Peoples Daily Newspaper, Monday 08, April, 2013

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 10 No. 71

Monday, April 8, 2013

. . . putting the people first

Jimadal Ula 28, 1434 AH

N150

Why FG, PDP are fighting me - Amaechi From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

E

mbattled Chairman of the Nigeria’s Governors’ Forum and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has give reasons why some powerful people want to cripple him politically and disgrace him out of office as the Chairman of Nigeria’s Governors’ Forum.

Speaking at Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort during the Nigerian Symposium for Youth and Emerging Leaders organized by The Future Project, Amaechi said his nonpartisan stand and radical posture against the federal government over some knotty issues affecting the nation, necessitated the lack of confidence in him.

Contd on Page 2

Boko Haram

L-R: Sokoto state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Muktar Shagari, the state Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Okon Bassey, and other dignitaries during the commissioning of 13 kilowatts Kaurar Bella-Danjewa extended integrated renewable energy project, at the weekend in Sokoto state.

What northern elders told Jonathan

‘Force can’t end insurgency’ From Edwin Olofu, Kano

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he spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) Wanteregh Paul Unongo has offered a graphic account of what transpired between the NEF and President

Goodluck Jonathan when they met him last week.

Unongo revealed that the elders conveyed to the President that amnesty is the only way to resolve the Bokko Haram crisis, and that war cannot solve the problem, except dialogue.

Gov Gaidam extends N100m lifeline to sick Yobe indigenes >> 3

“We made a lot of presentations and our position is that, our country is dear to us. And this country supersedes the ambition of anyone. The viability of it, the sustainability of it is critical to us.

We have seen so much, we lived through a lot and we gained

experiences along the line. And we felt that if a government was confronted with problems, and we watch the country drifting from bad to worst. And that at our ages most of us are above 70 very few of us are below 70, we felt, we were morally and even religiously

obligated to offer suggestions that will aid the resolution of what was confronting and threatening the country to the authorities in charge with the responsibility of trying to put things right. In our anxiety and consistent with our Contd on Page 2

MEND claims responsibility for killing 15 cops >> 5

Russian billionaire plans immortal man by 2045

>> 36

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

CONTENTS News

2-10

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

Stockwatch S/Report Digest

23 24-25 26

Education 27-28

ACF chieftain alleges plot to remove VP

By Agaju Madugba

V

ice Chairman, Board of Trustee (BoT), Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Ambassador Ladan Shuni yesterday raised the alarm that North was plotting to replace Vice President Namadi Sambo with a more ambitious politician that will be at loggerheads with President Goodluck Jonathan after the 2015 election.

Shuni who was an Ambassador to Morocco during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’ s administration told newsmen in an interview that the recent statement credited to the elderstatesman and former Minister of Agriculture, Sani Zangon Daura that Sambo is a powerless politician who could not lead the North as one of the indications that the region wanted

a disloyal vice president.

The former Envoy and stalwart of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recalled the era of Obasanjo and his Vice President, Atiku Abubakar when the duo were also at loggerheads over national issues, saying that such political scenario would not augur well for the development of the country.

He said Sambo should be commended for being loyal to Jonathan over the years, adding that the VP had within a period of time carried out developmental projects for the North.

He said: “It is a pity that Zangon Daura is not very much aware of the various contributions Vice Prersident Namadi Sambo has made to this country. Many be people are expecting Sambo to do what the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar did under the administration of President

Olusegun Obasanjo by being always at loggerhead with his boss.

“I think Sambo should be commended and praised for his loyalty to his boss, President Goodluck Jonathan. The loyalty he has extended to his boss is commendable. I don’t think loyalty is an offence because if the President and the Vice President are fighting, there will be no peace, there will be no progress.

“Sambo as the leader of the North has contributed a lot to the North, talk of insecurity in the zone, we in the ACF know the role the Vice President played in peacemaking in the region. He has been involved in the issue of dialogue with Boko Haram, he has been reaching out to every sector in the country that could bring about unity and sanity in this nation.

“I don’t know, may be Zangon

Daura wanted Sambo to be briefing him on whatever he has done in terms of bringing peace and economic development in the North.

“I know, because I was the Chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Sambo played a role in reviving the railway. It is through his effort that the Corporation was revived, and is now running through the North. Sambo was actually going round to ensure that there is rail transportation between the North and the South.

“People have been saying that he is not so close to the northern governors, it is not true. He has a very cordial relationship with the northern governors.

Every governor goes to him in Abuja…

Can they bring any evidence to show that Sambo is not liked by any governor in the North or in the country?”

What northern elders told Jonathan

Perm Sec to US diplomat: Nigeria not Banana Republic, Page 4

Health

29-30

Int’l

31-34

Strange World 35 Newsxtra

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-45

Leisure

47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

Contd from Page 1 policy of offering suggestions we offered Mr President our own views about the situation in Nigeria. We felt threatened that the security situation in Nigeria is getting out of hand.

“We felt the challenge, the challenge of a small Sect from northern Nigeria that translated that western education did us some harm. A small religious uprising began all the way from 2008 and kept on increasing.

“And we told Mr. President that we felt that people have bought into this phenomenon that they now come with a big name called Boko Haram and they seem to have forgotten the original people that started this Boko Haram. And we told him the truth, we said Mr. President we felt somebody wants to do this nation harm. People that don’t want us to stay together, people who don’t want stability in our country.

“We told him that those who wanted to steal and those who are benefiting from perpetuating the crisis may have bought in into the phenomenon of Boko Haram. So we submitted to him that Boko Haram has become a multifaceted phenomenon in Nigeria and that if he went after Boko Haram in a one line thing that he will miss it.

We then made suggestions. We said he shouldn’t listen to the sentiment of the Nigeria typical political dialoguing when they are fighting for being more Nigeria than other people, telling him that this is a phenomenon of the northerner and

when they come to the north they try to separate, that if you are a Christian you are not a northerner, middle belt and so on which are all rubbish.

“We said this problem cuts across the country, and from some of the arrests that were made we were able to make our case, that we discovered that it appears criminals have been brought in from all parts of this country. So he should study the insurgency and the insecurity in Nigeria and make it a priority and we offered suggestions on how he should go about it that include the amnesty.

He also faulted the president of the Christian association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor who is opposed to the proposed amnesty for Boko Haram members He argued: “Did we not dialogue with criminals here in Nigeria? For instance, in the First World War, those people who caused war for the whole world and lost millions, didn’t we dialogue as human beings with criminals in Germany that eliminated almost 8 million Jews?

How did the war end? Was it all about killing up all the Germans for the sins they committed?

“Why do Nigerians want Mr President to fail, lying to him that these are religious problem? I am a Christian and as a Christian, why is Mr Oritsejafor lying to the President that it is a war against Christians even when large numbers of Muslims are killed. This is a more complex phenomenon and they should leave this man alone. He is on the right track; it is

not a religious war.”

Continuing, Unongo noted: “The Muslims in Kano, the Muslims in Borno, and the Muslims in Yobe all hate Boko Haram more than those opposed to the deal because Boko Haram has wreaked such havoc on their families – they have lost their wives, they have lost their monies, they have lost their trade, they have lost everything they have. How can they support Boko Haram? So the simplistic interpretation of what is happening in the far northern part of Nigeria is not acceptable.

“I am from the north; I come from Makurdi, Gboko in Tiv land.

I am a northerner and they say northerners are killing those that are Christians. These are agents’ provocateurs; these are enemies of Nigeria; these are people pushing Jonathan to make a mistake. The problem of Boko Haram is a problem of terrorism.

“Niger delta militants were criminals yet we dialogue with them and we got results. When we sent soldiers to go and kill people in Odi and we killed them but they fought back and they eventually produced all kinds of militants equipped with proper arms. Did that action end the fighting in Niger Delta through killing all the people of Niger delta? If the Nigerian nation wanted to commit genocide, they would have killed everybody in Niger Delta, but would it have been the solution?

“It was Mr President unknown to many of us that was pivotal to the solution of solving the Niger

delta problem. He went and talked to the people and convinced them.

So what is wrong in talking to the people that come from other parts of Nigeria and give them a chance to change their heart?

“Why would religion come into this when the evidence on the ground is so emphatically convincing that these people who are opposed to dialogue and amnesty are the main enemies of Nigeria? Mr President has a serious problem of terrorism in the country because all the enemies of Nigeria have bought in into this problem. The people arrested by the police, are they only Muslims? There are some of them that are Christians also.

“You can’t end a war with a war which is the theory presented to Mr President by the president of the Christian association of Nigeria (CAN) because he doesn’t want Mr president to talk to the people who are the warring people. He wants soldiers to kill them the more.

These are the people who tie themselves up to be blown up; do they care about their lives?

“They see innocent people in the church, in the mosque and with their children, in universities, in their homes, and they tie bombs around their bodies, when they go who do they kill first? They kill themselves first. They press their button and blow themselves. Do they care if you kill them? Can you solve the problem by killing them?

How many would you kill? Those people who make the president feel you can solve the problem by killing them are mad.”

Why FG, PDP are fighting me - Amaechi Contd from Page 1 He said that the governors had opposed the outright removal of oil subsidy by President Goodluck Jonathan last year wherein some businessmen had allegedly swindled the masses of over N1.4 trillion of the subsidy fund, describing it as a criminal act that must be checked at all costs.

He added that the fight with

the Federal Government on behalf of other governors over the deduction from the excess crude account and the litigation over the Sovereign Wealth Fund so that each state should have access to the funds rather than being monopolized by federal government, were his sins.

He lamented: “When government is being criticized in some

areas, it means people are calling for adjustment and reform in that sector, but stealing of government money to me is criminal”.

He noted that criminal acts like kidnapping, militancy and terrorism would continue to fester in Nigeria, except "government provides legitimate means of livelihood for the youth, so that they will not use illegitimate

means".

Amaechi added that his intention was targeted at ensuring that the right thing was done, so that the decadent system being run in the country could be reformed.

Amaechi, however urged Nigerian youth to take their destiny in their own hands by forming a mass movement that would fight for change.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

PAGE 3

FG plans to scuttle 2015 elections – ACN

By Lawrence Olaoye, Abuja and Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has accused the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) controlled Federal Government of deliberate plotting to plunge the country into a deep crisis by instigating widespread violence, insecurity and engaging in scaremongering tactics to scuttle 2015 general election.

This is coming as the PDP has in turn accused the opposition ACN of having lost direction and focus in its criticism of the ruling party.

ACN National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a press statement released yesterday in Lagos said the

ACN has lost direction, focus, says PDP country’s alarming security situation is not unconnected with the politics of 2015 general election.

Mohammed said “It is no longer a secret that the PDP-led Federal Government has failed the nation in all ramifications; the PDP has now realized that if indeed the 2015 elections are free and fair and conducted in a conducive environment, there will be no chance for the party.

“What is the way out for the PDP? The party has decided to go for broke: Either there will be no elections in 2015 or the polls will be conducted in an atmosphere of chaos, thereby paving the way for

the PDP to do what it does best: rig the elections!”

“We make bold to say that the stand of the PDP is that having seen the handwriting on the wall, the party realizes it cannot win any free and fair elections in Nigeria in 2015. PDP and its stalwarts are therefore perfecting a sinister plan that will make free and fair elections impossible in 2015, or if at all, the elections will be held, they will hold under curfew to give the party the cover it needs to rig the polls.

The party queried further “Who are the brains behind the continuous efforts to sabotage the merger of the progressives? Who

bankrolled the tatterdemalions, the disreputable people who are parading themselves as African Peoples Congress?

Responding to the allegations raised by the opposition ACN, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the opposition has lost direction and could only be described as crybabies who would soon begin to cry about themselves.

He said members of the opposition party have never come forward with any solution to the security challenges facing the nation but would rather turn around to either blame President Goodluck Jonathan or the ruling

party.

Olisa who said the PDP has no intention to benefit from any violence in the country insisted that the utmost concern of the party is to safeguard lives and properties in the country. He pointed out that the President has demonstrated his resolve to return the country to the path of peace by setting up a committee to study the amnesty solution proposed by some elders in the society.

He added that Jonathan was resolute in his peace efforts by deploying the Joint Task Force (JTF) to the troubled areas in the country and that it amounts to turning the truth on its head for the opposition to accuse him of plotting to benefit from violence.

Bukar Mandara dies at 85 From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

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L-R: Wife of Ekiti state Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, mother of the state late deputy governor, Mrs. Adetutu Famuagun, the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and father of the deceased, Chief Festus Famuagun, during a condolence visit by the governor and his wife to Famuaguns' family over the death of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, yesterday in Ado-Ekiti.

15 feared dead in Plateau, 2 soldiers killed in Borno From Shitu Salisu, Jos and Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

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he People of Wase town in Wase Local Government area of Plateau State, are said to have repelled an attack on them allegedly by the Tarok ethnic group, leading to the death of 15 people..

An eyewitness, who is a residence of Wase, Alhaji Shafi'i Sambo, told our correspondent that the, "attackers who were

about 300 in number, all of Tarok launched attack trying to invade Wase town in the early hours of Saturday," but were repelled by the people of Wase who were on the alert since the crisis of Mavo village, in the last two weeks.

The source, revealed that the attackers who were carrying guns, daggers, bows and arrows as well as sticks from Salawe, Wase Tofa villages trying to cross the Wase river in other to get into the town, but could not succeed due to the prompt action of Wase people.

"In the process, they shot death two of our men, six others sustained injuries on their hands, and legs.

"13 of the attackers were killed, we captured two of them with their guns, and others got injured but had escaped been captured."

Two soldiers attached to the Joint Military Task Force, (JTF) in Borno state, were feared dead yesterday morning, when unknown gunmen attacked the EYN church in Bulumkutu ward of Maiduguri metropolis, the

capital city.

The gunmen drove to the area in a tricycle at about 11am and stormed the church, while the Pastor was delivering sermon to a congregation and fired sporadic shots at the direction of JTF troops deployed to guard the worship centre, killing two soldiers on the spot, while a policeman was wounded, according to witnesses.

The JTF operatives were said to have returned fire, leading to fierce gun duel, after which the gunmen fled the scene.

Gov Gaidam extends N100m lifeline to the sick

G

overnor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State has approved the release of N100 million as a special support to 21 chronically ill people in the state whose conditions require advanced medical treatment outside the state.

This includes a female police corporal, Habiba Agwam who

suffers from acute myeloid leukemia and requires a bone marrow transplant.

A statement signed by Gaidam’s special adviser on press affairs and information, Abdullahi Bego said the governor approved the sum of N13 million for Miss Agwan to undergo the transplant in Singapore.

Other people who benefitted from the special gesture by the governor include six patients for kidney transplant, seven for spinal cord surgery, and two cases of open heart surgery. There is also a case each for coronary angiography and bypass heart surgery and a patient for cochlear transplant.

The governor’s special adviser said Governor Gaidam gave the approval following a review of the affected cases and recommendations by the state medical board.

The statement said the affected patients would receive treatment in specialized centers both within and outside the country.

he Borno state Council of Chiefs, yesterday announced the death of one of its prominent members, Alhaji Bukar Umaru Mandara.

Late Mandara, was an active member of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and doubled as the party elder in Borno state A renowned politician and business tycoon, Alhaji Mandara, who held the traditional title of Zanna Dujima of Borno Kingdom, died at age of 85, according to a statement issued by the Chairman of the Council of Chiefs, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai El-Kanemi, Late Mandara, who had suffered a protracted illness passed on at about 6pm yesterday at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, (UMTH) where he had been treated for undisclosed ailment.

Bokkos attack: Miyetti-Allah alleges foulplay by STF From Shitu Salisu, Jos

T

he Plateau State chapter of Miyetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has accuse the military Special Task Force, STF, and the Police "dubious activities/ connivance," in handling crises in the state.

A letter to the State Commissioner of Police, signed by its Secretary Malam Nura Abdullahi, stated that rather than the STF and the police, instituting an investigation to fish out the culprits of the Mile Bakwai attack, the security personnel and Challa youths organized a gang and immediately waged war on "innocent Fulani."

"While the STF, were busy shooting, killing and threatening the Fulani, the Challa mob were busy burning, and demolishing Fulani houses in villages like Bokkos, Gawarza, Mbar, Butura company, where 22 persons including children and women were brutally killed," it read in part.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

By Ini Ekott

W

ith soaring corruption and receding life standards, Nigeria's global reputation is far from lustrous. But decades ago, when official sleaze hadn't reached heinous levels, and Nigerians were not considered the world's Internet scam kings, the nation stood tall, her citizens globally respected. And officials reveled in that pride.

On one testy occasion that speaks volumes of that psyche, a blunt Nigerian official told a United States ambassador that Nigeria was not one of America's "banana republics," stirring anxiety in Washington.

The comments were made by Joe Iyalla, a permanent secretary in the Yakubu Gowon administration and a respected career diplomat, according to declassified U.S. diplomatic documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES. In 1972, the documents say, Mr. Iyalla summoned the US ambassador to Nigeria, John Reinhardt, and detailed to him the sins of America, in a peculiar way worthy of reference today.

He accused the United States of maltreating Nigerians in the U.S, and failing to investigate the killing of a Nigerian amongst other shortcomings in what he said formed a "trend and pattern" showing the Richard Nixon administration's effort at undermining Nigeria.

One sidesplitting case, for which Mr. Iyalla also sought explanation for, was the case of American businessmen and politicians arriving Nigeria for a business interest, and gearing to have an audience with the then head of state, Mr. Gowon, without prior appointment.

"I think we got them straight," Mr. Iyalla told Mr. Reinhardt, "and they now realize that Nigeria is not one of your banana republics." Mr. Reinhardt regretted the events, but explained that the U.S. government could not be held responsible for all the transgressions of its citizens abroad.

But in Washington, the comments which came after months of seemingly fractious relations between the two nations, were far more troubling than the ambassador's cheery response. For the Americans back home, it was a matter of significant diplomatic importance that relations with Nigeria, then, regarded an influential nation and a potential global leader, remain affable and warm.

The secret exchanges, which showed the diplomatic sprains, shortly after the Nigerian civil war, offer a rousing appeal of the Nigeria of yesterday, compared to the Nigeria of today and present an opportunity for our today's diplomats to lesson lessons for charting an ideal diplomatic strategy for Nigeria.

And by contrast, the cables reflect a sobering story of where a nation, promising and well respected in the eyes of the world, has landed four decades later.

Besides the treatment of Nigerian citizens, the central issues between Nigeria and the United States concerned what the Nigerian military regime saw as America's continued indifference to

Perm Sec to US diplomat: Nigeria not Banana Republic demands on it to move against the apartheid regimes in South Africa and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).

Part of the troubles too, was a recollection of the not-so-warm relations between the two nations during Nigeria's bloody civil war.

And the Nigerian government seemed poised to respond somewhat tit-for-tat for all America's wrongs.

Leading that drive was Okoi Arikpo, the federal commissioner for External Relations, from the old Cross River state; and Mr. Iyalla, who, as the permanent secretary, was Mr. Arikpo's second-incommand.

Mr. Arikpo, as did the Head of State, General Gowon, repeatedly chastised the U.S. government for resuming the importation of chrome from Zimbabwe, against United Nations sanctions. They also begrudged the U.S. over its critical role during the civil war in Nigeria.

But more than anyone else, not even Mr. Gowon, it was Mr. Iyalla who turned a thorn in America's side, the memos show. One letter from Lagos to Mr. Kissinger referred to Mr. Iyalla as a "prickly customer" to the U.S. Highlighting that concern, in July 1972, U.S officials filed two letters to Washington, stating their frustration with "sub Saharan Africa's largest country", particularly how their plans to open a Regional Trade Centre in Lagos, a new consulate in Port Harcourt, and new investment drives were blocked by the Nigerian authorities.

"Although there is no crisis in our relations, you should know that the Nigerian attitude toward the US has become increasingly vexatious in recent weeks," the Executive Secretary for the American embassy, Theodore Elliot, told the then Secretary of States, Henry Kissinger, in one of the letters.

"While we continue to encounter a number of petty annoyances on such administrative matters as visas and our Embassy leases, at least some elements of Nigerian officialdom now seem intent on raising obstacles to our longer range commercial and investment goals as well. If nothing else, the abrasive tone that is creeping into their handling of our requests is a matter for concern."

To Mr. Iyalla, the harassment of Nigerians, as he said, was a bit personal. An Ijaw from Bakana in Degema Local Government of Rivers state, he was Nigeria's wartime ambassador to the United States, an avid devotee to the philosophy of "one Nigeria".

On his first outing in the United States as ambassador while the war thickened in 1968, shortly after presenting his credentials to President Lyndon Johnson, he spoke of how Nigerians were gratified by Mr. Johnson's remarks affirming the U.S. belief in the "unity and integrity" of Nigeria.

He told the American public, anxious of news about the brutal

Former American President, Richard Nixon war, of his government's commitment to ensuring "the least possible physical damage, especially to life".

He was unwavering about the objective of the military campaign between Nigerian and Biafra. "We cannot be complete until we have 12 states. And no section can be left out," he was quoted by the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper of March 9, 1968.

As a hunch to the prickly relations between both nations, apparently over the war, Mr. Iyalla said Nigerians believed the friendship between both nations were capable of overcoming temporary disagreements or divergences of opinion until they are "clarified to the satisfaction of both sides."

In the months that followed, Mr. Iyalla's tenure as ambassador was apparently fraught with strains with the Americans, and by 1972, he was denied a farewell audience by President Nixon.

"Two things have happenedFirst, General Gowon is personally unhappy that the U.S. has resumed imports of Rhodesian chrome in violation of UN sanctions, an unhappiness apparently shared by other key officials," said a memo dated July 11, 1972, from Melvin Levine, a National Security Staff, to Mr. Kissinger said.

"Second, former Ambassador to the U.S. Joe Iyalla has become number two man in the Foreign Ministry. Always a prickly customer with us, Iyalla's feelings were hurt because President Nixon would not receive him for a farewell call last April (our schedule proposal was turned down)."

Those were sins the Americans were sure to pay for, alongside other misdemeanors, according to the cables.

But despite the seeming personal dimension, the responses by the Nigerian military government, and Mr. Iyalla in particular, after he returned to Nigeria, somewhat underlined an era of a forceful Nigerian foreign relations that discountenanced

intimidation and humped more for the country's interest as, at least then, a sovereign nation and continental leader.

By October 17, 1972, Mr. Iyalla, then a permanent secretary, summoned the American ambassador, Mr. Reinhardt, to his office for an upbraiding that lasted more than three hours.

First, he raised an issue about a former Biafran External Affairs commissioner, Christopher Mojekwu, who had been granted visa into the U.S, an act the Gowon military government considered a betrayal and attempted to block, fearing Mr. Mojekwu might continue to rally opposition against the regime from the U.S. Indeed, he rallied such voices.

The ambassador said they were finding ways not to renew Mr. Mojekwu's visa and to terminate his stay. The matter had been discussed between the commissioner, Mr. Arikpo and his US counterpart. But Mr. Iyalla needed to press the Americans harder.

He also raised issues with the alleged shabby treatment at Dulles airport, Virginia, of Dr. Dikko, then a federal commissioner, and several other Nigerian officials.

He also forcefully pressed the case of Nazif Mohammed, an accredited member of the Nigerian embassy staff in Washington, who in July, 1972, was "manhandled by the Washington police." And Washington refused to offer explanations or apologies.

"Today is October 17, and we still await an answer," Mr. Iyalla was quoted by the ambassador as saying.

Another point of worry was the case of an American woman, Lily Smith, who picketed the Nigerian embassy for days and the Washington police, the executive protective agency, and the department of state allegedly refused to respond.

Then the murder of a Nigerian man, one Dr. Adigun, was the next case. A decent, upstanding Nigerian citizen, Mr. Iyalla said, was murdered in cold blood and in very

suspicious circumstances in Los Angeles. Nigeria was neither informed at the time, nor investigations carried out by the authorities there, he said.

He then questioned the ambassador why a group of American businessmen should, "in typical American fashion" wanted to rush in and talk with the head of state and seal a deal on the spot.

Mr. Iyalla said those were just a few of a "trend" showing America's determination to downgrade Nigeria and vowed to disallow that.

The ambassador denied knowledge of the incidents except Mr. Mojekwu's and offered apologies for some of the issues.

But in his dispatch home, Mr. Reinhardt mocked the permanent secretary, describing his alluding to "patterns and trends" as a "little short of nonsense".

"Since Iyalla's return in May, I have never doubted that something was in his craw," Mr. Reinhardt wrote. "There is no reason to believe that today's regurgitation leaves him empty, but it's good to have what I obtained."

Today, the Nigerian diplomatic service seemed to have broken down with officials displaying inferiority complex and largely unable to stand up for the country and its citizens in their duty posts.

Even here in Nigerians, embassies mistreat Nigerians in the full glare of authorities, and hardly are actions taken.

Recently, the Nigerian embassy in Senegal was vandalized by a group of aggrieved Nigerians.

The Senegalese police wouldn't respond to distress calls, arriving only after extensive damage had been done to the embassy and staff beaten up. The Senegalese authorities are yet to respond to Nigeria's protest over the matter.

Olugbenga Ashiru, Minister of Foreign Affairs believes "the problems being noticed in the foreign service today had its origin in the way successive governments have handled the affairs of the Ministry".

"At the end of the civil war in 1970 and with the commencement of the rise of Nigeria's profile in international arena, the then government headed by General Yakubu Gowon carefully nurtured a foreign service that was focussed, articulate, dynamic and well funded," Mr. Ashiru wrote in a 2009 op-ed for ThisDay. "It deliberately selected the best dramatis personae that were to run the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its diplomatic missions abroad. In selecting these officers the overriding consideration was based on merit; while square pegs were put in square holes; professional diplomats were allowed to run the Ministry and the diplomatic missions abroad. General Gowon resisted pressures from several quarters to also inject political appointees into the service and the country was the beneficiary."

Source: Premium Times

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

PAGE 5

Minister cautions Nigerians on excessive salt, alcohol

MEND claims responsibility for killing 15 cops

he Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Pate, yesterday cautioned on excessive consumption of salt and alcohol as the world marks the Health Day. Pate, who disclosed this in Abuja said that such high consumption could trigger high blood pressure.

The World Health Day is marked on April 7 of every year, and this year’s theme is “High Blood Pressure”. It is estimated that high blood pressure affects more than one in three adults aged 25 and over, or about one billion people.

Pate noted that the rise in noncommunicable diseases was posing huge challenge to health systems globally, including Nigeria.

“Non-communicable diseases are increasing because of lifestyle changes and demographics. I advise our people to pay attention to critical factors like smoking, high salt intake, high cholesterol, excessive alcohol and the lack of exercise.

“Nigerian adults should go for health screenings and when diagnosed with high blood pressure, they should be compliant with their prescribed medications.”

The minister noted that complications such as heart and kidney diseases, stroke and others, could be prevented with effective control of blood pressure.

he Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, the main rebel group in the area, said it killed 15 security personnel in an attack in the southern oil-producing Bayelsa state.

Two rebels also died in yesterday’s gunfight, which lasted for 40 minutes at a river in the Azuzuama area in Southern Ijaw local government region, MEND spokesman, Jomo Gbomo said in an e- mailed statement yesterday.

“All oil companies and the public are advised to ignore the false sense of security” portrayed by the security agencies “as we

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remain resolute in our resumption of hostilities,” Gbomo said.

The attack comes after MEND warned on April 3 they would resume their operations on April 5 after their suspected leader, Henry Okah, was sentenced to 24 years in prison in South Africa.

The rebel group will start to carry out “a plague of attacks,” Gbomo said last week. “The attacks will be sustained until an unreserved apology is offered to MEND and the Nigerian government shows their willingness for dialogue.”

Bayelsa state police spokesman

Kingsley Omire said earlier yesterday that 11 policemen were still missing after unknown gunmen opened fire on them when they were on a boat heading to Azuzuama on April 5. The boat was carrying 15 policemen and the four policemen jumped into the river and were rescued, he said.

Omire said it was too early to know who the attackers were.

According to a security source said, the boat in which the cops were travelling was reportedly sunk by their assailants, causing them to drown.

The policemen were said to be on their way to provide security

at the wake of the murder of an ex-militant leader, but entered into an altercation with his boys over their alleged abandonment.

The ex-militant leader , it was gathered, had relocated to Abuja after embracing the Federal Government amnesty leaving behind his boys.

The ex-militant leader, who feared what could happen, was said to have approached the police authorities in Yenagoa for police protection during the burial ceremony.

The assailants, who allegedly heard about police deployment, were said to have laid ambush for them.

JNI donates food items to L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan, his mother, Mama Eunice Jonathan, Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomen, and other Plateau dignitaries, during a church service, yesterday at the Aso Villa Chapel, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye Fulani Okonjo-Iweala, ACN, others mourn Ekiti Dep.Governor From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

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ama’atul Nasrul-Islam, JNI, under the leadership of the the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, JNI, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, at the weekend donated relief materials to Fulanis that were forcefully ejected from their homes in Bokkos, Plateau State.

In a statement signed by the group’s Public Relations Officer, Malam Umar Ahmad Zaria on behalf of the National Secretary, Sheikh Khalid Abubakar Aliyu said the 279 displaced victims are camped at Nomadic Community Primary School, Tafa, Kagarko Local Government of Kaduna State.

“The relief materials were presented on behalf of the Sultan by the representative of the Secretary-General, JNI, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, on Friday, 5th April, 2013... include mattresses, blankets, mats, bags of gari, bags of rice, bags of grounded maize, cartons of maggi, cartons of spaghetti, and jerry-cans of red-oil e.t.c.”, he said.

M

ore Nigerians and political parties have joined in mourning the death of Ekiti Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmi Olayinka.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Dauda Kolawole, in Ibadan yesterday described her death as unfortunate, shocking and devastating.

It expressed regrets that the deputy governor died at a time when the nation was in dire need of her wealth of experience.

It said the South West zone is passing through a difficult moment with the death of its illustrious sons and daughters whose services were much needed for the zone’s development The party described Olayinka as a blessing to mankind, a humble personality and an epitome of loyalty.

The governor of Ekiti and the state ACN Chairman, Chief Jide Awe and major stakeholders were earliest callers yesterday at the family house located on Igbehin and Ile Abiye Area of the ancient

city of Ado-Ekiti.

They were joined by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Okonjo Iweala.

Okonjo Iweala in a condolence

massage described the late deputy governor as a true representative of Nigerian womanhood.

Also, the Speaker of the Ekiti House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin, said that as a medical

Raped 12 year old girl contracts HIV in Jigawa From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse igawa state Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Alhaji Muhammed Gidado Fari said his men have arrested six people in connection with the raping of a 12 years old girl in Kantakara area of Maigatari town.

The commandant, who disclosed this in a press statement made available to newsmen over the weekend, said the six men conspired and raped the 12 years old girl who medical examination confirmed to have been infected with the HIV virus.

According to the medical

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report, the girl was infected with the HIV virus as a result of the forceful sexual relations by the suspects.

The statement added that the six suspects were arrested and would soon be arraigned in court to serve as deterrent to others who might have similar attitudes toward young girls in the society.

Alhaji Fari assured that the command would not relent in ridding the society of criminal activities.

The statement revealed that those arrested in connection with the rape of the 12 years old girl were said to be notorious in taking advantage of young girls.

doctor, “I knew that the late Olayinka’s health was hopeless.

“I never knew the ultimate will be as fast as this,” Omirin said.

A former governor of Old Ondo State, Bamidele Olumiluwa, said that the deputy governor would be missed, not only by the government of Ekiti, but the entire country.

Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara described Olayinka’s death as a national tragedy.

The governor in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, said the death came to him as a shock.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State described the death of the deputy governor as unfortunate, disheartening and sad.

According to him, it is quite unfortunate and regrettable that we lost Olayinka at this time..

Ajimobi said that her death had robbed the progressive family of one of the astute members who always strived for the betterment of the society and emancipation of humanity. (NAN)

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Kogi's floodaffected roads abandoned From Sam Egwu, lokoja

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espite approving N400 million for the reconstruction of flood affected roads by the Kogi state government, work is yet to start on the projects as the deplorable conditions of the roads within Lokoja metropolis has become a source of concern to citizens..

The roads are Shintakun-Odogbo in Bassa Local Government Area, IdaOyedega road that links Ida and Ibaji local government areas, Ganaja junction/Ganaja Village and KpataOld market road in Lokoja Local Government Area of the state.

Addressing newsmen shortly after Executive Council Meeting at Government House a couple of months ago, the state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Yabaji Bologi said contracts were awarded to contractors who are expected to commence work immediately.

The Commissioner also said that the state government has also awarded contract for the construction of workshop for Power Tiller at the cost of N133 million naira for agriculture.

Alhaji Bologi also disclosed that N22 million naira has been approved by the state government for additional works on construction of the Civil Service Commission offices, while another N42 million was also approved for the renovation of the Presidential Lodge.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

Businessman sues Union Bank for negligence From Umar Dankano, Yola

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business mogul ,Mr Henry Okobiemen, has filed a suit against the Union Bank of Nigeria PLC, Jalingo Branch,at a Yola High Court, for an alleged withdrawal of a sum Two Million Naira ,(N2,000,000) by the bank from

his account without his authorization.

Okobiemen who is based in Yola is praying the court to grant him N5,000,000, (five million Naira) as damages for the alleged illegal withdrawal of cash from his account and as well as a sum of N500,000 as the cost of action and any other reliefs the court

deemed fit and necessary to make in the circumstance.

The writ issued by his legal Counsel, GODDY Mayo Ehimikhuai and Company ,No 31 Ilorin Street,Jimeta- Yola,made available to newsmen, asked the defendant to appear personally or by legal practitioners either by handing in the appropriate forms

completed at the registry of the High Court of the judicial Division in which the action is brought or brought or by sending them to registry by registered post.

The court has however slated TuesdayMarch,9, 2013 for commencement of the hearing of the case.

L-R: President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engineer Mustafa Balarabe Shehu, congratulating Yobe state Deputy Governor, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu on his conferment of the fellow of NSE, during the 2013 1st quarterly dinner organised by the society, at the weekend in Abuja.

Unknown Assailants Kill 11, Injure 6 in Adamawa From Umar Dankano, Yola

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he Adamawa State Police Command has confirmed the killing of 11 people by unidentified assailants at Midlu village in Madagali Local Government area in the state.

The Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Mohammed Ibrahim, told our correspondent in Yola that, report from the area indicated that some unknown people invaded the village and killed their victims in a house to house raid using sharp objects suspected to be daggers.

An eye witness who confirmed the incident to newsmen, said the attack took place in the early morning of Saturday around 2am.

The resident who prefers anonymity said the attackers also went to the Deputy Governor's house in the village where they shot some people.

"They attacked Bala Ngilari house and I believe they kiledl some people in the house", the resident said.

He said he counted 13 bodies of those killed in the village by the attackers but could not say how many of them we're killed in the deputy governor's house.

However, DSP Ibrahim Mohammed told Peoples' Daily that the assailants also slaughtered the 2 local guards on duty at the private resident of the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bala James Ngilari and that 6 more people were seriously injured in the attack.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

'Boundary crisis to be over soon' From Sam Egwu, lokoja

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he lingering boundary crisis between Kogi and Anambra states will soon be over as the National Boundary Commission NBC, had since commenced work on the demarcation process for final resolution on the matter.

The Director General of the National Boundary Commission, Dr. Mohammed Ahmad gave the hint when Governor Idris Wada of Kogi

state paid him a courtesy call in Abuja recently.

According to him, the commission was committed to the demarcation process, in order to avert further fracas between the communities of Odeke and Echeno in Ibaji local government of the state and Aguleri-Otu in Anambra East local government in Anambra state on the disputed land.

"We have done a lot of technical work using necessary maps and

documents as a guide to ensure free and fair demarcation project on the disputed land" he said.

He commended governors of Kogi and Anambra state for issuing a joint statement on the need for the warring communities from both states to remain calm and peaceful pending the outcome of the Boundary Commission's work on the disputed land, assuring that the work will be carried out in the open with the full participation of all those concerned.

Jigawa commits N4b to MDG as counterpart fund From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

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he Jigawa state Government has committed up to N3.9 billion as its counterpart fund to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) from 2007 to date.

Stating this yesterday, the Commissioner for Finance and Budget Planning, Alhaji Nasuru Umar said the MDG in partnership with Jigawa state government has succeeded in transforming the lives of women through empowerment, improved access to maternal and child health care as well as the control of material and HIV/AIDS. The Commissioner who was speaking at a press briefing to commemorate the 1000 days to the target days to achieving the 2015 MDG target by the country,

was represented by the permanent secretary of the Ministry Hajiya Habiba Isa who explained that the improved health from 2007 to 2011 has gulped N3.9 Billion as its counterpart funds of the 50-50 ratio for the implementation of the MDG conditional grant scheme.

The Permanent Secretary who stated this over the weekend, said among the achievements recorded include eradication of poverty among rural and urban dwellers, tackling human infectious diseases, improved access to water and sanitation, economic empowerment and sustainable livelihood initiatives.

According to her, skill acquisition, access to finance and

loan as the conditional loan scheme plan were provided, adding "under the local government staff, in 2011 round of the exercise, three local governments were selected that include Miga, Guri and Suletankarkar, each received the sum of N200 million to implement various projects under the MDG".

"The grant of N200 million was given to these LGAs through the 30, 40, 60 grant system, the MDG Abuja gave us 60 percent, state gave 40 percent while the LGAs gave 30 percent out of the N200 million to implement various projects like the economic empowerment programme, health, education and other projects", she stated.

Senator Presents educational material to Adamawa schools From Umar Dankano, Yola

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he senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, Sen. Bindow Jibrilla, has donated educational materials worth millions of naira to schools in Maiha Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Senator Bindow while making the presentation to the school authorities, said, the gesture was a fulfillment of his campaign promises and urged them to use the materials judiciously.

Bindow also donated other empowerment materials to groups and individuals in the local government.

The materials presented at a brief ceremony in Maiha, included 12 cars, 20 motorcycles, 20 grinding machines, 20 bicycles, five tricycles, 20 electricity generating sets, 20 clippers, as well as clothes and drugs.

He said the measure was also to prove his point that he was in politics for selfless service.

Jibrilla enjoined the people of Maiha to be law abiding and continue to respect constituted authorities, adding that he had already gotten in touch with relevant authorities for the resumption of work at the abandoned Maiha-Sorau-Belel federal road.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

www.kn.gov.ng/new/

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92nd KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

overnor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE presided over the ninetysecond (92nd) Kano State Executive Council sitting today Wednesday 3rd April, 2013 (22nd Jumada Awwal, 1434AH). Seven (7) MDAs submitted twenty-six (26) memoranda for deliberation by Council. Out of that number twenty-two (22) were approved for execution with eleven (11) of them having financial implications to the tune of Three Hundred Sixty Four Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Nine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy Three Naira, Thirty Eight Kobo (N364,959,873.38) while the remaining eleven (11) are on policy issues. Thus: 1.

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT This Office submitted sixteen (16) memoranda on behalf of some MDAs for deliberation by Council. Thirteen (13) of them were approved for execution as follows: a.

Presentation on 5th Progress Report on Amana City Project (December, 2012 to February, 2013):This administration has initiated and established three new cities of Kwankwasiyya, Bandirawo and Amana without the support or financial investments of the Federal Government, Banking Sector or private developers. This policy is not decided from afar but from the reality on the ground. It is a policy that is based upon the need to make urban life liveable, safe and sustainable. It is a policy that is meant to make the State modern and attractive to foreign and domestic investors through the provision of decent and responsive accommodations at affordable prices. These cities are becoming realities and are the first to be executed by any State Government in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Beside, Abuja, no major urban sector project has been executed by any public or private concern that can match what the present administration is implementing now.

Through these cities, the old Kano metropolis will be decongested thereby transforming the State into one of the most developed and modern centers in the nation. It was in recognition of this, the Governor received numerous awards from NGOs all over the world for his vision on urban and rural transformation. Of recent was the Housing Circuit Magazine Award, where he received the Housing/Urban Development Governor of the Year 2012.

In executing these cities, compensation for land and economic trees had to be paid to owners amounting to over N3 billion in addition to other infrastructural facilities required to make the sites available for the projects. Council recalled that at an earlier sitting it approved the release of the sum of N528, 546,464.00 for the payment of compensation for the acquisition of land for Amana City.

Already, process is in motion to acquire more land by extending the city to Zaria Road on the West and Fari/Gurjiya Road on the East. This memorandum by the Senior Special Assistant on Amana City informed Council about the progress so far made on the provision of infrastructural facilities in the city.

The report covers the activities undertaken by the Senior Special Assistant for the period of three months (December, 2012 to February, 2013). The report presented findings on two main activities which centered on a series of visitations undertaken in order to assess two issues: i.

Assessment of Developmental Activities Reportedly, H & M Construction Company handles the construction/provision of road network and drainages at the City. Work execution by the Company is slow and still at clearing and filling stage (tipping of laterites), which makes the pace/ speed of work to be behind schedule. The reasons adduced are related to the following: •Six months lapsed before actual commencement of work which was blamed on administrative bureaucracy.

•There was an additional expansion of the area in question.

As such, there is need to review the completion date upward by six months by signing a new agreement between the Government and Contractor for the completion date. ii.

Assessment of Actual Building/Construction Projects All building contractors engaged by Kano State Investment and Properties (KSIP) are on site where work is in progress for various categories of housing units. The level achieved and quality attained is appreciable in all cases whereby the various contractors appear to be in healthy competition with their counterparts on standards and speed. Ten (10) building sites handled by different contractors were visited and appraised while others are in the pipeline.

Nevertheless, the Senior Special Assistant on Amana City intends to schedule a general meeting with contractors handling civic works, Government Engineers and representatives of MDAs. Main Agenda of the meeting will include the following as Council was politely notified: i.

Soliciting for cooperation and fostering synergy among/between contractors and Supervisory Engineers. ii.

To call for higher speed in the execution of work without compromising quality to meet the completion date. iii.

Discussing the need to adhere to standards agreed on in the bill of quantities. iv.

Discuss problems faced by Contractors if any and proffer practicable solutions to same. v.

Emphasizing respective tolerance by Contractors handling different projects at Amana City. For example, Road Construction Contractors, Surveyors, House Building Contractors, etc.

The presented report was acknowledged with appreciation by Council, which called on contractors to speed up execution of work so as to meet agreed completion date. b.

Request for funds to enable the provision of five (5) Toyota Hilux Double Cabin Pick Up to the State Police Command Headquarters:Council approved the release of the sum of N34, 750,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to procure and allocate five (5) Toyota Hilux Double Cabin Pick Up Vehicles to the State Police Command Headquarters as support/assistance to encourage effective patrol by the police in the State.

The positive response to the request by Council was informed by the fact that the State Government partners and cooperates with all Security Agencies and other Federal Government establishments that operate in the State. The State Government, for example, shouldered the reconstruction/rebuilding of burnt Police Stations at Zaria Road, Farm Centre, Naibawa and Tudun Wada and provided Office accommodation for the three newly created Area Commands at Bichi, Dala and Wudil. This is beside the 71 Toyota Hilux 4×4 Double Cabin vehicles that were procured and supplied to the Police Command by the present administration from 2011 to 2012 for its operation as per the breakdown below: In 2011 a.

Office of the Commissioner of Police 3 vehicles b.

Divisional Police Offices 44 vehicles c.

Metropolitan Police Office 1 vehicle d.

Area Commandant 1 vehicle e.

Kano Area Command 1 vehicle In 2012, a total number of 21 vehicles were procured and released to the Police Command in the State, making the total number to 71 vehicles. The Police were not alone as, the Military, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) benefitted similar gesture of solidarity from the State Government. c.

Presentation on Diagnostic and Disease Control Center (DDCC) and the Proposed Northwest University Teaching Hospital:The Healthcare-Related Programs Trust Fund Ltd/GTE corresponded with Council through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, via contents of this memorandum, on issues to do with the Diagnostic and Disease Control Center (DDCC) and the proposed Northwest University Teaching Hospital. Reflectively, this correspondence maintained that, the Diagnostic and Disease Control Center (DDCC) being built at Kwanar Dawaki in Dawakin Kudu LGCA is near completion.

The imposing edifice is being built with funds from Pfizer Incorporated USA as

viii. ix. x. xi. xii. xiii. xiv.

ENGR. RABI`U MUSA KWANKWASO Executive Governor, Kano State

part of the Non-Prosecution Agreement reached in July, 2009 between the State Government and Pfizer Incorporated USA (Pfizer Specialties Nigeria) arising from the Trovan study in Nigeria in 1996. The main thrust of this Center will be the control and management of Infectious Diseases as well as the management of Public Health issues such as Industrial Waste disposal and contamination. The Center will also have a diagnostic wing fitted with specialized diagnostic equipment, with an admission capacity of 55 beds and a day-care center of 20 beds capacity attached.

As the Center is being completed, the State Government has set into motion the process of its taking over and plan for the employment/deployment of qualified number of staff and enacting of relevant law that guides the setting up of the management are being treated by the relevant MDAs. Nevertheless, Council acknowledged that the Center has the potential of being converted to a Teaching Hospital but this requires a reliable/implementable plan of action designed in phases for execution.

The need to establish a Teaching Hospital by the State for the Northwest University is based on the fact that, this Government regards good health as a 'right'.

This Government believes that its citizens should have access to medical services.

The basic idea that health services are essential needs and people have a right to receive them runs consistently throughout this Administration thought. On this issue, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government was directed to step in and ensure the conversion of the Center into a Teaching Hospital for the Northwest University, Kano. d.

Request for funds to enable registration and procurement of 250 Private Plate Numbers for use by the first Batch Amana Luxury Taxis:One of the cardinal resolutions of the present administration, under the leadership of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa, FNSE is the transformation of the entire transport sector by efficiently enhancing the existing infrastructure especially roads and the introduction of new innovations and ideas. The whole essence is to improve and provide easy movement of people in the State from one place to another, which could be movement to places of work, business, visitation to friends and relatives etc. At the same time, employment opportunities are provided to the citizenry thereby improving their respective and collective economic status.

To modernize, decongest and ease commuting in the metropolis and the rural areas many important but abandoned Road Construction Projects were revalidated while repairs and construction works on new ones are in earnest progress. Flyovers are also being constructed, for the first time, in the State in order to facilitate decongestion and ease of movement for the populace.

Street and traffic lights are continuously being repaired while new ones are installed on almost all major streets, which are concurrently beautified by the laying of interlock tiles along their pedestrian walkways. This administration does not stop there. Government has procured 1000 Taxis and 500 buses, which were distributed to unemployed youths to improve commuting and increase economic activities in the State.

Presently, the Government under another scheme called "Amana Luxury Taxi" in furtherance of the laudable general transformation of the Transportation Sector by the present administration has acquired 1000 brand new Toyota Corolla Saloon vehicles for distribution to unemployed school graduates, who must be holders of Diploma and other higher degrees.

So, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested for the release of the sum of N5, 875,000.00 by Council to enable the registration and purchase of 250 private motor plate numbers for use by the first batch of Amana Luxury Taxis.

The request was considered credible and approval was granted by Council for the release of the requested sum of N5,875,000.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to undertake the stated purpose so as to commence usage of the Amana Luxury Taxis as envisaged. e.

Request for funds to enable the immediate take-off of operations at Kano State Geographic Information System (KANGIS):The present administration initiated/established the Kano State Geographic Information System (KANGIS) in order to modernize all issues related to the administration and dispensation of Land as obtained nationally. Progress has been achieved in the construction of an edifice to serve as the KANGIS Headquarters. Still, fourteen (14) items are required, as worked out by the Director General KANGIS and presented by the Office of Secretary to the State Government for Council's Consideration and approval for the release of the sum of N44, 865,000.00. Thus; S/N i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii.

Items Creation and administration of Website (1 year) Ten (10) Customized Laptops with Licensed GIS Program.

Basic Training and orientation on work ethics Registration with Cyber Security/SWIGS Media and Publicity Upgrading/Partitioning of building and provision of shelves Installation of CCTV Cameras

Cost (N) 1,280,000.00 8,000,000.00 2,000,000.00 5,650,000.00 1,000,000.00 4,150,000.00 1,600,000.00

Purchase of Locks and access control gadgets Printing of Official Stationeries Printing of Posters and flyers etc.

Refurbishing deficiencies in Furniture, Electricity/Plumbing Fueling of electricity generators and vehicles Facility Management/Security and Cleaning of KANGIS Office Refreshment/Electricity Bills Total 44,865,000.00

3,000,000.00 1,865,000.00 500,000.00 4,520,000.00 3,000,000.00 7,000,000.00 1,300,000.00

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N43,865,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for the execution/ procurement of the required items. f.

Presentation regarding the petition filed against the activities of the Kano Pillars Football Club (KPFC) Management:The Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture reported to Council results of its appraisals regarding petitions filed against the activities of KPFC management through the Office of the Deputy Governor/Hon. Commissioner Ministry for Local Governments, which was submitted to Council for consideration by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

Six (6) findings were highlighted as follows; i.

That appointed Co-management Officials by the General Manager (GM) (their respective educational qualifications not withstanding) lack adequate practical experience of football management. ii.

The four (4) Co-management Officials were appointed based on personal relationship with the General Manager KPFC not necessarily on demonstrated club patronage. iii.

That inadequate revenue generation is caused by poor management/ control of stadium gate fees during Home Matches. iv.

No ghost agreement was discovered as signed by any Player; everything was done in accordance with NFA conventions/stipulations. v.

The usual annual Audited Account of KPFC has not been submitted yet. vi.

KPFC lacks Private Sector Support which makes the Club to depend on Government financing for its day to day activities.

As such, Office of the Deputy Governor/Hon. Commissioner Ministry for Local Governments recommended to Council to consider and approve the following regarding the KPFC, as presented by the Office of Secretary to the State Government.

•Government to constitute a Board for the KPFC in compliance with the Conventions/Stipulation of Nigerian Premier League and need for proper management; •The Board should be directed to improve on revenue generation during Home Matches by the KPFC; •The Government should direct the management of KPFC to submit a report on the conducted players Negotiation/Agreement Exercise as well as the Annual Audited Accounts for five (5) years to the Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture in line with prudent management demands; •The new Constituted Board should sensitize private sector on the need to extend financial support to KPFC as part of their corporate social responsibility regarding sporting activities.

Council, noted, considered, appreciated the presentation, and approved the implementation of the recommendations submitted on the KPFC being the premier club and pride of the State as far as football is concerned. g.

Presentation on Letter of Appreciation on the inauguration of the Nigeria Niger Chamber of Commerce (NNCC) in Kano on 19th February, 2013:The Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) submitted its compliments through the contents of this Letter presented to Council by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

The Honorable President NACCIMA conveyed the expressed profound gratitude and appreciation of the entire members of his Association to Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE, for the honour granted to the organized Private Sector in Nigeria, by hosting the first General Assembly Meeting and Inauguration of the Nigeria-Niger Chamber of Commerce (NNCC), held on Tuesday 19th February, 2013 within Africa House (Government House, Kano).

The continuous support of the Government of Kano State to the organized Private Sector was profusely applauded and appreciated. h.

Presentation on the recent commendable performance of Kano State Para-Soccer Team in Adamawa State (30th January to 2nd February, 2013):Office of the Secretary to the State Government drew the attention of Council to a correspondence received from the State Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture on the recent commendable performance of the State Para-Soccer Team in Adamawa State (30th January to 2nd February, 2013).

Thirteen (13) States participated in the Competition/Championship among which Kano State took second position/runner-up and won a trophy and secured Certificates.

Council acknowledged and appreciated the presentation wishing the team success in their future encounters. i.

Request for funds to facilitate the execution of a proposal for the training of 500 female youths in Modern Bakery, Sweets Production and Events Management:The moderated sum of N13, 567,000.00 was requested for release by Council, through the contents of this memorandum submitted by the Management of Kano State Institute of Hospitality and Tourism. The Institute proposed to undertake the training of 500 female youths in Modern Bakery, Sweets production and Events management techniques. Nevertheless, Council was notified of the fact that, the Institute currently operates at its temporary site which is deficient of space to properly accommodate the targeted number of beneficiaries for the training envisaged.

As such, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government requested, on behalf of the Management of the State Hospitality and Tourism Institute, for granting the following approvals by Council •The release of the sum of N13, 567,000.00 to enable full implementation of the proposal including procurement of training equipment, mobilization of resource persons and participants, production of Certificates and issuance of an empowerment grant of N10, 000.00 to each of the 500 beneficiaries (or N5, 000,000.0).

•Granting permission for the Institute to utilize the Sani Abacha Youth Training Center Kofar Wambai to conduct the training exercise.

The credibility of the requests and their congruence to the empowerment policy of the present administration prompted Council to approve permission to utilize the Sani Abacha Youth Training Center Kofar Wambai for the envisaged training exercise and the release of the sum of N13,567,000.00 to the Management of Kano Hospitality and Tourism Institute to enable the conduct of the training. j.

Presentation on activities of the Kwankwasiyya Medical Outreach Program:This administration realizes the significance of providing healthcare to every nook and cranny of the State. In the process of implementing that the administration changes the orientation it inherited of the 'disease palace' syndrome, which is

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013 hospital oriented medical services to 'health service delivery for all'. Already, the administration has procured ten (10) fully equipped ambulances prototype, Mobile Hospitals stationed at strategic locations for prompt response to medical emergency calls round the clock across the 44 LGCAs in the State. The vehicles commute from one rural area to another to deliver medical services to rural communities.

This program is tagged 'Kwankwasiya Medical Outreach Program'.

This memorandum is from the Senior Special Assistant on Kwankwasiyya Medical Outreach Program, on the activities of the program for the month of March, 2013. The report presented highlights on findings and observations, within the period in question. According to the contents of the memorandum, since the commencement of the program in March, 2013 the team has visited 36 "hard to reach" areas at which 12,119 patients were treated with 129 of the cases referred to Secondary Medical care facility. It is encouraging to know the general public acceptance of the program as seen in their turning out en-mass to be checked by the medical personnel. Council noted the need for the services to be extended to encompass dental, eye care and Nutritional Package" since many of the observed ailments/cases are related to poor nutrition.

In a related memorandum, a request for the procurement of one (1) Toyota Hilux DC for the Senior Special Assistant was submitted for approval at the sum of N6, 950,000.00.

The request was considered credible by Council due to the need for the coordination of the activities of the Kwankwasiyya Medical Outreach and approval was given for the release of the sum of N6, 950,000.00 to enable the purchase and allocation of one (1) Toyota Hilux Double Cabin Pick Up for such purpose.

2.

OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE The Office of the Head of Civil Service submitted two (2) memoranda for Consideration by Council. Both were approved for execution as follows: a.

Presentation on a Report from the State Executive Council Committee on Kano State Community Development Association Bill, 2013:The Head of Civil Service, in his Executive mandated capacity as Chairman of the five (5) -member Committee on Kano State Community Development Associations Bill, 2013, submitted report/recommendations on the amendments to the proposed Kano State Development Associations Bill, 2013. The recommendations resulted from intensive deliberations/appraisal by the Committee members, which presented the following for Council's consideration; i.

Observations •The Kano State Community Development Association Bill, 2013 if assented, is proposed to replace the existing self-help (Registration) Law 1991.

•Proposed amendment on the composition and function of the Screening Committee to involve other Stakeholders within the Communities should enhance the proper registration process of such associations.

•Other amendments suggested could further revamp the effective performance of Community Based Organizations (CBOS) in the State in relation to the successful conduct of their activities. ii.

Recommendations •Based on the observations submitted, Council may consider and approve for processing passage of the Kano State Development Association Bill, 2013 to the State House of Assembly to become an enabling Law thereby repealing the existing Self (Registration) Law 1991.

Council acknowledged the presentation with appreciation and directed the Honorable Commissioner Ministry of State Affairs to process passing the Bill to the Honorable State House of Assembly for passage into Law. b.

Presentation on the Proposed Law to Establish Kano State Bureau of Statistics:The Executive Committee formed and directed to study the proposed Law for the establishment of the Kano State Bureau of Statistics under the Chairmanship of the Head of Civil Service submitted its report for Council's consideration. The report presented highlights on the following: i.

Observations •The proposed Kano State Bureau of Statistics to serve as an outfit of Government under the supervision of the Ministry of Planning and Budget with the primary objective of sustaining the provision of required statistical data/information system for the State for planning purposes as well as creating awareness on the significance of such information to the Society.

•The proposed bill provides details on the structure, functions, funding and staffing arrangements for the Bureau which, among others, stipulate that the outfit should have a Governing Board headed by a Chairman while a Statistician General serves as Chief Executive Officer.

•Similar Bureaus were established at the Federal level (National Bureau of Statistics) and in some States such as Lagos, Cross Rivers, Sokoto, etc.

•Establishment of the Bureau in Kano State could aid in facilitating/enhancing the capacity of the Department of Planning, Research and Statistics at MDAs in carrying out their respective functions.

•Data to be produced by the Bureau could assist the State in obtaining development support (local and International) and might aid in attracting prospective investors. The Information could include Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Inflationary trends, price indices, Demography, etc.

•If established, the Bureau would align the State with the National Focus as well as International Best practice regarding research and statistics for development purpose.

•Sections 14 and 16 of the Draft Bill provide for tenure System in respect of the Statistician General/Chief Executive Officer while concurrently proposing that the Bureau Staff should operate outside the confines of the core Civil Service but in line with the University Scheme of Service. ii.

Recommendations The Committee submitted two (2) cardinal recommendations for Council's consideration. Thus: •Amendment to Section 14 and 16 of the proposed Bill is necessary by expunging the tenure for the Statistician General/Chief Executive Officer while the staff should be drawn from the public service meaning that the Bureau should operate as an organ of Government within the public service.

•The proposed Bill was recommended for processing and passage to the State House of Assembly for passage into an enabling Law after the amendments cited on Sections 14 and 16.

Council acknowledged the presentation in appreciation and approved for the adoption of the following: i.

That the tenure/incumbency period for the Statistician General/Chief Executive Officer for the proposed State Bureau of Statistics should be four (4) years. ii.

That the Bureau should operate as an organ of Government with staff drawn from the public service.

After the amendments by the Committee, Council directed the Honorable Commissioner Ministry of State Affairs to process the amended Bill on the establishment of the Kano State Bureau of Statistics and pass it to the Honorable State House of Assembly for passage into Law. 3.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH Request for funds to enable the purchase of required Textbooks, Equipment and Other Working Materials for the Immediate Take-off of the New College of Post Basic Midwifery, Gezawa:The incumbent administration under the leadership of the second incumbency of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE established over twenty (21) Tertiary Institutions spanning various aspects of academics and employable skill acquisition. The State presently owns two Universities and eighteen skills acquisition Institutes established all over the State for the benefit of the teeming unemployed/ unskilled youths roaming the streets of the State. The health sector is not abandoned in the transformation effort of the present administration. Efficient health delivery requires professional knowledge and skill for which the State Government continuously expends resources to maintain. For example, this administration sponsors Indigenous Students for studies in Medicine/Surgery, Pharmacy, etc. at local Universities and abroad while maintaining the established Schools of Nursing, Midwifery, Health Technology, etc.

So, the Honorable Commissioner Ministry of Health applauded the decision of Government/Council to grant approval for the establishment of the new School of Post Basic Midwifery, Gezawa to admit hundreds of students who cannot be absorbed by the one in existence.

Reportedly, the Gezawa Local Government Council has provided a temporary site for the Institution and completed renovation works at the proposed male and female Students' hostels, classrooms, administrative/Office for Principal, Vice Principal and tutors to enable the successful take-off of the College in 2013/2014 Academic Session. Nevertheless, academic activities/lectures cannot commence due to the absence/inadequacy of basic instructional materials such as textbooks, equipment and other working materials. Assessment of the requirements reveals the following;

PAGE 9 S/N i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii.

Description of Item Procurement of required textbooks Procurement of Nursing Practice equipment/ instrument Procurement of furniture for Students Common room/Reception facilities Procurement of laboratory equipment/reagents Add 5% VAT 1,208,372.57 Add 1% S/D 241,674.50 Application form fee for new School and accreditation activities Grand total 27,317,498.57

Cost (N) 8,625,000.00 6,158,535.60 2,199,165.90 7,184,750.00

1,700,000.00

As such, the Ministry of Health requested approval by Council for the release of the sum of N27, 317,498.57 to enable procurement of items listed in the table presented above so as to facilitate the immediate take-off of academic activities at the newly established College of Post Basic Midwifery, Gezawa.

The credibility of the request was considered as Council granted approval for the release of the requested sum of N27, 317,498.57 to the Ministry of Health to expedite action in the execution of the project presented so as to ensure the immediate actualization of the envisaged purpose for the establishment of the new College of Post Basic Midwifery, Gezawa.

4.

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT Request for funds to enable the production of 3,000,000 Assorted Tree Seedlings:Desert encroachment is a menace that faces areas in close vicinity to the Sahara Desert. Kano State is among such areas whereby creation and maintenance of shelterbelts is paramount. The present administration under the capable Leadership of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE has never relented in its effort to support the establishment and maintenance of Shelterbelts in the State. Last year (2012) was cited as an example by the Ministry of Environment during which the State Government approved the release of colossal sums of money to enable the production of 2,000,000 assorted tree seedlings at the 18 nurseries spread across the State. These were appropriately distributed to Schools, LGCAs, Interested farmers, Traditional Rulers and Interested persons. The impact was glaring. As such, the Ministry of Environment has planned to produce 3,000,000 assorted tree seedlings that will be used for rehabilitation of existing shelterbelts, establishment of two (2) new ones, take-off of the "Great Green Wall" program and distribution to stakeholders so as to improve on the worsening situation of deforestation in the State. A detailed breakdown of the commitments was submitted to Council for Consideration.

So, the Ministry of Environment requested approval by Council for the release of the sum of N29, 790,800.00 to enable the execution of the stated project.

Council noted, considered the request and approved the release of the sum of N19, 860,533.33 to facilitate the production of 2,000,000 assorted tree seedlings by the Ministry of Environment for distribution and utilization according to the details presented. The gesture was informed by significance of tree planting not only as shelterbelts but for other economic, social, etc. purposes.

5.

MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport submitted three (3) memoranda for deliberation by Council. All of them were approved for execution as follows: a.

Request for revalidation and release of funds to facilitate the continuation of Contract NO. BLDE/CF/2362/1/13 for the construction of the Director General's Office Block at Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission:Provision of befitting Office accommodation/facilities to serving Civil Servants is among the cardinal resolutions of the present administration. As such, the contract for the construction of the Director General's Office Block at Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission was amongst the abandoned projects inherited by the present administration. The Contract was awarded in the total sum of N46, 095,948.50 out of which an interim payment of N14, 199,500.60 was made to the Contractor while the level of work executed is at roof stage and the Contractor has an outstanding unpaid voucher of N6, 688,009.06, which if settled will leave a balance of N25, 208,474.58.

Considering the significance of the project, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport invited and negotiated a discount of 15% amounting to the sum of N3, 781,271.18. This reduced the balance down to N21, 427,203.40 which was requested for the completion of the project.

The request was considered reasonable by Council, which did not flinch in granting approval for the revalidation of the contract to enable the contractor complete the project. b.

Request for funds to facilitate the conversion of Yadakunya Psychiatric Hospital (Phase II) into Government Girl's Secondary School (GGSS) Janbaki:This Government realizes that amongst the greatest challenges facing developing nations have been for decades improving their educational systems. Indeed, this part of Nigeria has been lagging behind educationally due to the failures of the Governments to expand education by making it available to all. Through expansion as being done by this administration, States can raise literacy rates, which is a major prerequisite for economic development. This administration believes that through education the citizenry could contribute productively. This explains the reasons behind the memorandum submitted for the conversion of the Psychiatric Hospital into a Girl Secondary School.

This project is yet another laudable feat of the incumbent administration under the leadership of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE, which leaves no stone unturned in its effort at the provision of qualitative education at all levels and in all ramifications.

This administration had the wherewithal and wisdom to convert and relocate the Kano State General Drug and Medical Consumables Store located at Kofar Nassarawa to boys Secondary School tag-named Governor's College. The unused/wasted edifice Magwan Water Restaurant is now being converted for use as a Girl's Secondary School tag-named "First Ladies College". To top it all, Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE and his versatile Cabinet approved the usage of Gidan Ado Bayero, a prideful legacy of the Rimi Regime, as the temporary site for the Northwest University, Kano.

So, it is only genuine patriotism that energizes these decisions to include the glaringly under-utilized Psychiatric Hospital located at Yadakunya for conversion into Girl's Secondary School.

Phase II is the essence presently for which the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport was directed to reassess an earlier submitted Bill of Quantities submitted by the State Ministry of Education at the sum of N135, 238,267.26.

Accordingly, an independent assessment of the Phase II of the conversion project was undertaken by the State Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport. A new estimate was arrived at to the tune of N83, 837,302.37 which was requested for release by Council to enable the execution of the Phase II of the conversion project.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N83,837,302.37 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to expedite action in executing the Phase II of the project of converting the Psychiatric Hospital Yadakunya to a Girl's Secondary School.

6.

MINISTRY OF PROJECTS MONITORING AND EVALUATION Two (2) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Projects Monitoring and Evaluation. Thus: a.

Presentation on the Need to Adopt the "Annual Sector Performance Review Guidelines" (ASPR):The Honorable Commissioner for Projects Monitoring and Evaluation informed Council that, the "Annual Sector Performance Review Guidelines (ASPR) is a document produced by DFID/SPARC along with stakeholder MDAs in the State between 2010 and early 2011 to measure the success, progress and challenges faced by MDAs in their day to day activities. In modern management, ASPR is the most potent tool/ method or system that enables regular stocktaking of progress/achievement and/or challenges faced in the execution of projects/programs on an annual basis.

Further, unlike the old practice of measuring MDAs performance in terms of input or activities, the ASPR guideline seeks scientifically to gauge performance using three indices: •Output •Outcome •Impact This implies that performance in Government Agencies would henceforth be measured by changes resulting from initiatives by the MDAs in any program/project.

Importantly, the performance review process is an integral element of both planning and budgeting approach recently introduced in Kano State (Medium Term Sector Strategy) and the development of Monitoring and Evaluation capacity in the State. Notably, the ASPR provides information on Government Performance in relation

to what was planned, what was achieved and what was spent in achieving the vivid results in each sector.

More details on ASPR were presented to Council by the Ministry of Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, which requested for approval by Council that, the Projects Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate should continue to lead/coordinate the adoption of ASPR guidelines in three (3) MDAs as a pilot project. The proposed MDAs for implementation are the Ministries of Water Resources, Environment and Agriculture and Natural Resources. b.

On Contract Administration and Payments Council deliberated on the observations and recommendations submitted by the Hon. Commissioner for Projects Monitoring and Evaluation on the need for MDAs to follow the standard/approved Due Process and Guidelines in the award of contracts/procurement. Since inception, this administration has run an open, honest and prudent Government and will leave a legacy that would be hard to beat in transparency, accountability and strict compliance with Due Process in the utilization of resources. Council approved and directed that on no account should MDAs disregard Due Process.

7.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Request for funds for the introduction of E-Learning Project in Kano State:The Honorable Commissioner for Education informed Council, through the contents of this memorandum that, the Hon. Commissioner for Projects Monitoring and Evaluation along with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education undertook a trip to Tunisia with the sole purpose of acquiring the required information on the introduction of E-Learning in Schools. This is in collaboration with the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) towards assisting Kano Education Sector.

Essentially, the E-Learning project entails the following: •It is a process of digitizing textbooks into a small tablet-like an IPAD. •The tablet is capable of containing more than 1000 textbooks-a capacity that replaces the textbooks.

•The tablet is solar powered and contains textbooks as well as notebooks.

Again, the tablet has the following advantages: i.Students will have all the textbooks they need for their Secondary Education in a tablet. ii.Students can take notes with the tablet as well as write assignments, which can be sent to the teacher electronically for marking. iii.Students reading habit will improve because they have enough reading materials at their disposal. iv.Students will have the opportunity to begin learning Computer application at an early stage. v.The cost of learning will reduce as the cost of textbooks is reduced by more than 70%. vi.Students' performance will improve because of availability of textbooks and other relevant reference materials in the tablet.

Specifically, the Ministry of Education requested the release of the discounted sum N66, 073,000.00 to enable piloting the program at the Governor's and First Lady's Colleges by providing 1,500 units of the tablets including Internet Connection.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N66, 073,000.00 by the State Ministry of Education to pilot the program at the Governor's and First Lady's Colleges according to the details presented. This will accord Government the opportunity to experiment on the applicability of the innovation and contend with the likelihood of extending its usage to all and sundry.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 92ND EXCO SITTING 1.

NATIONAL QUR'ANIC RECITATION COMPETITION Council acknowledged the closing ceremony of the National Qur'an recitation competition, which was organized by the Centre for Islamic Studies, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto where the State participants won in various categories of the competition. Council congratulates Abdul-Aziz Umar Faruq Sa'id, Abdullahi Salihu Yahaya Abubakar, Ibrahim Abubakar Muhammad Ibrahim, Sadiq Umar Abdullahi Sulaiman, Zahrau Auwal Sa'idu and Kabiru Abubakar Musa who respectively won 1st position in memorization of the Holy Qur'an.

2.

COMMENCEMENT OF TRAINING FOR 600 WOMEN AT POULTRY INSTITUTE, TUKWUI Council acknowledged the flag-off of training for the 7th batch of 600 women at the Poultry Training Institute, Tukwui, Makoda Local Government, which is in line with the present administration's desire to improve the lives of women and youths by creating job opportunities and empowerment to become self-reliant.

3.

DELEGATION FROM AREWA CONSULTATIVE FORUM (ACF) Council acknowledged the visit by a delegation of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to the Kano State Governor, Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. During the visit, vital issues aimed at improving socioeconomic wellbeing and enhancements of the security situation of the Northern region were discussed and articulated.

Furthermore, the Government expressed gratitude to the forum for their visit and should always count on the support of the State Government.

4.

DELEGATION FROM THE NIGERIA LABOR CONGRESS (NLC) Council received a courtesy visit on Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE by the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) where fruitful discussions bordering on Government/workers' relationship were extensively discussed.

5.

ABSENTEEISM FROM OFFICE BY STAFF OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Council noted with dismay the report from the Office of the Deputy Governor/ Hon. Commissioner Ministry for Local Governments on the habit of absenteeism and late coming to work by some staff of the 44 Local Government areas of the State. Council calls on those involved to desist from this behavior, which contradicts the laid down rules and guidelines of the public service and that suggestion boxes will be placed at various locations to get the culprits and appropriate penalty will be issued to the offenders.

6.

SIGNING OF MOU AGREEMENT WITH CCECC Council witnessed the historic signing of MOU Agreement by the Kano State Government and CCECC on the introduction of a light rail mass transit system (KLRMT) within the metropolis, which is in line with the present administration's desire to improve and develop the State Transport System and create an avenue for job opportunities, ease the transportation difficulty etc. in the State.

7.

RE: INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEATH OF HAMZA DAN'AZUMI Council acknowledged the unfortunate and mysterious death of Hamza Dan'azumi a JSS3 student of the Nigerian Military School and an indigenous citizen of Kano State. Accordingly, the Government has since registered its concern to the authorities over the circumstances that led to his death and will follow with keen interest the ongoing investigation for the unraveling of the mysterious death of the young boy. Already, a letter of concern was sent to the Minister of Defence, which was copied to the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and the Commandant, Nigerian Military School, Zaria.

8.

PRESENTATION OF AWARD Council witnessed the presentation of an award to Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE by the Students Association of Albasu Local Government for his tremendous stride in improving the Education Sector of the State.

9.

DECORATION OF MAGAJI DANBATTA AS "CON" Council noted that the elder Statesman, Alhaji Magaji Dambatta was decorated with the National Honor of Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) two years after he was conferred with an award by the Federal Government. Council, on behalf of the people of the State, congratulates the recipient and his family for the well-deserved honor.

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Council endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the Security Agencies for easy access in case of any emergency. The general public may contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, Illegal/ Wrong Parking on - 08091626747. The State Police Command could be contacted on - 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on - 07051246833, 08191778888.

For update on the activities of Kano State Government click to www.kano.gov.ng/ new

Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports & Culture

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

Taraba court frees 3 robbery suspects From Yusha'u Alhassan Jalingo

T

hree armed robbery suspects have been discharged and acquitted by a Jalingo High Court.

They are Chinedu Okeke, Francis Dominic and Daniel Echeka.

Justice Sani Mohammed in his judgment, blamed the state Prosecutor for his inability to prove the case beyond any reasonable

doubt.

He said the materials and cash alleged to have been robbed and recovered were not tendered as evidence adding that the exhibits were not linked to any of the accused persons.

The Judge said that no one identified the accused at the scene of the crime and therefore, discharged and acquitted the three suspects of all the charges due to lack of evidence.

The three suspects had been in prison custody since 2004 since the crime was allegedly committed in Gembu in Sardauna Local Government area of the state.

Meanwhile a Jalingo Magistrate Court has discharged ninety four suspects arrested during the Ibi crisis.

In her ruling, the presiding Magistrate Clara Kataps, said the suspects were discharged based on the legal advise from

the state Ministry of Justice which exonerated them.

She ordered that the remaining eighty one suspects be remanded in prison custody pending when their first information report (FIR) would be filed at the State High Court.

The suspects from Ibi crisis were charged with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and illegal possession of fire arms and disturbance of public peace.

Wife of Katsina state Governor, Dr. Fatima Ibrahim Shema (left), handing over educational materials and cash to an orphan of HIV/AIDS, recently at Kaita Local Government Area of Katsina state.

Kogi pays N421.5m counterpart fund for community projects From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

K

ogi State Government has paid N421.5 million as its counterpart contribution to the World Bank credit fund for community development in Kogi state.

General Manager of Kogi Community and Social Development Agency (KGCSDA), Mr. James Odiba, said the payment had enabled the agency to draw from the 380 U.S.Dollars World Bank credit fund for community development.

Odiba disclosed this in his welcome address at the presentation of "Outcome Study Report" of the agency's interventions in rural communities to stakeholders in Lokoja on Saturday.

He said that the state governor, Capt. Idris Wada approved and ensured that Kogi was up-to-date in payment of its counterpart contributions to the fund to guarantee the agency's intervention through its Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach.

The General Manager said

the agency intervened in 117 communities with 201 projects in health, education, water supply, transportation, electricity, environment, social sectors, gender and the vulnerable groups among others.

He noted that the agency disbursed over N500 million to the communities for the projects spread across the state adding that 126 of the projects had been completed while 75 were currently on-going.

Odiba saidd that absence of

political will on the part of Local Government administrators, was a major constraint to the agency's activities especially with the funding of their Reviewed Committees.

He however, expressed the hope that the situation would change when the governor assented to the law providing legal backing for the establishment the agency which was recently passed by the state legislative assembly.

Dr Samuel Abdullahi, chairman of the Agency's 13-

member Board of Directors expressed the view that the agency had taken over most of the developmental responsibilities of the Local Governments and urged the councils to co-operate with it.

Abdullahi said: "The board will continue to make effort to get the Local Governments executives to understand that the work of this agency is complementary and a little help from them will help boost development and reduce poverty in their areas.

From David Hassan, Gombe

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Gombe State Police Command, Fwaje Atajiri (DSP), said the police comprising regular and mobile units were drafted to the village to restore normalcy.

Though Fwaje could not give the cause of the crises and extent of damage, our source said a Waja man was alleged to have been killed four days ago in Maitunku village.

He added that on Friday when the Waja man's corpse could not be found in Maitunku village

by his kinsmen, they came back to Bambam village where fracas ensued between the two tribes with the use of dangerous weapons which include guns.

He said it was in the shootout that another person was killed while angry youths started burning houses in Bambam village.

As at the time of filing this report, the village was said to be calm while the PPRO promised to reach reporters with findings from the police.

Communal clash claims two in Gombe

A

communal clash between two communities of Dadiya and Waja in Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State has claimed two lives in Bambam and Maitunku villages last Friday A source told reporters on phone that several houses were burnt in Bamabam village on Gombe-Yola road as passengers' could not pass through the village from either side of the road.

Taraba wants FG to fund capital projects From Yusha'u Alhassan Jalingo. he Taraba state government has called on the Federal government to mobilize funds for construction of capital projects in the state.

State Acting Governor, Garba Umar made the call in Jalingo when members of the fiscal responsibility commission North-East Geo-political region currently on tour of federal projects in the state paid him a courtesy visit.

Umar who expressed happiness with the visit, said the state government had embarked on construction of federal government roads such as the Jalingo Garbachede and Marraba-Abong roads saying that work would soon start on the Bali-Gembu road.

He called on the federal government to intervene by giving at least fifty percent of the funding.

Earlier, the commissioner representing the North-East Geopolitical zone of the fiscal responsibility commission, Ismaila Mu'azu Hassan said they were in the state in continuation of tour of selected federal projects sites across the region including the Takum water supply scheme awarded in June 2011.

Ma'azu said the fiscal responsibility commission was about prudence and reduction of waste and corruption in government businesses.

The Regional commissioner expressed delight with the state for being among the seven states in the country that had signed the fiscal responsibility law and also among the few states that had set up their respective commissions.

In another development, the Taraba state acting Governor Alhaji Garba Umar has commended the management of the Federal Medical centre, Jalingo in its effort to control the spread of Lassa fever in the State.

The Acting Governor made the commendation when management of the centre paid him a courtesy visit call.

T

‌Tension as militants kidnap six From Yusha'u Alhassan Jalingo.

S

ix persons from Jeduwa Gida Rikiya ward in Yangtu Special Development Area of Taraba state have been kidnapped by people believed to be militants from neighboring Benue state.

Investigation by our reporter revealed that two of the six persons were kidnapped in a village called Kamko in Benue state while producing timber plants for a Tiv man who hired them on their farms in Taraba state.

The situation has created tension in the area as people were very apprehensive and could not go about their normal businesses.

In most areas visited, people were seen in groups lamenting the issue.

The spot where the four persons were kidnapped according to sources, was the land belonging to the Nyifiye community in Taraba state where the Tiv were alleged to be harassing them over the years.

Soldiers have since been dispatched to the area to maintain the peace and a partial curfew had been imposed on the affected communities to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

PAGE 11

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

Financial rules to master for a happier life C hances are very good that it's not the money we are after, but to be happy. Yet, many of us mistakenly chase the elusive idea of "having more money" and we end up working endlessly while we sacrifice our happiness to reach this goal.

If you want a good motto to live by, it should be this: "The journey is the reward." Here are five things you can do this year to increase your happiness.

Money Tip:

Using public relations to build brand credibility

F

or the majority of new businesses and professionals, one of the key assets they lack is credibility and authority in the marketplace.

Most new businesses are (at best) a very small blip on the giant radar that is our world.

As an entrepreneur, you are faced with the challenge of not only getting your brand out there in front of the eyes of the world, but also convincing your target audience to trust you, even when you may lack the capital, resources or influence of an established organization.

As the CEO of a public relations firm, I am often tasked with the challenge of doing the same for my clients who are startup and early-stage companies. The good news is that it can be done- and I have done it successfully for dozens of clients. The even better news is that thanks to new technology, social media and the fast-paced information-driven world we now live in, it can now be done faster and more inexpensively than ever before.

The goal of positioning a brand as an authority in your industry is within the grasp of any business of any size- the playing field has been leveled.

But it starts with organizing a solid plan for doing so. So, I am going to share with you a few of the elements we use at my public relations firm, Fifth Avenue Brands, to craft a high-impact branding and media outreach strategy for our clients. Contributed by Richard Lorenzen

Quote Let's be honest. There's not a business anywhere that is without problems. Business is complicated and imperfect. Every business everywhere is staffed with imperfect human beings and exists by providing a product or service to other imperfect human beings.

- Bob Parsons

Make only one goal The start of the year also marks the favorite time to make new goals, but we often make so many that we end up not reaching any. There's no shame in making just one goal and meeting it. The satisfaction of a job well done is so fulfilling.

Aim to improve a tiny bit Many high earners will tell you that they aren't happy with their income. This is because they are already used to the amount of money that they are making. Everything is all relative. In order to feel happy, make improvements. And it doesn't even have to be related to making money, either.

Weight loss, family ties, time management, starting a budget, and many other goals will all make you happy as long as you are making progress. The bonus is that if you are always aiming to improve a tiny bit, it will help you start a routine faster because you will feel less overwhelmed by a completely new project.

Shrink your to do list No one likes to have things piling up. Try to stop thinking and worrying about what you have to do and just do it. You will be much happier with fewer tasks on your to do list and more

accomplishments under your belt.

Swap TV time for activities out of your home The average person spends about four hours in front of the TV daily. That's time you could be using to improve all facets of your life, time you could be exercising, and time you could be spending with your family.

The No. 1 complaint most adults have is probably not having enough time, so why spend any time in front of the TV, gaining weight while you bleed your life away?

Indulge often!

No matter how much you love seeing your net worth grow, frequent indulgences make us happier than socking money away and seeing a bigger account balance. The obvious problem is that we don't have unlimited funds, so why not trade some of your bigger expenditures for small indulgences?

Instead of a big car payment, why don't you go out for dinners more often? Instead of an expensive annual vacation, why don't you go on a mini-road trip every month? By spending frequently but with smaller amounts, you will find that you get much more satisfaction out of every dollar that you spend.

Take your financial responsibility, even with financial adviser

T

here are many questions that people can ask from their financial advisers.

I think the most important thing is actually not choosing a financial adviser, but deciding that you are the person who is responsible for your money, no matter who you choose. If someone is helping you with your finances, you own responsibility for those finances.

In order to save money, cancel memberships for

things you do not use. For instance, if you have a gym membership, but you never go to the gym, why do you need the membership? All that this is doing is costing you money that could be spent on more important things.

This might seem painful, but if you want to save money, cut out monthly unnecessary expense. This could save you some money yearly or more, and it forces you to engage in more productive and healthy

forms of entertainment again.

Go outside, read books and interact with your family for entertainment.

Don't throw away money on needless or hidden monthly recurring charges.

You may be paying for services that you don't need or unknowingly agreed to.

Avoid these types of charges by carefully looking over your bank statements every month.

Look for and eliminate any charges that you're unfamiliar with, or that

you no longer need.

See if your employer provides you with discount benefits. Many times, if you work for a large company, they can pass their discounts on to you for various insurance plans or even your cell phone.

Think carefully before making any financial decision.

Don't make a decision based on fear or panic. It is okay for you to stop and take the adequate amount of time you need before you make any kind of decision. That is especially true for large financial decisions. Now you just need to take a deep breath and do the right thing.

Learn to live frugally as a way of life. Consider going with only one car for your family. Your car is probably the second most expensive item in your budget, after your home. This can be a short-term strategy to help you catch up on bills and build up your savings, or an ongoing lifestyle change.

Fees are something that you will have to deal with as the year goes on, so you should be conscious of them so that they do not add up. Try to be aware of any ATM fees and drive carefully on the road so that you do not receive tickets or fines from any government officials, like FRSC, Lagos' LASTMA, VIO, and so on, which are unnecessary expenses.

Share your Money Tip: do you have a business/money idea, and you want to share it with our dear readers? Then, send it to: ikabirsule@gmail.com or (text it to 08091904890)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

T

Sabre-rattling in Korean peninsula

he last frontier of the cold war, the Korean peninsula, is again on the boil. After the unification of East and West Germanys, to form what is today Germany, a united Korea was considered next, to close the legacy of the cold war. However, today, instead of peace, this former sphere of influence of the U.S. and the defunct USSR - the Korean peninsula - is at the centre of dangerous nuclear stand-off.

The Korean War, which consolidated the division of the two Koreas, ended in 1953 with an armistice but there was no treaty.

The demilitarized zone (DMZ), the territory that separates the two Koreas, has both armies facing each other. The tension on the peninsula is not helped by the permanent stationing of about 30,000 American troops, who have been there since the technical cessation of hostilities in 1953. The Chinese who fought on the side of the North Koreans have since gone home.

The almost yearly military exercises by the US troops alongside those from South Korea have been a source of worry to the North Korean leadership, who are understandably wary of the only super power's military presence in their backyard.

The escalation of war rhetoric from the North Koreans was actually triggered by a joint military manoeuvre by US and the South

Korean forces.

The young North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Un, originally portrayed in Western media as a playboy, needs to assure his 25 million compatriots that the country can hold out against its enemies by turning the rhetoric of war a pitch higher. Even his older generals for whom the menace of a super power next door is a source of historic worry and irritation would have found their commander-in-chief, the 30-year-old

“

As difficult as this may be, America should consider pulling out its troops as a peace building measure Marshal Jong-Un, a tough nut in the mold of his father, Kimg Jong-Il and grandfather and founder of the Peoples Republic, Kim Sung-Il. However, the young Kim may have taken the war rhetoric too far. He has declared that his country is in "a state of war" with its southern neighbour, and US and Japan are "legitimate" targets. His generals said that they have got the political nod to launch attacks: "The moment of explosion is approaching fast. The US aggression would be smashed but cutting-edge

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smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear strike means." The escalating tension in the Korean peninsula should worry everyone and we at the Peoples Daily are disturbed. The war that is likely to be fought in the peninsula, should it come to that, would not be restricted to that theatre alone. It will not be the type of conventional warfare that was fought in 1950-53, involving only the belligerents and their allies.

There is a real threat of nuclear confrontation that will likely engulf everyone. For this reason and the sake of the ordinary peoples of the two Koreas, we appeal for restraint on all sides. We urge the North Koreans to return to the international system through engaging with the United Nations, as well as resuming the six-party talks aimed at solving the Korean problem.

We urge anyone with influence on both sides in the conflict to wade in and calm their frayed nerves. As difficult as this may be, America should consider pulling out its troops as a peace building measure.

This is to enable the two Koreas resume political contacts and dialogue. Throwing military rings around the globe with a view to detering potential aggressors is a cold war strategy derived from the mentality of that precarious era and no longer suitable in this era of multilateralism.

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OUR VISION

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

PAGE 13

Jonathan is ‘squeezing’ the life out of our country

By Salisu Suleiman

T

here is a joke about a morgue attendant who was so used to seeing dead bodies that one day, when a supposedly dead body started twitching, his response was, "this is the morgue, not the emergency room". He promptly smothered the twitching body until it was well and truly dead.

"That's more like it", he said, as he sat down to guard the cabinet full of dead bodies and to wait for new arrivals.

In many ways, the way Goodluck Jonathan has handled the affairs of Nigeria since becoming president can be likened to that of the morgue attendant. And worse still, Nigeria under his administration has grown to become a vast, sprawling mortuary where deaths and dead bodies do not seem to matter at all. In the aftermath of Jonathan's visit to Maiduguri, the trouble northern city under attack by Boko Haram, in security operatives reportedly dumped about 70 bodies at the morgue, up from the daily average of 10 or 20.

Like the morgue attendant in the story, when about two years ago, the Borno state Elders Forum met the president and asked him to order the withdrawal of troops from Maiduguri to enable them take a

By Chido Onumah

A

s the merger of the country's major opposition parties crystallized a few months ago into a mega party known as All Progressives Congress (APC), I received an email from my friend, Richard Mammah, who wanted to get my opinion on the new party. "Is the new mega party in Nigeria a marginal improvement over where we are coming from?"

Mammah asked pointedly. My immediate response was emphatic: "It is (if it succeeds). It is important that genuine democrats and progressives find a way to key in as soon as possible".

Since then, there have been debates (among progressives) about the desirability of "joining" the new party. Expectedly, the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) responded to news of the merger with disdain. "No merger will succeed against us in 2015" was the party's official position through its former national secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who spoke to journalists in Abuja.

Oyinlola dismissed the merger as "gang ups".

"We don't think we are threatened by what we would call gang ups", said the former governor of Osun State who was sent packing by the court in 2010 before he could complete his second term. "In those days when the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) closed ranks, it was called an accord. When the

different approach against the jihadist group, Jonathan flatly refused. In the two years since, how many more lives have been needlessly lost in the fighting?

His attitude seems to be, "I'd rather preside over dead bodies than save lives".

Accepted, Jonathan took over a country that was severely distressed, but what is the job of the president? For someone who has spent the last 14 years in power at the state and federal levels, the excuse that he is still studying the situation is one of the lamest apologies in political history.

Either deliberately or inadvertently, like the morgue attendant, Jonathan's actions and inactions all seem geared

towards killing Nigeria off.

Why was it that when he was eventually shamed into visiting northern Borno and Yobe states by opposition governors, his response to calls for an amnesty for Boko Haram was, "We can't grant amnesty to ghosts". Within a week of his mindless retort, another 25 Nigerians had been blown to smithereens in Kano. Since he can't grant amnesty to ghosts, perhaps, he can grant amnesty to dead bodies?

Incidentally, more and more Nigerians are beginning to suspect that the deteriorating security situation may be more than the handiwork of Boko Haram. More than ever, there are growing fears that some, if

“

Accepted, Jonathan took over a country that was severely distressed, but what is the job of the president? For someone who has spent the last 14 years in power at the state and federal levels, the excuse that he is still studying the situation is one of the lamest apologies in political history

not many of the attacks attributed to Boko Haram may be the work of other "ghosts" beyond the militants, whose ultimate objective may be to divide Nigerians further along ethnic and religious lines for political advantage. The very nature and timing of some of the attacks on churches and some ethnic groups lend credence to that supposition.

Is this the same Jonathan who told us on his inauguration that, "Today, our unity is firm, and our purpose is strong, our determination unshakable.

Together, we will unite our nation and improve the living standards of all our peoples whether in the north or in the south; in the east or in the west.

Our decade of development has begun. The march is on. The day of transformation begins today.

We will not allow anyone exploit differences in creed or tongue, to set us one against another?"

Perhaps, Nigerians should not be surprised at what Jonathan has become. From the supposedly timid state governor and vice president, we now have one of the most calculating and thick-skinned leaders, totally deaf to criticism. The only thing on his mind seems to be to retain power beyond 2015 while allegedly helping friends and cronies accumulate wealth.

After all, when he was asked about politicians declaring their

assets in public, he said: "The issue of public asset declaration is a matter of personal principle.

That is the way I see it, and I don't give a damn about it, even if you criticise me from heaven."

Which is why the condemnations of the pardon he granted to Diepreye Alamiesegha, a former state governor who stole millions of dollars and jumped bail in the UK after disguising himself in as a woman, are likely to fall on deaf ears. It is why, even with a daily income of $224 million, Nigerians are among the poorest people on earth. It's why we have 68 million people unemployed; why Nigeria is the most corrupt nation in the world and why studies show that a child would be off being born in Somalia, Mali, Chad, South Sudan and other war-ravaged countries than in Nigeria.

Jonathan's well-paid and illmannered army of internet and media warriors may sing his praises to high heavens and work hard to distort any discourse about the woeful failures of their paymaster, but they cannot hide the fact that, under Jonathan, Nigeria has become a vast mortuary where death and tragedy are routine.

And like the morgue attendant, the president seems intent on smothering all remaining signs of life.

Guardian Africa Network

Can APC cure Nigeria's headache? (I) Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and Great Nigeria People's Party (GNPP) did the same, they called it gang up."

Oyinlola's diatribe was upped

by Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State who described the opposition parties as "inventions of the last two years". "They are the invention of pain, agony and anger", Lamido said, adding, "They thought PDP is like them.

We have political party history from 1998 when they were not in existence. Those who were talking in ANPP, ACN and CPC were formally PDP members that were flushed out in the field by the party (PDP)."

Bamanga Tukur, the national chairman of the PDP, in his reaction to the merger, described his party as the "Messi of Nigerian politics. If you go for a contest, you have the striker.

You know Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentine football star)? PDP is Messi in that contest. They (opposition) are no threat at all. It is better, it inspires PDP to action. In that contest, tell them Chairman said PDP is the Messi". Football lovers in the country must feel insulted and incensed by this laughable comparison.

Of course, the PDP is grandstanding and its disdain for the APC is borne out of fear more than anything else. I understand the position of the Oyinlolas,

Lamidos and Tukurs. It is one that demands no response. For them, there is no meaningful job other than being in the corridors of power. And that has to be done by any means necessary. I felt differently, however, when I read a response on the merger from a much younger former colleague, Ohimai Amaize, who "joined" the PDP by way of political appointment about three years ago. In his piece, "The APC, is it a merger or 'maga'?" Amaize asked, "What is the core ideology of this new contrivance? What is its blueprint for Nigeria's regeneration? An existing

manifesto or some consultants are still working on it? When will it be ready? Perhaps, a few months to the next general elections! And this is part of the problem. Contrivances don't work.

These are legitimate questions, knowing Amaize's antecedent before he joined the "transformation" wagon.

However, the analysis shows a shallow and opportunistic reading of history. It presupposes Amaize is "happy" with the way things are in the country and if ever there is any talk of change, it can only take place "under

“

the PDP is grandstanding and its disdain for the APC is borne out of fear more than anything else. I understand the position of the Oyinlolas, Lamidos and Tukurs. It is one that demands no response. For them, there is no meaningful job other than being in the corridors of power. And that has to be done by any means necessary

existing political platforms". And by this I am sure he means the PDP. Of all the arguments in support of the emergence of APC, or what the response of genuine democrats should be to the new party, two stand out. In his piece "APC and the continuing crisis of Left politics in Nigeria", Adagbo Onoja concluded that "As long as there is no Left party or a broad based democratic coalition in Nigeria, comrades would have no option but spread to whichever platform they find space to continue the struggle in whatever ways possible". In his article, "Reflections on party combinations", The Guardian, March 7 & 14, 2013, Edwin Madunagu noted: "The announcement of a merger of the leading opposition parties in Nigeria is a development which no serious political formation or tendency in the country can ignore or dismiss with cynicism of the type: 'they always do this whenever a major election approaches'".

These two arguments speak for themselves and capture, to a great extent, what the response of radical and progressive elements, particularly youth and students, should be with regard to the APC as we head toward 2015.

Chidi Onumah wrote in from Lagos.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

PAGE 14

Bala is a performing, not sleeping, minister

By Nosike Ogbuenyi

T

he attention of the FCT Administration has been drawn to the publication titled ''Arousing Sleeping Ministers of Jonathan's Kitchen Cabinet'' authored by Miriam Humbe in Peoples Daily of Friday, April 5, 2013. We are taken aback at the author's categorization of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, as one of the sleeping ministers in Jonathan's cabinet. That caption and the piece, to say the least, leave a sour taste in the mouth as both are mischievous. It was an unfortunate attempt to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. The piece also flies in the face of our recent efforts to build a more cordial relationship with the media, Peoples Daily in particular.

By Sheddy Ozoene

C

hairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, is not new to tough political assignments, especially for the PDP. He has always been associated with them so much that cracking political hardnuts has become his second nature. Many would even swear he thrives on them.

Over the years, Anenih has shown an uncommon willingness-commitment if you like-to take on the usually inconvenient job of ensuring that members submit to the larger interests of the party. This has defined his politics as much as it has brought him in confrontation, severally, with those who waver.

Many refer to him as "The Enforcer" in admiration of his strict insistence on the collective interests of the party, or derogatorily as a political armtwister, depending on who is involved. As a politician who leads by example, he maintains the dual character of a quintessential leader as well as a loyal follower, all at once. While many, especially those in opposition parties, will always choose to vilify him, only a few conceal the fact that he is one of a kind for which they envy the PDP. Among the reasons Anenih was favoured to return as chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, in addition to his unquestionable loyalty to the party, is his untiring efforts to ensure the party speaks with one voice. His return on February 25, 2013, to the position he vacated nearly six years earlier was, therefore, apt coming at a period the party was beginning to speak in discordant voices.

With a section of the party leadership seriously aggrieved and as many as eight of its governors rumored to be seeking alternative political platforms, along with Senators and House of Representatives members from their states, Anenih's second missionary journey could not have happened at a more

state that all Senator the demolition Mohammed exercises has paid his carried out dues as far as Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text under the Balaservice messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written led FCTA have delivery is contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 a stamp of concerned in legality. As a words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and his less than law-abiding a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed three years of citizen, Sen. stewardship as to: Mohammed FCT Minister. would be the In a nutshell, The Editor, last person to be he has Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, caught on the acquitted 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. wrong side of himself Email: opinion@peoplesdaily-online.com the law. If creditably as a SMS: 07037756364 truth be told, minister of the considering his federal achievements republic. The tailored towards availing the so far, it will be uncharitable for writer's attempt to rubbish the lands for some well-connected anybody to categorize Sen. Bala Minister's efforts to redeem the individuals, including the First Mohammed as a sleeping Abuja Master Plan via removal Lady''. minister. of illegal structures is most We state that nothing can be Since he was invited from unpatriotic and wicked. It is further from the truth! For the the hallowed chambers of the equally callous for her to allege umpteenth time, we want to Senate, in a manner of speaking, that "the demolitions are

WRITE TO US

by President Jonathan and made Minister of the FCT, Mohammed has left nobody in doubt about his determination to leave the territory better than he met it. And he is already achieving his noble objective through multi-faceted achievements. Senator Mohammed's achievements are too numerous to outline here.

They cut across roads and bridges construction, opening up of new districts, introduction of the highly innovative land swap policy, attraction of multibillion dollar investments, improved healthcare delivery, repositioning and reformation of land administration, expansion of portable water supply, enhancing of security and so on.

Nosike Ogbuenyi is the Special Adviser on Media to the Hon. Minister of FCT.

Anenih's fence-mending mission auspicious time.

Indeed, the scenario of a divided party is obviously one that is contrary to his ideals as a stickler for cohesion and consensus. Though he has paid visits to some high-profile Nigerians and leaders of the party since stepping in the saddle as BoT Chairman, Anenih's peace initiatives have focused more on the PDP governors, many of whom are either disenchanted with the party or are being swayed by political calculations towards the 2015 elections.

Some of them, who reportedly claim they are being marginalized and have lost confidence in the party leadership, had stayed away from the reconciliation parleys organized recently in their geopolitical zones by the national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. The BoT under Anenih's leadership did not need that to know that all was not well with the PDP. The presidency and the PDP leadership guard realized that; and, which was why the new BoT chairman was requested to drive the process of genuine reconciliation in the party.

The policy of genuine

reconciliation with by returning members who fled the party in the heady days of the Obasanjo presidency was being implemented half-heartedly, just as little has been done in resolving the crises in almost all the state chapters of the party.

This development is what the Anenih-led BoT has been asked to address. But, indeed, it is the governors' recalcitrance against the party leadership that has bothered Anenih the most. This recalcitrance has incrementally manifested in recent times. For instance in Tukur's first major outing with them-a meeting he called at the party's Legacy House in Abuja-only five governors had attended; a scenario that played out again when only three (Theodore Orji of Abia, Isa Yuguda of Bauchi and late Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna) were present at the launch of his (Tukur's) biography, the "Global Villager" to mark his 77th birthday anniversary.

His quarrel with Olagunsoye Oyinlola and the forced enthronement of the Mijinyawa Kaugama-led state executive in Adamawa PDP also did a great harm to Tukur's relationship with governors who regard

“

...it is the governors' recalcitrance against the party leadership that has bothered Anenih the most. This recalcitrance has incrementally manifested in recent times. For instance in Tukur's first major outing with them-a meeting he called at the party's Legacy House in Abuja-only five governors had attended; a scenario that played out again when only three (Theodore Orji of Abia, Isa Yuguda of Bauchi and late Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna) were present at the launch of his (Tukur's) biography, the "Global Villager" to mark his 77th birthday anniversary

Oyinlola and Adamawa governor, Murtala Nyako, as two of their own. The boycott of the party's one year celebration of the enthronement of its National Working Committee at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, which attracted only two governors, brought matters to a head and clearly raised the alarm.

As events have proved in the past three weeks or thereabout, Anenih's BoT has proved that it is in a better stead position to seek the governors' attention, speak with them jaw to jaw and assuage their grievances. For the first time, some of them are making their complaints open, a situation that makes appeasement possible. The decision to engage the governors individually and behind closed doors, has also built confidence and created a better environment for them to open up. Niger state governor, Babangida Aliyu, for instance, who hosted Anenih and his team recently, emerged from the meeting a stronger and more committed PDP member.

It has also come to the fore that Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido who, along with Aliyu, is reported to be nursing presidential ambitions, views the arrest and prosecution of his son by the EFCC as political persecution while Kano Governor Kwankwaso is angry that he is not consulted when federal appointments are being made in Kano. The manner in which statements were brazenly made to foreclose the 2015 presidential contest may also have rankled many of the governors when it is obvious the preferred option of consensus in such a sensitive issue is not imposed but forged with patient negotiation.

It may be too early in the day to evaluate in details the effects of Anenih's political shuttles to reconcile aggrieved PDP Governors but the signals are positive. An indication that he is

succeeding has come from the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Sen. Walid Jibrin, who disclosed that the tour of some states was already yielding fruitful results. Another is the recent public commendation by the party's National Publicly Secretary, Olisa Metuh. In conveying the party's commendation of his role, Metuh said Anenih had indeed lived up to his reputation as a consensus builder and strong believer in the supremacy of the party.

Indeed, for a man whom, in the worst type of situations, has never contemplated an alternative political platform, Anenih occupied a high ground from where he deploys a certain moral force in his arguments.

Even when he was schemed out of the BoT Chairmanship by Obasanjo in 2007, his loyalty to the party and successive governments of the late President Umaru Yar'adua and President Goodluck Jonathan never waned. And there he is today; back to the seat he was unfairly denied; and, vigorously investing his energy and resources in the enterprise of building united and peaceful party.

With this, it is easy to argue with the governors that jumping ship is never an option on issues like this. What is paramount is demonstration of the spirit of give and take. Reports have so far indicated that Anenih is making significant progress in the reconciliation effort, extracting commitments from the aggrieved governors and making concessions and/or compromises on behalf of the party. When, in the next few months, the PDP under the leadership of President Jonathan strikes a rhythmical chord, let not the opposition parties try to orchestrate political shenanigans about the good fortune of the behemoth which the ruling party has personified.

Sheddy Ozoene contributed this piece from Abuja.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

PAGE 15

Anenih: The colours of an old despot (1) P

romoters of the Peoples Democratic Party take pride in advertising it as "the biggest party in Africa". As immodest as this self glorification sounds, it is essentially true. The PDP controls 25 state governors out of the 36 in Nigeria. It has a comfortable majority in the Upper and lower chambers of the Federal Legislature. It goes without saying that more than two thirds of the local councils in the country are under the control of the mega party. A party that is the biggest in Nigeria is by the grace of Nigeria's population also the biggest in Africa.

At foundation, the Peoples Democratic Party was a rally for all Nigerian politicians. It began in 1997 as a civil society organization with the sole aim of enlightening the citizenry about their rights and obligations in a militarized political environment. Starting as a group of 34 prominent politicians from both the north and the south, it later expanded to include business moguls, retired military men and other members of the dominant class.

It has grown in size beyond the dreams of its founders.

But what the party has in abundance in size is sorely lacking in its moral and ethical codes - that is if it has any of such ethos that are essential ingredients of democratic governance. Its predecessor in

democratic governance, the National Party of Nigeria, NPN introduced zoning as a winning formula. It was a novel system that ceded offices to various sections of the country thus ensuring widespread support.

The PDP adopted this magical wining formula. Even those who argue that zoning is against the letter of the 1999 Constitution still agree that it has helped to substantially address the fear of ethnic domination and marginalization. Under the zoning arrangement, the Presidency of the country was ceded to the south. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was the first beneficially of this arrangement.

Even though he came into the party very late and his people in the South West voted against him in the general elections, he still went ahead to win the presidency because his party which had a nationwide spread nominated and supported him.

He ruled the country from 1999 to 2007.

Ever since then, the system has been observed more in breach than otherwise. As a contender for the office of President when his boss, Yar Adua died, Goodluck Jonathan denied the existence of the zoning accord. But this newspaper published the minutes of a meeting which he attended as deputy Governor of Bayelsa State and appended his signature to the zoning formula of the party.

The propensity of the PDP to dishonour agreements solemnly entered into is one thing; the party has also carved out for itself the image that it wants power at all costs. In the run up to the 2007, President Obasanjo declared that it is a matter of 'do or die' for the PDP. The party did not call him to order.

Emmanuel Yawe 08024565402 royawe@yahoo.com President Goodluck Jonathan while in the race for presidency in 2011 promised us fresh air.

But at the primaries of the party, he scarcely disguised the fact that he was using state funds to pay the bribes to delegates. One of his closest campaign leaders was even recorded on tape, twice, saying that Goodluck Jonathan would "pay whatever is required for each vote." A man who could pay such huge sums of money as $13,000 per candidate could hardly guarantee fresh air.

His victory has been greeted with widespread disapproval and

violence, leading to the current state of terrorism in the country.

Instead of injecting men with fresh ideas to give us fresh air, President Goodluck has fallen back on men of yesterday with their time worn antics and tricks, some of which smell of human blood and animal fire.

The emergence of Tony Anenih in the inner circles of his kitchen cabinet could hardly be described as a move to bring about fresh air. This is the same man who as Chairman of the SDP negotiated away Chief Abiola's victory during the June 12 crisis.

Since then he has gone ahead to invent many other undemocratic games in Nigeria.

President Obasanjo is reported to have allocated huge sums of money to the Ministry of Works when he was a minister there to fix Nigerian roads. He did not do it but the money disappeared from government coffers.

Amazingly, it was at this time he added Mr. Fix it to his endless chain of titles. It was also at this time as we drew close to the 2003 elections when there were demands from members of the public for him to account for this money that he started shouting that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.

We were to hear about no vacancy in Aso Rock again in 2007. At this time he was at the head of the ill conceived plan to make Obasanjo a perpetual President through the third term

agenda. The Nigerian people rose in defence of their democratic rights to kill third term. Of course the death of third term brought some bad blood between the principal and Mr Fix it. There were stories about huge funds unaccounted for; a reminder of the funds to fix the roads.

Today, the bad blood between Obasanjo and Anenih is complete. He has taken over Obasanjo's coveted office- for which he sponsored an amendment of the PDP constitution - the chairman Board of Trustees BOT. He also holds, the juicy position at the Ports Authority as Board Chairman.

There is an expose in the papers alleging that Mr. Fix has a brief to attack, harass and overwhelm dissenting governors opposed to Goodluck Jonathans 2015 plan. The government says it is forgery; if indeed it is forgery, the author must be the same persons who scripts the political and campaign strategies of the Mr Fix it that we know.

Secondly, what is happening to the PDP zoning of offices. Look at this. President of Nigeria (South South) BOT chairman (South South), Chairman Nigeria Governors Forum (South South), Chairman PDP Governors Forum (South South). Now that Bamanga Tukur has been run out of town by Mr Fix It, what is left on the break fast table for other parts of the country?

Jamilah Tangaza: The stallion at AGIS

By Emma Agu

M

any visitors to the ministry of federal capital territory (FCT) will miss the face of the elegant stallion that, for a little over one year, had come to symbolize the voice and face of the federal capital territory administration.

For months on end she had strode, with unprecedented zeal and hitherto uncommon passion and selflessness, to reinvent the information management machinery of the FCT. On two separate occasions when media executives and the leadership of the Newspaper proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) met with the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, not a few had expressed surprise at her elocution, breadth of knowledge, poise and sincerity.

For this highly energetic lady, her greatest inspiration for the job came from the knowledge that, from education to career, she was representing the finest in British heritage. She is an alumnus of the London School of Economics and as a journalist, was baked in the oven of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) where she had worked for 20 solid years. It was this rich combination of educational and professional excellence that she brought to the information management system of the FCT. Did she succeed? Maybe the best way to go about it is to paraphrase the information

management challenge of the FCT from the perspective of its publics. Before she got there, the challenge had been, and remains, how to ensure that a proactive agenda setting information machinery was not upstaged by vested interests perennially bent on subverting the due process in land acquisition and property development. Of course there was always the dimension that principal officers of the FCT should be protected from sundry blackmailers who would stop at nothing to demonize and if possible destroy these officers.

The matter was not made any easy by what was clearly an avoidable chasm between the hardworking minister and his media colleagues, given that Bala himself started his working life as a journalist in Jos. It was under the circumstance that this lady of great intellect and a huge appetite for work came into the information management system of the FCT. Dynamic, focused and bold, she threw herself into the job with the zeal of a convert with the single mantra that never postpone till tomorrow, what can be done today. Where some in her shoes would ward off expertise including professional colleagues, she embraced professional support with open arms; where some would withhold resources for mundane considerations she was generous with time and

resources, insisting always that earning the confidence of colleagues and rendering honest and loyal service to her employer should transcend any other considerations. It was a delicate balancing act; at the end, she won. She may not be happy with the disclosure that I am about to make but it needs to be made not necessarily to extol her virtues but to also put in perspective the kind of listening boss Bala Mohammed is. On one occasion, the minister baulked from a prearranged world press conference on the ground that he had taken ill after a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC). His SSA would have nothing of it: how on earth was she going to convince her colleagues from the local and foreign media that her principal had not just chickened out of the press conference? She persisted

until the visibly shaken minister capitulated to her entreaties and honoured the meeting. Need it be said that the minister had one of his finest press conferences and was not taken out on a stretcher?

That is the personality of this multi-talented lady whose capacity for multi-tasking is legendary. I guess that is why she has been found suitable for her new responsibility. A versatile task master, even as SSA media, she was deployed to several high stake assignments where she acquitted herself creditably.

Perhaps because of her long exposure to ICT, she had ensured that every member of the information management team of the FCT was ICT compliant and that every process was ICT driven. It is therefore expected that she will be at home with her new assignment.

“

Did she succeed? Maybe the best way to go about it is to paraphrase the information management challenge of the FCT from the perspective of its publics. Before she got there, the challenge had been, and remains, how to ensure that a proactive agenda setting information machinery was not upstaged by vested interests perennially bent on subverting the due process in land acquisition and property development

If ICT confers basic advantage on her, she can also count on the fact that she has been at the centre of most of the landmark policies and projects of the current FCT administration.

Take for instance the revolutionary land swap project of the Bala Mohammed Administration. She has been part of it from day one; same goes for all the sundry high stake disputes over ownership of land in various parts of the FCT. Will she cope? Only time will tell.

What is this story all about? It is simple. Jamilah Tangaza, erstwhile senior special assistant, information management systems to FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, has been given a new assignment as director of Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS).

Incidentally, both offices, her previous and present, are just a stone throw away from each other.

Will she continue with multi tasking? Only time will tell. One thing is certain though: the 'Margaret Thatcher' of Bala's media team; the unrepentant task master; the stickler for punctuality; the loyalty icon has moved on to other things.

After more than a year of collaborating with her, I am going to miss her as she proved to be a friend, a sister and compatriot. I wish her every success in her new assignment.

Emma Agu is former Editor, The Champion

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

FCTA perm sec reads riot acts to staff

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he new Permanent Secretary assigned to the FCT Administration, Engr. Chukwu who enjoined the staff of the FCT Administration to continue to work hard, said that “donkeys live longer in spite of hard work”. FCT Administration is different from all other Federal Government MDA’s, he said.

He emphasized that as bureaucrats, “we have a duty to collectively work to improve

the metropolitan management, execute programmes and policies formulated by the FCT Minister as well as the FCT Minister of State by giving face to the Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government”.

The new Permanent Secretary who promised not to interfere in the running of the various departments in the overall interest of the system, assured that he will operate an open door policy.

Engr. John Obinna Chukwu has resumed duty with a

promise to join hands with the leadership of the FCT Administration to make Abuja better for the generations yet unborn.

Engr. Chukwu who took over from the Acting FCT Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Nuhu Ahmed, also called for cooperation from the staff of the FCT Administration to assist the two FCT Ministers in actualizing the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The new Permanent Secretary while commending

the Acting Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Nuhu Ahmed for the professional way he has handled the office in acting capacity, urged the staff to work with him in the same spirit to take Abuja to greater heights.

The new Permanent Secretary, who promised not to interfere in the running of the various departments in the overall interest of the system, assured that he will operate an open door policy.

Speaking earlier, the Acting FCT Permanent

Secretary, Alhaji Nuhu Ahmed called on the staff of the FCT Administration to extend the cooperation given whilst acting to the new Permanent Secretary to ensure that FCTA achieve it’s set goals.

Alhaji Ahmed took time to explain the workings of the FCT Administration from the evolution of the Federal Capital Territory for easy and quick comprehension to enable the new Permanent Secretary hit the ground running.

Abuja to establish relations with Sudan

By Adeola Tukuru

I

n order to share experiences, expertise in metropolitan management as well as promoting African brotherhood, Abuja will soon establish a sister-city relationship with Khartoum, the capital of Sudan.

The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed made this disclosure on while receiving the Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Tagelsir Mahgoub Ali, who paid him a working visit.

He stressed that such relationship when established, will strengthen the longstanding African brotherhood that has existed between the two countries and to the benefit of the duo states.

Senator Mohammed noted that apart from being African nations, the two countries have similarities as they are both Third World Countries and oil producing nations.

The Minister called for closer collaboration by establishing students exchange programme where Sudanese students will come to study in Nigeria’s institutions and vice-versa.

He said that with this twin sister relationship, the 8 million Nigerians dwelling in Sudan will have more sense of belonging.

The new Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Tagelsir Mahgoub Ali remarked that there are about 8 million Nigerians living in Sudan and 1,400 students studying in various institutions in Sudan.

He revealed that Nigerians staying in Sudan made him to win election into the Sudanese parliament when he contested.

It would be recalled that the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed in 2012 facilitated the establishment of Twin Sister relation between Abuja and Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.

Chairman of Abaji Council , Hon. Yahaya Musa Muhammad distributing relief materials to the 2012 flood victims in Abaji secretariat.

Photo: Adeola Tukuru

AEPB reintroduces monthly environmental sanitation in FCT

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he Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has reintroduced inspection during the monthly sanitation exercise in the FCT. The Acting Director of the board, Mrs Aishat Adebayo, made this known on Saturday, while monitoring refuse evacuation in some designated areas in the FCT. Adebayo said that last Saturdays of every month would henceforth be observed as “special clean up day’’.

“This new special clean up day is to consolidate on the achievements of our former director on house-to-house inspection.

“This special clean up exercise is devoid of restriction of movement and we are flagging it today. It

will be observed on the last Saturdays of every month.’’

Adebayo appealed to residents to collaborate with the board to achieve a clean city, adding that the board would ensure that people lived healthy in FCT. She also advised residents to stop open defecation and urination, adding that such habits could undermine people’s personalities.

She said that the enforcement squad would accost any one found in such an act.

Adebayo advised people who were pressed to go to filling stations, Shopping Plazas, hotels for their conveniences.

At the waste evacuation in Garki Village, Adebayo said the board had been regularly evacuating refuse from

the temporally waste collection site.

She urged residents operating within the waste collection site to leave the area due to contamination.

“Garki Village is an unplanned area and we have the challenge of accessing the village with our waste evacuation trucks.

“We have been regularly cleaning this waste collection site and removing these people yet they do come back.

“We will put the place under surveillance and make sure they do not come back because it is a waste collection site not a dumpsite for scavengers.’’

A resident of Garki, Mr Moses Nwafor commended the board for evacuating the huge pile of refuse in the area.

“It is just because a beggar has no choice, we do not have money to rent standard shops to operate within a healthy environment. “‘It is baffling. This is area is filthy, and people smoke fish here, some cook food for sale in this place, even some people make “suya’’ here.

“Thank God AEPB has come to clear all these refuse; I think it will go a long way.

Mr Sahabi Shuaibu, a sachet water vendor appealed to government to build affordable houses for the unemployed.

NAN reports that a detachment of naval personnel, accompanied by the AEPB’s enforcement squad were deployed to dislodge miscreants in various flash points within the city. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

Student docked for attempting to steal a tricycle

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he police on Friday arraigned a student, Mohammed Abubakar, 29, of Karmo village before an Abuja Senior Magistrates Court for attempting to steal a tricycle.

Abubakar is standing trail on a two-count charge of attempting to commit offence of theft and joint act.

The police prosecutor, Cpl.

Simon Emmanuel, told the court that on April 1,2013 the accused and two others now at large, burgled the house of one Abdullahi Yusuf and wheeled out his tricycle.

Emmanuel said that while the three suspects were wheeling out the tricycle, they were sighted by people in the neighbourhood who raised alarm.

He said that the suspects escaped, adding that Abubakar was eventually arrested and handed over to a police patrol team.

He said that the offence contravened Section 95 and 79 of the Panel Code.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.

Senior Magistrate

Abdullahi Illelah granted bail to the accused person in the sum of N20, 000 and one surety in like sum.

He ordered that the surety must have a defined work and home address and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

Illelah, however, adjourned the case to April 15,2013 for further hearing. (NAN)

R-L: Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Federal Capital Territory, Engineer John Obinna Chukwu, and Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mrs. Bema Olvadi Madayi, during the signing of Performance Contract Agreement between the FCT Administration and Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

FCT Muslim Pilgrims Board to use biometric registration for 2013 pilgrims

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he FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board says it plans to use biometric system in the registration of its intending pilgrims for the 2013 Hajj.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Board, Malam Muhammad Lawal on Saturday in Abuja.

The statement said this was as result of the introduction of unified

pilgrims’ electronic registration system by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for the 2013 Hajj.

It said that the board had designated three centres for the registration of intending pilgrims for this year’s hajj.

It said that Abuja Municipal Council (AMAC) and Bwari Area Council had been merged as one registration centre, Abaji and

Kwali area councils as another, while Gwagwalada and Kuje area councils as a centre.

It also advised intending pilgrims to obtain their international passport from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) immediately as it would be required for the registration.

The statement said that intending pilgrims would be required to indicate the flight

they preferred to use as those who deliberately miss their flights would be sanctioned by the board.

It warned that female intending pilgrims must present their “muharam’’ (male guardian) at the registration point before they would be registered.

It added that the board would not entertain payment or registration by proxy.

(NAN)

UATH calls on public to donate towards N200m indigent’s fund

T

he University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) has called on public-spirited Nigerians to donate to the N200 million indigent patient fund.

Mr Frank Omagbon, the Chief Information Officer of the hospital made the call in Gwagwalada in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.

NAN reports that the hospital launched the fund in 2010 to meet the health needs of indigent patients.

Omagbon expressed disappointments over the inability of the hospital to realise the amount since it was launched and called on well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to come to contribute to the fund.

Omagbon said that support could be made in the form of drugs, consumables and other items that could be used for the care and treatment of the patients.

He said the influx of indigent patients to the hospital was on the increase because of the strategic location of the hospital, which is on the Abuja-Lokoja road.

The information officer said that the hospital gives immediate treatment to most accident victims brought to the hospital by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), without them making any payment.

“The challenge has been that some of these patients are treated and at the end of the day, they do not pay and we cannot hold them without discharging them.

“The hospital, currently has seven serious cases of burns, surgery and amputation.

“These patients are poor and do not have any means of livelihood nor relatives who can foot their bill.

“Most of the indigent patients, are being catered for by some staff of the hospital,” he said. (NAN)

School wins registered soccer academy in FCT

A

makson Soccer A c a d e m y , o n Saturday won the maiden All Registered Soccer Academy competition in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The competition which ended in Abuja had 16 teams with Amakson clinching the trophy after a 3-1 win over Dara United Academy, Abuja.

The President of Amakson Academy, Emmanuel

Amakiri, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he was happy that the academy won.

He said the competition was to bring the youth together and promote unity, both of which had been achieved.

He, however, said that he was not happy because he had expected that national team coaches and league teams would come out to discover new

talents that would help in sports development.

“Tournaments like this are supposed to be relevant to coaches in discovering new talents.

“So, I was expecting to see coaches from all over and from the national teams but unfortunately the turnout was low but I know next edition will be better,’’ Amakiri said.

He said that being the first edition, it was successful,

adding that there would be an improvement in subsequent editions.

In his remark, Musa Talle, the Chairman, FCT Football Association (FA), said the tournament would remain a yearly event and that effort would be made to have it in age grades.

“The tournament will become a yearly event and the FA is working to make sure that we have this kind of

competition for U-17, U-13 and U-12.

“We are now looking for sponsors and we have got about two people that are ready to sponsor the competition,’’ he said.

NAN reports that N150,000 was given to the winner, N100,000 to the runners-up Dara United, while Waco Academy was given N50,000 for placing third. (NAN)

BUSINESS

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

INSIDE

- Pg 20

CBN disowns online job advert

Mob: 08033644990

Uncover illegal miners, RMAFC boss tasks NEITI

By Abbdulwahab Isa

T

he Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Engr. Elias Mbam has urged management of Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) to beam its revenue audit searchlight on solid mineral sector to curb activities of illegal miners.

Mban made the suggestion recently while receiving on a courtesy visit top management of NEITI led by its Executive Secretary, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed.

He also enjoined collaboration between the two agencies to bring forth, promotion of transparency

and accountability in revenue generation, accruals, disbursement and funds utilization by the beneficiaries of the Federation Account.

A statement issued by the Commission’s spokesman, Ibrahim Mohammed, quoted Engr. Elias Mbam as endorsing partnership between two bodies as it would, according to him go a long way in

promoting the agencies’ dual mandate of monitoring and disbursement of revenue for the three tiers of Government.

In her remarks earlier, the NEITI Executive Secretary who led the delegation told Members of the Commission that her team was in the Commission to explore windows of collaboration and partnership on transparency

and accountability through information sharing and implementation of remedial issues in revenue generation, accruals, disbursement and proper utilization by the three tiers of Government to ensure sustainable national development.

To ensure synergy in information sharing amongst revenue generating and

Ekiti raises IGR from N106 m monthly to N1 bn monthly — SPRM coordinator

T

Jigawa govt procures 6,000 tonnes of fertiliser for 2013 season – Commissioner

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he Jigawa Government, at the weekend, said it has awarded contract for the procurement of 6,000 tonnes of assorted fertilisers for distribution to farmers for the 2013 cropping season.

The Commissioner of Agriculture, Alhaji Rabiu Isa, who stated this to newsmen in Dutse, said that the contract for the supply of the commodity had been awarded to three indigenous firms.

He said that under the contract agreement, some 3,000 tones of NPK; 2,000 tonnes of Urea and 1,000 tonnes of organic brand of fertilisers would be supplied to the state, respectively.

Isa explained that 3,000 tonnes of the commodity would be supplied by Assab Standard while Masalaha Seeds and one other firm would supply the remaining 3,000 tonnes.The commissioner said that about 14 supplying companies had participated in the bidding exercise conducted in March.

Isa said the state government had made adequate provisions in the 2013 budget to facilitate procurement and distribution of the commodity.

“We applied due process principles in the award of the contract. I call on contracting companies to ensure delivery of the commodity to enable the government achieve its objective of providing farmers with fertilisers and other inputs on time”.

Isa said the state government also distributed 6,000 tones of fertilisers to farmers during the 2012 farming season, noting that the measure was to compliment the Federal Government’s effort at enhancing access to the commodity. (NAN)

monitoring Agencies, Mrs. Ahmed enthussed, “ it has become expedient for NEITI to expedite the implementation of the information technology portal that would address a systemic data gathering mechanism and information sharing between the covered entities and Government agencies”.

L-R: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) Board Chairman, Mr. Bisi Ogunjobi sharing a joke with the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Hon. Lola Abiola-Edewor during a courtesy call to NDIC Headquarters recently.

FG plans new land registration system

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

o ensure efficiency, the Presidency has announced that it would soon introduce new land titling and registration module in the country, to make land registration simpler and more participatory.

The Chairman Presidential Committee on Land Reform, Prof.

Peter Adeniyi disclosed at Abuja during a courtesy call on the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina last Thursday.

He said that the planned landtitling module would enable farmers use their land as collateral to secure loans from banks.

He disclosed that the committee in partnership with the World Bank and Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has introduced a Systematic Land title

registration, which involves biometric collection of data of land so as to know actual owners of lands in the country.

He lamented that despite the fact that Nigeria started land registration since 1963, less than three per cent of land in the country were registered and mapped, 79 per cent of it were not titled, adding that most of this lands were in the rural areas.

Adeniyi further lamented that out of 183 countries, Nigeria ranks 180 on the issue of registration of lands, noting that, though there were laws backing land registration, but their is no regulatory agencies to enforce the law. He pointed out that lack of proper land titling in the country had discouraged many investors, and has made land dispute to be on the increase.

He said the archaic land titling and registration in the country there was no way agricultural production could expand, as most farmers do not have titled land for them to be able to secure loans from banks, adding that with the new system of land registration, Nigerians in the urban areas would pay N65,000 to get Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), while those in the rural areas would pay N5,000.

Adeniyi, however, appealed to the minister to support the committee, and also encourage farmers to get their land, adding that the minister could also assist by subsidising the funds.

In his remarks, the minister mentioned that Nigeria was not fully utilising its arable land, adding that land registration had been politicised.

Management Tip of the Day

W

Evaluate remote workers fairly

e tend to trust what we can see, which makes it difficult to evaluate employees who don’t spend time in the office. Here are three ways to make sure you’re being fair in your assessment of remote workers: Don’t focus solely on results. Virtual managers are often tempted to look at outcomes

because employee behavior is not as visible. But that’s just asking for trouble: Remote workers could easily be tempted to cut corners.

Engage them. Ask telecommuters to suggest performance metrics that assess both their results and behavior.

Compare apples to apples. Use the same standards

for all employees doing the same job to minimize any favoritism toward those who have greater face time with you. Don’t inadvertently slight telecommuters for raises or promotions because they’re “out of sight, out of mind”.

Source: Harvard Business Review

he National Coordinator, Nigeria Governors‘ Forum (NGF) State Peer Review Mechanism (SPRM), Dr. Afeikhena Jerome has said Ekiti Government had raised its Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) from N106 million monthly in 2010 to N1 billion monthly in 2012.

He made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the weekend in Abuja.Jerome was speaking on the findings of the NGF SPRM in Ekiti, which was one of the states that supported the take-off of the SPRM process, the other being Anambra.

He said Ekiti achieved the feat by blocking leakages in revenue collection and making tax payments affordable and convenient for the people in the informal sector.“This finding is commendable and indicative of the potential for increasing the state’s IGR further and should be emulated by all states of the federation,’’ Jerome said.

He advised Ekiti government not to rest on its oars as a lot still needed to be done to reduce the state’s high dependence on federal allocation.

Jerome urged the state government to implement the unique national tax identification number and to examine the possibility of widening its tax base to further boost its IGR. He said more than 20,000 elderly citizens had been enrolled as beneficiaries since the scheme was introduced and commended the state governor for ensuring popular participation in the state’s policy making processes.

Meanwhile, NAN reports that DFID-State Partnership for Accountability and Capacity is partnering the NGF to drive the SPRM process, aimed at ensuring development in the states.

The process involves the sharing of useful experiences from other governments and the international community, and assessing each state’s strength, weaknesses and opportunities. (NAN)

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS FIRS

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he acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Alhaji Kabir Mashi, has disclosed that efforts are currently being made to launch a workable presumptive tax regime, which will simplify compliance for a large pool of taxpayers as well as align with best practice.

He said the successful implementation of a feasible presumptive tax framework would not only improve and simplify access to the tax system for those in the informal sector but also ensure that each tax payer feels fairly and equally treated by the tax system.

Speaking in Abuja recently, at the opening of a stakeholders’ sensitisation workshop on the presumptive tax regime, the acting FIRS boss said if properly executed, the new regime would help grow the tax base in the threetiers of government and enhance tax collections from non-oil sources.

NBS

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

CBN disowns online job advert

By Abdulwahab Isa

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disowned an alleged job recruitment advertisement titled: “Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Recruitement 2013”, posted on t h e website: jobsnigeria2013.com and

claiming to be acting on behalf of the CBN. A statement signed by CBN’s Director, Corporate Communications, Ugochukwu A. Okoroafor, warned members of the public that the “website and the so-called recruitment exercise it claims to conduct, have nothing whatsoever to do

with the CBN. “The CBN has its own process of conducting recruitment exercises which is always publicized on the Bank’s official website: www.cbn.gov.ng” The statement said in recent times, there had been deliberate efforts by some criminal elements using the

internet to tarnish the reputation of the CBN, and defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

“We once more advise members of the public to beware of these unscrupulous characters and disregard these fake websites,” the statement said.

two pillars of creating a sound policy environment and investing in critical infrastructure.

According to him, the paper is aligned with the long term development agenda of the new administration as outlined in vision 20:2020 and transformation agenda.He said that the paper was also aligned with the country assistance framework currently developed by the donor community in Nigeria.

On the first pillar of creating sound policy, he said that focus would be on policy dialogue; analytical works and technical assistance .He said the second pillar of infrastructure development would focus on

improved fiscal discipline and effectiveness of public expenditure.

On the energy sector reform, Dore said that the bank would support the privatisation process with 50 million dollars through its partial risk guaranty instrument.“The expectation is that the bank will mobilise additional funds into the sector to support sustainable reforms and transformation of the sector.

“As a comparative advantage, the bank is on record for mobilsing an additional four dollars for every one dollar it invests. It is expected that with an investment of 50 million dollars, the bank will mobilise some additional 200 million dollars. The net effect on such transactions is extensively beneficial to member countries,’’ he said.

Dore said that the bank had invested N142 million to support water and sanitation in Nigeria

especially in the area of rural water and sanitation programmes.He said that about 2.56 million people in Yobe and 760,000 in Osun had been provided safe water in 2012, adding that 2.30 million and 680,000 people were also provided with hygienic sanitation facility in same states in 2012.

He, therefore, said that the bank had earmarked N31.4 billion loan to support the agriculture transformation agenda in the strategic paper. “While the strategy focuses on infrastructure development, the key element of the new strategy is job creation.To achieve sustainable job creation and employment opportunities, particularly for the youth, the bank has earmarked some N31.4 billion loan towards support to the agriculture transformation agenda”, he stated .(NAN)

AfDB to support Nigeria with N47 bn

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he African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved N47 billion ($300 million) budget support loan for improving transport network, infrastructure, agriculture and power in Nigeria.

The Resident Representative of the bank, Mr Ousmane Dore, announced the approval to newsmen in Abuja on Friday, while speaking on the bank’s 2013 to 2017 strategic plan.

“The board of directors has just approved N47 billion ($300 million) budget support loan to support the expansion of existing transport networks and improve public financial management systems in the sector,’’ he said.

Dore said that the country strategy paper was anchored on

T

he National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday in Abuja expressed optimism that by 2015, only 27.2 per cent of the nation’s population would be poor.

The Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer, NBS, Dr. Yemi Kale, said this during a dialogue organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs to review the progress report made by Nigeria on international agreed goals.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr. Precious Gbeneol, will represent the country at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission’s Annual Ministerial Review coming up in June in Switzerland.

Osun, Malaysia

I

n line with its drive for economic growth, the Osun State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)with a Malaysian company, Asa Palmilk (Palmilk) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The MoU is targeted at ensuring cooperation and collaboration between the state government and Asa Palmik in the area of trade and investment, particularly agriculture and agro-allied industry sub-sector (agricultural produce processing).

The signing of the MoU took place on Friday, at the KLCC Twin tower in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

CBN may sell N 410bn worth of bonds in Q2, 2013

T

Inflation rates from Mar, 2012 to Feb, 2013 Max = 12.9 %, Min = 9 % for period in display.

Current Inflation rate = 9.5% Source:CBN

he Debt Management Office (DMO) says the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may sell as much as N410 billion worth of bonds during the second quarter of this year.

The DMO disclosed this in its provisional calendar published on the Website. It said that bond sales for the quarter would open on April 17.

According to DMO, the bonds

Earnings Report for Banks Source:Pro-share Nigeria

to be sold in April will include N25 billion to N45 billion bonds each of seven-year, 10-year and 20-year tenor.

It said that the bonds were expected to mature in June 2019, January 2022 and July 2030 with coupon rate of 16 per cent, 16.39 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively.

The DMO also said that it would on May15 issue another set of three bonds which will include N25 billion to N45 billion bonds of fiveyear bonds.

Others are N10 billion to N20 billion bonds of five-year tenor and seven-year tenor bonds of between N20 billion and N30 billion.

The DMO also said that the N25 billion to N45 billion bond of five-year tenor would mature in April 2017 at 15.10 per cent yield rate.

The N10 billion to N20 billion bonds at four per cent yield rate will mature in April 2015.

The seven-year tenor bonds of between N20 billion and N30 billion with 16 per cent yield rate will mature in June 2019.

The DMO said that the sales for the quarter would end on June 12 with the sale of N25 billion to N45 billion each of five-year debt to mature on 2017 with coupon rate of 5.10 per cent.

The DMO said that it would also offer another five-year tenor bonds on June 12 with coupon rate of four per cent. (Bloomberg)

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos he market capitalisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) dipped further on Friday, by N12 billion as a result of profit taking.

The market capitalisation, which opened at N10.990 trillion, declined by 0.11 per cent to close at N10.978 trillion due to price losses.Also, the All-Shares Index (ASI) lost 38.28 points of 0.11 per cent to close at 34,301.37 from the 34,339.65 achieved on Thursday.

Okomu Oil Palm led the losers’ chart, losing N1.49 to close at N95 per share.Zenith Bank came second on the losers’ chart with a loss of 82k to close at N21.51, while Julius Berger lost 70k to close at N51.10 per share.NCR

T

NSE market capitalisation dips by N12bn depreciated by 45k to close at N18, while FBN Holding lost 40k to close at N21.10 per share.

Analysts attributed the price losses to profit taking embarked upon by some investors who were taking advantage of gains recorded in the last few days due to 2012 financial results of companies. NewGold, however, topped the gainers’ chart, gaining N11 to close at N2, 380 per

unit.It was followed by Lafarge Wapco with a gain of N6.59 to close at N86.59 per share, while Nigerian Breweries rose by N2.49 to close at N161.50 per share.

Conoil gained N2.39 to close at N26.33 per share.According to reports, a total of 377.91 million shares worth N4.19 billion were traded in 6,185 deals against the 418.60 million

shares valued at N4.26 billion traded in 6,888 deals on Thursday.

Transcorp emerged the most traded stock with 58.71 million shares worth N83.53 million.It was trailed by FCMB which accounted for 41.81 million shares valued at N208.91 million, while GTBank sold 25.12 million shares worth N633.28 million.

NSE gears up for alternative Securities Market

T

he Nigerian Stock Exchange concluded another phase in its plans of nurturing the growth of small to mid-sized companies via the announcement of selected Designated Advisers (DAs) for companies listed on the Alternative Securities Market (ASeM).

The fourteen Dealing Member firms selected include ARM Securities Limited, BGL Securities Limited, Capital Asset Limited, CardinalStone Securities Limited, EDC Securities Limited, Fidelity Securities Limited, FSDH Securities Limited.

Others include Investment One Stockbrokers International, Magnartis Finance & Investment Limited, Marina Securities Stockbroking Services, Morgan Capital Securities Limited, Partnership Investment

.....introduces 14 designated advisers Company Limited, Primera Africa Securities Limited, and UBA Stockbrokers Limited.

Head, Broker Dealer Regulation of the NSE, Mr. Olufemi Shobanjo confirmed that the selection process centred on the DAs who are Dealing Members of the Nigerian Stock Exchange with expertise on Corporate Finance and Investment; In-Depth Knowledge of Capital Market Rules and Operations; Intimate Acquaintance with the Disclosure and Listing plus Post Listing Requirements of The Exchange.

“The selected DAs who were also cleared by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), went through a rigorous process carried out by The NSE which took into account their

Compliance History, Transaction Profile and Track Record of Subject Matter Experts (SEPs) presented by the Firms” said Shobanjo.

He appended that “The NSE has received and processed applications for Designated Advisers from over twenty Dealing Member Firms and decided to announce the successful applicants ahead of the official launch of the ASeM Board slated for later this month”.

According to Shobanjo, Designated Advisers will be required for all companies listed on the ASeM Board of The Exchange to ensure compliance with all the listing and post listing requirements of the ASeM Board.

It could be recalled that the NSE revealed early this year

that part of its major focus would be Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) via the launch of its Alternative Securities Market as such companies remained the drivers of growth in the Nigerian economy.

The ASeM will be a specialised board on the Nigerian bourse where Emerging Companies with high potential for growth can access the capital market under concessionary rules and requirements to raise long term, low cost capital.

The NSE had also issued a circular to dealing member firms two months ago, asking them to indicate their interest in becoming Designated Advisers to companies listed on or seeking listing to the ASeM.

Nigeria, others attract Global X Funds attention

N

igeria has attracted the New York-based exchange trade fund (ETF) provider, Global X Funds, which launched the Global X Nigeria Index ETF last Wednesday.

Known for its niche strategies, Global X looks to put at investors’ fingertips unprecedented access to Nigeria, with the launch of two frontiermarket-focused ETFs, which included Mongolia and Central Asia.

The fund, which tracks a Solactive index designed by

Frankfurt-based Structured Solutions AG, comes with an annual expense ratio of 0.68 percent.It is expected to serve up direct exposure to some 25 Nigerian companies in a way that has only been available until now in a more diluted way through funds like the iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund, which allocates some 13.5 percent to Nigeria, where Nigeria represents 4.7 percent of the portfolio Nigeria was one of the bestperforming stock markets in Africa in 2012, and has

continued to outperform emerging market counterparts so far in 2013.Global X research analyst, Alex Ashby, reckoned that Nigeria is not only oil-rich and one of the world’s major oil exporters, as it also has a booming middle class and rising domestic consumption, which are fuelling growth in gross domestic product (GDP).

“We’ve been looking at Nigeria for a long time and we are very excited about the country’s demographics and growth potential,” Ashby was

quoted by IndexUniverse.Mongolia, on the other hand, has an array of mineral deposits, including oil and precious metals, and is in full expansion mode as it benefits from growing demand coming from neighbouring China.

Ashley noted that Mongolia’s mining industry is still in its infancy, but it should continue to boom as it looks to meet demand from China as well as other international markets.”China is the bigger driver in that region,” he added.

Source:Pro-share Nigeria

INVESTORS NEWS BITS

Zenith Bank Plc

T

he management of Zenith Bank Plc has declared a dividend of N1.6 to the delight of its shareholders. This information was communicated in its audited financial results which were released last Thursday.

According to the results, the bank declared gross earnings of N307 billion in 2013, up 36% from N 244 billion in 2011.Profit before tax arrived at N102 billion, up 51% from the 67 billion it made in 2011.

The bank’s loan book was N989 billion at the end of 2012, up 10.7% from N893 billion in the previous year.

NAHCO Aviance

T

he Nigerian Aviation Handing Company (nahco aviance) is proposing a dividend payout of 25kobo for every 50kobo share held by its shareholders in its 2012 financial year result.

The dividend, contained in the company’s performance released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, reflects a dividend yield of 4.6 percent, which compares favourably and is above market average for publicly listed companies which released their results recently under the new International Finance Reporting Standard (IFRS) framework.

The company, despite unfavorable operating environment, also raised its revenue base to N7.4billion, up from N7.1billion in 2011, reflecting a 4.2 per cent increase.

Access Bank Plc

A

ccess Bank Plc has declared a dividend of N0.6 kobo on earnings of N208 billion and profits of N38.4 billion.

The details emerged in the audited financial reports which were released to regulators and stakeholders last Thursday.

Gross Earnings were up to N208 billion, an improvement of 54% from the 2011 position of N135 billion. Earnings were driven largely by a 52% hike in Investment Income.

Profit after tax rose to N38.5 billion, up 150% from N15.3 billion in 2011, while Earnings per share were N1.69kobo.

Qualification date for the dividend is the 25th of April.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

PAGE 22

Nigerian dealmakers open up oilfields N

igeria's oil industry is increasingly a tale of two cities.Behind the high walls of their compounds in Port Harcourt, the centre of production, executives from international oil companies fret about oil theft and discuss how best to sell their assets.

But in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, a new breed of homegrown and wellconnected entrepreneurs gathers in hotel bars to discuss the opposite: buying opportunities.

In the past five years oil majors such as Royal Dutch Shell, Total, ConocoPhillips and ENI of Italy have sold $5bn worth of onshore oilfields to local companies. The shift in ownership in Africa's largest and oldest oil industry represents the first attempt by indigenous executives to tap global capital markets in order to buy part of the domestic oil industry.

The transition has left an army of bankers salivating over a dealmaking boom and the potential for Nigerian oil companies to list in London and North America. The sell-off is also an opportunity for local businesses to show they can better handle the operational challenges and corruption that have bedevilled the Nigerian industry for decades, and provide more benefits to local communities.

"The indigenisation process creates the potential to utilise?.?.?.?fields that would otherwise lay idle and not produce any sort of revenues for local communities," says Joshua Holland, an Africa analyst at PFC Energy in Washington.

But the risks are also high.

Critics fear that Nigeria, with a long history of corruption and nepotism, could follow the path of South Africa, where policies to increase black ownership of businesses created a new oligarchy, rather than the redistribution of wealth.

Finance is not the only challenge facing local Nigerian oil producers, writes Ajay Makan.

The willingness of the majors to make sales in recent years has coincided with a surge in oil theft or "bunkering" as it is called locally, from onshore oil installations and pipelines.

About 150,000 barrels a day are said to be lost to theft - as much as 20 per cent of onshore production - while as much again has to be shut in when companies declare force majeure and close down export pipeline systems.

The result is not just lost revenue, but potentially costly liability for environmental damage.

Local company executives are confident they can manage the theft issue better than the majors. Austin Avuru, the chief executive of Seplat, says: "If there is vandalism on our pipeline we will respond within 24 hours ... Shell is too large for

that too happen."

Mr Avuru says theft has been reduced to less than 1 per cent on the 35 km of pipeline Seplat took over from Shell when it purchased an oilfield in 2010.

Other indigenous operators claim better relations with local communities, and a willingness to make more concessions to local demands than majors, without fear of setting a precedent.

But theft has continued to increase despite the transfer in ownership from foreign to local companies in recent years. And that is a menace to more dealmaking because it calls into question the prices local companies have been willing to pay for onshore oilfields.

"On a per barrel basis the deals [by indigenous companies] so far look quite reasonable," said Obo Idornigie, an upstream analyst at Wood Mackenzie. "[But] oil theft has picked up massively in the last year and if it doesn't improve we could see a discount for theft creeping into our valuations."

About a third of Nigeria's oil production capacity of 2.5m barrels a day is located onshore, mostly in the Niger Delta swamps. Just a few years ago, international oil companies operated the vast majority.

But a combination of rising oil theft, the majors' focus on larger and more secure offshore fields and government pressure has led to a flurry of deals between oil majors and local companies.

The dealmaking wave is set to gather pace if Nigeria's longawaited Petroleum Investment Bill is passed, defining the fiscal terms for production by local and foreign companies.

"After the PIB there is the potential for a land grab in Nigeria," says Wale Tinubu, chief executive of Oando, whose upstream subsidiary successfully bid $1.8bn for the Nigerian portfolio of ConocoPhillips in December.

That prospect is creating

A typical oil rig fertile ground for alliances between international investors and well-connected local entrepreneurs.

Local companies, which have sprung up almost overnight to bid for oilfields, have been deliberately structured to take advantage of the push for

“

Critics fear that Nigeria, with a long history of corruption and nepotism, could follow the path of South Africa, where policies to increase black ownership of businesses created a new oligarchy, rather than the redistribution of wealth

indigenisation.

They often combine an international oil company, bringing capital and expertise, with a majority local shareholder, often with little connection to the oil industry.

London-listed independents Afren and Heritage Oil hold substantial stakes in First Hydrocarbon Nigeria and Shoreline Natural Resources, two companies set up in recent years specifically to buy oilfields from Royal Dutch Shell.

Labi Ogunbiyi, chief executive of FHN, says the main difficulty is not raising capital, but the competition. "If you can appeal to companies looking to break into Nigeria you can quickly get into the bidding," he says.

The presence of international companies raises questions about just how indigenous the new local companies are, and to what extent they will help spread Nigeria's hydrocarbon wealth more widely within the country.

Local operators deny they are passive shareholders providing an indigenous seal, and say that joint ventures allow for the transfer of

knowledge from foreign companies. Some, such as Oando, have resisted foreign partnerships altogether.

Oando has also introduced a share reward scheme, which allows hundreds of the company's Nigerian managers to earn stock in the company, depending on performance.

Mr Tinubu declares himself "very happy" with the number of middle-class Oando employees, who can frequent Lagos' growing phalanx of bars and nightclubs, a sign, he says, of "Nigeria's growing middle class".

Closed ownership structures will also be opened up further, as the need for capital to fund more acquisitions and pressure from foreign banks such as BNP Paribas and Standard Chartered, which have provided finance to local companies, creates pressure for equity offerings.

Austin Avuru, chief executive of Seplat, an indigenous operator that bought an on-shore field from Shell in 2010, says an equity listing will have to follow another large acquisition.

(Source: The Financial Times)

PAGE 23

PEOSPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APIRL 8, 2013

Report as at Friday, April 5, 2013

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

Can domestic servants be considered as security threats? threats to the households where they work.

However, Mr Joseph Famakin, the Lagos Zonal Commander of National Agency for Prosecution of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP), advised the public to register their domestic servants with the police.

He, nonetheless, underscored the need for such domestic servants, whose ages must be above 18 years, to have impeccable character.

Famakin, who frowned at a situation where minors were engaged as domestic servants, reiterated that the registration of domestic workers would reduce the

By Oluwatoyin Olokun

T

he increasing number of married women who engage in paid jobs in the last few decades has heightened the demand for domestic servants in several Nigerian homes.

Research has shown that live-in domestic servants are found in over twothirds Nigerian homes but the character of many of the house helps is often questionable.

On a global level, a recent report of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) indicates that not less than 52 million people across the world work as domestic workers, while only 10 per cent of them are actually protected by extant labour laws.

The report also states that in 2012, 72 per cent of the population of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa is engaged in vulnerable employment, which includes domestic service, mostly undertaken by minors and women.

In major Nigerian cities, especially Lagos and Abuja, the demand for domestic servants such as house maids, cooks and security guards is quite high because of the long hours of work which keep most couples out late.

Observers note that the compelling need for households to hire domestic servants has, in recent times, given many unscrupulous elements in the society the leeway to foment trouble in various homes.

They argue that the upsurge of domestic servants with questionable character has somewhat worsened the insecurity pervading the country.

The observers note that in some cases, the inability to secure the services of trustworthy house helps has forced several women to quit their white-collar jobs to take care of the family.

On several occasions, media reports have cited

incidence of crime in homes, while making it easier for the authorities to apprehend child traffickers.

All the same, Mrs Bisi Bright, the Coordinator of Live-Well Initiative, a nongovernmental organisation, underscored the need for the government to intervene in the situation.

She urged the government at all levels to put in place a system where only registered employment agents would be involved in the domestic servants’ recruitment business.

Bright also recommended that such registered agents should be saddled with responsibility of screening, interviewing

“

In spite of the widespread public perception that domestic servants are often maltreated, analysts insist that hiring questionable characters as house helps could be extremely dangerous Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu

some instances in which security guards would recommend housemaids or cooks for their bosses, as part of a calculated plot to carry out some heinous acts.

For instance, Mrs Kike Anibaba, a civil servant in Abuja, recalled that her gardener introduced to her a teenage girl who, as he claimed, was his close relation.

“But unfortunately within two months, the gardener connived with her, robbed my shop of expensive goods and ran away,’’ she said.

Besides, there was a news report in January about a 20-year-old domestic servant, Akan Solomon, who was arrested in Lagos for conniving with robbers to steal a car belonging to his boss.

Moreover, there was a recent case involving

Freedom Maddy, a house help, who stole the jewellery of her boss in collaboration with some unscrupulous elements. The incident was widely reported in the media.

The cases appear limitless but one particular case which elicits the concern of many people relates to one housemaid who was arrested along with an accomplice for killing her boss, a restaurateur, who lived alone.

The maid reportedly killed the woman in her house and threw her into a nearby well with a generator, while giving neighbours an impression that the woman had travelled.

In spite of the widespread public perception that domestic servants are often maltreated, analysts insist that hiring questionable characters as house helps

Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina

could be extremely dangerous.

Supporting such viewpoints, Mrs Toriola Ajimobi, a bank worker, recalled that she once had a housemaid who she treated as her own daughter.

“However, within a few months, she stole my

clothes and money and ran away,’’ she said.

Also, Mr Yusuf Hassan, a trader, alleged that his house help, in spite of his generosity to her, once attempted to kidnap one of his triplets.

“When she was arrested, she claimed that she was manipulated by the devil to

“

The police officer urged the public to always ascertain the identification and background of persons they wanted to hire as house helps so as to lessen the criminal activities of unscrupulous domestic servants.

commit the crime,’’ he said.

Besides, Mrs Evelyn Anjorin, a mother of three, said that she had to leave her job and stay at home after her housemaid burgled her room.

However, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, the Chairman, Federation of Informal Workers Union of Nigeria, stressed that the nefarious activities of some domestic servants could be one of the fallout of the house helps’ illtreatment.

“The maltreatment of some of the domestic servants may be the reason why they take revenge by perpetrating evil on their bosses,’’ he said.

Nevertheless, he bemoaned the criminal acts of some domestic servants such as robbery or kidnapping, stressing that their ill-treatment could not be an excuse to commit a crime.

Analysts, however, attribute the rising wave of misdemeanor among domestic servants to the faulty method of recruiting house helps without due regard for specific guidelines For instance, a Beninoise, Mrs Josephine Ayo, said that she could assist people to get trustworthy maids from Togo and Benin Republic for a fee.

All the same, available records on human trafficking indicate that more than 60 per cent of domestic servants in the South-West geopolitical zone of the country are recruited from Togo or Benin Republic.

A major question, therefore, centres around putting measures in place to forestall a situation in which domestic servants constitute major security

and employing domestic servants, whose ages should be above 18 years, in collaboration with NAPTIP and the police.

She said that the arrangement would also provide a channel for house helps to lodge complaints about their employers whenever the need arose.

In spite of the proposals, Mrs Patricia Amadin, the Deputy Spokesperson for Lagos State Police Command, said that employers of domestic servants should, in the interim, strive to ascertain the background and credibility of persons they wanted to employ.

Amadin stressed that while some of the house helps behaved well, records had shown that most of them aided and abetted criminals such as robbers and kidnappers.

The police officer urged the public to always ascertain the identification and background of persons they wanted to hire as house helps so as to lessen the criminal activities of unscrupulous domestic servants.

Source: NAN

Child labourers: Poverty drives practically all of them to take up both physically and psychologically dangerous jobs

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2012

More bananas and fewer crisps can help ward off strokes, say scientists

By Jenny Hope

E

ating more bananas - and cutting down on crisps could prevent thousands of stroke deaths, say researchers.

The potassium-rich fruit helps drive down blood pressure levels, as does lowering your salt consumption in snacks like crisps.

A study found people with a high potassium intake had 24 per cent less risk of stroke.

Previous data suggested older people could be harmed by potassium as their kidneys may be less able to remove it from their blood.

But the research, on journal website bmj.com, said these fears can be dismissed. It found potassium did not negatively affect kidney function.

The authors said there was 'high quality evidence' that people with high blood pressure improved when they increased their potassium intake.

They analysed 128,000 people over 33 trials and said consuming more of the mineral, for example by eating bananas, is 'potentially beneficial to most people'.

Bananas are one of the most common foods to be rich in potassium. Each one contains around 420mg, well on the way to the daily adult allowance of 3,500mg.

There are around 53,000 deaths in the UK each year from stroke, with a further 100,000 survivors, some left with severe disability.

Another study on the website found slightly reducing salt intake for four weeks or

Best of the bunch: Eating more bananas can prevent thousands of stroke deaths more led to a significant fall in blood pressure - and so reduced risk of stroke and heart attack.

Dr Clare Walton of the Stroke Association said a healthy diet was a key part of managing

stroke risk.

She said: 'High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for stroke. Making changes to your diet can go a long way to keeping blood

pressure under control.

'This research suggests that reducing your salt intake and eating more potassium-rich foods such as bananas, dates and spinach could keep your risk

down.'

The Department of Health advises older people should not take potassium supplements unless advised by a doctor.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Why you shouldn't worry about when your baby starts to walk

By Fiona Macrae

W

Look Mum! Parents have been reassured that they should not worry about when their child walks

hen it comes to learning to walk, earlier is often thought to be better.

But parents who worry about when their baby will take to toddling have nothing to fear, say scientists.

They claim the age at which a child takes their first steps has little impact in the long run.

The study found that an infant who begins to walk at the age of nine months is unlikely to be any more advanced later in life than one who is a late walker.

And a baby who sits up unaided exceptionally early is not necessarily a brighter spark, according to the research published in the journal Acta Paediatrica.

After tracking the intelligence and co-ordination of more than 200 babies until they reached 18, Swiss

scientists concluded there is little or no link between such early 'motor milestones' and later development.

A spokesman for the team said: 'The timing is really of no consequence. Children who start walking early turn out to be neither more intelligent nor well co-ordinated.'

The Zurich Children's Hospital researchers followed the progress of 222 healthy babies born between 1978 and 1993. The children were examined seven times in their first two years and took regular tests of balance, co-ordination and intelligence up to the age of 18.

Their parents recorded the date at which the infants were able to sit up without help and take at least five steps without holding on to anything. On average, the children first sat up at the age of six-and-a-half months. But some managed the feat when under four

months while others could not do it until they had passed their first birthday.

The typical age for walking was 12 months, but the results ranged from eight-and-a-half months to 20 months.

Professor Mitch Blair, of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: 'I regularly see parents who are concerned that their child is not yet walking, or learning to do so more slowly than their peers, and are worried about what that might mean for their development.

'The reassuring message is that the age at which children walk varies and there is no proven link between walking later and lower intelligence or poor co-ordination later in life.'

He said parents should only check with a doctor if their child has not started walking by the time they are 18 months old.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

SSCE: Parents allege wrongful suspension of their children

By Umar Muhammad Puma

P

arents of suspended SS3 students of Key Science Academy Marraraba, in Karu local government of Nasarawa State, have condemn the refusal of the school principal, Mr. Andrew Maiyanga to lift the suspension on their children in the on going SSCE examinations.

Some of the parents, who spoke to peoples daily said that the suspension of the SS3 students at this critical time of their lives is condemnable and designed to ensure that certain students fail the SSCE exams.

"The action of the school authority to suspend student without consulting their parents will not only affect the children’s performance, but will tarnish the emerge of the school, how do you expect us to feel when we are paying exorbitant fees for sometimes and at the end of the day, your child was suspended without due consultation with their parents".

The affected parents who petitioned the proprietor in a letter dated 12th February 2013 drew his attention to what they said was a unilateral and pre-conceived decision of the principal with an ulterior motive to punish the students after forcing the entire students in the

school to pay ten thousand Naira each as cost of damages.

"The decision to recall the students few weeks before exams and refuse them accommodation in the hostel like their colleagues will adversely affect the outcome of their result at the end of the exams", one of the parents complained.

Although the school principal could not be reach for comment but documents available dated 5th February 2013 shows that the decision to suspend the students was recommended by a committee set up to investigate the students unrest, as a result of the decision of the school authority to search the belongings of the students in their absence.

Another documents titled Re; Students disturbance of 28th February, 2013s and signed by the school Executive Director, Alh Dauda Kabir said that the board has recommend the recall of the affected students after a plea by the Nasarawa State Ministry of Education and other stakeholders.

The letter added that the students will not be allowed into the hostel but will only be allowed to write their exams and leave the premises after every paper, the decision which the parents believe was too harsh and unacceptable.

Educationist counsels students on indigenous textbooks From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

A

n Educationist, Dr. Amina Lami Abdullahi has recommended indigenous textbooks for students, particularly those in tertiary institutions, saying it eases teaching and learning in the country.

According to her, it is unfortunate that in Nigeria today most of the textbooks used in schools are imported.

"If you look at our tertiary institutions, most of the textbooks we use are foreign. It is time for us to also have indigenous textbook that will contribute and make it easier for teachers to impact knowledge on their students," she said.

Speaking during the launching of her 182 pages book "Educational Psychology in Teaching and Leadership" held in Kaduna over the weekend, she said, the book was written as a way of making her own contribution to the development of teachers and education in the country, adding that the role of psychology in human endeavors cannot be emphasized.

"The role of psychology is very enormous in our daily lives. You realize that everything we do in life has impact of psychology in it. Take for instance, human development, when a child is given birth to and growing up, behavioral patterns and activities would begin to unfold unconsciously.

"The process of child socialization is very important because it is what determines the type of future and kind of children we have. And as we do that psychologically, it will help the teachers in school to transform the children further to the best ability we want," she said.

Earlier, the Book reviewer and Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Kaduna State University, Dr. Ahmed Babajo described psychology as the basis of human capacity and capability building and recommended the book for students and teachers of psychology.

Dr. Babajo represented by Dr. Bashir Bukar, of the Education Department, Kaduna Polytechnic, said psychology made us as a people to understand and manage our lives in a social setting.

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

Scrapping of NECO: Students’ dilemma L

By Maryam Garba Hassan

ast week, the report of the Presidential committee led by Steven Oronsaye, on the realisation and restructuring of federal government parastatals, Commissions and agencies to cut down governance expenses, recommended that the National Examinations Council (NECO) and other examinations bodies be scrapped and the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to take over the affairs of NECO while the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) acts as clearing house to free up spaces which gives universities the power to admit students. The Oronsaye’s committee also recommended the merging of other agencies, some of which are believed to perform similar functions in the country.

It was however learnt that government's decision was informed by the need to promote merit in admission into the nation's universities. It was also learnt that the President had already approved WAEC to take over the functions of NECO and conduct two external examinations in a year, January and November.

However, looking at the state of the country's education sector and the efforts the present administration is making to overcome the myriads of challenges facing the sector and to meet the Millennium Development Goal in the area of education by 2015, this is the least of what the sector needs at the moment.

Prevailing practice has revealed that all countries in Africa such as South Africa, Kenya, Cameron, Egypt etc. operate national examination bodies similar to NECO in addition to WAEC. Therefore, scrapping of NECO will be tantamount to making Nigeria an isolated island in the comity of nations in West Africa that operates parallel examinations bodies.

Although it is a fact that there exists an overlap of functions between the two examinations bodies-WAEC and NECO, it is important to note that through the existing arrangement,options as well as wider opportunities are provided for candidates due to sit for their final external examinations.

For one, as against the previous arrangement, candidates now have the opportunity to make a choice regarding which of the two examinations they wish to sit

for as practiced in countries like South Africa and United Kingdom. Such increased access is particularly valuable in acountry like Nigeria where students are allowed to combine results obtained at two sittings for admission to tertiary institutions.

And for another, candidates also have wider opportunities to sit for multiple exams which may thus increase their chances of passing their exams.

The existing data on admission of candidates into Nigeria's tertiary institutions

malpractices are curbed to the barest and manageable proportion.This element of competition also ensures that examinations papers are speedily marked and results released with minimum of delay. It is to the credit of NECO for instance; that results are released barely 60 days after the last paper for Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE) and Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) formerly JSCE while it takes 72 days for other examinations results to be released after the last paper

undue delay in the release of results among others which prompted government to set up committees, panels and commissions to investigate the lapses of WAEC and make recommendations.

If the Oronsaye's recommendation on WAEC and NECO is to be implemented, it would deny millions of Nigeria's candidates for the examinations the right of choice and access to certificate of their choice. The country will again witness the era of students waiting for close to year to sit for WAEC

Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i

show that over 70 per cent of candidates were admitted based on combined results from NECO and WAEC. Secondly, the present arrangement encourages competition among the two examination bodies as each strives to excel in the manner it manages its affairs thus making sure that exams

and issue certificates to candidates.

It would be recalled that NECO was established in 1999 as a result of the escalation of agitation for a national examination outfit as opposed to regional formation characterised by WAEC, incessant leakages associated with the examination body and

“

examination in the event that the student did not get the requirements to gain entry into any of the Nigerian Universities since the new arrangement stated that if NECO is dissolved, WAEC will be conducting two examinations in a year.

The establishment of NECO has also reduced the pressure on WAEC which cannot

It is pertinent to note that, in NECO's efforts to combat, reduce examinations malpractice, curb impersonation and identity theft, during the June /July, 2011 SSCE for schools based candidates, it became the first public examinations body in the country to introduce and successfully deploy Biometric Data Verification machines in admitting candidates that registered for its examinations.

This is to ensure more credibility in candidate's result which was perfected in2012 and carried out by the council's monitors limited to its staff and university lecturers who assist as external monitors.

perform its functions effectively because of the continuous growth of candidates who sit for the examinations every year as well as reduces cases of omission or withholding of candidates' results for long or forever.

It is pertinent to note that, in NECO's efforts to combat, reduce examinations malpractice, curb impersonation and identity theft, during the June /July, 2011 SSCE for schools based candidates, it became the first public examinations body in the country to introduce and successfully deploy Biometric Data Verification machines in admitting candidates that registered for its examinations.

This is to ensure more credibility in candidate's result which was perfected in 2012 and carried out by the council's monitors limited to its staff and university lecturers who assist as external monitors.

The new system has zerotolerance for impersonation since a duly registered candidate can be identified through his finger, iris scan and other features.

To achieve a lasting solution, the council also made the provision of effective logistics such as vehicles to adequately control the distribution of examinations materials across the nation.

It would be recalled that for years, every year, examination question papers were leaked few days before the start of the examinations but investigations has revealed that for the past four years, NECO examinations have been leak- proof, which is a rare feat that has never been achieved before.

Even if government will implement the recommendations in the Oronsaye report, NECO shouldn't be absolved into WAEC for a lot of reasons mentioned above.

NECO is Nigeria's national examinations body while WAEC is a regional body and in terms of student's population and availability manpower in the area of educational assessment, Nigeria is sufficiently equipped to run more than one examinations body.

Finally, based on the transformation agenda of the present administration that focuses on access, equity and quality, it is projected that candidates for SSCE would hit 4million in the next few years.

The question is how one examinations body can quantitatively assess candidates' performance at this level?

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

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Sound public health thrives on proper funding, awareness - Expert The issue of public health in Nigeria has necessitated the need for both public and private sectors, including other important stakeholders to begin to develop interest and concern considering its dilapidation. Public Health Expert, Dr. Uchenna Anyanwagu, a medical doctor and post-graduate masters student at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).

Currently, doing his residency in public healthcare at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra state, in this chat with our Reporter Stanley Onyekwere, stresses the need for government to fund and strengthen primary healthcare facilities in the country; just as he identifies Illiteracy, ignorance and poverty as major factors affecting health consciousness of Nigeria public. Excerpts:

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s a Public healthcare expert, how would you assess the state of public health sector in Nigeria?

Truly public health sector in Nigeria leaves very little thing to be desired, as we still have a very long way to go. The primary health centres, as the major public health sector is not adequately funded. Where it seems to be available, it is weak and poorly motivated with inadequate staff or low manpower without proper training and equipment. In the country today, you will see primary health centres using lantern at night, not having drugs and the rest of them. So it is very poor.

The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency doesn't seem to be doing enough to address the issues. It is either lacking the will power or lacking the adequate motivation from the government. However, the government takes the larger chunk of the blame, because it doesn't always make adequate budgetary provision for the health sector as a whole. But again, in a system where medical tourism is on the rise, it appears that our people especially leaders take the money that ought to be used in developing our own system and go to places like India, Germany, London and others.

They pay as much as any amount of hard currency that they (Host country's system) demands from them for their medical services while our system lacks adequate funding to acquire necessary advanced facilities, so as to replicate same standards back home. But rather, you hear and read about top government officials seeking medical attention abroad, for even minor ailments like head-ache and others because our hospitals are not good enough.

This will not change. But it's only when we begin to pay urgent attention to our system

Dr. Uchenna Anyanwagu

that we will be able to identify our areas of need and work very well to develop and strengthen the sector. But as it stands today, the sector remains very poor.

However, only in Rivers state that Governor, Chibuike Amaechi is trying very hard to build standard primary healthcare centres. Recently, the state conducted an interview where they are going to employ Doctors to be in every primary healthcare centres in the state, to make sure that each centre has a resident doctor, who is provided with accommodation. So I think, as a nation we need to borrow a leaf from the Rivers state government and try to duplicate nationwide. Because the health subsector is the one closet to the people; and when every primary healthcare centre is robust and doing well, we will be able to do our

jobs, which is proper public health education and orientation for our people.

This is because, I have realized that most people that visit hospitals regularly have no business of going there if only

they were properly educated on what to do; that is in terms of preventive medicine; preventing people from taking drugs and falling sick as well as adapting to healthy behaviours that will always

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They pay as much as any amount of hard currency that they (Host country's system) demands from them for their medical services while our system lacks adequate funding to acquire necessary advanced facilities, so as to replicate same standards back home

keep them in good health. As experts in the field, the emphasis in Medicine practice is shifting from seeking the origin of disease to seeking the origin of sound health. We are not looking for ways to cure disease but how to be healthy and maintain good healthy condition.

What would be your take on the health consciousness of average Nigerian?

Generally, I would say it is a fifty-fifty thing as it's not poor entirely because so many factors are involved. The question of education; that is illiteracy is there. And because of this, someone may not even know that he or she is sitting on a keg of gum-powder. So illiteracy is there; ignorance is there, and the problem of poverty in the land. For instance, one may even know that he or she is sick but because the person lacks the well withal to seek proper medical care, the person tend to overlook the problem. So it is a multifaceted matter. In particular, in the urban areas, people are more aware of health issues due to the availability of information on the internet which people can access with ease.

You also head a medical wing of your church, what kind of ailment do you handle there?

We at medical unit of the church have devised means to get across to people, so as to be our brothers keepers by rendering selfless service to humanity especially those that can't afford to pay for medical needs. That was how the idea came in. We treat minor ailments, as we don't have all medical equipment at our disposal. We take care of minor health issues as well as advise the public on how best to maintain good health. But those whose cases we cannot handle at the clinic because it is a bit big, we refer them to hospitals and even pay medical bills for those who are not able to do so. Also we do follow up on them. Again, we also liaise with church's welfare unit, to help us identify those that are sick or in need of monetary assistance for one thing or the other. In addition, we hold medical seminar in the church on a quarterly basis, where we invite resource persons to discuss topical issues in the medical world, so as to create a community of healthy believers.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

Guinea worm: Nigeria celebrates zero case, likely the last before certification says Pate

By A'isha Biola Raji

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ive years down the lane, Nigeria has continued to record zero case of Guinea worm with the hope that, the year's celebration would be the last before the World Health Organisation (WHO) guarantee.

The minister of state for health, Dr. Ali Mohammed Pate mentioned this Thursday at the occasion of 2013 national Guinea worm disease eradication day with the theme: 'celebrating half a decade of Guinea worm disease free Nigeria'.

He said as the ICT (International Certification Team) will be visiting Nigeria by June 24th to July 14th 2013, there is hope that, it will be the last celebration as the country is expected to acquire its certification.

He said, "1987 when Nigeria was listed as the most endemic country with 653,620 cases to

November 2008 when the country recorded last Guinea worm case, we are most hopeful that the visit of the ICT will yield positive results."

He however called that, the feat of exiting Guinea worm before most other countries in 2008 can be recorded with other Non-Transmitted Diseases (NTDs) by scaling up existing resources for more impact.

He said, "We should pay attention to strategies that raise the profile of our effort in achieving set goals through the role of public-private partnership, new development partners, cross-sectoral collaboration and the media."

He however called attention to importance of improved water and sanitation which according to him, played major role in the eradication of the disease. He said, "These two sectors can demonstrate the synergy that can stretch our effort to improve health outcomes as has been

demonstrated in the elimination of Guinea worm."

He confirmed that, a standard surveillance system sensitive enough to detect Guinea worm disease (GWD) case or rumour as well as imported GWD case has been put in place.

He said, "Using the integrated disease surveillance and response strategy nationwide during National Immunisation Days (NIDs) campaign has helped in GWD searches."

However, adding motivation aimed at aiding GWD surveillance, the federal government introduced cash reward of N25, 000 and a tollfree number; 0 800 100 1000 to whoever reports any case of Guinea worm.

In his speech, Prof. Kayode Oyediran, Chairman, National Certification Committee on Guinea worm Eradication called for provision of improved water and proper sanitation system in order to maintain the feat.

Minister of state for health, Dr. Mohammed Ali Pate

Village health Tips to take care of the workers vital to house during rainy season realizing MDGs -NPHCDA

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uring rainy season more precautions are to be taken about the house and surroundings. This season causes many types of infections and everybody should be careful about the health.

If the walls or roof of the house has any gaps or a hole, inside of the home becomes damp, such have to be repaired before the onset of rainy season. Iron grills of the windows may catch rust this season it is better to colour them.

Wood doors puffed up

due to moisture and as a result of this the screws become tight, asks the carpenter to loosen the screws. The doors can be rubbed with a rough paper to bring them back to normal position. Apply wax to the doors and they will move freely.

Clean the open drainages near the house concentrate on the surroundings and house to keep off mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are the cause of many diseases. Dry Neem leaves sprinkle the powder around to keep away mosquitoes.

Repair the leaks of the

drainage pipes. Tarpaulin sheets can be used to prevent rain water coming in to the house. Clothes also can be dried under these sheets.

During rainy season, one should be very careful about the electricity wires. There is always a danger of short circuit. Repair all the electricity damages. Be very careful if there are children in the house.

Take care of the plants because pests spread quickly this season. Clean the dustbins. Otherwise bad smell and germs will enter the house.

n order to accomplish health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs 4 and 5), a call has been made for re-training of village health workers as to provide quality services in the rural communities.

Dr. Ado Muhammad, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), made this call at Weekend in Abuja during the Planning Meeting and Training of Trainers Workshop for Village Health Workers, organised in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs. He said Village Health Workers had been internationally accepted for their notable success in reducing maternal and child mortality rate through basic community intervention.

He said, "It is a known fact that many village health workers do not have continuing professional education for many years after graduation and as a result lack adequate capacity for implementation of new interventions in primary health care."

"Therefore, a key determinant of the quality of care provided by the available village health workers is regular training and

supervision."

Muhammad continued that, the village health workers project was introduced to complement the Midwives Service Scheme (MSS) and the SURE-P Maternal and Child Health Program in order to position the nation to deliver in the health-related MDGs. In her speech, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Dr. Precious Gbeneol, assured of continued support of her office to the NPHCDA program.

Gbeneol attributing inadequate health personnel at health care centres, as a challenge to effective primary health care service delivery, stresses the need for training of Village Health Workers to provide quality health care service in the country.

She however called on all Stakeholders in the health sector to be more focused and committed to providing quality health care service to what she described as overwhelming Nigerian population.

She observed that the engagement of the Village Health Workers at the community level will go a long way to improving primary health care service delivery to the rural communities.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

PAGE 31

When fear eclipses justice, we all lose: Shutter Guantanamo now ANALYSIS

By Lauren Carasik

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leven years into their incarceration at Guantanamo Bay, many desperate detainees are exerting what little control they still exert over their lives: they are refusing to eat. As word of the hunger strikes began trickling out of the prison in February, lawyers for the detainees became increasingly alarmed at the harrowing conditions their clients were reporting. Even now a vast discrepancy separates the official story and what numerous counsels have witnessed and heard firsthand from their clients.

According to various detainees, the roots of the resistance originated when the prison authorities seemed to revert to their pre-Obama levels of brutality. Cells were searched, family photos and other cherished, tangible reminders of life before Guantanamo were confiscated and harsh treatment ensued.

Perhaps more upsetting to detainees was that Qurans were rifled through in a manner detainees had repeatedly denounced as desecration of their holy book.

The justification centred on arguments that such searches were necessary security measures, though detainees were reportedly willing to surrender their Qurans instead of having them subjected to search, while observing that hiding items in the Quran would violate their religious practices.

The protest over regressive practices quickly spread however, and soon came to coalesce resentment, hopelessness and pent up frustration for the indefinite confinement and the agonising roller coaster on which these men have been involuntary riders.

According to some reports, among the hunger strikers are the detainees that were most compliant in the past, evincing their growing despair. Obama's election rhetoric suggested that he understood the travesty of Guantanamo. His earlier speeches, in which he vowed to close Guantanamo, raised hopes that the US would respect the rule of law. More recently, Obama has signalled his vanishing commitment, making no reference to Guantanamo in his 2013 inaugural speech in January or his State of the Union address the next month.

Obama also reassigned Daniel Fried, the

"Perhaps Obama underestimated the challenge of changing the national narrative that all Guantanamo detainees posed a grave danger to the US," writes Carasik [Getty Images]. envoy tasked with resettling Guantanamo detainees, and has not replaced him.

Of the original 779 detainees, 609 have been transferred and 9 have died.

Of those, 72 were transferred in 2009 during the first year of Obama's tenure, as compared with 532 transferred under Bush. Very few detainees have been transferred in the past three years, even though 86 of the remaining 166 detainees have been cleared for transfer by a special task force comprised of national security experts from the Departments of Justice, State, Defense and Homeland Security, the Office of Director of National Intelligence, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Detainees are understandably despondent.

One justification for ongoing detention is that released detainees would return to the battlefield. Implicit in such a statement is the misconception that the detainees were all on the battlefield in the first place.

According to the government's own report, a

staggering 92 percent of detainees were never alQaeda fighters in the first place.

Admittedly, 11 years of detention could engender profound resentment, but prolonging these conditions serves no one.

Perhaps Obama underestimated the challenge of changing the national narrative that all Guantanamo detainees posed a grave danger to the US. Conversations about Guantanamo detainees often elicit a visceral response premised on the erroneous and damaging assumption lingering after all these years that those remaining in Guantanamo are surely nefarious men, even if the US cannot prove it. It is convenient to overlook the fact that the US military commissions, considered illegitimate even in their reconstituted form, offer detainees no meaningful opportunity to defend themselves, or even be apprised of the reasons for their detention.

This stubborn refusal to reconcile fear with the facts

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is borne of the deep psychic injury inflicted by 9/11, which made Americans feel vulnerable on our own soil.

Yet the truth about the majority of Guantanamo's remaining detainees is starkly different. While 20 or so "high value" detainees remain at Guantanamo, more than half of the detainees have been cleared by the US government for transfer. Of those cleared or already released, it is well known that the majority of these men were erroneously detained. Many were offered up to US forces or their allies by their compatriots for the generous bounty promised by the US government in widely distributed leaflets - 86 percent of the detainees were apprehended this way, according to one report. Of those collecting the bounty, some were presumably driven by desperate circumstances, although a few may have been honestly mistaken, and others may have been motivated by nothing more than greed. Also among those detained is a large contingent of Yemenis who the Obama administration refuses to repatriate because of the

According to lawyers for the detainees, after almost two months of striking, the health of the men is deteriorating rapidly, and others are already in critical condition.

inherent instability of their native country and not because of the risk they pose.

Obama presents himself as hamstrung by the posturing of Congress, who encumbered the National Defense Authorization Act with provisions clearly intended to make the shuttering of Guantanamo extremely difficult and the transfer of detainees a very risky political proposition. Congress correctly assumed that Obama would not expend the political capital necessary to manoeuver around the carefully crafted restrictions on transfer. The fiscal costs are also enormous the Pentagon recently requested funds for a new building at an estimated cost of $49m. The price tag for the continued detention of the 86 detainees cleared for transfer is $69m per year.

US intransigence on this issue is counterproductive, as it only serves to stoke animosity and contempt for the country that holds itself out as the beacon of freedom and moral authority in the world. As President Obama himself eloquently stated, holding men without trial in horrific and dehumanising conditions of confinement does not make the US safer: he said in a 2009 speech that "we uphold our most cherished values not only because doing so is right, but because it strengthens our country and keeps us safe", and continued by recognising that "rather than keep us safer, the prison at Guantanamo has weakened American national security. It is a rallying cry for our enemies".

Obama repeatedly promised that he would not allow this injustice to fester, yet more than four years after his first inauguration, there is no end in sight for Guantanamo.

According to lawyers for the detainees, after almost two months of striking, the health of the men is deteriorating rapidly, and others are already in critical condition. Medical experts warn that long-term hunger strikes can cause severe and irreversible physiological and neurological damage, which is compounded by the psychological distress of indefinite detention and isolation. An unconfirmed number of detainees are prepared to die, and may in fact prefer death to living their remaining years within the confines of Guantanamo. The US can and must act: if it has any hope of regaining its moral authority, these men should not be reduced to despair so profound that they feel their only way out of Guantanamo is in a coffin.

Source: Al Jazeera

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

Darfur donor conference begins in Doha

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Cairo clashes follow Egypt Coptic funerals

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lashes have broken out outside Cairo's main cathedral following the funerals of four Coptic Christians killed in sectarian violence.

The interior ministry said there were confrontations between mourners leaving the cathedral and residents.

Hundreds of mourners inside the church earlier chanted slogans against Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.

They were mourning four Christians who died on Saturday, along with one Muslim, in clashes outside Cairo.

Violence between Muslims and Coptic Christians has flared numerous times in Egypt since the 2011 revolution that ousted Hosni Mubarak from power.

Christians, who make up around 10% of the population, accuse Egypt's new leaders of continued oppression.

Police said Saturday's deaths occurred after Christian youths drew inflammatory symbols on an Islamic institute in Khasus, about 10 miles (15km) north of the capital.

The argument escalated into a gun battle between Christian and Muslim residents, while Christianowned shops were also attacked.

undreds of delegates are meeting Doha for a donor conference to raise support for a mulit-billion dollar project to rebuild Sudan's Darfur region after a decade-long conflict.

The two-day conference beginning on Sunday was agreed under a July 2011 peace deal that Khartoum signed in the Qatari capital with an alliance of rebel splinter groups.

"Peace time has begun in Darfur.

A peace that will be protected by development, not by force," said Qatari Prime Minister Hamad Bin Jassim Al Thani, at the opening of the conference.

JorgKuhnel, team leader of the UN Development Programme in Sudan, said the conference would be a unique opportunity for Sudan and Darfur to turn the destiny of the conflict-ridden region.

Omar Al Saleh at the conference said that the second session had started and speaker Al-TijaniSisi, head of the Regional Darfur authority was "calling on the international community to help rebuild Darfur and to start the recovery strategy." Britain on Sunday pledged at least $16.5m for Darfur annually over the next three years to help communities to grow their own food and for providing skills training to help people find work.

Qatari Prime Minister Hamad Bin Jassim Al Thani "It is not good enough to simply offer more handouts," Lynne Featherstone, Britain's international development minister, said.

"Our aid will help the poorest to get the help they need to stand on their own and make them better able to cope when crises occur."

The development strategy calls for agricultural upgrades, access to financing and other measures to help Darfuris support themselves under a more effective system of local government.

Al Jazeera's Harriet Martin, reporting from Khartoum, said aid agencies at the conference would be stressing that Darfur is a complex region.

"What Darfur needs is a more nuanced approach - humanitarian aid in some places, development aid in others," she said.

Ahead of the meeting, protests against it were reported in refugee campus in Darfur, with demonstrators calling for an end to insecurity.

Al Saleh said demonstrations were held in camps controlled by rebel groups who were not signatories to the donor conference.

"Darfur is not 100 percent secure," he said. "It's a region that is bigger than France, and the fears of insecurity are valid."

The Doha meeting comes 10 years after rebels rose up in the western Sudanese region to seek an end to what they said was the domination of power and wealth among the country's Arab elites.

South Africa to send troops to join U.N. mission in Congo

South African military spokesman, Brigadier General XolaniMabanga

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outh Africa will send troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of a U.N. mission to neutralize armed

groups in the conflict-torn east of the country, a South African military spokesman said on Sunday.

The deployment comes as South Africa is coming to grips with its worst military setback since the end of apartheid in 1994. Thirteen of its troops were killed last month in a shootout with rebels in the neighboring Central African Republic (CAR).

"The DRC deployment has nothing to do with the CAR. Neither did the CAR incident influence the decision to send the troops into the DRC. They are two different issues," Brigadier General XolaniMabanga told Reuters.

The size and timing of the deployment will depend on the terms set by the United Nations, he added.

The Security Council unanimously adopted in late March a resolution establishing the so-called intervention brigade as

part of the existing 20,000-strong U.N. force in Congo, known as MONUSCO. It is the first time the United Nations has created such a unit within a traditional peacekeeping force.

Congo's army is fighting M23 rebels in a conflict that has dragged Congo's east back into war and displaced more than half a million people.

The 13 soldiers killed in the Central African Republic were buried at the weekend as questions swirled over whether they had been sent to protect the financial interests of President Jacob Zuma's ruling African National Congress.

Zuma last week defended his decision to send them, saying they had died fighting for Pretoria's foreign policy, not his party's investments.

Car 'president' vows to respect council vote

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ichel Djotodia, Central African Republic's selfappointed president, has said he will step down if not selected by a council created to choose an interim president.

"Djotodia said he would accept the decision of the council even it meant stepping down from his position," our correspondent NazanineMoshiri reported from Bangui on Sunday.

"He said he wants to legitimise the interim government's standing in the international community."

It was not immediately clear how quickly the participants would choose a transitional leader, though the establishment of a selection process appeared aimed at solidifying Djotodia's credentials as president after he took over the

country in a coup on March 24.

Djotodia led the overthrow of President Francois Bozize in a coup that was condemned by United States, and came at the cost of sanctions.

Djotodia's comments came a day after he had issued a presidential order setting up a council to lead a transitional government until elections can be held within 18 months.

But Christophe Gazambetty, communications minister of the CAR, said new elections could take up to two years to arrange.

"We have security issues to sort out, plus people need hospitals, schools and water. That's a basic minimum.

"Democracy is not just about going to the ballot box," he told Al

Jazeera.

According to the UN, essential services like water and electricity have been interrupted, while only two hospitals remain functional in Bangui, creating a humanitarian crisis.

But Djotodia told Al Jazeera that the UN figures were incorrect and misleading.

"Djotodia said there were elements creating insecurity, but his army were disarming them," our correspondent said.

Meanwhile, the government reduced the hours of a curfew in place since the government's overthrow, even as gunfire crackled across the city of 700,000 after dark each night.

A curfew remains in effect from midnight until 4am, after two

weeks of restricting people to their homes by 9pm.

The CAR has been wracked by a

President Michel Djotodia

series of coups and rebellions since its independence from France in 1960.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

Asia and Middle East

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hina deplored tension on the Korean peninsula on Sunday and in an apparent reference to North Korea, said no country should be allowed to plunge the region into chaos after the United States postponed a missile test to ease talk of war.

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China deplores Korea tension, warns against regional turmoil The North, led by 30-year-old Kim Jong-un, has been issuing threats of war against the United States and U.S.-backed South Korea since the United Nations imposed sanctions after its third

nuclear weapon test in February.

Its anger has been compounded by weeks of joint military exercises bySouth Korea and the United States.

The North told diplomats late last week to consider leaving Pyongyang because of the tension, but embassies appeared to view the appeal as more rhetoric and staff have stayed put.

South Korea said it was

anticipating any manner of action that the North's unpredictable leaders might make, including a possible missile launch, by Wednesday, after when the North said it could not guarantee diplomats' safety.

Bangladesh protesters demand blasphemy law

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undreds of thousands of people have held protests in Bangladesh to demand that the government introduce an anti-blasphemy law that would include the death penalty for bloggers who insult

Islam.

Protest organisers called the rally the "long march", with many travelling from remote villages to the capital, Dhaka's Motijheel area that became a sea of white skull caps and robes.

Supporters of Hefazat-e-Islam, an Islamist group which draws support from tens of thousands of religious seminaries, converged on Dhaka's main commercial hub to protest against what they said were blasphemous writings by atheist bloggers, shouting "God is great - hang the atheist bloggers".

"I've come here to fight for Islam. We won't allow any bloggers to blaspheme our religion and our beloved Prophet Mohammed," said Shahidul Islam, an imam at a mosque outside Dhaka who walked 20km.

The religious group, which has the backing of country's largest party Jamaat-e-Islami, organised the rally in support of its 13-point demand including enactment of a blasphemy law to prosecute and hang what they call atheist bloggers.

They defied a pro-government national strike by secular protesters - who staged a smaller rival protest in Dhaka - aimed at foiling the Islamists' march.

"Around 200,000 people attended the rally," Dhaka's deputy police commissioner Sheikh NazmulAlam told AFP news agency, while protest organisers put the number at over half a million.

A local leader of the ruling Awami League party was killed in Bhanga, a town southwest of Dhaka, when Hefazat-e-Islami party supporters clashed with pro-government activists.

It was the latest protest to rack Bangladesh, deepening tensions between secularists and the largest Islamic party, Jamaat-e-Islami, whose leaders are under trial for crimes committed during the country's 1971 war of independence.

North Korean soldiers take part in a shooting drill in an unknown location in this picture taken on April 6, 2013 and released by KCNA.

Afghan children 'killed by Nato air strike in Shigal'

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e said the strikes were called in to support a major operation by US and Afghan government forces targeting senior Taliban commanders and a local weapons cache.

Tribal elder Haji Malika Jan told the BBC: "The fighting started yesterday morning [Saturday] and continued for at least seven hours.

There were heavy exchanges between both sides.

"The area is very close to the Pakistani border and there are hundreds of local and foreign fighters, mostly Pakistanis, in the area.''

In a statement, the Nato-led International Security Assistant Force (Isaf) said: "We are aware of an incident yesterday in Kunar province in which insurgents engaged an Afghan and coalition force.

"No Isaf personnel were involved on the ground, but Isaf provided fire support from the air, killing several insurgents. We are also aware of reports of several civilians injured from the engagement, but no reports of civilian deaths. Isaf takes all reports of civilian casualties seriously, and we are currently assessing the incident.

"The air support was called in by coalition forces - not Afghans -

and was used to engage insurgent forces in areas away from structures, according to our reporting."

International forces are preparing to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

Civilian deaths in Western military operations have been a source of friction between the Afghan government led by Hamid Karzai and the US and its NATO allies.

Protesters at the Motijheel area of Dhaka.

Pakistan approves Musharraf election candidacy bid

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Pervez Musharraf

akistan has given former military leader Pervez Musharraf the go-ahead to run in general elections next month.

Gen Musharraf will be a candidate in the remote northern district of Chitral, after being rejected in two other parts of the country.

The former general, who led Pakistan for nine years after seizing power in a military coup, returned to the country from self-imposed exile last month.

He is facing a number of charges relating to his time in office.

Among them, is the accusation he failed to provide adequate security for former PM Benazir Bhutto ahead of her assassination in 2007.

He is also wanted in connection with the murder of a Baloch tribal leader, Nawab Akbar Bugti, and for sacking the entire higher judiciary in November 2007.

The former president has described the cases against him as "baseless" and politically motivated.

Last week, officials rejected Gen Musharraf's nomination papers in Kasur after objections were filed.

But officials in Chitral, close to the Afghan border, said his papers there were in order.

"He is not convicted so far so we cannot disqualify him," returning officer Jamal Khan told AFP news agency.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

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Europe and Americas US delays missile test over North Korea tensions

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he United States has decided to delay a long-planned missile test scheduled for next week out of California "to avoid any misperception or miscalculation", given tensions with North Korea, a senior US defence official has said.

The unusual precaution by the US follows a barrage of hostile rhetoric from North Korea including the threat of open war that has created jitters in South Korea's financial markets.

The US decision will delay the test of the Minuteman III intercontinental missile, which had been scheduled for next week out of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

"This is the logical, prudent and responsible course of action to take," the official said on Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"This is the logical, prudent and responsible course of action to take."

- US official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

It also came after reports in the South that Pyongyang, under its 30-year-old leader, Kim Jung-un, had moved two medium-range missiles to a location on its east coast.

The White House said on Friday it would "not be surprised" if the North staged another missile test.

At the same time, officials have said there are no signs Pyongyang is gearing up for war, such as largescale troop movements.

The US official said the test had been unconnected to "anything related to North Korea" and added that another test launch could be expected next month.

The US remained fully prepared to respond to any North Korean threat, the official said.

Analysts are looking anxiously ahead to April 15, the birthday of King Il-sung, North Korea's founder and the grandfather of its current leader.

The anniversary is a time of mass celebrations, nationalist fervour and occasional demonstrations of military prowess.

Follow coverage of escalating threats in Northeast Asia North Korean authorities have told diplomatic missions they could not guarantee their safety from next Wednesday - after declaring that conflict was inevitable amid joint US-South Korean military exercises due to last until the end of the month.

Still, staff at embassies in North Korea appeared to be remaining in place on Saturday despite the appeal.

Most countries saw the appeal to the missions as little more than strident rhetoric after weeks of threats by North Korea to launch a nuclear strike on the US and declarations of war against the South.

North Korea: UK's Hague calls for calm amid tensions

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ritish Foreign Secretary William Hague has called for calm over the North Korean crisis, despite the "paranoid rhetoric" emanating from Pyongyang.

"We have to be concerned about the danger of miscalculation by the

North Korean regime," Mr Hague said.

It was important to "keep calm as well as to be firm and united", as the North was trying to justify militarisation by "ramping up" external threats, he said.

North Korea has made a series of

direct threats against the US and South Korea.

Since being sanctioned by the UN in March for carrying out a third nuclear test, Pyongyang has threatened nuclear strikes on the US, formally declared war on the South,

William Hague

and pledged to reopen a nuclear reactor in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions.

On Friday, North Korea warned it would not be able to guarantee the safety of embassy staff in the event of a war.

South Korea announced on Sunday that its top military official Gen Jung Seung-jo, was postponing a trip to Washington, where he was due to meet his US counterpart, because of the rising tensions.

The two sides had decided to reschedule the meeting "to maintain a firm defense readiness amid the current security situation," South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted a Joint Chiefs of Staff official as saying.

Meanwhile, Switzerland has offered to mediate with North Korea.

However, the Swiss foreign ministry says there are currently no plans for any talks.

North Korean leader Kim Jongun was educated for several years in traditionally neutral Switzerland under a pseudonym, Swiss media say.

Portugal PM holds urgent budget talks after court ruling

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ortugal's PM has criticised the top court's ruling that parts of the 2013 budget are unconstitutional, and has held urgent talks with the president.

PM Pedro Passos Coelho held an extraordinary cabinet meeting on Saturday and said the Constitutional Court had made meeting commitments to international lenders difficult.

The court had rejected four out of nine austerity measures in the budget.

The PM met the president late on Saturday to discuss the next steps.

President AnibalCavaco Silva said after the talks that the coalition government should remain in office and that the country should honour its international commitments.

The government said it respected the court's ruling but did not agree with it, suggesting that the judges had failed to take into account steps taken by the government to make its austerity measures fair to all citizens.

After the cabinet meeting, the government said the court ruling had created "serious difficulties" for meeting budget targets agreed with international lenders.

Alison Roberts in Lisbon says the PM is expected to make a statement on Sunday evening.

The court ruling would deprive the state of some 1.5bn euros (ÂŁ1.3bn) in savings the government had said were necessary to meet the terms of a eurozone and International Monetary Fund bailout.

Many Portuguese have protested strongly against the austerity measures The terms require Portugal, which has already received 61bn euros of its bailout, to rein in spending sharply.

The court rejected a measure

to scrap summer holiday bonuses for public sector workers and pensioners, as well as cuts to unemployment and sickness benefits.

Venezuelan candidate Maduro puts curse on rival voters

T

he acting president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, has put a curse on citizens who do not vote for him in next week's election.

He likened his main rival candidate, Henrique Capriles, to Spanish conquerors fighting

indigenous people in the 16th Century.

A centuries-old curse, he said, would fall on those who did not vote for him.

Mr Capriles responded by saying the only curse for Venezuelans would be if Mr

Mr Maduro is seen here playing a drum while on the campaign trail in the state of Bolivar

Maduro won the election.

The country goes to the polls next Sunday to elect a successor to Hugo Chavez, the long-time leftist leader who died of cancer last month.

Opinion polls suggest Mr Maduro, who was Chavez's deputy, has a lead of at least 10 points over his rival.

Wearing a local indigenous hat at a rally in Amazonas state, a largely jungle territory on the borders of Brazil and Colombia, Mr Maduro said: "If anyone among the people votes against Nicolas Maduro, he is voting against himself, and the curse of Maracapana is falling on him."

He was referring to a 16th Century battle when Spanish colonial fighters defeated indigenous fighters decisively.

"If the bourgeoisie win, they are going to privatise health and education, they are going

to take land from the Indians, the curse of Maracapana would come on you," the candidate continued.

Analysts say that Venezuela's mix of Catholic and animist beliefs, especially in the south-central plains and jungles, is fertile ground for talk of spirits and curses which may otherwise seem out of place in an election campaign.

Mr Capriles dismissed the election favourite's rhetoric.

"Anyone who threatens the people, who tells the people a curse can fall on them, has no right to govern this country," he said at a rally in the western state of Tachira.

"I tell you here, all Venezuelans, the real curse is that little group that we are going to get rid of on April 14."

There are five other candidates for the presidency but they trail far behind Mr Maduro and Mr Capriles.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

PAGE 35

Sidewall Skiing - Saudi Arabia's latest driving craze kinds of tricks, like standing on top of the car, or even changing tires at high speed. The life-threatening stunt was apparently popularized by action films like "The Dukes of Hazzard" or "Diamonds Are Forever", and was recently featured in rapper M.I.A.'s "Bad Girls" video. Sidewall skiing has also become a spectator sport, with crowds of young men and women sitting on the side of the road cheering on the adrenaline junkies.

Some even take part in their death defying routines by laying down on the asphalt and allowing the vehicle to pass over them at breakneck speeds. Drivers use a ramp to tilt their cars on two wheels, then rely on their maneuvering skills to keep it from flipping over and potentially killing their balancing passengers.

Somehow, saying this sport is extremely dangerous seems like a huge understatement.

Photo: La Princessa World

By Spooky oky

N

obody does dangerous driving stunts quite like the youth of Saudi Arabia. Sure, drifting is pretty cool, and Ken Block's Gymkhana is awesome, but they're nothing

compared to the latest driving craze in the Middle East. It's called "sidewall skiing" and it basically means driving a car on its side wheels at high speed.

A few years back, footage of Saudi daredevils skating on the country's dessert highways while clinging to

speeding cars went viral on video sharing sites like YouTube. But that got old really fast, and the bored youth had to come up with something even more dangerous exciting. These days they get their kicks by driving around on two wheels, while passengers perform all

Photo: ethiospot

HariKuyo - Japan's Unique Memorial Service for Broken Needles monks chant in the background.

HariKuyo marks the end of the Japanese New Year celebrations; no household work is done on that day.

As with other ancient traditions, interest in HariKuyo has been dwindling in current times. Not many women take up needlework anymore. ToshieTanioka, a 58-year-old kimono-maker told Reuters, "I've been coming here for 20 years, it used to be much bigger. Now there are fewer people. The old ones retire and the young ones are not interested in the festival because they're not interested in kimono-making. It's too painstaking and they prefer western clothes." But there still are a few young women who are interested in continuing the tradition, like Toshie's 30year-old apprentice, Hiroko Saito. Hopefully, this unique and fascinating Japanese tradition doesn't die out completely in the future.

By Sumitra

H

ariKuyo is a Japanese festival dedicated to old and broken needles. Celebrated every year on the 8th of February, this festival sees hundreds of women dressed in colorful kimonos, gathering at various Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples in and around Tokyo. This 400year-old ritual involves sticking old and broken needles into soft chunks of tofu or jelly as a way of showing thanks for their hard work. I suppose this tradition springs from the Eastern system of displaying gratitude towards objects that are a source of livelihood. It also reflects on the animist belief that all beings and objects have a soul.

It's not just about needles, several Japanese women consider HariKuyo as a time to value the small, everyday objects of daily life that are otherwise forgotten.

Mottainai is the concept of not being wasteful about small things.

Burying needles in tofu is said to symbolize rest for the needles, as they are wrapped with tenderness. It's also about the many sorrows that women are believed to carry in their hearts, the burdens of which are passed on to the needles during many hours of

Photo: N.S. Anderson sewing. So the needles do deserve a proper farewell and rest at the end of their service.

According to RyojoShioiri, a Buddhist monk, "Sometimes there are painful things and secrets

that women can't tell men, and they put these secrets into the pins and ask the gods to get rid of them."

Many Japanese women come to the festival not only to thank their needles, but

also to pray for better kimono-making skills. They gather around large slabs of tofu placed in front of temples, and spike multicolored pins in them. Incense is lit for purification and

Photo: Wafu Works

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

Russian Billionaire plans to make humans immortal by 2045 T

hirty two-year-old mogul, Dmitry Itskov has been pushing the project forward since 2011 when he founded the 2045 Initiative.

His ultimate goal is to transfer a person's mind or consciousness from a living brain into a machine with that its personality and memories intact.

The so called "Cyborg" will have no physical form, and exist in a network similar to the Internet and be able to travel at the speed of light all over the Earth, or even into the space.

Itskov's first highly ambitious goal, called Avatar A, involves a person controlling a robotic human replica through a brainmachine interface (BMI), a technology that already exists.

The deadline for this first stage is set for 2020. The Avatar B, due in 2025, would involve transplanting a human brain into an artificial body "at the end of one's life."

Next in line is the Avatar C, that rolls around in 2035, that would also involve a humanmachine brain transplant, but with all personality intact.

Itskov hopes the Initiative will have learned enough about the human mind to free it completely from physical form finally, by 2045.

According to the report, from the Internet-like hive mind,

A Russian billionaire has unveiled plans to make humans immortal by converting them into "Terminator-style" cyborgs - a creature that's part human and part machine - within the next three decades. individual personalities could manifest themselves as holograms when they need to interact with their environment.

"We believe that it is possible

and necessary to eliminate ageing and even death, and to overcome the fundamental limits of the physical and mental capabilities currently set by the restrictions

of the physical body," the project website says.

Itskov is recruiting scientists and authoring an open letter to the UN secretary-general Ban Ki-

moon, asking him to support to push society's transition to "neohumanity."

with the strongest sense of direction in life were over 70 per cent less likely to suffer a stroke.

The researchers accounted for other aggravating factors such as blood

pressure and alcohol use and believe the effect comes through regulating the immune system.

'Maintaining a purpose in life not only increases quality of life but may

improve physical health and increase longevity,' says clinical psychologist Eric Kim, who led the study at the University of Michigan.

More than 150,000 people have a

stroke each year in the UK. It has long been thought that pursuing meaningful activity after retirement is important for physical and mental health - which often declines dramatically soon after retirement.

But while past research focused on the detrimental effects of negative psychological traits, such as depression and anxiety, new research is investigating how positive traits, such as optimism, protect against illness.

In the recent study, men and women aged 50 and over were tracked for four to five years and completed psychological tests while researchers recorded strokes.

The results show that the higher someone's sense of purpose, the lower their risk of a stroke.

Those with the greatest sense of purpose were 73 per cent less likely to suffer a stroke compared to those with the lowest.

Other research has shown that positive mood can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, also implicated in stroke.

'This is significant as we have an ageing population and it helps show what behaviours inoculate people from getting ill,' says Cary Cooper, professor of health psychology at Lancaster University.

'Maybe retirement is not good for some.'

www.informationng.com

Why optimism may help you live longer W e all like to feel needed.

But new research suggests having a sense of purpose is good for our health, too.

In a study of 7,000 people, those

Happy days: Those with a strong sense of purpose in their lives are less likely to suffer a stroke

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2012

PAGE 37

NCP, NDM commence merger talks

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

District head of Namtari, Yola South Local Government Area in Adamawa, Alhaji Isa Mustapha, congratulating a graduate of National Directorate of Employment (NDE) programme, recently in Yola.

Photo: NAN

Kwara ACN crisis: Youth Vanguard wants Ayinla’s faction sanctioned From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

T

he Youth Vanguard of Kwara State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has appealed to the national body of the party to sanction a faction led by Toyin Ayinla to serve as deterrent to others.

The Vanguard which blamed former members of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) who decamped to the opposition alongside Ayinla late last year as the cause of the crisis said their declaration that Mr. Kayode Olawepo was expelled was illegal.

The State Coordinator of the Vanguard, Emmanuel Adeoye Oluwole, who stated this during a press conference in company with

other members of the Vanguard disclosed that one Eng. Jide Usman, who was PDP member and Dr Saad Omoiya, the Director of Dele Belgore Campaign Organisation (SAN) with Toyin Ayinla were arrow head of faction that is rooting for return of Belgore as sole gubernatorial candidate of the party without due process.

Oluwole said, “ Our position is that Mr kayode Olawepo is the only recognised Chairman of the party in the state. He is the only NEC member at the national level because he is qualified to be there as the Chairman of the party in the state. We also support the party decision that the party don’t have any candidate for elective position in the state. That only the

Caretaker Committee inaugurated by NEC is mandated to manage the affairs of the party”.

The Coordinator of the youth stressed that Olawepo’s track records in the last general election, using 25 percent party members to achieve over 150 percent election outcome despite the fact that 75 percent aggrieved members of the party which left before elections, shows that “he is capable to runs the affairs of the party”.

Oluwole, while responding to questions, said the Usaman and Ayinla, who are former members of PDP, have the motive of hijacking the party in order to impose Belgore as the gubernatorial candidate of the

party in the 2015 general election.

He alleged that when they could not manipulate the constitution and rules of the party to suit their sponsors’ desire, they resulted to divide the party.

He also disclosed that National body of the party had invited the factions for resolution on the matter just as he insisted that the Ayinla’s group, which claimed to be stakeholder of the party do not want to follow constitution and rule; rather, they want to “jump the protocol”.

He urged National Body to sanction Ayinla’s faction by implementing disciplinary measure on them to curb the crisis from degenerating into full blown one.

Kogi APGA threatens PDP From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

K

ogi state All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Kogi state has said it would upstage the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The warning signal came yesterday on the heels of the state congress held at Dominion Guest hall behind SAATOF Hotels, on Murtala Mohammed way, Lokoja.

According to Hon. Ben I. Nweke’ the Chairman elect and the Secretary, Elijah Makolo who were returned unopposed, the party would now breath fresh air as it had been a “team without leader”.Nweke who had been an aspirant for the state Assembly seat in the state on the platform of the party said they are out to upstage the ruling PDP by the APGA’a well laid out programmes.

In a related development, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC has been urged to follow the principle of due process if it intends to make any meaningful impact in future elections in the state.

A group of strong adherent to the party who spoke to journalists in the state capital yesterday stressed that the white paper on the leadership of the party should be the guiding rule.

It warned that those parading themselves as flagbearers and leaders of the party in the state were still working for the failure of the party at all levels noting that for the CPC to move ahead with clear-cut objective, all voodoo democratic intentions of individuals should be demystified.

“How do you expect new entrants into the party with no clear objective dictating the pace for the party”, the group noted.

he National Conscience Party (NCP) and National Democratic Movement [NDM] are currently considering the possibility of a merger in preparation for the 2015 general elections.

In a release signed by the National secretary of the merger planning committee, John Aderogba, the group explained that amalgam would be a coalition of activists, Nongovernmental Organisations (NGOs) and youth organizations in Nigeria which are not impressed about the political situation in the country.

He expressed concerns over the level of decadence in the country and the corruption which has eaten deep into the fabric of Nigerians just as he said the group would be looking at the possible ways of remediating the ills foisted on the country by the ruling PDP. The group however advocated for the reformation of the legislative arm of government, the reformation of the Nigeria Police Force and the reformation of the judiciary, adding that if these three things are done, the country would move forward.

"Our primary aim is the quality of men and women who represent Nigerians at the state and National Assemblies; we are not and should be projected as a movement with interest in any Presidential or Governorship candidate at this stage as this will divide our common interest and goal", he said.

According to the movement, "The meeting will be required to firstly establish that the National Conscience Party is willing to adopt our ideology and the recommendations we shall be proposing as amendments to the Party Constitution at the Party's National Congress.

"It is our believe that these reformations will affect and improve the quality of governance in Nigeria as most of our sociological, political and economical problems are as a result of these weak Institutions", the movement stated.

In the past few days, weeks and months, we have had the opportunity through various media, as well as in person, to discuss the burning issues that confront our nation, the challenges we face. The NDM will be having a meeting with the National Conscience Party (NCP) on Saturday 6thApril ,2013 at 11.00 AM at the National Secretariat, Abuja. The meeting is intended to discuss the possibility of harmonizing our primary goals with that of NCP and probably merge ahead of the 2015 General Elections.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2012

Why FCT Minister offered to build AFLPM building in Nigeria-Consultant INTERVIEW Recently, there have been a lot of criticisms with regards to the building of the Peace Mission House and the consultant to the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM), Mrs. Rhoda Sika, in this interview with Ikechukwu Okaforadi, gives an insight into the workings of the institution and explains why the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Bala Mohammed, undertakes the project. Excerpts:

W

hy in your opinion has the building of the African First Ladies’ Peace Mission House raised a lot of controversy from the public as regards the funds for the project?

First and foremost, it’s an international organization that has donor agencies and partners including sponsors from both the private and public sectors. We drive the various projects, programmes and events through the collective efforts of our partners just like every other NGO. The entire stories you hear today are over reported by political jobbers and fifth columnists. The First Lady is the president/chairperson, while the permanent secretariat of the peace mission has been agreed some years back in 2008, to be domiciled in Nigeria even before she took over as chairperson and it is the obligation of the federal government, through the office of the FCT, to provide the location and the possible support just like what entails in other climes for the permanent secretariat. Not to forget, the secretariat is meant for all incoming first ladies across Africa, including Nigeria and it is not a personal property of her Excellency as some people put it.

Why is the African First Ladies Peace Mission of concern to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory?

The secretariat has been of concern to the government because of the importance of such edifice in the country and the buzz generated by some persons selling wrong information and putting same in the public domain. The minister, just like any other person that will have been there, is aware of his responsibilities and the discharge of his duties knowing fully well the importance of such an office of an African institution in the Federal Capital Territory. The whole issue, like I said before, is just being painted wrongly by some persons for the gullible public who are not aware of the true nature of facts.

What are the aims and objectives of the peace mission and what do Nigerians have to gain from its establishment?

Amongst the aims and objectives of the mission are the promotion of peace and unity in Africa; the reduction of violent conflicts; spearheading the regional economic integration of Africa, building peaceful co-existence among African countries, reducing the spread of diseases including ameliorating the pains/

Mrs. Rhoda Sika sufferings of women and children in Africa. Nigeria has a lot to gain especially now that our First Lady is the president. Look at all her achievements and goodwill attracted to the country since she took over the leadership.

As you will agree, we are really acting like the big brother of Africa.

Since the First Lady is the chairperson, how far has the mission fared?

Africans and the world are watching her passion and drive for the peace mission and that was why she was honoured in France with the ‘distinguished global African woman leadership award’, for her humanitarian service to women, youths and children.

The challenges are enormous, but the first lady has put this behind her and she has not relented knowing fully well that funding for projects from donors is difficult to come by

including sponsorship. Just of recent, relief materials running into several millions of naira were given to the Malian First Lady to help assist the teeming population due to the war and since the first lady took over the mission, it has repositioned and refocused the AFLPM to achieve its desired aims and objectives.

How would the First Lady combine the duties of the peace mission and her other NGOs? Very well, she is an executive activist, humane, caring and is passionate about issues concerning women and children. She does not shy away from propagating and advocating her beliefs and convictions including galvanizing women to be part of the political training through her NGOs, the Aruera Reachout Foundation (AARF) and the Women For Change and Development Initiative

(W4CDI), which is aimed at building a society devoid of gender discrimination, unequal access to political, social and economic wealth, gender mainstreaming, empowerment, equality and equity which according to the first lady, are among the priority areas in the transformation agenda, including the eradication of violence against women.

Can you mention any of the achievements of the first lady as it relates to the peace mission in Africa?

The achievements are numerous as it pertains to women in Africa; drawing attention to their plight, galvanizing them to be part of the political process. Back home in Nigeria, the 13 women ministers in the federal cabinet, the 35% affirmative action policy, inclusion of women into various positions of leadership in the country.

The sensitization and awareness campaign of HIV/ AIDS pandemic, the malaria scourge including tree planting to reduce desert encroachment and her motherly role that smoothen the executive, legislative liaison, including the overall development of the country.

How do you intend to invite on board every other country that are not cardcarrying members?

When the AU will meet sometime in the year, it is among the matters to be tabled and ratified so that other nonstakeholding countries will join the noble initiative. But the first lady currently is engaging the first ladies of other countries to be proactive in order to add value to governance and is also exchanging correspondence with other first ladies on the need for all hands to be on deck.

According to her, peace is invaluable and it is only through peace that development can be achieved in the African continent.

Audu tears ACN apat in Kogi, says ex-party scribe From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

F

ormer Secretary of Kogi state Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Dr.Goodman Umar has warned that the party may not makethe desiredimpactin theforthcomig Local Govaernment election unless the former governor of the state, Prince Abubarkar Audu is called to order.

He said Audu who returned to the country recently on the invitation of the EFCC over unaccounted N10 billion of Kogi state fund during his

administration between 1999 and 2003 moved to the state after his bail and summoned state Exco of ACN to a meeting in his parlour, and intimidated them to submission by hijacking the party structure for his selfish interest.

The exparty scribe explained that the ACN was preparing for the scheduled May 4, 2013 Council election and their arrangement was in top gear, adding that aspirants for chairmanship and councillorship positions who bought form have been screened and are awaiting primary

election before he arrived in the country.

Umar alleged that the moment the ex-governor arrived on the scene, he overruled what was on ground and set up a new criteria for the aspirants, saying that chairmanship aspirants, in particular, should submit statement of their accounts and that the richest person will be an automatic candidate for the party in any local government.

According to him, the exgovernor's way of doing things, which has not changed, has thrown the hopeful Kogi ACN

in disarray, saying party members are threatening to defect to another party especially in Idah, Ofu, Dekina, Yagba West Local government areas of the state where the party had wanted to capitalize on the crisis in the PDP to achieve victory at the polls.

Buttressing his allegation, he said in Idah LGA, one Abubakar Alhassan who came last out of the 4 aspirants in the PDP primary election on the 18th of march became the party flag bearer within 24hours disclosing that the said candidate is still a card carrying

member of his party, PDP. Goodman said before the exgovernor set in his confusion the party parades two credible aspirants, Hon Ibrahim Etubi Aku, a former councillor and a social crusader and Hon Amodu Shaibu, a business tycoon and philanthropist who had worked tirelessly to move the party to an enviable height in the area.

The party Chieftain in the state therefore appealed to the national body of ACN to wade in as a matter of urgency to prevent another doom for the party in the impending Council election.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2012

Ekiti Dep. Governor’s death, shocking, disheartening – Ajimobi, ACN From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

G

overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has commiserated with his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the government and the people of Ekiti State over the death of the Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka.

The governor, in a statement issued in Ibadan by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, described the demise of the Ekiti State Deputy Governor as unfortunate, disheartening and sad.

Ajimobi, who said that he received of the death of Mrs. Olayinka with rude shock, expressed the regret that the deputy governor was snatched away by the cold hands of death at a time when her wealth of experience was most needed to complement Fayemi’s efforts at transforming Ekiti State.

“It is quite unfortunate and regrettable that we lost Mrs. Olayinka at this time. She was not only gentle, unassuming and articulate, she was also a seasoned banker and an administrator par excellence and a progressive-minded personality.

“The late Mrs. Olayinka would be remembered for her unflinching loyalty to and cooperation with her boss, a feat which has assisted in the building of Ekiti State to its present enviable status by the Fayemi administration,’’ he said.

The governor said that her death had robbed the progressive family of one of the astute members who always strived for the betterment of the society and emancipation of humanity.

“As painful and untimely as her death is, we, however, take solace in the fact that she lived a selfless, fulfilled and Godly life, a life of service to humanity. Therefore, her passage should be celebrated rather than mourned,’’ he said.

Also, the state chapter of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has condoled with the Ekiti state governor on the incidence.

It also commiserated with Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and the people of Saki over the passage of the Okere of Saki, Oba Okere of Saki, Oba Olatoyese Kelani, Olarinre II. The party, in a statement issued in Ibadan on Sunday by its Publicity Secretary, Hon. Dauda Kolawole, described the death of the duo at their unripe ages as unfortunate, shocking and devastating.

According to the state party Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, the South-West zone is passing through a difficult moment with the death of its illustrious sons and daughters whose services were still required for the development of the zone.

“While we are still grappling with the passing away of Chief Bayo Akinnola, Apostle Timothy Oluwole Obadare and Chief Oluwole Awolowo, death came calling again and took away Mrs. Olayinka and Oba Kelani in their prime.”

PAGE 39

Kogi ACN petitions Jonathan over plan to rig LGs election From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

K

ogi state Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has p e t i t i o n e d President Goodluck Jonathan over the alleged plan by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party PDP to rig the May 4, 2013 Local Government election in the state through violence.

The state Chairman of ACN, Haddy Ametuo, in a statement issued yesterday in Lokoja alleged that the PDP has planned to recruit thugs to scare

way voters and the opposition in order to rig the election outrightly without allowing a free and fair election.

Ametuo said although the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Hilary Okpara, has assured them of neutrality of his men during the election but he said the body languages of the ruling party is greatly showing that they are for a do or die battle in the council polls as members of the party are already threatening brimstones and fire over the poll.

He called on President

Jonathan to intervene in the matter in order to ensure free, fair and credible election in the council polls and to avert blood bath.

“We are already living in fear as the body language of the ruling party is showing red light. Democracy is all about tolerance but this people are doing like as if they cannot accommodate us in this contest.

We need to fear because of the violence which forms the bedrock of their party primaries last month where many people were injured and houses burnt

down,” he stated.

He said ACN is ready to spring surprises as its supporters are growing every day in the state stating that over 10,000 supporters have so far crossed over from PDP to the ACN across the state because of injustice melted to them in the past, especially after the LG primary.

He appealed to the supporters of ACN not to resort to violence despite provocation from the ruling party stressing that their days are numbered in the state.

L-R: Kogi state Governor, Captain Idris Wada, Anambra state Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, and former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Gabriel Aduku, during a joint press conference by both governors on the border clashes between local government areas of the two states at the Kogi state Governor's Lodge, Asokoro, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Bala is political mischief-maker, says ANPP

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he All Nigeria People's Party, (ANPP) has called on its members across the country to ignore media report

by MallamIsah Bala of Usuman ward of Bwari Area Council of the FCT who alleged that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was trying to hijack the merger of opposition parties.

The party in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Emma Eneakwu, said it is the handiwork of some ghost political mischiefmakers on another plot to scuttle the progress of All Progressives Congress (APC) is making as the emerging

platform for the nation's progressives.

"We wish to state categorically that if the author were a true member of our great party, he would surely know the right channels to air his opinions and grievances to the party, and also the processes to deploy in advising the party leadership.

"This calls to question Mallam Isah's motive in his present antics. For sure, he is sponsored, tele-guided and used by the same forces that have been doing all things possible to foil the merger of the opposition in Nigeria.

Therefore, we dare these shadow puppet masters to show their faces if they are not shamelessly imploding with

blatant failure in their unpatriotic enterprise," the party added.

The ANPP also said that Bala does not have the intellectual fibre or material resources to both research and pen the said letter, or to fund the publication of a full page colour advert in a national daily.

"The fact that he signed the document alone simply means that there are no stakeholders anywhere; he just manufactured a fictitious platform (so-called Concerned ANPP Stakeholders Forum) to claim the paltry pittance from his dumb patrons. We challenge his funders to name other

members of the phantom forum".

"We also wish to use this opportunity to call on all our teeming members and supporters not to concede an inch of space to these desperate agitators from outside bent on casting a spanner in the patriotic and historic task we have willingly and diligently embarked on with other progressives in our great nation. As a party, we believe that history will not forgive us if we fail to act now to save our great nation from the decadeand-half old stranglehold of the ruling party on our blessed and greatly endowed country", the statement added.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

PAGE 41

Continental campaigns: Pillars bundled out as Heartland protest walkover to CAF

K

ano Pillars were yesterday bundled out of the CAF Champions League campaigns after it lost 3-0 to A C Leopards of Congo in the return leg in Congo Brazzaville. The Nigeria champions lost 3-0 on Sunday to AC Leopard for this first round tie to be tied 44 on aggregate, but the Congolese sneaked through having scored a goal in Kano in the first match.

The damaged was done by stoppage time in Brazzaville even as Pillars blamed biased officiating for their unexpected ouster.

Also, Heartland have sent a strongly worded protest to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the alleged walk-over

by Union Sportive Bitam in the first round fixture of the CAF Confederation Cup. Heartland arrived at the match venue - the Stade Gaston Peyrille in Bitam- late on Saturday, and were promptly told that they had been walked over.

Heartland had failed to get airlifted on Thursday and Friday and had sought ther understanding of their hosts for a shift of the match by 24 hours (to Sunday) CAF normally sets aside three days in which its scheduled matches

would hold and in the case in view, the tie between US Bitam and Heartland, the days allowed are April 5, 6 and 7 being Friday, Saturday and Sunday 7 respectively.

Heartland explored the force majeure to protest to CAF on the strength of this provision insisting that US Bitam violated the rule by denying the visitors the chance of using the three-day window before going ahead with the alleged walk-over.

It also alleged that the Embassy of Congo in Nigeria failed to grant them necessary travelling documents when needed.

Heartland won the first fixture 2-1 on March 17 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri. Reacting to their from the Champions League, Pillars spokesman Idris Malikawa said the Ivorian referee robbed his team of qualification to the next round of the competition.

“This is daylight robbery. African football is doomed with such refereeing. It’s just unbelievable and if this is how African football is, then we are all doomed,” he said.

The hosts went ahead in the 32nd minute before rallied round to deliver two more goals after the interval and book a place in the second round of the Champions League.

Club owners declare LMC illegal, give 14day ultimatum to revert to terms of reference

By Patrick Andrew

T

he frosty relationship between the Interim Management Committee (IMC) and NPL Club Owners Association took a turn for the worse yesterday when the latter declared the committee which has been registered as the League Management Company (LMC) an illegal entity.

Few months ago, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had constituted an interim committee and charged it among terms of reference to supervise the league and conduct elections into the new management board of the NPL. However, the IMC expanded its scope of reference by resorting to register itself with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as League Management Committee with four directors who own shares ranging from five to 20 million worth of share value.

Yesterday though members of the Club Owners Association rose from an all-night deliberation to declare the LMC illegal since its registration with the CAC had contravened the NPL statutes which stipulated that only the congress of the league would effect any operational changes bordering on its operational guidelines.

Accordingly, the club owners asserted that since the IMC had acted at variance with the NPL statutes and failed to obtain the permission of the congress of the league to effect whatever changes its members may have deemed desirable its actions including contractual agreements are null and void.

Barrister Isaac Danladi, who read a communiqué yesterday, declared the LMC illegal as it had breached FIFA statutes.

“The Interim Management Committee (IMC) or the so-called

Nduka Irabor, LMC chairman

Aminu Maigari, Preisent of NFF

LMC has no moral and legal right to form or register a company for the NPL on behalf of the 20 premier league clubs without their approval.

“That the IMC or LMC cannot enter into any contractual agreement on behalf of the 20 premier league clubs without due consultation, consent and approval of the congress.

“That the IMC or LMC cannot terminate or alter existing contracts entered into before its

constitution and inauguration without the approval of the congress,’’ he said.

According to him, the autonomy, powers and obligations of clubs are also expressly spelt out in FIFA letter of Dec. 14, 2004 to the NFA on the Nigerian Football League and FIFA letter of Nov. 2, 2009 to the NPL. “It provides that the NPL Chairman and members of the NPL governing body have to be

Isaac Danladi, Team Manager Nasarawa United

Alloy Chukwuemeka, Team Manager ABS

elected by the NPL clubs only, while the Secretary is appointed by the NPL governing board.

“Organisations of the members of the NFA, including the leagues should organise themselves without external entity, including the NFA for the sake of good order,’’ Danladi said.

The club owners said that the argument by the LMC that the NPL had wind down did not hold waters as there was an appeal pending in the court concerning the development.

“Even though the Justice D. U Okoruwa’s judgment declared the NFF and the NPL as illegal bodies, the two organs are still legally and technically in existence,” he said stressing that both have yet to legally shutdown by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

“This is in view of the pending appeal, particularly the application for stay of execution.

The club chairmen and managers are aware of the position of the law on principles guiding the situation,’’ Danladi said.

The club owners also jettisoned Ndukar Irabor’s (the chairman of the LMC) arrogance as evident by his utterances which allegedly disparaged the club owners as well as staff of the NPL secretariat who are being owed five months salary.

Further, the association urged the IMC to revert to its original terms of reference which were mainly to supervise the 2012/ 2013 premier league and to conduct elections into the NPL board.

Accordingly, it issued a 14-day ultimatum to the LMC to revert to IMC and dispensed with its terms of reference adding that a congress of the NPL should be called within the period to address matters which would advance the course of the league.

Eaglets ready to take on Africa

G

olden Eaglets’ head coach, Manu Garba has declared that the players are battle ready for the forthcoming CAF U-17 Championship in Morocco.

The cadet championship starts from April 13 to 27 and Nigeria are to fight for qualification in Group B together with Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon and Congo.

Garba, whose side returned a training tour in Doha, Qatar yesterday, said the team is poised to take on any opponents in the fiesta.

The team would travel to Morocco later in the week to participate in the 10th edition of the CAN Under-17.

“We’re so grateful to the NFF for organising this training tour for us. Coming here has given us the opportunity to prepare well for the forthcoming competition.

We’re ready even if they say we should start the championship right now.

“Our objective is to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates (UAE) as African champions and we want to come back to Aspire to prepare for the World Cup,” he explained.

9 states jostling for honours at Zaria Polo tourney

N

ine state are participating in the Zaria Polo Tournament which began on Saturday, the Chairman, Zaria Polo Club, Alhaji Sambo Shehu-Idris said yesterday.

Shehu-Idris listed the participating states as Rivers, Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau, Bauchi, Adamawa, Sokoto among those at the opening ceremony.

Shehu-Idris, who is also the son of the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris and the District Head of Birmi da Kewaye, said the competition would last for a week.

He said that members of the club were happy with the turnout of professional and non-professional players and polo fans.

The club chairman said the goal of the event was to foster national unity among Nigerians.

Shehu-Idris applauded the support the club was enjoying from stakeholders, including the Kaduna State Government, MTN Nigeria, Nigerian Army, Zazzau Emirate Council, the press and patrons of the club.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

Official appeals for early preparations for Rio 2016 Paralympics

S

amuel Ekeoma, Technical Director Nigeria Parapowerlifting Federation has appealed to the National Sports Commission (NSC) to ensure early preparation for the 2016 Paralympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Making the appeal in Lagos, Ekeoma said that early preparation would help the athletes to surpass their performance at the London 2012 Paralympics.

It would be recalled that Nigeria’s contingent to the London Games won six gold, five silver and a bronze medal and Ekeoma believes that there are potentials to do even more at the Rio Games.

“We need the support of the government and the private sector organisations to start preparation for Rio 2016 Paralympics now. ‘’Our athletes were able to win 12 medals in London and they can always surpass that through early preparation for the next Paralympics and other international competitions,’’ he said.

Ekeoma added that Para-powerlifters won five gold, two silver and one bronze at the sixth edition of the Fazza Para-Competition in Dubai this year.

He said that the four-day competition which ended on March 26 was part of the series of qualification for Rio 2016 Paralympics.

“The competition is one of the qualifiers for the 2016 Rio Games and we still have to go for other competitions to qualify for 2016,’’ Ekeoma said.

The technical director said that the federation would organise a national championship before the end of the second quarter of this year to improve their ability.

A Nigerian para-powerlifter at the London Olympic Games

Esu says players’ welfare paramount for league success

A

former coach of Crown FC of O g b o m o s h o , Godfrey Esu, has advised the management of football clubs in Nigeria to make players’ and coaches’ welfare paramount, to ensure progress in the industry.

Esu said this on

Saturday in Lagos while reacting to the resignation of Austin Eguavoen as coach of Sharks FC and the strike

by Dolphins FC, both of Port Harcourt, whose players are protesting the non-payment of their sign-on fees.

Esu, who said such poor

treatment of players and coaches was one of the reasons he parted ways with Crown FC, claimed that the league would remained stagnant so long as the players are neglected.

“Clubs need to know that the welfare of players and technical bench is

needed for a healthy working relationship.

“That will translate into good performance by both the players and coaches, but on the other hand, an unhealthy working environment will result to poor performance,” he said.

The coach said that

clubs should be made to pay a certain amount of money as a criterion for admission into the professional league.

“Let the NPFL board mandate clubs in the league to pay a certain amount to ascertain their financial strength.

“And anyone who

defaults will be made to forfeit its place in the league, and that way, clubs will not owe their players”.

Esu added that the lack of financial rewards in the league was also a reason for players seeking better deals in Europe and neighbouring countries.

Pacquiao’s next fight in China Z

ou Shiming earned about $300 000 for making his professional debut in a fourround bout at the weekend.

Promoter Bob Arum says Manny Pacquiao wants his next fight to be in Macau, after an audience of about 300 million people in China watched television coverage of Zou Shiming’s maiden professional fight over the weekend.

Arum, who feels that China is the future of boxing, said after the tournament Shiming’s Saturday night fight that he was hoping Pacquiao would fight in the city next autumn.

Negotiations are taking place for a September rematch between the Filipino and Juan Manuel Marquez, who knocked Pacquiao out last December.

When Arum was asked on Saturday night whether Pacquiao would be fighting in Macau this year, he said: “I hope so. I certainly hope so. I know he’s expressed a desire to fight here, so we are working on that.”

Pacquiao wants his next fight to be outside the United States to avoid high taxes.

Dubai and Singapore are also options.

Boxing was banned in China under Mao Zedong but the situation is changing. “It’s a country of

1.4 billion people and it’s emerging economically to be a real super power,” said Arum, founder and chief executive of Las Vegasbased Top Rank Promotions.

“If it’s done right, this will be the premier audience for boxing in the world,” Arum, 81, told reporters after the tournament at the grandiose The Venetian hotel-resort in the casino haven of Macau.

Top Rank estimated that 300 million people in China

would tune in live to watch the 31-year-old flyweight.

Zou Shiming, who debuted as professional on Saturday, defeated Mexican Eleazar Valenzuela on points in their four-round bout and, according to reports, earned $300 000.

The match-up got top billing even over a fight for WBA and WBO titles. “You can’t give them (the Chinese) junk. You have to give them quality and do it in a sensational place like

The Venetian arena.

“You have to put the event on free television so it reaches the biggest possible audience in China, which is what we did here. It was on CCTV-5, it was on all the regional networks, it was on the internet portal.

“So we reached everybody, and that is what we will continue to do.

That’s what we are going to do this summer when we do another outstanding card here. “Zou Shiming is going

to have a six-round fight and we are going to do two title fights. It will be a card that is really interesting and fan-friendly, and don’t insult the people.”

Arum, whose fighters include Pacquiao and threetime world champion Miguel Cotto, added: “People here want to see and feel what we do in Las Vegas, on the biggest possible stage, a Pacquiao fight and so forth.

“And that’s what we gave them tonight. It cost a lot of money to do all those lights and all that sort of stuff, but that’s part of the experience.

And the people in China deserve that experience.”

Meanwhile, British promoter Frank Warren has conceded that “it seems the sport has chanced upon an untapped but ridiculously

lucrative new market.

Initially it will be dependent upon Zou delivering between the ropes,” Warren wrote in a newspaper column.

“But with Hall of Famer Bob Arum pulling the promotional strings, he is primed to hit the outside lane to a world-title challenge as early as 2014.”

According to REUTERS reports officials in Macau, the world’s largest gambling destination, are aiming to transform the casino-dominated enclave into an international leisure and tourism destination.

The southern Chinese hub, where gambling revenues reached $38 billion in 2012 – six times that of Las Vegas , relies heavily on the casino industry.

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CHANGE OF NAME

Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez, there are on-going negotiations for both to fight for the fifth time

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PAGE 43

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

Peoples Daily CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE JEHOVAH MOST HIGH REVIVAL MINISTRY THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OSUNRAYI OLUFUNKE MERCY 2. OSUNRAYI MERCY JAMES 3. OYINSUYI GABRIEL ALABA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. 2. TO EVANGELISE AND WIN SOULS TO THE SERVICE OF GOD ALMIGHTY. 3. TO ESTABLISH LOCAL BRANCHES FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL WORLDWIDE. 4. TO ORGANISE OUTREACH, CRUSADES, SEMINARS, WORKSHOP AND REVIVAL SERVICES FOR THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED BARR. CHITURU ADEDIRAN 08039488627

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. AJALA GBENGA 2. EMEJOR SOPHIA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL, TEACH AND HEAL IN ALL PART OF THE WORLD. 2. TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN CHURCHES AND MISSIONS IN NIGERIA AND IN FOREIGN LANDS. 3. TO TRAIN, ORDAIN AND LICENCE CANDIDATES FOR THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL MINISTRY

Man City must spend to match United, says Mancini

M

anchester City boss Roberto Mancini claims the defending champions must be prepared to spend big in the summer if they are to compete with Manchester United next season.

Despite having one of the most expensive squads in the Premier League, Mancini believes City must improve their squad in the next transfer window or risk falling further behind their rivals.

Mancini’s side head to Old Trafford on Monday 15 points behind United and although the Italian insisted the table is not a true reflection of City’s season, he has urged the club’s owners to make funds available ahead of next season.

“We are not like United. They have a big history and

we need a lot of years to compete with this,” Mancini said. “We need to improve our team every year and in the summer we need to buy the players who can make the difference, important players that can improve our team.

“We have our targets in the summer and we are already working on them. I don’t know how much money we can spend but in the past United did spend a lot of money to buy important players. Now they don’t need to spend £100million every year.

Containing Robin van Persie will be key to City’s chances of reducing United’s gap atop the Premier League and Mancini has highlighted the Dutchman as the key behind the Red Devils’ success.

Abidal grateful to fans on return Bayern

E

ric Abidal thanked the Barcelona fans for the ovation he received last night on making his long-awaited comeback following liver surgery.

The 33-year-old defender was a 70thminute replacement for Gerard Pique in Barça’s 50 rout of Real Mallorca, making his first appearance in over a year after undergoing a liver transplant last April, having previously had surgery to remove a tumour in March 2011.

Abidal added that he remains a long way short of full fitness and unable at present to play 90 minutes, with an hour in a friendly against Istres

the most he has managed to date.

“I hope to be part of the group until the end of the season,” he added.

“Whether on the bench or in the stands, it is not too important.

The most important thing is to feel good and enjoy all these moments with my teammates.

Assistant coach Jordi Roura had dedicated last night’s win to Abidal and to Coach Tito Vilanova, who returned to the dugout earlier this week following two months in New York undergoing cancer treatment.

Bara now has just a few days to prepare for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League

quarter-final with Paris Saint-Germain following a 2-2 draw in the first leg.

However, Roura was giving little away regarding Barça’s plans.

B

Eric Abidal

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PUBLIC NOTICE

L-R: Hon. Samson Okwu, Minister of Interior, Hon. Abba Moro, Clerk of National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, Hon. Ezekeil Adaji, Senate President David Mark, and Och'otukpo Odu, Chief John Eyimonye, during the ground breaking ceremony on David Mark sport complex, at the weekend in Otukpo, Benue Photo: Mahmud Isa state.

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THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR CHANGE OF ITS TRUSTEES UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OLUWAWEMIMO OWOLABI -CHAIRMAN 2. OLADEINDE WASIU -TREASURER 3. ANAEMENE DORIS IFEOMA -MEMBER 4. ADESANYA MUYIWA -SECRETARY 5. SAMSON IGE BANKOLE - MEMBER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROVIDE SELF HELP PRACTICES AMONG RURAL AND URBAN DWELLERS. 2. TO STRENGTHEN CAPACITIES OF YOUTH, WOMEN AND COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN DEALING WITH INTRA AND INTER PERSONAL CONFLICTS IN THEIR ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES. 3. TO CREATE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT THAT PROMOTE ECONOMIC INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES. 4. TO FACILITATE DIALOGUE, STRENGTHEN CO-EXISTANCE AND CREATE A SAFE PLATFORM FOR DIFFERENCE AND DIVERSITY AMONG ETHNIC NATIONALITIES. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR -GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, WUSE ZONE 5 GARKI ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THE PUBLICATION. SIGNED: FOUNDER

claim Bundesliga title

ayern Munich wrapped up their 23rd Bundesliga title with six games to go thanks to a 1-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt today.

It has been a matter of when and not if Bayern regained the title from Borussia Dortmund for some weeks and Bastian Schweinsteiger’s 53rdminute effort gave the visitors the win they needed.

The afternoon could have been more comfortable for Bayern, with David Alaba sending a first-half penalty against a post, but they moved 20 points clear of Dortmund with only 18 left to play for.

The victory also ended a mini title drought as they won their first crown in three seasons. It was not quite on the same level as the 9-2 thumping of Hamburg in their last league clash, but the Bavarian giants can now turn their attention to completing the treble.

They are well-placed in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final with Juventus and in the last four of the DFB-Pokal.

It was the earliest Bundesliga title wins in history, beating Bayern’s own record of four games to go in the 1972/73 and 2002/03 seasons.

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PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

Spadafora still unbeaten as Foreman remains unassailable

F

ormer champion Paul Spadafora and Yuri Foreman are still improving their formidable records, even though they operate on the edge of the limelight these days.

Spadafora, a former IBF lightweight champion, remained undefeated after 49 professional bouts when he beat Robert Frankel in Chester, California, at the weekend.

And in New York former WBA junior middleweight champion Foreman appeared in a sixround bout, beating Gundrick King on points. Foreman now has a record of 30 wins and 2 defeats.

King stands at 18-10.

Foreman, who is still studying to be a rabbi, has lost only to Miguel Cotto and a Pole, Pawel Volak.

Spadafora took his record to 48-0, with one draw and 19 short-cut wins, and claimed the NABF junior welterweight title when he won by unanimous decision over ten rounds.

Frankel’s record now stands at 32-13-1; 6.

Years of legal problems, including driving under the influence, use of cocaine and a sentence for attempted murder of his pregnant girlfriend, prevented Spadafora from becoming one of the outstanding fighters of his time.

Known as the Pittsburgh Kid,

Paul Spadafora

Lobi Stars CAF Conf. Cup humiliation shocks Adepoju

M

utiu Adepoju has described the humiliating ouster of Lobi Stars of Markurdi from the CAF Confederation Cup as shocking.

Lobi Stars were defeated 7-1 in the return leg of the competition against Liga Muculmana of Mozambique on Friday in Maputo and Adepoju described the scandalous scoreline as an embarrassment to Nigeria.

The former General Manager of 3SC FC of Ibadan said over the weekend that in Lagos that the goal margin was a poor reflection on the quality of a club like Lobi Stars, which won the first leg played at the Markurdi Stadium 3-1.

“I am shocked at the goal margin; it’s not about losing or winning, but the score line is hard to believe for a club like Lobi, they are no push overs in the league.

“Something must have gone terribly bad because it will be wrong to make assumptions, but one thing that is certain is that the fault is either from the team or from the officiating. It is sad, but whatever must have happened in Maputo, they could not withstand it,’’ Adepoju said.

Lobi are the second club after Dolphins of Port Harcourt to be bundled out of the CAF Confederation Cup this season.

The team are currently on the 12 th position in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with six points from four matches.

he once fought WBA champion Leonard Dorin to unify the lightweight titles, but had to settle for a draw. Weight problems made him give up his own title in 2003 to move to junior welterweight.

In the New York tournament, junior middleweight Ionut Dan moved to 31-2-0 when he beat Damian Frias (19-7-1) by 78-73 on two cards and 76-75. In another preliminary, superbantamweight Luis Orlando Del Valle stopped Andre Wilson in the fifth round.

In Santa Ynez in California, lightweight Rustam Nugaev returned from a 21-month layoff and knocked out Jonathan Maicelo in the eighth round.

Nugaev improved his record to 23-6; 13 and Maicelo now stands at 16-1; 10.

In another lightweight bout Gabriel Tolmajyan (13-2-1; 3) beat Jorge Maysonet (11-1; 10) over eight rounds – 77-75 and 80-71 on the other cards.

Alejandro Luna (13-0, 9) outpointed Mario Hermosillo (11-10-3; 2) over four rounds; also at lightweight.

In Melbourne, Australia, Jarrod Fletcher stopped Randy Suico in the fifth round to retain the PABA middleweight title.

Fletcher, ranked No 6 by the WBA, improved to 15-1; 9 and Suico dropped to 31-9-1; 26.

Earlier welterweight Tim Hunt (16-3; 5) outpointed Robert Whaley (7-8-2, 4) over twelve rounds to retain his PABA title.

Also, in Carolina, Puerto Rico: Former WBA supermiddleweight champion Manny Siaca beat Milton Nunez on points over eight rounds, taking his record to 25-7; 20. Nunez dropped to 25-7-1; 23.

Thomas Dulorme moved to 18-1; 13 when he also won on points over eight rounds against Ben Akrah in a bout at superlightweight. All three judges called it 80-72. Ankrah dropped to 17-12; 8.

In Zama City, Japan: Charlie Ota (22-1-1; 15) retained his OPBF junior middleweight title when he beat Kyeongseok Kwak (10-8; 7) over 12 rounds.

Elsewhere in Tokyo: Daiki Kaneko retained his Japanese junior lightweight title when he stopped Kyohei Tamakoshi in the ninth round. Kaneko improved his record to 18-2-3, including 11 knockouts.

Tamakoshi dropped to 31-8-6; 12.

Former WBA junior featherweight champion Akifumi Shimoda (27-3-2; 12) had to be satisfied with a majority draw in a featherweight ten-rounder against former OPBF champion Roli Gasca, who now stands at 19-4-1; 5.

Overhaul Flying Eagles before U-20 World Cup, says Owolabi

A

former Nigerian midfielder, Felix Owolabi, has called for the overhaul of the Flying Eagles before the 2013 World Cup in Turkey in June.

Owolabi, who spoke against the backdrop of the team’s inability to defend their African Youth Championship (AYC) title in the 2013 edition recently

concluded in Algeria, said without overhauling the team Nigeria may not impress at the world youth fiesta in Turkey.

According to him, the players performed poorly as title defenders and were barely able to win a consolatory bronze medal at the AYC in Algeria.

“They didn’t perform well at all; their performance did not

befit defending champions. It was an eyesore. Well, I am sure that the technical crew is going to work something out before the World Cup. “John Obuh needs to reexamine the team, he needs to overhaul it, it may not be a total overhaul, but it is obvious that some players have not justified their inclusion in the team.

“World Cup is no child’s play, it will be tough and we need committed and competent players who won’t embarrass us in Turkey,’’ Owolabi said.

The Flying Eagles, who along with Egypt, Ghana and Mali are to represent Africa, would play in Group B alongside Cuba, Portugal and North Korea in Turkey.

NBBF congratulates Diogu over Chinese club’s title win

T

Ike Diogu of Nigeria’s D’ Tigers

he Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) on Friday in Abuja congratulated D’Tigers’ player, Ike Diogu, on his winning the 2012/ 2013 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) title with the Guandong Southern Tigers.

In a letter signed by its president, Tijjani Umar said the federation was proud of Diogu’s achievement and added that it was yet another demonstration of the depth of talents that Nigeria possess in the game.

“The Minister of Sports, the Director-General and staff of the National Sports Commission (NSC) as well as the Board and staff of our federation heartily congratulate you and your club for clinching the 2012/2013 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) title.

“We are proud of the immense contribution you played in the success of your team,’’ it said.

The NBBF said that it was however eagerly looking forward to Diogu leading his national team, the D’Tigers and Nigeria to its first African championship title win in August.

“Enjoy the spotlight (now) and bring on the momentum to the national camp this summer,’’ it added in the letter.

The 29-year-old power forward was a member of the D’Tigers team to the men’s basketball event of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Diogu’s club recently won its seventh CBA title after beating the Shandong Lions 4-0 in the finals, and has been part of the league since the competition’s inception in 1995.

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PICTORIAL

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

1] Paolo Di Canio's first game in charge of Sunderland ended in defeat after Chelsea fought back to win.

Newcastle grabbed a 93rd minute winner against Fulhamwhile QPR played 1-1 withWigan 2] Munster reaches a record-equalling 10th Heineken Cup semi-final, stunning Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop.

3] After claiming the Bundesliga title in record-breaking time over the weekend, new German champions Bayern Munich were lauded by their opponents for their performance in taking the championship.

Liverpool and West Ham fought out a largely disappointing goalless draw which damages the home team's European ambitions but eased relegation concerns for their opponents.

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2

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PICTORIAL

4] Britain takes on Russia in the Davis Cup Euro/Africa Zone at Coventry's Ricoh Arena

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

PAGE 47

•Leonardo da Vinci was dyslexic, and he often wrote backwards.

Some Interesting Facts

Say what?

•Nazi leader Adolf Hitler had only one testicle.

•Queen Lydia Liliuokalani was the last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian Islands. She was also the only Queen the United States ever had.

•On average a business document is copied 19 times.

•The largest employer in the world is the Indian railway system in India, employing over 1.6 million people.

•Warner Chappel Music owns the copyright to the song "Happy

Birthday." They make over $1 million in royalties every year from the commercial use of the song.

•All babies are colour-blind when they are born.

•Children grow faster in the springtime than any other season during the year.

•Each nostril of a human being registers smells in a different way.

Smells that are made from the right nostril are more pleasant than the left. However, smells can be detected more accurately when made by the left nostril.

•Humans are born with 350 bones in

their body, however when a person reaches adulthood they only have 206 bones. This occurs because many of them join together to make a single bone.

•May babies are on average 200 grams heavier than babies born in other months.

•Rolling Stones band member Bill Wyman married a 19 year-old model Mandy Smith in 1988. At the same time Wyman's son was engaged to Mandy Smith's mother. If his son had married Smith's mother, Wyman would have been the step grandfather to his own wife.

the world.

•There was no punctuation until the 15th century.

•Children laugh about 400 times a day, while adults laugh on average only 15 times a day.

•The coconut is the largest seed in the world.

•There is cyanide in apple pips.

•If you were to take 1 lb. of spiders web and stretch it out it would circle the whole way around the world!

•If every person in China stood on a chair and jumped off at the same time...it would knock the earth off its axis!

•There are 158 verses in the Greek National Anthem.

•A mole can dig a tunnel 300 feet long in just one night!

•There are about 6,800 languages in

•The shortest war on record, between

Britain and Zanzibar in 1896, lasted just 38 minutes.

•The Shell Oil Company originally began as a novelty shop in London that sold seashells.

•The symbols + (addition) and (subtraction) came into general use in 1489.

•If you save one penny and double it every successive day, (day two you have 2 pennies and day three you have 4 pennies, and so on), by the end of 30 days you'll have $5,368,708! (or £'s or whatever currency).

•It is not possible to tickle yourself. The cerebellum, a part of the brain, warns the rest of the brain that you are about to tickle yourself. Since your brain knows this, it ignores the resulting sensation.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Children of war: The photo was taken in front of a barricade in the neighbourhood of Salahadeen, Aleppo - the front lines of the bloody Syrian civil war Source: Dailymail.co.uk

www.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . putting the people first

MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Chelsea is Manchester United greatest threat, says Ferguson

S

ir Alex Ferguson believes Chelsea will be the greatest threat to Manchester United for the Premier League title next season, provided Jose Mourinho returns to his former side.

The United manager is on course to win a 20th league title with the Red Devils, currently 15 points clear of holders Manchester City, and he has the opportunity to put further daylight between the Red Devils and their bitter rivals when they clash in the derby on Monday night at Old Trafford.

Although United are coasting to this year's championship, Ferguson has warned his team will not ease up next season. "We've got a lot of youth in the team, there's no doubt about that," he said. "The record over the last 20 years tells you we're not going away. So I'd expect us without doubt to have a real good challenge next year.

While the Scot is confident of United being in the title tussle, the 71-year-old feels Chelsea will be right in contention, dependent on whether Mourinho decides to come back to Stamford Bridge.

Ferguson's failure to mention Liverpool is perhaps a sign he believes Brendan Rodgers will not be able to conjure up a challenge from Merseyside.

And I think Arsenal will improve - there's some indication that Arsenal are building a better squad than people think and Tottenham have been progressing for a couple of years now.

Mourinho was in charge of Chelsea for four seasons, with the Portuguese delivering Premier League titles in his first two campaigns and lifting four more trophies during his tenure.

The man who has so often been tipped to replace Ferguson at United guided Real Madrid to the Primera Liga last season as they toppled Barcelona, but a fallout with the club's hierarchy and reported unrest in the dressing room make his departure from the Bernabeu likely come the end of the season.

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QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE ln a big umbrella like this (PDP), crisis is inevitable. — Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Governor, Kano state, on the wranglings in the ruling PDP

Little light, long tunnel The only thing we have to fear is fear itself — Fredrick D. Roosevelt

P

resident Jonathan appears to be leaning towards the recent upsurge in appeals for amnesty for insurgents of the Jamaatu Ahlil Sunnah Lid'da'awati Wal Jihad, popularly known as Boko Haram. A large delegation of elderly and distinguished northerners known as Northern Elders Forum met with him last week Wednesday, the second meeting in a year. Last year, the forum had left him with a long shopping list of issues and grievances which affect the economy, security and other challenges of the North which they wanted the President to act on, including the need for dialogue with Boko Haram. He promised to respond to them in a couple of weeks, but did not do so for many months. In exasperation, some of the elders began to speak out in a manner only elders speak: frankly, with controlled anger. Their frustrations were compounded by lack of access to northern governors to look at the same issues.

What appears to have broken the camel's back was the public demand by the Emir of Kano that the President should implement the recommendations of the Elders. Until the Emir sent the message through the delegation that went to condole him over the bus park bombing, anyone would be forgiven for thinking the President will not budge on his insistence that dialogue or amnesty are not options on his table. The Sultan had spoken out, with full support of the Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI) in favour of amnesty.

Two days after this significant intervention, the Governors and elders of Borno and Yobe states made the case for amnesty when the President visited their two states. He turned down the appeals, on the grounds that the insurgents are unknown combatants (popularly referred to as ghosts), and you cannot negotiate with them. The Borno-Yobe visit appeared to have compounded the President's situation.

A significant portion (the one largely removed from the physical and economic damage of the insurgency) applauded the President's appearance of principled courage in resisting the pressure to submit to the amnesty clamour. A major source of the pressure to resist also came from the security, law and order community which sees amnesty as capitulation. The other side raised its voice to a new pitch in the demand for amnesty as the key to eventual resolution of the conflict. More leaders of opinion spoke out, and were joined by professional groups, traditional rulers, politicians, the clergy (including senior Christian clergy) the media and a very wide swathe

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FIFTEEN MINUTES with Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed drbabaahmed@yahoo.com

President Jonathan of public opinion which saw the President's position as "typical".

International opinion was also nudging the President to explore options to his current, singular strategy of using force against the insurgency.

By the time the Northern Elders Forum visited the President, it was obvious that his position with regard to the amnesty issue has no support in the northern part of the country. To sustain that position would have meant alienating just about every important source of influence in the region. Even the Christian community, despite the warnings of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) was joining the immunity bandwagon, after living under the horror and stress of being bombed and killed in a conflict that shows no signs of abetting.

The elders met a President already looking critically at the amnesty issue. He told them he had never ruled out amnesty, but had been consistent in demanding that amnesty is the product of dialogue involving people who can and are willing to articulate their grievances. To do this, they have to make themselves available for talks and negotiations. They have not done so, and he cannot grant amnesty to people he does not know. Those who speak for amnesty also appear to deny any knowledge of the insurgents, who live amongst them.

The Elders reportedly requested him to consider granting amnesty and then set up a framework which will give it substance and structure. They made the case that even the Niger Delta militants came out only after

late President Yar'Adua had made strenuous efforts in pursuit of the resolution of the Niger Delta crisis which was part of his seven point agenda, and had to put in place an amnesty programme with a structure and credibility. They advised the President to set up an Amnesty Commission or another structure which should administer the amnesty provisions, including guaranteeing the safety and security of those who take up the offer, and facilitating dialogue and eventual resolution.

Since the visit of the Elders, developments suggest that President Jonathan is seriously considering the grant of amnesty under a formal structure and processes which should both tap into existing confidence that it can work, and also continue to protect the security and territorial integrity of the nation. It is safe to assume that President Jonathan is meeting stiff resistance from many quarters. First, the leadership of the security agencies will not simply roll over. They will insist that amnesty or dialogue is capitulation. They will tell the President that their men and women will be furious and disappointed after all the blood, limbs and lives lost in the conflict.

They will insist that they can win this war, and are in fact, at the point of winning it. They will advise against listening to advise from people who are sponsors or godfathers of the insurgents; and they will warn that far from encouraging insurgents to defect and take up the amnesty offer, more people will be encouraged by the seeming weakness of the state, to take up the battle in new fronts.

They will warn that amnesty to these insurgents will spawn more insurgencies. They tell him to sustain his current strategy.

Then he will have to contend with a powerful circle around him which will see amnesty and dialogue as a political setback.

They will remind him that he has another political constituency which is adamant that amnesty is reward for the mass murder of their kith and kin and other Christians. They will point to the Niger Delta amnesty programme which is now rapidly coming unstuck, as evidence that amnesty does not work. They will warn him to beware of walking

into the trap of northerners who lit the Boko Haram fire to burn up his administration, and who will use his amnesty programme to claim credit for putting out a fire that refused to consume him and his administration. They will advise him against appearing as weak, with 2015 round the corner, a north substantially in a rebellious mood, and a southsouth and south-east unsure over whether he can be trusted with another term.

President Jonathan appears set to experiment with the amnesty option. If he does offer some semblance of concession as key to dialogue and resolution, much will still have to be done to make it work. First, the structural framework will have to be credible and run by people of transparent integrity, the type all sides to this conflict will be comfortable with.

Second, all leaders who have made appeals for amnesty as the first step towards resolution must be actively involved in encouraging those under arms to also consider and avail themselves of the amnesty option. This is the time for those who believe amnesty can work to live up to their responsibilities as leaders: whether they know the insurgents or not, they must look for them, persuade them to lay down their arms, and dialogue. Third, the grant of amnesty must be part of a process, which must include a scaling down of the use of force, freeing detainees who have been in detention without trial, and the creation of safe and secure dialogue facilities.

Four, the on-going attempt to politicize the amnesty issue with specific reference to 2015 should be stopped.

There are many questions legitimately being raised by Nigerians regarding amnesty and dialogue with JASLIWAJ and its sister, Ansaru. Will the insurgents take up the offer at all? Are we rewarding mass murder with freedom and possible financial benefits? Can the Nigerian state face two threats from the southsouth and north which are unsuccessfully contained within rickety amnesty frameworks? Can amnesty for JASLIWAJ remove other threats from other interests who are aping its tactics but do not share its goals? Can those who make much money from the insurgency walk away from a lucrative venture without a fight?

Can northern leaders and elders help make sure that amnesty leads to full resolution; or have they lost all power and influence?

There are many more questions and few answers, but the fear to try to find an alternative to the status quo that may work is the biggest threat we face. There is a faint light at the end of the tunnel the nation must walk towards, even though it has no idea how far it is. Whatever happens, we must not go back.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 805 727 9862. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141