Peoples Daily Newspaper, Wednesday, July 04, 2012

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 8 No. 73

. . . putting the people first

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Senate orders closure of NNPC’s ‘secret account’

Explosion rocks Abuja shopping mall >> PAGE 3

Drama as Oteh joins EMT meeting in Aso Rock

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

A

mild drama ensued yesterday at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja as the suspended DirectorGeneral (DG) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Arunma Oteh attempted to attend the Economic Management Team (EMT) meeting presided over

Shaaban 14, 1433 AH

Teachers want Bauchi Education Commissioner sacked

>> PAGE 2

>> PAGE 8

N150

Prisoners escape as fire guts Yola prison >> PAGE 8

$620,000 bribery probe

Otedola rebuffs secret hearing He’s misguided, stupid, say Reps

By Lawrence Olaoye

C

hairman of Zenon Oil and Gas Ltd., Mr. Femi Otedola, who accused the former Chairman of the House

of Representatives ad hoc committee on the management of the nation’s fuel subsidy, Farouk Lawan, of collecting $620,000 bribe from him, yesterday rebuffed the

lawmakers’ attempt to quiz him behind closed doors. This was followed by the Chairman of the House Ethics and Privileges Committee, Rep Gambo DanMusa’s outburst that the oil

mogul was stupid and misguided.

The committee chaired by Rep Dan-Musa (CPC, Katsina), had earlier excused newsmen Contd on Page 2

“

The former DG however made a dramatic appearance at the venue of the meeting and settled on the seat reserved for SEC DG

”

by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Ms Oteh was a member of the EMT by virtue of her former position as the DG of SEC. However, with her suspension, it was expected that she would cease to be a member and give way to the acting DG, Ibrahim Bello, to represent the capital market regulator at the Team’s meetings.

The former DG however Contd on Page 2

Different faces of Femi Otedola during his appearance before the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges over the bribery scandal between him and Hon. Farouk Lawan, yesterday at the National Assembly, Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

CONTENTS News

2-11

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-17

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

Motoring

24

Property

25

Arts

29

Senate orders closure of NNPC’s ‘secret account’

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Senate probe panel on fuel subsidy, yesterday at a resumed session, ordered the immediate closure of a foreign account which the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) maintains with JP Morgan.

The committee also insisted that the key players in the illegal account should not go unpunished for gross violation of the Constitution, directing the NNPC and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to prepare a position paper on how to resolve the controversy.

The panel also called on both CBN and NNPC to submit a position paper on how to end the illegality in the management of crude oil proceeds.

Earlier, the NNPC had fingered the CBN in the controversial secret foreign account for crude oil sales, insisting that it has has no direct control of the illegal account.

In a fresh submission yesterday through its Group Executive Director, Finance, Bernard Okechukwu Oti, the corporation maintained that the account was only known and controlled by the CBN. He said that the oil

corporation only keeps domiciliary accounts with CBN and therefore would have no reason to run a foreign account.

Oti refused to admit that the account was being controlled by the NNPC, insisting that the apex bank was the one managing the

account on behalf of NNPC. He said that funds in the JP Morgan account can only be moved by the instruction from the NNPC, adding that the corporation was not a direct signatory to the acclaimed secret account.

Reps order PEF to refund N27bn into govt coffers

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, yesterday ordered the management of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) to refund the sum of N27, 051,618,579 into the Federal Government coffers within three months being 80 percent of the operating surpluses of the agency in the last five years.

The committee also directed the board to refund another N20.22 million within the same period for expenses incurred on a plot of

land acquired in 2001 for its corporate head office but which was revoked by the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA in 2006.

The chairman of the committee, Rep Solomon Adeola, handed down the order when the PEF led by its Executive Secretary, Mrs. Adefunke Kasali appeared before it on the various audit queries from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, AGF, from 2007 and 2011.

Adeola however counseled the board to head for a court of competent jurisdiction to challenge the order of the committee if not satisfied with its

position, insisting that the decision of the committee was based on the submission of the board along with the supporting relevant documents.

He gave the Board one week within which it must furnish the Committee with some vital documents relating to the operations of the Agency such as the copy of the Act setting it up, details of nominal rolls, training attended, salary and wages, administrative expenses, capital payments, capital items, amount invested in treasury bills and its interest as well as its audited financial accounts for the past five years.

$620,000 bribery probe: Otedola rebuffs secret hearings

Ramadan starts July 20 - Saudi scholar, Page 6

International 31-34 Strange World 35 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

Contd from Page 1 who had besieged the venue of the investigation, insisting on conducting the procedures behind closed doors. But Otedola, who had anticipated that the committee would want to conduct the hearing in camera, went with a prepared speech he made available to newsmen. The speech he read to the committee even behind closed doors reads thus: “This is a matter that has generated a lot of public interest and controversy. “The House of Representatives Committee on the Management of Fuel Subsidy headed by Hon. Farouk Lawan held all its sittings in public.

“When this issue arose, the House of Representatives Committee on Ethics publicly stated that its investigations will be held in public. “It is therefore surprising and curious that this committee has made a u-turn to hold its investigative sittings in

camera particularly in the light of unfolding events.

“I strongly believe that the interest of the public will not be best served if this investigation is held incamera.

“I have nothing to hide and will not only speak on this issue when this investigation is conducted in a very transparent manner and the press as well as the general public are allowed to be present at the sittings of this committee from the beginning of its investigation to its conclusion,” he said.

Speaking with newsmen after the closed door meeting with the committee, Otedola said Lawan had been inconsistent in his statements.

He pointed out that the lawmaker had made contradictory statements on the matter beginning with his outright denial of ever receiving a bribe to the latter confession that he collected the

money.

While briefing newsmen on the outcome of the aborted closed door session, Dan-Musa said, “Unfortunately, I said unfortunately, because he was misguided either by his lawyers or anybody who is advising him. We did all that we could by explaining to him our powers under the Constitution and our rules and further explained that nobody could dictate how we are going to conduct our meetings. Yet, Femi Otedola refused to answer our questions and he said he could only do so when we do it in public. He went further to insult us in one way or the other, and we continued to exercise patience.

“He has told us that we are hiding something that’s why we don’t want to do it in public.

Rather we told him, he’s the one hiding something by refusing to talk, by refusing to substantiate his allegation. We told him the consequences of this but he was

not ready to go by our words. He told us very briefly that Farouk has lied four times, and that all that he (Farouk) submitted were not genuine.

“He said that he heard that documents submitted constituting evidence had been submitted to us and that he wanted to tell us that all documents submitted to us are not genuine as if he saw what he (Farouk) submitted to us. We thought that, that was not correct, it was not in order and we told him that if a person made an allegations and he refused to substantiate the allegation, the consequences are clear. “He has refused to answer all our questions; in addition to that he was just laughing. It was very stupid of him. I must say this, because we cannot have a committee of this nature, respected by the House, that somebody comes and tells us that he’s a businessman and he’s not hungry but are we hungry, ladies and gentlemen?”, he pondered.

Drama as Oteh joins EMT meeting in Aso Rock Contd from Page 1

made a dramatic appearance at the venue of the meeting at about 1.30pm and was still settling down on the seat reserved for SEC DG when a female protocol officer approached her and engaged her in a discussion.

Immediately after the short discussion, Ms Oteh, holding tenaciously to her two handbags, and the protocol officer left the Council Chambers. They both headed towards the President’s office. Some few minutes later, the female official returned

without the former SEC DG. But no sooner had the officer returned than Ms Oteh reappeared at the venue. She placed her handbags beside the seat reserved for director-general of SEC and walked to the other side of the hall to hold consultation with the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala.

After the consultation, Ms Oteh packed her handbags and left the venue and again headed towards the President’s office.

She again returned to the venue moments later and took

her seat just before President Jonathan went into the venue for the commencement of the meeting.

It would be recalled that last month, the Board of SEC directed Ms Oteh to proceed on compulsory leave, to enable them probe allegations of financial misappropriation and disharmony in the apex capital market regulator.

Barely a week after, the finance ministry dissolved the SEC Board and appointed Mr. Bello, the Director of Finance of the Commission to act as DG

while superintending over his department.

In the meantime, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, who doubles as Coordinating Minister for the Economy, had after a long session of the economic management team made a spirited defence for Ms Oteh’s presence at the meeting.

She said: “I think we should allow the report of the investigation to be concluded and it will be out soon. She has not been indicted and so it does not stop her from attending meetings”.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

PAGE 3

Shock as explosion rocks Abuja commercial area

By Julius Ogar & Lawrence Olaoye

R

esidents of Wuse 2 in Abuja Municipal Council Area were yesterday shocked out of there nightly schedules when an explosion shook the commercial neighbourhood.

At about 9: 25pm yesterday, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) issued an alert over a "suspected explosion" at a Shopping Mall in Wuse II, Abuja. The officers of Search and Rescue and other response agencies rallied to the scene and cordoned off the area along Park & Shop and Banex

plazas.

A resident of the area (name withheld) told this reporter that he was shocked out of his bed when an earthshaking blast rent the evening calm around his premises and neighbouhood. He said he and his household fled out of their abode into the open in terror following the unexpected

blast.

Another resident who also testified to the occurrence told our reporter that he witnessed policemen cordoning off different access routes leading to the scene of the incident.

As at press time yesterday, there was yet no report of death or injury occasioned by the blast. Unconfirmed reports said the explosion was caused by a car bomb. However, the target of the bomb could not be ascertained and no information was available as to who could be responsible for the mission.

Meanwhile, the Director General of NEMA yesterday warned citizens to be wary of going to the scene of bomb explosions for the fear of secondary explosion and to allow emergency responders to have access to the scene.

The police could also not be reached at press time for further details.

Arafat poisoned – Al-Jazeera L-R: Nigeria Ambassador to Netherlands, Ambassador Nimota Akanbi, Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC), Mrs. Fatou Bensounda, President Goodluck Jonathan, Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs 11, Dr Nurudeen Mohammed, during the ICC team’s visit to the President, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Farouk Lawan disowns ‘Faroukgate tape II’

By Lawrence Olaoye

E

mbattled former Chairman of the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee which investigated the nation’s subsidy regime, Farouk Lawan, has vehemently disowned part two of the alleged conversation between himself and his accuser in the $3 million bribe scam.

The lawmaker in a statement on his behalf by his lead counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) yesterday maintained that the tape played on the Channels Television was doctored.

Lawan, who denounced the tape posited that the voice purportedly attributed to him was animated even as he said those behind the audio played on the TV were invidious and insidious.

According to him, the audio was the height to comedy just as he submitted that it was of dubious and questionable pedigree.

Ozekhome stated “Recall that in the so called part 1 of the alleged conversation between the duo aired yesterday on Channels TV, Mr Lawan was portrayed as an incoherent,

stammering, unsure and sluggish speaker, who could hardly get out his carefully weighed words.

“This second part has more than ever before confirmed Lawan’s worst fears that the entire audio play back is a doctored, edited piece of animated voice that does not belong to him and which only forensic evidence can unravel.

He believes that the motives behind the audio are invidious, insidious and that the entire audio playback of Monday and Tuesday is of dubious and questionable pedigree.

A

nine-month investigation suggests that the late Palestinian leader may have been poisoned with polonium.

Eight years after his death, it remains a mystery exactly what killed the longtime Palestinian leader. Tests conducted in Paris found no obvious traces of poison in Arafat's system.

Rumors abound about what might have killed him - cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, even allegations that he was infected with HIV. A nine-month investigation by Al Jazeera has revealed that none of those rumors were true: Arafat was in good health until he suddenly fell ill on October 12, 2004.

More importantly, tests reveal that Arafat's final personal belongings - his clothes, his toothbrush, even his iconic kaffiyeh - contained abnormal levels of polonium, a rare, highly radioactive element.

DANA crash: 9 families get cheques for interim benefits From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

T

he management of DANA Air yesterday said 9 family members of passengers who perished in the June 3rd air crash involving one of its airplane has received cheques as interim benefits after passing the verification exercise in line with the mandatory requirement by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation

Authority (NCAA), for interim benefits to be paid to the families of the victims within 30 days of the accident.

A statement from the airline disclosed that “DANA Air’s lead underwriter in Nigeria yesterday issued cheques for interim benefits to 9 claimants, following legal verification of documentation and next of kin status.”

It said it is in contact with all other families who have submitted relevant documents to

DANA Air’s Crisis Management Centre (CMC) in Lagos and Abuja, and advised that they come forward to the chambers of Yomi Oshikoya & Co, appointed by the insurers in Lagos, in order to conclude advance payment formalities.

As at yesterday, Tuesday, the airline said it had received completed insurance forms for 68 of the victims, 4 of which are our staff members and have been submitted for verification.

It said, “DANA Air appreciates

that the statutory payments cannot compensate for any of the precious lives lost in the accident but we hope that it will lessen the pains of the families knowing that they are not alone in these extremely difficult times.”

Also the airline said as part of efforts to ensure proper rehabilitation of the displaced IjuIshaga residents in Lagos, cheques were yesterday presented to all affected families as payment for new accommodation.

Reps bar NYSC from posting corps members to crisis areas

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he House of Representatives yesterday passed a resolution barring the National Youth Service Corps from posting its members to crises prone areas in the country for their primary assignments.

The move is in support of the protests that trailed recent postings of graduates to Northern states that have seen heightened violence by the militant group, Boko Haram.

Some parents have refused to release their wards for the compulsory one year programme, if they were not reposted.

Prospective corps members had on Monday staged protests at various NYSC offices across the country, and were later replied by a defiant NYSC which insisted the postings be complied with.

The NYSC claimed that “adequate security” had been put in place to ensure the corps members’ safety.

Contributing to the motion on the floor of the House, Rep Peter Edeh said it would be callous to allow innocent children to be posted to places where they don’t know what to do in times of trouble.

Bitrus Kaze (Plateau/PDP) recalled the 2011 post-election violence in some parts of the North which led to the loss of lives of scores of corps members who participated in the elections as Adhoc staff.

Though the lawmakers refused to mention specific states that the NYSC is not expected to post corps members to, minority Leader, Femi Gbajabamiala (Lagos/ACN), said the federal government stood the risk of lawsuits if it decided to pursue NYSC postings to violence prone states.

Reacting to the motion, Chairman of the House Committee on Youth Development, Rep Kamil Akinlabi, who supervises the NYSC, said the agency had perfected plans to ensure maximum security for those corps members posted to the crises prone areas.

The members, he said would be posted accordingly after their camp experience in those crises prone states. He warned that barring NYSC from posting members to any part of the country could send dangerous signal on national unity.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

ECOWAS Court adjourns hearing on Lamido Facebook faceoff

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

H

L-R: Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina, newly elected member, United Nations Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Ms. Theodora Oby Nwankwo, and Secretary General, Women Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative, Mrs. Saudatu Mahdi, during a press conference , yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Boko Haram: Court commences Ndume’s trial

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

A

Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday commenced trial in the 4count charge preferred against Senator Mohammed Aliyu Ndume by the Federal Government over his alleged

involvement with the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

At the commencement of the trial yesterday, the prosecution witness (PW1), Abdulkareem Farouk Daudu, in his witness statement told the court that he personally took the four statements of the embattled senator but did not investigate the

authenticity or otherwise of the statement because he was not given the mandate to do so.

Daudu, an officer with the State Security Service (SSS) told the court while being led under cross examination by the counsel representing Senator Ndume, Ricky Tarfa that Senator Ndume

Sabon Gari traders bemoan exorbitant rents From Bala Nasir, Kano

T

he precarious security situation in Kano may degenerate further today should the officials of the Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi Market popularly known as Sabon Gari market effect their threats to close all shops whose owners refused to pay the new rent imposed on them.

The board of the market had last week announced a 1,000 percent increase on all the shops in

the market and asked the shop owners to start paying from today.

Failure to pay the new rate according to the officials of would force them to lock up the shop of any defaulter.

Meanwhile, the shop owners who were taken unawares by the new rent regime as announced by the officials of the market did not seem to take it lightly as there were moves by them yesterday to get the state government to reverse the new rates.

Chairman of one the

associations in the market, Abdulkadir Bala Madigawa, told our correspondent that they want the state government to reverse the new rent as their members cannot pay.

One thing that baffles all of them, according to him, is that they were not consulted over the issue in spite of the importance of the matter as the officials went ahead to announce the increment unilaterally.

He explained that the least a shop owner would pay now is N70,000 from N7,000 while some paying N8,000 will now be paying N80,000 straight.

reported at the office of the SSS on November 21, 2012 for investigation, having been indicted by the Boko Haram spokesman, Umaru Konduga Ali. The court sitting before Justice Gabriel Kolawole adjourned the matter till July 10, 2012 for further trial.

earing in the case of alleged enforcement of infringement of his fundamental rights brought before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice by one Moukhtar Ibrahim Aminu against the Jigawa state government, Inspector General of Police and two others was yesterday, adjourned at the instance of the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of Jigawa state.

The Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the Jigawa state Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Abdu Sambo in a letter dated July 2, 2012 and addressed to the Chief Registrar of the court, regretted the AG’s inability to make a night journey to the court from Jos, the Plateau state capital because of the security situation in the country and asked for an adjournment to enable him appear personally in the matter.

He noted in the letter that arrangement for an amicable out of court settlement is in pipeline with the plaintiff in the matter.

The court adjourned the matter till September 24 and 26, 2012 for hearing and awarded a total cost of N400. 00 against the government of Jigawa state, with a warning that there will be a penalty cost per week if the state government failed to pay the cost.

Insecurity drives away doctors from the north, says Katsina govt From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

T

he general manager of Katsina State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Kabir Dara, has disclosed that the prevailing security situation in the north has driven away non indigenous doctors from the region.

Dara who made the disclosure

while addressing newsmen yesterday in Katsina, noted that the situation affects other states of the north as it affects Katsina state.

He said “the non indigenous doctors are running away from the north due to the security situation. This situation is not only peculiar to Katsina state but to states like Kaduna, Zamfara, Kano, Kebbi and Sokoto states".

Jonathan pledges to support ICC in fighting impunity

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has affirmed Nigeria’s support and commitment to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its efforts to check impunity.

President Jonathan, who was speaking to the Chief Prosecutor of the ICC, Mrs. Fatou Bensouda, during a courtesy call at the State House yesterday, said “Nigeria

does not encourage impunity, and will cooperate with the ICC to check it”.

He said we are open to you and have nothing to hide’, adding that he had directed the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to ‘ensure that the ICC Chief Prosecutor receives all the support and cooperation required to make her visit to Nigeria a fruitful one’.

He drew Mrs. Bensouda’s attention to the ICC’s involvement in five situations in Africa, with the attendant criticism from the continent, and called on the Chief Prosecutor to use her experience in the Court to resolve potential areas of conflict or disagreement.

The President said while the African Union’s Constitutive Instruments do not condone impunity, greater engagement by the ICC with the AU should create

the enabling environment for cooperation towards the realization of the Court’s laudable objectives.

Earlier, the ICC Chief Prosecutor, Mrs. Fatou Bensouda, told President Jonathan that she was in Nigeria on the invitation of the Government to discuss cooperation and the Court’s work in the country over the past five years.

Mrs. Bensouda said Nigeria was

not under any investigation, as the Government had responsibility for investigating and prosecuting any crimes in the country, and expressed appreciation that this was already being done.

The ICC Chief Prosecutor said the Court was not targeting Africa, but all cases in the continent, apart from Kenya, were originated by Africans, adding that this was good for the victims of such crimes.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

PAGE 5

Baba Suwe: Appeal Court orders accelerated hearing of NDLEA’s appeal From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

T

he Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, yesterday ordered accelerated hearing on the appeal instituted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), against the judgement of Justice Yetunde Idowu of a Lagos

High Court sitting in Ikeja, which ordered the agency to pay damages of N25m to popular Lagos comedian and Nollywood actor, Babatunde Omidina, also known as Baba Suwe, as compensation for detaining him for several days over allegations of drug trafficking.

The appellate court also refused to hear a motion filed by the NDLEA seeking to stay execution of the judgment of Justice Idowu.

When the matter came up yesterday, NDLEA's Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Mr. Femi Oloruntoba told the court

that the appeal was ripe for hearing and that there is a pending motion before the court asking for stay of execution of the judgment of the lower court.

Oloruntoba told the court that Justice Idowu had refused a similar application for stay of execution of her judgment delivered on

November 24, 2011 pending the determination of the appeal filed by the agency.

But Justice Ogunwumiju said the agency should forget about stay of execution of the judgment of the lower court and focus on accelerated hearing of the appeal.

Nigerian wins Caine's prize

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam, with agency report

A

Nigerian writer, Rotimi Babatunde, has won this year’s prestigious Caine’s Prize for African Writing.

Babatunde won the prize based on his prose written about Nigerian soldiers who fought in the Burma campaign during World War II. “It was about liberation and how a character can have his world widened,” Babatunde told the BBC. Reports further revealed that the award winner was among five writers short-listed for the prize, regarded as leading literary award for Africa.

The award was presented by the chair of judges, Bernardine Evaristo, at a dinner held at the Bodleian Library in Oxford on Monday evening.

Evaristo, who described the prose “as ambitious, darkly humorous and in soaring”, added that such scorching prose exposes the exploitative nature of the colonial project and the psychology of independence”.

On his part, Babatunde, said he felt happy to have his story recognised and privileged to have been on such a strong and diverse shortlist.

Babatunde, who currently lives in Ibadan, will now be given the opportunity to go to Georgetown University in the US, as a writer-in-residence for a month at the Lannan Center for Poetics and Social Practice.

L-R: Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Director General of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii, and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, during the Economic Management Team (EMT) meeting, yesterday at the State House, Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Alleged killing, robbery: Case awaits advice From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

T

he eight suspects charged with the murder of a mobile policeman, criminal conspiracy, bank robbery and unlawful possession of fire arms and explosives in Gamawa local government area of Bauchi state is before ministry of justice for advice.

Police prosecutor, Sergeant M Garba told the court that “Police had completed their

FG invites foreign security agencies to fight terrorism

By Lambert Tyem

T

he Federal Government has invited some international security agencies to help end terrorism in Nigeria.

President Goodluck Jonathan disclosed this yesterday during his remarks at the presentation of a book titled: “Overcoming Security Challenges”, written by former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro.

He said the FG has stepped up efforts towards ensuring the safety of Nigerians and foreigners alike,

in response to the current security challenge facing the country, pointing out that the security agencies alone would not achieve it without the support of Nigerians.

President Jonathan, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Project Monitoring Mr. Sylvester Monye, said that to ensure the safety of all, government was already collaborating with the international community to overcome the new trend of terrorism in the country.

investigations and the case file had been sent to the Federal Ministry of Justice for legal advice and asked the court for a short adjournment to enable the police receive the legal advice.

Sergeant Garba had earlier told the court that all the suspects were from Yobe and Borno states and they criminally conspired and armed themselves with sophisticated weapons and prohibited fire arms and other explosive

devices, they launched attacked at Gamawa police station where they shot dead Corporal Istifanus attached to 10 Police Mobile Force and took away his riffle AK 47 no 356849 with 30 rounds of live ammunitions.

The prosecutor added that the suspects bombed the police station and at the same time attacked Gamawa Microfinance Bank and robbed them of the sum of N534,000 cash and also stole desktop monitors, value not yet

known, which is contrary to section 96,221,of the Penal Code laws and Section 1(1)(2)(a)&(b)3 of Robbery & Firearms Special Provision Act, Cap R11 and Section 3,8,and 27 (1)(a) of Firearms Act, Cap F28 LFN 2004.

The presiding chief Magistrate, Adamu Mohammed Kafin Madaki remanded the suspects in prison custody and adjourned the suit to July 10, 2012 for further mentioning.

Alleged money laundering: EFCC accuses Goje of diverting N5bn From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

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ustice Babatunde Qadiri of the Federal High Court has been told that the former Governor of Gombe state, Senator Danjuma Goje, among others obtained a loan of N5 billion from Access Bank Plc, Gombe branch for the state government and fraudulently diverted it.

According Solomon Okotie, the first witness presented by the prosecuting counsel, Wahab Shittu, representing EFCC in the money laundry charges against

the former governor and three others, EFCC investigation team, of which he was among, could not see any project on ground executed with the loan.

In his testimony, the witness told the court that the N5 billion loan could not be accounted for and was not refunded or found in government coffers, adding that at the executive council meeting in which decision for the loan was arrived at, the Commissioners of Finance, Works and AccountantGeneral of the state were absent.

He said that the Access Bank

loan, N1.4 billion contract for the purchase of 1,400 units of dictionaries and the conversion of the Central Bank of Nigeria N1 billion meant for farmers’ cooperative societies were carried out fraudulently and in violation of due process and the two contracts had no budgetary backing and conversion of the CBN farmers loan had no CBN approval as stipulated in the condition of offer by Union Bank Plc fund.

The court adjourned the case to 10th and 11th of October 2012 when the trial would continue.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

PAGE 4

Ramadan starts July 20 Saudi scholar

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his year’s Ramadan fast will begin on July 20, 2012 and Eid Al-Fitr will be celebrated on August 19, 2012, a senior Islamic scholar in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has said.

Member of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Abdullah AlManie said fasting will end on Saturday August 18.

The days related to religious occasions and rites will have to be confirmed by the sighting of the new moon and royal orders.

Al-Manie added the Day of Arafat will be on Thursday October 25 and the next Hijra year of 1434 will start on November 15.

The tradition of the last 15 years of announcing the likely beginning of Ramadan, Eid and the Hajj is to help preparations to view the new moon once the statement is made, the scholar said.

The announcement also allows sufficient time to discuss matters related to the sighting of the new moon, a Saudi newspaper reported yesterday.

Ahmed rejigs cabinet

From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

K

aduna state governor, Mr. Patrick Yakowa, yesterday relaxed the curfew earlier imposed on the state, following crises occasioned by bomb attacks and reprisals across the state.

A statement issued by the

Again, Kaduna relaxes curfew Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Reuben Buhari, said that the curfew was relaxed based on the weekly report of the Security Council meeting which approved that

the curfew be relaxed.

Based on the resolution, residents of the four local government areas of Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Chikun and Igabi are free to move about

between the hours of 6.00am and 7.00pm, while residents of the remaining 19 local government areas are to go about their businesses between 6.00am and 8.00pm daily.

L-R: Yobe state Governor, Malam Ibrahim Gaidam, his Deputy, Engineer Abubakar D. Ali, and ANPP state Chairman, Sani Inuwa Nguru, during the launching of the subsidised sale of fertiliser to farmers for the 2012 farming season, yesterday in Damaturu.

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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overnor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara state has effected a minor cabinet reshuffle in the state.

A statement by Dauda Nurudeen, Chief Press Secretary to the Secretary to the Government of the state (SSG), stated that the redeployments were meant to re-invigorate the machinery of government for better service delivery.

It stated that Alhaji Sakariyawu Onimago from the Ministry of Commerce and Cooperatives would now be in charge of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital while Alhaji Raji Mohammed, who was at the head of affairs of the Ministry of Education, would be in charge of Ministry of Commerce and Cooperatives.

The statement added that Mr. Bode Olayemi formerly of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development would now be in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources while Alhaji Mohammed Baba Kpan hitherto of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources would now be in charge of Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

The deployments take immediate effect.

Hajj 2012: Intending pilgrims allege seat racketeering in Rivers

By Mohammed Kandi

A

n Islamic group identified as “Muslim Brotherhood of Nigeria (MBON)” in Rivers state, has expressed its disappointment with the manner with which the Rivers State Islamic Council and the Rivers State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board have conducted the 2012 Hajj slots, alleging that there was seat racketeering by the authorities in charge.

A delegation of the MBON, led by its Coordinator, Suleiman Ukperes, applauded the state government for assisting the states Muslims with about 550 hajj seats, but condemned the Islamic Council and the State Pilgrims Welfare Board for what it termed “racketeering” of seats meant for the Muslim community.

The group however called on the state government to bring the authorities to order,

particularly, the chairman, Rivers State Islamic Council, Alhaji Nasiru Uhor and the Sole Administrator, Rivers State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Sani Okiri.

In a petition forwarded to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), dated 17th April, 2012, the group further urged NAHCON to investigate and quiz the Sole Administrator to clarify on why they allotted public seats to “themselves, their wives, daughters, In-laws and brothers.”

Responding in a letter signed

by Suleiman Usman, States and Zonal Coordinator of the NAHCON, it advised the MBON to channel its gripes to the state government and pledged to intercede by interacting with the state government with a view to quelling the feud between the aggrieved parties.

“The role of NAHCON in relation to all State Pilgrims

Borno distributes N700m malaria drugs From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

A

s part of efforts to tackle the spread of malaria, the Borno state government yesterday distributed assorted anti-malaria drugs and diagnostic kits worth over N700m to its 27 local

government areas.

Governor Kashim Shettima, while flagging off the distribution exercise at Government House, Maiduguri, said the measure would stem the spread of the scourge especially in the rural areas.

Shettima, who was represented by his Deputy,

Zanna Umar Mustapha, warned local government personnel not sell or divert the drugs, stressing that anyone caught flouting the order will be sanctioned.

He urged Borno residents to always go to the nearest hospital or healthcare centre near them to ascertain their health status.

Welfare Board/Agencies is to allocate Hajj seats while each State Government and its Board are to decide who they sell the seats to and subsequently remit the fare on same to the Commission,” the letter stressed.

“Suleiman Ukperes is just angry because we did not allot any seat to his wife this year as

he requested. Ukperes himself went to Hajj with us two years ago.

“Please go ahead and do your job as journalist, publish the story so that I can sue him for striving to tarnish my image.

He will have to prove all of these allegations in the court of law and the State Government is aware of this…”

Lawmakers, others lament oil feuds in N’Delta

By Muhammad Sada

H

itherto peaceful communities in the Niger Delta have become crisisprone following the discovery of oil across the region.

This was the kernel of the submissions made by stakeholders at a roundtable, which examined various ways of ensuring justice and fairness for oil producing communities in Cross River following the relocation of 76 oil wells from their areas to Akwa Ibom state.

At the event were Senator Bassey Henshaw, members of the House of Representatives, Robinson Uwak and John Enoh, among others.

In their speeches, the stakeholders lamented how the International Court of Justice ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula to

Cameroun in 2002 had affected most of the oil producing communities in Cross River by putting the masses in a precarious economic condition.

They also faulted the manner in which the National Boundary Commission awarded the 76 six oil wells in Cross River to Akwa Ibom state, thereby threatening the revenue base of the former as well as the peace between the two states, as they are now locked in a court case which is billed to be taken by the Supreme Court next week.

Bassey gave a historical perspective on the oil communities in Cross River, stressing the calm manners of the people in the oil communities.

Arguing that the 76 oil wells belonged to Cross River, he urged the federal government to rescind the decision to cede them to Akwa Ibom for the sake of peace.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

PAGE 7

Ukrainian investors offer $2.6bn for Ajaokuta steel mill

By Mohammed Kandi

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p p a r e n t l y undaunted by the many scalps the Ajaokuta Steel Company has claimed in the past, a group of Ukrainian investors have offered to inject $2.6 billion into the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) under the latest bid by the federal government to privatise the comatose firm.

Ukraine's Ambassador to Nigeria, Serhii Khanenko, tabled the offer before the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Sada, in Abuja while leading a delegation of Ukrainian investors to the minister's office.

Khanenko stressed that Ukrainian investors were ready to inject $2.6 billion into the reactivation of the steel mill if the federal government turned it to them.

The envoy added that Ukraine was willing to explore areas of partnership with the federal government to develop Nigeria's solid mineral resources Sada pledged that the federal government would remove all hurdles in the pathway of the current efforts to privatise the

nation's steel companies.

The minister, who described the envoy's visit as "timely and important" said President Goodluck Jonathan had given timelines on all outstanding issues affecting the nation's steel industries in order to move forward.

In a statement by Deputy Director (Press) at the ministry, Marshall Gundu, Sada said "government was working proactively towards ensuring that interests of various stakeholders are brought on board for the development of Nigeria's steel industries."

The minister assured that the current administration was "determined to tackle all critical issues impeding the successful privatization of the nation's steel industries."

Sada stated that previous attempts by the government to privatise the nation's steel industries failed as a result of lack of proper inputs from line ministries and other relevant stakeholders who have the professional skills to develop the sector.

He urged the investors "to come up with clearer business model for the project including cash flow.

If we are privatizing, we are privatizing to professionals who can run it and the only way we can do it is by doing a thorough job in identifying whom we are going to work with".

The minister added: "We also talked about source of funds for this, because we

made it critically clear that government is not likely to invest but it is relying on the existing assets of the place to do business."

Sada noted that government was handling ASCL and National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) as two integrated

plants that must work together for the optimum benefits of the steel industries.

He directed the ministry to set up a technical committee comprising the Director, Steel and Nonferrous metals as the chairman; Director, Metallurgical Inspectorate

and Raw Material Development; Director of Finance and Accounts; Legal Adviser of the ministry; representative of the Bureau of Private Enterprises; one representative each from Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and National Iron Ore and Mining Company.

Doctor charges couples on family planning

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irector, Primary Health Care and Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Plateau State, Dr. Elias Pede, has urged procreating couples to embrace family planning in order to reduce the maternal mortality rate in the country.

Pede told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos that women involved in family planning had less chances of experiencing complications during pregnancy and at childbirth, than those who do not space their children Pede said: "When a woman spaces her children, it enables her body recuperate properly and reduces the cases of complicated pregnancies.

This in turn decreases complications during

delivery.

Aside benefiting the mother, pregnancies at intervals of less than 24 months lead to increased risks of the mother giving birth to small and underweight infants.

"But when children are properly spaced, chances of such risks are reduced to the barest minimum. Aside the

health benefits, it enables the woman to be economically vibrant."

According to Pede, family planning helps to regulate the family size and enable parents to effectively cater for their children.

Pede explained that methods of family planning were becoming less stringent.

He stated: "Sometimes

ago, it is difficult for a woman to take steps towards family planning without the consent of her husband; that requirement has been relaxed.

"A woman can now walk into any hospital, seek counsel and actually begin the process of birth control without the consent of any one."

Minister vows to check fraud in aviation sector From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

M

inister of Aviation,Stella Oduah, has pledged to sanction any airline found culpable of cheating the Nigerian flying public, stressing that the ministry under her charge would not tolerate such fraudulent acts.

Oduah stated this yesterday in Lagos at the inaugural flight of Etihad Airways. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) based carrier is the newest entrant in the nation's aviation sector.

She was represented by Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Harold

Demuren.

She said the relationship between both countries would be stronger with Etihad's coming to Nigeria and charged the UAE to respond in kind whenever a Nigerian carrier showed interest in flying to the UAE in the future.

Her words: "We welcome Etihad to Nigeria; it's been a long process but finally they made it. It demonstrates strong strategic relationship between Nigeria and UAE. "This entry will advance and expand our relationship.

We commend Etihad for the sound reasoning on identifying the great opportunity in the

Nigerian Market."

The UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Rasheed Al Dahiru, said it was a great honour for Etihad, the country's national carrier, to fly into Nigeria.

He said the initiative provided a meeting point for two economic powerhouses and would boost trade and other commercial opportunities.

His words: "It is a great honour and pleasure, but we want the aviation authority to grant access to Abuja as it has many passengers to Abu Dhabi from there.

"Flight between LagosAbu Dhabi will expand commercial activities between both nations."

said that his intention was to make the victim quit his homosexual life, adding that it was the second time he was kidnapping a homosexual using the same trick.

He said they were about to take the photograph of their victim when the police arrived at the scene and arrested two of them while

Ighodaro escaped.

Delta Police Public Relations Officer, Charles Muka, disclosed that the police rescued the victim from his abductors in an uncompleted building by the police.

He added that efforts were on to arrest the fleeing member of the gang.

Suspect feigns homosexuality to kidnap victim From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

T

he police in Delta State have arrested a 23-year old Mechanical Engineering student of Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic, Delta state, O g h e n e r u k o m e Ejemheanre, for alleged kidnapping.

Ejemheanre allegedly abducted his victim, a predegree student of Delta State University, Abraka, Delta state (names withheld) after tricking the latter to believe that he was a homosexual in an Internet chat room and invited the victim for a tryst.

According to the suspect, who was paraded before newsmen, he lured his victim from Asaba to Ogwashi-Ukufrom.

On arrival, he took the victim to a nearby bush where he was joined by the duo of Ohwadua Elohor and Kelly Ighodaro.

The suspect confessed that they stripped their victim naked, flogged him and collected his phone.

However, Ejemheanre

Peoples Daily condoles with Kebbi over dep gov’s son’s death From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

T

he Management and staff of Peoples Media Limited (PML), publishers of Peoples Daily newspaper have condoled with the Kebbi state government over last week's death of the son of the state Deputy Governor, Ibrahim Aliyu, in a ghastly motor accident.

Chief Operating Officer (COO), PML, Malam Ali M. Ali,

delivered the condolence message yesterday at Government House, Birnin Kebbi.

Ali described the incident as an act of God and prayed for the repose of the deceased's soul.

He also prayed for the deputy governor and his family members to have the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Responding, Kebbi state governor, Usman Dakingari, thanked the PML management for the condolence visit.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

Prisoners escape as fire guts Yola prison

FCC: Senate upholds sack of Gwaska

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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he Senate has upheld the removal of Alhaji Muhammadu Ari Gwaska, as a member representing Nasarawa state in the Federal Character Commission (FCC).

After several considerations, the Senate condemned the acts of insubordination on the part of Gwaska and therefore adopted the recommendations made by its Committee on Federal Character and Inter-governmental Affairs, which affirmed that the President's letter for his removal followed due process and should be approved.

It would be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan had, in May, sent a letter to the Senate requesting the removal of the commissioner representing Nasarawa state in the Federal Character Commission (FCC), over his insubordination, unaccountability and a disregard for rule of law.

According to the letter, the commissioner has failed to turn over two cars belonging to the commission, which, according to the letter, has hindered the work of the commission, noting that such behaviours contravened the provisions of the FCC Act. "It was against this background that the matter was referred to the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Governmental affairs, which therefore upheld his sack by President Jonathan.

Teachers want Bauchi education commissioner sacked From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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he Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) in Bauchi state has threatened to go on strike if the Commissioner of Education in the state is not removed within 72 hours for alleged incapacity to run the affairs of the ministry.

ASUSS Chairman, Malam Abdullahi Mohammad Tanko Ningi, stated this while addressing a press conference at the NUJ secretariat in Bauchi yesterday, saying that if their demands were not met, all public secondary schools in the state would be closed indefinitely.

He accused the commissioner of creating problems that had affected the educational progress and its development hence the decision of the union to call for his immediate removal or redeployment to another ministry.

Abdullahi Tanko alleged that junior officers are now appointed as principals and vice principals to head various schools despite the fact that there are senior officers in such schools while junior officers are also transferred to zonal education offices and other education sectors to serve as inspectors.

In his response the state Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Mohammad Ibrahim has described the accusation leveled against him by ASUSS as baseless and unfounded.

From Blessing Tunoh, Yola

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L-R: Director, Quality Assurance, Consumer Protection Council, (CPC), Mr. Emmanuel Amlai, Director General of CPC, Mrs. Ify Umenyi, and Director, Surveillance and Enforcement, Ms. Rifkiat Folami, during the CPC Stakeholders Forum, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Jos Christians, Muslims network for peace R From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

esidents of Nasarawa, Filin Ball and Rukuba communities in Jos North local government area of Plateau state, yesterday, resolved to live in peace with one another irrespective religion, political and ethnic affiliation and set up security contact committee in the communities.

The resolution to live in peace was reached at a community

facilitated peace dialogue for Nasarawa, Filin Ball and Rukuba communities meeting organised by the University of Jos, Centre for Conflict Management and Peace Studies tagged: "CEC OMPNetherlands Embassy Peacebuilding Project in Plateau state" sponsored by the Royal Netherlands Embassy.

The meeting drew representatives of Muslims and Christians from the troubled areas who collectively resolved to set-up

the contact security committee in order to foster peace and curtail any possible outbreak of violence in the areas by promptly alerting the security agencies.

The Director General of the peace centre, Prof. Nanven Audu Gambo, described peace as sickness saying it is easier to get into one's body but difficult to go out and as such people should be sensitive to issues that pose threats to the security of the state and country.

Reps reject NIMASA’s proposal to carry arms

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he

House of Representatives yesterday turned down proposal of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to procure arms and ammunition to sustain security across Nigerian waterways and international borders.

The House said NIMASA acted outside its establishing Act by requesting the Federal

Government to provide funds for such a purpose, claiming that its status is not that of an armcarrying agency.

Though Director-General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokam who appeared before House Committee yesterday, did not mention the actual amount being proposed for the procurement, but facts emerged that such would cost over N500 million.

But joint Committees on Petroleum (Upstream) and Navy told the NIMASA boss at their

hearing that government cannot afford to allow such spending in view of the billions of naira the National Assembly appropriates annually to Navy, Army and other security agencies.

It was confirmed that NIMASA in the last six months had generated over N6 billion exceeding its 2012 target. He also disclosed to the joint Committees that no fewer than ten boats are to be supplied by the firm before end of July.

that luck ran out for the suspect when he entered the bank to make lodgment of N40, 000 worth of fake currency.

He said under close information from the bank, the suspect, 31-year-old Dada Gbenga, who hails from Isaba Ikole in Ekiti state, was lured into bringing more of such money for a deal, which he obliged.

The geology graduate of University of Ado-Ekiti while fielding questions from journalists, stated that he was

a kabu-kabu driver when one Iyabeji, who is on the wanted list of the security agencies, accosted him and introduced him into the business, stressing it was not long that he entered the game.

Dada who is currently awaiting prosecution at the premises of DSS, told reporters that he brought an additional N400, 000 and fake dollars to one Mohammed in Lokoja before the bubble burst, naming one of his accomplices as Ugbede Simon Abah.

Peddler nabbed with N.4m fake currency in Lokoja From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

T

he Department of State Security (DSS) in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital yesterday, paraded a suspect who specialised in duping people with fake currency, urging the general public to be careful with the money being displayed by people.

The Director in the Kogi state sector of DSS, Mr. Mike Fubara, while addressing pressmen on the matter at the headquarters in Lokoja, noted

t least three inmates of the Yola prisons in Adamawa state, where former President Olusegun Obasanjo was incarcerated before his release in 2007, have escaped following a fire outbreak on Monday night.

Our correspondent learnt that the fire erupted around 8:00 pm and caused pandemonium in the city leading to the cordoning off of major streets leading to the prison including the palace of Lamido of Adamawa by security men.

The state Controller of Prisons, Mr. Andrew Barka, who accompanied those injured to Yola Federal Medical Centre, confirmed the incident and said only two people were injured but insisted that no prisoner escaped.

I cannot say what really caused the fire for now but the fire affected only the administration block, particularly the office of the Chief Warder.

"All prisoners are safe in their rooms, it is only the administrative block that was affected but everything is okay."

Mr. Barka said.

However, a source at the prison told our reporter that the fire could be a creation of the prisoners and insisted that some of them escaped in the pandemonium that broke out when the fire erupted.

Lamido reappoints excommissioner From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

I

ndications have emerged there may be a cabinet reshuffle in the Jigawa state executive council.

The state governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido had yesterday sent a formal letter to the state House of Assembly informing the lawmakers of his intention to reappoint Dr. Tafida Abubakar as a commissioner and member of the state executive council.

Members of the state House of Assembly who were on recess for the season were immediately recalled for a special session for the purpose.

Peoples Daily reports that there has been the existence of two vacant positions of commissioners in the state following the voluntary resignation of the commissioner of Economic and Empowerment, Alhaji Salisu Mamuda who later became the state PDP chairman, and the recent sacking of the Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Muktari Mohammed Birniwa.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

Dakingari promises support for free education, healthcare From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

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L-R: Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi and his wife, Mrs. Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza, welcoming the Vice-President to Burundi 50th independence anniversary celebration, on Monday.

Kebbi workers plan strike over minimum wage K From Ahmed Idris, Brinin Kebbi

ebbi state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed that its members will embark on an indefinite strike action as from Wednesday 11th July, 2012 over failure to fully implement the minimum wage to workers in the state.

The Chairman Comrade Sadiq Sambo Kaoje, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the labour house, after decision was reached during the meeting held

between the NLC, TUC, and other unions in the state.

According to the NLC Chairman, “following series of meetings between the state Government and the organized labour on the issue of the N18, 000.00, that has not yielded any positive conclusion, the organized labour held a meeting today and after extensive deliberation, we resolved to resume our suspended strike action as from Wednesday 11th July ,2012”.

Comrade Kaoje explained

that since the partial implementation of the minimum wage in March this year, the Government of kebbi state has been paying different salary tables to workers in the state despite several appeals from the organized labour for the Government to correct the anomalies.

Also speaking on the same vein ,the state chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC) Mohammed Sani Umar, told journalist, after the meeting, that the organised labour decided to

embark on the indefinite strike action because Government failed to agree with the labour on the N18,000,00 minimum wage which has been lingering for over five months .

Kebbi state Government had started partial implemention of the minimum wage in March this year by the then Acting Governor, Alh Habib Jega, Speaker of Kebbi state House of Assembly, when the election of Dakingari was annulled by the Supreme court .

received a team of experts from the SASAKAWA Global 2000 (SAA), an organisation committed to transforming national agricultural extension systems as well as ensuring food security in Sub-Saharan Africa, the minister noted that the ministry was ready to partner with the SAA in specific areas.

He called on the group to assist create awareness among Nigerian farmers, especially on the ongoing seed and fertilizer transformation of the ministry,

adding that, “we also need partnership in the area of technology, on rolling out extension services across Nigeria, as well as encouraging the youth to venture into agriculture.”

The initiative, the minister said, was a boosts and winner for Nigerian farmers, the rural dwellers, Nigerian economy and for health purposes.

Earlier, the Chairperson of the group, Prof. Ruth Oniang’o, who briefed the minister on

SAA’s various activities and the need for Nigerian Government to support it, observed that Nigeria was important to Africa’s economic development.

“SAA is committed to helping national agricultural extension systems to transform themselves from one that focused primarily on crop productivity to one capable of providing farmers and rural people with training and advisory services all along the value chains,” Oniang’o explained.

FG enforces high tariff on wheat importation, saves Nigeria N200bn

By Mohammed Kandi

T

he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina yesterday said in line with the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), lofty tariff would be imposed on the importation of wheat so as to save the country from loosing over N200 billion to other economies.

Addressing the journalists yesterday in Abuja, when he

Group accuses Jang of threat, intimidation over quest for new state From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

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roup of Plateau top politicians and professionals agitating for the creation of new state out of the present Plateau state, baptized “South Plateau State” with capital at Pankshin Local Government Area (LGA), yesterday, accused the state government of arm-twisting and threatening of traditional rulers, civil servants and top government functionaries from

supporting the new proposed state.

The group in a statement signed by Barrister Umar Shittien, Chief Silvanus D Lot, Hon. Amos Gombi, BrigadierGeneral John Templong and Barrister Garba Pwul (SAN) made available to Peoples Daily in Jos said it has gone very far with the worthy quest which had the tacit and concrete approval of the vast majority of stakeholders at all levels in the new proposed state.

It would be recalled that last

week, the State Government in a statement signed by the Commissioner of Information Mr. Yiljap Abraham said agitation for the creation of new state out of the Plateau would cause disaffection and disunity among the people of the state, saying government will not support and endorse the creation of a new state for now.

The group declared, ‘there is no going back’ on the genuine request no matter the level of threats and intimidation from

any quota pointing out that the new state is very necessary a and popular demand.

They further expressed dismay with the government’s arm twisting stressing that in some states, traditional rulers, leadership of state assembly that are spear-heading the movements for the creation of the new states in their respective jurisdiction with the support of their governors but the case in Plateau state is different.

overnor Usman Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi state has promised that his administration will continue to support free education and medical care across the state.

He gave this assurance yesterday while receiving the Management team of People’s Daily Media who paid him condolence, adding that during his days they were given free education and free medical care and promised to replicate the same gesture during his in tenure.

He further pointed out that a lot of achievements had been made most especially on education, health and Agriculture which he described as the major factors in ensuring development and promoting the democracy in the state.

Dakingari, who was reelected back to the office after the Supreme court ruling that banished him from office, said that leaving behind legacy is his major priority and promised to provide the dividends of democracy to the electorates.

Sokoto conducts 34,025 eye surgeries

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he Sokoto State Eye Care Programme has conducted surgeries on 34,105 patients in seven years, the Programme Manager, Alhaji Aliyu Jabo, said on Tuesday in Sokoto.

Jabo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the surgeries were conducted on patients with various eye ailments from July 2005 to date.

He said that more than 240,000 other patients with minor eye ailments were also separately treated during the period.

The manager explained that the programme was funded by the state government and an NGO, Sight Savers International.

Jabo gave a breakdown of the patients who had surgeries as 9,025 with cataract, 25,000 with trachoma and 80 who had glaucoma.

“Apart from the operations conducted by the programme during the period under review, about 240,000 persons were also separately treated,’’ the manager added.

Jabo disclosed that more than 350,000 River Blindness patients were diagnosed and treated in Goronyo Local Government Area alone from 1996 to date.

“The problem of river blindness is more prevalent in Goronyo because of the presence of the dam which makes the entire local government area prone to the disease. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

Sokoto completes 23 roads worth N 7.9bn -- Wamakko

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he Sokoto state government completed 23 road projects at the cost of N7.9 billion between 2007 and now, the Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, said on Monday.

Wamakko made the statement at Fanare in Wamakko Local Government Area when his Kano State counterpart, Dr Rabi’u Kwankwaso, inaugurated the 14km Fanare-Lokobi-Yarume road.

The ceremony was part of

Kwankwaso's one-day official visit to Sokoto State.

Wamakko said the road was constructed by the state government at the cost of N944.7 million, adding that the government was currently constructing additional 43 roads at the cost of N17.1 billion.

He said “the emphasis of this administration since 2007 has been the opening up the most difficult and inaccessible areas of the state.

“Roads, just like other social infrastructure, boost the socioeconomic development of the people and enhance good governance.”

Wamakko urged contractors in the state to execute projects on schedule and according to specifications.

“Any default in the handling of contracts by any contractor will be viewed with serious dismay and will surely be to the detriment of the affected

contractors.

“All of us, including the contractors, must be diligent, committed, patriotic and Godfearing. We must all work fast toward the provision of social services to the people,” he said.

Kwanakwaso described the relationship between Kano and Sokoto states as cordial and promised that it would be sustained, adding that the two states were bound by culture, religion, commerce and trade.

He said Wamakko had transformed the state to an enviable level.

He urged other governors to give priority to the delivery of social services to the people and stressed that “this is the essence of governance.”

Sokoto state Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Umaru Nagwari, said the PDP-led administration in the state was committed to uplifting the living standard of the people. (NAN)

Kaduna scales up campaign against HIV/AIDS

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L-R: Representative of the Minister of Justice, Mr. Onyema Omenwa, Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Mr. Afam Ezekude, President, Hotel Owners Forum, Abuja, Mr. Onofiok Ekong, and Private Sector Development Specialist, World Bank, Mr. Richard Sandall, during the Copyright Society of Nigeria’s Stakeholders Forum, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Police arrest school VP for killing principal in Delta T

he police in Delta say they have arrested one Daniel Okpobusa, Vice Principal of Elume Grammar School, Sapele in Delta, for allegedly killing Mrs Rosemary Ojuederie, the Principal of the school.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Charles Muka, who confirmed the arrest to the News

Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Asaba said that Okpobusa had confessed to the crime.

According to Muka, Ojuederie, 56, was on Thursday, June 28 murdered in her room by unknown assailants.

“However, through information, her VP (Special

Duties), one Daniel Okpobusa, 45 years, was arrested and under intense interrogation, he confessed to killing the woman for an undisclosed reason.

“In his confession, he narrated how he went to the late principal’s residence and shot her through the slide window with a locally made pistol,” Muka said.

He said that the culprit later led Sapele Police team to where the gun was recovered with five live cartridges in the bush.

Muka said that the suspect was helping the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Asaba in the investigation, adding that he would be made to face the full wrath of the law. (NAN)

Kwara embarks on drainage Delta waste management Board laments substandard equipment construction across Ilorin From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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he Kwara state government has embarked on extensive desilting of drainage across Ilorin, the state capital to protect the city against flood and to ensure free flow of water in the face of climate change challenges causing flooding in parts of the country.

The state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed said this during an interactive session with journalists in the state.

Governor Ahmed said the government has instituted a policy of constructing drainage systems on every new road contract awarded.

The governor identified lack of

maintenance culture in the country for the slow pace of infrastructural development and sustenance as funds that could be used for other projects are used to maintain old ones at higher costs.

“If we had a sound maintenance culture in this country, we wouldn’t be celebrating any government for building roads or providing pipe borne water, because our level of development would have developed beyond that level”.

Governor Ahmed described governments’ resort to borrowing to finance capital intensive projects as strategic and not because the state was broke as no banker would extend credit facilities to insolvent states.

C

hairman of the Delta State Waste Management Board, Comrade Olori Magege has lamented the dearth of equipment to evacuate debris and waste, saying the ones recently acquired by the state government crashed because they were substandard for the activities of the board.

Comrade Magege said this while briefing newsmen in Asaba on the activities of the board. He added that lack of equipment to remove debris explained why fresh waters are polluted and street corners of the state are full of debris thereby preventing free-flow of silage waters.

He explained further that since

waste was not efficiently collected and disposed in proper dumpsites across the state, unfriendly atmosphere of smokes and stenches, generated from combustible and hazardous properties took over the cities and villages.

He acknowledged the rapid urbanization and population growth, which accounted for 99 per cent of the organic and inorganic nature of waste in the state from industries and household.

He, however, lamented the alarming rate at which mountain of heaps of refuse had occupied public places in the state.

he Kaduna state government said yesterday that the prevalence of HIV/ AIDS has dropped from seven per cent in 2008 to 5.1 per cent in 2010.

Mr. Patrick Katuka, the Executive Secretary of the state AIDS Control Agency (KADSACA), stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

He said that the 2010 sentinel survey report produced by the Federal Ministry of Health confirmed the decrease.

“The current 2011-2012 Sentinel Survey Report is expected before the end of this year,” the secretary said.

He attributed the reduction to the political will demonstrated by the state government and the seven- point agenda adopted by the agency in combating the scourge.

While acknowledging the state government’s commitment to the war against HIV/AIDS, the scribe said that public awareness campaign on prevention, control and management of the disease had been scaled up.

Besides, Katuka said the agency was providing support and care services to people living with the condition.

He added that additional HIV/ AIDS counselling and testing centres had been created across the 23 local government areas of the state.

According to him, the agency is also providing psycho-social and economic empowerment services as well as more anti retro-viral drugs to affected people.

“A vigorous and calculated attention to orphans and vulnerable children in addition to the creation of more centres for the treatment of opportunistic infections had been institutionalised.

“It is already a crime to discriminate or stigmatise people living with HIV/AIDS in the state following the enactment of the Anti-segregation law initiated by the agency”, said Katuka.

He identified stigmatisation and discrimination of victims, denial syndrome, low self esteem, refusal to access HIV/AIDS counselling, testing and treatment services, as some of the challenges facing the war.

According to him, this has led to the increase in the spread of the disease in Kwoi and Saminaka towns from 7.3 per cent to 8.7 per cent and 2.0 per cent to 3.9 per cent, respectively, within the period under review. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

PAGE 11

NGO sets agenda for new NSA

T

he Pan-African Leadership (PALL), an NGO on Monday set a four-point agenda for the new National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Col. Sambo Dasuki.

Mr Stephen Achi, the Executive Director of the organisation, gave the advice in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

Achi urged the NSA to improve inter-security agency relations, capacity building, enhanced staff welfare and provision of working equipment.

The NGO said that these would help address the current national security challenges, including bombings, kidnapping, acts of thuggery, political violence, armed robbery, corruption and acts of criminality.

“Among the major duties of the NSA is the protection of the country from all types of internal and external aggression, espionage, hostile intelligence service, sabotage, subversion, insecurity, influences and other crimes.

“From all indications, the interagency relationship and cooperation has not been able to detect, assess and nip in the bud all threats to the security of some states in the North from subversive groups and unpatriotic citizens,” Achi said.

While appealing to Dasuki to urgently address the security challenges, the NGO implored him to create a well defined communication link between the various security services and establish liaison officers at all levels.

“As at now, there are proven cases arising from false sense of superiority, ignorance, poor education and training, which are seriously undermining espirit de corps among the security agencies.”

(NAN)

Niger state Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (middle), donating blood during the flag-off of the VIPs voluntary blood donation campaigns, on Monday at the General Hospital, Minna.

Bayelsa to phase out commercial motorcyclists T

he Bayelsa state government yesterday said it would soon phase out the operation of commercial motorcyclists within the state capital, Yenagoa.

The Commissioner for Environment, Dr Sylvanus Abila said in Yenagoa during a lecture at the 2012 Area B Conference of the Junior Chamber International (JCI).

He said that the state government was reviewing its transport policy and considered the operation of commercial

motorcyclists dangerous to human lives.

Abila, who delivered a lecture, entitled: “Securing Nigeria for the future: The Role of the Youths”, said that the youths had a responsibility to participate in governance in the task of building a better nation.

He said that the State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure had commenced the expansion of some of the existing roads as well as the construction of new ones to enhance internal transport system.

According to him, the administration of Gov. Seriake Dickson plans to procure commercial buses and taxis to operate designated routes when the roads will be ready.

Abila said that the Nigerians youths must stand up and challenge governments at all levels to fight corruption and poor leadership for a better future.

The commissioner, who was a former Law lecturer at the Stateowned Niger Delta University, advocated for a free and compulsory education at all levels.

He said that Nigeria Police Force had set in motion a formidable security method that would ensure peace in the country.

He called on the officers to brace up in tackling the current security challenges in the country.

The Commissioner of Police in

and religious leaders to mobilise people to offer intelligence reports to consolidate security in the state.

He said that already security personnel had been deployed to the metropolis to gather intelligence information to promote peace in the state. (NAN)

He said that the huge resource at the disposal of the Federal Government was sufficient to guarantee free education that would ensure quality education to all Nigerian youths.

Abila said that the governor’s vision was for a massive investment in the education sector to encourage the younger generation.

He said that it was against the backdrop of the vision that the governor consequently announced free education up to the secondary school level in Bayelsa.

(NAN)

40% diabetes patients yet to Health Ministry be diagnosed AIG urges Sokoto policemen to be proactive seeks legal he Assistant Inspector- when the police are proactive that Sokoto, Mr Musa Aliyu, informed General of Police (AIG), Zone the command will be able to sustain the AIG that the command was - Medic backing on 10, Sokoto, Muktari the current peace in the state. partnering with traditional rulers

By A’isha Biola Raji

A

n Endocrinologist, Dr Felicia Anumah has said that about 40 percent of people with diabetes are yet to be diagnosed in the country.

Speaking at a seminar titled, ‘ The Basics for Diabetes Management’ organised by Diabetes Help and Enlightenment Organisation (DHEO) over the weekend said most of the affected patients of this deadly disease caught them unawares.

She said about 3.8 million people die annually from the disease but authorities and civil society organisations were not giving enough enlightenment on it.

According to her, the type two diabetes mellitus has no cure but can only be managed to some certain extent. "Prevention is the only realistic way to reverse the epidemic from non communicable diseases in order to save lives."

T

Ibrahim, has yesterday urged officers of the Sokoto State Police Command to be proactive in checking criminal activities.

Ibrahim gave the charge while addressing officers and men of the Command in Sokoto.

According to him, it is only

Ankpa LG boss solicits for support From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

T

he Liason officer for Ankpa local government, Alhaji Abdulahi Idris has observed that for the present administration to achieve the objective of transformation, everybody must be ready to make sacrifice through prudent management of lean resources in the present economic challenges.

He dropped this hint yesterday in Lokoja in a chat with newsmen at government house during swearing-in ceremony of the

Secretary to the State Government.

He stated that funds, as viewed by some individuals, were not available in the local government but promised to use the available resources in the council to impact on the people at the grassroots “since that is the engine room of every society”.

The Ankpa boss averred that for development to effectively take place there should be tight security, pointing out that the council would not be oblivious of the present challenges, noting that security would form one of the cardinal agenda of the LG.

While urging the youths to engage in useful venture to improve the society and individuals, Alhaji Abdulahi said that every youth should embrace the kind gesture of the state government by procuring forms where they could be trained on areas of their choice.

He, however, maintained that collecting the forms was not an automatic employment for prospective candidates but those who show seriousness during training to acquire skill would be gainfully engaged.

blood donation From Iliya Garba, Minna

T

he Federal Ministry of Health is to present a draft bill to the National Assembly seeking for legal backing on blood donation, storage and transfusion in the country.

The Ministry’s Head of Blood Donor Care Unit, Mrs Helen Goyo, gave this indication yesterday in Minna at the flag-off of three-day campaign on executive blood donation drive.

She said that the legal department of the ministry had already completed work on the bill.

Goyo explained that the aim was to regulate private and public hospitals in the area of blood storage and transfusion.

She appealed to Gov. Babangida Aliyu to sensitise other governors to ensure the success of the initiative.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

T

NSGF’s curious take on bombings in the North

he statement of the Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum [NSGF], Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, in the wake of the recent church bombings in Kaduna and Zaria, struck a chord with many northerners and concerned Nigerians alike who, for want of a cogent and rational answer, are of the belief that there is more to the violent attacks spearheaded by the Boko Haram sect.

The chairman who is the governor of Niger state disclosed that perhaps there is a well orchestrated plan that goes beyond Boko Haram to cripple the north's economy.

He said, "Given the level of sophistication involved in the activities of the perpetrators of the bombings, it is easy to conclude that some oblique forces are behind the violence in the north and not Boko Haram alone as widely believed". He added that the bombing of churches may be a diversionary tactic since the perpetrators know full well how sensitive the issue of religion is in the country.

Since Boko Haram began its violent campaign against the government which has seen it target mainly government institutions, places of worship and security agents, it is not in doubt that the north has borne the brunt of the attacks. As expected, the attacks have led to tremendous slowing down of economic activities in the affected states. It started in

Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, back in 2009 after the killing of the sect's leader, Mohammed Yusuf, by security agents. Since then the state has known no peace. After Maiduguri was subdued, Kano city, the commercial nerve centre of the north, became a target in January, this year

“

Given his position and stature in government, we are tempted to believe that perhaps Governor Aliyu knows much more than he is letting out. If this is so then we urge him to be courageous enough to make public all he knows so that this nightmare can come to an end when multiple explosives were detonated in various parts of the city.

Commerce in the ancient city came to a halt with residents now trying hard to pick up the pieces. Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe and Kaduna states have also been targeted with devastating effect.

Although Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for some of the attacks, the perpetrators of some others are still unknown. Indeed, security agents

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have arrested non Muslims who have allegedly perfected plans to cause mayhem that would, in all likelihood, have been hanged on Boko Haram.

The only logical reason for such is that the miscreants are determined to take advantage of the mass hysteria over Boko Haram to deepen the existing crisis. As Governor Aliyu pointed out, the level of sophistication of some of the attacks leaves one to wonder how the sect whose members, it is almost unanimously believed, are poor and illiterate could muster such sophistry. This conveniently fits into conspiracy theories making the rounds about the involvement of foreign interests in the Boko Haram insurgency. The governor's assertion also raises a question about the puzzling manner of the arrest of many Boko Haram suspects who have still not been prosecuted by the authorities.

Given his position and stature in government, we are tempted to believe that perhaps Governor Aliyu knows much more than he is letting out. If this is so then we urge him to be courageous enough to make public all he knows so that this nightmare can come to an end. We are also of the opinion that the federal government through its security agencies should take more than a passing interest in the governor's statement and leave no stone unturned in efforts to bring the Boko Haram insurgency to an end.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

By M. L. Ismail

I

t is an undisputable truism that education is the bedrock of development. This is why education remains the best legacy anyone would bequeath his child or the generation next. But these would only be mere sayings if the sector is left tainted and unattended to.

Accordingly, Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo’s administration in Gombe state has thus remained focused and committed to giving this all important sector its pride of place in the scheme of the developmental activities since inception in May 29,2011.

Driving this commitment is what the Governor himself compressed into giving the younger ones what he was given so that they can become better citizens tomorrow.

To be in firm control of the wheel therefore, the administration decided to make education above all other things its first, second and third priority.

The desire is to confront and peel off the scales of rust that has encased the state’s education sector over the years.

With the contending issues of the Governor’s intention on one side and the miserable year in year out below par school certificate examinations results, the administration wasted no time in swinging into action as recommended by the committee

By Jean Herskovits Where do we see now what Garba said really counts? t is a truism that increased pressure on fewer resources produces tension among people, who then find ways to limit competition for opportunities, notably in education and employment. And what could be easier than removing competitors by excluding them for reasons of geography, religion, ethnicity? It happens all around the world, and always against some “other.” And the more dire the economic circumstances, the more likely is violence. Fear follows, and often more violence.

It is not hard to see how this has been playing out in Nigeria.

Since 1999, conditions for the generality of Nigerians have only worsened, despite revenues from oil that former governments— including the Second Republic’s— could only have dreamt of. Is it surprising that violence and criminality have escalated? Even though I believe, as Joe Garba always said, that Nigeria’s problems are not—I repeat not— insoluble, problems like these become intractable with the passage of time. Too much time has passed already.

He would, I’m sure, have pointed to the lack of political will, although there is more to the political dimension than that. It is inescapable that during the last ten years politicians have made use of what divides Nigerians to their personal advantage.

Though they didn’t invent the technique, they have taken it to new levels—I would say depths.

Not all, of course, but many, too many. If that, along with the oil revenue and the impunity

I

PAGE 13

Creating an enviable educational legacy in Gombe programme recently. Those who pass the remedial examination but fall short of the required UME cut-off score of 180 will be given another opportunity while the results are maintained. And for those that cannot pass both the remedial and JAMB entrance exams on the other hand, the university has undertaken to introduce diploma and other

set up to look at the problems besetting the education sector in the state. The committee was constituted alongside eleven others to look into the different sectors of the system and make recommendations.

Part of the recommendations of that committee was the need for a stopgap measure to get back on track the education dream, hope and aspirations of the majority the state’s public senior school certificate graduates who were already made despondent by the inability to break the jinx of passing the almighty Joint Matriculations Examination (JME).

That recommendation birthed the Gombe state government collaboration with the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) to run a pilot remedial programme for 1,000 students, having identified that the lots of students who left secondary school but failed to obtain the entry point into either university or polytechnic required remediation. Under the Gombe state/ UNIMAID arrangement, students are absorbed into the University system but study in Gombe where they are tutored/guided by the

institution’s staff and electronically write the same entrance examination as their colleagues on campus.

“Whoever makes JAMB cutoff score of 200 points and above as well as pass the entrance examination will be given automatic admission into any course of his/her choice,” explained the Vice Chancellor of

the University of Maiduguri, Professor Mala Daura when he visited Gombe to oversee the students and conduct of the

certificate courses into which they will be absorbed.

“So it is one of the youths programmes that we have

current and former office-holders enjoy, weaves a rope that binds together the political class nationwide, I submit it is a profoundly negative unity.

Moreover, all this takes place in a global context. Even before the last decade of technological change so rapid and profound that it is hard to absorb its consequences, the end of the Cold War in 1989 changed geo-politics.

With the breakup of the Soviet Union, things fell apart; old ethnic identities re-emerged. The United States was not immune. It now had hyphenated Americans, starting, notably with AfricanAmerican as the newly accepted term for Black, which had earlier replaced Negro, and before that Colored. Most who used it had never seen Africa, just as those now Greek-Americans or PolishAmericans or Nepali-Americans or myriad others had never visited the countries they proudly claimed through hyphenation.

Expatriate Nigerians in the U.S.—the “Nigerian diaspora”— have absorbed this, and often as not will let you know their ethnicity, even if you don’t ask. I think this may have begun with the Igbo exodus during and after the civil war, but it escalated with the arrival of assorted “Andrews,” the name given to those leaving Nigeria by the Buhari government, pleading with them to stay and build the country. I began to notice a contrast with my own student days, when organizations were pan-Nigerian or even more broadly West African; now most groups of Nigerians in the U.S. were, and

still are, ethnically defined, sometimes even sub-ethnically.

I once taught a seminar for history majors whose theme was “Tribalism and Nationalism”— they could do research on it in any time and place that interested them. I would begin by asking my students how they identified themselves, and was surprised when, in the late 1980s, the majority said they were hyphenated-Americans first; only the older students and I said we were Americans before anything else.

All my students did agree they were also New Yorkers, or easterners, or Yankee fans, or Lutherans or one-time Girl or Boy Scouts. And all agreed that it was possible to maintain these different identities at the same time and only rarely, if at all, with conflict: America’s good fortune.

For a time Nigerians were similarly able to be, say, a Nigerian and a Northerner and a Tarok and a Catholic without difficulty—that was, of course, Joe Garba. And his choice of close associates underscores how very Nigerian he was: Just one example—the reviewer and coeditors of Joe Garba’s Legacy, Ambassador Dede from Edo, Mr. Obaze from Anambra, Captain Tunde from Kwara. Perhaps the only unifying Nigerian passion Joe Garba didn’t share was for football—basketball was his sport—but he was as proud as anyone else of Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ triumph at the 1996 Olympics. And, now that I think of it, has the precipitous decline in the performance of Nigeria’s

national teams undermined Nigerians’ national identity?

In any case, ethnicity was in the global air, along with a renewed stress on selfdetermination at the expense of previous, broader identities. CNN was reporting on it for all the world to see and hear. It was nothing like what has come with cell phones and the internet, but it did start an unprecedented, rapid spread of global happenings and ideas. New nations began to proliferate, in Central Asia under tight control of dictators, and in the Balkans, violently.

And in South Africa, democratically, achieving at last what had been a major Nigerian foreign policy goal, with no Nigerian more active in and committed to achieving it than Joseph Nanven Garba—as foreign minister, as Perm Rep at the UN and chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid, as President of the UN General Assembly, and as a well-known figure in the region, asked to quietly assist from time to time.

His concern for South Africa’s transition and its aftermath were fundamental to his work on southern Africa’s regional security in the 1990s, but Nigeria was never far from his thoughts.

Indeed, in 1997, he brought together in Abuja for the first time senior military officers from the countries of West and Southern Africa to discuss the security challenges regional organizations were facing and how they might learn from each other. It was a process he hoped would continue.

Another global current—

“

With the contending issues of the Governor’s intention on one side and the miserable year in year out below par school certificate examinations results, the administration wasted no time in swinging into action as recommended by the committee set up to look at the problems besetting the education sector in the state

introduced and will sustain till anytime when the pressure of solving the problem of this category of people is reduced. So the conclusion is that it will be a continuous programme and as soon as the exams are over on Friday (15-06-2012), sales of new forms will commence,” assured Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo while commenting on the issues of education in the state and under his administration. He also use opportunity to hint that under the same partnership strategy, the state government will roll out a similar programme in conjunction with the University of Kashere strictly for English Language and Mathematics as soon as academic activities resumes.

But this agenda in its beauty and grandeur is only a precursor to a more grand arrangement with the Gombe State University which is also designed to follow the same collaborative dimension. To this end, two Schools of Basic and Remedial Studies were proposed to established at Kumo and Dukku towns in Akko and Dukku local government areas of the state to Continued on page 15

How to be a Nigerian (III)

heightened religious tension—has swept much of the world, and Nigeria has not escaped. Not that religion did not feature earlier.

The differences in treatment of Christianity and Islam by British colonial officials left Nigeria a legacy that has contributed to Nigeria’s North-South problems, notably the relative lack of Western education in the North.

It was British policy to prevent Christian missionaries, who brought education with them, from establishing themselves in the northern emirates. That was so as not to disturb traditional Islamic political institutions, through which the British “indirectly” ruled; only the Emir of Zaria allowed an exception.

Later, despite some efforts to represent the civil war as being Muslim vs. Christian, it was not.

And though the issue of Shari’a law riled the constituent assembly’s debates in 1978, it did not impede the transition to the Second Republic under the 1979 constitution.

But things were changing globally, and with Cold War ideologies and superpower competition virtually gone, religious activism began increasing. As with ethnicity, pent-up energies now went in different directions, often bringing tension, if not outright conflict. Local varieties of fundamentalism were shaking all the world’s major religions.

American adventures in the Middle East, notably the first Gulf War and the stationing of troops and military hardware, Contd. on page 14

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

UNILAG or MAULAG: Lest we forget

By Olamide Olabisi

I

n the spirit of the UNILAG VS MAULAG upheaval, I tried to maintain a creative sanity amongst the set of people I led to the protest ground and I always tried to make them know why and what exactly we were fighting for so that we didn’t say jargons to the press or make any frivolous mistake at all. I tried to make sure that we didn’t spleen our vents to the wrong quarters and cause further havoc. Sadly however, in the spirit of this logic, a vast majority of my colleagues that I encountered gave very inane and unintelligent reasons for joining the protest - for example some said ‘the name no sweet for ear’ ‘dem no fit they call me maulite’.

Even though the name change was going to follow an egocomplex and a dent of psyche, that wasn’t supposed to be the reason to trek from abule-oja/ school gate to the third-mainland Continued from page 13

including a heightened naval presence, triggered violent reactions. The 9/11 attacks and the U.S. invasions that followed of Afghanistan and, gratuitously, Iraq raised the temperature among Muslims and Christians far from the events themselves.

In Nigeria ripples from all this flowed into post-1999 politics.

Pressure for Shari’a law, criminal as well as civil, popular because it implied that justice would be done where the secular courts had patently failed, swept ten northern states; legal changes to accommodate it followed.

Meanwhile, Christian Evangelical and Pentacostal mega-churches were multiplying and proselytizing, pressing northward. It was altogether a combustible mix, and we know today how inflamed religious tensions and conflict have become.

So Nigeria—and, for that matter, Africa—cannot escape the world in its 21st century transitional time, leading to we know not what. The pace of change has never been so rapid; globalization has never been so pervasive. Climate is changing and population is rising. It appears that a new “Scramble for Africa” based, yet again, on extracting its natural resources, is under way, but this time with Asian players prominent.

In all this, only Nigerians can protect their long-range interests, which surely must start with health, education and much improved lives and prospects for all of them. Success must depend on breathing new life into the sense of One Nigeria, where unity in diversity has real meaning for all who live here. It must surely include the careful stewardship of Nigeria’s resources for future generations.

In meeting these challenges and more, Nigeria urgently needs the restructuring so much talked about now. But what does that mean, concretely, and what is the way to get there?

bridge- shouting, clamouring, earthquake and they begin to rant our vice chancellor had gone to singing, acting, carrying placards again. The Dana airplane crash rest with the lord some weeks and momentarily hindering has taken its turn; Farouk Lawan before these whole wahala started people from getting to their and Otedola are still having the and the whole school was in a intelligent state workplaces on of mourning and time. No! Some p r e s i d e n t of us actually J o n a t h a n lost it. I tried to Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text decided to look for correct such trouble because opinions as messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written he was bored. much as contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 Apparently, this possible by words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and declaration was constructing a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed definitely going BC’s on BBM to: to follow a protest and giving and a critical everybody The Editor, disapproval from cogent facts Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, every sane and statistics to 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. human involved digest per time.

Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com and uninvolved.

But If it But why not pleases you to SMS: 07037756364 wait till the dead know that, is laid to rest?

Nigerians have Such a decision is a key factor for this special gift of focusing on the spotlight. What is next? so-called ‘sensitive’ rave of the moment, they tirade I realised the name change a and rant about issues as they are though it may be a form of honour administration.

My vitriol exploded when I heating up, immediately another it still had so many critical gruesome event unfolds they technical hitches- one of which, he realised the senate had suggested change focus like an impending disturbed the rest of the dead soul, that the controversial MKO be

WRITE TO US

named after the national stadium.

Others suggested the Aso rock or villa or whatever, the eagles square et al, some said a day should be dedicated for him just like martin Luther king’s, those are beautiful options but I thought out something again, MalcolmX of the United States is the face of their stamp and generations after generations are still using it, inquisitive youths are trying to research increasingly why he is the face of the stamp though, thereby remembering him in decorum. This could also be a path to resurrect NIPOST. But GEJ is not ready to work or think! The NIPOST is not even part of his ‘unrealistic transformation’ project.

It keeps lingering in my mind, How much will cost to change letterhead, envelopes and other print works with UNILAG on it? There are also sign posts, car posters website certificates and also official Continued on page 15

How to be a Nigerian (III) “

Of one thing I am as certain as humanly possible: that Nigeria must remain a united polity, for everyone’s sake. Those advocating its breakup do not, I believe, represent the vast majority of Nigerian, and doing so openly, without official reprimand, I find distressing. That such people seem ready to risk the violence, even war, that would surely follow tells me they have no clue—as Joe Garba would put it—about civil war, Nigeria’s own or any other.

They apparently do not know about the massive bloodshed that came with dividing India and Pakistan (still threatening to annihilate one another). More recently, bloodshed on a horrific scale marked the break-up of Yugoslavia. And violent conflict is now rife between Sudan and newly-created South Sudan.

Those talking of breaking up Nigeria even cite such examples to be followed! God forbid.

A “Sovereign National Conference,” based on what are called ethno-nationalities, is not the answer. A national conference could be a constructive forum, depending on how its participants are chosen. But not if it has representation by ethnicity. That simply reintroduces all the problems now evident in endless state creation. How many ethnicities? 400 plus? Who decides which? Only the ones that number in the millions? If so, what about all the other millions?

And then, what would emerge from the cacophony that would be bound to follow? I suggest that the “popular” requests that have come to the National Assembly for over 60 new states, gives a glimpse of what it would be.

Further, though Its supporters insist it would not lead to fragmenting the country, many fear it would fuel precisely that.

A national conference could not, in any case, be “sovereign,” since, as many have pointed out, you can’t have two simultaneous,

The disappointing thing is that Nigerians often react rashly to rumours, founded or unfounded and, without adequately weighing the facts, will proceed to pass judgment accordingly. When you add all these traits to his impatience for quick solutions to complex problems and his almost sadistic delight in seeking punishment for anyone who fails to meet his often inflated expectations, then you have a major and serious flaw in the Nigerian character

competing sovereign bodies, and, for better or worse, Nigeria has a National Assembly. Using the current constitution, it could provide a way forward, but not if it endorses creating, rather than consolidating, states. And not if it proceeds the way previous amending has gone: bits and pieces addressed, amendments passed—or rammed through—as a group and rubber stamped by state assemblies, without any broad-based public ratification.

The current amending process has shown that, so far, political agendas dominate.

Nigeria cannot now indulge such narrow priorities on matters fundamental to the country’s unity. But to have active politicians, executive branch and legislators alike, set politics aside would mean repealing human nature. I ponder at times how far America’s Founding Fathers would have gotten had their constitution-making been done in the public glare and had their main objectives been personal.

I want to come back to Joe Garba, speaking in 1979 about his compatriots; he was trenchant in describing qualities that affect the urgent challenge of restructuring the country:

The Nigerian is perhaps one of the most complex characters in the world. He is vocal, determined and hard-working in the pursuit of his personal or ethnic interests. But he is often destructive in his criticisms of others, and negligent in his dedications to essential national goals and objectives. He is at once sophisticated and crude in his reactions to delicate national issues, but whenever he believes that his legitimate rights are being trampled upon, he is quick to react. This Is healthy because free expression of views must obtain in any civilized society (and Nigeria in spite of whatever anyone says is civilized).

The disappointing thing is that Nigerians often react rashly to rumours, founded or unfounded and, without adequately weighing the facts, will proceed to pass judgment accordingly. When you add all these traits to his impatience for quick solutions to complex problems and his almost sadistic delight in seeking punishment for anyone who fails to meet his often inflated expectations, then you have a major and serious flaw in the Nigerian character.

If that rings truer than ever (nowadays Joe Garba would have said “he or she”), it must be taken into account in bringing about the restructuring Nigeria needs.

There is no easy answer— there never is in Nigeria—but I would, hesitantly, offer this thought. As a Nigerian friend recently put it, “We need minds, not mouths!” So, as a first step, assemble a relatively small group of people, similar to the Constitution Drafting Committee in 1976, but with several differences. Participants should be without future political ambition.

They must be committed to Nigeria’s unity under some kind of federal arrangement but not otherwise constrained. Dare I say they should be wise?

Some should have expertise in constitutional law if possible—a constitution is, after all, a legal document—though they need not all be lawyers. They should include some of the people who have had the practical experience of working with Nigeria’s present constitution and know its pitfalls and flaws.

Such a group could make use of some of the Belgore Committee’s recommendations when they emerge, but its members must go beyond searching for consensus from previous constitutional conclaves, based on simply adjusting the present.

They must open their thinking to what could be new and even drastically different from the present. They must be free to search the world for advice, while realizing that Nigeria is uniquely Nigeria. They could reject models from elsewhere and create something better for Nigerians.

Professor Jean Herkovits delivered this speech at Nigerian Institute for International Affairs, Lagos on 31 May 2012 in honour of Joseph Nanven Garba, 19432002.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

C

heckpoint. Pin down. Stopand-search. Whatever you choose to call it, it’s a word that shoehorned itself into the Nigerian traffic rules. In Nigeria, rule of check points is more enforced than driver’s license for it is the only ‘law’ that is no respecter of motorists – except the siren-blaring elite.

This traffic dogma often forces us to line up in a stretch of kilometres without veering off an empty lane.

In cities ravaged by bombs, major roads always seem closed as the traffic slowly moves through the gun-totting security personnel who mainly squeeze out money from unwilling motorists before lowering the bar. As you snake through the security chicane (made up of all manner stuff), out there you meet a weathertrounced traffic warden displaying his choreographic skills to motorists. Like buskers, that is how Nigerian security personnel earn their daily bread. Aren’t you worried about this? But this is Nigeria, the soul of societal solecism.

Did it ever occur to you that at times some of the life’s privileges do not have virtues?

On the surface, one would think ignorance or insecurity have no virtues or bliss. The worldview is that they haven’t. But they have virtues, at least in this ethno-religious sandwich called Nigeria.

Except perhaps if one’s bowler hat is donned on a tilapia head or – to borrow the shoeless man’s words – you don’t give a damn,

PAGE 15

How not to secure

Religious strife, Boko Haram, road and air accidents, scandals are elements that form part of the air we breathe every second.

We breathe in Boko Haram, and exhale reprisal attacks. So, these problems are being forced into our life like cassava bread because of the country’s ailing system. When the cassava hype was elevated to high heavens, I wondered why not other local delicacies made of cassava?

Don’t you think the cassava campaign would have been deliciously logical if mandako (100 percent cassava paste kneaded with ground ’karago)

would be made a ‘national meal’? And it’s a good way of promoting local products.

But I digress. Before the birth of Boko Haram, Nigerians feel more secure if there’s a police station in their neighborhood.

Now that security is turning into insecurity as police bases are mainly the target of Boko Haram attacks, neighbors of police stations are leaving the area in drove.

They rather feel ‘insecure’ with their civilian neighbours.

Most of their houses have either cracked walls or shattered roofs and windows because of the tremor caused by blasts.

Nowadays, all the roads leading to locations of police stations are blocked perpetually for vehicular movement.

Except on some major roads, where a whole lane leading to a police station is completely blocked in such a way that motorists are forced to contraflow.

Police stations located near feeder roads are worst hit.

Theirs is often not check points but a permanent blockade. Even

though there are no appropriate signs to indicate total closure, if you bump into it you’ll be considered an enemy. It is more than mutiny to jump road block.

Many innocent people are wrongly killed daily for jumping into these shabbily barricaded roads.

Police stations have almost become irrelevant to people living in the states afflicted by Boko Haram. Nobody now dares confront a police station to file a case. More than ever before, people are becoming unwillingly forgiving. Jungle justice, mob action and other social vices are daily occurring, but the police turn their back from it. It’s now both polite and politic to mutter Allah ya isa than take a case to a logical conclusion.

I believe one of the reasons for incessant attacks on police is the fact that their stations are scattered everywhere. Since the attacks have become a recurring decimal, police should gather, like soldiers, at their barracks and fortify their turf. They should leave the charred remains of their stations and return to barracks.

In stead of waiting for Boko Haram to come, they should rather be proactive not reactive.

Police should confront them at their hideouts. The acting IG of Police, MD Abubakar, should better copy the army’s operational tact before copying their uniform. What is needed now is intelligence gathering and taking proactive measures but not taking ‘camouflage’ measures.

typical UNILAG morning is emerging -where everyone you encounter has a lecture for 8 AM (whether true or not), where the cab driver doesn’t wait for all the passengers to alight before he engages the gear to rapidly pick up students from the long queues wherever, the ‘phone call & recharge card’ clausal-noise blaring in your ears from those who have taken it as a source of livelihood, girls and guys looking beautiful and

handsome in elegant outfits preparing for the ‘toasting’ that will emerge in the evening.

The average evening is also taking its turn when the smoke of the chicken & chips sellers won’t give you rest, girls clinging to guys at several locations as they order the sharwarma seller to serve them varieties, girls and guys holding themselves at the love garden, where everyone is holding something assorted,

Oppressing-automobiles trooping in cavalcade to pick selected girls in bikini and sultry leggings or juggins. I need to stop here.

At least, the federal high court Ikeja has declared that the name remains, so we are on course, we are making progress. GREAT AKOKITE!!!!!!!

Olamide Olabisi is of the faculty of science, UNILAG. Follow his twitter @presidhent.

one should be able to know that virtues are relative. Take knowledge as a case. Not all the time one enjoys the virtues of knowledge. Don’t you think a villager who did not attend any formal education is living a happier life than those of us mingling and enjoying the trappings of city life? Take a critical look at the vicissitude of city life. The l e s s enlightened wouldn’t mind if yahoo!

Facebook or Twitter is shut forever. But I am sure if “that Facebook boy” M a r k Zuckerberg calls to announce the closure of just your Facebook account and advised you to join MySpace or Twitter, you’ll protest: “but-te why? I laike Facebook...” Hey! Take your mind to village not Villa.

Come to think of soccer, that game in which able-bodied men or women chase a variegated sphere. For the good of our environment, don’t you think basketball is better than football?

Basketball, I hear somebody saying, is better than football for at least you can use your skills to toss a banana peel from a speeding bus into the garbage

bin. Here, if you are ignorant of the game of soccer you wouldn’t be surprised if Jigawa Golden Stars routed Manchester United 5:0 at Old Trafford. What will happen to a Man U fan if this happens? The fan is worried, the ‘ignorant’ is not. Can you now see a virtue in ignorance?

beneficiary for this contract, it is his turn to eat from the national cake, when the bakers are wallowing in unimaginable poverty. That’s the country that we live in, we misplace priorities on a steady basis.

Such funds could be diverted to reasonable projects but the truth is we are only going to be told it has been diverted, we will never see the outcomes.

Finally my school has resumed anyway and The

UNILAG or MAULAG: Lest we forget Continued from page 14

notifications to relevant agencies? Let us not forget the enterprises the university set up to generate revenue- UNILAG consult, UNILAG ventures- they all have to change name, documents and labels. Any idea of the cost? I heard a particular 1billion was released for the entirety of the name change but come to think of it somebody incompetent would have been pencilled down by the PDP as a

Creating an enviable educational legacy in Gombe Continued from page 13

strengthen the remediation process. While that of Dukku is still in the pipeline, the one in Kumo has already taken-off in earnest and it is designed to cater for 4,500 in three years, that is 1,500 per session.

What makes this a more grand and interesting an arrangement is that it will not only remediate the Senior Secondary School graduate in preparation for a tertiary education, it will as well remediate the JSS and then do a full remedial for them in readiness for entry into a university or polytechnic.

At the stage of the full remedial course, the Dankwambo’s administration in its wisdom realized that there could be some students that may not want to proceed with education. Such

people will proceed to undergo training on trade, a business, a profession or a vocation in the school. As if that is not enough, a robust sporting facility is provided basically for the development of those of them that may not be academically or trade inclined so that they can go into sports.

“Before the take-off of that school, we felt there was the need for immediate intervention so that we don’t leave a gap,” said Dankwambo, Talban, Gombe to buttress his initiative.

In furtherance of the Talban Youth Empowerment Programme through education, the Governor in his usual good judgment has begun the process of establishing a state owned College of Education at Billiri, headquarters of Billiri local government area with the ultimate aim of breeding qualified

teachers and put eternal end the perennial dearth of teachers in the state once and for all.

It may sound like a cliché to bring in this, but it is worth mentioning at this juncture that 15 secondary schools and 15 primary schools are being repackaged into model schools. The same way many others are being renovated and or reconstructed with plans to build new ones as the agenda to decongest the schools is of paramount concern to the administration.

On almajiri and nomadic education issue, trust the Governor’s painstaking intelligence quotient because he has that already well thought out.

Although nothing visible has been done in this direction but the Governor in one of the interactive sessions with journalists revealed

that “that one too work is in progress. We are now putting in measures to get the buy-in and also get the programme ready. So as soon as the programmes are ready, we will let you know in detail what we intend to do.”

While this discourse obviously centered on western education, it will not be out of place to incorporate some of the enviable strides in the informal education, at least with some reminiscing.

The well equipped four vocational training centres spread across the three senatorial districts of the state have churned out 320 youths on seven trades with the plan to increase the trades to 13 and have more centres with over 500 intakes in the subsequent batch.

Education like Governor Dankwambo has always said is the

administration’s priority because in his words, “it is the bedrock and the root tree from where the spread of development truly branches into health, entrepreneurship, and other sectors,” which according to him is the reason the administration is making the best investments it could in the sector so that the branches will witness improvements.

It is no hoodwink, no arrogance or boastfulness, the investments are unmatched and there for all to see. And having proven capable of matching his words with action in the past one year, all the promises in the area of education and all others are not only as good as real, but should be celebrated as already actualized.

M. L. Ismail wrote from Bolari Quarters in Gombe Metropolis

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

FCTA disburses N.5bn for pension scheme

By Josephine Ella

T

he Federal Capital Territory FCT Administration has released N.5 billion to support the local government pension scheme in the territory.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, who made this known yesterday while receiving the national body of the Nigeria Union of Local

Government Employee (NULGE), during a courtesy visit, said the amount was part of the administration’s commitment towards the scheme.

He pledged the administration’s support for the autonomy of the area councils and local government administration in every aspect.

This, according to him, explains the level of development witnessed in the

councils as he pointed out that if the local councils are not performing the states bear the burden of such failure with an overall impact falls on the entire country thereby causing public disenchantment with the federal government.

Mohammed assured the leadership of NULGE that the FCT Administration does not impinge on the administration of the Area councils in any way as they are paid their full

allocation as disbursed by the Federal government.

He revealed that in addition to their federal statutory allocation, the administration also disburses 10 percent of its Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR) to the area councils to boost her revenue base in order to meet its responsibility to the citizenry in the grassroots.

On the issue of delay in salary payment, the minister directed the permanent secretary of the

FCT administration to ensure that the salaries of local movement employees were paid promptly by securing the salaries in advance for the staff in the event of delay in allocation.

Speaking earlier, the President of NULGE, Ibrahim Khaleel lamented the rejection of councils’ employee who are transferred from one council to the other condemning the action, which he said contravene the union’s position.

VC laments failure of indigenes to meet admission quota

By Adeola Tukuru

T

A man taking a ride behind the truck not minding the risk as was captured along Church Gate, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Three sentenced for inflicting injury on fellow

By Kerem Kurugh

T

hree men, Arinze Eze, Michel Ani, Abuchi Nnaji, all 23-years-old and resident at Abari Shopping Complex, Abuja have been sentenced to three months imprisonment by an Abuja Magistrate’s Court for inflicting injuries on a man with cutlass and woods.

Police Prosecutor, David Ude told the court that the crime which contravenes Section 79 and 242 of the Penal Code, was reported to Wuse Zone 3 police station by one Mr Ifanokun Elijah, who is attached to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Headquarter on July, 2. 2012.

According to the prosecutor, on the July, 2, 2012, the three men jointly attacked one

Shedrack Bodam with cutlass and woods and beat him up and as a result of that, he sustained injuries all over the body especially the face and his left hand.

The accused persons claimed they beat up the complainant because he connived with his friends to snatch N158,000.00 and a Nokia phone worth N3,000.00 from Eze along Accra Street,

Wuse Zone 5 while he was waiting for a taxi.

Udeh added that during police investigation the cutlass was recovered from the convicts’ possession.

The convicts pleaded guilty as charged before the court presided by the Chief Magistrate Folashade Oyekan, who in her ruling sentenced them to three weeks imprisonment with option of fine of N1, 000.00 each

Embryologist tasks women on early motherhood

By Adeola Tukuru

A

n Abuja based Embryologist, with Nisa Premium Hospital, Jabi, Miss Rabi Ahmed-Odia has called for early motherhood among women to reduce challenges of infertility.

She stated this in Gwagwalada at a just concluded free lecture on Fertility and

Ageing organized by Nisa Premier Hospital in collaboration with the University of Abuja.

Rabi explained that the methods of fertility preservation, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases as well as the making of test-tube baby were covered at the lecture.

According to her the lecture became necessary following the need to encourage young women to have a balance between their

careers and motherhood.

“We are from a society where women are essentially career focused, they want to be bosses of their own and be on top of their businesses.

“The lecture is to encourage women to have a balance between their career and motherhood to ensure that they have their children at their fertile age in life rather than resorting to test-tube baby,” she said.

She however, recommended test-tube baby for women facing fertility problem especially among women who were 40 years and above.

A Group Medical Adviser to Nisa Primier and Garki Hospitals, Dr Ibrahim Wada, in his presentation on making testtube baby said efforts were being made to ensure legislation for making of test-tube baby in Nigeria.

he Vice Chancellor (VC), University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, Prof James Adelabu has described as worrisome the failure of the indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to meet up with their quota in admitting students for the institution.

Prof James stated this in the just concluded ceremony marking the handing over of a Toyota Bus donated to the university by the FCT chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

According to him, his administration had tried its best to ensure that FCT indigenes were considered for admission, adding that poor turnout of students’ for enrolment into the university has been a major challenge.

His words: “We have always been trying to ensure that FCT residents are given considerations for admission provided they score 180 and above.

“Our challenge has been that we do not see the indigenes on the master list for admission, my request is for you to ensure that residents are encouraged to register and score at least 180,” he said.

In his remark, the FCT Chairman of ALGON, Mr Danladi Zhin, said the establishment of the institution had no doubt eased admission challenges faced by FCT residents in the past.

He said the movement of Distance Learning Program of the university to the main campus will no doubt reduce examination malpractices and strengthen the quality of education the university.

Also, the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Alhaji Zakari Angulu said the donation of the bus was to ease transportation problem in the university.

He said ALGON was aware of challenges of transportation faced by students of the institution following the relocation of some faculties from the mini campus to the permanent site of the university.

PAGE 18

RCCG renovates LEA Primary School

By Kerem Kurugh

T

raining arm of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the School of Disciples has renovated LEA Primary School, Galadimawa in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

Leader of the group, Pastor Ayo Jedi-Agba said that the ministry was prompted to carry out the renovation as a result of the uninhabitable state of the school that accommodates thousands of pupils “When we first came to Galadimawa on evangelism, we met the terrible situation of the school so we had to ask the head mistress on why such a neglect,” she said.

According to her, the head mistress then disclosed that the school which was established in 1976 had not experienced renovation since then.

Hence, some of the classes had leaking roof , falling ceiling and even white lesson board which has contributed in making the institution uncomfortable for pupils to learn.

She said it was then they mulled the decision to renovate the school to a befitting standard.

She added that the renovation work which cost less than N1.5million was made possible through financial contributions from spirited members of the ministry.

Jedi-Agba called on communities, well to do individuals and corporate organisations to take up the responsibility of embarking on community development projects as government alone would not be able to execute projects for the entire societies.

The people of Galadimawa community led by Chief John Gbegbe Bamgo commended the religious group for the gesture, appealing for assistance in the provision of a health centre which successive administrations had failed to provide in the area.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

Consumers bemoan ordeals as queues return at NNPC Mega Station

T

he NNPC mega filling station at the Central Area in Abuja yesterday, witnessed long queues of kerosene consumers who stormed the station to purchase the product.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the station received supplies of the product at the weekend after about one week that the product ran out of stock.

Operators at the filling station had attributed the non availability of the product last week to the curfew in Kaduna State following the violence clashes in the area.

Although, the filling station still sold the product at the official price of N50 per litre, some consumers said it was difficult to get it.

A petty trader, Mrs Great Adie, decried the long queues,

saying that she had been in the station since last Friday afternoon and still had not been able to buy.

“It is very difficult getting kerosene here, I have been hanging around here since Friday afternoon and as I am speaking now I have not been able to get it. They have shared us into batches, I may be lucky to get it today by Gods grace,’’ Adie said.

Bus driver fixing his vehicle's bumper, yesterday opposite Wuse market, in Abuja.

Photos: Justin Imo-owo

Another consumer, Mr Peter Ojo, described the situation as chaotic, “we are really battling hard to get the product.

“It has not been easy at all to get kerosene, we struggle so hard to get it, there is a long queue as you can see but I will be patient. I believe I will get it by the end of today” .

Mrs Modupe Dare urged operators of the filling station to ensure transparency in dispensing the product, adding that it could go round if they were honest.

Another consumer, Miss Chizoba Okoro, who was visibly angry, said: “Some people are making things difficult for the common man, kerosene is for we poor masses and they won’t allow us to get, this is not fair at all.’’

NAN, however, observed that operators at the filling station were selling the product to black marketers instead of the direct consumers thereby creating commotion at the station.

The black marketers will then resell to the consumers at between N180 to N200 per litre.

An official of the station, who spoke under condition of anonymity, however denied the allegation, saying they were attending to the consumers on first come basis.

“It is very unfortunate that these black marketers litter the whole place and won’t allow domestic users of the product get access to kerosene on time and in turn sell at high prices,’’ he said.

He said that they had decided to sell 25 litres of kerosene to an individual to ensure that everybody got the product.

He assured members of the public that the management of the filling station would continue to ensure steady supply of the product. (NAN)

Development Control demolishes illegal structure in Utako

By Josephine Ella

A

n illegal structure, accommodating over 100 rooms, which was situated near the National Health Insurance Scheme building in Utako District has been demolished by the

Department of Development Control of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

The District Officer in charge of Utako District, Mallam Umar Bature explained during the exercise that the department had to effect the

removal because the structure in question was not part of what was approved for the developer.

Bature said even the main building that has approval should have been revalidated because the approval was granted in 1998. ”The approval granted to the

on –going structure you see here has lapsed because according to the letter of conveyance given to a developer, it is expected that you completed your building two years and failure to do so means that the developer will have to revalidate the earlier approval,” he explained.

Keke NAPEP rider accused of stealing mobile phone

A

tricycle (Keke NAPEP) driver, Mohammed Elrufai, 27, on Monday appeared before an Abuja Area Court on a two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and theft.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Clement Egwu, told the court that the case was reported to

the Gwarinpa Police Station, Abuja, by one Esther Danike, also a tricycle driver of Gwarinpa Village, on June 26, 2012.

Egwu said that sometime in May, the complainant reported that she entrusted her Nokia cell phone valued at, N15,000 to the accused, who is also her

colleague, to assist her charge the phone.

He said that instead, Elrufa’i allegedly absconded with the phone to an unknown destination.

The prosecutor said that during police investigation, El-rufai was arrested, and after several

interrogations, he presented an i-tel phone not a Nokia, which the complainant claimed to have given him.

He added that the offence was contrary to Sections 312 and 288 of the Penal Code.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Area Court Judge,

Abdul Mohammed, granted the accused bail in the sum of N15,000 with one surety in like sum.

He said that the surety must be living in a known and defined address within the jurisdiction of the court, and adjourned the case to July 13, 2012. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

PAGE 17

Young girls hawking walnuts, yesterday at Wuse Zone 2, in Abuja.

An environmental worker dumping plastic bottles in a waste bin, yesterday in Area 2, Abuja.

You can't cheat nature: An old man selling slippers napping inside his shop during business hour, yesterday in Garki village, Abuja

An elderly woman taking a ride on a motorcycle with her goods not minding the risk as captured, yesterday in Nyanya, Abuja.

Keke NAPE driver repairing his tricycle, yesterday in Durumi District Abuja. Photos: Justin Imo-Owo

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

Etihad airways kicks-off flights to Nigeria

Mob: 08033644990

A typical oil refinery

FG signs N720bn refineries deal with Vulcan Petroleum

T

he Federal Government yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday with Vulcan Petroleum Resources for a $4.5 billion (N720 billion) project to build six refineries with a combined 180,000 barrel a day capacity, officials have said.

Vulcan, an affiliate of New York-based private equity firm, Vulcan Capital Corp, aimed to have two of the refineries finished in under a year, they said.

“The project is estimated to gulp 697.5bn naira ($4.5b), while two of the refineries are expected to be completed within the next 12 months,” Yemi Kolapo, spokeswoman for the trade ministry, said in a statement.

“Each modular refinery, when completed, will refine up to 30,000 barrels of crude oil per day and produce up to five million litres of petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPFO (liquid petroleum fuel oil).”

Nigeria’s existing plants have a total capacity of 445,000 barrels per day, but are running at less than three-quarters of that capacity.

Chief Edozie Njoku, chairman of Petroleum Refining and Strategic Reserve, Vulcan’s partner in the joint venture, told Reuters by phone the aim was to distribute the sites in different regions of Nigeria.

“We have to look at where the crude pipelines are. We need to plant them so that everyone is favoured, but in

the north the pipelines only go to Kaduna (in central Nigeria),” he said.

“Two of them are going to be finished in about a year. It’s not rocket science - to have all six ready should take about 30 months,” he added.

Nigeria has two refineries in its main oil-hub, Port Harcourt and one each in the Niger Delta

town of Warri and in Kaduna.

Some Nigerians are sceptical about building more refineries when existing ones are under capacity, but Njoku dismissed this.

“The refineries already in Nigeria are on their last legs.

They will cost the country millions to turn around. Nigeria needs new refineries,” he said.

A lot of MoUs are signed with Nigerian authorities that go nowhere, but Njoku said he was confident the projects would happen.

“The only thing we need for this to be done is our permits from the government ... They have shown enough honesty that they want these refineries to be built,” he said.

By Abdulwahab Isa t the expiration of June 30th deadline handed to Pension Funds Administrators (PFAs) by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to comply with new capital base of N1 billion, two pensions firms: Crib Pension Fund Managers Limited and Evergreen Pensions are in the process of acquisition by an undisclosed firm.

Though details of the acquisition plan is yet to be made public, PenCom confirmed the impending acquisition deal in a statement issued by its Head, communications unit, Emeka Onuora in Abuja.

The development is coming shortly after another PFA, Sigma Pensions Limited acquired Amana Capital Pensions Limited.

The acquisition of Crib and Evergreen by a firm, whose identity is yet to be disclosed, is the second acquisition scenario in the new PenCom recapitalisation drive meant to change the face the pension sector.

On the new PFAs status that successfully crossed the threshold of prescribed N1billion minimum shareholders’’ fund, PenCom

said it had begun the verification process of pension firms that submitted evidences of meeting new capital base of N1bilion and would make pronouncement after the verification exercise.

PenCom had issued a circular to operators stipulating a minimum shareholders’ fund of N1 billion unimpaired by losses for PFAs and prescribed a deadline of 30 June, 2012 for compliance.

Recapitalisation: Crib, Evergreen pension firms for acquisition …as PenCom begins status verification

A

CFA • £ RIYAL $

3rd July, 2012 BUYING 0.2784 242.853 41.3129 41.3049 154.94

SELLING 0.2984 244.4204 243.547 41.5796 155.94

PARALLEL RATES • £ RIYAL $

BUYING 207 258 40 165

SELLING 209 260 42 169

By Abdulwahab Isa with agency report he Asset Management Company (AMCON) has hinted that it may consider the option of listing

T

Management Tip of the Day

EXCHANGE RATES

CBN

AMCON may list nationalised banks on NSE

Assert yourself and influence your organisation

A

ssertiveness often gets a bad rap. People who are selfconfident and forceful can be cast as pushy and annoying. But when balanced with other critical skills, being assertive can help you excel at other things: F o s t e r i n g teamwork: Teams thrive when

their members are able to express not-always-popular points of view. Use your self-confidence to set a tone that allows other people to speak up.

L e a d i n g change: Constructive change requires bold moves. Be assertive and break through the

resistance that often arises during a change effort.

Acting with integrity: When coupled with honesty, assertiveness gives you the courage to stand up for what you know is right.

Source: Harvard Business Review

nationalised banks on the floor of Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) as against earlier decision of getting outright buyers for them.

AMCON Chief Executive Officer, Mustapha Chike-Obi, confirmed the latest additional option for the three banks yesterday, adding AMCON will need to find financial advisers before finalising its decision on whether to list directly or sell to competitors.

A Reuters report quoted him saying, “AMCON is appointing an adviser that will evaluate and determine the value of the banks, evaluate all the options available to AMCON,” he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS UAC signs MoU with Livestock Feeds

U

AC of Nigeria (UACN) Plc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Livestock Feeds (LSF) as part of it’s cereal business restructuring plans, a statement said yesterday.

Lisabi Mills Nigeria strengthens distribution network

DANA Air readies compensation for crashed victims Stories from Suleiman Idris, Lagos

O

perators of the crashed aircraft a month ago in Lagos, DANA Air has affirmed that the company is ready to make interim payment of benefits to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic accident, in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regulations.

DANA Air’s Head of Corporate Communications, Tony Usidamen told reporters in Lagos

that “Insurance funds are already in place. Members of the families who have submitted relevant documents to DANA Air’s Crisis Management Centre (CMC) in Lagos and Abuja have been contacted and advised to visit the chambers of DANA Air’s solicitors in Nigeria for legal verification of documentation and next-of-kin status, in order to conclude advance payment formalities.”

He said, “As of Monday, July 2, 2012, the airline had received completed insurance forms for 64 of the victims, 4 of which are our staff members. We

are aware and perfectly understand and respect thatmost of the next-of-kin or legal representatives who submitted documents or are yet to visit the CMC and submit documentations to us, are still observing the customary mourning period. Advance payment claims will be concluded on a case-by-case basis as and when claimants find it convenient to come forward.”

To facilitate the payment process, he said DANA Air had deployed 3 dedicated toll-free lines, manned by trained

personnel, to a CMC in Lagos and Abuja, while the airline has made public announcements in the media requesting affected families to come forward with details of the next-of-kin, especially those whom the company had difficulty reaching.

“DANA Air appreciates that the statutory payments cannot compensate for any of the precious lives lost in the accident but we hope that it will lessen the pains of the families knowing that they are not alone in these extremely difficult times”, Usidamen stated.

I

NATOP laments crash, says industry still battling to regain confidence

Grofin drives growth finance market with 350 investments

he National Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) has described the recent DANA air craft crash in Lagos as a setback for the tourism industry in Nigeria, saying the incident is a calamity for Nigeriadomestic tourism.

President of the body, Nkereuwem Onung while the association was battling to redeem Nigeria’s image as result of the insecurity challenges and huge image problems it created for tourism in Nigeriaand the improved aviation records Nigeria have been touting globally in recent times, have taken a huge bashing with the disaster.

While condoling the bereaved families and the nation on the spate of sad incidents in recent time, Onung commended the international marketing efforts of Nigerian Tourism Development Commission (NTDC) at the different travel markets in order to repair Nigeria’s image.

Mr. Onung lamented that just as tour operators were putting together package tours for the Seven Wonders of Nigeria roject, the crash have come to complicate things.

n a bid to further deepen its distribution chain in Nigeria, Lisabi Mills Nigeria Limited, the nation’s pioneer indigenous food processing company has rewarded its loyal distributors, as a way of recognising distributors who achieved outstanding performance during the last financial year.

T

G

roFin, the multinational pioneer of growth finance small and medium businesses says it has invested in over 350 businesses across Africa and the Middle East to date. This follows a recent announcement that the SME investor and developer’s funds under management has increased to $323 million.

Dangote Cement bags Forbes award

D

angote cement Plc, a division of Dangote group one of the most diversified conglomerates in Nigeria and West Africa has emerged first in Forbes African Top Listed West African Companies beating 25 other listed companies to the prestigious prize.

Cash retention decision makes R.T. Briscoe pay 10 kobo dividend

T

he board of R.T. Briscoe (Nigeria) plc said when considering the dividends for 2011 financial year, their decision to recommend 10kobo dividend was driven by the need to balance adequate compensation of shareholders while retaining cash in the business.

Ethiad aircraft on tarmac

Etihad airways kicks-off flights to Nigeria

By Muhammad Nasir

E

tihad Airways has kickedoff its six flights a week service between the airline’s Abu Dhabi home-base and the Nigerian city of Lagos.

To celebrate the new service, and Nigeria’s love of football, Etihad Airways has operated its iconic sky-blue A330-200 aircraft, painted in Manchester City Football Club’s famous colors, for the launch flight.

Mr. Baumgartner said: “We are delighted to launch Etihad Airways flights to Lagos and our first passenger destination in

West Africa. This is a momentous occasion in Etihad Airways history as we expand our flight network in Africa and increase ties between the UAE and Nigeria.”

During the visit to Lagos senior Etihad Airways executives will meet government officials and local tourism representatives as well as host an evening reception to celebrate the new flights.

The six flights per week to Lagos will be operated by an A330200 aircraft, configured to carry 22 passengers in Pearl Business class and 240 passengers Coral

Economy class. The service is Etihad Airways addition on the airline’s existing flights to Cairo, Casablanca, Johannesburg, Khartoum, Nairobi and Tripoli.

Etihad Airways is lead sponsor of Manchester City Football Club.

The “Blue Moon rising” aircraft was unveiled in 2011 and is one of the many elements of Etihad Airways’ sponsorship of the English Premier League club.

The Etihad Airways logo has been on the Manchester City shirt since 2009 and the airline became naming sponsor of the club’s Etihad Stadium and Campus in August 2011.

Freight forwarders reject 40% waiver on demurrage by NAHCO

F

reight forwarders under the aegis of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) on Monday defied the heavy rainfall as they protested the increase of clearing fee allegedly imposed on them by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NACHO) Plc, at the international wing of the Murtala Mohammed airport in Lagos.

The protest is coming just two weeks after the agents had down tools following the plan by the

Federal Government to evacuate them from the cargo village at the airport.

Vice-Chairman of ANCLA, Mr. Tope Akindele told reporters that the two weeks that the agents went on strike over the planned evacuation by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has taken a toll on the activities of the bodies.

We have not worked for two weeks and now, after resuming work today, NACHO officials came up with new charges on the goods, which we already have in their warehouses, claiming that we should pay for both

the storage of the goods as well as demurrage.”

He noted that such move by NACHO was wrong because they hitherto pay N8, 50k per kilo on goods before but the ground handling company is asking for N41, 00 per kilo on the goods and they have nothing to justify the money that NACHO was asking them to pay.

Also, the Chairman of NAGAFF, Mr. Segun Musa said, “What we are fighting for is not for our personal interest but for the interest of the generality of Nigerians and most especially the

importers”.

“The charges imposed on us by the NACHO officials will definitely affect and cripple the economy because most of these charges will bear on the goods after clearing and get to the market while the consumer will be at the receiving end of it all”, he added.

He noted that the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Mr. Caul Crick had gone into a closed door meeting with the agents to see how they would resolve the matter with the NACHO officials.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

PAGE 21

Appraising Nigeria’s tourism development indices

By Miriam Humbe

T

en years ago, the word tourism simply made no meaning to many people in this country. Although beautiful scenic sites abound on the nation's landscape, which if put to the maximum use, are capable of attracting international tourists in their millions into nigeria, not much was being done at the time to harness their potentials.

Awareness, both at home and beyond our shores was also very minimal.

Today, with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) administration under the leadership of veteran journalist, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, things appear to have taken a turn for the better. The massive positive attention accorded the tourism industry and its activities has automatically catapulted it from the valley of an economically sleepy sector to the heights of vibrancy with its full potentials being tapped.

These efforts are thanks to the aggressive drive of the Runsewe team.

At present, with efforts in top gear by both the federal and state governments aimed at making tourism a vibrant economic sector capable of replacing the oil and gas as the highest revenue earner for the country, a whole lot more appears to be going on in the tourism arena. In the federal capital, Abuja for instance, first time visitors are faced with the comfort of being guided by sign posts at every turn and location until they are finally led to their various destinations.

It has become common place to find that, as one drives from

one place to the other, especially within the city centre, one is faced with the vivid description of what lies ahead courtesy of the sign posts and the message they convey. A visitor on the lookout for a hotel, recreational park or a hospital for instance, needs not bother asking his way around in utter confusion. The sign posts placed by NTDC pose as worthwhile compasses.

Other incentives put in place by the corporation to boost tourism include enhancing security in hotels across the country. To achieve this, the NTDC in synergy with hotel operators, set out to acquire modern devices that could capture the biometric data of all hotel staff. This is aimed at securing the lives and property of guests to afford them a sense of protection.

In order to curb the spate of insecurity in the country, the NTDC took the challenge to the Inspector-General of Police, who

promptly issued the directive that all hotels nationwide be registered or face the risk of prosecution.

The tourism drive went international in the area of sports, with one million support signatures for Team Nigeria shifting to Europe following its successful launch in London in November 2011, and in Lagos in the previous week. At least not less than 200,000 support signatures were expected to be achieved in continental Europe alone within five days.

The campaign was aimed at drumming support and mobilising at least one million Nigerians at home and abroad for the Nigerian Olympic team, otherwise known as Team Nigeria. According to Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, the campaign was part of efforts aimed at creating the awareness of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria to give support to the team for victory at the London

With these sign posts all over the city, visitors easily find their way to destinations

Otuba Olusegun Runsewe Olympic schedule for July 2012.

Only recently, following the announcement of a new visa pattern for visitors into Nigeria by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the NTDC described the move as a 'bold step' that should boost Nigeria's inbound tourism.

Runsewe, who commended President Goodluck Jonathan and members of the FEC for introducing the new visa policy, said the introduction was longawaited as it would open the floodgate for inbound tourists who are desirous of visiting Nigeria.

"The introduction of new visa regime was a bold step that was long awaited as it would open the floodgate for inbound tourists who are desirous of visiting Nigeria," said Runsewe. He further noted that the tourism

sub-sector of the economy received the news with great joy and a sigh of relief, as the country would derive huge benefit from the international tourist traffic, particularly from Asia, Europe and the Americas.

"Our job has been made easier now, as the old visa regime was seen as a great obstacle for potential tourists into Nigeria, as we always receive complaints each time we travel abroad on official engagements by foreigners about their inability to secure visas", he stated.

The list is basically endless and efforts are still on-going.

With support from individuals and organisations, the tourism sector is sure to soar and provide Nigerians with credible means of livelihood.

PAGE 22

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

CPC charges retailers to respect consumer rights on warranty

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

T

he Consumer Protection Council (CPC) yesterday in Abuja ordered retailers to always respect the rights of consumers by changing or amending faulty items if they are returned within the period of their warranty.

The Director-General of CPC, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Felicia Umenyi gave the order at meeting with the retailers which was attended by representatives of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Foods Administration and Control, NAFDAC. Umenyi explained that “the law provides for manufacturer’s

warranty and in some cases retailer’s warranty”, adding that the exercise of consumer’s rights under warranty must be done through the retailer.

She said: “It is no excuse for the retailer that they only sell the goods and do not manufacture them. They must be the middle men in all situations. It must be noted that where consumers have an assurance of support when a product is faulty, there is likely to be a repeat patronage of the same shop.”

The DG also frowned at their alleged refusal to accept goods from consumers once purchased even where the goods have not been used and are not perishables,

noting that in some cases, even an exchange is denied the consumer.

“This is not acceptable. Nigeria must operate within the global best practices, which includes refunds where an unused product is returned within a reasonable time and where exchanges are for products wrongly purchased for as long as they are unused and reasonable period,” she insisted.

Umenyi further noted that consumers are not being given receipts automatically by many shops unless by force, saying “a consumer is entitled to be given a receipt which should clearly described the product bought, price sold, date/time of purchase and name and details of the

retailer.”

She added that all products sold must be properly labeled to provide consumers with adequate information like the dates of manufacture and expiry, batch number etc as required by SON and NAFDAC before purchase.

The CPC boss, who also condemned badly packaged goods which have over stayed on the shelves in some shops, warned their traders to remove them even if they are not expired “as the poor packaging may affect quality.”

Retail shops like Shoprtite, Park & Shop, Saad Stores and others were represented at the meeting.

L-R: Anambra state governor, Mr. Peter Obi, and Minister/Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, during the launch of the state GDP computation for the South-East zone, yesterday in Akwa on Monday.

Photo: NAN

Sack of NNPC board: Group chides PENGASSAN

By Muhammad Nasir

T

he Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change (NDIMRC) has hailed the sweeping sack of top management and directors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The group also lambasted the Petroleum and Natural Gas Worker Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and some civil society groups that condemned the frequent changes in the leadership of the NNPC. In a statement issued recently by the NDIMRC president, Nelly Emma and Secretary, John Sailor said President Jonathan did the right thing by sacking the NNPC board.

It said, “The sacking of the NNPC board, including Mr. Oniwon is a welcome development; President Jonathan

should not be condemned, rather he should be commended for taking the bold step; his action is for our national interest.”

“We have been disturbed over the issue of the rot in NNPC and we have been calling for the total overhaul of the corporation, now the process of that overhauling has started with the sacking of Mr. Oniwon and his team and our Labour Leaders should not entertain any fear that the new management may abandon the on-going Turn Around Maintenance and repair of the four refineries intended to put them back on stream to operate at their installed capacity.”

While congratulating the new NNPC management team led by Mr. Yakubu, NDIMRC urged the team to move the Corporation to the next level and promote the Nigerian Local Content by encouraging indigenous Oil and

Gas firms that have built capacity over the years as a result of their trust and hope in the Nigerian Content.

However, the group also urges Labour and all Nigerians to support Mr. Yakubu to succeed.

The new GMD should know that President Jonathan who

appointed him is not a partial man, hence he appointed a man like him from Kaduna to head the NNPC and your appointment is the best thing to happen to NNPC at this time and so you must make good use of the opportunity as all eyes are on you right now,” it added.

Govt. mulls gas flare crackdown

By Muhammad Nasir

N

ew laws are expected to be passed this year banning dangerous gas flares that are damaging the country’s environment and health as well as wasting natural resources.

A statement issued recently by the special adviser on oil and gas to the governor of Bayelsa state, Indutimi Komonibo says it is not just Nigeria that is suffering from flaring and that the whole

world should be concerned.

"Gas flaring causes climate change, ozone layer depletion.

Even the black dust given-off by fire that is released into the environment causes a lot of disaster," Komonibo noted.

Komonibo maintained that by the end of the year, new legislation in Nigeria is expected to permanently ban flaring. But activist groups say the practice was banned first in 1969 and again 10 years later. Even this

Mortgage bankers laud CBN’s timeframe on recapitalisation

T

he Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria yesterday commended the CBN for giving mortgage banks up till April 30, 2013 to recapitalise to the tune of N5 million.

Mr Kayode Omotoso, the Executive Secretary of the association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the time was enough to develop a vibrant mortgage banking sector.

NAN reports that before now the prescribed minimum capital base for Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs) was N200, 000.

The recapitalisation exercise has been on in the last four years, prompting the CBN to stop the issuance of licence to new mortgage banks.

According to Omotoso, his members did not know what to expect until the CBN brought out a deadline to end the exercise.

“Our members will emerge stronger at the end of the industry’s recapitalisation exercise by April 30, 2013.

“When the CBN announced our recapitalisation from N200, 000 to N5 million over three years ago there was no definite date when it will start and end.

“Now, CBN has given April 30, 2013 as date to end the recapitalisation and the mortgage banks are trying to meet up with the new capital base.

“I believe after the exercise, the association will know the number of members that are able to meet the new capital base,” he said.

The executive secretary said that some of its members had already surpassed the N5 million minim capital requirement because they had long mobilised funds.

He said that talks were going on among the members on mergers and acquisition and expressed optimism that everything would be clear by the end of the exercise in 2013.

(NAN) year, a Nigerian judge declared flaring illegal, saying it is a violation of the people's rights.

According to Felix Fawei, a community leader in a remote area of the oil-rich Niger Delta, noted that fishing villages on the rivers and creeks are only accessible by boat and most people have no access to electricity, adding that there are so many flares around, sometimes you see that the water is very bright, but some area is very dark, because of this excess of flare.

PAGE 24

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

BMW X5 really proves itself P

icture this: You're driving on a highway. The wind is gusting, bringing with it a wall of sand that cloaks the freeway ahead and pelts the car's paint with mother nature's idea of microdermabrasion. As other cars blow about in their lanes, the 2013 BMW X5 you're driving just plows forward as if on a tranquil spring cruise. Then the freeway starts to twist and increase in elevation. Yet the X5 keeps charging on while other, less composed SUVs have to slow down.

It's in these extreme circumstances when the X5 really proves itself, demonstrating a staggering degree of stability and handling prowess for something so big and heavy. It may not be the sort of SUV that ad agencies will show fording a river or climbing a rocky mountain trail, but the X5 has a toughness and solidity all its own.

At the same time, this luxury midsize crossover comes with the equipment, quality construction and high-end trappings one expects from BMW. However, the 2013 BMW X5 isn't the most spacious choice for family hauling purposes. BMW's own X3 isn't that much smaller, for instance, and while the X5 does offer a third-row seat, it's laughable compared to those in the less expensive Acura MDX and Infiniti JX. There are also other sporty choices such as the Infiniti FX and Porsche Cayenne one would likely want to consider. But overall we think pretty highly of the X5. And if your drives regularly involve Nevada sand storms, well, you know what to get.

The 2013 BMW X5 is a midsize luxury crossover SUV that seats five.

An optional third-row bench adds two more seats, though they are quite small. Five trim levels are offered: xDrive35i, xDrive35i Premium, xDrive35i Sport Activity, xDrive35d and xDrive50i. "xDrive" indicates that it has standard allwheel drive, while the last three digits represent the engine. A highperformance version known as the X5 M is covered in a separate review.

Standard equipment on the xDrive35i includes 18-inch wheels, automatic and adaptive bi-xenon headlights, LED running lights, foglamps and automatic wipers.

Inside, you get keyless ignition, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, 10-way power front seats with memory functions, leatherette premium vinyl upholstery, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, the iDrive

electronics interface, Bluetooth phone connectivity, the BMW Assist emergency communications system, and a 10-speaker sound system with a CD player, HD radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/ USB audio interface.

The xDrive35i Premium, xDrive35d and xDrive50i add a panoramic sunroof, power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, a power liftgate, rear privacy glass, heated front seats, leather upholstery and a power-adjustable steering wheel.

Many of these items are optional on the base X5.

The xDrive35i Sport Activity adds a sport-tuned suspension, 20inch wheels, sport seats, a sport steering wheel, darker exterior trim and an increased top speed. These items are optional on the xDrive50i as part of the Sport Activity package.

The four upper trims offer additional options.

The Convenience package adds rearand top-view parking cameras, keyless ignition/entry, four-zone automatic climate control, rear manual side sunshades, a navigation system, voice controls and real-time traffic information.

The Cold Weather package adds a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats and headlight washers. The Technology package adds a head-

up display, a side-view parking camera and automatic high beams.

The Luxury Seating package gets "multicontour" 14-way power front seats with four-way lumbar, adjustable side bolsters, ventilation and massage.

The keyless ignition/entry, automatic high beams, head-up display, navigation system, 14-way seats and satellite radio are also available as stand-alone options.

Others include an adaptive adjustable suspension, active steering, adaptive cruise control, power soft-close doors, extended leather upholstery, a rear-seat entertainment system and the BMW Apps suite of Internet-based smartphone features.

The xDrive35i Sport Activity and xDrive50i are also eligible for the M Sport package. This adds additional power, 19-inch wheels, special exterior and interior trim, an M division sport steering wheel and the other Sport Activity features for

the 50i.

The xDrive35i models feature a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 that produces 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. Both this engine and the 50i get an eightspeed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive standard. According

to BMW, it will go from zero to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined.

With the Sport Activity's M Sport package, output increases to 315 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque.

Source: Edmunds.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

PAGE 25

Marble & Granite OFL hits 100 square metres production daily

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ast-rising indigenous marble and granite producer, Onshore Frontiers Limited (OFL), has consolidated its emerging leadership of the marble and granite market with its successful installation of state-ofthe-art multi blade cutting machines for granite and marble production in Nigeria. OFL’s production of polished marble and granite slabs and tiles in Nigeria is now at 100 square metres per day. Although Nigerian natural stones are

globally acknowledged to be among the best and most beautiful decorative stones on earth, cheap and sub-standard marble and granite products imported into the country have continued to frustrate government’s efforts to grow indigenous marble and granite production. OFL’s products are granite and marble slabs and tiles from granite and marble mined in Nigeria.

Above pictures show some Marble and Granite products from OFL.

Bricks Urban Shelter’s brick city

A

Exterior and interior designs of Osborn Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, winner of the much coveted 2011 internationsl residential property award for the best residential property in Africa.

s Nigeria continues her quest to meet her estimated deficit of 16 million housing units, one building material that can come handy in closing the housing gap is Brick. This is because of its abundance in Nigeria. Besides, Brick buildings offer great advantages over block houses.

With Bricks, maintenance costs less, there is cool in-door atmosphere during hot periods and the reverse during cold weather. Bricks offer fire resistant walls and as for strength and

longevity, do you still wonder why many colonial buildings erected long before Nigeria’s independence are still standing solidly today?

Reputable developer, Urban Shelter Limited is building a Brick City in Kubwa, along Abuja-Zuba Expressway with all the trappings of luxury.

All the houses are to be completed with high quality Red Burnt Bricks to give the houses a distinctive feature. About 480 buildings including Shops and supermarkets are under construction at the site.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

Government should come up with Geoffrey Ozoani, Group General Manager of mass housing developer, El-Salem Nigeria Limited, in this interview with Udenna Orji, x-rays Nigeria’s housing sector and his group’s efforts at ensuring that someday, with one or two million Naira, any Nigerian can purchase a home from the El-Salem Group. He also speaks on El-Salem’s recent award as The Most Outstanding Estate Developer in Abuja.

INTERVIEW

By Udenna Orji

C

ongratulations, Sir, on the recent award to El-Salem Nigeria Limited as the Most Outstanding Estate Developer in Abuja.

Thank you so much.

How will you describe ElSalem as an organization?

Well, El-Salem is an organization that has been in property development for so many years. It is a Godcentered organization with very committed professionals focused on provision of mass housing to people. The company has a very definite vision and by the special grace of God, despite the challenges, we have been doing all within our ability to provide affordable housing for people to apply. I can say in a nutshell that El-Salem has been making great achievements and progress in the area of providing mass housing for Nigerians.

What service edge does El-Salem have over other mass housing developers that enabled it to win this award as The Most Outstanding Estate Developer in Abuja.

I will give you three. ElSalem is an organization that is based on the fear of God. As a Godly organization, we feel that whatever we do, we must put God first. That is our number one edge. Number two is professionalism. In as much as every business is there to make profit, at El-Salem, we believe profit-making is not the only thing. So, while other developers, in order to maximize profit, usually avoid hiring professionals; at ElSalem, we are fully committed and focused on hiring the best, the most qualified and most tested professionals in the various aspects of construction.

My Managing Director, Mr. Ben Gbade Ojo is fully committed to hiring only the very best of tested professionals and of course we pay heavily for this, not minding that it affects our profit margin. We do not mind because that is the high standard we have set for ourselves and you can see that people have noticed, and we have received this award as the best estate developer in Abuja. A lot of other estate

developers do not even employ professional project managers.

One person will be the project manager, be the QS (Quantity Surveyor), be the engineer and be whatever. But we hire the best, the very best professionals

for any aspect of our work and that is our second edge: an unflinching commitment to professionalism. Our third edge is staff commitment. Our staff commitment is exceptional.

Our staff, you can ask them to

work till night, nobody will go.

Even married people will stay.

We have exceptionally committed staff who never give up on any challenge.

Square pegs in square holes, working long hours with high quality materials to deliver high quality affordable housing to the people. That is our third edge over other estate developers: exceptionally committed, well motivated staff.

El-Salem has started operations in other countries. What has been your experience so far in these countries and which countries specifically?

Our experience has been very interesting. We are not

only competing with Nigerian estate developers now but we are looking at offshore. We have gone beyond the shores of this country. We are developing hostels for a university in Namibia on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) Programme. We have an office in Namibia located at El-Salem House, opposite Hans-dietrich Gensher Street, Windhoek. A lot of people in Namibia are showing interest in our activities and want houses on mortgage arrangement. They have a good mortgage system there. I went there with one of our engineers and our experience is enormous. They have an electrically controlled

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple, commissioning the Co-operative City Gardens. From far right are Ozoani, ElSalem MD, Gbade Ojo and FMBN Managing Director Ya'Ukumo

L-R: El-Salem MD, Gbade Ojo receiving the Most Outstanding Estate Developer award in Abuja

gate system whereby you stay inside your house, and open and close your gate. They also have a central water heating system that services an entire building, and there is also their 4-inch block system and several other housing technologies we are working to reproduce in Nigeria. We are determined to give Nigeria the best in housing technology.

What are the challenges of managing an organization like El-Salem in a country like Nigeria?

Ozoani: One of the challenges we have is that here in Nigeria, the mortgage system is not yet perfect. By the time you access a client’s mortgage, inflation has raised the initial cost of the house. You can spend two years, may be three years and you’re still processing a client’s mortgage.

Some houses that cost about 5 million naira, by the time you access the client’s mortgage in about 2 or 3 years, the house will be heading to N15 million because of inflation. So we’re

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

PAGE 27

definite policies on mortgage – Ozoani

“

Come to the office and let us talk. Abuja houses are not only for the rich.

Come with what you have. We have categories of houses. We will look at your income and advice you on what you should do to buy a house from us. having this kind of problem.

Next is meeting salaries of professionals. Then there is the increase in salaries; the minimum wage issue. But then there’s nobody in El-Salem that earns less than N20,000 per month; even cleaners. In addition, prices of cement and other building materials keep rising even after you have agreed on a house price with a client. By the time the client pays 10% of say Na5 million, the cost of building the house has risen to N7 million. Besides all these is the difficulty in

Part of the commissioned Co-operative City Gardens Estate, Lugbe, Abuja getting land. A plot of land jumps in prices virtually monthly. These are some of the challenges.

How can government enhance Homeownership in Nigeria, bearing in mind that the nation is said to have a deficit of over 16 million housing units?

That is a very good question. I want to advice that government should come up with very definite policies on mortgage.

Definite implementable policies on mortgage. Most commercial banks are not providing mortgage facilities.

Government should come up with definite implementable policies that make it attractive for commercial banks to offer mortgage loans to Nigerians. In Namibia, the commercial banks pursue people to come and collect mortgage loans because their mortgage system works perfectly. The fear of our commercial banks is how they can recover their money but a mortgage loan is the easiest loan to recover because the house serves as collateral and usually also rises in value over time. The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) loan is at 6%

but if all our commercial banks are encouraged through attractive policies to offer mortgage loans at say 8% or 9%, Nigeria’s housing deficit will drastically reduce. Then there is the burning need to create awareness to Nigerians about mortgages and Nigerian mortgage institutions.

Even contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF) do not know what they are contributing for. States and local governments should make land available to developers and encourage their workers to get loans from mortgage institutions to buy their own

houses.

What advice do you have for prospective home buyers?

People should feel free to come to El-Salem. You don’t sit at home and ask, this thing does it work? Come to the office and let us talk. Abuja houses are not only for the rich. Come with what you have. We have categories of houses. We will look at your income and advice you on what you should do to buy a house from us. We are currently carrying out a research on how we can make houses available for people at N1 million or N2 million.

4,476.46 sqm Apo extension 11, Abuja land dispute

We didn’t disobey court order – FHA T

he Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has said it stopped all construction activities during the pendency of a suit brought against it by one Dr. Tumala Mohammed and three others in respect of the 4,476.46 sq. metre Apo Extension 11, Abuja plot on which the Authority is building a 1,500 housing units estate.

Counsel to Dr. Mohammed had in a petition to President Goodluck Jonathan alleged that the FHA had disobeyed an Abuja High Court Order restraining the FHA from continuing construction work on the disputed land, pending the conclusion of the case instituted against the FHA. The petitioners had asked for the dismissal of the FHA Managing

Director "and other relevant personnel" of the Authority for disobedience to Court Order.

In the substance of the petition, Abba Global Legal Services had in the petition written on behalf of its client's company, Gigama Consolidated Ventures Limited, and signed by Nwabudike Nkiru Jane stated that "Sometime in 2003, our client was granted a Statutory Right of Occupancy with Grant No: MZTP/LA/03/MISC3616 dated the 30th day of September, 2003 …

Our client immediately took possession of the premises, sank a motorized borehole and rails for mounting of block molding machines, planted aesthetic trees and crops on portions of the land. It

fenced the property and warned trespassers to keep off …

Sometime in December 2011, the Federal Housing Authority/ agents began pulling down the structures on the land. Our client instituted an action in the High Court of FCT and a Court Order was granted restraining Federal Housing Authority/ agents from carrying out any further construction on the site. The FHA/agents have persistently ignored the Court order".

But Spokesman for the FHA, Mr. Tunde Ipinmisho described the petition as "baseless". He said the land was re-allocated to the FHA in 2008 by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) via Statutory Right of

Occupancy File No: MIST 103913 dated 5/10/09 and when the court ordered that the FHA should stop work on the site pending the conclusion of the case, the FHA obeyed and stopped all construction activities on the site..

"The suit was brought against the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) with the FHA as fourth defendant. The court delivered judgment in favour of the FCTA and the FHA. A contempt proceeding brought against us was also vacated by the court.

As at today, there is no injunction pending against the FHA or its Managing Director.

In order words, there is no basis for the petition".

FHA Managing Director, Terver Gemade

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

A $4.2 million tear-down house in Belvedere, California Foreign Markets

I

n Marin County, California, where people tend to have money, people in Belvedere tend to have much more. Even so, a recent decision by a couple, Clark and Sharon Winslow of 337 Belvedere Avenue to buy the home next to theirs for $4.2 million - and then demolish it might seem extraordinary. It's not, say locals and real estate professionals.

"There are houses being demolished all the time", says Bill Smith, realtor and ex-mayor of Belvedere.

In neighboring Tiburon, he says, a buyer not long ago paid $20 million for the home of tennis star, Andre Agassi and his wife Steffi Graff, then announced his plan to raze it.

"People tear down homes for all kinds of reasons", says Smith.

According to a newspaper, Marin's Independent Journal, the Winslows want to demolish the $4.2 million house because they want to improve their view, and they want to plant some bushes on the land.

In Belvedere, there truly are many expensive and beautiful houses with great views. Some of the best are perched atop high cliffs, look out upon San Francisco and its Bay, upon Golden Gate, and through it, the Pacific Ocean. Natives say halfjokingly that on a clear day, you

A $4.2 million tear-down house in Belvedere, California can see Japan.

Asked if it is possible here for a view to be worth $1 million, Smith scoffs. "$1 million? That's nothing. There are multimillion dollar views".

In Marin County, the idea that you will tear down a $4.2

million house to improve your view is not strange but a simple exercise in property enhancement. A call by ABC News to the Winslows asking for their comment went unreturned.

Scott Dingwell who has lived

in Marin for 20 years has a lovely 1950's home with extensive gardens, swimming pool and a commanding view of Tamalpias, the local mountain.

Were he to put it on the market, he says its value would be around $1.3 million. And

Nigerian timber is now holding its own in upscale kitchen cabinet, wardrobes, bathroom cabinets and door designs worldwide

Aluminium and glass work arch design revealing gardens and exterior views by Century 21

compared with houses in the area, he says his own is "almost a tear-down", adding, "If Larry Ellison or Bill Gates (billionaires) wants to buy my house and tear it down, more power to him - he would have a better view. I'm fully supportive of this trend".

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

By Myne Whitman

M

onty is a full length novel by Philip U. Effiong whose father was the Biafran second in command during the Nigerian Civil War. This Philip is a writer and teacher, his areas of specialty are literature, writing, drama, and cultural studies.

“Monty is the byproduct of war, not the actual occurrence, but the usually silent yet brutal aftermath that haunts freely as it achieves untold mental damage.

The initial setting is a picturesque refugee camp where life oscillates between the grim, the gothic, and the vicious. It is located in the fictional nation of Beuvera, whose attempts at seceding from Cape Toria, a fictional nation too, results in a Civil War. A dreadful consequence of the War, the camp is the birthplace of the central character, Monty, who is born to a faceless father and refugee mother that dies minutes after he is born. Left to the mercy of pervasive devastation and death, the near-dead infant is rescued by a reverend sister who, herself, is shot and dies soon after delivering him to a secret escape airstrip.

Thus rescued and miraculously kept alive by Father Brendan who also names him Monty, the child begins a phenomenal social and physical journey that covers two continents.”

And so starts the story of Monty, a mentally challenged child who has to find his place in the world. He is first taken to Ireland and then to Wisconsin in America under the auspices of the

PAGE 29

Monty: A review Roman Catholic Church. In the homes for special children where he is raised, Monty begins to realize that he is different from what is considered normal. Not only is he an orphan when most other children had parents, he also looks different.

At about 15, Monty is introduced to playing the flute, and when he gets a gift of a flute from one of his host families, he is on his way to being a well known musician. He is taken to a school for special and gifted people where, even his awards and renown for flute playing is not enough to integrate him into the mainstream student body. There is a sense of alienation, and of coming to terms with his difference at this stage of the book. Monty barely interacts with those around him, only showing them the superficial aspects of him, and retreating into a shell of loneliness.

Monty manages to overcome this separation when he finishes from the school and gets assigned a room at a Catholic Coop Housing scheme. He gets a regular job playing the flute at mass and begins to explore relationships with those around him. One of his neighbours is of particular importance in exposing Monty to the seedier sides of life, but their friendship is shortlived as their life views are on opposing sides. Also at this stage, Monty’s infatuation with a girl he has known for years

comes to head, but not in a favorable manner. Still, he is able to go on and develop a platonic relationship with another woman.

At this point in his life, Monty has become curious about his origins, and begins to ask questions and act out against the Catholic authorities that have always sheltered him. The author in the way he affects the future for Monty shows there are ways of showing protest and dissidence without resorting to violence. Monty gets deliberately rebellious when his wishes to find out about his family and country are thwarted and finally, it is decided to send him back to his country. Back home, he is rewarded with the truth and decides to stay.

The book starts out in a surreal landscape of chaos and the degradation of humanity that is a bit off-putting, and the following few chapters wobble as well in drawing one into the story. But by the time he’s a teenager, Monty has developed an intriguing personality that will keep the reader turning the pages, trying to see the world through the eyes of this unique individual. This novel, for me, is an interesting exploration of what makes us who we are, and how our individuality is formed. Tough the narrative is bogged down by over exposition and sometimes a repetition of thoughts and material in several places, I like the overall theme on the things that make us different and how one can come to terms with their place in life and still excel.

Source: NigerianVillageSquare

Roar, African Roar BOOK REVIEW

By Ikhide R. Ikheloa

T

he writers Ivor W. Hartmann and Emmanuel Sigauke have just co-edited African Roar, an anthology of some of the best and most popular short stories to appear on the online e-zine Storytime. Storytime, founded in 2007 by Hartmann has quietly established an enviable reputation for showcasing and supporting the works of young and emerging African writers.

As a debut volume of what the editors have promised will be an annual production, it does not disappoint. I must say that I am pleased with what my eyes devoured. This is an eclectic collection of short stories offering ample evidence that African literature is alive and well. New talent rises every day from the dawn of yesterday’s departure.

It provokes thought in the sense that the featured writers challenge the reader’s notion of African literature, physical boundaries, and indeed, who we are. Tradition splinters like fragile egg shells as the authors experiment with new forms, and new ideas. It is not always successful, but you come away entertained and informed.

The stories showcase the dizzying and relentless movement of restless people, and Africa stands, seemingly caught in the crossfire of human anxieties. There are all these stories gently excavating African experiences for the world to see. It is refreshing that African writers are beginning to look inwards at the various shades of Africanon-African crime ravaging our continent. Welcome to a generational shift; you will not find pot-bellied generals, flinging idealists out of Africa’s windows. Africa is on the move, slowly, perhaps, hopefully, away from deadly caricatures.

Who are these writers?

They are mostly young and unknown writers from Nigeria, Ghana, and Zimbabwe; however they are united by their digital citizenry on the Internet. They all live on the Internet, anecdotally, at least two hours of their waking lives. They are also restless, enduring a Diasporic existence way from their land of ancestry; in South Africa, the UK and the USA. There are eleven pieces in this volume and there are so many to adore. As Masimba Musodza demonstrates in the story Yesterday’s Dog, there are still shadows of past struggles;

however, they are fading in the consciousness of young writers even as they feel somehow obligated to document the past.

The piece Big Pieces Little Pieces by the Zimbabwean writer Novuyo Rosa Tshuma exposes the tyranny and dysfunction of today’s patriarchy. It is a dark, disturbing, albeit evocative piece on the insidious effects of patriarchy, alcoholism, marital and child abuse on family and community. One is taken aback by the plight of women and children in Africa caught in domestic and civil wars that they did not ask for.

This is a promising short story that could have been greatly enhanced if Tshuma had worked a little bit harder to provide an unpredictable ending. But it is a nice story, nonetheless. Ayodele MoroccoClarke proves to be engaging and funny in the tale The Nestbury Tree about the ravages of the new Christian evangelism. It is slow getting to a climax but it gets there nicely. Ivor W. Hartmann’s Lost Love showcases evocative emotive prose poetry as the main character reminisces on the lost possibilities of a lost love. Its power is in its ability to connect with the reader on a personal level.

Source: NigerianVillageSquare

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

Exhibition: Nigeria, others display art

By Mohammed Kandi

I

n an effort to promote multilateral cooperation and diplomatic ties among nations, Nigeria, through the National Gallery of Art, and the embassies of the Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Italy, have organised and exhibition of works of art from Asia, Europe and Nigeria.

The exhibition which titled “The Art of Friendship: Arts from the East, the West and Africa”, officially declared opened last Thursday in Abuja, bringing together citizens of various countries to the exposition and a dinner will last Saturday July 7th, 2012, organizers said.

Declaring the event opened, Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Choi Jong- hyun said the event was not only an intersection of various forms of art from the five participating countries but, would avail the audience with understanding of aesthetics and culture of others.

Represented by the DirectorGeneral, National Gallery of Art, Abdullahi Muku, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke, who expressed delights over the collaboration, stressed the need for the protection of “beauty and richness” of modern Nigerian art.

He added that, “it is an artistic feast, one-of-its-kind show that we are delighted to be part of, and we hope this will only be the beginning of the sustenance of this lofty initiative”.

Title: Where the Sidewalk Ends

By Shel Silverstein There is a place where the sidewalk ends And before the street begins, And there the grass grows soft and white, And there the sun burns crimson bright, And there the moonbird rests from his flight To cool in the peppermint wind.

A piece of art by Nigerian artist, Yinka Shonibare In his remarks, the Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria ,Alvaro Castillo, who applauded the idea, said: “This exhibition is the result of several months of preparation and it is the materialisation of a common wish”.

The French Ambassador, Jacques de Labriolle, noted that the exhibition was potential means of wealth generation, he however, lauded Nigeria for taking the lead in such a “creative” initiative.

His words: “the sector of

modern and contemporary art is, to say the least, an extremely flourishing one. It is one those activities which continue to generate wealth, while a segment of the planet is experiencing an economic depression like none before.”

terrorism. Abdulateef firmly believes that his theories of job creation can help ease the grip

of militant resistance in Nigeria. He urges everyone – not just those normally concerned with job creation – to fight against the urge to hold onto what they have, rather than spread their wealth and create jobs. The lack of job creation creates a vicious circle, he says.

Those in a position to do so are “… afraid to invest, thereby increasing the number of unemployed roaming the streets.”

Abdulateef has a very simple, yet very poignant goal for Jobs With ZeroCapital (Vol. One): “I want the readers who are unemployed to be their own bosses

after reading the book,” he says.

About the Author Amusa Abdulateef is a business administrator graduate by professional training. He is a creative writer and socio-economic researcher and the brain behind the resources ventures whose mission is the discovering and nurturing of manpower.

AuthorHouse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is a leading provider of book publishing, marketing, and bookselling services for authors around the globe and offers the industry’s only suite of Hollywood book-to-film services.

Committed to providing the highest level of customer service, AuthorHouse assigns each author personal publishing and marketing consultants who provide guidance throughout the process. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, AuthorHouse celebrated 15 years of service to authors in Sept.

2011.For more information or to publish a book visit authorhouse.com or call 1888-519-5121. For the latest, follow @authorhouse on Twitter.

New book urges job creation, offers low-cost solution A musa Abdulateef’s method of job creation has potential to halt unrest, provide jobs IBADAN, Nigeria – In his new book Jobs With Zero-Capital (Vol. One): Explicit.

Motivational. Practicable.

Towards Being My Own Boss. (published by AuthorHouse), author Amusa Abdulateef addresses the everpresent concern of endemic unemployment.

According to Abdulateef, Jobs With Zero-Capital (Vol. One) “… opens the eyes of readers to how they can start many jobs in hundreds as contained in the work without investing a dime save their efforts and some other inputs.”

The secret to this process is, as Abdulateef presents, to find sources of capital without borrowing from financial houses and capitalist individuals.

Despite the difficulty of this approach, Jobs With ZeroCapital (Vol. One) offers many motivational stories that prove Abdulateef’s ideas work.

The cost of unemployment – all over the world, not just in Nigeria – is dissatisfaction, but in Nigeria that dissatisfaction takes a militant form:

PEOPLES POEM OF THE WEEK

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black And the dark street winds and bends.

Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow, And watch where the chalk-white arrows go To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow, And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go, For the children, they mark, and the children, they know The place where the sidewalk ends.

QUO TE UOTE Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal –– Martin Luther King, Jr.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

ANALYSIS

By Dr. Collins S. Cavell

H

ow US actions in the Middle East will affect the upcoming US presidential election and vice versa will prove to be the standard calculation for both the Democratic and Republican parties from now until the polls close on the evening of November 6, 2012.

The presumed Republican presidential candidate William Mitt Romney is attempting to unseat President Barack Hussein Obama by embracing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hostile and aggressive policy towards Iran, declaring before the influential lobby group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in March of this year that "we must not allow Iran to have the bomb or the capacity to make a bomb." The implied presumption in candidate Romney's charge is that Iran is actively pursuing the development of nuclear weapons, a claim which, so far, has proven to be without substance and even denied by Central Intelligence Agency Director Leon Panetta in January of this year, though he acknowledges that Iran is seeking "nuclear capability" in order to generate peaceful energy, a fact which Iran has been quite open about.

Democratic incumbent Obama meanwhile is portraying himself as more reserved and less belligerent in his desire to foment war against Iran, though, he, too, avows to be the most stalwart friend of Israel and is imposing increasingly restrictive sanctions on Iran. Though his actual intentions are not known, it is the appearance of Obama's relative patience that allows him to claim the mantle of statesman and defender of the peace as compared to his bellicose Republican rival to domestic audiences.

Jaded political pundits argue that it does not matter which political party's nominee ultimately triumphs, as US policy will be the same regardless of who the ultimate victor is in November. And while this cynicism may at times prove true, it is often an oversimplification of the nuances of American politics and is short-sighted as to the nature of politics in general.

Yes, the demands of the financial and corporate elite do drive US policy, both domestic and foreign, but which sections of the ruling class are rewarded influences ultimately how such policies are carried out or not.

Similarly, Israeli political leadership is not monolithically behind Prime Minister Netanyahu's reckless policy towards Iran. As Inter Press Service reporter Gareth Porter writes, "By staking out a policy line on Iran reflecting the views of the Israeli national security leadership, Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz has undercut the Benjamin Netanyahu government's carefully planned strategy to get U.S. President Barack Obama to threaten war against Iran if it doesn't give up its nuclear program." (Porter,

PAGE 31

America’s post-2012 policy on Mideast

President Barack Obama "New Israeli Deputy PM Undercuts Strategy of Pressure on Obama," July 1, 2012).

Mofaz's stated departure from Netanyahu's aggressive line towards Iran follows an earlier statement from ex-chief of Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence agency, Meir Dagan, who said in May of 2011 that a possible preemptive Israeli military strike on Iran's nuclear installations would be "a stupid idea," adding that such action might not achieve its goal and could possibly lead to a long war.

Lining up with Dagan are the comments by former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert who both urged caution in April of this year before initiating an attack on Iran's alleged nuclear

Presumed Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney weapons program.

Additionally, statements by Yuval Diskin, former head of Israel's internal security service, Shabak, stating that Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak have their judgment clouded by "messianic feelings" and should not be trusted to lead Israeli policy towards Iran, adds weight to the anti-war faction.

Anti-war sentiment ranges from the decidedly opposed as evidenced by Iran and its allies, e.g. Iraq, Syria and Hezbollah, in the immediate vicinity to the newly-elected Egyptian government of Mohammed Morsi who was quoted in a recent Fars Iranian news agency interview as seeking to restore ties with Tehran in order to create a strategic "balance" in the region, though Morsi now appears to be backpedaling on

“

his statements due to US pressure.

United Nations Security Council members Russia and China both previously voted against United Nations resolutions calling for regime change in Syria, correctly seeing such tactics by the US and its allies as attempts to further utilize the UN to undermine the principle of national sovereignty, though two days ago on June 30, it was reported that both have now joined the US in calling for a transitional government to replace Syrian leader Bashar al Assad, a move-if true-that constitutes a major capitulation towards US and NATO demands.

As well, US public opinion polls continue to indicate a sizeable opposition within the US itself towards any war with Iran.

Alternatively, lining up behind Netanyahu's push for war against Iran include, along with

Anti-war sentiment ranges from the decidedly opposed as evidenced by Iran and its allies, e.g. Iraq, Syria and Hezbollah, in the immediate vicinity to the newly-elected Egyptian government of Mohammed Morsi who was quoted in a recent Fars Iranian news agency interview as seeking to restore ties with Tehran in order to create a strategic “balance” in the region, though Morsi now appears to be backpedaling on his statements due to US pressure.

Republican candidate Romney, the worried Persian Gulf monarchs, led

by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al Saud, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Qatar's Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, United Arab Emirate's Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Kuwait's Sheikh Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah, and Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said.

All of these autocratic monarchs have been on edge since the Obama Administration jettisoned US support for long-time Tunisian dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi (who the US had only recently rehabilitated as an ally in 2006 after listing his regime as a "state sponsors of terrorism" for 27 years), and Yemeni dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh, amid a region-wide uprising which threatened to derail continued US hegemony over the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region.

With Bahrain's monarchy battling a majoritarian democratic opposition calling for the downfall of the despotic regime, to expanding oppositional protests in the eastern oil-rich provinces of Saudi Arabia, along with growing dissent within the Persian Gulf monarchies to long-standing autocratic rule, the US government is aware that its decades-long backing of brutal dictatorial despots in the region could not be sustained much further. The legacy of the Arab Spring of transitions to USformulated democratic client regimes will-if successful-constitute Obama's signature accomplishment and doctrine for the region. One can thus be certain that should he be reelected to the presidency, his administration will bring renewed efforts to replace remaining longtime tyrannical MENA clients with a semblance of democratic structures.

It is thus ironical that the Persian Gulf monarchs, in funneling large sums of money to unseat Syrian leader Bashar al Assad, will-if successful-be eliminating their last raison d'être to US calculations in the region. If the US succeeds in implanting a client regime in Syria, one can be certain that regime change in Bahrain will follow shortly thereafter. And a democratic regime in Bahrain will spell the death knell to the remaining Persian Gulf monarchies.

Distrustful of Obama's intentions, one can therefore safely expect large sums of money from Persian Gulf monarchies to flow into Republican campaign coffers prior to the November US elections.

Dr Cavell is the author of Exporting 'Made in America' Democracy.

Source: PressTV.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

PAGE 32

OIC deplores Timbuktu destruction

Senegalese rebel ‘to free soldiers if demands met’

T

he most radical chief of southern Senegal's separatist rebels said he would free soldier hostages if the government agrees to negotiate "outside of Africa", in a radio interview aired yesterday.

"If Senegal accepts the meager conditions that I've set forth, we'll be ready to begin freeing these prisoners," Salif Sadio told Radio France Internationale (RFI).

Sadio is a top military boss with the Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces (MFDC), who have waged a 30-year independence struggle in the southern Casamance and took hostage five Senegalese soldiers and one policeman in December 2011.

Since 1982, MFDC have fought for independence for the underdeveloped Casamance region, separated from the rest of Senegal by Gambia, in a conflict that has seen periods of quiet and surges of violence.

Since his election in March, Senegal President Macky Sall has made an effort to reach out to regions that feel marginalised, holding cabinet meetings in different parts of the country of 12 million people, including Casamance.

In the Tuesday interview Sadio said he wants Senegal's government to agree to "sincere dialogue, to sit down with the MFDC on neutral ground, so outside of Africa" under "the mediation of the Catholic community of Sant'Egidio."

The Sant'Egidio Community was founded in Rome in 1968 and got involved in sponsoring peace negotiations in the 1980s when it found that its humanitarian action in Mozambique would be largely useless without peace.

A still image from a video shows Islamist militants destroying an ancieA landmine victim who lost both legs in southern Senegal's conflict nt shrine in Timbuktu on July 1, 2012.

A still image from a video shows Islamist militants destroying an ancient shrine in Timbuktu on July 1, 2012.

T

he Organization of Islamic Cooperation yesterday condemned the destruction of a 15th century mosque by rebels in Mali.

The OIC "deplores the destruction of historical sites in Timbuktu, Mali by religious extremists groups," an OIC statement said, adding that the sites were "part of the rich Islamic heritage of Mali and should not be allowed to be destroyed by ... bigoted extremist elements."

The statement called for "taking necessary measures and appropriate steps for the protection and preservation

of the historical sites."

Mali's Muslim extremists smashed the entrance of the 15th century mosque yesterday, escalating a campaign of destruction of the city's cultural treasures despite threats of prosecution for war crimes.

Video footage obtained by Agence France Presse shows turbaned men smashing a mausoleum with pickaxes in a cloud of dust, the mud-brick tomb showing gaping holes in the side with rubble piling up alongside it.

The members of the Ansar Dine (Defenders of Faith) group believe the shrines to

be idolatrous and have threatened to destroy any mosques housing the remains of religious personalities, prompting an outcry from the Bamako government and the international community.

According to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization website, Sidi Yahya is one of Timbuktu's three great mosques and was built around 1400, during the city's golden age as a center of learning.

A former tour guide in the once-popular tourist destination said: "They came with pickaxes and broke the

door. It is very serious. Some of the people watching began crying."

Another man, a relative of a local preacher, said he had spoken to members of Ansar Dine, which occupied the city and the rest of northern Mali in the chaos following a coup in Bamako three months ago.

"Some said that the day this door is opened it will be the end of the world and they wanted to show that it is not the end of the world."

The door on the south end of the mosque has been closed for centuries due to local beliefs that to open it will bring misfortune.

Rescued aid workers arrive in Kenyan capital

T

he workers - two men and two women from the Norwegian Refugee Council - were freed overnight after a short gunfight in southern Somalia where they were taken by their kidnappers.

"We are happy. We are back.

We are alive and we are happy this has ended," Qurat-Ul-Ain Sadazai, one of the four workers with dual Canadian and Pakistani citizenship, said.

The other three hold Canadian, Norwegian and Philippine citizenship.

Elisabeth Rasmusson, the aid group's secretary general, told a news conference in Oslo, the Norwegian capital, that she was relieved the four had been released.

"What we know right now is that they have been released and are in good condition," she said.

Kenyan army spokesman Cyrus Oguna said: ""They are safe in our hands, they have been freed."

He said the workers, kidnapped on Friday, were released after a joint operation between Kenyan and Somali troops.

"They were released in a joint force of Somali and Kenyan forces, during which one of the

kidnappers was killed," he said.

Three others were arrested.

One has a bullet wound to the leg but they are otherwise unharmed.

"They are exhausted, they have walked far and have blisters, and one of the aid workers was shot in the leg, but otherwise they are in good health," Oguna said, adding they were now in the southern Somali border town of Dhobley.

"They are receiving medical attention at our base while they await transfer back to Kenya.

Mohamed Dini Adan, a Somali military commander in Dhobley, said the army had stopped the "kidnappers who were trying to hide and sneak past the army".

Somali forces heard reports that the gunmen were heading for a dense area of remote forest about 25km from Dhobley, and rushed to chase them down.

"Thanks to God we foiled their aims of taking the hostages into the forest," said Somali General Osmail Sahardid, who led the operation, adding that three of the gunmen had been captured.

Al Jazeera's Nazanine Moshiri,

reporting from Nairobi, said the group of kidnappers were on foot and had managed to get hold of a minibus, which then had two flat tyres.

"The Somali army in the area spotted these men, and followed them back to where they were holding the hostages. There was then an intense shoot out," she said. "[The rescuing of the hostages] is good news for Kenya, as it was

seen as highly embarrassing that the kidnapping took place in broad daylight in the refugee camp."

Residents in Dhobley said the local Ras Kamboni armed group, commanded by a former powerful Islamist warlord now allied to Kenya, were also involved in the rescue.

A Kenyan driver was killed and two others were wounded during Friday's attack.

Four foreign aid workers kidnapped at gunpoint in Kenya's Dadaab refugee camp have arrived back in Kenya's capital Nairobi aboard a military helicopter.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

PAGE 33

Syria’s Assad regrets downing Turkish jet S yrian President Bashar alAssad regrets that Syrian forces shot down a Turkish jet last month and said he would not allow the tensions between the two countries to turn into open combat, according to an interview with a Turkish newspaper.

"We learned that it belonged to Turkey after shooting it down.

I say 100 per cent: 'If only we had not shot it down'," Assad told

Iran testfires missiles in muscle flexing

Cumhuriyet, a daily newspaper, in an interview published on yesterday.

His comments emerged as fighting raged throughout the country. On Monday, Syrian helicopters bombarded a Damascus suburb, and Turkey again scrambled warplanes near the border in the north.

Asked whether the tensions between Syria and Turkey could lead to war, Assad said: "We will

not allow (the tensions) to turn into open combat between the two countries, which would harm them both."

He also said Syria had not amassed and would not amass military forces along the Turkish border, whatever action Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's government takes.

The paper did not specify when the interview was held, but in it Assad refers to an

international meeting held in Geneva on Saturday under the auspices of peace envoy Kofi Annan.

Turkey has heightened military activity along the border since Syria shot down the Turkish jet over the Mediterranean on June 22, prompting a sharp rebuke from Ankara, which said it would respond "decisively".

Syria says it shot down the

Assad said Syria would apologise if it emerged that the Turkish F-4 was shot down in international airspace

Market bombs kill 44 before Iraqi Shi'ite ritual

B

I

ran said on yesterday it had successfully tested mediumrange missiles capable of hitting Israel in response to threats of military action against the country, Iranian media reported, the latest move in a war of nerves with the West.

Israel says it could attack Iran if diplomacy fails to secure a halt to its disputed nuclear energy program. The United States also has military force as a possible option but has repeatedly encouraged the Israelis to be patient while new economic sanctions are implemented against Iran.

The Islamic Republic announced the "Great Prophet 7" missile exercise on Sunday after a European embargo against Iranian crude oil purchases took full effect following another fruitless round of big power talks with Tehran.

Iran's official English-language Press TV said the Shahab 3 missile with a range of 1,300 km (800 miles) - able to reach Israel - was tested along with the shorter-range Shahab 1 and 2 and other missile classes.

"The main aim of this drill is to demonstrate the Iranian nation's political resolve to defend vital values and national interests," Revolutionary Guards Deputy Commander Hossein Salami was quoted by Press TV as saying.

He said the tests were in response to Iran's enemies who talk of a "military option being on the table".

"The maneuvers are an answer to the rude words spoken against Iran," Fars news agency quoted him as saying.

On Sunday, Iran threatened to wipe Israel "off the face of the earth" if the Jewish state attacked it.

Analysts have challenged some of Iran's military assertions, saying it often exaggerates its capabilities.

Senior researcher Pieter Wezeman of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said Iran's missiles were still relatively inaccurate and of limited use in conventional warfare. With conventional warheads, "their only utility is as a tool of terror and no more than that," he said by telephone.

Turkish jet in self-defence and that it was downed by an antiaircraft gun with limited range in Syrian air space. Turkey says the jet accidentally violated Syrian air space for a few minutes but was brought down by a surface-to-air missile in international air space.

Assad said Syria would not shy away from apologising if it emerged that the plane was shot down in international airspace.

A new mediumrange missile is fired from a naval ship during Velayat-90 war game on Sea of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran January 1, 2012.

An Iraqi soldier and people inspect the site of a bomb attack in Kerbala July 3, 2012.

ombs killed at least 44 people at markets in Iraq on yesterday, and authorities said they bore the hallmarks of sectarian attacks on Shi'ite Muslims by al Qaeda Sunni militants.

A bomb in a small truck exploded in a market in the city of Diwaniya, killing 40 people, and other blasts killed four more near the city of Kerbala, police and officials said.

The Diwaniya bombing was near a Shi'ite mosque where pilgrims gather on their way to Kerbala to celebrate the birthday of one of their most important imams, al-Mahdi, this week.

Police announced a partial curfew and blocked all entrances to Diwaniya, 150 km (90 miles) south of Baghdad and 130 km southeast of Kerbala. Police sources said 75 people had been wounded.

"All of a sudden the explosion happened, I felt the power of the blast, it was so strong, it broke all the glass in my windows," butcher Ahmed Hassan, 23, said in his shop.

"I smelled blood and gunpowder."

He said a fellow shopkeeper had been taking dead bodies to the hospital morgue.

"We even saw body parts on the top of building, we took them down," said Hassan, looking pale and confused as he swept glass from his shop floor.

Shoes, toys and vegetables were scattered across the ground and at least 15 shops were destroyed. Two burnt-out vehicles stood near the site of the explosion.

Witnesses said the bomb appeared to have been planted in a delivery truck.

Earlier in the day, two bombs in a vegetable wholesale market killed four people and wounded 29 near the central Iraqi city of Kerbala, hospital and police sources said.

"The bombing happened because of sticky bombs attached to two parked cars which went off separately," said Hussein Shadhan, a provincial council member, who was at the hospital.

"Four of the wounded people are seriously injured and their medical situation is very critical."

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

Jobless claims slide in Spain ahead of summer S

pain has said its jobless numbers tumbled by nearly 100,000 people in June, traditionally a bumper month for jobs.

The number of people

claiming unemployment benefits in Spain fell in June as employers embarked on a hiring spree to prepare for the country's busy summer tourism season.

Spain's Labor Ministry is

NATO wants Syria plan enforced

N

ATO is urging the United Nations to enforce the peace plan for Syria endorsed by an international conference in Geneva.

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said yesterday that the conflict in the Arab state was risking the stability of the entire region.

On Saturday, the conference endorsed a UN-brokered peace plan that calls for the creation of a transitional government in Damascus.

The Syrian opposition has already dismissed the plan because it did not call for President Bashar Assad to give up power.

The head of the Arab League called yesterday for the fragmented Syrian opposition to unite and said the UN-brokered plan for a transitional government in Syria fell short of expectations.

Rasmussen reiterated that NATO would not intervene militarily in Syria's conflict "because we believe a political solution is an adequate solution."

The Assad regime's crackdown on an increasingly armed popular uprising has left thousands dead in Syria over the past 16 months.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said yesterday more than 16,500 people have been killed in violence since an uprising against Assad broke out in March last year.

The 16,507 dead comprise 11,486 civilians, 4,151 government troops and 870 army defectors, the Britain-based watchdog told AFP. However, a defiant Assad, issued three new "counter-terrorism" laws yesterday, the official SANA news agency said, 16 months into a deadly crackdown on an uprising

against his rule.

The first law stipulates that a state employee convicted of "any act of terrorism - whether he is directly engaged, an accessory to the crime, or providing material or moral support to terrorist groups in any way - will be fired," SANA said.

The second law provides for jail terms of 10 to 20 years with hard labor for any act of violence or kidnap for ransom, the news agency said. It gave no details of the third law.

SANA said that during a debate on Thursday, members of Parliament said the laws were "needed at this stage, given the negative impact of terrorism on the security of the country and its citizens."

Last month, Assad told government ministers that the country was in a "state of war" and ordered them to crush the uprising that broke out in March last year.

Syrian authorities refer to both rebel fighters and unarmed activists as "terrorists."

Arab League SecretaryGeneral Nabil Elaraby addressed nearly 250 members of the Syrian opposition at a meeting in Cairo in an effort to coax the disparate groups to pull together. The gathering marked the first time the Arab League had hosted a gathering of the Syrian opposition.

"There is an opportunity before the conference of Syrian opposition today that must be seized, and I say and repeat that this opportunity must not be wasted under any circumstance," Elaraby said. "The sacrifices of the Syrian people are bigger than us and more valuable than any narrow differences or factional disputes,"

Members of the Free Syrian Army patrol the village of Azzara on the outskirts of flashpoint city of Homs.

reporting that the number of those receiving jobless benefits fell by nearly 99,000 to 4.6 million people. It was the third straight monthly decline.

The ministry said in a

statement yesterday that the decline in those getting benefits was the largest drop for June ever recorded.

The nation's unemployment rate is released separately and

quarterly. It stood at 24.4 per cent at the end of March - the highest rate among the 17 nations that use the euro. Spain's jobless rate is 52 per cent for those under age 25.

Jobless claims have fallen for three straight months but unemployment remains high

Kosovo to get complete sovereignty in September

K

osovo will acquire full sovereignty in September, the 25-nation International Steering Group (ISG) overseeing the territory's independence announced yesterday after a meeting in Vienna.

The group said Kosovo, which broke away from Serbia in 2008, had fulfilled its commitments, "thereby setting the scene for ending supervised independence after the ISG's meeting scheduled for September 2012."

In a statement, the ISG welcomed "the passing of the laws and amendments to implement the Comprehensive Settlement Proposal (CSP) package, including laws on cultural and religious heritage, community rights and decentralization."

"The ISG has determined that the CSP is substantially implemented and authorizes the final steps to end supervised independence and to close the International Civilian Office," led

by Dutch diplomat Pieter Feith, the group concluded.

"The international supervision ends as of today," Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger meanwhile said after yesterday's meeting, which was also attended by Kosovo prime minister Hashim Thaci.

The 25-nation ISG includes several EU states besides Austria, as well as Turkey and the United States.

In January, the steering group had announced that Kosovo had made such progress that the "supervised independence" could be lifted by the end of the year.

The NATO-led peacekeeping force and European rule of law mission EULEX will however likely remain in place.

The ISG stressed yesterday that "the principles and spirit that have governed the CSP need to continue... after ending supervised independence."

Kosovo and its two million

majority ethnic-Albanian population have been under some form of international administration since a NATO bombing campaign forced Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic's forces out of the territory in 1999.

On February 17, 2008, it unilaterally declared independence from Serbia and has been recognized by over 80 countries, including most EU nations.

However, it continues to face opposition from Belgrade, Moscow and Kosovo's ethnic Serbs, who make up about six percent of the population, living mainly in the north on the border with Serbia.

Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci speakes during a press conference in Vienna, Austria

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

PAGE 35

Nigeria’s problem: Where Senate President David Mark went wrong (II)

By Dr. Sule Bello

F

inally the senate President also tended to forget the longstanding geo-ethnic politics of certain parts of Nigeria wherefrom certain political interests seek to muddle, divide and fish in the troubled waters of the north. Those who seek to benefit from dividing the north, through fomenting ethno-religious crises, abound in the country and the very northern elders he is calling upon, when they had cause to address President Jonathan, considered this matter an important enough issue to bring to his attention. We advise the senate President to acquaint himself with these complaints and suggestions.

In his statement on the consequences of Boko Haram the senate President made the erroneous over-generalisation that Boko Haram "is promoting ethnic and religious conflict and thinking and that is not good for this country". At this point we might ask: Is Boko Haram responsible for the so-called indigene-settler conflicts ravaging most of the middle-belt? Is Boko Haram responsible for the various conflicts between pastoralists and farmers all over the country? Is Boko Haram responsible for the violent conflicts, and ethnic cleansing exercises, being conducted in some parts of Plateau and Kaduna states? Is Boko Haram responsible for violent ethnic gangs like MASSOB, Bakassi Boys, OPC, MEND etc? Is Boko Haram responsible for the chronically ethnocentric Afenifere, or the disintegrative endeavours of CAN? Is Boko Haram responsible for the nefarious activities of secret cults, at all levels, in the country?

We might indeed go further and ask the senate President, if his claim that Boko Haram is the major problem of Nigeria is to, in any way, be credible: Is Boko Haram responsible for the large scale theft

Scene of a bomb blast at Madalla, Niger state recently of crude oil in the country? Is Boko Haram associated with the quest for the removal of oil subsidy in Nigeria? Is Boko Haram the cause of the massive, odious, disgusting and unprecented corruption associated with the governments of the Fourth Republic since 1999? Is Boko Haram responsible for the repatriation of Nigeria's stolen wealth overseas? Is Boko Haram responsible for the increasing surrender of Nigeria's sovereignty to foreign powers? Or is it Boko Haram that has stopped the government taking serious and prohibitive action against

corruption? We can go on ad infinitum. It will be better for the senate President to look for Nigeria's major problem in the very conduct of its rulers rather than make a scape-goat of a phenomena which is itself the outcome of the corruption, maladministration and increasing loss of national sovereignty which define the distinctive politics of the 4th Republic.

The Search for Solutions The purpose of dissecting, or analyzing, any problem is to find a solution. The suggestions given by

the senate President do not only seem incapable of solving the problem but will, rather, if allowed to stand, only further inflame it.

Where the senate President should have called for justice, on the basis of the constitution and rule of law, as the key to the solution of the problem, he tended to only insinuate "vengeance" by christians clearly denying thereby that a number of muslims are not only innocent, but also victims of the crises. He similarly also thereby tend to imply that not only are all christians innocent but even those christians suspected of having a

L-R: Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, Senate President David Mark, President Goodluck Jonathan, and Akwa Ibom state Governor, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, during the opening of the Senate 2012 Retreat, recently in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

hand in the crisis should also be discounted. As a result he did not call for justice for all victims of violent conflicts, every where, whether they happen to be christians or muslims or whatever else. Indeed where he even called for "speedy dispensations" of cases in court he limited them only to those "involving terrorists". He thus paid no attention to the various calls on government not only to implement the various reports on violent conflicts but to also ensure that justice is done in favour of all the victims, irrespective of their ethnic or religious affiliation, while all culprits need to be seen to be duly tried and convicted as a major deterrent to potential trouble makers. Rather what the senate President proposes promises not only to move in the direction of intensifying extra-judicial activities by government, contrary to all appeals, exhortations and the national constitution, but to also deny the right of freedom of speech to some arbitrarily selected preachers.

In this regard we are warned that "Desperate times require desperate measures. At the moment we (the government) can not go by mere rule of law". Surely the constitution ought to define "desperate times" and "measures", as well as responses to the problem rather than the premeditated, and arbitrary, acts of certain individuals. This is particularly important if we recognize that impunity is at the roots of the initiation of the Boko Haram crisis and further acts of impunity could, therefore, only lead to its wider and deeper escalation.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

Pearly whites: Perfect smiles start with protecting your child’s milk teeth S etting up a good routine for dental hygiene early on should put children on the right path for caring for their teeth as they grow up, as well as creating a healthy environment for their adult teeth to grow in to.

Milk or first teeth act as spacesavers for adult teeth. If they are lost early through decay, adult teeth can drift – leading to a greater likelihood of corrective braces later.

Because milk teeth have a thinner covering of enamel than adult teeth, they decay more easily. According to the latest Government survey, more than 40 per cent of under-fives have some form of tooth decay, with 12 per cent already having one filling or more.

Most babies get their first tooth at between six and nine months, although it’s not uncommon for this to be a few months earlier or later.

Birmingham-based NHS dentist Dr Janet Clarke, a spokeswoman for the British Dental Association, advises parents to start cleaning as soon as the first tooth begins to cut through. Use a tiny spot of baby toothpaste on your little finger, rather than a brush.

‘At this stage it’s all about getting the child used to the idea and establishing a habit very early on so that it becomes a part

of the getting-up and going-tobed routine,’ she says.

As more teeth emerge, parents can graduate to a softheaded baby toothbrush.

Make sure you choose an ageappropriate toothpaste – those for younger children will have milder flavours and contain the correct amount of fluoride.

Under-threes need a minimum of 1,000 ppm (parts per million) as any less won’t be as effective at fighting decay.

Use a smear no bigger than your fingernail so it’s not an issue if they swallow their toothpaste (ingesting too much can cause fluorosis, which appears as very fine pearly white lines or flecking on the surface of the teeth).

Over-threes can have a peasized blob containing 1,350 to 1,500 ppm fluoride.

Babies should no longer be using a bottle by the time they are one because the teats encourage them to suck for a long time, which can mean the drinks that cause decay can stay in contact with their teeth for a long time.

If they still have a drink of milk at bedtime at this age, Dr Clarke advises brushing their teeth afterwards – not before – and never leaving the bottle in their cot.

‘Even milk has a form of sugar in it and at night our mouths produce less saliva –

Brushing up well: Children should be able to clean their teeth properly by the time they are seven, but parents should continue to check on technique.

Perfect smile: Good dental care at an early age creates a healthy environment for adult teeth.

which cleans the teeth.’

While the advice used to be to rinse after brushing, dental professionals now advocate the ‘spit- don’t-rinse’ approach.

Two minutes of brushing twice a day is recommended, but Dr Clarke points out that this is a long time for babies and toddlers and that your main focus should be on systematically brushing all the surfaces of each tooth rather than clocking up the minutes.

‘Where you can, make it into a game. Don’t turn it into a battle. If they’re having a bad day, or if they’re tired or unwell, then try again tomorrow.

Missing the odd day isn’t the end of the world.’

You should supervise your child’s tooth-brushing until they are about seven, by which time they should have the coordination to do it themselves, although it’s still worth checking up on their technique regularly.

Dr Clarke emphasises that water and milk are the best drinks for children rather than squashes and other sugary drinks and even fruit juice, which is high in the sugars and acids that cause tooth decay.

Sugary snacks, particularly chewy sweets that stick in the teeth, should be avoided where possible.

Dr Clarke suggests taking your child to the dentist for the first time when they are aged

about two-and-a-half, by which point most will have their full set of 20 milk teeth.

Try to go every six to 12 months after that, as recommended by your dentist.

As the permanent teeth come in – most children lose their last milk tooth at about age 12 – dental care will step up a gear.

The first permanent teeth start to arrive at about the age of six.

Molars can be sealed with a

plastic coating, known as fissure sealant, or painted with fluoride varnish to help prevent decay.

Both are available on the NHS if suitable for your child.

Dentists may advise fluoride supplements for some children and can show you how to use floss, as this can be a very effective way of cleaning between teeth, particularly permanent teeth.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

PAGE 37

2015: Fate of APGA in the face of crisis ANALYSIS

By Jamila Nuhu Musa

A

s the crisis of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) deepens, one wonders if it will make the list of political parties in Nigeria by 2015 when the country will be preparing for elections to usher in new leadership at all levels. Going by the latest crisis bedeviling the party, many have actually predicted its fall.

The internal wrangling which seems unending has consumed some members of the national executive committee of the party, while it is still raging. In reaction to the development, a meeting of the disciplinary committee was set up by the Victor Umeh led group to try the six erring members for rebellious act.

To this, the suspended members refused to show up at the panel. Reacting to this, the chairman of the committee, Tayo Sowumi, warned that they risked expulsion from the party for not appearing before the panel to defend themselves.

The rebellious group had suspended Umeh and the National Secretary, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, accusing them of alleged gross misconducts and embezzlement of funds.

However, the National Chairman of the party, Victor Umeh, while speaking in Abuja, said the suspension was against provisions of the party constitution.

According to him, “only five people came together to say we had been suspended and this is against the party constitution because they did not form a quorum and could not represent official decision”.

In a reprisal, Umeh then summoned a National Executive committee meeting, where a resolution was taken to suspend the six erring members, who also considered Umeh’s suspension as a false show of strength and therefore disregarded the invitation.

Despite the fact that APGA has a parallel group, Umeh is insisting that there is no crisis in the party, since the group has no backing of the elected APGA Chairmen in the 36 states, including Abuja.

According to him, “We’re going to disappoint people who think that APGA is in deep crisis; we’re not in deep crisis; it is just a mere conflict of interests here and there”.

Against this notion, Mr. Mic Adams 11 was appointed Acting National Chairman of APGA by the group. According to a communiqué issued by the

Gov. Peter Obi

Victor Umeh

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Dr Chris Ugwu and made available to newsmen in Abuja, the decision was taken on Monday, 2, July, 2012 in Agbor, Delta state.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Adams said the public must be made to know that Umeh’s tenure as Acting Chairman expired since 7th May, 2005, by virtue of the NEC resolution that empowered him.

According to him, his position as National Treasurer of the party expired June 22 nd 2006, by virtue of article 23 of APGA Constitution. The purported convention held by 2 nd December 2006 was an anomaly, illegal, null and void, as he was no longer an officer of the party with legal mandate to convene, not to talk off preside over a convention”.

But one will wonder why the group has remained silent since 2006, and suddenly initiated the moves to sack Umeh now the 2015 general election is around the corner.

It is expected that they should have gone to court earlier on to contest that the December 2006 convention was a nullity.

Adams insisted that it was the mandate abandoned by Casmir Ihegworo and Co, as a result of greed and avarice that Umeh is running, calling the public, INEC, the National Assembly, the Federal government and all Nigerians, to understand this.

Though he said he accepted his appointment as Acting National Chairman of the party with a deep sense of humility, Adams said the assignment is tough and a complex challenge.

His words, “the liabilities are so much and the complexities are enormous given the current condition of our party and the challenges to organize and reposition it for credible, effective and successful participation in the growth of democracy in the present polity of our nation building”.

Adams contended that the decision of the National

“

Despite the fact that APGA has a parallel group, Umeh is insisting that there is no crisis in the party, since the group has no backing of the elected APGA Chairmen in the 36 states, including Abuja

Working Committee (NWC) and leaders of APGA to remove Dr Casmir Ihegworo from serving the party as the National Chairman with immediate effect was based on incompetence, gross misconduct, lack of direction and inability to galvanize the party and her thousands of followers.

He also cited, among other reasons, constitutional breaches by the Acting National Chairman, as part of the reasons for his removal.

Noting that as a clergy man the party had placed high premium on him to deliver, Ihegworo allowed himself to be hoodwinked in betraying the collective interest of the entire NWC in the party’s mapped direction.

The new acting national chairman expressed optimism that the party will be bailed from the peril of destruction and extinction, and thanked members of the party for his appointment.

Adams said his mandate as acting national chairman of APGA which is of a short term, will be to re-galvanize the party, reposition it positively and re-channel it to its original direction and focus on operation “UMEH MUST GO” because Chief Victor Umeh is the obstacle militating against the growth of APGA. He added that under his leadership, the various organs of the party including the NWC, NEC and state chapters would not be reduced to a one- man show and tyranny as experienced under Victor Umeh, and most recently under Mr. Casmir Ihegworo.

The new acting national chairman then enjoined APGA members to strive towards achieving the mandate especially as “INEC has been bewitched by Chief Umeh”. He resolved to lead a proactive campaign alongside the Sadiq Masalla’s led faction, while promising to revive constitutionally provided procedures for monetary and financial accountability, prudency and discipline in the party as well as reconcile all divergent groups within the party and unite it for purposeful and victorious election in 2015.

Meanwhile, yesterday, the 36 State chairmen of APGA, including the FCT, passed a vote of confidence on Umeh, insisting that he remains the authentic leader of the party.

They called on the members to be wary of the disintegrating group, urging Umeh to remain focused in his quest to make APGA a formidable opposition party in Nigeria, which is committed t god governance.

The state Chairmen, in a communiqué issued after a meeting in Abuja, regretted that the crisis in the party was being sponsored by forces in Anambra state, pointing out that Anambra should be the cradle of APGA in Nigeria.

Speaking also, Umeh argued that the groups are just creating problems in the party, saying that the group has no State Chairman or any NWC member in their fold.

As Nigerians look, many are bewildered as to where these lingering dispute may lead APGA to, especially as 2015 is around the corner.

PAGE 38

Bayelsa govt.will not pay compensation on demolished structures - Committee

T

he Bayelsa Government says no compensation will be paid to owners of structures situated on natural drains and canals in Yenagoa, if they are demolished.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was announced in Yenagoa on Monday by members of the state Government Inter-Ministerial Committee on Flood Control.

The committee comprises the Commissioners for Environment, Dr Sylvanus Abila, Lands and Survey, Mr Furoebi Akene, Works and Infrastructures, Mr Lawrence Erudjakpo.

Others are Mr Zuwa Konugha of Capital City Development as well as Mr Felix Ebikeme of the CCDA. The committee lamented that activities of builders had caused unnecessary flooding in the state capital.

Commenting on government’s efforts in checking flooding, Konugha said that the Capital City Development Ministry had a budget provision for a comprehensive construction of drainages in the city, adding that work would soon commence.

Also speaking, Erudjakpo said that tackling the flooding challenges would require a three phase approach, including clearing of Azikoro, Kolo and Epie creeks to open up natural water channels.

The commissioner identified the non-provision of culverts during the construction of roads and buildings on the right of natural waterways as some factors responsible for flooding in the state capital in the past.

In his own contribution, the Environment Commissioner, Dr. Sylvanus Abila said that the Ministry in partnership with the Ministries of Lands and Survey, Works and the CCDA would take interim measures to address the problem.

Responding to a question on the dilapidated nature of the abandoned Obele road, the commissioner of Works explained that engineers had been sent to ascertain the problems and promised to tackle them.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Flooding said its attention had been drawn to some roads with major flooding problems during the rains in the state capital and it was working round the clock to check the situation.

NAN recalls that Gov. Seriake Dickson inaugurated the InterMinisterial Committee on Flooding comprising four ministries about one month ago.

The committee was saddled with the responsibility of flood control during the rains as well as to come out with a lasting solution to the perennial problem.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

Good governance, citizen participation, antidote to terrorism – Tambuwal

By Lawrence Olaoye

S

peaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal yesterday disclosed that ggod governance and active citizens' participation in him they are being governed would play a significant role in the act of terrorism in Africa.

The Speaker in a release made available to newsmen by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Imam

Imam also stressed that "Nigeria and other countries faced with the scourge of terrorism can defeat the menace if they network and share knowledge and experiences of their successes and challenges.

While addressing journalists yesterday at the opening of the 43rd conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region in Gauteng, South Africa, Tambuwal said in Nigeria, the convening of town hall meetings

and active participation of the citizens in legislative processes through public hearings have gone a long way in helping the parliament achieve its set goals.

The Speaker said the CPA and national parliaments should provide enough funds in their budgets to the security sector, and at the same time follow up to ensure that the funds budgeted are properly utilised for the purpose they were meant for.

"We can also strengthen the fight against insecurity by

enacting proper laws that will serve as deterrent to all persons who may want to cause injury to the people and the state," Tambuwal added.

While reiterating that member countries stand to gain from the platform provided by the CPA, the Speaker said more efforts should be expended towards tackling other social issues like education, child and maternal mortality as well as women and youth participation in governance.

Edo Election: REC warns NYSC members not to derail electoral process

T

L-R: Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Speaker of Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly, Hon Sam Ikon, and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, during the opening session of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region, yesterday in Guateng, South Africa.

Jigawa, Kano, Enugu recover N8bn from multiple bank accounts

By Lawrence Olaoye

E

fforts by state governments to block leakages in the state treasuries yielded the required results as Jigawa, Kano and Enugu states were able to recover over N8 billion lodged in multiple accounts in some banks.

This disclosure was made yesterday by the National Programme Manager of the State Partnership for Accountability, Responsiveness and Capability, SPARC, Dr. Joe Abah during a media training on the State Peer Review Mechanism, SPRM organized by the Nigeria Governors' Forum in Abuja.

The SPARC boss said in spite of the challenges facing the country, governors are making silent progress in addressing issues confronting their states and one of the measures they have adopted is to close down dozens of bank account which are conduit pipes used to siphon revenue belonging to the states.

He said "By reducing the number of bank accounts in Jigawa from 615 to 105 the Jigawa

state government recovered N2billion which it was able to put back into its budget. Kano reduced its own accounts from 756 to 92 and thus recovered N4.5billion; Enugu reduced its number of accounts from 100 to 10 and was able to put back N1.6billion into its treasury".

Dr. Abah explained that the return of unspent funds in Jigawa at the end of 2009 yielded N9.3billion which went into the state 2010 budget, adding that this has become a standard annual practice.

"These are in addition to savings from removing ghost workers, improving due process in procurement, reducing the size of state debts and ensuring that gains from the debt relief granted Nigeria in 2005 by the Paris Club of creditors are used to improve maternal and child health, fight malaria and improve water supply in various parts of the country".

Dr. Abah also explained that the State Peer review Mechanism which was officially launched on May 18, 2011 by the Governors Forum is a system for reviewing each other's performance and finding ways to learn good practices from each other for the benefit of their people and urged

Nigerians to support the initiative.

"Yes we have issues with our governors but when all 36 of them come together like this for the common good, let us at least give them the benefit of the doubt rather than cause the 'infant mortality' of any good initiative through negative and uninformed reporting".

Another guest speaker, Prof.

Adele Jinadu of the University of Lagos explained that the SPRM is modeled after the African Peer Review Mechanism and stressed that the "SPRM should therefore not be misconstrued as a score card to rate states, praising some and condemning others , reward leaders with leadership award or to attract investors.

"In this respect it should not be confused with governance and leadership assessment projects such as the Mo Ibrahim Foundation's".

Speaking earlier the Director Genaral of the Governors' Forum, Mr. A. B. Okauru said the training workshop was organized as part of efforts of the NGF to involve the media in all its endeavors and ensure that they have deeper understanding of the SPRM process.

he Resident Electoral Commissioner in Edo, Mr Kassim Gaidam, has warned NYSC members in the state not to derail the electoral process during the July 14, governorship election.

Gaidam gave the warning in Benin on Monday when he visited INEC training centres in Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha and Orhionmwon Local Government Areas of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the corps members are undergoing a two-day training at the centres ahead of the governorship election.

He urged the corps members not to compromise the process, saying they should be proud to have been saddled with a critical national assignment.

The commissioner emphasised that “you should therefore endeavour to resist any attempt or bait to derail the electoral process”.

“What you have agreed to do on the election day is a patriotic and selfless service which no money can buy.

He told them not to express any fear, saying “Mr President as the Commander-In-Chief has given his word that your security while on this national assignment will be guaranteed’’.

Gaidam disclosed that in addition to the corps members, the commission had also trained “some selected students of the university of Benin and Auchi Polytechnic to serve as assistant presiding officers ..

NAN reports that both leadership of the ACN and PDP are at logger head on the use of the corps members to conduct the election.

The PDP had claimed that the corps members were compromised by the state government and urged INEC to instead use NYSC members from other states.

The ACN had since dismissed the claim and urged INEC to conduct a transparent election..

The July 14 election would hold in 5,519 polling units across the 18 local governments area of the state.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in Edo state, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, addressing party supporters, during his re-election campaign, yesterday at Uzebba in Owan West Local Government Area of the state.

Why Oshiomhole should not be re-elected – Group From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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group known as Edo Coalition for Democracy and Good Governance (ECODAGG) yesterday advanced reasons why Governor Adams Oshiomhole should not be reelected in the July 14 2012 governorship election because of his alleged selective development strategy which has rendered many neglected and redundant.

The group announced its break away from the main labour body at a press conference held in Benin, the state capital to declare its support to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)'s candidate, General Charles Airhiavbere.

Coordinator of ECODAGG, Comrade Tony Erha observed

with dismay that their struggle to bring the governor to power was an exercise in futility as those who fought against them before, during and after Oshiomhole became governor were the ones that now lord it over them despite the tears, pains and blood that characterized their past.

He said "We felt that in this present circumstance, General Airhiavbere will prove the best governor because we can see in him a man who is ready to work; a man who is seriously loaded, a man who is a prudent manager of resources.

"For somebody who had been a Major General it is not an easy thing and we all know the drill of the military that once you have gone through that system you are

disciplined. Not only that, he was at the apex of the finances of the military in the country. Somebody who is frugal with funds is the one that can manage us. What we are saying is that General Airhiavbere is man who we can trust with our votes; who we can mobilize for and we have all agreed to support him.

He has the face of the PDP, he has the face of the commoner.

"We are calling on our people not to be disturbed and we know that the only direction we can go without running into more problem; without the hoodlums taking over from the good elements within the society is to support General Airhiavbere and that is why we are here."

The body carpeted the ACNled government for its sing-song

PDP berates Fayemi over humiliation of CAC worshippers in Ekiti heard about the humiliating From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest has berated Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state over his last Saturday's humiliation of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) worshippers in ErioEkiti, Ekiti state.

The PDP in a statement issued by its Zonal Publicity Secretary, Hon. Kayode Babade made available to newsmen in Ibadan alleged "By personally supervising the seizure of keys of over 100 vehicles belonging to the CAC worshippers and other Christian Pilgrims, who attended the annual Prophet Hezekiah Oladeji-led Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola Power Explosion programme of the Church at 'Ori Oke Aanu' (Mountain of Mercy) Prayer Ground in ErioEkiti from Friday night to Saturday morning, Fayemi has once again demonstrated his contempt for God and His worshippers, especially those in the CAC."

The party explained that at about 7:30 am last Saturday, Governor Fayemi had accosted over 100 vehicles of worshippers, who were returning from the CAC annual programme, and were parked along the road, waiting for the conclusion of the monthly Environmental Sanitation exercise.

The governor was said to have been angered that the worshippers, many of whom came from outside Ekiti state, were not in their homes, carrying out sanitation exercise. He subsequently ordered his security aides to seize of all the vehicles' keys.

The governor later came back at about 10:30am to release the seized keys to their owners and later went on air to justify his action.

Reacting to the incident, the PDP said it was the height of disrespect for God and Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, to whom the Erio-Ekiti Mountain of Mercy is significant for anyone, not to talk of a sitting governor, to be part of such ridiculous act.

The statement read; "When we

treatment Fayemi gave the Christian pilgrims on Saturday, our first reaction was that; 'could this be true?'

"However, when the governor came on the State owned Radio Station to confirmed and justified it later on Saturday, we were like; 'has something gone wrong with this governor?'

"This is because, Ori Oke Aanu, in Erio-Ekiti is sacred to the CAC people because of its significance to Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola's ministration works when he was alive.

"Therefore, for whatever reasons, it amounts to an assault on the entire CAC members for Christian Pilgrims, who were coming from such a sacred place like Ori Oke Aanu to be so humiliated by a sitting governor.

"It is even more shameful and embarrassing that many of the people whose car keys were seized by Fayemi's men came to Ekiti from other states to attend the annual programme.

of achievements that have placed Edo state in the seventh position as against the historic and outstanding feats recorded by other states in the oil rich South-south geo political zone of Nigeria. Comrade Erha urged the electorate and people of the state not to waver in their resolve to make the desired change for a better Edo state He said "We will want our people to compare his own government with that of Godswill Akpabio and Rotimi Amaechi of Akwa Ibom and Rivers states respectively. ..We don't want a state where only one man comes on to say he is the political party, he is the political appointees and all that. In Edo state, all that we have been hearing is let the people lead; it's just a camouflage. We are all aware EDOCDAGG under Labour and Civil Society coalition (LASCO) was in the heat of Oshiomhole's election."

APGA Chairmen direct Obi to conduct LG elections

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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he state chairmen of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have called on the governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, to conduct local government elections in the 21 local government areas of the state without further delay.

In a communiquĂŠ signed by the 36 State Chairmen of the party, including FCT, which was made available to journalists yesterday after a meeting with the leadership of the party in Abuja, the Chairmen also regretted that the dispute in the party was being sponsored from Anambra State, which ought to be the cradle of APGA in Nigeria.

They therefore called on the sponsors to halt it with immediate effect, calling on party members across the state to remain vigilant and committed to the ideals of the party.

The Chairmen also condemned and disowned Sadiq Massala and his associates for allegedly being used as destabilizing agents, calling for full sanctions against the dissidents for unlawfully and unconstitutionally attempting to overthrow the leadership of the party.

While calling on APGA loyalists to ignore Massala and his sponsors, the Chairmen also passed a vote of confidence on the Victor Umeh led National Working Committee, urging him to ensure that the vision of APGA as a vibrant opposition party that promotes good governance is sustained.

In addition, they condemned the activities of the stakeholders whom they said are desperate to take over the running of the party against the constitution of the party, adding that there was no provision for APGA Stakeholders as an organ of the party in their constitution.

PDP grieves over death of Albishir

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed shock at the death of its governorship candidate in Yobe state in the 2011 governorship election, Senator Usman Albishir.

A statement from the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh said the death of Senator Albishir was a huge loss to the nation.

"The death of Senator Albishir is not only a huge loss to the PDP, the people of Yobe state but to the entire nation. Here was a brilliant Senator! Here was a philanthropist and here was a politician's politician who sought

power for the betterment of the people! Here was also a politician who played according to the rules of the game! His sudden death is so painful; a big loss to the nation" "The National Chairman of our Party, Dr. Bamanga Turkur on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC) wishes to send sincere condolences to his family, the Yobe State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, the government and the entire people of Yobe state on this huge loss.

While we pray Almighty Allah to grant Senator Albishir eternal rest, we also pray Allah to give His fortitude to those he left behind."

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

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Re-run victory, vote of confidence on PDP govt, says Gov Ahmed From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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he Kwara state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has described the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Abdulfattah Salman, in the Ilorin North-West Constituency re-run elections in Oloje and Alanamu wards held on Saturday, as a vote of confidence on the present administration.

Governor who was speaking with journalists in Ilorin on the outcome of the

election, noted that the victory was not just an overwhelming vote of confidence in the government and leadership of the PDP in the state, but a challenge to do more for the good people of Kwara.

He noted that the unprecedented endorsement of the purposeful and selfless leadership of Sen. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, coupled with faithful implementation of his administration’s programme of shared prosperity are responsible for the victory in Alanamu and

Oloje wards.

Governor Ahmed, assured the people of the state that his administration would continue to deliver purposeful leadership by building on the successes of the last eight years to a state where all and sundry will share in its prosperity.

The Governor congratulated the leader of the party in the state, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the leadership of the party and the winner of the rerun election, Alhaji Salman on the victory at the polls.

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, and Chairman, Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Appropriation and Finance, Senator Magnus Abbe, during a public hearing on the management of oil subsidy, on Monday at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Politicians express diverse views over call for special court for terrorism

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ome politicians on Monday in Lagos expressed support for the call by the Senate for the creation of a special court to try suspected terrorists.

The politicians told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in separate interviews, that terrorism was not a case that should be tried by a regular court.

A Commissioner with the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, Mr Mohammed Oyefeso, said he was in support of the proposal for the creation of a special court for terrorism.

“I am fully in support of the call for a special court because in Nigeria, no regular court can handle terrorists based on the existing laws,’’ he said.

Mr Abraham Braithforth, National Publicity Secretary, Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), also supported the call.

“Yes, I am in support of the proposal for a special court because terrorism is a criminal offence which is impossible to negotiate.

“A special court is very important because the group is not ready to repent unlike the Niger Delta militants who agreed to lay down arms when the government said so,’’ he said.

Mr Toyin Raheem, Executive Secretary, Campaign for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (CCHR) also said the Senate proposal was in order.

“Terrorism is a serious crime against humanity; every means to curb the menace must be supported,’’ he said.

According to Raheem, the National

Assembly should go further to recommend maximum period of three months for trial and stipulate capital punishment for offenders.

However, the National Publicity Secretary of the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA), Mr Sam Onimisi, said that he was not in support of any special court for terrorism.

“A general law should be in place for any Magistrate or High Court to try terrorists and convict them outrightly; it should not be a special court,’’ he said.

According to him, if a special court is created, it would delay justice.

The Deputy National Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Alhaji Musa Umar, also said he did not support the call.

“Why should we create a special court for terrorists? a court is a court. If we create a special court for terrorists, then we should also create special judges for terrorists too,’’ he said.

According to him, since the normal courts are there, let justice take its normal course through the normal channel.

Enugu PDP chairman asks LG exco to accommodate all The chairman charged the

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he Chairman of the PDP in Enugu State, Chief Vita Abba, has called on its local government executives to accommodate all shades of opinion in the scheme of things.

Abba said in Enugu while inaugurating the Enugu North local government PDP executives that the platform was big enough to accommodate all shades of opinion.

“The PDP umbrella is big enough to accommodate everybody. Ensure that the views of all are heard even as you maintain our constitution.

“Shun all anti-party activities irrespective of the provocation or disagreement,’’ he said.

new executive to ensure that the party maintained its height in the local government and work in partnership with the council chairman.

Abba commended the Chairman of the local government, Mr Emeka Ede, for his achievements within six months in office.

He listed the achievements to include the construction of health centres and rehabilitation of Ihewuzhi-Ogui Nike road and Ukwa Street.

In his speech, Ede assured the people that he would work hand in hand with the new party executive.

He said the only way the party would record success in the local government was to work in harmony as one body.

Kwankwaso pledges to make Kano civil service dynamic

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ov. Rabi’u Kwankwaso of Kano state says he will transform the state civil service to become more dynamic and result-oriented through the recruitment of qualified personnel.

He made the pledge in Kano on Monday while presenting appointment letters to 1,002 fresh graduates recruited into the state civil service.

He said that recruiting qualified persons into the service was necessary to ensure efficiency in service delivery.

“The government is injecting new blood into the system by recruiting fresh graduates.

“This will also give youth the opportunity to contribute positively to nation building,’’ he said.

According to the governor, the new officers were employed on merit from across the 44 local government areas of the State.

He therefore urged them to be dedicated and respect civil service rules and regulations.

“The state government will not tolerate indolence and embezzlement of public funds,’’ he said.

Kwankwaso charged the new employees not to relent in the pursuit of postgraduate degrees in view of their potentials.

He explained that 600 of the new staff would be posted to teach in secondary schools in the state.

He said that he had asked the Directorate of the NYSC to post majority of corps members deployed to the state to teach in public schools as part of deliberate efforts to revitalise the education sector.

Committee tasks media on improved reportage of Niger Assembly

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he Chairman, Niger Assembly House Committee on Information, Mr Bello Ahmad, on Monday called for improved media coverage of the legislature to keep the people informed at all times.

Ahmad made the call during the inauguration of the Information and Public Relations Committee of the House in Minna.

He said that an effective and efficient reportage of the House would encourage its members to improve on delivery of its mandate.

He said that the committee would embark on a tour of media establishments in the state to assess their challenges and proffer solutions to them in line with its mandate.

He said that the committee would address newsmen on quarterly basis to keep abreast of information on activities of the House, particularly its bills and motions.

Speaker of the House Adamu Usman, stressed the importance of repositioning the assembly’s information management through collaboration with the media.

He urged the committee to evolve a template on how to function while advising the media to uphold the strict rule and ethics of the profession.

Hajiya Hauwa Lemu, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, said that the ministry would cooperate with the committee to improve on the system.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

PAGE 41

Falconets players get tomorrow as deadline Stories by Albert Akota

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omorrow has been fixed as deadline for players of the U-20 Women National Team yet to report to camp.

The ultimatum was issued by Chief Coach, Edwin Okon to players requested for by their clubs for this Wednesday’s league matches.

“The players know themselves and to that effect, they are expected in camp on Thursday,” he said.

He warned that players who fail to report on the due day will be punished accordingly. “With

just seven weeks to the start of the Championship l do not expect any player to drag the team backwards,” he said.

Just last Sunday (July 1), Falconets, one of Africa’s representatives to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup which holds next month (August 18 to September 8) in Japan resumed for training in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after a six- week break.

19 out of the 35 players invited, have since reported to Serob Hotel. Captain, Gloria Ofoegbu, Uchechi Sunday, Ugo Njoku, Chisom Henry, Lola Phillips, Vivian Okotie,

Adapt to new methods, strategies, NFF tells administrators

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he President of the Nigeria Football Federation,(NFF) Alhaji Aminu Maigari yesterday in Abuja challenged football administrators and managers in the country to learn and apply themselves to new methods, tactics and strategies of administration in the interest of rapid development of the Nigeria game.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the FIFA WIAWA Administration and Management Course, at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, Maigari also pledged that his administration will continue to pursue, doggedly, the cause of improving Nigeria football at all levels, whether in the areas of coaching, refereeing, administration or welfare of players and officials.

“The actualization of this programme is derived from the determination of the present NFF administration to positively affect all areas of the Nigeria game, and to enact new

standards that would, sooner rather than later, take Nigeria football to higher heights in the game’s firmament.

“This high-level course is not a picnic. It has been designed for our football administrators and managers to gain tremendously from classroom and practical sessions, and go back to their respective bases to impact positively on how things are run.

Alhaji Aminu Maigari

Ebubeleye Whyte, Chinyere Okafor, Blessing Edoho.

Others are Chioma Nwankwo, Fausilat Adeyemo, Chidinma Okoro, , Ugochi Okafor, Bukola Ogunnoiki, Juliana Osuji, Osarenoma Igbinovia, Grace Henry, Winifred and Tina Chinyere.

Nigeria has been drawn against Brazil, Italy and Korea Republic whom they kick starts their campaign against on August 19 in Saitama.

They did not concede a goal during the Africa qualifying series that ended on May 19 with a 3-0 drubbing of Congo DR inn Kinshasa.

Better still, they are to turn around the running of the clubs for the better,” said Maigari.

The NFF boss said further: “For those officials of NFF that are opportune to be participating, I charge you to seize this great opportunity for self-improvement and actualization, as we firmly pursue our vision of making a brand of the NFF that corporate organizations and multinational companies will fall over themselves to associate with.”

Earlier, FIFA Instructor Brendon Menton applauded the attitude of the participants, and canvassed that a strong cordial relationship between the NFF and the NPL and strong Premier League clubs are imperatives for rapid development of the game.

Also at the ceremony were NFF Executive Committee members Barrister Chris Green and High Chief Emeka Inyama, NFF General Secretary Barrister Musa Amadu and Director of Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme.

The course, which classroom sessions are taking place at the Ekiti Hall of NICON Luxury Hotel and practical sessions at the FIFA Technical Centre, National Stadium, Abuja, will end on Saturday.

Edwin Okon

Minster enjoins NPL to improve their games

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he Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has charged the Nigeria Premiere League Board to improve the condition of the league in a bid to attract sponsorship in prospective organizations.

Bolaji who made this known during a courtesy visit by the Board members of the League to his office in Abuja said, he find it disheartening that Nigeria players had to travel for trouble countries to play club football because the atmosphere created by the Nigerian League is not favorable.

“If you can develop the game here, I not think there would be reason you cannot get sponsorship, though we are working tirelessly to see that there is an improvement” said Abdullahi.

Also reacting to the issue of sponsorship, the Minister said, they are very close to resolving the matter of sponsorship between Glo and MTN, “There are no log-jam at the moment,

we just need to perfect the schedules at least before the end of this season”.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Chairman of the NPL, Chief Rumson Baribote, commended the administration and its working achievements so far, urging them to keep on the good work towards a better national teams.

Bolaji Abdullahi

NFF begins search for new technical director

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ollowing the decision of minister of sports/ chairman National Sports Commission, NSC, Bolaji Abdulahi that the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) should forget the appointment of Belgian Tom Sainfiet as the technical director of Nigerian football, the NFF says it will soon commence the search for an indigenous technical director.

The NFF which had earlier conducted interview and announced the former coach of

Namibia national team as the technical director had to jettison the appointment following the minister’s intervention, occasioned by the inability of Tom Saintfiet to secure the necessary documents that would enable him assume duty in Nigeria.

NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu stated during the weekend that the federation has no other option to heed the advice of the minister and look inwards for an indigenous

technical director, stressing that there was need for the position following recent directives from FIFA, insisting that all federations must engage the services of a technical director for the development of the game.

“When the time comes, we will appoint one. Considering the circumstances surrounding the contract with Saintfeit, we have to consider the option of engaging a Nigerian for the position. At the appropriate time, the issue would

be addressed. We have to wait and see how it goes.”

Amadu also disclosed that the federation was yet to receive the programmes of Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi for the proposed international friendly against arsenal in Abuja, adding that the team would be expected to resume camping this month in Abuja.

“The Super Eagles camping for the international friendly against Arsenal will be sometimes in the middle of the

month. You know that Keshi has not submitted his programme for the friendly.” ”We hope he would do that when he comes back from South Africa after the Nations Cup draws ceremony this week.”

Amadu stated.

Meanwhile, super eagles chief coach, Stephen Keshi and NFF technical committee chairman, Chris Green are expected to Depart today for South Africa for the July 5 CAF draws for the final qualifying round of the South Africa 2013 African nations cup.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

Ibrahim vows to tag the Esperance net

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unshine Stars’ forward, Ajani Ibrahim has promised to shake off his goal drought this term against visiting CAF Champions’ League Group A opponents, Esperance of Tunisia on Sunday at IjebuOde. The petite attacking winger who ended the domestic league last season as hot shot runners-up is yet to register his name on the scorer’s chart this

Aminu Maigari

NFF, matchmakers hold press parley for football awards

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press conference to herald an annual Football Awards to honour deserving individuals, teams and corporate bodies over a whole football season came up on Tuesday next week in Lagos.

The Nigeria Football Federation,(NFF) in conjunction with Matchmakers Consult International Limited, will reveal plans and modus operandi for what has been dubbed ‘Nigeria Pitch Awards’ and which inaugural edition is slated for December this year, at a world press conference inside the Lagos Airport Ibis Hotel, Ajao Estate starting from noon.

NFF President Aminu Maigari, 1st Vice President Mike Umeh, Chairman of Technical Sub-Committee Chris Green, General Secretary Musa Amadu and Director of Marketing Idris Adama are among dignitaries expected at the occasion.

On the margin of the Football Awards will be a seminar and an international charity football match on ‘Kick Human Trafficking Out of Football’.

While the Nigeria Pitch Awards will feature awards in different categories spanning all the areas of the game and business of football, the charity match is aimed at drawing attention to the plight of our young players who are carried into slavery markets in Europe, Asia and other parts of the world in the name of player-transfer.

Former Super Eagles’ skipper and member, NFF Technical Sub-Committee, Jay Jay Okocha and 1994 and 1998 World Cup star Victor Ikpeba, also a member of NFF Technical Committee, are expected to grace the occasion.

season in all competitions.

Ajani told SuperSport.com that the tie against title holders is another rare chance for him to revive his fading goalscoring prowess.

“I’m under intense pressure; I get calls daily from concerned fans enquiring why I haven’t been scoring goals.

“I’m worried as they are too. I know I’m trying my best but why I have not scored continues to baffle

me.

“I’m yet to score in the league as well as in the continent.

I strongly believe the scoreless times will be history on Sunday against Esperance.

“I’m taking extra measure, extra preparations and training to ensure the jinx is broken once and for all,” said Ajani.

The former Enyimba attacking midfielder said the North African side will taste defeat on Sunday.

“We’re preparing very hard for victory against the Tunisian giants. Esperance are big side and tough, we’ll be playing them for the first time.

“Good enough all our players in the national teams are available for the encounter. We don’t have any injury worry at the moment, our confidence is high going into the clash and I’m sure we’ll record a win.

“I won’t say it’s an advantage starting the

group ticket campaign at home, this is a continental match, the only advantage anybody can enjoy is to prepare adequately.

“And that is what we’re doing in Ijebu-Ode at the moment,” he said.

The nation’s only remaining club in an African club competition are pitched in Group A together with North African sides, Esperance, Etoile de Sahel and AS Chlef of Algeria.

NNL chairman, Chief Emeka Inyama, who praised the efforts of the Bayelsa state government towards the development of grass root football, disclosed that the management of the league body and the representatives of Bayelsa state government have reached sponsorship agreement for the super 8 competition, which is expected to commence in August.

“We have commenced advanced talks with the government of Bayelsa state to hoist the 2011/12

NNL super eight which will involve all the teams that gain promotion to the elite division, having emerged top of their various divisions of the just concluded Nigeria National League, as well as the runners up. We are also looking at the August break to hold the super eight, bearing in mind the weather condition of Bayelsa, which falls within the rain forest region of the country.”Inyama stated.

Two clubs from Bayelsa state government sponsored Bayelsa united FC and Nembe city FC,

owned by the chairman of the Nigeria Premier League, (NPL), Victor Rumson Baribote were among the clubs that gained promotion to the premier league after they emerged top of their divisions at the end of the 2011/12 NNL season.

They will be joined by six other clubs, El- Kanemi warriors of Maiduguri, Nasarawa united of Lafia, Ranchers bees of Kaduna, Giwa FC of Jos, Unicem Rovers of Calabar and Abia warriors of Umuahia to compete in the newly improved super 8. A prize

money will be awarded to the eventual winner of the super 8 competition, which will eventually mark the official end of 2011/12 NLL season.

Bayelsa to host NNL super 8 B

ayelsa state government has emerged as the front runner among the states that have indicated interest to host the 2012 edition of the Nigeria National League (NNL) super competition.

The NNL secretariat has revealed that talks have commenced in top gear and indications are rpe that the government of Bayelsa may have agreed to sponsor the competition, which will have all the two top clubs in the of the 2011/12 NNL abridged league.

Chief Emeka Inyama

Lobi to compound Rising’s woes

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obi Stars’ striker, David Tyavkase has said they will compound the woes of struggling Rising Stars in midweek’s Matchday 33 in Ado-Ekiti. Rising Stars are second from rear on the log with 32 points and were dumped out from the 2012 Federation Cup campaign by El-Kanemi Warriors in the Round of 60.

Lobi occupy the fifth position on the log on 48 points and are in the last 16 of the Cup courtesy of 1-0 win against Niger Tornadoes in Bauchi.

Tyavkase, who admitted that their confidence level has been boosted by the latest victory, insisted that Rising will suffer another defeat on Wednesday.

“Our spirit is very high and we’ll surely record a convincing win at Rising Stars. “Rising Stars’ position calls for mercy but they won’t get none from us.

“We want the three points to consolidate on our position and push to the top. “Of course, we’ve never hidden our intention to win the league shield this season,” he said.

The former Enyimba player is upbeat the Makurdi-based side can make it a double this season.

“We’re in the race both for the league and Cup titles.

“And it’s possible we win both titles. Our main target is to make it to the continent next year, so we must take the chances to achieve our aim,” he said.

Dominic Irofa

Ekpoma keen on continental course

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ombe United midfielder, Austin Ekpoma is confident that his team can still play their way into Africa at the end of this season.

The former Zamfara United playmaker believes Gombe United

can win a ticket to either the CAF Champions League or the CAF Confederation Cup via the Federation Cup or the Premier League.

Ekpoma is confident that he and his colleagues can claw their way back to the top three after their

barnstorming display at the outset of this season.

Gombe United are seven points behind Nigeria Premier League (NPL) leaders, Enugu Rangers.

“We still have a good chance to play on the continent next year.

There’s still the

possibility of finishing in the top three in the league as we are seven points behind the leaders.

It’s a matter of taking points in three games and avoiding defeat till the season ends and we will have a good chance.

“At the same time, we

are still in the FA Cup and there is also a possibility that we can win it. So our chances are still in our hands,” the midfielder said. Ekpoma has made 27 appearances for Gombe United this season and has scored five goals.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

Transfer

The season is over. Clubs are counting their blessing as well as losses and would like to make amends and even beef up their squads where noticeable lapses exist. And the transfer market is agog barely 24 hours after major European leagues dropped the curtain.

And so to keep abreast with latest rumours, we begin daily doses of movements within the market both for players and coaches like.

PAGE 43

Hammers keen on Stankovic, Lukaku

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est Ham have made tentative enquiries about Inter Milan veteran Dejan Stankovic and Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, according to ESPN sources.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is looking to sign an experienced leader for his newly promoted team and considered a move for Clarence Seedorf before being deterred by the Dutchman’s £70,000-a-week wage demands.

Allardyce has now turned his attention to 33-year-old

Stankovic, who is being tipped to leave the San Siro after eight years as Inter Milan boss Andrea Stramaccioni is looking to usher some of the club’s youngsters into the first-team.

The former Serbia international, who played 102 games for his country before retiring in 2011, would add some much-needed maturity to West Ham in their first season back in the Premier League - though, like Seedorf, his wage demands could prove prohibitive.

Sturridge on Spurs watch list

T Daniel Sturridge

ottenham are lining up a £10 million bid for Chelsea starlet Daniel Sturridge, as the out-of-favour forward contemplates his future at Stamford Bridge.

The news comes as Spurs prepare to confirm the appointment of Andre Villas-Boas as manager, with the Portuguese tactician set to pen a three-year-

deal in the next 48 hours.

Villas-Boas’ arrival will kick start a month of rapid transfer business, with Chelsea attacker Sturridge believed to be the club’s top target.

Sturridge is currently seeking show down talks with Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo having fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, following Villas-

The Hammers have also been linked to young Inter forward Luc Castaignos, who is leaving the club this summer, and Allardyce has a long list of potential transfer targets for the striker’s role, including a potential loan move of Lukaku at Chelsea.

West Ham have told ESPN that they are testing the water with a multitude of potential transfer targets to discover which are the most realistic in terms of fees, salaries and availability.

Boas’ sacking in March.

The 22-year-old wants assurances over his future, but while Di Matteo is keen to hang onto the prospect, he will not accept players holding the club to ransom and would contemplate a £10 million bid.

Tottenham hope Sturridge will be the first of up to four new faces this summer, but the club is also expecting outs, with up to five players possibly leaving White Hart Lane in the next fortnight.

Vertonghen concentrates on Ajax

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jax captain Jan Vertonghen insists he will be entirely focused on his current club until a longrunning transfer saga with Tottenham is resolved.

Vertonghen, 25, has reported for pre-season training with the Eredivise champions this week, despite a move to Spurs reportedly close to completion.

Although unlikely to feature

when Ajax’s season kicks off on August 8, the Belgium international insists he is solely focused on pre-season preparations.

Vertonghen told the club’s official website: “Of course it goes through my head that there is still no clarity about my future.

It is difficult and I can’t say I don’t think about it but that’s how it is and I have to adapt.

“For now I play for Ajax and I will always give 100% for them. I am a professional athlete and despite all the issues for me it is simply the beginning of a new season. And that, for me, starts at Ajax.

“It is obviously impossible to say how long these things take but well before August 31 (the closing of the transfer window) there must be clarity. Until then I will just focus on Ajax.”

Benfica ready to cash on United, Chelsea target

M

Axel Witsel

anchester United and Chelsea have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Axel Witsel after Benfica signalled their willingness to cash in on the Belgium international.

Witsel, who signed for Benfica from Standard Liege last summer, enjoyed a terrific debut season in Portugal, and played a key part in the Lisbon side’s march to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is reported to be a long-term admirer of the combative midfielder, who sparked controversy in 2009 following a reckless challenge that resulted in Anderlecht defender Marcil Wasilewski breaking a leg - an incident that saw him banned for eight games.

New Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo is also thought to be on the hunt for a new central midfielder this summer, with Witsel’s international team-mate Marouane Fellaini also linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge.

However, the two Premier League giants will have to fight off competition from Spanish champions Real Madrid, with Bernabeu boss Jose Mourinho keen to strengthen his midfield before the start of next season.

Blackburn sign Best for £3m

B

lackburn Rovers have signed striker Leon Best from Newcastle United for a fee in the region of £3m.

The 25-year-old has scored 10 times in 46 games for the Magpies since joining from Coventry in early 2010.

The Republic of Ireland international, which has seven

caps for his country, was on target four times in the Premier League last season.

But his campaign was cut short when he suffered a knee injury during a 2-1 win over Aston Villa in February.

The Nottingham-born forward started his career at Southampton, where he made

just 10 senior starts, and joined Coventry in 2007 for £650,000, going on to net 19 times in 92 league games.

Best becomes Rovers’ second signing since their relegation from the Premier League following the arrival of midfielder Danny Murphy last month.

Luis Suarez

Sami Khedira

Bayern chase Khedira

B

ayern Munich wants to sign Germany international Sami Khedira but Real Madrid will only entertain their advances if Bastian Schweinsteiger is allowed to move in the other direction, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.

Germany team-mates Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira be set to swap clubs?

Khedira, 25, moved to the Bernabeu from Stuttgart in 2010 and has been an integral player for Los Blancos since then, playing 42 games in all competitions as the club won the Primera Division title last season.

However, Bayern are reportedly ready to offer the midfielder the opportunity to play in an advanced role back, which he is believed to prefer over the defensively disciplined position he occupies for Real.

Sport reports that the Bavarians are desperate to bring Khedira back to Germany, but that Jose Mourinho is unwilling to let him leave unless Schweinsteiger is included in a part-exchange deal.

Mourinho is thought to be a long-time admirer of Schweinsteiger, and Real have been linked with a move for him in recent.

Juventus trail Liverpool hit Jamie set to complete man uventus are preparing to test Liverpool’s resolve with Stoke deal

J

a bid for Luis Suarez.

The Italian champions are looking to bolster their forward line and have looked at Arsenal’s Robin van Persie and Edin Dzeko of Manchester City.

But Juventus have held a longstanding interest in Suarez, who has been in discussion with Liverpool over extending his current contract.

However, Suarez like defender Martin Skrtel, who is wanted by Manchester City and Russian side Anzi Makhachakla and Daniel Agger is yet to sign a new deal.

It has been mooted in Italy that Juventus could try to prise the Uruguayan away by offering a player plus cash.

Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group, though, have absolutely no intention of selling Suarez.

J

amie Ness is set to complete his move to Stoke from Rangers after agreeing a fouryear contract.

The 21-year-old midfielder recently rejected an offer from the Rangers newco to stay at Ibrox.

Scotland Under-21 international Ness made his Rangers debut in 2010, but injuries have restricted him to just 18 games since.

“Jamie is a lad with enormous potential,” Stoke manager Tony Pulis told the club’s official website.

“It’s important that we introduce some young blood in strengthening the squad and he certainly fits the bill as someone tipped for a bright future.”

Stoke have applied for international clearance and expect the transfer to be finalised soon.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

Murray beats Cilic to make Wimbledon quarters

A

ndy Murray booked his place in a fifth straight Wimbledon quarter-final with victory over Marin Cilic in a match heavily disrupted by rain on Court

One. They re-started at 13:10 and Murray won 7-5 6-2 63 to set up a tie with David Ferrer,who beat Juan Martin Del Potro.

The Scot must be relieved to have wrapped up proceedings so quickly - they finished at 14:10 in two hours 10 minutes of match play - given that his lasteight tie will be played today.

With more showers expected later, there was a strong chance Murray could have been delayed further, while Ferrer and Del Potro were under the Centre Court roof and, therefore, guaranteed to finish.

The decision to schedule him on a roofless Court One for the only time all fortnight when the weather forecast was poor - led to heavy criticism.

“I honestly don’t care which court I play on,” Murray added. “It makes no difference, but every player would rather play on Centre Court because it’s got the roof, so you know you will get your match in.

Murray led Cilic 7-5 3-1 at 40-0 when the rain arrived on Monday, frustrating for him asNovak Djokovic and Roger Federer - the only higher-ranked players left in the draw - completed their games to go through.

Andy Murray is a record breaker...in making his fifth straight Wimbledon quarter-final; he has broken the British Open era record he shared with Tim Henman (1996-1999 and 2001-2004).

London 2012: Tyson, Powell set to go head-to-head

T

yson Gay and Asafa Powell will race each other in a pre-London 2012 meeting at the Aviva London Grand Prix later this month.

The world’s second and third fastest men clash for the time this year at the Diamond League event on 13 July.

American Gay and Jamaica’s Powell sealed their places in their respective countries’ Olympic 100m squads at national trials last week. Gay ran a time of 9.86 seconds, while Powell ran 9.88.

Gay is looking to put past injury problems behind him and secure a first Olympic medal at London 2012. “I haven’t raced much this year and I’m feeling better each time out there on the track,” he said. “My body is getting closer to where I want it to be. I’ve shown over the years that through all of the injuries, I’m a fighter, and I hope to be fighting for that Olympic gold in London later this summer.”

Former world record holder Powell is looking to better his performances at the previous two Olympics in Athens and Beijing, where he finished fifth in the 100m final on both occasions.

“This is a big year for me,” he said. “I’m not getting any younger but there’s a lot more to come from me. “I’ve learned a lot from past major championships. I don’t take anything for granted and I’m working as hard as ever. I know that I’m capable of running 9.8, 9.7, 9.6, so all that I’m focussing on is myself.”

Tyson Gay

Asafa Powell

Phelps targets seven gold medals

M

ichael Phelps has opted out of the 200m freestyle at the Olympic Games and will instead chase seven gold medals.

The American is expected to concentrate on two butterfly and two individual medley events as well as three relays.

Phelps, the most successful Olympian ever with 14 golds, swam and won eight events in Beijing in 2008.

He had been expected to target eight golds in London, but coach Bob Bowman said: “No-one should be expected to do that twice. Once was

enough.”

Phelps won the 200m freestyle in Beijing four years ago but has since been beaten over that distance in the last two World Championships.

His 200m freestyle spot in the US team will go to Ricky Berens, who finished third in the 200m freestyle at the trials behind Phelps and Ryan Lochte.

Phelps, 27, has won a total of 38 world and Olympic gold medals in his career but admitted he struggled for motivation after Beijing 2008.

He has also faced increasing competition from Lochte, who will now

be favourite for the 200m freestyle after Phelps’s withdrawal.

The Phelps and Lochte rivalry is expected to be one of highlights of the Games, which begin later this month.

Lochte sounded a warning to Phelps after the trials. “I’m used to racing against him, I’ve been doing it for eight years now,” he said.

“In the past four years,

I’ve gone a lot faster and I know what my body can handle. This meet was just stepping stones for what I really want to do in London.”

Phelps finished first in the 200m individual medley final and the 200m freestyle final at the trials, while Lochte beat him in the 400m individual medley final and also won the 200m backstroke final.

Asamoah delighted on Juventus switch

G

hana midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah is delighted at his big move to Italian champions Juventus. The 24-year-old sealed a three-year deal worth US$ 11 million on Monday after weeks of delay.

Asamoah spent four seasons at Udinese and was impressive last term where he made 31 appearances and scored three goals.

He becomes the second Ghanaian player to play for the Old Lady after ex-Ghana captain Stephen.

Asamoah responded to his move by announcing his preparedness to impress at the Juventus Stadium. ‘’I am happy to be joining the Juventus family. It has been my dream to play for a big club. I can’t wait to help win more trophies,’’ Asamoah posted on his official twitter page on Tuesday.

“Thanks to all my Udinese friends and fans you are always in my heart. You made my dream come through.”

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS HELEN EJIRO APOR, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. HELEN EJIRO SAMEDE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. AMB. SUNDAY DOGOYARO -CHAIRMAN 2. DR. SALLY NKEM ADUKWU-BOLUJOKO -SECRETARY 3. BARR. EMEKA NWANKPA 4. MRS. HANNAH JEDIDAH DOGOYARO 5. MRS. AGNES NWANKPA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO PROVIDE CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTHS ACROSS THE FEDERATION. 2. TO ACT AS A MENTORING, COACHING AND COUNSELLING CENTRE FOR YOUTHS. 3. TO PROVIDE FOR THE CARE AND WELFARE OF DELIGENT AND LESS PRIVILEGED YOUTHS. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B. 198, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY-EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. CHINENYE ALI (08062313818)

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FOUNDATION FOR THE REFORMATION OF PRISONERS

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. IKPONMWOSA EDORISIAGBON 2. OZANIROMWEN EDORISIAGBON 3. MRS ITOHAN MARIA EDORISIAGBON THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO PROVIDE FOOD, CLOTHING AND MEDICATION TO THE LESS PRIVILEGE IN THE COMMUNITY. 2. TO EMPOWER THE YOUTH & AGED WITH SKILL ACQUISITION.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ALHAJI ABDULAZEEZ ABUBAKAR YARI 2. HAJIA AISHA BABANGIDA SHINKAFI 3. CHIEF (MRS) ABIODUN OLUJIMI 4. JUSTICE (RTD) ADEWALE KUTI 5. CHIEF NDUKA ANYANWU THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO TRANSFORM, TRAIN AND CATER FOR PRISONERS NATIONWIDE. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B. 198, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTYEIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B. 198, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTYEIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

Michael Phelps

Andy Murray

SIGNED: STANLEY IBIANG

SIGNED: OLAYEMI OLUBUNMI A. (SOLICITOR) 07060471928

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

PAGE 45

PICTORIAL

4

1

5

2

6

3

7

1.

Former Chelsea boss, Andre VillasBoas is named the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur three weeks after Harry Redknapp was sacked.

2.

Newcastle will not appeal the decision to award London Welsh promotion to the Premiership, which saw Falcons relegated.

3.

Sprinter Dwain Chambers is included in Team Britain athletics squad for the Olympic Games in London.

4.

Manchester United have sounded out Porto over the possibility of signing midfielder Joao Moutinho this summer.

5.

"It's not often you get an opportunity to whitewash Australia and hopefully England can make a habit of it over the next few years."

6.

West Ham and a group of Premier League clubs are leading a revolution to unofficially cap players' salaries and slash agents' fees to avoid TV cash filtering straight out of the clubs.

7.

Andy Murray books his place in the Wimbledon quarterfinals with victory over Marin Cilic in a match heavily disrupted by rain.

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

Chelsea, Liverpool can wait, says Emenike Emmanuel Emenike

Y

ou recently signed a four-year deal with Spartak to remain in Russia till 2016. Is that a reward for all your hard work?

I believe it was my hard work that made the club to give me this deal.

Your new deal makes you the highest paid player in the history of Spartak Moscow, how do you feel?

I thank God for everything. That was the reward I got for my loyalty to the club.

The club president really appreciates me, he loves seeing me score goals and appreciates my contribution to the team.

I also believe the deal was to make teams keep away from me. I am grateful to club for that honour.

Would that be why you reportedly shunned bigger teams like Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea and lately Lazio in Italy?

That was because I have unfinished business with Spartak, and I want to complete it. The likes of Chelsea and Liverpool can wait till 2016.

What do you mean by unfinished business?

To win the Russian league title and help the team in UEFA Champions League which is the ultimate and I wish to do more this coming season than last season.

Is it that you don’t like where the offers came from, England?

No, that is not the issue, I have my eyes on the Premier League and La Liga probably with Real Madrid, that will be in the future, but for now it is Spartak Moscow all the way.

Your buyout clause in the new contract is said to be •42m, do you think any club can afford that?

I am not ready to move at least for now, because I need to pay the fans and the entire club back by scoring goals that will put me in the record book.

I am more focused on the new season and to give my best. I am delighted to remain here. The fans will see my best in the new season.

In your first season in Russia, you scored 13 goals as one of the top scorers and helped your team secure a UEFA Champions League place, how will you review the season?

I give glory to God for making it possible for me to achieve that in my first season in Russia.

To be frank with you, the Russian league is very difficult and tough than people would think. I will say last season was great for me, it was not easy at the beginning, but I quickly adapted with the help of my team mates and the fans.

They showed me love and gave me confidence to go all out and improve whenever I am on the pitch.

Apart from my goals, securing the UEFA Champions League ticket was the highest point of my career last season.

Any regrets from last term?

The only regret was we were not crowned champions. But now I want to win some trophies next season.

What of the racism allegations that led to your suspension after celebrating a goal?

It’s what happens in football. All I want is to score goals, enjoy my football and be successful. The only thing that matters is what happens on the pitch. Everything else is a pleasant distraction but unimportant. I am not a racist and never engage in such and will never do that.

What can you say about your days at Karabukspor and Spartak Moscow?

Karabukspor are a fantastic club. I really liked their attacking style, they made me what I am today because they exposed me to the bigger world even though I helped them to the top flight by scoring goals for them. I appreciate the club.

Russian football is a bit different, but it has its good points too. As people sometimes say, every rose has thorns. Life is beautiful here, everything is going on well for me and I really want to do my best to see my team win trophies next season.

The Russian league requires a lot of stamina and some ruggedness otherwise you will be a flop, but maybe because of where I was coming from made, it was a lot easier for me.

You have a new coach, Unai Emery, who was once in charge at Valencia of Spain. What do you expect from him?

Emery is an experienced coach, he has the talent to lead the team to glory this season and he has challenged us to buckle up to push for the title.

Having such an experienced coach will even help our cause in the Champions League.

You are one of the best strikers Nigeria has now; did you ever think you

Super Eagles forward Emmanuel Emenike has told MTNFootball.com he wishes to achieve greatness with Spartak Moscow and as such interests from top clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool should wait for now.

The 25-year-old forward, who netted 13 goals for Spartak Moscow last term, is looking forward to winning the league and doing well in UEFA Champions League in the coming season.

But in time, he hopes to star in the English Premier League or for Spanish giants Real Madrid.

In this special Q&A interview, he also talks about his international career which has yet to really get started despite very high expectations. would reach such a level at this time?

I never doubted my ability since I started my career because that was the only thing on my mind to do. I knew I am going to make it at a point but when I didn’t know.

We gathered that coach Stephen Keshi will soon give you another chance in Eagles.

That would be good. I have nothing against anybody in the team.

But your performance at club level compared to what you have produced for Nigeria has generated debate among the fans. What do you say?

I have always hoped to give more for Nigeria than my club, but at times football does not go the way we want and people should just be patient with me.

My goals will flow for Nigeria soon that I promise you.

How was it at the beginning for you?

It was not so easy because I had to work hard to achieve my dream of becoming a successful footballer.

I was desperate to play for any club when I got the offer to play at FC Cape Town.

The truth of the matter was that I always believe in myself and then I took my chance at Karabukspor well to launch me to the big time. I am still aiming high.

Last year, you are involved in charity work what was the motivation?

I learnt to give from my parents, they made me know that giving brings blessings.

Money is vanity. I don’t allow the crazy aspect of money to control me, I want to live a normal life because of the name of my family.

And my father always told us that we should be givers than receiver. And I also believe that has really helped me so far in my career, I was nobody a few years ago, but through that I have receive a lot of blessings from God and I am being appreciated everywhere I go. So, I will keep doing that in my little way and I pray God will continue to lead me through.

Finally, how do you relax off the pitch?

I love watching videos and hang out with friends in lovely places. I watch the videos of my goals before I go for the next match to enable me see and correct my mistakes.

Emmanuel Emenike

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

. . . putting the people first

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Tottenham name Villas-Boas as new manager

F

ormer Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has been appointed the new head coach of Tottenham Hotspur, three weeks after Harry Redknapp was sacked.

Villas-Boas, 34, returns to football on a three-year contract four months after his dismissal at Chelsea.

Despite winning the Portuguese domestic double and the Europa League at Porto in 2010-11, Villas-Boas was sacked by Chelsea less than 12 months into a threeyear contract in March.

In the wake of Redknapp's dismissal, former France coach Laurent Blanc, Wigan's Roberto Martinez, Fabio Capello and former Tottenham striker Jurgen Klinsmann were linked with the post before the ex-Porto boss emerged as Spurs' preferred candidate.

Villas-Boas brings with him two members of the coaching staff who served under him at Chelsea, firstteam fitness coach Jose Mario Rocha and Daniel Sousa, head of opposition scouting.

Tottenham, who finished fourth in the Premier League table last season, launch the 2012-13 season away to Newcastle on 18 August.

Villas-Boas is scheduled to lead Spurs into action against his former club Chelsea on 20 October at White Hart Lane, with the Portuguese due to return to Stamford Bridge on 13 April.

Andre Villas-Boas

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QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE When Kaduna state is not in peace the Ar my will not be a Arm att peace, as Kaduna is the home of the Nig erian Ar my Nigerian Arm — CO AS COAS AS,, Lt-Gen. Ihejirika

Fashola’s 150 dead bodies E

ven for a country in continuous turmoil like ours, the past one month must pass as a hellish one more than at any other time. Early in June, a DANA plane filled to the last seat plunged into a crowded Lagos suburb, killing all 157 on board and a yet to be ascertained number of casualties on the ground. This country reeled in pain and anger but down did it not go.

June was the stated deadline for a government victory over the Boko Haram sect and this was stated by no less a person than the Commander-in-Chief, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. When, and if they are to do the math, the authorities will find out that the Boko Haram bombed more cities and more churches in the last one month than all that they did since they launched their deadly campaign back in 2009.

On days when it rains in abundance, the nation’s old capital city feels it and the destruction is different from other days. In June, Lagos got more rains than any other city. These rains have descended like a bomb from nature. Thousands have gone without shelter or food or medicines. Lives and property are being lost.

The President’s media chat was, to put it mildly, the worst disaster that can befall an incumbent. When he featured in the latest edition, the President made a number of things very clear. On the issue of war on corruption, there is no dillydallying about his commitment or the lack of it anymore. He said he will not be in front leading this war but would direct it from the rear. “Damn it”, he said. “I won’t declare my assets. You can criticize me from heaven. You can criticize from head to toe, I won’t.”

That media chat has done him enough damage, much of it irreversible. Then, you had the saga of Farouk Lawan and the oil magnate Otedola, followed by the landmark ruling of the High Court that the parliament must disclose the earnings of legislators a la Freedom of Information Act (FOI). Following this victory, we won’t accept anything short of full disclosure, which must include the costs of their villas in Abuja, police security in the Federal Capital City and back at their homes, free water and electricity, subsidized food, free services of secretaries, free hotel/guest house accommodation, free air travels and frequent foreign travels, all of these at the expense of the public.

311 689 606 327 454

7458 1765 3308 1969 0344

MUSINGS By

Garba Shehu garshehu@yahoo.co.in

Gov. Babatunde Raji Fashola

The one I want to dwell upon is the DANA Air crash. Today we are into the fifth week of that plane crash. It is difficult to imagine how families of those killed in that crash are coping with the stress and agony of endlessly waiting for body parts to bury. It is definitely an awkward situation that they are in.

The government of Lagos state had sought an easy way out for everyone when Governor Fashola invited the families to a meeting and offered a mass burial as an option. The families demanded a DNA test for a clear and scientific identification of each corpse or body part as the case may be. A majority of them insisted that they wished to bury their family members individually. The

promise by Governor Fashola to undertake the DNA test and return the bodies to family members in two weeks is yet to materialize. Fashola is a torchbearer who walks his talk and in all fairness, he had foreseen this and advised grieving relations of the dead to accept their fate and allow the mass burial after a joint inter-religious service. For the fifth week running, the remains of victims of that air crash continue to decompose. They have become yet another symbol of Nigeria’s hapless citizen, at the mercy of incompetent and indifferent regulatory authorities.

The DANA plane in question had been in a state of disrepair, triggering numerous incidents that did not escape the attention of passengers. The Governor of AkwaIbom state, Godswill Akpabio, was so concerned that he wrote to the airline’s management. But nothing happened. Bureaucrats in the country have enormous powers to curb these incidents but they would rather use their powers to enrich themselves. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, for instance, has magisterial powers to ensure that only sound aircraft fly the nation’s airspace.

The law gives them a clear mandate to take any necessary action to protect lives but do they care?

What does the white elephant

called the Ministry of Aviation do?

I have respect for the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, but my question for them is a simple one: Why would everyone in that plane perish before help could reach them? When is there going to be a competent search and rescue capability available to Nigeria?

Many of the so-called experts managing our aviation agencies appeared evasive when they were asked direct and specific questions when they appeared before the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Aviation Committee. Captain Daniel Omale, a former pilot and a columnist with the Leadership newspaper, encapsulated the irony of our situation which was described as “many experts, little knowledge.”

Findings of inquiries into past air disasters, especially in 2005 and 2006, which witnessed high fatalities, are unknown to the general public. Investigations are bound to unravel the causes of accidents with a view to preventing future occurrences.

When reports of accidents are shrouded in secrecy, how do you effectively punish criminal negligence or rigidly enforce safety regulations in accordance with international standards?

Have we learnt any lessons? The evasive responses of the “experts” from many departments of the Aviation Ministry confirm the fact that ours is a system run on deceit. Air safety goes beyond sugar-coated assurances and lip service.

As for Governor Fashola, my best advice, out of conviction, is to reconvene the stakeholders meeting and push for the mass burial. This agonizing wait should end now and life, as they say, must go on for the victims’ families.

“

Findings of inquiries into past air disasters, especially in 2005 and 2006, which witnessed high fatalities, are unknown to the general public. Investigations are bound to unravel the causes of accidents with a view to preventing future occurrences. When reports of accidents are shrouded in secrecy, how do you effectively punish criminal negligence or rigidly enforce safety regulations in accordance with international standards? Have we learnt any lessons? The evasive responses of the “experts” from many departments of the Aviation Ministry confirm the fact that ours is a system run on deceit. Air safety goes beyond sugar-coated assurances and lip service

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; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141