Peoples Daily Newspaper, Monday, May 07, 2012

. . . putting the people first

Vol. 8 No. 31

Monday, May 7, 2012

Jimadal Akhir 16, 1433 AH

N150

JTF raids militants’ hideout in Kano, kills 5 …As gunmen kill 3 in Maiduguri

From Edwin Olofu, Kano & Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

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he Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Kano yesterday raid a suspected militants’ hideout killing five in the process.

JTF spokesperson Lieutenant

Ikedichi Iweha who spoke on phone said security operatives raided a hideout of the militaants in Hotoro area of the metropolis, following a tip-off.

Iweha disclosed that the

militants were killed while the JTF was trying to arrest them and some of them were arrested.

Peoples Daily gathered that two persons were killed by some gunmen in the area on Saturday,

who came on a motorcycle and shot them while residents ran for safety.

“As I speak to you now, our men are carrying out a thorough search of the place “, he said.

Meanwhile,some residents of Gwange ward and environs in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, have fled their homes for fear of possible arrests and assault by security operatives or reprisals attacks by suspected militants.

This followed Saturday Contd on Page 2

Subsidy scam

Indicted coys are Jonathan’s financiers, alleges SNG From Ojebola Matthew, Lagos

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he Save Nigeria Group (SNG) has alleged that the individuals and corporate bodies indicted in the report of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee that investigated the subsidy scam are big financiers of the presidential elections campaign of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Some of the 69 companies indicted in the report included Folawiyo Energy Ltd, Total Plc, AP Plc, A-Z Petroleum Ltd, Acorn Nigeria Plc. Northwest Petroleum and Gas, and Oando.

The allegation was contained in a statement by the Group’s National Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, in response to a press statement of Mr. Mohammed Adokie, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, calling for the understanding and patience of Nigerians regarding the Contd on Page 2

L-R Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Kaduna State Governor, Mr.Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, and the Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris, during the commissioning of Umaru Musa Yar’adua Almajirai Bilingual Model Boarding Primary School in Sabon Gari, Zairia on Saturday.

Strange men visit Daily French polls: Sarkozy Oshiomhole’s aide: Police Residents flee Taraba as Trust top executive’s out, Hollande in offers N10m bounty ‘fake’ soldiers kill 5 >> PAGE 2 >> PAGE 3 >> PAGE 4 >> PAGE 6 residence www.peoplesdaily-online.com

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

CONTENTS

Strange men visit Daily Trust top executive’s residence

News

hree suspicious men in their late thirties last Friday visited the Abuja residence of a top executive of Media Trust Limited, publishers of Daily Trust titles, threatening the security guard to open the gates for them.

This is coming just few days after a video clip purportedly from the Boko Haram, showing live footage of ThisDay bomb attack, threatened to attack more media houses and their staff which included the Daily Trust.

According to the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Media Trust, Colonel Muktari Garba, the three men went to the residence of the publisher around 10am last Friday, trying to confirm from the security guard on duty, Mr. Agada, whether the house “was the one that belongs to the chief executive of one of the newspapers in Abuja.”

When the guard said no, the men who came in a posh ash Honda Civic coupe, with registration number BL 927 RBC, changed their story.

2-11

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-17

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

S/Report

24

Newsxtra

26

Education

27

Health

29

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They told the guard that the house was actually put up for sale and they were potential buyers who were there to inspect it. The guard said that when he refused to open the gates for them, an argument ensued among the three visitors, one saying that “it is the house, so let us just go” and the other saying “let us stay and see if we can inspect the

compound”.

According to him, the men are likely to be from the Igbo ethnic group “because when they were arguing among themselves, they were speaking in Igbo language and I got all what they were saying because I can speak Igbo.”

Colonel Garba said that the men went to the house at a time when there was virtually nobody around

“except the unarmed private guard, cleaners, among other housemaids.

The children have left for school and their parent also left for work.”

The CSO said that the motive of the people became suspicious because “there was no any sign pasted in the property to indicate that it was for sale. Also, the men were not accompanied by any estate agent.”

Withdraw JTF, Potiskum residents tell FG From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

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our days after the killing of about 60 people at Potiskum cattle market in Yobe state by suspected gunmen, indigenes of Potiskum town have called on the Federal Government to withdraw the Joint Task Force (JTF) from the area.

Resident in the area who spoke to journalists accused the security agencies including soldiers and policemen of not doing enough to protect them.

Also speaking with newsmen the chairman of the Movement for Justice of Nigeria (MOJ) Yobe state chapter, Zakari Adamu Makere, said “when we talk of peace, we are not only talking about the absence of war but the absence of fear anxiety, danger; in other words peace reflects that security-friendly system that frees individuals and groups of peoples from fears and dangers of losing such inalienable human right as life, liberty, and property”.

According to him, the

people noted with dismay the unabated and continuing act of repression by the military and police in particular in the way and manner they resort to reckless and unnecessary shooting at the slightest provocation.

Makera expressed disgust that the very security men sent to ensure law and order in Potiskum are the same people that have turned their guns against the civilian population they are detailed to protect.

Indicted coys are Jonathan’s financiers, alleges SNG

Presidency sings discordant tunes over House subsidy report, Page 37

International 31-34 Strange World 35 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

Contd from Page 2 prosecution of those “found wanting” in the fuel subsidy probe.

According to SNG, it is “a fact” that the AGF, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, the Minister of Petroleum; Mrs. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, the Minister for Finance; Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Governor of the Central Bank, and almost all current and former high ranking officials who have been indicted by the report were all presidential appointees and well-connected members of the PDP. “Using buzz words such as ‘difficult’ and ‘tedious’, the SGF would want to convince Nigerians that the process of investigation and prosecution cannot be achieved quickly, he said.

“We disagree and would like to remind Nigerians that our suspicion of intentional delay in the name of protracted investigation and prosecution is a calculated campaign against the right of Nigerians to demand justice through demonstrations or strike action was the reason behind our request for an independent prosecutor,” he added.

The group, however, maintains its request for the appointment of an independent

prosecutor on further reasoning that the fuel subsidy prosecution could not be trusted to the AGF or the anti-graft agencies over whose activities he has interference powers because of apparent personal and political conflicts of interest.

In addition, SNG submitted that a protracted investigation indicated by the AGF was pointless at this time because the ad hoc committee’s report as amended by the House of Assembly has established convincing cause for several criminal violations upon which immediate prosecution could be based.

“The political conflict of interest in the fuel subsidy probe is so glaring that it could not be disputed even by the AGF, the reason why it was totally omitted by his press release. That conflict of interest is factually based and cannot be underestimated.

“The highly probable intermeddling and influence of the party on the prosecutorial willingness of the AGF has been documented by the fact that the PDP came out swinging, threatening brimstone and fire on the PDP members of the ad hoc Committee, prompting the chairman of the committee to declare that if because of the report

the PDP withdraws its support for his gubernatorial ambition, so be it”.

The SNG said that the AGF’s press release requesting patience because of the need for further investigations “confirmed our suspicion of the unwillingness or the inability of the AGF to timely prosecute those indicted by the report”.

It added that for one, as a lawyer, the AGF ought to know that immediate prosecution is appropriate where probable cause of wrongdoing has been established.

“The ad-hoc Committee was not frivolous. It was based on verifiable facts, documents and sworn testimonies of witnesses”, the statement read.

“The veracity of some of the sworn testimonies and documents has been admitted even against their own interests by some of the indicted parties.

“For instance N999 million were issued by his office 128 time within 24 hours as an attempt to bypass regulations against writing cheques of over a billion Naira or more.

“It is also undisputed; in fact, there is admission that monies were disbursed from the federation account in violation of the constitutional appropriation

provisions. So, we should ask, what clearer evidence of wrongdoing does the AGF intend to reveal by a protracted investigation?

The SNG, however, charged the NBA to “recommend several morally reputable lawyers out of which the President may choose one or more to lead the prosecution and the person or persons so chosen must be armed with the power of subpoena in order to have access to witnesses and documents”.

Reacting to the allegation made by the SNG that those indicted in the subsidy probe were those that funded President Goodluck’s 2011 presidential election campaigns, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep Zakari Mohammed said he was not in any position to comment on the matter. According to him, “whoever made the allegation should prove. “It is not within my capacity to say anything on that.”

However, Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, could not be reached last night for comments. Calls and sms put through to his cell phone were not answered.

JTF raids militants’ hideout in Kano, kills 5 Contd from Page 2 morning’s gun battle between members of the sect and operatives of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) at a wedding ceremony, which left three civilians dead, while two persons in the wanted list of the task force were apprehended.

Our correspondent who visited the area yesterday, reports that hundreds of people were seen leaving with their

belongings as fierce looking and well armed soldiers were seen guarding the house where the wedding took place. All vehicles and people going in and out of the area were subjected to thorough searches.

Further investigation also revealed about 40 percent of the houses were locked up while the entire area was deserted with low vehicular

and pedestrian movements as those who were yet to leave remained indoors.

Similarly, some residents of neighbouring Budum, Hausari, Abbaganaram and Gidan Yashi, have abandoned their homes.

A cross section of the residents told our correspondent that they were relocating to safer places to

avoid assault, as the soldiers were allegedly intimidating and molesting innocent people in their quest to arrest the gunmen.

However, Spokesman of the JTF, Lt-Col. Sagir Musa told newsmen that there was nothing to worry about because of the presence of troops in the area, saying the measure was only aimed at safeguarding the public from possible attacks.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

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Federalism: Northern Christians advocate 6 regional structures From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

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s part of its efforts at resolving the security challenges plaguing the country, Northern Christians Elders Forum (NORCEF) wants the existing six geo-political zones to become regions.

“Each zone will manage its resources and pay tax to the Federal Government as it was in the 1960 and1963 Constitution and the Federal Government will take off its hands from education, agriculture, water resources, industries, mineral resources,

research and technology, health, power generation, women affairs, youth and sports, works and housing,” NORCEF suggested in a communiqué at the end of its national executive committee meeting in Kaduna.

The communiqué signed by the group’s Chairman, Evangelist Mathew Owojaiye, and Secretary, Iliya Yusuf, said that the Federal Government would be solely in charge of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Customs and Aviation, under the proposed structure.

According to the communiqué, “the regions and the Federal

Government will share Judiciary, the Police and Information Ministry.

“All the federal parastatals and ministries that siphon trillions of naira every year, will be scrapped and wastages and outright looting of public funds will be a thing of the past.

“Each region will develop at its own pace and the Federal Government will get less than 30 percent what it is getting now and taking power at the centre will become less attractive.”

Condemning what it described as attempts to make Nigeria ungovernable, the meeting decried

the deterioration of security in the country especially in parts of the north with incessant attacks, bombings and shooting of innocent people especially at places of worship.

The communiqué said, “we call on the Federal Government to refuse to be intimidated and to show that they are not intimidated, by bringing the sponsors of Boko Haram to justice.

“Security forces claim they have arrested so many members of Boko Haram. Have they not gathered enough information to move against the sponsors who want to make this country

ungovernable if they are not in power?

“We send a strong objection to those who are using Sardauna’s name to project themselves.

Sardauna had Dr. Barau Dikko a Christian as his personal physician and Chief Sunday Awoniyi a Christian as his Secretary.

“We hereby call on the northern elders and the Muslim Ummah to call Boko Haram to order.

“The members of Boko Haram are not spirits… How come village heads and traditional rulers claim not to know them?”

FG staff yet to get April salary

By Isa Abdulwahab

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he Office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation (OAGF) has admitted that some civil servants are yet to receive their April salaries.

It however attributed the delay to “the late holding of the Federation Account Allocation Committee meeting (FAAC) and the introduction of a new software which is meant to facilitate easy payment.”

To ensure that the affected civil servants are paid soon, Dodo stated that “all role players in the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) have started collecting details of civil servants’ concerned and retaining same for immediate assistance and follow up with their respective banks.”

L-R: National General Secretary, Nasrul-Lahi-l- Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Alhaji Luqman Adedeji, NASFAT National President, Alhaji Sherif Yusuff and Chief Missioner, Alhaji Abdullahi Akinbode, during a press conference on “Islam and Peaceful Co-existence in a Contemporary Multi-Religious Society,” at the Weekend, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

ThisDay attack: NPAN shocked by scale of destruction

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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he Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), has expressed shock at the level of damage on the Abuja office of ThisDay newspaper as a result of the April 26 suicide bomb attack.

NPAN’s vice president, Alhaji Kabiru Yusuf, who led other executive members of the association on a solidarity visit to Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, the publisher of

ThisDay on Saturday in Abuja, bemoaned the level of destruction.

Yusuf, who is the publisher of Daily Trust newspapers, condemned the attacks on the media, describing the development as an attack on the masses. He said the scene of the blast was horrible, adding that only time could heal the shock.

Yusuf noted that the media constituted a forum for public discourse, wondering why the media should be singled out for such vicious attacks.

The NPAN vice-president, however, said the association would soon make public its position on the recent attacks on the media by the Boko Haram sect.

Responding, Obaigbena thanked NPAN for its solidarity, while commending Nigerians and the international community for their goodwill and concern.

He noted that the solidarity visits had provided a soothing relief for the organisation since the bomb attack on April 26.

Obaigbena pledged that ThisDay would continue to offer a credible platform for the dissemination of information to the citizens.

Other proprietors on who accompanied Yusuf on the visit were Mr. Sam Amuka, publisher of Vanguard newspapers; Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, publisher of the Leadership newspapers; and Malam Wada Maida; Chairman of Peoples Daily newspapers, among others.

Insecurity: CNPP wants Jonathan to be pro-active From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

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he Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), South-west zone has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to be pro-active on the security challenges facing Nigeria.

Speaking in a communique

read to journalists by its chairman, Alhaji Yinka Olona at the end of its executive council meeting yesterday in Ibadan, he emphasized the need for President Jonathan to ensure peace and stability across the nation.

"The South West CNPP is of the view that the time has come for

the Federal Government to put a final stop to the activities of the Boko Haram in the overall interest of the nation and its people".

Olona stressed further that the South-west CNPP at the meeting also advised President Jonathan not to allow the report

of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on fuel subsidy probe be swept under the carpet, adding that the South-west coalition would not hesitate to kick-start “the greatest protest against his government,” should the government do otherwise.

French polls: Sarkozy out, Hollande in

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icholas Sarkozy lost his bid to be re-election as French president yesterday following his defeat by Francoise Hollande.

Vote-count results announced after polls closed yesterday night, confirmed by exit polls conducted by three organisations, showed 51.9 percent of voters backed Mr. Hollande and 48.1 percent supported Mr. Sarkozy – a stronger result than recent presidential elections.

As the news broke, thousands of socialist supporters cheered outside Paris’s Bastille, the traditional gathering-place of the left, celebrating a shift from conservative to left-wing leadership that has not taken place since 1981 when François Mitterrand, France’s only other socialist president, won his first victory.

Mr. Sarkzoy quickly conceded defeat. “The French people have made their choice... François Hollande is the president of France and he must be respected,” he told supporters.

Source: The Mail

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

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Oshiomhole’s aide: Police Subsidy scam: 17 more offers N10m bounty for clues companies to appear before Reps From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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he police authorities have offered N10 million reward to anyone with information that will lead to the arrest of the killers of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, Principal Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who was killed in the early hours of Friday, May 4, 2012 by unknown gunmen.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Peter Gana, who announced the N10 million reward in Benin City yesterday,

when he visited Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole at State’s House, Benin City, vowed to fish-out the killers of Mr. Oyerinde.

The DIG, said he was in Benin City to complement the efforts of the state police command.

“We have opened three telephone lines for the public to assist in the investigations. The governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has offered a N10 million reward to anyone that can lead to the arrest of those responsible for the death of the governor’s aide,” he added.

Feud: Youths back NESREA against NCC

By Mohammed Kandi

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ollowing the recent clash between the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) over alleged breach of environmental laws, a group known as League of Patriotic Youths of Nigeria has described NCC’s action as anti people.

In a statement jointly signed by its President and Secretary, Salisu Ngomba and Monday Aiwherioba, the league condemned various telecommunication operators in Nigeria for irregularities in their service provision.

It said: “they have been ripping members of the public off without anyone doing anything

about it; they charge exorbitant fees, treat customers who are supposed to be kings with impudence and disdain, and even cut off important calls midway without any explanation.”

“Where was NCC all this while? NCC was more interested in collecting billions to handle registration of subscriber bases, something that have no immediate impact on the public,” it said.

It also lauded NESREA for its intervention, adding that the lives of millions of Nigerians was more important than pleasing “selfish” few citizens who are mainly after their profits.

The league, however, called on the various telecommunication service providers in the country to always act right and in accordance with the existing laws.

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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he Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mohammed Zakari, has disclosed that another 17 companies have been invited by the House Ad Hoc Committee investigating the oil subsidy scam, adding that the House would not allow any pressure from any quarter to deter it from implementing the report of the committee.

Zakari who spoke with journalists in his country home, Baruteen, on Saturday after he had distributed fertilisers to farmer ahead of the cultivation season, noted that Nigerians need to learn from the mistake of their past leaders by ensuring accountability.

The House image-maker, who did not mention the names of the companies involved, said the

present House knows what Nigerians want, stressing that the executive does not have absolute power not to implement the report.

Zakari, who is representing Baruteen’Kaima federal constituency at the House of Representatives, maintained, “We have done our best as far as we are concerned. We have our options, but you don’t place all your cards on the table and I just want to assure all Nigerians that President Goodluck Jonathan will implement the report”.

He further said that deregulation of the oil sector was the best option for the country, also said that present leaders must move forward from the era of isolation from their people and move closer to them with all the resources within their disposal.

He noted that overdependence of the nation on

crude oil has worsened the economy at the detriment of other sectors including agriculture.

While distributing fertilisers to the farmers, Zakari said his action was not politically motivated but it was part of his responsibilities in assisting his people who are predominantly farmers.

He added that all the 10 wards across Baruteen local government would have their bags of the product, urging them not to re sell the product since it was distributed to them, free of charge.

While commending the Rep member, the chairman of the Council, Alhaji Lafia Aliu, described Zakari as the true representative of the constituency, stressing that since he got the ticket to the House, he has not abandoned his people like previous representatives.

Tanker inferno: NEMA says 17 houses destroyed

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that no human life was lost but 38 poultry birds were killed and 17 houses destroyed during a massive inferno that occurred on Saturday afternoon when a petrol tanker fell and spilled petrol along Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.

The incident which also affected a mosque at Gangari Village of Niger state, was caused by the tanker driver’s attempt to avoid collision with another long vehicle before it fell, spilling petrol in the area.

Before the fire outbreak, rescue officers and volunteers were mobilised to the scene where they warned residents and motorists to move away, as they evacuated the old and the weak.

In another development, a statement issued in Abuja by NEMA said that the agency has delivered relief materials to the victims of the recent windstorm that pulled down a church, killing 22 worshippers and

leaving many others injured in Adamgbe, Vandeikya local government area of Benue state.

According to the statement also, the agency has delivered building materials to assist in the rehabilitation of the St Finbarr Catholic Church and COCIN headquarters that were affected by separate bomb blasts in Jos, Plateau state and assorted medicament for the treatment of those injured in the incidences.

Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi, represented by the Deputy Director, Relief and Rehabilitation, Mike Adeyanju while presenting the relief materials to the Benue state Governor, Gabriel Suswan, at the premises of the damaged church, said the items also included building materials to assist in the rehabilitation of the building.

Responding, Governor Suswan thanked the Federal Government for coming to the aid of the victims based on the request of the state government, assuring a judicious distribution of the items to those affected.

L-R: Director-General, National Teachers' Institute (NTI), Dr. Aminu Ladan Sharehu, presenting a souvenir to the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Dr. Ado Bayero, when he visited the monarch in his palace to discuss ways of ensuring quality teacher training in the North-east and North-west zones, at the weekend, in Kano.

Photo: NAN.

New number plate to combat terrorism, DG SSS

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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he Director-General of the State Security Services (SSS), Ekpeyong Itah, has described the new number plate project as a catalyst in the effort to combat terrorism and other national security challenges facing the country.

Itah, who made this known during an advocacy visit by a World Bank Road Safety Consultant, expressed delight with the World Bank initiative of integrating safety components on road rehabilitation and construction in Nigeria, saying it will add value to traffic enforcement and proper identification of vehicle owners, across the country.

A statement issued by Deputy Corps Public Education Officer (DCPEO), Bisi Kazeem, added that the innovations were

meant to make Nigeria an investment destination and provide the potentials for socioeconomic development.

Also, the Minister for Works, Mike Onolememen, said Nigeria has enjoyed a rewarding partnership with the World Bank in the area of road development projects which has contributed immensely to the rehabilitation of numerous black spots along various sections of the highways and will serve as an impetus for a 50% reduction of road crashes in Nigeria.

According to him, World Bank is presently funding the construction of six pedestrian bridges at strategic locations in the FCT to add value to safer road use in the metropolis and urged the global financial institution to replicate the safe corridor project in other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Osita Chidoka, said that the World Bank consultants were in Nigeria for a review of the FRSC enforcement capacity, in line with the World Bank Safe corridor project which seeks to infuse road safety components into road construction and rehabilitation in Nigeria.

Chidoka, said “under the safe corridor project which is being overseen by the World Bank, Global Road Safety Facility, Arrive Alive Road Safety initiative, the FRSC and the Road Sector Development Team, Federal Ministry of Works, the World Bank sought to transfer funds and human potentials from countries of high income capacity to countries of low and medium income capacity as part of measures to engender commitment for road safety within global circles.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

Residents flee Taraba as ‘fake’ I know nothing about Boko Haram, says Bakare soldiers kill 5 businessmen From Ayodele Samuel & Yusha'u Alhassan, Jalingo

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esidents of Dananacha village at Gassol local government area of Taraba state have begun to flee following the killing of five businessmen in the area by gunmen suspected to be fake military officers on Saturday night.

The uniformed gunmen according to the police, abducted five people in the village and tied their hands then shot them dead.

Taraba state police spokesman, ASP Ibiam

Mbaseki, told our reporters on phone that investigations have since commenced on the killing, "The police are still investigating to ascertain if the people are real soldiers and from which unit; we have contacted Abuja to link with Army headquarters."

He argues that "If they were genuine military men, they would have contacted us before carrying out such an operation, but we don't know where they came from".

He said the corpse of the victims has been release to relatives for burial.

According to an eyewitness,

the five people killed in Dananacha were business men and they were killed by unknown militants in army uniform.

The witness said there is tension in the area as residents now live in fear of the unknown, "we had to leave the village because anything can happen there", he said.

When contacted government spokesman, Hassan Mijinyawa said the state government is yet to comment on the matter, "we can't speak on it now; by tomorrow we may release our statement", Mijinyawa said.

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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ongress for Progressive Change (CPC) vice presidential candidate and Convener of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Pastor Tunde Bakare, has said he knows nothing about the terrorist sect Boko Haram.

Pastor Bakare who spoke yesterday at his Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos during the Sunday service condemned those

linking him and CPC presidential candidate, Gen Mohammadu.

Buhari to the terrorist sect.

Critics at various time linked the terror group to the CPC team saying it was a ploy to destabilise PDP government.

Bakare’s words: "May I not escape if I know anything about Boko Haram. May the judgement of God come upon me. But if I don't, may those who are saying it come face to face with Jehovah."

N500m on infrastructure: UI students may pay for electricity From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

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here are indications that the students of the University of Ibadan may start paying for power consumed on campus from the next academic session.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Isaac Adewole, who disclosed this to newsmen during facility tour with the pro-chancellor of the institution, Chief Wole Olanipekun, said the university under the present circumstances, could not supply more than 10 hours of electricity, adding that if

the students are making case for 18 hours power supply, they should be ready to pay for it.

He maintained that the decision to recall the students back to campus would be taken by the senate of the institution after all the newly purchased generating sets have been fully installed to supply power.

"If the students are asking for 18 hours, we may have to sit down and negotiate it from next session. There is nothing free. You may have to pay for it. But as for resumption, I do not know when you are coming back on campus but we are making frantic efforts to see that you resume, " he stated.

Muslims urged to imbibe reading, learning culture

By Maryam Garba Hassan

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L-R Mrs. Dike Appolonia, Mrs. Ann Nkechiyere Udugun, Mrs. Margaret Akinshola and Mrs. Alheri Yusuf at the Awareness campaign for market women at market square, Kabusa Village in Abuja on Friday by the Nurses and Midwives Council of Nigeria.

Photo: Joe Oroye

uslims have been urged to wage a rigorous campaign to reactivate the dying glory of the religion by imbibing the habit of reading and learning to be upright.

The call was made at the weekend by the Chairman/

LAWMA extends operations to 30 states, 4 foreign countries From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

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he Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Ola Oresanya has disclosed that the consultancy services of the authority has gone beyond Lagos state, in its task of providing professional, efficient and sustainable waste management and disposal

services to the general populace.

Oresanya dropped this hint when he featured on the personality interview programme of the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) tagged "Hot Seat".

The LAWMA boss while reeling out series of waste to wealth programmes of the agency in Lagos state, said the

state is the largest producer of compost, which is supplied throughout Nigeria and to the Federal Government through its agriculture ministry.

He said such efforts geared towards environmental friendly society, has given the state an edge through its second-to-none innovations in waste recycling activities, renewable energy, and unique model in managing

KWASU closure: Only registered students to resume for exams From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

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uthorities of the Kwara State University (KWASU), have ordered all the students who had registered for their Rain Semester courses before the student unrest started, to resume classes for the commencement of examinations on Tuesday, May 8, 2012.

The Registrar of the institution, Mrs. Modupe Akinrinmade in a statement issued yesterday and made available to journalists, stated

that only students with evidence of completed registration should resume at the campus.

"Following the disruption of academic activities at the university which culminated in the temporary closure of the institution on Wednesday, 2nd May 2012, senate, at its sixth emergency meeting held on Friday 4th May, 2012, considered the issue in all ramifications and decided as follows.

"The Rain Semester Examinations of 2011/2012 academic session will start on

Thursday 10th May 2012 and end on Thursday 17th May 2012; only students who are duly registered for the rain semester should return to the campus as from Tuesday, 8th May 2012.

"Students who paid to the banks after the deadline would have their case considered at its next regular meeting. For emphasis, only students who have registered for courses in the Rain Semester are requested to return to the University campus on Tuesday 8th may, 2012,and write their Examinations as from Thursday 10th May ,2012.

and recycling waste in Nigeria which had made the state to generate electricity through the conversion of waste materials.

Oresanya also said apart from giving Lagos state a general facelift through the building of of ultra modern recreational parks, the authority has equally extended its services to 30 of the 36 states in the country and beyond.

Foreign countries where LAWMA has its presence till date, according to him, are the City of Johannesburg, Freetown in Sierra Leone, Accra (Ghana) and Addis Ababa.

Oresanya said for any state in Nigeria going outside the country to secure the services of foreign firms on waste management and recycling, such a state would be wasting the scarce resources within because Lagos has through its initiatives shown to the whole world that it was capable of turning the nation's solid waste to wealth.

Managing Director of De Minaret International, Abu Mazeedatil Khayr Bn Sa'eed, publishers and dealers on Islamic books, at its second edition of a four-day lecture and exhibition of more than 65,000 titles of Islamic books and visuals in Abuja.

He said the exhibition was organised as a corporate responsibility to the entire Muslims and to stimulate in Muslims the spirit of reading and that it is an opportunity for Muslims to own rich Islamic libraries.

According to him, De Minaret Islamic Stores was established 10 years ago to persuade Muslims to cultivate reading habits, adding that the religion of Islam commenced with a command to Prophet Muhammad to read the Qur'an, indication that Islam is all about knowledge and good deeds.

"It is a common knowledge that the modern world is sick and Nigeria is also suffering from multi-dimensional ailments.

Islam is however best placed to rescue her. But how can we, adherents of Islam, rescue the world when we know virtually nothing about Islam? How can we solve Nigeria's problems when we have equally misunderstood our religion", he lamented?

He however, urged the Muslim to know and practice the religion the way it is, adding that changing anything order than what Allah says in the Qur'an and the teaching of the Prophet of Islam can give it a new meaning and confuse the Ummah.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

PAGE 7

Boko Haram an embarrassment to North, says Maku From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia he Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, has described the activities of members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, also known as Boko Haram, as “a shame and an embarrassment to the North”, with the development of the region taken back for decades.

The minister made his feelings known in a speech he delivered weekend at the foundation laying ceremony of the federal government secretariat, in Lafia, Nasarawa state.

Maku observed that with the frequent burning of schools, markets and the destruction of lives by members of the dreaded sect, “the North is being taking

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L-R: Chairman, Bauchi state House Committee on Women Affairs and Child Development, Rifkatu Danna (l) with representative of wife of Bauchi state governor, Hajiya Talatu Barwa testing sewing machines during an Integrated Grassroots Empowerment and Skill Acquisition Support Programme for women in Giade LGA of Bauchi state on Saturday.

Photo: NAN

Leprosy: Training workshop for Kebbi journalists May 9 From Ahmed Idris, Brinin Kebbi he Leprosy Mission of Nigeria (TLM), Kebbi state branch, has concluded arrangements for a day’s training programme for some selected journalists from print and electronic media on how to reduce leprosy stigma and discrimination in the state and Nigeria at large.

A letter signed by the Officer, TLM, Kebbi state, Mrs. Amanyi Julia Ajuma states that one of TLMN strategy was to help individuals develop resources to recover from social and economic fallouts of leprosy saying “we invest in children’s education, income-generation activities and vocational training, helping people to lead as full a life as possible after leprosy’’.

The training which comes up on Wednesday May 9 , 2012 at the City Guest Inn, Gesse Phase 1, Brinin Kebbi, would sensitise

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media practitioners in Kebbi state on how to reflect societal values, reinforce or reduce stigma and discrimination against lepers.

Ajuma further explained

that the Leprosy Mission is an International Christian Charity, founded in 1874 inspired by Christ’s Ministry of Compassion to people suffering from leprosy, with services across 28 countries worldwide aimed at “bringing healing and restoration to people affected by leprosy’’.

Gaidam condemns Potiskum attack From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

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overnor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe state has condemned the recent attack on the Potiskum cattle market, urging the people not to relent in prayers for the termination of the current state of insecurity across the country.

He made the call when he visited victims of last Wednesday’s cattle market attack by suspected gunmen which claimed 60 lives and destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

“I call on our security and intelligence personnel to do more and to carry out more

intelligence operations to fish out and stop criminals before they carry out their criminal and violent activities”, he said.

The governor announced the setting up of a panel to comprise senior government officials and officials of the cattle market association to undertake an assessment of the damage with a view to getting it re-built by the state government.

Gaidam said government would pay all the medical bills of the injured victims admitted at the General Hospital and pledged support for families of those that lost their lives during the attack.

Gombe spends N1bn on compensation From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

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ombe state government to spend about N1 billion for the payment of compensation on the dualisation of four-township roads in the state capital Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo disclosed this during the flag off of compensation payment to affected people at Dawaki quarters of Gombe local government area.

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Mohammed, that a government that fails to perform has created a conducive atmosphere for rumours that would overheat the polity. ''Mr. President, we in the ACN are not bothered about whether or not you plan to run in 2015. What concerns us now is how to alleviate the collective suffering of the Nigerian people, who have experienced more pain than gain in one year of your administration, and have yet to reap the fruits of democracy almost 15 years of the country's return to constitutional order under your party's watch. ''If we must be frank, this past one year has been like four for

Nigerians who have been subjected to untold hardship and the effects of a catalogue of bad and inconsistent policies. As governance takes the back seat and meaningless politicking becomes the order of the day, many wish the four years of your administration will just pass by fast to give them the opportunity to make a better choice of leadership. This is what is driving the 2015 debate,'' it said.

ACN reminded the President that his administration started off on a wobbly note, when it flew a “satanic kite” on tenure elongation that backfired and quickly eroded what many called the goodwill that ushered him into Aso Rock.

The governor who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Than’anda Jason Rubainu said that the compensation of those affected by the road construction was in tandem with the policy of the administration which accords priority to citizens’ welfare.

Dankwambo further said that government has given 30 days ultimatum to affected persons to remove their valuables to pave way for the construction work to begin in earnest.

Kogi appoints new Grand Khadi From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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ogi state governor, Capt Idris Wada has charged public officers to always abide by the oath they take at assumption of office to discharge their responsibilities accordingly and with the fear of God. He gave the charge weekend in Lokoja during the inauguration of the newly appointed Acting Grand Khadi for the state Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Zakariya Idakwoji at the Government

Bad governance is fuelling 2015 debate , says ACN From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has said the record mediocre performance of the Jonathan Administration and its policy inconsistencies, more than anything else, are fuelling the ongoing debate on whether or not the President will seek re-election in 2015.

Reacting to a presidency statement over the ''growing furore in political circles and the media'' over the President's alleged ambition for 2015, the party said in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai

off the map of places where investors can go, where development can go”, urging the citizens, community, religious and traditional leaders, to be proactive in their quest to bring peace back to the region.

The minister who expressed gratitude to President Jonathan for commencing work on the federal secretariat in Lafia, as well as the TungaAwe road, Lafia-Doma road, Nasarawa-Karshi road, the construction of a power station in Lafia and the federal university, stating that the Jonathan administration has taken agriculture as the mantra of national development, with the federal government poised to create 3-5 million jobs in the sector before 2015.

''This was followed by the illadvised fuel subsidy removal that has now turned into a fiasco; the poorly-managed aftermath in which peaceful protesters were crushed by gun-totting soldiers, even in a democracy; the unprecedented corruption revealed by the fuel subsidy probe, and an equally-horrendous looting of the public treasury in all sectors. ''Add this to what is arguably an all-time low supply of electricity that has thrown vast swath of the nation's landscape into darkness, the rising unemployment, worsening state of infrastructure and monumental insecurity of lives and property,

House.

Speaking after the administration of the Oath of Office, the governor said that the oath should serve as a constant reminder to public office holders that they could not afford to fail in the responsibilities bestowed on them by the people.

He said that the appointment of Idakwoji following “the retirement and glorious exit of Justice Suleiman Olorunfemi as Grand Khadi of the state” was in line with the provisions of section 276(4) of the constitution. and you have a ready mix of ingredients that will easily overheat a polity,'' the party said.

It said the situation has been compounded by the discordant tunes from those close to the President. ''While some said he will surely run in 2015, others said he has not yet made up his mind. This is reminiscent of the situation in other spheres Top government officials attribute the Boko Haram crisis to different causes, and conflicting signals are being sent out now on whether those indicted in the fuel subsidy probe will be prosecuted or not. These are the causes of the growing disillusionment in the polity,'' ACN said.

The party advised the President to shun “the palace jesters masquerading as his advisers” and restore hope to his compatriots, saying three years was a long enough time to make a difference, even if the first year has all but been frittered away.

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

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L-R: Special Adviser to Chief Economic, Dr. Ogho Okiti, Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Dr. Nwanze Okidegbe, and Special Assistant to Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Kingsley Obiora, during a Media Interactive with Business Editors on the State of Nigerian Economy, at the weekend, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

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L-R : Lady Captain Grace Gramo Yanet presenting award to first lady of Kaduna state Mrs Amina Patrick Yakowa during a golf tournament held at Kaduna gulf club weekend.

Photo: NAN

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1

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L-R: President, Association of Projects Development Practitioners (APRODEP), Mr Micheal Ale; Director, Projects Development and Implementation, University of Ibadan, Dr Femi Omololu; Vice President, APRODEP, Mr Thomas Omofaye and Professor of Industrial/Project Engineering, Oliver Charles-Owaba, at a seminar on projects development and implementation in Ibadan, at the weekend. Photo: NAN

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Traditional dancers entertaining at the Ilum O Tarok annual cultural festival in Langtang, Plateau state, at the weekend. Photo NAN

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

I’m yet to decide on 2015 - Jonathan

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

I

n the wake of persistent rumours that President Goodluck Jonathan may already be strategising to succeed himself in 2015, the President has come out to say he is concentrating on the job at hand for now.

The President who reacted through a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, over the weekend lashed out at politicians who take advantage of the rumours to heat up the polity.

“The pointless, diversionary and very distractive hue and cry about the President’s alleged

ambition to seek a second term in office is becoming increasingly disturbing by the day with headlines such as “Jonathan’s 2015 ambition can break up Nigeria” and “Jonathan’s 2015 ambition fueling insecurity,” now regular fare in our newspapers and on the internet.

“For the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, President Jonathan wishes to reiterate that his primary concern and the focus of all his efforts now, just about a year into the four-year tenure for which he was elected in April 2011, is to deliver on his promise of positive national transformation.

“The President’s sole preoccupation as the nation moves towards the first anniversary of his administration on May 29, 2012 is to continue to give effective and purposeful leadership that will steer Nigeria towards overcoming its immediate security and developmental challenges," the statement read.

It continued: “Nothing could be farther from President Jonathan’s mind at this point in time than the 2015 elections.

The President has definitely not directed or authorised any individual or group to launch any campaign on his behalf.”

Sambo commissions almajiri model school in Zaria From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

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i c e -President M o h a m m e d Namadi Sambo at the weekend commissioned the second almajiri bilingual boarding school in Zaria.

President Goodluck Jonathan had earlier on April 10 flagged off the scheme with the commissioning of Almajirai Model School in Sokoto.

The Federal Government initiated the programme as one of the measures to rid northern streets of school-age beggars popularly called Almajirai.

All the 19 states in the north are expected to benefit from the programme, along with Edo and Oyo states at the cost of N5 billion.

Speaking in Zaria on Saturday, Sambo explained further that the Almajirai education represents an effective partnership between the federal and state governments in the provision of quality education for the teeming population of Almajirai who had remained, for so many

decades, outside the formal education system.

According to him, the model institutions were designed to integrate and synchronise basic education effectively with Islamic disciplines.

As Sambo put it, “the attainment of our national goals and objectives, especially in the education sector cannot be complete without taking into account the plight of over 9.5million Almajirai, especially in the northern states of Nigeria.

“The spectre of young people and vulnerable school-age children, bowl in hand, roaming the streets of our towns and villages, begging for the means of their daily sustenance, does not only place a moral burden on our national psyche but portends a dangerous problem.

“It is also important to note that the second phase of the programme is currently under construction, while the Federal Government and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) have signed a

$98 million bilingual education deal to assist the country towards meeting these noble objectives.

“Let me assure you that the Federal Government will continue to provide a viable and effective framework for integrating our national education system as well as evolving a strategic partnership with all relevant stakeholders bearing in mind that this generation of school-age children and indeed future generations deserve nothing less from us.

“As we are all aware, since the inception of this democratic dispensation in 1999, governments at alllevels in the country have continued to give the education sector priority attention.

“The realization of the fact that education is the bedrock of any meaningful development in any given society has increased tremendously, hence the need to expand access to qualitative education in our dear nation.

“It is for this reason that the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme was launched in Sokoto in 1999.”

Potiskum traders protest checkpoints From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

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ollowing the killing of 60 people by gunmen at Potiskum cattle market last week, traders in the town have protested the “stop-and-search” exercise being conducted by soldiers on motorists at checkpoints near the burnt cattle market on Damaturu road.

An eyewitness told our reporter on telephone that at 9:30pm Saturday around problem started when

traders in a pick-up van were stopped at a checkpoint 250 metres from cattle market by men of the JTF but the traders protested that the checkpoints were neither serving the interest of the people nor protecting life and property.

The soldiers, according to a resident, took to their heels, fearing that the angry traders could be the gunmen that attacked and bombed the market, killing 60 people, adding that the

market was attacked and bombed for three hours, but none of the soldiers and policemen on duty was able to confront the gunmen.

Confirming the protests, Yobe state Police Commissioner, Moses Onireti said there was an argument between soldiers and traders at a checkpoint, and it resulted in some residents and traders attacking soldiers and policemen at their duty posts.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

PAGE 11

Jonathan condoles with Israeli leader over father’s death

Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim (right), welcoming World Bank’s road safety consultant, Mr. Minze Beuving (left) while Corps Marshal/Chief Executive Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Osita Chidoka looks in during an advocacy visit by the World Bank road safety consultant, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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resident Goodluck Jonathan on behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, has commiserated with the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, over the death of his father, Professor Emeritus, Ben-Zion Netanyahu.

The President in a letter of condolence to the Israeli Prime Minister, noted that the late Netanyahu who died at his home in Jerusalem at the age of 102, will be remembered among other accomplishments, for his invaluable contributions to the establishment of the State of Israel.

President Jonathan enjoined the Netanyahu family and all Israelis to take consolation in the reality that though the death of the late national hero is painful, he lived a truly worthy and exemplary life.

Benin monarch kicks over …pays tribute killings in Edo to Yekini

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has expressed sadness over the death of Nigeria’s legendary striker, Rashidi Yekini at the age of 49.

The President who described Yekini’s death as untimely and unfortunate, noted that Nigeria would forever remember his superlative performances especially at the African Cup of Nations in Tunisia in 1994 and the World Cup in the United States in 1994.

“It was a delight watching his fast-paced, goal-bound moves at international football competitions as he was feared by goal-keepers and defenders alike,” the President recalled, adding that Yekini also “epitomised patriotism, discipline, hard work, commitment and humility.”

“President Jonathan while expressing regret that illness might have held Yekini down from imparting his football expertise and skills to the younger generation of footballers after his retirement from active play, enjoined his family, fans and Nigerians to continue to cherish the memories of the high points of Yekini’s career", a statement signed

by Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati said.

The President also commiserated with the Yekini family, the government and people of Kwara state and all football enthusiasts, and prayed the Almighty to grant the bereaved the fortitude to bear the painful loss and peace to the soul of "one of Nigeria’s most prolific footballers”.

From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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enin monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa, has expressed discontent over recent killings ahead of Edo state governorship election in July this year.

The Benin monarch expressed his displeasure when he granted audience to Governor Adams Oshiomhole at his palace in Benin City.

According to the Oba, “when I

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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ormer Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the death of football legend, Rashidi Yekini, is a huge loss to the country, considering his invaluable role in putting Nigeria on the map of international soccer fame and glory.

Reacting to Yekini’s death in a statement in Abuja on Saturday by his Media Office, the former Vice President said the late Super Eagles’ prolific scorer was a rare star that dominated his game,

heard the news of the death of your private secretary, Mr. Olaitan Oyerinde on Independent Television, I was shocked. We leave everything in the hands of God. We will keep on praying”.

He therefore appealed to the political actors to play the game according to the rules.

Earlier, Comrade Oshiomhole had narrated the ugly incident where three journalists died in his convoy.

According to the governor, “we

have sent a petition to the Commissioner of Police in which we informed him of the meeting held at the residence of the godfather where they took a critical evaluation of the forth coming election”.

“They agreed that it was impossible to win. They then resolved to take series of actions to intimidate my person and if possible eliminate me. At that meeting, they said they will kill under the guise of armed robbery.

They will kidnap and few weeks to

the elections they will detonate bombs in parts of the state to scare voters, “he said.

The Governor told the Oba that he invited the commissioner of police and impressed on him the need for a thorough investigation into the convoy crash in which he escaped elimination.

Restating his determination to proceed with his re-election campaign flag-off scheduled for Friday, Oshiomhole said: “last week, we postponed our re-election campaign flag off because of those who died in the convoy crash. We have decided not to postpone this one because we do not know what their plans may be next time”.

Atiku eulogises Rashidi Yekini, condoles with Oshiomhole over Oyerinde forcing even his rivals into silent admiration of his mercurial skills.

According to the former PDP presidential aspirant, Yekini’s single-minded commitment to excellence propelled him to stardom beyond his wildest dreams of glory.

With 34 goals in 54 appearances for the Super Eagles, Atiku said Yekini had left no one in doubt of his

incredible skills in the beautiful game.

He called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to immortalise the late footballer.

Meanwhile, the former Vice President has condemned the murder of Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s private secretary, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde by yet-

to-be identified gunmen.

He noted that the rate at which human life is becoming so easy to snuff out is not only intolerable and embarrassing but also a direct challenge to law and order.

He therefore urged the Federal and state governments to redouble efforts to stem the threats of criminality in the country.

Akume condoles with Oshiomhole Resist being used to perpetrate evil, correspondent, reads: “I received over attacks ex-NYSC boss advises youth From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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ormer governor of Benue state and Senator representing Benue Northwest senatorial district, Chief George Akume has expressed condolence with the people and government of Edo state over recent tragic incidents including the death of journalists in an auto-crash involving the governor’s convoy; and the assassination of the governors personal secretary.

A statement issued by senator Akume and made available to our

with shock the tragic news of your accident and write to extend to you, the sympathies of my family and those of the good people of Benue North-west Senatorial District.

“With the efforts you are making in the development of Edo State, the temporary set-back occasioned by the accident will no doubt be devastating and indeed very painful. We however, urged you to be thankful to God for sparing your life; and may the memories of the accident be the tonic that will propel you to do more. Be assured of our continued prayers”.

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (rtd) has advised youth to resist the temptation of being used to perpetrate evil in the country.

Tsiga gave the advice in Katsina while presenting a paper titled “The role of Nigeria students and youth in national development” on the occasion of his investiture as Icon of Development by the National Association of

Katsina State Students, (NAKAS).

The former NYSC boss warned: “The politicians that want to use you as thugs are no better than you. If you are focused and disciplined, most of you here would be president, governors and ministers in the near future. So please don't waste your lives".

Similarly, Tsiga admonished students and youth in general to shun vices such as drug abuse and trafficking and indolence, which he argued kill the spirit, vision and mission of any youth involved in them.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

NAMA boss sues for industrial harmony From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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he Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Nnamdi Udoh, has stressed the need for unions and management relationship in order to move the aviation sector to a greater height.

Speaking at the first quadrennial branch delegate conference and election of officers of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) NAMA branch over the weekend in Lagos, Engr. Udoh urged unions to see management as partners in progress as nothing can be achieved in an atmosphere of industrial dispute.

According to the NAMA boss, there must be a symbiotic relationship between workers, unions and management to ensure industrial harmony in the system as it was the only way to achieve positive results.

“There will always be need for collaboration between NAMA and the unions and the unions will be relevant to NAMA through collaboration”.

In his speech, the national president of ATSSSAN, Comrade Benjamin Okewu, said with the election of officers to run the ATSSSAN branch of NAMA, it has opened a new chapter in management/ labour relationship.

Comrade Okewu, urged the management of NAMA to ensure the implementation of workers welfare as that will guarantee industrial peace in the organisation.

…sets for automation

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AIS

he automation of the department of Aeronautical Information Service (AIS), will soon been completed following the arrival of equipments for the full automation.

Comrade Paul Igene, national president of Aeronautical Information Service of Nigeria (AISAN) who disclosed this in Lagos over the weekend while commenting on the world AIS Day celebration, said antennae for seven airports across the country have arrived.

According to Comrade Igene, the NAMA management under Engr. Nnamdi Udoh has assured of the full automation of the system with the commencement of that of the international airport in Lagos.

The AISAN president explained that it has been a difficult task working manually in bringing out flight plans especially with shortage of staff in the department, “With AIS automation, it will make the job easier for us and it will be real time information”.

Comrade Igene explained that the test run of the e-flight planning system was currently on adding, that some airlines have started keying into the system.

Members of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) during their weekend visit to Thisday office over the recent bomb attack on its office in Abuja and Kaduna.

Photo:Mahmud Isa

Uduaghan clears controversy on cost of Asaba Airport runway expansion From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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elta state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has called on critics of the Asaba International Airport runway extension valued at over N7.4 billion to seek clarification on the project as the topography in the area allocated for the airport requires intense leveling of a hill as well as filling up of a river valley to achieve the prescribed standard that could secure approval for big aircraft operations by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Dr. Uduaghan who spoke in an interview with reporters after assessment of work at the

runway extension site at the state airport in Asaba, explained that the contract for the leveling of the hilly part of the airport runway was awarded in 2011, and not necessarily for the purpose of the recently concluded South-south Summit hosted in the state.

The governor explained that rather than tear the project apart through uninformed criticism, critics shoukd see how the airport modeled to be the best in Nigeria could accelerate the development of the states around it.

“The Asaba Airport has a huge role to play in the socioeconomic development of the state in many areas. We also

Motorcyclists in Jos defy ban

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otorcyclists have continued their operations in Jos and Bukuru metropolis of Plateau in spite of the ban by the state government imposed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government on May 4 banned commercial motorcyclists from operating in Jos and Bukuru.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Abraham Yiljap, who announced the ban at a news conference, cited the security situation in the state capital as reason for the action.

Yiljap said: “the order is with immediate effect and that means the law enforcement agencies will be expected to comply with this law by checking those who might want to disregard it in any way”.

He said the government had embarked on the purchase of additional 300 cabs and 500 tricycles for distribution to

citizens of the state to ease the transportation problems.

A check by NAN revealed security operatives had not started the enforcement of the ban.

The motorcyclists had appealed to the state government to rescind its decision in order to save them and some of their passengers, who live in remote areas of the town.

Mr. Danjuma Yusuf, an operator, told NAN yesterday that “we are doomed if government goes ahead to enforce the ban.

Yusuf said that the ban would throw operators into the unemployment market as the palliatives would not go round the 2,000 commercial motorcyclists in the metropolis.

Meanwhile, the law banning commercial motorcycle operations in the state capital was passed and signed into law by Gov. Jonah Jang in April 2010.

(NAN)

considered the cargo activity at the airport, which is why we embarked on the airport.”

Uduaghan said “We wanted to build an airport with a runway length of between 3.4 kilometers and four kilometers; unfortunately, there is no terrain in Asaba area that could give us such stretch of land , the topography here in Asaba is mainly either hills, or low lands , rivers with adjoining valleys.

With all the directions and technical survey that was done, for the airport, we got where we are now which gives us two terrains, the hill on one side and the river on the other side.”

According to him “We have to make do with what is available with serious heavy engineering work, there is also a bridge on the runway course, we dealt with that, we had a

runway which could take smaller planes, convinced that it was good enough, but we are looking at expanding it longer so we could take bigger cargo plane...”

Also speaking, the director of highway services and chairman implementation committee of the Asaba International Airport, Engineer Donatus Umukoro, explained that with over 50 heavy duty equipment deployed at the project site, the contractors will soon complete the leveling of the hills near the runway.

Engineer Umukoro described those opposed to the project costs as merely acting based on insufficient knowledge of the volume of work to be done to bring the runway and other critical facilities at the airport to prescribed standards.

‘We are not a regional bank’ From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

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nity Bank Plc says it has 244 branches across the 36 states in the country and the Federal Capital Territory.

Dismissing insinuations that it is a regional bank, a director of Unity Bank, Alhaji Gimba Ibrahim, noted further at the weekend the banks shareholders cut across all parts of the country even as he explained that the bank is a conglomeration of nine banks including the defunct Bank of the North.

Ibrahim spoke on the occasion of Unity Bank’s special day at the just concluded 33rdedition of the Kaduna International Trade Fair.

According to him, “before now, Bank of the North used to be owned by the northern states governments but now, Unity

Bank comprises nine banks, so, the interest of the northern states governments has been substantially diluted.

“Majority of shares of the bank is now in private hands and in fact, the CBN has even directed that government should not own more than 10 percent in any bank and we are working very hard to achieve that. ”Unity Bank is represented across the country. It is just a perception of some people that it is a regional bank because it is possible that people are still thinking of Bank of the North.

“This is Unity Bank although Bank of the North is one of the founding fathers. We have 244 branches in 36 states and Abuja.

Some of the other banks calling themselves national banks do not have more than 100 branches”, he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7P, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

Breathing life into our stadia

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tadium facilities across the country are provided to improve the standards of sundry sports engaged in by the precocious talents that abound in Nigeria. Besides, as interest in sports grows, the federal and state governments, and in some few cases, local councils, build stadia, often at stupendous costs, to meet the growing needs of the sporting population.

Such was the case with the first stadium built by the British colonial government in Lagos in 1930 - the King George V Stadium, later renamed Onikan Stadium. Then came the ultra-modern multi-purpose National Stadium, Lagos, built in 1973 by the General Gowon Administration to host the second All Africa Games.

Today, only a handful of states are yet to build their own stadia.

Sadly, as with most public structures in Nigeria, years of neglect have left the facilities at most stadia a mere shadow of what they once were.

This is particularly so with the playing pitches, a good many of which are not conducive for playing good football.

So deplorable are these pitches that watching Nigeria’s domestic league on television could be nauseating - very much unlike foreign football pitches that cable television beams into our homes.

Recently, as part of the effort to develop the game and stimulate crowd patronage of domestic matches, many governments, some boosted by FIFA technical support, have resorted to the use of astro turf, popularly called artificial pitches, to

provide the needed lush green playing turf. But even artificial pitches are not immune from the lack of maintenance culture.

The National Stadium, Lagos, for instance, has remained uncared for, for years, the millions of Naira reportedly sunk into it, notwithstanding. Except for the U.J.Esuene Stadium, Calabar and the

“

Peoples Daily recalls that Julius Berger Plc had initially been contracted to maintain the National Stadium, Abuja but the National Sports Commission (NSC) assumed that responsibility because of the exorbitant costs submitted by the giant construction firm. Today, the facility has almost been overgrown with weeds, and power cable vandalisation is as common as power outage Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, the story is the same for the rest of the stadia in the country, including Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, Tafewa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, all of which are federal property.

Peoples Daily recalls that Julius Berger Plc had initially been contracted to maintain the National Stadium,

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Abuja but the National Sports Commission (NSC) assumed that responsibility because of the exorbitant costs submitted by the giant construction firm. Today, the facility has almost been overgrown with weeds, and power cable vandalisation is as common as power outage.

The National Stadium, which has remained without electricity since November on account of a N2m indebtedness to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), is in no better condition. The Tartan tracks are worn out, the changing rooms are an eyesore, seats are broken and the parameter fencing is rickety, all this combining to diminish the hitherto aesthetics of the stadium.

We are, therefore, delighted by the resolve of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports to embark on a tour of these national assets to ascertain the huge amounts so far expended on their construction and renovation. Peoples Daily hopes that the tour will not be a wild goose chase, but a genuine effort to provide the lawmakers with the appropriate information that may allow them to appropriate the needed funds for the rehabilitation and maintenance of their facilities.

We urge the government to strengthen the capacity of the National Sports Commission to effectively supervise and maintain these facilities, or alternatively, entrust that responsibility to the FERMA or any other agency that can do the job well.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

By Salihu Moh. Lukman

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aking the analysis further, it can be argued that with respect to Edo, that the capacity of the party (ACN) to continue to hold on to the state government will be determined by factors that include post 2012 aspiration of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and how the party structures is able to respond to them. A second factor would be determined by the process and quality of potential successor to Comrade Adams in Edo. Unlike the situation in the South West where the influence of political leadership in the region can be deployed to guarantee sustained political control, in the case of Edo, the situation is fluid. Therefore it can be predicted that if the present situation is retained, the ACN may only be guaranteed sustained control of the South West.

In the case of CPC, weak administrative system and poor political management, if unresolved will remain a disaster and continue to undermine the party’s electoral prospects even in the North. Assuming it is able to address these problems, it may be able to win many states governments in the region, especially the North West. It will hardly be able to go beyond the North. In fact, even in the context of the North, it can be argued that the CPC will not be able to make good electoral impact in Plateau, Benue, Taraba and to some extent Kogi and Kwara. Therefore, on its own, the CPC cannot go beyond being an opposition party.

A question that can readily be asked is: can’t the ACN align with other groups in the North apart from the CPC? It is possible but there is no guarantee that

PAGE 13

2015 manifesto of Nigerian opposition politics (VI) such an alliance can produce electoral victory. This is on account of the nature of the politics of CPC. The reality is that it (CPC politics) has all the characteristics of mass rebellion.

It doesn’t respect convention or procedure and thrives on a bandwagon strategy. It reaches its peak on Election Day. Prior to that day, everything appears normal and political rallies, other than the ones organized by CPC can attract good crowds.

However, on Election Day, this will pave way to intimidation, especially if Gen. Buhari is a presidential candidate. To be fair to Gen. Buhari, one must point out that this happens without his prompting. It is just a reflection of his mass appeal in parts of the North. In so many ways, it provides legitimate and excellent response to PDP’s strategy of vote buying, ballot box snatching and rigging.

The very nature of this reality produces a two-way electoral contest between the CPC and PDP in many parts of the North, especially North West.

The experience of Benue, Adamawa, Jigawa and Kogi states under the ACN and Plateau under the Labour Party showed that it is possible to also produce a two-way contest between the PDP and other parties, apart from the CPC. It is possible with very good strategies that would have to adopt some of the less noble antics of PDP and the rebellious

approach of CPC. Do we have politicians outside the PDP and CPC that can provide leadership in this direction? They are very limited. There is however, the prospect of appropriating some politicians that may fail to achieve their personal aspirations to emerge as candidates on the platforms of PDP and CPC. Pursuant to their aspirations, they can find their way to the ACN and contest. This will translate into a situation where the ACN will rely on second hand candidates for 2015 elections in many parts of the country outside the South West.

The CPC will also rely on second hand candidates in many parts of the country outside the North.

Coupled with its poor resource base, if unresolved, would also lead to a situation where they (CPC) will depend on second hand candidates mainly from PDP to be able to contest the 2015 elections in many states in the North, including areas where the party (CPC) is strong.

Recommendations – Conclusion There is certainly a bright prospect for the opposition parties led by the ACN and CPC to defeat the ruling PDP in 2015. This is only possible on account of a negotiated union under the joint leadership of Asiwaju Tinubu and Gen. Buhari. The joint leadership will be founded on a pillar of neutrality that precludes the two

of them from aspiring for President. One of the objectives of precluding Asiwaju Tinubu and Gen. Buhari from aspiring for President is to build confidence in the new union and nurture a strong base for popular participation in the ACN/CPC union.

In the context of the new ACN/ CPC, the leaders of the union represented by Asiwaju Tinubu and Gen. Buhari need to give priority attention to matters of party organization and discipline of members as a prerequisite for ensuring that the governments to be produced by ACN/CPC union are regulated and controlled based on an agenda of providing services and promoting national development. As much as it is important to emphasize the quality and credentials of the candidates of the ACN/CPC union, the quality and credentials of the party leadership is equally important.

In the light of the advantage of ACN/CPC union facilitating the emergence of new political atmosphere that can promote national reconciliation, peace and unity, this in itself is enough incentive to require the sacrifice of the aspirations of our leaders.

The challenge is essentially how this is translated into programmatic agenda of the new government under ACN/CPC union, which can be addressed by ensuring that national reconciliation, promotion of

peaceful co-existence and the unity of the country are include in all political campaign agenda of the ACN/CPC union.

In addition to national reconciliation, promotion of peaceful co-existence and the unity of the country, there are other issues bordering on management and diversification of the economy, employment generation and poverty eradication, etc. This calls for clear commitments based on a negotiated internal party debate and contestation. The practice in contemporary Nigeria is to contract consultants who normally develop party policies that hardly go through internal process of debate. In order to consciously promote a different practice would require initiative in this regard.

Finally, the issue of party funding is critical to the new ideal being envisioned. So long as funding for the new party will be driven based on desire to promote personal aspiration, it will undermine its democratic thrust.

The first test for the leadership of the union of ACN/CPC will be the strength of funding arrangement.

Suspicions that normally result from the challenge of managing personal aspirations are potential threats to viable and prospective funding arrangements.

Concluded Salihu Moh. Lukman can be reached through slukman45@gmail.com

Senate and the fuss over air fares

By Godwin Onyeacholem

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here is a genuine impulse to appreciate the intervention of Mrs. Stella Oduah, Minister of Aviation, on the alleged “deliberate discriminatory” air fares imposed on Nigerian passengers by some foreign airlines – with British Airways presumably the main culprit – and salute her guts for exhibiting a remarkable sense of patriotism. Hers is the kind of zeal and sense of purpose which, Nigerians would no doubt agree, is demanded of public office holders of whatever description in any normal government, and which is unquestionably more compelling in a severely misgoverned country they call their own.

Except that the story would have been different if the firmness and decisiveness she had shown so far had been aimed at matters affecting the lives of “ordinary Nigerians”, to borrow the demeaning vernacular which Nigeria’s pompous elites regularly use in describing their less privileged compatriots. It is almost superfluous to state here that, in constructing the architecture of an envisioned modern society, those who hold the levers of power in Nigeria and their collaborating decision makers in government offices hardly put the oppressed

masses in the frame. Unlike when dealing with matters affecting the privileged few, our dear officials demonstrate neither the presence of mind nor the slightest urgency when it comes to issues affecting the underclass.

Though there are many, just two examples will suffice for now.

The first is still very fresh: the promptness with which a so-called subsidy was withdrawn from petrol, just when evidence of the huge fraud surrounding its existence was being unmasked. The resulting increase in the price of one litre of petrol led to a corresponding rise in the prices of all goods and services. The rich make nothing of this, but the vast poor, who barely survive on $2 (N300) per day, have since the very first day of the year, been further consigned to a life of unending poverty.

The second example goes back to the days of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Because the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene highway, the busiest route to the southern part of the country, is plied mostly by the poor who have no means of tasting the convenience of air travel, it is taking almost eternity to convert that highway to a dual carriageway. As Nigerian leaders and their rich friends hardly travel that route, they have displayed crass sloppiness in fixing the road

and sheer insensitivity to the plight of its users. The result is that the chaos goes on unabated as innocent lives of promising citizens continue to terminate at every inch of the illfated highway. If Arc. Mike Onolehmeme, Minister of Works whose remit is to fix the roads, has deployed the same energy Mrs. Oduah summoned to confront the worries in her somewhat exclusive department, the answer is obvious in the current state of Abuja-LokojaOkene road.

Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that Nigerian senators, widely despised for their unrepressed greed and parasitic propensities, not to talk of their disdainful attitude towards the people they claim voted for them, quickly latched on to the aviation minister’s protestation of what she sees as unfair price of air tickets purportedly imposed on Nigerians by some foreign airlines, notably British Airways. Of course not for any reason other than because they believe that their irritating prodigality and the filthy overindulgence of the Nigerian elite is being threatened, the senators, at the end of a rambling deliberation of a motion moved by Senator Hope Uzodimma, chairman of the senate committee on aviation, joyfully mandated the committee to investigate the issue.

The bone of contention is the air fares BA charges for its AbujaLondon, Lagos-London and AccraLondon routes. The question being asked is: why should passengers taking off from Abuja or Lagos to London on BA flights pay higher for tickets than the passenger on Accra-London flight despite the fact that the journey from Accra is longer by 40 minutes? Since the probe began, the senate committee has virtually drowned the nation in the noise of this disparity. It’s as if no other airline flies to London other than the British carrier. But knowing this senate, it is hard not to expect its occupants to always put the wrong foot forward. They have conveniently overlooked the sharp practices of local airline operators and, instead, turned their searchlight on foreign lines, accusing BA and to some extent Virgin Atlantic, of “grand rip-off” not only on the matter of flight charges, but also on taxes due to the Nigerian government.

But if these lawmakers knew any shame at all they would be working seriously towards reawakening some of the extinct icons of Nigeria’s past glory. One of them is the once ubiquitous Nigeria Airways. The senators should by now be thinking of how to ensure that their government - which makes no pretense of its pride in

signing up to the aggressive and merciless prescriptions of capitalism - put the country’s flag carrier back in the skies within the next three months. That is one of the ways they could begin to settle scores and win back self-respect in a fiercely competitive world. Not by basking in the luxury of Abuja, gorging themselves on freebies and belching sour grapes over charges by foreign airline operators who say they are in business anyway.

Our senators are not to be found sweating, dissipating energy on pro-poor issues or matters that would fast-track the attainment of a society where all citizens enjoy equal social, political and economic rights and opportunities. They would rather devote unconscionable time on red herring, and only that which they know would ultimately redound to their benefit. As rural folks often ask in pidgin English in moments of anger, Which kain senators be dis sef? Again the answer to that question can only be found in the exceptional decline in the quality of life of the overwhelming majority of the people beginning since 1999.

For instance, everyday on the streets of Abuja, poor traders struggling to lighten the devastating burden of bad governance are being chased Continued on page 15

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

Abubakar Tsav: Predating on Gen Azazi

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efore the USA under President Barack Obama finally closed in on the Al Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden, in Pakistan in April 2011, the United States’ hot pursuit of the terrorist leader had lasted 10 years after September 11. Even before then, USA’s covert and overt operations to unveil al Qaeda had been on for more than a decade. But the will, courage and determination of a nation in retreat from al Qaeda terror mission finally busted the myth of its leadership. When General McArthur made the now famous statement” I shall return,” it was at the time of pain, retreating from the ferocious assault on his armed forces which nearly routed them from the Philippines. It was the same McArthur who returned to the same spot and sealed the allied victory of the Second World War. So will it be with Nigeria and Boko Haram.

When tacticians and Generals such as Azazi, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser speak, it requires the reflection of all before predating their message. It is in this respect that Abubakar Tsav and his

peripheral grandstand to catch the or even Local Government Council mainstream argument. He flashes of the media platform by Chairman would undertake couldn’t refer to the ANPP, ACN, calling for Azazi’s sack.

Abubakar Tsav’s spurious outlook. APGA or any other political party Abubakar Tsav’s His record as a Policeman is there which is in the periphery of power pronouncement that a Four Star for all to check. There is nothing occupation. The evolution of the General, who PDP from a after years of partisan service to organization fatherland, into what should be sacked looks like an Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text on account of his organised messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written philosophical c r i m e contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 tantrums, reflects network has words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and very badly on the spiralled a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed Police Force of his much of to: time which Nigeria’s allowed his national The Editor, default promotion crisis. Azazi Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, to the rank of a preferred the Commissioner. love of 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.

No wonder his country to the Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com bosses then, such love of SMS: 07037756364 as the revered profitable Inspector General p a r t y of Police, Ibrahim Coomassie did in his record of service that added partisan platform on which he is reflect negatively on his value to the Force. Not even at the standing as National Security demotion in the Force. For a minuscule level of security Adviser. If anything, he has man so lightly esteemed by the management such as the state. modelled himself as a reference country’s Police Force to seek a When General Azazi, the NSA point for brutal frankness. Our reinvention of his role in the reflected on the siege confronting beloved President, Goodluck Ebele country where his disgraceful the country at the South-South Jonathan, will need an inner service record stares, requires a Economic Summit, he was doing room conferencing with the quick reprimand. so as a General and Statesman. His General and those similarly Firstly, no Nigerian President reference to the PDP was a persuaded, for the country to

WRITE TO US

access the correct security management mould that is needed for now.

Azazi’s command height: Four medals, Four Stars, former Army Chief, former Chief of Defence Staff, and now National Security Adviser should not be lightly esteemed by unknown quantities such as Abubakar Tsav.

Nigeria is a reality and not a myth to be played with by empty headed fake commentators such as Abubakar Tsav. His fake anti corruption posture is well known and anchored around self-seeking opportunism.

The self contradiction of his posture in shielding corrupt governments and individuals in his home state, Benue, for a profit, is well known.

Like his types, when the gravy he is seeking is gone, and he is called yonder, there may be little to reflect about in respect of a man whose life was full of sound and fury signifying nothing.

As with the USA, Nigeria’s search for solutions to the Boko Haram phenomena should continue until we have a date with them as did the USA with al Qaeda.

Terfa Taga is reachable at tate85@gmail.com

President Jonathan: Clearing the rot in oil sector

By Ifeanyi Nwabugu

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espite some genuine complaints by some elements in the country, evidence are bounds that Nigerians had breathe a sigh of relief in the oil sector since President Goodluck Jonathan mounted the saddle of leadership as the President of Nigeria in May 2011. Before Jonathan resumption of office reports of scarcity of petroleum products mostly petrol was talk of the town.

Kerosine was out of the common man rich, while gas was nowhere to be found. Vehicle owners queue all day long waiting for petrol, while others did night vigil at the petrol station.

Evidence also abound that during the military regimes, there were incidences of pipeline vandalism by unpatriotic citizens who made dubious gains from the petroleum resources including petrol, kerosene and gas and in some cases fire outbreaks from such vandalized pipes claimed several lives and lost of property running into billion of Naira.. The pipeline vandalism persisted unabated until the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), was left with the option of completely shutting down the nation’s refineries most of which were not properly maintained at the time. As a result, Nigeria which is the fourth largest crude oil producer within the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, could no longer produce fuel for local consumption.

During Olusegun Obasanjo administration, fuel queue which was a major relic of the dark days of the military regimes held sway as hoarding, adulteration and black market selling of products continued.

When President Yar’Adua’s came into office, his

government initiated measures to revive the moribund refineries but could not achieve much as the petroleum industry in the country was already in a stage of comatose.

Determined to reverse the embarrassing trend, President Jonathan took the bull by the horns immediately he assumed power by initiating several reforms to reposition the upstream and downstream sectors. Part of the reforms was to engage an expert in the oil industry to pilot the affairs of the Petroleum Ministry. He appointed Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke. Until her appointment into the federal cabinet as Minister of Transport in 2007, Mrs. AlisonMadueke who hailed from President Jonathan’s home state Bayelsa, was the first female Executive Director in Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). She moved to the Ministry of Mines & Steel Development in December 2008 from where she was appointed Minister of Petroleum Resources in April 2010.

President Jonathan appointed Diezani Alison-Madueke based on her good understanding of the petroleum sector and the tremendous cooperation she enjoys from chieftains of the oil industry.

Within the period of President Jonathan, the nation’s crude oil production has been consistently maintained above the budgeted production level of 2.3 million barrels per day. This is direct fallout of the amnesty programme which has now allowed for the renewal of production activities in wells hitherto shut-in as a result of the Niger Delta crisis. Effort at increasing the nation’s stock of crude received major attention under Mrs. Alison-Madueke with the escalation of oil exploration activities in the Inland Sedimentary Basins especially in the Chad Basin.

Already the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources are concluding arrangement for contract award for advanced seismic data acquisition and processing.

In all, the seven in-land basins of Bida, Gongola, Sokoto, Anambra , Dahomey , Chad and Benue are billed to benefit from the programme. Yet the drive to increase the nation’s crude and gas reserve is not limited to the In-land Basin. As part of the effort at growing the capacity of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, (NPDC), eight producing blocks have been assigned to the company.

With special support by the President for NPDC’s operatorship of the blocks, the impact has been tremendous on the NPDC’s growth aspiration with current production now averaging 80,000 barrels per day.

At the midstream sector gas supply for power generation and industrial use has been sustained with supply outstripping demand both in the Western and Eastern axes. Available records indicate that the volume of gas available for power generation is unprecedented in the history of oil and gas in Nigeria.

Renewed efforts at ensuring relevant Gas Supply Purchase Agreements are being executed in order to encourage upstream gas development. Report has it that as at the last count-Three Gas Supply & Purchase Agreements (GSPAs) have been signed among buyers, gas suppliers and Aggregator Company (Egbin / Shell / Chevron / PanOcean). Contracts for the critical pipeline infrastructure for gas supply to Alaoji, Olorunsongo have been awarded with projects’ completion in 2012. Upon completion, this would lead to the availability of additional gas to

generate extra 2000MW of electricity.

The Brass LNG project is been fast-tracked, while the implementation of the critical gas projects as encapsulated in the Gas Revolution was given a boost with the visit of the investors (Xenel of Saudi Arabia and Nagajurna of India) to the proposed site at Koko, Delta State for the 1.3 metric tonnes per annum Petrochemical and 1.3 MTPA fertilizer plants. There has generally been increased investor confidence in the Gas Revolution with additional gas utilization projects being pursued. These include:2.75 metric tonnes per annum Dangote Fertilizer plant in Edo State, 2.4metric tonnes per annum Brass Fertilizer plant in Bayelsa State, 1.34 metric tonnes per annum Indorama Fertilizer and 1.2MTPA methanol plants at Eleme, Rivers State and 450, 000 tonnes per annum methanol plant at Onne, Rivers State among others.

As for the downstream sector it is evident that products supply has been sustained nationwide through a combination of offshore processing, SWAP arrangements and increased domestic refining.

The first 100days has seen the restreaming of Kaduna Refinery and sustained operation of Warri Refinery. The issue of kerosene availability has been tackled through NNPC direct distribution programme. The integrity of key product pipeline infrastructure (Kaduna-Kano, Kaduna-Gusau, Kaduna-Suleja) has been reestablished. The impact of this is that more products are now available in inland depots, which will enable faster intervention when necessary.

Beside the aforementioned achievement of the Federal Government in the oil sector,

sustained efforts at increasing local refining capacity, through revamping the existing refineries with a view to increasing their contribution to national demand of petroleum products is on-going. An NNPC team is currently in Japan to conclude the engagement of the original Engineering Procurement Construction, EPC contractor for Port Harcourt Refinery which will be the first to be so rehabilitated.

Already the Nigerian Content Initiative signed into existence on April 22, 2010 by President Goodluck Jonathan is designed to ensure that Nigeria achieves the much desired In-country capacity in the oil and gas industry. This would guarantee that a huge chunk of the estimated $20 billion annual industry spend domicile in the country for the benefit of Nigerians and indigenous Nigerian Companies and Service Providers.

Under the watch of the President, the Nigerian Content Development Board, NCDMB, which has the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources as Chairman of the Governing Council has ensured the escalation of the historic use of madein-Nigeria pipelines by Exxon Mobil recently at its Edop – Idoho Offshore field, secured the placement of over 100 kilometers of pipelines orders in Nigeria ’s only pipe manufacturing company, SCC Abuja, ensured the increase of incountry fabrication tonnage from 1,000,000 in 2009 to 1,200,000 currently and an advanced talks with Jiangsu Yulong of China to establish 250,000 tons per annum LSAW Pipe mill in Nigeria As for employment in the oil industry, the Federal Government has developed the Nigerian Oil and Gas Employment and Training Strategy, which has resulted in the Continued on page 15

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

PAGE 15

Who is Gen Azazi working for?

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he office of National Security Adviser is a very sensitive one in the United States of America, a country whose political system we like to mimic.

The man who occupies it is usually a close ally of the President. They must have an identical understanding of what constitutes national security and threats to it.

In the US, most national security advisers come from the academic or military establishment; people who have made careers in military and or strategic studies. In Nigeria, it is clear that our Presidents prefer men with military or at least police background (remember Gambo Jimeta and IBB) as national security advisers. This is quite understandable as the office controls all the service chiefs and other security agencies – both known and unknown to the public.

Given this tradition, General Andrew O. Azazi is eminently qualified to hold the office. He had a long career in the military as an intelligence officer before he became the General Officer Commanding the One Mechanized Division with its headquarters in Kaduna. He was also at a time the Chief of Defence Staff.

Even before he became the NSA, Gen. Azazi had a huge large volume of classified security information at his disposal. His appointment to that office has crowned it all. The President has no other person to turn to for advice when there is a security threat to Nigeria than the NSA. He is supposed to be better Continued from page 13

around, arrested, beaten, and extorted by a gang of thugs and armed policemen dubbed task force, who drive around the city in trucks full of seized wares. This is a common occurrence at any time of the day.

The senators are aware of this brazen robbery and criminal debasement of their less privileged compatriots, yet it has not occurred to the conscience of any of them to table a motion that would not only lead to the passage of a resolution condemning this odious undertaking, but would also usher in an investigation with a view to

informed than the President himself on such matters.

So far it has worked smoothly (seemingly so) between President Jonathan and Azazi until the General decided to rock the boat recently at the South-south meeting in Asaba, Delta state. Part of his speech at the public meeting amounted to a spirited indictment of the PDP as the mastermind of the ongoing climate of insecurity in Nigeria. In his own words: “The issue of violence did not increase in Nigeria until when there was a declaration by the current president that he was going to contest. PDP got it wrong from the beginning. The party started by saying Mr. A can rule, and Mr. B cannot rule, according to PDP conventions, rules and regulations and not according to the Constitution. Is it possible that somebody was thinking only Mr. A could win, and if he did not win, he could cause a problem in the society?”

Coming from the National Security Adviser, this is indeed a serious charge, more so when it is directed at the ruling party. In other words, the National Security Adviser has accused the ruling party (more precisely President Jonathan) of playing Emperor Nero. History tells us that Nero was the Emperor who was busy enjoying music when Rome, his city state, was burning.

There could be nothing more serious than this charge. If Azazi were still in uniform, his speech

would have been better rendered of this speech, did the NSA clear it after the classical music on our radio with the President before going and the ‘Fellow Nigerians’ that gaga? normally precede the I ask this question because the announcement of a coup d’etat. I speech was not delivered in Zaki have made a diligent study of Major Biam or Talata Mafara or Iwo. It Chukwuma Kaduna (1966) and was delivered in the heart of the Major General Buhari speeches Niger Delta, the President’s and the (1984) and I find no NSA”s prime different between constituency. what they said after If the speech they terminated did not throw any light on the civil democratic workings of rule and what Azazi Jonathan’s told the world in presidency, it Asaba. The duo demonstrated justified their to us just how actions, putting the deep Azazi blame of Emmanuel Yawe reasons on incompetence and 08024565402 s e c u r i t y the wrenching royawe@yahoo.com matters. How ordeal which the can he tie the nation was going through at the doorsteps of oliticians. violent Boko Haram campaigns to In Asaba, Azazi did more than PDP politics and the emergence of Chukwuma and Buhari. He did not Goodluck Jonathan as President? blame politicians across the board - This NSA has a proclivity for he blamed the ruling party, the trivializing very serious and PDP. He did not spare even the fundamental national problems.

If his well paid spies did not tell President, the man who employed him. In his very words, Goodluck him, let me give him this Jonathan’s declaration to run for elementary information – free.

President exacerbated the violence Boko Haram came into existence because an ANPP governor used a we are facing today!

How does the Jonathan harmless Islamic sect to garner Presidency work? What is the role support against the PDP. When the of his chief security adviser in this governor, after victory at the polls bedlam, our modern day Tower of failed to implement ‘full Sharia’ as Babel? Is he a master spy who the sect had been promised, they delivers cold and unemotional fell apart. The governor then used advice to his employer, our number the police to brutalize members of one citizen or some kind of rabble the sect and kill their leader, in cold rouser? Given the sensitive nature blood. How then can Azazi reduce

the well founded grievances of the sect to a PDP and north /south struggle for power?

When a president is surrounded by people with skewed and foggy ideas, he is bound to be in the pathetic situation our President is in. Obasanjo threatened to impose a state of emergency in Bayelsa in 1999 because of an event which took place in Joba, a town in Rivers state.

He massacred people in Odi; cordoned off a whole senatorial zone of Benue state and murdered hundreds of unarmed civilians there – all on the advice of his security chiefs. Yar’ adua was misled to wage war against Boko Haram instead of finding a painstaking political solution.

I believe the present president is also poorly served. Security is not a question of acquiring armaments, no matter how massive. It is not a question of voting huge sums for the purchase of gadgets no matter how sophisticated. Security is about patriotism on the part of leaders, security operatives and the people.

How can the Nigerian people be patriotic when their leaders and security operatives are not?

I recall sadly that while Azazi was GOC of One Mechanized Division in Kaduna, a large stock of arms were stolen from the armoury there and sold to Niger Delta militants. These arms were then used to kill Nigerian soldiers, abundantly.

Now, as National Security Adviser, expressing such disturbing views, one is left to wonder who this Azazi is working for.

Senate and the fuss over air fares bringing it to an end. So comfortable are they that they easily forget that this was the same type of attitude on the part of callous state officials that ignited the flame of the revolution now sweeping across the Arab world. Nigerian senators rather find succour in the idle, misleading refrain that “it can never happen here”.

An upper legislative parliament of boastful characters elected, or more appropriately selected, “to make laws for the good

governance of Nigeria” has seen nothing wrong in the scandalous cost of property in Abuja. They certainly are not ignorant of how extremely difficult it is to secure accommodation in the city. They are aware that a modest twobedroom apartment is already pushing towards N5m or (about $31,000) annually in many areas.

But since they are among the major owners of property, our senators are not going to be patriotic enough to legislate against

themselves and fellow landlords in the interest of the general good. If they do not already know, someone should tell them that there is something untoward in trying to force a foreign airline, or any company for that matter operating in Nigeria, to reduce the prices of their products while the senators themselves ignore the cry of Nigerians over skyrocketing rents imposed by fellow citizens. It does not make sense.

In the end there can’t be

anything cheerful about a senate that fails to deploy its full voice to restore crumbling infrastructure in every sector. Senators have the power to make things happen. But greed and selfishness won’t let these ones. That is why they won’t feel any pain of humiliation if Nigerian hospitals are so decrepit that their president, David Mark, hastily flew to Israel for medical treatment. So long, distinguished senators.

Godwin Oyeacholem is a journalist based in Abuja

President Jonathan: Clearing the rot in oil sector Continued from page 14

absorption of over 5,000 engineers, geologists, welders and other skill sets into the industry and formed the basis of a national skill database.

Nigerian Content activities have already generated over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs and will surpass 300,000 within the next four years Jonathan short period in government has witnessed sustained interaction with the National Assembly to ensure passage into law an oil reform legislation known as Petroleum Industrial Bill (PIB) that will stand the test of time to the benefit of Nigeria , and give fair Return on Investment. Regulatory Control and Monitoring Considerable efforts have been made under the watch of Mrs. Alison-Madueke to ensure effective regulatory compliance in the Nigerian oil &

Gas industry in the areas of enforcement of flare penalty of $3.50/1000scf to discourage flaring and encourage commercialization of the gas that is being flared, the launch of the “Offshore Safety Permit (OSP)” to account for the safety and competencies of personnel who embark on swamp, offshore and deep offshore duties in line with the expectation of the Nigerian Content Policy, the establishment offshore training centre within the Nigeria and completion of a pilot scheme of the National Production and Monitoring system (MPMS) aimed at ensuring independent real time production monitoring and accurate production accounting.

The massive transformation of the NNPC, the passage and implementation of the Nigerian Content Act, the push for the

passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, the implementation of the Gas master plan as well as achievement of improved relations with critical stakeholders across the oil and gas value chain, were among practical measures through which the administration has ensured unprecedented stability in the supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country.

Many Nigerians are of the view that the petroleum sector under Jonathan’s presidency has been recording giant leap forward to the betterment of the country and apart from boosting the nation’s earnings from oil, employment opportunities had been increased.

Within the past one year that the Nigerian Content Act was passed into law, over 30,000 direct employments and training opportunities had been created for

Nigerians, making the sector the highest employer of labour.

However, these commendable efforts require sustainability to enable Nigerians continue to benefit from the reforms being implemented by the new administration of President Jonathan. Therefore, the need to retain Mrs. Madueke in the Petroleum Ministry to continue with the ongoing reforms cannot be overemphasized.

Her administration having shown so much commitment and sympathy to the sector should be allowed to implement ongoing programmes that have succeeded in restoring the confidence of Nigerians and foreign investors in the sector.

President Jonathan has continued to demonstrate his commitment towards improving the lives of Nigerians by ensuring

that their basic needs are within their reach. In the petroleum sector, the administration has clearly shown within the past one year that Nigerians can enjoy petroleum products without being exploited by dubious marketers who had made life unbearable for the citizenry for several years.

Since this relief came through the instrumentality of Mrs. AlisonMadueke’s leadership acumen in the Petroleum Ministry and with the enormous challenges ahead that requires an expert to surmount, the status quo should be maintained so that various programmes lined up to ensure stability of the petroleum sector are not eroded by putting a square peg in a round hole in the new administration.

Ifeanyi Nwabugu writes from Lagos 08035292549

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

FCTA to create Area Council Geographic Information System

By Josephine Ella

A

s part of its effort towards repositioning the six area councils for better performance, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration has said that plans are in progress to create an Area Council Geographic Information System (ACGRIS).

The Minister of State for the FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, who disclosed this, said the plan is aimed at improving the delivery of land records services in the area councils.

"Similarly, the FCT has worked out a sharing formula in the land allocation process between the area councils and the FCT administration, as a way of incorporating the area councils in the land administration system," she added.

This was as she explained that the plan was designed to make good the FCT administration's partnership policy with the area councils to speed up the process of physical development of the entire territory.

On environmental sanitation, the minister said the Strategic Focus Committee is working to domesticate the Clean and Green Greater Abuja Initiative( launched by her office last year)in the area councils by devising ways of integrating existing local mechanisms like the 'Yan bola'(waste evacuators, in the local parlance) boys into the environmental sanitation framework.

She continued: "In the same vein, village heads in the area councils would be given a direct

...Integrates ‘Yan bola’ into environmental sanitation framework mandate to supervise environmental sanitation in their various communities.

Community and neighbourhood environmental sanitation committees would be formed and small grants given to them for the purpose of logistics, while corporate bodies will be required to get involved in community environmental efforts".

According to her, in keeping with its accountability thrust,

the administration is going beyond periodic auditing of the account of the area councils by the Auditor-General of FCT Area Councils.

"We are going beyond routine auditing to engage an external auditor to regularly embark on value-for-money audits to ensure that we get value for the resources being committed to various projects in the FCT area councils," she said.

She urged the members of the House of Representatives Committee on FCT Area Councils to expedite action on the pending Bills affecting the area councils in the House, especially the Bill for Act to provide for the System, Structure, Composition, Functions and Finance of the FCT Area Councils, saying this would enhance the statutory position of the area councils and strengthen their revenue base.

Scrambling for kerosene at NNPC Mega station, at the weekend, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Tree planting primary solution to climate change – Auta

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r. John Auta, the Acting Director, Forestry Department, Federal Ministry of Environment, has said that tree planting was the primary solution to climate change.

Auta, who made this known in an interview with the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday, said tree planting was the major strategy to addressing climate change in Nigeria.

He said: ``Carbon trading is one of the major products of

afforestation'', noting that Nigeria had not met the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) recommendation of 26 per cent forest cover to nations.

Auta said that environmental problems such as desertification and erosion could best be controlled by afforestation.

He attributed the continuous effect of climate change to massive deforestation, stressing that human-induced global deforestation was responsible for 18 to 25 per cent of global climate

change.

“Tree planting, be it economic or ornamental, can reduce the effect of climate change to its barest minimum, due to carbon trading.''

The acting director decried the attitude of the public toward afforestation, pointing out that the recent distribution of trees to states for afforestation did not yield the desired goal.

“We have distributed millions of trees to states for people to plant but the people are demanding for money before they plant.

“It appears some of these people do not appreciate the importance of afforestation and I believe that they are the same people that will benefit from the programme. '' He cautioned against reckless felling of trees for timber, stressing that the continuous deforestation would lead to loss of some of the forest species.

“The essence of giving large portion of land for vegetation is to produce good environment that is healthy for human habitation. '' (NAN)

Man in court for allegedly misappropriating N800,000

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31-year old man, Jerry Oyeneke, on Friday appeared before an Abuja Chief Magistrates' Court charged with misappropriation of N800, 000 meant to buy a transformer.

The accused is charged with criminal breach of trust, cheating and misappropriation.

Police prosecutor Abu Akponachi told the court that one Alade Toyimbo of Area 8,

Garki, Abuja, reported the matter at the Garki Police Station on Sept. 26, 2011.

He said Oyeneke (said to be a staff of PHCN), was contracted in August 2011 by Toyimbo to facilitate the procurement of a new 200KVA transformer as the old one had started to malfunction.

Abu said Oyeneke agreed to bring a new transformer at the

cost of N800,000.

He added that on Sept. 9, 2011, Oyeneke installed a refurbished transformer ``which blew up'' when it was energised, damaging the cables, feeder pillar and other items.

Abu said the accused mounted two refurbished transformers at different occasions and they failed to function.

The accused pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

Chief Magistrate Okeagu Azubike granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 and two sureties in like sum.

He ordered that the sureties must be responsible Nigerians and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

The case was adjourned to May 24 for further hearing. (NAN)

Rainy season affects food patronage, says Vendors

F

ood vendors operating in Lugbe, a satellite town in the FCT, say the onset of the rainy season has impacted negatively on their business.

Some of the food vendors spoke to a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, after the heavy down pour in the early hours of the day.

Blessing Auta, a food vendor, said her regular customers who normally turn out early in the morning could not do so due to the rain, leaving her with low sales.

Auta said she was contemplating changing to another business or moving to her hometown till the end of the rainy season.

“Normally I make huge sales in the morning, but today as I speak to you I can count the number of customers who have eaten here. The rain has forced many of them to stay away.

“All the food I cooked will be wasted. Now, I don't know any other small business to do. I think I will go back to my village to work on my family farmland.''

Elizabeth Egbo, another food vendor, disclosed that she was taking steps to adjust her business in line with the prevailing times, stressing that`` business must continue even while it rains.''

Egbo spoke to NAN while busy erecting a temporary shelter in place of her food stall pulled down by rain storm.

“You can see that I am trying to arrange this small place for my customers. Whether we like it or not rain must fall.

“So I have made up my mind that even though patronage is low, I must find a way to survive because I don't have any other work than this one.

“I thank God some of my customers still came to eat in my place after the rain, but I have to reduce the quantity of food I prepare to reduce waste,'' she stated.

Another food vendor, who gave her name as Madam Adeshetu, said she had concluded arrangements to purchase two canopies to shield her customers from the rain.

“Business requires planning and I have already deposited money for the supply of canopies, which I will use to cover my customers.

“I believe that many people will patronise me once they are guaranteed of protection from the rain. '' A GSM call centre operator, Malam Mustapha, however told NAN that the rainy season was a boost to his business.

“Many operators, especially those from the northern part of the country, have travelled to their hometown for the planting season.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

PAGE 17

Stones crushers at work at Lugbe New Extension, Abuja.

Iron welders plying their trade at the Aco Estate, Abuja.

A young iron bender at Gosa village in Abuja

A man taking a ride in the truck not minding the risk of falling off; he was captured along Bricklayer doing what he knows better at Federal Housing Estate Abuja.

Church Gate, in Abuja, recently.

Photos: Joe Oroye

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

FCTA to recycle impounded rickety vehicles

Lady drivers: Abuja will notice a change in driving soon - First Lady

By Josephine Ella

he First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, says the FCT and its environs will notice a change in driving culture on the roads and highways soon with women as commercial drivers.

Jonathan made the statement in Abuja on Friday at the inauguration of Lady Chauffeur Training Scheme (LCTS) by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in collaboration with Women for Change and Development Initiative.

The collaboration is aimed at training female drivers, starting with 200 women. ``I am confident that when this first batch of 200 ladies complete their training, Abuja and its environs will notice a change in driving culture and attitude on the roads and highways. ``These young ladies are expected to become change agents by bringing the feminine virtues of caring, carefulness and of course patience to bear on the way we

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he Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration is to partner with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA), to recycle seized rickety and abandoned vehicles in the territory.

The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed made this disclosure, when the UNIDO representative to Nigeria/Regional Director, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

He said that the collaboration, apart from helping to cleanse the environment, will create wealth and employment opportunities for the residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

Senator Mohammed reiterated that all impounded rickety, abandoned vehicles and commercial motorcycles deposited at the Abuja Auto Pound will be a veritable source of the needed raw material for kick starting the collaboration.

According to the minister, "this lofty Joint Venture Partnership is an added impetus to the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan' and that 'it will be up scaled to touch on other areas that will become a basis of succour to the less privileged in the Federal Capital Territory".

He remarked that the collaboration would be fashioned on an already existing institutional framework and directed the FCT Permanent Secretary, Engineer Anthony Ozodinobi to immediately finetune the grey areas.

This was as he also directed that the Abuja Technology Village, Transportation Secretariat, Abuja Investment Company Limited, Land and Economic Planning, Research & Statistics Departments respectively, key into the entire project to provide all the needed facilities for its smooth take-off.

Furthermore, he called on the Japanese Government to support the FCT Administration in rehabilitating the commercial sex workers arrested and taken off the streets of Abuja to enable them contribute more meaningfully to the society at large.

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conduct ourselves on the road,'' she said.

The president's wife expressed delight that NDE had ``consistently and vigorously pursued the task of creating jobs for our teeming unemployed youths through training in various skills. ``This is in line with my NGO's objective which, since inception, has graduated more than 4,000 trainees who were trained free and given starter packs to enable them to begin on their own business. ``I, therefore, urge you ladies to put in your best and embrace the training with all sense of responsibility. ``I assure you that this twomonth intensive training will contribute immensely to your empowerment,'' Jonathan said.

Earlier, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr Emeka Wogu, said that the training was aimed at empowering the women.

Also, the Director-General of

NDE, Malam Abubakar Mohammed, said the occasion was ``another milestone for NDE, with special emphasis on women, who are the most vulnerable in the society. ``Please maintain discipline during your training and I assure you that you have the job already.''

In his goodwill message, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr Osita Chidoka, said ``you ladies have chosen a noble profession. ``This is because it is imperative for people to move from place to place and we know from our statistics that there is a higher number of men involved in accidents than women.''

Mr Wilson Alade, the FCT Director of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, said ``this initiative is unprecedented and we're in support because women do things patiently.''

Mr Tunji Tolani, the Managing Director of the Abuja Leasing Company, said ``we have

Traffis gridlook on Mararaba-Abuja Road, yesterday, due to securitiy checks.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

obtained approval from the Ministry of Finance to purchase customised pink cabs under the Pink Cab Scheme designed for women.

Meanwhile, Miss Olubayode Lilian, a trainee, said ``I feel encouraged, I really appreciate it and I think this will be a good opportunity for unemployed young women.''

(NAN)

Police arraign 2 motorcyclists for theft, criminal trespass

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wo motorcyclists, Ibrahim Idris, 22, and Nasiru Abubakar, 20, were on Friday arraigned before an Abuja Magistrates' Court on a three-count charge of joint act, criminal trespass and theft.

The Prosecutor, Cpl. Simon Emmanuel, told the court that the case was reported at the Life Camp Police Station, Abuja, by Alhaji Danladi Mohammed of Strabag Quarters, Life Camp, Abuja, on April 29.

He said that Mohammed reported that on the same date, the accused persons invaded his house and made away with his tricycle (Keke NAPEP) which was parked in his garage.

Emmanuel said that the arrest of the accused was made possible by a team of policemen.

The prosecutor added that the offence was contrary to sections 79, 349, and 287 of the Penal Code.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

However, the Magistrate, Hajiya Sadiya Mayana, granted the accused bail in the sum of N5,000 with a surety in like sum.

She said the surety must have a known address and must be residing within the jurisdiction of the court.

Mayana adjourned the case till May 7 for further hearing. (NAN)

Mpape killing: Court awards N150 million damages to victim’s family

By Stanley Onyekwere

… We’ll appeal judgement-police

ustice Ufot Inyang, of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Apo, has awarded the sum of N150, 585,450 million damages against the Nigeria Police and the Federal government for unlawful murder of late Mrs. Doris Okere, by a police officer, in Mpape, Abuja.

Inyang, while delivering his verdict, in the N400, 184,000 suit filed jointly by the widower, Mr. Eugene Okere and son, Chidiebere Promise Okere, through Barr.

Eze Onyekpere, against the alleged killer, Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents respectively, on Friday, declared the killing as unlawful.

According to the judge, evidence admitted in the course of the trial shows that the circumstance of the deceased's death was brutal and unlawful as she did nothing to warrant such treatment by the alleged trigger- happy police officer, which he said forced the victim's family into unnecessary trauma and deprivation of her love and care as a mother and wife to the applicants.

"The action of the officer is unconstitutional and a gross violation of the deceased's right to life as guaranteed under section 33 of the 1999 Nigerian constitution as amended, Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and

J

Article 3 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights 1948 respectively", he said.

In his declaration, the judge entered judgement in favour of the applicants accordingly, N70, 000,000. , N60, 000,000 and N20, 000,000 as general, exemplary and special damages respectively, against the 2nd and 3rd respondents.

On the no cause of action motion filed by the counsel to the AGF, Bashir Isah, at hearing stage, the court ruled that there is a reasonable cause of action against all the respondents severally and jointly given the circumstance of the matter as the alleged killer in question is an employee of 2nd and third

respondents..

In addition to the monetary reward, the court ordered the respondents to pay the sum of N500, 000 and N1, 585, 450 for the cost of litigation, burial and sundry expenses respectively, in favour of the applicants as well as awarded N30, 000 damages against the 3rd respondent for failed attempt to exonerate the AGF of any wrong doing or case to answer in the suit.

Also the judge frowned at the inability of the 1st respondent to appear in person or legal in the court, to offer any explanation in the matter after having been served with the court processes in prison, which he said has legal implication in the matter at hand.

Reacting to the Judgement,

counsel for the applicants, Barr.

Kalu Onuoha, hailed the judgement, describing it as a thorough and well thought verdict capable of checkmating the menace of illegal killing innocent citizens by security officers in the country.

"I think by the time this judge goes out and the police get to understand that the court has started awarding exemplary damages against them for unlawful killing of persons in the country, they would sit up", Onuoha expressed.

Similarly, the widower, Mr. Okere, said the judgement gives him and members of his family some sense of justice over the unjustly brutal and untimely murder of his late wife and the mother of one year plus son at her prime.

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

FAAC allocation for the month of April 2012 S/N BENEFICIARIES SUB-TOTAL (N) 1

FG (52.68%) States (26.72%) L/govt Councils (20.72%) Derivation (13% of Mineral revenue-oil/gas) Value Added Tax (VAT) & Transfers

613.697 billion

FMBN earmarks N364m to clear pension arrears

By Abdulwahab Isa

T

he Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) is set to clear pension arrears owe pensioners after a thorough verification exercise.

A statement issued at the weekend by the banks’ spokesperson, Mr. Simeon Agada says the sum total of N364million has been earmarked to clear pension backlog .

The amount FMBN statement says, was arrived at after a joint pensioners’ verification exercise conducted in April by the FMBN Management and series of consultations between the Bank and its pensioners as well as

Flight schedule AIR NIGERIA (MONDAY - SUNDAY) LOS-A BJ: 07.15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.30, 17.00, 17.20, 18.30.

ABJ-LOS: 07.00, 09.30, 10.30, 11.15, 16.15, 19.15, 19.35 ABJ-KANO: 18.40 KANO-ABJ: 08.35 ABJ -SOK (MON): 09.35 ABJ-SOK (FRI): 10.10 ABJ-SOK (WED/SUN): 11.20 SOK-ABJ (MON): 11.35 SOK-ABJ (FRI): 12.00 SOK-ABJ (WED/SUN): 13.20

AEROCONTRACTORS (MON - SUN) LOS-ABJ: 06.50, 13.30, 19.45 LOS-ABJ (SUN): 12.30 LOS-ABJ (SAT): 16.45 ABU-L OS: 07.30, 13.00, 14.00, 19.00 ABU-LOS (SUN): 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 ABU-LOS (SAT): 18.30

DANA AIRLINES (MON - SUN) LOS-ABJ: 07.02, 08.10, 12.06, 15.30, 17.10

with National Pension Commission (PENCOM) officials and independent pension consultants.

FMBN Managing Director, Mr. Gimba Ya’u Kumo confirmed that the Bank had paid N145,434,341.71 in April, 2011 while the balance of N218,151,512.57 would be paid in two installments of N109,075,756.28 in May 2012 and N109,075,756.28 in August this year.

The FMBN Management has increased the pensioners’ monthly pay by 25 per cent, and this became effective since April 2011 when the first batch of pension arrears of N145,434,341.71 was paid.

Kumo enjoined FMBN Pensioners to team up with the Bank’s Management in its drive to provide affordable shelter for the generality of Nigerians who are contributors to the National Housing Fund Scheme.

The FMBN had under the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme and through capital market operations, financed the delivery of more than 61,000 housing units to NHF contributors in various parts of the country.

It recently witnessed the laying of foundation stone for the construction of a housing estate consisting of 450 housing units in Gombe State by Gombe State Property Investment and Development Company.

LOS-KANO : 08.10 KANO-LOS: 11.25 KANO -ABUJA: 11.25 ABUJA-KANO : 10.08

IRS AIRLINES LOS -ABJ: 9.45, 11.45, 2.45

M

TN Group, Africa’s largest mobile operator, reported on Friday a 4 percent rise in subscribers for the first quarter, helped by increases in tits key markets of South Africa, Nigeria and Iran. MTN, which is EXCHANGE RATES

CBN CFA • £ RIYAL $

Mob: 08033644990

PPPRA sanctions Swiss energy company, NIMEX

I

n its determination to entrench transparency and accountability in the downstream sector, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has hammered NIMEX Petroleum Ltd, an oil trading company from Switzerland.

The Executive Secretary of the PPPRA, Mr Reginald Stanley, confirmed the sanction in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

Stanley said that the Swiss firm refused to submit important documents on its operations in Nigeria.

It will be recalled that Stanley last November, vowed to enthrone a regime of transparency in the downstream, warning

petroleum marketers “to shape up or ship out of the industry”.

He said that NIMEX was sanctioned for failing to provide documents relating to its shuttle vessels, which loaded from the mother vessel as well as its documentation on the cumulative load-outs.

He said that NIMEX was therefore, “suspended from supplying cargoes to Nigerian marketers under the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) scheme, pending the provision of the necessary documents’’ by NIMEX. The PPPRA chief said that independent cargo inspectors, who superintended the receipt of the products from NIMEX, would also be sanctioned, if found to be culpable.

Stanley said: “all marketers

SELLING 0.3129 204.3407 251.798 41.5167 155.7

£ RIYAL $

BUYING 243 43 154

SELLING 257 45 159

are hereby warned that with effect from May 3, 2012, all purchases of premium motor spirit from Messrs NIMEX Petroleum shall not be processed for PSF claims. ” In a related development, Swift Oil and Gas Ltd, Lagos, was directed to provide required documentation on “originals of discharged documents’’, known in the industry as shore-tank certificates.

“Swift Oil was also required to make available detailed truck-out of its oil discharges as well as a comprehensive bank statement, detailing lodgments in respect of the sale of the discharges. ’’ Stanley said that Swift Oil would be sanctioned if it failed to provide the documents.

(NAN)

R-L: Minster of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Minister of Information, Malam Labaran Maku discussing after their meeting recently with President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja.

currently the target of a lawsuit from rival Turckcell, said in a statement its subscribers totalled 170.6 million at the end of March, from 164.5 million at the end of December.

The number of subscribers rose by around 3 percent in

Nigeria and South Africa, while its customers in Iran increased by more than 6 percent.

Iran has been a significant money-spinner for MTN, although it has also brought serious controversy. Turkcell is suing MTN for at least $4.2 billion in a U.S. court, claiming

MTN used corrupt practices and promises of weapons to win its licence in Iran.

Turkey’s largest mobile operator initially won the bid for the Iran licence in 2004.

Tehran later backed out of the deal and awarded the business to MTN in 2005. MTN has said the case has no legal merit.

Shares of MTN were up 1.4 percent as at Friday.

Management Tip of the Day

3rd May, 2012 BUYING 0.2929 203.0283 250.1808 41.25 154.7

PARALLEL RATES

ABJ-LOS: 11.30, 3.45, 4.45 LOS-KANO: 6.15 LOS-KANO (SAT/SUN): 16.30 KANO-LOS: 07.30 KANO-LOS (SUN/SUN): 10.30

INSIDE - Pg 20 Insecurity hindering business in Nigeria

MTN reports 4% rise in subscribers

ABJ-LOS: 07.20, 09.36, 13.05, 14.40 ABJ-LOS (SAT/SUN): 13.05, 18.00

PAGE 19

H

How to reach your enemy

aving enemies in the workplace is often destructive. Ideally you should try to work with your rival instead of against him.

But if your collaborative efforts fail, try one of these strategies instead: Find a common ally. Seek a

third party whom your enemy trusts. A common ally may convince him of the benefits of working with you.

Wait for the right time.

Sometimes people need time and space before they can see your side.

Put off communication until the right

opportunity presents itself.

Recognise when to go elsewhere. The effort of converting a rival is sometimes so great that you’re better off focusing your energy on another relationship.

Source: Harvard Business Review

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS

Nestle rewards shoppers’ patronage in Lagos

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Interbank rates up on treasury bills sales

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igeria’s interbank lending rates jumped this week to an average of 13.91 percent, from 11.83 percent last week, after the central bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued about N90 billion

($572.79 million) worth of treasury bills to mop up excess liquidity.

The CBN conducts such open market operations (OMO) regularly as part of measures to curb inflation and control money

supply.

Traders said the CBN has been conducting OMO for the past week after about 300 billion in budgetary allocations was disbursed to government agencies, in a move to reduce

estle Nigeria Plc, one of the global leading nutrition, health and wellness companies has given back to loyal customers in Lagos state.

AfDB’s portfolio in Nigeria now N224bn

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he African Development Bank’s (AfDB) portfolio in Nigeria currently stands at $1.4 billion (about N224 billion)for a total of twenty seven projects, excluding operations that have already been approved by its board but not yet signed. Announcing this on Thursday in Abuja.

Balance of trade between Nigeria and South Africa beneficial

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he governments of South Africa and Nigeria are implementing a variety of measures to strengthen the historic bilateral relationship between the two sister African countries.

L-R: Chief of Staff/Head, Corporate Division, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Bola Adeeko; Executive Director/Chief Risk Officer, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Remi Odunlami; Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, NSE, Mr. Adeolu Bajomo and Group Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Bisi Onasanya at the First Bank of Nigeria Facts Behind the Figures presentation on the floor of the NSE on Friday.

CBN to sell N145.05bn treasury bills

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WECO places Nigerian systems integration practice on global stage, wins award

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isco has unveiled its African EnterprisePartner Award Winner for 2012, recognising Weco Systems for unequalled performance in the continent during its annual Global Partner Summit held in San Diego, California, USA.

Bharti Airtel rakes in $4.1bn revenue from Africa

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harti Airtel Limited has announced its audited consolidated International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) results for the fourth quarter and year ended March 31, 2012.

Chellarams supports Ymedia go green initiative

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he campaign for a greener and cleaner environment in Nigeria and the world over, is gradually receiving the attention of both the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy. This was evident at the recently held Lagos energy seminar, organised

by Ymedia, in partnership with its public and private partners, including Chellarams Plc.

Inflation rates from Apr, 2011 to Mar, 2012 Max = 12.6%, Min = 9.3% for period in display.

Current Inflation rate = 12.1% Source:CBN

igeria plans to issue 145.05 billion naira ($922.12 million) in treasury bills ranging from 3month to 1-year maturities at its regular monthly debt auction this week, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said last Wednesday.

The apex bank said it would issue 32.05 billion naira in 91-day paper, N53 billion in 182-day bills and N60 billion in 364-day bills this Thursday.

The CBN issues treasury bills regularly to reduce money supply, curb inflation and help lenders manage their liquidity.

Yields at the previous auction fell across the board, driven by strong demand from offshore and local institutional investors, traders said.

Earnings Report for Banks Source:Pro-share Nigeria

impact of money supply on price stability.

“As long as this continues, cost of borrowing will gradually inch up,” one dealer said.

Dealers said the market opened with a cash balance of about 131 billion naira on Friday, compared with 331.81 billion naira last week on Friday.

The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) climbed to 13.50 percent from 11.50 percent last week, 150 basis points above the central bank’s 12 percent benchmark rate, and 3.50 percentage points above the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate. Overnight placement traded at 14 percent, compared with 12 percent last week, call money closed higher at 14.25 percent, from 12 percent last week.

“Other cash outflows to foreign exchange purchases and other transactions are expected to further drain liquidity from the system,” another dealer said.

Insecurity hinders business in Nigeria, says Unity Bank MD

M

anaging Director of Unity Bank, Ado Wanka, said in Kaduna over the weekend that the insecurity in the country was hampering business growth.

Wanka, who was represented by a director in the bank, Alhaji Gimba Hassan, made the statement at an event to mark Unity Bank's day at the ongoing 33rd Kaduna International trade fair.

He said incessant crises had greatly affected business growth in all spheres, and reiterated the commitment of the bank to partnering the private sector and farmers to grow the economy.

The managing director called on the government, particularly northern leaders, to tackle the insecurity problem to improve the economy of the region and nation’s in general.

He said the bank was offering a new service, Unity Holy Trip package, a savings account designed for prospective pilgrims to enable them get BTA allowance and 50 per cent credit facilities.

“We arrange visas, get them airline bookings on time, and accommodations with a low interest rate loan.''

Wanka said the bank has 244 branches across the country.

(NAN)

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

Reps probe committee summons Otedola, Dangote, Soludo, others

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he House of Representatives ad hoc committee probing the near collapse of the capital market on Friday summoned the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, former Finance Minister, Dr. Mukhtar Mukhtar; Mr Femi Otedola, Mr Oba Otudeko; former Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the Executive Vice Chairman of Nigeria Communications Commission(NCC), Mr. Eugene

Juwah and the Executive Secretary of Department of Petroleum Resources(DPR) to appear before it unfailingly tomorrow to answer questions.

This is coming as the embattled Director-General of Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa opined that part of the ways to bolster the stock market in the country would include the need for NCC to as a matter of policy before issuing licence to telecom companies to ask them

to get listed on the stock exchange.

To this end, the Chairman of the panel, Hon. Ibrahim Elsudi, said that the House would pursue the listing of telecom companies and every public liability company on the stock exchange in other to boost the liquidity in the capital market.

Ms Onagoruwa, while buttressing the need for the NCC to get the telecom companies listed explained that telecoms companies all

NSE All Share Index inches up by +2.52%

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he Nigerian Stock Market sustained uptrend for the third week in a row just as profitable transactions continued to permeate the Nigerian bourse amid unrelenting bargain activities while the Exchange notified all quoted companies that the 1st Quarter F i n a n c i a l Statements for 2012 is expected to be International Financial Reporting Standarad (IFRS) Compliant as Statements that do not meet with s t a t u t o r y requirement will not be recognized as appropriately filed and will not be presented to the market.

Furthermore, the key benchmark indices maintained downtrend by -0.29% to open the first trading day of the week

negative as sell pressure outweighed bargain hunting in

some sectors across the main board while market retraced in the second session to close in the positive territory by +1.39% as market breadth closed very impressive.

The bulls continue to dominate market activities as bargain hunting continued to outweigh sell pressure in the third session just as NSE ASI firms up by +0.84% to maintain n o r t h w a r d s movement as market YTD performance stands at +8.72%.

Conversely, trading activities on Friday closed northwards as sentiments remained positive.

First Bank set to re-list as a holding company, customer base hits 8m From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

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irst Bank Nigeria Plc said on Friday that it has concluded plans to delist First Bank Plc from the Nigeria Stock Exchange in order to relist the holding company.

Disclosing this in at the floor of the NSE while presenting the fact behind the figure, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the

bank, Mr Bisi Onasanya said that the delisting and re-listing of the holding company will go a long way to benefit its shareholders.

According to him, “ the shareholders will get their shares in equal proportion. There is no way that the shareholders will be short changed,” he assured.

He further reassured the brokers that the bank “for now is not thinking of share

reconstruction.”

He said that the non performing loan of the bank stood at 2.6 per cent while the bank had 100 per cent performing loan.

He further said that the number customers of the bank had hit the 8 million from 6.3 million in 2010 and 7.7 million in 2011, adding that it was an indication that the bank is a global and the best bank.

over the world were being listed on stock exchange, maintaining that such move would positively affect the capital market of the country.

Addressing the committee on privatised companies by the Federal Government, the BPE boss said that the companies that were privatized were supposed to be listed on the stock market, stressing that there was no policy on ground to compel such companies to be enlisted on the stock exchange.

Consequently, the key benchmark indices inches up by +0.57% while market closed the week with aggregate gain of +2.52%.

Further analysis on acquiring banks since transaction date showed that the share price of Access Bank Plc has recorded 36.97% gain, followed by FCMB with 43.08% gain while Union Bank Plc leads the chart with 108.61% gain.

However, Sterling Bank recorded -2.36% loss while ETI closed positive with +0.26% gain recorded.

However, the All-Share Index in the week under review moved up by +2.52% to close at 22,665.99 as against an upbeat by +1.62% recorded last week to close at 22,109.44.

In the same vein, the market capitalization in the week appreciated by N177.49 billion (US$1.18 billion) to close at N7.22 trillion (US$48.17billion) as against appreciation by N112.55 billion (US$750.37 million) recorded last week to close at N7.05 trillion (US$ 46.99billion).

The total volume traded in the week closed at 2.44 billion units valued at N20.74billion (US$138.23 million) compared with 1.96 billion units valued at N17.23 billion (US$114.87 million) exchanged in 23,547 deals last week. The volume transaction in the week when compared with the previous week data moved up by +24.79% as against downwards movement by -4.24% recorded last week.

Weekly value also went up by +20.33% as against positive position of +9.54% recorded last week.

INVESTORS NEWS BEAT

Eterna Oil’s earnings top N41bn

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terna Oil, an indigenous integrated energy company operating in the upstream and downstream petroleum sector, has reported a 190.5% growth in headline revenue that topped N 41 billion, up from N 14 bn in the previous financial year end in its recently released its audited financial statements for the year 2011.

Zenith Banks N19.2b PAT

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enith Bank has released its first quarter financial statements, announing that it made N72.4 billion in Gross Earnings between January and March this year, up 33% from the N 54.3 billion it made at the end of March 2011.

Access Bank realises N 62 bn revenue in Q1

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ccess Bank earnings are up 143% to N 62 billion from N25.8 billion at the close of Q1, 2011.

The bank recently joined the league of top-tier banks in the country with its acquisition of Intercontinental bank.

Skye Bank raises N16bn in bonds

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kye Bank has raised $100 million (about N16 billion)in debt from a multilateral institution at a floating coupon rate of 6.3 percent for seven-years to boost its capital, its chief executive Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti has said.

DMO to issue N210b, N290b bonds in Q2

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igeria plans to raise between N210 billion and N 290 billion ($1.33 billion – $1.84 billion) in sovereign bonds ranging between three and 10 years in the second quarter of the year, the Debt Management Office (DMO) has said.

AGMs scheduled in market next week CAP Plc 9th May, 2012 Cadbury Nig Plc 9th May, 2012.

Source:Pro-share Nigeria

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

PAGE 22

Dangote charity soars to N16bn in Q1 T

By Aminu Imam

he Pan African conglomeratethe Dangote Group- has jerked up its philanthropic profile as its charity work between 2011 and the first quarter of 2012 is nearing N20billion, a statement from the group said.

The group had intensified its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes across Africa.

The statement said in the first quarter of 2012, the group maintained its philanthropic tempo as it doled out $500,000 to victims of explosion in Republic of Congo.

"The Dangote Industries Limited has also donated N100millon to the University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano within the first quarter," the statement added.

The statement said the group

had supported the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with a million naira within the first quarter of 2012.

The statement quoted the president of the group Alhaji Aliko Dangote in an interview as saying that he is determined to intensify his charity works, and as well create jobs for many Africans.

"About this philanthropy, I think from this year, I

personally want to take it very seriously. I want to be much more aggressive than what we have had in the past.

"We already have a foundation which will do all these things, but I am trying to see what we can do to encourage, not only Nigerians, but other Africans," Dangote said.

He added: "I am not going to give all my money to charity, but I am going to try my best and give part of that money to charity. I am working hard on it," Last year, the group pumped over N1billion into the rehabilitation of some Nigerian universities.

As part of the group's contribution to empowerment, it had given out N600million to women in Kano State.

With tentacles in 14 African countries, Dangote has been

adjudged as one of the biggest employers of labour outside government in Africa.

In February, President Goodluck Jonathan commissioned the group's Ibese plant with an annual capacity of six million metric tons. The plant will also create jobs for some 10,000 people.

The conglomerate currently provides about 40, 000 job and pay about N50 billion in tax annually.

Dangote's charity effort had been extended to African and Asian countries.

Victims of famine in Niger Republic had been given over N120million, while flood victims in Pakistan got $2million from the Dangote group.

The conglomerate had expended a N15.5billion in 2011 as part of its CSR work.

Traders in Potiskum protest at military checkpoint From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

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R-L: President, National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees (NUPTE), Mr. Sunday Alhassan; Head, Contact Centre, Spanco Nigeria, Mr. Shailesh Mohan; Head, Human Resources, Spanco Nigeria, Mr. Digvijay Srivastava; Comrade Mamman of NUPTE and Chairman of NUPTE, Spanco Branch, Foluso Taiwo during a Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony between Spanco employees and NUPTE, recently, in Abuja.

Airtel to showcase Nigeria’s largest 3.75G network at ICT Congress From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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eading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria said it has finalised arrangements to showcase the latest data and Internet offerings on its newly upgraded 3.75G network at this year’s edition of the West African Information and Communication Technology (WAFICT) congress.

The ICT congress, scheduled to hold at the Eko Hotel, Lagos from tomorrow, May 8th to Thursday, May 10th, the company told journalists it will provide a credible platform to further demonstrate its exciting

and innovative data offerings, adding that Airtel currently has the largest 3.75G network in Nigeria, covering all the 36 states and Abuja.

Speaking on the company’s sponsorship and participation at the ICT congress, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Rajan Swaroop said the telecom operator is excited to be partnering with WAFICT, saying that it will use the forum to exhibit some of its latest value propositions in its data/Internet product’s segment.

“We commend the organisers of WAFICT; Airtel is always

happy to be part of WAFICT. Indeed, WAFICT is a leading ICT congress just as Airtel is a product leader and trail blazer in all the market it operates. In Nigeria, we currently have the largest 3.75 network because of our commitment to delight telecoms consumers across the country.

Definitely, we are taking Nigeria’s largest 3G network to this year’s WAFICT,” he said.

Organisers of WAFICT 2012 congress and exhibition say the event will open new horizons, introduce new technologies and provide greater insights for governments and regulators in the sub-region, to benefit from new trends and potentials in the technological arena.

Power outage: Jos PHCN CEO urges patience, promises better days Other included four

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he Jos Electricity Distribution Company yesterday called for “a little more patience’’, promising better days ahead for consumers in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the call followed complaints and protests by consumers in the state.

“We understand the concerns of the customers but we want to call for a little more patience,’’ Mrs Vera Osuhor, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, said in Jos. “The factors militating against

stable power supply in Jos zone are being addressed and the results will soon be here. ’’ Osuhor told NAN that power generated by the private and the State Government would soon be add to the 130 mega watts available for sharing in the zone.

According to her, the zone requires a minimum of 260 mega watts to meet demand that is constantly on the rise.

The CEO said that a 1x7.5 MVA power transformer was also being upgraded to serve the 1x15MVA, 33/11KV transformer at Bauchi Road injection substation in Jos.

1x7.5 MVA 33/11Kv injection substations, which were nearing completion at Lamingo Dam, Stadium Area on Zaria Road, Maraban Jama’a, as well as Barkin-Ladi, all in Jos and environs.

According to her, the PHCN is worried over incessant power outages and has taken necessary steps to end the menace and ensure enough electricity to the Nigerian economy to stability.

She, however, denied allegations that PHCN was deliberately holding on to prepaid metres so as to exploit its customers. (NAN)

ollowing the killing of 60 people by gunmen at Potiskum cattle market last Wednesday, traders in Potiskum, Yobe state have protested the “stop and search” exercise being conducted by soldiers on motorists at checkpoint near the burnt cattle market long Damaturu road.

An eyewitness told our reporter on telephone that on Saturday, around 9:30 pm problem started when traders in a pick-up van were stopped at a checkpoint 250 meters from cattle market by men of the JTF but the traders protested that the checkpoints neither serves the interest of the people nor protect lives and property.

The soldiers, according to a resident, took to their heels, fearing that the angry traders could be the gunmen that attacked and bombed the market, killing 60 people, adding that the market was attacked and bombed for three

hours, but none of the soldiers and policemen on duty was able to confront the gunmen.

The traders said that with all the checkpoints mounted in the town, including the one near the cattle market, gunmen enter the town with these weapons and terrorised the market without anyone being caught or shot by the Police or soldiers who were sent to protect lives and properties but that 60 people were killed and several were injured.

Confirming the protests, the Yobe Police commissioner, Moses Onireti said there was an argument between soldiers and traders at a checkpoint and that it resulted into some residents and traders take law into their hands by allegedly attacking soldiers and policemen at their duty posts in Potiskum.

Potiskum local government area is among the local government were imposed state of emergency by the Federal government and send JTF to taken over the security issues from the state government.

Kano boosts transportation with 1,500 vehicles

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he Kano state government has procured 1,000 taxi cabs and 500 buses to boost transport services in Kano metropolis.

The state Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, told newsmen in Kano on Saturday that the gesture was part of the government’s efforts to provide employment in the state.

He said the vehicles which would soon be launched by Gov. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, would alleviate the transportation problem being faced by commuters in the state capital.

“This is part of government’s effort to provide subsidised and cheap public transport services

for the public,’’ he said.

According to him, the state government has also provided 15 additional buses to the state transport company, to enhance its operations.

“With government approval, the company has initiated the first passenger Health Insurance Scheme, in partnership with Zuma Health Insurance” he said.

“A passenger will pay only N50 per trip and receive the sum of N190, 000 medical care in the event of an accident and N200, 000 in case of death.”

Yusuf said the state government had also refurbished many grounded vehicles of the transport company to enhance its services.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

Leaving a legacy isn’t about sharing money, says Governor Kwankwaso The recent award bestowed on Kano state Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as the “Best governor in poverty alleviation and empowerment” is a testimony to the strenuous efforts at developing the state through job creation, women and youth empowerment, agricultural re-invigoration, educational development and economic restoration. In an exclusive interview Kwankwaso granted to with Peoples Daily’s Editors, the governor shares his plans for the transformation of Kano’s economy. Excerpts:

H

ow did you manage the challenges of re-election in 2011?

In 2011, we contested and won the election; all that we saw in 2011 was a result of what we did in 1999- 2003 and the people decided that our four- year-tenure was far better than the eight years of the other party and came out en mass and supported us. I am happy to say that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the election in Kano state.

Since taking office in May, 201, I have had time to see the mistakes that we made the last time and to see what mistakes the immediate past

government made in the last eight years and so we went out fully prepared to govern the state. We knew what to do and we kept on moving; we are determined, we believe we have taken so much from past experiences and now it is the time for us to check the drift.

You’re noted for your financial prudence, with your critics even calling you tight-fisted. How are you able to generate enough income to fund the projects you have embarked upon in view of their huge capitalintensive nature?

We inherited debts of over N77 billion and several

hundreds of millions of dollars, but I am happy that when we took over, we decided to draw a line; we said look, we are not in a hurry to look at this debt because once we open the can we don’t know the types of worms that will come out. Instead, we decided to leave it there but there are several other things like the over 4billion hotel bills owed to Tahir Hotels and two other hotels; we are not in a hurry to face these, that is why we decided to move forward; that is why between 29th May, 2011 and the end of the year, we were able to do all the programmes we now have on the ground. By God’s grace,

the opening balance of this year’s budget is N20.5 cash and that shows that despite the fact that there are so many competing demands, we can raise some money. Yes, there are many problems but the biggest, in my opinion, is dishonesty, not only of the leaders but everybody, even journalists, farmers, businessmen, clergymen, everybody. We need to address the issue; this problem of corruption cuts across all strata, not only the bank MD or his deputy but also messengers and even customers. Unless we decide to be honest with ourselves,

we should be honest, we should be upright, we should work hard to make sure that we move our state forward and that was why we decided on our own that we should get someone who has already shown the light on the direction in which we want to move and that is why we had a mentor, a leader called Aminu Kano.

What are the major achievements recorded in terms of capital d e v e l o p m e n t programmes?

The achievements are there for everybody to see.

We noted that Kano, being the

“

We should be upright, we should work hard to make sure that we move our state forward and that was why we decided on our own that we should get someone who has already shown the light on the direction in which we want to move and that is why we had a mentor, a leader called Aminu Kano

Kwankwaso

we will continue to run into problems; of course, those who have the opportunity to handle the resources of government and other organisations are people that have got a better example, but if you want to test the lower ones, go and keep your money just there and go and wash your hands and come back, you will be disappointed and shocked because by the time you go back you will hardly hear anyone asking who had left his money there. We have decided as a government that

most populous state in the country, is so congested, with so many people concentrated on a small area of land. You know, philosophers say that cities, when they are too congested, are like a human zoo. That was why we had to open up new areas and the last time I remember building cities or new places with infrastructure was a very long time ago and that is why we thought that there is that need for us to create these cities; we have Kwankwasiya city as well as other cities. We

have gone very far in the provision of infrastructure; we are going to provide all the amenities of any model city, ranging from a five-star hotel to a conference centre to the Governor’s Lodge; the roads are being dualized, with drainage, water, communication and everything we can think of. At Kwankwasiya city most of the plots were allocated and most of the people have filled it; we are paying over 4milllion naira per plot and we have designed the building type, we want people to build; we want each house to be at least onestorey building and we provided contractors over some couple of weeks ago; we have many other facilities that we can talk of and the state government has decided to sell all the government properties to those occupying the houses which were built many decades ago.

Initially, they were well maintained but now, the government has no money to maintain civil servants’ generators and such facilities.

I told the civil servants there is no discount rate and if you want to buy, you buy and that these houses were owned by the people of Kano state; we are just holding them in trust for them. We have got consultants who have almost finished their job. When we are finished with this one we’ll go to another city and build houses for those civil servants and any citizen of Kano state who is interested.

As a government, we know that even if you are not from Kano state you cannot take the house to your village and definitely, now it will be better, and along the line if you are maintaining it you are improving the economy.

If this arrangement succeeds, by the grace of God, many people will own their houses and this in addition to the houses being built by the Kano State Housing Corporation and other organisations in addition to private developers. If you go to Kano now, you will see a lot of development that is going on; we have all the main roads leading into Kano Hadejia road, Zaria road, BUK road; now, we want to put in additional roads, lanes, beautify the roads and install traffic lights and we intend to put measures on the roads to control the movement of people coming in and going out of the state.

We are also making provision for the agriculturalists; we are providing trailer lanes/ parks. We have provided enough contractors who are working on this. We have all the infrastructure and facilities for people to go in and patronise those places; so much is happening in the area of infrastructure and we are working very soon, may be this month or next to award contracts for the construction of a fly-over and that will cover the silver roundabout, Kofar Nasarawa roundabout, Radio Kano roundabout, and Obasanjo roundabout, all of them in this quarter. We have the money; we have the budget, now it is just the details we are finalising; we have contractors working on the soil text. So in terms of infrastructure we are really working hard. We have done so much in the last one year or so and we are moving forward; we want to ensure

Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

that, by the grace of God, when we are leaving by 2015, Kano will be a better place than it is.

Have you been able to make any meaningful impact in terms of the provision of water in the state?

On water supply, we have recorded a significant improvement. There is a great linkage between water and electricity because we use electricity to power our pumps. We have imported pipes which we are laying over a distance of 52 kilometres to have a dam and we have also purchased a pipe which is 1,000 millimetres and we will lay it from Challawa waterworks to Goron-Dutse to replace the one there which has been there for almost a century. I have directed that a lot of water pipes be added to the present ones we have to bring more water into the city and, therefore, we want more extensions to other areas of the state which don’t have water so that at the end of the day, we will have potable and sufficient water in the state.

Between 1999 and 2003 you have developed new leaders from your state.

How have you been able to get this winning strategy?

In Nigeria, there is not much sense of history; if this gentleman who is your deputy is treacherous to you and he leaves your paper to go to the next paper, you know who he is but in this country somebody will be treacherous at point A; Mr. Z

will take him to think he is a good man; there is no good one among treacherous people; if one is treacherous, he is treacherous; if you put him under your arm, just wait for your turn and you will see it when it come. What is more important is I cannot remember any one particular person who succeeded in treachery. It may look like you are succeeding when you are going up, up but that is the unlucky one and eventually the whole thing will collapse because the higher you go, the greater the bang when you fall and that is the position. You see, I don’t too much worry about what critics are saying and anytime when you tune into the radio watch the television and nobody is criticizing me something is wrong.

Recently someone criticized me in the Blueprint for allowing Chinese and Indians to go to Kantin-Kwari

market. Now, as a governor, who am I to stop Chinese and Indians from coming to Nigeria?

Now, we are sending many people to China for their masters degree; if you want to sell textile materials, go ahead, we cannot just sit here and say now they are taking over 50 60 of our market. This is why we are sending our people there; we want them to learn their language, to be exposed and think like graduates.

What do you have to say to your critics?

I learn a lot from criticism. The first time they went to Radio Kano and abused us, they wanted me to stop them but I said no, let them go ahead and do it. You see, it is just like if in this your building, if they say the paint is not good, what do you do? You change it, but if they say it is supposed to be on the other side of the road, they are wasting their time and you just have to ignore them. If they look at you and

“

Those who believe in us believe in our ideology and that is why we have other parties; and then you will find out at the end of the day, they will go to where they belong, because if you take me to their party it is like taking me to prison because whatever they say is good is what I don’t believe in and whatever they say is bad I don’t believe it and that is what we call democracy

say it should be so and give you the basic reasons which are positive enough and you are convinced by them, then you can adapt. But when their complaint is baseless and unrealistic, you just ignore them and do your best. We enjoy criticism, more so we have other parties.

In 1999, everybody came together because we wanted to kick out the military but when we came in, we came with a different ideology and as we move ahead we still have to fight. I believe that you cannot leave any legacy by giving sharing out to people. That is where ideologies come in; if you go to America, and a Democrat is speaking or a Republican is speaking you can tell who is saying what, because it is deep inside. When you go to Britain it is the same. When one party is speaking they need not tell the opposite party what they mean and what they should say in return.

Those who believe in us believe in our ideology and that is why we have other parties; and then you will find out at the end of the day, they will go to where they belong, because if you take me to their party it is like taking me to prison because whatever they say is good is what I don’t believe in and whatever they say is bad I don’t believe it and that is what we call democracy. This is where we are and as the people continue to criticise, at the end of the day, by the grace of God, the truth will prevail.

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

Tribal daredevils are just inches from death during bizarre bungee-jumping ritual a hill and as the person jumps the platform beneath them gives way and leaves them swinging by their ankles just inches from the ground.

The unusual tradition takes place during April and May in the South Pacific Island of Vanuatu.

It is known locally as the Naghol and is considered a rite of passage for young men on the island.

Photographer Steve Davey was lucky enough to witness the land diving take place on the island and said it was a great experience to be able to capture the ancient tradition on camera.

The 46-year-old from Brixton, London said: ‘I’ve always wanted to see land diving since I watched it on a David Attenborough

documentary when I was a child and it was fascinating to finally witness it in person.

He said: ‘Land diving is a real part of the island’s culture, the woman dress in traditional dress and the elder men chant as the men dive from the top of the tower.

‘The tower is just pieces of wood tied together with vines, it takes between two-three weeks to create and features a series of platforms at different heights.

‘It can only be used once because the platform is designed to crack and give way when you jump from it.

‘There are boys only about seven or ten years old doing it, they start from the lower

platforms and the men leap from the top.

‘It’s quite haunting to witness, you watch it knowing people have died doing it before and that’s always in the back of your mind and then you hear the crack off the platform as they jump, it’s incredibly scary.

‘There’s no set science to it, it’s quite easy for it to go horribly wrong.

‘If the vines around your ankles are too short you could dislocate your ankles, if they’re too long or they snap you could kill yourself.

‘But it’s something they hold in high regard and it’s quite special to watch.’

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Celebration: Land Diving is a part of the island's culture, with the elder men chanting as the ritual takes place

Daring: The ritual on Vanuatu is considered a rite of passage for young men, who have just two pieces of vine attached to their ankles

By Ted Thornhill

T

hese are the incredible images of men and children who quite literally have a head for heights - as they risk their lives in a bizarre bungee jumping ritual.

The bonkers tradition called Land Diving sees young men and boys climb to the top of a wooden

tower and throw themselves off it head first, with only pieces of tree vine preventing them from certain death.

The tribal daredevils have just two pieces of vine tied to each ankle, which acts as a bungee cord as they plummet towards the ground from the top of the 30ft high tower.

The wooden towers are built on Inches from death: The men are jerked back just above the ground

Danger: The ritual is extremely risky with some men suffering dislocated ankles and others having died

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

Sokoto moves to authenticate institutions’ certificates

T

he Sokoto State Government has set up a five-man committee to authenticate the certificates issued by the state Polytechnic and the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.

A statement signed by the governor’s Special Adviser on Higher Education, Prof.

Gajam Ardo, said that the committee comprised the Deputy Director of Higher Education, Alhaji Usman Dogon-Daji as Chairman and Alhaji Abubakar Mainiyo, Assistant Director of Higher Education, as its Secretary.

According to the statement, the committee is to collate and verify complaints regarding the genuineness of the certificates issued by the affected institutions.

These certificates included the ND, HND, Polytechnic Diploma, NCE and Degrees.

The release stated that complaints must be sincere while the complainants must identify themselves in full.

It said that all submissions should be verified to checkmate admission racketeering in the institutions. (NAN)

Delta to pay teachers minimum wage arrears

G

ov.

Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state has stated that the state government has set aside N1 billion for the payment of primary school teachers’ minimum wage arrears.

Uduaghan, while addressing workers at the May Day celebration ground in Asaba, explained that though it was the responsibility of the Local Government Councils (LGCs) to pay the minimum wage, the state had taken up the burden.

He said that presently, the revenue allocated to the local government was barely enough for it to pay its workers.

“It is for this reason that all the governors are asking the Federal Government to review the allocation formula and release more money to the LGAs. “We have arrears of the minimum wage to pay to the teachers and we have set aside N1 billion to start payment with those that have been verified.”

Uduaghan also said that issues

of contributory pension funds, differences in the minimum wage and tax administration would soon be resolved, adding that whatever the difference would be paid back.

Earlier, the state NLC and TUC Chairmen, Williams Akporeha and Sam Dietake respectively, commended the governor for being labourfriendly, urging him to do more.

They also appealed against handing over of more schools to the missionaries and called for prompt payment of promotion arrears for teachers and workers in general.

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Jigawa bans use of mobile phones in schools

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igawa state Ministry of Education has banned the use of mobile phones by students in the secondary schools across the state.

Prof. Haruna Wakili, the state Commissioner for Education, announced this at a meeting with Principals and Zonal Directors of Education at the Government Unity Secondary School, Ringim.

The commissioner also announced a ban on the use of

vernacular during school hours, charging principals to ensure compliance with the ban by their students at all time.

He said that any student found using mobile phone or speaking the mother-tongue should be sanctioned by the school authority, pointing out that the introduction of French language and entrepreneurship subjects had also posed challenges to the education sector.

Earlier in an address of welcome, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Malam Abdullahi Hudu, expressed satisfaction with the turnout of principals at the meeting.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the state chapter of All Nigeria Principals of Secondary Schools Conference, Malam Hussaini Abdullahi, commended the ministry for the decisions.

L-R: Minister of State for FCT, Chief Jumoke Akinjide, and Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'i, during their meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan on the state of education, at the State House, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Academic activity resumes in Ambrose Ali University

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi with Agency report

A

fter six weeks of closure due to the rampage that followed the sudden death of two students from the university who fell into well

Gombe federal university takes off soon, says registrar he Registrar of the newlyestablished Federal University, Kashere, Gombe state, Abubakar AliyuBafeto, has disclosed that the institution is set to commence academic activities soon.

Aliyu-Bafeto, who disclosed this in Gombe in an interview with newsmen, also recalled that the Minister of Education, Prof.

Ruqayyatu Rufa’I, had inspected the infrastructure at the institution.

He said the minister was happy with the quality and progress of work done so far at the site.

Aliyu-Bafeto said when the university was established, the Federal Government provided a check-list of the necessary facilities to be put in place to ensure a successful take-off, adding that more than 90 per cent of those facilities had been provided for the institution.

He explained that the

PAGE 27

postponement of academic activities earlier scheduled for April 30 was due to a directive from the Federal Ministry of Education to wait until after the minister’s inspection of the facilities.

Aliyu-Bafeto listed the facilities provided at the institution to include Library, water supply, laboratories, lecture rooms, sporting and other recreational facilities, students’ hostels, students’ centre among others.

According to him, since the minister has inspected the project and given them a pass mark, academic activities will soon commence at the institution.

It would be recalled that 318 pioneer students of the university were offered admission to study in two faculties, while the university was recently given N1.5 billion by the Federal Government for the facilities.

while scavenging for water, the Ambrose Ali University (AAU), Ekpoma in Edo state, has reopened for academic activities.

The Spokesman for the institution, Mr Chris Adamaigbo, confirmed to journalist that the university will be reopened on Monday.

He said that academic activities commenced on Monday when the university actually re-opened, adding that the students were expected to settle down and faced their studies squarely.

“Government has done a lot to ensure that things move smoothly in the institution and we expect that students would reciprocate by facing their academic activities.”

It would be recalled that the institution was closed down following the death of two female students who fell into a well while fetching water.

Five other students were also injured in the incident when the well, located at the Kudirat Hostel of the institution, caved in with the seven students at

about 7:30 am on that day.

The incident generated spontaneous reactions from the students, who staged a mass protest demanding an improvement in their living conditions.

The protesting students had blamed the death of their colleagues on the dilapidated facilities at the institution.

Meanwhile, during the closure, the institution’s management had rehabilitated and reconstructed facilities at the students’ hostels.

Okopoly reopens on Wednesday

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he management of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra state, has ordered students of the institution to resume on Wednesday after five weeks of closure.

The institution was shut on the 25th of March following riots involving students and youths from community during which some persons were wounded and property destroyed.

In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Institution, Mr Obini Onuchukwu, said the decision to re-open the school followed the submission of an interim report by the panel of investigation in the matter.

“We regret that the situation has seriously disrupted the academic calendar and most worrisome is the threat of withdrawal of the institution’s accreditation for all programmes

by National Board for technical Education, the control body.

“Furthermore, the situation is capable of affecting our students’ from participations in National Youth Service Corps Programme, Industrial Attachment and the admission of new students. Our Atani campus is also yet to matriculate.

“It is worthy of note that the resumption does not foreclose further deliberations and negotiation for payment of reparation as the panel only

submitted interim report, while a meeting of the expanded management has been summoned to also look into the matter,” the statement said.

The management therefore, advised all students in Atani, Ufuma and Oko campuses to return on Wednesday to resume lectures on Thursday, May 3rd, urging the lecturers to resume immediately so as to complete their lectures scheme for examinations to begin.

It also appealed to Oko youths and all those whose property were affected, including those who suffered different degrees of injuries, to remain calm to allow peaceful conclusion of outstanding issues.

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Jigawa earmarks N870m to renovate 206 schools

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he Jigawa Government has earmarked N869. 8 million to renovate 206 schools damaged by rainstorm in the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Youths and Sports, Alhaji Babandi Ibrahim, made the announcement while addressing newsmen after the state’s Executive Council meeting on Wednesday in Dutse.

Ibrahim explained that the fund for the rehabilitation of the schools was sourced from the 2011 first and second quarters of the joint State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and UBE counter fund.

FG tasked on quality teachers for Unity Colleges

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he Secretary General of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Mr Solomon Onaghinon, has called on the Federal Government to employ qualified teachers into the 104 Unity Colleges across the country.

Onaghinon who told newsmen in Lagos that the development was worrisome and needed urgent attention, also said that there was an urgent need for the government to quickly intervene by recruiting fresh graduates to fill the gap created by the ageing and retiring teachers.

He however, identified corruption as a major challenge confronting the colleges, adding that it had contributed to the slow progress recorded in them.

“The endemic corruption that had eaten deep into the fabrics of the nation has also crept into these institutions.

“I remember there was a time an internal enquiry was set up to look into the sudden disappearance of about N1.5 billion meant for the upgrading of these schools, which never got to its destination“, he said.

He pleaded with the government to show more interest in the administration of the colleges in order to ensure transparency and accountability.

“I want to commend the efforts of the current Minister of Education, Prof. Rukayyatu Rufai, in ensuring that the schools are back to their old glorious days.

“My appeal is that she should do more by recruiting fresh graduates to teach core subjects in these schools.

“It is no longer hidden that majority of these colleges are facing dearth of qualified teachers in various subjects and this does not speak well for our children who are leaders of tomorrow“, he said.

Onaghinon decried a situation whereby Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs) of the colleges now resorted to hiring and paying teachers to complement the existing ones.

“But at the same time we have also found out that even these teachers recruited by the PTAs are grossly underpaid and as a result, they might really not be motivated“, Onaghinon said.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

UniAbuja students protest merger of departments A

cademic activities were paralysed at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), following students’ protest over alleged plan to merge two departments in the Faculty of Engineering, including the departments of Civil and Electrical Engineering.

Our reporter who visited the institution reports that movement in and out of the campuses was restricted, as the protesting students had locked the gates.

Security was beefed up in the two campuses, with hundreds of armed policemen deployed to man the gates at the mini and permanent sites of the university.

Students were seen in groups trekking out of the campuses, as the movement of motorcycle operators within the campus was also restricted.

Some of the students faulted the move by the university management to merge the Departments of Electrical Engineering with that of Civil Engineering on grounds of high cost of accreditation.

They accused the Vice Chancellor, Prof.

James

Adelabu, of not being fair to students of the Faculty of Engineering, arguing that the students should not bear the consequences of the accreditation problem.

The student, therefore, urged the university management to expedite action toward ensuring that more lecturers were recruited to teach in the two departments to avoid further problems in the university.

Reacting to the situation, the

Information Officer of the university, Mr Waziri Garba, blamed the protest on the leakage of the accreditation panel report which recommended that the departments be merged.

He appealed to the students to be calm, adding that the university management had not deliberated on the report.

Garba said the university management was fully committed to the interests of the

students and would protect it at all times.

He assured them that the six months period given to the Vice Chancellor for the accreditation of the faculties would not be exceeded.

Meanwhile, some students were injured at the mini campus of the university, following clash between the protesting students and the policemen deployed to beef up security at the campus gate.

UI SSANU continues protest over 2009 agreement

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he Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Western Zone, has stated that it would not relent in its demand for the implementation of the 2009 agreement with the Federal Government.The union stated this in Ibadan at its third weekly rally held to press home its demand on the 2009 agreement.

The union also requested the payment of backlog of its allowances and approval of 65year-retirement-age with abrogation of 35 years period.

The National Vice President (West) of SSANU, Mr Alfred Jimoh, told news men that the association had given an ultimatum to the Federal Government on the 2009 agreement.

"We are conscious of the fact that strike and violence are not the best alternatives to pressing home demands.

"This rally is about the noncompliance of our 2009 FGN/ SSANU agreement. Specifically, we are talking about an aspect of the agreement that is creating tension among our members.

“This has to do with the nonimplementation of earlier agreement, among which is responsibility allowance, call/ shift duty, overtime work and tour allowances, field trip,’’ he said.

Almajiri school pupils in classroom

ASUSS raises alarm over mass failure by Kebbi students

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi with Agency report

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he Kebbi State Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) has alerted the State Government on the drastic decline in students’ performances in examinations in the state, saying it is attributable to the shortage of teachers and the neglect of the financial plights of teachers.

The state’s Chairman of the association, Mr Ibrahim Garba, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that population explosion in secondary schools had affected standard.

“The student-teacher ratio is absolutely high and more teachers and schools are required to remedy the situation,” he stated, lamenting that the 27 per cent and 2.5 per cent inducement and the Teachers Salary Scale (TSS) for

professional and non professional teachers had not been implemented.

“Dialogue on payment of 30 per cent motivational allowances had collapsed and teachers have been demoralised over the decision of government to pay N5,000 flat rate motivational allowance, irrespective of the grade level and experience of teachers.

“And we are not happy that our salaries had been reduced to 57 per cent.”

Garba said that improvement of welfare, deployment, good teaching environment and reduction of the high student-teacher ratio would improve students’ performances in examinations.

Meanwhile, in reaction to this development, the Kebbi state government has expressed its determination to adopt fresh measures to improve students’ performance in external

examinations.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Abdullahi Kamba, made the promise at a meeting with directors, supervisors and inspectors of schools in Birnin Kebbi.

He said that teaching and learning facilities, as well as infrastructures would be provided in schools, assuring that classrooms would be decongested to bring them in line with global standard of student teacher ratio, adding that accommodation for teachers would be improved.

He said that facilities were being provided to aid students’ performance in external examinations because of the increase in enrolment.

The commissioner said that efforts would be made to ensure that supervisors and inspectors of schools were regular in their activities to improve teaching and learning.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

PAGE 29

Eating the right foods can improve your memory

Wellness with Charity Omenka

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t seems fatty and sugary snacks trigger the same pleasure centres in the brain as drugs which could explain why many people just can’t stop themselves bingeing on the bits and pieces. It could also lie behind the obesity epidemic.

It is not just unhealthy food that has a significant effect on health and behaviour.

Your brain weighs just 3lbs or so, a fraction of overall body weight but it gobbles up about 20 per cent of your daily calorie intake. A brain-healthy diet is essential for keeping your memory and intellect sharp and your mood buoyant.

Here, we look at the latest thinking on nutrition and the brain and the foods that help as well as those that hinder.

Food that boost concentration Good powers of concentration depend on keeping the messages flowing freely between brain cells. These cells need oxygen to fire up and send a message and they get it from blood sugar.

Simply ensuring an adequate and steady calorie intake throughout the day is therefore the first step to keeping focused and alert. It is not enough; however, for the signals to be generated, they also have to be sent from one cell to another.

This is done by nerve fibres.

Just like electric wires, these fibres have to be insulated so the messages flow. In order to build these sheaths, the brain needs a fatty substance called myelin.

Omega-3 oils (found mainly in oily fish, but also in walnuts, pumpkin and flax seeds) help build and maintain myelin. This may be why fish oil supplements seem to boost children’s mental performance, although studies showing this are controversial.

Top tip: Eating regularly three meals a day helps you to concentrate also supplementing it with snack on walnuts and seeds.

Foods that lift your mood Our feelings, like all mental activities, involve a frantic exchange of electrical messages between the brain cells.

The information is carried between the cells by chemicals called neurotransmitters and these play a key role in your mood.

One of the key neurotransmitters is dopamine, the ‘ feel good’ messenger. Rising levels of dopamine give you enthusiasm, drive and pleasure.

Falling levels are liked to a sense of emptiness, sadness, irritation and boredom.

Sugary and fatty foods cause a surge of dopamine. However, a quick dopamine high is invariably followed by an equally sharp drop, so to keep buoyant all day you are better off eating slow release, protein-rich foods.

Another way of ensuring a steady production of dopamine and a continued good mood is to supply your brain with

omenkac@gmail.com

Other home remedies even doctors use

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Omega-3 oils (found mainly in oily fish, but also in walnuts, pumpkin and flax seeds) are good 'brain food' precursors. These are the molecules which it uses to manufacture dopamine.

One important precursor called phenylalanine is found in beets, soya beans, almonds, eggs, meat and grains.

But if you really need a quick mood-boost, chocolate is especially effective at pumping up dopamine. That’s because it contains anandamide, a fat molecule that resembles the active substance found in marijuana.

Another neurotransmitter, called serotonin, helps you feel serene and content, combating anxiety. A carbohydrate snack will raise your serotonin level quickly, but it will also make you sleepy, so again, it is better to keep the level steady.

To manufacture serotonin, the brain needs tryptophan, a substance found mainly in eggs and meat the good news is that egg breakfast will supply your body with serotonin building blocks to last the day.

Caffeine makes you stay alert Caffeinated coffee is a classic remedy for sleepiness, but there is an art to using it properly. Its effect is down to the way it binds to certain cell receptors in the brain.

These would normally soak up a substance that turns off electrical activity, making you drowsy. Caffeine effectively blocks this substance, thereby encouraging your brain cells to be more active, giving you a burst of energy.

Too much caffeine however, produces nervousness because

the pituitary gland at the base of the brain interprets this spurt of activity as warning of an emergency.

It then instructs the body to produce the ‘fight or flight’ hormone adrenalin. So while you’ll become more alert initially, and your brain may work better and faster, you may also feel anxious cancelling out your ability to think clearly.

Carbohydrates can also provide an energy hit because they create a surge of glucose.

This in turn causes the body to release the hormone insulin which makes you feel drowsy.

Vegetables help improve your memory Our ability to remember things depends on getting brain cells to make new connections.

They do this best when they are highly excited, that is why we tend to remember events which happen when we are feeling emotionally or intellectually stimulated.

There is one key messenger in the brain which keeps brain cells excited, it is acetylcholine.

In fact, drugs which mimic the effect of this chemical have been found to boost memory in people with Alzheimer’s.

This key chemical is made from choline, which is found in eggs, liver and soya beans.

Vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower also seem to help memory. Researchers found people who eat these do better than peers on memory tests.

TOP TIP: Eggs could make a real difference to your memory.

Eat them regularly.

ast week, we noted that to prevent overuse of antibiotics, there are some recommended home-remedies you can use for simple ailments.

We looked at honey, salt, meat tenderizer, ice cubes and oatmeal use for a variety of ailments. Find below more remedies you can try safely at home: Peppermint tea Used for indigestion, stomachache and headaches.

The oil found in the peppermint leaf and its stems calms the muscles of the digestive tract, allowing gas to pass more easily and relieving indigestion.

Steer clear of peppermint tea, though, if your pain is caused by reflux—you’ll know from the acidic, burning feeling in your chest. (It can actually aggravate this problem by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter, which lets stomach acids flow back into the esophagus.)

Prepare a cup of peppermintleaf tea and drink up.

Ginger Used for cold symptoms and queasiness including motion sickness and morning sickness, as well as to aid digestion.

Ginger calms the stomach and alleviates cold by increasing circulation and perspiration.

Several studies have shown that it counteracts travel sickness and nausea.

Prepare a cup of ginger tea by boiling three to four slices of fresh ginger in a cup of water for about 10minutes. To make the tea really yummy, add lemon and honey.

Alternately, chew on fresh ginger to prevent nausea. To aid digestion, make a tea with ginger, dried orange peels, cloves and rosemary.

A Glass of Water Used to hiccups, cold symptoms, detoxifying and, of course, rehydration.

Drinking water or juice will prevent dehydration and keep your throat moist. This also relieves cold symptoms. You should drink at least 8 to 10 eightounce glasses of water daily. This includes all fluids- water, sports drinks, herbal teas, fruit drinks, or even chicken (or other) pepper soup. Additionally, water flushes toxins and waste from the body and transports nutrients to where they are needed.

For hiccups, get a small glass of water, hold your palms over your ears in such a way that no air can get in or out, while drinking as much of the water as you can without taking in air through their nose or mouth.

Baking Soda Used to reduce acne (or pimples), whiten teeth and

relieve itching.

Baking soda dries up the oil on the skin, speeding the healing of existing blemishes and minimizing the occurrence of future acne break outs. Also, because of its alkaline nature, baking soda dissolved in water, penetrates tooth enamel, releases free radicals that help scrape off yellow or brown stains on the teeth. It also lightens and brightens teeth by removing plaque, prevents tooth decay and freshens the breath. Baking soda, also, relieves all kinds of itching – rashes, chicken pox, heat rash, nettle stings, and even vaginal or anal itching.

Baking soda works on skin either added to bathwater or as a paste rubbed on the skin This water-baking soda paste can also be used to brush the teeth for whitening effects. To vary the effects, add salt or toothpaste, and for a very strong whitening effect, use with hydrogen peroxide to brush your teeth. HOWEVER, baking soda can damage tooth enamel if used too frequently.

Whiten your teeth with baking soda for only a couple of times in a month, or a maximum of once a week.

Acupressure Used for nausea and pain relief.

Below your wrist is a point you can press to relieve nausea. The ‘how’ is not very clear but up to six studies have shown that it works. On the inside of your wrist, find the groove between the two large tendons that run from the base of the palm to the elbow.

About two inches below the wrist, press down hard with a thumb or finger for a minute or two until the spot feels somewhat achy.

Mild queasiness can be relieved immediately. More intense nausea may take up to 20minutes of repeated pressing.

Another acupressure point, this time for pain, is the flesh between the thumb and forefinger. Find a spot about an inch into that triangle where there is some muscle and squeeze until it aches. Repeat 2-3 times or hold for a few minutes. This is effective for relieving pain in the head or neck. But it can relieve almost any pain by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killers.

A Note of Warning Although many remedies are effective, they CANNOT replace your doctor. If symptoms persist for up to 3 days, you should see your doctor. This is especially important with children. If symptoms persist in a child for more than a day, or the child seems to be getting worse, see a doctor immediately.

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Eating fish may reduce risk of Alzheimer’s by lowering levels of protein linked to the disease

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ating fish and other foods containing omega-3 fatty acids may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, new research suggests.

The oily compounds, which combat inflammation, appear to lower blood levels of a protein linked to Alzheimer’s, scientists have found.

Researchers in the US studied 1,219 people over the age of 65 who were free of dementia.

Participants were asked questions about their diet, and had their blood tested for betaamyloid.

The protein clumps together in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s and is one of the key hallmarks of the disease.

Blood beta-amyloid levels were found to lower with greater consumption of omega-3 fatty acid.

A daily intake of one gram of omega-3 above the average amount consumed by the study participants was associated with a 20% to 30% reduction in betaamyloid.

Levels of the protein in the blood are believed to reflect those found in the brain, indicating a protective effect from consuming omega-3 rich foods.

Lead researcher Dr Nikolaos Scarmeas, from Columbia University Medical Centre in New York, said: ‘While it’s not easy to measure the level of betaamyloid deposits in the brain in this type of study, it is relatively easy to measure the levels of betaamyloid in the blood, which, to a certain degree, relates to the level in the brain.

‘Determining through further research whether omega-3 fatty acids or other nutrients relate to spinal fluid or brain beta-amyloid levels, or levels of other Alzheimer’s disease-related proteins, can strengthen our confidence on beneficial effects of parts of our diet in preventing dementia.’

The scientists, whose findings are reported in the journal Neurology, looked at 10 nutrients including saturated fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, mono-unsaturated fatty acid, vitamins E, C, B12 and D, folate and beta-carotene.

Other nutrients besides omega-3 fatty acids were not associated with different blood levels of beta-amyloid.

The link between omega-3 and blood beta-amyloid remained the same after adjusting for a range of potential influences, including possession of a version of the APOE known to increase Alzheimer’s risk.

Omega-3 fatty acids are mostly found in oily fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel.

Lower amounts can also be found in nuts, some vegetables including Brussels sprouts, kale and spinach, and vegetable oils.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

NACA begins verification of Round 9 HIV and AIDS projects nationwide

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he National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) says it is carrying out verification of all Round 9 HIV and AIDS projects to facilitate proper collection and analysis of data on the scourge nationwide.

Dr James Anenih, Assistant Director, Research Unit, Strategic Knowledge and

NMA advises doctors to indicate drug reaction on patient’s medical folder

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he Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has advised doctors in the country to always indicate drug reaction on patient’s hospital folder or card.

The Chairman of the FCT chapter of the association, Dr Nicholas Baamlong gave the advice in an interview with the Newsmen recently in Abuja.

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) described drug reaction as a problem caused by a drug that patient or doctor did not expect.

Any prescription or nonprescription drug can cause a problem, reactions can occur between medications. Most drugs cause trouble by working on the body chemistry.

It stated that rarely, somebody’s immune system may react to a drug or to a chemical that the body created from that drug.

This type of reaction, according to ACAA is called a hypersensitivity reaction.

Allergic drug reactions are one type of hypersensitivity reaction.

Baamlong said it was necessary for medical practitioners to inquire from the patient his or her drug reaction before prescription. “It is very necessary that every practicing clinician should ask his patient before prescribing any drugs whether he reacts to any drugs at all.

“And once the patient admits to reacting to a particular drug, you indicate it either on the folder or on the patient’s card such that anywhere the patient goes to, such drug cannot be prescribed but unfortunately most of us may not really take our time to ask about drug reaction.”

He said the Federal Government had put in place strategies to ensure that medical practitioners put such practices in perspective.

Baamlong added that such procedure formed part of the agenda of the association’s continuous medical education to ensure compliance by practitioners. (NAN)

Management Department in the agency disclosed this in an interview with the Newsmen last week in Gwagwalada Area Council FCT Abuja.

He said, “Nigeria is currently implementing the consolidated Global Fund Round 9, this project is a verification project that is why it’s appropriately termed `Facility Data Audit’, we are the Principal Recipient (PR) of global fund.”

“We are doing a 100 per cent verification of all the data submitted in the last two years throughout the country and also to identify monitoring and valuation issues in the facilities.

“We tryTo ratify these issues, where we can ratify them, if we are not able to ratify out in the field, we now refer back to the national level and try to address these issues at the national

level.”

He said such process would help the country scale-up the Prevention from Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT).

Anenih said that the agency has been carrying out sensitisation and advocacy programme to create more awareness on the availability of PMTCT especially at the grassroots.

He added that the agency is doing more on community involvement and decentralisation of services.

He said data to be collected would cover a wide range of areas, including patient monitoring and evaluation tools as well as the program monitoring and management tools.

Also the verification would identify and correct the

Monitoring and Evaluation (M and E) technical issues and also make recommendations for M&E systemic issues identified at the sites.

The director said the team would collect data on key outcome and impact indicators for cohort analysis as well as new PMTCT indicators for the period under review.

According to him, the exercise will also identify if there are trained competent M and E record officers at the site and to verify that appropriate national tools and guidelines are available and being used at the sites.

According to reports, St Mary’s Catholic Hospital Gwagwalade and Kwali General Hospital in the FCT were among the Global Fund sites visited so far. (NAN)

President, Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Idris Omede, Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado Muhammad (centre) exchanging greetings with Polio victims, during the walk against polio, yesterday, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

NMA advises FG to step up efforts against polio

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he Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called on the Federal Government to step up efforts towards the eradication of polio in the country, noting that Nigeria has no reason to live with polio if other less endowed countries could kick out the virus from their shores.

The association’s President, Dr Idris Omede, stated this in an interview with the Newsmen recently on the sideline of a ‘Walk against Polio’ organised by the association.

Members of association staged a ‘walk against polio’ starting from the Eagle square along Shehu Shagari way to Transcorp Hilton and back to the Eagle square in Abuja.

It was reported that about 200 members of the association

took part in the walk.

Omede, however, told Newsmen that Nigeria’s numerous health problems could only be effectively tackled one at a time. “Polio has been on the front burner for a very long time and it is so painful that out of so many countries of the world, Nigeria is one of the three countries that is polio endemic.

“This is not a good scorecard for us, and so, if there is anything that can be done to get it out of the way it will now give us time to concentrate on other things.

“Every year we pick a particular condition that is prevalent to talk about it and see what we can do about it,” he advised.

Omede said that the

association’s focus on polio is in tune with the prevailing realities in the health sector.

He added that Nigeria is not involved in any war or struck by natural disaster and so is in a better situation to fully eradicate polio.

The NMA’s president said that the walk was informed by the need to draw the attention of government and Nigerians to join in the fight against polio.

According to him, it is worrisome for someone with a sharp brain to be restrained from achieving his goal as a result of the effect of polio.

“If we can get polio out of our way, which we know is possible by looking at the countries around us, then, we can concentrate on other things,” he explained. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

PAGE 31

Iran leader visits ‘antiimperialist’ friends ANALYSIS

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f past visits to the region are anything to go by, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s five-day tour of Latin America will probably be full of bombastic rhetoric, but short on concrete, new policy developments.

As tensions heat-up over Iran’s nuclear programme, and sanctions choke economic growth, Ahmadinejad is visiting Venezuela, Cuba, Ecuador and Nicaragua, countries that – in his words – “resist the oppression of the United States”.

The Latin America tour, which began on Sunday, comes against a backdrop of diplomatic sparring between the US and the Islamic Republic over new Western sanctions and threats from Tehran about stopping oil traffic through the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz.

“They [the US] accuse us of being warmongers,” Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez said on Monday, after a prolonged embrace with his Iranian counterpart.

Ahmadinejad, heaping praise on his host, said: ”Despite those arrogant people who do not wish us to be together, we will unite forever.”

The US State Department described Iran’s mission to Latin America as a “desperate” search for friends.

Populist diplomacy Symbolism, rather than concrete agreements, will be the thrust of Ahmadinejad’s diplomacy, said Philip Giraldi, a former CIA counter-terrorism specialist who currently leads the Council for the National Interest, a Washington-based lobby group.

“It is a bid to create a basis of political support among nations in Latin America who are believed to be estranged from the US,” Giraldi told Al Jazeera. “I think the tour is aimed at the domestic market in Iran. The sanctions are becoming quite crippling; (legislative) elections are coming up (in March) and this is a pushback to show Iran does indeed have friends.”

On the surface, the two leaders do not have much in common: One leads the Islamic Republic of Iran and the other calls himself a “Christian socialist”. But Chavez and Ahmadinejad clearly have personal chemistry.

"I think there is a real affinity between the two leaders, which doesn't have so much to do with underlying ideologies," said Alexander Main, Latin America specialist at the Centre for Economic and Policy Research.

"Both have a strong populist streak, a rejection of elites and a

Chavez says there is "no proof" that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons as he welcomes Ahmadinejad belief in connecting to the poor."

Whether populist politics translate into actual policies particularly in Iran - is debatable, Main said.

Despite his recent bout of cancer, Chavez is politically stronger than his Iranian counterpart, who is beholden to a powerful clerical establishment and the country's Supreme Leader, Main told Al Jazeera.

Ahmadinejad, who has visited Latin America more frequently than US President Barack Obama, is on his fifth trip to Venezuela.

Since taking office in 2005, the Iranian leader has opened six new embassies in the region and some US officials have raised concerns about the Islamic Republic's growing diplomatic footprint.

US fears WikiLeaks cables from 2009 warned of Iranian plans to mine uranium for its nuclear programme in Venezuela.

Manhattan's former attorney general, Robert Morgenthau, fretted about "Iranian nuclear and long-range missile threats, and creeping Iranian influence in the

Western Hemisphere".

Venezuelan banks have also been used to circumvent sanctions on Iran, and some US officials allege that Hezbollah fighters - backed by Iran - have been setting up operations in Venezuela.

"I know the intelligence community looked seriously at allegations that Iran was using Venezuelan banks to launder money for terrorist activities and to buy uranium," said Giraldi, the CIA veteran. "It came up with little or no evidence."

While there is not much evidence of nefarious dealings, Ahmadinejad and Chavez certainly do enjoy criticising Uncle Sam with rhetorical flourishes.

"Venezuela and Iran want to be able to show they have a broader alliance to balance against the US," Greg Weeks, professor of political science at the University of North Carolina, told Al Jazeera. "If Iran starts really getting punished by sanctions, Venezuela won't be able to save it.

When push comes to shove, the

“

I think there is a real affinity between the two leaders, which doesn't have so much to do with underlying ideologies," said Alexander Main, Latin America specialist at the Centre for Economic and Policy Research

value for each country is relatively small."

Just days before Ahmadinejad's visit, the US expelled Venezuela's consulgeneral to Miami, after a Spanish TV network broadcast a documentary that alleged Iranian, Venezuelan and Cuban diplomats had discussed cyberattacks against the US. Economic promises "Iran's track record has been bad," said Gary Sick, a scholar at Columbia University's Middle East Institute who served on the US National Security Council in the 1970s and 1980s. "He (Ahmadinejad) arrives, makes newspaper headlines, says 'We are going to build a port there and an industrial plant here', and never follows through."

More than 100 development projects have been announced during previous visits, but many of them have not gotten off the ground. Brazil, South America's biggest economy, is notably absent from Ahmadinejad's trip.

"Most of the countries that have signed agreements with Iran have very little to show for it," Sick told Al Jazeera.

Pledges in 2007 and 2008 to build a $350m port in Nicaragua and an oil refinery in Ecuador, for example, have yet to materialise.

Yet, some development projects have actually been built due to the "south- south" cooperation extolled by populist leaders.

"Iranian-designed tractors are all over the Venezuelan countryside and have been used as part of international cooperation efforts, in Haiti for

example," Main said. The two countries have also been cooperating to build low-income housing.

An Iranian-made oil tanker with the capacity to carry 113,00 tonnes, the first of its kind to be built in the Middle East, will be delivered to Venezuela in September, Iran's ISNA news agency reported recently.

Iran may not be famous for its manufacturing prowess, but Iran and Venezuela have co-operated for decades through OPEC, the Organisation for Petroleum Exporting Countries. Both are seen as hawks favouring high prices - and this relationship goes back two decades, before Ahmadinejad or Chavez arrived onto the political scene.

Oil markets Iran is the world's fifth-biggest oil producer, pumping 4.2m barrels per day. Venezuela is number 13 with 2.4m barrels per day, according to CIA figures.

"Venezuela and Iran can call for higher prices [within OPEC], but they can't get the Saudis to play along," Mark Katz, a professor of government at George Mason University who studies the Middle East and Latin America, told Al Jazeera.

During one of Ahmadinejad's previous visits to South America, Etemaad-e Melli, a reformminded newspaper in Iran, called the Venezuelan, Ecuadorean and Nicaraguan presidents, "left-wing friends, good for coffee-shop discussions but not for setting our security, political and economic priorities".

From a security perspective, the stakes have only increased.

"Iran sees these sanctions being imposed by the US congress as the equivalent to a military blockage," Sick said.

Oil sales account for about 80 per cent of Iranian export revenue and 50 per cent of the government's budget. Sanctions targeting the industry amount to an "existential threat" for Tehran, Sick said.

Military confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz would invariably rattle energy markets, sending prices rising rapidly.

Ironically, this instability could benefit Venezuela by increasing oil revenue.

"The potential of oil production being disrupted has more of an effect on oil prices than anything Iran is doing at OPEC," Professor Weeks said. "Iran right now can get a boost by ratcheting up tensions with the US. " In this regard, co-operation between Venezuela and Iran might mean something more substantial than shaky commercial agreements, sternlooking presidential honour guards or bear hugs between selfproclaimed anti-imperialists.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

PAGE 32

Egyptian military detains 300 protesters after unrest Rival Sudans agree to AU roadmap

S

Field Marshal Tantawi attended the funeral in Cairo of the soldier killed in Friday's unrest

A

bout 300 people are still being detained after deadly clashes between protesters and security forces in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, military sources said.

Violence outside the defence ministry on Friday left one soldier dead and hundreds wounded.

A curfew will be in force in the area around the ministry on Saturday night for the second night in a row.

The violence comes less than three weeks before presidential polls.

Military prosecutors say that the 300 people detained,

including a number of journalists, will be held for 15 days while they're investigated for their part in the clashes.

But the authorities have moved to defuse the situation a little by saying they are releasing all the women who were arrested; activists say less than 20 women had been detained.

The head of the ruling military council, Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi, on Saturday attended the public funeral in Cairo of the soldier killed in the unrest.

Friday's arrests came after protesters tried to break through an army roadblock to reach the

ministry, in Cairo's Abbassiya district, resulting in clashes with the army which lasted several hours.

The area is now reported to be calm after a curfew was imposed on Friday night. Saturday's curfew comes into force at 23:00 local time (21:00 GMT) and ending at 06:00 local time (04:00 GMT) on Sunday.

The protesters had been angry at the generals' failure to protect a demonstration on Wednesday which came under attack from armed men, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people.

Nevertheless, many Egyptians will applaud the tough way these clashes have been handled - they are longing, above all, simply for a return to law and order, and to normality.

One lawyer, Ragia Omran, told the Associated Press news agency that the roundup was one of the largest mass arrests to take place under the ruling military council, which took over after Hosni Mubarak was toppled as president last year.

Since then, Egypt has seen regular protests against the council, who many say has failed to bring about democratic reform.

Mali Islamist militants ‘destroy’ Timbuktu saint's tomb

I

slamist fighters said to be linked to al-Qaeda have destroyed the tomb of a local Muslim saint in the Malian town of Timbuktu, officials and locals say.

The gunmen attacked the shrine and set it on fire, saying it was contrary to Islam, according to the official.

Tuareg rebels and Islamist fighters took control of Timbuktu, a UN heritage site, after a military coup in March.

Unesco said the town's capture could endanger its "outstanding architectural wonders" .

Residents said armed men from the Islamist group Ansar

Timbuktu is the site of three great medieval mosques, Unesco says

Dine threatened locals going to worship at the grave of Sidi Mahmoud Ben Amar.

"What you are doing is haram! (forbidden). Seek help from God directly rather than the dead," one of the gunmen said, according to a resident quoted by the Reuters news agency.

A local politician, El Hadj Baba Haidara, told Reuters about the atttack: "They attacked the grave, broke doors, windows and wooden gates that protect it.

They brought it outside and burn it," he said. "This tomb is sacred, it is too difficult to bear."

A local official said the fighters had threatened to destroy other saints' tombs, according to the AFP news agency.

Strict Islamists regard shines as idolatrous, while some Muslims, especially Sufis, regard them as an accepted part of Muslim worship.

On its website, Unesco, the UN's cultural agency, says Timbuktu is the location of three

great mosques dating back to the 14th century, as well 16 cemeteries and mausoleums.

Founded in the 12th Century, Timbuktu became wealthy at the nexus of important trading routes for salt and gold, reaching its apogee in the 15th and 16th centuries.

It became a major intellectual and religious centre, and still houses tens of thousands of manuscripts, some dating back centuries.

Rebels demanding independence for a Tuareg homeland and fighters of Ansar Dine, which is said to be linked to al-Qaeda, took advantage of the chaos that followed the March coup to overrun the northern half of Mali.

The coup leaders in Bamako said they had toppled President Amadou Toumani Toure because he failed to give sufficient support to troops battling Tuareg rebels in the north.

Under international pressure, they later handed back power to a civilian government, but remain influential.

udan has endorsed the African Union's (AU) roadmap to avert an all-out war with South Sudan, though it insisted on retaining the right to selfdefence.

Earlier on Thursday, South Sudan said it had accepted the AU's seven-point roadmap that called for a cessation of hostilities.

Based on the seven-point roadmap, the two countries have until next Tuesday to restart stalled negotiations and three months to reach an agreement.

The AU is trying to get the two sides to again negotiate the countries' shared border, citizenship matters and oil revenue sharing.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution threatening Khartoum and Juba with sanctions if they failed to silence the guns and resume talks within two weeks, endorsing the AU's deadline of May 8.

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Thursday accepting the AU plan as well as the UN resolution. But with its reference to self-defense, the Sudanese statement also implied possible continued conflict.

The statement said Sudan wished the other side would fully commit to stopping hostilities and would withdraw its troops from disputed areas so that Sudan could do the same.

The foreign ministry also said Khartoum was committed to a longstanding peace with the South and hoped Juba would cooperate with the AU and Security Council decisions.

The AU's plan also calls for Sudan and South Sudan to withdraw troops from contested areas and resume talks with the aim of resolving all outstanding disputes.

Neither can afford a protracted, full-blown conflict but distrust runs deep between them, especially after the South gained independence from its northern neighbour last July under a 2005 peace deal that ended two decades of civil war.

The breakaway left tens of thousands of South Sudanese stranded as foreigners in Sudan.

Sudan's government initially gave them until April 8 to get the right papers or leave.

The Sudanese government issued a May 5 departure deadline for up to 12,000 South Sudanese stuck in the port of Kosti, hoping to leave by Nile barge. But Khartoum then halted river traffic because it said South Sudan was using it to transport weapons to rebels.

The May 5 deadline prompted an outcry from the United Nations and the International Organisation for Migration. The government said late on Wednesday the South Sudanese now had until May 20 to leave.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

PAGE 33

Chaotic start to opening of 9/11 trial F

ive men accused of planning the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States have refused to enter a plea after appearing before a military court in Guantanamo Bay. The defendants, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who is accused of masterminding the attacks, faced a disorderly 13-hour arraignment on Saturday under heavy security at the US base in Cuba.

The five opted to plead neither innocent nor guilty, but rather to defer their plea to a later date.

The accused face charges that include terrorism and 2,976 counts of murder for their alleged roles planning and aiding the attacks by hijackers aboard four airliners which destroyed the World Trade Center in New York and damaged the US defence department headquarters at the Pentagon, near Washington DC. In addition to Mohammed, a

Kuwait-born Pakistani who was captured in 2003 and transferred to Guantanamo in 2006, four other men face trial over their alleged roles in the 2001 attacks.

They are Waleed bin Attash, Ramzi Binalshibh, Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali and Mustafa Ahmad alHawsawi. All five men could face the death penalty if convicted.

It was not until more than seven hours into the disrupted and prolonged hearing that prosecutors even began reading the charges against the men. It took prosecutors two-and-a-half hours to read the portion of the charge-sheet describing the hijackings, although they did not read the appendix listing the names of all 2,976 people who were killed.

Another hearing has been set for June 12.

The judge, Army Colonel James Pohl, said it would be at least a year before the trial started.

As the arraignment got under

France votes in presidential runoff election

F

rench voters are going to the polls in a presidential runoff that could see Socialist challenger Francois Hollande unseat incumbent Conservative Nicolas Sarkozy .

The country's 46 million voters are voting at polling stations yesterday, after a bruising campaign that has seen both men label the other as a liar.

The first polls opened in overseas territories on Saturday and the last polls were to close in France yesterday.

Political speeches and new opinion polls have been banned since campaigning officially ended on Friday night, with the last polls published before the deadline showing Hollande having a slight lead over the president.

Our corresponded in Hollande's base in the town of Tulle said that there seemed to be a sense of certainty there that Hollande would win the election.

"They're pretty much - when you look around and talk to people convinced that he's set to be the next president of France," said Andrew Simmons.

"There's that much optimism in the socialist camp right now. It's much more unified."

Sarkozy has spent the last week energetically campaigning, in an effort to woo over voters of the National Front's Marine le Pen , a far-right nationalist who was knocked out in the first round of voting but refused to endorse either candidate's campaign.

Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland, reporting from Paris, said voter turnout there has been slightly lower than the national average of just under one-third, but that it was expected that more would show upt vote on such a decisive day.

"Certainly in his last campaign rallies, President Sarkozy was as pumped as ever, really, giving every last drop of energy to those crowds of loyal supporters who turn out for those kind of events," said

Rowland.

With the gap between the candidates the narrowest since campaigning began, Sarkozy has vowed a surprise, while Hollande has cautioned against assuming he will be France's first Socialist president since Francois Mitterrand left office in 1995.

Voter turnout in the first round was high, at around 80 per cent according to official figures, and both run-off candidates have called on citizens to make their votes count.

Hollande, who has billed himself as a consensus builder, voted in his provincial political heartland Tulle in central France, while Sarkozy was voted in Paris' 16th arrondissement.

"It's going to be a long day," Hollande told reporters gathered to watch him vote. "It's up to the French people to decide if it's going to be a good day."

Sarkozy declined to comment to assembled television crews.

If he loses, Sarkozy will become the first French president since Valery Giscard d'Estaing in 1981 not to be re-elected for a second term.

France has a strict ban on publishing result estimates until all polls close, but foreign media websites are expected to publish predictions before then.

Those found to be breaking the reporting restrictions will face a fine of 75,000 euros ($98,153).

Hollande won the April 22 vote with 28.63 per cent of the votes to Sarkozy's 27.18 per cent, and both candidates have been fighting for the votes of those whose candidates failed to make the run-off.

Le Pen, who won almost 18 per cent in the first round, has said she will cast a blank ballot, and has called on her supporters to do the same.

Jean-Luc Melenchon , the Left Front's candidate, however, endorsed Hollande's candidacy and called on the 11 per cent of voters who backed him to vote to unseat Sarkozy. Francois Bayrou , the centrist candidate, has also backed Hollande.

way, the defendants removed their earphones and refused to listen to a translation of the judge's questions.

Mohammed declined to answer the judge's questions about whether he was satisfied with his US military and civilian lawyers, while lawyers for all defendants complained that the prisoners were prevented from wearing the civilian clothes of their choice At one point, two of the men got up and prayed alongside their defence tables. Binalshibh then stood up and shouted at the judge: "You are going to kill us and say that we are committing suicide."

"There were a lot of disruptions and objections and attempts to discuss motions throughout the morning session, which lasted about three-and-a-half hours," said Al Jazeera's Rosiland Jordan, reporting from Guantanamo.

"Defence lawyers were very keen to make it clear early on that they were not just going to follow procedure without questioning the process in the bargain."

The detainees were largely unresponsive while the charges against them were being read out,

sometimes listening, but at other times reading the Quran or speaking to each other or their lawyers.

Saturday's hearing is the first time the five have been in court in nearly three-and-a-half years.

US President Barack Obama put their previous tribunal on hold in a failed effort to move the case to civilian court.

Mohammed has mocked the tribunal and said in previous court appearances that he welcomed execution.

"The military commission that is trying Mohammed and his four co-defendants is itself extremely controversial," our correspondent said.

"Military commissions have been used in US history, prior to this, but usually they involved people who were actually soldiers from another country's military.

"These men were not acting on behalf of any specific state or nation, so there has been a lot of criticism about them being tried in this setting."

Steven Kay, an international criminal lawyer in London, told Al

Jazeera Mohammed had been subjected to "waterboarding", or simulated drowning, by US interrogators more than 180 times and that confessions extracted through torture would be disregarded.

"Statements obtained by coercion cannot be used as evidence. However, the laws do not say that evidence obtained by coercion is inadmissible," he said.

"I'm afraid this whole business since George Bush [Obama's predecessor] introduced the military trials has gone out of control.

"If the Americans had gone down the proper and orthodox path when dealing with these suspected terrorists, and provided a justice system that was coherent, rational and based upon sound principles, they would not be in the mess that they are in now."

The trial is being broadcast on closed-circuit TV at selected locations for families of September 11 victims, survivors and emergency personnel who responded to the attack.

Chaotic start to hearing of 9/11 suspects at Guantanamo Bay

Francois Hollande (R), Socialist Party candidate for the 2012 French presidential election, waves as he leaves with his companion Valerie Trierweiler after casting his ballot in the second round in Tulle, yesterday.

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

Clinton calls for Bangladesh political calm A

Aleppo blast: 'kive killed' in new Syria unrest

T

he US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has called on Bangladesh's political parties to end their most recent bout of discord, and pressured the county's government not to undermine the effectiveness of micro-lender Grameen Bank.

Bangladesh has been paralysed by weeks of strikes and protests, and at least five people have been killed since Elias Ali, a prominent opposition leader, disappeared last month. yesterday, Clinton said that the unrest had undermined development and was scaring away foreign investors.

She appealed to Bangladeshis to respect the rule of law, and called for a government investigation into the case of the missing politician, as well as allegations of a brutal crackdown on dissent.

"There needs to be total rule of law, with no impunity," Clinton told a town hall meeting in Dhaka, the Bangladeshi capital.

Clinton said that she told Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister, and Khaleda Zia, the leader of the opposition, that they must overcome years of animosity, particularly as the country prepares for elections in 2014.

"I told them I wish you could figure out ways to work together, you need to work together to get an election mechanism in place," she said.

"What you need is national unity," she said. "The people have to demand that."

Clinton also warned the government not to interfere in the functioning of pioneering microlender Grameen Bank, saying that it was a key driver of economic growth in the South Asian country.

Sje met with Grameen's ousted founder - Nobel Prize-winning economics professor Mohammad Yunus - and later voiced strong support for the organisation, which has fallen out of favour with Bangladesh's ruling party.

"I have followed the dispute over Grameen Bank from Washington and I can only hope that nothing is done that in any way undermines the success of what Grameen Bank has accomplished," Clinton told the audience at the public questionand-answer session.

"I highly respect Mohammad Yunus and I highly respect the work that he has done and I am hoping to see it continue without being in anyway undermined or affected by any government action. That would be unfortunate."

Clinton is the first senior US official to visit Bangladesh since

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) meets with Bangladesh's Prime Mininister Sheikh Hasina 2004, and has used the trip to bolster Grameen and Yunus himself, who was sacked as the bank's chief last year after the government declared that at 71 years of age, he was beyond the official retirement limit.

Yunus' supporters say that he was removed as part of a political vendetta by Hasina's government's against a potential future challenger to her rule.

The government has not yet named a successor as head of the

bank.

Around 10 million Bangladeshis, mostly poor women, have been benefited by small credit offered by the Grameen. The beneficiaries say the money immensely helped them fight - and largely come out of - poverty.

Clinton is a personal friend of Yunus and met with him for about 45 minutes at the US ambassador's residence before the town hall meeting.

Japan shuts down last nuclear reactor

H

undreds of Japanese demonstrators have been marching to celebrate the last of the country's 54 nuclear reactors being switched off.

The crowd gathered at a Tokyo park on Saturday said that they were not concerned about government warnings that the reactor shutdowns will lead to electricity shortages.

One of three reactors at the Tomari nuclear plant, on the northern island of Hokkaido, has gone offline for routine maintenance checks, meaning that for the first time in decades there is not a single active nuclear reactor in the

country.

After the earthquake and tsunami on March 11 last year set off meltdowns at reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, no reactors that have been stopped for maintenance have gone back online.

The government requires that new tests on withstanding earthquakes and tsunamis be carried out on all reactors.

It also requires that local residents' approval be sought before reactors are restarted.

The Hokkaido Electric Power company, which runs the Tomari plant, said that control rods would be inserted to halt the chain reaction in

the reactor on Saturday, and that a "cold shutdown" would occur on Monday.

It is the first time since the 1970s that the resource-poor country has been without any form nuclear power. Until the meltdowns at Fukushima, Japan was generating a third of its electricity at nuclear power plants.

Last month, Kansai Electric Power, which supplies mid-western Japan, including the commercial hubs of Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe, said a hot summer could see supply fall nearly 20 per cent short of demand after the shutdowns.

Kyushu Electric Power,

covering an area further west, as well as Hokkaido Electric Power, also said they will struggle as air conditioning gets cranked up in Japan's sweltering summer.

The country's nuclear disaster forced tens of thousands of people from their homes in an area around the Fukushima plant - some of whom may never be allowed to return.

"A new Japan with no nuclear power has begun," said Gyoshu Otsu, a 56-year-old monk who joined a Tokyo protest against nuclear power held in front of the industry ministry, which supervises the nation's power utilities.

"Generating nuclear power is like a criminal act as a lot of people are still suffering," said Otsu wearing white Buddhist clothes. "If we allow the situation as it is now, another accident will occur."

blast on the outskirts of Syria's second city Aleppo has killed at least five people, opposition activists said.

The blast went off in a car wash in the Tall al-Zarazeer district, the Syrian Observatory for Humans Rights said. Activists say the business was linked to pro-Assad militias.

At least four people were killed in the city on Thursday when security forces raided a student hall of residence.

In Damascus, two blasts on Saturday caused damage but noone was hurt.

It is not known whether the people hurt in the Aleppo explosion were civilians or members of the security forces, an Observatory spokesman said.

An activist of the rebel Free Syrian Army in Aleppo told Reuters news agency that the group carried out the attack on the car wash, which it said was being used by a pro-regime militia.

"We placed a bomb inside a car," the activist Ali al-Halabi said, adding that he had seen seven dead bodies and several more wounded at the scene of the blast.

Earlier reports said the explosion had targeted a passing bus.

One of the explosions in Damascus was caused by a bomb planted under a car in al-Thawra street, a key thoroughfare.

The blast damaged nine nearby vehicles and left a crater in the street. However, there were no casualties either from that blast or another one in the capital.

Bomb attacks are now a regular occurrence in Damascus and Aleppo, which have otherwise been spared the worst violence of the Syrian conflict.

Violence has continued in Syria despite a ceasefire between government and the opposition forces which forms part of a peace plan mediated by the UN and Arab League envoy, Kofi Annan.

An advance party of UN monitors is already in the country to supervise the truce, and the UN's peacekeeping chief, Herve Ladsous, has said he hopes 300 observers will be on the ground by the end of May. While the violence not as intense as it was before the plan came into effect, there seems little hope the full-strength monitoring team can bring about sufficient calm for any kind of political talks to start, source said.

South Korean bar blaze kills nine

N Depth coverage one year after triple disaster

ine people were killed and a further 25 injured after a fire swept through a karaoke club in South Korea's southeastern port city of Busan, Seoul national broadcaster YTN reported.

The blaze broke out in one of the 28 rooms at the karaoke lounge on the third floor of a six-storey building on Saturday night.

The local Yonhap News

Agency quoted police officials as saying that most of the victims died from inhaling toxic gases and smoke, which made it difficult for the people to find the exits. The victims included three Sri Lankan men, reported to be migrant workers.

Around 20 fire engines and 100 firefighters were mobilised to battle the fire, Yonhap News added.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2012

PAGE 35

Cyclist invents amazing new bike lock alternative - his loyal dog Li Li T

his canine might not look like a typical guard dog but his diligent work looking after his owner's bike whenever he goes off to run some errands has seen him become a minor celebrity in China.

LI Li the golden retriever, known locally as the Bike Hugging Dog, is regularly spotted by passers-by on the side of the road, sitting patiently with the pedal-driven vehicle to prevent it from being stolen.

There's no need for the owner of this modest piece of transportation to lock up his bike when he hits the shops knowing he can rely on his loyal best friend to stay behind and keep watch.

Sitting upright on his hind legs, the pooch can be seen gripping onto the bike using his front legs before its owner returns, even happily posing for photographs while waiting.

The retriever then leaps on to the back of the bicycle as his owner prepares to cycle away, before barking loudly to let him know he's sitting comfortably on the back.

Over 80,000 users have watched the funny clip on video-sharing website YouTube in less than two days, where it has racked up hundreds of likes.

One user said: 'What a cool dog! He really deserves his own seat' While another mocked the recent internet craze 'breading', saying: 'Only dogs can do this. Cats are too busy putting bread on their heads.'

Li Li guards the bike

Li Li hitches a ride on the back of the bike

The duo cycle away (Pictures: YouTube/ ALCREW)

‘Mystery’ blue sheep appear outside Germany’s Schwerin Castle

T

his unusual flock of sheep are doing their best to stand out from the crowd after being spotted in Germany painted head-to-toe in dark blue paint.

It's in a sheep's DNA to follow the crowd but it appears this

collection of colourful characters, seen here outside Schwerin Castle, want to break the mould.

While the true legend of the Golden Fleece has been shrouded in mystery for thousands of years, this tale

Feeling blue? A flock of blue sheep

may have a slightly more simpler explanation.

The herd of blue plastic sheep were created by German artists Rainer Bonk and Bertamaria Reetz as part of a mobile art installation.

Artificial blue sheep have

been popping up in towns, cities and field across the world to promote 'tolerance and solidarity'.

Every sheep is indistinguishable from the next and, according to the artists, help transcend the peaceful message that 'all are

equal - everyone is important'.

The project has been touring the globe for over three years, stopping off in more than 50 cities along the way.

A blue sheep is left behind in each city they visit where it remains as a peace ambassador.

They aim to transport the peaceful message that everyone is equal (Pictures: AFP)

PAGE 36

C

utting out carbohydrates when you’re trying to slim is bad for the brain.

Scientists found that people who cut them out completely do worse in mental tests than those allowed some pasta, bread and potatoes.

Telly health and fitness expert Danni Levy — who worked on Sky’s Bigger Than Britney — says this is because they are an essential source of energy and the only form of fuel used by the brain.

She has developed a new eating plan called the Pyramid Diet which promises to help you lose pounds every week and it’s already a hit with celebs.

Imogen Thomas tried the diet at one of Danni’s bootcamps in Marbella and Daybreak’s Anna Williamson lost a stone on it — going from a size ten to a six.

Zoe Tyler from Loose Women dropped even more, down from a 16 to a 12.

The plan is in a three-day cycle. Day one is high carbs so you can eat almost as much as you like. On day two you limit your intake of carbs and on day three you cut them out altogether.

And so long as you are careful about what you order, you can even have a curry or Chinese takeaway.

Danni says: “The Pyramid Diet is a rotational eating plan which offers a structured, lifetime approach to food.

“It is probably the most balanced diet to date and works on a principle of varying the amount of carbohydrates we eat.

Contrary to popular modern belief, depriving your body of carbohydrates can actually lead to a significant slow-down in your metabolism. So you rotate your carbohydrate consumption to keep the metabolism elevated.

“Carbohydrates are not the enemy. Severe carb-depletion can lead to fatigue, nausea, mood-swings, breakdown in muscle tissue, weakness, dizziness and bad breath.

“If that’s not enough to convince you to include a healthy amount of carbs in your diet, you need to know that most weight-loss achieved by cutting carbs is simply water-loss.”

However, Danni does advise cutting out all processed carbs, including white bread, doughnuts and white pasta.

Sugar is also banned. She says: “Before you dial the local pizza delivery, I’m afraid to say a meat-feast and chips or a hot dog with onions is not on the menu.

Processed carbs are strictly forbidden.

“But there are lots of foods you can enjoy. You can still have a roast dinner, a curry or a Chinese.

“Think of the Pyramid Diet as a little like interval training on a treadmill. Most of us would prefer to alternate three minutes’ running with three minutes’ walking for half an hour than do 30 minutes’ solid running.

“Think of the no-carb day as the sprint, the low-carb day as the jog and the high-carb day as the walk in the park.”

Stick to it and Danni believes most of us would lose at least 4lb

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

Why eating carbohydrates can help you to shed the pounds a week.

“It’s not the 7lb a week some diets promise,” she says. “But if you stick to the plan, it will stay off. It can also be tailored to suit your lifestyle.

“If you normally go for a Chinese on a Friday night, make that your high-carb day. But if you normally cook a Sunday roast, make the end of the week your high-carb day. You have to make it work for you.”

The good news is the diet shouldn’t only help you shed pounds. Cutting out sugar will reduce your risk of lifethreatening diseases including diabetes and heart disease, you’ll have more energy and a better night’s sleep.

Here, Danni explains exclusively to Sun Health how it all works.

Danni’s top tips CUT OUT SUGAR: Banish anything with added sugar from your kitchen. Sugar encourages the body to store fat.

STAY HYDRATED: Drink at least eight glasses of water a day to enable your body to metabolise fats effectively. It’s not uncommon to think you’re hungry when actually it’s thirst your body is suffering from, so drink a glass of water before each meal to avoid over-eating.

CUT OUT SALT: Not only does excess salt contribute to high blood pressure and heart problems, it also contributes to fluid retention.

GO EASY ON BOOZE: The lower your alcohol intake, the easier it will be to lose weight.

Alcohol contains seven calories per gram and these calories will be burned first by your body. So calories from fat and glucose will not be used until the energy from alcohol has been burned off. But you don’t have to cut it out altogether. There are some health benefits from drinking red wine.

WATCH TEA AND COFFEE: Fluids often get overlooked where diets are concerned. But a 250ml serving of skimmed milk contains 11g of net carbs and these all add up when you’re drinking tea and coffee throughout the day.

relatively high and you should f e e l comfortably satisfied all day. There’s no need to feel guilty – after a l l , carbohydrates are the only form of fuel used by the brain, so you’re also stocking up on a good healthy dose of brain food.

T h e Pyramid Diet is all about choosing the right carbs to put into your body, not cutting them out of your life.

Example meal plan

Diet plan ... Danni's new book full-fat cheese; breaded chicken and croutons.

Day 1 THIS is a high-carbs day. You can eat 1g of carbohydrate per pound of bodyweight, so if you weigh 10st (140lb), your allowance for the day is 140g.

DANNI SAYS: Most of you will find Day 1 of the three-day cycle by far the easiest and the most enjoyable.

Your carb intake will be

What takeaway?

CHINESE: Plain spare ribs, chicken satay or clear chicken soup are all good choices for starters. For the main course, the best options are beef, chicken or fish with a soy or black bean sauce and steamed veg. Lychees for dessert. NO white rice or noodles.

INDIAN: Chicken tikka kebab, chicken tikka masala, jalfrezi, curried vegetables.

Banned list BANISH foods with added sugar, including sweets, ice cream and fizzy drinks. Also ban crisps, white pasta, white bread, pizza, sugary breakfast cereals, foods high in saturated fatty acids such as butter, cream and

Diet guru ... TV fitness expert Danni Levy

BREAKFAST: Made with 40g porridge oats with a dash of cinnamon (20g).

SNACK: Wholegrain rice cakes with natural peanut butter (20g).

LUNCH: Chicken breast with 100g brown rice and salad (30g).

SNACK: Banana (30g).

DINNER: Salmon, broccoli and sweet potato (25g).

DESSERT: Fruit salad (15g).

Oaty goodness ... porridge for breakfast Or BREAKFAST: Two slices of brown toast with natural peanut butter (30g).

SNACK: Small fruit-salad pot (20g).

LUNCH: Tuna and bean salad pot (10g).

SNACK: Natural Greek yogurt pot (5g).

STARTER: Smoked salmon platter with brown bread (25g).

DINNER: Sirloin steak with vegetables, mushrooms and tomatoes (10g).

PUDDING: Organic Chocolate cookies (8g).

Day 2 THIS is a low-carbs day.

You can eat 0.5g per pound of bodyweight, so if you weigh 10st (140lb) your allowance is 70g.

DANNI SAYS: I’ve often been asked what the point of low-carb day is. There are several good reasons for slotting the low-carb day in between the two extremes.

Day 2 allows for enjoyment without over-indulgence. Lowcarb is the best day for exercise.

They are the only days on which you are advised to perform both cardiovascular and resistance exercise.

Although there is an upper

carb limit in place, you are by no means obliged to hit it. But go too low and you will simply be re-living no-carb day. It is essential you do not do this, as the Pyramid Diet is a three-day cycle and it is not intended as a no-carb regime.

Example meal plan BREAKFAST: Fruit and fibre yogurt pot (16g of carbohydrate).

SNACK: Half a cup of cottage cheese and fresh fruit (20g).

LUNCH: Tuna and egg salad (0g).

SNACK: 30g cashew nuts (5g).

DINNER: Chicken breast with cajun sweet potato, broccoli and spinach (25g).

DESSERT: Almond butter cookies.

It’s no yolk ... tuna and egg salad for lunch Or BREAKFAST: Two slices of granary bread with a 4-egg omelette (25g).

SNACK: Apple with low-fat cottage cheese (10g).

LUNCH: Good-carb stir-fry with chicken (2g).

SNACK: Natural live Greek yogurt (8g).

DINNER: Salmon fillet with green beans and cajun sweet potato (25g).

Day 3 THIS is called a no-carbs day but really everyone can have up to a total of 20g – but no more.

DANNI SAYS: If the idea of having no carbs makes your palms sweat, please relax. You will find your body adapts to the high, low, no-carb cycle naturally and will crave fats and protein on Day 3, so you should find it relatively easy to cut out stodgy carbs such as bread, rice, pasta and potato every third day.

You’re not expected to be a dietary nun and for this reason you have an allowance of 20g of carbs on no-carb days, excluding green, fibrous vegetables which are unlimited.

Don’t exceed 20g whatever you weigh. Cheat just a tiny bit and you won’t keep your body guessing.

Because you won’t be consuming calories from carbohydrates, you will need to increase your intake of fats and proteins.

If you drink tea or coffee with milk you will need to take this into consideration. An average hot drink with a splash of skimmed milk will give you around 1g of carbs. Because your body will be in fat-burning mode, you are encouraged to make the most of no-carb day.

Remember, your body’s insulin levels will be low, which will allow for super fat-burning, so why not take a swim or go for a long brisk walk?

Source: TheSun.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

PAGE 37

Presidency sings discordant tunes over House subsidy report FEATURE

By Lawrence Olaoye

I

n the process of compilation of the report of the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee that investigated the nation's subsidy regime, insinuations were rife that there were attempts to doctor the document before it was laid at the plenary. These allegations were constantly shot down by the effervescent chairman of the committee, Rep Farouk Lawan. His position was constantly being adumbrated by the ever vocal Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep Zakari Mohammed.

Prior to the submission of the reports, members of the committee admitted that they were under intense pressure from the powerthat-be from the Presidency and the oil cabal to water down the outcome of the investigations with a view to exonerating the 'big fishes' and save them from the likely public opprobrium expected following the mouth gaping revelations made by stakeholders at the investigative hearings.

Allegations were rife that huge amount of money was offered the members of the Committee by the oil cabal in order to tamper with outcome of the investigations. Dr. Al Ahmad, a member of the committee confirmed that they were severally offered money to suppress certain facts from reflecting in the reports. Although the Chairman of the Committee admitted that there were tremendous pressures on them from several quarters to tamper with the report, he said they were resolute in ensuring that the rots embedded in the oil sector are exposed.

In spite of all the distractions, the panel completed its assignments and submitted its damning reports at the plenary for consideration.

Though the report was eventually submitted and considered in a tension soaked plenary, it appears that the process of rubbishing the reports by certain individuals may have begun.

First, some seventeen companies that participated in the 'subsidy bazaar' threatened to sue the House should the recommendation asking them to refund monies into the government coffers be passed by the House. Although the committee claimed that they refused to appear before the committee to defend their actions before the panel, the companies argued that they were never invited officially as they would not take newspapers' advertisements as official invitation.

Based on the argument, the House in the course of its consideration gave another two weeks for the 17 companies to appear before the Lawan's panel to

President Goodluck Jonathan

Hon. Aminu Tambuwal

defend their roles in the subsidy regime. Although many political critics find this decision objectionable, common sense however dictated that these corporate bodies should be heard out in order to gauge the level of their culpability in the subsidy scam.

Observers believed that the entire report would have been rubbished had the lawmakers commit the singular error of passing the recommendation that the 17 companies be made to refund the funds. Spokesperson of the House, Zakari Mohammed in a chat with newsmen over the matter explained that the House chose to back down on the panel's recommendation on the 17 companies because it would not want any of the indicted companies to utilize the window offered by the judicial process to render all energies put into the probe a nullity.

The report also recommended the prosecution of some heavy political figures including the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Amodu Ali, who chaired the Board of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) at the time of the scam; the incumbent Governor of

Gombe state, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, who was the Accountant-General of the Federation as well as some officials in the Petroleum Ministry and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

But, critics are curious of the fact that no place in the report was the incumbent Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Allison Dieziani-Madueke recommended for sack in spite of evidences linking her office to the scam. This is even more so when there were insinuations that the House was under intense pressures from the Presidency never to overtly indict the woman.

Apart from the alleged pressures from the Presidency, several NonGovernmental Organisations organized rallies within the precincts of the National Assembly to warn the panel against indicting the Petroleum Minister as they alleged that she was being victimized because she is from the Niger Delta.

Observers believed that the panel may have caved in to the demands of the ethnic jingoist to satisfy the power-that-be which, it was learnt, had warned the lawmakers against exposing the woman to public ridicule.

“

Allegations were rife that huge amount of money was offered the members of the Committee by the oil cabal in order to tamper with outcome of the investigations.

Dr. Al Ahmad, a member of the committee confirmed that they were severally offered money to suppress certain facts from reflecting in the reports.

Another action taken by the lawmaker that made the public to raise an eyebrow was the decision of the lawmakers to drop Dankwambo from the list of those originally recommended for further investigations by the nation's antigraft agencies and probable prosecution. Dankwambo was recommended for further investigations for approving the release of the sum of N999 million 128 times to the PPPRA within 24 hours!

This is coming on the heels of the affirmation of the recommendation that the services of the three private accounting firms handling the accounts, Akintola Williams, Deloitte and Olusola Adekanola and Partners be discontinued for professional incompetence.

While equally approving the blacklisting of the accounting firms for the next three years, the lawmakers recommended that they be prosecuted for their negligence in the handling the nations' oil subsidy accounts.

Although Rep Abike DabiriErewa moved that the former Accountant General be outrightly indicted for the approval of the withdrawal of over N127 billion from the government coffers within 24 hours, others argued that it would offend the principle of fair hearing since the Gombe governor was not invited to appear before the committee to give his own side of the story.

In a letter written to the House, Dankwambo made efforts to explain the situation when he stated "I wish to state in very clear terms that the OAGF does not have the power to make payments on its own. The OAGF only releases funds to Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) after due authorization by the Hon Minister of Finance.

"Payments to beneficiaries and all

necessary documentations in relation to such payments is entirely the responsibility of the MDAs. More so, the OAGF is not involved in the management of the funds of the MDAs and therefore does not authorize payments to individuals dealing with the MDAs. The PPPRA is no exception."

He told the committee that the OAGF was not in any position to know those who benefitted from the N999 million paid 28 times. "Thus, if N999 million was paid to fuel subsidy beneficiaries in 128 times within 24 hours, totaling N127.8 billion, it is undoubtedly made by the PPPRA, which is a selfaccounting agency," he stated.

He however concluded that the matter would not have arisen if he had been invited to give clarifications on the matter.

Based on the imperative of the principle of fair hearing, the clause seeking for further probe of Dankwambo's roles in the outrageous withdrawal was deleted and this raised the suspicion in certain quarters that certain politically vulnerable people were the target of the probe.

With the consideration of the report over and resolutions passed for executive actions, there have been discordant tones coming from the Presidency on the possibility of implementation of the resolutions.

While the Presidential Liaison Officer, Senator Joy Emordi, told the world that the government would implement the resolutions of the House by arresting and prosecuting the culprits, other aides to President Goodluck Jonathan, including his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Dr. Reuben Abati and his counterpart on Political Affairs, Alhaji Ahmad Gulak, have classified the report as mere advisory with no force of law.

The PDP, through a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, hailed the Reps and vowed to ensure the implementation of the House resolutions even as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it would only use the resolutions as accessories and pieces of information in its independent investigations into the subsidy scam.

In the same vein, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, at the weekend declared that the government would not spare anyone found culpable in the subsidy scam. He however stated "Nigerians must however appreciate that in discharging this onerous responsibility, government must be guided by the rule of law and due process as required of any democratically elected and responsible government."

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

Lagos ACN warns opposition against violence take-over

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has warned those who may want to win the forthcoming governorship election in Edo state through killing and assassination that they would be made to bear the brunt of their dastardly act.

The party issued the warning as a result of the brutal assassination of the Principal Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, who was murdered in cold blood by yet to be identified assassins.

In a release signed by the Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Joe Igbokwe, the party says the ACN insists on level playing ground in all

elections where ideas determine who gets eventually chosen by the electorates. It says that coming almost immediately after a strange accident where the Governor narrowly escaped assassination, the murder of Oyerinde has every imprint of the rising culture of desperate politicking that has seized the opposition in Edo State since the invincibility of the candidacy of Governor Oshiomhole became obvious. It advises that no stone should be left unturned to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous murder and bring them to justice.

“While we may not foreclose the reason for such a callous act, we suspect political motives for this dastardly act and warn that those who continue to write the history of the country’s politics in blood will not escape the

wrath of God. Coming almost immediately after the strange accident where the governor escaped death by whiskers, and the attempt made on the life of the Edo State Commissioner for Information, Louis Odion, we are beginning to align ourselves with the allegation by the Governor that the freak accident was an assassination attempt on him. We want to join the Oshiomhole government to insist that a killer squad is on the prowl in Edo for the purpose of securing political advantage and we insist that this must be given the prompt attention it requires by relevant state security agencies.

“We however see the killing of Oyerinde as a brutal and callous act by the fiends who believe that their opponents need to die for them to get

whatever they want. We see the brutal killing of Oyerinde as a culmination of a bloody culture of political desperation that is seizing opponents of the governor who have no answer to his stellar performance as Edo governor these past three and half years.

“Lagos ACN notes that Oyerinde was a strategic planner, a great thinker, a committed labour activist and a vital and important arm of the Oshiomhole government and success story in Edo these past three and half years. We see his death as a brutal waste of human industry and a colossal loss to humanity. We see his brutal killing as the topping of a deft effort to pull Edo State back to the regrettable pith of darkness from which it emerged last three years. We

want to assure them that they will never ever get to realize their bestial desire.

“We wonder what the killers of Olaitan gained in that bestial act other than the satiation of their primitive desire to take out yet another vital and strong arm of the Adams Oshiomhole government and campaign. We assure them that they would not get to realize their ultimate intent. We want to warn that allowing the continued sustenance of the culture of bloody political war faring will certainly lead to the doom of the country’s democracy as the monumental insecurity and intractable national malaise we are suffering from today, stems from such animalistic resort to bloody means of settling political issues.

I constituted two c’ttees to ensure good governance, says Wada From Sam Egwu, lokoja

K

ogi Gov.Idris Wada has said that he constituted two major committees on assumption of office to ensure good governance and meet the yearnings of the people.

Wada stated this in a broadcast in Lokoja at the weekend as part of activities marking his 100 days in office.

He said the government constituted a ‘Think-Tank’ shortly after his inauguration `to ensure that we institute a well guided, inclusive, sound The committee, he said, was charged it with the responsibility of outlining strategic development policies and programmes for implementation within four years.

“I also constituted a transition committee to document the state of affairs in the state to provide us with a bearing for smooth implementation of our development programmes,’’ he said, adding that the two committees had since submitted ``I promised in my inaugural address to run your affairs by subjecting ourselves to the highest ideals of good governance and I did say that hard work, integrity, discipline, transparency and accountability would be our watchword.

“That is exactly what we have pursued with all the vigour and resources at our disposal since the day we assumed office.”

Wada said his assumption of office three months ahead of time

prepared him adequately for the task of governing.

“You will recall that on Jan. 27, I was sworn-in as governor of Kogi following the Supreme Court ruling that terminated the extended tenure of the immediate past administration of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.

“I assumed this responsibility three clear months ahead of the scheduled hand-over date,’’ the governor stressed, saying that it provided him the opportunity to design a development blueprint with inputs from Kogi indigenes.

“Today, we are celebrating the first one hundred days of our administration with a very clear guide on the choices to make to foster our transformation agenda for Kogi State.”

He expressed gratitude to the people for the support given to his administration, saying the achievements recorded so far were made possible by the support and goodwill.

L-R: Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro (rtd), his wife, Esther and the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe at the Ilum Otarok Annual Cultural Festival in Langtang, Plateau state, at weekend.

(NAN)

CPC accuses PDP of plot to kill subsidy report …Calls for protest

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

C

ongress for Progressive Change (CPC) has raised alarm over an alleged plot by the PDP led federal government to terminate the report of the Faruk Lawan led ad hoc committee on subsidy regime, calling on Nigerians to protest very loudly against such move.

In a statement issued yesterday from the party's national headquarters in Abuja,

CPC criticized the statement from the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Adoke, where he reportedly said that the indicted persons in the subsidy report will not be tried yet until other anti-corruption agencies have carried out their own investigations.

The party argued that Adoke has expressed the stance of the

House member accuses Kogi ANPP candidate of desperation

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

A

member of the House of Representatives, Rep Ismail Husseini Inah representing Idah Federal Constituency of Kogi state has told an Abuja division Court of Appeal that the appeal of an All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate, Sam Adejoh Okedi, asking the appellate court to revisit its judgment was borne out of frustration and desperation.

The ANPP candidate who approached the Appeal Court for the third time has in his latest

appeal asked the appellate court to revisit its earlier judgment and declare him as winner of the April 9, 2011 House of Reps election.

In a 19-paragraph counter affidavit in opposition to Okedi’s appeal, the Reps member said that the judgement of the court of appeal now sought to be varied has run its full course. ‘’The judgement of this court which ordered the retrial does not contain any accidental slip or accidental mistake and the said judgement fully expressed the intention of this court.

‘’There is no power in this court to alter or vary its judgement with a view to giving a completely different judgement as sought by the applicants. ‘’I conscientiously believe that the applicants have brought this a application out of frustration and desperation seeking by all means to deprive me of the mandate that was freely given to me by the electorate. ‘’That it is in the interest of justice to refuse this application’’, he said.

PDP led FG on this matter, saying that the public should expect nothing other than an outright termination of the report.

"It is our belief that this is a carefully-woven plot is to use the guise of the 'comprehensive investigation' by the FG-appointed headship of the anti-graft agencies to extirpate any form of punishment for the criminality against the Nigerian nation."

The statement pointed out.

In addition, the party expressed dismay over what it called 'irresponsible aloofness'

by President Jonathan, saying that under his watch, the nation has staggered under the weight of 'humongous corruption'.

The party maintained that no more 'comprehensive investigation' is needed other that the report of the ad hoc committee before first writing to those, who have been

indicted to have been overpaid or paid without delivering petroleum products, to refund those monies.

It also insisted that the Lawan-led investigative panel, to the perception of the Nigerian people, carried out an incisive, patriotic, and courageous investigation into the critical sector of the nation's economy.

CPC therefore called on the presidency to implement the report with equal patriotism, noting that Nigerians are eagerly waiting to see the sincerity of the federal government's promise to fight corruption starting with the subsidy report.

While pointing out that the indicted people are the president's acolytes, whom he seeks to protect by giving them 'softlanding' through the government's unending 'comprehensive investigation', CPC reiterated its determination, as a progressive party, to work together with Nigerians to ensure the full implementation of the subsidy report.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

PAGE 39

Insecurity: House c’tee warns military against excessiveness Jonathan House of Representatives, have market by unknown gunmen that the attitude of the law

By Lawrence Olaoye received several complaints from killed more than 50 people. enforcement agents have cautions he House Representatives residents of the affected areas on He assured that as the motion compelled the residents to prefer committee on National the alleged molestation, was referred to the committee for being dealt with the insurgents. politicians, Security, Intelligence and harassment and to some extent investigation, all those involved "it is this kind of attitude that Public Safety has expressed extra judicial killings of innocent would be identified and sanctioned make residents not to cooperate concern over the alleged citizens by the security agents appropriately, saying, "anyone with the security agencies by media against excessiveness of the military and deployed to combat the insecurity found to have acted outside the rule providing information on the other security agents deployed to plaguing such areas. of engagement will be insurgents, as you can only assist overheating some trouble areas across the Mutawalle pledged that the appropriately sanctioned to serve someone who is ready to be friendly country. committee would do an in-depth as a deterrence to others." with you and protect your life.

In a statement yesterday in investigation on the allegation The lawmaker lamented that There is no way the residents will polity

T

Abuja, the chairman of the committee, Rep Muhammad Bello Mutawalle (PDP-Zamfara) said the committee, and indeed the

raised in a motion by a member of the House from Yobe state on the harassment of innocent residents of Potiskum after an attack on a

the excesses of the security agents have fixed the residents of the affected areas "between the devil and blue sea," as according to him,

help the security agents if they are not treated any better than those they were supposed to be protected from," he said.

R-L: Former Minister of State for Education, Dr. Jerry Agada, Special Adviser on Media to the Senate President, Kola Ologbondiyan, Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Senator Anthony Manzo, Igoche Mark and wife, with the celebrant baby David, during his one year birthday celebration, at the weekend, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

ACN initiates governorship election campaign in Edo

S

ympathisers and members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) at the weekend in Benin defied the early morning rain to attend the party’s campaign for Edo governorship election.

The campaign, which took place at the Museum Ground, was coordinated by Chief Tom Ikimi, a national leader of the

By Lawrence Olaoye rominent politician, businessman and selfstyled anti-corruption crusader, Dr. Godwin Dabo'Adzuana, who died on March 15, 2012, is to be buried on May 19 in his Tse-Mker village, in Vandeikya local government area of Benue state.

According to the burial programme released by his family at the weekend, the funeral of the for former chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will

P

party.

The party members waved brooms -- the party symbol -- and chanted songs to mobilise the electorate to vote for the party in the July 14 election.

The ACN governorship candidate, Gov. Adams Oshiomhole, and his running mate, Dr Pius Odubu, spoke about the party’s achievements in the

state.

They urged the people to ask the previous state governments what their achievements were to warrant their votes.

Oshiomhole, who thanked the people for their steadfastness and support for his administration, assured them that the party would do more if voted into power.

``We will do even more for you if you give us your mandate again because we are your servants,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several musicians, including the legendary highlife musician, Sir Victor Uwaifo, entertained the gathering with some of their popular songs.

Godwin Daboh for burial May 19 commence on Thursday, May 17 with a Service of Songs at 6pm at the National Ecumenical Centre, in the Central Business District of Abuja.

On Friday, May 18, 2012, the body of Dr. Daboh will depart Abuja for Benue state, where there will be a stop-over in Makurdi before proceeding to his Tse Mker residence along Koti Yough road in Vandeikya LGA for a Christian Wake Keep

at 8pm.

The final interment is scheduled to take place at Dr Godwin Dabo'Adzuana Compound in Tse-Mker on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 10am.

Until his death at the age of 70, Dr. Dabo'Adzuana, who shot to national limelight in 1974 from relative political obscurity, was the Chairman, Presidential Monitoring Committee on Fuel Subsidy

Implementation.

A life member of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), Dabo'Adzuana will also be remembered for publishing the defunct Icharegh'va and The Broom newspapers between 1985 and 1993, which sought to expose and discourage corruption and sharp practices among public office holders in the country.

P

esident Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday advised politicians and the media not to overheat the polity over the politics of 2015 presidential election.

In a statement issued by Dr Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Jonathan expressed deep concern over the growing furore in political circles and the media over his alleged plan to seek re-election in 2015.

“What began as an irritating distraction some months ago, appears to have now assumed a life of its own, dominating political discourse in the country, with all kinds of mischief-makers and opportunists latching on to it to heat up the polity unnecessarily.

“The pointless, diversionary and very distractive hue and cry about the president's alleged ambition to seek a second term in office is becoming increasingly disturbing by the day.''

The president expressed worry over reports in newspapers and on the Internet, with captions such as “Jonathan's 2015 ambition can break up Nigeria '' and Jonathan's 2015 ambition fueling insecurity''.

He said that the president's primary concern was to deliver on his promise to provide a purposeful leadership that would help to overcome the country's security and developmental challenges.

“Nothing could be farther from President Jonathan's mind at this point in time than the 2015 elections.

“The president has definitely not directed or authorised any individual or group to launch any campaign on his behalf.

“As he has repeatedly warned on many occasions, even during the last national convention of the PDP, the inordinate ambition of a few self-centred Nigerians and their obsession with the politics of succession in 2015 must not be allowed to distract the nation.

“It must also not be allowed to distract the nation's current leadership from the task of dealing with the more urgent issues of development and the safety of Nigerians in all parts of the country.''

He urged the political class and the Nigerian mass media to give elected leaders, at all levels, the opportunity to deliver on their promises to the people.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

PDP backs prosecution of subsidy scam culprits

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has assured the people that it would be at the vanguard of ensuring

OPC warns Boko Haram against attacking Lagos From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

A

gainst the backdrop of recent threats by the Boko Haram sect to attack Lagos, the National President of the Odua Peoples Congress, Otunba Gani Adams, has advised the sect members not to throw the nation into another civil war.

He urged the group to embrace peace in the interest of the country.

Adams, who spoke to reporters at a ceremony organised to celebrate his 42nd birthday, said he did not believe Boko Haram could attack Yoruba people in the southwest, saying it was impossible for the sect members to carry out attacks on the region.

He said no Yoruba person would habour criminals to massacre innocent people.

"We believe in secularity of Nigeria in the southwest. We have Christians and Muslims and people that believe in traditional religions in Yoruba land. No group disturbs the other and definitely, I don't see a situation where we will have a religious violence in the southwest. It will take an external aggression from groups like Boko Haram to come and cause havoc in the Yoruba land.

"We don't have any issue with them and I don't see any reason why they will come and plant bombs in Yoruba land. If they do so, that will trigger a lot of crises in Nigeria because there will be a reprisal to that," the OPC leader cautioned.

Edo PDP denies any complicity in assassination of Oshiomhole’s aide

T

he PDP in Edo has denied any complicity in the assassination of Mr Oyerinde Olaitan, the Principal Private Secretary to Gov. Adams Oshimhole.

The state PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, made the denial at a news conference on Saturday in Benin, saying that the party had no hand in the killing of the governor's aide.

He rejected the allegation and described it as ``malicious'', saying that it was designed to taint the image of PDP. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Olaitan was assassinated in his house in Benin in the early hours of Friday.Orbih noted that Oshiomhole gave a 14day ultimatum to the Edo State Police Command to find Olaitan killers, adding that he did even not wait for the 14 days to elapse before levelling allegations against PDP members.

He urged the Inspector General of Police to call the governor to order.

that those indicted in the mismanagement of the nation's petroleum subsidy be prosecuted.

Obviously reacting to the ultimatum issued by the Civil Society Groups demanding for immediate prosecution of those indicted by the House of Representatives investigations into the nation's subsidy regime that indicted some people, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh,

in a statement made available to newsmen called on the coalition of the Civil Society Organisations to shelve its planned civil action as their demand aligns with the stand of the Party on the matter.

"The demand of the Civil Society Groups is already reflected in the resolution of the National Working Committee of our great Party. As the Party in power; the one controlling both the Executive and the

Legislative arm of government, our position is that the culpable should face the full weight of the law. This must however, be in compliance with due process so as to make sure that only the guilty suffers," Metuh said.

According to him, the party will continue to uphold transparency and the rule of law in its determination to lead by example, even as he described describing its position as "the ultimate ingredients for

the realisation of the transformation programme of the federal government."

The statement further called on the Civil Rights Groups to give considerable time for the law to take its full course. "In this light, we must allow government to articulate the findings of the House of Representatives and engender necessary legal actions through the appropriate agencies of government."

L-R: Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwanbo, PDP National Chairman, Dr. Bamanga Tukur and Senator Danjuma Goje, during the Inauguration of the Speakers Conference, at the Weekend, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Senate backs constitutional role for traditional rulers

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he Senate will help in providing constitutional powers to the country's traditional rulers, Sen. Ita Enang, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, assured on Friday in Abuja.

Enang gave the assurance when he played host to traditional rulers from Akwa Ibom, who were attending the national conference of traditional rulers in Abuja.

He said the Senate's Constitution Review Committee (CRC) would ensure that the role

of traditional rulers was given constitutional backing. ``At the Senate Constitution Review Committee, we have decided that the issue of the authority and powers of the traditional rulers will be elevated and put in the constitution. ``What we are doing on this in the constitution is to elevate it beyond the position of being a normal law to that of being a constitutional provision. ``If we do not give a constitutional backing to it, then it will still be taken that

the job of traditional rulers is limited to what is provided for them by the House of Assembly of their respective states,'' Enang said.

He hinted that the CRC would soon call for the submission of memoranda on the role of the traditional institution and other areas that required constitutional amendments. ``In the next two weeks, you will see advertisements by the CRC of the Senate, calling for memoranda on this subject. ``This will enable you to

ACN initiates governorship election campaign in Edo

S

ympathisers and members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) at the weekend in Benin defied the early morning rain to attend the party's campaign for Edo governorship election.

The campaign, which took place at the Museum Ground, was coordinated by Chief Tom Ikimi, a national leader of the party.

The party members waved brooms -- the party symbol -and chanted songs to mobilise

the electorate to vote for the party in the July 14 election.

The ACN governorship candidate, Gov. Adams Oshiomhole, and his running mate, Dr Pius Odubu, spoke about the party's achievements in the state.

They urged the people to ask the previous state governments what their achievements were to warrant their votes.

Oshiomhole, who thanked the people for their

steadfastness and support for his administration, assured them that the party would do more if voted into power. ``We will do even more for you if you give us your mandate again because we are your servants," he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several musicians, including the legendary highlife musician, Sir Victor Uwaifo, entertained the gathering with some of their popular songs.

submit your position paper on what your role should be, visa-vis the role of local governments, state governments and the role of other strata of administration, '' Enang said.

The Rules and Business Committee chairman also announced that the Senate would soon consider a proposed bill to further provide traditional rulers with specific areas of constitutional authority. ''I want to also inform you that Sen. Abdullahi Adamu of Nasarawa state has proposed a bill to give traditional rulers in the country specific roles,'' he said.

The Senator commended the Akwa Ibom monarchs for the cooperation they were giving to the state government.

Edidem Ime Inyang, Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, praised the lawmakers for their plan to give the traditional rulers specific roles in the polity.

The paramount ruler of Ibiono Ibom expressed joy over the development and pledged the loyalty of the traditional rulers to the three tiers of government.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

Bafana, Eagles eye confrontation N igeria and South Africa are in talks for a proposed international friendly between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana, likely in June.

Both countries are scheduled to take part in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying in June.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) have been discussing on the game after an initial date of February broke down following the Super Eagles involvement in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying against Rwanda in Kigali.

A top official of the NFF informed a wire service yesterday that no agreement has been reached on the date or venue with the South African FA on the proposed friendly.

“No agreement has been reached yet,” the official said.

“But I can confirm that talks are

still ongoing with the South Africa Football Association. You know there was a proposal to play the match in February but that date clashed with our team’s Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda.”

Nigeria play in two 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying games against Namibia and Malawi and face Rwanda in the return leg of the 2013 AFCON qualifying, all in June.

PAGE 41

The Bafana Bafana of South Africa have two World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and Botswana in same month.

FIFA Futsal World Cup: Nigeria seal final place without kicking a ball

Peter Odemwingie, Eagles player

igeria’s futsal football national team have qualified for the final round of the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup African qualifiers without kicking the ball following Gabon’s withdrawal from their second round fixture.

The first leg tie of the second round fixture was billed for yesterday in Lagos, the Gabon FA informed the NFF of their withdrawal from the fiesta.

“Several letters written to the Gabonese Football Federation by the NFF in the weeks leading to

N

the first leg went un-replied. But late on Friday there was a terse message that the team could not travel to Nigeria as a result of lack of funds,” it said.

The statement also said Nigeria’s Coach Oladunni Oyekale, who had been training his players in preparation for the match, was disappointed.

Oyekale had on Thursday picked 12 players to meet Gabon.

The Nigerian side is now through to the final round and will await a tough fixture against either Tunisia or Egypt.

Tornadoes management warns players From Iliya Garba, Minna

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he Secretary to the Niger State government, Mr. Daniel Clifford Shashere has warned players of Niger Tornadoes FC against complacency or risk the wrath of the state government.

Instead of being lackadaisical,

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ashidi Yekini’s Portuguese club Vitoria Setubal will pay their last respect to the fallen star in their final game against Benfica. The 48-year-old Yekini, who died Friday in Nigeria, was buried on Saturday in his hometown, Irrah in Kwara State.

Yekini enjoyed his best spell at a European club at Vitoria Setubal. He scored 90 goals in 108 appearances for the modest Portuguese club between 1990 and 1994.

According to the former Nigeria youth international Terna Suswam, who now features for Vitoria Setubal, the club plan to honour Yekini by wearing black arm bands and observing a minute silence.

“The players wish to honour Yekini by sporting black arm bands and observing a minute’s silence in our next game against Benfica this Sunday. This is also our last match of the season but the management will have to approve it,” said Suswam.

“Yekini was a legend at Setubal and the news of his death has

Shashere urged them to be loyal and committed to the task of winning laurels for the state and thus reciprocate the government’s gesture towards them.

He read the riot act over the weekend when he visited the players at their permanent camp in Minna and insisted the players should be dedication and discipline

if they must be secure the top three placement on the NPL log at the end of the league.

“Let me warn all of you here that the Niger State government will not accept failure. We are aware of all your problems, but you must be totally loyal to the club and show some high level of discipline if you really want to remain in this club.

Vitoria Setubal to honour Yekini really shocked everyone here. All the papers here reported it and people gathered to talk about his exploits while he was at the club.”

Vitoria Setubal lost 1-0 at Academica Coimbra Saturday on Saturday. They are 11th on the table with 30 points from 29 matches.

...SWAN wants FG’s posthumous award for Yekini

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Rasheed Yekini when he scored Nigeria’s first world cup goal

he Federal Government should consider the late Rashidi Yekini for a posthumous award,the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) have suggested.

SWAN National President, Saidu Abubakar, in a condolence message, said the award would serve to immortalise Yekini, who scored 37 goals in 38 matches for Nigeria and is accredited as the best forward Nigeria ever had.

Yekini, who hailed from Irra in Kwara, died at the age of 48 on Friday from an undisclosed illness at an unnamed hospital.

The SWAN President described the late Yekini as second to none and a footballer who stood taller among his peers and playing mates.

“He led Nigeria’s glorious days in football when the Super Eagles ruled Africa in 1994 by winning the Africa Cup of Nations. He then went ahead to

carve a niche for Nigeria at the USA 1994 World Cup in the U.S,” he said.

Abubakar said Yekini would be best remembered for his celebration of Nigeria’s first World Cup goal, which he scored.

Also, the FCT chapter of SWAN, on its part, said it would remember with fond memories Yekini’s great contributions to the rise to greater heights of the country’s football.

“We, therefore, wish to join his family members and even the rest of the football families in mourning this great football icon,” the body said in a statement by its Chairman, Kayode Adeniyi.

The FCT SWAN called on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and even the federal government to ensure Yekini’s immortalisation.

We are not going to tolerate any act of disloyalty from any player henceforth,” he warned.

“We are now in a critical position and all hands must be on deck from the players, coaches and the supporting staff to make sure that the team would not be relegated, be within the top brackets,” he added.

Pillars splash out N53 million to pay debts

K

ano Pillars have paid out N53 million to offset part of the signing-on fees of the players and coaches over the past three seasons.

Pillars spokesman Idris Maikaba confirmed yesterday that the payment will cover the final 20 percent balance of the contract fees for the 2009/ 10 season and 15 percent of last season.

It will also take care of another 15 percent for the current, which totals 45 percent as they had earlier being paid 30 percent for this season.

“The general manager, Abba Galadima, told the players that he hopes this payment will motivate them for the remainder of the campaign.

He therefore urged the players to tighten their belt for the challenge ahead,” Maikaba disclosed.

Pillars tumbled from top spot in the Nigeria Premier League after they lost 2-1 at Shooting Stars and they further slipped to fourth in the standings after they lost 2-0 at local rivals Kaduna United.

On Wednesday they face a daunting challenge at secondplaced Enyimba.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

states to Cross River state govt promises 8takeNorthern part in FCT table tennis tourney Eaglets best hospitality T E

he government and people of Cross River State, have promised the Golden Eaglets best of hospitality to enable them concentrate on the job at hand during second phase of the closed camping exercise , which began this weekend.

Accordingly, the team and officials are to be camped at the Princeville Hotel.

This was revealed by the State’s Commissioner of Sports, Mr. Patrick Ugbe, who said the state rejoices in the privilege of hosting the Eaglets and would therefore do everything to ensure that they were comfortable and in the frame of mind to perform to Nigeria’s expectation.

Ugbe, a seasoned broadcaster, said it was incumbent on the state to rally

behind the Golden Eaglets so as to support the aspirations of all Nigerians in ensuring that the team qualifies for the upcoming African Under-17 Tournament to be hosted in Morocco next year.

According to him, His Excellency, Governor Liyel Imoke, has generously agreed to host the team in line with his policy of supporting the development and growth of sports in the country. Cross River State with its J. Esuene Stadium, is regarded as one of the best sports centres in the country and it is also the traditional host of the annual Obudu Mountain Race amongst other sporting events.

“We are very ready to host the Golden Eaglets and they are going to enjoy the best when they come here,” said Ugbe

with his trademark smile. “Governor Imoke has ensured that we provided all that is necessary so that the team’s camping exercise would go on without hitches and all our people are looking forward to having the National Under17 team here.”

Speaking in the same vein, Mr. Phillip Obaji (Jr), the chairman of the state’s Football Association’s Media/Marketing Committee, said they would do everything within their capacity to guarantee that the Golden Eaglets have a successful camping period at the Canaan City. “ The honourable sports commissioner has duly informed our FA board that Golden Eaglets would be here in Calabar and we are happy about this development as such we would mobilize our people to give the team necessary support,” Obaji added.

By Albert Akota

ight Northern states are billed to take part in the 9th editions of the FCT Aso table Tennis Clubs for male and female categories at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja beginning from May 9 to 13. The participating states are Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Plateau and Kaduna and the FCT Making this known in Abuja, president of the club, Dr Olusegun Ajuwon, said this edition of the competition is open to all the states in North Central, adding that special invitation has been extended to three other states.

Ajuwon said two national tennis players have been invited to demonstrate showcase their skills stressing this is meant to ginger greens to develop interest in ping pong. According to him, the club wants to use the competition to encourage fresh talents as well as search for talents that would be quickly developed for subsequent national sports fiesta.

“We are happy to organize the 9th edition of the FCT Aso table Tennis Club where eight states from the Northern states precisely from North Central, will participate. We are also happy that we have invited three others states to add to the glamour of competition.

“We are also happy that veteran and professionals in the game of tennis have agreed to demonstrate their skills before the young ones who are coming into the game. “We have promised to reward the winner with N50,000 in each category because we are doing this to encourage them and also show how much we love the game, “he said.

Police Machine win 30th edition of FCT Challenge Cup Floyd Mayweather (jr)

Miguel Cotto

Mayweather earns $32 million for beating Cotto F

loyd Mayweather (jr) earned $32 m for defeating Miguel Cotto on points after 12 energy sapping rounds.

The American veteran won the WBA light-middleweight title by winning the fight at the MCM Grand Garden Arena by unanimous decision 117-111 on two cards and 118-110 on the third.

Hand speed and his almost legendary defence enabled Mayweather to hold off the aggressive Puerto Rican, who had come in as WBA “super” champion.

Mayweather, still undefeated after a memorable fight, had to use all his talents and experience against an opponent who pushed him all the way, often into the corners and on the ropes.

But Cotto, 31 years old, who threw by far the most punches, just could not get enough to land on Mayweather.

Mayweather later said Cotto was the toughest opponent he has fought.

“You’re a hell of a champion. You’re the toughest guy I ever fought. He’s a tough competitor. He came to fight; he didn’t

just come to survive. I dug down and fought him back,” Mayweather told Cotto after their WBA light-middleweight title bout in Las Vegas on Saturday night (Sunday Morning Nigerian time).

“When you fight on pay-per-view you have to give the fans what they want, and that’s excitement,” Mayweather said. Cotto was guaranteed his biggest purse yet, $8 million Mayweather used his speed and accuracy to win a unanimous decision.

He rocked Cotto in the final round to remain unbeaten in 43 fights. But it wasn’t easy, with Cotto fighting until the final bell.

Although, there were no knockdowns in a fight, however, there were many blows that did enough damage to leave marks on both boxers. Mayweather bled from the nose for most of the second half of the bout and Cotto was cut on the head above the left eye early in the fight.

Mayweather, who is 35 years old, improved his record to 43-0, with 26

knockouts. Cotto’s dropped to 37-3; 30.

Earlier the crowd saw another brilliant fight when Saul Alvarez beat Sugar Shane Mosley 119-109, 118-110 and 119-109 to retain his WBC super-welterweight title.

Alvarez, who is only 21 years old but has already built up a professional record of 40-0-1, with 29 knockouts, was too fast and aggressive for the 40-year-old former champion.

Mosley brought back memories of brilliant performances earlier in his career and gave the youngster one of the hardest fights of his career. In the end, however, his record dropped to 46-8-1, with 39 knockouts.

In a welterweight bout, Jessie Vargas beat Steve Forbes 100-90, 97-93 and 9991 over ten rounds.

Vargas is still undefeated after 19 bouts, with 9 knockouts. Forbes, a former champion, dropped to 35-11; 11.

Carlos Quintana improved to 29-3; 23 when he knocked out DeAndre Latimore in the sixth.

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olice Machine FC over the weekend at Old Parade Ground, Area 10 Abuja defeated defending champions and back-to-back winners, FC Abuja to clinch the FCT Challenge Cup on 4-3 penalties after the game ended one apiece at full and extratime.

The Police Machine FC, who are currently playing in Nationwide League (amateur), surprisingly defeated the Nigerian National League club who were the 2006 and 2007 champions.

Meanwhile, Coach of the police team, Mukaila Ali, attribute the team’s success to patience and the commitment of the players, while his FC Abuja counterpart, Friday Christopher, blamed fatigue arising from their league games for the loss.

“I am happy we have won the match because that was my target. I also commended my players for their patience and commitment throughout the competition. I am very happy to lift the trophy for the first time in FCT Challenge Cup for the Nigeria Police,” Coach Ali said.

“We were gallant in defeat. In fact, we lost the match because of fatigue, you we played series of matches in the national league and my players were tired. They did not disappoint me, I am grateful to them,” FC Abuja coach said.

While commending the 40 clubs that took part in the competition, the FCT FA Chairman Alhaji Musa Saeed Talle, said the tournament was success because the FCT featured the second highest number of clubs in the whole country.

Further, Talle assured FCT residents that the 2012 FCT league will be decentralized to all the six Area Councils, stressing that some football academies in the Territory have agreed to collaborate with the FA to organize U-13 soccer competitions within the councils.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

PAGE 43

Liu wins 110m hurdle race in Japan C

hina’s Olympic hope Liu Xiang stepped up his preparations for the 110metres hurdles at the London Games with a victory at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix meet in Kawasaki, Japan, yesterday.

Liu, the 2004 Olympic champion and 2007 world champion, clocked 13.09 seconds to finish .24 seconds ahead of Omo Osaghae of the

Liu Xiang

United States. American Ronald Brookins was third in 13.69.

“Considering there was some wind and rain today I am satisfied with the time,” Liu said. “This was my first outdoor race of the season, so it was a good result.”

Looking ahead to London, he added: “For all athletes, the Olympics are special. There are a lot of strong rivals so you just

Allyson Felix

have to concentrate on your own conditioning and training.”

Liu’s victory follows a flawless 60-metre hurdles final in 7.41 seconds at the Birmingham Grand Prix in February to finish almost a tenth of a second ahead of world record-holder Dayron Robles in their first meeting since last year’s world championships.

Amantle Montsho

Enugu wins 1st Akanu Ibiam Athletics to clinch the third a girl from Anambra and a boy Championships medals position in the competition that from Enugu. I believe they will

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nugu State has won eight gold, six silver and two bronze medals to emerge winners of the maiden Late Dr Akanu Ibiam Athletics Championships for secondary schools.

The championship arranged for states within the National Sports Commision (NSC) SouthEast Zone I, saw Anambra came second with four gold, six silver and four bronze medals, while Ebonyi won only six bronze

was concluded on Saturday in Enugu.

The Coordinator, NSC SouthEast Zone I, Stanley Okebugwu, said the championships were successful with great significance and added that he was impressed with the performance of the youth selected from secondary schools in the zone.

“I am happy that the championships were successful.

At least, we are able to discover

do well in future if further groomed,” he said.

The coordinator promised that the competition would be an annual event even as Johnny Igboka, a national coach in track and field, thanked the Commission for giving youths the opportunity to show their talents.

Emmanuel Utobo, the Ebonyi State Director of Sports, advised youths to always come out to display their talents in any competition.

Allyson Felix of the United States won the women’s 100metre race on Sunday in 11.22, finishing .16 seconds ahead of Melissa Breen of Australia.

Chisato Fukushima of Japan was third in 11.39.

“It was a bit crazy with the weather but I just tried to stay focused,” Felix said. “You never know what can happen in a major competition like this when the conditions aren’t ideal.”

Felix, a two-time Olympic silver medalist over 200 metres, said she is working hard to win the gold in London.

“I don’t feel desperate, I feel very motivated,” Felix said.

“I’ve had a lot of time to think about being a silver medalist.

It’s definitely something that has been making me work hard and hopefully it was all come together.”

China’s Su Bingtian beat American competition to win the men’s 100-metre race in 10.04, finishing .01 seconds ahead of Mike Rodgers, with Kim Collins third in 10.07.

Jairus Kipchoge

Bolt erases Blakes’ time, sets year’s fastest 100m record

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amaican Olympic champion Usain Bolt held his nerve after two false starts by competitors and powered to the year’s fastest 100 metres at the Jamaica International Invitational on Saturday.

The 100 and 200 world record holder clocked a dazzling 9.82 seconds in his first individual race of 2012, exploding from the blocks to take control at 40 metres.

Bolt

“It’s a good start, I would say,” said Bolt, who erased the previous season-leading time of 9.90 by his training partner and world champion Yohan Blake three weeks ago.

“I feel better than last year, so I’m definitely happy with myself. I don’t think my execution was perfect, but I think for my first race it was good,” Bolt added Michael Frater, a member of Jamaica’s world record 4x100

relay team, finished a distant second in exactly 10 seconds.

Bolt was disqualified from last year’s 100 final at the world championships because of a false start, but was not perturbed by the delays.

“A couple of false starts will throw you off, but I stayed focused and went out there and executed as best as possible, so I’m just happy with myself,” he said.

Although pleased with the last 50 metres of the race, the lanky sprinter, who owns world records of 9.58 seconds in the 100 and 19.19 in the 200, said he must continue to work on the first phase of the shorter race.

“I always try to work on my first 40 metres because the last 40 metres is always the best part of my race,” he said. “So over the season as I get more fit and get more fluent it will definitely get better.”

Blake also added a seasonleading performance, one of four in the meeting. The world 100 champion clocked 19.91 seconds in the 200.

“Bolt erased my world lead in the 100 so I though I would set a world lead in the 200,” the Jamaican said.

Top performances of the year also came in the women’s 100 and 400.

World champion Carmelita Jeter took the shorter race in 10.81 seconds, finishing ahead of Kelly-Ann Baptiste of Trinidad and Tobago, who ran 10.86.

Jamaican Olympic silver medallist Kerron Stewart was third in 10.98.

“I feel good with that win,” Jeter said. “I know there’s some things I didn’t do right and I’m sure my coach is going to get on me, but it’s a long season.

“Right now I just have to stay healthy ... to stay humble, stay focused ... I can’t get ahead of myself, I can’t get big-headed because you never know who is going to show up.”

Jamaican Novelene WilliamsMills, the 2007 world bronze medalist, held off US world indoor champion Sanya Richards-Ross in the last 50 to win the women’s 400 in 49.99 seconds.

Richards-Ross, who had the previous world leader of 50.18, took second in 50.11.

Jamaican Brigitte Foster Hilton, the 2009 world champion who struggled in 2011, appeared to have regained her form in the 100 hurdles, winning in 12.51 seconds.

The time was just 0.02 behind the world leading performance of 12.49 by current world champion Sally Pearson of Australia.

REULTS Men’s 100m 1. Su Bingtian (China) 10.04 2. Michael Rodgers (U.S.) 10.05 3. Kim Collins (St Kitts and Nevis) 10.07 Men’s 800m 1. Job Kinyor (Kenya) 1:47.05 2.

Amine El Manaoui (Morocco) 1:47.91 3. Andreas Bube (Denmark) 1:48.19 Men’s 110m Hurdles 1. Liu Xiang (China) 13.09 2. Omoghan Osaghae (U.S.) 13.33 3. Ronald Brookins (U.S.) 13.69 Men’s 400m Hurdles 1.

Takayuki Kishimoto (Japan) 49.31 2. Johnny Dutch (U.S.) 49.52 3.

Nathan Woodward (Britain) 50.38 Men’s 3000m Steeplechase 1. Jairus Kipchoge (Kenya) 8:18.06 2. Conseslus Kipruto (Kenya) 8:19.49 3.

Roba Gary (Ethiopia) 8:19.62 Men’s 4 x 100m Relay 1. Australia 39.00 2. China 39.02 3. Japan 39.03 Men’s 4 x 400m Relay 1. Japan 3:04.15 2. Australia 3:06.96 3. New Zealand 3:09.66 Men’s Long Jump 1. Yohei Sugai (Japan) 7.98 2. Ignisious Gaisah (Ghana) 7.81 3. Kim Deok-hyeon (South Korea) 7.59 Men’s Pole Vault 1. Yang Yansheng (China) 5.32 2. Hiroki Ogita (Japan) 5.32 3. Jordan Scott (U.S.) 5.32 Men’s Hammer Throw 1. Dilshod Nazarov (Tajikistan) 77.34 2. Pawel Fajdek (Poland) 76.31 3. Markus Esser (Germany) 76.29 Men’s Javelin Throw 1. Genki Dean (Japan) 81.43 2.

Yukifumi Murakami (Japan) 80.26 3.

Stuart Farquhar (New Zealand) 77.35 Women’s 100m 1. Allyson Felix (U.S.) 11.22 2. Melissa Breen (Australia) 11.38 3. Chisato Fukushima (Japan) 11.39 Women’s 400m 1.

Amantle Montsho (Botswana) 50.52 2. Joanne Cuddihy (Ireland) 51.78 3.

Mary Wineberg (U.S.) 52.36 Women’s 800m 1. Alem Gereziher (Ethiopia) 2:05.86 2. Sianne Toemoe (Australia) 2:06.22 3.

Bethany Praska (U.S.) 2:06.90 Women’s 100m Hurdles 1. Yvette Lewis (U.S.) 13.08 2. Michelle Perry (U.S.) 13.11 3.

Ayako Kimura (Japan) 13.31 Women’s 4 x 100m Relay 1. Japan 44.29 2. China 44.47 3. Japan B 44.93 Women’s Long Jump 1. Saeko Okayama (Japan) 6.67 2. Cornelia Deiac (Romania) 6.51 3. Karin Mey Melis (Turkey) 6.50

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

Lagos T taekwondo set for new S record at sports festival

he Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASSAN) has elected new officials into its Central Working Committee to run the affairs of the association for the next three years.

The election, which was held in Makurdi, Benue State, at the Third Triennial National Delegates Conference, saw the emergence of Fatai Jimoh as its

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he Lagos State Taekwondo Association on Wednesday, in Lagos, vowed to set new records at the 18 th National Sports Festival tagged “Eko 2012 Games” in Lagos.

The association’s Chief Coach, Peace Ogunnowo, disclosed this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the preparation of the taekwondoists for the Nov. 27 to Dec. 9 fiesta.

“We are going to put our entire prowess into display to set new records by having a clean sweep of medals at the festival.

“To achieve this, we will ensure that we select the best team that will excel at the festival and with the support of the state government we have no reason to fail,” she said.

She gave an assurance that her team would improve on the two gold and two silver medals it won at the 17th edition of the festival in Port Harcourt last year.

The chairman said that preparations were in top gear to improve the skills and knowledge of technical officials and the taekwondoists in the association through a series of seminars and competitions.

She added that the association would hold a two-day technical seminar and competitions for coaches, referees, judges and taekwondoists from May 4 to May 5 at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Yaba.

According to her, the facilitator for the technical seminar is Emmanuel Peters, a senior Nigerian taekwondo referee and a former 2002 Olympics silver medalist.

She said that the programme, which is being sponsored by the state government, would greatly benefit technical officials and taekwondoists preparing for the festival.

The coach furher gave an assurance that more taekwondoists who could make the festival would be discovered at the competition.

Ogunnowo lauded the state government for the provision of modern equipment and kits to the association.

Athletics Federation plans U18 competition to curb age cheating Dateline: Lagos.

uzie Dyrbus, an International Tennis Federation (ITF) instructor, says Nigeria has the potential to be among the leading wheelchair tennis playing nations of the world.

Dyrbustold yesterday in Lagos, that wheelchair tennis had recorded tremendous growth in the country and that, if sustained, it would bring in laurels.

The instructor from England spoke with NAN on the sidelines of a training course, organised by the John Cruyff Foundation, UK, to develop the sport in the country.

PASSAN elects new executive president, Bala Hadi, deputy national president, Hadiza Mohammed, as zonal vice president FCT, Umar Yusuf Kasim, vice president North Central.

Similarly, Yakubu Suleiman, vice president North East, Nura Abdulkadir, vice president

North West, Onwuama Frank, vice president South South, C.C. Abangwu, vice president South East, and Rotimi Micheal, vice president South West, while Ololade Oyeyipo was elected Secretary General.

The newly elected executive committee was inaugurated by

the Senior Legal Officer of Benue State House of Assembly Barrister Wando Aondonana.

The new leadership is to pilot the affairs of the association as well as organised the forthcoming Parliamentary Games scheduled to be held in Abeokuta, Ogun State in July.

Foreign experts predict bright future for wheelchair tennis in Nigeria

“The standard of the game is quite impressive because I saw the Nigerian team at the World Team Cup qualifiers in Kenya and they played so well,” she said.

Dyrbus was delighted with the commitment which the coaches and players exhibited to the training course “‘I have been to several African countries under the same project and I can tell you that there are

potential stars in the country.

“The enthusiasm, I must emphasise, is great and what the country needs is adequate exposure of its players by attending international tournaments which would help their game to improve,” she said.

Dyrbus promised that the ITF, as a follow up to her report,

would in the next few months donate wheelchairs, racquets, balls and other tennis materials to fast-track the development of the game.

The instructor also appealed to corporate bodies to help in developing the game through the procurement of equipment, and sponsoring tournaments.

Athletics Federation plans U-18 competition to curb age cheat

T

he Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) says it will organise an U-18 athletics competition for secondary school students as part of efforts to tackle age cheating and to develop the sport.

Yusuf Alli, an official of AFN, said yesterday in Lagos that the competition would hold from May 10 to May 12 at the Yaba College of Technology Sports complex, Lagos.

Alli explained that the competition would aim at curbing age cheating in athletics because many athletes often reduced their ages in a bid to stay longer in sport, a situation which he said, was counter-productive for the country.

“We are organising an U-18 competition from the 10th to 12th in Lagos this year. I can assure you that if you are over

Bolaji Abdullahi, Supervising Minister of Sports

18 years, you will not take part. And you must be in school; we want to have the database of these athletes beginning now.”

The AFN official noted that the database of the talents discovered at the championships would be kept for reference purposes, adding that the talents would be monitored and groomed to stardom.

He said: “When we are focusing on winning age group competitions for a long time, that brings in the cheating.

People that are 25 years old, 20 years old running in U-15 or U-17 competitions - I think is the bane of not only athletics, but all other sports.

“I think once we go back to school sports, which is the grassroots, you will see that athletes will last a long time because they are young. I think this should be our focus; to me, it is the down payment; down payments are our youth programmes; we must hold them tight.

“We should not try to win at that lower age competition; we should just try to go out there and compete. Eventually they will train and they will learn and they will do well in the future. ” He, however, expressed optimism that the country had a lot of talent waiting to be identified and nurtured for the greatness of the country.

Idara Otu, Nigeria’s Olympic medal hope

President cycling association pleads for govt, private sector sponsorship

M

r Alfred Ale, the President, Cycling C o m m i s s a r i e s Association of Nigeria, has urged government at levels and private firms to support the development of the sport.

Ale said at a seminar organised for commissaries at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium that neglecting cycling was the bane of its development.

Commissaries are umpires in cycling just as Grade One

referees in football.

“Nigeria does not have to lag behind in the application of the rules and regulations because it is the same all over the world,” he said.

He disclosed that Nigeria had only produced two international commissaries in the last 30 years Brig. Abdul Kadir and Rev. Moses Iloh, adding that both of them had retired. Iloh was a former President of the West African Cycling Federation.

“Having International commissaries will afford the country the opportunity of attending world cycling congresses and producing members of International Cycling Committees.”

Ale said the association was looking forward to participating in the forthcoming National Sports Festival scheduled to hold in Lagos from Nov. 27 to Dec. 9.

The seminar, according to him, was organised to acquaint

the commissaries with the rules and regulations of cycling.

Meanwhile, in a separate interview, Mr Joseph Olaitan, the Comptroller of Immigration, Ibadan Command, assured the commissaries of support from the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS).

Olaitan said that the NIS would support the development of cycling. “Sports helps a lot in building a healthy body and a sound mind,” Olaitan said.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

PAGE 45

Pictorial a e

f b

g a. Manchester City and Manchester United will go into the final day of the season level on points. City recorded a huge 2-0 win at Newcastle before United beat Swansea by the same scoreline, leaving Roberto Mancini's men with an eight-goal advantage ahead of next week's game with QPR.

c

b. Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay praised Roberto Di Matteo's efforts after he led the team to FA Cup glory but remains insistent that no decision will be taken on his long-term future until the end of the season. c. Floyd Mayweather holds off Miguel Cotto to take the WBA super welterweight title and maintain his undefeated record. d. Newcastle finish bottom of the Premiership and face possible relegation despite a 14-10 win over Wasps at Adams Park.. e. Masters champion Bubba Watson will miss the Players Championship at Sawgrass after taking a month off from golf to spend time with family. f. Andy Murray is forced to pull out of the Madrid Open, which starts on Sunday, after suffering a back injury. g. The West Indies' preparations for their Test series against England continue to be affected by availability concerns.

d

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MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

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SPORTS Umaru Yar’adua: Flashes in the dark LA TEST LATEST

United take title race to wire after win

M

anchester United ensured the race for the Premier League title will go to the final game of the season as they beat Swansea City 2-0 at Old Trafford yesterday few hours after leaders Man City defeated Newcastle with same goal margin.

But it proved to be a bittersweet day for the reigning champions, who will start as significant underdogs to clinch an unprecedented 20th title as rivals Manchester City close in on their first top-flight crown since 1968.

Manchester United will travel to Sunderland, who have not beaten them in the league for 15 years, spanning 19 attempts, while City will be overwhelming favourites to beat a relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers side who have won just three times on the road this season.

The Premier League title has never yet been decided on goal difference, but there is every chance this season that it will.

United will have to better City's final day result to finish above their near them.

Victories for both – barring a mathematical miracle courtesy of an unlikely ninegoal swing – will spark huge celebrations in the blue half of Manchester.

Defeat left Swansea in 12th place, with only one victory in their last eight league matches going into their final game at home to Liverpool.

Meanwhile, Ten-man Tottenham Hotspur spurned the chance to go third in the Premier League yesterday after a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa, for whom a point all but assured their top-flight survival.

Tottenham are a point adrift of Arsenal in fourth place ahead of Saturday's final fixtures and fifth-placed Newcastle are a point behind also.

Chelsea could snatch the final spot for Europe's elite competition that would normally go to the team finishing fourth if they beat Bayern Munich in this season's final.

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A politician is someone who believes you don’t have to fool all the people all the time. Just during elections - Stanley Davies

P

resident Umaru Musa Yar’adua died two years ago.

Most of the footprints he left have been virtually swept off the landscape by horrendous setbacks in governance, and it will amount to speculation over whether he would recognize the nation he left two years ago. To be sure, he was in large part an architect of much of what we have in our hands today, but would he approve of the structure he helped design? In a way, this would summarize the dilemma in the political life of late President Yar’adua: great vision, poor execution and severely compromised outcomes.

The Yar’adua legacy in his 8year tenure in Katsina state is being hotly disputed. The rump of his loyalists say his successor and trusted ally, Ibrahim Shema, has re-written Yar’adua’s script.

Shema’s people say he is building on the solid foundations of Umaru’s legacies, and he has no apologies for writing his own script. Katsina State is today one of the bulwarks of the PDP machine in the nation, but its political clout and economic progress have been highjacked by forces outside the state, and the north. The schools and roads Umaru built of such high quality are failing in many parts, and the considerable number of enemies and adversaries he made when he sat tightly on public funds have found their ways into favour. The state struggles to put something on the ground after paying salaries, and it must be costing more than an arm and a leg to preserve the difficult control of the PDP over the political terrain in Katsina, and the disposition of Shema himself as a man who counts pennies before parting with them must be making it even more difficult to keep the CPC at bay.

But it is at the federal level where Yar’adua started with the appearance of a man determined to make a relatively clean break with history that even more profound changes have occurred in the last two years. Against the most vociferous resistance, he denounced the elections that brought him to power, and pledged to reform the electoral process. He followed through with a credible effort under the Justice Lawal Uwais committee, but abandoned the process when it became clear that a reformed electoral process was going to take too many casualties, with his own party, the PDP as the biggest. He declared his assets publicly, and set alarm bells ringing when all political appointees thought he would judge them negatively if they did not do same. He did not. His was a

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FIFTEEN MINUTES with Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed drbabaahmed@yahoo.com

Late Umaru Musa Yar’adua symbolic gesture to send a message that he would fight corruption, and would be a servant leader. He raised hopes around the mantra of rule of law as his fundamental concern, and said times without number that a corrupt leader could not be a good leader.

Those flashes of hope and courage were swamped by forces far stronger and more entrenched then President Yar’adua. Far from fighting corruption, corruption fought back under his watch. His baggage included some of his closest advisers who had many hands in tills; scandalouslycorrupt former and serving public office holders who had substantially bankrolled his campaign; and scheming politicians who saw weaknesses in a good man who trusted too much, and made enemies too easily.

His brilliant mind and native intelligence showed brightly in his initial conception of his agenda; but it became a victim of a past which had just dug in. He thought he could address the crippling problem in the Niger Delta by a masterstroke of granting amnesty to people who had made billions through crime, hiding behind genuine communal concerns, and a radical reform of the entire oil and gas sector. Against advice which exposed the deep-rooted linkages between politics and militancy in the Niger Delta, he embarked upon an expensive and potentially dangerous amnesty programme.

Today, there are hints that beneficiaries of the programme are being groomed to provide the backbone of a skilled manpower which the south-south could use, in the event that the region has to chart a course on its own. The

Petroleum Industry Bill (P.I.B) which was knocked together at great pains by Rilwanu Lukman and his team has many versions today; and may never see the light of day, no thanks to the potential for vicious resistance against which the late President was warned.

Massive corruption and a lethargic bureaucracy frustrated his plans to expand the power sector. His great vision for reform of the land administration system in Nigeria, for agriculture and water resources and road and rail networks was blunted by indifference beyond his immediate, small circle, and a public service which served corruption more than it served the public.

President Yar’adua wanted to be his own man, but was shacked all around. He was the product of a political campaign which was funded by people he detested even to be in the same room with. So he preferred not to know how he got to the Villa. He wanted his party, the PDP, an institution which will win the Nobel Prize in subverting the democratic process to toe the line of his mantra of the rule of law, but there were too many debts to settle; too many interests to pander to; and a godfather who was very much around and very demanding. He had a most profound respect for President Obasanjo, and was therefore reluctant to unplug many of the latter’s decisions and schemes, yet they offended much of his definition of good governance, and the manner he defined his own administration. In the end, he neither pleased Obasanjo nor himself. Behind him, or over his shoulders, he had the constant presence of Atiku Abubakar, another elder he respected tremendously, but who is now a political rival; and of General Muhammadu Buhari, a politician he knew only too well, and who retained the potential to uproot his disputed victory for a long period during his presidency.

His circle expanded or narrowed with his health. He had a group which became obsessed with protecting his failing health and personal dignity and the integrity of his office by all means necessary, and unnecessary. He also had others in the group who saw in his failing health and stubborn streak an opportunity to

use his authority to their own benefits. Long before the nation became aware that his failing health was becoming a major issue in governance, a small clique had positioned itself around him. The facade of normalcy was carefully orchestrated, and a determined effort was made to keep his deputy, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as far away as possible from the Presidency. A weak president was persuaded to approve a shoot-atsight order on his way, literally, out of the country, when the Boko Haram insurgency had overwhelmed the police in Borno State in 2009. Today, the nation lives with the consequences of that decision. A weak President was persuaded to approve a policy of removing public officers from service against the basic rules of the service, with claims that the policy will radically transform the service.

Today, hundreds of senior officers are being retired at the very moment when they are most needed, and the fundamental breach which that decision caused in the manner it violated sanctified values of the service is being made worse. The public service is collapsing at an alarming rate; the pension scam, and the subsidy exposé are symptoms of the failure of the public service to protect the public and political leaders against corruption and impunity and may be just the tip of the iceberg.

Almost to the day, the President who took over after Yar’adua died is grappling with worsening levels of corruption and insecurity. He has had a public falling-out with his National Security Advisor (NSA) over the causes of the Boko Haram insurgency, but the nation is being told that it has failed to really understand the NSA. The problems, we are being told, is that Yar’adua’s kith and kin have been sponsoring an insurgency against President Jonathan, even though he, Yar’adua, a northerner, had almost single-handedly engineered the amnesty programme in the Niger Delta. Thousands of Yar’aduas fellow citizens, majority of them Muslims, are dying daily at the hands of an insurgency which says his administration is responsible for having their leader killed illegally, and they will continue to wage war against the Nigerians State and Christians who offend Islam. The nation is already in the grip of opening skirmishes towards 2015, even though basic issues around the 2011 elections and the post-election violence have not been addressed. The nation Yar’adua thought he could give a new lease of life is showing signs of failure due to unspeakable levels of corruption, unprecedented threats to national security, and a weak leadership. All told, the period during which Umaru Musa Yar’adua was President of Nigeria looks just like flashes in the dark.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos, Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com ISSN: 2141– 6141