Peoples Daily Newspaper, Saturday, July 07, 2012

www.peoplesdaily-online.com www.peoplesdaily-online.com

VOL. 1 NO. 97 SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

. . . putting the people first

SHAABAN 17 - 18, 1433 AH

N150

Police rescue abducted baby, arrest culprits >> Page 14

Tackle terrorism, oil bunkering before seeking FDIs, Investor Council tells Jonathan >> Page 5

Hurricane

Supreme Court upholds Ewuga, Okadigbo’s election

Mukhtar: The Law and women’s rights

>> Page 8

...Sacks Eseme Eyiboh

Ewuga

C O V E R

Okadigbo

FLOODING: How prepared is the North?

Pages 9, 10,11&12

Eyiboh

>> Page 5

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY JUNE 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Special Report

Katsina Youth Craft Village: A breeding ground for self reliance

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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i t h this training we will return home to Niger Republic as women of economic values’, this was the contention of Usaina Musa, a house wife from Taowa in Niger Republic who is currently learning Pottery at the Katsina Youth Crafts Village (KYCV).

Usaina Musa and three other women and 15 men from Niger Republic are currently learning hand-crafts and other modern skills that would make them self- reliant and give them the capacity to fight poverty and unemployment in their country.

Katsina Youth Crafts Village (KYCV), an initiative of Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, was set up to help remove unemployed youths from the streets and provide them with a productive venture that will make them useful to themselves and the society at large.

It is expected to provide self employment opportunities for over 2000 youth annually through various skills acquisition programmes.

According to the working document, the centre was constructed and equipped with tools and equipment at the cost of N350 million in 2001.

Speaking on the trainings run by the village, the Special Adviser to Katsina state governor on Science and Technology, Alhaji Suleiman Nuhu Kuki told Peoples Daily Weekend that the courses include, GSM handset repairs, auto-mechanic/generator repairs, wheel alignment and balancing, welding, fabrication, blacksmith, tie and dye, pottery and wrought iron, furniture making, carpentry and joinery, computer repairs/ usage, electrical installations, electrical repairs, catering, leather works and shoe making.

The courses run by the crafts village last for between 6-12 months after which the state government provides take-off materials for the graduates.

Similarly, the Special Adviser noted that, “the students of the centre are mainly drop-outs from the conventional schools, the minimum entry qualification is junior secondary school certificate and both male and female students have equal

opportunities’.

He added that feeding and accommodation are provided for the trainees by government for free.

Kuki said since the start of the programme, 5,000 students have graduated while another set of 300 students would graduate by the end of July which will pave way for another set of 300 trainees o be recruited.

Niger Republic has at least 19 students undergoing training in the centre, out of these 19 students, four are women undergoing training on pottery, tie and dye.

Usaina Musa told Peoples Daily Weekend why she left her husband and children back in Taowa, Niger republic to attend the training: “We realised that we have to complement the income of our families by learning a trade. With the economic recession all over the world, without the support of women, our families would surely face a lot of deprivations.”

Another Nigerian student of the centre, Hajara Hamidu in an interaction with our reporter said: “I’m not married yet but you know the world has

Hajara Hamidu

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY JUNE 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 3

Special Report

Katsina Youth Craft Village: A breeding ground for self reliance changed and a woman should learn a trade to support his husband and the family.

Hamidu who is learning pottery at the crafts village disclosed her future plans: “Well when I get back home, I will setup my own business. This kind of business pays in our country.

“You should also know that we have learnt sophisticated ways of making pots,” she added.

On her part, Hajara Abu Zaid, who is also not married, said she had waited for this opportunity for long.

Hajara said: “I will return back home in Niamey, Niger Republic to set-up my own business.”

Nigerian women are also not left out in the training as according to the academic records of the centre, there were 120 of them undergoing training in various trades.

Going forward, the Special Adviser on Science and Technology, Alhaji Suleiman Nuhu Kuki disclosed that the crafts village would introduce courses in Arabic and Arabic calligraphy which he said would attract participants from all fields of human endeavour.

He added: “You know that the state governor has sent some indigenes of the state to learn

Arabic and Arabic Calligraphy and when they return, they will be used to train interested persons in these areas.”

The governor’s aide also disclosed that the crafts village is looking at the opportunity of harnessing ICT resources to fight unemployment.

The training under ICT would be undertaken to, “establish the centre as producers rather than mere consumers of the ICT.” According to him, an ICT training institute would be established to among other things attract foreign investments and provide conditions for technology transfer, bring in new technology and create employment opportunities, earn foreign exchange through export of products and services.

He therefore assured that the centre is placed on solid foundation that would continue to grow and cater for the training needs of students from both within the state and beyond.

He advised youths in the state to take full advantage of the services provided by the craft village to achieve self reliance and improve their economic status.

News PAGE 4

Jonathan pledges to strengthen Pan African Parliament

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has said Nigeria would support the efforts for the development of the Pan African Parliament, in order to strengthen economic cooperation and democracy in the continent.

President Jonathan was speaking to Hon. Bethel Amadi, newly-elected president of the Pan African Parliament, at the State House yesterday.

President Jonathan welcomed the Pan African Parliament's commitment to improving intraAfrican trade, in order to create more jobs for the youths and improve lives.

The President expressed appreciation to African leaders who supported Hon. Amadi's election.

Earlier, the new president of the Pan African Parliament said he would focus on economic development of the continent, especially intra-African trade.

He said 'intra-African trade stood at 10 percent last year; this is too low to positively impact on youth employment'.

ACN, CPC alliance talks binding on Edo chapter - Momoh

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi he Chairman of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Tony Momoh, has explained that the alliance talks between the ACN and CPC on the possibility of presenting a consensus candidate in the Edo governorship election slated for July 14th are binding on all state chapters.

Momoh told Peoples Daily Weekend yesterday that though no consensus candidate had been agreed on yet, the alliance/ merger talk between the leadership of both parties will have a far reaching effect on the candidates of both parties in the Edo gubernatorial poll.

Momoh noted that the ongoing merger talk involves other opposition parties, and is primarily aimed for the 2015 general elections, adding that if the talk succeeds, the parties involved will collapse their identities and logo to adopt something common.

Speaking on the possibility of the negotiation hitting a brick wall again, he pointed out that the first merger moves were fire-brigade ones because they were initiated few months to the Presidential elections.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7— SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

CBN denies operating secret foreign account with JP Morgan ...NNPC operates accounts, withdraws funds- CBN T

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem he raging controversy over the true owners of the secret foreign account with JP Morgan took another dimension yesterday when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

APGA gets new national chairman

By Augustine Aminu he All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has appointed Mr. Mic Adams 11 as the Acting National Chairman of the party.

A communiquĂŠ and resolution made available to newsmen in Abuja, and read by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Dr Chris Ugwu, said the decision was taken on Monday, 2, July, 2012 in Agbor, Delta state.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Adams said the public must be made to know that Umeh's tenure as Acting Chairman expired since 7th May, 2005 based on the virtue of the NEC resolution that empowered him, while his position as National Treasurer of the party expired June 22nd 2006, virtue of article 23 of APGA Constitution.

"The purported convention held by 2nd December 2006 is an anomaly, illegal, null and void, as he was no longer an officer of the party with legal mandate to convene, talk or preside over a convention." , said Adams.

He continued, "This incidentally was the mandate abandoned by Casmir Ihegworo and Co, when they held sway six months ago. The public, INEC, the National Assembly, the Federal government and all Nigerians must come to terms with this fact."

Though he said he accepted his appointment as Acting National Chairman of the party with a deep sense of humility, Adams said the assignment is tough and a complex challenge.

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denied having anything to do with the illegal account.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had at the resumed hearing of the Senate Committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Appropriation and Finance investigating government's fuel subsidy scheme on Tuesday disassociated itself from ownership of the secret foreign account with the American banker while accusing the CBN of opening the account in 2002.

But a statement signed by CBN's Director of Corporate Communications, Ugo A. Okoroafor yesterday said, "As banker and financial adviser to

that: "In operating the said Accounts, the NNPC on monthly basis issues instructions to the CBN on how much should be paid as Joint Venture Cash Call (JVC) and how much should be monetised and transferred to the Federation Account for distribution to the three tiers of government. A minimum balance of USD10m is always left in the revenue account.

On the CBN/NNPC Gas Account, the NNPC issues monthly mandates to enable the CBN monetise and transfer the balance in the account to the Federation Account, leaving a minimum balance of USD5 million. All movements of funds out of the accounts are duly authorised by NNPC."

Christian Clerics pray for the success of Governor Adams Oshiomhole in the July 14 Governorship election at Indoor Sports Hall of the Ogbemudia Stadum, yesterday.

Another bomb blast averted in Jos From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

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Acting National Chairman of APGA, Dr Mic Adams

the Federal Government and its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the actions and activities of the Central Bank of Nigeria, fall within the principles of banker-customer relationship.

The CBN does not and cannot open any account for government and its agencies, unless and until clear and specific instructions, approvals or mandates are issued by the appropriate authorities."

The CBN added that that the contentious accounts, which were opened as domiciliary accounts were opened with an express instruction from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) The statement also clarified

he anti bomb squad of the Plateau state police command, yesterday defused an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted in Congo Russian area of Jos north local government.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, DSP Abu Emmanuel in a press statement, said the IED was

planted by suspected terrorists at about 230hurs.

The statement added that the anti bomb squad led by Abel Mbibi acted swiftly on a distress call from members of the public through the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) which led to the detonation and subsequent evacuation of the explosive device.

The statement disclosed that no one had been arrested

in connection with the incident, assuring that they are intensifying efforts to track down the hoodlums.

The state police commissioner, Mr. Emmanuel Ayeni expressed delight wiath the distress call received from the members of the public leading to the successful evacuation of the IED and urged the citizens to sustain the tempo.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 5

News

Tackle terrorism, oil bunkering before seeking FDIs, Investor Council tells Jonathan

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan was yesterday told in unequivocal terms, to deal with the issues of terrorism and oil bunkering if he must attract Direct Foreign Investments (DFI) to Nigeria.

This was the position of the Honorary International Investor Council (HIIC) as it ended its 12th meeting presided over by President Jonathan at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

The HIIC is a body of notable international investors spread across America, Europe, Asia with key government officials.

Coordinator of the Council, Baroness Lynda Chalker however told newsmen that Council members were satisfied with the growth rate of the Nigerian economy.

"I don't think terrorism however worrying it is, has actually stopped any major investment yet.

"But If it is not dealt with and the bunkering of oil, if these things are not dealt with, it will have a long term effect."

She continued: “For Nigerian economy to grow better, the Council advised that efforts must be intensified to develop infrastructural facilities that could boost investments in the mining and agriculture sectors of the economy.”

She charged the Federal Government to commence the process of encouraging Nigerian professionals abroad to return home to man the key sectors of the economy.

"There are lots of positive indicators. Hope we can turn presentation into reality because there is a great future for this country. This has been the most positive meeting in the last 26 years that I have been working for Nigeria. You have a great country and you now have a great leadership," Chalker said.

However, Baroness Chalker enjoined Nigerians to mind their utterances, saying that most of the stories emanating from Nigeria were sending wrong signals to potential foreign investors.

She spoke further, "If the stories that come out of Nigeria are negative, you are undermining your own country. If people hear that there are opportunities, they then start to think of how can I work on those opportunities and that is what we have to get the Diaspora in every nation to do for the people of Nigeria. We have to encourage Nigerians to think about their future, their future generations in their utterances."

In his presentation, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, who is a member of the HIIC, stated that some of the things the Council have been able to do for the country.

L-R: Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide being welcomed by the Director of Special Duties to the Minister, Alhaji Sagir Hamidu, during the third annual graduation and prize-giving ceremony of FAMAKS International School, on Thursday, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Supreme Court upholds Ewuga, Okadigbo’s election ...Sacks Eseme Eyiboh

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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h e Supreme Court has declared Chief Solomon Ewuga as the winner of the Nasarawa North Senatorial election.

Senator Yusuf Musa Nagogo of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), same party with Ewuga, had appealed against the judgement of two lower courts which had sacked him from the National Assembly and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue Ewuga the certificate of return as the duly elected senator on the platform of the CPC in 2011.

Senator Nagogo had claimed that he participated in the process of the nomination for the CPC ticket unopposed and had displayed documents showing he was returned as such, but the party’s national office in Abuja, had, in a letter by its national chairman, Tony Momoh, and the National Secretary, Buba Galadima, supported Ewuga as the candidate.

Confusion ensued when, on the day of the general election, INEC declared CPC as the winner of the Nasarawa-North seat, but declined announcing the candidate.

However, on May 9, 2011, INEC federal commissioner, Dr. Abdulkadir Suleiman, announced Nagogo as the winning candidate, instigating further court cases which went through the Federal High Court in Lafia, to the Court of Appeal in Makurdi, Benue state, and to the

Supreme Court.

The apex court also in a separate ruling removed Hon. Eseme Eyibo (PDP) as member of the House of Representatives representing Eket/Esit/Ibeno/ Onna Federal Constituency and instead declared Barrister Dan Bassey Abia (PDP) as the authentic representative of the constituency.

Peoples Daily Weekend recalls that the apex court had earlier dismissed the application seeking to be joined as a party in the appeal brought by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its candidate, Edwin Daniel Akpan who had asked the court to join them as a party in the suit on the grounds that the PDP had no candidate in the said elections and that he ought to have been declared the winner.

He told the apex court that he came second in the election and that as at the time the election was held, the PDP did not have any candidate.

Counsel to Eyibo, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), in his response, asked the court to dismiss the application on the grounds that the applicants have no locus and that he did not comply with Supreme Court rules.

In his own submissions, Counsel to Dan-Abia, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) described the parties seeking to be joined as foreigners adding that the issue is an internal affair of a political party.

Ruling on the application, the apex court in a unanimous decision read by Justice Francis

Tabai held that the application is a gross abuse of the court’s process, saying, “The dispute before the court is between Eseme Eyibo and Bassey Dan-Abia who is the candidate of the PDP. The party had sent the name of Abia as its candidate while Eyibo says that the party did not comply with its constitution in the primary that produced Abia.

“The applicants have no locus standi, it was an abuse of court process and it is dismissed. The applicants have no locus standi”, the court held.

Thereafter Counsel in the suit adopted their briefs of arguments and the court reserved judgment for July 6th.

It would be recalled also that Court of Appeal Abuja Division had on January 27th ordered the leadership of the House of Representatives to immediately swear-in the declared winner of the Eket Federal Constituency election, Dan-Abia PDP in the elections.

The court in a unanimous decision read by Justice Ayo Bada ordered that Eyibo should vacate the seat as according him, he sneaked into the House of Representatives illegally.

The Supreme Court also yesterday declared the wife of late former Senate President, Dr Chuba Okadigbo, Lady Margery Chuba-Okadigbo the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Anambra North Senatorial election.

The apex court, in a unanimous judgement also approved late Chuba Okadigbo's wife as the Senator-Elect for the

District ahead of Senator Alphonsus Igbeke of the same PDP. The Justices of the court upheld the judgement of the Court of Appeal, which had earlier declared Lady ChubaOkadigbo winner of the April 16, 2011 election having faulted a High Court decision which had previously declared Igbeke the winner of the primary solely based on the documents submitted by the politician while ignoring documentation from the leadership of the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The judgement delivered by Justice M.U. Muktar who led the 3-member panel of Justices, declared the primary conducted

by Senator Joseph Waku, which Lady Margery Chuba-Okadigbo won as the legitimate one.

The apex court however declined to order the swearing of Lady Okadigbo on the grounds that it was not part of the reliefs sought by Lady Okadigbo.

The court advised her lawyers to file further processes to obtain an order.

The contentious seat had been a subject of several litigations involving Senator Alphonsus Igbeke and Prince John Emeka, who at various times claimed they won the primary of the party.

Following the controversies surrounding the seat, the Senate had opted to leave it vacant until the highest court issued a final judgement on the authentic candidate of the PDP in the election.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY JUNE 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

News NYSC: 405 graduates shun Adamawa From Blessing Tunoh, Yola

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Director General, NTDC, Otunba Segun Runsewe (left), presenting a gift to Senior Reporter of Gulf News, Janice Ponce De-leon (centre) while Senior Emirates News Agency, Dr. Jamal Al Majaida (right) and Mr. Tom Arnold (2nd left), look on during the bilateral meeting, on Thursday, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

t least four hundred and five graduates mostly of southern extraction failed to turn up for the ongoing mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Adamawa state.

The state coordinator of the scheme, Mallam Aliyu Hudu told journalists in an interview that out of the 2, 113 graduates posted to the state, only 1708 appeared in camp and was sworn in yesterday.

Peoples Daily Weekend learnt that the development may not be unconnected to the prevailing

FG to partner Turkish steel exporters

CPC partners NOA on products’ registration T

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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h e Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) have entered into a partnership that will enable the two agencies monitor and make sure all products that enter the country are duly registered.

Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja yesterday, the Director General, CPC, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Umenyi said if more efforts are put into the registration of products, the incidents of fake and sub standard products will be a thing of the past.

“This signing ceremony marks our final preparation for the take-off of the CPC Products Monitoring and Registration programme, otherwise known as

ProServe. The programme is aimed at ensuring that only good quality products and qualified service providers are found in our markets, as well as creating a database for all products and services in Nigeria, thereby aiding traceability and removal of substandard products & services,” she said.

The DG also said CPC held meetings with various groups and agencies of government and took their views into consideration in planning the programme.

Explaining the commission’s partnership with NOA, the CPC boss said: “Our partnership with NOA is informed by the fact that the successful implementation of ProServe will depend on extensive sensitisation campaign which will be done by the NOA.

She continued: “As you may be aware, only this week, Mr. President met with CPC & other relevant agencies, under the auspices of the Economic Management Team (EMT), to explore ways & means of removing substandard products from the market. It is our hope that ProServe will be one of the means through which that objective is achieved for Nigeria.”

In his response, the DG of NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri reiterated the call for 28 days grace to be given to consumers for them to buy and return products that do not meet with standards.

Omeri also promised to ensure that members of the public are effectively sensitized on the new initiatives of the CPC to make sure they get value for their money.

h e Federal Government yesterday expressed its readiness to partner with the Steel Exporters Association of Turkey to further develop and harness the potentials of the iron and steel sub-sector.

Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, gave the indication while receiving the delegation of the association led by its chairman, Mr. Namik Ekinci and accompanied by the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ali Rifat Koksal in Abuja.

Ortom, who called on the group in particular and the government of Turkey in general to take Nigeria’s advantage of population and abundant resources to invest in the country, assured them of the government’s support to succeed in such venture.

He described Turkey as one of fastest growing economies in the world and said Nigeria “will take advantage of what is being done in Turkey to develop the Nigerian

Group hails Gov Katsina records 9 polio cases Dickson’s performance

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h e Civil Society Network for Good Governance and Social Justice has commended Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state for ensuring that the people of Bayelsa state regain the confidence of government within his fist three months in charge.

Rising from its monthly meeting held in Abuja during the week, the network in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Solomon Omotosho and the Secretary General, Abdulmumin Zakari said the

network had been monitoring the activities of the governor and was impressed and satisfied with the level of success recorded in the areas of human development, infrastructure, education, security, youth empowerment and anticorruption.

“Governor Dickson really impressed us when he through this initiative reduced the state government wage bills from N5.7 billion to N3.7 billion through the discovery and eradication of ghost workers in the state civil service,” the statement said.

From Lawal Sa'idu Funtua, Katsina

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h e Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado Jimada Gana has disclosed that Katsina state recorded nine polio cases within the last six months.

Gana who spoke, yesterday at the flag-off of the July 2012 Polio Immunization Exercise in Ingawa local government area, lamented that despite the equipment and funding provided for the polio immunization exercise, yet the dreaded disease was still

security situation in the region as according to Hudu, Yobe and Borno state camps have not been opened for the same reason.

“We shall be passing out those we have in camp by 23rd of this month to make room for us to possibly host another set posted to Borno and Yobe states that will be using our facilities,” he stated.

Governor Murtala Nyako who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Bala James Nggilari during the swearing-in, assured corps members that turned up of their safety in the state and urged them to build up themselves through good morals and focus on their goals.

found in other states of the country.

He similarly disclosed that polio cases were still been recorded in 10 states of the federation, noting that the local governments were the disease was recorded in the state include among others, Ingawa, Batsari, Mani and Sandamu.

Gana called on state governors to hold local council chairmen where polio cases were recorded, accountable for the neglect. The executive director averred that the Federal Government has set-up a powerful committee on immunization to make sure the spread of the dreaded disease was permanently checked.

economy in all ways possible for the benefit of our people”.

The minister added: “Though Nigeria still imports steel from Turkey, the present administration is keen in attracting investments into the country”.

“Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural resources and we want you to explore the opportunity in the country to invest your steel business here.

Nigeria has a population of over 160million people who are naturally talented”, he stated.

Ortom maintained that Nigeria still imports steel not only from Turkey, but also from China and India due to the economic use of the product, assuring the delegation that the country would be a good market for their business to thrive.

Speaking in the same vein, the Director of Trade in the ministry, Mr. David Adejuwon called for stronger trade relation between the two countries, urging the Turkish investors to also look at the direction of agriculture value chains with a view to helping the continued growth of the country’s economy.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation had informed that Nigeria import 10 per cent of steel produced in Turkey, describing it as part of Turkish contribution to the economy of the country.

Ekinci added that 85 per cent of such trade agreement was fulfilled by Turkey before the first quarter of last year, pointing out that his is renowned for high quality steel production and demand across the world.

According to him, Turkey produces 24.1million tons of steel in 2011 with 10th position in the world, but moved up to the eighth position this year with its $17million steel exportation to countries across the world.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY JUNE 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 7

Kada News

Journalists advocate proactive measures against polio virus A

non-governmental organization, Journalists Initiatives on Immunization Against Polio (JAP) wants more proactive measures to combat the increasing cases of the Wild polio Virus (WPV) in order to meet Federal Government’s target of eradicating the crippling disease

by December 2012.

The group in a statement in Kaduna said it was worried that government may not meet the target especially with a total of 45 fresh cases of WPV recorded in the country as at June 22, 2012, in

10 states, including, Borno, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi and Yobe.

The statement signed by JAP National Team Leader, Kunle Sani, noted further that there were only 25 cases recorded in six states during the same period in 2011, arguing that, “the situation becomes more alarming considering that Kaduna which was certified polio-free for almost three years, has become reinfected and currently battling with four cases of the debilitating children disease in Ikara, Birnin Gwari and Sabon Gari local

government areas.

The statement said, “JAP urges government, development partners and other stakeholders including journalists to take necessary steps to ensure that the December target remains realistic.

“If we fail to eradicate this disease soon, the country may find it difficult to concentrate on other equally debilitating diseases affecting our children and women.”

According to a recent UNICEF report, Nigeria has about 90 per cent to the polio

burden in Africa and more than 50 per cent of the 2012 cases worldwide.

The report says Kano has the highest percentage of children who missed the oral polio vaccination (8.9%), followed by Kebbi (8.4%) and Sokoto (8.1%) noting that “child absent” remains the main reason for missed children, accounting for over 67 per cent of the total number of missed children while caregivers’ refusal to vaccinate their children account for 24 per cent of the total number of missed children, in May 2012.

NIGCOMSAT plans internet broadband connectivity for Kaduna state University

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he Nigeria Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) plans to build a community tele-centre comprising an internet broadband at the Kafanchan campus of the Kaduna State University.

The NIGCOMSAT Managing Director, Alhaji Ahmed Ruf’ai, disclosed this on Thursday when he led a team from his organization, on a courtesy visit to Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, at the Government House.

According to Rufa’i, “we will be able to deliver a community telecentre at the moment in which we are looking at the Kafanchan campus of the Kaduna State University.

“All we needed there is just a space and we will be able to build a comprehensive broadband connectivity and tele-centre for the students.

“This will go a long way in enhancing the quality of education in the University because everyday, over five million information hit the the internet and we cannot have quality education within the global community without accessibility to a broadband.”

Kaduna Polytechnic exams resume Monday

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The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar answering questions from jonalist after inspecting displayed weapons recovered from militants in Kaduna yesterday

he suspended second and fourth semester examinations of the Kaduna Polytechnic will resume on Monday, July 9.

The examinations were suspended as a result of the recent violent crises in the state following the bombing of churches in Zaria and Kaduna on June 17.

A statement signed by the polytechnic’s Deputy Registrar (Information and Protocol), Alhaji Muhammadu Kamba, explained that the resumption of the examinations was sequel to the approval given to that effect by the Academic Board, on July 3, 2012.

Accumulated pension arrears: Ex-Kaduna Polytechnic staff want FG intervention

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o m e retired lecturers of the Kaduna Polytechnic under the auspices of Kaduna Polytechnic Severed Staff Association (KPSSA) have urged the Federal Government to intervene over the nonpayment of the balance of their gratuity and accumulated 40 months pension arrears The aggrieved staff said in a statement signed by the Secretary of KPSSA, Austin

Umerah, said that over 1,200 staff of the polytechnic were disengaged from the services of the institution in February and April 2008 and in January 2011.

The statement noted that the polytechnic started piecemeal payment of “assumed monthly pension,” deliberately miscalculated in HATTISS (2006) salary structure instead of their Exit salary structure (CONTISS).

According to the statement, “we have written to the polytechnic management, the Head of Service and the Accountant-General about the anomaly but nobody seems to be interested in solving this problem.

“The irony of the situation is that a staff that had put in 21 years service has his service reduced to 19 years, 28 years reduced to 26 years; 10 years to

8 years and so on.”

“There was palliative solace when during pension verification all our members that put in 10 years and above as at February 2008 were screened and verified.

“We are stupefied by the refusal and unwillingness to commence the payment of the verified pension figures.

“Besides, we have accumulated verified pension

arrears of 40 months and recently the polytechnic surreptitiously paid assumed pension arrears of 15 months into our bank accounts, which is half of our verified monthly pension times 15 months. “We expected total payment of our balance of gratuity and pension arrears so that our suffering members can pay off their debts and embark on small scale businesses.”

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Woman In The News Aloma Maryam Mukhtar: The law and women’s rights

By Jamila Nuhu Musa and Aisha Biola Raji

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look back at history shows that Nigerian women have made great strides in carving a niche for themselves in various endeavours.

The appointment recently, of Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, CON, CFR, as Nigeria's first woman Chief Justice attests to this, and is a cheering news to the womenfolk in the country.

Her Lordship got the nod after President Goodluck Jonathan nominated her for appointment for the post on July 3, in conformity with Section 231 Sub-section (1) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

Though Mukhtar is yet to settle down, it is commonly held that a woman knows better the problems of women, in this regard, women are praying Her Lordship to take a hard look at the gamut of laws friendly to them with a view to facilitating their implementation.

At a National Gender Policy Dialogue, recently, in Abuja, the Finance Minister, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, said "there are laws friendly to women but the problem is implementation, making it impossible for women to call these laws to work for them".

For instance, a look at how rape cases are being handled leaves a sour taste in the mouth. A situation where a rapist is let loose or fined N20

000 after defiling a 6 year old girl is unfortunate. What is being advocated here is the need to reconsider the status of Nigerian women as it affects laws that have psychologically inhibited them.

In favour of this observation widows, rights should be upheld, they should not be unnecessarily tortured according to dictates of tradition and having them drink water used to wash the corpse of their husband or even making them sleep by its side.

The dictum of the Justice Mohammed Bello, former Chief Justice of Nigeria is instructive here and sums up the plight of women under most of our customary law system: Under some of our native laws, a woman has no right to the inheritance of the estate of her father. The most degrading aspect is that she is treated as chattel forming part of her husband's estate, to be inherited by his heir. Then on widowhood, she is subjected to such degrading treatment as if she caused her dear spouse's demise. .The Federal Government of Nigeria, being a signatory to the convention on the elimination of discrimination against women, generally appears committed to the building of an egalitarian society where every Nigerian enjoys equal rights irrespective of age, sex or creed.

The 1979 Constitution improved on that of 1963 because it inserted sex as one

Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar of the basis on which no one should be discriminated against. This is repeated in the 1999 Constitution. In the chapter on fundamental rights and freedom, suc- cessive governments have sought to keep alive the spirit of the International Convention on the elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

Discrimination, according to Article 1 of the Convention, is defined as: Any distinction, exclusion, or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the

political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other fields.

With regards to marriage, Article 16 spells out that it should be ensured that men and women, on a basis of equality, have the same right to enter marriage; the same right and responsibility during marriage and at its dissolution: the same rights as parents, irrespective of their marital status in matters relating to their children; to have access to the information, education and means to enable them exercise those rights, the same right and responsibility with respect to the guardianship, wardship or adoption of their children, the same right as husband and wife, including the right to choose a family, a profession

“

Justice Aloma, CON, CFR

For instance, a look at how rape cases are being handled leaves a sour taste in the mouth. A situation where a rapist is let loose or fined N20 000 after defiling a 6 year old girl is unfortunate.

and an occupation, and the same right with respect to the acquisition, management, administration, enjoyment and disposition of property.

Though certain realities on the ground in Nigeria negate all these specifications to the disadvantage of women, significant progress is being made towards rectification of the main issues in the disadvantageous positioning of women in our legal books. For example, women can now stand bail in the law courts and police stations. However, for sustenance of the progress so far made, Aloma would need to be more involved in issues affecting women legally bearing in mind that executive and legislative decisions are mainly taken by men for men and women, resulting in the existing discriminatory fiscal policies which leave women disadvantaged in many ways.

Born in Kano State, Mariam was the first female Northerner to become a lawyer. She was the first woman to be appointed a Justice of the Court of Appeal.

She is also the first female justice of the Court of Appeal to make it to the Supreme Court.

Her appointment, after the Senate clearance, makes her the 13th head of the nation's judiciary since the appointment of Chief Justice Adetokunbo Ademola, the first CJN, who held the post from 1958-1972.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JUNE, 2012

PAGE 9

Cover

Flooding:

How prepared is the north?

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem, Augustine Aminu, Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Bala Nasir, Uche Nnorom, Ahmed Abubakar, Olanrewaju Lawal & Ali Abare Abubakar

Nigeria is no longer a stranger to flooding and its devastating effects. As witnessed in Lagos, Ibadan and some other states in the southern and eastern parts of the country, streams are surging with the rains, claiming lives and property worth millions of naira. But experts say all over the world, the safest cities are not those without disasters, instead precautions against natural disasters in cities prone to them remain the best option. So what lessons are there to be learnt by the north, where already warning signals have emerged with serious flood incidents recorded in Maiduguri, Kebbi and Nasarawa states?

How prepared is the region?

R

a i n i n g season is one special period Nigerians look forward to. Apart from providing an escape route from the torment of heat, which is the major feature of the dry season, the rainy season is relied upon by Nigerian farmers for good harvest and food security of the country.

Events of the recent years in certain parts of the country have however made the season less desirable than it should really be.

This is because a combination of natural factors and human negligence as well as government’s laxity have caused numerous flood disasters that bring sorry, tears and agony upon families and communities.

Despite early warnings and predictions of similar disasters this year in some parts of the country which should have ordinarily made relevant stakeholders to sit up and avert another round of woes, many cases of devastating flood disasters have been recorded in Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti and Oyo states.

In these states, several persons have lost their lives, many injured, scores displaced and properties worth hundreds of millions destroyed. Just like in past events, the same issues of indiscriminate disposal of wastes, bad network of roads, substandard buildings and inaccurate forecast have cropped up.

In the northern part of the country, aside Kebbi, Borno and Nasarawa states which have witnessed cases of deadly flooding this year, the more vulnerable states like Kano, Sokoto, Jigawa and Zamfara are yet to record serious cases. It is not yet clear if this is because we are not in August yet or whether the relevant government agencies and people have done enough to prevent tragic flood disasters.

Between NIMET and NEMA The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Mohammad Sani-Sidi said

See pages 10,11&12

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Cover

Flooding:

How prepared is the north?

Contd from page 9 at a recent stakeholders' meeting on disaster management in Abuja that the agency will make adequate preparations to mitigate the impact of flood disaster envisaged in the 2012 Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) Weather Prediction.

Sani-Sidi who was represented by NEMA’s Deputy Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Alhaji Alhassan Nuhu said the meeting was convened by the agency in line with the incident that followed NIMET’s prediction of the 2011 rainy season during which he said excessive flooding was recorded in several states of the federation.

“Available information from around the country showed that the following states were affected by flood, Lagos, Oyo, Kano, Taraba, Katsina, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Osun, Ebonyi, Enugu and Rivers.

“The flooding was mainly caused by excessive rainfall as predicted by Nigerian Metrological Agency, with collapse of dams, opening of spillage ways to release excess water and blockage of drainage systems having exacerbated the volume of flood waters.

The DG continued: “NIMET rain forecast for the year 2012 indicates that the onset of rainfall may be generally normal, but unfortunately might be accompanied by destructive rainstorms.

“In addition, the 2012 rainfall prediction is expected to impact the agricultural, infrastructural, hydrological and health sectors of Nigeria with attendant socioeconomic consequences.”

Sani- Sidi also said stakeholders in disaster management had met in March following the release of the forecast to seek proactive measures to mitigate the disaster.

He added that a committee was set up by the agency to look into the 2012 weather forecast with a view to developing warning massages and putting in place measures by relevant stakeholders towards appropriate preparedness, prevention, mitigation and response.

Sani-Sidi said the committee identified potential threats and hazards likely to occur if appropriate measures are not put in place by emergency response stakeholders to include flash flooding in some locations due to overflow or collapse of dams.

“As a result of abundance of food production, there could be major challenges of lack of storage and processing facilities which if not handled carefully will result in huge post-harvest losses.”

He said flooding and displacement of farmers’ population would affect agricultural production, excessive rainfall could lead to collapse of roads and bridges as well as buildings in rural and urban areas.

Sani-Sidi said rainfall may result in excessive coastal flooding, erosion and landslides, constituting a threat to lives and properties.

Representative of UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Mr Ayobamidele Ajayi, in his goodwill message, expressed the organisation’s determination to work with NEMA in mitigating the impact of disasters on victims.

Mr Akin Soyemi, a representative of the Ogun, Osun River Basin authorities, commended NEMA for taking proactive actions for the prevention and mitigation of the impact of disasters in the country.

Soyemi called for closer collaboration between stakeholders in tackling disasters

Flooded sitting-room in Lagos in the country.

The afore-mentioned reports is only one among the numerous fora where the DG had spoken of his agency’s readiness to combat the natural disasters this year.

And yet, the flood and other related disasters have started with devastating consequences, leading to doubts raised by observers as to whether NEMA, NIMET and state governments are really working together to combat the disasters.

How Prepared is the North?

In Kano, there is little or any serious rainstorm so far but indicators are pointing to the fact that rains will be much heavier this year which makes it necessary for people in Kano to be wary of the situation especially those living in old and dilapidated structures.

Last year’s unfortunate memories are still fresh in the minds of the people of the state especially those living in Fagge where many children lost their lives as a result of the floods that ravaged the area which also caused the collapse of several houses.

Fagge which is a densely populated community, houses more than half of the commercial nerve centre of Kano. This is because Sabon Gari, Singer and KantinKwari markets and most of the commercial hub of Kano are resident in Fagge. This also makes it prone to serious environmental degradation due to the enormous waste being produced as a result of human and vehicular concentration.

Also, the residential area of Sabon Gari is another area where massive wastes are produced on daily basis in the face of competing demand for evacuation to the refuse disposal agency of the state.

Rain water from the old city as well as other areas especially southern part of the city finds way out through Fagge via the popular Kwarin Gogau mighty drainage.

Unfortunately, the enormous wastes produced daily in the commercial area of Fagge are disposed into this drainage by the people. This caused serious flood last year in the area.

The flood was made possible because the Kwarin Gogau drainage and almost all its estuaries had been blocked by the wastes.

When the rain water could not find its route, the natural thing always is to recede back,

which causes flood.

Kano state government is however taking proactive measures to avert a similar occurrence this year.

The state Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas told Peoples Daily Weekend through his Deputy Director of Publicity, Hajiya Hadiza Habib that some N20 million was voted by the state government to clear all the main and ‘tertiary’ drainages in the state capital while people were adequately sensitized on the need to clear the smaller ones in their respective areas.

People responded positively as they came out massively to clear their respective areas through communal self-help groups of local communities.

With this measure proactively taken, flood threats have been minimized though there are places that are under the threat of gully erosion.

This is more pronounced in areas like Kwachirin Jobe and the residential area of Sabon Gari. While the situation in Sabon Gari is attributed to the dilapidation of the entire road network of the area, that of Kwachirin Jobe is attributable to bad planning or no planning at all.

A resident of Fagge, Alhaji Musa Dan Birni told Peoples Daily Weekend in an interview that with proper drainage system Kwachirin Jobe could be saved from the serious threats of gully erosion ravaging the area while government would do well to reconstruct the road network of the area.

We are just half way into the rainy season now and heavy down pour is always expected in August, that means it is not yet uhuru for both government and people of Kano state as far as flooding is concerned.

The way the rains are coming down now is enough for people to entertain some level of fears especially those living in old mud buildings.

Though it was predicted that rains will be heavier this season but when the Meteorological Centre in Kano was contacted for detailed information about Kano, some staff who didn’t want to be identified, said such information was not available.

Borno The annual flooding that ravaged several parts of Maiduguri, the Borno state, has now

started threatening the lives of residents in some parts of the state capital since the beginning of this year's rainy season.

Whereas expectations were high that government would have adopted measures to prevent flooding this year, that appeared not to be the case as, already, some parts of Maiduguri, the capital, are being confronted with yet another threat of impending flood disaster.

Peoples Daily Weekend investigations showed that Maiduguri metropolis has been experiencing perennial flood disaster which washed away several houses and destroyed properties worth millions of naira, but still the problem defied solutions. Similarly whenever the flood becomes worse and take over houses, residents use canoe to evacuate their belongings, just as some of them do abandon the houses and relocate to other areas that are not prone to the disaster.

It was also gathered that besides lack of drainages and poor road networks that disallow easy passage of water which subsequently cause flood, lack of drainage in many densely populated streets, dumping of refuse into drainage along major roads and high ways, as well as the lack of comprehensive water discharge outlets have remained a factor that make many areas, especially densely populated ones victims of flood disasters.

Some of the areas prone to flood comprised of London Ciki, Dala, Bulunkutu, Gomari, Shuwari, Bolori, Gwange, Kululluri, Abuja talakawa and some parts of Jiddari, among others.

Investigation revealed that movements of individuals and vehicles were restricted whenever there was rainfall as water virtually covers the major roads. The problem has put lives of the residents in a serious danger due to possible outbreak of malaria as the water serves as the breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Cross section of residents interviewed by our correspondent on the issue made an urgent call on the government to take prompt measures that would prevent floods by embarking on massive drainage and road constructions at the areas that are normally engulfed in the disaster.

Malam Ahmed Shettima said: “We have been in this area for many years, but our major concern has been failure of the government to control the flood that has been giving us sleepless nights during rainy seasons, we are fully aware that government awards a lot of contracts for various projects which range from road constructions, water and electricity supply, among others, but we wonder why it failed to accord appropriate attention for drainage constructions so to bring a lasting solution to the lingering problem of refuse.”

Another resident at Bulumkutu, Zanna Mohammed who was visibly disturbed by the situation, recalled that residents of the area especially whose houses are closer to the main roads have nothing to discuss on daily basis besides the issue of flood. “We have made series of appeals to the government on the need to make us relevant so as to feel a sense of belonging by constructing drainages and roads to end the flood but up to this time there was virtually nothing to write home about, because the problem is negatively affecting our socioeconomic activities and threatening our lives as it is making us unable to attend to our daily businesses, in fact it can be described as environmental disaster.”, Mohammed said.

Contd on page 11

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 11

Cover

Flooding:

How prepared is the north?

Contd from page 10 But Bukar Abdullahi observed that although government is responsible for construction of drainages and roads to control the floods yet the general public has an important role to play to bring a lasting solution to the problem. According to him, it is unwise for people to just rely on government to do everything for them and that they should supplement its efforts by embarking on communal social services.

“It is unfortunate that some unpatriotic elements in the society are indiscriminately building houses on the waterways. Flood disasters are beyond the control of government, people should contribute their quotas in controlling the problem by organizing community associations that would embark on construction of drainages.”

Commenting on the issue, the North East General Manager of Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) Zakariyya Darazo advised people of the state to commence the clearing and evacuation of their drainages so as to avert flood.

Darazo told our correspondent that NIMET prediction indicates that the state was going to experience normal down pour and there was no possibility of flood if drainages were evacuated. “We are going to have bumper harvest this year but the rain will be normal but can destroy our houses and properties if our drainage system is not properly evacuated.”

On its part, the state government said precautionary measures were taken to stem flood as 1,500 youths were employed to serve as environmental vanguards in making the state waste, free and environment friendly.

According to state commissioner for environment, Hassan Mustapha, the scheme was the first of its kind in the NorthEast region which is aimed at protecting and developing the environment.

Mustapha stated that considering the importance of clean and safe environment, the government was making deliberate efforts in improving the quality of the environment, adding that government has purchased 40 refuse compactor trucks, 1000 big refuse receptacles and 3000 garbage bins waste collection and disposal.

Jigawa Recent reports indicate that among the flood prone states, Jigawa has again been mentioned making its appearance very consistent for the past 5 years.

Flood in the state knows no bounds as even the Government House in Dutse the state capital has been threatened by the perennial calamity that seems to defy all solutions.

In fact, just a few years back, the pupils of a particular school reportedly had to attend classes by sitting on their desks rather than sitting on their chairs due to the excessive flooding of their school environment.

The acting Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Barde Muhammad however told Peoples Daily Weekend that efforts to contain the disaster this year have caused the state some fortune.

Alhaji Barde who attributed the menace to blockages on drainages and erection of structures along waterways, also said that farmers sometimes divert the water to other direction that later form tributaries that later overflows unto either residential areas or into farmlands.

The commissioner said activities of construction firms that construct burrow pits at various points which form gullies and overflow their banks also result in untold hardship for residents.

A flooded street in Kano He said however that the state had taken proactive measures against the predicted menace. He disclosed that the services of credible ecological consultants were sought and they are presently working on modalities that may reduce the impact of the menace.

The commissioner said the consultants had already commenced works at Bulangu, Malam Madori, Jahun and some few other places and they have done assessments of these areas which were submitted to the Due Process and Project Monitoring Department of the state for vetting.

The commissioner added that one of the major places usually affected by incessant floodings is Karkarna Town in Kazaure were the intensity of downward flow of water from atop the hills has resulted in the pulling down of the retainer wall constructed to prevent the overflow.

Governor Sule Lamido had in 2011 warned that the state government will not fold its arm and allow its people to continue to suffer from avoidable disasters.

The governor who was reacting to the spate of flooding around the state, attributed the cause to sheer neglect by the management of the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority for its inability to control the water from rivers and dams under the Authority’s control.

He suggested the taking over of the Agency by Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe and Borno states for proper utilization and maintenance of the waters.

The flood had affected over 2 million people in the state with about 90,000 hectares of farmland washed away while

crops such as Millet, Maize, Guinea Corn and Rice as well as animals worth N4.5 billion were destroyed.

Governor Lamido said over 5, 000 villages were confirmed to be under water across the state with Hadejia, Guri, Auyo, Malam-Madori, Ringim, Taura, KafinHausa, Kiri Kasamma, Jahun, Miga and Kaugama local government areas the most affected.

The governor recalled that, in 2008 the sum of N1.5 billion was allocated to Jigawa state through the Agency by the National Assembly to control ecological and related problems, but the fund was diverted by the Authority.

He said after going round the affected areas, “we decided to set up a powerful committee to take the matter to the Federal Government with a view to addressing it once and for all. We can’t just fold our arms and watch our people suffer from such an avoidable disaster.”

“At the state level we have set up a committee that went round to the affected areas and sympathized with the victims,” he added He said the state government had received assistance from Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who donated the sum of N50m and 9, 000 cartons of Macaroni and Spaghetti, adding that one Alhaji Yawale Sunnah also assisted the victims immensely.

The Hadejia River which emanates from Kano state passing through Jigawa and Yobe states and flowing into the Chad basin, has the capacity to feed Nigeria through all year irrigation farming.

The idea was conceived by Late Audu

“

Lamido also faulted the kind of relief materials NEMA usually send to victims of disasters like buckets, mats, towels, spoons and forks, saying such relief materials were mostly not connected with the cases at hand.

Bako with the construction of Tiga, Challawa and Gari dams with channelization of waters for agricultural purposes but the Federal Government took over the projects and mismanaged them.

Lamido lamented that government bureaucracy always pose threat to effective emergency management.

He said it is only in Nigeria that, whenever there is disaster, government will ask for application, permission and approval while people are dying owing to the calamity on ground”.

Lamido also faulted the kind of relief materials NEMA usually send to victims of disasters like buckets, mats, towels, spoons and forks, saying such relief materials were mostly not connected with the cases at hand.

Lamido lamented the slow pace of Federal Government interventions on ecological disasters that have continued to ravage Jigawa state over the years.

“The degradation of Jigawa State Ecosystem needs a holistic intervention from the Federal Government.

If the federal government is sincere, it would have averted the issues of flooding, Typha grass, erosion and other ecological problems in the state.

Kwara On June 12, 2012, residents of Ilorin, the Kwara state capital experienced another flood disaster across the city with major roads blocked as a result of erosion that went wild and which prevented vehicular movement.

Though no life was lost, many businesses experienced setbacks during the disaster that took over the major roads within the metropolis.

Investigations by our correspondent however showed that property worth thousands of naira was destroyed along Ajase-Ipo road, Royal Shekinna Hotel area, Maraba area, part of Murtala, Irewolede, Oko-Erin and general post office area.

It was further learnt that the rain destroyed furniture items and food items along River Asa area.

Many of the residents in Asa River area were asked to leave the area since the administration of Dr. Bukola Saraki when a Contd on page 12

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Cover

Flooding:

How prepared is the north?

Contd from page 11 particular flooding incident swept away many people.

A director in the state ministry of environment, Alhaji Sikiru O Olanipekun in an interview with Peoples Daily Weekend said that the state government was not leaving any stone unturned in efforts to avert further losses due to flood incidents.

He told our correspondent that part of the efforts of the state government was to ensure that all the blocked drainage systems in the state were desilted in order to pave way for free flow of erosion.

“Our ministry also embarked on the enlightenment and education of our people through radio and television. We are doing this so that they will know what to do during this season and always keep their environment clean.

“The state government has also placed some riro bins across the state capital for residents to drop their wastes. We also have a mobile court in place, so whoever abuses our environment will be tried and punished.

The Special Adviser to the governor on infrastructure, Otunba Taiye Afolabi who visited some of the areas affected, said that the state government would not relent in its efforts to find a lasting solution to the perennial problems of flood and implored the residents to be calm.

In his contribution, the Special Adviser to the governor on emergency relief, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi said all the stakeholders would meet and decide on how to put an end to the problem of flood.

Some of the residents of the affected areas in an interview with our correspondent, appealed to the state government to find a lasting solution to all natural disasters in the state.

Addressing journalists on the issue, Governor Ahmed said that his administration had embarked on construction of drainage systems across the state capital to ensure that there was a free flow of erosion and other unused water to the normal channels.

Governor Ahmed said the government had instituted a policy of constructing drainage systems on every new road contract awarded. The governor identified lack of maintenance culture in the country for the slow pace of infrastructural development and sustenance as funds that could be used for other projects are used to maintain old ones at higher costs.

Nasarawa An expert has traced the cause of seasonal floods in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital, to the people’s habit of indiscriminate dumping of refuse along waterways, forcing running water to escape to the surface, leading to floods.

The state meteorologist and head of the Nasarawa state office of the Nigerian Meteological Agency (NIMET), Mr. Eyo Nsemeh, chatting with Peoples Daily Weekend, explained that the cause of the flood that ravaged parts of Lafia, particularly, the Tudun Kauri area on the 27th of June, this year was as a result of the blockage of drainages across the town, occasioned by the dumping of refuse in such drainages by people.

Giving glory to God for the rain that fell that day, as according to him, “without rain nothing works, as agriculture is rain fed,” Nsemeh however, blamed the cause of the flood on negligence of duty, stressing that the state is favoured this year because “maritime continental air mass is advanced to a level such that Nasarawa is now

enjoying the raining season.”

He explained further that it is the total negligence on the part of the masses, for failing to be conscious of what is happening in the environment, “for allowing the environment to change us instead of the people changing the environment.”

The meteorologist, explaining further on the flood that claimed the lives of four pupils of Living Foundation Nursery and Primary school, located in Tudun Kauri area, said that the rain did fell heavily on that fateful morning, recording about 90.10 mm but what happened was that, “our past mistakes caught up with us. People were building houses indiscriminately, leading to the blockage of water ways.”

He lamented that gutters, channels and drainages are all blocked by the dumping of refuse, with the people expecting the government to tidy up the mess continuously, stressing that as long as the drainages remained blocked, more flooding should be expected.

Nsemeh equally blamed government for not planning the capital well, even though the he said the present government is doing its best, urging planners of the city to be more proactive in their response to unfolding challenges.

“The water volume was too much and because of indiscriminate building and blockage of drainages, water has to meander and finds its way, leading to floods, he explained.

He said with a pronounced development of the “cumunilumbus clouds”, a dangerous cloud in the atmosphere and a carrier of much rainfall, rain descended down heavily on Lafia without much wind to cushion the effect, resulting in the flood.

Peoples Daily Weekend recalls that about two weeks ago, four nursery school pupils of Living Foundation Nursery and Primary School, Tudun Kauri, Lafia, Nasarawa state, were drowned after a flood, caused by a heavy rainfall, destroyed a section of the perimeter fence guarding the school, turning the corrugated iron enclosure serving as classroom into a swimming pool.

Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Theresa James confirmed to Peoples Daily Weekend that a teacher in the school, Mrs. Elizabeth Obi, who fainted while attempting to rescue some of the children swept by the force of the flood and four other pupils were hospitalised at the Dalhatu Araf Specialists Hospital (DASH) but have since been discharged.

The rain which started at about 9:45 am, lasting an hour, was said to have resulted into a flood which residents of Tudun Kauri, said superseded previous floods in the area, destroying several houses and resulting in the death of the pupils.

Mrs. James narrated that a fallen coconut tree carried along by the moving water hit the fence surrounding the school with water flooding the classrooms while lessons were ongoing, sending some of the staff

scampering to safety and leaving behind the pupils to their fate.

“I remained behind and two other staff while we tried to save the children from being carried away by the force of the water,” she said.

However, Zakari Dantani, a resident who also lost his daughter to the flood, blamed the management of the school for not taking appropriate measures to safeguard the lives of the pupils.

According to Dantani, flood in the area is an annual occurrence, with the Living Foundation School having been flooded four times and yet the school authorities did not take measures to check the disaster.

Another resident, Aliyu Hassan, an Islamic scholar, blamed government for not putting in place measures to curtail the yearly disaster, adding that the flood is even worse this year because of the centralisation of the drainage system and with no outlet to discharge running water.

According to him, “Running water from Shendam road, Low cost Housing units, Lafia East and surrounding area, have been channelled towards Tudun Kauri but with no outlet. The water must find a way to escape and look at the havoc,” he observed.

He advised that if government could not create a passage to allow water pass through safely, then it should ask all those who built houses along the waterway to leave the area.

An official of NEMA, Mr. Randolph Para who visited the area for an on the spot assessment, while condoling with the bereaved families, blamed residents for building houses across water ways and advised prospective home owners to always

“

We do not have regard for the environment.

This is most unfortunate. See how people defecate and use the drainage system as refuse dumps thereby blocking the water channel. So whenever it rains, instead of water flowing, it settles in our houses causing flooding

seek the consent of relevant government agencies before building their houses.

Benue Heavy rainstorms in Benue state this year have caused a lot of havoc and untold hardship on the inhabitants as most of them have lost unquantifiable properties.

Peoples Daily Weekend investigation reveals that most of the areas affected by the flood are those around the water plain where houses are usually submerged whenever there is any heavy down pour.

These areas include Demekpe, Akpehe, Achausa, Idye, Rice Mills in North Bank and Wadata.

In most cases, these areas lack good drainage system and as such are prune to high degree of flooding.

A resident of Idye village, Aondowase Apir told Peoples Daily Weekend that he had to vacate his residence because heavy rain submerged his house which he blamed on the absence of drainage system in the area.

“Look around here there are no channels for water to drain out whenever it rains. We have made several calls to the state government to construct drainage systems but all appeals have fallen on deaf ears and so we have continued to suffer. I could not stand the situation any more so I decided to vacate to a safer place,” he said.

Mr. Cletus Torkuma, a resident of Demekpe area, blamed the incessant flooding on blockage of the drainage systems by residents.

“We do not have regard for the environment. This is most unfortunate. See how people defecate and use the drainage system as refuse dumps thereby blocking the water channel. So whenever it rains, instead of water flowing, it settles in our houses causing flooding”, he lamented.

Most people living close to the bank of the river Benue, experience flooding during this period thereby forcing them to relocate to a safer haven until the rainy season stops.

Another resident of Idye Village Mr. Joseph Wantu said the major problem is the non completion of the water channel from the Wurukum area through Idye village to the assembly quarters in Nyiman, frowning that the government has not done half of the project.

“If this project is completed by government, it would go a long way to address the incidence of flooding in Makurdi.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY JULY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 13

Interview

We are disappointed in the commissioner of education, says Bauchi ASSUS Chairman, Ningi From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

S

ir what informed the decision to form ASSUS? Actually what informed the decision to form the union, was the failure of NUT to perform its duties and functions concerning the welfare of its members.

History has shown that all teachers, irrespective of the sectors they belong were one time members of the NUT (National Union of Teachers) but because of the dynamism of society, you find out that teachers at colleges of education, polytechnics and university levels have to be on their own, hence we have acronyms like COASU, ASUP and so on. We also feel that, at this time, we should also be independent of the primary school teachers so we opted to leave NUT thereby forming our own body that will cater for the welfare of secondary school teachers. That was the reason behind forming ASSUS. Why it is that ASSUS is not recognized by the government?

We do not even want the government to recognise us. It is the court that recognises unions.

We are recognised by the court particularly the ASSUS Bauchi state Chapter. We were in court in year 2000 with NUT and government on the 8th July 2002, the issue was ruled in our favour, where the High Court in Bauchi state gave secondary school teachers freedom of assembly and association including many autonomous powers. However, NUT and Bauchi state government were not comfortable with the judgement, they went to the Court of Appeal, Jos, but the court still passed the same judgement. That Court of Appeal upheld the judgement of Bauchi state High Court. We expected them to go to the Supreme Court since 2005 but up till now we have not heard anything from them. Recently I was presented with a letter of summons from the NUT by the National Industrial court. They refused to go to a proper court which means they are asleep on their rights but they are now coming through the back door but I tell you, at the end of the day they will lose everything.

What brought about the faction in your union?

Which faction, in NUT or in ASSUS? In ASSUS Are you convinced there is division in ASSUS? Some of your members had a press conference where they said they had lost confidence in your

Mallam Abdullahi Mohammed Tanko Ningi is the Chairman Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASSUS, Bauchi. In this interview with Ahmed Kaigama in Bauchi, he spoke extensively on why the union was formed, the feud between it and the Bauchi state Commissioner of Education, and why the union has called on secondary school teachers in the state to go on strike.

Mallam Abdullahi Mohammed Tanko Ningi

leadership, and alleged misappropriation of funds?

It does not matter who made the allegations, misappropriation of funds is not enough for you to talk of fractionalisation within the union. Well, it is government induced and it is the Honorable commissioner of education in the state that is trying to factionalise the union because my conscience could not be bought over. I cannot sell the rights of my members; it is a trust given to me and I would uphold it till the end of my life, for this reason, he (Commissioner) is using people; his errand boys to move around saying, there is financial recklessness in the union and that ASSUS is factionalised but going by what took place on 2nd of July, I think it is enough for people to determine ownership of ASSUS and whether ASSUS is factionalised in Bauchi state or not. That is the fact of the matter and we are determined to still go on strike, we are calling on our members to drop the chalk now, and whoever feels there is fractionalisation of the union, then let that person not join us,

then we will see who owns ASSUS and whether it is factionalised or not.

You were also accused of over- staying your term in the office as Chairman of the union, is that so?

We presented a copy of the union's Constitution in the last press conference we had. We are a guided organisation, we have our own rules and regulations and these things are there provided by our constitution. You know we are the pioneer members of the union, as regards the provision of our constitution, it is there and I quote, "any officer holding office at the national, state and local government should continue to hold office until we reach the promise land."

What is promise land? Until ASSUS is certificated and even when ASSUS is certificated, until when the national body sends directive for election. You are at liberty to contest for election at least for a term of four years and so, being pioneer members, whoever wants to leave; we are appealing to that person to help the union get certificated.

Approval was given to us by the office of the Minister of Labour and Productivity, the NUT was challenging that matter in court so when the matter is over from the court, we would be given our certificate but whoever thinks we have overstayed, let him help us get a certificate so that we can have proper election but as far as the constitution is concerned, we are fully protected to stay in office and I will tell you, our constitution is not rigid.

What brought about the feud between the ASSUS and the Bauchi state Commissioner for Education?

What caused the feud is this, whether you accept it or not, ASSUS is a major stakeholder in the education sector, particularly in the secondary schools in the state and Nigeria as a whole so the issue, or the fact is that our commissioner of education is never the listening type. Many things will happen, ASSUS will call on him he will refuse to see us, there are burning issues on our hands like the issue of Kofar Wambai, where some of

our members were allegedly transferred on the issue of having illicit affair with students, aiding and abating exams malpractice as well as the issue of fake results, where they called a lawyer and we intervened. We said No! It was our matter and we went to resolve it on our own. We intervened as a union and investigation has shown that people at the helm of affairs, including his errand boys are the people involved in the illicit affairs with students, exams malpractice, aiding and abating. His personal assistant is involved in exams malpractice; he was registered as an external student and unless as a bonafide student, it is against the law of the Bauchi state government.

They contravened it because they are at the helm of affairs.

Do you have proof of this?

Our union collected documents to this effect and we tried to see the commissioner in order to clear the issues with him but he refused to see us. Even the last committee under the chairmanship of Chiroman Bauchi, Alhaji Nura Adamu Jumba, also tried to settle the disagreement between the government and the union but failed, the Chiroma was also disappointed with the behaviour of the ministry because of the way they handle our issues.

Why are you calling for a strike, considering the plight of parents and children?

We want to go on strike because we have not been listened to, these are issues that need to be addressed and failure to address them is why we are closing schools and the reason of inducing crisis within members of the union by the commissioner of education. In respect to parents and children, are you telling me I am not a parent or that I don't have friends that have children in school?

Court injunction has been issued to stop ASSUS from embarking on strike and the authority has threatened administrative action against teachers going on strike. What do you have to say?

I am not aware of any court injunction because I did not receive any court injunction from anybody and I am not aware that any teacher received a court injunction. We all, earlier agreed to go on strike on Thursday 5th of July, so move around secondary schools in Bauchi state and see total compliance of our members, as for the administrative action on any of our members let them go ahead, all we know is, they cannot import teachers from Niger Republic.

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7— SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Crime Beat

Police rescues abducted baby, arrests culprits A

lthough Section 34 of the nation's constitution provides that "Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person and accordingly, [a] no person shall be subject to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment". In spite of these, brazen disregard for the law has continued unabated with cases of abductions of persons and infants soaring with every rising sun.

In Delta State recently, a drama unfolded, when a family found its seven month old son who was stolen from his mother on July 1, 2012. The child who was declared missing for three days was later found at Agbor in Ika South LGA of Delta State.

According to the Police spokesman, 5 suspects have been arrested in connection with the child theft. It was learnt that the child was snatched from his mother Linda Madaka on July 1 during a funeral service at around 11pm.

According to information obtained from detectives, the suspects were trailed to number 69 Olo street, Umunede where a 24-yr old man who was identified as Colins Osekihe was arrested. He later pointed accusing fingers in the direction of one Chuks Elue, who is said to be a father of 14," "The two suspects led the detectives to Agbor where the child was recovered in good health from one Patience Chukwuemeka, a mother of seven children, on Tuesday. The police also arrested 18 year old Chucks Okwudili in connection with the case and a 16 year old boy, Uche Anyasi" Delta State Police Spokesman said the suspects confessed that they had bargained to sell the child to Patience Chukwuemeka for the sum of N250, 000. He added that the suspects,

including 52-year-old Chuks Elue and his wife, and one Patience Chukwuemeka, 40, confessed their involvements in the crime.

Efforts, according to him, were on to arrest other fleeing suspects, and assured that the suspects would soon be made to face the full wrath of the law.

The law frowns at all formsof abductions which includes parental child abduction. This is a situation where family relatives (usually parents) may want to take unauthorised custody of a child

without parental agreement and contrary to family law ruling, which largely removes the child from care, access and contact of the other parent and family. This brings about lots of traumatic effects on the child.

These are instances which may occur around parental separation or divorce. Such parental or familial child abduction may include parental alienation, a form of child abuse seeking to disconnect a child from targeted parent and denigrated side of family.

Abduction or kidnapping by strangers (from outside the family,

natural or legal guardians) who steal a child for criminal purposes is even a more criminal offence. This may include: extortion, to elicit a ransom from the guardians for the child's return or illegal adoption which arises were a stranger steals a child with the intent to rear the child as their own or to sell to a prospective adoptive parent. Another instance is human trafficking where a stranger steals a child with the intent to exploit the child themselves or by trade in a list of possible abuses including slavery, forced labur, sexual abuse, or even illegal organ trading or murder.

Police parade man, 34, for allegedly killing wife

T

he Ekiti state Police Command has arrested a student of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Danusa Jimoh, who allegedly murdered his wife, Mope.

The Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Olu Babayemi, made this known while parading the suspect before newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday.

He said that the incident occurred on July 3 at No. 1 Idemo Street, Are-Ekiti, where the suspect engaged the deceased in a brawl.

He said that during the fight, the deceased fell and hit her head against a hard object and died thereafter.

Babayemi added that the command was awaiting the autopsy report from the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, where the body of the deceased was deposited. ``We are awaiting the autopsy from the state hospital and he will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed,'' he said.

The suspect, however, while speaking with the news agency of Nigeria (NAN) advised men never to beat or maltreat their wives. ``I wish I never argued or fought with my wife. If I had prevented this, I would not have been in this situation.

Pastor, conspirator charged with impregnating teenager, procuring illegal abortion

Nigerian kills girlfriend in Ghana A

T

he body of the deceased was found in the neighbourhood, wrapped in a bed sheet and her legs tied,

while her head was covered in a black polythene bag.

Narrating the incident in Accra, the Crime Officer of the

Mile 7 Police Station, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr. Henry Agbeve, said around 7:30am last Monday,

Wonders, they say, shall never end. Despite efforts to redeem the bad image of Nigerians across the shores, a 26-year-old Nigerian man, Nathaniel Udama Edu, is being held by the Mile 7 Police at Achimota in Accra, for the suspected murder of his girlfriend, Matilda Asante, 19, a senior high school graduate at South Afankor recently.

the body of the deceased was found in the compound of an adjoining house in the Ga West municipality, lying in a supine position.

According to him preliminary investigations conducted indicated that the body was thrown into that house after the act, with the legs tied, the head covered with a polythene bag and the rest of her body wrapped in a bed sheet.

He added that a further inspection of the body by the police, also revealed that her neck was twisted in the process.

ASP Agbeve said what traced the suspect to the murder was the fact that the make and colour of the bed sheet in which the deceased was wrapped, was the same as the pillow cover of the unemployed suspect after it was learnt that the deceased spent the previous night with her boyfriend, the suspect

n Abuja Senior Magistrate's Court in Karu on Thursday, arraigned a pastor and another accused person for criminal conspiracy, false impersonation, criminal intimidation, criminal force and assault.

The accused are Apostle Basil Princewill of Mountain Mover Fire Ministry Church, Nyanya, and Pauline Okoh Odey of Block E 7, Flat 1 FCDA Owners Occupier Estate, Nyanya, Abuja.

The police prosecutor, Oyemisi Abiola had told the court that on July 2, the Commissioner of Police FCT received transferred case file with covering letter from National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP).

Abiola said that on June 22, an information reached NAPTIP that the first accused person Princewill and the second accused person Odey conspired among themselves.

He further said that the first accused Princewill had several unlawful carnal knowledge with a 14-year- old and another 15-year-old girl both students and also members of his church.

Abiola said that the Apostle did that on pretence that he was carrying out deliverance on them and in the process he impregnated the first victim.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 15

Peoples Page

My customers call me 'chop one, chop two'

By A'isha Biola Raji

P

rospects for making a living from small-scale businesses are in abundance for whoever is determined, and has set his mind on living decently from the reward of his sweat.

Hard work is therefore the secret success of a budding business. Serious people start little and marvel at the growth of their businesses. These people end up telling their stories in a relaxed atmosphere and aura which make impossible for those striving to be like them, to believe what they say.

Chukwuma Inabike Moneke, 28 years old is one youth that have decided to start it small, believing one day, with hard work and prayers; he is going to make it big.

Born into a comfortable family, he inherited his father's business, sales of motor spare parts.

As he was settling down to understand the nitty-gritty of the business, there was a riot in Kano state where they were based which claimed the shop and all its contents, thereby ending Chukwuma's budding business.

He said, "I was selling motor spare parts in Kano, a business I took over from my Dad at Kofar ruwa but had to run away from Kano due to the riot in 2001. My father's shop was gutted by fire and that was the end of my dream as a motor spare parts dealer.

Everything was lost."

During this time also, Chukwuma's father died and it became apparent that, he had to fend for himself. "I had to go into bakery business since my father's demise contributed to the total fall of the business. I had no idea of how to bake or work in a bakery but with time, I learnt the rope," he said.

He worked in different bakery factories for several years during which he mastered the art of different types of pastries. "I worked with bakery factories for about five years. I worked with Unity bread Kano, Kano special bread, also in Kano state," he narrated.

When Kano state became unbearable for him, young

Mr. Chukwuma Inabike Moneke alias chop one chop two

Chukwuma decided to try out the federal capital city where he also got engaged in bakery business for some factories.

"When I came to Abuja, I worked with Zico bread in Zuba, I worked in another bread factory located in Kuje, Chiamaka bread, in Kubwa and Lion Share bread," he mentioned.

Working in factories did not however give Chukwuma the kind of fulfillment and self reliance he craved for, he felt trapped labouring for others, and he wanted to make it on his own. Therefore, with the little he had been able to save, he started his little pastry business.

I realised the need to stand on my own. From the little I was able to save, I set up my own business of frying chinchin, buns, egg roll and fish roll," he shared.

The business which he started last year has been paying off so far as he finds fulfillment in saying 'I am my own boss'.

There is no budding

business without hitches, according to him; he is faced with financial challenges which makes it difficult for him to expand his business. "So far so good, but I will do with financial assistance to be able to expand and improve on my production," he declared.

Due to this financial constraint, he decided to do the work all by himself. "I do everything by myself because I am not financially strong to employ any hand to help me. I won't like the situation where I would find it difficult to pay

salary or wages of whoever is assisting me.

"I fry a quarter bag in a day, I am very popular, my customers know me anywhere they see me, they call me 'chop one chop two' and I sell based on that," he happily said.

On his business strategy, he explained that he only makes use of the best ingredients accepted by customers. He said, "I make use of good ingredients, which will make my snacks come out rich and sweet for my customers to enjoy. That is why I am being

“

I had enough time to think and plan on what to do with my savings because I did not want to continue under anybody, all I craved for was to be my own Oga.

called 'chop one, chop two' I use milk, honey and other ingredients.

Chukwuma who had been faced with lack of adequate source of income has this advice for youths. "For youths out there, I advise them to be patient and hardworking. For me, before I decided to stand on my own, I prayed hard and fasted for 21 days before I started this business hence the name of my venture 'Blessed'.

In a sense, it is important to get started with your plan by thinking about your skills, interests and goals for any business one will like to venture into. After carefully examining and assessing your skills, interests and goals, you will be able to make an informed conclusion about the type of business you want to start. Once you have made up your mind on a business, you can now research, plan, build and nurture it to maturity just like all the success stories you have heard.

PAGE 16

Issues

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Many problems of pension administration

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

B

e f o r e the Pension Reform Act 2004, pension schemes had been rocked by many problems in Nigeria. The annual budgetary allocation for pension was often one of the most vulnerable items in budget implementation because of the constraints in resources. In many cases, even where budgetary provisions were made, inadequate and untimely release of funds resulted in delays and accumulation of arrears of payment of pension rights.

This scenario made the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo to initiate a pension reform in order to address and eliminate the problems associated with pension schemes in the country.

The rationale behind the decision of the Obasanjo regime in setting up the pension administration was to among other things: ensure that every person who worked in both the Public and Private Sector receives his retirement benefits as and when due; assist individuals by ensuring that they save to cater for their livelihood during old age and thereby reducing old age poverty; to ensure that pensioners are not subjected to untold suffering due to inefficient and cumbersome process of pension payment and to establish a uniform set of rules, regulations and standards for the administration and payments of retirement benefits.

The Pension Reform Act 2004 established the National Pension Commission (PenCom) as the body to regulate, supervise and ensure the effective administration of pension matters in Nigeria.

When Obasanjo set up the scheme, little did he know that some people shouldered with the responsibility of holding the savings of millions of Nigerians in trust will turn round to be stumbling blocks in the wheel of progress of the scheme.

The dubious activities of these public officers have, in no small way contributed in over bloated cost of litigation by the federal government through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

Members of the families of public officers who have been arraigned and being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the ground of their involvement in the alleged massive stealing of pensioners' money grieved on a daily basis to see their loved ones, bread winners ending their careers in the public service on this note.

Although every corruption is condemnable, but the systemic looting of poor pensioners' funds is abomination of the last order, no wonder, Senate President David Mark described it as accumulation of "blood money".

These public officers alleged to

Senate President, David Mark have been involved in this condemnable act are being tried in both the Federal High Courts as well as the High Court of the Federal Capital territory (FCT). They have been variously detained in prison/ EFCC custody for days, before been granted bail on varying conditions.

One accused person standing out among the pension, "thieves" is Dr. Suleiman Teidi Shuaibu, the former director, pension administration in the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Teidi, along with his accomplices, Mrs. Phina Ukamaka Chidi, the deputy director (Finance and Accounts), in the pension office, Aliyu Bello, a personal assistant to Dr. Shuaibu, Garba Abdullahi Tahir, Mohammed Katun Ahmed, Emmanuel Olanipekun, Abdullahi Omeiza, Computer Plaza, Essential Gadget Ventures, Mobis Point Investment Ltd, Obista Enterprises, Shallow Well Ventures, Mof Investment Ltd, Zumba Resources, Pam Investment and Properties Ltd, Moshfad Enterprises, Newgate Projects Ltd, RedWings Energy Ltd, RedWing Procurement Services Ltd, Woodland Industries Nig Ltd, Nwab Tessy O Enterprises nig, Chris J. Junior Ventures, Uthaka Nigeria Ltd, Bashinta Nigeria Ltd, Haleath Enterprises, Gozinda Enterprises, Omozua Ventures, S.S Badejo Entreprises, Lopee Ventures, Fafama Oil and Gas Ltd, Fafama Estate Developer Ltd and Riba-Ile Petroleum Ltd, according to findings by the anti-graft agency, used ghost pensioners to pay N2 million and N3 million into their accounts monthly, and later diverted the money through fictitious award of contracts to the companies which they had interest.

In the suit filed by the EFCC on March 21, 2011, the accused were alleged to have used various fictitious

Alhaji Idris Bello Sali companies mentioned above, to divert N12 billion into private use.

The accused persons had pleaded not guilty to the charges and were presently on bail, enjoying temporal and restricted freedom because their international passports and that of their sureties are deposited in court.

EFCC has seized six properties belonging to the former Director, Pension Administration in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, standing another trial for his alleged involvement in the over N4.56 billion Pension scam. The interim forfeiture is sequel to an order of Justice Adamu Bello of a Federal High Court, in Abuja made on July 11, 2011. The Court had ruled: "That the Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is hereby permitted to seize and retain custody of all such properties or assets

of persons listed in the schedules attached to this Motion, which assets are suspected proceeds of crime or the value thereof until the final determination of Charge no. FHC/ ABJ/CR/28/2011".

The court also granted an order permitting the Executive Chairman of EFCC to seize and retain custody of all the properties or assets of persons (as listed in the attached schedules) though not yet charged but found to be connected with the transaction or allegation contained in charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/28/2011.

List of schedules of properties/ assets of Dr. Teidi which the court ordered taken over by the EFCC are: (a) No 24, Ahmadu Musa Crescent, Jabi, Abuja; (b) Brefina Hotel at plot 1106, (Beside MTN) warehouse, adjacent to vines Hotel, Durumi, Abuja; (c) A house at No 1, Shuaibu close, opposite Governor's House,

Idah; (d) Riba-ile petroleum Ltd; (e) M.R.S Ajaka (registered as Riba-Ile oil Ltd; (f) M.R.S Idah station, Idah, registered with Hammo oil, Nigeria; (g) NNPC Mega station, Idah junction, Ayingba, registered with Hammo oil, Nig. Ltd. (h) MRS Filling Station at Ganaja, Lokoja; (i)Registered with A.Y Ted oil Ltd; (j) A mansion at Idah, opposite Federal Polytechnic, Idah; (k) SunTrust Properties company Ltd; (l) Plot B59, Dawaki Extension layout, Bwari Area council, Abuja; (m) An Estate of about 10 bungalows, lying and being at Dantata Street, Nyanyan, FCT, Abuja.

The properties which were taken over by the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the EFCC during an operation at the weekend included two choice

Contd on Page 46

Suspects of a pension scam amongst whom are Dr. Sani Teidi Shuaibu, Garba Abdullahi Tahir, Emmanuel Olanipekun, Abdullahi Omeiza, Mrs Phina Ukamaka Chidi, Aliyu Bello, Mohammed Katun Ahmed brought to the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja by operatives of the EFCC

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Weekend

PAGE 17

Cocktail

For casual check shirts, fold sleeves >>> Page 32

Rukayya Umar

Ebube Nwagbo in the hands of impostors >>> Page 25

Food poisoning and spoilage

Selfmassaging tips for your feet

>>> Page 28

>>> Page 19

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 18

Relationship

Why it's hard for adults to make new friends

L

ucy stood on the schoolhouse steps, biting her lip. It felt like a gerbil was lodged in her abdomen, and like her heart would beat out of her chest. "Stop being so nervous," Lucy told herself. "You'll be ok. It's just school."

Lucy was 39 years old."School" was an open house for parents.

Just weeks before, Lucy and her family had relocated from a large city to a rural town where the cost of living was more manageable. The kids seemed to be taking it in their stride; her

daughters liked the girls in the after school gymnastics club, and her son made a new friend, a classmate who shared his passion for "Star Wars." Same for Lucy's husband, Paul, who spent most of his day at the office--or commuting back and forth--his transition was seamless.

The move was by all accounts hardest for Lucy, a stay at home mom who had to leave friends, volunteer posts, and the comfort of her city apartment.

"It might take several years for an adult to become acclimated to a new living situation," notes Valerie Golden, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in Minneapolis. "Not only does a person need to develop new daily routines, but also new relationships, and those new relationships take time," she says.

Friendships are complicated It's not just romance that breeds trouble. Some of our most difficult bonds are with buds-and sometimes, the problem is you.

No one ever said moving was easy.

One Georgia woman still cringes when describing her move from the northeastern city in which she had grown up: "my husband was always working, and the kids were at school-and I was left to navigate the new situation alone. Every road was unfamiliar, all the stores carried different brands, and I had no idea about which doctor, or even, dry cleaner, to choose. People were friendly enough, but many did not seem to have time, energy, or interest in new friendships...

It took nine years for it to feel like home."

While those who relocate to start a new job have their own set of challenges, such as adjustment to a new environment, new routines, and a new workplace, those who move but remain in the new home to work or take care of children, seem to have the most difficult adjustment. They are prone to feelings of isolation and loneliness because they are often by themselves and without the company of old friends and supports.

Recalls one twenty nine year old professional who had to give up the career she loved in order to relocate with her spouse: "My husband took a job in Asia-and I was furious. I went, of course, but it felt like he was moving ahead and I was stymied. I had to leave a job I loved and I didn't speak the new country's language, so I couldn't work at all. I felt completely alone, and very resentful-it took a toll on our relationship."

A writer in his mid thirties who works mostly from home, describes similar feelings of isolation following a move cross country so his wife could pursue graduate study: "I'd wake up and look out the window and everything seemed so strange and unfamiliar. I was used to a different climate, and I missed seeing people, cars, and buildings. When I went to the window there was nothing for miles. Every time I looked outside I'd think: where the heck am I?" Whether you are staying at home with kids, working from home, or both-and even if you have a job in the new town--if you are planning a move, here are some ways to ease the transition: Give it time. "Two to three years is not uncommon," says Dr. Golden.

"Adults' lives are complicated. For a child, making one new friend can make all the difference. Adults have to adjust to a new job, community, house of worship, and make new friends," she says. "The transition can take time."

Join up: Churches, Mosques, community groups all have newcomers' events.

Keep in touch with old friends and visit, if possible. If not: text, text, text, and call or e-mail as much as you can.

Go back to school-or to your children's school--and boost your skills, then consider getting a part time job.

No one ever complained about having a little extra cash.

Take up a hobby. Many a strong tie was forged at the knitting shop or book club.

Have patience. It will get better.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 19

Beauty Tips

Self-massaging tips for your feet

Study has shown that acupressure also releases feet of stress

Feet massage with warm water and scent leaves or petals improves sleep, reduces fatigue and enhances resistance to a range of health effects.

A

f t e r a hard day's work, an invigorating and calming foot massage can really help your feet after a tiring day. There are many ways through which you can maintain your feet's beauty and massaging is one of them. You do not need to spend much in the process.

Unfortunately, not everybody has a significant method to massage their feet or not all are blessed with the money to

visit a massage therapist. Do not worry because there are several easy techniques you can become skilled at to provide yourself an amazing foot massage. Here are tips and tricks to do self-massage for feet at home, for both men and women.

Sit on a chair.

Take a seat on a cozy chair and put one ankle on the opposite knee. Put on relaxing force to the sole of your foot

utilizing together your thumbs and caressing from the bottom of the curve up to the topmost, close to the big toe.

Replicate this action five to 10 minutes, intensifying the force slowly.

Use your hand.

Shape a fist with your hand then push the knuckles transversely the bottom of the foot, once more, beginning at the bottom of the curve and shifting gradually and tenderly up to the toes. If you desire, you can utilize a swinging movement with your knuckles while you rub five to 10 minutes up the foot.

Make a toe shift.

Grab one toe solidly then shift it side to side and all-around in tender circle.

While you create the movement, grasp the bottom of your toe with your opposed hand, rubbing down into the joint. Once you had completed the first toe, shift to the subsequent toe.

Use your hand's bottom.

Utilize the bottom of your hand to push your toes up in the direction of the top of your foot then grasp for approximately 10 seconds. If you desire, you can massage your feet with the opposite hand while you extend the toes.

Once you had completed, let go of the toes and elongate them down in the direction of the curve, utilizing the opposed hand to tenderly rubdown the topmost of the foot.

Caress your feet.

Use extended graceful caress the

whole time on your foot, starting at the ankle and running to the toes to conclude the self massage. Make certain that you utilize these concluding caresses on the top, base and edges of both feet.

Gather what you need.

Collect all the things you are going to need for foot massage. Place each next to a comfy seat where you can get hold of them all. Remove your shoes. Get hold of a washcloth damped with hot water.

Squeeze out the cloth then put a small amount of soap then be seated on a comfy chair.

Use lukewarm water.

Rinse your feet with the lukewarm washcloth containing soap. While doing this, you will take pleasure in the warmth of the washcloth at the same time massaging your feet as you go along.

As soon as you conclude, wash again your feet with the next warm washcloth then dry tenderly and properly using one of your dirt free towels.

Use a golf ball.

Place a golf ball on the floor, beneath the ball of one of your feet. Shift your foot above the golf ball, revolving it back and forth for half a minute. Revolve the ball all-around the circles beneath your foot for an additional 30 seconds.

Regulate the force and route of the golf ball for parts of your feet that feel intensely painful. Go over on the other foot.

PAGE 20

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Learning Mathematics Lesson L Simple Polynomial Multiplication

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here were two formats for adding and subtracting polynomials: "horizontal" and "vertical". You can use those same two formats for multiplying polynomials. The very simplest case for polynomial multiplication is the product of two oneterm polynomials. For instance: " Simplify (5x2)(-2x3) I've already done this type of multiplication when I was first learning about exponents, negative numbers, and variables. I'll just apply the rules I already know: (5x2)(-2x3) = -10x5 The next step up in complexity is a one-term polynomial times a multi-term polynomial. For example: " Simplify -3x(4x2 - x + 10) To do this, I have to distribute the 3x through the parentheses: -3x(4x2 - x + 10) = -3x(4x2) - 3x(-x) - 3x(10) = -12x3 + 3x2 - 30x The next step up is a two-term polynomial times a two-term polynomial. This is the simplest of the "multi-term times multi-term" cases.

There are actually three ways to do this.

Since this is one of the most common polynomial multiplications that you will be doing, I'll spend a fair amount of time on this. " Simplify (x + 3)(x + 2) The first way I can do this is "horizontally"; in this case, however, I'll have to distribute twice, taking each of the terms in the first parentheses "through" each of the terms in the second parentheses: Copyright © Elizabeth Stapel 2000-2011 All Rights Reserved

Compiled by Joy Baba (x + 3)(x + 2) = (x + 3)(x) + (x + 3)(2) = x(x) + 3(x) + x(2) + 3(2) = x2 + 3x + 2x + 6 = x2 + 5x + 6 This is probably the most difficult and error-prone way to do this multiplication. The "vertical" method is much simpler. First, think back to when you were first learning about multiplication. When you did small numbers, it was simplest to work horizontally, as I did in the first two polynomial examples above: 3 × 4 = 12 But when you got to larger numbers, you stacked the numbers vertically and, working from right to left, took one digit at a time from the lower number and multiplied it, right to left, across the top number. For each digit in the lower number, you formed a row underneath, stepping the rows off to the left as you worked from digit to digit in the lower number. Then you added down.

For instance, you would probably not want to try to multiply 121 by 32 horizontally, but it's easy when you do it vertically: You can multiply polynomials in this same manner, so here's the same exercise as above, but done "vertically" this time: " Simplify (x + 3)(x + 2) I need to be sure to do my work very neatly.

I'll set up the multiplication: ...and then I'll multiply: I get the same answer as before: x2 + 5x + 6

ast month we talked about backing up our computers-and providing some simple tips about what to backup and what not, and how to keep a backup safe. Today we take a look at some backup applications that exonerate you from having to undertake this (sometimes tedious) task yourself.

Fortunately, there are literally dozens of really good backup programmeseven free ones.

BackupMaker is a decent backup programme if you're looking for ease of use and a nice interface.

The not-so-good part is that it is only free for personal use and comes with a nag screen exhorting the virtues of its Pro version.

However, it has a great set of features, including automation, incremental and differential backups, and backing up to an external location (USB drive, network, online location, CD/DVD).

BackupMaker is available from Ascomp.de.

FBackup is another simple and effective solution, which can automate your backup tasks. FBackup's USP is that-apart from backing up your files-it can be extended with loads of plugins to find and backup settings of specific programmesPhotoShop, Firefox, uTorrent, VLC, iTunes, Skype and MS Office, to name a few. You can get it at Fbackup.com.

If you're considering going the whole hog, check out the open source CloneZilla Live at CloneZilla.org, which will clone your entire hard drive or drive partition-this includes everything, from the operating system and programmes to personal settings and documents.

The live version can be run from a USB stick or CD/DVD. Of course, cloning a drive can be a time-consuming process and this is probably not something you'd want to do every day-but it is a good comprehensive fallback option to have.

One tool that is worthy of mentioning is the Comodo Time Machine.

This powerful free application is different from a traditional backup tool in that it basically functions as a system rollback facility, restoring your PC, including the registry, critical operating system files and documents. It creates periodic snapshots of your system, which can then be used to roll back to a previous time in case of emergencies. It is slightly complex to use since there are many configurations and settings to take care of,

ICT ESSENCE with

Bello Abdul’Azeez +234 805 113 0075 abdulazeez@ictessence.com www.ictessence.com

Tools to tackle that backup if you want to get the best out of it. The same company also offers Comodo Backup, a free backup tool, with 5GB of free space to backup your files in the cloud. Check out Comodo.com for these programmes.

Looking for a portable solution?

Check out Toucan at Portableapps.com. It is recommended for users

Windows platform. The Mac platform in itself has an excellent backup tool-Time Machine. But that aside, there are a number of other backup solutions, though most are paid programmes or services. An exception is Carbon Copy Cloner, which is donation-ware and you are asked to donate if you are satisfied with the programme. It is well worth

looking for a tool to synchronise, backup and encrypt data. Newbies might find it harder to take to Toucan, but this is great tool for advanced users.

While it comes with full Windows 7 integration, including drag-and-drop support, there is also a command line option. It offers compression, differential backups and a number of file sync options.

The aforementioned programmes are all for the

paying for, though, and can clone your entire Mac as well as perform incremental backups; it also comes with scheduling capabilities. It can be downloaded from Bombich.com Different people are bound to have varying backup preferences-and, therefore, different solutions to their requirements. The chances are that you will probably find your perfect backup tool after a bit of trial and error.

“

The live version can be run from a USB stick or CD/DVD. Of course, cloning a drive can be a time-consuming process and this is probably not something you'd want to do every day...

PAGE 24

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7, — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Kannywood Rukayya Umar

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h e name Rukayya Umar, may not strike the huge followers of the Igbo and Yoruba dominated 'Nollywood', but it is a name that commands a standing ovation in the Hausa genre of Nigerian movie industry dubbed 'Kannywood'. Apart from being a gifted singer and songwriter, Rukayya is blazing the trail in the movie world with her acting prowess.

It has been revealed that Rukayya graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Recalling her first time experience in front of camera, during one of the interviews she granted sometimes ago, "It was with 'Dawayya', it was quite challenging because it was my first movie and I was inexperienced. It took us hours to record one scene because most of the artistes in the crew were new.

At a point during a rehearsal, the director got angry with some of us.

It was taking too much of his time to bring out the best in us.

But when the movie came out eventually it was a blockbuster."

On her first payment, "I was given N10, 000 in the beginning and I was so happy because it was the biggest amount I had ever received then.

For two days I was going to the market to buy things for myself and I got N30, 000 naira at the completion of the movie, which I used to buy a Samsung cell phone.

I couldn't sleep that night," she revealed in the interview.

Although, Rukayya is said to currently combine acting with running an international business, Dawayya, Khusufi, Gidauniya, Sarauniyar Kyau among others are popular home videos that have conveniently launched her into the league of Kannywood hottest actresses

Celebrity Birthday!!! Veteran actor, RMD turns 51

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c e actor and politician, Richard Mofe Damijo popularly known as RMD was a year older on Friday, July 6, 2012. The veteran actor is one of the most successful Nollywood actors in the makebelieve profession in Nigeria.

Now actively a Commissioner in Delta State, in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, his love for acting has still not faded. The Warri, Delta State born actor is known for top TV soaps like Checkmates, Ripples and many others.

In January 2012, RMD survived a ghastly auto accident.

He is happily married with children.

PAGE 25

Entertainment Nollywood Why I am still not married I had the wedding of my dreams —Uche Jombo —Halima Abubakar N H alima Abubakar has carved a niche for herself in the Nigerian movie industry. In this interview with, the multiple award winning actress who holds a Bachelor Degree in Sociology from Bayero University Kano (BUK), speaks on her rise from grass to grace, her attitude to negative publicity and her fashion preferences. Excerpts: Growing up.

Growing up was tough, I had to start fending for myself at the age of 14. I worked at Salam Chicken, Bompai Road, Kano. My salary was #3800 .

We were however, contented because our mother showered us with love and affection. I went to a lot of schools; primary and secondary schools in Kano, Kaduna, Lagos and Kogi States but managed to finish at Army Day Secondary School, Bukavu Barracks, Kano. I then proceeded to Bayero University, Kano (BUK) where I studied Sociology. I also did my Masters there.

Description of self.

I am a humble and responsible lady.

Foray into acting.

I started watching movies when I was very young. I grew up aspiring to be like those people that I watched.

In Kano, what we watched mostly were Indian movies. Thereafter, I started watching Third Eye on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). That was how I fell in love with acting. I started acting long before I entered into the university, it was because I wanted to do something different that I decided to study criminology but I changed my mind again and went back to acting. I won the best actress award for the University of Jos drama group. I gatecrashed into the industry in 1999, when I was on holiday, but stared professionally in 2001, with my first major role in Gangster Paradise.

Since then, I have featured in lots of movies like Area Mama, War in the church, White Hunters, Slip of Fate, Tears of a Child, Secret Shadows and so on.

On scandals and controversies.

I was in school when I was making headlines in the papers and magazines.

I was ignorant then but I am now grown up and accountable for my future.

I believe I'm being misunderstood by 80 per cent of people and that made me mysterious. Opinions of others don't matter to me.

Reaction to negative press.

I don't entertain such gossips but they get to write and sell papers. I cry for a while, powder my face then try to remain my positive self.

Definition of style.

Style to me is being comfortable in anything you wear, whether it is a rag, couture or African attire. It also means standing out from the crowd. I love being unpredictable, spontaneous. So, I just drag the first thing I see and off I go, cookie ain't I? I have never followed fashion trend, in fact, I think fashion police are looking for me because I break rules (laughs). Really, I define my style Beauty regimen.

Oh! I am a Clarins lover, I love using water and Cocoa Butter in the morning

Halima Abubakar and Clarins balm at night. I wash my face with water before anything and I shower three times daily. I have never done facials before but manicure and pedicure are a must for me. I love massage a lot, in fact, I over do it. Indian masseurs are the best and they are very affordable.

Choice of accessories.

I love accessories a lot, I tend to go overboad when it comes to accessories.

I indulge a lot in it, so I will give myself an "A" in accessories. When it comes to jewellery, I go for all; gold, silver, costume jewellery and beads. I can't go out without jewellery and that is why I buy them a lot. Same goes for rings and watches, I don't wear ear rings when I am not shooting or going for an event.

Favourite designers.

For perfumes, I like Marc Jacobs, Victor and Rolf, Lovely by SJP, Tommy Girl by Tommy Hilfiger.

When it comes to clothes, I love high streets like H and M, Topshop, Baby Phat and Dereons. I also like coutures and my favourites are; Vivian Westwood, Chanel, Elle Saab, Zuhair Murad, Maqueen, and LV. My favourite designers for shoes and bags are Next, Chanel, Shoe Dazzle, Loubotins and Aldo.

Favourite colours.

Purple, pink, green, blue, rainbow patches and all bright colours. I am the president of colours. I block all.

Fashion icons.

Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Koutney Kadashian, Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, and Nike Oshinowo.

Most expensive item in my wardrobe.

It is a Cerruti studded limited edition wrist watch given to me by my guy.

Can't say the amount, but everybody knows that diamond is expensive.

Opinion on toning.

If your skin is dirty clean it, but only if it is dirty! I love natural colours.

On cosmetic surgery.

I can never do it. God created us for a reason, and I believe it is important for one to age gracefully.

What I will like to change about myself.

My dislike for high heels. I love to wear it because I am expected to. I buy them but only wear them when going for shoot or events. So sad.

Tattoo or piercing.

Tattoo because I love it. My fans know where it is because it is not hidden.

Diet or exercise.

I eat right and I do diet but I don't do it as if my life depends on it because I love food. I also run or jog.

Opinion on provocative dressing.

I used to dress provocatively but now am trying to be a role model, so, I now dress stylishly but responsibly and not to impress anyone.

What I won't be caught dead wearing.

See throughs and belly hanging clothes or clothes that set the boobs loose.

My hair and nails.

I love natural looking nails but painted with bold colours like yellow, pink and so on. For hair, I use lace wig or other wigs and I do didi when I am not working .

Special treat.

When I want to pamper myself I sleep. For relaxation, I read.

Secret of beauty.

No secret because I don't fuss over myself, so, I guess it is God. Asset.

My eyes, it talks. It is definitely my eyes because it is not common.

Advice to women on how to stay young and beautiful.

Exercise, eat right, eat lots of vegetables, drink plenty of water, love yourself deeply, worry less and be happy regardless of what you are going through. My mum told me that doing all these would give one eternal beauty.

Personal philosophy of life.

Free your heart of hatred.

Coping with male admirers.

I tell them I am in love, period. I am not a nice person on phone if it is not about business or fan calling to say hi.

Most embarassing moment.

I do embarrass myself, so, there is no way anybody can embarrass me. I amuse myself.

Most memorable moment.

Waking up everyday to thank God. Regrets.

A lot, but I am a book with a lot of chapters, so, I keep moving ahead.

My businesses.

I am a farmer, baker and I also sell books and magazines. I sell groundnut too.

I have chicken, turkey, goats and so on in my farm. We also produce yam, cassava and so on. The farm is located in Lokoja, Kogi State.

Pains and gains of being a celebrity.

The gains are more than the pains for some people but in all, nothing in life comes easy.

On matrimony.

Yes, I am in love, but it is my decision not to get married yet, especially when those who are in it are running out of it.

Likes.

I love loyal people because I am loyal, I keep people.

Dislikes.

I hate pretenders and envious people.

Word for my fans.

I love you but God loves you more

o l l y w o o d actress, Uche Jombo is a darling of the big screen and has been so for over a decade now. Ever since she cut her teeth into acting in 1999 with her first movie 'Visa To Hell', she has improved her craft with every production and has had a steady climb up her professional ladder. Now, aside from acting, she owns a movie production outfit called Uche Jombo Studios which has been responsible for churning out great movies in recent times.

On May 16, 2012 Uche got married to her heartthrob, Kenney Rodriguez at a private beach wedding on the Island of Puerto Rico.

Her wedding which took many by surprise has been the talk of the town for several weeks.

In this exclusive interview, she speaks on the wedding of her dreams, her husband, her career and more.

Uche is still basking in the euphoria of her wedding. She is happy as she speaks about it, laughs at the pictures, and has a special glow when speaking about her husband.

But aside from the excitement of her wedding, chatting with her reveals a bubbly and intelligent personality; someone that has had an interesting career climbs and has a lot to share with the world.

Just for fun On a lighter note now, if you were stuck on a lonely island, what three things would you love to have with you?

My Bible, my water and my husband.

What is your favourite colour?

It used to be black and then I didn't know when it came to blue. I just go with the flow; I don't really have a favourite colour now.

Do you cook often?

Yes but not as often as I want to.

What meal do you have the biggest challenge with when cooking?

Mr & Mrs Rodriguez If I have challenge about cooking a particular meal, I just won't cook it. Cooking has to be fun for me. It has to be something I know I can make.

What is that something most people don't know about you?

I have Insomnia. I called my producer up one time and she was sounding very sleepy and then I checked the time and it was past two am. I had no idea. When people say they have time changes affecting them, not me. I just write or I am in the studio.

The news has been buzzing for a while that you got married in Puerto Rico last month, but you've been quiet about it. Why? Because I have an exclusive publication already on that and eventually, BN would also have it. I also don't want it to just be all over the place. The whole point was doing something that is totally unexpected.

Jim Iyke to marry Cameroonian actress?

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umours reaching the Nigeriafilms.com, said Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke may be planning to marry a Cameroonian actress, whom he is presently romancing, Solange Ojong.

According to information available to it, the two actors have been doing everything possible to make sure that no love is lost between them but to make it stronger.

The relationship they are building is to make both Nollywood and Collywoodd, as Cameroonian film industry is called, do better things together. For now, they have done Pink Poison and Land of Shadows, where both reportedly expressed the desire for each other.

We learnt that Solange recently visited Jim Iyke in his Abuja home.

People were busy writing what they didn't know. I have a right to say this is the information I want out and this is the information I don't want out.

Also because it has stopped being me and now us, we have to continuously agree to how we want stuff done. I am from a different background and my partner is from a different background. We just wanted to savour the moment.

Talking about your wedding, was it a fairy tale kind of wedding?

It was exactly the kind of wedding I wanted. Every bride has a dream wedding. I had always wanted that kind of simple beach wedding. I went on vacation last year in Puerto Rico Island and I loved it and I said I would like to come back there for my wedding.

Tell us about your husband.

Where is he from? How did you meet him?

Contrary to what I've been hearing in the media, he is American and not from Puerto Rico. He has been to Puerto Rico twice and those times were with me. Once on vacation and then we went back for our wedding. He is a New Yorker, he works and lives in New York.

Also, contrary to what I've been hearing that I met him online, the truth is that I did not. He came to talk to me about some business venture and that's how we started talking. I met him through a mutual friend who is his business partner.

What attracted you to him?

His positive energy, it's amazing.

How long did you date before getting married?

Not up to a year. I met him last year.

Was there any particular reason why Desmond Elliott was the only Nollywood star that attended your wedding?

He is one of my oldest friends in Nollywood. I don't know anybody as long as I've known Desmond in Nollywood.

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Hollywood/Bollywood Holmes removes wedding ring after divorcing actor, Tom Cruise

Katie and Cruise

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a t i e Holmes is moving full speed ahead into her new life as a single mother.

Within days after she reportedly "blindsided" Tom Cruise by filing for divorce, she's ditched her wedding ring and is carving out a new life for herself and her daughter.

Despite the media attention on her right now, Holmes honoured her commitment to appear as a judge on "Project Runway All-Stars" Monday afternoon. Looking pretty and pulled together in a navy blue dress, the 33year-old actress arrived at Parsons The New School for Design in Manhattan to tape the guest spot. She didn't say anything as she entered or exited the building, but she let her finger; bare of the wedding ring she's worn since she married Cruise in Italy in 2006 do the talking.

In addition to keeping busy with work, Holmes is establishing a new life for herself and 6-year-old Suri.

Last Thursday, the day she filed for divorce from Cruise, Holmes and Suri were spotted moving bags from the New York City apartment they shared with Cruise to a new apartment in the city. The former "Dawson's Creek" star went to great lengths to find a new home that was perfect for her little girl, opting for a three-bedroom rental near Suri's gymnastics studio, reports People.

And while there were some rumours that Holmes was being followed by Scientology operatives on behalf of Cruise, who is one of the Church's most famous members, the organisation denied the allegations.

People reported that the men trailing Holmes are actually in her employ. She fired Cruise's security team and hired her own. Holmes, who is seeking sole custody of Suri, reportedly has issues with her daughter being raised as a Scientologist.

According to a new report, Holmes - who signed an iron-clad prenuptial agreement when she

married Cruise; stands to walk away with very little in the divorce. "Katie Holmes will be getting virtually nothing from Tom Cruise by way of cash because their prenup cuts her out of his fortune ... and sources connected with Katie tell us it's just fine with her," reports TMZ. "Our sources say Katie will walk away with what she brought into the marriage ... and hardly anything else."

Meanwhile, Cruise is 50 years old. How is he spending it? On an airplane.

According to Us Weekly, the actor - who has been filming "Oblivion" in Iceland - boarded his private jet at the Reykjavik airport at 2 a.m. and is headed to the $30 million Beverly Hills home he once shared with Holmes.

We'll venture to say there won't be a lot of celebrating for Cruise, whose lone statement about Holmes' divorce filing was that he was "deeply saddened" by her decision.

Omg.yahoo.com

Chris Bukowski: Cast on Bachelor Pad!

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h r i s Bukowski was sent packing by Emily Maynard on The Bachelorette last night, leaving Arie Luyendyk, Jr.,

Bukowski

Jef Holm and Sean Lowe to vie for her heart.

The Bachelorette spoilers posted earlier reveal who (allegedly) wins if you're curious. In any case, Chris will be moving on ... to Bachelor Pad! Bukowski, a 25-year-old Chicagoan, decided to join Bachelor Pad 3 and the quest for $250,000/15 more minutes of fame after Emily rejected him.

Of that decision, Emily Maynard recently wrote in a blog for People: "I had a hard time sending him home, but wanted to stay true to the promise I made to his sister that I wouldn't keep him away from his family if I

didn't see him at the end."

Chris will be joining 19 other Bachelor and Bachelorette veterans - as well as five "super fans" of the franchise - on the Monday, July 23 premiere.

A month after revealing the majority of the Bachelor Pad 3 cast, ABC finally announced the name of the summer show's final contestant in Bukowski.

Kalon McMahon and Tony Pieper from this season are also in.

The Bachelorette season finale and first-ever live After the Final Rose show air on a special night: Sunday, July 22, starting at 8 p.m. thehollywoodgossips.com

Salman Khan back to his bratty ways?

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ecently, a magazine stated that Salman Khan suddenly turned a bad guy during a patchwork shoot of YRF's Ek Tha Tiger in Film City.

It was reported that the actor lost his cool and apparently hit his ex-girl Katrina Kaif with a stick, for stepping out of her vanity van in a figure hugging, cleavage revealing short dress. He also bad mouthed her with foul words.

However, the actress's friend denied the violent act.

"This is completely untrue.

Salman and Katrina chose to work in the same film because there was no animosity between them.

They got along famously during the Dublin and the Istanbul schedules. Salman cares for Katrina a lot. She is like family," said the friend.

The friend added, "People make up a lot of stories. Only because they couldn't keep up to their commitment of making an appearance at an awards function,

rumours started flying."

If the magazine is to be believed, Katrina Kaif hurried back into the vanity van and is said to have called up Kareena Kapoor for help.

"How did the magazine know what happened inside Katrina's vanity when she had it locked? Kareena visiting her friend Salman doesn't necessarily have to be instigated by a phone call from

his co-star," added the friend.

Katrina however, has no comments to make, about this whole story. Her friend added, "Kat has many projects lined up. She doesn't have time for silly rumours generated by the media. In fact she had to turn down Karan Johar's offer of Dostana 2 because she couldn't adjust her dates."

Sonam Kapoor and Abhay Deol are now friends!

Kapoor and Deol t the launch of The Pure Concept store, at Mehboob Studio, once rivals Sonam Kapoor and Abhay Deol greeted each other like they were forever friends. They exchanged a warm hug.

Sonam Kapoor said: "The first time I saw the pictures

A

and fabrics, and everything, they explained to me that it's very old but has a new feel to it… and everybody knows how much I love vintage!

Abhay Deol said: "Basically, I like doing interiors; it's a hobby of mine… So when I looked at their stuff, what I liked

a lot about it was the fact that I like furniture but a little, I like the Japanese feel of the interiors which they have."

However, the latest picture of the two hugging and exchanging pleasantries tells that the two are now together.

Official Trailer - Barfi…

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he first trailer of Anurag Basu's movie Barfi!, was released recently.

Ranbir plays a mute and deaf guy and hence we find not one single dialogue in the entire trailer. Though he is physically challenged, he doesn't stop himself from troubling people with his

pranks. He is also seen making passes to girls at the street.

Ranbir Kapoor is named Murphy in the film and since he is from a small town, his name is pronounced as Barfi by everyone.

The film looks very promising and the star cast has been chosen

perfectly.

The trailer also sees Shruti (Ileana D'Cruz) and Jhilmil (Priyanka Chopra). The film has music by Pritam and is produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Siddharth Roy Kapur.

Barfi! releases on September 14. www.google.com

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 27

Homes

Save time and money when moving work yourself. Painting every part of the house before you move in can be a terrific time saver. If you can't decide on colours, then just have everything painted clean white, pretty light beige, or other background colour depending on what works best with your furniture and colour schemes. Once the major patching, priming, trim work, and base coats are ready, adding another wall colour at a later date can help.

Crown Molding - Does anyone not love the look of crown molding? It's a wonderful luxury to be able to install molding around the whole house all at once, before you move into your new home. Be sure to prime and pre-paint the strips of molding before installation, just before painting the interior walls. You may need to do some touch up at the joints and nail holes, but that's a lot easier than standing on a ladder for days trying to paint three coats for paint on the molding near the ceiling!

Re-Key - You'll never know how many keys are floating around for your new home unless you get new locks or re-key the existing locks.

The previous owners may have given a key to neighbours, or relatives and you'll get some peace of mind if you get new ones. This is a project to do just before or soon after you move in.

Closet Systems - Having things organized, fitting into your new home, will really make you feel great. You'll love wonderful closet systems with double hanging poles, drawers, and shelves up to the ceiling. If you wait until later, you'll have to take

M

oving into a new home is a life experience that most people don't find funny at all. But with these tips of things to do before you move in, you'll be ready when the furniture arrives. The move can totally consume you for a long time: planning, packing, moving, cleaning.

When you arrive in your new home, you're faced with even more challenges. It may seem a small thing to decide where to put the best china or everyday dishes, but after all the work moving out of the old home, the last thing you need is another big decision or another major project.

But doing some work to your new home right away will make moving in feel great. If you're moving into a new house, you may not need to do anything at

all.

But if you've bought a home with carpet you hate, you're probably thinking that it has to go. Should you wait until you're moved in, or tackle the job now?

You may decide that it's too much to think about right now, that you should leave the decision about replacement for later after you've settled in. You may not have the budget or time to do anything but move. But be sure to weigh in the "cost" to you in both hassle and time if you wait to do a necessary project at a later date.

Replacing flooring is a major project, and if you have the money and you can make just this one decision at moving time, you'll really be doing yourself a favour.

There will be furniture all around the place, and you'll have to move it back into the room when they're

done. If you can do it when you move, be sure to order the flooring well in advance of your move.

Make arrangements to have new flooring installed a day or two before you move in. Cover the new flooring with mats, tarps, or area rugs so the movers don't track in dirt or scratch the wood. Then, when they set your sofa and coffee table in place -- you'll be home.

Below are some other premove-in projects that can save you time and trouble.

Painting - Whether you do the work yourself or hire someone to do it, it's a lot easier to paint an empty room. There will be no need to move furniture, take down draperies, clear out the closets, or take every picture or mirror off the walls. Allow several days to repaint before the movers show up, especially if you'll be doing the

everything out, pile your clothes in stacks on your bed or floor (can you visualize your clothes wrinkling in giant stacks), and live out of suitcases for a day or two until the closet fittings can be installed. Do-it-yourselfers may need a bit longer to figure out the instructions, but once the process is down for the first closet, each additional closet should be faster and easier. If you do some measuring in your new home before you move in, you can plan ahead and choose and buy your closet components ahead of time.

Electrical Upgrades - If you're moving into a new home, you may have all the electrical outlets you need. But older homes could be a challenge. You can do the upgrades anytime, but everything is easier to get to in an empty room.

Remember, electricians will be able to work faster if they have immediate access to outlets and room for ladders and equipment. Older homes may need GFIs in kitchens and baths, as well as additional outlets for TVs, computers, or lamps. This would be a great time to add a ceiling fan, and an electrician can install a wall switch, brace the ceiling and install a specialized box for the fan.

You might want better work light in your kitchen or reading spotlights over your bed. Lighten up a corridor with new track lighting or add lights in your new closets. All of these projects can be easier to complete when your rooms are empty. The work can be completed without your having to move furniture or cover room accessories to protect them from drilling dust.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Cuisine

Pots & Pans

With Hajiya Ramatu Usman Dorayi

Food poisoning and spoilage

Food spoilage is caused by tiny invisible organisms called bacteria. Bacteria live everywhere we live, and most of them don't do us any harm, but ...

What Do Bacteria Like?

As living organisms, bacteria lead fairly simple lives. They don't walk or crawl, so the only time they go anywhere is when someone moves them. Otherwise, they pretty much stay put, content to spend their time eating and making more of themselves.

Unfortunately, what they're eating is our food - especially foods that are high in protein, like meats, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products.

To be sure, some of them will go for low-protein foods like fruits and vegetables, but those ones are a lot slower.

Which is why an onion or a peach left on your kitchen counter for a couple of days would still be safe to eat, while a steak clearly would not.

Spoiled food Vs. hazardous food It's important to note that spoiled food isn't necessarily dangerous food. For one thing, most people won't eat food that smells bad, looks slimy or whatever. And you can't get food poisoning from something you didn't eat.

Moreover, the microorganisms that cause ordinary food spoilage aren't necessarily harmful to us. In fact, centuries before refrigerators, the earliest sauces and seasonings were used to mask the "off" tastes and smells of food that had begun to spoil. This continues to be true in parts of the world where people don't have home refrigeration units (which, interestingly enough, includes most people alive on the planet today).

Pathogens: Harmful bacteria The bacteria we're concerned with from a food safety standpoint are the socalled "pathogens" that cause food poisoning. And these pathogens, like salmonella or E. coli, don't produce any

smells, off-tastes or changes in the food's appearance - a slimy surface, for instance, or some sort of discoloration.

Microbe Management So how do we control these nasties?

One way would be to starve them out. As noted above, bacteria need food to survive. Get rid of the food, and your bacteria problem disappears.

Unfortunately, though, without food, the field of culinary arts has very little to offer.

We'll assume that food is part of the equation; bacteria still have several other, quite specific, requirements, each of which can be controlled to some extent.

Armed with this knowledge, we can effectively minimize the chances of food-

Carrot and water melon, refreshing drink Ingredients: - One whole water melon, carrots, lemon, sugar.

Method: Wash water melon, cut into small sizes, scrape carrots and grate. Mix together and blend, sieve and add sugar and squeezed lemon.

Serve cold.

Spaghetti salad Ingredients: Spaghetti, salad cream, peas, carrots, cucumber, onion, tomatoes, lettuce, seasoning with maggi cube or other seasonings with spices Method: Cook spaghetti and peas together until soft then drain and keep aside.

-wash and shred carrots, tomatoes and onion -Using a mixing bowl, mix spaghetti and vegetable together, add salad cream and seasoning. Mix very well.

-In a round plate, put the salad in the centre of the bowl, cut cucumber in round shapes, arrange by the side of the plate.

-Shred the lettuce and spread on top.

Vegetables and minced meat.

Ingredients: Cabbage, carrots, green beans, green pepper -Attarugu, onions, seasoning, salt, curry and thyme, groundnut oil.

Method: Wash and shred vegetables and keep aside.

Wash and cook meat with seasoning until soft, allow to cool and pound or use minced meat.

In hot groundnut oil, add meat and shredded vegetables, add seasoning like curry, thyme, magi cube, spices and salt to taste.

Fry until vegetable is slightly cooked; serve with fried potatoes, or yam.

borne illness. The factors we need to keep in mind include: " Temperature " Time " Moisture " pH Level (Acidity) Follow these general guidelines if you suspect food poisoning: 1. First and foremost, seek medical treatment if necessary, especially if you are in an "at risk" group. Similarly, if your symptoms persist or if they are severe (for instance, excessive nausea and vomiting, high temperature or bloody diarrhea), contact a doctor immediately.

2. Preserve any evidence. If any of the suspect food is still left, wrap it up securely, mark it with the word "DANGER" to prevent anyone else from eating it, and freeze it.

3. If you have the packaging, like the cartons or cans the food came in, save them. Write down the type of food, the date, and any other identifying marks on the package, what time the food was eaten and when the symptoms first began.

Information like this is critical in identifying the pathogen involved.

4. If the suspect food was served at a restaurant or food service facility, or if it was served at a large gathering or eaten at home, tell your doctor and family members, or the police.

PAGE 29

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Womanhood

How to choose the right nanny for your children

S

t o r i e s have been told about vicious nannies, some of whom would eat up the food you left for your child or children, others are outright nasty and would shout or yell and even beat your children and give them sweets to make them keep quiet about it.

Anyway a nanny is someone who will take care of your kids and become part of your household. It is therefore very important to choose the right nanny so as to assure your children's safety.

Choosing a nanny is one of the crucial and serious matters that a parent could make. This involves careful planning and a wise decision since it involves the kids.

A nanny is often left at home with the kids while you go to work. This is the reason why you should be smart enough to choose the best nanny for your kids.

This is to ensure the safety and proper handling of your kids while you are away from home.

Choosing a nanny needs

careful planning. Since a nanny is in charge of the kids, it is very important to consider a lot of factors. This will ensure the safety of your kids even while you are away. A nanny acts like a mother to your kids so it is important that you are wise in choosing a nanny that can be a good mother too for your kids.

Having a nanny is very difficult especially in this age when kidnapping, maltreatment and other crimes is usually perpetrated by the same person who takes care of the kids. It is very hard to trust a person that you don't know but here are some guides to doing so.

Take time in choosing a nanny Do not just hire a nanny who applies at your door. As much as possible, you should know the person or at least she should be recommended by people you know. Hiring a person who just walked to your door is not advisable. If you have doubts, you can always wait until you find the right nanny for your kids to

make sure that your kids are safe rather than be sorry.

Hire from an agency The safest way is to hire a nanny from an agency. This way you can be assured of the safety of your kids. If something goes wrong, at least you have the agency to answer for what happened. Always hire a nanny from a reputable agency. You can always ask people about agencies that could be trusted.

Demand for a complete bio-data and personal information It is always safer to demand for a bio-data and a personal background or information about the nanny you are planning to hire. If the nanny cannot provide for these requirements then you should think twice before hiring the applicant.

Give the nanny at least a few days to prove that she could be trusted with the kids Some may disagree with this but it is always best to make sure that the nanny you are hiring knows how to take care of kids.

She must know how to bath the kids and prepare their food. You can stay at home and make your nanny comfortable first before leaving her alone with the kids.

Make sure that you have chosen the right nanny for your kids by being observant.

Hire from countries with good records If you are hiring a nanny from other countries, make sure that the country has good records on nanny hiring. It is easier and more convenient now to hire nannies from other countries since hiring nannies from such countries has become the new trend, but then you should be very careful because such countries are far away from your own country, besides you do not know the reason they are in your own country or what they are capable of doing.

In the case of children with special needs, for instance children who are physically challenged or have ailments and need special care, having a babysitter or nanny that loves

your child isn't enough when it comes to special needs kids.

Although the average babysitter or daycare worker is capable of tending to most children in a professional manner, special needs kids can often be the exception. Many of the kids suffer from seizures, tantrums and other irrational behaviour and require a disciplined setting where the care providers are trained in emergency care. In addition, many special needs children have difficulty communicating, leaving it upon the provider to have almost an intuition about what the child may want or need.

Most towns have at least one day care center where the needs of special kids are met. Because day care workers for the handicapped are often called upon to assist children in and out of wheelchairs, dole out medications, tend to bathroom needs and assist in everything from eating to sitting, these types of daycare centers tend to be very expensive.

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Archives From Fela’s library

Late Fela Anikulapo, his late mum Madam Funmilayo, and siblings in the 70s

His younger days

Fela and his numerous wives

Fela and lawyer Tunji Braithwaithe

PAGE 31

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Leisure Crosswords

With Augustine Aminu

Across

Down

1. Pointy tooth

1. Bend

4. East's opposite

2. Battery size

7. Between so and ti

3. Pump it into cars

8. Playing card above King

4. Very small

10. Rural route (abbr.)

5. Senior (abbr.)

11. Remnants of fire

6. Stumble

13. 12 in Roman numerals

9. A passage for smoke

15. Faucet

11. Exposed information

17. He bangs a rhythm

12. Evaporating water

18. A gardening tool

14. Said at a wedding (2 wds)

19. Had eaten

16. Sculpture or painting

21. Sleeping thoughts

18. It has fingers

24. Negative response

20. Slacken

26. To swindle

22. Computer color model

27. In like manner

23. Suitable

28. Plain and boring

25. Otherwise

29. Rise and fall of sea

27. Advertisement

Answer to last crosswords Across: 1.kite, 4.seal, 7.AI, 8.amt, 10.ti, 11.prays, 13.tie, 15.owe, 17.strange, 18.baa, 19.gel, 21.leery, 24.AM, 26.era, 27.an, 28.goal, 29.glad Down: 1.kart, 2.II, 3.ear, 4.sty, 5.at, 6.live, 9.manager, 11.petal, 12.soggy, 14.is a, 16.wee, 18.brag, 20.land, 22.eel, 23.rag, 25.MO, 27.AA

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

QUOTABLE QUOTES I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to death your right to say it.

- Voltaire A danger sign of the lapse from true skepticism into dogmatism is an inability to respect those who disagree - Dr. Leonard George If we do not believe in freedom of expression for those despised we do not believe in it at all.

- Noam Chomsky The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.

-Riedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900) Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away.

-Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

Source: Nigerian Village Square

Fashion PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

For casual check shirts, fold sleeves Compiled by Miriam Humbe

T

hings to remember when you are on the lookout for a check shirt are obviously quality and fit, but also bold patterns and colours also count a great deal. You can wear a bright bold red/blue combinations or more subtle black or white checks. Either way, they will make you stand out and look perfect with a dark pair of jeans and some boots.

When wearing a casual check shirt, you could look to fold the sleeves up to give you that rugged manly look. Use a two fold technique where you fold the cuff back once and then fold the sleeve once more on top of that. If your shirt fits correctly, the sleeves should then stay folded just lower than your elbow. For those that like it just above the elbow (or sleeves are still not tight enough) PUSH the sleeve from the bottom of the fold to just above the elbow joint. Try not to fold again as it can damage the fibres within the shirt and cause it to become worn out too quickly. The same goes with rolling shirt sleeves up as well, as these small rolls cause tension and can make your sleeves fit incorrectly in the future.

Remember you can dress the shirt up or down with the right accessories.

If going for a casual look then layer up by adding a basic plain v-neck t-shirt underneath and wear some comfort jeans with a pair of worker boots. This will give you that manly "manual worker effect" but also be very comfortable for day wear. When dressing up for a night out you might layer slightly differently with a plain chunky cardigan over the top or a nice leather jacket which should frame the shirt and contrast well with the bold pattern of the shirt underneath. Add a great pair of shoes and some slim fit jeans and you are good to go, all the way just like top Kannywood actor, Sadiq Sani Sadiq.

Men's black Delli Aldo, casual loafer dress, casual shoes

Sadiq Sani Sadiq

Prada men's loafers

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY JUNE 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 33

Business

Livestock can be a source of income to the economy

IMF's Lagarde voices concern Capital market over global economy stakeholders seek quick T resolution of SEC issues

By Augustine Aminu with agency report

S

o m e stakeholders in the capital market yesterday urged the Federal Government to ensure speedy resolution of the management issues in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The stakeholders made this known in Lagos state that low investor confidence and regulatory challenges in the exchange would only abate by effective government management of the commission.

Malam Garba Kurfi, the Chief Executive Officer of APT Securities

and Funds Ltd., said that regulatory activities of the market would remain inactive as long as SEC continued to operate without commissioners and a board.

“There is a limit to what an acting director-general can do when it comes to regulatory issues,” Kurfi said.

Mr. Emma Ndidi, a stockbroker, said that government’s attitude and poor articulation of needed remedies in the capital market was discouraging to domestic and international investors.

Ndidi said that failure to resolve issues in SEC had made most investors to develop a lukewarm attitude to the nation’s portfolio

investment.

Mr Boniface Okezie, President, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), said that the economy could only be salvaged if government demonstrated the political will to sanitise SEC. Okezie also called for the overhaul of the nation’s financial regulatory framework to make it compatible with the dynamics of the Nigerian economy.

He said that policy inconsistency would continue to mar investors interest in the market, adding that it was disheartening that the market operates with two sitting directorsgeneral.

Also reacting to the shortage, the naira closed up 0.75 percent against the dollar on the interbank market on Friday, dealers said.

Dealers said the market opened on Friday with a cash deficit of about 12.74 billion naira ($78.59 million), compared with a cash balance of about 21 billion naira last Friday.

The disbursal of budgetary allocations to government agencies last week had pushed down the cost of borrowing among banks, but large cash outflows to finance treasury bill purchases lowered liquidity in the market.

Dealers said the budget flow last

week was short-lived because the market was short before the disbursal, while the inflow from matured treasury bills this week was not enough to support it.

The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) rose to 14.75 percent, compared with 14.50 percent last week, 2.75 percentage points above the central bank's 12 percent benchmark rate, and 4.75 percentage points above the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate.

Overnight placement closed flat at 15.50 percent, while call money rose to 15.75 percent, compared with 15.50 percent last week.

Interbank rates up on naira cash shortage

By Joy Baba with agency report

N

i g e r i a 's interbank lending rates rose slightly this week to an average of 15.33 percent, from 15.16 percent last week, as naira liquidity fell, on large outflows to foreign exchange purchases, traders said on Friday.

Nigeria's central bank had sold a total of $601 million at its biweekly foreign exchange auction this week, while some oil multinational companies also sold large dollar amounts to some banks, draining naira from the system.

h e head of the International Monetary Fund expressed concern on Friday at a deterioration in the global economy.

She said the outlook has become more worrying as developed and big emerging nations show signs of slowing down.

The comments by IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde came after the European Central Bank, the Bank of England and China's central bank all eased monetary policy.

This action depicts a sign of the growing alarm over the health of the world economy.

Financial markets will be glued later on Friday to news of U.S. jobs data for the month of June.

China, the world's second-biggest economy, releases a raft of data next week, including on second-quarter GDP. "In the last few months, the global outlook has been more worrying for Europe, the U.S. and large emerging

markets," Lagarde said in a speech in Tokyo.

The IMF will downgrade some of its economic forecasts later this month as economic data from major and emerging economies has deteriorated in recent months, she said.

"The IMF's forecasts are likely to be lower than our previous forecasts."

The IMF will publish an update to its World Economic Outlook report on July 16.

She welcomed growing cooperation in Europe to tackle the sovereign debt crisis, but said that further fiscal cooperation was needed.

IMF's April report, revised upward its global growth forecast for this year to 3.5 per cent from 3.3 per cent in January, and to 4.1 per cent for 2013 from 3.9 per cent previously.

Lagarde acknowledged that the two main concerns for Japan's economy were a further appreciation of the yen and risks posed by Europe's debt crisis to demand for Japanese exports.

World Bank urges FRSC to extend its services to sub-Sahara Africa

T

h e World Bank has called on the FRSC to extend its road safety management best practices to other sub-Sahara African countries.

Mr Justin Runji, the Bank’s Programme Officer on Sub Saharan African Transport, made the call when he visited the management of the commission in Abuja on Friday.

Runji said the FRSC had the capacity to do that through its numerous initiatives on traffic administration, including the deployment of information technology facilities.

He commended the commission for its effective management of data, analysis of trends and projection of road traffic accidents in the country.

Responding, Mr Osita Chidoka, the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of FRSC, said the collaboration between the two organisations had led to the creation of safe corridor model components on the highways.

Chidoka added that some roads across the country had been identified and designated for rehabilitation, reconstruction and deployment of operation equipment.

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Business Analysis Need for identity management in Nigeria An embryonic, almost quiet unannounced revolution which is about to be unleashed in this country is the new National Identity Management system reports. Planned for this September, it is envisaged to be a laudable project that would go a long way to sanitise nation the identification system reports Aminu Imam.

W

hen the Federal Government early this year approved N30.066 billion for the take-off of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), there was uproar across the country. There were serious debate as to the desirability of another National Identity card. 'The last exercise was wasteful,' was what was heard everywhere as many Nigerians did not take their time to look at what was being proposed for which the money was being earmarked.

However, a lot of work has been done and massive resources invested and all systems are set to rev into action come September, 2012, when nationwide registration of Nigerian is projected to commence to terminate by the 31st of December, 2012.

It is necessary at this juncture to disabuse the minds of Nigerians regarding project NIMC. The identity management must not erroneously be misconstrued as the equivalent of the erstwhile National Identity Card, which served the sole purpose of identifying citizens which was grossly undermined with rampant incidences of identity theft and abuse.

The identity system envisaged is a chip-based, secure identity card with a network of access and means of irrefutably proving or asserting the identity of an individual. The most important thing about NIMS is that it will provide a universal identification infrastructure for the entire country which should help to bring real and recognizable benefits to the government and the citizens, individually and collectively and for all legal residents in the country.

A National Identity Management System is not the same as national identity card. The National Identity management will undertake the management of the bio-data of every Nigerian from birth to death. It is billed to coordinate all the personal data of every Nigerian in such a way that in one card, every data about the individual will be obtained.

At the moment, the personal data of Nigerians are in bits and pieces from the National Passport Office, to the drivers licence, INEC voter registration, National Population, former national identity card, bank cards, among others.

The new cards to be issued would have facilities that could be verifiable unlike the former one that had no verification facility.

The expected identity card would be like a smart card with a database that would be readable when slotted into any acceptable card device or reader.

It will certainly be useful to the law enforcement agencies - from the Police to the intelligence community and the security agencies at large because the common denominator is 'who are you'? Put differently, 'are you who you say you are?' At the moment, it is difficult to identify who a Nigerian really is.

Some have three to four international passports with different names. Yet, they are the same person. If you want to confirm some persons, the responsibility of the National Identity Commission is to provide an infrastructure that enables you, within seconds of a request, to obtain valid and reliable response as to the identity of the person that you have asked a confirmation for.

This is a new way of confirming the identity of individuals that has not happened in Nigeria at the moment. It is in this sense that the new system is a shift away from the old way of Nigerians doing things.

This new paradigm is not focused on identity card issuance but identity management system.

The system would enable security agencies to easily track down people with fingerprints that could be easily matched when crimes are committed. In addition to doing this, the nation would be in a position to identify all its citizens as that should be one of the primary focuses of the scheme.

The proposed new identity scheme would also help in identifying illegal immigrants in the country. Once there is a system to ascertain the identity of citizens; it would also be easy to identify foreigners impersonating Nigerians. As the commission introduces measures and processes for ensuring that citizens are legal residents and are able to

ascertain their identities, Nigerians will discover that over time, it will become a lot easier to stop non-Nigerians from claiming to be Nigerians.

Nigeria has lost huge economic benefit for not having a credible identity card system. In most countries, workers are able to access credits from banks through the use of credit cards. This is what drives production as it empowers the ordinary citizens to make purchases on credit. The nonavailability of a veritable identification scheme is an inhibiting factor in business and other transactional relationships between people.

Some of the benefits readily traceable to this project include the following: to provide a convenient and simplified process for enrolment into the National Identity Database for the issuance and use of the National Identification Number, and the identity (Smart) Card, help protect against identity theft and fraud by providing a simple, reliable, sustainable and universally acceptable means of confirming your identity at all times.

It would also help with the reform of the country's political process by facilitating the work of the managers of the electoral process, help the government through the performance of the Law Enforcement Agencies to protect us all from crime, especially the Advance Fee Fraud and terrorism, eliminate the ghost worker phenomenon and help to launder the country's image because for once Nigerians will be in a position to prove and assert their identity.

The NIMS represents a paradigm shift as the country is now focused on identity management and not simply as was hitherto the case on an identity card scheme.NIMC Act 2007 provides for the repeal of

“

Barr. Chris Onyemenam, D-G NIMC

the law that created the former Department of National Civic Registration (DNCR) and the transfer of its assets and liabilities to NIMC. This automatically means that NIMC has presence in all the local governments and States in the country.

Registration is projected to commence from 68 different locations in different states in the country using enrolment facilities available in all the local government offices in the 36 states of the Federation including the FCT. It is therefore imperative to engage local firms that would have the requisite capacity to deliver, now that the issue of local content is on the front-burner of President Goodluck Jonathan's transformation agenda.

The system would enable security agencies to easily track down people with fingerprints that could be easily matched when crimes are committed. In addition to doing this, the nation would be in a position to identify all its citizens as that should be one of the primary focuses of the scheme.

Local firms such as ACT Technologies Limited, an ICT company which specializes in the marketing, design, sales, supply, installation, integration and maintenance of Information & Communications Technology as well as biometric systems.

ACT Technologies Limited, for instance, specialises in business solutions involving technologies with core business areas such as Identity, Population Bureau, Electoral Modernisation, Access and Verification Management solutions.

Other companies include Chams, One Secure ID Ltd, Value Technologies Ltd, and Pure Access Nigeria; these local firms have a sustainable winning practice of Program Management Support, Capital Investment Planning, and SOA Architecture consulting.

ACT Technologies Limited, which is more than a technology company, provide its customers with the strategic thinking, architectural vision, investment control, and practical solutions that save money, return value to the lines of business, and holistically implement solutions to preserve operations typically impacted by change and modernization.

The NIMS is a laudable project that would go a long way to sanitise the identification system for the country, and therefore a system that every Nigerian should support.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY JUNE 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Business

Repairs to begin on third Mainland Bridge R

epairs on Third Mainland Bridge which was suspended indefinitely by the Lagos state government will be restarting according to the Minister of State for Works, Bashir Yuguda.

Yuguda speaking in Lagos on Friday, said that diversion of traffic to allow for the repairs on the bridge will commence on Sunday, July 8, 2012.

Residents had been concerned following the much touted repairs of the bridge fearing it would breed more traffic congestion in the state. To that, the Lagos state governor had said on June 25 that the bridge would not be closed totally.

"Contrary to what has been reported, it is not a complete

closure but a partial closure.

While the work is on, diversion will take place, depending on the section of the road that will be worked upon by the contractor.

"While we commend the initiative of the Federal

T

S.African banks avoid Absa's bad debt woes

S

o u t h Africa's big lenders such as Standard Bank are unlikely to be hit by the spike in bad debts that has plagued rival Absa Group, thanks to their more prudent loan provisions.

Absa, South Africa's thirdlargest bank and a unit of Britain's Barclays Plc, shocked the market last week, when it warned firsthalf earnings would likely drop by as much as 10 percent on rising bad debts from mortgages.

The news exposed the fragility of Absa's recovery. Like other South African banks, the lender has been

on the mend from a bad debt hangover in 2009. Nervous investors have sent the shares into a tailspin since the warning, wiping $1.8 billion off its market value.

But rivals Standard Bank, FirstRand and Nedbank are not expected to suffer the same fate, and their shares have changed little compared with a 13 percent drop in Absa's shares since the warning.

"It seems to be an Absa-specific issue," said Patrice Rassou, head of equities at Sanlam Investment Management.The other three will definitely buck the trend and will have very strong growth."

Nigeria lose billions annually to foreign firms for pilot training

By Muhammad Sada

I

t has been revealed that routine training of pilots in Nigeria costs at least N2.5bn every year, according to some statistics from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, which is a regulatory body of the aviation sector in the country.

According to the NCAA,

CAPITAL MARKET

h e bulls continue with their impressive bargain activities as profitable transactions dominate in most trading days of the week while the key benchmark indicator, NSE ASI, closed above 22,000 psychological lines with market YTD performance currently standing at +6.66% Furthermore, the bears resurfaced to dominate market activities as ASI dips by -0.13% to open the first trading of the week negative while market resumed northwards movement in the second session to close upbeat by +0.55% amid slightly low market turnover while market sentiments remained weak due to continuous volatile sessions witnessed in recent sessions.

The bulls continue to dominate market activities in the third session as NSE ASI firms up by +1.11% due to intense bargain activities witnessed

Government to embark on the repair, there is no need for fear because we have done it before and at the time we did this, we all went through it. And today, we are better than where we were before" he said.

PAGE 35

across the main board. Market sustained the rally in the fourth session as market recorded +0.55% gains while the key benchmark indicator closed above 22,000 psychological lines.

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

Consequently, the key benchmark index inches up by +0.28% while market closed the week with aggregate gain of +2.37%.

Further analysis on acquiring banks since transaction date showed that the share price of Access Bank Plc has recorded +51.52% gains with FCMB recording -14.10% losses while Union Bank Plc leads the chart with +82.30% gain.

However, Sterling Bank Plc recorded -8.66% losses while ETI also closed negative with -10.45% loss recorded. See the tracking

"Pilots' simulator training, also called recertification training, is done once every six months by all pilots in Nigeria in accordance with the NCAA's regulation in order to ensure effective performance in the sector.

The development has been linked to negligence and failure of Nigerian businessmen to establish pilots' simulator

training centres in the country, a situation which will be of tremendous benefit to the sector as well as a great help in boosting the nation's economy.

According to an analysis, an airline with four aircrafts spends at least $450,000 on simulator training. This means that the airline spends $112,500 on pilot training for each aircraft. Earlier this year

it was noted that 74 airplanes flown by eight Nigerian airlines spend $8.3m (N1.25bn) every six month, and $16.7m (N2.5bn) every year.

The countries' businessmen have been notified that there are lots of investment opportunities in the aviation sector and that they should be willing and ready to explore them and bring out the best for the country.

All-Share Index records +2.37% gains in the week; sustains the rally table below However, the All-Share Index in the week under review moved up by +2.37% to close at 22,110.91 as against an upbeat by +0.96% recorded last week to close at 21,599.57.

In the same vein, the market capitalization in the week appreciated by N163.24 billion (US$1.08 billion) to close at N7.05 trillion (US$47.04 billion) as against appreciation by N65.37 billion (US$435.84 million) recorded last week to close at N6.89 trillion (US$ 45.95billion).

The total volume traded in the week closed at 1.00 billion units valued at N8.50 billion (US$56.68 million) compared with 5.38 billion units valued at N22.46 billion (US$149.73 million) exchanged in 17,019 deals last week. The volume

transaction in the week when compared with the previous week data moved down by -81.29% as against upwards movement by +482.31% recorded last week.

Weekly value also went down by -62.14% as against positive position of +256.88% recorded last week.

The volume traded in the top ten most traded stocks for the week represented 61.08% of the entire market volume transactions and their total value accounted for 49.70% of the market value.

Financial Services sector emerged the most traded sector in the week in terms of volume.

The volume traded in the sector this week alone closed at 695.29 million units, valued at N4.39billion and exchanged in 10,821 deals compared with 4.89 million units, valued at

N18.91billion and exchanged in 9,509 deals in the preceding week. The volume traded in the sector accounted for 69.06% of the entire market compared with 91.00% of the ratio recorded last week.

First Bank Plc led the market volume for the week to displace Union Bank Plc as top traded stock on the transaction volume chart last week.

The sector's volume transaction was mainly boosted by trading in the shares of the companies in the top-ten category.

Consumer Goods sector followed with 76.92 million units valued at N2.97 million and exchanged in 3,398 deals compared with 58.11 million units, valued at N2.19 billion and exchanged in 3,028 recorded in the sector last week.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY JULY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

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Political class and soothsayers Re: Sovereign wealth fund

T

h e r e is this joke in the cyberspace about Nigerians who had the privilege to attend school. The joke illustrates how the academically poor while in school, maneouver affairs to control their best brains counterpart of the society. According to the joke: “Most first class” students get technical jobs, becoming doctors and engineers, etc.; the second class become administrators and control the first class; the ‘third class’ students barely pass, join politics and become ministers and legislators and control both. Last, and least, the failures, fail, join the underworld, and control all the above.”

Practically, jokes are intended to make people laugh but, this particular one seems to express certain facts that are abysmal to the personality of the educated elite who are made to dance to the tune of the almost-not-educated fellows.

In our republic, most of those who become engineers, medical doctors, journalists and architects are those who were top in academics. This is so because, to practice a profession that requires skills, one must be very good. It is the good ones that end in the field exhibiting the skills acquired from school.

Their second class counterparts are rather not too good as the first class students and cannot cope with the challenges in the field. In order to find their feet easily in life, they take up administrative jobs and become in charge of their first class contemporaries. They mastermind their activities, postings, promotions and formulating salary structure. They could arbitrarily decide to defer their promotion even when it is due.

Every government agency is

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Email: letters@peoplesdaily-online.com

controlled by a ministry at both federal and state levels. The local councils refer to theirs as departments usually headed by directors and supervisory councillors who are political appointees. They can issue queries to them when they are found faulty and could set up investigative panels of enquiry to ascertain their culpability. They could terminate their appointment, demote or penalize them in other ways. He who exerts such enormous powers cannot be said to be inferior or subordinate to the one on whom the powers are exerted. Yet, considering their respective academic grades, ability and performance while in school, these administrators were those who lagged behind and could not learn as fast as others.

Next in sequence are the political icons who are the occupants of elective political position at all levels. They are those that belong to the “Third class” category and who graduated with an ordinary pass grade. They are lower in rank academically to their first class and second class counterparts. Besides their poor ability, their grade could secure them neither a professional nor administrative job because they lack the mental wherewithal. They

plunge into active politics and contest elective offices on party platforms. Since the law requires only little from political aspirants, the entire system has become all comers’ affair, including dropouts. Thus, everybody wants to become president, governor, or legislator.

Again, our political scene is so dirty and fetish that the intellectual elite are scared of mudslinging. So the floor is left for the not-very-cooked members of the academic class to contest elective positions. After all, they are not very educated that the intellectual conscience may haunt them.

They become governors, legislators and council chairman and even president and influence the activities of both the technical employees and the administrators who had better grades. Thus, the first class and the second class begin dancing to the tune of the third class. The whole arrangement becomes upside down. The topmost becomes the lowest and vice versa.

The last on the list are those that failed to pass. They could not secure any academic certificate because their performance was below the requirement for issuance of certificate. They may however be issued

certificate of attendance which is almost useless. To earn a living like the academically good, they join the underworld to exhibit under hand tactics to double cross men. Now the underworld is an embodiment of variety of men.

There are those who use talisman as office tool; there are the palmist; the conjurers, the fortune tellers, the soothsayers, the seers and the priests to shrines and oracles. They all have one thing in common and that is the fact that they claim to be able to tell what will happen in the future, they use such talisman as cowries, white sand, folded beads and the study of the palm to foretell the future. Their gloomy prognostication often become a reality, a feat that boosts people’s confidence in them. They are so skilled in cajolery that they decide for and influence the actions of those who patronize them. And their main clients are political class.

The soothsayer decides for the president, governor or legislator; not even the godfathers have such influence. It is not every word of a godfather that is a command but every word of a soothsayer is a command. This is why soothsayers live in luxury.

It is amazing that people still believe in the purported protection power of men of the underworld. Has the God that protects them while in the womb and as toddlers become obsolete and powerless that He could not protect them any longer? Has that mightiest God gone oblivion that the protection of men of the underworld is now sought?

Faith Okpanachi wrote from Federal Poly, Bida, Niger state.

Re: Has Ode fallen out of favour?

O

n the 1st of June 2012, The Nation newspaper put up a publication with the above caption with the aim of tarnishing the political image of Hon. Sam Ode and sending a wrong signal to the general public.

A particular statement made in the write up reads as follows; ‘It was alleged that his removal had the backing of some of the biggest political players in his home state, Benue, the same powerful politicians that allegedly contributed to his rise. In fact, some sources claimed

that some of such politicians, who may be linked with the intrigues leading to his removal, included the Senate President, David Mark, and Governor Gabriel Suswam’.

May I use this medium to categorically tell the writer that Hon. Sam Ode was never removed from office as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; he meritoriously served his nation and left office at the expiration of the tenure of office.

Hon. Sam Ode has never had any issues

with The Senate President, David Mark or governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, he has committed his time recently to support the purposeful efforts of the duo to transform Benue State, he continues to enjoy a robust relationship with the two as he fondly regards them both as father and elder brother respectively, whether in or outside politics.

The intention of the writer is not surprising, it is a politically inspired write up by some politicians to tarnish the political image of Hon. Sam Ode towards the buildup

of 2015 general elections , however, Sam Ode has not indicated interest to contest any office in 2015, he has remained committed and resolute to adding value to the transformation put in place by the high performing PDP government in Benue State and that of President Goodluck Jonathan (GCFR) , it is therefore malicious and wicked for the writer to make such statements in disguise of a question.

Mr. Dike James Chigbue is the Special Assistant to Hon. Sam Ode.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 37

Opinion

Yakowa and the quest for peace in Kaduna

set up the 70-man Peace and Reconciliation Committee.

The committee, which has well respected sons of the state as members have visited all the 23 local government areas, canvassing for peaceful coexistence of all citizens and residents. The decision to form the committee was in view of Governor Yakowa's determination to reconcile with the people of the state as enjoined by God and also to secure development for our state. Even though

Yakowa is of the belief that security is a business of all, he has not stopped appealing to religious and traditional leaders to make more concerted efforts at ensuring peace.

There is no doubt that Kaduna state has passed through hard times and is still passing through challenging times, basically because of man's inhumanity to man, that has created the avoidable circumstances we are in, but the fact remains that despite this, Governor Yakowa has continued to insist that there is no alternative to peace and this explains why the government has said several times that it is aware of the role peace and security play in the development of any society and has therefore invested heavily on security. The government has also involved traditional rulers in the peace process in the state. At one of such meetings with the traditional rulers on the security challenges facing Kaduna, Yakowa noted that, "we are all aware that peace and security form the bedrock for the development of any society.

Therefore, whenever and wherever peace and security are challenged, development is automatically compromised. We have of recent been facing challenges on peace and security occasioned by some misguided individuals who try but to no avail, to destabilize the polity. We are grateful to God for His continuous protection. We are equally grateful to the security agencies as well, you, members of the traditional institution and religious leaders in the

state for your untiring efforts to overcome evil with good. I am glad to note that from the reports I am getting, the work of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee is progressing fine. I hope that at the end, we shall put behind us all those negative things that help to divide us and focus squarely on the positive things that unite us."

Governor Yakowa has also taken his belief in the restoration of peace in the state to the global level and was at a recent investment summit in the United States of America to woo investors to the state and let them know of what the state government is doing in the area of security. He told the audience comprising both foreign and local investors that Kaduna is safe for investment because of government's investment in security. According to him, "my administration has been doing a lot of things to make the state very safe for both the natives and foreigners. We are also doing everything to ensure that terrorists do not have any place to stay or hide in Kaduna state. With all these steps and support from the Federal Government and our security agencies, Kaduna state will soon overcome its security challenges. Security challenges are everywhere and every state knows how it manages its own security problems".

The fear of a reprisal attack from the Suswam's army forced our brothers from the other side to enlist the support of Benue people in the Diasporas including this columnist and some outsiders who were desperate about extending their political fortunes to north central Nigeria to join forces with them. All to achieve nothing but according to them to throw the little boy (Suswam) away. In trying to achieve this selfishly conceived agenda some Governors of the southwest who were eager for Nigerians to know them visited Benue State and promised to use their state resources to also throw the little boy away.

During their visit they forgot that only bona fide voters in Benue will be allowed to cast their ballot during the elections.

My good friend, Senator Daniel Saror's only weapon was a huge joke in a certificate scandal which his spin doctors sold to him that Suswam was not qualified to contest any governorship election in Nigeria. Just as the people were not bothered Governor Gabriel Suswam too did not care to spend his useful energies defending a fabrication that only exist in the imaginations of his traducers. I must give some kudos to his spokesman, Dr. Cletus Akwaya who never thought it wise to deceive his patron by attempting to coronate blackmail and unnecessary wasting of scarce resources.

It is more ridiculous to say that the distance between WAEC office, Yaba and then Unilag was too far for the authorities of the University to confirm young Gabriel Suswam's papers if he ever forged his papers to gain admission.

Certain silent truth lie within the strings of lies about Suswam's forged WAEC certificate, the young man if he was so clever to neatly forge a certificate could have passed all his papers with distinction defiling their ill reasoned logic.

When the Independent National Electoral

Commission declared Governor Gabriel Suswam as the winner of the 2011 Governorship elections those who claimed to have won elections only in Gboko, Buruku and Tarka immediately and openly rejected the results. I was shocked to my bone marrows that a man barely known to the people thought he could defeat a fellow who has endeared himself to the hearts of Benue sons and daughters both at home and abroad. Let me remind them that Barack Obama before becoming the President of the United States of America had co-habituated amongst the Americans since he was born, schooled in America, served as a community worker, voted into the Senate and had made useful impacts in and outside his community.

Our brother, Professor Steve Ugbah who proud himself as a democrat from the most civilised clime in the world failed to justify his trainings abroad unlike Mc Cain who immediately congratulated President Barack Obama. Ugbah went to court on the instruction of his paymasters and the experience of some south west Governors in the hands of the depose President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami to throw away Chief Executive Officers. Instead of approaching the court with substances, my dear compatriot Ugbah was demanding the impossible that people in 20 local government areas where he lost woefully were not Nigerian enough to determine his fate of becoming the governor of Benue State and hence should be disqualified. Senator Saror also joined in the shedding of crocodile tears that his allegation that Suswam forged a certificate should be considered for him to be crowned by the judiciary as a Governor in a contest he only participated through the newspapers.

My layman understanding of a court in Nigeria is not to do injustice to people but to

strengthen the cause of justice for peace to reign in the society. These gladiators refused to understand that no court in Nigeria will rob the masses of this country in a bid to satisfy the unguided utterances of self serving leaders.

They were not aware despite their sophisticated academic qualifications that 24 hours make one day and one hundred and eighty of such remains the constitutionally allowed period to determine cases pertaining to a presidential election. Our compatriots wanted to make a fool of the Nigerian judiciary by insisting that the apex court reverses itself in a clear constitution matter because they and not the public interest was involved.

In all their attempts to bring Suswam down, he was over promoted against their age and political records while in office as failures that were angry at Suswam's skyrocketing credentials. It is on record that he won awards that they never dreamt could come to Benue. The recent Supreme Court's judgement in favour of Governor Gabriel Suswam has turned the people's Governor to a super general having defeated his enemies who deplored the worst form of blackmail to challenge his hard earned academic credentials.

They desecrated every moral appeal to leave the court to support Suswam with their little intellectual contributions as they so much claimed.

One great lesson even if they fail to appologise to the sensibility of Benue people is that they have used their own hands to show the world their lack of purpose, their paper weight political strength and visionless political sojourn between 2007 till date.

By: Reuben Buhari

O

n assumption of office as the Executive Governor of Kaduna state, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa made it clear to all and sundry that his major preoccupation was the peace and security of the people of the state. To the Governor, there is nothing as good as having a peaceful and secured state for the full enthronement of the required socio-economic development of the state.

However, before assuming office, there was apprehension from the Muslim community in the state that Yakowa would not be fair to them. But he has been able to prove such people wrong with his style of administration while equally remaining fair and just to Christians.

Also, on assumption of office and during his campaign, the Governor promised to "use my little experience to ensure that the foundation of peace which my predecessors and I laid is sustained. We shall make peace and justice our primary goal. I promise that we shall do all that is within our powers to ensure that no citizen is threatened by fear. The only fear we can contemplate is fear of failure. I will be resolute in pursuing all that will unite our people. We shall pursue with vigour those areas that we can deliver on in the period of time that God has given to us."

The post election violence in the state was no doubt a big blow to the development of the state and Governor Yakowa, aware of the importance of peace to the development process of the state,

Kaduna state Governor Yakowa

Buhari is Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Governor of Kaduna state.

A political general of the new order

By Philip Agbese

A

look at the self styled people's Governor of Benue State with a face always beaming with smiles will never reveal to anyone that behind that soft mien lies a determined Spartan who never gives up in pursuing a just struggle for his people. The business of governance either in a democracy or in a military rule inarguably is a battlefield where forces naturally rise up either within the system or outside to confront ideas that are meant to impact positively on the lives of the citizenry.

Learning from the Benue State example in this era where many of us have been privileged to watch activities from the sideline since 2007, it has become crystal clear that a silent war has been brewing between those who believe in the future of the state and those who think their words should be a command even in a democracy. The people's Governor, Rt. Hon Gabriel Suswam by virtue of his determination to rescue his people from the shackles of squalor, hunger, poverty, ignorance and sickness doubles as the people's General without a khaki while some past failed leaders who misused very rare golden privileges teamed up on the other side.

Unfortunately, the first primary point of politicking known to the Nigerian constitution which is the party saw their ratings as a mere joke and never took them seriously. This was the same platform where they held sway for years and could not provide any visible leadership until the coming of Governor Gabriel Suswam as leader of the People's Democratic Party in Benue State who brought the elders together at various caucuses and fully institutionalized the principle of internal democracy in order to enforce discipline and promote peace and unity within the party.

Comrade Philip Agbese, the President-General, Benue Youths in Diaspora Association contributed this article from Abuja.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7— SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 38

International

South Africa opens Kolomela mine K

olomela Mine, near Postmasburg, South Africa, was opened by Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu.

Northern Cape government officials attended the launch, as did Anglo American CEO Cynthia Carroll, and members of Kumba's board.

Customers from China, Korea, Japan, India, and Austria, and Kumba's contractors and partners were also present.

The ceremony marked an important milestone for Kumba and Anglo American, said Kumba CEO Chris Griffith.

"This project has had an excellent track record since inception," he said.

The mine development had been completed within budget.

It had an excellent safety record, with 26 million lost-time injury-free hours.

In addition, it had begun dispatching iron ore to the port of Saldanha five months ahead of schedule.

Throughout the project, 15,000 people had worked on Kolomela, in one of the poorest provinces of the country.

At full production, the mine would employ 840 permanent staff and 150 contractors.

More than 90 percent of them

would come from the Northern Cape.

"Kolomela mine is one of the three big projects delivered by Anglo American on or ahead of schedule in 2011," said Anglo American CEO Cynthia Carroll.

Barro Alto and Los Bronces were the other two projects.

"This excellent performance will contribute significant new volumes of iron ore, copper, and nickel to Anglo American's portfolio as the new operations continue to ramp up throughout 2012."

Kolomela was on track to produce between four and five million tons of ore this year, said Kumba.

It would ramp up to its full nine million tons in 2013.

The mine's delivery was in line with Kumba's growth strategy of increasing the South African production to 70 million tons per annum by 2019.

A 36km rail link has already been constructed by Transnet to link the mine with the Sishen-Saldanha Iron Ore Export Channel.

"This was a true collaborative effort between the project and operations teams, and a number of external contractors, particularly Transnet Freight Rail, who pulled together to deliver, showing dedication, commitment and enthusiasm," said Griffith.

Kumba Iron Ore officially opened a new mine in the Northern Cape on Friday, the company said.

Zimbabwe court jailed on Thursday, a former senior police officer for 18 years for beating to death a diamond miner in 2008, the first conviction related to alleged abuses at the mines.

The High Court found Joseph Chani, 51, a former police chief superintendent, guilty of murdering the illegal

diamond panner in Zimbabwe's Marange fields and the assault of three others.

Prosecutors said Chani, who retired from the police force during his trial, beat Tsorotsai Kusena, 37, with clubs, leading to his death.

Judge Hlekani Mwayera said the police officer would also serve three years concurrently

for the assault of the three other panners.

Junior police officers and soldiers who guard the fields gave evidence during the trial about how Chani had assaulted the small-scale miners.

The Marange fields have been at the centre of a yearslong controversy over alleged abuses by President Robert

Rites of passage Zimbabwe’s former senior police officer jailed to adulthood in Sesotho culture A T Three year-old Robin Siyandleya sits on his mother Rujeko's lap while Prosper Bindiko cuts his hair at the Woodlane informal settlement in Pretoria. The hair salon makes use of solar panels which are connected to a car battery, and this is connected to electric razors. This informal business, owned

by Cardwell Bindiko, is possibly Pretoria's first "green" hair salon.

here are elaborate rites of initiation for both boys and girls in the Sotho tradition.

According to EveryCulture.com, for boys, the initiation involves a stay of seclusion where they are circumcised and taught things such as how they should behave in marriage, special initiation traditions, code words and signs, and praise songs. The end of initiation is marked by a community festival.

The initiation for girls is called bale, and also involves seclusion. However, while the boys' seclusion takes place in a secluded area away from the village, the girls' ritual huts are usually closer to it.

The initiates smear their bodies with a chalky white substance during the initiation. They are sometimes seen in groups close to the homes of family members, where they sing, dance, and ask for presents.

No surgical procedures are involved in the initiation rites of girls.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7— SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 39

International

Protesters ‘attacked’ by police in Sudan P olice in Sudan have "attacked" demonstrators with tear gas and rubber bullets, according to a rights group.

The protesters were leaving mosques for weekly Friday anti-regime regime protests that were ignited three weeks ago by rising inflation in the nation, when a witness said volleys of teargas were fired at them.

Security presence in neighbourhoods around Khartoum's centre has grown heavier in recent weeks.

"Still large numbers of police forces are surrounding the central mosques," said an official of the Organisation for Defence of Rights and Freedoms, representing political, media, trade union and other activists promoting human rights.

"It seems rubber bullets and tear gas were used," he said, adding that information was still preliminary.

The official with the rights

group said there had been arrests.

One of the mosques targeted

was that of the opposition Umma party in Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman, said

the official, asking not to be named.

"They had barely begun

Protests against high food prices began on June 16 at the University of Khartoum [Al Jazeera]

chanting for a minute. From the moment they left the mosque, the police fired teargas," one witness said.

"They have now escaped inside and the police are surrounding the mosque's courtyard."

At the Sayyid Ali mosque in the Khartoum suburb of Bahri, protesters were also forced back inside after police fired teargas as soon as they left to demonstrate.

Police spokesman As-Sir Ahmed Omar said there had been a "limited protest which police contained without any losses".

Friday's demonstrations came two days after mainstream opposition political parties united ranks and officially announced the start of a peaceful campaign to overthrow the 23-year-old government of Omar al-Bashir.

The parties signed a political charter on Wednesday, which would govern an interim period in a post-Bashir Sudan.

Syrian general close to Assad defects ‘Friends of Syria’ gather

A

Syrian general and personal friend of President Bashar al-Assad, who was apparently sidelined an year ago, has defected and fled Syria.

Opposition activists have told Al Jazeera that Manaf Tlas, a brigade

commander in Assad's Republican Guard, has left the country and will soon announce that he abandoned Assad because of anger over civilian deaths during the 16-month uprising.

French Foreign Minister

Manaf Tlas, son of former defence minister, attended military college with Assad [syrianhistory.com/Al Jazeera]

Laurent Fabius confirmed yesterday that Tlas, who attended military college with the 46-year-old Assad, had defected and was bound for Paris.

Tlas is the son of Mustafa Tlas, who served as defence minister for 30 years under former president Hafez al-Assad and briefly under his son, the current president.

A witness in Damascus said by telephone that Tlas' house in Damascus was ransacked on Thursday by security agents after these reports.

Riad al-Asaad, the commander with the Free Syrian Army, told Al Jazeera from Turkey: "Our people picked [Tlas] up from the borders with Syria". Asaad said on Thursday that he had not yet met with Tlas.

Ankara did not immediately confirm the reports. Syriasteps, a news website close to Assad's security services, quoted a Syrian official as saying Tlas was in Turkey.

to pressure Assad

T

he United States and its European partners are threatening new sanctions on Syrian President Bashar alAssad's government, but the fractured and frustrated Syrian opposition is seeking military action instead.

About 100 delegations are meeting in Paris yesterday at the "Friends of Syria" conference aimed at bolstering the Syrian resistance and pressing Syria's allies to discuss transition strategies after 16 months of violence.

Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, said on Friday she wanted a UN resolution on a transition in Syria backed by sanctions.

"We should go back and ask for a resolution in the Security Council that imposes real and

immediate consequences for non-compliance, including sanctions under Chapter 7," which covers economic measures to military force, she said.

Chapter 7 of the UN Charter allows for sanctions ranging from economic measures to an arms embargo, and, if necessary, military force. The measure was last used against Libya in 2011.

In the opening statement, Francois Hollande, the French president, said: "Our meeting must set itself a goal to encourage the UN Security Council to take a responsibility to draw a plan to come out of the crisis."

Members of Syria's opposition, however, said the international community is still moving too slowly and called for a military measure to end the crisis.

Ex-Argentina ruler guilty of China thwarts major child-trafficking rings hinese police have arrested abducted, but some are sold by for a baby or do not want a baby 802 people on suspicion of families who are too poor to care girl. stealing babies child trafficking and

J

orge Videla, the former military leader of Argentina, has been sentenced to 50 years for systematically stealing the babies of prisoners.

Videla, 86, was found guilty recently of kidnapping hundreds of babies from leftist activists detained and killed between 1976-1983.

"We have presented evidence showing that the kidnappers plotted to steal the children born to women in captivity," Estela de Carlotto, president of the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, told the AFP news agency.

The rights group has fought in

court since 1996, demanding restitution for the children stolen while their mothers were held in clandestine detention.

The group says about 500 children were kidnapped and then raised as their own by families close to the regime.

The case, which Al Jazeera's Teresa Bo, reporting from Buenos Aires, says shocked Argentine society, also included doctors accused of involvement in the kidnappings.

Bo said that the defence's request that Videla be allowed to serve his sentence under house arrest, due to his advanced age, was denied

C

rescued 181 children in a major operation spanning 15 provinces, the Chinese Ministry of Public Security has said.

The recent operation broke up two trafficking rings and led to the arrests of the ring leaders, the ministry said in a statement posted yesterday on its website.

Child trafficking is a big problem in China. Its strict onechild policy which limits most urban couples to one child and rural couples to two, if their firstborn is a girl, has driven a thriving market in babies, especially boys.

Many trafficked babies are

China has a strict policy which limits most urban couples to one child and rural couples to two [Reuters]

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Wellness Zone

Phyllis Ogo Ogah phyllisogoogah@gmail.com +234 80 58425746 (sms) only

101 "Everyday" tips for losing 10 pounds (2) 1

1 . Go crazy on vegetables.

Vegetables are your best bet when it comes to losing pounds. Nature has a terrific spread when it comes to choosing vegetables. And the leafy green vegetables are your best bet. Try to include a salad in your diet always.

12 Eat intelligently. The difference between man and beast is that we are driven by intelligence while beasts are driven by instinct. Don't just eat something because you feel like eating it. Ask yourself whether your body really needs it.

13. Watch what you eat. Keep a watchful eye on everything that goes in. Sometimes the garnishes can richer than the food itself. Accompaniments too can be very rich. Remember that it is the easiest thing in the world to eat something without realizing that it was something that you should not have eaten.

Selective memory you know…

14. Control that sweet tooth.

Remember that sweet things generally mean more calories. It is natural that we have cravings for sweet things especially chocolates and other confectionary. Go easy on these things and each time you consume something sweet understand that it is going to add on somewhere.

15. Fix times to have meals

and stick to it. Try to have food at fixed times of the day. You can stretch these times by half an hour, but anything more than that is going to affect your eating pattern, the result will either be a loss of appetite or that famished feeling which will make you stuff yourself with more than what is required the next time you eat.

16. Eat only when you are hungry. Some of us have the tendency to eat whenever we see food. We use parties as an excuse to stuff our selves. Understand that the effect of a whole week of dieting can be wasted by just one day's party food. Whenever you are offered something to eat do not decline it completely bit just break of a nibble so that you appear to mind your manners and at the same time can watch your diet 17. Quit snacking in between meals. Do not fall for snacks in between meals. This is especially true for those who have to travel a lot. They feel that the only time they can get a bite to eat is snacks and junk food. The main problem with most snacks and junk food is that they are usually less filling and contain a lot of fat and calories. Just think about French fries…tempting but terribly fattening.

18. Snack on vegetables if you must. You might get the pangs of hunger in between meals. It is

Vegetables are a wonderful way to snack

something that you can very well control. Or even better, try munching on carrots. They are an excellent way to satisfy those hungry pangs and are good for your eyes and teeth. True, you might end up being called Bugs Bunny, but its miles better to be called Bugs Bunny than fatso. vegetables are a wonderful way to snack

19. Go easy on tea and coffee.

Tea and coffee are harmless by themselves. It's when you add the cream and sugar that they become fattening. Did you know that having a cup of tea or coffee that has cream and at least two cubes of sugar is as bad as having a big piece of rich chocolate cake?

20. Try to stick to black tea/ coffee. Black tea or coffee can actually be good for you. But personally I would like to recommend green tea rather than coffee. The caffeine in the coffee is not really good for you because it is an alkaloid and can affect other functions of your body like the metabolism. Or you take decaffeinated version.

21. Count the calories as you eat. It's a good idea to have an idea of the calories that most food items have. If it is a packed thing then the label is sure to have the calories that the substance has.

22. Be sure to burn out those extra calories by the end of the week. If you feel that you have consumed more calories than you should have during the week, it happens you know, and then make sure that you work off those extra calories by the end of the

week.

23. Stay away from fried things. Fried things are an absolute no-no. The more fried things that you avoid, the lesser weight you will gain. Fried things are called so because they are fried in oil or fat. And even if the external oil is drained away, there is still a lot of hidden oil in it so stay away from it.

24. Do not skip meals. The worst thing you can do while watching you diet is skip a meal.

It has just the opposite effect of what you want. You need to have at least four regular meals every day.

25. Fresh vegetables are better than cooked or canned vegetables. Try to eat your vegetables raw. When you cook them, you are in fact taking away nearly half the vitamins in them. And canned vegetables too are processed and are not nearly half as good as fresh vegetables. When you buy your vegetables it would be a good thing to see if the label says that it is pesticide free. cakes and sweets should be consumed sparingly when trying to maintain a healthy weight

HEALTH TIP FOR THE WEEK

Cakes and sweets should be consumed sparingly to maintain healthy weight

Research shows grapes contain resveratrol, which promotes heart health by fighting inflammation, supporting healthy cholesterol levels and making blood less prone to clot.

Keep moving!

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 7— SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 41

Weekend

Federation Cup: Enyimba, Wolves Clash in Bauchi

The Enyimba

By Albert Akota

L

ast year's runners-up Enyimba FC of Aba will tango with Warri Wolves and Lobi Stars of Makurdi in what appears the pick of the group phase following yesterday's 2012 Federation Cup Draw in Abuja.

The three Nigeria Premier League clubs will do battle in Group a at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, alongside the only non-League side remaining in the campaign, Samba FC of Enugu.

At a colourful event inside the Ekiti Hall of NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, Cup holders Heartland FC of Owerri also found out they will trade tackles with three northern Nigerian teams - Premier League's Gombe United and Plateau United as well as secondtier National League's Nasarawa United FC. These Group D matches will come up in Port Harcourt.

In Group B, which venue is the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Kwara United FC of Ilorin and Pillars of Kano will contend with Crown FC of Ogbomosho and El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri.

Confluence Stadium, Lokoja will host Group C matches that will involve Enugu Rangers, Sharks FC of

Port Harcourt, Prime FC of Oshogbo and Dynamite Force of Edo, a Nationwide League club.

NFF's Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who conducted the Draw, also explained that the group stage will hold between 16th - 20th July, with the quarter finals to pitch the winner of Group A against runner-up of Group C and winner of Group B against runner-up of Group D. Also, the winner of Group C will welcome the runner-up of Group A and the winner of Group D will entertain the runner-up of Group B. Already, the Nigeria Football Federation has picked the

U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar and the Ilorin Township Stadium to host the semi final matches.

FIFA Instructors Brendon Menton and Jacques Malie, who are in town for the on-going FIFA WIAWA Administration and Management Course, picked the seeded teams' centres. NFF Executive Committee members, Dr. Shehu Adamu and Alhaji Ahmad Muazu Kawu were also part of the occasion, as well as a couple of State FA chairmen and NFF Management.

The grand finale will come on stream at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos in August.

Kwara finalise plans to host AYC qualifier

K

wara State government officials have met with the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) over staging a 2013 AYC qualifier next month.

Ilorin is poised to host the Flying Eagles qualifier for next year's African Youth Championship against Tanzania on August 11.

"We have met with the Kwara government officials to finalise on plans to host the return leg match against Tanzania in August," disclosed NFF technical

department director, Emmanuel Ikpeme.

The Nigeria U20 team will take on their Tanzanian counterparts in a first leg clash on July 28 with the return leg a fortnight later.

The Kwara State government were one of several state governments who have expressed willingness to host the African champions.

Other states who want to host the Flying Eagles are Gombe and Imo States

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 42

We are not scare of Esperance, says Oboabona S

unshine Stars skipper Godfrey Oboabona has said they are not scared of champions Esperance ahead of Sunday's CAF Champions League clash.

It will be the classic baptism of fire for the Nigerian club as they open their campaign in Group A of this year's competition at home against the Tunisian giants.

The Akure club, who reached the semifinals of last year's CAF Confederation Cup, are the only Nigerian club still in the reckoning for international glory following the ouster of Dolphin (Champions League) as well as Heartland and Warri Wolves (Confederation Cup).

Oboabona, who has established himself at right full back in the Nigeria Super Eagles under coach Stephen Keshi, admitted the pressure on the team to do well in the annual competition.

"The pressure is normal, there is a little bit of pressure to perform and do well in the competition. We have spoken to ourselves and have accepted this responsibility," he said.

Oboabona and other Sunshine players celebrating Sunshine shift Benin base

Eguavoen happy with AFCON draw

F

ormer Nigeria manager, Austin Eguavoen has said it is advantageous that the Super Eagles are drawn against Liberia's Lone Star in the final round of the 2013 Afcon qualification.

CAF on Thursday in Johannesburg, South Africa conducted the draw for the biennial football fiesta holding in South Africa next January.

Nigeria's Super Eagles will travel to Monrovia on the weekend of September 7 and 9 to face the Lone Star of Liberia, while the reverse fixture holds in the weekend of October 12 and 14.

Eguavoen said that Nigeria will only have themselves to blame if they do not book a place at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

"In football there are no minnows, our boys are hungry having missed out from the last edition in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

"I'm happy we are drawn against Liberia," the Enyimba head coach said.

Eguavoen happy with AFCON draw

T

he Indomitable Lions were drawn alongside Cape Verde for the final round of Afcon 2013 qualifiers.

Lying nineteenth on FIFA's log of African countries, the adversary of Denis Lavagne's men has been considered the lightweight of the second group, which comprised amongst others Senegal, DR Congo and Libya.

Cameroon will have the slight advantage of hosting the return leg, as they attempt to validate their ticket to South Africa in front of their public.

But for newly selected Indomitable Lion Ambroise Oyongo Bitolo, it is not yet time to celebrate as there are still two matches between them and a possible qualification.

"For the next round, Cape Verde seems like easy prey on paper. But football has

Mild draw for Cameroon Samuel Eto'o and Eyong Enoh back for the Lions?

become unpredictable; there are no more easy targets.

"It is true that Cameroon have often taken it a bit too easily when they have not had much to fear in their opponent of the day.

But as you know, against big teams, the small nations always feel a burst of pride and want to win the match at all costs," warned the Coton Sport player.

Cameroon might also be able to count on their captain, Samuel Eto'o, as well as some of their big-name players like Jean II Makoun, Benoît Angbwa or Benoît AssouEkotto, who have all missed call-up for a long time now.

Ghana favourites against Malawi- FA boss

T

Liberia

he Black Stars have an easier task against Malawi in the 2013 Nations Cup qualifiers Ghana Football Association President Kwesi Nyantakyi believes the Black Stars wealth of experience can help dispatch Malawi.

The four-time African champions were paired with the Flames at Thursday's draw in Johannesburg in the final 2013

Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Ghana will host Kinnah Phiri's side for the first leg on September 9 before travelling to Blantyre for the return leg on October 13.

Malawi, two-time finalists, advanced to the last qualifying round by beating Chad 4-3 on aggregate.

Ghana finished fourth at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 7— SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Transfer

The season is over. Clubs are counting their blessing as well as losses and would like to make amends and even beef up their squads where noticeable lapses exist. And the transfer market is agog barely 24 hours after major European leagues dropped the curtain.

And so to keep abreast with latest rumours, we begin weekly doses of movements within the market both for players and coaches like.

Oshaniwa tips Super Eagles

J

uwon Oshaniwa has the strong belief that the Super Eagles will overcome Liberia's Lone Star over two legs of the 2013 Afcon qualification final round.

The Sharks' defender also said he and his national team colleagues do not have any excuse missing out of next year's Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Though Oshaniwa believes that the Super Eagles have the psychological edge over Liberia having won 2-0 in a friendly earlier this year in Monrovia, he refuses to tag the Lone Star as minnows.

"Yes we were able to defeat them early this year but our win didn't portray them as a bad side. Honestly they are a good side too and in world of football today, there are no weak teams anymore, " he said.

Chelsea set to seal Moses deal his weekend Chelsea is expected to

T

complete a £10 million signing of Nigeria international Victor Moses, according to media reports.

The Blues had a bid rejected by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan earlier this week but boss Roberto Di Matteo wants to push through a deal as soon as possible.

The London Evening Standard claims Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo wants to push through a deal to land the Wigan winger and the club are now expected to offer £7 million with add-ons, which include midfielder Josh McEachran, that will take the figure to £10 million.

PAGE 43

Brazil name strong Olympic squad

S

antos' Neymar has nine goals in 18 games for the senior team, while AC Milan's Pato and Porto's Hulk have also impressed for the full side.

Hulk is one of three over-aged players along with defenders Marcelo (Real Madrid) and Thiago Silva (AC Milan).

Coach Mano Menezes has also picked Manchester United defender Rafael and Tottenham midfielder Sandro.

Hulk, 25, has scored three goals for the senior side since making his full

debut in 2009 and the coach said he hoped the Porto player's experience would help his side.

Menezes has also selected several promising young stars such as Santos midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso, striker Leandro Damiao and midfielder Oscar (both Internacional) and Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas, all of whom have senior caps to their name.

Brazil, who is aiming to win their first Olympic football title, have been drawn in Group C along with Egypt, Belarus and New Zealand.

Goalkeepers: Rafael Cabral (Santos), Neto (Fiorentina) Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Rafael (Manchester United), Danilo (Porto), Alex Sandro (Porto), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Juan (Inter Milan), Bruno Uvini (Sao Paulo) Midfielders: Romulo (Vasco da Gama), Ganso (Santos), Oscar (Internacional), Sandro (Tottenham Hotspur), Lucas (Sao Paulo) Forwards: Neymar (Santos), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Leandro Damiao (Internacional), Hulk (Porto).

Brazil has included forwards Hulk, Neymar and Alexandre Pato in a strong squad for this summer's Olympic Games.

Gyan leaves Sunderland for Al-Ain

T

Asamoah Gyan has left Sunderland to sign for United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain on a permanent deal.

he striker had been on loan at AlAin since September 2011 and will remain after the two clubs agreed terms.

Gyan scored 11 goals in 37 appearances for the Black Cats after joining from Rennes in a club-record £13m deal in August 2010.

The fee is undisclosed but Sunderland are believed to have recouped almost all of their outlay on the striker.

Al-Ain paid £6m for Gyan's initial loan spell, and Sunderland are thought to have received a similar amount for the permanent transfer.

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill revealed in April that the 26-year-old did not want to return to Wearside.

Gyan enjoyed a successful loan period at Al-Ain, scoring 19 goals to finish topscorer as his club won the league championship.

When Gyan left Sunderland for the UAE in September, the club's thenmanager Steve Bruce claimed "parasites" turned the player's head after his goal in the 1-1 draw with England at Wembley in March 2011.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 44

PICTORIAL

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole could be set for a sensational departure, as ESPN can reveal that there are no current talks on-going to renew his contract that has just one year to run.

Kolo Toure has spoken highly of his former Arsenal team-mate Robin van Persie and believes he would be a huge asset to Manchester City

Roger Federer beats Novak Djokovic in four sets to reach his eighth Wimbledon final, before Andy Murray faces JoWilfried Tsonga.

Frank Lampard's “ghost” goal at the 2010 World Cup was key to goal-line technology introduction, says Sepp Blatter.

Former Olympic champion Michael Johnson believes Usain Bolt has the potential to run the 100m in 9.4 seconds

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 45

Rules of Badminton

Complied by Augustine Aminu

B

adminton is played on a rectangular court which is divided in two halves by a net. The net should be 5 feet high

in the centre and 5 feet 1 inch at the posts.

The full court dimensions are 44 feet long and 20 feet wide. The area of the court used for singles is different to the area used by doubles.

Singles Court:Serving: The side tramlines are out, the rear tramlines are in.

After the Serve: The side tramlines are out, the rear tramlines are in.

Doubles Court: Serving: The side tramlines are in, the rear tramlines are out.

After the Serve: The whole court is in.

Each game is played to 21 points, and a point is won by winning a rally regardless of who is serving. This differs from the old scoring system where players could only win a point on their serve and each game was played to 15 points (11 points for ladies singles).

A match is the best of three games. If the score reaches 20-all, then the game continues until one side has a two point advantage (for example 23-21). If the score gets to 29-29 it becomes sudden death so the winner of the next point wins the game.

At the start of a game the server will

stand in the right service box and serve diagonally in to his opponent's service box.

When serving the shuttlecock must be hit below waist height and the racket shaft must be pointing downwards.

If the server wins the rally they then serve again, but diagonally from the left hand service box. When the service receiver wins the point they start serving.

In singles, the server stands in their right service court when their score is even, and in the left service court when their score is odd.

In doubles, if the serving side wins a rally, the same player continues to serve, but changes serving side as in singles so that they serve to a different opponent each time. If the opponents win the rally no one switches side and if the opponent's new score is even, the player in the right service court serves, if it is odd, the player in the left service court serves.

Additional Information from Wikipedia

PAGE 46

Issues

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

Many problems of pension administration Contd from Page 16

buildings and four filling stations.

One of the buildings located at No.1 Shuaibu Close, G.R.A. Idah, Kogi state is an imposing 8 bedroom twin duplex, a 5 units 2 bedrooms apartment, two-room security house and a Mosque all scattered in the expansive compound.

The property at the Polytechnic Road, directly opposite Federal Polytechnic, Okenya, Idah, Kogi state is an unpainted one story duplex with multiple sitting rooms and apartment built within.

The third property that was seized was a non-functional filling station, located 100 meters away from Ajaka police station. It has a small office building with four rusted and non-functional fuel pumps and a leister generator in a small generator house.

At Agbeji in Ayingba, Kogi state, a thriving MRS filling station located at Agbeji along Ayingba Road, a few meters from Confluence Fertilizer Company limited was also seized from Dr. Shuaibu. An NNPC Mega station along Lokoja-Enugu High Way, Ayingba and a Texaco filling station with a shopping mall along Ganaja Road, opposite Ibra Petroleum and Petrochemical Limited, Lokoja, Kogi state were among the properties seized from Dr. Shuaibu.

Count one of the 134-count charge for which the Pension "Thieves" are standing trial reads "that you Dr. Shaiubu Sani Teidi, Phina Ukamaka Chidi Computer Plaza, Essential gadget Ventures, Mobis Point Investment Ltd, Obista Enterprises, Shallow Well Ventures at various times, between 2008 and 2010 within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, conspired among yourself to induce the pension department, office of the head of service of the federation of Nigeria, to deliver to you, various sums in the aggregate N176, 910, 650 (One Hundred and Seventy Six Million, Nine Hundred and Ten Thousand , Six Hundred and Fifty Naira) property vide the medium of a contract induced by false pretences, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006".

Another pension scam case before Justice Adamu Bello of a Federal High Court in Abuja, involving Dr. Sani Teidi is the one in which he was charged four companies, Badawalu Ventures Limited, Ebunu Attah Investment, Muha Millenium Motors Limited and Riba-Ile Petroleum Limited.

He is alleged to have conspired with the companies to convert the sum of N399, 000,000 to purchase

Brifina Hotels Limited, located at Plot 1106 Cadastral Zone B02 Durumi District Area 1, Abuja. He is alleged to have conspired with the companies to convert the sum of N40, 000,000 to renovate Brifina Hotels.

Presently before a Federal high Court is another pension fraud involving Teidi, Alhaji Ali Abatcha and Elder Actor Zal who are being prosecuted for defrauding the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP).

Prosecution witnesses, Mr. Njoku Everest, Assistant General Secretary of the Union and Mr. Chikezie Aguocha, an official of First Bank of Nigeria, Plc had tendered documents that would help the anti-graft agency in prosecuting the charges preferred against Teidi and Co. Teidi and the two co-accused persons were alleged to have, at various times, between 2008 and 2011 conspired to defraud, obtained from the Pensions Department, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation of Nigeria, various sums in the aggregate amount of over N2 billion.

Dr. Teidi, while in the Pensions Department, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation of Nigeria, allegedly used his position to over pay the Check-Off Dues to the NUP which in turn returned the excess payment to him.

In the proof of evidence presented before the court, Elder Zal had in his confessional statement to EFCC alleged that various sums of money were paid to Dr. Teidi, adding also that the NUP received N60, 958, 850.48 on April 23rd, 2009. Of the amount, N20 million was given to Dr. Teidi as kick back. On August 14, 2009, N65, 500, 650 was received as check off dues and Teidi allegedly got N20 million as kick back. He said that of the N2, 290, 593, 322.95 that fraudulently accrued to NUP in the period of 2008 and 2011, N245, 000,000. 00 was allegedly given to Dr. Teidi as kick back.

According to Zal, the reason Dr. Teidi gave for his demand was for onward distribution to the Permanent Secretary, Head of Service, Accountant-general office, National Assembly and EFCC to facilitate smooth payment of monthly pensions to the pensioners.

After cross-examination of the prosecution witness, the matter was adjourned till October 16, 2012, for continuation of trial.

Count one of the four count charge reads: "that you, Dr. Shuaibu Sani Teidi, Alhaji Ali Abatcha and Elder Actor Zal at various times between 2008 and 2011 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired among yourselves to by false pretences and with intent to defraud obtained from the Pensions Department, Office of the Head of Service of the federation of Nigeria,

various sums in the aggregate amount of N2, 290, 593, 322.35, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3)of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

Late March this year, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Pension Office, Atiku Abubakar Kigo and five others were arraigned before an Abuja High Court by the EFCC for allegedly stealing a N14.5 billion from the pension treasury.

The Perm Sec, docked alongside Mr. Esai Dangabar, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, John Yakubu Yusufu, Sani Habila Zira and Mrs. Veronica Ulonma Oyegbula, were alleged to have committed criminal breach of trust as public officers in respect of the sum of N 14, 518, 567, 724.36, punishable under section 97 of the Penal Code Act, CAP. 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, 2007.

The amount which allegedly formed part of the Nigeria Police Pension Fund domiciled with the First Bank of Nigeria Plc was said to have been diverted by the accused persons while they were supervising the funds.

Esai Dangabar, John Yakubu Yusufu, Mrs. Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula and Sani Habila Zira allegedly helped themselves to the tune of N8.2 billion from the Police Pension Fund between January and. December, 2009 alone.

Between January 2010 and February 2011, Atiku Abubakar Kigo replaced Esai Dangabar in the scam and they jointly accessed fraudulently, another N4.740 billion from the Funds.

Soon after this amount was hauled out of the Pension Fund, Ahmed Inuwa Wada replaced Atiku Abubakar Kigo and teamed up with Yusufu, Onyegbula and Zira, to cart away over N858 million between February 2011 and June 2011.

Then, on the 31st of January, 2011, the six accused persons gathered and allegedly to helped themselves with another N656.56 million.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge. They however spent a couple of days in

EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamurde Kuje Prison before they were granted bail.

It was alleged that the suspects had stolen N24 billion of Police Pension Fund through falsified documents to siphon pensioners' money. They were alleged to have withdrawn the amount from the Budget Office for a pension payment that required just N3.5 billion. It was also revealed that whereas N5bn was paid to the Office of the Head of Service monthly for the payment of pensions, only N1.9 billion was actually required. While 141,790 pensioners were registered and listed on the government's payroll, only 70,657 were genuine pensioners.

The Police Pensions Office also collected a monthly N5 billion as claims for its pensioners, while it actually needed N500 million.

Illegal withdrawals were allegedly made by staff using multiple cheques in fictitious names in excess of 30 cheques per day to withdraw cash from their bankers amounting to over N14billion.

EFCC boss, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde had, in a paper he presented in May this year at a workshop organized by the Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria (CIPN) in Abuja described the spectra of fraudulent activities in pension administration in the country as abuse of public trust.

In the paper entitled, "Sustaining the Public Confidence in the Face of Financial Mismanagement and Corruption", Lamorde bemoaned the mind-boggling scam in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation Pension office.

According to him, "it was not so much the mind-boggling amount of money that was stolen as the

“

But one disturbing issue in the country's judicial system is the long period of time that cases stay in the courts before they are dispensed off

brazen way the looting was carried out and who was doing the stealing that shocked us at the EFCC." Lamenting the paradox between the country's huge natural resource endowment and widespread poverty, the EFCC boss blamed the country's woes on corruption.

He said the only way confidence could be restored in the conduct of public affairs in Nigeria is through the restoration of family values and aggressive law enforcement.

"From the position of a law enforcement officer, the only answer is "Enforce the law!" That is the only way to restore and sustain public confidence in the face of daily, brutal trashing of public morality and trampling of social ethics," he posited.

A director with Nigeria Pension Commission (PenCom), Ivor M. Tankor told participants at the event that if the government, the regulators and all stakeholders in the pension industry do their jobs in accordance with the law, there would be a great deal of accountability in pension matters in Nigeria and identified corruption as the biggest challenges facing the industry and emphasized timely disclosure of information to enable law enforcement agencies do their work whenever the need arises.

But one disturbing issue in the country's judicial system is the long period of time that cases stay in the courts before they are dispensed off.

The reason, experts said is because of the frivolous exparte motions court grants sometimes restraining law enforcement agencies from carrying out their official duties regarding arrests, investigations and arraignment of public officers suspected to be involved in one scam or the other.

Another reason for delay in prosecuting public offenders is the way and manner accused persons standing trial, through their counsels bombard the court with applications for this and for that.

Like a director with Nigeria Pension Commission (PenCom), Ivor M. Tankor had said, "If the government, the regulators and all stakeholders in the pension industry do their jobs in accordance with the law, there would be a great deal of accountability in pension matters in Nigeria".

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

PAGE 47

From the Pulpit Fear not, be of good courage!

I

f there was anything God wanted Joshua to do above other things, it was to be strong and of a good courage. He told him this repeatedly in verses 6, 7, 9 and 18 of Joshua chapter 1. What God told him, He is also telling you.

Phil 1:28 says, "Don't be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself." (NLT) If you allow the devil to make you live in fear in life, he has already defeated you. The Bible says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Tim 1:7 NLT) Fear is an enemy; never befriend it.

It may amount to living in denial for someone to say that he has never been afraid when confronted with some situations in life. The devil sometimes succeeds in making us afraid but we must recover ourselves and focus on the Word of God especially His promises. Jesus has already defeated satan - you and I must never forget that whenever he wants to work on our emotions to make us afraid.

Overcoming fear Writing in Ps 56 on the occasion when the Philistines seized him in Gath, David says in verse 3 "But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you."

(NLT) Notice that David did not say "If I am afraid." He said, "When I am afraid." This is because there are times when we definitely will be afraid in life - we are just being human. What we need to do at such times is to recover ourselves, trust in God and not in our intelligence, ability to fast and pray, knowledge of the Word of God etc.

I need to add here that David who wrote this psalm wasn't a coward. No,

he was a courageous, gallant soldier, a fighter of no small stature. It wasn't every time that he was afraid but he knew the right thing to do whenever he was afraid, and this we need to learn from his life. For instance, David in his psalm when he fled from his son, Absalom, who had overthrown him as king said, "0 Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, 'God will never rescue him!' But you, 0 Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain. I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side." (Ps 3:1-6 NLT) David's lack of fear was based on his trust in the Lord. He could sleep and not be afraid because he knew the Lord was watching over him. That was why he could declare that he wasn't afraid of ten thousand enemies who surrounded him on every side. (Ps 3:16) Can you beat that! Some of us are dealing with just two enemies and we're afraid. What would you do if ten thousand enemies surround you? You won't behave any different from the servant of Elisha. "When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. 'Oh, sir, what will we do now?' the young man cried to Elisha."

(2 Kgs 6:15 NLT) The man was taken over by fear but what was the reaction of the servant of God, Elisha? "'Don't be afraid!' Elisha told him. 'For there are more on our side than on theirs!'

Then Elisha prayed, '0 Lord, open his eyes and let him see!' The Lord opened the young man's eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside

around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. As the Aramean army advanced toward him, Elisha prayed, '0 Lord, please make them blind.' So the Lord struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked" (Verses 16-18 NLT) Whenever you're afraid, may the Lord open your eyes to see angelic defence all around you. May the Holy Spirit remind you of the promises of God in His Word. David was so confident because he knew about the commitment of God to protect him. He said in Ps 23:4, "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me." (NLT) What a confidence!

In Ps 27:1-3, David exuded the same overpowering confidence: "The Lord is my light and my salvation - so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident." (NLT) Your faith will give you victory; your faith is the victory. "For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.

And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God" (1 Jhn 5:4-5 NLT) Don't cast away your confidence you need it. "So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord.

Remember the great reward it brings you!" (Heb 10:35 NLT) However, don't let your confidence be in yourself or human resources. "Don't put your confidence in powerful people; there

Daniel 7:1-8 This chapter begins the second section of the book of Daniel. The first six chapters deal with history while the last six chapters record prophecies given to Daniel by God. The historical accounts in the first section contain a bit of prophecy and the prophetic section in chapters seven to twelve also contains a bit of history.

In the first section, Daniel interpreted dreams given to the king; in the second section, Daniel himself received revelations through dreams interpreted by angels. The dreams, visions and prophecies in Daniel reach beyond the lives of individuals or the destiny of a single nation. They focus on Gentile world powers that were to rule in many centuries till the end of time. These prophetic revelations are pre-written history of great kingdoms until they are replaced by Christ’s eternal kingdom, to be set up by the Lord of heaven at the culmination of all things.

In chapters 7 and 8, Daniel gives an accurate portrayal of the history of great world emperors and their empires. The details of the rise and fall of Alexander the great, Antiochus epiphanes, leading to revelations on the Antichrist, written before any of these kings was born could only have been received supernaturally. God, Who knows the end from the begin-

ning revealed the future events to Daniel (Isaiah 46:9-11; Acts 15:18).

THE FIERCE SEA OF BATTLING GENTILE KINGDOMS Daniel’s dream and vision came to him in the first year of Belshazzar before the account written in chapter 5. He had this dream much before his experience in the lions’ den (chapter 6). This dream which Daniel “wrote” down was no ordinary dream; it is of great significance. In the first six chapters, Daniel wrote in the third person; in the last six chapters, he wrote in the first person. In his vision Daniel saw that “the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.”

The number, four, refers to the cardinal points of a compass: north, south, east and west. The striving of the four winds has reference to conflicts and commotion from all directions on earth; the unrest and agitation on the sea of humanity. “The multitude of many people, make a noise like the rushing of nations, like the rushing of mighty waters. The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind” (Isaiah 17:12,13). “Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth” (Jeremiah 25:32).

Through the vision, Daniel beheld the revolutions of the governments of

By

GREEN PASTURES

By Pastor T.O. Banso cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 is no help for you there. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God." (Ps 146:3-5 NLT) Make sure you don't allow man to replace God in your life, especially not when you are in the midst of warfare. The best of men can still be most unreliable.

The wisest man that ever lived, Solomon warns, and you had better believed him: "Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot." (Pro 25:19 NLT) Let your confidence be deeply rooted in God. Hear Apostle Paul: "In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. (2 Cor 1:10 NLT) Never forget the promises of God especially His promises to be with you at all times and in all situations. (Heb 13:5-6, Isa 43:2-5) If you can remember His promises, you'll not be afraid of any human being or powers of the devil fighting you. That's why David could say, "I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should

I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?" (Ps 56:4 NLT) You should be able to say that too. He repeated this bold assertion in verses 10-11 of the same chapter.

God's on your side, and no man or power that's against you is greater than God. Greater is He that's in you, than he that's in the world. (1 John 4:4) God is your principal partner in life. Don't' be intimidated by the enemy. (Phil 1:28) Fear not, be of good courage!

TAKE ACTION! If you're not born again, kindly say this prayer now: "0 Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I'm a sinner and I can't save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to him today. I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I'm saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God" I believe you've said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations!

You'll need to join a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in your area where you'll be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things becoming all God wants you to be. I'll be glad to hear from you. May the Lord be with you.

prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

They had hoped that after the Babylonian captivity, there would be an unending period of peace and prosperity, whether they turned to the Lord or not. Daniel’s vision was to show them that such thoughts would bring disappointment. There were still times of suffering, oppression and tribulation ahead. Only in the Kingdom of God will there be eternal, unending peace. Only when Christ establishes the kingdom of grace and godliness and when He comes with the Kingdom of glory will there be an eternal, uninterrupted period of peace and tranquility. Daniel both wrote and spoke the prophetic revelation. It is through both the written and the spoken Word that God’s people will be encouraged and edified.

God’s ministers in their teaching and preaching must TELL the sum of the matters that are WRITTEN “in the Scripture of truth” (Daniel 10:21).

THE FOUR SYMBOLIC BEASTS FOR THE GENTILE KINGS “And four great beasts came up.”

The Gentile kings and their kingdoms are represented by beasts because they often rise to rule and reign by brutish rage and tyranny. These beasts are “diverse one from another”, different in appearance, strategies and military genius. The first, repre-

sented by a lion with wings, is the Babylonian king. The lion-hearted warrior-king was fast and fierce; he fought and conquered many nations with great rapidity. He was daring and deadly, cruel and courageous. He ruled with beastly brutality until he was judged and conquered by divine Omnipotence.

The second beast, a bear, symbolized the Medo-Persian kingdom.

Though inferior to the Babylonian kingdom (Daniel 2:39) it was still beastly, brutal, rapacious and ravenous. “Raised up on one side”, the Persian side was stronger than the Medes. In its voraciousness, “it had three ribs in the mouth” – it had conquered Egypt, Lydia and Babylon.

Wicked and cruel, the Medo-Persian kingdom arose, conquered and devoured much.

The third beast, a leopard, represented the Grecian kingdom. Instead of two wings, the leopard had four wings, symbolizing its great speed and swiftness. This winged leopard, symbolized Alexander the great, the Grecian king. Swift and powerful, he conquered the whole empire of Persia and other nations within thirteen years. “The beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.” When he died at age 33, his empire was divided among his four chief captains – Seleucus Nicanor, Perdiccas, Cassander and Ptolemeus.

The remarkable prophecy of world empires

Pastor W.F. Kumuyi Gentile nations striving for mastery and domination of one another. He saw the contentions of the kings of the nations in violent battles and wars.

This world is like a stormy tempestuous sea, tossed and torn. How terrible are its conflicts; how violent its travails. “The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest.

There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked” (Isaiah 57:20,21). Only through Christ and in Christ can we have peace (Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:14; Luke 1:77-79; John 14:27; 16:33; Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15; Isaiah 26:3; 48:18).

Daniel “wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.” The Jews in captivity had misunderstood the

BIG PUNCH “Goodluck is not performing. What he did was an attempt to divert Nigerian’s attention from his failure but my father should not be used in that way. That is all I know” —Raila Abiola on the renaming of UNILAG after her father

SATURDAY 7 — SUNDAY 8, JULY, 2012

The dangers, the complacence "If any matter pertaining to peace or war [security or fear] comes to their knowledge, they make it known to all and sundry; whereas, if they would only refer it to the Messenger and to those from among them entrusted with authority, those of them who are engaged in obtaining intelligence would indeed know what to do with it. Were it not for God's bounty to you, and His grace, all but a few of you would certainly have followed Satan.".

(Quran 4:83)

A

situation is emerging in Nigeria that is supremely dangerous. A situation where people are saying to the Nigerian Army: 'We don't want you!' A situation where people are saying to Government: 'Remove the Army from our midst, they are a menace and a curse!' As an institution whose members commit their lives for the defense of the people and defense of the nation, a national army represents security and stability, it elicits confidence and hope, it evokes love and reverence.

Such has been the image of the Nigerian Army. But unfortunately things have rapidly changed drastically. The ongoing security challenges have exposed some fundamental and grave structural and professional weaknesses in this most strategic national institution.

In most of Northern Nigeria and among most Muslims the army is not viewed with much respect but rather with distrust and dread, its presence is never felt as either reassuring or comforting, but as a bad omen. Its image is more of an occupation force, which acts with extreme hostility as if it is dealing with a foreign rather than its own people, which aggravates rather than ameliorate situations, which acts with impunity.The Nigerian Army, as the Borno Elders see it, is synonymous with Guantanamo Bay - synonymous, in other words, with one of the worst phenomena of abuse of power in modern times.

Alhaji Shettima Ali Mungonu, one of the most respected statesmen Nigeria has ever produced, a man who, as Minister of Petroleum, discharged his responsibilities with utmost integrity, who never thought that the best way to serve His country is to loot its resources, a man whose words must be respected, had cause to lament over the plight of his people, fellow Nigerians whose cities and homes and lives have fallen under the cruel occupation of the army. He said: "Our people can no longer engage in any meaningful activity to sustain their lives. Nowadays, the

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people cannot perform the five obligatory prayers in congregation in mosques near their houses or perform the Friday prayers in several mosques in the town. We are no longer practicing our religion as desired.

"Our markets and other places of business are no more; many people can no longer access schools for their children. Many of our Islamiyya schools have collapsed.

"All the things we hold dear to our culture, tradition and pride are gone. Even going through the current farming season has become increasingly difficult. People can no longer move from one point to another without being subjected to harrowing experience.''

Nigeria must take note of the weighty words of the Shettima. It is the duty of all citizens to accord respect to the army, at the same time it is the sacred duty of the army to treat the citizens with utmost respect and sensitivity, without discrimination or partiality. The purpose of army deployment to crisis areas is to restore normalcy in the shortest possible time and in an atmosphere of rule of law and decency. This, unfortunately, is not always the case. In many places where the army is deployed the state of affairs have gone from bad to worse and instead of feeling reassured people become more apprehensive because death and carnage would soon begin to descend on them equally from the side of the insurgency as well as from side of the army. People from the North have every reason to suspect, as the Northern Elders Forum does, an active but hidden agenda in operation: a war of genocide, a war of attrition, being waged on them by an army within the Nigerian Army. Otherwise what kind of a national army is this that is so ignorant of the inherent diversity of Nigeria, that is so insensitive to the agony of the people, that seizes upon every opportunity that comes its way to create conditions akin to a concentration camp; that brings to a halt all economic, industrial, commercial and social activities for months in major cities whereas, as we see in countries facing much more acute security challenges, a competent and well trained army could restore these activities within hours, at worst in a day or two. No professional army anywhere in the world will shut down cities and populations for days and months.

No decent country can allow a total subjugation of the people as Nigeria does in the name of security. And given the fact that fighting insurgency is a trillion Naira enterprise per annum, meaning

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NSA Sambo Dasuki that for example it could cost at least one billion Naira to catch just one insurgent, is there not an irresistible temptation on the part of some vested interests to prolong the crisis, to extend the business, to create a cartel of Security Thieves to rival the Oil Cartel? The failure of the army is a failure of intelligence and a monumental failure of State.

The likely consequences of army activities are easy to predict.

When young innocent men are abducted and herded into concentration camps and subjected to abuses, starvation, torture and death; when honorable people are routinely humiliated in front of their families; when entire cities and communities are constantly subjected to collective punishment and shut down; when innocent men, women and children, are randomly killed some times just for the fun of it; when criminality and impunity become widespread: when all these are done in the name of the state the end result would be the emergence of a new kind of army, an army of young men and women who have been driven by humiliation, torture and state terror to conquer fear and are therefore no longer in fear of death, in fear of the army. This army can't be conquered. Moreover soldiers who perpetrate atrocities on people are

most likely to turn their fury on their own families someday, to become a social menace to society and, as we see in other countries, are not likely to live a normal life after discharge.

So the army has a duty to redeem itself by behaving responsibly, by exercising maximum restrain, by resisting all efforts to harbor rogue militias within its belly, by being professional through and through.

Insurgency represents a grave danger to Nigeria. The response to the security challenges by security agencies represents a grave moral danger to Nigeria. However a far more worse danger looms, one that aims at our nation's jugular vein, whose immediate and long term consequences might in the future prove more calamitous to its economic viability and corporate existence. It is the systematic stealing of Nigeria's oil on a massive and unprecedented scale. William Wallis of London's Financial Times, has explained the true dimension of this war. [Daily Trust 28/6/12] This pernicious trade, he writes, has been growing steadily over the years now reaching the level that directly threatens the authority and financial muscle of the state, as well as the very foundation of Nigeria.

Wallis goes further to indicate that this war on Nigeria is so pervasive and so lucrative that every family

in Niger Delta has someone involved. This is a situation where one region is engaged in bleeding the entire nation to death. Last year alone Nigeria lost about $14 billion as a result of oil theft, and the business is rapidly expanding and getting out of control. Those who know the true dimension of the enterprise fear that Nigeria itself risks being stolen! Wallis writes further: 'Bunkering is carried out in three main ways. The first involves cargo canoes such as those lined up on Abonnema's shores. The gangs that crew them navigate the creeks, puncturing pipelines and siphoning crude into improvised tanks. They sell this on to illegal refineries that have mushroomed across the delta to supply paraffin and diesel to the domestic market at half price or to larger coastal barges for export.

Where they can, these barges - two of which were recently moored down river from Abonnema within full view of an army post - fill up directly from well-heads in the second common technique. In turn, they carry the crude to ocean-going tankers waiting offshore to supply refineries at a discount as far away as South Africa, Ukraine, China and the Rotterdam spot market.

There is a third form of "white collar" bunkering. Consultants studying the trade say this may account for the gap between figures that Royal Dutch Shell gives, of between 150,000 and 180,000 barrels stolen a day, and the much higher recent estimates of the finance ministry. It involves tankers filled directly at export terminals, where metering systems are manipulated to conceal outflows - a practice that began when Nigeria was busting its Opec cartel quota in the 1980s.

'All three forms of bunkering require collaboration between politicians, security forces and criminal gangs and, in some cases, oil company employees. At its most basic, collusion in Abonnema, say local inhabitants familiar with the trade, involves the soldiers deployed to halt the trade, who extract a toll of between 80,000 and 100,000 naira ($490-$615) to turn a blind eye as illicit cargos pass in the dead of night. On the demand side, Nigeria may need more help in tracking the sophisticated networks that sell stolen oil and launder the proceeds through foreign banks. This is not something the Nigerian government can solve alone. It has grown too big.'

It has also grown dangerous, threatening the very existence of our country. But it is ignored.

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