Peoples Daily Newspaper, Tuesday 5, March, 2013

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 10 No. 47

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

. . . putting the people first

Barmani Choge, ace female Hausa musician, dies at 80 >> PAGE 5

Rabiul Akhir 23, 1434 AH

N150

Pension director, Odi massacre: John Yusufu CPC wants Obasanjo slumps in court tried at ICC >> PAGE 2

>> PAGE 2

Afenifere to Jonathan

Forget 2015

Calls for national security summit From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, yesterday took a swipe at President Goodluck Jonathan for contemplating to contest the forthcoming 2015 presidential race.

Describing Jonathan’s ambition as, “re-election dream,” Afenifere regretted that the President could jettison the nation’s security for his 2015 re-election bid.

Warning Jonathan to desist henceforth from treating issues of national security with levity, Afenifere in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ogbeni Yinka Odunmakin, explained that, “while bombs are flying like bangers, guns booming in every nook and cranny, kidnappers daily nabbing their victims and assassins shooting without missing; the battle for control of Governors’ Forum and such mundane tussles have taken all the attention of the Presidency.”

The statement described Contd on Page 2

PD INDEX 4th March, 2013

CBN RATES $ £ EURO CFA RIYAL

BUYING 154.74 236.22 203.87 0.2964 41.26

SELLING 155.74 237.75 205.18 0.3164 41.52

PARALLEL RATES EURO £ RIYAL $

BUYING 208 254.50 42 157

SELLING 210 257.50 43 158

Chairman, Federal Character Commission (FCC), Prof. Shuaibu Oba-Abdulraheem (Middle), going through a letter of compliance with the Acting Corps Secretary, FRSC, Godwin Omiko (left), during a two-day public hearing on employment irregularities in federal establishments by the Senate Joint Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, and Employment, Labour and Productivity, yesterday in Abuja. With them is the FCC Secretary, Mr. Jude Rex-Ogbuku (right).

Photo: NAN

Recruitments: Heads’ll roll over federal character breaches, Senate threatens

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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he Senate President, David Mark, has disclosed that the Senate had concluded plans to decisively deal with any government ministry,

department and agency, which carried out recruitment over the past two years without complying with the provisions of the federal character principles.

Declaring open, yesterday, a two-day public hearing by the

senate joint committee on federal character and intergovernmental affairs, and employment, labour and productivity, on "employment irregularities in federal establishments in Nigeria", Mark

said that senate will not pardon any government establishment which fails to provide all the necessary information to the committee.

He however, added that Contd on Page 2

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

Editorial

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Odi massacre: CPC wants OBJ prosecuted over genocide in ICC

Op.Ed

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By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Letters

14

Opinion

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CONTENTS News

2-10

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S/Report

24-25

Defence

26-27

he Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has called for the prosecution of former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the International Criminal Court (ICC), for crime of genocide over the Odi massacre of November 20, 1999, in Bayelsa state.

In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashakin, the CPC explained that the proposed prosecution of the former leader will help to restore constitutional order and decency among the

Agric

28-29

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

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former Deputy Director at the Police Pension Office, John Yusufu, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly failing to fully declare his assets and liability in the declaration of assets form yesterday slumped in the dock during proceedings.

Following the development, Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja, adjourned proceedings in the matter to April 22, 2013 to enable Yusufu, who was last month remanded in Kuje Prison, get access to medical attention.

His lawyer, Theodore Mayaki,

PDP’s road to 2015, Page 4

Newsxtra Int’l

30 31-34

Strange World 35 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-45

Leisure

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

ruling elite.

The party pointed out that Obasanjo’s directive to the Nigerian Army to massacre the people of Odi and Zaki-Biam falls within the purview of genocide as contained in Article 6 (a-c) of the ICC statute.

“The wider implication of the arraignment shall be the institution of constitutional order and decency among the ruling elite, so that the inalienable rights of the people to personal liberty and justice shall remain sacrosanct, the statement said.

The party also recalled that in

2001, the same PDP-led government of Obasanjo equally ordered the invasion of Zaki-Biam , a community in Benue state, by soldiers with the same violent intent as the Odi invasion.

The CPC argued that at the time of the infractions ordered by Obasanjo, Nigeria was not in a state of war with the communities affected, pointing out that the action typified the impunity and excessive show of executive recklessness which the PDP government has continued to practise in the 13 years of the nation’s democratic governance.

It noted that no amount of monetary compensation could assuage the colossal loss of the helpless communities whose rights to life was trampled upon by the Obasanjo-led Federal Government.

The statement said that, “it is equally our belief that, with the establishment of the intent and content of the invasion as genocidal, the course of justice is best served if the head of the government at that material time, that is, Olusegun Obasanjo, is formally arraigned before the ICC.”

Pension director slumps in court had earlier applied to court to grant his client bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge against him.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), opposed the application arguing that Yusufuu should remain in custody pending trial.

In a counter affidavit opposing the application, he said Yusufu had been convicted previously for criminal breach of trust and it would be in his interest to be kept in custody to prevent the possibility of him being mobbed by aggrieved members of the public.

Jacobs further contended that Yusufu would interfere with investigations and that he is most likely to jump bail more so as he is no longer in the employment of the Federal Ministry of Works.

Yusufu is alleged to have knowingly failed to make full disclosure of his assets and liability in the declaration of assets form, including his failure to declare his interest in the SY-A Global Services Limited, a company that is solely owned by him and members of his immediate family.

The offence is punishable under section 27(3) of the EFCC Act (2004).

The accused is equally alleged to have failed to declare his interest in a N250 million fixed deposit account in the name of the said company and maintained by Zenith Bank Plc. The company is also alleged to have a N10 million fixed deposit account at First Bank of Nigeria Plc, among other charges.

Yusufu pleaded not guilty to all the charges while the cour fixed March 11, 2013 to rule on the application for bail.

Afenifere to Jonathan: Forget 2015 Contd from Page 1 weekend’s killing of the Kwara state Commissioner of Police in Enugu as a confirmation of Federal Government’s indifference to the fragile state of the nation’s security.

The statement recalled a recent proclamation credited to former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjumah, to the effect that a part of the country

appears to be in a state of war.

According to Afenifere, “within 48 hours after Danjuma’s declaration, the Kwara state Police Commissioner, Mr. Chinweike Asadu, was gunned down in his home state of Enugu while 22 people were killed in Borno state in an attempt to take over an Army barracks by members of Boko Haram.

“As if to confirm the state of

nature that Nigeria has descended into, there is a sense of indifference to these calamities these days as the Presidency sparingly issues the photocopied response, we shall fish out the culprits.”

The group suggested immediate convocation of a National security summit to bring leaders and stakeholders together from across the country to

brainstorm on the causes of the virtual security collapse in the country and proffer solutions to them.

“The suggested summit should be a prelude to a national conference that will address the structures of Nigeria in a way that the constituent units can live peacefully within a proper federation built on justice, equity and fair play,”Afenifere said.

Heads’ll roll over federal character breaches Contd from Page 1 anyone who fails to comply with the requirements of the joint committee will face the full wrath of the senate, without consideration.

In addition, Mark observed that the future of Nigeria is bleak if the issue of job racketeering is not quickly tamed by the government, but warned that during recruitment, merit should not be sacrificed on the altar of federal character.

"Any recruitment without advertisement is illegal.

Nigerians should come out without fear to furnish the committee with relevant facts that would aid the investigation.

The committee needs these information for their investigation," he said.

In his remarks, the chairman of the committee, Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta, PDP Niger state, revealed that, from the

investigations made earlier by the joint committee, it was discovered that not less than 700 people were sacked in 2012 from Nigerian Police, due to fake appointment letters.

Kuta said also that another 500 people were also removed from Civil Defence Corps in the same year under review for same offence, and urged Nigerians who have presentations or petitions to make on the issue of employment irregularities in Nigeria to come forward with such petitions and presentations, to aid their investigations.

Speaking further, he said the committee had received not less than 300 petitions from aggrieved Nigerians, assuring that the committee would attend to the petitions before the hearing winds up.

He therefore directed all government agencies to forward details of recruitment since 2011

with immediate effects, adding that every document sent to the committee must be signed by the authorising officer, for easy reference and documentation.

Meanwhile, in the course of the public hearing, the Senate joint committees, which is investigating job racketeering in Nigeria, revealed how some commercial banks and other syndicates have been aiding and duping unsuspected job seekers.

In his speech, the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Prof. Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem, said the essence of the principle of federal character is to ensure equity in both federal jobs and political appointments, which in turn, strengthens the bind of unity in Nigeria.

He said that investigations have revealed that most of the crisis in some parts of the country is attributable to the lopsided employment strategy by some

chief executives, regretting that most heads of federal government's ministries, departments and agencies, engage in clandestine and casual recruitments which do not comply with the federal character principles.

Meanwhile, all the federal government ministries, departments and agencies that came to the public hearing claimed to have adequately complied with the federal character principles, though members of the joint committee rejected the claims, saying the records they have points to the contrary.

It would be recalled that federal government employment in Nigeria has mostly been done under questionable circumstances prompting public outcry, following suspected manipulation by some of those in authority.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

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Jonathan, Commonwealth scribe in closed-door meeting

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday held a closed door session with the visiting Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Kamalesh Sharma, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Sharma and members of his delegation were accompanied to the meeting by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador

Olugbenga Ashiru.

At the end of the closed-door session, the Commonwealth scribe told State House correspondents that the meeting dwelt on issues that are of mutual benefit to the group and Nigeria.

"We talked of what contribution can be made by the Commonwealth in the post-2015 Millennium Development Goals.

There was also the issue of deep

bilateral collaboration between Commonwealth and Nigeria.

"This extends to the election commission that has been working for a very long time, the observers even in the last election. It extends to a software we keep and renew on debt management. We are also ready to work with the country in the area of public administration.

"So I am meeting a lot of ministers. I had a meeting in the

morning with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Finance and discussed many of these issues especially as they relate to trade and liquidity which are in the forefront of our membership. Tomorrow (today), I hope I will have the opportunity to meet with the Minister of Trade."

Ashiru also told journalists that issues bordering on trade and free movement formed the basis of the

meeting between the President and Shalem.

He said ahead of the November’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, there is a proposal to exempt carriers of diplomatic and official passports from visa procurement.

He said the gesture might be extended to members of professional bodies later on.

KANSIEC to use corps members in LG election From Edwin Olofu, Kano

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L-R: Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, in a handshake with President Goodluck Jonathan, during his visit to the State House, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

ASUU demands inquiry into killings of Nasarawa varsity students From Edwin Olofu, Kano

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he Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has demanded a full-scale investigation into the killing of two students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi recently allegedly by military men.

ASUU National President, Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge who stated this at a news conference at the secretariat of the union at the old Campus of Bayero Univeristy Kano, said unless the Nassarawa state, Governor Umar Tanko Amakura constitute a commission of inquiry to find the

remote causes of the killings, the union would not rest in pursuing justice for all the victims of the killer-soldiers.

Fagge added that never again would the union fold its arms and watch trigger-happy soldiers or police officers murder students in cold blood.

He recalled that the use of force has never resolved dispute between students and authorities of the university, stating that a more informed university leadership should have known that there is no love lost between students and the armed security services.

Fagge cited the killing of Kunle Adepoju at the university of Ibadan in 1971, ‘Ali Must Go’ crisis of 1978 which claimed scores of students’ lives, stressing that these were quick reminders of how worse a militarist strategy to handling students riots could go.

He blamed the authorities of the institution for failing to take control of the situation and allowed it to get out of hand,.

“The questions begging for answers, however, are: why would the authorities of NSU Keffi refuse to provide basic boreholes that can sufficiently meet the water needs of their students?

Why would they refuse to respond to the entreaties and eventual warnings of the students before February 25th? Why did the authorities of NSUK ignore the students’ lecture boycott on February 25th? Who invited the military to quell students peaceful protest? Who ordered for the shootings and killings of university students?”

He said the federal government should respect its promise not to allow vacuum in the governance of universities by reconstituting and inaugurating governance councils for the federal universities immediately.

he Kano state Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) is to use corps members as ad-hoc staff during the forthcoming local government election in the state.

The chairman of the commission, Dr. Sani Lawal disclosed this when he paid a courtesy call on the Kano state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Monday.

He said the commission would also invite election observers from within and outside the country with a view to monitoring the election.

“This is a clear testimony on how we intend to be transparent and fair in the conduct of the election’’ “If you are aware, this government is a product of free and fair election, then why should I not conduct free and fair election?”, he said.

He urged journalists in the state to enlighten political parties on the need to field candidates with track record of proven characters.

“Enlighten political parties to field candidates that are transparent, prudent and above all a true representation of people whose performance will impact positively on the people.

“If they do that, they play their own constitutional and civic responsibilities”, he said.

The chairman called on politicians in the state to avoid the use of abusive or vulgar language before, during and after the election in order not to create disaffection among them.

Responding, the NUJ Chairman, Alhaji Abduljalal Haruna congratulated the chairman and other members of the commission on their appointment.

He assured that journalists in the state would give the commission the necessary support and cooperation to enable it achieve the desired objective.

Hajj: Stakeholders laud NAHCON on 40,000 pilgrims per airline

By Maryam Garba Hassan

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takeholders in the aviation industry have commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for instructing interested airlines for this year’s hajj exercise not to airlift more than 40,000 pilgrims each to Saudi Arabia.

The order which the Commission gave in a tender

advertised in some of the dailies in the country, also stated that the designated airlines would not be allowed to operate in more than six airports in the country.

It would be recalled that, in the past, some airlines were allocated more than 40,000 pilgrims even when the number of aircraft they had, were inadequate to convey the number of pilgrims before the deadline given by the Saudi

authorities as well as operate in more than nine airports within the country creating congestions at the airports.

Sources close to the Commission have said that the new development may not be unconnected with the plan to address the major challenges that affected smooth hajj operations in the country such as delay in the airlift of intending pilgrims to and from Nigeria within the stipulated

time as well as to address the issue of missing and misplaced pilgrims’ luggage during the journey back home.

Some stakeholders, who spoke to Peoples Daily, lauded the Commission for the initiative, saying it is a good development towards addressing the major challenges faced during hajj operations in the country.

A major stakeholders who spoke to Peoples Daily on telephone, on

the condition of anonymity, said the initiative which did not go down well with some airlines which felt targeted, is also for the safety of the pilgrims.

He added that it would improve sanity during the operation and was also economical to the airlines in cutting down their expenses at their airports of operation in the country as each airline could hire staff in each of the airports.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PDP’s road to 2015 Since its debut on the political scene in early February as a union of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the All Progressives Congress (APC) would seem to have become a reference point of sorts for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a manner suggesting that the fear of the newly cobbled APC is the beginning of wisdom for the PDP, writes Abdu Labaran Malumfashi.

President Goodluck Jonathan

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t an interactive session with newsmen last week, the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur asserted that the newly formed All Progressives Congress was run like a cult.

He claimed that, "Most of the people in APC now are original members of the PDP and I can assure you that we have commenced talks to bring them back to where they originally belonged, which is the PDP. "They are coming back, because some of them have told me that their aspirations may not be met in the APC because of the burning ambitions of some individual members.

They don't want a party that is being run like a cult."

This is saying pretty little coming from the chair of a party with which the term "cult" has been severally applied to in the past, and also infamous for selecting as opposed to electing its flag bearers as has just happened in the emergence of Chief Tony Anenih, aka Mr. Fix it, as the chairman of PDP's Board of Trustees.

Removing the glove off the

Former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) speculated 2015 ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur stated that, "It (the President's ambition) is in order in politics.

Jonathan is the President under our party and what is wrong if he decides to run? The others have the same opportunity to promote their candidate, if they have."

The selection of Tony Anenih as BOT chair of the PDP is another pointer to the road the party and, especially, President Jonathan's plan for 2015, no thanks to the emergence of the oppositions' APC. Then there are the futile attempts to remove Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers state as chairman of Governors' Forum as punishment for his alleged 2015 Vice Presidential ambition and the subsequent balkanization of the of the forum.

Yet another panic measure is the emergence of PDP Governors' Forum with Akwa Ibom Governor Godswill Akpabio following the failure to out Amaechi as head of the 36 member Governors' Forum. But

according to the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, the PDP Governors' Forum was established because "the Nigeria Governors' Forum has really constituted itself as a trade union, some elder statesmen have really come out to explain things in that perspective.

"For instance, about three weeks ago, Prof. Jubril Aminu came out publicly to say the NGF is not supposed to be a trade union. It is supposed to be

PDP National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur

an association of governors coming together to discuss common challenges in the country, not to hold the country to ransom.

"We believe that as chairman of the NGF and as a PDP governor and as a member of the PDP, Amaechi should subject himself to the supremacy of the party and the leadership of the party.

"We have our elder statesmen at the Board of Trustees, some issues must be referred to them for discussion

“

But sophistry, we dare say, is no substitute for the truth. Therefore, until and unless the government takes up the former minister's challenge for a debate, the larger society will be left with no conclusion other than that Mrs Ezekwesili may well be right, after all

and to proffer solutions.

"We believe that the BOT for example is the conscience of the party and the party is supreme and the party can."

But Gulak apparently overlooks the fact that that the Governors' Forum have non PDP governors as members.

However, this allegation was swiftly denied by the Director-General of the NGF, Dr. Asishana Okauru, declared that, contrary to Gulak's assertion, the NGF was never run like a trade union.

The NGF, according to him, "operates as a policy hub and it is responsible for servicing all the 36 governors across party lines. It (NGF) is not a political association and it is not run like a trade union."

On top of all, it has emerged that nine PDP governors and some of its lawmakers in the National Assembly have been placed under surveillance on the suspicion that they are sympathetic to the APC and may be wooed to abandon the ruling party.

These activities suggest that the road to 2015 is going to be bumpy for the largest party on the continent.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

By Sunday Ejike

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nity Bank Plc has debunked a report published in the Peoples Daily of February 27, 2013 which linked the pioneer Managing Director of the bank, Malam Falalu Bello, to a fertilizer deal with Rich Flour Mills Limited.

The Bank described the report linking Bello who spent about 30 years of unblemished career in banking, with several allegations of impropriety and abuse of office as untrue, malicious and extremely misleading.

Head of Corporate Communications of the Bank, Aliyu Ma’aji, said the report was not only one-sided but an attempt to tarnish the image of one of the finest bankers the country has ever produced and the institution that was adjudged as one of the best in corporate governance by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in its stress test of 2010.

He explained that the loan facility was granted to the customer to supply fertilizer to Benue state government but because of the long process associated with the importation and the fear that the contract terms will expire, the Bank under the former Managing Director accepted the customer’s proposal to source

PAGE 5

Rich Flour Mills case: Report incomplete, misleading, says Unity Bank the fertilizer locally in order to meet the deadline which MBS Merchants Ltd willingly obliged.

“The customer alleged connivance, abuse of office, fraud and unethical practice against Malam Falalu and Unity Bank, yet the reporter felt the story is complete without bothering to contact Mr. Bello or gather the full details from his counsel.

“This is unacceptable by all standards because we have a

situation where a whole story is developed 98 per cent from the perspective of one aggrieved party.

“This does not provide for balance where the perspective of the other respondents is buried deep within the narration in the form of a single paragraph.

“The report is bereft of the full details of the transaction dynamics between Rich Flour Mill Ltd and MBS Merchants on one hand and Unity Bank on

Measles claims 9 children in Katsina From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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t least nine children have been reported dead in Katsina state due to an outbreak of measles in the area, according to the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Hussaini Yammama.

He told reporters in Katsina yesterday that infection was recorded in all the 34 local governments of the state, noting further that a total number of 1, 260 were infected by the disease.

Yammama gave a breakdown of the casualty figures to include,

three children in Funtua, two in Bakori and another two in Faskari local government areas.

He attributed the outbreak of the disease to parents who refuse to take their children for the routine immunization exercise, and noted that government had provided enough drugs and vaccines to check the spread of the disease.

The commissioner therefore appealed to parents to always take their children for immunization and report any suspicious ailment to the nearest hospital.

the other.

“The reporter ought to have taken the allegations he made one by one and approach the Bank or MBS Merchants to hear their own side of the story and report same in full details with equal prominence given to all parties involved.

“Our Bank and indeed Malam Falalu Bello would not have indulged in any shoddy deal against any organization or individual considering how we came about and what we stand for. Falalu is a role model with strong character.” he

affirmed.

He further explained that the issue is a matter before a court of law as well as an arbitration panel which should be allowed to be determined by the authorized institutions.

“This is not a subject of random discourse and unguarded libelous opinions. I believe a lot of caution should be exercised and where the issue is being reported in press, legal representatives of all parties should be given equal editorial space to explain their points fully.”

Barmani Choge, ace female Hausa musician dies at 80 From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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opular Hausa female musician, Hajiya Sa’adatu Barmani Choge, has died at the age of 80 years. Reports said that Choge passed last Sunday after a brief illness. She has since been laid to rest in Funtua, in accordance with Islamic rites.

Choge will be remembered

as a great entertainer who has hundreds of songs to her credit.

In a recent interview with this reporter, Choge complained of leg pain and lack of sleep which she said were her major problems.

The late musician composed songs for virtually all the former first ladies in the country. Choge is survived by 12 children.

Immigration begins registration of foreigners in Kebbi From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

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L-R: Leader of the delegation of members of the German Parliament, Uwe Kekeritz, Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Dorathee Janetxke-Wenxel, during their visit to the Speaker, yesterday at the National Assembly,in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Ekiti: Supreme Court decides Fayemi’s fate May 31

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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he Supreme Court will on May 31, 2013 decide whether or not Kayode Fayemi will remain the executive Governor of Ekiti state.

The apex court yesterday fixed that date to deliver judgement in the appeal brought before it by the former governor of the state, Segun Oni, asking it to set aside an Appeal Court judgment which removed him from office and declare him as the elected

governor of the state.

The full panel of the apex court presided over by Justice Tanko Mohammed fixed the date after parties in the suit adopted their written addresses in the appeal.

In his submission, counsel to Oni, Chief Joe Kyari Gadzama (SAN), urged the court to set aside the October 15, 2010 judgement of the lower court which sacked Oni on the ground of likelihood of bias.

He argued that the suspended President of the

Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, who constituted and presided over the panel and also wrote the judgment of the Appeal Court that sacked Oni from office, had close affinity with Senator Bola Tinubu the alter ego of Fayemi’s party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

He said, “bias or likelihood of it makes a decision a nullity and is therefore a sufficient ground for the lower court to set aside its own judgment.”

However, in a preliminary objection, Fayemi through his

counsel, Olusola Baiyashea (SAN), said the Supreme Court did not have the jurisdiction to hear the appeal.

Fayemi argued that the reliefs sought by the appellant emanated from the governorship election tribunal which the Court of Appeal is the final bus stop.

He contended that the court has no jurisdiction to entertain the appeal, being an appeal emanating from the decision of a lower court adding that there was no valid appeal before the court.

he Nigeria Immigration Service in Kebbi state has begun the registration of foreigners in the area as part of measures to identify those who constitute security risk.

The Controller of Immigration, Dogara Adamu, told Peoples Daily yesterday in Birnin Kebbi that the registration exercise is taking place across the 21 local government areas in the state.

“The registration has been on for quite some time but we had some logistics problems.

“But that notwithstanding, we have been directed to continue with the registration manually, we are appealing to those who have not been registered to come forward, Dogara said.

He reiterated that the registration exercise for the foreign nationals was part of measures to ensure adequate security measures were put in place to block all porous borders in the country.

He urged Nigerians especially business men who often travel outside the country to obtain the ECOWAS certificate which has replaced the ECOWAS Visa, abolished in the 15 ECOWAS countries.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

Kwara CP murder: An indication of anarchy in the land, says ACN From: Ayodele Samuel, Lagos & Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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ore reactions have continued to trail weekend's murder in Enugu of the Kwara state Commissioner of Police, Chinweike Asadu, with the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) lamenting that the country has taken a dive into anarchy.

The police confirmed that unidentified gunmen killed Asadu as he was about to enter his Enugu residence in Abakpa Nike, at about 9.45 p.m. on Saturday. His driver

and orderly who were with him at the time of the incident sustained bullet wounds.

The ACN in a statement yesterday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, noted that with the development, no one is safe if gunmen can so easily kill such a high ranking security officer.

According to the statement, "attacks on police and military formations, killing of security agents, out-of-control armed robbery and pervasive kidnapping, just to mention a few of the security challenges facing our nation, are

pointers to the fact that our country is fast becoming a failed state, irrespective of what government apologists may say or the spin they may put on things.

"It is imperative to catch the perpetrators and bring the full weight of the law to bear on them because nothing portrays a nation as a failed state more than when security agents on whose shoulders lie the responsibility of protecting lives and property become easy targets for criminals.

"No one is happy to have his or her country labeled a failed state but the truth of the matter is that

Nigeria of today is exhibiting all the indices of a failed state, whether it is group grievance, economic decline or worsening public services.

"That is why Nigeria has consistently been in the top 20 failed states ranking since 2009, in the same class as Somalia, Afghanistan, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Chad, among others.

The statement urged the Federal Government to channel its energy towards providing improved security and welfare of citizens as well as address age-long injustices and absence of good governance in many parts of the country.

And, in its reaction, the Kwara state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) said that the death of the serving police officer in the hands of assassins could only attest to the porosity of Nigerian security mechanism which the NUJ lamented has become a subject of worry to well-meaning Nigerians.

In a press statement by the union's Secretary, Bisi Adedayo, the NUJ said that, "efforts should also be geared towards equipping the security agencies with a view to making them more efficient and effective."

Al-makura appoints new SSG From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

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asarawa state Governor, Umaru Tanko Almakura, has named Hajiya Zainab Abdulmumini as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

A press statement yesterday signed by the Permanent Secretary (General Administration), Bulus Musa Amoyi, noted that until her appointment, Hajiya Zainab was the Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa state Ministry of Education. Her inauguration is expected at a later date.

A statement by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Administration, Mr Bulus Musa, in Lafia, said that AlMakura would inaugurate the new SSG on a date to be announced later.

The Governor had dissolved his cabinet in February and removed the former SSG, Mr Hamza Elayo, all commissioners and special advisers.

According to Al-Makura then, the dissolution of the cabinet was not designed to witch-hunt anyone but to inject new blood in the administration in order to fast-track its development agenda From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

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he Jigawa state government released the sum of N3 billion for the construction the Jigawa eastern bypass, the Commissioner for for Works and Transport, Baba Aliyu, said yesterday.

The Commissioner who spoke when he received communities from Kirikasamman local government area explained that the Governor Sule Lamido administration has a tradition of releasing up to 30 per cent of the total sum of any project.

As Aliyu put it, "it is the custom

R-L: President, Christian Association of Nigerian-American(CANAN),James Fadele, CAN National Secretary, Musa Asaka, former Ministerof Education and member of Trustees, CANAN, Mrs. ObyEzekwesili, condoling Mrs. Deborah Shettima, from Maiduguri, AdamuAbila from Yobe, Mosea Ezekiel, and other Boko Haram victims, during press conference by CANAN, yesterdayin Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Nigeria's debt: No cause for alarm, say DMO

By Abdulwahab Isa

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he Debt Management Office (DMO) says there is no cause for alarm over Nigeria's current external debt profile which stands at $6.5 billion with an internal debt of N6.5 trillion as at December 2012.

"This debt profile is at reasonable level because our debt continues to remain sustainable and the GDP ratio as at December last year was 19.4 per cent which is far below the

40 per cent ratio prescribed for countries in our peer group," the DMO Director-General, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, yesterday.

He spoke with reporters after the opening ceremony of a twoweek interactive workshop on subnational debt sustainability analysis/portfolio review, organized for DMO staff from across the states.

According to him, accurate debt status of each of the 36 states of the federation

including the Federal Capital Territory will be made public soon in an official report to be presented by the DMO. said the country was very comfortable on the current level of Nwankwo said, "it is important to stress that government is not just laying emphasis on statistics but the emphasis is on value for money that is, ensuring that whatever is borrowed is used in such a way to help contributing to more

growth and employment generation as well reducing the rate of poverty growth. "Our debt is sustainable.

Government is paying emphasis on ensuring that the growth the country is experiencing using this resources, is an employment- generating growth." he noted that the training to be conducted in batches was intended to equip the state debt officers with debt sustainability and analysis skills.

Jigawa releases N3bn for Hadejia eastern bye pass and principle of the government to release 30 per cent advance payment to contractors as mobilization fee amounting to over N2 billion, after the contractors have submitted two evaluation certificates of work done one of N300 million and the other one is of N400 million and are all settled."

He note that the road project has reached about 35 per cent completion despite the challenges and difficulties attached to the work, as, according to him, "constructing road in that

area is very difficult but thank God Almighty that the project is going according to the laid down plans and agreement."

He said that the construction work was awarded to CGC at the last quarter of last year to be carry out in three phases at the total sum of N13 billion.

The Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo, has donated N2 million and a 14-seater bus to the state branch of the Muslim Corpers' Association of Nigeria

(MCAN).

Barkindo made the donation yesterday in Yola while receiving the officials of the association who paid him a homage at his palace.

Barkindo, who described the corps members as agents of development said that they had a vital role to play in promoting cordial relationship, peaceful co-existence and stability of the country.

"You are the symbol of peace and leaders of tomorrow, and you have a vital role to play in promoting the

unity and development of our dear country.

"In this crucial time of security challenges, Nigerians need your services based on your experiences and dedication to humanity," the Lamido said.

The Lamido, who is also the state Chairman of the Council of Chiefs, underscored the importance of the corps members and stressed the need for traditional institutions to give them maximum support and cooperation.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

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‘Jonathan’s fight with Amaechi is a survival game’ From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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he Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Special Duties, Prince Dennis Sami has said that the faceoff between his boss and Chairman of Governors forum and River State governor, Chibuike Amaechi which led to emergence of Peoples Democratic party (PDP) Governors forum last week is a conflict of interest and ‘’a game of survival’’.

Sami who doubles as the Publisher and Chairman of Nigeria Pilot Newspaper and Newsworld magazine disclosed this at an interactive session with newsmen yesterday in Benin City.

According to him, ‘’I don’t think there is any problem between Amaechi and the President. Politically, Amaechi might have his own ideas and the President…It’s a game of survival and of course, which ever way it has to be, it’s left for the two of

them...So if he has a challenge from somebody who is from the zone, it’s up to him how he wants to tackle that challenge’’.

He said it was not possible for President Jonathan to always have smooth sail in anything.

Appraising the Nigerian media, he said that the media ‘’still remain vibrant and robust under the circumstances which they operate’’.

He also said, to curb crude oil theft in the Nigeria Delta, the relevant agencies in charge

must redouble their efforts in the discharge of their duties.

The publisher admitted that oil theft in Niger Delta region known as bunkering has been an age-old trade that requires the full cooperation of both the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation [NNPC] and the taskforce set up by President Jonathan to curb.

“Oil theft has been an old issue. People have been stealing our oil for a long time. I, as a Bayelsan, they have been

stealing the oil from my village and I am not benefiting. There are some persons who have set up the system knowing how to steal the oil, which is known as bunkering. Even when the President was governor, he knew people are stealing oil from the area”.

ASUSS demands release of detained members From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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Jigawa state Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido (middle), administering oral polio vaccine to a child, at the commencement of the second round of the 2013 polio vaccination, on Sunday at Kanya-Babba village in Babura Local Government Area of the state. With him are his Deputy, Alhahi Ahmad Muhammad (right), and Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tafida Abubakar (left).

Edo Assembly screens 18 commissioner-nominees From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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do State House of Assembly yesterday confirmed 18 commissioner nominees out of the 19 sent to it by the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole for screening on February 20,2013.

Ms Anena Elizabeth Jemitola, from AkokoEdo local government area of the State is yet to be screened because of illhealth. But the House however fixed next Thursday for her screening.

The nominees were made up of 60 percent of the old commissioners that served in the governor’s first tenure.

The old commissioners that were confirmed are Louis Odion, Abdul Oroh, Clem Agba, Chris Ebare, Francis Evbomwan, John Oasgie Inegbedion, Lucky James, Ekpenisi Omorotionmwan and Donald Osikhena.

The new nominees are Patrick Agwinede, Henry Idahagbon, Blessing Maigida, MacDonald Obasuke, Osarodion Ogie, Omo Ojo Orobosa, Osifo Omerede Osemede, Lawrence Aghedo and Isimeme Iriogbe.

Before the confirmation, Chairman House standing committee on rules, business and government, Shaibu Philip while

presenting the committee’s reports to the House said the committee received a total of 11 petitions written against three nominees.

Shaibu said one petition was written against Clem Agba, the immediate past commissioner of environment and public utilities by the traditional ruler of Weppa Wanno, George Egabor that the nominee is not from Etsako East local government area but from Etsako Central.

He added that three petitions were received against Ekpenesi Omorotionwa, the former commissioner of education and

out of the three, one was only treated because it was signed by the petitioner.

He said that the petitioner alleged that the nominee ‘made away with the ministry of education’s Plasma TV and Tyres when the state government dissolved the executive council last year.

He added that the allegation by the petitioner one A.A Akenbor was fictitious because he failed to disclose his address and his detailed particulars in the petition.

Shaibu also added that the committee discovered that the

petitioner was not a staff of the ministry and he forged letterhead paper of the state ministry of education to write his petition.

Shaibu further added that seven petitions were received against Elizabeth Anena Jemitola, the immediate past commissioner of Arts and culture.

The committee added that the commissioner nominee failed to submit her curriculum vitae to the committee as well as not making herself available for screening.

NOA boss calls for national unity

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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he Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr.Mike Omeri has called on all Nigerians to see the nation as an indivisible entity capable of handling its issues and working to ensure progress.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary of the Ageny, Paul Odenyi, said that the NOA boss made the appeal during an inter- faith session

organised by the Agency at the palace of Asagba of Asaba, His Majesty, Obi Joseph Edozien in Asaba, Delta - State.

Omeri, who confirmed that Nigeria has had lots of challenges in the past, also reminded participants at the inter-faith session that the atmosphere with which Nigerians had once shared pains and misfortunes of one another, should be encouraged, so as not to derail “our focus and resolve for united Nigeria.”

Earlier, , the Asagba of Asaba commended the Agency for organising the inter-faith session, noting that the forum had brought together major ethnic groups and religions together in his palace “ to chat way forward on issues bothering on our nation’s unity”.

“Each of us will have to surrender something to remain indivisible Nigeria. We should be tolerant; and always be our brother’s keeper,” he said.

cademic Staff Union of Secondary Schools ASUSS Bauchi state chapter, has demanded the release of its members detained by the police in the state over the strike embarked upon by the union.

Speaking to newsmen in Bauchi, the State Chairman of the union, Comrade Abdullahi Ningi said the detention of the teachers was a conspiracy between the state Commissioner of police, the State Attorney General, the Chief registrar of the state and the state commissioner for education.

Ningi said that the union through its counsel would file a suit in court for the bail of its detained members and write a petition against the Bauchi State Commissioner of police, the State Attorney General, the Chief register of the state and commissioner for Education.

He explained that the union would not rescind its strike action because it was figting for a just cause even if it means sacrificing their lives.

The Chairman alleged that the state government, in its bid to get some of the striking teachers to return to the classroom and refrain them disrupting activities in public secondary schools, decided to detain some of its members through the use of security agents in the state.

He said, “Initially five of our members were invited by the security operatives to the station.

When they got there, they were detained and asked to write a statement. Some of their colleagues who did not see them decided to follow them to enquire about the matter. On reaching the station, they were also detained by the police, making eleven of them. They were all transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department SCID. ASSUS officials were taken to Magistrates court eleven and two, where the presiding magistrates were not on seat. They were taken back to police custody and remanded in prison custody”. “ The arrest of our members is illegal, unlawful and a clear case of connival between the Bauchi State Commissioner of police, the State Attorney General, the Chief register of the state and commissioner of Education”, he said.

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Yunusa Danyaya (3rd right), representative of the Alaafin of Oyo, Amb.Ayandotun Ayanlakin (2nd right), with others, during the visit of the representative of Alaafin of Oyo to the Emir of Ningi, yesterday in Bauchi state.

R-L: Member, Editorial Board, Spill Magazine, Mrs Oyenike Saulance, recipient Spill Magazine Outstanding Award, Dr. Thahil Tafawa-Balewa, his wife, Hajiya Hafsat Balewa, and Publisher of Spill Magazine, Mr. Adebayo Edward, during the presentation of outstanding “Medical Integrity and Selfless Service to humanity� award to Dr. Balewa by Spill Magazine, recently in Abuja.

L-R: Managing Director, Jos electricity distribution company, Mrs Vera Osuhor, receiving an award from general manager, PHCN, Gombe Business Unit, Alhaji Sale Kani, during the inauguration of Tudun Wada business unit permanent office, yesterday in Gombe.

The beautiful bride of Jamil Zakari (head of the public relations sections of Nassarawa state University, Keffi) flanked by her parents, during their pre-wedding reception over the weekend in Abuja.

Cart transporting hay on Ningi-Bura road, yesterday in Bauchi.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo & NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

UN urged to establish world inter-religious council

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

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he United Nations (UN) has been called upon to establish an Inter-Religious Council within its body so that major religions of the globe will be given a sense of belonging and enhance the process of adopting religious related resolutions.

This call was made by the Executive Secretary of the Abuja

Borno to provide 50 Thai trainees with houses, farms

National Mosque Management Board and Inter-Religious Ambassador, Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar Jega, while presenting a paper titled "Living together at ease in a landscape of religious diversity and differences: Education factors" at the 5th Global Forum Vienna 2013 United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC), in Vienna, Austria.

Jega disclosed that the establishment of such Council was capable of bridging the gap between

policy makers of UN member states , adding that "UN Resolutions that have direct link with religious as well as the process of disseminating UN Resolutions and or Declarations across civilisations and religions" would easily be sent across and adopted through the Council.

Alhaji Ibrahim Jega, who is also the Co-Chairman, Abuja Interfaith Peace Forum further maintained that "Member States or Representatives of Religious Council (if created) would facilitate

dissemination of all relevant UN Declarations and Resolutions to their Religious Organisations which will go down to all places of worship, schools, and individual families within their respective domains and denominations."

He emphasized that there is no religion worldwide that preaches or condone acts of extremism, violence or terrorism, as the "life of mankind is regarded as sacred by all Divine Religions, Civilised Cultures and

Global Best Practices".

Nobody is therefore expected to kill or take one's life except through due process of law", he added.

While enjoining UN, regional and national bodies to allow reasonable representation of women in decision making and implementation at all levels, the Executive Secretary proffered suggestions that could promote tolerance and dialogue as a way of establishing sustainable global peace.

The UNAOC is a mission that aims to forge collective political will and mobilise concerted action so as to improve cross-cultural understanding and cooperation among countries, peoples and communities, and the 2013 general theme was "Responsible Leadership in Diversity and Dialogue."

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

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orno state government at the weekend, promised to provide houses and farms for each of the 50 trainees who completed a three -month extensive training on various agricultural fields in Thailand.

The state Deputy Governor, Zanna Umar Mustapha, disclosed this while receiving the 50 returning trainees on behalf of Governor Kashim, saying government resolved to assist the trainees with fund to set up farms for various agricultural purposes within their residential apartments to be built by the government.

"Government is spending a lot of money on training you because we expect you to create something for yourselves. You are coming to change our farming system in Borno and replicate the Thai allyear-round experience here. We are going to have house farms for all of you to encourage you to concentrate on massive production," Mustapha said.

He noted that the training might have changed the orientation of the 50 agriculture graduates that left the state last November to Thailand, adding that more people would soon go for similar training.

Also speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Youth Empowerment, Dr. Zainab Gimba said government sent the 50 agric graduates on training to address the high rate of unemployment in the state, adding that the 50 were selected out of about 23, 000 university, polytechnic, colleges of education unemployed graduates in the ministry data base.

She said the second batch of the trainees would soon depart the state to Thailand even as she stated that about 10, 000 youths have so far been trained in Cotonou and other farms in the country especially in poultry and fisheries According to her, government has identified agriculture as a major source of employment generation, adding that it was for this reason that It resolved to build the capacity of the youths. She disclosed that the 50 youths that returned from Thailand were trained on fisheries, rice farming, bio-gas, irrigation, extension and poultry.

L-R: Permanent Secretary Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Republic of Namibia, Mr Erastus Negonga, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, and Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Republic of Namibia, Rosalia Nghidinwa, during the commonwealth national women meeting, on Sunday in New York.

Photo: NAN

Ganye traditional council gets new Talba From Umar Dankano, Yola.

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eople from all walks of life stormed Ganye Local government area of Adamawa state to witness the turbaning ceremony of the state Attorney General and commissioner for justice, Barristar Ibrahim Tahir as the new Talban Ganye by the paramount traditional ruler of Ganye chiefdom,Gangwari Ganye, His royal highness, Alh. Umaru Sanda Speaking at the occasion, the Gangwari Ganye said that, the emirate council bestowed the traditional title of Talba on the commissioner based on his track records of services, humility and respect to the constituted authority in addition to his numerous contributions to the development of the emirate council, the state and society as a whole.

He implored the new Talba to continue with the good work which brought succour to humanity just as he called on all sons and daughters of the area to assist their people especially youths and other disadvantaged groups in the society as well as join hands with the emirate council to facilitate development to the area.

The traditional ruler also decried the high level of moral decadence among the youths and urged them to shun restiveness and other forms of social vices which have been threatening the peace and stability of the country.

He commended Governor Murtala Nyako for carrying the area along in his development projects and numerous achievements and called on the people of the area to co-exist with one another irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliations for the development of the state.

Earlier in his acceptance speech amidst tears, the new Talban Ganye Barrister. Ibrahim Tahir, commended the paramount ruler and the entire emirate council for the honour done to him and assured that, he would not disappoint the emirate council.

According to him, the honour would encourage him to do his best for the people of the chiefdom and the larger society.

Meanwhile, The Adamawa state commissioner for justice Barrister. Ibrahim Tahir, who was turbaned weekend as the first Talba of Ganye has given reason why he could not hold his tears while

delivering his acceptance speech at his turbaning ceremony.

In a chat with journalists after the event the commissioner recalled the unprecedented achievements recorded by the Nyako administration which he is part of and the Governor decision to give him the opportunity of serving the state as commissioner of justice .

"Am not the only person from Ganye neither am I the only lawyer from here but the fact that, I am been chosen three times among

thousands and given this opportunity and this office in particular I have every reasons to be glad, I can tell you that whenever I see Nyako sometimes I hardly can control myself. You can imagine a Governor of his calibre and integrity given me the opportunity to serve in his cabinet 3 times more so that, I was not disappointed considering his unprecedented achievements. Therefore, am proud to be part of the administration now and always", he stated.

Adamawa state Governor, Murtala-Nyako

…Why I cried -commissioner

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

Thinking of increasing your financial net-worth? Learn basics for investing I

n today's financial world, many people still believe that long-term financial planning is only important for the wealthy.

Others think that it is a task best left to professionals, but in reality there are many steps that the average investor can take to solidify his financial future.

The question here is do some people still don't know why they should invest? It is vital to invest because the idea behind investing is that money is put to use in such a way that it is likely to turn into more money. This could happen because someone is willing to pay interest to use the money or because the value of whatever security the money was used to buy increases during the period of ownership.

In simple terms, investor guide notes: "Destinations for invested money include savings accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds and numerous other investment options." Further questions remain whether there can be proper investment without financial planning because both of them work together. Financial planning helps you to know your net-worth. The first step in the financial planning process is to determine net-worth. In simple term, your net-worth is the sum

of your assets minus the sum of your debts.

The need for any investor to know his net-worth is critical because it serves as a jumping off point to begin thinking about his financial future.

Financial experts believe that assets include all of an investor's assets including real estate, securities, valuables and cash.

While debts include mortgages, car loans and credit card balances, and should be subtracted from the assets to

determine net worth.

Personal finance experts at investor guide believe that as soon as you begin to bring in enough money so that a portion of it may be set aside for investing, a plan is necessary to take full advantage of that money. "The goal of financial planning, then, is simply to find ways to increase net worth at a steady pace. Saving money, allowing assets to appreciate, and paying down debt will all contribute to this goal," they noted.

Particularly, one of the most important aspects of investing is determining time horizons meaning that it is crucial to know when you will need the money.

The questions are vital -will I need the money I invested in the short, medium or long term. In an advisory capacity, unless there is unforeseen incidence, investments are better anchored on long term purposes.

"Common time horizons are based on large future expenses, such as retirement, college, houses

or cars. Knowing when money will be needed allows for the most effective investment strategy to be tailored to fit in the specific goals that have been outlined," said financial experts at investor guide.

The amount of money available to invest also plays an important role in what investments can be purchased.

This is because some investments are subject to limited access because they require certain minimum amount.

"More generally, investing a greater amount of money opens the door to a portfolio with more risk and potentially greater returns. Despite the importance of investing to your overall longterm financial situation, money for health, auto and life insurance and retirement plan contributions should be a higher priority, and should be budgeted for before beginning to invest.

Additionally, investing should begin after high-interest debt, especially credit card debt, is paid off. Because after-tax returns will probably not exceed the interest rates paid on credit card debt, paying off the debt first will increase the amount of money you have each month," these experts advised.

Cheap smartphones, offering better value for money

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processor and 278MB RAM. The phone features a 3.5" capacitive display that renders images

Value for money Factor- The complete Android experience for low price.

BlackBerry Curve 8520 BlackBerry has always been the enterprise smartphone. The phone has wooed users on its patented emailing and messaging technologies, higher security and greater functionality for the management folk.

BlackBerry Curve 8520 breaks from tradition, aiming at a younger crowd with its Music keys and lower price tag. Get the same BlackBerry experience for the lower rate. The bar shaped phone runs on Blackberry OS 6.0 powered by a 512MHz processor. The touch sensitive optical trackpad is a delight to use for navigation. With a price tag of N26, 000, this

Blackberry is great value for money for a BlackBerry aspirant.

Value for money factor Cheapest BlackBerry Samsung Galaxy Y The entry-level customer is always shortchanged when it comes to features or reliability. You may find countless run on the mill smartphones promising tons of Apps and features but most of them fail to deliver what you desire most, the complete Android experience.

Samsung Galaxy Y has solved this problem in a major way. Samsung Galaxy Y is the entry level Android phone from Samsung but in features it isn't any less appealing.

Samsung Galaxy Y has been targeted especially towards the youth with countless Apps that run on its Android 2.3 Gingerbread that is powered by an 835 MHz processor and 290MB RAM. At a price tag of N21, 000 the phone is arguably great value for money among entry level phones.

resently, there is a proliferation of smartphones with innovative applications, cool featured and seamless social networking experience.

Smartphones have become a must have for most youngsters.

The old folks however are not left out of the party. What would probably deter you from purchasing one is its high cost. Not to worry, there are smartphones that are quite cheap but do not compromise on the features. Here is a list of great smartphones that are heavy on features and are great value for money.

Nokia E6 Nokia E6 is the cheapest touch and type business phone in the market. The phone comes with a brilliant qwerty keypad. The phone runs on the Symbian Belle OS and is powered by a 680MHZ processor. It also comes with a 2.46" capacitive touch-screen

and full qwerty keypad making it a great blend of touch and type navigation. Nokia E6 is light in size, cheap in rate and comes packed with some amazing features. Nokia E6 comes at a reasonably price of N44, 000 considering its touch and type input. It also has a 8 MP camera.

Value for Money factor- Touch and type business phone at lowest price.

S a m s u n g Galaxy Ace Meet the midrange cousin of the famous Samsung Galaxy S2.

Samsung Galaxy Ace is a brilliant mix of strong OS capability and powerful feature packed hardware. The phone comes with Android 2.2 but is upgradeable to 2.3 and is powered by 800 MHz

T

How to pack for air trip without losing essential items at airports

oday, one of the major problems air travelers encounter at airports or onboard flights, is with security personnel or flight attendants.

This is because many of them are yet to understand why some items should be exempted from being taken on board or to the

Quote All life is a chance. So take it! The person who goes furthest is the one who is willing to do and dare."

Dale Carnegie: Author, Lecturer

airport since it is part of what they want to travel with.

Experts in the aviation industry say the rules for travel are changing rapidly, and every airline has different regulations.

They note that it is important to check with your airline when you make your reservation and again, right before you fly, to check for hidden fees and new rules of what can go onboard with you, and what needs to go in the luggage compartment.

beautifully. The phone comes with a 5MP camera that lets you take some beautiful pictures as well. With a price tag of N21, 000, this phone is hands down one of the best bargains in the midrange segment. N21, 000

First or all, you need to know the duration of your flight and trip. Your trip destination will determine the kinds of things to pack, and the length will determine how much of each item is to be packed.

Secondly, you need to pack the essentials: undergarments, shoes, regular clothes. In order to cut down on the amount of clothes to pack, choose items that are interchangeable with other items of clothes.

"For example, it's easier to pair some smart-looking jeans with a dressy or casual top than it is to find an appropriate top for a hotpink leather skirt. Also, choose accessories to spice up an outfit: scarves are small to pack and an easy way to brighten up an outfit", says Wikihow.com.

Also, make sure you have your documents. In order to get on the plane, you'll need some form of identification, such as a passport or a driver's license.

Don't forget your ATM card and credit card; it's probably a good idea not to take every piece of plastic you own because you run the risk of losing the cards.

In an easily accessible pocket of your luggage, store your flight information: the airline, the flight number, your confirmation code, and the flight details.

This comes in handy at the selfservice check-in kiosks that so many airlines provide now at the airport. (Source: MoneyNing)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

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EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

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Indeed, heads must roll over MT Tuma

ince 2000, when it was designated the most corrupt country in the world by Transparency International, it would seem that Nigeria has not looked back and does not appear in any hurry to do so in that respect, regardless of government's pronouncements suggesting otherwise. If anything, matters seem only to be progressively getting from bad to worst with preceding revelation of corruption paling in significance to the next, so much that Nigerians have long ceased to be scandalized by the monumental corruption emanating from the corridors of power in the country.

Even the government's much mouthed fight against corruption is more of public relations gimmicks aimed at deceiving Nigerians and the international community than any policy thrust designed to address this all-consuming cankerworm that is gradually but surely pushing the nation to the brink. Not surprisingly, at the center of most of the corruption scandals is the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the so-called cash cow of the economy.

The recent revelation of the plan by the NNPC to sell off M. T. Tuma, an oil vessel owned by Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), after over $60million has allegedly been wasted on its maintenance has rightly attracted the attention and anger of the National Assembly (NASS) and the NGO Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL).

The alarm to sell off the vessel was raised in the House of Representatives by Hon. Mudashiru Akinlabi who alleged that, "after several contracts were awarded for the maintenance of the said vessel with money paid out to various companies without any work done, Tuma

is now lying idle on the high seas and not in good condition to perform any function after the NNPC had spent at least $60m of tax payers' money. Now the NNPC management/PPMC is considering a total disposal of the ship, which will lead to a total loss exceeding $70m."

Commenting on the development, the Executive Chairman of CACOL, Debo Adeniran, called on President Goodluck

“

And against the backdrop of the endemic corruption that has become a byword for the oil industry, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is busy wasting millions of dollars with impunity on self-serving advertisement on on-line media trumpeting the minister's achievements Jonathan to address the endemic corruption in the Nigerian oil sector, saying that, "It is high time President Goodluck Jonathan put down his feet to address the rot that is bedeviling our oil sector. Many reports by various committees have revealed that NNPC is a cesspit of corruption in this country."

Indeed, this endemic corruption in the Nigerian oil sector was laid bare by the report of the 17-man Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force under the chairmanship of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, which exposed

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”

massive corruption, with hundreds of millions of dollars unaccounted for.

According to the report, ministers of petroleum Resources between 2008 and 2011 had handed out seven discretionary oil licences, but that $183m in signature bonuses was nowhere to be found, with three of the licences awarded since the incumbent minister, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke was appointed in 2010.

The report also suggested that Nigeria "may have lost $29billion in the last decade in the sweet-heart gas deals with major oil companies, such as Shell and Total, just as crude oil theft is reaching an alarming level of 250,000 barrels daily at a cost of $6.3billion a year". Set up in February last year, the committee submitted the report in September, since after which nothing more has been heard about, confirming fears earlier expressed by skeptics who believed that government would not muster the courage to implement its recommendations.

And against the backdrop of the endemic corruption that has become a byword for the oil industry, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is busy wasting millions of dollars with impunity on selfserving advertisement on on-line media trumpeting the minister's achievements.

The plan to sell off MT Tuma is hardly surprising as it is consistent with the corruption-ridden sector, where it has long become a habit to place some primordial considerations over and above national interest.

We are one with the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders that it was about time President Jonathan addressed the endemic corruption in the oil sector, and a good place to start is the criminal plan to dispose MT Tuma. Those found wanting must not be spared the rod.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 13

LG elections: Gombe as a reference point

By Junaidu Usman Abubakar

L

ocal Government is one of the three vital units of government. Its role is considered primarily, in terms of its relationship with the central government. From a liberal democratic standpoint, observers have stressed two bases upon which such relationships have been formulated since the 19th century.

Firstly, local government is considered important to the encouragement of political education and participation and the basis upon which services could be provided according to local needs. Following this trend, relationships with the centre, in this case, the state government, have been based on the partnership of free democratic institutions i.e. the local government autonomy as enshrined in the Nigeria Constitution of 1979. Seen as rational, from an administrative point of view, the system allows for the efficient provision of public services under the direction of the state government, hence, its appellation as the third tier of government.

The Local Government Reform of 1976 was an important landmark in the development of Local Government in Nigeria. The Reform imposed uniformity on the structure and pattern of membership of local governments throughout the country, with traditional rulers denied roles in the running of the councils and was made a third-tier of government with a population of

not less than 150,000 people or more than 800,000. The 1976 reform re-defined local governments and changed their orientation from field administrations of the state governments to being simultaneous local government structures that were responsible to the electorates.

The 2005 provision enacted into law by the National Assembly empowered local government allocation to be paid directly to them, instead of the previous arrangement of having StateLocal Government Joint Account.

The idea of paying the statutory allocation direct to local government is to forestall the possibility of State Government’s manipulation of the joint account to them, a rancorous and gridlocked issue among assembly members throughout the country.

It was widely believed that the reform would enable the local government councils fulfill their primary functions of gross root development. It is on record that Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe state stands out among the few state governments in Nigeria to give free autonomy to all the 11 local government administrations in the state. It is his view that with prudence in financial management and project implementation, the local government would serve as a most useful link between the state and the people.

Media focus in Nigeria on the issue of good governance is not only about the administrative system and the heat they generate among

assorted stakeholders, it is also about the people; the public and the institutions they create, the processes in which they engage, and the policies they adopt such as elections and policies, and those pertaining to education; but in all of these, people are the ultimate focus.

A legislature is composed of legislators and staff members who deal with constituents; elections involve candidates, campaign workers and voters; while education essentially involves students, teachers, administrators and parents. In short, the word, the ward people encompasses an array of individuals and roles in the political system.

Drawing largely on the recently concluded local government election in Gombe state, recent development on voter apathy in electioneering has been a contentious issue with almost every communities throughout the country casting about for ways to increase citizen participation in governance, albeit, elections because they do not effectively engage the public in their policies and programmes, with the authority grown accustomed to reports of low voter turnout.

The local government election that took place in Gombe state last Saturday offers an example of a successful venture in rekindling the citizen-government link; an experiment in political conversation, which for the purpose of expediency, this writer would tag Citizen Voices. For the first time in Gombe state’s political history, the entire populace, save for the two local government areas

of Gombe and Kwami, freely expressed themselves, men and women, in a no-holes-barred companionship that witnessed nine chairmanship candidates of the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), returned unopposed; a political development widely applauded by the Observer Team that turned up at the various voting centres to ‘’witness the making of history’’ Saturday, February 23, 2013 in the state was a day democracy assumes citizen participation taking action to influence the Dankwambo-led administration into doing more to salvage the populace from penury and want which had been their lot in the preDamkwambo era in the state.

That was a period in the state’s history when government works just fine, with limited participation by the state citizenry.

One clear analysis and interpretation of that historical local government election is bound to proceed upon two assumptions, (i) the creative expansion of education and knowledge in a state in hitherto wallowing in abject poverty and want, and (ii) creation of wealth through an efficient skill acquisition programme as a panacea for restive and militant youths, in addition to massive provision of basic social infrastructure and promotion of trade and commerce.

During the election, voting became a representative democracy, the most common form of participation by the people, bent on reciprocating the administration’s gesture. For many citizens of the state the

election was a civic responsibility; and a fundamental facet of citizenship called ‘’the right to vote’’. Voters in the state during the election opted for one of the four most potential responses open to them - loyalty to a state chief executive who had cared so much for them within the last two years.

His monumental achievements in office in the last 3 years, has proved that politics is not about failed promises; his is not the usual political discourse, full of hypocrisy and make believe. The positive effects of his administration on the people of the state are as in-eradicate as they defy enumeration, his refusal to barter social services for remunerative considerations, especially to those hammed in by short circuit desires and momentary benefits, thus giving lucidity to the ingredients of good governance.

The combination of his political philosophy, moral arsenal, indeed his incorruptibility and doggedness in the pursuit of setgoals are the hallmarks of his administration, against which the Dankwambo phenomenon in Gomba state between 2011-2013 must be understood and regarded as the greatest action years in Gombe state political history.

Under Dankwambo’s administration, the affairs of government is founded on members of the state (the citizenry) inviting all and sundry to contribute towards the making of history.

Abubakar is Special Adviser Media to the Gombe state Governor

Uganda, Lesotho and Burundi to undertake a mission of peace to the rest of Africa.

Following a series of activities at regional levels, the Formal Declaration of the African First Ladies Peace Mission was made in Harare, Zimbabwe during the OAU Summit in 1996. This initiative led to the establishment of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM). Nigeria hosted the first AFLPM summit and was elected the pioneer president of the Mission.

Apart from Mrs. Maryam Sani Abacha who was the first President on behalf of Nigeria, other countries that have produced the president of the African First Ladies Peace Mission are the Republic of the Congo (2000); Equatorial Guinea (2002); Burkina Faso (2004); Democratic Republic of the Congo (2006) and Nigeria (2008 to date).

The main objective of the Mission is to address the peace situation on the African continent with regard to the role of women, and mobilize both government and non-government resources to help reduce violent conflict and their effects in Africa. AFLPM helps to build and strengthen the culture of peace and development in Africa, while offering support and service to victims in conflict affected countries, especially, among women and children.

Even the most hard-nosed cynic will concede that these, unquestionably, are noble objectives, especially when we juxtapose them with the reality of

various wars and violent conflicts that plague our continent. The conflicts do not only impinge upon the development of our people, but also leaves a litany of pain, anguish and suffering, especially amongst the most vulnerable demographic groups, which are the women, children and the elderly.

The need for peace on our continent calls for concerted efforts at all levels, including international, regional, national and communal to redress and reverse the scourge of violent conflicts.

The proposal to build a Permanent Secretariat for the African First Ladies Peace Mission was first mooted at the Congo AFLPM Summit in 2008, when it was agreed by all member countries that Nigeria should provide a Permanent Secretariat for the Mission. The Government of Nigeria consequently provided a piece of land to the Mission on which to build its permanent secretariat.

Recently, eyebrows were raised when the media published news that Senator Bala Mohammed, the FCT Minister, had earmarked N4billion for the proposed building of the African First Ladies Peace Mission as contained in the proposed 2013 FCT Administration budget. A robust public debate consequently ensued and opinions of all hues and shades begun flying in the air like confetti in the harmattan wind.

The FCT Minister came out with an explanation and strong justification for his action. He maintained that, "Decree No. 6 of

1976 that created Abuja also simultaneously created the Federal Capital Development Authority with duty and responsibilities to plan, design, provide the infrastructure and construct public buildings as well as services to the entire 8,000 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory."

The Minister said that as part of its mandate to live up to its international obligations, the Federal Government accommodates certain international bodies, adding that every year, the cost of rent or accommodation for such bodies tends to be above one billion Naira.

According to him, the FCT Administration saw in the proposed headquarters of the African First Ladies Peace Mission building an opportunity to save cost by using the AFLPM building to serve multiple roles in providing office accommodation for the African First Ladies Peace Mission and also other international bodies as well.

Senator Mohammed noted that by proposing to build the AFLPM edifice, a public -listed building, the FCT Administration is only acting in accordance to its duty and responsibilities as envisioned by the law.

The Minister emphasized that the FCT Administration has submitted the budget to the National Assembly to debate on it and give its final approval.

At the launch of the 2013 Calendar highlighting PDP women in politics in Abuja last week, Mrs.

Jonathan appealed to the Senate and the House of Representatives to pass the budget for the AFLPM project as the building was not for her but for Nigeria, and would generate employment for the youths.

In a compelling argument, Dame Jonathan maintained that when two former First Ladies, Maryam Babangida and Mariam Abacha, built the Women Centre and the National Hospital, they did not take over the buildings when they left government, adding that she would not take over the peace mission building after her husband's tenure had expired. She pointed out that the Women Centre and the National Hospital are important edifices that have continued to be useful to the Nigerian people.

We must look beyond pessimism or narrow and parochial sentiments and see the sighting of a building that promotes peace as positive and desirable development.

We should acknowledge the fact that an edifice that will accord Nigeria international prestige, advance the cause of women and also provide jobs for our teeming population is indeed a step in the right direction.

We must accede to the fact that an institutional structure that helps to bequeath peace and positive values to our children and humanity is priceless.

I rest my case.

Bello, a scholar of Gendered History sent this piece in from Maiduguri

Dame Patience and a place of peace

By Joy A. Bello

I

have keenly followed the controversy that has trailed the budget being proposed for the construction of a permanent secretariat for the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) and I cannot help but be bemused and slightly saddened that the deluge of comments so vociferously expressed are done, in most cases, with negligible knowledge of the facts or even the origin of the Peace Mission of which they comment about. The dearth of correct information about this organization is further compounded by pseudointellectuals who parade fiction as facts in a macabre dance of deception.

As a woman activist and a stakeholder in the gender affairs of our nation, I feel constrained to lay the facts as they are. Perhaps, just perhaps, those who bend the truth beyond recognition or speak with less than altruistic intent will reflect and see some reason in bequeathing an institution that promotes the virtue of peace to posterity. In order to understand the subject at hand, I will first give a historical perspective of how AFLPM was set up and the objectives it subscribes to.

The African First Ladies Peace Mission which is open to all African First Ladies was established to promote peace and harmony in Africa. It came into existence in 1995 after the Beijing Conference on women in Beijing, China. The initiative was taken by the First Ladies of Nigeria, Gambia, Benin,

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 14

Nigeria: How to create a nation

By Victor Nwoko

S

ince independence, Nigeria has been afflicted with a ruling class whose acts in and out of office can only be described as treasonous. As a nation, we have consistently marched backwards towards the Dark Ages while most nations have successfully broken free of the shadows of ignorance.

Our persistent underdevelopment by successive governments cannot be simply explained in terms of corruption, greed and ethnic nepotism. These vices are present in all nations and cut across race and ethnic lines around the globe. Nigeria's problem is deeper and far more lethal than the character flaws of many. It is a problem rooted in scarcity of ideas, ignorance and timidity in the face of challenges. It is instructive here to note a biblical declaration: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" Hosea 4:6 NJKV. Great nations are known by the values they live by, the ideas they espouse, the knowledge they disseminate and the courage with which they face their challenges.

These attributes form the cardinal principles of a governing philosophy that encompasses every sector of the nation. The intersection of values, vision, knowledge and courage creates a self-perpetuating phenomenon that exudes power and goodwill.

The core values of a great nation include equality, fairness, justice and freedom. National values are of economic importance. A nation where the government is the largest employer of labor (if not the only employer in most places) will soon go bankrupt. It is the duty of government to provide a fair environment where small scale and large multinational companies can thrive.

As Nigeria tethers on the precipice of failure, it will only do us good to define our values in

By Agba Jalingo

I

t is instinctive to fear death.

It is inherent for life to strive to be; to strive to continue.

The persistence with which life opposes its extinction is one of its inherent mysteries. To even the most primitive minds, the qualities of life caused it to seem to have supernatural or divine origin.

As a result, the phenomenon of life throughout the centuries has been sanctified as the greatest gift of the gods.

Death is the violent rupture of life and all those values that men have come to attribute to it.

The fear of death is what gives rise to what philosophers called the first right of nature – the right to self preservation.

But when this right is abruptly abridged either by heinous cruelty or by the judgment of a competent court of jurisdiction, it raises profound questions about the culpability of the state in the gruesome murder of victims of capital punishment.

As at the last count, about seven states have successfully passed laws that ensure that kidnapping and acts of terrorism are now punishable by death

life and will contradistinction deliver in three to the current years of office to state of things. all nooks and The core values Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text corners his state. of a nation We a President or transcend the messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written governor who l e a d e r s , contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 will adopt a galvanize the words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and marshal plan for citizens and a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed the country or mold any to: state for diverse country rebuilding our into a united crumbling and nation. Every The Editor, d e c a y e d child is born Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, infrastructure with rights that 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. and the building derive from Email: opinion@peoplesdaily-online.com of new ones and God/ nature SMS: 07037756364 new cities. We that may not be need good roads, infringed upon interstate among which The values of a nation inform highways across the nation. These life, liberty and pursuit of happiness as are encapsulated by their visions and the ideas create are not lofty goals in the 21st the founding fathers of the United the path. Ideas are the currency century. These are things men States of America. A nation that of innovations and progress. have done for over 3000 years does not value the life of its citizens Nations are built upon the visions from ancient Babylon to Rome, inside and outside the country is a of the leaders and the ideas of its from United States to Singapore, dead state. Only free men, men thinkers. Thinking is an energy- yes we can! We need a leader who whose bodies are unchained as well sapping discipline. A hungry man will declare that it is time for speed as their minds chart the course of may not adequately undertake rails that will connect the east and civilization. A nation where a few such enormous task. Ideas are not west, and the north and south.

Although these proposals cost are allotted oil wells whereas most fleeting night dreams or the cannot afford three square meals illusions of the lazy. It may start money, we invest in the future per day cannot espouse equality. as a flick of the imagination but it and create a new and enduring rigorous thinking, economic process for our people.

A nation where some are more takes research and We create new economic hubs and equal than others is doomed to fail. painstaking A country where fairness has been planning to become credible. expanding existing ones by new highways, out-bribed cannot be just. A What new ideas do we need? What building country with courts that are intractable problems do we have? railways, and rebuilding our morally compromised and Which problems have defied and outdated infrastructure. New distrusted is finished. Justice continue to defy conventional cities will spring up along these should never be a commodity for solutions? What new problems routes with attendant economic sale. We need leaders who will have come up? The answers to the activities. New companies will be appropriate the American above questions lead to new ideas, founded, existing ones will expand declaration of independence and innovations and achievements. and jobs will be created for our make it truly Nigerian. Leaders For example, Electricity and teeming jobless citizens.

More than fifty years after that will seek to end the 'Animal power generation has become a Farm regime' that has controlled problem that is impossible to solve independence, Nigeria does not the country since independence. using conventional Nigerian manufacture bicycles or refine We need leaders who will see means. We can contract power our own petroleum. One of the freedom and justice, fairness and generation and water supply to things we need as of necessity is and equality as the bedrock of a strong internationally known firms, one air-conditioning nation. We need leaders who will company per Local government refrigeration systems due to our rally the nation around area or at most, two. We need weather. These appliances are commonly held values and governors who will declare water today imported from other and power as basic necessities of nations. We leaders who will make aspirations.

WRITE TO US

it a priority to make Nigeria a manufacturing hub. We should be supplying the entire African continent with electrical appliances especially air conditions and refrigerators. We produce engineers who cannot reproduce inventions already in existence. Can anyone doubt the ability of our universities to produce uneducated literates?

Leadership is not about occupying the highest offices in the land. It is not amassing wealth (corruptly) and acquiring properties and titles; it is the making of policies that uplift the country and protects all, especially the most vulnerable- the poor and weak. It is the creation of a system that ensures fairness to all no matter the circumstances of birth or regions of origin. Since independence, no Nigerian leader has articulated the values of the Nigerian state, the very ideals that can bring its diverse tribes together through common aspirations and hopes. Nigeria, formed as a British business enterprise needs to define the reason for its continued existence, a mission and a vision that captures the aspirations of her citizens.

In democratic societies, it is the duty of the opposition, civic leaders, business leaders and intellectuals to offer the people a choice, an alternative philosophy and vision, a contrasting set of ideas to the one presented by the government. These groups have a patriotic duty to continually look at how things can be done better.

They influence the government by the quality of ideas they present.

The tragedy of Nigeria is that the opposition and other leaders are afflicted by the same disease as the government - lack of vision, a situation that worsens the prognosis by several degrees.

Victor Nwoko, a pharmacist, lives in Philadelphia

‘Naija’ and its AK47 economy while the debate continues in other states to do same.

This action has elicited pertinent questions not only about the justification of the continued stay of capital punishment in our statute books but also about the fidelity of the executioner which is the STATE to her own obligations and if a failure in those obligations is itself not criminal.

It has been argued that those who kill by the sword must die by the sword; that the irreparable consequences of the atrocious acts of daredevil criminals can only be repudiated by their execution.

Whether this will alleviate the pains inflicted on their victims has not been proven.

But those who hold this position maintain that such lopsided remedy is the panacea to the prevalent societal ills like kidnapping and terrorism in Nigeria, which are essentially tied to economic failure like Bill Clinton, the former American President rightly identified in his last visit to the country.

Historically, every people have had taboos against taking human life under certain conditions, insisting that the guilty one should be punished in accordance with prevalent social and religious customs.

The principal exceptions are self-defense, including war and the religious practice of immolation to the gods.

Indiscriminate taking of life, or murder, was considered a moral violation as well as a crime against society.

The codes of modern civilization likewise condemn, as a heinous crime, an individual taking another human being’s life, the premise being that life is the most precious gift man can possess.

Man is however in advanced society, permitted to sacrifice his life for certain political ideals as in the service of his country or to take another’s life to save his own.

Killing in self-defense is thus acting in accordance with the basic instinct of life itself; that is selfpreservation.

If war can at all be justified, then in war, men sacrifice and take life to preserve those things they have come to associate with the meaning of life.

But is the taking of life as a retaliation, retribution or punishment justified on the part of the modern STATE that prohibits the individual from doing so for similar reasons?

All advanced states inveigh against taking human life in passion, war excluded. When, however, the STATE takes the life of an individual as punishment for a crime, is that not passion also?

If life is sacred and only to be sacrificed to save its kind; which principle most legal systems concede, then it is too sacred for capital punishment also. At least the state is not consistent in taking life as a punishment for taking life.

With the Greeks who first expounded the idea, the STATE was conceived both as an ethereal entity and a legal structure recognized by Law as an individual called the state.

The state itself pants

frantically to preserve her own existence anytime it is threatened, either by external aggression or by military brutes.

When anyone breaks one of her laws, the STATE charges that individual to Court; as in the case of - "Mr. X Vs. the STATE".

When a STATE that dreads losing her own life turns around to take another individual’s life for whatever reason, the state becomes guilty of the same offence.

The murderer must be restrained. He must be punished as an example. But for the STATE to commit the same act in the form of punishment is not representative of an enlightened age or people.

No one including the STATE has been given the power to take life. It is the prerogative of the Cosmic.

Life preceded the STATE. It existed before the STATE was conceived. The sanctity of life is beyond the bounds of criminal law and jurisprudence.

To be continued

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 15

Another ‘Demand Notice’ from Benue Commerce Ministry!

Why does Nigeria always waste her dreamers? Why is it that good things never last in this beloved country? Why does Nigeria always spill her choicest wine in that satanic distance between cup and lip? - Niyi Osundare in Newswatch magazine of March 9, 1992

I

t was while I was in detention in January 2007 that the decision was sealed. The decision to establish Abba Elizabeth Academy in my "bush" village, that is. Abuja Inquirer, the newspaper I was serving then as Editor, had published a story which the then Olusegun Obasanjo administration didn't find funny. And they came for me and my then-Publisher, Dan Akpovwa. We were herded to the State Security Service (SSS) headquarters in Abuja, and detained.

In the heat of the solitary confinement which I found myself for the next two or three days, I had plenty of time for mediation. One of the best ways I can touch a number of lives, I felt, is to establish a Nursery/Primary school in Odoba Otukpa, Benue State. I found it odd that as at then no single Nursery school can be found anywhere in my beloved village. Consequently, our little children were travelling to and from distant places such as Branch, Olachagbaha, and Ugbokolo, just to learn A,B,C. I was determined to help change this.

Many people were shocked when I kick-started the project.

Even my own relatives, friends and family members were outraged.

They felt that I had gone mad.

Odoba of all places! One of the "bushiest" villages in Otukpa! The same Odoba where hardly had a few Nursery schools had been established in the past, than they all died one after the other. A sparsely populated village that, in their view, is too small to sustain a private school. A land padded to the brim with "bad belle", witches, wizards, bad luck, and the like. Or say they claimed.

Trust Sonde and his so-called madness. None of what "dem" said would sway me. Just as the Biblical Nehemiah proceeded with his decision to rebuild the walls of

By S.O.C. Okenwa

T

he Commissioner of Police in Anambra state, Bala Nassarawa, must be investigated and redeployed if not sacked outrightly for his incompetence and/or complicity in the Ezu River abominable affair. He knows what the SARS men were doing but he preferred to lie his way out! One does not yet comprehend the reason behind the manifest animosity towards MASSOB by governments and their agencies. The open campaign of hostility is reprehensible to say the least!

MASSOB has not done anything more unpatriotic or grievous than what Boko Haram in the north, MEND in the Niger Delta and OPC in Lagos are doing. Their nonviolent campaign for Biafra cannot be criminalised when the 'terrorists' in the north and in Niger Delta are seeking dialogue or amnesty from the federal government!

When I went home in December 2005 my late mother had warned me dreadfully against late night adventures. One night as I made to drive out of the house in the village with a brother and a friend for a concert up-town

Jerusalem despite stiff opposition, I forged ahead until the project became a reality in September 2007.

To say that it hasn't been easy is to state the obvious. Running the school in such an environment is full of sundry challenges, frustrations, delays and disappointments. But none of these bothers me. One the contrary, I feel fulfilled. The pure joy one derives from doing such a worthwhile thing knows no bound.

Bear in mind that money wasn't the p r i m a r y motivation.

Because if my main motive was to make money, I wouldn't have established the school in distant Odoba Otukpa.

Rather, I would have built it here in Abuja. And, needless to say, I would have become very rich overnight.

Before we proceed to the main point of this piece, it is pertinent to note that whereas establishing a school like mine in a "bush" village like Odoba requires a gestation period of about ten years to break even, the reverse is the case in places like Abuja, Makurdi, Lagos and the rest. Consider the school fees, for instance. Each pupil pays only N1,750 as school fees per time. Less than N2,000 that is. A total of N5,150 per season. Unbelievable?

Well, that's the truth and nothing but the truth. It would be impossible to find a school that charges N10,000 per term, "talkless" N5,150; "talkless" of N1,750.

N10,000 per term, "talkless" of N5,150; 'talkless" of N1,750.

In other worlds, between 2007 and now I have been spending, spending and spending virtually every kobo I have, on this project; depriving myself and my family of so many things for the school's sake.

I have, along the line, piled up some debts once in a while, all in a Herculean effort to nurture the school to the Promised Land. But I don't mind any of the inconveniences and insults

involved. After all, nothing good comes easy.

What one doesn't find all that funny, however, is the discouraging antics of government agencies. The typical government agency would, in their desperate bid to generate revenue, pounce on you and your company or school with a vengeance. They would do their worst to harass, intimidate and arm-twist you into paying whatever they feel like. They give

Register/Renew your business premises with the above office within 7 days. Renewal Rate: N11,000. Signed.

Just like that. No courtesy. No empathy. No communication. No nothing. Just an order and a barely concealed threat. Pay within seven days or face prosecution. God's case, no appeal. The ministry of commerce, industries and Tourism's case, no appeal. You are "advise" to do as decreed within one week, or else……

This, mind you, is not an exception. Rather, it is the rule. Ask any business owner in Otukpa, the headquarters of Ogbadibo L.G.A. of Benue state, and you would be regaled with tales of the indulgences of officials of the Ministry of asonde@yahoo.com Industries. Whatever 0803-2159-249 (SMS only, pls) they say must prevail.

Whatever they demand the impression that by establishing must be paid. Whether the a company in your hometown you payment is receipted or not, you had committed an unpardonable had better paid up immediately or sin. else you would be slammed with Don't get me wrong, please; I'm multiple fines in addition to the not saying that schools and principal payment. But I digress. companies shouldn't pay tax or To some of you out there levies. As responsible corporate N11,000 may mean little or citizens, each and all of us are nothing. But to the typical obliged to pay unto Caesar what is company or school in places such as Caesar's and I have no problem with Otukpa, an amount like N11,000 that.

But under what is quite significant; an amount that circumstance must the payment could mean the difference between be made? Must the citizenry be survival and death. That, however, treated like dogs just because we are is not even the issue. The issue is: under obligation to discharge our how, and/or from and where are corporate obligations? you supposed to get all this money To put the whole thing in proper within one week. And what, if one perspective, consider this "Demand may ask, is behind the Notice" from the Benue State unprecedented haste to meet a oneMinistry of Commerce, Industries week deadline, so early in the year? and Tourism, for instance. Dated I may be very wrong, but my 28/2/13, it is headlined own little understanding of this "Registeration Rate/Renewal of thing is that since the year starts in Business Premises Revenue Law January and ends in December, it No.3B of 1979 and 1998". Signed makes little or no sense to issue such by the "Inspector of Business a peculiar deadline so early in the Premises" whose name is year, threatening fire and conspicuously absent on the brimstone. This is more so as we are document, the one -paragraph talking about a community where letter states as follows: majority of us are subsistent To avoid Prosecution in the farmers. A community where most Benue State Revenue Court, you are of the population, schools, and advise (sic) to come over and sundry other business outfits are

living from hand to mouth. For goodness sake, from where will the king's ransom-like "renewal" fee being demanded by the commerce ministry, materialize?

Interestingly, Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has become famous on account of his frequent foreign trips in search of foreign investors. Let's assume that one of such investors agrees to establish a company here in Benue State. Will such an outfit be subjected to the sort of strong-arm tactic that has become the hallmark of the Ministry of Commerce's operations in Otukpa, year after year?

Of course not. The typical foreign investor would be treated like royalty. They would be given free land. Access roads would be constructed for them. Tax holiday would be granted them. No government agency would bother them over anything; instead, the Commerce Ministry and its counter parts would go the extra mile in order to please the white folks.

But because you and I are not a foreign investor; because we am not a Doyin Okupe who would waltz to Benue, collect billions of naira as mobilization fee and vamoose; because we were "foolish" enough to establish something somewhere in our home state, we are now stuck with officialdom's misplaced vengeance. My small school, which is still grappling with sundry teething problems, must, like other business outfits in Otukpa, swallow whatever pill is forced down its throat by revenue-hungry agents of government.

As conceded earlier, tax in itself is not bad, and that explains why we at Abba Elizabeth Academy have dutifully paid everything demanded by the Ministry, since 2007. But tax, in my humble opinion, should not be oppressive or excessive. It should not be a dream killer. Tax should not be as vengeful as it is these days at Otukpa. Our choicest wine should not be spilt in that satanic distance between cup and lip, all because of officialdom's desire to collect tax unscrupulously. After all, it is living companies, and not dead ones, that pay tax.

featuring the late 'Ogene' high-life King, Oliver De Coque, my mother issued a stern warning against returning home late in the night because SARS, according to her, were killing people extra-judicially at night with cases of disappeared villagers been reported often. Of course I heeded her advise and came back home quietly at dawn.

The central police station in

Ihiala town in Anambra state (my hometown) was burnt down many years ago and till today it remains so! The town folks were furious and went for self-help when a trigger-happy policeman opened fire accidentally killing a young boy on an errand. In all intents and purposes the Nigerian police force has become "a mindless and unrestrained killing

them to identify who they were and how they were murdered Governor Peter Obi acted in a haste that suggested cover-up or outright connivance with the police to destroy evidence. By promising to reward any information volunteered by interested parties or members of the public with 5 million Naira without assuring people of protection the Governor sought to trivialise a serious matter involving wasted young lives.

The blood of those wasted souls dumped callously in Ezu River are crying for justice. They deserve justice and justice they must get!

Any attempt to sweep their dehumanising case under the carpet (like many unresolved murders across the land before it) must be resisted and challenged.

We call for an impartial probe and demand for full disclosure and justice on their behalf. May the good Lord accept their souls and may they repose in peace!

Concluded Okenwa wrote in via soco_abj_2006_rci@hotmail.fr

SONDE’S DIAR Y DIARY

By Sonde Abbah

Ezu river’s floating corpses (II)

“

By ordering the mass-burial of the bodies floating on the river even before any postmortem or autopsic examination could be conducted on them to identify who they were and how they were murdered Governor Peter Obi acted in a haste that suggested cover-up or outright connivance with the police to destroy evidence

machine…a human slaughtering enterprise" -- (apology to Prof.

Okey Ndibe).

Even if those young men (nearly hundred) murdered extra-judicially and denied decent burial and dumped like dogs without families in Ezu River were armed robbers, kidnappers or 'terrorists' did that justify the abominable way they were treated? Whatever happened to justice that presumes one innocent of any charges until proven guilty?

Could that strategy of 'arrest and waste' be said to have dissuaded organized crimes in Anambra state in particular and Nigeria in general? Not at all; rather, the high-handedness of the security forces has forced the boys in criminal adventures to become more daring and more violent sparing no member of the police or army seen anywhere around their operations.

By reportedly ordering the mass-burial of the bodies floating on the river even before any postmortem or autopsic examination could be conducted on

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

FCTA unveils new outdoor advert and signage system

By Adeola Tukuru

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Two young men selling snacks and soft drinks, yesterday at Area 10,Old Parade Ground, in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Gwagwalada chair urges INEC to resist FCTA interference

By Adeola Tukuru

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he Chairman of Area Council, Alhaji Zakari Angulu, yesterday called on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist plot by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to interfere in the conduct of FCT Area Councils election.

Angulu, in a statement in Gwagwalada said the call became necessary following speculations that FCTA had

concluded arrangement to deliver the six area councils in FCT for the PDP. The statement signed by Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the chairman called on ANPP supporters in Gwagwalada to remain peaceful and ignore the speculations.

It said election in Gwagwalada Area Council since the inception of the present administration had been adjudged the best by international observers.

“We therefore call on those who are trying to ignite trouble in the March 16 Area Council Election in Gwagwalada as a result of desperation to have a rethink,” the statement said.

It said ANPP as a party had absolute confidence that Prof.

Attahiru Jega led INEC and indeed all the security agencies would not allow themselves to use by anti-democratic forces.

The statement said Gwagwalada Area Council would no doubt be delivered for ANPP under free, fair and

credible election adding that the incumbent administration had since its inception in 2007 impacted positively of residents.

It called on the electorates to come out en-mass come March 16 and vote for ANPP to enable the administration continue the good work it started in the council.

The statement therefore called on INEC not to relent in its efforts to ensure free, fair and credible FCT Area Councils elections come March 16,2013.

NGO trains 52 women in Gwagwalada in soap making

By Usman Shuaibu

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non-governmental organisation (NGO) known as D-pat foundation based in Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT in partnership with the Gwagwalada chairmanship flag bearer of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Hon. Abubakar Jibril Giri and the Deputy Speaker of the area council legislature, Hon. Musa Thomas, have trained about 52 women in liquid soap making.

The President/founder of Dpat Foundation, Mrs. Patience

Ardey disclosed this in an interview with Peoples Daily during the graduation ceremony of the trainees in Gwagwalada, said the foundation would continue to empower women in the area.

She noted that the foundation was established to train the less privileged ones in different skills acquisition programs for sustainable development.

She called on the government at all levels to engage the youths in skill acquisition programme so as to alleviate their suffering in the society.

The founder solicited the financial assistance from the government, highly placed individuals and corporate organizations to enable the foundation to carry out its laudable projects in place.

Addressing participants during the occasion, the Gwagwalada ANPP chairmanship flag bearer, Hon. Abubakar Jibril Giri, said if elected as the chairman he would focus on the poverty reduction of the masses.

On his part, the Deputy speaker of legislative arm of the area council, Hon. Musa Thomas, said that the

leadership of the legislature would do everything possible to empower the women to be self-reliance in the area.

Some of the participants who spoke to Peoples Daily commended the Dpat foundation and in-coming Gwagwalada chairmanship candidate as well as the deputy speaker of legislative arm of the council for organising a two-day training workshop for the women.

They said that the workshop had exposed them in different skills acquisition especially the liquid soap making.

he Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has approved a new outdoor Advertising and Signage system for the FCT. With the approval, a new department of Outdoor Advertising and Signage is to be created which will ensure a successful and sustainable implementation of the system.

The Minister has directed that the new system be implemented by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in collaboration with the six Area Councils of the FCT and reputable advertising consultants. The system will be flagged off by its initiator, the FCT Minister on a date to be announced soon.

The aim of the new advert policy is to standardize all matters concerning Outdoor Advertising and Signage, improve the aesthetic beauty of the Federal Capital Territory and sanitize the territory’s environment.

It is also intended to improve the internally generated revenue (IGR) profile of the FCT Administration.

He said in consequence of this approval, all outdoor advertising practitioners, formal/informal businesses and the general public should note that enforcement shall commence three (3) months from the date of the publishing of the FCT Department of Outdoor Advertising and Signage (DOAS) Guidelines.

The decision of the Senator Bala Mohammed Administration to reposition and strengthen the Outdoor Advertising and Signage system of the FCT was informed by the Minister’s commitment to transparency, orderliness, professionalism and sanity. Upon assumption of office in 2010, the Minister had found the Outdoor Advertising and Signage system of FCT to be grossly weak; a situation that forced him to put necessary machinery in place towards its re-positioning and reformation.

The Minister found unacceptable the weak and disorganized state of affairs in the sector which had resulted in poor revenue returns, proliferation of illegal and substandard billboards and other forms of signage, indiscriminate posting of posters and flyers and lack of clear administrative structure for outdoor advertisement.

The poor enforcement of outdoor advertisement standards and the attendant proliferation of unauthorized advertisement structures which also resulted in filthiness and defacement of the environment were antithetical to the mission and vision of the Senator Bala Mohammed Administration to bequeath a mega city that would rank among the top 20 capital cities of the world by the year 2020.

Thus the take off of the new Outdoor Advertisement and Signage regime together with the establishment of a department to oversee the affairs of the sector is expected to reverse the past haphazard state of affairs and restore beauty, legality and orderliness to the sector.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

Court grants bail to truck driver over death of 2 police officers

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ustice Usman Musale of the FCT High Court, Kubwa, has granted bail to a truck driver, Sani Ali,who allegedly caused the death of two police men.

In a ruling, Musale said that the bail was granted, based on the fact that the accused, which had been on police bail, did not jump it.

“The fact that the accused had been on police bail and did not escape from justice swayed the application to his favour.

“Since he has made himself available even while on police bail,

I see no reason why he will escape now.

“There is no record that he is a habitual offender and I assume that when granted bail, he will not commit another offence,’’ Musale said.

He, subsequently, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum.

Musale also ordered that the said truck which was involved in the accident be released to its owner, and adjourned the case to

July 23, for hearing..

Ali was arraigned on July 23, 2012 on the charges of negligence, driving without rear indicators and driving negligently on the speed lane without consideration to other road users.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr Simon Lough, had told the court that the offences contravened section 224 of the Penal Code, as well as sections 27 and 28 of the Road Traffic Act (RTA).

Lough said that on Nov. 1, 2011 the accused caused the death

of Cpl. Moses Osarere and Cpl. Bartholomew Andrew, both attached to the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), FCT Police Command.

“Both victims were responding to a distress call in Gwarinpa when the accused, who drove a truck with reg. no.XE 520 RSH collided with their vehicle at Katampe on the Kubwa Expressway, causing their deaths,’’ he said.

The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges. (NAN)

House wives making their way to the market in Bwari, Abuja.

Mechanic, 29, docked for alleged breach of trust

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he police yesterday arraigned a mechanic, Mohammed Bello, 29, who resides at opposite House on the Rock Church in the FCT at a Karu Upper Area Court, Abuja, charged with breach of trust and cheating.

The Prosecutor, Sanni Yakubu, told the court that one Friday Awa of the National Stadium Complex, Abuja, reported the matter at the Wuye

Police Station, Abuja, on Feb. 20,2013.

Yakubu said that Awa bought a “Golf One” saloon car on auction sale for N40,000 and gave it to the accused for repairs.

He added that the accused, however, sold the car at N35,000 without the consent of Awa and diverted the money to his personal use, an offence contrary to the provisions of sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

Section 312 of the code stipulates that whoever commits criminal breach of trust shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or be fined or both.

Section 322 states that whoever cheats shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or be fined or both.

However, Bello denied committing the offence.

3 men jailed for disturbance of public peace

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n Abuja Magistrates Court yesterday sentenced three men to two months in prison each for constituting public nuisance and disturbing public peace.

The Magistrate, Mrs Nafisat Ibrahim, however, gave the three men an option to pay one hundred naira each as fine.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three men are Ibrahim Sunday, 20, Friday

Hassan, 21, and Amos Yohana, 22.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr David Udeh, had told the court that the three men were arrested and brought to the Wuse Police Station at about 2 a.m. on Feb. 20,2013.

He said the three men were arrested earlier while constituting themsevles into public nuisance to the annoyance of people around Amigo Supermarket at Wuse 2 in the FCT. Udeh said that the three men had

engaged in a fight, causing a disturbance of public peace.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 138 and 113 of the Penal Code.

The three convicts pleaded guilty to the charges levelled against them and begged the court for leniency.

The prosecutor then prayed the court to invoke Section 157 of the Penal Code which states that persons found guilty be tried summarily.(NAN)

The Presiding Judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N50,000 with a reliable surety who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

He adjourned the case to April, 19, 2013 for hearing. (NAN)

INSIDE FCT COURTS Pastor jailed for cheating, possessing stolen items

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n Abuja Magistrates Court has sentenced a commercial bus preacher, Chuckwuemeka Okere, to six months in prison without an option of fine for cheating and being in possession of stolen items.

The Magistrate, Mr Bashiru Alkali, who convicted Okere, said that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“I passed this sentence after I heard the plea of leniency of the accused.

“But he has failed to tell the court why the court should not convict him.

“I hereby find him guilty of all the charges and sentence him to six months in prison without an option of fine.

“This will serve as deterrent to people of similar character in the society. The sentence is to correct and make you feel remorse for what you have done,” he said.

Earlier in his plea, the convict said, ‘please my lord, I used to preach in a church. I had a misunderstanding with the senior pastor of the church and we parted ways.

“I am on my own now and it has not been easy, I beg for leniency,” he said.

The prosecution had said that on Dec. 27, Okere lured one Zamani Zuneya of Garki II to a hill in Kubwa on the pretext of praying for her.

The police prosecutor, Cpl Eze Okwuchukwu, told the court that ‘while praying for Zuneya on the hill, he stole her bag containing two cell phones and N15,000.

“During police investigation, one of the cell phones was recovered from the accused.”

Okechuckwu said the offence contravened the Penal Code.

Okere had pleaded not guilty.

(NAN)

Man, 27, gets 6 months jail terms for criminal trespass

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n Upper Area Court in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, yesterday sentenced Dauda Ibrahim, 27, of Ruga Mararaba, to six months imprisonment for criminal trespass.

Ibrahim, who was also charged with being in possession of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, pleaded guilty to the charges.

The Presiding Judge, Mr Vincent Gwahemba, sentenced the convict to six months imprisonment for each offence, but said the sentence would run concurrently.

The court, however, gave the convict an option to pay a N2,000 fine for each offence.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Nasiru Shaibu, had told the court that one Jude Amafule and other police officers attached to the Sani Abacha police station brought Ibrahim to the station.

Shaibu said the police officers, while on duty at the international market in Mararaba, had seen the convict in possession of dry leaves suspected to be an Indian hemp.

According to him, the offences contradict sections 348 and (319A) of the Penal Code.

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

Shell may shut in 150,000 barrels per day

Mob: 08033644990

Soladoyi pegs insurance sector growth on retail insurance From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos etail insurance business has been identified as an aspect of insurance that can increase the growth of insurance business in the country as well as help the sector contribute significantly to the nation’s GDP if operators can aggressively embrace it.

This aspect of insurance which is one of the ingredients of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM)s Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) introduced six years ago has failed to grow the sector because operators are yet to key into the system.

The Chief Executive Officer, Risk Guard Africa, Chief Remi Soladoyi, who made the observation in Lagos during an

R

interactive session with journalists regretted that as operators were expected to fully involved in retail insurance business in order to complement the effort of the regulator, grow their business portfolio which in turn in impart positively on the economy, they were rather comfortable with their old method of wholesale insurance business.

He highlighted some of the problems militating MDRI to include poor infrastructure, poor business mentality and lack of access to insurance.

Others, he said, are inappropriate usage of insurance, non-availability of relevant products, lack of insurance education and poor customer

services.

Soladoyi, who was also a Consultant to NAICOM on MDRI, regretted that the insurance operators have overlooked the fact that insurance services should be made accessible to the people by placing their offices only in the state capitals.

He equally emphasised the need for organisations understanding the collaborative and compelling influence of insurance on other financial services operators; he cited example with the mortgage industry which he said cannot develop without a welldeveloped insurance market.

He further stated that the mortgage industry are yet to see the importance of insurance in

their business while insurance operators see bankers and others sectors as competitors instead of collaborators forgetting that insurance sector can get a lot from Bancassurance, he said.

He regretted that the insurance operators have restricted themselves with the traditional insurance channels adding that the commission through MDRI was poised to open more channels. ‘’ We have restricted ourselves to the traditional insurance channels, the brokers whereas for MDRI, what we packaged is that the regulator should open channels to the non-traditional areas such as the corporative societies, independent network providers among others’’, he said.

On product, he insisted that the practitioners are still operating with off the shelve products which according to him is far from the purpose of the MDRI which provided that insurance companies should develop problem solving and relevant products.

On education, Soladoyi maintained that lack of insurance education and enlightenment remains a serious problem in the sector. ‘’ We have been misled for many years believing that Nigerians do not like insurance, what we have found out at the end the day is that about 40 per cent of Nigerians do not have any opinion about insurance’’, he stated.

LCCI laments dearth of investment data From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

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he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has lamented that Nigeria has no reliable data base for businesses and investors to use for planning. It said for the country to achieve the desired level of development, premium must be placed on data and statistics.

At the presentation of the Nigerian Business Confidence Index in Lagos, LCCI President, Mr. Goodie Ibru, urged the Federal and state governments to give more financial support to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to strengthen it’s capacity to provide the data and statistics needed for the end users.

He tasked all statistical agencies in the country on timely release of data for decisionmaking and planning, saying: “In fact, decision-makers lack regular access to useful leading economic indicators to aid them in making business decisions even in the midst of rising risk profiles in Nigeria. The Lagos Chamber of Commerce has decided to mitigate this concern by producing a template for the Nigerian Business Confidence Index (BCI).”

He said the objective was to produce an initial BCI that would form the basis for a continuous quarterly BCI survey, analysis and report for the country.

“It is a tailor-made estimate of the business environment from the perception of top private sector players in Nigeria. Among several benefits of the BCI, we expect to see an increase in the quality and flow of information through the business and regulatory landscape, decision makers can begin to make more timely and informed decisions,” he said.

Mostly participants thronged the Dangote Pavilion to see and buy innovative product displayed by the Dangote companies.

NCRIB calls for support of ‘no premium no cove’ implementation From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

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he President of the Nigeria Council Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) Barrister Laide Osijo has called on insurance brokers to corporate with the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) in the implementation of the ‘no

premium, no cover’ policy as well as avoid any infractions that may lead to sanctions by the commission.

Barrister Osijo, who made the call while addressing brokers at the February Edition of the NCRIB Member Evening, which held in Lagos, stated that even though it is not out of place to hear of some

pessimism about the workability of the policy, urged members to embark on enlightenment of clients on the rule for their overall advantage.

The enforcement of the policy, which she said definitely is in the best interest of the all insurance operators, will among others things put to rest incessant

Management Tip of the Day

W

Use questions to build your case

hen making a case for something, you’ll have an easier time convincing people that you’re right if you start by asking questions. This will give you the chance to understand their points of view and strengthen your own.

But not all questions are created equally. Know when to use

what type of query: · Convergent: What, where, who, and when questions get a person to clarify what she is thinking. Use them when time is of the essence and you need specifics.· Divergent or expansive: Why and what if questions ask a person to expand on what he is thinking.

Use them when you need someone

to see the larger context of your argument.· Integrating: If...then what questions attempt to find common ground between opposing positions. Use them to build trust and encourage compromise, which is important when the stakes are high for both sides.

Source: Harvard Business Review

unnecessary bickering between insurance brokers and underwriters over the issue of unpaid premium and nonremittance of brokerage commission as well as mark the end of placement of insurance on credit.

She noted that the policy which is a regulatory framework aimed at shaping relationship between operators and their clients has over the years been neglected by the operators but by its strict enforcement by the regulator and equally the desire for outright compliance, the industry seemed to be better.

She equally informed the members that soonest the council will open the window of opportunities for insurance professionals who have the requisite qualifications to obtain the associateship of certification of the NCRIB.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS

Fidelity Bank Plc

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idelity Bank Plc has said that it is financing the multi-million naira aluminum can project in Aba, South East Nigeria. The factory which will be ready in a few months will take off with an initial production capacity of 1.2 billion cans per annum.

Managing Director and Chief Executive, Fidelity Bank Plc, Reginald Ihejiahi, who made the disclosure at the weekend, explained that the financing options adopted by the bank were largely driven by its commitment and faith in the development of the Nigerian economy.

This clearly surpasses the Agbara Can Manufacturing Factory that took-off with an initial production capacity of 600 million cans per year, thus making the new plant the largest aluminum can factory in Africa.

Shell may shut in 150,000 barrels per day

By Etuka Sunday

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threat by Shell Development Company of Nigeria to shut in the Nembe Creek truck line, which produces 150,000 barrels of crude oil per day, has raised the fear about the possibility of the full implementation of the 2013 federal budget.

Shell’s Managing Director, Mutiu Sunmonu, said that the company might resort to a shutin because since January this year, some Nigerians, in collaboration with international syndicates, had been stealing an average of 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day from the Nembe Creek truck line, which cost the company $1.1 billion to replace in 2010.

Besides, the House of Representatives is worried about the rising cases of illegal activities in the Niger Delta. To this effect, it has advised that the Federal

Government should review its strategy against the menace of oil theft through which the country is losing a huge amount of money on daily basis.

Sunmonu told journalists in Port Harcourt that oil theft in the Niger Delta had reached a very dangerous phenomenon, as the 60,000 barrels being stolen from Shell alone had been the highest in the past three years.

According to him, over time, this crime which is more rampant around the Kakrama and Awoba axis, has got a lot more sophisticated and that the perpetrators are now setting up barge building yards, storage facilities, as well as tank farms for storing the crude, prior to when the stolen crude will be shipped out of the country.

He said that those stealing Nigeria’s crude were not just desperate individuals trying to make a living, but well-funded criminals backed by

international syndicates.

He lamented that oil theft in the country had reached a crisis point that required concerted efforts nationally, locally and internationally to actually get the menace, which had grave consequence for the national and global economy under control.

According to him, he can no longer remain silent while people are ruining the Niger Delta environment and the national economy.

Sunmonu said the level of oil theft was far beyond community surveillance teams set up to stem crude oil theft. He pointed out that those engaged in oil theft were well-funded and heavily armed gangs.

“What type of collaboration with communities will help you against people carrying guns, people who are very well-armed?

It is a reality that we have to face.

You can’t even put the poor boys in the communities at risk, you

can’t,” he added.

He implored the joint task force fighting oil theft to step up their offensive. He explained that between July and December last year, Shell recorded a significant drop in the amount of crude oil theft. But, he pointed out that in January and February this year, it had gone up again.

“That is a challenge for the JTF to also look into. I mean let’s not underestimate the cleverness of the people who are perpetrating this act, and I have always said with 6,000 km network of flowline and pipeline, even if you throw the entire Nigerian Army into the creeks, it is not going to solve the problem.

“So, I am sure these guys are monitoring what is going on, they are moving to areas of resistance.

So, it is a combination of things.

But certainly we have seen that when the JTF really went after it, we got results,” he said.

FBN Life Assurance Company Ltd

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anlam Group, South African partners and major shareholder in Nigeria’s FBN Life Assurance Company Limited is excited about the progress in the Nigerian Company, which has broken even two years and three months after its establishment.

Sanlam said the FBN Life history is record breaking, as it takes majority of insurance companies five years or more to break even and record profit.

This according to the Sanlam Group has earned the company its “Rising Star trophy”, after emerging tops amongst its investments across 11 other countries including India, Uganda and East Africa.

Zinox Compters

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o increase its production capacity in the country, Zinox Group will commission its new plant in Lagos, this March.

Beside, the company has also strengthened its partnership with Intel Corporation, the World’s number one computer chips and hardware manufacturer.

Zinox said the long technical relationship between it and Intel has been sustained through their shared core values of innovation, trust, and grass roots relevance.

L-R: President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Alhaji Ibrahim Gassau, Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr.Olusegun Aganga, and Minister of Youth Development, Barrister Inua Abdulkadir, during the stakeholders meeting of National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) organised by the Ministry of Trade and Investment, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo Joe Oroye

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nnual data released last Wednesday by the US Department of Energy showed domestic crude production rose by 812,000 b/d last year, the fastest annual increase since the dawn of the American oil industry.

Output surpassed 7m b/d in both November and December.

Net US crude imports meanwhile fell by 437,000 b/d last year to 8.5m b/d, the lowest level in 15 years. Opec, the producers’ cartel, sold less overall to the US even as some members supplied more.

The pace of the nation’s shale boom has repeatedly surprised forecasters and kindled hopes of energy independence in the world’s biggest oil consuming nation.

Citigroup argued in a recent note that North American output “should start to have tangible impacts both on global prices and trading patterns, and will eventually turn the global

US oil output highest in two decades geopolitics of energy on its head”.

The output gains have been concentrated in North Dakota and Texas, two central US states that produce largely high-quality, lowsulphur crudes. This supply has allowed the US to import less from suppliers of similar “light” barrels.

Nigerian imports dropped by 363,000 b/d last year, data showed.

Many US refineries are geared to process heavier, high-sulphur

oil. Imports from Saudi Arabia – which pumps heavier oil and coowns refineries along the Gulf of Mexico coast – rose by 171,000 barrels during the year.

A surfeit of light oil has depressed prices of certain US crude streams and meant bumper profits for refineries able to tap them. Nymex April West Texas Intermediate crude, delivered at the inland hub of Cushing, Oklahoma, was $92.76 a barrel

after rising 13 cents Wednesday.

ICE April Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell 84 cents to $111.87.

It also spurred calls for the US to revisit a ban on exporting crude oil to countries other than Canada. The head of the International Energy Agency in Paris has warned the production boom will turn to bust unless the US loosens the rules.(Source: Financial Times)

Angola to revive Luanda port’s freight trains this month

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he transport of cargo by rail in Angola, Africa’s second largest oil producer, will begin this month from the port of Luanda for the first time in two decades.

The target is to move 615,000 metric tons a year, Isaac Mateus, Commercial Director at Caminho

de Ferro de Luanda E.P, said in an interview on Feb. 27. Cargo will move along the refurbished line from the capital to the city of Malange, about 250 kilometers (155 miles) inland, and from the Boa Vista cargo terminal ear the port to Viana, a town 26 kilometers to the east with a special economic

zone to encourage industry, he said.

“Now that we have a line inside the port, this will alert people to use trains instead of trucks,” Mateus, 35, said at the Bungo station on the outskirts of Luanda’s central district. An exact date in March to open the new line from the port hasn’t been set, he said.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

NCC fines 4 telecom operators for violating Promotion Act

By Chris Alu

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he Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), last week slammed a total sum of N22 million fine on four major telecom operators for contravening the ban on promotions and lotteries on their respective networks.

NCC director, Legal and Regulatory Services, Ms. Josephine Amuwa, who stated this at the commissions office, said that the affected operators are; MTN Nigeria, Etisalat Nigeria, Airtel and Globacom.

MTN Nigeria is to pay N10 million; Etisalat Nigeria, N6 million while Airtel and Globacom are to pay N4 million and N2 million respectively.

MTN was fined for five promotions at N2 million each, while N2 million was imposed on Etisalat for three promotions.

NCC said Airtel ran two promotions while Globacom ran one.

Amuwa said that all the operators have seven days to pay their respective sanction amounts from date of receipt of the sanction notice on February 22, and are liable to payment of the sum of N1million for any day that the contravention persists.

According to NCC “sanctions on MTN were as a result of five promotions viz:; Free Airtime for

MTN to MTN calls (8AM – 5PM), MTN to MTN SMS and free MB for Data. Dial *559#; Free N100.00 airtime for MTN to MTN calls, Airtime Bonus valid for life. Dial *559#; MTN Super Saver, get 500%, bonus valid till midnight. Dial *507# and Recharge with N100.00 today and get N500 FREE credit instantly. Hurry and recharge before January 22nd.

“In the case of Etisalat, three promotions that attracted it

sanctions include: Buy a MIFI device and get 1GB free for six months; buy a Router device and get 50 MB free data spread over four months and Get 30% instant bonus on every plan subscription/renewal over 200MB. “On the other hand, Airtel is being sanctioned for two promotions: Dongle and MIFI Offering and Reverse Auction Service and Globacom’s contravention is for one

promotion: buy Samsung Galaxy SIII, or Galaxy Note II and get free 500 MB on activation, and free 100MB X 6 Months” NCC said.

Amuwa, said “in the event of further non-compliance with the ban, and or refusal to pay the sanction amount within the stipulated time, the Commission shall have no other option than to impose stiffer penalties in accordance with the powers of the Commission, including but

not limited to payment of N1 million for each day that the contravention persists”.

The notice stated that the failure of the service providers to discontinue the promotions in accordance with the commission’s directives is a direct contravention of Guidelines on Adverts and Promotions, as well as the Nigerian Communications Enforcement Processes Regulations of 2005.

Etisalat signs MoU for social media services

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tisalat subscribers across the country can now join its on-line community for new low-cost messaging service to enjoy social media on phones and Internet .

The service is to provide access to e-mail, social networking and messaging services, to basic mobile devices and feature phones at very affordable prices.

Etisalat Group, the leading operator in the MiddleEast, last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Africa, Asia, and Mahindra Comviva to give the best of the service and provide effective service to its customers .

The partnership will provides Etisalat’s 139 million subscribers across Middle East, Africa and Asia with consumer email, instant messaging, social networking, phone book backup services as well as popular news/web feeds and other relevant applications over their mobile phone.

They can do this either through downloading an application or via USSD, SMS or MMS messages which eliminates the users’ dependence on smart phones.

This effectively provides access to contemporary web services to every mobile handset.

The platform will also be deployed in a single location

within the UAE, while the services will be made available to all the 15 affiliates of Etisalat.

The first Etisalat market to deploy the new messaging solution is Etisalat Nigeria, whose 15 million subscribers will soon be able to enjoy the benefit of advanced communications on any handset.

CEO Etisalat Nigeria explained the rationale behind being the first Etisalat operating unit to deploy the new messaging solution.

Commenting on the partnership, Essa Al Haddad, chief executive officer, Africa at the Etisalat Group and Vice Chairman at EMTS said,

7 billion humans … 7 billion phones

“With the ubiquity of Internet, Internet-enabled services such as social networking, email and instant messaging have gained tremendous popularity.

“However, with smartphone adoption still low in many countries and multiple clients for each service, the user experiences get very complicated. These will limit the adoption of such web services on mobile handsets. Comviva has always been a trusted partner for Etisalat and with this new engagement, we will bring such and other more richer and interactive web services for our subscribers without any such limitations”.

FG strips NIPOST of regulatory functions

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Mobile penetration will soon be at 90 per cent.

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he number of mobile phones worldwide is set to catch up to the planet’s population next year, the United Nations’ telecommunications agency has said.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said mobile subscriber numbers looked set to top seven billion.

“More than half of all mobile subscriptions are now in Asia, which remains the powerhouse of market growth,” the ITU said.

More than half of all mobile subscriptions are now in Asia, which remains the powerhouse of market growth By the end of this year, overall mobile penetration rates will have reached 96 per cent

globally, 128 per cent in the developed world, and 89 per cent in developing countries, it said.

“Near-ubiquitous mobile penetration makes mobile cellular the ideal platform for service delivery in developing countries,” said Brahima Sanou, director of the ITU’s telecommunication development bureau.

The ITU also forecast that 2.7 billion people, or 39 per cent of the world’s population, would be using the internet by the end of this year.

Europe will remain the world’s most connected region, with 75 per cent internet penetration, far outpacing the Asia-Pacific region, with 32 per

Photo: Bloomberg cent, and Africa, with 16 per cent, it said.

“Household internet penetration - often considered the most important measure of internet access - continues to rise.

By end-2013, ITU estimates that 41 per cent of the world’s households will be connected to the internet,” the agency said.

Over the past four years, household access has grown fastest in Africa, with an annual growth rate of 27 per cent, it said.

But despite a positive general trend, 90 per cent of the 1.1 billion households around the world that are still unconnected are in the developing world.

The ITU said the star performers in terms of access

speeds were South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan, alongside some surprises in Europe, including Bulgaria, Iceland and Portugal.

The cost of fixed broadband services has dropped precipitously over the past five years, declining by 82 per cent if measured as a share of gross national income per capita, it said.

In developing countries, however, such services remain relatively expensive, with residential fixed broadband accounting for just over 30 per cent of average monthly gross national income per capita. In Europe, a basic subscription costs less than 2 per cent, on average.

(Source :AFP)

he National Council on Privatisation (NCP has approved a reform bill that will strip Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) of all its regulatory functions.

Minister of Communications Technology, Omobola Johnson stated this in Abuja after the council meeting presided over by , Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

She said that the key factor in the bill is that NIPOST should concentrate on its operational functions in the transformation agenda that contribute to the gross domestic product.

The approval of the reform has ended many years of dillydallying over the Postal Bill expected to fast track the development of the postal industry in Nigeria.

An important part of the Bill is the establishment of Postal Regulatory Commission that would supervise the activities of the sector.

Before now, NIPOST is regarded as an operator and regulator through its Courier Regulatory Department.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 22

Best gadgets for a road trip

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harge the Yeti 1250 for 20 hours through a wall outlet or its dual 30W solar panels and it'll return the favor, powering your phones, tablets, home health care equipment and major appliances.

It's got an impressive array of DC, AC and USB ports to plug in your various devices. And this 100-pound backup battery comes with its own roll cart. So in addition to having around the house for emergencies, it's great for camping trips and other outdoor adventures when you're "roughing it."

Price: $1,999.99 (N32,000) ION Audio Road Rocker

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he Road Rocker is quite the versatile sound system. This portable, rechargeable speaker lets you stream music from a Bluetoothenabled device. It's got an eighth-inch jack for nonBluetooth players. And a

Goal Zero Yeti 1250

quarter-inch jack for a guitar or microphone.

So, you can wail out -or make loud, pertinent announcements, as the case may be. This 21st century answer to Mr. Microphone will be available starting in August.

Price: $119 (N19,040)

othing kills the buzz of a good road trip quicker than that annoying Check Engine light. Stay informed about what's up with your

vehicle, using BlueDriver.

It plugs into your car's OBD-II port and feeds driving stats and diagnostic info wirelessly to your tablet, phone or

computer. A free app helps you identify and clear trouble codes.

Inside the app, you can pay extra to add features that freeze frame data, ready you for a smog check, or graph and log live data. Or if you want the whole kit and kaboodle, $49.99 (N8,000) unlocks all current and future features -- which will include ABS, airbag and transmission data.

Price: $39.95 (N6,400)

Supertooth Crystal speakerphone he simple, sleek, stylish new Supertooth Crystal Bluetooth speakerphone is so easy to set-up, it's practically grandparentproof. Once paired, it'll automatically recognize your phone(s) each time you get into your car. (The sound of your door closing triggers it.)

When not enabling your phone gabbing, it can

stream music or turn-byturn directions. And not only does it offer great battery life -- up to 20

hours of chat time -- but it can also monitor your phone's battery meter.

Price: $69 (N11,040)

Lemur Vehicle Monitors BlueDriver

N T

Griffin Technology WindowSeat 3 HandsFree

F

or the long journey ahead, you've got your fancy adjustable leather seat with lumbar support...and your phone has the WindowSeat 3 HandsFree.

Securely suctioned to the dash or windshield, this 3-point

bracket will snugly cradle your trusty buddy in or out of its case. That keeps it at eye level, so you won't have to reach or look far for info.

It also has a built-in microphone for fielding calls and comes with an audio cable for plugging into your car stereo's auxiliary input.

Price: $39.99 (N 6,400)

PEOSPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

Report as at Monday, March 4, 2013

PAGE 23

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

Lack of legal framework threatens investments at ports The ports concessioning by the Federal Government was to encourage massive investments in port infrastructure and facilities, enthrone efficient port operations and improve vessel turnaround time. However, the absence of legal framework is threatening private sector operators at the ports, writes Amaka Anagor.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

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rior to the concessioning of the nation’s ports, the ports suffered from increasing inefficiency, which resulted in long turnaround times for ships, high container dwell time, increased insecurity of cargoes, corrupt practices and excessive shipping charges.

The ports, considered to be the second highest revenue earners for the economy after oil and gas, were running at a loss such that Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), which until now was highly centralised and responsible for both regulatory and operational functions of the ports, sought for financial support from the Federal Government to carry out majority of its capital investments.

However, in 2006 the former President OlusegunObasanjo led administration through its concessioning programme, transformed the nation’s seaports from being state enterprise-controlled to private sector driven, handing over cargo handling operations functions of NPA to the port concessionaires while Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) assumed the landlord functions.

The idea, the Federal

Government said, was to encourage massive investments in port infrastructure and facilities, enthrone efficient port operations, reduce cargo dwell time, improve vessel turnaround time and reduce the cost of doing business at the ports.

To drive this laudable concession initiative, the Federal Government drafted two bills which include Ports and Harbour Bill and National Transport Commission Bill. The bills, currently on the floor of National Assembly, are yet to be passed to further achieve the gains of port concession.

The draft of the Ports and Harbour Bill was introduced on the floor of the House of Representatives in 2009, three years after the nation’s ports terminals were leased out to private concerns under the then ports reform programme by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

Findings have revealed that though some terminal operators have been investing in the infrastructure development at their various terminals, others have left their terminal infrastructures at the same dilapidated state in which they inherited those terminals from NPA. The non-passage of Ports and Harbour Bill, findings

show, is responsible for the failure and underdevelopment of Nigeria’s maritime sector till date. This is because the absence of a legal framework leads to uncertainties amongst private operators who fear that they may lose their investments as the Nigerian Ports Authority’s Act does not allow for direct private investment in ports infrastructure.

Content of the bill The passage of the proposed Ports and Harbour bill into law will bring the following into play: the creation of two autonomous Ports and Harbours Authorities from the present Nigerian Ports Authority.

These are the Lagos Ports and Harbour Authority (LPHA), and the Port Harcourt Ports and Harbour Authority (PHPHA).

The bill is expected to create competition among the terminals in each port authority, as well as competition between the two port authorities. The two port authorities will be supervised by the ports’ arm of the proposed National Transport Commission (NTC) to ensure economic and safety at the ports.

LPHA will control the container terminals, breakbulk, bulk terminals and RoRo terminals in Lagos while the PHPHA will be

responsible for supervising 14 smaller scale terminals located across the South-East and East of Nigeria including Port Harcourt, Warri, Calabar and Koko.

The drafted bill will enable the new port authorities to become responsible for the day-today technical and safety regulatory functions; primary rights to the basic and operational infrastructure within their respective jurisdictions; power to coordinate marine activities (pilotage, mooring, vessel management etc.); general responsibility for overall port planning and development, power to issue licenses (as authorised by and subject to guidelines set by NTC); lease and concession port infrastructure and collect port authority tariffs among others.

The bill also seeks to create a National Transport Commission (NTC) that will serve as the much agitated commercial regulator to regulate the excesses of both the port authorities and the private sector players.

Besides limiting the role of the government and the Federal Ministry of Transport in the port, the bill seeks that private operators perform the port operations, which include investments in the Quay Apron (except the Quay wall), stacking yard, equipment, security wall, lighting, cargo handling and stevedoring operations.

Most importantly, the new arrangement will substantially improve benefits from Nigerian ports to the local and national economy, both directly (as financial benefits) and indirectly (through increasing efficiency in the sector).

Stakeholders’ views Olayiwola Shittu, president, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), said that the Nigerian ports are not

witnessing enough investment as it ought to from the terminal operators.

Out of the 26 concessioned ports in Nigeria, Shittu said, not more than six of them, which include APM Terminals, Port and Terminal Multipurpose Limited (PTML), Tin-Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) and three others, are investing heavily in port infrastructure for efficient port management.

No doubt that most concessionaires, according to him, inherited dilapidated and abandoned structures from the government such that some started from the scratch to build and renovate ports infrastructure, but Nigerian ports are yet to compete favourably with other internationally concessioned ports.

Confirming this, Olisa Agbakoba, a maritime lawyer told BusinessDay that Nigerian port needs a legal framework to back concession. “There is need for institutionalisation of Nigerian Ports and Harbour Bill, which has been pending for eight years on the floor of the National Assembly.”

According to him, the problem with Nigerian ports does not lie in the fact that the concessionaires are not willing to invest in infrastructure that will

improve the port industry but lack of legal and regulatory framework has discouraged private operators from investing.

“If you want someone to invest in your sector, there must be a legal backing. For instance, the old law of telecoms made NITEL the sole owner of telecom industry that is why it took a new telecom act to allow private sector to come in. No private sector person will invest money merely because Mr. President said that his country is very fertile for investment, therefore, there is need to have laws that define the operating state of the actors,” Agbakoba said.

Also, Yusuf Suleiman, former minister of Transport said in a report that lack of enabling laws to protect investors’ investments at the ports has been one of the issues discouraging some of the operators from investing funds in ports development.

“It is clear that some of the operators are afraid to invest because when they invest their money, they should have protection for their investments through a legal framework. This is why it became difficult for some of them to continue to invest in infrastructure without the corresponding legislation that would protect their investments,” said the former minister in the report.

“

No port in the world can exist and prosper without some measures of independence, therefore autonomy is strategic and it is required to ensure operational efficiency in line with international best practices

He continues: “The ports have been concessioned but people are still complaining because they hardly see additional investments except in one or two places and these are the issues the Ministry of Transport will still continue t o c o n f r o n t until we break down the problem—address the legislative framework, and pass the Ports and Harbour bill.”

Lending his view, Habib Abdullahi, managing director of NPA, said that there should be some measure of autonomy in the Ports and Harbour bill for the authorities to enable them perform their landlord functions effectively and efficiently.

“No port in the world can exist and prosper without some measures of independence, therefore autonomy is strategic and it is required to ensure operational efficiency in line with international best practices,” the NPA boss said.

E c o n o m i c implications One of the major aims of the concession initiative was to make Nigerian ports very competitive so as to reduce the cost of doing business at the ports through effective and efficient service delivery.

Till date, the cost of clearing one container from Nigerian ports is still very high due to some level of inefficiency as well as lack of commercial regulators in the port.

There is a direct correlation between investment and good service delivery.

The existence of all the needed terminal facilities and equipment provides the terminal operators with the opportunity to deliver cargos effectively and timely to the consignees.

Apart from the bureaucratic bottlenecks that importers witness at the ports during cargo

clearance, absence of quality cargo handling equipment in some terminals contributes to the delays in cargo clearance. And this delay adds to the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.

Currently, over 40 percent of Nigerian bound c a r g o s b e r t h i n C ot o n o u before coming into the country, showing that Nigerian importers prefer to go to Cotonou to bring their cargos into Nigeria rather than sending the cargo directly to Nigerian ports.

The high costs of clearing goods from the ports is one of the major issues that make Nigerian importers go to the neighbouring ports because it is always cheaper for them to take delivery of their consignments.

Government position Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, coordinating minister for the economy and minister of Finance, during her visit to the ports in Lagos, promised to intensify efforts to ensure that the two critical bills in the maritime sector are passed into law.

Zainab Kure, chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, during the committee’s visit to Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos, who bemoaned the arbitrary shipping and terminal charges including demurrages importers pay to shipping companies and terminal operators, said that there is need for an economic regulator to be instituted at the ports.

“There is still more to be done for port concession to become effective. On our own part, the Ports and Harbour bill that is currently on the floor of the National Assembly, which has undergone the first reading, will undergo a second reading,” said the committee chairman.

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Marine Transport, said that the bill will be

reintroduced to Nigeria’s maritime public to agree on what to do with it.

Volume of business Business activities at the port have been on the upward trend since 2006 when the cargo handling aspect of the port business was concessioned to the private operators. Within a period of six years (2006 to 2011), the non-oil import into the nation’s seaport recorded a total of 390,566,475 million metric tons.

A breakdown as released

by NPA shows that a total of

46,150,518 million metric tons of cargo was imported into the country in 2006.

This grew to 54,641,048 metric tons in 2007, 65,192,919 million metric tons in 2008 and 66,908,322 million metric tons in 2009. In 2010, the volume grew to 74,910,284 million metric tons and 82,763,384 million metric tons in 2011.

The statistics further shows that in 2006, about 3,689 vessels berth at the Port. In 2007, it rose to 4,050 and 4,477 in 2008.

In 2009, it grew to 4,620

Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga

in 2009, 4,962 in 2010 and 5,327 in 2011.

As a result of this increase, cargo clearance at the ports in recent times, are yet to improve to 48 hours cargo clearance policy targeted by the Federal Government. This, industry analysts, blamed on insufficient cargo handling equipment and port facilities in some terminal, and this limits the capacity of the present ports to increase service delivery for port users.

Source: BusinessDay

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 26

NAFOWA donates hospital equipment to Uni-Abuja Stories by Joy Baba

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he Nigerian Air Force Wives Association (NAFOWA), in Abuja, has donated some hospital equipment to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada to aid in delivering quality medical services to patients especially women and children.

The items donated recently by the association include a fridge, telescopes, mobilizers for asthma patients, trays among others.

Speaking while donating the items, president of NAFOWA, Mrs Mary Badeh said the

association was a nongovernmental organisation, whose major activity is service to humanity.

Badeh said the aim of the association was to lend helping hands to the less privileged like motherless children and orphans, adding that the welfare of members of the association is also very important to them.

She further said the association provides quality education for children, empowers women through skill acquisition and gives succour to the needy.

According to her, “we have chosen the emergency ward of this hospital because we are

conscious of life and the well being of the people.

“We salute you all, because the emergency ward is the ward that gives initial hope of survival to patients that are brought to the hospital on critical situation” she added.

Badeh urged the management of the hospital to make judicious use of the items in saving the lives of the patients.

She also said that aside schools that allow their children access to quality education, NAFOWA also has a cancer screening centre with ultra modern equipment to screen all cancer related disease.

She further called on patients to take advantage of the facilities in the centre located at the 108 Nigerian Air Force Hospitals, Air Force Base along the Airport road Abuja.

In his response, the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Peter Alabi said the hospital and its management appreciate the kind gesture of NAFOWA. He said it was thoughtful of the association to remember those in need noting that accident victims are often brought to the hospital in their numbers because of its location on the major road. “ We have cases where people come here and stay for up to

three months because they can’t pay for the services.

“So we rally round to get funds and people some kind hearted people like you come around to make donations, so we are very grateful for your coming”.

Alabi said that the casualty department that the hospital built about 20 years ago when the population of Abuja was under 1 million is what they are still using now that is about 6 million.

He said the place was getting smaller with Federal Road Safety Corp, Police and all the other people bringing not less than 20 accident victims on daily basis.

Navy wants crude oil theft treated as international criminal offence

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he Nigerian Navy recently resolved to take bolder steps in tackling the menace of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the nation’s maritime domain.

The declaration was made at a two-day retreat by the Navy for Maritime stakeholders with the theme: “Deterring Crude Oil Theft and Pipeline Vandalism in Nigeria: A Panacea for National

Economic prosperity”.

Chief of Naval Staff, Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy and Chairman, House Committee on Navy, Minister of Defense, represented by the

President of Nigeria Footbal Federation (NFF) Aminu Maigari presenting the AFCON trophy to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika at Army Headquarters, Abuja.

Commandant of National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral J.T Lokoson and Indian Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Shri Krishna Singh during the latter’s visit to NDC, Abuja.

Photos: Joy Baba

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defense, the Chief of Defense Staff represented by Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air staff, Inspector-General of Police (IG), Controller General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Head of Companies, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other maritime stakeholders participated in the retreat.

A communiqué issued at the end of the retreat stated that efforts should also concentrate on the strategy of severance of links between crude oil thieves and buyers through greater collaboration and application of the instrument of diplomacy with the international community.

Participants also resolved that steps should be taken to establish campaign strategies to make crude oil theft an international criminal offence similar to the case of stolen diamond in Sierra-Leone, which is also referred to as blood diamond.

The communiqué further said the funds made available to Nigerian Navy to carry out the task of protecting the nation’s territorial domain was inadequate, which is about 84,000 sq nautical miles.

In order to address the issue of inadequate funding, stakeholders demanded immediate increase in financial allocation to the Navy; approval for a dedicated fund for the Navy to effectively police the waterways as well as acquisition of more appropriate and requisite platforms to combat crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

The retreat maintained that: “It is imperative and timely that a clearly defined policy of constructive engagement that encapsulates robust socioeconomic imperatives that positively impact on the lives of the people in the Niger Delta area should be emplaced by the oil companies.”

The Commander of the Special Task-force, (STF), keeping peace in Plateau State, Henry Ayoola, said on that until residents, especially youth of the state, adopt forgiveness, tolerance, peace

Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba and harmony will continue to elude the state.

Mr. Ayoola gave the advice during an interactive session with youth from the three areas with security challenges in Plateau state.

He said residents need to stop taking laws into their hands for calm to be restored in the state, and appealed to residents to desist from resorting to violence when any incident bedevils the state.

“You cannot get solution to violence by being violent,” he said.

The STF commander urged citizens to engage in non violent approach to issues whenever any party feels aggrieved over anything.

The STF organised the event as a means of curtailing rising cases of renewed violence in the state which has claimed several lives.

Plateau State has witnessed various types of crises and several peace efforts have failed as in recent case where conflict broke out in the Barkinladi, Jos South and Riyom Local Government Area of the state after a four day peace sensitization tour convened by STF resulting to the loss of lives and destruction of property.

Also speaking at the event, the State Commissioner of Information, Yiljap Abraham, who represented Governor Jonah Jang, said the state has lost so much human and material resources since the inception of the more than a decade old civil unrest in the state.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 27

Defence Headquarters commiserate with NANS Stories by Joy Baba

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efence Headquarters (DHQ) has commiserated with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) over the loss of two of its members in a protest in Nasarawa State University, Keffi recently.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim gave the sympathy talk at the weekend when members of NANS were on a peaceful protest at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

NANS had said said it would not hesitate to call out Nigerian students for a nationwide protest, if the officer who authorised the deployment of troops to shoot unarmed students of Nasarawa State University who were on peaceful protest over water scarcity, was not produced.

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

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

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

The NANS president further said they had video evidence and pictures to show that the late students were shot by soldiers so

Cross-section of executive members of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) at the Defence Headquarters, when they came to submit a protest letter on the killing of students in Nasarrawa state University, Keffi. all they want to know is who deployed them to shoot unarmed students.

“The School authority was addressing us when the soldiers arrived and started shooting. It is even embarrassing to the Dean of students Affair who ran away and sustained injuries; even the police ran away. ”They should find the killers of our students. And if they don’t do that, we will get to the stage of confrontation where we shall call out students to protest the killing of the students”.

He further said that those killed included a final year student of Geography, Mr. Usman Aminu, a 300 level student of Physics Emmanuel Gyan, a water seller whose identity he didn’t disclose adding that that 12 other students who received gunshot injuries were

presently receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Keffi.

“We demand justice because this is unacceptable”, he added.

Addressing the Executive members of NANS, Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS) Admiral Ola Ibrahim represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal IH Mohammed expressed sadness over the unfortunate incidence saying that, Officers and Men of Nigerian Armed Forces mourn, console and sympathise with the bereaved families as well as NANS. According to CDS “As fathers, who were once like you and have sons and daughters in different tertiary institutions, we join you in mourning two of your colleagues.

“We heard all you said and we know how you feel but we

still urge you to remain calm while investigations into the matter continue. The truth cannot be buried. The matter is being investigated by various Agencies including the Police and the SSS. “We appeal to you for to keep the forum opened for us to reach your Association at all times.” Mohammed added.

He therefore urged the Students to still employ peaceful approach towards addressing the issue at hand even if the 21Day ultimatum stated in their protest letter seems to be unrealistic because of the sensitive nature of the unfortunate incident.

But the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, denied the allegation that soldiers were responsible for the killing of the

varsity students, during a press conference in Abuja.

He said that soldiers were not deployed to the school for the purpose of quelling the demonstration and couldn’t have been the ones that did the shooting.

He stated however that the soldiers of the 177 Guards Battalion who were on patrol duty collaborated with other security agents opened only opened up the Keffi-Akwanga Expressway which was blocked by the students, as the protest occurred on their route.

He said that the combined efforts of the men of the 177 battalion and other security agents prevented the students from using an hijacked fuel tanker loaded with fuel to burn down the police station.

Nigeria deploys last troops to Mali

A

Graduands of Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency (CTCOIN) of Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) displaying during their graduation recently, Kontangora, Niger state.

Photo: Joy Baba

uthorities of Defence Headquarters Abuja has said it has deployed the last batch of Nigerian troops in the ongoing African -led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA).

The Director of Defence Information, Col. Mohammed Yerima stated this while addressing journalists recently in Abuja.

Yerima said the last batch airlifted by the Nigerian Air Force comprises of162 troops noting that the British Government provided Charlie (C-130) to airlift support equipment to the operations side by side with the Nigerian C-130.

On the French citizen’s held hostage by Boko Haram sect, Yerima said Defence Headquarters does not make official response to videos on

Youtube.

According to him “the Defence Headquarters wishes to make the following clarifications regarding the video clip purportedly released by Boko Haram in which it listed the conditions for the release of the French family it’s holding hostage.

“The Defence Headquarters does not make official response to videos on YouTube. “ If Boko Haram group wishes to express concern about their members being held, they ought to have channeled their demands through the Joint Task force (JTF) telephone help lines which they are conversant with”.

The help lines Yerima said include :08064174066, 08154429346 and 07064174066.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 29

Amplifying the quest for Agric Input Centers in Nigeria

By Mohammed Kandi

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he Federal Government is intensifying its effort towards achieving the 80 units of the one-stop-shop agroinput centers that will serve as singular access point for inputs and market for small scale farmers.

The aim of establishing such outfits is to ensure availability, accessibility and affordability of agricultural inputs in the country.

In furtherance of Nigeria’s quests to attaining self-sufficiency in food production, providing millions of employment for its teeming youth populations through agriculture, as well as competing favourably on the global food index towards achieving global food security, the federal government, through its Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) programmes, had last year, pronounced it intention to establish a network of One-StopShop agro-input centres across the country.

The centers are to stock some agricultural inputs such as fertiliser, agro-chemicals, quality seeds, livestock feeds and veterinary drugs at affordable costs for farmers. Other services that could be obtained from the shop include tractor hire services, primary processing and extension services.

Following the official commitment of the federal government on its desire to deliver such centers to the 774 local government areas of the federation by at least the year 2015, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development had commissioned a few centers across the country, including the centre opened last week at Iseyin, Oyo State, by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote.

Odusote said: “Let me inform this honourable gathering that the task of making food available, affordable and accessible to all Nigerians through promotion of food security programmes has been the major focus of the federal government in pursuance of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of Mr. President.”

“My ministry is very much mindful of the serious impediment of inaccessibility of good quality agricultural inputs such as fertiliser, agro-chemicals, seeds and seedlings, livestock feeds, veterinary drugs, tractor hiring, primary processing and extension services by farmers in a bid to maximising aggregate production output for the nation,” she explained.

The Permanent Secretary

(L - R) Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Adekunle Salau, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agric & Rural Development, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote and the ministry’s South West regional director, Mr. Lekan Quadri, at the commissioning of the one-stop-shop agro-input centre, Otiri, Iseyin, Oyo State, recently

further stressed that “This impediment as well as the federal government’s intention to withdraw from direct procurement and distribution of all agricultural inputs, informed the decision of the ministry to establish at leas one (1) ‘one-stopshop’ agro-input centre in each of the local government areas in the federation by the year 2015.”

“These centres are established as part of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda in the agro-input sub-sector to strengthen the food security programme of the federal government. They are aimed at providing market information services, promote private sector investment in viable commercial agriculture and enhance food security,” she stressed.

“Each of the centres has facilities for about 500 tonnage storage capacities for fertilisers, seeds and agro-chemicals as well as provides tractor hiring, primary processing and extension support services. The centre will also enhance the activities of the Growth Enhancement Supports (GES) programme of the federal government to a large extent,” Odusote said.

“The first phase of 62 one-stopshop agro-input centres was awarded in October 2010 for execution nationwide while the second phase of 18 was awarded in December 2011. It is worth noting that three of these centres are being established at various locations in your state (one unit

each at Iseyin, Fasola and Ago Amodu, in Iseyin, Oyo West and Saki East LGAs respectively).”

“Currently, most of the centres in the first phase have been completed and ready for commissioning and utilisation.

Within the constraint of time, one representative centre per geopolitical zone of the country has been selected for official commissioning,” she added.

It would be recalled that the first of the 80 centres promised by federal government was commissioned at Wushishi, in Niger State, in December 2012, by the Minister of State for Agrivulture and Rural Development, Alhaji Bukar Tijani, who said “the initiative is

meant to ensure access to agricultural inputs such as fertiliser, agro-chemical, quality seeds, livestock feeds, veterinary drugs, tractor hire and extension services.”

According to Tijani, “The objectives are to support organised farmer groups and out-growers network of agro-input dealers that would support the agricultural production capacity of Nigerian rural farmers, provide access to small-scale storage and processing facilities and, ultimately, access to physical and virtual markets.”

The Minister of State for Agriculture also expresses optimism that more of those centers across the country will serve as a major drive for the

transformation agenda of the President Jonathan administration.

Also speaking at one of the events of one-stop-shop agro-input centers, Dr. Olukayode Oyeleye, the Special Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, informed that the effort was in fulfillment of recommendations of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), tasking the ministry to establish at least five of such agroinput centres in each state of the federation, so as to facilitate adequate food production and food security in 2012.

Similarly, the National Council on Agriculture (NCA), had during its last meeting, considered the construction of one agro-input centre in each of the local governments of the federation.

Meanwhile, both farmers and the agro dealers, who are the potential beneficiaries of the initiative, had in their separate views commended the ministry for such bold steps, emanating from its Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), but also expressed concerns on the need for the sustainability of the initiative.

They also raise questions on how the government intends to make the centers continuously functional, especially, in terms of sustaining those centers located at the rural areas with workforce, input supply, power supply, and the overall management of these centers.

According to some farmers, there is the need for the ministry to deploy to the centers highly informed personnel with vast experience and knowledge in agricultural inputs, as well as in extension services. By so doing, the farmers believe that the country is on the verge of restoring its long lost glory of once having one of the best agricultural extension service systems in Africa.

A/Ibom government to partner youths on food sufficiency

A

s part of efforts to ensure food sufficiency, the government of Akwa Ibom will partner youths to develop agriculture and achieve food sufficiency.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Michel Afangideh, stated this recently in Uyo, the Akwa-Ibom State capital at a workshop on Agriculture organised for youths.

The workshop had as theme, “Modern Techniques of

Farming for Increased Productivity and Profitability”.

The commissioner, who was represented by Mr Richard Ekpe, acting permanent secretary in the ministry, said the government was proud of the youths and viewed them as ‘major’ contributors in agriculture sector.

“We are doing all we can to involve and encourage our youths in agriculture because they have proven to be highly resourceful people,’’ he said.

He said that more than

4,000 youths had been trained, empowered and monitored in specific agriculture vocations which included crop farming, poultry and fishing.

Afangideh said Governor Godswill Akpabio had invested a lot of resources in making agriculture attractive to the youths, adding that the investment led to the recent acknowledgement of Akwa Ibom as one of the major producers of poultry products in the country.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 28

FEPSAN hails FG/ private sector collaboration on fertilizer

T

Poultry farming gives me a sense of fulfilment – Farmer As the emphasis on treating agriculture as a business intensifies, Clement Bodunde, a young poultry farmer, who runs a small farm in Dawaki Village, a sub-hurb in Abuja, disclosed in this interview with Gladys Kenneth, that the business has been lucrative. Excerpts: Can you tell us about yourself? y name is Clement Bodunde. I am a Nigerian and I intend to become a good poultry farmer, which is why I started the business, with the hope that I could grow the farm into a large scale some day.

Does your poultry farm has a name yet?

Not yet but I intend naming it soon. And I intend naming it Bodac Greater Height Poultry Farm. I’m aware that names could determine the fortune of a business. So, mine should not be an exception but I will do that when it is most appropriate.

What motivated you into this business?

What actually motivated me was that each time I closed my eyes to sleep, I always think of what I can do to help myself, looking at the economic challenges and high poverty rate in the country. I have the desire to join others who are determine to positively change the face of Nigeria’s economy and to reduce poverty and put food on people’s table through poultry farming, because it doesn’t really matter where or from which quota one is making his own impact.

Most importantly, the young ones need protein for their growth

M

(which eggs produced by birds give). Imagine a situation where I produce over 40, 000 thousand eggs in a day; it will go a long way to increase growth in children.

These are some of the factors that motivated me to go into this business.

Is this business profitable?

Yes, there are a lot of benefits in the business but not without some challenges. There is a lot of risk in the business but we are making progress by the grace of God. Notwithstanding some losses we experience from time to time as a result of broken eggs while packing them and the eventual death of some chicks, we are managing to survive in the business arena.

“

Funding has been a major challenge in this business. Also, the space to do the business is not available but the market is there

Again, poultry farming is gradually becoming very competitive in Abuja. A lot of house hold have established their own poultry farms, some not as a big business but may be for home consumption.

These are limitations and threat to a beginner in the business but it’s important for one to remain focused, determined and functional to achieve his aims.

What are the benefits?

Like I said, at first it was the quest for the business that made me venture into it. It gives me fulfillment; it is one thing to think and an entirely different thing bringing your dream to reality.

There is economic benefit, for example, if I produce a thousand eggs in a day, that’s a whole lot of money for me.

If you were to rate on percentage, how much percent of profit would you say you make on daily bases?

Most at times, it’s 100% if not above if you utilize your resources well. Take for instance, if you put in N10 into the business, you are sure to get N100. At least you will have 80% profit.

What are the challenges faced so far in the business?

Funding has been a major challenge in this business. Also, the space to do the business is not available but the market is there.

How long have you been in this business?

For ten years now. I started the business in 2001 where I worked with a woman who owned a poultry farm. I was able to learn all the basic rudiments of poultry farming from her but I would say I officially started the business in 2003.

How did you start and what was the capital?

Like I said earlier, I started working with someone but when I started mine, I started with N15, 000 and with 50 birds.

Do you do other jobs outside the poultry farming?

Asides being a poultry farmer, I’m also a public servant. I believe that being self employed would help in boosting my income. I want to achieve a lot in life so, I know I have to think and work hard to reach the climax.

What is your advice to those who may be interested in poultry farming?

I encourage those who have the dream of doing this kind of business to go for it especially the young ones who are still very strong. Those who know what they want for themselves, those who have dreams and want to pursue it. They shouldn’t waste any more time in idleness because the earlier one starts, most time it’s always better.

he Fertiliser Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) has applauded the collaboration between the Federal Government and the private sector to enhance fertiliser production and distribution in the country.

The Executive Secretary of FEPSAN, Mr Ahmed Rabiu, made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that government’s efforts to improve the sector had opened opportunities for investment of foreign companies in the production of fertiliser in Nigeria.

“The recent developments in the fertiliser, especially with the new government policies, we have more investors for support.

“The African Development Bank (AFDB) approval of US $100 million senior loan to Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Ltd., is a very huge achievement.

“Again, the Growth Enhancement Scheme is another feat by the Federal Government in distributing fertilisers to farmers,’’ Rabiu said.

The executive director said that the distribution of fertilisers through private sector from accredited agrodealers had improved pricing and the availability of the commodity to farmers.

He said a lot still needed to be done in the area of insufficiency in the procurement of fertiliser, supply and middlemen in the sector.

“One of the challenges faced in the sector is the existence of middlemen; they determine the price at which fertiliser should be sold to farmers.

“They also alter distribution, supply and development of the fertiliser market channels, hindering development in the sector.

“Since government diversified the distribution of fertilisers, farmers have been able to access the product in high quantity because it is more affordable,’’ he said.

According to him, the use of fertiliser in Nigeria is low and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s efforts to educate farmers have improved the sector.

Rabiu said the association was working with the ministry and the government to ensure proper distribution and supply.

(NAN)

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2012

Yobe's quest for potable water

By Mamman Mohammed

W

ater is life, so says a maxim.

However, getting safe and clean water in developing countries, including Nigeria, has always been a serious challenge. This is because many people still rely on rivers and streams, which mostly dry up few months after the rainy season, for their daily water needs, according to observers.

There have been several attempts to address the challenge of expanding the people's access to potable water and one of such efforts culminated in a stakeholders' meeting that was organised in Abuja on Feb. 19.

The meeting, among other things, assessed the extent of water shortage and its causes across the states, while recommending action plans for sustainable water supply schemes.

The water supply challenges facing the people in some areas of the country have been somewhat grave.

In Yobe State, for instance, media reports indicated that various state administrations in the last 20 years had attempted to provide potable water to the citizens; all to no avail.

Some of the reports noted that residents of some villages in the state, particularly those close to the NigeriaNiger border, suffered untold hardship in their search for drinkable water.

A report specifically said that until recently, the Gumshi community in Yusufari Local Government engaged in trade by barter in their quest for potable water, exchanging materials such as firewood for water.

All the same, the state government in 2010 made substantial efforts to solve the problem by constructing a 25km water-reticulation pipeline from Dumar to Gumshi to ensure water supply to the area.

The project is one of the several water projects being executed by the government to enhance water supply in the state.

Alhaji Sidi Karasuwa, the Commissioner for Water Resources, assured the citizens of the government's determination to tackle the water supply problems facing them. ``It is a fact that the geographical location of Yobe State, among other natural factors, has made provision of water quite challenging. ``This administration has resolved to face the age-long challenges and difficulties; we

Yobe state Governor, Malam Ibrahim Gaidam want to make water available to the people in all the rural areas and urban centres,'' he said.

Karasuwa noted the government had sunk 300 wells and 506 boreholes, worth about N3 billion, in various rural communities across the state.

Alhaji Muhammad Bukar, the General Manager, Yobe Rural Water Supply Agency, said that the state government, in collaboration with development partners such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), EU and UNICEF had drilled several boreholes across the state in the last four years.

He pledged that the agency would strive to maintain the existing boreholes for the maximum use of the rural communities.

In spite of these efforts, observers note that residents of Damaturu, the state capital, still experience water scarcity, owing to the evergrowing population of the city.

Confirming such views, Alhaji Abdullahi Usman, a resident of Damaturu, said: ``We are at the mercy of water vendors (Mairuwa); I expend about N300 daily to buy water. ``The available water is not safe due to problems associated with open

defecation and flood in some parts of the city,'' he added.

Sharing similar sentiments, Alhaji Aliyu Kareem, a resident of the Ali Marami neighbourhood of Damaturu, said that even though there was intermittent water supply from the state's water board, he had been buying water from water vendors every day.

As part of efforts to address such situations, Karasuwa said that the government had taken over the N3.6 billion Damaturu regional water scheme from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

He recalled that contract for the project was initially awarded in 2005, adding that the project was supposed to be jointly sponsored by the federal and state governments on a 50:50 ratio basis.

The commissioner stressed that the project was abandoned in 2007 after the Federal Government injected N1.8 billion into it without a corresponding commitment by the then state government.

Karasuwa, nonetheless, said that the Gaidamadministration in 2011 entered into an agreement with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources; took over

“

These projects were abandoned but Yobe government is prepared to take over and complete them to address the water problems facing our people,'' he said.

the project and re-awarded its contract at the cost of N1.1 billion.

He said the state government had paid 60 per cent of the contract sum of the project, which was expected to be completed in October, with a pledge to fully fulfill all its financial obligations to enable the contractors to complete the project on schedule.

The commissioner expressed the readiness of the state government to take over and complete other abandoned federal water projects in Nguru, Potiskum and Fika.

Karasuwa said that some boreholes have been constructed in these areas, while works on the six millionlitre water reservoir in another part of the state had reached an advanced stage of completion. ``These projects were abandoned but Yobe government is prepared to take over and complete them to address the water problems facing our people,'' he said.

Nevertheless, Karasuwa called for legislation on water policy, stating specifically the roles of Federal Government in the construction of dams and development of river basins for agricultural development.

All the same, observers commend the state government for its efforts to tackle the water supply challenges facing the residents of the state frontally.

They, nonetheless, expressed the hope that the water projects would be completed within the stipulated periods.

For instance, Habu Yawalle, a resident of Damaturu, said: ``With safe and clean water provided by this government, the people will be free from the menace of water-borne diseases. ``This will drastically reduce the money which the people and the government spend on healthcare.''

Analysts, however, bemoan the duplication of efforts by the federal, state and local governments with regard to the drilling of boreholes and the construction of handpumped wells across the country.

They note that the development has engendered the proliferation of abandoned water projects across the country.

They, nonetheless, underscore the need to complete all the projects, saying that tangible efforts should be made to provide clean and safe water for the citizens.

Source: NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 31

Syria: Talks or a fight to the end? (I) ANALYSIS

T

his month marks two years since the onset of large scale anti-government protests in Syria, yet international approaches to the ensuing crisis, which has so far claimed 70,000 lives, are as conflicted as ever.

On one hand, the US appeared, over the last few weeks, to take its foot off the pedal of support for Bashar alAssad's opponents, prompting a slew of complaints from Syrian rebel groups. At the same time, a delegation from Jordan, a staunch US ally, to Damascus offered President Assad the gift of an "Arabism" abaya - the same delegation to which Assad allegedly confided that he was "not a monster" [AR]. Despite its Sunni Islamist orientation, the Egyptian government reiterated its opposition to a military solution to the conflict and its support for dialogue.

In other signs that Russia's proposal for negotiations was gaining traction, Moscow played host to King Abdullah of Jordan, President MasoudBarzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government, and Syrian Foreign Minister WalidMouallem in quick succession, with rumours that Moaz al-Khatib, head of the opposition umbrella group, the Syrian National Coalition, would follow suit. For his part, Mouallem announced that the Syrian regime was ready for talks with the armed opposition. Reports also emerged last week that al-Khatib, who recently conceded that dialogue with the government was a possibility, met with a businessman close to the Assad regime, Mohammed Hamsho.

On the other hand, upon the confirmation of Senator John Kerry as US Secretary of State, this week brought the announcement that the US, along with European partners like Britain and France, plans to step up its support to Syrian opposition fighters. While continuing to shun the (probably illegal) option of directly providing weapons and munitions to the rebels, Kerry committed to supplying direct medical and food rations to rebel fighters, and to doubling US governance aid to the political opposition. As yet, reports that the US will also help to train rebel fighters, have not been confirmed.

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague heralded this ramping up of support to the opposition as a "new phase" in the Western and Arab response to the crisis. Indeed, alongside this more cautious uptick in western support, the Saudis are reported to have financed a large consignment of infantry weapons to the rebels, from Croatia via Jordan, which includes anti-tank rockets and recoilless guns. The political opposition will also soon announce the establishment of a transitional government in "liberated lands" in the North of the country.

Thus, two incompatible models for ending the crisis are being touted by the US and Russia, with the former seemingly committed to a wholesale rebel victory, and the latter urging compromise, political dialogue and gradual transition. We've been here before. For two years, the conflicting US and Russian narratives and political approaches added an unhelpful layer of global rivalry on top of local, regional and sectarian power struggles.

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton labelled the actions of China and Russia in the UNSC as "despicable" [AFP] Since 2011, both the US and Russia have given their full verbal backing to a slew of diplomatic initiatives for ending the violence, including the Arab League proposal, Kofi Annan's six-point plan, and the Geneva agreement, while also underlining their commitment to a peaceful resolution of the crisis. Yet, in reality, these global powers found themselves fiercely divided at the Security Council and ostensibly allied with different "sides" on the ground.

In demanding for Assad to "step aside" in August 2011, President Barack Obama announced a formal US policy of regime change in Syria.

The US has since led Western efforts to pressure Assad from power. For Russia, Assad's resignation could not be a precondition for resolving the crisis. Along with Beijing, Moscow was more sanguine about the possibilities for Assad to implement reforms and/or negotiate a way out of the crisis with the opposition, and called instead for a ceasefire and negotiations, followed by a comprehensive national dialogue.

But how have the US and Russia justified these different prescriptions for ending the violence in Syria?

To begin with, Washington and Moscow began their problemframing from contrasting premises: the violence was largely one-sided, for the US, whereas the violence was taking place on both sides, for Russia.

From the outset, the Obama administration was unequivocal that blame for the violence in Syria lay with the government. Even as the opposition took up arms in June and July of 2012, launching organised assaults against government positions and declaring its intention to bring down the regime militarily, the Americans remained wedded to the position that Assad and in his inner circle bore primary responsibility for the violence.

When, by the end of 2011, the US acknowledged that Syrian security forces had taken casualties, it insisted that the overwhelming majority of the violence stemmed from the regime. Both Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and UN Ambassador Susan Rice were adamant that there could be no moral equivalence between the actions of the opposition and those of the regime. As such, they demanded that the Syrian regime cease violence first.

The Russians, on the other hand, had warned of "destructive opposition forces in Syria" as early as June 2011.

As observed by VitalyChurkin, Russia's ambassador to the UN, Moscow had its own interpretation of events in Syria: Yes, there were large peaceful protests in some parts of the country, but there was also violence used against government institutions, and that tendency was increasing as events started unfolding.

Russian officials referred to "the so-called Free Syrian Army", accentuating its attacks on government targets and the operations of armed gangs. At the UN, they opposed draft Security Resolutions and successful General Assembly resolutions for not calling on the opposition to renounce violence, and for being "written as if no armed opposition existed at all".

According to the Russians, the opposition's militancy contained two exacerbating features: first, it included terrorist acts and atrocities; second, it was being financed from abroad. Al-Qaeda was repeatedly said to be active in Syria. Car bombs, executions and "terrorist raids" were highlighted in press releases. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov began speaking of the Syrian opposition with amajor caveat: "if terrorists can be called opposition". The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs slammed US State Department announcements as direct endorsements of terrorism,

and suggested that it may refer Saudi Arabia to the UN's counterterrorism body for its part in arming the Syrian rebels. "Why not unlock Guantanamo, arm its inmates and bring them to Syria to fight," Russian President Vladimir Putin asked. "It's practically the same kind of people."

As such, in contrast to Clinton's argument that the onus was on the (much more powerful) government to first lay down its arms, Lavrov argued that the process of renouncing violence should be mutual. In tension with the Obama administration's rejection of moral equivalence between the two sides, Lavrov demanded that both combatant sides be treated equally.

Both the US and Russia argued that their positions on the Syrian crisis were consistent with international law.

The US maintained, first, that its position was multilateral, supported by much of the international community, the Security Council, the UN General Assembly, the UN Secretary General, the Arab League, the GCC, regional leaders from Turkey to Saudi Arabia, and religious leaders including the head of Al-Azhar.

Second, the international community was said to be rising to its responsibilities. Not only was the regime crackdown characterised as an "ongoing threat to international peace and stability", which entailed action under Chapter VII of the UN

“

To begin with, Washington and Moscow began their problemframing from contrasting premises: the violence was largely one-sided, for the US, whereas the violence was taking place on both sides, for Russia.

Charter, but as with the conflict in Libya, the emerging norm of "responsibility to protect" was alluded to repeatedly. Deploying notable R2P language, Clinton referred to "the horrific campaign of violence that has shocked the conscience of the world".

The implications of these crimes were that the Assad regime had forfeited its right to lead the Syrian people and that a strong international response was not only a right, but also a duty.

Third, the Obama administration argued that its position enabled, rather than interfered with, the selfdetermination of the Syrian people.

Assad was said to be standing in the way of Syrians, and the only way to bring about the change that they deserved was for Assad to leave power. Differing with the assessment of Assad's allies (for example a Hezbollah spokesman I interviewed in Beirut in March 2012 argued that "the majority in Syria still supports Bashar"), the Americans asserted that the Assad regime and its friends were at odds with the aspirations of the vast majority of the Syrian people.

The regime represented only a family, the Baath Party, a small group of insiders.

By contrast, the Russians argued that they were acting to protect the right of nations to self-determination, an important principle of jus cogens international law. According to Putin, no nation had the right to decide for another "who should be brought to power and who should be ousted". In addition, Russia was said to be protecting the rights of ("a large proportion of") Syrians who were not supportive of the armed opposition and were instead disposed towards gradual political change.

In invoking the principles of respect for sovereignty and nonintervention in the domestic affairs of states, the Russians pointed out that they had never waged colonial wars in the Arab world, and shunned the (Western) export of "rocket and bomb democracy". Not only was this policy morally wrong, it wasn't effective either.

The Russians also asserted that they sought to protect both the spirit and the stipulations of the UN Charter. In Lavrov's formulation, at stake was "whether the world will be based on the UN Charter, or a place where might makes right". They bemoaned the unilateralism of their colleagues on the Security Council and, despite having opposed and vetoed UN resolutions which were supported by a vast majority of the states eligible to vote, they declared themselves in favour of a truly collective resolution to the conflict in Syria.

Similarly, Russia repeatedly pointed out that the violent regime change sought by member states in Iraq (2003) and Libya (2011) openly violated the UN Security Council's resolutions - as Churkin admitted of the latter case in particular, "we did not take that well". Indeed, the Russians focused heavily on the legally and politically unacceptable precedent of the NATO intervention in Libya, declaring that they had been effectively deceived before voting was conducted for resolution 1973 which authorised "all necessary measures" to protect Libyan civilians.

They had been assured the no-fly zone was designed to safeguard civilian life, and yet it was used as a trigger for regime change instead. The situation in Syria would not be considered, by the Russians (and the Chinese), in isolation from the Libyan experience.

Source : Aljazeera

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

Common wealth to partner Nigeria on education, democracy

By Abdulkadir Isa

I

n preparation of the Common wealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in the Sri Lankan

city of Colombo later this year, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassad or Olugbenga Ashiru, has called on the Commonwealth authority to assist Nigeria tackle its

Common Wealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma (L) with Minister of Foreign Affairs Olugbenga Ashiru (R)at the meeting in Abuja.

challenges and aspirations.

According to the minister, the areas of youth unemployment and education are the most pressing.

While addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja, after a closed-door meeting with the delegation of Commonwealth led by its Secretary-General, His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma, Ambassad or Ashiru pointed out that agreement was reached after exchange of ideas. ''We discussed ways to strengthen democracy not only with in Commonwealth countries but those institutions will ensure smooth democratic process the world over. Our sincere appreciation goes to the Secretary-General on his determination to strengthen democracy in Nigeria. We discussed how to make Commonwealth more

relevant to citizens on the globe; especially education development of members state so that graduates coming out of universities will be self-reliant. Weal so discussed issues of youth unemployment and how to reduce this in Nigeria through job creation,'' he said.

Speaking further, Ashirusaid issues on how to bring back the old tradition of free movement policy and people-to-people contact with in Comm onwealth countries which, he said, would facilitate trade relations, were also discussed.

In his response, the SecretaryGeneral of Common wealth, Mr. Sharma, said he was in Nigeria to get first-hand information on areas member states desired to concentrate on, to help achieve the Millenium Development Goal's.

Long queues led to vote extension in Kenya- Electoral Body

V

oting in Kenya was extended as groups of hundreds of voters remain queued past the 5:00PM (14:00GMT) deadline. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, IEBC, says polls will remain open until voting is completed.

Voters waited for more than six hours at a time on Monday to cast ballots for a president, senators, members of parliament, county governors and representatives to the newly formed county assembly.

The general election marks the first vote since deadly ethnic violence that killed more than 1,200 people following disputed polls in 2007.

Festus Mogae, the former president of Botswana who is leading the team of observers for the election, said he is so far "impressed" by the number of people turning out to vote.

"All I see is enthusiasm", Mogae told Al Jazeera from Nairobi.

At one polling place, Al Jazeera's James Brownsell spoke to a presiding officer who said "the vote is going well.

It has been busy since 6am. The lines are moving, but I don't know how long it is going to take" to get through the line.

The two rivals for the presidency, RailaOdinga, outgoing prime minister, and Uhuru Kenyatta, deputy prime minister, have publicly vowed that there would be no repeat of the violence, which displaced more than 600,000 people.

On the eve of the election, MwaiKibaki, the outgoing president, appealed for a peaceful vote.

"I also make a passionate plea for all of us to vote peacefully. Indeed, peace is a cornerstone of our development," Kibaki, barred from seeking a third five-year term, told Kenyans in a televised address before polling day.

With 14 million registered voters heading to the polls, a police spokesman said that 99,000 officers have been deployed to avert a repeat of deadly

violence in December 2007.

Isolated instances of violence have taken place in some parts of the country.

Kenyans on stretched queues to cast their votes.

Japan grants FCT, Nassarawa US$ 317,919 to boost education, health

By Abdulkadir Isa

T

he Government of Japan approved three (3) community-based projects in Nigeria with the total amount of US$317,919 under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). H.E. Mr. Ryuichi SHOJI, the Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, will sign the grant contracts to implement these projects for improvement of primary education and health sectors with representatives of local NGOs which will implement these projectsOn 7thMarch, at the Embassy of Japan in Abuja.

The benefitting communities include LEA primary school, Kontagora estate Abuja, Karu local Government Nassarawa state and Abaji General Hospital.

In a statement released by the embassy,"the Japanese assistance to Nigeria has amounted to about 770 billion Naira. Under the GGP, 125 projects with a total amount of US$7,608,130 have been implemented throughout Nigeria since 1998, to Meet diverse needs and bring direct impact on the well-being of grass-root communities, the GGP is designed to provide financial grant assistance to nonprofit organizations and local governments implementing development projects at the grassroots level. Today, the GGP is a Japanese assistance scheme wellknown for its swift and pro-poor approaches in this country" it stated.

Guinea riots spread outside capital as election talks fail

S

tone-throwing protesters clashed with police in Guinea's capital Conakry on Monday and rioting spread to another city as main opposition leaders boycotted a meeting called by President Alpha Conde after days of unrest that has killed five people.

Hundreds of protesters have been injured since tensions over upcoming legislative polls triggered days of unrest that began on Wednesday.

Guinea's notoriously ill-disciplined security forces have a history of brutal crackdowns on protests.

Conde wants to discuss preparations for a long-delayed election that is meant to complete a transition to civilian rule after a 2008 military coup. He missed a deadline on Sunday for a presidential decree to officially call the election for May 12.

Preparations for the vote, which is essential to unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in European aid to

the world's largest bauxite supplier, are being hampered by opposition claims that the government is seeking to rig the outcome.

An opposition delegation, led by spokesman AboubacarSylla and former prime minister Jean-Marie Dore, went to the talks with Conde, who narrowly won a 2010 election.

"We put forward our demands and argued that today our country has need of peace and development," Sylla said after the meeting. The opposition reiterated its call to replace South African firm Waymark which manages the electoral roll, he said.

Earlier on Monday, the violent protests had spread to Labe, a fiefdom of opposition leader CellouDaleinDiallo, in central Guinea some 450 km (280 miles) from the coastal capital.

"We are showing our support for our dead and injured brothers in

Conakry," said YimberingDiallo, a Labe resident. "We demand free and fair elections."

In Conakry's Madina residential neighborhood close to the sprawling main market, police fired teargas at

protesters when traders gathered to protest at the destruction and looting of their stalls.

Men stand and watch as a fire rages in the background during clashes between rival gangs in Marche Madina.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

Asia and Middle East

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he U.N. nuclear watchdog raised pressure on Iran to finally address suspicions that it has sought to design an atomic bomb, calling for swift inspector access to a military base where relevant explosives tests are

PAGE 33

U.N. nuclear chief presses Iran on military base access believed to have been carried out.

Airing frustration at the lack of progress in his agency's investigation, Yukiya Amano told its 35-nation governing board on

Monday that negotiations with Iran must "proceed with a sense of urgency" and be focused on achieving concrete results soon.

Because Iran is not providing

the necessary cooperation with inspectors, the International Atomic Energy Agency "cannot conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities", said

Amano, the IAEA's director-general.

His message that Iran must act now was echoed by the United States and its top Gulf ally Saudi Arabia. They declared on Monday that separate but related talks between Tehran and world powers on a wider diplomatic solution to the nuclear dispute could not go on indefinitely.

China defends growing military spending

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IAEA's Director-GeneralYukiya Amano

hina has defended its booming military spending saying vast investments in the armed forces have contributed to global peace and stability, despite concerns among the US and Beijing's Asian neighbours over sharpening territorial disputes.

However, in a break with previous years, no figure for this year's defence budget was presented on the eve of the annual legislative session which will see new leaders placed into top government positions after they were elevated at November's Communist Party congress.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Fu Ying, a spokeswoman for the National People's Congress, said the figure would appear in the overall budget to be released Tuesday.

On the same day, party leader

Xi Jinping will take over from Hu Jintao as president, as well as head of the government's Central Military Commission, as part of China's once-a-decade power transition.

In addition, the session approves top cabinet appointments such as the defence minister.

China's defence spending has grown substantially each year for more than two decades, last year rising 11.2 percentto $106.4bn, an increase of about $10.7bn.

Only the US spends more on defence.

Fu said China maintained a strictly defensive military posture and cited UN peacekeeping missions and antipiracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden as examples of Beijing's contribution to world peace and stability.

Israel launches segregated bus service

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Fu Ying, spokeswoman for the National People's Congress.

srael has launched two Palestinians-only bus lines in the occupied West Bank, a step an Israeli rights group described as racist and which the Transport Ministry called an improvement in service.

The left-wing Haaretz daily reported that the ministry opened the lines on Monday, to be used by Palestinian labourers travelling between the West Bank and Israel, after Jewish settlers complained that Palestinians on mixed buses were a security risk.

"Creating separate bus lines for Israeli Jews and Palestinians is a revolting plan," Jessica Montell, director of the B'Tselem rights group, said on Army Radio. "This is simply racism. Such a plan cannot be justified with claims of security needs or overcrowding."

The Transport Ministry said the two new lines would "improve public transport services for Palestinian workers entering Israel" and replace pirate buses charging them "exorbitant prices".

"The Ministry of Transport has not issued any instruction or prohibition that prevents Palestinian workers from travelling on public transport in Israel nor in Judea and Samaria," it said, referring to the West Bank.

"Furthermore, the Ministry of Transport is not authorised to prevent any passenger from using public transport services."

Rights groups, however, voiced concern that Israeli police at checkpoints in the West Bank would remove Palestinian passengers from regular bus lines and order them to use the new ones.

UAE coup plot trial begins in Abu Dhabi

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The buses have the inscription 'Palestinians only' on it.

he trial of 94 activists accused of plotting to overthrow the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has begun amid tight security.

Witnesses said about 200 relatives were bussed to the court in Abu Dhabi for the trial on Monday as other rights activists and foreign reporters were barred from the court.

Salem Kobaish, the UAE attorney-general, said last month the defendants would go on trial for "having created and led a movement aimed at opposing the basic foundations on which the state's political system is built and at seizing power".

Kobaish has accused the group of forming a "secret organisation" in contact with individuals and organisations abroad.

He said they had also created or invested in property companies to finance their organisation.

The emirate says all of the accused have connections to Al-Islah, which has links to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Several relatives waiting to be transported to the hearing said the charges were baseless and that their family members had no links to the Brotherhood, the website of Britain's Guardian newspaper reported.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 34

Europe and Americas U.N. investigator urges U.S. to pursue Bushera abuses

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United Nations investigator called on the United States on Monday to publish its findings on the CIA's Bush-era program of rendition and secret detention of terrorism suspects.

Ben Emmerson, U.N. special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, voiced concern that while President Barack Obama's administration has rejected Central Intelligence Agency practices conducted under his predecessor George W. Bush, there have been no prosecutions.

"Despite this clear repudiation of the unlawful actions carried out by the Bush-era CIA, many of the facts remain classified, and no public official has so far been brought to justice in the United States," Emmerson said in a report to the U.N. Human Rights Council, which he will address on Tuesday.

Emmerson, an international lawyer from Britain, has served since August 2011 in the independent post set up by the U.N. Human Rights Council in 2005 to probe human rights violations committed during counterterrorism operations worldwide.

The "war on terror" waged by Bush after al Qaeda attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 led to "gross or systematic" violations involving secret prisons for Islamic militant suspects, clandestine transfers and torture, Emmerson said.

Under Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder said that the Department of Justice would not prosecute any official who acted in good faith and within the scope of legal guidance given by its Office of Legal Counsel in the Bush era on interrogation.

But Emmerson said that using a "superior orders defense" and invoking secrecy on national security grounds was "perpetuating impunity for the public officials implicated in these crimes".

A Senate select committee on intelligence, chaired by Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, investigated the CIA secret detention and interrogation program, including use of "waterboarding", which simulates drowning.

Bush, who authorized the CIA's secret prisons overseas, said in his memoirs he had ordered the use of "waterboarding", which rights experts consider a form of torture banned by international law.

Emmerson said that the Senate panel was believed to have had unrestricted access to classified information for its comprehensive review, completed in December 2011.

Czech President faces treason charge

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awmakers have narrowly voted to charge outgoing Czech President Vaclav Klaus with treason.

The upper house voted to refer the president to the constitutional court to rule on whether he had violated the constitution with a New Year amnesty.

The wide-ranging measures were controversial as they resulted in multiple high-profile corruption cases being suspended.

Mr Klaus's term as president of the country is due to end on Thursday.

The worst punishment he faces is the loss of his presidential job, a role the 71-year-old must

President Vaclav Klaus relinquish later this week having served two terms in office.

The president's New Year measures included an amnesty for many prisoners.

It was not, however, the decision to free some 7,000 prisoners serving sentences of up to a year or cancel all suspended sentences, but rather the halting of the prosecution of cases that had dragged on for more than eight years that caused widespread public anger.

In one fell swoop, a dozen high-profile corruption cases cases that involve millions of dollars in asset-stripping, bribes and fraud - were thrown out.

The halted prosecutions included that of prominent businessman Tomas Pitr for alleged tax fraud and that of former football association chief Frantisek Chvalovsky for embezzlement.

Protesters demand details on Chavez's health

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crowd of pro-opposition students and other critics of Hugo Chavez's government marched on Caracas' supreme court on Sunday to demand proof that the cancer-stricken Venezuelan leader is still alive and fit to govern.

Carrying banners that read "Give us the truth!" and "No to Cuban influence!", protesters chained themselves outside the court as they rallied against Chavez and vice president Nicolas Maduro.

"We want to know what is going with Chavez's health, if he is alive or dead, and we want elections," said Dario Alberici, 55, a public accountant at the protest.

Underlining the political polarisation that has divided Venezuela during Chavez's 14-year rule, pro-government students also held a rally in support of the president and his ministers. Supporters of the ailing socialist leader danced and sang his praises, hoping that Chavez will make a full recovery from cancer.

"We are showing our love for the president," said Anaida Nunez, 30, who works in a government food program and wore a green T-shirt with the words "We are millions of Chavez."

Student's chanting anti-Chavez songs on the streets of Caracas.

"We are rejecting this small group of young people who are sadly demanding that the president come out," she said.

With Chavez not seen in public, apart from one set of photos, since a December 11 cancer operation, Venezuelans are on edge waiting for

developments amid a sea of rumours.

In January, Venezuela's top court endorsed the postponement of Hugo Chavez's inauguration and ruled that the president and his deputy would continue in their roles, despite opposition complaints.

Officials say Chavez is in a

Caracas military hospital after returning from Cuba two weeks ago, battling for his life. Though he is breathing via a tracheal tube, unable to speak, and undergoing chemotherapy, the president continues to rule via written and other communications, officials say.

Cardinals in Rome begin talks about choosing next Pope

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oman Catholic cardinals from around the world have gathered in Rome to begin the process of electing the next Pope.

Cardinals held prayers and swore oaths of secrecy at their first meeting, held by the College of Cardinals.

A cross section of the Cardinals.

There will be a series of daily meetings leading up to a conclave, expected to begin next week, in which a new Pope will be chosen.

The election process comes after Pope Benedict XVI stepped down last week.

He was the first pontiff to resign

in 600 years, after nearly eight years in office leading the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics.

The first pre-conclave meeting on Monday morning was headed by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano.

The Vatican said 101 of the 115 cardinals involved in the conclave have arrived in Rome.

A further 12 are due to arrive either today or tomorrow, while two are not attending.

They are the UK's Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who is standing down a m i d allegations of improper behaviour, and Indonesia's J u l i u s

Darmaatmadja, who is ill.

At the pre-conclave meetings, cardinals - known as the "princes" of the Church - will discuss future challenges and discreetly weigh up possible papal candidates.

The conclave - to be held in the Sistine Chapel - is expected to take place next week, though the exact date will be agreed on in the coming days.

Correspondents say the cardinal electors, those under the age of 80 who will take part in the conclave, will want the new Pope to be officially installed in time to preside over Holy Week.

Ceremonies start with Palm Sunday on 24 March and culminate in Easter the following Sunday.

Last year's "Vatileaks" scandal is expected to be high on the agenda during the meetings.

Corruption and infighting in the Vatican were exposed through a series of leaked documents, and the cardinals are expect this week to be briefed on a confidential report into the scandal seen by Pope Benedict.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 35

Man rescued from fire arrested for attempting to kill emergency workers O

fficials in Hawkins County, Tenn., say that 36-year-old Anthony Christopher Rogers fled from a

deputy on Friday night, and when he was asked why, he stated he "always runs from the law," the Times News reported.

Anthony Christopher Rogers

Briton fails record 107 driving test's

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he hapless unnamed 28year old, from London, has so far spent £3,317 trying to pass the theory test, at a cost of £31 each.

The test includes a 57minute multiple choice exam which 43 out of 50 questions must be answered correctly and a hazard perception test which requires a pass mark of 44 out of 75. Motorists must pass both parts before they can sit their practical test.

A 40-year old determined candidate logged a record number of practical driving tests - passing on his 37th attempt. The unnamed man from the area of Stoke on Trent forked out at least £2,294 trying to pass, which could have bought him a reasonable second hand car.

The practical test costs £62 for a test on a weekday or £75 for a test on an evening, weekend or bank holiday.

The car practical driving test is designed to see if motorists can drive safely on different road and traffic conditions and know the Highway Code.

An AA Driving School spokesperson said: "This is clearly an unusually high number of test attempts, but it is important to remember that everyone learns at their own pace.

"Their determination to pass highlights how important learning to drive is to most people.

"It is a milestone that many people aspire to achieving because of the freedom and independence it brings."

The car practical driving test is designed to see if motorists can drive safely on different road and traffic conditions

Sgt. Mike Allen had been responding to a domestic disturbance at the home of Rogers' girlfriend, who told him

Rogers had spent the day drinking and threatening to burn down her house. She also told them that Rogers had run

out the back door as soon as Allen showed up.

Allen managed to overtake Rogers, who allegedly gave him the wrong year of birth and was carrying a pair of brass knuckles.

Rogers was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, possession of a prohibited weapon and criminal impersonation.

People give cops all kinds of explanations for their behavior.

Pennsylvania police say that in January, a man caught masturbating in public told an officer that his penis was only out in the open because his pants had shrunk.

In October, a Floridian man accused of masturbating in public told investigators he was just scratching at a testicular rash. He then offered to show someone the rash as proof and, amazingly enough, it worked! He "presented his testicles" to an officer who "verified that [he] did have a rash."

Dangerous Hands - Ukrainian hairdresser cuts hair blindfolded

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leg Maksakov, a hairdresser from Sevastopol, Ukraine, has a very unique way of cutting his clients' hair wearing a blindfold and masterfully wielding two pairs of scissors at the same time.

Most clients visiting a hairdresser are worried they might get a bad haircut, but Oleg Maksakov's customers are more worried about getting one or both of their ears sliced off.

That's because the young Ukrainian likes to cut hair with both hands and wearing a blindfold. He has been a hairdresser for 10 years, but only recently took up the dangerous challenge of cutting hair blindfolded. "I wanted to test my skill level," he told TSN. First he learned to cut hair with his left hand, than with both hands at the same time, and finally, while blindfolded.

"It's kind of like meditation," Oleg says. "Each haircut for me is extreme. The structure of hair, different people, it all goes a different way every time."

According to local media, Maksakov has become very popular after word of his special skills spread in Sevastopol, but his very first client was the person that trusts him the most - his mother.

The gifted Ukrainian started cutting hair when he was just 10 years old. One of his first "victims" was a longhaired action figure. After seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Terminator, he realized long hair wasn't made the toy look too feminine, so he

Oleg Maksakov

grabbed the scissors and turned him into "a real man".

He refined his hair-cutting skill during military school, in Saint Petersburg, and realized that's what he wanted to do with his life. Coming from a military family, he had some trouble explaining to his relatives that hairdressing was his real passion, but says it was worth it because "you cannot run away from yourself, otherwise you're just living someone else's life, and you'll never truly be accomplished."

Mastering his blindfolded technique began with studying Leonardo Da Vinci.

The Rennaissance master wrote his notes backwards and using both hands. He then learned this technique was recommended for developing both hemispheres of the human brain, so he started

practicing. Then, during a televised talent show, he saw a little boy with a had pulled over his head, cutting something, and realized nothing in this world in impossible. He decided to apply the skill to his hair-cutting craft and began practicing on mannequins.

When Oleg thought he was ready, he practiced on his first living model - his mother. Taking advantage that she usually watched TV while he gave her a haircut, he just closed his eyes. Both her ears remained intact and the hair came out great.

Now Olek Maksakov practices his blind hair-cutting at the salon where he works, but only charges for regular haircuts. The extreme ones are offered for free to patrons brave enough to allow him to sharpen his skills.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

Sitting down can send you to an early grave

By John Naish

concentrate.

re you sitting comfortably?

Well, don't. A welter of medical evidence is suggesting that the act of placing your derriere on a seat can cut years off your life.

It seems armchairs, office chairs and sofas can be fatal.

Sitting down is increasingly being linked to some of the modern world's most toxic epidemics, from cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure to stroke.

Last week, researchers at Leicester University added to this grim jigsaw by reporting that time spent sitting is strongly associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The humble chair seems an odd candidate for inclusion in our list of lifestyle killers such as booze, cigarettes and hard drugs. But the fact is, chairs are a relatively new addition to human life.

Until the late Middle Ages in Europe, the only people to sit on chairs were high-rankers such as kings and bishops. At ceremonial occasions, seats showed they were above anyone else in the room.

Chairs with backs only became available to the affluent in Europe around the 13th century, and it was not until the 16th century that they became common. Until then, the chest, bench or stool were the everyday seats.

Sitting at work is a recent fad, as well. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, office workers such as clerks, accountants and managers mostly stood. Sitting was equated with slacking.

Indeed, some of the leading figures of the past couple of centuries have stood while they worked, believing it to help them remain alert and

Distinguished members of this upstanding society include Ernest Hemingway - who stood and wrote at a desk in the mornings - Benjamin Franklin,

A

Sitting down is increasingly being linked to some of the modern world's most toxic epidemics, from cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure to stroke Winston Churchill, Vladimir Nabokov and the novelist Philip Roth.

But now, the vast majority of most people's days are spent sitting - on the commute to work, at work, travelling home, then at the dining table, and lastly on the sofa in front of the TV. On average, it adds up to around ten hours of seatedness a day.

The Leicester University research suggests spending hours sitting down causes the body to accumulate dangerously high levels of sugars and fats in your bloodstream - significantly raising the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Other research last month

of more than 60,000 middleage men by the University of Western Sydney found those who sit more than four hours a day are more likely to experience chronic ailments, such as cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure.

Emma George, the lead researcher, says: 'The rates of chronic diseases reported by the participants exponentially increased in proportion with the amount of time the participants spent sitting down.'

These problems were independent of other health factors such as age, body-mass index and level of physical activity, according to the report in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity.

The result, according to another Australian study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine last year, is that people who sit for 11 or more hours a day have a 40 per cent increase in their risk of dying over the next three years, compared with those who sit for only four hours a day.

But why is sitting so dreadful? It seems our bodies were primarily designed for fidgeting around and trying to stand upright.

When we stand, our muscles contract to stop us falling flat on our face. We engage our muscles when we are standing and even more when we walk around. And muscles have an important role in helping to regulate many of our physiological processes.

Muscle contractions help the body to take sugar out of our bloodstreams and use it for energy. The muscles that keep us standing up also seem to produce more of the enzymes that break down fats in the blood, says the Leicester

When we stand, our muscles contract to stop us falling flat on our face. Muscle contractions help the body to take sugar out of our bloodstreams and use it for energy (file picture)

University team.

One danger of sitting for too long is 'seated immobility syndrome'. The first case was identified in a South Korean medical journal in 2004. The victim, a 24-year-old man,

had blood clots in his legs after sitting in the same chair for 80 hours playing an internet game. He needed emergency surgery to save his life.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Years sitting in chairs or wearing high heels mean our Achilles tendons are not stretched long enough to put our heels flat on the ground when in a squat (file picture)

Slow-growing babies 'catch-up' by teens

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esearchers, writing in the journal Pediatrics, said the results would reassure parents whose babies fail to put on weight quickly.

And they warn against boosting the calorie intake of slow-growing babies as this may increase obesity.

Experts said that monitoring of weight gain in infants remained vital.

The researchers looked at data from 11,499 children who took part in a large study in Bristol in the 1990s.

It showed that 507 who were slow to gain weight in the first eight weeks of life recovered fairly quickly and had almost caught up by the age of two years.

Another group of 480 children who were slow to gain between eight weeks and nine months continued to put on weight slowly until they were seven years, but then had a spurt and caught up by the age of 13.

The different patterns of recovery between the two groups were likely due to different reasons

children who are otherwise well do not follow the standard 'curve' is just because they are following their genetic potential.

"The second point for health professionals is that for a child that is well with no symptoms they can be relaxed and not worry about pushing calories because you can push them the other way."

Feeding habits in the second six months of life determine a child's future weight gain, so consuming too many calories in infancy can lead to obesity later on, he explained.

Dr Simon Newell, vice-president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said he broadly agreed with the conclusions of the researchers but stressed that poor weight gain was something which needed to be monitored closely.

"The weight when you're first born is the impact of pregnancy, the weight at eight weeks is related to how well you are feeding, then for the next year there will be an adjustment to your natural centile."

Source: BBCNews.com

for slow weight gain, the researchers said.

All the children were still lighter and shorter than their peers by the time they were teenagers, but within the normal range.

The findings highlight the importance of monitoring a Babies who are slow to gain weight in the first months baby's weight of their lives generally catch up to their peers by and height gain age 13, a large UK study shows.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARC H 5, 2013

PAGE 37

Tambuwal charges Germany on technology transfer, CSR

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has appealed for more manufacturing concerns from Germany to set up base in the country to stimulate transfer of technology as well as provide more employment for Nigerians.

Tambuwal, who spoke while receiving a delegation of German Parliamentarians led

by Uwe Kekeritz at the National Assembly, also said the lawmakers should advice companies of German origin operating in the country to be

more responsive to the needs of the people in their areas of operation through the fulfillment of their Corporate Social Responsibility.

Tambuwal said “I would like to take advantage of your visit to request that you talk to your nationals to get involved in manufacturing in Nigeria. What we have are companies mainly in construction; we don’t have as much engaged in the manufacturing sector. Your involvement in manufacturing will give employment opportunities to Nigerians as well as transfer of echnology.

“I use the advantage of your visit to also ask that you talk to your companies on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Nothing much is being done in that regard. And in terms of the degradation of the environment, particularly in the Niger Delta, we need your support. The issue of desert encroachment and erosion are also areas you can help.”

The Speaker also requested formal inter-parliamentary relationship between Germany and Nigeria.

Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation explained that they had been

to Lagos as part of their itinerary, adding that they also visited the Eko Atlantic City project in the city and came away with a positive impression.

He said the Parliamentary group sees itself as being on a learning visit and requested for areas where of challenges that the country was facing where it would want the German parliament and government to help address.

The Speaker and the German Parliamentary group later went into a closed door session to discuss the challenges facing Nigeria and how the visitors could assist.

L-R: Cross River State Acting Governor,Chief Effiong Cabham, Chairman Senate Committee On Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator James Manager and Managing Director Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Chris Oboh, during the Senate Committee oversight visit to NDDC projects, recently in Cross River state.

Kwara Police Commissioner’s murder: ANPP calls for thorough investigation

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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he All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has called on the Federal Government, the Nigeria Police and other law enforcement agencies, not to leave any stone unturned in thoroughly solving the mystery behind the heinous murder of Kwara state Police commissioner, Mr. Chinwike Asadu, by unknown gunmen in Enugu his home state.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Emma Eneakwu, the ANPP said it received the news with unmitigated shock.

“This bizarre development is another pointer that the PDP led Federal Government has failed in securing the lives and properties of the ordinary Nigerian which is the paramount duty it owes the citizens of this great nation.

We vehemently condemn this atrocious murder; it is a reprehensible action which ought to belong only to the imaginative plots of thriller movies”.

The statement added that in recent times the country has been enmeshed in several unresolved mysterious deaths perpetrated by so-called unknown gunmen; thereby

making the streets dreadful and the hinterlands theatres of crime.

“The murder of a serving Police Commissioner is as bloodcurdling as it is weird.

Our great party ponders, if a top level law enforcement officer could be mowed down in such a manner, what then is the fate of the ordinary citizen or the low ranking officer out there in the street?

And the answer is manifest, to the effect that this PDP government has failed in the cardinal duty it owes the citizens of this great country with whom it has a social contract: that of security.

“Surely, this is the time to muster all forensic resources, and new technologies to ensure that the nomenclature of ‘unknown gunmen’ is permanently deleted from our national lexicon, and collective consciousness”, he said.

He stressed that the unraveling of the crime will go a long way in boosting the battered morale of the ordinary policeman in the street in dispensing his/her patriotic duties. “Our great party believes that as a nation Nigeria shall surmount all her present troubles,” the ANPP assured.

Fashola tasks media on objectivity

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ov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday urged media practitioners to always make objectivity and patriotism the thrust of their practice and operations.

Fashola made the call when he received the new management team of African Newspapers Limited, the publishers of ‘Nigerian Tribune’ in his office.

He contended that what the media constantly portrayed could make or mar the society, and urged practitioners to exercise restraints and cross check their facts before publishing their reports.

The governor particularly decried the practice of displaying gory and violent messages in the media, saying the practice could engender some negative behaviour among members of the public.

Fashola urged journalists to portray the image of the country in good light, noting that the worst news about the nation were being told by the Nigerian media.

He, however, commended the media for its invaluable contributions to democracy and good governance, but urged it to work on its imperfections to be more socially responsible.

“I think we wouldn’t have the kind of democracy that we want without the free press, but a free press is not a press without restraints.

“It is a press that must continue to improve itself and correct itself when errors are made.

“But what I see today is that the wrong stories are told by us and I don`t know any nation in the world whose newspapers tell negative stories about it.

“If in our bid to attract big money we write crazy headlines, report everyday robberies, display dead bodies and portray violence, I don`t think we are doing the country any good``, Fashola said.

Earlier, the Managing Director of African Newspapers Ltg., Mr Edward Dickson, who led the team, said the newspaper was embarking on a turn-around of its operation.

He said the management saw Fashola as a leading light in entrenching good governance in Nigeria.

He said the governor‘s proven track record of excellence had informed the new management team‘s resolve to partner with his administration in finding mutual ways of moving forward.

Dickson conveyed the greetings of the Awolowo’s family, especially Mama HID Awolowo, to the governor, saying she greatly recognised the great strides recorded by him in Lagos State. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

CNPP accepts sacked Benue commissioners – Agan

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Action Congress of Nigeria Liberation Movement protesting, yesterday in Ibadan. Photo: NAN

Borno professionals want Maiduguri Dikwa - Ngala road project probed

By Lawrence Olaoye

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group, Borno League for Professional (BLP) yesterday called on the Federal Government to urgently institute a probe into the abandoned multi-billion naira 141 kilometres’ Maiduguri-DikwaNgala road project.

The project awarded years ago got abandoned by the contractors after collecting mobilization fees and doing little or no job at the site.

The BLP at a press conference in Abuja said the non execution of the contract awarded to M.M Sheriff Gamboru & Sons Ltd owned

by Galadima Modu Sheriff, has further added to the economic

hardship of the state as the road links Chad, Niger and Borno State.

Modu Bukar Ngala and Abba Shuaibu, Chairman and Secretary of BLP said it was regrettable that even after billions of taxpayers’ money had been expended on the contract, the project has been left abandoned with no hope continuity.

The group state “It is only proper that government descend hard on economic saboteurs such as M.M Sheriff whose business activities to put Borno at an disadvantage continues abysmally.

“This is the same way the 160km Maiduguri -Gajiran Monguno - Kukawa road being

handled by the same company is equally abandoned as well as Borno State Ministry of Religious Affairs complex contract being handled by the same company has been abandoned after due mobilization.

“This projects have the capacity to impact positively on the lives of the citizenry in Borno state as well as contribute to the state’s development. Therefore, the Federal Government must send the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the details of these contracts which we believe has reaped off taxpayers’ of their money”, the group said.

Bukar Ngala said it was regrettable that persons in Borno

state were using their status and personal contacts to enrich themselves at the expense of the entire citizenry of the State, noting that if the Jonathan administration was keen and serious in fighting corruption, especially as it affects roads projects, then the probe into abandoned projects such as these must be done no matter whose ox was gored.

The group said it was also investigating the contract for nine Universal Basic Education classroom blocks that have also been abandoned by a commissioner in the state who is said to be a heir to the owner of M.M Gamboru & Sons Ltd, Galadima Modu Sheriff.

Deployment of soldiers: Court strikes out Jonathan’s name from N100m suit

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Lagos High Court in Igbosere yesterday struck out the name of President Goodluck Jonathan from a suit challenging the deployment of soldiers to Lagos during last year’s protest against petrol subsidy removal.

Justice Samuel CandideJohnson struck out the president’s name from the list of defendants, following an application by the plaintiff.

The N100 million suit was filed

by the Chairman of the Lagos State branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr Taiwo Taiwo; the Secretary, Mr Alex Muoka, and human rights activist, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa.

The defendants are the minister of defence, chief of defence staff, the inspector-general of police and attorney-general of the federation.

The plaintiffs sought removal of Jonathan’s name on the grounds that they could not personally serve him the court processes.

The suit was brought under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009.

The plaintiffs had asked the court to order the withdrawal of armed soldiers from the streets of Lagos State during the protest.

They also demanded N100 million as damages.

The applicants are asking the court to restrain the respondents from preventing their peaceful and lawful gathering and that of other Nigerians, at the Falomo

Roundabout, Gani Fawehinmi Park and other public places in Lagos State.

In a 29-pragraph affidavit he deposed to, Adegboruwa stated that a team of armed soldiers harassed him and many others at some public places in Lgaos State on Jan. 16, 2012, during the protest.

He said that the soldiers shot live bullets into the air and threw tear gas on the peaceful protesters, causing them trauma. (NAN)

Census tribunal strikes out Rivers’ case against NPC

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he Census Tribunal yesterday in Abuja struck out a petition filed

by Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers challenging the 2006 enumeration figure for the area.

Mr Abraham Yisa, Chairman of Tribunal, struck out the case for want of diligent prosecution.

Mr Anthony Ibifuro had

earlier filed a petition on behalf of the council against the National Population Commission (NPC), alleging that the 72,282 figure declared for the area was inadequate.

However, Yisa said that the complainant was not serious in following the case to its logical conclusion.

“The matter was adjourned

for continuation of hearing today, neither the complainant nor the counsel communicated to the court the reasons they are not in court,” he said.

Yisa said also that the tribunal struck out the petition following application by the counsel to NPC, Mr Obina Chukwu, “to strike it out for want of diligent prosecution’’.

Chukwu had earlier told the tribunal that the complainant and the counsel had failed to appear before the tribunal.

He said that records showed that the council and its counsel were properly served hearing notice, stressing that by law, they were supposed to communicate to the court the reason for their absence. (NAN)

he Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria’s Political Parties (CNPP) in Benue, Mr Baba Agan, said yesterday that the opposition was accepting some of the commissioners recently sacked

by Gov. Gabriel Suswam.

Agan told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi that some of the sacked cabinet were relieved of their appointments for fraternising with opposition political parties.

Agan, who shielded the identities of the affected excommissioners, said they (exc a b i n e t members) were “merely trying to eke a living in the PDP administration of Gov Suswam”.

Efforts by NAN to get reactions from the affected commissioners failed as their handsets were switched off.

NAN, however, recalls that Suswam had dropped 11 commissioners out of the 16 that made his new cabinet.

Suswam had warned the commissioners to refrain from partisan politics, advising those with partisan interests to resign their appointments to pursue their political ambitions.

Some of the dropped commissioners were Mr John Ngbede, Water and Environment; Mrs Elizabeth Ugo, Education; Science and Technology; Godwin Adah, Tourism; Comfort Ajene,Works and Transport.

Others were Mr Benjamin Ashaver, Works and Transport; John Tondo, Lands and Survey; Dr Orduen Abunku, Health; Dr Eugene Aliegba, Agriculture; Mr Jacob Omenka, Rural Development And Cooperatives; Mr Simon Kwaghbula, Housing and Urban Development, and Mrs Elizabeth Allagh for Women Affairs.

The chairman said the upcoming All Progressive Congress (APC) was a national project, saying “this project is for the total emancipation of the Nigerian nation from the clutches of underdevelopment”.

He said the CNPP in the state was mobilising support from market associations, student organisations and the business communities towards building a massive structure that would form the next government at the state and national level.

“At the moment the APC is preoccupied with issues of unifying the opposition elements in the country for the purpose of forming a strong, reliable and unified political structure.

“The party believes in the unity and the oneness of this country and is ready to enhance it through its well elaborate structure,” he said.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 39

Fashola tasks media on objectivity

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ov.

Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday urged media practitioners to always make objectivity and patriotism the thrust of their practice and operations.

Fashola made the call when he received the new management team of African Newspapers Limited, the publishers of ‘Nigerian Tribune’ in his office.

He contended that what the media constantly portrayed could make or mar the society, and urged practitioners to exercise restraints and cross -check their facts before publishing their reports.

The governor particularly decried the practice of displaying gory and violent messages in the media, saying the practice

could engender some negative behaviour among members of the public.

Fashola urged journalists to portray the image of the country in good light, noting that the worst news about the nation were being told by the Nigerian media.

H e , however, commended the media for its invaluable contributions to democracy and good governance, but urged it to work on its imperfections to be more socially responsible.

“I think we wouldn’t have the kind of democracy that we want without the free press, but a free press is not a press without restraints.

“It is a press that must continue to improve itself and correct itself when errors are made.

“But what I see today is that the wrong stories are told by us and I don`t know any nation in the world whose newspapers tell negative stories about it.

“If in our bid to attract big money we write crazy headlines, report everyday robberies, display dead bodies and portray violence, I don`t think we are doing the country any good``, Fashola said.

Earlier, the Managing Director of African Newspapers Ltg., Mr Edward Dickson, who led the team, said the newspaper was embarking on a turn-around of its operation.

He said the management saw Fashola as a leading light in entrenching good governance in Nigeria.

(NAN)

LG chairmen wives charged people oriented pet projects in Adamawa From Umar Dankano,Yola

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r Zainab Nyako, Adamawa state governor's wife, has charged wives of the newly elected local government chairmen in Adamawa State to embark on people oriented pet projects.

Nyako gave the charge at the closing ceremony of twoday capacity building workshop on protocol and security consciousness for female political office holders and wives of political office holders in the state.

Nyako said as people closest to the grassroots, wives of council chairmen needed to understand the needs of their people, particularly women and other vulnerable groups, to come up with a project that have direct bearing on the lives

of their electorates.

Nyako advised them to consider projects in areas of reproductive health and women empowerment so as to sensitize them on the importance of these two sectors in human endeavor.

She reiterated her commitment to collaborate with the wives of council chairmen in complementing governments' effort to combat poverty among women at the grassroots.

Nyako said the workshop was timely as a lot of the participants were insufficiently equipped in observing basic etiquette of official interactions as recommended in official rules of protocol.

"Only a few of such women clearly understood the definitive code of conduct or details of protocol required of

them", Nyako said.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Deputy Governor of Adamawa, Mr Bala Ngilari, also described the workshop as timely and urged participants to endeavor to put to use all that they learnt at the workshop.

He urged them to be equipped to avoid irreversible errors with their mouths and conducts as such might have devastating consequences.

The workshop organized by an NGO, Global Initiative for empowerment of Vulnerable Children in conjunction with Ministry for Local Government and Women Education and Empowerment Initiative (WEEIN) involved presentation of papers by some academics and security officials.

Northern Governors Forum salutes Obasanjo at 76 developmental drive in our

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he Northern States Governors Forum has congratulated former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his 76th birthday, saying he lived a fulfilled life of service to Nigeria and humanity.

The forum’s Chairman, Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger, said this yesterday in Minna in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Danladi Ndayebo.

Aliyu said Obasanjo had remained a reference point on good governance, statesmanship, diplomacy, conflict resolution and prudent management of

resources.

According to the statement, Nigeria is lucky to have Obasanjo at ‘every twist and turn’ in its march to nationhood.

The governor noted that Obasanjo had a distinguished military carrier and went on to become Head of State and later democratically elected president, during which he showed rare vision, courage and exemplary leadership.

“It is no longer news that in 1976, destiny beckoned on Obasanjo to become Nigeria’s Head of State; an era that ushered in huge

journey to nationhood and in the exercise of greatness.

“He voluntarily relinquished power and handed it over to a civilian administration in 1979.

“He returned to the presidency in 1999 from the verge of death to the flourishing tree of democracy he planted, this time as the gardener and the nourisher,” the statement said.

Aliyu said the forum was proud to be associated with the achievements of the former leader, especially his contributions to deepening the nation’s fledgling democracy. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 40

2015 Elections: Opposition lawmakers optimistic about APC victory

L-R: Senator Dahiru Kuta, Chairman, Joint Committee On Federal Character and InterGovernmental Affairs and Employment, Labour and Productivity, CoChairman, Senator Wilson Ake, and Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the committee's public hearing, yesterday in Abuja.

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wo opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives have expressed confidence that the All Progressives’ Congress ( APC) will make a remarkable impact in the 2015 elections.

The lawmakers, who spoke in separate interviews, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the merger became necessary to form a formidable opposition to the ruling party.

NAN recalls that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), on Feb. 6, agreed to a merger to form a formidable opposition to the PDP.

Photo: NAN

Bauchi Deputy Governor describes NAWOJ members role models From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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auchi state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Aminu Saleh, has described members of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists in Bauchi state have been described as role models to aspiring female journalists.

Saleh stated this yesterday when he received the executive members of NAWOJ, Bauchi state chapter led by it's Chairperson Hajia Kaltume Abdulahi Shall on a courtesy call in his office yesterday. The deputy governor who described journalism as a good and respective profession said a lot of girl child has been inspired to become Journalists due to the

good work being exhibited by the women journalists.

He commended NAWOJ members for being dedicated in their duties saying " it was before that men dominated the journalism profession but today many women are in the profession and they are performing very well."

He added " Whenever I am watching news on BATV with my family, my daughters always admire the NAWOJ Chairperson, Hajia Kaltume saying they like her for being intelligent with her way of reading and they desire to be like her.

He then enjoined women journalists to show more commitment to their duties

saying this will go a long way to encourage more female to join the profession.

The Deputy Governor also called on them to always ensure objectivity in their reportage. He also urged them to support government programs and policies for the development of the state.

Speaking earlier, the state NAWOJ's Chairperson commended the state government for it's achievements especially in the area of human development, economic and industrial development as well as youth and women empowerment .

She said " Since the creation of Bauchi state, the people of the state have yearned and prayed to have

an international airport and the administration of Isa Yuguda has made the dream come to reality by embarking on the construction of International airport in the state."

Shall reiterate the determination of NAWOJ to support the present administration by enlightening the people on the significance of peaceful co existence in the state.

"Apart from advocacy visits, it is our resolve to join hands with your administration to enlighten parents on girl child education, polio immunization and youth restiveness. I believe that with proper enlightenment, particularly to parents, it will make the desired impact"

Okorocha resolves rift between deputy and state Assembly

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ov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo has waded into the face-off between his deputy, Mr Jude Agbaso, and the state House of Assembly.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr Ebere Uzokwa, made this known in a statement issued in Owerri yesterday.

Uzokwa said that the face-off arose following allegations of request and receipt of gratification levelled against the deputy governors by some contractors in the state.

He said that the rift had been resolved amicably following the governor’s intervention.

According to him, until the recent cabinet reshuffle in the state, Agbaso

was the Commissioner for Works.

Uzokwa said that the position of commissioner offered Agbaso the privilege of awarding, negotiating and facilitating the payment of some contractors handling government’s major projects.

“Some contractors had alleged that he used his position to collect

financial gratification, an allegation that jolted the relevant committee in the state legislature to commence investigation,” he said.

The special assistant said that the Okorocha, who was billed to travel abroad at the weekend for an official engagement, cancelled the trip to mediate in the face-off between his deputy and the legislature. (NAN)

PPA mobilises for 2015 election

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he Progressive Peoples’ Alliance (PPA) on Sunday said the current ward verification exercise in Abia was to mobilise supporters ahead of 2015 general elections.

Chief Emeka Okafor, the state PPA Chairman, gave the explanation when he led other members State Working Committee on a verification visit to 19 wards in Arochukwu Local Government Area.

“As a grassroots party, we

believe that PPA would produce the next governors of states in the South East zone, especially Abia in 2015 because of merging political factors.

“For instance PPA is one of the parties currently adjourned to be the most peaceful across Nigeria because we do not have any crisis.

“We believe that with such advantage and more effort, PPA will surprise many in 2015 general elections,’’ Okafor said.

He urged the local leadership of the party to open its doors for any

people willing to register with the party.

According to him, our door is open for those wishing to enter PPA. We have no agenda to stop old or new members from returning to PPA. The chairman said that the leadership of the party was concerned with the deplorable state of federal and state roads to Arochukwu and would ensure that the people have a fair treatment if voted in 2015.

“It is very painful that in spite producing notable personalities that have contributed and are still contributing to the growth of this country, federal and state roads in Arochukwu are left in such a deplorable state,’’ he said.

Mr Uche Enyioko, a former state Commissioner for Agriculture, said PPA was confident that the Independent National Electoral Commission would conduct free and fair elections in 2015. (NAN)

The aim of the merger, according to the parties, is to wrestle power from the ruling PDP. Rep. Mohammed Monguno (ANPP- Borno) said that the merger was solely formed to give Nigerians an alternative government.

Monguno said that the parties involved in the merger were mindful of the timing to avoid running behind time before the 2015 general elections.

He noted that previous merger failed to produce the desired result because it was done close to elections, adding that the “nitty gritty of it could not be clearly sorted out’’ before the election.

“I can assure you with all sense of seriousness and sincerity that this merger will not go the same way the previous mergers had gone.

“From the way we are gathering momentum, we will form the central government come 2015 and that is why we commenced the talks so that we can meet up before 2015,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Rep. Lanre Odubote ( ACN-Lagos), said it would be difficult for the opposition political parties to form the central government without merging.

“There is no way you can gain power from the ruling party without forming a single bloc,” Odubote said.

Odubote urged the various leaders of the merging parties to put away their selfish interests and work for a common goal of providing dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

He said that selfish interests had been the bane of leadership in the country, adding that genuine alliance could only be achieved if zoning, ethnicity and religion were played down in politics.

He added that one of the greatest challenges of the merger had to do with the inordinate ambitions of the leaders of the merging parties.

“Our greatest challenge is to be able to convince our leaders to see reason for us to work together as a party and win the 2015 elections,’’ he added. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 41

CAF Champions League

Pillars to play AC Leopards of Congo

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igeria Premier League champions Kano Pillars have zoomed to the next round of the 2013 Caf Champions League after nicking a precious goalless draw under heavy downpour in Bangui against Olympique Real de Bangui in the

By Albert Akota

I

rked by several reports alleging recurrent practice of lesbianism among female footballers, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has vowed to put an end to the ugly act in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL).

The football federation has

Central African Republic on Sunday.

Pillars travelled to Bangui with a 5-1 cushion leading to the affair and qualified to the first round same way after battling 0-0 draw under very bad weather.

Club spokesman Idris Malikawa

T

aggregate and booked a tricky tie against tough Congolese side in the next round.

The team returned last night.

AC Leopards of Congo, who won the 2012 CAF Confederation Cup, had defeated Nigeria’s flag bearer in that competition, Heartland FC

NFF threatens to sanction clubs over lesbianism practice pledged to pay attention to the league and ensure that the practice is not tolerated and would subsequently spare no rod to stem the tide.

Disclosing this to newsmen in

NFF to resolve Mba case tomorrow he committee empanelled by the Nigeria Football Federation to resolve the controversy over the ownership of Super Eagles’ Cup of Nations star Sunday Mba will meet in Abuja tomorrow with a view to resolving the impasse.

Controversy has been raging between Rangers and Warri Wolves on one hand and Enyimba and Dolphins on the other over the ownership of the nimble-footed marksman who scored the winner against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter finals and the only goal in the final match against Burkina Faso’s Etalons at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations that ended in South Africa last month.

confirmed that Pillars set out in search of an away win but the heavy downpour made the pitch unplayable hence the players adopted safe tactics to get something out of the tie.

They achieved the objective and thus qualified 5-1 on

Already, the committee has invited officials of two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC of Aba, Enugu Rangers, Dolphin FC of Port Harcourt and Warri Wolves, alongside the player himself.

“The committee will sit on Wednesday and we will look at all papers presented by all parties, and be guided by the rules, without fear of favour.

“We will look thoroughly into the matter with the highest sense of responsibility and take just decision, in order for the player to continue his club and national team career with peace of mind and comfort,” said Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, NFF’s Director of Competitions.

Abuja, NFF executive board member and NWFL chairperson Mrs. Dilichukwu Onyedinma, said that the practice is unacceptable and abominable.

She admitted that reports have become rampant and therefore could not be further ignored because there could be some element of truth in some rumour.

Onyedinma urged clubs proprietors, managers and other stakeholders in the league to rise up and condemn the practice and thus ensure some level of sanity.

It would be recalled that former Super Falcons head coach, Eucharia Uche, during her time had employed various means to discourage the immoral acts in her team and even went on to express some concern openly, a decision that did not go well with FIFA. However, Onyedinma insisted that any form of lesbianism is dirty and

unhealthy to humanity in general.

“It is a practice that is very bad even in the holy book, so the league body does not tolerate lesbianism and we always warn club owners and chairmen to tell their player to desist from it.

“Any player that we pick for national competition and we hear that such club or player indulging in such an illicit act, we will disqualify and sanction,” she warned.

Aminu Maigari, NFF President

Yuguda, Emir of Bauchi to receive AFCON trophy today

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he Governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda will on today host some officials of the Nigeria Football Federation and the Super Eagles, in appreciation of the honour they brought to Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Though not among the top favourites, the Super Eagles overcame all odds to clinch the

trophy, making it the first time in 19 years and third time overall that Nigeria would emerged champion.

According to a release from the Chief Media of the NFF yesterday, Demola Olajire, the delegation to be led by the President of the NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, and includes some members of the board and management and will

be in the entourage.

Super Eagles’ Assistant Coach Daniel Amokachi will lead the technical crew. The delegation will proceed straight to the Government House, Bauchi from the airport to present the trophy to the Governor, who was in Calabar at the weekend to watch the Golden Eaglets play a friendly international with their

Super Eagles with AFCON trophy

Botswanan counterparts, and has also provided land for the construction of a FIFA Technical Centre in the State.

From the Government House, the trophy will move to the palace of the Emir of Bauchi, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Rilwan Suleiman Adamu, who will also have opportunity of receiving the prestigeous trophy.

on their way to winning the title.

Pillars will host the first leg on March 16 in Kano before the vital second leg in Dolise, Congo in the weekend of April 5-7.

Enugu Rangers, the country’s second representatives in the lucrative money spinning competition are also through to the next round without kicking a ball after their foes, Sporting Clube do Principe of Sao Tome failed to show up for the first leg in Enugu. They will face Vital’O of Burundi in the first round in a fortnight.

The Flying Antelopes will visit Bujumbura in the weekend of March 15-17 before hosting the second leg in Enugu on April 7.

Suswan canvasses support for Ogba From Iliya Garba, Minna

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he Benue state Governor Gabriel Suswan has praised the leadership of the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) stating that he will stand behind Solomon Ogba’s bid for second term as president of the board.

Suswan, who was appointed the honorary president of the board of AFN after the board’s last election, said Ogba has repositioned athletics and should be given a second chance to consolidate on the achievements.

He lauded the AFN for drawing up several programmes in its 2013 calendar and added that these are geared towards discovering with potential that would represent the country in both national and international competitions.

Also, the governor hopes the junior African athletics championship scheduled to be held in Warri, Delta state is one of such programmes for unearthing fresh talents for the country, all because the AFN is led by a focused leadership.

Hon. Gabriel Suswan who was answering reporters’ questions at the presidential lodge in Minna maintained that all hands must be on deck in order to move both track and field events to the next level so that Nigeria will occupy its space among athletic nations of the world. “ I am not going to contest for the president of AFN if my current president is still interested in the position. All the members of the board will rally round him with full support so that he can continue with the good job he has been doing. This is the time he needs the members and we will be there for him,” Suswam said.

Further, he said athletics is one big family where all the members try to contribute their quotas to the development of athletics and added that they will not relent in efforts to advance the course of the atheletics.

It will be recalled that the National Sports commission (NSC) had dissolved the board of the 31 sport federations even as efforts are geared towards reconstituting them through elections to be conducted next month.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

Mixed fortunes for CAF Champions League favourites

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Amara Traore

Traore lands Guinea job

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ormer Senegal national team coach, Amara Traore, has been appointed the new manager of Guinean football club Association Sportive Kaloum.

The 47-year-old former striker was presented to the local press during the weekend and tasked with taking one of the country’s greatest clubs to greater heights.

“I’m very happy to be in Guinea. I will do my best to bring more success to AS Kaloum, through my methods and hard work,” he said.

The club, which is based in the country’s capital Conakry, had represented Guinea at the continental levels in the past.

According to the sporting director of the club, which currently sits third in the domestic league table, Traore will be heavily involved in the outfit’s new project of recruiting young talents as well as former Guinea internationals or Guinean professionals without clubs in Europe, with a view to make AS Kaloum a competitive side both at home and across the continent.

Traore was fired in 2012 after he failed to qualify the Teranga Lions to the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Abril retains WBA lightweight title, outpoints Bogere

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ichard Abril retained his WBA lightweight title when he beat Sharif Bogere 115-111 and 116-110 on the two other cards in a duel decided in Las Vegas.

Abril was cut near the right eye in a clash of heads and was docked a point in the eighth round.

Sapa-AFP reports that a bloodied Abril, a Cuban, handed the Ugandan his first loss as a professional.

The 30-year-pld Abril improved to 18-3 with one draw and eight knockouts.

He landed 35 per cent of his punches to just 15 per cent landed by Bogere.

Bogere had a point deducted in the 12th round for a headbutt and Abril had a point taken away in the eighth round for holding.

Abril was making his first appearance in the ring since losing a split decision to unbeaten American Brandon Rios in April. Bogere dropped to 23-1 with 15 knockouts.

Abril said he wanted his next fight to be against WBC lightweight champion Adrien Broner.

Elsewhere and in a featherweight bout in San Antonio in Texas, Gary

Russell stopped Vyacheslav Gusev after only 47 seconds, while in Cebu, Philippines: WBO lightflyweight champion Donnie Nietes retained his title when he fought to a majority draw with WBO m i n i m u m w e i g h t champion Moises Fuentes from Mexico. Two judges saw it 114-114 and the third made it 115-113 for Nietes.

Kawasaki, Japan: Juan Carlos Reveco of Argentina retained his WBA flyweight belt when he beat Japan’s Masayuki Kuroda 1117-111 on two cards and 116-112.

Reveco improved his record to 30-1, with 16 knockouts and Kuroda’s dropped to 21-4-2; 13.

Brisbane, Australia: New Zealand lightheavyweight Daniel MacKinnon (21-6-1; 9) beat Mark Flanagan (114; 6) on a split decision over 12 rounds. The scores were 116-111 on two cards and 111-115.

Montalto di Castro, Italy: Gianluca Branco improved to 47-3-1; 23 and retained his European Union welterweight title by beating Poland’s Lukasz Maciec (17-2-1; 3) on points over 12 rounds.

rlando Pirates, Asante Kotoko and Saint George were the biggest aggregate winners that moved into the first round proper of the CAF Champions League competition.

Game of the week Mochudi Centre Chiefs 10 CD Maxaquene Mochudi Centre Chiefs continued Botswana’s improving football fortunes as they ousted Mozambique champions Maxaquene 2-0 on aggregate.

Chiefs controlled proceedings in the Molepolole Sports Complex from start to finish. Any hopes the visitors had of reversing the result from the first leg ended when Botswana international defender Tshepo Motlhabankwe went around two defenders to score late in the game.

The surprise Casa Sport 1–0 (3-1 pen) Moghreb Tetouan It took a goal in the third minute of injury time from Karim Ben Badji to give

debut to goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy, who came on in the second half for captain Abdul-Wahed AlSayed.

Ghana’s Asante Kotoko, who also won their first leg match against CD Ela Nguema from Equatorial Guinea 7-0, added a 1-0 result in the return to advance 8-0 on aggregate.

Ethiopian club Saint George won by the same aggregate score after a 5-0 victory against Zanzibar club Jamhuri. Even better were Orlando Pirates, who secured the biggest aggregate win of the round as they beat Comoros champions Djabal Club 40 for a 9-0 victory.

There was heartbreak for Uganda Revenue Authority SC fans in Kampala, as the Ugandan champions went out 4-3 on penalties after drawing 00 against 2008 finalists Coton Sport of Cameroon.

Karim Nkugwa came close to giving URA the win but saw his strike hit the crossbar.

Also, ASFA Yennenga of Burkina Faso, who ousted Benin’s ASPAC. Real Banjul came close to stealing their tie after beating Moroccan club FUS Rabat. The Gambian club won 2-1, but went out on the away-goals rule.

Tunisian club CA Bizertin, who are making only their second appearance in the competition, claimed a 1-0 away win to overcome Libyan club Al-Ittihad 2-1 on aggregate.

Conditions in Libya saw the game moved to Morocco, where Marouane Troudi scored the only goal of the match in the first half. Bizertin goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha saved a late penalty to deny Al-Ittihad at least extra time.

Others through were Kano Pillars (5-1 on aggregate against Olympic Real de Bangui), Union Douala (3-1 on aggregate against LISCR) and AS Vita Club (5-1 on aggregate against Dynamic Togolais).

Namibian is new WBA bantamweight champion N

amibian Paulus Ambunda has won the WBA bantamweight title by beating Pungluang Sor Singyu on points.

Ambunda won the fight in Windhoek by 116-112 on two cards and 115-113 to retain his unbeaten record, which now stands at 20-0, with ten knockouts.

The new champion is the third Namibian to win a “world” title after Harry Simon and Paulus Moses.

Eight years older than the 24-year-old Thai, Ambunda overcame the odds to beat the experienced – now 43

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS BRISKILA AYUBA, NOW WISHED TO BE ADDRESS AS BRISKILA B. HALILU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, BAUCHI AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTICE.

Casa Sport a 1-0 victory against Maghreb Tetouan, sending the game into extra time.

As neither side managed to score, a penalty shootout determined the winners and Casa goalkeeper Pape Maguette Gningue saved three of the Moroccan’s spot-kicks to see the Senegalese champions through 3-1.

Tetouan, who remained the only African-based club to have played in a European first division, in Spain in 1951/2, were thus knocked out after just two matches in their first-ever Champions League campaign.

Other matches Five-time champions Zamalek fielded a weakened side in Chad against the local champions Gazelle, and returned to Egypt with a goalless draw but a 7-0 aggregate score after a lopsided first match.

Manager Jorvan Vieira rested top scorer Ahmed Gaafar and midfielder Ahmed Eid and gave a

Paulus Ambunda

wins, two defeats and 28 knockouts – Pungluang convincingly enough to satisfy the judges.

Pungluang had won his first 23 fights but was surprised by the crafty Namibian who been a professional since 2007 but did not face any leading fighters before winning the title.

On the undercard Paulus Moses stopped former twotime IBF lightweight champion Mzonke Fana in the fourth round to win the vacant WBO International lightweight title.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 43

Mudrov, Bleasdale soar to gold

R

ussia secured the gold and silver in the men’s High Jump, although probably not in the order that many would have predicted as Sergey Mudrov edged the 2011 World outdoor silver medallist and his more illustrious team-mate Aleksey Dimitrik with a personal best clearance of 2.35m. Jaroslav Baba of the Czech Republic secured bronze with a season’s best 2.31m.

Great Britain’s Holly Bleasdale shaded the defending champion Anna Rogowska of Poland in a dramatic jump-off in the women’s Pole Vault. Neither athlete was up to the task of clearing 4.72m in the gold medal match up but Rogowska blinked first at 4.67m and the 21-year-old Briton kept her nerve to clear that height. Anzhelika Sidorova of Russia secured bronze with a personal best of 4.62m.

There was drama in the both the men’s and women’s 400m as both pre-competition European leaders crashed out at the semi-final stage. In the men’s twolap event, Ireland’s Brian Gregan appeared to trip from behind at the bell in the first semi-final and was carried out the arena on a stretcher. In the women’s version Russia’s Kseniya Ustalova coincidentally tripped and fell just before the bell in her semi-final, too. In the Russian’s absence, Great Britain’s 400m Hurdles specialist Perri Shakes-Drayton assumed the

position as European leader to head the qualifiers with a personal best of 51.03. In the men’s event, Pavel Trenikhin of Russia qualified fastest with a European lead of 46.00.

Earlier, in the morning session, the big casualty was German Sebastian Bayer whose bid for an unprecedented hat-trick of European Indoor men’s Long Jump titles foundered lay after he could only finish ninth in qualifying with a best of 7.91m, missing out on a place in the final by one spot.

The men’s Heptathlon got underway today and world leader Eelco Sintnicolaas is on course to win his first major indoor title. Ending the day with 3444 points, the Dutchman is nine points ahead of the schedule he set when he scored 6341 last month, thanks to a PB of 6.88 in the 60m, and solid marks of 7.61m in the Long Jump, 14.11m in the Shot and 2.02m in the High Jump.

But Serbia’s Mihail Dudas is the current leader with 3476, putting him on course to smash his 5873 PB and perhaps even break 6000 points. Also set for a big breakthrough is former World junior and World youth champion Kevin Mayer of France, who has set PBs in the 60m (7.10), Long Jump (7.54m) and Shot (15.16m). Should he equal his bests in the remaining events, he’ll be set to score 6200.

Sergey Mudrov

European Indoors

A

slew of world and European leads and a spectacular success for the host nation in the women’s 1500m lit up a thrilling second day of action at the 32nd European Indoor Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden.

For all the sizzling performances witnessed in the sprints and jumps, it was perhaps the staggeringly dominant display by Sweden’s Abeba Aregawi that will linger longest in the memory for much of the crowd at the Scandinavium Arena.

The Ethiopian-born athlete who recorded the second-fastest time in

Abeba Aregawi

Aregawi dominates, Vicaut wins close 60m as Klishina, Greco impress at European Indoors history of 3:58.40 for the indoor metric mile in Stockholm last month laid waste to her beleaguered opposition by running them off their feet to strike gold in 4:04.47.

It was by some way the greatest victory margin 9.72 second in the 42-year history of the event at the European Indoor Championships. A long, long way behind were Spain’s Isabel Macias who took silver in 4:14.19 with Poland’s Katarzyna

Broniatowska winning bronze.

Elsewhere, the men’s 60m final providing a thrilling climax to the day’s competition. Jimmy Vicaut of France was awarded the gold medal in a photo-finish with Great Britain’s James Dasaolu after both were awarded he same world-leading time of 6.48.

It was, surprisingly, the first time France had ever won this title at a European Indoors. Vicaut,

the European outdoor 100m silver medallist, had trimmed 0.05 from his lifetime best. Dasaolu, meanwhile, had sliced 0.10 of his lifetime best here in Gothenburg.

To add further lustre to the performance it was the second-fastest winning time in the history of the championships – just 0.02 slower than Great Britain’s Dwain Chambers recorded when striking gold four years ago in Turin. Italian champion Michael Tumi –

Jimmy Vicaut

the pre-competition fastest man in the field secured bronze in 6.52.

The horizontal jumps also provided some memorable action with Russia’s Darya Klishina successfully defending her Long Jump title with a world-leading mark and personal best 7.01m set in round one. It was the first time in 19 years that the seven-metre barrier had been breached in the final of this event at the European Indoors.

In a high-class final, Eloyse Lesueur set no less than three French records, including a best of 6.90m, but had to settle for silver.

The host nation also celebrated an unexpected bronze medal as Erica Jarder of Sweden smashed her personal best with 6.71m to dramatically snatch a place on the podium with her final effort.

Before this competition her PB was 6.48m outdoors.

Meanwhile, in the men’s Triple Jump final Daniele Greco of Italy bounded out to a sensational world lead and personal best of 17.70m with his fourthround effort to take gold and improve upon his PB by almost half a metre Russia secured the minor medals courtesy of personal bests from national champion Ruslan Samitov (17.30m) and Aleksey Fyodorov (17.12m).

In the day’s other track final, Hayle Ibrahimov went one better than at the2011 edition by securing Azerbaijan’s first ever gold medal at the European Indoor Championships in the men’s 3000m. The preevent favourite always looked in control and outsprinted the opposition from the front on the final lap in 7:49.74. Spanish veteran and 2007 1500m champion Juan Carlos Higuero finished strongly to take silver in 7:50.26 with Ireland’s Ciaran O’Lionaird some 0.14 back in third.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

Indian Wells: Lendl wary of Nadal’s form

I

van Lendl has welcomed Rafael Nadal back from a long injury layoff, but said it was too early to judge whether the 11-time Grand Slam winner would be at his best.

Lendl, who is Andy Murray’s coach, spoke against the backdrop of the Spaniard’s straight sets victory over countryman David Ferrer at the Mexican Open over the weekend, his second title in three events since returning from a sevenmonth absence with a left-knee injury.

The ‘Big Four’ Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Nadal are set to be reunited at the Indian Wells Masters later this week, but Lendl cautioned against reading too much into the 26year-old’s comeback wins.

“He’s a great champion and it’s always sad when someone like that gets injured and cannot play.

So it’s great to have him back,” Lendl said.

“You cannot underestimate Roger, Novak has been playing well, and Rafa we’ll see how he’s doing.”

The Czech-American great said the immediate effect of Nadal’s return would be to tournament seedings. The Spaniard’s likely fifth seeding in line

with his post-injury ranking meant he would meet a fellow top player in the quarterfinals.

Lendl said it would be tough for players outside the Big Four, such as sixth-ranked Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, to win a major this year.

“The problem anybody has outside of the top four is that they have to beat three, or if not three then at least two (of the Big Four), to win a Grand Slam title.

“They have to beat somebody in the quarterfinals then semifinals then finals to win a Grand Slam title. And I don’t believe that has been done yet by anybody beating all three.”

Argentine Juan Martin del Potro was the last player outside the Big Four to win a Grand Slam with his US Open win in 2009.

Lendl said US Open and Olympic singles champion Andy Murray would be looking to improve on his performance last year at Indian Wells, where he crashed out in the second round.

Lendl spoke moments before the BNP Paribas Showdown in Hong Kong between him and his exrival and fellow great John McEnroe in an exhibition match yesterday.

Injury worst moment of my career, says Nadal R

afael Nadal admitted yesterday that his seventh month injury spell was the worst moment of his career.

“I don’t know if it’s happened before, but what I do know is this has been the most emotional week of my career after such a difficult time,” the world No 5 said in an interview after despatching David Ferrer to clinch the title in Mexico.

The former numero uno reached a new high with his victory at the Mexican Open on Sunday, giving tennis fans hope the 11-time grand slam champion can return to the top of the game.

In an unexpectedly one-sided match, Nadal blew away threetime defending champion Ferrer 6-0 6-2 in little over an hour.

Nadal, whose left knee had drawn anxious care since he returned last month, had initially thought he would be unable to participate in the Indian Wells championship this week.

Now, he has raised speculation about his chances of returning to the top spot. Few top players have taken that much time off and been able to reclaim their former glory, but Nadal was not focusing on the history books following his latest win.

There were moments during the week when Nadal visibly limped, he said his knee fared

Rafael Nadal

much better than during his earlier comeback events at the VTR Open in Chile and the Brazil Open, both last month.

“There were days in Brazil when it was really bad, and in Chile, during one match as well.

But here, it didn’t hurt. It just bothered me some,” he said. “This was the first week where I could run with complete freedom and no limitations.”

Nadal, 26, suffers from chronic knee tendinitis and last September discovered he had a partially torn left patella tendon.

He had been absent from tournament tennis since his upset loss in the second round of Wimbledon last year to littleknown Czech Lukas Rosol.

Former American tennis pro Brad Gilbert noted that Nadal’s latest victory came on the heels of wins over some of the sport’s top competitors, including world No 4 Ferrer.

Gilbert is perhaps best known for coaching top players Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, and Andre Agassi. He adds that dealing with injuries can be very tricky.

“Andre used to tell me that if you are nursing something that’s sore, and you try to play through it, that’s the easiest way to hurt something else,” he said.

Fellow Spaniard Tommy

Robredo, who also was forced to take seven months off the tour following a thigh injury last year, emphasises the physical strain of top flight tennis.

“You have to push your limits every week, every match, for so many weeks back to back. We always have something hurting here or there.”said Robredo, a former top-five player who lost in the Acapulco second round.

Tennis historian Steve Flink points to past comeback efforts of top players to stress the exceptional nature of Nadal’s current run.

“The example I think of is John McEnroe after the 1985 season,” said Flink. “He decided to go on a sabbatical. He was gone closer to six months and frankly it did not work out. He was really never the same player he had been when he left.”

Flink notes that McEnroe won all of his major titles prior to taking the time off, and he was only in his mid-20s.

Agassi was also sidelined from the tour for several months at the end of 1993 due to wrist surgery, Flink adds, but his absence was not as long as Nadal’s.

“His was quite a successful comeback,” said Flink, pointing to Agassi’s triumphs at the US Open and Wimbledon.

Whether or not Nadal, follows the example of McEnroe or Agassi remains to be seen, but early reviews are encouraging.

“If his knee isn’t hurting, if it’s solid, I think we have Nadal back in the hunt for everything,” said Miguel Angel Zubiarrain, a tennis analyst for Spain’s Cadena SER radio network.

Nadal was scheduled to play an exhibition match against Juan Martin del Potro at New York’s Madison Square Garden late last night, and will then test his knee further at the California’s Indian Wells hard-court tournament.

Perri Shakes-Drayton

British hurdler, ShakesDrayton, wins European Indoor 400m

B

ritish hurdler Perri S h a k e s - D r a y t o n impressed on Sunday with a commanding gold medal run over 400 metres at the European Indoor Championships in Gothenburg.

The 24-year-old, who failed by one place to make the 400m hurdles final at last year’s London Olympics, powered home in a personal best 50.85secs, which was also the fastest time in the world this year.

The silver medal also went to Britain with Eilidh Child more than half a second slower, but setting a new Scottish record of 51.45secs.

Sweden’s Moa Hjelmer finished strongly to take the bronze medal.

British hopes were also high in the men’s 400 metres where they had three qualifiers for the final, but had to settle for a silver for Nigel Levine behind Pavel Maslak of the Czech Republic.

The men’s 800 metres title was won by defending champion Adam Kszczot of Poland in a time of 1:48.69, with silver going to Spain’s Kevin Lopez (1:49.31) and the

bronze to rising British star Mukhtar Mohammed in 1:49.60.

There was an upset in the women’s 800 metres where, on the final lap, Ukraine’s Nataliya Lupu burst clear of strong favourite Yelena Kotulskaya of Russia, with Marina Arzamasova of Belarus in third. Defending champion Jenny Meadows of Britain was fourth.

Shakes-Drayton, who should claim a second gold in the 4x400m relay later Sunday where she lines up with Child and Olympic silver medallist Christine Ohuruogu, said she was delighted with her run.

“Everyone had expectations of me getting gold and in my heart of hearts I wanted gold.

To be able to deliver and run a world lead, I didn’t expect that.

It gives me confidence and hopefully I can transfer it over the hurdles,” she said.

“I still want to achieve over the 400m hurdles and I haven’t fulfilled my potential so to me I’m still a 400m hurdler and I think that gave me an advantage today, because I’m used to running over 10 hurdles in a 400m so I’m a lot stronger.”

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

Capello plays down Chelsea link

Beckham takes China football ambassador role

D

avid Beckham has become a global ambassador for Chinese football to help the image of the country’s game.

The Chinese Super League has recently been hit by the exit of ex-Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, while also suffering from a match-fixing scandal.

Beckham, 37, will combine the role with playing for Paris StGermain.

“I am honoured to have been asked to play such an important role at this special time in Chinese football history,” he said in a statement.

His role will involve attending league matches in China and visiting clubs to help promote the game to children.

“I’m excited by the prospect of promoting the world’s greatest game to Chinese sports fans as I’ve seen first hand the growing interest in football there,” added Beckham.

Drogba, 34, joined Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua in June 2012 on a two-and-half-year deal after helping Chelsea to win last season’s Champions League.

But the Ivory Coast international left the Chinese club in January 2013 for Turkish side Galatasaray, in a controversial loan move.

Drogba’s former Chelsea team-mate and ex-France striker Nicolas Anelka also left Shanghai in a short-term loan move to Italian side Juventus.

The departures have been a blow to the Chinese game ahead of the 2013 Chinese Super League season starting on 8 March.

Beckham was special ambassador for the 2012 London Olympics and the worldwide icon’s role will be promoting Chinese football domestically and globally.

R

David Beckham

Manchester United won’t fear Ronaldo-Ferguson Sir Alex Ferguson has told Manchester United not to be afraid of Cristiano Ronaldo as the former World Player of the Year makes his first return to Old Trafford since his £80 million move to Real Madrid in 2009.

Ronaldo scored 91 times in his final three seasons for United and has 185 goals in 184 games for Real, including one when the teams drew 1-1 in the first leg at the Bernabeu three weeks ago, and Ferguson expects him to cause them more problems.

The Scot will again ask Rafael da Silva to shackle Ronaldo - but has also told his players that, while focusing on Madrid’s No. 7, they should not forget about the damage they can do to Real.

“What do you expect when you play against a team with Ronaldo in it? You expect problems on the night,” Ferguson said. “We have to try and curtail that as best as we can. It won’t be easy because he does it every week; he’s been excellent.

“The experience young Rafa had in the first half over in Madrid will hopefully help him because he will be given the

Cristiano Ronaldo

same task again. I don’t think it’s one we should fear. If you go in worrying about the damage Cristiano can give us then we forget what we can do ourselves.

The last Ronaldo to visit Old Trafford in the white of Real Madrid was the Brazilian striker, who was given a standing ovation by the United faithful after scoring a hattrick in a 4-3 win for Ferguson’s side in 2003.

And invited to compare the namesakes, Ferguson drew a laugh when mentioning the size of the former Barcelona, Inter and AC Milan forward.

He said: “The older one, the fatter one, he peaked that time as a centre forward. This Ronaldo is a supreme athlete, unbelievable athlete, never misses a game, fantastic physique, two great feet, pace, good in the air. They are two different types but our main worry is not what happened 10 years ago but what will happen today.

TODAY’S MATCHES Man Utd v Real Madrid Borussia Dortmund v Shakhtar Donetsk

Rampaging Golden Eaglets wallop Botswana 9-0

T

he Golden Eaglets whacked hapless Diamond Zebras of Botswana 9-0 yesterday to complete an aggregate win of 120 over two international friendlies in as many days.

Last Saturday, the Nigerian Under-17 team beat their Botswana counterparts with three first half goals much to the dissatisfaction of the crowd who felt the Coach Manu Garba

(MFR) boys were wasteful in the second half.

Though yesterday's game was tighter than Saturday's with the visitors resorting to 'packing the bus' with more players in the defence, the Eaglets in characteristic fashion dominated with scintillating display.

The Eaglets' opener came in the 17th minute when Musa Yahaya broke free from the left flank and glided the ball on the path of

Bernard Bulbwa who dribbled an on-rushing defender before slotting the ball beyond goalkeeper Ezekiel Morake.

The Eaglets turned the heat in the second half of the highly entertaining game and the soon the goals started coming in torrent.

Ifeanyi Matthew opened the floodgate in the 53rd minute and he was back in the 65th and 69th minute to grab a hat trick of the

ussia coach Fabio Capello has denied that he has been offered the opportunity to take over as manager of Chelsea.

The odds on Capello stepping into the breach at Chelsea have been tumbling over the last couple of days, amid rumours that club officials have made initial contact with the Italian’s representatives as they look to bring an end to Rafael Benitez’s unpopular reign as Blues boss.

Reports have suggested that Capello’s reputation for being a no-nonsense manager makes him the ideal candidate to take on a dressing room that has proved to be a challenging mix for a succession of managers, but he has insisted his focus is trained on Russia’s 2014 World Cup qualifying push.

Capello was heavily linked with the Chelsea post during and after his spell as England boss, with his decision to resign the highly paid position with the Football Association linked to his support for Blues skipper John Terry - winning him plenty of praise at Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho remains the bookies’ favourite to return to Chelsea this summer, with Capello now installed as second favourite. Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini, Everton’s David Moyes and Brighton manager Gus Poyet are also believed to be leading contenders.

Gianfranco Zola’s name continues to be linked with the Chelsea post as Roman Abramovich is known to be a huge admirer of the player who starred for the club between 1996 and 2003, but the current Watford boss is still considered to be an outsider.

game. But it was his second goal that was unarguably the best goal of the match when he struck a 25-yard half volley intercontinental ballistic missileoff a pullout from Yahaya.

Bulbwa added his second goal in the 57thminute as well as a brace for Musa Yahaya in the 6oth and 71st minute. There were also goals for new comers and second half substitutes, Chinedu Enedemu and Odigbo

Fabio Capello Godwin in the 75th and 87th minutes respectively.

The Golden Eaglets, who have remain unbeaten in 23 competitive and friendly matches, have scored a total of 104 goals and conceded just a goal, to the satisfaction of the team' officials.

The coach of Botswana, who was full of praises for the Nigerian team, said that the experience garnered over the friendlies would be useful to his boys at the competition proper in Morocco come April.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

PAGE 47

A tribute to ‘Baba’ @ 76

By Our Reporter

C

hief Olusegun Mathew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo remains an enigmatic personality in the history of Nigeria. A soldier, politician, farmer and godfather rolled into one, Chief Obasanjo has become unique for being the only one to have been military and civilian head of state and the only ex-president to have served as the chairman of the Board of Trustees of his party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Born on the 5th of March 1937, Obasanjo was a career soldier before fate propelled him to the ultimate position of leadership in 1976. Between February 13, 1976 and October 1, 1979, he served as military Head of State. Almost 20 years later (from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007), he served as elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Popularly called 'Baba', Chief Obasnjo lives in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State, where he holds the titles of the Balogun of the Owu and the Ekerin Balogun of the Egba.

At 21, then young Obasanjo enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 1958. He trained at Aldershot, and was commissioned as an officer in the Nigerian Army. He was also trained at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and at the Indian Army School of Engineering. He served at 1 Area Command in Kaduna. Promoted to Chief Army Engineer, he was made commander of 2 Area Command from July 1967, which was re-designated 2 Division Rear, and then the Ibadan Garrison Organisation. During the Nigerian Civil War, he commanded the 3rd Marine Commando Division which captured Owerri, effectively ending the civil war.

On February 13, 1976, coup plotters, led by Col. B S Dimka, marked then Brigadier Obasanjo, Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Major General Murtala Mohammed, the Head of State and other senior military personnel for assassination. Murtala was killed during the coup attempt, but Obasanjo escaped death. The coup was foiled because the plotters missed Obasanjo and General Theophilus Danjuma, then Chief of Army Staff.

Obasanjo and Danjuma established a chain of command and re-established security in Lagos, thereby regaining control. Obasanjo was appointed Head of State by the Supreme Military Council.

Keeping the chain of command established by Murtala, Obasanjo pledged to continue the programme for the restoration of civil rule in 1979 and continued the reform programme to improve the civil service.

The second republican constitution, which was adopted in 1979 by the Obasanjo regime, was modelled on the Constitution of the United States, with provision for a President, Senate, and House of Representatives. The country was prepared for local elections, to be followed by national elections, to return Nigeria to civilian rule.

On October 1, 1979, Obasanjo handed the reins of government to Alhaji Shehu Shagari, a democratically elected civilian president, becoming the first military Head of State to transfer power peacefully to a civilian regime in Nigeria.

During the military regime of General Sani Abacha (1993-1998), Obasanjo spoke out against human rights abuses, and was imprisoned for his participation in the now acclaimed 'phantom coup'.

He was released only after Abacha's sudden death on June 8, 1998. While in prison, Obasanjo became a born-again Christian.

In 1999 following the culmination of another political transition programme, Chief Obasanjo ran for the presidency as the candidate of the People's Democratic Party. He won with 62.6 percent of the popular vote. On May 29, 1999, Obasanjo took office as the first elected and civilian head of state in Nigeria after 16 years of military rule.

Although Obasanjo made fighting corruption the declared aim of his first term and ensured the passage of some anti-corruption laws, critics both at home and abroad accused him of doing too little to rein in the excesses, particularly among ministers and state governors, many of which were

the continent and suggests a set of widely publicized in the domestic and international media. associated policies. In 2012, the It is also a credit to his political sagacity that Obasanjo Africa Progress Report battled many impeachment moves from both houses highlighted issues of jobs, of the legislature, survived them and was again justice, and equity.[24] The nominated to run for a second term.

2013 report will outline he was re-elected in 2003, wherein he began issues relating to oil, gas, implementing economic reforms to strengthen and mining in Africa. private sector participation in the nation's Obasanjo was economy. recently appointed Obasanjo's second term was a consolidation of Special Envoy by UN the first. He had a better control of his party and Secretary General Ban better support from the National Assembly. Many Ki-Moon to the war-torn governors, mostly from his party, were either Democratic Republic of exposed or prosecuted for corruption. Some the Congo. He has held ministers and state officials were also dismissed separate meetings with or prosecuted for corruption. Also, the Senate DRC President Joseph President was removed over alleged bribery.

Kabila and rebel leader Nigeria witnessed the trial and dismissal of senior Laurent Nkunda. naval officers for corruption and as well, a serving Today, Obasanjo, the Inspector General of Police. much acclaimed and More importantly, he attracted technocrats and much vilified Nigerian Nigerian expatriates to the government to take over national and community positions hitherto held by politicians. An economic leader, turns 78. team led by such technocrats evolved development Baba, we salute programmes encapsulated in the NEEDS (National you!!!

Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy) document.

Although Obasanjo's administration has been the butt of criticism for failing in the expectations of Nigerians, emphasis must be laid on the state of the country before he took over in 1999. Critical national infrastructure and no less, the nation's image, were at their lowest ebb. For instance, before Obasanjo's administration, Nigeria's GDP growth had been painfully slow since 1987, and was three percent between 1999/2000. Under Obasanjo, growth rate doubled to six percent until he left office, helped in part by higher oil prices. Also, Nigeria's foreign reserves rose from $2 billion in 1999 to $43 billion in 2007. He was able to secure debt pardon from the London and Paris Club of creditors amounting to $18 billion loans which were obtained and squandered without any investment in the country's economy.

Out of the presidency, Obasanjo became chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, until his shock resignation on April 3, 2012. he remains a well respected statesman and one time aspirant for Secretary General of the United Nations, also a member of the Club de Madrid, a group of more than 80 former leaders of democratic states who are committed to strengthening democratic leadership and governance. He was also a member of the Eminent Persons Group, who together with other world statesmen, openly challenged apartheid in South Africa and supported the liberation of Namibia.

Obasanjo is a member of the Africa Progress Panel (APP), a group of 10 distinguished individuals who advocate at the highest levels for equitable and sustainable CHIEF OLUSEGUN MATHEW OKIKIOLA development in Africa.

AREMU OBASANJO, GCFR Every year, the Panel releases a report, the Africa Progress Report, that outlines an issue of immediate importance to

www.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . putting the people first

TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Liverpool debts rise to £87.2m

L

iverpool's debts rose to £87.2 million last season, but managing director Ian Ayre has told the club's fans there is no reason to be alarmed.

Ayre said Liverpool's American owners, Fenway Sports Group, would continue to give manager Brendan Rodgers the backing he needs to improve his squad.

The latest accounts, covering the period from August 1 2011 to May 31 2012 and released on Monday, showed that the club's debt went up by £21.8 million.

But Ayre highlighted the cost of rebuilding a squad without any European football under Kenny Dalglish last season as a major factor in that, and said Liverpool had been working hard to reduce the size of their wage bill under Rodgers, who replaced Dalglish as manager in June.

During the period covered by the accounts, significant instalments were due on the £20 million purchase of Stewart Downing from Aston Villa and the £16 million purchase of Jordan Henderson from Sunderland.

Liverpool also signed seven players, including Jose Enrique, Sebastian Coates and Craig Bellamy, and extended the contracts of five more, most notably that of Captain Steven Gerrard. In addition, eight youngsters were given professional contracts.

Eight players were transferred from the club, while three more - Alberto Aquilani, Joe Cole and Daniel Pacheco left on loan.

A record-breaking six-year kit deal with kit supplier Warrior, worth £25 million a season, is not included in the accounts, lodged with Companies House.

Despite the debt increase, Liverpool's annual pre-tax loss fell from £49.3 million to £40.5 million in 2011-12.

The accounts also show exceptional costs totalling £9.6 million, which include settlements with several highprofile employees who left the club.

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QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE The police pension managers have hijacked the process and frustrated the effective managements of entitlements of retired police IGs and other officers.

— Former IG Ibrahim Coomasie

Rochas, Ndigbo and APC P

erhaps, the most strategic, visionary and fore-sighted political move from the South East in recent times is the decision of the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to join forces with other progressive Nigerians to form the All Progressives Congress. That this move is coming when local politicians, especially the idle repertoire of political idlers in Imo State PDP have made a palatable diet of predicting when the governor will walk back to their suffocating fold-in their lazy feeling that no Nigerian politician will resist the PDP hemlock, speaks of the governor's proactive political thinking and power of deft strategizing. I believe that Owelle's decision to lead the Eastern flank of the APC onslaught must have rested the hope and prayers of the local wing of the PDP that Rochas will walk back to its fold and reflate its sagging currency.

The APC threat is so real that some PDP governors have began predicting the end of their notorious party if the APC becomes a reality.

It is so real that recently, the Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, warned his party men that they stand to lose in 2015 if they don't sit up and improve on their approach to governance and politics now that the APC has come to pose a credible threat to their quest for monopolistic power. The way and manner the ranks and file of PDP react to the emergence of the APC shows that there is indeed cause for alarm among the members of PDP who have so leveraged on the awkward and rudderless politics played since 1999 that they are almost beginning to think that power will be theirs for the asking in subsequent elections. The deep gashes this type of lazy thinking has inflicted on governance is all there for all to see but suffice it to say that the parlous state of the country says it all on how Nigeria, a richly endowed and promising country has been wrecked by this perpetual political heritage mentality the PDP has promoted for fourteen awful years.

What has surprised the rank and file of the PDP is how the parties and interests that are midwifing the APC have disappointed their doomsday predictions and have defied every negative permutation from the PDP to forge on with an uncommon spirit of seriousness that had not been previously seen in Nigerian politics. PDP rank and file have been struck by the spirit of amity that has ruled the process of emergence of the APC and this, they know, portends the real threat to their own calculation that somehow, thunder will strike and scatter the converging parties and hand them a fresher lease of life. So far, this prediction has come to naught and this has left PDP in such

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GUEST COLUMNIST Peter Claver Oparah

Gov. Rochas Okorocha disheveled state that it is finding so hard to manage. Again, PDP's horrible delivery with governance where corruption, mismanagement, incompetence, impunity, etc have become determining policies of governance has exposed the PDP to the impending threat the APC stands to pose for its perpetual suzerainty, as had been forecasted by its members.

At a time Igbo feel sorely disappointed that their largely emotional investment in the last presidential election and indeed in the PDP have yielded awful returns, there is need to quit playing the uncelebrated buffer to the hideous interests in the PDP and taking the bull by the horn, as the Owelle has done. In the last election, Igbo jettisoned their own interests to tag along that of the PDP. They hewed unto themselves a candidate from the PDP presidential candidate and baptized him in Igbo, promoted and flattered him as one of theirs in the hope that such gesture would be reciprocated. We were promised everything on earth; Second Niger Bridge, international airport, state of the art roads, refinery in the South East, railways, jobs, power stations, additional states, etc.

Midway into the tenure of our candidate, Igbo are so hopelessly stranded that they are not farther from the position they were at the time these promises were rendered.

After prolonged hues and cries and after sustained suffering Igbo indulge trying to cross the River Niger, we have been promised a second Niger Bridge (mind you-a promise still) and this is coming with an unbelievable condition that the promised bridge, which is not more than one and half kilometers in length, would be tolled. This makes it the only bridge

among hundreds of other bridges (including the 12 kilometer Third Mainland Bridge) that will be tolled from at least two points! The promise of an international airport is not farther from reality than the saliva with which that promise was uttered. The state of federal highways in the East such as the Onitsha-Enugu, Enugu-Port Harcourt, Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene, Aba-Ikot Ekpene, EnuguAbakaliki, Ninth Mile-NsukkaObollo Afor Roads, are horrible. The promise of a refinery in the South East is still a mirage. The promised additional states have not migrated beyond the realm of promise. Ndi Igbo have hardly bought fuel at the official N97 per liter as the area has become a haven for officially backed fuel racketeers. The South East still remains the least patronized region in Nigeria and appointees from the South East remain the only ones that are discharged like wet rags, treated with demeaning contempt and pronounced disrespect, as was with Barth Nnaji, the former Power Minister and Mrs. Uzoma, the past Comptroller General of Nigerian Immigration Services.

Unemployment batters the South East and the recourse to crime by the able and educated but frustrated youths has made the South East so insecure that its brightest and best seldom touch base. These are enough to provoke a deep thinking race to action; positive actions that can re-position them for the future.

This need is what Owelle Rochas has tried to attend to by joining the emerging alternative platform since the PDP platform has failed Igbo in fourteen barren years. With Owelle's laudable move, the Igbo have secured a very important footing in the important political milestone that will certainly redefine the politics we have been saddled with since 1999. With this move, it behoves the Igbo to take their political aces and project their future political chances in a tempestuous Nigerian polity. No more should Igbo be made hewers of wood and fetchers of water, as the PDP has programmed for them since 1999. Let the Igbo start organizing themselves and build their input into the emerging political front and negotiate as equal partners in the new lease of opportunity the APC offers. Igbo need to see through their unproductive politics of carrying the buckets for political interests that take scant regards of their

feelings.

In electing to join forces with other progressive Nigerians, sufficiently enraged by the doldrums we are passing through at present, to form a formidable party that will rusticate the noxious PDP from power, Rochas is reading deep into the durable political calculation that informed the formation of the APC. The political correctness of the effort is informed by the increasing state of decay the fourteen years of PDP governance has levied on Nigeria such that its replacement is what Nigeria seriously needs to avert an impending collapse of the country.

I believe the starting point is for Ndigbo to start the process of mobilizing for APC in their various communities and neighbourhoods even if to ensure that Ndigbo are no longer taken for granted by the cabal that have presided over the powerlessness of Ndigbo in Nigerian politics since 1999.

Ndigbo must think deep and organize themselves around issues that pertain, but not limited to, corrupt and bad governance delivery especially at the center, the continued marginalization of Ndigbo, the increasing rot, decay, corruption, insecurity, impunity that threaten to hobble the country should the PDP continue monopolizing power just for the purpose of looting and public stealing, as we have at present.

Ndigbo should not wait to be mobilized around these issues as they are so poignant in the threats this devalued template of governance pose to our individual and collective lives as Nigerians.

Let the process start. Let people start organizing themselves and key to the raging APC tempo so that we can be parts of the change that is surely coming. The hideous fractures we have sustained in the callous hands of PDP task masters should ground us to work for change, especially in Igboland.

Good enough, Owelle Rochas Okorocha who leads our present quest for political relevance has shown what good governance should be through his laudable achievements in the short period he has governed Imo. A good leader should inspire by his deeds and this has placed Rochas in strategic position for the role he is playing at present. He is strategically placed to lead the Igbo quest by his stellar performance in power. His greatest asset in the new role he is playing is his record of performance and that is a very important selling point in leading a people to -political glory. Rochas has shown he is a tested and proven leader and it is only natural that he should get our maximum support in the present effort to lead Igbo to political glory.

Peter Claver Oparah, who wrote from Ikeja, Lagos, can be reached at peterclaver2000@yahoo.com

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