Peoples Daily Newspaper, Thursday, July 05, 2012

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 8 No. 74

Thursday, July 5, 2012

. . . putting the people first

Shaaban 15, 1433 AH

N150

We lack evidence to prosecute Farouk Lawan – Police

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Nigeria Police yesterday declared that they lacked enough evidence to prosecute the former Chairman of the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on the

nation’s subsidy regime, Rep Farouk Lawan.

The Police is currently investigating Lawan over a $620,000 bribery allegation levelled against him by the Chairman of Zenon Oil and Gas Ltd, Mr. Femi Otedola.

Otedola had alleged that the lawmaker requested the sum of $3 million bribe from him to enable him strike out the name of his firms from the list of those indicted by the subsidy probe committee for accessing foreign exchange (FOREX) without

importing petroleum products.

The oil magnate had alleged that Lawan and the committee’s Clerk, Boniface Emenalo, received the total sum of $620,000 as part payment for the bribe, which he claimed was a sting operation in liaison with

security agents.

Otedola had maintained that he has recordings of all the transactions between him and the embattled lawmaker, promising to make them public.

Two of the purported tapes Contd on Page 2

New NSA reveals:

I’ve got phone numbers of Boko Haram leaders From Lawal Saidu Funtua, Katsina, with agency report

I

n what must be cheering news to a terror-weary nation, the new National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), yesterday declared that he had obtained the contacts of key Boko Haram leaders for possible dialogue with the group.

Dasuki, who spoke in Jos during a meeting with stakeholders in Plateau state, said he was planning to meet with the group on the need for it to cease fire and embrace dialogue as soon as possible.

His words: “I was in Yobe and Borno states last week and I got the telephone numbers and contacts of key Boko Haram members and I will meet with them.

“I saw the dangerous effect of Boko Haram in these states and what I saw was pathetic. But I have the mandate to put heads together with religious and traditional leaders as well as the state governments to ensure an immediate ceasefire”, the News Contd on Page 2

FG assures on safety of corps members >> PAGE 5

Meets Shema, Kwankwaso

Borno state Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima (left), his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abubakar Kyari (middle) and Borno state Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Youth Empowerment, Dr. Zainab Gimba, inspecting roofing tiles produced by trainees under the state’s youths’ skills acquisition for mass housing programme, recently in Maiduguri.

Jonathan appoints first female CJN >> PAGE 3

Confusion as N300,000 Lagos-Kano train church collection service begins turns to papers this month – NRC >> PAGE 9

>> PAGE 19

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

CONTENTS News

2-11

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-17

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

S/Report

24

Earth

26

Issues

30

Sacked Afribank staff: Reps threaten to declare Mainstreet Bank hostile

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he House of Representa tives yesterday threat ened to declare the Mainstreet Bank hostile to the parliament over its reluctance to comply with its resolutions to re-instate the 41 sacked staff of its predecessor, Afribank.

Chairman House Committee on Legislative Compliance, Rep Moroof Akinderu-Fatai, who expressed frustration at the way Mainstreet’s management has refused to cooperate with the committee in its bid to resolve the logjam between it and the former Afribank staff.

Akinderu –Fatai said the Managing Director of the bank has never deemed it fit to appear before the committee in spite of several invitations extended to him but maintained that the committee decided to continue the intervention in the interest of peace and justice for those 41 sacked citizens who had their source of livelihood abridged.

He wondered why the bank would only acquire the assets of the bank and reject all its accompanying liabilities including the sacked staff who were expected to be reinstated.

He said “If we cannot resolve this, we may be left with no other option than to report back to the House that they have refused to comply with the resolution and the House would regard Mainstreet Bank as being hostile to the parliament. This means that the bank should forget having anything to do with the parliament.”

According to him, the bank had severally insisted that it cannot reinstate the sacked workers unless the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) endorse such decision by the agencies at the hearing disclosed that they have no such powers over Mainstreet Bank.

NDIC and CBN and AMCON represented at the meeting disclosed that they have no power

to dictate on what the bank would do as such critical decision as to employment and sack of workers rest solely with the management of Mainstreet.

The committee however frowned at the disposition of the bank to the resolution of the matter as he counseled the agencies involved to resolve the mat-

ter amicably. Concerning the nonchalant attitude of the bank, Akinderu-Fatai lamented “They have not been here with any agreement with AMCON or the NDIC; we have always been the ones giving them information.

Up till today, they have not shifted their position on the matter.”

Again, US embassy warns citizens of possible terror attacks in Abuja

By Julius Ogar

T

he US embassy in Nige ria yesterday warned its citizens about threats to American targets through the independence holiday week against the backdrop of insecurity across the country.

“The U.S. Mission in Nigeria is issuing this emergency message to inform U.S. citizens of potential threats against U.S. installations during the July 4 holiday week," said a

statement posted on the embassy's website.

The warning followed Tuesday night’s explosion which disrupted activities in Wuse 2 a commercial area in Abuja municipality.

‘US citizens in Abuja remain barred from visiting places of worship as well as nearby commercial establishments and must return to their homes by midnight’, according to the embassy statement.

I’ve got phone numbers of Boko Haram leaders Contd from Page 1

Inviting US to crush Boko Haram is dangerous, Page 37

International 31-34 Strange World 35 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the NSA as saying.

Dasuki said he was in Plateau for on-the-spot assessment of the security challenges there and in furtherance of the Federal Government’s peace efforts, particularly across the northern part of the country.

He expressed confidence that the people of Plateau could put their problems behind them and forge ahead with genuine peace and reconciliation.

The NSA stated: “I have a stake in Plateau because I have lived in Pankshin and Jos when my father resided here. So if we lived peacefully way back then, it is possible to go back to those good old days.

“Before now, it is difficult for me to believe that you can see a Fulani and Berom man together on the street of Plateau fighting.

“But the presence of various ethnic and religious groups at this parley is a pointer to the fact that we want to forge ahead”, he said.

In his remarks, Governor Jonah Jang regretted that the emergency rule in the state had not achieved the intended effect as the attacks on the affected local government areas had continued unabated.

But Jang stated that it would be difficult to dialogue with the Boko Haram sect since its leaders and members were not known.

He therefore urged the group to come out and identify itself.

The governor said: “We only hear that Boko Haram claims responsibility for this and that attack but we never heard anybody coming out to say he is Boko Haram. We know the Niger Delta militants had leaders and a cause they were fighting for which made late President

Yar’adua to succeed with the amnesty programme but, who is Boko Haram?”

Jang alleged that some influential people were behind the sect in view of the sophistication of its operations and insisted that the sponsors must be dealt with by the appropriate authority.

The parley had in attendance, traditional, religious and community leaders, heads of security services, women, youth groups, and government functionaries, among others.

Meanwhile, as part of his ongoing tour of some troubled areas in the country, Dasuki also visited Katsina and Kano states yesterday, where he met with Governors Ibrahim Shema and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

During his meeting with the Katsina governor, Dasuki solicited the support of all

stakeholders in ensuring the protection of lives and property in the land.

On his part, Governor Shema urged Nigerians to unite toward ensuring peace and security, for the nation to realize its economic potentials.

“Other countries of the world are moving forward and therefore Nigeria must also move forward to take its place in the comity of nations. This we must not fail”, he stressed.

The NSA had before departing for Kano also met with the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman behind closed doors in the emir’s palace.

Meanwhile, a source in Kano Government House told Peoples Daily at about 9.15pm that Dasuki was still at a meeting with Kwankwaso, discussing ways of fostering peace and security in the state.

We lack evidence to prosecute Farouk Lawan – Police Contd from Page 1

had been aired on Channels Television with Lawan vehemently disowning the audio through his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

But the Police authorities have said that the alleged audio and video recordings over the $3 million bribery scandal were not enough to prosecute the lawmaker.

The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, who spoke on the bribery scandal, said there was not

enough evidence to prosecute Lawan, and asked for the full clips of the recordings.

The Police spokesperson demanded for the full video component of the recording. He said that without the whole recordings, going to court will be an exercise in futility.

He said: “You just don’t rush to court for the fun of charging people to court. That is why courts are congested and that is why we don’t make progress.

It does not make sense. It is unproductive; it is a waste of public resource.”

Mba noted that with the evidence so far obtained, it will amount to a waste of time and public resources to rush to court.

It would be recalled that Lawan said he will be vindicated in the matter.

Commenting on his removal as the chairman of the ad-hoc and Education committees as a result of the allegation against him, Lawan said: “The decision of the House of Representatives is a collective decision of the institution and I have absolutely no problem with

that decision. As far as the issue relating to me is concerned, I believe ultimately, I will be vindicated.

“I just urge Nigerians to continue to be patient, I have not spoken on the issue for strategic reasons, but I believe in the end Nigerians will come to believe and see that for the 13 years that I have invested in championing good governance, responsibility and probity in this country that this last trial is a trial from God and I believe in the end we shall prevail”, he stressed.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

PAGE 3

FG blames Libya for insecurity

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

R-L: President Goodluck Jonathan, congratulating a new Permanent Secretary, Mr. Henry Akpan, after his swearing-in, yesterday at the State House in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Suntai’s officials in EFCC net over money laundering From Blessing Tunoh, Yola

T

hree officials serving under the Taraba state government were yesterday arraigned in a Federal High Court sitting in Yola by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Gombe zonal office over a six-count charge including money laundering.

The accused persons, Alhaji Inuwa Usman, Alhaji Shehu Bose and Reverend John Simon Jatutu allegedly swindled the Taraba state government of N10 million under false pretence.

The charges read averred that the said N10million was allegedly collected by the trio on behalf of the state Muslim council, to enable it prepare for the 50th anniversary celebration of the country in the year 2010.

When the charges were read out to the suspects, they all pleaded not guilty before the presiding chief judge, Justice Salem Shu’aibu.

Army confirms bomb explosion along Kaduna-Zaria expressway

A

n army spokesperson, Colonel Sani Usman of the 1 Division Nigerian Army based in Kaduna, yesterday, confirmed that a bomb exploded between Dan Kande and Mararaban Jos villages along Kaduna-Zaria expressway in Kaduna state.

Usman told reporters that one person was injured in the blast. He also confirmed that the army cordoned off the area and began full investigations to unravel the cause of the explosion.

Jonathan appoints first female Chief Justice

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Senate yesterday confirmed President Jonathan’s appointment of Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar as the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN. Jonathan, in a letter to the Senate President, David Mark, which was read on the floor of the Senate, also appointed Justices Kumai Alaaks (North West) and

Stanley Alagoa (South –South) as justices of the Supreme court.

The appointment of the new CJN was in conformity with section 2311 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the President to make such appointment, upon the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Justice Mukhtar, being the first female to head the nation’s judiciary in Nigeria’s history, is to

replace the incumbent CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, who will retire from service this month.

Before her appointment, Justice Mukhtar was elevated from Appeal court to Supreme where she had been a justice of the Supreme Court, until the yesterday’s appointment.

In the letter, Jonathan explained that the appointment of the two justices was based on the recommendation of the NJC.

4 killed, 20 injured in land dispute

…as gunmen kill Borno Housing Corp. GM From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri & Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

F

our people were killed while 20 others were injured in a dispute over land between Kediya in Ganjuwa local government and Golo communities in Kirfi local government area of Bauchi state.

A member representing Ganjuwa-East, Adamu Manu in the state house of Assembly who brought the issue to the attention

of the House, urged the House to set up a committee to investigate the dispute.

He recalled that the Emir of Bauchi, Dr. Rilwanu Suleiman had visited the troubled areas to commiserate with the victims of the communal clash.

It was gathered that two people died from each of the two communities during the conflict while a local leader of one of the communities had been arrested.

In a related development, members of staff of the Borno State

Housing Corporation were thrown into mourning yesterday morning, following the killing of their General Manager, Engr. Isa Madu Ngaram.

Engr. Ngaram was reportedly killed by unknown gunmen who raided his office, situated in Abbaganaram ward of Maiduguri metropolis.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred at about 11.00am, when two men, armed with AK47 rifles trailed the victim to his office and gunned him down.

Court adjourns case against el-Rufai, others till Sept 25

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

A

Federal Capital Territory High Court, presided over

by Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar adjourned till September 25, 2012 for cross examination and continuation of hearing in the charges of misconduct and abuse of office filed against former

minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Nasir elRufai and two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Hearing in the matter could not continue yesterday, following the in-ability of Chief Kanu Agabi, counsel representing the former General Manager of the Abuja

Geographic Information System (AGIS), Isma’ila Iro who is the third accused person in the matter, to make it to the court on account of ill-health.

It would be recalled that the court had turned down the former FCT minister’s application and the other accused persons to quash the charges of misconduct and abuse of office preferred against them by the anti-graft agency.

he Federal Government yesterday shifted the blame of the ongoing acts of terrorism in the country on the death of former Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi and the crisis that followed.

Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Morro, said this in Abuja, when he received United Nations experts on Libya in his office.

Moro said part of the security challenges the country is currently facing stemmed from the activities in Libya.

His words: “Government believes that part of the problems that we have today, the challenges of internal security stemmed from the activities in Libya.

“It is indeed an open secret that even though, we did not share common border with Libya, arms and weapons have found their ways into Nigeria from that North African country.”

FEC bans official delegation to London Olympics

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

A

s part of measures to save cost and reduce the expenses of government, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), yesterday, decided to ban any official delegation to the upcoming London Olympics.

Minister of Sports, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi announced this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, saying that it would be the first time in a long while that an official government delegation would not be accompanying Nigerian contingent to a major sporting event.

This, he explained, was to move away from the situation in the past where such events were turned into a jamboree by officials of government.

Fire incident at police headquarters

By Lambert Tyem

A

mysterious fire yesterday at about 8.00pm broke out at the Louis Edet House of the Police Headquarters.

Police sources described the fire incident as minor one and declined further comments on it.

Our source said the incident involved an old portacarbin located about 75 metres behind the main force headquarters building.

"The structure is an old portacarbin measuring about 40 feet in length and used for storing disused and unserviceable office materials.

"The fire has since been put off through the combined efforts of policemen and fire fighters.

"Preliminary investigation indicates that the fire might have been caused by an electrical fault.”

PAGE 4

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

FG assures corps members of safety

T

he Federal Government yesterday affirmed its commitment to ensure the safety of corps members deployed to any part of the country.

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, gave this assurance while fielding questions from State House Correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa.

Corps members had besieged the headquarters of the National Youth Service Corps in protest against their posting to crisis-prone states in the Northern parts of the country.

The affected corps members are mainly those posted to Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Bauchi, Maiduguri and Gombe states.

Maku, however, reassured the corps members that they had no reason to worry as the government was doing all it could to guarantee their safety.

Kogi community opposes refinery’s relocation From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

P

rotest yesterday greeted the call by the former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Austin Oniwon, for the relocation of the Green field refinery from Itope in Ofu local government area to Ibogiri in Ajaokuta, Kogi state.

A group, Ukomu Igala, at a press conference yesterday in Lokoja, said the statement credited to the former NNPC chief was an attempt to cause unnecessary disaffection between the Igala and Ebira people whom the former believe have the same ancestral background and have been living together in peace.

At the briefing, chairman of the steering committee of the association, Dr. Mike Idachaba explained that a Certificate of Occupancy for the refinery in Itope had been issued by former Governor Ibrahim Idris since 2010 when the Federal Government requested land for the project in the state.

L-R: FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, Minister of State for FCT, Chief Olajumoke Akinjide, Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, and Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Lawal Ngama, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, yesterday at the State House in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

You can’t influence us with your means, Reps tell Otedola

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he House of Representatives yesterday descended on the Chairman of Zenon Oil Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Femi Otedola telling him that he lacked the capacity to influence it even with his enormous means.

Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep Zakari Mohammed while commenting on the refusal of oil

magnate to testify in camera before its Ethics and Privileges committee probing into the $620,000 bribery allegation against the former chairman of the adhoc committee that investigated the nation’s subsidy regime, Farouk Lawan, said Otedola cannot dictate the procedure for parliamentary proceedings.

According to him, "The case against Hon Farouk is still an allegation. Otedola cannot control the House. This institution is bigger

than Otedola that he has means does not mean that he should come and dictate to us".

"Otedola was not in court but to give evidence. We respect the judiciary. We are not doing the job of the judiciary. We will never side corruption. It is a personal issue and Farouk should carry his cross. But while this is going on, the report of the probe should be implemented.

What is happening is because the House took a position which did not

go down well with some individuals, subsidy report is sacrosanct".

The investigation by the committee is not the court of law and Chief Otedola is just a witness to a case involving a member and as such he’s not subject to House rules. The House as an institution has no issue with chief Otedola as it respects other arms of the government especially the judiciary and security to take care of the relevant of the investigation".

Ghanaian govt chasing I stole to go to school, us out, Nigerian bizmen boy, 12, tells Shariah court cry out

By Aminu Imam, with agency report

N

igerian businessmen operating in Ghana yesterday cried out to the Federal Government to come to their rescue as Ghanaian authorities have been embarking on hostile business practices against them.

The Nigerian traders said the Ghanaian authorities have commenced closing their shops for allegedly operating illegally

because they were said not to comply with the government policy which requires them to have an initial capital of $300,000 and employ 10 Ghanaians before they can start any business in Ghana regardless of the size of the business.

When contacted, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said the Federal Government has stepped into the matter. An official said the Federal Government has reached out to its Ghanaian counterpart and that those affected should not rush to the ECOWAS court as they have threatened.

From Lawal Sa'idu Funtua, Katsina

I

n a declaration that stunned a packed Shari'a Court III at Kofar Soro in Katsina, Khadi Kabir Bello yesterday discharged a 12-year-old boy charged before him for allegedly stealing scrap metals and offered to meet the minor’s school needs.

The courtroom was moved to tears when the Primary 5 pupil (names withheld) told the judge that he stole some metal scraps to earn money to buy books to enable him attend school.

The boy was arraigned before the court for allegedly stealing

scrap metals valued at N10, 000 belonging to his sister's husband.

He told the court that he used the proceeds of the money he got from the metal scraps to buy books, which he produced with other educational materials in his school bag.

Corroborating his story, the boy’s mother and a neighbour who testified before the court disclosed how the boy had been complaining to his mother over lack of school books.

Delivering judgment, Khadi Bello stated that the boy was under-aged and therefore cannot be tried for theft in a court of law.

He discharged the accused and warned him to stay off crime.

Again, court restrains Jonathan over UNILAG name change From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

J

ustice Stephen Adah of a Federal High Court, Ikeja, yesterday restated his earlier interim order, suspending the renaming of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to Moshood Abiola University, Lagos (MAUL), pending the determination of the

motion on notice filed by students of the institution.

The judge restated his earlier order that all parties should maintain status quo following the failure by the defence counsel to file their reply to motion on notice brought by the students and an oral application made by counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief Wole

Olanipekun for a renewal of the June 25, 2012 order.

Adah also ordered that the two suits filed separately by the alumni association and some students of the university challenging the propriety of renaming the institution through a broadcast by President Goodluck Jonathan should be consolidated.

At yesterday's hearing, counsel to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan representing UNILAG and the school’s council, and Mrs. Titi Akinlawon representing the Senate of the University of Lagos did not oppose the request.

Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke

and the National Assembly, the fourth and fifth defendants in the matter were represented by J.J Usman and Obayagbon H. in the suit and did not also oppose the request.

The court however adjourned the matter till September 21, 2012, to enable the defence counsel file their reply to motion on notice of the students

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

Minister reiterates commitment to reform prisoners

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, has assured that the government is taking measures to strengthen the skill acquisition of inmates in prisons across the country.

Moro, made this known in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary in the Ministry, Taye Akinyemi, when representative of Amnesty International, led by Lucy Freeman, visited him in his office.

He told the delegation that “effort is ongoing to strengthen the skill acquisition of inmates across Nigeria, to help them become better members of the society”.

Earlier, the representative of the Amnesty International described her visit as a continuous process especially in the area of respect for human rights and dignity.

Boko Haram: FG to seek foreign security assistance, says Police Minister

PAGE 5

Vengeance: STF burns 50 houses in Plateau over death of cop F

From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

ollowing the killing of a mobile policeman attached to the Special Task Force (STF) and seizure of his rifle, over 50 houses belonging to Fulani were allegedly set ablaze by the aggrieved members of the STF in

Kakuru village in Kura-Falls of Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau state.

It was further gathered that the aggrieved STF members stormed the community in Kakuru and arrested three members of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association whose identity could not be

ascertained as at the time of press.

A statement by the Media and Information Officer of the STF, Captain Sailsu Mustapha, gave the identity of the mobile police as Corporal Friday Babale, explaining that he was shot by unknown gunmen when he went to ease himself few metres away from his

duty post.

The statement disclosed that search for the rifle and the perpetrators of the act was on-going and they count on the support and cooperation of community leaders and the general public to provide information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators.

Yobe state Governor, Malam Ibrahim Gaidam (middle), with the two sons of late Senator Usman Albishir, Mohammed Albishir (second left), and Kashim Albishir (left), during the governor's condolence visit to the Albishir family residence, yesterday in Kano.

By Lambert Tyem

T

he Federal Government yesterday disclosed that it has no option than to welcome assistance by the international community in its efforts to address the current security challenges facing the country.

Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade stated this when he hosted the Chief Researcher on Nigeria with the international human rights body, Amnesty International, Ms Lucy Freeman in his office.

Captain Olubolade further said that while the Ministry was vigorously undertaking a reform of the Nigeria Police Force, the activities of the Boko Haram continues to stifle these efforts owing to its perceived international dimension.

He denied that policemen were involved in human rights abuses, especially in the northern part of the country where the Boko Haram insurgents have made life unbearable for the people and insisted that it is the policemen that have become victims of human rights abuses as a result of incessant and unprovoked attacks on them.

Earlier, Ms Lucy Freeman had told the Minister that Amnesty International wanted to know the ministry’s position on the human rights implications of the security situation in the country, particularly on detention of suspects and processes of investigation.

Subsidy probe: Courts bars FG from implementing report

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

A

Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday stopped both the House of Representatives and the Federal Government from acting on the report of the Farouk Lawan-led Ad-hoc committee on fuel subsidy regime pending the determination of a case filed by Integrated Oil and Gas Limited.

The company, which is among the oil marketing companies indicted by the House probe, had in a motion on notice filed on June 25, 2012 asked the court for an interlocutory

injunction restraining the House of Reps, Hon Farouk Lawan, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Economic and Financial Crimes commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Inspector General of Police, who are 1st to 6th respondents in the suit, from acting on the committee’s report pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The judge, Justice Gladys Olotu, granted the motion following an agreement among

counsels to the parties that their clients would not do anything that would affect the case before the court.

While explaining the implication of the court order to journalists, lead counsel to the AGF, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo said, “We have reached a no arrest, no detention, no prosecution, no refund agreement, pending the determination of the suit.”

It would be recalled that the committee had in its report asked Integrated Oil and Gas Limited to refund N13. 2 billion subsidy refunds paid to it by the

Federal Government for petroleum products it imported between 2006and 2011 on the ground that the amount was not sustainable.

The company, through its lawyer, Tayo Oyetibo, filed a suit, asking the court to, among other reliefs; nullify the committee’s report, saying it was not given fair hearing before the committee came to its conclusion.

Further hearing in the matter was adjourned to October 18th, 2012 and the judge held that the matter will be given accelerated hearing.

FCT Queens protest four years salary arrears

By Josephine Ella

T

he female football team in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), FCT Queens, late Tuesday, stormed the secretariat of the FCT Administration at Area 11, Garki, barricading the entrance to the office of the Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed in protest over the nonpayment of their four years salaries and other allowances.

The female football team, which is being managed by the administration, alleged that since 2007, their salaries and

allowances have not been paid.

More so, the young ladies, numbering about 30, alleged that the administration had not deemed it fit to tender an explanation for ignoring the issue of payment.

Bearing placards with various inscriptions which read: “Pay us our money to pay our debts; You are fighting prostitution, yet you are forcing us to prostitution,” they also lamented the neglect by the administration in paying them for participation in the National Sports Festival held at Kaduna and Port-Harcourt in 2009 and

2011 respectively.

Captain of the team, Oluchi Eze, told journalists that “the administration owes us since 2008 till 2011 but they said they are going to pay us for the last one year but instead of paying us they keep telling us come, today come tomorrow”.

Continuing, she added that information reaching them has it that the new administration had said it would not honour their former arrangement with the erstwhile management of the club under the defunct women commission of the FCT; a position they said they are not comfortable

with.

It took the intervention of the Senior Special Assistant to the minister of the FCT, Senator Jibril Wowo, who drove in at the time to calm the ladies down.

Senator Wowo assured the footballers that he would take their matter to the minister for due consideration and appropriate action.

His intervention led to the invitation of the Director of Sports, FCT Social Development Secretariat, Halim Musa who addressed the footballers assuring them that their file had reached the Treasury for payment.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

Jaiz represents best banking practice in Nigeria - Bishop We're working hard to track down perpetrators of Wuse T quality service delivery.

Jaiz Bank secured regional banking licence from CBN on 11th November, 2011 and

By Isa Abdulwahab

he Bishop of Onitsha Christ Temple International, Dr. Goodluck Akpore, yesterday, reiterated the essence of non-interest banking as one of the financial services in the country and referred to the coming of Jaiz Bank as epitome of true banking practice.

Akpore, a shareholder of Jaiz Bank Plc, said his observation was strictly from unbiased perspectives devoid of both religious and ethnic sentiments.

He spoke yesterday at the 9th Annual General Meeting of the

Jaiz Bank Plc which held in Abuja.

Akpore said as a revered Christian of bishop status from Onitsha, he would not allow sentiment to becloud his sense of judgment especially when he sees something that is good and progressive.

Asked whether his view does not contradicts the position of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) which kicks against noninterest banking practice in Nigeria , the Bishop said the statement being attributed to CAN was a mere personal view which is never the position of Christians.

Jaiz International Plc is the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) set up to facilitate the establishment of Nigeria's non-interest bank. It formally transmuted to a fullfledged bank with its maiden AGM held yesterday at Shehu Musa Yar'adua.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the bank, Alhaji Umaru A. Mutallab, said the AGM was remarkable in actualising the establishment of the bank.

He said the bank since it commenced operation in January this year, has recruited categories of staff that have undergone different training to ensure

commenced banking operations on the 6th January 2012 in three locations, Abuja, Kano and Kaduna.

bomb blast - Police

By Lambert Tyem

T

he Federal Capital Territory Police Command, yesterday, vowed that in collaboration with other security agencies have swung into action to arrest perpetrators of the Wuse 2 bomb blast.

Similarly, Business activities yesterday continued along the Aminu Kano Crescent end of Wuse II despite a late explosion around the Banex Plaza area which caused minor damages to some shops in the area on Tuesday night.

A visit to the area yesterday morning revealed that the area

was bustling with activity.

Emergency workers were also at the site clearing the rubbles.

However, contrary to the usual practice of conducting business till about 9pm, most of the shops in the area were closed for business as early as 6pm.

FCT Police Commissioner, Adenrele Shinaba, restated his earlier call on residents to go about their normal duties but to report any suspicious persons or parcels to law enforcement agents.

He however said officers from the Explosive Ordinance Department EOD of the command are still investigating the incident.

No agreement between Nigeria, US on asset declaration

By Joy Baba

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he Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, has refuted claims by a national daily that President Goodluck Jonathan's refusal to declare his asset publicly is a violation of agreement signed between Nigeria and the United States.

The minister made this known in a statement issued by ministry

L-R: Managing Director/CEO of JAIZ Bank Plc, Malam Mohammed Mustapha Bintube, with a shareholder, Bishop Goodluck Akpore of Christ Temple Ministry International, Onitsha Zone, after the 9th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the bank, yesterday in Abuja.

19th AU summit to focus on intra-African trade

By Etuka Sunday

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he 19th African Union (AU) Summit scheduled to take place from 9th to 16th July, 2012, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is to focus on boosting Intra-African trade, among others.

According to the agenda of the summit, "the Executive Council will look into reports of some AU organs including the Pan-African

Parliament (PAP); the African Committee of the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC); the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the Union (ECOSOCC); the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption."

The 19th Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) holding under the theme: "Boosting IntraAfrican Trade" will consider and

discuss the activity report of the President.

The Union will also look into the report of the Peace and Security Council on its activities and the state of peace and security in Africa, and that on Africa's preparation for the climate change negotiations at the 18th Conference of Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

SEC staff protest Oteh’s appearance at EMT

By Abdulwahab Isa

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or attending Tuesday's E c o n o m i c Management Team (EMT) meeting, embattled DirectorGeneral of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arumah Oteh, has incurred wrath of SEC staff.

Chairperson of the SEC staff union, Barrister Muhammed Salihu who spoke to newsmen on behalf of other staff yesterday, said Oteh's continued attendance of the meeting will send negative signals to the investing public at the stock exchange.

Though Salihu said

Investments and Security Act, 2007 is silent on what should happen if a DG is asked to proceed on compulsory leave, the dictates of good governance demands that such a person should refrain from acting in the capacity of DG pending the determination of investigation and by implication, should not be engaged in official functions of the commission.

Muhammad, a manager in the Security and Investment department at SEC, addressed a press conference in company of other executive members of the union.

"The representation of Aruma Oteh at the meeting of Economic

Management Team is therefore a total disregard of due process and rule of law, and is capable of sending mixed signals to the market which may negatively affect it especially international investors…"

Consequently, Salihu therefore urged the government "to restrain Ms Oteh from further attendance of EMT meetings pending the conclusions of investigations against her."

Commenting on the issue, Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said Oteh's attendance at the meeting was in order as she is just on leave.

Association donates free wheel chairs, tricycles to disabled in Karu

By Mohammed Kandi

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n Association called Shukr-Allah involved in charitable work yesterday distributed tricycles and wheel chairs to 20 persons living with disabilities in Karu community in the FCT. The association, which comprised of colleagues working in the Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF), said they are passionate about the plight of vulnerable people.

Chairperson of the association, Habiba Wakili, said the association was working hard to assist government in "impacting" on such persons, saying "the government cannot do it alone."

Wakili further stated that "we visit hospitals to help the sick without using religion as the criteria".

The district head (Sarkin Hausawan Karu), Suleiman Musa, represented by the Madaki, Ismaila Musa Karu, urged the beneficiaries of the donation to endeavour to make use of the materials themselves.

in Abuja. The statement further said 'It is important for the general public to understand that the President's comment did not violate any agreement because there is no agreement between Nigeria and the United States of America on public declaration of assets. The news story correctly refers to aspect of a joint communiqué issued by Nigeria and the United States at the end of the US-Nigeria Bi-national Commission held in Washington DC from June 4-5, 2012 which reaffirms Nigeria's commitment to budgetary transparency and accountability, including public asset declaration by senior public officials".

A national daily had on July 1, 2012, reported that President Jonathan's refusal to declare his assets publicly was a violation of an agreement between Nigeria and the US.

Journalists call for completion of Abuja-Lokoja road From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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he chairman, Kogi state Union of Journalists (KUJ), Comrade Alih Atabor, has described the Lokoja Abuja highway as horrific and a death trap urging the government to expedite the renovation of the highway.

The KUJ boss stated this yesterday in his office in Lokoja when he received the sector commander of the Federal Roads Safety Corps, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim Garba.

Atabor assured the commander of a good working relationship with the press and urged him to take campaign to the construction, heavy duty and articulated drivers, saying their reckless driving is a source of worry to other road users.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

PAGE 7

SEC probe: Hembe, Azubuogu must face trial, court rules

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

A

n Abuja High Court yesterday held that the suspended Chairman of the House Committee on Capital Market, Herman Hembe and his Deputy, Ifeanyi Azubuogu, have to face trial on the two-count charge preferred against them by the Economic andFinancial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Hembe and Azubuogu, in their preliminary objections asked the court to quash the two-count charge on grounds that the court lacked the inherent jurisdiction to try them.

The accused persons also argued that the subject matter of the suit was still being investigated by the House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

While Hembe is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the two-count charge preferred against him by the anti-graft agency, Azubuogu is faulting the leave granted the anti-graft agency to prefer the charge against him.

But in his ruling, the trial Judge, Abubakar Umar, held that EFCC had been able to establish a prima facie case against

the accused persons and added that they must face trial.

Consequently, Umar dismissed the duo’s preliminary objections and declared that the matter would be given accelerated hearing.

The judge adjourned the matter till July 18th and 19th, 2012 for arraignment of the accused persons and hearing of the suit.

He also directed the EFCC to produce all its witnesses at the next adjourned date.

At the last hearing of the matter, Hembe’s counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) informed the court of the preliminary objection he filed on May 21, urging the court to quash the charges on grounds that the court lacked the jurisdiction to try his client.

Okutepa further submitted that the counter-affidavit, which contains “extraneous facts and purports to make the EFCC a respondent in the suit,” contradicted the Evidence Act, adding that “there is contrivance and falsity of information”.

Aligning with Okutepa, Counsel to Azubuogu, Onyechi Ikpeazu(SAN) argued that since the report of the

House’ Ethics committee is yet to be released, it would not be in the interest of justice to try the accused person.

Ikpeazu stressed: “The court must rely on an investigative report before trial. There is a case of inadequacy of documents and so there is no case for the 2nd accused person to answer to, especially as he sought to return the money through the Clerk of the House, only for the Director-General of SEC to ask him to keep the money, since there will be another conference.”

Citing Section 167(b) of the Evidence Act, Ikpeazu contended that “the prosecution is bound to produce all criminal documents to the court to warrant trial and the absence of the DG of SEC in this case exposes the complicity in it.”

In his objection, however, EFCC’s counsel, Ojeffu Ibe, prayed the court to dismiss the two applications, urging it to determine whether the purpose for which the estacode was given was what it was used for.

Ibe argued in his counter-affidavit that the 1999 Constitution only gave the National Assembly lawmaking powers, and not powers to investigate.

corps member posted to Katsina State has given birth to a baby girl on her first day in camp.

The state Coordinator of the NYSC, Ebenezer Afolalu, made the disclosure yesterday at the

swearing-in ceremony of the corps members posted to the state.

He added the corps member, who delivered at the NYSC Katsina camp clinic, was in good health alongside her baby.

Corps member gives birth in camp From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina s orientation camps open to Batch ‘B’ National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members nationwide, a

A

Oyo to site varsity’s hospital in Ogbomoso From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has disclosed that the N50 billion structures erected in Ogbomoso by his predecessor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, will become the teaching hospital of the proposed Oyo State

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Technical University.

Speaking at a Town Hall Meeting held at the Soun Ogunlola Hall, Ogbomoso, Ajimobi observed that the edifice had many medical equipment which had not been put into use.

He added that the structures would be subjected to integrity test to determine their

suitability.

The structures were initially meant to host the teaching hospital of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), but this plan became stalled following the crisis that broke out over the joint ownership of LAUTECH by between Oyo and Osun states.

Nasarawa community denies govt’s interference in stool tussle From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia he Afo people of Udege, Nasarawa state yesterday denied claims that the state government had imposed a candidate on the kingmakers for the vacant stool of the Osu-Ajiri of Udege chiefdom.

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They described media reports sponsored by “a minute and mischievous group of illegal Ambu elite forum”, as a “vain attempt to rewrite history and white-wash the peoples conscience.”

Thirty-three elders of Afo, under the auspices of the Concerned People of Udege, in a statement

yesterday in Lafia, accused a lawmaker in the state House of Assembly of sponsoring series of illegal meetings and media publications aimed at sowing seeds of discord in the chiefdom.

They charged the security agencies to monitor the activities of the lawmaker closely.

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

Scenes from the bomb blast on Tuesday at Wuse II, Abuja

L-R: Chief, Voice of America Hausa Service, Mr Leo Keyen, presenting a certificate of appreciation to Kaduna state governor, Mr Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, for the state hosting of town hall meeting on health issues, yesterday in Kaduna.

L-R: Kebbi state governor, Alhaji Saidu Dakingari, receiving Chief Operating Officer of Peoples Media Ltd, Malam Ali M. Ali, during the latter's official visit to the state, on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi.

Photo: NAN

L-R: Minister of Sports, Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi, Minister of State for Health, Dr Muhammad Ali Pate, Minister of Information, Malam Labaran Maku, and Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, briefing journalists on the state of the health sector, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye.

PAGE 9

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

Be of good behaviour, Governor Aliyu tells corps members From Iliya Garba, Minna

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he Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu has warned corps members posted to the state against any type of behaviour contrary to the rules of the NYSC scheme and advised them to rise up to the challenges of national service which will prepare and equip them with necessary leadership skills for post-service engagements.

“If you fail to comply with the camp rule you may have yourself to blame, let discipline be your watch word throughout your service year”.

He made this known yesterday at the swearing-in ceremony of 2,577 youth Corps members of Batch “B” deployed to the state, saying the challenges you face as Corps members will

actually prepare you for the challenges in future.

Governor Aliyu however advised them to be security conscious while discharging their duties, “we must be responsible for the security of our community and neighbours”.

The Governor commended the effort of the Chairman and

members of NYSC state governing board, NYSC State coordinator and other officials who have worked very hard towards the success of the orientation course.

The State Coordinator, Mrs. Justina Andirya said that during the three weeks orientation course, corps members will be

involved in man O war, citizenship and leadership training, paramilitary drills, morning meditation, social activities and sports among others and implored corps members to be of good conduct and cooperate with all the camp officials for the overall success of the programme.

Reps slash new number plates cost by 20%

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam he House of Representatives, on Tuesday, slashed the costs of production of the new number plates by 20 per cent.

The House made this move while suspending the embargo earlier imposed on the production and issuance of the new number plates and drivers’ licence by the Federal Road

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Safety Corps (FRSC).

The order was contained in the recommendations of the House Committee on FRSC, earlier mandated to investigate the rationale behind the introduction of the new number plates and drivers’ licenses.

The report indicated that the committee recommended that the FRSC, Joint Tax Board, state governments and security

agencies should collaborate and intensify efforts at tracking fake, parallel production and issuance of licences.

The House further warned members of the public to desist from patronising touts, adding that such action increased the price of number plates and frustrate the good effort which the new number plate would achieve.

1,835 NYSC members for Jigawa From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse. o fewer than 1,835 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members have been sworn-in out of the 2,317 posted to Jigawa state.

Governor Sule Lamido who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Mahmoud, reiterated the continued relevance of the scheme considering the current and past experience of the country.

He said in the four decades of the schemes existence it has recorded achievements in the development of youths in the larger frame work of nation building.

According to him, “NYSC undoubtedly remains the most strategic institution in Nigeria today. The activities of the scheme have been reshaping our national outlook.”

He admonished the corps members to always do things that will promote national unity since that is their major goal.

Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Ishaya S. Dede, gave a breakdown of those sworn, that at midnight of Tuesday, 3rd July, 2012, a total of 1,835 made up of (1,075 male and 760 female) corps members had registered and are being sworn in.”

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Kano to sanction officials aiding pregnant pilgrims From Bala Nasir, Kano

L-R: Sokoto state governor, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, with Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III, during the flag-off of polio eradication campaign, yesterday in Sokoto.

Photo: NAN

Fear, confusion as N300,000 church collection turns to papers

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ear and confusion gripped residents of Hwolshe in Jos, when N300, 000 church collection suddenly turned to a bundle of papers as it was about to be deposited in a bank.

The money, which belonged to St. Mary’s Parish, Hwolshe in Jos South Local Government was handed to Miss Ifeoma Eze, the Church Secretary to be deposited in the bank before the mystery occurred.

Eze told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that she had filled the teller at the main branch of Zenith Bank in Jos with the money wrapped in polythene bag but saw papers when she was about to give the cash to the cashier.

“The money was intact when I left home for the bank but on getting to the counter, I opened the polythene bag only to discover that it has turned to

bundles of papers.

“I was so confused and scared; I started screaming and was oblivious of the attention I was attracting as bewildered customers tried to console me,’’ she told NAN. She said that she was particularly confused because she was wondering how to relay the story to the Parish Priest who entrusted the money to her.

She said that she was still “too baffled and confused” to convey her shock, adding that it was difficult to imagine what had happened.

“It is a story I find difficulty in telling anyone because not many people can believe it,’’ she said.

Eze said that she could not fathom what could have happened but explained that she took the money home on Sunday and changed the smaller

denominations into bigger ones to ease the deposit processes in the bank.

She said that she did not suspect foul play from the point of changing the denominations and explained that the change was obtained from market women and cashiers of Mr Biggs, a popular fast food outfit.

“I do not suspect them because they are my regular customers.

Only God knows what could have happened.’’

NAN learnt that the incident had sent tongues wagging among some skeptical members of the church.

Eze, however, expressed some relief that many of the members were convinced that there was no foul play on her part.

“I thank God that the Church believed what happened to me and the money, and still retained me as the Church Secretary,’’ she

said.

A church member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that it was not difficult to believe Eze’s story because she was the Church Secretary and had handled its funds without any blemish in the past five years.

Rev. Father Emmanuel RayIkpe, the Parish Priest, described the incident as “unfortunate, surprising and mysterious.

“I have never heard of such a thing before but it has happened to us; to our Church. There is nothing we can do about it. My secretary came back from the bank crying.

“Only God knows what exactly happened. Eze came and told us what happened to the money and we couldn’t say otherwise.

“We have left everything in the hands of God our creator,’’ Ray-Ikpe said. (NAN)

K

ano State Government has pledged to strengthen the state Hajj Tribunal to ensure that those who flout the ethics and laws governing pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia were adequately punished.

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the state Deputy Governor, announced this yesterday while declaring open a two-day workshop for officials of the state Pilgrims Welfare Board and other stakeholders.

He warned that anybody found violating the Hajj rules would be punished, saying, “we cannot afford to let Nigeria down in the comity of nations.’’

Ganduje urged the resource persons at the workshop to pay special attention to “certain anomalies that led to the reduction of Hajj seats allocated to the state.’’

He listed the anomalies as instances of pregnant women being allowed to go on pilgrimage with some of them delivering in the holy land, and the refusal of some pilgrims to return home after the Hajj.

The deputy governor warned that any official found facilitating the travelling of pregnant women for the pilgrimage would be punished accordingly, while pilgrims who defected in the holy land would also be sanctioned.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

Kogi Assembly calls for connection of Ankpa federal constituency to national grid From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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Some 2012 Batch B National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members at parade ground, during their swearing-in ceremony, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

50% Kebbi drivers lack licence - FRSC T

he FRSC Sector Commander in Kebbi, Mr Sayi Daniel, has said that 50 per cent of drivers in the state have no driver’s licence.

Daniel told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday that "the commercial drivers are the major culprits and

have remained defiant to counselling."

He said illiteracy and quest for quick money were the main reasons for the drivers’ reckless behaviour and disregard for traffic rules and regulations.

Daniel stressed that such disposition had continued to

endanger the lives of travellers and other road users.

He also said that illegal parking by some drivers had caused avoidable accidents in the state.

"The FRSC will not relent in its efforts until sanity through compliance to traffic rules is restored on the roads to protect lives and

property," the commander said.

Daniel also condemned the misuse of government number plates by individuals in the state and described the situation as rampant.

He said the practice could encourage criminal activities and added that the command had started penalising culprits to check the trend.

"The FRSC command will also intensify efforts to check the menace of driving in the night with one head light or none, overloading as well as inculcate the habit of using seat belts by both drivers and passengers," he said.

(NAN)

could impact negatively on the development of the society.

Lawal who spoke passionately about safety on roads stated that it was in realization of the need to reduce global road traffic fatalities, particularly in the developing countries, Nigeria inclusive, that the United Nations came up with the ‘United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety’ 2011- 2020.

He, therefore, implored Surakat and members of his Executive Council to embrace the global approach by supporting the action plans of the Commission, particularly in the area of public enlightenment. He said the Commission has been intensifying efforts on its various road safety campaigns to reduce carnage on roads.

The Assistant Corps Marshal

stated that lately, safety education was introduced to schools so as to inculcate road safety habits in school children. In this regard, he said safety clubs are being formed in schools to achieve this “Catch them Young Approach”. He stated that parents should not be surprised when they see their children educating them on road safety precautions.

Also speaking on the issuance of driver’s licence, Lawal assured that only people who could actually drive would be behind the wheels on roads, stressing that the Commission was poised to ensuring that all drivers licence applicants undergo proper training in any of the registered driving schools as a pre-condition for applying for licence.

The chairman of Ibeju-Lekki

local government, Honourable Kemi Surakat in his response expressed appreciation to Assistant Corp Marshal Lawal for his advice on the need for the Local Government to join hands with all stakeholders in saving lives on roads. The Chairman stated that since the construction of Lekki–Epe coastal road, the area had witnessed fast property development, increase in population and growth of industrial concerns. Theses, he said, had led to heavy traffic in the area with the attendant challenge of incessant road accidents.

He commended the Road Safety Corps Unit in the area for checking the excesses of motorists along LekkiEpe axis. He said their presence on the road had gone a long way in reducing road accidents in the area.

…Clamours for reduction in road accidents From Ayodele Samuel and Ojebola Matthew, Lagos

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he Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of zone RS 2, comprising Lagos and Ogun states, Mr.Ademola Lawal has called on the Chairman of IbejuLekki Local Government, Honourable Kemi Surakat, to lend his support to the efforts of the Federal Road Safety Corps at reducing road fatalities and injuries in the area.

The Assistant Corps Marshal, who was on a familiarization visit to the Local LG, stated that reducing road accidents requires collective efforts of all stakeholders, including the local governments.

He lamented the economic and social consequences of deaths and injuries on our roads which he said

Automotive Council to improve vehicles’ standard

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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he National Automotive Council (NAC) has begun moves to improve the operations, as well as standards of motor vehicles in the country.

According to NAC Director General, Mr. Aminu Jalal, the move is geared towards reducing the loss of lives and property

resulting from road accidents.

Jalal stated this yesterday at the national conference on motor vehicle road worthiness inspection held in Abuja.

He said the conference represented a major milestone in ensuring that the council installed a very sound motor vehicle inspection system in the country.

There is no better time than

now to address the serious problem of road worthiness in Nigeria, which is daily causing loss of lives and property.

"The current system of vehicle road worthiness, whose provision dated back to the 1960s, is outdated and no longer functional in many states.

"This conference should be the beginning of a drastic change in

motor examination regime in Nigeria. A change that will usher in a new era of safe, reliable, environmentally sustainable and cost effective motor vehicle operation in Nigeria," the DG said.

He said further that NAC would strive towards ensuring that all vehicles in the country conformed to technical and environmental standards.

he Kogi state House of Assembly has called on Power Holding Corporation of Nigeria, [PHCN] to connect Ankpa-Olamaboro-Omala federal constituency to national grid.

This was sequel to a motion of public importance moved by Hon Damian Abdul Adejo, representing Olamaboro state constituency in the Assembly Damian said that the federal constituency comprising of AnkpaOmala-Olamaboro had been in the dark without electricity for quite some times reducing small scale business in the area.

The member noted that with improvement in the electricity supply to the constituency, the incidence of rural-urban drift would be drastically checked as unemployment and other minor social vices would give way.

In adopting the motion which was seconded by Hon Abdulahi Zakari from Ankpa 11 state constituency, the Speaker Alhaji Abdulahi Bello stated that the issue was all encompassing as it would help the populace.

KDHA considers law for taxing hotel guests

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he Kaduna state House of Assembly may soon pass a bill providing for all hotel guests to be taxed effective from this year.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the development followed the adoption of a report submitted by the House Joint Committee on Culture and Tourism and Judiciary.

The House had on March 2 mandated the committee to conduct an in depth study of an executive bill forwarded to it to that effect.

The bill is titled “A Bill for a law to impose levies on hotel accommodation in Kaduna State, 2012’’.

Presenting the report, Malam Ibrahim Gambo, the Chairman of the committee said that wide consultations were made with stakeholders.

He said that the stakeholders include the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Nigeria Hotel Association to sensitise and popularise the proposed law.

Gambo (CPC-Igabi East) recommended the harmonisation and amendment of the two bills regulating the operations of hotel and tourism establishments in the state.

The laws sought to provide for the licensing of operators of the industry.

He specifically suggested for the amendment of Sections 4 to 10 and the deletion of Sections 11 to 12 of the proposed bill.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

PAGE 11

Women education advances national development, says Wike

By Maryam Garba Hassan

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inister of State for Education, Barr.

Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has said that investing in girls and women is one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty and advance national development.

The minister made the assertion yesterday in Abuja at the official launching of the national frame work on girls and women education.

According to him, education plays an important role in empowering girls and women to secure their fundamental human

rights to dignity, good health and adequate standard of living and that countless studies have shown that uneducated women are more likely to suffer from poverty and other associated conditions.

He, however, said that since the launch of Universal Basic Education scheme in 2004, Nigeria has recorded increase in enrolment figures of both boys and girls even as he said factors including cultural and traditional values have created noticeable barriers between girls and their prospects for basic education.

“This has created gender imbalance in the education

system, which is sadly leading most of these girls and women into living deprived lives of missed opportunities and poverty”, he said.

He said already the ministry in collaboration with UNICEF and DFID is combating the menace with some specific and targeted policies and programmes adding that the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) is currently constructing junior secondary schools for girls with boarding facilities in the six geopolitical zones, which when completed are expected to expand access to opportunities and attract more girls into having basic

education.

He warned that if the effective implementation of the frame work is not ensured, efforts puts into the development of the document, will be a waste.

In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Dr. Ben Ibe, said essence of developing the frame work is to address issues of girls and women and to present to the public the practical guide lines on how government will plan, budget and implement specific tasks that will help improve education for women and girls, empower them to break the cycle of poverty and disease.

He added that the frame will also contribute meaningfully to national development and accelerate Nigeria’s drive at meeting Education for All (EFA), Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and Universal Basic Education goals by 2015.

Fielding questions from the press, the national President of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria, (FOMWAN), Hajiya Maryam Idris Othman, said religion has never been a barrier between the girl child and education adding that the only problem is that both religions are interwoven with cultural practices.

Gov Aliyu to declare open 400 Northern Youth Groups conference

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orried by the current challenges of insecurity bedeviling the north, and youths in particular, Northern Youth Assembly (NYA) has organised a conference of over 400 youth groups from the 19 states and Abuja to tackle the situation.

The Governor of Niger State, who is also the chairman of Northern States Governors Forum (NGSG), Alhaji Babangida Mu’azu Aliyu, is to declare open, the conference by the renowned youth group.

The NYA National Chairman, Ibrahim Waiya, disclosed at a press briefing in Kaduna, that 20 youth groups have been identified from each state of the northern region including Abuja for participation in the conference.

Waiya said the conference is expected to hold on the 14 -15 July, in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi state capital. Theme of the conference is “the Nigerian Project and the Youth- challenges and prospects.”

FG awards N2.2bn road contract in Edo From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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he Federal Government has flagged off the construction of Ada-Okere-UkoniAendokhian road in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government of Edo state.

The project was awarded to a consultant, Tisco and Partners Limited, on February 9, 2010, while the final design was approved on March 25, 2011 at the cost of N2.2 billion. It has three sections.

At the event, Minister of Works, Mike Onolomemen, said the project would "substantially improve the movement of people, goods, services and livelihood of our teeming populace.

"The road will considerably advance the opening up of oil prospecting activities in the area, where hydrocarbon deposit was discovered in the 1980s."

L-R: Representative of Presidential Committee on Security and Public Awareness, Malam Yusuf Addy, representative of Director General, Directorate of State Security Service, Ms. Marylin Ogar, and representative of Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. David Dogo, during the press conference on public enlightenment campaign - "Drink the Content: Destroy the Can" by NOA in partnership with Birdonica Tremple Nigeria Ltd, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

FG to recruit 10,000 youths from Nasarawa next month From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

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he Federal Government is set to recruit 10,000 youths from Nasarawa state next month in a bid to alleviate the plight of the mass of unemployed youths across the country.

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, stated this while addressing a mammoth crowd in

By Maryam Garba Hassan

M

inister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, has said that the recent election of Nigeria’s Ms. Theodora Oby Nwankwo, as a member of UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Committee will be an incentive for the government to begin to comply with provisions of a Convention that it ratified since 1985 and further bring the issue of CEDAW to the attention of the state to bring it to the fore.

The minister who said this yesterday in Abuja at a press

Awe, headquarters of Awe local government area, on the occasion of kick-off of campaign programme of Alhaji Musa Saidu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Awe North, Nasarawa assembly bye-election slated for July 7.

The initiative by the Federal Government, according to the minister, will see to it that 10,000

youths from the state are employed annually, beginning from this year, with the programme due for launch in Lafia, next month.

Maku, who described Awe as “the luckiest local government in the country”, disclosed that the Jonathan administration will complete the abandoned 79 km Lafia-Awe road, with about 70 % of the project awarded in 2008, at the

cost of over N4 billion, completed.

While lauding the effort of Musa Saidu in developing the area, when he was chairman of the council, the Minister challenged the people to show appreciation to the PDP Federal Government, stressing that, “There was no light, no roads, no water supply in Awe but we, the PDP, brought all these for the good of the people.”

UN CEDAW Nigerian membership will motivate govt to comply, says minister conference to present to the public the newly elected member, said the election will improve respect for Nigeria at the international level and will increase its participation in the treaty body.

Hajiya Zainab, who expressed optimism over Ms. Oby’s candidature, said she is worthy to represent the country in that capacity among the comity of nations based on her track record of success.

She added that before her

election, Ms. Oby who was a retired Chief Magistrate and gender activist, has been a strong voice on women issues, promoting gender equality, empowering young people and provide paralegal services to the less privileged as well as coordinated legislative advocacy for the domestication of CEDAW and the protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa.

In her remarks, Oby thanked the government and people of

Nigeria for the confidence reposed in her and assured that her potential quality representation will enhance the quality of the convention and effectively address issues of violence against women, gender inequality in Nigeria among others.

According to her, her election will make the Nigerian government understand the challenges gender inequality is posing and clear its perception in some quarters in the country.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

It’s bad leadership, not population, Mr. President

P

enultimate Tuesday, while inaugurating the new board of the National Population Commission (NPC), President Goodluck Jonathan hinted at his plan to introduce a birth control law because of his belief that the nation needs a piece of legislation to control population growth. He said “For us to plan properly, we must manage our population.” But at the same time he is ambivalent. “It is extremely sensitive; we are extremely religious people, either you are a Christian or Muslim”, he added.

“Both Christians and Muslims and even traditionalists believe that children are God’s gifts to man, so it is difficult for you to tell any Nigerian to limit the number of their children because they are gifts of God. It is a very sensitive thing but we must begin to think about it. We must begin to think about how to manage it.

“The key thing is that how you will, through your advocacy, come up with plans and programmes that as a way of advocacy you begin to encourage Nigerians to have the number of children they can manage before government comes up with clear policies and guidelines”, the President struggled to explain.

Just about this time last year, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, made a similar remark when he told a delegation of population control non-governmental organizations that the National Assembly was considering a law that would seek to control the high population growth rate in the country, claiming that the lawmakers were not unaware of the problem.

"The House will look at this issue because it has become necessary to control population growth in the country. Unless we are able to plan very well to control the population and manage it, we will have problems. We have to come up with effective population control measures through friendly legislation as we are very mindful of this issue", the then newly elected Speaker stated.

We are hardly surprised by the position the President and Speaker have taken on this very sensitive issue because since the beginning of the current democratic dispensation in 1999, our supposed leaders have exhibited, by actions and utterances, an unfortunate disregard and disdain for popular opinion in the land. Their hearts, not minds, seem to guide their actions and utterances. Fuel subsidy removal, nauseating corruption in high places, election rigging, etc, have been the people’s lot from our elected

“

We are glad that Nigerians from both religious divides have been telling the President what they think he can do with his plan to control births in the country. The unanimous verdict is that government should perish the thought representatives these past years. Unbridled corruption, in particular, has assumed a life of its own under the present administration.

Equally worrisome to most Nigerians is our leaders’ unedifying groveling before and penchant for actions and utterances that would please their Western counterparts, regardless of their negative consequences on the larger society. It is against this backdrop that we can situate this unfortunate selfserving attitude by our leaders. Two months before Speaker Tambuwal made his remarks, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Adviser, Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, had suggested

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that Nigeria work towards attaining a maximum of three children per family because the current population of 158 million, according to him, could balloon to 730 million by 2100.

“I am really scared about population explosion in Nigeria. It is not healthy.

Nigeria should work towards attaining a maximum of three children per family,” Sachs had reportedly told AFP on the margins of a presidential interactive meeting with key members of the business community on May 25, 2011. And President Jonathan’s declaration of intent on birth control came not long after the United Nations estimated that the population of Nigeria could grow from about 160 million to 400 million by 2050.

What, if we may ask, is the business of the West telling us to reduce our population if not for selfish ends? The same Western nations cheekily telling us to regulate our population are not doing so on their shores.

There are families in some of these countries, notably the UK and US, with children running into double digits and counting. Some of them are even single parents living on state welfare.

Moreover, the low populations in the developed societies have not evolved through any deliberate government’s action but by choice of the citizens, something which some countries like Spain, Italy, France and (in Asia) Japan, are now regretting and trying to redress by monetary inducements to their people to procreate.

We are glad that Nigerians from both religious divides have been telling the President what they think he can do with his plan to control births in the country. The unanimous verdict is that government should perish the thought.

We are one with them because of our strong belief that bad leadership, not rising population, is Nigeria’s problem, and until we get it right in that direction, the country will continue to flounder even if the population is reduced to just one person.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

By Sleek M.O. Oshare

I

think it has become pertinent for some of us onlookers to comment on this recent issue of whether or not President Goodluck Jonathan should run for re-election in 2015 at the expiration of his current term of four years.

The calls, which were initiated by elder statesman, Chief E.K. Clark, can be divided into three main categories. The first belongs to those fired by genuine and blind loyalty to Jonathan. In this group, you find the tribalists; mainly and those who are benefitting from the Jonathan Presidency. Another term for him will also elongate their relevance on the national stage. Since they do not have any other song to sing now that the campaigns are over and, since they have no meaningful input into the transformation agenda of the President, prematurely asking that Jonathnan should run for another term come 2015 is for them the only way at the moment to show they love him and support him. They really do not know that what Jonathan actually needs now are ideas and practical inputs that will actualise his transformation agenda and, therefore, enable make his current tenure historical and monumental.

PAGE 13

2015: Distracting Jonathan because he will need many of those allegedly involved to help him fight for another term. If that happens, the Nigerian people will then use that against him when voting time comes.

Remember, the President’s home region accounted for just 24% of

The second category belongs to those of the nation’s habitual detractors to every government especially since 1986. They were there in “IBB Forever”. They were there in Abacha for “who the cap fits”. They made specially-designed “Abacha television sets” and “Abacha wrist-watches”, etc proclaiming him as God-sent and, so should be President-for-life (ironically, or comically, somehow he was).

Some of those people are now either in the National Assembly or State Houses of Assembly.

Some are even liaison officers to the National Assembly, envoys, etc. Any-Government -In-Power (AGIP) is their stock-in-trade.

Many of them were very active in the movement for tenure elongation for President Obasanjo. I bet you, left alone, OBJ would probably have done only one term like Nelson Mandela as he indicated in 1998/9. They may have pushed him for the second term, successfully though, and had the audacity to crave for a third term for him.

The third category belongs largely to those who are exploring any possibilities of causing

you, there you are. They know that with the lure of another term come 2015, the President will be so distracted that he will not be able to tackle the embarrassing and serious issue of corruption in the country

his total votes in 2011.

However, the totality of the calls of all these groups and their fellow co-travellers is to distract the President from the onerous task he has set for himself and, for which the nation expects so

communalism, slavery, feudalism, capitalism to socialism. Except the first, none of these ideologies had been able to effectively resolve the problem of unemployment (especially among the youths).

Some politicians have capitalized on this to promise creating million-million jobs for their people. This surely is not true because nobody can create work except God. God’s work domiciled in human talents is the most viable pathway to national development. Let us illustrate this by examining a publication on page 27 of the Daily Trust (a Nigerian Abuja-based newspaper) of 22 nd June 2012, titled “I want to be a nuclear physicist”, said a 15 year old student of Zaria Academy, Master Salisu H. M. Bunkure.

In the said publication, Salisu was the subject matter and we are interested here in his engineering talent. The paper said “when he fabricated his radio station, nobody taught him how to do it.” That shows a natural ability. Salisu went further to state that, “because of the love I have for engineering…” The fact is that those who know their talents are always passionate about them. Again, talents define a person’s expertise or profession.

Salisu helps us here when he said “…from then on, I became

a radio repairer.” This means he has got his profession and already employed (at less than 15). One question to ask here is: Could Salisu become unemployed after studying engineering at the University?

The obvious answer is no.

Like other talents-bearing human beings, Salisu initially had problems working in line with his talent. We must note that Salisu’s primary challenges were mainly exogenous. For example, he said “… soon after, my mother banned me from repairing radio because of arguments that clients raised either before or after the repair had been completed”.

Whether knowingly or not, parents or guardians sometimes discourage and shade away children from their talents.

But the other challenge from clients was positive because if properly resolved, those arguments can lead to improved service quality delivery. Very instructive here is that at about 15 years of age, Salisu already had clients and indeed had started building his business empire.

Furthermore, and most times, talents work on latent or wasting opportunities and resources to produce things of greater values. For example, Salisu said he “…picked pieces of amplifier that one of our

teachers brought. It had been lying there for more than two years… I was just trying to detect why the amplifier did not work”. Latent wealth always lay wasting, especially in Third World countries, waiting to be transformed by appropriate talents. Thus, talents work on latent wealth to produce manifest wealth. In God’s design, requisite talents are usually located near every latent wealth to change the later into manifest wealth which has utility for humanity. The relationship among requisite talent, latent wealth and manifest wealth relates to the issue of the law of comparative resource advantage in Developmentalism.

Salisu went on to say that “after I had joined the relay from the speaker with that of the battery to the aerial of the speaker, I was just saying to myself, can this thing work?

Then I heard what I was saying from the radio set…It was then I knew I had set up a radio transmitter”. When talent works on latent wealth, it results in greater manifest wealth and this output will always come to people as a surprise or miracle. Talentdriven output, when coalesced for over one million people from different works, results in huge manifest wealth called

President Jonathan national embarrassment as part of their vengeance mission because of what they lost at the polls in 2011. They want Jonathan to fail so that they can point their fingers at him and say to the rest of us and the world that: we told

“

However, the totality of the calls of all these groups and their fellow co-travellers is to distract the President from the onerous task he has set for himself and, for which the nation expects so much from him. As a compatriot, I plead with Nigerians not to distract President Jonathan with such call

much from him. As a compatriot, I plead with Nigerians not to distract President Jonathan with such calls. When Chief E.K. Clark made that comment he did not mute it or mean it to be an issue for national debate or even for people to go to court over. It was just a passing comment by him.

It was not made for people all over to jump at in order to distract the President.

Infact, these calls and debate thereon are not only distractive, they are premature and counterproductive. Jonathan means well for the nation and for all of us. He did not need your calls to get to where he is now. He is a man of destiny. God has already prepared and charted his path of life for him. If he is going to get another term, it is not your calls that will get it for him. You are giving too much ammunition to his enemies to hurt him. So let us put our energies into how we can make him great and his transformation agenda succeed in the remaining three years of this term. This should be our duty for now.

God bless Nigeria.

Sleek M.O. Oshare (JP) is an oil & gas consultant

Youth unemployment and national development

By Okachikwu Dibia

T

alentism is derived from the word talent.

Talentism insists that the state, through its educational system, must discover, train and equip every talent into an organized business to provide utilities for the satisfaction of human needs increase and sustain national development.

Talents can be identified in different faculties or work-cells of life. They include natural abilities to talk well, clean well, be the best messenger, best clerical worker, best singer, best teacher, best curator, best stylist-fashion designer, leader of leaders, best artist, best entertainer, best engineer, best accountant, fastest sprinter, best writer, best footballer, best architect, best medical scientist, best thinker, etc. In every nation-state, these abilities cannot all be found in one person because one person cannot do all these works of God; hence God distributed them among different peoples in different places as it pleases Him. Therefore it is the duty of state leadership to think through and provide policies that can harness these various talents into a sustainable national culture. To be able to do this, some countries adopted certain ideologies ranging from

national product and as this process continues with the aim of consistently increasing this wealth, the nation can experience development. This is the true meaning of development.

Free education is crucial in capturing talents for national development. In our instant case, Zaria Academy should be applauded for sponsoring Salisu’s secondary education.

To underscore the importance of free education for talent and indeed national development, Salisu himself noted: “ … if he could get scholarship, the sky would be his limit in his zeal to move his state in particular and Nigeria in general in technological development to higher heights.” Thus nations would lose and waste their talents if they do not put in place a free educational system that can discover, train and equip talents for greater productivity. Besides free education, the curricula of the entire educational system should be talent focused.

“As a student in the academy, Salisu managed to write a physics handbook…he was among the students that constructed an electrical inverter… invented car security alarm that can be connected to a handset…and the establishment of a radio Contd. on page 15

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

Shema and Tata don't have to be political enemies

By Abdullahi Tasiu Dutsinma

O

ne of the characteristics of the average Nigerian leader is his failure to fully comprehend the ephemeral nature of power; he acts and superintends over the affairs of state like an overlord against whom there must not be dissenting voices.

In Katsina state, Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema appears to be intoxicated with political power. A barrister at law, he is bestriding the political landscape like a colossus, muzzling anybody he perceives to be a threat to his office. ' His recent show of dictatorial power was his handling or treatment of one of the illustrious sons of Katsina, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Tsauri (alias Tata). Tata is a humble civil servant whose only offence in the eyes of Shema is that he nurses an ambition to be the governor of the state in 2015.

Therefore he has set off early to identify the basic needs of the common man. He formed a nonpartisan organization, Na ka Sai

By John Igoli Efficiency is doing things right.

Effectiveness is doing the right things. — P.F.Drucker

I

had always thought that ’’ghost workers’’ were fictitious names on payment vouchers whose salaries are paid into a ’’real person’s’’ account(s). It was recently I became exposed to a second category of ghost workers!

These are real persons who are employees but are not available to perform their duties. Reasons for this ’unavailability’ are several. Some of them are still in primary or secondary schools and

By Jean Herskovits

A

ccommodating Nigeria’s reality should include their best efforts to foresee consequences. Above all, they must be willing to gore current oxen. They would be given adequate time to produce a new draft constitution and allowed to make radical changes, to be popularly accepted or not. But the urgency is clear.

And however unrealistic in a post-18th century constitution, especially here, I should like to plead for brevity. Much in the 1999 constitution should be handled by legislation instead.

The most effective democratic constitutions, historically, are either unwritten—hardly practical today—or entrench only broad fundamental principles and institutions, leaving the rest to laws that, especially in a federation, need not be uniform throughout.

Further, it is, I think, offensive to include in a constitution many prescriptions that are now and can in future be repeatedly violated. “It shall be the duty of the State to…” is how they begin, and when they are ignored, it undermines Nigerians’ confidence in their institutions

Naka Forum, so that he can reach He has also constructed bridges, Buhari hurricane in 2011. It is out to every man in Katsina and empowered youths through not as if he is in an opposition identify with their needs and various poverty alleviation party trying to undermine the aspirations, and he challenged programmes and distributed PDP government in the state; in fact, he is himself, firstly complementing as a duty the efforts of before His t h a t Maker, to Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text government at provide some providing the succour in the messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written dividends of form of contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 democracy to services to the words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and Katsinawa. people of his a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed And more state, himself to: intriguing is the being a fact that this is member of a The Editor, the same privilege class; Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, Shema, who and secondly, 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. won the hearts to show to Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com of hundreds of Katsinawa thousands of both at home SMS: 07037756364 voters at a time and in the when there was Diaspora that good leadership and commitment fertilisers to farmers. These are a gang-up against him by to their cause is not after all a some of the things he is doing that notable PDP leaders from the mirage; it can actually happen have put him on a collision course state who happened to be close to late President Umaru in Katsina. with the governor.

Using his lean resources, he And curiously, Tata is an Yar'adua, because they felt he constructs mosques in villages, active member of the ruling didn't deserve to be the renovates old mosques, some as party in the state, PDP, and he governor, due to the fact that, old as twenty years, and builds contributed immensely to the he was an outsider, based in classrooms, provides teaching prop up the same Shema Kaduna and that he had not materials in some public schools. administration against the contributed enough to progress

of the state to merit being the governor.

Like him, Tata is learning to warm himself into the hearts of tomorrow's voters. And he is succeeding. People are printing Tata's posters, painting his portraits on walls of their houses, erecting his billboards all over the state and associating with Tata's ambition.

Regretably, the actions of these Tata sympathisers seem to be irritating the government of the day which has sent security agencies after them. Many villagers, especially in Danja local government recently were arrested and arraigned before a magistrate's court on allegations of vandalism and disturbing the public peace and they are still languishing in the state CID pending when the governor decides what to do with them or when the law finally opens its eye. It is glaring that Shema is all out to intimidate Tata.

Abdullahi Tasiu Dutsinma wrote in from Unguwar Kanawa, Kaduna North Local Government, Kaduna state.

are therefore under aged. The other group are too old as they are mummies and grannies. The third group are working elsewhere i.e. they have other jobs or are full time self-employed. The only day you will see these categories of ghost workers attending to their duties is when there is a screening exercise to fish them out. They appear from all parts of the state or country, from all nooks and crannies of the local government, from unexpected families and abodes. They emerge to sup on our common wealth,

devour our common sense and insult our sensibilities with their smiles of innocence.

Meanwhile we are inundated with reports of 5000-7000 or more ghost workers from the states and even higher numbers from the federal ministries. This implies we can accommodate from the local governments 1000 ghost workers giving 774, 000. From the 36 states and the FCT, using an average of 6,000 per state, gives 220, 000 while from the ministries, using 5000 from 42

ministries gives 210, 000. These add up to a mere 1.2 million who can be on government payroll without us feeling the pinch.

Rather than let the salaries of these ghost workers go to unscrupulous elements and greedy individuals we can make these ghosts workers real persons and convert their salaries or earnings to social security payments.

The conditions for enjoying the social security payments can be set at being above the age of 18

and either being a graduate or a secondary school leaver. With the minimum wage at N18, 000.00 and the ghost workers happy with N10, 000.00 as salaries, we can double the number to be placed on social security to 2.4 million or more. This will take the pressure off government officials and allow those who are true workers to do their jobs.

John Igoli contributed this piece to nigeriavillagesquare.com articles.

and increases their cynicism about those who claim to lead them.

We know that internal weakness undermines the ability of any country to play a visible, effective role internationally. It is no secret that Nigeria’s effectiveness on the world stage is a shadow of what it was in earlier times, most notably the time when Joseph Nanven Garba was its face and voice. U.S. Secretaries of State Cyrus Vance and even Henry Kissinger, privately reflecting on Nigeria then and now, made clear that what stood out for them was Nigeria as presented—and represented—by Joe Garba. It’s only a strong, stable, united, confident Nigeria that can restore its international prominence. Nigeria should be the obvious African candidate for permanent membership on the UN Security Council. Now, it is not.

More urgent even than constitutional reform is to restore security to Nigerians. Give them back safe roads and freedom to move around the country, so vital

to rebuilding their economic wellbeing and One Nigeria. Now, when violence and criminality pervade, and the country is more militarized than it was under military governments, fear and anger trump almost everything else.

Beyond that, Nigeria desperately needs strong institutions, and needs more Joe Garbas committed to building them—look at his work to make NDA into a first class university;

look at NIPSS. He also had faith in Nigeria’s youth—he did not think, nor do I, that means people in their 40s or 50s. I think he would see hope now, as I do, in the behavior of young Nigerians last January, as they engaged in peaceful protests in many of the country’s cities, complementing the work, or non-work, of strikers.

Most impressive were the declarations that they would not allow anyone to use religion or ethnicity to divide them. In Kano

and Kaduna especially, they were emphatic about respect for worship, with young Christians guarding Muslims at prayer and young Muslims guarding Christian churches on Sundays.

Sadly, even tragically, those efforts were curtailed, but not by the young themselves—and worst of all, in Lagos, by military violence.

I hope those young, courageous people began something—a renewed commitment to Nigeria—that will engage more and more of them, and draw in others similarly committed, of whatever age. They need a critical mass to insist on constructive change. But in their efforts are the seeds of “How to be a Nigerian” in the way that Joe Garba quintessentially was.

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

WRITE TO US

Make these ghosts real (I)

How to be a Nigerian (IV)

“

More urgent even than constitutional reform is to restore security to Nigerians. Give them back safe roads and freedom to move around the country, so vital to rebuilding their economic wellbeing and One Nigeria

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

By Chinedu Ekeke

M

gbeke is feeling funky.

In contemporary Igbo society, Mgbeke is the village girl who lacks exposure and is distanced from modernity. She knows nothing about a good sense of dress and isn’t the type who walks with the alluring girly gait. On her best day, she looks out of place in her attires. Once in a while, an Mgbeke with an exaggerated sense of self-worth happens on the village scene. She wants to speak, dress and act like the city girl. But while she forces herself to do that, she unwittingly exposes her ignorance and sense of inferiority – the two qualities that earned her the name and image in the first place. And her more exposed peers naturally dismiss her as Mgbeke feeling funky.

We saw a similar scenario play out last Sunday. Nigeria’s president, apparently irritated by the torrents of criticisms that have trailed his lackluster administration, and particularly his refusal to declare his assets as required by the constitution, snarled at a journalist during his presidential media chat; “I don’t give a damn!”

He was wondering why Nigerians can’t understand that his own presidency should be allowed to enjoy what those before his boss – Yar’adua – enjoyed: corruption.

Mr. Jonathan is a secret believer in all the theories that have destroyed Nigeria, a key part of which is “Chop-I-chop”. He assumes that by now people should have understood his unwillingness to be accountable. For him, it is a closed topic. So why raise it again? Mr President doesn’t give a damn!

Mr. Jonathan must have been told by his advisers to act tough, to prove his mettle to those who see him as a weakling. He thought to send a clear message to his critics who, interestingly, are many and increasing in ranks by the day: do not ever take me for a sissy!

PAGE 15

Who gives a damn anyway?

If he had the power of elocution, the sudden arrogance would have made meaning to us. If he were the president who had in his kitty enough English words to express his thoughts, we would have sought to share in his sophistication. We would have chosen to pick at least his swagger, or his eloquence or his mastery of rhetorics. But his lack of willingness to be the president beyond an occupant of a presidential office; his use of pedestrian language on national TV; his lack of depth in thoughts gave him the Mgbeke image – the inadequate girl who overrates herself.

Many have questioned the president’s qualifications. Many – at home and abroad – believe this president is intellectually challenged. Many members of the academia can’t see any intelligence in the government he runs. One would have expected his pastime to be reading biographies and autobiographies of great leaders to shore up his intellect, rather than reveling in gossips from his village men. But then, he doesn’t give a damn.

“If I declare my assets, will it stop Boko Haram?”

Mr Jonathan asked. That was a nauseating non sequitur. It could be pardoned from a mischievous teenager, a teenage boy who was out to play pranks, but not from the president of a country. That it was committed by a president moves it way beyond the realm of fallacy. It assumed the weight of sin. It doesn’t follow. Those who included assets declaration in Nigeria’s constitution didn’t do so for the purpose of stopping terrorism. That wasn’t what it was meant to achieve. Assets declaration is for the purpose of transparency, to curtail corruption and underscore the commitment of public officeholders in the collective quest of the nation for openness in governance. Corruption is the root of most of the maladies

we see in today’s Nigeria. With that response, Mr Jonathan gave out himself as lacking in basic knowledge of elementary logic, in which case he justifies this writer’s Mgbeke analogy, or he deliberately chose to mislead Nigerians in his desperation to be left alone to run, as he has done in the last two years, an opaque regime.

The tragedy of today’s Nigeria is that it is saddled with a cheerleader of corrupt people as its president. He thinks corruption is in our DNA, and that people should understand and just move on. Hear him: “The stealing of crude oil is a Nigerian phenomenon.” That is a summary of what he stands for on corruption. why he is upset when people want him to be a president different from his predecessors who converted public funds to private wealth. Somewhere within him, I suspect he has asked himself and those close to him, “why should I stop corruption today? Where were you advocates of war against corruption before I came?”

Actually, he has said it aloud once. He said he wasn’t the cause of Nigeria’s problems. I do not think he said it because he is willing to solve the problems, he said it to seek a leave from his

national productivity and ultimately national development.

Yet, youth unemployment keeps increasing by the day. Why? It is because talents are being neglected. Government needs to determine whether or not these youths have talents? If they do, what exactly are their talents? Do nations have a formal educational system or process that can seamlessly discover, train and equip these talents?

In seeking answers to these fundamental questions, I have come to discover that no government can create jobs; rather government can provide enabling environment to get jobs done.

When people engage in areas of their talent(s) within an enabling environment, there is always instant joy in doing

the work and the work is effortlessly done well. The work is creative, innovative and driven by decent ambition to take it to the highest level by achieving extra-ordinary feats that create quantum value for national development.

Working in tune with your talent means working according to God’s purpose for your life.

But when government attempts to create jobs, which is fallacy, they cause people to engage in works that are unrelated to their talent(s), even within an enabling environment (like in advanced economies).

Salisu himself acknowledged that “his talent is a gift from God”. Therefore, a talentfocused free educational system and a talent-driven political economy are needed for true development where we can

critics.

But who gives a damn about Jonathan’s assets declaration anyway? Even if he does, it will be false. He has declared it before and it was false. In 2006, Goodluck Jonathan was indicted for false declaration of assets by a Joint Task Force (JTF) on corruption that was set up by Obasanjo’s government.

That powerful panel was headed by Nuhu Ribadu then as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Joint Task Force said Mr Jonathan was in possession of illegally-acquired property such as homes and exotic cars he could not explain within his legitimate income. While he was invited for hearing, he claimed he bought them from his “savings”. A lecturer’s savings! Some of the properties involved were listed as: a sevenbedroom duplex worth N18 million at Otuke Ogbia LGA acquired in2001; a fourbedroom duplex, valued at N15 million at Goodluck Jonathan Street, Yenegoa, acquired in 2003; and a five-bedroom duplex, at Citec Villas, Gwarimpa II – Abuja, valued at N25 million, also acquired in 2003. There were also two cars: a Lexus Jeep valued at N18

“

The tragedy of today’s Nigeria is that it is saddled with a cheerleader of corrupt people as its president. He thinks corruption is in our DNA, and that people should understand and just move on. Hear him: “The stealing of crude oil is a Nigerian phenomenon.” That is a summary of what he stands for on corruption

million; and a BMW 7351 Series worth N5.5 million. If you check the dates, the purchases were made starting from 2001, just two years after becoming a deputy to a criminal governor convicted for fleecing Bayelsa state.

With such a past, why would anybody expect the president to show willingness in the fight against corruption? Even if he does, would he be declaring his true worth?

More than anything else, Mr Jonathan wants to retire a trillionaire, not from profits built from a successful business. He wants to retire a trillionaire from money made in government. Daring to stop him will bring out the uncivil part of him, as it did, last Sunday.

There is nowhere in the world where government is designed to confer on its operators the sole right to corner national resources to private pockets. We see that only in Nigeria; and the rest of Africa have learnt that. The advocates of good governance want Nigeria to be run like a modern day state where transparency and accountability in government drive economic growth and lift the population out of poverty. This president hasn’t shown that he likes that.

And for saying he isn’t taking the country anywhere, his critics are branded abusive.

But beyond the president’s new-found intimidation tactics, we think it is our duty – a divine duty we owe our country – to demand accountability and good governance. We will talk “from head to toe” in our insistence.

It is true that he doesn’t give a damn. But it is also true that we do not give a damn about his not giving a damn.

Chinedu is a Sunday Columnist with www.ekekeee.com. You can catch him on Twitter via: @ekekeee

youth unemployment and national devt Continued from page 13

station at the academy.” These are greater and higher products made possible by the talents of teens in a secondary school. Every child is so differently talented and if every child can be so identified and encouraged, why should youth unemployment and violence overtake nations of the world in the 21 st Century?

In seeking to resolve the unemployment challenge, most nations have turned to the so-called idea of creating employment for the youths.

They have invested directly in the areas of skills empowerment that could enable youths establish small and medium scale enterprises.

To nations, these are about creating jobs to reduce youth unemployment and increase

have employer-youths not unemployed-youths, positively engaged youths not idle youths armed robbers, religious fanatics and social miscreants whose stock in trade is violence.

How can we have a talentfocused education in a talentdriven economy? It starts with the free educational system that must be able to discover the talents in children train them along their talents and convert the talents into industries. This way, every work-profession is peopled with persons of like-talents.

Thus, the meaning of the Salisu example is that all human activities should be based on talents. When those leading all the sectors of a nation have requisite talents, true professionalism and expertise will reign. Such

leaders may not be driven by greed or Machiavelli’s ruthless Realism Theory, but by some humane principles that seek to achieve genuine progress with less contradictions and conflicts.

We must note that in the post Second World War world, capitalism and socialism have failed.

Developmentalism (development through Talentism)) will take over to drive human progress. Political leaders of all nations must key into Developmentalism to improve on the strengths of capitalism and socialism while rejecting their weaknesses thereby ushering in a more humane and decent development paradigm with the human talents as its driving force.

Okachikwu Dibia lives in Abuja, Nigeria.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

FCTA generates N1.1bn IGR in June

By Josephine Ella

T

he Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide has disclosed that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has generated N1.10 billion for the month of June 2012.

Akinjide disclosed this at the FCT Area Councils Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) in Abuja.

She confirmed that the sum of N1.743 billion being allocation from the Federation Account for May was allocated to the six area councils, Abaji, Abuja

•••disburses N1.74bn to councils Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.

Represented by Director, Admin & Finance, Area Councils Services Secretariat, Alhaji Yusuf Tsaiyabu, she explained that the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS) contributed N486.82 million of the total sum for the preceding month.

“We achieved an IGR of N1.101 billion in June 2012 out of which N486.82 million was realised by AGIS, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) collected N304.01 million, Water Board

recorded N202.57 million; Abuja Environmental Protection Board, N60.52 million, and Directorate of Road Traffic Services, N34.14 million,” she said.

Out of the N1.743 billion allocated to the FCT area councils from the Federation Account, the minister noted that statutory deductions for primary school teachers in the six area councils, 15 per cent pension fund and one per cent training fund accounted for N926.04 million while net allocation of N817.08 was paid to the six area councils.

The breakdown indicates that in the allocation to area councils, Abaji got (N119.40 million); Abuja Municipal (N172.28 million); Bwari (N142.53 million); Gwagwalada (N143.59 million); Kuje (N121.42 million), and Kwali (N117.84 million).

Akinjide said the FCTA would continue to uphold transparency in the disbursement of funds to the six area councils and assured that it had put in place a mechanism to monitor the performance of the area councils on a monthly basis while rewarding performing councils.

Some of the physically challenged people who benefitted from the wheelchairs donated by Shukrallah Association, through AlKhulafa’ur rashidunfoundation yesterday in Karu, Abuja.

Photo: Mohammed Kandi

Man, 25, harms another over biscuit

A

25-year-old man, Stephen Paul of Area A Extension, Nyanya, Abuja has appeared before an Abuja Upper Area Court in Karu for causing grievous hurt to one Austin Paul.

One Austin, resident in Gbagalape, near Nyanya, the Police Prosecutor, Jerry Tangshak, told the court,

reported the matter at the Police Station on June 26, 2012.

Tangshak explained to the court that that some members of Christ Embassy Church had gone to preach to the accused and the complainant, after which they gave them some biscuits to share.

In the process of sharing the

biscuits, Stephen was said to have started a quarrel, resulting to a fight with Austin.

He added that Stephen threw Austin to the ground and “Austin’s left shoulder was dislocated and he is now receiving treatment at Gbagalape”.

The prosecutor said that

during police investigation, the accused person confessed to committing the crime.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The judge, Umar Kagarko, ordered the accused person to be remanded in Keffi Prison and adjourned the case to August 28, 2012 for further hearing.

(NAN)

Galadimawa clash: AMAC sets up investigation panel

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has set up a panel to investigate the remote cause of a clash between youths and the village head of Galadimawa village in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Tanko Zhimiko.

A clash had erupted last week Thursday, when some youths in the community heard rumours

that the village chief was planning to sale out the entire village to an unnamed public figure.

The AMAC Chairman , Hon. Micah Y. Jiba confirmed that the committee would find a lasting solution to the lingering problem in the area.

He regretted that most of the problems of the community have affected the socio-economic endeavours in the village,

urging youths to lay down their swords for the interest of the community and the FCT. This was as a vowed to penalize anybody in the area that was causing the problem.

Also, the Chairman of the panel , Alhaji Idris Mohammed assured that anybody found wanting by his panel would be penalized accordingly.

One of the angry youths, John Gbegbe Bamgo, who spoke

to newsmen, expressed regret over the attitude of their Chief, adding that most of the advice given to him for proper management of the people and the community are not usually heeded to.

He even tendered a copy of interlocutory injection issued to the chief over issues bordering on land in the area, alleged that it was his selfishness that led to revolt by the youths.

Secretariat partners Kuje council on youth devt

By Josephine Ella

T

he Social Development Secretariat (SDS) of the (Federal Capital Territory Administration) is collaborating with the Kuje Area Council for social-economic development of youths the council.

To this effect, the SDS Secretary, Mrs Blessing Onuh, who led top officials of the secretariat on an advocacy visit to the council chairman, Hon. Danladi Etsu Zhin yesterday, donated sporting items including 18 pairs of jersey, boots and stockings each, for the 10 wards in the council.

The gesture, Onuh told the chairman, - was to support the forthcoming Under-13 sport competition and the First Lady Cup in the FCT. She explained that the visit was to declare the intention of the secretariat to collaborate with the council in various areas as it affects social development.

According to her, the secretariat also intends to partner with the council to stem the rising cases of child molestation by enforcing the Child Right Act in the council and as well partner with them to develop their tourism potentials.

“We are developing sporting facilities and we have picked Kuje Area Council to carry out the pilot scheme on sport so this is why we have brought these sporting facilities that would assist this council in the coming Under-13 and first Lady’s Cup,” she said.

She added that these would be replicated in other area councils, saying, “these programme are geared towards development of the FCT and decongestion of the city centre, so very soon, what you can find in the city centre, you will begin to find them in the council”.

In his remarks, Hon. Zhin thanked the Secretary and her team for showing interest in the council.

He said on its part, the council has been doing its best by contributing its quota for development of youths and women in the council to address the issue of youth restiveness.

According to him, recently the council distributed 20 golf cars and 80 motorcycles to youths in the council at 25 per cent subsidy of the market prices of the items.

“We also gave some loans to women without interest and offered scholarship of N6m and N12m in the first and second year of the commencement of our scholarship scheme and N20m for last year scholarship programme and this year will be more,” he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

PAGE 17

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

An environmental worker dumping plastic bottles in a waste bin, on Tuesday in Area 2, Gark, Abuja.

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

An elderly woman taking a ride on a motorcycle with her goods not minding the risk as Keke NAPE driver repairing his tricycle, on Tuesday in Durumi District, Abuja. captured, on Tuesday in Nyanya, Abuja.

Photos: Justin Imo-Owo

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

Biz-man loses eye to scavengers attack T

wo scavengers were on Tuesday arraigned before an Abuja Senior Magistrate’s Court for allegedly causing grievous hurt to the eye of a businessman, Mr Lawrence Ogbodo.

The accused, Mutalla Musa, 19, and Mutalla Kahiridu, 21, of Angwa Hausawa, Kurudu, Abuja, were charged with joint

act and grievous hurt punishable under sections 79 and 248 of the Penal Code.

Police prosecutor, Sergeant Abu Opanachi, told the court that the case was reported through a written petition to the Police Area Command Metro Office by Ogbodo of Kurudu village, Abuja, on May 7, 2012.

Opanachi said that on

March 27 at about 6.30 p.m., the accused conspired with one Aliyu Bala, now on the run, and attacked the complainant in his compound with dangerous weapons.

The prosecutor said the attack led to the removal of one of the complainant’s eyes, adding that he had been receiving treatment at Asokoro General Hospital.

The accused denied the charge.

Magistrate Omolola Akindele granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

She said one of the sureties must be a civil servant on GL 12 and that the second must be living within the jurisdiction of the court.

According to her, the passport photograph of the sureties and the accused must be affix on the court bail bond.

She said the sureties must produce first appointment letter, last promotion letter and the last pay slip for sighting while the photocopy must be attached on the bail bond.

The case was adjourned to July 19, 2012. (NAN)

Minister sets up monitoring c’ttee for 2012 Hajj operation

By Josephine Ella

I

An accident scene near SDP junction, yesterday in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

Photo: NAN

FCTA awards contracts for seven pedestrian bridges

By Josephine Ella

T

he Federal Capital T e r r i t o r y Administration (FCTA) and the World Bank have completed the procurement processes and awarded contracts for the construction of seven overhead pedestrian bridges at critical spots on highways in the city.

Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, who disclosed this when a team led by the Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission (PCC), FCT Office, Hon. Obunike Ohaegbu, paid him a courtesy visit, said this was intended to

reduce the difficulties and risk being faced daily by pedestrians who across some busy express roads in Abuja metropolis due to lack of bridges.

He said work on the selected spots which include the Mabushi/ Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway junction, Area 1/ Area3 Junction and the Wuye/ Wuse junction would soon commence.

He said the FCT Administration would continue to do its best to be a benchmark for good governance by being responsive to the needs of the residents of the nation’s

capital.

Senator Mohammed further expressed satisfaction with the growing synergy between the FCTA and the PCC, maintaining that he would do his best to foster the cordial relationship by ensuring timely response to all complaints from the people through the commission.

On the Commission’s request for allocation of a plot of land for the building of its permanent office complex in Abuja, the Minister directed the FCT Permanent Secretary, Engr.

Anthony Ozodinobi to ensure that an appropriate place is promptly allocated for the

purpose.

Earlier, the Commissioner, Mr. Ohaegbu had commended the FCTA Transport Secretariat for responding promptly to the enquiries by the commission when contacted on the need for pedestrian bridges at some locations in Abuja metropolis, especially at Wuye Finance/ Wuse Zone 5 end among others.

He has also listed the challenges facing his commission in FCT to include office accommodation, suitable plot of land for location of the commission’s permanent office and transportation problems faced by staff due to insufficient number of official vehicles.

NYSC coordinator assures Corps members of security

T

he NYSC Coordinator in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Frank Ekpunobi has assured corps members of adequate security in the territory.

Ekpunobi gave the assurance during the second day of registration exercise at the Kubwa Orientation Camp.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that with the presence of the military, police

and other security agencies, the corps members should feel secured.

NAN reports at the entrance to the orientation camp, there were large presence of security personnel, who were seen conducting thorough search on persons and vehicles.

The coordinator said that they were expecting 2,800 corps members and that 2,000 had already arrived undergoing

registration.

“Those, who are able to complete their registration are being given kits, accommodation and other necessary items and we are also expecting the remaining 800 corps members to be here.

We enforce strict compliance to camp rules”.

Ekpunobi said that Abuja had been the most preferred state by the corps members and was not

expecting any of the members posted to FCT to seek redeployment.

“Those seeking redeployment will have to obtain a medical report, which will be thoroughly screened by our medical team who will also interview them.

We allow nursing mothers and pregnant women to attend to their families and come back for the swearing in,” he said.

(NAN)

n a bid to ensure a hitchfree 2012 Hajj operation, the Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, has inaugurated a Ministerial Monitoring Committee.

Chaired by the Secretary, Area Councils Secretariat, Hon. Yahaya Alhassan Gwagwa, the committee has as its secretary, the Personal Assistant to the Minister of State on Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Isiaka Kehinde.

The members include, the Director of Treasury, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Alhaji Ibrahim Bomai; Director of Security, FCTA, Mallam A. Bashir; Director of Special Duties in the Office of the Minister of State, Alhaji Sagir Hamidu.

Others are the Special Assistant to the Minister of State on Area Councils, Alhaji Ibraheem A. Ibraheem; Deputy Director, Admin in FCTA, Hajiya Suleiman Danbatta; Special Assistant to Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Salihu Ismaila Evuti; Alhaji Umarfarouk Adamu Auta, and Dr. Abdullahi.

While inaugurating the committee, the minister mandated the members to monitor the conduct of the 2012 Hajj operation and ensure the success of the operation.

“As the members of the Committee are expected to do a clinical assessment of last year’s Hajj with a view to correcting any mistake made, we should be mindful of other novel factors which can impact on this year’s Hajj. ”The overall task, succinctly, is to make this year’s operation the best ever. It is expected that you will put in your possible best in this noble assignment,” she said.

Responding, the Chairman of the ministerial committee commended the minister for putting various measures in place, including the constituting a ministerial body for the operation, to ensure a smooth Hajj operation for the pilgrims.

This was as he assured that the committee would diligently accomplish the mandate given to them.

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

SON seeks public assistance over anti sub-standard war

Mob: 08033644990

Lagos-Kano train service to start this month – NRC From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

T

he Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade yesterday announced that the Lagos-Kano train service would be restored before the end of this month.

The NRC boss stated that the commencement of the LagosKano train service had been postponed twice but remained optimistic that services on the route will be restored this month.

“The railway engineers have just returned from the final inspection of the tracks; our contractors are now working on the minor adjustments recommended by the engineers.

“We are going to begin trial runs very soon, and most likely, full restoration of train services between Lagos and Kano before the end of this month-July 2012,” he said.

Sijuwade noted that the recent heavy rainfall in parts of the country, especially the South-West, damaged some of the facilities on the Lagos-Kano rail track, adding that repair works on the affected lines had been carried out.

The NRC boss also promised that the Port HarcourtMaiduguri train service would be ready soon as its rehabilitation reached an advanced stage.

According to Sijuwade, the new standard rail gauge line between Kaduna and Abuja is 35 per cent completed and should be delivered within the next two

Lagos-Kano train services is expected to be restored before the end of this month years, if adequate funds are provided.

“Fortunately, the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) is adequately funding the three railway projects Kaduna-Abuja, Lagos-Kano, and

Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail lines.

“Although, only the KadunaAbuja new rail line is of the standard gauge among them, we are only waiting to complete the rehabilitation of existing lines before going full blast to

having standard gauge on all routes.

“And by the time the standard gauge track would be fully in place, the current narrow gauge lines would be used for cargo trains alone because they cannot carry the speed of modern

passenger locomotives,” he said.

According to Sijuwade, the laying of the standard railway lines will be done in phases and will start with the Lagos-Ibadan route and extend gradually, just as it was in 1898 when the NRC began building rail lines. (NAN)

Software migration responsible for transaction hitch, says Ecobank

By Abdulwahab Isa and A’isha Biola Raji hanges occasioned by software migration from Pinnacle to Flexcube for enhanced maximum efficiency in banking transaction is responsible for the present hitch being experienced by customers of Ecobank Plc. Our correspondent’s investigations revealed that in the past one week, customers of Ecobank have been experiencing long delays while conducting banking transactions at various branches of the bank.

However, the bank’s spokesperson Mr. Austin

C

Asokpor explained to Peoples Daily in a telephone conversation yesterday, while clarifying the reason for the hitch, said the migration from Pinnacle software to more efficient software will enhance maximum service delivery to the bank customers.

T

he Naira firmed against the United States’ dollar on the interbank market yesterday , after dollar sales by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and two oil firms boosted liquidity amid lackluster demand, traders said.

The Naira ended at 162.75 to

CFA • £ RIYAL $

SELLING 0.298 195.8572 243.89 41.5689 155.9

PARALLEL RATES • £ RIYAL $

BUYING 207 258 40 165

SELLING 209 260 42 169

the U.S. dollar on the interbank yesterday, firmer than the 163.16 it closed at on Tuesday.

Dealers said the local units of Chevron and Addax sold about $50.2 million combined to some lenders on yesterday, lifting liquidity in a market with waning dollar demand.

At its auction, the CBN sold $251 million at N155.90 to the dollar yesterday, compared with $350 million auctioned at N155.94 on Monday.

It had initially offered $350 million at Wednesday’s sale, but only shifted $251 million due to insufficient demand, traders

Management Tip of the Day

4th July, 2012 BUYING 0.278 194.6009 242.3256 41.3023 154.9

banking service.

He regretted the hitch occasioned by the system migration and expressed confidence that normal unhindered transaction will commence on Monday.

He said those with ATM and POS are affected with software

migration and assured of smooth transaction across the counter next week Monday.

Austin said the bank kept its customers abreast of the development through text messages and public notices well ahead of the system migration.

Naira firms against dollar as oil firms, CBN sell dollars

EXCHANGE RATES

CBN

He said the old Oceanic Bank, which was acquired by Ecobank, was using Pinnacle software while Ecobank was also using a different own software, noting there was a compelling need for harmonisation so that bank’s customers are captured on single platform for efficient

T

With teams, clarify each person's skills

eam members don't need to see eye-to-eye on every issue. But unhealthy conflict can arise when teams misunderstand each others' skills Be aware of perceptions. Know that people will always hold varying opinions of each other's

expertise. Being sensitive to this may help you avoid conflict.

Communicate your rationale. When assigning a task or asking someone's advice, be explicit about why: "I'm asking for your input because of your knowledge of X." Explaining

your thinking may keep people from feeling slighted.

Encourage people to speak up. Tell people to ask questions when someone else gets an assignment they thought they were better suited for.

Source: Harvard Business Review

said. The bank didn’t disclose the level of demand at its auction.

“We see the market hovering around the present level of 162.50-163 naira in the coming days unless there is a resurgence in demand and slowdown in dollar sales by oil companies,” one dealer said.

The Naira has weakened from around 159 to the dollar since the beginning of the year to above 162, in the past two months, driven partly by an exit of offshore investors in the local debt market and demand by fuel importers.

The CBN has been providing support to prop up the Naira through direct intervention at the interbank market, which has been eating into the country’s reserves. (Reuters)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS UACN, Livestock Feeds Plc sign MoU on investment

U

AC of Nigeria Plc (UACN), a leading diversified, foodfocused conglomerate with over a century of active engagement in Nigeria, and Livestock Feeds Plc (LSF), a pioneer in the manufacturing of animal feeds in the country, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on UACN’s plans to make an equity investment in LSF.

Fidson encourages support for NAFDAC against drug counterfeiting

US export to Nigeria hits N768bn in 2011 Stories from Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

E

xports from the United States to Nigeria exploded from $747 million in 2010 to $4.8 billion (N768 billion) in 2011, the Nigeria-USA Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC) has said.

Nigeria-USA Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC), Bonnie Speed Logistics, Urban League of Greater Cleveland and over 60 entrepreneurs and companies key organisations representing, healthcare, technology computer and software, beauty products, wholesale product distributors, marketers, educators and Universities said this at a pre-summit event to usher in the on-coming NUSACC’s 3rd International Trade and Investment summit scheduled to hold on August 914, 2012 in Lagos Nigeria.

The President/CEO of

Spectrum Global Solutions LLC, Mr. Mike Obi, an international trade consultant and a member of Nigeria-USA Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC), said this while highlighting the huge potentials awaiting companies and investors wishing to do business in Nigeria.

According to him, this is a sign that Nigeria is demanding more of American products and services.

Nigeria, Obi disclosed, is designated by US EX-IM Bank as one of the 9 countries in the world that it is focusing for financing outreach. He disclosed that with Nigeria’s population at more than 160 million, majority of whom are young, the potential to tap into the market and making profit is high.

The theme of the three-day Lagos summit is: “Identifying Partners to Maximise Business Opportunities in Africa’s Fastest

Growing Economy, Nigeria.” In fact the motivation for hosting the Lagos summit was as a result of the successful outcome of 2011 summits organised in collaboration with the Cleveland Council on World Affairs (CCWA), the Quicken Loan/ Cleveland Cavaliers, US Department of Commerce, US Small Business Administration, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Washington D.C. More than 150 organizations from the US attended NUSACC previous summits.

Mr. Obi disclosed that NUSACC’s 3rd International Trade and Investment Summit scheduled in Lagos August 9 – 14, 2012 should be seen first as a networking opportunity with targeted business matchmaking to align US and Nigerian

F

Facebook IPO grounds to a halt in Q2

T

British Airways eye Port Harcourt route

B

ritish Airways (BA) management has said it is looking at the prospects of operating a daily flight between London Heathrow and Port Harcourt, the third largest commercial city in Nigeria.

MFBs want recapitalisation deadline extended to 2013

M

icrofinance banks in the country have called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to extend the recapitalisation deadline to December 31, 2013.

SON seeks public assistance over anti sub-standard war

I

idson Healthcare Plc, one of the leading health and pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria has thrown its weight behind the on-going campaign by the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) against fake drug syndicates in the country.

he number of initial public offerings in the second quarter ground to a halt because of Facebook’s disappointing public debut, according to new data from the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) and Thomson Reuters.

businesses in the same industry.

“Our goal is to build relationships with potential for a positive win- win business deals” he said.

He urged the guests to consider using the opportunities afforded by the NUSACC’s 3rd International Trade and Invest summit to afford themselves of the opportunity of first having a view of the business opportunities, doing the networking and eventually deciding whether they could do business in Nigeria.

L-R: Representative of Oyo state governor, Mr Femi Oyedipe, Director-General, Oyo state Signage/ Advertisement Agency (OYSAA), Mr. Yinka Adepoju, and General-Secretary, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, Mr Ajufo Emmanuel, during a stakeholders' forum, recently in Ibadan. Photo: NAN

Expect good power supply by 2020, Jonathan assures manufacturers

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has said that power supply in Nigeria will be among the best 20 in the world in the next eight years.

The President gave the assurance recently in Lagos, at the 40th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

President Jonathan, represented by Dr. Samuel Ortom, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, he said, “We will do everything possible to address the structural weaknesses standing between us and revolutionising the power sector.

“We will do everything possible to address the structural weaknesses standing between us and the revolutionising of the sector; some of the problems are deep but not beyond the government.

We are currently reviewing the lapses in the power sector, to make it one of the best in the world in the year 2020; Nigeria is on the threshold of history, ready to join world economic powers in the very near future” he said.

He disclosed that government’s effort at attracting local and foreign investor into the economy is yielding positive results with over 16,000 local and foreign investors registering their intention to do business worth about N6.6 trillion in just one year.

He saluted the fashioning out of a blueprint by MAN to boost the sector assuring them that the considerations of the blueprint will be highly valued by the government and put to work because it will the impetus for industrial revolution which we desire to see as a nation.

Also speaking at the event,

former president, Olusegun Obasanjo commended MAN for its achievements, contributions to the progress of Nigeria in economic terms and surviving the ups and downs.

He noted that the theme of the AGM: “Strategies for Accelerated Development of Manufacturing-The Way Forward” was very appropriate and gave more insight to the theme.

In his address, the President of MAN, Kola Jamodu, said that it is widely held view that manufacturing is one of the most powerful engines for economic growth and a catalyst for the transformation of the economic structure of countries.

He explained that the blueprint reviews the status of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria and identifies the extent of the burden that manufacturers have carried over the years.

n its efforts to checkmate the influx of fake and substandard products in the country, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has solicited the support and assistance of the general public to ensure that products that do not conform to the stipulated standards specification are not allowed to find their ways in the markets across the country.

The Director-General/ Chief Executive of the organisation, Joseph Odumodu, who made the appeal at an awards ceremony, organised by the Commerce & Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN), in Lagos, said that it was only through such collaboration that the organisation’s efforts at eliminating fake and substandard products, which had cost the nation avoidable deaths and loss of valuable goods could be addressed.

Represented by his head of marketing, Bola Fashina, the SON boss also enjoined consumers to always be alert and demand for the best, as well as complain to the relevant authorities any time they come across any fake and sub-standard products, adding that it was only in that way that fake, sub-standard and adulterated products could be checked.

According to him, such measures, apart from helping consumers, would also help in boosting and promoting trade and investment in Nigeria.

Odumodu attributed the incessant incidences of building collapses, food poisoning, fires in houses and markets, road accidents and such other sad incidences to marketing, sales and use of sub-standard and life danger products in the country.

“A critical check, would reveal that each of us here as individuals must have at one time or the other been affected directly or indirectly in the various deaths and losses associated with the distribution and use of substandard products either through relatives, friends, neighbours or associates.

PEOPLES DAILY, THUSRDAY, JULY 5, 2012

PAGE 21

How Airtel is partnering NACA, NAFDAC to promote public health From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

H

ealth is wealth, the aphorism states, and in the modern world, access to adequate and relevant information is a major route to getting the full benefits of health services.

This realisation is propelling a major public-private sector partnership that has seen leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria collaborate with public sector health organisations like the National Agency for Control of AIDS (NACA) and the National Agency for Food & Drugs Administration and Control, (NAFDAC) in providing the much-needed public health information.

Airtel uses the platform of the ubiquitous mobile telephones carried by nearly 20 million Nigerians on its network to provide dedicated lines for citizens (consumers) to call in to NACA or NAFDAC. Citizens also receive text messages and alerts on issues of public health concern.

The Director of Corporate Communication and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Emeka Oparah explained that Airtel’s involvement is borne out of its concern with fundamental issues of public good. He said, “Our interventions in public health are akin to the work we are doing with primary education.

“We are concerned in our interventions in investing in areas of demonstrable longterm benefit to the communities that we serve. Health is a fundamental concern.

By enabling access to real time information, we hope to serve as a veritable link in the health care chain.”

The collaboration with NACA concerns the National Call Centre on HIV/AIDS and Related Diseases. Airtel provided the telecom centre as well as toll-free lines that enable citizens to call in and make enquiries about HIV or AIDS. Airtel provided an initial 30 lines for use of staff at the Call Centre.

Thirty agents

engaged by NACA at the National Call Centre on HIV/ AIDS provide information, guidance and counselling to callers. All calls on a dedicated Airtel line, 6222, are free.

The telecoms firm also enables NACA use the centre to send regular SMS messages on HIV/AIDS and other health care concerns.

First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan commissioned the National Call Centre on April 26,2012. Dr Patience Jonathan observed at the ceremony that the growth of telephony in Nigeria had provided a strong platform for enhanced information dissemination on health issues.

She commended Airtel Networks Limited for its lead role in providing toll free lines for subscribers to call the Centre and access information on HIV/AIDS. Said Mrs. Jonathan: “I believe that this National Call Centre will go a long way in strengthening our national response to HIV/AIDS, as is the case in other countries of the world, such as South Africa, the Philippines and India, who have used help lines and Call Centres successfully in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.”

The collaboration between the Airtel network and NACA dates back to 2005 when the idea for the national call centre was first proclaimed.

The network kept to its initial agreement and ensured that when NACA was finally ready to roll with the Call Centre, the network was also ready. Airtel CEO Mr. Rajan Swaroop affirmed the resolve of the network to ensure the success of the partnership.

“As far as this partnership is concerned,” Mr. Swaroop stated, “we are totally committed to ensuring the success of the National Call Contact Centre. We will ensure effective public enlightenment and education through firm commitment in scaling up existing efforts and concrete partnerships that will help millions of Nigerians access better information and referrals to service provision in

“

The Airtel-NACA partnership took-off against the backdrop of the National HIV/AIDS seroprevalence sentinel survey for 2011 that showed higher prevalence of HIV in some rural areas compared with urban areas. healthcare delivery.

“At Airtel, we will also work with the NACA to send short messages concerning the deadly scourge to our subscribers nationwide.”

The Airtel-NACA partnership took-off against the backdrop of the National HIV/ AIDS sero-prevalence sentinel

survey for 2011 that showed higher prevalence of HIV in some rural areas compared with urban areas.

The company believes that adequate and relevant information through mobile phones would ensure that denizens of rural areas also receive information needed

to protect them from the scourge.

A similar consideration for public health and public good actuates the collaboration between Airtel and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The overall goal is to take the battle against fake drugs one notch higher, by calling in the services of mobile technology and speed of response.

With the partnership, the SMS service allows the buyer to send the code (PIN) on the drug package to a defined short code.

The number automatically sends a return SMS to either confirm that the drug is genuine or state otherwise.

Through the collaborations with the public service agencies, Airtel Networks is rendering invaluable service to citizens of Nigeria in the critical area of health. It is also making a statement of its long-term intentions.

As the First Lady aptly put it, the collaboration between Airtel and the public sector health agencies ” is a clear expression of corporate social responsibility in the true spirit of Public-Private-Partnership.”

Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell milk with promo winners who carted away various prizes

Winners emerge in ‘Cowbell Chocolate Naija Quest’ Promo From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

T

wenty-five winners has emerged in the on-going ‘Cowbell Chocolate Naija Quest’ promo, recently launched

by Promasidor Nigeria Limited in Lagos with each carting away prizes like bicycles, electronic pads and school kits.

Some of them, who were at the corporate head office of the

company in Lagos to collect their prizes, commended the company for the promo. 11-year-old junior secondary school student, Samsudeen Kamorudeen, who went home with a bicycle said, “I am very excited here today, because I always take Cowbell Chocolate and when I saw that I had won, I was very excited. I want to thank Promasidor for this opportunity

and also my Mom, for always buying the product for us.”

Mr. Oluwafemi Adeniji, whose 3-year-old daughter, Oluwasarasimi Adeniji also won a bicycle encouraged everyone to participate in the promo.

Marketing Director of the company, Mr. Kachi Onubogu said the essence of the promo, which is primarily for the 20 gramms Cowbell Chocolate

and Cowbell Strawberry sachets, is to educate Nigerian kids about the major tourist attractions in the country.

“The promo is very educational and goes to the heart of what the brand stands for: physical development, in terms of the product which is good for energy and vitality; intellectual development in terms ofhaving knowledge of who we are, who

our nation is and, bringing that together will be fun and interesting.”

Other winners include Amosu Paul, who won an electronic pad, Ayomide Adeniyi, who was at the venue to collect prizes for two of her kids who won school bags and Nwafor Ifeanyi, a secondary school student who won an electronic pad and other items.

PAGE 22

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

Kogi govt plans to boost cocoa and cotton production From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

I

nvestors in Nigeria have been encouraged to take position of Kogi state in the agricultural net, as the state will soon become the agricultural hub and a destination for agro-allied industry development in the Nation.

Capt Idris Wada made the remarks at the flag-off of the 2012 planting season and while presenting cotton and cocoa seedlings to farmers in the state, describing the state as blessed and best suited for the growth of cocoa

as well as SAMCOT 10 and SAMCOT 11 variety of cotton,regarded as one of the best cotton in the world.

The governor noted that the state is in the same region with states in the South-West in terms of cotton production, stressing that the state has entered into bilateral and multilateral cooperation initiatives on agricultural development, Capt. Wada, who urged farmers to take advantage of government commitment to agricultural transformation and natural endowments, as

opportunity to create wealth. said nine of the local government in the state is suitable to grow Cocoa while Cotton can be grown in all the local governments.

In his speech, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Yusuf Evinovoh commended the present administration for making agriculture a priority, pointing out that farmers would reciprocate government gesture, by being resourceful and adopt best practices.

Also speaking ,Achimugu Anebe of Arewa Cottons said the

state government’s initiatives will create jobs and urged the farmers to take the advantage of the N1.6m free seedlings offered the state farmers.

Speaking on behalf of the Kogi Women Alliance, Odiba H.E. called for the establishment of cotton and farm settlements in the state.

Representatives of the Cotton and Cocoa farmers solicited the support of government in the area of machines, soft loans and capacity-building for younger farmers in the state to take over from those aging.

Unity Bank interacts with customers, holds road shows

By Abdulwahab Isa

U

L-R: Special Adviser to the President on Research and Strategy, Barrister Oronto Douglas, discussing with the Chief Executive Officer, Syringe Company of Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Musa Bello, during the latter's visit to President Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye.

Lagos plans 226mw IPPs for industrial estates From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

T

he Lagos state government is working on plans to build four new Independent Power Plants (IPPs), with a combined capacity of 226 megawatts of electricity, following its recent successes in IPP projects.

This is follow up to its strategy to further boost industrialisation and job creation in the state, which is the business and industrial nerve centre of the nation.

Several businesses have shut down in the state over the years, with attendant heavy loss of jobs, due to high running costs attributed mainly to the cost of providing alternative power because of heavy power supply deficits from the national grid.

The provision of alternative power is said to account for over 30 percent of the cost of doing business in Nigeria. It likewise undermines the competitiveness of Nigerian products in the local and international markets and constantly threatens their very survival.

Asides the four proposed IPPs ,

another one is receiving attention in the Isolo Industrial Estate, also in Lagos.

The state had previously built the 12.15 megawatts Akute/ Adiyan IPP, in partnership with Oando plc, and the 270 megawatts Lagos Island IPP, in collaboration with AES. The Akute/Adiyan IPP, powers the Adiyan Water Works while the Island IPP facilitates 24hour power supply to selected public establishments within the Lagos Island.

The 226MW IPPs which are planned for industrial estates, are coming at a time when the overall power output of the country, driven by the highly inefficient and corruption stricken Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) is less than 3,000 megawatts, with dire consequence on industries, especially manufacturing concerns which continue to lament increased costs of production amidst poor infrastructure.

Lagos, which consumes over 40 percent of the overall national output, is estimated to require over 6,000 megawatts of electricity to

function.

Over 60 percent of the nation’s industries are based in the state.

This combines with other essential factors, including the presence of seaports, international airport, head offices of banks and insurance companies, service providers, as well as a huge population estimated at over 15 million, to earn the state its status as Nigeria’s economic and financial hub.

However, poor infrastructure, particularly power supply, stands in the way of the growth of existing industries, especially small and medium enterprises which are generally acknowledged as the engine room of any economy.

All businesses in the state, as is the case in other parts of the country, generate their own power through generatorsspending huge sums of money on diesel, a development which the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) says limits their bottom-lines, resulting in extreme cases in pruning of staff to keep afloat.

nity Bank Plc is intensifying its engagement with customers in their primary places of business as a means of deepening interaction with them.

Head, Corporate Communications of the bank, Aliyu Ma’aji explained the engagement is also aimed at obtaining first-hand feedback from the customers and other people needing banking services.

With the plan, the bank will be organising road shows in three cities across the country, namely: Abeokuta, Ilorin and Minna.

Similar road shows have been held in Abuja, Lagos, Bauchi, Katsina and Port Harcourt.

This phase of the programme, which takes off today in Ilorin, Kwara state will provide an opportunity for the bank to further showcase its Savings Products which are attracting attention from small-scale business men and women.

According to the bank’s spokesman, the rest of the road shows will take place this month, July within an interval of three days.

The bank is running a sixmonth promo on the its saving products such BETA for micro entrepreneurs, Holy Trip for religious obligations and UnityKids for school fees and other educational demands.

The bank recently held its 1st national draw in Abuja, under the Savings promo known as ‘Aim, Save & Win’, during which 15 customers won different prizes which included a Hyundai saloon car.

In the previous zonal draws held in May this year, 160 customers who saved under the Promo were rewarded with various prizes which included

Community, PHCN disagree over N9.5million debt

By Muhammad Sada

R

esidents and indigenes of Ogbogoro community in Obio/Akpor Local Government in Rivers state are calling on the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to reconnect their power line that had been cutoff for months now, saying they are not indebted to the company.

However, the PHCN has said it would not reconnect the community until it pays a debt of N9.5m they owe.

While speaking on the issue, the Community's Electricity Chairman, Engr. Sirwarn Nyekazi David disclosed that the community, as agreed with the PHCN, has been paying N100, 000 monthly to the company, but was surprised when suddenly, they came and disconnected their line thereby keeping them in perpetual darkness.

According to him, "Having stayed in darkness for months, I, as the electricity chairman and our lawyer visited the PHCN office to lay complaints that we have not had access to power for months, " and that was when the company's business mangers served us an indebtedness letter that we owe N9, 580, 058.78", he said.

Union Bank posts N122bn loss in 2011

U

nion Bank of Nigeria on Tuesday posted a 2011 pre-tax loss of N122 billion ($750 million), compared with a profit of N36.5 billion a year ago, it said in a filing with the stock exchange, giving no reason for the loss.

Gross earnings at the lender fell 38 percent to N80.7 billion, it said, while net assets recovered to 196 billion naira during the period, from a loss of N115.8 billion last year.

A large chunk of the losses are likely to be due to write downs of bad debts left over from a 2008/ 9 banking crisis.

Shares of the bank shed 4.35 percent to N3.72 on the news, almost the maximum 5 percent swing allowed, and underperforming the broader index, which gained 0.55 percent to hit 21,690 points.

Union Bank last year sold a 60 percent stake in itself to a group of institutional investors led by African Capital Alliance private equity for $750 million to help it recapitalise.

It was one of nine lenders that the central bank bailed out to the tune of $4 billion in 2009, after it judged they were dangerously under-capitalised.

(Reuters)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

Things that should disturb Nigeria’s Muslim community besides Boko Haram Islam is well known in Nigeria no thanks to the atrocities committed by Boko Haram and other radical groups. What is less known, but remains a problem, is the intra-sect rivalries, writes Abdulrazaq Magaji.

F

or Nigerian Muslims, this year’s Ramadan, the one-month fasting period by adherents of the Islamic faith worldwide, will follow a familiar path. As is the practice, the Amir al Mumineen (Commander of the Faithful) and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who is also the President General of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, based on verifiable information from across the country, will soon announce the sighting of the new of the moon of Ramadan to signal the commencement of the fast.

Expectedly, the announcement will go unheeded by a significant minority. Some believe that those who will not heed the annual announcement choose that path as their way of protesting the recognition of the Sultan of Sokoto as the leader of the Muslim community. Disagreements over the dates to commence the Ramadan have, over the years, been the underlying manifestation of a needless acrimony among the Nigerian Muslim community. The façade of unity received a terrible jolt early last year.

In the thick of the 2011 presidential election campaign, prominent Muslim cleric Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi stirred the hornet’s nest when he publicly declared that he would have no qualms casting his ballot for a Christian in an election that pited a Christian against a member of the Jama’atu Izalatul Bidi’a wa IkamatusSunnah, JIBWIS. The red was still in the eyes of members of the Izala sect and apprehension grew among members of the Christian community when the cleric rationalised his position.

His words: ‘Christians don’t insult me, they don’t insult my religious beliefs, they don’t insult my respected religious leaders. That, precisely, is what the Izala man does; he calls himself a Muslim but he does not respect my beliefs. He openly insults me, he openly insults my respected religious leaders. He takes pride in

openly referring to me as kafir.

Why should I vote for someone who calls himself a Muslim but who publicly calls me kafir? A Christian does not call me a kafir, at least, not in the open.”

Few disputed his claim: Prophet Muhammad, in some of his sayings, spoke vehemently against the use of the term kafir even for nonMuslims, especially Christians, who are recognised in the Holy Qur’an as Ahlil Kitaab or ‘People of the Book.’

At the heart of the disunity in the Muslim community is the raging controversy between members of the Ahlil Sunnah, the mainstream Muslim group and Izala, on one hand, and these two rival groups and other groups on the other. Basically, all the contending religious groups have no fundamental differences; where they differ is how to attain these goals, a situation that occasionally lead bloodletting and destruction of property.

Strangely, non-Muslims have been often caught in the crossfire of what should normally be intra-religious

confrontation.

Another interesting angle to the scenario is the common knowledge that all the new groups, some of them espousing militant views, sprouted from the mainstream Ahlil Sunnah.

Except for some exceptions, all the contending and constantly feuding groups basically subscribe to the five cardinal pillars of Islam arranged in their order of simplicity: Iman (faith in God), Salat (five daily prayers), Saum (fasting during the month of Ramadan), Zakkat (alms giving) and Hajj (pilgrimage to the Holy Land).

Noticeable exceptions surround the acceptance of Prophet Muhammad as the seal of prophets and some new but curious interpretations regarding the five daily prayers which some do not consider mandatory. Take, for instance, the Ahmadiyya. To the consternation of the Muslim community, members of the group, which originated in Pakistan, revered its founder, Ghulam Ahmad, to the extent of elevating him to the position of a messiah and prophet. Since

Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi

the early 1970s, members of the Ahmadiyya sect have been contending with four out of the five cardinal pillars of Islam on account of their being barred from embarking on the annual Hajj. That decision by the Saudi authorities whipped majority members of the sect worldwide into line as they were forced to moderate their views. Though the Ahmadiyya sect still enjoys some visibility in Nigeria, the immediate reaction of the majority of its members, in the aftermath of the decision to bar members of the sect from performing the Hajj, was to change the name of the group to Anwar- al Islam.

Though disagreement within the Muslim community had been simmering, it was basically limited to differences between the Tijjaniya and Quadriyya sects. But the Tijjaniyya and Quadriyya succeeded in managing their crises largely because they belonged to the mainstream Ahlil Sunnah. There is a widely held belief that it was the differences between the Tijjaniyya and Quadriyya that facilitated the emergence

of the Izala. Since it came on stage, the perception of members of the Izala group of other Muslims, basically the Ahlil Sunnah, and which in the recent past was the source of some blood letting, is one big community of unbelievers because of innovations allegedly introduced into the practice of Islam. Two of the allegations levelled by the Izala against the other groups are the annual celebration of Maulud Nabiyyi, or birthday of Prophet Muhammad and, regular songs of praise, zikr, in honour of the prophet.

Aside Maulud and zikr, the Izala are remarkable for frowning at naming ceremonies, ostentatious wedding ceremonies and display of respect for elders through prostrating before them. These, among others, are in the views of the Izala, mere innovations since they were not practiced in the days of the prophet. Many Muslims still find these developments quite disturbing and those versed in Islamic theology are taken aback by the charges of introduction of ‘innovations’ into Islam. For instance, pilgrimage to the Holy Land, at least once in the life time of a Muslim is prescribed for those with the means. But this cardinal principle is not possible, at least in modern times, without ‘innovations’: air travel, acquisition of Basic Travel Allowance, BTA, and vaccinations are mandatory for intending pilgrims.

Question is: are Muslims to forego this cardinal pillar of Islam simply because they were not in practice in the days of Prophet Muhammad?

Curiously, in their decades of campaigns to end ‘innovations’ in Islam, members of the Izala sect have yet to revert to the use of camels, end open air preachings through outside broadcasting vans and dismantle loud speakers mounted on their mosques on account of the common knowledge that Prophet Muhammad did not have to do any of these in his time.

Disunity within the Muslim community worsened with the emergence of the

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III Maitatsine, the Shia inclined Muslim Brothers and sundry groups.

The Maitatsine crisis which began in Kano in the north west in 1980 before spreading to Bulumkutu in the outskirt of Maiduguri in the north east and other parts of the north was not the first religious upheaval in the north; difference was that, with Maitatsine, the country, for the first time witnessed a band of religious zealots, armed to the hilt, squaring up to the overwhelming military might of the state. Outside their hazy claims to Jihad, the Maitatsine sect waged their war in predominantly Muslim communities which resulted in high casualty figures. Not unexpectedly, Maitatsine provided a common platform for feuding Muslim groups who united in their condemnation of members of the Maitatsine group.

Since Maitatsine, it is safe to say that Nigeria did not witness any armed insurrection of note in the name of religion but there were clear cases of radical, extremist groups that emerged to challenge the status quo often with dire consequences to human lives and property. It is important to state here that

just like Izala before it and sundry groups that emerged after it, Maitatsine was the product of the disdain for western education on one hand and growing frustration arising from the dwindling socio economic fortunes of some people in Muslim communities of the north.

The early 1980s also heralded the emergence of the Muslim Brothers on the stage.

Though denied by its leaders, the Muslim Brothers drew inspiration from the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran, which knocked off the late Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi from his peacock throne and replaced him with Imam Ayatullah Ruhullah Khomeini.

The Muslim Brothers are associated with World Shi’a Movement, a radical Muslim sect with millions of adherents in the Muslim world though they are swift in dismissing it. Its leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky, was one of the first set of students who abandoned their studies at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to join an endless gravitation to Iran to receive the blessings of Imam Khomeini.

Upon returning to Nigeria, the group began to espouse

revolutionary ideas and never hid their intention to ‘purify’ Islam.

Most of the demonstrations on campuses of tertiary institutions and secondary schools across the north between 1980 and 1982 were allegedly instigated by the young Muslim revolutionaries under the direction of Sheikh El Zakzaky.

That suspicion is rooted in the early history of Islam. Just before the death of Prophet Muhammad, there emerged a group among his followers who saw his cousin, Ali, as the right person to occupy the post of Caliph as there was to be no prophet after Muhammad. But the early Muslim community had an example on how to choose its leaders; throughout the mission of Muhammad, which lasted for twenty three years. He laid emphasis more on competence than issue of kinship in appointments.

Indeed, on his death bed, Prophet Muhammad appeared to have named his successor as leader of the community when he appointed Abubakar to lead the Muslim faithful in prayer.

On the death of Prophet Muhammad, therefore, Abubakar was the natural successor to the apparent consternation and disaffection of those who rooted for Ali. The mainstream Ahlul Sunnah believes and recognises the diversity and peculiarities of Nigeria and promotes the idea of Muslims co habiting in peace with non Muslim groups as was the practice in the days of Prophet Muhammad and as the prophet enjoined his followers to do.

Prominent clerics of the mainstream Ahlul Sunnah regularly remind their followers of God’s clear, direct and specific injunction on tolerating and peacefully co habiting with the Ahlul Kitaab or, People of the Book, God’s name for Christians in the Glorious Qur’an as contained in Chapter 5 v 82 of the Muslim Holy Book: ‘You will find (time and again) that the most hostile of all people to the Believers (i.e., Muslims) would be the Jews and those who are idolworshippers or pagans; and nearest among them in love to the Believers would be those who say, ‘We are Christians’, because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world and, they are not arrogant”. This injunction and several others have so far been discarded by members of the Jamaat al Ahlul Sunnah lidDa’awati wa Jihad aka Boko Haram.

Another area of divergence between members of the Boko Haram and the mainstream Ahlul Sunnah revolves round the issue of vengeance. In His bid to regulate societies and restrain individuals or groups from taking laws into their hands, God allows room for vengeance provided it is done according to rules He has laid down even though He admonishes people to forgive those who offend them.

However, in seeking revenge, especially in the case of murder, the main condition laid down is for the murderer to be sought and punished for his crime; none is permitted to visit the sins of a brother on any other member of his family as Islam forbids visiting the crimes of a father on his son.

What this means is that a Muslim, say in Geidam, is forbidden to kill a non-Muslim resident in the community in the name of avenging the death of a Muslim brother in Warri.

In the opinion of prominent Muslim clerics God laid down these and many more injunctions as a warning against man’s insatiable appetite to sow the seeds of discord ‘because He could have created all mankind to wear the same skin, colour, speak one language and profess a common religion.’

Unity! This is the word that is giving the greatest concern to the Muslim community in Nigeria today and which attainment could help resolve the current security challenges and wanton destruction of human lives and property. In trying to tell the story of Islam in Nigeria as one not characterised by militancy, violence and

intolerance, several pan Islamic associations and inter faith organisations have sprouted to project Islam in its true and undiluted picture- a religion of peace- by constantly preaching peace, concord and tolerance. Two of such early Muslim groups were the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, and the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA. Since it was created fifty years ago, the JNI, which has the Sultan of Sokoto as its president general, has been working in collaboration with traditional rulers to propagate Islam, preach peaceful existence and promote inter and intra faith understanding. But even in its early years and, with politics and religion constantly clashing, the JNI did not enjoy the support of all members whose interest it was set up to protect. The death of the First Republic and the coming of the military did not bring much respite as some groups, more as a result of the carryover of the ill feelings of the politics era, continued to attack the JNI for hobnobbing with traditional rulers.

As things stand, the issue now transcends intra Muslim rivalry as many Nigerians do not appear to see an immediate end to the divergent views within the Muslim community. For instance, the role played by politicians in funding private militias and growing poverty especially in northern Nigeria have been cited as some of the factors responsible for growing militant posturings in the name of religion. If Nigerians were shocked by the 1980 Maitatsine uprising and, today

Late Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf

feel even more threatened in prevailing peace time, northern leaders and, by extension, leaders on the national scene learnt nothing from those past events.

As was the case with the Maitatsine sect, the military will ultimately bring its might to bear and will eventually succeed in dislodging the Boko Haram, kill or arrest its entire leadership and disperse what remains of its followership.

Chillingly, many innocent lives will be lost in the cross fire.

Then, as was the case 31 years ago, it will be time for backslapping and bear hugs.

Big money will be appropriated to organise victory parades across the land and, as to be expected, there will be long, boring and empty speeches to celebrate the end of a nightmare and the return to life on the fast lane. In the euphoria of the victory, nobody will see the need to redress wrongheaded social and economic policies that gave rise to Boko Haram. Going by the stiff neck introduction of belttightening measures this year against the backdrop of cases of mindless treasury looting that go unpunished, government so far has failed to display enough commitment to redressing the conditions that continue to attract frustrated youth to espouse extremist and often divisive views.

Abdulrazaq Magaji, journalist and writer and former history lecturer, is based in Abuja, Nigeria and could be reached at magaji777@yahoo.com (Pambazuka News)

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

EMERGENCY UPDATE

A

s part of its effort towards timely response to disasters and capacity building, the Kwara State Government has urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to establish operational office in Ilorin, its state capital.

Special Assistant to Kwara State governor on Emergency and Relief Services, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, who made the appeal while commending the agency for its prompt response to environmental disaster in the state, said this was necessary due to its strategic locations, saying it is close to the North and its international airport and International Aviation College.

The governor’s aide, in a statement issued by the Agency’s head of press and public relations Yushau A. Shuaib, said the State Emergency Management

...scores Akwa Ibom high on emergency preparedness

NEMA urged to establish operational office in Ilorin Agency (SEMA), had not left any stone unturned in disaster management and appealed to NEMA to site one of its operational offices in the state to enhance the discharge of its duties within the area.

Alhaji Abdullahi made the remarks at official distribution of relief materials by NEMA to about 300 victims of recent rainstorm disasters in Baruten, Asa, Ilorin West, Ilorin East and Moro Local Government Councils of Kwara State. The materials are meant to cushion the effects of the rainstorms on the victims.

Also speaking at the occasion, NEMA Director-General, Alhaji Mohammed Sanni-Sidi, said there was need for the people to embrace disaster reduction strategies such as clearing of

drainage and avoiding dumping refuse in rivers and gutters.

Some of the relief materials distributed to the victims included bundles of roofing sheets, bags of cement, packets and bags of roofing nails, blankets, planks and plastic buckets.

He said the items supplied would complement materials to be distributed to the victims by the state government.

He also charged the beneficiaries to utilise the materials supplied to them, and prayed that they would never experience such a disaster in their lives again.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Alhaji Dauda Hamzat, commended the agency and the state

government for the support, saying “widows and the aged are among those affected by the disaster. He said the materials would go a long way to alleviate their plight.”

In his remarks, Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Bukola Saraki, advised that to mitigate the disastrous consequences of flood and other environmental hazards, there must be regulation against throwing refuse into the drains to prevent blockage that could lead to flooding and its attendant destruction of lives and property.

Saraki in a statement noted that the recent floods in some parts of the country like Nasarawa, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States, could be checked

if people shun any act that could hinder the free flow of drainage.

Saraki advised residents of the affected areas to exercise caution and work with the appropriate authorities to manage and prevent further destruction of lives and property.

While expressing sympathy for the affected people of the flooding in different parts of the country, he urged them to support government at all level in cleaning their drainage to avoid further damage.

He also called on government agencies in charge of sanitation to continue to organise sensitization programmes for the people on the need to keep their drainage and environment free of refuse that could block the drains.

Governor Godsill Akpabio

T

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commended the government of Akwa Ibom State over its preparedness for emergency situations.

The South-South Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Emenike Umesi, who gave the commendation shortly after an evacuation drill exercise for public civil servants, said the Director General NEMA, Mohammad Sani Sidi, was particularly impressed with the governor’s ability to mainstream disaster risk reduction into the development policies of the state.

Meanwhile, the agency has mandated its North-East zonal office to reach out to distressed calls from people irrespective of religious, ethnic or political affiliations in their present places of residence.

According to NEMA, the Federal Government and other humanitarian bodies were reaching out to all the distressed people in the communities in order to ameliorate the situation, and to make the spiritual obligation of the 30day Ramadan fasting easier for the Islamic adherents.

Victims of flood in Bichi local government area of Kano state receiving relief materials from Engr Abubakar Jibrin of SERERA and Yushau Shuaib of NEMA.

..Enlightens Imo traders on emergency mgt

T

he South-East Zonal coordinator of National Emergency management Agency (NEMA) Dr. Onimode Bandele has called on traders at the Ekeukwu Owerri main market to be vigilant at all times while carrying out their daily business.

Bandele made the call at Amarachi Square in Ekeukwu,

Owerri market, during the emergency evacuations sensitization programme for the traders of the market.

He also called on the traders whose shops are constructed at street corners and on top of gutters to remove them before his men commences work in the area.

Bandele hinted that the

training has become necessary considering the sharp increase in the number of bomb Scars, fire outbreaks, Boko Haram attacks and other men-induced disasters.

He therefore urged them to seize the opportunity to endeavour to familiarize themselves with their workplace’s emergency

evacuation plans.

In her remarks, the event, the Executive Secretary of Imo State Emergency management Agency (SEMA) Uche Ezeonyeasi reminded the traders that the programme has been packaged to prepare them for the effective handling of disaster situations in both their homes and office.

PAGE 29

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

EMERGENCY UPDATE Pictures of the recent NEMA/UN validation workshop on emergency preparedness and response (EPR) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) capacity Assessment mission in Nigeria

YOUTHS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY

By Abubakar Jimoh abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Averting Swine Flu in Nigeria A

recent study announced contrary to the World Health Organization (WHO) earlier statistics on swine flu, that the virus, H1N1, may have killed 15 times the number of people counted by the WHO, saying the H1N1 pandemic had stricken mostly young people, many living in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by influenza virus that infect the respiratory tract of pigs, resulting in nasal secretions, a barking cough, decreased appetite, and listless behavior. It was first isolated from pigs in 1930 in the United States, recognized by pork producers and veterinarians to cause infections in pigs worldwide. Those affected by the infection were said to be in close contact with pigs and other pork products.

In the analysis of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDCP), in humans the symptoms of the 2009 “swine flu” H1N1 virus are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general; and these include fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue diarrhea and vomiting.

Over the years, the virus has led to the death of millions of people in the world. For instance, the WHO has counted 18, 500 swine flu deaths that had been confirmed by laboratory tests in the year 2009.

However, the US-CDCP in its new findings confirmed that the virus has probably killed between 105, 700 and 400,000 people around the world in its first year alone, and additional 46,000 to 179,000 people are likely to suffer from cardiovascular complications of the virus.

Similarly, the Federal Ministry of Health has confirmed that the first case of the dreaded Swine Flu (H1N1) was recorded in Nigeria in November, 2009.

Following this development, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the WHO has offered several preventive measures against Swine Flu in the country.

They advise that, individuals should avoid and keep-off from those already carrying the virus because the disease is contagious in nature.

Frequent washing of hand is

one of the effective means of preventing the infection as well as curtail the spread of swine flu H1N1. Therefore, it is important for individuals to thoroughly wash their hands to prevent the spread of infection. Also, washing hands before and after using a public rest room is important to prevent the spread of the infection.

Besides, personal hygiene practices are often encouraged.

These include covering of one’s nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and proper disposal of such in the trash bin after using it.

Recent reports have also shown that the virus spread fast in swine farms, where farmers are in close contact with live pigs; and not wearing gloves when working with sick animals, thereby increasing the likelihood of subsequent hand-toeye, hand-to-nose or hand-tomouth transmission.

In this case, farmers and veterinarians are advised to use face masks when dealing with infected animals. In addition, the use of vaccines on swine by both farmers and medical personnel to prevent their infection is a major method of limiting swine-to-human transmission.

Medical personnel are encouraged to use hand gloves and other body protections when treating swine flu infected patients.

The use of standard commercial swine flu vaccines has been found to be effective in control of the infection when the virus strains match enough to have significant crossprotection, while custom vaccines made from the specific viruses isolated can be used in the more difficult cases.

Present vaccination strategies for Swine Infected Virus control and prevention in swine farms typically include the use of one of several bivalent SIV vaccines commercially available. Besides, CDC has recommended a yearly flu vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu.

A study by CDC has confirmed that those at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, and people living with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.

Vaccination for the health care workers, it noted, is important so as to curtail the risk of spreading the flu to others.

PAGE 26

Lead Poisoning: Inter-ministerial committee to visit Zamfara

By Mohammed Kandi

I

nter-Ministerial Committee on Lead Poisoning has agreed to visit Zamfara State as part of its effort to review the progress so far made in ameliorating the effects of lead poisoning in the state as well as strategize on how to face emerging challenges posed by the incidence.

The Committee, according a press statement issued by Deputy Director (Press) of the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Marshall H. Gundu, is also to take stock of the situation on ground and re-emphasize the need for all stakeholders, including the State Government, the Chairmen of Local Government Areas, and the Traditional Rulers to key into the effort.

“The idea is to check illegal mining and inappropriate methods of mineral processing in the State as well as support the Federal Government and other Agencies towards bringing a lasting solution to the menace,” it said.

“The meeting accepted the report of the Technical SubCommittee on Lead Poisoning in Zamfara State and will forward same to the Presidency with appropriate recommendations for urgent attention and speedy implementation,” the statement added.

Rainstorm wreaks havoc in A/Ibom communities

C

ommunities in Obot Akara Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom on Tuesday witnessed a rainstorm that wreaked havoc on homes and public utilities in the area.

The disaster, which pulled down electricity poles, economic trees and roofs of homes and school buildings, affected most communities in Ward 2 of Nto Eton and Ikot Abia.

Narrating the ordeal of the villagers, a community leader, Chief Aniekan Ekanem, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the electricity poles destroyed were installed through communal efforts.

“We raised funds for three years through harvesting of palm fruits to buy the electricity poles and cables for the communities.

“The communities are made up of subsistence farmers and our income base is very small,” Ekanem added.

He said that the only primary school in the area built 60 years ago had been devastated by the rainstorm.

“We really need assistance from government and publicspirited organisations to surmount this challenge,” Ekanem said.

Ekanem also called on the State Government to consider the construction of Nto Ideh Bridge and the major road, linking his village with Nto Edino and Ukana Uwa villages. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

FG applauded on fight against desertification

By Mohammed Kandi

T

he Federal Government has been commended for its efforts to combat desertification in most northern states of the country.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Executive Director, Stand Nigeria Initiative, a nongovernmental organization

Floods kill 77 in India’s Assam state

Mr. Dike James Chigbue said after an assessment of the inter-regional campaign put together to fight desertification, the federal government deserved thumbs up for its efforts.

He said, “We must commend President Goodluck Jonathan, Mrs Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia, Minister of Environment and other stakeholders in the environment sector as their fight against desertification has been innovative and purposeful.”

“It will be recalled that to

combat desertification, the Federal Ministry of the Environment has established a Great Green Wall Sahara Project whose purpose is to plant large acreages of trees and other vegetation to serve as a bulkwark against the advance of the desert,” Chigbue stated.

“Under this programme, over 6,720,000 seedlings have been distributed to the seven frontline states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Jigawa, Yobe, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Yobe, Sokoto and Borno State with the aim that this will

create a green shelter belt,” he explained.

Chibue, who further urged the state governments to corporate with the ministry to ensure that desert encroachment was properly addressed, noted that the “efforts of the Federal Ministry of Environment’s effort remains the most appreciable in consideration to what other regional governments have done and it should be sustained because if concluded this will promote business and tourism.”

A

t least 77 people have been killed and nearly two million affected by heavy monsoon rains that caused floods in India’s Northeastern Assam state.

The mighty Brahmaputra River and many of its tributaries have breached their banks after downpours, washing away thousands of homes mostly made of bamboo and straw, as well as roads, bridges and power lines.

Authorities have given shelter, food and medicines to thousands of homeless people, and deployed mobile medical teams to prevent the outbreak of disease.

“People of Assam are facing one of the worst floods in recent times,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told reporters in Guwahati, Assam’s main city, after flying over the areas affected by the flooding.

Floods have hit Assam a state famous for its hilly tea-growing areas at the same time that much of India has suffered weaker-thanaverage monsoon rains that are crucial to its hundreds of millions of farmers.

Hundreds of soldiers and rescue workers from the federal National Disaster Response Force have been deployed for rescue and relief efforts, while military helicopters have airlifted people and dropped food.

“Once we complete rescue and relief operations our focus will shift to restoration of damaged caused by floods,” Singh said.

Rain has stopped, but many rivers remain dangerously high.

Much of the Kaziranga National Park, known for its one-horned rhinos, was under water, forcing the animals to move to higher ground.

Poachers have already killed one rhino that had strayed from the park and took away its horn, foresters said.

Singh announced 100,000 rupees ($1,800) compensation to each of the families whose members died in the floods.

“Until today 77 people have died. We are passing through a challenging time,” Nilamoni Sen. Deka, Assam’s agriculture minister and official spokesman said. (Reuters/NAN)

A man rides a motorcycle through a flooded road after heavy rains in Ikoyi district in Nigeria's commercial city Lagos

Dredging, land reclamation responsible for flooding —NISV

T

he Nigerian Institution of Surveyors has said that increase in human activities, such as land reclamation and dredging, had resulted in reduction of water storing capacity, thus leading to flooding.

The President, NIS, Bode Adeaga, who stated this at the 47th Annual General Meeting of NIESVI, said such human encroachments had aggravated flooding within the coastal zones of the country, with the consequent reduction in available farmland.

He also said that poor drainage system had contributed to the recurrence of flooding in many parts of the country.

The NIS boss said there was the need for NEMA and other emergency management and response agencies to initiate or get

engaged in the advocacy of strategies that would prevent recurrence of disasters.

According to him, the alleged late response of fire service and other agencies charged with the search and rescue operations resulting in avoidable losses of lives and property is attributable to unavailability of utility and thematic maps.

Adeaga said there should be comprehensive mapping of the coastal areas of the country before any major development in order to prevent avoidable negative impacts.

He added that there should be modern geospatial techniques for monitoring of erosion sites to develop early warning system necessary to mitigate the loss of lives and property.

He added that the National

Assembly should, as a matter of urgency, pass the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure Bill, which had been pending before it.

Adeaga advocated a synergy between surveyors, NEMA and other governmental agencies involved in disaster management to provide solutions to the numerous problems encountered in disaster management in Nigeria.

“There should be comprehensive tidal studies along coastal regions to develop early warning systems for surges and for construction of coastal defenses.

There should also be a collection and storage of comprehensive geospatial data necessary for regulating sand mining activities within minimum environmental degradation,” he stressed.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

PAGE 27

Was Rio Earth Summit another jamboree?

P

enultimate week, thousands of government delegates from over 130 countries, activists, academics, business executives and journalists, including Nigeria high-power delegation led by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, gathered in Rio de Janeiro Brazil for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, better known as Rio+20.

While there was a widespread disappointment among activists that scores of leaders including the UK’s David Cameron, Germany’s Angela Merkel and US President Barack Obama chose to stay away, our President led over 116 delegates to the conference.

Mr. President was generously lambasted by not a few Nigerians, to having embarked on the journey to Rio when his house was on fire. But he was quick to respond that what Nigeria stands to benefit with its participation, with him physically at the conference was worth it.

Another issue was that Nigeria had the largest number of delegates at the conference that would have cost tax payers millions of naira, when the nation’s economy is in the doldrums. That government should have endeavored to whittle down the number of delegates to save cost is an understatement.

The conference has come and gone, but Environment Watchers in their wisdom believe that the insidious global issues of poverty, energy, clean and safe water, food security and disasters preparedness, were not adequately addressed as expected? But political leaders disagree saying that the conference was timely.

To the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Rio+20 was a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to make real progress towards the sustainable economy of the future”. Other descriptions by observers range from a “milestone opportunity” to cut poverty and protect the economy, an agenda laden with “green wash” and a “farce”.

The summit was widely seen as a crucial opportunity for leaders to have put the global economy on a more sustainable footing, if the issues involved were adequately addressed.

At the end of the conference, the agreement - titled The Future We Want – according to reports was riddled with ‘deletions,’ many instigated by the US, and many by the G77/China bloc of developing nations. Russia, Japan, the EU and other parties also objected to key clauses.

The agreement has been criticized in some quarters as being too lenient on businesses, especially major banks and commodity corporations which were expected, as the world big players have vowed not to countenance anything that

would jeopardize their development.

It has come to pass that the Rio Earth Summit was not going to

ENVIR ONMENT ENVIRONMENT WATCH

By Ambrose Inusa Sule, mnes

(MDGs).

There was also a lack of agreement on whether the SDGs should commit rich countries to

globenviron@yahoo.com 0703-441-4410 (sms only)

Participants at the Rio Earth Summit recently in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil bring about “The Future We Want,” it ended up to provide a stark and distressing reminder of the present we have, considering a world in which public health, human rights and sustainable development are subordinate to private profit, shallow national interest and ‘business as usual’.

Some Western nations, especially the US from the beginning were unwilling to give ground on anything that would help rival up-and-coming economic powers, in particular China, as they were reluctant to countenance any language that could put a brake on their development.

The issue why the summit did not achieve much was because it came in a difficult political period, with the US presidential election due later this year, an impending change of Chinese leadership, and many nations struggling under various financial issues.

There was also the reported row over the proposed sustainable development goals (SDGs), which was seek to relieve poverty and improve health, education and jobs in developing countries, but along environmentally and socially sustainable lines.

Some aid agencies saw this as a watering down of the key commitment to helping people out of poverty, contained in the Millennium Development Goals

curbing their consumption of natural resources, in order to leave more for the poor.

The key issues that were the focus at the summit were on the specific contents of the theme in line with this year’s World Environment Day, “Green Economy: Does it include you”.

These include green economy in context of sustainable development, poverty eradication, decent jobs creation, clean energy, water, ocean, food security, agriculture and preparedness for disasters.

Not a few Environment watchers accused Nigeria for going to Rio without any public positions agreed to by all the stakeholders. It was expected that government should have worked closely with stakeholders to develop national positions, with the tradition of consultations and developing clear positions for Rio+20.

Nigeria was also expected to have canvassed for a position that would take care of her interest when negotiating deals at the conference, particularly on the issue of clean and safe water, energy, green housing, poverty eradication, and green economy for sustainable development.

But the Minister of Environment Hajiya Hadiza Mailafya said otherwise, saying that government consulted with all stakeholders in the

environment sector before the summit. She said our primary focus at the summit was on how to harness alternative energy sources to boost power supply in the country, saying that the effort was in line with green economy model for achieving sustainable development.

She listed the seven priority areas which Nigeria negotiated at the summit as green development, energy, city planning and development, food security, clean and safe water, disaster management and job creation.

The key areas, she said, were selected through an articulated framework with inputs from various stakeholders.

Though, Nigeria was reported to have made some spirited efforts having had series of bilateral talks to facilitate broad consultations towards a positive outcome for the negotiations along with other African countries in the spirit of one continent.

The issue of a set of targets on various aspects of sustainable development, Rio+20 decided that governments should agree and adopt SDGs by 2015, such as green jobs, curbing overconsumption, looking after ocean life and food security.

Observers said there was “an almightily convoluted section of the text with more brackets than a home-made bookcase on

reforming how the UN deals with sustainable development, which would involve somehow, modifying the existing Commission on Sustainable Development.”

And there were disagreements on the notion of sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The idea is for governments to agree in Rio on a process to draw up seven or eight goals that would improve things such as access to food and water while protecting the environment. These would come into effect in 2015 when most of the existing Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) expire.

The problem is that there is already a process up and running to agree further MDGs. Development agencies are deeply concerned that the core agenda of improving health and education, alleviating poverty and increasing access to water and sanitation may suffer as a result of having the SDGs as well.

And what of the rich? Does it make any sense to commit to increasing people’s wealth and therefore consumption in poor societies without simultaneously working out how to curb overconsumption in countries that already have enough to go round, given that, what we collectively consume has to come from the same single planet?

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

Nigeria’s problem: Where Senate President David Mark went wrong (III)

By Dr. Sule Bello

W

hen we thus look at the so-called solutions offered by the senate President they tend to only further confirm that the government is the major source of the problems of the country, rather than serving as the agency for solving them.

There is clearly a need for government to base its actions on sound, and studied, policies which the executive should be-seen to execute in line only with the constitution of the country, and on the basis of its laws.

Disrespect for the constitution as well as the rule of law, in the name of political expediency, is a military carry- over which the nation can well do without.

Democracy cannot be built by way of negating the constitution and the rule of law. Only impunity could be promoted in this manner.

Conclusion Clearly the perspective of the senate President is based on an ethno-religious stereotype which hardly appreciates the multidimensional, complex, pluralistic and intricate nature of the problem. Such a problem cannot be solely addressed through the use of force or the subversion of the constitution, and the promotion of a fundamental disregard for the rule of law but, rather, through respect for the latter as well as a transparent and democratic inclination to dialogue on the basis of the national interest. It makes no sense to say that the leaders of the movement are 'not known' or 'have to come out' when not only has the government been in touch, and dialogue with them before, but it has also been investigating same for close to a decade. It is important to emphasise that there can be no progress on dialogue where there is no common sincerity of purpose. Dialogue cannot also mean a ploy for the continuation of war. The essence of dialogue must be founded on a commitment to the well-being of the generality of the population who are not only innocent but also victims of the violent conflict. It must also be based on a fundamental commitment to, and preference for, the peaceful resolution of conflicts to the perpetuation of violent and destructive activities, where this could be avoided. Whatever the contributions of other people might be, including that of the northern elders, the ultimate responsibility for the solution of this problem lies with the government.

Victim of bomb blast at the Shallom Church of God, Kaduna, being helped into an ambulance, recently in Kaduna. Photo: NAN disclaimed, and abandoned, in favour only of the benefits - lawful as well as unlawful.

T

he senate President also raised the question of the fact that many people see the absence of national values as an important cause of Nigeria's crises and, without any convincing argument, dismissed it

as the simple responsibility of the National Orientation Agency (NOA). The task of articulating, promoting and defending Nigeria's national values is more than a simple assignment for NOA. It is the combined and cumulative responsibility of the leaders of Nigeria in terms of the vision, honour, conduct and commitment they bring to the

S

imilarly the responsibility for ensuring the peaceful, unified, democratic and integrated development, of both Nigeria and Africa, depend most profoundly on the government rather than anybody else.

Responsibility comes along with burdens which cannot so easily be

Mohammed Yusuf, late leader of Boko Haram

achievement, and defense, of Nigeria's national goals. However these national values cannot be effectively articulated or promoted by way of undermining, or perverting, religious principles which stand for fear of God expressed through social morality, humanism and piety to serve their very opposite purposes towards sanctioning and promoting corruption, murder, arson, robbery and plunder. Such perversion has taken on the pattern of promoting fake religious conflicts in order to subvert and corrupt the very principles of religious doctrines, morality and practices. Only such a perverted point of view, occasioned by rampant public and official corruption, could condone and even defend extortion, murder, arson, robbery, plunder and even cannibalism on account of one religious affiliation or another. Nigeria's national values can only be truly defined and promoted on the basis of Nigeria's sovereignty, genuine religious morality, human rights, democratic principles, constitutionalism and the rule of law. It is high time that the senate President realises that his major responsibility is one of ensuring good, rather than corrupt and corruptive, leadership in Nigeria.

Nigeria's leaders should learn to own up to their failures, and make amends, or give way to better people who can help towards the achievement of our national objectives.

N

igeria has suffered from something far worse than merely bad governance. It

has suffered from ill-governance which is defined by a willful, and premeditated, design to control, plunder and subvert it as an independent and capable nation by its local, as well as foreign, rulers whose combined, common and private interests is to enrich themselves at the expense of the nation, and the well-being of its citizens.

I

ll-governance cannot lead to national cohesion. It can only generate, as well as also sanction, various separatist tendencies which it can thus hardly manage or contain.

Nigeria's leaders need to stop playing the ostrich and look around them in order to assess what their corruption and associated maladministration is doing to the country. They also need to raise their heads and look at what is happening to Africa, as a whole, resulting from illgovernance occasioned by inept leadership such as that in Nigeria.

The whole question of whether or not Nigeria will break up is only, in itself, a reflection of the failed status of the present leadership. Those responsible should therefore own up, and face up, to the challenges - or resign honourably. concluded Dr. Sule Bello Works with an NGO, African Research and Development Agency (ARADA) based in Kano and also lectures at the Dept. of History, A.B.U, Samaru, Zaria.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

PAGE 31

Obama’s worst-kept secret ANALYSIS

By Charlotte Silver

L

ast week, the Obama a d m i n i s t r a t i o n submitted a Motion for Summary Judgment in response to a lawsuit filed by the New York Times and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) that demanded government agencies release documents on its alleged programme of targeted killings.

As early as June 2011, the Times and the ACLU had filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests that the government blocked in the name of national security. In its brief, the government argues for the continuation of complete secrecy surrounding its reported assassination programme. In fact, the government goes further, claiming that whether the programme even exists is "classified" information.

In light of last month's Times exposé that drew an intimate - and fawning portrait of the inner chambers of the US president's counterterrorism programme and his process of drawing up the "kill list", it is baffling that, in court, the administration argues that the programme may not actually exist.

But it appears that the president of the United States will attempt the impossible: to have his cake and eat it too.

He will appear like a toughtalking cowboy to the public, and then hide behind "national security needs" to dodge responsibility for his policies that decimate villages and destroy thousands of lives.

In case readers are wondering, the contradiction around US involvement does indeed apply to the killing of Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen by a drone attack on September 30, 2011.

In the words of the brief itself: "Whether or not the United States government conducted the particular operations that led to the deaths of Aulaki [sic] and the other individuals named in the FOI requests, and whether or not the CIA has the authority to be, or is in fact, directly involved in targeted lethal operations remains classified."

The government maintains its innocence, despite the fact that, upon the announcement of Awlaki's death, Obama publically stated: "The death of Awlaki marks another significant milestone in the broader effort to defeat al-Qaeda and its affiliates.

Furthermore this success is a tribute to our intelligence

Obama's administration claims whether any targeted killings programme exists is 'classified' information community … We will be deliberate, we will be relentless, we will be resolute in our commitment to destroy terrorist networks that aim to kill Americans and to build a world in which people everywhere can live in greater peace, prosperity and security."

Yet the brief claims that this statement - and any other government statement made thus far - does not confirm or deny that the US was involved in a lethal operation against Awlaki. In fact, the only lethal operation in which the government is willing to admit involvement is the assassination of Osama bin Laden, about which the brief states there are no written legal opinions.

Nathan Wessler, a National Security Fellow with the ACLU and actively involved in the suit, explained to me that the government has had to go to extraordinary lengths to argue that statements made in the past by Attorney General Eric Holder, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism John Brennan, and even President Obama himself were not in fact confirmations of the existence of a US policy of targeted killings.

"The government is

asserting the existence of the programme is a secret. If it's a secret, it is - hands down - the worst-kept secret."

"They're giving the strangest possible readings of every one of these statements.

They're separating out each statement on its own and applying what can only be described as the least plausible interpretation to each statement," Wessler said.

US drone attacks in Yemen began in 2002 under the Bush administration, but have been dramatically expanded and accelerated under the Obama administration.

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism and the New American Foundation maintain tallies of US drone attacks on Yemen, Pakistan and Somalia, where the total number killed ranges from 2,000 to more than 3,000.

While the vast majority of those killed are labelled "militants", we now know how utterly meaningless that descriptor really is: if you are a military-aged male living in the targeted area, you are automatically categorised as a "militant".

Reports of the drone attacks and killings of "militants" as well as elderly men, women, and children have been widely disseminated and increasingly discussed in

“

mainstream news outlets.

More to the point, on April 30, 2012, Brennan - who in the Times article is described as a "priest … suddenly charged with leading a war" gave a lengthy speech in which he described targeted strikes as legal, ethical, necessary, humane and wise.

However, the government claims this speech only admits "a general US government interest" in the legal basis for targeting a US citizen with lethal force.

Thus the government refuses to officially acknowledge the existence of the programme in order to avoid divulging its records on it, and thereby admit accountability.

"The only conclusion to draw is that they are trying to avoid accountability in any official channel. They are happy to speak to press to trumpet their successes, or rally public support. But they have calculated a way to avoid any determination by a court that would try to hold them accountable," Wessler said.

The government's legal position summons the Glomar Doctrine, which allows government agencies to remain mum in response to FOIA requests. Abusing the Glomar doctrine appears to be a recent trend: the National Security Archive reported

US drone attacks in Yemen began in 2002 under the Bush administration, but have been dramatically expanded and accelerated under the Obama administration.

that since 9/11, the government has invoked Glomar three times as often as it did in the 25 preceding years.

"Certainly there are circumstances where documents should not be discussed. But this case is different. The government is asserting the existence of the programme is a secret. If it's a secret, it is - hands down - the worst-kept secret," said Wessler.

The dissonance between the political rhetoric of Obama's "War on Terror" and the administration's official policy as revealed by this motion cuts to the heart of why the FOIA is essential to a functioning democracy. The FOIA was enacted during the 1960s as a means to, in the words of the ACLU, "curb selective disclosures, half-truths and admitted distortions". Without the benefit of FOIA, the public is unable to scrutinise the government's policies, let alone hold it accountable.

"It is very clear that the government is trying to conceal the whole picture," Wessler said.

Commentators from across the political spectrum - from John Pilger to John McCain have accused the Obama administration of cherrypicking the information it wishes to be disclosed as a means to a political end: after all, this is election year. And ever since Obama came into office, his adversaries have maligned him as "soft on terror" - a reputation he seems bent on shaking.

Indeed, the Times article paints the president as possessing a hard-nosed character; one who feels the threat of al-Qaeda "in his gut", wrestles with "moral and legal conundrums", and "pores over terrorists' biographies".

But there is another political end this and other similar articles achieve: they generate a veneer of transparency, suggesting that through these selective press meetings the White House is volunteering sufficient insights into its truly radical policy of drone warfare.

In reality, the White House has slammed the shutters closed to any independent investigation into its policies and placed an opaque shield around its doings.

With such depth of secrecy, as well as the manipulation and distortion of information, we cannot take any official statement regarding the socalled "War on Terror" at anything close to face value.

Culled from Aljazeera.

Charlotte Silver is a journalist based in San Francisco and the West Bank.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

PAGE 32

Ex-Libyan PM, Al Baghdadi, pleads innocence Mali’s government vows to recover territory

M

ali's embattled interim government has ramped up diplomatic efforts to save the north from rebel fighters who have destroyed World Heritage shrines in Timbuktu and have reportedly rigged another city with mines.

The interim government in the capital Bamako, set up after the March 22 coup which led to a takeover in the north as armed groups exploited the resulting chaos, has been scrambling for assistance to regain its territory.

"We will do everything to recover our territory," Sadio Lamine Sow, Mali's foreign minister, told the AFP news agency, speaking at the end of a two-day visit to Algeria, where he held talks with authorities in Algiers.

The post-coup transition government has struggled to assert its authority in the face of armed al-Qaeda-allied groups occupying the north, and Mali's neighbours in west Africa have proposed a stronger unity government be formed.

West African leaders will meet in Burkina Faso's capital on Saturday to discuss this option with senior Malian political figures, as the Islamist rebels escalate efforts to exert their control in the country's north.

In Timbuktu, where Ansar Dine (Defenders of Faith) have enforced sharia law for the past three months, the Islamist group has smashed seven tombs of ancient Muslim saints as well as the 'sacred door' to a 15th-century mosque.

The destruction has deeply upset many Malians and prompted outpourings of condemnation from abroad.

UNESCO, the UN cultural agency, called on Tuesday for an end to the "repugnant acts" of destruction and called for the creation of an emergency fund for securing the cultural treasures and sending a mission to assess the damage.

Sow condemned the armed groups now controlling the cities in northern Mali as "armed terrorists".

"It is they who are raping women, pillaging banks" and conducting a campaign of destruction, he said, saying these acts were crimes against humanity and would not go unpunished.

Al Mahmoudi Al Baghdadi, Libya's last prime minister under Gaddafi, fled to Tunisia in August last year

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l Mahmoudi Al Baghdadi, Libya's imprisoned former prime minister, has pleaded his innocence before a group of journalists in the capital Tripoli.

"I am not guilty, not guilty, not guilty," Mahmoudi told the press during a visit organised by the authorities in an apparent bid to dispel rumours that he had been tortured, or even killed, in custody.

Al Baghdadi, who served under former Libyan leader Muammar

Gaddafi, is being held in a prison cell at a military complex in the south of the capital after he was extradited from Tunisia in June.

He was both defiant and defensive, insisting he was just a law-abiding citizen during his tenure as prime minister from 2006 until 2011, not a military man.

When asked about the raping and killing that took place during the Libyan uprising, and about

hiring mercenaries to quash the revolt, Al Baghdadi said: "I'm not a military man, I had no militia to do those things you describe.

"I was a civilian, doing my civilian duties under the laws at that time. That's what I will show to the court.

"At the moment, there is prejudice but these allegations are far removed from the truth.

History will prove to the Libyan people how this kind of thing

happened, if it happened."

Al Baghdadi said the bloodshed during the revolution was not all due to Gaddafi, but due also to "foreign intervention" in Libyan affairs.

He claimed that some of the things he has been blamed for have just been invented to make him look bad.

"I have been accused of things that are not true, and have been invented to make me look bad to the Libyan people, and I hope to God that all the investigations are completed so the Libyan people can know the truth."

Al Baghdadi said he trusted the fairness of the Libyan judicial system and that he will detail his defence in due course, once he has properly consulted a lawyer.

Asked what the suitable punishment should be if he was convicted of the crimes he is charged with, Al Baghdadi said in English: "I am not guilty. I am not guilty. I am not guilty."

Al Baghdadi was arrested in Tunisia in September for illegally crossing the border as he tried to flee to Algeria, where members of Gaddafi's family had sought refuge.

Libya's interim government had been clamouring for the repatriation of Al Baghdadi to answer for crimes it says he committed during Gaddafi's regime.

But officials from the former government have not fared well in the hands of the former Libyan rebels, with Gaddafi and one of his sons being executed upon capture last year.

Kenyan Muslim groups ‘to protect churches’

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uslim leaders in Kenya have agreed to form selfdefence groups to protect churches following a deadly attack on Sunday.

Fifteen people were killed in the raids on churches in Garissa, a town near the border with Somalia.

Kenya's border region has been tense since it sent troops into Somalia to pursue al-Shabab Islamist militants.

Adan Wachu, head of the Supreme Council of Kenyan Muslims, told the BBC the attacks were acts of terrorism.

"There are people out there who are determined to make Kenya another Nigeria," Mr Wachu, who

Police say gunmen used grenades and guns to carry out the church attacks

also chairs the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya, told the BBC Network Africa programme.

"It's not going to be allowed to have a sectarian division in this country whoever wants to do that will of course fail."

Mr Wachu said that at a meeting the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya on Tuesday it was unanimously agreed the church attacks were acts of "terrorists and terrorism".

"Therefore we all resolved to stand together as one united front," he said.

"We decided as solidarity that the Muslim youth will provide a vigilante service to the churches not only in Garissa but in any other places that the Christians may deem fit."

Mandela’s daughter, Zenani, appointed Argentina ambassador

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andela has been appointed ambassador to Argentina, the South American nation has said.

Zenani Mandela-Dlamini is the oldest daughter from the former president's marriage to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

Argentina said her appointment represented the importance South Africa attached to their relationship.

Ms Mandela-Dlamini, 53, was a child when her father was imprisoned for 27 years by the white minority government.

She was not allowed to visit him in jail until she was 16 years old, the Associated Press news agency reports.

A graduate of the University of Boston, Ms Mandela-Dlamini was once married to a Swazi prince.

Mr Mandela became South Africa's first black and democratically elected president in 1994, stepping down after one term in office.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who turns 94 this month, retired from public life eight years ago his last public appearance was at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.

"During the presidency of Nelson Mandela, recognised as a global figure for his fight against apartheid and for human rights, Zenani Dlamini accompanied her father to act as first lady of her

country," Reuters news agency quotes a statement from Argentina's foreign ministry as saying.

According to the AFP news agency, bilateral trade between South Africa and Argentina is worth about $1.3bn (£830m).

Zenani Mandela-Dlamini often accompanied her father when he was president

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

A

fter a quest spanning nearly half a century, physicists have said they had found a new sub-atomic particle consistent with the Higgs boson which is believed to confer mass.

Rousing cheers and a standing ovation broke out at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) yesterday after scientists presented data in their long search for the mysterious particle.

The new find is "consistent with (the) long-sought Higgs

New sub-atomic particle could be elusive ‘God particle’ boson," CERN declared in a statement.

It added further data was needed to identify the find.

"We have reached a milestone in our understanding of nature," said CERN Director General Rolf Heuer.

EU parliament throws out anti-piracy pact

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he European Parliament rejected by a wide majority the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), an international copyright deal which, critics say, threatened internet freedom.

Only 39 lawmakers voted in favour of ACTA yesterday; 478 rejected it, while 165 abstained, killing off the EU ratification process. This might give an incentive to other signatories to also walk out, forcing the renegotiation or the outright abandonment of the agreement.

The conservative European

People's Party (EPP), the largest group in the EU assembly, unsuccessfully tried to postpone the vote until the European Court of Justice (ECJ) delivers a verdict on whether ACTA really poses a risk to civil liberties.

"No emergency surgery, no transplant, no long period of recuperation is going to save ACTA: it is time to give it its last rites, it is time to allow its friends to mourn and for the rest of us to get on with our lives," British socialist David Martin, who drafted parliament's opinion on ACTA, said before the vote.

Ukraine protests over move to boost Russian

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undreds of protesters have clashed with riot police in central Kiev and Ukraine's parliament speaker offered to resign amid uproar after a move to boost the status of the Russian language in the former Soviet republic.

Riot police yesterday fired tear gas and used batons to push back protesters, led by opposition

French police search Sarkozy home and office

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rench investigators have searched former President Nicolas Sarkozy's home and office.

The raids were part of a probe into suspected illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign by the L'Oreal cosmetics heiress, an official said on Tuesday.

Potential legal troubles have threatened Sarkozy since he lost the presidency to Socialist Francois Hollande in May elections.

Sarkozy, who lost his immunity from prosecution on June 15, denies wrongdoing.

Sarkozy's lawyer, Thierry Herzog, said the raids a day after his client had left for Canada on holiday would show nothing and that he had already supplied information to investigators that debunked suspicions of secret meetings with Bettencourt.

"These raids ... will as expected prove futile," Herzog said in a statement.

PAGE 33

members of parliament, who had massed in front of a building where President Viktor Yanukovich was due to hold a press briefing.

They urged Yanukovich - who had planned a celebratory statement to crown the successful co-hosting of the Euro 2012 soccer tournament - to veto the bill, which was rammed through parliament late on Tuesday by the majority Party of Regions.

Yanukovich subsequently cancelled the briefing and instead called an urgent meeting with Parliament Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn and leaders of major factions.

Lytvyn himself tendered his resignation at the opening of the parliamentary session.

The chamber approved the language bill in a second and final reading on Tuesday minutes after a proposal by one of the proYanukovich deputies, giving opponents little time to cast their vote and prompting scuffles both in parliament and on the streets.

Many protesters stayed out on the streets of central Kiev overnight. When parliament met again on Wednesday, Lytvyn said: "Colleagues, I ask you to consider my resignation and take a decision on it."

The website of parliament said that Mykola Tomenko, a deputy speaker, had also stepped down.

Tomenko belongs to jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko's BYuT parliamentary faction.

The bill, which will not become law until first Lytvyn and then Yanukovich have signed it, would upgrade the status of Russian in the former Soviet republic, where the official state language is Ukrainian.

"The discovery of a particle consistent with the Higgs boson opens the way to more detailed studies, requiring larger statistics, which will pin down the new particle's properties, and is likely to shed light on other mysteries of our Universe."

Peter Higgs, a British physicist who published the conceptual groundwork for the particle back in 1964, expressed joy.

"I never expected this to happen in my lifetime and shall be asking my family to put some champagne in the fridge," he said

"We have reached a milestone in our understanding of nature," said CERN Director General Rolf Heuer

The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement has yet to be ratified and has stirred controversy across the globe People in large parts of Ukraine, notably the eastern industrial heartland, speak mainly Russian

in a statement issued by the University of Edinburgh, where he was a professor.

Finding the Higgs would validate the Standard Model, a theory which identifies the building blocks for matter and the particles that convey fundamental forces.

It is a hugely successful theory but has several gaps, the biggest of which is why some particles have mass but others do not.

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

Abbas, Arafat widow want body of late Palestinian president exhumed

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A dated picture of late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat flashing a victory sign from a helicopter, in this file photo taken May 13, 2002.

ahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, sees no reason why Yasser Arafat's body should not be exhumed following an Al Jazeera report that he may have died of poisoning, his spokesman said on yesterday.

Nabil Abu Rudeinah said that the Palestinian Authority would use "Arab and international scientific expertise" to review the findings.

A nine-month investigation by Al Jazeera found that Arafat's final belongings - his clothes, his toothbrush, even his iconic kaffiyeh contained elevated levels of polonium, a rare, highly radioactive element.

Scientists at the Institut de Radiophysique in Lausanne, Switzerland, who studied Arafat's personal items, said that his bones could offer more conclusive evidence that he was poisoned.

"There are no political or religious reasons that prevent researching this issue," Abu Rudeinah said, "including the exhumation of Arafat's body by a reliable and trustworthy medical and scientific authority."

Saeb Erekat, the chief

Palestinian negotiator, also called for an international committee to study Arafat's death, similar to the one investigating the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005. "[It] is a must," Erekat told Al Jazeera. "And we will do it first through the United Nations Security Council. We hope everyone will co-operate with us, because we seek the truth and nothing but the truth."

Speaking to Al Jazeera yesterday, Suha Arafat, wife of the late Palestinian leader, said the exhumation should take place as soon as possible.

She has asked the Palestinian Authority to exhume her late husband's body from its grave in Ramallah. If tests show that Arafat's bones contain high levels of polonium, it would be more conclusive proof that he was poisoned, doctors say.

"I know the Palestinian Authority has been trying to discover what Yasser died from," Suha Arafat said in an interview. "And now we are helping them. We have very substantial, very important results."

group quit the meeting after some participants rejected including in the final statement that the Kurdish minority in Syria, which has been marginalised by the alAssad regime, would be recognised by the opposition.

According to delegates, the disagreements focused on whether to call for a foreign military intervention to end 16 months of bloodshed. The arguments also touched on the role of religion in a post al-Assad Syria.

Syria opposition groups back Free Syrian army

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yrian opposition groups have concluded a two-day meeting in Cairo, agreeing in general terms on support for the Free Syrian Army, the dissolution of the ruling Baath Party and the exclusion of Assad or other senior regime figures from a place in the transition, but remained divided on other key issues.

"We have agreed that solving the problem starts with the departure of al-Assad regime and his government, protecting the civilians and supporting the Free Syrian Army," Kamal Labwani, a Syrian opposition figure, said while reading the final statement of the two-day conference.

The around 250 participants, however, struggled to settle questions including foreign military intervention and the future role of religion and failed to reach an agreement on

forming a unified body to represent the opposition.

The conference opened on Monday in the Egyptian capital under the auspices of the Arab League to forge a common vision for transition in Syria after the ouster of alAssad.

In the final declaration, conference participants described the mechanisms for a post-al-Assad transitional process, Syrian National Council head Abdel Bassat Seyda said.

He said that the participants agreed to support fully the Free Syrian Army, which is mainly main made up of Syrian army deserters who have been protecting civilians and have gained support in restive areas.

"Talking about any national unity government while Bashar al-Assad is still in power is meaningless," Seyda said.

Earlier on Tuesday, a Syrian opposition Kurdish

Members of Syria's opposition and Arab and other foreign ministers at a two-day conference in Cairo

ran declared yesterday that it can destroy nearby U.S. military bases and strike Israel within minutes of an attack on the Islamic Republic, reflecting tensions over Iran's suspect nuclear program.

The veiled threat came during a military drill that has included the firing of ballistic missiles.

The elite Revolutionary Guards, conducting the war games in Iran's central desert, said that the missiles were aimed at mockups of foreign military bases.

Israel and the U.S. have hinted at the possibility of

military strikes against Iran if sanctions and diplomacy do not rein in Iran's nuclear development program. The West suspects Iran may be aiming to build nuclear weapons. Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes.

The semiofficial Fars news agency quoted Gen. Ami Ali Hajizadeh of the Revolutionary Guards as saying U.S. bases are in range of Iran's missiles and could be hit in retaliatory strikes. He referred to Israel as "occupied territories."

"Measures have been taken so that we could destroy all these

bases in the early minutes of an attack," said Hajizadeh, chief of the Guards' air-space division.

Israeli officials refused to comment. There was no immediate comment from Washington.

Hajizadeh said the Guards also successfully test fired an anti-ship missile that could sink U.S. warships in the Gulf. Gen. Hajizadeh told state TV that the shore-to-sea ballistic missile, called "Persian Gulf," has a range of 300 kilometers (180 miles).

State TV showed video of the launching of a white missile that hit a huge target in Gulf waters.

Israeli policeman filmed kicking 9year-oldPalestinian boy

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srael's Border Police has launched an investigation after a video emerged showing one of its officers kicking a nine-year-old Palestinian boy.

The footage from the human rights group, B'Tselem, shows Abdul Rahman Burqan being held on the ground by one officer before he is kicked by another.

The incident took place on Friday in the West Bank city of Hebron.

A statement from the Border Police said it "views with gravity and condemns the behaviour of the policemen".

"It is important to note that this is an exceptional incident that does not represent the extensive activity of the combat border police troops to further the security of the state of Israel," it added.

Border Police commander Yoram Halevi has ordered the formation of a team to investigate the incident and report in the coming days.

Sources in the force told the Jerusalem Post there had been a large rise in the number of incidents of Palestinian youths throwing stones in Hebron. But they said there was no justification for the officers' conduct.

The cameraman, Raed Abu Rimle, told the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth: "I heard yelling and I saw a soldier kick a boy in the stomach. After the policemen left him, I approached the kid. He was so scared that he'd pissed his pants."

Last week, a group of senior British lawyers accused the Israeli military authorities of regularly breaching the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the 4th Geneva Convention when detaining Palestinian children in the West Bank.

Iran threatens swift retaliation on US bases I

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

PAGE 35

What killed Arafat?

I t was a scene that riveted the world for weeks: The ailing Yasser Arafat, first besieged by Israeli tanks in his Ramallah compound, then shuttled to Paris, where he spent his final days undergoing a barrage of medical tests in a French military hospital.

Eight years after his death, it remains a mystery exactly what killed the longtime Palestinian leader. Tests conducted in Paris found no obvious traces of poison in Arafat's system. Rumors abound about what might have killed him cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, even allegations that he was infected with HIV. A nine-month investigation by Al Jazeera has revealed that none of those rumors were true: Arafat was in good health until he suddenly fell ill on October 12, 2004.

More importantly, tests reveal that Arafat's final personal belongings - his clothes, his toothbrush, even his iconic kaffiyeh - contained abnormal levels of polonium, a rare, highly radioactive element. Those personal effects, which were analyzed at the Institut de Radiophysique in Lausanne, Switzerland, were variously stained with Arafat's blood, sweat, saliva and urine. The tests carried out on those samples suggested that there was a high level of polonium inside his body when he died.

"I can confirm to you that we measured an unexplained, elevated amount of unsupported polonium210 in the belongings of Mr. Arafat that contained stains of biological fluids," said Dr. Francois Bochud, the director of the institute.

The findings have led Suha Arafat, his widow, to ask the Palestinian Authority to exhume her late husband's body from its grave in Ramallah. If tests show that Arafat's bones contain high levels of polonium, it would be more conclusive proof that he was poisoned, doctors say.

"I know the Palestinian Authority has been trying to discover what Yasser died from," Suha Arafat said in an interview.

"And now we are helping them. We have very substantial, very important results."

The institute studied Arafat's personal effects, which his widow provided to Al Jazeera, the first time they had been examined by a laboratory. Doctors did not find any traces of common heavy metals or conventional poisons, so they turned their attention to more obscure elements, including polonium.

It is a highly radioactive element used, among other things, to power spacecraft. Marie Curie discovered it in 1898, and her daughter Irene was among the first people it killed: She died of leukemia several years after an accidental polonium exposure in her laboratory.

At least two people connected with Israel's nuclear program also reportedly died after exposure to the element, according to the limited literature on the subject.

But polonium's most famous victim was Alexander Litvinenko, the Russian spy-turned-dissident who died in London in 2006 after a

A nine-month investigation suggests that the late Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, shown in this library photo waving at a cheering crowd, may have been poisoned with polonium. lingering illness. A British inquiry found that he was poisoned with polonium slipped into his tea at a sushi restaurant.

There is little scientific consensus about the symptoms of polonium poisoning, mostly because there are so few recorded cases. Litvinenko suffered severe diarrhea, weight loss, and vomiting, all of which were symptoms Arafat exhibited in the days and weeks after he initially fell ill.

Animal studies have found similar symptoms, which lingered for weeks - depending on the dosage - until the subject died. "The primary radiation target‌ is the gastrointestinal tract," said an American study conducted in 1991, "activating the 'vomiting centre' in the brainstem."

Scientists in Lausanne found elevated levels of the element on Arafat's belongings - in some cases, they were ten times higher than those on control subjects, random

samples which were tested for comparison.

The lab's results were reported in millibecquerels (mBq), a scientific unit used to measure radioactivity.

Polonium is present in the atmosphere, but the natural levels that accumulate on surfaces barely register, and the element disappears quickly. Polonium-210, the isotope found on Arafat's belongings, has a half-life of 138 days, meaning that half of the substance decays roughly every four-and-a-half months. "Even in case of a poisoning similar to the Litvinenko case, only traces of the order of a few [millibecquerels] were expected to be found in [the] year 2012," the institute noted in its report to Al Jazeera.

But Arafat's personal effects, particularly those with bodily fluids on them, registered much higher levels of the element. His toothbrushes had polonium levels of 54mBq; the urine stain on his

“

“I can confirm to you that we measured an unexplained, elevated amount of unsupported polonium-210 in the belongings of Mr. Arafat that contained stains of biological fluids,

underwear, 180mBq. (Another man's pair of underwear, used as a control, measured just 6.7mBq.) Further tests, conducted over a three-month period from March until June, concluded that most of that polonium - between 60 and 80 per cent, depending on the sample - was "unsupported," meaning that it did not come from natural sources.

Doctors in Lausanne, and elsewhere, also ruled out a range of other possible causes for Arafat's death, based on his original medical file, which Ms. Arafat also provided to Al Jazeera. Their examination ruled out many of the other causes of death that have been rumored over the last eight years.

"There was not liver cirrhosis, apparently no traces of cancer, no leukemia," said Dr. Patrice Mangin, the head of the Institute of Legal Medicine of Lausanne University.

"Concerning HIV, AIDS - there was no sign, and the symptomology was not suggesting these things."

Dr. Tawfik Shaaban, a Tunisian specialist in HIV and one of the doctors who examined Arafat in his Ramallah compound, confirmed that there were no signs of the disease.

Their conclusions, of course, were based on documentation rather than firsthand examination. Doctors in Lausanne had hoped to study the blood and urine samples taken from Arafat while he was at Percy Military Hospital in France. But when she requested access, the hospital told his widow that those samples had been destroyed.

"I was not satisfied with that answer," Ms. Arafat said. "Usually

a very important person, like Yasser, they would keep traces maybe they don't want to be involved in it?"

Several of the doctors who treated Arafat said that they were not allowed to discuss his case - even with Ms. Arafat's permission because it was considered a "military secret." And most of his onetime doctors in Cairo and Tunis refused requests for interviews as well.

With those avenues of inquiry closed, Arafat's body itself would be the last remaining source of conclusive evidence. Exhuming it would require approval from the Palestinian Authority; shipping bone samples outside of the West Bank would require permission from the Israeli government.

Whatever the outcome, Ms. Arafat said she hopes further tests would "remove a lot of doubt" about her husband's still-mysterious death.

"We got into this very, very painful conclusion, but at least this removes this great burden on me, on my chest," she said. "At least I've done something to explain to the Palestinian people, to the Arab and Muslim generation all over the world, that it was not a natural death, it was a crime."

A conclusive finding that Arafat was poisoned with polonium would not, of course, explain who killed him. It is a difficult element to produce, though - it requires a nuclear reactor - and the signature of the polonium in Arafat's bones could provide some insight about its origin.

Source: Al-Jazeera.com

PAGE 36

E

ating 40 per cent less food could extend a person’s life by 20 years, according to scientists.

Researchers at the Institute of Health Ageing at University College London are developing a treatment they hope will combat the ‘disease’ of getting older.

They are looking into how genetics and lifestyle can be adapted to offset the effects of ageing and add years, possibly decades, to a person’s life.

Age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurodegeneration can also be combated, it is claimed.

One line of inquiry that the team is developing is how the life of a rat can be increased by up to 30 per cent simply by reducing its food intake.

Lead researcher Dr Piper told the Independent: ‘If you reduce the diet of a rat by 40 per cent it will live for 20 or 30 per cent longer. So we would be talking 20 years of human life. This has shown on all sorts of organisms, even labradors.’

The scientists are also studying fruit flies, which share 60 per cent of human genes and age in a similar manner, and mice.

They have already prolonged the healthy lifespan in both flies and mice by using drug treatments and a modified diet.

It is hoped that this combination will also work to extend human life.

Dr Piper said: ‘If we discover the genes involved with ageing, we should be able to delay ageing itself. This is what we’ve found.’

He added that his team has extended the life of organisms by

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JUY 5, 2012

Eating 40% less food could extend your life by 20 years mutating single genes.

The researchers have also lessen the effects of a mutation which can cause Alzheimer’s.

However, Dr Piper cautioned that the field of research into extending life is only a decade old, so remains ‘theoretical’.

It is their unique approach to treating all age-related diseases as being caused by the ‘disease’ of ageing itself that sets their research apart, he said.

The research is being displayed at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition in London.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

“

The scientists are also studying fruit flies, which share 60 per cent of human genes and age in a similar manner, and mice Incentive: Eating 40 per cent less food could extend a person's life by 20 years, according to scientists.

Decline in quality of life of Parkinson’s sufferers starts ‘years before diagnosis’ P

eople with Parkinson’s disease suffer a decline in their quality of life years before they are diagnosed, it is claimed.

Scientists have documented declines in physical and mental health, pain, and emotional health beginning several years before the onset of the disease.

And the decline then continues at a rate of five to seven times faster than the average yearly decline caused by normal ageing in people without the disease, according to researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Lead researcher Dr Natalia Palacios said: ‘We observed a decline in physical function in Parkinson’s patients relative to their healthy counterparts beginning three years prior to diagnosis in men and 7.5 years prior to diagnosis in women.

‘The decline continues at a rate that is five to seven times faster than the average yearly decline caused by normal ageing in individuals without the disease.

‘This result provides support to the notion that the pathological process leading to Parkinson’s disease may start several years before a diagnosis.’

The study is the first to examine patterns in the quality of life of Parkinson’s patients prior to diagnosis and is published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease.

The researchers studied 51,350 male health professionals enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow Up Study (HPFS) and 121,701 female

registered nurses enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS).

In both studies, participants filled out biannual questionnaires that documented the occurrence

Parkinson's sufferer Muhammad Ali. A study has revealed that a decline in quality of life starts years before the disease is diagnosed.

of major chronic disease by answering questions about a variety of lifestyle characteristics.

The nurses study measured health-related quality of life in physical functioning; role limitations due to physical problems; role limitations due to emotional problems; vitality; bodily pain; social functioning; mental health; and general health perceptions.

By contrast, the HPFS questionnaire only assessed physical functioning.

Of the 454 men and 414 women identified with Parkinson’s, the researchers found that a decline began about three years before diagnosis for men and 7.5 years for women.

Results also showed other measures of quality of life available only in women declined in a similar pattern.

The scientists point out that their study is bolstered by the available data on both Parkinson’s patients and a healthy group used for comparison.

Dr Palacios said: ‘Our hope is that, with future research, biological markers of the disease process may be recognizable in this pre-clinical phase.’

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

PAGE 37

Inviting US to crush Boko Haram is dangerous INTERVIEW On David Mark comments on Northern leaders? ell, let me start with the comment of the Senate President because it was carried on the newspapers that I read today. In my view, he addressed three fronts, the first one is the accusation directed against what he described as Northern leaders or Northern elders , sometimes you mix the terminology , there could be a difference between Northern elders and Northern leaders. To the fact that they have done nothing and they are doing nothing about the security challenges in Nigeria particularly here in the North.

My first reaction to this is that I had always thought that looking at the political leadership structure in the country, Senator David Mark is number three citizen in Nigeria. If you begin to look at the geopolitical arrangements of the country, it is easy to say that Senator David Mark is the number two citizen in the northern part of Nigeria after the Vice President. So, here if he could direct the accusing finger to Northern leaders or to Northern elders, my immediate assumption is that he has excluded himself from being a leader in this part of the country and the question, of course is why? If he has excluded himself from being a leader or an elder I think he is quite right to say that others who are regarded as elders or leaders should be queried for some of the things that are going on. So, I think this is not fair because seeing Senator David Mark in various fora speaking about the North, speaking about responsibilities of leaders or leadership in the country, if he has excluded himself from being a leader in this part of the country and part of those who should be working together with other leaders to find solution to problems facing this part of the country and by implication the country as a whole, then fine. But he cannot eat his cake and have it, he cannot be a leader and then lead and says it is others that should bear responsibilities for some of the failures he is accusing northern elders or leaders for. I do not remember a single meeting that Senator Mark has convened in his position of responsibility as Senate Leader or northern leader or northern elders inviting other colleagues he considered to be peers and leaders like himself to come and discuss the problems that are challenging the country.

I do not remember one single occasion that he took initiative

W

Professor Ango Abdullahi is the spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF).

The elder-statesman in this interview with newsmen takes a blow-by-blow response to issues raised by Senate President David Mark, at the recently concluded Senate Retreat in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state; cautions that inviting the United States of America to help resolve the nation’s security challenges could be counter-productive. Our Correspondent, Ahmed Kaigama was there. Excerpts: as number two northern citizens in terms of political appointment to do this, so there must be something sinister about this. If you look at the details of his submission it is only Northern Muslims that should take responsibility for the crises that is going on, so in other words he is passing the buck to those he considers to be Muslims in the North and this indeed is very dangerous. So to my mind I think that Senator Mark, given his history as a fine retired military officer and given his exposure in various position of responsibilities, at one time a governor of Niger state and so on various positions of responsibilities up to the time he found himself in the Senate, I thought that he should be a little more self-respect in some of the things he says, because he was almost drawing us to the conclusion we have. If I may recalled we have had enough, people will not take this anymore, who are these people who will not take this anymore and from where would they not take this anymore.

Poverty not an excuse for violence?

The second aspect of his comment is that poverty is not excuse for violence or for the kind of violence that we see. Nothing is an excuse for violence; if you want to translate this, and literally nothing should be an excuse for violence for there is always an excuse for violence.

And for him to make the assertion that poverty cannot be a precursor to instability and unrest, I think he must be reading different history books from the ones I have read. He only needed to switch on to his television everyday to pick CNN, Aljazeera or to pick whatever television stations that aired events around the world. There is hardly any day that you will not find streets protest in their thousands in various capitalist around the world; and what are the reasons for their protest? Most of the reasons as we all know is that are people are squeezed, they are feeling poor, poorer. They are unhappy with policies that made life more difficult for them.

So, all the protests you see around Europe today have to do with poverty first. For him to say that poverty is not a precursor of unrest, particularly in a country like Nigeria where

Professor Ango Abdullahi employment figures are not less than 50 percent on our youths, for every five graduates that come out of university, only one will get the job in three years and they are there in their thousands.

Of course unemployment and so no can lead to all sorts of antisocial behavior not talking about Boko Haram in this case.

American government had suggested that the government should deal with poverty particularly in the north and they have been saying this for months. Here, it is only Mark that doesn’t believe that government is supposed to heed the advice. He must be told that he was wrong to assert that poverty was not a precursor of anger and anti-social behavior.

Appeal to western countries to come to the aid of Nigeria and deal with Boko Haram The other assertion he has made which again needs to be challenged is saying that they are appealing to western countries to come to the aid of Nigeria to deal with the Boko Haram security challenges.

What does that mean? The first meaning is that Nigeria as a nation has failed to deal with security matters that are entirely his responsibility and legitimacy of this government rest on the fact that it secure

the territorial integrity and the peace of this country. If he is admitting that the present government has failed in that responsibility, he should come out openly to say so. With regard to the issue of Boko Haram, because we have seen recently they have been trying to list Boko Haram as a terrorist organization, even though if you ask them where is Boko Haram and who is boko haram? They will not be able to tell you. The danger is that they want to profile everybody that looks like a Muslim as a potential Boko Haram and they have denied peaceful, innocent citizens, peaceful Muslims in the north, perhaps privileges that should be obtain in terms of diplomacy, traveling outside, to get visas and so on. People are being profiled just by their names or their appearances, this is dangerous. In fact the most dangerous thing that the government may embark upon, because by the time they succeed in bringing somebody from outside with target people they will identify in the name of either direct Boko haram members or in the name of being associate or in the name of sympathizers’ or in the name of supporters, then they are already putting this country perhaps on the last track.

So, particularly with the

known facts today that the western government and, indeed particularly the United States of America, is waging war which is being interpreted around the world as war against Islam or war against Muslims.

The President himself will say no they are not fighting against Islam; they are not fighting against Islamic civilization and so on, but it is difficult to belief because if you look at their outings now around the world, Afghanistan is a Muslim country, recently they invaded Libya and killed the President; they have invaded Iraq and killed the President they are trying to invade Syria and so on and so forth. So, to have Americans here with their drones shooting us in the name of our being Muslims and therefore Boko Haram, I have just watched a programme in the American military training where there is clear statement that as far as Americans are concerned, there is nothing like moderate Islam. There is just Islam and them, so go and read books, since the collapse of communism, the western world, the western capitalist system fights nothing except Islam and this is a major matter which every responsible person wishing this country well should try to tread very carefully on. But Mark has forgotten that northern clerics, elders have made presentations as to what should be done.

Who is dying in this crisis, if you go down to the statistics more Muslim have died in this crisis in the last one or two years than anyone else, more strangulation of economic and social life has happened in this part of the country than anywhere else. So I can’t see anybody who should be more concerned about this than us, but the difference is this, if David Mark will come and help us identify this since he assumed that in every leader’s house Boko Haram people are sleeping, they are eating food together and so on. Of course the president himself said he has Boko Haram in his cabinet, he has Haram in the Army, he has Boko Haram in the Police, in the SSS, he said so himself, even though up till now, he has not exposed those people and he has taken the appropriate steps that he ought to have taken, so this is by way of David mark.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

Accept responsibility for political deaths in Edo, PDP tells Oshiomhole

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he Edo state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on governor Adams Oshiomhole to accept responsibility for political deaths, including that of the two journalists in his convoys, in the state.

The PDP also called on Oshiomhole to tender a public apology to it and withdraw all allegations leveled against it, including the death of his Principal Private Secretary, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde; the attack on him by students of Usen Institute of Technology and alleged plans to rig election.

The party said it was still looking forward to the police report on the killing of Oyerinde, saying “on it, as much as the publicised ones, stands the credibility or otherwise of Governor Oshiomhole and his ACN.” In a statement, entitled: “Police report on Oshiomhole’s convoy accident out: Edo Pdp absolved!” issued by the State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Matthew Uroghide, the PDP said that it was happy that the police investigation had revealed that “the owner of the truck that rammed into the governor’s convoy along the AuchiWarrake Road, Salisu Danjuma and the driver, John Michael, [and the conductor of the truck, Agho Awen] contrary to allegation by the state government, are members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state.”

According to the PDP, “From the police report, it is now clear that Governor Oshiomhole, Edo State Government, the governor’s agents and the ACN did the PDP grave wrong in the wicked accusations which they deceived the whole world to believe.

“It is also clear that the governor’s action of driving himself with Hon. Philip Shuaibu by his side on an inter-town road was reckless and irresponsible endangerment.

The action resulted in the accident that cut short the lives of budding young journalists in his convoy.”

The PDP stated that “At Afuze, on the day of the accident, Governor Oshiomhole was disappointed with the scanty crowd that came to attend the planned decamping and sped off the venue in annoyance. That state of mind, coupled with his determination to make Auchi and then Benin for the three separate events that were scheduled for that day, made the governor to drive at a breakneck speed.

“Governor Oshiomhole had probably not driven a car on an inter-town road in a long while and forced his details and members of his entourage to hurry to catch up with him. With the governor’s convoy scattered as it was, it rounded a bend and then rammed into an oncoming truck.”

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Oshiomhole warns voters against selling cards T

he Edo Government on Tuesday warned the electorate in the state to desist from selling their voters’ cards, stressing that the action was criminal and an electoral offence.

Gov Adams Oshiomhole gave the warning in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Peter Okhiria, in Benin.

The statement said that “in spite of repeated calls on people of the state not to sell their voters’ cards, some desperate politicians in the state had intensified

efforts to mop up such cards.’’

The governor said those engaged in such act were doing so by inducing the people with cash and other gifts .

The statement said that in some cases, the alleged buyers used “the name of Gov. Adams Oshiomhole, as their sponsor with the sole aim of deceiving the people’’.

It said the development was “frustrating the One Man, One Vote principle of the Governor”.

The government advised the public, especially registered voters in the state, to ignore the

lure of politicians involved in the criminal act of vote buying and stressed that voting was a civic responsibility.

Meanwhile, the Edo office of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has alerted the public of an alleged design by fraudsters using the name of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Kassim Gaidam, to extort money from candidates and politicians.

In a statement signed by the Head of Public affairs of INEC, Mrs Priscillia Imoudu-Sule in

Benin, INEC said some persons were attempting to extort money from candidates.

It said that “some fraudulent persons are sending text messages to gubernatorial candidates and politicians in the state ‘’ to extort money from unsuspecting politicians in the state.

“The commissioner hereby urges the public to take note and ignore such dubious text messages as it is meant to defraud unsuspecting members of the public, especially politicians’’, it said.

Action Congress of Nigeria governorship candidate in Edo state, Governor Adams oshiomhole, addressing party supporters during his reelection campaign, yesterday at Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area of the state.

Niger state Assembly urges FG to lift curfew on Suleja

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he Niger House of Assembly, passed a motion urging the Federal Government to lift the state of emergency it imposed on Suleja and its environs because of bomb attacks in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that President Goodluck Jonathan on Dec. 31 2011, declared a state of emergency in some parts of the North, including Suleja,

because of incessant terrorist attacks.

Following the declaration, a 12-hour curfew was imposed on Suleja and its environs.

The motion, moved by Alhaji Jibrin Bawa, the member representing Suleja Constituency, called on the senators representing Niger in the National Assembly, to persuade the Federal Government and the National

Assembly to lift the emergency order.

He recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan on Dec. 31, 2011, declared the state of emergency on Suleja in accordance with section 305; subsection (2) of the 1999 constitution.

Bawasaid that the 6 p.m to 6 a.m curfew imposed on Suleja metropolis and its environs had lapsed because of the declaration

in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.

The legislator therefore urged the government to lift the curfew saying that peace and normalcy had been restored in the area.

The House unanimously passed the motion and urged the Federal Government to withdraw the military from the area to enable the people enjoy their constitutional liberty.

Don’t spare anyone indicted in fuel subsidy probe, PDP tells EFCC

T

he PDP has called on the EFCC and other security agencies not to spare anyone that may be indicted in the ongoing House of Representatives fuel subsidy probe.

The National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Takur, made the call in a statement issued on Tuesday in

Abuja.

“The public hearing organised by the House of Representatives on fuel subsidy provided Nigerians the opportunity to express their feelings and to make meaningful contributions during the probe.

“I call on the EFCC and any other security agencies, charged with the responsibility of

handling the report to do a thorough job and prosecute all those indicted by the report in accordance with the law.

“The PDP is in full support of the position of President Goodluck Jonathan for a drastic action to be taken against fraudusters and any person discovered to be involved,’’ the

statement said.

It noted that the fuel subsidy probe report had exposed monumental fraud and corruption in the oil sector.

The party stressed the need for the National Assembly to be encouraged to carry out such investigations to assist in the fight against corruption.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

PAC commends Jonathan on birth control

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he Progressive Action Congress (PAC) yesterday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for urging Nigerians to brace up for a legislation on population control.

The National Chairman of PAC, Chief Charles Nwodo, made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

NAN recalls that President Goodluck Jonathan had earlier advised Nigerians to brace up for birth control to check population explosion.

The President said this in Abuja at the swearing in of the newly appointed Chairman and Commissioners of the National Population Commission (NPC).

Nwodo expressed concern that with the level of the population growth in the

country, there must be commiserate provisions for the populace to avoid food crisis and check insecurity.

He said that most countries in the world with high population had tried to overcome the problem through legislation on population control.

Nwodo urged the government to embark on aggressive public enlightenment and education programmes to

enable the people see the import of the president’s call for population control.

The Chairman advised that the legislation, when operational “should also consider punishment for those who bring children to this world without making life better for them.’’

“Rewards should also be given to those who will adhere strictly to the legislation when in place.’’

He expressed optimism that

the legislation would receive high level of compliance as it would go a long way in checking population growth.

Nwodo urged the government to work in collaboration with civil societies in bringing the message on population control to the grassroots.

He said that this would ensure the realisation of population control in the country.

Peace: CAN chairman calls for prayers in Ilaje

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L-R: Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Victor Ogene, Chairman of the committee, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, and a member, Hon. Lanre Odubote, during a press briefing on the invitation of the Chairman of Zenon Oil Company, Mr Femi Otedola before the Ethics and Privileges Committee, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Contempt: Court sentences three Ogun PDP leaders to prison From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

J

ustice Charles Achibong of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday, ordered that three chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun state be remanded in prison custody for six months for flouting the order of the court.

The chieftains include Chief Ireti Oniyide, Amb. Tunde Oladunjoye (now media aide to Agriculture Minister, Akin Adesina) and Hon. Faisiu Bakenne.

Justice Archibong, in a ruling held that the three, being agents of the PDP, should be remanded in prison for their continued violation of the order of the court contained in a May 2 judgment of the court.

The judge, who noted that the PDP was a party in the substantive suit on which the May judgment was given, was however not specific on which prison the three should be remanded.

The ruling was on a committal proceedings

initiated against the said PDP chieftains, the state's Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) and its officials, by Chief Adebayo Dayo and Alhaji Semiu Sodipo for themselves and on behalf of the Ogun State Executive Committee of the party.

The applicants accused those cited for contempt of continually subverting the order of court by dealing with the party through other bodies aside the Adebayo Dayo -led Executive Committee, which the court had declared the valid management body of the party in the May 2 judgment.

They accused the OGSIEC's officials of circumventing the court order contained in the May 2 judgment by accepting lists of candidates for the July 21 council election from other sources other than the Dayo led EXCO. The judge however refrained from making any order against officials of OGSIEC on the ground that the agency and its officials cited for contempt were not parties in the substantive suit.

The lucky OGSIEC's officials

include Alhaja Risikat Ogunfemi, Alhaji Korede Lawal, Alhaji Bisiyu Adekanmi, Mutiu Agboke, Oyediran Aina, Kolawole Odesanya and Adetokunbo Williams (described as the moving minds of OGSIEC).

The judge noted that the court should not be seen as obstructing the electoral process in the state in view of the fact that the forthcoming council election in the state formed the kernel of the dispute between parties.

Justice Archibong warned that should OGSIEC proceed to accept list of candidates from sources other than the valid state Executive Committee headed by Adebayo Dayo, the electoral body will be opening itself and the outcome of the election for challenge at the appropriate quarters.

In the May 2 judgment, the court also ordered the PDP, its National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur and National Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola not to deal with the party in Ogun State except through the Adebayo Dayo-led Executive Committee.

It equally restrained the PDP leaders from taking any step to prevent the officers that emerged from the congresses of the Soremi faction from concluding their four-year term as allowed by the constitution.

he Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ilaje Local Government, Rev. Samuel Bamison, has urged Christians in Ilaje and its environs to pray for peace and tranquility.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilaje on Tuesday, Bamison also called on CAN members in the zone to be steadfast in their calling.

Criticising the reluctance of members in attending religious functions, the Chairman said there was need for unity among members.

“Some churches in Ilaje and on the seaside are not ready to associate with CAN; it took us time to convince them to open up to join the CAN body,” “To encourage the new members who have chosen to associate with CAN, I decided to split the churches under CAN into eight zones to enhance our working together,” he said.

Bamison listed the zones as Igbokoda, Ilumeje, Ilaje Central, Ilaje South, Ilaje East, Ilaje West, Ilaje South West and Ilaje North West.

Describing CAN as a leading light and a trailblazer among the Christian community of Ilaje, the clergyman said that CAN would continue to preach the gospel to all and sundry.

Security agencies to adopt briefs for Edo guber election From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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nter Security Agencies in Edo state will today adopt briefs containing strategy that would assist the National Independent electoral Commission (INEC) to prosecute violent free governorship election in the state scheduled for July 14 2012.

The agencies include the Federal Road Safety Commission, Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Custom Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corpse and the Police.

Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Zone 5, Mr. Hashimu Salihu Argungu who dropped the hint while briefing the press yesterday in Benin City assured that adequate

security operatives are already in the state alongside undisclosed number of mobile Policemen.

"Inter Security Agencies here in Edo state, we're going to put heads together and work together. So, it's not the Nigerian Police, already we have even received some security mobile policemen who are going to augment our strength. It's just for the election', he said.

Mr. Argungu assured that Police will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone, including politicians, who make omnibus utterances that could breach public peace, adding that the ban on siren during the election is still in force; just as he denied arresting anyone in connection to voters'cards racketeering.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

Security agencies to adopt briefs for Edo guber election From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

I

Enugu state Governor, Mr Sullivan Chime (left), signing an Act banning the use of commercial motorcycles in Enugu metropolis into law, yesterday in Enugu. With him are clerk, Enugu state House of Assembly, Mr Christopher Chukwura (middle), and the Speaker of the House, Hon. Eugene Odoh (right).

Photo: NAN

Umeh's suspension still stands, says APGA faction

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

A

faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) led by Sadiq Massala has insisted that despite the claim by the embattled party Chairman, Victor Umeh and the Secretary, Sani Shinkafi, that they have the support of the 36 State chairmen of the party and FCT, their suspension still stands.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja, the leader of the faction, Sadiq Massala,

said their suspension was due to their inability to give account on how they have been running the party, as well as their single handedness in handling the party affairs.

He also described as baseless, the report that the APGA National Assembly caucus has equally endorsed Umeh, saying their visit to the embattled chairman was part of their fact finding mission, to enable them hear from both parties before convening a peace talk in Awka, Anambra state.

He regretted that Umeh had

seized the opportunity to misinform the public into believing that the visit was an endorsement of his leadership, alleging that the communiqué which Umeh issued to journalists yesterday was signed by both suspended and former State chairmen of the party.

Speaking further, Massalla, who until the crisis, was the APGA National Vice Chairman North, also hinted that part of the suggestions which the APGA NASS caucus made to Umeh yesterday was the urgent need

to restructure the party so as to allow more entrants that are capable of winning elections.

Also speaking, the secretary of the faction and former Environment Commissioner in Peter Obi's first term, Ifedi Okwenna, said that Umeh has refused to address the 13 point allegations leveled against him, adding that the internal auditor's report published by Umeh has no balance-sheet.

He regretted that Umeh has been using a diversionary tactics just as he called on relevant authorities to investigate him.

nter Security Agencies in Edo state will today adopt briefs containing strategy that would assist the National Independent electoral Commission (INEC) to prosecute violent free governorship election in the state scheduled for July 14 2012.

The agencies include the Federal Road Safety Commission, Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Custom Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corpse and the Police.

Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Zone 5, Mr. Hashimu Salihu Argungu who dropped the hint while briefing the press yesterday in Benin City assured that adequate security operatives are already in the state alongside undisclosed number of mobile Policemen.

"Inter Security Agencies here in Edo state, we're going to put heads together and work together. So, it's not the Nigerian Police, already we have even received some security mobile policemen who are going to augment our strength. It's just for the election', he said.

Mr. Argungu assured that Police will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone, including politicians, who make omnibus utterances that could breach public peace, adding that the ban on siren during the election is still in force; just as he denied arresting anyone in connection to voters'cards racketeering.

Senator Albishir was a stickler for rule of law - Atiku

By Joy Baba

Oyo gets new official logo F G ov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state has unveiled a new official logo through which the state would be identified.

The logo includes the shield which represents the corporate amour for law enforcement and protection of the state.

Ajimobi, while unveiling the logo at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office, shortly after the weekly State

Executive Council meeting, said it was a reflection of the state’s cultural heritage.

The logo also includes the Cocoa House and the University of Ibadan which the governor said symbolise a state of many landmarks of intellectualism and development.

The logo also includes a talking drum and beaded gourd which, according to the governor, celebrates the deep traditional root

and rich cultural heritage of the state.

According to Ajimobi, the galaxy of stars on the logo symbolises the 33 local governments in the state and the green fields while the last symbol stands for the arable land mass of the state.

The governor said the logo epitomised the restoration, transformation and repositioning agenda of his administration that

would take the state to greater heights.

He also said the logo would represent the new identity for the state through which the uniqueness of the state would be appreciated.

Ajimobi said that this was the first time that the state would have a logo of its own, pointing out that this had really confirmed it as “a pace setter state with a pace setting government.’’

Reps reject immortalization of its leadership

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he House of Representatives yesterday rejected moves to immortalize its leadership as it shot down a motion seeking to rename its offices and halls after its leaders.

The lawmakers defeated a motion by Uche Ekwenife who pointed out that the leadership of the House since it the advent of democracy in the country deserved not to be forgotten.

She said the best means of ensuring that they are not forgotten was to rename meeting and hearing rooms after them taking cognizance of the stanza in the National Anthem that the labours of the heroes past shall never be in vain.

She said from a mere three office building complex at the inception of the current democratic dispensation in 1999, the National Assembly has grown exponentially with more office complexes that have sprung up in

the last couple of years.

"Since then, additional offices, hearing and committee rooms have led to a surfeit for offices for Honourable members, as well as hearing and committee rooms for the transaction of the business of the House both at plenary and committees On the need for renaming the halls, she said the offices are numbered in Arabic numerals 1.01, 2.01, 3.01 and 4.01 and above, while hearing and committee rooms are numbered i

Arabic numerals of 101, 201, 301, 41 and above.

"But one is concerned that these identical numbering system inherently confuses members, staff and guests as an office with the number of 3.01 could be confused with a Comittee or hearing room bearing number 301".

Ekwenife said Nigeria should not deviate from the norms as obtained in other democracies around the world citing the United States as an instance.

ormer Vice-President Atiku Abubakar yesterday described the late Senator Usman Albishir as a stickler to the rule of law.

Atiku expressed sadness at the demise of Senator Usman Albishir at the time the country needed his wisdom and experience to strengthen its democratic system.

This was contained in a statement issued from his media office yesterday in Abuja. The former Vice President particularly paid tribute to Albishir's tenacity and respect for the rule of law during his struggle over Yobe state governorship petition in 2007.

Atiku recalled that the late Senator Albishir peacefully explored legal avenues to get justice rather than urging his supporters to take the law into their own hands insisting that such civilised approach to politics was worthy of emulation by the nation's politicians.

Atiku praised his love for humanity through his philanthropic activities which brought succor and smiles to many less privileged members of the society noting that these shining virtues will live after the deceased.

He prayed Almighty Allah to grant his family the strength and fortitude to bear the loss.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

PAGE 41

Yobo ready for Arsenal friendly if…

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it again Super Eagles skipper, Joseph Ikpo Yobo, says it would be a delight for him to be part of the team that will play the prestige international friendly against London Gunners; Arsenal FC, already scheduled for August 5 in Abuja.

Yobo, who is in London at the moment on holidays with his family as well as trying to sort out the transfer jig-saw between his club; Everton and Turkish top side Fernabahce, however said it would be dependent on whether his team would be in pre-season at that time or if the Super Eagles technical crew thinks it good for top players to feature in the friendly.

Yobo, who was touted at a point to be on the radar of Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger declared thus: “it would really be nice to play against Arsenal but we have to wait and see how things will turn out”.

Yobo again said he is disturbed by the rumblings over his move to Fernavahce on a permanent basis from Everton, saying he has resigned himself to the will of God. “No matter how bad the situation seems, I know it would eventually be sorted out the right way”.Meanwhile, Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, who departed Tuesday night for South Africa along side, NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Barrister Christopher Green, said while he is not afraid of any team in the draws he is hoping for a favourable draws on Wednesday.”

No team is too small or too big in Africa and world football, but we must avoid some big names but if at the end of the day we are drawn against any of the powerhouses we will have no option but to ensure that we qualify. We want a good draw for the team in the interest of the nation”, he said.

Joseph Ikpo Yobo

NFF mourns Ojebode

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he Nigeria Football Federation has expressed deep grief yesterday on the death of former National Team captain, Samuel Ojebode.

Ojebode died in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, after a protracted illness. Speaking in Abuja, NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari said the Nigeria football family was greatly saddened

by Ojebode’s death and prayed that Almighty God will grant the good family he has left behind the fortitude to bear the big loss.

“We received with great sadness news of the death of the former National Team Captain, Samuel Ojebode. It is big loss, but we are comforted by the fact that he lived a good life and served his country well,” Maigari stated.

Stories by Albert Akota

T

he Nigeria Football Federation has charged the technical crew of the U-20 National Team, Flying Eagles, to shun acts of pursuance of personal interests and face squarely the job of raising a formidable squad that will do Nigeria proud.

NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari said this yesterday at a meeting with the crew of the team, led by Head Coach John Obuh. Maigari made no secret of the unhappiness of the Federation and the generality of Nigerians over the team’s poor outing at the Cape Town International Challenge at the end of May. “We are really disturbed. The NFF is not encouraged by your performance in South Africa and you have to work hard

Alhaji Aminu Maigari

Ojebode was deputy skipper of the Green Eagles at the 1976 African Cup of Nations finals in Ethiopia but wore the Captain’s armband in Nigeria’s first three matches in the forced absense of Christian Chukwu. He was also a member of the IICC Shooting Stars FC that won Nigeria’s first continental honour the African Cup Winners Cup later the same year.

In the National Team, Samuel Ojebode played alongside the likes of goalkeeper Joe Erico, defenders Sanni Mohammed, Muda Lawal, Baba Otu Mohammed, Felix Owolabi, Segun Odegbami, Thompson Usiyen, Aloysius Atuegbu, Godwin Odiye, Kunle Awesu, Kelechi Emeteole, Idowun Otubusin and Patrick Ekeji, who is now Director General of the National Sports Commission.

Ibrahim vows to tag the Esperance net

S Late Samuel Ojebode

NFF reads riot act to Flying Eagles’ crew and be committed to a much better output in the qualifying series for the 2013 African Youth Championship, which start this month.

“Cases of dogged pursuit of personal interests and abuse have severally come out of your camp, and we are not happy about this. Here at the NFF, our job, our commitment and our task is always to raise teams that will make over 160 million Nigerians happy with good performance on the field of play. You are the champions of Africa and yet, you went to South Africa and lost all three group stage matches.

This is disheartening.

“The fact that we give all the National Teams free hand does not mean that we don’t know what we are doing. You must consider it a privilege to be involved with a project that can give joy to the generality of Nigerians,” said Maigari.

The NFF President’s meeting with the Flying Eagles’ crew came against the backdrop of the team’s upcoming 2013 African Youth Championship qualifying

Ajani Ibrahim

fixture against Tanzania, which first leg comes up in Dar es Salaam on July 28.

Maigari added: “The Flying Eagles is a team known over the decades for giving joy to Nigerians through good results.

Way back in 1983, the team became the first from Nigeria to participate in a FIFA tournament. We cannot afford to backslide so terribly.”

Responding at the meeting, Coach Obuh thanked the NFF President for his candour and pledged that the technical crew will raise a team that will do Nigeria proud not only in the qualifying series, but at the African Youth Championship slated for Algeria between 16th – 30th March, next year.

In a related development, NFF’s Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi said on Wednesday that no player would be released from the U-20 National Team’s camp to his club for any match or competition until the team successfully prosecutes the 2013 African Youth Championship qualifying fixture against Tanzania.

unshine Stars’ forward, Ajani Ibrahim has promised to shake off his goal drought this term against visiting Caf Champions League Group A opponents, Esperance of Tunisia on Sunday at Ijebu-Ode. The petite attacking winger who ended the domestic league last season as hot shot runnersup is yet to register his name on the scorer’s chart this season in all competitions.

Ajani said that the tie against title holders is another rare chance for him to revive his fading goalscoring prowess.

“I’m under intense pressure; I get calls daily from concerned fans enquiring why I haven’t been scoring goals.

“I’m worried as they are too. I know I’m trying my best but why I have not scored continues to baffle me.

“I’m yet to score in the league as well as in the continent. I strongly believe the scoreless times will be history on Sunday against Esperance.

“I’m taking extra measure, extra preparations and training to ensure the jinx is broken once and for all,” said Ajani.

The former Enyimba attacking midfielder said the North African side will taste defeat on Sunday.

“We’re preparing very hard for victory against the Tunisian giants. Esperance are big side and tough, we’ll be playing them for the first time.

“Good enough all our players in the national teams are available for the encounter. We don’t have any injury worry at the moment, our confidence is high going into the clash and I’m sure we’ll record a win.

“I won’t say it’s an advantage starting the group ticket campaign at home, this is a continental match, the only advantage anybody can enjoy is to prepare adequately.

“And that is what we’re doing in Ijebu-Ode at the moment,” he said.

The nation’s only remaining club in an African club competition are pitched in Group A together with North African sides, Esperance, Etoile de Sahel and AS Chlef of Algeria.

The top two teams in each group will progress to the semifinals of Africa’s elite club competition.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

Cooreman hospitalized

Balotelli take paternity test after baby claim

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anchester City and Italy star Mario Balotelli told Italian press yesterday that he will take a paternity test after his former fiancee claimed that she was pregnant with his child.

Raffaella Fico, a 24-year-old television celebrity and underwear model, told Wednesday’s edition of the weekly Chi that she was expecting Balotelli’s baby.

“Once I have proof of my paternity, I will assume full responsibility,” said the 21year-old Balotelli in a statement.

“I learnt from third parties a few days ago that Raffaella was expecting. That is why I decided to contact her and it was only then that she told me it was true.

“I am very disappointed I don’t think it’s normal to not be told anything until the fourth month of a pregnancy.”

The couple’s 18-month relationship frequently made headlines in the Italian media prior to their split in April.

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arri Wolves’ coach, Maurice Cooreman has been hospitalised and will now miss the Matchday 33 Nigeria Premier League (NPL) game with Dolphins in Port Harcourt.

The veteran gaffer took ill on Tuesday evening and has now been diagnosed with typhoid and malaria.

“I was preparing for the trip to Port Harcourt (for the game against Dolphins) when I suddenly started sweating profusely. I was rushed to the hospital and the doctors said I have typhoid and malaria,” Cooreman said.

The 69-year-old described the condition as serious, explaining that he would not be in Port Harcourt for the big game against the reigning NPL champions.

“I have never been this ill before. I hope I recover in time but there is no way I will be in Port Harcourt for the Dolphins’ match. I am still in hospital and I am very weak and ill right now,” he explained.

The Belgian however insisted that the team would not miss him with his assistant Edema Fuludu set to take the reins.

“I won’t be missed because everyone knows what to do. The boys have trained well and my assistants are capable. They are all motivated,” he said.

Obi T resumes training

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uper Eagles midfielder Joel Obi has returned to training after several weeks on the sidelines due to injury, his Italian club Inter Milan announced.

Obi, who missed the Super Eagles qualifiers in June due to the muscle injury, trained on his own under the guidance of Inter Milan’s head of medical, Professor Franco Combi, and he is expected to be fully later this month.

The Inter youngster got his breakthrough three seasons ago under Coach Jose Mourinho, who threw him into the fray.

The midfielder played 27 games with 11 starts last season.

He is now looking forward to play a bigger role in Inter in the coming season.

Joel Obi

Maurice Cooreman

he Confederation of African Football (CAF) will proceed with the draw for the final round of qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2013 in South Africa today.

Before the continental showpiece, thirty nations including the Ivoirian selection will be called to battle over two legs in the hope of being amongst those fortunate enough to reach the gathering.

The runner-up of the 28th edition in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, was of course exempt from the previous rounds (preliminary and first), but must still make it through the final qualifying round.

This question remains unresolved. If might be impossible for captain Didier Drogba and teammates to cross paths with the big boys, following the draw’s chosen regulations, but the fact remains that the Elephants could still face a serious contender.

In opting for the allotment of the thirty teams into two groups of different strengths, Côte d’Ivoire would de facto avoid the top teams, members of the first group which they are also in.

Thus Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Equatorial-Guinea, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Sudan, Tunisia and Zambia do not pose any threat to the ambitions of the Ivoirians to participate in the Afcon 2013.

But on the other hand, it is not impossible that Senegal and to a lesser degree, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), both members of the second group, could face Côte d’Ivoire.

The Senegalese team is the

Mario Balotelli

AFCON 2013: Who will battle the Elephants? more serious opponent on paper given the quality of its players, although the DRC itself is far from easy prey.

The other potential opponents for Sabri Lamouchi’s men are the Central African Republic (CAR), who defeated six-time African champion Egypt, Niger,

Botswana, Uganda, Togo, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Liberia, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Libya, Malawi and Mozambique.

According to expectations, the Elephants should be able to handle these thirteen other teams.

After the draw on Thursday 5

The Elephants Of Ivory Coast Training

July in Johannesburg, the first leg of fixtures is expected to take place this coming September, with the return leg a month later. After the double confrontation, the 15 winners will join South Africa, the host nation and thus automatic qualifier.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

Transfer

The season is over. Clubs are counting their blessing as well as losses and would like to make amends and even beef up their squads where noticeable lapses exist. And the transfer market is agog barely 24 hours after major European leagues dropped the curtain.

And so to keep abreast with latest rumours, we begin daily doses of movements within the market both for players and coaches like.

Everton bid £16m for Benfica star Chelsea, United E battle for Witsel

verton have been given the green light to bid for Oscar Cardozo after Benfica slapped a £16m price tag on the Paraguay international.

Portuguese newspaper A Bola reports that Cardozo’s agent Pedro Aldave and club president Luis Filipe Vieira met to discuss the

Lucio signs for Juventus

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uventus have confirmed that Brazilian defender Lucio will undergo a medical with the club on Wednesday ahead of completing his move to the Serie A champions.

Lucio won the Champions League with Inter Milan Lucio, 34, had been linked with Fenerbahce and Malaga after it was announced this week he had parted company with Inter Milan by mutual consent.

But Juventus are closing in on his signature, releasing a statement that read: “Today is the day for Lucio to undergo a medical.

“The Brazilian defender has arrived in Turin this morning to undergo the appropriate medical examinations at the Sessant Clinic of Fornaca.”

It is reported that Lucio, who joined Inter from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2009, will sign a twoyear contract with the Old Lady.

Napoli push for Chelsea star

N

apoli are looking to push ahead with their move for Chelsea midfielder Raul Meireles after seeking talks with the player’s agent.

Meireles, who has three years left on his existing deal at Stamford Bridge, has been identified as a key summer transfer target for Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri.

Mazzarri’s summer budget has been boosted by the sale of Ezequiel Lavezzi, who has joined freespending French side PSG for £20.8m.

However, Italian newspaper Tuttosport claims the Neopolitan club is unwilling to offer more than £5.6m for Meireles - less than half the amount Chelsea paid Liverpool for his services last August.

PAGE 43

Oscar Cardozo

forward’s future, with Vieira subsequently agreeing to allow Cardozo to move for a fee of £16m.

The forward, who moved to the Estadio da Luz from Argentinean club Newell’s Old Boys in 2007, is on the radar of a host of European sides after scoring 57 league goals over the course of the last three seasons.

Everton boss David Moyes is expected to pursue another forward after seeing Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic opt to join Bayern Munich.

However, he will have to act fast to secure Cardozo’s signature, with Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, PSG and an unnamed Premier League side also tracking the Paraguayan.

Tottenham up for Oscar Andre Villas-Boas wants to launch his Spurs reign by signing Brazilian boy wonder Oscar.

But they are reluctant to meet the £20million asking price for the attacking midfielder, who is seen as a replacement for Luka Modric.

Oscar, 20, is one of the game’s

Lloris is yours for £16m, Lyon tell Tottenham

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ottenham must cough up £16million by July 15 if they want to land France captain Hugo Lloris. The North London club announced Andre Villas-Boas as their boss has been linked with the Lyon keeper who will be allowed to leave this summer.

But Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas insists any team wanting 25-year-old Lloris must splash the cash before his deadline.

Lloris was previously a target for Arsenal and Aulas said: “I have deep respect for Hugo the man and the player.

“Hugo said he would like to leave if he had an opportunity to play in one of the five biggest European clubs.

Aulas could replace Lloris with his Lyon understudy Remy Vercoutre, 32.

He added: “We must first look at what we have at home before looking elsewhere. This is certainly the president’s vision.

“In the case of replacement of Hugo, Remy must express the values that I mentioned and skills.

Naismith joins Everton

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Pirlo tells Balotelli to join Juventus

A

A

samoah Gyan will finally quit Sunderland for the United Arab Emirates in a £7million switch.

The Ghana striker, 26, is expected to seal a £20m, threeyear deal with Al-Ain in the next 48 hours. Gyan joined the UAE champs 10 months ago in a loan that netted the Black Cats £6m.

They will recoup the rest of a club-record £13m outlay when the £130,000-a-week deal goes through.

Hugo Lloris

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anchester United and Chelsea are set to be in a tug of war for Belgium star Axel Witsel this summer, after Benfica revealed that they are ready to cash-in on his talents.

The young player, who signed for Benfica from Standard Liege last summer, showcased his skills during an impressive debut season in Portugal and is now reportedly being pursued by a whole host of top European clubs.

Benfica are reportedly ready to sanction the sale of Witsel within the next few months, however, the Portuguese side are demanding £20m for the Belgium international more than three times the £6.3m they paid Standard for his services last July.

Chelsea is apparently particularly keen to incorporate the young central midfielder, who sparked controversy in 2009 following a reckless challenge that resulted in Anderlecht defender Marcil Wasilewski breaking a leg.

New Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo is on the hunt for some fresh new talent, but is having to face-off against United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who is reported to be a long-term admirer of the combative midfielder, according to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

However, the two Premier League giants will have to fight off competition from Spanish champions Real Madrid, with Bernabeu boss Jose Mourinho keen to strengthen his midfield before the start of next season.

verton have signed former Rangers forward Steven Naismith. Steven Naismith joins former Rangers team-mate Nikica Jelavic at Goodison Park. Naismith, 25, is one a number of players to have been made available on a free transfer after he objected to his contract from the liquidated Rangers to the newco company.

Several clubs were reported to be interested, but Everton always looked the most likely destination and he has now signed a four-year deal at Goodison Park.

“We are delighted that Steven has agreed to join us,” Everton boss David Moyes told the club’s official website. “He will be an excellent addition to the players we already have and we look forward to him being fit and ready to play at the start of the season.

Naismith added: “‘It is a great honour to be joining a club of Everton’s wonderful history and to have the chance to play with such a talented group of players in the world’s best league - the Barclays Premier League - in front of such a passionate.

AL-Ain table £7m for Asamoah

Asamoah Gyan

most exciting young talents having scored a hat-trick in last year’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup final against Portugal.

He almost signed for QPR in January but his application for a UK work permit was rejected.

Now Spurs are looking to hijack the deal and are confident Oscar capped six times at senior level for Brazil will get the green light to move to the Premier League.

But Spurs must agree a fee with his Brazilian club Internacional, who have rejected one bid and are holding out for £20m.

Oscar cost them just £4.85m from Brazilian rivals Sao Paolo last year but Internacional are ready to dig their heels.

The player first came to VillasBoas’ attention when he was still in charge of Chelsea last season.

AVB will be part of a four-man transfer-committee when he is confirmed as Harry Redknapp’s successor.

The £30m-rated Modric is set to leave White Hart Lane for Real Madrid.

Mario Balotelli

ndrea Pirlo believes Mario Balotelli would be an ideal summer signing for Juventus, claiming the Manchester City striker would cause no disruption to the dressing room.

Mario Balotelli and Andrea Pirlo impressed during the European Championship. Pirlo and Balotelli were influential in Italy’s recent Euro 2012 campaign, as the pair steered the Azzurri to within one victory of their first continental title in 44 years.

After numerous heated encounters with City boss Roberto Mancini last season, Balotelli’s future at the club has been brought into question. However, following their largely successful time together with the national team, Pirlo insists he would gladly welcome Balotelli should he move to Juventus.

Meanwhile, Pirlo also revealed he hopes to continue playing for Italy through to the 2014 World Cup, on the condition that Coach Cesare Prandelli remains at the helm.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

Ayew’s return from injury massive boost for Ghana

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ndre Ayew has returned to training for Olympique Marseille Ghana and Marseille attacker Andre Ayew has returned to action after recovering from a shoulder operation that kept him out of action for three months.

The 22-year-old trained

Andre Ayew

Senegal bids to host AFCON 2019

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uthorities in Senegal say they are wrapping up plans to present a bid to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, 20 years after the showpiece was held in the West African nation and won by Ivory Coast.

The sports ministry says it is envisaging to co-host the tournament with close neighbours Gambia, which has never hosted the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Senegal is yet to officially submit an application, however, sports minister El Hadj Malick Gackou told reporters that he would soon forward their papers to CAF. “Senegal is planning to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and one of the cities of the country we will be developing for the event is Zinguinchor. It would be among the cities to host a group during the competition,” Gackou said.

Zinguinchor is Senegal’s

fully with the first team of his French club on Tuesday the second day of their pre-season training after missing Monday’s opening session.

His return to full fitness is a massive boost for both club and country with the league starting next month in France while

Ghana has important 2013 Nations Cup qualifiers in October.

The injury kept him out of key World Cup qualifiers against Zambia and Lesotho but with the longstanding shoulder problem out of the way Ayew can now concentrate on playing for the Black Stars.

His missing of Monday’s training session sparked concerns but it has emerged that he want in Lyon to perform tests on the injury to see whether he has fully recovered.

Ayew, 22, went under the knife in April with a view to being fit for the start of the new season.

second largest city after capital Dakar and the chief town of the Casamance area, where a separatist

movement has been fighting for independence or autonomy of the region since 1982.

Zambia wants to avoid ‘some big names’

fallen star before the start of the second half.

Fit-again Moses Ogaga gave hosts 3SC the lead after he was set up by the lively winger Tony Edjomarigwe in the 25th minute.

Experienced defender Mutiu Adegoke conjured another magical free kick goal three minutes from the interval to double the advantage of the home team.

Akwa put up a big fight to reduce the tally, but they were contained by a defence marshalled by stand-in skipper Sola Adeboye, Samuel Olabisi and young goalkeeper Ema Daniel.

The combination of Ismaila Gata and Ogaga threatened Akwa right from the second minute when Gata’s shot crashed against the post with goalkeeper John Dosu well beaten.

ambia coach Herve Renard has admitted that there are some names he would like to avoid in the 2013 AFCON qualifying draw today.

Renard said in Lusaka on the eve of the draw in Johannesburg that they were also some big teams that were also hoping to avoid Zambia.

“There is some big names to avoid, you know them, but some teams are not so comfortable to play against us so it is the same against everybody,” Renard said prior to leaving for Lilongwe with Zambia, where his experimental side will face Malawi in a friendly on Friday.

Champions in 1968 and 1974 and northern neighbours DR Congo go into Thursday night’s draw as one of the 15 unseeded that Zambia might be drawn against.

Renard added that the African champions needed to show humility whatever outcome the draw produce.

Victor Moses

ictor Moses still wanted Chelsea have stepped up a bid to land Victor Moses as they are now willing to add a player to the cash they want to splash on the Wigan man.

Wigan are demanding £12 million for Victor Moses, while Chelsea are said to value him at £6 million, but ‘The Blues’, who just released Cote d’Ivoire international Solomon Kalou, could now add the talented playmaker Josh McEachran to the cash to help smooth out the deal, Metro of London has reported.

The Nigeria international winger and his agent have not hidden the intention of Moses to leave the DW Stadium.

The 21-year-old star, who played all 38 English Premier League matches last season, has so far turned down an offer by Wigan to double his weekly wage of 10,000 pounds a week.

He still has a year left on his contract but will still command a transfer at the end of the deal as he is still very much below 24 years.

His agent Tony Finnigan said he would do his best to see Victor Moses at Stamford Bridge.

Papa Cisse

3SC dazzle Akwa United

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hooting Stars recorded a big home win yesterday when they defeated Akwa United 2-0 in a Nigeria Premier League tie.

The home win has thus catapulted ‘The Oluyole Warriors’ to fifth place provisionally on 48 points, same as Akwa United, who are below in the standings as they have scored fewer goals than their closest rivals.

It was on a day that the famous Ibadan club lost one of their all-time greats Sam Ojebode, who died after a battle with lung cancer.

Ojebode led Shooting Stars to become the first Nigerian club to win a major international competition when in 1976 they clinched the Africa Cup winners Cup. A minute’s silence was observed in memory of the

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PUBLIC NOTICE

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The Ghana international has been playing through the pain since picking up the problem at the African Nations Cup in January.

But it was decided the operation must go ahead before the end of last season to ensure that he is fit for the new term.

“We have to be careful sometimes,” the Frenchman warned.

“We can draw one team and think it will be very easy but it won’t be this is because in football you have to be very humble and to be ready because it is 180 minutes to get qualification for African Cup. “We have to be in South Africa in 2013 it’s an obligation and it is very important to continue on our dynamic run.”

Zambia coach Herve Renard

Chelsea add player to Moses swoop V

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

PAGE 45

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PAGE 46

M

anchester United manager Sir Alex F e r g u s o n insists Dimitar Berbatov has not been unfairly treated at the club, praising the “fantastic talent” of the striker whom he expects to be involved in their pre-season tour.

The Bulgaria international has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford for several months, having fallen down the pecking order last season.

There were murmurings of discontent from the 31-year-old himself, who scored nine times in just 21 appearances in the previous campaign despite being the league’s joint top scorer the year before.

But Ferguson has defended his handling of Berbatov. “I don’t think I treated Dimitar unfairly, but he can feel disappointed that he didn’t get more football,” he told MUTV. “He’s a fantastic footballer. It wasn’t a great season for him last season, partly because I settled more with Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck...and Chicharito (Javier Hernandez).

“He’s a fantastic talent,” the boss added. “Nothing has happened with Dimitar and he’ll join the tour to South Africa and China.”

I don’t think I treated Dimitar unfairly.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

Berbatov not treated unfairly, says Ferguson United’s pre-season tour begins with two games in South Africa against AmaZulu FC and Ajax Cape Town before they move on to China to face Shanghai Shenhua, Norway where they will play Valerenga, Sweden to take on Barcelona and finishing in Germany against Hannover 96.

The traveling party has yet to be confirmed - as have shirt numbers for the majority of the United squad. Only three have been confirmed so far with winger Antonio Valencia requesting the iconic seven shirt - worn by club greats such as George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo - after it became available following Michael Owen’s departure when his contract expired this summer.

New signings Nick Powell and Shinji Kagawa will wear 25 and 26 respectively.

There could be some new additions to that squad list, however, as Ferguson is working on bringing in at least a couple more players before the start of the season. When

asked if he is hoping to make further signings Ferguson added: “Yes, there’s a possibility. We’re working on one or two things, but there’s

“

I don’t think I treated Dimitar unfairly

Dimitar Berbatov

We want Van Persie at all costs, says Wenger A

rsene Wenger maintains Arsenal must keep hold of Captain Robin van Persie ”at all costs” as they look to resolve the Dutchman’s longterm future ahead of the new

Barclays Premier League season. The Gunners may have already moved to bring in fresh faces Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, but there is still work to be done to convince Van Persie

nothing really to tell you to be honest.

“We always try to get our work done at the end of the season we spent a good deal of

time sorting the deal with Shinji and we’d agreed a deal with Nick Powell before the play-offs which was a good move by us because the boy had an outstanding final at Wembley.

“When you don’t get deals done immediately and you’re negotiating with a club over a long period, then you can’t expect to just snap your fingers and get it done

to extend his contract past next summer.

Italian champions Juventus have made their interest clear, while Premier League winners Manchester City are said to be ready to put down a £20m offer with more than £200,000-perweek wages for the the Netherlands striker, who is now away on holiday following

a disappointing UEFA EURO 2012.

Wenger, though, knows just how important Van Persie, 28, is to the club, having netted 37 goals in all competitions as the Gunners eventually secured third place. Writing in his blog for Eurosport, Wenger said: “We want to keep Robin van Persie at all costs, because we depend on him offensively. I have always supported him even in the hardest times, and I hope he will end his career at Arsenal.”

Giroud scored 21 goals in 36 league appearances as Montpellier claimed their first Ligue 1 title last season, and will now aim to make an instant

“

We want to keep Robin van Persie at all costs, because we depend on him offensively

Robin Van Perise

impact in England as the Gunners look to deliver a first trophy since 2005. Wenger is in no doubt the 25-year-old, signed for a reported £13m deal, will fit right in at Emirates Stadium.

We want to keep Robin van Persie at all costs, because we depend on him offensively.

“I have known Olivier Giroud for some time,” the Frenchman added. ”The first time I saw him, I found he had something intelligent and dangerous. I always said he could score goals and assist his partners.

“Our game is based on cooperation between the players in the offensive phase and he will integrate easily. I don’t like simple goalscorers, they must also add to the collective. He is good in the air which is rare. He is quite complete and has a great room for improvement.”

The Gunners are now likely to move to offload some of their fringe players - especially in attack, where Morocco international Marouane Chamakh, Mexico forward Carlos Vela and Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner could all depart.

Costa Rica forward Joel Campbell looks set for another loan spell, this time at Spanish side Real Betis. The 20-year-old who joined the Gunners from hometown club Deportivo Saprissa in 2011, but spent last season in Ligue 1 with Lorient said on Fox TV: “It is a great opportunity for me to grow. I am going to the world’s best league, and I want to play. I want to show what I am capable of.”

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

PAGE 47

Sturridge suffering from viral meningitis

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helsea striker, Daniel Sturridge, is being treated for viral meningitis. The 22-year-old has been selected in Stuart Pearce’s Great Britain Olympic squad, but was taken ill over the weekend and had tests at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London.

Sturridge said: “I am starting to feel a lot better and I am optimistic about being able to make the Olympics.

“I am fortunate to have received many wishes of support and I want to thank everybody who has sent messages.”

He added: “The Chelsea medical team have been closely monitoring everything and they and the doctors and nurses at St Mary’s Hospital have been outstanding throughout.”

Team GB are due to play their first game at the Olympics on 26 July.

David Millar

Millar joins Team Britain road cycling

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avid Millar has been named in Team Britain Olympic road cycling team for London 2012. The 35-year-old Scot served a two-year ban in 2004 after he admitted taking performance-enhancing drug agent EPO. Cavendish has already made it clear that he considers the Olympic road race his priority, at the expense of the Tour de France if necessary.

Wiggins faces the tougher schedule: a few stages into the Tour he remains the favourite to win it, but he must ride the road race in support of Cavendish within a week of its conclusion and then go for time-trial gold a few days later.

Millar is eligible to take part after the British Olympic Association (BOA) rescinded its lifetime ban for athletes convicted of doping.

Mark Cavendish, Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and Ian Stannard complete Britain’s five-man team for London.

Britain have not won a medal in men’s road cycling at the Olympics since Atlanta 1996 - with bronzes for Max Sciandri in the road race and Chris Boardman in the time trial and have never won Olympic road race gold.

Millar, the Malta-born Scot was stripped of his 2003 World Elite Time Trial title following the discovery of two syringes containing traces of the blood-boosting drug in his home in Biarritz, France.

People can recover from viral meningitis - a less severe strain of meningitis - within a fortnight.

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo said: “Daniel has viral meningitis. I have spoken to him and he feels better now. Hopefully he gets well ASAP. If Sturridge fails to recover in time for the Olympics, Pearce can chose a replacement from one of four standby players who will be named on 25 July.

Tottenham winger Gareth Bale, 22, has already pulled out of the squad because of a back injury.

They face Senegal in their opening match, before playing United Arab Emirates on 29 July and Uruguay on 1 August.

Sturridge was left out of England’s Euro 2012 squad despite impressing in the friendly defeat by the Netherlands when Pearce was in temporary charge.

He scored 13 goals in 43 games for Chelsea last season.

Daniel Sturridge

United in £64m US share sale M

anchester United has applied for flotation on the New York stock exchange as the club’s owners try to raise almost £64million.

The Premier League giant, owned by the US Glazer family, last night filed documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission, intending to sell shares to reduce the club’s debt.

The club was almost listed on the Singapore stock exchange last September for £600million. The move was delayed because of volatility in the markets.

Manchester United has a global following of 659 million people and raked in £246.7million through sponsorship, merchandise and mobile networks over the last three years.

But in recent years the club has been weighed down with heavy debts.

The prospectus said: “We intend to use all of our net proceeds from this offering to reduce our indebtedness.”

Alex Ferguson

Ricky, Mitchell battle for WBO bout

R

Ricky Burns

icky Burns and Kevin Mitchell will put their personal friendship to the side when Burns defends his WBO world title in Glasgow on 22 September.

Essex lightweight Mitchell and Burns once sparred together and keep in touch using online

gaming and Twitter.

“We’ve known each other growing up in the fight game. Once we step in the ring it’s time to get the business head on,” said Scotland’s Burns.

Mitchell added: “We get on well but our jobs are on the line.”

The 27-year-old

Englishman went off the rails for a spell after losing for the first time in his professional career, to Michael Katsidis in a world title bid at Upton Park two years ago.

But 14 months later, in July last year, he put the first blemish on John Murray’s record and is in no mood to waste this latest

opportunity to become a world champion.

“I took the fight, got beat and I basically went on the drink for eight months and blew all my money,” admitted Mitchell.

“This is my last title chance. I’m going to beat myself into shape to prepare for it properly.

Kevin Mitchell

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Federer, Djokovic meet in semis

S

ix-time winner Roger Federer will play defending champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals at Wimbledon after both men breezed through their lasteight encounters yesterday.

Federer beat Russia's Mikhail Youzhny 6-1 6-2 6-2 in an hour and 32 minutes on Centre Court.

Djokovic beat Florian Mayer 6-4 6-1 6-4 in an hour and 44 minutes on Court One. The 27th seed, playing in his first Grand Slam quarterfinal, posed Tsonga problems in a tense encounter on Court One, but the flamboyant fifth seed eventually prevailed and will play either Andy Murray or David Ferrer in the last four.

It is the sixth time in the last eight Grand Slam tournaments that third seed Federer and top seed Djokovic have met in the final four.

Djokovic has won four of those encounters, although they have never met on the grass of Wimbledon before.

Djokovic, a five-time major winner, said: "I am looking forward to it. It's always a pleasure playing him. He is a great champion.

Federer, 30, earned a record 33rd Grand Slam semifinal berth and moved closer to a record-equalling seventh Wimbledon title with a onesided win.

Federer showed no sign of the back ailment that prompted him to seek treatment during the first set of his fourth-round match against Xavier Malisse.

The 16-time major winner took the second set in exactly the same time and sealed victory on his fourth match point with a deft angled volley.

Djokovic did not need to be at his brilliant best to dispatch 31st seed Mayer, who laboured to stay in the encounter but never looked like troubling his opponent.

Roger Federer

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. . . putting the people first

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE Please, this thing that we are doing, keep it to yourself, otherwise you will make things difficult for us... You will make it difficult because somebody just called me now and said that we said we are going to address it...

— Farouk Lawan to Otedola

Why do you have to kill in God’s name?

N

igeria, of late, has had to contend with corruption, violence, executive, legislative and even judicial lawlessness. But none of these compares to the current siege we are put under in the form of terrorism, spearheaded by Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad).

The sect is locally known as Boko Haram, Hausa for “western education/civilization is sacrilege”. While Boko Haram continues to kill and cause wanton destruction, the federal government of Nigeria, headed

by Mr. Goodluck Jonathan, appears to be totally clueless, helpless, lacking in imagination.

Boko Haram, according to Wikipedia, became active around 2002, in Borno state and its ideology is basically religious fundamentalism. The founder is believed to be late Mohammed Yusuf, extra judicially killed by the Nigerian police in their custody in July, 2009. His replacement is Abubakar Shekau whose leadership has been nothing short of bloody. The man seems to enjoy bloodletting. The death of Yusuf has seen a serious escalation in the Boko Haram insurgency in the north of the country and placed a dampener on the sincerity of the Nigerian authorities about bringing to an end the insurgency. Every senior figure in the sect arrested has either mysteriously died in custody or disappeared after arrest.

What is Boko Haram’s goal? .A terrorist, as defined by the Concise Oxford Dictionary, is “a person who uses violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political gains”. And terrorism refers to the “use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce especially for political purposes.”

We can safely infer that terrorists are politically motivated, but use religion as a vehicle to drive their agenda.

Terrorists who claim Islam as their religion have always predicated their misguided actions on few verses in the Qur’an but mostly use the hadiths to justify their evil agenda. One is Sura 61:10-12 which says a ‘’jihad is the best method of earning (blessing), both spiritual and temporal. If victory is won, there is enormous booty of a country, which cannot be

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GUEST COLUMNIST Ayobami Oyalowo

Late Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf equalled to any other source of income. If there is defeat or death, there is everlasting paradise…’’

Sura 47 has Allah commanding Muslims to smite the neck of anyone who does not accept the teachings of Islam.

What those people will not, however, tell you is the context in which the sura is written. I know of several verses in the Bible, which Christian crusaders, between 1095 and 1291, misapplied to wreak havoc in the Middle Ages otherwise known as Dark Ages. There is also the issue of 72 virgins. There is nowhere in the Qu’ran or hadiths where 72 is mentioned. Several Islamic scholars including the American Lezzley Hazleton have disproved this. The word translated as virgin is houri or ‘dark-eyed beauty’ and was mentioned 4 times in the Qu’ran and it could have as well been a sign of purity.

Also studies show most of these commandments were written in the hadiths at a time when Islam needed to spread and the entire Arabia was inhabited by pagans.

Therefore, Muslims were encouraged to fight to protect themselves and to spread their religion. Of course, cowards and bigots misapply these Suras to bomb innocent women, children and defenseless men in churches and marketplaces in even times of relative peace.

Fundamentalists basically latch onto a set of religious quotes, often out of context, in an attempt

to force their code of conduct and principle on everybody within their sphere of influence.

Fundamentalists can be found in every religion, although in varying degrees.

In Christendom, you have various sects. Some very extreme. For example, the National Liberation Front of Tripura is an explicitly Christian terrorist group, forcibly converting people, and so were the Christian Science Movement, the Latter Day Saints (Mormon), etc. Others might not have been violent but they broke away from the mainstream and propagated strange ideologies.

Islamic fundamentalists are a different ball game; they seek to propagate their brand of Islam forcibly. They do not accept neither do they respect mainstream Muslims. Check out the Taliban in Afghanistan; they seek to impose their puritanical way of life on all else. In Sura 2:256, the Qur’an states: “Let there be no compulsion in religion”, but the fundamentalists completely ignore Allah’s command.

At Hebrews 12:14, the Bible teaches: “Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see God”. Also at John 18:10-11, during the arrest of Jesus by armed men, we see Him rebuking Peter, one of his disciples, for using his sword to slice off a man’s ear. Jesus told him that “he who lives by the sword shall die by the sword.” It is therefore amazing when I hear or read that very senior church figures in Nigeria, have called out their followers to retaliate and kill Muslims because of the criminality of Boko Haram. I ask: Which Muslims? Is it the poor “mai suya or mai shai” on the street or the cowardly but dangerous, faceless terrorist that hides and blows children and women up? If you succeed in killing your peaceful Muslim neighbours, will that end the reign of terror represented by Boko Haram?

Make no mistake, I am as angry as the next man about the senseless wasting of lives and

destruction of properties, but I understand that the enemies are not my Muslim neighbours. If I must fight, I understand from 2 Cor. 10:14 that ‘’the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual”.

Note that fundamentalists assume they are doing God a favour. At John 16:2b Jesus told his disciples ‘’a time shall come when whosoever kills you will believe he is doing God a service.”

No God will ever ask people to kill for him. Those so-called men of God calling for war are not speaking for Jesus; they are on their own.

I was a victim in one of Kano’s religious conflagrations 21 years ago. While I do not support religious violence, I make bold to say that what we currently face is not mere religious skirmishing; we are at war with terrorists and terrorists the world over are brutal. Their end game is political domination. You may ask why target churches? The answer is simple: to provoke Christians to take it out on Muslims, thereby causing mayhem. Terrorists fear neither God nor respect religion.

Their aim is strictly political and economic domination.

Rather than engage in petty fights as Muslims and Christians, it is pertinent we call on the federal government, with a security budget of N1trn in its kitty, to ensure our lives are truly secured. I recall that during the OBJ years, some Christian leaders alleged that ‘Al quaeda’ was in Nigeria, specifically around Bauchi and Plateau states, training would be terrorists. But the government turned a deaf ear. We also recall that before the recent bombings in Zaria and Kaduna, security was abruptly withdrawn from the affected churches, hours before the attacks, despite protests by the church leaders. What is the government hiding from us?

My advice to fellow Muslims, especially from the North, is for us to foster better understanding with our Christian brothers. Let us stand united and show those cowards that we will not let them push us into a senseless religious war. And to my Christian compatriots, be sober, be vigilant, for our adversary, the devil, moves around like a roaring lion, seeking whom to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) Ayobami Oyalowo is on twitter @Ayourb

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