Peoples Daily Newspaper, Thursday 04, October, 2012

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 9 No. 39

Thursday, October 4, 2012

. . . putting the people first

Zhul-Qadah 17, 1433 AH

N150

INEC is broke, can’t pay salaries this month

By Richard Ihediwa

T

here is acute cash crunch at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as facts emerged yesterday showing that the Ministry of Finance held down second quarter allocation of the commission in an unauthorised account though the commission's funding has been included in the First Line Charge of the Consolidated Revenue Account.

INEC Acting Chairman, Abdulkadir Suleiman Oniyangi, stated this while receiving members of the House Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters who were on oversight visit to the headquarters of the commission yesterday.

Already there are fears that activities in INEC may grind to a halt even as workers may not receive their October salaries due to acute cash crunch as a result of the non -release of the second quarter allocation of the commission.

Oniyangi said the money was deposited in a Treasury Single Account (TSA) contrary to the provisions of the amended 1999 constitution which had granted INEC financial autonomy in the first line charge.

He said the commission has in the first quarter received only N10 billion out of the N35 billion approved for it in the 2012 budget adding that petitions to the Minister of Finance for the release of its N10 billion second quarter allocation has not been honoured.

"A total of N35 billion was approved in the budget for the Contd on Page 2

L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Hon. Ajibola Muraina, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Engineer Goni Musa Sheikh, and Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Mashood Mustapha, during an oversight visit by the committee to the ministry, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Mubi massacre

Soldiers in door-todoor search for killers Mark demands death sentence for culprits

By Richard Ihediwa, Abdulrahman Abdulraheem & Ikechukwu Okaforadi with agency report

S

oldiers yesterday embarked on a door-to-door search for those behind the massacre of about 40 persons, mostly students of tertiary institutions in Mubi, Adamawa state on Monday night even as the troubled town has

been taken over by security agents since the attack.

A shocked President Goodluck Jonathan has vowed to fish out and deal with the killers even as Senate yesterday demanded for accelerated prosecution and implementation of death sentence on culprits to serve as deterrent to others.

Heavily armed security operatives including soldiers,

policemen and the operatives of the State Security Service took over Mubi since Tuesday and had adopted a door-to-door search for the killers.

Head of the Red Cross Society in Adamawa, Abubakar Ahmed said troops were in frantic search looking for suspects yesterday.

Also giving an update on the issue, Adamawa state Police Contd on Page 2

PD INDEX

$ £ EURO CFA RIYAL

>> PAGE 3

>> PAGE 3

BUYING 154.7 250 200 0.2848 41

SELLING 155.7 251.6 201 0.3048 41.5

PARALLEL RATES EURO £ RIYAL $

Immigration’ll be Police recover Aliero set to be named responsible if pilgrims are N30m Abacha’s defence minister deported again – NAHCON stolen jewelries >> PAGE 2

3rd Oct., 2012

CBN RATES

BUYING 197 252 40 156.50

SELLING 203.50 256 42 160

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

CONTENTS News Editorial

2-11 12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

18-19

S/Report

24

Earth

26

Interview

29

Dame Patience out of hospital, now recuperating in Dresden, Page 3

Inter’l Digest

31-34 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

We will hold immigration responsible if pilgrims are deported again, says NAHCON

By Maryam Garba Hassan

T

he National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said it will hold the Nigerian Immigration Agency responsible if any female pilgrim is deported from Saudi Arabia again.

This was disclosed yesterday in Abuja by the Commission’s Chairman Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, at an emergency

stakeholders meeting and press briefing organized by the Commission.

According to him, to avoid embarrassment the agency must ensure proper screening of pilgrims to make sure they are travelling with their Maharram (male guardian) before boarding a flight to the holy land.

While commending the stakeholders efforts to ensure that the issue of Maharram is

resolved and hitch free Hajj is recorded, Bello, said it is not time to shift blame on any one over the controversial return of the affected female pilgrims.

On the limited time left before the closure of the King Abdul-Aziz airport Jeddah and Madina airport, the chairman said the Commission has enough time to finish airlifting of pilgrims before the dateline, to enable the pilgrims prepare for Arafat coming up on

the 25th of October, 2012.

Fielding questions from the media, Bello explained that the Commission through the State’s Pilgrims Welfare Boards has finished arrangement to ensure that each female pilgrim is paired with her Maharram before their departure. So far, over 40,000 out of the 85,000 Nigerian pilgrims have been airlifted from Nigeria to the holy land via Kabo and Max airlines.

Mubi massacre: Soldiers in door-to-door search for killers Contd from Page 1 Spokesperson, Mohammed Ibrahim who confirmed the heavy deployment said security forces had taken over the town.

“There’s a heavy deployment of soldiers, police and (secret police) personnel in Mubi following the killings. They are combing all parts of the town in the hope of tracking down the killers”, he told reporters yesterday.

It is however, not certain if any arrests have been made as at the time of filling this report but the massive exodus has continued as residents especially students of the three tertiary institutions in the area, namely Adamawa State University, Federal Polytechnic and School of Health Technology have continued to flee the town.

Most of those killed were students of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi who were lined up shot by the assailants who also mutilated their bodies with machetes. The Police spokesperson confirmed that some victims were shot while others had their throats slit.

According to a source from the institution, the bodies of 25 of the slain students have been deposited in a morgue while at least 15 whose relations are in Mubi have been taken away for burial.

Speculations that the massacre may not be

unconnected with disagreements over Sunday’s Student Union Government elections in the institution became rife as many of those killed were actively involved in the exercise even as no group had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Also though there have been ethnic and religious tensions in area, those killed include Muslims and Christians and are said to have persons from various ethnic leanings.

However, expressing shock over the attack, President Jonathan who vowed that those behind the massacre would be brought to book, ordered security agents to move into action and apprehend them all.

Jonathan who spoke to State House correspondents through his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati expressed shock over the incident and the manner of execution adopted by the assailants and vowed to bring the perpetrators to book.

According to Abati: “The President described the incident as tragic, sad and shocking. He has directed security agencies to investigate the matter and get to the root because this kind of incident where people are called out and shot is really shocking.”

At yesterday’s sitting, senators expressed shock and sadness over the matter with

Senate President David Mark blaming the incessant killings in the country on the failure of the authorities to deal decisively with terrorists.

All those who contributed to a motion by Senator Bindowo Mohammed Jibrilla (Adamawa North) condemned the killing and backed demand for decisive action against terrorism in the country.

However, ruling after the debate, Mark said there was the urgent need to accelerate prosecution of serious offenders and to start implementing capital punishment to serve as deterrent.

His words: “I know that this is a democracy and with due respect to all of us, capital punishment is still in our statute. This is an opportunity for us to test it and use it as deterrence to others and that has to be done as fast and as speedy as possible. It is not that crimes do not take place in other countries. They do; but it is the reaction of government. The speed with which those who are involved are arrested, tried and punished accordingly; but when they happen in this country, after a week we just try to forget it and wait for the next one to happen.

“I think we have gone beyond the time for us to sing these songs of lamentation every now and again. We should not be lamenting. I think we should be able to act. And government needs

to act as quickly and as fast as possible”, he said.

Aliero set to be named defence minister

By Lawrence Olaoye

F

ormer Federal Capital Territory minister, Adamu Aliero, has become favourite for the vacant position of Defence minister.

The position which became vacant after the sack of the former Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] chairman, Halliru Mohammed had not been filled by President Goodluck Jonathan Halliru was sacked along with erstwhile National Security Adviser, Owoye Azazi.

The Defence ministerial slot which has been zoned to the North West region was earlier tipped to be filled by a retired Army General.

However Peoples Daily reliably learnt yesterday that the Presidency is more disposed to the appointment of Aliero and has concluded arrangements to announce his appointment and send his name to the senate for screening.

The former Kebbi state governor had been a close ally of late President Umaru Musa Yarádua who made him FCT minister but he was dropped by the succeeding administration of Presidnt Goodluck Jonathan.

INEC is broke, can’t pay salaries this month Contd from Page 1

commission. Only N10 billion have been given to us for the first quarter and that was since March this year. Since then we have not received any other fund. The second quarter allocation was approved for release in September, but it was lodged in the TSA account of the Accountant General and the commission has not been able to access the fund up till now.

"We have applied for the released in view of the fact that the commission is now on first line charge but we have not received any communication for the Minister of Finance", he said.

He prayed the lawmakers to wade into the matter adding that unless something drastic was done, the commission would be grounded to a halt as it may not be able to pay salaries this month.

Oniyangi said due to acute shortage of funds, the commission has not been able to implement several of its strategic capital projects many of which are preparatory to the conduct of the 2015 general elections.

However, he listed the construction of the official residence of the INEC Chairman, and those of the national and state commissioners which are

at varying stages of completion as well as renovation of the commission's offices across the country as some projects implemented this year Reacting to the situation, members of the committee led by the Chairman, Rep. Jerry Mawe, unanimously described the situation as unacceptable and resolved to summon the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to explain why funds belonging to INEC should be withheld despite the fact that the commission have been listed in the First Line Charge.

Mawe described the Treasury Single Account as illegal saying the minister must also explain

the rationale behind the account.

Stating that the situation could jeopardise the smooth conduct of the 2015 elections, Mawe remarked that the National Assembly and the Judiciary were other institutions in the First Line Charge but noted that their funds were not sent to the Treasury Single Account for approval before release.

He said as far as the House of Representatives was concerned the trapped N10 billion was missing adding that the legislature will also open an investigation into its whereabout.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 3

Dame Patience out of hospital, now recuperating in Dresden

N

L-R: Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs. Sarah Alade, CBN Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and Deputy Governor, Mr. Tunde Lemo, during an investigative hearing on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework by the House Joint Committee on Finance, yesterday at the National Assembly, Abuja.

PHOTO: MAHMUD ISA

Nigerians spend N160bn yearly for treatment abroad – CDC N

By A’isha Biola Raji

igerians are said to be spending about $1billion (about N160 billion), on yearly basis seeking medical treatment overseas.

The Country Director, Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Dr. Oke Iwuanyanwu, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the 1st Nigeria Professional Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Short Course graduation ceremony organised for 75 participants drawn from both states and the Federal Ministry of Health, agencies and other parastatals under the ministry.

Iwuanyanwu said the huge fund people spend on medical treatment in India, China and other countries across the globe can be channeled towards building state of the art hospitals in the various geo-political zones across the country.

He said: “Any health condition Nigerians think might be serious, they get on the plane and fly to England, South Africa, United States and other countries. If the money is spent on health care facilities in this country, we would have one of the best health facilities in the world”.

According to him, training

health officers on monitoring and evaluation is needed in Nigeria hence its commencement. “The way we handle things is not allowed globally anymore, there is need to train people on how to do things the right way”, he said.

He however stressed that, the M&E graduates will input what they have learnt in their various units and Nigeria will be better for it. “M&E is all about capacity to do things, make a difference in the lives of people especially in the health sector”, he said.

According to Mrs. Udo Stella Ngozi, Assistant Director Monitoring and Evaluation, Medical

Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria and one of the 75 graduates of the M&E training course, the training was an eye opener.

She said: “Coming from my background, we have to regulate all the laboratories operating in Nigeria, so the framework will help us to monitor what is happening thereby improving the quality of services”.

The training facilitator, Dr. Obinna Oleribe, said the essence of the training is to take stock, manage funds and to begin to take monitoring and evaluation seriously as key to development in health and other sectors.

Oversight: Reps decry zero release to PTDF in 3 years

…lament mounting debt owed contractors by Energy Commission

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he House of Representatives yesterday expressed shock when told that the management of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has never drawn from its appropriation in the last three years.

This came as the lawmakers equally decried the mounting debt in the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN). The debt owed contractors as at today stands at N16 billion.

Briefing the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) chaired by Rep Ajibola Muraina which was on an oversight function to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Executive Secretary of PTDF, Engr. Muttaqa Rabe Darma, told the lawmakers that the statutory signature bonuses expected to be paid the Fund has been withheld since 2006.

He said the Fund was being run

by annual subventions of $100 million it receives from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which warehouses the signature bonuses.

Darma equally told the committee that the Fund could not implement any new projects in the 2012 budget because of paucity of funds just as he added that his performance on the ongoing projects stands at 32 percent. On actual budget performance, the PTDF boss told the committee that such could be put at about 30 percent.

While expressing worry that the Fund could not embark on any developmental projects because of

lack of budgetary releases, the committee resolved to summon the Accountant-General of the Federation, Jonah Otunla, to appear before it today to explain the breach of appropriation law by not releasing funds to the PTDF. Similarly, the Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was summoned by the committee to appear before it today to explain his resolve to send his subordinate to defend the budget even when the lawmakers were aware that he was available in his office.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of

the House Committee on Science and Technology, Rep Abiodun Akinlade has said decried the low budget performance put at 35 percent at the ECN. According to him, the revelation that the Commission owes over N16 billion to contractors was startling.

He said “Government should release funds to the agency to allow it perform its statutory duties; this 7th Assembly would not condone business as usual; Appropriation Act is a law and we would not allow the executive to continue to break the law of the land. I wonder how the country would progress if capital projects are not being implemented”.

Police nab 2 Boko Haram suspects in Kaduna From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

T

he Kaduna state police command, yesterday, arrested two suspected members of the Boko Haram sect, along with 28 armed robbers including an ex airforce officer.

The police said the suspects were arrested at their hideout at Tudun Wada area of Kaduna metropolis during a raid.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Aminu Lawan, who briefed the press yesterday, listed some of the

items recovered to include, materials for the production of explosive devises, two AK 47 rifles, grenades, laptops, handsets, live ammunition, cable wires, jerry cans filled with dangerous chemicals, among others.

ews filtered in yesterday that ailing First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan has left the German hospital where she has been undergoing treatments for a yet to be officially disclosed illness.

She is now said to be at a hotel in Dresden also in Germany where she is recuperating.

It is not however known when she will return to the country though Presidency officials had recently stated that she is expected back in the country soon.

The First Lady’s ailment has been kept secret resulting to wide speculations on the actual ailment she suffered from.

The wife of the President was initially reported to have suffered from food poisoning for which she was said to have lost her voice and went through surgery. It was also speculated that she was operated upon for ruptured appendicitis.

Another speculation also had it that she suffered from Parkinson’s disease while yet another had it that she had cancer.

P.M.NEWS, asserted yesterday that she is being treated for cancer of the uterus at Horst Schmidt Klinik in Wiesbaden, Germany.

This came near to earlier reports that she was had a surgery to remove a potentially cancerous uterine fibroid.

The Presidency has been playing down on the condition of the First Lady who has been away for over a month, despite the anxiety expressed by Nigerians.

Police recover N30 million Abacha’s stolen jewelries From Edwin Olofu, Kano

T

he Kano state Police Command said it has recovered gold jewelries, worth N30 million, property of Hajiya Maryam Abacha, widow of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

Kano state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris, who disclosed this while speaking to reporters in Kano yesterday, said after thorough investigation into the case, which lingered for some time, one Lawan Mohammed was arrested, during which some exhibits were recovered in his possession.

The jewelries were said to have been stolen from the residence of the Abacha family some time ago when a five-man armed robbery gang broke into their residence in Nassarawa Quarters in Kano and made away with some valuables.

Five of the robbers, who conspired, while armed with dangerous weapons and firearms have been arrested, while one of them was shot during the operation.

Among the recovered items were 42 pieces of gold ear rings, five pieces of gold rings, five pieces of gold pendants, five set of gold jewels and 26 pieces of golden chairs, adding that the suspects after investigations will soon appear in court for prosecution.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 4

Task force impounds N300m fake drugs in Kano From Edwin Olofu, Kano

T

he task force on fake and counterfeit drugs in Kano has seized drugs worth over N300 million found in a warehouse in the city metropolis.

The chairman of the task force, Alhaji Ali Adamu who dropped the hint while speaking to newsmen in Kano, frowned at the rate fake drugs are being brought to the state, promising to do everything humanly possible to rid the state of of the menace.

He expressed shock on the increase of the trend in the state, saying that government would not condone such.

He warned that the Task Force under his leadership is ever vigilant on the activities of persons involved in the evil act, stressing that the law will catch up with anyone who is involved in the business.

PHCN in Kano generates N1.2bn in one month From Edwin Olofu, Kano

T

he Kano Electricity Distribution Company, a subsidiary under Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), said it has collected the sum of N1.2 billion as internally generated revenue covering the September 2012 period.

Managing Director and chief executive officer of the PHCN in Kano distribution zone, Alhaji Mohammed Tunde Balogun, told reporters in Kano yesterday that the distribution company covers Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states and has a registered customer population of about 500,000 including industrial, commercial and residential customers.

According to him, the PHCN has eleven distribution companies out of which Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Yola and Abuja area are located in the northern, promising to sustain and increase the income.

Alhaji Balogun explained that success was a result of prudence by blocking all the leakages in the marketing system which include non-technical losses, heavy customer’s indebtedness and energy theft.

Post election violence: Muslim group drags FG to ECOWAS Court

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

…demands over N105bn compensation

he Registered Trustees of Jama’a Foundation has asked the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja to make an order directing the Federal Government to pay the Muslim members of Southern Kaduna the sum of N105, 066, 204, 016.00 as compensation for the lives and property lost during the April 2011 post election violence in Kaduna state.

The plaintiffs, the Registered Trustees of Jama’a Foundation, Alh. Suleiman Ahmed, Alh. Muhammed Zailani, Malam Sale Waziri, Wada Balarabe and Yakubu Yunusa who filed the suit for themselves and on behalf of the Muslim members of Southern Kaduna affected by the ethnoreligious crisis last year, joined the Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the

T

T

he Police Service Commission (PSC), yesterday promoted 13 Chief Superintendents of Police to Assistant Commissioners of Police.

It said the promotions which took effect from October 3, 2012, was in continuation of its resolve to reward all hardworking and deserving police officers with promotion to the next rank.

They officers include Ojeka Paul, Edung Patrick, Kayode Sikiru Arop Augustine and Badara Banji.

Others are Adelayo Olukayode, Onyeka Nnamdi, Yusuf Suleiman, Anyasinti Nneka, Ekot

The suit filed on behalf of the plaintiffs by their counsel, Abdulfatah A. Bello submitted that the Federal Government’s refusal to effectively investigate the causes of the violence which claimed the lives of over 800 people and displaced over 60, 000 others and to bring the suspected perpetrators to justice amounts to denial of the victims’ access to a fair, effective and prompt justice.

L-R: Kaduna state Commissioner of Police, Mr Olufemi Adenaike, receiving an ipad smart PC from Chairman, Dialogue Group Company, Alhaji Mahadi Shehu, yesterday in Kaduna.

Photo: NAN

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

S

pecial Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, yesterday explained that the newly-established 176 Special Forces Battalion of the Brigade of Guards was not established to beef up security around President Goodluck Jonathan alone.

Abati's position however contradicts that of his Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, who told journalists on Tuesday that the battalion was established because of the threat posed by Boko Haram was a very serious one.

PSC elevates 13 CSPs, others

By Lambert Tyem

Federation and Minster of Justice as respondents.

They want the court to make an order directing the Federal Government to establish a military base within Kafanchan/ Zonkwa area to complement a well equipped police base with sufficient service personnel to forestall further occurrence of destruction of lives and properties in the community.

Emmanuel, Kanayochukwu Stanley and Mozie Ifeatu.

Similarly, the commission approved the promotion of four Superintendents of Police to Chief Superintendents. Also, a Deputy Superintendent of Police and an Assistant Superintendent of Police were elevated to the rank of Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent respectively.

PSC’s chief information officer, Ferdinand Ekpe, said in Abuja that the chairman, Mr. Parry Osayande congratulated the successful officers, and called on them to live up to the new responsibilities their elevation had placed on them.

Abati, Okupe disagree over new battalion Okupe was quoted as saying that the President, being the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, needed to beef up security around himself.

But Abati insisted that the new battalion, though part of the Brigade of Guards saddled with the responsibility of presidential protection, was not meant for Jonathan alone.

He said the approval for the creation of the battalion preceded Jonathan's Presidency.

He also said the establishment of the battalion was also to meet

the provision of the Nigerian Army Order of Battle which recommends that Brigades must have three battalions.

Abati said, "The approval by the Nigerian Army Council to establish that battalion was given on May 4, 2010. I am sure President Jonathan was not the President then...

"So, the establishment of the new battalion was in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Army Order of Battle."

President Jonathan on Monday formally inaugurated

Ida proposes 5-year emergency period to reform education sector

By Maryam Garba Hassan

S

enator Ibrahim M. Ida, has recommended a five-year emergency period to rescue the education system which is at the verge of collapsing.

The former senator gave the recommendation while delivering a paper titled Education and Development, the Role of the Youth” at the occasion of Bastari Day in Katsina.

According to him, education reforms are crucial because of the need for years of planning, consultation, policy formulation and information gathering adding that the most urgent task is to

appreciate and reaffirm that the greatest worth of education is to be found in its quality not its quantity.

He said during the emergency period Nigeria should emphasis on rebuilding and raising the quality of education and making it available to all without discrimination.

“Aside from reforming the education, steps should be taken to grow the economy so that it can create jobs to absorb the teaming school leavers we have. The present apathy our people have towards education will be greatly reduced if people know there will be jobs waiting for their children when they finish school, he said”.

the new battalion at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa by presenting the regimental colour.

FEC approves 1.4bn for Zik’s Mausoleum

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

T

he Federal Executive Council has approved a contract for the completion of a mausoleum in memory of the country’s first President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe.

The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms Ama Pepple, told State House correspondents after yesterday’s meeting that: “the Federal Executive Council approved the award of contract for the completion of Zik’s Mausoleum, in memory of our first President. It was given out for a sum of N1,496,531,483 with a completion of 13 months.

This contract was originally under the Presidency but it was stalled and had to be cancelled three times, but in 2010 it was transferred when the ministry became a full fledged ministry”.

She added that this time they were confident that the contractors will be able to carry out the work competently and finish within the 13 months given to them.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 5

EU earmarks 4.8m Euros to combat human trafficking in Nigeria From Matthew Aramunde, Lagos

T

he European Union is to spend a whopping 4.8 million Euros under the 10th Development Fund to combat human trafficking in Nigeria.

This was revealed by the Representative of the United Nation on Drugs and Crime, Ms Mariam Sissoko during the stakeholders workshop on human trafficking and smuggling of migrants at the Ikeja Airport hotel in Lagos recently.

In a paper presented at the

workshop by Mrs. Aminat Tope Abdulraham who represented Ms Sissoko at the event, said the project would be implemented by (UNDOC) in partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of in persons(TIP) and other related matters (NAPTIP) The workshop focused on promoting better management of migration in Nigeria by combating and reducing irregular migration that occurs inter Alia through trafficking in persons(TIP)and smuggling of migrants(SOM)

Noting that UNODC was the only United Nations entity that focuses on the criminal justice element of transnational crimes, she said, the primary duty of the body therefore, was to combat human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

UNODC intervention in Nigeria, she revealed, started in Nigeria in the early parts of 2000 when the nation became party to the International Protocol against Human Trafficking and had the objective of strengthening the national

capacity to better combat TIP and SOM. Sissoko stressed that this was achievable through the creation of synergy and comprehensive response at the National, State and Local levels to TIP and SOM. The project is expected to be implemented in six states of Edo,Lagos ,Benue ,Cross rivers, Niger, Anambra and the Federal Capital of Abuja while a nationwide campaign with the slogan "I am priceless" would be jointly launched on October 9, 2012 in Abuja.

The campaign will be expected to increase the knowledge on the realities of TIP and SOM for the general public, particularly the most vulnerable and disenfranchised members of society, influence law and policy makers at various levels towards positive legislation.

Recent data on TIP indicates that ihuman trafficking was the third most lucrative form of international organized crime, after trafficking in drugs and firearms, generating about US$ 32 billion per annum. Global estimate also suggest that 2.5 million people are trafficked annually with sexual exploitation the most common.

NANS condemns killing of students

By Augustine Aminu

N

ational Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned last Monday’s killing of over 27 students of Federal Polytechnic Mubi in Adamawa state The student body described the attack on innocent students who are studying hard to contribute to the development of their country as barbaric, senseless and wicked.

Speaking to Peoples Daily, the senate president of NANS, Kolade Olaoluwa urged the security

agencies to ensure the perpetrators were brought to book.

He said, “Why would anybody in his right senses attack innocent students who are harmless? This is inhumane and the most barbaric thing to do. Our condolences go to the families of these fallen comrades”.

He said the federal government must also provide adequate security in schools to ensure a secure and peaceful learning atmosphere. According to him, “we urge those with useful information that will lead to the arrest of these persons to please make them available to the security operatives.”

SERAP launches report on socio-economic rights From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

A

Lagos-based non-governmental organisation, SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), on Monday, launched a report to improve better recognition of socioeconomic rights issues by Nigerian courts and lawyers, as well as increase the enjoyment of the rights by millions of Nigerians living in poverty and misery.

According to a statement signed by the group's Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni yesterday, the report documents comparative judicial decisions on economic and social rights and how these could assist victims of violations in Nigeria in obtaining redress.

The statement added that, “Unfortunately the protection of socio-economic rights has not received equal attention as civil and political rights in Nigeria.

"However, SERAP believes that decisions of courts generally and Nigerian superior courts in particular on the domestic application of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, among other treaties provide fresh opportunities for improving legal recognition and effective enjoyment of socio-economic rights by the disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors of the

population.”

The report published in collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation, USA also highlights issues relating to poverty, corruption and how the courts could use socio-economic rights to address them, improve values of human life, liberty and livelihood.

According to Mumuni, “This report is going to be very useful to all Nigerians whose socio-economic rights have been violated and are seeking effective justice, remedies or redress either before our courts or regional courts.

"Today, high level official corruption is widespread and pervasive.

"Millions of Nigerians face hunger and malnutrition; several millions of children of school age are out of school—on the street.

"Every day, thousands of Nigerian children die of preventable illnesses while tens of thousands of women a year die in pregnancy and childbirth.

"Several people living with HIV/AIDS are denied access to lifesaving medication and treatment.

“Millions of Nigerians lack access to improved water sources and to improved sanitation.

"Judicial interpretation and legal enforcement of socioeconomic rights can help to address these deplorable conditions”, SERAP stated.

President Goodluck Jonathan (right), and Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada (middle), during the commissioning of 176 Guard Battalion Barracks Phase 1, yesterday in Kuje, Abuja.

PHOTO: JOE OROYE

Cynthia for burial tomorrow

By Miriam Humbe

T

he family of late Cynthia Osokogu, who was killed in a Lagos hotel about two months ago by four suspected Facebook fraudsters, have fixed her burial for tomorrow in a funeral expected to be attended by only family members and close friends.

In a statement made available

to the media, spokesman of the family, Kenneth Osokogu said, “my family would hopefully lay our dear sister to rest by the Grace of God on the 5th of October in a private family Internment ceremony.”

According to him, the family appreciates the Nigerian media for the role played by the media in finding her and in the arrest of her suspected murderers, the

general public for their concern during the disappearance and death of their daughter and sister, Cynthia Osokogu.

“The Osokogu family would greatly appreciate a quiet internment of only family and close friends.We understand the Freedom of the Press but we ask that the media and general public to respect our wishes for a private internment”, he said.

MDGs task agencies, stakeholders on poverty reduction

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Millennium Development Goals, Dr. Precious Gbeneol, has called for collaboration among various agencies and stakeholders saddled with the implementation of various propoor initiatives.

Gbeneol who gave the charge during the 67th United Nations General Assembly in New York also called for the support of the global community in Nigeria’s efforts

to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

She noted that there was need to accelerate progress towards the attainment of the MDGs with barely three years left to the 2015 deadline.

The SSAP-MDGs also urged the global community to ensure that efforts to achieve the MDGs by the three tiers of Nigerian government are streamlined, adding that her office placed more emphasis on Conditional Grants Scheme, CGS through which Federal Government jointly fund projects targeted at reducing

poverty along with states and local governments.

Dr. Gbeneol noted that Nigeria is a diverse country with a wide variation in the availability and quality of basic services and as such, the MDGs would not be met by focusing on federal initiatives and resources alone.

Gbeneol also revealed that the MDGs Office has since 2007 been making funds available to enable state governments scale-up investments in key MDGs areas through CGS from Federal Government portion of Debt Relief Gains.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 7

FCT minister tells directors to work as team

By Etuka Sunday

M

inister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed has advised the directors and secretaries working in the FCDA to always work as a team since their inability to do so was posing barriers to plan implementation of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.

The Minister who gave the advice yesterday during a meeting with directors and other heads of departments, said the task of ensuring the transformation of the city was paramount and could not be compromised hence the

need for collaborative work.

According to him, the bad side of the administration is always been reported in the national dailies because of the weak attitude of those that are responsible for carrying out the job, adding that refuse are not being collected, Okada is returning to the city centre and other unwholesome activities without enforcement.

He described the situation as appalling and warned that FCT is known for professionalism so there was no excuse for the directors not to perform.

“The party is over, we can’t continue this way. I and my colleague are paying your entitlements as staff, we ensure that you get your promotions,

all your allowances and everything; therefore whoever is ready to work must work because to whom much is given, much is expected”, he stressed.

He said the issue would be discussed at the departmental levels to ensure that no stone is left unturned in achieving the necessary solutions and progress for the transformation of the city.

Also in her speech, the Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, said only few persons are carrying the work load of the departments, adding that people engage in loose talk and gossip instead of doing their work; she therefore advised them to shun ‘eye service’ and work.

Education: I am ready to confront saboteurs - Zamfara gov From Salisu Zakari Maradun, Gusau

T

he Zamfara state governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari has declared that he will spare no efforts towards ensuring the development of education, emphasizing that anyone found to sabotage government efforts will not be spared no matter his societal status. “I am ready to confront any saboteur”, he said.

He stated this while receiving the report of the Primary Schools Assessment Committee at the Government House, Gusau.

Head of the committee and emir of Birnin Magaji in Zamfara state, Alhaji Ahmad Umar Dangaladima, noted that if teachers are not well taken care

FCSC: Federal Character policy to determine recruitment process

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

T

he Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) has reiterated its commitment to strictly adhere to the Federal Character policy of government in the selection process of successful candidates into the service. The commission recently conducted recruitment examination for qualified applicants who responded to its advertisement for positions into the services of the Federal Ministries of Education, Labour and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A report released by the commission also stated that premium will be given to merit as only the best candidates would be recruited. It however disclosed the rationale behind the publication of the vacancies, saying “the decision of the

L-R: Graduants of Nigeria Professional Monitoring and Evaluation Short course, Eke Ekom, and Franklin Nkwopara, with the Coordinator of the course, Dr. Obinna Oleribe, during the graduation ceremony of the course participants, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Alternative power sources attract high patronage at Abuja fair

V

isitors to the ongoing 7th Abuja International Trade Fair are patronising exhibitors of power inverters, converters and other alternative sources of electricity, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

A NAN correspondent, who was at the J.T. Useni Trade Fair Complex on Airport Road, Abuja, yesterday, reports that the demand for such alternative power sources was high.

Mr. Joseph Ochiba, an exhibitor, told NAN that they had high patronage because their products were safe and user friendly.

He said their products

ranged from power inverters/ converters to solar panels, solar power heaters, among others, all alternative sources of electricity supply.

“They are very domestic and acceptable and are systems that allow you to store electricity so that even when there is no electricity, you can use the stored energy.

“They work with batteries and can store energy for up to eight hours.

“They also have health certifications and can power air conditioners, television sets, fridges and other gadgets with zero emission of noise and pollution”.

He said they were in the

business to provide a way out of the perennial electricity problems confronting Nigeria.

The Federal Government recently assured the country that there would be uninterrupted electricity supply in the country by December.

Mr. Doyin Okupe, the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan, said there were plans to ensure steady generation of 5,400 megawatts.

This target, he said, would be actualised following the arrangement by the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) to add 1000 MW to the current 4,400 megawatts. (NAN)

of, the dream to have a qualitative education from the grassroots will not be realised.

The emir also complained that there is the need for the state government to redouble its efforts in education, particularly at the grassroots so that the young ones could be provided with a good and effective foundation.

“We know that government is doing everything humanely possible to revive education in the state, but more should be done, this is only what we can leave behind for our children”, he said.

In his remarks shortly after receiving the report, Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar called on all and sundry to give a helping hand in the development of education across the state.

Federal Civil Service Commission to advertise available vacancies in the civil service was to create a level playing ground for all Nigerians and to ensure that only the best candidates are recruited, as selection would be strictly on merit and no prejudice to the Federal Character policy of government”.

The statement further affirmed that successful candidates would be invited for oral interview, after which the final selection would be made, as the commission is poised to restore its erstwhile image, according to the directive of President.

It would be recall that candidates whose names were shortlisted and posted by the commission sat for examination in designated centers of the six geopolitical zones of the country a fortnight ago.

Maku says Nigerian roads can’t withstand mass transit

By Muhammad Sada, Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he Minister of Information and leader of Good Governance Media Tour to Kwara state, Mr. Labaran Maku, has said the nation’s roads network cannot sustain the mass transportation of the people without a functioning railway system.

Maku who stated this yesterday in Ilorin during his team’s inspection of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) station in Ilorin, said with the completion of Niger to Kaduna rail network and others, the nation’s roads would be relieved.

About five projects connected to four sectors of the economy are to be inspected by the team comprising the media, civil society organisations, officials of the Ministry of Information and the National Planning Commission among other stakeholders.

The team will inspect projects which include the Construction of an Auditorium at Michael

Imoudu Institute of Labour Studies; Eyenkorin Irrigation Project; Growth Enhancement Support Scheme; Rice Transformation Agenda as well as the Lagos-Jabi-Kano rail rehabilitation project; and which are being executed by the Ministries of Labour, Water Resources, Agriculture and Transport respectively.

The National Good Governance Tour is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Information, working in collaboration with the National Planning Commission, the Presidency and the Governors Forum and highlights of the tour include physical inspection of federal, state and local government development projects by the mass media, civil society organisations and other stakeholders as well as a Citizens’ Forum across the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Citizens Forum is a platform for the public to discuss issues and challenges of development with elected and appointed Government officials.

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

L-R: Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, Minister of State for Power, Mr Garius Ishaku, FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina, and Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja yesterday. Photo: Joe Oroye

L-R: Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, presenting a cheque to benedict birdling, son of late leading seaman Buba Birdling, and the widow, Ruth Birdling, during the presentation of group life assurance programme cheques to the next of kins of personnel killed in action in 2012, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

L-R: Head of Service, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali, President/Chairman of Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPMN), Mr. Abiola Popoola, and Vice -President of CIPMN, Mr. Sunday Korode, during the 44th Annual National Conference of CIPMN, yesterday in Abuja.

L-R: Minister of State for Education, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, and contractor handling Girl Child Schools project, Prince Emma Anyanwo, during the minister’s inspection of on-going work at Special Girl-Child Schools, on Tuesday in Rivers state.

L-R: Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Ahmadu Bello University (Abu), Professor Moses Adamu, Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Administration), Professor Naiya Sada, and Executive Director, North West, Unity Bank, Alhaji Ismail Galadanchi, during the presentation of N3m cheque donated to the institution for its golden jubilee by the, Tuesday in Kaduna.

PAGE 9

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

Apprentice sues girlfriend, mother for alleged abortion From Yusha’u Alhassan, Jalingo

A

n apprentice, Pindok Bitrus of Nyama Sala in Jalingo, has arraigned his girl friend Silvery Vincent and her mother before a Jalingo Magistrate Court, for alleged abortion.

Bitrus, who claimed responsibility for Silvery’s pregnancy said she conspired with her mother and aborted the pregnancy without his consent and prayed the court to award him N68,000 as damage.

During cross examination,

the mother of the plaintiff standing as witness, told the court that she met the mother of the first defendant to indicate their interest to marry Silvery when she became pregnant for her son.

She said Silvery’s mother requested for four chickens which were given to her according to the tradition of Laka people.

According to her, after the chickens were given in August this year, Silvery disappeared for some weeks only to re-appear without the pregnancy.

The presiding magistrate, Bulus Nyiputen adjourned the case to October 5th this year.

In another development, a Jalingo Magistrate Court has ordered a housewife, Lami Umar a resident in Jalingo, to return the sum of N336,000 to her creditor, Peace Group Cooperative within thirty days.

She was said to have collected the money as a loan facility from the plaintiff to support her husband to improve his business.

Lami who expressed delight that her husband is now in police custody, said he absconded after

Don’t drink and drive, NURTW boss implores members

T

he Lagos state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Tuesday said its members were not involved in the use of drugs and alcohol to enhance driving.

State chairman of the Union, Mr. Tajudeen Agbede stated this in an interview in Lagos, said that the union had

sanitized its parks and garages by getting rid of sellers of intoxicants. ”Our slogan to all our drivers is that when you are drunk, do not drive, and when you are driving do not drink.

“We have been educating them on the dangers of using stimulants before driving because it is injurious to their

health and the cause of many accidents. ”Studies have revealed that alcohol and drugs do affect proper coordination, reasoning and alertness,” he stated.

He urged members drive with care and to obey the new Lagos State traffic laws, especially during the ‘ember’ months. (NAN)

collecting the money and also sold out their house . The loan attracted huge interest in his absence.

She said her husband’s insincerity was the motive

behind her inability to pay the loan.

The magistrate Dauda Njane Buba said both parties have the right to appeal against the Judgment within thirty days.

Taraba to build airport From Yusha’u Alhassan, Jalingo

T

he Taraba state government has announced plans to construct an airport at Kakara and rehabilitate Bali -Gembu road to ease transportation problem in the area.

Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai made this known at Kakara in Sardauna local government area of the state while conducting the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Chris Cooter round some mineral sites in the state.

Governor Suntai said his government would no longer waste money in setting up new enterprises in the state but would concentrate on existing ones like the Mambila Tea Company, Baissa Timber Factory, Gashaka-

Gumti National Park among others, to increase the revenue base of the state.

Earlier, the new sole administrator of the Mambila Beverages, growers and producers of Mambila tea, Ibrahim Wunuji, said the Highland Tea Company was established 30 years ago, but crippled due to financial crisis which necessitated the state government to buy it.

The Canadian Ambassador, Chris Cooter who was accompanied by the coordinator, ECOWAS Regional programmes in Spain’s Embassy in Abuja, Begonia Rubio expressed happiness with what he saw on the Mambila plateau and promised to partner with the state in the area of tea and cocoa development.

Man docked for allegedly stealing a goat

A

26-year-old man, Yusuf Olatunji, was yesterday brought before an Ojokoro Magistrates’ Court in Lagos charged with stealing a goat valued N8,000.

Olatunji is standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

He, however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp. Clara Olagbaiye, said that the accused committed the offences on September 30 at about 7.30 p.m.

She said the accused stole a

she-goat valued at N8, 000 at Adekunle junction, Mankolla Estate, Ajegunle in Alagbado, a suburb of Lagos “property of one Biodun Okunnu and valued at N8, 000”.

She said the offences contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State 2012.

Magistrate F.F. Adeeyo granted the accused bail in the sum of N40,000 with one surety in like sum.

The case was adjourned to November 1 for mention. (NAN)

Pioneer grand Khadi of Kogi state dies From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

L-R: Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Amma Pepple, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr.Reuben Abatti, and Minister of Steel Development, Alhaji Mohammed Musa Sada during the ministerial press briefing, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

9 babies delivered in Kogi flood refugee camps From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

N

ine babies comprising four boys and five girls have been safely delivered in the flood victims’ camps in Idah and Lokoja by women from submerged homes in Ibaji and Lokoja local government of Kogi state.

Pregnant women who were caught up by the flood and evacuated to four different camps in Idah were midwifed by fellow victims during labour.

Speaking with newsmen, one of the new mothers, Mrs. Amina Shaibu who had her fourth baby at the Lokoja camp, said the name of her baby, if accepted by the husband would be Babiana, in remembrance of her younger sister who drowned in the course of the flooding.

She said it was difficult to question God’s decision stressing that if God who took her sister away could reward them with a new and wonderful baby, it was apt to name it after her sister,

Babiana .

Amina noted that her sister was among the eight people who were crossing from the other side of the river to Lokoja but drowned after their boat capsized.

Another victim of the ravaging flood disaster from Ibaji, Mrs. Grace Egwuche equally had a baby boy on Wednesday in one of the camps as she went into labour and had the baby before medical attention could reach her.

T

he pioneer grand khadi of Kogi state, Justice Yunus Abdullah is dead. He died yesterday at about 4.00pm at the Federal Medical Center, (FMC), Lokoja.

Justice Abdullah who was the deputy grand Khadi in the old Kwara state until the creation of Kogi state in 1991 when he became the first khadi

of the new state died, at the age of 71.

One of the sons, Justice Suleiman Abdullah said he died after a protracted illness.

The late judge who was the grand Khadi between 1991 and 2005, was married to two wives with many children and grand children.

He has since been buried according to Islamic rights in Okene, Kogi state

Customs arrests couple with 30kg of Indian hemp

T

he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Seme border on Tuesday has arrested a couple (names withheld) for allegedly importing 30kg of Cannabis (aka Indian hemp) worth N3.2 million into the country.

The Customs Area Comptroller, Mr. Othman Salleh, said in Seme that the couple was arrested with the drug in a KIA saloon car with registration number KST 160 AG at Gbaji-Yeke checkpoint.

The female suspect was arrested with a baby on her back while the husband was partially disabled.

“Customs operatives working at Gbaji-Yeke checkpoint intercepted and arrested a couple for importing 30kg of Cannabis Sativa into the country from Benin Republic,” he said.

According to the customs boss, the hard drug was cleverly concealed in the engine and back seat compartments of the car. (NAN)

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOGER 4, 2012

Group blames state pilgrims boards for deportations

By Abubakar Ibrahim

I

ndependent Hajj Reporters, a non-profit organization, yesterday blamed the deportation of some Nigerian female pilgrims from Saudi Arabia on official negligence of some of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards (SMPWB), who committed flaws in the visa application process of the affected pilgrims.

A statement signed by its national secretary, Ibrahim Muhammed and publicity secretary, Abubakar Mahmoud said the deportation of another 50 women pilgrims Monday, October

1, indicated fundamental flaws in the visa issued to the affected pilgrims.

“Official negligence and incompetence of hajj administrators, especially at the State Muslim pilgrims’ Welfare Boards (SMPWB), which are saddled with the responsibility of applying for visa on behalf of the pilgrims in their respective states, is responsible for the current national embarrassment and humiliation meted to our women pilgrims by Saudi hajj authorities,” the statement said.

IHR said, the SMPWB officials were either incompetent or have

abandoned their basic responsibility for pecuniary motives at the detriment of lawabiding intending pilgrims who “labored so hard to pay for hajj seat in order to fulfill their religious obligation.”

It added that a total of 67 flights with 33,761 pilgrims from Nigeria have been airlifted to Saudi Arabia, out of which 12,932 with 733 of them denied entry. “This is an indication that there are serious flaws in the affected pilgrims’ visa, particularly in areas that have to do with Maharam names or passport numbers,” the organization said.

“As at today, there are 33, 028 pilgrims from Nigeria in Saudi Arabia performing their religious rites; which indicates that there is more to the problem in their visa than we are made to believe,” the group said.

Urging Saudi Arabia to respect international law by treating citizens of other countries with dignity, it expressed awe that the “Saudi Consulate in Nigeria could not inform the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) of any flaw noticed in the muharam column in the visa of the affected women pilgrims for immediate corrective action ”.

ARCON counsels FG on Flood victims From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

T

he Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA0 has counselled the federal and State governments to permanently resettle displaced victims of flood disaster.

Chairman of ARCON, Arch.

Timmy Ikhisemioje said this yesterday, at a press conference to mark the 2012 World Architecture Day to appraise the activities of architects and articulate ways of promoting sustainable architectural practice to beautify and make settlements conducive for human habitation.

Ikhisemioje said keeping the victims in camps or public schools and providing relief materials, should be seen as temporary measure, just as he advocated permanent palliatives that would make the environment habitable.

“Government should look at the topography and geography of their habitations so that people do not die massively”, he said adding that victims should be relocated in permanent and safer locations.

He said, there is no architect in the Edo State government machinery to vet drawings for the construction of walkways and roads to prevent building collapse.

He called for urgent review of laws to entrench the role of architects while architects should be appointed into the State Ministry of Lands, Survey and Housing.

Special Adviser to the President on Research, Documentation and Strategy, Mr Oronto Douglass (right),briefing journalists on national issues, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

PHOTO: JOE OROYE

Poverty: Senate urges FG, state, LG to work harder

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

S

enate yesterday passed a resolution urging the federal, state and local governments to work harder to put the economy of the country on a part to greatness, so as to improve the living conditions of majority of Nigerians.

Leading the debate over the bill which seeks to congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan and Nigerians over the 52nd independence anniversary, the sponsor, Itah Enang, said that though the country still faces

numerous challenges in areas of unemployment and infrastructural deficit, a lot of progress has been made so far.

He therefore demanded government at all levels to work towards the development of the country, to create jobs for Nigerians.

Supporting the bill, the chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Enyinnaya Abaribe, urged Nigerians to make efforts at finding lasting solutions to the numerous problems facing the country, as many still live below poverty line.

In his contribution, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremmadu, said “Poverty indices are enormous, we should improve and provide infrastructure so as to create jobs”, pointing out that there was need for synergy between the three arms of government to engender economic growth.

However, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, said that the greatest challenges facing the economic development of Nigeria were federal character and corruption, arguing that Nigeria is a failed state since it cannot meet up with her mates in the Asian countries, including Malaysia which tops in palm oil export.

FCT minister berates , heads of agencies over poor sanitation

By Josephine Ella

O

ver 400 senior officials of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Directorate of Road Traffic Services and Social Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration yesterday, came under severe criticism from the Minister , Senator Bala Mohammed and his counterpart, the Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide.

The two ministers who convened an emergency meeting with the officials over the deteriorating environmental situation of the city, were highly displeased with all the heads of agencies, departments and senior officials of the administration charged with keeping the city clean, secure and moving.

Senator Mohammed lamented that dirt, street hawkers, beggars and commercial sex workers have taken over the city because the Secretaries and other senior officials have abdicated their responsibilities thereby putting the administration to ridicule.

“Since we came on board we have paid all your entitlements on time, we never owed you a kobo yet and you sit doing nothing while filth, beggars and street hawkers fill the streets”.

“You ought to be ashamed of yourselves. Those of you who want to work should work and those of you who are not ready should tell us and we will show them the way out”, he told the officials.

All secretaries, directors and, coordinators and other senior personnel of the three agencies were given the opportunity to express their views on their challenges and to proffer solutions.

Senator Mohammed directed all the senior officials to address the problems at hand while awaiting the outcome of reports and consultations.

Minister of state Akinjide in her remark, urged a change of attitude to work ,adding that there were disconnects between secretaries and directors and other cabals below them as only a few staff worked while many others do little.

NUT seeks implementation of new teachers’ allowance

By Maryam Garba Hassan

T

he Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) yesterday reached a resolution at the end of its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja to persuade the federal government to put pressure on state governments that are yet to

implement the 27.5 percent peculiar allowance to their teachers.

This was disclosed by the union’s national President, Comrade Michael Alogba, while fielding questions from journalist at the end of a ministerial press briefing organized by the ministry of Education ahead of the 2012

World Teachers’ Day schedule for Friday October 5, 2012.

Alogba who said the action if taken may avert the strike planned in the affected states, also berated the Plateau State Government for its failure to resolve the six-month long industrial disputes with primary school teachers.

According to him, 18 states except Lagos, were yet to implement the special allowance agreed between the teachers and the Governors’ Forum. Lagos promised to implement the new policy beginning from January next year.

He however expressed optimism that with the

intervention of both Ministers for Education, the governors would deem it fit to include it in their 2013 budgetary allocations to their state assemblies.

In her remarks, Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’I said “every other profession is a product of the teaching profession”.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 11

Investment mistakes to avoid (I)

T

o be a successful investor requires adequate knowledge and clearly defined blueprint that must be adhered to in order to ensure that the outcome does not differ significantly from expectation.

In furthering GTBAM's objective to provide you educative information that can help improve your knowledge of investing, we present below some mistakes that investors often make to the detriment of their wealth creation, protection and distribution objective.

You can significantly boost your chances of investment success by becoming aware of the following typical errors and taking steps to avoid them: Undefined investment goal Becoming an investor without

knowing what you want or where you are going, is a fatal error. As the old saying goes, if you do not know where you are going, any road may seem the right one to take you there. To solve this challenge, you must have an investment blueprint that addresses the following: Your principal goals and objectives must answer the question "why are you investing."

Whether your aim is to accumulate funds for retirement at a certain age, or you are putting fund together for your child(ren)'s education or perhaps you wish to gather funds to reinvest in other sectors of the economy, you need an investment plan or policy that will serve as a roadmap to guide and gauge your progress. Note that investing with the sole aim of beating the market is not a

reasonable goal.

The document should also address what risk factors are common to your field of investment and map out strategies for avoiding or reducing the prevalent risk to a significantly low level. Appropriate benchmarks to measure the success of your portfolio, comparative assessment of asset classes and available funds should also be covered.

Asset allocation and diversification must also feature in your investment blueprint to enable you determine what percentage of your total portfolio you will allocate to equities, fixed income instruments, commodities or real estate.

A written blueprint is a foundation that will help you abide by a sound long-term policy, even when current market conditions

are unsettling. Given the attendant thrill of trying to time the market and the often fatal consequences, having a good plan and sticking to it will likely be more profitable in the long term.

Short investment time horizon Depending on your investment timeline, your investment is better focused on long-term horizon, and this must reflect in your asset allocation and diversification strategy. If you are saving for retirement 30 years from today, what the stock market does this year or the next should not be your biggest concern or worry.

Based on your investment blueprint, you can strategise your investment spend to feature in more long-term investment vehicles, while you make provision for short-term expense like

payment for your child(ren)'s education, take a vacation as well provide for after-life situation scenarios such as transfer of wealth to your heirs, which may come sooner than expected.

Based on verifiable facts, a longterm investment horizon outperforms short-term investing.

Investing in a business you do not know Investing in an idea or business without having a good understanding of how it works and what drives it is a step in the wrong direction. The legendary investor, Peter Lynch put it succinctly when he said, “Never invest in an idea you cannot illustrate with a crayon.�

The starting point in every investment is to study the idea or business model before committing your funds.

How to save and create wealth as a Nigerian

M

asses foot their bill unconsciously.

They keep spending kobo by kobo enriching some people. Since they can't innovate, they keep paying to use innovations. No wonder the Holy Bible says we shall collect from the hand of the poor and give to the rich.

Apparently, you don't just swing into action without having a thorough plan of how you are going to hit the market right and leverage on our population to make a fortune. These steps will be of great values in helping out; 1. Take a deep breath and ask yourself if you are truly ready to go into a business - don't deceive yourself.

2. Identify your strength in terms of what can you do to help people out - a flash back on your past could help.

3. Create a niche market out of your strength - don't be a general merchant, at least for now.

4. Research into the field; SWOT analysis - Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat, Competitors etc of the business.

5. Map out you strategy.

6. Gradually execute your action plan.

7. Go into the market with the mind of rendering service, not making money. Late Steve Jobs once said and I quote; "we don't sell gadgets, we sell comfort to people

so they can live life easier". Apple is presently the most valued company just by making lives easier.

8. If you are going to bootstrap the project, start small. Pushing 10 per cent of your saving s into it won't be a bad idea. Never inject al your life saving s into a business.

9. Start selling to friends, family, colleagues etc - charity begins from home.

10. Package your brand - 2 years ago, a friend requested for a logo design from a business center and a mini ad agency. They charged N500 and N760,000; the business center did a better job with N500. We could have paid him a million if only he knew how to package his ability.

11. Don't be scared to hurt your fingers - Yes, this is business. Some things would go wrong along the line, try to sort them out instead of quitting.

12. Expand fast but slowly starting a business means sharing ideas with competitors.

13. Blue and red ocean - as it is in life, it is always good to be a trailblazer, get to the market before others, build loyal customers, enjoy monopoly for a period and get set for a stiffer environment.

14. Pump your profit back into the business - this helps for sustainability.

15. Measure your growth.

Use your phone to save

A

secret about Nigerians is that we so much love the Abraham Maslow's theory of need in no particular order; we love self esteem, belongingness, safety and psychological needs.

Just solve any of these and be on your way to scoop your own money.

Use your phone to save In order to develop your budget, keep all of your receipts for a month or two. That way you can get a realistic sense of where you are in your current spending.

An Easy Start Never buy new. Online stores offer "used" books that are good as new.

Just make sure you are still saving once shipping costs are factored in.

Get the right number of minutes. Are you going over your minutes or do you consistently have a lot leftover? Ideally you want to use most minutes and have

some left over as a cushion.

Check for services you don't use that you are getting charged for.

For example, are you being charged for insurance or roadside assistance?

Read your cell phone bill to make sure there are no third party charges on your bill.

Make international calls from cheap online services.

Report your lost or stolen phone immediately!!!

Diving In Get your last 3-6 months bills and figure out how many minutes you use on average. Make sure your plan covers what you use and that you have a reasonable cushion.

Make sure you are not getting charged for old games or ringtones that you no longer use or have.

Find out what carrier your most friends, relatives or business associates use. Switch to that carrier if it offers free in-network

calls.

Track your minutes so you don't go over your minutes.

Super Saver Avoid spending money on ringtones, games or other perks you don't need.

If you don't absolutely need the mobile email, web browsing, entertainment package, get rid of it.

If you are paying for each text message, stop texting. Or go on unlimited texting.

Don't be afraid to dispute inaccurate charges or ask for better deals Rely on your landline more for local calls.

Quote There is never enough time, unless you’re serving it.

- Malcolm Forbes

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

A

Governance: Senegal’s cost-cutting example

part from the scourge of sittightism and the 'big man' concept of African leadership, a less noticed cankerworm is oversized government on the continent. The immediate implication of big government in Africa is the outrageous costs at which it is maintained. More skilled and competent manpower is channelled toward running an unproductive bureaucracy.

However, beyond oversized bureaucracies is the proliferation of political institutions with an equally serious cost implication. Most African states attained independence with single chamber parliaments or a unicameral legislature and even under a parliamentary system of government, there was moderate overhead for the maintenance of public office holders. Many other countries that inherited this type of cost-effective political institution, like Nigeria, however, went ahead to swell the number of political institutions that required huge budgets to maintain.

The second chamber of the parliament or Senate is a postindependent constitutional innovation, copied from the American presidential model.

However, the increasing pressure on the dwindling resources of many African states means that many of these structures or institutions

cannot be sustained without neglecting some basic and essential services which government must provide for the citizenry.

The newly elected President of Senegal, Macky Sall, has taken an unusually radical step to abolish the

“

We at Peoples Daily share the popular sentiment that the current cost of governance is simply unsustainable Senate and the office of the vicepresident. According to him, the recent global economic meltdown and other serious challenges have prompted a more rational allocation of scarce resources. President Sall's cost-cutting option is an exciting departure from the easy route cash-strapped governments usually take, which is to send public sector workers packing.

Instead of doing that, Sall chose to shut down political institutions whose relevance to governance is

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

questionable.

There is nothing so far to suggest from the Nigerian experience of the First Republic that a single chamber parliament cannot meet our need of law-making to facilitate good governance. And since the advent of the two-chamber parliament, made up of the Senate and House of Representatives, there is nothing of quality that has been added to lawmaking. Rather, personal interest clashes and institutional rivalry have undermined the quality of legislation.

In our case, we at Peoples Daily share the popular sentiment that the current cost of governance is simply unsustainable.

On Sall's abolition of the office of vice-president, we also see eye-to-eye with him. The Speaker of the parliament can well act for the president when he is indisposed or incapacitated. We, therefore, submit that the current attempts at constitutional reforms in Nigeria must take a hard look at these basic issues.

It is a pathetic irony that while Africans are over-burdened with the institutions of governance, they are actually the least governed, in terms of quality of governance and its impact on their lives. In our view, the path taken by the Senegalese leader is a wake-up call in Africa to drastically reduce the size of government in order to save money to meet the basic needs of the continent's citizens.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

CHAIRMAN MALAM WADA MAIDA, OON, FNGE DIRECTOR/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF RUFA’I IBRAHIM EDITOR, DAILY ABDULAZEEZ ABDULLAHI

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

ACTING EDITOR, WEEKEND JAMILA NUHU MUSA

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

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

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

By Kabiru Danladi

G

ombe state should not be drawing too much attention to itself from the public or the media because of its young and promising university, if not one of the best so far in this part of the country. But recent events have put the university in the headlines for the wrong reasons; first was the explosions that rocked the university’s senate building in April this year and secondly imbroglio about the chair of the vice chancellor of the baby university.

The crisis pitches against Professor Abdullahi Mahdi, the university’s pioneer VC. Some groups, mostly people who feel unhappy with the way the Professor is running the University and who are determined to send him packing. These are elements among the state’s elite, mostly university professors, who are eyeing the vice chancellor’s seat.

Their main argument is that Mahdi has exceeded his 5-year single tenure as specified by the National University Commission

PAGE 13

Prof Mahdi and the verdict of history

guidelines on tenure of vice chancellors. Mahdi is also accused of highhandedness, arrogance and dictatorship. In some instances, Mahdi was accused of denying qualified lecturers ETF scholarship to go for their Masters and PhD in Universities abroad. The Vice Chncellor was also accused of indiscriminate sacking of staff and expulsion of students at will without following the rules and regulations guiding the running of the university. The University under Mahdi was likened to the Bollywood film Mohabbatein in which Amitabh Bachan Mohabbaten, teacher and student respectively, were expelled from the school without getting a fair hearing.

Mahdi was accused of behaving like Narayan in Mohabbatein, where nothing can make Narayan change his mind when he is sacking someone.

While some of these accusations are genuine, there are people that are riding behind them to achieve

their personal and selfish interest.

Let me be very clear here, I am not holding brief for any person or group, whatever I state here is my personal opinion. To me I consider it uncharitable for the people of Gombe or some elements within the state to suggest for the maltreatment of the erudite scholar or even call for his dismissal. At least, in the last few years, in terms of physical structures, Mahdi was able to make the University a pride not only to the State Government that established the school but to all of us. And when one considers all the recent articles concerning the University, they are not entirely free from sentiments and subjective analysis. One cannot make his PERSONAL problem a public issue. And it is not fair to judge Mahdi on the basis of submission by individuals on pages of newspapers. There were a number of staff and students dismissals which were wrongly done by the VC, but I think we

need to hear from both sides before we make our judgment.

This brings us to the attitude of the state government under Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo; it is silent on the tenure of the VC. I think, as Mahdi’s employer, it is in a good position to determine his tenure. Was Professor Mahdi appointed for a single term and go? Was his tenure extended? As it is now, and that was the arguments of some people and I think even the NUC, the tenure of the VC has expired. Some people pointed out that Mahdi was appointed by the former governor, Alhaji Danjuma Goje verbally, to continue in office as VC and that there was no official letter to say Mahdi’s tenure was extended. Therefore, the State Government needs to clarify this impasse and come out clearly to explain the tenure of Professor Mahdi as the VC of the Unversity.

The people of Gombe state cannot afford the crisis that is threatening to destroy the good

foundations laid for the University. And as a small university, it cannot withstand the turbulence with which bigger universities like ABU Zaria when through in the 80s and 90s. Furthermore, it is wrong to start thinking of dismissing the current VC without shopping for his replacement. And who is going to replace him? Surely not people who are out to seek vengeance, because if you appoint somebody whose focus is to come and deal with Mahdi or his boys, you create a scenario whereby before the end of his tenure the university is grounded. And as long as the State Government is not sure of who to bring in to take over from Professor Abdullahi Mahdi, the man should be allowed to continue, pending when a competent person is found to handle the University.

Kabiru Danladi is at Mass Communication Dept, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

The Saudi humiliation, Nigeria’s feeble rhetoric

By Charles Onunaiju

F

ew days after the reports, that authorities of Saudi Arabia have started detaining Nigeria female pilgrims, its embassy in Nigeria held a reception in Abuja to mark the founding of the reclusive and archconservative kingdom. Governor Babangida Aliyu and Rauf Aregbesola of Niger and Osun states respectively were photographed in a hearty bear-hug with the ambassador of Saudi Arabia, the host of the event. The cream of Nigerian elite were handy at the reception hosted by the embassy at the same time that Nigerian female pilgrims were been detained without prior warning or notice. If there is any early sign to the Saudis that their rash and inconsiderate action will not attract consequences from the Nigerian side, the reception hosted in Abuja by their envoy is it. That highly placed public officials of governors Aregbesola and Babangida Aliyu standing could go into public warm and hearty embrace of the Saudi envoy while his government was deliberately maltreating and humiliating Nigerian female pilgrims, show the extent of insensitivity of the Nigerian elite to the plights of ordinary Nigerians. Had the Saudi envoy found his reception hall empty, he would have reported back to his government that their unprovoked humiliations of Nigerian women are likely to attract severe consequences. Few days later, after the well-attended reception held by the Saudi envoy in Abuja, the Saudis made good their earlier threat and began to deport the Nigerian pilgrims. The Saudi envoy who would have noticed the aloofness of the Nigerian authorities may have advised his government, that the worst they could expect from the Nigerian authorities is feeble and empty rhetoric. After meeting with vice president, Namadi Sambo and supposedly getting ultimatum for

his government to stop the hostile action of deporting the Nigerian female pilgrims within 24 hours, the Saudis actually began deporting them within the period of the ultimatum, coolly and calculatingly calling a bluff the seemingly angry ultimatum from Nigeria. The Saudi envoy promised a solution to the problem within 48 hours and the solution evidently manifested in the hasty and speedy deportation of Nigerian female pilgrims.

In a bid to foster another diplomatic hoax, the Federal government set up a committee with the Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as its leade and was to travel to Saudi Arabia to confer with its leadership. The committee was inaugurated as the Nigerian female pilgrims are been returned.

The deported pilgrims were telling harrowing stories of been held in overcrowded detention camp without water and food.

Even the Nigerian ambassador in Saudi Arabia and other officials of the mission were denied access to the Nigerian detained female pilgrims. In spite of evident hopelessness in any visit to the kingdom, the Speaker and his team were reported to be making frantic efforts to visit the kingdom. It is perhaps in the vain and futile imagination of the government that such visit would reverse what is a clearly a well thought-out and carefully executed policy of the Saudi regime. However, the embattled pilgrims were almost all back in the country, such that, the Tambuwal team visit to Saudi Arabia will only add to the notorious profile of Nigerian government officials roaming aimlessly in the world, for the personal leisure it brings and the huge estacode it generates.

The Nigeria government feeble and muddling diplomacy in the face of the Saudi offensive again exposed the perennial and durable disconnect between high sounding rhetoric and actual capacity to

influence and change the course of action of others.

Sultan of Sokoto, one of the first Nigerian leaders to express outrage at the action of the Saudis noted that the Saudis did not raise the issue of a male guardian or companion for the female pilgrims. Demanding a male companion, when the female pilgrims were already in Saudi Arabia was akin to changing the rules of game in the middle of the game. However, even though, it is fairlywell known that Nigerian Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia like their Christian counterparts who go to Jerusalem are far less ideal in their expected conduct, especially for a trip of such spiritual significance, cannot justify the extreme harsh measures of the Saudi authorities.

The Nigerian government response has been muddle. Issuing ultimatum to the Saudis, before deciding on any line of action was unreasonable.

In circumstance of this nature, responses are calibrated at every stage to send a clear message to the other side. Sending a delegation, led by the speaker of the House of Representatives to the Saudi Arabian authorities was another muddle. The Saudis have made clear their intention not to engage in diplomatic talk by ignoring the Nigerian ambassador in Riyadh and going ahead with the deportation of the pilgrims. The

visit of the Tambuwal team to Saudi Arabia after the Saudis have diligently and duly executed their threat to deport unaccompanied female pilgrims would have further clarified whatever ambiguities they may have had, about the disproportionate component of vain glory and shadow-boxing in Nigerian policy frame work. Since the row with the Saudis broke out, the Foreign Minister and his ministry has stayed aloof as if the pilgrims are not Nigerians. The matter is been handled as if it is a Muslim affair to which the non-Muslims in the government seemed unconcerned.

It is as if only the Muslim members of the government that would deal with it. This attitude may have been informed that Saudis would have more sympathy for the coreligionists. But this perception is wrong. After all, the Saudi best friends are the Americans and Europeans and even the communist Chinese and Vietnamese. The foreign ministry or the presidency leading a robust response would have send an unmistakeable message to the Saudis that such infraction of Nigerian national well-being would never be tolerated by the Nigerian state.

Infact, such move would have convinced the Saudis that whatever religious reasons they may have had, in taken a decision, would have been tampered by a

“

The Nigeria female pilgrims were humiliated by the Saudi authorities because they are Nigerians and not because they are less Islamic than other Muslims. From all indication, the government is not fazed by the incident and as usual, it will take another government scandal to bury this one and one thing this government has in abundance is scandals

state-to state relation and the consequent political fallout of such action. Leaving the matter as if the king of Saudi Arabia have just done to her far-flung subjects as he pleased and with only a consequence of a generous supplication for a change of heart, negate the integrity and essence of the Nigerian state. But to fair to the Saudi, the Nigerian State in the past ten years has been in earnest deconstruction and the government that has run it has fairly existed to repudiate the true essence of the state and its agency of government.

The Nigerian state through the distortion and disarticulation by the clueless, rudderless and visionless governing elite that runs it, is hugely deficit of the enabling capacity to deliver on the modest services of any government. For the fact that governing processes and institutions are manipulated to provide and service the leisure and pleasure of the governing elite, the state and its main governing agency is severely constrained and weak. Bankrupt governing elite steeped in the primitive accumulation of wealth and egregious pursuit of vain-glory can engage in the symbolic parody of state craft while severely constrained to act in any decisive manner. The Saudi provocations have revealed in a graphic manner, the incremental deconstruction of the Nigeria state by government acting without the modest social conscience of the executives of a social club.

The Nigeria female pilgrims were humiliated by the Saudi authorities because they are Nigerians and not because they are less Islamic than other Muslims.

From all indication, the government is not fazed by the incident and as usual, it will take another government scandal to bury this one and one thing this government has in abundance is scandals.

Charles Onunaiju is a journalist based in Abuja

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

Violence is not in the tradition of the Prophet (PBUH)

By M. Fethullah Gülen

M

uslims pray each day: “O Lord! Keep us on the straight path.” It is a prayer to help us move awayfrom the extremes and maintain balance in our lives. We must neither be hostage to our reactionary instincts, nor must we remain completely silent in the face of the systematic defamation of our values and beliefs.

This balance has been upset by the violent response to the insults targeting the legacy of beloved Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). The violent response was wrong and strayed from the straight path. Muslims should not be indifferent with respect to the attacks on the Prophet (PBUH). On the contrary, they must show the utmost sensitivity and caution.

Those insulting Islam might be seeking to depict a negative image of Muslims, and hence justify discrimination, isolation, persecution or deportation. The deliberate instigation and creation of turmoil in the Muslim world is not new.

Our sacred values were attacked in the past through cartoons, today it is done through a movie and cartoons in a French magazine, and tomorrow other means may be used. Muslims

If suicide bombers are the first A Muslim must always be must not be beguiled or enticed but instead must speak out to prevent things that come to people’s straightforward and consistent in those who are more easily provoked minds, how could they have a his actions and words. He should from resorting to violence. When positive opinion of Islam? How is respect the sacred values of innocent civilians Christians, Jews, Buddhists and any negative comment is made killing about the Prophet (PBUH), however indiscriminately different from others as he expects his own slight it may be, a Muslim should the barbarity suffered by Muslims religion and values to be respected.

In reacting, a feel deep sorrow. Yet M u s l i m expressing that should not sorrow is a different sway from m a t t e r . the proper Irresponsible Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text middle path. actions by messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written Many correct individuals contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 forms of damage the image words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and response can of Islam and destroy a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed be found by the very tradition to: appealing to they are claiming to the collective defend.

The Editor, conscience of Since the rights Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, society and to of every Muslim, as 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. t h e well as God, the international Koran and the Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com community.

Prophet (PBUH) are SMS: 07037756364 H a t e at stake in such a s p e e c h circumstance, one cannot act recklessly. One should in history? What is the rationale designed to incite violence is an scrutinise the possible ramifications behind attacking an American abuse of the freedom of expression. of each and every action, and seek consulate in Libya, killing an It violates the rights, dignity and the wisdom of the collective ambassador and consulate officers, freedoms of others while pushing judgment. The question that we who have nothing to do with this humanity towards conflict in an should ask ourselves as Muslims is wretched movie? If it is Muslims age of horrifying weapons. Instead whether we have introduced Islam who are carrying out these of falling victim to the instigation and its Prophet (PBUH) properly to attacks, it means that they are of others, we should appeal to the international the world. Have we followed his entirely unaware of what Islam is relevant example in such a way as to instil all about and are committing the institutions, such as the admiration? We must do so, not biggest crime in the name of Organisation of Islamic CoIslam. operation or the UN, to intervene, with words, but with our actions.

WRITE TO US

expose and condemn instances of hate speech. We can do whatever it takes within the law to prevent any disrespect to all revered religious figure, not only to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).

The attacks on the Prophet (PBUH) we have repeatedly experienced are to be condemned, but the correct response is not violence. Instead, we must pursue a relentless campaign to promote respect for the sacred values of all religions.

M. Fethullah Gülen is a Muslim scholar in the Sunni tradition and Honorary Chairman of The Istanbulbased Journalists and Writers Foundation.

Extensive knowledge and teaching experience in Islamic scholarship. Proficient author with more than sixty books translated into many world languages, he is recognized as the world’s top public intellectual in Foreign Policy / Prospect poll in 2008. Years of service as an imam, preacher, and civil society activist with acclaimed competence as a speaker on Islam, education, and dialogue in Turkey. This article was originally published in The Financial Times on September 27, 2012

Blasphemy video: The hidden agenda

By Haruna Elbinawi They want to estinguish the light of Allah with their mouth,but Allah will perfect his light,although the disbelievers dislike it - Qur’an [61:8]

I

t was called “Innocence OF Muslims” and it was a two hour movie.But now only the 12-minute clip of the low budget film is in circulation on the internet.It was a movie that was meant to be a provocative political statement in condemnation of Islam,so the architects of this blasphemous movie said.This movie targeted the greatest and strongest pillar in Islam and the most sacred and luminious figure among the world sanctities.The identity of those directly responsible for the movie is still murky.Initially it was attributed to a man named Sam Bacile,an Israeli-American living in California.Latter it was discovered that a 55-yearold EgyptianAmerican Coptic Christian named Nakoala Basseley Nakoula was the mastermined of the film.It has been proven that this man was a bank fraud convict and a Federal Informant.The recent picture of him and the late American Ambassador to Libya,Chris Stevens,raised alot of questions as to this man’s relationship to with the American political establishment.

The supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran,Ayatullah Sayed Ali Khameini was right when he said:”The prime suspect in this crime are Zionism and the US government.If the US polititians

are honest in their claim of not being involved[in production of this film],[they] must bring the perpetrators of this hideous crime and their financial backers,who have wrenched the hearts of muslim nation,to face a punishment proportional to this great crime.”

Why should people or organisations conspired to produce a despicable and distateful film of such type?There are various reasons to this: The main reason of producing this film is to knock down the greatest Islamic entity, Prophet Muhammad [PBUH], from his lofty position in the eyes of men especially the young generation.

That was why it was a film as the younger generation are mostly film-addicts to it will be easier to transmit the message than if it was a book. This is not an isolated incident that the Western medias and their agents are trying to portray,it is part of a wider campaign and conspiracies that included the Salman Rushdie affair,the Danish cartoonist and the US Pastor who burnt the Holy Qurán.

In the Salman Rushdie affair,he was given 800,000 British Pound even before he wrote the Satanic Verses.That was equivalent to 1.5 million US Dollars them.During that crises,the entire Western political establishment gave him all the support he needed using the pretex of freedom of speech and to crown it all the British Queen knighted him to the dismay of all Muslims.To this day Salman Rushdie is well protected than the Prime Minister of UK. The Western world always

flaunt its so-called freedom of speech credentials which is a grand deception to say the least.In the West to questioned the Holocaust or the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the attrocities committed,one is liable to be heavily fined or even go to jail in countries like Belgium.Any research work against homosextuality in the United States will not be sponsored by any research organisation.The slogan of the freedom of speech and of the press is a smoky deception to decieve the ignorant and the unelightened.

It is important for people to know the hidden goals of the people that produced this blasphemous film so that they don’t fall into their traps.the chain of links of those that blasphem the Prophet[PBUH] in the past are either renegades that had left islam like Salman Rushdie or Christians like the Pastorburning Qurán in the United States.They are Christiasns because the main perpetrators wished to trigger a religious war between Muslims and Christians and that will satisfy their evil objectives.This is the work of Zionist as only they

plot evil without boundary.The masterminds of the film confessed that over 100 Zionist Jews sponsored the production of the film.It was their wish that Muslims direct their anger on Christians,that was why they latter attributed the film to Christians but fortunately enough Muslims directed their anger on the US and Israel.

Protest merches are held all over the world with marchers chanting slogans such as ‘Death to America and ‘Death to Israel’.In Nigeria these protest marches are held in major cities of Northern Nigeria.The marches are organized by The Islamic Movement Of Nigeria under the leadership of Sheikh Ibrahim ElZakzaky. The protest march that took place at Kaduna had Christians in attendance under the leadership of Pastor Theophilus Ismail. He told Journalist after the Protest march that “It is wrong to blaspheme the Prophet of Islam.

All Nigerians must unite and condemn what is bad.” This gesture is highly commendable especially in a city like Kaduna

“

The main reason of producing this film is to knock down the greatest Islamic entity, Prophet Muhammad [PBUH], from his lofty position in the eyes of men especially the young generation. That was why it was a film as the younger generation are mostly film-addicts to it will be easier to transmit the message than if it was a book

that had witnessed inter-religious crises in the past. The protest marches are orderly,peaceful and devoid of all kinds of harrassment.Protest marches are means of raising awareness by awakening those asleep and those in slumber.These marches are not enough and more pressure should be placed on the perpetrators not to allow the two-hour film to see the light of the day.

The silence of the Arab Reactionary regimes to the great affront to the Greatest Messenger of Allah only buttressed the fact that they are only servants of American imperialism.some of them like the King of Jordan and the King of Morroco even claimed ancestry to the Last Messenger of Allah,they use this claim to decieve their gullible subjects.the selfstyled ’Custodian of the two Holy sanctities’ –King of Saudi Arabiadidn’t utter a single word in condemnation of this blasphemy.The King of Saudi Arabia is the self-appointed leader of world Muslims ,to justify his selfappointment he should have led the condemnation. Unfortunately for him his American masters are deeply involved.If it was their anscestors that were insulted, they will have reacted and even take practical measures.

On a final note as Sayed Hasan Nasrallah,the Leader of the Lebanese Resistance Organisation [Hezbullah], said:”The world does not understand the breadth of the humiliation.The world must understand the dept of our bond with our Prophet.”

Haruna Elbinawi can be reached on elbinawi@yahoo.com

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 15

Okupe needs some dusting off

By Bayo Oluwasanmi

O

ne of the enduring controversies of ages is the conflict between good and evil, between truth and lie. To many minds, the origin of lies and the reason for their existence are perplexing, indeed.

In politics as in other areas of human endeavor, it is not uncommon to observe that exalted truths bring hatred and strife. The irrepressible conflict to uphold and defend one is to attack and overthrow the other.

But truth and lie cannot harmonize. I don’t know Okupe as a person, or as a medical doctor (thank God!), or as political hangers-on. But the little I read about him makes me want to spit.

This much is true about him: He’s a man plagued by moral, financial, and credibility problems.

Okupe wears pride like a jeweled necklace and clothed in cruelty.

He’s a man who submits to the soft, glittery pleasures of the world.

His days with the OBJ administration are remembered only in terms of dying testimony of false theories and fatal delusions.

Now, all gone like a breath of wind that never returns.

Once Aso Rock’s First Family realized that Reuben Abati’s artful perversion of the truth was not good enough to win many converts or coerced many Nigerians to believe hook line and sinker the president’s “transformation agenda,” Doyin Okupe was brought out of retirement to doozie up the cloak of falsehood.

Given his perilous past, no one

was surprised that Mr. Jonathan tapped Okupe as the best enemy of truth to hunt and hunker down the critics of the president’s administration.

His addition to the Aso Rock propaganda machine has brought the noisy paltering and disgusting fabrications even more dangerously alive.

Poor Okupe, like a warrior aroused from a drunken stupor he hurriedly abandoned his N886 million life of luxury, windfall from road contracts he never executed to answer the call of duty.

Okupe, like a well-aged wine wasted no time to announce his arrival. I’m not an attack dog, call me attack lion, he was quoted as saying. Without wasting time, he went to work.

Oblivious of the words of our elders that if a man climbs rotten trees intending to make it his castle, don’t be tempted to join him or be drawn into argument with him. He didn’t blink an eye, he joined the propaganda coterie.

To smooth and soothe Aso Rock’s propaganda machine, the elderly German Shepherd seems to be saying to the young Oracle, Abati: “Man Up” – Don’t be a pussy, brave it, be daring,” “strap on a pair, grow some balls, stop being such a complete utter wuss,” and “be tough, be a man, do what a man should do.”

We know attack dogs especially a German Shepherd like Okupe don’t come cheap. We’ll never know the purchase price of the bully German native. For sure, Mr. Jonathan doesn’t give a damn how much it cost Nigerian tax payers to

retrieve the special breed.

Henceforth, Jonathan’s version of “Man Up Campaign” would be led by his newly purchased German Shepherd. In his rhetorical veneer violating Nigerian’s delicate sensibilities, Okupe set to high boil from the word go.

Since he became president, Mr. Jonathan’s Aso Rock signature has been the charade of deceit, lying, and make belief. By now, Nigerians have become accustomed to the tired choreography of lies from the grinding mills of Aso Rock.

September 10, The Nation newspaper reports that Okupe plans nationwide tour with his new BMW (747 series?) to show case the achievements of President Jonathan.

According to Okupe, the GEJ administration’s achievement in the last 15 months includes: power, roads, and electoral reforms being the high points of the administration. Okupe said Mr. Jonathan had revived 10 abandoned IPP (independent Power Projects), 8 of the projects rehabilitated up to 90%. The rest 2 are up to 80%.

He said Mr. Jonathan inherited 1,900 to 2,200 megawatts of electricity, now it’s been increased to 4400 megawatts and “… the people can now enjoy at least 15 hours of uninterrupted power supply.”

Contracts for Benin-Ore road, the Onitsha road, and LagosIbadan expressway would be completed on schedule, said Okupe.

The tour will take him to the six regions of Nigeria, viz: south

west, south east, south-south, north west, north east, and north central. Tagged “achievements,” the tour is aimed at misdirect our criticisms and rage of the government to a Nigeria’s world of heaven and sentimental romance.

As part of the campaign to sell Nigerians delicacies of lies and wrongs of Jonathan’s administration, during the tour Okupe will be armed with copies of book titled “Sure and Steady Transformation.”

Okupe’s common sense needs some dusting off. Do we need a bull dog and a bull horn to clog our ears with the “achievements” of a depressingly inept government?

Isn’t it normal and expected that a tangible, concrete development will be visible by all to see? Do we need a town crier to mesmerize us with mirages of rhetorical charade?

Won’t Nigerians feel the positive impact of such “transformation” in their day- today living?

A country of 160 million people, 67 million youths are unemployed according to the director general, National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Mallam Abubakar Mohammed.

What other achievements could eclipse this potential time bomb epidemic?

As Mr. Okupe cruises in his turbo charged BMW around the country, he should pay special attention to these primary markers of cycles of chaos and destruction: Raw realities of poverty, heaps

of industrial ruins and relics, the sorrows and tears by the bucketful of Nigerians, the bread of suffering, the silenced majority, the sick eyes of a crestfallen people, and the landscape of dystopian wasteland.

Do the markers above bear any resemblance to the contents of “Sure and Steady Transformation?” Hell, no!

The Jonathan administration believes rightly or wrongly that Nigerians are too daft to recognize apples from oranges. The recycled theater of the absurd went on unhindered with oppressive tactics to support it and with many people believing that orange is an apple.

Never mind the Cool Aid the German Shepherd is trying to force Nigerians to drink. I see Okupe’s propaganda tour as lump of clay that dissolves even before it is molded.

Like every Orwellian regime, the lies and the wrongs of Aso Rock are doomed to fall. The people might have tasted an apple, but they damn sure recognize the taste of oranges and have had enough.

But the revolution is gearing up and will not stop until the people get the apples they deserve.

We’ll like to remind the Jonathan administration that the most dangerous of all false doctrines are those seasoned with a little truth. The president should devote his time and resources with boiling urgency and an audacious sincerity to the suffocating problems that are killing Nigerians daily.

There is a difference between straw and grain!

Bayo Loluwasanmi is reachable on byolu@aol.com

intermediation offerings between savers and investors), regulators are struggling to cope with the predictable (and unintended) consequences of (what the IMF refers to in its most recent Global Financial Stability Report as) “banks playing more of a nontraditional role by relying on fee-based income sources, trading activities, and non-deposit liabilities; a relatively large role for nonbank financial institutions in the inter-mediation process; and greater use of new financial products such as securitisations and derivatives”. Yet, unlike in other economies where a similar transition has taken place, in Nigeria, this efflorescence of new models and financing instruments has failed to broaden popular access to financial services.

Indeed, the adoption of novel intermediation models by banks operating in the country does not appear to have made the banking sub-sector any stronger, either.

There are sub-narratives that give context to this, especially the argument around the extent to which the industry may be expected to rouse itself sustainably even as the rest of the economy is prostrate. We could engage endlessly this debate (its chickenand-egg quality will guarantee a no less sterile outcome).

Nevertheless, we can no longer ignore the fact that the sub-sector, and this in spite of the regulator’s best effort, appears condemned to lurch from one disaster to another.

The central bank, through its resolution outfit (AMCON) only just finished infusing the subsector. Concerns over who bears the cost of this rescue operation have not been sufficiently attended to, and we are hearing new worries about the tradability of the sub-sector’s bond portfolio.

If the industry is not as healthy as the surfeit of mouth-watering profit figures that its operators have been releasing recently suggest, then we may be vulnerable to the de-stabilising effect of any shock (whether particular to one institution or of a systemic bent). Now, this is where things get nettlesome. Effective today, Nigerian government bonds

will be included in J P Morgan’s government bond index.

Consensus is that this should drive renewed interest in the country’s debt instruments. As it were, yields on domestic debt instruments trump anything that is currently available in Europe and North America. So the general expectation is that the economy will witness significant inflows of capital into the economy over the short-term. One estimate is of an inflow of close to US$1bn up to end-December 2012.

This higher inflow could have any of several effects. (1) It could push up the exchange rate of the naira. And (2), it could increase the rate at which the external reserves grow. On the other hand, the naira exchange rate bit could cut either way. In theory, by pushing up the naira’s exchange rate, it could affect the economy’s

competitiveness. Local exporters could suddenly find it difficult to reach traditional markets. We are however considerably “lucky” in this regard: we produce very little that any other economy is interested in (besides crude oil, that is). Conversely, by lowering import costs (in an importdependent economy), a “stronger” naira should help contain short-term pressure on domestic prices.

Still, we are concerned here with capital inflows at the short end of the market (“hot money”).

So even when the central bank may yet contain these effects by issuing securities to “mop up” the additional forex liquidity, there is a danger of an asset price bubble inflating in the economy. This threat is that much more, if it is true that year-to-date, 80% of transactions on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange have been fuelled by foreign funds. The big bother is not so much that once again the economy may be susceptible to a shock, or a combination thereof. It is that this vulnerability might happen at a time when a central pillar of the financial settlement and payment system (the banks) is barely afloat.

Uddin Ifeanyi, a retired civil servant and journalist, is on Twitter

Managing monetary policy in trying times

By Uddin Ifeanyi

A

rguably, one of the more Augean challenges confronting financial services regulation in the country today, is the ongoing transition in industry practice from bread-andbutter intermediation to what is now commonly referred to as “market-based” intermediation. In large part, this passage reflects the industry’s response to the competitive round triggered by its deregulation in the mid-80s.

Supply (89, or so banks, then) confronted a peculiar market (structural bottlenecks in the economy meant that demand remained static. Even today, only a little over 53% of eligible nationals have access to formal financial services. Thus, operators have constantly sought to meet investors’ expectations of a return on their investments either through increasingly risky operations (“margin lending” in the run up to the central bank’s 2009 “special audit”), or nontraditional activities (as in the current dominance of treasury bills in most banks’ asset portfolios).

In result, even as most parts of the local financial services infrastructure is stuck in medieval times (the formal financial services sector is an adjunct to diverse “traditional”

“

The big bother is not so much that once again the economy may be susceptible to a shock, or a combination thereof. It is that this vulnerability might happen at a time when a central pillar of the financial settlement and payment system (the banks) is barely afloat

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

Church donates N50m police station to community

T

he Living Faith Church of Nigeria has donated a modern police station worth N50 million to the AutaBaleifi community in Karu Local Government Area of the neighbouring Nasarawa state.

Speaking at the inauguration of the station on Tuesday, the President of the

church, Bishop David Oyedepo, said the gesture would assist the police in fighting crime.

Oyedepo said “considering the prevailing security situation in the country, the church thought it wise to assist the police in providing an enabling environment for

them to tackle crime and criminality bedevilling our society”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the station that was built within the vicinity of the church in Goshen City, Auta-Baleifi community, has an office, counter, cell and office for

other police officers.

Other facilities are fencing of the structure, power transformer, office furniture, among others.

Represented by the Vice President of the church, Bishop David Abiyoye, Oyedepo said the church donated the facility as part of its contribution to

national development and enhancement of security.

He said it was the policy of the church to identify with its host community through the provision of basic social facilities.

Oyedepo said the church would soon build a filling station and a medical facility, as well as provide jobs for youths in the area.

Receiving the facility on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, the Nasarawa state Commissioners of Police, Mr Abayomi Akeremale, said protection of lives and property was a collective responsibility.

He thanked the church for the gesture, saying it would go a long way in assisting the police in carrying out their duties effectively. (NAN)

Court remands woman for allegedly hitting her neighbour with firewood

A

Preparing the local herb (agbo) at Gudu market.

Photo: Joe Oroye

19 year old man bags one month in prison for stealing

A

Karu Magistrates Court in Abuja on Tuesday sentenced a 19-year-old man, Sofuwa Usman, to one month imprisonment for stealing a bag containing a Bible and other valuable documents.

The Magistrate, Mr Christopher Oba, sentenced him to one month imprisonment without an

option of fine Usman, of no fixed address, was arraigned on one-count charge of stealing.

The prosecutor Corporal Eze Okwuchukwu, told the court that the accused committed the offence on September 26, 2012 behind Dunamis Church, Abuja.

Okwuchukwu said that Usman allegedly snatched a

handbag belonging to one Joy Ezeoka of Area 1, behind Dunamis Church, Abuja.

He said that Ezeoka was coming back from church at about 8.30 p.m. when the accused snatched her bag containing a Bible, Identity card and other valuable document.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravenes Section

288 of the Penal Code.

Usman, who pleaded guilty, explained that it was hunger that led him into the act.

“I was hungry and I had nothing to eat that was why I went ahead to commit the offence”, he said.

When asked what he had to say before sentence was passed on him, the accused pleaded for forgiveness. (NAN)

Area councils advised to boost IGR for effective service delivery

By Josephine Ella

I

n a bid to ensure effective service delivery to residents of the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Secretary, Area Council Services Secretariat, Alhaji Alhassan Gwagwa has emphasised the need for area councils to step up their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base.

Gwagwa gave the advice yesterday, when the House Committee on Area Council and Ancillary Matters visited the secretariat on an oversight function.

Speaking during the visit, the Secretary explained that the secretariat is mandated to

ensure the implementation of government development agenda and to drive efficient service delivery at the area council level through effective coordination, monitoring and supervision of the councils’ activities.

According to him, these also include those of allied agencies such as the Area Council Service Commission, Area Council Staff Pension Board, Office of the Auditor-General of the Area Councils etc.

He listed the challenges affecting the performance of the councils to include: “Over dependence by the area councils on Statutory Allocation which is distributed monthly and weak Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) initiative in the

face of immense potentials”.

He said that poor primary health delivery expressed in the inadequate staffing of available primary health care facilities was also a major challenge affecting the councils, adding, “most of the primary health care facilities are locked up and estimated manpower percentage is below 40 per cent of the standard minimum staffing required.

The secretary noted that infrastructures in the area councils are at various degrees of decay while services are poorly coordinated and where available are substandard.

Earlier, the Chairman, House Committee on Area Council and Ancillary Matters, Hon. Kamisu Mailantarki, who

led other members on the visit said the committee was at the secretariat to oversight its activities, saying, “so we are here on the same mission. All our efforts are geared towards ensuring that things are done accordingly”.

Asked his rating of the budget performances of the secretariat in a separate interview, he said: “ We are going to look at the papers they gave us before we come out with the actual position of the committee, for now, I cannot give the detail of the outcome of the oversight”.

Other places visited by the House Committee members are the Area Council Services Commission and Area Council Pension Commission.

Chief Magistrates Court in Mararaba, Nasarawa state has ordered that a 36-year-old woman, Laatu Samuel, be remanded in prison custody for allegedly causing grievous hurt.

Police prosecutor, Joseph Ahawa told the court that the incident happened on September 26, 2012 when the accused picked a quarrel with one Regina Akamabe and slapped her during their disagreement.

Ahawa said that the accused, of Anguwan Jaba New Karu, Nasarawa State, also used a piece of firewood to hit Akamabe on her left eye, which resulted in a swollen eye with severe pains.

Ahawa said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 247 of the Penal Code, but the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor objected to the bail application, and said that the accused should not be granted bail because the matter was still being investigated.

He said that the allegation against the accused was not a bailable offence and that the victim in question was undergoing treatment.

He urged the court to remand the accused to enable the police conclude their investigations.

Chief Magistrate V. D. Ishaku, granted the prayers of the prosecutor and ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case to October 8, 2012 for further hearing. (NAN)

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

25-year-old man in prison over fake N1,000 note A

Karu Upper Area Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has sentenced Bawa Simon, 25, of Nyanya Gwandara, Nasarawa state to one month imprisonment for possession of fake N1,000 notes.

The presiding Judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, however, gave

the convict an option to pay a fine of N10,000, and ordered that the fake money be burnt.

Police prosecutor, Tangshak Jerry had told the court that the convict was arrested by a Police patrol team led by Insp. Ogwu Ikani of the Nyanya Police Divisional Head Quarters, Abuja, on

September 26, 2012.

He said that when Simon was arrested he was found in possession of 18 pieces of fake N1,000 notes.

“When Simon was questioned he confessed that one “Yaro” of Masaka, Nasarawa state, gave him the money to change for him,’’ Jerry said.

An okada rider loaded sugar cane instead of passenger on his motorcycle, in Bwari, Abuja.

Simon, however, pleaded guilty and told the court that he did it because he was promised N3,000 reward.

The convict also pleaded for leniency and begged the court to temper justice with mercy, assuring that he would never commit such an offence again.

(NAN)

Photos: Justin Imo-owo

Jikoko community applauds MDGs corps member over hand washing exercise

By Etuka Sunday

J

ikoko Community in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), especially its Primary School has applauded a corps member serving under MDGs CDS (MAC) group over a hand washing exercise organised ahead of Global Hand Washing day coming up on the 15th of this month.

Mr.Abdulafeez Miftaudeen, who conducted the exercise as part of his personal project said it was necessary because keeping hands clean through

improved hand hygiene was one of the most important steps to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.

On when to wash ones’ hand, he said before, during and after preparing food; before eating food; before and after caring for a sick person; before and after treating a cut or wound; after using the toilet; after changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet; after touching garbage; after blowing ones’ nose, coughing or sneezing; and after touching animal or animal waste.

Speaking on behalf of the NYSC FCT Coordinator and NYSC MDGS Coordinator, Mrs Ugwu thanked the community head and the head teacher, L.G.A Primary School Jikoko for their contribution in ensuring that the exercise was staged in the community and enjoined the pupils to cultivate the habit of living a clean and healthy life.

In his reaction, the head teacher, L.G.A Primary School Jikoko, Mr. Makoji H. Abdul expressed satisfaction that the exercise would help the pupils when they grow up as it will

not be of benefit to the school pupils alone but to every other child surrounding them.

“It is a good thing for the corps members to come here to do a collaborative work, teaching the pupils on how to live a clean life. As they grow up they will develop that mind of cleanliness they will imbibe the culture of washing their hands to avoid contracting diseases”.

A pupil, Theresa Michael, who expressed her gratitude on behalf of others, assured they will put what they have learnt to use.

Man caught attempting to steal NITEL batteries

A

26-year-old man, William Michael was on Tuesday sentenced to three weeks imprisonment by a Karu Upper Area Court for attempting to steal NITEL batteries.

The accused of Mechanic Workshop, Abacha Barracks, Abuja, according to the Police prosecutor, Godwin Gabriel was reported to the Asokoro Police Station on September 28,

2012 by sergeant Samaila Bala, attached to Unit 24, Mobile Police Force, State House, Abuja, “On September 28, 2012 Bala was working in his farm opposite Abacha Barracks when he discovered that three batteries belonging to NITEL were hidden in the bush. ‘“He became vigilant and eventually saw Michael trying to remove the batteries from

the place they were hidden,’’ he said.

The prosecutor said the offence committed by Michael contravenes the provisions of Section 319 of the Penal Code.

Presiding Judge Umar Kagarko, however, gave the convict an option to pay N5,000 fine.

Kagarko also ordered that the batteries be handed over to NITEL, the original owners not

later than 30 days from October 2, 2012.

He added that if it was impossible to get the batteries to NITEL, they should be auctioned and the proceeds kept in the Police Reward Fund.

Michael told the court that he found the batteries in the farm, but pleaded guilty to the offence of attempted theft, and begged the court for leniency.

(NAN)

Yam sellers want soft loans from FCT Agriculture Secretariat

By Usman Shuaibu

Y

am sellers in Dei-Dei, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have called on the FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat to support them for facilitating soft loans for them.

The Chairman of Yam Sellers Association Mallam Dauda Saleh, who made the call in an interview with Peoples Daily said the financial assistance would boost their businesses.

He also urged the Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Hon. Peter Yohanna Ushefa to build befitting stores for yam sellers in the area, where they can keep their product for sale.

According to him, the association has not received any assistance from the government of the area council.

He appealed to yam sellers across the six area councils to remain committed to their businesses and urged them to co-operate with the government’s taskforce.

Saleh charged other association’s chairmen to endeavour to take the welfare of their members very seriously.

Two men jailed for stealing building materials

A

Kuje Area Court in Abuja has sentenced two men, Suleiman Isa, 22, and Habib Danya, 27, to four months imprisonment each for theft.

The Judge, Alhaji Nuhu Ibrahim, however, gave each of them an option to pay N6,000 fine and a compensation of N27,000 each to the complainant.

Police prosecutor, Samuel Ochefu had told the court that Miss Kelechi Nelson of Anguwan Gede, Kuje, reported at the Kuje Police Station that the convicts broke into her shop.

Ochefu said “Suleiman and Habib broke into her shop and stole 12 shovels, 10 diggers, 10 scales and four bags of three inch nails’’.

He said that during investigation, some items were recovered from the convicts and that the remaining items valued at N79,800 had yet to be recovered.

The prosecutor said the offence contravenes the provisions of Sections 79, 342 and 346 of the Penal Code.

The convicts pleaded guilty to the offence. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 17

Abuja Environment Protection Board (AEPB) cleaners sweeping the street, yesterday in Area 2, Garki, Abuja.

A middle-aged man buying corn on a road side, yesterday in Maitama Area of Abuja.

Young ladies displaying the Hausa rich culture, at the weekend, in Garki, Abuja.

Two teenagers hawking groundnuts and sachet water, yesterday in Bwari, Abuja.

A middle-aged man taking nap outside a shop, yesterday in Nyanya.

Photos: Justin Imo-owo

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE - Pg 21 Price of garri goes up in Mararaba

Mob: 08033644990

Post-privatisation: Lafarge Cement WAPCO pays N14bn as tax to govt.

By Abdulwahab Isa

C

ement giant, Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc said it had paid N14 billion in taxes to the various tiers of government and spent N570 million to develop its host communities post- privatization in 2001.

The Company Secretary, Ms. Uzoma Uja confirmed the amount recently while receiving officials of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) who were on a monitoring visit to the enterprise at Ewekoro, Ogun State.

She said investor equally

complied with all the covenants in the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA).

She said the plant with an installed capacity of 4.5 tons, currently produces at 3.8 tonnes as against the pre-privatisation capacity of 1.6 tons. She explained that soon after privatisation, the company embarked on backward integration which has resulted in job creation with WAPCO now having a workforce of 2,000.

On corporate social responsibility (CSR), Uja said the company has a robust and structured approach which focuses on different areas of

development for its immediate environment and the country at large. These include education, basic infrastructure facilities, youth empowerment, agricultural aid for mechanized farming, health and safety.

The company scribe added that since 2001, WAPCO had embarked on aggressive expansion programme,

culminating in the construction of a 90 megawatt power plant in 2011. She stated that the firm intends to supply 30 megawatts of electricity to its immediate community of Ewekoro.

She also urged the Federal Government to reverse the waiver on the taxes and duties on WAPCO’s equipment as this

had led to the postponement/ abandonment of some projects.

Earlier, the leader of the BPE team, Mrs. Haastrup Adetutu, had said that though the five year lock-in period had lapsed, the Bureau would from time to time visit to keep abreast of developments in the company and also to ensure that all the covenants are accomplished.

NNPC filling stations below standard – Safety Officer

By Muhammad Nasir

M

ajority of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporations (NNPC)’s filling stations across the country are far below safety standards, the General Manager in charge of Health Safety and Environment (HSE) of the Corporation, Engineer Rabiu Suleiman has said.

Speaking recently at HSE workshop organised for the filling station owners by the NNPC’s Group HSE Division in Abuja, Suleiman said audits report of the stations conducted by the Corporation revealed that safety compliance of all the major filling stations is totally below standard, adding

that the essence of the workshop is to bring the owners of the stations and see how they can improve standards.

He said: “Most of the filling stations that we acquired, utilize and converted into our stations have not met the minimum standard of NNPC. We did the audit in 2009, 2010, and 2011 and now we want to share with them the findings of that audit and see how we can improve.”

He said the reason for the poor safety measures was the initial rush to ensure that NNPC took charge in the downstream sector and make products available to every nook and cranny of the country.

Chevron sells 10,000 bpd Nigerian oil to Indian oil coy for a year – Sources

I

ndian state-run Bharat Petroleum Corporation has signed a deal with Chevron to buy 10,000 barrels per day (bpd) Nigerian crude in the year ending March 31, 2013, two sources familiar with the deal said yesterday.

Chevron will supply light sweet barrels to BPCL at the official selling price, the sources said.

BPCL normally buys West African crude on the spot market. “This is the first time that BPCL has signed a contract for Nigerian oil,” one of the sources, privy to the deal, said.

“It is just a start and there is a possibility that next year BPCL may look at sourcing higher volume of Nigerian oil through a term deal,” said an Asian trader.

Nigerian oil could be a partial substitute for the Libyan and Algerian barrels that BPCL used to buy under

term contracts, the trader, who did not wish to be identified, said.

BPCL operates the 240,000 bpd Mumbai refinery in western India and the 190,000 bpd Kochi plant in southern India.

It has a majority stake in the 60,000 bpd Numaligarh refinery in northeast India and also in the 120,000 bpd Bina plant in central India. (Reuters)

Roundnut oil extractors to be distributed to farmers groups in Adamawa under the AfDB- community based agriculture and rural development project on Tuesday.

Photo: NAN

Telcos lose N234bn potential revenue as inactive lines rise

By Muhammad Sada

T

he growing number of inactive telephone lines has cost telecommunications companies operating in Nigeria an estimated N234 billion in revenue losses in the first seven months of 2012.

The figure, as gathered, represents the total estimated revenue losses recorded by the telecoms companies, comprising the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications operators, the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators and the fixed-line networks, in the country, spanning from January 2012 to

the end of July 2012.

It was gathered from the latest industry data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) the telecoms industry regulator, that the number of connected but redundant or inactive telephone lines has grown significantly from January, reaching 37.6 million at the end of July, 2012.

According to the findings, in January 2012, the number of inactive telephone lines stood at 31.9 million. The number of redundant phone lines increased to 35.2 million in February; 35.8 million in March but slightly fell to 35 million in April with operators.

Management Tip of the Day

T

Ask your critic to join your team

eams thrive on the tension created from diverse points of view. To get those varied opinions in your group, start by finding the biggest critics of the challenge you’re working on.

These may be people who think the project is a waste of resources or who advocated for it to go in another direction.Set up

informal meetings with these harsh critics. Then hear them out. Let them tell you exactly what they think. Don’t get defensive. Then, and this is the hard part, ask your critics to join your team. In the worst-case scenario, they’ll say no, but you’ll likely have learned about alternative ways to solve the

problem. In the best-case scenario, at least one of them will agree to join forces with you.

You will have turned an ardent critic into a passionate supporter and added much needed diversity to your team.

Source: Harvard Business Review

In May, the figure dropped 32.6 million inactive lines; while in June and July, the figure surged 33.7 million and 37.6 million respectively.

Meanwhile, the cost implication of the inactive telephone lines monthly, was based on a conservative estimate, using the current industry Average Revenue Per User in Nigeria by the Business Monitor International (BMI) Limited, a research and consulting firm.

According to BMI, the current ARPU in Nigeria is estimated at N1, 011. ARPU is the financial benchmark used globally by telecoms firms to measure the average monthly or yearly revenue generated from the average subscriber.

Consequently, with an APRPU of N1011 and 31.9 million inactive telephone lines recorded on the networks in January, 2012, telcos made an estimated loss of about N32.2bn. In February, the revenue losses increased to N35.5bn and in March, it moved to N36.1bn. However, the loss in revenue fell slightly, to N25.3bn in April; N32.9bn in March while it increased to N34bn in June and jumped to N38bn at the end of July 2012.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS Global Compact Network Nigeria

G

lobal Compact Local Network Nigeria is launching into intensification of the global fight against corruption, and this is taking off on October 1, 2012.

According Innocent Azih, spokesperson for the Network, during an interactive session with the media in Lagos yesterday.

Global Compact Local Network Nigeria (GCLNN) is the local arm of United Nations Global Compact office which has a mandate to deal with corruption and corruptionrelated issues globally.

Fortune Global Shipping

A

Lagos-based shipping firm, Fortune Global Shipping and Logistics limited, has restated its commitment towards ensuring industrial harmony with its host community.

The Port Harcourt Branch Manager of the company, Mr. Christopher Igbokwe made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He said the organisation had employed more than 14 youths of the community as a way of empowering them.

Igbokwe said the company had a cordial relationship with its host community at Trans-Amadi and was doing everything it could to see that there was peace between it and the host community and added that the company would, in addition to providing employment opportunity, create other empowerment benefits to members of the host community.

ECCI

T

he president, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry,Mines and Agriculture (ECCI) Theo Okonkwo has identified the situation where most Nigerians want to be rich without adding value to the economy, as the greatest challenge to nations growth.

Okonkwo, who was speaking to over 300 participants at the two- day National Agricultural Exhibition and symposium organised by the chamber, in collaboration with the Raw Materials Research and development Council, said the exhibition is to focus attention on the need for comparative analysis and review of strategies in advancing the growth of agricultural sector with direct impart on farmers and development of national economy.

Why cement price remains high – CMAN

C

ement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, CMAN, has attributed the continuous high price of cement product in the country to bad state of roads across the nation which hinders distribution of the product.

CMAN Chairman, Engineer Joseph Makoju after its quarterly meeting to review performances of cement companies in the country, explained that cement manufacturers in the country had made every thing possible to bring down the price of the product, stressing that road haulage has become a major challenge.

Makoju said that cement industry in the country had recorded remarkable success, which he said had been confirmed by the Federal Government, adding that the success story of cement companies was happening when other manufacturing sector in the country were shrinking and facing myriads of challenges.

According to him, local

production had risen from two million recorded in 2002, to thirteen million in 2011 and even gone up to seventeen million in the month of September this year, adding that the policy of the Federal Government in reducing importation had contributed to the availability and affordability of the product.

He described the government

policy not to issue import license as a landmark achievement and that cement manufacturers had, in reciprocating the government gesture, tried to ensure that there is availability of the product in the market as well as ensuring a significant reduction in the price of the product.

Makoju said that CMAN was talking to government about

Sub-standard: SON demands more funding Stories from Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

he Director-General Standards Organisation Of Nigeria (SON), Dr Joseph Odumodu, is seeking legislative backing for increased funding for the agency, insisting that with more funding, SON will achieve better results in battling substandard.

Odumodu, told members house committee on industry’s during a visit to the organisation headquarters in Abuja.

He said “one of the things which we have identified as key to our operations is the issue of modern laboratory facilities and we would be requiring about N10bn to complete the first phase.”

Other areas the agency is seeking legislative backing includes; Slow dispensation of justice, with particular reference to those who contravene products standardisation laws as well as deterrent measures in the law and Need for adequate manpower for the SON.

He said millions of Nigerians are actually ignorant of the dire consequences of the prevalence of substandard products in the country in terms of the consequential deindustrialization of Nigeria.

“The fact that our economy could do better because Nigerian companies would manufacture more, sell more and employ more, thereby helping the government’s war against youth restiveness and other crimes precipitated by unemployment.”

FG inaugurates UNIDO country implementation committees

T

he Federal Government has I n a u g u r a t e d I m p l e m e n t a t i o n Committees on the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Country Programme for Nigeria.

The committees, which comprises representatives from various relevant Ministries / Departments, Institutions and the Private Sector were yesterday inaugurated by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment (FMTI), Mr. Dauda Kigbu at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.

Inaugurating the committee, Mr. Dauda Kigbu charged members of the implementation committee to see the job as service to the nation and urged them to make efforts to achieve the objectives of the country programme for the benefit of the nation.

Kigbu said that the UNIDO Country Programme was a technical cooperation between

Federal Government of Nigeria and UNIDO which will cover the period of 4 years (2009-2012).

He pointed out that the Country Programme has been reviewed, revised and extended for a period of 18 months to enable it accommodate the Economic Transformation Agenda of the government and the Ministry’s expanded mandate as well as the National Industrial Plan.

Kigbu said that the objective of the Country Programme was to promote industrialisation and help Nigeria achieve its goal of becoming one of the 20 largest economy by the year 2020.

In his remark, the UNIDO Country Director in Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Kormarwa recalled that the Country Programme for Industrial Development Agreement signed with Nigeria has a framework for revision of the document in line with the priority of government.

He said the revised Country programmes’ objective was to

support industrialization in Nigeria and helped the country achieve the goal of becoming one of the 20 larges economy by the year 2020 and to promote non oil sector, enhance productive capacity, increase value addition, promotion of Agro industry and sustainable energy in Nigeria.

The implementation committees were split into four committees consisting of Poverty Reduction through Productive Activities - Musa Alhassand, Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, Fortune Etu, SMEDAN, Robin Yohanna, NASME, D.A Obi, IDD FMTI, Nwachukwu C. E , Weights & Measures FMTI, and Okpe Sunday A. Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN).

Trade Capacity BuildingApanisile J.O, CPI, FMTI, Adeneke Kehinde, NEPZA, Sidi Aliyu, NEPC, Ogbar Andrew NACCIMA and A. K. Mohammed, Trade Dept., FMTI.

investing more on infrastructure and that the main focus of the association includes among others, working harder to ensure that there was availability of the product.

He said that cement manufacturing companies in the country were pooling resources together for the proposed Cement Technological Institute, that is to be floated by government which will soon take off.

According to him, the institute would help in the area of human capital development.

Besides, he said CMAN is considering producing new products that will meet the requirements of every body in terms of price so as to meet the various needs of the market.

Explore opportunities within, Aganga urges pharmaceutical sector operators

T

he Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, at the weekend in Lagos advised operators in the pharmaceutical industry to explore inherent opportunities in the local environment.

Aganga, who spoke at the 15th annual national conference of the Nigerian Association of Industrial Pharmacists (NAIP), said that a concrete partnership between his ministry and the sector is critical to creating the necessary environment for trade and investment development.

Represented by the DirectorGeneral of Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Ikem Odumodu, he assured that the Federal Government was doing all in its power to make the local operating environment friendly for business, and thereby attract investment.

Expressing his satisfaction with the theme of ‘Unlocking the Economic and Investment Potentials of the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Sector.’, chosen by the association, he said it tallies with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, expressing his belief that this would facilitate ideas sharing.

He also expressed his belief that this would contribute positively to the ongoing efforts of his ministry to provide an enabling environment for trade and investment to thrive and also sustain Nigeria’s current ranking as Africa’s foremost investment destination, In his speech, Dr. Odumodu drew from his time as Managing Director of May and Baker, saying that the only way for the pharmacists to unlock the economic and investment potentials within the sector is for them to bring up initiatives that will better serve the group.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 21

Price of garri goes up in Mararaba T

he Price of garri has shot up in Mararaba, a densely populated settlement near the FCT. Check by a Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday showed that the price of the commodity has increased by about 20 per cent in the last two weeks.

Mr Abubakar Tauheed, a dealer at the Mararaba Shopping Centre, told NAN that there were two varieties of garri - the red coloured and the white one.

“The red coloured garri, which I bought last week at the cost of N7,000 per a bag of 60 measures is now N7,200, while a measure is now N130 from N120.

“The medium bag of the red garri of 50 measures that I bought at N5,500 each is now selling for N5,700 per bag,’’ he said.

Tauheed said that the white variety was being sold at N3, 700 per a bag of 60 measures against the old rate of N3, 500, while a measure was being sold for N110 from N80.

“Before last week, the medium-sized bag of garri containing 50 mudus was sold at N3, 500,” he said.

Tauheed said the producers were blaming the price rise on persistent rainfall.

“They told us that there is no sun to dry the garri,” he said.

Tauheed said that the current flooding in some parts of the country was not the cause “Some of us go to Igala land, while some go to the east part of the country to purchase the product,” he said.

Another dealer, Malam Abdul Abdullahi, also told NAN that he was selling the white variety at N5,500 per bag, while a measure went for N120.

“Before last month, a bag was sold for N5,000, while a measure was sold at between N80 and N100, respectively.

“A bag of the red variety that contains 60 measures, is now being sold at N7,000, while a measure now goes for N140, up from the former price of N120.

“A 50 kg bag of the red one that contains 60 measures was

sold at N6, 000 as of last month before the price increase,” he said.

He also blamed the scarcity on the persistent rainfall in the areas.

Abdullahi equally confirmed buying the commodity from the Igala land and some parts of the East.

He said: ”the vehicles we hire to transport the products to the markets have equally increased their charges because of incessant scarcity and increase in the price of fuel as well as the bad roads”.

Mrs. Justina Okoye, a roadside retailer of the commodity, told NAN that she was selling a measure of white garri for N120, while the red variety was N140.

“Two weeks ago, the white one was between N80 and N100, while the red one was sold at N120 depending on your choice and pocket,” she said.

Mrs. Jennifer Onwumere, a house wife and mother of six , bemoaned the price hike, saying that something should be done quickly. (NAN)

Analysts say MTN should lower tariff to remain competitive

By Muhammad Sada with agency report

M

TN Nigeria has to lower its tariffs if the company wants to increase its subscriber base significantly because most subscribers are low-income earners residing in rural and urban areas, analyst have said.

“MTN Nigeria has to lower its tariffs if the company wants to increase its subscriber base significantly because most subscribers are low-income earners residing in rural areas and shanty towns in urban areas.

Given that MTN Nigeria accounts for approximately 30 percent of MTN group’s overall revenue, this will have a detrimental effect on the group result,” said Mervin Miemoukanda, an analyst at Frost and Sullivan.

“MTN has about 43million subscribers in Nigeria, and with competition intensifying; it has surrendered a significant slice of market share, and now holds about 43 percent, from about 50 percent, three years ago.

“MTN has decided to maintain higher prices, as it wants to avoid getting dragged into a price war, which is spearheaded by Etisalat and Airtel. What one should rather look at is its year-on-year performance - are they growing customers and revenues? At what annual rate over the years? MTN is still doing fine in Nigeria and is well placed to begin taking advantage of more enterpriseorientated services as that market evolves,” said Dobek Pater, an analyst from Africa Analysis.

MTN has also faced other hiccups in Nigeria, which remains

an essential cash cow for the group. It was reported that the base stations of various mobile network operators in northern Nigeria were attacked earlier last month, including those of MTN. Rumours circulated that MTN employees were killed in Nigeria, but MTN group spokesman Rich Mkhondo said no MTN staff had been killed.

“The damage to telecommunications facilities was confined to certain parts of northern Nigeria and only our customers in those parts may have experienced service disruptions, which are being quickly resolved. MTN Nigeria has the full co-operation of the relevant security and intelligence agencies in the country, and the joint task force in various northern states is providing security for all telecommunications infrastructure till further notice,” Mkhondo said.

Last week, MTN announced that it would be looking for partnerships and acquisitions in areas beyond the mobile space, although no details were provided.

“Acquisitions need to be made in areas that will allow MTN to become more of an enterprise and content provision player, for instance. It will be in areas outside of the traditional telecoms services, but where it can use its network and expertise in this area to deliver such services to end users,” said Pater.

MTN has a 43 percent market share in Nigeria, Africa’s largest mobile market, followed by Globacom’s 22 percent. Airtel, a subsidiary of India’s Bharti Airtel, had a 19.9 percent share, while Etisatlat has a 13 percent share.

Duke tasks private sector on food tourism

T

A woman selling garri at Utako Market

Lottery Commission targets N300bn revenue From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

T

he National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) is putting monitors on ground to generate N300 billion yearly by blocking leakages hindering its revenue drive, estimated at N3 billion.

The Director-General of the Commission, Peter Igho who gave the indication on

Tuesday when he led senior management of the commission to the Oba of Benin, said over 1,000 unemployed Nigerians have been absorbed by the 14 offices across the country.

He identified education and sport as critical areas of interventions of the commission from the 20 percent that gets to the Federal Government, while 50 percent goes to the players.

According to him, over 90 million Nigerians play lottery have been surcharged in the past, hence the need for regulations that would ensure ‘’transparency and integrity’’ through public enlightenment. ‘’Since in 2009, we’re working on how to generate N300 billion…We have seen what lottery has done all over the world and it can also help Nigeria’’.

he Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke has urged the private sector to invest in food tourism, given the peculiarity of Nigerian cuisine.

Duke gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, at the opening of the Korean Food Week.

“It is not going to be an individual effort, we must get organisation of fast food owners and big restaurants to promote and propagate this. And we will be able to derive the advantages that the Chinese, Koreans and Italians have achieved; it requires creativity, originality and commitment.

“Nigerians can always conquer new horizons, food looks to me like a new frontier that we need to conquer,” Duke said.

He said Nigeria had a lot to offer in terms of variety and quality, adding that if a cultural policy on food was formulated, it would further create awareness and enterprise opportunities .

The minister, who also noted

the challenges of food preservation and presentation, said the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), was working on a research to address such challenges.

He, however, said that the versatility of Nigerian cuisine meant that ingredients could be easily sourced “wherever you are in the world, you can utilise fresh vegetables within those locality to develop Nigerian meals, so it can be served fresh and tasty’’.

Similarly, South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Choi Jong-hyun, said the Food Week was aimed at promoting cultural exchange with Nigeria.

Choi said Korean cuisine gained popularity over the years for the wide use of natural and fresh ingredients, as well as promotion of a healthy lifestyle.

According to him, such cultural exchanges through food, music, among others, will further strengthen bilateral relations between both countries.

Nigeria and South Korea established diplomatic relations in the 1960s. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 22

Nigeria @ 52: Experts score Nigeria’s banking system high

B

y most accounts, Nigeria’s banking sector has experienced appreciable progress in spite of the challenges which the industry’s operators faced over the years.

Financial experts agree that the nation’s banking industry has experienced some growth in terms of business products and packages, while its volume of transactions with local and international corporate organisations and individuals has also experienced some growth.

Some of the experts, however, contend that the banking sector once encountered some harrowing times, due to the gross ineptitude of some regulatory agencies.

They particularly accuse the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of some negligence and lack of “corporate will” to fight some malpractices in the banking industry which contributed to most of the financial crises in 2008.

However, the former Director, Finance Houses Association of Nigeria (FHAN), Mr. Eddie Osarenkhoe says that the banking sector has witnessed some growth, internally and externally, due to some factors.

He particularly notes that the introduction of I n f o r m a t i o n C o m m u n i c a t i o n Technology (ICT) in the sector has dramatically improved the quality of banking services to customers “Service delivery has become better and faster; it is now easy for customers to transact businesses,’’ he adds Osarenkhoe stresses that the banking industry now has “a robust ICT platform’’ which enables customers to withdraw or send money from any part of the country.

The Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Muda Yusuf says that the on-going fiscal adjustments and reforms will enhance the operational standards of Nigerian banks, while enabling them to compete favourably with banks in Europe and America.

The chamber has proposed more budgetary roles for banks, as part of efforts to improve budget accountability and probity, particularly at the state and local government levels.

“Nigeria is a blessed nation. It is blessed with abundant human

CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi resources that have sustained banking integrity and can take the industry to the next level,’’ Yusuf says.

Mr. Akin Alowo, a banker, says that the banking industry has experienced a phenomenal growth, adding that the use of innovative technologies have made it possible for customers to withdraw or send money to faraway places without their physical presence in banking halls.

He says that the introduction of the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) has revolutionised banking operations, adding that it has reduced queues in the banking halls, while raising the banks’ capital market involvement and growth.

“We have moved from the manual bank trading system to a computerised one and this has brought about more investors to the market,’’ says Mrs. Joy Omenihu, a businesswoman.

Omenihu, nonetheless, insists that the banking sector still has a lot of opportunities for growth if the CBN, in its regulatory functions, could curb professional laxity in the industry.

A lecturer, Department of Financial Studies, Redeemer’s University, Mowe, Mr. Oluyombo Onafowokan says that in spite of any seeming constraints, the Nigerian banking system is still recognised as one of the strongest financial systems on the African continent.

He notes that the adoption of ICT by the banking industry has also made it possible for people to pay online for procured goods and services.

Onafowokan stresses that Nigerian banks are now stronger, with higher liquidity ratio, when compared to the ones in

the past.

He observes that ICT has created myriad opportunities for the banks, adding that the banks now operate online, while their customer-base has also considerably improved.

“ICT applications have made it possible to check for bank customers to their account balance online without going through unnecessary stress,’’ he adds.

Onafowokan, however, insists that there is a noticeable decrease in the level of public confidence in the capital market in spite of the fact the level of trading has improved.

He attributes the low level of investors’ confidence to the collapse of the capital market, which resulted from inconsistent policies.

All the same, Onafowokan claims that the banking industry has not done so well in the area of giving credit facilities for project financing.

He says that this has made the cost of doing business in Nigeria quite high, if compared to other countries.

Sharing similar sentiments, Dr. Kazeem Bello, a senior lecturer, Department of Economics, University of Ibadan, says that the banking sector had witnessed appreciable growth.

Bello believes that the banks’ recapitalisation activity, carried out under the aegis of the CBN, has dramatically increased the capital base of banks.

He says that the Federal Government’s epayment system has also impacted positively on the banking sector because it has boosted business transactions.

He, nonetheless, urges the CBN to check the increasing menace of fraud relating to ATM and epayment transactions to enable more people to embrace the banking schemes.

Bello notes that efforts to restore the people’s confidence in the banking industry have started to yield fruits.

All the same, many people in the rural areas feel alienated in terms of access to contemporary banking products and services packing.

This group of Nigerians wants banks to open more branches in the rural areas, while efforts should be made to enable them to have access to modern banking products and services just like those in the urban areas.

Source: NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

UN General Assembly: Jonathan, other African leaders voice range of concerns N

igeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan, on September 25, in New York, addressed the 67th General Assembly of the United Nations, saying the freedom of expression and religious tolerance should complement each other for the peaceful coexistence of people of different faiths and religious beliefs.

Jonathan, one of the first African leader to speak on the opening day, condemned the deliberate denigration of the religious beliefs of others, stressing that freedom of expression should never be construed as a license for actions that could lead to violence and disorder.

Speaking against the background of recent protests in Nigeria and other parts of the world over the publication on the internet of a video which denigrates Prophet Mohammed, the Nigerian leader, according to a statement by his Special Adviser of Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati said, “Events of recent weeks have demonstrated how interconnected our world is and the extent to which one incident can

President Goodluck Jonathan

spark off general mayhem and conflagration.

On her part, Malawi’s President Joyce Banda

Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh

called on the United Nations General Assembly to ensure that an ambitious programme adopted last

year to spur development and economic growth in the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs) be fully and speedily implemented.

“In particular, duty-free quota-free market access and supply side capacity must be ensured to the least developed countries,” President Banda told the Assembly on the second day of its annual General Debate, adding that implementation must be “in its entirety and in an effective and timely manner.”

The Istanbul Programme of Action, adopted at a UN summit in the Turkish city in May 2011, outlines a 10year plan to support the most vulnerable countries in efforts to overcome poverty, calling on the private sector to play a greater role in the fight, urging wealthy nations to step up aid commitments and demanding the elimination of many trade barriers.

The summit focused on ways to harness the potential of the 48

countries – many of them in sub-Saharan Africa – classified as LDCs so that they can lift themselves out of poverty and develop economically. Under the programme, affluent countries have committed to realize the target of spending 0.15 per cent to 0.20 per cent of their national incomes on official development assistance.

The plan also calls for the abolition or reduction of arbitrary or unjustified trade barriers, and the opening up of markets in wealthier countries to products from poorer nations.

President Banda also welcomed the outcome of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), held in Brazil in June, when countries renewed their political commitment to sustainable development, including the development of a strategy for sustainable development financing.

“Most least developed countries are facing the adverse effects of climate change, which is causing flooding, land degradation as well as drought,” she said.

“Implementation of these agreements is very crucial for our future.”

The Malawian leader joined other African countries in demanding an expansion of the 15member Security Council to include at least two permanent and five nonpermanent seats for the continent.

“Africa makes the single largest region within the United Nations and a very significant proportion of issues discussed in the Security Council concern the African continent,” she noted.

In his remarks to the General Debate, King Mswati III of Swaziland said full representation of all regions in the Council will ensure that “we all own the decisions of this important security organ.”

“We wish to reiterate the African position on the Security Council, that of having two seats in the permanent category and five seats in the nonpermanent category,” he

added. “We should all be given equal treatment. No region or country should impose its influence over others. We wish to see finality to this urgent matter since it has dragged on for a very long time now.”

Making a similar argument in his remarks to the gathering, Mali’s Prime Minister Mohamed Abdoulaye Dit Modibo Diarra noted the current

“imbalance” affecting Africa on the issue.

He also said that only the deployment of forces from the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), under UN authorization, would succeed in recovering northern Mali from Islamic militants who seized control there earlier this year, imposing strict Sharia law, including

“

Most least developed countries are facing the adverse effects of climate change, which is causing flooding, land degradation as well as drought,” she said. “Implementation of these agreements is very crucial for our future

amputation of limbs as punishment, and leading to the flight of 350,000 people, both internally and as refugees to neighbouring countries.

In his statement to the Assembly, Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh, calling for Africa’s full representation on the Council, criticized the current structure as a stumbling block to urgent action in crisis flashpoints such as northern Mali, Syria and Guinea-Bissau.

“The paralysis displayed by our common security mechanisms is astounding,” he said.

“Geopolitical interests have trampled the goodwill and humanitarian concerns that should compel us all to address these raging infernos, be it in the Middle East, Asia or Africa.”

“Our collective security will continue to be undermined by geo-political considerations unless and until we find the courage to

Malawi’s President, Joyce Banda

Ivorian President, Alassane Ouattara

reform the Security Council,” President Jammeh continued.

“Ongoing conflicts in Mali, Guinea-Bissau and Syria are recent cases in point.

The Security Council should not be the stumbling block in the settlement of disputes by peaceful or other means.”

The Gambian leader also called for full implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action, warning that it “must not be written in the language of broken promises, unfulfilled commitments and weak resource mobilization.”

Addressing the General Debate, Foreign Minister Mohamed Bazoum of Niger joined Mali in calling for a Security Council resolution authorizing ECOWAS military action in northern Mali. Action “must be immediate without any delay because it is well

known that battle is deferred to one’s own detriment,” he said.

“Consequently the international community, in particular the Security Council must with out delay take charge of the Mali crisis in order to restore a united, democratic and secular Mali,” he said.

Côte d’Ivoire’s Foreign Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan, in his remarks to the General Debate, echoed the concerns of his colleagues, calling on the Council to endorse an ECOWAS force in northern Mali. “The presence of movements linked to terrorist groups in northern Mali constitutes a veritable threat that can entail, if nothing is done, the implosion of the whole West African and Sahel region.”

In his statement to the Assembly, the Central African Republic’s Foreign Minister, Antoine Gambi,

stressed that an expansion of the Security Council and a revitalization of the General Assembly would fulfil the legitimate aspirations of developing countries and of Africa in particular.

Such changes would increase the UN’s “authority and its effectiveness, reinforce its capacity to confront new threats and new challenges and allow it to better assume the mission entrusted to it by its Charter.”

The African leaders and officials were among scores of heads of state and government and other highlevel officials presenting their views and comments on issues of individual national and international relevance at the Assembly’s General Debate, which ended on October (Source: Pambazuka News)

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

EMERGENCY UPDATE

Ministry donates medical items to Kogi flood victims

T

he Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health, has donated drugs and medical equipment worth millions of naira to Kogi State Government to address medical needs of the flood victims.

The Deputy Director, Health Emergency Response and Disaster Management, the Federal Ministry of Health, John Kehinde, who presented the items to Governor Idris Wada of the state governor in Lokoja, informed that the items were donated to address the immediate health needs of the flood victims.

Kehinde said that, Kogi remained the worst hit among the 20 states that were affected by the flood disaster because it was home to the confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue.

The items donated include 60 litres of methylated spirit, a thousand pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), 3,000 household water filters, 140 cartons of Ringer Lactate and 19 cartons of Darrows’ Solution.

Receiving the items, Wada thanked the Federal Government for the medical items and other relief materials donated to the state.

The governor said that the state government would soon allocate alternative plots of land to victims of the flood to enable them to build new houses in locations far away from river banks and waterways.

“We will do everything we can to give them alternative plots to build new houses but we will enforce extant environmental and town-planning laws.

“When we give them alternative plots, we will also assist them to build their new houses as but we need their understanding and cooperation.

“Now, we are back to the drawing board, planning ahead so that such a thing will never happen to us again. In the future, we will be better prepared with good planning strategies and strict enforcement of regulations.”

Besides, Wada said that the state government planned to invest in water transportation in collaboration with the private sector so as to provide alternative means of transportation for the people.

The federal government pledged that 10,000 anti-malaria drugs and 500 insecticide-treated bed nets would also be delivered to the state.

NEMA camps over 10,000 displaced flood victims in Kogi, Benue

By Moahammed Kandi, with agency report

N

ational Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said it has deployed relief materials to the camps where over 10,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) from Kogi and Benue states are currently taking refuge after they were force-out of their communities and homes.

A technical team from the agency comprising officials and critical stakeholders in disaster management visited areas devastated by the massive floods along the banks of Rivers Benue and Niger and their tributaries in Benue and Kogi States at the weekend to assess the damage and identify suitable intervention required to address the problem.

The team reported that most of the affected areas remained flooded at the weekend, with most of the displaced persons resorting to taking shelter in four camps each in Benue and Kogi States, while many others are also taking cover with their relatives in neigbhouring communities.

According to NEMA, the flood in Benue affected the communities in Makurdi along the river belt, while about nine local government areas were affected in Kogi State, with Ibaji Local Government Area almost completely submerged.

“The inhabitants are now taking refuge in the neighbouring communities,” Yushau Shuaib, Head, Public Relations, NEMA, said on Sunday.

He identified the other local governments areas affected as Bassa, Ofu, Kogi, Omala, Ajaokuta, Ankpa, Igalamela and Lokoja, where choice property, including hotels, residential buildings, government offices and fishing communities along the confluence of Rivers Benue and Niger were also virtually

NEMA D-G, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi submerged.

NEMA’s Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Charles Agbo, during a meeting with Kogi State governor, Wada Idris, to brief him on the situation in his domain, warned of prolonged flooding as more water would still be released from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon and Kainji Dam with the intensifying rains.

He also urged the state government to enforce the standard regulation on urban planning and development as well as permanently relocate communities in the flood plains to safer locations.

“Even after the flood, most of the submerged houses may become too weak and no longer be safe for habitation, in addition to the potential health hazards from the disaster,” he warned.

“Therefore, the states governments must to rise up to

their responsibilities to the affected communities as the Federal Government, through NEMA, would provide necessary support the displaced persons.”

The governor expressed concern of the Federal Government towards the flood situation and requested support to reinforce the efforts by the state government to assist the displaced persons, while urging NEMA and other relevant organizations to identify measures to mitigate future occurrence of the flood.

Major economic activities along the Abuja-Lokoja road have been paralyzed since last Friday, as the flood has cut off the route.

Though temporary diversions have created to ease gridlock along the route, traffic officials and emergency workers are having hectic moments in controlling stranded motorists.

YOUTHS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY

By Abubakar Jimoh abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Escaping structural fire mishaps

S

tructure fire constitutes one of the common deadliest disasters in Nigerian homes, resulting to unpleasant socio-economic lost to individual, businesses and community across the country annually.

Unlike room content fire incidents; this type of fire accident usually involves the structural component of various residential buildings ranging from singlefamily detached homes and townhouses to apartments and tower blocks, or various commercial buildings such as offices to shopping malls.

Meanwhile, the analysis of the United States Civil Engineering School has showed that there are five groups of building constructed throughout the world; and it is very important for both individuals and other stakeholders in fire services to understand these if they want to come successful in extinguishing structural fire accidents in their domains.

Among the categories of structure widely built is fireresistive, comprising the structure inherently able to withstand significant exposure to fire; noncombustible, used in strip shopping center malls with roofs constructed out of steel rafters; ordinary, constructed from brick and mortar walls; heavy-timber, used in churches or other communitybased buildings; and mostly combustible known as wood-frame.

Proactive measures to be taken during a fire mishap remains imperative. This is because past records have shown that individuals barely exercise adequate care when attacked by fire in their homes. It has also been reported that negligence on the part of the people has reinforced the damage pose by fire disaster.

Consequently, seeing the solutions to structural fire mishaps from the joint effort of individuals, governments and stakeholders would be a welcome development.

However, knowledge-based building construction as well as adequate training and retraining programmes for residents can assist the fire officer in their size-up and make the firefighting actions of locating, confining and extinguishing a structure fire more effective. For instance, any response to fire mishaps in the advanced economies by the government, individuals or stakeholders is exercised ultimately in accordance with the above categorized global types of building.

In order to ensure effective personal protection, it is important to understand the fundamental physiognomies of fire. Fire spreads quickly leaving no time to gather valuables or make a phone call. In the first two minutes, fire can become life-threatening; and a residence can be engulfed in flames in the next five minutes. The heat and smoke from fire are more dangerous than the flames which can sear human lungs when inhaled.

The poisonous gases produces by burning fire can make you

disoriented and sleepy. In this case, instead of being awakened by a fire, you may fall into a deeper sleep.

Avoid being suffocated as it is the leading cause of fire deaths, excessive burns by a three-to-one ratio.

Meanwhile, past experiences have showed that the major tremors of fire disasters do not last longer than a minute. In this circumstance, you must avoid being panic and remain function calmly. As the occurrence of fire accident does not spread immediately, stay wherever you are and observe critically before taking a step to avoid being injured.

After this, effort should be made to turn off all the sources of fire like gas, air system including the plug of the electronic appliances.

Air ducts of a central air conditioning system penetrate every fire barrier must be immediately shut down to avoid fire penetration through the walls, floors, partitions and ceilings. For instance, the fire calamity in a Nevada hotel has claimed no fewer than 85 people because the central air conditioning system pumped deadly smoke throughout the burning building.

The burning fire may firstly generate a heavy smoke and poisonous gases along the ceiling, so crawl low under any smoke to your exit if you must escape through the smoke. Respond very fast to smoke alarm sounds as you may have few seconds to escape safely. Use the alternative way out if there is smoke blocking your first exit point. If you live in a building with elevators, use the stairs. Leave all your belongings where they are and struggle for personal protection.

Also, before opening a door, it is important to feel the doorknob and door with the back of your hand. If either is hot, leave the door closed and use your second exit. If there is smoke coming around the door, leave the door closed and take the other way out. Open a door slowly and be ready to shut it quickly incase heavy smoke or fire is present. If you cannot render or access possible support around you to someone needing assistance, it is saver to leave the home and quickly call the fire department to come in your aid.

It may be impossible to leave the building, make sure you close the door and cover vents and cracks around doors with cloth or tape to keep smoke out. Say where you are and signal for help at the window with a light-colored cloth or a flashlight.

Finally, if your cloth catches fire, stop immediately, drop to the ground, and cover your face with your hands. Roll over and over or back and forth until the fire is out.

If you or someone else cannot stop, drops, and roll, smother the flames with a blanket or towel.

Afterwards use cool water to treat the burn immediately for 3 to 5 minutes. When searching for hidden fire, firefighters must open walls, ceilings, floor above, baseboards, to find hidden fire and extinguish it.

PAGE 26

Edo begins distribution of relief materials to flood victims

T

he Edo State Government has started the distribution of relief materials to victims of the flood disaster in the state, Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said.

This is contained in a statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ralph Okhiria, in Benin recently, saying the Governor made this known after inspecting the affected areas.

According to the statement, more than 30 communities of three local government areas Etsako Central, Etsako East and Esan South East - are affected.

It added that Oshiomhole said the immediate release of funds would take care of the urgent needs of the victims.

It also stated that the distribution relief materials were being coordinated by the Chairman of the Relief Committee, Hajia Maimuna Momodu, in conjunction with the State Emergency Relief Agency.

The statement said the government would take adequate measure to ensure effective monitoring for even distribution of the materials to the victims.

While listing the relief materials distributed to include mattresses, blankets, clothing, various food items, toiletries, beverages and drugs, it stated the governor appealed to the Federal Government to come to the aid of the victims.

...as Kogi govt. plans to distribute mobile toilets in flood victim camps

K

ogi Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, has said that the State Government will acquire and distribute mobile toilets for the use of the 12, 000 displaced persons in the state.

In a press statement issues in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, Mr. Michael Abu, his Press Secretary disclosed that the state was worried about the possibilities of an outbreak of epidemics in the flood victims’ camps.

The statement stated that the state Ministry of Health had been empowered to prevent the outbreak of epidemics in the state, added that the mobile toilets was part of measures to keep the camp clean from diseases, noting that, “If we put necessary measures in place, we are sure of preventing any epidemic outbreak,” it stated.

It expressed the commitment of the State Government toward tackling the effects of devastation caused by the floods in the state.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

More flood coming, Wada alerts Kogi residents

G

overnor Idris Wada of Kogi State has advised the people of the state to be at alert as the flood will continue for a long time.

Wada gave the advice in Lokoja while receiving relief materials donated to the state by Partners for Development and Baby Hanatu Foundation.

He said that the brief he just received from experts on the

flood disaster was categorical that the state would witness more floods.

Wada said that the government would do its best to mitigate the effects of the disaster on the people living in the affected 332 communities spread across the nine local government areas of the state.

The governor, who had earlier met with officials of

NEMA to get a situation report on the flooding, thanked the donors for their support and assistance, assuring them that the materials would reach the victims.

He also appealed to wellmeaning individuals and groups to rally round the victims who urgently required the support and assistance of everybody to start life again.

Mr. Tony Amegho, who spoke on behalf of the donors, said the materials represented the first in the series of assistance that would be coming to the victims. He appealed to the victims to make judicious use of the materials.

Amegho listed the materials donated to include a power generating plant, drugs, cloths, mats, detergents, and food items.

(NAN)

Some of the displaced victims taking refuge at Kabawa Primary School camp, Lokoja

Flood kills 7 in Jigawa

N

o fewer than seven persons were killed, while 12 others were injured in floods that ravaged some communities in Kafin-Hausa Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

Alhaji Ahmad Zango, the Deputy Chairman of the local government, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kafin-Hausa that 700 houses and many hectares of farmland were also destroyed by the flood.

Zango, who disclosed that the casualties were recorded at various collapsed buildings in the communities, added that “Dozens

of residential homes were destroyed by flood which killed seven persons and injured 12 others.”

“Farm produce, such as rice, maize, millet, sesame seeds and beans, were also destroyed,” Zango added.

He said that the council had bought four canoes to rescue displaced families in some communities cut off by the flood, adding that most of the victims were taking shelter with their relatives.

Meanwhile, Auyo Local Government in Jigawa has distributed 75,000 sacks to 40 communities to enable them to

construct embankments and control flooding.

The Chairman, Alhaji Dangina Muhammad, told NAN on Tuesday in Auyo that more than 80 per cent of farmland in the area had been ravaged by flood. Muhammad said that embankments constructed by the villagers had assisted in controlling the flood.

NAN recalls that the Jigawa Government had said that 11 persons were killed, while more than 400, 000 hectares of farmland and 360,000 houses were destroyed by flood in 18 local government areas of the state.

(NAN)

...Environmentalist advocates for survey of Owerri metropolis

A

n Environmentalist, Mr Victor Anuenyiagu, has called for a topographic survey of Owerri metropolis to check flooding in the area.

Anueyiagu, the Head of Department, Environmental Engineering and Ecology, Ministry of Petroleum and Environment in Imo, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Owerri, the Imo state capital.

He said that the survey would provide baseline information that would guide developers. He advised the people to seek professional advice before embarking on the construction of

any building.

According to him, flooding and erosion constitute a challenge to the state and the nation at large, adding that the situation required preventive measures to address them.

Anuenyiagu said the state government was doing its best to ensure that major drains were opened up to allow free flow of flood water.

He, therefore, urged the people not to engage in indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

The environmentalist attributed the heavy flooding in the state to climate change and indiscriminate erection of structures by

landowners.

“The issue of climate change has resulted in uncontrolled rainfall, making flood-prone areas a danger zone. Areas that are supposed to be natural flood basins have equally been occupied.

Anuenyiagu said that the state had been able to attract the attention of the Federal Government and donor agencies to some flood-prone areas.

He said that with the Federal Government’s assistance, a pilot stage of Flood Early Warning Based Signal (FEWBS) had been mounted at a nearby river, adding that it would be replicated in other communities. (NAN)

Govt. conducts census of flood victims in Calabar

T

he Cross River State Government has taken an inventory of victims of the flood disaster in Boki Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several communities in the area were ravaged by flood and mudslide from Afi Mountain on July 14 after four days of persistent rain.

Mrs Patricia Endeley, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Community Development, told NAN in Calabar that the registration of the affected victims in Boki took place from September 25th to 28th in the affected communities.

Meanwhile, the state government has approved the constitution of the State Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO).

According to Mr Michael Aniah, the Secretary to the State Government, the committee has Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong, a Geologist as Chairman.

He said that members of the committee included Mr Effiong Bassey, Mr James Aniyom, Mr Eyo Oku, Dr Sandy Onor, a historian, a representative of the Federal Ministry of Environment and a mines officer in the state as manager. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

T

he Anambra State Government has launched flood, erosion control and water conservation technical guidelines to reduce its vulnerability to environmental and ecological disasters.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Awka, the Anambra state capital recently, Governor Peter Obi said his administration was partnering with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) on the implementation of the document.

Obi explained that the policy document was aimed at providing information on flood management, techniques and measures to protect the environment from devastation.

He urged members of the public to be alert and conscious of the official warning of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on the threat of flooding.

The flooding, he noted, was already manifesting in some council areas in the state, including Ogbaru, Anambra East and Anambra West, stressing that

PAGE 27

Anambra launches ecological conservation document communities should take precaution and measures while soliciting for external intervention.

Governor Obi also announced the cancellation of all bids for school projects in various communities,

and emphasised that, contracts for school and primary health centre projects in any community would be executed by people from the communities involved.

According to him, this will

enable the government to hold people of the community responsible if anything went wrong.

Explaining further, Prof.

Chinyere Okunna, the Chairman

of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Implementation Committee, said the decision on contracts would encourage communities to take ownership of projects. (NAN)

Environmental challenges: Expert blames citizens’ negligence

P

rof. Effiong Utah of the University of Uyo has blamed the environmental challenges in Nigerians on negligence on the part of citizens and government agencies.

Speaking to journalists in Uyo recently, Utah said that the relevant government agencies were not proactive in their response to environmental disaster.

He said that even though NIMET had raised appropriate alarm on the current flood ravaging many communities in Nigeria, most agencies responsible for relief were not proactive.

“Most environmental challenges are due to negligence by the citizens, we have gutters which are filled up and we do not give water its ways when it rains,” Utah said.

He lauded the effort of Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom for providing underground drainage in Uyo. Commenting on the conference on applied science and technology organised by the Faculty of Science of the university, Utah said that 150 research abstracts had been collected for publication.

The theme of the conference is “Global Climate Change: Scientific and Technological Options.”

Utah said the conference featured presentation of scientific papers on environmental pollution and sustainability, flood and storm management.

He said the conference had raised awareness on global climate change and also proffered solutions to numerous environmental challenges in Nigeria and the world. (NAN)

Oil spill: Community expresses concern over delayed clean up

R

esidents of Ibeno community in Akwa Ibom State have expressed concern over the suspension of the cleanup of the Atlantic Coastline contaminated by an oil spill on August.

The Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) had reported an oil spill at the Qua Iboe fields to the oil spill agency, claiming that the source of the spill was unknown.

The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) had directed the company to clean up the coastline within its oil fields.

Although, the firm started the cleanup of the shoreline on Aug. 19, it, however, suspended the exercise after three weeks.

Chief Effiong Archianga, the Paramount Ruler of Ibeno, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the community was apprehensive over the suspension of the clean up exercise.

“I have asked community leaders in the affected places to find out the cause of the delay which has run into weeks now.

They are yet to brief me; but I can say that the development is causing a lot of anxiety,” Archianga said.

He noted that prolonged exposure of the spill deposits was injurious to the health of the people of the community and their fishing vocation.

Also reacting, Chief William Mkpa, a community

representative, said that the suspension of the clean up negated the environmental safety laws.

“What Mobil did by abandoning the exercise, against the directive of the oil industry regulators, is unacceptable to the community.

“We, therefore, urge them (MPN) to resume the clean up and remediation of the impact caused by the spill on this community.”

However, Mr Nigel CookeyGam, the Communications Manager of MPN said that the clean up would soon resume.

“Contractors have been engaged, and they will deploy personnel to the area soonest,” he said. (NAN)

Dioxin emission: FG enlightens farmers in Kano

T

he Federal Government has started the training of farmers in Kano State to minimise the amount of dioxin emission into the atmosphere from open burning sources.

Alhaji Mohamed Maleh, the project manager of Less Burnt for Clean Earth, a project of the Federal Ministry of Environment, announced this at a training workshop for farmers in the state.

The dioxins are by-products of various industrial processes and are commonly regarded as

highly toxic compounds that are environmental pollutants.

NAN reports that the threeday training workshop on alternative approach to open burning of agricultural residue/ waste was organised by the ministry in collaboration with UNDP and Global Environment Facility.

Maleh said that the new method became necessary because of the adverse effect of open burning of farm waste materials on human health.

He, therefore, urged the

farmers to desist from traditional ways of burning waste, stressing that the practice was inimical to human health.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Hajiya Baraka Sani, said the State Government would continue to sensitise farmers on importance of agricultural residues.

Sani also said that the government had established state farmers radio station to educate farmers in the state on new methods of farming. (NAN)

Fire outbreaks: Kebbi records drastic reduction

T

he Director of the Kebbi State Fire Service Department, Alhaji Bello Zagga, has said that the agency had recorded a major drop in fire disasters in the state.

Zagga, who made this in Birnin Kebbi, said that the feat was achieved through intensified enlightenment campaigns involving the people.

According to him, the enlightenment campaigns involved stakeholders in all the Local Government Areas of the state.

He said that 132 fire incidents were recorded in the state last year but that in the past 10 months, only 87 cases were recorded.

“The department identified sub-standard electrical cables and fittings, over-loading of electrical gadgets and non adherence to safety regulations as major reasons for fire outbreaks,” he said.

He said the department would establish five additional offices in Badariya,Gesse,Tudun Wada and Aliero Housing Estates in the city to ensure prompt response to fire outbreaks.

“The Local Government offices would be made operational soon,” he said, noting that 200 additional personnel were required to boost the operations of the company.

The director commended Gov. Saidu Dakingari for providing nine fire-fighting vans and essential chemicals for the agency.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOER 4, 2012

Alhaji Zakari Abdulrauf is the Managing Director of NUSRA Travels and Tour Limited that is deeply involved in Hajj and Umrah operations. In this interview with Adeola Tukuru in Abuja, the tour operator said last week’s deportation of Nigeria’s female pilgrims from Saudi Arabia was neither meant to embarrass this country nor did it mark a deterioration in relations between the two countries.

Rather it was a case of a failure to comply with a standing hajj regulation.

Excerpts:

PAGE 29

‘Law-abiding Nigerian pilgrims are safe in the Holy land’

T

he Saudis’ deportation of female Nigerian pilgrims, some say, signalled a diplomatic row between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Do you share that view?

It could be an embarrassment but it was not intentional on the part of the Saudi Government because the regulation has been there over a long period of years; it says that a female pilgrim can’t enter the holy land without a Muharam (a male companion).

If before now the ordered was not implemented it was an oversight.

Those the affected pilgrims’ case must accept responsibility for what eventually happened.

Otherwise, there is no diplomatic misunderstanding between the Nigerian government and the Saudi authorities.

What is Muharam and how did it come about?

Muharam means that any female pilgrim is forbidden from having sexual intercourse with any man other than her legitimate husband, in case the legitimate husband is not around.

Muharam came about to discourage fornication in the holy land, but there are some exceptions for women above 65 years of age.

What is your advice for pilgrims remaining in the holy land?

My advice to the state pilgrims’ boards’ coordinator is for them abide strictly by the orders of the Saudi government.

And as for our pilgrims, they should not exercise any fear if they conduct themselves well, I mean, according to Saudi laws.

There will be nothing to fear.

Was it a sudden decision or one that was pre-planned?

There was nothing sudden about the decision to implement the law to the letter; it is a standard rule that female pilgrims must be accompanied by male guardians. However, it is flexible, meaning the Saudi authorities could decide to ask women to fall into a different queue at the point of entry onto Saudi territory. However, this not be an excuse for airlines to bring to the holy land women

Some intending pilgrims to the Holy land pilgrims unaccompanied by male guardians as the rule says.

This could raise the suspicion if Saudi immigration authorities.

That was exactly what happened; the Saudi authorities will never compromise their rules.

Who should be blamed for this embarrassment?

The states’ pilgrim operations officers and the airlines should be blamed and they should accept their fault and must make amends in subsequent Hajj operations.

Are the airlines aware of this rule?

Yes, all the airlines are aware of this rule and they should take the blame; also they must take steps to ensure that this does not happen again; they must ensure compliance with the laws of Saudi Arabia as far as Hajj is concerned.

They should know that there penalties for infractions.

What are these penalties?

It is a general rule that for an inadmissible passenger, the airlines bear the cost to the tune of $3,000 for every inadmissible passenger.

Alhaji Zakari Abdulrauf

“

My advice to the state pilgrims’ boards’ coordinator is for them abide strictly by the orders of the Saudi government. And as for our pilgrims, they should not exercise any fear if they conduct themselves well, I mean, according to Saudi laws. There will be nothing to fear

The National Hajj Commission, which is the regulatory body, classifies pilgrims into two international and statesponsored. The latest incident happened to state-sponsored pilgrims; what is the fate that awaits international pilgrims?

We, International tour operators, have the backgrounds of the aviation industry, the passengers and the general tourism industry.

It is mandatory for us to study the rules at both ends; in particular, we abide by the rules and also we

use mostly international airlines and carriers; so enough precaution has been taken to ensure hitch free Hajj operations.

Is it the services you offer that make your costs higher than what the Hajj commission charges?

No, not really; we have different kinds of services and the passengers dictate the kind of service they want; they also pay for what they demand. The difference between us and the state pilgrims boards is that they have only one regular service and with this one regular service they still enjoy subsidy from the government; they enjoy all reductions and they buy foreign exchange (forex)at the CBN rates, while we go to the parallel (black) market.

We are aware that the Saudi government prefers tour operators to the state pilgrims’ boards to handle pilgrimage matters? Why is this so?

Yes, this is so because the regulations they have on tour operation make them feel more comfortable with operators than the state pilgrims’ boards that they can’t control.

What are these regulations that make the Saudi authorities more comfortable with tour operators?

The thing is that we have different kinds of international bank guarantees; before we are allowed to participate in Umrah and Hajj operations ,they must have all our data in their systems in the Ministry of Hajji in Saudi Arbia, in case of any problem .That is why we have been extremely careful with the types of pilgrims we handle since we know that our licenses and guarantees are at stake.

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2012

B

ig outside political groups armed with an unprecedented river of money had appeared poised to be pivotal players in the 2012 elections.

So far, these super PACs are looking less than super.

Freed of any constraints on the size of donations, political action committees have since April poured more than $250 million into the presidential and select congressional races—more than what the two 1996 presidential candidates spent in total on their campaigns, records show.

But signs are few that super PACs have had the major impact that both supporters and critics predicted. The flood of spending doesn’t appear to have significantly influenced voter opinion in key states in the presidential contest or in top congressional races.

On the presidential front, conservative outside groups backing Republican candidates say they already have played their most significant role, and that their influence will fade as the candidates themselves present their closing arguments to voters.

“We believe we have kept a

Super PAC influence falls short of aims number of races competitive and put important issues on the table.

But at this stage of the game, we are no longer the market leader,” said Steven Law, who directs two of the biggest right-leaning outside groups, American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS. Those two groups, along with Republican allies, including Americans for Prosperity and Restore our Future, have spent nearly $18 million on largely negative TV spots trying to put Pennsylvania and Michigan into play for GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney. The Romney campaign has spent $1,000 in Pennsylvania and nothing in Michigan.

Still, President Barack Obama leads in Pennsylvania by nearly 10 percentage points and in Michigan

Dollar bills and coins. by eight. The largest pro-Obama super PAC, Priorities USA, spent about $3.2 million in those states— $3 million went to Pennsylvania,

where the Obama campaign spent another $5 million on media buys that included negative ads.

In North Carolina, which the

GOP believed it could retake easily after losing to Mr. Obama by a sliver in 2008, conservative super PACs have spent $23 million trying to put the state beyond Mr. Obama’s reach. But Mr. Obama lags by less than two percentage points in aggregated polling, within the margin of error.

Through the end of August, the Romney campaign and its allies had committed to ads worth a total of nearly $34 million in the state, compared with nearly $23 million by the Obama campaign.

Mr. Obama has relied overwhelmingly on his own campaign coffers with limited help from outside groups. Mr. Obama and his allies have outspent the Romney campaign and its super PAC backers in many battleground states.

Polls: Swing-State voters trust Obama more to address medicare

M

ore believe Obama and Biden have put forth Medicare plan than Romney and Ryan.

Voters in 12 key election swing states trust President Barack Obama over challenger Mitt Romney to address issues facing the Medicare system, 50% to 44%. Obama holds a slightly larger advantage on this issue among voters nationally.

The results are based on the Sept.

11-17, 2012, USA Today/Gallup Swing States poll. Interviewing was completed before the intensive news coverage of the video recording of Mitt Romney’s “47%” comments, and so does not measure any possible impact of those statements. The swing-state survey includes voters in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Voters More Likely to Believe Obama Has a Plan, but Divided on Impact of Potential Changes Swing-state voters are slightly more likely to believe Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have put forth a plan on Medicare (51%) than to believe that Romney and GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan have (44%), although Ryan authored a budget passed by the House of Representatives that included significant changes to the Medicare program. Ryan’s budget was never passed by the Senate, and its lack of legislative success may partly explain this awareness gap. On the other hand, Obama signed into law the highly visible Affordable Care Act in 2010, and it’s possible some voters are referring to this piece of legislation when thinking about Obama’s plan for Medicare.

Swing-state voters are not particularly optimistic, though, that either ticket will have a positive impact on Medicare. A third of voters say each would strengthen Medicare, another third say each would weaken it, and a similar percentage say each candidate’s changes to Medicare would not make much difference.

By 53% to 44%, swing-state voters are more pessimistic than optimistic that Medicare will be able to provide health insurance to all Americans over

the age of 65 in 20 years. Voters nationwide feel similarly, with 55% pessimistic and 43% optimistic.

Interestingly, it is young adults within the swing states who are most optimistic about Medicare’s ability to provide benefits 20 years in the future.

Older Americans are much more likely to doubt the program’s long-term viability.

Implications: Finding ways to strengthen the Medicare program is an important issue for a significant portion of Americans. A July USA Today/Gallup poll found that 85% of Americans believe ensuring the long-term stability of Social Security and Medicare should be an extremely or very important priority for the next president. The candidate who can best convince voters that he will be able to secure Medicare’s future may have a distinct advantage in what remains a close election.

By selecting Ryan as his running mate, Romney may have hoped to capitalize on Americans’ concerns about Medicare by signaling that he supports a specific approach to addressing the program’s long-term stability. However, it appears that Romney’s campaign has more work to do to communicate Ryan’s Medicare credentials to voters. Swing-state voters are more likely to believe Obama and Biden have a plan to fix Medicare than to credit Romney and Ryan with this, and they are no more likely to say Romney will strengthen Medicare.

Results are based on telephone interviews conducted Sept. 11-17, 2012, on the Gallup Daily tracking survey, with a random sample of 1,216 adults, aged 18 and older, living in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin, selected using randomdigit dial sampling. The data represent a subset of Gallup’s national daily tracking survey for Sept. 11-17.

For results based on the total sample of “swing state” residents, one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum margin of error is ±4 percentage points.

For results based on the total sample of 1,096 registered voters in battleground states, one can say with 95% confidence that the margin of error is ±4 percentage points.

Comparison results from the national sample are based on telephone interviews conducted Sept. 16-17, 2012, on the Gallup Daily tracking survey, with a random sample of 1,066 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, selected using random-digit dial sampling.

For results based on the total sample of national adults, one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum margin of error is ±4 percentage points.

For results based on the total sample of 954 national registered voters, one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum margin of error is ±4 percentage points.

George Soros

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 31

Is Iran’s halal internet possible?

ANALYSIS

By Jillian C. York

F

or months, against the backdrop of the media focus on Iran's nuclear ambitions and the potential Western response, another story about the Islamic Republic's ambitions has been gaining ground: that story is about the Iranian government's attempt to create its own "halal" internet, cut off from the outside world.

Iran's intent, it would seem, is to create an internet where Iranians are "safe" from the pornography, hate speech and cultural influence that the World Wide Web provides, whilst still allowing for intranational communications, shopping and business to prevail. Recent reports that the government had blocked access to Gmail and Google Search possibly in protest of the company's decision to refuse to censor the anti-Muslim video that made waves in the US or possibly just yet another move in a series of restrictions further confirmed the regime's intent.

But nearly as quickly as Gmail was blocked, reported the AP, the government faced a backlash from citizens who, after years of access to the popular e-mail product, were angry that they could no longer access their communications.

And as Reuters reported, some of the complaints came from Iranian Parliamentarians. In what may seem like a surprising move, Iran responded by unblocking the service.

The move may not surprise more attentive observers, however; though it is uncommon for a government to back down on censorship, there is precedent: In 2010, when Tunisia's government blocked Facebook, they were quickly forced into submission by street protests. And earlier this year, the Palestinian Authority was shamed into reversing a ban on a handful of opposition sites.

This phenomenon has been explained by Ethan Zuckerman's Cute Cat Theory of Internet Censorship which, in part, posits that when the tools of our everyday lives become collateral damage in governmental efforts to block speech, citizens take notice.

The theory can also explain why Americans and Europeans were riled up over the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), why Pakistanis started a mass protest against the blocking of Blogspot back in 2007, and why, today, Iranians - by and large a conservative populace - are up in arms over their country's latest censorship efforts.

Saudi Arabia installed a sophisticated keyword filtering system instead Technically, it would be rather difficult for Iran to fully cut itself off without immediately crashing its own economy. And even if the government managed to deny access to citizens, certain sectors banking, international business - would still surely retain access.

Still, it's unclear whether the plan can succeed. As described by Ars Technica, the government intends to implement an "insular nationwide intranet" isolated from the global internet and heavily regulated by the government. If successful, Iran will have accomplished something few other nations could: full control over its citizens' modern communications.

Though access rates vary widely from country to country, few countries restrict their entire populace from the internet. Cuba, which has nonetheless begun to loosen its own restrictions in recent years, is one example, while North Korea appears to deny

access to all but small selection of high-ranking citizens.

China - certainly the most restrictive high-access country, with more than 500 million users - has succeeded in cutting out most of the world's internet in large part because it has allowed the creation of heavily censored local copycats of popular sites such as Twitter and YouTube, thus quelling much of the need for the "originals" (and yet, there are still a reported 63.5 million Chinese Facebook users). As an interpretation of the theory might go, if a population can access their cute cats, protested for more will be muted.

But Iran is not China. Not only is the country's tech sector far less sophisticated - as Ars Technica has also reported, the "halal" internet would be reliant about Chinese tech firms like Huawei and ZTE - but, Iranians have developed a taste for the global internet. Despite an official ban on the site, Facebook is widely used (through the use of proxies and VPNs, which a reported half of

“

Iran's population uses) and Twitter is increasing in popularity. Any attempt to block the social networks Iranians have become accustomed to would surely result in an uproar.

So what is a government to do? Iran may express a desire to "cleanse" the internet of obscene content, but based on its track record, obscenity is just a mask to cover the government's real desire: to stifle dissent and prevent i n t e r n a t i o n a l communication. And while a majority of citizens may not take issue with the censorship of lascivious content, the latter concepts should be treated as non-negotiable human rights.

If Iran were to insist on censoring obscenity, it could take different measures - like those employed by Saudi Arabia, which installed a sophisticated keyword filtering system. Though the kingdom's restrictions are severe and infringe on freedom of expression, its filtering system is at least more

The move may not surprise more attentive observers, however; though it is uncommon for a government to back down on censorship, there is precedent: In 2010, when Tunisia's government blocked Facebook, they were quickly forced into submission by street protests.

transparent than Iran's.

Or better yet, it would offer free home-filtering software free of charge to every family, as Jordan's Ministry of Information and Communications Technology recently did. Instead, the government seeks to tear its citizens away not only from the global internet, but from communicating with their families and friends abroad.

Such a move will be damaging not only to citizens, but to the country's economy, unsustainable without global connectivity. Those with doubts need only look to Egypt: When that country cut off access to the internet in January 2011, the economy lost an estimated $18 million each day.

Iran is not, of course, the only country cracking down on the internet. From West to East, dozens of nations have found some reason or another to implement new restrictions. In the United States and Europe, it's copyright. In India, the world's largest democracy, the impetus is religious insults. Across Southeast Asia, the justifications vary, but, as in most of the world, the underlying reasoning appears to have more to do with controlling a nation's populace than with excuses given on the surface.

Will Iran succeed in sequestering itself from the online world? For a time, perhaps. But as most authoritarian leaders eventually learn, there are red lines - some which may not seem so apparent at first - that the population won't let them cross. For Iranians, access to the internet may be that line.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 32

Malawi halts talks with Tanzania on border dispute M

The President of Malawi Joyce Banda

alawi has cut off dialogue with Tanzania in a long-time territorial dispute concerning Lake Malawi, thought to sit over highly coveted oil and gas reserves.

Malawi claims sovereignty over the entirety of Africa's third largest lake, while Tanzania says 50 percent is part of its territory.

The row, which goes back half a century, could worsen if significant oil and gas discoveries are made.

Malawian President Joyce Banda said late on Tuesday she believed Tanzania had raised tension by moves such as alleged intimidation of Malawian fishermen on the lake, which also borders on Mozambique.

"I was of the view that the matter is being resolved through dialogue but now it looks bigger than I thought. While in New York, I wrote them (Tanzania) telling them that there is no point going on with the dialogue," Banda told a news conference in Lilongwe.

Tanzanian foreign ministry officials were not immediately available for comment on Banda's remarks.

The Malawian leader also

S

ore in 2011.

The industrial action in the iron ore mining sector comes amid a worsening security situation in

Egypt oil subsidy reform still under reviewminister

E

gypt is holding off on reform of its costly state energy subsidy regime until it completes more studies and holds a "social dialogue" on the issue, the country's oil minister has said.

Reducing state expenditure by targeting subsidies more toward the needy is seen as vital for Egypt to secure a $4.8 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund to plug an unmanageable budget deficit.

In an interview, Petroleum Minister Osama Kamal said Egypt would have a major economic problem until the subsidies bill, which represent about a quarter of state spending, is cut.

"Every day we delay restructuring subsidies bleeds state resources," said Kamal, though he declined to give a timeframe for the reform, saying the government needed to "complete all studies and conduct a social dialogue".

Cutting the budget deficit is a crucial component of Egypt's negotiations with the IMF, which began well over a year ago as the country's economy slid towards a crisis following the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak.

A new president with a popular mandate took office in June, ending more than a year of interim army rule, and his government redoubled efforts to seal an IMF accord, assuaging investors' worst fears of a fiscal and balance of payments crisis.

Economists say any delay to tackling Egypt's wide budget and trade deficits could jeopardise IMF support and trigger renewed pressure on the pound currency.

Prime Minister Hisham Kandil told Reuters on September 9 he saw an IMF deal within two months and that Egypt would introduce rationing for subsidised butane cooking gas by mid-October.

But an IMF delegation failed to arrive by the end of last month as planned and Egypt's finance minister said its next visit would not take place before the second half of October.

Osama Kamal

cancelled a planned visit to Tanzania this month for talks on the dispute.

Malawi, an impoverished southern African country, a year ago awarded oil exploration licences to UK-based Surestream Petroleum to search for oil in Lake Malawi, which is known as Lake Nyasa in Tanzania.

But in July, Tanzanian authorities asked Surestream Petroleum to postpone any planned drilling on the lake. The company has not yet started to drill.

Tanzania, east Africa's second-biggest economy, became a player in energy this year with several onshore and offshore gas finds, attracting multinational energy concerns to the area.

French oil major Total is close to signing a deal to explore for oil and gas in Tanzania's Lake Tanganyika. The government is also processing deals for deep sea exploration spots off Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast.

Lake Malawi contains more than 2,000 different fish species, attracting scuba divers, and environmentalists are concerned that oil exploration will disturb its freshwater ecosystem.

S.Africa wildcat mining strikes spread to iron sector outh African miners went on a wildcat strike at Kumba Iron Ore's Sishen mine on Wednesday, a fresh sign of escalating labour unrest in Africa's largest economy.

As many as 75,000 miners, or 15 percent of the South African mining sector's total workforce, are already out on strikes that have hit platinum and gold mining firms and further threatened the country's shaky growth prospects.

The recent weeks of labour strife, in which more than 45 people have been killed, have stirred up criticism of the ruling African National Congress and President Jacob Zuma, who faces a challenge from ANC rivals

ahead of a party leadership conference in December.

"Our members at Sishen say the guys went on strike from 2 a.m. this morning and our understanding is that senior executives flew down there early this morning," said Gideon du Plessis, deputy general secretary of the trade union Solidarity.

Solidarity was not participating in the strike. A Kumba spokesman declined to comment but said the company would issue a statement shortly.

Kumba, a unit of global miner Anglo American, is one of the world's top 10 producers of iron ore, which is used in the production of steel. The company produced 41.3 million tonnes of

South Africa's strike-hit platinum belt and a national truckers' strike that has started to squeeze fuel suppliers in the country.

Mine workers take part in a march at Lonmin"s Marikana mine

S.Sudan army commits shocking abuses in east- Amnesty South Sudan's security forces are shooting, torturing and raping civilians in the country's east, rights group Amnesty International said on Wednesday, urging the government and United Nations to do more to stop the abuses.

The army (SPLA) did not respond to numerous phone calls but has previously played down accusations its soldiers have attacked civilians during a disarmament campaign in Jonglei state, saying there have only been isolated violations.

Soldiers and police have been fanning out across Jonglei home to a huge, largely unexplored oil field - to try and collect thousands of weapons left over from decades of civil war that are now fuelling tribal clashes and a growing rebellion.

The impoverished country, which declared independence from Sudan in July 2011 under a peace agreement, is still struggling to contain ethnic and

political tensions across its vast territory.

Amnesty said it had evidence civilians, including children as young as 18 months, had been

Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) soldiers take part in their 29th anniversary celebrations in Juba

tortured and abused during the disarmament campaign.

Security forces had looted property and destroyed crops, the group said, adding it had received "credible reports of rape and attempted rape by SPLA forces".

"Far from bringing security to the region, the SPLA and the police auxiliary forces have committed shocking human rights violations and the authorities are doing very little to stop the abuse," Amnesty International's Africa Director, Audrey Gaughran, said in the statement.

The group said the United Nations mission in the country should do more to protect civilians and "(deploy) peacekeepers in areas where there is significant potential for

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

Asia and Middle East

A

t least 27 people have been killed and dozens wounded by five bomb explosions in the centre of Syria's second city, Aleppo, officials have said.

Four of the blasts happened in the city's Saadallah al-Jabari Square, near a military officers' club and a hotel.

PAGE 33

Deadly blasts rip through Aleppo square Pro-government al-Ikhbariya TV broadcast pictures of bodies being pulled out of buildings damaged by the blasts and large crater in a road.

Government forces have been fighting rebels for weeks for control of Aleppo.

Rebel fighters launched a new offensive last week to try to seize more districts and fires over the weekend gutted the historic central souk.

Hezbollah's al-Manar TV and the pro-Syrian government Lebanese newspaper al-Diyar, both reported that Syrian President Bashar alAssad had ordered thousands more troops sent to Aleppo to finish the battle against the rebels there.

Al-Diyar said Mr Assad was flown to Aleppo by helicopter and was personally directing the campaign, thought that has not been confirmed.

State and pro-government media reported that at least two of the four blasts in Saadallah al-Jabari Square on Wednesday morning were car bombs. The fifth reportedly struck a few hundred metres away, on the edge of the Old City.

Video footage they broadcast showed that many of the multistorey buildings surrounding the square had had their facades ripped

Gazans face ‘serious abuses’ in justice system

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based activist group, said the blasts had occurred near the city's Officers Club. AlManar said the third bomb had targeted City Hall and the al-Amir hotel.

Officials said the death toll might rise and the Syrian Observatory cited medical sources as saying that at least 40 people had died.

Filipinos protest tough new cyber law

A

P

alestinians in the Gaza Strip face "serious abuses" in the justice system, according to a report from pressure group Human Rights Watch (HRW).

The violations included arbitrary arrest, incommunicado detention, torture, and unfair trials, HRW said.

The Gaza Strip has been governed by the Islamist movement, Hamas, since it seized power there in 2007.

Hamas's deputy foreign minister said the allegations were being investigated but that the situation had improved.

"Maybe we have some violations from time to time, but it is not a widespread phenomenon," Ghazi Hamad said.

"I can confirm that there is no torture and we are trying to follow international law in all jails and prisons," he added.

Mr Hamad also stressed that in Gaza there was "no kind of political arrest... or any kind of punishment or torture of political activists", something which has been frequently alleged.

HRW's report details cases of alleged torture and deaths in detention, other cases where due process was not followed and also criticises the practice of trying civilians in military courts.

One case cited is that of Abdel Karim Shrair, who was executed in May 2011 for allegedly collaborating with Israel.

HRW says the charges were partially based on confessions that appear to have been obtained using torture.

"After five years of Hamas rule in Gaza, its criminal justice system reeks of injustice, routinely violates detainees' rights," said Joe Stork, HRW's deputy Middle East director.

"Hamas should stop the kinds of abuses that Egyptians, Syrians, and others in the region have risked their lives to bring to an end."

Hamas officials claim that investigations are mounted into abuses by security services and says hundreds of members of the security services have been disciplined since 2007, the report says.

However, details of cases in which officials were censured have not been made public, according to HRW, adding that Hamas authorities have in practice granted "impunity to abusive security services".

off.

Many buildings around Saadallah al-Jabari Square had their facades ripped off

Hamas-led security men on patrol in Gaza

Media groups and Filipinos have stepped up calls to repeal a tough new law that targets cybercrime.

ctivists fear the legislation, which took effect on Wednesday, will be used to suppress online freedoms in the Southeast Asian nation.

The Cybercrime Prevention Act went through despite lastminute petitions to the Supreme Court to stop it.

The justices said they will take up the issue next week.

The law is envisioned as a measure against hacking, identity theft, spamming, cybersex and online child pornography.

But citizens and groups who protested on social networking sites, blogs and out in the streets fear politicians will use it to silence critics.

The law contains a provision that says libel - which is already punishable by up to six years in prison - is also a cybercrime.

It doubles cumulative penalties for online offenses and allows government agencies to search, seize and destroy computer data deemed libellous.

Human rights and media groups have unsuccessfully campaigned for years to downgrade libel from a criminal to a civil offense, saying politicians often use the law to harass journalists and other critics.

The Department of Justice also now has the power to close down websites and monitor online activities, such as email or messaging, without a warrant, according to AFP news service.

Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's husband sued 46 investigative journalists and publishers in more than 50 libel cases from 2003 to 2007 but later dropped them in a "gesture of peace".

The journalists wrote stories alleging Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo was corrupt, which he denied.

He is now facing two corruption cases linked to an overpriced government deal and the sale of secondhand helicopters to police.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said that the new law's criminal libel provision "and the insidious way it was inserted during the bicameral deliberation - without benefit of public consultation - are direct strikes at the rights to free expression and press freedom".

Journalist Alexander Adonis, one of seven petitioners against the law who himself was jailed on libel charges from 2007 to 2009, argued that the law is unconstitutional and its provisions "so vague, so overbroad that these can be applied arbitrarily on all users of social media".

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 36

Woman shoots husband for threatening cat, police say

A

Texas woman allegedly shot her husband in the stomach after he threatened to hurt one of her cats, KHOU.com reported.

The incident reportedly took place on Sept. 25 at the couple's home in Spring,

just 20 miles north of downtown Houston.

According to Harris County Precinct 4 deputy constables, the couple was arguing when Miller's husband threatened to shoot the cat.

Audrey Deen Miller, 42, owner of several cats and dogs, pulled out a .40caliber semiautomatic handgun and shot her husband in the stomach, police told KHOU. The man was taken to

Northwest Medical Center in stable condition, while Miller was taken into custody and charged with a g g r a v ated assault with a deadly weapon.

Detectives said the couple doesn't have a history of problems

at home, where they've lived for about two years, KSAT.com reported. A small amount of marijuana was found inside the home, officials said to KSAT. The cat survived the conjugal dispute without a scratch.

It's cat over husband

Man sneaks in friend to serve his jail sentence

Suspected car thief living on shoe store roof planned mini golf, hot tub

man convicted of smuggling in Sweden allegedly outwitted his jailers by sneaking in a friend to serve most of his yearlong sentence.

The identity of the false convict was discovered only when he'd been released on probation after serving about two-thirds of his friend's sentence "sometime in 2008 or 2009," Elisabeth Lager of Sweden's Prison and Probation Service said Friday.

Lager said the in-lieu convict came to serve the sentence with a false ID - a driving license in the name of the smuggler friend but with his photograph. She declined to name either man or give

20-year-old suspected car thief was arrested while camping out on a shoe store roof in Central Florida on Thursday.

Authorities say he was caught before he could provide his hideout with lavish entertainment.

"We had planned on getting a putt-putt golf course and a hot tub," suspect Travis Rose told CFnews13.com. "We were going to get a gazebo and put an Xbox and a TV in there."

Rose was sentenced to six months in prison for trespassing and theft of services on Thursday after local police found him camping on the roof of the Shoe Carnival in Oscala.

Police found Rose in a threefamily tent, surrounded by patio furniture at the time of his arrest. His tent could not be seen from the ground.

Authorities believe Rose and his friend, John Vaughn, 20, stole a box truck near their rooftop hideout last week. The truck was found in a nearby lake, with its contents missing.

A

more details about the switch.

An international arrest warrant was issued for the real convict earlier this year, Lager said, but declined to comment on why it took police more than three years after the switch was discovered to issue the warrant. It was not clear if the smuggler's friend would be punished for misleading prison authorities and assuming a false identity.

The convict, who never served his term, was sentenced for a series of smuggling offences in southwestern Sweden in 2008. Several media reports said he had fled to Asia and had paid his friend for his "prisonsitting" service.

Here the little boys lifts a 40kg bag of wheat

A

Police found Travis Rose in a three-family tent, surrounded by patio furniture at the time of his arrest.

While Rose and Vaughn were in seclusion on the roof, they stole electricity from the shoe store to power fans and their cell phones.

Rose pleaded guilty to charges on Thursday. He still faces jail time for the truck theft, which he also admitted he was a part of.

Businessman wants kids to swim with gators

P

arents looking to spice up their kids' birthday parties are in luck. A Florida businessman now offers alligator pool parties.

Bob Barrett is taking his beachside alligator attraction to backyards where his baby gators can swim in clients' pools for $175, The Associated Press reported.

Barrett is licensed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to exhibit the animals, according to the AP. He runs The Alligator

Attraction in Madeira Beach, Fla., where tourists can feed and handle the gators, but had to get creative when his business slowed last summer. He decided to bring the gators to the people.

During his pool parties, the reptiles' mouths are shut with veterinary-grade tape, and Barrett includes a safety lesson and science talk, according to the AP. Guess petting zoos and blowup castles just aren't cutting it anymore.

Florida businessman Bob Barrett will bring baby gators (like the one shown in this file image) to kids' pool parties for $175.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 37

Why we have not conducted LGs election in Bauchi – PDP Chieftain INTERVIEW Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam, Peoples Deocratic Party (PDP)’s Assistant Publicity Secretary, Bauchi state in this interview with our Correspondent, Ahmed Kaigama in Bauchi explains why the state government has yet to conduct Local Government election in the state and why fertilizers meant for distribution to the farmer are yet to be assessed. Excerpts: What is delaying the Local government election in Bauchi state? here is an impending case before the court in Bauchi over the appointment the 20 caretaker committee chairmen of the local government areas in the state, as well as the need for local government election. We are law abiding government that observes and respects the rule of law; we are just waiting for the court to give its verdict on the issue. The government is only waiting for the case before the court to be determined before conducting the local council polls.

What about allegation that the PDP led Government in Bauchi deliberately refused to conduct Local Government Elections in the state?

If somebody says we don’t want to conduct local government election in Bauchi state, I believe he is just stating his opinion and he is not being fair to the party and the government of the day. This is because in Nigeria today, under PDP led government, we conducted Presidential election; state governorship election; National Assembly and state Assemblies elections; we did the four different elections without any fear. They are the biggest elections in the country, how much less the local government election that is behind your back door. These are mere baseless allegations.

Local Government Administration is much closer to the people, yet they have no autonomy from the state government. What is your take on the call local government autonomy?

Yes, autonomy in local government areas means giving them their own funds and for such to be controled by the local governments’ administration without much interference from state government. That is good, but in some cases, if they have their money directly as it had happened in the past, some council chairmen abandoned their people without executing any meaningful project that they are supposed to do. They abandoned their people but under the current system, the ministry

T

for local government and state law makers supervise them and projects were being executed based on the needs submitted by the councils. They still use their money the way they want but under strict and close supervision. But Iam not against the local government autonomy but let there be people with fear of God; let there be those leaders that can serve their people and the local government effectively because lack of proper accountability and non performance are killing the local government administration in the country.

Insecurity is one of the major problems facing this country and some people are calling for state owned police. What’s your reaction to this?

Let me tell you, if all Nigerians are police men carrying guns and weapons with uniform to fight

Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam take on this?

Government might have a critical look and see what an outsider may not see. I am not part of the executive since I am not a commissioner in the cabinet but I think the reason behind sacking Yuguda’s aides, as explained by the government, is because the party was not involved in the process of appointing the aides. The

“

I said it earlier that Bauchi state has no strong source of revenues compared to other states and most of the state depend on federal allocation. But despite all the challenges, the state still performs its obligations like other states crime it won’t work. All we need is honesty within our selves. If we will be honest to ourselves right from your home, wives, children, parents, neighbours, the followers and the leaders themselves will follow. For instance, a person who has N500 million, N300 million but still have his immediate neighbour sleeping with hunger, then what do you expect the poor to do? Of course it’s violence and crime. That is why we need honesty in this country both from the rich, the poor , leaders and the followers.

Recently Bauchi government sacked over six thousand aides of the governor alleging that PDP complained of lopsidedness in the appointments, what is your

party as a stakeholder should be involved in the appointment because it was under the umbrella of PDP we formed the government. The party facilitated all forms of campaigns from the state, Presidential, National Assembly and the state Assemblies; that will call for complaints from the party. We thank God we have a governor that has listening ears and he will consider the plights of the party in the state and make adjustments in the appointments of aides.

Because it was only the party that knows the genuine people that worked for the success of the party during election. Beside all that, the governor is doing his best in providing dividends of democracy in the state despite the meagre

funds accruing from the federation accounts. Bauchi state is not a border state and is not a commercial center compared to other states like Kano and Lagos states. If you look at the condition we are now in Bauchi, no source of internally generated revenue, we all depend on the Federal Government. Everybody depends on the government when the monthly allocation from the federation account is received. It is from the allocation that workers’ salaries are paid; maintenance of schools, security and many other viable projects that needed to be attended to. So by appointing over six thousand aides as PA, SA, if you calculate their salaries how much is going to be used in paying them?

It will run into 1 to 2 billion naira.

So, in my own thinking, the governor wants to streamline the spending in the state. If the government wants to work for the people, it has to certainly reduce the number of political appointees.

Despite that, the governor is trying his best compared to other states in similar situation.

Do you now agree that Bauchi state government is broke?

Ah, if you talk of Bauchi being broke or not you know it’s the issue money. First you have to look at the source of internally generated revenue. Without the federation account, can the states pay salaries of workers? Because other states like Bayelsa or Lagos have other sources of income, what about Bauchi state?

I said it earlier that Bauchi state has no strong source of revenues compared to other states and most of the state depend on federal allocation. But despite all the challenges, the state still performs

its obligations like other states.

Economic meltdown is a global problem today, Bauchi is also part of the world even if we are not broke we still face the dwindling of resources as our own share and the leader of PDP in Bauchi state, being a banker, took steps to ensure that the dwindling resources did not make the state broke and it did not injure anybody; it did not stop government from working; it also did not stop payments of workers’ salaries and other activities.

What is the relationship between your party PDP and the opposition?

The relationship is cordial; there is peace among the parties in the state. Since they agreed they have lost, what else remains?

Because of that the governor is being fair to them; he gave them what belonged to them. The governor has not denied them drinking water in the state nor denied them from using the roads constructed by his regime. So all is well between the political parties in the state, But the opposition accuses your party of non performance?

Well, in democracy they can state their opinions but achievements speak for themselves. Go to Ningi Burra Alkaleri Futuk road, you will see the achievements; go to the villages and see the community radios established; their rural water supply, electricity; go to our schools you will see how they were rebuilt and upgraded including hospitals; go and ask our workers, who were the channels of distributing state wealth, ask them how much are they earning you will see the achievements; go to every sector the achievements will speak to you.

Northern part of the country is known for farming but farmers have been crying for lack of fertilizers and farm inputs from the government.

How would you react to this?

Talking about fertilizer, I think in the history of Bauchi state, from the past administration, there has never been any time when fertilizers were made available like this present administration. The governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, always make adequate arrangements for the provision of fertilizers. He even revitalized the fertilizer blending plant in the state knowing full well that his people survive on farming. So, he has never joked with the issue of fertilizer supply to farmers. Even if there is problem with this year’s provision of fertilizer because it did not come early, I have the assurance that the governor has made all the necessary arrangements to ensure supply very soon.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

ACN threatens legal action to stop Kaduna LG polls From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Anti-Corruption, National Ethics and Rules, Hon. Faloke James, Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Mr. Sam Saba, and Deputy Chairman of the committee, Hon. Ishy Ahmed Kana, during an investigate hearing on the Medium Term Expenditure Frame Work by the House Joint Committee on Finance, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Reps angry with Jonathan over NASS Service Commission Board …threaten zero allocation to Board in 2013 budget

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he House Representatives yesterday expressed total displeasure over the failure of President Goodluck Jonathan to reconstitute the Board of the National Assembly Commission, NASC, since last year.

The House committee on Public Service chaired by Rep Andrew Uchendu which was on oversight to the Board said non reconstitution of the body has been hampering the activities of the Commission as well as that of the National Assembly in general.

Consequently, the House had resolved to prevail on Jonathan to, as a matter of urgency, constitute the Board and allow it to carry out its Constitutional functions. The Committee said that the President had no reason whatsoever not to have reconstituted such an important Board since last year despite the availability of qualified individuals who could

serve on the Board.

The Acting Secretary of the Commission, Mr Olusanya Ajakaiye had told the visiting House Committee that the Commission had gotten a total sum of N303,727,500 representing 75 per cent of total capital allocation of N404,970,000 for 2012 but could not utilize the money because of the absence of the Commissioners who should be Board members that was empowered by the Constitution to authorize the utilization of the money.

Ajakaiye also pointed out that the quarterly release of the Capital Expenditure allocation made it difficult to accumulate enough funds for the execution of projects but that it would still execute the projects captured in the budget in the last quarter of the year.

Chairman of the committee was furious over the submission of the Acting Secretary, declaring, ‘’this is not acceptable to us as a committee; it is not in the best interest of the

National Assembly to be operating without a Board; the President should constitute the Board, he can not tell us that there are no competent hands to serve on the Board. The management should always brief us what is going on here; if we have been informed about this, we would have prevailed on him to do it’’.

According to him, ‘’money was appropriated and released but can not be utilised because of the absence of the Board, we have to look at this very critically when we are considering the 2013 budget proposal; the Commission may get zero allocation for the Capital Expenditure in the budget because this is October and it its not likely for the commission to get any board before the end of the year’’.

The Committee directed the Commission to furnish it with the Statement of Accounts; where the money was being lodged as at August 31st this year and other detailed financial transactions on some overheads such as local and international trips.

Kebbi repatriated pilgrims get govt attention From Ahmed Idris, Brinin Kebbi

K

ebbi state government has assured the 50 female pilgrims repatriated from Saudi Arabia last week that their visas have been sent back to Kano for processing to allow them return to the holy land Addressing newsmen yesterday in his

office, Chairman of Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Suleman Suru, said arrangements have been concluded to ensure that the 50 intending pilgrims perform this year Hajji exercise by providing them with necessary Muharam.

He explained that out of the 5,614 intending pilgrims form the state this year, over 3000 of them have been airlifted while

the Board is currently making all necessary arrangements to ensure that the teaming female pilgrims will not face similar problem.

Suru stated that out of the 50 repatriated pilgrims to the state, Shanga and Yauri local governments have the highest number. He therefore urged them to be good ambassadors of the state and the country just as he enjoined them to pray for peace and tranquility.

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has warned the Kaduna state government that the muchanticipated December local government elections in the state may not hold if the government continues to sideline the duly-constituted state executive of the party in favour of the rogue state-sponsored ‘faction’.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, ACN said that as a law-abiding party, it has resolved to ask the courts to stop the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission from conducting the polls on grounds of exclusion.

The party said despite the fact that the Kaduna government was officially notified in a letter jointly signed by its National Chairman and National Secretary, of the removal of Barrister Soba as its state chairman, the government, especially the State Independent Electoral Commission, has continued to deal only with a rogue ‘faction’ of the party in the state in a blatant disregard for the relevant laws.

“It said this act of illegality on the part of the Kaduna government reached its most absurd and provocative level last week, when the State Independent Electoral Commission handed over materials and documents for the December council polls to the same Barrister Soba and, by so doing, chose to unnecessarily overheat an already heated polity.’’

It is trite law that whenever there are two or more contending factions of a political party in any state, it is only the National Secretariat of the party in question that can conclusively pronounce on the legitimate one. If the Kaduna State Government is not the unseen hand behind the factionalisation and destabilization of the party in Kaduna state, why has the government - in spite of the letter from the National Secretariat (of the ACN) clarifying the situation - continued to deal with Barrister Soba, who has been removed as chairman the party in the state?

“While appealing to our supporters in Kaduna State to remain calm and law abiding in the face of this provocative illegality, we also call on the Kaduna State Government to immediately retrace its steps by dealing only with the recognized executive of the ACN in the state, otherwise its planned December council polls will never take place,’’ ACN warned.

Lagos environmental law, a misplaced priority – Lawyers The recent environmental law enacted by the Lagos State Government, which seeks to sanction landlords who do not beautify their residence, has been described as a misplacement of legislative priorities by some eminent lawyers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the enactment of the law last month led to the establishment of the new Lagos State Parks and Garden (LASPARK).

The law makes it mandatory for Lagos residents to beautify the perimeters of their houses and stipulates a fine of N250,000 or six months imprisonment or other non-custodian

sentences for violators.

Similarly, the law provides a N50,000 fine as penalty for felling trees without permission.

In separate interviews with NAN, the lawyers said that the law has not addressed the real issues at hand, which include inadequate accommodation, population explosion and poor urban planning.

Mr Bamidele Aturu, a Lagos-based lawyer, described the law as offensive and a misplacement of legislative priorities.

He said that it did not show that the House of Assembly understood the enormous work and special problems and needs of the people.

According to him, it is like leaving more serious issues to take care of less important things.

He said that the law was not needed now because the challenges faced by the people, including infrastructure and social amenities like power supply, quality healthcare, potable water and jobs – were still lacking.

“A hungry man cannot plant flowers or paint houses with the little resources which he will use to take care of his family,’’ he said.

Also, Mr Onyekachi Ubani, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja branch, told NAN that people would not accept the law because it was not in conformity with reality.

He said that as such, many people would go to jail because the law was not needed at this present time.

“The law does not address the issue of poverty, unemployment and the system failure which affects the people of Lagos,” Ubani said.

Similarly, Mr Fred Agbaje (SAN), said that the essence of governance was to better the lives of people and not to criminalise every of their actions.

He said that the law was coming at a wrong time because no provision had been made by some landlords for the planting of flowers in their frontage. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 39

Ondo: Fresh attack in Owo over polls From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

he Mimiko Campaign Organisation (MCO), has cried out over series of attacks by opposition parties on the supporters and members of the Labour Party (LP) in Owo town saying plans were on to eliminate its leaders.

The MCO raised the alarm in Akure on yesterday following fresh attacks on its members on Tuesday night. Barely two weeks ago, a similar attack occurred in the city in which several LP supporters were shot, injured with cutlasses and properties worth millions of

naira were destroyed.

MCO noted that the latest development had vindicated its numerous cries in the recent past that the ACN and the PDP were out to foment trouble with a view to stampede the electorate.

A member of the House of Representatives representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, Mr. Eni Omosule, the Chairman of the State Environmental Task Force, Mr Gbenga Atiba and a Senior Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Direct Labour Agency, Mrs Mobolaji Suara on Tuesday evening cheated death by whiskers when they were

attacked by a combined team of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) thugs and those of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) at Uka area of Owo with guns, axes, cutlasses and clubs.

Suara was shot in the arm while Atiba was clubbed on the head after several bullets fired at him missed their targets. The member of the House of Representatives was however lucky as he escaped from his assailants who chased him into a bush having damaged his car.

Atiba who spoke on his hospital bed at a private hospital in Akure described the incident as sad and a

pointer to the fact that the oppositions in the state were hell bent on killing and provoking violence in order to win the October 20th governorship election at all cost.

He described the two pronged attacks from both the ACN and the PDP as unprovoked and well coordinated to stampede the ruling LP into irrational reprisal to give room for them to be able to use their arsenal given the number of sophisticated guns he saw with the thugs during the attack.

“We were attacked by thugs coordinated by Femi Adekanbi of

the ACN and those of the PDP under the tutelage of Chief Oyewole Fasawe. Indeed, we were able to identify some of the heavily armed thugs who attacked us having destroyed LP properties in the town on their way from their parties’ rallies in Akure and Ikare respectively. They were led by Femi Adekanbi, Fatai Oladugba, kehinde Ajanaku, Aliu Aralepo, Ayo Igboroko among others and they destroyed our vehicle beyond repair. It was only God that saved us. They shot Mrs Suara on the arm and she had to be taken to the hospital for the bullets to be extracted,” Atiba disclosed.

Plateau bye-election: Police restrict movement from Friday to Sunday From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

P

L-R: Acting Executive Secretary Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Malam Aliyu Naiya, Chairman of the TETFUND Board, Dr. Musa Babayo, and Chairman House Committee on Education Hon. Rose Okoh, during the committee visit TETFUND office, yesterday in Abuja, Photo: Mahmud Isa

PDP rejects Adamawa LG primaries

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday rejected the scheduled local government primaries in Adamawa state.

The party in a statement issued by its National

Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, stated “The National Working Committee (NWC) has directed all the State Chapters if the Party that no state has the Constitutional powers to conduct any primary and/or Congresses without express

approval of the National leadership.

“Consequently, the NWC has rejected the slated Adamawa State PDP Local Government primaries and directed the state to cease any further action in this regard as it is unconstitutional,

unauthorized and therefore unlawful.

“All state organs of the party should henceforth comply with all the provisions of our Constitution in this regard especially Article 50 (1) of the 2012 Constitution,” PDP directed.

Gov. Ahmed of Kwara calls for review of revenue sharing formula

G

ov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara on Tuesday called for a review of the revenue sharing formula to enable state governments execute projects that would transform the lives of the people.

Ahmed made the call in Ilorin when members of the National Good Governance Tour team led by the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, paid him a courtesy visit.

He said that the review would enable state governments to address the challenge of infrastructure deficit in the various states of the federation.

The governor stressed the need

for stronger collaboration among the various tiers of government to enhance transparency and accountability in public governance.

Ahmed also stressed the need for a synergy between the state and Federal Government in the maintenance of Federal Government projects in the states.

He said that the synergy would address a lot of challenges associated with the maintenance of projects in the states.

The governor said that the future of Nigeria’s transformation was dependent on a stronger collaboration among the tiers of government.

On the Good Governance Tour, the governor said that the exercise would enable the people of the state to appreciate the efforts made by both the federal and state governments in providing the dividends of democracy.

Ahmed said that the exercise would not only show work in progress, but would also give hope to numerous citizens of the state that something would be done to transform their lives.

The governor urged Nigerians to use the opportunity of the independence celebration to emphasis on those issues that unite

rather than divide them.

Earlier, the Maku said that the tour would provide many Nigerians the opportunity to assess efforts made by governments at all levels to develop the economy.

Maku said that the tour was part of the processes adopted by government to incorporate all Nigerians in the act of governance.

“The purpose of this tour is to enable our people understand and appreciate the numerous efforts made by the political leadership in transforming the society,’’ the minister said. (NAN)

lateau state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Ayeni, has announced the restriction of movement from Friday evening to Sunday morning during the duration of the bye-election in the Plateau North Senatorial district.

He also warned against the use of escorts and sirens by politicians on the election day so as not to send intimidating signal to the electorate.

According to him, anybody seen carrying offensive weapons such as knives, machetes, rifles, arrows, swords would be promptly arrested and prosecuted. He also warned under-age voters are warned to stay away from voting centres as they would be arrested and prosecuted.

Ayeni said “We have been reliably informed that some political parties are mobilizing the youths as cannon fodder to cause mayhem in the state. We want to warn that the full wrath of the law would be meted out to any youth involved and their sponsors. We notice that the previous orders were not fully complied with, therefore, we have set up a high profile investigative body to arrest and investigate whoever flouts any of the above orders no matter highly placed”.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Habu Zarma, said only APGA, ACN, PDP, LP and DPP filed in candidates while ACN DPP and LP filed in candidates for the House of Assembly elections.

Zarma said non-sensitive materials were already on ground while sensitive materials would be brought in on tomorrow before the election on Saturday.

State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Abraham Yiljab, warned against rigging and denied insinuations that the state government was spending a huge amount of money for campaigns.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

Enugu State Govt set to transform rural communities - Commissioner

T

L-R: Chairman House Committee on Electoral Matters/INEC, Hon. Jerry Manwe, INEC Commissioner, Malam Nuru Yakubu, and INEC Acting Chairman, Alhaji Abdulkadri Oniyangi, during the oversight visit to the INEC H/Q by the House Committee, yesterday, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Flood: ANPP blames FG

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he National Chairman of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Dr.Ogbonnaya Onu, has blamed the Federal Government for its inability to heed early warning by meteorologists which include desalting of rivers to allow free flow of water.

The party also expressed disappointment that no serious effort was being made to permanently look after the people affected and have become victims of circumstances which were not created by them.

Onu, who made the statement yesterday while briefing newsmen at the party’s secretariat in Abuja said over the past several days, the

country has witnessed excessive flooding in many the states. These include Taraba, Adamawa, Benue,Cross River; Kaduna, Kogi, Edo, Bayelsa and Oyo States, saying that the water level in many of the affected rivers was very high which led to massive flooding in the surrounding areas.

He regretted that the effect of the flood had resulted unprecedented hardship to the people of the areas, as many of the people had been rendered homeless.

“Even our roads are so badly affected that travel by road between Lokoja and Abuja has to be suspended for many days because parts of the road were covered by water, disrupting economic activities, “Putting them in camps and giving them some relief materials

can only give temporary relief as very serious efforts need to be made in order to rehabilitate those affected so that they can get back their lives,” he said.

He however, advocated for a comprehensive policy that could assist all those affected by the flood to fully rehabilitate them so as to go beyond the temporary relief that was being given. “Because we cannot afford to plunge more Nigerians into homelessness, despair and poverty; so also, we cannot as a nation allow people to lose their livelihood through natural disaster.”

He also urged the Federal Government to take adequate measures to ensure that this level of flooding, which could have been avoided, should not be allowed to happen in future.

“ANPP condoles with all those who lost members of their families as a result of the flooding, may the souls of the departed, rest in perfect peace,” the party said.

On the issue of Bakasi, the ANPP Chairman urged the Federal Government to see it as a necessity to appeal the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling on Bakasi for the betterment of their lives as a people.

Also on the proposed merger, Onu said the ANPP is working very hard to merge with other major opposition political Parties.

“Consultations and discussions with and among the leaders of these opposition political parties have reached an advanced stage.

We will continue to discuss among ourselves until success is achieved” he said.

FG committed to free polls, says Sambo

V

ice-President Namadi Sambo, in Akure said that the Federal Government would continue to ensure free and fair elections in the country.

Sambo, who gave the assurance while addressing PDP members at the party’s rally, also said the Oct. 20 poll in the state would be violencefree.

“We will provide adequate security for all of you; so go out and cast your votes without fear of any

intimidation,’’ he said.

Sambo, who expressed satisfaction with the large turn-out of party members and supporters, urged them to ensure that they delivered their wards, council areas and state to the PDP. “From what I have seen today, I just have to thank everybody for your support to our governorship candidate, Olusola Oke, his deputy, Saka Lawal and our great party, PDP. “We will come back to celebrate and march to the Government

House, Akure, we want free election, election without rancour,’’ Sambo said.

The PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, called on aggrieved members of the PDP to return to the party.

The National Secretary of the party, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, also called on the people of the state to vote for Oke as their governor.

The Minister of Police Affairs, retired Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade, gave an assurance that adequate

security measures would be provided in the state during the poll.

Oke, in his addres, promised to create jobs by establishing industries, saying this would make the economy of the state to be viable.

The Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Mobolaji Johnson, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, former Minister of Housing, Mrs Mobolaji Osomo, as well as members of the National Working Committee and other party leaders attended the rally.(NAN)

Institute urges LASG to review regional development plan

T

he Lagos Chapter of Nigerian Institute of Town Planning on Tuesday called for immediate review of Lagos Regional Plan to meet the needs of the state.

The chairman of the institute, Mr. Makinde Ogunlaye, said that the regional plan was long due for review.

Ogunlaye, who was speaking

at a press conference ahead of the annual general meeting of the institute in Lagos, said that the regional plan, enacted in 1980, was over-due for renewal.

According to him, there is the need for Lagos State Government to re-examine the long-term positive impact of the Lagos City Development Authority.

“There is need to devolve the

implementation of town development plans in line with the provisions of existing laws and regulations,” he said.

According to him, government should revert to the “Operation 30/ 30” templates to arrest the spate of illegal developments in the state, while only the appropriate agency should issue development plan permits.

“The government should have no business issuing development plan permits except in special cases,” he said.

Ogunlaye urged the government to strengthen the implementation of its Lekki and Badagry master plans and should not jettison the projects like the 1980- 2000 Lagos Metropolitan Plan. (NAN)

he Enugu State Government said that the creation of town unions as a fourth-tier of government would fast-track development of rural communities in the state.

The state Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Poverty Reduction, Mr Godwin Ogenyi, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.

Ogenyi said that the essence of the town union was for development to trickle down to the rural communities.

He said the government needed to know the needs of the rural people and address them so that poverty could be eradicated.

“We are planning a town hall meeting where we identify needs that have not been met, so that strategies can be put in place to ensure that poverty is reduced drastically.

“People should partner and ask questions when and where necessary so as to be involved in what government is doing.

“The first empowerment is to know what the government is doing and having access to the government.

“Freedom of information bill has been passed, so people can ask questions on any government policy or programmes from any commissioner. ’’ (NAN)

Gov. Obi orders use of Governor’s Lodge as refugee camp

G

ov. Peter Obi on Tuesday directed the Secretary to

Anambra State Government, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, to turn the Governor’s Lodge in Onitsha into a camp for flood victims if necessary.

The governor issued the directive in Onitsha on Tuesday following the massive flooding in five local government areas in the state.

The governor had cancelled his trip to Mexico and the Independence Day ceremonies because of the emergency.

Obi received complaints of inadequate accommodation during a tour of some public buildings used to shelter victims at Omunwa Egboka Primary School, behind the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity.

He said government would continue to feed and provide for the victims considering that they were faced with a natural disaster, which was not of their own making.. ” Few weeks ago, governor’s of the south-east sent money to Haiti to help them rebuild after the earthquake of 2010.

“If we could do it to them, we must do more for our people that elected us to serve them,” Obi said.

(NAN)

PAGE 41

Super Eagles will show Lone Star no mercy, NFF boasts

T

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) hopes the Super Eagles will show the Lone Stars of Liberia ‘no mercy’ on October 13 in the decisive leg of the 2013 Nations Cup qualifying game at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

The Liberians had forced the Eagles to 2-2 in Monrovia on September 7 and have been promised N47m by the Eileen Sirleaf-Johnson Government if they beat the Eagles to pick the ticket to South Africa.

“The match in Calabar is a huge one, very important one, and we are treating it as such. The NFF has no fear at all. The Super Eagles will

FIFA U-17 Q/F: We are ready to face France, says Flamingoes coach

T

he Flamingoes are battle ready and in the physical and mental state to crush Les Bleuttes in today’s quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup at the 8 MK Stadium in Baku, according to the Head Coach, Peter Dedevbo.

“My team is very ready and well prepared to face France on Thursday (today). `We are putting everything into this very match, so that at the end, we will win,” he assured stressing that in spite of being the favourites for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, the technical crew will ensure the team do not become complacent.

The Flamingoes are, by FIFA rankings, the most offensive minded side, a feat that can be attested to by 15 goals for and only one against.

In terms of highest number of goals, they are second only to Japan.

However, their France counterparts come second in the offensive minded ranking with 38 percent and are on record to have scored 11 times so far. It means that both sides are in the fine vein of form and could pose no little danger to

work very hard and deal decisively with the Liberians.

“The NFF is providing and will continue to provide everything that the team needs to emerge victorious on the day. The Super Eagles will take no prisoners,” according to the chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Chief Emeka Inyama.

“It is a battle the NFF and the Super Eagles are working assiduously hard to conquer on all fronts. The only possible outcome is victory for Nigeria,” he said.

Already, 23-home-based Eagles are camp preparing while the 15foreign-based others will team up with them this Sunday in Calabar.

The domestic league players, who are in camp in Abuja, will fly to the Canaan City on Saturday while their in-coming counterparts will fly straight from their respective bases to Calabar.

Since the maiden meeting between the two nations ended on 2-2 draw in 1963, there have been 13 encounters between them at senior level, with Nigeria claiming the bragging rights in nine, while Liberia won two and honour was shared in two.

Ike Uche

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

P 3, Flamingoes' assistant coach Danladi Christopher leading the team in prayers before their last training for a quarter final match Photo: NAN against France, yesterday in Baku, Azerbaijan.

each other.

The Flamingoes, like the Falconets at the FIFA U-20 championship, have been claw footed in front of goal. They laboured against Canada and Colombia but profited from the huge pummelling of the Azerbaijans.

In today’s clash, Peter Dedevbo’s

charges must raise their offensive bar, lot more accurate by hitting the bulls eyes while assiduously to keep their sprightly opponents at bar.

That won’t be easy nor impossible provided skipper Victoria Aidelomon and Sarah Nnodim maintained their cool at the back while Oluchi Ofoegbu and Tessy

Biahwo and Joy Bokori keep the engine room well knitted and steadily supplying the forwards with enough ammunition to harm the French team with.

Chinwendu Ihezuo, tournament’s leading scorer must be perfect in delivery as should Mabel Effiom to ensure the needed victory comes.

Korea DPR and Canada will play the other quarterfinals game. In their only meeting at a FIFA women’s tournament to date, Korea DPR earned a 2-1 victory against Canada at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan earlier in the year. Now it’s up to the ‘younger’ Canucks to make amends in Baku.

... As Maigari charms team with $10,000 ahead of Les home in Nigeria. Everybody back py seeing your faces, seeing girls Bleuttes clash today home is happy with your perfor- that are ready to give the country

B

arely 24 hours to the epic quarter-finals clash between the Flamingoes and their Les Bleuttes counterparts, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari, has boosted the team’s morale with $10, 000 (N15.5m) gift.

Maigari, who presented the cash to the players in their Hilton Hotel camp in Baku, Azerbaijan, when he paid them courtesy, said the gift was in appreciation of their performances so far and stressed that the NFF executive committee was only preempting what an appreciative na-

tion would do for them should they eventually lift the FIFA U-17 trophy.

“On behalf of my colleagues here and the entire board of the NFF, I present 10,000 dollars to you for your tremendous performance and for being such a well disciplined and committed team,” he said adding that he brought President Goodluck Jonathan’s goodwill message to the team.

“I bring to you goodwill messages from Mr. President, the Minister of Sports and all well meaning Nigerians for your wonderful performance in this competition.

“You are the main focus back

mance. Everybody is supporting you from all walks of life.

“You are driving a very serious campaign. You have started very well. Your campaign was so smooth from the qualification to this stage, you have done beautifully well.

Your attitude in the camp is so commendable. You are the first Nigerian team to have sent messages through various means that your camp is peaceful.

“You’ve been very obedient and committed to your chosen profession. This led to our qualification for this competition and I am very hap-

a good image. So, please maintain this spirit and may God grant you success,” he said.

Maigari’s gesture elicited jubilation with the team singing praises and dancing, as they went on to assure that they would leave no stone unturned to secure victory to the semi-finals.

Maigari was accompanied by the team’s leader of delegation and NFF’s first Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh; Chairman, Technical Sub-committee, Mr. Chris Green and Coordinator of National Female Teams, Aisha Falode.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

Ghana make new call-ups for Nation’s Cup qualifier

I will justify my Eagles call-up, says Udoh

G

hana’s Black Stars Head Coach James Kwesi Appiah on Tuesday made two new call-ups in his 21man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Espanyol’s Mubarak Wakaso and Asante Kotoko midfielder, Daniel Nii Adjei were both handed their first senior call-ups for the return clash against Malawi on Oct. 13 in Lilongwe.

Ghana are seeking to qualify for next year’s finals in South Africa after winning the first leg 2-0 in Accra early last month.

By Albert Akota

H

eartland FC of Owerri defender, Kingsley Udoh, who was among the newly call up players to the Super Eagles, has promised to justify his invitation to the senior national team.

The former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles defender said he would work hard to justify Head Coach Stephen Keshi’s confidence by endeavouring to secure a starting shirt in the squad that will confront the Lone Stars of Liberia.

The game comes up on October 13 UJ Esuene Stadium Calabar and Nigeria hope to beat Liberia to seal her place in the 2013 Nations Cup billed for South Africa.

The former under 20 captain were among the main focus player’s in yesterday training session at the Abuja national stadium training pitch by putting an impressive display before the technical crew led by Chief Coach Stephen keshi.

“I am happy to be here because it has be my dream to play for Super Eagles, I am here to justify my inclusion to the invited players should the technical crew choose me against Liberia for the must win match in Calabar this weekend.

“With what I have see in training I want to assure Nigerians that the Lone Stars cannot stand on Eagles way because we are all ready to battles them, “he said.

Keshi had implored the players to show commitment and professionalism in the field of play, according to him, he didn’t sees difference between home-based and the foreign- based.

“We invited 15 foreignbased but we already have 21 home-based what we expect is that you go out there and prove yourself during training and leave the rest to the technical crew to decide.

“One thing I want to assure you is that no matter where they are playing is not by concern because they have to come here and prove to the technical crew how good they are to start and if those of you that are here show us that you are better than them, I will start you against Liberia, “ he assured.

Daniel Nii Adjei

S

uper Sand Eagles’ head coach, Adamu Audu Ejor, has said it will be remarkable facing Argentina again during the 2012 Copa Lagos this December.

The Nigerian coach told supersport.com that the South Americans are known foes to them after his team clashed with them during the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup in 2007 in Brazil.

The Super Sand Eagles defeated their Argentine counterparts 5-3 at the Copacabana Beach Soccer Arena in Rio de Janeiro during a preliminary round game in November 2007.

Ejor also wants his team to defend their Copa Lagos title, as they also prepare for the Samsung

The Black Stars will camp in Kenya before travelling to Malawi for the game. Thirty countries and regions have been split into 15 home-and-away ties with the winners joining hosts, South Africa, who are automatic qualifiers for the Nations Cup. The competition switches to unevennumber years from 2013 to avoid every second tournament being staged in the same year as a World Cup. Ghana’s Black Stars placed fourth at the Confederation of African Football Nations Cup co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea early this year.

La Albiceleste clash thrills Eagles Intercontinental in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“It’s good to hear that Argentina are going to be part of the Copa Lagos this year.

They (Argentina) are a team we know well because we’ve met them before and we did defeat them 5-3 at that World Cup. So they know us and we know them.

“For the Copa Lagos, we

We must be wary of Al-Ahly Shandy, says Diego Garzitto

want to do our best and ensure we defend our title after winning it last year. We have the team capable of doing so. But first we will have to take part in the Samsung Intercontinental coming up in Dubai in October,” Ejor told supersport.com.

Argentina, Nigeria and two other undisclosed nations will take part in the 2012 Copa Lagos.

Gambo Mohammed

Sudanese side Al-Hilal are looking for a win to confirm a semifinal place when they host Ahly Shandy on Friday in Omdurman in match day 5 in the Orange CAF Confederation Cup. The home side coach Diego Garzitto told Cafonline.com that they have to be on guard against Shandy who still habour semi-final intentions themselves.

W

hat is your strategy for the remaining two matches, starting from Friday’s match against Al-Ahly Shandy?

Friday’s game against Al-Ahly Shendy is the most important. There are three points at our home, we must not waste. There is little change in the team’s performance in the Sudan Super League, as we tried to alter the player in the starting list. Against Ahly Shandy, the best 11 will play the game, and we will have excellent bench.

What sort of game do expect against shandy?

We are taking all our matches seriously and want to win so we expect Friday’s match to be a difficult one because Al-Ahly Shandy still have a chance to continue in the competition should they win. We have to be wary of Al-Ahly Shandy.

What do you want from your players on Friday?

I ask them to be very serious from the beginning to the end. Even if we make changes to the team and some positional alterations it will be to the benefit of the team What sort of match are you expecting from Shandy?

Al-Ahly Shandy is not small team, they have talented players such as the captain Razak Yakubu and utility Faris Abdullah. They do everything to attack us, and when they do so we must concentrate and defend well . They will be after victory but so will we and that should produce a tough encounter.

What is the news from your medical team; do you have all your players available to play?

We have missed most recently the services from of the our two main strikers, the Zimbabwean Edward Sadomba and the Senegalese Ibrahima Sane due to injuries.

I expect Careca will be back to his best and hopefully the two afore-mentioned will be available to play.

Diego Garzitto

What result will make you happy?

A 1-0 win will do just fine.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 43

FIFA Elite Referees Course opens in Abuja T he 2012 FIFA MA Course for elite referees, referee assessors and phys ical fitness instructors was officially declared open in Abuja yesterday by NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari.

A total of 30 elite referees, among them Peter Edibe (the only Nigerian referee involved in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying race), 36 referee assessors and 20 physical fitness instructors are taking part in the one-week programme, which maiden edition took place last year.

World football-governing body, FIFA has sent three leading referee instructors to oversee the programme. They are retired FIFA referees Sidi Bekaye Magassa (Mali), Felix Tangawarima (Zimbabwe) and Madembe Mbacke (Senegal).

In his address declaring open the course, at the FIFA Technical Centre, NFF President Aminu Maigari, who was represented by Member of NFF Executive Committee and Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Alhaji Muazu

Suleyman, thanked FIFA for its continuous support of all programmes geared towards the development of the Nigerian referee.

Suleyman declared that FIFA’s interest in Nigerian referees has been unpretentious.

“It is this very special interest that informed the move by the world body to not only sanction the maiden edition of this Course, last year, but also to send three of its best hands in referees

Liberia face Niger Rep. for Eagles

L

iberia are to take on Niger on S u n d a y , preparatory to their 2013 AFCON qualifier in Nigeria, according to reports.

The Mena of Niger have proposed to stage the friendly at the Stade General Seyni Kountche in Niamey as part of their own build-up to their

AFCON qualifier return leg against the Guinea after they lost the first game 1-0 in Conakry.

Incidentally, Niger and Nigeria played out a goalless draw in another friendly in Niamey in August. The Niger warm-up will be Liberia’s fourth international friendly

By Albert Akota

Abdul Ajagun of Flying Eagles

AYC qualifier: Amajita arrive in Nigeria today

T

he South African U-20 national team, Amajita, will today arrive in Lagos ahead of their second leg tie against the Flying Eagles in the African Youth Championship (AYC) qualifiers.

The Chairman, Kwara Football Association (FA), Alhaji Busari Ishola, said yesterday that the South Africans were expected in Ilorin tomorrow while the match will be held at the Kwara Stadium on Sunday.

The Flying Eagles had on Sept. 21, held the Amajita to a 1-1 draw in Nelspruit in the first leg of the final round of the qualifiers.

Amajita took the lead in the first half through Thabani Mthembu but Abduljeleel Ajagun equalised for Nigeria in the second half after the defence failed to clear a corner kick.

“We are preparing for the match; trying to get the stadium set, security set and other facilities as well,” he said.

He added that the state would host the match even better than the previous one against the Ngorogoro Heroes of Tanzania.

instruction business to fly down to Nigeria and impart uncommon knowledge to our leading men of the whistle.

Maigari also applauded the efforts of the Nigeria Referees Association and the NFF Referees Committee, pledging that the NFF will continue to support its activities.

Supporting Messrs Magassa, Tangawarima and Mbacke are Nigeria’s retired FIFA referees Linus Mba, Emmanuel Dada Obafemi and Edikin Imiere.

V

incent Enyeama would have to convince the technical crew of the Super Eagles that he still deserves to be Nigeria’s number one goalkeeper when he comes in this weekend for the Eagles’ final phase of preparations for the 2013 Nations Cup qualifying game on October 13, according Ike Shonrunmu, the goalkeeper trainer.

Enyeama had come under fire lately for his costly slips that denied Nigeria the maximum points in both the 2014 World Cup and 2013 Nations Cup qualifying games against Malawi and Liberia.

His apparent loss of form and that alertness for which he was renowned has generated unsavoury talks in addition to putting the technical crew under pressure to dispensed with his services.

Shonrumu, who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja during a media parley, said that the Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel’s shot-stopper must not only live above board, but prove that his

in less than a month.

They beat Malawi and Ghana 1-0 and 20 respectively before they lost 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea in Malabo.

Some of the domestic league players who are in the Liberia training camp in Ghana include goalkeepers Nathaniel Sherman

and James Gailey, defenders Teah Dennis, Solomon Wesseh, George Gebro, defensive midfielder Martin Karnu, versatile midfielder Isaac Pupo and winger James Soto Roberts.

Also in are foreignbased pros Zah Kranga, Junior Wilson, Boakai Foday

Enyeama must prove he’s still Nigeria’s No. 1, Shorunmu insists reflexes are impeccable, and therefore reliable.

Already, the coaching crew has call up Austin Ejide, who manned the post when the Eagles were held to 2-2 draw by the Syli Nationale of Guinea, a result that ensured Nigeria missed out of the 2012 Nations Cup finals, and Chigozie Agbim.

Shorunmu, who lost his shirt to Enyeama during the 2002 World Cups finals in Japan, said the technical crew would have to come down hard of three goalkeepers because the position is a sensitive one that requires absolute concentration and alertness.

Further, he implored on Nigerians to support the Eagles stressing that the

team was going through some difficult moments adding that harsh criticism would do more harm than good to the morale of the players.

“Well, without mistakes there won’t be correction. Enyeama will have to prove himself to be given another opportunity to play against the Liberia. We will correct whatever lapses we noticed not only in the goalkeeping area but the entire team before the decider in Calabar.

“Goalkeeper’s mistake is readily obvious compared with other player’s mistakes, I still have absolute confidence in the invited goalkeeper, they remains the best in the land, “he said.

Nigeria drop 5 places in FIFA rankings

N

igeria have dropped five places to 63rd in the world in the latest FIFA Rankings made public Wednesday by the world football governing body.

The country also dropped three places from 10th to 13th in the Africa ranking with Central Africa Republic making the highest leap of 15 places to 49th in the world and ninth in Africa.

Cote d’Ivoire still top the Africa ranking as they are 16th in the world, while Algeria moved up four places to occupy Africa’s second spots and 24th in the world.

Mali are third on the Africa ranking after climbing five places and now ranked 27th in the world.

Spain top the world ratings, while Germany, Portugal Argentina and England complete the top five countries. Former World Cup winners Italy, France and Brazil occupy the 8th, 13th and 14th spots.

Vincent Enyeama

and James Koko Lomell.

Other overseasbased players like Sekou Oliseh Jabateh, Tonia Tisdal, Omega Roberts, Theo Weeks, Solomon Grimes, Patrick Gerdhart, Alseny Keita and Jimmy Dixon are expected to soon join up with the rest of the squad.

Austin Ejide

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

Chelsea now play with attacking dynamism, says Cech W

hat are your thoughts on Chelsea’s season so far?

I think it’s not been too bad! It’s good to start by taking points right from the off, especially as we’ve also not conceded in most of our games. That shows we have a good defensive cohesion and that’s obviously very pleasing for me as the goalkeeper.

What’s a shame is that we were totally outplayed in the European Super Cup game in Monaco. We have a team that was built to win trophies and we weren’t able to do that against Atletico Madrid, who deserved their victory.

Staying on the subject of European football, how would you judge Chelsea’s start in the UEFA Champions League?

I’m disappointed that we started with a draw at home against Juventus, especially after leading 2-0. We should have controlled the second half better and made sure of the win. But there were still plenty of positives and we need to continue in the same fashion and win as many points as possible to finish top of our group, before going on from there.

What do you think Chelsea’s main strengths are this season?

We have a different team with lots of new recruits. As players, they’re more technically gifted than physical. Because of that, our style has evolved and we’re trying to bring more dynamism to our attacking moves thanks to the talented players we have further forward. So far, Eden Hazard’s arrival has done us a lot of good. He’s quickly built an understanding with the players around him, like Juan Mata and Oscar, and it’s really pleasing to see a player come in from another league and adapt so quickly.

Oscar looks to have adapted quickly as well after his double against Juventus. Have those two players surprised you?

They’re both young players with lots of ambition who’ve already got quite a bit of experience despite their age. And, in general, you tend to adapt better when you’re younger. They go out onto the pitch to enjoy themselves and give pleasure to those around them.

Eden’s continuing to do what he was already doing for a few years in France. As for Oscar, I’m very happy for him because it’s not easy to just show up here from Brazil, where the championship is completely different. Plus he’s very young. His double showed that he fully deserves his place here and it’ll give him lots of confidence for the future.

Is it also a sign of Chelsea’s rude health that your new recruits have been able to make themselves at home so quickly?

Yes, that’s true. But Chelsea have had a very united squad for a long time, and during that time the newcomers have immediately felt like they b e l o n g e d .

Everyone’s well aware that the team is more important than individuals, and the new players are always made very welcome. I’ve been here for more than eight years and I’ve hardly ever seen players who thought life was tough here, and who couldn’t adapt because of that. Quite the contrary.

With all the Petr Cech usual suspects having made strong starts, are you expecting a very open Premier League title race?

I think this season will be very close and an exciting one for the supporters.

Lots of teams have strengthened.

Manchester United have started well and will be involved in the title race, as will Manchester Eden Hazard City FC, who want

Juan Mata

Oscar

Still only 30 years of age, Petr Cech has won every title going during his time with Chelsea.

Ranked among the finest goalkeepers in the world, he has collected medal after medal since joining in 2004 and last season reached new heights when he helped the London club end their long wait for UEFA Champions League glory.

That dramatic success has galvanised the Blues and they have made an excellent start to the current campaign, which they hope to end by defending their European crown and returning to the Premier League summit.

Equally effective between the posts for the Czech Republic, Cech is also keen for his national side to build on their encouraging displays at UEFA EURO 2012 as they look to the future, starting with their bid to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. He spoke with FIFA.com

to defend their crown, while we’ll be right back up there. There’s Arsenal too, who are playing well and scoring goals while looking solid at the back. If they continue like that, they’ll be very dangerous.

Then there are other teams who want to play well and get a European place. In my opinion, it looks as if it’ll be as exciting as last season, when we didn’t know right up until the end who’d win the title and who’d be relegated. It’s going to be very interesting again this year.

Has winning the Champions League given Chelsea even more mental strength?

It gave us a huge amount of pleasure and a lot more peace of mind, because it was a trophy that the club were trying to win for a long time. We were finally able to lift that magnificent cup and our ambition now is to defend our title. After experiencing such a fantastic feeling, we only have one aim: to experience it again.

You were one of the heroes of the final, not least when you saved Arjen Robben’s penalty in extra time. Was that the highlight of your career on a personal level?

Definitely. It was a moment everyone will remember, and me more than anyone. It was one of the turning points of the final because they could have won it if they’d scored then. That save allowed us to keep hoping and to keep going until the shoot-out. And we all know what happened after that.

As you have now won every title going with Chelsea, what are your ambitions with your national team?

I won the European U-21 Championship in 2002, when we beat France in the final. I’m very proud of that and I dream of one day doing the same with the senior team. I still have a lot of regrets when I think back to the EURO semi-final we lost to Greece in 2004, because we had an exceptional side that could have gone all the way. Two generations of players have left since then and we’re currently rebuilding. Given that, it was an achievement just to qualify for the most recent EURO, and it was very satisfying to reach the quarter-finals. We can think of that performance as a first step forward, with our goal being to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. The Czech Republic drew away against Denmark in your first qualifier on the road to Brazil. Was that a good start?

It was a very good result when you look at Denmark’s performances in the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup, when they topped their group after a superb campaign, especially at home, and against big teams like Portugal.

So, for us it was a very good thing ahead of two decisive home matches in which we absolutely have to take maximum points.

Given that Italy are struggling to find the form that helped them reach the final of EURO 2012, can the Czech Republic cause an upset in Group B? Everybody knows that Italy are favourites, with Denmark the second strongest team in the group according to world ranking. We want to spring a surprise and cause an upset by knocking one of those two teams out. We’re hoping to at least finish second and go through to the play-offs, but we’ll do everything we can to finish top and qualify directly, even if we’ll be staying realistic.

Having appeared at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, how do you see your role towards the younger players during the qualifying campaign?

I’m one of the most experienced players now because at the moment I’m the most capped member of the squad, plus I have all the experience I’ve gained at Chelsea, the reigning European champions. I’m there to share all that knowledge with the younger players to help them feel at ease and to show them the road to success.

In a recent interview with FIFA.com, Jaroslav Plasil praised the talent of the new generation of Czech players and said they bring a certain unpredictability and audacity to your play.

Would you agree with that?

Yes, and I’d add that the players from Viktoria Plzen gained a lot of experience because of their club’s good performances in the Champions League last season, and that’s helped the national team a lot. Overall, our major strength is that we’re a real team, very close, and we’re capable of getting ourselves out of tough situations by staying united. Those are the qualities that allowed us to get past Montenegro in the play-offs and qualify for the last EURO. At 30, you are still young for a goalkeeper. Are you aiming to continue beyond the 2014 FIFA World Cup and have you fixed yourself any sort of retirement date?

Going to Brazil, a country that lives and breathes football, would be a very special event and one I really hope to take part in. After that, I love what I do and I still enjoy it a lot. If I can carry on for five, six or seven years, I will. The only condition is that I manage to stay in good health and good form. I don’t want to continue playing just because my name is Petr Cech and I’ve played for Chelsea for ten years.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 45

PICTORIAL A/ Portugal and Argentina climbed to third and fourth respectively on the global ladder as Colombia returned to the top ten for the first time in over a decade. Elsewhere, Belgium, Serbia and Central African Republic made impressive progress.

B/ Barcelona have confirmed that captain Carles Puyol will miss eight weeks of action, starting with this weekend's La Liga Clasico, after dislocating his elbow against Benfica.

C/ Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed Abou Diaby's thigh injury will rule him out for most of October and has hinted that the French national team can take some of the blame for his latest injury setback.

A

D/ British javelin record-holder Goldie Sayers is set to resume full training in the New Year following successful elbow surgery.

E/ Leicester and England scrum-half Ben Youngs could return after injury on Friday and Mathew Tait is also close to a comeback.

F/ Andy Murray eases through to the quarter-finals of the Japan Open with a straight sets win over Slovakia's Lukas Lacko.

G/ Frankie Dettori will ride Epsom Derby and 2000 Guineas winner Camelot in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

B

E

C

F

G

D

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

Eight boxers will represent FCT at 18th National Sports Festival, says coach

E

ight boxers are to represent the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at the 18 th National Sports Festival, tagged “Eko 2012’’,according to the Territory’s chief coach, Benjamin Daniel.

Daniel said yesterday that the association had registered the eight boxers in different weight categories for the festival but added that only one of the eight is a female.

Daniel said that the boxers had been training daily and participating in competitions, adding nonetheless that only those who were fit would be taken to the festival.

“We registered eight boxers on the internet, but I don’t believe in multitude but in quality. If I find out that only two or three boxers will give us glory, I think I will go with them,’’ he said.

However, Daniel added: “But I hope to go with all of them because I have very good boxers in my team.’’

The coach hoped that the boxers would fare better in Lagos than they did in the 17th edition of the festival in Port Harcourt last year.

“Since the FCT started participating in the National Sports Festival, we have never been to any without returning with a medal or two.

“So, I believe that we are going to do more than we did in Port Harcourt because we had two bronze medals there, but I believe we are going to go higher than that,’’ he said.

The 18th National Sports Festival is scheduled to hold in Lagos from Nov. 27 to Dec. 9. The festival was introduced in 1973 to promote national unity and engender grassroots sports development.

Bolaji Abdullahi, Sports Minister

Nnodim, Ofoegbu vow to make amends for Flamingoes I

t’s a game that still plays on their minds, b u t S a r a h Nnodim and Oluchi Ofoegbu are planning not to crash out of the FIFA U17 Women’s World CupAzerbaijan 2012 the same way they did at Trinidad and Tobago 2010.

Having cruised through the first round, beating the hosts, reigning champions Korea DPR and Chile to top Group A with maximum points and scoring ten goals in the process, they squared up against Korea Republic in the quarter-final in Marabella.

The game that followed was an absolute

classic. Nigeria were 2-0 and 3-2 up in the first half, before needing an Ngozi Okobi strike at the death to force extra-time at 4-4.

However Korea rallied, scoring twice more, and while Loveth Ayila got her second of the game 101 minutes after her first it finished 6-5.

Speaking to FIFA.com, the Flamingoes pair realise with hindsight where they went wrong.

“We lost because of a lack of experience and a lack of concentration,” said confident centre-back Nnodim. “But we believe this time around we are able to pick up the trophy.”

Ofoegbu admits to fond memories of their

Caribbean adventure two years ago, but defeat has instilled a steely determination in the tenacious midfielder. “It was amazing at Trinidad and Tobago 2010. We lost that game because of a lack of concentration, but this time around I believe that we will make it up to ourselves.

“The game of football is all about experience, we believe we have learnt from our loss in 2010, so we have gained experience because of it and we will not let it happen again.”

As well as their mental growth over the past two years, the green-clad duo was unwavering in their assessment of their own

technical and footballing development. In reply to whether they had improved as players, a synchronised and vigorous: “Yes, very much so”, was their confident and crystal clear appraisal, and why not?

Azerbaijan 2012 has so far been a very positive tournament for Nigeria.

Nnodim, the taller of the pair, presided over a tight defensive display in their 1-1 draw against CONCACAF U-17 Championship runnersup Canada, a game which they rattled the woodwork no less than four times.

Ofoegbu meanwhile was a central cog in Tuesday’s 11-0 victory over the hosts,

FCT Minister receives Festival Torch

F

Sarah Nnodim

CT Minister Bala Mohammed yesterday in Abuja received the ‘Torch of Unity’ of the 18th National Sports Festival, tagged, ‘Eko 2012’,which is scheduled to be held from November 27 through December 9 in Lagos.

Receiving the torch, Bala said the presence of the torch in Abuja was significant because the FCT “is the unifying arena for Nigeria. “The torch stands for the symbol of Abuja which is unity.’’

Mohammed said he was hopeful that the spirit of sportsmanship would be seen in Abuja.

“I hope this will help us to compete positively and most competitively so that we will bring Abuja to the front burner in sporting activities.

“We are trying to reposition the sports department so that we can have sporting activities and facilities in the city for the benefit of our teeming youth and workers.

“This is so that we can have a vibrant, energetic and healthy workforce to move Nigeria forward,’’ the minister said.

Musa Alim, the Director of Sports in the FCT, received the torch from the minister, and said FCT athletes would do their best to represent the territory well.

He said the torch symbolised “the principle of coexistence, unity and cooperation that the festival is all about.

“The FCT is looking forward to topping the medals table and doing better than our previous performance.

“Although we can’t predict the number of medals, we are prepared for the festival because we’ve put all the preliminary arrangements on ground to participate favourably,’’ Alim said.

He said the torch would proceed to Plateau today.

a result that neither can remember bettering but both agree can be improved on.

The well-built defensive midfielder’s belief that her understanding of the game and her team had improved couldn’t have been more evident with her assist for their second goal. When her electric pace allowed her to charge from midfielder and break

through the backline, she instinctively looked for Halimatu Ayindewho was on hand to tap in her cross.

With the likes of Chinwendu Ihezuo, who got five and set up three, on form and the experience of fellow Trinidad and Tobago veterans Ayinde, captainVictoria A i d e l o m o n a n d d e f e n d e r E b e r e Okoye, Nigeria look in good shape to challenge.

Nnodim particularly feels this just could be their time. “We are ready for this tournament and we believe we will lift the trophy because this time we are prepared for it.”

Adepoju assures 3SC fans of improvement in 2012/ 2013 league season

M

utiu Adepoju, the General Manager of the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, has assured the club’s fans that its preparations for the 2012/ 2013 season will not be interrupted in spite of the postponement of the commencement of the season.

Adepoju, who spoke on Tuesday in Lagos, noted that the postponement would give the team more time to prepare.

“On our own part, we have resumed training; we want to ensure that our players are properly and thoroughly prepared for the next season; irrespective of the postponement of the resumption date.

“We are not going to sit idle and wait until the actual kick-off date before we commence preparations for the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) 2012/2013 season,’’ he said.

The general manager said that the plan of the club was to ensure that its fans saw a repackaged and improved team, “one that would give them value for their money when they

watch our matches’’.

The former Racing de Santander FC of Spain attacking mid-fielder added that the club would not embark on mass recruitment of players this time around.

“We are working on it and when we are ready, we will work on it with the players we have at hand.

But one thing is that we would only keep the number of players we can manage effectively,’’ Adepoju said.

The Minister of Sports, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, on September 26, stopped the 2012/2013 season from taking-off because of what he described as the “ p r e v a l e n t inconsistencies’’ in the league.

Abdullahi remarked that the league was“ fraught with controversies’’ which, he said, had become the norm each season.

Following this development, the Board of the Nigeria Premier League, postponed indefinitely all its pre-season activities scheduled to commence from Oct.2; until the issues raised by the minister were looked into.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

PAGE 47

Say what?

Source: Reader's Digest

FACTS * A Swiss ski resort announced it would combat global warming by wrapping its mountain glaciers in aluminum foil to keep them from melting. * The chameleon has a tongue that is one and a half times the length of his body. * Beethoven dipped his head in cold water before he composed. * There once was a town named "6" in West Virginia.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

* Ten years ago, only 500 people in China could ski. This year, an estimated 5,000,000 Chinese will visit ski resorts.

ACROSS 1 Person who weeps childishly (3-4) 7 Drab appearance (9) 8 Irish Republic (4) 10 Scorch (4) 12 Aberrant (9) 14 Incessantly (2,3,2)

DOWN

* In 1920, Babe Ruth broke the single season home run record, with 29. The same year, he became the first major leaguer to hit 30 home runs. The same year, he became the first major leaguer to hit 40 home runs. The same year, he became the first major leaguer to hit 50 home runs.

2 Tier (3) 3 Wicket part (4) 4 Hardwood tree (5) 5 Made sense (5,2) 6 Normally (2,1,4) 9 Disagreement (3-2) 11 __ Laurel, comedian (4) 13 __ de Janeiro, city (3)

* A Nigerian woman was caught entering the UK with 104 kg of snails in her baggage. * Profanity is typically cut from in-flight movies to make them suitable for general audiences. Fox Searchlight Pictures has substituted "Ashcroft" for "A**hole" in the movie Sideways when dubbed for Aerolineas Argentinas flights.

Source: Weird facts

Quick CrossWord (40)

Yesterday’s answer

A smashing pumpkin! The giant vegetable weighing in at 1,100lbs that took six months to grow.

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

. . . putting the people first

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

UEFA CL: Balotelli saves City from Dortmund onslaught

M

ario Balotelli stepped off the bench to rescue Manchester City's Champions League hopes with a controversial penalty to secure a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund.

Joe Hart made eight world class saves for City but the visitors finally made the breakthrough when Jack Rodwell left a square pass short on the hour for Marco Reus to score the opener. Dortmund looked set to hold on for a 1-0 victory with some ease, but a harsh penalty - given for a Neven Subotic handball allowed Balotelli to equalise for a barely deserved point.

Meanwhile, Arsenal appear set for an easy ride into the competition's knockout stages after they made it six points from six with a 3-1 triumph over Olympiakos at Emirates Stadium. Arsene Wenger, who completes 16 years in charge of Arsenal this week, saw his side overturn the Greeks thanks to goals from Gervinho, Lukas Podolski and Aaron Ramsey.

Elsewhere, Porto secured a 1-0 victory at home to bigspending Paris Saint-Germain.

The hosts looked the stronger side and took a deserved lead on 83 minutes, with James Rodriguez providing a fine finish, and PSG were unable to respond. Malaga put in another impressive showing as they beat Anderlecht 3-0 in Belgium.

Schalke had to settle for a 22 draw at home to ten-man Montpellier.

Schalke started the better, but it was the visitors who took the lead as Karim Ait-Fana curled the ball into the far corner from just outside the area on 13 minutes. On 26 minutes, Schalke were level as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar played an intelligent pass through to Julian Draxler, who took the ball around goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren before rolling the ball into the empty net.

Results Zenit 2 AC Milan 3 Ajax 1 Real Madrid 4 Anderlecht 0 Malaga 3 Arsenal 3 Olympiacos 1 D/Kiev 2 Din Zagreb 0 FC Porto 1 PSG 0 Man City 1 B/Dortmund Schalke 2 Montpellier 2

ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

0803 0805 0803 0805 0803

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE No female pilgrim from Nigeria had been returned during the previous years because they had always been accompanied by their male guardians.

— Saudi Ambassador in Nigeria, Khaled Yousef Abdrabuh, on the deportation of Nigerian female pilgrims from the holy land last week

The pains of Jonathan's avian diplomacy I

'm piqued, seriously. Just as I was trying to beat the deadline, news reports say nearly 30 students were shot dead in Mubi, Adamawa state. This forced me to remodel the primer of this article to reflect the latest woe.

Like the title of one of iconic Wole Soyinka's books, Climate of Fear, Nigerians especially those in the northern part of the country, are living in climate of fear. Our dreams crumble like our businesses. Like breathing, deaths occur every second. But where are we heading to for goodness's sake?

Are we all heading to Golgotha?

With all these maladies at home, you wonder what benefit our president's foreign trips will provide the country. Peace? No. But President Goodluck Jonathan appears to be in competition with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who late Gani Fawehinmi said, visited 52 countries in one year. And Jonathan seems so determined to break the record.Whenever the president travels abroad, at least millions are spent on luxury hotel bills, estacode, choice drinks, shopping, honoraria, logistics, among others.

While the nation internally grapples with Boko Haram insurgency, spate of kidnapping, armed robbery and oil bunkering, the same nation is battling with diplomatic crisis on the international stage.

Recent diplomatic challenges Nigeria finds herself in have punctured the country's foreign policy, which was ballooned out of proportion by the president's spin aides.

The deportation of 125 Nigerians by South Africa in March, the stoning of the president in Kampala, the failure of the government to secure clemency for 17 Nigerians sentenced to death in Indonesia, the defeat of President Jonathan when he contested the presidency of AU, the inability of government to re-open Bakassi file and recent deportation of 1,000 Nigerian pilgrims to this year's Hajj only show the weakness of Nigeria's foreign policy. The deportation of women pilgrims is now the straw that breaks the camel's back. Do you think Saudi authorities will quarantine and bundle out the citizens of America or any other serious country the way we were treated? I think any Saudi official who dares block American envoy from visiting Americans is obviously risking a jail term.

311 689 606 327 454

7458 1765 3308 1969 0344

President Goodluck Jonathan It seems for President Goodluck Jonathan, diplomacy means junketing around the world with dozens of aides to attend events that are far from dispensing the tonic of Nigeria's systemic ailment. What relevance is nuclear summit to a country that cannot produce helmet or military boots? What would a country that cannot explore its vast hydropower potentials for electricity say at a nuclear summit? What will a Nigerian president tell a UN summit on Rule of Law when he is

dining with subsidy thieves at home? You see, it's just that the president has become a sucker for Eagle One, the Boeing Business Jet (737) that transports Nigerian president.

Despite the fact Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has three ministers but the president's territorial instinct and crush for skies make him pocket their junketing roles, reducing them to mere visa negotiators.

Having had perhaps swimming as his childhood pastime, President Jonathan's new romance is flying around the world.

And despite Jonathan's penchant for flying, Nigeria has one of the worst aviation industries in the world. Since the president's primary interest is flying, one would expect Nigeria to attain stardom on the aviation stage.

Alas, our aviation industry is deteriorating by the day.

The Punch editorial of September 26 doesn't seem to hold any punches when it flays the president's travels. "The doubtful value of the trips," said the newspaper, "is underscored by the

“

Having had perhaps swimming as his childhood pastime, President Jonathan's new romance is flying around the world.

And despite Jonathan's penchant for flying, Nigeria has one of the worst aviation industries in the world. Since the president's primary interest is flying, one would expect Nigeria to attain stardom on the aviation stage. Alas, our aviation industry is deteriorating by the day

poor judgment in the choice of places to visit, timing and the utterances of the President. It was in poor taste, for instance, to have attended the inauguration of Yoweri Museveni for a record fourth presidential term even after he had manipulated Uganda's constitution to abrogate term limits, spent 26 years in office and had been accused of electoral abuse, provoking mass protests.

Jonathan would have saved himself the discomfort of being caught in Museveni's convoy when it was pelted with stones by irate Ugandan voters in Kampala."

On the president's muchcriticised trip to Brazil, the editorial says, "[t]he timing of the President's trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the Earth Summit in June was insensitive. Terrorists had just struck in Kaduna, Kano and Yobe states in a weekend orgy of bloodletting that left over 70 dead.

But as Nigerians mourned, their President travelled for a summit that the environment minister could well have handled. The President's entourage is also excessive and wasteful."

But early this month, the Special Adviser to the president on media, Dr Reuben Abati dissipated energy in penning a hagiography about the president's foreign policy. Said he in his opening remarks: "The gains of President Jonathan's diplomacy are often overshadowed by misrepresentations of the size of his delegation." A point Abati missed is the fact that the sheer size of the entourage and frequency of trips is not yielding any pragmatic result.

When President Goodluck Jonathan travelled to little-known countries like Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica early August for their Emancipation Day and Independent Anniversary respectively, one expected to see a pride of heads of government moving majestically into Aso Rock to celebrate our 52nd Independence anniversary however low-key the event, that is. None was seen.

Jonathan needs time at home to concentrate on our internal problems that are threatening our existence as a nation. He needs to sit tranquilly and find the clue to the corruption slipping our oil industry into abyss. The president also needs to study his proposed 2013 budget to go in synch with his "austerity measure" and to avoid the embarrassment last year's N1 billion Aso Rock food budget caused.

Unless if President Jonathan is trying to find our lost NigComSat 1 satellite, these frequent air travels should stop immediately.

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