Peoples Daily Newspaper, Friday 05, April, 2013

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 10 No. 70

Friday, April 5, 2013

. . . putting the people first

Jimadal Ula 25, 1434 AH

No rift between Tukur, Anenih – Gusau

Power: Nigeria loses N152bn to generators

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>> PAGE 19

N150

Aliyu, Tinubu

Jonathan not sincere on Boko Haram Say ghosts don’t throw bombs FG summons security meeting on amnesty From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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iger state governor, Alhaji Muazu Babangida Aliyu and former Governor of

Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have decried what they refer to as President Goodluck Jonathan’s insincerity in unmasking the sponsors of the

Boko Haram insurgency.

The duo dismissed as untenable, Jonathan’s description of Boko Haram as “ghosts” as they argued that, “ghosts don’t throw

bombs.”

And, apparently overwhelmed by the rising insecurity situation and attendant criticisms of the

Federal Government’s inability to handle the problem, Jonathan yesterday summoned an emergency meeting of the Contd on Page 2

Governors back down on face-off with Tukur We won't embarrass him – Lamido

By Lawrence Olaoye

I

L-R: Governors, Alhaji Umar Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa state, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe state and Alhaji Kashim Shettima of Borno state, at a symposium to mark the 60th birthday of Edo state Governor Adams Oshiomhole, in Benin yesterday, shortly before APC Governors 4th meeting in Benin

ndication emerged yesterday that the governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have resolved to soft-pedal on their face-off with the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, as the Jigawa state governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido assured that they would not embarrass him.

This is also as he disclosed that the report of the investigation into the crisis rocking Adamawa state Contd on Page 2

N1bn ticketing fraud rocks Aero Contractors

>> Page 3

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

CONTENTS News

2-10

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

S/Report

24

Religion

26

Bomb explosions rock Kano From Edwin Olofu, Kano

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gain, series of explosions were reported last night in Kano as a bomb exploded along Dangi roundabout by Zoo road.

The explosion caused pandemonium in the area while police bomb unit arrived the scene of the blast.

It was learnt that bomb detectives of the Nigeria police combed the area to ensure there was no left over of the improvised explosion devices (IEDs).

Our correspondent learnt that security personnel condoned off the area.

Residents in the remained indoors for fear of being caught in blast.

It was also learnt that the explosion was followed by sporadic shooting in the area.

Spokesman of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), Captain Ikedichi Iweha, confirmed the explosions and noted that, “no injury or death from the explosions.”

Captain Iweha added that the area had been secured and asked

residents to go about their normal activities.

Meanwhile, The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Kano on Wednesday killed one Boko Haram suspect and arrested another in a gun duel.

The confrontation which followed Monday’s killing of three policemen by members of the sect

took place in the Yankaba area of Hadejia road in the outskirts of the city.

JTF spokesman, Captain Ikedichi Iwehia, said the operation took place in three different locations, Wandabai, Gwamajja and Yankaba area, and confirmed the killing and arrest.

Scene of the explosions along Dangi roundabout by Zoo Road

Abuja police quiz Adamawa PDP factional Secretary

By Lambert Tyem

T

he Police authorities yesterday in Abuja quizzed the factional Secretary of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa state, Mr. Nduga, over undisclosed allegations.

Police sources hinted however that the questioning bordered on criminal issues.

Confirming the his arrest, Police spokesman, Frank Mba, said he contacted the relevant authorities on his arrest disclosing that Nduga was actually invited by the police.

Mba said that Nduga was under investigation and would be invited at anytime for further interrogation.

It was learnt that the factional PDP in Adamawa was alleged to have convened a secret meeting in Abuja yesterday.

Jonathan not sincere on Boko Haram Arousing sleeping ministers of Jonathan's kitchen cabinet, Page 5

Int’l

31-34

Strange World 35 Politics

38-40

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

Contd from Page 1 National Security Council during which competent presidency sources hinted that the issue of the Jama’atul Ahlus Sunnah Lidda’awati wal Jihad, popularly known as Boko Haram dominated discussions.

Aliyu and Tinubu also spoke yesterday at a public lecture in Benin-City, Edo state, as part of activities marking the 60th birthday anniversary of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Imaguero Girls College.

Further deriding Jonathan’s apparent failure to resolve the insurgency situation, Aliyu and Tinubu contended that government at various times confirmed the arrest of members of the Boko Haram sect with

various security agencies parading the suspects before the media.

According to Aliyu, “I read in the newspapers where the President said that he cannot talk to ghosts but I ask, what about the people they have been arresting?

“I was reading in the paper too, all he said is that you cannot talk to ghosts, I believe you cannot talk to ghosts, then you are a ghost.

The governor of Borno said it’s our responsibility to unmask the what about the commanders of Boko Haram that have been killed?

Who is sponsoring them and how did government know that those people are Boko Haram commanders?

On his part, Tinubu who paid glowing tribute to Oshiomhole

accused the President of making mockery of the seemingly intractable security problems in the country.

He described the sum of N45 billion Nigeria’s foreign reverse and the Country’s N22 billion excess crude oil revenue as illegal and diversionary just as he accused Jonathan of deliberately dividing the Governors’ Forum by introducing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum under the leadership of Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state.

According to Tinubu, “ghosts never throw bombs, they remain quiet in the cemeteries.

“What about those Boko Haram people who were

arrested and are in detention, are they ghosts?

Presidency sources said that the NSC considered the possibility of granting Boko Haram an unconditional amnesty as proposed by a cross section of eminent Nigerians, as a veritable means of addressing the insurgency situation.

President Jonathan earlier on Wednesday met with a cross section of northern elders led by Prof. Ango Abdullahi, at the Presidential Villa.

However, the NSC meeting ended without any official statements on the outcome of the deliberations as none of the security chiefs briefed the press.

Governors back down on face-off with Tukur Contd from Page 1 chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is ready for submission to President Goodluck Jonathan.

The President had set up a committee headed by Lamido to investigate and proffer solutions to the lingering crisis in the PDP in Adamawa state at the heels of the factionalisation of the party in the state.

Reacting to questions on the frosty relationship between the PDP Chairman and the PDP governors, Lamido said that all stakeholders in the party were ready to work as one family in the larger interest of the PDP. He said, “You see, we are talking about a family. When you are trying to build a family, I

think there should be love, there should be respect, and there should be care and trust. The PDP will not embarrass anybody.’’

The Lamido committee expected to resolve the impasse in the Adamawa state PDP was set up at the instance of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Other members include Prof.

Jerry Gana, Senator Walid Jubril, Ambassador Kema Chikwe, Chief Olisa Metuh, PDP Legal Adviser, Victor Kwon, Abba Dabo and Abia Governor, Theodore Orji.

The committee was charged with the responsibility of resolving the impasse that led to the factionalisation of the party in Adamawa state where a faction headed by Joel Madaki is alleged to be loyal to the PDP National

Chairman while the reinstated Minjiyawa Kugama-led faction is said to be loyal to the state Governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako.

Speaking with newsmen yesterday at Legacy House, Lamido disclosed that the report was ready and would soon be presented to Jonathan.

He assured that the report would be acceptable to all sides in Adamawa state chapter.

Reacting to allegations that his committee met with only the faction loyal to Governor Nyako, Lamido refuted the claims as he noted that his committee listened to all parties in the dispute.

He said, “Do you know what they call human

management? Naturally, in any human gathering there are crises, there are problems, but you see, the PDP has the capacity and the sagacity to solve and overcome its own problems.

“Look, I have been saying, we have been trying to work as a family, to get the family harmonised and what we are doing is in the interest of all key players in the party; those who feel aggrieved to come on board.

“We have been able to bury our personal ambitions and interest for the sake of the party, because it is the only hope for Nigeria. So, what we discussed here was, what do we do in the sake of PDP for the sake of Nigeria interest? I want to assure that we shall not fail Nigerians.’’

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

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Borno govt releases N130m for students’ scholarship

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he Borno government announced yesterday that it had released N130 million for the payment of scholarship arrears for its students in tertiary institutions across the country.

Alhaji Bello Ayuba, the Commissioner for Higher Education stated this at a news conference in Maiduguri.

Ayuba explained that the amount was for the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 academic sessions.

He said that the state government had also approved an upward review of yearly scholarships to its students in tertiary institutions.

“The state governor has approved an upward review of yearly scholarship award to our students in tertiary institutions.

“Under the current arrangement under graduate science students will receive N20, 000 while those studying arts and humanities will get N18, 000 annually. ” He said that post graduate science students would now receive N30, 000 in place of the former N9, 100, while post graduate arts students would get N25, 000 instead of the former N9, 100.

Ayuba said that Law students would receive 300, 000, instead of the former N250, 000, while students of special education for the blind would get N75, 000 instead of the former N50, 000, among others.

He said that the increase was based on the recommendation of a committee set up by the state government to review the allowances. (NAN)

Zuru Emir canvasses amnesty for Boko Haram From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

T

he Emir of Zuru and the Chairman of Zuru Emirate Council, MajorGen. Muhammadu Sani Sami, has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to review his position and grant grant amnesty to the Boko Haram sect.

In a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Aminu Ladan Zuru, the Emir said that amnesty for Boko haram would help in the restoration of peace, harmony and tranquility in Nigeria.

According to the statement, “so many lives have been lost and the economy of northern Nigeria particularly in the affected states have been brought to an unbearable position.

L-R: Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Rufai with the President, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Comrade Chibuzor Asonugha, during the Minister’s meeting with the Leadership of ASUP, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Robbers kill policeman, injure another in Lagos bank raid

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policeman was killed and another injured in a foiled robbery operation at Diamond Bank, Iju branch, in Lagos yesterday.

The Lagos State Police spokesperson, DSP Ngozi Braide, who confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that it happened at about 3am.

Braide told NAN that the hoodlums invaded the bank through a nearby filling station on College Road, Iju. She said that they tied down the private security men on duty, before attempting to blow up the ATM machine.

“The operation was foiled by the timely arrival of a police patrol team policing the area.

“It was a 16-man robbery gang, who attempted to blow up the Diamond Bank ATM machine at Iju. “As soon as they saw the police team, they opened fire on them, killing one officer on the spot and injuring other.

“The police superior fire foiled the operation and the robbers escaped, with many of them with bullet injuries,’’ the spokesman said.

She said that one AK-47 rifle, with 40 rounds of ammunition, gas cylinder and other equipment were recovered at the scene.

The police spokesman no arrest had been made and appealed appeal to members of the public with useful information on any one with bullet wounds to report to the police. (NAN)

N1bn ticketing fraud rocks Aero Contractors From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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llegations are rife that officials of the Asset M a n a g e m e n t Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and Aero Contractors have uncovered close to N1 billion tickets fraud at the airline, which is yet to fully recover from the recent labour crisis which recently grounded the airline from operations.

An inside source from the airline’s Head Office in Lagos disclosed to Peoples Daily that the large-scale fraud was uncovered by both the management of Aero and the Federal Government agency, AMCON, which presently holds 60% shareholding in the airline.

The source said the airline’s staff in charge of ticket sales were allegedly discovered to have been pocketing the proceeds from the company’s sales for several months, in collusion with some station managers of the airline, by opening separate bank accounts in Lagos and Benin stations.

It was upon discovery of certain discrepancies in the accounts of sales of tickets, following the take-over of the majority shareholding to save the airline from going under, that the alleged fraudulent practice was uncovered and thereafter officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force were invited to assist in investigating the fraud further with the aim of prosecuting the suspects.

Already, a senior staff (name withheld) of the airline at the Benin Airport station is alllegedly aready in the custody

EX CL USIVE EXCL CLUSIVE of the Police for questioning, as he was said to have played a major role in the defrauding of the airline while he was in the airline’s Lagos station before he was not long thereafter transferred to Benin Airport station.

During the initial investigations by the police, according to the source, what was earlier thought to be a common fraud, which involved just one or two officials, was found out to have assumed a wider dimension, with more than 15 ground staff from ticketing, reservation and cargo units already arrested.

Aside from the nonremittance of passenger tickets’ sales to the official bank account of the airline, it was again discovered that over 70 per cent of proceeds from cargo freighting were diverted to private bank accounts, from where monies were later withdrawn and shared by the members of the fraud cartel.

The Police, it was learnt, were putting final touches to their investigations so as to arraign the suspects in court very soon.

Some officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, were of the belief that the defrauding of the airline by the suspects over the years must have been part of what drove the airline into unprofitability and eventually going into receivership been currently undertaken by AMCON. The discovery of the fraud, according to them, was the

reason why the current management planned to reorganise and lay-off some set of workers and outsource some aspects of its operations to thirdparty companies on contract basis.

When contacted over the issue, the Managing Director of AMCON, Mr. Mustafa Chike Obi neither confirmed nor denied the story. According to a text message reply he sent to our correspondent, the MD stated, “We don’t manage Aero, so l cannot confirm or deny such a report. I think you should contact them directly”.

Also, when our reporter called Aero’s Public Relations consultant, Mr. Simon Tumba, he simply said he is not able to offer any comment on the matter for now.

It would be recalled that last month, workers of Aero Contractors grounded the airline’s activities thereby forcing it to cancel flights and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Warri.

The grouse of the workers was that the airline management about three weeks ago introduced a policy that outsourced most of the low cadre jobs, especially the drivers in the airline, prompting the workers to demand the sack of the Head of Human Resources, otherwise they would go on strike, a threat the carried out on Tuesday, March 13th.

The airline commenced skeletal services on March 29th, with flights to Port Harcourt, Uyo and Abuja pending the resolution of the strike by the workers.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

Arousing sleeping ministers of Jonathan's kitchen cabinet

Edem Duke, Minister of tourism and culture

By Miriam Humbe

T

he transformation message has been preached constantly by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

While some citizens of this country can gratefully point their fingers to the road sector and aviation sectors as areas that have been boosted by the transformation process, to some others, the slogan is nothing but an ambiguous appendage.

Indeed, the presidency may have had good intentions for initiating the transformation move. For the purpose of executing the agenda, President Jonathan shortly after the 2011 elections, appointed a team of ministers to head the federal ministries. This is with the view to fast tracking the development of the country.

But to the dismay of the populace, some of the ministers serving in the Jonathan administration appear to be taking naps on their duty posts. Some of the smart ones take cover under the umbrella of the media, by showing their faces often enough on screens of some national television stations.

This is in the absence of the concerted efforts at driving the wheel of progress on their

Allison Madueke, Minister of Petroleum

beats towards enhancing the transformation agenda of their principal. The culture of impunity appears to hold sway.

There has been much talk about the tourism sub-sector of the economy being capable of ranking second to the oil and gas sector, for example. In fact, while oil is said to be exhaustible as the years go by, tourism, on the other hand, remains the only inexhaustible money making sector worldwide. Other countries of the world like South Africa, Unites States of America and France rake in billions of dollars annually from tourism earnings.

But the reverse is the case in Nigeria. Although efforts may have been made by the minister of tourism and culture, Edem Duke to boost the sector, observers are quick to point out that the ministry is still lacks the required compelling force to achieve its mandate. A source in the ministry who spoke under the condition of anonymity told this reporter that the minister does not care much about what happens in the ministry. He is said to be satisfied with being in the good books of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT with its natural endowments of hills and valleys

and architectural grandeur, is one city that prides itself as the fastest growing city in the West African sub-region. Although the city faces the challenge of population increase on a daily basis which overstretches its facilities, residents of Abuja have argued that the city is fast losing its beauty and elegance due to the dirt which litters the street corners. Criminal activities have taken a turn for the worst.

The FCT administration seems to have its attention focused more on the demolition of houses termed as illegal structures. The demolition exercises have rendered many residents homeless. This is in spite of the fact that lands for some of the areas demolished which

Bala Mohammed, Minister of FCT include estates were said to have been legally acquired from government. Some persons have argued that the demolitions are tailored towards availing the lands for some well connected individuals, including the First Lady.

The list seems to go on endlessly. But the Bayelsaborn Minister of Petroleum, Allison Madueke who has been in the corridors of power from the early days of President Umaru Yar'Adua's administration has also not been spared the tongue lashing of critics. She is alleged to be an absentee minister who manages the affairs of the ministry from the comfort of her home.

Some of the directors of the

“

It is good to be loyal to his ministers like Allison Madueke, but it is also important to understand that it is better to be more loyal to Nigeria and its millions of people

ministry, including those holding key positions, are alleged to have not set eyes on her physically except on the screens of television and newspapers. She is however in the good books of the presidency and holds a firm grip on her job in spite of the opposition to her appointment and position from her home state.

"While the presidency contemplates a cabinet reshuffle in the coming days, the need to ensure rapid development of the country in all the sectors should be paramount and cannot be overemphasised", said an Abuja based public affairs commentator, Mr. Denis Amodu. "It is good to be loyal to his ministers like Allison Madueke, but it is also important to understand that it is better to be more loyal to Nigeria and its millions of people."

The presidency, analysts say, must arouse some of the members of its cabinet who appear to have been slumbering at the moment.

The need to inject fresh blood into the administration may suffice. Those who will be selected to make up the cabinet should be technocrats with proven integrity and track records of achievement.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

By Abdulwahab Isa

T

he Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is designing a frame work on tax collection in the informal sector.

To harness views, inputs of stakeholders in coming up with an efficient modalities, a workshop on presumptive tax regime was organized for stakeholders yesterday in Abuja.

Speaking at the occasion, Acting Chairman of FIRS, Kabir Mashi, noted that taxes of petty traders, small businesses are unstructured, thus making accurate record keeping of their businesses transaction a herculean task.

He nonetheless admitted the challenge pose by unstructured nature of the petty businesses was not peculiar to Nigeria but a common trend in the

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FIRS designs framework to capture tax of petty traders developing countries.

"Almost every country in the world has at one time or the other been faced with the challenge of how to bring such businesses into the tax net and ensure that those businesses comply with their tax obligations. Different countries have therefore, fashioned out different strategies to effectively tax individuals in this category.

Some countries in dealing this issue have leveraged on the experiences of others while

others decided to fashion out their own specific strategy" he said.

The FIRS boss said the framework, tagged, presumptive tax regime, not only caters for local circumstances, but aligns with best practice.

"It is in this regard that this stakeholders' sensitisation workshop is being held to provide a platform and forum for relevant stakeholders to come together and share ideas based

on their experience and knowledge of similar regimes elsewhere" he said.

Mashi explained that the presumptive tax regime will create improved and easy access to the tax system for the large pool of taxpayers in the informal sector.

This, he said, will enable the service to not only grow the tax base across the three tiers of government but more importantly improve tax collection from non-oil tax

revenue.

Earlier, Acting Coordinating Director, Standards and Compliances Group, Igho Ejemeyovwi, stated that the workshop will afford both taxpayers and tax administrators the rare opportunity and privilege to share ideas and opinions on the best and most acceptable approach to be adopted in the implementation of the presumptive tax regime in Nigeria.

Strike: Minister holds peace parley with ASUP

By Stanley Onyekwere

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n a bid to avoid a total shutdown of academic activities at the nation’s polytechnics, Minister of Education, Prof. Ruquayyah Ahmed Rufa’i, yesterday held a peace parley with members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), on how to resolve the lingering issues affecting the sector.

Sequel to the parley, ASUP had last week issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over failure to

K A N N Y W O O D

…Says ministerial White-Paper waiting presidential assent reconcile lingering issues affecting the welfare of their members and students in Nigerian polytechnics system as against their university counterparts as well as the government’s failure to implement certain resolutions reached in the past.

Assuring the aggrieved polytechnics staff, the Minister disclosed that a White Paper on

Behold, Bauchi’s Salamatu Mai gurmi

the lingering contentious issues is ready to be transmitted to the President for consideration saying that her ministry is working towards facilitating implementation of the recommendations.

According to her, the issues at stake require due consultations with various relevant policy makers and stakeholders in the sector to

ensure workable recommendation as well as smooth implementation of allround strategic reform plan, aimed at a holistic repositioning of the Nigerian education sector.

The Minister however pleaded with ASUP to sheath their sword as the government was working under the clock to resolve the issues while urging them to negotiate with different stakeholders at different levels so as to fast track the prompt resolution of some of the lingering issues.

COVER

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W O M A N H O O D

ASUP amongst other things, is demanding implementation of 65-years retirement age limit for polytechnics staff, revised salary structure as well as an end to the lingering polytechnic/ university certificate dichotomy.

On his part, the ASUP Chairman, Chibuzor Asomugha, stressed that the lecturers are ready to withdraw their threat immediately there are clear indications that their demands are being adequately addressed by government.

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PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

Insecurity: There is misinformation of happenings in North- U.S Diplomat From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

…says Boko Haram is a complicated problem

midst the insecurity in the North, United States diplomat, Mr. Jeffery Hawkins, yesterday said there are lots of mis-information on what is happening in the region, even as he described the Boko Haram crisis as a complicated problem.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy call to the leadership of Arewa Consultation Forum in Kaduna, Mr.Hawkins called on the Nigerian government to look beyond law enforcement in addressing the problem.

According to him, the success of

the North is the success of Nigeria, saying there are lots of business dynamism in the region and Nigeria in general.

"I found it very important, as the Consular-General in Lagos, who have been there for long to understand the North because there is so much misinformation and so much discussion about issues that are happening in the North; So, it is unfair, as an official, to hear only one side of the story, so I decided to come to see things for myself.

"We have work with Nigerian government on the issue of security; but what is important to us is to call on

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the Nigerian government to look beyond law enforcement in this aspect.

There is a lot going on, and it is a very complicated problem. The Nigerian government is encouraged by its friends to look at other issues as well.

"We are also interested, as Nigeria deals with very serious law enforcement problems, to make sure that its law enforcement agencies, its security agencies not only enforce the law but respect the rights of Nigerian citizens," he said.

On the position of U. S government on Boko Haram, the diplomat said they have condemned the violence, adding

that so far, three leaders of Boko Haram have been designated as terrorists by the American government.

Earlier in his remarks, on behalf of ACF leadership, its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani said the reason ACF called for dialogue with the Boko Haram sect was not to sympathize with the sect but to help bring an end to the killings in the region.

"We, as northern leaders we are not sympathising with the Boko Haram. Far from that; our decision was because we have not seen anywhere where force has yielded

L-R: Agwam Takar, Chief Tobias NkomWada; Gov. Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna state; and Chief of Kagoro, Mr. Ufuwai Bonet, during the governor's condolence visit to Atakar Village in Kaura LGA on Wednesday.

Gunmen kill Prisons Dep. Comptroller in Sokoto

By Mahmoud Muhammad, Sokoto

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Photo: NAN

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Political Adviser to the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Mohammed Gusau, has refuted the insinuations that the recent peace tour to some aggrieved PDP governors by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Tony Anenih, was a sign of power tussle between Anenih and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Alh. Bamanga Tukur.

Speaking to a group of select newsmen yesterday, Gusau disclosed that efforts towards rebuilding the party was not limited to only one person, adding that the peace tour was blessed

By Mohammed Kandi

F

ollowing the resettlement of displaced persons in Bauchi state recently, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) hasdelivered more relief items to support the state government towards early integration of the people that have fled from other states to take cover in the state.

Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi, who delivered the items to the Bauchi state governor, Malam

result in tackling terrorism. What we are saying is that since force has failed, then let us try dialogue," he advised.

He pointed out that the forum believesthat if the Federal Government grants amnesty to the sect members the rest will come out to negotiate with the government.

The National Publicity Secretary therefore solicited for the support of the American government to assist Nigerian government to solve the insecurity in the country.

He said they would be grateful if America, with its vast experience on counter- terrorism,assist in securing the country's porous borders, where arms and bombs are smuggled into the country.

According to him, ACF was set up to unite the country and not to divide the country, describing it as a pressure group that always served as voice of the region.

Mr. Anthony Sani also spoke on the on-shore/off-shore dichotomy, where he said there was need for the issue to be re-visited.

No rift between Tukur, Anenih - Gusau by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party.

He said that Anenih, being a former BoT chairman, knew his constitutional limitation, adding that he also knew that the tour was not an encroachment on the powers of the party's Chairman.

Gusau further pointed out that PDP has a National Legal Adviser who always advises the leadership on propriety of every matter regarding the constitutional powers of party leaders.

Speaking on the reconciliatory tour to the respective geo political zones,

Gusau dispelled rumours that it was targeted at pushing Tukur out, adding that the absence of some of the governors was due to pressing state matters.

He described the visit t to the zones as revolutionary, saying it wasbecause the first time such an opportunity was given to grassroots leaders of the party to have an interface with the party's National Chairman.

He however blamed the opposition parties for attempting to truncate the efforts of Tukur in rebuilding the party, anchored on the 3Rs of 'Reconciliation,

Rebuilding, and Reformation', which has been approved by the National Executive Committee(NEC) of the party Contacted, the National Legal Adviser of the party, Victor Kwon, there was nothing unconstitutional about the tour by Anenih, pointing out that NEC approved the peace efforts by the BoT Chairman.

According to Him, "Nothing in the constitution prevents the Chairman of BoT from intervening in reconciling aggrieved members, especially so that the party's NEC has approved the reconciliatory agenda", he concluded.

unmen yesterday shot dead killed the Deputy Comptroller of Prison,UsmanZakiGwandu, who was in charge of Central Prison Sokoto.

He was gruesomely killed on his way home along State Polytechnic while driving alone in his car.

As at the press time, no official reason was given for his killing, but his vehicle was reportedly shattered by bullets.

The remains of the Deputy Comptroller had been deposited at the Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital Sokoto, before his burial at Gwandu his hometown in Kebbi State today.

Sokoto State Police Command'sspokesmen, DSP Sani Salisu has confirmed the incident, saying efforts were being made to trace the culprits.

When Peoples Daily visit Federal Secretariat of the Prison Service in Sokoto all the officers and men of the service were seen mourning the death of the officer.

NEMA Bauchi reinter grates displaced persons Isa Yuguda, said the gesture was approved further to the previous assistance given after satisfactory consideration of commitment by the state government and willingness of the displaced persons to remain there.

In a statement issued by the agency's head of publicity yesterday in Abuja, Yusha'u A. Shu'aib, "Bauchi state has set a good record for the others to emulate in helping

distressed people in their localities".

He assured that NEMA would always collaborate with the stakeholders,including the state and local governments for efficient and effective disaster management in the country.

He reminded that, "States that are yet to establish their own EmergencyManagement Agencies (SEMAs) to do so without further delay, by also supporting them to be fully-operational, especially to

address situations within their capabilities and refer only overwhelming situations for federal assistance".

He urged that states to take early actionconcerning the prediction of likely flood as experienced last year, by adopting necessary measures prepare ahead.

Receiving the items, Governor Yuguda, represented by the state's Head of Service,

Mr.AbdonGin, thanked NEMA for the gesture and assured that the materials would be distributed to the beneficiaries accordingly.

Gin also said the state government has gone very far in the process of the resettlement and thanked the Federal Government for the continued support.

The items delivered include 2, 400 bundles of roofing zinc, 2, 400 bags of cement, 7, 000 pieces of timbers and 150 bags of roofingnails.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

PAGE 7

TCN: Minister defines Manitoba Hydro status

By Etuka Sunday

C

ontrary to insinuations that the Canadian Manitoba Hydro has taken position as concessioners of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said yesterday that Manitoba Hydro’s role was that of delegated authority given to a management outfit with international clout, for a stipulated period of 3 – 5 years.

The clarification according to him became necessary in order to erase the impression at the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and labour unions that Manitoba has already taken position as concessioners of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

The Minister spoke at a meeting between officials of Manitoba Hydro and PHCN union officials in Abuja.

He charged the Manitoba management to respect the rights of Nigerian workers as entrenched in the law of the land while in turn, the workers should work with Manitoba so as to take the power sector to the next level, with the required international bias which the company is known for.

“In today’s world, everything must be benchmarked within the dictate of international standard; hence we must provide the enabling environment at this stage of our transition for business to thrive, he said.

“Nobody takes over without settlement, workers are Nigerians like us, TCN is 100 per cent owned by the Government and there is no-going to be layoff, let no one fear, “Manitoba Hydro International is under the Board of TCN which is in turn under the Power Ministry,” the Minister said.

On the status of GENCOs and DISCOs, Nebo said the privatisation programme was on-course as the preferred bidders have only paid 25 per cent.

According to him, due to the huge budgetary requirement to settle all workers, government will require them to pay up 75 per cent before the final take-over.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Don Priestsman, enjoined Labour to join hands with his colleagues in the company to solve the challenges in the sector.

L-R: Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ola Sahad Ibrahim, Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika and Director Military Intelligence Major General Sani Audu walking into the Presidential Villa for a Security meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja yesterday.

Photo Joe Oroye.

Contractor pledges quality job at Port Harcourt airport From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

C

hairman of Inter-BAU Construction Limited, the company handling the remodelling of the Port Harcourt airport, Sir Nath Okechukwu, yesterday said that contrary to reports of lack of inexperience to handle such construction work, the company has carried out giant projects for over two decades in Nigeria.

Okechukwu told reporters in Lagos that he had executed civil engineering works for the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the agency overseeing the re-modelling exercise of airports across the country.

The chairman said the comment became necessary following insinuations that the Ministry of Aviation is carrying out the re-modelling and expansion of 11 airport

terminals in the country with inexperienced contractors.

Okechukwu cited two projects that the company executed for the agency to include the resurfacing of the 18 right runway of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and the construction of access roads in the same airport.

According to him, Inter-BAU Construction Company does not just build for the sake of it but that the company is equally into maintenance of the facility, assuring that Port-Harcourt Airport terminal will be the project to beat.

“We have done airport project before and that was some two decades ago. We were involved in the resurfacing of the 18 right runway and access road at the Murtala Mohammed Airport. So, it is a long time we have been in this and we are no

longer new in this business.

“When the Managing Director of FAAN inspected the on-going remodelling work by Inter-BAU, looking at the quality, he said it was one of the best in the country”, he said.

The Chairman stated that since these projects were executed by the company, there has never been any complaint from the authorities.

The Port-Harcourt Airport remodelling exercise he said are in two phases, adding that the company’s projection is to complete the first phase at the end of this month.

“The Port-Harcourt Airport terminal’s re-modelling and expansion are in phases. There is Phase 1 and there is also Phase 2. For the first one, we hope to round-off by the end of April, that is the time lag we have given, and we hope to stick to it”, he said.

Protesting ex-militants demand inclusion in Niger Delta 3rd phase amnesty programme

By Umar Muhammad Puma

E

x-militants under the aegis of Niger Delta Freedom Fighters yesterday besieged the National Assembly protesting their non-inclusion in the ongoing amnesty programme of the Federal Government.

Unaware that the lawmakers are still on Easter break, the ex-militants led by General Para Ekiyes also known as General Gun Boart, chanted war songs and threatened to return to the creeks to resume hostilities if

the Federal Government fails to accede to their demand.

“If the Federal Government fails to accede to our demand I and my men will go back to the creeks,” Ekiyes said.

According to him, they want government to facilitate the immediate actualisation of the third phase of the amnesty programme currently on going in the Niger Delta and which also accommodates them.

“The Task Force on 3rd phase amnesty has commenced work in Delta state since February 3, 2013 but none of

us has been invited,” he said.

He stated that the third phase of the programme had made provisions to accommodate only 3,642 of the about 5,600-strong ex militants belonging to the Niger Delta Freedom Fighters, yet none of them had been invited.

“Even the number of crude oil per day is very stable, the menace of sea piracy has ceased and there is stability in the area.

“But if the government feels that we should continue, then we will go back,” he threatened.

Kwara NDLEA seeks House collaboration on illicit drugs From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin he state Commandant of the Nigeria Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Mr. Segun Oke, has solicited collaboration of the Kwara state House of Assembly to fight illicit drugs in the area.

Speaking when he visited the lawmakers at the House of Assembly, the Commandant commended the foresight of the Legislature in making law against sales of alcohol in motor parks across the state.

The commandant who enumerated the activities of his agency in the fight against narcotic activities in the state praised the Speaker for his matured way of handling the affairs of the legislative arm of government .

The speaker, Razak Atunwa, who assured the Agency of the lawmakers readiness to fight fake drugs in the state said the Legislature was concerned about the wellbeing of the people who elected them into office.

He said the legislative arm of government under his leadership would give adequate consideration to legislations, resolutions and motions that will enhance the work of the agency in the state.

The Speaker noted that the NDLEA was rated the best in the country as it enjoys high degree of people’s confidence and enjoined the hierarchy of the agency to sustain the discipline among it rank and file as well as consolidate on is performance to enable it rid the country off illicit and counterfeit drugs

T

PAGE 8

L-R: Secretary, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr Isaac Ighure; Managing Director, Nigerian Tribune, Mr Edward Dickson and NGE President, Mr Femi Adesina, during the guild's condolence visit to the management of Tribune on the death of their Chairman/ Publisher, yesterday in Ibadan.

Photo NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

R-L: Special Adviser Trade and Investment to Kaduna State, Alhaji Muhammad Lere, Nigeria High Commissioner to Canada, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Chairman Local Organising Committee of the Nigeria-Canada Summit, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Chris Cooter and Head of the Local Organising Committee, Senator Emma Anosike, during a joint press briefing by the two High Commissioner of the forth coming Nigeria-Canada Investment Summit in Canada held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Niger Delta Ex - Militants 3rd phase protesting at the gate of the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja calling on the Niger Delta Ministry to pay their Salary. Photo: Mahmud Isa

L-R: Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas Anganye, the regent of Owode Yewa in Ogun, Chief Fatai Oyedele and rep. Abiodun Akinlade, during the inauguration of ICT centre donated

by Rep. Akinlade in Owode Yewa, yesterday in Ogun.

Photo NAN

Road show organized by Center for Autism to create Awareness on special children with autism behaviour in Commemoration of the day, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

Gombe NUJ gets N35.9 press centre From David Hassan, Gombe

G

ombe state government has awarded a contract to the tune of N35.9 million for construction of a press centre for the state council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Signing the contract on behalf of government Commissioner for

Information and Orientation, Rev. Habu Dawaki, said the project which was expected to be completed in 15 weeks, would have modern facilities that to enhance the working conditions of journalists in the state.

According to the commissioner, the press centre which is first of its kind since the creation of the state in 1996 would have two conference

halls, a restaurant, chalets and offices among many other facilities.

He commended the Governor for graciously approving and facilitating the commencement of the project which past administrations could not undertake.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AGS Power Ventures Nigeria Limited, the contracting firm, Alhaji

Namanu Komanda, who signed for the company, promised to adhere strictly to contractual specification and deliver the project on time.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the NUJ, Alhaji Alhassan Yahaya, who described the occasion as historic, expressed great joy for seeing the commencement of the project after several failed attempts in the past.

Kogi, Anambra land dispute: Governors refute reports of deaths

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he Governor of Kogi state, Captain Idris Wada and his Anambra state counterpart, Mr. Peter Obi, have described as exaggerated, reports over 400 houses were burnt during recent disputes between Kogi and Anambra states.

The two governors in a joint communiquĂŠ issued in Abuja yesterday said that only nine houses were affected and that neither of the two states recorded any loss of lives, contrary to reports that 57 persons lost their lives.

According to them, four motorcycles were destroyed during the fracas assuring that the two state governments would ensure peaceful and equitable resolution of the dispute.

"We, the governors are calling on those trying to cause disaffection between the two brotherly states, with a long affinity, to desist from such attempts as what Nigeria needs now is peace which will attract development.

"We sue for peace in Odeke and Aguleri-Out communities and appeal to the residents to ensure good neighbourliness as the issues in contention are being given due attention by the National Boundary Commission on the directives of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan", the communiquĂŠ said.

They further assured residents of both communities whose properties where affected during the crisis that they will be adequately compensated.

L-R: Vice President, Global Health Impact Programs, Patrick Lukulay, Director Drugs Evaluation and Research of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. Hauwa Keri, and Advisor United State, Phamacopeia Programme USAID, Dr. Abdelkrim Smine, at Stakeholders Meeting on Review of Current Anti-malarial Medicines Management Systems in Nigeria, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Emir commends FUD VC

ANPP Chairman wants Kaduna govt to explain N20b loan

From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

K

aduna state Chairman of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Senator Mohammad Lawal Aliyu, said the state government should account for what he described as missing N12 billion from the N20 billion loan it received from commercial banks.

The senator who led members of newly formed Greater Kaduna Group made the disclosure during an interactive session with newsmen at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretarial, Kaduna.

Aliyu claimed that government has utilized only about N8 billion of the loan.

According to him, "I got the

information and we are investigating the loan of N20 billion was collected few months back to execute some projects and the information reaching us is that about 12 billion of that money cannot be accounted for.

Speaking on the Governor's first 100 days in office, Aliyu said, "I do not see anything happening and it will be difficult for me to access

anything on a vacuum.

"Maybe I should take this opportunity to ask the Governor to sit up and face his responsibilities and give the people of Kaduna state dividend of democracy.

"Here we are talking about physical structures, building roads, hospitals, schools and stuffs like that and I have not seen anything on the ground.

Medicine safety: United States pharmacopeia to strengthen NAFDAC regulatory ability

By A'isha Biola Raji

U

nited States Pharmacopeia (USP), official monitoring body for drugs imported to US has signed a Technical Assistance Program (TAP) with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)) in order to boost the latter's drug regulation capacity.

The Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, disclosed this yesterday in a message he sent during meeting of stakeholders on quality monitoring of regulated medicines in Nigeria.

According to Orhii, the

country stands a chance of benefitting from experiences of the USP officials to effectively curb the menace of both counterfeit and substandard drugs in Nigeria.

According to him, "with the advent of globalisation, it is of paramount importance that the benefits of international collaboration and cooperation are harnessed.

"We need to build stronger collaborative networks, share and exchange information and build confidence in our regulatory system."

He however cautioned that, collaborating with USP will not in any way undermine

NAFDAC's regulatory capacity.

He noted further that Nigerian is faced with population, heavy disease burden, porous borders and good market size challenges making it an ideal spot for counterfeiters of medicines especially anti-malaria, antibiotics, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic agents as well as life style drugs to thrive.

As Orhii put it, "the Agency is establishing closer ties with other nations and international organisations to ensure importation of good quality, safe and efficacious medicines and other regulated products into Nigeria."

In his overview presentation

of Promoting the Quality of Medicine (PQM) program, the USP representative Dr. Patrick Lukulay, who is also Vice President, Global Health Impact, said though the organisation got the permission to come into Nigeria three weeks ago, it has resolved to, just like in other parts of the world, raise awareness, help in accreditation and most importantly, boost local manufacturing industries especially in expediting WHO prequalification process.

He said, "counterfeiting is not for imported drugs alone but also popular local products hence the need to network in order to promote collaboration."

T

he Emir of Dutse, Dr. Nuhu Muhammed Sunusi, has commended the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Dutse (FUD), Prof.

Jibrila Amin, for what the Emir described as Amin's transformation of the school.

The Emir made the commendation yesterday while speaking with Journalists at the university's permanent site shortly after inspecting some capital projects being executed in the university.

According to Sunusi, "I am really impressed with what I have seen on the efforts of the VC. "I have been to some of the new federal universities that were created along with this university and I must state without fear or favour that this is the best that I have seen among its contemporaries.

"It is my hope that the management will sustain the tempo of the great service to the nation and the community where they are operating".

Conducting the Emir round the school, the Vice Chancellor, said that the 2013 academic year had already commenced and that in the university and over 500 new students were admitted in the university for the 2012/2013 academic year.

He told the Emir the institution's clinic is completed, equipped and have enough personnel as well as the school farm and library.

PAGE 11

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

O

ne of the strategies that consumers employ to help them pay off debt is consolidation. Debt consolidation puts your debts together in one place, making it a little easier for you to pay them down. For some, this works remarkably well.

Unfortunately, debt consolidation ends up being more problematic than helpful for most debtors.

How debt consolidation works There are two main methods of debt consolidation. One of them involves getting a third party to lump your debts together. You make one payment to the third party, and then that's divided up between your creditors. Often, there's a fee charged as part of this service. You also have to be on the alert for scams.

Another method of debt consolidation is to pay off smaller loans with one larger loan. If you can qualify for a personal loan, have 0% credit card offers, or can get a home equity loan, this consolidation option would work for you.

Once your loans are consolidated into one place, you make one payment. It's often easier to manage, and in some cases it can save you in interest,

Money Tip:

Perform a top-tobottom walkthrough

N

ow is the time to put your systems and procedures under the microscope.

Have they kept up with the times? Are they efficient? Are any employees gumming up the works?

Small business owners often fall into a pattern and stick with inefficient business processes or, even worse, bad employees. This walk-through and the improvements that it elicits are a chance for you to reassert your leadership and exert your authority. As McBean so bluntly put it, "if you're not controlling your procedures and processes, you don't really 'own' your business."

Don't let outmoded ways of doing business or poorly performing workers determine your business' outlook in the New Year.

Quote In business, I've discovered that my purpose is to do my best to my utmost ability every day. That's my standard. I learned early in my life that I had high standards.

- Donald Trump

Debt consolidation: is that going to be right for you?

since you aren't paying a wide variety of high rates. For the disciplined consumer, debt consolidation can work well.

Drawbacks to debt consolidation While debt consolidation can be an attractive choice, it also has its pitfalls. The biggest

pitfalls come with the types that involve using debt consolidation loans or balance transfers. You might transfer a balance to a 0% credit card, but what happens with the old card now that it is "freed up"?

This is an issue with home equity loans and personal loans,

as well. You pay off your other debts, and all of a sudden it seems as though you have all sorts of available funds. It's easy to rack up more debt on the free cards, even before you've finished paying off your other consolidated debt. Pretty soon,

you're in worse shape than you were before.

Fixing the problem, rather than focusing on the symptom No matter your age, paying off consumer debt is a good financial move to make.

However, you need to be careful about how you approach the problem. Simply consolidating your debt, without making changes to the way you manage money, won't fix the issue. You have to look at the underlying problem, which is that you might not be living within your means.

Be honest about your finances and how you manage your money. As long as you spend more than you earn, no amount of debt consolidation is going to help. You have to first stop digging the debt hole. Then, once you have your money management under control, you can make a debt reduction plan. Debt consolidation may or may not be part of this plan, depending on your situation.

The key to staying out of debt is reforming your financial habits so that you no longer rely on debt to fund your everyday purchases. Debt consolidation can help in some cases, and it has proved effective for many consumers. But it will only work if you're really ready to improve your finances, and disciplined enough to avoid more debt.

Psychology of cash flow: get your finances under control

M

oney flows into your life, and money flows out. To deal, you need to get your finances right - but also your mind.

Are your finances under control? One good test is how your spending is constrained by your income.

Far too many people are forced to arrange their bill paying around their income schedule. They put bills aside until their paychecks arrive, then they write the checks (or authorize payments online), hoping they don't run out of money before they run out of bills.

If your finances are under control, there's no need to do that. You always have enough money to pay your bills, whether "payday" is today or tomorrow or next week.

Control your finances You only need two things to get your finances under control: 1.

You need to have an income that's larger than your expenses.

2 . You need to have "enough" money sitting in your checking account.

In this case, "enough" is a reasonably specific amount enough to pay the largest sum of bills that can be expected to arrive between two paychecks.

For most people, one month's expenses are a handy target.

There are, of course, special circumstances, such as annual or semi-annual bills for car insurance or property taxes. You could just leave enough money in your checking account for

those, but they're probably better handled by accumulating money in some sort of savings or investment account.

If those two measures aren't in place, you need to take action right away. Perhaps emergency belt tightening is in order to get your expenses below your income, and then to accumulate the appropriate cash balance in your checking account. But even once you've got those measures in place, getting this right is tough, because this isn't just a matter of getting your finances under control. You also need to get your mind under control.

Case in point - me.

Not having a regular job, I get my income from various sources - interest, dividends, payments for my stories or articles, and so on.

One of my regular payments

used to arrive late in the month, but a while back things got rearranged, and it started arriving early in the month.

This turned out to have an unexpected psychological impact.

Here's the thing - the payment used to arrive shortly before we'd make the monthly transfer into our checking account to cover that month's expenses. Now, the payment arrives half a month away.

Before, it felt like my writing income was paying a big chunk of the bills, and then we'd transfer money to cover the various small expenses that show up over the course of the rest of the month. Now, it feels like we're drawing down capital to pay our bills, while my writing income ends up dribbling away to pay those

ancillary expenses.

The reality of the situation hasn't changed at all. The right way - the smart way, the useful way - to think of the situation is to view all the money that flows into my life as my money. I've written about this before - it's all your money.

Control your mind It's hard to defeat the notion that the dates that the money flows in and out make a difference. But even though it's hard, it's worth doing.

Getting this right is key to financial success.

Get your finances under control. Your spending should be controlled by your budget, not by when your paycheck arrives.

See past the illusion that money that arrives one day has anything to do with the money that gets spent the next.

Share your Money Tip: do you have a business/money idea, and you want to share it with our dear readers? Then, send it to: ikabirsule@gmail.com or (text it to 08091904890)

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

Central Africa Republic, (CAR) S

outh Africa has just buried thirteen of its 400 troops deployed to the Central Africa Republic, who tried to defend the capital city, Bangui, when thousands of heavily armed rebels marched on the city on March 23, triggering the flight of the former strongman, Mr Francious Bozize.

The rebel alliance called ‘Seleka’ in the Songo language actually attempted to seize power last January when they almost marched on the capital, but were prevented by a regional emaciation which culminated in the Libereville agreement, signed in Gabon, on power sharing and transitional government.

Less than three weeks after the Gabon agreement, the rebels struck, ending the ten-year iron rule of Mr Bozize, who had seized power in an army coup in 2003 backed by the Republic of Chad, a country which has acted as powerbroker of its impoverished neighbor.

The rebels claimed that Mr Bozize had reneged on an important component of the settlement agreement: the integration of the rebel fighters into the national army. Bozize, who fled the presidential police to Cameroun and is now seeking political asylum in the Republic of Benin, has not said much about the allegation of the former rebels, whose leader, Mr. Michel Djotodia has since declared himself president.

However, what is clear is that the rebels who are obviously in high military spirit, were in no mood for political compromise, having gauged correctly that making a final push would hand them ver the ultimate prize, especially after the French government had instructed its troops in the country to do nothing to obstruct the rebels’ advance, except to protect the French citizens.

Curiously, the same French regime had responded in jet speed to halt the

Maliam rebels advance to Bamako and push the rebels out of its stronghold of northern Mali. We agree that the Seleka rebels in CAR do not carry the odions tag of religions extremist as the Malians, but their aspiration, which they have now accomplished by establishing a government through armed force, will be a bad example for a region struggling to establishment a democratic template for regime change.

The African Union has already suspended Bangui from its activities and the rebel regime is being widely isolated.

“

It is our considered view that fraudulent election victory, like the one that was fraudulently secured in Nigeria by the ruling party in 2007 and universally denounced as a criminal façade, should be considered an equivalent to armed seizure of power.

We are however of the view that while these measures are welcome, winning fraudulent elections as former strongman, Bozize, did to legitimize his forcible seizure of power, did not attract similar opprobrium from the regional body.

It is our considered view that fraudulent election victory, like the one that was fraudulently secured in Nigeria by the ruling party in 2007 and universally denounced as a criminal façade, should be considered an equivalent to armed seizure

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”

of power.

Even the beneficiary of the 2007 odions poll in Nigeria, the then-President Umaru Yar’Adua, was so concerned about his tainted victory that he set up a committee to review the electoral process to prevent such crass excesses in the future. Yet the author of the universally condemned electoral façade, former President Obasanjo, junkets around as a statesman and even monitors elections elsewhere.

The CAR’s rebels-turned-rulers seem to have come to stay and what is realistic, in our view, is to nudge them to an inclusive and transitional government, with a credible and time-bound transition to civil rule. Meanwhile the opposition Prime Minister appointed last January on the terms of the Libreville peace settlement in Gabon, Mr Nicholas Tiangage, is staying on even as other civilian opposition figures have withdrawn the[r support, claiming that the regime is heavily dominated by the former armed rebels.

Thankfully, the major political forces in that country, including the government and opposition, are going to Chad to respect their disagreements. We are saddened that as a result of the foot draggingof the former regime of Francios Bozize in running a genuinely democratic government, which is inclusive, transparent and bound by the will of the people through a credible electoral process, the democratic experiment in that impoverished nation has been halted.

We warn that even more corners of the continent could yet cave in to antidemocratic onslaught except ruling parties and their affiliate political factions eschew impunity and electoral malfeasance, the actual tonic and energy drive for those who pretend to be out to rescue democracy from its own travails.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

CHAIRMAN MALAM WADA MAIDA, OON, FNGE DIRECTOR/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF RUFA’I IBRAHIM ACTING EDITOR, DAILY HAMEED M. BELLO

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

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HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

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

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

By Ogaga Ifowodo

C

hinua Achebe’s stoic and gradualist approach to life was evident not only in his unhurried diction and surgically measured prose but also in the kind of solutions he proffered to the vexing questions of the postcolonial world. Particularly, in Nigeria, the country that vexed him the most — to the point of death in exile. If Arrow of God is the novel that Achebe admitted he was “most likely to be caught sitting down to read again,” the one essay of his that I might be caught re-reading and quoting from with gusto is “The Novelist as Teacher.”

Achebe was no revolutionary in the ordinary sense. Such that while delivering the 1998 McMillan-Stewart Lecture at Harvard University, he felt the need to apologise for never having “held a gun” in his life — something, curiously enough, he considered “shameful” — even though his hosts could hardly be expected to hold that against him. As keen as he was to contest the West’s monopoly of discursive power for over four centuries to represent and constitute non-White people according to their imperialist whims and fantasies, he “did not really

PAGE 13

Achebe: There was a novelist want to see the score of narratives … settled by recourse to power,” unless it be “the innate power of stories themselves.” His “choice of weapons,” he said, was determined for him by his “temperament.”

Why then the audacity of my title? Because a revolution, as every careful student of history knows, is never prompt or sudden. The cataclysmic moment when the dam bursts and sweeps away the old order is a culmination of a process long in the making and not a beginning that is also an end.

Then there is the other sense of the term that accords perfectly with Achebe’s temperament: revolution as any undertaking whose goal is fundamental change in socio-economic conditions, attitudes, or mode of operation. This, precisely, is what Achebe meant by the novelist as teacher.

Colonialism, together with the centuries of slavery that preceded it, defined our contact with Europe, resulting in our internalisation of the ideology of racial inferiority fabricated to justify conquest. It had convinced us that we were inferior to Europeans; that we

had no worthy history or culture; that our languages, gods, religious systems and moral codes were damning evidence of our subhumanity. If the “postcolonial” novelist or writer was to matter to her society, she would have, necessarily, to assume the role of teacher. And her lesson would be nothing but revolutionary, seeking as it would to wipe out the selfabnegating consciousness of the colonised man and woman and return them to their font of being; to “where the rain began to beat” them, as Achebe memorably put it.

And to make them see that “their past — with all its imperfections — was not one long night of savagery from which the first European acting on God’s behalf delivered them.”

Achebe makes the case for the novelist as revolutionary most eloquently. “Here then,” he says, “is an adequate revolution for me to espouse — to help my society regain belief in itself and put away the complexes of the years of denigration and selfabasement.” The revolutionary import of this mission is what made it possible for me to cite Achebe

in the same breath as Frantz Fanon, Walter Rodney, Mandela, Che Guevara, Karl Marx, among other certified “reds,” at rallies back in my days as a student leader. And it is what makes me read him with renewed delight now when I am more and more convinced of a related revolution: the urgent need to examine the unquantifiable damage done by colonialism to our psyche.

As Achebe rightly observes, we have yet to overcome the “disaster brought upon the African psyche in the period of subjection” despite independence. I would add that independence, as the hasty and persisting denial of the trauma of the colonial voiding of our will to self-determination, repeats and exacerbates that original catastrophe. The result is the unbroken cycle of “acting-out,” of puzzling behaviour, in the political sphere clearly defined today by shocking impunity and corruption. “Today, things have changed a lot,” Achebe says, “but it would be foolish to pretend that we have fully recovered from the traumatic effects of our first confrontation with Europe.”

The real tragedy of

Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart, then, is the failure to acknowledge the trauma of his subjugation. “The white man whose power you know so well has ordered this meeting to stop,” a colonial messenger, one of his own, barks at him. So if democracy, the process of ascertaining the people’s will for popular action, has failed so miserably to take root in our land, we should know one good reason why: we are yet to recover our brutally truncated will.

Okonkwo would be as perplexed today by our leaders’ mindboggling thefts as he was by the defection of his fellow Umuofians to the white man’s church, that more insidious means of our subjection. “I cannot understand these things you tell me,” he says to Obierika. “What is it that has happened to our people? Why have they lost the power to fight?” And we may ask: What has happened to us?

Why have our leaders no desire whatsoever to respect and improve the land; to serve and lead by example?

On 21 March 2013, the world lost a revolutionary novelist and essayist.

Dr. Ifowodo, a poet and essayist, teaches literary theory in the United States and can be reached via his email address: omoliho@gmail.com

Death penalty for oil thieves and matters miscellaneous

By Ifeanyi Izeze

W

hen the Senate President, David Mark, on Wednesday March 27 said he will readily endorse a penalty of death for perpetrators of oil theft, commonly called bunkering, he must have expected a wide applause from the Nigerian people as a patriot and from the international community as a seriously concerned Nigerian leader that is determined to tackle the problem with whatever it takes. Walahi, this time, David clearly missed the Mark because he is looked in the wrong direction for the magic wand against goliath of oil theft.

At the inauguration of a joint committee hearing on the Petroleum Industry Bill, Senator Mark accused “big men” in the country of sponsoring massive oil theft that has seen reasonable cuts in oil production levels saying “few individuals must not make us earn such bad names.”

He said oil theft was becoming a “major embarrassment” for the nation, and the PIB must be crafted to curb that. According to David Mark, “The bill must ensure that the current pace of oil theft is minimized to the barest minimum. It appears we are beginning to get bad

names in the international community.

“The law must prescribe huge punishment that will serve as deterrent. If it will attract death penalty, I am ready for it, I will endorse it.

Oil theft cannot be overcome with a tea cup, the big men involved in it are powerful. It is an unusual situation that requires an unusual solution.”

Agreed the proposal of death penalty for oil thieves and pipeline vandals looked like a crude recommendation that is out of sync with prevailing global practice where the death penalty is no longer fashionable, it would be very irresponsible of any government to just sit and look helpless in this kind of situation especially when such situation has the capacity to lead to a complete breakdown of law and order or even threaten any sitting government.

No doubt, the escalating problem and international embarrassment caused by the literally free-for-all pillaging of Nigerian crude oil calls for government actions that would provide for severe sanctions to serve as deterrent to the thieves. Produced crude oil from the NNPC joint venture operations worth about $6 billion is lost to oil thieves annually and the figure may even be more since not all the stealing is really

captured by official reports.

However, there are some very serious issues to look at in this crude oil theft and the senate proposal to tackle the problem.

Is it possible to lose such huge volumes of crude oil from facilities operated by the selfacclaimed disciplined and morally-high minded operators of the companies that own the facilities being tampered without the backing or rather participation of highly-placed people in both the government and operating oil companies?

Prescribing a severe punishment like death for stealing the nation’s crude oil would not stop the scourge and this is the truth. By the way, who have we been calling oil thieves? Were they not the people employed by the real or rather “big” thieves to work for them? Those haggard looking deck-floor boatmen are really not the oil thieves the death penalty should target.

Since the scourge of this crude oil theft started and several arrests made and vessels and tankers seized and some even scuttled, have we ever heard our security agencies come up to tell us that their investigation led to arrest of one “big man” in Abuja, Lagos or London? Have we ever been told that somebody in the NNPC system or any of the

major oil companies have been linked to the stealing of crude oil from oil facilities in the onshore Nigeria Delta or within the nation’s offshore arenas?

By my training (university) and actual field experience, even a pinhole – sized rupture on the very high pressure oil pipeline will immediately show as pressuredrawdown on the control dash board of the nearest flow station. And even with modern technologies, such pressure drops even trigger either a flashing alert or outright alarm. So how come thieves would drill giant holes on oil pipelines and it would take the companies two- four weeks to notice and raise alarm that their facility has been tampered? If the response to ruptures on trunklines from the companies and security agencies were immediate, the thieves would not have enough time to siphon oil to load a whole marine tanker that are even bigger than my entire village. You see where the complicity lies?

Most of what is happening at the oil facilities in the onshore Niger Delta is mere kids’ play compared to what is happening in the nation’s continental shelf and deep offshore arena. Who supervises crude oil metering and loading in some of these offshore floating production and

storage facilities? Is it not supposed to be the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and maybe National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS)?

The first assignment for the National Assembly is to find out how these supposedly government agencies handle the logistics of monitoring some of these facilities and their relationships with the oil companies they were supposed to police? This issue of crude oil theft is more complex than just catching a few and most times innocent and hungry crew on board marine oil tankers/ vessels and label them crude oil thieves.

Why are our senators not really very concerned about the menace of corruption in our system? Truth be told, even the problem of crude oil theft and petroleum products pipeline vandalism in this country is directly tied to corruption. We heard how policemen attached to the Inspector-General of Police Special Task Force on Anti-Pipelines Vandalism Unit allegedly shot dead two Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) officers at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

(Ifeanyi Izez is an Abuja-based Consultant and can be reached on: iizeze@yahoo.com)

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

PAGE 14

Adione-Egom: The motor-park Economist

By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

O

urs was a meeting of minds on the OP-ED pages of The Guardian in the 1980s. He signed off his articles as "Motor-Park Economist" while I signed off my pieces as "Peasant Theatre Director". I was in wonder why a "motor-park economist" wrote in a language that could only be grasped by only seasoned professors. I did not have to wonder for a long time before we met physically in the same office as pioneer staff of the African Guardian magazine.

The man was then known as Ashikiwe Adione-Egom but was later in life addressed as "Pastor Luke" and Peter Alexander Egom.

The news-feature magazine, African Guardian, with Ted Iwere as editor and Andy Akporugo as editor-in-chief, had in my humble opinion the most distinguished staff ever gathered anywhere, notably Eddie Iroh, Sully Abu, Pini Jason, Greg Obong-Oshotse, Okey Ndibe, Ada Momah, Ngozi Ojidoh, Kingsley

the cover Osadolor, Fred story. I Ohwahwa, refrained from Joni Akpederi, putting my Emmanuel Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text byline on the Aguariavwodo, messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written story so as not Stanley contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 to draw the ire Amah, Ola of Ashikiwe.

Alakija, Seun words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and When the Sonoiki, a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed magazine was George Ola to: published I Davies etc. Of found out that course, The Editor, Editor Iwere Ashikiwe who Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, had put my always wore 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. name smack as short knickers Email: pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com the writer of to the office SMS: 08134607052 the cover stood out. It story. I was promptly inevitable, as Ashikiwe's report was worthy arranged by Editor Ted Iwere, of a professorial dissertation decided to make myself very that the "motor-park professor" but Editor Iwere felt it could scarce from Ashikiwe's and the "peasant theatre not be understood by the presence. I was indeed very rustic" would somewhat common reader. I was then surprised when he eventually "clash". Ashikiwe, as the head summoned by the editor to caught sight of me and of the economic team had write the cover story in a embraced me, advising me anchored a cover story on the language that the average that I had a style that suited Organization of Petroleum magazine reader could get literary writing which will Exporting Countries (OPEC) along with. I could not say no, bode me well in writing novels. against the background of for in the business, the editor's He then bought me lunch at falling oil prices that word is final. the Guardian canteen. He threatened the very existence It took me a very long night instantly adopted me as his of Nigeria in the early days of to get to grips with the meat of bosom brother, sharing his Military President Ibrahim Ashikiwe's offering, before I salary with me, for he had no Babangida's regime in 1986. finally settled down to write

WRITE TO US

need for money, as he told me. I had to believe him because he was living in the hotel!

I cannot forget the day Ashikiwe came to the office, not in his trademark shorts, but in this bespoke black suit complete with tie and a red kerchief jutting out of the breast pocket. He was waiting for me, and promptly accosted me.

"You poet, I've been waiting for you," he said, dragging me along. "Follow me, I'm going to propose."

I followed him to the Guardian canteen but I did not see any lady he was about to propose to. He kept buying drinks until very late in the night without making the announced proposal.

I came back to the office the very next morning only to see Ashikiwe in an even more breathtaking suit with an elegant white lady, a Dane, as his companion. There was no need for words. We had a very silent launch thereafter before he departed with the eversmiling lady.

Martina Angibiku, Mothers’ Day and faith

By Lawrence S. Anyembugu Bongas Ikwe, one of the nation’s unforgettable music icons, was catapulted to universal fame largely on account of his evergreen song, SWEET MOTHER. And oh, what a sweet song! “Sweet mother, I no go forget you,” goes the song, “For the suffer wey you dey suffer for me.”

It continues: “My mother when I dey hungry, she go run up and down; she go find me something wey I go chop…. Sweet mother, ohh….

Sweet mother, ooh…” And on and on it goes, pulling at our heart’s strings, even as it pays tribute to one of the greatest creatures on earth: our one and only mother.

As the whole world celebrated this year’s edition of Mother’s Day recently, it goes without saying that hundreds, nay thousands, across Nigeria must have muttered “sweet mother” over and over again. The reason is quite simple: Mothers are indeed truly, veritably sweet. Right from the cradle, the typical mother would sacrifice everything for her child’s sake, running up and down from dawn to dusk in a titanic bid to satisfy her child’s needs.

For most of us (men and woman alike) one of our most enduring childhood memories is the spectacle of you-knowwho fussing over us, pampering us, and generally “spoiling” us in diverse ways.

And so it was with me. My own childhood memories are

particularly enduring given that I had lost my Dad at a very tender age. And it so happened that my widowed mother, Mrs. Martina Angibiku Anyembugu of blessed memory, had little or no choice than to take over the responsibility of raising me, virtually from the cradle.

Indeed, over there at Wakama in Nasarawa Eggon LGA of Nasarawa State, Mrs Martina Anyembugu has assumed the status of a heroine of sorts, largely on account of her faith, industry, resourcefulness, and never-say-die spirit.

After all, the average woman in the village (who is barely educated) would rather resign herself to fate as soon as tragedy (such a loss of her husband) strikes. But not Martina Anyebugu. Rather than give up, rather than resign herself to fate, she resolved to forge ahead against every odd. Instead of

succumbing to self-pity, she girded her loins, rolled up her sleeve, and, spurred by determination and faith, kept marching forward tigerishly, irrespective of the challenges confronting her.

One of the awe – inspiring qualities of a typical mother is that if she sets her mind and heart on providing for her offsprings, nothing would stop her. Consider, for example, how some women deny themselves of various things and/or sell their possessions (jewelry, clothes, etc) in order to feed or educate their kids. Yes; a typical mother would rather starve or even go to jail than let her children endure the pangs of hunger and illiteracy.

As if all these challenges were not intimidating enough the moment now came when my old woman had to “sacrifice” her only son to the vocation called priest-hood.

Here you are, a widow who had earnestly looked forward

“

How can I ever forget this sweet, angelic woman? How can I ever forget her suffering, sacrifices, self-denials and boundless affection? How can I forget the tears of sadness she shed whenever I was enduring some travails, and the tears of joy she shed whenever her boy conjured any triumph?

to being blessed with a grandson by your one and only son. Yet this same son is now telling you that he had decided to become a priest.

Meaning that he would never marry, let alone bear children.

Not unexpectedly, my mother resisted this move with as much vigour as she could muster. To many people in Nasrawa Eggon at least in those days, this was more or less like madness. Priesthood!

Celibacy! The ultimate selfdenial or self-sacrifice! A reallife version of the Biblical injunction that he who would follow the Lord should carry his own cross. Why would this young man, Lawrence Soja Anyembugu, not only carry a cross, but carry such a particularly “cumbersome” cross (at least as most people saw it).

Well, to shorten a long tale, the gathering storm eventually passed away when mother, in a manner of speaking, “saw the light”.

Though it wasn’t easy for her to come to terms with the reality of “losing” her son to a somewhat peculiar vocation, she eventually did just that.

Not only that, mother went the extra mile with a view to ensuring that my training as a priest went as smoothly as humanly possible.

One can, therefore, imagine the level of sadness that encompassed yours sincerely when the unexpected happened: shortly before my ordination as a priest five years ago, death

plucked away mother in the prime of her life. Death, oh cruel death! It struck at dawn, just before the poor woman could witness one of the biggest moments in the life of her dear son; the son in whom she had “invested” so much hope, courage, faith, love, and persistence.

“Sweet mother, I no go forget you, for the suffer wey you dey suffer for me…..”

How can I ever forget this sweet, angelic woman? How can I ever forget her suffering, sacrifices, selfdenials and boundless affection? How can I forget the tears of sadness she shed whenever I was enduring some travails, and the tears of joy she shed whenever her boy conjured any triumph?

How can I ever forget you, Mrs. Martina Angibiku Anyembugu?

As it was with that indomitable, selfless and exemplary woman, so it is with a multitude of others out there and beyond. Look around you, dear compatriot, and you would see millions of sweet mothers doing what they alone do best: taking special care of their children, nurturing us from the cradle to adulthood. God bless our mothers. And may we have the grace to appreciate our sweet mothers- dead or aliveall our life; not just on Mothers’ Day. Amen. *Rev. Fr Anyembugu is the parish priest of St. Sylvester Cath. Church, New Nyanya, Nasarawa State.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

By John Cardinal Onaiyekan

T

here is a well known saying which goes like this:”God always forgives, human beings sometimes forgive, nature never forgives”. This statement is an expression the fact that the issue of forgiveness is quite complex and not so straight-forward as it may appear to be. In this message I intend to talk about the mercy of God and human pardon. I leave for a different forum the discussion on nature and its implacable laws. All that we need to say in this regard is that we can never consistently go against the law of nature and expect to go scot free. This is a lesson which modern science must learn as it delves into ever new areas of life. Similarly, contemporary democratic developments must take the natural law into serious account: man must not presume to approve and “legalize” what God has condemned in the natural law. Current cases in point are the debate over the legalization of abortion and same sex unions.

In this message, I wish to reflect on the issue of God’s mercy and human pardon, especially in the light of two recent news items which have raised considerable debate in our land. The first is the call for amnesty for Boko Haram terrorists allegedly made by His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar. The second is the announcement by President Goodluck Jonathan of a presidential pardon to certain high level convicted persons, in particular, the case of the former Governor of Bayelsa State. That the discussion has been rather chaotic is largely due to the fact that there is little or no clarity in the terms of the debate. I believe therefore that we need to carefully analyze the issues at stake.

Pardon, forgiveness, amnesty: these are beautiful concepts. It is often said that “to

By Leo Igwe

A

few years ago I met a man in Ghana who claimed to be a traditional African religionist. He was putting on some exotic costumes- some multi colored clothing and beads, holding some bits and pieces of ritual making tools. He was pretending to have some supernatural powers, and to be communicating with invisible forces. In the course of our conversation, he asked me the religion which I belonged to and I said that I had no religion, that I was an atheist. And he quickly retorted. Are you not an African?

For this man, being an African means that I must profess a religion willy nilly. I must profess belief in god even when according to LaPlace, I find no need for that hypothesis.

I guess this could happen to a black atheist person anywhere in the world. When one introduces oneself as a non believer, there is a tendency that some people would ask- “Do you really mean it?”

“Why?”, “What happened?”, “Are you not a black person?”. People query you and make it seem as if you are a black person and an atheist, you are not truly black or your blackness has been corrupted. As a black person, one is expected to be religious or theistic, to belong to one theistic group or the other. Professing no religion-being an atheist, agnostic, skeptic or freethinker is ‘imitating white and western

PAGE 15

A tale of different pardons (I) err is human, to forgive is divine”. Pardon, forgiveness and amnesty belong to the divine. Of course God is just but he is also merciful. It is precisely through the Omnipotence of God that He can reconcile His justice with His mercy. The Old Testament says clearly that God shows His almighty power above all by his mercy, offering a forgiveness that wipes out our offences as if they never took place. Only God can do this. It is also a basic tenet of the New Testament and of our Christian faith that we worship a God that is a God of mercy. I understand too that in Islam, the mercy of God is a most important aspect of His qualities and appelatives.

God’s mercy however, is not without condition. Normally God forgives whoever is

moment he realized that he had made a big full of himself and decided to go back to beg his father for forgiveness, “I have sinned against heaven and against you, I do not deserve to be called your son”. (Lk 15:21) That was what he said when he met his father, who however, immediately embraced him and welcomed him fully into the family household.

The forgiveness from God also entails that we make up our minds not to sin any more. The story of the woman caught in adultery in the Gospel is instructive in this regard. (Jn 8:3-11) After all her accusers had gone because none of them had the moral credential to accuse her, Jesus who could have condemned her said, “Neither do I condemn you, go

“

What about human pardon? This is highly recommended, in imitation of God’s own virtues of forgiveness but also in consideration of our own indebtedness not only to God himself but to one another.

This is clearly spelt out in the famous Lord’s Prayer, the “Our Father” repentant. Repentance includes the commitment not to repeat the offence, as well as a readiness to amend the havoc caused by our bad behavior. This is very clear in the New Testament. The prodigal son whose story is well known, (Lk 15:11-32) was forgiven by his father the

and sin no more”. (Jn 8:11) Yes, go and sin no more! While Jesus was very lavish with his mercy for this woman, he also demanded of her that she should not continue in her sinful ways.

As regards restitution and amendment, we have the story of the call of the tax collector,

Zaccheus. (Lk 19:1-10) As soon as he repented, he promised: “If I have cheated anybody, I will pay him back four times the amount.” (Lk 19:8) To continue to wallow in our sins, claiming forgiveness of God because of his mercy is tempting God and running grave spiritual danger. Under the right conditions, God’s gate of mercy is always open. The Psalmist tells us that our God is “slow to anger and rich in mercy”. (Ps 145:8) There are no limits to the number of times that God can forgive us. Our new Pope Francis referred to this in his first Sunday Angelus to the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s square.

He reminds us that God is always ready to forgive our sins, never tired of forgiving us.

Therefore, we, he says must not be tired of asking for forgiveness.

What about human pardon?

This is highly recommended, in imitation of God’s own virtues of forgiveness but also in consideration of our own indebtedness not only to God himself but to one another. This is clearly spelt out in the famous Lord’s Prayer, the “Our Father”, where we ask God to “forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us”. (Lk 11:2-4) It is as if we are giving God himself a condition to forgive us namely that he should forgive us only if and to the extent that we forgive those who sin against us. The seriousness of this commitment is perhaps not well appreciated by many who recite the Lord’s Prayer so often. Christ further teaches this in the parable of the unforgiving servant, who after receiving a most generous pardon from his master, refuses to forgive a minor debt owed to him by a fellow servant. (Mt 18:23-35) Jesus teaches this in very clear terms when he says:

“If you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.” (Mt 6:15) As human beings, we have to pardon whoever comes to us repentant. Pardon wins us friends. The alternative of pardon is to seek revenge. But unfortunately, revenge does not cancel our hurt; it rather increases enmity. That is why even the non-repentant should be forgiven. Someone once said: “If you think forgiveness does not work, try revenge”! Even from point of view of the dynamics of human relations, revenge can only try to create a balance of injuries and anger, while pardon neutralizes the venom of hatred and builds friendship and harmony. It is also in line with the supreme example of Jesus, who on the cross prayed for his murderers; “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing”.

(Lk 23:34) In other words, we must try to find excuse for those who hurt us. Perhaps they are acting out of ignorance or error of judgment.

Of course we have a right to seek justice and to claim our rights when we are injured. But to pursue vengeance is quite another thing, because vengeance deepens and doubles the hurt. God himself says: “Vengeance is mine. I will repay”. (Dt. 32:35-36) We know that this is easier said than done, especially in cases of grave injury which calls for redress in one form or the other; whether by just punishment or by seeking vengeance. But there is a limit to the redress that we can obtain for grave injury done to us. Have can one adequate redress for the life of a dear one taken in cold blood? Killing the murderer will not bring back the dead. At the end of the day, the full balance can only be restored through an element of gratuitous forgiveness.

Cardinal Onaiyekan is the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja.

Atheism In black communities people’.

But right now things are changing, things are slowly beginning to change.

We find ourselves at an exciting moment in the history of free-thought in black communities world wide. In Africa and the United States, black non theists are coming out.

Atheists, agnostics and freethinkers in black communities are beginning to organize. They are making their voices heard. Even though the situation remains dangerous particularly for atheists from evangelical, Pentecostal christian families or muslim communities, many freethinking black people are leaving the closets and going open and public with their freethought. There is a growing visibility of black people who are godless and proud. I hope other closeted atheists, skeptics and freethinkers in other parts of the world would emulate this initiative and join efforts with us in dispelling the forces of the dark age ravaging our communities and in working to realize a cultural renaissance.

In black communities non theists still face so many challenges. Many atheists feel lonely and alone. They yearn for safe spaces where they can come

out and express themselves as atheists, and exercise their full human rights as human beings and contribute to the growth and development of their societies. But they cannot find such spaces.

Atheists are denied their freedoms as a matter of norm, law, tradition, policy or piety.

In many black communities around the world, atheists cannot meet or identify themselves publicly as atheists. Those who institionalized theism made atheism a thought crime for a purpose- in order to maintain theocratic tyranny in the world.

Those who organized theism in form of religion made atheism a scary, frightening and horrible idea in order to perpetuate religious superstitions and ensure that the fallacies, delusions and pretensions of theism go unchallenged. Theistic teachings are treated as dogmas and as divinely revealed. Questioning them is an act of blasphemy, which is a crime publishable by death in many countries. Making mockery of religion’s sometimes laughable claims is a capital offense.

Theists made atheism ‘the Forbidden Fruit’ and command the faithful not to eat it less they die. And in many parts of the world there are self styled soldiers,

militants of god or allah who are ready to spill the blood of any real or imagined ‘infidels’ at the slightest provocation. These divine mercenaries leverage on a faith system that treats them as saints, not scoundrels, as heroes not bloodthirsty criminals, as ‘normal and healthy’ human beings not psychopaths. These religious bloodletters are motivated and mobilized by their theocratic backers and funders in this world and a god that promises them postmortem rewards in paradise.

Theistic regimes use force and intimidation because they know theism rests on a weak foundation and is based on flimsy evidence and therefore cannot withstand any serious challenge or critical scrutiny. They know that many theistic claims are absurd and can get intelligent and thoughtful people to draw up cartoons or make caricature of them. They know that it is only in a situation where atheism is a taboo that theistic nonsense and absurdities could thrive and flourish. A statement credited to a Sunni muslim leader, Yusuf Qardawi says ‘If we didn’t kill the apostates, Islam wouldn’t exist today.’

And why should Islam or any

religion need the blood of apostates or infidels to remain in existence. What should keep Islam or any religion in existence is not the killing of non believers but the validity and veracity of its claims, the persuasive nature of its teachings and the force of its examples not its bloodshed, not fear, not fatwa. A true claim does not need violence to prove or to preserve itself. The force of logic, fact or evidence does not need the force of arms to exist. It is error not truth that shrinks from critical examination or inquiry. It is only a lie or falsehood being foisted on people as truth that can be kept in existence by force.

If there were a God there would have been no crusades or inquisition. If there were truly an Allah there would have been no need for a jihad or sharia law, no sharia courts, sharia police. etc Allah doesn’t need anybody to defend him/her; Allah does not need anyone to fight for it or its cause. If there were a God there would have been no religion, there would be no popes or bishops, priests, prophets or divine messengers, no sheikhs, mullahs, ayatollahs, or imams. Theistic establishments are aware that their emperor has no clothes, though they insist he has.

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

AGIS staff adequately trained in ICT, says Jalo

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he Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) staff have been adequately trained for effective use of ICT, Mr Isa Jalo, former Director of the agency, said.

Jalo, who stated this at the handover to the new Director, Mrs Jemila Tangaza, in Abuja, said the training was conducted locally and abroad.

“We have trained staff both locally and internationally on how to handle Agis ICT equipment and also introduced web –based geographic information system,’’ he said.

Jalo said that AGIS had also succeeded in ending activities of touts who used to hang around its premises, obstructing the agency’s work.

The outgoing director said that AGIS was also able to boost its Internally- Generated Revenue (IGR) substantially since 2010 through concerted efforts by the staff.

“We are all going to work together to double AGIS - IGR, and incentive will be used to encourage staff to realise this mission.’’

Tangaza said that networking with AGIS staff, FCTA and consumers would be the most priority tools to achieve the best service delivery for AGIS. It will be recalled that FCT Minister Bala Mohammed recently approved the immediate redeployment of some management staff for effective service delivery.

Tangaza, formerly, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Information Management Systems, was moved head AGIS, while Jalo was moved to the FCT Archives and History Bureau as Director.

Mr Charles Irodi Nnodim of FCT Archives and History Bureau was posted to Health and Human Services Secretariat as Director of Admin & Finance.

The minister also approved the appointment of Mrs Aishatu Adebayo as the acting Director of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).

She was, until her appointment, a Deputy Director in AEPB. (NAN)

Mobile food vendors taking care of their clients yesterday in Garki II, Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Tangaza vows to re-double revenue accruing to FCTA through AGIS

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) accruing to the FCT Administration through the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) will be redoubled to justify Government’s investment in the Agency, the new Director of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems, Hajiya Jamilah Tangaza has assured.

She gave the assurance while officially taking over the mantle of leadership of the organization on Wednesday at its headquarters along Peace Drive, Central Business District, Abuja.

The new Director remarked that her tenure will witness new

partnerships and collaboration that will further increase revenue coming into the coffers of the FCT Administration to help the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (CON) provide more infrastructure and services to the residents of the Federal Capital Territory in tune with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Hajiya Tangaza reiterated that in order to realize this, utmost attention would be given to capacity building on the part of the staff for increased productivity.

She emphasized that her tenure will build on the lofty policies and programmes of her predecessors to improve the services of AGIS to all Nigerians and particularly the residents of

the Federal Capital Territory.

The new Director called for closer cooperation from all the staff; stressing that she will carry everybody along in her quest to achieve the mandate given to her by the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed.

Hajiya Tangaza said that the core idea of the setting up of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems would be vigorously pursued to achieve the goals of the founding fathers of Abuja.

Speaking earlier, the former Director of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems who is now at the FCT Archives and History Bureau, Dr. Isa Jalo recalled that his tenure was able to execute the Presidential directive for FCT Administration to take over AGIS II Contract from Julius Berger in

December 2010.

According to him, AGIS under him has been able to secure financial transaction through full automation of revenue collection and management systems.

His words: “We successfully designed, developed and implemented secure electronic payment solutions involving eight revenue collection banks”.

It would be recalled that the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed on Wednesday March 27, 2013 commenced the first phase of repositioning of the FCT Administration, through the redeployment of some staff which according to him is for improved service delivery to the residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

FCT residents urge Area Councils chairmen to pay attention to drain blockage

S

ome residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have called on the Area council’s chairmen to pay adequate attention to drain blockage in their areas, especially as the raining season sets in.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews, some residents said that as the rains set in, anything that could cause flooding should be avoided.

Mr. Onyema Nnamdi, a Building Engineer, believes that when there is proper town planning and provision for proper drainage, flood can be averted.

“I think people should also learn

to keep the drains free from blockage to avoid disruptions of free flow of water.

“Can you imagine that people dump refuse into drains while the rain is on and the water would likely carry the refuse to other places, even places which ordinarily are kept clean. “ The area councils should step up effort to keep the city clean because Abuja Environment Protection Board seems to be overwhelmed, “ Nnamdi said.

Another resident, Mrs Oke Idowu, a health worker, lamented the behaviour of some residents who refused to acknowledge that keeping the environment clean

should start from homes. “ The issue of environmental sanitation is unfortunately an issue that even the government seems reluctant to tackle. “ I am saying this because area councils here do not even show up a bit in this war to keep our environment clean; there should be serous enforcement of environmental laws. “ My fear is as the rains approach many drains are still blocked, many residents still dump refuse into drains and everywhere is beginning to pile up with refuse after rain,“ Idowu said.

For Abdullahai Sule, a Psychologist, the issue of keeping the

environment clean is the issue of making life worth living. “ It looks disgusting to see us dump refuse indiscriminately without remorse and that goes a long way to tell how corrupt we are inward. “ It goes to tell how everyone is left to carter for himself; maybe a little enforcement by the area councils may strengthen the work which Abuja Environmental Protection Board is doing.

“I think people should be taught how to keep their environment clean especially during the raining season which is already here.

According to the Head (Deputy Director), Environmental Health

and safety of Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Mr Uche Agbanusi, people refuse to abide by environmental regulations as well as know what is hazardous to their health.

“The Board’s Act of 1997 states that the owner, caretaker or occupier of any tenement within the Territory shall ensure that drains running through or by his tenement are kept free from blockage. “ The problem is that people refuse to adhere to rules. Even when their environmental bad habit is detrimental to their health, they don’t just care,” Agbanusi said. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

INSIDE FCT COURTS Man bags 14 days imprisonment for stealing phone in Mosque

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n Abuja Magistrates Court has sentenced 26year-old Rabiu Aliyu to 14 days imprisonment for stealing a mobile phone in a Mosque.

The Magistrate, Mr Zubairu Mohammed, who sentenced the convict, gave him an option to pay N3,000 fine.

Mohammed said cases of theft were becoming rampant in the society and so the convict must be punished to serve as deterrent to others.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Mr Simon Emmanuel, had told the court that Salisu Sani of Kado Village, Abuja, reported the case at the Life Camp Police Station on March 27.

Emmanuel said that the convict, of Unguwar Cement Village, Life Camp, Abuja, stole the phone, valued at N5,000, from the complainant in the mosque on March 25.

He said that after the complainant had finished praying in the mosque, he fell asleep with his phone beside him while the convict quitely took it and went away.

The prosecutor added that when the complainant later woke up, he discovered that the phone was stolen.

He said that the accused had confessed to committing the offence during investigation, but said he had sold it to an unknown person, an offence against the provisions of Section 288 of the Penal Code.

Section 288 states that “whoever commits theft in or from any building, tent or vessel used as a human dwelling shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or with fine or with both.

The convict had pleaded guilty when the one-count charge was read to him and begged the court for leniency.(NAN)

Two herbalists docked over alleged N5m fraud T

wo men who claimed to be herbalists were docked before a Wuse Zone Two Senior Magistrates Court over an alleged fraud of five million naira.

The men are Usman Gbadegesin, 37, of Zaria Road in Kaduna and Wasiu Ayinde, 28, of Jabi in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused persons are standing trial on a twocount charge of joint act and cheating.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr

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Abdullahi Alhassan, told the court that one Martins Femi of Maitama in Abuja reported the matter at the Mabushi Divisional Police Headquarters on March 28.

Alhassan said the accused persons and two others who are currently at large conspired to defraud Femi of five million naira.

He said the accused persons presented themselves as herbalists to Femi after he complained he was suffering from an ailment.

Alhassan said that the

Yam sellers along Airport road Abuja patiently waiting for buyers.

accused also promised to print foreign currency for Femi and in the process, collected five million naira from him.

The prosecutor said that Femi later discovered that the accused persons had deceived him, adding that the offences contravened sections 79 and 322 of the Penal Code.

Section 79 stipulates that “when criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all, each of such persons is liable for that

Photo: Mahmud Isa

act in the same manner as if it were done by him alone’’.

Also, Section 322 states that “whoever cheats shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or a fine, or both’’.

However, Gbadegesin and Ayinde pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them.

The Counsel to the accused persons, Mr Gabriel Egbule, prayed the court to grant his clients bail.

Egbule said his clients would not jump bail if granted bail and that they would not interfere with investigation into the matter.

He said he was making the request because an accused person was presumed innocent until proven guilty as stipulated in Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution.

Egbule also urged the court to grant his clients bail on liberal terms.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mr Chukwuemeka Ubani, granted bail to each of the accused persons in the sum of N200,000 with a surety each in like sum.

Ubani said the sureties should be civil servants in positions not lower than Grade Level 7.

He said the original copies of the surety’s appointment and last promotion letters must be presented before the court for sighting.

Ubani added that the copies of the letters and a copy of the surety’s bank statement for the March salary should be deposited before the court.

He adjourned the matter to April 16, 2013 for further hearing.(NAN)

Travel agent arraigned over alleged fraud

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he police have arraigned a travel agent, Yusuf Hassan, 33, of Maitama in Abuja, before a Wuse Zone Two Senior Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding one Mr Akor Otobo.

The Prosecutor, Mr Francis

Landlord charged with theft of tenant’s building materials landlord, Aghagha Godspower, 57, has been arraigned at the Karu Senior Magistrates Court, Abuja for alleged theft of building materials belonging to his tenant The Prosecutor, Cpl. Umar Mohammed, told the court that Godspower, of Plot 66B Gidan Mangoro in the FCT, stole the materials at a building site belonging to his tenant, Isagh Anslem on Aug. 8, 2011.

Mohamnmed said the materials include five bags of cement, half a tipper trip of sand and two drums filled with water.

Others are 50 blocks and three wheel barrows filled with gravel.

PAGE 17

“Godspower stopped Anslem’s workers who have received their full payment for the work to be done at the site,” he said.

Mohammed also told the court that the offence contravened Section 288 of the Penal Code.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Senior Magistrate, Mrs Ann Akobi, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200,000 and a surety in like sum.

Akobi said the surety must have a means of livelihood and reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

She adjourned the case to April 23, 2013 for hearing. (NAN)

Tanko, told the court that Otobo of Diplomat Travelling and Tours Agency in Wuse 2, reported the matter at the Wuse Police Station on March 30.

Tanko alleged that Hassan fraudulently collected a flight ticket worth N56,000 from Otobo on behalf of one Mr Mohammed Isah, a member of the House of Representatives.

“Hassan also collected another ticket worth N1.08 million from the agency for the same person,’’ he said.

Tanko said that Hassan collected the tickets with the pretence of remitting the money to the agency’s account only to go on to convert the money to his personal use.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 312, 322 and 309 of the Penal Code.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 312 states that “Whoever commits criminal breach of trust shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or a fine, or both’’.

Section 322 of the code stipulates also that “whoever cheats shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or a fine, or both’’.

Also, Section 309 states that “whoever commits criminal misappropriation shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or a fine, or both’’.

Hassan, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, while his Counsel, Mr Suleiman Yahaya, prayed the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms.

Yahaya said his client would not jump bail or tamper with police investigations, adding also that his client would provide reasonable surety to take him on bail.

He hinged his plea on the submission that his client was presumed innocent until proven otherwise, as stipulated in Section 36 (5) of the Nigerian Constitution.

The prosecutor, however, opposed bail for the accused, pointing out that Hassan had a similar matter pending before another court.

He said the accused would jump bail if granted bail and was likely to commit another offence.

“This offence he is now standing trial for was committed while he was enjoying bail on the previous matter,’’ Tanko said.

The prosecutor added that the offence for which the accused was standing trial for was not ordinarily bailable.

On his part, Yahaya argued that the previous matter which his client had was not similar to the present case and that he did not jump bail.

He urged the court to use its discretion in granting bail to his client.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mr Christopher Oba, however, granted bail to the accused in the sum of two million naira with a surety in like sum.

Oba said the surety should be a civil servant of not less than grade level 10 or anybody who owned a property within the FCT. He ordered that the prosecutor must present all his witnesses in court on the next adjourned date of April 4, 2013. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

PAGE 18

NURTW member jailed for stealing

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Grade 2 Area Court in Kado, Abuja, yesterday sentenced a member of the National Union of Road Transport Worker (NURTW) in the FCT, Nasiru Ya’u, 21 to two months imprisonment for theft.

Police prosecutor Simon

Ibrahim had told the court that D.S.P. Bala Kaura of Kano State Police Command reported the matter at the Utako Police Station on March 30.

He said the accused stole the complainant’s bag containing some stationeries

and clothes, and that during investigation the items were recovered from the accused.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of section 287 of the Penal Code.

Section 287 states that, “whoever commits theft shall

Fish sellers, along old Airport Junction in Abuja.

be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or both.’’

The accused pleaded guilty to the charge. (NAN) The Judge, Ahmed Ado, however, gave the convict an option to pay N1,500 fine.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Church doles out items to inmates, orphanage homes, others in Kubwa

By Adeola Tukuru

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he Dunamis International Gospel Centre Phase 4, Kubwa, Mr Micheal Ajogba has distributed items to inmates in Police Area Kubwa, patients in General Hospital and two orphanages homes , Ark of Refuge and Kubwa Divine Orphanage Home, as part of its activities to

mark the Easter celebrations.

The Pastor ,Mr Micheal Ajogba urged Christians to demonstrate the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ and pray for peace in the country as faithful ambassadors of Christ.

Pastor Ajogba enjoined Christians to live exemplary lives as the salt of the earth stressing that Jesus has given them his

glory, beauty, joy and dignity.

He reminded believers that their redemption from sin was an expensive one having been purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. He admonished them not to take the sacrifice of Jesus at the cross of Calvary for granted.

Pastor Ajogba explained that Jesus did not rise from the dead

for show; he collected the keys of hell with the power to save those who believe in him. He urged Christians to make use of the resurrection power to save sinners from hell and deliver those oppressed by the devil.

Items distributed were the church’s devotionals, Seed of Destiny, Bibles, foodstuff, beverages and toiletries.

Abuja fast food operators want Nigerians to patronise indigenous foods

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ome fast food operators in the FCT called on stakeholders in the hospitality industry to encourage the consumption of indigenous meals over continental dishes.

The Marketing Manager of Chicken-n-Side, Wuse 2, Abuja ,Mr Fujah Ahmed, said the country was on the verge of losing all its cultural foods to foreign foods because of imitation.

“Apart from few staples of Nigerian delicacies found in few eateries, majority of meals served

are mostly food from foreign countries,” he said.

The manager said that food had great influence and effect on the way of life of the people as well as on the economy.

Ahmed said that the rate in which the country was losing its cultural values, particularly its food culture to foreign dishes, was disturbing.

Another operator, Mr Oyaniyi Ayodeji, who is a Marketing Executive at Drum Stick,Wuse 2,Abuja noted that most Nigerian

dishes were more natural than continental dishes.

He said that eating indigenous food could help reduce healthrelated hazards.

Ayodeji argued that although both local and foreign dishes were good, it was important for Nigerians not to throw away their culture.

“Indigenous food could be used to promote the country’s culture to the rest of the world.”

He stressed the need for Nigerians to imbibe the habit of

eating balanced diets for healthy living.

Also, Mr Stephen Ajanu, Assistant Manager at Chicken Republic, said that most Nigerian delicacies were not given consideration when it came to commercialisation.

He said that eating home-grown foods was a great way of celebrating the uniqueness of a culture.

Ajanu, however, suggested that a law enacted to compel every eatery to serve indigenous dishes first in their daily menu. (NAN)

Agric Secretariat tasks famers on GES registration

By Adeola Tukuru

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o ensure that they have direct access to farming inputs, the Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mrs. Olvadi Bema Madayi has urged farmers in the Federal Capital Territory to come out en-masse and register in the ongoing Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme data capturing exercise for farmers.

Madayi explained that the essence of this exercise is to ensure that real farmers both subsistence and commercial farmers have direct access to farming inputs like fertilizers, improved seeds and seedlings, implements and modern farming information techniques.

She emphasized that the exercise will equally help the Secretariat to adequately come out with effective, comprehensive and workable plans for the distribution of these farming inputs for the benefit of the farmers.

“To key into the drive by the Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda to transform agriculture into a commercial venture which will steadily lead to economic empowerment of the farmers, there is need to capture a comprehensive data of farmers and farming families residing in the Territory so as to take adequate care of them,” Madayi stressed.

The Secretary called on the traditional rulers and chiefs across the Territory to sensitize their subjects to turn out in large numbers and register in their various wards as those not captured may find it difficult accessing farm inputs during farming season.

However, she expressed satisfaction on the level of cooperation so far received from FCT farmers ever since she became the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat.

She also used the occasion to thank the FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed and FCT minister of state, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, as well as the National Assembly members and staff of Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat for their support and presence during her recent installation as the Tikulti Bachama kingdom by His Majesty, Hama Bachama, Homum Honest Stephen (Kwire Mana Kpafrato11) in Lamurde in Adamawa state.

It would be recalled that the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme registration exercise is targeted at capturing data of about 80,000 to 100,000 farmers before the closing date.

So far, about 53,400 farmers have been registered in various wards across the six Area Councils in the Territory.

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

Mob: 08033644990

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

FG, Turkey targets N89.6tr bilateral trade

Nigerian banks to see increased loan losses - S&P

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igerian banks may report increased loan losses from next year amid growth in lending, according to Standard & Poor’s (S&P).

Banks in the country are expected to see loans and deposits rise 20 percent to 30 percent this year helped by foreign exchange and non-oil industry lending, said Matthew Pirnie, a Johannesburgbased analyst at S&P. Lenders had “muted” credit growth last year of about 12 percent as they pushed down ratios of non-performing loans, he said.

Nigerian banks are returning to health after a debt crisis in 2008 and 2009 triggered by loans given to stock market speculators.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), led by Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, fired eight chief executives of the country’s 24 banks and the government set up the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), to buy the debts and stabilise the banking industry.

“We expect increased losses in 2014 to 2015,” Pirnie said in an e-mailed reply to questions yesterday. “We tend to see quite short credit cycles in Nigeria.”

S&P rates six of the nation’s banks, which reported higher profits and loan growth last year.

The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee left the key rate at 12 percent for a ninth meeting on March 19 to help bolster the naira and keep inflation below 10 percent. Policy makers have so far rejected calls from businesses and the government to lower borrowing costs.

Nigeria will probably see further acquisitions as AMCON plans to sell three nationalised lenders and as overseas banks look to enter the country’s market, Pirnie said. (Reuters)

L-R: Acting Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Alhaji Kabiru Mashi , Director of Research, National Institute of Advance Legal Studies ( NAILS), Professor Dakas J. Dakas and Coordinating Director Support Service Group of FIRS, Mr. Osy Chuke , at a Stakeholder's Sensitization Workshop on “Developing an Effective presumptive Tax Regime for Nigeria”, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

20 illegal mining activities in Benue, says Ministry

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t least, there are 20 illegal mining sites operating in Benue, according to Mr. Shianode Aarga, the Director, Mining and Solid Minerals, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

Aarga told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Makurdi that activities were pronounced in Logo, Guma, Gboko, Kwande and Ushongo Local Government Areas.

According to him more than 10 illegal sites are located in Logo, where granite, core, natural gas, limestone, barite, zinc, gypsum are mined.

He said that the state government could not take action against the operators because mineral exploration is the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government.

More than 15 brands of mineral deposits in commercial quantities abound in the state, he said..

The director blamed the ministry’s inability to ascertain the quality and quantity of the minerals on paucity of funds and personnel, adding that the ministry needed N200 million to purchase equipment. (NAN)

GT Bank’s 2012 profit jumps, as trillion naira. loans grow Guaranty Trust Bank

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uaranty Trust Bank Plc, Nigeria’s largest lender by market value, said full-year profit jumped 69 percent as loans and deposits grew.

Profit, after tax and income from discontinued operations, rose to 87.2 billion naira ($550 million) through December from 51.7 billion naira a year earlier, the Lagos-based lender said in a statement today on the website of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Revenue advanced 22 percent to 221.9 billion naira as loans and advances increased 11 percent to 783.9 billion naira.

Deposits grew 10 percent to 1.17

planned to grow its loan book 15 percent in 2012 and achieve a return on equity of 25 percent, Chief Executive Officer Segun Agbaje said in March last year.

The bank said at the time it would expand to as many as seven African countries within the next five years.

The bank’s shares were up 5.2 percent to 27.45 naira at the close in commercial capital, Lagos, the highest on record.

Guaranty Trust has advanced 19 percent this year compared with the 25 percent gain of the Bloomberg NSE Banking Index (NGSEB10), including the top 10 banks by market value.

(Bloomberg)

‘Nigeria’s genset market to reach N152.1bn by 2020’

By Aminu Imam with agency report

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igeria, the largest market for diesel and gas generator sets in Africa, is forecast to see growth rates of 8.7 percent propelling up market volume from $450 million ( N72 billion) in 2011, to reach $950.7 million (N152.1 billion) by 2020.

“Sustained growth is driven by increasing electricity consumption, which has been growing at 8 percent per annum over recent years, and the inability of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to supply adequate power to meet demand,” a GBI Research energy analyst, Aman Madhok told UKbased Gas to Power Journal.

The Nigerian genset market is mainly driven by imports from other countries such as China and the UK.

“The Nigerian market provides considerable opportunities for genset manufacturers, with good growth recorded between 2006 and 2011, although it experienced a slight decline in 2009 after reaching a peak of $411.8m in 2008,” he added.

In 2007, only around 15 of the

79 power stations in Nigeria were fully functioning. Most were built in the 1970s and 1980s.

Given the current state in Nigeria of power generation and the power transmission and distribution network, along with the economic growth in the country, GBI Research expects genset market revenues to grow

at a CAGR of 8.7 percent over the forecast period to reach $950.7m by 2020.

Abundance of gas supply at low price drives use of gas gensets. Low gas prices and an abundance of available gas are two major drivers for gas gensets in Nigeria. However, a lack of adequate gas infrastructure in

Management Tip of the Day

G

Strike the right tone in your writing

etting tone right takes work- but it’s critical to the success of your business documents. If you sound likable and professional, people will want to work with you and respond to you. If you come off as hyperformal, condescending, or sarcastic, people won’t.

Find the right tone by writing your message as if you were speaking to the recipient in person. Refer to people by name, use personal pronouns as you naturally would, and shun fancy substitutes for everyday words.

Always use a friendly tone in

composing your messages, even if the content isn’t positive. You’ll get better responses from your recipients and keep yourself — and your company — out of trouble.

Source: Business Review

Harvard

the country acts as a major hindrance for gas gensets in Nigeria.

“The extent of market growth for gas gensets in Nigeria depends upon the timely implementation of a gas infrastructure in the country,” Madhok suggested.

Although the use of gas generators is on the rise, the Nigerian genset market is still dominated by diesel generators.

“Gas generators currently contribute only a fraction of market revenues,” he said.

Nigeria’s genset market grew at a cumulative annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6 percent between 2006 and 2011, reaching $450 million, despite experiencing a slight decline in 2009 due to the global economic recession. Growth of the market, however, improved in 2010 and 2011.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS

Samsung

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outh Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries said yesterday it had won a $900 million (N 144 bn) order to build four gas container ships for Nigeria’s Bonny Gas Transport.

Under the deal with the shipping unit of Nigeria LNG, Samsung will begin delivering the four liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers to the African nation in 2015, Samsung said in a statement.

Samsung — the world’s second-largest shipyard — has won orders worth $2.1 billion so far this year including the latest deal, after setting an annual target of $13 billion for the entire 2013.

FG, Turkey targets N89.6tr bi-lateral trade From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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igeria and Turkey will hit bilateral trade volume of $560 billion (N89.6 trillion) in the coming years, the Turkish government has disclosed.

The Deputy Minister of Economy of Turkey, Mustafa Server, made the disclosure at the ongoing ECOWAS-Turkish export products fair holding at the New Exhibition Centre in Eko Hotel, Lagos.

The Turkish Minister explained that his country, which currently boasts of an $800 billion economy and ranked 18th in the world, would

contribute $390 billion, while Nigeria, a rising economy in the world would contribute the balance $170 billion of the projected trade volume of the two nations.

Server noted that already, a significant trade growth is currently occurring between the two countries with the figures rising from a $290 million trade volume in 2003 to around $1.56 billion in 2012.

Explaining that the capacity to meet the optimistic trade growth potential of the two countries exists within them, Server stressed that Turkey, currently growing at an average of 8.5 per cent per annum, and

Nigeria, which has posted an average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of about 8.9 per cent between 2001 and 2010, both possessed the capacity to achieve the ambitious growth target.

“We are very optimistic about the partnership with Nigeria and ECOWAS. Both countries are centres of attraction for investment at the moment; Nigeria is one of the top rising economies in Africa.

Nigeria is taking confident steps towards achieving its goal of becoming one of the top 20 economies of the world by the year 2020 and Turkey is targeting rising to the top 10

Zenith Bank records N 100.7bn Profit After Tax

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Dana Air

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ana Air has announced a special fare offer for its customers. The offer which commences from April 1 to April 30, 2013 will see guests of the airline fly for N15, 300 one-way on its Lagos-Abuja-Lagos route.

The airline’s Head of Commercial, Obi Mbanuzuo, who made the disclosure said, “We decided to open up seats for sale at N15,300 throughout the month of April as a mark of appreciation to our loyal guests, and also to offer more guests the opportunity to experience our services.”

We encourage all business and leisure travelers to Lagos and Abuja to take advantage of this special offer and purchase their tickets online, he said.

L-R: Executive Director (Operations), Prince Aghatise Erediauwa and Executive Director (Corporate Services), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Hon. Lola Abiola-Edewor discussing a point during the courtesy call to NDIC Headquarters by the Board and Management of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) recently.

Stakeholders’ Square Table lauds developments in the aviation industry

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

Sterling Bank Plc

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terling Bank Plc said its gross earnings improved by 51 per cent to N68.9 billion in its 2012 full year report as against the N45.7 billion recorded in 2011.

The bank’s audited report and accounts for the year ended December 31, 2012 also showed that it made a profit after tax of N6.95 billion in the year under review.

The audited report, prepared in line with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and approved by all financial services regulatory agencies, was presented to the investing public at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday.

economies of the world by the year 2023,” he said.

“We will be ready to provide all the necessary support needed to help both countries achieve their economic and trade targets.

For example, we are working on the elimination of visa requirements between the two countries to enhance the mobility of investments as well as human and material capital between the two countries,” he added.

He said the current level of Turkish direct investment in Nigeria will soar far higher than the current $100 million when free trade zones in Nigeria such as the Green zone in Abuja and the others in Lagos are in place.

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n interest group in the aviation industry, the Aviation Stakeholders Square Table yesterday commended the Federal Government for the massive improvement that has taken place in the country’s aviation industry in the last one year.

A statement signed by its President, Capt. Balarabe Usman (rtd) and made available to journalists at the end of an executive session on Wednesday in Abuja said the country’s airports, which had suffered infrastructural decay in the last 15 years had suddenly turned into huge construction sites, due to the on-going airport re-modelling projects, designed to modernize all Nigerian airports, in line with existing international standards and practices.

Capt. Balarabe, who was a pioneer aviation security staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and its first Director of Aviation Security Services, noted that the airport remodelling project is the second most

significant airport development project of the country so far after the Aerodrome Development Programme of the mid 1970s that led to the creation of the then Nigerian Airports Authority, the precursor of FAAN. He said that it was regrettable that rather than receive commendation for bringing about tangible improvements in the aviation industry, the Federal government, represented by the Minister of Aviation, was being castigated by some industry.

“Stakeholders, who are pursuing selfish and sectional

agenda in the industry did not cry out in the last 15 years when the industry was being run aground, through policies and activities that brought the industry to its knees”, he noted.

Capt. Usman identified the remodeling of airport terminals across the nation of which four (Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Benin) have been commissioned, injecting of fresh blood into the system to strengthen the aviation personnel, fruitful investment drive and creation of designated terminals for perishable and non perishable cargo as some of the laudable project

enith Bank Plc. affirmed its leadership position in the nation’s banking industry as it became the first to cross the N100 billion ($630.9 million) Profit After Tax (PAT) mark in a financial year.

According to audited reports on the floors of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Zenith Bank recorded a N100.68 billion ($634 million) Profit after tax (PAT) for the financial year ended 2012, representing a 106.7 percent jump from the N48.70 billion ($303.2 million) recorded in the corresponding period in 2011.

Zenith, which is Nigeria’s third largest lender by market value, also declared a N102.10 billion ($643.5m) Profit Before Tax (PBT) for the financial year ended December 2012, signifying a 51.4 percent increase from the N67.44 billion ($422.9m) recorded in 2011.

Results showed that gross earnings rose by 25.88 percent from N243.94bn ($1.5 billion) to N307.08 billion ($1.9 billion) as loans and advances climbed 10 percent to N1 trillion. The bank’s cost-to-income ratio fell to 54 percent from 63 percent.

“Amid the challenging business environment witnessed in 2012, notably the restrictive monetary policies and the double- digit headline inflation rates, Zenith bank delivered yet another year of strong performance,” Chief Executive Officer Godwin Emefiele said in the statement.

According to Emefiele, “Efficiency in our operations led to the significant improvement in our cost-to- income ratio.”

Meanwhile, Zenith Banks’ Board of Directors are proposing a dividend payout of N1.60 per share.

(Source: Ventures Africa)

Fadama III disburses N4.2m to participants in Zamfara

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he Fadama III programme Coordinating Department in Zamfara, has disbursed N4.2 million to 1,000 Fadama User Groups to undertake community development projects.

Alhaji Aliyu Altine, the state Coordinator, disclosed this yesterday while inaugurating some of the projects in Shinkafi.

The projects inaugurated included eight blocks of market

stalls, eight VIP toilets and a modern slaughter room.

He said the programme had provided 550 tube wells and wash bores, 2,250 water pumps, as well as 825 sets of work bulls to various Fadama groups in the state.

Altine added that 530 agroprocessing machines, 40 market stalls, 4, 850 sheep and goats, 4, 641 bags of fertiliser, 1, 850 litres of chemical, 20 fish ponds, 25

donkeys and a 46km feeder road, were also provided.

According to him, the fadama programme has made positive impact on the state’s economy and the livelihood of the people.

The coordinator urged the participants to make judicious use of the facilities to enhance food production and their economic status. (NAN)

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

Pay as you Consume: The Value Added Tax

W

hen the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, under the technical assistance program visited Nigeria in January, 2010, one of its recommendations was that the Nigerian Tax Laws be redrafted in plain English language. Since then, various efforts including working group sessions have been held to achieve this novel feat. The most recent was the working group session on the draft Value Added Tax (VAT) law held from Wednesday, 3rdAugust to Monday 8th August, 2011.

The concept of VAT in Nigeria can be traced to the Dr. Sylvester Ugoh led study group on indirect taxation in November, 1991. Thereafter, a committee was set up under the chairmanship of Mr. Emmanual Ijewere to conduct extensive research and make recommendations. VAT was finally introduced in Nigeria in 1993 by the VAT Act No 102 of 1993 as a replacement of the Sales Tax which had been in operation under Federal Capital Territory.

VAT is a consumption tax payable on the goods and services consumed by any person, government agencies business organisations or individuals. VAT can also be defined as a tax on spending/ consumption levied at every stage of a transaction but eventually borne by the final consumer of such goods and services. It is levied at the rate of 5%. The consumption taxVAT- has been embraced by many countries world-wide. It is pertinent and difficult to evade.

The yield from VAT is fairly accurate measurement of the growth of an economy, since purchasing power (which determines yield) increases with economic growth. VAT is a self-assessment tax that is paid when returns are being rendered. In-built in VAT is the refund or credit mechanism which eliminates the cascading effect that is a feature of the retail sales tax.

The input-output tax mechanism in VAT also makes it self-policing.

In essence, it is the output tax less input tax that constitutes that VAT payable.

It is the equivalent of the VAT paid by the final consumer of the product that will be collected by the government.

Although VAT is a multiple stage tax, it has a single effect and does not add more than the specified rate to the consumer price no matter the number of stages at which the tax is paid.

Illustration: If a product moves from raw materials producer (A) to manufacturer (B) at N1, 000.00 then to wholesale (C) at N1,500.00, then to retailer (D) at N2,000.00; and finally to the consumer who pays

N2,500 to the retailer, VAT payable to government at 5% rate of VAT on the product is as follows: Thus, the VAT paid to government in the four transactions if N125 which is 5% of the final consumer price of 2, 500 (see figure 1).

Interestingly, Nigeria operates a VAT rate that is out of sync with the ECOWAS protocol. ECOWAS adopted a uniform VAT protocol due to the constant movement of people and goods across the region and the need to subject them to similar circumstances.

Nigeria which then held the chairmanship of ECOWAS was a signatory to the protocol but currently operates a VAT law contrary to the ECOWAS protocol. Most critically is the fact that Nigeria operates the lowest VAT rate across the West-African sub-region – 5% VAT rate (although with Nigeria’s influence, the advisory rate has been reduced to 10%).

Unlike direct tax, VAT which is an indirect tax is a consumption tax. It is tied to the cost of goods consumed from which consumers derive satisfaction. In terms of collection therefore, VAT is

rather easier to collect than other taxes.

It is also of interest to know that since its introduction in 1993, the income tax burden has been reduced twice (Company income Tax from 35% to 30% and personal Income Tax from 30% to graduated rates – maximum 24%) but the VAT rate has remained static. Another issue is that of the various exemptions granted on VAT. is An exemption that distortive creates a lot of complexity, lack of transparency and arbitrariness in term of application and enforcement.

Hence, the government is short-changed at two levels: high level of exemptions and low VAT rate.

Beyond exemption is the issue of gross product VAT model which Nigeria adopts. The gross product model is one that tries to maximise tax by disallowing cost. It however allows for restrictions on the recovery of VAT paid on capital terms 9 since the cost of capital is amortised and spread across the item).

At the moment, there are seventeen categories of goods and twenty four categories of

services that are VATable.

The goods and services exempted are as follows: (1) Goods Exempted (a) Medical and permaceutical products; (b) Basic food items; (c) Books and educational materials; (d) Newspapers and magazines (e) Baby products; (f) Commercial vehicles and their parts, and (g) Agricultural equipments and products and veternity medicine; (2) Services Exempted (a) Medical services; (b) Services rendered by Community Banks and Mortgage Institutions; and (c) Plays and performances conducted by educational institutions as part of learning.

Returns A manufacturer or supplier of taxable goods or services is to render a return to the Integrated Tax Office (ITO) on or before the 21st day of the month next following that in which the supply was made.

Thus, every VATable person must keep records of all supplies made and received. He must also make a return on form VAT 002. He has to fill in

details of supplies made and received during the period and pay the net VAT due to the ITO or claim a refund if tax is owed to him. Every importer of goods into Nigeria is to render VAT returns on all imports into Nigeria to the ITO. The VAT returns must reach the ITO on the due date.

Importers are to pay VAT on imports to the ITO while compliance is to be enforced by the Nigeria Custums Service before releasing the imported goods after a certificate of compliance issued by the VAT office is presented.

Offences and penalties of registered person There are various offences with very stiff penalties under the VAT system: · Given false information on matter considered material · Failing to notify change of address · Failing to issue receipt · Failure to keep proper records There are swift and automatic penalties differentiated by the type of transgression. Some of the penalties are as follows: · Furnishing of false documents or statements. Penalty-liable on conviction is a fine of twice the amount under declared. · Evasion of tax. Penalty liable on conviction is a fine of N30, 000 or two times the amount of tax being evaded; whichever is greater, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years · Failure to notify change of address within 1 month of such change. Penalty – payment of N5, 000 · Failure to issue tax invoice for goods sold or services rendered. Penalty –liable on conviction is a fine of 50% on the invoice that was not issued. · Rising, considering, obstructing or attempting to hide or to obstruct an unauthorized officer from performing his duty on inspection. Penalty-liable on conviction is a fine of 10,000.00 or imprisonment for a term of 6 months or both fine and imprisonment. · Failure to submit returns by a taxable person. Penaltypayment of a fine of 5,000.00 for every month in which the failure continues. · Failure to keep proper records and accounts for his business transaction to allow for the correct ascertainment of tax. Penalty of N2,000.00 for every month in which the failure continues Even though the concept of VAT is largely misunderstood and often times an attempt to increase the rate trends to meet with stiff resistance, given the fact that it is one tax that affects every tax payer (since every one must consume), it is safe to state that the concept is very simple and will no doubt provide more revenue for the government if properly operated.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

PAGE 22

Reborn railway to the North offers glimpse of nation’s tumultuous history, future T he whistle sounds across the arid plains of scrub brush and exposed rocky cliffs. It blares through the narrow, crowded corridors of city market stalls, piles of clothes and hot red peppers lying a mere arm's length away from the vibrating metal track. Its rattling coaches draw stares as children run toward it, waving, as it leaves Lagos, Nigeria's massive southwestern city, on the long trip North to Kano.

But in the North, boys wearing tattered soccer jerseys herding cattle watch impassively, with machetes and long-barreled guns over their shoulders.

The train is back in Nigeria, and the 35-hour trip along its 700mile (1,125-kilometer) route offers a glimpse of the nation's history and landscapes, while also allowing travelers to see its ethnic and religious diversity firsthand.

As a resident of a Nigeria for more than three years, I can say the trip also offers a bit of the daily, careening madness of life in Africa's most populous nation, a place where few have access to electricity, armed police demand money at checkpoints and nothing ever seems to go according to plan.

Nigeria reopened its train line to the North Dec. 21, marking the end of a $166 million project to rebuild portions of the abandoned line washed out years earlier.

Before the restoration, it had been a decade since the last Lagos-toKano run, and train service elsewhere had deteriorated to a crawl. The state-owned China Civil Engineering Construction Corp. rebuilt the southern portion of the line, while a Nigerian company handled the rest.

The rebirth of the lines constitutes a major economic relief to the poor who want to travel in a country where most earn less than $1 a day. Airline tickets remain out of reach for many, and journeys over the nation's crumbling road network can be dangerous. The cheapest train ticket available costs only $13 (N2,000).

But while the route is newly restored, much of the infrastructure is old. "I want them to improve more, because most of the things you see, they are outdated," shouted Bello Adebayo, 50, seated in a clacking, worn passenger car made decades ago.

"But due to the pressure of the masses, we have to manage it. ...

No one will complain. It's OK, for now."

On the Friday morning of my own trip, the cavernous lobby of the train line's Lagos terminus filled with travelers. Young Muslim girls in hijab sat and waited amid colorful plastic bags filled with belongings. Men carried their belongings on their heads, including one precariously balancing suitcases and a motorcycle.

Many of those traveling North on the train, called the Ooni of Ife, appeared to be Muslims returning home.

While Nigeria is

Passengers ride aboard an Ooni of Ife train ride to Kano. (INSET) Security personnel climbing aboard an Ooni of Ife train ride to Kano provide adequate security to passengers predominantly divided into a Christian south and a Muslim North, the two faiths live together largely peacefully and intermarry in sprawling Lagos. All of Nigeria's more than 250 ethnic groups can be found on the city's busy streets, hustling out a living otherwise not possible in their home regions.

However, radical Islamic extremists have been carrying out a bloody guerrilla fight with Nigeria's weak central government in the North for more than two years now. Foreigners also have become a new target of extremists, often killed while in captivity. That's why a team of Nigeria federal police officers carrying Kalashnikov assault rifles boarded the train with the passengers.

They would accompany it all the way to Kano.

On this trip, people crammed into the second-class cabin, spilling out into the aisles in stifling heat.

But passengers weren't the main reason British colonialists built the narrow-track lines at the start of the 1900s. Instead, they wanted it to carry tin mined from the central city of Jos, peanuts harvested across the North, and other commodities to Lagos, then the colonial capital.

The restored line follows that route, bypassing Abuja, the Nigerian capital since 1991, in a wide swing west.

After Nigeria's independence in 1960, the trains became notorious for carrying the slaughtered dead of Nigeria's Igbo people to their southeast homes after riots in the North. The nation's 1960s civil war

followed, killing some 1 million people. As corruption fueled by oil money gripped the country, the railroad began its slow, decadeslong collapse. The nation paid millions of dollars to Romanians, Indians and later the Chinese to manage promised improvements that never came, but their fingerprints remain.

The mauve-colored sleeper car I slept in with my two Associated Press colleagues had been built in China, the light switch panels bearing Chinese characters. As the train stopped at one point in the dense bush of Nigeria's South-West, stamps on the rail underneath said it was forged in England in 1958.

A worker at a stop in Minna pointed to an old steam engine alongside the track and said Indians taught him how to drive it.

Facilities and infrastructure leave much to be desired. The old cars and sometimes aging rails offer some bumpy travel and even a few moments of panic when a particularly hard strike comes.

Muslim passengers lack space to pray, rushing down off the train at stops to lay their prayer mats on the gravel. The bathrooms for the first-class and second-class cabins are rudimentary at best: steel floor with a hole that drops waste onto the rushing track below. In our sleeper car, our private steel toilet came with a 25liter (6.6-gallon) plastic jug of water for flushing.

Simply trying to walk into the second-class coach proved difficult, as luggage and people lay

sprawled everywhere. The firstclass cabin had the equivalent of a live disc jockey playing Nigerian pop songs at times, while locally made Nollywood movies screeched from a flat-screen television.

Inside the bar car, 75-year-old Sanya Olu sat on a plastic lawn chair, her head resting wearily on her fist. She had bought a ticket for first-class, but it had been oversold, she said. So instead, she spent her trip in the chair she'd brought, en route to Kaduna to verify her status as a pensioner.

"They have just started and see how it is congested; it is full," Olu said.

As night began to fall, the inside lighting went out. My colleagues and I returned to our sleeper car to also find the air conditioner broken. We sweated in our beds in the dark, waking up at first light to see the lush green forests and cassava farm fields of the south fade overnight into field after field of yam farms, each planting rising like a burial in the dusty soil. Straw storerooms stood nearby, with mud-walled villages in the distance.

The train rushed past abandoned stations and stopped briefly at those in service, where villagers rose at all hours to greet passengers with shouts of "Pure water!" They sold the water in plastic bags.

We rumbled on, past the rock formations and hills of Nigeria's central belt. Alongside the track, I saw more than a dozen abandoned,

derailed train cars, axles littering the hills like the bones of metal beasts as the sun beat down. In passing cities and towns, billboards featuring smiling evangelists at Christian churches slowly gave way to the austere green road signs of the Muslim North, Arabic and English reading: "There is but one God: Allah."

Reaching Kaduna, police officers took positions looking out of the train, Kalashnikovs at their side. The train raced through the military bases of nearby Jaji, the West Point of Nigeria, where a suicide car bombing by Islamic extremists in November killed at least 30 people and wounded another 45. Soldiers in heavy green flak jackets and helmets manned a roadblock on the highway running alongside the train track.

Night fell again. The dusty plains of Northern Nigeria raced by, with police officers shining flashlights out into the darkness.

Occasionally, a light would wink on in the distance. By the time the train finally stopped in Kano, exactly 34 hours, 57 minutes and six seconds had passed since we lurched out of Lagos. A direct airline flight between the two cities typically takes an hour and a half.

Traveling the route through the all-encompassing darkness of Nigeria's countryside let the stars shine brighter than I've seen them in years in the city. Under that canopy of a thousand pinpoints of brightness, the trains rumble on.

(Source: Associated Press)

PEOSPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APIRL 5, 2013

Report as at Thursday, April 4, 2013

PAGE 23

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

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PAGE 25

That the veil may be lifted from the secret offshore world For as long as anyone could remember, a palpable veil has encompassed the secret offshore world. Now some media outfits, notably the BBC, are out to lift this veil

T

he International Consortium of I n v e s t i g a t i v e Journalists (ICIJ), a project of the Center for Public Integrity, released today its first of many reports from a 15-month investigation that cracks open the historically impenetrable world of offshore tax havens.

Drawing from a leaked trove of 2.5 million digital files, ICIJ led what may be the largest cross border journalism collaboration in history.

PREMIUM TIMES is the only Nigerian media organisation invited to participate in the project. It joined the Mail & Guardian of South Africa as the only two African publications on the gigantic project which has The Washington Post, Guardian of UK, BBC, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Le Monde of France and over thirty other

leading print and broadcast organisations around the world as partners.

PREMIUM TIMES will publish specific stories related to Nigeria as well as other reports it believes might be of interest to its readers.

The groundbreaking investigation opens the secrets of more than 120,000 offshore companies and trusts and nearly 130,000 individuals and agents, exposing hidden dealings of politicians, con artists, and the mega-rich in more than 170 countries.

Secrecy for Sale: Inside the Global Offshore Money Maze, ICIJ’s largest investigative reporting project in its 15-year history, is available at www.icij.org/ offshore.

The stories released today by the ICIJ and its partner outlets around the world are the first installment in an ongoing series. An initial group of stories will run

between April 3 and April 15, 2013 with more reporting to follow throughout the year as ICIJ and its partners continue the investigation.

“This investigation lifts the curtain on the offshore system and provides a transparent look into the secret world of tax havens and the individuals and companies that use and benefit from them,” said Gerard Ryle, Director of the ICIJ. ”We already knew how secret and inaccessible the offshore industry is, but we were surprised by how vast and far reaching it is. It draws its clients not only from the world’s super-wealthy, but also from everyday professionals from all around the world.”

The files identify the individuals behind the covert companies and private trusts based in the British Virgin Islands, the Cook Islands, Singapore and other offshore havens.

They include

Washington Post reporter David S. Broder met with Sean O'Brien and Coy Barefoot of the Sorensen Institute

EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde American doctors and dentists and middle-class Greek villagers as well as Russian corporate executives, Eastern European and Indonesian billionaires, Wall Street fraudsters, international arms dealers and families and associates of long-time dictators.

Among the investigation’s key findings: • Government officials and their families and associates in Azerbaijan, Russia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, Canada, Mongolia and other countries have embraced the use of covert companies and bank accounts.

• The mega-rich use complex offshore structures to own mansions, yachts, art masterpieces and other assets, gaining tax advantages and anonymity not available to average people.

• Many of the world’s top’s banks – including UBS, Clariden and Deutsche Bank – have aggressively worked to provide their customers with secrecy-cloaked companies in the British Virgin Islands and other offshore hideaways.

• A well-paid industry of accountants, middlemen and other operatives has helped offshore patrons shroud their identities and business interests, providing shelter in

many cases to money laundering or other misconduct.

• Ponzi schemers and other large-scale fraudsters routinely use offshore havens to pull off their shell games and move their ill-gotten gains.

While reporting by the ICIJ and its partners shows that many users of offshore are engaged in legitimate transactions, the project team’s investigations raise questions about the lack of transparency, lax law enforcement and illegal practices that are prevalent in the offshore world.

“This investigation was the most extensive in our history. It would not have been possible without the cooperation of our international partners,” said Bill Buzenberg, Executive Director of the Center for Public Integrity. “Because of the magnitude of this crossborder collaboration we are able to provide a window onto the offshore world, an important step toward bringing transparency and accountability to an industry that over the last several years has grown beyond regulation and control.”

The collection of leaked information, totaling more

The Christina O, which was bought and refurbished using two of the offshore companies in ICIJ's data. than 260 gigabytes of data, includes corporate files, emails, account ledgers, and other records that show cash transfers, incorporation dates and links between individuals and companies. It is believed to be one of the largest collections of leaked data gathered and analyzed by journalists.

The files illustrate how offshore financial secrecy has spread aggressively around the globe, allowing the wealthy to avoid taxes, fueling corruption and economic woes in rich and poor nations. The current banking crisis in Cyprus is one example of how the offshore system can impact an entire country’s financial stability.

The ICIJ worked with 86 investigative journalists from 46 countries and used data mining software and old fashioned shoe leather reporting to unveil the previously hidden but thriving world of fraud, tax dodging and

political corruption.

To analyze the documents, ICIJ collaborated with journalists from PREMIUM TIMES, The Guardian and the BBC in the U.K., Le Monde in France, Suddeutsche Zeitung and Norddeutscher Rundfunk in Germany, The Washington Post, the Canadian

Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and 31 other media partners around the world.

The reporters and editors on the project team thoroughly fact-checked the data and cross-referenced it with other information, including court records, government reports and financial databases. Team

“

Because of the magnitude of this cross-border collaboration we are able to provide a window onto the offshore world, an important step toward bringing transparency and accountability to an industry that over the last several years has grown beyond regulation and control

members interviewed hundreds of experts, government officials, attorneys, offshore clients and other sources around the world.

Among the countries included in the data are: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kosovo, Latvia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, and Venezuela.

About the International Consortium

of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists is a global network of reporters who collaborate on in-depth investigative stories.

Founded in 1997, ICIJ was launched as a project of the Center for Public Integrity to extend the Center’s style of watchdog journalism, focusing on issues that do not stop at national frontiers.

With 160 members in more than 60 countries, ICIJ is dedicated to investigating cross-border crime, corruption, and the accountability of power.

Backed by the Center and its computer-assisted reporting specialists, public records experts, fact-checkers and lawyers, ICIJ reporters and editors provide real-time resources and state-of-the-art tools and techniques to journalists around the world.

About the Center for Public Integrity The Center for Public Integrity is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, and independent digital news organization specializing in original investigative journalism on significant public policy issues. Since 1990, the Washington, D.C.based Center has released more than 500 investigative reports and 17 books to provide greater transparency and accountability of government and other institutions. It has received the George Polk Award and more than 50 other major journalism awards, including honors from Investigative Reporters and Editors, Online News Association, Overseas Press Club, Society of Environmental Journalists, and Society of Professional Journalists.

Premium Times

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

Amnesty, the way of Islam “But if the enemy incline towards Peace, do Thou (also) incline towards Peace, and trust In Allah for He is one that heareth and knoweth (All things).” [alAnfaal: 61] n the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

All Praise is due to Allah!

We praise Him and we seek help from Him. We ask forgiveness from Him. We repent to Him; and we seek refuge in Him from our evils and bad deeds. Anyone who is guided by Allah, is indeed guided; and anyone who has been left astray, will find no one to guide him. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, the Only One without any partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and final messenger to mankind. May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon His last and final Apostle, his Household, his companions and all his followers until the end of time.

Islam, unlike other religions, and all other ideologies, is founded on peace. Peace with Allah demonstrated in the obedience to his laws, peace with fellow humanbeigns manifested in the cordial relationships, and peace with the environments. The name “Islam” is derived from the root word, ‘’Silm’’ which means peace. Therefore, the entire central message of Islam is all about peace; what it is, how to get it, how to maintain it, and how achieve it in the great beyond! To this end, Allah has warned of the awaiting chastisement for anyone who refused to tread the path of peace in this worldly life. Allah says; “If anyone desires a Religion other than Islam (submission to Allah., never will it be accepted of him; and In the Hereafter He will be In the ranks of those who have lost (All spiritual good).”[alImaran: 58] That is to says, whoever does not respect peaceful coexistence, and prefer the war or insecureness, is as if he is denouncing Islam in totality.

Islam has immeasurable stake in anything peace, and anywhere. Even if there is war between two nations, and one of them called for cease fire leading to peaceful accord, it is duty bound for the stronger group to accept the offer. The Qur’an states: ‘’But if the enemy incline towards Peace, do Thou (also) incline towards Peace,

I

and trust In Allah. for He is and His Messenger, and one that heareth and strive with might and main knoweth (All things).’’ [al- for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, Anfaal: 61] And even if there is fear of or the cutting off of hands and deception from the asking party, the accord should be given due chance to

By Husain Zakariyya happen. The Yawale Q u r ’ a n asserts: +234-8052952900 (sms only) “Should islamexplained35@yahoo.com They intend to deceive thee,Verily Allah sufficeth thee: feet from opposite sides, or He it is that hath exile from the land: that is strengthened Thee with His their disgrace In This world, aid and with (the company and a heavy punishment is of) the Believers.”[al-Anfaal: theirs In the Hereafter; Except for those who repent 62] Thus, the recent calls from before They fall into your the so called Boko Haram power: In that case, know proponents for a sincere that Allah is Oft-forgiving, “[aldialogue with the federal Most Merciful. government, as well as the Ma’dah: 33-34] Notwithstanding the calls by many religious leaders, politicians and enormity of the atrocity, recently the Sultan, serve Allah remains Oft-forgiven enough indications that and Oft-Merciful to whoever enough blood has been runs to Him for reconciliation disgorged, and all are calling and repentance. So also, we for another round of peaceful are demanded to learn from the attributes of Allah in His multi-cultural coexistence. encompassing In fact, Islam has eternally all made provision for amnesty mercifulness!

But, where calls for cease even to dangerous criminals such as merciless armed fire and eventual peace robbers. The Qur’an is very accord are notoriously repulsed and deliberately clear in this regards. it says: “The punishment of those turn-down by either side, who wage war against Allah then use of force remains the

ISLAM EXPLAINED

only option.

Indeed, what peace could not achieve, war will not even attempt.

The general agitations for amnesty should not be without string; the need for both ideological and e c o n o m i c rehabilitations most especially for the leadership of the militant group. There is need for realignment of ideological leanings and interpretation to conform with the main Islam’s principles and teachings. Well grounded scholars should be involved in rehabilitating the mindsets of the militants in line with popular Qur’anic and Sunah teachings.

The late President Musa ‘Yar Adua,( may Allah forgive him), being a national leader, and despite several mixture of judgements against the Niger Delta militants, he daringly opted for the most viable preference; amnesty for all!

In the same vein, I could not understand the logic behind those urging the government to refuse amnesty for the Muslim militants. Though the their premise was hinged on the excuse that that Boko Haram are ghost groups, unlike the

Niger Delta mercenaries. This position tantamount to damning Mr. President’s statement in which he publicly claims to not only know Boko Haram leaders very well, but, they are all around him all the time. He eats with them, serve him as ministers, and also work for him as military and police officers. And knowing the level of Mr. President’s integrity, he will not dare make such expensive jokes. A president is a respectful and serious gentlemen; he never tells rubbish. Therefore, if the only obstacle on the path of granting blanket amnesty to the Boko Haram is their anonymity, then the hurdle has been cleared by Mr. president. Thanks to a daring President like late President Musa ‘Yar Adua of the blessed memory!

Allah says; “But if the enemy incline towards Peace, do Thou (also) incline towards Peace, and trust In Allah. for He is one that heareth and knoweth (All things). Should They intend to deceive thee,Verily Allah sufficeth thee: He it is that hath strengthened Thee with His aid and with (the company of) the Believers.” [alAnfaal: 61-62] On the hand, the Boko Haram should be firmed in their resolute to come to terms with the federal government in all matters leading to lasting peace accord. They should not nurse any plot of vengeance at a time it is least expected.

Allah says: “Should They intend to deceive thee,- Verily Allah sufficeth thee: He it is that hath strengthened Thee with His aid and with (the company of) the Believers.” [al-Anfaal: 62] Having trust in Allah after taking the right step in all matters, is duty bound upon every Muslim. the clamour for the amnesty by different interest groups should be honoured by government of the people for the people and by the people. We solemnly pray to Allah for the day when only the blood of the fowls to be served to Mr. president and his close associates at dinner, will be judiciously spilled only! No human blood shall be spilled even by a stray bullet anywhere in this great nation!

May peace and tranquillity reign again, un abated all over Nigeria! Long live Nigeria!

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

PAGE 27

Just what is the real purpose of marriage?

ANALYSIS

By Jessica White

R

on Jolly is the local rightwing talk-show radio host here in Traverse City, Michigan. His show airs weekday mornings on WTCM. This week, he was holding forth on gay marriage, and he received some colourful callers. One woman said that homosexuality brought down the Roman Empire. When people accept homosexuality, they naturally become less responsible about everything, including the duties of citizenship.

Another caller volunteered an alternative definition of marriage. It was not a right, he said, but an obligation. According to him, marriage was created to force couples to stay together. Which couples should the state compel to marry?

Couples who must be ordered to remain a family: couples who can have children they do not want.

Marriage, in other words, is like having to get a licence when you get a dog.

The Supreme Court seems poised to rule in favour of gay marriage - in a limited way, perhaps, but towards the idea that marriage equality is equality under the law. But this case has forced people like Ron Jolly to state their rationale openly, and that means that I have to hear people alive today blaming the gays for the Dark Ages.

Charles Cooper argued the case for Prop 8 - and against gay marriage - before the Supreme Court. He agreed with this second caller, arguing that marriage was about procreation above all else: "Redefining marriage as a genderless institution will sever its abiding connection to its historic traditional procreative purposes, and it will refocus the purpose of marriage and the definition of marriage away from the raising of children and to the emotional needs and desires of adults, of adult couples."

Under questioning, he insisted that this was still true of couples who could under no circumstances have children together, so long as they were heterosexual.

In times like these, I try to remember Anne Boleyn. She was Henry VIII's second wife. He married her after he put aside Catherine of Aragon, who did not go gently, insisting until the end of her life that she was the only true Queen and the only wife Henry would ever have.

Anne lasted three years, and ended up accused of witchcraft and executed for adultery. For the rest of Henry's reign and long afterward, she was known as the "Great Whore".

Both women had trouble giving Henry the heir he desperately wanted.

Catherine's inability to bear sons had been offered by Henry as proof that God saw their marriage as invalid: their union was an abomination, so they could not have any male babies. If Catherine were truly Henry's wife in the sight of Heaven, then Catherine would not have such trouble giving Henry an heir.

Anne was just as much of a disappointment. Late in her term as

"In the US, we don't recognise marriage rights based on fertility or fecundity," writes author [EPA] royal helpmeet, Anne miscarried, giving birth to a stillborn son.

According to some historians, the lost child was taken as evidence that she had consorted with Satan and her brother; it was certainly proof to her husband that she was worthless to him.

Anne Boleyn was judged a monster, an unnatural woman, because she gave birth to a dead child.

Catherine of Aragon was judged a failure, a useless woman, because she could not give birth to live sons.

It has been nearly four centuries since then, and we have come far. It has been four decades since the US agreed to legislate against marital rape, and generations since we arrested women for dancing with the devil. I am a luckier woman than Anne.

It was darkly amusing to watch Elena Kagan asking Charles Cooper if he really knows where babies come from, but it was disturbing to see Cooper argue that the purpose - no, excuse me, the defining ethos - of marriage is procreation.

He's making an argument that has a chance of slipping past Kagan's admirable grasp of human biology.

He's not saying that the marriage is for procreation. He's saying that marriage is a kind of poetic homage to procreation. It is important for us to dignify not parenting, but making babies. Making babies is beautiful and holy under certain crucial circumstances, and it is important for the law to cherish this

sacred purpose within marriage.

Gay people obviously cannot make babies - with each other - so they cannot be allowed to marry, because they would corrupt this holy understanding of marriage.

When you think about a man and a woman who really love each other, even if they are in their 70s, even if you are not in kindergarten, the idea of babies will be there, somewhere, in the back of your mind.

When you see a man professing his love for another man, there are no babies. We must see babies and marriage together at all times, or we will forget that we must have babies, but only when we have marriage.

This is so much worse than the idea that we as a society must protect and encourage heterosexuals in their earnest attempts to raise children.

As Alex Pareene put it, we are "long since past the point" where we could say that marriage in this country exists solely or even primarily in service of babies. There are one or two historical precedents, regimes that formally privileged fertile over infertile marriage, but they tended to be more dastardly than the Bluebeard of "MerrieOlde England". In the US, we don't recognise marriage rights based on fertility or fecundity. We simply don't. We never have.

Yet we seem unhappy about that, and I can't understand why.

I can understand the argument

“

that caller was making, about marriage as a threat, but I don't understand why he thought it was ever a good idea.

Some Americans seem to want to be cruel about this. They seem to think that there is some genuine social value in an outworn idea of love, marriage and children. That we are better served by a vision of marriage that not only cannot accommodate same-sex couples, but also does not have much respect for a 70-year-old woman and her 70year-old fiancĂŠ. As though there is something suspect about loving marriage when it does not include children.

Maybe it is too strong to say they are calling these marriages unnatural. But it is even worse to call them counterintuitive. It is worse to say that they have no worth in a cultural storehouse of faithful love, that that they can inspire no one to love their children or value love itself.

That limitation is what Cooper defended. As he went on to say, marriage exists to restrict sex, "To make it less likely that either party to that marriage will engage in irresponsible procreative conduct outside of that marriage". According to Cooper, all men would be Henry VIII if they did not have the law to contend with.

Better for us to ignore a great many marriages (not to mention babies) than lose the reductive lesson that marriage is babies is marriage.

Better for us to assign an occult virtue

This is so much worse than the idea that we as a society must protect and encourage heterosexuals in their earnest attempts to raise children.

to love than to acknowledge the forms it takes. Better to keep marriage under glass, and admire it from a distance, than allow real people to get married. Pretend marriage is more precious than actual marriages.

It is a perverse standard that prefers to moon over Diana and Charles than put up with Charles and Camilla.

As Anne and Catherine could tell you, this bigotry that Cooper's clients cling to like an outgrown blankie is not just creepy. It is damaging.

Fertility in marriage has never been gender-neutral. The burden of family has never fallen on both partners. The woman is supposed to serve this purpose. The woman is a failed woman if she can't manage to bear children and a perverse woman if she does not want them.

Cooper made a vacuous comment that turned into a coarse joke, about old men and young women. But there is a poisonous idea behind that, that women are marriageable -that they love and deserve love - while they are nubile.

It does not protect women to conflate marriage with fertility. It devalues them, condemns them.

We already are doing better than Cooper thinks. Most people do not believe in this picture of marriage, even on the most casual, unexamined level.

They understand that marriage is a matter of romance, a partnership above all things.

This is why arguments against marriage equality seem increasingly senseless.

They rest on assumptions we no longer make.

Those of us who see nostalgia as an end in itself should remember the "Great Whore", and stop finding so much beauty in traditions that were rotten alive. It was not a more innocent time, just an uglier one.

Source: Al Jazeera

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

South Africa to withdraw troops from Central Africa S

outh Africa says it will pull out its troops from the Central African Republic (CAR) after rebels there seized power more than a week ago.

President Jacob Zuma said a deal between the countries had become void with the ousting of Francois Bozize.

Mr Zuma was facing anger after 13 South African soldiers died in the rebellion.

He announced the withdrawal at an emergency regional summit on CAR, during which African heads of state refused to recognise the rebel leader.

Michel Djotodia declared on 25 March that he would rule by decree after his Seleka rebel group stormed CAR's capital, Bangui, ending President Bozize's decade-long rule.

The rebel leader said he would run the country until elections in 2016.

"It seems impossible to us to recognise a man who has appointed himself," said Chadian President IdrissDeby following the emergency summit hosted in Chad's capital, N'Djamena.

He said Mr Zuma had informed regional leaders he planned to withdraw withdraw his forces from CAR.

Mozambican ex-rebels in police clash

A Relatives of the dead soldiers and military personnel attended Tuesday's funeral.

South Africa has about 200 troops stationed in the capital, Bangui, to block the Seleka rebels from overthrowing the government of Mr Bozize - who is now in Cameroon.

As well as the 13 dead, another 27 soldiers were injured - the highest number of casualties suffered by South Africa's army since white minority rule ended in 1994.

The deaths caused controversy, with critics saying the troops had been deployed to protect South Africa's mining interests in CAR. President Zuma's governing ANC party rejected the claims, saying the soldiers were training government forces and providing security.

Speaking on Thursday, Mr Zuma said South Africa's deal with CAR was

no longer valid.

"We were in CAR on the basis of the agreement between the two countries. Our mission was to help train the soldiers," he told South African broadcaster SABC. "Since the coup and the selfappointment of rebels, it was clear that the government is no longer there."

Desmond Tutu wins $1.7 million Templeton Prize South African Archbishop and Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu.

S

outh African anti-apartheid campaigner Desmond Tutu has won the 2013 Templeton Prize worth $1.7 million for helping inspire people around the world by promoting forgiveness and justice, organizers said on Thursday.

A leading human rights activist of the late 20th century, the former Anglican archbishop of Cape Town played a pivotal role in the downfall of apartheid and subsequently worked to heal wounds in South Africa's traumatized society.

Tutu, 81, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for standing up against white-minority rule. He remains a prominent campaigner for peace and human rights.

The Templeton award was announced as his friend and fellow Nobel laureate Nelson Mandela was fighting pneumonia in a third health scare in four months for

South Africa's first black president.

Established in 1972 by the late American-born investor and philanthropist John honors a living person "who has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension".

"When you are in a crowd and you stand out from the crowd it's usually because you are being carried on the shoulders of others," Tutu was quoted as saying in a statement released by the U.S.based foundation.

"I want to acknowledge all the wonderful people who accepted me as their leader at home and so to accept this prize in a representative capacity."

Last year's Templeton Prize went to the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader.

Other recent winners include British astrophysicist Martin Rees and Canadian philosopher Charles

Taylor.

The foundation, whose first award went to Mother Teresa in 1973, praised Tutu as a moral voice for people around the world".

"Desmond Tutu calls upon all of us to recognize that each and every human being is unique in all of history and, in doing so, to embrace our own vast potential to be agents for spiritual progress and positive change," it said.

"Not only does he teach this idea, he lives it."

Born in Klerksdorp, Transvaal in 1931, Tutu was ordained in 1960 just as the government began resettling black Africans and Asians from areas designated as "whites only".

His position in the church gave him a prominent platform from which to criticize the system.

Angry with his activism, the government revoked his passport, prompting a global outcry.

With pressure on South Africa growing, talks between politicians and the African National Congress led to the release in 1990 of Nelson Mandela and the dismantling of apartheid laws.

After elections, President Mandela appointed Tutu as chairman of a commission examining the human rights abuses of the apartheid years. After his retirement Tutu continued to work as a global campaigner for democracy and human rights.

Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Chris Cooter (L) with his Nigerian counterpart OjoMaduekwe (R) during a press briefingat the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abuja yesterday on the forthcoming Nigeria/Canada investment summit to hold in Montreal Canada.

t least five people in Mozambique have been killed after members of the opposition party Renamo, an ex-rebel movement, attacked a police post.

The incident in the central town of Muxungue followed two police raids on Renamo gatherings earlier in the week.

The police said the meetings were military training seminars organised to destabilise the country.

Renamo has said it will boycott local elections in November and intends to disrupt them.

The party says it feels the electoral process is fundamentally flawed.

Renamo and the governing Frelimo party fought against each other during Mozambique's 16-year brutal civil war, which ended in 1992.

The police said one woman and four officers died in the raid in Muxengue and 10 policemen were injured.

Renamo said it launched the attack in retaliation for the police raids on meetings they were holding in the towns of Gondola and Muxungue.

"Renamo is tired of persecution, humiliations, repression, dictatorship and slavery," AFP news agency quoted Renamo's security chief OssufoMomad as saying.

A force of about 300 Renamo men have remained armed since the 1992 peace deal, despite efforts to integrate them into the army or police force.

Renamo leader AfonsoDhlakama says he needs his own personal bodyguards, and the men usually stay in his bush camp in the Gorongosamountains in central Mozambique.

The BBC's Jose Tembe in the capital, Maputo, says this week's clashes have created an atmosphere of fear and rumour.

Some people in Muxengue and Gondola have fled their homes fearing further clashes and there is little traffic on the main highway between the central region and the capital, which is in the south of the country, he says.

National elections are due next year.

Mr Dhlakama took 16.5% of the vote in election in 2009 - the fourth time he had lost since the end of civil war.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

Asia and Middle East

N

orth Korea has shifted a missile with "considerable range" to its east coast, South Korea's foreign minister says.

Kim Kwan-jin played down concerns that the missile could target the US mainland, and said the North's intentions were not yet clear.

Pyongyang earlier renewed threats of a nuclear strike against the US, though its missiles are not believed to be capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

The US is responding to North Korea by moving missile defence shields to Guam.

Meanwhile, Russia said Pyongyang's attempts to "violate decisions of the UN Security Council are categorically unacceptable".

"This radically complicates, if it

PAGE 29

North Korea ‘moves mid-range missile’ doesn't in practice shut off, the prospects for resuming six-party talks," foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said in a statement on Thursday.

The talks involving North and South Korea, the US, Russia, China and Japan were last held in late 2008.

Japan said it was co-operating closely with the US and South Korea to monitor the North's next move.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that although the rhetoric was "increasingly provocative", Tokyo would "calmly" watch the situation.

Government spokesman YoshihideSuga earlier told reporters that Japan was braced for a "worst-case scenario".

The Pentagon said the shield on its Pacific island territory would be ready within weeks, adding to warships already sent

to the area.

The North has previously named Guam among a list of possible targets for attack that included Hawaii and the US mainland.

Japanese and South Korea reports had suggested the missile being moved by the North was a long-range one with a capability of hitting the US west coast.

However, experts believe the North's most powerful rocket, which it test-fired last December, has a range of 6,000km (3,700 miles) and can reach no further than Alaska.

Kim Kwan-jin told MPs in a parliamentary defence committee meeting that the missile had "considerable range".

"The missile does not seem to be aimed at the US mainland. It could be aimed at test firing or military

One of North Korea's ominous missile heads for range. drills," he said.

Analysts have interpreted Mr Kim's description as referring to the

Indonesian special forces admit prisoner killings

T

he Indonesian army says members of the country's Kopassusspecial forces were behind the murders of four prisoners suspected of killing a soldier.

The four men were being held in a jail in Jogjakarta, Java, when nine masked men armed with AK-47 rifles stormed the facility at midnight on 23 March.

The army says the guilty soldiers are now willing to face the consequences.

The incident has called into question the extent of military reform since the transition to democracy began in 1998.

The army says the murders

were carried out in retribution for the 19 March killing of a Kopassus soldier at a cafe.

Human rights groups say the involvement of members of the Kopassus unit in the raid on the jail is troubling.

Under former President Suharto, who ruled the country between 1967 and 1998, Kopassus was accused of human rights violations and of carrying out forced disappearances.

The BBC's KarishmaVaswani in the the Indonesian capital Jakarta says that the army's decision to admit that special forces soldiers were responsible for the

killings is significant, but cautions that it remains to be

seen what punishment those accused will actually receive.

P

- Israel says care was provided.

Abu Hamdiyeh was serving a life sentence for a failed bombing attack on a Jerusalem cafe in 2002.

Palestinians say he should have been released on compassionate grounds and the death has sparked protests across the West Bank.

Thursday also saw the funerals of two Palestinian teenagers killed

by Israeli forces on Wednesday during clashes between soldiers and youths.

Their bodies, wrapped in

China bird flu: third person dies from new H7N9 virus

A

Kopassus soldiers take part in a training exercise in Jakarta

Hebron clashes follow Abu Hamdiyeh funeral alestinian protesters have clashed with Israeli troops in the West Bank city of Hebron following the funeral of a prisoner who died in an Israeli jail.

Soldiers used tear gas and bullets as protesters threw stones.

The clashes began after thousands took to the streets to mourn the death of Maysara Abu Hamdiyeh, who died of cancer in an Israeli jail.

Palestinian officials have accused Israel of medical negligence

Musudan missile, estimated to have a range up to 4,000km. Guam would be within that range.

Palestinian flags, were carried through their hometown Anabta, where shops and schools remained closed in mourning.

The teenagers, named locally as AmerNassar and his cousin, NajiBalbisy, were shot after Israeli troops opened fire on Palestinians who threw firebombs at a guard post in Tulkarem, in the northern West Bank.

Israel's army said the incident was being investigated.

Palestinian President

Palestinian protesters take cover as Israeli forces shoot at them in Hebron.

Mahmoud Abbas said the deaths jeopardised "US and international efforts to restart negotiations".

He also criticised Israel for continuing to use force to suppress what he described at peaceful protests.

Palestinian officials claim Israel did not provide the 64-year-old with adequate medical care and failed to release him after diagnosing that his illness was terminal.

Israeli officials say the procedure to allow his release on medical grounds had begun.

On Wednesday, the Israeli health ministry released the results of a post-mortem examination on Abu Hamdiyeh.

This found a cancerous growth in his throat and secondary cancerous growths in his neck, chest, lungs, liver, and spinal cord.

The head of the Palestinian Pathological Institute also participated in the examination, a spokesman said.

The rise in tension and violence comes days before US Secretary of State John Kerry is scheduled to visit Jerusalem and Ramallah to try to press for a revival in negotiations that broke down in 2010.

The Israeli military said that several rockets were fired in Gaza early on Thursday. One crossed into Israel, causing no injuries.

third man has died in China from a new strain of bird flu not previously known in humans.

The death, in the eastern province of Zhejiang, follows the death of two others in Shanghai in March.

A total of nine cases of the infection have now been reported across China, according to the Xinhua news agency.

It is unclear how the H7N9 strain is spread but the men in Shanghai did not infect each other or any close contacts, officials say.

A woman of 35 who caught the virus in the eastern province of Anhui is said to be critically ill.

According to China's National Health and Family Planning Commission, the men who died in Shanghai became ill with coughs and fevers before developing pneumonia.

Commission experts said on Saturday the cause had been identified as H7N9, a strain of avian flu not thought to have been transmitted to humans before.

There is no vaccine against the strain, the commission said, adding it was currently testing to assess its ability to infect humans.

Scientists around the world who are investigating the strain suggested the virus could be hard to track because it shows no symptoms in poultry but can be fatal in humans.

"We speculate that when this virus is maintained in poultry the disease will not appear... so nobody recognizes the infection in animals around them, then the transmission from animal to human may occur,'' said Dr Masato Tashiro, director of the World Health Organization's influenza research centre.

The bird flu outbreak coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak that killed at least 349 people in China.

Media in China have called on authorities - who were criticised for their response to Sars, to openly release information on the spread of the disease.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

PAGE 30

Europe and Americas Top Swedish judge defends Wikileaks' Assange

A

senior Swedish judge has said that the sex crime allegations against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange are "a mess", and praised him for leaking classified US documents.

Stefan Lindskog, chairman of the Supreme Court of Sweden, also listed legal obstacles to extraditing the 41-year-old Australian to the United States to face prosecution for exposing thousands of classified documents.

Lindskog was critical of the Swedish criminal investigation, and suggested that Sweden's extradition treaty with the United States would not apply to Assange.

"I think it is a mess,'' said Lindskog, referring to the Swedish criminal investigation. "Basically, I think there are some misunderstandings, especially when it comes to the issue of extradition.''

"Extradition shall not be granted when alleged crimes [are] military or political in nature,'' Lindskog said.

Assange has taken asylum in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London since last June to avoid extradition to Sweden on sex crime allegations.

He is wanted in Sweden for questioning over criminal allegations made by two women.

However, Assange says the Swedish allegations are a ploy to get him to Sweden from where he would be extradited to the United States.

The US Department of Justice has been investigating WikiLeaks since the secretbusting website began distributing hundreds of thousands of classified US documents. Few details of that investigation have been made public.

Assange has refused to comment on whether he had any dealings with Bradley Manning, a US soldier who admitted to leaking classified documents and video clips to Wikileaks, but called him a political prisoner.

Lindskog praised Assange's campaign of publishing the classified information through WikiLeaks.

Hollande pledges new law after tax scandal F

rench President Francois Hollande has vowed that a new law on the "publication and control" of ministers' wealth would be presented within weeks, after his ex-budget minister was charged in a tax evasion probe.

Hollande said on Wednesday that he would ban anyone guilty of fraud from holding public office in France.

Former budget minister Jerome Cahuzac had a day earlier admitted to having had a hidden account overseas for nearly two decades.

Hollande said Cahuzac had benefited from no protection over the account.

"I affirm here that Jerome Cahuzac did not benefit from any form of protection, other than the presumption of innocence. And he left the

government at my request immediately after the opening of an investigation," the president said.

"He tricked the highest authorities in the country: the head of state, the government, parliament, and through it

President Francois Hollande

German economic output 'at near stagnation'

G

ermany's economy slowed to "near stagnation" last month, while France's recorded its biggest contraction for four years, according to a closely watched survey.

The Markit composite purchasing managers' index (PMI), which measures both the manufacturing and services sectors, declined to 50.6 in Germany last month, from 53.3

in February.

Any figure above 50 indicates growth.

France's reading fell to 41.9 points, its worst since March 2009.

For the eurozone as a whole, the index fell to 46.5 from 47.9 in February.

Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit, said the latest data painted a gloomy

picture.

"The [eurozone] recession is deepening once again as businesses report that they have become increasingly worried about the region's debt crisis and political instability," he said.

"The unresolved election in Italy was commonly cited as a key factor clouding the economic outlook in March, and the botched bail-out of Cyprus could well filter

through to a further worsening of business sentiment across the region in April."

Mr Williamson added that the weak showing from Germany "suggests that the only source of bright light in an otherwise gloomy region has once again begun to fade".

Germany's index reading was the worst in the country for three months.

US ramps up defences over N Korea threats

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel (r) speaks to US troops.

T Stefan Lindskog

all the French people. It's a grave and unforgivable error," Hollande said in a pre-recorded statement distributed to broadcasters.

The president outlined three measures planned in the wake of the revelations - a reenforcement of the independence of the judiciary, the introduction of a register of assets for parliamentarians and a ban of elected officials found guilty of tax offences holding public office.

Cahuzac's admission he held a $770,000 bank account was a blow to Hollande's 10-monthold government, whose popularity is facing all-time lows in opinion polls.

Cahuzac resigned on March 19 after a probe into the Swiss bank account he allegedly used to hide assets from the tax authorities.

he North Korean army has warned Washington that its military has been cleared to wage an attack using "smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear" weapons.

"The moment of explosion is approaching fast," the military said, warning that war could break out "today or tomorrow".

The statement, carried by the Korean Central News Agency early on Thursday, said troops had been

authorised to counter US aggression with "powerful practical military counteractions".

The warning, the latest in a series of escalating threats against the US and South Korea, came after the Pentagon said it would deploy a missile defence system to the US Pacific territory of Guam to strengthen the region's protections against a possible attack.

Despite the rhetoric, analysts say they do not expect a nuclear

attack by North Korea, which knows the move could trigger a destructive, suicidal war that no one in the region wants.

Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General, said that he was "deeply concerned" over rising tensions on Thursday.

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, however, labelled North Korea's recent rhetoric as a threat to the US and its Asia-Pacific allies.

"Some of the actions they've

taken over the last few weeks present a real and clear danger," Hagel told an audience at the National Defence University in Washington on Wednesday.

He added that the US is doing all it can to defuse the situation.

Deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence System is the latest step the US has taken to bolster forces in the region in a far-reaching show of force aimed at countering the North Korean threat.

The Pentagon already has sent dispatched bombers, stealth fighters and ships.

The land-based missile defence system includes a truck-mounted launcher, tracking radar, interceptor missiles, and an integrated fire control system.

The Pentagon said the system will boost defences for American citizens in Guam, a US territory, and US forces stationed there.

North Korea has railed for weeks against joint US and South Korean military exercises taking place in South Korea and has expressed anger over tightened sanctions for a February nuclear test.

Following through on one threat Wednesday, North Korean border authorities refused to allow entry to South Koreans who manage jointly run factories in the North Korean city of Kaesong.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

PAGE 31

The stinking rose - San Francisco's garliccentred restaurant

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f your idea of a perfect meal is garlic, garlic and more garlic, The Stinking Rose restaurant should definitely be on your itinerary the next time you're in San Francisco. Their motto - "we season our garlic with food" - says about everything you need to know about this place.

Located in the Italian North Beach district of San Francisco, The Stinking Rose is probably not the best place to go on a first date, at least not if you plan on getting to first base. The garlic-centered restaurant prides itself on serving

over 3,000 pounds of the pungent seasoning every month, so you can expect almost every dish served here to be literally covered in it. It does have a few garlic-free foods on its Vampire Fare menu, for "those finding the herb's folklore and aroma more appealing than its taste", but if you're not a fan of the culinary treat, there's really no point in visiting. On the other hand, if you are a garlic enthusiast, all you have to do is "follow your nose" and it will lead you to the door of The Stinking Rose restaurant, on Columbus Avenue. As soon as you walk in, you're greeted by the unmistakable smell of garlic and a gallery of garlic-inspired memorabilia covering the ceiling and walls of this unique establishment. Colorful garlic

Photo: missizii

Interior of the Restaurant with Galic Chandeliers.

characters, a m e c h a n i c a l miniature garlic factory and the world's longest garlic braid featuring 2,635 bulbs of garlic are just some of the w h i m s i c a l decorations you can expect to find inside The Stinking Rose.

As you can imagine, the food

and drinks stink! Their most popular appetizers are pesto spread with chunks of raw garlic and garlic hummus, both served with garlic bread, and the main course section includes dishes like Garlic Steamed Mussels, Garlic Roasted Prime Rib and the famous 40-Clove Garlic Chicken which actually contains 40 cloves of garlic per serving. Luckily, the stinky herb is cooked so it's not very

strong, but patrons who have eaten atThe Stinking Rose say it takes at least three days for the garlic breath to wear off.

But the truly adventurous will appreciate the delicious garlic ice cream dessert. It sounds disgusting, I know, but it's apparently to die-for and will convert anyone into a galicophile. If you need a drink to go with all that stinky grub, try the surprisingly tasty garlic martini.

Artist creates creepy firearm models from animal bones

By Spooky

N

ew Zealand-based artist Bruce Mahalski collects animal bones and uses them to assemble creepy yet realistic-looking models of various firearms, including a Colt pistol and an AK-47 assault rifle.

Mahalski started collecting animal bones at a very young age. His parents were both scientists with collections of their own, and traveling all over the world gave them the opportunity to gather some very "interesting stuff". In the early days of his artistic career, Mahalski experimented with a variety of mediums, from screenprinting, photography, painting and sculpture, but eventually returned to the thing that fascinated him the most - animal bones. In 2005 he created his first bone gun, and by 2010 he had already become an experienced bone artist. Most of Mahalski's works reflect his interest in firearms and Pacific and African carving styles. They include bones from a variety of animals, birds and fish that the artist sources locally. His latest creation, a life-size AK-47 is made of rabbit, stoat, ferret, sheep,

Pistols with ammunition. hawk, pheasant, wallaby, snapper, snake, blackbird, tarakihi, hedgehog, broadbilled prion, shear water, thrush, seal ,cat and possum bones, plus a rare bone from a now-extinct moa the artist found in a cave. It was auctioned for $3,500.

"Some people might consider it ghoulish to collect bits of dead animals, but to me it isn't about death -- it's about life," Mahalski writes on his website. "Like a sympathetic magician, I hope that by possessing an animal's bone a little bit of its life force will rub off onto me."

Automatic weapons from the same material.

By Spooky

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013 With Tobias Lengnan Dapam 07036990957

Comedienne Princess to get married in May P

opular Nigerian entertainer, Damilola Adekoya otherwise known as Princess, will marry her heartthrob in May. The wedding is coming barely three months after her younger sister, Yetunde, married in February 2013.

A family source told Nigeriafilms.com that Princess and his lover simply identified as Ade will exchange marital vows on May 8, 2013, which coincidentally is her birthday.

Before her sister's wedding in February, both have been living together. The source claimed that Princess' sister's

marriage may have forced the comedienne to think about marrying in May due to an alleged boredom.

The family source who begged not to be quoted divulged to us that pressure to get married may also have forced the marriage in May. Boasting a unique skill-set which includes satire, selfdeprecation, slapstick, mimicry, and freestyle skit, the stand-up comedienne revealed that she has laid a grip on love and is on the path to the nuptials.

Her vows will be exchanged with her partner Ade on her

birthday, Wednesday May 8 in Lagos, and the wedding will take place seven days after her Shades Of Comedy concert, holding at the MUSON centre on May 1.

Speaking, she said: 'I'll say we've known since 2005 because he's known me since then, and he's tried several means to get my attention. Even though it didn't happen, he kept trying and recently, a friend introduced us and we hit it off.

He's a very quiet and private person, and someone who loves and understands what I do. He loves entertainment too, I won't say more than that for now…'

gaining the attention of fans all over the world.

Beverly truly defines black beauty and holds strongly to the originality of life. Meeting her personally seems like it would be getting together with the girl next door, a very simple and intelligent young woman who knows what she wants in life.

"Life is full of so many things, but I know what I want from life," Beverly told D'CODED. "I love to act and be creative, and I believe in God, myself and my talent to get me up there."

She first starred in the small movie "Guilty Pleasures" in 2010 before going on to take the lead in the Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen film "Home In Exile," which is when people really started to take notice.

Beverly is now at the top of her game, appearing on close to 10 movies in 2013 alone including "Up The Creek

Without A Paddle" by Tarila Thompson. In 2012 she was everywhere with almost everyone including Charles Novia's recent "Alan Poza," the star-studded "Weekend Getaway" by Emem Isong, "Stripped" and more.

"She is good any day, any time," says Joe Benjamin, her co-actor on "Stripped." "I respect her and the talent she has. Working with her is incredible and you feel at ease because she is a simple girl."

Along with her strong passion for acting, looking fabulous is another talent Beverly won't retire from any time soon. "I take my public appearances very seriously.

In showbiz one has to look good, not sophisticated all the time. I love simple outfits but I should appear neat and responsible," she told D'CODED. Beyond acting, Beverly hopes to someday run her own production company and maybe try her expertise in fashion

Princess

Beverly Naya is on the Rise!

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ess than a decade in the industry, Beverly Naya is no longer a strange face to the movie world. The UK/ Nigerian actress has obviously carved a niche for herself with the strong roles she interprets on television, while her rather unique fashion and style are

Beverly Naya

I still love Jim Iyke, says Steph Nora

N

ollywood beauty, Steph Nora Okere, who once dated Nollywood 'bad boy' actor, Jim Iyke, recently confessed to still love Jim Iyke.

According to Nigeriafilms.com, Nora described the actor as one of the best lovers she ever had. In an interview with Encomium magazine, the actress said Jim Iyke was more than a lover to her but a companion and friend.

She did not state if there will be any possibility of the two of

Chris Brown loves 'Nigerian' Azonto by Wizkid

U

S singer Chris Brown is all up in the air promoting his recently released single and video Fine China. Having e m b a r k e d o n media tours to carry out the promotion of his sixth album titled 'X', he inevitably landed on BET's 106 & Park.

While fielding questions about the video, Chris said he infused some African Azonto moves into the choreography and a t t r i b u t e d i t s o r i gin to Nigeria. He also revealed that pop singer Wizkid did the honour of putting him through the intricate dance steps.

Chris Brown definitely has not scored high points with the

Ghanaian populace since Azonto's originated in Ghana, with one blog really capturing the heat with the salty headline 'WTF: Chris Brown

Chris Brown and Wizkid

Talks About AZONTO On BET, But He Says The Dance Is A Nigerian Thing…'. Deal with that…

Jim Iyke and Steph Nora

them coming back together as lovers or probably starting a family together as husband and wife.

According to Steph Nora, "Jim was and is still the best friend I have ever had. He was not just around, he was there as a friend, brother, lover, companion. He was always there.

He understood me."

While the two were dating in the early 2000, the duo were always reportedly fighting each other.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

PAGE 33

I don't have problems relating with people -Tonto Dikeh C

ontroversial Nollywood actress, Tonto Dike no doubt, is a beauty to behold but behind that beauty face and lovely skin is a woman who doesn't give a damn about what negativities one spreads about her.

A lot of people in and out of the industry see her as a snob and arrogant who has problems relating with people.

Tonto has defended herself, stating that she has no problems at all relating with people. "It's very interesting to know that they view me in that light. I do my work and leave the location; I don't have problems relating with people. I don't have to be close to everybody.

We are all working towards one

Tonto Dikeh

goal; I can't be friends with everyone on set. I love me and I am cool," she said.

And on charities, like her colleagues who often involved in it and make a big noise about it, Tonto confessed that she won't ever join the bandwagon of such people. Hear her, "I do lots of charities but I don't make noise about them. I am involved with so many organizations.

Presently, I am working with an organization in Liberia. Liberia has so many rape victims, abandoned children and youths.

We have a foundation that takes care of such people within and outside Liberia. Aside this, I do my underground charity and give back to the society what it has given me."

Gov Babatunde Fashola New Horizons: Karen Igho joins cast of tinsel to Revamp Nollywood

W

ord on the grapevine is that Lagos state g o v e r n o r , BabatundeFashola is about to bring a sweeping change to the Nigerian Babatunde Fashola

movie industry, Nollywood with a project called 'Nollywood Upgrade'.

The governor was reportedly in Mumbai recently to do a study on the film industry there and meet with key players who will be involved in the project in addition to looking for future collaborations.

Fashola was in India alongside filmmakers TundeKelani and KunleAfolayan as well as Bond Emeruwa and Aimee Corrigan.

The project will feature a three-point agenda which includes training, grant and distribution.

Here's hoping Fashola scores as much success in transforming Nollywood as he did with transforming Lagos.

Kim Kardashian couldn't Tempt movie critics with "Temptation

F

rom a disappointing divorce twist last two weeks to an even more unsatisfactory movie review in the Easter week. Reality star Kim Kardashian is truly a successful business woman but when it comes to acting, perhaps she should leave it for the pros.

The star came under severe critics from both fans and movie reviewers after the premier of the Tyler Perry's film "Temptation" which

she got a role in. Kim has received some less than flattering reviews of her acting skills According to Hollywood Reporter, 'Kim Kadarshian's monotonous line readings demonstrate that she saved her real acting talents for her sex tape'.

Meanwhile Movie Fanatic stated that 'the question of whether the celebrity gossip maven can act is answered within 60seconds of her cold absence of any feeling performance'.

B

ig Brother Africa Winner and Naira Info OAP, Karen Igho has joined

the cast of trailblazing Soap Opera Tinsel. The show which boasts a huge fan-base

Karen Igho

in Nigeria and beyond was aired last night, April 3, 2013 and Karen, prior to that, was overcome with excitement and took to Twitter yesterday to share her big news.

Tinsel is one of the most watched Soap Operas on African television and Big Brother Africa Winner and Naija Info OAP, Karen Igho starred on the hit TV show last night, April 4 2013. Karen took to Twitter yesterday to share her big news which caused a storm of delight. After the show, the praises kept pouring in from fans and critics alike. And the star? She lapped it all up, with grace and thanksgiving

Yemi Sax blows his proposal to lover in style

D

ing dong, the wedding bells begin to call…

They say the way a man proposes speaks volume s about his class and character. And Nigeria's most popular contemporary saxophonist, Yemi Sax (real name AdeyemiAdeosun) does not lack in that noble department. He's 'got down on one knee' on April 2 2013 at the Cold Stone Creamery Bar in Lekki and done the honourable thing. That being to acquire himself a fiancée in the person of Shola TayoDurojaiye who before the ring-sharing, kneebending business was all cool

with being a girlfriend.

And what taste he has! In the ring that is. The ring which symbolizes the engagement is "an 18carat Gold ring with diamond stones cubic zirconia and black sapphire stones."

Can't make myself say no…

But He's not done yet, he sure sweeps her off her feet with this note that's up there with the best:

Yemi

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

Chinua Achebe: A life in writing – The Guardian (I)

By Nicholas Wroe ‘Nigeria is once again on the brink of a precipice. We have to face up to our responsibilities before it is too late’ n January 1966 Chinua Achebe attended a meeting of the newly founded Society of Nigerian Authors. His 1958 debut novel, Things Fall Apart, had made him a literary celebrity abroad and an influential public intellectual at home. But six years after the celebrations and optimism that marked Nigerian independence, he says there were already “far too many indications that we might not be going to have a good time. There was theft, corruption and even some violence. It wasn’t yet a complete failure, and we still thought we could get things right. But the SNA was sort of a trade union. We thought it would keep us writers safe.”

The meeting that night was delayed because one of the members was late. “And then he burst through the door holding a book and shouting that I was a prophet. ‘Everything in the book is happening,’ he said, ‘except the coup.’” The book was Achebe’s fourth novel, A Man of the People, which was due to be published in London a few days later. Despite being set in an unnamed African state, it was clearly a satire on post-independence Nigeria detailing the greed and vanity of the slide into corruption and the cynical lip service paid to traditional values by aspirant politicians on the make. “I’d ended the book with a coup,” Achebe explains, “which was ridiculous because Nigeria was much too big a country to have a coup, but it was right for the novel. That night we had a coup.”

The prime minister was murdered, along with key regional politicians and members of their families, as elements from the military took control. “And any confidence we had that things could be put right were smashed.

That night is something we have never really got over.”

The eerie prescience of Achebe’s novel led to him being accused of having prior knowledge of the coup by the authorities. While this allegation was entirely untrue in its specifics, in a wider sense his work has always been closely informed by, and intertwined with, Nigerian politics as well as with its culture, history and literature. He is a novelist, poet, children’s writer, critic, editor and essayist. His most recent essay collection, The Education of a British-Protected Child (Penguin), is published in paperback this week. Things Fall Apart told the tragic story of Okonkwo in late 19th-century Nigeria as Christian missionaries began their work in the region.

I

Late Chinua Achebe No Longer at Ease (1960) features Okonkwo’s grandson in the 1950s working for the British colonial civil service; Arrow of God (1964) went back to the early years of the century to interrogate relations between traditional and colonial faiths and power structures.

In 2007 Achebe was awarded the inaugural Man Booker International prize. The chair of judges, Elaine Showalter, said that in “redrawing the contours of African history” he had at the same time “redrawn the contours of the novel Joyce recreated for the 20th century, and illuminated the path for other writers seeking new words and forms for new realities and societies.” Nelson Mandela said Achebe had “brought Africa to the rest of the world” and described him as “the writer in whose company the prison walls came down”.

Achebe was 80 last month and is a model of the grand old man of African writing. But despite his status, he remains a contentious figure. Last month, on a rare visit to the UK, he gave a lecture at Cambridge University – an institution that turned him down for post-graduate study over 50 years ago – entitled “Nigeria’s Painful Transitions”.

He opened by expressing the hope that his words would not be too offensive. The assumption was that he was warning the white members of the audience, but in reality his lecture was far more uncomfortable listening for the sizeable Nigerian contingent, including a slew of government

and embassy dignitaries, as he spoke of “indolent kleptocrats” in the government, and “a cesspool of corruption”.

Before the lecture there had been some rumblings within the university that if Achebe was too outspoken, in particular about the Biafran war and the ongoing secessionist dispute in that part of Nigeria which remains a painful subject 40 years after the war ended, then there might be protests against him. Extra security was discreetly deployed but in the end was not needed.

Despite his robust language, Achebe was mobbed after the event by well-wishers who formed an alarming crush round his wheelchair – he was paralysed in a car crash 20 years ago – as they attempted to take photographs and ask him questions. This sort of rock-star treatment has become an increasingly regular occurrence and one that he says he “observes with some amazement and the hope that it will all end well. But I know it indicates a lot of love and respect, so it also makes me feel rather humble.”

He explains that speaking about Nigeria in such critical terms is a painful duty, particularly because he lived the first part of his life “in a time of such hope, when the glories of Nigeria were very evident and independence could only crown our achievements. We had so many advantages: a large and youthful population full of energy and ideas and talent. After independence we would no longer be at the beck and call of the

colonial master. We would be able to do what we wanted and achieve what we aspired to. This was not just our hope, it was our expectation. When I was young we had everything to look forward to.”

Achebe was born in 1930 in the town of Ogidi in the southeast of the country, and christened Albert Chinualumogu Achebe by his evangelical Christian parents. One of his stock jokes is to ask what he and Queen Victoria have in common.

“We both lost our Albert.” He says there was some tension between his Christian upbringing and the traditional Igbo culture around him. “But my parents had the same sense of hope as I did, although we did not frame it in the same way, in that for them it would emerge out of our worshipping, literally, a different God.” As a precociously gifted schoolboy Achebe thrived in the colonial education system and enjoyed reading the English literary canon, even if Africans rarely fared well in its stories. “I took sides with the white men against the savages,” he once wrote. He won a scholarship to the University of Ibadan where he read English, history and theology. After university he was employed by the Nigeria Broadcasting Service as a scriptwriter, which led to his first visit to the UK to attend a BBC training course.

“My first reaction to England was one of enlightenment. I realised they were really not so much better than us, and in some

ways they were worse than us.

But I also realised that they had their house in order in many ways we didn’t. So the visit acted as a sort of correction to what I thought the world was, but also a realisation that we had to put our own house in order and not count on other people to do it for us.”

A first draft of Things Fall Apart had received some encouraging assessments when he was in England, but he returned home to refine his story of the flawed and wronged Okonkwo and the arrival of European powers in the wake of the 1885 Berlin conference – “which took place without African consultation or representation” – that intensified the scramble for Africa. The book, the title of which comes from Yeats’s poem “The Second Coming”, has gone on to sell more than 10m copies and has been translated into more than 50 languages. Its splicing of English with Igbo rhythms, stories and proverbs was revelatory. Wole Soyinka acclaimed it as the “first novel in English which spoke from the interior of an African character rather than . . . as the white man would see him”.

Achebe’s decision to write in English has been a source of debate since the beginning of his career, with writers such as the Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong’o criticising his use of the colonial language. In 1965 Achebe wrote: “I feel that the English language will be able to carry the weight of my African experience. But it will have to be a new English, still in full communion with its ancestral home but altered to suit its new African surroundings.” It is a position that he has, broadly, stuck to, although he also points out that some of his best poetry has been first written in Igbo.

When independence came in 1960 “it was as if the rains had come after a long period of harsh winds and bushfires”.

Encouraged by the apparent successes of India (1948) and Ghana (1957), “we thought we would do well to part ways with Her Majesty’s empire on which the sun never set, to which the usual rejoinder was ‘because God couldn’t trust an Englishman in the dark’. Not that we knew what independence was intended to be like. It had been given to us on a platter of gold, as our leader told us. Only later did we learn that you cannot grant freedom in that way, we should have taken it on our own terms. So year by year we found ourselves saying that we didn’t like this, or weren’t sure about that. We didn’t have enough scepticism and should have known from simple human instinct that things were not shaping up the way they should.

Then came the coup, and then the counter-coup and soon after we were engaged in civil war.”

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

PAGE 35

Some Interesting Facts

Say what?

•You can't change other people, and it's rude to try.

•It is a hundred times more difficult to burn calories than to refrain from consuming them in the first place.

•If you're talking to someone you don't know well, you may be talking to someone who knows way more about whatever

you're talking about than you do.

•The cheapest and most expensive models are usually both bad deals.

•Everyone likes somebody who gets to the point quickly.

•Bad moods will come and go your whole life, and trying to force them away makes them run deeper and last longer.

•Children are remarkably honest creatures until we teach them not to be.

•If everyone in the TV show you're watching is good-looking, it's not worth watching.

•Yelling always makes things worse.

•Whenever you're worried about what others will think of you,

you're really just worried about what you'll think of you.

•Every problem you have is your responsibility, regardless of who caused it.

•You never have to deal with more than one moment at a time.

•If you never doubt your beliefs, then you're wrong a lot.

•Managing one's wants is the most powerful skill a person can learn.

•Nobody has it all figured out.

•Cynicism is far too easy to be useful.

•Every passing face on the street represents a story every bit as compelling and complicated as yours.

•Whenever you hate something, it hates you back: people, situations and inanimate objects alike.

•Ralph Waldo Emerson's works alone can teach you everything you need to know about living with grace and happiness.

•People embellish everything, as a rule.

•Anger reveals weakness of character, violence even moreso.

•Humans cannot destroy the planet, but we can destroy its capacity to keep us alive. And we are.

•When people are uncomfortable with the present moment, they fidget with their hands or their minds. Watch and see.

•Those who complain the most, accomplish the least.

•Putting something off makes it instantly harder and scarier.

•Credit card debt devours souls.

•Nobody knows more than a minuscule fraction of what's going on in the world. It's just way too big for any one person to know it well.

•Most of what we see is only what we think about what we see.

•A person who is unafraid to present a candid version of herself to the world is as rare as diamonds.

•The most common addiction in the world is the draw of comfort.

It wrecks dreams and breaks people.

•If what you're

doing feels perfectly safe, there is probably a better course of action.

•The greatest innovation in the history of humankind is language.

•Blame is the favorite pastime of those who dislike responsibility.

•Everyone you meet is better than you at something.

•Proof is nothing but a collection of opinions that match your own.

•Knowledge is belief, nothing more.

•Indulging your desires is not selflove.

•What makes human beings different from animals is that animals can be themselves with ease.

•Self-examination is the only path out of misery.

•Whoever you are, you will die.

To know and understand that means you are alive.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Henryk Janowski captures amazing close-ups of birds - by disguising his camera as a swan. Henryk, 41, manages to get within inches of his flighty subjects after swimming to the middle of a lake with his hidden lens.

Source: TheSun.co.uk

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

Pregnant women who sleep on their backs could be at risk of stillbirth- researchers

By Emma Innes

P

regnant women who sleep on their backs are at greater risk of having a stillbirth, a new study suggests.

Mothers-to-be in Ghana who slept in this position were found to be five times more likely to have a baby with a low birth weight, and for some women this resulted in a stillbirth, the researchers said.

The researchers also claimed that more than a quarter of cases of

stillbirth might be avoided simply by ensuring that women change their sleeping position.

The study was conducted in Ghana where between 20 and 50 of every 1,000 babies are stillborn, compared with just 3.5 per 1,000 in the UK. But a recent study in New Zealand suggests that supine sleep the technical term for sleeping on your back - is linked to higher stillbirth rates in high income countries, too.

The study's senior author, Louise

Pregnant women who sleep on their backs are at greater risk of having a stillbirth

O'Brien, from the University of Michigan, said: 'If maternal sleep position does play a role in stillbirth, encouraging pregnant women everywhere not to sleep on their back is a simple approach that may improve pregnancy outcomes.

'In Ghana, inexpensive interventions are urgently needed to improve pregnancy outcomes.

'This is a behaviour that can be modified encouraging women to avoid sleeping on their back would be a low-cost method to reduce stillbirths in Ghana and other lowincome countries.

'The data in this study suggests that more than onequarter of stillbirths might be avoided by altering maternal sleep position.'

Experts suggest

The researchers claim that a quarter of stillbirths in Ghana might be avoided by ensuring that women change their sleeping position

that pregnant women try to sleep on their side, ideally on their left side because this can improve the blood flow to the placenta.

In the new study the researchers interviewed women shortly after they had given birth at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana.

Scientists found that those who had slept on their backs during pregnancy risked compression on the vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower part of the body to the heart.

This means the heart is not pumping as blood as effectively as it should, which may lead to stillbirth.

Researchers said the study shows that giving pregnant women simple advice on how to sleep could radically reduce the number of stillbirths.

This research supports a recent

Australian study which suggested that pregnant women who sleep on their backs are six times more likely to have a stillborn baby.

The study, known as the Sydney Stillbirth Study, looked at the pregnancies of 295 women from eight hospitals around Australia.

The five-year study found that women who sleep on their backs are six times more likely to have a stillborn baby.

Lead researcher Dr Adrienne Gordon, from Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, said previous research had suggested prolonged periods in this position restricted blood flow to the baby.

The researchers added it was important that women who are currently pregnant 'don't become alarmed if they sometimes sleep on their back'.

Commenting at the time, Emma

Laing, midwifery manager for baby charity Tommy's, told MailOnline: 'Given the small number of women monitored in this study, it would be impossible to say whether the findings can provide accurate recommendations for pregnant women about sleeping on their back during the latter stages of pregnancy.

'What we do know is that 20 per cent of the 4,000 stillbirths that happen each year in the UK remain unexplained, and we certainly need further research to find out why stillbirth happens.

'Should women have any concerns or feel their babies' movements have decreased, they should contact their midwife or speak to our midwives here at Tommy's for advice.'

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Breastfeeding for six months 'cuts the risk of dying from cancer by 10%'

By Jenny Hope

W

omen who breastfeed for six months reduce their risk of dying from all cancers by 10 per cent, researchers say.

They also cut their chances of death from heart attacks and strokes by 17 per cent.

And following all the main recommendations for a healthy life reduces the risk of dying from a range of diseases by a third, the study found.

It looked at the contribution made to ill-health by poor lifestyles by examining how closely people complied with seven key recommendations to reduce cancer risk.

Researchers studied nearly 380,000 people in nine European countries over 12 years. They found that those who followed the advice from the World Cancer Research Fund/ American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) most closely cut their chances of dying from several diseases by 34 per cent.

The recommendations are to maintain a healthy weight, be physically active, cut down on foods and drinks that help

increase weight, eat more plant foods, reduce consumption of meat and alcoholic drinks, and in the case of nursing mothers breastfeed for at least six months.

Dr Teresa Norat, of Imperial College London, who led the project, said: 'This large European study is the first that shows there is a strong association between following the WCRF/AICR recommendations and a reduced risk of dying from cancer, circulatory diseases and respiratory diseases.

Now further research is needed in other large populations to confirm these findings.'

Those who most closely followed the WCRF/AICR recommendations cut their chances of dying from respiratory disease by 50 per cent, circulatory disease by 44 per cent and cancer by 20 per cent compared with those who the lowest level of compliance.

The recommendations with the greatest impact on reducing the risk of death from disease were being as lean as possible without becoming underweight (22 per cent lower risk) and eating mostly plant foods (21 per cent).

Limiting alcohol consumption and following the plant food recommendation reduced the risk of dying from cancer by the greatest margin, 21 per cent and 17 per cent respectively.

The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, is the first to examine breastfeeding as part of a combination of lifestyle changes to

see what effect it has on risk of dying.

It showed that women who breastfed for at least six months reduced their risk of death from cancer by 10 per cent and circulatory disease by 17 per cent.

Previous research found strong evidence that breastfeeding can reduce the mother's risk of breast cancer, with each year of breastfeeding reducing the risk of

breast cancer by about 4 per cent.

But only a small number of women in the UK breastfeed their babies for long periods. Less than two per cent of babies are breastfed exclusively for six months.

It was also the first time scientists have examined the relationship between adherence to diet and lifestyle recommendations and respiratory disease deaths.

Dr Panagiota Mitrou, deputy head of science at WCRF, said: 'This study demonstrates in real terms the value of the W C R F / A I C R recommendations in preventing deaths from a range of common diseases, not just cancer.

'This evidence also highlights the importance of aspects of the Government's public health policy around increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, promoting breastfeeding and curbing alcohol abuse.'

Cold sores may increase the risk of impaired memory and thinking skills

S o u r c e : Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

PAGE 37

2015 Presidential contest: Like PDP, like APC? FEATURES

I

n recent times, the political atmosphere in the country has been saturated with reports, mostly from credible sources, that some PDP governors have perfected plans to defect to APC; a new political platform floated recently by four major opposition parties, namely CPC, ACN, ANPP, and APGA. With this in mind, it appears the claim by analysts that Nigerian politicians are lacking in ideological difference has now been confirmed. The worry is that since this rumour was let loose, no member of the APC merger committee has come out to clear the coast by stating categorically where the party stands on the issue.

At the moment, no one can say precisely if APC will accommodate those PDP governors who are jumping their apparently sinking ship.

Undoubtedly, these governors, in one way or the other, contributed in the maladies rocking the party’s foundation, though they are now seeking respite in APC. It becomes essential to highlight the inconsistency created by continued silence of APC over this matter, believing that at the right moment, Nigerians will call to question, the integrity and difference between APC and PDP, if the card carrying members of the latter are allowed access to the former.

Since APC was conceived on the 8th February, the party has been positioning itself as the mesiah to redeem Nigerians from their challenges, while PDP is represented as the monster ravaging economic and political emancipation of the country.

For proper understanding, the bone of contention among observers in this matter is that there is nothing unique about APC if it allows itself to join forces with governors formally on the platform of PDP; is it just mere change of name?

As already pointed out by political analysts, this invitation of PDP governors is a potential brewing ground for a conflict that will kill APC on arrival, if the record is not placed straight for posterity.

Observers are united on the belief that General Muhammadu Buhari is a strict general who has what it takes to salvage Nigeria from

Since the All Progressives Congress was formed, Nigerians have expressed joy, hoping for a transition to a more active democracy. In this piece, Ikechukwu Okaforadi, looks at the need to keep the new party free from invasion by non progressive elements.

Gen. Buhari Mahmmadu corruption and moral decadence.

Again, this raises the issue that Buhari’s effectiveness largely depends on his foot soldiers, in addition to the fact that a leader whose mission is to sanitise a dirty country must come from a sanitised platform.

It is on this note that one can imagine how convenient the APC platform will be for Buhari to begin the fight against corruption, especially when about ten PDP governors invade APC with their ill gotten funds.

The fear among many is that at this very stage, General Buhari may be dropped by APC, through a clandestine influence on the stakeholders by these PDP governors, who will be ruthless by then in protecting their interests.

By this, APC will be a recreation of PDP but in a changed guard, rather than a distinct party with unique ideology and lifestyle as being projected now.

Already, some unofficial members of the party have openly declared that APC will gladly welcome any PDP governor who defects.

Though these statements may have emanated from

Governor Babagida Aliyu those who are in APC by accident seeking for their own interest, it bears an eloquent testimony of the calibre of members APC may have to deal with as the platform unfolds.

Expectation of Nigerians now is that the foremost task awaiting the APC government when it comes on board, is the prosecution of the governors and public servants guilty of embezzling public funds while in office.

But the puzzle is, if APC accommodates governors who are coming from a platform with distinctly opposing

ideology, will the party muster the courage to do the needful by bringing those governors to book irrespective of the amount they have sunk in the building and victory of APC, or will they be shielded by an APC President.

Another bitter truth over which many observers have opted for silence is the obvious incompatibility between co leader of APC, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, who is a major brain behind the merger of opposition parties.

While Tinubu is a core capitalist politician who understands both the game

“

It is on this note that one can imagine how convenient the APC platform will be for Buhari to begin the fight against corruption, especially when about ten PDP governors invade APC with their ill gotten funds

and essence of politiking, Buhari is a communist and a seasoned administrator, who believes that the rule must never at any given time be bended for whatever reason.

It is mostly on this ground that analysts have described Buhari and Tinubu; though in hush hush voices, as strange bed fellows. The ruling party has also been left bewildered over how this alliance will work, as some of their members have openly described the union of the two progressives as an alliance of strange forces.

Nevertheless, with the merger agreement almost sealed, the expectation is that politicians with contrary spirit will definitely storm APC with their ill acquired wealth. This is particularly as the party has caught the fancy of many, both thieves and decent persons, who see it a a virgin ground for political exploits.

This therefore calls for caution in deciding who will be an APC member, candidate, leader, so as to avoid decisions that will cost the party this hard earned reputation and set the party in chaos.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

Opposition will be put to shame in 2015, says Gusau INTERVIEW Ahmed Mohammed Gusau is the Special Adviser to the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with Ikechukwu Okaforadi, he explains the confusion behind the recent peace mission to PDP governors by the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Tony Anenih. Excerpts.

How do you feel about the myriad of crisis ravaging your party, particularly in the face of recent merging of opposition parties which has become more formidable now?

The opposition will be put to shame; PDP is a very strong and formidable party. It is people’s party, where you find all shades of people and opinion. It has always been like that when you have a large party like PDP, there must always be some kind of clash of interest. But this is because of the position of the party as the largest political party in Africa.

So if you find this kind of trend, it is the norm in politics. People are entitled to their own opinion and people say whatever they feel like in their own assumption, as long as they believe it is right. But in actual sense, the administration of Bamangar Tukur came into being in March last year. They have started work, and things were going well. In the first National executive committee of the party, the National chairman presented his programme of action, which contained reconciliation, reformation and rebuilding of the party based on equity and fairness. And this was approved by the National Executive Committee of the party. Now that he has started implementing, with active collaboration of the National Working Committee of the party, the opposition is bound to be unhappy because they are now seeing that the party is now going back to the people and it is the people that voted the party into power. And the opposition is looking forward to finding a way to snatch away our membership, which is what we are looking up to for power. It is quite normal at this period when they are trying to come together, to find this situation going on, to plant all sorts of sensational story in the newspapers. I was witness to the first ever in the history of PDP, a reconciliation tour initiated and organised by the chairman of this working committee, in all the six geo political zones of the country.

It is the first time in history of administration of this party to find the entire NWC moving wholesomely from the national

headquarters to the zonal headquarters of our party. The NWC reached out to people, leaders; the executive, members of the state, ward and local government councils, coming together and robbing minds together to first of all assess the situation of the party. Where are we now, from where are we coming, how do we now ensure that we position ourselves for the next election? People were given privilege to react and even ask questions themselves. After the tour, there was a grand finale which was put up here in Abuja, where the chairman gave his appreciation and put up his resolve to move the party forward. All these things are innovations unknown to the opposition and even to some members. Not everybody can come to Abuja and speak with the national chairman. In the south west, it was massive, if you were there, you will think that PDP is in control of the region, but we don’t even have a governor. It was as if they were out of bondage, and the NEC is now educated on their aspirations, expectation of the members of their party.

Imagine, during that tour, there was an election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and out of the six local government elections, PDP won five, lost one by only a little margin, which will show you how Nigerians support this party.

You claim that the tour was a success, but there were reports that some governors walked out on the leadership

Ahmed Mohammed Gusau of the party?

No, nobody walked out on anybody. In the Rivers state where we went, I was a living witness. All the governors were there, except those who took permission for genuine reasons.

And the chairman delivered his speech, everybody did his own, it was when the governor of Delta state wanted to leave for an official function which he must attend. He was called to come and attend that function and he had to come and answer the call of the party first and he was with us before he left. The governor of Rivers state, Chibuike Amechi, obviously ought to escort his colleague to the Airport, because he is a guest. If that excursion of his colleague to the Airport means walking out, then it is unfortunate. Nigerians should be careful. Other governors like the governor of Akwa Ibom state was there; all the party officials were there. The private people

“

So I believe the National Legal Adviser, as the assigned person responsible for interpretation of the party’s constitution, will definitely, if there is any breach, advise the chairman appropriately, and I am sure the chairman would have taken appropriate action

that were supposed to be there were there, chairmen of local governments, state, and national executives; they were all there. In fact, they were the target people. They are the people who cannot come to the national headquarters to see the chairman.

The recent peace mission by the Chairman of PDP’s BoT, Tony Anenih, to the PDP governors, is a pointer to the fact that PDP Chairman, Bamangar Tukur failed to accomplish the mission of the peace tour to the six geopolitical zones.?

In this country, we have six geopolitical zones, the national chairman went to all the six and had conferences with the entire sector, states were represented there; no state was left out. Now, the Chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT), decided to go round and see the governors individually, ordinarily, which I believe there must have been consultations, he would not have embarked in that trip without consulting the national chairman of the party, because the national chairman is the overall head of party affairs. The BoT is to advise the chairman on issues. So I believe there was consultation somewhere along the line, but I can’t say, I was not privy to the arrangement on how they intend to go about it, but I know it is just a question of a job started by somebody and complimented by another.

Remember, during the speech of the national chairman, he appreciated the compliment of the job now being undertaken

by, not just the chairman of BoT, but also the governors forum chairman. You remember when the chairman of PDP governors’ forum spoke to members, he said none of the PDP governors are getting out of PDP; rather they are now devising a strategy of bringing back all the other ACN, CPC and APGA governors.

Somebody is complimenting a job, at least you have to say where he is complimenting. If there is anything I believe they feel highly about, they have a duty and responsibility as enshrined in the constitution of the party to see the chairman and express things to him. Being him the head, the chairman of the party, and he will take appropriate action. So I am convinced that they must have gone round and made their consultation, I cannot say because I am not the chairman, before they embarked on that trip, because the intention is first and foremost, to bring PDP back the fold. With all the members of PDP, old and new, we remain one under the umbrella of PDP, and the country will be delivered by 2015.

But the view of the political observers is that the peace mission by Anenih contravenes the constitution of the party?

We have a National Legal Adviser, who is responsible for advising the chairman, where the constitution of the party is breached. I am sure that if there was that kind of breach, he would have taken action by advising the chairman, and the national chairman would have taken actions to remedy the breach. What I want to say is that the roles and responsibilities of the BoT are enshrined specifically in the constitution of the party and they know it very well. Remember, Tony Anenih is former chairman of BoT and this is the second time he is coming. So I believe he is sufficiently briefed on the issue and he has the knowledge of what the constitution provides. The national chairman is the founder of PDP; he also knows the extent to which anybody can play his role according to the constitution of PDP. So I believe the National Legal Adviser, as the assigned person responsible for interpretation of the party’s constitution, will definitely, if there is any breach, advise the chairman appropriately, and I am sure the chairman would have taken appropriate action.

What is the outcome of Anenih’s peace visit to the governors?

I am not part of the team, and I am not supposed to take a report.

I believe when they come, they will turn out their report, and from whatever they came with, we will now see what is there.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

Burnt market: Adamawa Rep donates N1.5m to traders

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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member of the House of Representatives, Hajiya Aisha Dahiru Ahmed (representing Yola North/ Yola South/ Girei Federal Constituency) has donated N1.5million to traders whose goods were burnt at Ranatafitu Jimeta Shopping Complex in Yola.

The Representative has however advised traders to secure insurance cover for their goods to minimize their losses.

She also advised owners and managers of shopping complex to invest in safety measures against floods and fire disasters.

Hajiya Aisha, who made the donation during a visit to the victims of the fire disaster at the Shopping Complex, said she decided to alleviate the suffering of the traders as part of her campaign pledges.

She visited the burnt market in company of the PDP Chairman for Yola North, Alhaji Isa Bagalti, the PDP Chairman in Girei LGA, Alhaji Siddiq Haske and all ward chairmen in the Federal Constituency.

She said: “I am sad that fire has gutted a part of this shopping complex. Being my constituents, I feel for you and I pray to God to be with you in this hour of need.

“But as part of my contributions to your rehabilitation programme, I wish to donate a token of N1.5million to those affected by the inferno.”

She however said the time had come for owners and managers of markets and shopping complexes nationwide to invest in safety measures.

She added: “It is a pity that we have not been paying attention to safety in this part of the world. This type of disaster should serve as a wake-up call to us as a nation to have a rethink on our poor attitude to safety precautions.

“I want to appeal to owners and managers of markets and shopping malls to invest in safety technology to mitigate disasters.”

She also urged Nigerian traders to secure insurance cover for their goods to avoid “total loss.”

She added: “I do not know why we ignore insurance policy.

As traders, you can avoid total loss of your goods to disasters if you subscribe to insurance policy.

“If you have insurance policy, you will be able to recover from this type of disaster. We should not run away from insurance which has no religious or ethnic implications.”

Responding, the Chairman of Ranatafitu Jimeta Shopping Complex, Alhaji Khaleel Attahiru, said “We have never given insurance a thought, we will consider it in our plans for the future.”

PAGE 39

Merger crisis deepens as ANPP stakeholders give party ultimatum to pull out

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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he crisis rocking the merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and two other political parties deepened yesterday as a group of concerned members of the All Nigerian Peoples Party(ANPP) gave the leadership of the party three weeks to pull out from the merger deal, alleging secrete agenda by the ACN leaders.

The group warned that it would amount to political suicide for ANPP to go ahead with the merger unless the anxiety and fears of many are addressed .

The stakeholders, in a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and made available to journalists yesterday in Abuja alleged that the proposed All Progressive Congress(APC) was a pet project of

former governor of Lagos state, Ahmed Tinubu.

It claimed claimed that Tinubu had in 2006 registered All Peoples Congress (APC) with the Independent National ElectoralCommission (INEC).

The stakeholders, in the statement signed by the ANPP chairman in Usman ward, in Bwari Area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Isah Bala(with registration number 13714), alleged that it was the same APC which was registered in January 2006 that later transformed to ACN in August 2006 under the leadership of the former governor.

Mallam Bala argued that it was the same people that sponsored the failed APC that are insisting of the acronym just to expand their political empire According to him, “the merger could have also provided a strong

two party system in Nigeria which will produce a virile opposition as it is obtained in advanced democracies of the world. The gains of the merger cannot be over-emphasized as the generality of Nigerians had anxiously waited for its realization.

“However, to our utter bewilderment, we have discovered the unholy, inordinate, ulterior motive of a few insatiable political gluttons, who are largely obsessed with the self-driven interest of expanding their political empire to the detriment of the greater majority of Nigerians.

On this note, the group therefore called on the national leadership of ANPP to henceforth suspend involvement in the merger process until issues and suspicious of the members, and other questions are resolved.

A member of the House of Representatives, Hajiya Aisha Dahiru Ahmed (Yola North/ South/ Girei Federal Constituency) addressing the traders at Ranatafitu Jimeta Shopping Complex after donating N1.5million to rehabilitate them.

“It has become obvious that the merger partners are not treated as equal entities in the merger project, rather it is being dominated by Bola Tinubu’s led ACN. The interest of our great party is evidently, not adequately protected in the present merging arrangement”, the statement read.

It further said that ANPP cannot surrender its identity that their founding fathers have labored for, to satisfy the interest of some persons.

“Consequently, we give our national leadership three weeks ultimatum to suspend their involvement in the merger if this anomaly is not corrected. We also urge our national leadership to start discussing the possibility of forming alliance with Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and other political parties on basis of mutual respect and equality for one another in the forth coming general election in 2015.

The group also encourage CPC, led by General Muhammadu Buhari, to also review their stand and stake in the merger arrangement, saying it is a hoax that can yield no political or democratic dividend.

“As earlier advocated an alliance with CPC and other political parties; where General Buhari, a time-tested leader is presented as a presidential candidate will garner an overwhelming acceptance from Nigerians”, according to the statement.

It argued that a well thought out alliance will help the two parties capture power at the federal level and still retain their individual identities, recalling that political history has shown that foremost political leaders explored the gains of alliance in enthroning good governance and political harmony in the country.

“Finally, we declare that we will not fail to use every lawful means to stop this uneven merger our party is about entering into, if the ongoing act of insincerity by the merger imperialists is not halted”, the statement read.

Jonathan’s aide shutout Yuruba traditional leaders

By Mohammed Kandi

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socio-political association, Yoruba Political Awareness Movement (YOPAM), Northern States Chapter, including some traditional and religious leaders were yesterday from the tribe, were yesterday shunned by Presidential Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ahmed Gulak, who said he does not attend to any official engagements when there is power outage.

Leader of the movement, Alhaji Mohammed Arigbobowo, who led the delegation of highly diverse and reputable members of YOPAM to Gulak’s office in Abuja, disclosed that it was the third time courtesy call on the

President’s aide have been cancelled to flimsy excuses.

Arigbobowo, who was particularly infuriated with the manner by which his delegation was snubbed for about three hours unattended, however noted that, they were at the office on the directive of Mr President himself.

He said that their mission was amongst others, to improve the welfare of Yoruba people indigenous to or residing in the 19 northern states and to mobilise resources that could cover for any socio-political and religious crisis.

He recalled that the group had requested during their meeting with the President a few developmental assistance saying, “the approval covers

compensation to Yoruba traditional rulers in the northern states.”

“That our religious leadersChristians and Muslims in the northern states to be given seats to the holy lands of Israel and Mecca, as well as allocation of plots lands to build headquarters of our secretariat in Abuja,” he explained.

“Allocation of substantial amount of money for cooperative through NAPEP in favour of the Yorubas residing in the northern states.

“There should be consideration for appointment in your administration for Yoruba community in the north,” Arigbobowo said.

He descried the President as “leader of all Nigerians

irrespective of their sociopolitical, ethnic and religious background or their ideological differences wherever they may be residing.”

However, an attempt to ascertain why the President’s aide declined to keep an appointment which he approved earlier was unsatisfactory, as a staff that simply identified herself as Comfort said it was no longer convenient for her boss to meet with them.

According to her, “Let me be honest with you that we do not operate when there is no light in the office and hope you would understand so, please bear with us and I promise that this appointment will be reschedule for another day.”

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

PAGE 41

Maigari orders technical c’ttee to intervene in Keshi, Yobo row

T Anthony Ujah

Kalu Uche

Again, Keshi drops Yobo, Obafemi, recalls Kalu Uche, Ujah, 28 others for Super-Jumbo June

By Patrick Andrew

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or the second consecutive times, Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi, has left out skipper Joseph Yobo, as well as Seattle Sounders forward, Martins Obafemi from the list of 30 players he called up for the 2014 World Cup qualifying double header against Kenya and Namibia respectively and the FIFA Confederation Cup Finals in Brazil.

Yobo and Keshi had engaged in brickbats over the latter’s alleged exclusion of the skipper from the list of invitees for the clash against 2014 World Cup qualifier Kenya in Calabar last month without duly putting him in the know.

Obafemi though had failed for the third time since Keshi took charge to impress in the game in Calabar and was promptly dropped even as “Big Boss” recalled Kalu Uche from a 16 months international wilderness to the squad.

Similarly, concerned about the lack offensive soundness of the forward, Keshi has given the nod to FC Cologne forward Anthony Ujah, a former U-23 striker as well as recalled Emmanuel Emenike- the AFCON Golden Boot winner, who missed the last qualifier because of injury.

The African champions have a high-profile friendly against CONCACAF champions Mexico in Houston, Texas, USA on the last day of May, before two World Cup qualifying matches in Nairobi and Windhoek that come before the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil.

Nigeria play Tahiti, Uruguay and Spain in Brazil but will play two more games if they advance to the knockout stage, before returning to Africa for a 2014 African Nations Championship qualifying fixture against Cote d’Ivoire.

Accordingly, Keshi recalled his regulars including four goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and 11 forward and equally included 13 domestic league players. of the lot, defender Ebenezer Odunlami from Sunshine

Emmanuel Emenike

Stars debuts, while Emeka Ezeh, Gomo Onduku of Sharks and Obinna Nwachukwu rejoined the team.

The delegation of 12 home-based players and technical/ backroom staff will depart Abuja for the training camp in Nuremberg, Germany on May 15 while the overseasbased professionals are expected to join the team in Germany as their various Leagues come to an end.

Players in Russia, Ukraine and Norway may only join the team for the matches against Kenya and Namibia, and for the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament.

THE LIST Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC, Nigeria) Defenders: Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Ebenezer Odunlami (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria) Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway); John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal); Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars, Nigeria); Sunday Mba (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Emeka Ezeh (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria) Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia); Michael Babatunde (Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine); Nnamdi Oduamadi (AS Varese 1910, Italy); Anthony Ujah (FC Cologne, Germany); Kalu Uche (Kasimpasa, Turkey); Gomo Onduku (Sharks FC, Nigeria); Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Gambo Mohammed (Kano Pillars, Nigeria).

he president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, has directed the technical and development Committee to intervene in the ongoing brickbats between the Super Eagles’ Head Coach Stephen Keshi and Captain Joseph Yobo.

Maigari gave the order in a statement released yesterday in Abuja and made available to Peoples Daily Sports by the Assistant Media Director, Ademola Olajire.

“Maigari ordered the Chairman of Technical and Development Committee, Barrister Chris Green and his committee members to, as a matter of urgency, intervene in the on-going war of words between Super Eagles’ Head Coach Stephen Keshi and Captain Joseph Yobo.’’

The statement said the war of words between both was an unhealthy development which has reflected badly not only on the image of the two principal characters but Nigeria the team as well.

According to the statement, Yobo expressed unhappiness with the coach over his exclusion from last month’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kenya in Calabar.

“This is a highly untoward development and the NFF and entire Nigeria football family are disturbed.

“Less than two months ago, we lifted the Africa Cup of Nations in a blaze of glory, and this was made possible by the hard work and team work in an atmosphere of peace, unity and tranquility.

“The recent exchange of words between Coach Keshi and Captain Yobo is worrisome, at a time that we have so many important matches and the FIFA Confederations Cup (Brazil 2013) ahead of us.

“I have, therefore, ordered the Chairman of the Technical Committee and his members to immediately intervene and restore sanity,’’ Maigari said.

It said Nigeria had a tight and buy schedule of possibly, 10 matches in six weeks between the end of May and mid-July.

“The Super Eagles take on CONCACAF champions, Mexico (rated 15th in the world), in a prestigious international friendly in Texas, USA on May 31. They will travel to Kenya and Namibia for 2014 World Cup qualifiers within a fortnight.

“The Super Eagles will also take part in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, where they could play five matches if they progress beyond the group stages. “They will then proceed for a 2014 African Nations Championship two-legged fixture against Cote d’Ivoire.’’

Brazil 2014: FIFA orders Nigeria, other group F teams to play all June matches simultaneously

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he world footballgoverning bodyFIFA- has conceded to Nigeria’s request that all Group F 2014 matches involving the Super Eagles, the Flames of Malawi, the Brave Warriors of Namibia and the Harambee Stars of Kenya in June be played same day.

Nigeria had written to express concern that not playing the 2014 World Cup qualifying matches same day would give undue advantage to some teams to the detriment of others.

FIFA, therefore, directed that all the Group F 2014

FIFA World Cup qualifying must be played on June 5 and June 12, respectively.

Nigeria had sought the simultaneous matches because the Super Eagles have a loaded programmes for June as the team are to play both the qualifiers and the FIFA Confederation Cup matches in Brazil same month.

Also, both the Super Eagles and the Flames of Malawi are on same five points but the Malawians would be handed undue advantage should the Super Eagles maintain the June 5 return leg clash with Harambee Stars only

for the Flames to play two days later.

In a response to the letter by the Nigeria Football Federation requesting for readjustment of the schedule, FIFA confirmed that it has acceded to Nigeria’s request and further directed that the Eagles versus Stars match should take place on Wednesday June 5 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, as should the Malawi versus Namibia’s Brave Warriors in Blantyre.

Also, while the Eagles take the pitch against the Brave Warriors in Windhoek on Wednesday,

June 12, Malawi would also be hosting Kenya’s Harambee Stars in Blantyre.

Aminu Maigari

PAGE 42

Federation Cup: 40 FCT clubs kickoff campaigns April 8

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

NBB of C wants govt to use boxing to reform ‘miscreants

R

emi Aboderin, General Secretary, Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), has urged government at all levels to develop and use boxing to reform youths constituting a menace to

society.

“Boxing is not a school game as such that needs a lot of education; it is a very good sport for young men on the streets who could use their fists to earn a living.

N

o fewer than FCT 40 clubs are to campaign for Federation Cup honours, according to a statement yesterday by the Football Association which announced a new date for the commencement of the 2013 tournament.

Mansur Abdullahi, Secretary, Organising and Disciplinary Committee of the FCT FA, said that the event was shifted from April 4 to April 8 because of late submission of licences by various participating clubs.

“It is true we have shifted the date to the 8 th of this month. The delay emanated from the inability of the clubs to submit their licences for processing on time to the Federation Cup unit.

“We have done our own part at the FA level to collate all the licences and forward it to the Federation,’’ he said.

Abdullahi noted that the shift was imminent because the FCT FA did not want the federation cup tournament to clash with other league matches.

“Some of these teams taking part in the tournament also play in the Nigeria National League. For instance, in Abuja, we have 6 teams in the Nigeria Nationwide League Division 1, 5 teams in Division 2 and 4 teams in Division 3.

“So, we need to give these clubs time to rest because it will be unfair if they play in the Federation Cup on Thursday and then play again in the league on Friday,’’ Abdullahi added.

About 40 clubs would be participating in the tournament, scheduled to take place simultaneously in the Area 3 Sports Complex and the Old Parade Ground, Area 10.

The first round for new entrants into the tournament will be a three-day event, scheduled for April 8 to April 11.

Matches to be played are between Abuja Utd. and Young Planners, Odic Ltd. vs Lion Stars, FC 24 will take on Basic Marakana and Immigration will play against Sharon Utd. Others are Hot Shooters versus Optimum Performance and Waco will play against Beautiful Towers.

The second round will kick-off on April 11 featuring Division 1 teams of the Nigeria National League, as well as the champions and runners-up of the last federation cup tournament.

It would be recalled that Police Machine FC won the 2012 edition of the Federation Cup by defeating FC Abuja 4-3 on penalty kicks, following a 1-1 draw at regulation time.

FC Abuja that won the competition in 2006 and 2007 and were the runners-up in the 2012 edition of the tournament will not be participating in this year’s edition.

The tournament will be played on knockout basis, with six matches played daily. The winners and runners-up of the Federation Cup will represent FCT at the National stage of the competition.

“Some other sports have to concentrate on primary, secondary and tertiary institutions for the discovery of talents but they are on our major streets in boxing.

“Many of our youths who roam the streets perhaps because they are dropouts from schools and have become street fighters can be gainfully engage in boxing,’’ he said.

Aboderin said that many of the bus conductors and truck pushers could use their fists to both earn living and win laurels for the country in tournaments.

The secretary attributed the rise in insecurity in the country to the neglect of sports as an alternative to engage the youth in the face of massive unemployment.

“We need government at all levels to provide the necessary infrastructure and facilities for youths to train to become better citizens,’’ he said.

Federations’ election top agenda in Rugby’s meeting, says Williams

G “The National Stadium of Republic of Benin is being managed by a Chinese firm company and the facilities are well maintained, ‘the former left wing attacker said.

Owolabi, who won the 1980 edition of the AFCON in Lagos with the Green Eagles, added that the state of the country’s sports infrastructures should treated as an emergency.

“Something urgent has to be done about the deplorable state of these stadiums to renovate them and bring them back to life,’’ the former 3SC player added.

uidelines for the forthcoming elections into the various sports federations in the country will top the discussions at the next general meeting of the Friends of Rugby League.

Ntiese Williams, Secretary of the league, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that the meeting, scheduled for April 11, would hold in Lagos.

Williams added that the meeting would also discuss matters concerning the development of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF).

“The meeting will also review the concession process of the NRFF and the review of the outgoing board of the federation,’’ he said.

Williams noted that it was high time the stakeholders of the sport came together to ensure adequate governing of the federation.

“It is imperative that we all meet to chart a way forward for our beloved game of rugby in Nigeria. This is especially in the wake of the dissolution of the present boards of the sports federations,” he said.

The secretary added that all invited members from outside Lagos would get a transport subsidy and one night accommodation.

aribo - Was he 40 and not 28 in 2001? Ex-Nigeria World Cup star Taribo West has dismissed a former club president as confused after he exposed the defender as an age cheat.

Former president of Partizan Belgrade Zarko Zecevic has alleged that Taribo lied about his age, claiming to be 28 when he was actually 40.

“He joined us saying he was 28. We only later found out he was 40, but he was still playing well so I don’t regret having him on the team,” said the former club boss.

But the flamboyant central defender has been quick to dismiss this allegation.

“I think he is out of his mind. If I were 40 in 2002/2003 (season) as he claimed, how old would be now? He is not a serious man,” Taribo countered in an interview with Complete Sports.

“After I left the club, I still played for seven or so more years at the top level. I don’t know how that is possible if I was indeed 40 then as he claimed. I am just going to ignore him because his allegation is standing logic on its head.”

But the Croatian media have also alleged that Taribo lied about his age when he tried to join Rijeka club.

The star defender said he was 32 then, but club doctors suggested he could have been about 44 after an examination revealed his knees showed he was much older than he claimed.

The former Enugu Rangers star, who featured at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, quit the game in 2008 after he starred in the French Ligue 1, English Premier League and Serie A with both AC Milan and Inter Milan.

Nigerian amateur boxers

Owolabi says concession of Abuja, Lagos stadia long overdue

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ormer Green Eagles winger, Felix Owolabi has applauded the Federal Government decision to concession the Abuja and Lagos National Stadium by private investors for better management, but said it was long overdue.

It will be recalled that the stadiums have being in a deplorable state in recent times, which made the government to arrive at the decision to concession the national edifices.

However, he suggested that the prospective

investor should work closely with the National Sports Commission (NSC) for an effective arrangement.

“Its long overdue, we have said it over time that the government cannot continue to shoulder the burden alone, it’s the best thing to do; ego or sentiments should not disturb this.

“I think this proposal is logical, I will prefer a situation where a viable arrangement is arrived at by the government and the investor.

Taribo rages over age cheat report T

Taribo West

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

Ist Okpekpe Race: Momodu named Director of Organisation

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Chief Solomon Ogba, AFN president

ack Momodu has been named as the Director of Organisation for the maiden edition of the Okpekpe international 10km race slated for May 4th in Edo State. Others on the main organising committee are Comdr.

Omatseye Nasima who will serve as the chairman of the committee while Dr.Gloria Obajimi as been named the Race Director.

Ex-international, Yusuf Alli and the secretary of the

Athletics Federation of Nigeria(AFN) are amongst members on the committee.

The Group Sports Editor of the Nation newspaper, Ade Ojeikere, Calistus Ebere of AIT, Duro Ikhazuagbe of This Day and Toyin Ibitoye would oversee the media. In the same vein, Niyi Oyeleke of Supersports and Harry Iwuala have been listed amongst those also in charge of the media related issues.

Meanwhile, the 10 Kilometers race which is being powered by Pamodzi, a marketing company owned by the Honourable adviser to Comrade Adams Oshiomole on Sports matters, Mike Itemuagbor will attract athletes across the globe. The race is expected to cover Okpepe and its environs down to Iyahmo, the home town of the state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

It is a mountainous region in Edo North

S

Heartland forced to shelve trip to Gabon

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eartland FC of Owerri were yesterday forced to shelve their trip to Gabon for a Confederation Cup fixture against US Bitam FC, due to lack of seats in the aircraft, according to a club official.

Heartland’s Media Officer, Cajetan Nkwopara,confirmed in Lagos that there was not enough space for its 33-man contingent.

It would be recalled that Heartland had defeated their Gabonese opponents 2-1 in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

“We were scheduled to leave on Thursday, but there were not enough seats to accommodate our 33-man contingent. So we are banking on doing so by Friday and the airline too has promised to provide enough space.

“It could not even accommodate the players, much less the officials, but they have given us their word and we are hoping on that,’’ he said.

When asked whether the delay could have an adverse effect on the team’s preparation for the match, Nkwopara said that the team would be able to weather the storm.

“If we can leave here early tomorrow and get to Gabon on time, then fatigue will not set in. We didn’t plan it this way, but based on what is on ground, we can’t do more than what we have done,’’ the media officer said.

position $8,000, 5th position $7,000 , 6th position $5,000, $4,000, $ 3,000 for 7th and 8th position respectively.

That of women, $4,000, $3,000 $2,000, $1,000 for 2nd to 5th positions while that of Edo state of indigenes will be 75,000, 50,000, 30,000 20,000, 15, 000 10,000 and 5,000 naira, all these monies for grab in the one day event.

The race would be broadcast live on channels, Supersports and AIT.

Shorunmu advises F/ Eagles to focus on World Cup preparation

CAF Champions League: Al Hilal seek Sewe Sports revange tonight udanese giants Al Hilal will be looking to turn around their CAF Champions first round tie when they host the second leg against Ivory Coast’s Sewe Sports in Omdurman this evening.

The North Africans were thumped 4-1 by Sewe Sports in the first leg at the Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan midway through March.

Roger Assale, Ocansey Mandela and Kevin Zougoula shared the West African side’s goals between them, while Al Hilal’s away strike came from Mali-born attacker Mohamed Traore.

The Sudanese side, who were semifinalists in the CAF Champions League as recently as 2011, have not returned to the group phase since then and will be bitterly disappointed if they again fail in their quest to reach the latter stages.

They will look to make the most of home advantage and be inspired by the passionate support they receive at the Al Hilal Stadium, but they will need to strike early in order to give themselves a genuine chance of turning around the deficit.

Hilal would progress to the second round with a 3-0 win (the tie would be locked ta 4-4 on aggregate, but their away goal would prove decisive); hence they cannot afford to concede at home.

As for the West Africans, they can afford to sit back and look to hit their hosts on the counter attack. Should Hilal make any kind of mistake in defence which allows Sewe to notch up an away goal, the tie would effectively be decided in their favour.

The winners of this tie will probably face Morocco’s FUS Rabat in the second round. Rabat are 3-0 up on Cameroon’s Union Douala ahead of their second-leg clash this weekend.

Senatorial District of the state.

The international athletes that will participate in the event are expected to go home with 25,000 dollars for the first position for the men while the first female would cart home the cash prize of $5,000 while Edo indigenes will be 100,000 naira.

For the men international athletes, 2nd position $15,000,3rd position $10, 000, 4th

F

Aminu Umar of Flying Eagles

ormer Super Eagles goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu, yesterday called on the Flying Eagles to ensure that they prepared adequately for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup beginning in Turkey in June.

The U-20 World Cup would hold from June 21 to July 7 in Turkey, with the Flying Eagles playing in Group B, alongside Cuba, Portugal and South Korea.

Shorunmu, also the goalkeeper trainer of the Super Eagles, added that the failure to defend their Africa Youth Championship (AYC) title should spur them to work harder.

“I believe that their performance at the AYC should not make them to doubt their ability as a powerful contender for the World Cup. “The team has to remain focused and intensify its effort because so far, they seem not to have got it right. I believe that with a little more effort, the team will make a good come back.

“I’m sure that the technical crew must be mapping out strategies for them to return with a bang at the World Cup,’’ he said.

Shorunmu also urged the Flying Eagles to use the forthcoming World Cup as an opportunity to redeem their image that was battered at the AYC. He implored the team to shun all sorts of distractions that could divert its attention from preparing for the World Cup.

Wikki Tourist’s continental ambition is achievable, says team manager

By Albert Akota

F

ollowing the S u p e r l a t i v e Displayed of Wikki Tourist Wizard Aminu Umar at the just concluded Africa Youth Championship (AYC) in Algeria, Team Manager of the Club, Abdullahi Yusuf said that the continental slot ambition for the team is achievable.

Despite starting the Nigeria Professional

Football League (NPFL) 2012/2013 season with not much impressive performance after playing five matches with four points, the Bauchi side still expressed optimism that the team is currently working assiduously to ensure nothing short from the continental ticket.

Yusuf who spoke to Peoples Daily Sport yesterday in Abuja urged its fans to remain calm as the Bauchi based club will remain focused as every

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player in the team has been motivated by the state government to give his best.

“I believe that with the caliber of players the team is parading, the club will definitely get continental ticket by the end of the season “We are getting a very good support from the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda, first paid off the sign off-fees and introduced a new and better salary package which has been maintained.

“The players are now paid as at when due. We have started receiving our new salary and are paid in bulk. Players are paid from N250, 000 and above.

“The governor has also motivated the team with two new brand buses.

That’s why I have the confidence that the team have no option than to do the state proud, “he said.

The elated club manager who was in Algeria to watch the

Flying Eagles at just concluded African Youth Championship (AYC) lauded Aminu Umar who was crowned the highest goal scorer after scoring four goals at the end of the competition and Abubakar Hassan performances.

Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

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PICTORIAL

1

1] Zarkander edges out younger rival The New One to win the Aintree Hurdle on the first day of the Grand National meeting.

2] Africa's biggest club competition will be cut down to 16 teams after this weekend's fixtures, which feature ambitious Kenyan club Tusker trying to upset champions Al Ahly.

3] Jon Carter rewinds to 2010 when Lionel Messi became Barca's leading Champions League scorer by netting four goals against Arsenal.

4] Olympic bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo will face veteran KieronGray in his first bout since turning professional.

3

2

4

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. AJOSE EMMANUEL OLUSEGUN - PRESIDENT 2. OLUWATOSIN MODUPE AJOSE - SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 2. TO ORGANISE CRUSADE, SEMINARS, CONFERENCE AND SHARING OF TRACTS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: ATABOH & CO SUITE 212 ANBEEZ PLAZA WUSE ZONE 5, ABUJA 08027439246, 08054492707

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR SUNDAY OGBONNA AKPURU 2. MR. CHUKWUMA OGBONNA 3. MR OGOCHUKWU AUSTIN OKORO 4. MR CHUKWUDI NWABUISI 5. MR KENNETH CHUKWU 6. MR ONYEMA OKORIE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO FOSTER UNITY, PEACE, CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT AMONG MEMBERS. 2. TO ENCOURAGE HARD WORK AMONG MEMBERS AND THE SOCIETY. 3. TO PROMOTE BROTHERLY LOVE, SELF SACRIFICE, DISCIPLINE, AND RESPECT AMONG , MEMBERS. 4. TO COLLABORATE WITH ANY OTHER LAWFUL ASSOCIATION EITHER AT HOME OR ABROAD FOR THE PROMOTION OF PEACE AND HUMANITARIAN AID TO THE UNDER PRIVILEGED. 5. TO PROMOTE EDUCATION AND PROVIDE CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMS FOR MEMBERS. 6. TO PROVIDE SPONSORSHIP FOR CHILDREN OF LESS PRIVILEGED TOWARDS ACCESSING GOOD EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED ONYEKA ONAH ESQ UDOCHIHEANACHO & PARNERSHIP 13TH FLOOR ELEGANZA HOUSE 15B JOSEPH ST. LAGOS

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED LAWAL TAOFEEK BABATUNDE

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: OMONIYI OLAREWAJU

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

ORITA ANU SOCIAL CLUB POINT OF MERCY

IGSOSA FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.CHIKWE SILAS-CHAIRMAN 2.BABALOLA MORUFU OLUWAFEMI-V.CHAIRMAN 3.TUBI OLALERE-SEC. 4.AKOLADE AZEEZ OLORUNWA-ASST. SECRETARY 5.AKINTAYO ADAMS-FIN. SEC. 6.NOAH OLUWASESAN-TREASURER 7.BANKOLE ASHAFA-ADVISER 8.LAWAL AKEEM-DISCIPLINARY OFFICER. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO CATER FOR MEMBERS WELFARE 2.TO PROMOTE OUR MEMBERS 3.TO PROMOTE UNITY, FAIRNESS AND CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP AMONG MEMBERS 4.TO ORGANIZE TRAINING, SEMINARS FOR MEMBERS 5.TO ASSIST MEMBERS IN LAWFUL AND GENUINE DIFFICULTIES. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR. GOODIE M. IBRU, OON 2. AMBASSADOR E. OLU SANU, OFR 3. MR. GOKE ADENIJI 4. MRS. YETUNDE MERRIMAN-JOHNSON 5. ENGR. FOLUSEKE SOMOLU 6. OMOOBA OLUSUNMADE AKIN-OLUGBADE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO FOSTER UNITY AMONG MEMBERS 2. TO CATER FOR LESS PRIVILEDGE MEMBERS. 3. TO PROVIDE QUALITY EDUCATION FOR STUDENT

SIGNED: SECRETARY

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BAR TONY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

AWELEKA SOCIAL CLUB OF NIGERIA

AL-BARKA-LOJU ISLAMIC FOUNDATION.ASLAM

SHIPPING FUEL SUPPLIERS ASSOCIATION

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MEKOMA IBEH STEPHEN 2. ALABI STEPHEN TUNDE 3. IKECHUKWU CHRISTOPHER CHUKWUDI 4. MADUKA ANTHONY NWEIKE 5. NJOKANMA SOLOMON CHUKWUDI 6. OFUASIA TOBECHUKWU 7. ARUEZE IKECHUKWU CHRISTOPHER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEDGED BY VISITING AND PROVIDING BASIC AND ESSENTIAL NEEDS TO THE ORPHANAGE 2. TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE UNITY AMONG OUR PEOPLE AND FRIENDS OF LIKE MINDS 3. TO WATCH OUR BROTHERS’ BACK BY BEING OUR BROTHERS’ KEEPER WHICH ENTAILS SHOWING LOVE AND KINDNESS TO ONE ANOTHER. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED PRESIDENT

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.USTAZ IBRAHIM NURUDEEN AL-BARKA-FOUNDER 2.IBRAHIM ADAM OLAMILEKAN-SEC 3.ABDUL HAMEED ABDUL WASIU OLANREWAJU 4.LAWAL NURENI ALADE 5.IBRAHIM TOYIN 6.GANIYU LATIFAT OMOWUNMI AIM AND OBJECTIVE: TO PROPAGATE ISLAMIC RELIGION. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: FOUNDER

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE MENTIONED ASSOCIATION WITH HEADQUARTERS AT NO. 15 ABRAHAM ADESANYA STREET, APAPA, LAGOS, LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUTEES ARE: 1. TUNDE WAKEEL ADEOYE. 2. THOMAS DELE AVI. 3. OLUREMI BENJAMIN ADENIJI. 4. ABASS ATANDA AJIBOYE. 5. FRANCIS EYEFIUGIRIN ORITSEMEYIWA. AIMS & OBJECTIVES. 1. TO ENHANCE AND PROMOTE INDIGENOUS PARTICIPATION IN THE NIGERIAN MARITIME INDUSTRY. 2. TO TRAP CONSIDERABLE VOLUME OF INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING FUELLING SERVICES EARNINGS. 3. TO BRING ALL INDUSTRY ACTORS UNDER THE AMBIT OF THE LAW FOR BETTER CONTROL AND REGULATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR -GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, WUSE ZONE 5 GARKI ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THE PUBLICATION. SIGNED: DR. ADEBISI AREWA (LEGAL ADVISER)

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

PAGE 47

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

MASJID AL-KUBRAH FOUNDATION

DA’AWA, UMMAH DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT FOUNDATION

LADY MECHANIC FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1.MUSTAPHA MANSUR DANEJI 2.YAYA ABDULLAHI 3.ASIR DANBATTA YUSUF 4.FATIMA IBRAHIM MAIKORE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO WORK AS AN NGO TOWARDS IMPROVING THE CONDITION OF THE NEEDY AND THE LESS PRIVILEGED MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY THROUGH SOCIAL WELFARE AND PHILANTHROPIC SERVICE IN HOSPITALS, PRISON YARD, REMAND HOMES, ORPHANAGES, GRAVE YARD AND SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS 2. TO CARRY THE GREAT MESSAGE OF ISLAM, DISSEMINATE TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY QURAN AND THE HADITHS OF THE HOLY PROPHET MOHAMMED TO ALL PEOPLE. 3. TO PROMOTE THE RELIGIOUS, MORAL AND SOCIAL ADVANCEMENT OF MEMBERS AND ALL MUSLIMS IN GENERAL 4. TRAINING OF PUPILS OF ARABIC AND ISLAMIC LANGUAGES AND/FOR AWARDING OF EXCELLENCE IN QUR’ANIC RECITATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1.

ENGR. SALEH DANYARO 2.

AHMAD MUHAMMAD YUSUF 3.

BARR. ALIYU BELLO TIFI 4.

UMAR SALEH IDI 5.

JIBRIL ISA UGIRI 6.

ABDULGANIYU IBRAHIM 7.

FARUK HAMISU SHIRA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. ISLAMIC PREACHING, RESEARCH AND GIVING SUPPORT TO PEOPLE OF POOR BACKGROUND. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. AGUEBOR EKPERUOH SANDRA 2. EKPERUOH THEODORE 3. BABATUNDE PAMPAM AIMS 1. TO PROVIDE VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT FOR WOMEN 2. TO HELP ACHIEVE FOCUSED DELIVERY OF WOMEN MECHANIC IN THE SOCIETY 3. TO RENDER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE FOUNDATION AND WOMEN IN GENERAL ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: MAGNA-SYNERGY CONSULT 08035896147

SIGNED: BARR. ABDULNASIR MUHAMMAD 08033483017

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

CENTRAL AREA PROPERTY AGENTS ASSOCIATION FCT ABUJA

ABDULAZEEZ CHARITABLE TRUST

ABDULAZEEZ FAMILY TRUST

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. DR. MUSA ABDULAZEEZ 2. ABDULAZEEZ MOHAMMED ABDULAZEEZ 3. MR. MUKHTAR ABDULKARIM 4. SADEEQ MUSA AIMS 1. TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE EDUCATIONAL, HEALTH AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OF ALL NIGERIANS IN NEED 2. TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR ISLAMIC EDUCATION AND PROPAGATION IN NIGERIA AND BEYOND ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. DR. MUSA ABDULAZEEZ 2. ALHAJI HASSAN ABDULAZEEZ JNR 3. HAJIYA FATIMA ABDULAZEEZ 4. ALHAJI HUSSEIN ABDULAZEEZ JNR. 5. ABDULAZEEZ MOHAMMED ABDULAZEEZ AIMS 1. TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE INTEREST OF THE ABDULAZEEZ FAMILY 2. TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP TO MEMBERS OF THE ABDULAZEEZ FAMILY MEMBERS AND EXTENDED IN THE EDUCATIONAL PURSUIT ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: ISHAYA N. DADO ESQ.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

ORGANISATION FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF IGBO RACE

DIAMOND LIFE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH INT’L

POWER AND GRACE IMPARTATION GOSPEL CENTRE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. SAMAILA BAWA TUGE CHAIRMAN 2. YAKUBU IBRAHIM BULAMA VICE CHAIRMAN 3. BABANGIDA AHMAD RADDA TREASURER 4. AHMAD RUFA’I SOKOTO PRO 5. ABUBAKAR LADO ABDULLAHI SECRETARY AIMS 1. TO PROMOTE UNITY AND PEACE AMONG MEMBERS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: AMAEGO CHIDIEBERE MODESTUS 08036485150

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANISATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ONYEBALU OSITA CHAIRMAN 2. BAR. SABINUS NZE 3. BAR. JAPHET OPARA 4. BAR. SYLVESTER ONWUDIWE 5. BAR. KEVIN EZEOKE SECRETARY 6. BAR. CHIBUZOR UBOCHI 7. BAR. AUGUSTINE EZEH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROMOTE CULTURAL UNITY AMONG MEMBERS. 2. TO PROMOTE THE SOCIAL WELFARE OF MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: HYGINUS IBEGA (08039577007)

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CENTRE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EVANG. DAVID MAMMAN PRESIDENT 2. PASTOR ABIGAIL MAMMAN SECRETARY 3. ELDER BRIGHT OGBOEIWI 4. ELDER SAM EPAH 5. APOSTLE BABSOLO EUGENE 6. MR VENATUS OKAFOR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: D. A MOMOH 08030604424

SIGNED: D. A MOMOH 08030604424

PUBLIC NOTICE

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PUBLIC NOTICE

THE POTENTIAL THRESS-GIRLS, LADIES & MOTHERS INITIATIVE

ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN COMMUNITY RESIDENT IN ELEME PORTHARCOURT

OLAOLU GRACE FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. JESSICA OPUTE 2. FRANCIS OPUTE 3. TSEGBEMI OBIORU 4. JUSTICE OPUTE 5. ERASMUS OGELEKA, ESQ. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE GIRL CHILD, LADIES AND MOTHERS. 2. TO FOSTER UNITY, PEACE AND LOVE AMONG THE GIRL CHILD, LADIES AND MOTHERS IN THE SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: ERASMUS OGELEKA, ESQ (TEL: 08037004689)

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. BISHOP SOLOMON OWOYEMI KOLEAYO CHAIRMAN 2. EDITH ULUEMURARO SECRETARY 3. PEARL AYOMIDE KOLEAYO 4. BRIDGET ORUARO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ALHAJI UBA MU’AZA 2. MALAM UMORU ALIYU 3. TSADO MOHAMMED 4. MALL. AHMED TIJANI (CHIEF IMAM) ELEME 5. ALAHAJI SHEHU 6. MALL. ISAH ADAMU RINGYI 7. MALL DIKKO MOHAMMED 8. MALL. AMINU ABDULAZEEZ 9. ALH. ABDULLAHI AWOJE 10. MALLAM ADAMU MOHAMMED AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO FOSTER UNITY AMONG MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR RICHARD IKIEBE CHAIRMAN 2. MR THEOPHILUS AYENI SECRETARY 3. MR OLUFOLAJIMI KUTI MEMBER 4. MR OLUSOLA KUTI MEMBER 5. MR MARGARET DADA ALAMUTU MEMBER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO HELP IN THE LIFE AND MINITRY OF MEMBERS OF FTHE BODY OF CHRIST. 2. TO SERVE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS GIDEONS INTERNATIONAL, THE SCRIPTURE UNION NIGERIA, YOUTH FOR CHRIST INTERNATIONAL, RADIO BIBLE CLASS, ADONAI PARTNERS. 3. TO HOLD, MANAGE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE LESS PRIVILEGES “GRACE HOUSE WHICH SHALL BE THE FOUNDATION’S REGISTERED AND OPERATIONAL HOME/OFFICE ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: ERNEST CHIJIOKE (08030888541)

www.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . putting the people first

FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Toure signs new Manchester City deal

M

anchester City has been boosted by the news that Yaya Toure has signed a new four-year deal at the club.

The Sun reported in March that Toure was considering leaving City this summer and that if a new agreement was not decided in the coming days then he would walk out.

However, after a period of consideration, the Ivorian has committed his services to the current champions on a deal reportedly worth £220,000-aweek.

“This is where I want to be," he said on the club's official website. "When I first arrived at City every time I went to sleep I would dream about us winning something; now it is about us being the best team in whatever competition we take part in.

“I will never forget how I have been treated here by the fans; the club and the owners and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to finish my career as a Manchester City player.

“I want to continue winning titles and trophies and continue to make history. I have enjoyed all of my time here and can’t wait for the next chapter. This is an incredible club to be part of with fans that support a team to the end whatever the circumstances."

Toure, 29, has been a pivotal figure as City claimed the FA Cup and then the Premier League title in successive seasons.

The powerful midfielder joined the club in July 2010 for around £24 million and recent reports suggested that Chelsea were ready to test City’s resolve with a summer bid.

Yaya Toure

ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

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QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE If a person has foreign accounts today, we are giving him three months to get rid of these accounts — Sergei Ivanov, Chief of Staff to Russian President

Counting the cost of Nigeria's water N

ot many Nigerians may know Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and fewer still would have any reason to. Born in 1772, he was an English poet who lived long before any notion of Nigerian nationhood was forged, but his most famous work, 'The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner' which was written in 1798, aptly describes the Nigerian situation: 'Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink'.

Through a press release on the 28th March last year, Sarah Ochekpe, the Minister of Water Resources said that the country would require some $2.5bn (about N396bn) to provide potable water for 75% of Nigerians. It is 2013, barely 2 years to the Millennium Development Goals target of providing water to the 75% of the populace and official release from the ministry puts the percentage of Nigerians with access to safe drinking water at only 32%.

If this picture is not bad enough, at a briefing in Abuja just before the Presidential Summit on Water, the Minister confirmed that Nigeria will not meet the MDG goal on adequate water supply by 2015 if the country is not willing to commit an annual budget of some N360bn for the next 3 to 5 years.

Consider the impact of the nation's water situation on our health indices and you would see where exactly this government is taking Nigeria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that about 361,900 people die yearly due to poor water and sanitation conditions in Nigeria, while the UNICEF estimates that 194,000 children under the age of five die from diarrhea yearly. Gruesome as they may be, these figures are the direct impact of federal, states' and local governments' continued neglect of this all important sector, and the Jonathan administration shows no signs of providing leadership that will turn the tide.

In light of these figures and the very little success that has been achieved in water provision, this column would today examine the federal budgetary provision for the water resources ministry with a view to addressing very pertinent questions like how much of the ministry's N30.4bn 2012 capital budget was implemented? How

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NASIR EL-R UF AI EL-RUF UFAI ON FRID AY FRIDA elrufai@aol.com

Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, Minister of Water Resources much of Nigeria's 267 and 92 billion cubic meters of surface and ground water respectively are currently targeted for the use of Nigerians? What were the gains of the much talked about Presidential Summit on Water?

Has any progress been made in implementing the Water Road Map? What should the National Assembly be doing in this vital area of our national well-being?

In 2012, the ministry's total allocation was N39bn or 0.82% of the Federal budget. N8.6bn (22%) was set aside for recurrent spending while N30.4bn (78%) was voted to capital expenditure.

This sectoral ratio exceeds the 70% we have always advocated as the minimum for capital expenditure. The 2013 budget reveals an even better picture; the total allocation is N47.8bn consisting of a capital allocation of N39.8bn (83%) and a recurrent expenditure provision of N7.9bn (17%).

In an administration where costs seem to continuously escalate, the Ministry of Water Resources deserves some commendation as it is one of the few ministries with a reduction in its recurrent budget. The personnel cost for 2013 of N6.4bn is a reduction of about

6.2% from its 2012 N6.8bn figure. According to 2013 Capital Expenditure plans, some N17.9bn would be used to complete various irrigation projects across the country: 24 projects in North Central Nigeria, 21 projects would be completed in the North West, 18 in the South South, 11 in the South East, 9 in the North East and 7 in South Western Nigeria.

However, examining the figures closely, one notices that there is a 2013 provision of about N122.7m to complete the Zobe Dam in Katsina; there was a similar provision of the same figure allocated to the same project in the 2012 budget.

Simply put, budgeting (and spending?) on this project in 2012 and 2013 would add up to N245.4 million. Incidentally, this same project was awarded at some N52m and was brought to about 80% completion by the Shagari administration by December 1983!

In February this year, the President announced the intention to host an overdue Water Summit with the theme 'Innovative Funding of the Water Sector in Nigeria'.

Unfortunately, Mr. President himself could not make out time to attend this all important summit; he was however represented by the much 'freer' Vice President Namadi Sambo.

The highpoint of the occasion was the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Bank of Industry which would enable private investors in the water sector access loans with very low interest rates. This is an interesting development, and it is hoped that the MoU will be developed further to provide another source of funding the implementation of the water road map which President Jonathan launched with much fanfare in 2011..

The water road map has as its main objectives a 75% water coverage by the year 2015 which would increase to 90% in 2020.

This might lead discerning Nigerians to question, if between 2011 and 2013, we have not recorded an increase of even ten percentage points of coverage, what hopes do we have of achieving moving from our dismal 32% coverage within the next 2 years?

A more realistic forecast must be made. According to the Water Sanitation And Hygiene (W.A.S.H) 2013 report, at our current rate of progress, the water target of 75% coverage will be achieved in 2033, 18 years after MDG target of 2015.

When the decay in the nation's water infrastructure is considered, neither the executive branch nor the federal government cannot be wholly blamed for this massive failure.

The states' and local governments bear most of the responsibility for the failure to ensure reticulation of potable water in our urban and suburban areas. The legislative arms of the states and federal government must be held responsible for part of the failure.

The national and states' Assemblies have a substantial say in appropriation decisions, so must be held responsible for any under-funding of the water sector at federal and states' levels respectively. The legislatures' law-making powers have not been diligently discharged as well. For instance, the bill for the establishment of a National Dam Commission has since been presented to the National Assembly. This bill which would establish a commission whose sole responsibility is maintaining and upgrading dam infrastructure is worth revisiting, revising if need be, and passing into law. It is obvious that if a bill like this is passed and the commission set up, the pitiable state of Nigeria's oldest dam, the Kainji dam would probably be reversed.

In spite of our combined 359 billion cubic meters, our inland water systems of about thirteen lakes and reservoirs – both of which have a surface area of between 4,000 and 550,000 hectares – Nigeria is still classified as a 'water short' country. From all indications this government neither has the vision, nor the political will to bring Nigeria out of its present crisis. Thus, the sad reality is that more Nigerians may die from water related illnesses, while the ministry continues with its current budgeting practices. For most Nigerians, the words of Coleridge, 'water, water everywhere not a drop to drink' rings true today, as when it did when it was first written over 200 hundred years ago.

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