Peoples Daily Newspaper, Wednesday 05, June, 2013

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 11 No. 13

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

. . . putting the people first

Scores killed in fresh Nasarawa crisis >>5

Rajab 27, 1434 AH

World Bank rates Nigeria’s electricity world’s 2nd worst >>6

Jonathan outlaws Boko Haram

By Stanley Onyekwere

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has formally approved the proscription of the Boko Haram group.

He also authorized the gazetting of an order declaring the group’s activities illegal and acts of terrorism.

The order has been gazetted as the Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice 2013.

It affects both Boko Haram (Jamaatu Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad) and another group – Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan.

This was approved by President Jonathan pursuant to section 2 0f the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011 (As Amended).

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Dr. Reuben Abati, explained yesterday that the document officially brings the activities of both groups within the purview of the Terrorism Prevention Act. Accordingly, any persons associated with the two groups can now be legally prosecuted and sentenced to penalties specified in the Act. According to the statement, “the proscription order warns the general public that any person participating in any form of activities involving or concerning the collective intentions of the said groups will be violating the provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act. “Section 5 (1) of the act prescribes a term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years for any person who Contd. on Page 2

Medical students of the University of Abuja protesting non-accreditation of their course and the inability of the management to find them another university to complete their course, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Gunmen kill Sokoto lawmaker From Mahmoud Muhammad, Sokoto

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ome gunmen on Monday evening killed the Chairman, House Committee on Finance of the Sokoto state House of Assembly, Hon. Murtala Dahiru Wauru.

Eyewitness accounts said

the incident occurred at about 9 pm at the deceased’s Minnata area residence, in central Sokoto metropolis.

Reports said that the gunmen, riding on a motorcycle, shot the PDP lawmaker at close range.

They later made away with his Peugeot 406 ash-colour car, after confirming him dead.

Spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, ASP Almustapha Sani, confirmed the incident yesterday noting that men of the CIB had launched an investigation into the matter.

The deceased lawmaker has since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

When our correspondent visited his residence yesterday, several sympathizers were there to condole with the family.

Governor Aliyu Wamakko who expressed shock over the killing described the deceased as man of peace who was committed to development of the state and the country at large.

NGF: Amaechi talks tough, insists on mandate

>>3

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

News CONTENTS News

2-10

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

Stockwatch

23

S/Report

24-25

Property

26-27

Motoring

28

Arts

29-30

Reps move to simplify impeachment of president, vice president

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he House of Representatives yesterday passed for a second reading, a bill that will make the impeachment process of the President and Vice-President of the Federal Republic easier.

The bill titled “an Act to Alter the Provisions of Section 143 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , 1999 to Remove Ambiguities in the Process of Removal of the President from Office on Allegations of Gross Misconduct and to Provide for a

he Nasarawa State House of Assembly yesterday called on Gov. Umaru Al-Makura to rescind the compulsory leave order given to the management of the state’s university in Keffi.

Speaker of the house, Alhaji Musa Ahmed (PDP-Nasarawa

Int’l

31-34

Strange World 35 Digest Politics Newsxtra Sports Columnist

36 37-38 39 41-45 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

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House Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (ACN Lagos state) argued that the bill, if passed into law, may be subject to other ambiguities. Since gross misconduct can be subject and redefined in any case. In his submission, he further urged the house to be mature with the passage of the bill as it may send wrong signals to the public.

“The timing of the bill is wrong and people will read meanings into to it, we must be mature about. The United States House of Representatives were caught up in something similar when the

impeachment of President Clinton was going as regards to his affairs with an intern.”

The bill in question seeks to copy the American model of impeaching a president by making the process less complex. In essence, the lawmakers seek to initiate the process and investigate it rather than the process lying solely with the Chief Justice of the Federation.

Most of the lawmakers shared similar opinions to that of the Minority Leader, but when it was put to voice vote, the bill unanimously sailed through.

Assembly urges Al-Makura to rescind suspension order on university management

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The US govt’s N3.3bn bounty on Boko Haram leader, Shekau, Page 4

more Transparent and Democratic Procedure for Impeachment and other Matters Connected,” was passed for second reading amidst intense debate.

Leading the debate, the lead sponsor, Yakubu Dogara (PDP Bauchi state) said: “the essence of the bill is meant to hold the executive accountable so that checks can be created, and it is not meant to target this term but rather make the process less ambigous on grounds of misconduct. Let’s all look at this and do it in the interest of Nigerians.”

Central), announced the resolution after deliberating on the report of the house committee on education on the suspension of the management.

The House Committee Chairman on Education, Mr Dogara Sa’aka (PDP-Kokona East), said that the action of the governor in suspending

the management of the university for six six months was uncalled for, null and void. ``The three reasons given by the governor for the suspension of the management of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, was not backed by any relevant section of the law establishing the university. ``The governor had said that there are no physical structures on

Alleged certificate forgery: Court dismisses suit against Tinubu

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Federal High Court sitting in Lagos yesterday dismissed an application seeking to compel the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to investigate former Lagos State Gov., Chief Bola Tinubu, for alleged certificate forgery.

Justice Saliu Saidu dismissed the application, filed by one Dr Dominic Adegbola, seeking to reopen the suit initially instituted by late Chief Gani Fawehinmi in 1999.

Adegbola had sought for an order compelling the IGP to commence investigation into the alleged certificate forgery case.

Dismissing the application, the judge held that by Order 34, Rule 4 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules, the applicant failed to satisfy the mandatory requirements of the law.

He also held that such an

application must be filed before the court, within three months when the alleged fraudulent act was detected.

According to the judge, since the application was not brought within the stipulated time, as mandated by the rules of court, it was bound to ``hit the rock’’.

Citing some Supreme Court decisions, Saidu held that the applicant went to sleep since 2007 when the `toga of immunity’ could no longer shield Tinubu, and suddenly woke up now that the matter is statute barred. ``There is need to comply with stipulated rules of the court. ``This matter is grossly out of time and the prayer sought cannot be granted,” the judge held.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the applicant had sought for an order directing

the IGP to reopen and conclude investigations on the criminal complaint of false statement on oath, logged against Tinubu.

His complaint was in respect of the contents of form F001, of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), concerning a certificate allegedly sworn to by Tinubu during the election that won him the governorship ticket.

In a 15-paragraph verifying affidavit, the Applicant deposed that Tinubu claimed to have attended St. Paul’s School, Aroloya, Lagos, which school never existed.

He also averred that Tinubu allegedly claimed to have attended Government College, Ibadan between 1965 and 1968, a claim which the authorities and Old Boys Association of Government College, Ibadan debunked as false. (NAN)

Boko Haram: Victims beg Shettima to redeem compensation pledge From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

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esidents of Gwange III Ward in Maiduguri metropolis, Borno state, whose houses and vehicles were burnt in the September 2012 bomb blast have appealed to Governor Kashim Shettima to redeem the promise he made to compensate them.

Spokesman of the victims, Malam Zubairu Adam, made the appeal yesterday while briefing newsmen, saying since the

occurance of the unfortunate incident, they were confronted with various predicaments, ranging from lack of shelter and jobs, among others Adam Adam recalled that shortly after the blast Governor Shettima had visited the scene to ascertain the level of destructions and had equally promised to compensate all of the victims, but claimed that till now nothing was done.

“One one year after the incident that had left most of us

homeless, financially bankrupt, and bereaved, the government was yet to come to our aid, even when other victims of somilar incidents in some areas had been compensated.

“We are begging the governor to consider our plight with the eyes of mercy and fulfill his promise of assisting the over 56 families whose lives were adversely affected by the explosion. Most of us are in pitiable situations now as we are finding it difficult to make ends meet”, he further cried.

ground, poor academic performance due to inefficiency from staff, and bad financial administration in the university that prompted him to suspend the management team. ``How did the governor expect the management to put physical structures on ground without funds being released by the State Government for development; even the governor said that he has not given the university development funds.“ ``Section 17, sub-section 1 and 2, and Section 18 sub-section 1 through sub-section 6, and First Schedule of the law, establishing the university stated categorically on the discipline of the vice chancellor and other principal officers of the university.

Jonathan outlaws Boko Haram Contd. from Front Page

knowingly, in any manner, directly or indirectly, solicits or renders support for the commission of an act of terrorism or to a terrorist group.”

“For the purposes of subsection (1) of section, “support” includes “Incitement to commit a terrorist act through the internet, or any electronic means or through the use of printed materials or through the dissemination of terrorist information; “Receipt or provision of material assistance, weapons including biological, chemical or nuclear weapons, explosives, training, transportation, false documentation or identification to terrorists or terrorist groups; “Receipt or provision of information or moral assistance, including invitation to adhere to a terrorist or terrorist group; “Entering or remaining in a country for the benefit of, or at the direction of or in association with a terrorist group; or “The provision of, or making available, such financial or other related services prohibited under this Act or as may be prescribed by regulations made pursuant to this Act.”

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 3

News Amaechi talks tough, insists on mandate

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

here seems to be no end in sight to the controversy trailing the Chairmanship of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) election. Its factional Chairman and Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday insisted that he would not surrender his mandate to anyone.

Amaechi made the declaration yesterday while responding to newsmen after inspecting his faction’s secretariat in Asokoro, Abuja while responding to question as to whether he would step down.

He retorted: “No, no that is the

mandate that was freely given and I will stick to that mandate.”

The alternate Chairman, who is equally laying claims to the mandate, the Plateau state governor, Jonah Jang, had told newsmen last weekend that his faction has been making serious overtures to he Amaechi group with a view to reconciling them under his leadership.

But Amaechi’s declaration that he would not play ball yesterday seems to have served a death knell on Jang’s reconciliatory efforts.

The Rivers state Governor equally disclosed that all governors, including his Ondo state counterpart, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who is the

Deputy to Jang, actually voted.

Amaechi challenged his colleagues to strive to uphold democracy as he insisted that his victory at the NGF election was democracy at work. He said “The election has come and gone, like I said after the election... It was a test for democracy and democracy won at the end of the day. All we can do as democrats that were elected by the people is to uphold democracy and stand by democracy.

“I honestly do not know why the disagreement, I don’t know why. Those of you who have been in meetings will realise that even when we hold meetings, whatever

decisions we have taken have always been unanimous and those of you who listen I always say to them, I hope that having taken these decisions you will all stand by me and all of them will scream ‘we will all stand by you.”

Amaechi also expressed the hope that all issues surrounding the NGF election would be resolved just as he enjoined his colleagues to focus more on those things that unite them as a union and eschew those that may divide them.

He said “It was a meeting of 36 governors and then I think that whatever the issues are will be resolved. I think that we should

focus more on those issues that unite us, those issues that fight against poverty, fight against polio and malaria. These are things that are killing the poor.

“We are busy here at Abuja and different state headquarters talking about NGF election, when indeed Nigerians are dying of poverty and hunger.

“I believe that my brothers and colleagues will see reason why we should stop distracting the country and get the country united to focus on development because at the end of the day, it is about legacy; it is about what we will leave behind for the people.

Insecurity: Army pleads with Kaduna to relocate community From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

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L-R: Force Medical Officer, Nigeria Police Medical Services, CP Adenike Abuwa; Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu 1; former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Musiliu Smith; and Commissioner of Police (Medical), South-West Zone, CP Chinwe Okafor, during commissioning of the newly completed ultra-modern and renovated hospital at Police College, yesterday in Ikeja, Lagos.

Photo: NAN

Dana crash report ready soon, says AIB From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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xactly 366 days after the disastrous crash of Dana airline’s flight 0992 in Lagos, the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has disclosed that contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the report has been doctored, it will soon release the full details of the crash report.

The agency, according to a statement posted on its website yesterday, explained that investigation into the Dana Air disaster has proceeded on schedule and as planned with the objective of preventing similar accidents in accordance with the accident investigation protocols of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) practices.

The agency said accordingly as

the representative of the state of occurrence of the accident, has been developing the facts, conditions, and circumstances surrounding the accident.

The statement said: “The investigative activities have included the full participation of the State of Manufacture/Design represented by the US National Transportation Safety Board and US Technical Advisors, the US Federal Aviation Administration, The Boeing Company, and Pratt & Whitney Engines.”

AIB said despite the heavy destruction of the aircraft due to impact and fire, in addition to other post crash disturbance of the wreckage, which resulted in the absence of substantial physical evidence and flight recorder data that would have provided information on

the operation, performance, and mechanical integrity of the airplane, the investigation has progressed significantly.

Again it said, “extensive investigative activities have and continue to be conducted both domestically and in the US. The activities have included Interviews of relevant personnel of the aircraft operator, the regulatory agency, service providers in addition to other personnel familiar with the operational and regulatory oversight aspects pertinent with the accident flight.

The interviews and review of records have also provided significant background information about the flight crew experience.

Additionally, the examination of aircraft/engine components, reconstruction of the accident

flight using recorded air traffic radar and cockpit voice recorder information, forensic, computer animation, sound spectrum analysis, chemical analysis of fluid and other substances along with investigative research have appreciably advanced the progress of the investigation”.

Furthermore the accident investigation agency said four interim safety recommendations have been issued, and have been implemented by the operator and the regulatory agency.

“Outstanding investigative activities are near completion to be followed by the production of the final report. The report will be in compliance with applicable ICAO standards to include factual information, analysis, findings and recommendations”.

ollowing the pervading insecurity in the country, Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff Colleges (AFCSC) Jaji, Air Vice Marshall Effiong Osim, yesterday advised Kaduna state government to assist in relocating a community called Wusono village, found inside the military barracks.

According to him, the need to relocate the community became necessary so as to protect the barracks.

The Commandant made the appeal when he led some senior officers of the command on a courtesy call on Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, at Sir Kahim Ibrahim Government House, said if the village moved from the area it will be easy for the army to secure the area.

“We want the governor to help relocate the village from there because the relocation of the village which is inside the barrack would aid the command in securing the military area against encroachment, as well as to secure the environment against any security threats.

“When we got there, we tried to see how we can fuse the villages with us, so what we did was to employ 100 of their youths with various qualifications,” he said.

In his remarks, Yero assured the Army of his administration’s readiness to support the command.

He said that he needed to have more clarification from them on the issue of relocating those villages around them, adding that his government tried to find an access road to those villages instead of them passing through the barracks.

The Page 4 Report

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

The US govt’s N3.3bn bounty on Boko Haram leader, Shekau

Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram leader

By Monday Ateboh

T

he United States has officially declared the leader of the extremist Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, wanted and placed a $7m bounty on his head.

In an announcement Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice Reward for Justice Programme says it would pay $7million to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the Boko Haram leader.

Also declared wanted are four other alleged terrorists believed to be spreading terrorism in the West African sub-region.

They include Mokhtar Belmokhtar, described as a one-eyed mastermind of the January deadly attack on a gas plant in Algeria, which left 37 foreigners dead.

Authorities say anyone who could help facilitate his capture stands a chance of reaping $5.

A $5million bounty was also placed on Yahya Abou Al-Hammam an alleged terrorist believed to be behind the 2010 murder of an elderly French hostage in Niger.

Also being sought are Malik Abou Abdelkarim, described as a senior AQIM fighter and Oumar Ould Hamaha, spokesman for Mali’s Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO). America says it will pay $3 million each to anyone who could help facilitate their arrests.

The U.S. had on June 21, 2012, designated Mr. Shekau, the Boko Haram leader, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, under Executive Order 13224.

Mr. Shekau’s whereabouts have however remained unknown.

Last week, he released a video calling on other terrorists in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq to support the struggle

President Barack Obama of USA to enthrone an Islamic state in Nigeria.

Below is a full text of the release declaring Mr. Shekau wanted.

Wanted: Information leading to the location of Abubakar Shekau Up to $7 Million Reward Dates of Birth Used: 1965, 1969, 1975 Place of Birth : Yobe, Nigeria Sex : Male Height : Tall Build : Slim Complexion : Dark Ethnicity : Kanuri

Languages : Arabic, Hausa, Fulani, Kanuri Aliases : Abu Bakr Skikwa, Imam Abu Bakr Shiku, Abu Muhammad Abu Bakr Bin Muhammad Al Shakwi Al Muslimi Bishku, Abubakar Shakkau Abubakar Shekau is the leader of Jama’atu Ahl as-Sunnah il-Da’awati wal-Jihad, more commonly known as Boko Haram. Boko Haram, which means “Western education is forbidden,” is a Nigeria-based terrorist organization that seeks to overthrow the current Nigerian government and replace it with a regime

based on Islamic law. The group has existed in various forms since the late 1990s.

There are reported communications, training, and weapons links between Boko Haram, al-Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), al-Shabaab, and al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, which may strengthen Boko Haram’s capacity to conduct terrorist attacks.

Shekau was previously the group’s second-in-command. In July 2010, Shekau publicly claimed leadership of Boko Haram and threatened to attack Western interests in Nigeria. Later that month, Shekau issued a second statement expressing solidarity with al-Qaida and threatening the United States. Under Shekau’s leadership, Boko Haram’s operational capabilities have grown.

The group set off its first vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) in June 2011, and has increasingly utilized IEDs in attacks against soft targets. Boko Haram’s August 26, 2011 vehicle-bomb attack on the United Nations headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria marked the group’s first lethal operation against Western interests. At least 23 people were killed, and 80 more were injured, in the attack. A purported Boko Haram spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack and promised future targeting of U.S. and Nigerian government interests.

On May 1, 2012, less than one week after the group bombed a Nigerian newspaper building in Abuja, Boko Haram issued a video statement threatening more attacks on local and international news outlets, including the Voice of America and Sahara Reporters, a New York-based media service.

On June 21, 2012, the U.S. Department of State designated Shekau a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224.

Source: Premium Times

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 5

News

You are a serial blackmailer, ACN tells Maku From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN) has described the Minister for Information, Labaran Maku, as a disoriented wayfarer and a serial blackmailer.

The party explained that its

position was informed by the sour grape the Minister hauled on the Lagos state government as a result of refusal to be part of the of good governance tour.

It said that Governor Fashola’s refusal to honour Maku’s “tour of folly” remains the reason why Maku made the “nonsensical”

statement that Governor Fashola is doing nothing when every other opinion thinks otherwise.

In a statement in Lagos, signed by its Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, the party said that it was ridiculous and senile for the Minister to demonstrate this low level of opinion about a globally

lauded government just because Lagos refused to entertain the kind of “banality” Maku and his ilk have employed to extort states in the name of good governance jamboree.

“If Maku in his voluntary blindness saw only progress in the environmental sector in Lagos,

can he tell us even one sector his PDP Federal Government has made a mark in 14 years of waste l in Nigeria?

“Can he show us what he has done in the Federal Ministry of Information for the period he has been Minister,” the statement said.

Kebbi Information Commissioner dies From Ahmed idris, Birnin Kebbi

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he Kebbi state Commissioner for Information, Sani Muhammad Kangiwa, has died.

Reports said that he passed on, on Monday after a brief illness at the age of 54.

Kebbi state Governor

and his deputy were among other prominent people and government functionaries who attended the internment of the deceased, in accordance with Muslim rites.

Kangiwa who was at a time Secretary of the PDP in the state was appointed Commissioner four years ago.

Borno pays Niger Republic N124m for electricity From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

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orno state government has spent the sum of N124 million for generating 33KVA line electricity from the neighbouring Niger Republic for the communities of Malamfatori town in Abadam local government area of the state.

The state Commissioner for Housing and Rural Electrification, Sugum Mai Mele, disclosed this yesterday while briefing newsmen on the achievements of the ministry in the last two years.

He said that government deemed it necessary to adopt the

measure in order to salvage the community from years of total power outage, noting that the communities are close to Niger Republic.

According to him, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Nigerien Electricity Company and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, (NERC) on behalf of the state government.

The Commissioner said that over N4 billion was spent on the electrification of rural and urban communities across the state, to compliment the efforts of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

Speaker denies collecting money to impeach Niger Gov

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iger State House of Assembly yesterday described as false insinuations that each of the 24 members was being induced with the sum of N70 million to impeach Governor Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu.

Reacting to media reports on the plot by some highly placed individuals to infiltrate the Assembly, the Speaker, Adamu Usman, said the members could collect “poison money” from any quarters to commence impeachment proceedings against the Governor.

According to him, “As far as we are concerned, we have not been approached individually or collectively to impeach the Governor or given money to move against the Governor.”

Addressing newsmen shortly after an executive session of the House, Usman added that, “as Speaker, I am saying it loud and clear that there is nothing like that, we cannot collect poison money in order to soil our name.

“The politics of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum or Northern Governor’s Forum does not concern us, we do not oversee them, we should not

be dragged into it.”

The Speaker assured the people of the state that the Legislature and the Executive will continue to team up in order to collectively provide more dividends of democracy to the electorate.

On the purported meeting held in Zone A Senatorial Zone by Former Minister of Information and member, PDP board of trustee, Professor Jerry Gana, Usman said no member of the Assembly was invited, especially those from the district.

“As a major stakeholder from the Zone and the entire state, I was not approached in formal or informal about such plot.”

According to him, those behind the imaginary plot are out to sow seed of discord between the legislative arm and the Executive because the Governor is living up to the expectation of the people of the state and the Assembly.

“As far as the House is concerned the Governor is performing, MDAs have just submitted their quarterly budget implementation report and it shows very impressive figures, they are on course.”

President Goodluck Jonathan (middle); President Nhamajo Serifo of Guinea Bissau (left), and his wife, Mrs Isolina Nhamajo, during their visit to the State House, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Ezekwesili opposes Jonathan’s move to head NCP

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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ormer Minister of Education and pioneer Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, yesterday called on the National Assembly to kick against the proposed amendment to the Public Procurement Act, which seeks to make the President, Chairman of the National Council on Procurement (NCP).

Ezekwesili who gave the advice at a two-day interactive session organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement, said the world over, presidents and ministers have no business

…Says President, ministers have no business discussing contracts

awarding contracts.

She alleged that there was a plan to amend the Public Procurement Act, to make way for the President as Chairman of the NCP but advised Jonathan not to allow himself to be misled.

According to her, “I learnt that there is a move for an amendment of the legislation (PP Act) in order to give the chairmanship of the Council to the president.

“Why would anybody do that?

He should not allow anybody to do that to him.

“To make the President the Chairman of the NCP is totally

not the most effective and most efficient thing to do in the arena of public policy.

“There is absolutely no reason why the head of public procurement should be a politician.

“He must be a professional who must go through recruitment process and competitively emerge.”

Chairman of the House committee, Olajumoke OkoyaThomas, said the forum was aimed at making the MDA’s adhere to tenets of the Procurement Act, 2007 and domesticate it.

Fresh communal clash in Nasarawa, scores feared killed From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

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n what may appear to be a spillover of skirmishes between Tiv farmers and Fulani herdsmen in Benue state, another deadly communal clash has erupted in Rukubi, Ekye Development Area of Nasarawa state. It allegedly involving Agatu tribesmen and Tiv farmers in the area, with scores feared killed yesterday.

Our correspondent gathered

that the fight broke out between the two neighbours because of an allegation suggesting that the Agatus were harboring Fulani mercenaries to be employed in launching attacks on the Tivs along border communities between Benue and Nasarawa states.

Though the number of casualties in the skirmishes could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, a source who spoke to Peoples Daily on phone,

disclosed that several houses were torched, with many people fleeing the area for safety.

The source however could not say how many people lost their lives as a result of the clash.

Efforts by our reporter to reach police authorities on the matter proved abortive as the command’s spokesman, Cornelius Ocholi, declined comment on the issue. He claimed to be outside the state on official assignment.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

News

RMAFC proposes shift in fiscal year

By Abdulwahab Isa

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o correct distortions inherent in the implementation of annual budget, Chairman Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission , Elias Mbam, has canvassed the shifting of the Fiscal Year from January 1st to June 1st of each year. This is enable any incoming Federal or state Government to take charge of its First Year Budget on assumption of duty on May 29th .

Mbam’s presentation is contained in a memorandum submitted yesterday to the Senate Committee on the review of the National Planning and Budgeting .

He observed that current budget cycle does not support maximum utilization of the dry season period which should have been used for construction work thus accounting for low budget performance.

He also said that shifting the budget from current month of January to June will eliminate budget distortion in the first year of a new administration as obtains presently.

Mbam said that the adjustment of the national budget cycle should give room for seasonal variation, thus giving adequate time for the implementation of projects in compliance with the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

A statement by RMAFC Head, Public Relations Unit, Mohammed Ibrahim, quoted Mbam as saying that the present situation usually compels MDAs to return unspent funds that would have been expended on the execution of capital projects.

NAF set to build indigenous plane

By Abdulwahab Isa

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hief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, has said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is set to build an indigenous air craft as part of its contribution to the nation’s aviation sector.

Badeh stated this yesterday at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NAF, 10 federal universities as well as five institutes and research agencies.

According to the NAF boss, “this collaboration between NAF and the Institutes of Research and Development is to see what we don’t have in the Force and get from the academia so that we can put heads togetheranddosomethingforNigeria.

“No single nation builds an air plane alone. Some nations build the engines, while others the tyre. It is where you assemble the plane that matters. We want to be able to do our own here in Nigeria.”

Speaking on behalf of the vice chancellors, the Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, Prof. John Obafunwa, said CAS had done well by coming up with the idea as it will challenge them as academics to move the nation forward.

L-R: Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and Madam Osas Momodu, mother of Ibrahim Momodu, a 22-year-old final year student of the University of Benin shot by the police in Benin City on May 27, during a meeting with the governor, yesterday at Government House, in Benin.

Nigeria electricity second worst in the word - Word Bank From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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report by the World Bank has described Nigeria as the second worst country with high electricity access deficit in the world.

According to the report, about 82.4 million Nigerians lack access to electricity .

In an assessment of the worst 20 countries in the world released on the World Bank’s Twitter handle, Nigeria came second to India with a population of 306.2 million people with lack of access to electricity, with an annual increase in access to electricity at the rate of 1.8 per cent.

The report which is to help assess the level of progress of countries under the Sustainable Energy for All

… Says 117m Nigerians use fire wood (SE4ALL) initiative was launched last year at the 2012 Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development.

Nigeria also came fifth among the 20 countries with the highest deficit in access to non-solid fuel.

The report states that in Nigeria’s 117.8 million people still use these non-solid fuel including firewood, charcoal, and other such cooking sources.

India came tops in the rating of the countries with lack of access to nonsolid fuel with 705.0 million people.

This is followed by China with 612.8 million people, Bangladesh with 134.9 million people and Indonesia

with 131.2 million people.

The report said that; “the achievement of universal access to modern energy will depend critically on the efforts of 20 high-impact countries (Nigeria inclusive).

“Together, these countries account for more than two-thirds of the population presently living without electricity (0.9 billion people) and more than four-fifths of the global population without access to nonsolid fuels (2.4 billion people).

“This group of 20 countries is split between Africa and Asia. For electricity, India has by far the largest access deficit, exceeding 300 million

Proposed 10,000 megawatts unrealistic, electricity union tells FG From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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he much publicized lift from 4000 megawatts of electricity g e n e r a tio n to 1 0 ,0 0 0 megawatts has been described as mission impossible, considering the available infrastructure on ground.

National President of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Workers’ Union, (SSAEAC), Comrade Bede I. Okpara, disclosed this at the inauguration of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC) of the Association yesterday.

While reacting to the presentation by the Minister of State for Power, Hajiya Zainab Kuchi, to the Senate that Nigeria will migrate from 4,000 megawatts

to 10,000 megawatts, Okpara said the Minister’s presentation was an intellectual work without reference and concern to the available generating, transmission and distribution equipment on ground.

“When you go to most of our generating site you find out that the power plants were built 40 -45 years ago and this equipment are obsolete and that is why if there is a little problem our total transmission crashes in some cases we have to call in foreign engineers or manufacturers to come and help us to manufacture the component that is having problem .

“With this kind of a situation, for anybody to come out and promise 10,000 megawatts before December 2013 is a mirage.

He noted that, for the government to move closer to the target, it has to be sincere in the approach to power generation, transmission and distribution.

“We as workers in the power sector are not moved by the money N347 billion as announced by the honourable Minister because Government is ready to fast track the implementation of Electric Power Reform Act and thereafter privatize the entire Power Holding Company of Nigeria entity which is against the backdrop of the fact that our initial position PHCN should be encouraged to run efficiently ,while investors are invited to build their independent power plants to run side by side with PHCN.”

people, while for non-solid cooking fuel India and China each have access deficits that exceed 600 million people.

“The access challenge is particularly significant in SubSaharan Africa, which is the only region where the rate of progress on energy access fell behind population growth in 1990–2010, both for electricity and for non-solid fuels.

According to Kandeh Yumkella, the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All, the initiative seeks to achieve, by 2030, universal access to electricity and safe household fuels, a doubled rate of improvement of energy efficiency, and a doubled share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

“The report’s framework for data collection and analysis will enable us to monitor progress on the SE4ALL objectives from now to 2030,” he said.

On its part, the World Bank expressed fears that Africa faces acute energy challenges with the lowest electrification rate of all the regions at 26 per cent of households.

In Africa, it said, at least 550 million people do not have access to electricity.

“Without access to energy services, the poor are deprived of the most basic economic opportunities needed to improve their standards of living.

“Access to environmentally and socially sustainable energy is essential to reduce poverty.

PAGE 8

Photos Splash

L-R: Representative of ECOWAS Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Alain Traore; Lead Land expert, Mr Hobert Ovedraofo; and Consultant, Land Policy and Land Administration, Dr. Wordsworth Odame Larbi, during the validation workshop for harmonised land policy framework in the ECOWAS region, yesterday in Abuja.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

L-R: Founder, The Rose of Sharon Foundation, Mrs. Folorunso Alakija; Lagos State First Lady, and Grand Matron, The Rose of Sharon Foundation, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola, and wife of Lagos state Head of Service, Mrs. Adenike Ogunlewe, during the hosting of widows to mark the 5th anniversary of Rose of Sharon Foundation, recently at the State House, in Ikeja, Lagos.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh (middle); Chief of Standard and Evaluation, Nigerian Air Force headquarters, AVM. Salihu Abubakar (3rd left); with Heads of 14 universities and Heads of Research Agencies, after the signing of MoU on research development, yesterday in Abuja.

L-R: District head of Wamakko, Alhaji Salihu Barade; district head of Dundaye, Alhaji Bello Yahaya; acting Managing Director, CCNN, Alhaji Yawale Ladan; and chairman, Wamakko local government area of Sokoto state, Alhaji Ahmed Kalambaina, during the donation of 2,600 bags of cement to 62 communities in Wamakko local government area by CCNN, yesterday in Sokoto.

Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic’s southwest rally, yesterday in Lagos.

Photos: Olawale Rotimi & NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 9

News

Lawmaker tasks youths on peace

By Emmanuel Eko

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L-R: Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwezili; Chairman, House Committee on Procurement, Hon. Jumoke Okoya Thomas, and a member of the Committee, Hon. John Eno, during an interactive session on public procurement with stakeholders, yesterday at the National Assembly in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

ThisDay bombing: SSS tenders more evidence

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

T

he prosecution led by Simon Labaran at the on-going trial of Mustapha Umar over the explosion which partly damaged the SOJ Plaza, housing three media houses in Kaduna, yesterday brought burnt remains of a Honda car, allegedly used by Umar in his purported attempt to blow-up the building.

Also tendered by the prosecution as exhibits were, 12 gas cyl-

inders and a partly burnt black 25-litre jerry can, allegedly used by the suspect in the act.

Prosecution witness number eight who had spoken about the items while testifying in the court room, identified them, following which the court admitted in evidence as exhibits MU7 to 18(the cylinders), the jerry can as MU19 and the car as MU20.

Earlier in his evidence, the witness who wore mask to conceal his identity said as at the time of the incident, he was an Exhibit

Keeper at the Sabon Gari police station, Kaduna.

He told the court how the items were given to him for safekeeping after they were retrieved by the police, from the scene of the incident.

The prosecution also called two other witnesses- a police bomb disposal expert and an Assistant Police Commissioner, who said he interviewed Umar and made a video recording of the interview session.

The bomb disposal expert,

who said he was with the police Anti-Bomb Squad, Kaduna gave expert evidence on the possibility of causing explosion, fire, head and pressure, using an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) made from domestic gas cylinder.

The witness who was also masked described one of the burnt cylinders as a complete IED, in view of the fact that an extra wire he described as “det cord” were attached to the cylinder.

The judge adjourned the matter to today.

Fresh Crisis hits Jonathan’s campaign team From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

he crisis rocking Neighbour2Neighbour (N2N), a group that was involved in the 2011 electioneering campaign of President Goodluck Jonathan and his deputy, has taken a new twist.

The 36 state coordinators of N2N have written to its national officers asking to be formally compensated for the role they played in Jonathan’s victory.

The state coordinators who are also known as Forum of N2N state

…As members threaten court action over compensation coordinators, had been at war with the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe and HRH King A.J. Turner, all of whom are the national officers of N2N for their continued delay in fulfilling the promise they made to the state coordinators that they will be accommodated in Jonathan government.

In letter dated May 23, 2013 and signed by officers of Forum of State Coordinators, and ad-

dressed separately to Oduah, Elder Orubebe and Turner, they threatened to take the matter to court if their demand for compensation is not met within 14 days.

Titled “Notice To Be Formally Compensated And Disengaged From Neighbour2Neighbour Project”, the letter, copies of which were sent to Jonathan, recalled how they were engaged as state coordinators through a letter dated December 9 2010 and invited to Abuja on December 15 2010

where they were inaugurated and briefed.

According to the letter, “the government is fully operational now and getting ready for a second anniversary.

“No state coordinator is part of this government we suffered and worked extremely hard to ensure its victory.

“Members of our structures are in pain of abandonment and the basic truth and general feeling is that you have used us to achieve

IGP orders free medical treatment for journalists From Matthew Aramunde, Lagos

I

nspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, has said that henceforth and as long as he remains in office, members of the media in the country are entitled to free medical ser-

vice in any Police Medical Centre across the country.

Mohammed stated this during the official opening of the Area ‘F’ Medical Centre, Ikeja yesterday.

According to him, Nigerian journalists have proven over time to be partners in progress particularly in the area of crime fighting.

He said: “As long as I remain IGP, members of the Nigerian Media will enjoy free medical service in any police medical facility in country. They are our friends and partners in progress. Therefore, we must grant them free access to our medical facilities.

“However, if the situation goes

beyond our (police) hospitals, then, call on me, I would support you in any capacity.” The police boss stated.

It would be recalled that the medical facility at Area F was built before 1997 but the was renovated and equipped by the Abubakar police administration.

ember representing Kokona West of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Danladi Jatau, has called for a sustainable peaceful coexistence among the ethnic groups in Basa, a suburb of Agwada Development Area that was engulfed with crisis between Eggons and Fulani herdsmen that left scores dead.

Jatau, who spoke with Peoples Daily in Abuja assured that peace have since return to the village, even as he urged youths in the area not to accept being used as agents to cause crises in the in the area.

Danladi noted however that the quest for sustainable peace to return in the area was premised on the existing peaceful coexistence between the affected ethnic groups who have lived together for several decades.

He added that with the help of other stakeholders from the district, a 15-man committee was put in place that facilitate the peace process.

According to Jatau, “this year, we have witnessed a lot of crises particularly in my area of Bassa District.

“Sometime around January 9, 2013, there was a serious crisis between the Eggon and the Fulani herdsmen that resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of property worth millions of naira. “Over 200 people lost their lives, houses were destroyed, in fact the community was totally deserted with people.

“But thank God, as a representative of the people, I called for reconciliatory meeting of the affected ethnic groups with other neutral people residing in Bassa and at the end of the day, a 15- man committee was put in place, made up of 7 Fulani and 7 Eggon with an Hausa man to serve as a neutral person.

He said that a bill which seeks criminalize discrimination against widows in the state has gone through second reading in the State House of Assembly.

Teachers’ strike: NUT disrupts JSCE exam in Benue From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

T

he Junior Secondary School Examination (JSCE) was disrupted yesterday in Makurdi by officials of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT).

The examination had barely commenced at the St. Catherine UBE Junior Secondary School when officials of the union stormed the venue and ordered that the examination should stop forthwith, in compliance with the on-going nationwide strike.

The state NUT Chairman, Comrade Godwin Anya, who confirmed the action in a chat with Peoples Daily said, “yes, I am aware of the incident.

“No examination is supposed to hold at this time when we are on strike.”

He noted that the union dispatched its officials to ensure full compliance of the strike even as he frowned at the insensitivity of the state government to the plight of teachers.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5 2013

PAGE 10

News Briefs Bauchi farmers get high yield soya, groundnut seeds

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overnor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state is to mobilize 12,000 farmers associations while 8,000 are to benefit from improved varieties of groundnut and soya beans seeds at subsidized rates, to enhance agricultural activities and food production in the state.

The co-coordinator farmer’s capital enhancement project through the Bauchi state agricultural development project (BSADP), Lawan Shirama, made the declaration while briefing newsmen in Bauchi yesterday BSADP has put in place appropriate strategies to set the pace in achieving the programme.

Shirama added that already memorandum of understanding have been signed with the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Agriculture and marketers associations Abubakar TafawaBalewa Bauchi including other agencies to mobilize resources to ensure the implementation of farmers capital enhancement project.

He noted that already government had procured 40,000 tones of soya beans for sale to farmers including recruitment of competent hands to train farmers saying BSADP had also refurbish 2 essential vehicles to enhance extension activities.

From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

Edo probes death of UNIBEN student

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do state government yesterday set up a judicial commission of enquiry to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of an undergraduate student of the University of Benin City, Edo state.

Ibrahim Momodu was killed on May 27, 2013 and allegedly buried by a police officer attached to Ogida Police station in the state capital.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole said at a meeting with family members of the diseased at the Government House that the Ministry of Justice would work out modalities for members of the commission.

Lawyer of the slain student of Laboratory Science Technology, Jefferson Uwoghiren, alongside representatives of civil society organizations, students and family members presented a protest letter to the Governor.

The letter demanded urgent exhumation of the body of late Momodu for proper inquest to determine the manner and the cause of death.

It also requested for immediate suspension and arrest of Mrs. Carol Afegbai for alleged complicity in connection with the alleged murder of the undergraduate.

From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

Illegal miners at the Bukuru Dam, Jos south local government area of Plateau, yesterday. Photo: NAN

NEMA cautions Gombe residents on flood From David Hassan, Gombe

H

ead of Operations of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Gombe state, Mr. Jidiel Appolos, has warned residents to prepare against the predicted flooding in

parts of the country.

“The people must cultivate a culture of preparedness,” Appolos told reporters yesterday at an interactive session on efforts being taken to mitigate against possible flood disaster.

According to him, dumping of refuse in drainages may lead

to blockage of water channels that may cause over flow that will lead to collapse of buildings.

He explained that there should be proper operation and maintenance of water related to infrastructure like dams to avoid overflow of water.

According to him, the

Nigerian Meteorological Agency has produced the 2013 rainfall predictions to enhance preparedness against flooding.

He called on the agricultural extension workers to plan for the provision of storage, processing and marketing facilities.

NAF sued over alleged torture, Plaintiffs demands N300m damages

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

T

he Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been sued before a Federal High Court, Abuja for alleged abuse of the fundamental human rights of three middle-aged men, Geoffrey Aondoakaa, David Kor

and Cyprian Ukertyo.

The Plaintiffs alleged torture by one Group Captain Garba of Nigerian Air Force Base, Abuja.

Joined in the suit are the Chief of Air Staff and Minister of Defence.

In an originating motion filed

Kwankwaso laments epileptic power supply in Kano From Edwin Olofu, Kano

K

ano state Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has lamented insufficient power supply to Kano in spite of its strategic location as the commercial and economic nerve centre of the north.

Kwankwaso who spoke through the Secretary to Kano State Government (SSG), Dr. Rabi’u Suleiman Bichi, during the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Kano Forum office yesterday, said that his government was committed to supporting the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), to ensure adequate supply and distribution of electricity in the state.

According to him, the government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with

a German energy company to generate 60 megawatts through solar energy.

The Governor charged the forum to take their assignment seriously so as to ensure that at the end of the day, customers get good services and value for their money.

Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Kano Electricity Distribution Company, Alhaji Mohammed Tunde Balogun, said the Kano Forum office was established to handle unresolved electricity disputes between the company and aggrieved customers in Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states.

“This is a step forward in providing electricity customers the opportunity for an appeal and we will do our best to ensure that all customer complaints are resolved timely and satisfactorily.

on their behalf by some Abujabased human rights lawyers last Friday, the plaintiffs alleged that they were forcefully arrested by Garba on May 21, 2013 over an allegation that they had stolen his (Garba’s) laptop computer while working in his house sometime in 2012.

In an affidavit in support of their motion, the third applicant (Cyprian Ukertyo), said upon denial of stealing Garba’s computer, the defendant and three other Air Force personnel stripped the first two applicants

naked, tied their hands and consistently flogged them with horse whips and military belts.

“As if that was not enough, the 1st respondent plugged an electric heater/boiling ring and an electric pressing iron into an electric socket and upon confirmation that it was indeed very hot, removed same and stamped on various parts of the applicants’ bodies resulting into grievous body injuries”.

They are therefore asking for an order of court awarding the sum of N300 million jointly and

PHCN cable electrocutes girl in Benin

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

A

n 18-years-old girl, Iyogosa Godsday, who was reportedly electrocuted by Power Holding company (PHCN) cable at Ujabhole-Uwessan community in Esa Central local government area of Edo state after a heavy downpour last Sunday.

Reports said that the diseased was hit by high tension cable while trying to dry clothes on a line when the cable fell at Idumu Asse, resulting in a pandemonium An eyewitness, Adubuka Ehimen, said the deceased came out of the house after the rains and was trying to spread the

clothes on the lines, a few meters from the house when suddenly she was hit by the huge tension wire and died.

He explained that sympathizers avoided helping for fear of being equally electrocuted.

“Iyogosa came out of the house after that heavy Sunday rain and was spreading her clothes on the rope in front of their house at Idumu Asse when she was hit by the wire, immediately she fell to the ground and died,” the eyewitness said.

The Zonal PHCN Public Relations Officer, Mr. Fadipe, could not be reached for comments as several calls to his mobile phones were not answered.

PAGE 11

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

Money Sense

Relataionships and money: Two sides of the same coin?

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ave you ever met someone who’s an extreme risk-taker in life but very careful with money?

What about someone who is measured and cautious in everything except money? I sure haven’t. It’s no wonder, then, that money issues overwhelmingly come out on top of reasons why couples bicker, argue, and all-out fight with each other. It’s because, for better or for worse, the way we deal with money is a reflection of ourselves.

Unfortunately, most of us are about as well equipped for balancing money and our relationships as we are for deepsea diving. In essence, we’re all thrown overboard and are

Money Tip: What a startup job candidate needs?

Innovative Outlook e’ve all heard that old saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

Ira S. Wolfe, president of Success Performance Solutions, a provider of pre-employment, sales and leadership assessment tests, shares that turning ambiguity and complexity into creativity and innovation is essential in a startup environment.

Ask questions that poke at a candidate’s problem-solving skills: “Describe an event where you were forced to make a make-itor-break-it decision when you didn’t have all the information you needed and no time to get it.

How did you make the decision and how did it turn out?”

Another way Wolfe likes to understand candidates’ creative thinking process is by asking for their next steps if their company landed a huge account. “Let’s say you landed Wal-Mart as a client.

You don’t have enough financing, the right management team, or a supplier in place to deliver products. What’s the first thing you do?”

David Chie, vice president of Palo Alto Staffing Services, a full service administrative and IT staffing firm, believes that innovation must be coupled with a sense of initiative. It’s not enough to be flexible or creative unless you can see the need for it and do it on your own.

W

Quote Live daringly, boldly, fearlessly.

Taste the relish to be found in competition - in having put forth the best within you. - Henry J. Kaiser

forced to flounder around.

If you think about what really has an impact on the way you live your life, chances are your finances and your relationships will come out on top. After all, its problems in these areas that tend to cause the most stress. Fighting with your spouse is a stress. Fighting with your spouse because you can’t pay the mortgage? That will be another major stress. But while our financial behavior is probably deeply rooted in our life experiences, we all have a choice about how we live and manage our money. Let’s take a look at some of the common disagreements that revolve around money, and what they might say about you and your relationship.

Frugality My partner recently won $50 in a poker game. My reaction: “Let’s go out for dinner!” His reaction: “Are you crazy? This is for my retirement account!”

Clearly, I have a smart guy on my hands. Unfortunately, a lot of people take frugal too far, even to unhealthy extremes.

I’m not talking about people who have to resort to extreme frugality out of necessity, but those who earn a good living but pinch every penny they make with no long-term goal in sight.

Perhaps they’re afraid of risk, or it physically pains them to part with their cash. Whether they’re looking for the secure feeling a big bank account can provide or just don’t believe they’re worth any luxuries, those who are too insecure about spending their money may have a hard time reconciling those feelings

in a relationship, especially if expenses are split down the middle.

Division of Labor Have you ever noticed that money and control seem to go hand in hand? After all, money is like the wild card, providing a proxy for power, control, and freedom. Whether one partner makes more or just makes all the decisions, it can definitely

leave one person - or both feeling hurt and angry. In this case, it isn’t money that’s the problem, but the way two people are relating to each other - or using money to avoid really relating to each other. This is why if you have a spouse who’s controlling, chances are he or she is controls the finances, too.

I’m not sure it has to be that way, though. I think of

managing the finances as a chore, just like taking out the garbage or doing the laundry.

As with all chores, the division of labor is rarely 50/50, but it’s a great goal to have. Maybe next time you’re arguing about who should walk the dog or wash the windows, you should even out who will pay the bills, do the taxes, and balance the checkbook at the same time.

How to save money without feeling poor

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ven if you’ve survived the recession without losing your job or having to take out a second mortgage, you’ve probably been affected by the economy. With high gas prices raising the cost of everything from groceries to cosmetics, everybody is feeling a little strain on their wallets. Fortunately, it’s possible to save money without sacrificing everything that you enjoy. Here are a few tips for cutting back on expenses without compromising your lifestyle: “Make a budget. It’s impossible to save money without knowing how much you spend. Make an effort to track every purchase that you make for a month, even if it’s just a few

dollars. At the end of the month, compare your income to your expenses; if the expenses are higher than the money you made, you need to cut back on your budget. Make goals for how much you plan to save and where you will be cutting that money from, and be diligent about tracking your finances.

“Cut the easiest expenses first. When you’re looking for ways to trim your budget, look for the easiest places to save.

Do you have a gym membership you never use? Do you have a subscription to a magazine you hardly read? Are you paying for cable when you watch most of your shows on Netflix? Cut all of these unnecessary expenses first.

“Figure out what you can make at home. The more you can do yourself, the less you’ll have to pay someone else to do it. Homemade meals are cheaper, healthier and usually taste better than restaurant food. You can save at least $20 a week by packing a lunch instead of going out to eat. If you usually stop off at Starbucks on your way to work, it might be cheaper to invest in high-quality coffee and creamer and make your own drinks. If you can learn how to do simple car maintenance, like changing your own oil, you can save a lot of money over time.

“Use layaway instead of shopping with credit. It’s harder to spend money you don’t have

if you pay for everything in cash.

Instead of financing your next purchase, save up and buy it with cash. Many stores are bringing back layaway programs, so you can take advantage of that as a no-interest way of paying off expensive purchases. Keep only one credit card and pay it off immediately any time you make a purchase with it. “ Utilize coupons and rebates. You don’t have to practice extreme couponing to save money. The Internet makes it easy to search for coupons for items you planned to buy anyway.

Before you make a purchase, check online for printable coupons. You can also sign up for the mailing list for your favourite brands and restaurants; they will occasionally email or mail you coupons and offers you can take advantage of. Before you make a purchase, check online for printable coupons on websites like Answers.com coupons.

Saving money doesn’t have to negatively impact your lifestyle. With a little planning, it’s possible to maintain your standard of living while cutting down expenses. The key is to be accountable for your purchases, only spend money that you have in cash and take the time to find affordable but high-quality alternatives to items that you buy. Over time, employing these money-saving strategies will help you feel empowered about your spending and help you take control of your finances.

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

EDITORIAL

ICC: We’re at one with AU In this year’s presidential poll held in March, Kenyatta and Ruto emerged winners and their victory was upheld by the country’s Supreme Court.

But their changed status has not stopped the ICC (set up supposedly to protect ordinary people from the mighty, and to be free from political meddlesomeness) from pushing for their trial at The Hague. This is what has angered the continent’s 54 heads of state and government. At their summit they made it clear they were going to make a case for the trials to be moved to Kenya. To us this makes a

“

A

frican heads of state and government ended their OAU/ AU anniversary summit last week in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, on a high. They spoke the mind of every Black African when they accused the International Criminal Court (ICC), based at The Hague, of “race hunting”. All eight formal investigations the ICC has conducted so far have been in Africa and the only “successful” prosecution was that of an African.

In 2009, the 11-yea-old court issued an arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes allegedly committed in Sudan’s war –torn Darfur region.

He has refused to recognize the legitimacy of the court and was at the Addis Ababa summit. Ivory Coast’s former strongman, Laurent Gbagbo, is in custody at The Hague, awaiting trial for atrocities allegedly committed by forces loyal to him when he was in power. Former Liberian president Charles Taylor is serving a 50-year jail term at The Hague. A so-called Sierra Leone Special Court convicted him on “war crime” charges last year.

Now the ICC has set July 9 and September 10 for the beginning of the trials of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice President William Ruto respectively. The court has indicted both for complicity in the post-election violence of 2007 that left some 1,000 persons dead. The two ran against the incumbent at the time, Mwa Kibaki, a Kikuyu and lost.

The outcome set off a string of ethnic killings never before seen in this delicate ethnically balanced country.

A trial nearer home will save costs too and serve the cause of justice better lot of sense. For God’s sake, these two gentlemen are today elected leaders of their people, their indictment notwithstanding. The ICC cannot be more interested in the case than the people of Kenya where the killings took place six yeas ago. What is more, trials at the court have become something of circus where suspects are put on display to be harangued by so-called international jurists, mostly white. It is no longer about justice but disgracing Africans.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn made this abundantly clear when he spoke with journalists at the end of the Addis

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”

Ababa summit. According to him, the ICC has eroded its legitimacy by picking on African leaders, and “now the process has degenerated to into race hunting.” If not, why is it that the court hasn’t brought a single case against former white dictators in Latin America or leaders of former Apartheid South Africa? Why won’t it so much as grant Black Africa’s genuine request to transfer the trial of the Kenyan president and his deputy back home? After all, the two have cooperated well with the court all this long. And the Kenyan judicial system has redeemed itself with the Supreme Court’s decision on the outcome of the March presidential election.

If the ICC predators need any convincing, the words of Nkosazana Dlamini, the South African chairwoman of the AU Executive Commission, do it very well: “The ICC is not the court of first resort.

It’s actually the court of last resort…

And now that Kenya has reformed its judiciary and they have confidence in the judiciary in Kenya, things should be left to the country.” The only precondition, as we understand it, is for the Kenyan judiciary to prove that it is ready to bring the same charges against Kenyatta and Ruto. This can be done, why not? If the ICC’s fear is that of official interference, the trial can hold in a neighbouring country. Both Kenyatta and Ruto are amenable to this.

A trial nearer home will allow the two leaders to attend personally and still run their country. It will save costs too and serve the cause of justice better.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

CHAIRMAN MALAM WADA MAIDA, OON, FNGE DIRECTOR/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF RUFA’I IBRAHIM MANAGING EDITOR ABDUL-AZEEZ ABDULLAHI

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

ACTING EDITOR, DAILY HAMEED M. BELLO

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

ACTING EDITOR, WEEKEND JAMILA NUHU MUSA

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 13

Opinion Changing fortunes of the sand dunes of my childhood (I)

By Y. Z. Ya’u

I

was born and raised in the plains of the Hadejia-Jamaare valley. This plain that cuts across northern Bauchi state, south-east and central Jigawa state and north-west of Yobe is characterized by three key features. First and most obvious are the Hadejia and Jama’are rivers which transverse the area from the Jos Plateau, emptying into Lake Chad. Axiomatically, the rivers give it its second feature.

On either side of the two rivers are large tracks of flooded land suitable for farming and animal grazing. The third and less obvious feature but more visible in Jigawa State are the jigayi, from which the state got its name. These undulating sand dunes run through all the three states. These three features not only provide enchanting topology that is breathtakingly beautiful but also one that nature endows with rich agricultural land and a variegated fauna and flora.

For those of us whose early exploration of the wilderness was defined by this topology, the jigayi were not just sand dunes. Ever present, dependable, truthful and enduring with platforms that give a panoramic view of the distant horizons; they were the compass of our lives. With them you have not only a land marker but also a guide to take you home: you never get lost.

In a most symbiotic manner, the terrain defines the character of the people: hardworking, self-

sufficient, tolerant and trusting.

These are the key ingredients of leadership qualities. It was thus not an accident that when a true son of the plains was elected Governor in Jigawa State he had his roots in the rugged terrain to turn to for validation. He was rooted in a culture that lived on leadership principles.

When he was elected governor in 2007, the state was simply in ruins. It had seen eight years of unmitigated disaster during which time every citizens of the state was reduced to thinking at the village level. There was no need to construct roads since no one was to leave his or her village. You needed no hospital because village dispensaries were sufficient. In a cynical play of the self-sufficiency of the plain people, government thought they could drink from the ponds and saw no reason to provide water to the people.

Dutse the state capital was deserted. All ministries and government agencies had been sent to the Siberia of governance, leaving only the ghost building of the Governor’s office and the ministry of finance. As government was ran from abroad, the Governor’s office was only a tourism site for the rare occasion he could show up in the mid night and left before dawn. Dutse had been returned to a pre-Jigawa state creation era, a town where you could not get an eatery, not talk of a decent hotel.

The Jigawa State Hotel that was built by the previous administration and indeed commissioned by Abdulsalam Abubakar, just before

the elections, was allowed to rot and became the dent of rodents and reptiles.

To aspire to become a governor of this desolate state was by means an easy decision. And so it was that Sule Lamido ventured and in May 2007 assumed the mantle of leadership of the state.

Reading his inaugural speech, one could hear his anguish: “As you might be aware, our state manifests the worst indices of underdevelopment. I was born and raised here and have spent most part of my adult life in the state. I have also been actively involved in the affairs of the state since my PRP days. Nevertheless, it was the recent electioneering campaign tour that exposed me to the problems of our people in the most pathetic

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degree. In summary the campaign tour brought me face—face with the uniquely unmitigated case of underdevelopment called Jigawa State”. But it was not the anguish that took the better of me. It was the message of hope that the speech set out and I confided to a friend that we should test this hope message.

We decided to stage the antipoverty forum that October in Jigawa and invited the Governor to lead the Stand Up Against Poverty that GCAP in partnership with the UN Millennium Campaign (UNMC) was organizing yearly as a means to draw attention to poverty and the need to act to eradicate it. He agreed and we organized a conference on Budget, Accountability and Com-

Sule could not run away from the poverty of the state and so in keeping with his PRP/NEPU ideology of commitment to the poor and as part of the need to promote participatory governance and restore governance to the people, he decided to convene the Talakawa Summit to provide an opportunity for the ordinary people to set the agenda for the government. Dutse and Lamido had sealed it up for us.

munity Development. So on 18th October at the Jigawa State Hotel Conference hall, Dutse town made history not just as the town in Nigeria with the highest number of people standing up (for which the Guinness Books of Records in partnership with the UNMC was recording) but also got the first state Governor to stand up for poverty in the country.

Sule could not run away from the poverty of the state and so in keeping with his PRP/NEPU ideology of commitment to the poor and as part of the need to promote participatory governance and restore governance to the people, he decided to convene the Talakawa Summit to provide an opportunity for the ordinary people to set the agenda for the government.

The argument of the Talakawa Summit was very simple: all the talks about addressing poverty were done by people who did not know poverty, and in places far removed from the sites and sights of poverty. Now was the time for those who feel it most to state their experience and suggest how this could be addressed. Significantly also, the Governor got the Sultan, the spiritual leader of the Muslims in the country to lead the people in reading the anti-poverty pledge at the Stand up Against Poverty that year. This was for us, advocates, this was an advocacy coup, and Dutse and Lamido had sealed it up for us.

Y. Z Ya’u is reachable on yzy@citad.org

Woolwich murder: Illusion of conspiracy theorists

By Semiu A. Akanmu

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he killing of the British soldier named Drummer Lee Rigby by a Nigeriaborn Briton, Micheal ‘Mujahid’ Adebolajo, on the street of Woolwich has opened another historic, though an unfortunate page, in the socio-political directory of terrorism. Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora through our cyber spaced geographical entity have been analyzing, criticizing and diagnosing Terrorism, Terrorists and the war on terror in view of the ugly but awakening incidence.

The unofficial ‘press statement’ made by this murderer and his ‘argument’ to justify this crime has undoubtedly and so expectedly took our mind to Al Qaedanism, the Machiavellian movement of Islamism.

The Islamists in their reductionists’ view diminish Islam to politics and Jihad; they are otherwise called advocates of political Islam.

This parochial perspective has made their approach to Jihad an infected methodology, opening pores for penetrators to hijack their struggle, mis-direct their focus, and hence invalidate the legitimacy of their advocacy.

Their mis-placed priority has

always results in high level of thuggery, brigandage and barbarism. This is one of the reasons why those who are wellinformed about their ills will not be caught with surprise when these so-called Jihadists are found robbing and kidnapping. In view of the present configuration of the global socio-political landscape, Muslims see implementation of Shari’ah as an end from certain means like uncorrupted evangelism of the message of

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Islam, healthy human relation and role modelling for human emulation, while the Islamists believe in the use of force as the only means to Shari’ah. The earlier they know the rate at which Muslims’ fold in countries like Iran, Iraq, Syria, Nigeria and Pakistan is shrinking, while that of countries like UK, USA, Canada, France and Australia is swelling, the better for their sensibility.

The new verge of our social discussion has passed a gauntlet

The new verge of our social discussion has passed a gauntlet unto us. This is a non-evasive responsibility of educating people generally and Muslims specifically about an adoptable classifying and separating tool to know and tell people that Muslims are different from Islamists, while Islam and Islamism are nonsubstitutes. While some of us are not comfortable with the nomenclature, the reality that has caught up with us signals that we have been heavily infiltrated internally and externally

unto us. This is a non-evasive responsibility of educating people generally and Muslims specifically about an adoptable classifying and separating tool to know and tell people that Muslims are different from Islamists, while Islam and Islamism are non-substitutes. While some of us are not comfortable with the nomenclature, the reality that has caught up with us signals that we have been heavily infiltrated internally and externally, and it is high time we stood up to take our liability, and stopped playing the blame game.

Though, suggesting ‘Burdens on Muslims’ will be a better caption to Kila’s essay titled ‘The Burden of Islam’, I cannot do but to agree with Kila’s submission. Muslims must know there is a burden on them. There is a burden of re-educating and re-orientating, an assignment of renaissance consciousness of enhancing our emotional intelligence. We cannot be responding violently to provocation either in the name of blasphemy or injustice. The buccaneers and vampires among us: from Al-Shabab in Somalia, all franchises and network of Al Qaeda globally, our own dreadful Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria to the self-determining

secessionists like Moro Front in Southern Philippine, the local militant group of Narathiwar in Southern Thailand, Tuareg rebels in Northern Mali should spare us this shame. Your political interest and economy-driven struggle should be pursued without hanging on the name of Islam what so ever. Abu Aaliyah has put it so aptly that “Terrorism is to Jihad as Adultery is to Marriage”. I am not of the training to delve into issues of core Islamic Jurisprudence, but those who wish to know so as to ascertain the thin line could link it up here.

As the horrific and sadistic Woolwich killing came in, the most embarrassing and utter display of effrontery is the reactionary conspiracy theory that intend to disregard and falsify that an insane walking stock has dragged our identity once again in mud. In spite of the fact that this claim did not emanate from UK-based Muslims, but the rate at which folks in Nigeria are sharing and referring to Femi Fani-Kayode’s Illuminatilinked conspiracy is not only disappointing, it further tells the extent at which we have allowed emotional attachment to our faith to veil our reasoning.

Semiu A. Akanmu is on LinkedIn.

PAGE 14

Letters & Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

Democracy or demonstration of craze?

By Idoko O. Peter

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he poor and oppressed were mainly those excited at the news of the coming Christ, a king expected to come of David’s lineage, a line of warriors, a man to free his people from slavery and oppression. Many waited in eagerness and anxiety, hopes were very high that two thousand years after His death some are still lost in wondering about his coming and this perhaps is probably because He did not fight the battles or give the people the much anticipated type of freedom.

Before 29th May 1999 Nigerians were in dreamland with all sorts of pleasant visions of the coming democracy, the image casted on the minds of many reflected the return of the good old days, a U-turn to the land flowing with milk and honey. Fourteen years gone in democratic rule and people are asking if the messiah is here or yet to come. Going by the popular definition of democracy as the government of the people by the people and for the people, Nigeria’s present system of governance can not be likened to it. Afro beat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti in his song titled ‘unknown soldiers’ gave a near perfect definition of our style of leadership as demonstration of craze, a system that makes the wealthy wealthier and the poor poorer.

Our system is of the people, not by the people and not for the people. The rule is rather by selection and imposition than election; elections are won before

the bridges still campaigns play habitat to through some Nigerians. godfatherism The people are and thuggery.

Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, dying of taste The tussle for text messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written and hunger as power is so contributions should be concise.

Word limits: Letters floods wash away intense that - 150 words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your their farms and the poor are properties yearly. better of not name and a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be Education involved in the addressed to: has fallen into electioneering a bottomless process. When The Editor, pit, soon the a few select a Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, next generation government, will have to go that team 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. neighbouring can never Email: opinion@peoplesdaily-online.com states like be for the SMS: 08134607052 Ghana to obtain majority and a first school that’s clearly why the poor are at the receiving leaving certificate. The judiciary is point farmers cannot dare the end of it all. In the wake of our tangled in its own web of scandals, luxury of consuming their own democracy the standard of living leading us clearly into a lawless produce. Health care is strictly for of the average citizen has reached society. Power generation remains the wealthy who can go abroad an all-time low, prices of food a recurring decimal for past, to access it in India, Saudi and items have skyrocketed to the immediate and possibly future the likes. Housing is no better as regimes; despite the time and huge investments in this sector. The only Our system is of the people, not by the available solution to our epileptic supply is to ‘please hold your people and not for the people. The rule candle near’. is rather by selection and imposition The promised fresh air is polluted by flying bullets and the than election; elections are won before deafening sounds of bomb blast. campaigns through godfatherism and The soil has lost its fertility to shed. Interest groups now thuggery. The tussle for power is so intense blood use unknown gunmen to speak to that the poor are better of not involved in a leadership that has long lost its hearing. Fela equated unknown the electioneering process. When a few soldiers plus unknown policemen select a government, that team can never plus unknown civilians to unknown government, little wonder a cabal be for the majority and that’s clearly why of unknown men now hold the the poor are at the receiving end of it all. nation to a standstill. Viewed under a light microscope our mode of administration is made up of

WRITE TO US

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two essential elements, with the first being monarchs. This arm passes political seats from brother to brother or father to son. A Catholic bishop once said that in Nigeria the more things change the more they remain the same and the afro beat legend called it “government magic”, ‘water dey go, water dey come’. Same faces have dominated our political scenery since inception, their political sojourn is a cycle from the senate to government house and back, same minds piloting the affairs of different ministries and same woeful results everywhere.

The other half are dictators, they are the constitution themselves. The law is only effective when they are not involved; they are so fierce that even the military cowered before them. Nothing goes without the consent of these military wolfs in civilian clothing. In all fairness, our practice of democracy is a far cry of the real thing. The only symbol of civil rule in Nigeria today is the day set aside to commemorate it.

I think two things are involved here, either we make a fast move to practice standard democracy or else we loose ownership to countries like Egypt, Syria and others practising similar systems of deformed democracy. We must take certain steps towards the drawing board to be sure we are still on track. My earnest prayer is that we take the latter option and reposition democracy for the good of all.

Idoko O. Peter is on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Mediocrity, Nigeria’s most definitive failure

By Bamidele Ademola-Olateju

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igeria’s culture of mediocrity was brewed from the desecrated pot of our education system. Within 25 years, JAMB’s cut-off mark for admission into the Universities has fallen over two standard deviations from what it was at the onset. If 180 out of 400 is acceptable for admissions, why wont we applaud 40% job performance as excellent?

I know of no place outside Nigeria where the education system considers 40% as acceptable benchmark for admissions. 40% is simple and complete failure. A country that conceptualizes this level of mediocrity as success is destined to be ruled by retards; what this says about us is that a student who knows 40% of whatever they are supposed to know is brilliant. How can one expect people to aspire to achieving excellence when they are under the impression that everything they do, regardless of standard or quality, is to be celebrated as hugely successful? We have inflicted on ourselves a general lack of ambition, we are focused on good enough above all else. Nigeria has become a society of low standards, where the bar is set so low that we expect and celebrate mediocrity.

The fish, they say, rots from the head. A week ago, Dr.Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, minister of the economy, looked every inch like a Festschrift testifying her competence in sugar coating failure. She spoke about our G.D.P at 6.5% – a growth no one feels.

The President took his turn in celebration of his own legendary mediocrity as a derivative of our collective incompetence. He schmoozed us about his selfadoring midterm score card. He spoke as if electricity is a given, as if healthcare is accessible, as if equal access to basic education is guaranteed for every child regardless of circumstance, as if drinkable water is available to the majority of Nigerians, he spoke as if Nigeria is paradise.

Before he could finish his speech the chorus singers and “today’s men” went agog, celebrating incompetence, impunity and mediocrity despite the humbling statistics of grossly insufficient jobs, poverty, dependency on one export commodity (oil), high food importation, huge housing deficit, poor infrastructure, high inflation, falling foreign reserves, rising domestic debts and high recurrent expenditure.

It is easy to fall into the trap and to blame the government,

the leadership, the President, the police, the politicians, the civil service and every other person or group who may have some measure of influence in public life. If you have, I have questions for you. Who is this person or persons called government? Who is the police, the civil service, the politicians? If your father, mother, uncle, aunt… relation works for government in any capacity, he or she is the government. We are the problems, the polluters of this land and the embezzlers of our common trust.

Life is full of choices. Excellence is a choice. Mediocrity is a choice.

Have you chosen excellence or mediocrity? Why don’t you choose

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excellence today? Why don’t you be the change Nigeria needs? Make that commitment and be prepared to becoming a target for those who are comfortable with mediocrity. If and when that happens rejoice in being a target and stay the course.

Nations excel because individuals took their duties seriously. Be afraid not, if you stand alone. Soon, others will join you in the pursuit of excellence and over time excellence will become the norm and mediocrity will be unacceptable.

The key to achieving excellence is to focus on what is within your control. You do not control the economy, the President, your Senator or Representative, the

The key to achieving excellence is to focus on what is within your control. You do not control the economy, the President, your Senator or Representative, the Police etc.

You control yourself and how you respond to things that happen in your environment.

This is about doing better at getting better.

This is about seeking excellence and not perfection. While pursuing excellence, it is ok to make mistakes.

Police etc. You control yourself and how you respond to things that happen in your environment. This is about doing better at getting better. This is about seeking excellence and not perfection.

While pursuing excellence, it is ok to make mistakes. It is ok to fail, as long as there are lesson learned; as long as those mistakes and failures are not repeated, as long as we learn and grow from those experiences. What can you do? Model your life in the pursuit of excellence; do your job right, do your job well, improve and show it.

When you do, your colleagues, family, friends will often follow your lead and you can create a legacy of excellence within your home, your office, your community, your state and in Nigeria. Change often brings resistance, be prepared to fight the good fight and be armed. Arm yourself with knowledge, facts and references because excellence can only be achieved by definition, action, measurement, validation and repetition. Fight for what is right. Do what is right. Fight for excellence. Fight to win back the soul of this country. May God help you and may God help Nigeria.

Bamidele Ademola-Olateju is on LinkedIn.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 15

Comment Jonathan’s window of opportunity

By Abdulrazaq Magaji

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or a leader best known for taking controversial decisions, President Goodluck Jonathan has, for once been commended by Nigerians across board for rising to the occasion to declare a state of emergency in parts of the country. Proof of the robust support for the president’s position is the near-unanimous approval his decision has received.

Pause to imagine the upswing in goodwill had the president been similarly disposed in the past instead of busying himself with granting state pardon to highprofile thieves in the name of exercising presidential prerogative, needlessly increasing pump price of fuel and providing cover for people who believe they cannot survive without stealing public funds! Yes, the president, not untypical of him, sounded as if he was unsure of the import of his action when he made the declaration on 14 May. Like his other decisions, the declaration of emergency rule in three states – Adamawa, Borno and Yobe – was not expected to be accepted by every Nigerian to agree with him and he indeed received knocks even from unusual quarters.

For instance, the knocks from the main opposition Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, came as a surprise to many Nigerians who expected the nation to rally round their

president at a critical moment. But those who condemn the ACN forget that this is politics and the ruling party would probably have been the first to cry blue murder had the shoe been on the other foot.

Nigerians could not have so soon forgotten how the ruling party, desperate to achieve cheap political point, continue to criticize some of the well-thought out programmes of the ACN government in the nation’s commercial hub of Lagos. And those who cite the American experiment by expecting all Nigerians to agree with the president forget that the average American is prepared to die for the flag because, unlike Nigerians, they have governments they can genuinely call their own, not one that thrives on impunity.

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The reasons given for the declaration of state of emergency are well known and valid – to contain the Boko Haram insurgency. From being an insurgency to establish an untenable theocracy, Boko Haram has become a veritable terrorist cell, carrying out bombings, serial killings, abductions and bank robberies. The insurgents, not without the complicity of some Nigerians, have of late become emboldened to the extent of spurning peace overtures from the government and citizens and barely stopped short of carving out a state within a state after wanton attack on and replacement of state symbols. Now, this is crossing the red line, an action intolerable to the most tolerant government

When dialogue fails to run its full course and crisis rears its ugly head among communities and nations, military might becomes the factor that determines where the bell of victory sways. But, as the world has come to find out, lasting peace only comes after the guns have gone silent and combatants sit round a table to work out a lasting victory never achievable on the battle front

on earth; it is one action that has the potential of placing President Jonathan on the wrong side of history had he continued to dither.

Ultimately, the increased military action will dislodge the insurgents and force a rethink by their leaders. But Nigerians would be deluded into assuming that the increased military activity in the flashpoints would rout the insurgents overnight or come without inconveniences to people in the affected areas.

The insurgency may not have consumed as many lives as the better-forgotten civil war but it has lasted much longer and enough to provide the insurgents ample time to dig in. The situation has not been helped by the corruption-driven comatose economy being tended by an increasingly sterile ruling class. What Nigerians, especially the leadership, can take away from the insurgency in the north is that affirmative action is needed, beyond empty promises, to work the economy and engage less in talking politics.

It is as well that the insurgents still have the benefit of soft landing as President Jonathan did not go to the extreme of foreclosing the option of dialogue. In an increasingly violence-prone world where peace advocates are battling against the odds to make their voices heard, advocates of non peaceful means to resolve crises

stand out as a sore thumb. When dialogue fails to run its full course and crisis rears its ugly head among communities and nations, military might becomes the factor that determines where the bell of victory sways. But, as the world has come to find out, lasting peace only comes after the guns have gone silent and combatants sit round a table to work out a lasting victory never achievable on the battle front.

For now, it will not be out of place to press for an urgent resuscitation of the Yar’adua formula, this time, on a nationwide scale and quit hoping that the problem will go by selectively throwing money at every problem or deploying troops to dislodge insurgents or extending presidential handshake to terrorists and saboteurs. Merely talking to a group of murderers in one part of the country serves to embolden potential murderers in other parts of the country to take up arms to press their case. And in the name of decency, the current leadership in the violence prone north, in this case, governors of the nineteen states in northern Nigeria, should give real meaning to the carrot and stick approach by quitting their needless but potentially harmful bickering over who, between them, runs for president in 2015.

Abdulrazaq Magaji is a journalist based in Abuja

What should we make of these Black brutish butchers?

By Taju Tijani

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ichael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Oluwatobi Adebowale, 22, both took infamy to a barbaric height.

Hate, rage, loathing and hostility all fused together to become a blunt instrument and reason for gruesome murder. Welcome to the dark world of Islamic extremism. In the shameful annals of fundamentalist killings, the Woolwich black Wednesday has shot up ahead by miles. To Kill Rigby, the two demonic agents had to be armed and dangerous.

To kill Riggers, the two brutish thugs had to usea cleaver, knives, daggers and guns. If the butchery was gruesome, the effrontery and dare after the killing was far more psychiatrically sickening than what a contrite heart could bear.

My children had to watch, without parental guardian warning, the murderous boast of a bloodied beast as he mocked his crime and at the same time justified it on jihadist sentiment. I was also given a full view of two black brutish butchers as they went on a soulless killing mission for a bloodlust Islamic Allah. What God could sanction this kind of bowel-churning butchery?

What God? What Allah? I have read condemnatory threads and rantings as they zap through the social media. Nigerians in the Diaspora have played their own part of the Devil’s advocates.

We have disowned these guys

and called them thugs, scums, misfits, useless, thugs, fanatics and beasts. But to the mature mothers and fathers who are grappling with the challenges of bringing up kids in the Western hemisphere, they can only sigh and thank God that their children have not hug the headlines for beastly reason. Thousands of young, black, British men and women of Nigerian parentage are still in the dark closet and living alternative lifestyles as homosexuals, lesbians, perverts, paedophiles, (remember Opemipo Jaji), jihadists, robbers, drug delaers, enforcers, pimps, prostitutes, burglars and gigolos.

My heart goes to the mothers and fathers of these fringe dwellers who see their birthright of being born British as a licence to embrace the baser lifestyles of the West. Anybody living with a 20-something year old British born son or daughter would be familiar with the constant heady and adversarial atmosphere in the home.

How then do we unpack this beastly action? How do we unravel the ravenous demons that possessed these killers? What do we blame? Who do we blame?

Parents, schools, institutions, Islamic religion, Islamopbobia, Western freedom, British Imperial polices in Islamic nations or plain self will? Racists have been calling us unprintable names. Even liberals are jittery and wondering what could have possessed those black boys. In enlightened circles,

audacious languages are now being deployed that deride the black man as .....yes, you can guess them!!! Both Michaels had valuedriven family background. I confer that on them because they are both children of Nigerians. Mr Anthony Adebolajo must have instilled a kind of stentorian and authentic Nigerian cherished values into the life of young Michael. The same could be said of Mr Adebowale Snr. The typical sentiment of average African immigrants is the inner desire to train their kids to be a source of family pride.

They hunger after success for their children. Just like the Chinese and Asians of the subcontinent. We put trust, hope and faith in our children. Now, except one is living in a capsule of illusion, Europe has proven to be a society totally incompatible with the illiberal structure of our moral existence as Africans.

From the start, our truest best intention for our children may be seen as aberration by the larger, stronger and dominant Eurocentric culture of the Western world. Even educated Africans are becoming far more Europhiles than the Europeans. There is an ongoing blanket condemnation of African brand of home training or discipline as abuse, barbaric and uncivilised. Then to conform to this media-fuelled desecration of our culture, we all raise the flag of conformity and ugly acquiescence.

There is a saying that if the hedge is broken, the serpent would

strike. Therefore, once we accept Western culture as superior, liberal and modern, we are on a slippery slope to self destruction.

The serpent will crawl into our homes and deposit venom in our kids as we found in the lives of the Woolwich killers. Pa Anthony Adebolajo and Pa Adebowale may be legendary disciplinarians. If tracked down, they could recount civic sermons and warring words during the adolescent years of their Michaels.

They must have had Christian values and ethos instilled in their lives. Before their induction into the life of jihad, hate and killing, the Michaels were regarded as good kids. By age 18, I could best my last penny, that the two Michaels began to wave the flags of their independence from all forms of parental controls. They could now experiment with all kinds of Western moral filths.

Unchallenged! Unrepentant! As every parent is aware, once the safety net of parental control is broken, then the serpent will come and strike and strike so badly as happened on the street of Woolwich some days ago. Then they got consumed by the greatest temptation of all. The seduction of religious fanaticism. When the Christian faith would not shine its redemptive light on the soul of these men, they embraced deep darkness. Unsatisfied with the sermons of obsessive prosperity common with African Pentecostal pastors, they looked elsewhere for

bearded mullahs who would send them on apocalyptic missions of madness, mayhem and mutilation.

Pa Anthony Adebolajo and Pa Adebowale may have made spirited efforts to rescue their kids from the trap of al-Qaeda-fuelled Islamic orientation, but the fence is broken. The western world and its rotten moral guardians will not permit interference in the life of British children. They gnash their teeth, curse the West. Then, they acquiesced.

Then they compromised.

Both Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale began to drift until Satan gave them a refuge - until Satan gave them an assignment. We may go on and propound deeper theories behind the butchery of drummer Lee Rigby. Misguided militant Islamic teaching is one. Eurocentric obsession with liberty and freedom is another.

Confused identity (he regards Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan) as his land. Subversion of African values and discipline in the West is another. Anti-Christ spirit at the centre of the Western heart is another. Erosion of institutional safety net is also there. Both have been moved to Belmarsh prison. Ironically, the society that fought wars to give both Michael Adeboljo and Michael Adebowale liberty and freedom is the one that is taking its freedom back.

Taju Tijani’s professional profile is o LinkedIn

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 17

Metro

Farmers clamour for inclusion of machinery, pesticides in GES scheme

A

cross-section of farmers in the FCT have called on the Federal Government to include access to machinery and pesticides in the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme.

The farmers made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

Malam Abdullahi Ibrahim, a farmer of various crops, said that the two bags of fertiliser given to farmers at a subsidised rate were insufficient.

Ibrahim said that as an individual, he would need a total of 30 bags of fertiliser and a tractor to achieve maximum yield. ``The two bags of fertiliser given to me will not reach anywhere in my farm.

“Even to plant yam alone, my farmland requires about 20 bags of fertiliser and additional 10 bags for the other crops. `` I don’t know how many hectares my farmland is; I’m a local farmer and I cannot measure it but it is a very big farm.’’

Ibrahim, however, commended the distribution of rice seedlings by the government, adding that it was a way of making him incorporate a new

crop into his farm.

He noted that the gesture would increase his income. `` This year, I collected rice seeds for trial because I usually don’t plant rice but this is an addition for me and I am happy about it.

“I have never planted it before and I want to see how it will go,’’ he said.

Ibrahim also said that the lack of machinery such as tractor to work with on the farm was a “huge“challenge.

He explained that weeding farms with hoes and cutlasses was exhausting because naturally, the weeds grow back after rainfall.

He expressed regret that there was nowhere for them to hire or borrow farm machinery in the rural community.

``I want to urge the Federal Government to provide us with tractors. I don’t have enough strength to weed my large farm. ‘’ ``After weeding the farmland and it rains, everything grows back to how it was and you will have to start all over again; this delays production and is also energy exhausting.’’

Another farmer, Mr Abba Sanni, told NAN that the lack of access to pesticides was a major challenge to him and also affected his production.

Sanni said that pests affected the crops even before rainy season and that he usually left the pests to destroy the crops because he had no money to buy pesticides.

He, however, commended the scheme for increasing his yield and income.

``I have been able to produce more maize than I used to before this programme.’’ ``Initially, I used to sell N25,000 to N50,000 worth of maize; but with the improved seeds and fertiliser given to me last year, my maize yielded more and I sold N150,000 to N200,000 worth of maize.’’

Similarly, Saidu Ibrahim, underscored the need for the provision and distribution of pesticides to farmers.

He said that the lack of access to pesticides constituted a major challenge to almost every farmer.

According to him, the availability of pesticides will go a long way to improve on production, if provisions are made.

NAN reports that the GES

scheme is a Federal Government’s initiative under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, aimed at subsidising the cost of major agricultural inputs such as fertiliser and seeds.

Under the initiative, farmers access inputs through an electronic distribution channel known as the e-Wallet.

The conditions of the e-Wallet scheme stipulate that a farmer registered under the scheme pays 50 per cent of the cost of farm inputs while the federal and state governments pay 25 per cent each.

One of the requirements for the scheme is the national farmers’ registration exercise, where farmers’ data are captured into the ministry’s central data bank. (NAN)

See your opportunity as a challenge not a right, Kuje chair tells new officials

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Hon Shaban Ishaku Tete has challenged the newly inaugurated Special Advisers and Supervisory Councilors to see the opportunity given to them as a privilege and not a right to be good ambassadors of their various wards and Kuje at large.

Shaban noted this yesterday at the inauguration of Special Advisers and Supervisory Councilors, adding that his inistration is all encompassing, as they are ready to carry everybody along regardless of party , religion, tribe and age.

He said that they are willing to do everything possible to make Kuje the hub investment, tourism and culture.

In his words: “I inaugurated the newly elected councilor’s representing the ten wards and good people of Kuje today again, we have just witnessed another inauguration, but this time the appointment of members of the executive arm that will help stir the ship of this administration to our destination”.

Abuja light rail under construction.

Photo NAN

Abuja Light Rail ready by 2014, says Minister

By Adeola Tukuru

I

n its efforts to provide alternative modules of transportation as the new Abuja transport policy kicked off, FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, has re-assured that the Abuja Light Rail would be ready by 2014.

The Minister gave this reassurance while receiving participants of the National School of Public Policy, Lahore, Pakistan who were in Abuja for a study tour.

Senator Mohammed who was

represented at the occasion by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Engr.

John Obinna Chukwu, restated that the deliverance of the Abuja Light Rail project would change the face of FCT Transportation system.

His words: “The Abuja Light Rail project is on track and should be ready by year 2014 in fulfillment of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan”.

The Minister said that Nigeria and Pakistan have similar history being colonies of Britain as well as members of the Commonwealth

of Nations; adding that they should therefore, share their peculiar experiences for mutual benefits.

Senator Mohammed called on the delegation to assist in wooing Pakistani investors to come and invest in Abuja; stressing that investment opportunities abound in the Federal Capital Territory with high returns.

On Land Swap, the Minister expressed confidence that the FCT Administration would realize over N500 billion from the Dallas Carraway District project in the next couple of years,

while the Abuja Industrial Park is anticipated to attract a Direct Foreign Investment of over $1.8 billion within the next four years.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and Chief Instructor of the National Management Wing of the National School of Public Policy, Seemi Waheed revealed that it is a class of 69 Participants shared across the globe for study tour with ten of them coming to Abuja.

She disclosed that the school is the highest public service institution in Pakistan having 21B-training programme.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 16

Education Board decry lack of Mathematics, English teachers

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

Water vendor out for his daily bread at Mararaba.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Kuje hospital rage as patient beats up Doctor

K

uje General Hospital, under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is heading for possible crisis, allegedly engineered by unfriendly attitude of the indigenes, one of who beat up a medical doctor on duty and tore his shirt.

Sources at the hospital said that on Wednesday last week, a Gbagi patient whose name was not immediately made known physically attacked the only medical doctor on duty, whose name was given simply as Dr. Williams.

It was gathered that the patient had complained that the doctor did not attend to him in time, though it was not his turn to be attended to by the doctor, being the only one on duty.

Sources said that the patient suddenly entered the consulting room, began to hit the doctor with his clenched fists and in the process, tore the doctor’s shirt.

“The unruly patient did not stop there. He went to Kuje police station to lay false complain and the police men accompanied him back to the hospital to whisk the attacked doctor away,” one of the

medial officers in the hospital said.

It was gathered that other medical officers had to converge at the police station to force the police to let the doctor go.

When Peoples Daily contacted Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP, Magaji Ismail confirmed the incident, describing it as “unfortunate” apologized to the doctor.

However, all the medical officers at the hospital are believed to be putting heads together to decide on possible protest.

It was gathered on good

authority that the health workers are contemplating on go-forduty-but-no-work protest until their safety from such attack from patients is guaranteed.

One of the medical personnels complained: “this is not the first time we witness this type of incidence.

In fact, this is the third time, and definitely, the FCT health authorities and Kuje Area Council need to do something serious about this kind of embarrassing incidence.”

Sourced from : Greenbarge reporters

...as MD laments constant harassment of patients

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he Medical Director of Kubwa General Hospital has decried the constant harassment of Health workers in the hospital by aggrieved patients who want immediate services.

In an interview with Peoples Daily recently, he decried that they are having Security challenges whereby patients are threatening our staff on a daily basis According to him, there is the need for the public to appreciate the challenges been faced by health workers to serve them.

In his words: “A lot of people

will want quick services but that is not possible, for example when we have 3 to 4 doctors attending to over two hundred patients, so I urge them to wait patiently to see the doctor. Don’t be very unruly to the health care workers because they are all here to serve you better”.

“Manpower is a very big issue here because the large number of patients that comes to the hospital everyday correspondingly increase to the number of manpower, the rate at which they come is now been merged with rate of manpower that we need. We are also having a little bit of Security challenges whereby patients are threatening

our staff on a daily basis.

“My wish for this hospital is that more structures should be put in place, because in actual facts this is the nearest centre for Kubwa residents and Kubwa is a very large place, there is the need for the Federal Government to increase the capacity of this hospital especially the admission hospital, bring more equipments and manpower so that the residents of Kubwa will have no reason to drive down to town to access their health”, he said.

He also harps on the need for people to use Mosquito nets, adding that Malaria is a very big public health issue. “I think the people should take advantage

of most especially cleanliness of our environment is paramount by ensuring a very clean environment”.

“The Net should be used on regular basis that will ensure that one don’t get infected and then prompt treatment, once you begin to notice signs and symptoms of malaria especially in babies , children and pregnant women they should immediately come to the hospital for early treatment to avert the disease”.

“One must also adhere strictly to the treatment ratio, don’t start the treatment and stop midway because you feel better, that malaria can come back much more severe”, He said.

he FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Director, Alhaji (Dr) Adamu Jatau Noma, has said that despite the effort of the FCT administration in this area, they are still in need of more teachers, particularly in some basic subjects like Mathematics, English and other languages such as French, Arabic as Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.

In a recent interview with Peoples Daily, he said even in the religious studies, they don’t have enough teachers in CRK and IRS respectively.

In his words: “the year in year out, we always make a modest provision for us to recruit teachers, but only if it gets through our budget, then we take in more teachers”.

“However, the reason is that every year, we establish new schools; so the challenge is, if we are establishing new schools, that means we are going to provide more classrooms, more teachers, more equipment”.

“But we always make provision for additional teachers, no matter the number, every year. And teachers’ recruitment in the FCT is done at two levels; either at UBE board level or at the local education authority level.

He further explained that “once we make provision for additional teachers in our budget, and it is approved, then we will now come and write telling the minister that we have such thing approved in our budget, informing him that we want to initiate and start the process of recruitment. And once he gives go ahead, then we advertised, and when we advertised, then he approves it, thereafter, the processes of recruitment would go on”.

According to him, there major challenge if funding, although the FCT administration is doing its best, but the best is still not yet enough. “This is because, to provide good quality education, you need a lot of money”.

“Money is needed to provide all the class rooms, the furniture, instructional materials, school buses, teachers, and capacity building for our teachers, as the key things that we need. So if adequate and reasonable fund is made available to take care of the basic education need in territory, then we will able to do a lot of things, for the education sector in the FCT”, he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 18

Metro

Bus driver, 48, in court for manslaughter A

n Abuja Magistrates court yesterday convicted two labourers, Abdullahi Garba and Mustapha Garba, both of near PDP Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, for stealing a generator.

The Magistrate, Mrs Adeniyi Simisola, convicted the duo after they pleaded guilty to the offence of joint act and theft.

Simisola, however, deferred the sentencing of the convicts to June 17,2013.

The magistrate also ordered that the convicts be remanded in prison custody until the day they would be sentenced.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Monday Akor, had told the court that the matter was reported by one Augustine Gammuno, of No. 32, Mediterranean St., Maitama, Abuja, to the Maitama police station on May 27.

Akor said the convicts formed a common intention and stole the complainant’s generator from his construction site at Monrovia St., Wuse 2, Abuja.

The prosecutor said, during police investigation, the convicts confessed to having committed

Three young girls selling soft drink along Jikwai Karshi road, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

the crime and selling it to a scavenger at the rate of N5,000.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provision of sections 79 and 287 of the Penal Code.

The convicts, however, blamed their action on lack of employment, saying they had searched for job but with no results. (NAN)

Couples dragged to court over alleged assault

T

he police have arraigned One Romanus Mba and his wife, Philomena Mba in a Dutse Magistrates Court, Abuja, for ``criminal force, assault and mischief’’.

The police prosecutor, Cpl Igonor Ocholi, told the court that the case was reported at the Kubwa Police Station, Abuja, on May 27 by Omerigue Edwin of Kukuba, Kubwa.

Oholi said that Edwin complained to the police that on May 26, the couple, with one Simon, who is now at large,

assaulted and inflicted injuries on him and damaged his Yamaha generator. ``All these happened without any provocation,’’ the prosecutor told the court.

He said the offences contravened the provisions of sections 263, 265 and 322 of the Penal Code.

Section 265 states that whoever assaults or uses criminal force on any person otherwise than on gross and sudden provocation by that person shall be punished with imprisonment or with fine or with

both.

Similarly, Section 327 says whoever commits mischief shall be punished with imprisonment or with fine or with both.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against them, and the prosecutor applied for an adjournment to enable him assemble his witnesses.

The counsel to the accused persons, Mr. Moses Ayorgu, applied for bail for his clients, saying that they would not jump bail. ``If granted bail, the accused

Court remands man for criminal intimidation

A

n Abuja Grade 2 Area Court, Kado, has remanded one Samson Hampo, 32, of Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, for alleged criminal intimidation by anonymous communication.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Sani Yakubu, told the court that one Commodore Olofinmoyin of Asokoro, Abuja, reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, on May 26.

Yakubu said that the complainant had on several occasions received text messages through a cell phone number 08124035135 threatening his life.

He said the number was tracked down and Hampo was arrested as the original owner of the cell phone number.

He said the suspect had confessed committing the crime during investigation.

The Presiding Judge, Mal Ahmed Ado, ordered the accused to be remanded in prison and adjourned the case to June 6, 2013 for further hearing. (NAN)

Breach of trust: Business man docked for alleged criminal

O

ne Nwambe John, 42, of No. 21 Yaounde Street, Wuse Zone 6, before a Grade 2 Area Court, Kado, Abuja for alleged criminal breach of trust and cheating.

The police prosecutor, Sgt. Simon Ibrahim, told the court that Mrs Ani Uche of No. 28 Sokode Street, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, reported the matter on May 10.

Ibrahim said that Uche entrusted the sum of N4.2 million to the accused in January to execute a contract in February. ``The accused did not do the work and refused to refund the money.’’

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene the provisions of sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

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

will neither jump bail nor commit any other offence, and they have a reasonable surety to sign their bail bond,’’ Ayorgu said.

The Magistrate, Mr. Nweke Chukwuemeka, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with one surety each in like sum. ``The sureties must reside within the jurisdiction of this court,’’ Chukwuemeka said, and adjourned the case to June 18, 2013 for hearing. (NAN)’

Sales girl in court for alleged negligence

T

he police yesterday arraigned one Amina Adams, a 32-year-old sales girl, of Idu-Karimo, Abuja, in Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates Court for alleged negligent conduct.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that, on May 22, Yinka Oluyemi of C22, Emab Plaza, Wuse 2, Abuja, reported the accused at the Maitama police station, Abuja.

Ahmed said that, on same day, she left her handbag, Ipad and laptop on her table in the office in the care of Adams.

He said that Oluyemi had instructed Adams, who was her sales girl to watch over the said property and not allow anyone to go close to them.

Ahmed said due to negligence, Adams did not watch over the property as instructed and allowed an unknown person to steal the Ipad which was valued at N135, 000.

The accused pleaded not guilty to offence.

The Senior Magistrate, Mr Chukwuemeka Ubani, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 and a surety in the like sum.

Ubani said the surety should be a member of the family of the accused and preferably her husband, and adjourned the case to June 10, 2013 for hearing.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 19

INSIDE

New revenue formula: Revenue Commission adopts Terrain types as principle

Investments in Deepwater projects in Nigeria hits N7.68tr

- Pg 20

NTDC promises to reposition tourism sector

By Etuka Sunday with agency report

S

hell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell, says the investments of international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria’s deepwater projects have hit $48 billion (N 7.68 trillion).

Noting the significant dimension of the business, SNEPCo MD, Chike Onyejekwe said that company had produced 450 million barrels of crude on its Bonga field alone and its official oil reserve was currently at 36 billion barrels.

According to the MD, the deepwater potentials is capable of generating about $3 billion yearly, besides producing up to 600,000 barrels per day and 200,000 jobs, which is equivalent to growing the oil and gas industry by 30 percent, Ventures Africa reports.

He estimated that the deepwater operators are spending over $5 billion yearly, hence the need for a fair legislative document that would encourage further investment in the sector.

Speaking further, Onyejekwe who stated that the company (Shell) has grown to become the 12th largest oil producer in the world, said, the company was pioneering industry growth initiative to boost local production index as Nigeria derives 80 per cent of its annual budget financing from the industry.

Meanwhile, another top official of SNEPCo, Stefan Vos De Wael, while quoting the McKinsey Multiplier Model, stated that with the huge potential posed in the deepwater basins in Nigeria, the IOCs are planning to invest about $165 billion into the industry in the next five years.

The investment will go into new oil and gas development and infrastructure that would boost production and development industries’ competences.

He noted that the deepwater projects, which are currently handled by Shell, ExxonMobil, Agip, Chevron and Total have delivered over 0.8 billion barrels up to 2012 while the IOC has invested over $48 billion in deepwater exploration since 1993. The investments were said to have come through world-class projects like Abo (Agip), Erha (Mobil), Bonga (Shell), Usan (Total), Agbami (Chevron) and Akpo oil fields.

- Pg 21

Convergence: Challenges before NCC in this Smartphone era

Royal Dutch Shell’s Headquarters in Netherlands

Fitch downgrades MTN Group to ‘AA’

By Chris Alu with agency report

F

itch Ratings yesterday downgraded MTN Group Limited’s (MTN) National Long-Term Rating to ‘AA(zaf)’ from ‘AA(zaf)’, saying the Group’s Outlook is ‘Stable’.

The rating agency affirmed the Group’s National ShortTerm Rating at ‘F1+(zaf)’.

Simultaneously, Fitch has affirmed MTN Holdings (Pty) Ltd’s senior unsecured debt rating at ‘AA-(zaf)’. The downgrade, it said, reflects the group’s heightened business risk profile as a result of its growing reliance on cash generated from weak non-investment grade countries.

The Stable Outlook , the agency said, reflects the group’s ongoing strong cash generation and

conservative leverage metrics.

Fitch also stated that it expects MTN’s fund from operations (FFO) lease-adjusted leverage to trend at or below 1.5 times over the short to medium-term.

“In addition, we also project pre-dividend free cash flow to sales to improve following two years of network investment in Nigeria and trending higher than 8%over the short to medium term. This provides MTN with an adequate level of financial flexibility to enable the group to spend on network quality and coverage and thus retain its allimportant leading market shares.

“MTN’s business risk profile is heightened through its operational exposure to non-investment grade countries. In particular the group’s largest contributor of cash flow is Nigeria (‘BB-’/Stable)”, it stated.

…says outlook ‘stable’

- Pg 22

MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY Make your slides memorable

W

hen you present data, people in your audience don’t have time to pour through the numbers. They need to quickly understand by glancing at the slide, reading the title, and looking at the basics of the visuals.

Don’t make it hard for them by making your slides complex.

Start by asking, “What would I like people to remember about the data?” Give that point visual emphasis. If you’re projecting a chart about sales trends over

five years but talking specifically about how sales are consistently low in the first quarter, show the first-quarter bar in a bright color and other bars in a neutral tone, like gray.

De-emphasize grid lines, borders, axes, and labels — you’ll provide that kind of context when you speak — and use contrast (color, size, or position) to draw the viewer’s eye to the meaning.

Source: Harvard Business Review

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 20

Economy Company News

Multichoice Nigeria

M

ultichoice Nigeria, one of the foremost pay television outfits in the country, has announced plans to establish an assembly plant for decoders and other appliances in the country.

Elizabeth Amkpa, general manager, GOtv, a subsidiary of Multichoice Nigeria, who revealed this at the weekend during the launch of GOtv terrestrial platform in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, explained that the plant, would increase the firm’s local content and create more job opportunities for Nigerians.

The GOtv boss also revealed that the company has instituted an entrepreneurial scheme for young graduates; a programme she observed would reduce pressure on Government.

Standard Chartered Bank

T

he Consumer Banking and Wholesale Banking departments of Standard Chartered Bank, Nigeria united with the Group’s Private Bank team sponsored an auction of African artworks organised by Art house Contemporary recently.

This sponsorship according to the bank is in aid of Seeing is Believing (SiB) in Nigeria, The first partnership between the Bank and Art house Contemporary took place in May last year, during which over $72,000 was raised towards the eradication of avoidable blindness in Nigeria. With the Bank matching contributions, over 3,000 cataract and glaucoma surgeries and 15,000 screenings took place in Nigeria in 2012.

NPF Micro Finance Bank

A

t a time when other institutions in its class are either closing shop or struggling to break even, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Micro Finance Bank (MFB) Plc is recording successes, growing its gross income by 126 percent in four years.

In 2012, the bank’s gross income stood at N1,917,183.00 up from N849,232.00 in 2008, while its total asset value within the same period was N7,790,984.00 up from N4,973,983.00 in 2008.

Within the same period, the bank paid a total of N228,666.00 as dividend to its shareholders, and as a socially responsible corporate citizen, it paid a total of N154, 692.00 as tax to the government.

New revenue formula: Revenue Commission adopts Terrain types as principle

By Abdulwahab Isa

A

basic provision in the anticipated new revenue formula is the provision for Terrain type of states and local government councils as a principle in the sharing of revenue from the Federation Account, under the Horizontal Revenue Allocation Formula.

This is in line with the complaints submitted by some of the states and local governments following the report on Terrain types which was prepared by the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation in 2007, in the aftermath of discussion of the implication of the ruling of the International Court of Justice as it affects the landmass figures of some States and local Governments in the country.

Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and

Fiscal Commission Engr. Elias Mbam disclosed this yesterday in Abuja in a welcome address at the opening of a 3-Day MultiAgency meeting involving the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation(OSGOF), the National Boundary Commission(NBC) and the Surveyors- General of the thirty six (36) States and the Federal Capital Territory convened by the Commission.

A statement issued by the Commission’s spokesperson, Ibrahim. Mohammed said the forum, which had in attendance various stakeholders, was also expected to advise the Commission on the appropriate weights to be apportioned to each of the three terrain types from the 5% allocated to the terrain factor under the Horizontal Revenue Allocation Formula.

It could be recalled that due to lack of data on terrain, the Commission had in 2007 requested the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation to carry out a survey on terrain types of all States and Local Governments to enable it apply the terrain factor as stipulated in the subsisting Act. In his goodwill message earlier, the Chief Servant of Niger state, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu who spoke through his deputy, Hon. Ahmad Musa Ibeto expressed optimism that the Revenue Commission will ensure equity, fairness and justice in carrying out the review of the current Revenue Allocation Formula.

His Anambra state counterpart, Gov. Peter Obi, also represented by his Deputy, Mr. Emeka Sibeudu charged participants to address all the

contending issues in a holistic manner, in order to guarantee an atmosphere of peace and tranquility for sustainable national development.

The RMAFC Indices and Disbursements Committee Chair told participants that this anomaly will be corrected soon as the OSGOF has successfully carried out a survey of Terrains for all the states and local governments Areas and submitted a comprehensive report to the Commission.

However, according to him, some of the states and local governments had written to the Commission to claim that the figures in the said report did not reflect their actual terrain types which is why RMAFC assembled experts from the OSGOF and the National Boundary Commission and other stakeholders to sort out the grey areas.

Inner Wheel to tackle poverty through micro-financing

By Sunday Etuka

I

nternational Inner Wheel Club, an NGO, has expressed its determination to address the issue poverty in the society by empowering women through micro financing.

This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the organisation’s four-day conference on Friday in Abuja.

The communiqué was signed

by Mrs. Grace Adekoya, the President, National Governing Body of Inner Wheel Clubs in Nigeria. Adekoya is also the association’s national representative.

According to the communiqué, the organisation has earmarked N700,000 for the project, aimed at creating wealth for women in Nigeria.

It expressed the organisation’s determination to care for children in Nigeria through education, financial and material support to orphanages, disabled homes and indigent families.

The communiqué stated that the Inner Wheel would continue to promote peace, unity and kick against corruption and acts of violence in the country.

It said the organisation was ready to explore all avenues to dissuade youths from acts of criminality and encourage them to be of good behaviour.

It also said that the Inner Wheel had resolved to embark on adult literacy campaign on information technology and languages, especially French.

The communiqué advised members of the club to continue

to live a disciplined and charitable life with the hope of attracting women of substance to the association.

Panabiz introduces document management solutions in Nigeria From Suleiman Idris, Lagos Leading provider of Office Automation Solutions in Nigeria, Panabiz International Limited has launched its Document Management Solutions, to assist organizations in digitizing and managing paper documents while empowering organizations to access their paper documents from anywhere and at any time.

The solutions the company said are sure to eliminate the hassles of paper storage, access and information security currently faced by organizations.

General Manager of the company Mr. Diwakar Yadavalli said with paper documents generated growing at 22% per annum, there is a growing concern of where to store all paper documents.

“Some of these documents can be discarded as they are not required by law, yet they take up expensive office space.

With Document Management, companies can digitize, index, securely store and grant access for the retrieval of the documents files based on individual needs of staff.” Diwakar explained. ”Most of us can testify to the frequent hassle of looking for important documents filed months or years back, without any luck and how we spend more time searching for such documents. We can now say

goodbye to that because Panabiz Document Management Solutions ensure that those documents can easily and instantly be accessed anytime they are needed on any device, from anywhere, even when you are away from the office. In that way, you spend time actually working and being more productive” he stated.

Panabiz Document Management Solutions ensures safety of documents in the event of unforeseen occurrence, such as fire outbreak or flood, thus ensuring business continuity.

All documents can be saved on a server or in the cloud from which they can be accessed and used even when any of these disasters destroy the original documents.” he added.

Sokoto trains 1000 youths on skills acquisition Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto state, on Monday in Sokoto flagged-off the training of 1000 youths under the National Industrial Skills Development Programme.

T h e programme is jointly organised by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the Sokoto State Government.

The youths drawn from the 23 Local Government Areas of the state would

receive a three-month training in plumbing, auto-tronics, welding and fabrication.

Wamakko said that youth employment was critical to attaining rapid transformation of Nigeria.

“The youths form the most productive sector of the society and their development is the pivot of our programmes and policies.

“That is why since 2007 we began the training of 25,000 unemployed youths yearly in various skills to make them useful to themselves and the society,” he added.

Wamakko urged the beneficiaries to be serious and dedicated to the programme, saying he hoped the training would curb restiveness and other ills in the state.

The Director General of ITF, Prof. Longmas Wapmuk, said that the programme was the Federal Government’s response to skills shortages in the country. ( NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

By Etuka Sunday

I

n order to enjoy the backward integration policy of the Federal Government in the area of production, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Dauda Kigbu has called on Brazilian investors to set up their industry in Nigeria, to complement the effort of Government in that direction.

The Perm. Sec. made the call when he received the Brazilian business delegation, led by Anibal Moacir da Silva, the City Mayor, Sao Leopoldo on behalf of the Honourable Minister in his office in Abuja.

In a statement issued by Bolaji Kazeem on behalf of the Director of Press, Mr. Kigbu told the delegation that the Federal government’s policy on industrialisation was based on promotion of local products and backward integration, to stimulate production activities that will create wealth and employment opportunities for

PAGE 21

Tourism

Perm. Sec. advises Brazilian investors to establish own industry in Nigeria Nigerians.

“Government policy is to promote backward-integration to stimulate a lot of production activities and to build capacity for the large market in Nigeria and ECOWAS sub region. We are trying to encourage domestic and foreign investors to come and invest in some of the areas we have comparative and competitive advantage rather than have large scale importation that has serious effects on our foreign reserve and employment situation in the country”.

“If you are interested in investing in Nigeria, you can start production of your products in the country and explore economic over 167 million people and ECOWAS sub region where we now serve

as hub and you can reach out to ECOWAS sub region including the rest of African countries” Kigbu stressed.

He stated further that Nigeria has export free trade zones in a number of places that investors can take advantage of and set up businesses there to export to the world adding that government has come up with proactive policy that encourages investors to come and take advantage of the market, incentives and enabling environment in the country.

He informed the delegation that government has initiated different incentives to encourage investors to produce in the country and urged them to take full advantage of the vast resources and cheap labour in Nigeria.

Kigbu recalled that NigeriaBrazil Business Forum was organised in February 2013 during the visit of the Brazil’s President to Nigeria and the most important process now was to upscale the outcome of the business forum, which include possibility of having direct flight between the two countries and the Nigerian government’s collaboration with SENAI in Brazil to provide skills acquisition to Nigerians as well as partnership in sugar and food processing.

Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation, Anibal Moacir da Silva, City Mayor, Sao Leopoldo had pointed out that they are in Nigeria to assess opportunities and exchange experience for future trade relation as well as strengthen

FG to remodel 9 major railway stations for commercial outlets

N

o fewer than nine major railway stations will be re-modelled to create modern commercial outlets under the public private partnership, the Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar has said.

He made this known on Monday, in Abuja, at the second edition of the Ministerial Platform.

“The process for the engagement of

the private sector partners will soon commence,’’ he added.

He identified Iddo Terminus, Ebute Metta Junction station in Lagos, Ilorin, Kaduna Junction, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Jos and Gombe stations as the major stations to be re-modelled.

Umar said that an Outline Business Case (OBC) had been concluded by the

Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission regarding freight and passenger services.

He added that the OBC was awaiting approval for processing to the next stage.

“Subsequently, a transaction adviser is to be appointed after which investors will be invited to bid for concessioning of

L-R: President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Dr. Theo Okonkwo, Director-General, Mr. Emeka Okereke, and representative of Enugu state government, Mr. Dominic Ogbonna, during the close of risk management workshop, yesterday in Enugu.

Photo: NAN

railways operations including procurement of rolling stocks on the following routes: “Western line (Lagos to Kano), Narrow Gauge Line; Eastern Line (Port HarcourtMaiduguri), (Narrow Gauge line) and Kaduna-Kafanchan Link nearing completion.

“It is also proposed that upon completion of the standard gauge lines, they will be concessioned,’’ the Minister said.

Umar said that the ministry had also commissioned consultants to conduct feasibility studies in respect of construction of new Standard Gauge Rail Lines in the country.

He said that the reports of the studies which would consist of OBC were to be made available to potential investors.

The minister said that the exercise would be followed by advertisement for expression of interest for the development of the lines under PPP arrangement.

The ministerial platform has the theme: ``Nigeria: A Nation in Transformation’’ and it will hold from June 3 to June 27.

(NAN)

trade relationship between both countries.

He requested for removal of trade barriers especially restrictions on some of their items that fall under the prohibition list to enable them introduce their products directly to Nigerian market instead of being smuggled into the country.

This he said will enable them to assess the market and take a position in partnering with local businessmen for investment in local production.

NTDC promises to reposition tourism sector

T

he Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo has promised to reposition the tourism sector in line with the Federal Government’s transformation agenda.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mbanefo in Lagos on Sunday.

Mbanefo said the corporation would offer diverse world class tourism products geared toward contributing 10 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) through a transformation drivenpolicy.

“The vision of the NTDC shall be interpreted in line with that of the ministry which is to reposition Nigeria as the preferred tourism destination in Sub-Saharan,’’ she said.

She said that the corporation would make tourism to be a foreign exchange and major revenue earner of the Federal Government.

She said the corporation would promote advocacy and public enlightenment in the sector to make Nigerians appreciate and patronise the beautiful natural endowments God had given to the country.

The director-general said that the corporation would partner with stakeholders to re-invent and reposition the country’s tourism sector for sustainable national economic growth.

“NTDC will work in close partnership with stakeholders in the promotion of Nigeria’s rich tourism potential through identification, development and marketing of the diverse tourism opportunities,’’ she said. (NAN)

Intercontinental hotel storms Lagos in style From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

A

s the Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) the foremost American hotel chain, opens its flagship hotel outlet in Nigeria, Lagos hospitality market would be boosted with additional 358 luxury rooms, five-star

services and products, and influx of skilled hospitality manpower.

Apart from changing the Lagos skyline, the multibillion naira 23-storey five-star hotel building, which is the tallest hospitality property in Nigeria, will cater for a steadily increasing number of business travellers arriving in Nigeria, as the country

goes through a period of renewed investment in its infrastructure.

The development, which is centrally located on Victoria Island, according to Didier Coeln, the general manager, is a clear reflection of InterContinental Hotel Group’s confidence in Lagos, a city that is seen as a thriving commercial hub of West

Africa.

However, rooms are from $500 per night, but the rates, according to Silvia Jurecka, director of sales & marketing of the hotel, are flexible depending on the volume of business, number of guests and other offerings guests are willing to buy into.

Facilities in the hotel include

358 rooms and suites made up of 246 standard rooms, 30 twin rooms, 17 large corner king rooms, 17 corner 1 bed room suites, 14 one bedroom end suites, 4 Club floor junior suites, 2 large 1 Bedroom suites (Club floors), 1 Presidential suite, 55 suites and larger rooms in total, 4 club floors with 72 club floor rooms and suites.

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Business Analysis

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

Convergence: Challenges before NCC in this Smartphone era

By Halima Bajoga

T

elecommunications in general is gravitating more and more towards transistorisation and the convergence of all forms of media on a single platform – the smart phone.

For ease of understanding one would define convergence as the combination of all the modes of communication – i.e. text, pictures, audio, video and internet on a single platform. Technically known as multimedia, this concept arises from assimilation of multiple content forms which previously belonged to different media channels such as for instance, text for newspapers/magazines; voice for radio; pictures and sound for television.

Multimedia now presents the possibility that all the other media of communication can be unified on the mobile phone as is very common place with today’s computers. Its presence can be felt directly in social media where the combination text, still/video images is effortlessly used.

The relevance of this development is that in today’s society which is riding on rapid and efficient information transfer, (convergence and/ or multimedia in this case), allows people ease of access to the global mainstream of information flow. More concisely, it connects everyone to the information superhighway with much convenience.

It is in this light that we must appreciate the growing significance as well as influence of smart phones. Smart phones come with textual, audio, video, recording, animated and ICT features that practically make the computer a transistorised devise.

The Blackberry technology makes virtual connection to the internet a reality in addition to making them affordable. It makes individuals self sufficient by reducing the traffic to cyber cafes.

The increasing spread of smart phones has also aided the proliferation of access to social media such as Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Yahoo, Instagram and the networks are growing. So today’s mobile phone is practically much more than the voice and text device it was a few years ago.

It is a miniature multimedia appliance on which text, pictures, video, animation and even graphics are converged.

Smart phones through the medium of ICT, guarantee people access to their offices, families and business associates while on the move. With inbuilt software known as the Personal Digital

Assistant (PDA), users can read or edit documents, send e-mails or chat online on the move. It is little wonder that smart phones are quickly displacing the traditional/ conventional ones.

Through wireless connectivity, it is possible to listen to internet radio, watch internet television, download videos, audios or documents and do a lot of other tasks on the mobile phone. Indeed, the emergence of the smart phones has helped to amplify Nigeria’s ICT deficiencies as most of the applications contained in many a smart phone cannot be maximised because telephone service providers still lack the technical capacity to support such applications.

The challenge therefore is for the Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC, to get telecom service operators to step up the deployment of broadband internet facilities to engender seamless interconnection and access to the internet for the increasing traffic, given the relative shortage of internet service providers.

This will not only enhance the quality of life of the individual, but will boost the performance of organisations and institutions. It will make the virtual connection to the World Wide Web a reality for not only students, bankers, journalists and other professionals, but will rub off the educated populations of our various towns and countryside through easy access to the global information mainstream.

Though smart phones today are a camera, a radio, a television a telephone and a computer rolled into one, their ability to be fully functional can only be realised through the deployment of broadband internet services. This is where the ability of the NCC to galvanise the operators into manifesting the practicability of convergence becomes really

Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah

important.

Thus far, the commission deserves commendation for leading Nigeria and Nigerians into the digital age, much faster than the numerous agencies domiciled in the Ministry of Science and Technology would ever have done. The service providers would have to be coaxed into giving Nigerians much more than voice calls and short message services and step into the realm of real time online virtual communications. It is time for seamless voice, data and video streaming on the mobile communication menu.

With convergence, many possibilities can be realised in internet/mobile banking, e-wallet agriculture, ICT proliferation, e-commerce, e-governance – not to mention the ancillary benefits inherent in the sector.

Such development which

one is tempted to refer to as the“telecom sector consolidation”, would be coming on the heels of other major achievements such as SIM card registration, price cuts on calls and SMS, and the recent launch of mobile number portability (MNP). It is high time the country moved beyond the infancy of struggling to get public services online to actually providing relevant government services to the people regardless of time and location.

The full benefit of the Freedom of Information Act (2010) can only be realised when Nigerians can access public records online with relative ease. This will in turn encourage accountability and good governance as well as whittle-down the corrosive impact of corruption among public office holders.

All Nigerians are waiting anxiously on the start line for

NCC to blow the whistle. The races so far overseen by the regulator have been good. The race about to be run promises to be tough, but could still be better. At this critical juncture, the professional competence of the NCC boss, Dr. Eugene Juwah, as a network operations director with practical knowledge in pricing, billing, interconnection, licensing and regulatory affairs is readily useful.

Juwah, who holds a PhD in Systems Engineering, has over 30 years experience in information technology and telecommunications. He is knowledgeable in digital exchanges, base stations, data communication and subscriber access networks construction and operations – all of which will be relevant to the “convergence master plan” – the fusion of computing, broadcasting and telecommunications.

‘Funds scarcity threatens PTDF scholarship programme’

T

he new Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Dr Oluwole Oluleye has said that the Fund’s overseas scholarship programme is being threatened by the paucity of funds.

Oluleye, who made this known on Monday in Abuja when he addressed members of staff on how to move the organisation forward, said inadequate funds were also hampering its operations.

It could be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan on May 15 announced Oluleye’s appointment as the executive secretary of the PTDF. “ There are indeed critical challenges presently confronting us, some of which are dire and

fundamental to our corporate existence.

“Top on the list is the financially poor situation. I have observed that as a fully functional independent agency of government, we might not be able to meet our commitments and obligations if the funding issue is not urgently addressed.

“Apart from the effect of mounting liabilities to contractors, our scholars are frustrated and exposed to the threat of having their studies prematurely terminated as a consequence of delayed remittances of fees and up keep allowances.’’ he said.

The executive secretary also decried the lack of commitment of some members of staff to

work and pledged to restore their confidence to meet the obligations of the agency.

He promised to review and streamline some of the capacity building programmes of the agency and admonished workers to adhere to the precepts of diligence, discipline and punctuality.

Oluleye stressed the need for the PTDF to be repositioned for effective service delivery in the oil and gas sector.

“As the lead agency for the development of human capital for the oil and gas industry, the PTDF is critical to the realisation of Mr. President’s Transformation Agenda as it relates to the Nigerian Content Initiative,’’ he said. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

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Stock Watch

Report as at Tuesday, June 4, 2013

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

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PAGE 25

Special Report

Three years after, Jonathan yet to fulfil promises in power, oil and gas sectors

By Festus Owete

I

n August 2010, barely four months after he succeeded his late boss, Umaru Yar’Adua, President Goodluck Jonathan launched the Road Map for Power Sector Reform in which he outlined his plans to effectively tackle the challenges of electricity supply in Nigeria.

At the occasion held in the nation’s commercial nerve centre, Lagos, the President told his audience, which included members of the diplomatic corps and senior government officials that with the road map, the problem of power outages in the country would end by December, 2012.

Under the programme, Mr. Jonathan said, a Super Transmission Network would be implemented while 5000 megawatts (MW) would be generated by international oil Companies. He added that there would be active exploitation of hydro-nuclear and coal power, a new gas policy, constitution of two presidential committees on power, the reconstitution of the boards and membership of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, and privatisation of PHCN. About eight months later, while running as the standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2011 presidential election, Mr. Jonathan enunciated the Power Road Map, this time under the broader Transformation Agenda. The agenda was anchored on how he would deliver programmes, policies and project in key sectors.

Transforming Nigeria In the 28-page “Goodluck Transform Nigeria” which detailed the programme, policies and project he would deliver in key sectors if elected, the President promised to provide more power to Nigerians in the earliest possible time and even set a minimum target of 16,000 MW which he said would be achieved by 2013.

Mr. Jonathan promised to rehabilitate all existing power generation, distribution and transmission assets to give a minimum of 6,000 MW of electricity, complete all National Integrated Power Projects, NIPP, to produce at least 4,000 MW by 2012 and harness alternative sources of energy such as coal, wind and solar to generate an initial 13,

000 MW. The president also assured that he would privatise power generation and distribution, concession transmission networks and construct new transmission network in 20112014 using the public-private partnership model.

“By common consent, solving the electricity supply problem in Nigeria is the key to the country’s development as it would unleash the tremendous capacity in the economy that has been hobbled by the inadequate and epileptic power supply,” Mr. Jonathan said.

Mr. Jonathan won the presidential election.

However, almost three years in office as the nation’s 14th leader since Independence, the President is still far from fulfilling the two contracts he entered into with Nigerians via the Power Road Map and Transformation Agenda.

Current power situation Information pieced from various government documents show that the country’s current electricity generation for its over 150 million people hovers around 4,000 MW, a far cry from the 16,000 MW, which Mr. Jonathan promised would be achieved by 2013.

This clear deviation from the presidential promise on power infuriated an opposition leader.

“Are you not in Nigeria? Has the power road map worked?

Where I am now, I am using (a) generator,” Emma Eneukwu, the National Publicity Secretary of the opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, told PREMIUM TIMES. “This administration has failed Nigerians in all ramifications –

in the area of power, security, infrastructure and others.”

According to “Sure and Steady Transformation,” a document released by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Research and Documentation, which highlights the achievements of the administration since its inception, the country attained a peak generation of 4, 322 MW in December 2011, which it claimed “is the highest ever attained.”

Information posted on the website of the Federal Ministry of Power said as at May 20, the nation’s electricity generation peaked at merely 3, 894 MW. Indeed, sometime last month, the ministry said that the generation went down to as low as 3, 500 before it picked up again.

The Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe in a separate compilation of his principal’s achievements, which was released to the media on Monday, said, “The Goodluck Jonathan administration has improved the power generation from around 2, 000 megawatts to 4, 502 megawatts in December, 2012, the highest since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.”

Mr. Okupe added that

by July this year, power generation will hit 6, 000 MW and by December this year it will increase to 10, 000 MW. The presidential aide based his promise on the earlier one allegedly made by the Minister of State for Power, Zainab Kuchi, who has since withdrawn it, saying that would only be possible by December, 2014.

“

Despite these huge evidences, Mr. Jonathan shockingly told the CNN in an interview earlier in the year that his administration had made progress in giving Nigeria adequate power supply

PROMISE UNFULFILLED: President Jonathan and some PDP chieftains

According to Mr. Okupe, for more efficient power supply, the Jonathan administration has privatized the power distribution companies, DISCOs, under a most transparent bid process, adding that “today, large parts of an unprecedented number of cities and towns across the country are enjoying between 14 to 16 hours of uninterrupted power supply, except in some few areas where localized problems of power distribution network have created bottlenecks for smooth transmission.”

Another presidential aide, Reno Omokri, enthused that the apparent inability of the Jonathan administration to meet its power target is because of the failure of past government to invest in the sector.

“Between 1980 and 1999, no

new investments were made in the power sector,” Mr. Omokri, the presidential adviser on new media, said.

He said despite the challenges, the administration increased power generation from the 2,300MW it met when it came to office, and the current figure.

Challenges While interacting with the members of the Senate Committee on Power last month, the Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo told his visitors that achieving stable power supply in the country was rough and blamed the problem on old and wrecked infrastructure.

With the about 4, 0000 MW the country generates for its 160 million people, Nigerians are among the most deprived of electricity supply in the world

despite being an oil producer.

It is nowhere near comparable to South Africa which generates 45, 000 MW for its 45 million people.

Despite these huge evidences, Mr. Jonathan shockingly told the CNN in an interview earlier in the year that his administration had made progress in giving Nigeria adequate power supply.

The power situation is, however, so bad that most Nigerians have now resorted to the use of generators. Even government establishments, including those under the Presidency as well as the Aso Rock Villa where Mr. Jonathan is a tenant, now have generators as major source of power supply with the government-funded PHCN as stand-by.

Studies last year showed

business concerns generate about 28,000 MW of electricity with over a trillion naira while households, according to NERC’s estimate, spend 796.4 billion a year on self-generation.

In the same 2012, in a curious twist, Kabir Usman, the Director General of government-owned Centre for Management and Development, CMD, said there are about 60 million generators in Nigeria at the ratio of one per household of 2.5 people with an annual spending of N1.6 trillion.

Mr. Usman added that the poorest Nigerians paid more than N80/kWh burning candles, kerosene and firewood while manufacturers paid between N45 and 60/kWh on diesel to run generators.

However, analysts are quick to point out that although ensuring steady power supply

remains in the minds of those at the helms of affairs, the sector is bedevilled by challenges which the government officials scarcely have the will to confront. One of the challenges is corruption and bad management which the country’s electricity workers have repeatedly asked the government to tame.

The other is inadequate budgetary provisions.

In the 2011 Budget, the first he prepared as president, Mr. Jonathan allocated about N90 billion to the sector, about N66 billion less than what his predecessor, Mr. Yar’Adua allocated to it. The sector got the second largest allocation in 2012 with N161.42 billion after security which got N921.91 billion. In 2013, the sector got N77.36 billion.

Despite these rise and fall

allocations, Nigerians are yet to benefit from steady power supply. In fact, some categories of hapless Nigerians were even made to cough out more money for electricity supply which they hardly enjoy as a new tariff got underway in June last year.

But it is not only in the power sector that Mr. Jonathan has failed Nigerians who elected him. In the oil sector, the president is yet to translate his promises into reality.

The oil sector In his transformation booklet, the President had assured among other things that, in the bid to achieve balanced national economic development, he would focus on increasing oil production and refining capacity.

“This will stimulate local value-addition and strategically

position the nation to meet the domestic demand for the refined products and take advantage of a new market niche-export of refined products,” he said.

He also promised that the gas sector would be “developed with special focus on meeting the domestic and individual demands of gas within the country, especially with the anticipated increased demand due to the Visions 20:2020 intent of rejuvenating the manufacturing sector.”

Besides, while elaborating further on the president’s target in the sector, the ministry said it would develop a comprehensive framework to increase production of crude oil to 4 million bpd, end long queues and price fluctuations in the filling stations, ensure the review of the petroleum industry law as captured in the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, develop the gas sector by focusing on meeting domestic demand for gas and construct new and rehabilitate aging pipelines.

The ministry also planned to establish world-scale petro-chemical and fertilizer companies, develop the framework for local content in the oil and gas sector with a potential for 300, 000 direct and indirect jobs per year.

Current oil situation Although, the Jonathan administration has embarked on some reforms which would reposition the oil sector, including pursuing the passage of PIB, the sector is still bedevilled by challenges which are clearly man-made. Crude oil production is still as low as 2.3 million bpd, a far cry from the projected 4 million bpd, while crude oil theft is on the rise.

The plan by the Yar’Adua administration to build three more refineries, which was inherited by the Jonathan administration, is not yet underway. The refineries were to be located in Lagos, Kogi and Bayelsa States.

Under the administration, Nigerians began to pay more for fuel following the partial removal of fuel subsidy early last year, and the country still imports a bulk of its petrol.

Although some highlyplaced Nigerians have been charged to court over fuel subsidy, the administration has not generously manifested its will to stamp out corruption in the industry.

Several allegations of corruption against the oil minister, Diezani AlisonMadueke have never been looked into. A damning report produced by a panel headed by a former anti-corruption chief, Nuhu Ribadu, that about $13 billion (N2 trillion) has been stolen from the oil sector since the advent of the Jonathan administration is yet to be implemented.

The government owned National Extractive Industry and Transparency Initiative, NEITI, in annual audit reports, which have been globally commended, indicted the petroleum ministry headed by Ms. Alison-Madueke, and many agencies under it, of large scale fraud. NEITI has repeatedly complained that its recommendations are not being implemented which is allowing corruption and inefficiency to thrive in the Nigerian petroleum industry.

Parties react Reacting to the apparent failure of the Jonathan administration to meet its set target, the spokesman for the Congress for Progressive, CPC, Rotimi Fashakin, said the Jonathan administration is everything, but unimpressive.

According to him, the country has not in any way improved under him.

“The performance scorecard on the economy, security, education, youth employment, foreign affairs and infrastructural development reveals a dismal failure,” Mr. Fashakin said.

But his opposite in PDP, Olisa Metuh disagrees, insisting that Mr. Jonathan has repositioned the country, despite the security challenges confronting the nation.

“As a party, we will like to commend the President for his achievements. He has done well despite calculated attempts to distract him,” Mr. Metuh told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday.

“Just imagine (that) there are no security challenges, the President would have done far more than this. We discovered his achievements are under-reported. We are 100% behind the President because in the areas of electoral reform, power, infrastructural development, agriculture, FCT, he has performed. No Nigerian will say he has not brought improvements despite the distractions. We are happy.”

Source: Premium Times

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

Property

Why Nigeria may not meet housing’s Millennium Development Goals

U

nless concerted efforts are made to reverse the current state of affairs, Nigerians nationwide will have to wait much longer than other nations before they can enjoy the benefits of the Millennium Development Goals on Housing. Millennium Development Goals on housing are a global pact to ensure that citizens of nations have access to affordable and decent housing by the year 2020.

The Millennium Declaration was adopted by Member States of the United Nations in September 2000. It contains eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) ranging from eradicating extreme poverty to combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. The MDGs detail out 18 specific development targets, each with a timeframe and indicators designed to monitor the extent to which the target has been achieved.

Specifically, Millennium Development Goal 7, Target 11 assigned the UN-HABITAT the responsibility of assisting Member States to monitor and gradually attain the “Cities Without Slums” target also known as Target 11, which is one of the three targets of Goal 7: To Ensure Environmental Sustainability”. Target 11 aims to achieve a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers by 2020.

By UN-HABITAT definition, a slum household is a household that lacks any one of the following five elements: Access to improved water: (Access to sufficient amount of water for family use, at an affordable price, available to household members without being subject to extreme effort).

Access to Improved Sanitation: (Access to an excreta disposal system either in the form of a private toilet or a public toilet shared with a reasonable number of people).

Security of Tenure: (Evidence of documentation to prove secure tenure status or de facto or perceived protection from evictions).

Durability of Housing: (Permanent and adequate structure in non-hazardous location).

Sufficient Living Area: (Not more than two people sharing the same room).

But the increasing growth of slums in Nigeria, borne out of the nation’s estimated deficit of 16 million housing units is causing unease in government circles and among industry operators. While commending the

“

federal government for the newly approved housing and urban development policies, experts say bills on Land Tenure (the proposed amendments/repeal of the Land Use Decree), Foreclosures, Tax Incentives for Housing and Mortgage related transactions still pending at the National Assembly constitute major impediments to the realization of the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals on Housing in Nigeria.

According to mortgage banker, Muhammed Jibrin, Chief Executive Officer of Sun Trust Savings and Loans Ltd, “If you look at the Nigerian economy generally, it is clear that minimum attention has been paid to the housing sector… Every body in this country knows that the land tenure system confers the right of title to the governor of the state, making ownership and transfer of title cumbersome. The banks cannot easily foreclose on properties that mortgages have been created on.

The foreclosure law has to be passed. The Law concerning tax incentives for housing and mortgage related transactions should also be passed. Unless the National Assembly passes these legislations, the expected Millennium Development Goals in terms of providing decent affordable housing will not be achieved. Government needs to move forward and make sure those bills are passed into law.”

Explaining further, he said: “the second thing is that you bring in private sector participation. Nigeria today has an estimated shortage of 16 million houses based on Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria figures. Assuming a decent home in the country will cost a minimum of N10 million, to meet 10 million housing units, it will sum up to 100 trillion. So government must provide a holistic policy framework and the necessary environment to tackle this shortage.

Only then can the needed long-term private sector funds to develop the sector be attracted.”

A recent World Bank report says Nigeria has the potential to become Africa’s foremost economic power, with an average GDP of six per cent per annum, buoyed by a young and growing population of 160 million. Morgan Stanley, an investment banking institution, also predicted that Nigeria’s economy would outperform South Africa’s by 2025 to become the biggest in Africa. The macroeconomic outlook is favourable. With an expected stable inflation rate, five per cent rural to urban im-

Nigeria today has an estimated shortage of 16 million houses based on Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria figures. Assuming a decent home in the country will cost a minimum of N10 million, to meet 10 million housing units, it will sum up to 100 trillion. So government must provide a holistic policy framework and the necessary environment to tackle this shortage.

President Goodluck Jonathan

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala migration, and three per cent population growth, experts say Nigeria is a huge real estate market by all standards.

Concurring with the statistics, the Jibrin noted that “in the highly developed economies, the average contribution of the real estate and housing sectors to the GDP is 40 per cent. In every economy, there is an engine room for that economy.

The Nigerian housing sector can serve as that engine room as we seek to diversify our economic base. The sector has the potential to generate and create huge eco-

P

nomic activities. The housing sector needs to consume other building materials and products such as electrical equipment, furniture, paints, roofing, cement, etc.

The sector can help in developing small and large scale production of these key inputs thereby generating employment and increasing the level of national income.

Addressing the housing sector problem is the same as addressing the unemployment problem and one avenue to diversify the economy away from dependence on the oil sector”.

U D Bond extends sales discount on properties

roperty company, U D Bond Shelter Services Limited has extended its Sales Discount on properties. The company has announced that it is extending the discount sales to enable more Nigerians become homeowners.

The Executive Director of the company, Mrs. Nkechi Ugochukwu called

on intending homeowners to seize the opportunity of the ongoing sales discount on properties to own their own homes, adding that U D Bond is committed to ensuring that majority of Nigerians become homeowners.

U D Bond has on offer various house types including flats, bungalows, ter-

race houses, duplexes and others in different districts of Abuja. There are various payment options including mortgage assistance from reputable mortgage institutions. Also available for sale by the company are undeveloped and serviced plots of land for homes, plazas, factories and hotels.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 27

Property

Poor mortgage finance, cause of Nigeria’s I6 million units housing deficit T he nation’s shortfall of over 16 million houses has been attributed to the deficient structures of the mortgage industry in Nigeria.

Mr. Elias Ovesuor a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) and Managing Partner, U.K. Ovesuor & Partners who made this known said “mortgage financing as an instrument for home financing for now, I can say we are having problems with it because the Federal Government is trying to inject funds into the Fed-

eral Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) which is like a CBN to the primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs). But the structures are still deficient and the people are not well organized, because of that, what the FMBN is supposed to do, it is not doing. So, as we are talking now, the things that are supposed to be happening in the mortgage sector are not happening.

Mortgage finance as far as I am concerned, is not functioning effectively in the country. Only a few people are benefiting from it as opposed to the spirit

of the institution which makes it mandatory for a lot people to benefit. The housing shortage in the country is about 16 million housing units, but in the last ten years, we have not provided up to half a million housing units. So, to get the 16 million housing units that are in shortage, you will then appreciate the problem at hand in respect of housing provision. Mortgage in Nigeria, to be candid to you, is still as its infancy”.

In another development, the reason for the overcrowd-

ing and squalor in which many Nigerians lives was brought to the fore when the House of Representatives committee on Environment and Habitat revealed that Nigeria was in urgent need of 23:33 million more houses to be able to accommodate the nation’s 140 million people by United Nations (UN) standard. Estimate show Nigeria has only 6.33 million houses presently accommodating the nation’s 140 million people. But U.N. standard says there should be 6 people per house, which means Nige-

ria needs more than three times the estimated 6.33 million houses standing in the country today.

“If we must maintain the United Nation’s standard of 6 persons per house, then if you consider a population of 140 million people, we actually need about 23:33 million more houses in addition to the 6:33 million that we have today. It is wrong for a former minister to have said we have short fall of only 17 million houses,” committee member Hon. Mohammed Sani (PDP Bauchi) said.

Tata banks on “cheapest housing units”.

T

ata, the Indian company that made worldwide headlines with its $2,000 (about N300,000) Nano car plans to build 1,000 tiny apartments outside Mumbai that will sell for $7,800 to $13,400 each. The company plans to roll out low-cost projects outside other major cities. Tata’s housing division is targeting a segment of the market that was largely overlooked during the housing boom. India’s builders were concentrating on building shiny new high rises after profits, but they were also trying to justify their fast-accelerating land costs, especially in and around Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) and other major cities.

But some business consultants (most prominently renowned management expert, C. K. Prahalad) were arguing that companies would profit handsomely if they target the “bottom of the pyramid” where the bulk of consumers are. It looks like Tata is taking that advice.

How bad insurance penetration hinders mortgage development in Nigeria

T

he financial challenges hindering the development of Nigeria’s housing sector have been blamed partly on the low level of insurance penetration and awareness in the country.

The Managing Director of Union Assurance Company Limited, Mr. Godwin Odah who made this known in a statement issued to newsmen said no economy could successfully thrive without a vibrant insurance sector which would breed entrepreneurship that would lift the housing sector.

Odah described insurance

as a mechanism for mobilizing funds, adding that housing remained scarce because there were no funds.

“We need long term funds, which is what life insurance provides”, Odah said.

The Union Assurance boss said that at the moment, there was acute shortage of long-term funds which should ordinarily be available to entrepreneurs to grow the economy because Nigerians have yet to buy into life insurance as a natural way of saving for their long-term needs.

“Life insurance comes in the

category of 5, 10 and 15-year plans and so on. If a sizable number of Nigerians, with the country’s huge population, invests just a small proportion of their income in insurance, the economy will expand because the money will be made available to investors who can then grow their businesses on longterm basis,” Odah explained.

According to him, funds at the disposal of banks are short-term in nature and most times, have a maximum tenor of 90 days before the owners will come calling and “with this condition, banks can only

lend short-term at high interest rates that are largely a disincentive to the entrepreneur in the real estate business. But the situation will be better if banks had insurance life funds.”

Odah said it was not possible to achieve sustainable expansion in the housing sector without mortgages which he explained would be easier if the insurance component was available to make the dream of housing for all a reality.

“The insurance component takes care of the initial deposit required by the mortgage firms.

But because insurance com-

panies are backward in terms of patronage of life products, these long-term funds are not available for development.

Pension funds, which are another component of insurance, have generated within a short period, about 3 trillion naira.

Talks are ongoing to develop a framework for investment of the money for infrastructural development and in other sectors. This is a demonstration of what life insurance funds can do for national development”, Odah said.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

Motoring

Ford Escape shows in the sleek style

T

he 2014 Ford Escape stands out as one of the best small crossovers in a segment full of worthy entries. Completely redesigned last year, the Ford Escape remains one of our favorite compact crossover SUVs. It has sharp handling; handsome styling and high-end interior touches that help justify its marginally higher price in this class.

You don’t have to look at the 2014 Ford Escape for very long before you start to think it looks like a pumped-up Ford Focus, and with good reason. The Escape is based on the same platform as the Focus, and it shows in the sleek styling. We love the Ford Focus for its quality, versatility and superb driving character, and those traits translate well to the Escape package. Sure, the Escape is heavier than a Focus, but it still has a nicely controlled ride and goes around turns with a surprising level of agility.

Ford offers a trio of four-cylinder engines on the 2014 Escape.

The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which is a pretty typical offering for a small crossover, provides adequate performance. But what help distinguish the Escape in this class are the available 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged engines.

The 1.6 provides more power and better fuel economy than the 2.5, while the 2.0 cranks out 240 horsepower and has only slightly lower EPA fuel economy ratings than the smaller 1.6.

The Escape’s interior is furnished with high-quality materials, and when it’s equipped with the slick-looking MyFord Touch electronics interface, it feels as if you’re driving a much more expensive car. The downside to that, however, is that MyFord Touch can be finicky to use at times, as we’ve noted slow response times and inconvenient glitches in the vehicles we’ve tested. Besides that, ticking all the option boxes pushes the 2014 Ford Escape’s price above its direct rivals. Keep

the equipment level reasonable, though, and it represents solid value in this class.

In the category of small crossover SUVs, there are of course other choices.

The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 don’t have the same engine selection as the Es-

cape, but they’re both roomier inside and enjoy better reputations for reliability. The sporty Mazda CX-5 is also worth a look, as are the comfortable Chevrolet Equinox, stylish Hyundai Santa Fe Sport and outdoorsy Subaru Forester.

But overall, the 2014 Ford Escape is a desirable small crossover that gets just about everything right.

The 2014 Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV that comes in three trim levels: S, SE and Titanium.

The S comes with 17-inch steel wheels, an integrated blind-spot mirror, MyKey parental controls, full power accessories, cruise control, air-conditioning, a tiltand-telescoping steering wheel, a rearview camera, the Sync voice command electronics interface,

Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, a USB/ iPod interface and an auxiliary

audio jack.

Options on the S include remote start, roof rails and rear parking sensors.

Upgrading to the SE adds 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, foglights, a keyless entry keypad, privacy tinted glass, an eight-way power adjustable driver seat (with power lumbar), reclining rear seats and satellite radio.

The optional SE Convenience package adds roof rails, rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, a 110-volt householdstyle power outlet, an 8-inch touchscreen with the MyFord Touch electronics interface, upgraded Sync services (including smartphone app integration)

and a nine-speaker sound system. Picking the Leather Comfort package gets you heated mirrors, leather upholstery and heated front seats. Also available as individual o p -

tions are 18-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate and a navigation system.

At the top of the line, the Titanium combines the content of the SE Convenience and Leather Comfort packages plus 18-inch wheels, remote start, keyless ignition/entry, the power liftgate (with hands-free operation), ambient interior lighting and a Sony 10-speaker sound system. Options include a Titanium Technology package (xenon headlights, blind-spot monitoring/crosstraffic alert, rain-sensing wipers and an automated parallel-parking system), 19-inch alloy wheels and the panoramic sunroof and navigation system.

Standard and available only on the S is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 168 hp and 167

pound-feet of torque. The SE and Titanium come standard with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder that makes 178 hp and 184 lb-ft. Optional on the SE and Titanium trims is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that pumps out 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque.

A six-speed automatic transmission is standard, and all but the S are available in either front- or all-wheel-drive configuration (the S is front-wheeldrive only). In Edmunds

t e s t ing, an all-wheel-drive Escape with the 2.0-liter engine ran to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds. A front-wheel-drive Escape 1.6 did the same sprint in 9.4 seconds. Properly equipped, an Escape with the 2.0-liter turbo engine can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Fuel economy estimates for the 2.5 are 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined.

The 1.6-liter turbo with frontwheel drive earns 23/33/26, while the 2.0-liter turbo with front-wheel drive rates 22/30/25.

All-wheel-drive versions rate 1-2 mpg less.

Source: Edmunds.com

PAGE 29

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

Arts & Culture

Obama, others celebrate Chinua Achebe

P

resident Barack Obama of the US on Monday night lauded the late Nigerian novelist, Chinua Achebe, as a “revolutionary author, educator, and cultural ambassador.”

Obama’s words of praise for Mr. Achebe, the author of the classic Things Fall Apart and four other widely read novels, were contained in a condolence message he sent to the organisers of an event held in Washington, DC on Sunday, June 2, 2013 to celebrate the life of the late author. The celebration was held at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC. International writers, government officials, and fans gathered at the venue to remember Mr. Achebe who was the David and Marianna Fisher University Professor of Africana Studies and Literary Arts at Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island. The event, which lasted from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., included readings, music, an arts exhibition, Igbo masquerades and a variety of cultural dances.

Obama’s personal condolence message at the event was read by representative of the American president. In his statement, Obama stated that the late professor and author “shattered the conventions of literature

By Molly E.

I

love reading and learning about new authors and this was a perfect new author and new bookilioved most everything about this novel. The words, the characters, the plot. All of it was unique and really drew me into the story. I have never read a book quite like this before, but I will say that I hope to read more work like this in the future.

Bappa is a rich cattle herder in Africa with two wives, two sets of children. His wife Demmo, along with Ribaldo and Halimah are abandoned by Bappa and left to live a poor life. While Bappa is looking after his more favored family of his second wife, his young children, Ribaldo and Halimah go against everything in Africa and fight to become educated. They want nothing more than to become better than what they were and live a life of comfort. little did they know that their father, Bappa, the man

and shaped the collective identity of Nigerians throughout the world.” The US President added: “With a dream of taking on misperceptions of his homeland, [Professor Achebe] gave voice to perspectives that cultivated understanding and drew our world closer together. His legacy will endure in the hearts of all whose lives he touched with the everlasting power of his art.”

Other speakers at the event included Ruth Simmons, the immediate past President of Brown University, Johnnetta Cole, a former President of Spelman College and current director of the Smithsonian Museum of African Art, Sonia Sanchez, a leading American poet, Scott Moyers, whose Penguin Press published Mr. Achebe’s last book, There Was A Country: A Personal History of Biafra, and Micere Mugo, a Kenyan-born poet, cultural activist and professor of literature at Syracuse University.

Professor Simon Gikandi of Princeton University as well as Jules Chametzky, a retired professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst also spoke about the late Achebe.

The Afrobeat band known as Eme and Heteru entertained at the event.

One of the highlights of the evening was a dramatic recreation of a scene from Things Fall Apart by the Chuck Mike theatre group.

Among those who attended the celebration was Africa’s literary star, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author of three novels, including the recently released Americanah. In a recent interview with SaharaTV, Ms. Adichie described Mr. Achebe as a literary icon, adding that the late author “gave me the permission to write.”

African cowboy who denied and abandoned them, has lost his fortune and home and wants nothing more than to be accepted by his children. His children are torn between doing what is right and the anger they have toward their father.

This is a moving, emotional story that will pull you in, grip you, and take you to the African setting of Nigeria, amongst these African Fulani cattle herders, African Cowboys, and set you down in an unexpected place. You will see the importance of knowledge, the effect that greed and attitude can have on a person. If you have never read a book like this before, then I encourage you to read this 5 star novel. Twists, turns, and compelling characters will surround you and keep you turning the pages until the very last page is reached.

Adopt pidgin as national language, FG told

T

he Public Relations Officer of the Abuja Arts and Crafts Village, Mr Stephen Eruada, has advocated the use of pidgin as a national language, ``to help preserve Nigerian culture’’.

Eruada told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that adopting pidgin as national language was a way of preserving Nigerian identity. ‘’A man without an identity is a man without a future or origin,’’ he said, ``Pidgin is a way of preserving our identity.’’

He argued that ``there is no other part of the world where pidgin English is spoken except Nigeria, ‘’so why can’t we also adopt it as our national language. ‘’Let people go to higher institution to study it, let the white man come here to study pidgin English.’’

Eruada, who is also a creative artist, said that Nigerians were in the habit of trying to look and behave like some other people and `that is why we’ve got it wrong in all areas.

He said the inability of people to speak good English was insignificant if they could express themselves properly in other languages and be understood. ‘’So, if I don’t make a good sentence you look at me as uneducated, meanwhile I have been to China and they don’t understand you yet they are graduates. ‘’Does their not understanding English make them uneducated?’’

Eruada said that the Chinese, in spite of their inventions and relations with other countries still used their language as their lingua franca and that this had made people to be forced to reckon with them and even learn their language

to be able to trade with them. ‘’The Chinese protected their language with all their might and today people are forced to go and study Chinese, so it would be wrong to allow our own language go into extinction. ‘’The whole world is moving to China, the English man who feels he’s superior is also going there to study Chinese, so he can relate with them better, so we need to protect what we have.’’

Eruada described culture as dynamic, arguing that it should be protected and cherished even while changes occurred in the culture. ‘’As culture is moving, all you need to do is drop the ones that are not helping the people and then fashion out the ones that are of help and make them look good so people can key into it.,’’ he stated.

(NAN)

FROM THE LIVE STAGE with Patrick-Jude Oteh 0803 700 0496, 0805 953 5215 (SMS only)

VACLAV HAVEL’S AUDIENCE

Y

ou do not find a playwright of a President everyday! I mean a world renowned playwright not the one whose thoughts have been put together by ghost writers.

We found a playwright of repute in Vaclav Havel, writer, poet, dissident and President.

He was the last President of former Czechoslovakia and the first President of the Czech Republic. His play Audience will open in Abuja on June 7th 2013. The Nigerian premiere of Audience had taken place at the 7th Jos Festival of Theatre.

This is the second performance of the play.

The two character play is set in the office of the foreman of a brewery. His visitor is the factory worker Vanek, a former playwright who has been employed to roll empty barrels.

Vanek is the alter ego of Vaclav Havel. In the former republic, there were a lot of things considered criminal. Not working was one of them. Theatre was banned alongside many forms of intellectual pursuits. Citizens like Vaclav Havel had to get alternative jobs. He got his in a brewery. Being from a bourgeois family, he was not entitled to an education. In 1975, Václav Havel wrote the play Audience, which described the absurdity of the life in such a country and the roughness and incompetence of Communist elites.

Vanek has been summoned by the do-nothing Foreman to trade favours – the Foreman can get Vanek a better job in the brewery as a book-keeper where he can have his own office, write his plays, drink his own beer and think through his lines. The only catch is that he must report on himself as the state police has asked the Foreman to be sending weekly reports on the activities of Vanek to them. The Foreman not being an intellectual does not know what to write hence the audience and the trading. Vanek finds it reprehensible and declines and the Foreman takes offence and shouts and cries and then falls asleep.

The play is in a class of its own. It is very much different from the kind of plays we are used to. The very interesting and absurd dialogue is not like our own and there is a lot of play on silence. The Foreman drinks, Vanek hardly drinks but in the end there is a reversal of roles – and it is almost as if the

play was to start all over again but it ends with the short cryptic line – it is all a bloody mess!

Our concern in directing the play was in the question, ‘what do you do with time?’

Do you drink it away or do you justify it by engaging in things of a mundane nature?

We came to realize very early on that the Foreman was filled with a lot of self-pity and self disgust. He had wanted a job in a big brewery in a big city but this was not forthcoming.

He ended up in a small brewery and to compound his woes in life he is being asked to do something that is way beneath him intellectually. He is simply at a loss. We are eagerly looking forward to how our audience will receive the play.

Vaclav Havel wrote more than 20 theatre plays and six collections of poetry. His work was banned by Communists and his plays were performed only in private flats of dissidents with the secret police spying upon those who attended the plays.

Because of his “bourgeois” background, he was not entitled to higher education by the Communist party. He worked as a chemical laboratory technician and as a stagehand at Prague’s Theatre on the Balustrade and later as an assistant director and literary manager. He later went on to study dramatic arts theory at the Academy of Performing Arts where he had his first plays performed and where he achieved his first major international success. Along with the ban of his works, he was imprisoned several times for his beliefs with the longest lasting from 1979 to 1983.

In late 1980 the Communist bloc collapsed in all Central and Eastern Europe and democracy was restored to Czechoslovakia in November 1989 after mass demonstration of young people, students, artists and workers. This w a s c a l l e d t h e Ve l v e t Revolution because the fall of the Communist regime was “velvet”– it happened without a single death or shooting. He emerged as one of the leaders of the Velvet Revolution and he was elected the first President of Czechoslovakia. After the split of the Czechoslovak Federation he was elected as the first President of the Czech Republic on 26th January 1993.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 30

Arts & Culture Book Review

A man who dared

By Odia Ofeimun

I

move around the country, these days, performing ‘Nigeria the Beautiful’ It is a dance drama that tells Nigeria’s story from Lord Frederick Lugard to President Goodluck Jonathan. Quite frequently, I am asked questions such as: what is so beautiful about Nigeria? Or how come you are the only one who can see it? Sometimes, I have felt obliged enough to put it flatly that the ethnic, religious and cultural differences that some people deplore, constitute the very beauty that I am describing . In the early years of the Association of Nigerian Authors, I took especial pleasure in seeking out writers from different parts of the country because, as it happens to be true, the different points of the compass from which we were woken up at birth, altered the possibility of our having a world of one monochrome identity.

It has reduced the risk of our living in a world so flat as to be excruciatingly boring. The truth is that our differences speak volumes about our commonality: that we all need for our stories to be told. Even fanatics who cannot accommodate others unless in a crush of linear sameness merely prove the point: that one story does not really represent or displace another.

Our different stories deserve to be told because people who do not share stories have no way of creating the common morality that makes life livable. Besides, from our experiences as a nation of so many nationalities, we know that those whose stories are not told tend to become invisible; the invisible are easy to forget; those whom we forget never get represented; and the unrepresented get awfully marginalized even in their own stories.

In the second half of my sixty two years in which I have been a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors, that is, after the first half that I spent learning, and I am still learning, how to write, I have romped around, debated, grated against, while seeking common grounds, with my fellow writers. I have enjoyed parleying with even those yet-to-be-writers who need to know that they can turn their lenses to writerly engagements with their homelands. Not that a writer has to write about, or only about, his and her homeland. But to have a cultural geography that has no writer to represent it, or one that has not enjoyed a writer’s attention, always seems to me to be somehow, unfair. One part of Nigeria that I have always considered unfairly positioned in this regard, is the South Easternmost part of Nigeria.

The South South, of which it is a part, is a veritable hive of writers and critics. The historians, Obaro Ikime, Tekena Tamuno, Ebiegberi Alagoa, have done their yeoman’s job so well. Still, so many of us luxuriate in stories that have not been told. In formal terms. Too many of our stories are botched in pernicious orality. Not only with regard to the past; but contemporary times. And not

because there have been no literate people to carry the standards and to take on the burdens of the literary.

As we do know, education came to these parts before it touched most other parts of the country. So what happened to the story-tellers and the audiences that should demand the stories? Why have they shunned what Marshall McLuhan once called the ‘Gutemberg galaxy’?

These are questions that do need to be asked more often because the doldrums in indigenous publishing which began with the induced collapse of Nigerian education in the eighties have not been overcome.

The New Age saviours who created the undertaker economics, now going bankrupt all over the world, are still riding high. The social media has not touched the gaping yawns in economic rationality. So

when we met as creative writers in Uyo at the Annual Convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors, last November, we were aghast at the many old questions still crying to be answered. One writer , who seemed ready and determined, parried the point by saying it is never too late to start. I had to concede the point, but only because, at that time, I was already in possession of the book being launched today. The title is He Dared - the Story of Okuku Udo Akpabio, The Great Colonial African Ruler by Offombuk Akpabio.

It is not a work of fiction although it is full of stories that are more riveting in their import than fiction. It is based on historical and anthropological research of the kind without which many writers of fiction miss their way. It is a

book written with a consciousness of its place as a pioneering work in the escavation and dredging of the lived experiences of the people of Ibibio/Annang with a seminal focus upon the life of one personage who is truly representative of the whole nationality. I say ‘truly representative’ almost as an euphemism because Okuku Udo Akpabio appears in this narrative as Mr. Everybody, an Essien, namesake of so many in these parts and a veritable pathfinder in whose steps so many are still treading. He was a man who fought against slavery, human sacrifice and against the murder of twins, and he left a leadership coda that still persists and challenges us to look at the past beyond the sheer perversity credited to it by colonial libel.

The author, Offonbuk Akpabio, is a lawyer, with a jurist’s sense of

propriety and proportion , intent on historical restitution. She approaches the subject with the verve of a seeker after what may well be described as charismatic, if the word messianic, is too strong.

Armed with a creative writer’s skill and orientation, she literally walked into the book as a project - on being welcomed, through marriage, into a family that has been at the centre of the many foundational but largely untold stories around the Ikot Ekpene axis of South Eastern Nigeria. As she points out: all that there was to know in print about the subject were in a virtual throwaway chapter in the book, The Africans,

by Margery Perham and jottings by the Methodist Missionary, Reverend Groves who was greatly fascinated, as the author came to be, about

the highly remarkable life that Udo Akpabio lived. As a grand daughter inlaw to her subject, determined to tell the untold, she felt, from the little already in print, that this was a life that needed to be given full treatment. It became rather an obsession, pursued as a labour of love, like a rite of induction into the deep rationality of family-hood . She placed herself as a matter of duty, incommoding as many members of the family as possible, to know as much as could be known about the ancestor whose great grandson she married.

In the narrative, the ancestor’s life straddles two centuries, the latter half of the nineteenth ; and beyond the first third of the twentieth. Okuku Udo Akpabio, was the grand son of Umo Ntuen Ebie Emem, who choose to move rather than vegetate as a glorified sojourner waiting on chance to get fulfillment in his native Abak.

He struck out from Ukana Mkpa Eyop and founded his own village, Ikot Ide in Ukana, now in Essien Udim Local Government of Akwa Ibom State.

Akpabio’s father, on the other hand moved the people to Ukana Ikot Ntuen as a one man village where the family is still domiciled. True, his forbears may have founded the village, earned and handed down the status of chief, the Okuku, through unstinting sacrifice and hard work, but it was left to Udo Akpabio to make it the hive of humanity that it would become. The point of the whole narrative is to show that it was not a case of happenstance. It was a matter of will, a will that informed the rather unusual ambitions of one large-hearted man, who happened to be also quite a strategist, a tall man with tall qualities. The author, Offonbuk Akpabio, rather diligently, engages in the profiling of the larger than life features of this man, Okuku Udo Akpabio, whose beginnings were full of daunting experiences.

Although his forbears were men of power and influence, his childhood suffered from the bane of customs that could well have crippled him. His early years were soured by the trauma of seeing his mother ostracized for giving birth to a set of twins. Even as the wife of the most powerful man in the land - the founder, no less - she could not escape the wrath of the makers of tradition, a spiritual caste that exercised monopoly over such matters. Her husband’s power was minimal protection. Had she been a lesser mortal, summary execution would have been her lot. Still, the rash justice of the rude times that she lived in took its toll. Nothing could halt the eventual ostracism that sent her away for ever from normal society. Thereafter, Udo Akpabio’s father’s love and protection became the strong factor in his development.

Down the road, it took his impetuous involvement in a case of adultery to teach him the big lesson of his arrival in adulthood. He seemed destined for a fate not too dissimilar to his mother’s but for the great skill he deployed in extricating himself from the death-dealing incident. Destiny’s child, it taught him to acquire focus.

Almost as if turning his disability into an asset, he began to seize every day virtually with both hands.

To be continued

POEM OF THE WEEK THE VILLAGE BIRD

By Ebele Chizea A long time ago in a land far, far away I arose to distant hills in translucent shades of blue In the backdrop Black birds soared flapping their wings to the rhythm of their coos They spread gossip about other towns Grandma heard, nodded and suddenly went: “okay!”

I only got the part about Emekuku What happened at Emekuku?

Grandma’s lips were sealed It was older people’s business I long for the days when birds could talk and we took the time to decipher When chickens and goats co-existed with humans on the front porch Swearing away the heat each in its own tongue Longing for harmattan…

Sitting under moonlit skies Listening to tales of duality as corn roasts with crackling sounds under the fire…

Chanting: “udara mu cha nda cha cha cha nda…”

Some of us sniffling at the girl whose stepmother starved her and who prays for the udara to ripen so she can eat In a famine udara dwarfs itself to feed girl and grows infinitum when step mother sings to it We cheer!

It’s bedtime And with a belly filled with corn and ube I move lethargically towards my mat determined to rise early to decode what the bird from Emekuku had said.

Source: Africanwriter.com If I was writing a prayer for peace

By Abigail George If I can see from where I am Standing (next to my bedroom door.

This is ajar because I left it like That) through the window made of Lines of yellow light, shiny parts At my front door and stare into the Face of a stranger, what would I see There meeting their eyes, intent, Winter, my own washed-out or ill Reflection depending on what day Of the week it was, would I see a Vision or feel a change flicker and Dance within the usual outspoken Me, would we make commonplace Conversation, would I give my peace Of mind away as I make the stranger A cup of coffee so hot that steam rises In puffs almost like smoke in a glance– The stranger never smiles at me.

I am just a poet and a writer feeling The air near my hands, pushing those Buttons, dreaming a life half-lived in Silence with medicine–this is my Home, my fairytale ending, my lining.

In the cold, cold night when my skin Tastes like salt, when the street lamp Glows in the dark, when stripes of Shadows seem to win me over to sleep, To the light that hits falling angels and I think of bottles littered on a field, the Stamina they give a man, roads into Madness, softness and sanctuary and I am reminded of the stranger at my Door, the silver in his hair and beard, How we both are cast out into the Black, into loneliness to settle out there.

QUOTE

As I said earlier, there are no writers who could create a literary vision of the new reality.

Andrzej Wajda

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

U

.S. Ambassador Terence P. McCulley presented small grants to 45 Nigerian selfhelp organizations for projects benefitting communities around the country under the Special Self-Help, Ambassador’s Small Grants, and PEPFAR Small Grants Program.

The grants totaling about 338,000 dollars are for programs designed by community-based organizations working to improve the health and social conditions of Nigerian people across the country.

Collectively, the small grants projects will benefit over 250,000 Nigerian men, women, and children.

Ambassador McCulley said sseveral of the Special Self Help and the Ambassador’s Small Grants projects will assist Nigerian children to access educational facilities and acquire new skills.

“These include the renovation and addition of classrooms or classroom furniture and the purchase of library books and school laboratory equipment,” he remarked.

The Ambassador also mentioned that other grants will equip community health clinics or provide communities with clean drinking water to improve health and living conditions.

Some of the projects will provide communities with food processing machines, such as rice threshing machines or cassava mills, which will help generate income and stimulate economic growth.

The PEPFAR Small Grants Program focuses on communityinitiatives for the welfare of children living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, providing school desks, chairs, and supplies; support caregivers in addressing the economic, nutritional, and hygiene needs of affected households; and fund the

DIPLOMATIC

PAGE 31

CIRCUIT

More Nigerians get US envoy’s small grants

A cross section of the Grants Recipients in a group photograph with Ambassador Terence P. McCulley. construction of small clinics and water boreholes.

The Ambassador’s PEPFAR Small Grants Program receives

support under the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief -- or PEPFAR -- which provides funding assistance to

communities with innovative projects that provide care and support to orphans, vulnerable children, and their households.

Photo: US Embassy

These grants assist communities to improve the standard of living for children from birth to 17 years through community-led projects.

UK DFID Minister for Africa, Lynne Featherstone meets NuhuRibadu

D

FID’s Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Africa, Lynne Featherstone called on NuhuRibadu to gain his insight on Nigeria’s current anti-corruption agenda.

Featherstone commended MallamRibadu for his work as an anti-corruption champion, and was particularly interested in whether any of the recommendations from the

Presidential Task Force on Petroleum Revenues were currently being pursued.

Ribadu said that he is still waiting for a government response.

The UK has had a longstanding partnership with Nigeria on combating corruption. With UK support, since 2004 the EFCC has recovered around £8 billion in cash and stolen assets,

Lynne Featherstone (L) with Nuhu Ribadu

and charged 338 people on corruption charges. The partnership led to the conviction

and imprisonment of former Governor James Ibori and his associates by a UK court and

secured the first conviction of a UK firm for bribery of Nigerian officials.

Another set of the Grants Recipients in a Group Photograph with Ambassador Terence P. Mc Culley. Photo credit: US Embassy

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 32

International

Somalia cases of killing, maiming, abuse of children halved - UN T he number of children killed, maimed, abused and recruited to fight in Somalia dropped by more than half in the first quarter of 2013 due to less fighting between Islamist al-Shabaab militants and government forces, the United Nations said on Monday.

In a report to the U.N. Security Council on Somalia, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kimoon said there had been 552 verified “grave violations” against children between January and March, down from 1,288 cases during the same period in 2012.

Almost two-thirds of the violations were committed by al Shabaab militants, who affiliated themselves with al Qaeda in February last year, while the rest were blamed on the Somali National Security Forces, the report said.

“The downward trend in killing, maiming and recruitment are attributed to the decrease in open fighting between alShabaab and government forces,

while the rate of abductions remains worryingly high,” Ban said in the report.

“The (Somali forces) and allied militia were the main perpetrators of killings while al-Shabaab committed the most abductions, recruitments, sexual violence and attacks on schools,” he said.

The United Nations said 37 children had been killed, 63 children maimed, 219 recruited to fight, 19 sexually abused and 205 abducted, while there had been seven attacks on schools and one on a hospital.

Somali troops are in the process of releasing 41 children to the U.N. children’s agency, UNICEF, for reintegration and the United Nations is working with the Somali government to stop the recruitment, use, killing and maiming of children, the report said.

“Civilians continue to bear the brunt of continued fighting in Somalia,” Ban said.

Somalia is emerging from two

IMF commends Tanzania for macroeconomic stability, sound fiscal position

T U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

decades of anarchy, and security gains in the past two years have been made largely thanks to African peacekeepers spearheading the fight against al Shabaab.

An African Union peacekeeping force - made up of troops from Uganda, Burundi, Kenya and Ethiopia - is battling al Shabaab

militants on several fronts in Somalia and has forced them to abandon significant territory in southern and central areas.

The militants launched their campaign against the government in 2007, seeking to impose sharia, or strict Islamic law, on the entire country.

Egyptian court convicts 43 NGO employees

A

court in Cairo has convicted 43 Egyptian and foreign employees of non-governmental (NGO) organisations for working illegally in Egypt.

The court sentenced the defendants - most of them in absentia - to jail terms of up to five years.

It also ordered the closure of offices and the seizure of assets in Egypt belonging to several US NGOs. The case - which began in 2012 - has strained relations between Cairo and Washington.

US officials had threatened

to cut off the roughly $1.5bn (£980m) in aid paid to Egypt every year.

On Tuesday, the Cairo court sentenced 27 defendants to five years in prison. Another five received two years and 11 were given one-year terms.

Only five defendants, including one American national, were present in court.

Most foreign defendants nationals of the US, Germany, Serbia and Arab states - were able to leave the country last year after the authorities had lifted a travel ban against them.

They include Sam LaHood,

son of the US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. He received a five-year prison term.

The defendants say they will appeal against the sentences, according to the AFP news agency.

The court in the Egyptian capital also ordered the closure of a number of NGOs operating in Egypt, including the USbased International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

Last year - when Egypt was under military rule following the removal of President Hosni Mubarak - police raided the

IRI and NDI offices as well as a number of Egyptian NGOs. The NGOs had been accused of operating without licences and receiving illicit foreign funds - a charge they denied.

Washington has so far made no public comment on the court’s decision.

Last week, human rights groups expressed concerns that a draft law backed by Egypt’s Islamist President Mohamed Morsi would restrict the funding and activities of NGOs in the country.

Egyptian officials rejected the claim as groundless.

West Africa states set to adopt anti-piracy code – IMO

Secretary-general of the United Nations International Maritime Organisation,Koji Sekimizu

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est African heads of state will meet, maybe as soon as this month, to adopt a code to fight growing piracy in their coastal waters that would include use of arrests,

prosecutions and seizures of ships, the U.N. shipping agency said.

Piracy is on the increase in the Gulf of Guinea region, which includes Africa’s No. 1

oil producer Nigeria and is a significant source of commodities including cocoa for world markets.

In that region, commercial ships do not enjoy the protection of naval security that has dramatically reduced Somali piracy on the other side of Africa.

“Quite soon, probably before the end of this month, heads of states of West African nations will be meeting in Cameroon ... to try to adopt a new code of conduct for anti-piracy activities,” Koji Sekimizu, secretary-general of the United Nations International Maritime Organisation (IMO), said on Tuesday.

The code of conduct, modelled on one adopted by East African and Arab Peninsula nations in 2009 to fight piracy in the Indian Ocean, would ask governments to arrest and prosecute suspected pirates, seize any vessels believed to have been used in acts of

piracy and increase regional cooperation.

The U.N. was seeking to get rich countries to fund this work, said Sekimizu, declining to say how much money was required.

“This (piracy in the region) is a recent phenomenon we are very concerned about,” he said on the margins of a shipping conference.

On the other side of Africa, the protection of ships by multinational navy taskforces has dramatically reduced the number of pirate attacks on ships.

It was too early to say whether a similar effort would be needed in the Gulf of Guinea, said Sekimizu.

The latest reported piracy attack off West Africa took place in May, when armed pirates attacked an oil products tanker off the coast of Nigeria and abducted an unknown number of crew, according to security sources.

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended the Tanzanian authorities for their commitment to policies that strengthened the country’s macroeconomic stability and sound fiscal position.

This is contained in statement by the Mr David Lipton, IMF’s Deputy Managing Director, after the completion of the final review of Tanzania’s performance under the Policy Support Instrument (PSI).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IMF had also concluded the second review under the Standby Credit Facility (SCF) arrangement in Tanzania. ``The Tanzanian economy has continued to grow at a robust pace and the recent decline in inflation is welcome. ``The authorities are to be commended for their commitment to policies aimed at strengthening macro-economic stability, containing demand pressures, and preserving a sound fiscal position,’’ he said.

He said that the planned moderate tightening of monetary policy in 2013 will support gradual disinflation in the economy.

According to him, The Bank of Tanzania’s commitment to take additional measures in the event of a re-emergence of inflationary pressures remained a welcome development. ``Looking ahead, it will be appropriate for the bank to complement the reserve money targeting framework with a more flexible approach to policymaking, he said.

He said that greater exchange rate flexibility could play a useful role in the event of renewed pressures on the exchange rate.

Lipton said that the deficit target equivalent to five per cent of GDP in the 2013 and 2014 fiscal years is consistent with the medium-term objectives of fiscal consolidation and debt stabilisation. ``By undertaking new revenue measures, the authorities have appropriately sought to preserve critical infrastructure

IMF’s Deputy Managing Director, Mr David Lipton

PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 33

International

China tried to convince N.Korea to give up nuclear tests – source

hae, vice chairman of the country’s top military body, to explain North Korea’s recent actions but he got a lukewarm reception from his Chinese hosts, said the source, who has close ties to Beijing and Pyongyang.

North Korea’s 30-year-old leader took power in December

2011 and has carried out two long-range rocket launches and a nuclear weapons test since then. He also embarked on a months-long campaign of threats against South Korea and the United States. “(North) Korea has not mellowed,” said the source, who did not attend the meetings but has

since spoken to both sides to which he has regular access.

Choe, nominally a general but with no known military experience, is the Korean People’s Army’s top ideologue. He showed up in Beijing in full military regalia, in contrast to his suited Chinese counterparts.

Experts have said the three-day visit was an attempt by North Korea to mend fences with its only major diplomatic ally, which has been critical of Pyongyang.

After the meetings, in which Choe eventually held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korea promised to take “positive steps for peace” while China repeated its mantra of wanting “calm and restraint” on the Korean peninsula.

Beijing tried to convince Pyongyang to stop its nuclear and missile tests, which “put China in a difficult position and are not conducive to (North) Korea”, the source said. China advised North Korea to focus on rebuilding its ruined economy instead, something it has said before.

North Korea’s recent actions drew international condemnation and put Beijing under pressure, especially from Washington, to rein in Pyongyang. It also helped reinforce an American strategy of rebalancing its security policies toward the Asia-Pacific.

restart followed its third nuclear test on 12 February, which led to expanded UN sanctions.

The information came from the 38 North website, which is part of the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University in the US. Its report said that recent satellite imagery showed that North Korea had “essentially finished repairing the cooling system necessary to restart and operate the reactor”.

The cooling tower that was destroyed had not been repaired, but instead a secondary cooling system had been employed.

Work was also ongoing at a spent fuel facility, it said.

Piles of construction materials were visible at the site and what could be a new drainage ditch for water from

the reactor building was being dug, it said.

The reactor “may be one to two months from start-up.

However, the availability of fresh fuel rods to power the reactor - a key factor that will determine when the North will restart the facility - remains unclear,” it said.

Once operational, the reactor could produce “approximately six kilograms of plutonium per year that can be used for manufacturing nuclear weapons”, it added.

North Korea has conducted three nuclear tests since 2006.

Analysts believe the first two tests used plutonium as the fissile material, but it is not known whether the third used plutonium or uranium.

While North Korea has

depleted its stocks of “reactorgrade” plutonium needed to make the weapons-grade variety, it has plentiful reserves of uranium ore. It also has a uranium enrichment facility at Yongbyon which a US scientist said could be converted to produce highly enriched uranium bomb fuel.

After UN sanctions were expanded following the most recent nuclear test, in February, North Korea issued multiple threats against US and regional interests, vowed to reactivate Yongbyon and cut both official communications and key business ties with South Korea.

Operations at the jointly-run inter-Korean Kaesong industrial zone remain suspended - the first such stoppage since the project began.

ChoeRyong-hae (C), director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) of North Korea, walks with Chinese Ambassador Liu Hongcai (2nd R) before departing Pyongyang airport for China.

C

hina told an envoy of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that Pyongyang should stop conducting nuclear and missile tests, but the North showed little sign of heeding the request, said a source with knowledge of the talks held late last month.

Kim dispatched ChoeRyong-

…North Korea reactor ‘nearing completion’

N

orth Korea is making “important” progress on reactivating facilities at its moth-balled Yongbyon nuclear reactor, a US think-tank says.

Start-up could be one to two months away, it said, but there was uncertainty over the availability of fuel rods to power the reactor.

Pyongyang vowed to restart the reactor, which makes weapons-grade plutonium, in April amid severe regional tensions.

The reactor was shut down in July 2007 as part of a disarmament-for-aid deal.

The cooling tower at the facility was later destroyed, but then the disarmament deal stalled.

North Korea’s decision to

Asia & Middle East

British soldiers admit abusing Afghan civilians Two British soldiers have admitted abusing Afghan civilians at a court martial hearing in Germany.

One soldier admitted indecent conduct towards a child, while the other admitted racially abusing a man during a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Their patrol commander was cleared of failing to deal with the offences.

The three men have been granted anonymity over fears that naming them would endanger their lives and those of their families.

The soldiers, referred to as soldiers X, Y and Z, appeared in court at the British army barracks in Sennelager.

Soldier X admitted pulling an Afghan boy’s hand towards his crotch while saying “touch my special place” while serving in Afghanistan in December 2011.

He pleaded guilty to conduct to the prejudice of good order and service discipline.

The soldier also admitted insulting another Afghan child between 16 October 2011 and 6 January 2012.

But he was cleared of disgraceful conduct of an indecent kind and forcing an Afghan girl to touch him on a separate occasion.

Soldier Y admitted he was involved in having an Afghan man photographed with a raciallyoffensive sign, which read “Silly Paki”, between 16 October 2011 and 6 January 2012.

The serviceman pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated offence likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress under the Crime and Disorder Act. He was initially charged with conduct to the prejudice of good order and service discipline but prosecutor Lt Col Jane England accepted his guilty plea to the separate offence.

Meanwhile, their patrol commander, referred to as Soldier Z, was cleared of failing in his duty to deal with the offences.

The prosecutor said it would not be in the public interest or appropriate to proceed against him in the light of the guilty pleas from soldiers X and Y. Resident Judge Advocate Alan Large said he would begin sentencing shortly.

Solar trade dispute touches China’s major interestssays Premier Li

C

hina’s premier told a top European Union official that the trade dispute over Chinese solar panel exports touches China’s “major economic interests” and could influence broader Chinese-EU relations if not properly resolved.

In a phone call with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso late on Monday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that China is closely following the dispute, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday.

China resolutely opposes trade

protectionism and the abuse of trade relief measures and will uphold China’s interests, the report quoted Li as saying. Li expressed hope that the dispute could be resolved through bilateral talks.

The European Commission, the EU’s executive, accuses China of flooding Europe with cheap solar panels sold at below the cost of production, and intends to impose duties.

That has prompted energetic lobbying from Beijing against the move and divisions have emerged in Europe on the issue,

foreshadowing a bruising internal battle over how to respond to China’s trade practices.

A majority of European countries, led by Germany and Britain, oppose EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht’s plans to levy tariffs of 47 percent on solar panel imports from China next month, according to a survey

by Reuters.

Li previously criticized EU trade measures on solar and telecom equipment last month, saying that punitive duties would “harm others without benefiting oneself.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 34

International

Queen marks coronation anniversary at Westminster Abbey A service was held at Westminster Abbey to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

Some who took part in the 1953 service are in the 2000-strong congregation.

Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby said the event honoured “60 years of commitment”.

The Queen is accompanied by more than 20 members of her family, including the Duke of Edinburgh, who pulled out of an engagement on Monday night because he was feeling unwell.

The heavy, solid gold St Edward’s Crown is on display on the High Altar - the first time it has left the Tower of London since the coronation.

Beside it is the Ampulla, the gold, eagle shaped bottle from which the holy oil was poured for the Queen’s anointing.

The coronation chair, one of the oldest pieces of English furniture still in use, is also on show.

The Queen and Prince Philip entered Westminster Abbey to the same music that greeted her in 1953.

Back then, aged 27, she was the

The Queen and Prince Philip entered Westminster Abbey to the same music that greeted her in 1953.

38th sovereign to be crowned in an abbey that has been conducting such ceremonies since the coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066.

The Dean of Westminster the Very Reverend John Hall, Dean of Westminster, told the congregation:

“Sixty years ago, in this holy place, Queen Elizabeth II was anointed with holy oil, clothed with sacred garments, and, after receiving symbols of authority, crowned with the Crown of St Edward, King and Confessor, just as Her Majesty’s

royal predecessors from 1066.

“Here today we gather to give thanks to almighty God for the faithful ministry and dutiful service the Queen continues to offer God and the people of this nation, the overseas territories and the realms,

Europe and Americas and as head of the Commonwealth.”

Ahead of the service, the dean said the service would mark “60 years of duty done with a glad heart”.

The Archbishop of Canterbury told those gathered in the abbey the Coronation had been “an ordination, a setting aside of a person for service”.

The weather 60 years ago was dull and wet, but warm sunshine greets those gathering in London for the anniversary.

The crowds outside the abbey welcomed the Prince of Wales - who was just four in 1953 - and Duchess of Cornwall, as well as the Duke of Cambridge and the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge.

It is the first time the couple, whose first baby is due next month, have attended a public event at the abbey since they married there two years ago.

Other royals present include Prince Harry, the Duke of York, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor, the Princess Royal and Zara Phillips with her husband Mike Tindall.

The congregation sang the National Anthem before UK Prime Minister David Cameron gave a reading from the Book of Kings.

Wildfires hit U.S. West, could spread to Native American sites Mexico left-

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ildfires, including one that could extend to Native American archaeological sites in NewmMexico, raged across the western United States on Monday as dry weather and gusty winds stymied firefighters’ efforts to make headway against the flames.

In Southern California, a fastgrowing wildfire spread to 30,000 acres, expanding by 50 percent from Sunday to Monday. It has destroyed six homes since it broke out last Thursday.

In New Mexico two smaller fires roared out of control in separate wilderness areas. Firefighters warned

that one of them could gain strength during the windy, dry afternoon as it consumed pine trees in its path.

That blaze, the Thompson Ridge fire, changed direction overnight and now could spread to Native American archaeological sites in the Valles Caldera National Preserve, U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Dana Howlett said.

The sites include six volcanic mounds important to the Pueblo of Zia indigenous group.

The blaze threatened the communities of Compton Valley, Rancho de la Cueva and Elk Valley, Howlett said. About 50 families were

evacuated on Friday and remained out of their homes.

“With the intense heat, the fire gets more intense and you often have trees that are torching, and when that happens, large smoke plumes start going up,” Howlett said, adding that from a distance the flames and smoke can make it seem like a volcano is erupting.

Separately, the Tres Lagunas fire in New Mexico’s Pecos Wilderness has charred nearly 8,000 acres and was only 5-percent contained, said Fire Information Officer Dick Fleishman.

The Southern California blaze, dubbed the Powerhouse fire, grew by

some 10,000 acres on Sunday and overnight into Monday, U.S. Forest Service officer Ronald Ashdale said.

The blaze, in the far northern part of Los Angeles County, was 40-percent contained by Monday morning, he said, and a change in its direction meant the number of homes threatened had dropped to 400 from 1,000.

Late Monday afternoon, most the roughly 2,000 residents who had been evacuated were allowed to return home, said Matt Corelli, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service

shown against the people who initially started this protest with the motive of protecting the environment was wrong. And it was unfair.

So I apologise to those citizens,” Mr Arinc said at a news conference in Ankara.

However, he added: “I do not think we need to apologise to those who create destruction of public property in the streets and who try to prevent the freedom of the people in the streets.”

Pinar Aksogan, from the environmental pressure group Greenpeace, said Mr Arinc struck a more conciliatory tone than Prime Minister RecepTayyipErdogan.

However, the speech lacked any answers about what will now happen to the park, she said.

Ms Aksogan also pointed to worries over “recent laws and regulations, which if

approved will lead to massive environmental destruction”.

“This movement is not only about the trees in the park, but the trees and environment all around Turkey and their future,” she said.

Mr Erdogan has taken a tougher line with protesters in his public comments, saying they are undemocratic. He has gone ahead with a trip to Morocco and, speaking after his arrival there, insisted the situation was “calming down”.

“On my return from this visit, the problems will be solved,” he told reporters.

One union federation has begun a two-day strike in support of the protests.

The left-wing Kesk trade union confederation, representing some 240,000 workers, accused the government of committing “state terror”.

Turkey Deputy PM apologises to protesters

Turkey’s Deputy PM Bulent Arinc has apologised to protesters injured in demonstrations opposing the demolition of an Istanbul park.

T

he original protests over the redevelopment of Gezi Park were “just and legitimate”, Turkey’s leader said, offering to meet the organisers.

He called for the protests

to end, saying they had been taken over by “terrorist elements”.

The protests have escalated into five days of unrest in cities across Turkey.

“The use of excessive force

wing activists murdered

P

olice in Mexico say they have found the bodies of three left-wing activists who went missing on Thursday after a protest in support of local farmers.

Five others are still missing.

The bodies were found by the roadside in southern Guerrero state.

Two bodies had bullet wounds, while the third victim seems to have been beaten to death.

Mexican police say it is not clear whether the activists have been killed for their political work.

They may have become the latest victims of drug cartels operating in the region.

Among the dead is the local leader of the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), Arturo Hernandez Cardona.

Mr Cardona, a well-known politician in Guerrero state, was also a leader of the Emiliano Zapata Peasants’ Union (Ucez).

Fellow PRD activist Angel Aguirre Rivero said he did not believe that rival politicians were responsible for the deaths, but called for a thorough investigation.

“We live in different political times. Our party cannot accuse anyone. All we need is that those behind these deaths be punished,” he told La Jornada newspaper.

Mr Aguirre Rivero believes the militants were killed by common criminals.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 35

Strange World

Fashionable chicken pets wear diapers and colourful outfits

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tatistics show a growing number of American families are replacing cats and dogs with chicken as household pets, so I guess it’s no wonder we’re starting to see things like chicken outfits, diapers and saddles being sold online.

Julie Baker is the owner of Photo: My Pet Chicken

Pampered Chickens, an online business that sells a variety of accessories for pet chickens.

She got the idea for bird diapers when her feathered friends started spending less time in the backyard and more time inside the house. They were making a mess, so she tried sewing chicken-sized cloth diapers, added some buttons and strapped them on the birds. It worked like a charm, and before long the idea turned into a business.

These days Julie sells between 50 and 100 chicken diapers, as well fashionable outfits and protective saddles to urban hen owners across the United States. ”Saddles are almost more useful than the diaper, quite frankly,” Baker told The Salt. ”A rooster isn’t particularly kind to a hen when they mate. He grabs her by the back and pulls her feathers out. The hen ends up with a completely bare back.

It gets raw and bleeds a little bit.” Her family has been a part of the poultry show community for a long time, and when friends saw her pets’ colorfulgarments, they started asking where she got them. before she new it, orders started rolling in.

But Pampered Chickens is not the only store that’s making

Photo: Pampered Chickens

a killing with trendy chicken fashion. MyPetChicken.com is a multi-million dollar business that offers all the necessary supplies a pet chicken owner could ever need, from the actual

chickens, to chicken caviar and of course, diapers. Ryan Slabaugh, editor of chickenthemed magazine Backayrd Poultry, believes at least half of the tens of thousands of

subscribers keep hens around for companionship rather than for agricultural purposes, which sort of justifies their willingness to spend serious money on diapers and clothing.

Meet Raj Mohan Nair – The super-human immune to electrocution

A

tenth of an amp is enough to kill an ordinary human being, but Raj Mohan Nair is anything but ordinary. This human conductor is able to withstand several amps of electricity passing through his body without suffering any bodily harm.

Electricity Mohan or Electro-Man, as Raj has come to be known all around the world has an amazing super-power. Just a small a mount of electricity can be fatal to most humans, but this man can conduct several amps and survive unscathed.

There’s nothing superhuman about his looks, but

Photo: DCEL

connected to an electrical power source, Raj Mohan Nair can do extraordinary things. He doesn’t shoot lightning bolts from his hands or anything, but he can power up a light bulb or an electric blender by grabbing two live wires and allowing massive amounts of current to pass through his body. He might not seem like a superhero worthy of his own comic book, but it’s a lot more than the rest of us mortals can withstand. If these wires touched any other human’s body, the electricity would cause their organs to fail and stop their heart, but not Mohan’s. With one

wire in his mouth for better conductivity and the other anywhere else on his body, Mohan lets the electrical current run through him and into whatever other device he’s trying to power on.

The story of how Electricity Mohan first discovered his gift is just as unbelievable as his super-power. Raj lost his mother when he was seven years old. Heartbroken, he tried to commit suicide by climbing a transformer and grabbing one of the live wires. To his amazement, nothing happened. That’s when he realized he had been blessed with a gift from God. Since then, he has been shocking (pun intended) the world with his immunity to electricity. But how is this man able to withstand up to 10 amps of electrical current without literally frying?

Daniel Browning Smith tested Raj Mohan Nair’s resistance to electricity using a multimeter, and found that his body is over 10 times more resistant than that of the average human. Although his eyes get glazed over when the current passes through his body, rendering him temporarily

blind, this Indian ElectroMan can withstand enough electricity to power a hotplate. If an ordinary person were exposed to that much power for just a fraction of a second it would cause permanent muscle damage and stop their heart.

But Raj Mohan Nair is not the world’s only human conductor. Two years ago, I

Photo: DCEL

w r ote about SlavisaPajkic, another extraordinary man from Serbia, who can withstand high voltage. His case is somewhat different though, as according to some report he has no sweat and salivary glands. Scientists say the current might not even be passing through his body, but only through the skin which acts as natural insulation.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 36

Digest

Pull your toe to stop cramp, ride a bike to beat a cold

By Diana Pilkington They say you should practise what you preach. So when it comes to avoiding — or tackling — those niggling health problems, what do the experts do?

Indigestion or heartburn: Have two starters Eating fatty food is a common cause of indigestion because it slows down the emptying of the stomach and causes contraction of the lower part of the bowel. ‘I’m very conscious of the amount of fat in food,’ says Dr Nick Read, gastroenterologist and medical adviser to the IBS Network. ‘I don’t eat red meat and never have ready-meals, as they can be trouble.’

For the same reason, Dr Read is also careful when he goes to restaurants: ‘I tend to have one or two starters — the main course in restaurants is usually too fatty.’

He also avoids going out for dinner when he’s particularly busy: stress can cause the stomach to produce more acid, which can splash up into the gullet, causing heartburn. So, too, can alcohol.

And to banish night-time wind and bloating, he gives his tummy a pat.

‘Sometimes I wake up feeling very aware of gas being produced,’ he says.

‘I just pat my tummy low down on the right hand side — which is the part of the large intestine that holds the gas — until it passes and I go to sleep again.’

Laid low by a cold: Get on your bike Dr Hilary Longhurst, consultant immunologist at Barts NHS Trust, gets only one or two colds a year, but when the sniffles hit, her solution is to get moving.

‘Gentle exercise is helpful — it blows away the gunk. When you’re bunged up, you tend only to use the top of the chest while breathing. But when

Restful: Use lots of sheets and blankets rather than a duvet to ensure a good night’s sleep

you exercise you use the whole chest and clear the upper airways, coughing up or swallowing the mucus.

‘Exercise also releases endorphins, which help lift the malaise you get with a cold. So I get on my bike and cycle to work. But I’d do admin rather than see patients, so as not to pass the cold on.’

However, if you also have a fever, which indicates the infection is more widespread, it’s best not to exhaust yourself with exercise as your immune system may be diverted from fighting the bug, she adds. And to ward off an emerging cold before it’s hit, the immunologist tucks into oranges.

‘I’ve been told the orange colour in fresh orange contains a chemical that will deter rhinovirus, a very common virus that causes colds,’ she says. ‘It won’t work for every cold, but I find it helpful.’

Sleep trouble: Use blankets not duvets His seven-month-old son often wakes him at night, but Dr Guy Meadows, clinical director of The Sleep School, a West London clinic, drifts off again by practising ‘mindfulness’.

It’s a technique that focuses on the present — as he explains: ‘I notice the movement of my breath, the sheets touching my toes, and anything I can feel physically.’

This pushes day-to-day worries out of his mind, so he can go back to sleep more easily.

At bedtime, a few things help ensure a good night’s sleep.

‘Make sure the bedroom’s dark and the bed’s comfortable — we use lots of sheets and blankets rather than a duvet.

With multiple sheets you can change the temperature quickly by removing or adding a layer when needed.’

Memory loss: Fast every other day Keeping your memory sharp

involves making certain lifestyle choices, particularly in relation to food, says Dr Sandrine Thuret, head of the neurogenesis and mental health laboratory at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London.

‘There are specific neurons — brain cells that communicate with each other — involved in memory. The more you have of these neurons, the better your memory will be.

‘Recent research shows it’s possible to create more in adulthood,’ she says.

‘Diet has a huge impact. I try to do intermittent fasting. Every other day I’ll just have a light breakfast and a very light dinner — about 600 calories in total — although often it’s because I’m too busy for lunch.

‘Studies show that if healthy people reduce their calorie intake by about 30 per cent and increase time between meals, it improves their memory by helping create more of these neurons, although we don’t yet know why.

‘I also have fish such as salmon — full of omega-3 fatty acids —every other day, and keep fresh blueberries in my fridge. The flavonoids they contain are good for memory.

‘Exercise has a dramatic effect on these neurons, too, so every other day I run to work and back — about eight miles.’

Foot cramp: Pull your big toe When physiotherapist Sammy Margo suffers from the searing pain of cramp, she pulls her big toe and eats more bananas.

‘Although we don’t know exactly what causes cramp, it could be related to circulation. The feet are at the end of the body, so the blood has further to travel, which may be why feet are more prone to it.

‘When it happens, I crouch and pull my big toe up towards me as hard as I

Gentle exercise helps a cold - when you exercise you use the whole chest and clear the upper airways, claims a leading immunologist can for 15 seconds to stretch out my foot what you eat — it’s just not a good time fully. Then I put my weight on my foot to go without lunch. again to see if the pain’s gone. I repeat ‘Avoiding swings in your blood until it subsides. sugar can help with mood before a ‘If I’m still getting cramp after period. that, I know I need to drink more ‘I deal with cramps by taking an water and eat more bananas, which anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen contain magnesium and potassium. — an anti-inflammatory is probably Magnesium can help relax muscles, and more effective than other painkillers potassium helps with muscle function.’ because the pain comes from the The monthly bloat: Avoid caffeine uterus contracting.’

Few women are completely Bad teeth: Use two toothbrushes immune to the stomach cramps and Professor Andrew Eder, of irritability that can hit each month. the Eastman Dental Institute at Dr Dharani Hapangama, a University College London, has six consultant gynaecologist and research fillings, but puts them down to a ‘misadviser to the Wellbeing of Women spent youth’ and hasn’t had a new one charity, found the bloating typically for 15 years. associated with PMS to be heightened ‘I brush my teeth twice a day to when she was pregnant, because such protect my teeth and gums — once symptoms are due to higher levels of with a manual and once with an electric the hormone progesterone. toothbrush.

She dealt with it by increasing her fibre intake — ‘eating a lot of vegetables Source: Dailymail.co.uk helps the bowels be more regular’.

‘I also avoided caffeine and alcohol during this period, as these cause dehydration and slow the bowels.’

She says this could also help women with PMS-related bloating.

Meanwhile, Dr Virginia Beckett, a gynaecologist and spokeswoman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, tackles monthly mood swings with food. ‘Mood swings are something I’ve encountered only over the past five years, and it’s usually just the day before my period.

‘I keep my blood sugar stable by To beat cravings, have a drink and a drinking plenty and snack such as cereal, fruit or low-fat eating regularly. yoghurt, suggests a dietitian ‘It doesn’t matter

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

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Court dismisses suit against NASS Service Commission

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he National Industrial Court on Tuesday in Abuja dismissed a suit filed against the National Assembly Service Commission by a former employee, Mr Chisa Ordi.

Ordi had sued his former employer for alleged unlawful termination of his employment.

Dismissing the suit, Justice Oluseun Shogbola said the issue for determination by the court was whether the defendants followed the procedures in terminating the claimant’s employment.

Shogbola held that the commission complied with the

provisions of its conditions of service in terminating the employment of the claimant.

She said the commission had the powers to terminate the employment of any of its officers found wanting in the discharge of his or her duties. ``Where a contract of employment is properly terminated, an employee cannot challenge such termination. ``Considering the evidence before this court, the claimant, who was employed as a clerical officer in 2004 on probation, had been issued several queries and

warning letters. ``It is my view that the termination of the employment of the claimant on April 19, 2006, was in accordance with the provisions of the commission’s rules and regulations and it therefore subsists,’’ Shogbola ruled.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that during hearing in the case, the commission’s counsel, Mr Onyebuchi Obeta, had urged the court to dismiss the suit for want of merit.

Obeta argued that the claimant was never confirmed because

he failed to meet the criteria for confirmation of employment.

He explained that the defendant followed the procedures contained in the commission’s condition of service in terminating the employment.

The counsel told the court that the claimant was served a letter of non-confirmation of appointment by the defendant before his appointment was terminated.

But Mr Eric Apiah, the counsel to the claimant, argued that the evidence of the defendant could not be relied upon since it was based on hear-say.

Apiah told the court that the officer, who gave the testimony, was not an employee of the defendant at the time.

He also argued that the claimant was deemed to be a confirmed worker of the defendant since he exceeded the period of two years on probation.

Apiah, however, urged the court to grant all the reliefs sought by his client and expunge the submissions of the defendant.

Ordi, who was employed in 2004 on GL 05, had dragged the commission to court for ``illegally terminating his appointment’’ in 2006. (NAN)

NGO wants laws establishing SIECs reviewed

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L-R: Former governors of Oyo state, Senator Rasheed Ladoja and Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, during their reunion, yesterday in Ibadan.

Photo: NAN

Lawmaker advocates respect for children’s rights

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member of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Mr Chinedu Nwamba, has called on parents, guardians and care-givers in the state to respect and implement all domesticated rights of children.

Nwamba, (PDP-Nsukka East Constituency), who made the call on Tuesday in Enugu during a plenary session, argued that since children of today were the

leaders of tomorrow, they must be accorded their rights.

He said that whatsoever that was inculcated in them during their formative age would influence their behaviour in the future. ``I want to use this opportunity as we mark World Children’s Day to call on the public to always respect the rights of children who are the

leaders of tomorrow. ``Those who use children as househelps should treat them as their biological children so that they will grow up into responsible adults for the good of the society,’’ he said.

In another development, the Enugu State Tourism Board bill was read for the first time at the house.

The Speaker, Mr Eugene

Odo, advised the legislators to study the bill “very well” to enable them make “robust contributions” during the second reading.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that apart from the bill on statistical data which was passed last week by the assembly, this is the second bill introduced by the lawmakers in the past six months. (NAN)

Ekiti Assembly passes 2 bills on infrastructure, land use charge

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he Ekiti State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed two bills on the state Urban and Regional Planning and Development (Amendment) Law, 2013 and the Land Use Charge Bill, 2012.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports the bills aimed at making infrastructure development accessible to the citizenry in the state.

The Majority Leader of the House, Mr Churchill Ogundipe, said the urban and regional planning and development law would make the state a role model for others.

Other law makers, Messrs Ajibola Samuel, Shittu Oluwaseyi and Adeyinka Adeloye, said the bills would bring efficiency and professionalism to the

transformation programmes of the government.

They added that the bills would guide the state against flood and check building of houses on flood prone areas.

Speaking with NAN, the Chairman, Committee on Works, Mr Ajayi Fasakin, explained that the land use charge bill would correct anomalies and increase the

state Internally Generated Revenue.

Other bills such as Public Works Corporation (Amendment) Law, 2013, which passed second reading, was referred to the committee on works for legislative scrutiny.

The bill on the 2013 budget for the 16 local governments in the state also passed the first reading. (NAN)

he Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), a Nongovernmental organisation, had advocated for a review of laws establishing State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).

The Executive Director of CDD, Dr Jibrin Ibrahim, made call at the presentation of the findings of research on SIECs in Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ibrahim said the review became necessary to enhance credible elections at the grassroots level, adding the research was conducted in Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Lagos and Plateau.

He explained that the study was occasioned by the desire to develop a body of knowledge on elections management, practices and lessons on elections conducted into local governments.

Ibrahim said that the history of local government elections in Nigeria had been chequered, saying ``there have been outcries on the deplorable state of elections at the local government. ``This is worrisome, particularly within the framework of local government as significant tier of government through which the political and socio-economic aspirations of the people are to be met,’’ he said.

The executive director express regrets that the importance of democracy at the local government level was still compromised five decades after the demised of colonial rule.

He noted that Nigerians were yearning for true democracy at the local level to ensure that those who control the councils’ resources were elected by the people. ``Institutional independence will allow the SIECs to perform their functions without the interference and manipulation of governors or powerful forces within political parties,’’ it stated.

The research suggested that appointments to key positions of SIECs in the states should be done through independent bodies established by law to reduce or eliminate governors’ control. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

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Politics

Party scribe urges FG to strengthen democracy in the country

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L-R: Director, House 2 House Campaign for Goodluck 2015, Mr. Mike Owuda Ojo; National Coordinator of the group, Prince Chidi Ibe; and Director, Planning and Statistics, Mr. Abur Clifford; during the inaugural press conference of House 2 House Campaign for Goodluck 2015, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Accord, PDP gang-up shows Ajimobi is formidable, says Oyo ACN From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

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he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Oyo State chapter, has said that if it needed any other indicator that the party and its governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s ratings had risen to a formidable level, it was the political gang-up of his old rivals in the April 2011 elections who were former governors of the state.

The party made this known in a reaction issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dauda Kolawole, on alliance between Accord and PDP 2011 governorship candidates to unseat ruling ACN in Oyo State.

According to him, the gangup had shown the political desperation of the two former governors and an admission of the fact that, individually, they cannot face Ajimobi and the ACN in the 2015 elections.

“We are very happy about this gang-up. Wonders indeed can never end. That these two

strange bedfellows, who had, a while ago, fought a Titanic battle to destroy each other, one releasing details of the corruption of the other while in government and the other telling the world that his successor was crass illiterate, could come together to fight Ajimobi shows that our governor is now a mighty Iroko tree that these two gladiators needed to come together to fell.

But, combined, the two cannot measure up,” the ACN said.

The party said that against the thinking of the two former governors, politics in Oyo state had moved beyond brickbats, hatred, personal animosities and selfish ego gang-up.

“We are sorry for them. Our politics is no longer analog but digital. Oyo people now x-ray issues and take position. The level of governance and government in our state now is such that the two can no longer fit into them. We have taken governance beyond the brigandage, ‘amala’ politics

and bloodletting that they were both renowned for. We talk of development as yardstick of ratings now. Our people will ask them how many markets they constructed while in office, how many roads they built that are still standing, how many bridges they built,” the ACN said.

Stating that the two former governors cannot insult the intelligence of the people of the state, the ACN said that the two should tell the people what they achieved in government beyond the cases that they are both answering to in courts as they are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“They have both been governors before. They should show us what they did that was pro-people. Ajimobi and Oyo ACN do not have a ten-man committee but God and the people of the state who are more potent than them. We counsel Akala and Ladoja to dissipate

their misdirected energy on how to wriggle out of the EFCC charges against them so that they won’t be sent to jail, rather than fighting a man whom God has destined to be in power,” the ACN said.

The party singled out Ladoja whom it said was confused, stating that only about three months ago, the former governor had praised Ajimobi as performing and implementing all the programmes he dreamt about, wondering why the same governor had become a man who should leave office, in his reckoning.

“Ladoja is not only desperate but confused. A few months ago, he condemned the PDP as a useless party. He praised Ajimobi to high heavens as a performer but today, after we sacked his younger brother and nominees from our cabinet, he began to sing a different tune. And here is a man who spends one month in Nigeria and three months in the UK for medical check-up,” the ACN said.

Akpabio nominates new commissioners, SAs From Mike Etim, Uyo

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kwa Ibom state governor, Barrister Godswill Akpabio, yesterday submitted five names to the state’s House of Assembly for approval as nominees for appointment as commissioners and Special Assistants.

This confirmed speculations making the rounds in the state of a likely shake-up in his cabinet.

In a letter dated 3rd June,

2013 and addressed to the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Sam Ikon, the governor said the steps to carry out the cabinet reshuffle became necessary so as to effect some adjustment in the State Executive Council.

A statement made available to the press by Mr Ernerst Akpan, Personal Assistant to the Speaker of the House, stated in part, ‘Accordingly, in line with section 192(2) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

the Governor forwarded the under listed names of nominees for appointment to the office of commissioners/ Special adviser for screening and subsequent confirmation by the State House of Assembly viz; Professor Atim Antai, Dr. Ememabasi Bassey, Engr. Iboro Ekanem, Dr. Glory Emmanuel Edet as nominees to the office of Honourable Commissioners, while Prince Godwin Ntukude is the only Honourable Special Advisers nominee’’

According to the statement, the Speaker has committed the letter to the House committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights and Public Petitions for in-depth screening.

The statement further stated that the House has ratified the appointment of Obong Colonel T. Udoh who served as the former Chief of Staff to Governor Akpabio as the new chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Service Commission.

he National Secretary, United Peoples Party (UPP), Chief Ogbuehi Dike, has called on the Federal Government to strengthen the nation’s democracy for rapid sociopolitical and economic development.

Dike, who made the remark in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, said “good governance is one of the major factors that ensures the success of any democracy.”

He added that free and fair elections were the pillars of good governance in any democratic setting.

He pointed out that without credible elections, everything about governance would be a waste of time and portended serious danger to the country’s future.

Dike advised politicians to refrain from “do or die politics” so as not to truncate the nation’s democracy and the image of the country, especially before the international community.

He said that for good governance to thrive, there must be “strong and virile institutions, especially the judicial system so that punishment for breaking of the law could serve as a deterrent to others.

“Nigeria is a country where prison inmates are languishing in the prison without proper trial.

“Some have been forgotten, some have spent years nobody talks about them and they are not taken to court or tried,” Dike said.

He advised relevant agencies in charge of criminal cases to desist from stock-piling cases to avoid endangering the country’s democracy and its future.

The secretary also advocated for a review of the nation’s judicial system to make it more effective and efficient.

He urged the government to develop the political will to review “our laws and make punishment quicker and direct.”

The scribe also called on the Federal Government to ensure regular training of judicial officers and to partner with foreign countries that had succeeded in strengthening their laws for better result.

He expressed optimism that if corruption was tackled headlong, it would go a long way in making the nation’s democracy work.

Dike urged the government to empower women and create more job opportunities for the teeming population, especially youths to avoid restiveness and other social vices.

He called on the nation’s leaders to see themselves as servants of the people and not to be served and to “always match words with actions.” (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

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News Extra BRIEFS Police arraign man for culpable homicide in Ilorin

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n Ilorin Magistrate Court has arraigned one Jacob Olaniyan for allegedly stabbing a teacher, Mrs. Popoola Bola on May 31, along Tanke area of Ilorin.

The victim, according the charge sheet, was rescued unconscious by some roadside mechanics.

The prosecutor, Inspector Baliqees Adu, told the court that investigation revealed that the accused was a habitual criminal that had killed a mother and her daughter at Tanke area some five years ago.

The accused was arraigned on a two-count charge of causing grievous hurt and attempt to commit culpable homicide contrary to Sections 248 of the Penal Code Law. From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

NYCN to create 5,000 jobs

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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orried by the high rate of unemployment in the country, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has said it would collaborate with various entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to create 5,000 jobs for the jobless Nigerian youth.

NYCN National President, Comrade Yakubu Shendam,

who announced this at a press conference in Abuja, also noted that as part of measures of addressing the problem of poverty among Nigerian youth, the Council resolved to establish a Youth Micro Finance Scheme and to also put in place a N10 billion Youth Development Trust Fund within the next four years.

According to him, Shendam explained that

the Micro Finance Scheme and the Trust Fund would enable the Nigerian Youth to access loans that would make them independent.

Shendam who announced a 13-point agenda shortly after his election told Journalists that the 5000 jobs would be spread across the six geo-political zones.

Moreover, according to him, the council will partner with

Kebbi pledges to fund propoor projects From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

Pollution can cause miscarriage expert

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Consultant Pediatrician at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Prof.

Abdulwahab Johnson, on Tuesday said air pollution could cause miscarriage in pregnant women.

Johnson told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin that the content of air pollution, such as industrial fumes and smoke from automobiles, might affect the weight of unborn babies. ``Research conducted in 10 countries by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that air pollution could hinder the formation of internal organs of babies,” he said.

Lawyer prescribes capital punishment for baby factory owners.

A Kaduna based legal practitioner, Maisamari Auta, has advocated capital punishment for baby factory operators in the country, to serve as deterrent to others.

Auta told our correspondent that the apparent boom in baby factory business may not be unconnected with the proliferation of proliferation of Non-Governmental Organizations.

Who specialize in the merchandizing of unborn babies.

He therefore called on the Federal Government to regulate and monitor the activities of NGO in the country.

“Any NGO that breaches the laid down rules should be closed by government and culprits prosecuted and parents and guardians should consistently inculcate high values and morals in their wards and our religion leaders should also ensure that family moral values are maintained,” he said.

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Nigerian youth in the Diaspora with a view to encouraging them to bring their wealth of experience back to Nigeria.

Shendam said the 200 hectares of land donated to the council by the FCT administration in 2010 would be used to build the Nigerian Youth Village which will serve as a centre for skills acquisition for the youth.

He dismissed as false, insinuations that his election was funded by the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and Plateau state Governor, Jonah Jang.

Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), and Rivers state Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Ekiti state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in a group photograph with the staff of NGF, after Governor Amaechi briefed them as the chairman of the Forum, on Monday, in Asokoro, Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Borno spends N4bn on electrification projects

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orno government said on Tuesday that it spent N4 billion on electrification projects across the state.

The Commissioner for Housing and Rural Electrification, Alhaji Sugun Mele, made this known at a news conference in Maiduguri.

Mele said the projects, included the electrification of the 1,000 housing estate on Maiduguri Kano Road.

He said the state government spent N209 million on the

electrification of the 1,000 housing estate and N4.5 million on the electrification of Sandiya village in Konduga local Government.

The Commissioner added that the government also procured 30 transformers at the cost of N76 million and spent about N17 million on the rehabilitation of transmission line in Marama local government.

He said that N13 million was spent on the extension of the substation at Miringa, in Biu local

government.

Mele said that government also spent N43 million on the electrification of Talala town in Damboa Local Government. ``We rehabilitated the PetaShani 33KV line at N11 million and we also spent N4 million on rehabilitation of 33 KV line at Shani town, among others,’’ he said.

Mele said that government also awarded N79 million contract for the replacement of 250 lamps and `shed charger’ on Maiduguri-Kano road. (NAN)

ebbi state government has promised to continue into channel more resources to pro-poor projects and programmes throughout the state to ensure development in rural communities in partnership with office of the Millennium Development Goal.

Governor Saidu Dakingari, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Nurudeen Usman Kangiwa, made the remarks yesterday while declaring open MDG’s zonal Pres-Implementation Workshop on Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the conditional Grants Scheme to States .

In his keynote address, Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr. Precious K. Gbeneol, who was represented by Paul Lambart, described the workshop as timely as it would consolidate the progress already recorded towards successful take off of the CCT support to states.

In her address, the state’s Focal Person on MDG, Hajiya Balkisu Nuhu Koko, explained that the aim of the workshop was to address issues on the implementation of CCT programme.

Akwa Ibom expends N5bn on security villages

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kwa Ibom state government has commissioned nine separate residential estates, otherwise referred to as Security villages, at the cost of N5 billion to enhance effective local government administration.

The security villages located across nine local government areas in Uyo Senatorial District in the southern region of the state, will be occupied by chairmen, vice chairmen, heads of local government service, treasurers, heads of State Security Service, divisional

police officers, divisional crime officers and leaders of the Legislature.

Governor Godswill Akpabio, who commissioned the villages and handed over to the nine beneficiary local government councils, charged the beneficiary officials to ensure that each rural community within their domain has access to quality governance and effective service delivery.

Akpabio said, “the security residential villages have more than 403 buildings across the state.

“In Itu local government area, the internal roads are about 300 kilometres and a 250 KVA generating set that houses the residence for the local government executive officers.

“We had this concept in mind in 2007 for chairmen to reside in their local government areas, to access duties in their councils.” He commended the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for its The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Bassey Akpan, told the Governor

that an Inter-ministerial Direct Labour Committee constituted to fast track projects development across the 31local government areas has recorded a milestone.

Akpan said, “the committee has completed 4,400 housing units, asphalted 9,300 internal roads, and installed one 250 KVA generating sets as well as one 300 KVA transformers, among others in the security villages across the 31 local government areas of the state.”

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PEOPLES DAILY| TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2013

PEOPLES DAILY| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 41

2014 World Cup qualifier

Nigeria go for broke against Kenya as Eagles battle Stars

Vincent Enyeama Super Eagles’ deputy skipper will lead Eagles

Stories by Patrick Andrew

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igeria will hope to get their 2014 World Cup campaign back on track with a positive result against hosts Kenya today after failing to establish supremacy against them in Calabar, last March.

Then, the Harambee Stars had stunned the Super Eagles with a display that exposed the rustiness of the AFCON champions and but for Nnamdi Oduamadi’s last gasp effort, would have sent the Eagles sputtering off the 2014 World Cup track.

Now, they have a chance to redeem and re-exact their superiority and thus unassailably reset their World Cup campaign

on course, devoid of anxious permutations.

As leaders of Group F with five points from three matches, same as closest rivals Malawi, who also trade tackles with third-placed Namibia, Nigeria will hope to confine Kenya to the bottom of the group where they already are with two points from three matches.

In terms of pedigree, there is hardly a basis for comparison as evident by available statistics.

Nigeria are yet to lose to Kenya in 14 meetings with Nigeria winning 11 games and drawing three including the last game in Calabar.

They have scored 29 goals and conceded just five.

The last time both teams clashed in Kenya was in a 2010 World Cup

Three points a must, says Keshi

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uper Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has said his side will settle for nothing than the three maximum points against the Harambee Stars of Kenya in today’s crucial 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Kasarani.

“We respect the Kenyans for what they achieved when we played in Nigeria but I like to state that’s in the past. We’ve forgotten about that just as we’re not going to be thinking about the fact that we’ve beaten Kenya in nine of 11 previous

Stephen Keshi, Eagles Coach

meetings.

“The important thing is that we’ve a mission here and that’s to pick the maximum points and then go to Namibia to do same. That way we would’ve enhanced our chances of qualification for the World Cup before going to the Confederation Cup,” said the former Nigerian strongman.

The former Nigerian captain admitted that the team would have loved to have midfielders, Victor Moses and Kalu Uche and striker Emmanuel Emenike with them in Nairobi but that his game plan is not significantly affected.

“Our focus is unaffected and our determination not in any way weakened. We’re forced to a 2-2 draw by Mexico in a friendly match in America last week even without a good number of our regulars.

“On Wednesday, we would go out on the field to do the job and in the process, do our country proud,” he said.

Eagles flew into Nairobi in the early hours on Tuesday from Frankfurt, Germany and immediately headed to their La Mada Hotel secured by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

qualifier where Nigeria won 3-2 with Obafemi Martins scoring a brace and Yakubu Aiyegbeni also on target.

However, the setting seems slightly altered not with kenya’s growing confidence which arose from their last encounter with a somewhat lackadaisical, if you like still smarting in the joy of emerging continental champions, Eagles.

But then reality has set in hard. The Eagles know that nothing but outright win at the Moi International Sports Centre today will brighten the prospects for onward surge for Brazil 2014 World Cup. True, Nigeria will be missing the heroic performance of workaholic bully, Emmanuel Emenike and the dazzling dribbling runs of Victor Moses- two key elements in Stephen Keshi’s technical calculus.

But so is Kenya. Ajaccio striker and influential skipper, Dennis Oliech, goalkeeper Arnold Origi and delectable Italy-based MacDonald Mariga will watch from the stance on account of bookings and surgery.

Nonetheless, the Eagles lack for nought in terms of quality, flair, elegance and individual brilliance.

Against Mexico, that was on display as John Ogu dictated the central midfield with joyce abound along with Ogenyi Onazi and Sunday Mba. Now, with the presence of Mikel Obi, a steel defensive midfield with the vision of an Eagle for daring passes, the Super Eagles should take charge of the engineroom and dictate the pave and pacy of the match.

The Eagles’s area of concern though lies in the defence as was the case against El Tricolore of Mexico and unless Godfrey Oboabana and Kenneth Omeruo upped their defensive ante, the Eagles may struggle especially should frenetic Arsenal wanted man Victor Wanyama finds his rthym.

Of course, goals are what Nigeria needs and should therefore deploy Joseph Akpala, Brown Ideye and Nnamdi Oduamadi upfront to harass, intimidate and torment Harambee Stars defence wall.

In doing this though caution must be the watch word especially from the wingbacks-Efe Ambrose and Elderson Echiejile. The latter was suspect against Mexico and will need support from the middle which is where Mikel’s experience

and presence should impact positively on the team’s defensive strategies.

Against the backdrop of never winning against Nigeria the best Kenyans will wantv to break the jinx. They have had only two 1-1 draws which interestingly were World Cup qualifiers.

Nigeria have dominated even in the area of goals scoring 29 goals against Kenya’s five in all their 11 meetings.

Of the 11 meetings, six have been World Cup qualifiers with today’s match being the seventh World Cup qualifier between them.

The two teams have met twice in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with the rest being friendly matches. Surprisingly, the two times that Kenya have not lost have been during World Cup qualifiers.

Malawi, Namibia chase vital win

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alawi will hope to keep their dreams alive of winning a place in the next round of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup when they take on Namibia in Blantyre today.

The Flames are level on five points with Nigeria at the top of their Group F, and with the Super Eagles facing a tough away day in Kenya, this could be an opportunity for Malawi to get ahead in the pool.

Malawi won the reverse fixture 1-0 in Windhoek in March thanks to a goal from Gabadinho Mhango and will be heavy favourites to repeat that success in this match.

Coach Eddington Ng’omano will know that three points in this fixture is vital, with a tough road-trip to Nigeria to come in September.

But equally, new Namibia coach Roger Palmgren will be eager to give his side some hop of making the next round.

They trail the front-runners by three points and defeat here will end their slim chances of making the final round.

“Just like any team going into a match, they plan to win and that’s exactly my plan as we go into our crucial encounter against Malawi and also against Nigeria on June 12. We cannot look for excuses,” Palmgren said.

NFA president John Muinjo also confirmed that the foreign-based trio of Lazarus Kaimbi, Tangeni Shipahu and Manfred Starke have joined up with the team in Blantyre.

Victor Wanyama, will captain Harambee Stars today

PEOPLES DAILY| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 42

Sports

Referees killing our league, Inyama cries out B ut for recurrent poor officiating by some referees, the credibility and prestige of the Nigeria National League (NNL) would have been hit sky, according to the Chairman of the lower rung league, Chief Emeka Inyama.

The Spokesman of the executive committee of the NFF has consequently cried out to the leadership of the Nigerian Referees’ Association and the other relevant authorities to plead with referees to improve on their officiating of matches for the sake of the game.

Lamenting the spate of violence in the league lately largely because of poor officiating of matches, Inyama accused the referees of frustrating the efforts of his board to up the ante of the lower domestic league.

The former sports journalist identified referees as the major problems facing the growth of the league in the country and urged the NRA to step up efforts to improve the technical depth and competence of its members.

According to Inyama, some of the referees’ decisions during matches were not helping the league and added that the leadership of the NNL was determined to checkmate excesses of referees.

``The referees are not helping the league at all and we have been speaking with their Organising Committee and we will punish severely any referee trying to drag the name of the league in the mud,’’ the chairman said.

Inyama, who is also the Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), added that changes in the appointment of referees would be made towards the end of the league. ``Towards the end of the league, a lot of innovations and changes will be made; we will swap referees overnight, before their matches. ``We will also bring referees from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) into the NNL, so that there will be a smooth run, till the end of the league,’’he said.

The chairman, however, promised that the NNL was working towards increasing referees’ remuneration for an improved performance. ``We are aware that some referees complained that they are paid meagre allowances for officiating, but we are trying to review their take-home. ``What we do normally is to appoint referees based on the proximity of their location to the match venue, to reduce cost, but some of them still complain. It is

an ongoing process and that is why we are calling for more sponsors for the league, to complement our efforts,’’ he said.

He dismissed allegation that poor remuneration was responsible for the dismal performance of the referees stressing that refereeing was a vocation and that only jobless referees complaint of meagre allowance. ``Refereeing should not be a means of livelihood; it should be out of the love for the game. Referees ought to have their professions so that they don’t have to depend on what they get from officiating. ``But, here, many of the referees have no original jobs, this is where remuneration becomes a problem for such people,’’ he said.

On scoring the league’s performance since the start of the 2012/2013 season, the chairman said that the NNL had done well so far, based on the level of competition going on now. ``So far, we have done well, going by the level of competitions in the league, for those targeting promotion and those trying to escape relegation,’’ Inyama said.

The 2012/2013 league, billed to end in July, is currently in Week 23.

Haye rekindles hope for WBC title clash with Vitali

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avid Hayehas reiterated his intentions to challenge Vitali Klitschkofor the WBC heavyweight title, but does not believe a bout will be possible until next year.

The ‘Hayemaker’, who is a former WBA heavyweight titlist, was due to fight Manuel Charr in Manchester on June 29 but recently called the bout off after suffering a hand injury.

The 32-year-old has not fought since the summer of 2012, where he knocked out British rival Dereck Chisora after five rounds at London’s Upton Park, before annoucing his comeback from retirement in March.

Haye has long targeted a fight with Vitali as well as wanting to avenge his 2011 unanimous decision defeat to Wladimir Klitschko, but

the brothers have been reluctant to accept the Londoner’s recent challenges.

However, Haye confirmed that he was now looking to return to action as soon as possible and vowed to stay injury-free in a bid to lure Klitschko into the ring.

“Hopefully (Vitali happens as) that’s the goal, to regain the championship. Vitali Klitschko has to fight with a guy (Bermane Stiverne), I forget what his name is.

He has to fight with a guy who just won a fight against Chris Arreola a few weeks back.

“If it does happen (with Vitali), it probably won’t happen until next year - so I’m just going to stay active as much as I can without getting injured. I’m looking forward getting back into the mix of things,” he said.

Wladimir Klitschko

NWFL suspends W Ibom Angels’ player for 6 months

T

Ahmed Maude, NRA president

he Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) yesterday suspended for six months Chichi Sandra of Ibom Angels FC for alledging assaulting a centre referee.

NWFL Secretary, Isaac Ajisafe, in a statement in Abuja, said that Sandra that would not participate in all competitions organised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for that period.

The statement added that it had also imposed a N50,000 fine on the club, as costs for injuries inflicted on the match official.

The incident happened during a week 10 match on May 25, when Sunshine Queens of Akure defeated the Angels 1-0 in Akure.

Angels will be visiting FCT Queens for its week 12 match this weekend.

ladimir Klitschko’s manager is threatening to call off the fight against Alexander Povetkin over drugtesting issues.

The Ukrainian’s handlers insist that Germany’s National AntiDoping Agency (NADA) handle any drug testing, but Povetkin’s camp wants to use the Russian agency.

Should the German agency not be used, “there will be no fight and this is not up for discussion,” Klitschko’s manager, Bernd Boente, said at the weekend.

Boente said Povetkin, 33, must also have his samples tested by the NADA-certified institute in Cologne. The Klitschko camp want to “rule out any inconsistencies with questionable analysis by Russian anti-doping agencies” before the fight goes ahead.

“Better safe than sorry. I’ve already seen too much in this business,” said Boente.

Heavyweight champion Klitschko, 37, has been ordered by the WBA to face the Russian in Moscow on October 5.

Povetkin is the WBA “regular” champion and Klitschko the “super” champion; an honour given to him after he beat Britain’s David Haye in a fight for the WBA belt in July 2011.

Now Klitschko, who also holds the WBO, IBF and IBO belts, and Povetkin are obliged to fight to leave

Wladimir, Povetkin fight may be called off over drug-testing issues just a single WBA champion.

The WBA have granted a sevenday extension for the fight’s details to be negotiated. “There are still huge gaps in the contracts, not only in terms of the drugs testing,” admitted Boente.

Russian promoter Vladimir Hryunov won the race to stage the bout with a staggering

Alexander Povetkin

$23.33-million bid.

Klitschko is entitled to 75 per cent, which would give him a careerhigh $17.3-million purse. Povetkin should receive $5.7 million.

The former Olympic Games champions were due to clash twice before but Povetkin pulled out in 2008 because of injury and then backed out a second time in 2010.

PEOPLES DAILY| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 42

Sports FIFA Club W/C

Four qualifiers now known, schedule revealed

L

ast weekend, Bayern Munich became the fourth club to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2013, presented by Toyota. The UEFA Champions League winners will be the first side from Germany to take part in the prestigious event.

The Bavarians join Oceanian champions Auckland City FC, appearing in the tournament for the fifth time, CONCACAF Champions League winners CF Monterrey (third appearance) and

Raja Casablanca (second appearance), who will be representing Morocco, the host nation.

The winners of this year’s Copa Libertadores will fly the flag for South America in North Africa. The competition is now down to the last four, with the two-legged final due to take place on 17 and 24 July.

In Asia, meanwhile, the team that emerges victorious over two legs from the AFC Champions League final on 25/26

Pillars host Gombe Utd After Saturday’s engaging encounter against Heartland of Owerri, Kano Pillars, the domestic league current kings, return to the pitch in yet another interesting duel this time with Gombe United being their opponents.

Pillars showed class, tactical discipline and co-ordination on all fronts against Heartland and effectively overwhelmed the Naze Millions who had initially been arrogant in display and gust.

A well knighted defence line ensured that Pillars checkmated the David Tyakase and Ibenegbu (mosquito) and culminated their spirited search for leadership with Rabiu Ali’s intelligent tap beyond the reach of Heartland’s safe hand.

Today, they have the chance to extend their leadership of the pack in spite of the challenge Gombe United are likely to pose.

For one, with more than 100 home games’ invincibility tag, Pillars should kill off what strength of opposition the visitors may bring on the table.

October and 8/9 November will earn the right to represent the continent.

That same week, on 9 or 10 November, the identity of the CAF Champions League winners and by extension, the African representatives at the FIFA Club World Cup will also become known.

It is worthwhile noting that the opening match between Raja Casablanca and Auckland is scheduled for 11 December 2013 at Agadir Stadium. The final will be held in Marrakech on 21 December.

Rabiu Ali of Kano Pillars

In the past home games, Rabiu Ali has been the spine of Kano Pillars’ attacking moves in the absence of Gambo Mohammed and should continue thus.

Another interesting game will be Sunshine Stars clash against Nasarawa United. The Stars had only last week relieved Samuel Abimbola of his responsibilities as head coach and in comes Fatai Amoo.

The former junior national coach, First Bank and 3SC manager comes with a wealth of experience and Stars will be all too eager to see him impose same on the tact and depth of the squad.

The dream is continental fiesta and Amao have what the team needs to challenge other aspirants for the ticket. First though a win at home is desirable.

But Nasarawa United will be no easy opponents. The Alphonsus Dike led side are reputed for a -man upfront, packed midfield and defence approach that has worked and could if Amoo fails to unlock them.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Roland Garros

Tsonga upsets Federer, Ferrer sails T welve months after blowing four match points at the same stage against Novak Djokovic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga made sure he had a much easier ride as he sparked wild jubilations on Chatrier Court by downing Roger Federer, one of the favourites in the tournament.

There will be no Roger Federer in the semifinals of the French Open for only the second time in nine years after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga produced a rip-roaring performance to beat the Swiss 7-5 6-3 6-3 in the quarterfinals yesterday.

A backhand long from Federer on match point handed Tsonga a place in the last four at Roland Garros for the first time as Federer made a quick exit from the arena where he had held aloft the Musketeers’ Cup in 2009. Tsonga will next face fourth seed David Ferrer in the last four.

There was no escape this time for comeback king Tommy Robredo as he lost an all-Spanish French Open quarterfinal against ruthless fourth seed David Ferrer 6-2 6-1 6-1.

The 31-year-old had and few would bet against her recovered two-set deficits in all extending that to 30 against three of his previous rounds at last year’s runner-up Errani Roland Garros but Ferrer was who got the better of fourth rock solid as he thrashed his seed Agnieszka Radwanska.

Despite being ranked fifth in countryman in one hour 25 the world, Italian Errani had minutes.

Ferrer, the second-best never beaten a top-four player claycourter in Spain behind before and wavered when defending champion Rafael serving for the match at 5-4 in Nadal, was all over Robredo the second set, surrendering from the start, producing a her serve to love. However, she near-perfect display to reach recovered to win 6-4 7-6(6).

Later today, Novak Djokovic the semifinals for the second and Rafael Nadal will come successive year.

Meanwhile, Serena Williams on stage in their semiunderlined her rapacious finals against Tommy Haas Stanislas Wawrinka appetite for grand slam and silverware to set up a semifinal respectively.

Over in the women’s draw against Sara Errani after beating Svetlana Kuznetsova defending champion Maria Sharapova will be taking yesterday.

A 6-1 3-6 6-3 scoreline in the aim on the last four along 31-year-old’s favour disguised with Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka. a fitful performance from Fixtures the American who started like a runaway express Pillars v Gombe Utd train, came to a grinding 3SC v Nembe City halt in the face of a fierce El-Kanemi v Heartland Russian revival, then, re- Sunshine v Nasarawa Utd stoked the fire to charge to Wikki Tourists v Kwara United victory.

ABS v Enyimba The win for the 2002 Akwa United v Warri Wolves champion took her current Bayelsa United v Kaduna United sequence of victories to 29 Lobi Stars v Dolphins

NPL Table Pos

Team

P

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Kano Pillars 16 Heartland 16 Kwara United 15 Dolphins 15 Nembe City 15 Bayelsa United 15 Enyimba 15 Nasarawa United 15 Gombe United 15 Rangers 13 Warri Wolves 15 Sunshine Stars 15 Akwa United 15 Kaduna United 15 3SC 14 El-Kanemi 15 Lobi Stars 15 ABS F.C. 15 Wikki Tourists 14 Sharks 15

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Pts

9 8 7 7 7 7 6 6 7 6 5 6 6 6 6 5 5 4 4 3

2 2 4 3 2 2 4 4 1 3 6 3 2 2 1 3 3 4 2 5

5 6 4 5 6 6 5 5 7 4 4 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 7

18 24 16 14 17 16 12 14 15 20 19 16 16 13 16 15 12 12 11 7

18 12 9 12 18 19 6 15 18 11 15 12 19 17 16 18 17 16 19 16

0 12 7 2 -1 -3 6 -1 -3 9 4 4 -3 -4 0 -3 -5 -4 -8 -9

29 26 25 24 23 23 22 22 22 21 21 21 20 20 19 18 18 16 14 14

PEOPLES DAILY| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 44

Sports

We will erase bad Japan first to qualify memories against for 2014 World Cup Nigeria, Amrouche boasts A

Kenya coach Adel Amrouche is confident that his charges will end their losing streak when they face Nigeria in a 2014 World Cup qualifier at Moi Kasarani today.

The Super Eagles have won the last nine out of 11 fixtures between the two teams. In all those matches, Kenya is yet to win even one with best result being two 1-1 draws.

With Nigeria winning most encounters by three goal margin, the Super Eagles have scored a record 29 goals against Harambe Stars, who have only put five goals past the Nigerians who will start the favourites.

Today’s fixture is the seventh World Cup qualifier meeting between the two teams since 1986. Two other ties have been Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers while the other two were friendly matches. Cafonline.com spoke to Amrouche ahead of the match.

N

igeria come to Nairobi having not lost to Kenya either home or away. Will this make a difference in the match?

That is history and we can make our own history at home.

For us it does not matter what has happened in the past. This is our best opportunity to erase the bad memories and give our fans something to celebrate about. We will do our best to make Kenyans happy.

We do not however, want to put pressure on the players.

It’s only one game which will define the future of the team and we will do our best to win because it will destabilize the Eagles’ camp and give Stars the momentum.

Kenya will play in the fixture minus key players striker Dennis Oliech and goalkeeper Arnold Origi through suspension. How much will their absence affect the team?

I have always said that we should stop lamenting over the absence of Oliech and Origi.

Yes they are good players who drive the team forward at any given time but now that they are out, we have no option but use the ones that I have. My focus is to inspire home-based

Kenya coach Adel Amrouche

players to bring down the Super Eagles.

Since I took over this job, I have spent a lot of time building the local players and now is the time for them to rise up to the occasion and stop their opponents. I am satisfied with the effort put in by majority of the local-based players, who are determined to build their career with a good performance against Nigeria.

Nigeria trained in Europe for this fixture while Kenya camped in Naivasha and did not play any meaningful friendly. Do you think this will affect your

performance?

We are not interested in what kind of preparations Nigeria have undergone. We have our own strategies and my players are psyched up going into the match. The players have also shown a lot of patriotism and are motivated more by the honor of representing their country than the money they expect.

For me this is a good attitude ahead of the game against the African champions. We want to go out there and make the local fans happy by registering a positive result against Nigeria. The fans have stood by us for many years and it is time to repay them back.

What sort of game are you expecting from Nigeria on Wednesday?

I know Nigeria will fight not to concede a goal in the early stages because that will be a setback to them especially if we get the second. They will play defensively and also attack.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi is my long time friend. I was with him in Cairo recently and we discussed about the fixture. My aim is not to let Kenyans down because they have showed that they love this team. We will give our best on Wednesday.

sian champions Japan became the first side to qualify for the World Cup finals in Brazil when playmaker Keisuke Honda scored an injury-time penalty to claim a 1-1 draw with Australia in Saitama yesterday.

The Blue Samurai dominated for long spells but Australia hung on and Tommy Oar put them in front in the 81st minute when his cross from the left looped over Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, who flapped and failed to clear.

Matt McKay was then adjudged to have handled a cross from Honda in the penalty area in stoppage time and the bleach blond CSKA Moscow attacker stepped up to leather the spot kick straight down the middle.

The point leaves leaders Japan on 14 points from seven matches in Asian qualifying Group B, meaning they are assured of reaching the 2014 finals as one of the top two.

Japan lie seven ahead of Australia who moved above Jordan on goal difference with both sides having played a game less.

Oman (six points from six games) host Iraq (five from five games) later yesterday.

The draw was the least Japan deserved from a game they dominated for long periods with Honda, recalled after a thigh injury, and Shinji Kagawa causing the visitors all sorts of problems.

Both went close to goals in the first 20 minutes as the Australians struggled to deal with the high tempo and intricate passing of the

Japanese.

The Socceroos recalled veteran defender Sasa Ognenovski to partner experienced captain Lucas Neill in the centre of defence and, despite sitting deep and inviting the Japanese on to them, the duo just about kept the home side at bay.

The second half continued in the same fashion as Kagawa clipped the crossbar in the 60th minute and full back Yuto Nagatomo wasted a good break with a tame effort in the 80th minute from the left.

The Socceroos made them pay for their wastefulness when Oar was the beneficiary of another error by Kawashima but Honda came to the rescue with a late equaliser that means they will take part in a fifth consecutive finals.

Bolt dreams four more years of dominance

J

amaica’s Usain Bolt aims to preserve his sprint dominance and add to his collection of six Olympic gold medals, before he ends his glittering athletics career after the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016. ``I have pretty much four more years I think personally, in the sport, so now it is all about dominating for those four years,” Bolt, 26, told a news conference in Rome where he was preparing to make his European season debut at Thursday’s Golden Gala meeting. ``I am looking forward

Usain Bolt

to the next Olympics to do something that has never been done before so that is one of my biggest things right now,” he said.

Bolt, Olympic champion and world record holder in the 100 and 200 metres, has struggled with a slight hamstring strain this year.

He last competed in a meeting in the Cayman Islands last month, where he ran the 100 at a relatively pedestrian 10.09 seconds.

As well as Bolt, Thursday’s field includes American Justin Gatlin, bronze medallist at the London Olympics, and 2003 world champion Kim Collins from

St. Kitts and Nevis.

The Jamaican was confident that he had overcome the injury problems which dogged the start of his year.

He said he would not relax his hold over a sport he had dominated since his triumph at the Beijing Olympics of 2008. ``It is going to take hard work and I really look forward to the competition because it drives me and it helps the sport. ``I am going to do as much as possible and enjoy it and help to develop the sport over the years,” he added.

PEOPLES DAILY| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 45

Sports

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PAGE 46

Sports

PEOPLES DAILY| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PEOPLES DAILY| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

Facts about world records •The fastest bird is the peregrine falcon. It can fly at a speed of 168-217 miles per hour.

•Hans Langseth had the longest beard at a record length of 17 1/2 feet long! When he died, his beard was given to the Smithsonian Institute.

•The deadliest disease was the pneumonic form of the Black Death of 1347-1351. It had death rate of 100%.

•The largest egg laid by a living bird is that of the North African Ostrich. It is 6 to 8 inches in length and 4 to 6 inches in diameter.

The smallest is that of the hummingbird. It is less than 0.39 inches in diameter.

•The hottest continent on earth is Africa, where a record high of 136.4 degrees F was once recorded.

•Antarctica is the coldest continent on earth, where a temperature of 126.9 degrees F below zero was once recorded. Chicago is home to three of the five tallest buildings in the world — the Sears Tower, Standard Oil Building, and John Hancock Center.

•The hottest place on earth is in Dallol, Ethiopia, which is a sizzling 94 degrees in the shade on a typical day!

•Angel Falls in Venezuela is 20 times taller than Niagara Falls.

•The blue whale is the largest animal that ever lived (it could reach 100 feet long and weight up to 150 tons!)

•Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a basketball game in 1962, when he played for the Philadelphia Warriors.

•The longest bout of hiccups lasted 69 years!

•The longest conga to this date included 119,986 people.

•The smallest cat is the Singapuras and weighs only 4 pounds.

•The longest movie made lasts 85 hours and is fittingly titled “The Cure for Insomnia.”

•Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world, standing 29,028 feet high.

•Did you know that there is a world record for seeing how many

PAGE 47

Leisure times you can attempt a world record?!

•The smallest dog recorded was a Yorkie and was only 4 inches tall. The biggest dog weighed 344 pounds- more than two full grown men!

•The largest baby to be born so far weighed in at 15 pounds, 5 ounces!

•The longest recorded flight of a chicken is thirteen seconds.

•Caspian Sea is regarded the largest lake in the world.

•Because of its large spread (371,000 sq km) and saline water, the ancient people considered it an ocean!

•There are 24 time zones around the world.

•The earthquake that devastated central China in 1557 and killed 830,000 people was the most lethal of its kind.

•The maximum depth of ocean in world is 6.9 miles.

•There are 10 families into which countries around the world can be categorized.

•There are 540 volcanoes on earth’s surface.

•There are certain countries or regions that have descriptive names not really indicative of them, such as Greenland and Dead Sea. •The seasons around the world change owing to earth’s orbital positioning.

•There are 10 countries in

the world that are known by separate English names.

•The average rate of lightings on a global scale is 100 per second.

• There are 14 countries and cities whose names have been changed in the last few years.

•The estimated amount of snow crystals that drop from skies every year all over the world is 1 septillion.

•China, North Korea, Cuba, Vietnam and Laos are the only countries where Communism is still active.

•At any time 10% of earth’s surface is under ice.

•France has the maximum overseas dependencies - 16 and Denmark and the Netherlands have the least - 2.

Say what?

SUDOKU

Photo of the day Last Solution

Cuddling up: In this remarkable photograph, an adult tiger and a Buddhist monk embrace in a seemingly mutual display of affection, in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.

Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 46

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

EZIHE TOWN UNION, LAGOS BRANCH

DIASPORA IJAW TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER

UMUNNA HERITAGE FARMERS’ ASSOCIATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CENTER HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. IGBOKWE CLIFFORD ANELECHI 2. OBIECHEFU UDOCHUKWU CHARLES 3. OSUNWA GRACE NENE 4. ENWEREM INNOCENT IHEANYICHUKWU 5. EZEALA PETER NNA 6. MADUFORO GODWIN CHINASA 7. PRINCE JOHN UZOMA EGERUE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE UNITY AMONGST ALL EZIHE CITIZENS IN NIGERIA AND ABROAD. 2. TO PROMOTE, MAINTAIN AND ENCOURAGE PEACEFUL CO-EXISTANCE OF ALL EZIHE CITIZENS AND OTHER NIGERIA CITIZENS. 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 BARR. THOMAS ARIKU 08034984330

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR JULIUS ENARUSAI - CHAIRMAN/PRESIDENT 2. PROF JOSEPH EBIWARE - VICE-PRESIDENT 3. DR. MATTHEW SIKPI - SECRETARY 4. MR FRIDAY PAMIE-GEORGE - TREASURER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO ADVOCATE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURES IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. MOSY UZOMA MADUGBA 2. REV. CHINYERE GLORIA MADUGBA 3. PASTOR UZOMA ONUNKA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO EMPOWER WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE SO AS TO ENABLE THEM TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN FARMING ACTIVITIES.

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.

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 BASSEY ETUKUDO ESQ LEGAL TEMPLE AND TEMPLAR WUSE, ABUJA 08037045394

SIGNED IFUNANYA OJIAKO 08037051537

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GOLDEN SUNRISE FOOTBALL CLUB

NWALINSO CHRISTOPHER FOUNDATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. MOSY UZOMA MADUGBA 2. REV. CHINYERE GLORIA MADUGBA 3. MR. CHIJIOKE OKORO 4. ELDER MONDAY NJOKU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO ENGAGE YOUTHS IN BENEFICIAL SPORTING ACTIVITIES AND DISCOURAGE THEM FROM JUVENILE DELINQUENCY.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR FAVOUR CHUKWUKA - CHAIRMAN 2. MR CHUCK UGOJI 3. MRS CHIOMA OCHIA 4. DR VICTOR ODOGU 5. MRS ROSE AHIAKWO - SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. CARING FOR PEOPLE AND GIVING THEM RELEVANT INFORMATION TO HELP THEM SOLVE THEIR LIFE’S PROBLEMS. 2. GIVING THIS GENERATION THE DIRECTION THEY NEED TO COME OUT OF ANY NEGATIVE SITUATION WITH UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY.

INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY FOR PEACE AND HUMAN RIGHTS INITIATIVE

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.

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.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR EDWIN ONYEFUZILI 2. COMRADE OSMOND UGWU - PRESIDENT 3. DR. JERRY CHUKWUOKOLO 4. MRS GEOGENIA EMERIBE 5. BARR. BENEDICT EZEAGU 6. MRS OLUCHI CHIBUKO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO CATER AND HELP FOR THE PROTECTION OF RIGHTS OF THE LESSPRIVILEDGED. 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 IFUNANYA OJIAKO 08037051537

SIGNED BARR. IFEANYI ONWUZURIKE CEDARWOOD SOLICITORS GUDU-ABUJA 08050605543

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CHANGE OF NAME

PALACE OF FIRE MIRACLE AND HEALING MINISTRY

I,FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS SUWAIBA HAMIDU NOW WISHED TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS SUWAIBA ADAMU.ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO TAKE NOTE.

I, JOSEPHAT IKECHUKWU NWOSU WAS BORN ON 3RD MARCH, 1978 AND NOT 3RD MARCH 1968 AS INDICATED ON MY INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT WITH NO. A02872808 ISSUED ON 6TH APRIL 2011.

THE MISTAKE IS AS A RESULT OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR. NIGERIAN IMMIGRATION SERVICE AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME I,FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MABEL MAGAWO TSADO NOW WISHED TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS MABEL MAGAWO SAMSON. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL AND GENERAL PUBLIC TO TAKE NOTE.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. PASTOR JOHNSON OLAFIMIHAN - PRESIDENT/FOUNDER 2. PASTOR MRS. MOJISOLA OLAFIMIHAN 3. MRS. BISOLA OLUFEMI - GEN. SECRETARY 4. PASTOR TIMOTHY AYOBAMI -MEMBER 5. LADY EVANGELIST HANNAH ADEPOJU - TREASURER 6. PASTOR MRS ABIOLA ENATO - MEMBER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PREACH THE WORD OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST 2.TO LEAD PEOPLE TO PERSONAL FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST 3.TO PREACH AND CONDUCT DELIVERANCE TO THE OPPRESSED 4.TO ESTABLISH BRANCHES AND MISSIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD ANY OBJECTION(S) TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 565, NDOLA SQUARE, WUSE ZONE (5) WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. (MRS.) ADERONKE SIJUWADE

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE PROBATE DIVISION BIRNIN KEBBI, KEBBI STATE.

ROCK TABERNACLE EVANGELICAL INTERNATIONAL CHURCH

WHEREAS THE PERSON WHOSE NAME IS SET OUT IN THE FIRST COLUMN HERE UNDER DIED DATE AND PLACE STATED IN THE SAID RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SAID DECEASED IS SET IN THE SECOND COLUMN HERE UNDER HAS APPLIED TO THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE FOR GRANT OF LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE PERSONAL PROPERTY. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT SAID LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION WILL BE GRANTED TO SUCH PERSON UNLESS A NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT THERE OF IS FILED IN THE PROBATE REGISTRY HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE BIRNIN KEBBI, WITHIN TWENTY ONE DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. SCHEDULE Name and Address of Deceased Tukur Dikko Zauro Power Holding Company Argungu Business Unit Kebbi State.

Applicant Name and Address 1.Madam Aminatu Dikko 2.Mr. Dayyabu Tukur Dikko Jagarawo Area Zauro Birnin Kebbi.

Who died on the 9th day of March, 2013 Dated at Birnin Kebbi on the 03rd day of May, 2013 ABUBAKAR SIDDIQ BELLO Probate Registrar

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED 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 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. PASTOR JAMES OLUGBENGA OGUNDIPE - GENERAL OVERSEER 2. ELDER OLUFEMI OMOWA - SECRETARY 3. ELDER MOSES FALOMO -TREASURER 4. ELDER OLUDELE BABATUNDE 5. ELDER OMEDE JOHN 6. REV LAWRENCE ADETUNJI 7. EVANGELIST OGUNDIPE ALICE 8. SANU ELIZABETH ABIKE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE WHOLE WORLD ANY OBJECTION(S) TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 565, NDOLA SQUARE, WUSE ZONE (5) WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: COMRADE OKOYE VICTOR

SIGNED BARR TOBE LORDLY 08038563003

PEOPLES DAILY| TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2013

PAGE 43

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ANIOMA WORLD ASSEMBLY

PILGRIM MISSIONARY SOCIETY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSEMBLY 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 ARE: 1. MR ECHIEMEZE OFILI 2. REV. FRANCIS UKWAMEDUA 3. MS LAURETTA ONOCHIE 4. DR. CHARLES OSEJI 5. DR. OSADEBE ANAM 6. MS GLORIA ADAGBON 7. MR HENRY MOLOKWU AIMS: 1. TO RENDER SELFLESS POSITIVE SERVICES FOR THE WELLBEING OF ANIOMA PEOPLE 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 OF THE LOSS OF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS: 1. CERTIFCATE OF OCCUPANCY NO. 3F2UW-AFDEZ-71B2R-DAFCU-10 DATED 25TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2005. FILE NO. AK 10162 IN THE NAME OF INDONGESIT EFFIONG EKPENYONG IN RESPECT OF PLOT 49 KADO DISTRICT, CADASTRAL ZONE B09, ABUJA. 2. POWER OF ATTORNEY GIVEN BY INDONGESIT EFFIONG EKPENYONG TO BELOXXI LOGISTICS LIMITED REGISTERED AS NO. FC 15 AT PAGE - IN VOLUME 66PA REGISTER IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY LAND REGISTRY OFFICE, ABUJA OVER THE SAME PLOT. IF FOUND, CONTACT THE UNDERSIGNED OR THE NEAREST POLICE STATION. SIGNED: BASSEY & BEN LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (PLOT 1496 BALANGA STREET AREA II, GARKI, ABUJA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED SOCIETY 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.

RUGBY SPORTS 13 FOUNDATION OF NIGERIA

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THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION 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 ARE: 1. MR. SACHIN BHARAT GANGLANI 2. MR. AUSTIN OKERE. AIMS 1. TO MAINTAIN AND THE UNIQUE CHARACTER, SIZE AND RECREATIONAL CAPABILITIES OF THE PROPERTY AS A PREMIUM LIFESTYLE COMMUNITY. 2. TO PROMOTE INTEREST 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: GELIAS AND CO. 6, BROAD STREET, MARINA, LAGOS.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. FESTUS OGBOGORO (PRESIDENT) 2. PETER EJENAKE (VICE PRESIDENT) 3. ROBINSON ORHERO (SECRETARY) 4. JOHN ARUAKPOR (MEMBER) 5. TOPE LOUIS (MEMBER) AIMS 1. PROPAGATING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. 2. TO PROMOTE THE INTERES 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: J.K NANA (C.K.C) 08037769526

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 ARE: 1. EZECHIOGBE UCHECHUKWU CHUKWUEMEKA 2. NASIR RAMON OLANREWAJU 3. ENANG BEN ENEFIOK 4. DR. OLUWASINA AKINWALE MUYIWA 5. IDENU EGWA EDWARD 6. BAR. ASANYA IFEANYI OGOCHUKWU AIMS 1. SCOUTING FOR HIDDEN RAW RUGBY SPORTS TALENTS FROM THE NOOKS AND CRANNIES OF THE NATION WITH THE VIEW TO TRAINING THEM AND TURNING THEM INTO USEFUL RUGBY SPORTSMEN 2. TO ESTABLISH SCOUTING CENTRES WHEREBY YOUTH WITH RUGBY TALENTS WILL BE GIVEN FREE SCHOLARSHIP TO TRAIN AS PROFESSIONAL RUGBY MEN IN THE ACADEMY 3. DEVELOPMENT OF TALENTS DISCOVERED TO STARDOM TO BECOME FUTURE STARS THROUGH EXPOSURE TO INTERNATIONAL RUGBY SPORTS TOURNAMENTS AND CHAMPIONSHIPS. 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

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CHRIST’S EAGLETS FOUNDATION

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.

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 ARE: 1. UCHENNA OKORO-CHAIRMAN 2. AZUBUIKE BAKARE OGBONNA-SECRETARY 3. GABRIEL OKO OKPARA 4. PETER OKAH 5. ANTHONY EGWU OKO 6. PATRICK EZEALI 7. JOHN CHUKWU 8. AMARI MADUABUCHI AIMS 1. TO BRING THE PEOPLE OF EBONYI TOGETHER 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

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. UNEKWU ACHILE 2. OJIMAOJO ACHILE 3. MERCY EBOTA AIMS 1. EVANGELISM THROUGH MEDIA TRAINING & EDUCATING PEOPLE THROUGH SEMINARS, COUNSELLING ETC. 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

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EBIRA UNITED YOUTH EMPOWERMENT ASSOCIATION

JESUS IS LORD SALVATION MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION 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 ARE: 1. ABDULMUMUNI MOMOH 2. EMMANUEL ADENUGA ADEKOYA 3. YUSUF OMEIZA AIMS 1. YOUTH EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT 2. EMPOWERMENT OF YOUTHS ECONOMICALLY THROUGH SKILL ACQUISITION AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT 3. TRAINING OF YOUTHS IN DIFFERENT KINDS OF TRADE SO AS TO ENABLE THEM TO BE INDEPENDENT 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: LOUIS UDO ITIBA ESQ. BROADVIEW SOLICITORS, SUITE 15, DEO GRATIAS PLAZA, UTAKO, ABUJA FCT

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY 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.

MISTAKE IN THE DATE OF BIRTH

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

I, JOSEPHAT IKECHUKWU NWOSU WAS BORN ON 3RD MARCH, 1978 AND NOT 3RD MARCH 1968 AS INDICATED ON MY INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT NO. A02872808 ISSUED ON 6TH APRIL 2011. THE MISTAKE WAS AS A RESULT OF TYPOGRAPHIC ERROR.

THE PILLAR OF GRACE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY 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 ARE: 1. REV. MOTHER PROPHETESS IFEANYI CHUKA CHAIRMAN 2. DR. DAVID ABRAHAM 3. CHIEFUNAYA BUKKI ISAIAH AIMS 1.TO PREACH, TEACH, AND PROPAGATE THE TOTAL UNADULTERATED AND UNALLOYED GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY 2. TO ORGANIZE CRUSADES, SEMINARS, CONFERENCES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AIMED AT WINNING SOULS TO 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: BARR. ESTHER UDOH 08075513216

NIGERIAN IMMIGRATION SERVICE AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. OSUJI FRANKLIN 2. OSUJI CHARITY 3. NWEREMIZU CHIDI EMMANUEL AIMS 1. TO PREACH AND TEACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO ALL NATION 2. TO WIN SOULS FOR CHRIST 3. TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGED. 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

VICTORIOUS PEOPLE’S CHURCH

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY 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.

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.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MAMA QUEEN JOHN CHAIRMAN 2. EVANG. EDITH ASOWARI SECRETARY 3. PASTOR BARIDO MONDAY 4. BAR. GRACEANN EREBOH

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR LUKE UDIONG AKPAN 2. PASTOR (MRS.) GRACE UDIONG LUKE 3. MR. EMMANUEL ESSIEN 4. MR. MICHEAL EDET 5. EVANGELIST GRACE IWUOHA

AIMS 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST 2. TO WIN SOULS FOR CHRIST JESUS 3. TO WORSHIP GOD 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: BARR. PROSPER UKACHUKWU (SOLICITOR)

AIMS 1. TO PREACH GOD’S WORD TO MANKIND AND WIN SOULS FOR 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: BARR. VINCENT O. ENEMOSAH

PEOPLES DAILY| TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2013

PAGE 40

FOCUS

Navigating The storm: The Borno story

By Victor Izekor

T

he story is told of the ancient people of the nation of Axum (Located on the Red Sea in Modern Ethiopia) discovered that the stormy winds of the monsoon season could be harnessed by sail for speedy navigation. Rather than dreading the high winds and rains, they learned how to navigate their way through the storm.

Stormy circumstance are inevitable in life. They must come whether we like it or not. Just as the stormy circumstances are imperative to an individual so it is to community or society. According to Dennis Fisher, “although our first reaction may be to run from the problem, we can instead ask God to teach us how to trust Him to navigate us through the storm. In the words of Sper: When life feels like a storm-tossed sea with crashing waves of pain and grief, turn to the Lord and trust in Him, He’ll give you peace and bring relief.

Trusting God for guidance in troubled times is a biblical theme and Hebrews 11 lists many who used their problems as an opportunity to exercise faith and to experience God’s grace, provision and deliverance: “who through faith subdue kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of the lions, quenched the violence of fire, escape the edge of the sword [and] out of weakness were made strong”.

Two years ago when Governor Kashim Shettima assumed the governorship of Borno, all was not well with Borno. While the traditional socio-economic problems and the related ones were starring their ugly heads the security challenges that engulfed the state and ready to consume it was visible. The destiny of Borno as an entity was shaking and the onslaught of Boko Haram sect already a nightmare to all. Everyone in Maiduguri in particular was a moving coffin as death could strike any moment either from the insurgents or members of the Joint Task Force in the colouration of “accidental discharge, mistaken identity” or for any other reason. Borno state with the cherished and abiding philosophy of “Home of Peace and Hospitality” suddenly assumed the toga of “Home of Pieces” as there was at this time no place to hide in the name of safety. Even where to swear in Government Shettima as the 6th Executive Governor of Borno state became an issue as a result of the precarious security situation of the state then. Traditionally, Ramat Square in the state capital normally play lost to such rituals, but its safety this time was in doubt. However, Ramat square finally got the nod with the assurance of heavy security in place. Thus while the handing and taking over ceremonies by governors in other states were done with pomp and pageantries, the ceremony in Maiduguri took place in an uncertain atmosphere and suspense. Though party faitfuls at the Ramat Square tried to dance and drum but all ears were to the ground and eyes wide opened.

Inshort, for Shettima from the onset the road has been littered with huge boulders and crisis-crossed by several ravines and deep gorges. Roadblocks, both natural and artificial, expected and unexpected have been mounted on the route. He was now to bolster through the debris of catastrophe as he inherited amongst others a blood stained banner and a state in downward precipice. Fully aware of the complexities of the situation he inherited and the need to carry all along in the task of rescuing Borno from the utter collapse the state was descending, Shettima who has always being guided by the fear of God in all his dealings called on his Creator to grant him the wisdom of Solomon to deal with the complex nature of Borno.

The first major Address titled “ISLAM AND PEACE IN BORNO” to the people of the state on assumption of office on July 17, 2011 was indeed a watershed. In what could be regarded as the Political Testament of the Shettima’s Administration, the Address revealed the Road Map of the Government for the next four years and beyond. Besides, it dealt extensively on the root cause of the socio-economic problems and present security challenges in the state and beyond, the course and possible remedies. While putting the

particular, it made abundantly clear that the unity of Borno with a united Nigeria is not negotiable.

The meticulous adherence to the Programme of Action in execution so far has endeared the governor to the people. Inshort, by being faithful to what he told the people governor Shettima has earned the confidence of the people.

Cautious but firm, considerate but not extravagant, meticulous but not bureaucracyridden and nationalistic in his disposition. While his administration wears always human face Shettima shows love to all thereby conquering evils. Governor Shettima as a governor demonstrated “strength without brutality” courage without recklessness, intelligence without pendantry, compassion without sentimentality and always appreciate good deeds with rewards.

With tact, cunning skills and diplomacy, he has been able to handle the delicate security situation in the state thereby minimizing the threat to lives and property and at the same time assuring the people that there is indeed a hope at the end of the tunnel. Inspite of the security impasse, Shettima never compromise the interest of the people as he tried to balance the competing interests.

In various sectors, Shettima has made the mark. That he was able to resist the onslaught of various attempts aimed at diverting his administration from its set objectives and aspiration is great tribute to his statesmanship.

Indeed an incurable optimist. He never believe in failure.

He believes unequivocally that man-made problem must be given the dose of man-made solution. He is indeed a tailor made for Edgar guest who says, “there are thousands to tell you it cannot be done’ there are thousands to prophesy failures, and there are thousands to point out to you one by one the dangers that lie ahead. Just take off your coat and go to it. Just start to sing and you tackle the thing that cannot be done and you’ll do it:. This has been the abiding philosophy propelling on governor Shettima as people watch with awe the speed of meteor with which he moves the state forward in all directions in dexterity. This disposition of his has infused confidence in the people who now believe that no matter the circumstance, Shettima is there for them.

Today, mid-way into his four year tenure, Shettima could heave a sigh of relief for a job well done. Two years after, Shettima has made Borno more stable stronger and viable than he met it. Two years after Shettima has given hope to the hopeless, through massive employment, and introduction of various poverty alleviation programmes.

Two years after Shettima has made agriculture the greatest employer of labour through diversification of its various sectors, modernization, incentives to farmers especially the youths. Such incentives include free distribution of assorted seedlings and imputs to farmers, provision of silos for preservation and storage of agricultural goods and outright purchase by the state government of excess goods by the farmers to avoid loss and to encourage continuity in production. Two years after, Shettima has rebuilt broken homes through rehabilitation and compensation especially to the victims of the security challenges in the state. Two years after the burnt educational institutions by the insurgents have been rebuilt and in Shettima’s words. “I will rebuild these institutions even if they are burnt twenty times.” Two years after Shettima has assured civil servants including teachers in the state through large scale housing programmes that a reasonable number of them would have roof (houses) on their heads even before retirement. Two years after, the hitherto no love lost between the state government and Christian community in the state has become a thing of the past-thanks to the initiative of Governor Shettima. Two years after the voice of the minorities in the state is not only heard but noted.

Two years after Shettima has strengthened the weak and hope for a better tomorrow. Mid-way into the four year

Gov Kashim Shettima wasted generation.

On his comment with regards the administration of Borno by Governor Shettima, Patrick Asago, the member representing Asuka/Igbo Eze South constituency of Anambra state in the Federal House of Representatives pointed out that, Shettima is on course adding Borno was not as bad as they were made to believe. Asago who chairs the House Technical Sub Committee on Health investigating the VAMED project stated this when his team paid a courtesy call on Governor Kashim Shettima at the Government House, Maiduguri. According to him, “Despite the challenges, we have gone round the state capital and saw people going about their normal businesses. Indeed, there is life in Borno. He went further saying “we believe that with good leadership, the insecurity bedeviling us will be surmounted.” Patrick Asago commended Shettima for “living above board despite the security challenges confronting the state.” Adding “Shettima is working as evidenced on work on ground.”

On his own view on Kashim Shettima’s performance, Dr Audu Ogbeh, a former Minister of Agriculture and a chieftain of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) explained that the governor has adopted stratified measures to build Borno’s economy and create jobs in the state through agriculture.

Dr Ogbeh who was speaking in Abuja pointed out that these measures will in the long run engage the restive youths and help to curtail the tendency for violence. According to the ACN chieftain, “I can speak for Borno, that perhaps there is more hope there than many other states because of what the governor is doing and in which I am seriously involved creating wealth through agriculture and agro processing.

And I think that this programme of his, if pursued faithfully for the next two years will create changes that will amaze Nigerians. Here is a governor who is starting a programme to cultivate 100,000 hectares of rice in partnership with farmers in the state. Here is a governor who is starting a massive groundnut and groundnut oil production in the state” adding “I was in Borno on many occasions and knows what the government is working on.”

Also speaking in the same vein, Senator Ali Ndume representing Borno Senatorial Zone on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has consistently maintained that Governor Shettima is an achiever that needs the support of the people.

PEOPLES DAILY| TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2013

PAGE 39

ISSUE

Ewuga: Where the onus lies B B l

By R Rayyanu Bala

S

enator Solomon Ewuga is no doubt, desperate to become the governor of Nasarawa state. He attempted several times since 1999. He jumps from one political party to another all in a bid to realize his hope which has indeed become so vital to him like his life. And like a typical Nigerian politician, Ewuga since then keeps running from pillar to post, exploiting all kinds of gimmicks to either drum support or sympathy for his plight. He often pose as a national champion but beneath this toga lies an ethnic jingoist.

Nothing perhaps exposes Ewuga’s ethnic jingoism more explicitly than the interview he granted to TELL magazine of May 27, 2013, when he openly took side with his Eggon kinsmen over the brutal murder of security operatives in Alakyo village by the Ombatse cultists. All what Senator Ewuga kept emphasizing in the said interview was that his advice was ignored by the government.

The question that quickly comes to mind here is: if an advice was ignored (if at all there was any) was that enough reason to justify the action of Ombatse which resulted in the killings of dozens of security operatives?

Throughout the interview there was nowhere Senator Ewuga condemned the action of Ombatse nor called for the prosecution of the perpetrators of this despicable act. What he was trying to demonstrate or rather highlight was political, he was only trying to play politics with the whole sordid episode, while what is at hand goes beyond that. Indeed what is at hand as regards to Alakyo massacre is criminal, thus there is no any a criminal action that has to do with brutal murder of more than 65 security personnel can be brushed aside on the altar of politics. No matter what, the Alakyo massacre is criminal and stands condemnable and there is no amount of politics or brainwashing that could make the people or the authority look the other side.

However, what is also intriguing in Ewuga’s interview was his response to a question put to him as regards to the grievances of Ombatse boys. He responded thus: ‘It is not that they are aggrieved; it is the fact that they have a belief system. But their war-like attitude assumed this dimension because of the continuing attack on the Eggon people. I want you to understand that in all the incidents, the Eggons were always the ones provoked. How does one address this kind of problem if the governor is not civic about it? The Eggons have constituted bodies the government could have used to get what it wanted if the intention was good. But this crisis is deliberate and it is to demonize

me so as to t deny d me the th opportunity t it to t be b governor.

I have taken this long quotation only for us to appreciate the depth at which Senator Ewuga is engrossed in politics of ethnicity to achieve his ambition of becoming the governor of Nasarawa state. Or else how on earth, could one who is aspiring to rule a state of about 27 ethnic nationalities reduce to the level of championing the cause of one single ethnic group to the detriment of the others? As a politician who claims to know his onion, Ewuga ought not to have associated himself with any tribal groupings or he ought not to have associated himself with atrocities committed by his kinsmen to the extent of even saying that in all the incidents, it was the Eggons that were always provoked. This position impliedly means justifying what Ombatse has done in Alakyo. And above that, I think there is no amount of provocation that can be quantified with the amount of loss in human life which the people of Nasarawa state and indeed, Nigerians recorded in Alakyo.

There is an African proverb which says ‘if you want to walk fast, walk alone. But if want to walk far, walk together’ this proverb succinctly captured what is being play out in Nasarawa state today about the action of some misguided Eggons. In their haste to acquire power, they have indeed, selected to walk alone and the danger in it is that, the walk can’t go far.

And that is exactly what is happening. And this is why they (some misguided Eggons) would always have the feelings that all other tribes in Nasarawa hate them.

While in the real sense it is these misguided elements among the Eggons who, possessed by a crave to acquire power, blatantly refused to walk together with other tribes to enable them walk far and wide. And just like what a Hausa proverb would say: ‘Sai kaki naka kafin na waje su so shi’, meaning. ‘Until you refused to shower love on your own before outsiders can shower theres.’ History has indeed shown that right from on set, these misguided Eggons have never thrown out or refused their own, on any matter on the surface of the earth. And this is at root of the entire predicament they found themselves today. To say the least, these misguided Eggons are too egocentric. Even on the Alakyo massacre, these misguided Eggons are yet to show any sincere and open remorse over what has happened. Haba!

However, on issue of believe system which Senator Ewuga insisted, in his interview, as factor which informed the formation of Ombatse, it is my considered opinion that, there is no where in the world where a

Senator Solomon Ewuga belief system is formed on violence and if it so in case of Ombatse, then it is not only unfortunate but most uncalled for and unwarranted deserving concrete action to stop this kind of believe system from causing further havoc. When we first heard of Boko Haram in this country, we were made to believe that it was a kind of belief system that forbids only members from acquiring western education and forbids anything that has to do with western technology but before we could say Jack Robinson, Boko Haram has snowballed and become a canker worm about to consume the whole country.

Against this background, therefore, the authorities should not treat this issue of Ombatse with kid gloves, the way they treated Boko Haram at the initial point.

Already the state government has, even before the massacre of these security personnel, outlawed the group after reviewing some of its activities which was considered inimical to the peace and security of the entire people of the state and the country at large.

What was required is the might of the authority to bear on this occult group.

Regardless of what the likes of Senator Ewuga may say, Ombatse is a terror group and there is no amount of white-washing that could divert attention from this, not even the recent media tour to Alakyo organized

by Senator Ewuga. The course of investigation on the killings of security personnel in Alakyo must be allowed to continue as it is only through proper investigation that we can unearth the real perpetrators of Alakyo massacre. Thank God the state government under the leadership of Umaru Tanko Al-makura has indicated that it would set up a high- powered judicial commission of inquiry to appropriately find out those behind the group so as to bring them to justice. We, as a people of Nasarawa state, cannot afford to have the truth covered up; neither can we afford to let this crime go unpunished.

Bala wrote from Lafia, Nasarawa state.

PEOPLES DAILY| TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2013

PAGE 8

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Council endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents for easy access in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads. Accordingly, the public may easily Contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, Illegal / Wrong Parking to kindly Call KAROTA through the following number – 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on – 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on – 07051246833, 08191778888.

100th Kano state executive council meeting

T

oday, Tuesday 28th May, 2013 (18th Rajab, 1434 AH), a day earlier than the usual Wednesdays, KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL held its 100th sitting presided over by Governor Engr.

Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Eleven (11) MDAs submitted forty-one (41) memoranda for deliberation by Council.

Twenty-seven (27) of them were approved for execution with an expenditure of Seven Hundred and Fifty Six Million, Six Hundred and Thirty Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy Three Naira, Twenty Five Kobo (N756,635,273.25) covering twenty-three (23) projects.

Nevertheless, Wednesday 29th May, 2013 was deservedly reserved for Celebration of the 14th Anniversary of the Democracy Day and second year in Office of the incumbent administration.

Recapitulating, the aspiring Governor to be, Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE, made several campaign promises, which were reiterated in his Inauguration Speech after winning the gubernatorial elections on 29th May, 2011 for a second tenure of four years yet as popularly elected Governor of Kano State. He told the whole world of his intentions, resolutions and commitments anchored on qualitative delivery of service in Governance to transform Kano State.

Fourteen (14) sectors were initially pinpointed, which include Education, Health, Water Supply, Environment/ Sanitation, Agriculture, Infrastructural development/maintenance, Commerce, Empowerment/Provision of skill acquisition opportunities, Housing, Urban Beautification, Federal Projects, etc. All were significantly transformed in the foregoing eventful two (2) years during which Kano State Executive Council held 100 sittings at which an average of twenty (20) approvals were granted for execution of projects, programmes and policies per sitting. So, an average of 2000 approvals were granted in 100 sittings of Kano State Executive Council Sitting with an expenditure of over N250 billion spanning significant sectors of which only salient examples can be cited in this medium.

Thus: 1.

EDUCATION The Education Sector enjoys priority consideration in the transformation endeavour embarked upon by the present administration under the leadership of the second incumbency of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Main highlights of the transformation achievements accomplished regarding Education in the foregoing two years include: i.

Construction of over 1560 blocks of Kwankwasiyya type Classrooms across the 44 LGCAs and additional repairs of several others along with provisions of furniture and provision of feeding and two (2) sets of uniforms for new intakes into Primary Schools. ii.

Construction/establishment of many new Secondary Schools as heralded by conversion of several unused/ underused public building/facilities into viable Secondary Schools (i.e.

Magwan Water Restaurant, Yadakunya Psychiatric Hospital, WRECA Workshop Tiga, etc.). Again, many Classrooms were constructed, repaired and furnished to expand admission capacities of several already existing Secondary Schools. iii.

Establishment of the Northwest University, Kano while maintaining the already established KUST, Wudil.

iv.

Sponsorship granted to 501 postgraduate Kano State Indigenous Students for studies in various Universities abroad. Again, 100 Pilots, 100 Medical Doctors, 100 female only medical Doctors, 100 Pharmacy Students, 25 Marine Engineers, etc. were sponsored for relevantly required studies at Institutions abroad while about 100 others were sponsored for studies each at Crescent and Bells universities all in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Much more was accomplished in the transformation of Education in all its ramifications of which many aspects had to be mandated to other MDAs. For example, professional and skill acquisition education/capacity building had to be addressed through relevant MDAs (Health, Agriculture, Commerce, etc.).

2.

HEALTH Essentially, Health Care Delivery Services were transformed by intervention in two areas of the Health Sector. Firstly, the facilities and required functional infrastructure for qualitative Health Care Service Delivery were improved while in the second instance access to professional education/skill acquisition was ensured.

Main highlights include: i.Physical Transformation a.Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital •General repairs and refurbishment •Provision of Dental Equipment •Reactivation of the Mortuary b.Hasiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital •General repairs •Provision of electricity generators c.Gaya General Hospital •General repairs •Provision of X – Ray Machines etc. d.Dawakin Kudu General Hospital •General repairs e.Gezawa General Hospital •General repairs •Provision of furniture f.Kano Infectious Diseases Hospital •General repairs g.Kano Dental Center •General reconstruction •Provision of required equipment h.Importantly, on the other hand, the laudable Kwankwasiyya Medical Outreach Programme was reintroduced and pursued vigorously. ii. Professional education/skill acquisition: a.Repairs and general provisions for Schools of Nursing Kano, School of Midwifery Kano and Dambatta. b.Establishment of School of Post Basic Midwifery Gezawa, College of Nursing Madobi and School of Health Technology Bebeji.

3.

WATER SUPPLY Nature provides abundantly as regards water supply. All that is required is for man to access, harness/store, purify and transport it in good quality and quantities to areas of need. This administration has performed creditably in purifying and supplying good quality and quantity of potable water for urban and rural/ regional use. For example, over 6,000 metric tons of Aluminum Sulphate (alum) was procured along with other chemicals required in the purification processes undertaken by the several water treatment plants across the State.

Diesel is continually supplied to run the electricity generators at the plants against the incessant power outages experienced throughout Kano State and the Nation in general.

Again, 15Km 1000mm diameter,

Gov Kwankwaso 600mm diameter 42 Km length of Ductile iron pipes were procured for provision of dedicated water supply pipelines from Watari to Miltara, Challawa to Gwaron Dutse and Kafin chiri water treatment to Sumaila Town respectively. Much more had been accomplished in this regard.

4 . E N V I R O N M E N T A L SANITATION Importance attached to this sector prompted the present administration to reintroduce the laudable policy of the environmental sanitation exercise conducted weekly. Again, an Executive Committee on Drainage was enacted to supervise and advise Government on issues connected to drainage. Importantly, numerous vehicles, equipment and plants were procured for use by REMASAB in their mandate to rid the State of unwanted heaps of refuse scattered all over the State. New vegetation Shelter-belts were established to protect the State from the menace of desert encroachment while plant nurseries for the production of plants for planting were established. Over the last two years the afforestation organ of government raise over 5 million seedlings which were all planted throughout the state.

5.AGRICULTURE Kano State is blessed with abundant and available land and number of people of both genders to produce agriculturally once the relevant inputs, implements and skills are applied. The present administration has positively impacted on the transformation of the Agricultural Sector in the foregoing two years in the following ways: i.

Purchase and distribution of 1,000 metric tons of NPK, 5,000 metric tons of UREA and 1,000 metric tons of organic fertilizer for distribution to farmers across the State as inputs for the 2013 cropping season. ii.Establishment of agricultural skills acquisition Institutes which include; •The Animal Traction Institutes at Kadawa, Bagauda, Gwarzo and Dambatta.

•The Horticulture Institute at Bagauda.

•The Livestock Institute at Bagauda.

•The Fisheries Institute at Bagauda.

•The Poultry Institute Tukwui.

•The Irrigation Institute at Bagauda and Dambatta.

6.INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT/MAINTENANCE Provision of general infrastructure for use by the citizenry in Kano State has been a principal preoccupation of the present administration. In fact, in 100 sittings Kano State Executive Council approved the execution of projects on infrastructural development and maintenance more than any other one single sector. Highlights include the following; i.Revalidation of several important road construction projects and execution of abandoned roads project along major roads. ii.Approval granted for construction of 5KM roads in each of the 44 LGCAs of the State. iii.Approval granted for the construction of flyovers. iv.Renovation/refurbishing of Government House Kano. v.Construction of bridge Over the Jakara River. vi.Construction of major roads along Hadejia road, Zaria road, Gwarzo road, Sheik Jafar road, etc. vii.Installation/repairs of street and traffic control lights. viii.Laying of Interlock Tiles along Pedestrian Walkways along major Streets. ix.Rural electrification projects. etc.

7.EMPOWERMENT The unemployed/unskilled youths of both genders were adequately provided for in the foregoing two years of the incumbency of the present administration.

Activities of the upgraded Kano State Community Reorientation Council (CRC) and establishment of eighteen (18) skills acquisition Institutes attest to this. Several youths and especially women were trained and provided with take–off capital/ equipment for the establishment of their personally owned businesses. Most recent beneficiaries are butchers (Mahauta) and Barbers (Wanzamai).

A lot more can be said regarding the remaining seven (7) of the fourteen (14) sectors pin – pointed for transformation in the inauguration speech delivered two years ago by Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. That has to be another time.

Meanwhile, at its 100th sitting today, Kano State Executive Council received and deliberated upon memoranda submitted

by MDAs as follows: 1.OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT This Office submitted twenty three (23) on behalf of other MDAs for deliberation

by Council. Twelve (12) of them were approved for execution. Thus: a.

Brief on Need and Request for Funds for the Purchase of Operational Raincoats:The contents of this memorandum, submitted by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport intimated Council that Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) operates 24 hours on our streets ensuring enforcement of traffic rules and regulations as well as control and management. The rainy season has commenced earnestly, which calls for the need to provide raincoats at the cost of N2,600,000.00 for distribution to the KAROTA personnel as required.

Approval was granted as requested for the release of N2,600,000.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to procure 1,300 sets of raincoats for distribution to KAROTA personnel for protection against rainfall while on duty. b.

Presentation on a Proposal and Request for Funds to Enable Training

of 1000 GSM Sellers and Technicians Selected from Across the 44 LGCAs in the State:Office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted, on behalf of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Co-operatives and Tourism that, as part of the outcome of Governor Engr.

Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE visit to India, contact was established with Messrs. LESDEP, a registered foundation specialized in propagating collaboration amongst Stakeholders around the globe on promoting skill development and incubation. In due course a proposal was initiated for the training of 1000 GSM sellers and Technicians selected from across the 44 LGCAs in the State. The training was proposed to be executed by a Consulting firm INDOCOP at the total cost of N28,577,000.00 inclusive of take – off seed capital of N25,000 for the prospective trainees. Details were presented for Council’s consideration.

Nevertheless, the sum of N22,500,000.00 was requested for release by Council to cater for the training.

Thus: i.

N20,000,000.00 in respect of the 1000 prospective trainees at the rate of N20,000 each as take – off seed capital. ii.

N2,500,000.00 in respect of the Consultant.

Total N22,500,000.00.

The request was considered relevant and in agreement with the empowerment policy of the present administration Council approved the release of the amended sum of N22,500,000.00 to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Co-operatives and Tourism to enable the conduct of the training of 1000 GSM sellers and Technicians selected from across the 44 LGCAs in the State. c.

Request for Funds to Purchase NCAM Extension/Field Testing Proven Mechanization Technologies Fabricated

By NCAM Ilorin:The contents of this memorandum submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources requested for the release of funds by Council to purchase NCAM Extension and Testing Proven Mechanization Technologies fabricated by NCAM Ilorin, which was launched by the Honourable Minister of Agricultural and Rural Development on the 21st March, 2013.

The fabricated machines are Motorized Maize Sheller, Milling Machine with Cyclone, Groundnut Decorticator, Bean Dehuller and Mellon Sheller. However, the Federal Government declared to pay for 40% of the cost involved while the State Governments and potential beneficiaries pay for 60% of the cost. Details were presented for Council’s consideration on the cost of the fabricated Technologies, which total up to the aggregate sum of N1,155,000.00, 60% of which is the sum of N693,000.00 which was requested for release by Council to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to enable purchase of the fabricated technologies.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N693,000.00 to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to process purchase of the stated technologies. d.

Request for Funds for the 2nd Batch Training of 400 Participants on Fish Farming at Kano State Fisheries Institute

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

PEOPLES DAILY| TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2013 Bagauda:Office of the Secretary to the State Government respectfully referred Council to contents of a submission from the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources on request for funds for the 2nd batch training of 400 participants on Fish Farming training at Kano State Fisheries Institute Bagauda.

Council was adequately informed of the successful graduation of the 1st batch of 400 participants from the Institute which attracted commendation of the Government from well-meaning citizens of the State.

As such, the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources requested for the release of the sum of N11,466,000.00 by Council to enable the conduct of the training for the 2nd batch of 400 participants at the Fisheries Institute Bagauda.

Considering the significance of the request to the empowerment policy of the present administration, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N11,466,000.00 to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to enable conduct of training the 2nd batch of training for participants at the Fisheries Institute Bagauda. e.

Request for Funds to Support 521 Kano State Indigenous Traders Based in Lagos State:The contents of this memorandum reminded Council of a visit by Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE to Lagos where he met with representatives of Kano State Indigenous Community Resident in Lagos State, particularly the segment of traders. In the course of discussion with the traders, the Governor appreciated their predicament and promised to take appropriate action towards extending some form of support to enhance their various trading activities.

Representatives of the traders followed up, expressed their appreciation and sought to redeem the pledge of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE to support them.

So, Office of the Secretary to the State Government presented the case for Council’s consideration as an issue of empowerment for those in need which is among the cardinal resolutions of the present administration. As such, Council was requested to magnanimously approve the release of the sum of N12,100,000.00 for disbursement to 521 Kano State Indigenous citizens resident in Lagos engaged in viable commercial activities involving Tomato, Onion, Carrots, Rice and associated food items.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N12,100,000.00 to be disbursed as support to 521 Kano State Indigenous traders resident in Lagos State. The gesture is usual with present administration in providing for the empowerment of its citizens when and wherever possible. f.Request for Funds to Procure and Allocate Operational Vehicles in Favour of the State Drainage Committee:Office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted a request on behalf of the State Drainage Committee for the procurement and allocation of operational and official vehicles for use by its members and Chairman respectively.

Council considered the request and approved the release of the sum of N6,950,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for purchase and allocation of one unit of Toyota Hilux Double Cabin Pick Up for use by the Drainage Committee in order to enhance its operations. g.Request for Funds to Sponsor 22 Qualified Kano State Indigenous Candidates Selected for Admission to Study Medicine at Makerere University, Uganda and Afhad University for Women, Sudan:The Kano State Ministry of Health processed and selected 15 qualified Kano State Indigenous Candidates to be admitted for the study of Medicine at University of Makerere, Uganda. Again, 17 qualified Kano State Indigenous Women Candidates were selected to be admitted for the study of Medicine at Afhad University for Women, Sudan.

As such, Office of the Secretary to the State Government requested for the release of the sum of 18,200 US Dollars (equivalent to N2,912,000.00) to enable the Ministry of Health initiate the admission process for the 22 eligible candidates.

The request was considered relevant and in agreement with the policy of

the present administration as Council approved the release of the sum of 4,200 US Dollars (equivalent to N672,000.00) to enable the Ministry of Health initiate admission of 22 eligible Indigenous candidates to study Medicine at Makerere University, Uganda and Afhad University for Women, Sudan. h.Request for Approval to Sign a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) with Sasakawa Global 2000 and Release of N30,000,000.00 Annually as Counterpart Funding in Respect of Development of Wheat Farming in Kano State:The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources requested for approval to sign a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of the State Government with Sasakawa Global 2000 as well release of N30,000,000.00 annually for the development of wheat farming in the State. Sasakawa Global 2000 will provide comprehensive submission on the collaboration and basis for the release of the money annually.

In any case, highlights of outputs expected from the collaboration were summarized and presented for Council’s consideration as follows: i.60,000 farm families translating to 360 people will be exposed to improved technologies in a range of Crop Production. ii.Training of 20,000 disadvantaged women farmers who have not been reached previously by the traditional extension efforts. iii.Establishment of three (3) (one per Senatorial District) post-harvest extension learning platforms (PHELPS) and thirty (30) (ten per Senatorial District) Community based income generating Agro – Processing Enterprises in key value chains involving 600 rural people. iv.Training of 15 post-harvest Agro – Processing extension matter specialists and 30 field officers.

Council noted, considered and approved the followings; •Approval granted for signing the MoU by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources on behalf of the State Government.

•Release of the sum of N30,000,000.00 as counterpart funding for the envisaged project. i. Request for Funds to Enable Conveyance and Registration of Fifty Five (55) Successful Kano State Indigenous Candidates Who Gained Admission into the Nigerian Institute for Leather Technology, Zaria:Congruent with the empowerment policy of the incumbent administration Council approved the release of the requested sum of N2,119,500.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to be utilized for the stated purpose above as follows: •Registration fee N36,000 x 55 = N1,980,000.00 •DTA for 2 Officials N15,000 x 2 = N30,000.00 •Fueling of 2 buses N30,000 x 2 = N60,000.00 •Feeding for 55 Candidates N900 x 55 = N49,500.00 Total N2,119,500.00 The Directorate for Economic Empowerment should mandatorily execute the purpose. j.Request for Funds to Enable Removal of NITEL Poles along Major Roads of Kano Metropolis in View of the On – Going Expansion Projects:The present administration is currently executing repairs and extension projects on twenty eight (28) selected major roads in the metropolis all of which affect a total of 671 NITEL Poles. Details were presented for Council’s consideration which informed the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Science and Technology to request Council to approve for the release of the sum of N8,052,000.00 through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to address the issue.

Council noted, considered the request as significant and approved the release of the requested sum of N8,052,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for onward payment to the Ministry of Science and Technology to address the referred issued according to the details presented.

2.OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE Request for Funds to Facilitate Successful Conduct of the Celebration of the 2013 Civil Service Day:Office of the Head of Civil Service notified Council, through contents of this

PAGE 9 memorandum that, Kano State has been celebrating the Civil Service Day since 1999. Accordingly, the 23rd June is set aside for the purpose as was declared in 1994 in Tangier (Morocco) by the African Ministers of Administration and Civil Service to which Nigeria is a signatory. So, the aggregate sum of N3,473,000.00 was requested for release to the Office of the Head of Civil Service to enable successful celebration of the Civil Service Day on 23rd June, 2013.

Approval was granted as requested for the release of the sum of N3,473,000.00 to the Office of the Head of Civil Service for the stated purpose.

3.MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES Nature provides abundant supply of water for man to harness, store, purify and distribute to areas of requirement by the citizenry. Kano State Government has done its own share of harnessing and storage of the water resource base by developing and maintaining over fourteen (14) dams.

So, Council was politely reminded of its approval for the release of funds to the tune of N58,195,712.00 to execute repair/renovate Magaga and Guzu – Guzu Dams. In the same line, the State Ministry of Water Resources requested for the release of the sum of N62,773,640.68 to undertake repairs/renovation works at Tudun Wada Dankadai and Bagauda Dams. Details were presented for consideration by Council.

Significance of the request prompted Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N62,773,640.68 to the Ministry of Water Resources to enable the execution of the repairs/renovation projects at Tudun Wada Dankadai and Bagauda Dams as follows; i.Tudun Wada Dankadai Dam N27,750,583.43 ii.Bagauda Dam N35,023,057.25 Total N62,773,640.68 4.MINISTRY OF HEALTH Three (3) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Health. Two (2) of them were approved for execution as follows: a.Presentation of Information Memorandum (MI) on Strengthening of Nigeria’s Vaccine Supply Chain:The Hon. Commissioner for Health informed Council, through contents of this memorandum that the Federal Government (in consultation with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA)) recognized the importance of strengthening the Routine Immunization (RI) supply chain in order to achieve one of the goals of “saving one million lives” by the year 2015. Details on the program were presented for Council’s consideration.

Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation and approved the acceptance of the program in the State as considered by the Federal Government and Development Partners. The Kano State Ministry of Health is to provide the required logistic support and form membership of the State Steering Committee on Vaccine Supply Chain. b.Request for Funds as State Counterpart Support for the Conduct of Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) Step – Down Training for 120 Nurses, CHEWS, Midwives and Doctors in Kano State:With concern, Council was notified that, in Nigeria today one among every five (5) Children die before their 5th birthday. 70% of such deaths are due to one or combination of five (5) major disease conditions, which include Acute Respiratory Tract Infections – especially Pneumonia, Diarrheal Illness, Malaria and Vaccine preventable diseases.

So, the strategy of IMCI was introduced

by UNICEF and WHO in response to the continuing high morbidity and mortality of children aged 0 – 5 years in developing countries. More details were presented for consideration by Council which prompted the granting of approval for the release of the requested sum of N941,769.38 to the Ministry of Health to enable the conduct of the stated training in view of its importance as specified in the presentation.

5.MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING Request for Funds for the Renovation of Ajasa Road:The sincere and laudable resolution of the present administration to provide qualitative infrastructure for use by the citizenry prompted KNUPDA to identify Ajasa Road for renovation. This road is

a major link from Civic Center ending at Obasanjo Road that has dilapidated to a point that causes vehicular damage and frequent accidents. Repairs and general renovation of Ajasa Road will certainly ease traffic congestion and provide for easy passage to the numerous road users, especially on Obasanjo and Ibrahim Taiwo Roads. Details on the works required were presented for consideration

by Council which prompted granting of approval for the release of the requested sum of N304,015,340.43 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable KNUPDA execute the renovation of Ajasa Road project.

6.

MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT This Ministry submitted six (6) memoranda for deliberation by Council.

All were approved for execution as follows: a.

Request for Funds to Execute Phase II Works for the Accommodation of Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) at Former E. E Rural Site:KAROTA has been established with plausible reasons by the present administration in the State to control traffic. What remains is provision of befitting premises for its Offices from which to coordinate conduct of its operations. The project was designed to be executed in phases. Phase one has already been executed to 100% level of completion.

So, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested for the release of the sum of N29,258,007.19 to enable execution of the second phase of the project. This was approved. b.Request for Funds to Enable the Construction of a Toll Gate and Diversion Road Near Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education Along Zaria Road:Zaria Road is the principal link and gateway into the State Capital with Southern Nigeria and other important neighboring States. This road is amongst the major gateways now under expansion and reconstruction.

Council was reminded of its approval for the release of funds for the construction/ provision of toll gates equipped with HD Scanners along Zaria Road. So, for effective control of the City – bound heavy – goods – carrying – vehicles, especially trailers, a second toll gate (comprising of Toll Officers’ rooms, city gate and automated steel barriers) is intended for construction/provision near Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education. This will only allow entrance to the city by validly approved vehicles.

As such, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested for the release of the sum of N115,511,990.44 to enable the provision of a second toll gate on Zaria Road near Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education. Council approved the request due to its significance to the provision of security for the State.

In the same vein, another tollgate was proposed to be sited at Rijiyar Gwangwan on Wudil road equipped with HD Scanners to control entry of all traffic and identify contents of respective vehicles coming into the State from Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, and other neighboring States. This will boost security and further prevent smuggling of banned goods into Kano City.

The sum of N87,861,171.62 was requested for release by Council to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable execution of the project.

Considering the relevance of the request, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N87,861,171.62 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the construction of tollgate (with HD Scanners) at Rijiyar Gwangwan on Wudil Road so as to boost Security for the entire State. c.Presentation on Need and Release of Funds to Purchase Five (5) Fire Fighting Vehicles and Eight (8) Complete Engines With Gearbox for Mercedes Benz Vehicles:The contents of this memorandum concertedly reminded Council of its recent approval granted for the procurement of three (3) water tankers, fire-fighting chemical foams, hoses, and other valuable accessories worth millions of Naira to the State Fire Service. Such provision rescued the Fire Service Department and rejuvenated its capacity to tackle mandated responsibilities with more vigour and determination.

So, to consolidate the achievements, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested for the release of the sum of N105,910,000.00 to enable the procurement of five (5) fire-fighting

vehicles and eight (8) complete engines with gearbox for Mercedes Benz vehicles for use by the Fire Service Department.

Council noted the request and approved the release of the sum of N11,160,000.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to purchase eight (8) Engines complete with Gearbox for Mercedes Benz vehicles for use by the Fire Service Department. d.Request for Funds to Enable Construction of Additional 1200M/12M Perimeter Block Wall Fence with Two (2) Gates and Gate Posts at Kwankwasiyya City, Zaria Road:The requested sum of N47,703,901.00 was approved for release to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the execution of the additional project stated above so as to further fortify the emerging Kwankwasiyya City as one of the laudable achievements of the present administration. In fact, Kwankwasiyya City is among the 3 newly established cities being constructed by the State Government to provide accommodation to the teeming population and decongest the old Kano City. Over N6 billion is expended on the project, which is to be sold at a profit to interested buyers. e.

Request for Funds to Enable the Construction of Students’ Cafeteria and a Hall at the Fisheries Institute, Bagauda:The Fisheries Institute, Bagauda was among the 21 skills acquired institutions established by this administration. Others are the Sports Institute, Informatics Institute, Livestock Institute, Hospitality Institute, etc. The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport identified the need for the provision/construction of a befitting/modern cafeteria and a hall for use by students and other eligible persons at the Fisheries Institute Bagauda. So, Council was requested to approve for the release of the sum of N28,307,221.89 to enable execution of the project. This request was approved.

7.

MINISTRY PLANNING AND BUDGET This Ministry submitted two (2) memoranda for deliberation by Council.

Both were approved for execution as follows: a.Request for Funds for the Conduct of Training Program for Managers of the 44 Micro – Finance Banks and other Relevant Officers by the Kuwait Finance House:The Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Planning and Budget politely informed Council that, a letter on the subject matter mentioned above was routed to his Office for advice. Outcomes of contents of the letter prompted Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE to visit Kuwait as a result of which the Kuwait Finance House pledged to strengthen the 44 Micro Finance Banks Management by training the Managing Directors and other relevant Officers. Progressively, in future, they have also agreed to: •Provide Technical Support now and in the future.

•Upgrading of each of the 44 Micro Finance Banks in the area of ICT requirements.

•Partnership with the Micro Finance Banks in projects management and finance.

Essentially, Council was alerted of the fact that, this is an opportunity to ensure starting the Micro Finance Banks on solid foundation and entrenchment of sustainable mechanism. Further, the Management of the Micro Finance Banks would be exposed to International Best Practices in managing Small Banks and Islamic banking. This will also enable the Micro Finance Banks to initiate/ open Islamic Banking Units respectively.

Again, this endeavour could also be the beginning of establishing mutual bilateral relationship between Kano State and Kuwait.

Details of the financial requirements totalling up to the sum of N10,468,000.00 was presented for Council’s consideration and approval for release. The request was approved. b.Request for Funds to Enable Continuation of Medium Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) Exercise Across the 14 Sectors of the State Development Plan:The contents of this memorandum reminded Council of the successful completion and launching of the Kano State Development Plan (KSDP) after

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY| TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2013

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PEOPLES DAILY| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 43

Sports

PUBLIC NOTICE CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AUDU AUDU SALIHU NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ABDULLAHI SALIHU, ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC TO TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS HADIZA SULEIMAN RIBADU, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. HADIZA SULEIMAN RIBADU.ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, NYSC AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. LOSS OF DOCUMENT

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public of Loss of original Offer of the following statutory right of occupancy: 1. Offer of Statutory Right of Occupancy bearing the name of GREMA BUKAR of plot 169, Aminu Kano Crescent with plot No. 5284 with approximately 450.43sqm of Kuje South.

2. Offer of Statutory Right of Occupancy bearing the name of Janet Dati of block TH22 flat 1, FCDA Quaters, Abuja with plot No. 4386 with approximately 450.44sqm of Kuje South.

3. Offer of Statutory Right of Occupancy bearing the name of JUMMAI SUNDAY DENJI AUDU of No. 32 Tudun Wada Ring Road, Jos with plot No. 4963 with approximately 489.62sqm of Kuje South.

4. Offer of Statutory Right of Occupancy bearing the name of SULEIMAN KAYA of Maraba, Nasarawa State with plot No. 5156 with approximately 902.59sqm of Kuje South.

5. Offer of Statutory Right of Occupancy bearing the name of SADIYA BELLO MARAYE of 19B Yahaya Road U/Rimi GRA, Kaduna with plot No. 1234 with approximately 757.58sqm.

All effort made to trace the said document proved abortive, if found please return to the nearest police station.

This is to inform the general public of the loss of FHA Letter of Consent of Transferring Ownership in respect of plot No.12, Blosck 11, C-close, 15(B) road, Maitama belonging to N. ASIYA RODRIGO-LEMU of No. 7 Thomas Sankara Street, Asokoro Abuja.

All efforts made to trace the said document proved abortive. If found, kindly return to the nearest police station. General public to please take note.

DR RADCLIFF SAVE LIVES 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 ARE: 1. DR. OKEKE-EWENI KANAYO CHAIRMAN 2. CHUKWUDI IWUCHUKWU ESQ 3. MR GOODLUCK KELECHI OHANUBE 4. DR. TASIE OBINNA 5. MR PASCHAL UBA 6. DR. IFESINACHI OKEKE 7. MS. EMMANUELA UNU 8. BARR. KELECHI ODOH 9. DR. SONIA MUGHAL AIMS: 1. TO PROMOTE GOOD HEALTH AND HEALTHY LIVING CONDITIONS. 2. TO EDUCATE MOTHERS ON THE PREVENTION OF INFANT MORTALITY ETC. 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: BARR. ODOH K. IKECHUKWU (TEL: 08032613839)

PUBLIC NOTICE

WHEN IN NEED 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 ARE: 1. NWOGA CASMIR CHIMA 2. ECTON CHETACHI 3. NWOGA HILTON IKECHUKWU 4. NWOGA EZINNE 5. NWOGA OGECHUKWU AIMS: 1. TO CARE FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN OUR SOCIETY 2. TO CATER FOR THE AGED, ORPHANS, WIDOWS, LESS PRIVILGED CHILDREN AND YOUTHS. 3. TO PROVIDE BASIC BUT ESSENTIAL SCHOOL MATERIALS TO CHIDREN IN NEED.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to inform the general public of the loss of land document belonging to Hassan Ibrahim Gwandu of Ministry of Finance, Treasury Division, Birnin Kebbi with certificate No. BI/G/0850, plot No 106 – LP 12 located at Gesse Phase Two GRA-Birnin Kebbi. All effort to trace the document proved abortive if found please contact Mohammad Basharu Hassan (08153826972), Min. of Lands or nearest police station in Birnin Kebbi.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

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BIGGETS GOD ASSEMBLY

SOUTHERN TARABA MUSLIM UMMAH

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.

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 ARE: 1. NWANNA MOSES UCHECHUKWU - CHAIRMAN 2. AMADI CATHERINE CHINENYENWA - SECRETARY 3. OBEJI UDOKA NWANKWO AIMS 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST TO ALL NATIONS 2. TO ORGANIZE OUTREACHES, CRUSADES, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS AND REVIVAL SERVICES FOR THE WORKS OF THE GOSPEL 3. TO TEACH AND PRACTICE THE EFFICACY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND DIVINE HEALING OF DELIVERANCE FROM GOD.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR. ALHASSAN BAKO ZAKU 2. ALHAJI ISMAILA MUHAMMED 3. ALHAJI IBRAHIM GAMBO 4. ALHAJI DANLADI AJI 5. ALHAJI ZAKARI ADIMBO 6. DR. MUSTAPHA BABA IBI AIMS 1. TO PROMOTE PEACEFUL CO EXISTENCE AMONG MEMBERS 2. TO GIVE CHARITY TO THE UNDER PRIVILEGED.

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

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE CONGREGATION OF THE MISSIONARY SISTERS OF THE HOLY GHOST (SPIRITANS) THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR CHANGE OF ITS TRUSTEES UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

NEW TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. SR. ANTHONIA NWEZE C.S.SP 2. REV. SR. MARIA ONOJA C.S.SP 3. REV. SR. ESTHER EJIGA C.S.SP OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. SR. JEANNE MURZEAU 2. REV. SR. ANNA LOUISA JANSSEN 3. REV. SR. TONIA OZOMADU AIMS AND OBJECTIVE REMAIN THE SAME ANY OBJECTION TO THIS CHANGE SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

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PROTECTION OF GIRL CHILD RIGHTS AND CHILDREN WELFARE INITIATIVE

IDOMA ELITE CLUB WORLDWIDE

JORY FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

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.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB 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 ARE: 1. PROSPER EFFANGA GODSWILL CHAIRPERSON/PRESIDENT 2. EVANS AMENA OSAGHAEDE 3. LYNDA EDEM SECRETARY AIMS: 1. TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN AND PROTECT THE RIGHT OF GIRL CHILD 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: BARR. KENNETH UWADINJO OSEMEHA

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ENGR. ONOJA SUNDAY UGWU CHAIRMAN 2. ABAH INALEGWU SAMSON VICE CHAIRMAN 3. DOUGLAS JAMES ADAH SECRETARY 4. BARR. EDWARD OMAGA MEMBER 5. VICTORIA ABAKPA MEMBER AIMS: 1. TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND DONATIONS TO CHARITY RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL ORGANISATION AND NON-PROFIT MAKING BODIES. 2. TO ENCOURAGE IDOMA SONS AND DAUGHTERS TO PURSUE HIGHTER EDUCATION AND LEARN MORAL ETIQUETTE. 3. TO FOSTER UNITY AND HARMONY AMONGST IDOMA SONS AND DAUGHTERS 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: BARR. EDWARD OMAGA (08033721582)

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 ARE: 1. GADI KYELA HAPPINESS CHAIRMAN 2. GADI MARY JOSHUA AIMS: 1. AN ORGANIZATION TO BRING YOUTHS AND YOUNG PERSONS TOGETHER FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPACTING AND SHARING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS BUILDING AND DEVELOPING A BETTER NIGERIA FOR NON-PROFIT BASIS 2. AN ORGANIZATION TO HARNESS, REDIRECT AND REPACKAGE THE PASSIONS, SKILLS ABILITIES AND TALENTS OF YOUTHS IN NIGERIA TOWARDS NATION BUILDING. 3. AN ORGANIZATION THAT WILL RESPOND TO SOCIETAL NEEDS THROUGH ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT IN CHARITY AND OTHER PEACEFUL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING VOLUNTARY ACTIVITIES IN OTHER TO AMELORIATE POVERTY AND IGNORANCE IN NIGERIA. 4. AN ORGANIZATION THAT WILL COLLABORATE WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO PROMOTE NATIONAL GOOD AND UNITY ON A NON-PTOFIT BASIS FOR BENEFIT OF THE YOUTHS AND YOUND PERSONS IN NIGERIA. 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

PEOPLES DAILY| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

PAGE 45

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

EZIHE TOWN UNION, LAGOS BRANCH

DIASPORA IJAW TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER

UMUNNA HERITAGE FARMERS’ ASSOCIATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CENTER HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. IGBOKWE CLIFFORD ANELECHI 2. OBIECHEFU UDOCHUKWU CHARLES 3. OSUNWA GRACE NENE 4. ENWEREM INNOCENT IHEANYICHUKWU 5. EZEALA PETER NNA 6. MADUFORO GODWIN CHINASA 7. PRINCE JOHN UZOMA EGERUE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE UNITY AMONGST ALL EZIHE CITIZENS IN NIGERIA AND ABROAD. 2. TO PROMOTE, MAINTAIN AND ENCOURAGE PEACEFUL CO-EXISTANCE OF ALL EZIHE CITIZENS AND OTHER NIGERIA CITIZENS. 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 BARR. THOMAS ARIKU 08034984330

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR JULIUS ENARUSAI - CHAIRMAN/PRESIDENT 2. PROF JOSEPH EBIWARE - VICE-PRESIDENT 3. DR. MATTHEW SIKPI - SECRETARY 4. MR FRIDAY PAMIE-GEORGE - TREASURER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO ADVOCATE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURES IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. MOSY UZOMA MADUGBA 2. REV. CHINYERE GLORIA MADUGBA 3. PASTOR UZOMA ONUNKA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO EMPOWER WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE SO AS TO ENABLE THEM TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN FARMING ACTIVITIES.

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.

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 BASSEY ETUKUDO ESQ LEGAL TEMPLE AND TEMPLAR WUSE, ABUJA 08037045394

SIGNED IFUNANYA OJIAKO 08037051537

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GOLDEN SUNRISE FOOTBALL CLUB

NWALINSO CHRISTOPHER FOUNDATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. MOSY UZOMA MADUGBA 2. REV. CHINYERE GLORIA MADUGBA 3. MR. CHIJIOKE OKORO 4. ELDER MONDAY NJOKU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO ENGAGE YOUTHS IN BENEFICIAL SPORTING ACTIVITIES AND DISCOURAGE THEM FROM JUVENILE DELINQUENCY.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR FAVOUR CHUKWUKA - CHAIRMAN 2. MR CHUCK UGOJI 3. MRS CHIOMA OCHIA 4. DR VICTOR ODOGU 5. MRS ROSE AHIAKWO - SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. CARING FOR PEOPLE AND GIVING THEM RELEVANT INFORMATION TO HELP THEM SOLVE THEIR LIFE’S PROBLEMS. 2. GIVING THIS GENERATION THE DIRECTION THEY NEED TO COME OUT OF ANY NEGATIVE SITUATION WITH UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY.

INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY FOR PEACE AND HUMAN RIGHTS INITIATIVE

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.

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.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR EDWIN ONYEFUZILI 2. COMRADE OSMOND UGWU - PRESIDENT 3. DR. JERRY CHUKWUOKOLO 4. MRS GEOGENIA EMERIBE 5. BARR. BENEDICT EZEAGU 6. MRS OLUCHI CHIBUKO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO CATER AND HELP FOR THE PROTECTION OF RIGHTS OF THE LESSPRIVILEDGED. 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 IFUNANYA OJIAKO 08037051537

SIGNED BARR. IFEANYI ONWUZURIKE CEDARWOOD SOLICITORS GUDU-ABUJA 08050605543

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CHANGE OF NAME

PALACE OF FIRE MIRACLE AND HEALING MINISTRY

I,FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS SUWAIBA HAMIDU NOW WISHED TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS SUWAIBA ADAMU.ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO TAKE NOTE.

I, JOSEPHAT IKECHUKWU NWOSU WAS BORN ON 3RD MARCH, 1978 AND NOT 3RD MARCH 1968 AS INDICATED ON MY INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT WITH NO. A02872808 ISSUED ON 6TH APRIL 2011.

THE MISTAKE IS AS A RESULT OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR. NIGERIAN IMMIGRATION SERVICE AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME I,FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MABEL MAGAWO TSADO NOW WISHED TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS MABEL MAGAWO SAMSON. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL AND GENERAL PUBLIC TO TAKE NOTE.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. PASTOR JOHNSON OLAFIMIHAN - PRESIDENT/FOUNDER 2. PASTOR MRS. MOJISOLA OLAFIMIHAN 3. MRS. BISOLA OLUFEMI - GEN. SECRETARY 4. PASTOR TIMOTHY AYOBAMI -MEMBER 5. LADY EVANGELIST HANNAH ADEPOJU - TREASURER 6. PASTOR MRS ABIOLA ENATO - MEMBER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PREACH THE WORD OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST 2.TO LEAD PEOPLE TO PERSONAL FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST 3.TO PREACH AND CONDUCT DELIVERANCE TO THE OPPRESSED 4.TO ESTABLISH BRANCHES AND MISSIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD ANY OBJECTION(S) TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 565, NDOLA SQUARE, WUSE ZONE (5) WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. (MRS.) ADERONKE SIJUWADE

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE PROBATE DIVISION BIRNIN KEBBI, KEBBI STATE.

ROCK TABERNACLE EVANGELICAL INTERNATIONAL CHURCH

WHEREAS THE PERSON WHOSE NAME IS SET OUT IN THE FIRST COLUMN HERE UNDER DIED DATE AND PLACE STATED IN THE SAID RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SAID DECEASED IS SET IN THE SECOND COLUMN HERE UNDER HAS APPLIED TO THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE FOR GRANT OF LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE PERSONAL PROPERTY. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT SAID LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION WILL BE GRANTED TO SUCH PERSON UNLESS A NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT THERE OF IS FILED IN THE PROBATE REGISTRY HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE BIRNIN KEBBI, WITHIN TWENTY ONE DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. SCHEDULE Name and Address of Deceased Tukur Dikko Zauro Power Holding Company Argungu Business Unit Kebbi State.

Applicant Name and Address 1.Madam Aminatu Dikko 2.Mr. Dayyabu Tukur Dikko Jagarawo Area Zauro Birnin Kebbi.

Who died on the 9th day of March, 2013 Dated at Birnin Kebbi on the 03rd day of May, 2013 ABUBAKAR SIDDIQ BELLO Probate Registrar

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED 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 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. PASTOR JAMES OLUGBENGA OGUNDIPE - GENERAL OVERSEER 2. ELDER OLUFEMI OMOWA - SECRETARY 3. ELDER MOSES FALOMO -TREASURER 4. ELDER OLUDELE BABATUNDE 5. ELDER OMEDE JOHN 6. REV LAWRENCE ADETUNJI 7. EVANGELIST OGUNDIPE ALICE 8. SANU ELIZABETH ABIKE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE WHOLE WORLD ANY OBJECTION(S) TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 565, NDOLA SQUARE, WUSE ZONE (5) WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: COMRADE OKOYE VICTOR

SIGNED BARR TOBE LORDLY 08038563003

PEOPLES DAILY| TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2013

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ANIOMA WORLD ASSEMBLY

PILGRIM MISSIONARY SOCIETY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSEMBLY 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 ARE: 1. MR ECHIEMEZE OFILI 2. REV. FRANCIS UKWAMEDUA 3. MS LAURETTA ONOCHIE 4. DR. CHARLES OSEJI 5. DR. OSADEBE ANAM 6. MS GLORIA ADAGBON 7. MR HENRY MOLOKWU AIMS: 1. TO RENDER SELFLESS POSITIVE SERVICES FOR THE WELLBEING OF ANIOMA PEOPLE 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 OF THE LOSS OF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS: 1. CERTIFCATE OF OCCUPANCY NO. 3F2UW-AFDEZ-71B2R-DAFCU-10 DATED 25TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2005. FILE NO. AK 10162 IN THE NAME OF INDONGESIT EFFIONG EKPENYONG IN RESPECT OF PLOT 49 KADO DISTRICT, CADASTRAL ZONE B09, ABUJA. 2. POWER OF ATTORNEY GIVEN BY INDONGESIT EFFIONG EKPENYONG TO BELOXXI LOGISTICS LIMITED REGISTERED AS NO. FC 15 AT PAGE - IN VOLUME 66PA REGISTER IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY LAND REGISTRY OFFICE, ABUJA OVER THE SAME PLOT. IF FOUND, CONTACT THE UNDERSIGNED OR THE NEAREST POLICE STATION. SIGNED: BASSEY & BEN LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (PLOT 1496 BALANGA STREET AREA II, GARKI, ABUJA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED SOCIETY 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.

RUGBY SPORTS 13 FOUNDATION OF NIGERIA

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THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION 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 ARE: 1. MR. SACHIN BHARAT GANGLANI 2. MR. AUSTIN OKERE. AIMS 1. TO MAINTAIN AND THE UNIQUE CHARACTER, SIZE AND RECREATIONAL CAPABILITIES OF THE PROPERTY AS A PREMIUM LIFESTYLE COMMUNITY. 2. TO PROMOTE INTEREST 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: GELIAS AND CO. 6, BROAD STREET, MARINA, LAGOS.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. FESTUS OGBOGORO (PRESIDENT) 2. PETER EJENAKE (VICE PRESIDENT) 3. ROBINSON ORHERO (SECRETARY) 4. JOHN ARUAKPOR (MEMBER) 5. TOPE LOUIS (MEMBER) AIMS 1. PROPAGATING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. 2. TO PROMOTE THE INTERES 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: J.K NANA (C.K.C) 08037769526

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 ARE: 1. EZECHIOGBE UCHECHUKWU CHUKWUEMEKA 2. NASIR RAMON OLANREWAJU 3. ENANG BEN ENEFIOK 4. DR. OLUWASINA AKINWALE MUYIWA 5. IDENU EGWA EDWARD 6. BAR. ASANYA IFEANYI OGOCHUKWU AIMS 1. SCOUTING FOR HIDDEN RAW RUGBY SPORTS TALENTS FROM THE NOOKS AND CRANNIES OF THE NATION WITH THE VIEW TO TRAINING THEM AND TURNING THEM INTO USEFUL RUGBY SPORTSMEN 2. TO ESTABLISH SCOUTING CENTRES WHEREBY YOUTH WITH RUGBY TALENTS WILL BE GIVEN FREE SCHOLARSHIP TO TRAIN AS PROFESSIONAL RUGBY MEN IN THE ACADEMY 3. DEVELOPMENT OF TALENTS DISCOVERED TO STARDOM TO BECOME FUTURE STARS THROUGH EXPOSURE TO INTERNATIONAL RUGBY SPORTS TOURNAMENTS AND CHAMPIONSHIPS. 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

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EBONYI PEOPLE PROGRESSIVE ASSEMBLY

CHRIST’S EAGLETS FOUNDATION

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.

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 ARE: 1. UCHENNA OKORO-CHAIRMAN 2. AZUBUIKE BAKARE OGBONNA-SECRETARY 3. GABRIEL OKO OKPARA 4. PETER OKAH 5. ANTHONY EGWU OKO 6. PATRICK EZEALI 7. JOHN CHUKWU 8. AMARI MADUABUCHI AIMS 1. TO BRING THE PEOPLE OF EBONYI TOGETHER 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

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. UNEKWU ACHILE 2. OJIMAOJO ACHILE 3. MERCY EBOTA AIMS 1. EVANGELISM THROUGH MEDIA TRAINING & EDUCATING PEOPLE THROUGH SEMINARS, COUNSELLING ETC. 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

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EBIRA UNITED YOUTH EMPOWERMENT ASSOCIATION

JESUS IS LORD SALVATION MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION 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 ARE: 1. ABDULMUMUNI MOMOH 2. EMMANUEL ADENUGA ADEKOYA 3. YUSUF OMEIZA AIMS 1. YOUTH EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT 2. EMPOWERMENT OF YOUTHS ECONOMICALLY THROUGH SKILL ACQUISITION AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT 3. TRAINING OF YOUTHS IN DIFFERENT KINDS OF TRADE SO AS TO ENABLE THEM TO BE INDEPENDENT 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: LOUIS UDO ITIBA ESQ. BROADVIEW SOLICITORS, SUITE 15, DEO GRATIAS PLAZA, UTAKO, ABUJA FCT

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY 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.

MISTAKE IN THE DATE OF BIRTH

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I, JOSEPHAT IKECHUKWU NWOSU WAS BORN ON 3RD MARCH, 1978 AND NOT 3RD MARCH 1968 AS INDICATED ON MY INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT NO. A02872808 ISSUED ON 6TH APRIL 2011. THE MISTAKE WAS AS A RESULT OF TYPOGRAPHIC ERROR.

THE PILLAR OF GRACE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY 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 ARE: 1. REV. MOTHER PROPHETESS IFEANYI CHUKA CHAIRMAN 2. DR. DAVID ABRAHAM 3. CHIEFUNAYA BUKKI ISAIAH AIMS 1.TO PREACH, TEACH, AND PROPAGATE THE TOTAL UNADULTERATED AND UNALLOYED GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY 2. TO ORGANIZE CRUSADES, SEMINARS, CONFERENCES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AIMED AT WINNING SOULS TO 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: BARR. ESTHER UDOH 08075513216

NIGERIAN IMMIGRATION SERVICE AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. OSUJI FRANKLIN 2. OSUJI CHARITY 3. NWEREMIZU CHIDI EMMANUEL AIMS 1. TO PREACH AND TEACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO ALL NATION 2. TO WIN SOULS FOR CHRIST 3. TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGED. 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

VICTORIOUS PEOPLE’S CHURCH

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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.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MAMA QUEEN JOHN CHAIRMAN 2. EVANG. EDITH ASOWARI SECRETARY 3. PASTOR BARIDO MONDAY 4. BAR. GRACEANN EREBOH

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR LUKE UDIONG AKPAN 2. PASTOR (MRS.) GRACE UDIONG LUKE 3. MR. EMMANUEL ESSIEN 4. MR. MICHEAL EDET 5. EVANGELIST GRACE IWUOHA

AIMS 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST 2. TO WIN SOULS FOR CHRIST JESUS 3. TO WORSHIP GOD 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: BARR. PROSPER UKACHUKWU (SOLICITOR)

AIMS 1. TO PREACH GOD’S WORD TO MANKIND AND WIN SOULS FOR 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: BARR. VINCENT O. ENEMOSAH

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013

SPORTS LATEST

Perez hints at Bale move

R

eal Madrid president Florentino Perez has hinted at a summer swoop for Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, describing the Welshman as “one of Europe’s great players”.

Bale has long been linked with La Liga, as Real Madrid and Barcelona are continually linked with the 23-year-old, and Perez’s interview with Spanish TV programme Punto Pelota has added fuel to speculation.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas is hopeful he can tie down his star on a long-term deal, but Perez has suggested Real are interested in making an offer this summer.

“Bale is one of Europe’s great players and Real Madrid always likes great players,” Perez told Punto Pelota. We have to improve our squad but we have to do it with tranquillity - and we’ll do that in the next weeks.”

Meanwhile, Perez - who is expected to be reinstated as Real president on Tuesday afternoon - has all but ruled out a Cristiano Ronaldo exit from the Santiago Bernabeu, insisting the Portugal international is happy to remain in Madrid.

Elephants to face Mexico

J

ust days after Nigeria played Mexico, the Elephants of Ivory Coast will follow suit by playing their first friendly match against the Tricolore of Mexico in the United States on August 14 in New York, the Football Federation announced yesterday.

This is the first time both teams will be meeting each other, which the West African side intends to use as preparation for their September 8 World Cup qualifier against Morocco in Abidjan.

The friendly will hold at the 80,000 seater MetLife Stadium, home to NFL’s teams New York Giants and New York Jets.

Ivory Coast are prepping for their World Cup qualifier against Gambia on June 8 in Bakau near the capital Banjul, without top players like Didier Drogba, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue.

The Elephants’ coach Sabri Lamouchi said on Monday that the former Chelsea hitman will likely return to the fold in August.

ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

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QUOTABLE QUOTE Our sincere wish is that this behemoth will somehow survive till 2015 so that it can receive the drubbing of its life.

— Alhaji Lai Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary , Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) on the ruling party, PDP

ICPC-NUC: Righting the wrongs in education I

n what can be described as the lowest part of the Nigerian education system, a joint team of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the National Universities Commission, NUC, confirmed the worst fears of education lovers that the fraud and scams in the financial and government sectors have finally lounged in the tertiary education system. This is evidence that corruption and politics are winning.

There is no denying that the reputation of this country, in dealing with economic and financial sectors lies in tatters today. But there is absolutely no way the nation can recover from this quagmire if the system of university education is also thrown into this dirty mix. In a novel venture of its type, the ICPC and the NUC recently set up a joint team to report on the “proliferation of illegal universities in Nigeria, which has become a source of embarrassment to the government of the nation”.

The shocking finding of the joint committee was that “not less than 67 illegal degree mills (universities) have been identified” and that many more are there and have yet to be discovered.

One particularly shocking incident in this regard is the discovery of Richmond Open University, Enugu, leading to the arrest of its proprietor, “Professor” Mazi Chris Okoro. As reported by the media, the law enforcement agents picked up the son of the university’s proprietor and four other staff of the institution as well as a Catholic Reverend Sister.

The ICPC officials reportedly interrogated the Reverend Sister incharge of the Luminary International Centre for Health and Alternative Medicine which had metamorphosed into Society for Energy Health with its headquarters at Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu state. Records following a raid by the ICPC revealed recovered items, including a large quantity of WAEC and diploma certificates, doctorates, masters and bachelor’s degrees as well as honorary doctorate degrees.

“Professor” Okoro who claimed that he bagged his professorship by “convention” instead of merit, said he could not remember the total number of his graduates in each academic session, adding that he could not recollect the names of the vice chancellor of his university as well as members of the senate committee. Okoro further said that although his university was not registered or any of the courses offered in the institution accredited

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MUSINGS By

Garba Shehu garshehu@yahoo.co.in

NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Julius Okojie by the NUC, he was not perturbed since the court gave him judgement to run the university as well as award honorary doctorate degrees to members of the public, adding that he was just rendering humanitarian service to the people. “I do not have any registration with NUC because I opened this school as a distant learning institution. This university

“

has been operating since 2005 when the court gave judgement in my favour.

“The NUC went on appeal and failed. The Richmond University has nothing to do with NUC. It was formerly called Institute of Journalism and Continuing Education. I have trained many people in this school and that is why

Many might think that there is nothing new in this culture of corruption and robbing the nation of its wealth and pride that has been going on for decades. As can be seen from the ICPC’s narrative, these scammers have been acting arrogantly since time immemorial - with impunity - licensed by the courts of law and officials in high government offices

I am a professor. I teach journalism.

I am a professor of journalism”. If the nation was shocked by this alarming discovery, the nation’s media system is certainly not. For the past one month since this revelation was made, the media have acted as if there is no news in Nigeria except the implosion rocking the ruling party at the centre, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Many might think that there is nothing new in this same culture of corruption and robbing the nation of its wealth and pride that has been going on for decades. As can be seen from the ICPC’s narrative above, these scammers have been acting arrogantly since time immemorial with impunity - apparently licensed by the courts of law and officials in high government offices. Even the media’s lack of general interest in these scams does not evoke any surprise. The culture of investigation and follow-up on breaking stories is gradually being abandoned. But where there is work to do as in this case, the media mustn’t float in sensational reporting alone.

Common Nigerians believe that where there are vested interests, government is not accountable to anyone. No one close to the powersthat-be will get punished. What this teamwork between the ICPC and NUC is doing is to dig up the facts, hoping that consciences may be struck, the media aroused, and the people woken up from their sleep to challenge the continuing proliferation of illegal degreeawarding universities.

This country cannot achieve national development with illegal institutions that have no standards and infrastructural facilities. Without labs and libraries, without qualified academic and support staff, these illegal institutions are only focused on making money at the expense of parents desperate to have their wards get academic qualifications.

The NUC, according to this report, has found some of the closed institutions to be training doctors and other medical professionals without qualified academic staff and teaching hospitals. We are used to having fake policemen and fake tax collectors. With fake doctors, where are we going from here?

It is ironic but true that a government under fire from all directions for its own corruption may, in the end, be successful in giving cure to the corruption in tertiary education. But the ICPC– NUC team-up can only succeed with an aware population that is itself determined to see a change in this unwanted situation.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234 814 292 9046. Cell: +234 802 443 2099; 803 7007 759. e-mail: contact@peoplesdailyng.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141