Peoples Daily Newspaper, Monday 08, October, 2012

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 9 No. 41

Monday, October 8, 2012

. . . putting the people first

Zhul-Qadah 21, 1433 AH

N150

Reps order NNPC to provide crude oil accounts for scrutiny

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he House Representatives at weekend mandated Group Managing Director of

of the the the

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, to produce statement of accounts reflecting transactions relating to the marketing and sale of the nation’s crude oil.

House committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) chaired by Rep Muraina Ajibola during its oversight functions decried the situation where the nation’s crude accounts were shrouded in secrecy.

Ajibola told the NNPC GMD that several efforts to get the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) involved in the marketing and sale of the nation’s crude has not been successful

because it has not been cooperating with the committee over demands for relevant documents relating to the nation’s crude oil accounts.

Contd on Page 2

Extra-judicial killings rampant in Borno We are here to restore peace - JTF

INVESTIGATION

allegedly perpetrated under the guise of searching for arms or hunting suspected members of the

Boko Haram sect.

Further investigation revealed that hapless residents of

any part of town where JTF men come under attack are always at the receiving end of the wrath of

the JTF especially if the incident records a fatality among the Contd on Page 2

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

C

ases of extra-judicial killings, torture, arson and arbitrary arrests, allegedly perpetrated by operatives of the Joint Military Task Force, (JTF) in some parts of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, have become rampant in the past three weeks, a Peoples Daily investigation has revealed.

Similarly, some JTF personnel have been accused of forceful entry into houses, extortion and other human rights abuses

PD INDEX

6th Oct., 2012

CBN RATES $ £ EURO CFA RIYAL

BUYING 154.7 250 200 0.2848 41

SELLING 155.7 251.6 201 0.3048 41.5

PARALLEL RATES EURO £ RIYAL $

BUYING 197 252 40 156.50

SELLING 203.50 256 42 160

L-R: Former Nasarawa state Governor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Executive Director, Public Sector North, First Bank, Mr. Dauda Lawal, Group Managing Director of First Bank, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, and former Zamfara state Governor, Senator Ahmed Sani, Yeriman Bakura, during the Customer Engagement Forum organised by First Bank, at the weekend, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Soldier abducts father, 3-year-old son over alleged debt >> PAGE 3

FG frustrating $800m Abuja rail projects – Reps >> PAGE 3

Former PSN Registrar in child custody tangle >> PAGE 5

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

CONTENTS News

2-11

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

18-19

S/Report

24

Law

26

Education

27

Health

29

Bakassi: Uncertainty as appeal window closes tomorrow

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

T

here is uncertainty as Nigeria has less than 24 hours to appeal against the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which ceded the oil rich Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon.

Nigeria’s grace to appeal for the revision of the verdict will elapse on the 9th October, but it unclear as at yesterday evening whether the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN) and the team of lawyers that will do the filing have left the shores of the country for the Netherlands.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Justice Minister, Mr. Ambrose Momoh told Peoples Daily yesterday that he has no latest information as the preparation for the filing of the country’s appeal against the ICJ judgement until today when he will see the AGF on the issue.

Following calls by wellmeaning Nigerians and groups on the Federal Government to appeal the judgement which

ceded Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroun, President Goodluck Jonathan, at the end of an emergency meeting with Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambawal and governors of the six South-South States, ordered that Nigeria should file for a revision of the case based on emerging fresh facts.It was not clear whether the AGF and the committee set up by the president are done with assembling the documents for filing of the appeal as the country has 24 hours to file the appeal for the revision of the judgement.

Already, Bakassi indigenes in Cross River State have asked a Federal High Court, Abuja for an order voiding the Green Tree Agreement that Nigeria signed with Cameroon in 2006.

The Federal Government and President Goodluck Jonathan and the Attorney General of the Federation are joined as Respondents in the suit filed on behalf of the Plaintiffs by

their lawyer, Mr Festus A. Ogwuche.

In a motion ex-parte moved by their counsel Friday, the applicants sought an order of mandamus that would compel the Federal Government to by any means available to it, repossess, occupy and take full legal and administrative control of the Bakassi Peninsula.

The motion was filed pursuant to section 1 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights(Enforcement and Ratification Act Cap 10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990, as well as Order 34 Rules 1(a), 3(1) and (2) of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules, 2007.

Besides, they sought leave for an order of mandamus, compelling the Respondents to, “unilaterally withdraw, rescind, repudiate and/or revoke Nigeria’s obligations under the Green Tree Agreement entered into between Nigeria and Cameroun in Green Tree, New York, USA on the 12th day of

June, 2006, for its being invalid and in breach of Articles 1, 2, 20, 21, 22 and 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, Article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Article 1(2) of the UN Charter, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of indigenous peoples, and being inconsistent with sections 1-3, 2(1) and (6), 13, 14(1) and (2)(b), 17(1), (2)(b), (c ) and (d), sections 19(a) and 9(d), 21(a) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”

The applicants, argued that the ICJ gave its judgment on the protracted dispute over ownership of the oil rich Bakassi Peninsula, based “on archaic and anachronistic colonial declarations, and communications between colonial officers.”

The trial Judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole adjourned ruling on the application till October 9, 2012 saying he needed time to carefully peruse the court processes in view of “weighty national issues raised therein.”

Extra-judicial killings rampant in Borno

Why we formed N/East Forum for Unity and Development-Hajia Ciroma, Page 37

Inter’l Digest

31-34 36

Politics

37-39

Sports

41-47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

Contd from Page 1 security agents.

Consequently, after the gunmen flee the scene, members of the task force visit their anger on innocent civilians of the area for ‘concealing’ information on the identity of the attackers.

This has led to an increase in the number of internal migrants as thousands of residents continue to flee their homes as their localities, now sacked by the JTF, has been turned into a battle field of sorts due to heavy presence of security agents.

Checks show that no fewer than 10 wards in Maiduguri have been completely deserted as they are now under permanent military cordon.

The affected areas include; Kawar Maila, Lawan Bukar, Budum, Abbaganaram, State Housing low cost. Others are; Gidan Yashi, Gwange Sabon Layi, Shehuri North and some parts of London Ciki.

The latest incident of alleged extra-judicial killings occurred at the Low Cost housing estate, when some soldiers conducted a house-

to-house search and arrested four young men.

Residents of the area said nothing incriminating was found on the men, but the soldiers allegedly gunned them down.

This alleged extra judicial killing by the security forces was also repeated recently when two persons of the same family were allegedly killed by JTF agents on a house-to- house search when a registered double barrel gun was found in the room of their father at the Gamborou Millionaires Quarters.

It was also gathered that over 50 innocent civilians were alleged to have been shot dead when soldiers went on rampage in Gwange Sabon Layi, shortly after some gunmen killed another soldier and burnt his corpse.

Residents of the area alleged that shortly after the incident, the area became under siege as several military personnel cordoned the area, shooting at residents indiscriminately.

The rampaging soldiers also reportedly burnt down several houses, shops, cars and other

properties, forcing the residents to flee the area.

At the end of the operation, no fewer than 100 houses, 20 cars, 30 shops and other valuables were razed down.

The state Deputy Governor, Zanna Umar Mustapha, who visited the area, expressed shock over the high level of damage inflicted on the innocent residents.

Mustapha, who was conducted round the area by top officers of the JTF, condemned the act, warning that government would no longer condone such human rights abuses by the soldiers.

He cautioned the JTF operatives against future recurrence, warning that henceforth defaulters would face the wrath of the law.

Investigation at both the Maiduguri Specialist Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital indicated that several corpses of unidentified persons with various gunshot injuries were being deposited by soldiers almost daily.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Salma Kolo, had earlier

told newsmen that the morgue of the hospital was over burdened with corpses following the present security challenges.

Dr. Salma, who spoke at the ministerial press briefing, said government was planning to expand the capacity of the morgue to meet the present challenges.

Commenting on the incident, a retired military officer, who declined identification, said the series of extra-judicial killings, intimidation and other human right abuses meted on civilians, would only worsen the current insecurity.

Spokesman of the JTF, Lt-Col. Sagir Musa, could not be reached for comment. However, in a previous chat with newsmen, he has severally absolved the security personnel from wrong doings.

According Lt-Col. Musa, soldiers were deployed to restore peace and can never act in that manner.

He argued that militants were behind the killings of innocent persons and destruction of their properties.

Reps order NNPC to provide crude oil accounts for scrutiny Contd from Page 1 Ajibola said “Nigerians want to know what has been happening to the nation’s offshore accounts; there have been speculations that certain imaginary accounts are being kept with details unknown to many; we would want to know where Nigerians’ monies are being kept and its flow of income.”

The Chairman said all details of the nation’s accounts in JP Morgan and other offshore accounts must be made available to the lawmakers who are representing the people for

scrutiny. Ajibola said “Nigerians would not come directly to you to ask about the status of their accounts; but their representatives in the parliament who have their mandate would do so.”

The Chairman however challenged the NNPC to tell the whole world that it would not be transparent and accountable in its handling of the nation’s accounts by refusing to present the accounts to the parliament.

Ajibola equally intimated the NNPC boss that his committee

would soon commence investigation into the activities of the National Petroleum Investments Management Services (NAPIMS) in the last seven years as mandated by the House.

The committee equally queried the NNPC GMD on why its subsidiary, National Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO), has refused to remit N400 million dividends owed the parent company as specified by law. It also queried the NNPC for advancing NETCO N1 billion interest free loan to NETCO.

Responding, NNPC GMD said he was committed to transparency and accountability and as such would not hide anything from the committee. He assured the lawmakers that he would send the accounts details to the committee as requested.

Commenting on the N1 billion loans advanced to NETCO, Yakubu said it was an in-house arrangement and such would be harmonized at the end of the day just as he added that the dividends issue would be addressed appropriately.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

PAGE 3

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, with the Emir of Zuru, Alhaji Sani Sami, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly before their departure to Saudi Arabia, yesterday.

Gunmen kill 2 in Zaria From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

T

Soldier abducts father, 3-yearold son over alleged debt From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

A

pparently throwing caution to the winds, a serving soldier in the Nigerian Army stormed the residence of one Daniel Yunana in Kaduna last Friday and abducted him along with his three-year-old son, over an alleged indebtedness.

Eyewitness accounts said LtCol. KC Uwa, Head of Special Force Quarters, Suleja Barracks, Niger state, arrived Yunana’s residence at the Ungwan Makama area of Sabon-Tasha, at about 7 am that day, along with four other armed soldiers and whisked away father and son.

Reports said the captives were From Iliya Garba, Minna

A

bomb factory believed to belong to the Boko Haram group was over the weekend discovered by the Niger state police command around Maitumbi, Minna, the Niger state capital.

The discovery of the factory on Saturday night was part the state police command’s efforts aimed at

detained at the Suleja Barracks till Saturday night when Uwa released them at about 11 pm.

According to Yunana’s younger sister, Beauty, “I was inside the house when the soldiers came very early in the morning on Friday but my brother was taking his bath at that time.

“I decided to bathe the boy who was having fever. All of a sudden we heard a strong knock on the door, but before we could get to the gate, the soldiers had climbed the fence into the house…

“The soldiers ransacked the house and after that they took off, and I heard the officer saying that he has been looking for my brother

for the past one month without seeing him.

They went away with Daniel’s car, a 406 Peugeot, and the officer also threatened to confiscate Daniel’s plot of land.

He engaged my brother for an architectural work on his building project in Gonin- Gora area of Kaduna metropolis. But at a point the officer brought another set of supervisors after he had earlier engaged my brother to supervise the project.

Yunana who spoke with reporters from his detention room late on Saturday evening using what he described as a smuggled handset, said that, “I told the soldiers that I am treating hepatitis

and that my son too is on medication.

“And, as I speak with you, we have not been given food nor drink in the detention room at Special Force Quarters, Suleja Barracks, inside Command Secondary School, along Kaduna road, Suleja.

“This place is not safe for me to tell you the details of my problem with the Army Officer. But he is telling people that I owe him N1.8 million, and he too is owing me over N1.3 million apart from other money he is yet to pay me”.

When contacted yesterday, Uwa confirmed the incident to our correspondent and noted that Yunana was indebted to him to the tune of about N1.8 million.

Police discover bomb factory in Minna stemming the recent killing of policemen in the state.

Following a tip-off by one of the five suspects arrested in respect of the killing of three police officers in two separate operations in Minna metropolis, a team of policemen in mufti had stormed the bomb factory located behind a popular

private school in Maitumbi area at about 8:30pm.

The raid led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, from the state police headquarters, Minna lasted for about two hours as the team recovered from the building two gas cylinders and cans already prepared for explosion.

Other deadly weapons discovered in the house included about 30 cans of disposable food beverages and soft drinks also stockpiled with explosives, 25 kilogrammes of fertiliser, batteries, remote control devices and other electrical gadgets.

No arrests was made during the raid.

he Kaduna state police command has confirmed two persons killed while another was critically injured when unidentified gunmen attacked a relaxation spot in Zaria at the weekend.

According to eyewitness accounts, the gunmen arrived the spot located at Enugu Road, SabonGari area and fired sporadically at guests there.

A medical doctor identified as Dr. Martins Agu, of Railway Staff Hospital, was said to have been hit and died on the spot, along with a friend.

Reports said that gunshots shattered the legs of a female companion of the deceased.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Aminu Lawan, confirmed the incident, noting that, “three persons were affected, but it was two of them that were killed, the third person was injured.

Fire guts School of Nursing female hostel in Kebbi From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

A

nother tragedy occurred yesterday in Birnin Kebbi School of Nursing and Midwifery as a fire outbreak gutted the Block C female hostel destroying four rooms and personal belongings. No life was however lost in the incident.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred around 9 pm on Saturday. According to Umar Garba who is also the chief security officer of the school, it took the combined effort of the men from the Fire Department and the police to put out the fire which according to him was as a result of upsurge in electricity current.

“The fire started around 9 in the night following strong power supply from NEPA , students came shouting fire! fire!! and we rushed to their rescue but the situation was beyond our control because the building is upstairs, so we had to called on the Fire Service”, he said.

FG frustrating $800m Abuja rail projects – Reps

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he House of Representatives has accused the Federal Government of stalling the completion of the much awaited Abuja mono rail system aimed at alleviating traffic challenges in and around the FCT. The multi billion naira contract awarded in 2006 is expected to link major satellite towns of the FCT with the city center including the Nnamdi

Azikwe International Airport.

But the lawmakers have expressed concern that the 60 kilometres project may not meet the 2013 completion date due to failure of Federal Government to release its counterpart funds.

Out of N106 billion equivalent of the contract sum, the lawmakers regretted that the FG had failed to release a dime of N4.2 billion the National Assembly approved through the Ministry of Transport as government contribution to the

project in years 2011-2012.

Emmanuel Jimmeh, Chairman House Committee on FCT, disclosed this at the weekend when he led the committee members on oversight visit to major capital projects appropriated for by the National Assembly in 2012 budget.

He was reacting to Yuan Young, Project Manager of China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) the Chinese firm handling the contract who

had lamented to the committee that the failure of FG to release funds slowed down pace of work.

Young told the committee that the development which forced his company to be indebted to the tune of N14 billion, had prompted a shift in date of completion from 2013 to 2015.

While expressing doubts over assurances given by government officials at the sites that rails would commence commercial operations in the FCT latest by 2015 despite

the current 20 percent work rate, Jimmeh decried government's attitude of not making funds available to contractors after appropriation from the parliament.

It would be recalled that leadership of House of Reps had declared a week-long oversight visits by all standing committees to ascertain the level of 2012 budget performance before receiving the 2013 budget from President Goodluck Jonathan.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

Senate and the ban on overseas education: Matters arising

F

or long, concerned Nigerians have been saying that we did not need rocket scientists to fix our many self-caused problems that have kept Nigeria on the lower rung of developed nations. All we need, according to them, are committed lawmakers who would make the requisite laws to change our bad into good habits.

Patronizing local public schools, attending public health institutions and buying locally produced food items are but some of the patriotic habits we need to cultivate to make the Nigeria of our dream.

Education Standard of education has been falling in Nigeria because of the criminal neglect the sector suffers in the hands of our uncaring officials who have the luxury of bottomless pockets (courtesy of their thieving ways at the expense of the commonwealth) to enable them send their children and wards to the best schools outside these shores. There is the story of a Governor-elect in North West who, as soon as he was announced as the winner of the 2007 gubernatorial election in his state, withdrew his belowaverage-performing son from a university in Nigeria and sent him to England where to date he is still an undergraduate.

The decision of the Senate on Thursday last week to legislate against serving political and public office holders including the President, vice president, state governors, ministers, members of the National Assembly as well as others at the state and federal levels from sending their children and wards to foreign schools could not have been more welcome and timely.

According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), over 71,000 Nigerians attend Ghanaian institutions with an annual remittance of about N160 billion. The number of Nigerians in tertiary institutions in the United Kingdom in 2010 is put at 22,190, with an annual remittance of N328 billion, which is only a little short of the annual federal yearly budget for education. The story is the same in respect of countries like China, United States, Singapore and India, among others, where Nigerians are in the majority among foreign students.

In urging for the passing of the Bill, which has already passed second reading, its sponsor, Senator Basheer Garba Mohammed told his colleagues that it was only when public officials identify with Nigerians schools that the sector will receive the required attention.

“My President, my

In the run up to the April 2011 general elections, an aspirant for the Katsina state House of Assembly from Malumfashi Local Government area, Malam Abdullahi Ibrahim Mahuta withdrew his only child from a private school in Kaduna and enrolled her into a public school in his home town with a campaign promise that he would push for a legislation against public officers sending their wards to private schools. Now a member in the KTHA, Hon. Abdullahi has made good his campaign pitch by sponsoring a Bill to that effect. And now that the Senate is set to affect a piece of legislation to ban public officers from sending their wards to schools outside the country, the upper chamber of the National Assembly should go a step further and legislate against foreign medical trips by such officers, unnecessary importation of food items and running of foreign account by government officials, among other frivolities that keep Nigeria under developed, writes Abdu Labaran Malumfashi.

President Goodluck Jonathan distinguished colleagues, I sincerely believe that the remedy for this sad situation is the need for a sacrifice by Nigerian public officials, both appointed and elected. Let us directly identify with the Nigerian school system by training our children and wards in our private and public institutions.

“Today, in this digital age, the pupils sit on bare floor. You then ask; what manner of leaders of tomorrow are we producing? You may also ask: where are the children of the senators, honourable members, ministers and governors. If our children attend such schools, can we afford to leave them in such a sorry state? The answer is No”, he said.

The Bill seeks to amend the fifth schedule of the 1999 constitution by providing for a new section 15 which will prescribe that “a public official shall not send his children or wards abroad for studies on course offered by institutions in

Senate President David Mark Nigeria except for specialisation at postgraduate level”.

Health Because top government officials and those of considerable means seek treatment in foreign lands for as common an ailment as the (common) cold, an average of $200 million is reportedly spent yearly by Nigerians on medical treatment abroad.

Nigerians, who can afford it, spend an average of $200 million yearly travelling abroad to seek medical treatment. Basically, they are spending this money to escape death. The Mo Ibrahim African Governance Index ranked Nigeria’s health care system 51st out of 53 countries in Africa.

In April, Health Minister Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu announced that he was considering sending a memo to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting to ban public officers going abroad for medical treatment. If the

minister has not done that, now is the time to do so.

Food items Sometime in July, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina disclosed that Nigeria spent $10 billion, about 1.3 trillion naira, annually importing wheat, rice, sugar and fish.

The Minister, who spoke during the kick- off of Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda and the official commissioning of Cooperative College in Lagos State decried the high level of reliance on importation of agricultural products into the country, asserting that “the culture of bringing in everything from wheat to rice and other foods has destroyed Nigeria’s agriculture and turned Nigeria into a dumping ground for cheap food products.”

Last year, former President Olusegun Obasanjo lamented that it was ‘shameful,’ that Nigeria spent N155bn

annually on rice importation.

Foreign account.

Because of the nauseating corruption in the land, there is hardly a top government official who does not operate a foreign account. Under then President Obasanjo’s watch Transferency International once rated Nigeria as the most corrupt country in the world.

Last year, a court in the UK sent James Ibori, former Delta state Governor to five years in prison for money laundering running into billions of Naira.

Opposition Meanwhile, foreign nations, who stand to lose by any legislation banning Nigerian public officials from patronizing foreign institutions or indulgences, will no doubt leave nothing to chance in seeing that they frustrate this patriotic move by the Senate. Such opposition may come from within the National Assembly and some of the so-called NGOs in the country. So our lawmakers should beware.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

PAGE 5

Expert blames vandals for kerosene scarcity

L-R: Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, presenting an award to the Minister of Environment, Hajiya Hadiza Mailafia, during the grand reception in honour of illustrious sons and daughters of Kaduna state, on Saturday at Umar Musa Yar’adua Indoor Sports Hall, Kaduna.

By Augustine Aminu

A

n expert in the downstream sector has blamed the scarcity of kerosene in the country on pipeline vandalism.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Bello Abubakar who is an expert in oil and gas, said “we must learn not to blame systemic problems on individuals or group of individuals” ‘saying PPMC are very robust in product supply in spite of the challenges they encounter while distributing the product.

According to Bello, Nigeria is a large country with a large population and it’s easier to supply the product through the pipelines rather than loading the products from the depot.

He said PPMC have a robust pipeline network of about 5,120km, across the nation with 21 loading depots and 19 pumping stations.

He however explained that, due to incessant acts of vandalism, almost the entire pipeline network is down.

“To distribute about 35million litres of PMS daily for example, we need 1,061 trucks daily. With our bad roads, robbers, road blocks, checkpoints, etc, and distance, how effective has that been since 2011?” he added.

Former PSN Registrar in child custody tangle

33 rooftop train riders face jail away my 8-month-old baby, says ex-wife terms in Lagos He snatched had earlier done the same thing did not yield any positive results.

Yoruba fluently. She had her early From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

A

fter several efforts to discourage gangs of ticketless commuters from riding on the roofs of moving trains in Lagos, a team of police officers from the Nigeria Railway Cooperation (NRC), Railway Police Command and the Lagos State Task Force has arrested 33 youths in a joint raid carried out along the rail track in the state.

The men aged between 25 and 40, were rounded off in the raid carried out at Ikeja and Agege railway stations during the evening peak period and taken to the office of Lagos Task Force, Alausa for trial that may lead to six months imprisonment on conviction.

The exercise is coming days after the Managing Director of the NRC, Engr. Adeseyi Sijuwade, issued a strong warning to the train rooftop riders in an address he made to passengers at Ebute Metta Junction Station, recently.

Sijuwade had underscored the seriousness of the stance of the NRC on the illegal act of traveling on the roofs of moving trains, warning that the corporation would physically stop the culprits and bring them to the law.

NRC said it has increased its passenger train frequency to 16 everyday of the week and therefore will not tolerate any passenger choosing to travel on any part of the train other than the passenger compartment.

From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

A

former registrar of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Ahmed Tijanni Morah, is currently enmeshed a child custody brouhaha with his ex-wife, Ms Ferhat Khan, who has accused him of denial of access to her son.

“He came to my house on Monday, July 18, 2011 and forcefully took away my suckling baby who was eight months old then and it is over one year now that I have not set my eyes on my son”, Khan, an Indian, told our correspondent in Zaria.

According to her, “I thought he would return the baby because he

on April 4, 2011 but brought the baby back to me after about 12 hours”.

Khan, a pharmacist and lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, got married to Morah in December 2009 but the union hit the rocks in 2011 when the former husband served her a notice of divorce and took away the only child they got while the marriage lasted.

“Since then, I have done everything possible to retrieve or see my baby but it has not been possible,” the mother lamented noting that the intervention of various rights groups in the matter

As she put it, “about 21 days after he took away my baby, I managed to get an audience with the Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris, and some other prominent people but nothing has happened.

“Some people have told me that Morah is accusing me of an intention to run to India with the baby and kill him (baby) there and he also alleges that I am a racist and calling Nigerians derogatory names.

“If I am a racist, I could not have possibly married him and I have spent over 25 years in Nigeria. Even though I was born in Ethiopia, all my schooling has been in Nigeria”.

Ms Khan speaks Hausa and

education in Osun state and later attended Federal Government Girls College, Azare, Bauchi state.

Apart from her lecture work at the ABU, Khan is also a PhD student at the university.

When contacted on telephone to respond to some of the allegations, Morah told our correspondent that: “I do not know you, I am not going to speak”.

An Upper Shariah Court sitting in Zaria is expected to begin proceedings in the matter tomorrow.

The court had on September 9, 2012 ordered Morah to appear before it along with the subject matter (baby).

Flood: NEMA registers 8,790 IDPs Leaders are the killers of the numbers of displaced people, nation – Cleric religious organisations. It’s the

By Mohammed Kandi, Abuja change in values among people disclosed that emergency workers & Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

A

s residents of communities in Delta state recount their ordeals from the devastating floods which ravaged the state, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) during the weekend, registered 8, 790 internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing in camps in the state.

The agency has also presented and distributed relief materials including mattresses, blankets and food items to the victims.

Director-General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, who informed that more IDP camps would be established to accommodate the increasing

were in the state for rapid response assessment, considering the continuous rise of water level in the coastal communities in the state.

Represented by the deputy director, Relief, Mr. Mike Adeyanju, the DG said the agency had hired boats to evacuate people trapped in Okpai Obeze, Okpai Umuaguru, Akarai Ekiti, Azagba, Power Line and Forest Guard communities to nearby IDP camps.

In a statement issued by NEMA’s Head of Public Relations, Yushau A. Shuaib, Sani-Sidi assured that the agency would continue to offer technical assistance to the local emergency workers and volunteers.

By Muhammad Nasir

T

he Director of Vanguard Academy, Ogun state chapter, Dr. Zafaran Adeniyi at the weekend, said Nigerian leaders are the killers of the nation.

Adeniyi stated this at the Annual Independence lecture organised by the Muslim Congress (TMC) with the theme “That Our Nation May Be Peaceful”, held at Merit House, Maitama Abuja.

Adeniyi noted that corruption is also attributed to ordinary Nigerians, adding that the leaders are the major impetus of corruption.

“In Nigeria today, corruption exist in every sector including

and the commitment to serve the Almighty that can change the present condition in our country”.

Fielding questions from correspondents on how to eradicate corruption among leaders, he said: “I have not seen any sincere fight against corruption because those at the helm of affairs embezzle public funds for the fact that there are no strict measures. If leaders are punished accordingly as the ordinary person in the society, corruption will vanish in Nigeria”.

The Amir of the congress Lagos branch, Malam Luqman Abdurraheem, said Muslims in Nigeria have been preaching about corruption but have not been working with it.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

Nigerian Muslim Network demands prosecution of blasphemous film producers

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

A

Muslim organisation known as Nigerian Muslims Network (NMN), has added its voice to the series of condemnations trailing the recent production of an anti-Islam film, describing it as utter disdain

and lack of respect for the faith of over 1 billion Muslims all over the world.

The release of an online film titled “Innocence of Muslims”, mocking Prophet Muhammad, it could be recalled, had invoked anger from the Muslim world with protests and attacks on American

embassies.

In a release signed by the Ameer and Public Relations Officer of the network, Olatunji I. NMN condemned the purported freedom of speech and liberalism in the defense of a film in which “our noble Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be

upon him) was depicted in a false and disgraceful manner”.

The statement further said “we believe that no freedom of speech should be allowed to infringe upon the sanctity of the faith of others. In a world where Holocaust denial and hate speech are considered a

crime, it is surprising that nothing is being done by the United States in particular and European countries in general to prevent the film and cartoon from being released into the media.

“The NMN believes any statements or actions that seek to portray any religion, be it is Islam, Christianity or Judaism in a false, indecent and demeaning light should be considered a crime and punishable appropriately”.

Coomassie flaws state police From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

F

challenges which is forcing the security agencies to have sleepless nights in trying to fashion the appropriate approach to salvage the situation. We on our part will work assiduously with other security agencies to arrest the situation", Abolurin said.

Answering question on allegation against some of his men accused of being bad eggs, Abolurin appealed to members of the public with i n f ormation of misconduct against his officers to forward it to the command for appropriate action, saying bad eggs will not be speared in the system.

ormer Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, has advised the Federal Government to strive to build a people's police which would render justice and serve humanity and douse the agitation for state police.

Coomasie who stated this during an interview with journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, noted that the way police personnel were being treated or recruited accounted for the opposition of most Nigerians to the establishment of state police.

He recalled that "even in the past, when we had NA (Native Authority) and local government police, they were misused by those in authority".

The former IG argued that the establishment of state police could be dangerous because of the fear that state governors might abuse such opportunities.

Coomassie appealed to the police authorities to ensure that adequate training and re-training of personnel were regularly conducted "so that we can have a trusted and reliable police".

He recommended that traditional rulers should be carried along before new recruitments were carried out in the police to avoid bringing criminals into the system.

He noted that the high unemployment rate and poverty level of the people breed social vices and therefore urged the government to address such issues for a better Nigeria.

it as "fake", accusing the government of destroying the system since they are the employers.

"NUT does not employ teachers; it is the State Basic Education Board, SUBEB that is a parastatal of government and the local governments that are responsible for the employment of teachers. So, the endless screening exercises are just a ploy not to pay

teachers the minimum wage.

Government is using it as an avenue to trade on us. They promised to commence implementation in December 2011 only to turn around to renege on that pledge and implemented the new salary structure for other ministries.

If the minimum wage is implemented in other ministries without screening then same should apply to us", Comrade Anya observed.

L-R: Executive Director, Dangote Foundation, Halima Dangote, Kogi gtate Governor, Captain Idris Wada, and President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, during the donation of N430 million to the Kogi state flood victims and for women empowerment by Dngote Group, at the weekend in Lokoja.

Dangote donates N430m We will not compromise security, NSCDC boss assures to flood victims in Kogi From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

R

espite came the way of flood victims in Kogi state when the president/CEO of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, presented the state with a N430m donation.

Announcing the donation made through the Dangote Foundation, yesterday at the Kogi State Government House, Alhaji Dangote said: "The flood witnessed in Kogi state is unprecedented", noting that it has caused untold hardship for the victims.

Out of the sum, 50million is for food items, N150m cash presented to the state government to help the victims recover after the flood while N230million is to be dedicated to empowering 1000 women in each of the 21 local government areas in the state.

While announcing the donation, Dangote noted that his company shares the pains of the people of the Kogi state, which he said "is my second home". He urged the private sector and public spirited individuals to come to the aid of the people.

According to him, the state

government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), acted proactively to reduce the effects of the damaging flood.

In his response, the governor thanked the donor; noting that Dangote understood the plight of the state and its people to has made the huge financial sacrifice to help the people.

"The flood is of historical significance and we pray that we'd never see this kind of experience in the next 50 years.

We didn't know Kogi would be so devastated. It is way beyond the imagination of anybody in Kogi state", Wada said.

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

I

n the wake of the security challenges besetting the country, the CommandantGeneral of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ade Abolurin, has reiterated that the corps will not give in to the ploy of miscreants.

Abolurin who made this known over the weekend while addressing commandants of the corps drawn from the 36 states of the federation at the NSCDC permanent site in Sauka, Abuja, added that the corps is ready to arrest the situation.

"It is true that our country is clouded with various security

Benue NUT lambasts govt over minimum wage From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

T

he chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers in Benue state, Comrade Godwin Anya, has condemned the educational sector of the state as very "porous".

Comrade Anya who made the condemnation in an interview with journalists at the weekend in his office, accused the state

government of merely playing politics with the new minimum wage agitation by teachers.

He added that government is cashing in on this to embezzle funds meant for the teachers' salaries thereby throwing them into untold hardship and penury.

The NUT chairman further frowned at the endless verification exercises conducted by government which he described

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

PAGE 7

Kano donates relief materials to Niger Republic

L-R: Minister of State for FCT, Olajimoke Akinjide, Executive Secretary FCDA , Engineer Adamu Ismaila , Deputy Director , Social Development, Rachael Alkali , FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr .

Anthony Ozodinobi , with others cutting a surprise birthday cake presented by the senior staff of the FCT Administration to FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, at the weekend, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

By Adamu Saleh

K

Fertiliser: Sen. Adamu commends FG on e-wallet

T

he Chairman, Board of Trustees of the National A g r i c u l t u r a l Foundation of Nigeria, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, has commended the Federal Government for introducing the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme.

The programme is a new Federal Government fertiliser subsidy scheme developed in partnership with the private sector aimed at ensuring direct access to agricultural inputs by farmers.

Under the initiative, the direct procurement and distribution of farm inputs by the Federal Government to

farmers has been discontinued and replaced by an electronic distribution channel known as the “ewallet.”

The conditions of the ewallet scheme stipulate that a farmer, registere d under the GES, is expected to pay 50 per cent of the cost of farm inputs, while the federal and state governments would pay the 50 per cent balance at 25 per cent each.

Adamu gave the Federal Government kudos for recognising the sufferings of farmers and bringing all stakeholders together under the scheme to eliminate such hardships.

He said, despite of criticism of the role of Federal Government, it “meant well when the electronic wallet was introduced for the acquisition of fertiliser.

“The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Committee of Bankers, all got together - the stakeholders, to decide how best to finance agriculture, particularly when government came with the Agriculture Transformation Agenda that from this year, government will not be responsible again for fertiliser distribution.

“We know how much they were being exploited; we know

how much the middlemen were getting; we know how much subsidy that was being granted fertilizer, the benefit was not going directly to the Nigerian farmer.

“It was going to Cameroon, going to Niger, going to Benin Republic and what have you.”

Adamu said that the programme had encouraged the private farm input providers to venture into agricultural business again.

“Unfortunately, the partners of government to deliver on that programme were the banks. Government did everything; gave them everything they asked for; but unfortunately they failed “They did not give the finance necessary to the input providers and so fertiliser did not come when it should, because they were not enabled by the banks”, he said. (NAN)

Kogi lauds Nasarawa for accommodating flood victims From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

T

he Kogi State government has expressed gratitude to its Nassarawa State counterpart for taking care of people displaced by flood from Bassa Local Government of Kogi State, being camped in the neighbouring Toto Local

Government Area of Nassarawa State.

In a statement in Lokoja, the government also thanked the Ohimege of Panda and Chairman of Toto Area Traditional Council of Nassarawa State, Alhaji Usman Abdullahi, for hosting the displaced people.

The State government noted

the spirit of love and brotherliness displayed by Nassarawa State, which it said, was germane for the unity and progress of the country.

The Ohiegba of Mosum, Alhaji Kalib Ali Bukar II, whose subjects were camped in Nassarawa State, expressed gratitude to the Ohimege of

Panda, describing him as an exemplary royal father.

The Ohiegba disclosed that 42 Gago Areas out of the 45 in Mosum District have been completely over-run by flood from River Benue, adding that his people were big-time farmers in rice, yam and cassava, but have lost them to the flood.

Police rescue Customs officer abducted by robbers

By Matthew Aramunde Lagos

M

en of the Nigeria Police attached to Shasha Police Division led by the Divisional Police Officer Felix Ohagwu, were the saving grace when a serving Nigerian Customs Service officer attached to Tin Can port in Lagos, Mr. Ayo Osho was abducted by robbers.

According to a police source, the Customs officer who was in the company of an unidentified female in his Honda Accord car

with registration No Ex 880 APP, were double-crossed by the robbers at the popular Micom bus stop along Akowonjo Ebgeda road in the Alimosho Local Government Area. After snatching their valuables, they bundled the duo into their get away car.

However, they ran into a police patrol van at the Tower Aluminum Market and in a desperate attempt to escape, the robbers opened fire on the police who promptly responded, forcing the robbers to abandon

their car and their loot but not without escaping with bullet wounds.

In a related development, the men of the Division on foot patrol botched a move by some robbers who regularly rob their victims, mostly commuters at Abalti bus stop in Shasha a surbub of Lagos.

The source further added that when the four-man gang who rode on two motorcycles got to the bus stop, two of them disembarked and started dispossessing

helpless commuters of valuables at gun point.

Their activities caught the attention of the police who immediately intervened, prompting the robbers to flee.

The policemen gave them a hot chase and caught one Samson Akingbule of No 23 Ogunkale street, Dopemu. When a search was conducted on him,a locally made pistol, two round of cartridges and two handsets and substance suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from him.

ano state government has donated relief materials worth millions of naira to victims of the recent flood disaster in the neighboring Niger Republic.

The items donated include 5,000 sacks of maize, 5,000 sacks of millets, 5,000 sacks of guinea corn, 5,000 pieces of brocade and 5,000 pieces of textile materials.

Speaking during the presentation of the items held at Bandirawo City complex in Dawakin Tofa local government area, the state governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who sympathized with the government and people of Niger over the incident, said the gesture was also a way of saying “we appreciate our relationship with the Republic of Niger”.

Kwankwaso, who dwelt much on the long standing relationship between Kano and Niger, said it is necessary for people to be their brothers’ keepers, to foster a harmonious living. He also promised to work with Niger towards promoting good socio-economic activities between the two entities.

Presenting the donation on behalf of the government of Kano state, the former national chairman of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, expressed happiness that the Kwankwaso administration is reaching out to the poor to make them happy.

Al-makura commissions 300KV transformer in Bukkan Kwato From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

T

he persistent yearning by the Bukkan Kwato community in Lafia local government area of Nasarawa state, for electricity, was at the weekend fulfilled when Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura, commissioned a 300 KV transformer, linking the rural community to the national grid.

Commissioning the project executed by the Nasarawa Electricity Company (NASENCO), Al-makura stated that the thrust of his administration was to ensure social justice and equal opportunity for every sector of the society.

He said his government is concentrating on rural areas, which according to him, “have been neglected and long forgotten”, adding that under his administration, development projects will be centred in LGAs, Development areas, particularly the wards.

Al-makura used the moment to disclose the CPC administration’s blueprint for an integrated rural development for the provision of electricity, portable drinking water and opening of feeder roads between communities, projects which he said, would form the fulcrum of development in the long forgotten areas.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOGER 8, 2012

Polio: Over 28m OPV released for high risk states

By A’isha Biola Raji

O

ver 25 million children under five years of age, are to be immunized during the September/October Supplemental Immunization Exercise with oral polio vaccine.

The exercise which will take place only in eleven high-risk polio states in the North, between

October 6 and 9, 2012 is designed specifically to immunize every under-five especially children who missed previous exercise.

In a statement signed by Saadu Salahu, Head, Public Relation Unit, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), the eleven polio high risk states are Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Bauchi, Kaduna and Kebbi. Others

are Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Jigawa, Kano and Niger States.

Speaking on the exercise, the Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr. Ado Muhammad disclosed that, the 28 million vaccines (OPV) have been released for the success of the exercise in these states.

According to Ado, President Goodluck Jonathan, State governors, members of the National

Assembly and Federal Executive Council, traditional and religious leaders have demonstrated the much needed support for the Nigerian polio eradication initiative.

He however urged local government areas chairmen in the polio high-risk states to ensure that every child under age five, was immunized.

Dr. Ado also called on public

office holders and Civil Society Organizations to assist in mobilizing all in their locality for the success of the exercise.

The Executive Director disclosed that 96% of the Federation have since been polio free while the remaining polio-high risk areas constituting 4% are now the focus of all stakeholders including the international community.

NSE urged to check quack engineers

By Josephine Ella

T

R-L: Chief Operating Officer, Peoples Media Ltd, Malam Ali M. Ali, presenting some copies of Peoples Daily to Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Mohammed Sada, during a visit by the management of the media house to the minister, on Friday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

he Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has been urged to make the engineering profession more practical by providing solutions to existing engineering problems including quack engineers and shortage of qualified ones.

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, who gave the charge Saturday, pledged that in order to encourage Nigerian engineers to compete with their counterparts across the globe, the FCT Administration would mainly use Nigerian engineers as consultants to the new Abuja Land-SwapInitiative.

Speaking during the 24th Lecture of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Centre in Abuja, he explained that the initiative was a radical approach to housing in the FCT in which private investors provide infrastructure in

Robbery: Police arrest NYSC member, others in Ilorin From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

hree armed robbery suspects including a male member of National Youths Service Corps(NYSC), (names withheld) have been arrested by men of Kwara state police command over alleged armed robbery incident.

It was gathered that the male corps member, who is serving in kwara state and his armed robbery gang during the week stormed a big shop along Taiwo Road, Ilorin while holding customers and staff

at gunpoint.

Our correspondent learnt that their operations lasted about thirty minutes as the bandits forcefully collected money, phones and accessories from customers and staff running into millions of naira before escaping through a waiting Toyota salon car.

Investigation however showed that when the victims raised alarm, those behind and other passersby chased and apprehended them at a traffic hold up.

According to eye witnesses, the suspects later jumped out of the vehicle and took to their heels before they were nabbed and taken to A division police station.

The suspects were later handed over to members of Special Anti Robbery Squad who during interrogation discovered that the leader of the armed robbery gang is a youth corps member.

It was gathered that the suspect serve in Ira, a small town in Oyun local government area of the state from where he and two others came

to rob in the state capital.

In her reaction, the kwara state coordinator of NYSC, Mrs. said she has not been informed of the incident.

"I'm expecting the police commissioner to brief me of the incident officially before I can make any comment."

While contacted,the Spokesman of kwara state police command, Olufemi Fabode however confirmed the incident stressing that investigation has commenced on the incident and the press would be briefed after it.

3 Nigerian pilgrims die in Saudi Arabia

By Abubakar Ibrahim, with agency report

T

he Head of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria Medina Mission, Dr. Bello Tambuwal has said that three Nigerian pilgrims have died in Saudi Arabia.

Tambuwal made the disclosure in an interview in Medina, saying the pilgrims were from Kebbi, Kano

and Katsina states.

He said the first was a pilgrim from Kano State, who died aboard the plane conveying him and others in the inaugural flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

He said the others died in Medina from illnesses but added that '' both of them were in their ripe age at the time of their death.’’

Tambawwal said the Nigerian mission was working hard to ensure

that medical services were available to the pilgrims always by operating two clinics in Medina, which rendered services for 24 hours.

He said the commission was working with the medical teams of state pilgrims’ boards to ensure that priority attention was given to the health of pilgrims.

He commended FCT, Edo, Jigawa, Osun and Kogi states for their zeal and commitment to the

health-care of their pilgrims and urged others to emulate them.

Tambawwal also commended the states for the thorough screening of intending female pilgrims, which resulted in none carrying pregnancy. ''Last year, we had nine pregnancy cases, resulting in still birth or safe delivery of the babies but we have no pregnancy cases this year'', he said. (NAN)

exchange for land.

He therefore, challenged the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) to buy into the new scheme which promises alternative sources of funding infrastructure development and derive the enormous benefits abound in this new government initiative.

Senator Mohammed reiterated that the FCT Administration would take advantage and support the forthcoming ‘World Engineering Week’ scheduled for Abuja, Nigeria being the first of its type in the African sub-region.

He called on the Nigerian Engineering Society to devise a means of ensuring quality control and providing technical advice to the government with a view to realizing the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Robbers invade Kogi NUJ secretariat From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

D

are-devil robbers yesterday invaded the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State Council secretariat, carting away N300, 000 and other valuables.

The men of the underworld who were suspected to have trailed the secretary of the union, Alhaji Adeiza Momoh Jimoh from the Guaranty Trust Bank where he went to make cash withdrawal at about 10am yesterday broke into his vehicle and took the sum in broad daylight.

Narrating how the incident happened, Jimoh explained that: "I went to the bank, withdrew the sum and kept it in the pigeon hole, but when I left to purchase recharge card, they had entered the secretariat, broke into my car and took away the cash".

He described the incident as "saddening", urging the law enforcement agencies in the state to step up action to checkmate the growing spate of criminality.

In another development, a retired SUBED cashier, Amedu and his wife have been killed by unknown assailants despite pleas for them to take whatever they wanted.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

Investment mistakes to avoid (III)

S

uccumbing to negative emotions: You may have probably experienced emotional investing rage, which leaves you trying to get even with the market. You do such things as double down or even sell all your stocks impulsively. Fear is relatively as debilitating as anger is disconcerting. When you are afraid, everything looks like a threat, lots of investors are still afraid because of the market crash a few years back.

They are sitting on the sidelines in cash earning no return.

Given the valuable prices of stock in the Nigerian market, the memories of previous losses have held many investors captive from investing, forgetting that "Risk and return go together."

Mastering emotion of any kind is a perquisite for any investor willing to excel in the market.

Chasing performance Many investors select asset classes, strategies, managers and funds based on recent strong performance. The feeling that "I'm missing out on great returns" has probably led to more bad investment decisions than any other single factor. If a particular asset class, strategy or fund has done extremely well for three or four years, we know one thing with certainty: We should have invested three or four years ago. However, the particular cycle that led to this great performance may be nearing its end. The smart money is moving out, and the dumb money is pouring in.

Stick with your investment plan and rebalance, which is the polar opposite of chasing performance. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance.

Like we articulated in the previous editions of GTBAM education series, successful investing is an art and science that requires creativity, experience and good judgment, quantitative and precision skills to be able to achieve mastery of the process.

Investors who are often busy earning and making money may not be well suited to studying charts and analysing trend projection. They need the services of qualified and experienced financial advisers to guide them to circumvent the mistakes enumerated above as well as help them achieve their creation, management and transfer of wealth goals.

Quote Be awful nice to ‘em goin’ up, because you’re gonna meet ‘em all comin’ down.

- Jimmy Durante

PAGE 11

Three major impediments to SME success on the web (1)

M

any small business players these days do their businesses on the web. It is a new trend and several of them encounter difficulties.

Partha Bhattacharya, founder, HubSkills.com, made a presentation on obstacles to small enterprises success on the web at the conference in Johannesburg.

According to him, "the web, as you know, is full of opportunities.

Millions of people across the globe are using the web every single moment. They do all kinds of work on the web as they do off the web, like emailing, searching for information, reading news online, buying items, and of course socialising."

The web, he says, is a huge market place; "There is a better choice." The better choice he has in mind is the web - that is E-Market.

3 major impediments His list includes: Conceptual; Technological; and Marketing Conceptual impediment.

Conceptual impediment, according to him, is perhaps the most crucial roadblock on the path of success. This may happen due to the following reasons: Wrong business idea, Faulty implementation, Poor targeting He

illustrates his argument with some examples: Snow Jackets Won't Sell in Desert If you want to sell snow jackets to the people in the desert, your business is not likely to succeed.

Pretty obvious, isn't it? It's a wrong business idea…but people do make such obvious mistakes.

E-Learning Needs NET Penetration Similarly, if the internet penetration is low at a place, it will not be wise to offer e-learning courses there.

Faulty implementation can happen for many reasons.

In many cases it happens when you do not do what you should to boost your business.

To sell an item, focus on that item Suppose your main product is to sell breakfast recipes. Will it be a good idea to talk about other food preparation in your website?

I guess not… because the visitors who come to the other pages are not the customers of breakfast recipe.

Sell an established product, Even if you're good at something you may be a good teacher, but few people know you on the web. So,

instead of starting your own course from scratch you may do better selling an already established course, and supplement it by writing a blog with tips.

No one knows your business better than you

The point is No One Would Know Your Business Better Than You. Yet many small businesses, or even the big businesses, often fail to identify what their business is about…. What is it that they want their business to achieve!

the increase in supply. In fact, the hats start seeming a heck of a lot less cool, lowering demand; latest shops and outlets slash the price still further to get rid of their unwanted supply.

The interplay of supply and demand is also why one-day gas boycotts don't work. Even if a lot of people participated, overall demand wouldn't change; the boycotters would likely gas up before or after the selected day.

Only a big increase in supply or a sustained decline in demand is likely to affect prices.

Supply and demand have a lot to do with our incomes as well. If we have rare skills that are in high demand by employers, we can negotiate higher pay. If, on the other hand, a lot of people can do what we do or the employer need for what we do is limited, our incomes are likely to be stunted.

Throw no good money after bad "Sunk costs" are expenses that have already been incurred and can't be recovered to any appreciable extent. "Sunk cost fallacy" means an irrational belief that a further investment of time, money or effort will somehow resurrect the value that's already disappeared.

A classic example is the investor whose stock has plunged because the prospects of the company have worsened. The investor wouldn't buy the same stock today, yet continues to hang on to the shares rather than sell them and take the

loss. The investor may offer the excuse that he or she wants to at least "break even" before selling, but of course the stock market doesn't care about the investor getting the money back, and all the wishing in the world won't bring the stock price back up.

By hanging on to the shares, the investor is giving up the opportunity to invest elsewhere at a profit -- an opportunity cost.

The role risk plays Every human endeavor carries some risk, and investments are no exception. What differs is the amount and type of risk and how you're compensated for taking it.

Large-company stocks, by contrast, returned a large amount annually during the same period.

That handily beats inflation, but as everyone who has invested in the past decade knows, stocks aren't a sure thing. There were plenty of years along the way that the market for large-company stocks dived, and if you invested all your money in a single stock, you could have been wiped out.

That's called market risk. The interest they'll charge to compensate for the risk.

The miracle of compound interest This is a concept best illustrated by example. Let's say I give you a penny today, and promise to double the amount every day for a full month. How much money would I be giving you on the 31st day?

(Concluded)

9 strong tips on saving and managing your finances (II)

W

hy supply and demand rule: For the most part, prices are set by the interaction between supply and demand. If demand for something suddenly shoots up and the available supply of that something doesn't change, then prices will increase. If demand drops or supply increases, prices typically fall.

Here's an example. Say a celebrity is photographed wearing a cap with the brand name of a local company. Suddenly, all the celebrities' fans and half the people reading a copy of the magazine

which published the photo decide they, too, need the local company's hat. The farm supply companies that stock these hats figure out a good thing when they see it, and double, then triple, the price. The hat actually worn by Brittany sells for a mint on eBay, earning a notice in mainstream newspapers and furthering the craze.

The Local Company wants a piece of this action and starts cranking out hats by the ton.

Suddenly you can find one in every latest shop. The retailers can no longer command a premium for having a rare item, thanks to

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

P

Almajiri schools: A strong sense of déjà vu

resident Goodluck Jonathan, on April 9, 2012, launched the first model almajiri primary school, Tsangaya Mdel Boarding School, at Gaji village in Sokoto state.

It marked the first step towards fulfilling an election campaign promise he made last year to integrate almajiri schools in the North with the formal school system. The Gaji model school falls into the first phase of 100 model boarding primary schools that his government promised to deliver, last June, in targeted 18 Northern states and Edo in the South-west.

However, that deadline has been missed by a clear three months by the contractors. To be fair to them, they are not all to blame, as the Minister of state for Education, Chief Nyesome, Ezenwo Wike, admitted at a meeting with them last month. During the meeting, the minister learnt that the delay in completing the schools was caused by insecurity in some of the target states and the subsidy protests last January that prevented contractors from getting the projects going. However, the most shocking revelation was the failure of some state governments to provide land. In some cases, land was allocated, then reallocated for a different purpose.

The guilty states are four in number, three of them in the North, surprisingly - Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau; the fourth is Osun state. Short of labelling the four states saboteurs, an angry Wike threatened to withdraw the almajiri school allocated to them in

the first phase.

As shocking as that revelation may be, it has come with a rather strong sense of déjà vu. State governments' record of collaboration in projects initiated by the federal government has been rather poor; the pity of it all is that often the states are the greatest beneficiaries of those projects. Recall programmes like the Universal Basic Education (UBE), World Bank-assisted Fadama

“

It is not okay to lament states' lukewarm attitude; errant states should be penalized through a surcharge to be deducted direct from their statutory allocations agricultural projects and even the National Programme on Immunization (NPI) against the five child killer diseases, particularly the wild polio.

On the basic education intervention fund, all the 36 states are yet to access the N33 billion appropriated by the federal government for 2012 through its Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). This is because there is a condition that requires them to

OUR MISSION “To be the market place of ideas and the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while delivering value to our stakeholders”

contribute a certain percentage of the fund. According to the UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Ahmad Modibbo, "What we have discovered is that some states pay up their counterpart funds but as soon as government releases the intervention funds, they immediately withdraw their initial deposits and relax."

Modibbo believes a stronger UBEC Act will empower the commission to sanction defaulting state governments, something it is unable to do at the moment. "UBEC is incapacitated in tackling some of the challenges of basic education delivery in the country owing to a weak legislative framework or the Act establishing the agency," he said. The "Federal government is in charge of standards; through legislation, UBEC can be empowered to close down any school found to be below standard or possibly sanction states which employ unqualified teachers. We can even deny states their funds if they fail to contribute their counterpart funds."

Peoples Daily believes there is a useful lesson to learn from UBEC's sad experience. There should be a law passed by the National Assembly giving legal teeth to the federal government's almajiri school intervention project, if one doesn't already exist. It is not okay to lament states' lukewarm attitude; errant states should be penalized through a surcharge to be deducted direct from their statutory allocations and withdrawal of the projects allocated to them.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

CHAIRMAN MALAM WADA MAIDA, OON, FNGE DIRECTOR/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF RUFA’I IBRAHIM EDITOR, DAILY ABDULAZEEZ ABDULLAHI

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

ACTING EDITOR, WEEKEND JAMILA NUHU MUSA

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

“To be a reputable, profitable, innovative and technologically reliant media company offering world class services and products”

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8 , 2012

By Charles Onunaiju

I

f there is any doubt at all, that the administration of Mr Goodluck Jonathan is hallucinatory, disconnected and isolated from the concrete reality of Nigeria, the anniversary 52ndindependent speech of the President provides the decisive clue. Or else, how would anyone with the slightest familiarity of the dire condition of Nigeria claim several government programmes and projects are creating wealth and millions of job opportunities for our youth and general population. Such programmes include: You-Win, both for the youth and women, public works, the local content initiative in the oil and gas sector and the Agricultural Transformation Programme”. No leader worth its integrity could tell such bare faced and straight lies. Millions of job opportunities are not been created rather the existing and previously fairly secured jobs are been lost of alarming rates. The ‘You-Win programme’ and “the local content initiative in the oil and gas sector” are all products and characteristics of bureaucratic intrigue and exist for its value of show manship. The jobs purportedly created by “public works and the Agricultural transformation programme” are badly sourced jokes as is well known that no single space exist anymore for “public works” as everything has been out sourced to the proverbial private sector and Agricultural transformation agenda exists only in the elaborate newspaper advertorial of its elitist minister.

A perfidious and sinister agenda

By Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim

T

he second fallacy is the claim that Nigeria’s current predicament is rooted in the nature and the quality of its laws, or more specifically, the nature and quality of the 1999 Constitution. I will be the last person to insist that the 1999 Constitution is a perfect document. My biggest reservation with the 1999 Constitution is the immunity clause which enables some category of public officers to loot the treasuries entrusted to them with impunity and stay, even if temporarily, above the law. I also would like to see the structure of the federation adjusted such that Nigeria’s federating units are reduced from thirty six to between six and twelve, with more powers devolved to them, not for homogeneity but for economies of scale. I am also a believer in fiscal federalism, whereby every federating unit is empowered to raise and keep its revenues, while contributing an agreed percentage to the federal government to enable it discharge the responsibilities assigned to it. In many respects, the 1999 Constitution needs to be reformed. However, this reform, I believe, can take place incrementally, whenever the need arises or whenever there is sufficient popular agitation to tinker with the constitution on a case by case basis.

No group of human beings will ever be able to fashion a constitution for all time, which cannot be improved upon down the line. I therefore totally disagree with the professional agitators that we need a brand new, cure-all constitution which will settle all issues once and for all or that we need a special conference to overhaul the existing one.

Also, as far as I am concerned, the argument that the 1999

PAGE 13

Jonathan’s illusion of progress

of a systematic stripping of the country’s assets which makes the President and his henchmen future candidates for long jail term is what President Jonathan claims that his regime “is successfully implementing a well-integrated power sector reform programme” which according to him “includes institutional arrangements to facilitate and strengthen private sector-led power generation, transmission and distribution.” Auctioning key national assets to well-known business associates and political sponsors is what is seemingly been obfuscated in a long winding word gimmicks. Even in the most enigmatic free-enterprising economies, the standard approach to liberalization and free competition is to allow free access to new entrants into any sector with their capital and expertise, while restructuring and repositioning the existing players, usually the publicly-owned ones to compete with the new entrants.

Liberalization and even a privatesector led development has never meant the auctioning of public assets to private sector.

It is nearly a decade now, since the administration of the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo granted licences to the mythical private sector to build refineries. And to date, not even a bush has been cleared by any of the licenced private investors, but two well-known regime apologists grabbed the auction sale of

two refineries at the twilight of the Obasanjo predatory government, which was thankfully revoked by the late Umaru Yar’Adua’s presidency.

The Jonathan presidency is acutely deficient in learning the lessons generously offered by our recent history. The parliamentary enquiry of not too distant past on the privatization of public utilities revealed a systematic looting and politically motivated grab of public assets, and yet on such high way of mindless robbery of public utilities is what Mr Jonathan and his administration is vehemently committed, with an unusual vigour and dastard impunity.

Without stating it obviously in his Independent anniversary speech that manufacturing his picked up, President Jonathan claimed that the membership of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has increased by 249 new members since July. And what that means to the government is “that capacity utilization has improved,” and according to the President, “the multiplier effect of this development on our job creation programme cannot be over-emphasized.”

However, the link between MAN membership increase and actual improvement in capacity utilization, exist only in the voodoo economics of Mr Jonathan. To be fair to MAN, their perhaps publicly known position was the patriotic

anguish it expressed sometime over the pace of de-industrialization and the massive re-location of industries to neighbouring countries due to the harsh climate of doing business in Nigeria. If MAN has suddenly opened its register to sundry ghost manufacturers and government contractors, only a government living in denials and illusions can make issue out of it.

For a regime desperate in appropriating credibility instead of working for it, the President and his henchmen went for an over drive when he claimed that “in its latest report, Transparency International noted that Nigeria is the second most improved in the effort to curb corruption”. But the German-based International corruption watch dog has quickly issued a disclaimer, making clear that it said nothing of the sort.

It is to sustain the regime’s spurious claim that “the fight against corruption is a top priority of our administration and that “we are fighting corruption in all its facts in our economy and we are succeeding”, that a bare faced lies, appropriating endorsement of Transparency International was invoked. Less than 24 hours after the president’s claim of fighting corruption in all its facets, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) issued statement stating clearly that “Even when Mr President continues to express his commitment to anti-

corruption policies, we do not see the same seriousness reflected in the activities of the administration and those listed as having diverted or misappropriated petroleum subsidy funds are yet to face serious prosecution due mainly to undue interference by the powers that be” and that “while Nigerians eagerly look forward to their immediate prosecution, some of those listed as subsidy thieves are regularly seen around the corridors of power openly hobnobbing with the presidency”.

The President Jonathan anticorruption posturing cannot be anything, more than regime provocations to the sensibilities of the majority of Nigerians. And as if he was actually coming from the outer space, the president said in his address that “particularly in the last two years the Nigerian economy has done appreciably well despite the global financial crises.” He went on to claim that “Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product has grown by 7.1 per cent on average.”

The insensitivity contained in this cruel and mindless postulation can only justify and reinforce the patriotic all for a second national liberation, a struggle that must be waged with triple the strength deployed against foreign Colonial domination. To give President Jonathan and his clique the luxury to define how we will be is to forfeit our collective humanity.

Charles Onunaiju is a journalist based in Abuja.

Constitution is a document fashioned by the military is an academic one and, therefore, does not cut it for me.

To begin with, the 1999 Constitution is the constitution we already have and we can decide to keep it, if that is what we want. No one stops Nigerians from taking a constitution fashioned by the military and improve upon it to suit our needs. While I agree this is not ideal, especially in a democratic setting, it takes nothing away from our freedom as citizens to take a constitution fashioned by some of us, military or otherwise, as long as no one prevents us from amending it.

We also have to remember that when that constitution was fashioned, Nigeria was not under a democratic regime even though the regime at the time had to prepare for a transition to democratic rule. It is totally inconceivable that this could have been achieved without a constitution, even if an imperfect one.

The impression created by the agitating elite that the 1999 Constitution had no input from ordinary Nigerians is dishonest and probably designed to pull the wool over our eyes. The draft 1999 Constitution was subjected to extensive public scrutiny and debate, across the six geo-political zones, in town hall meetings attended by thousands of Nigerians from all walks of life. Some Nigerians actually participated in these debates in their own native tongue because they could not even speak in English. But they turned up nonetheless to offer their views on how they wanted the constitution to cater for their needs.

Although no one elected them, the drafters of the constitution were civilians who love their country and,

in the interest of full disclosure, I was one of them. As a member of the Nikki Tobi Committee, I canvassed for all the views I express in this piece (and more) among my colleagues, regarding the structure of the federation, including a separate constitution for every federating unit, a court of appeal and a supreme court. I cannot remember the number of people involved but I have no doubt there were roughly as many patriotic Nigerians involved in the drafting of that constitution as those involved in drafting the American constitution which we hail today as a model constitution for presidential democracies all over the world. Other than using the 1979 Constitution as baseline, there was no attempt by the military junta ruling at the time to tell the drafters of the constitution what to write.

While, therefore, it may be true that the nature and quality of a constitutions could, in certain situations, be blamed for the nature and quality of society, this selfserving argument cannot be sustained in Nigeria today. In our specific case, the law is actually the

victim not the culprit. The average Nigerian, not to talk of the average member of the Nigerian elite, has absolute contempt for the law. The only constitution Nigerians from all sorts of backgrounds continue to hail since Independence is the 1979 Constitution which, like the 1999 Constitution, was superintended by the military and which the political elite subverted and, by so doing, gave another set of military officers an excuse to stage a coup d’état in 1984.

If Nigeria’s political elite had such deep respect for the law as they claim, we would not have found ourselves today in a situation whereby we are splitting hairs over the nature and quality of the constitution we feel entitled to have because we would still have been operating the Constitution of 1979. We cannot, therefore, continue to scapegoat the law for our failures when the only way we observe the law is in the breach.

The divisive and self-serving disposition of the elite has taken Nigeria to the edge of the precipice and it is time for this grandstanding and holier-than-thou attitude to

come to an end. If we spend half as much time trying to move this nation forward as we spend trying to pull it down, we would, by now have made spectacular progress. Nigerians must not succumb to the propaganda that we cannot live in peace and prosperity because we belong to different sections, “nationalities” or faiths or that unless we “review the basis of our union” every time we have a problem, then we cannot make any progress. No nation desirous of making progress will continue to question the foundations of its existence because these foundations are not as perfect as they should be. Show me one nation on earth that was not cobbled together by either colonialist or other factors external to it. Conversely, if homogeneity is a precondition for development, Somalia will be among the most developed nations on earth.

No nation that wishes to make progress will resort to writing a new constitution every once in a decade on the false premise that it is possible to design a constitution that settles all issues and addresses all problems.

Only a delusionary, lazy, incompetent and self-serving elite will fail to realize that the problems of Nigeria have nothing to do with our diversity or with our bad laws but everything to do with bad leadership, poverty, corruption and disrespect for the law. Therefore, next time someone, promises to give you a perfect new country or a perfect new set of laws, ask them what they made of the ones they already have.

Concluded Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim may be reached at bashiryusuf@gmail.com

Time to stop this brinkmanship (II)

“

The divisive and self-serving disposition of the elite has taken Nigeria to the edge of the precipice and it is time for this grandstanding and holierthan-thou attitude to come to an end. If we spend half as much time trying to move this nation forward as we spend trying to pull it down, we would, by now have made spectacular progress

PAGE 14

By Lagun Akinloye

B

ack in August, it seemed that things could only get better for Nigeria’s power sector.

Power generation had recently reached its highest level since independence, peaking at 4,477 MW per day; Minister of Power Barth Nnaji was enjoying hopeful, though cautious, praise; and to many, it seemed as if Nigeria’s longunderperforming power sector might be beginning to fulfil its potential.

Fast-forward to now, however, and Nnaji’s resignation and the slowness of naming his successor have begun to cast doubts over the government’s seriousness in truly reforming this crucial sector.

Power generation in Nigeria over the past few decades has suffered from underinvestment, corruption and mismanagement, leading to a stagnating power supply. An attempt at revamping the sector began after the return to civilian rule in 1999 and ended in 2007 with an estimated $16 billion frittered away through the awarding of dubious contracts, cronyism and a lack of oversight.

In 2007, a new set of power sector reforms were initiated by President Umaru Yar’adua with the objective of propelling Nigeria into an advanced industrial nation by the year 2020. Upon his death in 2010, the framework was adopted by his successor, Goodluck Jonathan, whose government began unbundling and privatising the power utilities previously owned by the state’s Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

After winning the 2011 election, Jonathan described the “transformation” of the power sector as one of his main objectives.

Since then, generation has

By Sanusi Muhammad

T

imes have changed, yet our dear mother land, the ‘Giant’ of Africa, is still a toddler trying to learn how to walk but without a reliable guide.

There was a time the world was divided into three types of political, social and economic systems: the East and the West that were engaged in a bitter Cold war; and the non-aligned developing countries where our dear mother land belonged tried to straddle inbetween the two super powers leading the east and west blocks. In 1962 the world was almost thrown into a Third World War. Following the placing of missiles in Cuba by the Soviet Union, the USA reacted angrily, threatening to invade Cuba and ascertain the removal of the missiles which John Kennedy regarded as a terrible menace to the security of the United States .

After much drama, the Soviet Union agreed to remove the missiles, and a state of neither war nor peace was restored in the world. But the cold war continued silently.

That was when Cuba became a celebrity in the Third World: a small island that challenged the might of America ’s imperialism with the backing of a Socialist super power: the Union of Socialist Soviet Republic, USSR . Two personalities stood out and symbolized the struggle of the Non-Aligned nations against external domination: Fidel

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

Nigeria’s privatising power play increased from 2,800 MW per day to Corporation (AFC) told Think Africa public officials including former its current level of around 4,300 MW Press: “Losing the power minister, presidents, ruling party bigwigs per day. This increase in generation who was a major champion of the alongside foreign collaborators. In has been credited to ongoing reforms, is a setback for the process, early September, local media was rehabilitation at the country’s main and I sincerely hope the government awash with reports that two former power stations and higher gas does not now cave in to the vested heads of state – Ibrahim Babangida supplies from the Nigerian Gas interests that are heavily opposed to and Abdulsalami Abubakar – as Company, a subsidiary of the the critical changes required”. well as former Governor of Lagos Nigerian National Petroleum Ensuring adequate power supply State and leader of the Action Company.

While promising, is a prerequisite to achieving Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Ahmed however, it should be noted that these meaningful development. But Bola Tinubu, promoted some of the figures remain meagre in electricity generation, transmission consortium bidding for the PHCN comparison to assets.

South Africa’s W h i l e 40,000 MW per p o l i t i c a l interference in day and Egypt’s the privatisation 30,000 MW per Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text process is perhaps day. messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written unavoidable, Responsibility contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 Doyin Okupe , for these changes words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and Senior Special has largely been a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed Assistant to the attributed to to: President on Nnaji, who Public Affairs, resigned in The Editor, has attempted August after little to reassure the more than a year Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, public over the in the job.

35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. credibility of the Nnaji’s resignation at Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com privatisation the end of August SMS: 07037756364 process and the was officially need to forestall a explained as necessary to avert a “conflict of and distribution are capital- situation in which panic, interests” as a company he is linked intensive activities which require underhand tactics and a lack of to was said to be involved in the huge resources and some argue that confidence in the government takes bidding process for some of the soon- the Nigerian root is clear.

It is worrying therefore that the to-be privatised assets of the PHCN – government cannot bear the costs of but this episode was unusual in expansion and modernisation on its privatisation of Nigeria’s power sector may be antithetical to the Nigerian politics and many believe own. there was more Nnaji’s steppingThe unbundling of PHCN assets interests of some of Nigeria’s elite. down. is therefore aimed at encouraging The generator and diesel market in Some suggest the minister’s private sector participation in the the country is worth an billion per resignation was forced power industry and seeks to attract estimated $13.35 by pressure from highly-placed foreign and local investment. annum, and importers’ profit have business and political figures in Previous attempts at the privatisation margins favour of the status quo. Fola Fagbule, of government-owned enterprises, been burgeoning thanks to the Vice President of Origination and however, have routinely erratic power supply from the Coverage at the Africa Finance been hijacked by well-connected PHCN. A more reliable and better-

WRITE TO US

run electricity supply is thus not in the interests of the diesel ‘cartel’.

Behind-the-scenes trading amongst this elite could thus attempt to ensure the non-completion of the ‘transformation’ programme or perhaps try to guarantee powerful individuals are positioned where they can gain the greatest advantage from the process.

Regular vandalisation and sabotage of the power lines, insufficient infrastructural surveillance and security, alongside outdated technology, adds extra importance to the completion of the ongoing privatisation process. If transparently completed and effectively regulated, the power sector reforms could bring about the same competitiveness and levels of growth now being witnessed in the telecommunications sector. This in turn could have a positive effect on employment levels, reduction in crime, and the access to competitive tariffs for low-end electricity users.

There is a strong correlation between the availability of electricity and socio-economic development.

Nnaji speaking this May in a public lecture entitled ‘The New Direction: A Reflection on Nigeria’s Electric Power Sector Development’, concluded: “I would like to assure this distinguished audience and the Nigerian people that once power supply begins to pick up, this time, it will not be reversible”. Nnaji’s resignation and the uncertainty in the power sector, alongside the questions it poses, however, may prevent Nigeria attaining this much needed irreversibly stable power supply.

Lagun Akinloye is reachable on lagun.akinloye@thinkafricapress.com

Lessons from Cuba for Nigeria (I) Castro, the President of Cuba and leader of the Cuban Communist Party, and Ernesto Che Guvera, the ideologue of Cuban socialism and professed crusader for the socialist liberation of the Third World.

It is now over half a century since the Cuban missile crisis, yet the US still considers Cuba a big threat while the rest of the world, including Africa , holds the small island as a daring example of prosperity and socio-economic progress amidst great odds. Not only has the US had more than a century of economic blockade against Cuba, making the acquisition of technology a major problem for Cuba, but contacts between Cubans in the US and on the island was strained.

Not too long, five Cubans were arrested in the US for allegedly engaging in espionage activities.

Although, many US citizens, particularly in the state of Florida , were allegedly engaged in criminal activities against Cuba , they were rarely apprehended and taken to courts of law. The case against the Cuban five is more political than legal, and many human rights groups had appealed for the release of the five to pave way for improved relations between the two countries.

Some few years back, the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly for the US to

remove the economic blockade against Cuba . African nations voted as a block for that resolution. Only the US , Israel and Pilau (an island of 20,000 people) voted against the motion. In recent time, President Barack Obama had shown signs to improve relations with the communist Cuba which was commended but yet to materialize.

The trouble still remains the right wing lobby of old Cubans living in Florida and nostalgic about the privileges they lost after the 1958 Cuban revolution. In spite of these difficulties and the hard economic times currently facing Cuba , her commitment to advance the African revolution that dates back to the 1960s remains unchanged.

The early 1960s were tumultuous years for Africa . Not only did majority of African countries emerged from colonialism to independence after going through diverse forms of anti-colonial struggles, but a few cases stood out as the most protracted struggles and the most difficult to succeed in ousting the oppressors. One of these was the Congo where the Belgians left in a hurry and vengefully looted the country leaving a dilapidated infrastructure and a society virtually in turmoil. The United Nations attempted to rescue the new nationalists’ government led by Patrice Lumumba but the attempt

collapsed after thoroughly undermined by the imperialists.

Lumumba was assassinated under the watch of the so called peacekeepers who then proceeded to install a puppet military regime led by Colonel Joseph Desire Mobutu Seseseko. Decades and decades of misrule, looting and social decay followed leaving Congo as one of the most underdeveloped nations in Africa despite enormous natural resources as Nigeria is witnessing today.

The Cubans saw the success of their revolution as incomplete without the success of revolutions elsewhere, particularly in Africa .

Che Guvera therefore left Cuba to advance the cause of African revolution in the Congo following the assassination of Lumumba.

Che’s experience was not very encouraging: Congo required much more than inspiration from a committed socialist like Che. The revolution had to arise from within the womb of the Congolese people. But the so called leaders who Che Guevera encountered in Congo were least pre-disposed to sacrifice for the liberation of their country. They were pleasure seeking nonchalant individuals who wined into the darkness of the night in bars and away from the risks in the forests that are the homes to guerilla movements. As

it were the beautiful ones were not yet born in Congo and other African countries including Nigeria ; they may still be unborn today.

In Portuguese speaking African colonies, Southern Zimbabwe as well as former apartheid South Africa , white minority rule seemed to have decided not to be shaken by anticolonial struggles elsewhere in Africa . The minority regimes simply dug in as Macmillan’s “word of change” swept across the rest of Africa . But this racist intransigence attracted furry and determination by the African nationalists rapidly shaping up into well organized liberation movements with the support of the socialist countries. Cuba , in this regard, came in handy.

Whether one is talking of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the Front for the Liberation of Mozanbique (FRELIMO), or the African National Congress (ANC), one will find their cadres trained in Cuba , their armies equipped

by Cuba and a political solidarity built with Cuba that went beyond mere material support.

Sanusi Muhammad was the editor of Bauchi based Weekly Newspaper, The Trumpeter/ Kakaki

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

By Bobby Udoh

I

recently wrote an article about “What the Olympics Taught Me, a Nation-builder” and in it, I posited that the London 2012 Olympics wouldn’t have succeeded without the enormous work put in by thousands of volunteers. This army of committed citizens put in the long hours as their expression of commitment to ensuring the Olympics was a success in London.

As part of our monetized culture, we Nigerians expect to be paid for our services and completely miss out on the big picture – delivering a successful event that will make London and Londoners proud.

It is also part of our monetized culture to think that if we give tithes and offerings to fulfil our religious obligation, we have done enough. But the truth is compassion draw more than pity (meeting a need from a distance) and connects with the need in such a way that transforms both parties involved.

This compassionate living is the giving of time more than money and that is the foundation for volunteering.

Without this mind-set, we will not be able to solve the diverse challenges hindering the development of our nation.

Volunteering simply means to freely offer to do something and there are too many things waiting for someone to do something about. Even the governments of developed nations rely on the support of the volunteering sector to achieve their objective.

By Kennedy Emetulu

P

itiably, due to the psychological battering from the extreme right of his party, Mitt Romney has suffered such cognitive divorce from reality to the extent that he’s been evidently reduced to thinking fully in disconnected and acontextual phrases as a response to President Barack Obama. From the laughable disgrace of the fact-challenged “We Built This” as GOP’s convention’s economic theme to the false meme of “Are you better off now than four years ago?” we saw a Romney so audacious in his commitment to vacuity and falsehoods as he was in his championing of scary ignorance in the name of political debate. For those who thought it was a fancy phase to satisfy some more alien constituency within his party, it was scandalously alarming to find him still subjecting Obama’s claim that Washington cannot be changed solely “from the insides” and that there are bound to be “bumps on the road” in achieving foreign policy objectives to the same dumb treatment.

Now, Romney has revealed he is a very troubled fellow whose biggest asset going into the first debate now would ironically be America’s resolve to put him out of his misery as quickly as electorally possible. The man has to be saved from himself and since he wouldn’t listen to the voices of reason within his own party, the American people will tell him what they think of November 6. Mitt Romney is not only running a shambolic campaign, he’s saying disgraceful and dangerously ignorant things that diminish the exalted and secularly sacred office he seeks. He’s making the most vibrant democracy in the world look too vulnerable to dark forces unleashed by a mind held hostage by big money and agendadriven sponsors to the detriment of the United States national and international interests.

Perhaps, we need not accuse Mitt Romney of playing politics with the loss of lives in Benghazi and the tragic events that followed the cacophony of hoodlums supposedly protesting

PAGE 15

Building Nigeria through volunteering Therefore, it would be most required for Nigeria. Types of volunteering: Community Support: This is the basic volunteering and it involves things like giving car lift to church, schools, market, hospital; childcare support; home visit to the sick; participating in community/club/ association activities; and even making out time to honour invitations to events.

Project participation: Giving of time to participate in the design, planning, mobilisation and execution of a project. It could be a charitable project or a business but it is done for free Skill based: Providing our professional expertise for free. This is not limited to doctors, lawyers or teachers but all expertise can be leverage for a cause Mentoring: Giving of time to supervise the development of young people in same line of endeavour Fundraising: Participating in activities to generate finances and manpower for a project. People undertake a wide range of activities to achieve this – marathon, abseiling, bungee jumping, fasting, costume dressing, concerts, etc.

Membership of voluntary organisation: Committing regular time to work with organisations such as Red Cross, St John Ambulance and Habitat for Humanity. These organisations do tremendous work

and couldn’t have succeeded without her voluntary members Corporate volunteering: Large corporates allow their employees to volunteer during working hours.

These employees can volunteer their professional expertise or in a muchneeded area. This is an area our corporates need to improve but how can they if employees are not making such demands?

Diaspora missions: Many Diasporas can volunteer their holidays to the development of Nigeria.

The professional expertise from developed nations can make a huge difference and the non-professional, can also make great impact. These people know the huge part volunteering play in developed nations and must bring their awareness to Nigeria by their participation.

Critical areas in need of volunteering: Party politics: To improve the quality of our politics and the quality of our political leadership, we need many more Nigerians volunteering their time, skills, expertise to organise our political parties. Also, volunteers are needed to undertake fundraising to fund party activities and to ensure we break the grip of godfathers.

Education: We urgently or better put, we desperately need volunteers to support the work of teachers in public schools, especially those in poor

neighbours. Focus should not mainly be on preparing them for WAEC or NECO exams but preparation from primary school through to secondary schools. Also, focus must go beyond Maths, English & Sciences to include civic responsibility and leadership.

When we volunteer our time to teach, many of these students will replicate the same model to students of the future.

Healthcare: Volunteering to the healthcare sector requires more than doctors & nurses. Volunteers are needed to support various campaigns – immunization, breast-feeding, public health enlightenment, medical research, etc. We also need volunteers to initiate fundraising activities and then participate in the effective utilisation of the funds raised.

Community Development: Through volunteering, we can undertake so many projects that will make our communities clean, safe, healthy, enlightened, empowered and integrated Social Care: We need volunteers to assist with the care of the aged and the young. With our level of underdevelopment, many of our young and aged are abandoned, and these are people who can’t care for themselves. This is not a task to leave in government hands. Also needed are mentors for many of our youths, many of whom have no one to guide

them.

Emergencies: Emergency organisations are so short of staff and are in desperate need of more volunteering members. We need to get involved especially as our numbers of emergencies are way too high. We also need a critical mass of volunteers to train as first aider and use the training to help save lives.

Housing: Through volunteering we can build homes for orphanages, the aged, the poor, and victims of natural & man-made disasters. We may consider during this under the umbrella of charities such as Habitat for Humanity.

The benefits of volunteering includes: the acceleration of nationbuilding without huge cost, sense of fulfilment/accomplishment, communal living as communities become more integrated, gets government to sit up, gives impetus for us to do more, transform mind-set focused on self to focused on others, and many others.

For me, the biggest motivation for volunteering is, this remains the best way we can transform Nigeria from her current underdeveloped state to a developed nation, meeting the needs of her citizens and that of Africa.

Volunteer in one or more ways today if you desire a developed Nigeria.

Bobby Udoh blogs at http:// bobbyudoh.com/buy-the-book/

the desecration of Prophet Mohammed in a cheap movie by some unknown film-maker who happens to live in the US. But doubling down on his precipitately mindless shrieks and caws and transforming these into policy positions or the salt pillars of his foreign policy smacks of meanest desperation.

His Armageddonist construct of America’s place in the world totally contradicts the facts as most Americans and the rest of the world see them. With his head buried in extremist hypocritical sack of rightist indignation, he’s failed to see that the sympathy of the world is with America and that for the first time in recorded history of the farcical ‘War of Civilizations’, Muslims in affected places are actually defying the threat to their lives and coming out publicly to boldly denounce those who are attacking America!

Really, Romney needs to think of the meaning of two words – leadership and exceptionalism and relate these to America. Leadership is not defined by how much fear you strike in the minds of people or how quickly you can resort to force as a means of resolving international disputes. Leadership is defined by how less others see your big stick as they listen to your quiet voice. The Obama doctrine has worked very well in pulling America away from a path of self-destruction defined by establishment greed masquerading as nation-building abroad. America was fast looking like a giant dragon drained by exhaustion and the overstretching of herself in the international stage without the help and blessings of those she could ordinarily call allies.

The neoconservative foreign policy of George Bush was actually a death sentence on America. Romney’s rhetoric indicates he wants more of that poison for America; but Obama’s leadership is nursing America back to health internationally. If anyone is in doubt, all they need to know is

that more people in the Middle East and the Muslim world today feel they share the vision of freedom and democracy like America and Americans more than four years ago.

The Arab Spring is that open statement of support for America after years of Al Qaeda holding them by the jugular. What the noxious right celebrates today as the Arab Winter is, despite the unfortunate death of Ambassador Chris Stevens and other Americans, a non-event in the scheme of international development. It is the reaction of a dying way of life in the face of an inevitable future it is scared to behold and embrace. I mean, how many Iraqis or Afghans came out to support America when its men were being cut down by terrorists in the time of George W. Bush? But today, leaders and citizens of Islamic countries and powerful Muslim political and religious organization are openly marching in the streets telling the world and Americans that they do not support those behind the latest attacks on American diplomats and interests. When has this ever happened in US’s history of involvement in the Middle East?

Of course, the real story out there is that the ancient regime is crumbling under the sheer weight of social and political revolution supported by America. What George Bush spent billions of dollars supposedly trying to do, Obama has actually done on a shoestring budget

and with a lot of goodwill from the people America is trying to help. Any reasonable person knows that his reference to “bumps on the road” is the acknowledgment that there would be resistance to change. He never said Binyamin Netanyahu’s constant demand for a red line or his criticism of Obama’s policy towards Iran was noise. Rather, what he was expressing is the need for leadership to focus on substance, rather than reduce engagement to endless battles with airless sensationalism.

If Romney is looking to make hay with foreign policy, having now realized that his economic bugaboo scares no one into running away from Barack Obama, he has to really come up with a better vision than the inane statements he’s making in this piece. He cannot continue to conjure up apocalypse in his own head, proceed to raise alarm about these and expect a responsible press to help him amplify these. The debates will come and we shall see how much of his tangled fables stand up to scrutiny. However, one thing I know is that most Americans are not suffering from selective amnesia. To the discerning, American exceptionalism is not merely a jingoistic phrase. It is an idea that has had life breathed into it by great men and women in service of America from the very first day the nation opened its eyes.

But it remains necessarily an idea whose many windows are continually being opened by a new generation of heroes in public and private positions constantly renewing this promise in the face of contemporary challenges.

Obama is a child of American exceptionalism because only in America would his story not be a fairy tale. It is no surprise, therefore, that contrary to the birtherist and neoracist claim of Mitt Romney that he does not understand this (another way of saying the president is not American), Obama has been the biggest political investor in American exceptionalism since Lyndon Johnson.

His foreign policy initiatives have a common thread – We are Americans and we will always lead the way you the world wants us to lead; we will never impose our views and ways on you, but when you look at us, warts and all, you will have no choice but trust us to lead and help us to do so as much as you want. No maxim-guns, gunboats or nuclear missiles in sight”.

Obama wants the world to accept America’s moral authority as much as it accepts its political leadership in the affairs of nations. And for those who are invested in undermining America and its allies or its efforts at realigning the world with the ideals of the United Nations and international laws in support of freedom and right to life, he lets his actions stealthily speak to them in whatever hole they hide. Ask Osama bin Laden, the decimated Al Qaeda leadership or the sanction-crippled Iranian regime.

Romney needs to step down from that horse called Desperation and soberly challenge the president with better ideas than the warmongering braggadocio of a neocon ideology that was America’s nightmare for the better part of George W. Bush’s presidency – a nightmare from which she is yet to recover.

Kennedy Emetulu is on Facebook.

Romney’s Arabian Nights

“

Romney needs to step down from that horse called Desperation and soberly challenge the president with better ideas than the warmongering braggadocio of a neocon ideology that was America’s nightmare for the better part of George W. Bush’s presidency – a nightmare from which she is yet to recover

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

Suspect held for alleged theft of PHCN cables

T

A young woman selling herb to a middle-aged man, at the weekend, in Gudu mechanic village, Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Busted sewer line: Human waste takes over street in Garki

By Josephine Ella with agency report

W

orried over the stench from busted sewer line and the health implications, residents of Lagos Street, Garki 2, Abuja have appealed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to intervene.

Investigations revealed that the busted sewer line have in the past two weeks been discharging its contents on the street in question.

A cross-section of the residents complained to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the odour from the damaged sewage was harmful to their health.

They therefore, called on the FCT administration to fix the damaged sewage pipe without further delay.

A trader, Mr Rasheed Musa,

said that residents have put up with the ugly situation for this long because they did not know the relevant office to report the matter to.

“This sewage had been damaged for two weeks now and we have not seen anybody from the relevant authority to come and fix it.

“It is really pathetic because customers are being discouraged from patronising us because of the odour,” he said.

Another trader, Mr Istifanus Gabriel, said that the damaged sewage was the adjoining sewage pipe from Garki village.

According to him, the blocked sewage channel in the village can be responsible for the damaged pipe on Lagos Street.

Gabriel observed that the damaged sewage reduced the influx of people to the street.

“Before now people used to

crowd this area for one activity or the other, but the situation is no more the same. Normally, there is business boom around here from 7 p.m. but we cannot do business outside our shops again,’’ Gabriel said.

He appealed to the FCT administration to come to their aid and fix the damaged sewage.

However, Head of Information Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Mr Joe Ukairo, who spoke with NAN on telephone, said they were aware of the sewage leakage.

“We had received the report of the leakage from the residents of that area, what kept us from responding to the situation is the breakdown of our master canal flusher machine (Evacuation Truck).

“We only have one evacuation truck, which we

have been using for between eight years and 10 years now, we can only do what we can do, and we have made request for more.

“The depth of the sewage channel is as deep as the height of a story building and it is not what a human being can go into and flush except by the use of the machine, “ Ukairo said.

He however, assured the residents of the affected area that whenever the machine was fixed, they would visit the scene in order to restore the situation.

“We are working on the machine, whenever it is fixed, between now and Monday the situation will be restored,” he said.

He said that the FCTA was budgeting toward providing two new additional evacuation trucks to ease their challenges.

(NAN)

Herbal options at Abuja trade fair

E

xhibitors of herbal products at the ongoing 7th Abuja International Trade Fair are making brisk sales as many visitors opt for herbal alternatives, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

A NAN correspondent, who was at the J.T. Useni Trade Fair Complex on Airport Road, Abuja, on Friday reports that varieties of herbal drugs and foods are on display from local and foreign exhibitors.

Mr Gifty Tapgor, a Ghanaian exhibitor of herbal food, told NAN that there was a high patronage of the products as it served dual purpose of food and medicine.

“Our product is called Sufficient Garri; it is blended with Moringa leave, which is highly nutritional and medicinal. It contains lots of vitamins and improves body metabolism,” he said.

Mr Henry Offor, another exhibitor, said his products, Natural Cocoa Powder, cleansed

toxins from the body and eased bowel movement.

“It helps to clean toxins from the body system through regular urine and through faeces. It enhances the body system and helps in boosting the body for optimal function,’’ he said.

Offor noted that exhibitors of natural products were among the highest sellers at the fair.

An exhibitor from Benin Republic, Mr Segbedji Sylvestre, said his products, ‘Ceprobo’ cured

sexual weakness, diabetes, epilepsy, ulcer, fibroid, and obesity among others.

Another exhibitor from Indonesia, who did not disclose his name, said spices from the country were medicinal and lots of people asked after them.

Exhibitors from Ghana, Egypt, Philippines, India, Senegal, Mali, Benin Republic and China are participating in the fair and they all have some herbal products to showcase. (NAN)

he police have arraigned a 37year-old man, Alex Omokaro, before a Kubwa Magistrates Court on a two-count charge of being in possession of stolen items and cheating.

Police Prosecutor, Sandra Oparaougo told the court that one Inuwa Yakubu, a member of staff of PHCN, Kubwa, reported the case to the police on September 9, 2012.

She said that Yakubu told the police that he saw the accused with 12 three-phase World Bank pre-paid meters, five units of analogue meters and a large quantity of PHCN cables.

Oparaougo told the court that the offence contravenes Sections 319 and 224 of the Penal Code.

The accused pleaded not guilty and the prosecutor applied for adjournment to enable the police produce witnesses to prove their case.

The Magistrate, Malam Ahmed Ubangari, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum and ruled that the sureties must be civil servants resident within the jurisdiction of the court and that they must deposit their means of identification with the court.

He adjourned the case to November 19, 2012 for hearing.

(NAN)

Man bags six months imprisonment for wandering

A

Kubwa Upper Area Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has sentenced a 22-year-old man, Saviour Patrick, to six months imprisonment without an option of fine for wandering.

Police prosecutor, Garba Abdul told the court that the convict was arrested in Kubwa village on October 2, 2012 by a Police patrol team led by Sergeant Inusa Abdul.

Abdul said the convict could not present any means of identification and residential address when he was accosted.

He said the offence contravenes the provisions of Section 183 of the Penal Code.

“He claimed to be jobless and homeless but sleeps in Area One Shopping Complex,” Abdul told the court.

The Judge, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal, sentenced him to six months imprisonment without an option of fine.

Lawal advised the convict to take advantage of opportunities in the prison yard to learn a vocation.

“Since you said that you are alone in this world, without any parents or guardian, I will send you to a place where government will take care of you.

“When you get there, try to learn a trade so that you will be able to take care of yourself,’’ the judge said. (NAN)

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

First Bank organises customers’ forum in Abuja

Mob: 08033644990

No reliable statistics on Nigeria’s poverty rate - World Bank

By Muhammad Sada

T

he World Bank has said there is no reliable data with which to correctly measure the decline or increase in Nigeria’s poverty rate.

In a video press conference to mark the release of Africa’s Pulse held recently, an analysis of issues shaping the continent’s economic future, the World Bank’s Chief Economist for the African region, Mr. Shanta Devarajan, said the poverty rate in the continent’s resource rich was reducing slower than in non-rich resource nations.

Answering a specific question on Nigeria’s poverty rate, Devarajan said the subject was very controversial and suggested that the country should invest more in the production of statistics that were reliable. “We (World Bank) don’t know Nigeria’s poverty rate. We don’t know whether it is going up or coming down.

There is a lot controversy surrounding it. There is need to invest in data,” he said.

It could be recalled that the National Bureau of Statistics had in February released figures that showed that the nation’s poverty level was increasing. The report was mired in controversy as it was rejected by the Federal

Government.

The Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale, had said, “It remains a paradox … that despite the fact that the Nigerian economy is growing, the proportion of Nigerians living in poverty is increasing every year. “ According to him, the poverty rate in Nigeria may have risen to 71.5 per cent, 61.9 per cent, and 62.8 per cent using the relative, absolute and dollar-per-day measures, respectively, adding that the picture would become clearer when the Annual SocioEconomic Survey would be completed later in the year.

Devarajan, however, said the continent needed to translate the high growth rate it was enjoying into poverty reduction, adding that job creation remained an important instrument for poverty reduction.

He added that the continent had a large young population that could make it a powerhouse in the future, but regretted that with the slow rate of job creation, the young people might end up working in the informal sector as their parents.

In a statement issued at the end of the conference, the World Bank said Africa was expected to grow at 4.8 per cent for all of 2012.

No underhand dealings in frequencies allocations, says NCC

By Muhammad Sada

T

he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has debunked reports of underhand dealings in the allocation of spectrum licences to two companies identified as OpenSkys and Smiles Communications, in response to allegations that due process was not followed and that national security had been undermined following the allocation of frequencies reserved for the police to OpenSkys.

While reacting to the allegations, the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Reuben Muoka, said there was no flouting of the rules and the exaggerations and half truths are indications of a lack of “basic understanding of frequency allocation and its processes involved, resulting in unsubstantiated information capable of misleading the public and industry stakeholders.”

According to the Commission, the frequency allocations to OpenSkys were not only in “compliance with the Nigerian Communications Act, but also in full implementation of a presidential directive of 5th July, 2007. This directive was fully deliberated upon by the

Board of the Commission during its 62nd, 63rd and 64th Sittings and other subsequent meetings.” The commission noted that the provisional offer of frequency was made to OpenSkys as far back as October 2, 2009 one full year before the current EVC was appointed and, at that period, “the Nigeria Police was still occupying some of the frequencies in the 450MHz Band. The then Ministry of Communications had on October 5, 2005, conveyed to the police the decision of the National Frequency Management Board, for it to be relocated by the Commission.

“The decision to allocate part of the 450 MHz frequency was therefore not made by the NCC or by, the Commission’s head, Dr Juwah. It was a decision that predated his appointment by almost five years”.

(L-R) Dr. Christopher Kolade, President Nigeria Institute of Personnel Management (NIPM), Mr. Abiola Popoola and Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Bishop Mathew Kukah at 44th Annual conference of NIPM at the International Conference Centre on Thursday.

NNPC not responsible for fuel scarcity - PENGASSAN chief

By Muhammad Nasir

T

he Lagos Zonal Chairman of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Rev. Folorunso Oginni, has absolved the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of responsibility for the current scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) in the country.

Speaking on the scarcity of petrol and long queues at the petrol station all over the country, Oginni said that it was wrong for anybody to blame the NNPC for the scarcity, adding that the national oil corporation have been doing its best to resolve the fuel crisis.

“The NNPC should be commended for putting all efforts in place to ensure that the current fuel crisis is resolved, even after three of its workers were killed by vandals and economic saboteurs. NNPC has been working under pressure to

ensure that fuel is available all over the country,” he said.

He explained that the queues would still persist unless the government does the necessary things.

Some of the things needed to be done by the government, according to Oginni, include performing Turn Around Maintenance of the existing four refineries to ensure that

…as DPR close filling station in Ilorin From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he Controller, Department of Petroleum Resources, Ilorin, Kwara state, Mr. Amos Jokodola has disclosed that few filling stations in Ilorin, Kwara State capital found selling above N97 per liter have been closed.

They includes a filling station near the gate of University of Ilorin and Mudran and Super Oil petrol stations at Ajase Ipo road.

“We closed a filling station at the entrance of UNILORIN gate.

Management Tip of the Day

N

Starting a business? Skip the plan

ot all entrepreneurs need a business plan. Most startups succeed because the founder had an authentic vision and clarity of purpose, not a wellwritten document. While not all planning is bad, the content that most business plans focus on has little to do with the reality that

will actually emerge. Instead of agonizing over a document, focus on identifying exactly why your business should exist. Clearly articulate the bigger goal at hand, whether you call it vision, purpose, or calling. This will guide you and the business. And

they work at optimal capacity; building of new refineries, including the Greenfield refineries; and provision of adequate security for oil and gas workers and facilities, especially pipelines.

He stated that there is no way the NNPC could have done more than what it is doing today under the kind of conditions it is operating.

remember that the team is more important than any plan. It’s worth spending time making sure you are working and partnering with the right people.

Source: Harvard Business Review

They were selling at N115. DPR officials shut down the station for two reasons ; there was over pricing and also they are operating illegally.

“That station was owned by former AP now Forte Oil. Bu there was not formal communication to DPR for a take over only for us to see a new name there. That is a violation of Petroleum Act. Infact, we have written the University; We will mobilised our officers so that the content they have already will be dispensed to the public at authorised rate.

“We do not want to keep the station shut for a long time because of the scarcity.

Because of the scarcity we will allow the station to sell the outstanding product at approved prize to alleviate the problem of the public.

“But if we had enough petrol such that petrol stations were operating at optimum capacity, the station would have remained closed for the period of time prescribed by the law”.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS

Airtel

A

irtel Africa at the weekend announced the appointments of Louis Lubala and Antoine Pamboro as the new Managing Directors of its operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Gabon respectively.

The new development sees the two vastly experienced Airtel top executives, take leadership roles in two African nations with diverse potential in the telecommunications sector.

Gabon has one of the highest teledensity statistics at over a 100 percent whilst DRC, the second largest country in Africa by area, has an approximated 25 percent penetration.

Nigeria LNG

N

igeria’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) on Friday declared a force majeure on plant output after an attempt to steal crude oil from a pipeline led to a fire, Shell said.

“An attempt was made to steal crude oil from the BomuBonny trunk line and offload it onto a waiting ship that led to a fire on the line and on the ship on Sunday,” a Shell spokesman said.

The force majeure, which covers the company should delivery not occur due to circumstances beyond its control, took effect as of Oct. 4, he said.

Shell, which has a 25.6 percent stake in Nigeria LNG,yesterday shut its 28-inch Bomu-Bonny trunk line after oil thieves caused a fire, it said.

Interbank rates flat on matured T/bills

N

igerian interbank lending rates were flat across the board in the week at an average of 10.58 percent, as liquidity was buoyed by the repayment of about 190 billion naira in matured open market operation (OMO)

treasury bills, traders said.

Dealers said the repaid treasury bills helped enable the market to open with a positive ash balance of 375 billion naira, compared with 226.6 billion last week.

The secured Open Buy Back

First Bank organises customers’ forum in Abuja

By Aminu Imam

I

n a move that demonstrates its commitment to engaging its customers on how best to provide sound and efficient financial services, Nigeria’s Number One Bank Brand, First Bank of Nigeria Plc has organised a programme tagged: “Customer Engagement Forum” in Abuja.

The programme, one of the activities lined up to celebrate this year’s Customer Service Week was organised to get a feedback and inputs from customers in Abuja and the environs on how best the Bank can improve on its service

delivery to its Customers.

During the one day event, which took place at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, customers of the bank were treated to presentations which highlighted the Bank’s new products and services including e-Banking services, alternative service delivery channels, products and services, the evolving holding company structure of the group and the various transformational initiatives of the Bank over the past one year.

Speaking at the forum, FirstBank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Bisi Onasanya said as a pan Nigerian financial

institution, FirstBank recognizes the need to interact with its customers irrespective of their economic class, location or vocation, adding that without the support and loyalty of its customers, the Bank would not have been where it is today.

“We believe every business is as strong as the value it places on its customers. We are very passionate about our customers, we are keen on getting feedbacks from them on how we can delight them, how we can improve our services, how we can partner with them to grow their businesses, to make life better for them and make

M

Inflation rates from Sep, 2011 to Aug, 2012 Max = 12.9%, Min = 10.3% for period in display.

Current Inflation rate = 11.7% Source:CBN

10.50 percent and 11 percent, respectively.

“The market will still be liquid and rates are likely to remain at the same level next week,” one dealer said.

(Reuters) banking fun for them”, adding that every successful Organizations owe their success to the customers patronage and loyalty.

Also speaking, the Group Head, Business Service Group, Eyitope St. Matthew- Daniel thanked the customers for their unwavering support and loyalty over the years and urged them to continue to patronize the bank and avail themselves of the various innovative services even as the Bank continue to strive to delight and provide world class financial services to them.

Customer Service Week is an international event devoted to recognizing the importance of customer service and to honoring the people who serve and support customers with the highest degree of care and professionalism.

IMF slashes global growth forecast - Report

T

MasterCard asterCard has made new moves to support the Central Bank of Nigeria’s cashless economy strategy, as well as local merchants. According to Omokehinde Ojomuyide, country manager, West Africa, MasterCard Worldwide, MasterCard cardholders will quality for a five per cent discount on the purchase of any item at Sony Centres across Nigeria.

In addition, and as part of the alliance with MasterCard, Sony Centre staff will undergo card acceptance and fraud prevention training. We will also be supporting Flying Dove by marketing the discount offer, further showcasing the benefits of moving towards electronic payments to our cardholders.”

The collaboration indicates the first cashless plan of its nature in Nigeria for MasterCard as it supports MasterCard’s vision to speed up the move towards more fitting and safer payment techniques for clients, and to exhibit the achievements of the teamwork to the Nigerian business segment.

(OBB) was unchanged at 10.25 percent, 1.75 percentage points lower than the central bank’s 12 percent benchmark rate, and 25 basis points above the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate.

Overnight placement and call money were unchanged at

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cut its global growth forecasts for this year and 2013 and called on politicians in the eurozone and the US to take “decisive” steps to restore confidence, a German newspaper said Friday.

Citing excerpts from the IMF’s World Economic Outlook to be released early next week, the Handelsblatt business daily said that the Washington-based body predicted world economic growth of 3.3 percent in 2012 and 3.6 percent in 2013.

In July, the IMF issued forecasts of 3.5 percent and 3.9 percent, respectively.

The German-language paper quoted the report as saying that the “further cooling of growth in the world economy this year and

Earnings Report for Banks Source:Pro-share Nigeria

next goes along with a clear increase in downward risks.”

The forecast depends in particular on “whether decisive political steps are taken in the eurozone and the US to stabilise confidence,” the paper quoted the report as saying.

The IMF forecasts a shrinking of the eurozone economy of 0.4 percent this year and a small positive growth of 0.2 percent in 2013.

The IMF cut its forecast for China to 8.2 percent, for India to six percent and for Brazil to four percent, according to Handelsblatt.

The fund also saw a “further drop in inflation” given the sluggish global economic output and recommended additional cuts in interest rates to stimulate activity.

Three leading European economic institutes have estimated meanwhile that the eurozone economy will remain in recession until the end of this year.

The French institute INSEE and its German and Italian counterparts IFO and ISTAT forecast a contraction in business activity of 0.2 percent in the third quarter, they said in a joint statement.

That is the same rate of decline as in the second quarter of the year.

A further contraction of 0.1 percent in the last three months would be followed by zero growth in the first quarter of 2013, the institutes said.

Eurozone domestic demand is being undermined by economic uncertainty and the impact of budget consolidation across the 17-nation bloc, the three institutes added.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

INVESTORS N15m Kwara NUT shares in NSE NEWS BEAT Capital market academy T T From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

he Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT), Kwara state chapter has disclosed that its shares invested in the Nigeria Security Exchange Market(NSE) were still lavishing at the security market while members who had contributed the money could have their fund in bulk as a result of economic meltdown.

The state’s chairman of NUT, Alhaji Umar Farooq Akanbi, who

confirmed this during the 2012 teachers day celebration said 5,512 members of the union in 2006 contributed the fund as “Endwell Scheme” that would be paid to them at their retirement time with 50 percent interest.

“It serves to cushion and smoothen the period immediately preceding the commencement of monthly pension which can be invested in meaningful ventures by the beneficiaries.

“To date, the scheme had paid about 180 beneficiaries to the

tune of N7,316,925. Besides, we had invested about N15m in the Nigeria Stock Exchange before th collapse of the market.

“However, we are gradually recouping our investments through dividend and bonus issues. Furthermore, out of the subscription of members, we currently have a fixed deposit in a reputable bank to the tune of N25m. It is our hope that before the year runs out, we would be able to engage similar or larger amount in another investment

window.”

Akanbi also disclosed that out of the Endwell scheme fund, the union had successfully built 76 room shopping complex which would be rent out for the general public and vested NUT additional revenue.

The Union leader who assured members that. Their promotion, allowances and minimum wage would be met by state government said once the federal allocation, they would get all their benefits.

Wednesday as All-Share Index (ASI) firms up by +0.63%.

Market sustained optimism on Thursday as bargain hunting continued to outweigh selling activities while NSE index records +1.00% Consequently, trading activities on Friday closed negative as sentiments closed pessimistic.

The key benchmark index dipped marginally by -0.02%, while market closed the week with aggregate gain of +1.66%.

Further analysis on acquiring banks since transaction date showed that the share price of Access Bank Plc has recorded +71.92% gains with FCMB recording -

19.23% losses while Union Bank Plc leads the chart with +302.39% gains. However, Sterling Bank Plc recorded +25.20% gains while ETI closed negative with -5.74% loss recorded.

However, the All-Share Index in the week under review inches up by +1.66% to close at 26,442.67 as against an upbeat by +0.53% recorded last week to close at 26,011.64.

In the same vein, the market capitalization in the week appreciated by N137.24 billion (US$914.96 million) to close at N8.41 trillion (US$56.11 billion) as against appreciation by N43.91 billion (US$292.77 million)

recorded last week to close at N8.28 trillion (US$ 55.19 billion).

The total volume traded in the week closed at 4.75 billion units valued at N40.47 billion (US$269.72 million) compared with 1.70 billion units valued at N14.53 billion (US$96.89 million) exchanged in 24,202 deals last week.

The volume transaction in the week when compared with the previous week data moved up by +179.20% as against a decline by -36.75% recorded last week.

Weekly value also went up by +178.36% as against negative position of -7.40% recorded last week.

capitalise on recent gains, pushing yields higher.

Yields are expected to drop in the weeks ahead as Nigeria sees the full benefits of its addition to the JP Morgan Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets, but the market could remain volatile in the short term.

JP Morgan estimates that the index inclusion could translate into at least $1.5

billion in inflows into Nigeria’s bond market.

“The outlook is still that the bonds are going to trade lower in terms of yield,” said Steve Osho, a trader at Stanbic Bank.

“But for now, we’re going to see some volatility across the curve.

As some guys are trying to take profit, other guys are trying to enter the market.”

Monday, the first day of

Nigeria’s inclusion in the GBIEM, was a public holiday but yields began to climb in the following days.

On Thursday, the June 2019 bond rose by up to 21 basis points to 13.31 percent. It closed at the same level on Friday.

The April 2017 bond closed at 13.67 percent on Friday, compared to 13.32 percent a week ago. (Reuters)

Market CAP records N137.24bn gains in week

M

arket activities in the week sustained uptrend for the sixth consecutive session as northwards movement persists due to continuous bargain hunting witnessed on the bourse while Tiger Brands-A South African Consumer Goods firm bought 63% stake in Dangote Cement Plc to confirms the institutional interest of the company.

Equity Market maintained northwards trend on Tuesday, to open the first trading day of week positive as the key market indicator inches up marginally by +0.04% gain while market maintained uptrend on

Yields rise on profit-taking after index boost

N

igerian bond yields rose this week on profittaking following the country’s inclusion in a benchmark JP Morgan government bond index, but they are expected to decline in the coming weeks.

An Nigeria’s inclusion in a JP Morgan government bond index this week prompted profit taking as investors sought to

Asset managers seek full dematerialisation of processes on the Exchange

T

o further aid securities lending and liquidity in the nation’s capital market, the Association of Asset Custodians of Nigeria has advocated collective investment and automation of the Certificate of Capital Importation (CCI).

Already, the association has initiated talks between

stakeholders to ensure that the automation of the CCI is fasttracked to ensure that investors get adequate returns on their investments.

Speaking at the association’s yearly general meeting in Lagos on Friday, its President, Segun Sanni, explained that in an already dematerialised stock exchange, there is a need to

ensure proper automation of processes in order to aid financial transactions, especially by foreign investors.

With securities lending, when a foreign investor lends to a foreign borrower, the process prescribes that the foreign lender shall be issued a CCI upon importation of capital to purchase securities to be lent.

Sanni however noted that though the financial markets are inter-linked, the imbalance between the bond market and equities market would improve as soon as investors’ confidence is restored amidst effective regulatory efforts.

The Vice-President and Head, Securities and Funds Services, Global Transaction Services, Citi bank, Kemi Adewole, added that though the market is yet to recover fully, the imbalance would be addressed.

he Capital Markets Academy (CMA) in conjunction with Proshare Nigeria will begin a 3-day training session in Lagos with the theme, The Capital Markets; Building Foundation for growth.

The training which will take a look at a wide range of topics from Personnel Development, Governance, Regulations and the Financial Markets in general is expected to enlighten market operators and regulators alike.

Speaking to Webtv in an exclusive interview, Mr Delme Thompson said the aim is to also provide those attending with an opportunity to engage directly with leading Nigerian experts and to foster a greater understanding of the various sectors within the capital markets so as to begin building a channels for cross sector communication and trust, over time.

IOSCO

T

he Board of the International Organization of Securities Commissions has on Friday published its final report on Principles for Oil Price Reporting Agencies (PRAs), which sets out principles intended to enhance the reliability of oil price assessments that are referenced in derivative contracts subject to regulation by IOSCO members.

These principles were prepared in response to the G20 Leaders’ request in November 2011 that “IOSCO, in collaboration with the IEF, the IEA and OPEC, [to] prepare recommendations to improve their functioning and oversight to our Finance Ministers by mid2012” and followed by the G20 Leaders’ Los Cabos Declaration.

This report builds upon issues that were identified in Oil Price Reporting Agencies, the joint report of the International Energy Forum (IEF), International Energy Agency (IEA), Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and IOSCO, published in October 2011.

FBN Heritage Fund

I

Source:Pro-share Nigeria

nvestors in the FBN Heritage Fund are counting gains accruing from their return on their investment, following an impressive price growth recorded by the fund in the last two years as well as projections for future growth by market watchers.

An analysis of the fund’s performance since listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in April 2008 at N100.00 showed that the fund moved from a bid price of N89.28 in 2010 to N101.01 at the close of business last week. This represents a growth of N11.73 or 13.13 per cent price appreciation.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

PAGE 22

Ten richest female Africans to watch There was a time in Africa, years ago, when men controlled all the wealth. The male folk were the exclusive owners of land and property, and the women simply had to be content with the crumbs the men threw their way. Not anymore! These days, an elite group of industrial, entrepreneurial African women control a significant portion of the continental wealth.

While no African woman can lay claim to billionaire status, there is an ever-increasing club of African women with eight-figure fortunes to boot. Some of them have built corporations from scratch; others inherited fortunes from successful parents.

Here are ten incredibly wealthy African women you need to know.

Bridgette Radebe, South Africa

Mama Ngina Kenyatta, Kenya

Wendy Appelbaum, South Africa Source: Insurance Appelbaum is the only daughter of South African tycoon Donald Gordon. She previously served as a director at Liberty Investors, an insurance and real estate firm her father founded, and was one of the company's largest individual shareholders. She went on to sell her shares and became cash rich.

Along with her husband, she purchased DeMorgenzon, a wine estate in Stellenbosch.

She was also a co-founder and

deputy chairwoman of Women's Investment Portfolio Limited (Wiphold), an investment company entirely controlled by women. Wiphold has over US$150 million in assets.

Appelbaum has donated over US$23 million to fund the creation of the Gordon Institute of Business Science and the Donald Gordon Medical Centre. She is the chair of the South African Women's Professional Golfers' Association.

Folorunsho Alakija, Nigeria

Isabel dos Santos, Angola

Source: Oil The 61-year-old Nigerian businesswoman is a co-founder and director of Famfa Oil, a Nigerian oil exploration company which owns a 50% stake in Oil Mining License (OML) 127, one of Nigeria's most prolific oil blocs. Daily production of OML 127 currently stands at about 35 000 barrels per day (bpd), but it could potentially churn out as much as 200 000 bpd in the near future.

Source: Investments Isabel, a daughter of Angola's president, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, is one of the continent's wealthiest women.

At the age of 24, she leveraged her father's position to corner lucrative state contracts such as the exclusive rights to cleaning and disinfecting Luanda and other cities. She earned her first millions from such contracts, then went on to establish herself as a savvy investor by gobbling up stakes in blue chips such as Portuguese media giant Zon Multimedia (she acquired a 10% stake in 2009 for US$180 million). She increased her shareholding this year, snatching up another 5% of the company to become the media company's largest individual shareholder.

Isabel (39), also owns a 19,5% stake in Portuguese bank Banco PortuguĂŞs de Investimento.

Source: Land, banking and media Mama Ngina Kenyatta is a widow of Kenya's first president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. New findings reveal that she (not her son, Uhuru Kenyatta) controls some of the largest privately-held land holdings in the country.

Between the 1960s and the 1970s, when he was president, Jomo Kenyatta acquired huge chunks of land at dirt cheap prices when the British colonial government and the World Bank funded a settlement transfer fund scheme which enabled government officials and privileged Kenyans to purchase land from the British.

Mama Ngina controls some 500 000 acres of Kenyan land as the average price of US$1 000 per acre.

Mama Ngina and her family also own Brookside Dairies, Kenya's largest dairy company, and stakes in Kenyan Television station K24, a timber production company and Commercial Bank of Africa.

Elisabeth Bradley, South Africa In 1961 Bradley's father, Albert Wessels, cornered the exclusive distributorship of Toyota in South Africa. The operation was subsequently called Toyota South Africa, and Wesco Investments, a holding company which Bradley (74) chairs, owned 58% of the company.

In 2008 she sold 25% of Wesco's stake in the company to Japan's Toyota Motor Corp for US$320 million. She reportedly pocketed US$150 million for herself. Bradley also serves as vice-chairwoman of Toyota South Africa Limited and serves on the board of AngloGold, Standard Bank group and Hilton Hotel.

(Source: Forbes.com)

Hajia Bola Shagaya, Nigeria Source: Oil, banking, real estate, photography One of Nigeria's wealthiest businesswomen, Shagaya is the founder and CEO of Bolmus Group International - a diversified Nigerian conglomerate with interests in oil, real estate, banking, communications and photography.

The real estate development arm of her group builds and owns dozens of luxurious residential properties in some of Nigeria's priciest neighbourhoods for which clients pay as much as US$180 000 per annum apiece as rent. She also serves on the board and has a significant minority stake in Unity Bank, a Nigerian commercial bank.

Shagaya is reputedly very close to Nigeria's first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and former Nigerian military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida.

Pamela Golding, South Africa Source: Real estate In 1976, Golding founded the Pam Golding Property Group with no start-up capital and only one sales assistant. Today, Pam Golding is South Africa's largest independent residential and commercial real estate agency.

The company has over 2 500 professionals across the globe and records about US$2 billion in annual turnover. Golding has retired from active management in the company, but still remains chairwoman.

Source: Mining An elder sister to South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe, Radebe is the founder of Mmakau mining, a Johannesburg-based junior mining firm with key mining assets in coal, gold, uranium and platinum.

She got a start in the early 1990s managing shafts, producing and procuring for larger mining firms in South Africa. She is president of the South African Mining Development Association and is a co-founder of New Africa Mining Fund, a private equity firm committed to making investments in mining firms across sub-Saharan Africa. She is married to South Africa's Justice Minister, Jeff Radebe.

Sharon Wapnick, South Africa Her father, fabled businessman Alec Wapnick, founded Octodec Investments and Premium Properties, two property loan stock companies listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange. Sharon is one of the top five largest shareholders in each of these companies, and her shares are believed to be worth over US$40 million.

In October 2011, Wapnick became the non-executive chairwoman of Octodec, taking over from her father. She is also a partner at TWB Attorneys, a prominent commercial law firm based in Johannesburg.

Irene Charnley, South Africa The one-time trade unionist made a name for herself as a negotiator for the National Union of Mineworkers in South Africa before taking up a plum job as an executive director at MTN, Africa's largest mobile telecommunications firm.

She played a key role in facilitating the company's rapid and successful expansion across Africa and negotiated for licenses in Nigeria and Iran. In return for her efforts, MTN's board awarded her stock options worth US$150 million. She left MTN in 2007 and went on to found Smile Telecoms, which aims to provide mobile telecommunications to lower-income earners across Africa.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

World Teachers’ Day and Nigerian government’s attitude to teachers’ welfare governors would see it fit to include it in their 2013 budgets.

It is no news to hear that teachers are threatening to embark on strikes over welfare packages; these are things not to be taken for granted in countries that recognize the worth of teachers.

The commitment to halt the falling standards of education that government has often expressed will come to nothing if teachers’ welfare is not factored into the expected reforms.

A typical example of governments’ lack of interest in the plight of teachers is the case of Plateau state where its government has refused to dialogue with primary school teachers to resolve a sevenmonths industrial dispute over pay.

However, the attitude of federal and state governments towards teachers’ welfare and condition of service is partially responsible for the loss of interest in the noble profession by young people. It could also explain the high rate of half-baked teachers we have today in some states where the government cannot afford the good ones who get better paying offers in the private sector.

Former Senator Ibrahim M. Ida, in a paper “Education and Development, the Role of the Youth” on the occasion of Bastari Day, recently, said for the country to have the type of education it needs in order

On October 5, Nigeria joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Teachers Day. The question is, what lies beyond the symbolism of the celebrations? It is clear that in this country, teachers hardly get the recognition they deserve as the “makers of all other professionals”, writes Maryam Garba Hassan.

A

ll over the world, every 5th of October is marked as the United Nations-designated International Teachers’ Day. It is the day set aside to celebrate teachers, recognize their contributions as producers of every other professional, address challenges in the teaching profession and proffer solutions to the problems.

Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark the day even though the teaching profession and teachers’ welfare are accorded little or no recognition by the government that has reiterated a commitment towards revamping the education sector.

In the last 10months, the issue of a new salary structure for teachers has generated so much controversy, resulting standoffs between some state governors and their teachers’ over a ‘27.5 percent peculiar allowance’ for the teachers.

Since an agreement between the Governors Forum and the National Union of Teachers was reached over the special allowance for teachers, there has been one dispute or the other over its nonimplementation. A number of state governors are lean resources as an excuse for not implementing the peculiar allowance.

About 18 of the 36 states

are yet to implement the special allowance; on it own part, Lagos state government has promised to implement the new package, beginning January next year.

This foot dragging by the state governments clearly is in breach of the agreement between them and NUT. In view of the age-long neglect of teachers’ welfare by government, aphorism that “the teacher’s reward is in heaven” has ceased being just that.

The teachers themselves have come to believe it.

The neglect of the teachers and the teaching profession is reflected in the existing grossly disproportionate teacher/pupil/student ratio

Teachers from Federal Government Colleges, in a match past, during the 2012 World Teachers’ Day celebrations, on friday in Abuja.

Minister of Education, Professor Ruquayyatu Ahmed Rufa’I

in primary and secondary schools; this also explains why teachers cannot make the desired impact on their pupils and students in terms of imparting knowledge and skills.

Again, owing to the neglect of the welfare of teachers, there exists deep seated apathy and disenchantment among the vast majority of teachers in the country; this shows in the deplorable results recorded in WAEC, NECO and JAMB examinations in recent years.

The recommendation by UNICEF that the education

sector get 26% of budgetary allocations of government at all levels has been observed more in its breach than in implementation.

Another thing is that the teaching profession attracts the least qualified manpower owing to lack of motivation.

Even those already in the system hardly stay except and for the few who do, it is because they have not been fortunate to find other job openings. This fact was recently attested to by the Minister of Education, Professor Ruquayyatu Ahmed Rufa’I. At a ministerial press

briefing ahead of this year’s World Teachers’ Day, with the theme “Take a Stand for Teachers”, the minister lamented the lack of interest

by university graduates in the teaching profession or the unwillingness of young men and women to enrol in education courses in higher

“

The neglect of the teachers and the teaching profession is reflected in the existing grossly disproportionate teacher/ pupil/student ratio in primary and secondary schools; this also explains why teachers cannot make the desired impact on their pupils and students in terms of imparting knowledge and skills

institutions of learning.

According to her, most people take up teaching as a last resort, when every other opportunity has failed. The minister, further lamented the backwardness of teachers and the lack of recognition for them in the country, despite the important role they play in educating the citizens.

“No society can survive without teachers and human thought cannot be advanced without the teacher to develop the mind,” she said.

Ruqayyatu stressed that “as Nigerians, we must take a stand for the teacher. As Government, we must stand

to prepare her youth for the future, priority attention must be paid to the education as “It is not the business of government alone”.

He said that the country should realize that her sustenance as a nation and her future are linked to her ability to educate her youth qualitatively; he added that the higher the proportion of a nation’s people that are quantitatively educated, the higher the chances of a country to develop “because it is the human resource that constitutes the ultimate basis for the wealth of a nation.”

A female English teacher at Tudun Wada Government Secondary School, Abuja, said recently that the percentage of unqualified teachers in some primary and secondary schools especially in the northern part of the country is “unbelievably high” owing to the lack of incentives for teachers from government and that strikes have become a recurring feature of the education system at all levels.

She lamented that because of the way and manner in which teachers are maltreated, the profession is gradually losing dignity and respect.

Unless and until something is done urgently, the country will experience what is happening in Ukraine, where professors are growing older and reaching their retirement ages, while the younger generation is losing hope and interest in the academic line.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo up for the teacher.”

However, the NUT, last week, reached a resolution at the end of its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja to persuade the federal government to put pressure on state governments that are yet to implement the 27.5 percent peculiar allowance to their teachers.

The union’s national President, Comrade Michael Alogba, said the action, if taken, might avert a strike planned by teachers in the affected states.

He expressed optimism that with the intervention of the Minister of Education, the

NUT National President, Comrade Michael Alogba

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

ABS Chancellor charges graduates to be employers of labour

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Chancellor, African Business School (ABS) Dr. Amadu Ali, has charged graduates from the institution to go into the larger society with the mentality to become employers and not employees, in order to become champions of Nigeria’s economic transformation and architects of greater Nigerian society.

Ali who made this point on Saturday when he delivered a speech at the 2012 Combined Awards, convocation / Matriculation and call to hall of Fame of the institute ceremony held in Abuja, also advised the newly matriculated students of the school to commit themselves to learning and capacity building, so as to be part of the country’s solution.

According to the chancellor, the task of building a great and transformed Nigeria is contingent upon education more than anything else, and also requires the courage, industry and patriotism of citizens who rather than sit idle to complain about things choose to rise and invest their talent and time to making a positive contribution to the development of the country.

“It is gratifying to note that ABS stands tall and proud as a strategic business school devoted to equipping men and women with the skills and competencies they require to excel in their crafts and professions.

The level of consistent and commendable progress can be possible through the hard work, commitment and resourcefulness of the leadership of the school”, he expressed.

Encouraging the graduates to take maximum advantage of the federal government youth empowerment progamme referred to as YOUWIN, he said it is essentially designed to assist those who may wish to start a business or expand an already existing one, thereby making youths in the country to be productively engaged.

5 NasPoly lecturers gets TETfund sponsorship for postgrad studies in UK From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

T

he Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund) has sponsored 5 lecturers from the Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia, to pursue post graduate studies in the United Kingdom.

According to the Rector of the institution, Engr. Emmanuel Jatau, the beneficiaries were

A

cademic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Edo State chapter, has raised alarm that teaching profession in the country is heading for the rock arising from poor remuneration for teachers.

President of the association, comrade Osaruyi Charles Faluyi, who made the disclosure said a recent survey has revealed that 90 percent of young children Nigerian have declined to become teachers in future.

Faluyi who stated this during

selected based on the training needs of the polytechnic.

This was contained in a press statement issued to journalists in Lafia at the weekend, signed by the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the institution, Muktar Wakeel, stating that the rector made the disclosure at a farewell ceremony held in

honour of the beneficiaries.

In the statement, Engr.

Jatau charged the beneficiaries to “be good ambassadors of the polytechnic and to shun acts capable of tarnishing the image of the institution and the country at large during their studies.”

Responding on behalf of the recipients, Dennis Yakubu,

thanked the management of the polytechnic for their support in securing the sponsorship, while promising to justify the opportunity given to them.

Peoples Daily recalls that last year, 8 lecturers of the polytechnic also benefited from the Tetfund sponsorship and are currently pursuing post graduate studies in the UK.

African leadership magazine honors AUN as Africa’s leading University

By Maryam Garba Hassan

T

L-R: National President, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Mike Alogba, Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'i and Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, during the 2012 World Teachers Day celebration, Friday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin imo-Owo

Shema appoints education secretaries

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Executive Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shehu Shema, has approved the appointment of Umar Samail, Salisu Nadani and Ado Sama’ila as Education Secretaries for three Local Governments Areas in the state.

A statement signed by the Special Adviser, Media & Public Relations to the governor, Alhaji Sani Shuaibu, while Samail is appointed to serve in Bakori Local Government Area, for first term, the duo of Nadani and Sama’ila are to serve in Charanchi and Dandume Local Government

Teaching profession suffers neglect – ASUSS From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

PAGE 27

the celebration of this year’s ‘World Teachers Day’ in the state appealed to the Edo State government to release results of the screening exercise of teachers who are due for promotion since last year.

He however expressed regret over the inactions of the post primary Education board to the welfare of teachers.

He said the theme for this year’s celebration ‘Take a Stand for Teachers’ is literally calling on all and sundry to recognize, regard and reward teachers for the invaluable and unquantifiable services they render to the society.

Areas respectively, for second term.

The spokesman who further stated that all appointments are with immediate effect, also disclosed that the Governor has approved the recruitment of qualified teachers to replace the teachers who left the

teaching service.

“Accordingly, His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Dr. Shema has directed the Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to expedite action on the matter”, the statement added.

FCE Yola cautions students against anti- social vices

By Maryam Garba Hassan

T

he Provost of the Federal College of Education, Yola, in Adamawa State, Professor Abdul-Mumin Sa’ad, has cautioned students of the institution against engaging in any form of anti- social behaviours.

A statement signed by Bashiru Abdullahi, Public Relations Officer of the College, stated that Sa’ad gave the warning while delivering a Speech at the Matriculation ceremony of National Certificate in Education (NCE) part –time students for the 2012/2013 contact session.

According to the statement, Sa’ad, disclosed that the College has almost concluded arrangement to start degree programme to brighten the chances of furthering the studies of the students, adding that the College will not condone any acts of indiscipline or lawlessness.

“The Management of this College has made and is still

making a lot of efforts in the area of water and electricity supplies. We are upgrading our Library and ICT facilities, to ensure that you are provided with an enabling environment and the right atmosphere for teaching and learning.

“You are warned that this College does not condone cultism, examination misconduct, drug abuse, indecent dressing and other social vices.

Therefore, any student or group of students that engages in any of such anti -social behaviors will be shown the way out”, he said.

On her part, the Registrar of the College, Hajiya Fa’iza Ahmed, urged the students to be an example to others in their conducts and be discipline throughout their stay in the College so that at the end of the day, they will get what they are in the College for.

Hajiya Fa’iza added that the College is rated as the second best Colleges of Education in the Country.

he United Kingdom’s Africa Leadership magazine has honored the American University of Nigeria as Africa’s Leading University at the African Investments and Development Awards ceremony on Sunday, October 7, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.

According to a statement from the University, the magazine’s Editor –in Chief, Ken Giami, said the magazine is pleased to recognize AUN’s enormous contributions to Africa’s educational emancipation, economic growth and development, as the leading and advanced institution in the country.

Giami further explained that the board noted with interest AUN’s unparalleled commitment to excellence and best practices investing millions of dollars in research and development to adequately equip its students for the future.

The statement added that President of the University Margee Ensign, said the University is honored to receive the award.

“Our mission as Africa’s first Development University is to foster the creation of new leaders committed to sustaining a democracy in which diverse people share in the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Service learning is central to our identity and all of our students must successfully undertake development courses in order to graduate, no matter what their major is’, she said.

It added that Ensign has attended the award ceremony in Atlanta adding that this is the second time AUN has received an award from the London-based publication.

Africa Leadership is a panAfrican publication read by international investors, business executives, government policy makers and multilateral agencies across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the US. Each year the magazine honors selected members of Africa’s investment community, development partners, and various groups and associations that contribute to Africa’s economic growth.

PAGE 28

H

ow far has the management gone on its plan to introduce degree programme at the College?

We have gone far. The process was started more than a year ago before I came in. Initially, the management wanted to affiliate to ModibboAdama University of Technology (MAUTECH) but it was not the proper thing to do because MAUTECH is not a conventional University. So, the nearest conventional University is the University of Maiduguri from where I am coming as a lecturer.

That suits well because as a member of the University of Maiduguri, I can get cooperation from the University authority. Just recently, the unit that is responsible for the preliminaries, that is the Directorate of the Academic Planning of our college Director, visited University of Maiduguri and consulted with the Coordinator and the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academy of the University of Maiduguri.

Originally, we wanted to start the degree programme in 19 programmes but they advised that 19 programmes is not visible for many reasons, one, there are programmes that we will run here that the University of Maiduguri does not have. For that reason, we may not start those programmes which are about six.

That development reduced our intended programmes to about 13 and then the University of Maiduguri felt that probably, we needed to start with less than ten programmes. Therefore, what we are doing now is to look at issues like the needs of our catchment area, which is the northeast, what we need for the development of Adamawa and what other States within the catchment area also need. How people out there will come in and do their degree programme in our college, In which area do they want to come and do the degree programme?

We are also considering our capacity in terms of staffing and facilities available that we can start easily without having funding problems. We need to look at all these and that is the level we are now. We will finish this within the next few days and the director is expected to go back and meet with the authority of the University of Maiduguri, then they will come back and inspect all arrangements made so far.

Once they give us the go ahead, the next thing to do is to meet with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).

What are the bases for establishing Federal Colleges of Education?

The main reason for the establishment of Federal Colleges of Education in the country, is to provide our primary and junior secondary schools with qualified teachers, well trained ones to deliver lectures to the students so that we don’t have problems of lack of teachers. This

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

Colleges of Education need more funding – Prof. Sa’ad Professor Abdul-Mumin Sa’ad is the present Provost of the Federal College of Education, Yola,he is a professor of Sociology with specialization in Criminologyand a former lecturer at the University of Maiduguri. In this interview with journalists, he talks about the ongoing plan to commence a degree programme in the College, the bases for establishing Colleges of Education in the country, challenges facing some of the colleges and the way forward. Excerpts is because in any educational system, if you do not have trained teachers in schools, the objectives of having qualitative education will not be achieved.

Another objective is to address the problem of shortage of teachers to teach our pupils at the primary and junior secondary schools.

Does the quality of teachers produce now justify the essence of establishing FCE? Of course, it justifies the essence. In fact, we need to establish more Colleges of Education and expand the ones that are in existence. At the moment, if you look at the whole situation, you will find that in many primary and secondary schools there are still inadequate number of qualified teachers. In secondary schools, there is the tendency of employing people who are only graduates without any teaching qualification. In teaching and learning, the most important thing is how to deliver knowledge.

You may have the knowledge or graduate with a First Class, but if you don’t have the skill on how to impact knowledge to recipients, the pupils or the students will not understand what you are trying to teach them.

We have been complaining that the quality of our teachers have gone down, though you cannot compare it with those days. The most important thing is that the colleges of Education then were well funded, they had qualified teachers, and expatriates were hired to teach in areas where the country cannot produce.

Even the condition in which we lived then as students was very good. Poverty was not an excuse for people not to attend colleges of education then because we were given pocket money, weekly entitlement to wash our clothes and there was high level of discipline among students.

What is your plan for the College?

The appointment is an opportunity for me to come and contribute my quota to the development of an institution that I had wanted to attend for my National Certificate in Education but eventually I went to ABU, Zaria.

My plan is to do my best to upgrade the standard of the college and ensure that our degree certificates are valued

Prof. Abdul-Mumin Sa’ad when we finally start degree programme in the college.

Another thing I want to achieve is the production of qualitative teachers in the college for the state, even though for years the College has been working towards that by partnering with other relevant stake holders to produce qualitative teachers through organizing trainings and workshops for our teachers.

How would you describe the state of facilities in the College?

I can say that the state of facility at the College is standard. The only problem we have is that it is not adequate in terms of population of students, which have increased, so we need more classrooms even though efforts are being made to construct more.

Our Laboratories are also small, we need to expand them and equip them with more instruments.

Like in the Business Education Department, the number of computers there are not adequate for the students. Our carrying capacity is about 4,000 at the moment, but each year we admit only about half of that so that we don’t over stretch the facilities that we have. We want to expand it so that we can admit all our four thousand students.

Accommodation is another challenge facing the College; we

need more hostels because the Federal Government is no longer interested in building more hostels. So, we are appealing to well-meaning individuals within Adamawa State and the catchment area of the college to come and build hostels under what we call Build Operate and Transfer (BOT). If they can come and build Hostels, operate them for a number of years and later transfer them to the school, it will contribute a lot to the development of the school and education in the country. This is what the federal government is trying to achieve by its Public Private Partnership Policy.

These are some of the challenges we have to address before the next session.

How do you intend to tackle these problems?

The two basic problems I faced immediately I assumed duty was water and electricity. In fact, before I came to office, the Registrar called me and said that students were complaining to her about lack of water. So upon my assumption of duty, I made sure that I addressed these two problems.

The Governor of Adamawa State also recognized those problems and built a borehole for the college. The borehole was still not adequate because there are so many students. So when I

assumed duty, we increased the number of boreholes in the college. At the moment, water problem is in the past and the students are happy.

For electricity, of course, we cannot provide 24 hours electricity services to the College because that will be very expensive but we ensure that we provide electricity from 10:00 am to 4: 00 pm and then during exams from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm and that is what we have been doing for the past couple of months. Electricity supply to the college by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), has also improved but we are still spending colossal amount of money on fuel. Almost all our overhead cost goes into running of our generating sets.

We want relevant agencies to assist us in ensuring that our overhead cost is increased. Our children who are in the college are supposed to have the best of learning materials and study in conducive environment to motivate them to learn.

What role those relevant agencies play in addressing some of these challenges?

The Education Trust Fund, which is now Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund) has been supporting us. For example, in the area of classrooms and Lecture Theaters, Tetfund has spent so much in the College, this year alone, I know they have spent over N200 million to construct more lecture theaters and in organizing trainings for our staff. They have also spent a lot in the area of improving our e-library and also sponsor many of the staff currently running their Masters and Ph.D. programmes.

Internet is also a problem and we have requested them to upgrade it and we have submitted a budget to them which they approved. So, very soon the College will be internet friendly to an extent that you can just browse once you are inside the College premises.

We are also collaborating with American University of Nigeria to help us improve on our ICT facilities and also we are partnering in the area of Conference and workshops for our degree programme in the college which will require a lot of improvement in our facilities and environment. We intend to approach TETFund to support us because the degree programme will require a special grant to take off soon.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

U

rinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common reason people visit their doctors each year. Men get UTIs, but they are much more common in women — more than eight million women head to their doctor for UTI treatment annually. And 20 percent of these women will get a second UTI. If you’ve ever had a UTI, you’ll probably never forget the symptoms. It usually starts with a sudden and frequent need to visit the potty. When you get there, you can squeeze out only a little bit of urine, and that’s usually accompanied by a burning sensation in your bladder and/or urethra. In more extreme cases you may end up with fever, chills, back pain, and even blood in your urine.

The good news is that there are many home remedies you can try to prevent or remedy a UTI. Go to the next page to learn more.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

1: Baking soda UTIs that last longer than two days require medical intervention. Untreated UTIs can infect the kidneys and turn into a much more serious problem. To help prevent a UTI from developing or nip one in the bud, try adding 1 teaspoon baking soda to a glass of water as it may help ease your infection. The soda neutralizes the acidity in your urine, speeding along your recovery.

2: Blueberries Blueberries and cranberries are from the same plant family and seem to have the same bacteria-inhibiting properties.

In one study, blueberry juice was found to prevent UTIs. Since you’re not likely to find a gallon of blueberry juice at your local store, try sprinkling a handful of these flavorful, good-for-you berries over your morning cereal.

3: Cranberry juice Many studies have found that drinking cranberry juice may help you avoid urinary tract infections. It appears that cranberry juice prevents infection-causing bacteria from bedding down in your bladder, and it also has a very mild antibiotic affect. Drinking as little as 4 ounces of cranberry juice a day can help keep your bladder infection-free. But if you tend to get UTIs or are dealing with one right now, try to drink at least 2 to 4 glasses of cranberry juice a day. If pure cranberry juice is just too bitter for your taste buds, you can substitute cranberry juice cocktail. It seems to have the same effect as the pure stuff.

PAGE 29

7 Home remedies for urinary tract infections

Blueberries

Pineapple

Take note: If you have a UTI, cranberry juice is not a replacement for doctorprescribed antibiotics in treating your infection.

4: Pineapple Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapples. In one study, people with UTI who were given bromelain along with their usual round of antibiotics got rid of their infection. Half the people who were given a placebo plus an antibiotic showed no signs of lingering infection.

Eating a cup of pineapple tastes good and may just help rid you of your infection.

5: Water If you tend to get urinary tract infections, be sure to drink plenty of water, about 8 eight ounce glasses a day. You should be urinating at least every four to five hours. If you are currently dealing with an infection, drink buckets of water to fight it off.

Drink a full 8 ounces of water every hour. The river of water

in your system will help flush out bacteria by making you urinate more frequently.

You can also heat up some water on the stove and pour it into a hot water bottle. Place the water bottle on your lower abdomen to help ease any pain caused by the infection.

6: Vitamin C Some doctors are prescribing at least 5,000 mg or more of vitamin C a day for patients who develop recurrent urinary tract

infections. Vitamin C keeps the bladder healthy by acidifying the urine, essentially putting up a no-trespassing sign for potentially harmful bacteria 7: Do’s and don’ts • DO use it. When you’ve got

Vitamin C

to go, go. It sounds simple, but how many times have you held it, when you’re in a business meeting, when you’re stuck in traffic, when you’re at a concert and the lines are too long. If you hold your urine, you’re more likely to get a backup of bacteria and end up with an infection.

• DO consider cotton.

Anything that comes into close contact with any of those ultrapersonal areas should be cotton.

Women should wear cotton underwear or cotton-lined panty hose to help stay fresher and dryer. Guys should go for boxer shorts.

• DON’T drink alcohol.

Alcohol is an irritant to your bladder, just what you don’t need when you’re dealing with an infection.

• DO cut the caffeine. Also avoid caffeine-loaded drinks such as caffeinated soda pop, coffee, and tea. Caffeine can irritate the bladder, which is the last thing you need when a UTI has taken hold.

• DO pull out a nonprescription pain reliever.

Taking acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin can help ease the pain during your infection.

• DO follow the rules for making love. If you have trouble with UTIs, be sure you and your partner clean up before making love. After you make love, head to the bathroom to urinate and get rid of any potentially harmful bacteria. And try using a condom instead of a diaphragm. Diaphragms may promote UTIs. • DO go with the flow. After urinating, be sure to wipe from front to back to keep bacteria from getting close to the urethra.

These home remedies can help you prevent a UTI or eliminate one already in progress. However, be sure to check with your doctor, especially if a UTI lasts longer than two days.

Source: ©iStockphoto.com

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

Four Bizarre medical conditions L

et’s say you have a collection of baffling physical symptoms. You know something is very wrong with your body, but no one seems to be able to figure out what it is or what’s causing it. And even if they do, they can’t figure out how to treat it or the treatment means that you have to change your entire life in order to live normally again, or as close to it as you can get.

For people with rare or littleunderstood medical conditions, this frustrating scenario is generally how their doctor visits play out. And it can be very lonely, there may only be a few dozen people in the entire world who have the same condition.

We have known about some medical conditions for centuries, even if we didn’t have a name for them. Others have only recently come to our attention. Either way, the four medical conditions we’re about to discuss are so bizarre that doctors, researchers and the people who live with them continue to work not only toward a cure, but toward a greater understanding of what the condition even is.

1: Progeria While scientists, researchers and capitalists search for the secrets of longevity, the answer may be found in the cure to one rare but heartbreaking disease that results in premature aging and death among children: Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, known also as progeria.

Children born with progeria look like perfectly healthy babies in the first year of life. However, by the time they turn 2; most children with this unusual condition begin to show signs of advanced aging.

Not only do the toddlers begin to look exactly like elderly adults, with thinning hair and wrinkled

A child suffering from progeria faces, they also begin to suffer from age-related diseases and infirmities: hardening of the arteries, loss of body fat, age spots on the skin, achy joints and bad hips. Kids with progeria share with seniors the same rates of cardiovascular disease and risk of stroke.

Though they may live as long as 21, the average age of death is only 13. The usual cause, the same one that kills most seniors: heart disease.

Progeria occurs when a genetic defect occurs in a certain protein (Lamin A) that’s responsible for the structural integrity of a cell’s nucleus.

First documented (in modern times, at least) in 1886 in England, progeria still has no cure, and a related form of the disease known as adult progeria

can first present symptoms in people by the time they turn 20, though they’re often able to live well into their 40s and even 50s.

2: Elephantiasis Mosquitoes have a long tradition of infecting humans with horrible diseases — old classics like malaria and encephalitis, as well as relative newcomers, like West Nile virus. Another increasingly common and crippling gift from the mosquito to mankind is lymphatic filariasis, more commonly known as elephantiasis.

Though not common in the United States, it’s far from unknown around the tropical and sub-tropical world: About 120 million people have been infected by the parasite that causes elephantiasis. As its name suggests, elephantiasis infection

Elephantiasis

can result in the painful enlargement of a limb, the genitals or the breasts.

When mosquitoes bite an infected person, they pick up the tiny parasitic worm responsible for infection and pass it along to other humans over the next one to three weeks. These worms make the lymphatic system their home, lodging themselves among the lymph nodes and vessels. Over the next five years or so (during which time no outward symptoms may develop), these filarial worms multiply until millions of them infect the body. The real damage caused, regardless of whether or not there is external enlargement of your body parts, is to the kidneys and lymphatic system.

Swollen body parts can be treated largely through careful cleaning — it reduces infection that

has gone unchecked by the compromised lymphatic system.

Anti-parasitic drugs can eliminate the adult worms responsible for the ongoing infection.

3: Periodic paralysis If salt consumption, resting after exercise and even sudden noises trigger extreme weakness in your muscles or near-total (but temporary) paralysis, a genetic condition called periodic paralysis might be to blame.

Fortunately, only about 1 in 100,000 people know the feeling.

It’s caused by faulty ion channels in the walls of nerve cells.

Potassium isn’t able to properly pass through the channels that would allow it to cross through the cell wall when the muscle cell gets the “Go!” message from the brain.

The muscles can’t contract, and the body feels weak. (There are different types of periodic paralysis and, depending on which type a person has, potassium levels may be too high or too low in the cell.)

When an attack is about to occur, a person with this condition feels weakness or heaviness in the legs. Sometimes, small, random muscles are affected; other times, his or her arms and legs become immobilized. The incident may last for a few hours, or as long as a few days. By quickly beginning to exercise, a full attack may be prevented, but there is no cure.

Dietary restrictions and avoiding excessive exercise or fasting are common treatments.

Though muscles will operate at full strength between attacks, years of periodic paralysis can permanently diminish muscle strength.

4: Foreign accent syndrome After surviving a stroke or event that results in traumatic brain injury, a very small number of people find themselves on the other side of the event speaking with a strong foreign accent. While it sounds made-up, foreign accent syndrome (FAS) is very real.

FAS is caused by damage to portions of the brain that affect speech and the coordination of the muscles used when speaking. The damage changes the way a person pronounces vowels and consonants, shifts speech rhythm and positions the tongue differently during speech. It wouldn’t make you bilingual, but it would affect your speech to a degree that it sounds like that of a different country, or a region within your own country.

One misperception of this bizarre medical condition is that the affected person speaks in a different language or in a specific accent. It’s not so much that you’ve adopted an accent, but rather that you’ve been forced to produce speech that sounds very similar to a pre-existing dialect. A person with FAS may seem to speak with traces of several different accents, and listeners may pick out the accent they’re most familiar with. While no known cure exists, speech therapy produces some improvements for those with FAS. Source: HowStuffWorks.com

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

PAGE 31

Civilisation and savagery at war

An advert by anti-Muslim organisation called the American Freedom Defense Initiative

ANALYSIS

By Tarak Barkawi

A

n anti-Muslim organisation called the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI) has been posting advertisements in support of Israel on buses and trains around the US. One reads in part: "In any war between the civilised man and the savage, support the civilised man".

Needless to say, Israel is equated with civilisation.

Savages, according to the AFDI's website, include the Palestinian Authority, the torturers of Gilad Shalit, and all those who wage war on "innocent civilians".

Calling your enemy bad names is as old as warfare. But the label "savage" is often found in imperial contexts, in wars between Western powers and indigenous peoples.

King Philip's War (1675 to 76) was one such war, between the Puritan settlers of New England and Algonquian Indians (King Philip was one name used for the Indian leader who began the war).

Decoding the "savagery" of the Indians is an instructive exercise.

To begin with, the Indians made a point of going after the religion of the Puritans. In her marvellous The Name of War, Jill Lepore tells of one Nipmuck Indian who chased down an elderly Englishman. Before killing him, the Nipmuck mocked "Come Lord Jesus, save this poor Englishman if thou

canst".

Other Indians despatched a Puritan who had believed himself safe as long as he held his Bible in his hand.

Afterwards, the Indians sliced open his belly and put his Bible in it.

When not burning down the Puritans' houses and towns, the Indians went after their crops and cattle. While burying some English captives alive, an Indian taunted his victims: "You English since you came into this country have grown exceedingly well above the ground, let us now see how you will grow when planted into the ground."

The cows suffered particularly badly. Sometimes the Indians would slit open their bellies, and leave them to wander with their guts hanging out until they died.

The horns and tongues of cattle were cut off, while yet others were lit on fire in front of their former owners. One Puritan said this proved how "delighted" the Indians were in "exercising cruelty". It showed

what "barbarous creatures" the Indians really were.

It goes without saying that the Puritans also accused the Indians of fighting like beasts, fiends, cowards and women.

The Indians were sneaky and "skulked" behind bushes and rocks. One Englishman even compared the murderous red Indians to "wild Arabians".

It would seem that the Puritans had even more reasons to call their enemies "savages" than do today's Zionists.

But consider how rational the Indians were in their choices of targets.

The Puritans had worked hard to convert Indians to Christianity, settling many of them in "praying towns". Like the Borg in Star Trek: The Next Generation, the Puritans were assimilating the Indians. They turned them into aliens who spoke a different language and prayed to a foreign god. So naturally the warring Indians targeted Christian symbols and meeting houses.

Puritan crops, and especially the extensive

“

pastures required for cattle, were gobbling up Indian land.

King Philip himself had complained how difficult it was to protect Indian corn from the English cattle. No matter what the Indians did, he said, "the English cattle and horses still increased". So the Indians went after the Puritan agriculture and livestock that was threatening their livelihood.

Neither did the Indians spare "innocent civilians".

Indeed, the Puritan settlers were their primary targets.

The Indians burnt Puritan homesteads and killed entire families, striping and scalping their victims, even pregnant women. The Indians also took Puritans captive. Some they would assimilate, turning them into Indians to replace their depleted population.

Others they would release in exchange for Indian prisoners, money or other goods.

Summing it all up, one Puritan reported that "Many of our miserable inhabitants lie naked, wallowing in their blood, and crying, and while

But the Puritans were in fact agents of genocide, who stole Indian land and destroyed Indian populations. The Indians fought back in a way that reflected what was being done to them. All involved in such a war are in a "strange way".

the barbarous enraged [Indians], from one part of the country to another are on fire, flaming forth their fury, spoiling cattle and corn and burning houses, and torturing men, women and children; and burning them alive."

It was understandable that the Puritans were shocked. But the Indians had realised that they were fighting for their very existence, as the genocide of the indigenous peoples of North America would later make clear. The forms of violence the Indians engaged in encoded their grievances in a language of blood, fear and horror.

But it was a language nonetheless, one that responded point by point to the forces destroying them.

When Narragansett Indians attacked and burnt the city of Providence, Roger Williams the founder of Rhode Island and a friend of the Indians - went to the edge of town to talk to the Indians. Why were they burning and killing their good neighbours, Williams wanted to know?

The Narragansetts confessed they were "in a strange way" but said the Puritans had forced them into war. The Indians also thought god was on their side, and had forsaken the Puritans, as the Indians had been so successful in their attacks.

As the tide of war turned against the Indians, it would be the Puritans who slaughtered Indian men, women and children; who killed their captives out of hand; and who sold Indians into slavery. For their part, the Puritans believed they were defending themselves; recovering the land and property the Indians had taken or destroyed; and were rightly punishing those who had injured them.

Like the Indians, the Puritans believed too that they were in a holy war. One of their preachers exhorted his fellow Protestants to "take, kill, burn, sink, destroy all... professed enemies to Christ Jesus, and not to pity or spare any of them".

Many reading this column will find it easier to identify with the Puritans as the civilised side, despite their excesses. The Puritans speak the language of civilisation more convincingly than do the Indians.

But the Puritans were in fact agents of genocide, who stole Indian land and destroyed Indian populations. The Indians fought back in a way that reflected what was being done to them. All involved in such a war are in a "strange way".

To support the "civilised" side as the AFDI asks us to do would in this case be to support genocide.

The language of war requires careful reading. We must resist easy accusations of savagery as well as proclamations of civilisation if we are to understand it.

Source: Aljazeera

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

PAGE 32

Tunisia police hurt in clashes over rubbish dump M S.African union presses for wider transport strike

S

outh African rail freight operator Transnet is bracing for a one-day strike by port and rail workers in support of a walkout by 20,000 truckers that has hit fuel supplies round the economic hub of Johannesburg and at least one car plant.

Large parts of South Africa's gold and platinum mining sectors have been brought to a standstill in the last two months by a wave of wildcat labour unrest in which almost 50 people have been killed - 34 of them by police.

State-owned Transnet said on Sunday it had been served with a notice of a walkout "in a week's time" by the SATAWU transport union behind the two-week trucker stoppage, but did not say when it might occur.

"We are considering the notice and will activate our contingency measures to ensure minimal disruptions should the action materialise," Transnet said in a statement.

SATAWU spokesman Vincent Masoga said wage talks between freight bosses and unions were scheduled to restart on Tuesday after breaking down acrimoniously at the end of last week, but the union was still gearing up for action.

"We've issued notices. It is going ahead. We are mobilising," Masoga said.

Top producer Anglo American Platinum fired 12,000 illegal strikers on Friday, raising fears of even more violence around the "platinum belt" city of Rustenburg although the weekend passed off largely without incident.

The mine strikes look set to knock already shaky economic growth in Africa's biggest economy and have already triggered a sharp sell-off in the rand. The trucker strike, if it persists, could have a far harsher and wider effect.

Oil giant Shell said on Friday it could not honour fuel delivery contracts around Johannesburg, declaring "force majeure" to free itself and customers from existing obligations, and other petrol suppliers are holding their breath.

Satawu acting president John Dube and general secretary Zenzo Mahlangu

ore than 50 people, mostly policemen, have been injured in protests over the reopening of a rubbish dump on the Tunisian holiday island of Djerba.

Interior ministry spokesman Khaled Tarrouche said police were pelted with rocks and firebombs in Guellala.

Several police cars were also set alight before the crowd was dispersed with tear gas.

Residents had been promised that the unofficial dump would remain closed, local media said.

Mr Tarrouche said trouble flared when authorities in Guellala decided to reopen the dump until 2013.

On Saturday morning about 40 protesters blocked the site and after talks with officials failed, security forces fired tear gas to disperse them, he said.

However, during the afternoon, a larger crowd formed in the centre of Guellala and attacked police, he added.

"A large number of protesters in the centre of Guellala attacked a police post with rocks and petrol bombs," Mr Tarrouche said.

He said 49 police and two

demonstrators were injured.

Mr Tarrouche said six police vehicles had been burned but no arrests were made.

He said reinforcements were sent from the capital Tunis and that by early evening calm had returned.

Guellala is a town of about 13,000 people in southern Djerba,

a popular tourist destination.

Local people have recently been in talks with authorities about what to do with the unofficial dump and a decision had been made on 4 October to close it, according to local media.

Correspondents say protests in Tunisia have multiplied recently amid rising discontent over poor

living conditions, rising unemployment, water cuts and the state's failure to collect rubbish, as well as other grievances.

Tunisia's economy has continued to struggle since the uprising in January 2011 put an end to the 24-year-rule of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Police vehicles were attacked and burned by protesters

Niger seeks joint southern border patrols to bar Boko Haram

N

iger, struggling to keep Islamist movements from spilling in from its north and south, wants to start joint

military patrols along its border with Nigeria, the government said.

The West African state has so far managed to avoid a rebellion

Men of the Nigerian army on patrol

that split neighbouring Mali in two, but is now worried about Islamist fighters from Nigeria's Boko Haram sect to the south.

"Our cooperation must be reinforced by starting joint patrols along the border, which have been planned but delayed," Niger Justice Minister Marou Amadou said on state television late on Saturday after a meeting with Nigerian officials.

"Niger is determined to combine its efforts with others... to face the threat that al Qaeda and Boko Haram pose for security in our countries," he said.

Niger and Nigeria have been debating the possibility of joint patrols along their 1,500-km (900mile) border since 2008, but have

yet to start them even with Boko Haram now waging a low-level insurgency against Nigeria's government.

Boko Haram, whose name translates roughly to "Western education is bad" in the local Haussa language, wants to carve an Islamic state out of Nigeria, and has been blamed for hundreds of deaths in bombings and shootings.

In Mali, a Tuareg separatist rebellion early this year was hijacked by rebel groups linked to al Qaeda, seeking to impose a strict version of sharia (Islamic law).

Since January, Niger - one of the world's poorest and least developed countries - has reinforced its border operations to keep such instability from spilling over.

Sudan military plane crashes near capital, kills 13

A

Sudanese military plane carrying personnel and equipment to the strifetorn Darfur region crashed near the capital Khartoum on Sunday killing 13 people on board, the army said.

The plane's engine stopped working and the pilot was trying to make an emergency landing when he went down about 40km (25 miles) southwest of the Khartoum suburb of Omdurman, state news agency SUNA reported.

The Antonov 12 transport plane was travelling to El Fasher in northern Darfur, military spokesman AlSawarmi Khalid told Reuters.

Thirteen people died and nine were injured in the crash, all of them military personnel, he added.

There have been several crashes in Sudan in recent years, where years of U.S. sanctions have made it difficult

for airlines to get spare parts for their fleets.

The plane belonged to Azza Air, the state-linked Sudanese

Sudanese military soldiers hold up their weapons and wave the Sudanese flag during the visit of Sudanese President Omar alBashir

Media Centre reported. An Azza cargo plane leased by Sudan Airways crashed in the United Arab Emirates in 2009.

In August, 32 people including a government minister died when a plane taking them to an Islamic festival crashed in a southern border state. State media blamed that accident on bad weather.

A military helicopter crashed in the country's North Kordofan state in December because of a technical failure, killing six crew members, the military said at the time.

Government forces have been battling an insurgency in Darfur since rebels took up arms in 2003, accusing Khartoum of neglecting the remote region.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

Asia and Middle East

I

ran has imposed a fixed dollar rate in a bid to reverse a collapse of its currency, days after protests erupted over the rial's plunge on the open market.

The order on Saturday came as ordinary Iranians struggled with growing economic problems that caused a big jump in daily prices.

PAGE 33

Iran imposes currency cap to boost rial Iranian news agencies reported that the government's new foreign exchange centre, used by importers of some basic goods, was selling US dollars at a rate of 25,970 rials.

"We received an order from the Money Changers' Association [under the control of the Central Bank] telling us to buy the dollar at 25,000 rials and sell at 26,000," one exchange bureau employee told the AFP news

agency.

"Nobody is selling at this price and we are not trading," he said on Saturday.

The bureaux in the central Ferdowsi area of Tehran were open for the first time since Wednesday's protests, in which scuffles broke out between police and stone-throwing individuals.

The state-linked news agencies, as well as Iranian currency-tracking

website Mesghal, said the rial was trading in the free market at 28,500, much stronger than levels near 37,500 early in the week.

But dealers in Tehran and Dubai, a major centre for business with Iran, told the Reuters news agency there was almost no trade in the free market because rates indicated by state media were not commonly accepted.

The mass of Iranians obtain hard

Rebels 'cement gains' in northern Syria

Turkey responds to Syrian mortar fire in Akcakale

T

S

yrian rebels have cemented their control of the country's northern frontier with Turkey, as their bastions in other parts of the country came under heavy shelling.

Activists on Sunday said that opposition fighters seized the town of Khirbat al-Joz in the northwest province of Idlib after fierce clashes with regime forces.

"The fighting [a day earlier] lasted more than 12 hours and resulted in at least 40 dead among the regular forces, including five officers, and nine [rebel] fighters," the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Meanwhile, in the province of Damascus, Syrian state television said that government forces had pushed rebels out of two of their strongholds in Damascus province, Qudsaya and Hameh, where activists said that the bodies of 20 men were found.

Also on Sunday, Syrian troops pressed their offensive to retake rebel-held areas in Homs and southern villages on the border with Jordan.

In Aleppo, where fighting has raged since mid-July, the bombardment targeted the embattled district of Sakhur in the east and Kalasseh in the southwest.

On the border with Turkey, regime forces reportedly pounded the town of Tal-Abyad in the northern province of al-Raqqa.

Nearly 80 per cent of towns and villages along the Turkish border are outside the control of Damascus, according to activists.

That followed heavy bombardments of Syrian military positions near the border since Wednesday, when a shell smashed into a Turkish town killing five civilians and sparking outrage in Ankara and a UN Security Council condemnation.

Turkey had on Friday shelled a Syrian military position south of Tal- Abyad in retaliation after a Syrian shell landed on its territory near the border.

Amid the growing tension between the Damascus and Ankara, Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish foreign minister, said on Saturday that Syrian Vice President Faruq al-Shaara "is a man of reason" who could replace President Bashar al-Assad as the head of a transition administration to stop the conflict in the country.

currency for business and foreign travel, and to protect their savings against inflation which is widely believed to be running above 25 per cent, from the free market.

Money changers in Tehran "tell us not even to call them to ask the price of currency. They say they are not giving rates," a merchant in the capital said by telephone. He declined to be named because of the political sensitivity of the issue.

Traders were worst hit when the rial hit a record low of around 37,500 to the US dollar last Tuesday

urkish artillery has returned fire on Syria for a fifth day after a mortar landed in a border village.

Five people were killed in a similar incident, reportedly in the same street in the village, Akcakale, last week.

Turkey has been firing daily into Syria since Wednesday's deaths, as apparently stray munitions fall on its territory.

The incident came as fighting intensified in Syria's second city Aleppo, with fierce battles in two rebelheld neighbourhoods.

AFP news agency reported that warplanes were bombarding the districts of Bab al-Hadid and Shaar.

Syrian forces are also said to be on the offensive in Damascus and Homs.

Meanwhile unconfirmed reports said rebels had captured a government outpost near the Turkish border province of Hatay.

Clashes in the area in recent days have led to several mortar bombs landing on the Turkish side from Syria, prompting Turkish forces to return fire.

Philippines and rebels agree peace deal

T Some rebels in Khirbat al-Joz

Turkish troops at the Akcakale border

he Philippine government has reached a framework peace agreement with the country's largest rebel group, President Benigno Aquino says.

The deal follows long negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to end a 40year conflict that has cost more than 120,000 lives.

It provides for a new autonomous region in the south, where Muslims are a majority in a mainly Catholic country.

The MILF is "very happy" with the deal, a spokesman was quoted as saying.

The agreement was reached after talks in Malaysia and is expected to be signed formally on 15 October in the Philippine capital, Manila.

A copy of the framework deal says the parties commit to reaching a "comprehensive deal" by the end of the year.

"This framework agreement paves the way for a final and enduring peace in Mindanao," President Aquino said in a speech to announce the deal, referring to the main southern region.

But he added: "The work does not end here. There are still details that both sides must hammer out."

PAGE 34

Europe and Americas

US, S. Korea announce new missile deal

S

outh Korea has reached a landmark agreement with the United States to extend the reach of Seoul's ballistic missiles by more than twice the current limit to counter the threat from North Korea, the government said.

Sunday's move to significantly boost the South's missile capabilities is likely to rattle North Korea which has remained at odds since the 1950-53 Korean War left the peninsula divided.

It may also stoke concern in China, Japan and Russia, parts of which would be within range of the new missiles.

Under the agreement, South Korea can develop missiles up to a range of 800 km from the current ceiling of 300 km, Chun Young-woo, top secretary to President Lee Myung-bak for foreign and security affairs, told reporters.

He said the United States and South Korea also agreed to maintain the maximum payload for a South Koreandeveloped ballistic missile at the current level of 500 kilograms.

However, if Seoul chose to develop a missile with shorter ranges, it could increase the payload accordingly.

Seoul has for years sought to extend its missile range to deter the North, which it said had developed missiles that could reach every corner of the country.

"The most important goal for our government to revise the missile guidelines is deterring North Korea's military provocations," Chun said.

Currently, all of South Korea as well as US military installations in Japan and Guam, are within the range of North Korean missile attacks, according to South Korean government data.

In April, North Korea was condemned by the UN Security Council after a failed long-range rocket launch.

US allies including South Korea deemed it a disguised test for the North to upgrade its ballistic missile technology despite Pyongyang's claim that it was aimed to put a satellite into orbit for peaceful purpose.

Washington had sought to discourage South Korea from developing longer-range ballistic missiles in keeping with a voluntary international arms-control pact known as the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

Venezuelans vote for president after fierce campaign V

oters in Venezuela have gone to the polls in what is predicted to be the country's most tightly contested presidential election in a decade.

Left-wing incumbent Hugo Chavez, first elected in 1998, is being challenged by opposition leader Henrique Capriles.

Mr Chavez wants to continue what he calls his socialist revolution while Mr Capriles has promised to restore economic growth.

Almost 19 million Venezuelans are eligible to vote in the election.

Mr Chavez - who is seeking a fourth term in office - was diagnosed with cancer last year but says he has now fully recovered.

A colourful and often controversial figure on the international stage, President Chavez, 58, has nationalised key sectors of the economy.

Venezuela is a major oil producer and high oil prices over the past decade have allowed his government to fund health-care, education programmes and social housing.

He says he needs another term to complete his "Bolivarian Revolution" towards socialism.

However, Mr Capriles, 40, and the opposition say the president's policies have led to bureaucracy,

inefficiency and shortages.

They also accuse Mr Chavez of authoritarianism, and of suppressing the judiciary and silencing critics in the media.

Mr Capriles says a lack of investment in Venezuela's crucial oil industry has led to a decline in production.

Mr Capriles' supporters were also banging pots in the street in what they called their "goodbye

L

Peru rebels burn down helicopters

eft-wing Shining Path rebels in Peru have burned three helicopters used by a private gas consortium, officials say.

The rebels carried out the attack in the central region of Cusco - the same area where they kidnapped a group of gas workers

B

Babar Ahmad has been held in a UK prison without trial for eight

registered to vote at diplomatic outposts around the world.

Hundreds of opposition supporters gathered outside the consulate in central London as expatriates cast their ballots.

"I don't support this government," said voter Rebecca Anaya. "I am here because I cannot live in that country. It's almost impossible. The security situation is the worst thing in the world."

Voters in queue to cast their votes

in April.

The Shining Path has been severely weakened since it started its insurgency in the 1980s.

However remnants continue

One of the three helicopters destroyed in the attack on the airfield in Cusco province abar Ahmad and Syed Talha Ahsan who were extradited from the UK have pleaded not guilty to US federal charges of providing suspected terrorist groups

song" for Mr Chavez, our correspondents say.

Queues formed early outside schools used as polling stations.

Gerardo Montemarano, who was already waiting to vote when the polls opened, brought a chair with him. "I knew there was going to be a long queue," he said.

About 100,000 Venezuelans, including about 2,000 in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, are

to be active in parts of the country and have allied themselves with drug traffickers.

The attack in the early hours of Saturday happened at the airfield in Kiteni, in the jungle region of Cusco, close to the only natural gas pipeline in the country.

No-one was injured or abducted, the military said. It is not clear why the rebels attacked the airstrip.

Local media said the rebels may have been trying to ambush a military patrol, and when they failed, decided to attack the airstrip instead.

Following the incident, the consortium Transportadora de Gas del Peru (TGP) said it would suspend all maintenance work in

the region.

"We trust that the state will provide the resources and take the steps necessary to reestablish security in the area," TGP said in a statement.

In April, a group of 36 gas workers was briefly kidnapped by the Shining Path in the same area.

The rebels had reportedly demanded a "war contribution" from the gas workers' employer.

The Peruvian army has sent reinforcements to the area to protect the airfield.

The Maoist Shining Path rebel group posed a major challenge to the Peruvian state in the 1980s and early 1990s, but is now reduced to small gangs involved in cocaine trafficking.

UK terror suspects charged in US in Afghanistan and Chechnya with financial aid, arms and personnel.

The two suspects appeared in a New Haven, Connecticut federal district court, hours after being extradited along with three other suspects on Saturday.

If convicted, the two men face life sentences.

Abu Hamza al-Masri, Khalid alFawaz and Adel Abdul Bary, the three others extradited, appeared in front of a lower Manhattan court.

Al-Masri was formally arraigned for the 11 charges levied against him, but is not expected to enter a response until Tuesday.

The preacher is charged with conspiring with Seattle men to set

up a terrorist training camp in Oregon and of helping abduct 16 hostages, two of them US tourists, in Yemen in 1998.

Lawyers have asked that alMasri, one of the last major terror suspects related to al-Qaeda to come to trial in the US, be given medical treatment. Upon entering the country, al-Masri's prosthetic arm was confiscated.

Khaled al-Fawwaz and Adel Abdul Bary who appeared alongside al-Masri in court, plead not guilty.

The court appearances came just hours after a last-ditch effort to stop the extraditions was rejected by a ruling of the London High Court.

The five defendants have been

battling extradition for between eight and 14 years.

A motorcade carrying Egyptianborn al-Masri, the best known of the defendants, left the airport in New York on Saturday, taking him to a federal lockup next to the federal courthouse in lower Manhattan to face charges.

Al-Fawaz and Bary will be housed in the same lockup as alMasri.

Ahmad, a computer expert from South London, had been held in a UK prison without trial for eight years after being accused of raising funds for terrorism with his coaccused, Ahsan, through a UShosted website.

PAGE 35

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBBER 8, 2012

US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2012

Obama fights back in key swing state Ohio with attacks and one-liners missing from debate flop

W

ith Mitt Romney's hopes up after he beat the president in their first debate, Mr Obama had to come out fighting in Cleveland.

It is rare for the loser of a heated argument not to regret the oneliners they failed to deliver and the points they failed to make. And that evidently includes even as skilled an orator as the President of the United States.

Vanquished on stage in the first presidential debate, Barack Obama belatedly unleashed a barrage of mocking put-downs and scathing criticisms of his rival Mitt Romney when he returned to the campaign trail in the key swing state of Ohio.

"Now, my opponent, he was doing a little tap dance at the debate the other night, trying to wiggle out of stuff he's been saying for a year," said the president, to whoops and cheers. "Maybe it was 'Extreme Makeover', debate edition."

That was just the sort of searing jibe that, to the dismay of his supporters, Mr Obama shied away from dispensing in front of a television audience of 67 million two days earlier.

But late on Friday night, the fullfrontal assault on his Republican challenger delighted the 9,000strong crowd that braved a downpour to attend the open-air rally at a college sports stadium in Cleveland.

Mr Obama was in Ohio to try to pile up votes in the solidlyDemocrat city in the battle to win Ohio - the ultimate bellwether state and the most coveted trophy in US

presidential elections.

No Republican has reached the White House without winning Ohio and, ominously for Mr Romney, Mr Obama has already opened up a clear lead in several recent polls.

Defeat in the state would mean probably require Mr Romney to triumph in the other seven toss-up across the country to win the presidency.

But as Air Force One descended through the clouds to land in Cleveland on a cold grey day, it was Team Obama that had cause to worry about the polls. New surveys conducted by pollsters Rasmussen the day after the debate showed the president's lead down to just one per cent, while Mr Romney had edged ahead in Florida and Virginia.

The first indications of a turnaround in Mr Romney's previously sagging fortunes fuelled the impression from Wednesday night that his debate performance had been as commanding and composed as Mr Obama's was listless and lacklustre.

The crowd who braved the rain in Cleveland certainly cannot claim they have been ignored by the candidates. Indeed, when Mr Obama strode onto the sodden stage in Cleveland, he was making his 14th trip of the year to Ohio -- and he will be back in the state capital Columbus on Tuesday.

Adding to the spring in Mr Obama's step was some rare economic good new. Jobs figures announced on Friday morning put the unemployment rate below eight per cent for the first time in his presidency, helped distract attention from events just 36 hours earlier.

"It's a reminder that this country has come too far to turn back now," he said to cheers. "We cannot afford to double down on the same, old, top-down economic policies that caused this mess in the first place.

We can't afford another round of tax cuts for wealthy folks, we've got to give and maintain tax cuts for you.

The president also made political capital of Mr Romney's

debate pledge to cut funding for the public broadcasting network, one of whose most popular programmes is the long-running children's show Sesame Street.

Evoking pantomime-style boos by raising the spectre of a threat to Big Bird and Elmo, he noted: "Governor Romney is going to let Wall Street run wild again, but he's going to bring the hammer down on Sesame Street."

While the crowd lapped it up, Democratic strategists were left wondering why he had refrained from such digs on Wednesday night -- apparently out of a desire not alienate the "undecideds" who tell pollsters that they don't like negative politics.

He did, however, touch on Mr Romney's most serious recent gaffe when he was taped at a meeting with rich donors sounding as if he writing off the 47 per cent of Americans who pay no federal income tax.

"When I was elected in 2008, 47 percent of the people did not vote

Obama camp sets fund raising record

A

record $181m was raised in September for US President Barack Obama's re-election bid, officials say.

"This is by far our biggest month yet," said campaign manager Jim Messina in an email to supporters.

No September figures for Mr Obama's Republican rival are available yet. Mr Obama narrowly beat Mitt Romney in the August fundraising totals.

The figures are a boost for Mr Obama, under fire for his performance in the first presidential debate on Wednesday.

They come a day after figures showing that unemployment in the US in September fell to 7.8%, its lowest rate since January 2009.

Mr Messina said that September's total of $181m (ÂŁ112m; 138m euros) in donations came from 1.8 million Americans, more than a third of whom were donating for the first time.

While President Obama's total for September was the biggest monthly haul so far this time round, it was lower than his September figure four years ago, when the combined Democratic fundraising effort netted $193 million.

In August, the Obama team and Democratic supporters raised more than $114 million, just ahead of $111 million for Mr Romney's campaign.

Obama

for me," he said. "But I didn't say, well, I'm not going to worry about those folks. I said, even though you didn't vote for me, I've heard your voices and I will be your President, too."

The president was on a roll. But it is one thing for Mr Obama to deliver an impressive speech to the politically converted from a teleprompter.. It is another for him strike back in a televised debate, a format that has never been his strong point.

The president's aides have already made clear that, unlike Wednesday, he will not be trying to play it safe in the two remaining debates this month with Mr Romney.

Mr Obama will attend a debate "training-camp" later this week at a retreat in Virginia ahead of the second face-off on Long Island on Oct 16. John Kerry, the Massachusetts senator who is playing the part of Mr Romney in rehearsals, is under orders to be tougher with his sparring partner in the mock sessions.

Mr Obama's gaffe-prone vice president, Joe Biden, has meanwhile been taken off the campaign trail for five days to prepare for his one debate this week with Mr Romney's running mate, Paul Ryan.

Even as they prepared for future showdowns, the Obama camp also rolled out a series of new television commercials accusing Mr Romney of dishonesty and distortions in the first debate.

Such attack advertisements are nothing new to the 11 million people of Ohio. No state has been more saturated with campaign commercials. Television viewers have had more than 90 presidential slots on their screens a week, the vast majority of them negative attacks on the rival candidate.

Mr Obama's perspective, though, they seem like money wellspent in a state where two years ago, a Republican governor was elected in the mid-term backlash against his administration.

When masterful Romney took the gloves off

T

he fog of war has finally descended over what had been an oddly serene campaign, and without a week's worth of post-debate polling one cannot gauge how dramatically this race has been altered. But one thing seems clear. If the fug that descended over Barack Obama's brain on Wednesday does not lift, there is a real chance, if not a probability, that America will awake on November 7 to President-elect Romney.

Two metamorphoses were plainly in view when the two met to discuss domestic policy.

People snigger at the magic underpants of Mormonism, which may explain why Romney donned a different pair of preternatural briefs in Denver.

He entered the debating phone kiosk as the bland and wimpy Clark Kent, and emerged soaring skyward with his knickers

outside his trousers. Sharp, cogent, controlled, aggressive, even magisterial, the clumsy, tongue-tied patrician was reborn as rather more than likeable enough. He was your favourite Osmond uncle from Utah, and you didn't have to be Donny, Marie or even Little Jimmy to be impressed by the presidential gloss.

The least of the problems suffered by Obama - was it a nerd? Was it a clone? It sure as hell wasn't a forensic Superman was his abysmal failure to counterpunch when under attack.

Having kicked off by wishing Michelle a happy anniversary, he mutated into the most stupefyingly boring human being on earth.

Long ago, a late middle-aged couple from New Zealand turned up unannounced at my parents' house, as the unimaginably cloth-

eared do after mistaking the holiday meeting courtesy "If ever you're in London, you must look us up" for an invitation. Words cannot convey the stultifying brutality of Pat and Kevin's unceasing chat about their grandchildren in Auckland. Even as they rounded up the 472 baby snaps and rose to make their farewells, I would, had a passing Archangel proffered a bottle of bleach, have downed it in one and begged for an antifreeze chaser.

Listening to Obama was worse. He made Pat and Kevin sound like Dorothy Parker and Tallulah Bankhead on Scintillating Repartee Day at the Algonquin Round Table. After just a few of the umm- and ahh-laden monologues, a monstrous realisation demanded a couple of the high strength tranquillisers on which Obama, head down and away with the fairies, appeared to

be overdosing. Where I a semiinterested US floating voter, on this form Romney would be my guy.

Romney

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8 , 2012

Letter to Governor Ibrahim Geidam

By Baba Alhaji Aliyu

I

write you this letter at this time, knowing fully that our state is at the crossroads. The issue of security to lives and property in Yobe state and most parts of northeastern Nigeria is perhaps one of the most talked about issues in the country today. And I don’t want to bore you with its history. I write this letter for several reasons but chiefly to reflect on our journey as a state, especially under your leadership as governor.

Since you assumed office after the demise of Governor Mamman Bello Ali, we have seen a steady rise in key interventions meant to improve the lives of Yobeans. I must say I admire your sense of consultation with the people, especially when it comes to developmental programmes. I have always argued that for governance to be effective, it need not be top to bottom all the time. Before the escalation of the security situation in the state, you have, at different times, consulted with the poor, the destitute and the most vulnerable in the society.

Sometimes, your lieutenants effectively do that which we find very useful. In other climes, such consultations will be done only with politicians who may not have the real feel of what the people want. But you changed that approach. I remember during the electioneering campaigns, your team traversed all parts of the state where you listened to commercial motorcyclists, fishermen, market women, youths, the physically challenged etc. In all those consultations, you listened to the people attentively and took notes. I personally saw you taking notes in one of such meetings in Damaturu; something other leaders will tell their aides to do. You promised that what the people said will form part of the fulcrum of the policies of your government, and they did.

Since that time, your government has engaged in frantic developmental programmes cutting across most sectors of the society. In the speech you gave while launching the 2012 first quarter polio awareness day, we heard you enumerating programmes which we all know have been or are being executed in parts of the state.

You made similar statements at various forums, like the launch of the Yobe State youth empowerment scheme. The most interesting aspect of the tale is that every Yobean can practically see the projects on ground. It is akin to what the Hausa man calls ‘mu gani a kasa’. Roads have been constructed. Schools have been renovated. Houses have been built. And people have been empowered.

Governor Ibrahim Geidam Despite all these efforts by your government to impact positively on the lives of the people, we still have chronic pessimists and cynics who allow myopic views and sentiments to blur their sense of judgment.

‘Truth be told’, at all times. We the people of Yobe know how things were in the state prior to your time (starting from the late Mamman Bello Ali). We also know how things have changed over the past 5 years or so. The problem in Yobe and most parts of northern Nigeria is that many people appear comfortable withwanton expenditure and spending on groups and individuals but not on capital projects. Some people call it ‘human development’. I call it human destruction. You painfully ensured the audit of staff on the state’s payroll, which I consider one of the bravest things you did. The process of payment of staff salaries was known in the past to be the biggest conduit pipes in Yobe State. A lot of unscrupulous civil servants have become rich overnight through that process. But the audit has today saved Yobe people millions of naira which are now being channeled to health, agriculture and education, amongst several other sectors.

Politics in this country has its own peculiarities. In a lot of situations, even when an elected official is delivering, those in the opposition will always have negative perceptions. To some members of the opposition in our

dear state, anything your government does is unacceptable. But the ordinary Yobe man knows best. I assure you that thousands of us do not share their tainted thoughts.

We know that your government has delivered the dividends despite the challenges you are facing. The remarkable aspect is that we have seen improved school enrolment, improved health care facilities as well as new and upgraded roads infrastructure.

These are things that one cannot lie about since they are physically present.

I believe the major hiccup today is not the antics of the pessimists but the daunting security challenge facing the state like other areas in northeastern Nigeria. It is sad and I knowthat you as a leader will never like to see the citizens suffering unjustly.

This problem is indirectly affecting the developmental programmes in the state. No matter what the federal government does to arrest the situation, resources of the state must be used to support the process. These are resources that could have helped provide more drugs in the hospitals. I strongly feel that Yobe and other states going through this quagmire should have a special intervention fund to assist them. I believe the story is the same in Borno state. This special intervention fund for security purposes can help take off the pressure on the lean resources of the state which

should be used for developmental purposes. I call on you and Governor Shettima of Borno state to strongly make a case for such a Fund. It is justified.

And President Jonathan and members of the national assembly should appreciate this.

Sir, we in Yobe know that the development challenge in the state is daunting. We know that there have been years of retrogression. But despite this situation, we are not sad or demoralized. This is chiefly because we have seen what you have done, what you are doing and can anticipate what you will do in the future. We know that the poor masses are with you. The problem is that they have no platform to say it.

Anyone can do a survey of the opinions of the people and he will understand what I am saying.People will tell the truth of the matter as they see it.

As we look ahead, we are optimistic that the situation in our dear state will normalize and life will resume to its fullest. With this optimism, your Excellency, I feel you will need inputs from us and I am confident you will not hesitate to listen to our plea. First, the skill acquisition programme which you initiated is laudable. Like I observed, it is one way to engage our teaming unemployed youths in fruitful ventures. However, you need to intensify it. There should be a coordinator who is solely responsible for running the programme other than the

commissioner in charge of the activities. This coordinator should be a skillful person, with a lot of drive and commitment.

This person needs not to be an indigene of Yobe so long as he can deliver.

Also the establishment of skill acquisition centres across the state, which you promised, should be fully implemented. It is not enough to train people and give them work materials.

A strategy should be put in place to monitor the progress of the trainees as they go about their work after graduation.

The road construction which your government commenced should be intensified. There should be a lot of emphasis on the northern part of the state. The situation in those areas is direr going by the terrain. The strategic location of the northern parts, especially their closeness to the boarder with Niger republic, makes them very important.

As this is done, the economy of the region will be enhanced for the benefit of all.

Your government has been very proactive in sending indigenes of our state for training in various institutions in and outside the country.

Most commendable is the fact that people get this sponsorship irrespective of their sociopolitical or economic background. The basis is merit, which is unusual or not the case in some other states of the federation. We need your government to sustain the drive. However the emphasis should be on specialized courses that will be useful to the people of Yobe state.

Overall, the efforts entailed in the policies of your government should be sustained. These areas include health, education, agriculture etc. In case of the latter, Yobe is an agrarian state. Our major concern is for the government to introduce some form of micro credit scheme for subsistence farmers that will be guided by identified policy framework and institution. We want your government to introduce a guided sensitization programme to encourage the youths to take farming as an occupation that they can be proud of.

Your Excellency, genuine indigenes of Yobe are solidly behind you. We do not want you to be weighed down by the security problems in the state.

The security situation will improveGod willing and we are confident that after every hardship, there will be ease.

We enjoin you to ignore what some opposition politicians are saying. As Barack Obama said on the eve of his election, a “government cannot solve every problem”. We are sure (and we pray) that you will succeed in your noble mission to transform Yobe State.

Baba Alhaji writes from TshohuwarKasuwa Potiskum, Yobe state

PAGE 36

G

et toned before 10am © RexDon’t beat yourself up for never hitting the gym - these moves from Jennifer Cohen, health and fitness expert and author of No Gym Required, will have you feeling tight and toned all before you sit down to work.

7 a.m.

When you wake up, immediately hit the floor and do 10 pushups. “As you get stronger, add an extra two pushups each week,” says Cohen.

As you increase the amount of reps, you’ll spot a real difference in your upper arms. Looking good!

7:10 a.m.

For a high-protein breakfast, microwave eggs for two minutes. Fit in cardio by doing 20 jumping jacks, 20 squats, 20 front lunges, and 20 tricep dips on your kitchen chair before the buzzer goes off.

7:30 a.m.

When you’re brushing your teeth, alternate between calf raises and squeezing your butt muscles for toning every other day.

7:45 a.m.

Squeeze in 50 crunches before you get dressed. “It’s great to do abdominal exercises before you put on your clothes,” says Cohen. “You feel skinnier.”

8:00 a.m. Whether you’re dropping the kids off at school or heading to work, skip the lift.

“Make sure you’re wearing flats or comfortable shoes, and run up the stairs to burn some calories and help strengthen your glutes,” says Cohen.

8:05 a.m.

When you reach the final flight, work the outside of your thighs by side-stepping halfway to the landing, leading with your left leg.

8:10 a.m.

Work your other side by side-

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

10 ways to fit in a workout before 10 am “

Different angles work different muscle groups. Doing pushups flat on the ground when you first wake up and then doing them inclined later helps work different parts of your chest, upper back, and core for a more complete workout

stepping up the stairs until you reach your floor, this time leading with your right leg.

9:00 a.m. <br>Use your desk or or your coffee table to do 15 inclined pushups. “Different angles work different muscle groups,” says Cohen. “Doing

pushups flat on the ground when you first wake up and then doing them inclined later helps work different parts of your chest, upper back, and core for a more complete workout.”

9:30 a.m.

Rather than sitting still when

you’re on the phone, keep moving. Take hold of a chair, extend one of your legs to the side, and pulse it out for 20 seconds while focusing on squeezing your thighs. Repeat with the opposite leg. “This move is great for core for stabilisation

as well as toning the outer thighs, which minimises saddlebags,” says Cohen.

9:45 a.m.

You’ve earned a coffee break!

Drop down for 10 squats, and head out for a latte.

Source: Yahoo.com

Bald men more ‘manly’?

M en with shaved heads are perceived by others in amore positive light than one might expect, according to research at the University of Pennsylvania.

In a series of experiments, researcher Albert Mannes found thatmen with shaved heads were perceived asmore ‘manly’ than othermen. They were also thought to be stronger, taller,more dominant and to have greater leader potential.

The research worked by

showing participants a series of photos ofmen, all around the same age and in the same type of dress. The only difference was that some had shaved heads while others had a full head of hair. On average, the hair-lessmen did better.

The second study showed pictures of the samemen, firstwith hair and thenwithout. Despite actually being the same person, themen were seen asmore dominant when they were shownwith no hair (digitally removed).

People also presumed them to

“

But there is a caveat. The study showed that the shaved look was better than those visiblybalding and Mannes suggestedmen would be better off giving up on trying to reverse the process. “Thesemen might better improve their well-being by finishing what Mother Nature has started,” he writes in the study Worried about hair loss? Shave it - it'smore 'manly'

be almost an inch taller and 13 per cent stronger.

The final part of the study gave participants written descriptions of themen – either as having thick hair or shaved heads. Again, shaved heads come top in dominance, strength and masculinity.

Mannes said: “I was surprised that perceptions of dominance and masculinity extended to concrete, physical characteristics such as height and strength.” His study is published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science.

He suggested that the boldness of shaving the head influences how dominant and confident others see him.

But there is a caveat. The study showed that the shaved look was better than those visiblybalding and Mannes suggestedmen would be better off giving up on trying to reverse the process. “Thesemen might better improve their well-being by finishing what Mother Nature has started,” he writes in the study.

Source: Yahoo.com

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

PAGE 37

Why we formed N/East Forum for Unity and Development-Hajia Ciroma INTERVIEW Tell us the objectives of the North East forum for Unity and Development ctually, this Forum has a good intention for Nigerians. I know that when they look at indices of development, that is the indices of this country as a whole, you will discover that we in the North East are lagging behind in the areas of education and economic development. We are left behind in many things , also in the issue of insecurity that has bedeviled us .The insecurity has scared investors from coming to invest here and develop the North East zone.

They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to come, this is why we saw the need for us to wake up and show the whole world that these problems can not be solved by the government alone; so it needs the attention of everybody; all of us in this North East zone must rise up to see that we tackle these issues and bring lasting solution to all these challenges. And I believe that there is the problem of lack of qualitative education. This also forms part of the problem that the North East is facing because when you look at the area of education in Nigeria, you will discover that the Northern part of Nigeria is far behind. It is left behind in terms of education.

So, I think, if this problem is solved, it will help a lot. Our youths are jobless; no employment for them, and they are just sitting idle and whenever there is little misunderstanding, you will see them capitalizing on it to cause so much problem, terrorizing people, doing all sorts of unlawful acts, but if these youths will be gainfully employed, I believe these problems will be reduced to the barest minimum.

It is of the view of some people that lack of purposeful leadership is the

A

Hajiya Maryam Inna Ciroma, former Minister of Women Affairs in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the immediate past Woman Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP), in this interview with newsmen in Bauchi states why the North-East Forum for Unity and Development was formed as well as the challenges facing the nation at 52.Our Correspondent, Ahmed Kaigama was there. Excerpts: root cause of in security in the country?

Well, if you look at things, you will discover that in the history of Nigeria, all those that ruled this country at one time or the order, including the followers, business men and women, the politicians, our religious leaders and our traditional leaders are all involved. It has affected everybody.

Then where does the problem lie?

The problem is visible and all of us have seen the problem. We know that there is a problem on ground and there are root causes of these problems, and we must go back to drawing table to identify those root causes and find lasting solutions to those issues. Government alone can not do that; everybody must be involved, this is a land given to all of us by God. If you look at the South/ south, you will see that they are always holding conferences and meetings, how do they start? It started with the issue of these militants, they held meetings on how to tackle the issue of militants and I believe they have succeeded in resolving that issue. So we in the North East also should rise up to these challenges and tackle them headlong, most especially the issue of insecurity that we are facing in this zone.

Some people may think that the forum is a political organization that you are trying to form which may later metamorphose into a political party.What is your reaction this?

No, it is not like that, we are not into this for political purposes. We are here to see to the progress of the North

Hajiya Maryam Inna Ciroma East zone. Of course, there are many politicians in this organization, just like I told you, we have politicians, religious leaders, business men and women and traditional leaders.

So what do traditional leaders got to do with politics? It is something that even you can be involved; everybody who hail from this zone and even Nigeria as a whole. Even though, we are talking about North East, but it is affecting the Nigerians as a whole so it is everybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business.

Should the Federal Government always be relied on to tackle all these problems of poverty,

insecurity and unemployment because some believe the FG is not taking the issues serious?

No, I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to subscribe to that assertion and I would not say that because the Federal Government is seriously concerned about these problems and is doing everything possible to see that peace is returned and to also ensure that the law abiding citizens are adequately protected from any form of attack, be it external or internal, so because of that, it is the primary responsibility of the Federal Government to do that.

But there has been series

Protesters stop Maku in U S.

By Richard Ihediwa with agency reports Protesters under the aegis of Nigeria Liberty Democratic Forum (NLDF) based in New York, United States of America yesterday disrupted this year's annual New York City Independence Day Parade and forced Information Minister, Labaran Maku and other diplomats leading the parade

to flee the event.

Maku and the other officials had to seek refuge inside the Nigeria House when officials of the New York Police Department they called to drive away the protesters rather stood guard around the protesters to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

The protesters led by an NDLF official, Bukola Oreofe,

had joined the Independence Day parade from 51st Street and 2nd Avenue and turned it into a protest march and succeeded in penetrating the area of the Nigeria House on the 44th street where the minister, who was the "Parade Marshal" and other officials were.

The group was said to have sang protest songs against the Goodluck Jonathan administration and accused

the Nigerian officials of corruption and insensitivity to the plight of the vast majority of Nigerians.

They were said to have asked Maku to go home and help solve the problem of flood and poverty as well as insecurity besieging the nation.

As the protests became charged, officers from the NYPD were called in by the Nigerian

of complaints from the people?

But if you may recall, the Federal Government has constituted various committees to look into these problems. So the Federal Government have been up and doing but just as I said, we must go back to grassroots, we must go back to drawing board to look at ways of solving these problems; the thing is at the grassroots.

What call do you have for the governors of the North East zone, are you soliciting for their support?

No, the governors are the ones who have the responsibility over the electorates and we can not just come and say we want to do this or that without their support.

That is why we used to go to them and solicit for their support. Just like I said, it is the matter of collaboration, we have to look for their support and do what is supposed to be done.

Nigeria celebrated Independence anniversary recently, how would you describe 52 years of Independent of our country?

Well, I would want to say that Nigeria at 52, we still have problems but there are many issues that we are supposed to address; we are not supposed to celebrate for the sake of attaining 52 years. Even this issue of insecurity that we are battling with, if you go to Borno which is my state, you will pity residence of Maiduguri as well as people in Damaturu.

So because of all those, we must rise up to see that this issue is addressed squarely for lasting peace in our region and the country. apparently to drive the protesters away. However, the police did not interfere but merely stood guard to ensure that law and order was maintained.

Maku and the diplomats left the stage and hurriedly retired inside the Nigeria House when it became obvious that the Police would not disperse them. This brought the parade to an abrupt end while the protesters had a field day and addressed people on the deplorable conditions in the country.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

Plateau bye-election: Pwajok floors Dungs, others From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

T

he candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded Plateau North Senatorial district bye election, Gyang Pwajok trounced Col. John Giwa, candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and other contenders.

Pwajok polled the total votes of 195,349 to beat his closest rival Dungs of DPP who polled the total of 38,847.

Others are Mr. Chris Giwa of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) who scored 36,245 votes, Barrister Yusufu Pam of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) polled the total votes of 27,609 while Dr. Danladi Atu, All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) scored the total votes of 30,132 and Lumumba Dah Adeh of the Labour Party polled 25,527 votes.

Announcing the result at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the returning Officer, Prof.

Fatima Sawa, of the ATBU

…as Fulani’s wife replaces husband in Plateau Assembly declared Pwajok as the winner of the election having scored the highest number of votes cast at the polls.

Also, Kaneng Gyang Fulani beat her closes rival of the DPP Mr. Bulus Bot to replace her late husband in the state House of Assembly.

Fulani died alongside Senator Gyang Dantong in Maseh Village. Mrs. Fulani who is the PDP candidate polled the total votes of 33,549 to emerge winner of Barkin Ladi state constituency while Mr. Eskile Gyang, the ACN candidate polled 4,267 votes

and DPP’s candidate had 6,718.

Meanwhile, the candidate of the ACN, Mr. Pam decried the general voters’ apathy as residents stayed at home. Mr. Yusufu Pam, who voted at the Gold and Base Polling Unit described the voter apathy as an indication of the people’s disenchantment with the PDP-led government.

Pam, who spoke to newsmen after casting his vote however urged the electorate to come out and exercise their civic right as remaining at home would not help their cause. Accordíng to him,

“This is what we in the ACN are saying. What we are witnessing is an indication of the people’s disappointment with the government of the day. I am appealing to them to come and vote, not only in this election, but in subsequent election so that we can have the kind of government we want to change the society.”

He expresses optimism at the outcome of the election, adding however that as a good sportsman, he is ready to accept the wishes of the people if the election were conducted in a free and fair manner.

Kwara Speaker lauds Jonathan over appointment of CDS From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

S

peaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Barrister Abdulrazak Atunwa, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the recent appointment of new Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) Vice Admiral Saad Ola Ibrahim.

The Kwara Assembly Speaker charged te newly appointed CDS to strengthen intelligence gathering in order to curb terrorism that was threatening the corporate existence of the country.

Atunwa in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Abdul Rahman Sanni, which was made available to journalists in Ilorin at the weekend, noted that the nation has been bedeviled with security challenges which require total commitment of all the nation's security agencies.

The Speaker who commended President Jonathan over the changes at the security top officers said he has confidence in the ability of Vice Admiral Ibrahim in reducing security challenges to bearable level with his past experience. He then called on Nigerians to join hands with the new service chiefs in restoring security in the country.

L-R: Anambra state Governor, Mr Peter Obi, Niger stateGovernor, Dr.Mu'azuBabangidaAliyu, Edo state Governor, Comrade AdamsOshiomohle, and Abia state Governor, Theodore Orji, during President Goodluck Jonathan's meeting with governors from flood affectedstates, on Friday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Bassa LG aspirant plans investment in human capital From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

A

s Kogi awaits its local government election in the 21 local councils, an aspirant for Bassa Local Government, Hon. Rayin Daniyan, has said investments in human capital development and improved infrastructure would be his major focus.

Speaking during his visit to flood victims in his council, Daniyan noted that the era of god fathers whose preoccupation was to loot the resources of the council was over "It can't be business as usual.

The era of god fathers sharing our money is over. Our major focus now is how to develop the

area through investment in the human beings and infrastructures" he stressed.

On the ravaging flood, he called on the Federal Government to come to the aid of the state government, as according to him, the problem was far beyond what Kogi state alone could cope with.

"As you can see, my LGA was one of those area that was worst hit by the flood. Places like Mozum, Sheria, Shintaku, Gbobe and farland within Bassa constituency have been badly devastated. The problem is beyond the council and the state. The Federal Government must come to our aid," he said While commending the state government, NEMA,

SEMA and other non governmental organizations for their roles in ameliorating the sufferings of thousands of people displaced by the flood.

According to him, to effectively tackle future occurrence, government must put in place deliberate policy that would discourage settlements on the river banks as well as assist those already sacked by the unfortunate situation from their homes.

He assured that the council under his leadership by May next year would continue to render all necessary services to the electorate pointing out that the era of mediocre taking the council to the cleaners were over.

Mubi massacre a national calamity, says PDP Chairman

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has described the recent killing of over 40 students in Mubi, Adamawa state as a national calamity.

According to him, the event which came on the heels of celebration of nation’s independence was heart rending just as he expressed sadness that a generation of promising Nigerians and the country’s future leaders could be wiped out by those he described as thoughtless and heartless individuals.

The PDP boss in a chat with correspondents in his Wuse 11 residence, Abuja, condemned the killing as he enjoined security operatives not to relent until they fish out the perpetrators.

He said those who murdered a set of students who, according to him, were part of the hope that the country depended on, were enemies of Nigeria who must not succeed with their evil intention in a modern society the present government has been trying to build.

He said he has been getting in touch with relevant authorities in Adamawa state on how to prevent future occurrence, and was pleased with efforts so far put up by security agencies in tracking down some of the culprits.

Tukur said, “Adamawa is my state, and Mubi is a place I am more familiar with. I was deeply saddened that a generation of students, our future leaders could be so mindlessly killed for no just reason. We as a nation must not tolerate this and the only way to it is not to allow the culprits go scot free.

“I have been in touch and I have been receiving information on moves by security operatives to track down the culprits. That, to me, is encouraging. I appeal to the security operatives to continue to do their work while we will continue to find lasting solution to display of acts of barbarism in our country” Tukur said he was set to visit Adamawa state, in particular Mubi, for on-the-spot assessment of the incident, disclosing that he would seize the opportunity to hold discussion with relevant individuals, groups and agencies of government on how to strengthen security in the state.

He said the PDP as the ruling party would also not relent in finding solutions to the security challenges confronting Nigeria, insisting that the Triple R, Es, Ds agenda by the party were aimed at restoring peace and tranquility to the country just as he appealed to Nigerians to continue to support all initiatives and efforts by the Federal Government in rebuilding Nigeria for greater challenges.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

PAGE 39

Group wants NASS to strengthen state legislatures to supervise councils

T

he Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), an NGO, has called on the National Assembly to strengthen the oversight functions of the state legislatures over local governments.

The organisation made the call in a Draft Memorandum on Constitutional reform Proposals for Entrenching Effective and Democratic Local Governance in Nigeria, signed by Dr Jibrin Ibrahim, Executive Director of CDD. The memorandum, which the NGO issued in Abuja on Sunday, states: “This will enhance transparency and accountability in performance and financial affairs. “ The memorandum stated that over the years, local governments had been made accountable to the states and Federal Government rather than the communities.

It said that the National Assembly should make a provisions that would ensure minimum control of the states in the use of financial resource of local governments.

The organisation said the measure would go a long way to enhance the autonomy of the local governments.

It also urged the National Assembly to establish the Office of Auditor-General of local government.

The organisation noted that the reason for establishing local governments was to provide social services that could only be performed by an agency that was nearest to the people.

It said that local governments, more than any other organs of the state, were better placed to perform social services due to their proximity to the grassroots. “ The building blocks of good local governance that Nigerians deserve should include citizens’ participation, partnership among key actors across all sectors, information flow and institutions of accountability. “ For genuine democratic local governance to function, emphasis must be on ownership to ensure effective participation of communities in development initiatives, with special consideration to women, the poor and vulnerable groups, “ it said.

It called for the establishment of community based committees on monitoring and evaluation of projects to ensure that they were implemented as stated in their contracts properly. “ Members of this committee should be drawn from the local community and should be made up of elders from each ward, representative from local unions, women, youth association and senior district head,“ it said.

The group called for the abolition of the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to reduce the control of local governments by the states.

(NAN)

Returning Officer, Professor Fatima Sawa (left), declaring the PDP senatorial candidate for Plateau North, Mr Gyang Pwajok, winner of the by-election, yesterday in Jos. With her is Plateau resident electoral commissioner, Mr. Habu Zarma (right).

Photo: NAN

S/West integration: Mimiko blasts Tinubu, calls Fashola a better administrator From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

O

ndo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko at the weekend lambasted the leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Senator Ahmed Tinubu advising him on the need for decorum in all his public outings.

He warned that those whose pedigree track records are in the public domain must tread cautiously. Mimiko who spoke at Okitipupa in the Southern Senatorial District of Ondo state during the Mega Rally of the Labour Party held for his second term re-election bid specifically stated that the people of the state would not be part of a phony and deceitful integration as being preached by the leadership of the ACN in the South West.

The Governor who described his achievements in the last three and a half years in office as placing the state on the path of sustainable development equally took a swipe at his predecessor in office, Dr Olusegun Agagu. He accused Agagu of surreptitiously trying

to draw back the hands of progress in the State by attempting to foist his stooge on the people.

He stated that Agagu was a non-performer and challenged him to point to any major project that he did in any part of the state as proof of his much orchestrated performance.

Specifically, Dr Mimiko who described the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola as a better administrator who has shown ‘flash of brilliance in governance’ than Tinubu noted that Tinubu’s 8 years in office could not match his three and a half years as governor of Ondo state. To him, the ruckus about capturing Ondo state which he said was being better managed than any of the ACN controlled States was a dream that would fall flat on its face.

His words: “In Ondo state, the ACN is not on ground and they will meet their political waterloo here. Please, ask them what are they doing in Osun that we have not done better? In any of their States, Ondo State is better

managed than them. I salute Babtunde Fashola, whatever anybody may say, he has shown a flash of brilliance in governance. But the 8 years before Fashola, what did they do in Lagos?

“They used 8 years to build just one Millennium School; we in Ondo state, in just three and a half years, have built world class mega schools all over the state.

They talked about integration, if they want to integrate the South West, is it going to be in one person’s pockets? If that is integration, then Ondo state will never be a part of such a phony and deceitful integration.

“But if it is the integration for the development of our people; to give world class education for our people; to give world class hospitals; integration to develop our public transportation; to bring development like we are doing in Ondo state for the generality of the people; oh yes, we are for it.

“But if it is integration of the pockets of one person, we will not be part of it and we are aware

that the Yoruba across Ondo state and in the South West know the type of integration that they want. And it is definitely not the type of integration being preached by the leadership of the ACN.” Mimiko who disclosed that he was seeking re-election based on his concrete performance while in office described his contenders to the plum office as district officers, ill-prepared and minions of godfathers out to milk the state.

He said “What I know is that those who say they want to capture Ondo state will lose their deposits in Ondo state on October 20; they will meet their political waterloo. I also know that in Ondo state, we are a proud people with a proud heritage. We shall not, I repeat, we shall not bow to any foreign god. On October 21, I shall be the governor again because on our people will vote for me based on my performance and based on the fact that they want a real Governor, not a District Officer who will repatriate our funds to their taskmasters.”

Ondo poll: LP raises alarm over hired thugs

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

A

gainst the background of the impending governorship election in Ondo state, the National Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Dan Nwanyawu, has expressed fears that the continued importation of thugs into the state in the pretence of supporters will trigger off a breakdown of law and other.

He therefore called on the National Assembly to consider legislating against the practice of

politicians and political parties hiring supporters and thugs from outside a state or a particular constituency to attend political rallies especially where they are not registered to vote in the elections taking place in such state or constituencies.

In a statement issued yesterday, Nwanyawu recalled that in the recent rallies conducted by two major opposition political parties in Ondo state, thousands of hired supporters and thugs were brought into the state from

neighboring states and beyond.

“In one of such rallies we counted about 500 commuter buses that transported such people to Ondo State in the desperation to create the erroneous impression that the Party has popular followership in the state”, he stated.

He described the act as prelude to a plot to manipulate the election and use the outcome of the rallies to impress on the unwary public that those parties are popular among the people of Ondo, claiming that the reverse is the

case.

He further expressed hope that such legislation will help to improve on the transparency and credibility of the election process, as well as security situations in areas where elections are conducted.

Based on this, he called on security agencies to be more alert and responsible to their duties since it has become known that it is possible to hire such large troops of miscreants into Ondo state without any hindrance.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

2015: I have no presidential House Committee FG on ambition, Yakowa declares tasks funding for 2012 projects G T From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

overnor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna state has disassociated himself from a sponsored campaign suggesting that he is the best candidate for the presidency in 2015.

In a press statement in Kaduna yesterday, Yakowa

described the publication as mischievous and intended to pitch him against President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo.

According to the statement signed by the governor's Senior Special Assistant (Media), Reuben Buhari, "dragging the name of Governor Patrick Yakowa into

the 2015 presidential race when he is yet to reach half-way line in his first tenure is deliberate and calculated mischief.

"The real intention of the promoters of this tale by moonlight is to portray the governor in bad light, as a disloyal party member and to also justify their own mischievous intention.

"The governor has made it very clear that everybody has the constitutional right to contest for any political office he or she desires but that such ambition should not be built on the destruction of His Excellency's hard earned reputation as trust-worthy and loyal party member," the statement said.

L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Hon. Ajibola Muraina, and his deputy, Hon. Mashoot Mustapah, during the committee's meeting with the NNPC management, at the weekend, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Al-Makura reaffirms commitment to Nasarawa State’s development

G

ov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State on Saturday pledged his administration’s toward the execution of development programmes that would enhance the people’s living standards.

He made the promise when he inaugurated an electrification project at Bukan-Kwato, Lafia Local Government Area of the state.

Al-Makura also pledged that his administration would be fair to everybody, while ensuring the state’s transformation into one of

the country’s most developed states within the next four years.

“This administration is on a rescue mission to save the people of the state, with a view to enabling the citizens to enjoy the muchneeded dividends of democracy,’’ he said.

The governor said that his administration would strive to change the living standards of the citizens by providing good roads and other infrastructure.

Al-Makura also pledged his administration commitment’s to

improving the standard of living of vulnerable groups by providing basic social amenities in towns and villages across the state.

He said that the primary focus of his administration was on the provision of water, roads and electricity in rural areas.

Al-Makura stressed that as part of efforts to ensure that his administration’s electrification programmes were executed on schedule in line with specifications, the Nasarawa State Electricity Company (NASECO) would execute the electrification projects

instead of contracting them to private firms.

The governor, however, appealed to all the local governments and associations in the state to partner with the state government in efforts to ensure the rapid development of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the electricity project at Bukan-Kwato, a suburb of Lafia, has a 2.8-km wiring system that covers the entire town with a 330 KVA StepDown Transformer. (NAN)

Independence celebration: Jonathan lacks courage, says CPC

By Umar Muhammad Puma

C

ongress for Progressive Change (CPC) has condemned President Goodluck Jonathan for celebrating the nation's independence within the connfines of the State House.

The party in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Engr. Rotimi Fashakin, noted that before now, independence anniversary had always been celebrated in a manner to involve the participation of the broad spectrum of the Nigerian people.

The CPC pointed out that school children and workers of all grades of the nation's labour force have

always been incorporated in the celebration of Nigeria's freedom from British imperialism.

"We view this as very untenable and symptomatic of leadership deficit. It is our belief that, rather than showing timidity in changing a national tradition because of a security challenge, the Jonathan regime has missed a vital opportunity in galvanizing the support of the citizenry in confronting a common National malady," the party stated.

He stressed that in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist assault on the United States of America, the demeanor of President George Bush couched in courage, honour and patriotic

defiance gave the needed succor to the American people to weather the storm of their national challenge.

"It is difficult to imagine that the Nigerian President, holed up in a fortress, while the vast majority of Nigeria citizens are daily exposed to insecurity through the ineptitude of his regime, and has further alienated himself from the people by spurning their participation in National celebration".

He noted that the president has shown lack in courage and honour as the Nigerian President.

"The hallmark of leadership is to lead. When a leader abdicates

his responsibility in deftly guiding a people in times of national adversity and prefers to deal in cowardice, he has deviated from the creed that sustains the fidelity of his office and is therefore unworthy of commanding followership".

"The weakened position of the Nigerian President in tackling the myriad of security challenges assailing the nation readily shows his continued incompetence in bringing succor to the Nigerian people. We are of the opinion that in the last two years, the aloofness of the President is a metaphor of the unenviable drift of the nation like a rudderless ship," the CPC added.

he House of Representatives Committee on health has urged the Federal Government to release funds to MDAs to implement their 2012 capital projects.

The Committee Chairman, Hon. Ndudi Elemelu, made the call during an oversight visit to federal tertiary health institutions in Lagos.

Represented by Osai Nicolas Osai, the chairman expressed concern over the insufficient release of funds by the executive arm of government to all the agencies the committee visited.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that committee members visited NAFDAC Office, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, National Orthopaedic, Igbobi, and Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta.

According to him, the purpose of the visit was to assess the level of implementation of projects approved in the 2012 budgets of the various institutions. “ it’s unfortunate that most of the proposed projects at all the hospitals visited are not yet completed as a result of inadequate release of funds by the executive.

“As we can all see, all the projects are not yet completed for just one reason — lack of funds —; the larger percentage of the funds required are not released.”

Elumelu said that if funds were released promptly, projects budgeted for in 2012 would not extend to the following year.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the level of implementation of projects at the health institutions visited, rating them below 50 per cent.

He, however, noted that most of the projects budgeted for by NAFDAC were nearing completion with the support of its Internally Generated Revenue.

The lawmaker commended NAFDAC Director-General, Dr Paul Orhii, for a job well done, noting that NAFDAC was able to refurbish its entire laboratory and procure new equipment.

He also observed that LUTH, Neuro Psychiatric and National Orthopaedic Hospitals were unable to complete their 2012 budgeted projects to appreciable levels.

However, the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta, headed by Dr Munirah Jinadu, had completed most of its projects.

He said that the committee would continue to monitor the entire federal health institutions, to ensure adequate service delivery to Nigerians. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

PAGE 47

Say what?

Source: Reader's Digest

FACTS * Russian scientists have developed a new drug that prolongs drunkenness and enhances intoxication.

Quick CrossWord (42) ACROSS

* Romanian fire fighters could not get their trucks close enough to a burning building, so they 1 Arimistice (5) 4 Bobby __, former England football put out the fire by throwing snowballs at it. * Romanian fire fighters could not get their trucks close enough to a burning building, so they put out the fire by throwing snowballs at it. * A perfect SAT score is 1600 combined. Bill Gates scored 1590 on his SAT. Paul Allen, Bill's partner in Microsoft, scored a perfect 1600. Bill Cosby scored less than 500 combined. * Motorists travelling outside Salem, Oregon saw one of the "litter cleanup" signs crediting the American Nazi party. Marion County officials had no choice but to let that group into the adopta-road program. The $500 per sign was picked up by Oregon taxpayers. The Ku Klux Klan is also involved in the adopt-a-road program in the state of Arkansas.

Source: Weird facts

PHOTO OF THE DAY

manager (6) 10 Septic swellings (9) 11 Creative activity (3) 12 Frame for a crime (3,2) 13 Wickerwork material (6) 14 Because of moral beliefs (2,9) 18 Render harmless (6) 20 Related to hearing (5) 23 __ Baba, Arabian Nights character (3) 24 Nautical dances (9) 25 Bequest of property (6) 26 Store away (5)

DOWN 2 Resume (a court case) (5) 3 Opposite of ‘dearner’ (7) 5 Start (5) 6 Groyne (3,4) 7 Military alliance with HQ in Brussels (inits) (4) 8 Homeless wanderers (5) 9 People who study the night sky (11) 15 Firmly fixing (7) 16 Having problems (2,1,4) 17 Force upon (5) 19 Formed for a particular purpose (2,3) 22 Grow boring (4)

Yesterday’s answer

Most children are just about learning to walk at the age of one - but Isabelle Grinhaff was waterskiing. The plucky tot enjoyed watching her mum and dad so much that she decided she wanted a go and is now a three-year-old whizz-kid on her customised pink skis - even though she can't swim.

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

. . . putting the people first

MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Messi, Ronaldo share spoils in Clasico draw

R

eal Madrid failed to secure the victory they desperately needed to trim the gap to leaders Barcelona when Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo each struck twice in an attritional 22 draw in La Liga yesterday.

A stuttering start by the champions had left them eight points behind their great rivals after six matches but they made the better start to the 'Clasico' at an electric Nou Camp and Ronaldo fired them ahead deservedly in the 23rd minute.

A defensive lapse by Pepe let Messi in to equalise from close range eight minutes later before the Argentine World Player of the Year curled a stunning free kick past Iker Casillas to make it 2-1 in the 61st.

Real were level within five minutes when Mesut Ozil slid the ball through to Ronaldo and the Portuguese forward beat Victor Valdes for a second time with a powerful low strike.

Barca came close to a winner in an entertaining clash, watched by millions around the world, when substitute Martin Montoya crashed a long-range effort against the crossbar in the 89th minute.

Barca as usual were dominant in possession while Real Madrid played cautiously to avoid rash temper but still picked up three yellow cards.

Dani Alves was substituted on early in what was obviously a tactical change because Ronaldo seemed to have a field day with him.

Montoya, who came on though had difficulty keeping Ronaldo in check, but did better than the experienced Brazilian had in the 23 minutes that he in action.

The split points though means that Barca are still eights ahead of the La liga defending champions.

Lionel Messi ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

0803 0805 0803 0805 0803

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE The federal government says it’s a settled matter, but we’re discussing it so that people can understand it. It was a sacrifice that was made then to solve some problems. But there’s still room for more discussion — Gov. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger state, and Chairman, NSGF on onshore/ offshore dichotomy debate

Mubi killings: Let us talk

It is easier to wake a person who is asleep than a person who pretends to be asleep Ugandan proverb

I

t will be dangerous to show too much anger and indignation at the impunity and provocation which was at the heart of the killing of anywhere between 26 and 46 students in Mubi, Adamawa state.

Too many signposts and turning points in the violence against Northerners and Nigerians were ignored in the past, and we have reached a tipping point in this nation at which we must take a stand. Even a brief recall of similar massacres is a painful exercise: massacre at a market in Damaturu, routine slaughter of Christians at their places of worship, unending mayhem in the fastdepleting towns of Damaturu and the ancient city of Borno, high profile bombings and assassinations, a shrinking economy in many parts of the north, and an entire people living in permanent fear. Terror has gradually taken over lives of people in the North, and we are at that dangerous point where people could resign themselves to live (or die) with it.

This should not be allowed to continue. It is time to stand up to this threat, and turn the tide.

Which is why we should not stop at being angry, but we should turn our anger into constructive energy. What did the people who woke students up in the middle of the night, and calmly and systematically shot or slaughtered those on their list seek to achieve?

Perhaps we may, in due course, get to know what they wanted to achieve, but we can safely conclude that their action was pre-eminently contemptuous of our government and the security agencies, and an act of supreme provocation against the community and all citizens. We may also conclude that they intended to trigger further bitterness and conflict between religious and ethnic groups in the North-east and in the whole of Nigeria. Above all, they may have wanted to send a signal that peaceloving Nigerians have lost the war against terror. The lesson from Mubi, from recent events in Zaria and Kano, from Damaturu and Borno and many other parts of the North is that citizens should be prepared to die. It could be you, your children, your wives, your economy, and your values. But this war you are losing will get you in one way or the other, sooner or later.

And there is nothing you or your government; or your community can do about it. You could be Muslim or Christian, civilian or

311 689 606 327 454

7458 1765 3308 1969 0344

FIFTEEN MINUTES with Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed drbabaahmed@yahoo.com

Adamawa state Governor, Murtala Nyako soldier, poor or rich. It will get you when it wants, how and where it wants.

The people are losing this war because the federal government is ill-prepared, ill-equipped or poorlycommitted to fight on our behalf.

Perhaps, the federal and state governments do not understand the nature of the enemy, in spite of billions of naira invested in logistics, intelligence and equipment.

Perhaps, they are using the wrong weapons against the enemy, in spite of countless suggestions that force alone will not defeat it.

Perhaps, they are fighting more than one enemy, going by the numerous allegations that rogue elements and other opportunistic interests are hiding behind the Boko Haram franchise to pursue their own objectives, which may include

weakening the Nigerian state.

Perhaps, there is too much money chasing the insurgency to bring it to an end; and the very forces fighting it are not too keen to see to its end. Perhaps, both those who terrorize the people and those who terrorize them in the process of protecting them recognize the hopelessness and powerlessness of the civilian population.

Well, it is time to stand up to both. And since it is very obvious that the people in the North are in for a long haul, those who have responsibility to facilitate or find solutions to their problems must act now. The first line of action must be our governors, people who are living at our own expense, and who swore to protect and defend us.

They must convene a high-level, all-embracing forum of political, traditional and religious leaders, academics and other citizens with relevant and useful insights and experiences to examine the entire situation of the North, and the options available to it.

Just in the event the governors say they have in place a Committee on Peace and Security, or a contraption with a similar name, they need to be told it is not what is needed. The North needs to holistically and honestly examine itself under its present circumstances; examine its challenges in relation to its governments, including the federal government; examine its

“

Since it is very obvious that the people in the North are in for a long haul, those who have responsibility to facilitate or find solutions to their problems must act now. The first line of action must be our governors, people who are living at our own expense, and who swore to protect and defend us

limitations and opportunities; and consider what steps it needs to take to address short and long-term challenges.

If the governors will not do this, either because they are satisfied with what they are doing, or are afraid that such a forum will indict them for being part of the problem, then a coalition of politicians, elder statesmen, civil society groups, academics and other citizens should convene their own forum to discuss the current situation of the North, and how it can solve its own problems and engage the rest of Nigeria. This forum should examine the genesis, dimensions and manifestations of all security threats, including JASLIWAJ (a.k.a. Boko Haram); its impact on the Northern political economy; the roles of governments and security agencies and the community, and practical steps that need to be taken to arrest the decay and disintegration which is evident in the North and Nigeria respectively.

If our politicians are too busy looking for opportunities to field themselves or surrogates as presidential candidates in 2015, then patriotic citizens from the North and other parts of Nigeria who recognize the manifest danger which Mubi signals for the nation should convene a platform which should dispassionately discuss national security and the survival of the Nigerian state. This would be a forum convened by Nigerians who recognize that the unity and survival of the nation are worth fighting for. They should believe that our current challenges transcend partisan, ethnic and religious divides. They should believe that a failed Nigerian state which is staring us all in the face will be an unmitigated disaster for everyone, and the pathetic barricades being put up against each others' "problems" are parts of the problem. They should be well schooled in the history of our nation, and draw inspiration from past triumphs over serious challenges and threats to our security and unity.

Mubi should be where the people in the North and Nigeria draw the line. There are very likely going to be many more killings, but for every life or limb lost, henceforth, our voices must be heard. It is time to put our heads up from our holes and act. This is one war we should not leave to the government and security agents to fight. We need to get more involved. The young people shot and killed, with such impunity and callousness, in Mubi are our children. Not to do anything anymore will consign more of them to a similar fate.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos, Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141