Peoples Daily Newspaper, Tuesday 06, August, 2013

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 11 No. 57

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Ramadan Timings for Abuja MAGRIB

ALFIJR

6.52 p.m.

5.09 a.m.

. . . putting the people first

Fashola’s father dies at 79 >> 7

Ramadan 28, 1434 AH

N150

Factional sect leader, Marwana, upsets dialogue >> 3

35 killed in JTF, Boko Haram gun duel >> 2

L-R: Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple, Senator Daisy Danjuma and Lt.General TheophilusYakubu Danjuma, during the Special Thanksgiving Service held to mark the 80th birthday of Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held on Sunday at Holy Catholic Cathedral, Wuse Zone II, Abuja.

Photo Joe Oroye

Breakfast: IBB turns down Jonathan

By Lawrence Olaoye

F

ormer military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), yesterday turned down a request made

by President Goodluck Jonathan to break

the fast with him in his Minna Hilltop home, a reliable Presidency source told Peoples Daily.

The source told our reporter that Jonathan had reasoned that it would be inappropriate for the Holy month of

Ramadan to elapse without him showing the spirit of comradeship with the former military president.

“The president (Jonathan) sent word to IBB indicating he wanted to join the former leader for a breakfast with him in Minna”,

the source disclosed.

According to the source, IBB politely turned down the request on the ground that such a visit could be misconstrued, especially when the host governor, Dr. Contd on Page 2

Ramadan Message “O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion; Indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). Qur’an 49:12 Sponsored by Kano state government

Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso Governor, Kano State

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

News CONTENTS News

2-10

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

Stockwatch S/Report

23 24-25

Agriculture

28

Feature

30

INEC appeals court ruling on deregistration

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has vowed to appeal the ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja which voided the deregistration of 28 political parties, assuring that the battle is not over.

The INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, who spoke at a press

International 31-34 Strange World 35 Digest Politics

36 37-38

Newsxtra

39

Leisure

40

Sports Columnist

41-44 48

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organisations and the media on voters’ registration optimisation.

He said the figure which had been removed from the voters’ register, represented five per cent of the registered voters in Anambra.

He said the offenders would be prosecuted as INEC was collaborating with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to bring the perpetrators to book.

“This exercise is starting

with Anambra and will be done nationwide before the 2015 general elections,’’ he said.

He identified underage registration as a major problem affecting smooth registration exercise in the country.

He expressed concern that in many communities where multiple registrations occurred, INEC officials were helpless after threats by some members of the communities.

35 killed in Borno JTF, insurgents clash From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

T

Lagos Igbo deportation: Between Gov. Obi and Fashola, Page 4

conference in Abuja, said that the court could not overturn the deregistration decision, disclosing that plans are in the pipeline to appeal the court judgment.

Meanwhile, Jega said that the commission had detected 93,526 multiple registration cases in Anambra state ahead of the Nov.16 governorship election.

Jega spoke at an interactive session with civil society

he Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Borno state yesterday disclosed that 35 persons were killed in fresh clashes with insurgents suspected to be members of the Jama'atu Ahlis Sunnah lid Da'awati wal Jihad, popularly referred to as Boko Haram, in two local government areas of the state.

The JTF, in a statement by its spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said the clashes occurred at the weekend when the security forces repelled attacks by the militants in Bama local government area and Malam Fatori town, the administrative headquarters of Abadam local government area.

According to him, 32 suspected Boko Haram insurgents and three security personnel were killed when they carried out seperate attacks on military and police formations in the two local government areas of the state.

Military sources also revealed that several other insurgents were wounded in the ensuing gun battle with security forces.

These clashes are coming less than 24 hours after the task force said it had uncovered a plot by the insurgents to launch deadly attacks on Maiduguri, the capital city, ahead of the forthcoming Sallah festival.

The Boko Haram insurgents have invaded many local government areas of Borno state,

including Kukawa, Abadam, Biu, Kaga, Damboa, Mafa and Marte after the security forces re-captured their enclaves and camps.

The JTF indicated that the outlawed sect members had invaded the affected areas and attempted to take over police and military outfits.

Lt. Col. Musa, in his statement, stated that: "Troops have successfully repelled Boko Haram terrorists attacks on mobile police base in Bama town. The terrorists used sophisticated weapons and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the attacks at about 6:45am on 4th August 2013".

"The encounter led to the death of one policeman and 17 Boko Haram terrorists. Two soldiers were also wounded", the statement further said.

The JTF imagemaker disclosed further that items recovered comprised "four Toyota Hilux vehicles, 10 AK47 rifles, two G3 rifles, 10 X 40mm bombs, three RPG tubes, 85 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and improvised explosive devices. Others were three motorcycles, 10 AK47 rifles magazines, a G3 magazine, among others.

"Similarly, the other incident also occured at about 10am on 4th of August, 2013 when some Boko Haram terrorists armed with sophisticated weapons attacked a Multi National Joint Task Force (MJTF) location at

Malam Fatori town, which led to the death of two soldiers and 15 Boko Haram terrorists", he declared The spokesman, while stating that the situation in both towns were brought under control, urged the public to continue to assist the security agencies with timely and credible information, insisting that "this will go a long way in flushing out terrorists".

Kidnappers of Edo teachers demand N50m ransom From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

G

unmen suspected to be kidnappers who abducted three female teachers at Orhogbua primary school, Ekenwan in Ovia North East local government area of Edo state have demanded N50 million ransom.

The teachers whose names were given as Mrs. Patience Osadolor, Momodu Aisha and Mrs. Patience Oroghene were reported taken into the operational vehicle of the hoodlums last week Monday.

State Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Akin Adeojo, who disclosed this yesterday in an interview in Benin-City, said the hoodlums had opened negotiation.

Breakfast: IBB turns down Jonathan Contd. from Front Page Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, is currently observing the lesser hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Another source close to the former military president in Minna confirmed the story when he disclosed that IBB was not comfortable with such visit, more so when the Niger state governor is at the head of current consultations with stakeholders around the country on the state of the nation by five northern governors.

Aliyu was part of the five governors that met IBB in Minna recently during their state of the nation consultations tour. Other members of the G5 include the governors of Adamawa, Admiral Murtala Nyako; Kano, Dr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso; Sokoto, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and Jigawa's Sule Lamido.

IBB had described the G5 as true patriots after their meeting with him and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, recently in Minna recently.

The governors had also met with other eminent Nigerians including former President, Shehu Shagari, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme and General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma.

Our source in Minna said IBB was conscious of the fact that his comments to the press after the breakfast meeting could be misinterpreted and such could be counted as betrayal, more so when his state governor would not be present at the meeting.

"IBB felt that it won't be fair to meet Jonathan in the absence of the Niger state governor who is currently in Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj. This may be misinterpreted considering the charged political situation in the country. This is even more so when the Niger state governor is part of the five northern governors moving round the country on consultations on the state of the nation", the source stressed.

Besides, the source disclosed that criticisms had trailed IBB's presence at the 80th birthday bash

for the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, which was held in Abuja on Sunday.

But sources close to the former President said IBB felt strongly that he had not done anything untoward by honouring the octogenarian with his presence since other Nigerians from across the country, including former President Obasanjo, General Danjuma, were present at the occasion.

When contacted for reaction to our report last night, Jonathan's Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, said he was not in the country and could not therefore "give any useful information on the matter".

However, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the reported request by President Jonathan for a breakfast meeting IBB was not true.

"It's not true. Whoever is telling you that story is just making

it up", Dr. Abati said emphatically after he had made some checks and phoned our reporter back.

According to the presidential media aide: "The President has not gone out of his residence to breakfast anywhere or with anybody since this Ramadan started.

"Rather, since the holy month began, the President has been the one that receives people in the (Presidential) Villa to breakfast with him. He has been receiving different groups of people, all of who are residents here in the FCT. "As you're probably aware, the president is fasting. So, almost every other day different groups of people come to breakfast with him.

And to the best of my knowledge, IBB's name is not on the list of people lined up to join Mr. President in the Villa and have breakfast with him.

"But to say that the president was the one to go to Minna and breakfast with the former president, that's untrue", Dr. Abati affirmed.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 3

Nasarawa to host maiden meeting of APC govs’ forum From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

N

asarawa state is expected to host a maiden meeting of the newly registered All Progressive Congress (APC) on August 12.

Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura disclosed this yesterday while delivering a speech at the maiden meeting of the APC in the state, involving all the members of the defunct political parties that were part of the merger namely; the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), at the Government House, Lafia.

Al-makura stated that as a mark of honour, the state has been chosen to host the first meeting of the 11 governors under the APC, for which he said citizens of the state must be

proud, even as he noted that, with the coming on board of the APC, “I will no longer be alone during executive council meetings like before but now have 10 other colleagues to put heads together.”

He noted that with the coming together of the three defunct parties to form the APC, history is being made, with members of the former parties folding into one family, with one destiny, saying that the APC is set to take the country like a storm.

Al-makura hailed the people whose sacrifice and commitment led to the emergence of the APC, a party which he said will salvage the country from decadence and misrule of several years under the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that it is the first time since the amalgamation of Nigeria that independent, corporate entities have decided to dissolve and

merge into one indissoluble entity.

“APC has come into being because of patriotism and the need to redirect the affairs of the country through visionary leadership, entrench true democracy and save Nigeria from people who do not mean well for the country”, Al-makura stated.

“We must appreciate the efforts of our leaders at the national level, particularly the Joint Merger Group, for making it possible for the APC to be registered. No exercise has been so fundamental, so far reaching and so enduring like the merger”, he said.

He urged APC supporters to go back to the grass root to sensitize and mobilize support for the party, stressing that with the merger of the three former parties, “we have no apprehension in APC even if the council election holds tomorrow.”

Tinubu hospitalised in US, mourns Pa Fashola From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

here were indications yesterday that a former Lagos state Governor, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, is hospitalized and due for a knee surgery in an undisclosed hospital in the US. Explaining the apparent disappearance of Tinubu from public engagements in recent times, his media office said in statement that the leading chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been battling with “sports injury on one of his knees and recent further aggravation on the knee from rigorous political and family related activities.”

According to the statement, “based on previous sports injury on one of his knees and recent further aggravation on the knee from rigorous political and family related activities, he has been

advised by his doctors, despite his persistent reluctance that orthopedic surgery is necessary at this time.

“The week of the 5th of August has been slated for the surgery.

Tinubu is expected to resume his normal political activities and public engagements following clearance from his doctors.”

The statement did not give further details especially concerning venue of the proposed surgery in a hospital in far away United States of America.

However, according to the statement, Tinubu condoled with Lagos state Governor, Babatunde Fashola, over the death of his father.

The statement quoted Tinubu as saying that the “died a fulfilled and happy man.

“He gave Lagos and Nigeria his best” said he received news of Pa Fhola’s death in the USA.

“While in the USA, I received the news of the death of Pa Ademola Fashola, the father of the Governor of Lagos state, with great shock and deep sadness.

“His demise even at the ripe age of 79 years is a hurtful one and we have indeed lost a true, honest, steadfast and dependable father.

“Pa Ademola Fashola, a man of integrity was a father no one would want to lose at a time like this.

“My family and I send our heartfelt condolences to governor Babatunde Raji Fashola on this great loss”the former governor said.

“We must find solace and take comfort in the fact that Baba lived a fulfilled life and passed away with the knowledge that he gave his very best to his family, to Lagos State and Nigeria.”

Factional sect leader, Marwana, upsets dialogue

A

leader of the Boko Haram faction believed to have been in negotiations with the Federal Government’s amnesty committee has said that his men carried out the recent bombing attacks in Kano during which over 20 persons were reported killed at the Sabon-Gari area of the metropolis.

The Boko Haram factional leader, Mohammed Marwana, affirmed yesterday in an audio message obtained by Saharareporters explained

that, “I personally instructed the attack in Kano to prove to the world that, I am the real leader of Boko Haram because there have been retrogressive forces on the issue of dialogue, who kept doubting my leadership in the sect.

“I told them ahead that there will be attack and it has happened. “It is a warning, and we need to say again that we carried out the attacks in Kano.

He debunked speculations that the globally known leader of

the sect, Imam Abubakar Shekau, is dead.

According to Marwana, Shekau is alive adding that that nothing has happened to him “except that he lost leadership of the sect.”

“Shekau is alive contrary to speculations except that he lost leadership of the sect.

“I will not tell you where he is but he is alive and we talked with him not up to three hours ago except if he died while I am talking.”

Marwana’sclaims may have added a new twist to the

controversy surrounding the authenticity of the faction of the Islamist militant group in talks with the government and recent claims that the old leader of the groups was deposedafter he was shot.

There has been controversy regarding authenticity of Marwana as a member of the sect and its leadership as he was recently dismissed by Imam Shekau in a Youtube video after he claimed that the sect had agreed to cease-fire with Nigerian government.

Jonathan congratulates Mugabe

By Hassan Haruna Ginsau

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated President Robert Mugabe on his victory in last week’s presidential elections in Zimbabwe as announced by the country’s electoral commission at the weekend.

Jonathan urged Mugabe and his party, ZANU-PF, to rededicate themselves to working for the

well-being and progress of all Zimbabweans.

The President also called on Mugabe to ensure that all persons and parties who oppose the conduct of the polls and the announced results are given every opportunity to seek lawful redress as allowed by the country’s electoral laws and constitution.

Meanwhile Members of Zimbabwe's opposition MDC party say they have been attacked

by followers of President Robert Mugabe.

The allegations come a day after official results from Wednesday's poll gave Mugabe a seventh term in office and his Zanu-PF party three-quarters of the seats in parliament.

Eleven people in Harare and 20 from Mashonaland Central province say they were attacked by known Zanu-PF supporters after the results were announced.

News Ramadan Timing Day 28 TOWNS Aba Abakaliki Abeokuta Abuja Akure Argungu Ankpa Auchi Azare Bama Bauchi Benin Bichi Bida Birnin Gwari Birnin Kebbi Biu Calabar Damaturu Daura Dutse Enugu Funtua Gombe Gwoza Gumi Gusau Gwadabawa Hadejia ` Ibadan Ife Ilorin Jalingo Jere Jos Kabba Kafanchan Keffi/Nasarawa Kaduna Kano Katsina Kontagora Lafia Lagos Lokoja Maiduguri Makurdi Malumfashi Minna Port Harcourt Ringim Swagamu Sokoto Warri Yola Zaria Cotonou-Benin Ndjamena-Chad Niamey-Niger Younde-Cameroun

MAGRIB 6.42 6.45 7.04 6.51 6.56 7.05 6.44 6.52 6.43 6.28 6.42 6.55 6.51 6.56 6.54 7.08 6.31 6.41 6.36 6.52 6.47 6.46 6.55 6.36 6.29 7.03 6.58 7.05 6.45 7.01 7.00 7.01 6.34 6.50 5.45 6.54 6.48 6.51 6.52 6.50 6.56 6.59 6.44 7.02 6.51 6.29 6.44 6.56 6.55 6.46 6.47 7.02 7.05 6.54 6.30 6.51 7.05 7.20 7.19 6.26

ALFIJR 5.10 5.12 5.29 5.10 5.21 5.09 5.11 5.17 4.52 4.39 4.58 5.22 4.59 5.15 5.10 5.15 4.40 5.13 4.45 4.56 4.57 5.13 5.05 4.52 4.41 5.12 5.05 5.09 4.51 5.24 5.23 5.24 4.53 5.06 5.01 5.17 5.05 5.00 5.05 4.59 5.00 5.15 5.05 5.29 5.29 4.40 5.07 4.59 5.12 5.18 4.57 5.27 5.09 5.22 4.49 5.04 5.34 4.33 5.22 5.02

Source: Society for Propagation of Islam Kaduna

PAGE 4

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

Page 4 Report

Lagos Igbo deportation: Between Gov. Obi and Fashola From Adesoji Oyinlola, Lagos

T

he raging controversy between Anambra state Governor, Peter Obi and his Lagos state counterpart, Babatunde Raji Fashola over claims of deportation of Anambra state’s citizens has continued to generate interest between citizens of the two states, who seem to be taking side with their number one citizens over the issue.

Earlier, Igbo people in Lagos and Onitsha raised the alarm, claiming Lagos state government deported about 72 Anambra citizens.

According to them, the ‘deportees’ were dumped at the foot of the Niger Bridge in Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra state. The claim instantly drew the ire of some Igbo people, who vehemently protested the action of Lagos state Government.

As expected, the governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi, is sorely displeased with the action of the Lagos state government. First, Gov. Obi is disproving the assertion that all 72 deportees are Anambra indigenes. But even if they were, the Anambra governor contends that the action of the Lagos governor of deporting 72 bona fide citizens of the country amounted to an illegality.

In an attempt to clarify the action of the Lagos state government, the state commissioner of police, Umar Manko claimed that nobody was deported.

He said they were only “resettled,” a cosmetic change in linguistic expression, which does not tell the whole story, as the deportees were just dropped-off in the middle of the night at the UpperIweka area of Onitsha last week.

Obi, therefore wrote a strongly worded letter to President Goodluck Jonathan complaining over the issue and warning that there might be a reprisal.

The letter was titled: “Unconstitutional, illegal and forced deportation of Nigerians to Anambra State from Lagos State”.

In the letter, Obi accused Lagos state government of forcefully deporting some people to the state, dumping them as it were in the commercial city of Onitsha, claiming that an earlier report by the State Security Service (SSS) had indicated that not all the people are from Anambra state.

Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola Describing the action

by Lagos state as callous, illegal, unconstitutional and blatant violation of the human right of the individual, he said the state did not deem it to consult with Anambra state before the deportation of the people considered to be of Igbo extraction.

Gov. Obi threatened a reprisal, though with a caveat to put such in abeyance until the President has the opportunity to address his concerns.

According to the governor, in a letter to the President, said, “This latest callous act, in which Lagos state did not even bother to consult with Anambra state before deporting 72 persons considered to be of Igbo extraction to Anambra state, is illegal, unconstitutional and a blatant violation of the human rights of these individuals and of the Nigerian Constitution.

“Your Excellency, no amount of offence committed by these people, even if deemed extremely criminal, would justify or warrant such cruel action

Governor, Peter Obi

by a State authority and in a democracy.

“Even refugees are protected by the law.

Furthermore, the extant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution states: ‘Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part, thereof, and no citizen shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom’.

“Sir, forced deportation such as this, which Lagos State seems to be making a norm in addressing its domestic challenges are egregious and calls into question the validity of Nigeria and its federating components. Such acts violate human decency, the rule of law and constitutionally ordered liberties. Were Anambra and other states in the Federation to resort to such extreme measures, there would be total anarchy.

“It would amount to complicity on the part of the states and the Federal Government, if this issue is not thoroughly investigated and some form of censure brought to bear on Lagos State. I

suggest, Sir, that you direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to investigate these incidents.

Public opinion no doubt was swelling on the side of Obi. That action subsisted until Gov. Fashola broke his silence over the raging controversy. Coming on strongly to defend the action of Lagos state, Fashola first corrected the exaggerated number of the people involved. He said they were 14 and not 70 or 72 as being circulated.

Also, his response included past letters to the Anambra state Governor, since April, informing him about the plight of the 14 people, who had indicated their desire to return to their home state, after they were rehabilitated at Majidun Rehabilitation Centre.

Fashola, who was reacting for the second time in 24 hours, said the 14 people were picked up on the streets of Lagos “as part of a continuous exercise to assist vulnerable citizens who roam our streets without food or shelter and a number who have

“

medical ailments, usually in the nature of mental infirmity”.

Explaining further, Fashola said the people were first taken to Majidun Rehabilitation Centre, where they were treated, detoxified and restored.

Thereafter, it was possible for medical and social workers to interview them. “In the event, they disclosed that they were from Anambra state and sought assistance to go back home”, said the letter.

For the individuals who may be imagining that the choice to send the 14 individuals home was the sole idea of Lagos state government, Gov. Fashola additionally incorporated a letter from the Akwa Ibom state government to the Lagos state Ministry of Women Affairs, repatriating two indigenes of Lagos from the state’s capital city of Uyo. Also, while justifying his action, Fashola told a delegation of Igbo group who paid him a solidarity visit that the suggestions of discrimination or violation of rights is not

Was Anambra state the first to get the dose of Fashola’s government, in his bid to rid Lagos state of miscreants and other undesirable elements? Are other states not taking similar action now and in the past? Did the government of Abia state not at one time deport and sack Imo state civil servants in its employment?

true. “I don’t know how I could set out to deport Anambrarians and look Ben (Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning) in the eye; because that is his state and he is a member of this government and there are no decisions that we take in private that are not discussed extensively and if there are very sensitive issues there, his advice has been very useful”, the Governor said.

While the claims and counter claims continue, it is pertinent to ask certain question that will help to unravel either the action of the Lagos state government were in order.

An official of Lagos state government, who preferred anonymity, said there are many questions begging for answers, going by the reaction of Gov. Obi over the deportation.

First question to ask, according to him, was the deportation of the socalled Anambra citizens, the first to be done by Lagos state.

Was Anambra state the first to get the dose of Fashola’s government, in his bid to rid Lagos state of miscreants and other undesirable elements?

Are other states not taking similar action now and in the past? Did the government of Abia state not at one time deport and sack Imo state civil servants in its employment?

It would be recalled that after Fashola’s assumption of office as the executive governor of Lagos state, he promised to rid the state of certain categories of people, including the area boys and beggars among others.

The policy has forced many people out of the state; they included Okada riders, who were forced to leave as a result of the ban on commercial motorcycles in Lagos.

Beggars from other South-West states were also sent out of Lagos after rehabilitation and were delivered to their respective state officials.

Mostly hit among the tribes that have suffered this act of deportation were the northerners.

Instead of the North getting aggrieved over this issue, their leaders in the state have continued to explore better ways to engage their people. One can see the northerners going about opening up new market where their people are engaged in all sort of trading.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 5

Were these ministers catching cold?

Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki

Minister of State Foreign Affair, Nurudeen Mohammed

Last week’s Federal Executive Council meetings on Wednesday and Friday looked a bit ominous judging from the usual radiant moods before and after the meetings. Could the ministers have had premonition of the cabinet shakeup President Goodluck Jonathan is said to be contemplating?

It certainly looks like valedictory moods by those expecting the boot.

News

FG declares Thursday, Friday public holiday

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T Minister of Information, Labaran Maku

Photos: Joe Oroye Minister of State, Education, Nyesom wike

he Federal Government has declared Thursday, 8th and Friday, 9th August 2013 as public holiday to mark 2013 Eid-el-Fitri celebrations.

Minister of the Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Fatima B. A. Bamidele, enjoined all Muslims and Nigerians in general “to extend the spiritual benefits of Ramadan, which are love, joy, peace, to their daily living and through this, contribute to the development of the nation.

“Comrade Moro also enjoined all Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the holiday to reflect on the imperative of peace in nation building.

“The Honorable Minister wishes all Nigerians a most rewarding and peaceful celebrations.”

FCT I’tikaaf welfare committee holds annual prayer for Nigeria

By Maryam Garba Hassan

T

Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade

Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Reng Ochekpe

Minister of State, Trade and Investment, Samuel Ortom

Strike: Sultan wants ASUU, FG to resolve crisis From Mahmoud Muhammad, Sokoto

T

he President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ( NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, on Sunday in Sokoto called on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to as matter of urgency call off its industrial action to pave way for a peaceful resolution with the federal government.

The monarch made call in Sokoto at a dinner organised for journalists at his palace.

He said that with mutual

respect and understanding, dialogue can work, especially in a situation where both parties have much ground to prove their points.

According to the Sultan, “we are aware of the rapid fall in educational standard in Nigeria.

“Our universities are nowhere to be found among the best 100 ranks in the world.

“The issue is pathetic but we must have a common ground to discuss. People should negotiate based on issues of mutual respect and understanding.”

“I want to call on ASUU to suspend their strike, go back to

work and for Federal Government to call the union back and sit down for final resolution with honesty and transparency.”

The Sultan noted that his personal appeal should be viewed as that of a father who is worried about the plight of his children who are out of school as a result of the industrial action embarked upon by the union.

“I think as a father, we will continue to plead for a peaceful resolution of this crisis in our education sector.

“We must find a common ground and I believe both ASUU and Federal Government should

go on dialogue just the way they have being doing in the past.

“When you go on strike, our children suffer. I believe both parties will give a second thought to this issue.

“I have personally called the ASUU President a couple of times and I believe there will be an end to the issue very soon.”

“We must live in peace with one another in whatever part of the country we find ourselves. If we are united, we would contribute better to the development of the country. So, we must put aside our differences and embrace peace and unity’’, he averred.

he FCT I’tikaaf welfare management committee yesterday held its annual prayer which is also the fourth edition with the theme: I’tkaaf a source of peace and unity.”

The prayer which was hosted by the Chief Imam of Apo NASS Quarters Central mosques, Imam Muhammed Nuru Khalid, ended with prayers by different clergy men and the recitation of the holy Qur’an.

Speaking to Peoples Daily at the end of the prayer session, the Secretary of the Committee, Imam Hussain Abdallah, said the annual prayer was designed to promote peace among the Muslim ummah and the non-Muslims for the country to prosper and to pray for Nigeria.

He said this year’s theme for the prayer was apt as it was coming at a time when the country is facing security challenges and need prayer for peace and stability, especially in the blessed month.

He said the essence of I’tikaaf (seclusion) by Muslims observed during the last 10 days of Ramadan is to get closer to Allah, devote more time to worshiping Him, seek for His forgiveness and engage in activities that can earn one more rewards adding that it was also observed by the prophet of Islam.

Abbdalla enjoined the Muslim ummah not to relent in their quest for getting reward and seeking Allah’s forgiveness even after the month of Ramadan.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 6

News

Ramadan: ABU forum pays fine for 10 inmates, donates foodstuff to prison

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin he Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Muslim Forum yesterday freed 10 inmates by paying N186, 000 fine in addition to donating some food items to the Zaria Prison.

T

Presenting the foodstuff at the prison, the Coordinator of the forum, Dr Mustapha Kasim, said the essence of the gesture was to show a sense of concern to the inmates.

“We are in the month of Ramadan and we feel that there is the need for us to engage in

something fruitful and we have never visited the prison, this is the first of its kind.

“We have paid N186, 000 fine to free 10 inmates today and donated five bags of rice, one bag of sugar and a jerry-can of groundnut oil as token assistance to the inmates,” he said.

Addressing the inmates earlier, the coordinator, who urged them to shun criminality, also advised them to be patient, repent and seek God’s protection at all times.

“It is not too late for you to repent. We are all creatures of God Almighty, and we are all weak except those who God shields.

EFCC nabs ATM fraudster

By Lambert Tyem

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested one Kingsley Mudi over alleged ATM fraud.

EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspect was picked up at Fidelity Bank ATM centre on Airport Road, Warri, Delta state following intelligence report.

According to Uwujaren, at the point of arrest, 30 ATM cards of different banks with which he allegedly withdrew a total sum of N550, 000 were found in his possession, along with eight signed UBA cheques belonging to various persons.

“Kingsley Mudi who claimed to be a Disc Jockey and an operator of a barbing saloon, has volunteered useful information. “He will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded,” he said.

INEC defends APC registration

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T President Goodluck Jonathan (right ) presenting a gift to the out-going Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Chris Houter, during the farewell ceremony held at the State House, Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Late Jigawa Almajirai: Autopsy report says they inhaled generator fume From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

J

igawa state Police command has released the report of an autopsy on the five teenagers who were found dead on the street in Gwaram local government area of Jigawa state.

According to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Theophillus Kayode,

“after the report of the death, results of the autopsy at the Malam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) revealed that they inhaled carbon monoxide fume.

“The Almajirai must have taken refuge from the rain that started inside a garage that a generating machine was working and fell asleep.”

Kayode told reporters the children must have died in their sleep after inhaling excess fume that contains carbon from the generating set.

According to him, after thorough investigations, the house owner has been released as there is no intent was established for the demise of the children.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner

said that a syndicate of ‘one chance’ that specialises in robbing unsuspecting passengers in the state have been nabbed and would be charged to court soon.

According to him, “in the month of July, the police recorded only two cases of armed robbery and that three suspects were apprehended for false pretense and cheating.

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it had no regrets registering the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, said this yesterday at a stakeholders’ conference with media professionals and civic groups on voter register optimisation and plans for continuous voter registration.

According to Jega, “it is clear to us that the parties that intended to merge met all legal requirements and we have done all the processes required of us.

“We believe we are right to do so under the law and we are satisfied that what we have done is within the law.”

Jega also noted that APC is eligible to participate in the November 16 Anambra elections, saying it was registered within the time specified by Section 84 (c) of the Electoral Act which is 60 days to the election.

The registration is opposed by a group, African Peoples Congress, that was denied registration by INEC using the same acronym.

The group has since challenged INEC’s decision in court.

There were about 870,000 of such cases nationwide before the 2011 election.

We were manhandled by Israeli Mossad in SSS custody, say Lebanese suspects

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

T

wo Lebanese nationals standing trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja for terrorism related offences yesterday told the court that they were manhandled by Israeli Mossad agents while in custody of the State Security Service (SSS).

The Hezbollah suspects, Mustapha Fawaz and Abdallah Thahini both testified that they were interrogated for 14 days by the Israeli agents, who appeared in hood.

Similarly, Joseph Fillianos, who came all the way from Lebanon to

give witness for the defence counsel had earlier told the trial Judge, Justice Ademola Adeniyi all he knows about Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“I was arrested in my residence at Wonderland Amusement Park Abuja on May 11, 2013 at about 1:30am. By 8am of same day, I was taken to the DSS headquarters where I was told that some Europeans want to interview me.

During the 14 days, I was interrogated by six Israelis and one white man with blue eyes. I was interrogated in Arabic language and they asked me series of questions on Hezbollah and Lebanon.

“They conducted polygraphic test

on me. They were rude and nasty, called me names and denied me sleep.

I was handcuffed with my hands at the back, the Israeli beat me and tore my shoulder” Fawaz testified.

More so, he said, “they threatened to use electric pant on me if I don’t answer their questions.

“After I passed the polygraph test, they left and said if I am sent to prison in Nigeria, that Nigerians have big private parts and will rape me.”

Another defence witness, Abdallah Thahini told the court that he equally had it rough with the Israelis as he was coerced and made to answer their

questions under duress.

“I was interrogated by the Israelis who were masked. No Nigerian was there.

“They put mask on me and asked me questions in Arabic. I knew that they are Israelis from their ascent.

“I was handcuffed and made to sit on a broken chair.

“They abused me and my leaders in Lebanon and they denied me sleep for five days and at a point, I collapsed.”

Thahini told the court.

Earlier, Joseph Fillianos, the Lebanese who came to give evidence described Hezbollah and its organs as

a resistance national party.

“Hezbollah is a resistance movement that offers resistance to Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon.

“The resistance is called mukawama and represents Muslims, Christians, Drooz etc.” Fillianos said.

He said neither Hezbollah nor its organs is a terrorist organization in Lebanon.”

However, he admitted upon cross examination by prosecuting counsel,Simon Egede that he was aware that some countries view Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 7

Fashola’s father dies at 79

News

Jonathan consoles Lagos Gov From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

A

lhaji Ibrahim Ademola Fashola, father of the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, is dead.

President Goodluck Jonathan has already conveyed his condolences to the Governor Fashola.

Alhaji Fashola, aged 79, reportedly died early hours of yesterday at his residence at Surulere, Lagos, after a brief illness.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, confirmed this to reporters in Ikeja.

According to Bello, the death occurred in the early hours of yesterday at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos.

Meanwhile, the Governor is in far away Saudi Arabia where he had gone to observe the Umrah (Lesser Hajj).

In his condolence message,

Jonathan urged the Governor, his family and people of Lagos state to “give thanks to God Almighty for the octogenarian’s very exemplary and accomplished life.”

The President urged them to “be comforted by the knowledge that Pa Fashola is returning to his Creator as a very blessed and fulfilled man who lived to see his son become a two-term governor of one of Nigeria’s most populous and vibrant states.”

bers of the Club and did not underrate any person.

“On behalf of my family and of the teeming members of our party in Lagos State, I express our deep sorrow on the death of Pa Fashola, the beloved father of Governor Fashola.

“The Late Pa Fashola was a simple, focused and thorough bred Lagosian whose personal character identity was also a reason why the young Governor got no pressure from his father. He was also known to be a silent achiever.

“It is very sad that Pa Fashola died before his son finished in office.

“I believe he must have loved to have a Post service reunion with the Son. “No doubt, he died a fulfilled man and we join sympathisers in consoling the Governor, just as we believe the Governor would be really touched by the death of his dear father.

“We pray that the Lord bless his Soul and grant the entire Fashola family the fortitude to bear the loss”, Shelle said.

He was simple, thorough bred Lagosian, says Lagos PDP From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

he Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also commiserated with Governor Fashola on the death of his Father.

The condolence message which was made by the party’s Chairman, Tunji Shelle, also described the late Alhaji Ibrahim Ademola Fashola as his club’s patron and member who related well with other mem-

Pa Fashola left indelible mark, says Gov. Shettima From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

G

overnor Kashim Shettima of Borno state yesterday condoled with Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos over the death of his father, Pa Ademola Fashola Special Adviser to Governor Shettima on communication Isa Umar Gusau, in a condolence messege, quoted the governor as saying that though he was in not position of sufficient information about the deceased, it is clear from the outstanding qualities exhibited by his son, Babatunde Fashola,since assuming the mantle of leadership.

Governor Shettima said that

Pa Ademola Fashola has by his gift of an excellent son to Lagos and Nigeria, left a legacy that would for long remain a reference in the history of leadership not only in Lagos but in the southwest and indeed,across the nation.

“Intelligence is often times, partly or wholly inherited from parents and this implies that Governor Fashola must have inherited some of his very intelligent leadership qualities from his late father”.

“Although Pa Fashola died at a time when his higher wisdom as evident in his son, was needed,he has none the less bequeathed good legacies to his son and to all of us who

have been learning so much from his son”, the statement said According to the statement, whatever leadership successes are cited concerning Governor Fashola are partly shared by his father for bringing him to life; nurturing him from cradle and imbibing great characters in him.

“I commiserate with my elder brother,the Governor, his entire family, the Government and people of Lagos and the APC family. I pray that Pa Ademola Fashola rests in peace and I also pray that God grants his survivors the fortitude to bear the loss of our father” Shettima was quoted.

OPC, CNPP mourn too From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

he Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), the Ndi-Igbo Progressive Movement (NPM) and the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) on Monday also commiserated with Gov Fashola over the death of his father.

Consoling the Governor, OPC Founder and Chairman of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Dr Frederick Fasehun, described

the death as a loss to the nation.

Fasehun said that Fashola’s death, when his Son, the governor, was away to pray for the state and the nation was indeed a big loss.

“I pray that God will grant the entire family and the governor the fortitude to bear the loss” Fasehun said.

Dr. Smart Ofonyiri, President of Ndi-Igbo Progressive Movement, described the late Fashola as a gentleman to the

core.

“I knew him as a resident in Surulere and he was a kind and easy going man.

Most importantly, he was a man with listenning ears to all that came to him for help. May his soul rest in peace” Ofonyiri said.

The Lagos State Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Mr. Akinola Obadia said that Fashola’s death was a loss to Nigeria.”

Late Alhaji Ibrahim Ademola Fashola

His death shocking, sad – David Mark

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

S

enate President, David Mark, has also condoled Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos state over the death of his father, Pa Ademola Fashola.

Mark in the condolence to the Governor, government and people of Lagos state noted that Pa Fashola lived an eventful and accomplished life worthy of emulation.

He said, “I received the news of the death of your beloved father with shock and sadness at a time his wealth of experience and wisdom is most needed. I am however consoled that your father lived an exemplary life and left a legacy of selfless service to the community.

“Your track record of achievements especially your

excellent performance as the governor of Lagos State bears eloquent testimony that your father left a legacy of integrity and excellence.

“I can only urge you to continue in that stead and live up the billing as a further testimony that Pa Fashola lives.”

Mark stated that history will be kind to Pa Fashola for his meritorious services and contributions to the development of the community especially in Lagos State adding “Pa Fashola will surely be given a pride of place when history especially that of Lagos State is written”.

He therefore enjoined the government and people of Lagos State particularly the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that Pa Fashola left positive footprint on the sand of time.

PAGE 8

Photo Splash

Kano State Governor, Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso conferring with his Anambra state counterpart, Mr. Peter Obi in Lagos, yesterday

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

L-r: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Tony Anenih, at Chief Tony Anenih’s 80th Birthday thanksgiving church service, Sunday in Abuja. photo: Joe oroye.

L-R: Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo received the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali Al-madani, during the vice president’s Umrah in Makka Coference Palace Hotel

Fuel laden kegs recovered from suspected pipeline vandals by the joint operation of the military and officials of Ogun command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), at Ogere-Remo, Ikenne local government area of Ogun, yesterday

Wife of Deputy Governor of Kaduna state, Mrs. Na’omi Nuhu Bajoga (middle) with her sister and other fellowship, during the burial service of their late Father, Rev. Mari Habu, recently at Kwoi.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 10

News From Matthew Aramunde, Lagos

T

he Igbo community in Lagos has petitioned the Inspector- General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar over the non release of the body of their slain kinsman, late Mr. Okechukwu Osaka, who died in mysterious circumstances sometime in March this year.

In the petition signed by the President, Igbo Community

Gombe to train physicallychallenged persons on skill acquisition

Igbo community petitions IGP in Lagos, Chief Ebere Ubani, and made available to our correspondent, they alleged amongst other things, the killing of their kinsman and the nonchalant attitude of the officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) over the issue, including the non-release of the corpse, six months after he died while they drove him and his appended vehicle to the office in Iponrin, Lagos.

They averred that the failure of

the officers who apprehended the vehicle driven by the late Osaka to promptly inform the families of the deceased after they had deposited the body in a public mortuary calls for the setting up of an inquiry into the mysterious circumstances that led to the death of the deceased.

They further averred that they and the family of the deceased have been subjected to traumatic experience by the non compliance of the Police in conjunction with the authorities of LASTMA to

release the corpse for proper burial.

They said they were compelled to petition the IGP into assisting them unravel the mystery behind the refusal of both the Police and the LASTMA officials to release the corpse due to “the game of cat and mouse” being played by these agencies of government.

However, reprieve seems to have come their way as the office of the Inspector-General of Police in a letter dated the 25th of July

2013 and signed by the Principal Officer to the IGP, Murital Mani, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) has given a marching order to the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Umaru Manko, to expedite action on unraveling the circumstances surrounding the death and the subsequent refusal of the agencies in releasing the corpse to the bereaved family.

It will be recalled that some time in March 2013, the late Okechukwu, a commercial driver, was reported to have slumped and died while accompanying his apprehended vehicle to LASTMA zonal office in Iponri.

T

he Gombe state government on Monday said it would rehabilitate and train 6,800 physically-challenged persons in skills acquisition.

Hajiya Fatima Abubakar, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, confirmed this when he spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe.

Abubakar said that after the training, they would be given working tools to start their businesses based on their newlyacquired skills.

She, however, said the major challenge facing the ministry was the lack of comprehensive rehabilitation centre in the state. ``We have plans in the ministry to empower the physically challenged persons.

We conducted a census and discovered that we have about 6,800 in Gombe. ``What we want to do to these people is to rehabilitate them, train them in any skill of their choice and at the end of the training; we will give them working tools and take-off grants. ``But our major challenge now is we do not have a comprehensive rehabilitation centre in Gombe,” she said.

The commissioner said the state has ``only two workshops; one for the blind and the other one for the crippled”.

She said the workshops were made for the inmates of remand home, but that the state would manage those ones for now.

The commissioner said that the state government had employed 20 craftsmen in the civil service that would train the physically-challenged persons on various skills.

Abubakar further said that lepers would not be included in the training because they have infection that was contagious. ``We do not have plans to put the lepers in our centres, what we want to do is to train them in their community. ``We have about 420 lepers in Gombe, so we go to their community, identify an entrepreneur, then we enrol these lepers.” (NAN)

L-R: Co-convener, Say No Campaign-Nigeria, Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu, Co-convener, Say No Campaign-Nigeria, Mr. Jaye Gaskiya and Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Malam Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, during the press conference on brutalization, inhuman treatment of Rafsanjani by the AMAC Environmental taskforce and a naval officer, yesterday in Abuja.

Judiciary officers urged to demonstrate fear of God From Omale Adama, Lokoja

T

he Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasir Ajanah, has called on Judges and Judiciary officers to demonstrate a high level of responsibility and complete fear of the Almighty God while dispensing justice to all manner of persons.

Justice Ajanah made the remark at the inaugural ceremony for three newly appointed magistrates at the High Court Complex in Lokoja, Monday.

“We have to build a judiciary

that enhances the trust of the populace. It implies that we do not tolerate acts inimical to the tenets that sustain the process of justice delivery”, he said.

According to the chief Judge, the job calls for a high sense of responsibility and the complete fear of God since they were saddled with the responsibility of deciding the fate of persons on issues brought before them for adjudication.

“You must decide cases in accordance with the law and must not allow primordial considerations of whatever

nature or colour to influence your decisions” he said while urging them to strive to earn the respect of litigants.

Justice Ajanah, who administered the Oath of Allegiance and Judicial Oath on the magistrates also charged them to abide by the judicial code of conduct in enforcing the powers of the court as enshrined in Section 6 of the constitution.

The Chief Judge congratulated the appointees, Amina A .A. Oyeleye, Benjamin O. Adejoh and Medinat Umar, as he enjoined them not to

disappoint the authorities that found them worthy for the appointment.

Responding, Oyeleye thanked the authorities for reposing such “Great confidence in us” and pledged to strive by all means to uphold the integrity of the Judiciary.

Also speaking, one of the newly inaugurated magistrates, Adejoh, said they would, in their capacity, ensure that the notion of Judiciary as the last hope of the common man did not remain at parlance level but must be seen to be so.

Etsu Nupe urges Muslims to sustain good acts beyond Ramadan

E

tsu Nupe, and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has appealed to Muslim faithfuls in Nigeria and the entire world to sustain the lessons and change of attitude learnt during the outgoing Ramadan fast.

Abubakar, who spoke on the importance of the holy month of Ramadan in an interview with newsmen in his Wadata Palace, Bida, on Monday, said “we must maintain our God-fearing acts which we exhibited during the

fasting period”.

According to the Etsu Nupe, “such lessons include brotherhood, bond of charity, love sharing, abstaining from adultery, cheating, alcoholism, drug abuse as well as the spirits of give and take”.

“Muslims worldwide should endeavour to continue to sustain their good acts and behaviour beyond the one-month period of the Ramadan fast, so that we would continue to get Allah’s blessing”, he said The monarch said it was

only with the fear of Allah that Muslims could meet their needs and enjoy their possessions on earth.

The traditional ruler also appealed to wealthy Muslims in the country to assist the less privileged with food items and other basic needs, urged the Muslim faithful to pray for continued peaceful coexistence and unity in the country, noting that “peace is a veritable tool for national development.

So, we must continue to pray and preach peace for the nation

to move forward.’’

The Royal father noted that the two major religions in the country preached peace, unity and love for one another, saying “we should always strive to maintain these at all times”.

He pointed out that without peace and unity, “socioeconomic development will continue to elude any society”, and wished all Muslims a happy and blessed Idir Fitr celebration in advance, reminding them to give their Zakat Fitr as directed

by God Almighty.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

Y

ou should first consider three things: your investment objective (the reason why you are investing), time frame (how long you will keep the investment) and risk tolerance. It is critical that you know these three things before even selecting an investment option.

There is no such thing as a “best” investment. The investment instruments mentioned have their advantages and disadvantages, their own merits and flaws.

Banks: are the most popular choice of many. Banks are everywhere and this makes depositing your money in banks a convenient option. When you say “bank,” I’m assuming that you are referring to traditional bank products like savings accounts and time deposits. These bank products are among the most liquid investments you can make and the risks are also among the lowest. The downside, however, are the yields. They may be the safest options but they give the lowest returns. As they say, low risk, low returns.

Having low returns, especially if below inflation rates, will erode the value of your money in the long run. Banks today offer other products other than the usual deposit products. You can invest in the instruments they offer like Unit Investment Trust Funds, mutual funds, bonds and insurance. Take time to know what your bank offers other than traditional deposit products.

Property: is the investment everybody wants. Your parents and grandparents had probably told you that the best investment was land. However, saying that land is the best investment may be too ambivalent. Real estate’s greatest attraction is its being a tangible investment. You can see and use it unlike paper investments, land usually appreciates in value giving you capital growth, or it can

generate a steady flow of income through rentals and capital gains when you decide to sell it.

There are times, however, when real estate investments do not appreciate or, in some cases, their appreciation does not meet your expectations. Also, there are recurring costs in property investments such as real estate tax, administrative or association dues and common area charges.

When you sell a property, you will be slapped a hefty capital gains tax on top of the broker’s fees. When you sum up all the money you need to spend during the time you are holding your real estate investment, you will realize that your gains are not as substantial as you thought it would be. Another downside in real estate investment is its cost; you need to spend a huge sum to buy land. If you decide to borrow money to finance your real estate investment, the interest that you have to pay may just eat up the gains you will make. Buying real estate because you need to live in it is another story as it is not an investment.

Business: Everyone wants to be an entrepreneur and why not?

Businesses can potentially give you the highest returns. A business that succeeds can make one a millionaire, even a billionaire.

There are many success stories of people who started with little but are now very wealthy because of their businesses. However, business endeavors are the riskiest among all these investment options, as they are speculative in nature. There are more businesses that fail rather than succeed, which is not encouraging for a “newbie” in the business world.

Further, putting up a business

Today, the Internet has greatly enhanced short on cash money making streams of income.

Whether one is baking a cookie or selling one’s lawn mower machine expertise, by setting up a website or advertising on a site, one’s services are made simpler to find. Actually, having one’s website is like having a glorified business card.

Quote Letting your customers set your standards is a dangerous game because the race to the bottom is pretty easy to win.

Setting your own standards, and living up to them is a better way to profit.

Not to mention a better way to make your day worth all the effort you put into it. -Seth Godin

Money Sense

Where do I put my money?

Where should I put my money in a bank, property, business or stocks? requires more than just capital, competence, passion, timing, market and a lot of studying are needed when you are considering doing business.

Stock: Could have been today’s rising star. There is so much attention to the stock market today as more and more people are being enticed into investing in equities because of its stellar performance in the last two to three years. Many investors are very optimistic with local stock market and you will find many experts predicting that the stock market will further go up. Investing in equities today is also more convenient. Even with only a small amount, you can

buy stocks through brokers (and also online) or through pooled funds such as mutual funds or UITFs. Let me reiterate the risk-return relationship here, high returns, high risks, and vice-versa. Now that a lot of investors have lost money, you now know that the stock market is not as predictable as people think it is and all the gains over the last three years can also be wiped out in a short period of time. More so, investing in the stock market, especially when you plan to trade, requires a lot of competency and time. If you don’t have the competency and the time to trade in the bourse, you should keep your day job.

My advice is for you to consider all the pros and cons of all the investment options you mentioned and choose those that will suit your objectives the most. I also recommend that you diversify your investments. All these options have their advantages (and disadvantages), but if you have a diversified portfolio, you are spreading your risks. A common but very wise saying we often hear with regard to investing is this: “Do not put all your eggs in one basket.”

Here’s an even wiser advice for you: “But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lay ahead.

How a power inverter can save you money over a fuel generator

I Money Tip: Best ways to generate fast income:

PAGE 11

t is based on using an inverter in home emergency purposes rather than a completely built unit that would power an entire house. These units often require large battery banks with an external source of power such as sun or wind generators to keep the batteries charged. It will not however cover large petrol, diesel, or propane generators that are connected to the fuse box of a house and can power an entire house.

What it will be covering are small home generators that usually have a 3-5 gallon fuel tank and a 2- 6 HP engine. These are run outside the house and power certain appliances inside the house via an electrical cord attached to the generator.

The electrical power inverter we will be discussing will be powered by a single car battery which will require recharging every one to two hours by running the engine of the car.

Studies have shown that a V-6 automobile engine uses approximately 0.5 gallons of fuel for every 90 minutes it is run. What this translates out to is that if you were to run a 750 watt inverter, you would have to recharge a 120amp battery every 2 hours by driving the car for 10 minutes. This means that you could get 36 hours of use from a 750 watt inverter on one gallon of petrol. This equals a N460 fuel price every 24 hours.

A 4400 watt petrol generator uses about 3.2 gallons of petrol for every 8 hours of service. This comes out to 9.6 gallons of fuel for a 24 hour period or around N3600 for 24 hours of use.

If you are using a smaller generator such as a 1000 watt model, which in most cases is more practical, you would be using 1.2 gallons every 5-8 hours depending on the load. This comes out to N120 every 8 hours, or N360 for every 24 hour period.

Now for the power inverter numbers, if you were using a 750 watt power inverter, which would be enough to power a laptop, small TV, DVD player, satellite dish box, and a lamp it would use 0.2 gallons for every 8 hours or 0.6 gallons for every 24 hours for a cost of N260.

In summary, the cost of running a 4400 watt generator for 24 hours is N3600 and a 1000 watt generator for 24 hours is N1100 and the cost of the inverter for 24 hours is N260 I feel many people do not use power inverters in emergencies just because they aren’t familiar with them. They’re easier to hook up than a generator. You just have to clip it on to your battery, plus the savings is substantial if you have a power outage for an extended period of time.

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

EDITORIAL

Zimbabwe elections: Mugabe nicks a 7th term His counterpart in the European Union, the British-born Mrs Catherine Ashton declared that “the EU is concerned about alleged irregularities and reports of incomplete participation, as well as the identified weakness in the electoral process and a lack of transparency”. It seems to us that the positions of the US

“

“M

ugabe, Robert Gabriel of ZANU-PF is ... declared duly elected president of the Republic of Zimbabwe with effect from today”. With these words by the head of the country’s electoral commission at the weekend, veteran leader and Africa’s oldest president at 89 years was declared unambiguously the victor in presidential and parliamentary polls meant to put an end to an uneasy coalition government established in the aftermath of a controversial vote in 2008. With over 61% of the votes for the ruling ZANU-PF and 33% for its rival, the MDC, Mugabe’s win was indeed big. But it sparked tension immediately even though the two key international observers of the polls from the African Union (AU) and the sub regional group SADC have given the polls a clean bill of health and urged the kicking losers, Mr. Morgan Tsvangarai and his MDC to take defeat in good faith.

But Tsvangarai is railing at the election’s result, calling it “a monumental fraud”, saying ominously that “I thought this election was going to resolve this political crisis. It has not, it has failed. It has plunged the country back to where it was”. His western patrons have also weighed in... The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, said “there were irregularities in the provision and composition of the voters’ roll. The parties had unequal access to the state media. The security sector did not safeguard the electoral process on an even handed basis”.

It is now time to let national interest take precedence over ego and personal political survivalism and the EU are both premeditated and couldn’t have been different as long as their beloved MDC and its leader, Tsvangarai, are the losers. We urge them to engage with the Zimbabwean political process and contribute to its normalization.

After all, their chief nemesis, President Mugabe will not live forever.

At 89, he is already in the departure lounge of life. As for Tsvangarai and his party, we urge them to appreciate that there is always another electoral season as long as the process is not disrupted. However, if he and his party feel so cheated, there are the

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courts to approach to hear their complaints. Just like the AU and SADC, we are relieved that there was no violence like the type that marred the 2008 election and enthroned the acrimonious coalition regime that did nothing to ameliorate the difficult conditions of ordinary Zimbabweans.

For the victorious ZANU-PF and its veteran leader, President Mugabe, we urge restraint on vitriolic rhetoric against opponents at home and abroad. The economy cannot make appreciable recovery with the regime of sanctions imposed by the West. In as a much as the West is in too dire economic straits themselves to help anybody, their relaxation of crushing sanctions and hostile political rhetoric could improve the overall investment climate in that country.

Well, as for the winner, we have tremendous reservations about the soundness of his mind at 89. He will be 94 on completion of his new term. President Mugabe who has been in office since 1980, when the country, formerly known as Northern Rhodesia, became independent from the British, should consider himself a titular head, leaving power to younger and more dynamic subordinates to oversee the country’s economic recovery. Having exerted himself for over half a century both as head of a guerrilla army and a nation, he should consider a dignified exit rather than die in office while the country dissolves in chaos. It is now time to let national interest take precedence over ego and personal political survivalism.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

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

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 13

Opinion Omatseye’s obituary

By M.T. Usman

T

he Nation’s IN TOUCH column of 22 July 2013 was a sort of an obituary - on the reputation and standing of Sam Omatseye as a political analyst/ public affairs commentator whose writings can serve as reference material on current developments in the country. The article oozed bigotry, using Brigadier Alabi - Isama’s book and a series of interviews with General Alani Akinrinade as props to impugn the reputation of the “others” of Nigerian politics. The Nigerian civil war has had its fair share of heroes as well as villains and in Omatseye’s reckoning, northern commanders constituted the latter group. Commanders and officers from the South who put down their war experiences in books and extended press interviews are acclaimed. Not that they do not deserve it, but the element of self - promotion is clearly at work here. That aside, the performance of northern officers in that war can withstand the scrutiny of military historians.

It is both laughable and insulting to describe General Yakubu Gowon as a bumbling commander in chief. The needs of the moment, in times of peace or in war, determine the kind of leadership that emerges. Gowon was the type of personality prescribed by the temper of the time, both in the aftermath of the events of 1966 and the resultant civil war. He became head of state not as a result of a compromise but because he was the most senior Northern officer.

The demands upon leadership in the circumstances of a civil war are markedly different from those in inter - state wars. A civil war has to be managed in such

a way as to make reconciliation easier at its end. That was how Gowon directed the war, with maximum restraint but with the necessary firmness to achieve result. It began with “police action” before it transformed into full military operation after the rebel incursion into the Midwest. There was however no adoption of a scorched - earth policy or terrorising of the civilian population.

Turning a 10,000 - man mainly ceremonial army into a fighting force of over thirty thousand in the first six months of the war was no easy task.

The command and control infrastructure of the military was rudimentary then, making micro-management of the war well-nigh impossible. It was therefore more practical to allow field commanders much latitude within the overall strategy adopted to prosecute the war. No account should be taken of Col Madiebo’s assessment of Gowon and his commanders. They won by pluck and Madiebo and co lost.

What better evidence of bumbling success and brilliant failure?

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The criticism of General Mamman Shuwa’s is equally laughable. Wars are won by capturing and holding territory, and 1 Division did that eminently.

Fighting in the heart of Igbo territory where resistance would be stiffest, from the onset of the conflict, 1 Division held every territory it liberated from the rebels and provided the needed security and assistance to the inhabitants. Shuwa’s campaign in the northern sector was methodical and clearly effective going by the results. Compare that with the relative chaos in the southern sector where the 3 Marine Commando operated and to which the duo of Alabi - Isama and Akinrinade repaired after falling out with General Murtala Muhammed in the western sector.

The division’s campaign began to stutter when it left the friendly peoples of the Niger Delta and approached Igbo territory. The result was the loss of an understrength brigade in the first attack on Aba and, more consequential to the war effort, the siege of federal troops in Owerri for six months. Col. Utuk’s 16 8rigade

was down to less than 200 soldiers when it broke the siege, carrying the body of the slain 2 i/c to his family in Benin. If there had to be a hero of the Civil War Shuwa would be it. Pray who is more “tyrannous”, the generals who lost troops in the course of fighting or the one who plotted the ambush and murder of subordinates?

Gowon has no blood on his hands on account of the failure of the operations to cross the River Niger at Asaba to capture Onitsha launched by General Murtala Muhammed. Sadly, there was heavy loss of life but not on the scale being bandied about.

The tragic event at Asaba where many civilians were killed did not qualify as genocide. There was no premeditation either on the part of the federal government or General Murtala. The position of the Midwest in the run - up to the start of fighting had nothing to do with the loss of lives of the Igbos and “other southerners” in the civil disturbances that took place in the North. Rather, it was deemed necessary for the Midwest to remain neutral in

The criticism of General Mamman Shuwa’s is equally laughable. Wars are won by capturing and holding territory, and 1 Division did that eminently. Fighting in the heart of Igbo territory where resistance would be stiffest, from the onset of the conflict, 1 Division held every territory it liberated from the rebels and provided the needed security and assistance to the inhabitants. Shuwa’s campaign in the northern sector was methodical and clearly effective going by the results. Compare that with the relative chaos in the southern sector where the 3 Marine Commando operated and to which the duo of Alabi - Isama and Akinrinade repaired after falling out with General Murtala Muhammed in the western sector.

Our many other problems

By Moh’d Dahiru Aminu

F

irst, as an undergraduate student in a university in Nigeria, my life changed one afternoon when I walked into the office of the head of department to lay a complaint. Get out of my office, he shouted, just before I could lay my complaint. I walked out, and never returned. I heard he was recently promoted to the rank of professor in the university.

He is intolerant. He is Nigerian.

Second, the other day I was passing by the market when I saw two soldiers beating up a civilian, hardheartedly. They beat him up unpityingly until he was utterly battered. His clothes were tattered. They attacked, stroked, and assaulted him mercilessly.

I was told the soldiers were out for his blood because they saw him wearing a camouflage jacket, which they believe only soldiers have the modus operandi to wear. They are crude. They are unsophisticated. We don’t see any wrong in their actions. They are

soldiers. They are Nigerians.

Third, as I drove one afternoon in Lagos, a group of people who identified themselves as men of the Nigeria Police Force brought my car to a stop. I was asked to park by the roadside. I did. They wanted to see the car’s particulars.

I gave them. They asked for my identity card. I showed them. I was asked to pay ten thousand naira or risk being taken to the police station for further questioning. They extorted two thousand five hundred naira, and allowed me to go. No one told me what my crime was. Oh I forgot; the crime must be that I owned a car. They are policemen. They are extortionists. They are Nigerians.

Fourth, one evening in the airport, just when I was about undergoing airport security check, I was stopped by an airport official. He asked my name. I told him. He asked where I was travelling. I told him. He looked at my luggage. No security threat was found. But he couldn’t ask me to go board my flight since I

couldn’t give him money. I refused to give money to him even when he asked for it openly; without any attempt for concealment. I walked away and boarded my flight. He was angry and furious. He was greedy. He is Nigerian.

Fifth, a woman went to the hospital expecting a baby. She was in labour pains. Childbirth is painful. It was discomforting. It was hurting. It was aching. It was stinging. It was throbbing. It was smarting. It was twinging. The midwives could have consoled her. They could have comforted her. They could have soothed her.

They could have calmed her. They could have supported her. No they wouldn’t do that. It’s not in their ethics. They would instead prefer to insult her, and hit her, and smack her, and whack her, all as she laboured hard to push out the baby. Though she was innocent.

To the midwives, she was guilty.

She was guilty for daring to give birth in Nigeria. They are midwives. They are wicked. They are Nigerians.

Sixth, my neighbour, the fiftysomething year old civil servant recently got promoted to a higher rank in the office. After two years of his promotion no one has seen any changes in the community, which his office was mandated to oversee. But we saw changes in his lifestyle. We saw changes in the life style of his wives, children, and relations. We were meant to not assume he was a corrupt man, but our eyes couldn’t assume so, as we obviously can discern corruption when we see it. It is true that the old man really helped himself with government coffers. He was said to have paid school fees for a few of the neighbour’s children. He also married again; a “new” wife, a teenager. He’s a nice, God-fearing man, the neighbours say. They are Nigerians.

Seventh, the people are illiterates. They are wedged in poverty. The youth are unemployed. Majority of the people lack the access and the ability to harness economic and

order not to cause in-fighting among troops repatriated to the region, the majority of whose officers were Ika-Igbo likely to be sympathetic towards their kinsmen across the Niger. The rebel Biafran invasion of the Midwest proved fears of fifth columnists right. Murtala was not “from the old Midwest, now Edo, by birth.” He was born, bred and raised in Kano city, claims of his ancestral links with wheresoever notwithstanding; his northerness had never been in question.

It is a curious subversion of history to dwell on the events of May/June 1966, the countercoup and the Civil War without recognising the proximate cause.

January 15 was the fulcrum of all the tragic events in that period in Nigeria’s history. It is intellectual dishonesty to treat it as a foot-note in the rendering of our past. Since this is a time of reminiscences here’s one as complement: it was reported that the Iraqi Revolution of 1958 alerted one of the victims of the January coup to the potential of the military in countries approaching independence from colonial rule. He therefore demanded, in the series of constitutional conferences being held preparatory to independence, adequate representation for his region in the military of an independent Nigeria. Writings by prominent actors in the drama of Nigeria’s history help to guide in the contemplation of a different trajectory for a better future for the country. No one has the right to use such works for unworthy causes.

M. T. Usman wrote in from Finetex Limited, Kaduna. financial opportunities. But the population is concerned with frivolities. Half of its children are out of school. There is a soaring figure of infant and maternal mortality. There is a massive conglomeration of beggars and the impoverished. But the people are unconcerned about these but are ready to go to war if the Nigerian senate impedes, say, on their “rights” to marry minors.

They are vulnerable. They are Nigerians. Above all it is said that a certain foreign power has predicted the disintegration of this foregathering of ours in the very near future. No nation has forged ahead in this manner, said the foreign power. We accused this foreign power of being behind a grand, perfidious plot to divide our “unity.” Such a factual forecast might look like rocket science especially to a people known for rejecting simple realities. But in plain terms such predictions seem real.

Mohammed Dahiru Aminu wrote in from London, United Kingdom and can be reached at mohd. aminu@gmail.com

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

Opinion

Okonjo-Iweala: Vilified at home, celebrated abroad

By Omolara Williams

I

n the dark old days when the military dominated Nigeria’s political scene, the phenomenon of brain drain became crystallised in our national consciousness, as our best brains in all walks of life embarked on an exodus to nations in different parts of the world, in the wake of oppressive military tyranny.

Outside the shores of Nigeria, these brains found comfortable abodes where their intellect and works were highly appreciated.

These were times when people we could pinpoint as role models in the country were few and far between. Mammon was then the landmark, and was the only symbol we had left to identify a model.

Sadly enough, after the military men were shoved back inside the barracks, things have not improved much with our national psyche and sense of value. Financial opulence still remains a topmost factor in our order of things, and the craze for mammon has blitzed our sense of judgement in identifying the real icons and models of ethical values in our society.

However, at the dawn of democracy in 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo began to woo the best brains from the Diaspora back home to come lend their expertise as the nation began a rebuilding process. Not that our democratic experiment has delivered excellently the way we envisioned in the last 14 years, but we’ve taken a leap from where we used to be. Of course, we are not where we want to be, but governance is always a work in progress.

In her book, Reforming the Unreformable, Mrs Ngozi OkonjoIweala ushers her readers into

the behind-thescene events that preceded her appointment into President Obasanjo’s administration.

After being suggested by Lady Lynda Chalker, a former International Development Secretary of the United Kingdom and other likeminded individuals in OBJ’s kitchen

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cabinet, the machine was set in motion for her homecoming. She eventually agreed after considering the pros and cons. And no sooner had she come home that she began to drive the reformation agenda of President Obasanjo. Part of that reformation was the write-off of the nation’s debt. That awesome achievement made me an ardent fan of NOI till date.

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It was obvious her international exposures and networks helped a great deal in securing the debt relief for Nigeria. Her exploits also opened the floodgates for some Nigerian professionals abroad to start heading home, as things were now look brighter for the country.

But, after leaving the OBJ’s cabinet and returning after much plea to serve her fatherland in the GEJ’s

government, she has been the butt of critical wags of tongues at home.

Meanwhile, isn’t it ironic that as much as the critics cast the stones in her direction, accolades have not ceased to come her way, especially from the clime where excellence and hard work are

celebrated?

Lately, Forbes magazine named her among the most powerful women in the world. Prior to that accolade, the United Nation Secretary General, Mr Ban Kin Moon, appointed her as a member of the Eminent Persons from Around the World working for a new global partnership to eradicate poverty and transform economies through

It was obvious her international exposures and networks helped a great deal in securing the debt relief for Nigeria. Her exploits also opened the floodgates for some Nigerian professionals abroad to start heading home, as things were now look brighter for the country. But, after leaving the OBJ’s cabinet and returning after much plea to serve her fatherland in the GEJ’s government, she has been the butt of critical wags of tongues at home. Meanwhile, isn’t it ironic that as much as the critics cast the stones in her direction, accolades have not ceased to come her way, especially from the clime where excellence and hard work are celebrated?

sustainable development. Also, in not too distant time, the prestigious University of Pennsylvania honoured her with an honorary doctorate degree in law alongside US Vice President, Joe Biden. This award was for a select group of personalities from around the world for high achievement in various spheres.

In the citation read at the ceremony, we are told that: “Okonjo-Iweala is responsible for managing the finances of Africa’s most populous nation and one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

She’s a former managing director of the World Bank where she had oversight responsibility for the bank’s $81 billion operational portfolio in Africa, South Asia, Europe and Central Asia. “She also spearheaded initiatives to assist low-income countries during the food crisis and later the financial crisis, and she chaired the raising of $49.3 billion in grants and lowinterest credit for the world’s poorest nations.”

The laurels stated above are just an infinitesimal fraction of all the honours that NOI has amassed in her academic, career and political expedition. And the surprising thing is that, even while our legislators and other not-so-informed people at home are busy maligning her, the world keeps celebrating her. Thus making hers the proverbial prophet who is honoured everywhere except in his own household. For every girl child like me, she is a shining light, who is breasting the tape of achievements and setting a glorious path for upward-looking people to follow. Isn’t it about time for us to we start elebrating our own?

Omolara Williams is the Coordinator of Youth & Full Initiative.

Lagos, the Igbo and servants of truth

By Femi Fani-Kayode I posted few words on my Facebook wall as a fall-out of the hot debate generated by the relocation from Lagos to Anambra of over 60 destitute Igbo by the Lagos state government. Soon afterwards, all hell broke loose on my wall and all sorts of excitable and emotion-laden comments and assertions were made on the thread. I welcomed each and every one of those comments including those that accused me of being a tribalist and a Yoruba nationalist. That is the spirit of debate and we cannot all possibly agree on everything. Needless to say I stand by every word that I wrote in the post and those that do not share my view are free to hold their own opinion. My assertion is based on history and knowledge and not emotion. The facts are clear and the records speak for themselves. I will go no further than that because it is about time that Nigerians from the younger generation learnt to do their own research and to study their own history. I will not allow the mob mentality or the wild emotions of others to becloud my thinking or

to intimidate me into distorting the truth.

The Igbo had little to do with the extraordinary development of Lagos between 1880 right up until today.

That is a fact. Other than Ajegunle, Computer Town, Alaba and buying up numerous market stalls in Isale Eko, where is their input? Meanwhile the Yoruba of the old Western Region and Lagos were very gracious to them and they not only allowed them to return after the civil war to claim their properties and jobs but also welcomed them with open arms and allowed them to flourish in our land.

This is something that they have never done for our people in the east. Such gestures of love and fraternity were never reciprocated. Now some of them have the effrontery to call Lagos, which is our land and the land of our forefathers (I am half Lagosian), ”no-man’s land” and others have the nerve to assert that up to 50 per cent of the development in Lagos came as a consequence of the input of the Igbo.

This is utter rubbish.

Those that do not know any better ought to learn rather than vent hostility against me. I will not distort the facts of history just to keep some

people happy. The history of the Yoruba, and of Lagos particularly, is very well known to me. And the fact that Lagosians and the Yoruba people generally are very generous and accommodating in their ways and non-indigenes that settle in their territory should not mistaken that generosity for ignorance, stupidity or weakness. We know our history, we know who we are, we know who and what developed our land and made it into what it is and we urge those that yearn to be like us to go and emulate our efforts and attitude to non-

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indigenes and hard work in their own states of origin.

I have nothing against my fellow Nigerians from other parts of the country and I have proved over and over again that I love Nigeria and that I am a Nigerian before anything else.

However if, in the twisted imagination of some, speaking the truth about the history and development of Lagos and the Western Region makes me a tribalist, then tribalist I am. Servants of truth do not fear such labels and are often hated and misunderstood.

If I were worried about what others

I have nothing against my fellow Nigerians from other parts of the country and I have proved over and over again that I love Nigeria and that I am a Nigerian before anything else. However if, in the twisted imagination of some, speaking the truth about the history and development of Lagos and the Western Region makes me a tribalist, then tribalist I am. Servants of truth do not fear such labels and are often hated and misunderstood. If I were worried about what others thought of me I would have stopped writing long ago.

thought of me I would have stopped writing long ago.

Meanwhile, permit me to recommend to all and sundry the following words of an insightful Nigerian by name Sina FagbenroByron. He has had the courage to analyse the matter in a very honest, clear and forthright manner and he has spoken the truth. Let us hope that those that have no knowledge of that truth are humble enough to learn from it. Fagbemi-Byron hit the nail on the head and I wholeheartedly commend him for his courage.

Frankly, I could not have put it better myself. How I wish that more of those that are in the younger generation today would indulge in the type of research and scholarship that this man has obviously done. He, and those that value truth and knowledge like him, are the true Nigerians and thankfully I believe that there are many like him in every tribe and nationality in this great country. May God grant them the courage to speak out and cure the ignorant of their ignorance. God bless Nigeria.

Femi Fani-Kayode is a former aviation minister in Nigeria.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 15

Comment A Day for all Nigerians

By Ose Oyamendan

L

ast Wednesday was a day to be proud as a Nigerian.

That is if you’re a Nigerian who is not a member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

And, the five travelling PDP governors do no count because you gotta have a poker face not to laugh at that little circus. Five governors, four of whom lost the last presidential elections in their states, yet they think they hold their party’s balls in their hands.

What’s the worst they can do?

Lose the states again! If some members of PDP don’t own most of the banks, they sure would be laughing to them now. But you know why these governors are “fronting” in kidspeak? It’s the three words that have the possibility of altering Nigeria’s political landscape - All Progressives Congress (APC).

I am proud of and happy for APC and I’m not even a member of the party. You have to be happy because APC sounds and looks like a worthy opposition that may give PDP a fight for the throne. When things like this go down, the winners are the people who can finally look up. It is not an accident that Nigeria has developed at a snail speed because the leaders only feel accountable to their godfathers not the people. The reason is simple – lack of viable opposition. And, the band of the opposition in the past where so worried about survival they were

busy consolidating whatever it is they have than to bother with the people who elect them.

Well, not anymore – we hope.

Now, we can watch our leaders sweat inside air-conditioned room. Now, they will know what it means to be in a molue on Eko Bridge where the passengers know that an miscalculated steering of the wheel and the bus may tumble into the ocean. The difference now is, it won’t be the destiny of the country floating away into abyss. It may just be the fortunes of the political lords.

Ever since I was a kid in Ibadan whose night was incomplete until my friends and I spot Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his fingers flashing the victory sign inside the moon from a galaxy far, far away, I’d nursed the hope of a viable opposition that will make our leaders accountable just like I was the viable opposition to my sister for the last piece of meat on our father’s plate. That meat meant responsibility because I had to behave during the day; something Nigerian politicians often have no clue about.

In Nigeria’s ego driven politics, the opposition have been something of a mirage. It’s tough to convince a politician to be in the opposition because the juicy contracts are not there and without juicy contracts your pot belly and all the glories that come with it is likely to disappear like a thief in the night. So, what to do? You join the winning party.

Now, if I was PDP, I won’t sit and

pretend APC is just a pesky fly. I would go to court! Yes, I will sue APC. Good thing their leaders – Bola Tinubu and Mohammadu Buhari - are veterans of the Nigerian courtrooms. What would be my grouse? Simple. It’s the word “progressives”. If APC is the All Progressives Congress, what is PDP? The People’s Degenerate (or regressive) Party?

You can let some things sit or before you know it, they would change the name of the party to Only Progressives Party. A lawsuit would make them sit up. I know it’s not going to be a winning fight but I would have fired the first shot that would be heard from Daura to Bourdillon.

Then, I will sit and watch the ego destroy the party. Make no mistake, APC will rise or fall on one trait: ego. How do its leaders

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subsume their egos for the greater good of their new baby?

The little matter of national officers almost left a crack on the party. You wonder what elective offices would do to the party whose leaders are rumoured to favour selecting rather than electing candidates.

Tinubu is probably going to be a little easy. I do not know a better political strategist in Nigeria. He seems to be a couple of steps ahead of most politicians, definitely anyone in the APC. He has also sacrificed ambitions in the past, like when he reluctantly step aside for Iyorchia Ayu to be Senate President almost twenty years ago, settling for the chairmanship of the banking and finance committee. So, sacrificing the presidency should be easy right?

Stop laughing!

Buhari is a different ball game. He has the fervor of a man whose soothsayer has told would be king again and he doesn’t look like he’s going to allow himself be talked out of it. If he can sacrifice his presidential ambition for the good of the nation then politics in Nigeria is about to get very interesting. Whatever happens, the war drums are out now, 2015 is going to be the political war of all wars. Get your cameras ready and buy some earplugs because the airwaves are about to be bombarded. I can see the cards now – in one corner, Goodluck Jonathan. In the other corner, an APC candidate from the north.

Let’s get ready to rumble!

Ose Oyemande is a Nigerian filmmaker based in California, USA.

In Nigeria’s ego driven politics, the opposition have been something of a mirage. It’s tough to convince a politician to be in the opposition because the juicy contracts are not there and without juicy contracts your pot belly and all the glories that come with it is likely to disappear like a thief in the night. So, what to do? You join the winning party. Now, if I was PDP, I won’t sit and pretend APC is just a pesky fly. I would go to court! Yes, I will sue APC. Good thing their leaders – Bola Tinubu and Mohammadu Buhari - are veterans of the Nigerian courtrooms. What would be my grouse? Simple. It’s the word “progressives”. If APC is the All Progressives Congress, what is PDP? The People’s Degenerate (or regressive) Party?

Trying to get my child into school

By Uddin Ifeanyi

T

he ongoing labour dispute between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and their employer, the federal government of Nigeria, could not have come at a more ominous time. And this is a personal thing. As a parent with a child preparing for university, the strike brings to fore a dilemma that similarly placed parents before me must have faced.

In a rapid growing economy, with low labour payout rates, and unpredictable employment conditions (now, this is an impasse, if ever there was one), it is important that one be able to plan, and assign very scarce resources as needed.

Everything here is too transient to build much that is lasting on.

There is a point to be made here (obiter dicta) that amongst their other merits, advanced economies thrive on the predictability of much of their systems. This is the point of central banks’ commitment to price stability as their primary goal: it helps economic actors to arrange their affairs profitably.

The incessant strike by ASUU is evidently in violation of this principle.

Were my child to gain admission into a federal university (difficult in the present circumstance, given the competitive nature of the admission process), it will be nigh impossible to assign resources to this project. Even where we assume a diligent child, the

labour disputes in the sector make it impossible to tell when the child will leave school, if ever.

A 4-year course could take all of 8 years, with the disruptions to class (and whatever research work there is), ensuring that the child is as improperly tutored as is possible. In the light of the considerable (and near criminal) waste of resources going on in other sectors of the economy, it is easy to dismiss this particular example as inconsequential.

We have lost to oil theft in four years much more than is required to turn our tertiary institutions into citadels of learning that will be the cynosure of eyes the world over. In terms of the general efficiency of our processes, it is somewhat overly optimistic to hope that the educational sector will somehow

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emerge immune to the general malaise that plagues us.

By choice, the clichés in the first sentence of this paragraph are a useful metaphor for the maladies afflicting the educational sector. Except for subject matter experts (in this case, I believe this category is limited to the top echelons of the education ministry, and senior lecturers in the university), most Nigerians have lost track of the main issues in the industrial dispute.

It is therefore, hard to place blames. In a sense, the perennial disputes in our higher education sector have become trite, and tiresome. Are lecturers irresponsible who abandon duty to their students, and desert their work stations in defence of hard-won rights? Or is government less than qualified when

it is unable or unwilling to abide by the terms of contracts freely entered into?

All of these (and many more) matter!

Our universities, as presently organised, sub-optimise resources at all levels.

But two stand out immediately. First is the ratio of teaching/research staff to support personnel.

The university bureaucracy is disproportionately larger than its core staff, and this at a period where the information and communication technology revolutions have made much of the former redundant, and much of the latter more effective. Why are we unable, even in our “ivory towers”, to assign resources optimally? Why, or what is essentially the same question, do our best minds end up as university administrators? Why would a leading

The university bureaucracy is disproportionately larger than its core staff, and this at a period where the information and communication technology revolutions have made much of the former redundant, and much of the latter more effective.

Why are we unable, even in our “ivory towers”, to assign resources optimally?

Why, or what is essentially the same question, do our best minds end up as university administrators? Why would a leading nuclear physicist aspire to be vice chancellor? Can we not find competent mid-level managers (with fundraising skills tossed into the mix) in the private sector to take up this responsibility and free up much needed resource for moving the envelope up on the teaching and research competences of our universities? Government is another matter, entirely.

nuclear physicist aspire to be vice chancellor? Can we not find competent mid-level managers (with fund-raising skills tossed into the mix) in the private sector to take up this responsibility and free up much needed resource for moving the envelope up on the teaching and research competences of our universities? Government is another matter, entirely.

In the example of the incumbent federal government, its approach to the governance challenges facing the country has helped polarize debate across key national issues. So intense is the fallout that it is often counterintuitive to join the discourse. However, sotto voce, the worry (for those who can remember the late 1980s, when teaching opportunities in Zimbabwe beckoned on the Nigerian university lecturer) is that we might be headed Comrade Gabriel Robert Mugabe’s way: where demagoguery and ceaseless tilting at windmills are elevated into the main assignments of the state.

Unable to answer these questions, I have committed to sending my child to a private university. The ambience of these remind of mission-run secondary schools of yore. But at least I am able to assign resources to the critical project of educating my child in the assurance that if she concentrates on her studies, she would be out in the next four years.

Ifeanyi Uddin’s professional profile is on LinkedIn.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 16

FCT PHCDB lauds Int’l agency on health care delivery

By Adeola Tukuru

T

L.R: The Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCDB), Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, the International President elect of the Rotary International, Mr. Gary Huang, accompanied by other officials during a visit to the Family Health Clinic in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Photo: Adeola Tukuru

Galadimawa demolition: Abuja indigenes task Army authorities to explain action

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja (OIDA) have called on the Nigerian Army authorities to explain why it deployed over 50 soldiers to invade Galadimawa community in the FCT and brutalized civilians in a peaceful time.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the group’s General Counsel, Barr. Baba-Panya Musa.

According to the statement a detachment of over fifty soldiers lead

by Lt. Col John Okpeyi laid siege on the community at the behest of FCT

Development Control Department to effect demolition of the community without due compensation and resettlement.

“We should be told when the Nigerian army began consultancy services as to be solicited by private citizens, individuals or corporate organizations. ``We also sought to know, of what importance is the Galadimawa community land is that it required a platoon strength detachment and led by a whole battalion commander, one Lt. Col. John Okpeyi. ``It will do us good if the army authorities explain who authorized the deployment of soldiers on a

civilian populace and community in peacetime and in the absence of lawlessness and disorder when there is no emergency rule’’.

He said the invasion further portends far reaching quensiquencies, adding that the community would not have respect for army, nothing that the hitherto dignity accorded to the profession has been eroded. ``Although, our people are naturally peace loving and law abiding, there is however limit to every human capacity and tolerance patient accommodation and forbearance especially in the face of such extreme provocation as has been occasioned by Galadimawa

invasion. ``We reaffirm our stance against violence in any form and manner, but make no mistake about it as we are resolute to defend our ancestral homelands to the tilt and if need be, with our very own live. ``The invasion has left several youths and women hospitalized with several degree of injuries,’’ he said.

He said the worrisome aspect was that all the soldiers were kitted in their uniforms, as they whipped any one insight.

He therefore, advised the military not to cause such provocation to prevent the Udi and Zakibiam military onslaught.

he Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCDB), Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed has commended Rotary International for their donor support to transform primary health care in the country.

Dr Rilwanu made the remark when he accompanied the International President elect of the Rotary International, Mr. Gary Huang accompanied by his wife and other officials of the Rotary Nigeria on a visit to the Family Health clinic in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Rilwanu explained that for sustainability and continuity of Primary Health Care services, the country has to look inwards; some other avenues must be created to reduce our sole reliability on international donor support.

He said the Board has been introducing various initiatives and interventions for polio eradication in the FCT amongst which is the visit to markets and motor parks.

Also ,the Chairman Nigeria National Polio plus committee, Dr. Abdulrahman Tunji Funsho, said the Rotary International is working towards an improved well being of the Nigerian citizenry, adding that the Rotary International has expressed willingness to continue to work for the attainment of maximum result in the area of health, education and sanitation in Nigeria.

He said as a complimentary organisation the Rotary International equip hospitals, invites medical Doctors from abroad to conduct polio surgery and other health related services in Nigeria, it also provides consumables and give other supportive health care delivery services.

Also, the International President elect of the Rotary International Mr. Gary Huang said his visit to Nigeria was to establish his commitment and support to the polio eradication initiative of the federal government of Nigeria.

He said Nigeria being one of the three remaining countries in the world that still has the case of polio must be given due consideration so that polio is permanently halted.

Traders experience high patronage as Muslims prepare for Eid-el-Fitr

T

raders in food items in some FCT markets are experiencing high patronage as Muslims prepare for the forthcoming Salah celebration.

A survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday reveals that buyers throng the markets to stockpile food items for the celebration taking place on Thursday or Friday.

Mr Daudu Daudu, a foodstuff seller at Bwari Market, said that traders often sold more whenever Salah was fast approaching. ``Buyers procure more items like yams, rice, gari, yam flour, beans and some other foods items from us in preparation for Salah.

``I used to sell two to three bags of rice, one bag of beans, 30 tubes of yam and a bag of garri daily; but now, I sell more of that,’’ Daudu said.

According to him, most items sell faster during this period due to the high patronage, and they make profits.

Another food seller, Mr Danlami Amodu of Utako Market said he was always happy each time Muslims were preparing for Salah or any other festival because of the high profit he would make. ``I always influence the prices of my goods during the season because I see it as an opportunity to sell because buyers cannot do without the items.

``This Salah is making more profit for us because workers have just received their salaries which is making them to patronise us more this year, unlike last year. ``Each festival favours us somehow, especially those of us that sell food items,’’ he said.

Mr. Yusuf Momoh, a foodstuff seller at Wuse Market, also said that it was normal for traders to experience high patronage during festive periods. ``Most of the opportunities we have during festivals like this, we will not have after the festivals because people will just be buying little items for their normal consumptions and it

will lead to low patronage. ``After Salah, we can stay here from morning till evening without selling half a bag of any product,’’ he said.

Mrs Jumai Idrisu, a buyer, said she used to buy all her food items for the whole month whenever she received her salary. `` I do buy all my family needs ahead of any festivals period because it is cheaper that way; most them want to dispose of their items before travelling.’’ she said.

Idrisu said the period was also an opportunity for her to give out whatever she had for the less-privileged, friends

and family members.

Mrs. Patience Henshal, another buyer, said she was not a Muslim but believed the period was the right time to buy food items because they were cheap in the market.

Henshal said she was trying to stock up her pantry since most of the traders are Muslim and would start travelling to their villages for Salah. ``Food items will be scarce and expensive in the market,’’ she said. ``I do wait till this period to buy whatever I want and keep it before they start travelling because every food items will increase in the price when they travel.’’ (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 17

UNIABUJA Alunmi assures of upgrade to varsity infrastructure

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he University of Abuja Alumni Association has said it will soon embark on the renovation of infrastructure at the school’s permanent site in Gwagwalada, FCT. The chairman of the convention planning committee, Habeeb

Abulkadir told newsmen over the weekend that the body has also scheduled its maiden convention in Abuja soon, adding the association is poised to strengthening itself and contributing significantly to the progress of its alma mater.

According to him, during the event, there will be a reunion dinner and election of officials into the

alumni body.

In his words: “The association also plans to build an office on the campus. We’ll build students hostels and give them out at affordable rates,” Abdulkadir stated.

The association which started in 2008 has now got a strong membership including governors, legislators and other

top government officials across the country.

On the crisis over non accreditation of some science courses in the university, the alumni expressed gratitude to the pro-chancellor of council, General Samuel Ogbemudia for working tirelessly and getting the courses accredited.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ministry, Engineer John Obinna Chukwu, General Counsel, FCT Administration, Barrister Ima Okpengete; the celebrant/Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; Secretary, Area Council Services Secretariat, Alhaji Yahaya Alhassan Gwagwa, and Director of Establishment and Training, FCT Administration, Alhaji Nuhu Ahmed, at a surprise birthday reception organised by the aides and staff of the Office of the Minister, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Ramadan: Zuba fruit sellers deny hike on prices

By Adeola Tukuru

N

igeria Association of Fruits Sellers Zuba branch, FCT have denied the hike of prices of fruit during the period of Ramadan as alleged by some buyers.

The Secretary of the Association, Alhaji Yusuf Bello, made the clarification in an interview with newsmen over

T

wo men, Abdulrahman Suleiman and Haruna Suleiman, yesterday appeared before a Karu Senior Magistrates’ Court for allegedly duping another man of N4.8 million.

The accused persons of Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, were arraigned by the police before Senior Magistrate Anna Akobi, on a three-count charge of criminal breach of trust and cheating.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Peter Adams, told the court that the

the weekend noted that the prices of fruits and other goods are determined by the forces of demand and supply.

He explained that most products are perishable ones and sometimes they are forced to sell at far cheaper rates in order to recover the cost price.

Yusuf also said that though consumers might not be convinced, he noted that the little increment

was caused by the demand of the commodities as well as fall in supply.

Speaking on the prices, he said that a bag of Orange is sold at the rate of N 8,000 or N5,000, a dozen of Pineapples N7,000, a bunch of Banana, N 1,000 and Watermelon cost 100 between N25,000 to N 30,000 among others.

The Secretary, however, appeal to the new administration

of Gwagwalada Area Council to repair the bad condition of the market observing that the market stands a better chance to generate higher revenue for the council as customers find it difficult to enter the market following the bad state of the market.

He added that the Association last week purchased 20 tippers of stones to fill the huge potholes in the fruit market.

Metro Commandant admonishes children on education

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he Commandant, Command Secondary School, Zuma barracks Suleja, Colonel Shuaibu Ibrahim has admonished children to be determined to achieve their goals academically regardless of challenges they might face at the initial stages.

Colonel Ibrahim stated this in an address presented at the 5th graduation speech and prize giving day of the school at Zuma barracks Suleja, Niger State, urged the students to always strive to learn adding that good education is a catalyst to achieving their goals in Life.

He further disclosed that a total number of 215 students graduated in this year’s academic session in the school.

Ibrahim called on the parents as well as stakeholders in education sector to work hand in hand to improve the standard of education in the country.

He commended the federal government for giving the priority attention to education of the children, urging the teachers to put in their best in the teaching profession.

He called for the upgrading of school hostel, classrooms as well as other facilities in the school, while appealing to Army Superior Authorities (ASA), Parents Teachers Association (PTA) as well as stakeholders in education to continue to render financial assistance to the school.

He explained that in 2011/2012 WAEC examination the students scored 100% performance and prayed for the outgoing students to come out with good grades.

On sports competition, he said that the students had won several laurels for the school as well as became the best in Biology in Niger state among other competitions.

The commandant, however, advised the graduands to be good diplomats of the school in anywhere they found themselves and charged them not to relent their efforts in academic pursuit.

Responding, the chairman of the occasion, Major-General Samson Dulec (retired), warned the graduating students to desist from any immoral act capable of tarnishing their image, advised them to further their education for the benefit of their future careers.

On his part, the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of the school, Dr. Garba Ibrahim, applauded the parents for their contributions towards the development of the school.

Police arraign 2 for alleged cheating accused persons cheated one Ukasha Ishaq of the money under pretence of assisting him to change the money to dollars.

Adams said that one Bashir Shehu, currently at large, in company of the first accused, met Ishaq at home around 8 a.m. and requested for N4.8 million for a ``new business at hand. ``The accused persons claimed

that the person who would change the money into dollars was at the National Assembly premises waiting to collect the money from them to start the process. ``To convince their victim, the first accused showed him pictures of previous customers with their monies and the dollar conversions. ``Based on the pictures shown to him, the complainant got convinced

by their deceit and gave Shehu the said amount with the assurance that they would return the dollar equivalent by 10 a.m. that same day. ``They both left with the money but never returned as promised until the case was reported at the police station for further investigations by the police.”

The prosecutor alleged that during police interrogation, the two

accused persons admitted collecting money from Ishaq but said that they were deceived and taken to an unknown destination by their business partner. ``They further confessed that somehow, they found themselves in Azare, Bauchi state where they were attacked by some Fulani herdsmen and the money was collected from them,’’ he told the court. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 18

Metro

Abuja Lower Court judges appeal to FG for salary review T he Conference of Lower Court Judges (CLCJ) in the FCT on Thursday appealed to the Federal Government to harmonise judges’ salary structure to be at par with judges in other states in the country.

The President of the CLCJ in the FCT, Mr Celestine Odo, made the appeal when he led lower court judges in the FCT on a courtesy visit to Chief Richard Egbule, the Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission

in Abuja.

Odo said the purpose of the visit was to get an update on the memo he sent to the Federal Government on the issue of harmonisation of the salary structure for both magistrates and lower court judges in the FCT. He said the current disparity in salaries between judges in the FCT and judges in other parts of the country was unfair.

“What we are receiving presently does not reflect the risk involved in

the nature of our job and it should at least be equivalent with what other lower court magistrates in the states of the federation are receiving.

“We also feel that the FCT in particular is the eye of the nation and it should be the benchmark for other states in Nigeria.’’

Odo said that the cost of living in the FCT was higher than in other parts of the country, noting that many lower court judges in the FCT could not afford to pay for good accommodation.

Responding, Egbule said that the judges’ request would be forwarded to the Federal Government for consideration.

“We promise that whatever is due to you will be given a consideration because the commission believes in fairness, equity, justice and affordability.

“While considering your requests, we also have to look at its global implications to see if government will be able to afford and sustain it.’’ (NAN)

Barrow pusher charged with criminal intimidation

T

he Police on Friday arraigned a barrow pusher, Bilihaminu Haruna, 19, of Orange Market, Mararaba at a Grade 1 Area Court for alleged criminal breach of trust, cheating and criminal intimidation.

The police prosecutor, Cpl. Inuwa Maigida, told the court that one Eunice Gabriel of Aunty Alice Road, Mararaba, reported the matter at the ‘A’ Division Police Station, Mararaba on July 30.

``Gabriel entrusted some food stuffs, including cassava flower, valued N19,000 to the accused on July 27 to sell for her. ``The accused sold all the items and gave Gabriel N7,000.

He converted N12,000 to his personal use and absconded thereafter.’’

He said the accused was later arrested at Orange Market by one Hussaini Zubiru, a security guard, who handed him over to

the police. ``The accused threatened to kill Zubairu after the conclusion of the case,’’ Maigida said.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened the provisions of sections 312, 322 and 397 of the Penal Code.

If convicted, the accused person could spend twelve years in prison or pay a fine.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

Women hawking ground nuts around Federal Secretariat, Central Area, Abuja.

The presiding judge, Mr Albert Maga, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100,000 and a surety in like sum.

Maga said the surety must be responsible, possess landed property and reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

He also said the surety must write an undertaking that the accused would not commit similar offence. He adjourned the case to Sept. 5, 2013 for hearing. (NAN)

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

INSIDE FCT COURTS Court remands commercial sex worker for allegedly jumping bail

A

Grade 1 Area Court in Aso Pada, Mararaba in Nasarawa State, has remanded a commercial sex worker, Martha Jegu, 28, of Ado in Karu, Nasarawa State for allegedly jumping bail.

Jegu is standing trial on a one-count charge of cheating.

On the resumed hearing, the Presiding Judge, Mr Albert Maga, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody on the ground that she jumped bail.

“Since the mention of the case on Feb. 11, you have not shown up.

“The case has been adjourned on several occasions without you coming to the court or informing the court reasons for your absence. ``This is not a court of hide and seek, you will be remanded in Keffi Prison till Aug.15 when the case will continue,” Maga told the accused.

In her response, the accused said that she has been very sick for a long time and it was impossible for her to come to the court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the accused was arraigned on Feb. 11.

The Prosecutor, Cpl. Inuwa Maigida, had told the court that on Feb. 5, one Maureen Sebastian of Mammy Road, Mararaba, reported the matter at the ‘A’ Division Police Station, Mararaba.

He told the court that Sebastian gave the accused N45,000 for safe-keeping, but Jegu allegedly absconded with the money to an unknown destination.

Maigida said that the accused was later arrested at Albaka Hotel in Ado without the money.

The accused, had however, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail after which she failed to appear in court on the adjourned date. (NAN)

Man bags 7 months imprisonment for drug trafficking

T

he Federal High Court on Thursday in Abuja sentenced Ahmed Sule, 27, to seven months in prison for drug trafficking.

Sule, an indigene of Kogi, was arrested in June 2013 along Lokoja-Abuja expressway with cannabis, weighing 10.7 kg.

Delivering judgment, Justice A.R. Mohammed, held that the court decided to be lenient because

of the positive disposition of the accused person during the trial. ``Sule’s circumstances could be likened to the pressure and poverty in our current society. ``He has also assured the court that he will not trade in the substance or be involved in criminality again. ``He underwent a verbal undertaking as an agreement to stay out of crime. I believed

him, after all not all the court’s decisions should be punitive, some sentences are corrective. ``I am told that the cost of the 10.7 kg goes for N15,000, what can that do for anyone? This is delinquency and the court should assist to correct it.’’

The convict pleaded guilty after the charge was read to him, leading to the summary judgment.

While responding to the

sentence, Sule pleaded the court to tamper justice with mercy, saying ``my grandmother is not aware of this and pray the court not to allow her know or else she will die. ``I lost my father when I was just seven months, my mother also died when I was a teenager. I was left to be trained by an uncle who later died too. ``Please help to preserve my grandmother for me. I am the

breadwinner of the family right now. I will not go back to this illegal trade again,’’ he said.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the proceeding, Mrs Sadatu Mark, the prosecutor, expressed delight in the way the judge handled the matter.

She said ``my lordship used wisdom to give the convict a second chance.’’ (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 19

INSIDE

Isa_abdulwahab@yahoo.com, Isaabdulwahab@gmail.com 08033045613

Nigeria not utilising full export potential, says NEPC boss T he Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr David Adulugba said that Nigeria was under utilising its capacity to export products.

Adulugba made the observation while briefing manufacturers on the upcoming exhibition of made-in-Nigeria products in Togo.

The exhibition is being organised by NEPC to showcase

finished made-in-Nigeria products from Aug.17 to Aug. 30.

The executive director said that Nigeria had yet to fully explore avenues to reach out to other countries with regard to exports.

“We have been exporting toiletries, cosmetics, food and beverages, but we can take advantage of this opportunity to export other products,” he said.

Adulugba said that Togo was

chosen for the exhibition because it served as a point of product distribution to West African countries.

“Geographically, Togo serves as a distribution house for neighbouring states.

Its manufacturing sector is not buoyant but a lot of trade is going on there.

“Most of the products used in Togo are imported from France and other European countries,” he said.

L-R: Commissioner, Legal Licensing and Enforcement of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Steven Andzenge, Chairman, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi and Director General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs. Dupe Atoki, during the DG’s l visit to NERC, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

South African bank to sell retail arm

A

frican Bank Investments said yesterday it would sell its furniture unit and raise cash in a rights offer, as the South African mass-market lender aims to boost a balance sheet stretched by weak demand and rising bad loans.

African Bank, known as Abil, has helped pioneer unsecured credit - loans not backed by collateral - in Africa’s top economy by focusing on lower-income customers.

But it is now showing signs of fatigue as borrowers struggle to make payments, their finances hit by a slowing economy, chronically high unemployment and waves of strike action and social unrest.

Abil, which warned that earnings at its main banking unit were likely to worsen in the second half, said it would look to sell its Ellerines furniture business, which it bought in 2007 as a vehicle for selling sofas and armchairs on credit.

The bank, which does not take deposits and relies on the bond

market for funding, said it would raise up to 4 billion rand ($406 million) via a fully subscribed rights offer to improve its capital position.

“What they have done is shored up their balance sheet and investors will take confidence in that,” said Simon Fillmore, chief executive of Independent Securities in Johannesburg.

“Ellerines has been their Achilles’ heel for six or seven years so to indicate that they are going to sell that is quite positive.”

Its shares initially tumbled as much as 13 percent but recovered as investors welcomed the asset sale and fundraising, trading up 5.4 percent at 15.16 rand at 1222 GMT. The stock has lost nearly half its value since May, when Abil reported a 26 percent drop in first-half profit and wrote off 445 million rand in bad loans, sparking concern about its finances.

Cash flow currently accounts for just 16 percent of the bank’s

average net operating assets, according to Reuters data, well below the industry median of 50 percent.

Its debt to equity ratio, a measure of a company’s borrowing, is at 300 percent, compared with an average of 107 percent at six other South African banks, the data shows.

Analysts are concerned about the possibility of higher bad debt across the banking sector, especially from consumer loans.

South African household debt is equal to more than 75 percent of disposable income, central bank data shows.

“It definitely says times are tough, we can see that coming through with the high credit losses,” said a banking analyst who is not authorised to speak to the media.

“Funding costs are rising and it’s putting a lot pressure on non-deposit-taking banking institutions that do not have access to retail deposits as a form of cheap funding.”(Reuter

He gave the assurance that NEPC would assist exhibitors to pay some tariffs and other levies for the exhibition.

He said that NEPC would cover only 250kg of products per company, adding that prospective exhibitors would be responsible for payment of such levies on extra goods.

He appealed to manufacturers to exhibit commodities not readily available in Togo.

Adulugba said that a sensitisation campaign on the exhibition was ongoing in Togo to guarantee its success.

Mr John Isemede, Director-General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), appealed to the manufacturers to register with trade associations in their own interest.

“You can’t do business in francophone countries without belonging to a particular chamber of commerce.

“Chamber of commerce is the only vehicle the United Nations allows for international business flow amongst nations,’’ he said.

He added that chambers of commerce assisted their members in loan acquisition.

He said that NACCIMA was committed to ensuring the success of the exhibition.

“We will assist you in the translation of your documents into French free of charge.

“You can contact us for the translation of your complimentary cards, pamphlets, posters, handbills and brochures,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of 65 companies were selected from Lagos, Kano and Calabar to participate in the exhibition .

(NAN)

Stay off ports zone, Forwarders warn unregistered practitioners - Pg 22

We stand by our disclosures, says NEITI

- Pg 20

Motorola unveils Moto X Smartphone

- Pg 21

Exchange Rates CBN

as at 5th August, 2013 Selling Buying

$

154.75

155.75

€

237.43

238.96

£

205.18

206.50

41.26

41.53

Riyal

Parallel Rates Buying

Selling

$

157.50

158.40

€

250

253.00

£

206.00

210.00

Riyal

43.00

45.00

MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY

P

Recognize your moment of obligation

eople who successfully tackle big problems are often driven by a specific event or time in their lives when they felt compelled to act.

These “moments of obligation” can drive you to start working on a problem, and keep at it when you might feel like giving up. They help us shape meaningful careers and lives.

Here’s how to recognize your own mission-defining moment: It’s strong. The experience will invoke intense feelings.

The moment itself doesn’t necessarily need to be dramatic, but what it brings up in you is.

It’s personal. Moments of obligation are often connected to your own experiences, or the experiences of people you care most about.

It takes hold.

These moments often scream for your attention, creeping into your mind when you are minding your own business — sitting on the couch, watching TV, or trying to sleep.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 20

Energy

JTF decries proliferation of Illegal refineries

Company News

NSE: investors staked N16.168bn on shares

A

total of 1.364 billion shares worth of N16.168bn were traded on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 28,322 deals last week as stocks rallied to reduce losses recorded the previous week.

The financial services sector drove volume for the week, accounting for 72.61 per cent, 48.96 per cent, and 53.82 per cent to the total equity turnover volume, value and number of deals, respectively.

A total of 990.484 million shares worth N7.916bn were traded in 15,243 deals in the sector.

T

Zimbabwe stock market plunges after Mugabe’s victory

Z

imbabwe’s main stock market index fell 11 percent on Monday in its first trading day since official results confirmed veteran President Robert Mugabe would extend his 33 years in power after trouncing Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Reuters report that the industrial index fell to 205.57 points in the mid-morning session, with all the top-ten shares save for the local unit of insurance giant Old Mutual trading in the red.

48.3 million Nigerians browse Internet on mobile phones

A

total of 48.3 million Nigerian telephone subscribers actively browse the Internet on their mobile phones, investigations have shown.

Statistics obtained from the Nigerian Communications Commission on Friday showed that Internet subscriptions through the telecommunications operators increased by 26.44 per cent between May 31 and June 30, 2013.

Ageas H1 profit up 17% amid tough conditions

A

geas United Kingdom’s net profit increased 17.3 per cent in the first half of 2013 despite an increasingly tough market and falling profits and revenue in some of its units, www.insurancetimes. co.uk reported on Friday.

The company’s net profit was £49.1m in H1 2013, compared with £41.9m in the same period last year and the combined operating ratio improved by 0.3 percentage points to 98.5 per cent.

Total income was up 2.9 per cent to £1.1bn (H1 2012: £1bn) and non-life gross written premiums increased by 3.3 per cent to £936.5m (H1 2012: £906.3m).

NIPP power plant ready to be given out to prefer bidders

PPPRA to NEITI:Your report’s inaccurate

By Etuka Sunday

F

ollowing the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI)’s audit report that indicted the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) of N4.423 billion, the Management of PPPRA has faulted the report, said it was inaccurate and misleading.

PPPRA in statement at weekend said the report was “steeped in inaccuracies and gross misrepresentation of facts, hence misleading, with the glaring potential to further cast aspersions on the activities of PPPRA as key administrator of Petroleum Support Fund (PSF).”

According to the statement, “the claim that the Agency did not remit the sum of N4.423 billion, being Over-Recovery collected

from Marketers, was overstated

by N265, 568,000 million, as the actual figure is N4.158 billion. This amount was not domiciled in the Agency, but in the PSF account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as at 2011, being the period covered by the audit exercise.

“Beyond 2011, the Agency can confirm that the money was remitted into the Federation account from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), while an additional N1.574 billion was remitted into the Federation account in 2012.

This information is easily verifiable from the Federal Ministry of Finance.

“PPPRA does not warehouse the subsidy fund, rather, the Agency merely verifies and processes import subsidy documents as submitted by Marketers, while forwarding

same to the Federal Ministry of Finance, which is statutorily charged with the responsibility of approval of payment under the Scheme.

“We note with dismay, NEITI’s admission to the fact that it had no absolute control of its sources of data, as they were derived information and data provided through its own independent auditors, as well as companies doing business in the sector.

Such over-reliance on secondary data must have accounted for the glaringly flawed computations presented in the report.

“It should also be noted that the responsibility of payment shifted from PPPRA to the Ministry of Finance since the introduction of the Sovereign Debt Statement (SDS) and the Sovereign Debt Note (SDN) in 2009.

•••We stand by our disclosures, says NEITI

By Etuka Sunday he Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has affirmed to the correctness of the continents of its recently released oil and gas audit report (20092011) revealing that Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) was faulting a report it fully participated in its design.

NEITI in its report indicted NNPC, PPPRA for inaccuracies and non-remittances of proceeds from oil and gas truncations to the government coffers.

NEITI said “all the companies and government agencies covered by the independent audit report including the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) were fully involved and participated actively in the audit process from conception and design of audit templates, through the population of the templates with information and data to the

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stage of data and information, reconciliation and validation exercise.

“Besides all the companies and agencies including the PPPRA ‘signed off’ on the report before it was published.

In a statement by its Director of Communications, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, NEITI said “the response

by PPPRA is therefore strange, misplaced and unfortunate. We do not understand what PPPRA means by ‘secondary data’. We doubt if the Executive Secretary of PPPRA received adequate briefing from his team who worked directly with NEITI on the project.

“I therefore think that the time has come for an important agency like the PPPRA to develop time and interest to ensure that its management understands how NEITI / EITI process works.

“The NEITI Secretariat is already providing this enlightenment to the management and staff in other agencies and

companies covered by NEITI mandate. This enlightenment is necessary for shared -learning, and exchange of ideas to build common understanding and knowledge of the process and benefits with a view to reducing inter-agency friction.

“For avoidance of doubt, NEITI audit process is simpler, uniquely different from the usual audit that the Executive Secretary of PPPRA is used to. The audit report is based on information and data primarily, voluntarily but mandatorily provided to NEITI by PPPRA during the audit exercise.

“NEITI) under the EITI global principles and standards does not manufacture either information or data. Our audit process is built strongly on factual data, integrity and openness because it is both “covered entities and multistakeholders - driven”. Therefore the credibility of our report remains solid and one that can be taken to the bank,” it concluded

he Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, has decried the proliferation of illegal refineries in the area, describing them as ``flagrant waste of the nation’s resources’’.

The Media Coordinator of the JTF, code-named, “Operation Pulo Shield”, Lt.-Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa recently .

Nwachukwu said that only about 40 per cent of crude oil being stolen from pipelines and other sources in the area was being utilised by the illegal refineries.

According to him, operators of the illegal refineries merely convert only about 40 per cent of the crude they steal from the system into automated gas oil, otherwise known as diesel and discharge the remaining 60 per cent into the environment.

“They just throw the unused crude into the waters and it is a lot of waste, which takes a negative toll on the environment and when you see any of the illegal distillation points, the vegetation shows that the area is toxic.

“This is in addition to depriving the nation of oil revenue. This explains why we remain resolute in our operations against oil thieves and vandals of oil facilities in the Niger Delta,” Nwachukwu said.

He explained that the swampy mangrove terrain and often inaccessible creeks had given the operators of the illicit oil business some cover “and it has continued to pose a big logistics challenge to our operations”.

He, however, said that the JTF was determined to policing the creeks and waterways as well as protecting oil facilities, adding that officers and men would check the nefarious activities of pipeline vandals and oil thieves.

“The robust organisation and tactical deployment of JTF in the Niger Delta has been its key strategy in the fight against oil theft particularly in tackling the big oil thieves who employ oceangoing vessels in the illicit trade.

“The JTF is divided into five sectors to cover the nine oil producing states with about 6,000 kilometres network of pipelines, spreading from Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Abia and Imo States.”

He said that troops in the states were conducting continuous land and marine patrols to ward off thieves from oil and gas facilities across the region.

According to him, the operations are aimed at preventing and intercepting oil thieves at the oil wells, pipelines or flow stations, during the transportation of the stolen crude and at the distribution points.

(NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 21

Ict

Motorola unveils Moto X Smartphone A

By Chris Alu

merican based manufacturers of mobile phone; Motorola has finally launched its long expected Moto X smartphone, the first model designed from scratch since Google

bought the company.

The company is also making a lot of fuss about the fact that it is assembled in the USA. American consumers can also order customized models and have them shipped to them within 4 days.

Alternatively, standard models will be sold in retail stores.

The product announcement from the company was in fact exceptionally heavy on how this is a USA assembled phone, and very light on any actual technical de-

tails of the handset itself.

It is unsurprisingly an Android based device, and comes with a 4.7-inch screen that also has a range of gesture recognition facilities. There is a dual-core processor. The Motorola website just

points people towards a sign-up page.

They are presumably hoping that customers will want the phone because it is made in the USA, regardless of its actual abilities

NITDA commissions Tinapa software incubation entre

By Chris Alu

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L-R: Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Nwogu, Director General, National Productivity Centre, Dr. Paul Bdliya, and the Chairperson, Central Planning Committee, National Productivity day ceremony, Dr. Rakiya Momoh, during the press briefing on the 13th National Productivity Day Ceremony, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

he National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has commissioned the Tinapa software incubation center in Calabar, Cross River state.

Speaking at the ceremony, the agency Acting Director-General Dr. Ashiru Daura who represented the Minister of Communication Technology. Ms Omobolaji Johnson said ICT was the most important sector that will generate job and also boost the economy.

The center, she said will create competition among students in software technology, adding that the centre is a convergence of three visions which include job creation, youth empowerment and serving as a vision of ICT in Africa and the world.

Earlier, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River said the centre was the first in the south-south geopolitical zone and represented a vision shared between the State and the Federal Governments.

The governor said the centre would encourage youths to showcase their capabilities and potentialities.

He added that the incubations centre was a component of Tinapa Knowledge City (TKC) and expressed the hope that the facility would turn around the state’s economy.

It will provide young men and women with capacity and intellect to compete globally’’, he said.

The governor also said that TKC was a product of an investment in an emerging economy of the nation which Cross River was determined to kick start.

He expressed the hope that the facility would drive the economy technologically and commended those involved with it for attracting a sustainable facility.

Mrs. Nkoyo Toyo, member, House of Representatives Committee on Information Communication Technology, said the centre would contribute to the development of the state.

NCC tasks Lagos on right of way E

xecutive Vice chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr.Eugene Juwah has sought the support of Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, to resolve problems associated with the issues of right of way and multiple taxes and levies tasks affecting quality of telecom services in Nigeria.

Judah at a courtesy visit to Gov. Fashola in Lagos said that the nation has about 119 million active subscribers and a teledensity of more than 85 per cent from some 0.4%, years back.

He said the sector is contributing more than 7 .8 per cent to the national GDP, and that Lagos

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he National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers Association (NATCOMS) has tasked all the telecom operators in the country to credit all every subscriber with N5 000 worth of recharge card within two weeks as compensation for 12 years of poor quality of service or face the music.

This was contained in a letter signed by its president and sent to the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), and was made available to our correspondent.

In the letter, . NATCOMS, said that the last 12 years of GSM in Ni-

State controls more than 15 per cent of the mobile phone subscriber population in Nigeria, hence its position is seen as critical in matters that affect telecommunications services.

‘We are already aware that you are involved with other governors in the National Economic Council in discussing and finding solutions to the issue of Right of Way (ROW) as currently being championed by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

We urge you to continue to support this patriotic effort so that the objectives of providing easy passage for telecommunications infrastructure, to accelerate and encourage more investments in the country, are realized” he stated.

Juwah decried the poor level of the nation’s infrastructure deficit with reference to the paucity of masts and towers in Nigeria, saying that it is less than 25,000 base stations compared with a country like UK with up to 6a5,000 base stations.

According to him, a 2009 survey of the NCC showed that out of a total of 6, 196 masts and towers in Lagos, 48 per cent belonged to corporate bodies and individuals, 25 per cent belonged to telecom operators, 18% to banks, 8% to unidentified owners and 2% to the broadcast industry.

“Your Excellency, this situation is made worse by multiple taxations and regulations that await the

service providers at the various levels of government, including state governments, local governments, and even some communities. In most cases, unfortunately, telecom masts and towers easily become specific targets for multiple taxes and regulations even where there are other masts and towers in existence, or even when appropriate taxes have been imposed at the Federal Level.

Governor Fashola in his response commended Juwah “for the thoughtfulness and initiative of the broadband”.

“You will regulate the allocation of frequencies, you will regulate bandwidths and so many other things but you cannot regulate

where the towers and mast are positioned, you need me as indeed you need all of my colleagues to determine where the right of way will be and under what conditions and this was the point that we took”, he said He regretted that a lot of time have been lost in the legal process in the matter of approvals for the operators for erection of masts because of the disagreement with his government which refused to grant approvals for new installations and government’s insistence on collocation, payment of levies, and quality of installations. He promised to bring the dispute out of the courts for amicable settlement.

Subscribers association requests for N5, 000 free recharge card as compensation for poor QoS geria have been characterized by drop calls, failure rate, call set-up rate, call completion rate, billing accuracy, voice quality, network outages / downtimes, spectrum efficiency, international roaming, traffic channel congestion which consumers pay for services they did not benefit.

Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, NATCOMS president in the letter addressed to Gbenga Adebayo, ALTON chairman said that “sub-

scribers in Nigeria are requesting from all telecommunications operators in Nigeria a compensation of N5, 000 each to call any network, for total loyalty, storm weathering, patronage through thick and thin as well as standing by them for 12 years, even in the face of poor quality service”.

The letter titled “Compensation Request of N5000 each for subscribers in Nigeria in the face of Poor Quality of Service - 12 Years af-

ter, “said that when GSM was introduced commercially in August 2001 gave subscribers on their network N6, 000.00 free to call any network.

It read in part that” We appreciate this gesture as the introduction of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) in Nigeria in 2001 has brought about positive changes for individuals, corporate organizations, government at all levels and the country at large.

It has saved thousands of lives in

emergency, created and still creating jobs for many Nigerians, eased communications within families, work places and across nations,” he said.

NATCOMS pointed out that apart from bringing Direct Foreign Investment (DFI) into Nigeria and appreciating Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it brought foreign and local investors’ confidence to the Nigerian economy and nation.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

Economy

CIBN set to improve professionalism in banking sector From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

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he Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN CIBN has concluded plans for its 7th annual banking and finance conference with the theme ‘Upholding Professionalism in the financial Services Industry: Sup-

porting the Economy’ This is in line with the institute’s determination to enshrine professionalism in the banking sector where corporate governance and ethical practice are given priority among players and employees.

This consequently is expected to shape the growing industry even

as the industry works towards contributing more to the economy in quest for a stronger nation in 20:20 20 vision of government.

The event slated to hold at Abuja in September 10-11, 2013, is targeting top ranking regulators and operators in the banking and finance industry, policy makers from both private and public sec-

tors of the economy, members of all professional bodies, lecturers and students of tertiary institutions, national and international stakeholders in banks and other financial institutions, among others.

Godwin Emefiele, chairman consultative committee who spoke in view of the event in Lagos said the event is double header as it is

part of the activities commemorating the CIBN at 50. He said the Institute would be celebrating 50 years of professional banking education and capacity building in Nigeria, hence the conference is tagged the golden anniversary conference.

Sharing the achievements of the previous conference, Tade Fadare, deputy registrar, CIBN, noted that some of the communiqué issued at the last conference is receiving attention by both the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). “for instance we made a recommendation that government should enact laws that will support the industry.

Within this week, three of such laws were brought at public hearing of which we were present at the public hearing to make our views known.

Payment of taxes not punishment -Uduaghan From Adesoji Oyinlola, Lagos Some female farmers working hard with the expectation of enjoying bumper harvest at the end of this farming season

20 micro-finance banks commence operation in Kano – Official

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wenty out of the 37 newly established micro-finance banks (MFBs) in Kano State have commenced operation.

Alhaji Rabi’u Ibrahim, the Managing Consultant of MFBs in Kano State, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano recently.

He said that the remaining 17 banks would soon start operation as soon as the construction of

their business premises was completed. ``Prior to the establishment of the 37 micro-finance banks, there were eight existing micro-finance banks in the state. ``So, with the new 37 microfinance banks, the number of the banks has risen to 45 in the state,’’ he said.

Ibrahim said that the establishment of the banks in the state

would bridge the existing gaps in micro-finance banking in the country.

He noted that Lagos State had over 200 micro-finance banks, while Imo had over 100 MFBs. ``A total of 444 workers have so far been recruited to work in the 37 new micro-finance banks in the state. ``We recruited a minimum number of 12 staff for each of the

37 banks, from the managing directors down to messengers and cleaners,’’ he said.

Ibrahim noted that most of the recruited staff had already received training organised by a financial institution in the state.

The 37 newly established microfinance banks were inaugurated on Jan. 8 by Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). (NAN)

Stay off ports zone, Forwarders warn unregistered practitioners From Dapo Amara, Lagos

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he Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has sent a warning signal to all yet- to- beregistered freight forwarders and licensed customs agents to desist from ports activities as the council is set to clampdown on individuals without the proper pre-requisite to practice.

Addressing journalists shortly after the flag-off ceremony on the commencement of enforcement of its regulations in Lagos, Registrar of CRFFN, Sir Mike Jukwe pointed out that one of the critical mandates of the Council is enforcement of rule and order.

He warned those parading themselves in the ports as agents to stop or face the music.

He said that the 56 officers

present have been commissioned to go into the ports and ensure that only those that are registered with the council in line with the Act establishing it are allowed to practice.

The Registrar warned that, “if you are not registered it is a warning to you, all freight forwarders that are not registered with the council should stay out of the ports and to stay out of practice and if we apprehend them, we will make sure that they are prosecuted”.

Jukwe also explained that in line with its mandate, CRFFN will continue to regulate freight forwarders operating at all the entry points in Nigeria.

He said the enforcement team will be on standby at the ports, adding that their operations will not in any way hinder port operations.

According to him, the sanctions are very clear to all unregistered freight forwarders who chose to operate in the ports, noting that offenders might be sentenced to prison.

He urged unregistered freight forwarders to shun the ports, because they are no place to hide in port operations.

He disclosed that the offices acquired by the council cut across airports and seaports adding that the land border offices will soon be established.

He said that the totality of the enforcement team are 56 trained personnel spread across entry points in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano, adding that as the scope of work increases ,the CRFFN will be able to absorb more officials.

Specifically, the Registrar disclosed that the responsibilities of

the enforcement officers include: enforcement of the provisions of Sections 4, 18, 24 and 28 of the CRFFN Act and the relevant Regulations, thereby ensuring that only Registered Freight Forwarders are allowed to practice at Sea– ports, Cargo Airports and Land border stations on all aspects of freight forwarding, including but not limited to cargo clearance and delivery as well as associated formalities.

They are also expected to ensure strict compliance to the prevailing Register of Freight Forwarders, accredited training programmes and training Institutions.

The enforcement officers are also to enforce payment of registration fees, annual subscription fees and any others that shall come into force from time to time.

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elta State Governor Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has stated that payment of taxes by individuals and organizations was not a form of punishment by government.

Dr Uduaghan who said this at the weekend when he inaugurated the reconstituted State Board of Internal Revenue in Asaba explained that individuals and organisations should not see the collection of taxes by government as a form of punishment but as their civil and moral responsibility to the development of their society.

He emphasised that government was only enforcing the laws as entrenched in the constitution and charged Nigerians to pay their taxes regularly so as to sustain infrastructural development in all sectors of the economy.

According to him, “the payment of taxes was not a form of punishment on citizens but a civic and moral responsibility which all citizens should willingly exercise, we should all pay our taxes and expect returns on the taxes through sustained tempo of the provision of infrastructure in all sectors of the economy.”

He said that “In all societies, taxes are necessary to prop government’s revenue and shore up its expenditure, especially now that the world is coming to terms with the dire consequences of global economic meltdown.”

Governor Uduaghan who commended the Board of Internal Revenue for the increase in the average monthly internal generated revenue from 1.2 billion naira to 5.7 billion naira urged the newly inaugurated Board to explore all untapped sources of revenue in the state so as to boost the state finances.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 23

Stock Watch

Report as at Monday, August 5, 2013

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

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PAGE 25

Special Report

Reestablishing Borno as ‘Home of Peace’ ``Home of Peace’’-the catchphrase for Borno state -- is not out of place, according to its governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima.

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he governor, in a recent media interview, said that the motto was coined after a thorough consideration of the state of affairs in the state, which also shares border with countries such as Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroon. ``Borno is the gateway of Islam into this part of the world; a confluence state, a melting point of ideas and the citadel of Islamic scholarship. ``We have always been a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society, while peaceful co-existence and tolerance have always guided our relationship with other nationals. We cherish peace and we don’t discriminate against strangers,’’ he stressed.

Malam Usman Ciroma, the General Manager of Borno Radio Television Corporation, corroborated the governor’s viewpoints, saying that different ethnic

Borno state governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima during an official ceremony sponsoring 50 youths for agricultural training in Thailand

groups across the country and even foreigners had been living in peace in Borno.

However, analysts have been wondering whether

the ``Home of Peace’’ catchphrase for Borno is still relevant, considering the current security challenges facing the state.

They note with concern the violent activities of the Boko Haram sect, describing the bombing of the INEC

A senior army officer addressing some members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) who are in the state to restore peace and order.

office in Bulumkutu, Maiduguri, in 2010 as the threshold of violence in the state.

However, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, the Shehu of Borno, stressed that the sect’s activities since then had been very worrisome, as every member of the society was affected by the sect’s campaign, irrespective of their ethnic or religious background. ``Boko Haram makes no deliberate attempt to attack a particular interest group; if it does, they wouldn’t have attacked me,’’ he said.

According to him, most activities in the state, including businesses, have been paralysed due to the fear of Boko Haram attacks.

Irked by the growing security challenges facing Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in the states on May 14, as part of structured efforts to restore peace to the troubled states.

Jonathan said: ``After wide consultations, and in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the provisions of Section 305, Sub-section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, I hereby declare a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. ``I urge the political leadership in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states to cooperate maximally with the armed forces and the police to ensure that the exercise succeeds. ``We call on the citizenry to cooperate with our security agencies to ensure a return to normalcy within the shortest possible time,’’ he added.

Months after the declaration, observers laud the President for the action which, they note, has been effective in efforts to restore normalcy to the affected states.

Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, spokesman for the Joint Task Force (JTF), said in a statement that the Boko Haram insurgents had been in disarray with no central authority, coordination or administration. ``Most of the terrorist commanders and foot soldiers have either been arrested or killed in their daily encounter with the JTF. ``We have been able to destroy all identified Boko Haram camps and have discovered many arms, ammunition and improvised explosive device materials,’’

he said.

According to Musa, the JTF has been able to restore peace and order in the affected areas, as people could now move about freely, while schools and other public institutions have reopened. ``The situation has also created socio-economic relief and it has led to the emergence of youth vigilante group, popularly known as ``Civilian JTF’’, which has created serious impact on the society. ``We are monitoring, guiding and regulating the attitudinal disposition of members of the group, in terms of the way they display their weapons and approach members of the public,’’ he said.

The army officer, however, said that the involvement of the youth in the security operation was a

testimony that the people of the state were appreciative of the JTF and its activities, adding that ``they have been very supportive’’.

Musa expatiated that the youth had assisted the JTF with useful information which facilitated the arrest of confirmed or suspected

members of the Boko Haram group.

In spite of the security measures put in place, Shettima stressed that in efforts to address the Boko Haram crisis, ``we have to attack the causes of extreme poverty, illiteracy and hopelessness.

“

Borno is the gateway of Islam into this part of the world; a confluence state, a melting point of ideas and the citadel of Islamic scholarship. ``We have always been a multireligious and multi-ethnic society, while peaceful co-existence and tolerance have always guided our relationship with other nationals. We cherish peace and we don’t discriminate against strangers,’’ he stressed

``We have to create jobs, empower the youth in order to bring this problem to a final end.’’

However, the governor pledged his administration’s determination to plan adequately for the members of the youth vigilante group, insisting that unless a proper framework was put in place to engage them meaningfully, there would be no progress. ``It is part of our postconflict management strategies to create jobs in public works, particularly in construction, vocational skills and agriculture. ``Those that have the capacity to further their education will be supported, while those with limited skills will be assisted to enhance their skills so that they can become better citizens,’’ he said.

Shettima said that the

Governor Kashim Shettima in another official ceremony distributing agricultural produce to some citizens of the state.

state government had spent more than N15 billion on agricultural schemes to ensure aggressive grassroots socio-economic development. ``I am for dialogue and I will always be for dialogue; I will always support any Nigerian who wants peace, and we support Federal Government’s dialogue with Boko Haram. ``Borno is ours, we have no place to call our home, we have a duty to re-invent and rebuild Borno’s shattered peace; this is a task which we must all work very hard to achieve,’’ he said.

All the same, observers note that the declaration of a state of emergency and the JTF’s security operations in Borno has certainly facilitated efforts to restore peace to the state in a pragmatic way.

(Source: NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 28

Agriculture Night blindness: FG, Harvest Plus to distribute pro-Vitamin A cassava varieties to farmers

By Mohammed Kandi

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nspired by agricultural reforms aimed at cutting down the number of persons afflicted with vitamin A deficiency, as well as improving the quest for food security, the Federal Government recently partnered with an international organisation, HarvestPlus, to flag-off the dissemination of pro-vitamin A cassava planting materials to farmers.

The dissemination of the cassava planting materials occasion was jointly kicked-off by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, together with the Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state, in Uyo, the state capital recently.

Researchers however said the use pro-vitamin A cassava to tackle vitamin A deficiency-related diseases has become an excellent option due to the easy availability and accessibility of cassava in most rural communities in Nigeria.

In a statement, delivered by Dr. Howarth Bouis, Director at HarvestPlus, it said, “A nutrition survey report by the Nigerian government shows that vitamin A deficiency hurts the health of about 20% of pregnant women and 30% of children below the age of 5.Besides, people afflicted by vitamin A deficiency suffer either from night blindness, stunting, low immunity or even death”.

Similarly, Dr Kenton Dashiell, Deputy Director-General, Partnerships and Capacity Development with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), said: “The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 250 000 to 500 000 vitamin A-deficient children become blind every year, half of them dying within 12 months of losing their sight.”

Women slicing some freshly harvested cassava crops According to Dr Dashiell, “The development of pro-vitamin A is a big milestone and, working with our partners, NRCRI and HarvestPlus, we hope to develop more nutritious crops that will enhance food security”.

However, efforts by the Nigerian government to resolve this disease include fortification of products such as wheat, soft drinks, flour, and sugar with vitamin A. The bio-fortification of cassava aims to amplify these efforts, taking vitamin

A to people who may not be able to afford the cost of fortified foods.

Also, there are indications that, the pro-vitamin A cassava varieties, which are commonly referred to as “yellow cassava”, are products of decades of conventional breeding efforts by researchers at IITA, in partnership with the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, with funds from HarvestPlus.

HarvestPlus and partners plan to ensure that over two million farmers have access to vitamin A

cassava stems for planting across the major cassava producing states in Nigeria, with initial emphasis on Abia, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Imo and Oyo states as regional hubs.

In his own presentation, the HarvestPlus Country Manager, Paul Ilona said the strategy was to distribute 300, 000 bundles of stems to 100, 000 households in Nigeria in 2013 alone, and support the emergence of a sustainable seed system, to make stems available to all farmers in the years ahead.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina lifting yellow cassava tubers, as a way of publicising its cultivation

“Currently, more than 40,000 traceable farmers in Akwa Ibom, Abia, Anambra, Benue, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Rivers states received stems in June and July, while more states will receive stems before the end of August,” Ilona said.

“This is possible because over 500 hectares of the vitamin A varieties were pro-actively multiplied in 2012,” he added.

In the meantime, stakeholders believe that the rural household deserves better nutrition, insinuating that the consumption of more nutritious crops is the best opportunity for the people to reduce malnutrition world-over.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director, NRCRI, Dr J.C. Okonkwo, called on farmers to cultivate the varieties and consume them sufficiently especially for children under the age of 5, and pregnant women for better health and nutrition.

He also encouraged farmers to spread the stems amongst themselves as ‘one big family’ and extend to neighbours at the time of harvest, to ensure rapid dissemination of planting materials.

Besides improving the health and nutrition of the people, he noted, the cultivation of the varieties can provide jobs, improve incomes, and lift poor households out of poverty within a short possible time.

However, recent finding had revealed that consumers preferred these varieties for its nutritional qualities and the fact that they can be processed into several dishes.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

ActionAid urges council chairmen to encourage women farmers

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ctionAid Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation, has urged Local Government Councils in the country to encourage women farmers to boost food production.

It said the councils could achieve this by removing sociocultural barriers to women’s ownership and access to land and agricultural inputs.

Project Manager of Participation Initiative for Behavioral Change in Development (PIBCID), Mr. Victor Adejoh, supported

by ActionAid, said this in Ogaminana, Adavi local government area of Kogi state.

Adejoh, who was on an advocacy visit to the chairman of Adavi local government area (LGA), Alhaji Salihu Adaviriku, also advocated participation of women in agricultural value chain.

He commended Adaviriku for releasing a tractor to smallholder women farmers in the Area on hire at subsidised rate to boost food sufficiency and their self-esteem.

The Project Manager said it would be a great relief to Small-Holder Women Farmers in Adavi as the Chairman had approved the hire of the tractor at N14, 000 instead of N26, 000 per day.

“We urge all local government chairmen to emulate Adavi LGA to stimulate women participation in agriculture to engender extensive farming and food sufficiency. They (chairmen) should assist small-holder women farmers to have access to agricultural inputs’’, he said.

Adejoh intimated the chairman that PIBCID, supported by the ActionAid Nigeria, had been working in Adavi and Igalamela/Odolu council areas of the state to support poor communities.

Adaviriku, who gave an instant approval for the release of tractor to the women, said they should not hesitate to approach him whenever they needed assistance.

He said his administration, in line with the transformation agenda of Gov. Idris Wada, was out to transform the area and remove the shackles of poverty.

Hazarat Momoh, chairperson of Small-Holder Women Farmers in Adavi, thanked Adaviriku for the gesture and his favourable disposition to women farmers. She pledged that the group would not abuse the opportunity. (NAN)

Agriculture

Banana Bunchy Top Virus spreading fast in Nigeria - Researchers

By Mohammed Kandi

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ecently, researchers at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, have raised alarm over the increasing spread of Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) across West Africa, with more farms in Nigeria—West Africa’s second largest producer— being ravaged by the disease.

First discovered in 2012 by IITA, in collaboration with the University of Ibadan and the Nigerian Agriculture Quarantine Service (NAQS), the disease has been confined to be prevalent in Ilashe, Odan-Itoro, Ido-Ologun, and Igbogila, in Ogun state.

According to Dr Lava Kumar, Virologist at IITA, “If not checked the virus will devastate banana farms, and jeopardize the livelihoods of millions of farmers who earn their livelihoods from the crop.”

The scientist made the disclosure during his visit to farms ravaged by the disease in Idiroko—a border town in Ogun state, recently on farmers ‘Field Day’.

“Systematic studies on yield losses have not been done but empirical observations indicate

50 to 90% loss in the affected region,” Dr Kumar added, stressing, “There is a severe shortage of clean planting material. Urgent management actions are required to prevent further spread and also help farmers in the affected areas.”

It’s however on records that Nigeria produces 2.74 million tons of bananas, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), making the crop one of the important staples in the country. Therefore, to condone devastation by BBTV on banana fields will have a negative impact on the country’s economy, and could thwart efforts towards food security.

Similarly, Mr. Charles Onyeani, Head of the Post-Entry Quarantine, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), warned against the movement of banana planting materials from infected areas to uninfected areas to check the spread of the disease.

Caused by a virus called, Banana bunchy top virus, BBTD is a serious threat to banana in SSA. The disease has been recognized in 14 countries in Africa; 13 of these are in SSA which represents a combined

banana production area of 2.28 million ha, contributing 19.75 million tons of fruit per annum (FAO 2011). The disease is known to occur in all the major banana production regions in DRC, Congo Brazzaville, Burundi, Rwanda, Malawi, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Zambia. Whereas, disease spread is limited to a few regions in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, and Nigeria.

BBTD was first reported from the continent in 1901; however extensive spread into new production areas were observed during the last two decades. The disease has very recently invaded the Benin (first reported 2011) and Nigeria (first reported in 2013) in West Africa.

“The virus is also spread through an insect, banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa), which is widespread in all the banana and plantain-producing areas in Nigeria and many parts of the world, said Dr Rachid Hanna, entomologist at IITA. Infected banana plants become progressively smaller and stand more erect giving the plant a bunchy appearance.

Plants infected early in their growth do not produce fruits

resulting in total loss of yield, while plants infected at later stages may produce deformed fruits. The plant may eventually die, but often remains with its lateral shoots which serve as a source of infection for further spread.

The spread of the disease into new areas can initially remain undetected, complicating timely eradication work and prevention of new outbreaks. Once the disease is present in a region, it is extremely difficult to eradicate.

No durable sources of resistance have yet been identified.

Eradication of infected plants and planting healthy planting material is the best available solution.

In most African countries, analysts said, banana production has been consigned to subsistence production.

However, a few countries, especially in Francophone West Africa, have recognised the commercial importance of banana, and have used their special relationship with France to export bananas.

This has led to the dualization of the banana sector, with the traditional system existing side by side with a modern sector geared towards export trade.

A banana plantation eaten by the black sigatoka, a dangerous disease that attacks the banana

7, 000 farmers to benefit from Kano fertiliser subsidy

S

even thousand farmers are to benefit from the Kano State Government’s fertiliser subsidy programme in Makoda Local Government Area of the state.

Secretary of the council’s Community Re-orientation Council (CRC), Alhaji Nasiru Iliyasu, disclosed this recently

in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makoda.

He said that the CRC had concluded arrangements on the ways and processes of ensuring that only genuine farmers benefited from the gesture. ‘’We have worked out a system that will identify and ensure that only genuine

farmers are given the fertiliser through the cooperation of community-based organisations and societies.’’

Iliyasu added that each farmer would be given two bags of fertiliser at the subsidised rate of N7, 500 only, adding that beneficiaries should use the produce according to experts’ advice.

He charged beneficiaries to also complement government’s effort by reducing the prices of farm produce at the market so that the common man would feel the impact.

The secretary urged the state government to provide seedlings to farmers before the rains receded later in the year.

(NAN)

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

Feature We are ready and prepared to co-opt Nigerian youth for peace and change in our society – CEO ‘Imagine Africa’ ‘Ambassador’ Amina Usman is a Nigerianborn American citizen with over ten years’ experience as an artist, producer, and also the Chief Executive Officer of ‘Imagine Africa’, a programme designed to finding succour to Nigeria’steemingyouththroughherpet project: “Youth for Peace and Change Initiative”. She spoke to Chris Alu on youth empowerment initiatives amongst other. Excerpts:

W

hat is the purpose of your NGO mission?

Imagine Africa is an innovative programme that is advocating for a change among the youth; it is a programme designed to solve our modem-day problems, particularly the youths, who are now becoming vulnerable to our society. I hope to rekindle hope to our teeming youths, whose future seems to be bleak. Also, how to tackle HIV and malaria head on, as well as educating youths on the benefits of peace initiatives. Imagine Africa is principally here to proffer solutions to our modern-day problems, such as diseases and peace among the youths.

What informed your decision on this project?

Because we are in a situation whereby our youths are becoming terrorists, ammunitions are freely being used among the youth; there is too much hate on social media, such that they say anything against our leaders, which is dangerous; why?

Because of the imbalance in the society, occasioned by unemployment, poverty and diseases.

Countries like Brazil, China and many others adopted this kind of programme and have gone through change and the youths today contributing to their economy.

Why bringing such a concept now?

Why I am bringing the concept now is for Africans to come together and find a solution to our problems, which is eating deep in our society, especially among the youths who are increasingly becoming a nuisance to our leaders. The youth of today, because of wrong orientation makes them to become hostile, irate and wild, occasioned by the ravaging poverty in the land. So, Imagine Africa will proffer solutions to these problems so that future generations would be HIV-free and peaceminded.

I started this project out there and was able to achieve this feat by making presentations and organising seminars and workshop in so many parts of the world including South Africa, America, Kenya and Uganda, which were aired on their radio and television stations including local stations. As a Nigerian-American by birth, I am proud of being a citizen of both countries; though we have problems in both countries, which my NGO is collaborating to work together in order to find solutions to the problems facing the youth.

We, Africans in the Diaspora, cannot keep criticizing our people or blaming our leaders from one problem to the other when we, ourselves have not contributed our quota in solving the problems. In 2005, I

Amina Usman

“

It is not magic; most of the youth of today are tired of life, they are fed up with the system because they don’t have anything doing and nobody to guide or counsel them in the right direction. was aired on a programme on DSTV, Magic Channels and other stations in South Africa and Uganda on this issue; therefore, I am calling on Nigerians in Diaspora, that we need to be here to know how the people feel in order to find solutions to their problems, and not to stay far away criticizing the country and the leaders, that is not good enough; we cannot just sit over there and expect miracles to happen we need to come and contribute our resources, either human or financially, in order to be part of the solutions. There are many preventive measures I hope to bring to the youth and I have done it to other countries and it worked perfectly, so my country Nigeria would not be left out.

Where do you intend to start this project?

I am from the northern part of Nigeria so, I decided that I want to be part of the solution to this problem; because every African country has one or two problems and they find solutions to them by themselves. We cannot bring somebody out there or from another country to find solutions for us, so I intend to start from Abuja, the capital and then spread to other parts of the country.

I have designed a programme, which is a grassroots empowerment scheme, which I sent copies to the relevant authorities for confirmation. I did that earlier some years back, which I sent a copy to President Goodluck Jonathan and the Nigerian ambassador in America but there was no responses, but this time around I have come home prepared to achieve this mission of

our youth in the North and other parts of the country because, part of the problems the youth are facing today in the North is lack of education, poverty, diseases and unemployment and if it is not controlled on time, I can tell you that our leaders are sitting on a time bomb; it is going to be disaster.

Every country is conscious of what is happening now; for example, the Arab spring brought a change in leadership style, which was masterminded by the youths, so the youths are more enlightened now than before and are more violent-prone, I feel with my wealth of experience and being a citizen of two countries, I have a role to play; my solutions will take our youths off the streets and prevent them from being volatile.

Like I said, I have done this programme to other countries and I want to do same here in Nigeria so that our modern day youth will live and see the difference in their lives.

How are you going to do it?

It is not magic; most of the youth of today are tired of life, they are fed up with the system because they don’t have anything doing and nobody to guide or counsel them in the right direction.

Sometime, when you ask them, they would tell you that the country is very difficult to survive in; one must hustle to eat and live, while they have talents to showcase and live with. It is a matter of bringing them together, expose them and bring out their potentials.

Imagine Africa is ready and prepared

to co-opt ‘Youth for Peace and Change’ in the society. I had made a move on this concept before but somehow I missed it; but now, I want our leaders to know and see that the project is a concept that is motivational, creative and innovative and also help them to find their career suitable to their talents so that they can be selfreliant and find jobs to do; the programme is about creativity in youths, to take them off the street.

I just want to create an impact to our youths so that they can have peace, integrity and be hard-working. This is what made China and other African countries to become great today.

Several NGO’s have come up with such programmes, but when they get support they disappear; how will you sustain your own?

I have been sustaining this project for ten years now without support from anybody; in fact, I have spent millions on this project alone in this country. So I can sustain it by God’s grace; although some NGOs come in with business motives, but I love my country and I want our youth to move forward ad have a re-think with their lives. I want to partner with government and corporate bodies to sustain the projects, in order to make an impact to the youth and the society.

What’s your advice to youths who go abroad to seek for greener pasture?

Every country has its own challenges and Nigeria is not left out, but Africans in particular has refused to identify their problems in order to help themselves, as such they go out there to do dirty jobs, such as prostitution or illegal businesses just to get money is not the best because is potent negative image on Africans continent, which is why my programme, ‘Imagine Africa’ speaks against it. It is a choice, but advocacy can change them, because they don’t know the implications.

The major problem of a country is the youth because when the youth are not physically empowered then the country is bound to have problem with their leaders.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 31

International

Snowden’s Asylum: ‘It’s the law, stupid’ ANALYSIS

By Richard Falk

T

he most influential media in the United States has lived up to its pro-government bias in the Snowden Affair in three major ways: firstly, by consistently referring to Snowden by the demeaning designation of ‘leaker’ rather than as ‘whistleblower’ or ‘surveillance dissident,’ both more respectful and accurate.

Secondly, they are completely ignoring the degree to which Russia’s grant of temporary refugee status to Snowden for one year was in full accord with the normal level of protection to be given to anyone accused of nonviolent political crimes in a foreign country, and pursued diplomatically and legally by the government that is seeking to indict and prosecute. In effect, for Russia to have turned Snowden over to the United States under these conditions would have been morally and politically scandalous considering the nature of his alleged crimes.

Thirdly, the media’s refusal to point out that espionage, the main accusation against Snowden, is the quintessential ‘political offense’ in international law, and as such is routinely excluded from any list of extraditable offenses.

That is, even if there had been an extradition treaty between the United States and Russia, it should have been made clear that there was no legal duty on Russia’s part to turn Snowden over to American authorities for criminal prosecution, and a moral and political duty not to do so, especially in the circumstances surrounding the controversy over Snowden.

If these elements had been clearly articulated, the United States government would have seemed ridiculous if it complained about the willingness of some foreign governments to give Snowden asylum.

The Obama administration, and senate hot heads could bemoan Snowden’s unavailability for prosecution to their heart’s content, but it would be then seen for what it is: a petulant empire exhibiting its rage and anger because it’s hard power global presence is of no use, and its policy options are constrained by the rule of law.

Under these conditions to be threatening foreign countries with adverse diplomatic consequences if they refuse to play ball is not only exhibiting a child’s frustration, but it is self-defeating. If properly presented, those countries that offered asylum or refused Washington’s demand for the transfer of Snowden to American custody did the only

Snowden’s documents showing grant of temporary refugee status for one year decent thing.

What should be surprising is that more governments were not forthcoming, leaving it to such small countries as Bolivia, Venezuela, and Nicaragua to withstand the strong arm tactics of the United States, perhaps signaling a welcome new resolve throughout Latin America to no longer accept a regional identity of being the backyard of the colossus of the North.

If anything, President Vladimir Putin, considering the nature of the Snowden disclosures about the global reach of American surveillance systems, acted with exceptional deference to the sensitivities of the United States. Instead of merely pointing out that Snowden could not be transferred to the United States against his will.

Putin went out of his way to say that he did not want the incident to harm relations with the United States, and even went so far as to condition Snowden’s asylum on an unusual pledge that he refrain from any further release of documents damaging to American interests.

Such a constructive approach to a delicate situation hardly merits the hyperbolic

aggressive words of the supposedly liberal Democratic senator from New York, Charles Schumer: “Russia has stabbed us in the back…Each day that Mr. Snowden is allowed to roam free is another turn of the knife”.

We should ask these deeply aggrieved senators for honest answers, including John McCain and Lindsey Graham never ones to shy away from a good fight, what they would have done had a comparable Russian whistleblower revealed a Russian surveillance system that was listening in on secret government deliberations in Washington as well as invading the privacy of ordinary Americans.

The righteous indignation surrounding such revelations and the gratitude that would be bestowed on a Russian Snowden would know no bounds.

Washington seems to be casting around for tangible ways to express its displeasure with Russia. The American presidential press secretary, Jay Carney, talks of ‘extreme disappointment’ leading to the possible cancellation of the Obama/Putin summit scheduled for September where such issues as Syria, reduction

“

of nuclear arsenals, and Iran would be on the agenda.

Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, reminiscent of Cold War days, issued an inflammatory joint statement urging the United States to view Russia through an optic of conflict. It impetuously proposed reacting to Snowden’s asylum by beefing up the commitment to deploy missile defense systems in Europe and expanding NATO in ways that the Kremlin would find antagonistic.

Of course, Putin’s new identity as ‘human rights defender’ lacks any principled credibility given his approach to political dissent in Russia, but that does not diminish the basic correctness of his response to Snowden. There is a certain obtuseness in the American diplomatic shrillness in this instance. Snowden’s acts of espionage are pure political offense. Beyond this, the nature of what was disclosed revealed sustained threats to the confidentiality of government communications throughout the world.

If anything, rather than being intimidated by American inappropriate demands, the more natural and healthier international response would

If anything, President Vladimir Putin, considering the nature of the Snowden disclosures about the global reach of American surveillance systems, acted with exceptional deference to the sensitivities of the United States.

have been to cry ‘foul play!’

If the world were composed of equal sovereign states and a global rule of law existed, the United States would have meekly apologised and, at the very least, promised to refrain from such behaviour in the future.

Snowden would have been chastised for breaking American law, but commended for bringing to the surface some ugly encroachments on freedom and constitutional order, including within America, that shows how dangerous it is to leave the balancing of security and civil liberties to the good faith and judgment of bureaucrats and politicians.

It is a sad moment of truth that reveals much about alignments and sensibilities.

Some prominent public commentators in the United States, such as the former head of the CIA, Robert Gates, and Jeffrey Toobin, CNN’s talking head on legal issues, fall into line with the established order by affirming how much more they trust anonymous dedicated public servants in government than a dissident figure like Edward Snowden who takes it upon himself to decide what the public needs to know.

As with Julian Assange and Bradley Manning, the litmus test is not on such a l e vel of abstraction, but with respect to the concreteness of ascertaining whether what was revealed were the kind of dirty secrets that should be known in a democratic society. It would seem that a genuinely democratic government would not wish that the commission of war crimes and invasions of the privacy of citizens were kept secret, and beyond procedures of accountability.

In the age of digital wonders, more than ever we are dependent upon the vigilance of citizens of conscience to protect us against Orwellian scenarios of those many wannabe Darth Vadors lurking in the murky depths of the governmental bureaucracy in Washington. It is such individuals that have repeatedly taken the United States to the dark side in places like Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, and Bagram Air Force Base, as well as arranging those infamous ‘black sites’ and devising depraved procedures such as ‘extreme rendition’ to ensure that a suspect will be duly tortured with no consequences if it turns out that he is innocent.

We, as citizens of the world, should be thankful for the sacrifices made individuals such as Julian Assange, Bradle y M a n n i n g , and Edward Snowden, surely deserving heroes of our time!

And if we are ever to achieve legitimate government, then even our elected leaders and representatives would be grateful for such a check on the abuses of government.

Source Al- Jazeera.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

International

Fresh diplomatic efforts to end Egypt crisis

I

nternational efforts to end the crisis in Egypt are gaining momentum as diplomats from the Gulf, the EU and the US have met the deputy leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, Khairat elShater, who is currently in jail.

Shater met with the diplomats face-to-face but refused to negotiate with them, insisting that the delegation meet with ousted president Mohamed Mursi instead.

Shater met with the foreign ministers of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns and the European Union representative to the Middle East.

The meeting lasted just under an hour, and in that meeting Shater told the delegates they should not be wasting their time negotiating with him, and that Egypt has a president, and his name is Mohamed Mursi.

Shater is an influential Muslim Brotherhood leader who is currently facing charges of inciting killings during the protests in the last days of Mursi’s ouster.

Meanwhile, the MENA agency cited an “informed source” as saying the envoys seeking to mediate an end to Egypt’s crisis had received permission from the prosecutorgeneral to visit Shater.

The fresh mediation has been gathering pace at a time when the army-backed government says it will

Supporters of Zimbabwe opposition MDC allege attacks Burns (L), speaking with Adly Mansour, Egypt’s interim president give mediation a chance.

To that end, US senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham were due to arrive in Cairo yesterday as diplomatic efforts to end the country’s political crisis intensify.

Burns, who has been holding parleys with Egyptian leaders, has extended his stay in Cairo for another day.

He held talks with Adly Mansour, the country’s interim president, on Sunday to find a way out of the crisis.

Trial set for Brotherhood officials

US officials have been grappling with how to respond to the situation in Egypt since Morsi was overthrown by the military on July 3, plunging the nation into turmoil.

“I want to keep the aid flowing to Egypt but it has to be with the understanding that Egypt is going to march towards democracy, not towards a military dictatorship. And that’s the message we’re going to send,” Graham said.

Meanwhile on Sunday, the Cairo appeals court announced an

August 25 date for the trial of six Brotherhood officials on charges of murder and incitement.

The defendants include the group’s leader, Mohamed Badie. The group is accused of inciting clashes outside their headquarters on June 30, which left at least 12 people dead.

Prosecutors also ordered Morsi’s top aide, RifaaTehtawi, held for 15 days pending an investigation into charges connected to last December’s clashes at the presidential palace.

by corruption allegations has started after a five-month delay.

It was adjourned for two weeks

so documents could be declassified.

Allegations of bribery have dogged the governments of both President Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki.

MrZuma announced the investigation in 2011. His former financial advisor SchabirShaik was convicted of corruption over the 1999 deal.

MrZuma was also charged but the case was dropped before he took office in 2009.

His supporters have always maintained that he had been the victim of a political smear campaign.

Mr Mbeki is among those expected to be called as a witness.

Mohammed Allie in Cape Town says the inquiry’s start has been hit by the resignation of three key officials.

One of the three judges FransLegodi, resigned on Thursday citing “personal reasons”.

Earlier, senior investigators Norman Moabi and Kate Painting quit amid allegations that the commission was not being transparent - a charge that has been strenuously denied.

The huge deal - post-apartheid South Africa’s largest such transaction - was intended to modernise its national defences through the purchase of fighter jets, submarines, corvettes, helicopters and tanks.

It involved companies from Germany, Italy, Sweden, Britain, France and South Africa.

The initial cost was about $3bn (£2bn) but this has since ballooned to around $7bn.

South Africa arms deal inquiry begins

Zuma

A

South African commission of inquiry into a multi-billion dollar arms deal surrounded

AMISOM condemns attacks in Mogadishu

T

he Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC)for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif has strongly condemned the string of attacks on civilians carried out last night around Mogadishu by the Al-Qaeda affiliated terror group Al-Shabaab.

Several civilians were reportedly injured in the attacks which targeted camps for the internally displaced as well as street lights that the government had erected along a main thoroughfare in the city.

“These desperate and craven acts on the Somali people demonstrate that the Al-Shabaab terrorists have nothing to offer but death and destruction. Protecting the people

from this terrorist menace continues to be the top priority of AMISOM and the Somali government.” Said Ambassador Annadif .

The attacks come as Somalis prepare to mark the second anniversary when the Somali National Army with the support of the AMISOM forces pushed the Al-Shabaab terror group from fixed positions within the city, ushering in the longest period of relative peace the capital has had since the collapse of central government in 1991.

“Two years ago, Somalia National Security Forces with the support of AMISOM achieved a strategic success when they forced Al-Shabaab out of the capital.” Said Ambassador Annadif.

Since their withdrawal from Mogadishu, the Al-Shabaab terror group has suffered a string of losses

Annadif

and has resorted to guerilla tactics that have continued to claim the lives of innocent civilians.

Members of Zimbabwe’s opposition MDC party say they have been attacked by followers of President Robert Mugabe.

The allegations come a day after official results from Wednesday’s poll gave Mr Mugabe a seventh term in office and his Zanu-PF party threequarters of the seats in parliament.

Eleven people in Harare and 20 from Mashonaland Central province say they were attacked by known Zanu-PF supporters after the results were announced, The MDC has called the poll fraudulent.

Its leader, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, 61, has vowed to take legal action to contest the results.

He has also said his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) would no longer work with Mr Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party and would boycott government institutions.

The two parties have been in a coalition since 2009, after the last election sparked widespread violence.

The 11 people who claimed they were attacked in a township in the capital Harare sought refuge at the MDC party.

Both they and those from Mashonaland Central province, north of the capital, allege that they were attacked by Zanu-PF supporters who went door-to-door ordering MDC supporters and their families to pack their bags and leave.

An MDC spokesman, Douglas Mwonzora, said the attacks were well planned. But a spokesman for Zanu PF, Psychology Maziwisa, denied his party was attacking opponents.

The MDC warns that it may not be able to control its angry supporters if the reports of attacks continue, our correspondent reports.

The party has appealed to the Southern African grouping, SADC to intervene to prevent the situation getting out of control, he adds.

Some in the MDC have called for a campaign of civil disobedience to isolate Zanu-PF. Mr Mugabe, 89, won 61% of the vote in the presidential poll, against Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s 34%.

Results from the parliamentary election also handed the MDC a defeat. It won just 49 seats compared with Zanu-PF’s 158.

The US and UK have expressed concern at the poll results amid the opposition’s claims of electoral fraud.

But the Jacob Zuma, president of regional power South Africa, extended his “profound congratulations” to Mr Mugabe and urged all sides to accept the outcome.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 33

International

Assad says Syria opposition a failure

S

yria’s President Bashar alAssad has described the main opposition National Coalition as a “failure”, adding that it can have no role in ending the country’s war.

Syria’s crisis will only be solved by stamping out “terror”, President Bashar al-Assad said in reference to rebels fighting his regime.

“This opposition is not reliable, it is a failure at the popular and moral levels, and it has no role in solving the crisis, because it only seeks to make gains,” Assad said in a rare speech televised on Syria’s state TV channel.

In remarks given after a dinner commemorating the holiest day in the month of Ramadan, Assad said that any efforts towards a political solution should be combined with continued military operations.

“There cannot be any political efforts or political progress if terror is striking everywhere. Therefore terror must be struck in order to get the political process moving on the right track,” Assad said.

“That does not mean that there

al- Assad cannot be parallel tracks. There is no reason why we shouldn’t strike terror while at the same time working politically,” he added.

“I don’t think that any sane human being would think that terrorism can be dealt with via politics,” he added.

In March 2011, a widespread

peaceful protest movement calling for political change in Syria broke out.

In response, the government attempted to crush the dissent by force.

The movement later turned violent with armed rebels fighting Syrian government troops. More than

100,000 people on both sides have been killed, according to the UN. The war has also forced millions to flee their homes, while plunging Syria into an unprecedented economic crisis.

In his latest speech, Assad also said Syria’s economic woes “are linked to the security situation, and they can only be solved by striking terror”.

The Syrian President meanwhile, stressed the need for the army to fight on against the rebellion.

“It is true that there is a battle being fought in the media and on (the Internet), but the crisis will only be solved on the battlefield,” said Assad in his 45-minute address.

Assad’s comments come amid faltering efforts to push forward a US-Russian proposal for peace talks dubbed Geneva 2, which would see regime representatives and the opposition gathering for negotiations.

The Syrian president accused the Coalition of “being on the payroll of more than one Gulf country”, and of “blaming the (Syrian) state for terrorism rather than blaming the armed men”, or rebels.

Deadly blast hits Philippine city A

t least six people have been killed and 29 wounded in a powerful bomb blast in the centre of the southern Philippines city of Cotabato, police have said.

The explosive device was placed in a vehicle - either a motorcycle or a van - parked near a hospital and a school, city police chief Senior Superintendent RolenBalquin said on Monday.

“The explosion was on a very busy street,” Balquin told local Catholic radio station DXMS. The late-afternoon blast damaged at least four vehicles and triggered a fire that engulfed a nearby mortuary and a tyre repair shop, he added.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and Balquin said the motive was still being investigated.

MujivHataman, governor

of a regional autonomous area whose office is 800m away from the blast site, said the explosion rattled his windows and shattered a quiet afternoon just before Muslims were to end their Ramadan fast.

“That area has always been a busy street, full of traffic. There are a lot of establishments there and people come and go at all hours,” he told AFP news agency by telephone.

Cotabato is a mixed Muslim-Catholic city on the main southern island of Mindanao, where Muslim fighters have waged a decades old rebellion that has left thousands dead.

It was the second bombing to hit Mindanao in 10 days.

A powerful blast at a restaurant packed with doctors and pharmaceutical salesmen left eight people dead onthe Mindanao

Houses were engulfed in fire after the attack in the centre of Cotabato city of Cagayan de Oro on July 26.

The Cotabato explosion also came just shortly after the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a breakaway rebel faction, warned of intensified attacks against the government

targets.

In 2011 the BIFF split from the 12,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is negotiating peace with the government of President Benigno Aquino.

“worthy efforts” as president.

Ahmadinejad vacated office on Saturday after two turbulent fouryear terms.

He was succeeded by moderate cleric Hassan Rouhani, who has promised t o e n g a g e constructively with world powers over Iran’s contentious nuclear drive and to stave up the shrinking economy.

“Considering the profuse experience you gained during eight years of worthy efforts, I appoint you as a member of the Expediency Council,” read a statement posted on Khamenei’s website.

In the last two years of his presidency, Ahmadinejad fell from grace with Khamenei following a public power struggle, and during his tenure

he was also involved in high-profile feuds with parliament speaker Ali Larijani and judiciary chief Ayatollah SadeqLarijani.

The council is headed by expresident Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani who repeatedly criticised Ahmadinejad during his turbulent eight-year presidency for his controversial political and economic policies.

It is dominated by conservatives and acts as an advisory body for Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran who has final say on all key policies, including nuclear talks and foreign policy.

Any differences between the parliament and the Guardian Council are adjudicated by the Expediency Council, which comprises high-ranking religious and political figures and former government officials.

Ahmadinejad appointed to top Iran council

I

ran’s supreme leader has appointed former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the Expediency Council, the country’s top political arbitration body

Ahmadinejad

headed by an avid critic of the outgoing president.

In announcing the appointment on Monday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised Ahmadinejad’s

Asia & Middle East

Dozens dead, stranded after flash floods in Afghanistan, Pakistan

F

lash floods caused by unusually heavy rain across Afghanistan and Pakistan killed more than 160 people and stranded villagers in remote areas without shelter, food or power in one of South Asia’s worst natural disasters this year, officials said on Monday.

Mountainous Afghanistan was the worst hit, with 61 people killed and about 500 traditional mud-brick homes washed away in more than a dozen villages in Sarobi, a rural district less than an hour from the national capital, Kabul, officials said.

In the remote eastern Afghan province of Nuristan at least 60 homes were destroyed across three districts, said provincial spokesman Mohammad Yusufi. No one was killed.

Authorities were unable to get aid to some badly affected villages by land as roads in the area are controlled by the Taliban, Yusufi added.

“We have asked the national government for help as have an overwhelming number of locals asking for assistance, but this is a Talibanridden area,” Yusufi said.

At least 24 people were also killed in two other eastern border provinces, Khost and Nangarhar, local officials said. More than fifty homes and shops were destroyed and thousands of acres of farmland flooded.

In Pakistan monsoon rains claimed more than 80 lives, local media reported on Monday. Incidents of house collapse, drowning and electrocution all pushed up the death toll, said Sindh Information Minister SharjeelInamMemon.

In Karachi, the commercial capital and a southern port city that is home to 18 million people, poor neighborhoods were submerged waist-deep in water and many precincts suffered long power outages. Deaths were also reported in the north and west of the country. unday.

Israel says that the men will go free in stages depending on progress in newly-resumed talks with the Palestinians.

“It agreed on releasing 26 of the old prisoners on August 13,” Erakat said.

According to local media reports, The Palestinian Prisoner Society published a list of prisoners expected to be freed.

The prisoner release was approved by the Israeli cabinet last week to coincide with the talks, revived after a three-year hiatus.

A first meeting took place in Washington earlier in the week,and the Israeli negotiator, Justice Minister TzipiLivni, said on Saturday that another session would be held shortly in the Middle East.

“These discussions that began in Washington will resume during the second week of August and will take place in the region,” Livni told the private Channel 10 television station.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 34

International Europe and Turkey sentences ex-army Americas US extends chief to life imprisonment embassy

A

Turkish court has sentenced former armed forces chief IlkerBasbug to life imprisonment for allegedly conspiring to overthrow the government.

Announcing verdicts on the nearly 300 defendants in the case on Monday, the judges also sentenced three serving parliamentarians from the opposition Republican People’s

Party (CHP) to between12 and 35 years in prison.

The court also acquitted 21 defendants in the case that has exposed deep divisions in the country.

Earlier, security forces fired tear gas in fields around the courthouse in the Silivri jail complex, west of Istanbul, as defendants’ supporters gathered to protest against the five-year trial that has become a

battle between Prime Minister TayyipErdogan and the secularist establishment.

Prosecutors say an alleged network of secular arch-nationalists pursued extrajudicial killings and bombings in order to trigger a military coup and overthrow the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government.

There are 275 defendants,

Basbug

including retired armed forces commander Basbug, high profile military generals, journalists and professors. All have been accused of being members of a little known underground group called Ergenekon.

Ahead of the verdict, state authorities banned protests at the court, and police on Saturday raided offices of a secularist association, political party and television channel, detaining 20 people for calling for demonstrations.

Security forces set up barricades around the courthouse in the Silivri jail complex, west of Istanbul, to tighten security after the defendants’ supporters vowed to hold a demonstration against the trial.

Critics, including the main opposition party, have said the charges are trumped up, aimed at stifling opposition and taming the secularist establishment which has long dominated Turkey.

They say the judiciary has been subject to political influence in hearing the case.

The Ergenekon investigation started in June 2007 after an anonymous tip led police to find explosives in a shanty house belonging to a retired officer.

Critics claim the investigation has only focused on the opponents of the AKP government.

Britain, France extend closures of Yemen embassies

B

ritain and France extended the closure of their embassies in Yemen on Monday after a U.S. warning of a possible militant attack in the region, and the Arab state said it was stepping up security at ports and

airports.

The UK said its embassy in Yemen would stay closed until the Muslim festival of Eid on Thursday.

The UK Foreign Office had earlier announced it would shut its mission

in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, until Tuesday.

The U.S. State Department said at the weekend that 19 U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East and Africa would remain closed until Saturday

“out of an abundance of caution”. It said several would have been closed anyway for most of the week due to the Eid Muslim celebrations.

It had initially closed 21 U.S. diplomatic posts for the day on Sunday.

leader and offering him support.

“Your closeness and your warmth comfort me after all the pain and suffering of the past few days,” he said.

He gave his support to the current coalition, saying: “We have said loud and clear that the government must go forward to approve the economic

measures that we asked for and were agreed.

“What drives us is not our personal interests. Always the interests of everyone and of our Italy come first.”

Italy is in its longest recession since World War II. Mr Berlusconi, who has dominated

Italian politics for two decades, has faced a string of trials since leaving office in November 2011.

In separate trials he has been convicted of paying for sex with an under-age prostitute, and arranging for a police wiretap to be leaked and published in a newspaper.

Berlusconi stands by broad coalition

H

undreds of supporters of Silvio Berlusconi have gathered outside his Rome mansion to rally against his recent sentencing for tax fraud.

Some of his backers had wanted him to force an election to end the uneasy coalition between his centreright PDL party and the left-wing PD party.

But the ex-prime minister said the current Italian government “must forge ahead” with its economic programme.

The Supreme Court upheld a custodial sentence for Mr Berlusconi.

The 76-year-old is due to serve one year in custody starting from October.

Under Italian law, people over the age of 75 rarely go to prison, so he is likely to be held under house arrest or given a community sentence.

Although Mr Berlusconi has been hauled before the courts dozens of times, this is his first definitive conviction with no chance of further appeal.

The court ruled that his Mediaset business empire had avoided taxes by inflating the price it had paid for film distribution rights.

Mr Berlusconi’s People of Freedom (PDL) party organised the rally with the stated aim of huddling around their

A tearful Berlusconi greeting supporters outside his home.

closures

T

he US says it will keep a number of embassies in North Africa and the Middle East closed until Saturday, due to a possible militant threat.

Twenty-one US embassies and consulates closed on Sunday.

The state department in Washington said the extended closures were “out of an abundance of caution”, and not a reaction to a new threat.

The decision to close the embassies comes as the US government battles to defend recently disclosed surveillance programmes that have stirred deep privacy concerns.

Security at US diplomatic facilities also remains a concern following last year’s attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, where the US ambassador and three other Americans were killed.

While details of the threats are unspecified, David Willis, in Washington, says members of Congress who have been briefed about the intelligence seem to agree it amounts to one of the most serious in recent years - all pointing to the possibility of a major attack, possibly to coincide with the end of the holy month of Ramadan, which ends this week.

A state department global travel alert, issued on Friday, is in force until the end of August.

The department said the potential for an al-Qaeda-inspired attack was particularly strong in the Middle East and North Africa.

Al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Yemen, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), has tried to carry out several high-profile attacks in recent years, including one on Christmas Day in 2009 when a man attempted to blow up a trans-Atlantic jet over Detroit, using explosives sewn into his underwear.

Months earlier, the group tried to kill the Saudi intelligence chief with a bomb on the attacker’s body.

Meanwhile, US diplomatic missions in Algiers, Kabul and Baghdad are among those which will reopen on Monday, Washington said.

But its diplomatic posts in Abu Dhabi, Amman, Cairo, Riyadh, Dhahran, Jeddah, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Manama, Muscat, Sanaa and Tripoli will remain closed until Saturday.

The US state department also added African missions in Antananarivo, Bujumbura, Djibouti, Khartoum, Kigali and Port Louis to the list, meaning a total of 19 US embassies will remain closed this week.

Embassies closed on Sunday, a working day in the Muslim world, included Amman, Cairo, Riyadh and Dhaka.

US citizens are advised that all consular appointments have been cancelled and will be rescheduled.

The US embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, which is normally closed to the public on Sunday, said all its facilities would be shut on Sunday and asked “workers not essential for the building’s security” not to come in.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 35

Strange World

Florist creates dress entirely from flowers L

isa Dickinson, owner of Manchester florist Venus Flowers, and her team of four florists spent over a week planning and working on a magnificent dress made entirely of flowers. The blooming gown was worn by Boss Model Eleanor Davies during the opening of this year’s Dig the City festival.

We’ve featured a variety of unique garments in the past, from the prom dress made of homework to the fur coat made of chest hair, but few of them were as lovely as the flower dress created by Lisa Dickinson.

When the organizers of Dig the City, Manchester’s urban gardening festival, asked her to create the unique garment, Lisa admits she felt the task daunting, but once she started planning it became fun.

“The challenge was to keep the dress looking fresh for as long as possible, the trick to making the dress endure was to use flowers that wouldn’t wither and die after a few hours, so I made the full skirt of the dress out of wax flowers—which is a really tough shrub—but with delicate sprays of flower heads,” the talented florist explains.

“I must admit, when we got the brief to make the dress I was a little daunted about how to put it all together— but once we got started on the planning it was really liberating and hugely fun. It really stretching the boundaries of floristry, and it is thrilling to think creatively. You see the potential of flowers in another light,” Dickinson says.

“Dig the City is such a great event for Manchester, the whole city; residents, businesses and shops should flower up – a greener city is something we can all get behind.”

Dig the City is a large-scale nine-day festival featuring talks by celebrity TV gardeners Monty Don, Rachel De Thame, and Matt James, attractions such as an artisan food market, art installations by US artist Jason Hackenwerth and craft and horticultural markets. It’s designed as an urban twist on the traditional country fete.

Guy spends 9 years digging basement with remote- controlled toy

The remote controlled earthmover Murray has been digging with.

W

ho could have thought that videos showing tiny amounts of dirt being pushed around by remote-controlled earthmovers would receive nearly 3 million hits on YouTube?

Unbelievable, but true. The videos are those of Canadian Joe Murray digging a basement in his home. He’s been doing so for the past 9 years.

Okay, so 9 years seems absolutely unnecessary to do something as simple as excavate a basement. But not where Murray lives. In Saskatchewan, Canada, winters get as harsh as -15C for several weeks.

So what he did was convert the seemingly small job into a long-term hobby, by using small tools. Murray works as a farmer of grains and cattle by day. Toying around with the basement is what he describes as his “escape from everyday realities.”

Just take a look at the videos and you’ll realize how much fun he’s having with his little remote-controlled toys.

The plus side is that his house gets a new

basement. In a few more years, of course.

After all, the excavators shift only about three cubic meters of soil every year.

When Murray started his project, he worked hands-on. He first worked a pickaxe on the east wall, and later used the air chisel hammer to remove dirt and dust. Next came the R/C earthmovers, after which all he needed were coordination skills to be able to dig dirt.

According to Murray, he’s got great dexterity in both hand and eye coordination. “I can mental picture several different scenarios of how to best tackle a project, make a better plan for success lessening the chance of a costly failure.” Some of the skills he’s picked up have helped him in farming too.

The basement will be ready soon, andMurrayhasnointentionsofstopping after that. Next he wants to give the barn a makeover,anddigapondinthereaswell.

Looks like he’s got plans to keep himself busy for the next decade or so.

Dickson showing off her dress.

World’s first Twitter Hotel caters to social media addicts

I

f you’re one of those people who can’t stop tweeting even when they are on vacation, you might find the world’s first Twitter-themed hotel, in Magaluf, Spain, to be the perfect summer destination.

Ever-growing customer demands, the need for diversity and the increasing number of social media addicts all over the world have inspired Meliá Hotels International, the leading hotel chain in Spain, to create the world’s first ever Twitter hotel.

Located in Magaluf, Mallorca, the @SolWaveHouse Hotel allows guests to interact with its staff and other tourists via text-based

messages of up to 140 characters, known as “tweets”.

The hotel’s General Manager, Gonzalo Echevarría, says “the hotel takes a new step in meeting the expectations of an increasingly experiential and social customer profile, through new technologies.”

At the heart of this social-mediathemed hotel is #SocialWave, a virtual community accessible only from its wifi via smartphone, tablet or computer. Once they’ve registered with their Twitter accounts, guests can use #SocialWave to connect with other tourists, chat, share photos and even flirt by sending virtual kisses.

Guests checking into the “twitter hotel”

There’s a special hashtag for pretty much everything, and two Twitter Concierges are always standing by t meet guest requests via Twitter and generate conversation in this virtual community.

Every available space at the @ SolWaveHouse Hotel encourages guests to log in and share their experience. Minibars feature a “Thirsty? Tweet Us #FillMyFridge” sticker, bathroom mirrors give social media junkies the chance to win an extra one-week stay by taking a photo of themselves and tagging it “#suitcontest” and big mustache stickers invite tourists to share funny selfies on sites like Instagram.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

Digest

Pregnant women who use nasal sprays increase risk of rare birth defects

By Emma Innes

W

omen who use decongestants such as nasal sprays in the first three months of pregnancy may raise their child’s risk of certain rare birth defects.

Some types of over-thecounter decongestants, such as those commonly used by hayfever sufferers, were linked to rare birth defects of the digestive tract, ear, and heart, new research found.

‘Major birth defects of any kind affect about two to three per cent of live born infants, so they are rare,’ study author Dr Allen Mitchell said.

‘The associations we identified involved defects that generally affect less than 1 per 1,000 infants. Some of them may require surgery, but not all are life-threatening.’

Decongestants are some of the most commonly used drugs, however, so fully understanding the consequences of taking them during pregnancy is important, he added.

A team at Boston University

worked with a large collection of data on babies born with birth defects between 1993 and 2010.

Nurses interviewed the mothers of babies with birth defects not caused by chromosome problems, and Dr Mitchell’s group analysed the results.

Mothers were asked about medications they took while pregnant and in the two months before becoming pregnant.

First-trimester use of phenylephrine was tied to an eight-fold higher risk of a heart defect called endocardial cushion defect – a condition in which the walls between the heart chambers are poorly formed.

Phenylpropanolamine, which is also found in some decongestants, was linked to an eight-fold risk of defects of the ear and stomach.

For the first time, the authors also found links between firsttrimester use of pseudoephedrine and limb defects.

Use of imidazolines - found in nasal decongestant sprays and

eye drops - was tied to a doubling of the risk of having a baby with an abnormal connection between the trachea and oesophagus.

‘The risks we identified should be kept in perspective,’ Dr Mitchell cautioned. ‘The risk of an endocardial cushion defect among babies whose mothers did not take decongestants is about three per 10,000 live births.’

Even the eight-fold increase in risk indicated by the study results, while it sounds large, would translate to a 2.7 in 1,000 chance the baby would have the defect, he said.

Assuming the findings are correct, he added, the researchers could not speculate about why these drugs might be linked to this handful of defects.

They found no link between the medications and several other deformities that had been suggested by previous studies, such as clubfoot or defects of the eye or face, according to the report published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

‘This should offer some reassurance to women who

Women who use decongestants in the first trimester of pregnancy may raise their child’s risk of certain rare birth defects

Some types of over-thecounter decongestants, such as those commonly used by hayfever sufferers, were linked to rare birth defects of the digestive tract, ear, and heart

have taken these medications in pregnancy,’ Dr Mitchell told Reuters Health.

‘Since the absolute risks for these rare birth defects are still very small, pregnant women should not be very worried after having used these drugs,’ said Marleen van Gelder, an epidemiologist at Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre in the Netherlands who was not involved in the study but has researched birth defects and decongestants.

‘However, it should always be

determined whether the beneficial effects of treatment outweigh the possible risks for the developing foetus.

Dr Mitchell believes there’s enough evidence indicating a possible connection to birth defects that doctors should not be recommending that pregnant women take decongestants, but should evaluate each woman’s need for the drugs on a case-bycase basis.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Regular exercise in pregnancy ‘prevents emergency caesarians’

By Rachel Reilly

W

omen who exercise during pregnancy are less likely to require a Caesarean birth, say scientists.

A brisk walk three times a week halves the risk of having a heavy infant - one of the main causes of the emergency surgery.

C-sections have been linked with babies becoming obese in childhood, being more prone to infections and asthma and developing diabetes.

A study of 510 sedentary expectant mothers who exercised for less than 20 minutes on only two days of the week or fewer found those given a training programme reduced their chances of giving birth to a baby weighing over 4 kilos by 58 percent.

And the number of expected Caesarean deliveries fell by 34 per cent, according to the findings published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

The study found that exercising three days a week during the last six months of pregnancy halved the risk of having a dangerously large child

Both are risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus - a condition in which previously healthy mothers develop glucose intolerance while they are pregnant.

Dr Jonatan Ruiz, of Granada University in Spain, said: ‘The findings reinforce the need to encourage more supervised exercise interventions during pregnancy to combat the negative effects of gestational diabetes mellitus.’

The intervention group followed 55 minute sessions of aerobic, muscle strength and flexibility exercises on three days a week during the last six months of pregnancy while the others received standard care.

Previous studies have shown babies delivered by Caesarean miss out on protective bugs that could help prevent a host of disorders in childhood and later life.

C-sections now constitute about 25 per cent of births in England and

Wales or over 190,000 a year - more than double the proportion in 1980.

It’s believed surgical babies may be missing out on physiological changes that happen during labour including exposure to bugs which are necessary for the immune system to mature.

Women who are overweight or obese are more likely to end up C-sections have been linked with babies becoming obese in childhood, being more prone to infections and asthma and developing diabetes

having surgery when giving birth - and the rise in these deliveries coincides with the obesity epidemic.

Obese women are at risk for pregnancy-related complications including hypertension, gestational diabetes and blood clots - all of which can lead to a recommendation for caesarean delivery.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 37

2015: How we’ll mobilise against Jonathan, by Prof. Abdullahi Interview

W

hat is your reaction to the recent pledge made by Alhaji Dauda Birma that Northern elders are in support of President Goodluck Jonathan come 2015 when he visited National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur in his office with group of people?

Well, Alhaji Dauda Birma was reported to have together, perhaps with some other people visited the office of the National Chairman of the people’s Democratic party (PDP),A lhaji Bamanga Tukur. And what I read in the papers, the purpose of the visit was first, to convey to Mr. President, through the chairman of the party, the appreciation of people. I don’t know which people he was referring to but I suppose the generality of people who were happy to have Al-mustapha released from prison. But the pin point he made there is the release of Al-mustapha was a result of the sole effort of Mr. President. Well, if it was true, that is, if it was the sole effort of Mr. President to get Al-mustapha out of prison, I also want to support that because many people, including most of us were happy to see Al-mustapha free, out of prison after his incarceration for 15 years. If indeed it is the sole effort of Mr. President, I also want to join others in commending Mr. President for doing that job. But, if it is for a political gimmick, perhaps seeking publicity or recognition or identification, that the statement was made, it is rather unfortunate for Alhaji Dauda Birma. Everyone knew that there are so many people both in the open and behind the scene who have been in prayer and also doing whatever it takes to ensure that justice was done to Al-mustapha. So, I thought rather than giving credit to only one source of this effort, it amounts to seeking popularity and one would have preferred that all those who were in prayer and making efforts in their own ways to see the release of Almustapha, deserved our appreciation.

The other aspect for Alhaji Dauda Birma’s visit has to do with the pledge he made, I understand on behalf or in the name of the northern elders. People also in the last few days are making a lot of enquiries to have the interpretation as to whether he was speaking on behalf of himself or for Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). While there are so many

Professor Ango Abdullahi, former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), in this interview with journalists in Bauchi denies the insinuation that Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for Presiedency in 2015. He equally speaks on the issue of insurgency and the declaration of state of emergency in the three North Eastern state of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. Our Bauchi Correspondent, Ahmed Kaigama was there. Excerpts: Northern elders or wheher he was speaking on behalf of the Northern Elders Forum to which I belong.

But, certainly on checking which I made personally on whether Birma was mandated to go and speak on behalf of ACF on this particular occasion, and the answer was an emphatic no. Obviously, from what I know of the Northern Elders Forum to which I belong, I have not shared any meeting with Malam Dauda Birma for a long time since our beginning. I remember I saw him in one of the meetings, after that I don’t remember or seen him attend any of our meetings for various activities. So I want to make it absolutely very clear that Malam Dauda was speaking on behalf of some elders outside the ACF and outside the Northern Elders Forum. I believe he has spoken outside many other groups that I know are working together with us. So, he is entirely on his own and we respect his voice as a Nigerian citizen to associate and to give support to where he felt the support is needed or is desired.

Also, he said that 99.9 percent or 100 percent of northerners of various shades of opinion are going to be belonging or belong to the same political opinion, but we concede his right to speak for himself and for people with whom he associates with but certainly he cannot be speaking for the ACF that I know and for the Northern Elders Forum to which I belong.

As far as I can remember, I tried to investigate from other groups that I know on ground today and nobody was aware that he, in one way or the other, sought their

Professor Ango Abdullahi permission to speak on behalf of some elders in the North because there are elders in most of these groups and he himself is an elder.

If he had spoken for Malam Dauda Birma as a person, nobody is going to question him because he has the right; but if he is speaking on behalf others who have not mandated him to do so, that shows he might be seeking for some kind of popularity or some kind of only he perhaps will know, so this is the main reason why I thought I should make this clarification.

But Dauda Birma is a member of the Northern Elders’ Forum?

No, he is not. As far as I know, he is not a member of the Northern Elders Forum.

Why are you so apprehensive about his opinion?

No, but why should somebody

“

We have already made our position very clear. Just like the people of the south-south want to keep the presidency in their zone, so is it our wish and desire and or our demand that the presidency should also come back to the north in 2015; and we have every justification to ask for its return to our area

who does not belong to your organization speak on your behalf?

What damage has he caused you?

He is already causing the kind of damage I am experiencing in the last two, three days. People were calling me to find out whether that statement came from us, that is the ACF group, and this is why I am trying to clarity the point that he must have spoken for himself.

Certainly, not on behalf of the Northern Elders Forum; there is no way he could have been speaking on our behalf because he didn’t get any mandate from any official of the ACF to make this kind of statement.

As we approach 2015, South/South are clamoring for the retention of the Presidency in the zone; what is the position of the Northern Elders Forum?

We have already made our position very clear. Just like the people of the south-south want to keep the presidency in their zone, so is it our wish and desire and or our demand that the presidency should also come back to the north in 2015; and we have every justification to ask for its return to our area.

Going by experience, for example in the last general election in 2011 the whole South-South of the country produced only one candidate and all of them supported the candidate while the North

had many candidates. What are you doing now to ensure that the North comes out with an acceptable single candidate in 2015?

We, you know that the ACF is not a political party. The Northern Elders Forum is not a political party and many other groups that are working in the interest of the North are themselves not political parties. Nevertheless, we know for the fact that you cannot contest an election except if you are a registered political party. So the candidate that should emerge to contest election must be a candidate of a particular registered political party but what we intend to do is to make sure that whatever possible, we persuade the parties to present candidates of Northern extraction. We are going to produce a Nigerian President.

Remember this; we will want to make it absolute and clear that the president that is coming is going to be a Nigerian President; he is going to be of Northern extraction just like we have a Nigerian president of South-south extraction. So, nobody is saying that president Jonathan is the President of south-south or the President for Ijaw people. No, it is clear and we all agree that he is a Nigerian President under our constitution. So, it will be exactly the same when we find a Northern candidate, candidate of Northern extraction who will be an acceptable candidate for the entire country to fill that position as the Nigeria President.

Recently, four northern governors were more or less held at the Port Harvourt Airport for hours and we know that the Arewa Youth Forum has condemned it.

What is the position of the elders’ forum concerning the incident in Rivers state?

Well, you have already answered part of the question yourself by thinking that responsible elders in Rivers state will not do the kind of things that we were told were done at the Airport against the governors that were visiting Rivers state. It might Continued on page 38

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

Politics

Sen Pwajok accuses CPC of trying to mislead CJ

S

en Gyang Pwajok has accused the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) of trying to ``mischievously mislead’’ the Chief Justice (CJ) of the Federation over a court order that nullified his (Pwajok’s) election.

Pwajok, who reacted to a protest letter by the Plateau Chapter of the CPC over his continued stay in the senate after the Dec. 20, 2012 nullification of the Oct. 6, 2012 senate by-election for Plateau North, also accused CPC of playing ``unclean politics’’.

The CPC, in a ``complaint’’ to the CJ, dated July 15, 2013, signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Mubashiru Aliyu, had wondered why Pwajok was still in the senate after an Abuja Federal High Court nullified his election.

The nullification order resulted from a case filed by the CPC in which it alleged that INEC wrongly disqualified its candidate, Mr Tony Gaga, from contesting the polls to fill the seat that became vacant after the death of Sen Gyang Dantong on July 8, 2012.

In his judgement on that case, Justice A. F. Ademola had ordered that a fresh election be held within 90 days, and also directed Pwajok to vacate the seat.

CPC, in its petition, observed that the fresh poll had not been held, while Pwajok was still in the senate, and described the situation as ``a slap on the integrity of the judiciary’’ that had the tendency to create anarchy.

The CPC had earlier written a protest letter to the Senate President, dated June 26, 2013, in which it declared Pwajok’s stay in the senate as ``illegal’’ and threatened to embark on peaceful protest against ``this injustice’’.

But Pwajok, in a written response to the CPC, dated July 26, 2013, described the letter to the CJ as ``very shocking’’, especially since Aliyu was

``fully aware of the facts on ground’’.

Specifically, Pwajok, through his counsel, Mr Sunny-Gabriel Odey, of Renaissance Chambers, Jos, stated that he had filed an appeal against the judgement nullifying the election where he challenged the competence of the court to entertain the case.

Pwajok had faulted the judge’s competence to nullify an election using a pre-election matter, and noted that only the tribunal had the powers to nullify elections. ``The appeal has been entered as Appeal No. CA/A/45/2013 at

the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, with PDP and Sen Pwajok as appellants, while CPC and INEC are respondents. ``We, the appellants also promptly filed a motion for stay of execution and injunction pending appeal, on Dec. 24, 2012, which was equally served on you,’’ Pwajok noted.

The senator also reminded the CPC that it (CPC), had filed an appeal against the said judgment by way of cross appeal on Jan 13, 2013, and followed that up with a cross appellant’s brief on 21 Feb. 2013, while

his (Pwajok)’s cross respondents’ brief was filed on March 21, 2013.

According to him, the fact that the CPC had filed a cross appeal against the Dec. 20 judgement, only further confirmed that the party that filed the case and purportedly secured the said nullification, was equally not satisfied with that judgment.

“In addition to the above processes, your counsel has filed other interlocutory applications at the Court of Appeal, all of which are pending for determination,’’ the senatot pointed out.

L-R: Secretary, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu; Director, International Cooperation and Protocol, Mr. Oluwole Uzzi and Chairman, INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, at the experience-sharing and confidence building conference on the voter register and continuous voter registration, yesterday in Abuja.

APC, Obi in war of wit over Igbo ‘deportees’

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

F

ew months to the Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 16th, the state governor, Peter Obi, and the newly registered All Progressives Congress (APC) are entangled in political war of wisdom, over the alleged expatriation of 72 Ibos by the Lagos government.

This is even as the party, in a statement at the weekend, accused Governor Obi of whipping up primordial sentiments to discredit APC and its governorship candidate, Chris Ngige, who is believed to be the most popular candidate among the governorship aspirants.

It would be recalled that shortly after the news broke about the deported Ibos at the popular Upper Iweka Junction in Onitsha, Obi addressed a stern letter of disapproval to President Goodluck Jonathan, warning that such callous decision by Lagos is both inhuman and illegal.

However, in its bid to excuse itself from the accusation, APC’s leadership accused Governor Obi of playing politics with Nigeria’s unity, arguing that the controversy can polarise the Yorubas and Ibos along ethno-political line.

A statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Lai Mohammed, said there are indications that Obi’s resort to a media campaign, is aimed at gaining an undue advantage ahead of the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, instead of being borne out of sheer altruism. ‘’We are not saying Gov. Obi has no right to play politics, but he must fight clean and avoid any action that could hurt not just the enduring harmony between the Igbo and the Yoruba, but also the unity of the country.

2015: How we’ll mobilise against Jonathan, by Prof. Abdullahi Continued from page 37 well be, yes , that some elders were behind it but we understand that youth organized to come and harass the four visiting Northern governors. We take it that it is a youthful matter and our youth have already answered back so this should not be allowed to happen again. I think that is a balance, a sincere balance. If I was sure it is one elder or the elders who are behind this episode in Rivers, then I will in my position as an elder would have reacted appropriately.

Don’t you think this is the right time to find an acceptable northern candidate for the Presidency in 2015?

I think is a political process.

As I have already admitted to you, the Northern Elders Forum is not a registered political party otherwise perhaps they would have presented some of our candidates.

ACF is not a political party but we are pressure groups. If you would

like to use that expression, who are interested in what is going on in the political environment and therefore we should be able to talk across the society, across political lines. We should be able to talk to all the activists in the country for them to understand the need for them to work together towards achieving an objective which is going to serve the interest of our area because I think there is nothing wrong in seeing that people are trying to protect the interest of their areas. So interests are there entrenched . It is reality, so there is nothing wrong in facing the reality that is on ground today.

How would you assess the success of the emergency declaration in the three states of the North?

There are so many sides to the issue of security in the country.

With particular emphasis on the north east, we persuaded Mr. President to toe the line of both carrot and stick but it is also believed, going by experiences around the world, that the carrot

aspect is likely to produce more enduring effects than the stick.

The stick leaves you with more wounds that you might not be able to heal for a very long time and this is the unfortunate thing about crisis that lead to conflicts where limbs and lives are lost and properties destroyed. They are hardly forgotten, but where you can use some moderation, peruse more strongly because of peace. With peaceful approach to resolution of crisis you are likely to achieve the results better and this is why in the first time we went to him to submit our document, this is one of the recommendations we made. That the tactics of sheer force by itself alone will not resolve this crisis. Thank God he accepted and this is why the committee of so many people, I have forgotten the number now, in fact it was a day after we saw him, that he called the security meeting and this policy was announced that he is going to set up a committee on dialogue and reconciliation. This is what we put specifically in our

recommendation, he accepted it and set up the committee which started work immediately.

What in your opinion is the way out?

The way out is for those calling for force to see whether force at the end of the day is the answer to this intractable problem.

Those who have succeeded in persuading government to take these two steps, soon one after the other, that soon after they will set up a committee that is supposed peruse dialogue and reconciliation, which will lead to more peaceful resolution of the crisis, in persuading government to really going the other way.

We saw this from the statement made only two or three days ago by the president of CAN that America should declare Boko Haram a terrorist organization and so on. This is to me Nigerian politics being internationalized and people thought perhaps this is the way out. The Americans with all their military power have failed in so many wars. They

failed in the Vietnam war; they failed in the Korean war, failed in the Iraq war, they are now falling in the Afghanistan war. They themselves set up office for Taliban to come for dialogue in Qatar but the Talibans have refused to show up, their officers were there but they refused to show up. I think that should be enough for small countries like ours who can’t bear with even small internal security matters to say that this kind of crises has to be resolved through the barrels of the gunrather than through the barrel of the jaws.

So you see the way out is eventually going to be going back, we have to go back then do the correct things in the correct way.

Part of the thing you have asked of makes me to consider the so called Civilian J.T.F. Already, if we are not careful this is going to lead to small civil war. It has started, the Boko Haram has now started to engage the so called Civilian J.T.F which means that the people themselves are being set against each other to fight.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

Flood cuts off bridge on NigeriaChad road

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he Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has warned motorists plying the NigeriaChad route along the MararabaMichika road to be cautious as a bridge on the road has been washed off by the flood.

The FRSC said in a statement on Monday in Yola that the bridge in Wasu village of Michika local government area of Adamawa was washed-off following a heavy downpour at the weekend.

The statement, signed by Mr. Luka Ikpi, the Sector Commander in the state, called on the general public, especially motorists using the road to exercise caution.

“Due to the heavy downpour on July 30, a bridge at Wasu village, along Mararaba-Michika road in Michika local government area has collapsed.

“The bridge plays a vital role in linking North-eastern parts of Nigeria and the Republic of Chad,” the statement said.

It said that anyone that wished to travel from Adamawa to Borno and the Republic of Chad via Michika should divert through Yamwe village also in the Michika area council.

The statement noted that the diversion is only 19 kilometres.

When contacted, the Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Shadrack Barub, confirmed the development.

NAN

PAGE 39

News Extra

Kano deposits N740m capital for micro-finance banks From Edwin Olofu, Kano

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he Kano state government has deposited N740 million with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as the minimum capital for the 37 newly established Microfinance banks in the state.

The Managing Consultant of the banks in the state, Alhaji Rabi’u Ibrahim who disclosed this yesterday in Kano said the state government gave the money as loans to the banks

as their capital base to enable them commence operation immediately.

“The state government paid N20 million for each of the 37 microfinance banks in the state, being the capital which will be refunded to government later’’, he said.

Ibrahim said the state government had donated facilities to all the 37 banks spread across the state as its contribution for their immediate take-off. ‘’All interested people will buy

shares so that the money loaned by the government can be refunded at a later date.

“As you know, micro-finance is not a political issue, but is aimed at providing dependable financial services to the economically- active poor especially in the rural areas. ‘’It will also enable the rural dwellers to undertake and develop long term entrepreneurial activities’’, he said.

The consultant said all the

necessary facilities for the banks were on ground pointing out that renovation works were being carried out at most of the banks.

He said 20 out of the 37 banks have since commenced operations pointing out that the remaining 17 would come on board soon.

It would be recalled that the 37 newly established micro-finance banks were inaugurated on January 8 2013 by the Governor of the CBN, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Nigeria requires N464trn for infrastructure development

D

r. Shamsudeen Usman, the Minister of National Planning, on Monday said that the nation required 2.9 trillion dollars (N464 trillion) for infrastructure development in the next 30 years.

Usman said this at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Infrastructure Round Table held in Lagos.

He said that 127billion dollars (N20.3 trillion) would be required in the next five years for infrastructural development.

The minister said that the country needed to invest an average of 25 billion dollars (N4 trillion) per annum from 2014 to 2018 on infrastructure, compared with 10 billion dollars (N1.6 trillion) the government currently spent.

According to him, transportation sector will gulp 800 billion dollars (N128 trillion), energy sector 900 billion dollars (N144 trillion), Information, Communication and Technology 300 billion dollars (N48 trillion).

He added that agriculture, water and mining would take 350 billion dollars (N56 trillion).

Usman said ``Budgetary resources alone were inadequate to meet the infrastructure requirement.’’

He said that capital market operators, regulators and private sectors had major roles to play in enhancing infrastructure development of the country. (NAN)

L-R: Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo; Chairman, Governing Council, Ambrose Alli University, Prof. Greg Akenzua; members, Prince Tony Omoaghe and Dr. Godwin Ogboghodo, at the inauguration of the governing council of the university, yesterday in Benin. Photo: NAN

Ramadan: Sokoto spends N1bn on less privileged From Mahmoud Muhammad, Sokoto

S

okoto state has so far spent about N1billion as part of welfare package in this Ramadan period for the less privileged.

The state governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, disclosed this while distributing assorted grains to the needy in the state. According to him, the state and its 23 local

governments will spend N 1billion on various packages aimed at assisting the less privileged residents.

He said the packages will include Ramadan feeding programmes, adding that the state government has earmarked N163 million, while all the 23 local governments in the state were directed to open Ramadan feeding centres for the period the fasting will last.

It will be recalled that the

governor has setup committees across the state to share cloths in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

Wamakko also explained that each of the beneficiaries of the 6,600 bags of assorted grains would receive N 5,000 for transport and other logistics. He said 6,300 orphans will also receive five yards of guinea brocade wrappers each and N 1,000 for sewing them.

The governor said the gestures were aimed at giving the

beneficiaries sense of belonging and called on officials in charge of the distribution to carry out their responsibilities with the fear of God. The Chairman of the state’s Zakat and Endowment Committee, Alhaji Lawal Maidoki commended the governor for his sustained support and commitment towards their activities, which he said are aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the less privileged in society.

Child marriage: Muslim group warns against misinformation From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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he Muslim Media-Watch Group of Nigeria, has noted that the media propaganda orchestrated by some individuals and groups on the girl child purported bill was based on ignorance and uncalled for.

The group in a statement signed by its Co-ordinator, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, noted those behind the media are not conversant with marriage system in Islam.

He said, “of all religions, Islam

gives the highest protection to women and girl child as regards life and marriage. The media propaganda orchestrated by some individuals and groups following Senate’s consideration of constitution amendment was based on ignorance and was uncalled for.

“Apart from senate denying what being protested against, any step that would endanger life of women and their children including girl-child has been protected under Islamic injunctions. “In this regard,

marriage has no stated age in Islam, however, maturity of girl-child today as confirmed by Medical Experts including Professors of Gynecology is 16 years.

“It is therefore advisable that matured female Muslims could marry from that age; and effort must be made to educate her and guide her rightly not to have sexual intercourse with anybody but should wait until marriage is properly conducted Islamically.”

The group which stressed

the importance of early girl-child education stated that Prophet Muhammad said, “knowledge is made compulsory for Muslim-men and women.

“It is therefore imperative for our female to secure education as it is unlawful to deny them education either by their parents or husband.”

The group urged Nigerian not to politicize the issue of early marriage rather; they should all join hands to educate the people on the benefit of it.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

News Extra Briefs NDLEA impounds 64.5kg Indian hemp

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he Kebbi Command of the National Drug Law And Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has impounded weeds suspected to be cannabis-cartiva otherwise known as Indian Hemps weighing 64.5kg.

Addressing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, the Commandant, Mr. Olu Okon Ulo, commended members and traditional rulers of Ambursa community where the seizure and arrest of suspects were made, for assisting the agency in exposing the suspects.

He said that the court would determine the case and pass sentence on the culprits.

From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

Islamic Development Bank approves $353m projects for Nigeria •Set to finance Lekki seaport project

By Etuka Sunday

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he Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has approved Federal Government’s request for the construction of four new science secondary schools in Kaduna state, worth $17.9 million.

The IDB will also embark on the construction of a 300-bed specialist hospital in Kaduna state at the cost of $43.15 million and the Zaria water supply project worth $81 million dollars.

The IDB President, Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Ali, made the disclosure last Sunday when he

visited Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Sambo said this on Sunday when he received the President of the IDB, Dr Ahmed Mohammed Ali, in Makkah.

Sambo who is in Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser Hajj, expressed appreciation for the continued support of the IDB to Nigeria.

Ali said that the Jigawa State Rural Development project put at $32. 4 million and the bilingual education programme for Borno, Gombe and Niger states, worth $30.5million dollars, were also under the bank’s

consideration.

He explained that all the approvals granted by the bank over the years had been ratified by the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

A press statement by Sambo’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Umar Sani, also quoted Ali as saying that the IDB was currently working on the construction of a transSaharan road that would connect several countries including Chad, Niger, Algeria, Tunisia and Nigeria.

Ali also said that the bank had also concluded arrangements to finance the Lekki seaport project in

Lagos state with $150 million.

Sambo said that Nigeria needed about $450 million from the IDB to expand its electricity generation capacity to reach 20,000 megawatts.

The Vice-President urged the bank to consider the construction of a road linking Lagos to Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire.

He also requested bank to extend its support to the Nigerian private sector, particularly in the areas of education, aviation and agriculture.

Sambo called on the bank to partner with states in executing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects in some priority projects.

L-R: Dr. Emman Shehu, Hayiya Zainab Okino, Mr. Alkasim Abdulkadir and Nguyilan Wakombo, all Panelists, during the Story Train”s August event, recently in Abuja.

Group on five northern govs

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he Northern Youth Forum has accused five governors from the north of overheating the polity with their on-going ‘consultations’ with a cross section of prominent Nigerians.

The governors are Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto, Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Sule Lamido of Jigawa and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa states.

North-West Vice Chairman, Bello Abdulkadir The group in a statement in Kaduna yesterday described the visits as part of smear campaign targeted at President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of 2015.

“The truth is that the five governors are challenging President Goodluck Jonathan by organising political fireworks with the hope of winning public sympathy for 2015.”

From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

Tuberculosis

N

o fewer than 500 volunteers commenced a two-day training on early detection and prevention of tuberculosis (TB) in the 21 local government areas of Adamawa.

Addressing participants at the opening ceremony in Yola on Monday, the Coordinator of state TB Control Programme, Dr Stephen John, said the training was going on simultaneously at two other centres, Mubi and Ganye.

He said that the aim of the training was to improve patients’ access to TB services through social mobilisation and community-based participation.

(NAN)

Photo: Justin ImoOwo

Sultan grieves as NUJ declares seven days mourning for late journalists From Mahmoud Muhammad, Sokoto

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he Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has declared a seven-day mourning period to honour its members who were killed last Friday in a vehicle crash along Ilesa-Ife Express Way, Osun state.

Addressing newsmen on the incident in Osogbo, Osun state capital, the NUJ President, Garba Mohammed, described the death of the journalists as shocking and a colossal loss to the union.

According to Mohammed, during the seven days of mourning, all NUJ activities would be suspended and directed all the state councils to open a condolence register for the departed colleagues.

Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, yesterday condoled with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the death of three of its officers.

The Sultan in a statement expressed grief on behalf of himself and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic

Affairs (NSCIA) over the death of the journalists.

The statement, signed by NSCIA Secretary-General, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said, “we received with deep grief and sorrow the news of a road accident in Osun state which claimed the lives of three national officers of the union.

“Coming at this time of our national life, such a disturbing incident only

amounts to additional agony for the entire country, especially with daily reports of callous killings in one form or another.

“The incident is unfortunate, although it had been ordained by God and nobody could have stopped it.

“It is their time to go and we will soon join them. This shows the transience of life.”

Abubakar prayed God for the repose of the souls of the journalists, who died in active service to the nation.

The Sultan also urged Muslims, “to pray to Allah for our passage to be the easiest when our time comes.

“Therefore, we should help one another and live our lives as ordained by the two major religions of Islam and Christianity.”

Nigeria to commit N100bn to universities infrastructure

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he Federal Government has said that it would commitN100 billion to the infrastructural needs of universities across the country.

The Chairman Implementation Committee of the Needs Assessment of Universities, the Benue state Governor, Gabriel Suswam, gave the hint in an interview with State House correspondents in Abuja.

He said that the committee was planning to harmonise all the intervention funds by government’s departments and agencies, as part of a coordinated approach to funding of universities.

“Once that is properly coordinated, at least we will see results and if the President flags off this project worth a N100 billion across our universities which would be inclusive of lecture theatres, classrooms, and hostels.”

Suswam noted.

“You know that the state of hostels and even classrooms in our universities is appalling and the President is determined and has given us this assignment to make sure that it is done immediately. It is one of the reasons why ASUU is even on strike.”

The committee was set up in line with the agreement reached between

the Federal Government, ASUU, Non-Academic Staff Unions and other stakeholders in the nation’s education sector.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim said that the committee was set up in furtherance of government’s desire to revitalise the Nigerian tertiary institutions for a robust and healthy development of education.

He said that budgetary funding of universities was a strategic application while the non-budgetary and private interventions appeared not to address priority areas.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

We are proud of LMC, says Maigari

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he President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari, has said that the NFF is proud of the works and other activities of the League Management Company (LMC) and will continue to give the body all the support it needs to forge ahead towards the goal of taking the Premier League to new heights.

Speaking at the NFF Secretariat during a presentation by the LMC yesterday, Maigari affirmed the NFF’s approval for the way and manner the company has been going on in the business of sanitising Nigeria’s elite division and stated that both organisations were on the same page.

“The NFF approves of all that the LMC is doing and we are proud of the steps that you are taking to turn the Premier League around for the better. We also note that you have been making efforts, as required, to carry along the club owners in your activities.

“The NFF is equally proud of your moves to get the spectators back to the stadia so that our elite League can again be what it used to be in decades gone by, “he said.

The LMC’s N25 million was five per cent of the monies the LMC has raised in sponsorship fees since coming on stream early this year.

Also the LMC chairman, Hon. Nduka Irabor, who presented a 140-page corporate identity and brand standards manual to the NFF, reiterated that the LMC is managing the league in trust for the club owners, and that both the company and the club owners now understand themselves better.

“Our determination to take the League to an enviable height remains unshaken. We are working very hard to lay a solid foundation on which subsequent administrations can build to make the Nigeria League one of the very best in the universe,” Irabor said.

The presentation of the cheque includes, NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, LMC chieftains Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi and Salisu Abubakar, acting chairman of Club Owners, Barrister Isaac Danladi, secretary of Club Owners, Aloy Chukwuemeka, Kwara United FC chairman, Barrister Aluko, Mr. Kasali Obanoyen, marketing consultant Harry Iwuala, and staff of NFF and LMC.

Aminu Maigari

PAGE 41

Houses: 1994 victorious squad urge FG to fulfil 19-year promise

Refual, Olisa and Keshi with trophy in Tunisia Stories by Albert Akota

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he Captain of the 1994 victorious squad in Tunisia, Augustine Eguavoen has appealed to the federal government to fulfil its 19 years promised to the players.

The then Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha had promised to give each member of the team an accommodation at the nation’s capital, Abuja and the oil rich city, Port Harcourt.

While seven of the twentyone member squad who chose Abuja got their portions, and

the lone person who preferred Port-Harcourt got his, the rest who chose Lagos were unable to get their own due to Lagos land administration constraints.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja when representatives of the victorious squad pay a courtesy visit to the Minister in his office, he called on the government to intervene to ensure that those who are yet to take possession of their buildings could do it.

“Record doesn’t lie, in government, past presidents and present presidents are still our administrators.

“ When our team did well either male or female categories, they deserve recommended, the late president Sani Abacha followed suit after Shehu Shagari did his own to 1980 squad by given them houses.

“We the 1994 squad are discipline, since 1994 we did not make noise about it, after all these year we are patience that some days our yearning will be heard.

“But the only different is that couple of us got their own why some not, it not their fault nether our own fault is matter

LMC presents N25m cheque to NFF

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he League Management Company (LMC) in charge of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has presented a cheque of twenty five million Naira to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as part of its five percent commission from the Globalcom sponsor for 2012/13 football season.

Globacom had early this year signed a three-year contract worth one billion, eight hundred and ninety six million, seven hundred and thirty thousand naira with the League Management Company (LMC) to emerge as the title sponsor of the NPFL. Presenting the cheque and 140-page corporate identity

and brand standards manual to the NFF yesterday in Abuja, chairman of the LMC Hon. Nduka Irabor reiterated that the body is managing the league in trust for the club owners.

He maintained that both the company and the club owners have understand themselves better for the interest of the league.

“We are giving what is rightful belong to the NFF because the federation is the custodian of football in Nigeria, in that case we are giving them their duly percent of the contract we signed with our sponsor.

“The LMC will help the clubs to make money because football is all about business and making

money, we are very happy that the club owners and the LMC are working in this same page, “he said.

In his response, the President of the NFF Alhaji Aminu Maigari, said that the NFF is proud of the works and other activities of the LMC and promised to give the company all the support it needs to forge ahead towards the goal of taking the Premier League to new heights.

He noted that the way and manner the LMC has been going on in the business of sanitising the elite league has shown that Irabor has maximum support for the league in developing talents for Nigerian football and make the league attractive.

of choice, we were to choose any location, but most of us choose Lagos while Finidi choose Port Harcourt.

“The Port Harcourt and 7 others who choose Abuja got their own but we that choose Lagos never got our own houses, 13 of us.

“Although, It was approved, we went there couple of times, we couldn’t get it but we are still patience hoping that one day we will get it, “Eguavoen who led the others said.

In his response, the minister of sport and chairman of the NSC Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said that it is the responsibility of government to honoured anybody that make the country proud and sincerely commended the ex international for their patience and doggedness.

“President Goodluck Jonathan asked me one day after the Federal Executive Council meeting that he heard on radio that the promised made to 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner has not been fulfilled, to tell you how the president taught of you, I want to assured you that I will take the matter with all the seriousness that it deserves to the president, “he promised.

Peoples Daily Sports gathered that among the squad that visited the minister were, Mutu Adepoju, Samson Siasia, victor Ikpeba, Ben Iroha and Austin Eguavoen.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

Sports

Wheelchair basketball federation to charge players on transfer fees Stories by Albert Akota

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he President, Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation (NWBF), Bukola Olopade has said that the federation would

henceforth charge transfer fees on players moving from one state association to the other from 2014.

He said that the measure was to control the movement of players and guard against disagreement among the teams.

He said the decision was fallout of the 2nd Victor Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Tournament where such a problem was managed and not allowed to not disrupt the competition.

(L)Aminu in action

“It is a common practise in the federation to see players’ crossing from one team to another, all in a bid to gain some material rewards,’’ said Olopade.

He said that such an unwholesome practise could be checked through the enforcement of the payment of players’ transfer fees, but did not disclose how much would be paid on the players.

“The situation where one state will acquire the best players to play for them in a championship as seen in the Victor Ochei tournament which ended on Sunday would be checked,” he said.

He disclosed that players who played for Lagos State at the championship were from different states and that if and inquiry was conducted, most of them were still registered with those states.

“The federation can also raise funds from the transfer fees to run its affairs,’’ Olopade said.

He added that the federation would conduct registration of players by their states before embarking on any other championship

Beach volleyball positive after President’s Cup Championship

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he Chairman of the Nigeria Beach Volleyball Federation (NBVF) Musa Nimrod has disclosed that the federation had begun the season successfully with the President’s Cup Championships in Abuja.

Nimrod said that the justconcluded President’s Cup which comprises clubs from Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Kogi, Enugu and Delta states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has straightened the players.

“The event’s target was to pick the best players to represent the country in the Africa Continental Beach Volleyball (CABV) Subcontinental Cup in Cotonou, Benin Republic,’’ he said.

Nimrod added that a 16-man team of U-19/U-21 male and female teams selected from the competition had departed for Benin Republic, to represent Nigeria in the competition which started on Feb. 20.

“A team left on Feb. 19 to represent Nigeria in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, and results reaching us show that they did well as the competition ended on Feb. 24. ``The U-19/U-21 female teams came first, while the male teams came third in a competition that

had Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana also taking part.

“The Federation is committed to achieving its set objectives by ensuring various competitions hold on a monthly basis,’’ he said.

He said the President’s Cup was top on the list of competitions that would hold monthly, with another one coming up in March in Kaduna.

“Because of the committee’s limited resources, we are sourcing for sponsors to ensure the staging of various tournaments in 2013,’’ Nimrod said.

According to the chairman, the beach volleyball committee members will also make personal sacrifices to stage numerous competitions which will make corporate sponsors see the level of seriousness.

“There are talents in beach

NPFL Week 24 Fixtures 3SC Vs Pillars Sharks Vs Gombe

Nasarawa Vs Wolves Akwa Vs Wikki ABS Vs Lobi Sunshine Vs Dolphins Heartland Vs Kwara Rangers Vs Kaduna Enyimba Vs Nembe

President NVBF, Abuh Gumel

Bayelsa Vs El Kanemi

volleyball in Nigeria. The challenge is having funds to organise competitions to keep athletes busy and in good form.

“The overall target is participating in international events and having a good ranking in the world body,’’ he said.

Nigeria league matches shifted for Sallah celebrations

Kano Pillars players in training

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he Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Week 24 games have been moved on account of this weekend’s Muslim Sallah celebrations.

According to the release made available to newsmen and signed by league spokesman Kasali Obanoyen, the league will resume in the weekend of August 10 and 11 with Week 25 fixtures.

Meanwhile, the inconclusive Week 16 clash between Akwa United and Warri Wolves will now be played tomorrow at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

Cross River inaugurates 24-member LOC for 2014 National Sports Festival

Cross River’s Acting Governor, Mr Efiok Cobham

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ross River’s Acting Governor, Mr Efiok Cobham, has inaugurated a 24-man Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2014 National Sports Festival (NSF).

The 2014 fiesta is to be hosted by the state, after Lagos State hosted the 18th edition which took place between November and December 2012.

Speaking shortly after inaugurating the committee in Calabar yesterday, Cobham who is its chairman, said it would be the first time Cross River would be hosting the festival since its creation.

“Some states have hosted more than once and we will love to use this opportunity to set a benchmark for the fiesta.’’,’’ he said.

He restated the state’s readiness to successfully host the 19th National Sports Festival, which has been tagged ``the 2014 Paradise Games’’.

Cobham said the fiesta would be huge in content with over 15,000 competitors of Nigerian origin from all over the world competing for laurels.

He said 2014 was going to be a big year for the state because it would also play host to the World Mountain Running Championship.

The acting governor said the state would prevail, even though the task was enormous, while the events would be fruitful and memorable given the state government’s capacity in hosting events.

He said the state had concluded plans to upgrade sporting and hospitality facilities in line with current realities to accommodate the huge participants and spectators.

“We have carefully selected you because we know your capacity to deliver. We hope that we will deliver a national sports festival that will surpass any one since the inception of the event,” he said

NFF mourns Pa Fashola

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he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has commiserated with the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), over the death of his father, Alhaji Ademola Fashola, yesterday.

NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari was shocked when he received the news of the demise of Pa Fashola, which happened even as Governor Fashola was away to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj

(umrah).

“This is very sad. Only a few months ago, Governor Fashola introduced me to his father, Alhaji Ademola Fashola, who looked very hale and hearty and spritely.

The man certainly did not look his age.

“The Nigeria Football Federation and the entire Nigeria football family deeply mourn with His Excellency, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola on the demise of his father at this period that he certainly needs the old man’s

regular advice and words of wisdom.

“Our prayer is the Almighty God will give Governor Fashola and the good people of Lagos State the fortitude to bear this big loss, and also grant the soul of late Alhaji Fashola eternal rest.”

Family sources informed the federation that the late Pa Fashola would be buried at 4pm today, according to Islamic injunction.

Alhaji Ademola Fashola died after a brief illness, at the age of 79.

PEOPLES DAILY TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 43

Sports

United rejects second Chelsea bid for Rooney

M

anchester United has rejected a second bid from Chelsea for unsettled England forward Wayne Rooney.

The Blues made an offer thought to be around £25m but it was immediately turned down.

A Red Devils spokesman said: “A bid was received yesterday and immediately rejected. Our position remains that he is not for sale.”

The second bid and United’s swift response could prompt Rooney to hand in an official

transfer request.

New Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has made the 27-yearold his top transfer target, but United have had trouble signing other players this summer and have been frustrated by their pursuit of Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas.

United’s new manager David Moyes has repeatedly stressed that Rooney is not for sale.

Rooney himself is believed to have been unhappy at Moyes’ remarks that he would effectively have to be understudy to main striker Robin van Persie.

F Rooney

Everton bid for Alderweireld, says agent The Ajax star has previously been linked with a move to Norwich this summer but, with that move scrapped, he is now set to decide on his next club Ajax defender Toby Alderweireld is a target for Everton and is now deciding on his future, according to his agent.

The 24-year-old Belgium international, who can play at both centre-back and rightback, was linked with a move to Norwich earlier this summer until his representative revealed he failed to agree personal terms with the Canaries.

Alderweireld’s contract expires next summer and has been previously linked with moves to Liverpool and Tottenham, while Ajax signed potential replacement centre-back Mike van der Hoorn in July.

AC Milan’s second Ljajic bid rebuffed

Toby Alderweireld

iorentina have rejected AC Milan’s latest bid for Adem Ljajic.

The Rossoneri followed up a €7 million preliminary bid with an increased offer of €8 million, but rather than moving closer to an agreement the club appears to have pushed Fiorentina further away from the negotiation table.

Referencing the manner in which Milan allegedly courted Riccardo Montolivo, Fiorentina board member and advisor Paolo Panerai made his feelings known via Twitter.

Fiorentina remain keen on extending the Serbian’s contract, although Coach Vincenzo Montella says he will not keep him against his will.

Ljajic

Varela heads for Boca Junior loan from Man Utd

T Everton manager Roberto Martinez has been busy in the transfer window so far, adding centre-back Antolin Alcaraz, goalkeeper Joel Robles, forward Arouna Kone and Barcelona’s on-loan attacker Gerard Deulofeu to his squad.

Liverpool set to loan Omeruo from Chelsea

he 20-year-old has signed a five-year contract, but is willing to move away temporarily in a bid to gain experience with Boca Juniors a touted destination Guillermo Varela would welcome the chance to go out on loan if his first-team chances are going to be limited at Manchester United.

Varela, who has signed a fiveyear deal, is David Moyes’ sole new arrival this season, with Wilfried Zaha’s move completed in January, after 20-year-old defender impressed United’s scouts while playing for Penarol.

Boca Juniors have been touted as a possible destination for the Uruguayan, and the defender admitted that he would welcome the move to La Bombonera.

Varela Varela was part of the Uruguay squad that reached the final of this year’s Under-20 World Cup in Turkey, where they lost to France on penalties

Atletico leading Etienne Capoue race

A

tletico Madrid are in pole position to sign Toulouse midfielder Etienne Capoue, with the Ligue 1 side’s coach Alain Casanova admitting that the France international will move if someone matches his club’s valuation of the player.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone is thought to be keen to reinforce in deep midfield, and has upped his interest in the tough tackling Capoue, 25, after initial target Jeremy Toulalan chose to join big spending Ligue 1 side Monaco.

Premier League new boys Cardiff had previously considered a €10 million bid for Capoue, however the Welsh club has reportedly turned their sights to Queens Park Rangers’ Stephane M’Bia, leaving the path clear for Atletico to make their move.

Atletico are willing to pay around €7 million, with Casanova maintaining that a move could happen, but perhaps not at that figure.

(F) Omeruo

T

he Nigerian defender is surplus to requirements at the Stamford Bridge and needs to go on loan to get play time.

Kenneth Omeruo who just arrived at the Chelsea Cobham training ground in England last week, after receiving his work permit, may go on loan to

Liverpool to get some playing time as reported in the Daily Mail.

The defender who shone for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations and in the Confederations Cup was expected to get into the Chelsea team for the 2013/14 season but Jose Mourinho seems to have other options.

The 19-year-old was

subsequently given jersey number 51 and is currently training with Chelsea’s U-21 team. Liverpool is believed to lead the queue of clubs that want him, which also includes Swansea and West Brom.

The Nigeria defender was on loan last season at Dutch club ADO Den Haag, where he played 27 league games.

Capoue

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

PAGE 45

Sports

5

1

2

3

P .I .C .T .O .R. I. A.L 1.

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta told Spanish media he believes Cesc Fabregas will be a key part of the Catalan club this season and that Manchester United has ended their bid to buy the Spanish international.

2.

Number eight Toby Faletau has agreed a new contract which will keep him at the Newport Gwent Dragons until June 2016.

4

3.

Manchester United has confirmed a second bid from Chelsea for Wayne Rooney has been rejected.

4.

Andy Murray returns to action for the first time since winning Wimbledon when he plays in the Rogers Cup in Canada this week 5.

French FDJ rider Arnaud Demare was a surprise winner of the London-Surrey Classic, beating Italy’s Sacha Modolo in a sprint finish on the Mall.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

Sports

West Germany demand doping study G erman officials have demanded publication of a partially leaked study which alleges that West Germany engaged in systematic doping of athletes.

The full scale of sports doping

in communist East Germany was revealed after German reunification in 1990.

But now there are concerns that West German officials may have encouraged similar cheating in

Konta wins Vancouver Open

B

ritish number three Johanna Konta won the Vancouver Open women’s title by beating Canada’s Sharon Fichman.

The 6-2 6-4 win against the third seed was 22-year-old Konta’s second title in a week on the second-tier Pro Circuit after her triumph in Winnipeg.

Despite failing to emulate compatriot James Ward, who won the Vancouver Open two years

ago, Evans could become British number two for the first time in his career.

However, after defeating Marina Zanevska of Ukraine 6-1 6-3 and Japan’s Kurumi Nama 7-6 6-0 to reach the final, Konta showed no signs of fatigue against Fichman.

She secured an early break in the first set and remained in charge in the second set to earn the biggest victory of her career.

sports.

Parts of a study of West German doping, by Berlin’s Humboldt University, were leaked by German media at the weekend.

According to the Sueddeutsche

Zeitung newspaper, the study says West German state officials sponsored research into performance-enhancing drugs including anabolic steroids, testosterone, oestrogen and EPO.

The study, commissioned by the Federal Institute for Sport Science (BISp), was supposed to have been published last year, but that was delayed amid concerns about privacy and legal issues.

Murray set for Rogers Cup return ahead of US Open defence

A

ndy Murray returns to action for the first time since winning Wimbledon when he plays in the Rogers Cup in Canada this week.

Murray plays either GrigorDimitrov or Marcel Granollers in the second round after receiving a first-round bye.

It is the Briton’s return to the North American hard-court circuit ahead of his US Open title defence.

It will be the 26-year-old’s first appearance since winning the Wimbledon title last month when he became Britain’s first men’s champion in 77 years with a straight-sets victory against world number one Novak Djokovic.

Second seed Murray, 26, has been separated from Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the Rogers Cup draw, but could face sixth seed Juan Martin Del Potro in the quarter-finals.

Andy Murray

Woods set for US PGA championship after 8 wins in Ohio

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Johanna Konta

Demare wins London Surrey Classic

orld number one Tiger Woods warmed up for the final major of the year, the US PGA Championship, with a seven-shot win in the Bridgestone Invitational.

Starting the final round seven shots clear, the American coasted to victory to secure his eighth

title at Firestone Country Club in Ohio.

Woods, 37, starts his challenge at Oak Hill Country Club last week looking for a first major win since 2008.

He registered his first birdie of the day on the 10th, holing from seven feet, and with Bradley

dropping a shot on the 12th after a wayward tee shot, the lead was up to nine shots.

Woods still had some way to go to match his record margin of victory, having won the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach by 15 shots, and when Jason Dufner birdied the 13th the gap was back to eight.

(F)Arnaud Demare

F

rench FDJ rider Arnaud Demare was a surprise winner of the London-Surrey Classic, beating Italy’s SachaModolo in a sprint finish on the Mall.

The 21-year-old, a former under-23 road world champion, was delivered to the front by his hard-working team.

With higher-profile riders like Peter Sagan and Matt Goss failing to finish, he held off Modolo and Yannick Martinez to claim victory in dry conditions.

Earlier in the race, the home crowd had been treated to the sight of David Millar attacking as the peloton climbed Box Hill, 25 miles from the end of the

140-mile The Welshman was soon swallowed up, but Millar and Bauer injected pace ahead of The Mall to disrupt the favourites’ plans and allow FDJ to set up Demare.

Tiger Woods

Halsall wins bronze at World Swimming Championship

F

rancesca Halsall won bronze in the 50m freestyle to give Great Britain their only swimming medal of the World Championships in Barcelona.

Dutch swimmer Ranomi

Kromowidjojo took gold on the final day in 24.05 seconds, ahead of Australian Cate Campbell (24.14) with Halsall third in 24.30.

Halsall, 23, failed to win a medal at the London 2012

Olympics and was fourth in Saturday’s 50m butterfly final.

Elsewhere, American teenager Missy Franklin became the first woman to win six golds at a single World Championships, overtaking the

five held by compatriot Tracy Caulkins and Australia’s Libby Trickett.

The 18-year-old was in dominant form in the medley relay, and gave her team-mates a lead that they never relinquished.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

I

Some Interesting Facts

t cost 7 million dollars to build the Titanic and 200 million to make a film about it.

•It is possible to lead a cow upstairs but not downstairs.

•It takes about a half a gallon of water to cook macaroni, and about a gallon to clean the pot.

•It was discovered on a space mission that a frog can throw up. The frog throws up its stomach first, so the stomach is dangling out of it’s mouth.

Then the frog uses it’s forearms to dig out all of the stomach’s contents and then swallows the stomach back.

•It was the left shoe that Aschenputtel (Cinderella) lost at the stairway, when the prince tried to follow her.

•It’s against the law to catch fish with your bare hands in Kansas.

•Jupiter is bigger than all the other planets combined.

•Kotex was first manufactured as bandages, during WWI. •Lee Harvey Oswald’s cadaver tag sold at an auction for $6,600 in 1992.

•Leonardo Da Vinci invented the scissors.

•Lincoln Logs were invented by Frank Lloyd Wright’s son.

•Live spelled backwards is evil.

•Lorne Greene had one of his nipples bitten off by an alligator while he was host of “Lorne Greene’s Wild Kingdom.”

•Many hamsters only blink one eye at a time.

•Mark Twain didn’t graduate from elementary school.

•Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) was allergic to carrots •Men can read smaller print than women; women can hear better.

•Men get hiccups more often than woman.

•Michael Jordan makes more money from Nike annually than all of the Nike factory workers in Malaysia combined.

PAGE 47

•Millie the White House dog earned more than 4 times as much as Pres. Bush in 1991.

•Money isn’t made out of paper, it’s made out of linen.

•Montpelier, Vermont is the only U.S. state capital without a McDonalds.

•More people are killed annually by donkeys than die in air crashes.

•Mosquitoes have teeth.

•Most American car horns honk in the key of F. •Most cows give more milk when they listen to music.

•Most lipstick contains fish scales.

•Mr. Rogers is an ordained minister.

•Murphy’s Oil Soap is the chemical most commonly used to

Leisure

clean elephants.

•No NFL team which plays its home games in a domed stadium has ever won a Superbowl •No one knows why, but 90 percent of women who walk into a department store immediately turn to the right.

•No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, and purple.

•Non-dairy creamer is flammable.

•Number of different familial relationships for which Hallmark makes cards:105 •Number of US states that claim test scores in their elementary schools are above national average: 50 •Nutmeg is extremely poisonous

if injected intravenously.

•One of the reasons marijuana is illegal today because cotton growers in the 30s lobbied against hemp farmers -- they saw it as competition. It is not chemically addictive as is nicotine, alcohol, or caffeine.

•Only 55% of all Americans know that the sun is a star.

•Only animal besides human that can get sunburn: Pig. •Only bird that can fly backwards: Hummingbird.

•Only continent without ut reptiles or snakes: Antarctica a.

•Only first lady to c arry a rr y a loaded revolver: Eleanor Roosevelt.

•Only food d th that hat do does es no nott sp poill: honey.

Say what?

SUDODKU

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Coke crazy ... Sweet-toothed Davide has a can from almost every country and some over 50 years old.

Source: TheSun.co.uk

www.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . putting the people first

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013

LATEST

Emenike seals Fenerbache

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– Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar

When social problems are allowed to fester

SPORTS he Super Eagles goals talisman, Emmanuel Emenike will become a Fenerbahce player tomorrow following a discussion between Spartak Moscow and his manager Erdem Konyar.

According to fanatik. com, Fenerbahce and Spartak Moscow are reported to have agreed on a transfer fee of 13 million Euros for the Nigeria striker.

Fenerbahce have been discussing with the Russia team, Spartak Moscow over the return of the Nigeria international to the team.

Club president Aziz Yildirim and staff will herald the transfer within the next 48 hours.

Fenerbahce face Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg in a UEFA Champions League clash and Emenike’s capture is expected to be announced officially after the game.

QUOTABLE QUOTE Youths from Islam and Christianity are doing what the elders are supposed to be doing for the country to have peace, unity, security, stability, cohesion and understanding among all Nigerians.

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Yakubu still scoring goals in China

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ometime last week, a newspaper reported that one person hanged himself in Kano.

When newsmen interviewed his relations they revealed that he had been depressed since he lost his. means of livelihood, Achaba.

We may recall that Kano state government banned the use of motorcycles for commercial purposes due to the security risks they posed to the community.

And certainly it was not the only state that took such course of action.

If there is one social problem that has been allowed to fester for more than forty years, it is that of bad governance.

Bad governance had been what caused the explosion of Achaba in the first instance. Governments, from military to civilian had come and gone abetting the explosion of achaba business.

Later day politicians found to their pleasure that it took only fifty to seventy thousand naira to purchase a motorcycle for a party supporter to use for Achaba business. Hundreds of thousands joined.

What this translated into was that society found the teaching of life skills burdensome; such that a two-day trial and error use of motorcycle, (built on the ability to ride a bicycle) was sufficient for one to build a life upon.

The case of the suicide victim was doubly appalling: before he hanged himself he reportedly lost his wives: he either divorced them or they divorced him. Then as a Muslim, by hanging himself he also hanged his faith.

In the many societies that make up Nigeria, social problems abound. But the social problems

ormer Super Eagles striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni scored his sixth goal of the season for Chinese club; Guangzhou R&F in the club’s 2-0 win over Qingdao Jonoon.

Yakubu scored after 75 minutes in a tight game at Yuexiushan as the Chinese Super League entered matchday 19.

The “Yak” received a pass just inside the penalty area and swivelled on a sixpence before driving a low shot into the bottom corner.

A Nigerian was involved in Guangzhou’s second goal but it was not Yakubu.

“

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GUEST COLUMNIST Abdullahi Musa

Vice-President Namadi Sambo of Hausa-Fulani societies are unique.

In Kano, where the Hausaman hanged himself, you cannot count the number of mosques: wherever a group of three to five men gather to whileaway the time it becomes a mosque. But the conventionally built mosques are in thousands; with faithful trooping

daily to do what one Igbo man was quoted as dismissing.

Before your adrenalin pushes you into the ‘jihad mode’ hear me out.

The Igbo man was said to have made the comment when he observed thousands of Muslims coming out of Friday prayers.

Here were thousands of people,

Bad governance had been what caused the explosion of Achaba in the first instance.

Governments, from military to civilian had come and gone abetting the explosion of Achaba business. Later day politicians found to their pleasure that it took only fifty to seventy thousand naira to purchase a motorcycle for a party supporter to use for Achaba business. Hundreds of thousands joined.

7458 1765 9046 1969 0344

unified by faith, repeating one exercise five times daily, and one weekly, but the problems facing them as a society remain! The deceased must have undertaken the prayers with his ‘brothers’ in faith thousands of times; but they allowed his problems to kill him.

But while he was alive doing Achaba, and marrying wives on it, non-indigenes have been running successful carpentary business, whose products are 99.99% purchased by Hausa-Fulani families for the marriage of their daughters. And no government would ever ban such business; and the ‘arne’ would have no cause to hang himself, while a Muslim Dan Achaba had such a cause.

Hausa-fulani as a society may have a glaring need for deep introspection; but they won’t be able to do it because they are blinded by hubris of having the best religion.

But it is a religion they willingly choose to misunderstand: why pray in congregation when you know that you will not act in congregation?

I have no facts to back my claim: but no church-goer would committ suicide for losing his means of livelihood. Why did he go to the church in the first instance? Surely for Community feeling. I am sure God does not reside only in places of worship; He resides in our hearts and homes.

The priest in a church will hear a troubled member of his flock out, and definitely find succour for him from amongst the brethren.

I was tempted in my thoughts to visit a church on Sunday: to see whether the blind, the lame, and the lepers of Christianity gather every week to receive alms. Is there even a leper who is Christian? I will not be surprised to find that the only beggars you will find at churches on Sunday will be Muslims, who believe they are destined for Paradise, begging from those they believe are destined to hell. Why did CAN’s Ayo bother fighting the dead?

The deceased Dan Achaba will, from othordox interpretation go to hell for taking his own life. But so should the Imam in whose mosque he used to pray for failing to establish communication channels with troubled souls.

Abdullahi Musa can be reached on kigongabas@ gmail.com

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234 814 292 9046. Cell: +234 802 443 2099; 803 7007 759. e-mail: contact@peoplesdailyng.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141