Peoples Daily Newspaper, Wednesday 6, March, 2013

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 10 No. 48

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Presidential c’ttee indicts NDDC on projects

. . . putting the people first

Rabiul Akhir 24, 1434 AH

N150

Kaduna Trade Fair Ogun Assembly in rowdy Peoples Daily wins session, 4 members ‘Best Media’ award suspended, mace broken

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Woman, 19, gives birth to baby with 2 heads

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baby girl with what appears to be two heads has been delivered at the General Hospital, Malumfashi, Katsina state.

The baby also has a cleft palate and stunted fingers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 19-year old Zainabu Dahiru gave birth to the baby with no eyes on Sunday night.

The baby’s father, Malam Dahiru Umar, told NAN at his residence at Unguwar-Sodangi in

Malumfashi on Tuesday that the baby was born through normal delivery.

Umar, a 25-year-old petty trader, said the baby was their first and his wife attended regular ante-natal care during pregnancy.

He said he burst into tears on sighting the baby and sympathetic hospital workers told him that they could not offer any medical assistance beside the delivery.

He said the workers informed

him that his wife was in stable condition and referred the baby to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, near Zaria.

Umar appealed to government, wealthy individuals and non-governmental organizations for support.

Meanwhile, efforts to speak with the Medical Director of the General Hospital failed.

However, a paediatrician, Dr Ahmad Bala, who spoke to NAN, said the baby needed maximum

medical examination to ascertain the nature of the abnormalities.

NAN report that the baby and her mother were still at home.

When shown the photograph of the baby, a gynaecologist at the Garki Hospital, Abuja, Dr Kayode Obende, said the condition was called encephalocele.

According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia, encephalocele is a neural tube defect characterised by sac-like protrusions of the brain and the Contd on Page 2

PD INDEX 4th March, 2013

CBN RATES $ £ EURO CFA RIYAL

BUYING 154.74 236.22 203.87 0.2964 41.26

SELLING 155.74 237.75 205.18 0.3164 41.52

PARALLEL RATES EURO £ RIYAL $

BUYING 208 254.50 42 157

SELLING 210 257.50 43 158

Sultan wants unconditional amnesty for Boko Haram

How northern govs brokered ceasefire deal From Nasiru Mu’azu Isa, Kaduna

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he President-General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar, has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to grant members of the Boko Haram sect an unconditional amnesty like was done to militant groups in the Niger Delta, without further delay and in the interest of peace in the country.

The Sultan made the call while speaking yesterday in Kaduna at the opening of the JNI annual central council meeting.

He said: “I want to use this opportunity to say that we have heard in the news that Mr. President will be visiting Maiduguri in a couple of days. We want to use this opportunity to call on the government, especially Mr. President, to see how he can declare total amnesty to all combatants without thinking twice. That will make any other person who picks up arms to be termed a criminal.

Contd on Page 2

L-R: Kaduna state Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Yero, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, and Minister of State for Health, Dr Muhammad Ali Pate, during the Jama'atu Nasril Islam’s Central Council meeting yesterday in Kaduna.

Photo: NAN

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

CONTENTS News

2-10

Editorial

12

Presidential c’ttee indicts NNDC on project execution

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

Property

24-27

Motoring

28

Arts

29-30

Jonathan’s political pilgrimage to Borno, Yobe, Page 4

Int’l

31-34

Strange World 35 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-45

Leisure

47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

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he Presidential Monitoring Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) yesterday submitted its report to President Goodluck Jonathan, raising issues of mismanagement of funds, abandonment and poor execution of projects by the commission.

Presenting the report to Jonathan at the State House yesterday, the committee’s

Chairman, Chief Isaac Jemide, said that a total of 609 projects spread across three states were physically inspected and evaluated. The states are Cross River, Edo and Rivers.

Jemide said that out of the projects monitored, 222 (36.5%) were completed, 102 (16.7%) were on-going and 285 (46.8%) were abandoned at various levels of completion.

He accused the NNDC management of refusing to give

concrete explanations on why some projects were abandoned, with no evidence or any attempt to recover the funds by using appropriate government agencies.

According to the committee chairman, the monitoring of 1,510 projects for the period 2005-2011 in the remaining six NNDC states has been completed and its report would also soon be submitted to the President.

Receiving the report, Jonathan assured that government would consider it in details and implement the recommendations.

Ogun Assembly in rowdy session, mace broken

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ontroversy over composition of the Ogun state House of Assembly’s Tenders Board culminated in a rowdy session on the floor of the House yesterday in the course of which the maze was broken.

A cross section of members reportedly accused leadership of the House of highhandedness and maladministration.

Woman, 19, gives birth to baby with two heads Contd from Page 1

membranes that cover it through openings in the skull. These defects are caused by failure of the neural tube to close completely during foetal development.

Encephaloceles cause a groove down the middle of the skull or between the forehead and nose or on the back side of the skull.

Encephaloceles occur rarely, at a rate of one per 5,000 live births worldwide. The condition can occur in families with a family history of spina bifida.

Although the exact cause is unknown, encephaloceles are caused by failure of the neural tube to close completely during foetal development.

Proper levels of folic acid have been shown to help prevent such defects when taken before pregnancy, and early in pregnancy. It is recommended that women who may become pregnant take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily.

The baby girl born with abnormal head, delivered of a 19-year-old mother at Malumfashi General Hospital in Katsina state, on Sunday night.

Photo: NAN

Sultan wants unconditional amnesty for Boko Haram Contd from Page 1 “If the amnesty is declared, the majority of those young men who have been on the run will come out and embrace that amnesty and some of them have already come out because we have heard some of the stories in the papers. Even if it is one person and he denounces terrorism, it is the duty of government to accept that one person and see how he can be used to reach others. Whether it is true or not the government should accept that person first, evaluate him and see whether he is genuine or fake.”

He also said: “My dear brothers and sisters, we are facing a lot of challenges in this country and as Muslims we own it as a duty to everybody to ensure that we contribute positively to peace and stability in this country; we have been talking and will continue talking. We will not get tired of talking until the Almighty Allah takes us away.

“Because we believe that it is only when we talk, when we dialogue that issues will become clearer. I believe we are all patriotic, we all love ourselves and we all love our neighbor as Almighty Allah said. What happened in Wukari few days ago was total madness beyond

comprehension because if you follow the news, how a football match among youths could turn out like that where the major victims were Muslims and the people have been living together for centuries. We will continue to call on the government to be just in whatever they do, because the bottom line of the problem facing us has been injustice meted out to people who are not supposed to. By the grace of God, we will continue talking to government.”

While urging the government to wake up to its responsibility of providing security for all Nigerians irrespective of their location, the respected islamic leader added: “we have problem in the north, we have in the southeast, we have in the south-west and in the south-south and it remains the duty of government to protect all of us.”

Also speaking at the ceremony which he declared open, Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna state described JNI as the umbrella body of all Muslims in Nigeria, which has played a critical role in the sustenance of peace and stability of Nigeria.

According to him: “We must place great emphasis on providing sound and functional western and

Islamic education for our children.

There must also be deliberate efforts to restore good home values for good moral upbringing of our children. We must as leaders of the people preach on the need for every parent to inculcate sound moral training to our children who are our hopes for the future.”

Meanwhile, a reliable source close to the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) has informed Peoples Daily that the ceasefire declared recently by a group of the Boko Haram members was at the instance of the NGF. The source said the meeting which held sometime in February this year at the Government House in Maiduguri was attended by a committee of the NGF, officials of Borno State government and some members of the Boko Haram sect. At the meeting, he said, critical issues were discussed which paved the way for the commitment made by the sect members to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

The source said during the meeting, the second in command to the leader of the sect, Shekau, promised to reach out to him to convince him to renounce all hostilities and designate a place of his choice for further discussions

with the federal government.

The source said the sect, at the meeting, dissociated itself from criminal elements that perpetrate crime in its name for selfish reasons, and promised to assist the authorities in fishing out such criminals.

He said having agreed to the ceasefire deal, the sect members made certain demands, including that an area should be designated where all sect members will surrender themselves and their arms without fear of molestation or harassment.

The condition also include that all detainees against whom a case of criminal involvement is established should be prosecuted by a court of competent jurisdiction, and all those found to be innocent should be released unconditionally.

The source also said that the NGF committee recommended that the president should declare general and unconditional amnesty and release all detainees against whom there is no established case of criminal involvement. It recommended also that some governors should accompany the president on a visit to the states affected by the activities of Boko Haram.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

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NEMA strategizes against terrorism

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L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan, receiving report from Chairman, Presidential Monitoring Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Isaac Jemide, yesterday at the State House, Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

Katsina CPC lawmakers allege plot to sabotage their appeal

However, Peoples Daily investigation revealed that solicitors to the plaintiffs ( Senator Yandoma & others), Yahaya Mahmoud & co, are already in possession of the judgement.

In a letter addressed to INEC, the senate president and House speaker(listed as co-defendants) immediately after the judgement, Mahmoud reminded them that “the certified true copies of the judgement and court order are attached for your record and necessary action”.

Speaking to Peoples Daily, a defendant in the case, Dr. Mansur Abdulkadir said “if the plaintiffs incidentally got the judgement copies few seconds after pronouncements shortly after 6pm and we can’t have them to pursue our appeal, I think there is high level conspiracy to sabotage our appeal”.

en National Assembly lawmakers adjudged by the Supreme Court to be the rightful candidates of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) for Katsina state, are alleging that the Federal High Court presided by Justice Gladys Olotu is deliberately foot-dragging on the release of its judgement which nullified the Independent National Electoral Commission’s withdrawal of certificates of Return from the former legislators.

This is coming on the heels of the Federal High Court, Abuja order on Friday January 11, 2013 declaring that INEC has no power to withdraw the certificate of return.

INEC withdrew the certificates of Senators Abdu Yandoma and Ahmed Sani Stores; House of

Representatives members Musa Salisu, Aminu Ashiru, Murtala Isa, Muntari Dandutse, Umar K, Umar Abdu Dankama, Tasiu Doguru and Mohammed Tukur in favour of Senators Abubakar Sadiq Yar’adua and Abubakar Hadi Sirika; Reps members Abbas Abdullahi Machika, Isa Lawal Doro, Sheikh Umar, Dr. Mansur Abdulkadir, Salisu Ado, Suleiman Salisu, Sani Bello Mashi and Ahmed Usman Abba whose primary election victories on January 13, 2011 was upheld by the Supreme Court.

Obeying the Supreme court which held that it was the internal affair of a political party to choose its candidates for election, INEC issued Yar’Adua and co with the certificates of return, which was rejected by INEC earlier on the basis of a Federal High Court’s judgment.

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

Jonathan to visit Borno, Yobe tomorrow

resident Goodluck Jonathan is expected to visit Yobe and Borno states tomorrow, for official engagements in the troubled cities, which witnessed Boko Haram insurgency, for the past two years.

At the Borno Government

house, Our correspondent observed that preparations were in top gear for the hosting of the August visitor with various renovation works being carried out.

President Jonathan failure to visit the two states, despite the persistent security challenges

From Edwin Olofu, Kano

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However, in a judgement over a suit brought before the court by a faction of the CPC in Katsina State, the trial judge, Justice Gladys Olotu held that by virtue of Sections 68(1) and 75(1) of the Electoral Act 2010, the electoral body could not recall a certificate of return already issued to a winner of an election, without an order of a tribunal or a competent court of jurisdiction.

Reacting to Olotu’s verdict, the Yar’adua group expressed intent to appeal the case but require the High court’s judgement on January 11. For this, Alasa Momodu & Associates, solicitors to the Yar’adua faction wrote three letters to the high court’s registrar dated January 14, January 25 and February 25, 2013 seeking copies of the judgement to enable them prosecute their appeal but to no avail.

confronting them, has generated outcry from both the government and the residents.

The visit will be coming a month after Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo visited Maiduguri. It would also happen barely a week after nine governors of the opposition All

Peoples Daily emerges best in Kaduna trade fair

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e o p l e s Daily newspaper has emerged second best in reportage and coverage of activities of concluded 34th edition of Kaduna International Trade Fair.

The medium came second as against the third position, a rating it maintained last year.

Organiser of the Fair, Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture in a certificate of merit presented to Peoples Daily said the gesture was a recognition of the paper's performance in the 34th edition of the Trade fair that held between February 22 to March

3, 2013.

The latest commendation follows a similar feat conferred on the medium by Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture in 2011 as the best Newspaper for the 5th edition of Abuja International Trade Fair.

Progressive Congress, (APC) held their third meeting in Maiduguri.

Although details of the event were not yet released, sources at the Government House, in Maiduguri, hinted that several committees and sub-commitees, were already instituted to see to the success of the visit.

It was gathered that Secretary to the State Government Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, is heading the organising commitee.

The president is expected to arrive Maiduguri International Airport by tomorrow morning and will proceed to Damaturu, Yobe stata capital via an airforce helicopter.

o improve the capacity of stakeholders in rescue operation whenever terrorists attack, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has begun a tabletop simulation exercise as a strategy on counterterrorism at the Institute for Security Studies, Abuja.

According to a press release signed by the Head, Public Relations, Yushau A. Shuaib, the exercise which is organized in conjunction with the United States government, centre on the use of vital assets as independent protective devices and chemical pollution level detection instruments.

NEMA Director General, Mohammed Sani Sidi, while declaring the exercise open said emergency rescue exercise has become necessary now that terrorism is on the rise in Nigeria and the entire West African subregion.

He explained that the simulation exercise would identify capabilities and gaps inherent in the preparations of relevant agencies to meet the exigencies of terrorists’ strikes.

“Of recent, Nigeria as a nation

2 dead, scores injured as UCH X-Ray machines pack up From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

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o fewer than two patients of the University College Hospital(UCH), Ibadan have died of slow service while scores are on the verge of death as X-Ray machines broke down.

The emergency unit of the tertiary health care institution recorded the highest number of casualties due to slow service, epileptic power supply and lack of modern laboratory equipment.

It was gathered that only one X-Ray machine out of six, is presently serving the entire institution resulting in loss of lives.

Patients with oxygen machines were lined up at the entrance of main X-Ray centre at South East building while those in different wards waiting to be pushed to X-Ray Laboratory were abandoned and expecting death.

Some relatives of patients have to bribe hospital porters while some families in tears, watch their beloved dying gradually.

Doctors and staff of the X-Ray laboratory department were confused as cards both from emergency unit and wards piled up.

One of the staff who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that some X-Ray cards were requested two weeks ago.

All effort to speak with the hospital information officer failed as his telephone lines were not reachable.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY,MARCH 6, 2013

Jonathan's political pilgrimage to Borno, Yobe

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arring any last minute changes, President Goodluck Jonathan is set to visit Borno and Yobe states tomorrow. Both states have been under the onslaught of Boko Haram insurgency in the last three years causing the loss of thousands of lives and massive destruction of property. Churches, mosques, homes, security stations and outposts, schools, markets, telecommunication masts and a myriad of public, private and personal property have been lost to internecine violence.

Throughout this madness, the Federal Government did not pay a visit to the Northeast region in general, and to Borno and Yobe states in particular even when high profile citizens such as late civil war veteran, General Muhammadu Shuwa was killed; or when the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai el-Kanemi, the deputy governor of the state and countless other individuals and institutions fell victim or narrowly escaped systematic attacks where they were principal targets.

It is instructive to note however, that the government had made strong representations in Adamawa (one of the states touched by the crises) when the governor, Murtala Nyako stood for re-election. It is equally instructive to note that Both Borno and Yobe are opposition (ANPP) controlled states, while Adamawa is PDP. It was not until February 3, 2013, that Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo summoned some courage to visit Borno state after some military chiefs had preceded him. It was therefore no surprise that the Borno state Commissioner for Information, Malam Inuwa Bwala had last year alluded that the Federal Government had alienated Borno because it was an opposition state. Bwala's statement may have stemmed from the fact that President Jonathan had paid sympathy visits to Madalla, scene of the December 25, 2011 bombing in Niger state and had even earlier toured the Force Headquarters and the United Nations building in Abuja where suicide attacks orchestrated by the Boko Haram sect had taken place.

Much later in 2012, the President had also visited Kogi and other states where floods, occasioned by release of water from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroun, had displaced thousands of citizens.

But the President for reasons still unknown, kept away from Borno and Yobe states - the real theatres of war where hundreds of citizens were

Across the world, leaders pay solidarity and sympathy visits to places affected by human or natural disasters to feel and calm the frayed nerves of citizens still under the grip of shock. However, since the deadly insurgency by the Boko Haram sect gripped the North-east region of Nigeria in 2009, the leadership of the country has maintained a queer distance and aloofness, writes Julius Ogar. frequently mowed down or maimed either as direct targets, or as collateral victims of the actions of insurgents.

The people and governments of both states have all this while lamented the perceived insensitivity of the President (Federal Government) to their suffering, losing hope and a sense of belonging. Their plight was deepened by the imposition of a state of emergency cutting across Borno, Yobe, Plateau, Niger and Gombe states. Living under the terror of insurgents and brutalised by security forces deployed to quell intermittent bombings and shootings, the people of Borno and Yobe therefore felt disowned, disinherited and abandoned.

However, they received tremendous relief and psychological boost when 10 governors under the aegis of the newly formed Alliance for Progressive Change (APC) party, visited last week in solidarity and sympathy, and walked more than one kilometre through the Maiduguri Monday Market, devoid of security, shaking

President Goodluck Jonathan the sum of N200 million to Borno and Yobe states.

The visit by the APC governors, most pundits believe, has finally put pressure on the President, who is embarking on an official visit to the region for the first time

distance from the Borno/Yobe axis as cowardly.

ACN's national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement on Sunday, commended the opposition governors for

support for the beleaguered people of the states affected by the Boko Haram crisis than to see leaders from various parts of the country walking, without donning bullet proof vests and helmets, on the open streets of a city that has been described as the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency. It does not mean the crisis does not exist, but it sends a strong signal to the insurgents that they have only succeeded in cowing a very few, not all, Nigerians, and that indeed under a purposeful APC government, the conflict will in no time become history.

"If it is true, as reported, that President Jonathan now plans to visit Borno this week (for the first time since the crisis started in 2009), it then means the Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been waiting for the kind of ground-breaking visit of the progressive governors, who by the way are mere titular security chiefs of their states, before deciding whether or not it is safe for him to visit.

"Part of the reason this needless Boko Haram crisis has festered is that the President in

Borno State Governor, Ibrahim Shettima

Yobe State governor, Ibrahim-Gaidam

hands and chatting with traders and ordinary folks.

The APC governors' visit eclipsed the earlier one by the Vice President which reportedly caused the entire town to be locked down under security - resulting in economic loses to trade and business.

Conversely, the visiting governors gave the people an air of relief and a soothing feeling of empathy as each donated N20 million, grossing

visiting Borno, saying their pace-setting, courageous and compassionate action is a boost to the country's unity and a blow to anarchists.

ACN alleged that the governors' visit had exposed the baseless fears of the Federal Government which failed to see the Boko Haram insurgency as a national problem.

"There can be no better assurance of solidarity and

since his ascension to the presidency. Jonathan's visit, however, seems to be politically motivated, as a belated recovery effort to gain some ground already strategically taken by the APC, of which the Borno state governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima is a founding member.

To be sure, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), has barely stopped short of describing the President's

particular has failed to show leadership. By staying away from the affected parts of the country since the crisis started for fear of his personal safety, and also receding behind the safe walls of the Aso Rock fortress to celebrate independence anniversaries, the president has unwittingly emboldened the anarchists who have killed and maimed thousands.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY,MARCH 6, 2013

By Joy Baba

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he Minister of Defence, Erelu Olushola Obada, has assured that Nigerian troops participating in the on-going Africa-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) will keep to the rules of engagement of protecting the civilians and those who are not directly involved in the conflict.

Obada stated this yesterday in Abuja when she received Head of delegation from the International Red Cross Community (ICRC) in Nigeria, Zoran Joranovic.

According to the Minister, "I can assure you that Nigerian troops will abide by the rules of engagement and where there is any damage of any sorts, it is not intentional by our troops; it must be an accident but we will keep to the rules of engagement."

She further told the team that Nigerian is a peace-loving nation with law abiding citizens who know that it is important to protect other people.

Earlier in his speech, Joranovic said ICRC is the custodian and promoter of international human right law and their visit was to present the laws that will be applicable to Nigerian troops in the Mali operation.

Reps approve life sentence for rape The House of Representatives in Abuja on Tuesday approved life imprisonment for any person convicted of rape.

In addition, persons convicted of gang raping a victim shall be liable jointly and severally to a minimum of 20 years imprisonment without the option of fine.

The decisions followed the adoption of a report on a Bill for an

Employment scam: Minister, FCC boss disagree over CV web site

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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he Minister of the Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, and the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Abduraheem Oba, disagreed yesterday on the existence of a website in the Ministry of the Interior where Nigerians are advised to send their CV for possible recruitment.

Speaking during commencement of a two-day public hearing by the Senate joint committee investigating job frauds, the FCC Chairman disclosed that the creation of the website by the Ministry has made many Nigerians who are desperate for jobs to fall victims of fraudsters.

However, in his presentation, Moro denied that the website emanated from his ministry.

Also speaking, the chairman of FCC, Abduraheem Oba, said that most government institutions carry out what job replacements without consulting the FCC for guidelines.

According to him, in the case of Immigration, the officer that came to FCC declared only 2500 jobs instead of the original 4500 jobs vacancies they intend to recruit.

PAGE 5

Nigeria will keep to the rules of engagement, says Defence Minister Act to Eliminate Violence in Private and Public Life, Prohibit all Forms of Violence, Harmful Traditional Practices against Persons.

The Bill seeks to safeguard the rights of vulnerable persons, particularly the girl-child, women and girls against private and domestic violence, sponsored

by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa ( ACN Lagos) who is also Chairman,

House Committee on Diaspora.

Dabiri-Erewa said it had become expedient for the bill to become law going by the rising cases of violence against persons in Nigeria.

The bill also approved 25 years imprisonment for any person who attempted to use chemical, biological or any harmful liquid on another person.

It also provides that any

person who incites, aids, abets, or counsels another person to commit violence is guilty of the offence and liable on conviction to three years imprisonment or N200,000 fine or both Accordingly, any person convicted of performing female circumcision and general mutilation or engaging someone to carry it out risks four years in jail or a fine of not more than

N200,000 or both.

Aiding female circumcision attracts N100,000 or two years in jail or both.

Any person convicted of frustrating investigation and prosecution of offenders is guilty of felony and liable on conviction to imprisonment of not more than three years or a fine not exceeding N500,000. (NAN)

L-R: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and his wife, Mrs Bola Obasanjo, Dancing during his 76th Birthday Celebration, yesterday in Abeokuta.

Photo: NAN

Gunmen kill 8 in bank, police post attack From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

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nknown gunmen on Monday night launched multiple attacks in Gwoza local government area of Borno state, killing eight persons.

This came less than 24 hours after a similar incident in which operatives of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) repelled an attack on a military barrack, killing 20 suspected members of the Boko Haram sect.

Spokesman for the JTF, LtCol. Sagir Musa, and the state police command declined comments on the Monday

incident incident.

However residents said over 20 gunmen attacked the Divisional Police Headquarters as well as a new generation bank in the town, killing a policeman and seven civilians.

Eyewitness accounts said that the gunmen launched both attacks at about 8pm when they stormed the town, firing sporadically into the police station and engaged the policemen on duty in a gun duel, killing an inspector on the spot and overpowered the other policemen.

It was also learnt that after sacking the security personnel, the gunmen bombed the police

station.

The attackers have reportedly crept into the town through the famous Gwoza hills in an apparent move to avoid security check points mounted on all the roads leading to the police station.

The seven civilians were said to have been killed by stray bullets having been caught in the cross fire. An unspecified number of other persons were said to have sustained various degrees of injuries.

After bombing the police formation, the gunmen reportedly proceeded to the bank and carted away unspecified amount of money before setting it

on fire.

Gwoza which is located along Nigeria-Cameroon border is about 135 kilometers from Maiduguri, the capital city.

Residents of the town said they were forced to scamper for safety due to horrifying sounds of multiple explosions and gunshots.

Reports from the area indicated that the attacks scuttled socio-economic activities there yesterday as residents stayed indoors while schools, markets and shops remained closed.

Several truckloads of soldiers and anti-riot policemen have taken over the town, patrolling the streets.

Court fixes March 21 to hear certificate forgery case against Akume

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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he case of alleged forgery of West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate instituted against former governor of Benue state and the Senator representing Benue North-West Senatorial District, George Akume, has been fixed for March 21, 2013 before Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal Court in Abuja.

The plaintiff, Comrade Philip Agbese, through his counsel, Chief Amobi Nzelu, is challenging the authenticity of Senator Akume's certificate and his eligibility to continue to occupy his seat at the National Assembly.

Joined in the suit as defendants are the WAEC, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), InspectorGeneral of Police and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The plaintiff is praying the court for a declaration that Akume did not possess the certificate number SCO 39633 allegedly issued to him by Government Secondary School, Oturkpo, Benue state in 1971.

Agbese is also praying the court for a declaration that the result allegedly issued to Akume

by WAEC does not belong to him and that Akume did not obtain any degree from the University

of Ibadan or any recognized University in Nigeria.

The plaintiff also wants the court to declare that whatever documents that were presented to INEC by Akume consequent upon which he was cleared to contest the gubernatorial election in Benue state especially the West African Certificate No SCO 39633 and the University of Ibadan certificate and NYSC discharge certificate No. 043655 are false.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

Terrorism, oil theft blots Nigeria's investment climate - Chalker

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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Staff of the National Hospital protesting over delay in their promotion, welfare, and calling to sack the Director of Administration, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Strike paralyses National Hospital

By A'isha Bola Raji

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edical services at the National Hospital, Abuja, were yesterday paralysed following a protest by staff of the hospital over alleged non implementation of the approved condition of service by the institution's management.

The protest was marked by a three day warning strike from 8 am to 12 noon effective from yesterday.

The aggrieved staff also accused the Director of Administration of the hospital,

Barrister James Odiba, of staying in office beyond the 35 years stipulated by the Civil Service Rule.

The protesting staff comprised Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN); National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and Senior Staff Association of the hospital.

Briefing newsmen at the hospital premises, the Chairman of NANNM, Otonoku Matthew, said: "We are protesting over the non

implementation condition of service at the National Hospital.

We have worked for over 14 years and were told yesterday (Monday) that the document we are banking on as condition of service is null and void by officials of the Federal Ministry of Health".

The staff however blamed Odiba for the nullification of the service condition.

In his reaction, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the hospital, Mr. Tayo Hastrupp, said:"the first thing to note is that it was few of our union members that engaged in the

protest. We have the NANNM, Medical Health Workers' Union, Senior Staff Association who in their wisdom have decided to go on three days warning strike from 8am to 12pm before they go to work.

"Our doctors are working; our patients are not being discharged.

The issue bothers on some grievances, more on conditions of service. They have written a protest letter to the Minister of Health who is supervising the Hospital on behalf of Mr. President. He has set up a committee."

hydrocarbon exports, thereby enhancing significantly, the country's foreign exchange earnings.

In a motion sponsored by Rep. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (ACN, Ekiti), he said that the Oso Condensate Project Act autho r i s e s N N P C t o b o r r o w money in any currency to execute the project, pointing out that the Act and the Project have not

been reviewed since inception.

He expressed concern that many Nigerians did not know much about the Oso Condensate Project.

Rep. Linus Okorie (PDP, Ebonyi) who seconded the m o t i o n said it was vital to the growth and development of the oil and gas sector in the nation's revenue drive.

The assembly thus resolved

to summon the Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, to brief it on the Project and was also given two weeks to present a detailed report to the committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and Gas Resources, after the motion was unanimously adopted when Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal put it to vote.

Reps to probe $218m NNPC project

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he House of Representatives yesterday said it is determined to probe theNigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over the mystery surrounding the Oso Condensate Project which as at April 1991 stood at $218 million.

The project is aimed at increasing Nigerian

he Coordinator of Honorary International Investors' Council (HIIC), Baroness Lynda Chalker yesterday said Nigeria must tackle terrorism in the north and oil theft in the southern part of the country if more foreign investors must be attracted to the country.

Chalker who met President Goodluck Jonathan in his office alongside Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga told State House correspondents that the meeting centred on the agenda of the next Council meeting scheduled to hold in Abuja.

She also hailed the country's progress in the area of infrastructure, adding that the current global rating of Nigeria in the area of investment prospects would continue to attract investors to the country.

"My company helps to run the international investor council and we should be having another meeting in the middle of the year in Abuja.

So, it was partially to talk about some of the issues that will come up then. It was good to be able to welcome the opening of the Lagos Kano rail and to inquire about other rail and infrastructure projects because they are critical for getting goods to market, which means investments and that means the country will then be attractive.

We will be having further discussions and also seeking to bring about an end to oil theft in the delta which is critical for the country and they are critical for the way in which the country is viewed abroad. We talked about the presentation of news, whether it was always fair.

We talked about the relationship between the Federal Government and the 36 states. So it was a planning and update meeting and it was a very positive meeting."

On whether the government is responding to HIIC's advice, Chalker said: "Yes, certainly, they are taking our advice seriously. If you take agriculture, they have followed up on discussions we have had over the years. Even before we had Aganga back in Nigeria, now we have people making positive comments on Nigeria about investment."

Court orders SSS to pay suspect N1m for unlawful arrest, detention

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

A

Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday ordered the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) to pay the sum of one million naira to a suspected member of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, Muktar Ibrahim for his unlawful arrest and detention.

24-year-old Muktar was arrested by the SSS on December 29, 2012 over his alleged link with an international terrorist organization but was kept under the SSS custody for over a year

without being charged to any court of competent jurisdiction.

Consequently, the trial Judge, Justice Kolawole ruled that the continuous detention of Ibrahim without allowing him access to his family, counsel and or charging him to court contravened his right to personal liberty and a gross violation of his fundamental human rights.

"It is my view that the sum of N1million awarded to the applicant will be sufficient for him to take care of himself as a result of his unlawful detention and for keeping him

incommunicado from his parents and without trial for a year", the trial judge stated.

"His right to personal liberty remains sacrosanct under the relevant section of the Constitution" Justice Kolawole stressed and reminded the SSS that a suspect is assumed innocent until proven otherwise by a law court.

Justice Kolawole added that in accordance with the constitution, "any person who is arrested and unlawfully detained shall be entitled to compensation and public

apology from an appropriate authority as specified by law".

The court held that the SSS (Respondent) should understand that, "no matter how grievous an offence allegedly committed might look, the Constitution never allows anybody or an authority to keep a suspect in custody indefinitely without charging the suspect to a court of competent jurisdiction.

"It does not matter if the suspect is an Al-Qaeda member or a Boko Haram member or has links with terrorist organizations in the Arabian Peninsula; the

issue was his unlawful detention without allowing him access to his family, counsel and without trial from December 29, 2011 when he was arrested to 30th January, when he was produced in court after an order of the court", the court held.

Kolawole also ordered that the suspect be removed from SSS detention facility and be remanded in prison custody pending the determination of a criminal charge instituted against him by the Federal Government.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

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CPJ condemns Wazobia FM shut down in Kano

By Etuka Sunday with agency report

C

ommittee to Protect Journalists(CPJ) yesterday condemned the closure of Wazobia FM station in Kano by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for a broadcast that questioned the local government's motives in an antipolio vaccination programme seen as a breach of professional code of conduct by NBC. NBC issued a statement on February 22, revoking the license of the private station Wazobia FM in the northern city of Kano because the authorities accused the station of violating the Nigerian Broadcasting Code which prohibits the use of language "likely to encourage or incite crime, or lead to

disorder,according to the Nigerian press freedom group Media Rights Agenda, it did not include specific examples of incitement to crime or disorder.

According to CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator, the Nigerian authorities closed Wazobia FM because they did not like its critical coverage, and cloaked their decision in highly charged but unsupported allegations of incitement.

CPj said, "the decision stemmed from a February 6 edition of "Sandar Girma," a daily Hausa-language talk show in which Wazobia host Yakubu Musa Fagge accused local officials of corruption and coercive tactics in their handling of a polio immunization campaign.

According to a translated transcript done by Agence France-

Presse, Fagge said that officials in Kano were refusing to get their own children vaccinated because of their beliefs, but were forcing the "children of commoners" to do so.

He suggested that the vaccine was harmful and said the officials had opposed the programme for years, but had only now begun to force children to receive them because unspecified Western officials had promised them unspecified amounts of money in return.

"Authorities in Kano state had boycotted a polio vaccination programme between 2003 and 2004, with officials, including then-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and local clerics, calling it a US.-led conspiracy to make Muslim women infertile.According to

international news reports.

Shekarau, who is now a top traditional chief, eventually embraced the practice".

"In the February 6 broadcast, Fagge also commented on reports of an altercation from earlier that day. The journalist described a confrontation between immunization workers and a private citizen who was trying to prevent the vaccination of his child. Mubarak Muhamad Sani, a Wazobia reporter who witnessed the dispute, said he was attacked in the confrontation and his equipment seized."

"Shortly after the show, the NBC indefinitely suspended the programme, according to Mohammed Suleiman, another Wazobia FM journalist.On February 12, authorities filed charges against Fagge and Sani,

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Fatima Bamidele (left), receiving plaque from Director, Pharmaceutical Service, Ebonyi state Ministry of Health, Pharmacist Victor Chukwu (right), during the opening of Pharmacists Council of Nigeria two-day interactive session with state directors of pharmaceutical services, yesterday in Abuja. With them are Acting Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Mrs. Gloria Abumere (2nd left), and representative, Director, Food and Drug Services, Federal Ministry of Health, Pharmacist Joyce Ugwu (2nd right).

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Senators furious over N410m for NABTEB scratch cards

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

T

he sum of N410 million spent

by Business and Technical Education and Examinations Board (NABTEB) for printing scratch cards for the May/June and November/ December 2012 has has set the Senate on edge.

This followed the Registrar/ Chief Executive of NABTEB, Dr. Olatunji Aworanti's comment yesterday in Benin City during the Senate Committee on Education's facility tour of three Federal Government tertiary institutions in Edo State.

Aworanti said the amount was embedded in the examination charges for the over 300, 000 students who took the examinations without any extra charge for the candidates.

Responding to a query by a member of the Committee, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, for clarification on how funds allocated to the institution for the period was spent, he explained that since the Board does was not empowered to operate its own printing facility, it had to go into partnership with a private printing firm to provide the scratch cards at ratio of 60 to 40 percent.

He said other challenges facing the examination body include lack of standard for training, leading to its inability to reach out to the roadside artisans, which he said, was the responsibility of the Board.

"The Board requires the sum of N7.1 billion to cope with demands in certain critical areas such as construction of office accommodation in the 36 states and geopolitical zones of the federation, operational vehicles, furnishing of the Board's new library complex, procurement of essential information and communication technology items," Aworanti said.

Chairman of the Senate

Committee, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, assured that the Committee would work out modality to assist educational institutions in raising their internally generated revenue to about 25 percent of their annual budget.

Meanwhile, Senator Chukwumerije also while responding to an address to the Committee by the Vice Chancellor of University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Godwin Osayuki Oshodin, lamented the shortfall in disbursement of allocation to federal institutions by the Federal Ministry of Education.

Al-makura buys 100 tricycles, to phase out motor-bikes From Ali Abare, Lafia

G

overnor Umaru Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa state, has commissioned 100 tricycles, otherwise called "Keke Taal".

Commissioning the tricycles yesterday at the Lafia Government House, Al-makura said the machines would ease

transportation problems across major towns in the state because of the general ban of the commercial bikes across the country.

He said, "Nasarawa has become a haven for all manner of unscrupulous persons, undesirable elements, who hide under the guise of doing business to perpetrate crimes."

The governor stated that there will not be an outright ban of the commercial motorcycle in the state but that the Keke Taal will gradually substitute it.

He observed that his administration came into being as a result of the determination of the common people and as such, it would be unfair to outrightly ban the commercial motorcycles.

He disclosed that the state government would distribute the "Keke Taal" at subsidized rates, with a beneficiary expected to pay an initial deposit of N50, 000 and make monthly payment of N5000 until he is able to off-set the cost of the tricycle.

Each tricycle was bought at the rate of N350, 000 by the state government.

including criminal conspiracy, abetment, defamation of character, obstruction of a public officer carrying out his duty, intentional insult, and incitement to violence, according to news reports. Police also said the journalists' comments on the air could have led unidentified gunmen to kill nine polio workers on February 8, although the government has not produced any evidence to support the statement."

Nigeria owes Obasanjo a debt of gratitude - Jonathan

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has written to congratulate former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the occasion of his 76th birthday which he marked yesterday.

"On behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and on my own behalf, I write to express warm felicitations to you on the occasion of your 76th birthday.

"Over the years, you have always readily given of yourself to the cause of the peace, stability, growth, and development of our country, Nigeria. For this, we owe you an enduring debt of gratitude.

"As you celebrate with family, friends and well-wishers, I pray that Almighty God continues to guide, guard, and prosper you, even as He blesses you with many more years of robust health and abiding fulfillment," President Jonathan wrote.

Obasanjo, an outstanding statesman, says Oshiomhole

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

G

overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as "an outstanding statesman who has dedicated himself to the ideals of national unity, peace and progress of Nigeria".

In a congratulatory message to the former President on his 76th birthday, Oshiomhole said: "I am pleased to felicitate with Your Excellency and convey the good wishes of the Government and people of Edo State on this auspicious occasion of the celebration of your 76 birthday.

"Let me also use this opportunity to appreciate the over 50 years of Your Excellency's productive life, which had also been assiduously devoted to selfless service to our great Country, Nigeria, the African continent and humanity at large.

This occasion, therefore, definitely marks a significant milestone worthy of celebration of the life of an outstanding statesman who has dedicated himself to the ideals of national unity, peace and progress of Nigeria.

"I pray that the Almighty God gives you long life and the best of health", he said

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

1

Job-seekers: Thousands of job seekers queuing, yesterday at the gate of Federal High Court opposite Cham City, in Abuja.

L-R: Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, and Urban Development Coordinator of the Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (NIAF), Mr. Michael Mutter, during the latter meeting with the minister, recently in Abuja.

Ekiti state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi,explaining the meaning of an English word to pupils of St. James Anglican Primary School, Okeoniyo, during the flag-off ceremony of "Reading Parent", yesterday in Ado-Ekiti.

1 Oil spill at Taylor Creek oil well head, yesterday in Ikarama community, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa state.

Orphans and vulnerable children, during presentation of scholastic materials to them, yesterday in Bauchi.

Photos: Mahmud Isa & NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

Wamakko lauds success of 2012 Hajj

By Mahmoud Muhammad, Sokoto

S

L-R: President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Peter Esele, Chairman, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, and Director General, Nigeria Capital Development Fund (NCDF) Group, Hon. Hareter Babatunde Oralusi, during the launch of grassroots telephony initiative by NCDF, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

VOA, Etisalat sign SMS agreement

By Maryam Garba Hassan

E

lectronic media organization, Voice of America (VOA) and Etisalat mobile network, have signed SMS agreement to air VOA news headline services to its subscribers in Nigeria via SMS in English and Hausa languages.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between

the two organizations was signed on Monday in Abuja, by VOA Director General Mr. David Esigna, who was in Africa for the first time and the CEO of Etisalat, Nigeria, Mr. Osamede Umweni.

Umweni said the agreement between the two companies was the first of its kind in the country adding that the communication firm has worked hard to ensure that the agreement was signed.

He said the 15 million

Nigerians who listen to VOA wherever they are in Nigeria and subscribe to the network, would get the headlines through text messages on their cell phones.

Umweni however, assured the VOA DG that their stories would not be censored while Nigerians would get as it happens.

He said they negotiated across the board to charge flat rate of N5 per month for Etisalat SMS alert received.

Responding, Esign said he was excited that VOA news would be delivered to its millions of listeners through mobile phones which is multi-faceted.

He said with the new arrangements, listeners would not only get the regular news but health tips and matters such as on polio as Nigeria is one of the three countries in the world battling polio menace.

piece of land at Asa Dam for which he paid him N210,000.

"Sometimes in July, 2011,one Oyeleye Joseph Bolaji of 28 Asa Dam road, Ilorin misrepresented himself as agent of Jagun Labala Family who are owners of a piece of land at Asa-Dam and fraudulently obtained the sum of N209,000 from him being payment of a piece of land situated at Asa Dam. " Our client not mindful of the criminal intention of Oyeleye, made the payment into his account as agreed since 11th July,2011".

He further noted that when his client wanted to take the possession of land, he was

challenged by Jagun Labala family who denied knowing the accused person as their Lawyer.

In the letter of complaint to the court, Olakunle accused Barrister Oyeleye of misrepresentation and criminal breach of trust, contrary to section 312 of penal code.

Counsel to Olakunle told the court that efforts to retrieve the money from the accused were not successful as he always avoid him and never provided another piece of land for his client.

Ruling on the case while the accused did not show up in court for the second time, Abolarinwa ordered counsel to the complaint to get criminal summon from the prosecutor against the accused

person and adjourned the case till March 18,2013.

He further told Olakunle to ensure that the accused was served the summon.

Land fraud: Ilorin court summons lawyer From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

T

he Upper Area Court sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital and presided over by Justice A. U Abolarinwa has issued criminal summon against an Ilorin-based lawyer, Oyeleye Joseph Bolaji over alleged sale of fake land to one Toyeeb Olakunle.

The complainant had earlier reported the case to the Nigeria Bar Association(NBA) Kwara state chapter but nothing came out of the complaint letter dated December 2,2011.

Counsel to the complainant, M. K. Bashir during his argument, said his client had approached Barrister Oyeleye to get him a

FG to encourage Unity Colleges on policy

By Maryam Garba Hassan

M

inister of State for Education,Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has declared that the Ministry will encourage managements of Federal Unity Colleges that deliver on the policy objectives of the present administration aimed at returning the schools to their position of excellence.

Wike spoke in Gboko, Benue State on Monday during the scheduled inspection of the Federal Government library project at the Federal Government Girls College, Gboko.

He commended the school management for maintaining a learning friendly environment which he said, was in line with the deliberate steps that have been taken by the government since 2011 to re-position the Unity Colleges.

According to him, the reason for ensuring that school managements are kept on their toes at all times, was to engender superlative performance across the board or "we shall sanction them".

Wike commended the contractor handling the library project at the Federal Government

Girls College, Gboko who he said has made substantial progress despite the fact that the contract was awarded in the last phase.

However, at the Federal Government College, Otobi, the minister urged the contractor to increase his pace of work to ensure the completion of the library project for the school within the stipulated time.

Executive chairman of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr. Anum Iho stated that the determined investment in the basic education sector by the present administration is commendable.

okoto State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko has described the 2012 hajj as successful.

Wamakko, who was receiving the 2012 reports presented by the Amirul-hajj and Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Barr. Mukhtar Shagari at the Government House Chamber, Sokoto, said leaders of the state's contingents were not only people of integrity and prudence, but has the future of the state at heart.

Though, the governor did not comment on those who lost their lives during the exercise, he expressed optimistism that the exercise would record another huge success this year.

It would be recalled that over, 400 female pilgrims were deported to Sokoto due to lack of chaperons otherwise known as Muharram.

However, the Governor commended the entire Hajj Committees as well as officials of the state hajj board for the wisdom and determination to propel the affairs of the state to a greater height.

Earlier, the Amirul-Hajj and Deputy Governor, Alhaji Muktari Shagari said they recorded great success during the 2012 hajj exercise because the governor gave them the free-hand to achieve the success.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the State Pilgrims Board, Alhaji, Mukhtar Maigona, however, confirmed that two died during 2012 hajj exercise in the state.

Maigona, also confirmed to Our reporter, that all the female pilgrims deported as a result of Chaperon issue were returned to Saudi Arabia to performed the hajj.

Katsina to revive marketing board From Lawal Sa'idu Funtua, Katsina

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overnor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina State has disclosed that he had set-up a committee under the former president of the court of appeal, Galadiman Katsina, Justice Mamman Nasir to revive the operations of marketting board in the state.

Governor Shema who made the disclosure at the closing ceremony of 2013 agric show in Kafin-soli, Kankia Local Government, noted that the revival of the board would give farmers a better price for their commodities.

"The existence of marketing board would give farmers advantage of access to good market and good price for their products' he added.

He stated that, energy must be shifted towards the revival of agriculture and animals rearing.

According to him, "during the time of the premier of northern Nigeria, the Sardauna

of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, agriculture was the major source of revenue for the whole country. We must therefore work towards reviving it'.

Shema observed that agriculture was not only a source of food but it also promote the educational needs and peaceful coexistence in the society.

The governor noted the government apart from supporting farmers with subsidized fertilizer, granted soft loans to enable them operate without hitches.

He added that farmers were recently supported with bull carts and other farming implements worth N70 million, while the sum of N150 million has been set aside as additional interest free loan.

Shema said under the Songhai farming schemes, youth from across the state were sent to Porto Novo in Benin Republic for training on modern farming techniques.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

Don't panic! ‌in every lull market there is future wealth

I

nvestment has different meanings in finance and economics. In economics, investment is related to saving and deferring consumption; while in finance, investment is putting money into something

with the expectation of gain, usually over a longer term.

Most or all forms of investment involve some form of risk, such as investment in equities, property, and even fixed interest securities which

e have come to that time of the year when we take stock: what was done in the last year, what was left undone and what needs to be done to make deliberate progress in this present year.

You need to extend your stock taking to what you have been blessed with - your assets.

The very first step that must happen when taking stock is accepting that you actually do own something worth planning for. Everyone who owns anything has an estate - bank accounts, furniture, clothes, home ware et al. Your mindset in this task would be enhanced if you understand that an estate plan is a pragmatic and continuous planning process that enables you to manage what you own while still alive . It also helps you to alleviate whatever financial impact your death may have on your family and dependents.

Appraising your personal and family situation will nudge you towards seeing the value that a well- constructed estate plan would bring to your life, now and thereafter: For instance, you may be contending with the following issues: 1. Some health challenges and need to decide whom you would entrust your care to, if you become incapable of caring for yourself; 2. Minor children who will need dedicated care, if anything should happen suddenly to you; 3.

A child with special needs; 4.

A blended family -

children from former marriages and relationships and probably a mix of natural and adopted children; 5. A business that you want to ensure remains in your family; 6. Assets that you want to remain in your family and not go to in-laws; 7. A spouse or children who have zero money management skills and most likely will squander all that you have worked for.

What are you worth?

Once you evaluate these matters and take that decisive first step, you are well on the path to implementing the major exercise of estate planning for your new year determining the worth of your blessings. What do I mean?

What is the worth of your possessions?

What, eventually, are you worth? The worth of the assets that comprise your estate determines the worth of your estate and it is arrived at as the difference between the value of the assets and the amount you owe other people - your liabilities.

Assets Inventory A great way to go about estimating the worth of your estate assets is taking an inventory of them by identifying and describing each single item. This exercise will remind you of what you really own, clearly mark out how much you owe and who

are subject, inter alia, to inflation risk.

Considering this simple definition, the rule of investment particularly in stock market cannot be changed. A lot of us at the stock market were hurt because we tried to change the rules against the laws of nature.

This simply tells us that we cannot ignore the cyclical nature of stocks or equities.

Considering the cyclical nature of the stock market, we have consistently informed our readers who consider investing in stocks that there is no better time to approach the market other than when it is low.

No matter the likeness you have for a particular stock, the truth is that if you are waiting to invest in stocks when the prices are high, the tendency is pretty high that you will lose money because the stocks you are investing in may have

reached their climax in the cyclical movement as at the time you are taking decisions in their favour.

Conversely, lucky you, when you invest while the prices of the stocks are already at their low ebb, there is the possibility of an upward trend which heralds an era of wealth creation for you.

No wonder why some speculators make money by seeming predictability in the movement of stock's prices, leading them to try to time the market by buying stocks at the low point in the business cycle and selling them at the high point.

Stephen Simpson, an equity analyst and consultant at Kratisto Investing said "Investing is serious business, but that doesn't mean that games don't have something to add to the process."

He added: "Investing is

more than just memorising ratios, accounting rules or gimmicky screening formulas.

It requires a variety of mental attributes and abilities that gaming can enhance. The more practice investors have in skills such as probability, prudent risk-taking, strategic thinking and asset management, the better their investing outcomes ought to be."

"When it comes to investing, an investor can do everything right and still lose money due to a random and unforeseeable bad event, and this can happen multiple times in what seems like a short period of time.

Similarly, market values can differ radically from intrinsic value for short stretches of time, and investors must learn to ignore these transient stretches of aberrant performance (or exploit them for the values or opportunities they may offer)," Simpson said.

Planning your estate: Do an inventory W

Quote

"We can't become what we need to be, by remaining what we are."

Max De Pree: Businessman, Philanthropist, Author

Q

you owe, note any property whose ownership you share with another or others, make a list of items you would rather pass on to family or others as gifts while still alive and help you properly organize them .

In the course of the inventory, you may choose to either estimate the overall worth of the entire assets

identified or make a detailed list of each asset type for evaluation purposes. A number of clients I have assisted with their own asset inventory found out, to their amazement that they were actually worth more than they thought!

I usually advise that one should use a property inventory worksheet to enable one produce a useful result at the end of the exercise. The worksheet should be divided into two major sections: Sections 1 and 2.

Section 1 should be used in determining what you own.

Subjecting asset types through an analysis using the following

information is crucial: Column 1: a description of the asset types In this column, you need to identify your assets in detail, categorizing them as liquid assets such as cash, savings, shares, bonds; other personal property that are not liquid , such as cars, clothes, art works, life insurance; minor personal property that are better group together, such as 'equipment', 'kitchenware'; assets that have huge emotional value, such as family heirlooms, a n t i q u e furniture, a library or family photo albums; accumulated frequent flyer miles, which some airlines allow to be passed on to beneficiaries; business personal property, such as your share of stocks in a company or a partnership, or royalties for intellectual properties.

Column 2: if the ownership of the asset is shared, and if so, the type of shared ownership You could share ownership of assets in any of the following ways: as a joint tenant, a tenancy-in-common, community property owner, a partner, a shareholder.

Column 3: the percentage of your own shared ownership of the asset State the percentage of your ownership of the assets and what they are worth. At this stage, it is best that you check if the terms of any partnership you have or

shareholding you hold allow you to pass on your ownership directly to your own chosen beneficiaries through your estate.

Column 4: the net value of each asset or the net value of your own share of the ownership.

Here, you state the estimated net value of each asset listed in the section. The net value is the market value of your share less your share whatever debt you own on each asset.

Section 2 of the inventory worksheet determines what you owe - your liabilities: It is important to think, recall and list all debts and liabilities that you have and omitted to state in the first column. At this stage, you add up your estimate of all your liabilities and state the total figure.

Section 3 gives the total picture - your net worth or the net-worth of your estate: In this final section of the inventory worksheet, you estimate your current net worth.

The figure is arrived at by subtracting your total liabilities listed in section 2 from the total assets listed in Section 1.

However, remember that it is an estimate; the nature of some of the asset types is susceptible to volatility in value and so, a practice of periodically conducting inventories would give better information over time.

Conclusion The essence of counting your assets and evaluating their worth must not be lost. A better mindset to estate planning is attained when you appreciate the fact that you have, and continue to make progress in life as measured by the asset types so far acquired and the perspective you gain through consciously taking stock of their worth.

(Source: MoneyNing)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

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As Kenyans await the general election result

he counting of the historic Kenyan general elections held on Monday is well under way with the country understandably soaked in tension. Five years ago, in 2007, Kenyan election turned violent, exploding the myth that one of the few African countries without the benefit or curse of military rule, and with a long tradition of civil rule, is immune to violence.

Following the carnage of the 2007 polls, Kenyans drew and approved a new constitution which reduced the powers of the central administration and devolved power to local authorities.

Thankfully, the incumbent President, Mwai Kibaki, a veteran of Kenyan politics in the last half a century, was not a contender in the current election.

However, scions of Kenya's two well known political families are in contest and the simmering tension in the country as counting is underway reflects the history of the persons involved.

The Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD) led by Raila Odinga, son of Kenya's first vice president, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and the Jubilee Alliance, led by Uhuru Kenyatta, son of the country's first president, Jomo Kenyatta, are two major contenders in the election and their support bases, which correspond to Kenya's two major national groups, the Kikuyus and Laos remain as passionate and militant as ever. Kenya's immediate post-independence political tension followed from the uneasy relationship between Vice President Odinga and his principal Jomo Kenyatta, which culminated in the sacking of the former in 1965. Former late Vice President Odinga had favoured

a radical re-orientation of Kenya along the line of socialist democracy, while Jomo Kenyatta had been wedded to the capitalist road of development.

Their sons did not, however, in this current dispensation represent any such clear ideological alternatives. In fact, Odinga's conversion to Western liberal democracy is total and is even considered

“

Therefore, in the event that Raila loses, he must eschew the bitterness in a manner that made his father a legend. Should he win, there should be no room for historical vendetta. For the younger Kenyatta, whichever way his electoral fortunes swing, he must keep focus on the legendary contribution of his father and hold onto the immutable spirit of Kenya as the face of Western imperialism in Africa. Uhuru Kenyatta's ideological face is less clear, but appears handicapped by the indictment of the Western controlled International Criminal Court over his alleged role in the violent mayhem that attended the Kenyan election in 2007.

In spite of the obvious heavy stake involved in the elections, we believe that it is very pivotal in the re-emergence of

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Kenya to a respectable place in Africa.

Kenya, in spite of the vagaries of the choice it made in its national development, has stayed on course of fairly integrated development with respectable infrastructure and creative economic activity.

Politics of historical rivalry must not be allowed to fritter away the modest gain. Odinga is also already a gadfly in Kenyan politics as his family and, in spite of the senior Odinga's inability to attain the presidency, he is as much respected as former President Mzze Kenyatta.

Therefore, in the event that Raila loses, he must eschew the bitterness in a manner that made his father a legend.

Should he win, there should be no room for historical vendetta. For the younger Kenyatta, whichever way his electoral fortunes swing, he must keep focus on the legendary contribution of his father and hold onto the immutable spirit of Kenya. Even the son of the long reigned Arap Moi, Gideon, with his Amgui coalition, also a contender in the current process, must key in to the challenge of keeping Kenya in good political health.

As election results slip in with the final tally likely to be announced any moment from now, we remind Kenyans that the life of the country is far more important than the period term of any government. As far as Kenya stays on the course of competitive electoral democracy, even the losers of the current election will have their day in future to actualize their vision of governance. In spite of reported pockets of violent confrontation, the election had gone on fairly well, and for that we congratulate the Kenyans.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

PAGE 13

Still on Okonjo-Iweala’s controversial appointments

By Yushau A. Shuaib

I

still wonder how the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala is in the eye of the storm. Her grandiose title (Coordinating Minister of the Economy) is not a mere tautology as some people will assume. Being the first holder of that title in Nigeria’s history, her position could be seen as equivalent to Prime Minister, which gave her the mandate to oversee and superintend over every other ministry, department and agency of government including their budgetary allocations and revenue expenditures. She is invariably the next most powerful cabinet member after President Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo.

In the last ten years, this writer is one of her ardent admirers who is impressed by her academic accomplishments and enviable working experiences on the international scene including her contributions to Nigeria’s economic development after her appointment as the first female Finance Minister and later first female Foreign Affairs Minister by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003 and 2006.

Though she left the administration unceremoniously over personal issues, her tenure then was a success story.

One of the major reasons some of us believe strongly in ability of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala was the way and manner she carried

By Mohammed S. Umar

S

ixty years is between the youth and old age. Indeed, it is not age that matters most, but overall contribution to human growth. Aspiring statesmen got agitated on taking stock of legacy to humanity. Good governance is cumulative efforts to impact positively towards citizens' uplift by leaders. Much of the time it is the duty of history and opinion moulders to bring to the fore achievements of leaders.

Leadership, we must bear in mind, is not easy task. Human beings are the most dynamic elements of creation, changing in demand on regular basis, and never satisfied in wants.

This informs our constant demand that we respect our leaders and accord them appropriate place in history.

Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto has passed much political tutelage in the hands of respected elders and politicians before attaining the present enviable position of Chief Executive of Sokoto State. Any person who wants to excel in future must humble himself to learn from those in the act before him. Sarkin Yamman Sokoto did just that in associating with and observing thick men of this environment and beyond.

Late Sultan Abubakar III first spotted the leadership qualities in Alu when he appointed him Senior Prefect of the prestigious Sokoto Teachers College in 1971.

However, before then he served as Head Boy in Wamakko Primary School from January 1966 to December 1967 and became Junior Prefect in Sokoto Teachers College 1970 to December 1971.

His subsequent appointment by late Sultan Abubakar III marked

major players both from the North and the South along while she were Minister of Finance between 2003 to 2006. She were never accused of discrimination or bias against any of the diverse groups of the ethnically charged and religiously polarized nation. The same will be said of her then principal, Olusegun Obasanjo who, despite some of his shortcomings will never be accused of tribalism.

He is a detribalized leader and a nationalist to the core who believe strongly in the Nigeria project.

The choice of her nominees into top public appointments and even the composition of her associates cut across every segment of Nigeria including those in her Economic Team like Nasir Elrufai, Nuhu Ribadu, Bode Agusto, Dr. Mansur Mukhtar and Chukwuma Soludo among others.

Her achievements too were glaring. We recall that in 2005 she led Nigeria to striking a deal with the Paris Club, a group of bilateral creditors, to pay a portion of Nigeria's external debt amounting US $12 billion in return for an $18 billion debt write-off.

She ensured transparency in monthly federation account allocation by the introduction of monthly publication of the disbursements in selected media.

She was instrumental to helping Nigeria obtain its first ever sovereign credit rating (of BB minus) from an international ratings agency. Even when she left

the government in 2006, her nongovernmental organisation, NOI Global Consulting, partnered with the Gallup Organization to introduce what may be described as the first credible opinion poll, the NOI poll, into the Nigerian polity.

With these at the background, it was not surprising that when she were reappointed by President Jonathan as Finance Minister and when she were shortlisted for the post of President of the World Bank in 2012, she received overwhelming support from all Nigerians. An online publication even claimed that some Northern Mallams were praying for her success in the mosques. Everyone at that period believed that she were a detribalized Nigerian with realworld experience of policy-making.

The reason for writing this write-

up is to alert her to some disturbing trends as regards some recent appointments into top public offices in Nigeria in view of their economic and political implications. As the most powerful minister and an Igbo Princess from the Niger Delta by virtue of being a daughter of Obi of Ogwashi-Uku community in Delta State, I believe she should continue to live above board.

Recently the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) made some disturbing allegations of ethnic cleansing of Yoruba in federal appointments by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. Wife of the sage, Chief HID Awolowo and the retired Bishop of Akure, Rt. Rev. Bolanle Gbonigi in Ikenne Ogun State after the meeting of the forum accused the administration of

“

She should be aware that many Nigerians are referring to a book, 'Chinua Achebe Teacher of Light' which she co-authored where she expressed bitterness about how her tribe was dealt with before, during and after the civil war and insinuating that now that she is in authority, she is determined to correct all that she perceived as injustice against her people

As Wamakko clocks 60

recognition by a very high force of sterling leadership qualities in the man. Student unionism is a training ground for enlightened politician in the making. His Excellency was elected Treasurer of Nigerian Students Association in America (Pittsburgh Chapter) 1979 to 1980. Since then he served in various capacities in active organizations.

The list of committees and organizations he served and gained experience is very long and can take much to chronicle. But let us at this stage list his working experience.

He started his career as a teacher.

He taught in Sanyinnawal Primary School, Yabo ADB. By 1977 he had risen to Mobile Teacher Trainer (Sokoto ADB). From 1978 to 1979 he was a Lecturer in Hausa Language at the University of Pittsburgh (USA). During his youth service (NYSC) he taught in Sokoto Teachers College, 1981.

Sarkin Yamman Sokoto started his administrative career as Principal Assistant Secretary in Zurmi Local Government from December 1981 to October 1982 and from November 1982 to December 1982 he served as Acting Secretary, Zurmi Local Government. From July 1984 to July 1985 he served as Principal Assistant Secretary, Kaura Namoda Local Government. He acted as Sole Administrator, Kaura Namoda Local Government from August 1985 to October 1985.

From November 1985 to May 1986 he served as Principal Assistant Secretary, Kaura Namoda Local Government. He was Chairman, Sokoto Local Government from

June 1987 to November 1987. He became Under Secretary, Sokoto State Local Government Service Commission from November 1987 to April 1988. He was a member of the Constituent Assembly, Abuja, 1989. From April 1989 to June 1989 he served as Acting Director, Personnel Management, Ministry of Education, Sokoto. He was Director, Personnel Management, Home Affairs Department, Military Governor's Office from June 1989 to October 1990. He was State Secretary, Finance and General Purposes Committee (FGPC) from October 1990 to October 1991.

From October 1991 to January 1992 he was General Manager, Hotels Management and Tourism Board, Sokoto.

Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko was Director General, Careers and Special Services, Governor's Office, Sokoto from January 1992 to March 1992 and served in the same position at the Civil Service Commission, Sokoto from March 1992 to July 1992.

He moved to Ministry of Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives, Sokoto where he served from July 1992 to February 1994. From December 1994 to September 1995 he was posted to Ministry of Works and Transport, Sokoto as Director General. He served as Director General/Clerk Designate, Sokoto State House of Assembly from November 1996 to 1st May 1998.

He became Deputy Governor of Sokoto State on 29th May 1999 and was re-elected to the same position in 2003. He voluntarily resigned as Deputy Governor of Sokoto State from 15th March

2005. He was elected Executive Governor of Sokoto State on 14th April 2007. After that election was nullified by Kaduna Appeal Court he was overwhelmingly elected Executive Governor in the rerun election and was sworn in on 28th May 2008.

He was also overwhelmingly re-elected for second term and sworn in on 22nd February 2011.

Born 1st March 1953 in Wamakko town, the Governor holds Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and Masters (MPA) degrees from Pittsburgh University, United States of America (USA). He also attended Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON); holds Certificate in Fraud and Corruption Prevention Techniques from Royal Institute of Public Administration, London among other qualifications.

As a Governor he pursues policy of poverty reduction.

He articulates strategies that penetrate actual realization of the peoples' yearnings, within available resources.

He resuscitated the ailing education system; rehabilitated dilapidated buildings, constructed new ones and equipped them.

His administration recruited more teachers. For effective and efficient teaching and learning . Teachers in the schools across the State are being roundly motivated. He caused to be mounted intensive campaigns for enrollment of boys and girls into schools.

He established a State University which has admitted its first intake.

He encouraged make-up classes for school drop-outs to pass their secondary education for admission

systematically excluding the Yoruba nation from the federation in terms of appointments without justification. They called on the government to redress the “systematic discrimination” against the Yoruba nationality in federal appointive positions without delay, saying that the Yoruba have been getting “crumbs” from the administration.

No sooner did the Yoruba allegation was made than the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) also publicly lamented gaping marginalization against the North over appointments and promotions in the military. According to these distinguished Nigerians, there are lopsidedness in employment and postings in the Nigerian Army in favour of the Igbos, which is clearly in the breach of the principle of Federal Character.

She should be aware that many Nigerians are referring to a book, 'Chinua Achebe Teacher of Light' which she co-authored where she expressed bitterness about how her tribe was dealt with before, during and after the civil war and insinuating that now that she is in authority, she is determined to correct all that she perceived as injustice against her people. Some even insist that what she is doing now is promoting regional and ethnic agenda to the detriment of other groupings in Nigeria by manipulating appointments.

To be continued to tertiary institutions. Shehu Shagari College of Education and the State Polytechnic have many courses accredited through the concerted efforts of his administration. Education, to His Excellency, is a child's right. This necessitated his abolition of discriminatory school fees against non-indigenes.

The youth are trained in various trades and crafts for self economic sustenance under the youth empowerment programme.

On finishing their apprenticeship they are equipped with tools and start-off funds. The programme has recorded tremendous results.

Farmers receive necessary encouragement in the provision of implements and fertilizer at subsidized rates. Grazing reserves and veterinary services provision enable increased beef production.

There is tremendous increase in farm produce because of provision of irrigation facilities which encourage all season farming.

A newspaper columnist once heckled over Governor Wamakko's generosity. But we see Governor Wamakko as living the life of a truly religious person who believes in assisting the needy. This is the reason he pays minimum wage to every disabled person in the State.

His Ramadan breakfast programme is in tandem with this posture. He believes in overall partake in the common parsimony.

Your Excellency, Alhaji (Dr) Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sarkin Yamman Sokoto), we wish you Allah's guidance and good health to continue your selfless service to mankind as you clock 60 years.

Mohammed S. Umar can be reached via sokotosolid2007 @yahoo.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

PAGE 14

JTF in Niger Delta: ‘Duty-ing’ or plundering?

By Taiwo Lawrence Adeyemi

I

n the name of protecting and securing Nigeria and Multinational’s oil installations and facilities, curtailing militants attacks and activities, maintaining law and order in the troubled Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. This is why the Joint Task Force [JTF] was established, but has this outfit lived up to it's billings?

Shell Petroleum Development Company [SPDC] claims it has been loosing 60,000 barrels of oil from theft along it's Nembe trunk line, the highest in three years!

There also the oil thief barons building expansive farm tanks, refineries and large ocean going barges, robbing the Niger Delta of its resources.

The JTF, that is supposedly mandated to man the Niger Delta creeks down the Bonny River Channel, has gone to sleep or simply put' 'turned a blind eye' to the sophisticated and powerful oil thefts barons. The JTF is equipped with Naval speed boats and reconnaissance hover crafts. How can these devastating atrocities have been perpetrated and committed under the nose and

eyes of the JTF, provide and without them maintain their discovering, respective arresting and pipelines if Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text prosecuting the allowed, as their messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written masterminds? s e c u r i t y contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 Close to $7 personnel will billion dollars not compromise. words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and was said to have The JTF a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed been lost to oil activities in the to: theft Is JTF up to Niger Delta the task of region should be The Editor, securing the investigated and Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, Niger Delta? if possible a total 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.

The plundering pull out of the JTF Email: opinion@peoplesdaily-online.com of Niger Delta in from the region SMS: 07037756364 the name of should occur and keeping peace is allow the now glaring multinationals and becoming a stark reality. The it's entire citizenry still remains oil companies to hire their own recent court judgment against fresh. What about the Gbaramatu private security personnel to the federal government for the mop up by the JTF? manned their pipelines and Odi invasion and annihilation of The multinationals can incorporate the local vigilantes

WRITE TO US

“

From Odi invasion to Gbaramatu Kingdom mop up and annihilation, what is JTF still doing in the Niger Delta Region?

Where as the aim then was to maintain peace, protect the Bonny River Channel and curtailed the then restless Niger Delta Militants

along the pipelines.

With the possible closure of it's Nembe trunk line by Shell Petroleum Development Company [SPDC], for what the company Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu called 'Extensive Plundering', JTF activities should be called to question as to how and why these activities are taking place under their eyes.

From Odi invasion to Gbaramatu Kingdom mop up and annihilation, what is JTF still doing in the Niger Delta Region? Where as the aim then was to maintain peace, protect the Bonny River Channel and curtailed the then restless Niger Delta Militants, the multinationals have contracted out the security of their respective pipelines to the security officials [ex-militants] and this has to some extent reduced the vandalizing of oil pipelines. Let these steps be extended to the creeks and Bonny River Channel.

Enough of this plundering in the Niger Delta in the name of keeping PEACE! Adeyemi can be reached via: taiwolawrence.adeyemi @yahoo.com

Nigeria losing ground in changing oil world?

By Ifeanyi Izeze

D

eliberate attempts by foreign agencies to always paint the Nigerian oil sector as worse- off compared to others in the entire sub-saharan Africa especially that of its producing neighbor in the Gulf of Guinea, Angola could best be described as now very vexing because most of those assessments seem not to be done out of genuine concern for the state of the industry in Nigeria.

The first few paragraphs of the analysis, “Nigeria losing ground in changing oil world” as carried by Reuters on Tuesday February 26, 2013, no doubt gave the impression that whoever did that piece deliberately set out to blackmail Nigeria’s efforts at repackaging the fiscal framework guiding its oil industry as entailed in the “original” Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

According to the report, “Nigeria will earn less for its oil and struggle to replace reserves unless it can end years of industry stagnation, at a time its biggest customer is becoming selfsufficient and African rivals are boosting supplies.

“A domestic energy boom in the United States has already sharply cut demand for Nigerian oil, while legal uncertainty, political wrangling, corruption and insecurity plague an oil industry which is still Africa's biggest.

“In addition, rivals on the continent - both East and West are fast catching up, and hungry for returns to boost their smaller economies they are tempting foreign oil and gas companies with better terms and fewer bottlenecks than Nigeria.

“Nigeria has multiple problems in its oil game - it has failed to meet

reserve growth and production targets for many years ... while competition grows worldwide," said Duncan Clarke, Head of African oil experts Global Pacific & Partners.

“High crude prices have shielded Nigeria of late - but this may not last forever, and its reputation as the proverbial Landof-No-Tomorrow continues.”

The issue of investment starvation in the Nigerian upstream and even crude oil theft are serious enough and have more than enough facts on specific issues to make a case for a wake-up by the Nigerian government than always telling us what Uganda or Angola is doing or not doing. If Nigeria is losing ground the oil race (that is if it is because you cannot lose what you did not produce), is Angola producing from what is capped or undeveloped in the Nigerian arena?

To describe the Nigerian oil and gas sector as ‘Land –of- notomorrow” whatever that means was an outright misjudgment by the producers of the report and it was clearly irresponsible- I speak as a concerned Nigerian interested in the health of the nation’s oil and gas sector (upstream/ downstream).

Why is Nigeria going to earn less from its oil? Currently the country has in place established capacity to produce in multiples of what OPEC currently allows it to bring to the market. So is Nigeria earning less because it is producing less or because it cannot sell all that it produces? We need to get this straightened out. The American government decision to increase domestic output and cut down on its oil imports, was it initiated as punitive measure against Nigeria or a policy that will affect every channel of foreign oil flow into the U.S? So why make it a Nigerian

issue? If Nigeria as a country should fold up because America has decided to cut down its dependence on foreign oil, what would countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi do?

Is the Angolan oil sector different from Nigeria’s in terms of legal uncertainty or rather heavily-tilted legal framework in favour of western operators? Those who have followed developments in the Nigerian oil sector of recent would agree that these kinds of reports are being sponsored by those who want to blackmail the entire country into mortgaging our future in the oil and gas sector by not taking our time to trash out all grey areas before passing the heavily-doctored Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

Is this not blackmail: “Energy consultants Wood Mackenzie forecast Nigeria's oil production could drop by 20 percent by 2020 because years of delay to a Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) have blocked tens of billions of dollars in exploration investment.

Oil majors say they can't invest in major new projects until the PIB is passed and if it is passed as it stands with higher taxes, then new investment will be deterred.”

What is still holding them from going? Let them go with their money and see if they have the kind of criminal privilege arrogated to them in the Nigerian oil and gas arena.

Are there no political wrangling, even armed struggle in Angola oil areas arising from perceived marginalization, mismanagement of oil revenues and neglect of oil producing areas?

What makes Nigeria more corrupt or insecure than Angola or Uganda? So why was the analysis not bothered by the Angolan situation where you have similar issues to the Nigerian situation?

The answer is simple: because the foreign operators in the Angolan and Ugandan arenas are working with the political leadership of those countries to rob the ordinary citizens of benefits from the oil in their place. This is the truth.

There are no rivals on the continent - both East and West in matters of oil production. What makes Angola, Uganda or whoever hungrier “for returns to boost their smaller economies?”

Was it not simply because as the report rightly pointed out “they are tempting foreign oil and gas companies with better terms and

“

Are there no political wrangling, even armed struggle in Angola oil areas arising from perceived marginalization, mismanagement of oil revenues and neglect of oil producing areas? What makes Nigeria more corrupt or insecure than Angola or Uganda?

fewer bottlenecks than Nigeria”?

From this explanation, do we still need to pretend not to know the sponsors or rather blackmailers of Nigerian peoples’ effort at reworking the fiscal framework guiding the nation’s oil and gas industry to benefit the country more as compared to what we have in place today? Nigeria from past experiences knows better are now more ready than ever to correct the anomaly in the way things go in the nation’s oil and gas business.

If the U.S. accounted for 35 percent of oil exports from Nigeria in 2011 as said by the report but imported around 40 percent less in 2012, (taking purchases from Nigeria to their lowest in over 20 years) does that mean there is a glut of produced oil in Nigeria?

What is the Asian particularly the Chinese current off-take from the Nigerian produced oil- doubled, tripled or even quadrupled? We need to know this before developing hypertension over American reduction in oil purchases from Nigeria, as the foreign operators want to do. As rightly said by Roddy Barclay, West African analyst at Control Risks, “Declining U.S. demand should actually be an incentive for the Nigerian government to conduct the reforms needed to reduce the losses, leakages and general dysfunction in fiscal relationships between it and the foreign operators.”

Half of the entire sub-Saharan oil output still comes from Nigeria.

The country has established capacity to comfortably double or even triple on a very short notice its crude oil production. So let’s talk of more pressing issues in the industry.

Ifeanyi Izeze an Abujabased Consultant can be reached on: iizeze@yahoo.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

PAGE 15

The self versus the self concept

By Ozodi Thomas Osuji

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ach of us believes that he or she has a self. So, what exactly is the self? We shall answer this question from many levels. We shall begin at the empirical level, the human personality and then work our way to higher levels of the self, the part that is not empirical and not seem by people but that people believe is there.

The self that the individual is conscious of is his self-concept, aka personality. He is also aware that he is more than his personality, after all he knows that the term personality is derived from persona, mask. Ancient Greek actors wore masks to hide their true identities as they enacted the characters of persons who may be in the audience, persons who may resent it and even become belligerent if their character foibles are shown to the audience; some such persons may attack the actors and therefore to protect their selves actors wore masks to hide their true identity. The idea is that the personality is a mask hiding a different self. Beneath the human personality is an unknown self.

Let us begin by understanding how the human personality, the mask we all wear in our daily lives and present to each other to relate to came into being. We shall later grapple with the real self, the self that constructed the self-concept, the thinker and conceptualizer in us that thinks out, conceptualizes a self-concept and identifies with it.

A man and woman get together; the man contributes spermatozoa and the woman contributes an egg; the sperm

By Agba Jalingo

T

he state has got every right and obligation to question and deal with every act that threatens the peaceful co-existence of the citizenry and deal appropriately too with the perpetrators. That is why the idea of incarceration was conceived.

From the days of primitive man to the year when the prison system was validated by a United Nations convention, the underlying motive has always been that of denying the criminal the divine privilege of associating with fellow humans.

Truly, it is folly to think that there is a lesson to be learnt from a firing squad or from the hang man's gallows. At best it tells us that there is no big deal carrying the guns and hanging anyone.

Death will come, when it will come, so said Shakespeare. To think that what is a necessarily end for all men can actually restrain others from the perpetration of atrocities is to assume that the execution of criminals over the years has improved our world in terms of morality.

Of what benefit is a death sentence slammed on a suicide bomber?

The humanities are agreed on the fact that apart from life, the greatest possession of man is the privilege he has to associate with

fertilizes the egg (ova) and a human child is conceived. The human child lives for nine months in his mother’s womb. During that time we do not know what it is thinking about or whether it is even thinking. What is self-evident is that it is physically developing and eventually is delivered as a full blown human child.

During the period of gestation in the womb the child’s body is developing and interacting with the mother’s body. Whatever genetic deficits are in the developing child’s body is experiencing the environment of the womb and even though it is largely cushioned by the womb it is adapting to the womb’s environment with its inherited genetic deficits.

Upon birth the human child’s body begins the struggle to adapt to the exigencies of its physical and social environment. Its body and its inherited deficits determine how it adjusts to the world it finds itself in.

If it inherited severe genetic deficits it may die from inability to cope with the impersonal realities of the physical world. Bacteria, virus, fungi and other germs attack the human child’s body and its immune system defend him. If, for some reasons, the child’s body is unable to develop immunity to the germs trying to make a meal of his body he succumbs to their relentless attacks and becomes sick and perhaps die.

Any child that survives the first few years of existence in body has developed immunity to several germs in its world. The child’s inherited constitution largely determines whether it survives the relentless attacks on

its body by the microorganisms trying to make meals of his body.

Children with severe genetic deficits adapt to their world with compromised bodies and problematic psychological systems.

Alfred Adler told us that the child who inherited problematic organs that find it difficult to cope with the realities of its physical (and social) world may develop what he called inferiority feeling.

Inferiority feeling, however, is unacceptable to the human psyche since it takes power to master the environment. Thus, the human child who feels inferior tries to overcome that sense of inferiority; often he compensates with fictional sense of superiority.

As Adler sees it, neurosis ensues when a child feels inordinately inferior and restitutes with exaggerated sense of superiority, a self that wants to seem superior to other persons and control the environment. The neurotic child, Adler tells us, believes that he must be the best at whatever he is doing or he feels like he is nothing; he has an all or nothing individual psychology; he must be the winner in all situations or he feels like he is a total failure.

Such children obviously are not their desired superior selves but act as if they are superior selves and present such false self- concepts to other people to relate to; they feel good if other persons collude with them and see them as superior persons and feel angry if treated as ordinary persons.

Sigmund Freud had a different hypothesis on the origin of neurosis.

As he sees it, the child came to the world with what he called Id,

instincts of aggression and pleasure. The child has animal drives to get whatever he wants in the area of sex and other goods. In organized society, obviously, no human child can get everything he wants. Society does not permit us to have sex with whomever we want to or attack and take other persons properties.

Society socializes us to do what it considers socially appropriate behaviors, behaviors that make for the efficient operation of society.

If a child is properly socialized he has internalized his society’s norms and is now normal. If he deviates from his society’s accepted behaviors he is punished by society. The typical child, Freud tells us, internalizes society’s values and now in his psyche has what Freud called the Superego (society’s accepted ways of doing things). The superego tries to stifle the desires of the Id. A third part of the psyche, the ego tries to balance the demands of the Id and Superego. In the human psyche, Freud tells us is perpetual warfare between the three forces of id, ego and superego. Where the three forces are balanced the child is normal but where there is misbalance Freud considers the child neurotic.

The neurotic person is supposed to come to Freud (and his disciples called psychoanalysts), lay on his couch and free associate, that is, say whatever enters his mind without blocking out what he thinks are socially unacceptable wishes (including his wish to have sex with the parent of the opposite sex, the famous oedipal complex...Freud believes that children want to have sex with

their parents and siblings; society considers such wishes taboo hence the child repress the desire into his unconscious mind; from the unconscious mind the repressed material influences the individual’s behavior, making his actions sometimes irrational).

If the patient forms proper transference relationship with the psychoanalyst, Freud believes that he is able to understand what is repressed into the patient’s unconscious mind, analyze them and, hopefully, enable the patient to attain emotional balance.

Nevertheless, no human being ever attains complete balance of the three forces in his psyche hence Freud believes that we are all neurotic, some more so than others.

Carl Jung adds another dimension to his understanding of neurosis. He posits what he called the collective unconscious mind.

As he sees it, our species past ideas are now reposed in our collective minds and from there influence our behaviors.

As the child’s body is struggling to adapt to the realities of its physical world it is also responding to the realities of its social world.

Most children are born into families consisting of men and women. Some parents are mature and loving of their children and others do not always love. Some families love their children in what Carl Rogers called unconditionally positive manner, whereas others accept their children conditionally, that is, mostly when they live up to the values of the parents.

Osuji can be reached via ozodiosuji@gmail.com

Nigeria and its AK47 economy (II) fellow human beings.

When a man is considered to have contravened the accepted norms of a society, he is taken away into solitary confinement, separated from other humans and thereby denied the privilege of associating with them.

This denial is in the real sense, more painful than the denial of life in this existence. The dead person has no opportunity of learning from his error. And there are no proofs that others have been learning from the enforcement of capital punishment.

Those who know this have been calling for life imprisonment as the ultimate punishment any man can get from the STATE. The torture of being denied of what is second only to the gift of life which is the privilege of relating with other humans freely for a life time is a more traumatizing experience than death which is the path of everyone whether he be a criminal or a righteous man.

If the most pertinent reason given for the continued justification of capital punishment is the intent to correct and rid the society of miscreants and their activities, then the STATE must be told that, the end can no longer justify the means.

The use of an obsolete tool like capital punishment to attain a reconciliated society defies a basic law of nature.

The means to a particular end must correlate with the end. The means must be the end in the making. Where this does not apply, it is an inequality that must be upturned.

Come to think of it, if the death sentence has been abolished in European countries and some American States where the STATES have reasonably lived up to the social contract by guaranteeing the basic needs of livelihood for the citizenry, how can a fraudulent STATE like Nigeria that has robbed Nigerians of their rights of citizenship, a STATE only reminiscent of George Orwell's Animal Farm, find a moral nexus to execute a criminal who is the product of the actions and inactions of the operators of the machinery of state?

In a country where the citizens are their own government; providing everything for themselves without the input of government that the Constitution says shall guarantee their welfare and security, what moral stand does that STATE have to execute a kidnapper or terrorist who was armed by the desperate politicians?

The Nigerian STATE, is glossing over the fundamental challenge that gave rise to kidnapping and terrorism in Nigeria and are employing panic solutions to an entrenched problem created by a criminal and renteer political class.

Unconscionable looting, primitive acquisition of public wealth and the abysmal incompetence of our leadership have obviously denied Nigerians of the benevolence of our munificent endowment.

And the result is this jungle society where everyone has been left to chart a course for his life without the involvement of government that has completely abdicated its constitutional responsibility to market forces.

The 'AK47 Economy' is just an off shoot of our politics and economic failures. The way to resolve it is not by deluding ourselves with death sentence legislations by those who are not worthy to cast the first stone.

Like Clinton said, until our oil wealth trickles down to the least of us in this country, the death sentence legislations will only serve as "ojuju calabar" for infants.

Sooner or later, the child will discover that the 'Ojuju' is just one

of the uncles or aunties and then the business will go on.

Like several other topical issues out there in public space, we may argue pro and con for the viability of the capital punishment and may never be able to find a common ground.

But ultimately, it lies with the conscience of every man to search his heart and see if every of his actions are made public, whether they will earn us accolades or put us on the path of the kidnappers and the terrorist. That is what will test our convinctions. A murderer today could become a savior tomorrow. And the only place designated for such anticipatory metamorphosis is the prisons.

Paul the Apostle may not have had the opportunity of doing the volumes he did if there was capital punishment to pay him for his initial deeds.

Methinks that if indeed he that kills with the sword must die by the sword, then it lies with He who has the power to kill both the body and soul to pay the killer, which HE will certainly do either here or in the hereafter.

Concluded Agba Jalingo writes from Lagos

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARC H 6, 2013

Lugbe residents demand health care facilities T

Abuja fruit sellers want farmers to invest in planting foreign fruits

K

abusa and Lugbe communities of the FCT, Abuja, have appealed to the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon Micah Jiba and the FCT Administration to establish medical and health care facilities in their areas.

The Hausa community leader in the area , Alhaji Mohammed Yahya, the made the demand on behalf of the communities in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Yahya noted that lack of health care centres in the areas had compounded the health challenges facing the residents.

“There is no any health facility around to take care of the health of pregnant women, children and people who are very sick.

“We have to go to neighbouring communities to seek for health care service and crossing the road is a major challenge when rushing a patient or pregnant woman to the hospital.

“We are appealing to the health board and government to please establish a health care centre to help tackle immunisation for our children and women for antenatal,’’ the community urged.

He noted that a case of wild polio was reported from the community

recently, thus the urgent need to ensure that good health care facilities were provided.

Yahya said that because of the reported case of polio, the residents were ready to accept immunisation and it would be good for government to provide such facilities to satisfy the yearning of the people.

A resident of Kabusa and father of Abubakar Usman, the wild polio victim, Mr Alhasan Usman, advised the public to allow their children to be immunised, having experienced the consequences of not immunising his child.

Usman also called for the

establishment of health facilities in the area to attract people to support government programmes.

Reacting to the demand, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, the Executive Secretary of the FCT Primary Health Care Development Board, said there was plan to establish primary health centre in the area.

Mohammed urged the residents to cooperate with government in safeguarding the health of the people.

He advised the residents to maintain good hygiene to avoid the spread of communicable diseases and contracting infection. (NAN)

Vehicles queue to enter the federal secretariat park, on Monday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Principal wants school fenced

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he Principal of Junior Secondary School (JSS), Sabon-Gari in Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT, Mallam Mohammed Sani Abdullahi yesterday called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to help them fence the

school to avert the problem of insecurity facing it.

He also appealed to FCTA and the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) to build administrative block to enable the principal staff of the school to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

Abdullahi, who made the call

in an interview with Peoples Daily in his office in Gwagwalada, said his administration would continue to partner with UBEB for the smooth running of the school.

He praised the leadership of UBEB for executing people’s oriented projects in schools and called for learning facilities.

The Sabon-Gari school boss

commended the entire staff for their efforts towards the progress of the institution.

Abdullahi further applauded the FCT Minister Senator Bala Mohammed for doling out scholarship to students in the tertiary institutions across the six area councils to encourage them in their studies.

Traditional ruler lauds students over free distribution of HIV kits in Bwari

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he traditional ruler of Sabon Gari Community under Bwari Area Council in FCT, Alhaji Musa Gimba has applauded the students of the Abuja School of Journalism for providing free HIV kits such as condoms to the residents in the community.

He lamented over the

increasing percentage of the dreaded pandemic in the country, calling for self restrained among people to use condoms as a protective sheathe if they are to engage in any form of sexual activities or abstain themselves until they are married .

Alhaji Gimba promised to use his traditional office in the area to educate his people on the negative effect of having an unprotected sex

and also called on the government to do what they could to ensure drastic reduction of the virus in the country.

Also the coordinator of the students,Yusuf Ibrahim explained that the reasons for the visit to Bwari community was due to ignorance of people concerning the HIV pandemic in the country , pointing out that their coming to the community was parts of academic

duty assigned to them in the school as part of community assistance to the people of Bwari community.

The students’ leader commended the traditional leader for his moral support and assistance in making the event fruitful.

He also promised to use the knowledge gained during and after the school year for the benefit of his fellow youths, community and Nigeria in general.

o reduce the amount of foreign exchange spent on the importation of foreign fruits, Abuja fruit sellers has canvassed for investment in the planting of foreign fruits.

A fruit seller at the Maitama Farmers’ Market, Abuja Mallam Yusuf Isa, made the suggestion said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.

Yusuf observed that fruits such as apple, plum and grapes, among others, were hardly planted in the country.

According to him, some organic materials can help the fruits germinate since the country does not have the soil texture to plant some of these fruits.

He noted that some of these foreign fruits had a lot of industrial value that could boost the economy of the country and also create jobs for the unemployed.

Isa added that these fruits could be eaten raw or used in making wine, jam, juice, jelly, seed extract, raisins, vinegar and seed oil.

“There is nothing exceptional in these fruits and I do not see why our rich farmers cannot plant them.

“If these fruits are being planted here; they will be cheaper and they will be found at any fruits market.

These fruits are good for our health but how can the poor afford a fruit of about N1,500 per kilo?

“But planting it here can make it more accessible for traders like us,” Isa said.

Another fruit seller, Malam Haruna Abdulazeez, observed that though the patronage for the foreign fruits was not high, it should not stop farmers in the country from planting it.

“In this Farmers’ Market, we sell both foreign and local varieties of fruits and we have realised that a lot of customers prefer to buy the local varieties.

“Our customers prefer the local varieties because they trust the source.So these same set of people will accept the foreign fruits if it is being planted here.

“For example, we sell the locally planted strawberry and also the imported one; but most customers prefer the local varieties to the imported ones.”

He said that even if the country would import these fruits, it should have their local varieties.

Meanwhile, Mrs Abimbola Kalejaiye, a consumer, urged farmers in the country to task themselves to plant foreign fruits.

“Sometimes, I really cannot figure out the difference between the smallholder farmers and the commercial farmers because they all think the same way.’’

“With the number of commercial farmers we have in this country, the importation of fruits should have been a forgotten issue.

“Abuja residents are lucky. Most of these foreign fruits are not even sold in some states in this country, which should not be so,’’ she said.

(NAN)

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

784 Agyana residents in FCT access HIV tests, counseling

T

he Agyana Clinic in Abaji Area Council of the FCT has s a i d t h a t 784 residents have benefited from the HIV and AIDS testing and counseling, with 20 of them testing positive.

Mr Umar Sa’idu, who is in-charge of the programme, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abaji that those that tested positive were referred to the Abaji General Hospital to access HIV services.

Sa’idu said that the clinic was able to sensitise and mobilise the people through the collaboration of both the community and village development committees, including other relevant groups in the area.

He said that the HIV and AIDS programme started in the clinic in February, 2012.

“So far, we have screened 784 people, both in the out-patients department and the Prevention of Mother to

Child Transmission (PMTCT) with the cooperation of the Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and the traditional rulers.

“In the community, we run outreach and facility services and this has helped us to get many people to access HIV and AIDS programmes in the clinic.”

He said that in 2012, the health workers were trained on HIV and AIDS testing and counseling, adding that necessary materials were supplied to enhance health workers’ performance.

“We included some groups in the community to assist in sensitising and mobilising the people within the ward on HIV and AIDS programmes to access health care services.

“We have community development committee and village development committee, we called them after the training and enlightened them on the programme.”

Saidu said that one of the health workers was trained

recently on HIV and AIDS to enhance treatment in the clinic and also to reduce cases of referring patients to the general hospital.

He said that logistics was the major challenge in the clinic, adding that health workers found it difficult to reach out to some clients, especially the Fulanis’ communities.

Saidu also said that the clinic lacked potable water and consistent power supply.

He said that in the clinic, patients were not admitted, instead they were observed for five or six hours and if there was no improvement they would be referred to the Abaji General Hospital.

“We do not have wards but observation section and any severe case that needs secondary management, we refer.”

Saidu said that Excellence Friends Management Consult (EFMC) had been of immense support to the programme or activities on HIV and AIDS. (NAN)

Demolition: Victims call on FCT minister to redeem pledge on social housing scheme

S

ome victims of the 2012 demolition exercises in the Federal Capital City of Abuja have appealed to the FCT Administration to redeem its pledge on social housing scheme, to reduce their suffering.

Some of the victims, in Abuja, said the FCTA had yet to fulfil the promise it made to the National Assembly six months ago.

They claimed that said FCT Minister Bala Mohammed, made the promise while addressing the members of the National Assembly committee on FCT over the demolition exercise.

Mrs Kate Bulus, a widow whose house was demolished at Kuchigoro, close to the Abuja city gate, said the social housing scheme pledged by the minister to the displaced persons was her only hope.

“My five children and I are looking forward to the fulfilment of the promise made by the minister.

“Since the death of my husband two years ago, I have been the only one catering for my family, we have no other place to go to.

“We are begging the minister to come to our aid and start the construction of the houses,” she pleaded.

Another displaced person, Mr Ayuba Musa, a businessman, whose shop and house were demolished in September 2012 at Kagini village, located on the Kubwa road, said that he was putting up with a friend at Dutse-Alhaji.

Musa said that the social housing scheme was the only solution to the p r o b l e m s of housing for poor Nigerians.

Also speaking, Mrs

Latifat Ayeni, a civil servant who bought two bedroom bungalows at the Minanuel estate, on the airport road which was demolished in October 2012, called for the actualisation of the scheme.

“The housing scheme will help to reduce the hardship my family is currently facing; since I lost my two bedroom apartment last year, I have been thinking of where to get another place to stay.

It would be recalled that the FCT minister in November last year approved the allocation of 50 hectares of land to build the first phase of the Abuja Social Housing Scheme.

The minister said that the victims of the demotion exercise and the low income earners would be catered for in the social housing.

(NAN)

Labourer, 20, bags 2 and half months jail for theft

A

Kuje Area Court in the FCT on Monday sentenced one Janedu Mohammed, a labourer, to two and half months imprisonment for criminal trespass and theft.

The Judge, Mr Nuhu Ibrahim, however, gave the convict an option of N10,000 fine and another N30,000 to be paid to the complainant.

The Police Prosecutor, Asp. Samuel Ochefu, told the court that one Haruna Magaji of Kuchiyako Village in Kuje, reported the matter at the Kuje Police Station on Feb. 17.

The Prosecutor said that Mohammed of no fixed address entered the complainant's farm and stole 200 pieces of yams, valued at N40,000.

Ochefu said that during police investigation, it was discovered that the accused had been stealing the complainant's yams in his farm for two years until he was caught recently.

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

Mohammed pleaded guilty to the offence. (NAN)

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

Why power outage occurred at Lagos airport - FAAN

Mob: 08033644990

Nigeria maintains 8 % export growth since 2007 - Report

N

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos igeria’s export growth has been consistent at 8 percent since 2007, according to Maersk Line trade update released in Lagos.

The country’s trade report released by the international shipping giant said traditional commodities including electronics, cars, food items, chemicals, machinery and paper among other goods covering industrial needs remained the dominant items imported into Nigeria in 2012.

The Trade Report also indicated that agricultural products including cocoa, cashew nuts, sesame and cotton

Non-oil imports hit 344.4m metric tonnes in 5 years - NPA From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

T

he volume of non-oil cargo imported into Nigerian ports has grown to 344.415 million metric tons in five years, covering 2007 to 2011, according to statistics released by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

A breakdown of the statistics shows that a total of 54.641 million metric tonnes of cargo was imported into the country in 2007; 65.192 million metric tonnes in 2008; 66.908 million metric tonnes in 2009; 74.910 million metric tonnes in 2010 and 82.763 million metric tonnes in 2011.

According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), non-oil imports for 2007 to 2011 amounted to N32.1 trillion in monetary terms.

A breakdown of this, shows that Nigerians spent N3.9 trillion in 2007; N5.2 trillion in 2008; N5.1 trillion in 2009; N7.6 trillion in 2010 and N10.2 trillion in 2011.

The cargoes were brought into the country in the form of general, dry bulk and containerised cargoes, imported through the Apapa , Warri and Onne ports, as well as Tin-Can 1 and 11 ports in Lagos.

They comprised of consumer goods, capital goods, raw materials and miscellaneous goods. Capital goods and raw materials accounted for the highest proportion of the total non-oil cargo imports, to the tune of 195.938 million metric tonnes (N18.2 trillion); followed by consumer goods amounting to 156.709 million metric tonnes (N13.62 trillion) while the miscellaneous goods are responsible for the remaining 2.101 million metric tonnes (N0.3 trillion).

dominated the list of containerised commodities exported from Nigeria.

“We see very few finished products being exported”, said Managing Director of Maersk Nigeria Limited and Head of the Central West Africa Cluster, Mr. Jan Thorhauge.

Thorhauge said in the report that the 2012 containerised import market to Nigeria was estimated to have ended at 383,000 FFE (forty foot equivalent units) which following the significant 22 per cent increase observed in 2011 over 2010"The East Nigerian market outperformed West Nigeria in terms of growth in percentage terms.

While the first half of 2012 saw the import market remained above the 2011 level, this changed during the second half of the year where volumes dropped and for the last five months of the year were consistently below the same period in 2011", he said.

Thorhauge said that Maersk Line maintained its position as the leading shipping line operating into Nigeria and – combined with its sister

company, Safmarine - command an estimated 38 per cent share of the import market and 32 per cent on the export market.

On Nigeria’s trade balance, he said: “The containerised market in Nigeria continued to be strongly dominated by imports, and since 2007 the import/ export ratio has remained at about 92 per cent.”Nigeria would be able to positively influence this ratio if obstacles such as unreliable power supply and poor road and rail infrastructure were improved.”

In terms of sourcing, he said Nigeria still imports most of the containerised cargo from the Far East and China in particular. The Maersk Nigeria boss said the sourcing patterns have not changed fundamentally in the last five years even though imports from Europe are seeing a downward trend.

“Our expectations for the 2013 import market are conservatively optimistic, and we expect the market to grow by six or eight per cent. The export market is subject to harvest conditions and global market prices, but we foresee an increase of between 8 and 10 per cent in

2013”, he stated.

He said most of the terminals in Nigeria have made major investments in 2012 in terms of infrastructure, container handling equipment and terminal management software, adding that these investments, along with the dampened market, have resulted in Lagos ports – for the first time in many years – being congestion free for an unprecedented nine months in a row.”

APMT Apapa has in early 2013 initiated the final phase of their expansion plans, and both TICT and Ports and Cargo Handling Services are today operating almost entirely with RTG’s (rubber tired gantry cranes) which has dramatically increased the yard capacity.

The average dwelltime days (the time spent between a container being discharged and leaving the terminal) has also gone down by around 40 per cent”.

“Irrespective of these improvements, it is expected that the terminal capacity in Lagos ports will be fully utilized within the coming years, and it is essential that steps are taken

Cordinator, Honourary International Investors Council (HIIC) and Chairman, Africa Matters Limited, Baroness Lynda Chalker (right),briefing State House correspondents after her meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday in Abuja. with her is Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga (left).

Photo: Joe Oroye

Management Tip of the Day

N

Encourage employees to want to stay

o employer likes to deal with turnover, especially when losing good people.

But your employees need good reasons to stick around. Here are three things you can do to earn their commitment: Give them responsibility. This will show your employees you trust them.

Encourage them to gain new

skills. Hire from within wherever possible, and give generous promotions at appropriate times.

Show respect. Employees want to know they are appreciated. Make it a priority to display admiration for them on a regular basis.

Be generous with time off. Provide sufficient time for

sick days, family vacations, new babies, etc. Expect and even demand high-quality performance, but don’t assume employees can constantly work at maximum productivity nor pressure them to do so. Allow them the chance to breathe between projects.

Source: Harvard Business Review

to find new terminal capacity in order to keep up with Nigeria’s economic growth. Poor road infrastructure outside the terminals and lacking rail services also remain a concern”, he stated.

Sacked Kaduna textile workers to receive N313m – Union leader From Nasiru Mu’azu Isa

R

eprieve has come the way of sacked workers of two comatose textiles companies in Kaduna yesterday, as shareholders agreed to offset outstanding salaries and gratuities of the workers to the tune of N313 million.

The payment, it was gathered, would be made in installments.

The two textile factories, FINETEX and NORTEX, had been closed down ten years ago, with hundreds of their workers asked to go home, while a backlog of salaries arrears and other entitlements, running into millions of naira remained unsettled.

The Secretary-General of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, Issa Aremu, who dropped the hint about the new development, assured the anxious workers that justice had finally come their way.

Addressing workers of the two firms in Kaduna, Aremu asked them to be calm as according to him, the long battle has been won. He disclosed that the union had already entered into agreement with the owners of the two companies on the issue, stressing that their entitlements would be settled soon.

According to him, out of the N305 million in gratuities owed the workers, the owners of the companies have agreed to make a part payment of N250 million, and offset the total sum of N63 million salaries arrears of the workers.

“It took us ten years to get to this level, and if I tell you the amount of resources this union has spent, both time and money, in court cases because since the companies closed, people thought we had no sympathy for workers.

It was when the companies closed that we should even have more sympathy for workers and members. And that is why we kept on with this struggle,” Aremu said.

“We pray that FINETEX, NORTEX must come back to business, not only must you be paid your benefits, you must also return to the family of national union of textiles”, he further said.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS

Airtel Africa

W

omen farmers in the Africa region are poised to benefit from practical information-sharing tools via Airtel’s mobile networks.

This follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the UN Women (The United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women) and Airtel Africa.

As per the MoU, UN Women will identify the farmers to be covered under this initiative, while Airtel will package and deliver the appropriate mobile solutions to support their livelihoods and enhance their efficiency.

World Bank

A

frica’s agricultural sector could become a $1 trillion industry by 2030 if governments and the private sector radically rethink policies and support for farmers, the World Bank said in a report released on Monday.

Africa’s food market, currently valued at $313 billion a year, could triple if farmers modernized their practices and had better access to credit, new technology, irrigation and fertilizers, according to the new report titled: “Growing Africa: Unlocking the Potential of Agribusiness.

“The World Bank said African farmers have a unique opportunity to tap into growing demand from a burgeoning middle class with more expensive tastes, an expected four-fold increase in urban supermarkets in Africa and higher commodity prices.

First Bank

F

irst Bank customers using the Automated Teller Machines for cash withdrawals are to pay N100 monthly, with effect from this month, according to a notice released in Abuja on Monday.

The notice for the new charge captioned 'Card Maintenance Fee' reads: "Dear valued customer, in order to serve you better, from March 2013, a monthly N100 card maintenance fee will be charged for all cash withdrawals within the month.’’

First Bank had on February 11, increased its charges on interbank money transfer, against moves by the Central Bank of Nigeria for a downward review of bank charges on customers. It would be recalled that the Bankers' Committee meeting of November 2012, scrapped the N100 interbank charge on use of ATM cards.

T

he ever-expanding moonscape that stretches out behind a wall holding back the Atlantic Ocean here will one day host a project designed to help anchor Nigeria as Africa’s biggest economy.

But if the ambitious plan to construct a new city on land reclaimed from the sea, called Eko Atlantic, represents Nigeria’s future, it is one that will be outsourced. Nearly every aspect of it will be privately run, from electricity supply to security.

Economists expect Nigeria, already the continent’s most populous nation and largest oil producer, to overtake South Africa in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the next several years, technically making it Africa’s biggest economy.

But the impressive-sounding title tells an incomplete story, and the Eko Atlantic new city project illustrates the contradictions in a country crippled by corruption and unable to provide basic services, but with vast potential that could indeed one day be realised.

“The more important thing is, fundamentally, you have a population of 165-million” while South Africa’s is around 52million, said Bismarck Rewane, a respected economist and head of Lagos-based Financial Derivatives.

“So even if you are the same GDP, your GDP has to be four times more – 400% more than that of South Africa for you to have [roughly] the same income per capita.”

Base years A recalculation of Nigeria’s GDP is the main reason it is projected to overtake South Africa. Nigeria’s economic output data is currently calculated using 1990 as the base year.

In order to come up with more accurate data, the new figures will use 2008, greatly boosting overall Nigerian GDP, which the World Bank put at $244-billion for 2011 compared with South Africa’s $408-billion.

The rebasing is expected to be complete in October, and economists are predicting a GDP boost of about 40%, which would

Nigeria set to overtake S/Africa as Africa’s biggest economy

The 3.5km-long sea defence barrier called ‘The Great Wall of Lagos’ was built to shield Eko Atlantic - a new city born from the Altantic ocean in Lagos - from coastal erosion. (AFP) put Nigeria within striking distance of South Africa.

Since Nigeria’s economy has been growing faster than South Africa’s – at an estimated rate of 6.6% for 2012 compared with 2.5% – the West African nation would then move ahead of its southern rival in subsequent years.

Nigeria’s economy has been supported in particular by high oil prices and the rapid growth of the mobile phone industry.

Agriculture accounts for about 40% of GDP and the country is trying to boost production in that sector.

Estimates for when Nigeria will at least equal South Africa have ranged from as early as 2014 to around five years from now.

Corruption fights back It is clear that certain officials in Nigeria, including the country’s finance minister and central bank governor, made serious efforts to reduce corruption and put the country on sound financial footing.

Progress was made in areas including bank reform, and the government tried to create a sovereign wealth fund to better invest oil revenues.

But the often repeated line here is that when someone fights corruption, corruption fights

back. Reformers often find themselves checkmated by powerful interests that profit from dysfunction.

The country relies on the oil industry for some 80% of its revenue and most of the population still lives on less than $2 per day.

Any visit to Nigeria reveals its woeful infrastructure, including repeated electricity cuts. Graft pervades all levels of society, helping to create a vast gulf between a corrupt elite and the millions of poor. Such inequality has been in part blamed for violence.

Extemist attacks Islamist extremist attacks and the military’s response to them have left 3 000 people dead in the country’s northern and central regions. Extremists in the mainly Muslim north have recently resorted to kidnappings of foreigners.

Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a respected former World Bank managing director who has pushed hard for reforms, saw her own mother kidnapped in December and held for five days.

She nonetheless appears determined to push on, and in her efforts to promote Nigeria and its potential, she has claimed progress in tackling

violence and seeks to downplay continuing attacks.

“You will not say that because you had the Newtown, Connecticut shooting in the US, the US is now a risky place you don’t go into,” she told a recent investors’ conference in Lagos, referring to the December school shooting that killed 20 children and six adults.

“So we will have these events. We are not minimising them, but we have to fight them and are fighting them head on.”

‘Not fair’ Nigeria’s potential can be seen in the Dubai-like Eko Atlantic project on the edge of Lagos, where sand dredged from the ocean is building a planned 10-square-kilometre new city.

While it might one day serve as a showcase, some residents and activists say that its steady electricity, clean water and private security will offer something still unavailable to the vast majority of Nigerians.

Those who work and sometimes sleep on a nearby beach and who will eventually be evicted to make way for the project were resigned to the plan.

“Most things that happen in Nigeria are not fair,” concluded Toyin Olajide, a 45-year-old mother of five who runs a food stall there. (Source: AFP)

Why power outage occurred at Lagos airport - FAAN From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

T

he Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN yesterday said the power outage that temporarily halted flight operations at the International wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos on Monday is attributed to the loss of supply from two power stations to the facility as a result of thunderstorm on Monday.

The terminal building was said to have being thrown into temporary darkness as a result of the heavy rain storm that occurred in Lagos on Monday night and disrupted power supply to the airport building for about six minutes due to a power surge from the two main PHCN power supply sources to the

airport.

Corporate Communications General Manager of FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Datti told our correspondent that the airport is connected to two main power sources from Ejigbo and Egbin power stations.

According to him, the storm initially knocked-off the power supply from Ejigbo which led to a three-minute outage at the airport before the agency’s engineers switched over to the alternate power supply source from Egbin which also was later affected by the storm, leading to another three minute power outage.

“Our engineers then switched over to the airport’s standby generators, some panels of which were unfortunately soaked with

water, due to the heavy flooding that resulted from the heavy rainfall. This resulted in a blackout at the “E” wing of the airport, including the avio bridges.” He said.

Datti said “It was for this reason that arriving passengers on an international flight were processed through an alternative route at the terminal and in the process, were exposed momentarily to the rain.”

He further explained that all departing flights were delayed for about 30 minutes, to enable FAAN engineers rectify the faults in the generators before full power supply was later restored to the airport leading to resumption of all operations.

Our reporter who visited the terminal yesterday gathered

that there were no accidents or injuries to anybody at the airport as a result of the power outage while United Airlines, Delta and Air France delayed their passengers from disembarking from their aircraft.

It was gathered that the power improvement project at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, which would eliminate incidents such as this at the airport, has been completed and is being test run, preparatory to the formal commissioning of the project.

A statement from FAAN said the Authority sincerely apologizes to all airport users, especially passengers and airline operators, for that power outage and deeply regrets any inconvenience caused them, as a result of the incident.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

10 ways travel is getting better

M

ost Americans have already kicked into Thanksgiving mode, looking ahead to Thursday when they'll sit down with family and friends, pile an unfathomable amount of food on their plates and then sleep it off to the soothing sound of supersized men smacking helmets on TV. But between now and then madness lies. There will be traffic jams and long security lines and countless other aggravations that will make you wish that this year you had stayed home and opened a can of tuna.

Don't despair. Believe it or not, traveling is getting easier.

Here are 10 innovations that can help you now or give you hope about the future.

1) You're the one who likes his cranapple juice shaken, not stirred: British Airways is breaking ground in showing passengers how much it knows about them. As part of its "Know Me" program launched last summer, the airlines is using data it has accumulated about its customers to allow flight crews to give them particularly personal service.

For instance, say a person is flying business class for the first time. That would be flagged 0n the crew's iPads and a flight attendant could offer a special welcome and make sure he or she knew how to use the seat. Or someone who usually flies business class might instead be in coach taking a vacation trip with his family.

A crew member might offer a free drink and make a fuss in front of the whole gang. That'll score some points.

The big question, though, is when does knowing so much a customer slide from solicitous to creepy?

2) People you meet at airports can be so shallow: When they started showing up at a dozen or so airports around the world this summer, greeter avatars were by no means a sure hit. There was some concern that arriving passengers would be creeped out by holograms that go into a 90-second rap on airport infolocation of baggage claim, bathrooms, etc.-as soon as anyone comes within 30 feet of them.

But generally the response has been positive, with plenty of passengers reaching for their cell phones to snap shots of these virtual women for the folks back home. And why not?

They're happy to be on a firstname basis. (Hi, I'm Eva…or Paige or Emily or Heather or Carla.) And they no doubt they bring back memories of Princess Leia, only they're taller, have much better hair and are way too cheery to bring up anything having to do with Death Stars.

3) Because the real adventure starts after you

Are you ready for some travel? leave the airport: Last year the Australian start-up Rome2rio launched its search engine designed to provide you with all the travel details for any trip-not just airport-to-airport, but door-to-door. So it includes train schedules and prices, driving routes, even ferry times, if that's part of the journey. And just last month, it came out with an iPhone app that digs up the same info for you.

4) But can it make the cheapest be the fastest?: Madrid-based Amadeus has been in the airfare search business for several years now, but next year it hopes to take a big leap forward in simplifying the process for travelers.

Using a technology it calls Featured Results, it will be able to do a high-speed search of all possible fares between two locations and, in a matter of seconds, provide the top option in three different categoriesthe cheapest, the fastest, and the most popular.

5) The next best thing to not having a layover: Another tech product that's been around for a few years is the mobile app GateGuru. It gives travelers the lowdown on the mysterious world beyond the gate-where you can find the best food, the best airport bar, the fastest security lines, a place to get a massage, the ATMs.

Now it's entered into a partnership with JCDecaux, a company that handles advertising at airports. Which means the GateGuru content will soon be showing up in digital displays in airports. The first will be at BaltimoreWashington Airport.

6) And then you shoot on down to LA: You have to admit that Elon Musk has earned some cred when it comes to transportation. He's co-founder of Tesla Motors-its Model S was just chosen Motor Trends' "Car of the Year"-and founder of SpaceX-which last month flew the first commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station.

So when he talks about a transit system that he says could move people from San Francisco to Los Angeles in a half hour, you can't dismiss him as someone who's been munching on a bowl of crazy.

Musk's idea is something he calls "Hyperloop," which he described as a cross between the Concorde and a railgun. Based on the few details he's provided, it would be some kind of tube vehicle that would be able to leave as soon as you arrive and then get you to SF or LA in half the time a plane would take.

7) While you're in the neighborhood: Airbnb started out as an online service that hooked up people looking for a

Photo Flickr place to sleep in another city or country with people willing to have strangers stay over. And it's grown quickly-it has listings of 250,000 properties in 30,000 different cities around the world.

Now it's taken a leap toward becoming more of a full-blown travel service by launching guides to the lesser-known neighborhoods where Airbnb clients are more likely to be staying. So far neighborhood guides have been rolled out in New York, Paris, London, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Berlin, and Rio de Janeiro.

8) What did you expect in Vegas, a milk store?: Given the location, this seems long overdue, but now an operation called the Liquor Library is open for business in Las Vegas' McCarran Airport. It's just as it sounds, a place where travelers can pick up beer, wine or booze-and not in some dutyfree shop, but in a real live liquor convenience store that calls itself a library.

9) Surprise! There's a Cracker Barrel in your future: Yes, we'd all like to be able to predict the future, but sometimes we'd settle for being able to know what's off the next exit. That's where mobile apps, such as Road Ninja, can make your life easier. It not only lets you know what's up ahead, but you can also call ahead or read

a restaurant review, although there's only so much you can say about Denny's Grand Slam.

10) What, no free cocktails for the parents?: Early next year, Air Asia will start setting aside a kid-free zone on its flights. And now a California consulting firm, RKS Design, has gone even further by dreaming up how an all-family airline might work.

They've named it cAir and it would feature express checkin services, stroller rentals and play lounges to keep the kids amused. The seats would be arranged so parents would face their kids, bathrooms would be large enough for diaper changes, and sound curtains could be pulled around a noisy little tyke. A kid would even be able to pick out a toy to play with during the flight-which parents would have the opportunity to buy if they can't wrench it from his hands.

For now, it's only a conceptno one's sure if you could actually make a business out of the idea.

Video bonus: The Hobbit opens soon and fittingly Air New Zealand has started airing safety videos featuring a few flight attendants who look like they took a detour from Middle Earth. Sit back and relax, my precious.

(Culled from Smithsonian.com)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

PAGE 22

Sceptre E165BD-HD LED HDTV

T

Best gadgets for a road trip

C

he 16-inch E165BDHD LED HDTV works perfectly fine at home, but is just as happy on the road. This thin, light monitor has an ATSC/NTSC/Clear QAM digital tuner, for TV onthe-go.

It's also got a built-in DVD player, two HDMI inputs and a USB port, for watching a whole range of stored media in 720p. And most importantly to its mobility, it comes with a car adapter -- plus, it's energy efficient, so it won't drain your battery.

Price: $199 (N32, 000) Verbatim 8GB Store 'n' Go car audio USB

T

his miniscule 8GB Store 'n' Go Car Audio USB is barely bigger than the male USB jack itself, but can hold a couple thousand songs. So load it up from your Linux, Mac or Windows computer and plug it into the USB port on your head unit.

You'll have enough tunes to drive straight across the country, no iPod necessary! Price: $14.75 ( N 2,400)

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

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

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

T

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

Goal Zero Yeti 1250

quarter-inch jack for a guitar or microphone.

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

Price: $119 (N19,040)

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

vehicle, using BlueDriver.

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

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

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

Price: $39.95 (N6,400)

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

When not enabling your phone gabbing, it can

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

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

Price: $69 (N11,040)

Lemur Vehicle Monitors BlueDriver

N T

Griffin Technology WindowSeat 3 HandsFree

F

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

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

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

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

Price: $39.99 (N 6,400).

Source: techtimes.com

PEOSPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

Report as at Tuesday, March 5, 2013

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

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Space-Saving Tricks for Small Kitchens A well-designed kitchen has minimal clutter and maximum efficiency. Whether you're redecorating or totally remodeling, here are some great ideas to make your small kitchen look larger and more beautiful.

Mirrors Work Magic A kitchen with a mirrored backsplash as in this picture gives the illusion of more space. The kitchen opens up to the living room on one side and the family room, where we eat and watch TV, on the other. The idea is that it should be an extension of both of these spaces.

Think Upward The designer of this small kitchen extends the kitchen upwards to ensure accommodation of stuff and to avoid clutter. Home Depot designer Emily O'Keefe added cabinetry with period charm to this small kitchen. "Since space was tight, I went up, stacking the cabinets," she says. "The ceilings are 11 feet high, but not every cabinet touches the ceiling - that way they look more like furniture." Its a smart idea worth trying in your own kitchen.

The design sense envisions a house where "every window would be a picture." In this master bath, the tub is installed between a pair of stately walnut shelving units, which display ceramics and provide easy access to stacked towels while framing the extraordinary mountain views.

Designers understand the transformative power of even a small renovation. To take advantage of all the extraordinary ocean views, the designer ripped out the false ceiling in the bathroom and installed dramatic double-height windows.

PAGE 26

By Udenna Orji

M

ass housing developer, El-Salem Nigeria Limited has given graphic details of the invasion of its office by the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) saying that the CPC lied to members of the public in looking for reasons to justify its unwarranted invasion of El-Salem's headoffice. The invasion has been roundly condemned by industry operators and members of the public.

Some CPC officials had invaded the Area 1, Abuja headoffice of El-Salem last week following a minor dispute a CPC staff member has with the reputable mass housing developer. The CPC officials alleged that El-Salem did not fulfill its obligations to some people and carted away some of the developer's office equipment.

Addressing the press in Abuja at the weekend, the managing director of El-Salem, Mr. Ben Gbade Ojo said the CPC staff and three others only made equity payments of 20 -30 percent of the cost of the houses they want but are bent on being given the houses without completing full payment for the houses.

According to Ojo, "On Monday February 25, 2013 around 10 a. m, residents and passers-by of the Garki Area I section of Abuja watched in horror as a convoy of vehicles belonging to the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) filled with its officials, thugs and stern-looking armed policemen, swept into the premises of ElSalem Nigeria Ltd, located in the area and in a true Gestapo style, as if starring in a gangster movie, the CPC officials, along with their thugs and policemen, jumped out of their vehicles and invaded the head office of ElSalem. El-Salem workers on duty were quickly rounded-up at gun-point, while the invading CPC gang went from room to room, jerking off computers, office equipment, files, telecommunication cables and several other office items. These they carted away and loaded into their vehicles even as members of the public gathered and looked on in amazement.

The El-Salem office was completely looted by the CPC officials and their thugs, and appeals by our traumatized and cowed staff to be allowed to take inventory of El-Salem property being carted away were rejected by the CPC officials and their thugs".

Continuing, Mr. Ojo said "contrary to the misinformation being dished out to the public by the CPC, we wish to state in very clear terms, that there is no subscriber who has fully paid for his or her house that has not been given the house. El-Salem has more houses in the estate than there are subscribers and anybody who fully completes payment for any of the houses will be handed the house the same day. Till today, we do not have anybody who has completed payment for a house but who has not been given the house. There are still many houses at the estate waiting for buyers. We want to state clearly

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

“Consumer Protection Council lied” – El-Salem MD

Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms Amal Pepple, commissioning the first phase of El-Salem’s 700 Housing Units Cooperative City Garden Estate, Lugbe, Abuja. El-Salem MD, Mr. Ben Gbade Ojo (2nd right), MD, Federal Mortage Bank of Nigeria (FCMB), Alhaji Yau’Kumo (3rd right) that the CPC wrote to us in respect of four subscribers who made equity payments of 20 30 percent but who have not been able to complete payment for their houses either installmentally or through mortgage over the years and yet are asking for houses to be given to them, or their equity payments to be refunded.

Firstly, El-Salem Nigeria Limited delivers houses only to subscribers who have made full payment for their houses either outright, installmentally or through mortgage. El-Salem does not deliver houses to those who have not made full payment for their houses. Secondly, if a subscriber pays 10 or 20 percent of the cost of the house and is unable to pay further and after some years begins to ask for a refund, it is going to be difficult

because the money has been used to develop the house beyond the level of the equity contribution.

In such a case, the subscriber will have to wait for the house to be sold or get a buyer to buy the house in order to get a refund".

Ojo stressed that " El-Salem has successfully built and delivered over 400 housing units to our satisfied subscribers who fully paid for them and are living in their houses today.

How could our refusal to hand over houses to four subscribers who have not completed their payment amount to fraud on our part? It will interest members of the public to know that the CPC, with all the falsehood it is dishing out, has not bothered to visit the estate it is talking about and so has no knowledge of what is truly on ground at the estate.

The Council is naively

“

How could our refusal to hand over houses to four subscribers who have not completed their payment amount to fraud on our part? It will interest members of the public to know that the CPC, with all the falsehood it is dishing out, has not bothered to visit the estate it is talking about and so has no knowledge of what is truly on ground at the estate.

perpetrating illegality based on inaccurate information it received from four subscribers who till today have not completed payment for their houses but would like to be handed over the houses. We fully assure subscribers to our Cooperative City Garden who have paid their equity contributions and are yet to receive their houses that their houses are on ground and will be delivered to them as soon as such subscribers complete full payment for their houses".

"We wish to state, without any equivocation, that the CPC lied in all ramifications. For the avoidance of doubt, El-Salem Nigeria Limited is a multiple, award-winning, mass housing development company with a verifiable track record of delivering high quality and affordable homes. We still hold the award of "Most Outstanding Estate Developer in Abuja" given to us by the (Resident Doctors Association of Nigeria Abuja Branch). El-Salem is a high ranking member of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) and also a member of the American National Association of Home Builders. We also have, on-going housing projects a 300 units Dutse Affordable Housing Estate. Dutse Jigawa State. ElSalem has developed and delivered the Anu-Oluwa Estates, Phases 1 and 2 in Kubwa and the houses were fully purchased by Nigerians who are living there now. Currently, ElSalem is developing Cooperative City Garden, Pyakassa, Lugbe,

a beautifully planned 700 housing units estate being developed in three phases. We have completed the Phase 1, with over 300 houses fully built. The beautiful estate boasts of a good tarred road network, 2 units of 500 KVA transformers, streetlights, culverts, drainages, landscaped grounds, 3 water supply reservoirs, safety and security surveillance systems, provision for schools, medical centre, shopping centre, in addition to other trappings of luxury. The first phase was commissioned by the Honourable Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple.

Durring the commissioning ceremony, the Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Alhaji Yau' Kumo in his speech noted that " El-Salem is a proof that mortgage-backed housing works in Nigeria and the company is also a major proof that the National Housing Fund Programme is working". Many Nigerians have bought many of the completed houses in the Cooperative City Garden and are living in the estate now". Ojo said.

Athough the CPC officials told journalists that El-Salem refused to honour the Council's invitation either in writing or visit, El-Salem has now released several documents to the press showing that it responded to CPC's invitations both through letters and visits to the council's head-office, leading observers to conclude that the CPC officials are pursuing personal vendetta.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

PAGE 27

We’ll remove bottlenecks to land-titling – FG

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s housing development stakeholders continue to lobby for the repeal of the Land Use Act to make land more available for housing development, the chairman, Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform, Prof.

Peter Adeniyi has said the Federal Government has no plan to repeal the Act. In several presentations to the Presidency and the National

Assembly, housing stakeholders, including property developers, estate surveyors and valuers had called for the repeal of the Land Use Act saying the power it gave state governors to control land allocation in their states had politicized land administration and made it cumbersome, expensive and time-consuming to obtain land and title rights for housing development. They had argued that a repeal of the Act

would enhance affordable housing development and drastically reduce Nigeria’s estimated deficit of 16 million housing units.

But while speaking with newsmen at the weekend, Prof.

Adeniyi revealed that the Federal Government would not repeal the Land Use Act. According to him, “It is important at this point to state categorically that the land reform programme

of the Federal Government is not intended to repeal the Land Use Act or usurp the powers of the state governors and local government chairmen in land administration or deny individuals or communities the right to their lands”.

While noting that land reform is critical in achieving President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda, he said the federal government’s land

reform was focused on identifying and removing bottlenecks hindering land titling and registration process within the current land administration system in Nigeria. He said his committee was working on pilot schemes in Kano and Ondo states involving identification and registration of title rights that may usher in a new land administration system in Nigeria.

Experts identify obstacles to housing development in Nigeria

E

state surveyors and real estate practitioners who concluded a two-day international conference on housing held at Lagos have identified the following as obstacles to housing development in Nigeria.

Low Income Nigerians have a per capita income of about $1000, about half our National per capital income in 1975. Despite the high oil revenue of the last three decades, poverty has remained with us in Nigeria.

Poverty in Nigeria used to be rural-based but between 1985 and 1992, the number of the poor in rural areas fell sharply from 25.3 million to 22.8 million while those in urban centers rose from 9.7 to 11.9.

A low income is a big constraint in accessing affordability because mortgage is all about the ability to service loan when due. For this reason the majority of Lagosians live in rooming houses (73 per cent) as tenants. Singapore which was our peer in the early sixties has managed to house up to 85 percent of its citizens in owneroccupied flats and houses.

Dearth of Long-Term Funds High rates of interest and inflation have been typical features of our volatile economy since the introduction of Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) in 1986.

The Naira has suffered extensive depreciation averaging 45 percent per annum between 1987 and 1993, from an exchange rate of N1.0 to $1.0 in 1987 to N120.0 to $1.0. Because most of our building materials have traditionally been imported, the effect of this depreciation has been a rapid rise in cost of construction. Interest rate has been similarly high at times as high as 72 percent in 1995: became stable around 18 percent after conclusion of the

R

eal Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), has called for a national strategy to boost the development of low cost housing and social housing in Nigeria. Among its proposed options is the need for governments at the various levels to compel estate developers in high brow areas like Ikoyi, Lekki, Asokoro in Abuja, Port Harcourt to incorporate in their schemes, low cost housing for the workers that are serving

banking consolidation; but now on the rise again as a result of current global financial meltdown. The combined effect of these has been a sharp rise on the price of homes. The inability of Nigerian banks to harness savings from the people has been a major reason for the lack of long-term funds in the economy.

The commercial banks have traditionally served only the mercantile class and lately the oil and manufacturing sector.

The Primary Mortgage Institutions and microfinance

teams are recent efforts to harness savings from the masses but they are mainly urban based and operate more or less like banks with very high appetite for quick profit.

High Cost of Construction Our refusal to build houses with locally available materials has been a major cog in the wheel of housing delivery. A look at our urban centers will show that our houses are built mostly of imported materials (cement, iron rods, aluminum roof).

Low Level of Economic

Activity Statistic recently release by Nigerian Insurance Commission indicates that only about 15 million Nigerians are in regular employment.

The vast majority are still employed in subsistence agriculture or in menial services like okada riding.

The level of industrialization is low so also is commerce which is characterized by street trading. Though the oil industry is strong but it is unfortunately not linked to the

local economy.

The combination of these factors is that the disposable income of the average Nigerian is low to build a house or qualify for mortgage assistance.

Access to Land The main objective of the Land Use Act was to facilitate access to land by the generality of Nigerians. Unfortunately the act has had the opposite effect. Though it has made it easier for the elite to acquire land, it has made it much harder for the majority of Nigerians to access land.

FMBN, REDAN meet on affordable housing residents and owners of high end properties in these estates. This means that ongoing and new developments in high brow areas must make provisions for the low and medium income groups with 10 per cent of houses in such estates set aside for the low income group, another 10 per cent for the medium income earners and the balance of 80 per

cent set aside for the high income group.

To achieve this, REDAN is facilitating a meeting of stakeholders, including the Minister of Housing, Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). According to a REDAN official, Mr. Shola Enitan, the association is also

canvassing support for social housing provision whereby people in distress can be temporarily accommodated in decent government houses before they are able to sort themselves out. “Except for the destitute, there must be a place of temporary abode for a family, who may have accommodation crisis, either with their landlords

or by other means. No Nigerian should be allowed to spend all his earnings paying house rent to landlords, either private landlord or government for ever, and in a situation by which government is the landlord, the tenants must have the opportunity to buying off the apartment at the long run without much sweat,”

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

Honda Accord packs with more great choices

H

onda recently redesigned the Accord for its ninth generation, improving the sedan's interior and exterior styling.

For 2014, the Honda Accord gains a new model, the Accord Plug-In Hybrid. With this new addition to the lineup, Honda becomes one of the few automakers to offer a midsize family sedan in a plug-in hybrid configuration.

Unlike Honda's other hybrids such as the Insight, the Plug-In has an all-new hybrid system that's capable of accelerating the car using pure electric power. And as its name implies, the Plug-In can be recharged externally, thereby minimizing gas usage. Honda says the Accord Plug-In provides about 10-15 miles of pure electric range, after which point it switches over to normal hybrid operation. In regular hybrid mode, this Accord earns EPA estimates of 47 mpg city/46 mpg highway and 46 mpg combined.

Like the standard Accord, the plug-in hybrid offers similar features and comes in one wellappointed trim level based on the standard Accord Touring trim. That includes LED headlights, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a navigation system and monitoring of vitals like charge status, charging stations and even enabled remote charging

controlled by smartphone apps.

Honda says a full battery charge on a 120-volt outlet will take three hours, while charging on a 240-volt outlet takes less than one hour.

The family sedan segment is packed with more great choices than ever before, but the field is wide open for plug-in hybrids. For now, the Accord competes directly with the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi, which, like the Accord, bundles a lengthy list of winning features into a plug-in package. One

could also consider the 2013 Chevrolet Volt. It offers approximately three times the electric-only range, though it only seats four and those in back will find

cramped quarters compared to the Honda.

For now Honda will only sell the Accord Plug-In Hybrid in California and New York, so consider yourself lucky if you're

interested in the car and happen to live in one of those states. We've yet to fully test the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In, but check back for a complete

evaluation in the coming months.

The 2014 Honda Accord PlugIn Hybrid comes in one wellequipped trim level.

Standard features include 17inch a l l o y wheels, LED headlights, foglamps, dualzone automatic climate control, full power accessories, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, special "bio-fabric" upholstery, heated front and rear seats, an eight-way power driver seat (with power lumbar), driver memory settings and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Electronic features include Bluetooth connectivity, an 8-inch touchscreen interface, voice recognition, a navigation system and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio, an iPod/USB interface and smartphone app integration (HondaLink). Adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and a blind-spot monitor are also standard.

The 2014 Honda Accord PlugIn Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor. Together, they send a total of 196 horsepower to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A 6.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack powers the electric motor.

The Accord Plug-In Hybrid offers three driving modes: full electric, gas/electric (switches when battery capacity depletes to a specific threshold) and gasoline (for higher speeds or under high demand for acceleration).

Additionally, two sub-modes tailor the Accord Plug-In's hybrid mode.

"HV" acts as a conventional hybrid, blending gasoline and electric power for optimum fuel efficiency, while "HV Charge" does the same, while feeding energy back into the battery.

The EPA estimates stand at 47 mpg city/46 mpg highway and 46 mpg combined.

The

2 0 1 4 H o n d a A c c o r d Plug-In Hybrid comes with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, active front head restraints, front seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure and forward-collision warning systems are also standard.

Of note is the LaneWatch blindspot system, which instantly switches the 8-inch screen's display to a low and expansive view of the passenger side of the car when the right turn signal is engaged. A camera in the right-side mirror dedicated to this function provides a confidence-inspiring view, and acclimating to catching the view in the center-dash display is quick and natural.

With a few exceptions, the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid features an elegant and wellconstructed cabin trimmed with high-quality materials that you could almost mistake for an Acura.

The center stack embraces the spirit of legibility with an effective threetier layout, capped at the top with an 8-inch display.

Despite the new Accord's slightly smaller exterior dimensions compared to the previous generation, its interior room remains impressive. There is plenty of leg and shoulder space for front occupants, and rear-seat passengers should be quite comfortable and happy. Road and tire noise -- often among Honda's traditional weaknesses -- are noticeably reduced in the 2014 Accord thanks in part to two active noisecancellation systems plus improved aerodynamics.

Source: Edmunds.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

PAGE 29

The Virgins of Flaming Change BOOK REVIEW

By Ikhide R. Ikheloa

T

he writer Chris Abani has earned a well deserved reputation for telling excruciatingly sad stories mined from the desolate playgrounds of West Africa. Abani is one very unhappy thinker. Those who have read his books speak in hushed tones about becoming overwhelmed by Abani's unceasing grief about the situation that Africa finds itself. Abani's sense of unending despair swarms his stories and sometimes almost overwhelms their beauty. Joy is not a word in Abani's world view.

One thing about Abani is he is consistent. His latest book, The Virgin of Flames is not going to cheer you up. You finish reading the book feeling like you just escaped a giant vat of carcinogens. One feels like taking a long shower. Really. The Virgin of Flames is a sad, sad book. Too bad.

We should dare to be happy. Sometimes.

Sing me a happy song, wailed the Emperor.

And the bard wept.

However, I must say, after reading The Virgin of Flames that I heartily recommend it to all lovers of good literature. This book is a delightful riot of sizzling prose, robust poetry and keep-meup-at-night issues. In this book, the reader is pleasantly confronted with a beautiful partnership between a truly professional publishing company and a gifted writer.

Abani can put ideas to paper and make words jump out of a page and slap the reader awake. Abani's prose is scrumptious and pretty. And the publishing house, Penguin Group (USA) can certainly make a book sizzle with beauty and attitude.

Penguin Books must take manuscripts through an exhausting and rigorous editorial process. And the results show in Abani's beautiful book. Every sentence stands like a pretty sentry daring the reader to find something wrong with it. This is a book that you would want to grace your book shelf.

You have to give credit to Abani, he experiments and he takes risks. This novel takes him out of his depths as a Nigerian writer as he seeks to establish himself as a writer who happens to be of Nigerian extraction. This time, Los Angeles is the canvas on which he paints his bold experiment. It is a successful experiment. In my humble opinion, Chris Abani is easily one of the most brilliant and visionary thinkers to come out of the troubled breasts of Africa in recent times. He has the ability to spin really fresh prose that leaves you panting for just a wee bit more.

Prose is Abani's strong point and

he mines it well. A deadly combination of brains and penmanship ensures that Abani will continue to profit mightily from his neuroses. And man, his neuroses are legion.

Black, the main character is biracial (the offspring of a Nigerian father and a Salvadoran mother) who is hobbled by serious sexual identity issues - he loves cross dressing and he is troubled by his attraction to other men. He leads us by the hand, through a tortured labyrinth of a troubling journey.

It is a very disturbing look inside a troubled soul - narcissistic, self absorbed to the core. Thanks to Black, one never really remembers Los Angeles. Instead we descend into the valley of hell, a subculture of despair and longing inhabited by characters like Black, Pretty Girl (a transsexual former male who is a lesbian), Ray Ray (a

black dwarf who is named after Raymond Chandler, a poet he quotes ad nauseam), Iggy (the landlord of the Ugly CafĂŠ, a seer who has metal hooks inserted in her back with which she hangs herself from the ceiling), Bomboy, the Rwandan butcher and the list goes on and on. On one level, the characters are too self-absorbed to really care for their surrounding.

The descriptions of the neighborhoods of Los Angeles is an eerie voice over - an echo that no one hears - so absorbed is the reader in the characters' narcissism and self-immolation. So the reader neither sees nor hears Los Angeles.

Instead the reader sees people screaming silently into the darkness seeking to exorcise their demons.

The characters' narcissism shuts out much of Los Angeles and it becomes an opaque cesspool of unending despair.

Indeed one's imagination doesn't travel too far from Black's favorite haunts - his despondency reduces the landscape to the size of a postage stamp out of which oozes pure unadulterated sadness. On another level, this could be on purpose, to force the reader to reflect on the plight of those who turn on America's light in at dawn

and turn them off come dusk.

Abani has produced an important work, a daring commentary on how America should define today and write living breathing history. Abani does not insert new people into America's history. He asserts correctly and astutely that this is how history should be written.

Abani tell us in so many words: There are not new people, these are new attitudes. Robust, refreshing and powerful thinking. I would recommend this book to anyone who is even remotely interested in that socio-cultural phenomenon I call the movement. The exodus of people of color from familiar climes to the new world has created subcultures that have in my view not been properly studied and documented in words and in song.

Certainly not by its occupants.

Abani gives this study a good first try and The Virgin of Flames is an immensely readable study of the kaleidoscope that the movement has bestowed on huge swathes of America. As a painter, the main character Black uses the combination of colors as a metaphor for the new dispensation that is East Los Angeles. He paints a mural and for each section he mixes the colors with a consistency and uniqueness so that the paint could be applied in layers that never bleed or dry into each other. Just like Los Angeles.

Robust prose and a keen attention to detail combine to drag the reader from one end of Los Angeles to the other on an admittedly exhausting trip as Abani dissects the lives and dreams of the occupants of the underbelly of America's seeming successful enterprise. Nicely done. Hear him describe the run-down despair in a strip joint: "Charlie was a downhome strip bar on Manchester and Crenshaw. It wasn't seedy as much as it was run-down: the floor covered in carpet so old and worn it looked like a pattern in the floor.

Walls covered in faded wood paneling. A couple of pool tables listed dangerously by the door, and it was unclear if the table legs were uneven or if the floor just sloped that way." (p 25) The first chapter is exactly one page and its design and composition are worth the price of the book. It fairly sizzles with refreshing prose like this: "World-weary tenements and houses contemplating a more decadent past, looking undecided, as if they would up and leave for a better part of the city at any moment. A human silhouette on a park bench, reading a book.

Junkies hustling the afternoon."

Abani has a unique way of giving life and voice to inanimate objects and the book comes alive with the electricity of his words. Inanimate objects become live characters with personality and attitude. Only Abani can see something as banal as a mop and breathe smoky spirit on it as in "a mop listed in its bucket, waiting out the day." (p 29) Nice.

(Source: Africanwriter.com)

FR OM THE FROM LIVE ST AGE STA with Patrick-Jude Oteh 0803 700 0496, 0805 953 5215 (SMS only)

7th Jos Festival of Theatre comes to an end!

I

t had all the trappings of a festival. It had good plays. it had a good, teeming audience and it also had a good location and a sometimes vibrant city as host. The 7th Jos Festival of Theatre did not disappoint.

Opening Saturday 23rd February, the line up of plays was five with two having double billing.

There were workshops that took up the morning hours and the crowd started arriving at 4pm for the plays that would start at 5pm.

It was a cheerful crowd. We had people visiting from Abuja, a sprinkle from Lagos and another sprinkle from Kaduna. The audience cut across all the divides of Jos from the ethnic, religious and the economic - there was something within the festival for everyone and there was so much to talk about after each production. But one salient fact stood out for the duration of the festival - we never knew we had an array of talented young men and women in Jos. We know the youths sing and some have distinguished themselves in our numerous reality shows but a lot of people were seeing so many of them on stage for the first time.

A lot of parents came too - they came to see the results of what their children and wards have been involved in since November 2012. Particularly touching was the story of a mother of one of the actors who after the play her son was in came to see us in tears.

She never knew her son had such talents! She said that her son always left home telling her that they were preparing for a festival.

He left and came back very tired but absolutely happy. Now she understood. This was like nothing the boy had been engaged in in the recent past. There were so many stories.

The plays were a pot pourri of human experiences. Starting with Banana Talks which was the prefestival play. Two men meet at their usual haunt and share experiences. It was hilarious and rib-cracking. They conned themselves, they wept for themselves but above all they rejoiced being human! Then came the festival proper which opened with the Queen Amina epic by Chief Wale Ogunyemi.

How come the Queen legend was able to achieve so much with so little apart from a tremendous investment in human capital? The costumes were vibrant and the colours were beautiful. This was followed by August Wilson's Jitney.

Following in the tradition of modern tragedies, where tragedy can befall the average man on the

street, the play was set in a taxi park. Who could believe the pains and the agony of simple taxi drivers? Especially Becker who had spent a fortune to see his son through school. He got to the University and fell in love with a white girl whom he was later accused of raping. In retaliation and out on bail he goes after her with a gun and kills her. He was sentenced to death. This was later commuted to life but eligible for parole. On getting out, his father refused to forgive and he died still holding this grudge and bitterness.

Audience, in collaboration with the Czech Embassy and written

by Vaclav Havel was next in line.

This was a two man play of life in the former Soviet Republic where so much time was spent chasing shadows while leaving the substance of everyday life. The play is set in a brewery. The Foreman tries to recruit Vanek (Havel's alter ego) to spy on his colleagues with promises of a better assignment in the brewery.

Tennessee Williams' tortured play Cat On A Hot Tin Roof was next.

The play examines Big Daddy's family. He is extremely rich. He has two sons. It is his 65th birthday. He has been diagnosed with cancer. Confronting death made him come to grips with the reality of life. He favours his second son as his heir but he is a hopeless drunk with no children.

He does not like his first son who is a lawyer has five children with the sixth on the way. First the news of the terminal nature of the cancer is kept away. They believe he has been cured. On his birthday they meet to share his property and family secrets and ambitions are thrown unto the face of the audience. It is a powerful raw story.

Femi Osofisan's Midnight Hotel. What can happen under the guise of night? Members of the audience were kept on the edge of their seats with laughter and tears at the foibles and human misery in the hotel. From the ambitious Chief to his clumsy assistant to the MP and her husband and the Pastor who have come to the hotel for their different purposes. It was two solid nights filled with laughter.

There was a standing ovation for the US Mission, Nigeria, Grand Cereals Limited, Jos Busines School, and an array of other sponsors and supporters who ensured that the festival came to fruition. The festival moves to Abuja starting March 8th at the Merit House, Maitama, Abuja.

PAGE 30

A

legal practitioner and author, Mr. Job Dangana, in Abuja urged Nigerian youths to imbibe the culture of reading to enhance their rapid education development.

Dangana made call while briefing newsmen on the forthcoming launch of a book series entitled: ``Building a New Nigeria".

He said that the presentation of the book series would be held in Abuja on March 7.

Dangana, who is the author of the books, said that reading was central to education, saying ``quality education cannot be achieved without the ability of the learner to read.'' ``In fact, without reading and

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

Author urges youths to imbibe reading culture for development learning, acquiring knowledge fades away. ``Quality education is all about constant reading and researching, that is the only way youths can improve and make a head way in education,'' he said.

He attributed high level of poverty in the society to low quality of education witnessed in the country.

He said that the book focused more on education, adding that education should be recognised as the most important factor in the

nation's building and wealth creation. ``Education is the key to life; education is another tool to improve the development of the nation. Education brings about transformation of life as well. ``The youths will be in a better position in future, if they embrace education,'' he said.

Dangana said that education was one of the greatest tools that shape human behaviour to enhance the status of an individual.

He said that education was one of Mr President's transformation agenda, adding that the books were written to key in and support the transformation agenda.

Association urges FG to provide social security to boost tourism

T

he National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) has urged the Federal Government to provide adequate social security system and legal framework to develop the tourism sector.

Alhaji Saleh Rabo, President, NANTA, told the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) in Abuja that basic infrastructure, essential utilities like good road networks, electricity, healthcare services, were major keys for tourism development.

According to him, to assure investors and tourists' safety of lives and investments, the Federal Government should intensify campaign against human rights abuses, violent crimes, economic and financial crimes in the country.

He said that the Nigerian tourism regulatory environment needed some improvement, for

example, registration fee for hotels should be reviewed downwards and be fixed according to operational zones.

The president stated that there was the need for the government to apply consistent sound economic policies to maintain stable and predictable economic framework for investors.

He said that government should streamline and simplify procedures for land allocation and issuance of Certificate of Occupancy for hotel owners as well as other private investors in the country.

Rabo said that the private sector should be strengthened through reforms, orientation as well as capacity building.

He said that private sectors should, on their part, develop their human resources based on skills, direct training and skills' development.

A

they were as Nigerians and Africans. ``We note with sadness that in our schools today, most of our students do not know or learn anything about our past leaders,'' he said.

He said that the children should be taught the history of the likes of Herbert Macaulay, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, among others about their achievements and contributions to Nigerian political development as a nation.

The board chairman also said that cultural and creative art newly introduced by Universal Basic Education (UBE) had been designed to enhance the sociocultural development of the Nigerian children. ``Our children need to be taught and made aware of the tremendous advantages in appreciating our various cultural values and potential inherent therein,'' Owoseni said.

Mr Andrew Adeyemo, the Chairman of the occasion lamented the influence of Western world on the Nigerian culture. ``It is sad that a typical Nigerian child cannot recite the family history or eulogy, let alone make a simply proverb in the local dialect. ``Our children must not forget our culture because it is our heritage,'' he added.

Title: Colorful petals of glow and of shading snow

By Chris Msosa

C

olorful Petals of glow and of shading snow Know and show where to let go One step at a time One step at a time One person, one breath At a time One lesson, one test At a time Everything done At a time Everything done In its own time Even you and I we must find time For every kiss and exorcised bliss Done at its own time Colorful Petals of glow and of shading snow Know and show where to let go Of a love done one step at a time One step at its own time

Us For A Short Time And if we close our eyes Turn away and stop caring Just this one time For just a minute If we forget them and drop This bad habit of being A hungry dog Expecting an easy bone If we truly become ourselves And we turn a blind eye Will we ever need to be free?

There Was No Other Way To Do This

Ambassador calls for restoration of history in schools

mbassador Biodun Owoseni has called on the Federal Government to give priority to the teaching of history as vital subject in schools in order to sustain Nigerian culture.

He made the call at the 1st Cultural Day ceremony of Royal Rainbow International School in Abuja with the theme ``Culture: A Tool for Self-Discovery and National Integration''.

Owoseni, who is also the Chairman of Board of the school said that it was important to give priority to the teaching of history in order to inculcate history and culture in schools. `` We need to know where we are coming from as a people that passed through colonialism and are now an independent country.''

He said that this would help people understand what the country had lost to colonial and cultural imperialism under foreign domination such as slave trade. ``If we don't want our culture to die, our government at all federal and state levels as well as schools and parents must teach our children in public institutions and in homes about our culture. ``Because some world languages and culture have actually died out of neglect, according to UNESCO,'' he said.

Owoseni said that through the teaching of history in schools, children would be able to know who

POEM OF THE WEEK

Atilogwu dancers performing during the launch of the tree planting, landscaping and beautification of Airport Road, on Monday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Association says cultural neglect responsible for Nigeria's battered image

M

rs Ngozi Akande, President, Female Association of Nigerian Artists in Abuja said that neglect of culture was responsible for Nigeria's bad image in the world.

Akande, who was addressing the 4th edition of Cherryfield College ``Cultural Day'' celebration said that appreciation of Nigeria's rich culture would go a long way to restore the country's image.

According to her, ``it is with culture that we can build and understand our identity as a nation.'' ``Culture binds us together as a people and structures us into our community; therefore, understanding our similarities and our diversity becomes very important. ``We need to have a culture before we can talk about our identity,'' she said.

She urged parents and all stakeholders to teach their

children to know and appreciate their culture so that they would not become a lost generation.

Speaking earlier, Mrs. Comfort Abah, the Chairperson of the 2013 Cherryfield College Cultural Day, called on government to include more Nigerian languages in the schools' curriculum.

She called on parents to teach their children the local dialects, adding that teachers would only act in accordance with the schools' curriculum.

Some parents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the day was very remarkable since it reminded them on the need to imbibed culture in the children.

Mrs. Nna Ita, a parent, promised to stop speaking English to her children, adding that this had robbed the kids the good value embedded in the Nigerian culture.

Barr. Nwabu Nwosu, a parent agreed that parents had a major role to play in the teaching of dialects.

No one likes a heckler shouting down quiet voices and hanging onto old grudges.

A rude. Ranting empty thunderstorms. Directed at whom?

My mother always said "do not criticize the dead They have no chance whatsoever to defend themselves Especially when none of their good deeds are a memory you own" You mean you summoned us here to become more than witness to your impolite enchantment.

You mean you did not know that we would eventually hand you a similar exercise?

You mean this is new to you like you are new to us?

You mean you had to heckle.

There was no other way to do this?

You mean you couldn't just be a nob you had to become virile too?

You mean you have forgotten what contraptions lead you to this sweet chair?

You mean you have become the woman behind this successful man?

You mean you had to heckle.

And there was no other way to do this?

QUO TE UOTE

The aim of literary ambition is to demonstrate one's greatness of soul.

Mason Cooley

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

PAGE 35

Finland's shouting men’s choir will make your ears bleed

Men of the choir doing what they know best.

S

houting is what some men do best. And when a group of such men get together, you can hardly expect to hear something musical. But that's what makes the Shouting Men's Choir in Oulu, northern Finland, so special. The men shout, and it becomes music.

The choir consists of 30 men who generally dress in black suits for their performances.

Most locals consider the choir to be a product of long nights in a town with little to do, the northFinnish sense of humor that borders on the absurd, and of course, a steady supply of vodka.

Mika Ronkainen, a local filmmaker, made a documentary film with the choir and its founder as the subject, called MieskuoroHuutajat.

That

translates to Screaming Men. It was the first Finnish film to be accepted at the Sundance Festival, and also the first to get international distribution. I saw a short clip from the film on YouTube, in which Petri Sirvio, the founder and director of the Shouting Men's choir says that the best part of the group's performance is the element of surprise. "I trained them quite well," he says rather unabashedly.

Their act is indeed surprising. When you look at all the 'men in black' standing in formation with somber expressions, you would expect them to break into something musical. But they open their mouths to release a quick shout, almost like a bark. It does cause a bit of a shock, no matter how

prepared you think you are for it. Sirvio conducts the whole time, but somehow the experience isn't very orchestralike. The Shouting Men's choir makes about 5 to 8 tours a year and want to someday get invited to perform at the White House.

The group has been in existence for more than 20 years now.

Some of the members are actually professional musicians, while others are just passionate about shouting. They perform a variety of pieces ranging from their own versions of national anthems to children's nursery rhymes, and one of their singles called Our Northern Native Land was a top-10 hit. Each performance is a heady mix of both discipline and abandon.

Interestingly, shouting isn't much a part of Finnish tradition.

Mika, who was in the choir for about 4 years himself, is very soft-spoken. He says, "I think there is more of a tradition of being quiet in Finland."

According to Sirvio, "Here, physical presence is sufficient for sociability and you can speak if you have something to say." So he says that the shouting isn't an alternative to singing, but to saying nothing at all. He came up with the idea way back when he was a part of band and choir, and used to mix music for a local punk band called Sound of Oulu.

"It was just an idea, very simple and easy," he says. "The concept was exactly as now; the musical part came later, but the look was there from the start." Six months later Sirvio advertised in the newspaper asking for men 'who wanted to scream' to come

forward. 20 guys responded, and since then 170 men have been part of the choir. Only 4 of the original members are part of the current group.

Sirvio says that the Shouting Men's Choir is no different from a football team. The men are bonded in masculinity, wear the same uniform, and pursue the same program. So the choir in a way is a parody on male bonding activities like hunting, sport, or forming secret societies. This element of parody is, in fact, crucial to the choir. While its members come from diverse backgrounds and professions, it is more about anarchy than it is about democracy.

It's unusual, yes, but in order to truly appreciate the Shouting Men's choir, you've got to have an 'ear' for this kind of stuff, I guess.

Bedazzle your food with the world's first edible spray paint

I

never would have imagined humans would one day be eating spr a y p a i n t , a n d yet here we are…Food Finish is the world's first edible spray paint, and according to its German manufacturer,

it's a great way to add somestrange color to your food.

People have been eating strange things for a long time. There's this woman in Ukraine who enjoys eating

A cooked chicken getting a make up.

sand, another girl who savors soap bars, and even someone who likes to eat sponge, but spray paint is definitely something new.

And apparently it doesn't fall into the weird category because it was actually designed to be consumed and it's totally safe. Germanbased producer The Deli Garage Food Cooperative says its ethanol-based edible spray paints are tasteless and odorless, and can be applied on any kind of food to make it look better. Food Finish is available in four different colors - gold, silver, blue and red - and has to be applied in layers in order to achieve that perfect effect.

"I love it when it's not only our cars which have a metallic finish but also our tomatoes," Deli Garage project manager Kaya-Line Knust said. "It's great when

you see not only a steak on a plate, but a gold-plated one!"

Yeah, who needs all those healthy-looking colors when you can go for gold, right?

I would probably never use something like this, because I find my food exciting enough, but Food Finish seems to be a very

popular novelty item, as the Deli Garage Food Cooperative confirms the edible spray paint is their top seller. If you've always wanted to eat blue strawberries or silver apples like the heroes of your favorite fantasy stories, Food Finish is available online for •24.80 ($32).

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

Obese mothers ‘put babies’ hearts at risk’ research on a much larger scale to make any firm conclusions.

Also, since the babies were only examined at one week old, we don't know what these findings may mean for their heart health as their life continues.

'Additionally, some of the mothers studied were smokers, and some developed high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy, which may have played a role in the results.

'We do know that obesity during pregnancy can cause a number of problems for both the mother and their unborn baby.

'If you're thinking of starting a family and have concerns about your weight, try to eat healthily and keep active.

'Looking after yourself when you're pregnant will mean that you are in the best position to look after your baby when the time comes.'

By Jenny Hope

B

abies whose mothers are overweight or obese show early signs of heart disease at birth, warn researchers.

Scans of newborn infants with fat mothers found they have thicker artery walls - a sign of heart disease - than those born to women of 'normal' weight.

The arterial thickening occurred independently of the child's weight at birth, which is a known risk factor for heart disease or stroke in later life.

Experts from Nottingham University say the early difference detected in a major artery could explain why a mother's weight during pregnancy is so influential to their child's subsequent risk of cardiovascular problems.

Obesity affects around 20 per cent of all women of childbearing age, with a further third being overweight.

The latest study included 23 women, with an average age of 35, whose Body Mass Index (BMI) scores ranged from being underweight to seriously obese at 16 weeks of pregnancy.

Researchers from Sydney

Bad for both: Researchers have found a direct link between a mother¿s weight and the build-up in fat around their newbornbaby¿s abdomen

High fat risk: Children born to obese mothers show early signs of heart disease at birth University, Australia, scanned the abdominal aorta - the section of the artery extending down to the belly - in each newborn within seven days of birth to find out the thickness of the two innermost walls - the intima and media.

Intima-media thickness ranged from 0.65mm to 0.97mm, and was associated with the mother's weight.

The higher a mum's weight, the greater was the baby's intima-media thickness, irrespective of how much the baby weighed at birth.

The difference in intimamedia thickness between babies of overweight and normal weight mums was 0.06mm.

The findings are published in the Fetal and Neonatal Edition of Archives of Disease of Childhood (must credit).

'The earliest physical signs

of atherosclerosis are present in the abdominal aorta, and aortic intima-media thickness is considered the best noninvasive measure of structural health of the vasculature in children' says the report..

This may be the mechanism by which a mum being overweight might affect her child's subsequent risk of heart disease and stroke in later life, they conclude.

In the UK almost a quarter of children are overweight or obese by the time they go to school.

The latest findings add to evidence that internal fat levels in the newborn baby are directly related to the mother's weight during pregnancy.

Scans of babies less than 12 days old by researchers at Imperial College London found a direct link between a mother's weight and the build-up in fat

around their baby's abdomen in the same way as people in their 50s.

Previous research by Nottingham University looking at data from 30 studies of 200,000 people found children born to mothers who are overweight face a higher risk of being fat themselves throughout childhood and their teens.

Being overweight and smoking during pregnancy increase the chances still further of children being obese, along with being heavy at birth and rapid weight gain as a baby.

Amy Thompson, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said 'These results could suggest a direct link between a mother's weight during pregnancy and her child's risk of cardiovascular disease.

'However, this was a very small study of just 23 women and we would need to see

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Danger: Babies born to fat mothers have thicker artery walls regardless of birth weight(file photo)

Just one can of fizzy drink a day increases the risk of diabetes

By Emma Innes

D

rinking just one can of fizzy drink a day could increase the risk of developing life-threatening Type 2 diabetes.

Scientists have found that sugarbased calories, such as those found in fizzy drinks, are much more likely to cause the condition than the same number of calories from any other source.

For every additional 150 calories of sugar available per person per day, the prevalence of diabetes in the population rose by one per cent.

In contrast, an additional 150 calories of any type caused only a 0.1 per cent increase in the population's diabetes rate, the researchers from Stanford University, the University of California-Berkley and the University of California-San Francisco found.

This is the first time that scientists have questioned the theory that eating too much of any food is what causes obesity and that the resulting

Just one can of fizzy drink a day could increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes

obesity is what causes diabetes.

The researchers examined data on sugar availability and diabetes rates from 175 countries during the past decade.

After accounting for obesity and a large array of other factors, they found that increased sugar in a population's food supply was linked to higher diabetes rates, independent of obesity rates.

The study, which provides the first large-scale, population-based evidence for the idea that not all calories are equal from a diabetesrisk standpoint, will be published in the journal PLoS ONE. 'It was quite a surprise,' said Dr Sanjay Basu an assistant professor of medicine at the Stanford Prevention Research Centre and the study's lead author.

He added: 'We're not diminishing the importance of obesity at all, but this data suggest that at a population level there are additional factors that contribute to diabetes risk besides obesity and total calorie intake, and that sugar appears to play a prominent role.'

Not only was sugar availability correlated to diabetes risk, but the longer a population was exposed to excess sugar, the higher its diabetes rate.

In addition, diabetes rates dropped over time when sugar availability dropped, independent of changes to consumption of other calories and physical activity or obesity rates.

The findings do not prove that

sugar causes diabetes, Dr Basu insists, but do provide real-world support for the body of previous trials that suggest sugar affects the liver and pancreas in ways that other types of foods or obesity do not.

The study comes just weeks after scientists found that even diet fizzy drinks can raise the risk of diabetes by 60 per cent.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk Sweet poison: Sugar-based calories, such as those found in fizzy drinks, are much more likely to cause diabetes than calories from other sources, say researchers

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

PAGE 37

ACN, a conscienceless party, Presidency

•••says APC govs preempted Jonathan on Borno visit

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday described the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its ilk in the opposition as a party without conscience for having the temerity to politicize the assassination of the Kwara state Police Commissioner, Mr. Chinwike Asadu.

This is coming as the Presidency equally disclosed that the visit to Borno state by the opposition governors on the platform of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) was to preempt President Jonathan who had earlier proposed a state visit to the beleaguered governor ahead of the opposition.

Briefing newsmen on the ACN’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed comments that Nigeria is a failed state following the killing of the Kwara state commissioner, Jonathan’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe accused the Opposition party of always attempting to politicize crime in the country. Okupe said “While a gruesome killing of a distinguished police officer in the person of the late Kwara state Police Commissioner, Mr. Chinwike Asadu, is sad and regrettable, it is unthinkable that any rational citizen or serious political party ill seize the opportunity to acquire any political mileage without considering the interest of the deceased grieving family. Only the likes of Alhaji Lai Mohammed and his party can explain this mindset of never allowing reason and patriotism to prevail over partisanship.”

He added “Alhaji Lai Mohammed continues to present himself and his party, the ACN as a conscienceless and desperate politicians without

depth or substance; certainly lacking in cerebral contributions to the progress of the nation.”

While acknowledging that criminality is not exclusive to the country, Okupe said it is the overriding duty of the government to ensure the safety of lives and properties.

He also assured that the government would ensure that those involved in the dastardly act are fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law.

Jonathan’s aide noted that isolated crime like the killing of the Kwara Police Commissioner abounds all over the world and those countries have never been adjudged to be

failed states by their citizens.

Reacting to the opposition governors’ visit to Borno to commiserate with Governor Shettima Mustapha over the activities of the Boko Haram sect in the state, Okupe said “The APC Governors’ visit was hurriedly packaged to preempt the visit of Mr. President which had been planned and scheduled several weeks ago.

This is an act of crass opportunism and political desperation on the part of these governors and the party they represent.”

Okupe described the governors visit as a media circus, stunt and photo-ups alleging that they were in

Maiduguri to feather their political nests. “It is part of their mobilization drive that took them to Borno state rather than any patriotic call to duty.

These are desperate power mongers who flock together in spite of their obvious conflicting political philosophies and inordinate ambitions.”

He disclosed “That visit which was borne out of sheer political recklessness could have caused Nigeria major security embarrassment but for the fact that the Federal Government and its security apparatus took extra efforts to ensure that the visiting governors were safe.”

Newly recruited officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission taking oath of secrecy and neutrality shortly after a two-day induction programme, yesterday in Yola.

Photo: NAN

Address marginalization, Gombe South tells Dankwambo From David Hassan, Gombe

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mmediate past Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr. John Lazarus Yoriyo, has called on the state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, to address the long lingering marginalization of the people of Gombe South.

The former Deputy Governor stated this yesterday in Bambam, Balanga Local Government Area.

At the occasion which was also a continuation of the state Governor’s Constituency visit to Balanga South State Assembly, the former Deputy Governor who served under Muhammad Danjuma Goje, now a Senator, urged Dankwambo to break the long standing jinx that prevented Southern Gombe from producing certain government and political positions.

He said it was common knowledge that certain positions or offices have long been a preserve of a section of the state as other parts dare not think of getting near it while other positions or posts, especially the lower ranking or less lucrative positions, have always been the preserve of Gombe South Senatorial district.

While condemning it as undemocratic and lacking democratic tenets, Dr. Yoriyo stressed that Gombe south has always supported the PDP strongly especially in terms of highest number of votes cast but regretted that all they get in return at the end of the day were mere supportive positions instead of being allowed to be calling the shots.

He said allowing the continuation of this practice does not portray the governor as democratic which goes contrary to his administrations’ acclaimed principle of justice, fairness and equity.

In his remarks, the zonal PDP chairman for Gombe South, Shuaibu Sabulu, who sounded more aggressive warned that his comprising Balanga, Shongom, Katungo and Billiri Local Government Areas will never forgive anybody that has cheated them.

Aviation Minister not involved in recruitment exercise, says S/East PDP

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday debunked insinuations making the rounds that the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, was biased in the recruitment of officials in her ministry.

The South East zone of the party in a statement signed by its Zonal Publicity

Secretary, Hon. Odefa Ali Odefa, made available to newsmen in Abuja stated “The leadership of our great Party in the southeast makes bold to state categorically that this baseless allegation is yet another futile attempt by opposition elements to smear the image of the Minister and denigrate her well earned reputation as a distinguished Nigerian and a

worthy assets of our great Party, the PDP “Princess Oduah, though a proud daughter of the Southeast zone, has proven herself to be a detribalized Nigerian both in her private business and in the discharge of her duties as Minister. The current massive upgrading of airports in all the geopolitical zones in the country bear testimony to

this.

“We are proud to observe that Princess Oduah’s performance in office is a major plank of President Jonathan’s transformation agenda. These sponsored provocative publications are designed by opposition elements who are envious of her sterling performance and who feel threatened by her rising profile as a dedicated

minister and exemplary member of our great Party.

“For the records, Princess Oduah is not involved directly or indirectly in staff recruitment of any parastatal under her. There is a well established bureaucracy to handle such matters while she concerns herself with the huge task of driving the well applauded reforms in the aviation sector.”

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

Lawmaker gets 1 month suspension for flouting Assembly rules in Delta

L-R: Senate President L-R: Mark, David Director PDP National General, Chairman, Nigeria Alhaji Governors Bamanga Forum, Mr. Tukur, Speaker, Asishana House of Okauru, Representatives, andAminu Hon. Jigawa Tambuwal, state President Governor, Goodluck Alhaji Sule Jonathan, and Lamido, Vice-President after the Mohammed 3rd Nigeria Namadi Governors Sambo, Forum into walking meeting, the banquet recently hall, duringinthe Abuja.

PDP Board of Trustees' Photo: on meeting, Mahmud Monday night atIsa the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

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2015: New political group emerges in Kwara From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

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new political group consisting of prominent politician has emerged in Kwara state to wrestle power from the family dominated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in the state by 2015.

The group, in a communique signed by Protem

Chairman,Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo and Protem secretary Alhaji Tunde Mohammed said the name of the group would be called “ Kwara Leadership Caucus”.

Proponents of the new group explained that they came together as a result of long domination and misrule among other issues by a family in the state. “The formation

of the body is in response to the need revamp Kwara state from decades of misrule and embarrassing underdevelopment. The group is to checkmate the continue slide of the state to yet another round of one man dominated democracy in the state. It is also the intention of the group to provide a platform that will fix the economy of the state, redefine the

political relationship of the component units and thereby create a new Kwara state that will be a pride of all Kwarans.”

The noted that people of the state were fed up with the domination of Kwara politics stressing that some members of the political class have no credibility as a result of wrong political decisions and self aggrandizement.

Lagos Island East LCDA, stakeholders to collaborate on tourism

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he Chairman, Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Mr Kamaldeen Bashua, yesterday said the council would collaborate with stakeholders to harness the tourism potential in the locality.

Bashua, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos said that the collaboration was part of the

council’s 2013 transformation agenda.

“The community is blessed with a lot of tourism potential that need to be well-managed and utilised,’’ he said.

He said that the council was blessed with Freedom Park, Lagos City Hall, City Mall Cinema, Eyo festival and a lot of relaxation centres.

“These and many more are

some of the resources the community is blessed with, which the council needs the stakeholders to assist in upgrading to international standard,’’ he said.

Bashua said that upgrading the tourism centres would fetch the local government huge revenue.

He said that the measure would also reposition the

tourism potential of the state.

“Repositioning the tourism potential of the state will make the state the preferred tourism destination in Africa,’’ he said.

Bashua urged the Federal Government to increase its efforts in promoting the tourism sector nationally and internationally to attract more investors. (NAN)

Aregbesola urges judiciary to promote justice

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he Governor of Osun, Mr Rauf Aregesola, yesterday called on the judiciary to be fair in its responsibility and promote justice.

Swearing in Justice Oyebola Ojo as the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Aregbesola said that many problems b e i n g f a c e d b y Nigerians were connected to injustice.

He said that although cases were decided based on arguments and not common

sense, judges should promote justice by providing fair judgments to those seeking justice from the legal system.

Responding, Ojo expressed appreciation to the state government for the opportunity given to her to serve the state and promised to use her position to attain, maintain, promote and uphold justice.

A lawyer, Mr Hashim Abioye, while reacting to the appointment, said the appointment of Ojo as the Acting Chief Judge was in

the interest of justice.

Abioye said the law stipulates that when the position of the Chief Judge was vacant, “the governor is constitutionally empowered to appoint an Acting Chief Judge to head the judicial body for a period of three months.’’

Ojo took over from Justice Gloria Oladoke, who held the position from November, last year, following the retirement of the Chief Judge, Justice Olaniyi Ojo, Following the retirement

of Olaniyi, the governor submitted three names to the National Judicial Council and Ojo was selected.

She was, however, rejected

by State House of Assembly because of a pending litigation against the appointment of a new Chief Judge.

The Osun State House of Assembly subsequently urged the governor to appoint the most senior judge in the state judiciary on acting capacity, pending the determination of the cases by the court. (NAN)

he Delta House of Assembly yesterday suspended one of its member for one month for violating its rules and regulations.

The suspension of Mr Edoja Akprodiete, representing Ughelli North Constituency, followed a motion by the Deputy Majority Leader of the house, Mr Johnson Erijo.

Erijo said the suspension of Akprodiete would serve as a deterrent to others, adding that it was against the ethics of the house to react to issues or decision which had been concluded by the house.

“As legislator, you are entitled to your opinion and views when issues or matters are being deliberated on the floor of the house.

“But once a stand is taken by the house concerning such issue or matter, the decision of the house will be binding on every member.

“But for a member to react after the house had taken its decision against such issue or matter, is against the law and constitution,’’ Erijo said.

The motion, which was unanimously adopted by the house, was supported by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Basil Ganagana.

In his remark, the Speaker, Mr Victor Ochei, warned that members who violate the law and order of the house would face the consequences.

The house had earlier advocated indefinite suspension of Akprodiete but following appeals by some of his colleagues, the suspension was reduce to one month. (NAN)

Imo Assembly passes N30.4bn supplementary budget for 2012

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he Imo House of Assembly has passed a supplementary budget of 30.4 billion for 2012 fiscal year.

The house passed the budget in Owerri yesterday at the executive session and announced during its plenary.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Budget and Appropriation, Dr Eudora Igwe (APGA Ideato South), said the budget was appropriated following the crucial need to supplement the 2012 budget.

She said that the supplementary budget would go a long way in assisting the governor to complete some projects that were captured in the 2012 budget.

Gov. Rochas Okorocha, had earlier submitted his proposal for the house to approve a supplementary budget for 2012.

The Speaker of the house, Benjamin Uwajumogu, said that the budget was passed at the executive session of the house based on majority votes. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

PAGE 39

Reps to conduct public hearing on examination redress mechanisms in higher institutions

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he House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Education to conduct an investigative and public hearing to establish the adequacy of existing examination redress mechanisms in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

The house gave the directive to its education committee in Abuja yesterday.

The affected institutions are federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

The committee is also to evaluate the reliability of subsisting examination processes and internal control mechanisms in Nigerian federal tertiary institutions.

The committee is further mandated to establish and evaluate the time lag between the time examinations are taken and when the results are released to the candidates.

The house also directed the committee to determine the reported case studies of examinations malpractice in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions as applicable within the last five years.

It also mandated the education committee to

evaluate the completeness of the redress mechanism applied and report back to the house within eight weeks.

The resolution followed a motion by the Deputy Chairman of Committee on Education, Rep. Rose Oko (PDP-Cross/River), which was adopted when put to vote by the Speaker, Rep. Aminu Tambuwal.

Leading a debate on the merits of the motion, Oko expressed concern over the low rating and negative perception of the quality and credibility of degrees and certificates awarded

by Nigerian institutions.

She said that the low rating of certificates awarded by the institutions “precipitate grave limitations to the prospects of most Nigerian youths”.

The legislator said the perceived low credibility of degrees and certificates awarded by Nigerian institutions raised numerous questions concerning the ability of the youths to meet challenges required of potential leaders.

She said that the absence of reliable examination redress mechanisms in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions could have led to a high rate of

graduate unemployment on account of poor examination credibility.

In his contribution, Rep. Sekonte Davis (PDP-Rivers) said it was imperative that measures were taken to improve on the credibility of examination results of the institutions.

Also contributing, Rep. Betty Apiafi ( PDP-Rivers) said there was a need to conduct a public hearing to address the issue.

Since no one opposed the motion, it was adopted, and the speaker referred it to the committee on education for more action.

Meanwhile, a bill for an Act to establish an Independent National Assembly Budget and Research Office passed its second reading.

The bill seeks to provide the National Assembly with objectives, timely and non -partisan analysis needed for economic budget decision as well as with information required for use in the budget process.

The bill was subsequently referred to the Committee on Legislative Budget and Research for more legislative input.

The bill was sponsored

by Rep. Michael Opeyemi (ACN-Ekiti). (NAN)

Demolition: Rep calls for calm in Epe

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ep. Lanre Odubote ( A C N - E p e ) y e s t e r d a y dissociated himself from the ongoing demolition of some houses in Epe, Lagos state, allegedly being carried by officials of the state government.

In a statement in Lagos, Odubote expressed worry over the demolition, saying he had no hand in the exercise.

“I have no hand in the demolition exercise being carried out by state

government officials. The acquisition and demolition being attributed to me is not true.

“As the representative of the people in the National Assembly, I have earlier written to His Excellency, Gov. Babatunde Fashola, with a view to stopping the demolition,’’ he said in a statement e-mailed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Odubote, a one-time Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Lagos State House

of Assembly, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, advised the people to remain calm and not to take the laws into their hands as the Assembly had intervened in the matter.

He advised the people to take their case to the House and the governor in bid to stop further demolition and get justice.

“Let me assure Epe residents that justice will be done as I believe in the capacity of the governor to ensure justice and equity,’’ he said. (NAN)

Former Anambra gov. commends CJN on effort to sanitise the judiciary

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former Governor of Anambra, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, has commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Maryam Aloma Mukhtar for beginning the process to sanitise the judiciary.

Ezeife made the commendation on Tuesday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The National Judicial Council (NJC) on Feb. 21 announced the “immediate” suspension of

two judges for alleged judicial misconduct.

Justices Charles Archibong and Thomas Naron of Federal High Court, Lagos and Plateau State High Court, Jos have since been retired.

Another Judge, Justice Abubakar Talba, is currently being investigated by the NJC for the judgement he delivered in the EFCC versus the Police Pension Commission involving a Deputy Director, Mr John Yusuf.

Talba, on Jan. 28,

sentenced Yusuf to two years imprisonment or a fine of N750,000 for his role in the theft of part of the N32 billion police pension fund’s scam.

Ezeife said that the recent sanction meted out to some corrupt judges was a brave move towards sanitising the judiciary.

The former governor advised the CJN not to be deterred by challenges that might arise from her determination to restore the image of the judiciary.

(NAN)

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

Senate in tumultuous debate over PIB

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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he Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which was submitted to the Senate by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dezani AlisonMadueke, is having a rough sail in the chamber owing to stiff rejection of some sections in it by northern Senators, who claim it is more in the interest of the southern part of the country.

During yesterday’s debate, many of the Senators threw caution to the wind as they argued on regional line pointing out faults in the bill which they think is not in the interest of their regions.

The major issues at contest were the inclusion of Host Community Fund, more powers for the Petroleum Minister, National Oil Exploration Frontier Fund, among others.

Majority of the northern Senators who spoke, despite agreeing with the bill generally for bringing more sanity in the nation’s oil industry, however observed that creating 10 per cent Host Community Fund from oil companies net profit, in addition to already existing 13 per cent derivation, will add up to a whooping 23 percent derivation for the oil producing states.

Other argue that the frontier oil exploration policy

funds, as contained in the bill, should be used to pursue oil exploration in the northern states, where oil has already been discovered, saying it will create a balanced economy where the south does not see the north as parasites.

On their part, the southern Senators had argued that since the proposed 10 percent Host Community Fund applies to both the oil producing states and other states through which oil pipelines pass, many communities in the north will benefit from the funds, adding that the rationale behind the fund is to discourage pipeline vandalism in the country.

They further argued that the bill has numerous

advantages for Nigerians, particularly in area of local content and transparency in the sector, adding that the plight of the host communities should not be taken for granted, pointing out that if oil is explored in the north, the host communities will still face same difficulty like their southern counterparts.

In his closing remarks, the Senate Deputy President, Ike Ekwrrenmadu, who concluded the plenary, commended the Senators for their patriotic posture towards the bill, noting that none of them opposed the bill in its entirety.

He observed that there are some areas of discrepancies,

including minister’s powers, Host Community Fund, among others, but assured that the relevant committees will work towards harmonising the variances even as he adjourned debate till today.

Earlier in his lead debate, Victor Ndoma Egba, PDP Cross River, who doubles as both the sponsor and the leader of the Senate, pointed out that owing to the mono-cultural nature of Nigerian economy, the PIB has generated both national and international interests.

He said that the bill, when passed, will significantly improve domestic gas supply for the power industry, which is the backbone of the power sector reform agenda.

Let FCt residents votes count, ANPP tells Minister

By Adeola Tukuru

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he All Nigerians Peoples Party (ANPP), FCT Chapter yesterday called on FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, to refrain from interference with the conduct of Area Councils election in FCT. The FCT Chairman of ANPP, Alhaji Abdulmalik Usman, in a statement in Gwagwalada called on the Minister to respect the principle of one man one vote in the March 16 Area Councils election.

Usman faulted a statement credited to the minister over plot to capture the six Area Councils in the territory for the PDP in the March 16 elections.

“The FCT Minister should take a clue from what happened in Bauchi when he contested and defeated an incumbent PDP senator under the platform of ANPP. “What gave him the edge over the incumbent senator is that the people’s votes counted.

“It is therefore sad for a politician who won election under such credible, free and fair election in Bauchi to come to FCT and abuse the process,” he said.

Usman therefore called on the Prof. Attahiru Jega led INEC to insist on credible election in FCT and put up machineries to ensure that the election was transparent, free and fair.

The ANPP chairman called on FCT residents to remain steadfast and come out en-mass on March 16 to ensure that the six Area Councils in FCT were delivered to ANPP. He also called on the party supporters to be peaceful and law abiding adding that ANPP would continue to live up to its campaign promises.

R-L: Senate President David Mark presenting a souvenir to the leader of German Parliament delegation, Mr Uwe Kekeritz, during the latter visit to the senate president, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

PDP Website, Magazine get new COO

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday announced the appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer (COO) for its website and official magazine, Umbrella.

The party in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, announced Mr. Ahaoma Kanu, a CNN award winner the new occupant of the position.

The party stated “Consequent upon the decision of the National Working Committee to reposition the party ahead of the 2015 general elections, the Publicity Directorate has unfolded a number of programmes to enable the party maintain its preeminent position in spite of the orchestrated attacks by the opposition.

“In this regard, the party has repackaged its website as well as its official magazine, the Umbrella to effectively publicize the programmes of the PDP government in power.

“The PDP website will have a contemporary outlook and multimedia components making

it a useful tool for the younger generation of Nigerians to get more actively involved in the activities of the ruling party.

“In the same vein, the Umbrella magazine has been repackaged and upgraded to have more content which will focus on development strides recorded by

the party at the federal, state and local government area levels in the country.

The Umbrella has consolidated on its editorial team with the appointment of a CNN Award winner and seasoned journalist, Mr. Ahaoma Kanu as the Chief Operating Officer (COO).”

Al-Makura appoints female SSG

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ov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State on Monday appointed Hajia Zainab Abdulmumini as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

Abdulmumini, until her appointment, was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education.

A statement by the Permanent Secretary, General

Services Administration, Mr Bulus Musa, in Lafia, said that Al-Makura would inaugurate the new SSG on a date to be announced later.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abdulmumini is the first woman to be appointed SSG since the creation of the state in 1996.

NAN recalls that Al-Makura

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

According to Al-Makura, the dissolution of the cabinet is not meant to witch-hunt anyone, but to ‘inject new blood’ in the administration in order to fasttrack its development agenda in the state. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

PAGE 41

Keshi retains AFCON heroes, calls up Ajiboye, Bassey, other domestic league players for Kenya

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uper Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi kept faith with his six AFCON Cup heroes and called up 18 other domestic league players to camp ahead of the March 23 World Cup qualifier against the Harambee Stars of Kenya.

The list of their foreign-based counterparts will be released subsequently while the final list of 25-man team will be forwarded to FIFA for the qualifier scheduled for the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

As expected, Keshi included some fresh legs that includes Ajiboye Dele, the former Golden Eaglets, Flying Eagles and U-23 goalkeeper, Saka Ayo, Jiya Muhammed and Emeka Ezeh even as he recalled Ezekiel Bassey, that had arrived late to the camp and was excused to leave.

On the 24-man list is Eagles home-based captain, Chigozie Agbim, Sunday Mba, who was one of the heroes of Nigeria’s 2013 Afcon win, Godfrey Oboabona, the Sunshine Stars captain, who featured in all games of the tournament in South Africa, Gabriel Reuben,

Papa Idris and goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi all made a comeback to the team.

However, prominent names

like Uche Kalu and Henry Uche were left out of the squad.

The players are to hit the Abuja camp on Sunday, March

10 from joined by next week the venue

Godfrey Oboabona

Chigozie Agbim

Sunday Mba

where they will be foreign based players for the trip to Calabar, of the match.

Full list of invited players Goalkeepers Agbim Chigozie - Rangers Akpeyi Daniel - Heartland Ajiboye Dele - 3SC Defenders Egwueke Azubuike - Warri Wolves Papa Idris - Kano Pillars Zango Umar - Kano Pillars Oboabona Godfrey - Sunshine Stars Kwambe Solomon - Sunshine Stars Chibuzo Okonkwo - Rangers Ezekiel Bassey - Lobi Stars Benjamin Francis - Heartland Zubaru Muhammed Tornadoes Midfielders & Forwards Mba Sunday - Nigeria Gabriel Reuben - Kano Pillars Gambo Muhammed - Kano Pillars Ubale Mannir - Kano Pillars Pius Samson - Ranchers Bees Ohanduku Gomo - Sharks Obinna Nwanchukwu Heartland Saka Ayo - Enyimba Jiya Muhammed - Bayelsa FC Emeka Ezeh - Rangers Anthony Okputu - Lobi Stars Adepoju Taofeek - 3SC

NPFL: March 9 date is sacrosanct, says Abubakar

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fter several failed attempts to kick-off the 2012/2013 Nigeria Professional Football League season, a member of the Interim Management Committee, Salihu Abubakar, says that the March 9 date fixed for the league to commence is sacred.

The pioneer Secretary of the Nigeria Premier League is confident nothing will stand on the path of his committee to kick-start the season. Though there is inhibition occasioned by funding constraint, Abubakar does not believe that this will prevent the league from commencing as fixed.

“The league will start on March 9. Yes, there is the problem of funding. But we cannot allow that to disrupt our plans. Besides, we have three options to raise funds. We have the government, Total promotion/Globacom and members who can raise the money themselves,” Abubakar said.

Peoples Daily Sports recalls that the league had been in chaos

since season following the forced dissolution of the board of the NPL and hiccups therefrom. Though efforts had been made to resolve the impasse, it has remained unabated especially the matter of title sponsorship.

Abubakar admitted all this but insisted there are not beyond breach to ensure that the season begins even as he stressed that the Nduka Obaigbena-led committee is working assiduously to fix all troublesome areas for the smooth kick-off of the season.

He assured that the committee is aware of the magnity of the problem and the time needed to address them, but insisted that the people saddled with the task have a large shoulder to bear the burdens.

“On Saturday will all watch the Rangers versus Enyimba match and the following day in Kano to watch the next game. The league will surely start. There is no going back,” he assured.

Reuben Gabriel

Keshi meets technical committee, defends foreign-based list today Stories by Patrick Andrew

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he holiday is over for the Super Eagles’ technical crew. Today, Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, will formally

Stephen Keshi

meet with members of the NFF technical committee to present and defend his 2014 World Cup qualifying programmes.

‘Big Boss’ Keshi, who had issues with some members of the committee, will kick-start camping for the qualifiers on March 10 and 13 days later clash with Kenya at the UJ Esuene Stadium Calabar.

Already, Keshi has released a 24-man list of domestic league players, including the six that participated at the 29th AFCON tournament in South Africa where the Super Eagles emerged African champions for the third time.

The former Togo and Mali manager, who may have been in the United States to see his family briefly after the victory,

is expected to unveil the programmes that will spand from now through to the final phase of the Brazil 2014 World Cup finals.

Among the matters which will engage the focus of the committee are the list of foreign-based players, international friendly games, logistics for the technical crew and other salient needs of the team.

Peoples Daily Sports recalls that Keshi had recently muted that the likelihood of recalling some of the older members of the team that were excluded in the Nations Cup team.

These may include the likes of Obinna Nsofor, Obafemi Martins, Uche Kalu, Osaze Odemwingie, Joel Obi, while

Bright Dike, Shola Ameobi, Sydney Sam among others, could be given a second chance.

Keshi will eventually named 25-man team for the Kenya match.

Meanwhile, the football federation says that N100m will be required to bankroll the March 23 World Cup qualifying game in Calabar.

Also speaking on the the unpaid AFCON bonus of over $ 1 million, General Secretary of the NFF, Musa Amadu has assured that it would be paid but without indicating time frame.

“We would pay the bonuses very soon at least before the Eagles next game. It’s not in our character to owe but these are difficult times for the federation cash wise,” he said.

Ajiboye Dele

Ezekiel Bassey

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

PAGE 45

PSG seek to rebound from league shock

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Liverpool won’t sell players

aris Saint-Germain is under pressure to clinch their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League at Valencia’s expense after their latest below-par domestic performance.

The French club is top of Ligue 1 and lead Valencia 21 from the first leg of their last-16 tie, but a 1-0 defeat away to Reims on Saturday came as a blow to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad before Wednesday’s game at the Parc des Princes.

The massive investment in PSG’s squad by their Qatari owners has, after all, been made with domestic as well as European success in mind.

Nevertheless, attentions are now fully fixed on the continental scene, and vital away goals from Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore mean that PSG have the edge coming into the return leg of this tie, even if a late Adil Rami goal in the first leg allowed Valencia to maintain hope.

All will be well in the French capital if Ancelotti’s side can progress to the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite club competition, but they will need to cope without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who begins a two-match European ban handed down for his sending-off towards the end of the

Juventus coach preach caution against Celtic today

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uventus coach Antonio Conte has called on his side not to lose focus as the Italian champions look to seal their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League against Celtic here today.

Juve beat the Scottish champions 3-0 in Glasgow last month to give Neil Lennon’s men a mountain to climb if they are to claim a place in the last eight.

However Conte said Juve, who are looking to make the last eight for the first time since their exit at the hands of Arsenal in 2006, said: “Celtic are a strong side and they’re proud: we have to focus on the task at hand because we’re only halfway through qualifying for the quarters.

“I’ve never been in the position of having a 3-0 advantage from the first leg so we’re going into unknown territory.

“And football is full of surprises. That makes it all the more important to keep focus. We also have to be wary of dead ball situations.

Celtic complained to Uefa, European football’s ruling body, over several pushing and shoving incidents which marred the first leg in Glasgow.

When asked about the Scottish side’s complaint, Conte quipped: “He (Lennon) should come and coach in Italy.

Every time Celtic had a corner one of their players was in the goalmouth hindering (goalkeeper) Gianluigi Buffon.

L

iverpool managing director Ian Ayre has made it clear there is no pressure to sell their star players despite an increase in the club’s debts to £87.2 million.

The latest Anfield accounts showed a rise in debt of £21.8 million during the ten-month period from August 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012.

Ayre highlighted the cost of rebuilding a squad without any European football under Kenny Dalglish last season as a major factor in that increase.

However, he insisted that there is no need to sell names such as Luis Suarez to balance the books, and that the final say in any transfers will lie with manager Brendan Rodgers.

Ayre is adamant that Liverpool are in good shape to cope with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules, which will limit clubs to losing no more than £39 million over a three-year cycle.

The Premier League agreed to adopt its own rules at a meeting in February, with its clubs set to be limited to losing £105 million over three years. Liverpool made a pre-tax loss of £40.5 million during 2011-12.

Ayre said: “There’s no panic on our part, far from it. We feel we are making progress. Our aspiration for the next couple of years, as the rules will dictate, is to break even and then to make a profit beyond that.

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS AISHA EL-YAKUB MRS. IBRAHIM AISHA EL-YAKUB NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS MR. AISHA IBRAHIM. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME IBRAHIM - FORMERLY KNOWN AS BAKO IBRAHIM NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS AHMAD MOKAWU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. TAFAWA BALEWA L.G.A., CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS. JERUSHA ILIYA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. JERUSHA YUSUF GOGNAJE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ELEY OTU, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MARGRET ELEY ABANG. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

first leg.

Italian midfielder Marco Verratti is also banned, meaning a Champions League start could be in the offing for David Beckham, who failed to make an impression as a substitute at the weekend.

Valencia come into the game on a run of just one defeat in their last ten outings in La Liga, even if that was a 50 home defeat at the hands of a Real Madrid side who, like PSG, are adept at tearing opponents apart on the break.

Ernesto Valverde’s men are fifth in La Liga, one point adrift of the Champions League qualifying spots for next season, although they could have been in an even better position had they not conceded a late equaliser to draw 2-2 at home against cross-town rivals Levante at the weekend.

The two-time Champions League runners-up have defensive problems with Ricardo Costa and French international Rami both missing due to injury, meaning another Frenchman, Jeremy Mathieu, will again partner Victor Ruiz in the heart of the back four, just as he did at the weekend.

TODAY’S CL MATCHES Juventus v Celtic PSG v Valencia

Paul Pogba

Barcelona ‘II bounce back, says Mascherano

B

arcelona’s Argentine star J a v i e r Mascherano said yesterday that the Catalan club had enough in their armoury to overcome a 2-0 deficit and knock AC Milan out of the Champions League.

Former Liverpool star Mascherano said recent poor form the opening leg loss and a pair of reverses to domestic rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Cup and the league were down to a loss of confidence.

In addition, Barcelona has been hit this season by the need for Coach Tito Vilanova to take time out in New

York, where he is currently undergoing cancer treatment.

“From the start of the season we have been leaking goals. It’s an aspect which has become more noticeable now our overall level has dropped off. But we musn’t make excuses we must collectively improve,” said the Argentine linchpin.

And he insisted the media should not paint a picture of crisis, doom and gloom.

“If someone has doubts about our playing system then they should look back over the last five years and not just the past fortnight.”

Javier Mascherano

PAGE 42

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AFFILIATED APEX FISH FARMERS

KANKARA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL FRIEND’S WELFARE FOUNDATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FARMERS HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.COMRADE SULEIMAN DAUDA -CHAIRMAN 2.HAJIYA ABDULKAREEM ZAINAB -MEMBER 3.MR. PAULI ISIGUZO -MEMBER 4.AMB. SAM AZUBUIKE O. -MEMBER 5.MR. PATRIC OKO -MEMBER 6.MR. YUSUF BUBA YAKUBU -MEMBER 7.BARR. WILLIAM WARIGON -SECRETARY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO FOSTER UNITY AMONG AQUA FARMERS. 2.TO ASSIST AQUA PRACTITIONERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR GAOLS. 3.TO BOOST AN ENDURING ENVIRONMENT FOR FISH BUSINESS. 4.TO LIASE WITH GOVERNMENT ON AGRICULTURE POLICES. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B. 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTYEIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.YAKUBU NADABO -CHAIRMAN 2.MUNTARI LIMAN -MEMBER 3.KASIMU SADA -MEMBER 4.BELLO IDRIS -MEMBER 5.ADAMU BELLO -MEMBER 6.BASIRU TUKUR -SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. ASSISTING PATIENTS WITH DRUGS, FUNDS AND ADVICE. 2.ASSISTING HOSPITAL WITH THE WORKING EQUIPMENT AND FUNDS. 3.ASSISTING GOVERNMENT IN IMPLEMENTING HEALTH POLICY AND PROGRAMMES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI MAITAMA P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

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OLD NAME: EZIASHI YOUTH CLUB OF NIGERIA NEW NAME: EZIASHI SOCIAL CLUB OF OGWASHI-UKU RC NO: 1389 THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR CHANGE OF NAME, TRUSTEES, CTC OF CERTIFICATE AND AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE: NEW TRUSTEES 1.JUDE OKOLO 1.AZUKA EKWUYASI 2.BEN AJIDUA 2.DUMEBI OGBOBO 3.ALEX OKOLO 3.KANDI OKWU 4.MATHEW OBI 4.TONY EKWENUYA 5.MATHIAS EZIASHI 5.NDUKA NJOKANMA 6.FRANCIS IWEUNOR 6.JUDE OKOLO 7.ELUE EZEDI 7.FRANK OBI 8.MARTINS EZIASHI AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO FOSTER UNITY AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG ALL SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF OGWASHI-UKU. 2.TO UTILIZE THE CLUB TO PROPAGATE AND PRESERVE OUR HERITATE. 3.TO ERADICATE ALL FORMS OF SOCIAL ILLS WITHIN OUR PEOPLES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI MAITAMA P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED BARR. MARTINS CHJIOKE 08039228273

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JEHOVAH JIREH EVANGELICAL SPIRITUAL CHURCH

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THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ROLLAND-OGHIADOMHE, EMMANUEL 2.JOHANNE PUREN EMEKA-OLLENY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO ASSIST SOME POOR AND LESS PRIVILEDGED NIGERIANS GAIN FINANCIAL FREEDOM BY HARRESSING IN BORNE TALENTS OF THE MEMBERS OF COMMUNITIES. 2.TO DEVELOP HUMAN CAPACITY AND SHOWCASE THEIR TALENTS TO HELP THEM FROM THE CAPTIVITY OF POVERTY.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.DR. PRINCEWILL IGBAGARA (CHAIRMAN) 2.BARR. FAYENENGIGHA JACOB (SECRETARY) 3.MR. DAVID ORJI 4.MR. CHINATU NWAUKWA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO SUPPORT IN ENLIGHTENING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE DANGERS OF CORRUPTION IN THE SOCIETY.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B. 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTYEIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

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SIGNED KAYODE OYEDEJI ESQ. (SOLICITOR) 0803 359 8319

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THE ORDER OF SAINT AUGUSTINE OF NIGERIA IT/NO 2384

SCHOLARSHIP AID INITIATIVE THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

EASY RIDERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF NIGERIA

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1.REV. FR. JOSEPH CHUKWUNYERE OKWU 2.REV. FR. JAMES DAMAN 3.REV. FR. ALEXANDER LONGS THE NEW TRUSTEES ARE: 1.VERY REVD. FR. JOHN ABUBAKAR, OSA 2.REVD. FR. AUGUSTINE GARBA, OSA 3.REVD. FR. PETER ULOFU, OSA

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ADEBAYO OLUWATOSIN TEMITAYO (PRESIDENT) 2.ADEBAYO OLUWAFUNMILOLA REBECA 3.ADEROJU OLUWAKEMISOLA BOSEDE (SECRETARY) 4.ODUBELA OLUWABUSOLA OLUWATOSIN 5.AJIBOLA TEMITOPE IBRAHIM (FINANCIAL SECRETARY) 6.AJAHI OLANIYI (TREASURER) 7.ADEMIJU FEYIFOLUWA ROLAND THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO ASSIT IN THE ELIMINATION OF ILLITERACY IN RURAL AREAS. 2.TO AWARD SCHOLARSHIP TO BRILIANT STUDENTS FROM PRIMARY LEVEL TO TERTIARY.

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ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B. 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTYEIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

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ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI MAITAMA P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

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SIGNED OUR LADY’S SOLICITORS 08055527042

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PREVIOUS BROTHERS CLUB OF NIGERIA

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.APOSTLE ONOFOUA SIDNEY 2.PASTOR (MRS.) ONOFUAN OMAMFUVWE 3.OKHUELEIGBE CHARLES EHIMEN 4.EVANG ABIODUN ERUOHWO 5.ENAMUTOR FELIX AKPOBOME 6.IGBHODALO SMARTO AKPASUBI 7.MRS. OLUWAKOYE OMOWUMI TEMITOPE 8.ABIRHIRE EKEMEJERO 9.JUMBO SELEGHA IBIFAGBA 10.CHUKWUKA AUSTINE CHUKUKA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B. 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTYEIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: CHAIRMAN

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.OTI IKECHUKWU -CHAIRMAN 2.CHIDI OGBODO -SECRETARY 3.OKWUDILI ANEKE -TREASURER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PROMOTE AND FOSTER BROTHERLY LOVE, PEACE AND UNITY AMONGST MEMBERS. 2.TO SERVE AS A FORUM OF ASSOCIATION AND EASY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MEMBERS AND OTHER ORGANISATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B. 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTYEIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: CHIDI OGBODO (SECRETARY)

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FOUNDATION FOR PERSONS WITH AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDER THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

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WOMEN OF EXPLOITS MINISTRY THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ELDER (MRS) ROSE ONYEKWUM 2. MRS. CHINWE UCHENDU 3. MR. AKACHUKWU AFAM ONYEKWUM AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO ADDRESS VARIOUS CHALLENGES FACING WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND GIVE THEM MORE VISIBILITY IN PUBLIC LIFE. 2. TO FIGHT AGAINST SOCIAL EVILS LIKE PROSTITUTION, DRUG ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM AMONG THE YOUTHS PARTICULARLY AMONG YOUNG FEMALES. 3. TO HELP WOMEN AND YOUTHS KNOW HOW TO SUBMIT COOPERATIVELY TO GOD’S WORK IN AND THROUGH THEM. 4. TO ENCOURAGE THE YOUTHS TO HELP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED ETONIRU VIVIAN

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PUBLIC NOTICE SAVE NIGERIAN ENVIRONMENT INITIATIVE THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR. ERNEST ASI AFIESIMAMA 2. ALHAJI SALISU AUWAL, MNI 3. JINYEBARIMIEMA ELI ABIBO, ESQ 4. DR. SHUAIB HASSAN 5. MRS STELLA ADAKU AFIESIMAMA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO ENSURE A CLEAN. SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT IN BOTH RURAL AND URBAN AREAS FOR FUTURE GENERATION THROUGH: A. EDUCATING COMMUNITIES IN RURAL AREAS ON THE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATED TO SOCIOECONOMIC ACTIVITIES. B.SENSITISING THE SOCIETY ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT. C.PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS IN COMMUNITIES. D.KEEPING THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN AND ENCOURAGING GREEN COVER. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED J.E. ABIBO, ESQ SUITE 31, 1ST FLOOR DANSVILLE PLAZA (BEHIND A.P. FILLING STATION) APO ABUJA

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THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED SYNAGOGUE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED OUTREACH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

TRUSTEES: (1) REV (MRS) PATIENCE OLANIYI -PRESIDENT (2) DEACON GBOLAHAN OLANIYI -VICE PRESIDENT (3) BRO BUKOLA DOSUNMU -MEMBER (4) BRO GABRIEL K AJIMO -SECRETARY AIMS &OBJECTIVES (1) INCULCATING GODLY VALUES IN FAMILIES (2) TEACHING COUPLES THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO EACH OTHER IN THE BOND OF MARRIAGE. (3) PROVIDING PROGRAMMES FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT, SELF DEVELOPMENT, SELF EMPOWERMENT AND SKILL ACQUISTION TO BOTH THE SINGLES AND COUPLES. (4) TO EQUIP SINGLES WITH THE RIGHT MINDSET AND FAMILY VALUES FOR A SUCCESSFUL MARITAL BLISS (5)TACKLING SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL CHALLENGES FACING SINGLES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION, SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1. MR. PETERS OKOJI AGBAI 2. MR. KINGSLEY ELEKWA ANYIM 3. MR. EMMANUEL ABOH 4. MR. AZUKA OGBUKAA 5. MR. AGBOO OKOYE 6. MR. GODWIN NGENE 7. JAMES MADUAKOR THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A PLACE OF WORSHIP ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION, SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED; SECRETARY

SIGNED BY: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

JESUS IS THE SECRET OF REST MINISTRY

VICTORY OF PILLAR DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

KINGSWORD INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL CHURCH

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. REV . PASTOR OBANI FESTUS 2. PROPHET OBANI JUDE 3. DEACON EHICHIOYA CLETUS 4. DEACON ARCHIE NWORAH OKOYE 5. PROPHETESS KANU FAITH NNENNA 6. DEACON GODWIN NWACHUKWU. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS, 2. TO SERVE HUMANITY, 3. TO ESTABLISH CHURCHES.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. MR. MADUBUIKE UGOCHUCKWU 2. MR. MADUBUIKE CHRIS 3. MR. SOLOMON C.U. ONYEUKWU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO BE CONCERNED AND INVOLVED IN SOUL WINNING FOR CHRIST 2. TO BUILD A WORSHIP CENTER FOR DAILY WORSHIP TO GOD. 3. TO STAND IN THE GAP FOR IN PRAYERS FOR OUR MEMBERS, THE NATION, NIGERIA AND THE WHOLE WORLD AS A WHOLE ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT,AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: G.M. EVERJOY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1.NWOCHU KINDOPA JUDE CLERGY 2.AGUDOSI TOCHUKWU CHRISTIAN MEMBER 3.IGBOKWE CHIMA RUBEN MEMBER 4.UHUO CHIKA JOHNSON SECRETARY 5.RUEBBEN OGBONNA SAMUEL MEMBER 6.EKONG MARTINS MEMBER AIMS & OBJECTIVES 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF GOD. 2.TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THROUGH APOSTOLIC WORK. 3.TO TEACH AND PREPARE CHRISTIAN FOR KINGDOM OF GOD, EVANGELISM, CRUSADE AND BIBLE TEACHING. 4.TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN PLACES OF WORSHIP ALL OVER THE WORLD AS THE SPIRIT OF GOD LEADS. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT,AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

FEEDING AFRICA INITIATIVE

ENUGU UNITED FRIENDS CLUB, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT,AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES: 1.MRS SANDRA ESTHER BOLANLE OWODUNNI 2. HON. BAYO ADESANYA 3. MRS RACHAEL ONIGA 4. MR KAYODE ADEAGBO 5. MR PAUL ODUJOKO 6. MR MOSES OLUFEMI OLUSOPE 7. MR SEGUN ADEAGBO THE AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR THE AFRICAN LESS PRIVILEGE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND ADULT WHO CAN NOT AFFORD TO BUY FOOD 2. TO EMPOWER THE LESS PRIVILEGE IN AFRICA THROUGH EDUCATION, ENTREPRENEURIAL/SKILL TRAINING, FARMING/ AGRICULTURE, SEMINARY, MENTORING, COACHING. 3. TO ENGAGE AFRICAN IN THE FIGHT TO END HUNGER IN OUR SOCIETY ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT,AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1. SUNDAY NNAM 2. OBINNA IKE 3. EJIKE ONYEKA 4. MONDAY NWAFOR 5. SIMON ONYEKA NNAJI 6. ONYEBUCHI NNAMANI 7. BONIFACE ARUM 8. MAXWELL OKENWA 9. IKECHUKWU EGBOGU THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE AND INTEREST OF MEMBERS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION, SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: LAW AXIS (ATTORNEYS)

EL-GIBOR GOD’S HERITAGE FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. PASTOR MRS. ESTHER EYO IKPANA-PRESIDENT 2. REV. EYO ETIM IKPANA -VICE PRESIDENT 3. MR. BASSEY EYO NSA -EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 4. REV. MRS. SARAH AKANYA -DIRECTOR 5. ELDER ENGR. EMMANUEL POLYCARP BASSEY -DIRECTOR 6. REV. SUNDAY INA KALU -DIRECTOR 7. MISS. EKPOANWAN EYO IKPANA -SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO ASSIST LESS PRIVILEGE IN THE SOCIETY 2. TO PROVIDE. MORAL AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ORGANISATIONS THAT CARE FOR THE ABANDONED CHILDREN, ORPHANS, CHILD ABUSE, TEENAGE PREGNANCY 3. TO PROVIDE QUALITY EDUCATION FOR INDIGENT AND LESS PRIVILEDGED CHILDREN. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT,AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: GENERAL SECRETARY

SIGNED: BARR. KINGSLEY NWACHUKWU 08035707266

SIGNED: LAWYER KEMI 08064351514

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

LIVING FIRE WORLD ASSEMBLY

GODS WAYS AND ACTS MINISTRY

PUBLIC NOTICE AFRICAN FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TREATMENT OF HEART AND LUNG DISEASES

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1. ARCH. BISHOP STEVEN ENAIGOH OVERY - CHAIRMAN 2. PASTOR MRS VICTORIA OVERY - SECRETARY 3. DEACON AMOS OWOLO - MEMBER 4. ELDER DR. FRANKLYN DANUMUGHAN - MEMBER 5. DEACONESS REBECCA IGBE - MEMBER 6. DEACON SIMON INDIAMA - MEMBER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND LEAD MEN/WOMEN INTO A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST THROUGH REPENTANCE AND FAITH WHICH (JESUS) MADE AT THE CROSS OF CALVARY 2. TO GET ALL BELIEVERS PRACTICALLY AND FULLY INVOLVED IN FULFILLING THE GREAT COMMISSION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST AS IT IS FOUND IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION, SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION SIGNED: BARR. JACQUELINE ANI 08162843448

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1. PASTOR MOSES ENYI EGOR 2. MR. CHARLES OLEWEZI 3. BARR. EMEKA OJI 4. MRS. ESTHER JOSEPH UDOH 5. BRO. EMEKA ELVIS UNAKA 6. MR. PETER BASSEY EDET 7. MR. MIKE AGWU IDIKACHI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION, SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. EMEKA OJI 08033057854

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1. DR. EMEKA KESIEME 2. DR. IFEANYI OKAFOR THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO IMPROVE THE THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SERVICES IN AFRICA, BEGINNING WITH NIGERIA 2. TO CREATE AWARENESS OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES IN NIGERIA 3. TO SPONSOR INDIGENT PATIENTS WHO PRESENT WITH THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION, SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION SIGNED: SECRETARY

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PUBLIC NOTICE LOKOGOMA DISTRICT LANDLORDS AND TENANTS ASSOCIATION THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1. MR. SEGUN KOLAWOLE OBAWEDE 2. DR. KENNETH AGU 3. MR. PAUL OLUSEYI AKEREDOLU 4. BARR. PAUL OGBU 5. MR. CHUKS EKPU 6. MR. DANIEL ASEKHAMEN 7. BARR. CHIJIOKE NWITE 8. MR. ADEOTI DEBO 9. MR. TONIAUSTIN OGARAKU 10. MR. EDIDIONG OBOT THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF RESIDENTS WITHIN THE ESTATE ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION, SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

CONSUMERS EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE FOR CHANGE

CHIEF MICHAEL ODO ABONYI ICHAKPOROKO FOUNDATION

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR AMMENDMENTS OF CONSTITUTION/ADDITIONAL TRUSTEES UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

OLD TRUSTEES AMBASSADOR FIDEL AYOGU HON. UGWUANYI IFEANYI IGWEBUIKE ABONYI MRS. ANGELINA NWAKAEGO ABONYI MISS MARTHA ONYINYE ABONYI JUSTICE CENTUS NWEZE ADDITIONAL TRUSTEES IGWE REMIGIUS NWODO IGWE GODWIN ODO GEN. (RTD) GODWIN UGWUOKE REV. FR. FREDERICK AGU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAINS THE SAME ANY OBJECTION TO THIS CHANGES SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. PRINCESS ADEOLA IDIKE OSUNBADE 2. DAYO OLOWOLE AIMS TO PROMOTE EDUCATION IN LINE WITH THE VARIOUS ROLES OF SERVICE PROVIDING SECTORS OF THE SOCIETY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

POTTER’S HEART FOUNDATION

NNUKWUNZE AGBAJA ABATETE ASSOCIATION

SIKIRU AYINDE BALOGUN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. CHIEF EZENWE JOSEPH EMEH PRESIDENT 2. IDE OBINWUGO PETER EDEBEATU SECRETARY 3. OBI AGBJA BENEDICT OBIEFUNA MEMBER 4. IDE EZEKWESILI CHRISTOPHER EGENTI MEMBER 5. CHIEF AKULUEUNO CHARLES AJEMBER MEMBER 6. CHIEF EZECHUKWU INNOCENT OKOLO MEMBER 7. CHIEF NWAKAIBIE PETER ANYADIEGWU MEMBER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF ITS MEMBERS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. RAZAQ ISHOLA BALOGUN CHAIRMAN 2. SULAIMAN BALOGUN GENERAL SECRETARY 3. MAROOF BALOGUN 4. SAMSONDEEN BALOGUN 5. OLASHILE BALOGUN 6. FEMI BALOGUN 7. CHIEF (DR.) BUAR ABU-OLOTO 8. ALHAJI ADISA OSI-EFA 9. ALHAJI SHAMSIN ADELE 10. OTUNBA ADISA RILWAN ONIFADE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO CATER FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. 2. TO PROMOTE UNITY, PEACE AND CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FAMILY OF LATE MUSICAL ICON AND HIS FANS. 3. TO PROMOTE THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL WELFARE OF MEMBERS OF THE FOUNDATION AND THE COMMUNITY.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1. MRS FUNMILAYO UROH 2. MR. OLUWAFEMI UROH 3. MR. RICHARD OLANREWAJU UROH 4. MISS OLUWAKEMI SUSAN UROH 5. MR. OLAYINKA DONNIE UROH 6. MR. OLUWATOBI DAVID BILL UROH THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO CATER FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION, SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. ADEOLA MAGNUS ARAULENE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE DARE TO CARE WOMEN AND CHILDRENS FOUNDATION

EBONYI YOUTHS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

OVIE FOUNDATION FOR YOUTHS DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. ABEL PULOVIE OGBOWA PRESIDENT 2.VICTORIA MIEBOFA SECRETARY 3.DORA MIEBOFA AIMS TO EMPOWER YOUTHS THROUGH POSITIVE ORIENTATION ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY.

SIGNED: SECRETARY.

SIGNED: SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSOCIATION OF IGBO TRADERS OWODE

VICTORY WORD OUTREACH CHAPEL

MEDIC ANGELS FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. CHARLES KAYODE DJORSU 2. EZEKIEL ASOGBA 3. SUNDAY ASILAMENU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST ALL OVER THE WORLD. 2. TO ESTABLISH LOCAL BRANCHES AND CHRISTIAN LEARNING CENTRES FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL WORLDWIDE. 3. TO HOLD CRUSADES, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, RETREATS, CONFERENCES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: DESIRE OLUFEMI BOTOKU ESQ 08023016330/08055226214

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OLATUNJI AWONUSI CHAIRMAN 2. AYOOLA AROBIEKE SECRETARY 3. DR. SAMUEL OLALEKAN KESHINRO MEMBER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO FACILITATE THE PROVISION OF QUALITATIVE AND FREE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL. 2. PROVIDING HEALTH EDUCATION AND ORGANIZING HEALTH CARE PROGRAMMES. 3. EXECUTIVE HEATH CARE PROJECTS ALONE OR IN CONJUCTION WITH OTHER RELEVANT ORGANIZATIONS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

TRUSTEES 1. ELAINE AISHA OLENLOA PRESIDENT 2.BARR. RACHEL KEKE OLENLOA 3.BARR. ADESHINA ADEDAPO AJAGUNNA 4.MRS. TAIBATU OMORO DIKO AIM TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEDGED WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE SOCIETY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PRINCE NGELE DONATSON 2.FRIDAY OKORONKWO 3.VITUS IRONWA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO UNITE TRADERS OF IGBO EXTRACTION IN OWODE TOWARDS ACHIEVING COMMON GOALS 2. TO ATTEND TO THE WELFARE OF ALL IGBO TRADERS IN OWODE. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY.

TRUSTEES 1. UKPAI OKPORIE IKWOR PRESIDENT 2.ENYINNA NKAMA 3.IKWOR OKPORIE IKWOR 4.IGBO OKPORIE IKWOR 5.UKPAI NKAMA IKWOR SECRETARY AIMS TO EMPOWER YOUTHS THROUGH POSITIVE ORIENTATION

SIGNED: OLAYINKA OLUMIDE ESQ 08033291339 (SOLICITOR)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

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PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE SOUGHTOUT CELEBRATION MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

WONDERS OF THE WORD ASSEMBLY INTERNATIONAL

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE CHAMPION CHRISTIAN DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OGUANYA CHUKS OSITA CHAIRMAN 2. OGUANYA FAITH ONYINYE SECRETARY 3. GABRIEL IGWEBUIKE TREASURER 4. OKWANDIGBO CHIBUNNA MEMBER 5. OGUANYA UCHENNA MEMBER 6. OGUANYA CHUKWUDI MEMBER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND LIBERATE MANKIND FROM THE OPPRESSION OF THE DEVIL THROUGH WONDERS OF THE WORD OF GOD ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EVANGELIST (MRS) BEST UCHECHI JOHN - PRESIDENT/ FOUNDER 2. ELDER FRIDAY JOHN NWOSU 3. BRO. VINCENT OKAM 4. ENGR. CELESTINE CHINASA CHIWEUBA - SECRETARY 5. CHIEF UCHECHUKWU ENYINNAH NWELE 6. SIS. PERPETUAL CHINONYE NWOSU 7. SIS. CHIKA VICTORY NWOSU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. NNAMBUKO OBINNA D. NO. 4 ODIENNA CLOSE WUSE II ABUJA (08032716076)

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. APOSTLE OLORUNYOMI MICHAEL OLORUNTOBA 2. MR OLUSANYA AJAKAIYE 3. ENGR. KAYODE OLORUNFEMI RICHARD 4. PROFESSOR ENGINEER SAMUEL AKINDIJI 5. MR EGBENIYI MOSES AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TOWARDS SPIRITUAL AND MENTAL DEVELOPMENT ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

FAIR FIELD DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

GOODNEWS OUTREACH MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

THE WAY OF LIFE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. (DR.) STEVEN GODSON ADEWALE 2. PASTOR EJIOGU CHIKA CELESTINE 3. PASTOR RUTH WISDOM ISSA 4. IKA BENJAMIN GAMBO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL AND DELIVERANCE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN ALL HOOK AND CRANNIES OF NIGERIA AND ALL OVER THE WORLD. 2. TO DEMONSTRATE THE TRUE LOVE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: WILSON BALA ESQ. NO. 8, LOBITO CRESCENT, WUSE II, ABUJA, FCT

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) PROPHET AKOMOLAFE R.OLUSOLA (2) LADY EVANGLIST.AKOMOLAFE B.ESTHER (3) PASTOR OYESANMI ALONGE (4)DEACON OGUNMOLA A. RICHARD (5)DEACONESS OLUYEMI FOYEKE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES (1) TO PREACH & TO EVANGELISE JESUS CHRIST TO MANKIND (2) TO DEMONSTRATES CHRIST LIKE LOVE TO MAN KIND ALL OVER THE WORLD (3) TO ESTABLISH BIBLE INSTITUTES (4) TO RUN OUTREASH PROGRAMMES & REVIVAL CRUSEDE ACROSS D GLOBE (5) TO CARE FOR THE NEEDY IN D SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: AGBO EMMANUEL CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

GOOD SOLDIERS OF CHRIST GRACE MINISTRY

KEBBI DEVELOPMENT FORUM

THE COMMONWEALTH OF GRACE CHURCH

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR. CHUKWUEMEKA UMEH 2. MRS ABIGAIL UMEH 3. MR DANIEL HALLIDAY 4. MS BOSEDE ADEBISI 5. MR DAVIES EHANIRE 6. MR EMMANUEL KELVIN UMEH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO STRENGTHEN THE HEALTH SYSTEM IN NIGERIA AND OTHER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. 2. TO ENCOURAGE AND PURSUE UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE HELTH CARE FOR ALL NIGERIAS ESPECIALLY FOR POOR FAMILIES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR OLU OLAYINKA OLORUNJUWON 2. PASTOR (MRS) GLORIA OLU 3. MR SUNDAY ADOBU 4. MR ANDREW NWODOM 5. MR MONDAY AGWU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. THE PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE IS SOUL WINNING BY RAISING A STANDING SOUL. 2. EXPANDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD THROUGH THE PREACHING OF HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. 3. TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF ITS MEMBERS. 4. IMPACTING THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORD OF GOD IN THE LIFE OF MANY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SYLVESTER UNOAKHE, ESQ. SYLVESTER UNOAKHE & ASSCOAITES, SUITE 19, 4TH FLOOR, TURAKI ALI HOUSE, 3 KANTA ROAD, KADUNA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. BALA MUSA SAKABA 2. ABUBAKAR C. LADAN 3. USMAN ABUBAKAR 4. IBRAHIM USMAN ARGUNGU 5. MUHAMMED D. DANTANI 6. AISHATU UMAR GWANDU 7. USMAN GARBA TAMBAI 8. ALIYU JIBRIN BAGARUWA 9. ISA NUHU AUGIE 10. ABUBAKAR MAGAJI AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO CREATE CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN SERVE AS AGENTS OF CHANGE TO DEVELOP A CULTURE OF INTEGRITY AND SERVICE DELIVERY TO THE SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. KUDIRAT M. BABAMALE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR KENNY ADENUGBA 2. PASTOR (MRS) AYO ADENUGBA 3. PROFESSOR ADEDAYO BABALOLA EJIWUMI 4. PASTOR OLUFEMI AJAYI 5. MR LANZEMA MAYAKI 6. MR OLUSOLA BAMIGBOYE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP OF GOD THROUGH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND FRIENDLY ASSOCIATION FOR ALL ITS MEMBERS. 2. TO PROVIDE CHURCH BUILDING OR BUILDINGS FOR USE OF ITS MEMBERS. 3. TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IN NEEDY PLACES BY ESTABLISHING CHRISTIAN CHURCHES, SUNDAY SCHOOLS AND OTHER RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES AS THE CHURCH SHALL DEEM FIT AND PROPER. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BABATU NDE OYEYESO (08023025288)

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

TREASURED WIDOWS AND YOUTH ASSOCIATION

ALPHA FAMILY MINISTRY

ABIA WOMEN ON GOOD MORAL SENSITIZATION INITIATIVE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MRS. CHARITY OGBOLE 2.MR. CLEMENT OBOMIGIE 3.MR. GABRIEL TUKURA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR WIDOWS, ORPHANS, AND OTHER VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. MARTIN OJONIMI ATOJOKO PLOT 516, ZONE 2, WUSE, ABUJA 08036069926

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PASTOR EMMANUEL VENTURE ADJERESE -GENERAL OVERSEER 2.ALEX ADJERESE -SECRETARY 3.PASTOR (MRS.) BLOSSOM HONEY ADJERESE - TREASURER 4.MR. ONOTANE KINGSLEY - PRAYER SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL, TEACH, CASTE OUT DEVIL AND HEAL THE SICK. 2.TO TRAIN, ORDAIN, AND KEENSE CANDIDATES FOR THE GOSPEL MINISTRY THROUGH EMPOWERMENT, SEMINARS, SKILL ACQUISITIONS, WORKSHOP AND LICENCE MARRIAGE. 3.TO PRINT AND PUBLISH RELIGIOUS LITERATURES. 4.TO EMPOWER CHRISTIANS TO LIVE HAPPILY ECONOMICALLY. 5.TO PROVIDE MORAL COUNSELING AND CHAPLAINCY SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, LESS PRIVILEGE FAMILIES INSTITUTIONS AND COMMUNITY. 6.TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN BIBLE AND CHRISTIAN ORIENTED INSTITUTIONS.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.EMENIKE CHRISTIANA, HON. (JP) 2.URENWOKE OZURUONYE BEATRICE 3.ONWUBIKO ODERIGBO ANTHONIA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. WOMAN AS A PACE SETTER IN THEIR VARIOUS HOMES TO BETTER OUR SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: PASTOR EMMANUEL VENTURE ADEJERESE

SIGNED: SECRETARY

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Napoli fined •20,000 for crowd trouble

N

apoli has been fined •20,000 (£17,300) following crowd trouble during Friday's 1-1 draw with Juventus after a section of fans threw firecrackers and flares towards Juve supporters.

Juve coach Antonio Conte was also targeted by Napoli fans on his way to the San Paolo, but punishments were only dealt for incidents which occurred inside the stadium.

"Napoli receive a fine of 20,000 euros because their supporters launched numerous firecrackers, flares and three bottles into the area occupied by the supporters of the opposing team, without serious consequences," a statement on the league's official website.

Roma, Catania and Pescara were also issued with smaller fines as firecrackers were thrown on to home pitches in respective games against Genoa, Inter Milan and Udinese.

Rosell shuns •23 million Barcelona debt

B

arcelona president Sandro Rosell says he will not officially push for payment of the •23 million which the Spanish Supreme Court has ruled is owed to the Catalan club by former board members, but says the matter is out of his hands.

In February the court ruled that ex-Barca president Joan Laporta and seven former colleagues were personally responsible for guaranteeing a •23 million deficit dating from the 2002-03 season, an apparently final decision in a long-running case brought by Barcelona member (socio) Vicenc Pla. Barcelona board spokesperson Toni Freixa then said he expected the club would receive the money.

Laporta stated at a press conference yesterday at the Camp Nou that he and his colleagues would not have brought the case.

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0803 0805 0803 0805 0803

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE While bombs are flying like bangers, guns booming in every nook and cranny, the battle for control of Governors’ Forum and such mundane tussles have taken all the attention of the Presidency.

— Afenifere to President Jonathan

A second look at the national motto N

igeria is today such a terrible place, somewhat between Europe of the dark ages and the middle ages with human life becoming so cheap and disposable. What is responsible for this?

I was reflecting with a gentleman two weeks ago that one year had gone past since the killing of 280 men and women in Kano by terrorists and the day, 20th January came and passed without a memorial of any sort.

In fact if anyone had remembered, it was the terroristorganization which preempted this date with an attack on the revered Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero on the 18th. Even in war, a battle in which 280 lives are lost is a landmark lost and that day and location will be sign-posted and a memorial instituted.

This is a nation, (do we really say we are a nation?) or collection of men and women who lose not less than 50 lives in road accidents, ethno-religious violence, robbery, banditry or pipeline fires each week. No inquest takes place. Sometimes public statements are made but this is not always the case. No attempt is made to establish responsibility or culpability. For this reason, no one can say these unnecessary deaths come from negligence or willful acts. If culpability were to be established, a case may be made for compensation to victims. A new law may be made to stave off future occurrence or a mandate created. This mandate may be by the creation of a new agency to deal with a given problem or a further mandate is given to an existing organization.

When this is done, there is a good chance of remedial action being taken and future occurrence of the unwanted situation being averted. This country has a way of lapping every incident, every disaster and just moving on. Even the country's mass media system is purpose-built for the peculiarities of Nigeria. The press which surveys the environment and works as a chronicler will announce an event or incident as it occurs. That ends the story.

Nobody does a follow-up, no follow through.

Arising from these, we have become a country of anything

311 689 606 327 454

7458 1765 3308 1969 0344

MUSINGS By

Garba Shehu garshehu@yahoo.co.in

President Goodluck Jonathan goes. There is impunity everywhere. No respect for judicial decisions, no respect for agreements, no legal focus and no social equity. We don't even have weights and measures in our transactions and therefore no ethical basis for exchange. Worse still, we have become subjects to characters parading themselves as leaders who don't know the meaning of, and can't even spell simple words like honour,

integrity and honesty. When leaders sign agreements, they go to the courts where there is an ample number of willing judges who would absolve them of obligations under agreements voluntarily entered into.

That's why we don't even have defined national ideals as a society. We live like a people without a common cause. No common interest and no common ideals. Even the constitution does

“

Worse still, we have become subjects to characters parading themselves as leaders who don't know the meaning of, and can't even spell simple words like honour, integrity and honesty. When leaders sign agreements, they go to the courts where there is an ample number of willing judges who would absolve them of obligations under agreements voluntarily entered into

not give an idea of our national goals or ideals. The nearest to it, that is Section 2, which states the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy says at the same time that these are not justiciable. To quote the late Chief M. K. O. Abiola, "everything multiplied by zero equals to zero".

Nigerians don't even pretend to have a common-identity - well, except for the National ID which is still to go round the population many years after the commencement of its distribution.

So when people say often, as it has become the fad these days that poverty and joblessness are to be blamed for the killings in the North and the other parts of Nigeria, you wonder from which planet they are looking at the issue.

A people who have not been socialized and culturalised into accepting a fair deal; a people who don't have the format for the basic society and are not bound by common standards of behavior must first of all go back to the basics to redefine the basis of their existence before taking the leap of civilization.

All our problems are arising from this lack of focus and inability to properly define who is a citizen and the relationship that binds a citizen to a fellow citizen. We talk blah, blah, blah and always focus on symptoms.

Are you a citizen because you have been given National ID card or that you were born in Nigeria?

If this is the case what stops the alien from a neighboring country from equally making this claim?

Do Nigerians know their civic obligations to the state? What are these, because without they knowing the spirit of moving state; that social force that binds the citizen to public causes, there cannot be a sense of duty and obligation among the population.

Before one is accused of pessimism, I must say that this is not totally a hopeless situation.

Nigerians can achieve happiness and this would come with safety, security and development of mutual habits of living as brothers and sisters in a community and cultivating and pursuing the highest virtues of civilization.

To help them move in that direction, government with the enormous resources and might at its disposal can help by focusing on the country's motto which professes the words "Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress" as the central theme of every concept, perspective, project, plan, philosophies, policy, art, sport, law and governance.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 805 727 9862. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141