hand, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) condemned the judgment. Its President, Alhaji Yerima Shetima said, the sentence was not justifiable, adding that there was nothing connecting Al-Mustapha to the murder.

“He was incarcerated for years in jail for want of evidence. How can they justify this sentence?” he queried.

Also reacting to the ruling, the dreaded Boko Haram sect has dared the government to carry out the judgment even as it threatened to widen the scope of their operations.

The sect said once the death sentence was executed, it would extend its attack to judges and courts across the country.

The group’s spokesman, Abul Qaqa, was quoted to have said in a statement that, “Should the Nigerian government dare carry out the sentence announced on Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha (rtd), the full-scale attacks will be expanded from security agencies and agents to the judiciary, from police stations to courts and so on.

Also reacting to the ruling, leader of the Niger Delta Volunteers Force, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari said Al-Mustapha must not be executed.

Dokubo-Asari insinuated that the decision to sentence AlMustapha to death at this period was meant to destabilise the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. He said that during past administrations, those trying Al-Mustapha could not get a conviction, asking why it was now that Jonathan was in power that they were able to do so.

Also commenting on the ruling, the Founder and National Coordinator of Voice of the People, a Non- Governmental Organization (NGO), Steve Orji prayed President Goodluck Jonathan to use his fiat to free Al-Mustapha. He said if the judgment is upheld, it will cause more crises in the country.

Orji maintained that the country is sitting on a keg of gun powder and that if the former aide is killed, it will not only heat up the polity but intensify more problems for President Jonathan administration.

He said the case has been on for over 16 years and added that the blunders of the old military regime should be allowed to sleep especially now that democracy has come to stay in the country.

Be that as it may, Al-Mustapha and Shofolahan are now on death row with their fate hanging loosely on the decision of the upper court.

Sooner or later, the final verdict would be made.

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

Kogi: How two governors ruled the confluence state

K

o g i state which is popularly known as the confluence state following the confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue in Lokoja will go down in the history of the nation as a state where two governors were sworn-in the same day.

Already some observers have put a comic tail on the issues as they note that such should be expected. To them, if the state has two rivers which meet and mix calmly in the confluence, then the state can as well borrow a leaf from the waters and have a political confluence by having two governors at the Lord Lugard House.

However, waters do not know politics. While Niger and Benue mixed with no ado, the emergence of two governors in the state for the time the tussle lasted kept the state on its toes as tension heightened by the day.

It started when the Supreme Court sacked the governors of five states of Cross-River, Sokoto, Adamawa, Bayelsa and Kogi on the ground that the ruling of the lower courts which elongated their tenures beyond May, 2011 was erroneous.

Immediately the news reached Lokoja, there was confusion regarding the interpretation of the ruling as to who would hold the reign of power in the place of the sacked governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.

The pendulum swung between the then governorelect, Capt, Idris Wada and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulahi Bello, who some elements insists that by virtue of certain provisions of the Constitution he should hold power as acting governor in the event that the governor and the deputy were oust from power.

When the news got to Lokoja at about 11.30 am, security was further beefed up around the government house with top government officials gathering to adopt the next line of action.

Initially, there appeared to be a consensus that Wada should immediately be sworn-in as governor since his election has been concluded and he was only waiting to take over in April.

However, trouble started when some members of the state House of Assembly rejected the decision to swear-in Wada arguing that the Speaker and not Wada was the rightful person to be sworn-in as actinggovernor.

Immediately, there was pressure on the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Nasir Ajanah, whose statutory duty it was to perform the ceremony, as two camps emerged with one supporting Wada and the other

The January 27, 2012 Supreme Court judgement came with its full weight on the affected five states, Kogi inclusive, but the scenario in Kogi remains a watershed in political history. Sam Egwu examines how two governors emerged in Kogi and the unfolding events.

Gov. of Kogi state, Alh. Idris Wada being sworn-in. Insert: Speaker Abdullahi Bello also being sworn-in routing for the Speaker.

The situation worsened when news came that the Attorney General of the Federation Mohammed Adoke, had directed that the Chief Judges of the affected states should swear-in the speakers as acting governors.

A hot debate ensued and milieu, resulting in the decision of the Chief Judge to leave the venue.

It was at this point that the pro-Wada elements said to have had the backing of the former governor brought the President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Lokoja, Justice Ibrahim Shaibu Atadoga to the executive hall of the governor's office to administer the oath of office and allegiance on Captain Idris Wada and his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi.

Hardly had that ceremony ended and Wada began giving his address with top government officials waiting for the next line of action, when news filtered in that the Chief Judge of the state was preparing to swear-in the Speaker at the Lokoja High Court opposite the state House of Assembly complex.

Immediately, confusion set in and stakeholders were forced to start a new set of political alignments laced with uncertainties. Some hours later, the Chief Judge had sworn-in

the Speaker and Kogi became a state with two governors swornin by judicial officers.

Interestingly, those present at the swearing in of Capt Wada, apart from the outgoing governor, Ibrahim Idris and his deputy governor, Chief Philip Salawu and SSG Alhaji Musa Amadu, the others were also at the High court complex to witness the inauguration of the Speaker.

At that moment, the state and security agencies were thrown into serious confusion as they did not immediately know who to recognise as the new helmsman as security men were also drafted to man the Speaker as acting governor.

The major area of contention was that the Supreme Court in its ruling did not give clear cut directive on who takes over as it did not take cognisance of the election conducted in December 3, 2011, in Kogi state which produced Capt Wada and Awoniyi.

There was then the argument on the competence of the President of the Court of Appeal to perform the ceremony as some pro-Speaker element sinsisted that his action lacked competence especially in the face of the directive from the Attorney General.

This was especially as some persons had already started giving extended interpretation to the ruling as they argued that the ruling implied a reversal to

the January, 2011 primary which was won by Alhaji Jibrin Isa for the botched April, 2011 election which could not hold due to the extension of the tenure of the governor by the Appeal Court.

There were arguments that either there should be a new round of electoral process including new primaries or directly giving power to Isa since he was the holder of the ticket which was invalidated by the extension.

However, the pro-Wada elements had insisted that such should not be the case as they argued that all events relating to the January 2011 primary and the botched April 2011 elections have been overtaken by time.

However, as the arguments raged, emboldened by the directive of the Attorney General which warranted his inauguration by the Chief Judge, the Speaker went ahead to start governance activities as he announced the sack of all political appointees who served under Idris Ibrahim.

While the tussle raged in Lokoja, the Speaker took his team to Okene to meet the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim where he was said to have informed him that he had taken over the governorship of Kogi state and was seeking royal blessing though Wada was already in full control of the

State House.

However, as forces in Lokoja continued to lock horns, decisions were being made in Abuja in favour of Wada. The first was the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which declared that it was not ready to conduct any fresh election in Kogi as it insisted that the December 3, 2011 election which produced Wada as concluded and as such, Wada should be sworn in as governor.

INEC’s position was also followed by a meeting of political stakeholders in Abuja where top brass of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Vice President Namadi Sambo was said to have brokered truce among the warring parties.

This was even as there were insinuations by some pro-Wada elements that the Attorney General, who is from the state extended his directive to Kogi for some undisclosed reasons which they insisted had to do with the power tussle among certain ethnic groups in the state.

However, in all, it appears that the odds and the evens were in favour of Wada as it is thought that the issuance of the Certificate of Return to Wada by INEC is to ensure that there will be no vacancy in the state.

By all indications, INEC is not ready to withdraw the certificate unless compelled by a court of law at the highest level.

These trails from the decision of the commission to conduct after the Appeal Court endorsed the elongation of the tenure of the governors though it went to the Supreme Court to challenge that extension.

However, with the April 15 2011 primary election of PDP, according to INEC, all primary elections before then had become null and void and of no effect.

Currently, the actions of the two judicial officers have become a subject of discourse in the state as some stakeholders have continued to seek interpretation on the issues.

In fact there are apprehensions that there could be firework of legal works on the matter.

Commenting on the issue, a political analyst, Abdulahi Ochalla, noted that Wada in the eyes of the law remained the validly elected governor. He added that the arguments by some people that the speaker would have been given the three months of ninety days were mere wishful thinking since the same INEC which produced the speaker also produced the governor elect. He further said that the speaker would have had a claim to that seat if there were no elected governor.

On the whole, the citizens of the state wants an atmosphere of political tranquillity to enable the state to move forward.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 13

Adamawa: The lull before the noise

As Nyako battles Marwa, others at the poll

Former Governor Murtala Nyako

By Richard Ihediwa

I

n Adamawa, there is a heavy lull as the citizens of the state queue up today to decide on whether to return Murtala Nyako as governor or replace him with one of those seeking the plum job.

Nyako who was sacked by the Supreme Court last week following a ruling that nullified the extension of his tenure and that of four other governors by the Appeal Court is still holding the ticket of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is now slugging it out with former Lagos state Military Governor, Buba Marwa, of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Engr.Markus Gundiri of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Dr. Zainab Kwonchi of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The number of those contending against Nyako reduced with the decision of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to pull out of the race. The exiting party gave Nyako’s ambition a boost as it threw its weight behind the PDP candidate with its flag bearer, Alhaji Ahmed Usman and his supporters dissolving into the PDP. Currently in the state there is a political lull as voters exercise their franchise. In a matter of hours, the results of the election will start coming in and the verdict of who gets the job would soon be made known.

Though it is widely speculated that Nyako has the political structure and machinery to take back his job, there are

General Buba Marwa

Engr Markus Gundiri

Zainab Kwonchi

fears that his ambition might encounter a tough fight as his top political rival, Marwa is said to have worked very hard to draw support to his bid to replace the former governor.

Also Nyako is faced with the challenge of a PDP internal wrangling for which the House of Assembly was locked for months on his orders following his rejection of the removal of the former Speaker and his replacement by Umaru Ahmad Fintri.

Ironically, Fintri has emerged as the acting-Governor of the state following the Supreme Court ruling and there are fears that he might want to take a pound of flesh off Nyako’s political fortune.

However, in the face of the odds, the PDP chieftain is optimistic that fences have been made in the interest especially as a sustained internal wrangling will cost the party its fortune ian the face of stiff competition from the ACN and the CPC. There are very good reasons for the PDP to try to ensure that it holds its supporters to its chest especially as the Marwa group had made good use of the goodwill enjoyed by the governor among the people of the state.

This is especially as many top gunners in the state had complained that Nyako’s style of leadership had further impoverished the state and raised awareness on the people on good governance which they insisted was largely lacking in the last four years.

Such critics included highly respected elders in the state including, former top

cabinet minister and ranking Senator Jibril Aminu, who led other political heavyweights in the state to champion an early cause against Nyako.

Though fences appear to have been mended by the national leaders of the PDP, the impression created in the minds of the electorates by these leaders to the effect that Nyako had failed to deliver could play out in the election.

Marwa’s group appears to be cashing in on this. They know that the former military top brass is well liked across the state because of his philanthropy and they have been building on that to curry support from the masses.

The former ambassador to South Africa, who could not get the PDP ticket in the last election moved to pitch his tent with the new CPC and took along with him some very powerful elements from the ruling party.

There are fears that Marwa may get serious support from the grassroot which many believe could lead to an outcome akin to that witnessed in Imo state where opposition All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Chief Rochas Okorocha defeated then incumbent governor Ikedi Ohakim of the PDP unless the ruling party in Adamawa closes ranks until the end of the electoral process.

On the other hand is the ACN candidate, Markus Gundiri, who is now enjoying serious support from a large number of the electorates in the southern and northern parts of the state in addition to the large support from the central zone

where he hails from.

Gundiri is vastly enjoying the strong structure of his party in the state, which many thinks puts him in a better position than Marwa in the face of political onslaught from the PDP. Watchers of the Adamawa politics see the newest entrant to the race, ADC’s Zainab Kwonchi as being on the political sideline though she cannot be underrated.

Kwonchi was Nyako’s commissioner of health and many believe that she went into the race to play the role of a spoiler for her former boss. There are insinuations that she is in the race mainly to deflect Nyako’s votes in Fufore, where she hails for.

However, pundits expect Kwonchi to be put under check by the influence of Nyako’s political strategist, Senator Bello Tukur, who is also from Fufore.

On the whole, the ruling party is not however, resting on its oars as it had mounted an elaborate campaign for Nyako using its federal might.

The party was able to penetrate the wards and local governments of the state to drum support and assured the electorates of a better deal in the next four years. This is in addition to the achievement of reconciliations in the dissenting ranks in the party ahead of the polls.

On the whole, the electorates hold the ace and their verdict on who takes the job for the next four years is expected to hit the public stand in a matter of hours.

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

Subsidy: Nigerians know more than govt people think they do — Agary

Y

ou are leading a group, the Initiative for Peace and Industrial Harmony (IPIH) which tried to give the Federal Government a platform to engage Nigerians on the issue of fuel subsidy removal. How far were you able to meet that goal?

We decided to give the government the platform to engage unfortunately, government did not utilise the opportunity they had because we had two engagements with labour, civil society and we had invited government to participate because it would have created the opportunity for them to identify the critical voices that eventually drove this fuel subsidy protest. We had created the opportunity for them to engage them and dialogue. Our group, the Initiative for Peace and Industrial Harmony (IPIH) got ourselves organised hoping that we will stop the protest. We did this because from our collective experience in industrial relations, particularly with the fuel subsidy removal, it has always been a pattern; that is government makes a pronouncement, Labour will agitate, protest, call out people for strike, government will engage, government will reduce price.

However, because we wanted to avoid the crisis because of the security challenges the country was experiencing; and we are still having those challenges; we wanted to get the parties to begin to talk. That was what our group did. Indeed, I won’t blame labour or civil society because they were willing to talk. They turned up at the highest level in the two engagements that we organised but unfortunately government representatives did not come.

What is your view about the process leading to the agreement on N97 instead of complete reversal to N65 per liter of fuel?

It is going to be very difficult for our group to tell you how they arrived at N97, we were not at the table during the discussions but judging from the reports in the press, there was actually no negotiation, that is from what the labour leaders had said.

Would your group have created a better platform where we would have had a better deal?

Not a better platform but at

Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agary was the permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Productivity. She was the Secretary of the Ibrahim Mantu Palliative Committee. In this interview with Richard Ihediwa, she opens up on the current debate on the removal of subsidy even as she gives details on how politicians corrupted the civil service.

Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agary least we had set in motion a process for engagement and in those engagements, the issues of the template which we published, that is the PPPRA template for determining the cost of a liter of fuel. I think that if the parties had engaged before the crisis, it was possible

that the pricing would have been looked at and that would have been the PPPRA template and the items on the template that the consumers are fighting for. I believe that those issues would have formed part of the negotiation and part of the things that would have been

“

And government should be ready to discuss openly and frankly because Nigerians know far more than what some of us in government think they know so there is no point in hiding anything

discussed had all the parties showed the willingness to engage.

What is the status of the debate on fuel subsidy now?

We are aware that the labour unions are discussing with the Belgore Committee and we are very hopeful that the contentious issues would be resolved with respect to the fuel subsidy removal. Of course other things have been thrown up and we are all listening to the hearings at the National Assembly; that is at the House of Representatives. However, we are informally reaching out to the parties to continue to engage and dialogue. It is not over until it is over and I think that no party should rest on its oars at this point in time and I

think at every point in time, we are promoting social dialogues and discussions on national issues.

Government should not think it is over. While Belgore is talking with the labour unions, I still believe that government should, on a continual basis engage labour and civil society not just on fuel subsidy issue but on other policy issues before they go public with them. I think that there is a great need for consultations before some of these pronouncements are made. I believe that this last crisis was totally avoidable and preventable. We provided the platfoarm for discussions but the frontline officers of Mr. President didn’t think there was any need; but I can say that there is very great need more now so that we can avoid what could be another round of crisis because it is not over. Of course you know that the civil society and Nigerians have their own ideas about how these things should have played out. So government should be ready to engage the civil society and we are always there to provide the platform.

And government should be ready to discuss openly and frankly because Nigerians know far more than what some of us in government think they know so there is no point in hiding anything. So it is a question of opening up and accepting some blames where you have made some errors and asking for support so that you can deliver better on promises.

You were in the system.

Are you jolted by the revelations from the probes in the National Assembly?

Not really. I was the Secretary of the Mantu Panel and these things were disclosed even at that level in 2004 and 2005.

So they did not start today I think really that in fairness to the NLC and PENGASSON and NUPENG, they have been raising these issues at their level. Even at points we met with them, they have been raising these issues about the unacceptable activities in the oil and gas sector. In fact the activism of these unions that established the oil and gas industry committee, the precursor to the Petroleum Industry Bill is traced to this. So it has been a long time coming and one would want to congratulate this government that they now want to take on the issue head

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 15

Mark, Senate and theservice duty -of Politicians polluted the civil Agari on and we hope that the recommendations of the National Assembly will be implemented because the oil and gas sector, obviously from what we have all heard and from what some of us had known while we were in government, need some surgical operations, there is no doubt about it.

Lets talk about the issue of palliatives promised by the President. He promised that workers would be paid

by January, 20. By what we hear that did not happen.

People are also complaining that the buses he provided are very few. Do we indeed have any palliative in the true sense of the word?

Well I don’t want to criticise the SURE document but one of the things I think I would advice government to focus on is the issue of youth unemployment because if all the money that is going to be saved will be ploughed into creating jobs for our youths it will be good. We have very serious infrastructural challenges so if we put our young people to work to develop our infrastructure, over time we will get it right. You know we have a lot of engineers in different specialisations. So if we put them to work, I think that some of the security challenges the nation is facing will be addressed because some of these kids need some money in their pockets and we must dignify our children; we can’t send our children to universities and turn around and not cater for them.

I know young people today are angry. They are very angry with my generation for not doing enough. So I hope that rather than do everything that has been listed in the document, I will ask government to just choose the issue of unemployment and focus on providing jobs for the youths using labour intensive strategies. Let us use them to focus of building our roads, railway lines, housing and agriculture and so on.

I know that when people are mobilised those who want to go into agriculture will do that once they can secure the credit, they will go into agro-allied businesses. The problem now is that people do not even have the basics to eat, to clothe themselves and to even move around to search for the jobs that are not even available. So the challenges for this government is to deal with youth unemployment as topmost priority and cut out a lot of other things at least for this year. I think that we will

go a long way in moderating some of the violence that we are experiencing from our young people because a lot of it is propelled by idleness and poverty.

But one of the major problems in that aspect is corruption. Before you know it one person will siphon the money meant for payment.

With respect to paying the young people, I don’t think there will be any problem if we make good use of modern technology. Once people are biometrically captured and payments done electronically nobody will touch their money.

We are gradually going cashless in this country. You can load your card in any bank. We must begin to apply these technologies. So when you get these kids, you biometrically capture them, deploy them and at the time they need to be paid their accounts are credited. I don’t expect anybody to pay people cash. That is where you will be breeding the corrupt practices.

It should be biometrically driven and totally cashless.

This will cut out all the people who would have positioned themselves to corner part of the money.

A senator once described the NNPC as the citadel of corruption. You were in the system, do you agree with that?

I never worked in that sector so I would not know. All I know is what I hear from the sector unions during meetings.

There is this general public perception that that sector is corrupt. What will be your advice to government in solving this problem of corruption in that sector and generally in our system?

We have laws; so the basic thing is to apply the laws; sanction people who have been caught. I believe that until we begin to name and shame people and not only naming and shaming but go through the process and convict people you cannot solve this problem. If we have the evidence, they should be charged to court and we just hope that the court system will be much faster than it has been to dispose of these cases as fast as possible.

I understand that the EFCC has requested for a special court to fast track the cases. I think it will help because I have a personal experience with the court system. Sometimes cases can really take unusually long time and sometimes it is not the fault of the court but the lawyers who put one injunction

Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agary or the other to slow things down. So I think if we have the special court, it will take care of that; because we can’t just be talking about corruption without doing anything about it by way of sanctioning people.

There are moves by the Presidency and the National Assembly to cut their overheads in the 2012 budget; but there is this argument that if you cut the overhead of the National Assembly, then the committees would not have enough funds to perform their oversight duties effectively. They might be pushed to rely on executive bodies to foot the bills and that could lead to compromises. Do you agree with this?

No I don’t agree with that. I think they can do the oversight effectively even with the cuts.

Most of the agencies are here in Abuja. Yes. I know that sometimes they need to visit the sites but how often do they do that. This is a time for sacrifice. The Nigerian public have been making all the

sacrifices and tightening their belts and the thing is about to break. So those of them who are more comfortable should also tighten their belts. I think they can. If we start cutting off most of the chaff and leave the real issues, then they can.

You were in the system so you will agree with me that the bureaucracy is not working despite the much orchestrated SERVICOM. What actually is the problem? How do you think we can make our bureaucracy work faster?

I can tell you honestly that there are a lot of very frustrated people in the civil service. The reason that is so is that because in a lot of instances, you have the tail aging the dog. The bosses don’t know a damn thing and so their subordinates can’t learn anything from them; and these are the people calling the shots and directing affairs.

Sometimes people, that is, those who know what to do are so frustrated that they don’t want to do anything. There is so much incompetence in critical

“

In fact there are challenges. The civil servant has been called all manner of names; while I am not holding brief for them, I must say that the politicians are also part of the problem. One of the major reasons the service is the way it is today is that political appointees come in with all manner of incompetent people and before they leave they dump them in the service

places in the system. So with all the best of intention of SERVICOM, if something lies on the table of somebody who hardly has the clue to move it forward, it is going to stay there for a very long time. For me, files did not lie on my table for more than 24 hours. I cleared my table every day. So my subordinates knew that I will request for a file on issues that I sent for them for certain actions.

With what is going on now, the service needs to be shaken up. There are so many people who have no qualifications, they do not have the knowhow and they found themselves as directors and deputy directors and the intelligent ones are at the bottom of the ladder. So how do you expect the system to work? I know that reforms have been done but they were implemented properly and I know that there is another committee taking another look at the reforms. Strongly speaking the civil service needs to be reformed so that we will have competent people manning critical sections in the system.

We have a serious problem.

Unfortunately a lot of people are not doing their work. Some ‘oga’ corners and walks away with the money meant for the department and the work suffers. In fact there are challenges. The civil servant has been called all manner of names; while I am not holding brief for them, I must say that the politicians are also part of the problem. One of the major reasons the service is the way it is today is that political appointees come in with all manner of incompetent people and before they leave they dump them in the service.

There is no competition, they use the leverage of their office and get these people with no experience into the system and invariably they get to the top.

So how do you expect a serving officer who has been waiting his entire career to get to a position of a director and then you bring somebody who came carrying files looking for money for his minister brother and suddenly he becomes the boss? You know that is quite demoralising and it must stop.

In fact time has come that to get into the civil service, you should take the civil service exams. I know people are kicking against taking exams before promotions but if you don’t pass a prescribed exam for promotion then you should not be promoted.

So in all honesty, there is a high level of incompetence in the service.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

PEOPLES P PA AGE

I cook better than five star hotels, says woman who serves meals at park

By Miriam Humbe

W

henever people walk into a restaurant for their lunch or dinner as the case may be, the first and only thing on their minds is to get served a tasty meal of their favorite delicacy or dish. Most times, the customer gets exactly what he asked for and simply savors it to quench his hunger at the moment. The irony of the whole matter is that no one has ever paused to ask how the woman who wakes up at twilight to prepare to feed the society, albeit at a cost, goes shopping for food items and ingredients and also prepares them for the next day's meals only to be the last to go to bed in her household musters the strength to go on in the same vicious circle all year long.

Peoples Daily Weekend caught up with Mrs. Ngozi Agbo who has spent the past five years at the Ifesinachi Park in the Utako area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, cooking and serving hot, healthy and delicious meals to her teeming customers who range from the business community, travelers and bachelors in the neighborhood, among others. She says her customers always shower her with compliments after tasting her food and always come asking for more, the Oliver Twist way.

Ngozi is married and said she pleaded with her husband to help out so that they could do the food business together in order to feed their five children. Her husband assists her by cooking the rice very early in the morning. Then after cooking, she takes it to the park for sale after which, she takes the money realized for the day to Utako market to purchase more foodstuff and ingredients she will need for the next day's business. As for the profit margin, she said at times, she makes profit while sometimes she operates at a loss.

Having obtained a nursing training and working in a hospital in Ohafia, Ngozi said even if she were to get a job in the hospital, their salary come at the end of the month but before the month ends, what will her family feed on? That is what bothers her most about white collar jobs.

"We have no other income from anywhere else than from this food we sell. That is what I consider. I am interested in going back to my field even now, if I can get a helping hand. I worked in a General Hospital. I did fine so they gave me good recommendation. I know everything about nursing from injections to everything. If I decide to opt for a monthly pay job, my children will starve" she said while explaining why she jettisoned her earlier training for the food business.

We asked her how she manages to get all the food ready for consumption as early as 8 a.m., she said, "We wake up to prepare for a new day at 2AM every day.

At that time, we start cooking. My husband and the maid that stays with me help with the cooking. After everything, I then take the food to the park for sale. My husband then takes care of waking up the children and preparing them for school."

"At times I leave this place around 10 PM and get home around 11 p. m. I just bathe and sleep and wake up as early as 2 a.m. to continue the cooking. What gives

Mrs. Ngozi Agbo

me energy is what turns out to be the proceeds from my suffering. But I am not making much gain. I barely make enough to feed my children and pay their school fees. The children are not even attending private schools. They are all attending government schools, Ngozi lamented amidst sobs.

Looking at the quality of the meals

she prepares for sale, we asked her if she studied catering. Her response was, "I didn't attend any catering school. I learnt how to cook from my mother who operated an eatery when I was young. I cook well. When my customers eat my food, they tell me it tastes wonderful, just like home-made food. Many of them say my food tastes richer than that of some

“

Many of them say my food tastes richer than that of some five star hotels they have visited before.

At first, I used to feel they were only trying to pass unnecessary compliments but as I continued to cook with time, the compliments kept on coming even from my lady customers.

five star hotels they have visited before.

At first, I used to feel they were only trying to pass unnecessary compliments but as I continued to cook with time, the compliments kept on coming even from my lady customers. A lot of people who eat my food commend my cooking. Some people will come and say they have heard I cook very well so they will like to eat my food and they go back highly impressed. It makes me feel happy and contented that I can satisfy my customers".

What are her plans on outdoor catering? Ngozi said, "I plan to go into outdoor catering with time and as the resources permit. Even now, some people who are planning for events do contact me. They used to bring the work for me and say I should cook for a particular number of guests like 200 or even 400 and I do that. When I get jobs that I feel are voluminous, I sometimes contract extra hands to make it easier so that we can deliver on time. The girls that work with me also lend a helping hand".

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 17

Arts Kiddies World

Maia Campbell gets her life back on track after movie scandal Page 26

Relationship Healthy Living

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

From the Archives

Do you have old pictures for memories?

Send them to peoplesdailyweekend@yahoo.com

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, students in 1968. They had buffet in the universities before such welfare was scrapped in the early 80s.

A congested female hostel in one of the Universities in Nigeria. An opposite of what is obtainable in the past.

A typical lecture hall of a Nigerian university as against the confort that was enjoyed in the early 60s

Undergraduates holding a student council meeting in Ibadan in 1953

Students relaxing in new residence Hall at University College, Ibadan in April 1953

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 19

DIGEST DIGEST

Isolated Peru tribe makes uncomfortable contact P

eruvian authorities say they are struggling to keep outsiders away from a clan of previously isolated Amazon Indians who began appearing on the banks of a jungle river popular with environmental tourists last year.

The behavior of the small group of Mashco-Piro Indians has puzzled scientists, who say it may be related to the encroachment of loggers and by low-flying aircraft from nearby natural gas and oil exploration in the southeastern region of the country.

Clan members have been blamed for two bow-and-arrow attacks on people near the riverbank in Madre de Dios state where officials say the Indians were first seen last May. One badly wounded a forest ranger in October. The following month, another fatally pierced the heart of a local Matsiguenka Indian, Nicolas "Shaco" Flores, who had long maintained a relationship with the Mashco-Piro.

The advocacy group Survival International released photos Tuesday showing clan members on the riverbank, describing the pictures as the "most detailed sightings of uncontacted Indians ever recorded on camera."

The British-based group provided the photos exactly a year after releasing aerial photos from Brazil of another tribe classified as uncontacted, one of about 100 such groups it says exist around the world.

One of the Mashco-Piro photos was taken by a bird watcher in August, Survival International said. The other two were shot by Spanish archaeologist Diego Cortijo on Nov. 16, six days before Flores was killed.

Cortijo, a member of the Spanish Geographical Society, was visiting Flores while on an expedition in search of petroglyphs and said clan members appeared across the river from Flores' house, calling for him by name.

Flores could communicate with the Mashco-Piro because he

spoke two related dialects, said Cortijo, who added that Flores had previously provided clan members with machetes and cooking pots.

The Mashco-Piro tribe is believed to number in the hundreds and lives in the Manu National Park that borders Diamante, a community of more than 200 people where Flores lived.

Although it's not known what provoked the Mashco-Piro clan to leave the relative safety of their tribe's jungle home, Beatriz Huerta, an anthropologist who works with Peru's agency for indigenous affairs, speculated their habitat is becoming increasingly less isolated.

The upper Madre de Dios region where the tribe lives has been affected by logging, she said. "They are removing wood very close."

Meanwhile, Huerta said, naturalists in the area and Manu National Park officials told her during a recent visit that a rise in air traffic related to natural gas and oil exploration in the region is adversely affecting native hunting grounds, forcing increasing migration by nomadic tribes.

The clan that showed up at the river is believed to number about 60, including some 25 adults, said Carlos Soria, a professor at Lima's Catholic University who ran Peru's park protection agency last year.

"It seemed like they wanted to draw a bit of attention, which is a bit strange because I know that on other occasions they had attacked people," Cortijo said by phone from Spain. "It seemed they didn't want us to go near them, but I also know that the only thing that they wanted was machetes and cooking pots."

Cortijo said the group lingered by the river a few minutes, apparently to see if a boat would pass by so they could ask for some tools, something authorities say they had done in the past.

"The place where they are

one of about 15 "uncontacted" tribes in Peru that together are estimated to number between 12,000 and 15,000 people living in jungles east of the Andes.

"The situation is incredibly delicate," said Huerta, the government anthropologist.

"It's very clear that they don't want people there," she said of the area where the clan has been loitering, noting that it had ransacked a jungle ranger's post that authorities later removed.

One of the clan's likely fears is being decimated by disease

borne by outsiders, as has occurred with other uncontacted peoples, Huerta said.

But its also a mystery why they have appeared in an area so heavily trafficked, she added.

After the first sightings, and after tourists left clothing for the Mashco-Piro, state authorities issued a directive in August barring all boats from going ashore in the area. But enforcing it has been difficult as there are few trained and willing local officials.

Authorities say they aren't

Two Mashco-Piro Indians in a photo taken in Dec. 2011

seen is one of heavy transit" of river cargo and tourist passage, and so the potential for more violent encounters remains high, Soria said.

That is compounded by

culture clash. The Mashco-Piro live by their own social code, which Soria said includes the practice of kidnapping other tribes' women and children.

He said the Mashco-Piro are

“

The Mashco-Piro tribe is believed to number in the hundreds and lives in the Manu National Park that borders Diamante, a community of more than 200 people where Flores lived.

sure why Flores was killed. It could be that the Mashco-Piro were angry because he hadn't provided them with more machetes and cooking pots. Or perhaps it was because they considered the farming plot where he was killed too close to what they considered their territory.

Cortijo, the Spanish archaeologist, said the loss of Flores makes reaching any understanding with the Mashco-Piro very complicated.

"The problem is that 'Shaco' was the only person who could talk to them," he said. "Now that he's dead it's impossible to make contact."

Sourced from AP

PAGE 20

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

Yoga: Asanas that give you joy I

nverted asanas are the essence of asana practice.

They reverse the natural gravitational force. The body goes upside down; the head and the shoulders become the base of the body and not the legs.

Inversions actively reverse the internal organs, massage, renew and bring real joy. They efficiently remove toxins, slow down ageing and make those extra years of your life healthy and happy.

The biggest obstacle is fear which can be overcome when you learn from an experienced and competent yoga teacher. As a preparation for the body and mind, one has to practise for a year with commitment the semi inverted asanas such as adho mukha svanasana, prasarit padottanasana, viparita karani and ardha halasana.

To achieve the active reversal effect, you must stay in an asana for at least five minutes. With the guidance of a teacher, you will become aware of how to perfectly ground your head or shoulders and balance

the rest of your body on them.

Props such as a wall or a chair and folded blankets must be used to avoid strain.

Inverted asanas are Sirasansa (head-stand), Sarvangasana (shoulder-stand), Halasana (plough), Karnapidasana (blocked-ears posture).

Sirasana or the head-stand is considered the "king of Asanas".

The ancient yogis believed that "Amrita", the nectar of immortality is increased, bestowing health and longevity.

This asana reverses blood pressure in the head increases, while it decreases in the legs. The brain and all the organs get soaked with oxygenated blood. An experienced practitioner can adjust well to the internal changes.

Sarvangasana is called the "Queen of Asanas," It follows Sirsasana. This asana actively reverses organs in the thorax and abdomen and strengthens the neck and the spine.

Beginners may start with Sarvangasana using a wall or chair for support. Sirsasana

creates heat and makes you more alert, while Sarvangasana cools and calms you down Caution Do not practise these asanas when you have uncontrolled BP, eye, ear problems, dental problems, cardiac problems, cervical spondylosis, back injury, headache, diarrhea, hernia, during menstruation and pregnancy.

Benefits " Refreshers the brain, heart and lungs and controls negative emotions. " Enhances functions of pituitary, pineal, thyroid and adrenal glands. " I m p r o v e s concentration, memory, eyesight and hearing. " Slows down ageing and reverse the ill effects of ageing. " Relieves asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, thyroid problems, diabetes, ulcers, haemorrhoids, varicose veins, constipation, depression, insomnia, water retention urinary problems, menstrual and menopausal symptoms.

Dengue: fatal disease, causes and cures

D

engue fever is a flu kind of illness spread by mosquito bites. Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever are caused by any of the dengue family virus. This is also widely known as 'Break bone fever' due to the severe joint pain caused during the attack. Dengue can be diagnosed by blood test. The infected person as such cannot spread the infection but can be a source to spread it.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is often complicated and severe. This rather can be termed as a complication dengue fever. Those bitten by the mosquito can get

dengue fever and those already infected once if infected again are prone to higher risk of getting dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Dengue is an infectious disease causing frequent epidemics.

There are various factors that contribute like lack of effective mosquito control, lack of public health systems to control the epidemic, the increase usage of plastic items which are the breeding sites of the mosquitoes.

Dengue is spread by the bite of an 'Ades' Mosquito. This mosquito bites the infected person and then bites someone else who is not affected thus transmitting the

infection. These mosquitoes are active during the day time and spread the infection during day time. These mosquitoes live among human beings and breed in discarded tyres, flower pots, water stores etc.

Kaiser Quotes health insurance for individual quotes Dengue fever starts suddenly accompanied by headache, severe joint pain, rashes, nausea and lack of appetite. The illness can last up to 10 days and the complete recovery could take about four to six weeks. Widely the dengue infections result in relatively mild illness however in some cases it

may lead to the dengue hemorrhagic fever. In the complicated stage the blood vessels start to leak and cause bleeding through mouth, nose and gums.

This is most prevalent among children and young adults. This stage requires close medical attention.

Treatment for Dengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic fever As far as the treatment is concerned there is no specific course, However the affected person is treated with Paracetamol to bring down the fever. The person is usually advised to drink lots of fluids. The infected person should be isolated until recovery from the rest of the

family to prevent further infections.

Although there is no vaccine to prevent this epidemic certain preventive measures as specified below can be taken to control the epidemic.

Preventive Measures to control Dengue Fever " Use mosquito repellents. " Discard all unwanted items getting gathered around the living area to avoid the breeding of mosquitoes. " Keep the water stores clean and closed. " Keep yourself well covered when outside. " Take prompt medical advice once fever starts dengue.

Important CO Poisoning Prevention Tips

· Never use a gas range or oven to heat a home. · Never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage. · Never run a motor vehicle, generator, pressure washer,

or any gasoline-powered engine outside an open window, door, or vent where exhaust can vent into an enclosed area.

Never run a generator, pressure washer, or any gasolinepowered engine inside a basement, garage, or other enclosed structure, even if the doors or windows are open, unless the equipment is professionally installed and vented. Keep vents and flues free of debris, especially if winds are high. Flying debris can block ventilation lines.

Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern, or portable camping stove inside a home, tent, or camper.

If conditions are too hot or too cold, seek shelter with friends or at a community shelter.

If CO poisoning is suspected, consult a health care professional right away.

·

· · ·

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

Healthy self-esteem is a child's armor against challenges of the world

Kids who feel good about themselves seem to have an easier time handling conflicts and resisting negative pressures.

They tend to smile more readily and enjoy life. These kids are realistic and generally optimistic.

In contrast, kids with low selfesteem can find challenges to be sources of major anxiety and frustration. Those who think poorly of themselves have a hard time finding solutions to problems.

If given to self-critical thoughts such as "I'm no good" or "I can't do anything right," they may become passive, withdrawn, or depressed. Faced with a new challenge, their immediate response is "I can't."

Here's how you can play important role in promoting healthy self-esteem in your child.

What Is Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem is the collection of beliefs or feelings we have about ourselves, our "self-perceptions."

How we define ourselves influences our motivations, attitudes, and behaviors and affects our emotional adjustment.

Patterns of self-esteem start very early in life for example, a toddler who reaches a milestone experiences a sense of accomplishment that bolsters selfesteem learning to roll over after dozens of unsuccessful attempts teaches a baby a "can-do" attitude.

The concept of success following persistence starts early.

As kids try, fail, try again, fail again, and then finally succeed, they develop ideas about their own capabilities. At the same time, they're creating a self-concept based on interactions with other people. This is why parental involvement is key to helping kids form accurate, healthy selfperceptions.

Self-esteem also can be defined as feelings of capability combined with feelings of being loved. A

child who is happy with an achievement but does not feel loved may eventually experience low self-esteem. Likewise, a child who feels loved but is hesitant about his or her own abilities can also end up with low self-esteem.

Healthy self-esteem comes when the right balance is reached.

Unhealthy and Healthy SelfEsteem Self-esteem fluctuates as kids grow. It's frequently changed and fine-tuned, because it is affected by a child's experiences and new perceptions. So it helps to be aware of the signs of both healthy and unhealthy self-esteem.

Kids with low self-esteem may not want to try new things, and may frequently speak negatively about themselves: "I'm stupid," "I'll never learn how to do this," or "What the point is? Nobody cares about me anyway." They may exhibit a low tolerance for frustration, giving up easily or

waiting for somebody else to take over. They tend to be overly critical of and easily disappointed in themselves. Kids with low selfesteem see temporary setbacks as permanent, intolerable conditions, and a sense of pessimism predominates.

Kids with healthy self-esteem tend to enjoy interacting with others. They're comfortable in social settings and enjoy group activities as well as independent pursuits. When challenges arise, they can work toward finding solutions and voice discontent without belittling themselves or others. For example, rather than saying, "I'm an idiot," a child with healthy self-esteem says, "I don't understand this." They know their strengths and weaknesses, and accept them. A sense of optimism prevails.

How Parents Can Help How can a parent help to foster healthy self-esteem in a child?

These tips can make a big difference: Watch what you say. Kids are very sensitive to parents' words.

Remember to praise your child not only for a job well done, but also for effort. But be truthful. For example, if your child doesn't make the soccer team, avoid saying something like, "Well, next time you'll work harder and make it." Instead, try "Well, you didn't make the team, but I'm really proud of the effort you put into it."

Reward effort and completion instead of outcome.

Be a positive role model. If you're excessively harsh on yourself, pessimistic, or unrealistic about your abilities and limitations, your child may eventually mirror you. Nurture your own self-esteem, and your child will have a great role model.

Identify and redirect your child's inaccurate beliefs. It's important for parents to identify kids' irrational beliefs about themselves, whether they're about perfection, attractiveness, ability, or anything else. Helping kids set more accurate standards and be more realistic in evaluating themselves will help them have a healthy self-concept.

NATURE’S CORNER

Inaccurate perceptions of self can take root and become reality to kids. For example, a child who does very well in school but struggles with math may say, "I can't do math. I'm a bad student." Not only is this a false generalization, it's also a belief that will set the child up for failure. Encourage kids to see a situation in its true light. A helpful response might be: "You are a good student. You do great in school. Math is just a subject that you need to spend more time on. We'll work on it together."

Be spontaneous and affectionate. Your love will go a long way to boost your child's selfesteem. Give hugs and tell kids you're proud of them. Pop a note in your child's lunchbox that reads, "I think you're terrific!"

Give praise frequently and honestly, without overdoing it.

Kids can tell whether something comes from the heart.

Give positive, accurate feedback. Comments like "You always work yourself up into such frenzy!" will make kids feel like they have no control over their outbursts. A better statement is, "You were really mad at your brother. But I appreciate that you didn't yell at him or hit him." This acknowledges a child's feelings, rewards the choice made, and encourages the child to make the right choice again next time.

Create a safe, loving home environment. Kids who don't feel safe or are abused at home will suffer immensely from low selfesteem. A child who is exposed to parents who fight and argue repeatedly may become depressed and withdrawn. Also watch for signs of abuse by others, problems in school, trouble with peers, and other factors that may affect kids' self-esteem. Deal with these issues sensitively but swiftly. And always remember to respect your kids.

Help kids become involved in constructive experiences.

Activities that encourage cooperation rather than competition are especially helpful in fostering self-esteem. For example, mentoring programs in which an older child helps a younger one learn to read can do wonders for both kids'

Health benefits of Sage: one of nature's top antioxidant foods Antioxidants are the primary source of the health benefits of sage. Like rosemary, another member of the mint family, sage contains a variety of antioxidants in the form of volatile oils, flavonoids and phenolic acids.

Sage also contains antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase.

When combined, these components of sage all give it a unique capacity for providing benefits associated with the top antioxidant foods.

Specific health benefits of sage Sage contains rosmarinic acid, which are a potent antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory agent.

Rosmarinic acid can be readily absorbed and acts to reduce harmful inflammation. Increased intake of sage as a seasoning in food

is recommended for persons with inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, as well as bronchial asthma and atherosclerosis.

Research confirms what herbalists have long known: sage is an outstanding memory enhancer. Sage helps provide better brain function and has been used in the treatment of cerebrovascular disease for over a thousand years. Research has suggested that it may be an effective option to help treat Alzheimer`s disease.

The benefits of sage are effective for symptoms of menopause, night sweats and hot flashes. There`s also compelling evidence that sage may provide benefits for some people with diabetes by its ability to boost

insulin`s action.

Easy way to get health benefits of sage daily The health benefits of sage are so numerous; ideally you'd want to have some every day.

However, as with any herb or spice, you may find it impractical to include sage in your meal plans that often. There's an easy way to accomplish this by making yourself a fresh smooth paste every day and adding some sage and other spices to your recipe.

Fresh paste make for some of the most nutritious, delicious and easy-to-make meals you could imagine. They're a great way to get more of those 'good for you' antioxidant-rich foods (that you may not get enough of) into your diet.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 23 With Aunty A'isha rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com 08082071393.

LEARNING CORNER

Sights and sounds Why do Onions mak e us cr y? make cry?

O

ne of the earliest memories I have as a child is when I was approximately three or four years old. I remember watching my mother work in the kitchen.

She was cutting onions for the salad and I could see tears in her eyes. For a child the worst possible thing is to watch his/her mother cry. I got so upset that I got hysterical at my father for causing her pain. For I assumed my father was somehow responsible as we were only the three of us in our family.

Later they explained it to me that it was the onion that was at fault and not my father as I thought. In fact many of us still do not know why onions make us cry - people take it as part of their lives and accept it stoically.

To begin with did you know that you ‘cry’ all day long?

Every time you blink your eye there is a fine layer of water in your eyes. You see, there is a tear gland that is situated over the outer corner of each eye. Every time your eyelid closes, it creates a suction, which takes out some fluid from the tear gland. This fluid we call ‘tears’.

Normally this fluid has only one purpose. This is to

Table manners kids should know Don't stuff your mouth full of food Stuffing your mouth with food makes you look like a greedy child. It can make you lose your friends and people will not respect and love you. Stuffing food in your mouth can kill you as it can choke you. Eat your mean and fish bit by bit.

Don't speak rude of the food being served Do not make bad comments about any food being served. It will hurt someone's feelings.

Remember, someone took time, energy, and expense to prepare the food; show your appreciation.

Passing food Always ask for the food.

Never reach across the table for food. The proper way to ask for food is "May I have some bread, please".

Chew with mouth closed No one likes to look over at someone and see that person chewing their food with their mouth open.

Always chew with your mouth closed. Chewing with

mouth open is not good for good kids. Your friends will not be happy you if you if you eat with your mouth perfect.

Don’t talk when you are eating.

Talking while eating is a very bad habit.

Avoid it. Talking while eating can kill you as it can choke you by making food particles enter your wind pipe. So beware!

Don’t talk about the toilet or going to the toilet while eating with others.

Don’t talk about using the toilet or doing something smelly or picking your nose while eating with others.

It will make your friend not to want to eat with you.

Always say “thank you” Make sure you always say thank you when you are served. Say thanks even before you start eating.

AFRICAN TALES

Why the sun and the moon live in the sky

M cleanse the cornea, the white portion of the eye, and so prevent it from drying out. But suppose some irritating substance reaches the eye? The eye automatically blinks and tears instantly appear to wash the irritant out of the eye and protect the eye against the irritant.

We are all familiar with the experience of having smoke get into our eyes. It makes us cry. Well the onion sends out an irritating substance too. The onion has an oil containing sulphur, which gives it its sharp tangy odour. This same substance also irritates the eye. The eye reacts by blinking and by producing tears to wash away the irritant! It is as simple as that.

The onion is an interesting vegetable. It is a member of the lily family, and it is a native of Asia. Onions belong to the genus Alliums and are therefore related to the milder Leek and the very pungent Garlic, both of which are cultivated extensively in Europe. The mildest and the biggest onion is the Spanish onion, which often weighs 450 grams or more.

Man has used the onion as food for thousands of years.

Big or small we cannot do without this interesting vegetable even as we start crying at the very thought of cutting it.

any years ago, sun and Water were great friends, and they both lived on the earth together. The sun used to visit the water very often, but the water never returned the visits.

One day, the sun asked the water why he never visited him. Water replied that the sun’s house was not big enough, and that if he came with all his people, he would drive the sun out of his home.

Water then said, “If you want me to visit you, you will have to build a very large house. But I warn you that it will have to be very large, as my people are numerous and take up a lot of room”.

The sun promised to build a very large house, and soon afterwards, he returned home to his wife, the moon, who greeted him with a broad smile.

The sun told the moon what he had promised the water, and the next day, they began building a large house to entertain the water and all his people.

When it was completed, the sun asked the water to come and visit him.

When the water arrived, one of his people called out to

the sun, and asked him whether it would be safe for the water to enter, and the sun answered, “Yes, tell my friend to come in.”

The water began to flow in, followed by the fish and all the other water animals.

Very soon, the water was knee-deep in the house, so he asked the sun if it was still safe, and the sun again said, “Yes,” so more of them came in.

When the water was at the level of a man’s head, the water said to the sun, “Do you want more of my people to come?”

Not knowing any better, the sun and the moon both said, “Yes,”. More and more of the water’s people came in, until the sun and the moon had to sit on top of the roof.

The water once again asked the sun if it was still okay to keep coming in. The sun and moon answered yes, so more and more of the water’s people came in.

The water soon overflowed the top of the roof, and the sun and the moon were forced to go up into the sky. ...and they have been there ever since.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 22

SHOR T ST OR Y SHORT STOR ORY

By Ritu Asthana

O

ne day a newly married couple held a party.

Among those who attended, was a man who claimed to be a seasoned traveler.

He was an interesting-looking man with a weather-beaten face. So, by his appearance, he did look like a well-travelled person.

But once he started talking, there was no stopping him. He bragged to anyone who would listen, about his exploits in countries across the world.

He spoke of many wonderful and heroic feats he had accomplished. “I was an acrobat, a magician, a liontrainer and even a hunter,” he announced in a booming voice.

“I’ve fought with a tiger, shot an elephant...it’s amazing the things I’ve done,” he boasted.

“But friends,” and here he lowered his voice for effect, “...it’s what I’ve done in Samarqand that beats everything else.”

“What did you do in Samarqand?” asked someone.

The man, who was waiting for that question, immediately launched into a long drawn-out yarn.

“There were two buildings facing each other, each at least 50 feet high. That’s five storeys high. They were 10 meters apart from each other,” he said.

“Guess what I had to do?”

There was pin drop silence

The Leap

in the audience. “You didn’t!” exclaimed someone.

“I did indeed,” boasted the traveler. “I jumped from the end of one building to the end of the other. It’s the highest flying leap ever recorded. Such a large crowd had gathered to watch. Why, people talk about it even now in Samarqand.”

“Give us something to talk about too,” said the host suddenly. “Why don’t you show us how you did it? Try leaping between our house and

WEEKLY QUOTE: If your efforts are sometimes greeted with indifference, don't lose heart. The sun puts on a wonderful show at daybreak, yet most of the people in the audience go on sleeping. - Ada Teixeira

MODEL OF THE WEEK

the one facing us. They’re barely five meters apart. Come friends, let’s go up to the terrace,” he added.

The traveler agreed, “Yes, that would be a good idea. I haven’t done a good leap in years” And he started to walk with the others. Then he stopped. “First I have to visit the bathroom, though. May I?” he asked the host. And he sprinted off to the toilet.

Needless to say, that was the last time anyone saw the traveler in those parts again.

ARTS & CRAFT

How to make a paper basket Abubakar Sadiq Mustapha, clocked 3 on the 17th of January, 2012. Happy Birthday!

JOB FOR THE WEEK Name and paint the picture below with different colour pencils of your choice

What you need •printer •paper •scissors •glue •construction paper What to do •Print out the shape of choice.

•Cut out the shape pieces.

•Cut along the dotted lines of the large shape piece. (this will allow you to weave) •Cut 6 strips of construction the size of the bottom shape piece.

•Weave the construction paper strips and glue in place.

•Fold the basket along the solid lines.

•Use the small tabs to glue the basket together.

•Add a construction paper handle if you wish.

•OPTIONAL: You can cut some thin yellow construction paper or cotton balls to fill the basket and add a small baby doll.

Kids’ proverb If the times are bad, even a stick springs to life and bites like a serpent

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

KANNYWOOD/NOLLYWOOD After dumping Uche Jombo, Ikechukwu finds new love

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde's Shocking Revelation N

I

kechukwu Uche and Ruth Okoro at her home in the US. If all goes according to the wishes of his newest love, Ruth, soccer star,Ikechukwu Uche should be a married man soon.The duo are said to be embroiled in a hush hush romance.Ikechukwu is said to be very discreet about the development- same for the beautiful damsel, for

ot many people know that sexy actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and her husband, Captain Matthew have been happily married for the past 15years.

She got married to her pilot husband Captain Matthew Ekeinde on 23rd of March 1996 at the Ikeja Registry and later did her White wedding on board a Dash 7 Aircraft flying Lagos to Benin, on the 21st of April 2001.

She is blessed with 4 adorable kids. Princess, M.J, Meriaih and Michael Ekeinde.

In this mind blowing interview, the talented thespian opens up like never before.

Before my father died, we had a good standard of living.

Immediately my father died, the first thing that came to everybody’s mind is, oh, their standard of living is going to drop. They are going to become very poor. She would probably become a prostitute. So my mum was on edge and under a lot of pressure.

She was very uptight, always walking on pins and needles. I am the only girl, first daughter. So, at a point I was really confused as to how my life was going to go, because there were times when we didn’t have anything to eat.

That is the truth. We are 3myself and my 2 younger brothers, I went through a lot within the time I lost my father and found my feet.

Once, my mother and I went to beg for money in the house of one prominent Nigerian.

We were so totally hopeless that day. I have never told anybody this before. We cried all day because my younger brothers school fees was due and we didn’t have money to pay.

MTV VJ Cynthia Okpala Mbanefo delivers baby boy

M

TV’s only Nigerian VJ, Cynthia Mbanefo, gave birth to a bouncing baby boy on Monday January 30th 2012, at Emory Midtown hospital in Atlanta.

Cynthia married her s w e e t h e a r t , Ozoemena Mbanefo in Oct 2010. Wishing the new parents the very best!

NIGERIAFILMS.COM

now.According to a source, Ikechukwu is just having casual fun, though the girl prefers something more serious.Ruth is said to be desperate to walk down the aisle with Ikechukwu,though the specific reason for this urgency on the part of Ruth is the is yet to be confirmedunconfirmed sources attribute it to the is the need to safeguard her position in

Wizkid denies ‘love child’

W

izkid has been courting controversies since his emergence in the music industry, but has remained unperturbed about uncomplimentary remarks flying around him.

In a recent interview he opened up on rumored love child.

I dropped a song where I talked about it. The whole story was a rumor.

If I have a family, there is nothing to hide. After all, I didn’t

and they are just friends. But I have someone I like. I have liked her since but she is putting me on a long thing… and it’s because of what people are saying.

She is super hot and she has a very good heart.

Lest I forgot, but when the news broke months back, Wizkid tweeted ‘Hey All.. Got something to tell you. In life, there are those times when you wonder about the wrong decisions you’ve made…

This is one of those times for me.

Uche Jombo Denies Ever Dating Footballer-Boyfriend, Ikechukwu Uche

Stephanie Okereke’s first marriage was not valid

he talented thespian told a celebrity blog that she and the soccer star had never been officially an item, despite copious photographic evidence.

The sultry actress was asked; What was your relationship with Uche Ikechukwu (Super Eagles Footballer) like? She said Have you seen or heard anywhere that I admitted I was dating him?

Asked; There have been lots of rumors about you dating him and the supposed break up, can you set the record straight? She said I will rather let it remain that way; uncommented.

It is one of those things that I will never comment on. Ever; like never

high court in Lagos rendered the first marriage of star actress Stephanie Okereke to footballer Chikelu Iloanusi, null and void. The judge told the actress who had gone to court to divorce Chikelue that the marriage never existed, so she can’t seek a divorce, only an annulment. According to the judge, the marriage between Stephanie and Chikelue wasn’t valid because at the time they got married, Chikelu was legally married to another woman in the US. Stephanie and Chikelue had a secret registry wedding some years back but broke up less than a year later. Now going by the court’s judgement, Stephanie is not Chikelue’s ex-wife, she was never legally married to him. So when she marries Linus Idahosa, it will be her first legal marriage.

T

with capital N.E.V.E.R. The last time I checked, it’s still my life, even though I can’t stop people from writing stuff about me because if I want to stop that, I will stop being in their faces. I don’t begrudge people but I have a right to choose the things to tell and things not to. This is one of the things I don’t wish to tell.

Miss Jombo might not be completely lying. Maybe they never were officially in a relationship and were just hanging out and hooking up. I know a lot of babes who try to get away with that. And Ikechukwu Uche seems like the type who’d go for that sort of thing.

A

kill anyone, so there is nothing to hide. I have cleared it times without number.

It’s annoying. People say rubbish, but I have to understand. it’s something I have to deal with.

I find it hard because I am young and such rubbish is being said about me. Asked, but you still relate well with ladies: he said yes

I realize that I haven’t always lived up to everyone’s expectations from my loved ones to the immense love from my fans. I am sorry.

Please continue to pray for me.

With the help of my family and my EME big brothers, I am working on becoming a better man, a better artiste, a more responsible person

I k e c h u k w u ’ s world.Investigations revealed that contrary to beliefs in certain quarters, Ikechukwu and Ruth are no new lovers.Further findings revealed that Ruth Okoro is Ini Edo’s husband’s exwife.It would be recalled that Ikechukwu unceremoniously dumped Uche jumbo last month after ten years of courtship.

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRAURY, 2012

ENTERTAINMENT

Maia Campbell gets her life back on track after movie scandal

R

emember Maia Campbell who played Tiffany on the late 90s sitcom “In the House”?

You might remember seeing a video of her that surfaced in 2009 that didn’t paint her in the best of light. She appeared to be intoxicated and drugged up while sitting in a Monte Carlo, yelling obscenities at the men filming her. The video prompted a ‘Pray4Maya’ trending topic on Twitter, and shortly afterward there were rumors that she had checked into rehab.

However, another video of Maia exhibiting “Felicia-like” tendencies surfaced a year later, followed by a mug shot, and it looked as though she had fallen onto pretty hard times.

Now, years later, Maia is speaking about what she was and still is struggling with. She was hurt by the videos that surfaced online, but she said the attention helped her turn her life around. Now she’s clean, sober and working on a comeback. Some of her goals include a reality show, working on her music career, pushing her mom Bebe Moore Campbell’s novel ’72 Hour Hold’ to movie producers and searching for positive acting roles.

What’s going on in her life.

I’ve been sober for two years, and a lot of people can’t say that. I’m timid, shy and broken a little bit by some of the responses [online], but then again so much support from the people saying “No! She’s none of that.” Real friends stepping up …

And just showing me who the real people were in my life. It helped me find myself and find out that there’s a real true artist inside of me–that no matter what obstacles may come, he’s not going to let you fall, and he’s not going to let you down.

I started ministering to myself and looking at my heart … Finding my voice … And it just made me stronger. If it doesn’t kill you, it will make you stronger. Like Drake says, “It’s far from over…” I listened to the music that people were making, and it kept inspiring me. I started making music, and I just stepped out on a limb. My mom died … So much has happened. I miss people in my life. I miss LL [Cool J]. Debbie Allen came back to the community … And for once so many miracles. I swear so many miracles!

On the state of her career and the youtube videos that surfaced: I went on to do movies, and nobody talked about it, and that hurt me. I did a movie called ‘Rim Shop’ after Katrina had happened in New Orleans. We went down there, and that place looked a mess, seriously. We shot a film out there just to help those people, to bring revenue in and just show our support to their situation. Then, I did a gospel kind of Tyler Perry play called ‘Friends and Lovers’.

I’m trying to reach out to Tyler Perry about one of the mom’s latest novels. She was nominated for a Noble Peace Prize for literature. [It’s called 72-Hour Hold] it was a story about her and my relationship, and I wish that Halle Berry would pick

it up and read it if you’re listening. I would love for her to play the lead character.

There are so many goals and dreams that God has put in my heart while I’m sitting here sober.

And I’m not doing the things I use to do. The way they attacked me on the Internet–it was BS. These guys said they were going to shoot a video for my music. I was trying to work independently–and I’m not saying that I was clear headed to believe them, but I was not doing what the heck they said I was doing. They blasted me with the words they put on the screen and just made everybody look at me another way.

And I’m like, “That’s really messed up if anybody believes that!” But a lot of people didn’t. And they knew that and came to my rescue and said, “Let’s just get you all the way right.”

On her future I went to Spelman, but a lot of HBCUs named a month after my mom for mental health month because she supported the mental health … Her book was about a girl with a bi-polar mental health issues and her relationship with her mom. It was kind of a bougie little girl that was prive to every freakin’ thing, raised up in The Hills and just had it like that.

Nobody took the time to deal with her psychologically. And that’s what ’72-Hour Hold’ is about.

That’s the next project that I want to basically get out to producers and Tyler Perry to see if anybody is interested in pushing it.

I want to attach myself to anything-–reality shows, movies–but positive characters.

I don’t want to play the crazy girl like, “Craig, Craig let me borrow your VCR!” It’s too much of that in life, and we got kids out there …

I wish they would take that type of stuff off the Internet because the kids have to go to school and deal with reality of that, and it makes it hard for them

video. Somebody I went to school with at Spelman directed and put it together.

We actually had her and one of my former acting friends Kareem Barnes–from a TV show called “ S o u t h Central”–he played the father. It was kind of an interesting piece about being biracial.

Maia Campbell

to learn.

On her background and family I went to school in LA. I was born in D.C. I have a little girl– She has a video out right now. She just turned 11. She just did an India Arie video. It’s on YouTube, check it out it’s called “Heaven.” It’s real emotional and really sweet. She’s acting in it, and it’s a real touchy

On working on ‘In the House’ with LL Cool J and Debbie Allen It was a growing experience. It was a very nurturing growing experience. It was almost like being one of the Cosby kids. For me it was like –-there were moments, for example, when

Debbie Allen used to take me under her wing. Her and Norm Nixon used to take me to the theater in their Rolls Royce or their Bentley, and we would eat at Mr. Chow’s. It was fabulous. She taught me so many things about networking. I learned from a queen about networking. She would take me out with all her

investors who would be old farts.

It was great and she taught me a lot. She took me to the ballet.

Then, Todd [LL Cool J] of course we would be on a ship going to Mexico overlooking the ocean and he would say some of the most prolific things while they were setting up the lighting and cameras on us.

Sources: Alabamauncut

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 27

HOLLYWOOD

Barbara and Oprah bid Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger: Also out for Middleton interview? of the X Factor!

D

uchess Catherine's sister Pippa Middleton has given exactly no interviews since the Royal Wedding in April. Are Barbara Walters and Oprah angling to change that?

British tabloids are reporting that Walters and Oprah are engaged in a bidding war to book the 28-year-old party planner for a TV special - potentially for big bucks.

Walters, 82, however, denied

on The View Monday. "It's not true," the journalist said.

"ABC News does not pay for interviews. I have no idea what Oprah does, but ABC does not pay.

She's not a news program, so maybe they have a different policy."

That doesn't mean Walters wouldn't be up for interviewing Pippa Middleton, who was one of her most fascinating people of 2011, as unveiled in late

December.

"To make it clear: Would I like to do the interview? Yes, I would like to I think she's a charming, beautiful girl," Walters said.

"Will we pay to do the interview?

No." They could make a major donation to a charity of Kate Middleton's choice in exchange for an interview, though. That's not technically paying. Loopholes, people.

S

imon Cowell was not kidding about major changes coming to The X Factor.

With Steve Jones officially out as host - the Brit Tweeted the news himself - new reports indicate that neither Paula Abdul nor Nicole Scherzinger will return for season two.

"At this point, the only ones staying are Simon and L.A. Reid," an insider tells E! News. "Simon

wants to take the show in a different direction."

We can only hope that direction involves fewer contrived fights between judges and more of a focus on the singers themselves.

Producer Nigel Lythgoe was apparently taken aback by this development, tweeting late last night: "Shocked to see Simon has fired Paula Abdul, Nicole and Steve from the X-Factor."

BOLLYWOOD

The BIG fight between SRK and Shirish Kunder!

T

o celebrate the success of Agneepath, Sanjay Dutt threw a big bash on Sunday night. But the bash soon turned into a nightmare when Shahrukh Khan allegedly slapped Shirish Kunder, the husband of Farah Khan.

If eyewitnesses say while Shirish was already enjoying the party, gulping down a couple of drinks, SRK walked in pretty late.

Seeing Shahrukh, Kunder started following him everywhere, passing stupid comments at the actor.

Naturally SRK got irritated and apparently pushed Kunder on a sofa, first trying to talk to him.

But when Shirish continued to retort back, Shahrukh lost his cool and slapped him.

Shirish Kunder is reported to have said: "Shahrukh punched and jumped on me. And he had three bodyguards with him. I don't know what got him. I was numb with shock so I couldn't react. He kept screaming at me, 'What do you think of yourself? I'll see to it that you're out of this industry'."

Shirish Kunder's wife, Farah Khan, who was SRK's once upon a time good friend, said in a statement, "Shahrukh has always told me that physical abuse is the worst way to sort out a problem and that

it means the person who's hitting has either a personal or professional crisis going on. So it saddens me to see him doing the same."

Buzz had it hat, Shirish Kunder also filed a police complaint against Shahrukh Khan.

However, denying the reports Shirish said,

"Thanks for all your concern and wishes. We are very grateful. Contrary to rumours, we have no intention of filing a FIR or police complaint," Shirish

Kunder wrote on his Twitter page.

Shahrukh Khan, however, chose not to comment on this episode.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

HOMES

Helping your home deal with heat

A

s the temperatures continue to rise, so does the cost of cooling your home, especially if you use an air conditioner. Obviously, the best way to keep your home cool during the heat which apparently is setting in before the onset of the rains is to use an air conditioner to lower the temperature, but there are other options that don't increase your electricity bill quite significantly. Air conditioners may offer tempting temporary relief from the scorching heat, but they may cause environmental hazards. You may be cooling your home, but the fossil fuels you're burning in the process are only making your dry seasons hotter. As the heat waves set in this time, leave the air conditioner in storage and try these environmentallyfriendly alternatives instead.

Fundamentally, the idea is to minimize sources of heat and remove built-up heat from inside.

If you're looking for ways to beat the heat, a ceiling fan can be a great investment for your home. This one appliance can make a room feel 6 or 7 degrees cooler, and even the most power-giving fan costs less than four thousand naira to buy for use if you keep it on for 12 hours a day. Fans don't use much energy, but when air is circulating, it feels much cooler.

Ceiling fans are best, but a good portable fan can be very effective as well. You should remember that even mild air

movement of 1 mph can make you feel three or four degrees cooler. Also make sure your ceiling fan is turned on at least when there is power supply. You should be able to feel the air blown downward.

Install white window shades, drapes, or blinds to reflect heat away from the house. Close blinds, shades and draperies facing the sun (east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon) to keep the sun's heat out and help fans or air conditioners cool more efficiently. Always remember that the best way to keep your home cool is to keep the heat out.

The most common sources of internal heat gain are; appliances, electronic devices, and lighting. Be aware from where the heat is coming. If you have air conditioning, use it wisely. Don't put lamps, televisions or other heatgenerating appliances next to your air-conditioning thermostat, because the heat from these appliances will cause the air conditioner to become ineffective. The heat they produce will make it feel like your house is warmer than it really is, and your system will run harder than it needs to.

Unless you absolutely need them, turn off incandescent lights and heat-generating appliances.

Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents; they produce the same light but use a fifth the energy and heat.

You should also try to avoid heat-generating activities, such as cooking, on hot days or during the hottest part of the day. If you are cooking, open wide the kitchen doors and windows and put on the fan to vent the hot air out of your house. By reducing the amount of heat in your home, you will need less electricity consumption to cool it.

Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units, but not block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses less

electricity. Deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides will keep your house cool and allow the sunlight to warm the house during the winter.

For example just three trees, properly placed around a house, can do wonders as daytime air temperatures can be 3 degrees to 6 degrees cooler in treeshaded neighborhoods.

Paint your roof white - If you've got a flat roof, paint it with a specially formulated reflective paint or just paint it white. The reflective effect will help to keep the rooms under the

The stove and oven in your home produce a great deal of heat to prepare the foods. As an alternative, it is wise to cook outside on your charcoal stove.

Another idea is to use your microwave oven instead of the stove, since it heats the food itself rather than the appliance.

Close the curtains, window and door blinds to help prevent the hot sunlight from heating your home. This is particularly helpful if all the occupants are away at school or work during the daytime hours. In the evening hours, you can open the

flat roof much cooler.

Humidity makes room air feel warmer, so reduce indoor humidity. Minimize mid-day washing and drying clothes, showering, and cooking. And when you must do these things, turn on ventilating fans to help extract warm, moist air.

Avoid landscaping with lots of unshaded rock, cement, or asphalt on the south or west sides because it increases the temperature around the house and radiates heat to the house after the sun has set.

blinds and curtains to enjoy the view. If you live in an area where the temperatures cool down in the early morning or late evening hours, it is advisable to open the windows to take advantage of the cooler temperatures.

Appliances like refrigerators, electric bulbs, television and pressing irons heat your home during each use. If you must use these appliances, do it in the late evening or early morning hours to avoid adding heat to the home in the hottest part of the day.

PAGE 29

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

PEOPLES TECH

Night driving: Things you need to know

reduce your own ability to see and may temporarily blind other drivers. If your vehicle is equipped with fog lamps, use them with your low beams only when there is fog or inclement weather.

2. Make it easy for others to see you: Be sure all exterior vehicle lights work properly. In case of a vehicle breakdown, pull completely off the road beyond the end of the guardrail if possible and turn on emergency flashers.

3. Avoid glare: Instead of looking at oncoming headlights, look toward the right side of the road and watch the white line marking the outside edge of the traffic lane. When headlights from vehicles following you reflect in your rearview mirror, use the "day-night" feature on the mirror or adjust your mirror to cut out as much of the light as possible.

4. Adjust your vehicle's interior lighting: If streetlights cause a lot of glare, dim your dashboard lights and use your sun visor. Avoid using any other light inside your vehicle.

5. Keep all windows and

Driving at night poses a lot of challenges for motorists

W

i t h the absence of railways and cheap flights, most drivers on Nigerian roads take to the highways traveling all hours of the day and into the night all across the country to reach their destinations.

If you plan to drive in the night, it is important to remember that driving at night presents different challenges than driving during the day.

Traffic death rates are three times greater at night because of the peculiar challenges.

At night, vision is severely

limited. Drivers lose the advantage of color and contrast that is available during the day and depth perception and peripheral vision are also diminished.

To improve your night vision and driving ability after sunset, the Motor Vehicle Lighting Council (MVLC) offer drivers these tips: 1. Use your lights courteously: Turn your headlights on one hour before sunset to make it easier for other drivers to see you in early twilight. Keep your headlights on at least one hour after sunrise.

Refrain from flashing your high beams at a vehicle with its high beams on; this will only increase the chance that drivers will not be able to see. In fog, use low beam headlights; high beams

headlights clean: Dirty windows can increase glare, making it more difficult to see; while dirty headlights can reduce efficiency by as much as 90 percent. Be sure to clean the inside and

“

Night driving can be tiring, so ensure good ventilation inside the vehicle and take frequent refreshment breaks to give your eyes a chance to recover.

outside of your windshield as well as your headlights.

6. Keep your eyes moving: Look for flashes of light at hilltops, curves and intersections that may indicate the headlights of other vehicles.

7. Increase your following distance: Increasing your distance by four to five seconds can make it easier to spot potential problems on the roadway and give you more time to respond. In addition, proper lighting will enable you to react quicker and stop at a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.

8. Regulate speed: Driving too fast is more dangerous after dark than during the day because of decreased visibility.

Traveling at high speeds doesn't allow you enough time or distance to stop when you see something dangerous on the road ahead.

9. Prevent fatigue: Night driving can be tiring, so ensure good ventilation inside the vehicle and take frequent refreshment breaks to give your eyes a chance to recover. Take a short nap or a brisk walk, or have some caffeine to help you stay alert.

10. Use vehicle mirrors to your advantage: Exterior mirrors that are properly aligned not only reduce blind spots, they also reduce glare from vehicles behind you. The outside rearview mirrors should be adjusted so that the bodywork of the vehicle is just outside of the driver's view. In addition, the rearview mirror can be flipped to its "day-night" setting, which changes the angle of the reflective surface and appears to dim the mirror.

In addition, there are also some general practices you can follow to help ensure safe night driving: 1. Align your headlights correctly: Properly aligned headlights will help you see the road better and will help other drivers avoid glare. Take your vehicle to a dealer or repair shop at least once a year for a headlight checkup.

2. Have your vision checked regularly: It is recommends that everyone under the age of 40 have a thorough eye exam at least every three years; drivers from 41 to 60, every two years; and drivers over 60 every year. Age can make eyes more sensitive to glare. In addition, certain medical conditions, such as encroaching cataracts, will increase eye sensitivity.

3. Look into antireflective eyeglass coating: Many eye care professionals strongly recommend eyeglasses that have an anti-reflective (AR) coating. This ultra-thin film reduces internal reflections in the lenses. AR-coated glasses actually transmit more light than regular lenses, which improves vision at night and helps distinguish fine details during the day.

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

Old storage ideas with wicker baskets

Protect yourself from diseases by eating healthy

E

x t r a storage is always welcome in the kitchen. When closet organization systems or a portable closet is not enough, people often go for boxes or wicker storage boxes like in the olden days. They are functional, stylish and readily available. Aside from being used as picnic baskets, they are good for keeping fruits fresh and hanging utensils.

Wicker is a hard and tough woven fiber that is made into a rigid type of material. It is mainly used in baskets and furniture. It can be made from any part of plant such as rattan stocks, core of bamboos, sea grass, reeds, or whole thickness of plant.

Advantages of wicker storage baskets Wicker storage baskets have various purposes but

they are best suited for the kitchen. They can be used to keep smaller appliances, hold various kitchen utensils and other spare kitchenware.

Wicker baskets also make great presents during festivities or for taking food to a loved one at home, hospital or work. They help to organise items.

Small wicker storage baskets can be used to clean up a messy kitchen by putting various odd objects and small miscellaneous items in them. Thus helping you to minimise the clutter and also stay fashionable as you cook.

Attractive They are attractive and so nice to look at and they do not ruin the existing decor of your kitchen. They fit perfectly just about anywhere, on the fridge,

on the dining table etc.

They are also economical and cheap to buy. They are very light and portable.

There is no difficulty in moving them from one room to another. Wicker

Pots & Pans

baskets are a good way to hold food, candles and other goods.

Easy to clean and maintain To clean wicker baskets, all you need is just

With Hajiya Ramatu Usman Dorayi

soap solution, warm water and a soft sponge. Cleaning can be done every three to four months, or every season. Do not use highpressure water or a brush with hard bristles when cleaning wicker baskets, this can damage the finish of the basket. They can also be vacuumed.

How to choose wicker storage baskets The type of basket you will purchase will depend

greatly on its purpose. The bottom line is you will want to look for a basket that has a good weave so the wood fibers won't break apart easily. The basket you choose to use should be constructed to withstand the type of wear it will receive as a finished item. Wicker can be used as a general term to describe a wood style woven piece and not necessarily to indicate a specific type of wood.

You may find some baskets constructed of various materials such as bamboo or even sea grass.

The more delicate the fibers used in the weave are, the less sturdy the item may be. A high quality style of basket will have larger pieces of wood used in the weave and is generally coated with a finish to help add durability to the piece.

If you see a lot of open areas on the basket, then that indicates that it is not a high quality basket. Also inspect the areas around the handles to make sure that they are secure and not loose.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 31

CITY BEATS

Abuja marriage: Love and its bitter taste

By A’isha Biola Raji

M

arriage as they say is a union between two people with good understanding of each other. It goes beyond just understanding each other, it is the realization of being able to live with each other’s fault and also to be able to appreciate a partner’s good side as it is a general knowledge that good and bad always go together.

There is no gainsaying that marriages conducted in Abuja are of different categories. There is what we can term as normal marriage, marriage of convenience and also what is referred to as live - in lovers. In Abuja, all these forms of male and female living together under the same roof are termed ‘marriage’ Marriage in Abuja can be a blessing as in most cases, husbands are spared the rigour of spending too much money since none or few people are involved in most cases.

One of these types of marriages is called Abuja marriage. What had always been referred as Abuja marriage is now having a new twist. Before, ladies were taken advantage of as men looking for contracts and new means of livelihood kept trouping to the city.

Before their goals could be achieved, they needed shelter, food and other needs that to keep them going.

There was always a reason to seek out an unsuspecting lady that could fill these gaps for men. Since it would have been difficult to get their problems solved by tabling it frankly before these women, they had to use the crude method of lying to them. As ladies are known to desire decent lives in form of marriage, they enticed them with marriage even if they (the men) were already happily married with children. The unsuspecting women give their best to make their marriages work only to discover the whole truth later as the men leave them without looking back after whatever project they came for had been settled.

These marriages still make waves but it has taken a new dimension, men are now mostly at the receiving end. In some cases, a man sees a lady he likes and the next thing they are living together as wife and husband. It turns out well for some men while some end up biting more than what they can chew. An example of biting more than one can chew is the story below. One fateful Saturday morning, yours sincerely went to a salon very close to my house; as usual I met other ladies chatting away as is common in many salons.

Although ladies mostly discuss fashion, how to wear a particular

Relationships can be sweet or sour

wig, makeup, the ideal colour combination for a particular event or outinag. Surprisingly that day, there was a twist to the kind of gist, ladies were chatting about the different types of marriage being conducted in Abuja.

What called my attention was the name they tagged it ‘Abuja marriage’. I suddenly became curious, I asked what they meant

by Abuja marriage; this question brought out a lot of eye opening stories; a stout lady sitting just beside me was the first to narrate a story which according to her best described ‘Abuja marriage’. Very near to her neighbourhood, within the municipal area council of Abuja, Emeka (not real name), is a hardworking neighbour who specializes in furniture making.

Emeka who is matured enough to marry decided against travelling to his native home near Owerri for fear of spending exorbitant amount of money to acquire a wife.

Instead, he preferred keeping numerous girlfriends who were only interested in the little amount he made as a furniture maker.

After keeping several girls, he met Ada, (not real name). Ada hailed from one of the south-south area of the country. To Emeka, she showed a different kind of attitude compared to other girls he had met; Ada was not overly interested in the little amount of money he was

making but rather showed him understanding, care and she was faithful too. Emeka got carried away with these attitudes; he encouraged Ada to live with him as she had been squatting with friends in the FCT, and fending for herself without any form of parental guide. They continued to live together with each referring to the other as husband, wife respectively.

It was easy for those living in the neighbourhood to accept them since they know it is common thing in the capital. Unfortunately for the supposed couple, Ada fell seriously ill, all efforts to revive her proved abortive as she later gave up the ghost living Emeka devastated. He didn’t know what to do with Ada’s body, whether to bury the poor girl or take her remains to her village in the southsouth area of the country. He later followed the majority advice by taking the corpse back to her native land. It was a remote village in Cross river state.

Emeka who was not expecting a warm reception still did not expect the kind of treatment he received from Ada’s people who claimed not to recognize him as inlaw but somebody that stole their daughter away from them. They insisted that, all the marriage rights must be performed as Emeka was to marry Ada dead or alive

and since she was dead, he was to marry her corpse. Emeka discovered there was no amount of pleading that could soften their hearts towards him so he decided to escape. He planned everything and it went smoothly, he escaped from his supposed in-laws. When he finally reached Abuja, he narrated his ordeal to whoever cared to listen. They all told him the same thing; they said the matter would not die at that as they will go to any length to make him suffer the consequence of running away from his responsibility.

Abuja marriage to Emeka therefore turned a bitter pill to swallow. The ugly side of ‘Abuja marriage’ can be seen in how men are gradually turning to slaves for women. These women are financially comfortable in their respective ways. The story of Madam Rosa and her husband John ( not real names) is an interesting one; Rosa too is a hardworking woman, who, despite dipping her hands in several pies and making enough money to live comfortably well had no man to call a husband. She got tired of being called an old single lady and made up her mind to

change her marital status, she travelled to Lagos with enough cash to throw around and she ended up hooking a young engineering student, John. She paid his way through his remaining program having realized how hard it was for him to raise his tuition fee.

After his youth service in a northern state of the country, Rosa took John to her own state where they immediately performed the traditional marriage rites even in the absence of his people. She later brought him to Abuja and they had both Church and court marriage, all without his people in attendance.

Life would have been easier if he had gotten a job but after searching fruitlessly for a job, he landed under his wife’s mercy, she had her game plan; and it was to take control of his life completely. They already have two children who are both taken care of by John.

He does all the domestic chores in the house in addition to taking care of the kids while the woman goes about seeing to her businesses.

What John thought to be marriage has turned into slavery right under his eyes and he has no will power to move away and get a life, one he can call his own as he has been bought and paid for.

Do you have a tale to tell, experience to share or need advice? Please, send your contributions to auntyfuraira@ymail.com or text 08033223427

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, JANUARY, 2012

PAGE 32

FASHION

Exploring Jennifer Lopez

H

ip-pop diva, movie star, and gossip-column queen Jennifer Lopez added “designer” to her résumé when she formed the Sweet face Fashion Company in 2001.

Co-run by Andy Hilfiger and under the creative direction of Lopez, the brand includes the mass-oriented J.Lo juniors’ line, spanning eleven different categories, from fragrances, clothing, and accessories to watches and shoes. With her typical no-holds-barred approach, in 2005, Lopez went on to introduce Sweet face, her higher-end collection of diva getups in the form of cashmere micro-shorts and huge floppy umbrella hats. Lambskin and fox boleros, woven mink cardigans, and velvet or chiffon baby-doll dresses all have a place in her entrepreneurial brand. Feel free to explore Jennifer Lopez.

Gold Tone Cuff Bracelet Get edgy style with Jennifer Lopez fashion. A belt design with a buckle closure, this gold-tone bracelet will take your casual ensembles to the next level.

Wear this stretchy cuff bracelet with new hoop earrings. Gold-tone finish emits stunning shine. 7-in. bracelet with 1-in. extender, buckle closure and gold tone.

Gold Tone Mesh Linear Drop Earrings Not your average earrings.

Featuring a long mesh design, these gold-tone linear drop earrings give you a show stopping look. Steal the spotlight whenever you add Jennifer Lopez jewelry to your outfit. The Gold-tone finish gleams with glamour. It is 4 1/2-in. length, pierced with lever back closures and gold tone.

Dress Sandals: These Jennifer Lopez dress sandals are fierce.

Featuring a snakeskin pattern, metallic accents and a caged design, these women’s heels take you from dinner to dancing in style. Complete your luxurious look with the peep toe, zipper closure, manmade upper & lining, lightly padded foot bed, manmade outsole, 5-in. heel and 1-in. platform.

Courtesy, Kohl’s

Two Tone Simulated Crystal Stack Ring Set Redefine dazzling with this Jennifer Lopez ring set. Simulated crystals cover these jet and silvertone stack rings for a spectacular amount of sparkle. Glam up any outfit in an instant with this ring set. Rings look fabulous worn together or separately. 3-piece set includes: 1 jet ring & 2 silver-tone rings 1/8-in. width (each), size 7, jet & silver tone.

Jet Bead Multistrand Necklace Jennifer Lopez jewelry takes your look to the next level. Here, a multiple rows of faceted jet beads, this necklace adds chic shine to any style.

You’ll turn heads when you wear it with a new V-neck top. It showcases, fivestrand design and creates lavish layers.

It’s a 16-in. necklace with 3-in. extender and adjustable lobster-claw clasp jet.

Celeste Sequin Wristlet Shimmer and shine with this Jennifer Lopez wristlet. It is a sequined-covered construction, this flap handbag has all the glamour you can get your hands on. For any special occasion, match this wristlet with a new pair of high heels.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

African Union, World Bank hold high-level consultations

By Muhammad Nasir

O

n the heels of the 18th African Union (AU) Summit, the African Union Commission (AUC) and the World Bank on Tuesday held high-level consultations at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa.

The meeting was part of regular consultations on the partnership between both organizations and was chaired by the Chairperson of the Commission, H.E. Dr. Jean Ping, who was accompanied by the Deputy Chairperson, H.E. Mr. Erastus Mwencha, while the World Bank delegation was led by the Vice-President for Africa, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili.

The purpose of the meeting was to follow-up on the theme of the Summit: “Boosting Intra- African trade” and review ways and means of enhancing and maximising the effectiveness of WB support for the AU and Africa, in that respect.

PAGE 33

Cashless Policy: CBN exempts microfinance banks From Samuel Ayodele, Lagos

T

h e Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has exempted microfinance banks from participating in cashless banking system.

Confirming the development, the Chairman, National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), Lagos state Chapter, Mr Olufemi Babajide, said the apex bank has exempted the microfinance banks from participating in the cashless banking.

By this, the customers of the 898 microfinance institutions are expected to continue to deposit and withdraw above the apex bank’s limit.

He said: “Microfinance banks nationwide have been exempted from taking part in the cashless banking programme. Based on this, the customers of the banks are free to withdraw and deposit money beyond the CBN’s limit.

Already, customers of the banks have not been able to embrace the electronic banking payment such as Automated

Teller Machines (ATMs) transactions. This made the customers to rely on cash for transactions.

So, the implementation of the cash-lite programme will set the banking sub-sector aback.”

He said the banks have been persuading customers to pay in cheques and do other banking transactions electronically, but to no avail.

CBN had earlier pegged cash withdrawal and lodgement limits by individuals at N150, 000 and N1million for corporate bodies, as

its implementation started within the Lagos metropolis earlier in the year.

Virtually, all banks in the state implement the cashless banking policy to the letter. In fact, the banks, from March, charge individual account holders and corporate organisations that violate the rules. While individuals that withdraw above N150,000 across the counters will pay a penalty of N100 for every N1,000 transaction, the corporate bodies will pay N200 for every N1,000.

Number Portability service begins in September, says NCC

By Aminu Imam

T

he regulatory Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said the Number Portability (NP) service would begin by September, according to NCC’s Chief Executive, Eugene Juwah.

Dr. Juwah said the licence for the service would be given to the operator this month, and that it (NP operator) would be allowed six months to build the infrastructure and an additional two months to test run the infrastructure.

Number Portability allows a subscriber to use another network other than his original network without losing his original number.

Currently, subscribers who change from one operator to another will lose their original number, irrespective of the length of time he/she has used the number.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brittania-U Nigeria Ltd, Mrs. Uju Ifejika (centre), Trading / Logistics Manager, Mr. Fred Emelereta, (right) and Company Solicitor, Mr. Godfrey Etikerentse (left) at the fuel subsidy hearing at the National Assembly Complex, in Abuja on Thursday.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Goods worth N7.4 bn traded at Tinapa Resort — Official

G

oods worth more than 48 million US dollars ( about N7.44 billion) were sold and bought at the Tinapa Resort, Nigeria’s Premier Business and Leisure Resort located in Adiabo, near Calabar in Cross River state.

The Managing Director of Tinapa Resort, Mr. Bassey Ndem, gave the figure in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar yesterday.

NAN had sought to know how far the multi-million Naira

business outfit fared since it came on stream in 2007.

Ndem said that the outfit had also provided employment, enhanced economic activities and earned revenue for the government.

He said, “The fact is that goods worth an estimated 48 million dollars have been traded through Tinapa in recent times.

“This is with the attendant benefits in employment, enhanced economic activities and as a source of revenue generation for the Federal

Government.

“Indeed, as part of the Cross River Government’s support and endorsement of Tinapa, a World Class International Conference Centre (CICC) is presently being built in Tinapa to further drive business and leisure traffic.”

Ndem also said that the resort’s Water Park, easily the largest in Africa, was now selfsustaining and functioning daily.

He further said, “New tenants are continuing to register with the Free Trade

Zone and are taking up shops.

“As at last month, Today’s Choice, Agapegil, an international wholesale distributor company based in the United Kingdom became our latest tenant.

“Tinapa occupied a unique position among free trade Zones in Nigeria and is very strategic in Africa as an attractive business hub for international investors interested in doing bulk business in Africa.

“This is because of its world class infrastructure, location

and its pristine environment. It must however, be understood that Tinapa is a long term business project.”

According to him, the management of Tinapa was also looking forward to what he termed subsequent government support for the Trade Activation initiatives currently being explored.

Ndem also implored the media to continue to partner with Tinapa, the pride of every Nigerian and the beacon of hope for a brighter future. (NAN)

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

NSE market capitalisation rises by N17b

By Augustine Aminu

W

eekly transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed on a positive note yesterday with the market indices appreciating by 0.26 per cent.

The market capitalisation rose

by N17 billion to close at N6.579 trillion against the N6.562 trillion recorded on Thursday.

Also, the All-Share Index rose by 55.64 points to close at 20, 877.64 from the 20,822.00

posted on Thursday.

Reports shows that New Gold Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) led the gainers’ chart with a gain of N38 to close at N2, 768 per unit.

Oando followed with 80k to close at N17.10, GTBank chalked up 55k to close at N14.65 while Berger Paints rose by 43k to close at N9.30 per share.

On the other hand, Chevron topped the losers’ chart with a loss of N2.52 to close at N48.07 per share.

Julius Berger trailed with a

loss of 89k to close at N29.11, while CAP lost 72k to close at N14.50 per share.

Cadbury dipped by 48k to close at N9.14 per share, while Nigerian Breweries lost 32k to close at N94.01 per share.

A total of 425.4 million shares worth N2.5 billion were exchanged by investors in 3,758 deals against the 320.1 million shares worth N3.8 billion traded in 3,715 deals on Thursday.

The banking sub-sector

remained the most active with 316.9 million shares valued N1.1 billion exchanged in 1,848 deals.

UBA traded 224.9 million shares worth N449.9 million in 212 deals, while FBN followed with 26.2 million shares valued at N272.9 million exchanged in 619 deals.

The insurance sub-sector came second on the activity chart as investors traded 20.4 million shares worth N15.9 million in 124 deals.

L-R: Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr Aigboje Aig Imokhuede, Minister of Finance, Dr, Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala , and Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Ms Evelyn Oputu , during the signing of fund disbursement and management agreement by banks and Ministry of Finance for Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria, in Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: Joe Oroye

NNPC, UNIPORT sign MOU on bio-fuels research

T

h e Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the University of Port Harcourt on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on collaborative research and development.

The MOU is aimed at diversifying the country’s energy supplies.

Speaking at the occasion in Port Harcourt, Mr. Billy Agha, the Group Executive Director, Engineering and Technical of the NNPC, said that the MOU marked the beginning of alternative fuel development.

Agha was represented at the occasion by the NNPC Group

General Manager, Research and Development, Mr. Nelson Oyudo.

He signed the MOU on behalf of the corporation while the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof.

Benne Abbey, signed for the university.

Agha said the MOU marked another milestone for the NNPC research and development in forging strategic partnerships with indigenous universities.

He said the partnership would strengthen NNPC’s research portfolio for positive developments in renewable energy.

According to Agha, in the wake of environmental concerns and volatility of fossil fuels supply

in the world, the environment of alternative fuels is crucial to the future of the transport sector. ``The development of clean fuels such as bio-fuels for the future is one of the most urgent challenges facing the world today due to the need to address climate change and security of fuel supplies. ``The energy for the future is renewable,’’ he said.

He said the collaboration would focus on the advancement of bio-fuels research to ultimately transform the nation’s bio-fuel production.

Agha said that the collaboration would also preserve the country’s mineral oil and save

its planet from ravages of climate change.

Also speaking, Abbey thanked the NNPC for the opportunity given to the university to partner with the corporation in quality research and development. ``Let me assure you that the skills, experience, knowledge and manpower developed from this collaborative effort would be tailored towards conducting a wholly Nigerian research in selected area of need in the petroleum industry. ``And also development of technologies and products from the results of our joint research efforts,’’ she said.

NSITF board challenges MDAs on compliance with social security scheme

By Mirian Humbe with agency report

T

he Board of Directors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has challenged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure effective compliance with social security scheme.

Mr. Abdulwahed Omar, a member of the board, gave the challenge on Friday when the members of the board paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, in his office in Abuja. ``I am saying this because we know that in the past, the greatest defaulters when it comes to contribution are the parastatal agencies.’’ ``The only way that we can succeed is if we are able to get the required resources.

Omar said he believed that once the MDAs take the lead, ``it becomes a much easier job for the board to get also the cooperation of the employers in the private sector’’. ``If you don’t take the led to show that you mean business, those in the private sectors may just fall back and relax.’’

Omar, who is also the president of the NLC, urged the minister to work out modalities that would enable the MDAs to comply with the law. ``It is an uphill task to ensure that all MDAs contribute when due and that will guarantee that we can be able to perform to expectation.

He appealed to the MDAs to ensure compliance, saying that in the past employers in the private sector were at the forefront of making sure that contributions kept flowing.

The NLC president said that since the new Compensation Act encompasses all sectors, it was expected that those in the public sector would also learn from the contributions of the private sector.

President Goodluck Jonathan on Jan. 17, 2011 signed the new Employees’ Compensation Act (ECA) into law as a step toward the fulfillment of his promise to provide better conditions of service for workers.

Alhaji Umar Abubakar, Managing Director of NSITF, while thanking the minister for upgrading the organisation, solicited his assistance to enlist the support of state governors for the smooth running of the organisation.

Responding, Wogu said the ECA had replaced the outdated Workmen Compensation Act. ``You can see that the bill receive accelerated passage at the National Assembly and was immediately signed into law by Mr. President. ``Mr. President is desirous of putting in place institutions and policies that are pro-people and targeted at improving the lots of the Nigerian masses. ``The ECA Act is strategically positioned to alleviate the suffering of workers who are key factor in the transformation agenda.’’

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 35

How Kwara SSS nabbed oil pipe vandals From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

O

ne of the major challenges in the nation’s quest for economic growth has been that of vandalisation of its oil pipelines and other facilities in that sector.

This crime, which attracts a serious penalty, is responsible for the continued loss of revenue and inadequate supply of petroleum products for domestic use.

as much product as they want and return to Ilorin at about 2am with their loot for easy money.

They go with two tankers, siphon about 15,000 liters of fuel from the pipe line as it flows from the NNPC installation in Mosinmi in Ogun state and sell to it to their customers at the rate of N3 million.

One of the Suspects, Saheed Mogaji, confessed that he usually receives the sum of N200,000 as booty for a trip

The pipeline vandals nabbed by the SSS

Over the years, vandals have continued to ravage the pipelines as they rake in illegal revenue through the siphoning of the nation’s commonwealth.

However, recently luck ran out on some vandals in Kwara state as they were nabbed by the men of State Security Services (SSS) during one of their operations in Ilorin.

On January 27, 2012, the Kwara state command of SSS paraded four suspected oil pipe line vandals before journalists.

The suspects, Lamidi Mogaji, Saheed Mogaji, Lanre Afonja and Sodiq Nuhu have been siphoning oil from the pipe line which links Oyo and Kwara states to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) supply before they were caught on January, 15, 2012.

Investigations revealed that the vandals usually leave Ilorin at about 11pm to the pipe line routes where they would siphon

while the others share the remaining money. He further confessed to Peoples Daily Weekend that the group had successfully carried out four operations for which they netted over 12 million Naira before they were caught.

“We have been operating in this pipeline for some time now.

At least, we have operated here three times and for each trip they gave me N200,000 while they shared the remaining.

From the three trips I have made up to N600,000,”Mogaji, who did not give details of his role in the crime said.

A resident of the area who noted that the hoodlums have been operating in the area said their operations have been going on unnoticed because the NNPC had failed to clear the pipeline for a long time leaving the area overtaken by bush.

Luck however, ran out of the

group following a fire outbreak involving one of the tankers during their last operation which also left two of them with severe burns.

The State Director of SSS in the state, Mr. Willims Onogba hinted that the criminals were caught when his men swooped in on then following a tip off from some members of the community who informed the formation that the criminals were siphoning products from the pipeline.

The vandalised pipeline equipment

He said on getting the information, the command quickly swung into action and mobilised a crack team to get the criminals arrested in the act.

He said investigation had revealed that while two of the men were drivers. One of the drivers was severely burnt in the inferno that ravaged one of the tankers.

According to him, “the suspects today are the people that we intercepted while they were disrupting the flow of products from Oyo to Kwara state. Specifically on January 15, at about 5.15am at Ogbomosho along the pipeline traversing Oyo and Kwara states, the suspects went for their usual activity, which is to break the pipeline, siphon fuel and then go and sell. There were four of them; Lamidi Mogaji, Saheed Mogaji, Lanre Afonja and Sodiq Nuhu.

“Two are drivers while two are owners of the two trucks of 15,000 liters each of PMS which they stole. Unfortunately, there was a fire incident and one of

One of the tankers used by the vandals

them got burnt and affected the drivers.”

The security official urged the public to borrow a leaf from the community and always give the security agencies useful information without which he said the agencies will not effectively route out criminals and crimes in the system.

He urged journalists to do their best in sensitising the public on ways to help the security agencies especially as the nation grapple with the challenges of insecurity.

“Let us try to sensitise the public on the need for intelligence. In these days, between August and a few days back, we have heard about six incidences of the activities of Boko Haram blowing innocent citizens. When the explosion occurs, it does not select victims.

Anyone can be a victim”, he said.

He lamented that the SSS is not happy to have lost some of its men in the blasts and urged the public to assist in giving useful information to help combat any form of crime in the country.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

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Jega: An electoral wealth umpire or a jurist?

Re: Sovereign fund

I

f gold rusts, what would the iron do?

What becomes of a people if their priests, saints and prophets transgress? These rhetorical questions are some of the puzzles on the minds of citizens, especially those of us that have a good account of the antecedents and pedigrees of the man Professor Attahiru Jega, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). We, more than majority of Nigerians had rolled out the drums when from the blues, President Goodluck Jonathan announced his name as his nominee for the exalted but so much abused position of INEC chairman. With Professor Attahiru Jega at the helms we believed that we would move away from most of the avoidable human errors as well as the acts of deliberate machinations and manipulations that had for so long remained the bane of our efforts at the conduct of credible, free and fair elections. We were that optimistic because we knew much of where he was coming from.

People, they say, could change with time and by circumstances. Could this man have been tinkered by time and circumstances?

We, like other compatriots, began to worry when in the beginning Professor Jega embarked on what appeared to be an endless demand for funds to conduct the 2007 general elections, which at the end of the day, went down as the most expensive in the history of elections in the country. Our worry got to the point of anxiety when in spite of all, the very first in the series of the elections was bungled and had to be cancelled. The unprecedented violence, destruction of property and loss of lives in reaction to obvious incidents of fraud at the polls, neither reflected the character of the INEC chairman as we knew him way back, nor the stupendous hope and resources invested. Saddening though, but we could not take on General Muhammadu Buhari when recently he made a scathing, sarcastic remark to the effect that he was yet to see the "touted track records of integrity" of our very own.

If those faltering steps can be glossed over as human errors and on the understanding that people in the ivory towers do not usually perform as excellently in practice as they do in theories, his latest actions in the wake of the Supreme Court verdict on the governors of Sokoto, Cross River, Kogi, Adamawa and Bayelsa states appear to begetting to a frightening crescendo of surprises and missteps. We had applauded his courage and wisdom for taking the issue of the tenure of the five governors from the High Court through

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

Email: letters@peoplesdaily-online.com to the apex court only for him to amazingly, like one in an acrobatic display turn round to spoil the celebration of the glory that the verdict would have brought to him and the INEC. Most people, including this writer, cannot understand the logic in INEC's decision to go ahead with the governorship elections when it is a glaring fact that by the Supreme Court judgement, the primaries that threw up the candidates as they now stand, have become illegal. They are illegal because they were done after the 29th of May 2011. In this wise, only the primary elections conducted in Kogi and Bayelsa State before the 29th of May 2011 could be ascribed legally conducted while those conducted

in Sokoto, Adamawa and Cross River cannot stand the test of law.

Rather than seek the correct interpretation of the Supreme Court's verdict in a competent court of law, Professor Attahiru Jega audaciously arrogated to himself the powers of the court when, with an air of finality and impunity, 'directed' that captain Idris Wada be "immediately sworn in as the governor of Kogi State." He went on to announce new dates for the governorship elections in the other four states, even as Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State has a case pending in court over the issue of PDP's candidature.

Why was it not considered wise, pertinent and expedient that INEC should tally awhile

when by the verdict of the highest court, the agency has three clear months within which to conduct the elections? Many people wonder what motivated the seeming speed and haste being shown by INEC! If INEC had gone to court in the first place to avoid the cost and chaos of conducting governorship elections at various times, what sense then, do we make of the staggered elections, commencing this Saturday in Adamawa State as it has announced? In any case, does it require any reminding that INEC has the statutory function to conduct elections and no more? Definitely the constitutional role and powers of INEC do not include interpreting the law.

These, as well as other thorny issues are ominous harbingers of the staccato of legal fire works that will heat up the entire system.

In which case, by commission or omission, Professor Jega and his INEC would have messed up the joy of the victory consequent on the landmark Supreme Court judgement. Definitely, INEC and Jega are not going to be the better off at the end of the day. But, it is not too late.

Iliyasu Musa Ambursa,wroteinfrom NNPC Staff Quarters, Area 11, Garki Abuja

Ado Mohammed: Square peg, square hole

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n an era where the nations of the world are trying to outdo diseases and epidemics that ravage their populace, Nigeria cannot be left behind. This conclusion caused the Federal Government to appoint Dr. Ado Jimeda Gana Mohammed as the chief executive officer of National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to ensure that the nation eradicates polio entirely from the nation, improve on the delivery of primary health services to the average Nigerian and most of all, cut down drastically, the rate of infant and maternal mortality.

A bold man who has spent more than a decade of his life in the sector, he comes in handy, as his coming will help the nation restrategise towards making the nation poliofree, and join India on the polio-free list.

In a nation where most things have been tagged "business as usual", he has come with a different approach, cautioning that "People won't be happy and comfortable with the changes that will take place but we will have to do it. It is a marching order to my team to do away with polio transmission in Nigeria.

We cannot continue to be a pariah nation in the global community. We have the human resource." The statement couldn't have been more apt.

Dr. Mohammed Ado, a native of Zaria, Niger State, was born in January 17, 1967 in Zaria, Kaduna State, and was educated both at home and abroad - He holds a Masters degree in Public Health from the University of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom (1996) and Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), University of Ilorin, Kwara State (1992).

A renowned Public Health Specialist, he has dedicated about 20years of his life to public health, delivering immunisation services and institutional reforms in the country; he worked at the defunct National Programme on Immunisation (NPI), Niger State government and was special assistant to the ministers of interior and foreign affairs, respectively.

Before his appointment, Dr. Ado was the Special Assistant with oversight functions on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the office of the Permanent Secretary, State House;

Senior Technical Adviser/Head, Health Sector MDGs in the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President, MDGs. He was a management consultant with Afri-Projects Consortium where he worked closely with the World Bank, Africa Development Bank, UNICEF, WHO and the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF).

A new generation Nigerian, Ado's career has been characterised by a visionary approach, dedication, bluntness and the head-on attitude very common with most people who have worked in the public sector and have to make huge decisions at various times. The expectations are quite straight: a Nigerian to whom so much has been committed for his track record can only do two things - equal the trust placed on him or outdo himself excellently. Many have put their money on him to bring the agency to achieve its goals and take some colossal steps towards a better future for the delivery of healthcare in Nigeria.

Dike Chigbue is a political analyst in Abuja

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 37

Bala Mohammed: Opening districtsreversal in the FCT Public opinion and new subsidy By: Mohammed Awwalu Ibro

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resumably, the Administration of Senator Bala Mohammed has recorded glaring achievements from its inception; it is in this light that the FCT Minister will perform a historical ground breaking of three brand new districts in the Federal Capital Territory.

This singular act by the FCT Minister is predicated on the transformational agenda of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the blue print of the Federal Capital Territory Administration which envisions the accelerated development of all sectors and provision of sterling services in the FCT. This ground breaking symbolizes the official launch of engineering infrastructure that will in its totality provide 70,000 kilometres of road network of diverse categories inclusive of bridges and culverts; drainage systems, water, sewage, electricity and telecommunication points.

These new districts include Katampe, Maitama Extension and Kagini 1 covering 777,231,798 hectares correspondingly. Senator Bala’s apparition is geared towards the provision of viable infrastructure to the FCT; the new districts will consist of more than 10,000 plots thus ensuring

accommodation to the ever increasing populace of the FCT, also providing business and employment opportunities to help towards empowerment and decongestion of the city.

Essentially, one of these new districts will be executed under the Public –Private-Partnership initiative that will save the Government of scarce resources that have competing needs.

All of these will not have been possible without the dexterity of the current Administration in ensuring that all consultants and investors started work in earnest towards the epoch ground breaking ceremony.

In order to set up a proper framework for all of these activities mostly involving the Katampe District, the FCT Administration had entered into series of agreement with Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC), which is a special agency of the Federal Government that was set up to boost investment in infrastructure by the Private sector through the principle of Public/private partnership initiative (PPPI) and in this area Abuja is a pioneer as a result of the fact that the contract the current administration of the FCT signed with Deanshanger Nigeria Limited for the provision of primary and secondary infrastructures at Katampe

District at a cost of N65 billion has finally come to realization with this ground breaking. This is project is the first of its kind in Nigeria and it is a trail blazer that is being commended in various quarters. It is expected that such partnership will be more visible this year so that it can cover other Districts.

In view of Senator Bala’s apparition for infrastructural development, Senator Bala Mohammed has been able to formulate a policy that encompasses not only the construction of roads in the FCC which is the city center but also in the Satellite Towns and Area Councils, this has set a mechanism in place to rapidly decongest the City Centre thus spreading the population of residents across the 8,000 sq.

Kms of the territory, this is an unprecedented feat in the history of the FCT. The road that is now being constructed by the FCT Minister and which is expected to be commissioned before the next rainy season, starts at Dutsen Alhaji and passes through the Kubwa-Zuba City Center 10 Lane Expressway cutting across Lower Usuma Dam, Bwari and passing through Jere and then busting out on the Keffi-Nyanya Expressway, the road is expected to decongest traffic in the NorthEast Axis for vehicles coming from Nassarawa, Plateau, Borno,

Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba and Benue will have a choice to divert and veer off the City Center if they are going to Kaduna, Niger, Southern States, etc. Another diversion is simultaneously being constructed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, it will start in Karshi and cut behind Asokoro then link Kuje Area Council before stretching of towards Gwagwalada thus bypassing the whole City, Airport Road and even Gwagwalada town for travellers going to the South East, South West and some North Central States thus avoiding the traffic grid that the residents of the FCT are currently experiencing. This is just the beginning with regards to road construction, as more roads will be constructed in the FCT by Senator Bala Mohammed.

The FCT Minister’s achievements are inclusive of Investment attraction from within and outside the shores of Nigeria that is put at an aggregate of $10 Billion dollars (N1,610,000,000,000 Trillion) from April 2010 when Senator Bala assumed office till date, including the investment from the US-based Balkan Development Centre of Dallas for the building of Abuja Town Center at a value of $2.6 Billion, the construction of a World Trade Center by the Church

Gate Group which is valued at $1 Billion, various Mass Housing Projects by Foreign and Local Companies and also the Investment by Innoson Group from Nnewi that is constructing an Ultra-modern automobile manufacturing and service centre in Abuja, the list is endless and it goes to show that the FCT is fast becoming the best and biggest investment hub in Nigeria with a conducive and secure atmosphere for doing business courtesy of the favourable and attractive policies of the Bala Mohammed led Administration.

All of the massive achievements that have been recorded in this brief period of Senator Bala’s leadership that is inclusive of this modern ground breaking for 3 new districts are as a result of his dexterity, commitment, dedication and pragmatism; which has ensured his strict adherence to the vision of President Goodluck Jonathan who wants a virile, resilient, more dynamic and developed Nigeria in apparition for the vision 20:20:20 of which Senator Bala Mohammed, the FCT Minister is proving to be pivotal towards its actualization.

Alhaji Mohammed Awwalu Ibro, Media Analyst 17, Adisa Estate, Abuja. awalumoha@gmail.com

PR OFILE PROFILE Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman and her new job at ECOWAS

By Augustine Aminu with agency report

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e c e n t l y , The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) named its new vice- President and new Commissioners who will take the mantle of leadership at the subregional headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.

Among the new commissioners is former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman, who was named the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security. Suleiman was also Minister of State for Foreign Affairs .

An astute lawyer, Salamatu Suleiman left office as minister in March, 2010 when then acting President Goodluck Jonathan dissolved the cabinet he inherited from his predecessor, late President Umaru Yar’adua.

Interestingly, she is the first woman to hold the position of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS). She replaces Brigadier General, Mamane Toure, a Malian national who occupied this position after the death of General Jarra who died in a plane crash. Toure after the death of Jarra, was nominated by the Malian President to complete the mandate.

Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman

Her appointment as ECOWAS commissioner has brought honour to the nation especially among the women as it has shown their competence even in the international arena.

Suleiman is expected to bring to her new office, her zeal, loyalty and commitment to the service to humanity for which she was widely known while in the executive in Nigeria.

Her focus has always been on

service delivery, a quality which was said to be the major reason for her being chosen for the important job.

Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman was born in Argungu, a fishing community in Kebbi State. Her father was an area court judge, and her mother came from the Gwandu royal family. She was brought up in Birnin Kebbi and Argungu.

In 1972 she obtained entry to

Queens College, Lagos. She went on the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where she obtained a degree in law. She then went to the London School of Economics and Political Science where she gained a master's degree in law.

Her first job as a lawyer was with the Ministry of Justice in the old Sokoto State. She then worked at Continental Merchant Bank, Lagos for seven years, and worked for a short time at NAL Merchant Bank before moving to Aluminum Smelter Company, where she was Company Secretary and Legal Adviser. After that, she worked at the Securities and Exchange Commission before being appointed Minister President Umaru Yar'Adua appointed Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman as Minister for Women Affairs on 17 December 2008. In September 2009 Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman decried marginalisation of women in Nigerian politics.

She said that violence and male chauvinism were prevalent in the political climate resulting in poverty among women, which she averred prevented many women to contest for public offices.

At meetings in October 2009 organized by UNICEF and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman said her

mission was to serve as the national vehicle for speedy and healthy development of Nigerian women and to ensure the protection and development of women and children for meaningful life.

She urged the state to give women at least 30 percent representation in elective and appointive positions. In December 2009 she decried the failure of the government to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Nigeria as a country has benefited from her service and resilience. She championed the release of aids from ECOWAS to victims of flooding in different parts of the country.

In the eve of the war that rocked Arab world, where no fewer than 5,000 Nigerians returned, Mrs. Suleiman received the returnees at various times and in her speech in one of the arrivals she expressed government's commitment to the protection of its citizens wherever they are across the globe.

Her current job in ECOWAS is a challenge to her life of service and she is expected to make the best use of it to better the lot of the citizens of the subregion.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

The supreme court versus the people of cross River state Public opinion and subsidy reversal

By Solomon Abu he recent decision of the Supreme Court concerning the tenure of five state governors has provoked mixed reactions from Nigerians.

Most of the reactions however have been based on parochial partisan interests rather than objective national interests. For the political class in almost all of these states, the deeper significance of the decision is completely lost on them. Political opponents in Sokoto danced in the streets in jubilation. In Adamawa as they danced out their hearts, they chanted ‘changee ya zo.’ In Bayelsa, beers were popped open as guys winked at one another, beaming with gratitude. In Kogi, there was confusion as two people were sworn in at the same time in different venues as acting governors. One group of politicians gyrated to one end of the town, another group sang and stamped their feet in the opposite direction. There were even some political acrobats who mysteriously appeared in both places at the same time.

It was only in Cross River State that there was calm. The air at the venue of the swearing in of the acting governor in Cross River was poignant. Imoke had earlier called for calm. I have

T

never seen people in such somber moods. The occasion became unusually stiff and formal. Even the Acting Governor himself wore a sober and reflective look.

The atmosphere in Calabar showed clearly that everybody was holding the reins and waiting for Imoke to return.

What was of great concern to Cross Riverians was the interruption of a 15-year blueprint, the architect of which was Liyel Imoke.

The Supreme Court is the highest court of the land.

Therefore, it is expected to be not only the final arbiter, but also the bearer of moral authority.

Not only this, it is expected to lie at a higher ontological level - enshrouded in integrity and impeccable in its decisions.

Furthermore, it is expected to lie beyond the profanity and mendacity of our mundane establishment. In our search for a moral compass, we may run everywhere for succor. We may run from the home to the church or mosque; but one institution that we all tacitly endorse as the final arbiter in all our juridical challenges is the Supreme Court.

When an institution is held in such high esteem, especially within the context of an inept and maladroit state apparatus that makes up Nigeria, it owes itself

a duty to be thoroughly bifocal, profound and deep in its delivery of justice. The manner in which the courts handled the case of the 5 governors raises a number of questions. Please do not get me wrong. I am not qualified to stain the halo of these eminent justices; in fact, this is far from my graph. Nevertheless, with their halo still unsullied, did they take into consideration the national urgency involved in the case of the five governors?

Where were they when INEC conducted elections in Kogi in December with Idris Wada emerging as governor elect?

Where were they when Bayelsa was almost set ablaze, with bombs to garnish the menu?

Why did they wait for so long to reach a decision? Apart from the incongruity of this decision when aligned with that of the Peter Obi/Andy Uba case in Anambra state, are we now going to treat gubernatorial tenures as merchandise from which we calculate the balance, add and deduct small change to find out how many weeks or days were left in the pre-rerun tenure?

What did the eminent judge mean when he said “I had earlier found and held that the provisions of Section 180 of the 1999 Constitution do not envisage a re-run election, let

alone a re-run election won by the same person who took the earlier oaths of allegiance and of office?”

The problem seems to lie with the kind of constitution that we have. Having delivered this judgment, what is the way forward? Certainly this throws up fundamental questions on the role the judiciary must play in the political process. Will the learned judges withdraw to their hallowed chambers and wait for another such case and give us another repeat performance?

Perhaps if the judiciary spearheaded amendments to the constitution and clearer legislation in the National Assembly, they will be seen to be taking sides with the Nigerian people. Right now, the judiciary appears abstract, operating on an amoral surgical table which is incongruent with the reality of the Nigerian people.

In Cross River state there is no serious opposition figure waiting in the wings. The most famous among them flew a kite during the carnival and expected an invitation for a parley in government house.

When he was paid no attention he returned quietly to his duty post in the desert. To the people of Cross River State therefore, what is at stake is the interruption of Imoke’s

development program and the 4-year Action Plan.

When the people of Cross River State heard the judgment, they felt betrayed and victimized. As far as they were concerned this important decision was insensitive to their development needs. They were not happy that the court was insensitive to the damage that would have been done to the development time table of the governor. The reason Cross River State is developing rapidly today is that unlike other states, she has been working on the same development blueprint for the past 13 years! The same blue print Donald Duke operated is the same one Imoke is running.

This is one of the few states where the successor is not chasing the predecessor?

In 1998 Cross River State was virtually unknown.

Nigerians only knew Calabar for Afang soup, edikang ikong and beautiful wives. Cross River was one of the most backward states in Nigeria. It was Liyel who decided to mastermind a change in the psyche of the people. He and a few friends met in his house in Lagos and drew a blueprint which they called the new Cross River project.

Solomon Abu, writes from Calabar, Cross River State

Where Wadada got it wrong Public opinion and subsidy reversal

By Rogers Edor Ochela

Those Whose Palm Kernel were cracked for them by the gods should learn to be humble and not challenge their chi to a wrestling contest —Prof.

Chinua Achebe in Things Fall Apart

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read with dismay the interview granted by Hon. Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, two-time member of House of Representatives from Nasarawa State, which was published in some national dailies.

From all intents and purposes, the interview was full of bile, innuendoes and a calculated attempt to rubbish the image of the immediate past governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma.

As a matter of fact, the entire interview was a mumbo-jumbo of a frustrated politician who is yet to recover from the shock of his failure to secure a third term in the House and a classical display of an ungrateful attitude by a politician who elected to pay his benefactor , Doma in bad coins. How ungrateful can some people be! I shall explain this shortly.

In that gibberish called interview, Wadada stretched illogicality to dangerous limits when he said: ‘’the government of PDP in Nasarawa led by Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma lost focus completely’’ and that ‘’ mass movement of people from the PDP was not because they were disenchanted with the party but

with the style of governance that time’’. Nothing can be further from the truth! It is a well known fact that Nigerian politics is largely defined by opportunism, a sad development that accounts for why the nation has been engaged in ‘’forbacky dance’’ (dancing forward and backward and ending at the exact spot). It is this opportunism that underpinned the cross-carpeting from PDP to other parties by these bread and butter politicians.

It is simply unpardonable for Wadada to talk about Doma in derogatory terms the way he did when he said: ‘’ we all rallied round him as a leader and father, unfortunately he has failed. So politically, I will not be where he is because I am convinced he has nothing to offer me. Wadada must be told in no uncertain terms that he cannot re-write history. Has he forgotten so soon that it was this same Aliyu Akwe Doma that took over the sponsorship of his education at Miango Secondary School in Plateau State when his father could not afford the bill? It is also on record that Doma gave him shelter during the duration of his studies when he was virtually roaming the streets homeless.

Wadada gave himself away that he was simply the megaphone of his godfather when he tried to defend the latter’s ungodly role in PDP in the state, a role that has splintered the hitherto united party. For him to have said that

‘’this group of PDP concerned persons, which Adamu is a member and leader is coming together not to fight anybody but to reposition the party so that the lost glory of PDP will be brought back’’ smacks of crass opportunism and unprecedented sycophancy. How on earth could Adamu’s divisive activities be equated to an attempt to reposition the party? It beats my imagination hollow, I tell you.

For a proper understanding of the entire scenario, let us mount the horse and gallop down the memory lane of history. It would be recalled that Ahmed Wadada who contested for election into the House of Representatives in 2003 and 2007 signified his intention to vie for a third term in 2011 and met a stiff opposition from Ahamed Kana, a former legislator in the State House of Assembly who obviously enjoyed the overwhelming support of the youths and majority of PDP members. During the primaries, the then Governor, Akwe Doma had to thrown his weight behind Wadada and even went to the extent of mobilizing the entire leadership of the party to give the ticket to him. Even at that, he won narrowly with a margin of only 5 votes, a situation that made Kana to defect to CPC. During the period of electioneering campaigns, Wadada was engaged in series of anti-party activities. He was alleged to have told the electorate to vote for him

during the national assembly elections and for Tanko Al-Makura of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), instead of his party’s candidate, Aliyu Akwe Doma in the gubernatorial election.

Unfortunately, his election was rescheduled to hold the same day with the governorship poll and at the end of it all, he lost his deposit as he failed woefully to win the election. Now the frustration of that woeful failure has made him go haywire, venting his spleen on Doma and all those considered close to him.

Wadada’s anger is understandable. For a man who prided himself as the best thing that has ever happened to the people of Karu/Kokona/Keffi Federal Constituency to have lost his deposit came to him as a rude shock.

Methinks that it was nemesis that eventually caught up with him.

After serving in the House of Reps for two consecutive terms, his sense of megalomania and desperate quest to remain perpetually in the House to the detriment of other capable and better hands made him stretch his luck too far by angling for a third term.

Wadada probably thinks that he is immensely popular because of the rented crowd that usually welcomes him to public functions.

He need not deceive himself, for people tortured by unmitigated poverty, hunger, unemployment and disillusionment with the anarchic system, everything can

go anything. In the absence of anything tangible to do to keep body and soul together, praise-singing the likes of Wadada becomes the favourable pastime to keep the machines of such idlers and professional praise singers humming and busy.

For Wadada and his godfather, the former governor of the state, if they cannot control the levers of the PDP power loop in the state, then let everything ‘scatter-scatter’. With the benefit of hindsight, it seems the duo do not care what happens to PDP. It is easy to decode their dirty mission from the prism of grand opportunism. They want to survive by all means and what better way to achieve that than to rubbish their own party, PDP by cozying up to the Czar at Government House, Lafia.

Wadada’s increasingly intolerance of dissenting opinion of those like Aliyu Doma that he has classified as detractors is a matter of considerable concern. Because he and his co-conspirators are unable to control the party leadership, the entire party structure must be pulled down. But he and his band of opportunists should be governed by caution and allow reason regulate their conduct. His campaign of calumny against Aliyu Akwe Doma cannot subsist. He must profit from the lessons of history for history is like gallows, it hangs those who ignore its poignant lessons.

Ochela, a media consultant and public affairs analyst sent in this piece from Wuse Abuja.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

Bauch govt denies calling Jigawa ‘crises ridden’ state

By Maryam Garba Hassan

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he Bauchi state government has denied reports by the media that Bauchi state has over one million internally displaced persons (IDPs) taking refuge at various towns and villages in the state and that it referred to Jigawa or any state as a crises ridden one.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Bauchi state governor, Ishola Michael Adeyemi, indicates that the statement was not meant to insult or undermine the peaceful security situation in Jigawa state.

The statement further denied saying that Bauchi state, has in the last three years avoided security meetings with Jigawa state particularly as regards to border related issues and that top government functionaries have ‘avoided meetings organised by Jigawa state to resolve such border problems.

Adeyemi further explained that the issue of internally displaced persons has been confirmed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), DG, Sani Sidi, during his recent visit to Bauchi state and that the DG said census taken by the agency revealed that the state is playing host to over 1million internally displaced persons (IDPs).

PAGE 39

Disintegration not in interest of north or south – AMBON From Mohammed Adamu, Kaduna

A

s s o c i a t i o n of Muslim Brotherhood of Nigeria (AMBON) has declared that the disintegration of Nigeria is not in the interest of either the northern or southern parts of the country because the former needs oil from the later while the later too needs food supply from the former.

In order to quench the fire of disintegration and destroy the spirit of secession from the mind of

Nigerian people, AMBON stated that government should as a matter of utmost priority develop and harness the agricultural and natural resources in the northern part of the country.

In a communiqué issued to pressmen in Kaduna after a one day symposium with the topic ‘International Conspiracy towards Nigeria’s Disintegration’, the AMBON observed that there are obvious reasons to believe that the peace and security of the country

are being threatened by the western world and Europe.

On the activities of the Boko Haram movement, AMBON states that the sect negates the original ideology on which the movement was formed which is fighting for equity, justice and fairness at all levels of governance.” We strongly believe that the sect is being hijacked by unpatriotic elements that are propagating the deamalgamation of Nigeria from

Fashola restates commitment to infrastructure regeneration From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

L

Nasarawa state Gov. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura addressing refugees displaced in the Tiv and Fulani crises

ATBU ASUU appeals to FG not to renege it’s promises to union From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

T

he Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi (ATBU) state chapter has appealed to the Federal Government not to renege on its promise to grant some of the requests by the union bordering on adequate funding of the sector.

The Chairman of the ATBU chapter of ASUU, Dr. Lawan Abubakar, made the plea yesterday while briefing newsmen in Bauchi.

According to him, “ASUU is agitating for funding requirements for revitalizing the Nigeria universities. The union is also seeking a progressive increase of annual budgetary allocation to education to 26 percent between 2009 -2020 earned allowances and amendment of pension/retirement age of academics on the professorial cadre from 65 to 70 years, amongst other requirements by the union.

“Once these requirements are fulfilled by the Federal

within and outside Nigeria’.

According to them, facts indicates that some of the people arrested and charged with the plan of detonating explosives in various churches in the name Boko Haram are not even Muslims They called on the Nigerian Supreme Council on Islamic Affairs and Jama’atu Nasril Islam and the Council of Ulama to checkmate cases of assault on Islam and Muslims.

Government, the standard of education in the country will begin to improve, thereby reducing the chances of strikes that cripples academic activities in our universities”, he said.

He maintained that despite the Federal Government’s failure to fulfil its previous agreement, ASUU decided to suspend the strike to give the government a benefit of the doubt on its renewed promises.

Giving a historical analysis of the disagreement between ASUU

and government, he said; “The struggle of ASUU in ensuring that government meets its demands, started from way back in 2004 when there was an agreement between the ASUU and Federal Government which agreed to meet the demands of Academic staffs in Universities, but until now the government have not really shown any tangible commitment towards this agreement, that is why we are still experiencing a recycling of persistent strikes from time to time in our universities.”

The university don lamented that the continued strikes by the union over the years have disrupted academic calendars and activities, saying that it is the students and the parents that are grossly affected by the industrial actions.

He said that it was not the intention of ASUU to inflict sufferings on university students in the country, noting that the actions have been in the best interest of the tertiary education system in the country.

a g o s State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, has restated the commitment of his administration to sustain the tempo of infrastructure regeneration across the state.

The governor, who spoke at the commissioning of Akerele, Adelabu Streets and Ogunlana Drive in Surulere local government, noted that though the state is challenged by limited resources available to prosecute its development agenda, government will continue to confront the challenges with all it has.

He said the handing over of the projects to the community was in fulfillment of the promise made during the election campaign to extend the dividend of democracy to all local governments in the state.

Fashola said the state’s resources was a meager $3billion in the face of the $50billion infrastructure deficit and promised to remain focused in ensuring the revamp of the state’s infrastructure.

He said since 1999, the regeneration of the infrastructure had moved from Ikeja to Victoria Island Central Business District (CBD), to Old Yaba, Apapa, Mushin, Ketu, Ijesa and Surulere.

He described as a welcome development, the presence of local construction companies in the industry adding that the reconstruction by Messrs HFP Engineering and Plycon Ltd has gone a long way in providing jobs for Nigerians and thereby growing the economy.

He added that with public support and prompt payment of taxes, the government will do its best to justify the people mandate.

Sultan cautions Sokoto guber hopefuls against violence, thuggery From Muhamad Abdullah, Sokoto

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h e a d of the governorship election in Sokoto state, the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar 111, has cautioned the governorship candidates against the use of political thugs popularly known as ‘area boys’ to unleash mayhem on opponents.

The Sultan made the call on Friday, when the Acting Governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Lawali Zayyana, paid him homage in his palace in Sokoto.

According to him, the wanton use of area boys for political gains will only lead to chaos in the state He noted that the recent change of government in the state was an indication that power is transient

and should serve as a lesson to all politicians in the country.

"Politicians should realize that it is only God that gives power and as such should refrain from the use of political thugs to foment trouble in the state," he said.

He appealed to politicians to conduct their campaigns without recourse to violence and shun unguarded utterances.

The Sultan also advised governorship candidates to focus on issues rather than abuse of political opponents.

Speaking earlier, the acting governor, told the Sultan that he was at the palace to pay homage and seek for his advice. He called for support of all and sundry for a peaceful conduct of the governorship election.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

When I visited a school the principal did not know me —Minister

By Jamila Nuhu Musa

G

o n e are the days when school inspectors were feared by teachers, headmasters and principals of schools, visits of such government officials were not lost to even. For the simple fact that they had power to decide the fate of schools in those days, so much so that they could cause a school to close down. They forced headmasters and principals of schools to be on their toes in dispensing their duties as expected because any report to the contrary translated to decisive decisions that could mar the school's reputation in the eyes of the authorities and the community in which such schools were located. So goes the story and that was then when a viable inspectorate division of the ministry was alive to its responsibilities.

"But now the story is different because officials of the inspectorate division have been compromised.

Now we have a situation where most schools are hardly inspected while the authorities concerned take reports submitted by inspectors without verifying the facts. If you just sit in your office and accept, hook, line and sinker report of an inspector you are bound to fail".

This is the contention of the Minister of state for education, Barr.

Nyisom Wike, during an interactive session with journalists at a forum organized by the Nigerian Pilot/Newsworld Leadership forum in Abuja. He was speaking on issues bordering on basic education in Nigeria and the way forward.

Wike recalled that the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) once said it could not employ Nigerian graduates

Education Minister, Prof. Rukayyatu Rufa’i and translated it to mean that Nigerian graduates are not employable because they do not have what it takes to be called graduates. This is largely because their education was bereft of good foundation and the situation remained so. Thus, Wike asks "If basic education is not right would it not be difficult to get it right at the tertiary level?

He admitted that the basic infrastructure to make basic education right has been lacking for a long time, there is also the issue of lack of commitment on the part of teachers, headmasters/ principals, parents and students as well as government at all levels.

"Governments over the years are responsible for most of the failures;

Emir calls for state of emergency on education in the North

T

he Emir of Anka in Zamfara state, Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad, has called for the declaration of “state of emergency” on education in the northern Nigeria.

Muhammad made the call on Thursday when he met with members of the state Primary Schools Assessment Committee.

He stressed the need for the reintroduction of Teacher Training Colleges as they serve as the foundation of teachers’ education in the north.

The traditional ruler also called for the enforcement of the laid down rules against anyone found wanting in sabotaging the progress of education.

“Parents found withdrawing children from school, an education

officer not doing his work or corruptly enriching himself or even a commissioner if found wanting, should be prosecuted and jailed without fear or favour,” he said He urged governments at all levels to improve the remuneration of teachers and their general welfare, saying this would give them a sense of pride in their jobs.

He gave assurance that he would join hands with other emirs to ensure that the committee’s report was implemented by the state government.

Earlier, the chairman of the subcommittee, Prof. Ja’afaru Makau, solicited the cooperation and contributions of the traditional rulers to improve education in the state. (NAN)

we must say the truth as it is so that we can move forward." Wike said.

The Constitution provides that it is the responsibility of states and local governments to cater for primary education but the Federal Government fund it expedient to provide some forms of intervention to enhance the process. Still, what we have in our schools is continued decay in leaps and bounds, examples of which are roofless school blocks, poor toilet facility, making pupils and students to relieve themselves in bushes when nature calls, poor laboratory equipments, lack of instructional materials, and the teaching of pupils under trees to mention but a few. However, the decay in basic

education system is no longer news.

Trading blames and buck passing by various governments have been the order over decades in establishment of a viable basic education in the country. The recent move being the pushing by governors for direct access to the Universal Basic Education (UBE) funds, though the issue has now been put to rest according to the Minister of education for state, Nyisom Wike who said "most of the governors have now accessed over fity someth some funds to the tune of N5bn There have been mounting pressures on President Goodluck Jonathan by governors in the country to amend the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act, to relax its strict guidelines and conditions. But Wike said various state governors have now accessed more than 50m funds he therefore indicated that there was no room for failure in transforming basic education in line with President Jonathan's transformation agenda. He disclosed that "As at the time we came on board UBEC had over fifty something billion funds unassessed by the various state governments . We had to discuss with them to let them know that the funds were just lying in the banks, why did we allow the banks to be growing fat when governors struggled to improve basic education in their states? He queried.

He therefore reemphasized that "Today I can tell you that most states have accessed their funjds up to 2011 but before we came most had not accessed up to 2009.

Also every year federal government releases certain amount for the training and retraining of teachers at basic

education, when we came on board we released not less than N5bn to the 36 states of the federation and FCT for the purpose. He disclosed that prior to the Jonathan administration, UBEC was of the opinion that some states abused the process of training and retraining.

He also said that most governors did not know that such funds accrued to it or whether it was judiciously utilized.

Wike, who said his children attend Nigerian schools, said all hands must be on deck to move the education sector forward. The reason why he said federal government supplies books to schools, last year the federal government gave books to the tune of N7bn, flagged off training of 22,000 teachers by National Teachers Institute (NTI), last September and in the 2012, budget about 30 Unity schools are being considered for proper funding to enhance their status and redeem the lofty dream of our founding fathers amongst other projects.

On the part of the federal government, "we will be undertaking visits to schools from time to time to ensure judicious utilization of funds, see what is happening with a view to correcting the situation. It is regretful that some principals are not qualified to run schools. I once visited a school but the principal did not know me. What kind o0f principal is that? There are no teachers in the relevant subjects.

I have told the President that 200 teachers must be employed for Maths subject. We will also stop the situation whereby administrators are made principals of schools. We are doing all these because when education collapses, government collapses", Wike said.

Nigeria set to compete with Thailand in rice production, says Agric Minister

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, during the week, raised the hope that the nation would soon compete with the world renowned rice producing country, Thailand Republic.

Adesina while appearing before the House Committee on Rural Development for budget defense told the lawmakers that the government had perfected plans to partner with a Chinese farming conglomerate to boost

rice production across arable lands in some states of the federation.

He expressed optimism that not less than 2.1 million metric tonnes of rice production will be arrived at in 2012.

It was also disclosed that a pilot programme to test-run the exercise had already commenced with the engagement of about 50,000 Nigerian youths from Taraba state using 30,000 hectares of land.

Though the minister was silent over the total budget figure for 2012, he added that the sum of N2.2 billion had been set aside

in 2012 for development of rural roads and other infrastructures across the nation.

He also revealed that another 1.3 million metric tonnes of cassava is being targeted for harvest in 2012, a bid which he said will make Nigeria keep her place as the world’s largest producer of the commodity.

Rep Christopher Omo Isu, Chairman of the committee, commended the ministry’s detailed explanations for the fiscal year but lamented failure of various agencies under the ministry to present their budgets including their internally generated revenue.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 41

FROM THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY House of Reps

Senate

Legislative vetting of 2012 budget and the Executive profligacy burden of frugality

By Lawrence Olaoye

S

i n c e the inception of the Fourth Republic, public outcry has always followed the expenditure profile of the legislators in the National Assembly, beginning with the ‘outlandish’ furniture allowance approved for the lawmakers in 1999. Since then, the first arm of government has been opened up to public scrutiny and most often than not, public consternation.

This is due partly to the fact that the legislature, being the singular arm of government consisting of the representatives of the people across the divides in the country, has always been in the eye of the storm from the public outrage against waste and public profligacy. But no parliament has ever preoccupied itself with the responsibility of researching into the expenditure profile of the executive like the current Seventh Assembly.

Although the role of purposeful oversight over the executive started from the Sixth Assembly in the House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Dimeji Bankole which brought the issue of ‘Unspent Funds’ into the nation’s fiscal lexicon, the successive Assembly led by Speaker Aminu Tambuwal went ahead to frontally bring to the fore the need to cut down the cost of governance commonly referred to as the Overhead Cost.

In order to prime itself for the task of reducing the cost of governance, the Tambuwal’s leadership, in line with the popular maxim ‘example is better than precept’ cut down its overhead by about 60 percent.

A cursory look at the

budget defense exercise in the last few weeks suggested that there existed some sharp practices in the corridors of power in the country. While the capital expenditures kept shrinking, the overhead budget kept bulging.

Similarly, while the executive would find it convenient not to release funds for capital budgets on the ground of paucity of funds, overhead budget or what is generally called running cost, is being funded 100 percent.

Obviously, because of the penchant of the executive for not executing the capital budget, especially since the introduction of constituencies’ projects, government ministries, departments and agencies have devised a means of beating the development by stuffing their overhead budgets with projects that could ordinarily pass for capital budget. But, the parliament in the course of vetting the 2012 appropriation proposal has been able to discover this fiscal ‘innovation’ and has consistently kicked against the practice.

Apart from overloading the overhead with a view to getting slush funds approved by the lawmakers, the parliament has equally been able to discover series of extrabudgetary expenditures by the MDAs. Certain ministries have been queried in the course of the ongoing budget defense for spending Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) without recourse to the National Assembly. Others have been reprimanded for moving funds from a subhead in the budget to another without passing through the due process by applying for parliamentary virement.

A special case in this issue

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Apart from overloading the overhead with a view to getting slush funds approved by the lawmakers, the parliament has equally been able to discover series of extra-budgetary expenditures by the MDAs.

of extra-budgetary expenditure is the extra funds used to finance the subsidy without legislative approval.

While the executive proposed the sum of N350 billion as subsidy for petroleum products imported into the country in the 2011 fiscal year, the government ended up spending close to N2 trillion without the approval of the parliament.

Although investigations into the fuel subsidy scam is still ongoing in the House, several mouthgaping revelations coming out of the probe are indicative of the way the nation’s resources are being administered without recourse to the legislators who have the constitutional powers over the nation’s purse.

Again, the House has been able to point out areas of neglect in the nation’s revenue allocations template. While certain ministries and parastatals have the luxury of profligacy by virtue of obvious over budgeting, several others with key hold on the nation’s development are being starved of funds. For instance, in spite of the government slogan of vision 20:2020 with the dream of creating employment and enabling environment for prospective investors in the country, budgetary allocations to sectors like the Science and Technology, Youth Development, Health, Power are meagre when compared to those allocated to Security and Foreign Affairs.

Although, some of the committees in the House have been accused of loading the budget with a view to benefitting from the projects infused into the document, there are indications however that most often than not, injecting certain projects into the budget is to ensure rapid and even development across the country.

As the budget defense continues, people are waiting with bathed breath for the outcome of the process that may plug some perceived loopholes for executive manipulations and thereby bring to a tolerable level the spate of official corruption in the country.

By Richard Ihediwa

S

enate opened its doors this week with the leadership deciding to further suspend plenary sittings to enable the standing committees continue with budget defence sessions with ministries and agencies of government for the 2012 fiscal year.

Many agencies appeared before their supervising committees where lawmakers took time to scrutinise the performance of the 2011 as well as to screen the proposals for 2012.

Those that appeared included agencies and departments in the ministries of Petroleum Resources, Foreign Affairs, Women Affairs, Health, Finance as well as the Presidency among others.

In almost all the sessions, lawmakers raised the issue of lack of adequate implementation of previous budgets as well as some increases in some of the overheads which they threatened to slash.

However of note were those of the Ministry of Finance and that of the State House which elicited certain controversial issues especially on overhead costs.

At the Appropriation committee, the lawmakers were told by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala that government plans to slash the federal overhead budget by N400 billion and urged the National Assembly to also slash its overhead vote.

This, she said is to enable government save some money for developmental projects.

She told the committee that President Goodluck Jonathan was not aware of the proposal as he has not been briefed yet.

Though the National Assembly had earlier cut its overhead for the year by 40 percent, the minister demanded that the slashed vote should be reduced further in the overall spirit of sacrifice.

According to her, “We still need to find more cuts. As the Executive cuts its own, we hope that the National

Assembly will still cut its own in order to help us. We are going to look at the statutory transfers, look at Judiciary, INEC and others; whoever we can negotiate with to help us out this year should do so.

“We need to make that sacrifice. At the minimum, we need to find N370 billion, almost N400 billion so as to bring down the deficit to a manageable level” she said.

This however, did not go down well with the lawmakers as the committee was quick to point out that the National Assembly had already cut its expenditure for the year.

“We have reduced our own by more than 40 percent and here you are asking us to do more but we’ll take the message to the National Assembly and I’m sure something will be done about it,” Chairman of the Committee, Senator Mohammed Maccido said.

He went ahead to direct the ministry to point out that some items in the budget of the ministry were spurious and demanded that they be made clearer.

At the Committee on Federal Character, lawmakers appeared to be on collision course with the Presidency as the committee queried the N766 million proposed by the executive for food and refreshment for the Presidential Villa in the budget and threatened to slash it.

Members of the committee rejected the proposal saying it was outrageous especially in the face of the national consensus that cost of government should be slashed across board.

Trouble started when the State House management led

“

by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Tunji Olaopa, who came to defend the Presidency 2012 budget in the Senate on Monday gave details of the budget, which contained amounts for food and refreshments, which the lawmakers said were outrageous.

Senators particularly frowned at the allocation of N473 million for foodstuff and catering and another N293million for refreshments.

First to fire the salvo was the Vice Chairman of the Committee, Senator Isa Galaudu, who lamented that while other ministries and departments were pruning down their recurrent budgets, that of the State House seemed to be on the increase.

Galaudu lamented that the proposals were outrageous noting that such should not be the case when according to him, about 90 percent of the citizens of the country were living below a dollar per day.

“A country where 70 percent live below a dollar per day, 90 percent live below two dollars a day, this budget is absolutely outrageous. I think you need to explain more because our main concern is for the people we represent to see that this budget is judiciously utilized,” he said.

In his explanation, the Permanent Secretary said the size of the overhead budget was informed by the volume of events and guests received at the Presidency.

On the whole, it was an eventful week in the Senate and it is expected to continue in that wise in the coming week.

In almost all the sessions, lawmakers raised the issue of lack of adequate implementation of previous budgets as well as some increases in some of the overheads which they threatened to slash.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

Controversy over AU chairmanship seat T

he past week was a little controversial as some newspapers reported on Monday that President Goodluck Jonathan contested the chairmanship of the African Union. Critics argue that that ambition had brought an embarrassment to the country.

The President had attended the 18th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia over the weekend and while some newspapers merely reported the outcome of the election which saw the emergence of President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic as chairman on Monday, others reported boldly in their cover pages that the leader of a very tiny Benin Republic –which I don’t even think is as big as Kogi state-- floored the President of Nigeria, the giant of Africa.

The reports claimed that Jonathan had made last minute desperate efforts to be presented as West Africa’s soul candidate by the ECOWAS Heads of States and Heads of Government since the AU chairmanship position for this year was zoned to West Africa.

This, the reports claimed, met a brickwall as Boni Yayi was able to get the support of majority of the members.

President John Atta Mills was even reported to have stood behind Boni Yayi and urged other leaders to shun Jonathan.

While still in the Addis Ababa, the Presidential Adviser on media and publicity, Dr Reuben Abati issued a statement and condemned the reports and described it as intended to cast the administration in bad light.

Abati insisted that President Jonathan was not defeated by Boni Yayi since according to him, there was no election and he was never a candidate.

The statement also denied that President John Atta Mills of Ghana opposed President Jonathan at any time, insisting that Ghana and Nigeria still enjoyed strong and excellent relations.

“It is true, however, that in the last week, some newspapers have been speculating that President Jonathan may be adopted by the ECOWAS Heads of States and Governments to be the next chairman of the African Union, since it was the turn of ECOWAS to produce the AU Chairman for 2012-2013. Mr. President was indeed approached by leaders within

and outside the West African sub-region to take up the challenge of leading the AU for the next one year,” the statement noted.

It continued: “While appreciating this kind gesture, President Jonathan resolved that he needed time to focus on domestic affairs in Nigeria, and that it would be practically difficult for him to combine the three positions of President of Nigeria, Chairman of ECOWAS and Chairman of African Union. He therefore rejected the offer.”

The Presidential spokesman further clarified that in order to make his position clear, he summoned a mini-Summit of ECOWAS at the AU Commission Headquarters on Saturday, January 28, 2012, to ensure that there was a meeting of minds on the position of AU Chairman.

According to the statement, the President even preferred the position going to another country since Nigeria had occupied the seat of AU chairman four times since its creation.

“As it turned out, the President of the Republic of Benin had indicated interest in the position, which paved the way for his unanimous adoption by the ECOWAS Heads of State as the sub-region’s candidate for the AU Chair. Thus, it becomes obvious that President Jonathan rather than being “defeated” by President Yayi Boni of Benin actually facilitated his emergence as AU Chairman,” the statement noted.

Since even in the first report, there was no record of any votes count and how many were recorded for both Jonathan and Boni Yayi, President’s Jonathan’s clarification seemed more convincing.

On Wednesday, after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Minister of Information, Labaran Maku informed State House correspondents that the President had ordered MDAs to stop harassing National Assembly members for the upward review of their allocations. This, he said, was responsible for the difficulty in the full implementation of budgets in the past.

He also directed the ministers to ensure the quick implementation of the 2012 budget as according to him, its life span would not be extended beyond December 31, 2012.

The President reportedly said that if there is any MDA or parastatal that has any urgent need to review its estimates, they must follow the normal process of going back to the Federal Ministry of Finance for approval.

It seemed Mr. President was serious about doing things differently this time but in what sounded like another needless and wasteful jamboree, the Minister revealed plans for a Centenary celebration of the country in 2014 as according to him, the Council considered the report of a committee set up for the purpose.

"Our country will be 100 years in 2014. In order to mark it, the FEC has constituted a committee to review all the activities and projects that will come up as part of the celebration. A special committee was set up to plan the orderly execution of the projects towards the celebration of our centenary in 2014," Maku said.

The Minister also noted that Jonathan emphasised the need for prudence and cut in expenditure this year, reminding them the need to cut

“

THRILLER FR OM FROM THE VILLA

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem kingatoldtrafford@gmail.com 08098639161 down on foreign trips while international conferences should only be considered on the basis of their true significance to ongoing national development efforts.

Same day, President Jonathan and state governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had met in the State House following the cancellation of the meetings of the party's Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC) scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

The agenda of meeting which started at about 5.30pm at the First Lady's Wing of the Presidential Villa, was not made public but was expected to review the implication of the Supreme Court judgement on the future programmes of the PDP including its now postponed congresses and national convention.

When the 2- hour meeting ended by 7:15 pm, the governors declined to speak with State House correspondents who requested to know the essence and outcome of the gathering.

However, the new Kogi state governor, Captain Idris Wada (rtd) said he would reconcile the different forces in the state as he intended to run an all inclusive government in the Confluence state.

Also in the meeting were Vice President Namadi Sambo, Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, acting National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, and acting National Secretary, Shehu Babayo.

Other governors at the meeting were Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Theodore Orji (Abia), Danbaba Suntai (Taraba), Isa

Since even in the first report, there was no record of any votes count and how many were recorded for both Jonathan and Boni Yayi, President’s Jonathan’s clarification seemed more convincing.

Yuguda (Bauchi), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Patrick Yakowa (Kaduna), Sullivan Chime (Enugu) and Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara).

Sokoto, Cross River, Adamawa and Bayelsa states were represented by their acting governors.

Ten years after former President Olusegun Obasanjo made a failed attempt to ensure the full participation of 18 private companies in the refining of petroleum products, President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday disclosed that the Federal Government was willing to give licences to those interested in setting up refineries in the country.

This he said, was part of the overall effort to raise the nation’s petroleum refining capacity and reduce the importation of refined products in line with current deregulation policy.

Speaking to a delegation of investors from Brazil, led by Mr. Reuben Voigt, Chairman of the Voigt Group, at the State House yesterday, President Jonathan said, “Nigeria has four refineries, but their combined capacity does not meet the country’s needs, so we are willing to approve applications for refining licences.”

The President said that Nigeria was still a green area in terms of investments, adding that government had opened up sectors of the economy, which were previously restricted, to private sector investment.

He directed the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to hold discussions with the Voigt Group, to explore areas of mutual cooperation.

Earlier, Mr. Voigt had said they were donating 120,000 housing units to Nigeria over three years, adding that the Voigt Group was interested in investing in construction, housing, power plants, petroleum refining and oil spillage clearing.

While the new steps by the Federal Government sound good for the downstream sector, it is hoped that the same issues that truncated previous attempts would not come back to haunt the country.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

PAGE 43

Divine turnaround: No more toiling

A

dictionary defines turnaround as a situation in which something changes from bad to good. Divine turnaround can therefore be defined as a situation in which something changes from bad to good by the power of God, by the Word of God, by the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

In Luke 5:1-11, Peter experienced divine turnaround acting on the Word of Jesus. He experienced a turnaround from bad to good. Partnership with Jesus by giving him his boat to use to preach to people was the beginning of his turnaround.

What seed will you sow to experience your turnaround this year? Your time, your material possession, your money etc.?

He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly; he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (2 Cor 9:6-8) Gal 6:9 also says, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (NKJV) Eccl 11:4-6 is another Scripture that supports giving emphasizing that you should be busy giving not waiting for a perfect time.

In Jesus' encounter with Peter in Luke 5 that I cited earlier, Peter said in verse 5: "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing…"

(NKJV) Despite their toil throughout the night, they caught nothing. Toil means hard work.

The Greek word translated toiled in that verse is "Kopiao" which means to feel fatigue, by implication to work hard, labor, toil, be wearied. That tells us that it takes more than hard work to prosper in life. Peter toiled but had nothing to show for his toil.

Peter was an experienced fisherman but it takes more than experience to make it in life.

Peter's experience didn't help him at this period of his life.

There are some situations of life that defy experience and hard work. You need the power of God, you need a Word from the

Lord, and you need the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

God does not want you to toil in life. He wants you to enjoy as you work in life. He doesn't want you to succeed at the expense of your life, your health, your family. That's what toiling does to one if any progress is ever made or result gotten.

In Mark 6:42-52, Jesus' disciples were toiling in the boat on the sea against the wind. How much progress could anyone make in such a situation? But when Jesus entered their boat, there was a divine turnaround.

You too need to allow Jesus into the boat of your life, your business, your family etc. and your divine turnaround will manifest. Please take note of verse 48 of Mark 6. The KJV says, "And he [Jesus] saw them toiling in rowing." I command every toiling in your life to cease in Jesus' name.

Toiling without anything to show for it shall no longer be your portion in Jesus' name.

That verse also says that they were toiling "For the wind was contrary unto them." This year, the wind in Nigeria, your business, , your career and where you live will not be contrary to you; it will not be adverse to you in Jesus' name. Every wind blowing your way this year will blow you good things. It will blow you advancement, promotion, breakthrough, good heath, success in Jesus' name.

The Revised Standard Version does not use the word toiling but it uses another dangerous word. It says, "and he saw that they were distressed." To be distressed according to the Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary is: (1) To be upset and anxious (2) Suffering pain, in a poor physical condition (3) Of a piece of clothing or furniture made to look older and more worn than it really is. If this perfectly describes your condition, the Lord is putting an end to this experience in Jesus' name. Look at that third meaning of distress:

"of clothing or furniture made to look older and more worn than it really is." Though this meaning is used with respect to clothing or furniture, it is also true of many human beings. They are looking older and more worn than they really are. That is the work of distress.

In 2012, there shall be no distress in your life. If you have suffered any form of distress before now, I terminate it in the name of Jesus. The wind of government policies, Nigerian economy, events in Nigeria will not be against you. The policies of government will favor you; the wind of the economy of Nigeria will favor your business, your career and your destiny. I prophesy divine turnaround into your life, family, business, career in Jesus name.

Toil and the curse Toiling is a result of the curse God placed upon the ground in the Garden of Eden. Gen 5:2829 says, "Lamech lived one hundred and eighty-two years, and had a son. And he called his name Noah, saying, 'This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD has cursed.'" (NKJV) Did you see that? The Hebrew word translated toil here is "itstsabown" which means pain, labor, hardship, sorrow, toil.

Before the fall, Adam was not

GREEN PASTURES

By Pastor T.O. Banso cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 toiling; he was put in the garden to tend and keep it. (Gen 2:15) If you're born again, you are no longer under the curse so you should not be toiling. God worked and Jesus worked.

(John 5:17) They didn't toil.

You should work and not toil.

Jesus has redeemed you from the curse of the law and therefore from toil. (Gal 3:3) Matt 6:2830 says the lilies of the field "neither toil nor spin" yet even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Luke 12:27-28 says a similar thing. The word toil there is as it is used in Luke 5:5 concerning Peter when he toiled all night and caught nothing. Every toiling up till now in your life ends today in Jesus name. This year, the Lord will turn around your life.

Gen 41:51 says, "Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: 'For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house.'" (NKJV) That Hebrew word translated toil is "amal" meaning trouble, mischief, toil, labor. When you remember the life story of Joseph prior to his

“

Partnership with Jesus by giving him his boat to use to preach to people was the beginning of his turnaround. What seed will you sow to experience your turnaround this year? Your time, your material possession, your money etc.

standing before Pharaoh at 30 years of age, you'll appreciate his toil. He gave birth to his first born, Manasseh, after he had become Prime Minister. He was no more toiling; he had experienced divine turnaround.

Friend, God will make you forget all your toil this year. You must stop toiling this year.

Decide to operate under the blessing and no longer under the curse. Submit yourself to the authority of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. Bring your business, career, work into financial partnership with God and you will experience a turnaround like Peter did.

TAKE ACTION! The beginning of your turnaround is to give your life to Jesus. If you are not born again, kindly say this prayer now: "0 Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to him today. I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God" I believe you have said this prayer from your heart.

Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in your area where you will be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus.

I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things becoming all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. May the Lord be with you.

Be loosed from your infirmity TEXT: LUKE 13:11-22 e y verse: " And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity" (Luke 13:11,12).

Many Christians live substandard and unfulfilled lives simply because they believe that righteousness of life must necessarily be accompanied by suffering and pain. When afflicted therefore, such people see no need

K

to pray fervently, but learn to cope with their situation. They even seek to justify their condition, by saying that perhaps, it is the will of God or it is their destiny to go through such an experience.

But our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ had a different idea. He came to give life in abundance.

When therefore He encountered this infirmed woman, He loosed her from an eighteen-year infirmity. Not even the hypocritical upbraiding of the ruler of the synagogue, who took offence that the woman was healed on the Sabbath day, could dampen Christ's compassion for her. If men

Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

could feed their animals on the Sabbath day, why wouldn't this long-suffering woman be healed on the same day, He queried.

Much to the joy of the crowd, Christ illustrated the benefits inherent in the kingdom of God with the grain of mustard seed which soon grows into a great tree, with branches spread far and wide, and providing succor for needy birds. Similarly, He spoke about leaven, which when used for baking bread, permeates a bowl of flour and turns it into a big meal.

Such is the influence of the grace of God in the lives of men.

Jesus cares for you. He is as

much interested in your physical and material well-being as He is in the righteousness of your soul.

He saves from sin, but He also heals from sicknesses and diseases and delivers from all infirmities.

Whatever affliction you may be suffering today, whatever infirmity, sickness or disease you may have been coping with all these years, Jesus is here to take it away. Trust Him and pray fervently, you will be free today.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY : "Come unto me… and I will give you rest."

Source: Deeper Life Bible Ministry website

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

Kenyans are no threat says Flamingoes Coach T

he Chief Coach of the Flamingoes, Nigeria’s Under-17 female World Cup team, Peter Dedevbo has ruled out upset from the Kenyans in today encounter.

The Flamingoes will tackle the East Africans in Africa qualifier for the world female tournament at the MKO stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun state. Coach Dedevbo’s side will tackle their East African opponents in an African qualifier for the 2012 Fifa Under17 Women’s World Cup. Dedevbo said that the Kenyans are merely coming to Nigeria to fulfill the mandatory home and away requirement.

“I must tell you emphatically that the Kenyans are coming here for mere formality to complete the home and away requirement and not to win nor pose any threat to us.

“We defeated them 2-0 at their

backyard two weeks back, and we will still hand them a more comprehensive defeat at Abeokuta. “We’ve trained and prepared adequately. We’re not living any stone unturned. “It will be sweet victory for us on Saturday,” he said.

Dedevbo who avoided comments on the allegation by the Kenyans that his players are overaged, rather said he has no injury worry among the players.

“The players are ready and fit, I don’t have injury worry among the players, expect a more fitter and improved Flamingoes on today match,” he said.

The Flamingoes are most likely to go through to meet Zambia in the final round of the qualifiers, Zambia defeated host, Botswana 5-1 and are sure to wrap up the game in Lusaka in the second leg, and three countries will represent Africa at the world event in Azerbaijan between September and October this year.

We’ll take our rightful place in NPL- Insurance Chairman

T

he Acting Chairman of the Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin, Mr. Hebert Obasudi Ude, has said that the state government is working to ensure that the club takes its rightful place in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) The Chairman, who disclosed this in Abuja, noted that the Edo state government has expressed its determination to revamp the state football by taking a drastic action in putting some logistics in place for the betterment of the state football and Nigeria at large.

Ude, who could not hide his emotional feelings over the rapid response of sports development in the state, said the state has put machinery in place to ensure that players and coaches are well taken care of with regards to signoff fees, camping allowances and winning bonuses, to ensure that the aims and objectives of the club is realised.

“I am very optimistic because all logistics that ought to be in place are in order, and are waiting for the kick off of the Nigeria National League (NNL).

The government is also doing its best to ensure that the club,

which currently occupies a place in the lower division, moves to the Premier league come next season. we are giving it our full support to ensure that the club gets to where we are going.” He said.

He further disclosed that the state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has paid all the money owed to the players, after observing the players commitment and dedication during the screening exercise before the kick-off of the soccer season come February 4th.

“As you all know, my Governor is committed to sports development, doing all he could to bring back the memories of Bendel Insurance we use to know in the past, because he is a sport--s loving governor,” he noted.

While further disclosing that the club has been in camp for the past two months for intensive screening exercise, Ude emphasised that the pioneer club is battle ready to face any opposition for the season following, the arrangement the club enjoys from the present administration.

Minister inaugurates 13-man C’ttee

T

Minister of Sports, Alhaji Bolaji Abdulahi

Football crisis: FA Chairman sues for peace

T

he Chairman of the FCT Football Association, Alhaji Musa Sa’eed Talle, has said that the present stalemate rocking the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) is killing football growth the growth in the country.

Talle, who stated this in Abuja in an interview with People’s Daily Sports, noted that there is urgent need for the warring parties to sheathe their swords and embrace peace for football to develop in the country.

NFF President, Aminu Maigari

VIEW FROM EGYPT:

Who is to blame for tragedy?

Page 46

He pointed out that a divided house like that of the NFF will not augur well with the development of football in Nigeria, calling for immediate and amicable resolution of the matter.

According to him, “If two elephants fight, it is the grasses that bear the brunt. It is the players in the local league that will suffer. No scouts will come for them. I will only implore the warring factions to bury their hatchet for the good of the game.”

Speaking further, the FCT born sports administrator called on the football stakeholders in the country to rally round the two bodies, with a view of adhering to the due process in fighting the battle, for the betterment of well meaning Nigerians who have the leather game at heart.

“I called on stakeholders without delay because the peoples involved are not fighting for the growth of the game rather selfish interest. Other sports federations were association before now, nobody cared about it, why is football different, at a time we are happy that the era of crisis is over, and that focus should be more on football development from the grassroots and various qualifier, we are facing court cases, how can we growth,” he summarized

he Minister /Chairman of the National Sports Commission, (NSC) Alhaji Bolaji Abdulahi has inaugurated thirteen man advisory and coordinating committee for London 2012 Olympics games for the Nigeria contingents to the global event.

While inaugurating the committee yesterday in Abuja, minister charged the committee members to work assiduously to ensure the team Nigeria gets formidable arrangement before and after the tournament.

Abdulahi noted that the committee will saddled the responsibility of Identification and selection of pre-games training camp in South Korea, Germany and Surrey, adequately coordination and preparation of Nigeria’s Contingent for a successful participation at the 2012 London Olympic Games which include but not limited and work in collaboration with relevant officers of NSC, National Sports Federations and the Nigeria Olympic Committee.

“I want to urge you to exert positive energy, intellect and experience to ensure that Nigeria surpasses its previous performance in the Olympic Games because London is like Lagos where you found Nigerians every nook and cranny,” he urged.

Speaking earlier the Chairman if the committee, Alhassan Yakmu commended the minister for the confidence repose on the committee and promised to work tireless to ensure team Nigerian have memorable outing.

The committee members are Alhassan Yakmut, Chairman Mr Koye Shogbola, Member Mr Elias Gora, Member Alhaji Abba Yola, Member Mr Tunde Popoola, Member Mr Kayode Thomas, Member Hon. Adamu Kuri Gwari, Member Hon. Mao Ohuabunwa, Member Mr Suleiman Jamo, Member Ms Oshuwa Ibhaensebhor, Member Bahijja Mahmoud, Member Princess Ngozi Njemanze, Member Dr. Emmanuel Igbinosa, Secretary

The highs and lows of 2012 AFCON Page 47

PAGE 45

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

By Albert Akota

T

he Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Nasarawa United will toe a new path by seeking promotion to the top flight after a new board was composed.

The club was close to being disbanded until a new board was constituted recently by the Nasarawa State government.

The new chairman of the club, Isaac Danladi said after being appointed by the Nasarawa State government that his plan is to ensure that the club moves into a professional direction.

“The Governor of Nasarawa state (Umaru Tanko Almakura) is a man who loves football and is ready to help position Nasarawa United to one of the top clubs and to be run as a professional club.

We also want to return the club to the Premier League but

Nasarawa Utd set for new heights first we have to toe the line of professionalism in terms of the welfare of players and officials,” said Danladi.

Danladi will head a six-man management board at after the former board was dissolved by the state government.

The new chairman of the club has served as Vice Chairman of Nasarawa state FA, Secretary of Nasarawa United and vice chairman of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) Appeals Committee.

Nasarawa United was relegated from the Premier League in 2008/2009 season when they finished second from bottom with 39 points.

Gabon gives away free Afcon tickets

F

ree tickets are being offered in an attempt to fill up Gabon’s stadiums at the African Nations Cup (AFCON) but even that measure is failing to bring in spectators.

Organizers, concerned at a negative image caused by empty stands at matches not involving the home team, have been handing out tickets to encourage better attendance but with little success.

They will try again tomorrow when Ghana and Tunisia meet in Franceville in the last of the quarterfinals.

“We are giving away free tickets to students and workers and also free transport,” said the home organising committee’s spokesman LouisClaude Mouzieoud.

The other match in Libreville between the home team and Mali is

over-subscribed. Gabon hosts two quarter-finals on Sunday, with Saturday’s two games in Equatorial Guinea which is co-hosting the tournament.

Attendance has long been a Nations Cup problem. Few travelling fans attend, mostly government sponsored, but never enough to replicate the carnival-like atmosphere that hordes of Danish, Dutch or Irish fans have brought to past European Championships and World Cups.

Travel costs in Africa are exorbitant and accommodation and other facilities minimal.

The fans who do attend show little enthusiasm for matches involving anyone but their home team. Gabon and Equatorial Guinea have played to packed stadiums but other games have attracted few spectators.

Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura

Liberia invites 22 players for Eagles friendly

A

cting Head Coach of Liberia’s national football team, Thomas Kojo, has called up 22 players, mainly homebased for the international friendly match against Nigeria’s Super Eagles slated for 15 February in Monrovia, Liberia. The former Liberian international, who took up the job after Head Coach Roberto Landi parted ways with the Liberian FA, released the list on Thursday, 2 February, 2012.

Three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and three strikers were called up by Coach Kojo.

Liberia started camping for the tie on 30 January in Congo Town, Monrovia.

Stephen Keshi and his home

based Eagles will start training for the game on Monday. The full squad: Goalkeepers: Saylee Swen (LPRC), James Gaylee (Watanga), Nathaniel Sherman (UMC Root).

Defenders: Trokon Zeon (LISCR), Myers Garlo (BYC), Tear Dennis (BYC), Sollomon Wesseh (LPRC), Alpha James (BYC), Emmanuel Wennah (Jubilee), George Gebro, Alvin Dickson (LISCR).

Midfielders: Martin Karndu (Barrollee), Marcus Macauley (LISCR), Gideon Williams (LISCR), Isaac Pupo, Ansu Toure, James Soto Roberts (LPRC), Leon Power Quamie (BYC), Joshua Morris (LISCR).

Strikers: Alex Whittmore (LPRC), Vitalis Sie (LISCR) and Ballah Somah (Watanga).

Dolphins to hang boots on Monday

T

he Players of Nigerian Premier League (NPL) champions, Dolphins are threatening to go on strike begining from Monday.

The players have vowed that they will stay away from daily training sessions of the club from Monday.

Dolphins’ players are demanding payment of more than 20 outstanding match bonuses from last season till date.

It was further learned that the players have made up their minds that their matchday seven clash against leaders, Gombe United in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) will be the last time they will pull on the colours of the club until the outstanding bonuses are paid.

One of Dolphins’ influential players revealed all of these to newsmen under the condition of anonymity.

The player also accused the Rivers state sports ministry for showing no interest in their welfare in recent times.

“These people do not realize we are the league champions, they have not paid us close to 30 match bonuses, that is, if you add the three from this season and it is just not right.

“When we said last week that we

are considering a strike we thought someone would have at least come to camp to make assurances and see that we get paid but we have been ignored and we are not happy,” the player said.

The players have unanimously agreed to train together for one last time before this weekend’s league clash against Gombe United.

“You need to come and see the camp of the team. We struggle for space with mosquitoes and massive rats. The generator is bad so we sleep in the heat every other night yet we have not been paid.

“We have agreed to train with all our might and play the game against Gombe United on Sunday but after that, I do not see any player coming out to train,” the player said.

Last season in the course of winning the league, players of Dolphins went on strike on three occasions protesting the nonpayment of salaries, signing-on fees and match bonuses.

However, while salaries and contract fees are paid up to date, the player said payment of winning bonuses has been ignored lately by the club.

Dolphins are currently sixth in the NPL standings with nine points.

Nigeria women’s league Saturday Nasarawa Amazons Vs Sunshine Queens Kogi Confluence Vs Pelican Stars Ibom Angels Vs Cerezo Queens FCT Queens Vs Inneh Queens Adamawa Queens Vs Oguche Babes Nigeria Premier League ABS FC vs 3SC Lobi Stars FC vs Heartland FC Niger Tornadoes FC vs Wikki Tourists FC Kano Pillars FC vs KwaraUtd FC Sharks FC vs Akwa Utd FC Rising Stars FC vs Rangers Int’l FC Sunday Ocean Boys FC vs Warri Wolves FC Dolphins FC vs GombeUtd FC

Boko Haram fright stalls HFN tourney

T

he Handball Federation of Nigeria, (HFN) has postponed the National U-18 Handball Championship, for both male and female, scheduled to hold in Sokoto from 23 February to 4 March, 2012 indefinitely.

General Secretary of the Federation, Olusola Luke, said in a statement that the postponement was

due to the security situation in the northern part of the country caused

by Boko Haram and to allow the rescheduled gubernatorial election in Sokoto State to be held. He said: “We regret any inconveniences the shift in date might cause.” He said that as soon as the atmosphere is conducive, various states’ sports councils will be informed of a new date.

WEEKEND FIXTURES AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS Saturday Zambia vs. Sudan Ivory Coast vs.

Equatorial Guinea Sunday Gabon vs. Mali Ghana vs. Tunisia BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE Arsenal vs. Blackburn Norwich vs. Bolton QPR vs. Wolverhampton Stoke vs. Sunderland West Brom vs. Swansea Wigan vs. Everton Man city vs. Fulham Sunday New castle vs. Aston villa Chelsea vs. Man U French league 1 AC Ajaccio vs. Nice Dijon vs. Valenciennes Montpellier vs. Brest AS Nancy vs. Rennes PSG vs. Evian TG St Etienne vs. Lorient Bordeaux vs. Toulouse Sunday Caen vs. Auxerre Sochaux vs. Lille Marseille vs. Lyon German Bundesliga Bayer Leverkusen vs.

VfB Stuttgart Hertha Berlin vs. Hannover 96 Schalke 04 vs. Mainz TSG Hoffenheim vs. Augsburg Wolfsburg vs. Borussia M'gladbach Hamburg vs. Bayern Munich Sunday SC Freiburg vs. Werder Bremen FC Kaiserslautern vs. Cologne Lecce vs. Bolgna Novara vs. Cagliari ITALY SERIE A Cesena vs. Catania Roma vs. Inter Milan Sunday AC Milan vs. Napoli Chievo vs. Parma Juventus vs. Siena Fiorentina vs. Udinese Genoa vs. Lazio Palermo vs. Atalanta Spanish Primera Liga Mallorca vs. Real Betis Athletic Bilbao vs. Espanyol Levanter vs. Racing Santander Getafe vs. Real Madrid Barcelona vs. real Sociedad Sunday Sporting Gijon vs. Osasuna Sevilla vs. Villarreal Real Varagoza vs. Rayo Vallecano Atletico Madrid vs. Valencia FRENCH LEAGUE 1 AC Ajaccio vs. Nice Dijon vs. Valenciennes Montpellier vs. Brest AS Nancy vs. Rennes PSG vs. Evian TG St Etienne vs. Lorient Bordeaux vs. Toulouse German Bundesliga Bayer Leverkusen vs.

VfB Stuttgart Hertha Berlin vs. Hannover 96 Schalke 04 vs. Mainz TSG Hoffenheim vs. Augsburg Wolfsburg vs. Borussia M'gladbach Hamburg vs. Bayern Munich ITALY SERIE A Cesena vs. Catania Roma vs. Inter Milan Spanish Primera Liga Mallorca vs. Real Betis Athletic Bilbao vs. Espanyol Levanter vs. Racing Santander Getafe vs. Real Madrid Barcelona vs. real Sociedad

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

ANALYSIS

2012 Nation’s Cup: The Eagles as spectators!

ByYakubuIbnMohammed,NTAAbuja

N

igeria’s exit from this years African nation’s cup finals which kicked off last Saturday, while terrible and excruciating, was welldeserved going by the non performance of those who spotted and by choice betrayed the green and white - laced jerseys in that crucial match against the Guineans in Abuja on October 8th last year. On that day, the players and their coaches betrayed our worship and idolization without any compunctions. On that day, the players discountenanced the fact that a chance to wear the national colours is a rare priviledge, which along with the idolization of millions of fans, requires humility and some football brilliance in return.

On that day, we paraded our best in terms of talent and it seemed as if they came to Abuja determined not to enthrall but to enrage and succeed they did.

Thus, for the first time in some

twenty-five years, Nigeria is not playing in the current Nations cup tournament even as one of the second placed teams- thanks to Sudan and Libya. Yes, Sudan and Libya with all their internal strifes and embattlement!

Perhaps some of the players consider the tournament an inconvenience that might jeopardize their first team places in their various clubs. How else can one explain their inability (refusal?) to finish off the Guineans in the first half during which they had at least three clear goal-scoring opportunities? I do not for a moment subscribe to the view that the elements had anything to do with the lackadaisical mien of the team.

Make no mistakes about it, we paraded the best Nigeria could offer in terms of talent but sadly the hunger, the zeal and the will were simply not there. Without these the coach’s influence is compromised and undercut. Alf Ramsey, the coach of the English World Cup wining team of 1966

said to his players just before the commencement of extra time against the Germans “You have beaten them once. Now go out and beat them again”. They did. reason?

They were hungry, patriotic and determined - attributes alien to our players in that crucial match. Those who listened to Alf Ramsey in 1966 were willing to be inspired and they were. Their names are now in gold in the annals of English football and will forever be.

Immediately after the ouster of the Eagles, the blame game started. To some, the culprit was the Executive Board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NDFF) which they described as clueless, and quixotic.

To others, the players were the sole architects of their failure to soar to the Nations Cup finals and as proof they cited their insouciant display against the Guineans in Abuja.

Another school of thought theorized that the NFF technical

committee and coach Samson Siaisia, permanently engaged in one ructious debate or the other, were jointly responsible. At the end of the day Siaisia ineluctably got the blame and the sack.

From thence on the search for a new coach began in earnest with all manner of jokers joining the fray, while the NFF through its technical committee savoured the public glare that usually comes with their endless search for a winning coach. The paroxysm of the Eagle’s ouster was quickly forgotten and it was business as usual.

The search for a new coach ended when Stephen Keshi - one of the Westerhof era Eagles who behave as if we owe them our lives - was appointed. I certainly did not celebrate the event because my belief has always been that no Nigerian coach has the technical pedigree and capacity to save our football team from its unplumbed abyss.

This notwithstanding, Keshi must be hailed for his propitious

work with the so-called homebased Eagles.

However, for the sake of Nigerian football the NFF must put a stop to the depredation that is Keshl’s and Amokachi’s romance with Supersport.

These two cannot eat their cake and have it. With or without the Nigeria/Rwanda clash billed for next month the duo’s contract with Supersport remains a needless and deleterious distraction from their national assignment which is to rescue our football - an assignment that is daunting but achievable by dint of hard work and deliberate planning rather than serendipity.

Forget the assertion of Thomas Mlambo (the Supersports anchor) that “punditting” is of immense benefits to Keshi’s job as the Super Eagles coach. A combination of the two roles is nothing short of a combustible agglomeration.

View from Egypt: Who is to blame for tragedy?

From Mohab Magdy, Egypt

F

irst of all, a confession. I had never been interested in politics before, but it seems that politics is involved in everything in Egypt these days especially in sport.

On Wednesday, the whole world witnessed one of, if not the ugliest and saddest incident, in the history of sport.

Seventy-four people died and more than 1000 were injured as a result of a riot after a football match between Al Masry of Port Said and Al Ahly of Cairo.

To some it might have looked like a tragic ‘accident’ similar to what happened in Europe before at Heysel, Hillsborough, Bastia, etc, but when we learnt that the majority of the deaths and injuries were caused by stabbings, head injuries from blunt objects and gunshots, it became clear that there are some serious questions that need answering.

‘Ultra’ fan groups started in Egypt in 2007, and although I am totally against their aggressive and fanatical style of supporting their teams, right from the start they have suffered a lot at the hands of the police. When there were calls for people to go out and create a social revolution, they were among the first to participate.

After the toppling of former president Hosni Mubarak, they continued their protestations against the police and lately they have been putting pressure on SCAF (Senior Counsel of Armed Forces) to hand the power to a civilian authority.

It is also worth mentioning

that ‘Ultras’ played a major role in defending the protestors during the ‘Battle of the Camel’ at Tahrir Square last year, when 11 Egyptian protestors died and hundreds were injured by Mubarak’s supporters who were riding horses and camels.

Do the actions in Port Said sound like a message on the battle’s one-year anniversary?

Though some may say that the historical unrest between Al Ahly fans and the local fans of Port Said is the main cause of what happened on Wednesday, I have to say that after the revolution, the level of intolerance between various Ultras groups decreased significantly - after all, they participated and were all united under the same goal which ended the era of the old regime.

Even if this week’s incident was influenced by fanatical causes, does it sound logical that fans of a winning team would go

mad and kill 74 people? They would surely know the result of such actions.

Added to that, this wasn’t the first incident of a pitch invasion by fans in Egypt after the revolution; this happened five or six times before, although on those occasions no one was killed.

As we move on to the police force and their role in keeping order at football matches, more questions get raised that I cannot answer myself.

If we can accept that the police could not prevent fans from invading the pitch during or after the match, is it acceptable that they allowed some home fans to enter the stadium with knives and guns and as such, was this violence planned?

According to witnesses in the Port Said stadium, doors that lead from the home stands to the pitch were opened, so the fans didn’t have to climb or make any effort

Riot police guard Al Ahli soccer players as they flee Port Said Stadium, where at least 1,000 were injured

to invade the pitch and cause chaos. On the other hand, doors at the end of the tunnel that lead the away fans out of the stadium were locked. This caused the away fans to become trapped inside the tunnel and their stand and so, they couldn’t escape getting injured or

killed. Was this a police trap?

These are just assumptions and questions that I don’t have all the answers to, so if anyone can answer those questions or has an opinion, please don’t hesitate to contact me or comment below.

TIMELINE:

Soccer stadium disasters

Here is a look at some of the major disasters in soccer stadiums since 1960: May 1964 - PERU - In one of the worst ever soccer disasters, more than 300 fans died and 500 were injured in a riot during an Olympic qualifying match in Lima.

Jan. 1971 - BRITAIN - Sixtysix people died in a crush at Ibrox stadium in Glasgow as they were leaving a match between Rangers and Celtic.

Oct. 1982 - RUSSIA - Fans were crushed as they left a UEFA Cup tie between Moscow Spartak and Dutch side HFC Haarlem at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow. Officials from the former Soviet Union did not disclose the tragedy for years.

When they did, the authorities gave an official death toll of 66 although the number who died could have been as high as 340.

May 1985 - BRITAIN - At least 56 people were killed and more than 200 injured when fire broke out in the stands at Bradford.

May 1985 - BELGIUM Thirty-nine fans, mostly Italians, died in rioting before the European Cup Final between Italy’s Juventus and English club Liverpool at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels.

March 1988 - NEPAL - A

stampede towards locked exits in a hailstorm at the stadium in Kathmandu killed more than 90 fans.

April 1989 - BRITAIN Ninety-six people were killed and at least 200 injured in Britain’s worst sports disaster after a crowd surge crushed packed fans against barriers at the English F.A. Cup semifinal match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at the Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield.

Oct. 1996 - GUATEMALA Up to 82 people died when an avalanche of fans tumbled down seats and stairs at a World Cup qualifying match between Guatemala and Costa Rica in Guatemala City.

April 2001 - SOUTH AFRICA - At least 43 people were crushed to death when fans tried to force their way into Johannesburg’s huge Ellis Park stadium during a top South African league match.

May 2001 - GHANA - Around 126 people were killed in a stampede at Accra’s main soccer stadium when police fired teargas at rioting fans.

Feb. 2012 - EGYPT - Fans rioted at the end of a match in Port Said when the local team al-Masry beat Al Ahli, one of Egypt’s most successful clubs.

At least 74 people were killed and more than 1,000 people injured.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 4— SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

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The highs and lows of 2012 AFCON HIGHS The Lightening and The Panthers strike he form of the two co-hosts, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, and the partisan support they have commanded on the way to the last eight of the competition will most certainly be one of the highlights of this competition thus far.

They can be proud of their accomplishments even before semi-final places are decided this weekend.

Upsets great for the neutrals The 2012 Nations Cup was always going to be a wide open contest after the likes of Cameroon, Egypt and Nigeria failed to qualify and so has it proved after the group phase.

Sudan, whose claims to fame were being one of the co-founders of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and emerging champions in 1970, advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since then, ahead of Angola and Burkina Faso.

Chipolopolo of Zambia have deservedly matched their quarterfinal finish of the 2010 edition, but they did so this time in fine style after beating pretournament favourites Senegal with their arsenal of strikers as well as co-hosts Equatorial Guinea.

Debutants Botswana also got Ghana to work their socks off before the Black Stars ran away 1-0 winners.

New stars are born The performances of PierreEmerick Aubameyang, who is leading scorer with three goals, Eric Mouloungui (Gabon), the Guinea trio of Ibrahima Traore, Abdoul Razzagui Camara and Sadio Diallo, Samba Diakite (Mali) and Rainford Kalaba (Zambia) have been a breath of fresh air to the African game.

Tight security Around the match venues and even in the host cities, security was tight.

Both Gabon and Equatorial Guinea have always been known to be very concerned about their internal security and they lived up to that billing when they welcomed several thousands of visitors from around the world.

Matches were also played at stadiums without parameter fences, something of a record in African football.

So far, the ugly incident in Cabinda, which involved Togo, that endangered the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola is a very distant memory.

LOWS Cameroon the biggest absentees The Indomitable Lions were the biggest absentees at this tournament as they are very much part of the CEMAC sub-region that also takes in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Cameroon’s top star Samuel Eto’o though has made up somewhat for his country’s conspicuous absence by being an icon for an AIDS campaign that also has Gabon skipper Didier Ovono.

Grumblings over expensive, sub-standard

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Africa's new star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hotels Several of the finalists complained about the expensive but sub-standard hotels they were booked into for this tournament.

Zambia, for one, took action by moving out of their official accommodation to get a more befitting one.

Travelling fans and journalists

also had to pay through their noses for sub-standard rooms and services.

Where are the spectators, please?

Bashir - The Sudanese goal jinx breaker

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udan had not scored a goal at the Africa Cup of Nations for 36-years, and it took the relatively unknown Mohamed Ahmed Bashir to break that seemingly ‘curse.’

The last time the 1970 African champions hit the back of the net at the flagship African football tournament was on March 6, 1976, in a 1-1 draw with DR Congo (then Zaire).

Legend Ali Gagarine scored for the Desert Hawks whilst Mulumba N’daye netted for the Congolese.

After drawing blank at the 2008 edition in Ghana, which was their first ever appearance in 32-years; Bashir rewrote the history books with a brace in their 2-2 draw against Angola in Malabo at the group phase.

“It is an unbelievable feeling to break a record that existed for so long a time. I’m very proud of that achievement and this is just the beginning of good things to come,” the shylooking forward told Cafonline.com at his team’s hotel in Bata.

The two goals will later play an integral role as the Desert Hawks sealed historic place at the quarter finals thanks to a 21 win over Burkina Faso on goal difference, after Angola slipped to a 0-2 loss to Cote d’Ivoire in the other Group B clash. For Bashir, the flavour of qualification was already circulating in their camp after snatching a vital point of Angola.

“We were motivated by the fact we could do more after breaking the goal jinx. We were determined to achieve it and it’s

Mohamed Ahmed Bashir a dream come true for the team and all Sudanese. Now, we want to go as far as we can.”

Nine years ago, Bashir was on the streets of Khartoum with his peers struggling to make ends meet. He was lucky to have been discovered by officials of local side Al Mourada whilst playing on the streets, and he will spend five booming seasons with the third force of Sudanese football. In 2010, he was signed on by Omdurman giants, Al Hilal, and he would soon be capped at international level.

The next moment he is playing at the Africa Cup of Nations, sharing the same platform with the finest African footballers and he attributes the soaring level in his career to hard work and determination.

“The chance to play for the national team was a dream come true. To play at the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations was an unbelievable feeling, and to score my country’s first goal at the finals in 36-years is simply too much for me. I strongly believe these will spur me on to greater height in my career.”

For the 28-year old, his participation in the recent

CECAFA Cup in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) last year was the perfect tonic that has fuelled his impressive outing at the tournament.

“I’m very grateful to CECAFA for the opportunity to play at the championships last year in Tanzania. It was a perfect preparation for me and my team and the results are there for all to see.”

Not only is Sudan the only team from the CECAFA region at the 28th edition of the showpiece African football event, the Desert Hawks are also the only team fielding an entire squad of locally-based players. Bashir says there are positive s and minuses regarding that, and he is hoping to land his breakthrough of playing abroad after the tournament.

“One of my dreams has always been to play in Europe or abroad and every member of the team shares the same vision.

We hope the tournament will open that door for us.”

On the competition, the striker is the least surprised about the exit of big guns such as Senegal and Morocco insisting “the standard has been very high. The Africa Cup of Nations is big competition and one of the most sought after in world football.

“I’m not surprised at the results so far. The message is that Africa football has grown.

If you play very well, you can win any game.”

Sudan will face Zambia in the quarter final clash on Saturday in Bata.

When they co-hosts, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, are not action, the match venues have been deserted and so have lacked the atmosphere associated with this tournament.

One would have expected a full house at the 25,000-capacity Franceville Stadium when co-hosts Gabon faced Tunisia in a final group game, but it was not to be so with The Panthers star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang openly expressing his disappointment for a poor turnout.

Going home too early Experienced Tunisia midfielder Adel Chedli walked out on his country after he did not get a lookin despite promises to the contrary by coach Sami Trabelsi, while South Africa-based forward Clifford Mulenga was sent home for breaching a camp curfew after a late night out.

Mulenga would later say he was the sacrificial lamb as he was out on the town in the company of his other teammates like Felix Katongo, Collins Mbesuma and Jonas Sakuwaha.

English Premier League stars like Demba Ba (Senegal) and Marouane Chamakh (Morocco) also failed to shine at the showpiece event of African football and went home with their desperately disappointing teams as well.

Two Tunisian photojournalists are also home after their accreditations were withdrawn by CAF for encroaching on the pitch after a Tunisia game in Libreville.

They are suspended from CAForganised games for the next three years.

Water polo in Bata It was certainly not a good advertisement for African football when Zambia and Libya literally slugged it out on a water-logged pitch in Bata after a heavy tropical rainfall.

What would have been an exciting clash of different styles turned out to be a joke that it was baffling why the organisers allowed the game to be played on such a disgraceful surface.

Franceville a logistics nightmare All the four teams in Group D – Ghana, Mali, Guinea and Botswana - were based far apart and at great distances from the hilly city of Franceville.

It was therefore a journalist’s nightmare trying to cover the teams who were at least 50 kilometres from downtown Franceville, Gabon’s second biggest city and lying southeast of this Central African country.

Fatal celebration A Gabon fan died while the whole country erupted in a victory party following the dramatic Group C win over Morocco in Libreville.

The Panthers coach Gernot Rohr will later dedicate the team’s 1-0 victory over Tunisia to this fan.

Let’s hope for more highs than lows as the battle for the last four resumes today Saturday...

BIG PUNCH Even worse, and far more dangerous, is the fact that some soldiers deployed to restore law and order, have quite often succumbed to base and primordial sentiments. They behave as if they are dealing with a mortal, foreign enemy, not with their compatriots.

SATURDAY 4 — SUNDAY 5, FEBRUARY, 2012

Soldiers everywhere: Towards Praetorianism?

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ictionaries define praetorianism as the control of a society by force or fraud, especially by a powerful minority.

In a democracy soldiers are almost entirely invisible, their constitutional role being basically to defend the nation against foreign aggression. There are other equally vital agencies to safeguard internal security and internal order of the state. The National Army is the ultimate guarantor of the integrity of the state, and for that reason the nation, if it must remain secure and united, must preserve the integrity of its army. When the army is abused, even in its lawful constitutional role, such as engaging it in endless wars or in unjust aggression does invite unpleasant consequences.

Andrew Bacevich, professor of history and international relations, has observed, in The Washington Post [25/6/10], in respect of United States of America, that its perpetual war of aggression has led to a situation of tension between the military and their civilian masters that 'should set off alarm bells' in the body politics.

In a situation, as always, where the burden of war, in terms of who fights, who is injured, who loses a vital organ of the body, who dies, whose family is worst affected, is disproportionally borne by the soldiers; where at the same time the policy makers have shielded their children and loved ones from all the evil consequences of war and are free to fly and frolic all over the world; where the nation itself, on whose behalf the solders fight, tends to demonstrate 'a fine ability to tune out war', to use Bacevich's expression, while others die or lose their loved ones; and where war is a means of self enrichment for those in power, there is bound to be a tension between the soldier and the civilian. America's misadventure in Afghanistan has most vividly highlighted that tension.

'Throughout history,' Prof.

Bacevich says, 'circumstances such as these have bred praetorianism, warriors becoming enamored with their moral superiority and impatient with the failings of those they are charged to defend.' Soldiers develop

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a culture of contempt for civilians, treat the civilian government with smug disdain, as nothing more than 'a sea of stupidity and corruption', while they regard themselves as a superior class which circumstance has unfortunately forced to condescend to an inferior one.

'Pretty soon you have an entire organization believing that their leader is the 'Savior' and that everyone else is stupid and incompetent, or not committed to victory.' Long wars, Prof. Bacevich states further, are antithetical to democracy. Protracted conflict introduces toxins that inexorably corrode the values of popular government. Not least among those values is a code of military conduct that honors the principle of civilian control while keeping the officer corps free from the taint of politics.' On the whole involving the army in war for the sake war now lands the American Army in the gravest danger: 'During Vietnam, the United States military cracked from the bottom up. The damage took decades to repair. In the seemingly endless wars of the post-Sept. 11 era, a military that has demonstrated remarkable durability now shows signs of coming undone at the top.

The officer corps is losing its bearings.'

But when the army is engaged in roles that are alien to training and profession the ultimate consequences become extremely grave, both to the army and to the nation. And this is precisely the situation in Nigeria. In the last few months, soldiers have become so visible, so pervasive and so endemic that you would assume that the nation is under a military dictatorship. There simply does not exist anything resembling a democratic atmosphere. This militarization of Nigerian civil society, Daily Trust opines in an editorial [30/1/12] is bound to have a negative effect on professionalism, morale and impartiality of the Army. In other words, the very integrity of the nation's most trusted, most pivotal institution, on whose shoulders lie the integrity of the nation, is being systematically eroded.

Soldiers at the checkpoints, according to Daily Trust take bribes from motorists.

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WEEKEND with

Ibraheem Sulaiman sa427420@gmail.com

Battle ready soldiers on parade In fact soldiers engage in constant seizure of loaves of bread, 'pure water' sachets, or anything edible from poor vendors, male or female, struggling for survival.

Even worse, and far more dangerous, is the fact that some soldiers deployed to restore law and order, have quite often succumbed to base and primordial sentiments.

They behave as if they are dealing with a mortal, foreign enemy, not with their compatriots. The persistent and credible complaints from Yobe and Borno states are well known. Elements of the Nigerian army have committed rape on women.

They have indiscriminately killed civilians, even women, even minors. They have subjected communities to collective punishment, locking them up in concentration camp and subjecting them to mental and physical torture. They have looted markets and then set them ablaze, denying people of their source of livelihood. They have displayed brazen and extreme

hatred and contempt for the people, and taken every available opportunity to humiliate them.

They generally run away from the real insurgents only to vent their anger on defenseless and unarmed civilians. Recently, Borno people have complained that elements of the Nigerian army desecrated the Quran, on top of the fact that they always treat the Quranic school children as primary targets. Nigeria army has acted with absolute impunity believing that it is above the law.

Of course these and similar grave complains have always been denied. If some or all of these complaints from noble people who have no reason to lie happen to be true, and to the extent that human life and human dignity and the sanctity of the Quran can not be violated in vain, the Nigerian army will account for it, the Nigerian nation will account for it.

Despite all the display of force and cruelty, the undeniable

truth is that Nigerian Army has failed. Not only that, they have created a big chasm in the society that will take a very long time to heal, if ever. Besides, even those who have unleashed them on the people have indicated their lack of confidence in the army. This much is clear from General Andrew Azazi's letter asking America to join Nigeria of his own imagination, for a 'mutually beneficial partnership' against a local enemy the army cannot conquer. Azazi should have known that, drawing from American invasion of Afghanistan, two things will happen. One, America will not come alone but will come with Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and the other countries of NATO. Two, in the end, they will run away. The Guardian writes in an editorial [1/2/12]: 'Joseph Goebbels said that if you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The big lie told repeatedly about the war in Afghanistan is that the international security assistance force (Isaf) and the Afghan national security forces are pushing the Taliban back. The insurgents believe their will is stronger than that of the foreigners fighting on their soil.

At some point this truth must be acknowledged.' After eleven years of war in Afghanistan with every conceivable deadly weapon, and with active military support of NATO, against an enemy no more than a thousand strong, America is leaving in disgrace.

'But the vast majority who do a valiant job in appalling circumstances may justifiably feel that the ground has been cut from under them by faraway desk-generals,' Samuel Tisdall expresses the outrage and sense of betrayal felt by both the NATO troops and the general public. 'So, too, may dutiful British squaddies sent to do their honest bit in Helmand. If top commanders already feel the war is lost, then the question must be asked for the thousandth time: why are we still fighting?' [guardian.co.uk 1/2/ 12, 13:16 GMT] Why indeed!

Wisdom, not arrogance, not idiocy, not brute force, will resolve the Nigeria's security challenges.

But first the Nigerian people must reclaim ownership of the Nigerian Army.

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