Tuesday, June 10, 2014. Edition by Peoples Media Limited

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 13 No. 81

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

. . . putting the people first

Sha’aban 11, 1435 35 AH

At last, PDP congratulates new Kano Emir Sanusi's emergence:

N150

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FG bars private jets from Kano  I was under tremendous pressure – Kwankwaso >>Pg 2  Northern govs, Atiku, Oshiomhole congratulate SLS >>Pg 5

Blame Jonathan, PDP for violence in Kano, Ekiti – APC From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos & Umar Mohammed Puma, Abuja

R-L: Kano state Governor, Engineer Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, officially presenting letter of appointment to the new Emir of Kano, His Highness Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, yesterday at the Government House, in Kano.

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Assault on newspapers: Press Council warns against threat to democracy

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Gunmen kidnap 40 Fulani women in Borno

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has blamed President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over the violence in Ekiti and Kano states, which erupted shortly after the president visited Ekiti and former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi emerged as the new Emir of Kano. In separate statements issued in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party wondered why the police, who are paid by taxpayers’ money to maintain law and order, would turn their weapons on defenceless citizens they were paid to protect. It said but for the action of the police, led by the Contd on Page 2

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Super Eagles hit Brazil today

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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News CONTENTS News

2-10

Editorial

Op.Ed

Letters

Opinion

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

Stockwatch S/Report

23 24-25

Issues

Agriculture

Wamakko tasks FG on composition of National Conference – Page 6

Int’l

S/World

Digest

Politics

Newsxtra

Sports

Columnist

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FG bars private jets from Kano  I was under tremendous pressure – Kwankwaso From Edwin Olofu, Kano, with agency report

he federal government has barred private aircraft from landing at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano. This is coming barely 24 hours after Rivers state governor, Rotimi Ameachi, and some other chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) travelling with him, had his private chartered jet impounded at the MAKIA on "orders from above", forcing him and his entourage to travel by road to Abuja. Also, our correspondent learnt that the managers of the airport also stopped the governor of Nasarawa state, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura from landing at the airport early hours of yesterday, when he went to commiserate with his Kano state counterpart, Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso. The plane conveying the Nasarawa governor had to make a detour to Kaduna, from where he travelled by road to Abuja after it was stopped from landing at the MAKIA. A spokesman of the Nasarawa governor, Sani Musa Mairiga, had accused the federal government of "humiliating" his boss. "Why will they stop landing at the airport after Governor Al-Makura's plane had taken off from Abuja. Why didn't they issue the ban a day or much earlier before his (AlMakura's) plane took off from the Abuja airport", Mairiga queried in an interview with Hausa service of the BBC. However, Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade, who confirmed the ban on the private plans from landing in the commercial city, simply cited security reasons for the government's action, but did not state clearly what the nature of the security concerns were. When contacted to confirm

the ban through an sms, General Olukolade simply said: "Yes. Security". But some sources cited the emergence of Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as successor to the late Ado Bayero, against the expectations with government circles in Abuja, as possible reason for the federal government's action. It was, according to sources, apparent that the government in Abuja is not comfortable with Sanusi's emergence as new emir, given its recent running battle with the Jonathan administration over his allegation that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had withheld $20 billion from the Federation Account. This led to his suspension as governor of the CBN on the 20th of February, this year. According to our sources, therefore, the ban on private jets from landing was to curtail the expected "pilgrimage" to Kano city to felicitate with the newly installed emir. What was even more confusing was that when contacted yesterday, coordinating spokesperson of the aviation agencies, Yakubu Dati, when contacted, said the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the regulator of the sector, was not behind the ban. "We have not banned any plane from landing in Kano. You know there is civil aviation and there is also military aviation which supersedes ours", he said. Governor Amaechi was allegedly locked inside the MAKIA on Sunday for an undisclosed number of minutes before the gate was forced open. “Yesterday, my counterpart in Kano told me that the people at the airport said they were directed not to allow all non-scheduled aircrafts to take off or land. “So, while the governor was there, I am also told, they began to lock all the gates to the exit of

the airport and they locked the gates with the governor inside the aircraft. “For the governor to exit the airport, somebody had to break the padlock of the gate. So, the governor and his team could leave. That amounts to imprisonment without charge. “I got the Commissioner for State Affairs, who briefed me and told me that the chattered aircraft that conveyed the governor to Kano, was denied take-off from Aminu Kano International Airport by a fellow identified as the Commandant, acting on orders from above. “That was the only information he (Kano state commissioner for state Affairs) was willing to share when the governor enquired about what offence himself and the aircraft operators had committed. With the governor was Alhaji Kawu Baraje as well as Senator Danjuma Goje, former governor of Gombe state,” Semenitari said. Semenitari expressed surprised that an aircraft that was cleared prior to the time of arrival would not be allowed to take off with the same passengers it landed with. The development, according to her, remains a clear indication that some people want to intimidate Nigerians ahead of the 2015 general election. Meanwhile, Governor Kwankwaso, yesterday admitted that he came under tremendous pressure from different quarters over the choice of a successor to the late Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero. Kwankwaso revealed this while presenting the letter of appointment to the new Emir of Kano, at the Government House in Kano, even as he affirmed that all the contestants to the coveted seat were eminently qualified. He said it was a difficult task choosing from one amongst the contestants, because they are all

close to the government, stressing however that a leader must take decisions, no matter the consequences. “It was a difficult decision, from the day the emir died to Sunday I was under serious pressure from politicians, traditional rulers and many other interest groups all over the country. "All the contestant are friends of the government; there is no one among them that is an enemy of the government. If it was possible to divide the position of the emir into six and share it among all the contestants, I would have done that; but it is not possible. “There are people even in my government that are qualified for the position but we have to choose one. As a governor I must perform my responsibility and take a decision; if not, things will go bad”, he stated. He further revealed that contrary to claims in some quarters that the new emir’s name was not among the nominees submitted to the governor by the kingmakers, he said the name of the former CBN governor was top on the list. The governor cautioned those fomenting trouble to desist from it in the interest in peace of the state, stating that Allah gives power to whomsoever He wishes, and admonished citizens to take the emergence of Sanusi as the will of Allah. In his acceptance speech, the new emir, disclosed that the family of late Emir, Ado Bayero and his own family are one, adding that: “Our family and the late emir's is one family. “I grew up under late Bayero’s tutelage. I grew up along with children of the late emir. “We are appealing to people to stop discussing what they don’t know. This protest is not from our family. Our relatives cannot ignite this protest in Kano”, he affirmed.

Blame Jonathan, PDP for violence in Kano – APC Contd from Front Page head of Mopol in Ekiti, Gabriel Selekere, the peaceful procession by the APC members in Ekiti on Sunday, would not have degenerated into violence, during which an innocent citizen was allegedly shot dead by the police. ‘’Our members were carrying brooms, not weapons, and were singing and dancing as they marched through the streets in the best tradition of political rallies. Their procession was peaceful and carnival-like until the police unleashed teargas and live bullets on them without provocation, killing one person and injuring many. “Even the governor of the state (Kayode Fayemi) was not spared by these trigger-happy po-

licemen. This is unacceptable in any civilized society and must be condemned by all Nigerians”, the APC said. The party, however, said it was not surprised at the ferocity of the attack by armed policemen on the peaceful members of the APC, as it fits perfectly into the desperation of President Jonathan and his party to capture Ekiti state at all costs, as a leeway to entering the South-west ahead of 2015. In a related development, the APC accused the PDP of inciting the violence that followed the announcement of Sanusi as the new emir of Kano on Sunday, saying it was a plot to destabilize the state. APC said the statement issued by PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, congratulating one of the

contenders long before the Kano state government announced the new emir, was premeditated and calibrated to incite violence. It wondered why a ruling party, which has access to Kano or any state government, would rush to the media to congratulate a contender who had not been selected, without even contacting the selecting authority to ensure the veracity of whatever news it may have heard. “What is so urgent about congratulating the new Emir that could not have waited for a few hours for the appropriate authority to make an official announcement?’’, APC queried. The party said when the announcement was eventually made and the contender who had al-

ready been congratulated lost out, it is only natural that his supporters would feel short-changed. “It is therefore obvious that the PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary, went out of their way to stoke the fire of violence in Kano. Since we live in a country which is being governed by the rule of law, the best option open to the Kano state government is for the State AttorneyGeneral to immediately initiate criminal proceedings against PDP and its officials for incitement”, APC said. The party argued that whatever explanations PDP has for the premeditated action, it should reserve same for its defence in court.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

News Confusion over withdrawal of Kwankwaso’s security personnel From Edwin Olofu, Kano

here was confusion in Kano yesterday, amidst reports that security personnel attached to Kano state governor, Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso have been withdrawn. Our correspondent observed that fewer policemen were seeing on their duty post at Government House, while no soldiers that were manning the first gate of the government house as it was before. A source close to the

SSS arrests Boko Haram impostor By Doyin Ojosipe

he Department of State Services (DSS), yesterday said it has arrested an unnamed person accused of extorting money from influential members of the public, claiming to represent Boko Haram. Coordinator of the National Information Centre (NIC) Mr. Mike Omeri gave this information yesterday, while briefing journalists on efforts being made to locate the abducted Chibok Secondary School girls and the general efforts to contain raging insurgency in some parts of the country. The suspect, who is currently undergoing interrogation, was masquerading as a representative of the Book Haram terrorists.

governor, who doesn't want his name in print confirmed that in the early hours of yesterday, the number of policemen attached to the governor reduced, with only a few left and soldiers withdrawn entirely. Our correspondent observed also that personnel of a vigilante group were seeing complementing efforts of the few security men at the Government House. An official in the Kano Government House confirmed that, "We are yet to be officially informed by the authorities on

why the police officers were withdrawn". "At the height of the insecurity situation in the northern part of the country somebody is playing politics with the life of the governor, which is very bad; leaving the governor vulnerable with only vigilantes holding sticks to protect a governor of a state", the source alleged. The compound of the Government House is now guarded by combined team of vigilante group personnel and members of the Askarawan Kwankwasiyya (Kwankwasiyya

guard) as at the time of filing this report. However, the security authorities denied that their personnel attached to Kano state governor have been withdrawn. However, the spokesman of the Police in Kano, Assistant Superintendent of police (ASP) Musa Magaji Majia, when contacted for confirmation, neither answered calls nor text messages sent to his mobile phone. Similarly, the Police Force spokesman, CSP Frank Mba, in a text message, stated that: “I have

L-R: Secretary, Agriculture Rural Development of FCT Secretariat, Mrs. Bema Madayi, Secretary, Social Development of FCT, Mrs. Blessing Onuh, Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, Legal Secretary of FCT, Mrs. Ima Okpowgete, and former Vice-Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Mrs. Olushi Okoyo, during the official flag off ceremony of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Soldiers kill 50 suspected terrorists in Adamawa By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

igerian Army said its troops conducting antiterrorists campaign in North-east have killed 50 insurgents in Adamawa state, while four of its soldiers were wounded in the encounter. The Army headquarters, in a statement issued by its Director, Defence Information, Major Gen. Chris Olukolade, said the terrorists were on their way to raid villages in Borno and Adamawa states during the weekend. He said the insurgents were ambushed by the troops along Bilta, Borno state on receiving intelligence report of the terrorists' intention. “The attack was launched

on the terrorists as they filed out of the forest to embark on their mission at about 10 p.m on Saturday. "Over 50 terrorists died in the fierce encounter that ensued, while 30 rifles, 36 Hand Grenades, 7 machine guns and 11 Rocket Propelled grenade tubes were captured by the troops. "Also recovered from the terrorists were over 3,500 rounds of ammunition, 6 smoke grenade canisters and locally fabricated guns as well as 4 vehicles used by the terrorists in the foiled attack. “The four soldiers who were wounded in the operation are currently receiving medical treatment in the military medical facility”, the statement said.

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Travelers, traders stranded as security cordon Terminus area in Jos From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

ovements and other business activities became stagnant yesterday in the city of Jos, the Plateau state capital, as the security personnel cordoned all routes leading to the Terminus market. Travelers, traders, civil servants and road users were left stranded, spending several hours due to traffic congestion, which forced business activities to stand still. A source in the metropolis said the cordoning of the routes to the Terminus area was as a result of a bomb scare early in the morning, which led to the military taking over the whole of Terminus for fear of another bomb blast , The source said, “We came out this morning and saw security men everywhere, stopping people from heading to Terminus area, on the allegation that a bomb was planted at the early hours of the day and this brought business activities to a standstill. It could be recalled that Plateau state government ordered for the ban of all street trading. The state commissioner for information and communication, Bar. Mrs. Olivie Dazyem said the decision was taken following the last fortnight’s twin blasts and the subsequent threat in the areas. But the STF in the state, in press release, said the operation was done to prevent further loss of lives and properties

Boko Haram: Solar batteries ‘explosion’ causes panic in Borno From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

ommunities of Dikwa local government area of Borno state were thrown into intense fear yesterday, following multiple sounds of horrifying explosions caused by expired batteries meant for solar street lights, which were mistaken for an attack launched by the Boko Haram insurgents. Residents’ fears were heightened, forcing them to scamper for safety in the ensuing pandemonium when security forces deployed to the area also fired sporadic gunshots into the air, for mistaken the explosions as an onslaught by the militants. Our correspondent reported that there was confusion around 11a.m., leading to mass exodus of people, including women and children in the

town after a thunderous blast. Residents who initially spoke to newsmen claimed that members of the Boko Haram sect stormed the area and detonated explosives before engaging troops in a gun-duel. However, a top security personnel, who declined identification, refuted the incident, saying, "There was no attack in Dikwa by the insurgents; rather, the people were actually scared when they heard a scary bang which was caused by some solar light batteries kept in a store. Immediately after the 'blast' troops in Dikwa fired friendly shots into the air but the residents mistook the development and fled. Many people took to the bushes because they thought our men were engaging the terrorists. I want to assure you that normalcy has returned," the operative further assured.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

News

2015: Crisis hits Lagos APC as members protest zoning, imposition From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

s activities gather ahead of 2015 gubernatorial election, scores of All Progressives Congress (APC) members across the state yesterday stormed Alausa Secretariat, protesting the plan by the leadership of the party to zone the gubernatorial ticket of the party to a certain senatorial district. The group, under the aegis of New Lagos Movement (NLM) stormed the governor’s office, dressed in red T-shirts and armed with placards with the inscription: ‘Power is not served a la carte’, ‘Leaders are not rulers’, ‘There must be internal democracy’, ‘We say no to Autocracy’.” However, the APC Lagos chairman, Henry Ajomale, while speaking to journalists at the party secretariat, Ikeja, said “I don’t know them. They are not members of the party. And if they said that they are New Lagos Movement, they are on their own and not on the side of the party. President of the group, Mr. Niyi Akinsiju, said the aggrieved members of the party want the zoning idea scrapped, to give room for the

best candidate to emerge. He argued that all aspirants must be allowed to contest in the primaries rather than selecting one person as the flag bearer of the party in 2015. Akinsiju added: “We also find abominable the recent declaration in which Asiwaju Tinubu unilaterally zoned the 2015 gubernatorial ticket of our great party to one

religion and one part of the state, thereby denying us the opportunity of electing the most qualified in the state. They also alleged that the former governor cancelled the results of their congresses held on April 5 and 26 and replaced it with that of his men. This, according to the group, will enable the citizens in the state

to elect the candidates of their choice as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution. “It is in the light of this that we demand internal democracy in APC Lagos without any imposition of party officials and candidates. We also want an immediate reversal of the unfortunate zoning declaration and a full guarantee of democratic right to contest of all persons who

Armed military continue to impound newspapers in Minna From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

rmed military men have continued to lay siege in the last four days in Minna, the state capital, impounding copies of some newspapers and refused the sales of those affected newspapers in Niger state. Despite denial by the defence spokesman, Major-General Chris Olukolade that the military has found nothing wrong with the editorial content of the affected papers, which include The Nation,

LEADERSHIP and Daily Trust newspapers officers and men of 31 Field Artillery Brigade are yet to allow the sale of three newspapers on the newsstand. As at 6:00 am yesterday parcels of LEADERSHIP newspapers were impounded at Kilometre-10 military check point in Minna, while another set of armed soldiers stormed the distribution centre at “Fleet Street” in town searching for any of the three titles being sought for by the military command.

Since last Friday the armed men stationed at the distribution centre usually left for their barracks at about 11:42 am when they were satisfied that no paper was coming for the day again. The Chairman, Niger state Newspaper Vendors and Distributors Association, Mr. Festus Elijah confirmed the fears of his members and said “we are ready to sell any paper, but you have to help us extract assurance that no member of the association will be harassed by the soldiers.

L-R: President, National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and Jigawa state Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, during the inauguration of the new executive of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), yesterday in Dutse. Photo: NAN

Gunmen kidnap 40 Fulani women in Borno S uspected Boko Haram gunmen have reportedly kidnapped 40 Fulani women from a nomadic settlement in northeast Nigeria near the town of Chibok, Borno state where the Islamic militants abducted more than 300 schoolgirls and young women on April 15. Alhaji Tar, a member of the vigilante groups set up to resist Boko Haram’s attacks, said the men arrived at noon Thursday in the Garkin Fulani settlement and forced the women to enter their

vehicles at gunpoint. He says they drove away to an unknown location in the remote stretch of the state. Tar said the group also took three young men who tried to stop the kidnapping. “We tried to go after them when the news got to us about three hours later, but the vehicles we have could not go far, and the report came to us a little bit late,” he said. In another incident, the Defense Headquarters said Monday that troops prevented raids by

Boko Haram this weekend on villages in Borno and neighboring Adamawa state. Soldiers killed more than 50 militants on Saturday night as they were on their way to attack communities, defense spokesman Chris Oluklade said in an emailed statement. The Nigerian military has come under rising criticism from Nigerians who say they’re not protected by the security forces, left to fend off attacks by Boko Haram on their own. Thousands of people have

been killed in the five-year-old insurgency, more than 2,000 people have been killed so far this year, and an estimated 750,000 Nigerians have been driven from their homes. In recent weeks, the extremists have used a two-pronged strategy and widened their theater of operation beyond the remote northeast of the country. The group has bombed bus stations and marketplaces in three cities, killing about 250 people, and they are staging daily attacks on northeast villages, killing 20 people one day, and 50 another. (AP) The extremists abducted more than 300 girls from the Chibok Government Girls School on April 15, according to the police. Chibok community leader Pogu Bitrus says 57 girls escaped, leaving an estimated 272 still held captive. (AP)

are qualified to under the 1999 Constitution. Responding, Fashola, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, while addressing the protesters said that he would ensure that the primaries holds. “And we will ensure that every man and woman that has the right to contest for the election will be allowed. Nothing will be imposed on you”, he stated. Ajomale added: “Please ask them if they are registered members of the party. The party constitution does not allow establishment of creation of any group within the party. If anyone has any grievances against the party, our secretariat is open daily. They can make their complain known. He said that no bona fide party member will go on the street to protest against what the party is yet to decide. The chairman explained further, “The party is yet to ask anyone to indicate their intention. At the moment, more than 10 people are going around but none of them has come to me that they want to contest election. Everyone should wait until the National leadership of the party decides. There cannot be any imposition because we follow the directive of the party leadership. If anyone endorses any candidate, it doesn’t mean that the candidate will win at the primaries.”

Sell our tricycles and go to jail -Yero From Mohammad Ibrahim & Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

aduna state governor, Alhaji Muhktar Ramalan Yero yesterday threatened to arrest and prosecute beneficiaries of subsidised tricycles given to members of commercial motorcycle operators, who were recently banned in the state. Governor Yero, who was speaking during official flag-off of distribution of the tricycles said security agencies have been alerted to arrest any operator who benefited from the gesture and resell it. According to Yero, government decided to give out 1,000 tricycles to ease transportation problem as experienced by residents of the state since the banned of the commercial motorcycles in the state. The tricycles, which cost N534, 081 each, would be given out at 50 percent subsidize rates, which include the cost of painting and registration, is a measure by his administration to sure that the concerned and the plight of the people. Yero further warned that every tricycle operating in the state are to be painted to the state colour, adding that failure to do so would amount to arrest and deportation of any offender back to his state of origin. Earlier, the state deputy governor, who is also the Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment Project (SURE-P), Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga, said the tricycles would be distributed to areas affected by the ban.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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News

Finally, PDP congratulates Sanusi By Lawrence Olaoye & Umar Muhammad Puma

he ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) late yesterday congratulated the axed Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who has been appointed the new Emir of Kano. The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, which sounded conciliatory, however urged the new Emir to be non-partisan as his status has changed. The ruling party, which also said it would not play politics with a revered traditional institution

asserted that, “The PDP holds the Office of the Emir of Kano in very high esteem. We, therefore, give the new Emir our prayers and urge him to ensure that the sanctity of the throne and the traditional institution are absolutely guarded and preserved. “We are very much aware that his status has changed and we pray the Almighty Allah, who alone confers authority, to grant him the wisdom and good health to lead his people to peace and prosperity. Calling for calm in Kano, the PDP urged the new Emir to take steps to unite his people and note that he is not the emir of any po-

...urges him to be non-partisan

litical party but that of the entire people of the Kano Emirate. The new Emir was sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan in controversial circumstances after he alleged that the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has not been able to account for $20 billion which ought to be remitted into the government coffers. Recall that the party had, at the weekend, hurriedly issued a statement in which it congratulated the his rival Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero the son of

the late emir Ado Bayero that had not been selected by the constituted authority as the new Emir of Kano. The party later withdrew the statement it released earlier say-

ing it was done on error. According to the new statement from the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the earlier statement was unauthorized.

From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

fore, he should fear God and treat all the people of Kano as those under his care and supervision. “I am forwarding my congratulations to you for assuming the office of emir of this historic land, a position once occupied by great historical figures such as Muhammadu Rumfa, Ibrahim Dabo, Abdullahi Bayero and Muhammadu Sanusi. I hope you will be worthy successor to those great men. “After attending the burial of the late emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero, I am renewing my condolences to the new emir, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and the people of Kano and the country on the death of Alhaji Ado Bayero,” he said.

Buhari also congratulates new Kano emir

ormer Military Head of State and Chieftain of the All Progressive Party (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari yesterday congratulated the new Emir of Kano, Alh. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as he tasked him to fear Allah in his leadership. In a personal letter sent to the new Emir General Buhari further urged the new Emir to apply his wealth of experience to revive the economic growth of the State and the country. The 2011 presidential aspirant also reminded the Emir that he was chosen by Allah and there-

. . . Northern Delegates Forum felicitates with him

he Northern Delegates Forum yesterday congratulated Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi over his appointment as the new emir of Kano. According to a press release issued b the Spoke man of NDF, Anthony N Z Sani, “May this be an opportunity for the new emir to continue the good works by his predecessor of bringing the people of Kano state together so that they can live up their potential.

R-L: Kano state Governor, Engineer Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, discussing with new Emir of Kano, His Highness Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, during the official presentation of letter of appointment to the latter by the former, yesterday at Government House, in Kano.

. . . Northern governors too From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

he Chairman, Northern States Governors Forum and of Niger state Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has congratulated Sanusi Lamido Sanusi over his emergence as the new Emir of Kano. The chairman of the forum’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Israel A. Ebije, said the ascension of the

new emir marks a beginning of a new era, adding that he is indeed stepping into a shoe he must learn how to properly adapt to. The forum urged the new Emir to rule without partisan consideration, adding that he should emulate the example of the late Ado Bayero, who had endeared himself to everybody in the his domain regardless of their religious or ethnicity background. He also called on those who contested the position with him

to join hands and make the reign of the new emir peaceful, prosperous to avoid fragmentation of ideas and dissipation of trust. He said they are all qualified but Allah has chosen one of them. The forum, therefore, said the late Emir will be missed for his role as a peacemaker, a patriot and nationalist who managed all situations especially political and religious crisis, revolts, protests that dotted administrations in Kano, Northern Nigeria in his over 50 years as an Emir.

Oshiomhole congratulates SLS From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

overnor Adams Oshiomhole has congratulated former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (SLS) on his appointment as the Emir of Kano. In a congratulatory letter, the Governor said, “Your Royal

Highness, given your vast experience in the private sector and public service, particularly your outstanding accomplishment as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), I am quite convinced that Your Royal Highness is equally well positioned to not only consolidate on the solid legacy bequeathed by your predecessor, but that Kano Emirate under your able leadership would wit-

ness phenomenal socio-cultural regeneration and economic prosperity, as well as continue to excel as world-renowned centre of commerce and learning. “Once again, I congratulate Your Royal Highness. And while wishing you Allah’s guidance and a successful reign, I assure you of the support and cooperation of the Government and people of Edo State at all times.”

“This is because of the fact of history that peace and the good things of lives are not natural order of things; they are often attained through ceaseless and consciously directed effort. The late emir laid a good foundation upon which the new emir can build. The Forum therefore, prayed to God to provide the new emir with what it takes to provide order and direction to the people of Kano.

Build on Bayero’s legacies, Atiku urges new Kano monarch

ormer vice-president Atiku Abubakar has advised the new Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to build on the enviable and positive legacies of the late Emir Ado Bayero. In a statement congratulating Sanusi, Atiku said the new Emir had worked strenuously to fulfill a life-time ambition and that he should use his position to unite all the ruling houses of Kano state and its people behind his appointment.

According to Atiku, leadership is a test from God, and therefore urged Sanusi to use his position to do justice to all manner of people in his domain. The former vice-president noted that Sanusi’s greatest and immediate challenge was sustaining Bayero’s passionate commitment to tolerance, unity and peaceful coexistence. The Turakin Adamawa wished the new Emir God’s guidance and wisdom for a successful reign.

...Congratulates new Emir of Gombe too

ormer Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the new Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar to bring the admixture of the vitality of youth and the legacy of his father to bear on his reign. In a statement by his media office in Abuja yesterday, the former Vice President noted that the new Emir of Gombe has the benefit of the strong foundation laid by his

late father to build on. According to him, the Emir should make the unity of his people a central focus of his administration and urged him to be tolerant and act in the best interest of the people of his domain at all times. He prayed to God to bestow him with wisdom, a necessary tool in dealing with the challenges of his office.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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News

Farmers, grazers’ clashes claim 7 lives in Taraba community

L-R: Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, Supervising Minister of Education, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Dr. Oluwole Oluleye, and a beneficiary, of Federal Government Scholarship Scheme, Oyedokun James Timilehin, from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile- Ife, during the presentation of letters to the beneficiaries of the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Wamakko tasks FG on composition of National Conference By Raji Bello, Sokoto

ov Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto state has again challenged President Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo on their earlier promise to correct the imbalance in the composition of religious affiliations at the on-going National Conference. According to a press statement issued by the state’s Commissioner of Information, Nasir Danladi Bako, Wamakko was speaking at a workshop for Imams and Traditional rulers on the Islamic position on Street begging organized by the Sokoto Sultanate

Council and the Ministry of Religious Affairs held today and chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto. “When the President came to Sokoto, it was mentioned to him and he promised to redress the situation; he hasn’t till date. The Vice-President was here and in the presence of the Sultan, he promised to rectify it; till date nothing has been done” Wamakko stated. The Governor challenged the Federal Government to demonstrate justice and equity on the issue, because, according to him, many years from now observers or analysts can take the documents emanating as

reports and draw conclusions that are misleading. The Governor admonished Islamic preachers on to discourage the sending out of children under their care to go and engage in begging as a means of livelihood. Wamakko insisted that the menace of street begging had become a cankerworm that needs to be eradicated as soon as possible, because the stigma attached to this menace was unduly affecting the image of northerners, especially Hausa/Fulani Muslims and attracting odium and disdain from other Nigerians. Sultan Abubakar, on his part,

advised Imams and Preachers to stick to the teachings of the Holy Quran especially as it affects begging and other social maladies. The Sultan further encouraged the state government to further enroll more almajiris in the present arrangement which the State Government has successfully executed so for. The workshop, which had other top Islamic preachers in attendance, also collectively praised Governor Aliyu Wamakko for his untiring efforts at the propagation of Islam and revival of our cultural values and the regeneration of social justice and equity in the social fabric of the state.

UNODC committed to justice reform in Katsina, says coordinator By Patrick Andrew

he United Nations Office for Drugs and Crimes has expressed its commitment to judicial reform in Katsina State, according to the Projector Coordinator, Ade Omofade. Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the ongoing three-day stakeholders’ workshop, the UNODC said its consistency in the implementation of justice reforms are clear evidence of its determination to ensure reforms are effected in the system. The UNODC has been entrusted by the European Union and the government of Nigeria to implement three nationally

developed projects in Nigeria in the areas of justice sector support, drugs and organized crime and anti-corruption. According to Omofade, Katsina State and the Federal Capital Territory are among the 10 pilot states which had been selected since 2008 to develope action plan on justice reforms, adding that the workshop is meant to review and update the existing ones. He said the workshop was timely as it would ensure review and update of existing reforms and thus serves as a bridge to the existing efforts and activities of Katsina State government particularly in the area of protection of the

rights of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. “The review and update of this Action Plan is particularly timely especially in terms of linking with existing efforts and activities of the Katsina State Government particularly those pertaining to the protection of the rights of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged”. Meanwhile, the majority leader and committee Chairman on Judiciary of Katsina State House of Assembly, Hon. Lawal Musawa who represented the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Katsina State, has pledged the support of the State Assembly for the state government

in its quest to instill the culture of the rule of law in Katsina state. The lawmaker said the assembly would continue to pass laws are people-oriented and humane stressing that reforms in the both the drugs and criminal justice are inevitable in view of the growing incidences of drugs abuses and socio-economic immoralities. While urging the judiciary to dispense its responsibility with sense of commitment and decorum, he expressed the readiness of Katsina State Assembly to cooperate with any agencies committed to justice reforms in order to deepen democracy and good governance.

More people commiserate with Kwankwaso over Bayero’s death From Edwin Olofu, Kano

eople from within and outside the country have continued trooping to Kano state to commiserate with the government and people of the state over the demise of the late Emir Ado Bayero. In his condolence message to the state governor, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, the King of Morocco, Amir Muhammad Sadis, represented by the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Ahmad Taufiq said the late Ado Bayero as good leader who

had his subjects at heart always. He said the world would continue to remember the late Emir for his service to humanity and his commitment to peaceful coexistence among his subjects. On his part, Former Governor of Lagos state and Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the late Emir as a bridge-builder, who did his best to promote unity among Nigerians. In their separate remarks, the

governors of Katsina, Ibrahim Shehu Shema, his Kwara state counterpart, Abdulfatah Ahmad and that of Rivers state, Rotimi C. Amaechi, described the late Emir as a great man, a father of all and a leader who worked tirelessly for peace and stability in the country. Receiving the visitors, Governor Kwankwaso thanked them for their compassion and urged them to keep the people of Kano in their prayers, in view of the grief that has befallen them.

Also at the Government House to commiserate with Governor Kwankwaso were APC chieftain, Dr. Ogbunnaya Onu, former Nasarawa state governor, Abdullahi Adamu, a former Kano state military Governor, Ahmad Daku, former Kaduna state Governor, Lawan Kaita, Senator Kabiru Gaya, Sarkin Sudan of Wurno, Amb. Shehu Malami, Sheik Tijjani Ibrahim Inyass, from Senegal, Sheikh Isma’ila Khalifa and a strong delegation of traditional rulers from Niger Republic.

he Taraba police command at the weekend confirmed that seven persons lost their lives in fresh clashes between farmers and cattle grazers in Ananom, Donga Local Government Area of the state. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Joseph Kwaji, told journalists on Sunday, in Jalingo, that several people also sustained injuries in the clashes. He said that the police mobilised to the area in a bid to maintain law and order, adding that normalcy had been restored to the communities. Kwaji appealed to the warring parties to lay down their arms and embrace peace for meaningful development in their area. He appealed to the people to always report suspicious persons to law enforcement agents for immediate action. (NAN)

‘CSOs will strengthen the voice of Nigerians’ By Evelyn Okakwu

he executive director of Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), Mr. Frank Tietie has stated that Civil society Organisations (CSOs) will play a critical role in ensuring a voice for citizens in Nigeria. He was speaking during a program to enlighten Nigerians on the need for CSOs to come together and bring about more active and effective involvement in government. Mr. Tietie noted that for certain reasons, NGOs have not functioned as effectively as they ought to. “Let me make this clear; NGOs in Nigeria have not been immuned from the Nigerian plague, which is corruption. Theirs has not been accountability as it should be. He added that the CASER-led coalition was striving towards the actualisation of a transformed status for NGOs in Nigeria. The CASER director noted that his NGO is planning to use the sum of $20 million, which it hopes to get through its efforts in the USAID Nigeria Civil Society Project to better Nigeria by influencing the institution of states, through various forms of advocacy. “We hope to use the money to do what we have always done at CASER, which is for public interest advocacy, public interest litigation and general publicity”, he stated. Mr. Tietie said that a lot of money has come into Nigeria this year, without making the desired effort and attributed the problem to a policy plan by certain persons to circumvent the use of the said funds, adding that CASER would do its best to change that norm.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

News

Court remands 53-yr old engineer over alleged defilement of 10-yr old girl

53-year old engineer, Leonard Okafor, was yesterday remanded in prison by an Ota Senior Magistrates’ Court, in Ogun state, for allegedly defiling a 10year old girl. The accused, who resides

at 13, Ketere Area of SangoOta, was arraigned for alleged defilement of the victim at about 9.p.m. on May 28 at his residence. The prosecutor, Sgt. Italta Ebobimino, alleged that Ebobimino was fond of enticing

under-age girls whose ages ranged between five years and 10 years with the intention of having unlawful carnal knowledge of them. He said that the offence contravened section 218 of the Criminal Code Vol.1 of Revised,

Law of Ogun state, 2006. Senior Magistrate Titi Bello ordered the remand of the accused pending the receipt of legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution. She adjourned the case till Friday.(NAN)

Man, 35, docked over alleged N5.2m theft charge

L-R: Director Information, Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Major-General, Chris Olukolade, Coordinator, National Information Centre (NIC), Mr. Mike Omeri, and the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Directorate of State Security (DSS), Ms. Marilyn Ogar, briefing journalists on the state of security in the country, yesterday in. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Customs seizs 107 sacks of cannabis From Seyi Ojelade, Ibadan

yo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Custom Service, in the early hours of yesterday seized a White Ford Chevrolet bus loaded with 107 sacks of cannabis worth 963 kilogram. Addressing the newsmen at the Command headquarters in Ibadan, the Custom Area Controller, Mr. Oteri Richard said the bus was intercepted around 4:30AM at Igboora in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State.

He said the command ‘s Crack Team led by DSC Alajogun J.A arrested a White Ford Chevrolet bus with registration number XW 193 GGE. The Custom bus disclosed that nobody was apprehended as the culprits abandoned the bus when they saw men of the command but assured that through the vehicle documents found inside the bus further investigation would be made to arrest those involve. Oteri who handed the illicit drugs to the state commander, National Drug Law

Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) Mrs Omobolade Faboyede called for synergy among security agencies in combating intensity of insecurity we have in the country. Also, the command seized imported poultry products resulted from a renewed efforts and commitment to bring down to the barest minimum the incidence of smuggling within the command. He disclosed this on Friday. One of the anti-smuggling teams of the command, led by Csc Efetobor. R.O intercepted

a Mazda 3(black colour), Volkswagen Passat(black colour) and a bus(Blue colour) loaded with ten thousand cartons of frozen poultry product. Oteri explained that the arrest was made along the Agbegi-Olodo axis of Osun State. Destroying the poultry products in the presence of newsmen at the Apaja dump site in Oluyole Area of Ibadan incompany of relevant agencies, Otreri warned against importing contraband products to desist, saying the Command is battle ready.

35-year-old man, Olusola Adebayo, was yesterday charged before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, over the alleged theft of two heavy duty trucks valued at N5.2million. Adebayo, who resides at 23, Ebegbune St., Ajao Estate, Lagos state, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining under false pretences and stealing. The prosecutor, ASP Godwin Anyanwu, told the court that Adebayo and two others now at large, on Sept. 10, 2012, approached one Mr. Collins Magboko, and allegedly indicated their interest to purchase his trucks, marked XU 944 JJJ and XX 722 AGC. According to him, the accused allegedly purchased the trucks after the complainant agreed to installment payments and collected two Diamond Bank cheques dated Sept.10, 2012 and Dec. 11, 2012 from the accused. Adebayo left two signed cheques dated Sept. 10, 2012 and Dec.11, 2012, as payment for the trucks he purchased. ``Both cheques were, however, dishonoured by the bank where the accused’s account is domiciled, based on insufficient funds and the accused has since refused to pay for the trucks,” Anyanwu said. He said the offences contravened Sections 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Magistrate, Mrs. Yewande Aje-Afunwa, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 and two sureties in like sum. She adjourned the case till July 11, for hearing. (NAN)

Oil marketers ask court to quash N1.8bn subsidy fraud charge

wo oil marketers, Mahmud Tukur and Alex Ochonogor, yesterday asked an Ikeja High Court to quash the N1.8 billion fuel subsidy fraud charge preferred against them and two others. Tukur and Ochonogor made the request in a preliminary notice of objection filed by their counsel, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo. The marketers were charged alongside their companies - Eterna Oil Plc and another marketer, Abdullahi Alao. They are charged with nine counts bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false

pretences, forgery and use of false documents. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that the accused persons obtained N1.8 billion from the Petroleum Support Fund for the purported importation of 80.3 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit. Moving the marketers’ application, Oyetibo urged the court to discharge Tukur and Ochonogor on the grounds that the proof of evidence did not support the offences filed against them. Oyetibo said the criminal charge against his clients was an abuse of court process, which

should be quashed in the interest of justice. According to him, the charge before the court arose from a joint venture agreement between Eterna Plc, Axenergy Ltd., Sahara Energy Resources and Ontario Oil for the importation of fuel. ``It is submitted that the proof of evidence does not disclose or support the fact that the first and second accused obtained money for themselves in the transactions in which the offences were alleged to have been committed. ``All financial dealings involved in those transactions were particularly between Eterna Plc and the other companies

mentioned in the proof of evidence,” he said. Oyetibo said it was wrong for Tukur and Ochonogor, who are the Managing Director and Head of Financial Control of Eterna Plc respectively, to be charged for the alleged offence. According to him, there is no proof that the alleged fraud was committed as a result of the defendants’ connivance or negligence. “Although a company acts through its officers, those acts of the officers are seen in law, as the acts of the company itself and therefore, it is the company that is legally responsible and not the

officers,” Oyetibo said. Citing Section 65 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, he argued that both defendants did not act in their personal capacities in the transaction. He further argued that Section 10 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act did not empower the EFCC to charge the defendants to court for offences allegedly committed by a public quoted company. court to dismiss the application for being premature and lacking in merit. After listening to arguments of both counsel, Justice LawalAkapo adjourned the matter till June 27, for ruling. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Council endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents for easy access in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads. Accordingly, the general public may easily Contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, and Illegal/Wrong Parking to kindly Call KAROTA through the following number – 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on – 08032419754 and 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on – 07051246833 and 08191778888.

152nd KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

he Kano State Executive Council held its one hundred and fifty second (152nd) sitting today Wednesday, 4th June, 2014 (6th Sha’aban, 1435 A H) under the Chairmanship of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso,

FNSE. This sitting, like the previous ones, continues with the implementation of Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso’s promises and campaign resolutions. Surely, volumes on the epic achievements recorded for the benefits of the citizenry in Kano State under the present administration are indelible. This explains the total support given to the Government by the citizens during the May 17, 2014 Local Government Elections. Surprisingly the PDP failed to comprehend the reasons behind this overwhelming support leading it to dispute the election results. It is astonishing and surprising to us and all political watchers that the PDP, despite its media campaign and claims of having the support of Kano electorates, could only muster the courage to challenge only the results of 4 Chairmen and 2 Councilors seats. This decision alone is a confirmation that the PDP is aware that Kano voters are not supporting them and have, therefore, lost its base, the peoples’ votes. This is recognized by its Court action. It, therefore, does not surprises us a bit to see such a comedy being played by a party that has no electoral value in the State. A party that claims to have majority but can only contest for 4 out of the 44 Chairmanships and 2 out of 484 Councillorships seat is indeed astounding and beyond belief. It is indeed a big surprise and laughable. It is also astonishing to say the least. Be that as it may, one cannot call himself a democrat and ignore the votes of the people. After all, the right to vote and be voted is the core symbol of democracy. Election results bring to the fore the strength, popularity or otherwise, of political parties. In fact, the May 17, 2014 Local Government Elections were one of the few that were conducted freely and fairly in the political history of Nigeria. It is the most credible and the most peaceful ever. This was confirmed by the 15 Independent Election Observers and the 24 members of the State Independent Electoral Commissions that monitored the elections. The elections were adjudged as having met international and regional standards for being properly organized, monitored, well thought-out and conducted freely and fairly. Thus, the votes received by the APC during the May 17, 2014 Local Government Elections bring out clearly the citizens’ major message to the PDP that it has no followers in Kano State. The votes are a blunt and resounding ‘NO’ to the PDP deception, corruption, and mismanagement of the nation’s resources. Therefore, we are justified to say that those people with electoral value have already left the party for the APC and those who remained in it are Lilliputians and paper weight politicians who have no following whatsoever. This explains the resounding defeat of the PDP by the APC. The 2,370,000 votes cast for the APC candidates against the PDP’s 200,430 indicated the fact that the citizens have faith in this Administration’s commitment on its delivery of the dividends of democracy. In fact, studies have shown that leadership quality is associated with both intents of citizens to vote and even their actual voting behavior. Purposeful and focused leaders motivate their citizens to vote and support them because of their ability to deliver and foster development. Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso’s Administration is purposeful and is successfully transforming the State to become a shining example to other States. The high quality of Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso’s vision of service, his exceptional performance, and his untiring effort in fulfilling the peoples’ expectation translated into the citizens’ support for his Administration and the APC in the May 17, 2014 Local Government Elections. In fact, the effort of this Administration in stabilizing the State could only be comprehended by reminding ourselves that Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso took over a State whose citizens were disillusioned, dissatisfied and dismayed. The citizens held the previous regime’s political leadership in shockingly low regards. Towards the end of the regime, the situation in the State had reached the saturation point ready to pour forth at the slightest chance, which led to the overwhelming votes received by Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso at the 2011 General elections. The success of this Administration at the Local Government elections could be linked with the ability of the leadership to understand the voices and aspirations of the citizens. People are now witnessing good governance characterized by the respect of human rights, effective delivery of services, transparency and accountability, better access to education, political and economic empowerment, etc. The State now has a leadership whose attitudes and values foster responsibility and sincerity of purpose. Since this Administration did not crash into governance without adequate preparation and focus, the progressive and positive trends of this Administration have been maintained today by the Kano State Executive Council during its one hundred and fifty second (152nd) sitting at which ten (10) MDAs submitted thirty six (36) memoranda for deliberation. Council approved the execution of twenty seven (27) of the tabled memoranda with an expenditure of One Billion, Two Hundred and Twenty Million, Five Hundred and Thirty Eight Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty Four Naira, Eighty Seven Kobo (N1,220,538,354.87) covering twenty one (21) projects as follows: 1. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION The Ministry of Education submitted seven (7) memoranda for deliberations by Council of which five (5) were approved for execution as follows: a) Presentation of Request for Funds for the Third (3rd) Phase of the Establishment of Boarding Primary School at Minjibir Town, Minjibir LGCA:The Hon. Commissioner for Education submitted the cited presentation/request for consideration by Council. Specifically, Council was reminded of its approval granted for the release of the sum of N38,501,105.07 to enable the execution of the third (3rd) phase of the establishment of a Boarding Primary School in Minjibir

Two hundred and fifty (250) women recently graduated from the Jakara Women Skills Acquisition Center (renamed as Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso Women Skills Acquisition and Continuing Education Center). The contents of this memorandum established to Council that, the 250 graduates were promised to be allocated with a brand new sewing machine each as take – off package to enable them practice the skills acquired. Responsibly, the Ministry of Education had already procured and distributed the sewing machines to the beneficiaries at the aggregate sum of N5,064,000.00, which was requested for release by Council as reimbursement for the already incurred expenditure. The amount was expended on the procurement of 203 Units of brand new Butterfly Model Sewing Machines (N18,000.00 x 203 = N3,654,000.00) and 47 Units of brand new Embroidery Machines (47 x N30,000.00 = N1,410,000.00) amounting to the total sum of N5,064,000.00. Council acknowledged the request and approved the release of the stated sum.

Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso Town, Minjibir Local Government Area. This had a shortfall of N12,000,000.00 as the actual request was for the release of the sum of N50,501,105.07 according to the details presented. As such, Council was requested to consider and approve the release of the shortfall of N12,000,000.00 to enable the execution of the stated purpose. Council approved the request. b) Request for Funds to Enable the Installation of Solar – Powered Panels and Submersible Pumps in Two (2) Water Boreholes at Jan – Baki GGSS:The Pioneer students of GGSS Jan–Baki that transited at GGSS Jogana are currently in their permanent site located at Yadakunya. The contents of this memorandum notified Council that, the permanent site of GGSS Jan-baki is faced with serious potable water supply problem due to lack of electricity supply from PHCN to power the two (2) installed boreholes, which are currently mechanically (menially) operated. Details on the requirements to solve the problem were presented to Council for consideration along with the following two (2) prayers: i. Council to consider and approve the installation of Solar – Powered panels and submersible pumps to two (2) water boreholes in GGSS Jan-Baki at the total Contract sum of N2,045,372.22. ii. Council to consider and approve the release of the sum of N775,750.00 to enable the replacement of two (2) pilfered (stolen) submersible pumps. The relevance of the two (2) projects were considered as Council approved the release of the aggregate sum of N2,821,722.22 tothe Ministry of Education to enable the execution of the two (2) projects cited at GGSS Jan-baki. c) Request for Funds to Enable the Establishment of One (1) Model Primary School and One Girls’ Junior Secondary School in Tarauni Local Government Council Area:Cognizant of the resolve by the present administration to establish new Schools, as well as, build more classrooms in existing ones in order to solve the congestion problem in public owned schools across the State, the cited request was presented to Council for consideration. The old Hockey Playground located along Massallacin Murtala Road was identified by SUBEB as the most suitable site for the stated purposes and presented to Council for consideration, through the contents of this memorandum. Details on the requirements were summarized and presented to Council for consideration along with the financial implications to the tune of N211,627,161.73, which was requested for release to cater for the building and provision of furniture in respect of the two (2) Schools. Council noted, considered and approved the request. d) Presentation of Information Memorandum (IM) on the Establishment of Schools of Islamic Studies (SIS) and Technical Colleges across the 44 Local Government Council Areas in Kano State:The Hon. Commissioner for Education reminded Council, through the contents of this memorandum that, approval was granted for the establishment of forty four (44) Schools for Islamic Studies (SIS) and twenty two (22) Technical Colleges across the State. Approval for the execution of the projects was granted in June, 2013 and works have attained advanced stages at the various project sites. Details were presented to Council for perusal as an update. Council acknowledged the presentation appreciatively. e) Request for Funds to Enable the Reimbursement of Funds Used for the Procurement of Two Hundred and Fifty (250) Sewing Machines:-

2. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT The Secretary to the State Government submitted seven (7) memoranda on behalf of the Chairman and some MDAs for deliberations by Council. Four (4) were approved for execution as follows: a) Presentation of Progress Report from the Screening and Verification Standing Committee on Civil Servants in Kano State:This report is the findings of the Committee after completing the screening exercise. Twenty one (21) summarized items were presented to Council for consideration along with eight (8) recommendations as follows: • All Staff not present for screening without authentic reasons to be deleted from the Staff list of the Organization concerned. • All over aged Staff should be retired from the Service. • Comprehensive list of all Civil Servants due for retirement in the year 2013 to be presented along with adequate arrangements for their prompt retirement. • Respective MDAs should apply contents/provisions of a circular from the Head of Civil Service on Contract Staff engaged for non-essential duties. • The details on the Staff list advanced by the Committee should be adopted as verified beyond doubt. • The Staff list should be adopted as standard for the State Data Bank. • That the findings in this report should be used as an update for the collection of information during the State Biometric Data Capture. • MDAs should report the health status of their Staff and disengage them if proven unfit. Council acknowledged the presentation and approved the execution of all the eight (8) recommendations/prayers presented. b) Presentation of Proposal to Establish a Sanitary Inspection Unit Tagged ‘Kwankwasiyya Improved Sanitary Initiative’ (KISI) Under EH4 Law of 1984:This proposal was submitted by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Sanitary Inspection for consideration. Details on the requirements for the effective implementation of the proposal include the provision of One (1) DC Toyota Hilux Pickup, Two (2) Toyota Coaster Buses, Office fully furnished and take–off grant of the sum of N4,124,000.00. Council acknowledged the presentation and approved the provision of one fairly used Bus, N2,004,000.00 for publicity and an office accommodation to be provided by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. c) Presentation of Request for Funds to Supplement Initial Approval for the Sponsorship of Fifty (50) Kano State Indigenous Students to Study BSc. Nursing at Al–Mansura University, Egypt:The contents of this memorandum submitted recommendations from Kano State Government Officials that visited the Al–Mansura University Egypt, through the Ministry of Health. The need to review the content of the entire programme to suit the expectations of the Kano State Government was the main issue. The students are expected to graduate with the required qualifications within a period of two (2) years so as to return and fill the available gap in the teaching manpower at the State owned Colleges of Nursing without compromising the quality expected from the programme. The authorities at the Al–Mansura University Egypt forwarded two (2) options from which one could be adopted for the reviewed programme. Viz: • Option 1 The course is to be completed in six (6) condensed semesters (2 years) by March, 2016. The students to graduate with BSc. Nursing along with certificates in Nursing Education and Specialties at the additional cost of $11,200.00 per student over the initial approved payment made (or $560,000.00 for the fifty (50) students). • Option 2 The course is to be completed in eight (8) semesters (2 ½ years) by September, 2016. The students to graduate with B Sc Nursing and a Diploma in Nursing Education at the additional cost of $12,400.00 per student ($612,000.00 for the fifty (50) students) over the initial approved payment made. After due deliberations, Council approved the adoption of option 2 of the reviewed course at the total cost of $612,000.00 for the fifty (50) students. And to ease their studies Council approved the provision of one (1) Laptop Computer to each of the students. c) Presentation of Report from the 2 – Member Committee on Thirty (30) Kano State Indigenous Students Sponsored to Study Medicine at International University of Africa, Sudan:The cited report was presented to Council for consideration on the return Contd on Page 9

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014 of the two (2) Member Committee from Sudan where they visited the thirty (30) Kano State Indigenous Students sponsored to study Medicine at the International University of Africa (IUA) in Khartoum, Sudan. The contents of the memorandum recommended that the 30 students be transferred to El-Razi University for the 2014/2015 session to continue with their studies from the International University of Africa, Sudan. 3. MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT The nine (9) memoranda submitted for deliberations by Council from this Ministry were approved for execution as follows: a) Request for Funds to Enable the Re–Instatement of the Collapsed Gindiwa Bridge and Kalgo Culvert at Kibiya Local Government Council:The Hon. Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport submitted the cited request for consideration by Council in response to a report received from Kibiya Local Government Council. The site was visited and the problem assessed while the scope of works required were estimated at the cost of N55,814,184.05. Council approved the reconstruction of the collapsed bridge at the stated sum. b) Request for Funds to Enable the Provision of Additional Number of Uniforms for Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) Personnel:The positive performance of KAROTA personnel in the discharge of their assigned duties needed no emphasis leading to the request for the provision of working materials, equipment, uniforms, etc. This memorandum requested the provision of uniforms to 1,500 personnel of the agency at the sum of N12,165,000.00. Council approved the request. c) Presentation of Request for Funds to Enable the Engagement of Additional Number of 294 Youths as KAROTA Personnel and Commencement of their Training:Cognizant of the important role played by KAROTA personnel in the enforcement of road traffic rules and regulations on the major roads of Kano Metropolis and beyond, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport submitted the cited request for consideration by Council. Details on the twelve (12) requirements (paramilitary training inclusive) were presented to Council for consideration regarding the engagement of 294 additional youths as KAROTA Personnel. The financial implications were totaled to the aggregate sum of N4,172,000.00 and requested for release by Council for the stated purpose. The project was considered as appropriate by Council and approval was granted for the request. d) Request for Funds to Enable the Replacement of Worn – Out Tyres of Operational Vehicles Used by KAROTA Personnel:Flexibility and prompt response to emergency situations characterize the day – to– day operations by KAROTA personnel. As such, the operational vehicles used require regular change of tyres for effective utilization. The request was summarized and presented to Council for consideration. Thus: SN Description of vehicle/ truck Size of tyre Quantity Rate (N) Total cost (N) i. DAF 11R22.5 10 45,000.00 450,000.00 ii. MACK 1100 – 24 10 75,000.00 750,000.00 iii. FORD 8.5R17.5 06 26,000.00 156,000.00 iv. RENAULT 1100 – 225 06 45,000.00 270,000.00 v. HILUX 205R160 48 18,000.00 864,000.00 vi. DYNA 8.5R17.5 12 26,000.00 312,000.00 vii. SLIZER 8.5R17.5 06 26,000.00 156,000.00 Total = N2,958,000.00. Council was requested to approve the release of the sum of N2,958,000.00 to enable the replacement of ninety eight (98) worn – out tyres required by seven (7) different models of motorized vehicles used by KAROTA personnel in their operations. Council approved as requested. e) Request for Funds to Enable the Provision of Prohibitory and Mandatory Signs on Our Roads:The cited request was submitted by KAROTA for the procurement of 500 each of No- Parking sign and Keep moving/No tracking at the total sum N3,250,000.00. Council approved the request. f) Request for Funds to Enable the Provision of Twelve (12) Additional Number of Operational and Monitoring Bikes for use by KAROTA Personnel:Challenges encountered in the day–to– day operations of KAROTA personnel require enhanced flexibility for which the cited request was submitted to Council for consideration. The memorandum recommended for the procurement of 6 Kawasaki G Y – French Model Operational/ Patrol Motor – Bikes for Operations and deterrence at (N750,000.00 x 6 ) N4,500,000.00 and 6 Jincheng Model Motor – Cycles for Surveillance and Monitoring Operations at (N100,000.00 x 6) N600,000.00. The total sum of N5,100,000.00 wasapproved for the procurement. f) Request for Funds to Enable the Provision of Two (2) Additional Slider Toying Trucks and Five (5) Additional Pick Up Motor Vehicles for use by KAROTA Personnel:Need to enhance the commendable operations by KAROTA personnel on our roads instigated the submission of the cited request for the provision of 2 Slider Towing Trucks at the total sum of N9,500,000.00 and 5 Pickup vehicles at the sum of N17,750,000.00. Council considered, appraised the request and approved the release of the sum of N9,500,000.00 for the procurement of two (2) fairly used Slider towing Trucks for use by KAROTA personnel in their operations. g) Presentation of Request for Funds for the Installation of Streetlights within the Entire Road Network in the Permanent Site of the Northwest University, Kano:The Task Force Committee on the Installation/Repairs/Reactivation of Street and Traffic Control Lights identified, assessed and estimated the scope of works required for the installation of streetlights at the Northwest University Permanent Site at the cost of N73,963,038.90. This was vetted and scaled down to the tune of N56,991,988.70 by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport. Council approved the request in view of the relevance of the project to the security of the residents at the site. h) Request for Funds to Enable the Renovation of Doka – Riruwai Road:The Hon. Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport notified Council, through the contents of this memorandum of the need to execute the renovation of Doka-Ririwai road through 50%:50% joint arrangement funding formula between the State Government and Doguwa Local Government Council. The scope of works required were assessed and estimated to the tune of N230,852,604.37 which was requested for release by Council to enable the execution of the stated project. Council approved the proposal. 4. MINISTRY OF HEALTH Two (2) of the five (5) memoranda submitted for deliberations by Council from the Ministry of Health were approved for execution as follows: a) Presentation of Request for Funds for the Sustenance of the Kwankwasiyya Mobile Medical Outreach Health Services Programme for the

PAGE 9 Year 2014:Cognizant of the achievements recorded since inception of the Kwankwasiyya Mobile Medical Outreach Health Services Programme, the Ministry of Health submitted the cited presentation/request for consideration by Council. The contents of the memorandum informed Council that the programme operates at an average of 60 – 70 visitations to villages per week at which an average consultations and free of charge health services were delivered to more than 500,000 patients in the year 2013 alone. This presentation/request was submitted to Council for consideration so as to enable the sustenance of the laudable programme in the year 2014 by granting approval for the release of the aggregate sum of N67,487,300.00 disaggregated for release at N16,871,825.00 rate quarterly. Council approved the release of the N50,615,475.00 for the remaining part of the year 2014. b) Presentation of Request for Funds for the Procurement of Laboratory Equipment, Working Materials, Provision of Furniture and General Renovation at the Government Health Office and Occupational Health Services Units:The contents of this memorandum substantiated to Council that, the Government Health Office and Occupational Health Services Units are ideally scarce revenue generating units expected to perform creditably in the generation of revenue. Unfortunately, the two (2) Healthcare Delivery Facilities perform woefully. For example, the Government Health Office was only able to generate the paltry sum of N400,000.00 in the entire 2013. On the other hand, the Occupational Health Services Units was only able to generate the total sum of N1,827,000.00 in two (2) years (2012 and 2013). As such, the cited request was submitted for consideration by Council so as to improve the activities and Service Delivery of these important revenue generating units. Details of the requirements were listed to include laboratory equipment, working materials and furniture. The sum of N8,990,107.85 was requested for release for their procurement. Council approved as requested. 5. MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING Of the three (3) memoranda submitted for deliberations by Council from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning, only one (1) was approved for execution. Thus: Presentation of Request for Funds to Enable the Demarcation of 950 Plots in Three (3) Medium Density Layouts:The Ministry of Land and Physical Planning reminded Council of the directive issued to process the relocations of AKTH Cooperative Groups from Kwankwasiyya City site to a more appropriate site. Based on that, a medium density layout of about 950 plots was designed at Fari in Gurjiya Village, Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area. The need to demarcate these plots physically to be shown to the beneficiaries prompted the submission of the cited request to Council for consideration. Details on the items required for the demarcation were presented along with the request for the release of the aggregate sum of N8,447,000.00 to enable the execution of the stated project. Council approved the released of the trimmed down sum of N5,447,000.00 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable the execution of the stated purpose. 6. OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR/HON. COMMISSIONER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS The only memorandum submitted for deliberation by Council from this Office was approved for execution. Thus: Presentation of Information Memorandum (IM) on the Meeting held on 22nd May, 2014 Among the Task Force Committee on Polio Eradication Programme; Interim Management Officers (IMOs); Newly Elected Local Government Council Chairman and District Heads:The cited presentation was submitted to Council for consideration by the Deputy Governor/Hon. Commissioner for Local Governments in his capacity as the Chairman of the Task Force Committee on Polio Eradication Programme. Details of the accomplishments of the programme, challenges being faced and recommendations were forwarded for Council deliberation. To solve the challenges Council accepted the need to release funds in time, Ward Heads to assign capable, mature and responsible people to represent them when they cannot perform, ensuring that key Local Government officials participate in the programme , which should be protected from political interference, and Village and Ward Heads to conduct regular meetings on the programme for its betterment. Again, Council was informed that at the stakeholders review meeting the performance of respective Local Government Council Areas were assessed and trophies awarded to the best performing Local Government as follows: • First (1st) Position (Governor’s Cup) Bagwai, Garko, Madobi, Shanono, Takai and Tsanyawa. • Second (2nd) Position (Deputy Governor’s Cup) Karaye. • Third (3rd) Position (Hon. Commissioner’s Cup) Kumbotso, Tudun Wada and Fagge. • Fourth (4th) Position (His Highness, Emir’s Cup) Municipal. The worst performing Local Government, Rimin Gado was highlighted for reprimanding. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation. 7. MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES The Ministry of Water Resources submitted three (3) memoranda for deliberations by Council. Two (2) were approved for execution as follows: a) Request for Funds for the Procurement and Installation of Eight (8) Raw Water Pumps and Control Panels for the New Challawa Intake No. 2:The Hon. Commissioner for Water Resources reminded Council, through the contents of this memorandum, of the approval granted to his Ministry for the construction of a new lagoon at intake No. 2 for the extraction of raw water to the Challawa Water Works/Water Treatment Plant. The cited request was presented to Council for consideration sequel to the completion of the construction of the new lagoon at which effective operations require the installation of eight (8) new raw water pumps and their control panels. Accordingly, the required due process was adopted in the selection of a reputable contractor for the project that agreed to provide the requirements at the most responsive contract sum of N304,402,211.00, which was requested for release by Council to enable the execution of the highly required project. Council approved as requested. b) Request for Funds to Enable the Laying (Burying) of 33.6KM Length of 400MM Ductile Iron Water Pipes from Watari Treatment Plant (WTP) to Tsanyawa Town in Tsanyawa Local Government Council Area:The contents of this memorandum informed Council of the fact that the contract awarded for the procurement/supply of 400MM Ductile Iron Water Pipes and fittings to cover a distance of 33.6KM from Watari Treatment Plant (WTP)

to Tsanyawa was completed by the contractor. The pipes were delivered at the site waiting for laying/burying. Thus, the Ministry of Water Resources submitted the cited request for consideration by Council. Details of the requirements were presented along with the most responsive contractual estimates at the sum of N178,752,000.00, which was requested for release by Council to enable the execution of the project. Council approved the request. 8. MINISTRY OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, COOPERATIVES AND TOURISM Only one (1) of the two (2) memoranda submitted for deliberations by Council from this Ministry was approved for execution. Thus: Presentation of Official Invitation and Request for Funds for the Participation of Kano State Contingent at the Fourth (4th) Arewa Festival of Arts and Culture (ARFEST) (23rd – 27th June, 2014) at Murtala Muhammad Square Kaduna:The Hon. Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Tourism notified Council, through the contents of this memorandum, of receiving an official invitation from Gamji Events and Conferences Ltd. for the Kano State Contingent to participate at the cited event. Importantly, Council was informed of the fact that, the Festival was designed to re – awaken the nineteen (19) Northern States of Nigeria on a common platform with a view to promoting peaceful coexistence through cultural heritage events among the region’s diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria. The Festival is appropriately premised under the main theme tagged as “Supporting Government Peace Initiative by Utilizing Culture for Inter – Ethnic and Inter – Religious Understanding”. The Festival aims at: • Promoting National Unity through Regional Integration. • Promoting Private Initiative. • Showcasing our Diverse/Unique Cultural Heritage. • Promote potential employment opportunities, wealth creation and generating of income from our Local/Indigenous Cottage Industries, etc. The sum of N9,865,200.00 wasrequestedto enable the History and Culture Bureau cater for the participation of the Kano State contingent at the Festival. Council approved the release of the sum of N6million for the festival. 9. MINISTRY OF FINANCE The only memorandum submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Finance was approved for execution. Thus: Presentation of Information Memorandum (IM) on a 2 – Day Workshop Organized in Collaboration Between the Kano State Ministry of Finance and the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Kano State Branch:The contents of this memorandum tacitly intimated Council that the cited workshop was organized with multi – focused intentions which included the following: • Consolidation of the monumental achievements recorded by the present administration in Kano State under the leadership of the second (2nd) incumbency of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Emphasis was placed on fiscal discipline, prudence, accountability and transparency which remain the cardinal guiding principles since inception of the second (2nd) tenure. • Drive at instilling moral rectitude and civil sanctity in the discharge of official responsibility. • The modern public sector accounting standards, processes and procedure were also focused upon. Importantly, the workshop was premised on the main theme tagged as “Financial Prudence, Transparency and Accountability “Sine Qua Non” for Good Governance and Service Delivery”. The participants declared their profound gratitude to Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSEfor supporting conduct of the workshop morally, materially and financially. Council acknowledged the presentation appreciatively. 10. OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE Council deliberated upon the only memorandum submitted from the Office of the Head of Civil Service. Approval was granted for its execution. Thus: Presentation of Request for Funds to Enable the Conduct of the Fifth (5th) Retreat for Kano State Top Government Functionaries in Kaduna (19th – 22nd June, 2014):The Kano State Head of Civil Service submitted the cited request for consideration by Council. Details on the genesis and reasons for the retreat were presented to Council for consideration along with the request for the release of the discounted sum of N51,975,500.00 to cover for accommodation, feeding, etc. for the successful conduct of the August Retreat. Council acknowledged the presentation and approved as requested. UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF 152TH EXCO – SITTING 1. THE END OF THE MONTH ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION EXERCISE Council appreciatively acknowledged the effort of the Ministry of Environment for the successful and smooth conduct of the Environmental Sanitation exercise held every last Saturday of the Month. Council appreciated the support of Kano Citizens, Emirate Council and Community leaders. 2. COURTESY VISIT TO KANO BY THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA Council acknowledged the courtesy visit paid to Kano State on 2nd June, 2014 by the Ambassador of Turkey to Nigeria. During the visit issues discussed included the following, among others: i. Collaboration between the Kano State Government and that of Turkey on Agriculture and Education with a view to enhancing the performance of the two (2) sectors, and ii. Discussion on the need for the establishment of Turkish University in Kano State. 3. VISIT OF THE MINISTER OF STATE (FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH) TO KANO STATE Council acknowledged the visit of the Minister of State (Federal Ministry of Health) to Kano State in company of the Executive Director, Primary Healthcare Development Agency on 3rd June, 2014. The DeputyGovernor/Honorable Commissioner for Local Governments received the visiting team. The team expressed satisfaction and appreciated the efforts of the State Government in its fight against Polio virus.

Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture, Kano State www.kn.gov.ng/new

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

PAGE 10

National conference pays tribute to Bayero, Akunyili By Hassan Haruna Ginsau

he National Conference yesterday paid glowing tributes to the late Emir of Kano State, HRH Ado Bayero, and Professor Dora Akunyili, who was a delegate representing Anambra state at the ongoing conference. After the formal announcement of the death of Late Ado Bayero, at yesterday’s resumed plenary by the Deputy Chairman, Bolaji Akinyemi, a delegate, Bashiru Albasu urged the conference to send a condolence message to the family of Ado Bayero and the people of Kano State on the death of the late Emir. Albasu described the late emir as the longest serving Emir of Kano who made the highest and largest contribution to the development of the state. “He (HRH Ado Bayero) was a true Nigerian who made great contributions to ensure peaceful atmosphere for business and development in Kano. He ensured peaceful co-existence in Kano where all tribes co-existed especially in the sabon gari area of Kano” said Albasu. On the issue of protests upon the appointment of the new Emir, HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Albasu pointed out that the same happened during Bayeros’s appointment in 1963. The conference later observed a minutes’ silence in honour of both late Mrs. Akunyili and Mr. Bayero. The tributes came from the delegates many of whom were dressed in black as a sign of their mourning of the deaths. In his tribute to Mrs. Akunyili, Mr. Akinyemi described her as “a fighter and a patriotic Nigerian who fought to the very end. “We all will surely miss her. Given the frailty of her health, she still attended our sessions, it shows somebody who is fighting

National Conference delegate, Professor Gambo Laraba Abdullahi, making contribution on the report of the Committee on Science and Technology, during the proceeding, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa a cause,’’ Akinyemi said. In paying his own homage, Abubakar Jijiwa, representing Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) urged the conference to recommend naming or instituting something worthy in her name. Jijiwa said the activities of Mrs. Akunyili while she headed the NAFDAC and later at the

Ministry of Information and Communications showed her passion and belief in the country. Another delegate, Aisha Ali, described her as “a strong personality and a great Nigerian who fought for the survival of Nigerians.’’ Noting that honouring her was worthwhile. “Akunyili fought for our survival. Nobody can understand

what Nigerians were going through in terms of how we were being used as guinea-pigs for drug dumping. “I also remember when Akunyili was shot at simply because she was trying to save the health of Nigerians, particularly the women and the children,” Ali said. She said the achievements

of the deceased were indicative that if women were given the chance, they would do much more for the development of the nation. Amuna Ali, who was the permanent secretary when Mrs. Akunyili was the minister of information, described her as dedicated, hardworking, humble and patriotic.

Confab rejects nuclear technology By Hassan Haruna Ginsau

elegates at the national conference yesterday rejected a proposal by its committee on science and technology calling for the government’s commitment to

nuclear technology. The recommendation, which also proposed capacity building, was rejected by delegates during the adoption session of the committee’s report. During deliberations on the committee’s report last

week, delegates argued that the Nigerian Government was not ready to handle something as complex and at the same time delicate as nuclear technology. A delegate, Atedo Peterside while submitting an amendment to drop

nuclear technology from the report noted that Nigeria “couldn’t even manage a road accident talkless of a nuclear technology” Other delegates against the recommendation pointed out that even nations such as

Germany and japan, with the development and advancement they possessed had abandoned the technology because of their inability to manage accidents similar to those experienced in Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

PAGE 11

Delegate advocates ministerial appointments for physically challenged persons

National Conference delegate, Ms. Esther Andrew has urged the Federal Government to appoint physically challenged persons as ministers in the country. Andrew, representing Persons Living with Disabilities, made the call while contributing to the report of the Standing Committee on Public Service in Abuja. She expressed regrets that physically challenged persons were often discriminated against in all sectors in the country. ``We find out that in the nomination of ministers, persons living with disabilities were not included and we know of countries that have nominated persons with disabilities as ministers. ``Please give us a chance and you will be shocked at our performance because disability is not a sign of weakness,’’ she said. Andrew said that physically challenged persons go through a lot of difficulties in accessing most offices in the country. She further decried the humiliation and harassment faced whenever they visit agencies to seek job opportunities. ``There are no jobs for persons living with disabilities and this is disheartening, and even when we go to agencies to seek for jobs, we are rudely turned away. ``They tell you because you are living with visual impairment for instance, you cannot work. We want Nigerians to put us to test and see what we can do. ``If we cannot deliver, we will understand why you are chasing us away,’’ she said

National Conference delegates, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Erelu Olusola Obada, and Professor Jibrin Aminu, at the conference, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa A delegate representing NorthWest, Hajiya LarabaDattijo, stressed the need for special allowances for persons with disability considering the fact that

they required extra care. Dattijo called for disability desks that would be manned by physically challenged persons across the country and provision

of disability-friendly staircases and toilets. ``I support that effort should be made by government at all levels to make offices disability-

friendly, especially in the setting up of a disability desk in all offices and toilets among other things that will help them live comfortably.’’ (NAN)

Confab committee warns of humanitarian crisis in Chad basin By Hassan Haruna Ginsau

he Chairman of the National conference’s committee on agriculture presented his committee’s report to delegates at the conference yesterday, in which he called for the government to save the River Chad basin from the condition it was currently in. During the presentation, Umar Hadejia decried the current state of the River Chad basin due to climate change and other factors, noting that 17 million Nigerians were affected. He added that there were

tensions between host communities and cattle rearers who had left the basin because of low water supply. It is as a result of this the chairman said the committee had decided to explore the feasibility of inter basin water transport. Said the Chairman; “We recommend that the Federal Government urgently initiate concrete action in mobilising the required resources in conjunction with international donors towards inter basin water transfer to Lake Chad so as to avert an impending

humanitarian crisis.” A local intervention should be encouraged to explore serious sea fishing and trawling, poor disposal methods, deforestation, climate change, indiscriminate use of water he added. He noted that no amount of money would mean anything if there was an absence of future development. It is based on this that the committee urged the government to put deliberate policies in place to attract Nigerian youth to study agriculture related courses, which

should be tailored towards agricultural technologies. The committee also proposed the establishment of professional institutes to regulate the training and practice of graduates and technologists. Hadejia noted that this was the time for the Nigerian Government to empower the water sector, stating that the committee therefore recommended that significant and sustained support will be given to the water sector backed by the constitutional amendment of the water resources act 101. Other recommendations

ere; the establishment of a National water commission to maintain a comprehensive data base of water resources and usage to aid overload planning; the commercialisation, not privatisation of the river basin development authority to improve operational and income generating facilities. H also called for the Government to integrate the report into the water resources bill and agricultural policy of Nigeria. Amendments to the committee’s report will be submitted and deliberated upon today.

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

EDITORIAL

he results of elections held in Egypt and Syria last week were a foregone conclusion. International observers and locals alike predicted that Syria’s incumbent President Bashar alAssad would be elected for a third term in office, while former Field Marshall Abdel Fattah al-Sisi would win a landslide in Egypt’s presidential poll. Since the outcomes of the two polls were as already well known even before they were held there is actually no prize for the correct predictions. President Bashar al-Assad won easily, but the implication of his victory is that the prospects of a negotiated settlement of the long running conflict in the country are almost foreclosed. The main goal of the international mediation in the conflict was the formation of an inclusive transitional government but lack of agreement on the issue was the reason for the collapse of the Geneva negotiation. Now with an electoral victory, it is hard to imagine that the government in Damascus would be willing to negotiate a settlement to the conflict. However, even with the regime’s overwhelming military superiority over the insurgents, the only path to the restoration of peace in Syria is through negotiation. Even with a dubious election victory in which many Syrians did not participate, President Assad can still stretch forth the olive branch. It is time most

of the insurgents, especially those linked to al-Qaeda, were discredited. There are several moderate opposition groups that can be co-opted, if there is genuine effort on the part of government to bring about genuine reconciliation. The victory of President Assad in Syria would not magically end

“

Egypt and Syria: A tale of two elections

With Al-Assad and AlSisi firmly entrenched in their respective presidential palaces, it is hard to believe that the troubles of the two important Arab nations are over. the armed conflict in that region and we remain skeptical to any prospects of military solution to the conflict. In Egypt, the landslide victory of Field Marshal al-Sisi is not likely to launch Egypt into a political Eldorado of stability. Egypt has been in turmoil since the fall of the former maximum ruler, Mr. Hosni Mubarak. The subsequent election of former President Muhammad Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood did not end the crisis. The rule of

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the Muslim Brotherhood was dogged by controversial changes to the Constitution to reflect their ideology, instead of promoting a broad programme of reconstruction and reconciliation. Before the army struck to kick out the regime, Egyptians had already started gathering at the legendary Tahrir Square demanding the end of the regime. The army that kicked out Mursi claimed to have acted at the behest of the popular will. The military-backed regime led by the former head of Egypt’s constitutional court launched an earth-scorched manhunt of the leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood. Field Marshal al-Sisi’s ambition to run for the presidency has been an open book even as the strongman continuously denied it. However, this year, he came out in the open, retired from the army and threw his hat in the ring. As predicted, he trounced his only opponent, the left-leaning, Mr. Hamdeen Sabahi. With Al-Assad and Al-Sisi firmly entrenched in their respective presidential palaces, it is hard to believe that the troubles of the two important Arab nations are over. However, though, the two polls could hardly stand any close scrutiny, we urge the two leaders to reach out to credible opposition politicians and build the necessary bridges that would facilitate national reconciliation.

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

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

PAGE 13

Opinion Kano, the Emirship and national security By Kennedy Emetulu

he emergence of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano has opened another political front in the battle between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Congress (APC) for the soul of our nation at a time we are experiencing one of the worst national security challenges since the Civil War. As we speak, protests are reported to be going on in Kano following the Kano state government’s announcement of the former CBN governor as the new Emir. Here is my take. If Sanusi was one of the three names submitted by the Kano kingmakers to Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, then the governor’s right or duty to choose one of the three having been exercised by the choice of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has to be respected by all. If Kwankwaso made the choice of Sanusi based on political considerations, this should be left to his conscience. Yes, if as reported, APC bigwigs lobbied hard for him to get there, we have to leave that to the governor’s conscience because he is a Kano man and he will have to live with his decision whatever it is and whatever his motivation. However, having said the above, the people of Kano over whom this man must rule as traditional ruler for life have the ultimate say. If the riot or

opposition to his enthronement is the voice of God, the people will ultimately prevail. It would not need the intervention of Abuja forces for this to happen. It will happen. The Kano people will not allow any person to be imposed on them by any agendadriven governor. It might take sometime, but their will ultimately will prevail. I mean, IF this is an imposition against the will of the people, their will ultimately will prevail…. For now, let the rest of us who are dancing around, celebrating the enthronement of Sanusi as the downfall of Jonathan step back a little from the brink. Nigeria is bigger than these people. The Emir of Kano is not bigger than the President or the institution of the presidency. The Emir of Kano may be influential, but he has no lawful jurisdiction outside Kano. His job is to keep that place safe, to exercise his power as a traditional ruler that accommodates all in the ancient and cosmopolitan city of Kano and environs. For me, the most crucial issue now is the place of Kano in the national security radar. We are very much aware that the late Ado Bayero was an implacable enemy of Boko Haram, the terrorist group that has laid siege to Kano and the nation for sometime. That group, as we know, attempted unsuccessfully to assassinate him. He showed his true national

colours throughout and every true Nigerian respected his stance. It wasn’t a stance he took conveniently. From day one, he had showed that he believed in one Nigeria and that was the way he ran his domain, even in the heydays of the Maitatsine crisis, despite the fact that he never had a great relationship with the Abubakar Rimi government, just as he didn’t have a great relationship with Kwankwaso. But basically his disagreements with the governors were precisely because he was no politician and never allowed himself to be used to serve partisan ends. He came to the throne from the relatively lowkey position of Ambassador of Nigeria to Senegal in 1963. Sanusi is not exactly that type of character. He’s coming to the throne fresh from the position of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and he left that post as the most controversial head of the Central Bank we’ve ever had. He’s coming wearing his political colours on his sleeves, having showed he has no scruples being used politically against the central government, at least. It is instructive that his grandfather, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi was dethroned after about ten years on the throne and banished to Azare by the Sardauna, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello over political differences. If Lamido Sanusi does not want history to repeat itself, he must now begin to mend fences all round.

First, he must start with making peace with the Kano people. Those rioting against his installation are doing so, not because Jonathan or the PDP engineered them, but because of the way he had gone about this business of Emirship, claiming inelegantly that to be the Emir of Kano was his sole ambition when Ado Bayero was still alive and on the throne. Then pursuant to his ambition, he began to bankroll the APC and its candidates massively with the sole purpose of attaining that position once the State governor, Kwankwaso defected to the party from PDP. Now that he’s achieved his aim, he has to realize the limits of politics and play the role of an Emir for all. Secondly, he must make peace with the Jonathan government and not attempt to play this as some kind of victory over Jonathan or the PDP. He has to distance himself from the APC now and show that he is his own man, because a political Emir of Kano is not good for Kano and Nigeria. He also must strive to convince the central authorities that he would not make Kano a soft touch for the Boko Haram insurgents. The way to prove this is to openly condemn Boko Haram and cooperate with the state and federal authorities to protect life and property in the city and in the state. He must not let Boko Haram celebrate his ascension as a victory for them and their murderous ideology.

If he thinks Boko Haram will spare Kano because he’s now the Emir, he’s got another think coming. Boko Haram targets Kano precisely because they know it’s the commercial nerve centre of the North. Crippling Kano is crippling the North, which accelerates their agenda to destabilize the North and by extension, Nigeria. Thirdly, Sanusi must make peace with the Kano nobility. It’s obvious that there is a huge division now arising from his enthronement. He has a great act to follow in the person of Ado Bayero who came in three months after the dethronement of Muhammadu Sanusi and who stooped to conquer in the volatile atmosphere following that dethronement and the short reign of Emir Muhammadu Inuwa. However, Sanusi understands the traditional Kano institutions enough to know that he cannot rule by imposing his views over and above the institutions that hold the monarchy together in all areas. He might be a royal son, but he’s still a stranger to their ways because of the long time he’s spent outside the emirate. He needs to humbly learn the ropes from those who’ve been around the throne long before he himself was born. The ball is in his court. He can make Kano a beacon of national unity or the flashpoint of division. The world is watching. Kennedy Emetulu wrote in from London, UK

This crisis must not be wasted (2) By Chidi Anselm Odinaku

overnment must, therefore, be comfortable with hearing alternative views from Nigerians that it may not agree with. Irrespective of how we describe them – opposition, critics, or supporters – anyone who chooses the path of peaceful or public debate is fully paid up as a subscriber to a democratic Nigeria. Even when we don’t like or agree with their views, we must support their right to air them. Those who seek to brand peaceful disagreement as a crime or deny it airtime on public media violate our laws and do serious disservice to this country. It is the responsibility of democratic government to support citizens who can disagree and make articulate demands on government. These are unusual times. Our security agencies are indeed stretched and require collective support in order to do their best work. The adversaries we confront are also determined. We must not underestimate their murderous capacities. What they would love most is for Nigeria to fall apart; for bickering and blame-gaming to divide us. We must resist the urge to grant them their wish and recognize that we’re all on the same side. Protest organizers should

liaise regularly with security agencies. Open and amicable conversations must be had. In January 2012, the National Human Rights Commission issued an advisory with guidelines on how to manage the competing demands on security agencies when policing protests. Those are still valid. While it is the primary responsibility of our police and troops to secure the country, we all have a duty to work with them to defend the public sphere and the right to peaceful protest. Without it, elective government in our country does not have a future. To achieve independence, our people protested continuously against colonial government. When the military nullified a free and fair election in 1993, our people protested continuously. To achieve the elective government we enjoy today, our people protested continuously against military rule. To achieve peaceful handover from an ailing President to his Vice in 2010, Nigerians protested continuously until we got a legitimate transition of power. This is why the right to peaceful protest is constitutionally guaranteed. Today, in the face of mass-casualty insecurity, the #BringBackOurGirls movement protests continuously for action by all who can guarantee the

high constitutional entitlement to a safe and secure country. This country is our common patrimony. I personally don’t want to go down as the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission who could not stand up in defence of the right to peaceful protest. Nor do I want to end without acknowledging the women who provide the spine and leadership of this movement. United in compassion, empathy and pride as Nigerians, they have inspired a global outpouring of civic and human solidarity with our country in our time of difficulty. It is cheap slander to accuse them – as some have done – of doing this for vainglory or political reasons. Such slander should not go unanswered. But while they lead this public service beyond the call of duty, we must spare them the indignity of having to respond to such flippancy. In inspiring the #BringBackourGirls movement, these women also teach abiding lessons in both citizenship and leadership. They show that leadership can come about without seeking or holding elective office. They teach that in a time of national trouble, leadership is also a call to healing, empathy and compassion. They demonstrate

that times of national difficulty are also indeed opportunities to renew one another and discover common cause. This crisis must not be wasted. That’s what we do when we spend energy demonizing those demanding urgent action to bring #BringBackourGirls rather than investing fully in rescuing the girls or bringing their abductors to justice. Many things must change: •More than two years into the life of this murderous insurgency, we need a credible humanitarian plan for northeast Nigeria that all interested can buy into. This must include elements of trauma care for victims and accountability for perpetrators of war crimes. •We also need a credible plan for the defence of access to education in north-east Nigeria, for this is a war not just against the country but against education as the guarantor of our future. •We must invest in restoring the credibility and capability of our defence and security institutions confronting asymmetrical conflict against a rampant and indiscriminate domestic adversary. •We cannot win this war by being soft on corruption and impunity. So, we must restore credibility to the fight against corruption.

•Above all, insecurity is not an issue from which political parties – ruling or opposition – at any level should score cheap points. At this time, we need senior political and security sector leaders who understand when to put the country first. Welcome as they are, international assistance and regional co-operation to #BringBackourGirls will not achieve much without these changes. We can’t conduct politics, public policy or counterinsurgency as if Nigeria’s biggest problem is an inability to abuse one another enough. This situation requires involved citizens and communities. That’s why the example of the #BringBackourGirls movement deserves to be supported across our country. We need to adopt its values of citizen leadership and make them ours. As an act of stake holding by citizens in the most difficult issue of our times, it’s courageous and it’s right: to keep asking that we all in our various roles, do all we can to #BringBackourGirls – now, safe, alive, with urgency. And ultimately, to root out the greater insecurity that afflicts our land. Concluded Dr. Odinkalu is Chair, Governing Council, National Human Rights Commission.

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Opinion Taking Nigeria personally By Ayisha Osori

ast week Doyin Okupe, President Goodluck Jonathan’s adviser on public affairs, shared on Twitter his thoughts on an encounter he had with Obiageli Ezekwesili during which she declined his offer a handshake. According to him, ‘we may disagree but it ought not be personal’. If the number of retweets is anything to go by, many agree with him but under current circumstances, maybe that is the problem. We don’t take things personal. Surely, it is personal when those in government use the security apparatus which belongs to all Nigerians to intimidate those who share a different perspective from them or disagree with their policies and politics? Surely it is personal for those whose sons are mindlessly murdered in a school which should be well protected by a One Trillion Naira security budget and a state of emergency? Can it be business as usual when daughters and sisters are kidnapped by terrorists and held as sex and domestic slaves? Some would prefer to see these harsh realities as isolated to only those it is happening to, after all, in a

country of 160M maybe it is not important that over 2000 have been killed by Boko Haram this year alone. But this thinking is flawed because when a corner of a roof is on fire, the inhabitants of the house would be making a serious mistake to think only those directly

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under the fire are to worry. Thousands of Nigerians have been killed and maimed by our broken health system, with hospitals where the catalogue of patients experiences range from the criminal to the unbelievable. We fail to see the irony of so many public officials dying in foreign hospitals. Are the financial and emotional costs to the families of the late Emir of Gombe and Dora Akunliyi not personal? How many have wept from the loss caused by the death traps which serve as our planes and our roads? Too many senseless deaths caused by our governance and political structures, thousands

living with extreme injustice and the impact of corruption and many more denied their human rights because of the raw misuse of power in Nigeria and our inability to hold those in government accountable. Yet we should not take anything personal? I can’t lie, right up there with corruption; sycophancy ranks high as a debilitating national disease. It is this demeaning obsequiousness that creates a bubble of lies around those in power and prevents them from understanding how their actions personally affect us as citizens and as humans. There are too many current and past government officials whom we should all shun in

public and in private. Around dinner tables and newspaper vendor reading clubs we all complain about the excesses of our public officers, but the minute they walk into a room

we jump to attention and almost wet ourselves for our delight at proximity to power and the possibility of favour. We must not confuse good etiquette with taking the affairs of our country seriously. To loose gracefully in any competition and to act like a good sports woman or man is important, but we are not talking about debates and races here. Ruining our country, making life untenable for millions and squandering the future of our children is not something we should take lightly, shrug our shoulders and shake hands gamely with those who are responsible. In referring to his role as

Fashola and LASU fee palaver By Uzodinma Nwaogba

ne of the campaign promises of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is free education at all levels. Of course, this campaign mantra is catchy and will attract voters to the party but with APC controlled Lagos state government increasing fees at Lagos state University, LASU, it appears this promise is a deceit after all. It was the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memory who laid, supported the strong educational foundation in the South West far and above all other regions in the country that necessitated many of the leaders in the SW today to have gone to school, without which it may have been difficult for very many of them to pass through a college. Yet, they find it difficult to sustain or bequeath it to their children. What is there excuse? In Nigeria, there is a trend by our leaders and that is, to enjoy and benefit all socialeconomic facilities and then shut the door against the next generation from benefiting from such facility. This is partly the reason why poverty is on the rise. Again, I have argued that Nigeria’s poverty or the callous

destruction of the middle class is a result of the non-fixing of the social-economic facilities to the advantage of Nigerians, certainly not because of the meager monthly wages workers receive. It is sad that in Nigeria with all the petrodollar, billions and trillions voted yearly for the budget, parents are made to withdraw their children from school because of high school fees they cannot pay. What then do the government especially at the states do with the money they get from the federation account every month? It has been revealed that one of the major pipes drilling the state funds is the retirement benefits usually paid past leaders of the state. It is then desirable for the states to look inward and discover where to make adjustments and channel such into state infrastructural development. In a recent meeting with civil society organisations, CSOs, the state government led by Gov. Babatunde Fashola, was that the new fee of N250,000 from N45,000 was outrageous, insensitive and lacks human face. There is no justification whatsoever for such an increase, no hardworking and responsible

father will destroy the children’s education for any other interest as that would amount to killing their future. The argument by the government that the amount is justified because of several developmental achievements going on in the education sector and Lagos generally is too weak to present. We had expected the state government to immediately call for a meeting with the students, possibly with parents, CSOs, labour, ASUU, NASU and other stakeholders to agree on a particular fee favourable to all rather than resort to unnecessary display of arrogance. Education is the key to the future of human and physical development of the state and, as such no government policy must make nonsense of it. The state governor, Gov. Babatunde Fashola, has always postured himself as a listening leader, as a man who reasons with his people for the better development of the state. He must truly listen now, allowing this new school fees of N250,000 per student will shut the door against many brilliant and intelligent youths from receiving education due to their poor background. It is equally against every principle

of free education as promoted by Gov. Fashola’s party, APC and late Chief Awolowo. Government must care for both the haves and haves-not, every citizen is the responsibility of the state. Education is expensive no doubt but the government must find a way at cushioning the effect to help encourage mass literacy of its people. Agreed, students must pay but it must not be something astronomical and wicked. Nigerians are already frustrated, traumatized, dehumanized and impoverished by its own elected government, there is nothing the people are benefitting from its government thereby, making every family a local government of its own. Our religious bodies are already not helping matters as they have all gone capitalist in the area of education. This has contributed negatively and robbed very brilliant youths from obtaining education. No Christian or Islamic formal school can be afforded by the lowly members of its congregation except the wealthy. Fashola must look at the reality on ground and reduce the school fees to what it was, N45,000. The government must also direct the police to discontinue the

one of the official spokespersons for the President who have been vociferous about discrediting and disrupting the #BringBackOurGirls campaign as a disagreement, Okupe shows us that those in government consider our lives a game. The message is ‘everything is justifiable as just business or just politics.’ But we must ignore this bulletin. This is our country that is being shredded and pillaged and we must show those responsible that we hold them accountable for their contributions to the outrage that threatens and endangers us all. Besides, as Chinua Achebe warns, when you shake hands with a leper, the leper will expect an embrace. By refusing to take issues around governance and abuse of power personally, we have embraced those who should be outcasts. And if we continue to swallow the poison of politeness out of a misplaced duty to honour the office of those who have no respect for us, we will continue to be complicit in our own ruin and suffering. Taking Nigeria seriously means, we take the abuse and misuse of power personal and match our words with our actions. Today. Ayisha Osori’s professional profile is on linkedIn

case with the about 8 students arrested forthwith, for it was the state and police who provoked the students to act unruly. The government refused every appeal by the students and other stakeholders to reduce the fees to its original fee while, the police as usual do not understand how to use civilized means to manage the peoples’ right of expression. Ordinarily, the Police would have used their intelligence to understand that the students are aggrieved young men and women, provide them with security and, prevent miscreants from cashing in on the protest. The police must be told that it is the constitutional right of the people to engage in peaceful protests. The APC leadership, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Oba of Lagos, and other distinguished leaders of Lagos must not look the other way while all these are going on, they should step into this crisis now to arrest the situation. There are so many crises in LASU; student unrests, ASUU and NASU strikes, so these leaders must not fold their arms simply because their children are not in such schools. Uzodinma Nwaogbe is on linkedIn

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY , JUNE 10, 2014

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Comment

World Cup: Ghanaian ‘witchcraft’ on trial

By Leo Igwe

port lovers and enthusiasts are looking forward to the display of African ‘witchcraft’ at the world cup tournament starting in Brazil this week. Particularly many will be looking out for Ghanaian witchcraft and how it will get Ghana to win its matches. Thanks to a local spiritualist, the Ghanaian witchcraft is already wreaking havoc. Claims by the country’s ‘most influential witchdoctor’, Nana Kwaku Bonsam, have made headlines around the world. Bonsam has declared that he would use his ‘magic’ to stop Cristiano Ronaldo from playing at the world cup, or at least from playing Ghana. The reasons for these weird claims may not be far fetched. Since FIFA announced the teams that would play in the different groups, fear had gripped many Ghanaians. Ghana is in group G- the world cup‘s group of death-with Portugal, Germany and USA. And Ghana must beat Germany or Portugal to advance. It is not certain that Ghana will beat the

US. To many Ghanaians, beating one of the two countries will be difficult that is why Kwaku Bonsam is offering his free spiritual services at this critical point in time. And he is going after Ronaldo. Bonsam said he used some occult means to orchestrate Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent knee injury which caused him to miss a friendly match against Greece. The knee injury is an ‘evidence’ that his magic is working. According to Bonsam this marks the beginning of Ronaldo’s sorrows. Series of injury will eventually prevent Ronaldo from playing at the world cup. There is no confirmation yet that Ronaldo has been ruled out of the world cup due to this injury. But Bonsam is already claiming that this would happen. He has marshalled his sympathetic magical wares against the world best player. What effect will that have on Cristiano Ronaldo? Will Kwaku Bonsam succeed getting Ghana lift the world cup through his magic? Nana Kwaku Bonsam claimed to have conjured a special powder from his gods. He mixed the powder with

leaves and concoctions and placed them around the photos and caricatures of Cristiano Ronaldo. In addition, he plans to use ‘four dogs’ to produce a special magical charm called ‘Kahawiri Kapam’ This charm will spiritually inflict Ronaldo with serial injuries that would keep me out of the world cup and likely out of playing professional soccer for life. Wow! Bonsam states that the injury is spiritual and has no cure. By making this claim, Kwaku Bonsam has stretched his paranormal nonsense too far. He is making a caricature of himself and his so called powers. Bonsam is exposing his supposed witchcraft influences to international ridicule. The belief that incurable diseases are magically orchestrated is popular in Ghana. Claims of causing incurable illness are among the driving forces of witchcraft accusation in the country. So, it is ‘understandable’ when one makes such wild claims in a country where many people cannot afford adequate health care and therefore rely on

traditional faith healing system. Bonsam has demonstrated his charlatanry by thinking that his ‘witchcraft’ abracadabra can apply in the case of Ronaldo who can access the best health care in the world. Witchcraft is superstition and thrives due to fear or ignorance. Nana Kwaku Bonsam and others who peddle who peddle such superstious claims are miners of popular fears and anxieties. Magic has practically not role in football. Magical charms can affect those who believe and use them psychologically probably by boosting their confidence or morale. But the psychological impact is so marginal that it cannot be responsible for claims like the ones Kwaku Bonsam is making. Now my question is: Why Ronaldo? Why Portugal, not Germany? Is Ronaldo the only player in the Portuguese team? Why is Bonsam making this claim in reaction to the injury? Why can’t he now be prophetic in his so called magic and now tell us who else will be injured among the German or Portuguese players? If he has the magic to make Ghana

win, must he injure Ronaldo to accomplish this? If he has spiritual as he claims why can’t he join the Ghana national team and use his powers to secure victory for them in Brazil? This is not the first time witchcraft related claims are featuring in Ghanaian football. In 2012, the then coach of Ghana, Goran Stevanovic attributed the failure of Ghana to beat Zambia in the Semi Final African Cup of Nations to accusations of witchcraft. He claimed that the players were using ‘black power’ against each other, and this negatively impacted their performance. Coach Stevanovic said a change of mentality is needed to get rid of this negative trend in Ghanaian football. But that change of mind may not happen for now due to the operations and pronouncements of the likes of Kwaku Bonsam. As the World Cup tournament kicks off in a few days’ time, people are looking forward to seeing ‘black power’ in action, Ghanaian witchcraft will be on trial.

a matter of letting Time race with time — with the Nigerian as an unperturbed bystander. As the Nigerian often says, ‘The clock did not invent man’. Give this thought. It is deeply philosophical.” So what to do? Accept that this is the way we are. In which case we also agree that it is essentially “Nigerian” to drive in the wrong direction on roads designated “oneway”; to drive against traffic; and to use the left lane on a multi-lane highway as the one for slow moving cars, and the right lane for speedier ones; etc.After all, what are these, but conventions that were bequeathed us by our colonial masters? And we have evidence that they were not an overly kindly lot. Why should their parting bestowals to us be kind, then? Why not re-write these gifts from first principles? Okay, why not reinvent the wheel along the way, too? Obviously, because the wheel does serve its purpose very well, and the effort and resources thus expended “reinventing” it are worthier of a better cause. Sadly, this isn’t the only objection to the fact that 48 years after the book was written, we have remained faithful to the character type it depicts. Of more weight

is that these proclivities are worse than a burlesque. In the absence of strong remedial action, they are the millstone that would eventually drown our people. Take the quaint notion of “African time”. Writing on the need to modernise the continent, Olufemi Táíwò (“Africa Must Be Modern) had suggested a link between our disdain for numbers, and our lackadaisical approach to punctuality. If indeed, “we experience numbers as a negative presence or value”, then our never being on time is a pathological state, rather than the expression of our successful conquest of “time”! The sophistry that has attended the current government’s attempt to brush off charges that it may be one of the most corrupt administrations we have ever had ranks equally with this failing on time. The strong ethical and governance relationships without which few nations have made it beyond the pedestrian are clearly beyond us, if our leaders’ philosophies are a useful pointer. What is to be done? Ifeanyi Uddin, an economic historian and finance expert, wrote in from Lagos

Leo Igwe wrote in from Lagos

How to be a Nigerian By Ifeanyi Uddin

hirty seven years ago, I read Peter Enahoro’s book, How To Be A Nigerian, for the first time. It was a most worrying read for a pre-teen; and leafing through its 88 pages, I was never too certain whether to laugh aloud or cry quietly. I didn’t read the book again. Wednesday, last week, I was at a bookshop, where a re-print of this book was the first thing that caught my eye. I was uncertain how to react. I had thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and it had helped shape my sense of what remains a fitting response to the Nigerian challenge. Yet, I could not but recall that most of the cultural artifacts that I had partaken of growing up appear to have lost their resonance with the “modern mind”. At least in films, I find that my kids do not experience in those films I watched growing up, when I finally force them to sit through these, the frisson of excitement that memory still associates with first watching these. I was then sure that it did not make sense to buy more than one copy of Peter Enahoro’s book. Good, if I was lucky to relive the experience three decades ago. Of course then I could buy more copies

of the book later, gift these to friends and acquaintances in the hope that they would find it as rewarding as I once did. Better still, if it turned out a damp squib: for then I would have bought only one copy, and my loss would be a very private one. However, by evening that Wednesday, I was sure I had value for my money. First to read the book, was a young female colleague at work, who was as impressed by it as I was so many years back. The problem for me has always been how to read the book. In it, Peter Enahoro is strongly persuaded that “in spite of the diversity of the country, a personality that was distinctly ‘Nigerian’ had emerged” a few years after the country obtained flag independence. If there was (or is) any truth to this, then much of the navel-gazing that has engaged the national imagination over the years is a waste of effort. All we have (or had) to do is (was) realise the full dimensions of this emergent “personality” and run with it. But in truth, the canvass and broad brushstrokes of the Nigerian personality depicted in the book affronted my sensibilities back then. From our social ethos, through our etiquette, to our sense of

humour, Enahoro’s Nigerian was nought but a lampoon. Re-reading the book, I could not but marvel at how these traits have held up after so many years. Indeed, at the transmogrification of some of them. Take the “dash”, for instance. “Even when a Nigerian negotiates or demands a gift which is sure to influence his judgement, he does not accept the interpretation that this is a ‘bribe’. It is for him not corruption, but merely a fee or the price for doing you a favour.” Thus, Peter Enahoro on the “dash”! How, may I ask, has the inability to tell the one from the other changed over the years? Not by much, if you ask me. We still have a lot to do telling “simple stealing” from “corruption”. On the other hand, what in 1966, Peter Enahoro described under the rubric “Patience Aforethought” has become “African time”. I often cavil at family, friends, and colleagues who act like it is unfashionable to be on time. Well, it would seem that I am a couple of decades behind time. For, according to Enahoro, “The mistaken impression is abroad that the Nigerian is unambitious and that his cool reserve for Time is evidence of laziness. Wrong. It is simply

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

Association donates 10 typewriters to FCT School for the Blind

FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, (right) receiving the President, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mamoon Hussain on arrival at the Nnamdi Azukiwe International Airport for a state visit in Abuja, yesterday.

he Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), Cathedral Church of the Advent (Anglican Communion), Gwarinpa , Abuja, at the weekend donated 10 typewriters worth N250,000 to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) School for the Blind. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit and donation were organised as part of the activities marking the 6th anniversary of the chapter. Led by the President of the chapter, Mrs Ngozi Okaro, the group fellowshipped with the principal, some teachers and pupils of the school numbering about 125 in praise, worship songs and prayers. Speaking, Okaro told the pupils that in spite of their challenge, God’s purpose for their lives would be accomplished. She admonished them to reverence God and trust Him for His word, reminding them that they were made in the image and likeness of God. Other members of the association, who also spoke, urged them not to see the physical challenge as an impediment to their achieving their ambition and fulfilling their destinies. The pupils were also reminded that many people in such conditions had achieved international recognition through diligence in their studies and hard work. Responding, the Principal of the school, Mrs Anne Ekandem, thanked the association for the kind gesture, saying that the name of the association would feature in the history of the school. Ekandem identified inadequate educational materials as the major challenge of the school, saying that due to the limitation, the students were taught in batches. “I want to thank you for the visit and the learning materials you have given to us. You did not just promise but you have brought it to us physically; your name will go down in the annals of history of the school. ``By your donation, you have added to our stock because this equipment is in short supply and because of this we teach the pupils in batches.’’ According to her, the pupils are taught Braille reading and writing to enable them to communicate as well as typewriting. The principal, however, said that in spite of the challenge, the school was making the desired progress since its relocation to the present site seven years ago. (NAN)

FCTA kicks off free health care week for women, children By Stanley Onyekwere

s part of its integrated package of interventions towards improving health of women and children, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yesterday flagged-off the first round of June 2014 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Care Week (MCHCW), with the theme “A package of care for a lifetime of better health for the family.” The exercise, which is being carried out through the FCT-Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCDB), is to last for one week, (June 9 to 13), would simultaneously provide women and children in all the area councils of the FCT, with lifesaving drugs such as Vitamin A, Albendezol, family planning and immunisation services as well as health talks. Speaking at the event, held at

the Maitama District Hospital, Abuja, the FCT minister, Bala Mohammed, said the programme said MCHCW is an approach aimed at delivering an integrated package of interventions that have been shown to be cost effective, of high impact and result oriented in the Territory’s health sector. Represented at the event by the Minister of State for the FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide, the minister noted that the theme for the week’s celebration is very timely, as it affords the opportunity to further strengthen actions that address the state of health care delivery in the territory. He said the FCTA has built capacities of health workers needed for the exercise as well as the overall women and child health services delivery. Mohammed therefore urged stakeholders involved in the programme, to ensure that no

eligible woman, new born or child is left behind in any of the interventions that would be offered in the course of the 5-day programme. “The November round of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, Vitamin A coverage, rate was 87 per cent and 59 per cent was recorded for BCG immunisation. “And For measles, 57 per cent was recorded, 89 per cent for birth registration for children under 5 and 22 per cent for ferrous folate for pregnant women,” he explained. Similarly, the Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, Hon. Micah Jiba pledged that he would ensure that the interventions being offered are accessed by women and children at the grassroot. Earlier, in his welcome address, the Secretary, FCT Health

and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Demola Onakomaiya, said exercise is aimed at providing integrated comprehensive health services targeted at women and children towards their survival. He said the FCTA had come up with several interventions like the free immunisation services, free ante natal care, and distribution of insecticide treated nets among others which has recorded great outcome. But, according to him, there is still need to do more, calling for partnership and involvement of all in health activities. Also, in a vote of thanks, the Executive Secretary, FCT PHCDB, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, said during the week, the Board is going to carry out the several free health services and community awareness at various primary healthcare facilities across the six councils.

…CBHIS trains councils’ HODs on health insurance By Stanley Onyekwere

s part of its effort to sustain the implementation of community health insurance initiative in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the FCT Administration through its Community Based Health Insurance Scheme (CBHIS) has organised atraining for Heads of Health departments in the six area councils, on ways and modalities to go about the scheme. CBHIS, which is under the supervision of the minister of state for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, organized the training in collaboration with the FCT

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Coordinator of FCT CBHIS, Dr. Grace Aganaba, said the training was meant to carry the heads of departments along in the progress of health service delivery in the communities, in the various area councils, as the heads of department are in charge of health and they advise their respective council chairmen on health issues. Aganaba, added that the participants need to know the strategies the CBHIS is bringing in the health insurance process, noting that they also need to know how and what to do during the process of the scheme, and how to

assist the programme to make it successful the best they could. “In cases where the health officers are not being taking care of, they are the ones we can interact with, for them to take care of the situation. They have given us desk officers to work with us and we need to always interact with them, so that they are carried along all the time. “It is the administration of the FCTA, through the supervision of the FCT Minister for State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, who is determined to ensure that every resident of the FCT have access to health care delivery, by assisting in the subsidy, in repairing of

hospitals, in providing drugs, giving health education and health provision. The Minister of State’s 100 per cent commitment is giving this scheme, the success it desires,” she said. One of the participants, the Head of Health Department of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Dr. Modupe Adeyinka, said that the training was very important, even though, most of them have been brought on board on the community based health insurance scheme, the people still need to be closer to the health department, so that the council can actually own it and give it complete support.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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Metro

Women hawking banana at Berger aroundabout, in Abuja.

A water vendor out for business at Apo Mechanic village, in Abuja. A mobile tea seller looking for patronage at Waru village, in Abuja

Some fruits sellers waiting for customers at Mararaba, in Abuja, recently.

Business activities going at Mararaba market, on Thursday, in Abuja. Photos: Mahmud Isa

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

Metro

Court orders IGP to pay N5m damages to phone repairer A A n Abuja Federal High Court, has ordered the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar to pay N5 million as damages to cell-phone repairer, Simon Eke, for unlawful arrest and detention without trial. Eke was arrested and detained in October 2013 at Wuse, Abuja. Delivering judgment, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Ibrahim Auta, described the

action of the police as `barbaric.’ ``I have taken a critical look into the proceedings in this case and discovered that this matter came up for hearing up to nine times and the police were served with processes, yet no appearance was made to defend the suit. ``Rather than coming to court to defend the suit, the defendants resorted to writing the court asking for frivolous adjournments up to seven times.

``I am of the view that there must be an end to litigation, and it is on this premise that I enter judgment in favour of the plaintiff. ``The respondent is ordered to pay the sum of N5 million damages to the applicant as claimed since it has no defence to offer”, Auta ordered. The judge also gave an order of perpetual injunction against the Inspector-General of Police,

his agents or privies from further arresting or detaining the plaintiff. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the plaintiff had through his counsel, Mr Paul Ashukeka, sued the Inspector- General to enforce his fundamental rights. He demanded N5 million as damages for the period of four months that he was detained without trial. (NAN)

2 men in court for belonging to unlawful society

wo men, James Kingsley, 20, and Ibrahim Usman, 19, have appeared in an Upper Area Court in Gudu, Abuja, for allegedly belonging to an unlawful society and disturbing public peace. Kingsley and Usman of unknown address are charged with three counts of being members of an unlawful society, assault and constituting public nuisance. The prosecutor, ASP Ambi Gambo, told the court that a team of policemen attached to the American International School. in Gudu, led by Sgt. Mohammed Ali arrested the accused and took them to the Durumi Police Station in Abuja. He explained that the accused publicly presented themselves as members of an outlawed society. The accused and others at large, he said, engaged in street fight, assaulted the policeman who tried to separate the fight and caused damage to a Toyota Corolla windscreen valued at N25,000 belonging to one Yisa Abass. He also said that the accused, with intent to disturb public peace, broke bottles, fired gunshots into the air and threatened people living around within the Gudu area. The prosecutor said the offence contravened sections 113 and 265 of the Penal Code. If convicted, they are liable to four years imprisonment each or fine. The accused persons pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to them. The judge, Malam Umar Kagarko, admitted the accused to bail for N20,000 with one surety each. Kagarko ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and also present their national identity cards or driver’s licences to the court registrar. The judge also ordered each of the accused to write an undertaking to maintain peace. He adjourned the matter until June 16 for hearing proper. (NAN)

A wheelbarrow pusher on the move at Giri junction along Gwagwala road, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Drug dealer docked for public nuisance

he police have arraigned an 18-year-old drug dealer, Ayuba Abubakar, in an Abuja Senior Magistrates’ court, Life Camp, Abuja, for alleged public nuisance. The accused of no fixed address is standing trial for alleged public nuisance before Senior Magistrate Abolaji Abdullateef. The prosecutor, Cpl. Simon

Emmanuel, told the court that the offence was committed on May 20. He said a team of policemen arrested the accused at Angwan Beriberi in Life Camp, Abuja, while on patrol. Emmanuel said the accused was caught roaming about in criminal hideouts at the location. The prosecutor explained that during police investigation,

he could not give a satisfactory account of himself. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Senior Magistrate admitted him to bail for N10,000 and two sureties. He ordered that the sureties must have reasonable means of livelihood and should reside within the court’s jurisdiction. (NAN)

Trader in court for beating up female shop attendant

trader, Ikechukwu Ikegbunam, 38, has appeared in a Senior Magistrates’ court in Wuse zone 2, Abuja, for allegedly beating up a shop attendant. Ikegbunam of Neighbourhood Shopping Centre, Wuse Zone 2, is charged with two counts of criminal force and assault. The prosecutor, Police corporal Francis Tanko, told the court that on May 29, One Ms Jennifer Nnadozie, of Shettima, Mugunno Crescent, Utako, Abuja, reported

the accused at the Wuse Divisional Police Headquarters, Abuja. He said that Nnadozie had reported that on same day, she had gone to Ikegbunam’s shop and asked the accused’s secretary if he could take some newspapers to read. According to Tanko, the accused ordered Nnadozie out of his shop and before she could move away, he slapped her and started beating her. He told the court that Nnadozie was taken to the Wuse General

Hospital where she received treatment. Tanko said that the offence contravened the provision of Section 265 of the Penal Code. The accused pleaded not guilty. The Judge, Mrs. Chinyere Nwacheonwu, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N50,000 with a reliable surety in like sum who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction. She adjourned the case until July 1 for hearing. (NAN

Student caught in possession of stolen Blackberry phone

Student, Jerry Osaze, 25, has appeared in an Upper Area court in Gudu, Abuja, for allegedly being in possession of stolen Blackberry cell phone worth N27,000. Osaze, who resides at Durumi, Area 1, Abuja, is charged with one count of being in possession of stolen item. The prosecutor, ASP Malik Taiwo, told the court that on May 13, Ms Ngozi Kalu of Arab Road, Abuja, reported at the Durumi Police Station that someone broke into her house and stole some household items and a blackberry cell phone. Taiwo said that during investigation, the police discovered that the suspect in the robbery, Zion Dansy, had sold the cell phone to Osaze. He said the offence contravened section 317 of the Penal code. If convicted, he is liable to imprisonment for a term which might extend to 14 years or with fine. He however pleaded not guilty. The presiding judge, Malam Umar Kagarko, admitted the accused to bail for N50,000 with a reliable surety. He ordered that the surety must be a responsible Nigerian who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and adjourned the case until June 19 for continuation of hearing. (NAN)

Tricycle operator bags 2 months’ imprisonment for causing obstruction

Grade 1 Area Court in Karmo, Abuja, has sentenced a 30-year old tricycle operator, Sani Idris of Utako village, Abuja, to two months in prison for causing obstruction. The judge, Mr. Ahmed Ado, sentenced Idris after he pleaded guilty to the charge. Ado, however, gave the convict an option of N1,000 fine. The judge also warned the convict to desist from such act and be of good behaviour. Earlier, the police prosecutor, Cpl. Simon Emmanuel, told the court that a police team on patrol arrested and took the convict to Life Camp Police Station on May 30. Emmanuel said the convict parked his tricycle wrongly around Jabi-Airport road junction, thereby obstructing other road users’ right of way. The prosecutor said the offence contravened the Road Traffic Act. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

business@peoplesdailyng.com 08142929046 etuka2012@gmail.com 08066605655

FG moves to sell NITEL assets By Etuka Sunday with agency report

he federal government has concluded plans to sell off Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), the appointed liquidator has said yesterday in

an advert placement. Reuters reports that the liquidator, appointed by the government’s National Council of Privatisatio(NCP), said in an advert it wanted bidders with five years of telecom experience and a net worth of at least $200 million.

It said bids must be submitted on June 30, adding that the assets would be handed over to the preferred bidder in December. The privatisation body has said it opted for a sale method it called “guided liquidation” because it wanted to protect the

government from future claims and liabilities, as proceeds of the sale may be less than the value of the debt. Nitel owes creditors mostly suppliers - around 400 billion naira ($2.5 billion), with creditors taking a loss if the proceeds from the sale are not

L-R: Members of Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), Mr. Chike Churchill Okogwu, Mr. Patima Adamu, Mrs. Maraim Mattar, President Goodluck Jonathan, and SURE-P Chairman, General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), during president’s meeting with SURE-P, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

Capital market indices appreciate by 1.19% on NSE

quity transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) opened for the week yesterday in an upward trend as the market indices improved by 0.19 per cent. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the appreciation was due to price gains by major equities. As result of the bullish trading, the market capitalisation closed higher at N13.739 trillion, when compared with N13.712 trillion posted on Friday. Equally, the All-Share Index increased by 80.39 basis

Etisalat, Apple to launch iPhone 5s in Nigeria

points or 1.19 per cent, to close higher at 41,609.50, against the 41,529.11 achieved on Friday. Julius Berger led the gainers’ table by N3.37 to close at N70.87 per share. Conoil came second with N2.50 to close at N54.50, while Cadbury Nigeria appreciated by N2.44, to close at N81.89 per share. GTB advanced by N1.50 to close at N31.50 and Guinness gained 50k to close at N179 per share. On the other hand, Seplat topped the losers’ chart by N25,

>>Pg 20

to close at N650 per share. Lafarge Wapco trailed with a loss of N4.50, to close at N113.50, while Nestle dropped N2.99 to close at N1,080.01 per share. Nigerian Breweries dropped N1.60 to close at N176.80, while Ashaka Cement lost N1.23 to close at N26.13 per share. NAN reports that the volume of shares traded rose by 57.40 per cent as investors staked N3.61 billion on 299.330 million shares transacted in 5,153 deals. This is against the 190.165 million shares worth N2.66

NNPC seeks European market for Nigerian gas

billion traded in 4,741 deals on Friday. Transcorp emerged the most-traded stock, accounting for 54.04 million shares worth N246.21 million. UBA followed with a total of 50.49 million shares valued N391.34 million, while SkyeBank exchanged 32.29 million shares worth N109.26 million. GTBank transacted 23.33 million shares valued N707.09 million, while FBN Holdings sold 13.46 million shares worth N209.69 million. (NAN)

>>Pg 21

enough to repay all the debt. In 2010 a consortium including Dubai’s Minerva and China’s second-biggest carrier China Unicom bid $2.5 billion for Nitel but could not raise the cash for the deal. A separate consortium made a $959 million bid the same year but this failed when the bidder missed several deadlines. Nitel’s fixed-line subscribers have fallen to fewer than 100,000 from five times that number in 2001 and subscribers to its MTEL mobile unit have dropped to a few thousand from over 1 million. Nigeria has over 100 million mobile subscribers. ($1 = 162.55 naira). Recall, Senate earlier rejected the move to liquidate NITEL. The Chairman of the committee, Sen. Gbenga Obadara (ACN-Ogun), made the announcement at an interactive session with officials of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) and the National Council on Privatisation (NCP). He expressed displeasure at government’s plans to liquidate the companies without making effort to find out their values. “Nobody is telling us the worth of NITEL; we are only told how much NITEL owes. We should understand that it is all about protecting government’s enterprises. “The condition of NITEL is not as bad as people portray. We have the option of making MTEL work; we could get credible people to run it. “We are not impressed about the term ‘guided liquidation’ because the same executive has masterminded the liquidation of most of the privatized companies since its inception in 2001,” he said. Also, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, once granted an injunction stopping the liquidation of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL).

CBN Exchange Rates as at 8th JUNE, 2014 Buying Selling

$ € £ Riyal YEN CFA

154.7 256.94 212.44 41.25 1.49 0.30

155.74 258.60 213.81 41.52 1.50 0.32

Energy experts fault FG’s electricity tariff increase

>>Pg 22

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

Energy FG to sustain energy developmentWakil Stories by Etuka Sunday

he Minister of State Power, Mohammed Wakil has reaffirmed the commitment of Nigeria to sustainable energy development insisting that the country is working with the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All Initiative (SE4ALL), in ensuring the full realization of it. A statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of State for Power quoted him to have made the declaration while addressing a high level Ministerial dialogue at the first SE4ALL forum in New York. Wakil said, “Nigeria has since embraced the UN Sustainable Energy for All initiative, with the formal launching of the SE4ALL initiative by President Goodluck Jonathan on 23rd of August 2012 in Abuja, just few months after it was launched by Mr. Ban Ki Moon. The Minister said “the objectives of the SE4ALL initiative is in tandem with the goals of President Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda, which gave high priority to providing access to safe, reliable, and affordable energy to our citizens in both urban and rural areas. “President Goodluck Jonathan is no doubt committed to developing our Renewable Energy resources and his government will always promote Energy Efficiency measures, which are the hallmark of the SE4ALL initiative”, Hon Wakil said. He told the audience that “Nigeria is also playing key role at regional and continental levels through collaboration with subregional body- ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE)”. The agency the Minister said is working with ECOWAS member states “to develop and coordinate the National and Regional Action Plans for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, as well as SE4ALL National Action Agenda in the ECOWAS Region” Flaunting Nigeria’s records in the field of sustainable energy development, the Minister said “Nigeria’s recent accomplishment in this regard includes the development of National Policy on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (NREEEP); National Rural Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan (NRESIP) and Operation Light-Up Rural Nigeria (OLRN) Initiative launched by President Jonathan in January this year, it is aimed at increasing electricity access to rural areas which are far-flung from the national grid. He also used the opportunity to inform the world audience that Nigeria while reforming its power sector has successfully privatized the sector thereby creating huge opportunities for investors. He therefore called on would be investors take advantage of the attractive climate and invest in Nigeria. Furthermore, he said the population of Nigeria which is put at 170 million offers vibrant market coupled with the wide demand- gap for electricity. The sustainable development event which drew participants from all over the world ends this weekend, in the United States of America (USA).

NNPC seeks European market for Nigerian Gas

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has disclosed that it is looking for more markets for the nation’s gas on the European Continent in order to generate maximum economic benefit from the nation’s enormous gas resources. A statement by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC Ohi Alegbe quoted the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Engr. Andrew Yakubu, to have made the revelation while playing host to a Belgian business delegation under the auspices of the Flanders Investment & Trade Mission in his office at the NNPC Towers, Abuja, over the weekend. “Europe is a good market for

gas. Incidentally, Belgium has important terminals such as the Port of Antwerp through which Nigeria hopes to get its gas to the rest of Europe. We are working on independently marketing our abundant gas resources to Europe,” Engr. Yakubu stated. The GMD who was represented by the Coordinator, Corporate Policy & Strategy, Dr. Tim Okon, said NNPC would strategically position itself to attract investments to boost the nation’s economy, adding that “gas is a strong mechanism for not only power generation and job creation, but also for growth and development.” He also reiterated the need for collaboration between foreign investors and Nigerian

businesses in order to domesticate the gas industry in the country. Earlier in his address, the leader of the delegation and the Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Dirk Verleyen, said that no fewer than 60 Belgian companies had indicated interest to invest in Nigeria. He said that Belgian companies wishing to invest in Nigeria cut across various sectors including energy, telecommunications, construction, transport, postal service, entertainment, engineering and agriculture. Also speaking, the President of the Port of Antwerp and the Deputy Mayor of Antwerp, Mr. Mark van Peel, said the trade

volume between Belgium and Nigeria was higher than most people know. “Our country is the third largest European exporter to Nigeria with a total export figure of almost two billion euros a year,” van Peel disclosed. The business delegation particularly showed interest in building the capacity of staff of the nation’s refineries and other oil and gas installations in the area of safety of equipment. The Flanders Investment & Trade Mission is the Belgian government agency supporting home-based companies doing business abroad and foreign companies looking to set up or expand operations in Flanders, the northern region of Belgium.

L-R: Power Perm Sec, Amb. (Dr.) Godknows Igali, Turkish Ambassador Mustafa Pulat, Minister,of Power Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Gamze Selcuk of the Turkish Embassy - during the Ambassador’s visit to the Ministry.

Industry Audit: NEITI signs contract with 4 firms

he Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) said it has signed contract for the audit of the oil and gas industry for the year 2012. A statement by the Director, Communications,NEITI, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, was signed between the NEITI Management and the representatives of the Consortium of Taju Audu Effectivo who won the contract. Taju Audu Effectivo Consortium is made up of four firms: Two Nigerian firms; Taju

Audu &Co. and Effectivo Capital Limited, and two international firms of Baker Tilly International and Resource Consulting Services Limited. The Executive Secretary of NEITI Mrs. Zainab Ahmed in her remarks noted that the Audit is critical for NEITI to maintain its high ranking at the global EITI and to meet the requirements of the NEITI Act and the expectations of Nigerians. She urged the Consultants to put in their best to ensure that the assignment is completed by November, 2014.

Mrs. Ahmed noted that 85% of the data required for the audit has been collated by NEITI and that the consortium is expected to ensure speedy reconciliation, verification and validation of the data. The Executive Secretary enjoined the auditors to be diligent and to display high level of professionalism, integrity and objectivity in the discharge of this important assignment. Mr. Taju Audu who spoke on behalf of the Consortium thanked the NEITI management for the

confidence reposed on them, noting that they fully understood the import of the assignment and will give it their best to ensure they meet the November 30th, 2014 deadline for the conclusion of the audit. The 2012 oil and gas industry audit is the fifth in NEITI’s cycle of audits in the oil and gas sector since the agency commenced operations in 2004 as a member of the global EITI. The previous audits covered the periods 19992004, 2005, 2006-2008 and 2009-2011.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

ICT

Etisalat, Apple to launch iPhone 5s in Nigeria Stories By Chris Alu

tisalat Nigeria telecommunications network has entered into partnership with Apple to officially make iPhone 5s available in the country in order to improve on network speed for quality of

services. The iPhone 5s will be officially launch on the Etisalat network from the 16th of June 2014 and is expected to come with full year warranty coverage from Etisalat. The Head Customer Experience and Retention, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr.Biola Edun, stated that Apple is known for designing best

revolutionary mobile phones on personal computers in the world. According to him, Apple launched its first iPhone in 2007, and has also released the phone only to select markets with mobile networks that provide the internet speed and quality to deliver on the phone’s multitude of functionality. He also said that it is not

common to see Etisalat SIM in most iPhones and iPads in Nigeria and this is no surprise as Etisalat easyblaze is arguably the fastest on the market ,to this end iPhone 5s will definitely be at home in Nigeria running on the super-fast EasyBlaze from Etisalat, albeit with a premium price tag said, he stated.

ICT are intensively used to support logistics and supply chain management. Keyword

MTN’s 21 days of Y’ello Care investment focuses on education

TN Nigeria has commenced its 21 days annual staff volunteerism programme, of Y’ello Care, focusing on education. This year’s edition is with the theme: ‘Education in the Digital World’, aimed at promoting a conducive learning environment as well as draw attention to the fundamental role of education in the development of the nation. Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, MTN corporate services executive, described education as a vital tool for social and economic development. “The weeks ahead are filled with various initiatives that will enable MTN, through the 21 Days of Yello Care programme, continue to contribute its quota towards improving educational standards in Nigeria. Under the Digitech Classroom Project, digitally equipped classrooms will be established across the country to drive access to digital learning. “Access to the Internet and education will position a great number of pupils on the same platform as their counterparts in other developed countries, helping to ensure that they do not suffer learning disadvantages even though they live in a developing country,” he said. The annual programme encourages MTN staff across its 21 operations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East to volunteer their resources, time and skills to help others and the communities where they live and work. Also featuring among projects lined up for implementation is the company’s Adopt a Girls’ School Project, which will see each unit within MTN adopt an all-girls school towards empowering the girl child and promoting gender equality in education.

NIRA will witness paradigm shift on .ng domain – Uduma

he Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), said, it views n.g domain name registration as paramount in paradigm shift in government and private sector policies and practices. This NiRA’s expectation was contained in a presentation by Mrs Mary Uduma, president of the Assocation titled: ‘Leveraging Multistakeholder Ecosystem for .ng Growth’, delivered at the 6th Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum. Uduma who was represented by Akinbo Cornerstone, said that the prerequisites for .ng scale up are multi- faceted, requiring collaboration of various sectors including Government. Aside requiring a paradigm shift in government and private sector policies and practices, the strategy to achieve this has to be

flexible and dynamic, capitalizing on proper utilization of existing and emerging opportunities. Uduma maintained that the process needs enough scope for different actors to lead at different times and at various levels and partnership formed on the basis of transparency, accountability and mutual sharing of responsibilities, risks, and benefits. On the sidelines of government’s efforts, the NiRA Boss said, “The Ministry of Communication Technology is taking a giant leap with the creation of Cross-Platform that allows for an online registration portal that can be used for registration of Companies with the Corporate Affairs Commission; “The government has gone a step further to agree and set a deadline for migration of all

Government Websites to switch to .gov.ng before August 27, and under the leadership of Mrs. Omobola Johnson, MCT and NITDA has contributed immensely to .ng growth. She said the private sector, “Partnership formed on supporting Local Content growth has increased the uptake of the .com.ng by the likes of Google. “The .ng Registry can boast of zero downtime due to the like of MainOne Cable highly impressive support for managing bandwidth. “Many more MoU are in the kitty to be signed for promoting enduser orientation and awareness by service providers such as MTN, AIRTEL, to mention a few”. Uduma, however, admitted that more has to be done for greater results on the registration. Earlier, Mrs. Nkemdilim

Nweke, executive director, Operations, DigitialSENSE Africa Media, said the Forum was created and nurtured as a think-tank platform where Nigerian internet stakeholders converge to raise and address germane issues concerning the ICT sector, particularly, computing, internet governancerelated issues, towards helping to further Nigeria in the ever rapidly advancing phenomenon of global ICT. Speaking on the theme of the Forum, ‘Internet Governance, eBiz and Open Access in Nigeria,’ she said it offers Internet Service Providers (ISPs), telecom operators, value added service providers and other stakeholders the enabling ground to articulate a stand on internet governance issues and accurately align NDSF

on IG4D position into the national, regional, Africa and global agenda. While addressing the Forum, specifically, the students in attendance, she said, “It is pertinent at this juncture, to remind all young internet users, particularly, to always be mindful of what they post on the internet because everything posted on the net is traceable to the author. Therefore, you are passionately advised to mind the stuff you post and the language with which materials are posted on the internet for global consumption.” She said the issue has become important because the result of what one posts online for the consumption of the global village remains his or her permanent signature and model of his or her image, which will definitely rub off on the future contacts.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

Business

Energy experts fault FG’s electricity tariff increase

ome experts in the nation’s power sector, yesterday in Lagos faulted the Federal Government’s recent increase in electricity tariff which commenced on June 1. They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the government should have addressed fundamental issues like infrastructure dilapidation, generation capacity and transmission of energy rather than tariff increment. Mr Yomi Kolawole, Managing Director, Topean Energy Solution Ltd, said that there was no justification for the increment. “Most of the transformers are faulty and needed upgrading, the lines are overloaded and the cables are failing. ``There are fallen electricity poles everywhere and the new investors are not doing anything about them. “Increasing the tariff should have been the last thing after all these have been done, has the power supply improved? ``Increasing the tariff is like ripping where you have not sown,” he said. Kolawole said that government should be more pragmatic with the investors to

make sure that they generated more power and ensure that it was steady. ``It is only when consumers are getting values for their money that they will be ready to part with additional money,” he said. Mr Adekunle Makinde, President, Nigerian Institution of Electrical Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), said the upward review

of electricity tariff might witness another round of protest by consumers across the nation. Makinde said that consumers were not enjoying power supply because of the erratic nature of supply. ``Now that the government is compelling consumers to pay more, it might result in another round of protests.

``The consumers are already protesting against poor power supply in every area in Lagos, so why do you have to increase power tariff when the supply is not regular,’’ he said. The Managing Director, PowerCop Nigeria Ltd., Mr Biodun Ogunleye, also urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to mediate

between the investors and the consumers because consumers were being cheated. ``The power regulator should ensure that consumers are not cheated by the new investors,” he said. Ogunleye urged the government to reverse the increment because electricity supply had not improved.(NAN)

LAPO offers N64m scholarship to 1,432 students By Osaigbovo Benin

Iguobaro,

ift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), Microfinance Bank limited has offered scholarship scheme to 1,432 indigent students The beneficiaries drawn from fifteen states across the South-south and South-east region have been provided with grants and scholarships. An estimated N64,724,900 million by LAPO as educational support for seconday and tertiary institutions according to Associate Director, LAPO Microfinance Bank, Moses Ehigiamusoe. Speaking during the 2014 schalarship Ballot programme for prospective applicants of clients of the bank yesterday in Benin City, Ehigiamusoe, said the initiative commenced in 2008, He noted that the process for selection has been “modified to ensure transparency by using a transparent ballot system along with introduction of aptitude test. He also said a total of 930 slots nationwide screening conducted in the fifteen regions on June 13th for each region for indigent students in Edo state.

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Engineer Adeseyi Sijuwade, NRC Board Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Sahabi Yau, and Vice-President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, during the launch of air-conditioned coaches and diesel multiple units trains, yesterday at the Iddo terminal, in Lagos.

Globacom, Unilorin to partner on ICT development From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

he Nigeria’s telecommunications giant, Globacom Limited, has made a partnership proposal to the University of Ilorin for the optimisation of the University’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure to improve its triple mandate of teaching, research and community service. Globacom’s Chief Commercial Director, Dr. David Ehikhuemen, made the proposal when he led a team of the company on a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali.

Ehikhuemen said that the telecommunication company was determined to have a robust relationship with the University of Ilorin, noting that optimising the telephony on campus, and helping to reduce the University’s budget on ICT are high on the agenda of the proposed partnership. Also speaking, the Head of Globacom Mobile Money, Mr. Esaie Diei, commended the University for enabling cashless behaviour in the University. He said “ “you are ahead of your time, just as Globacom is the first telecommunication company to support the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) cashless policy.

We will like to start a pilot project with you,”. In his response, the ViceChancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, acknowledged the contribution of Globacom to the development of ICT in Africa. He thanked the Chief Executive Officer of Globacom, Otunba Mike Adenuga, who he described as a paramount and admired entrepreneur in the country. “We are delighted to associate with him. This University is first in the deployment of ICT facilities in all facets of its system. The University was the first to introduce Computer-Based Test (CBT),and the Senate and Council

meetings of the University are paperless.” The Vice-Chancellor added that the university has recorded good result in the area of the cashless system, LCD notice boards, electronic identity card, online voting for Students’ Union election and the recent distribution of PC tablets to all fresh students. The Vice-Chancellor stressed that the University is the first in the country to use electronic voting system to conduct Students’ Union election. He explained that the result was collated, analysed and announced within one hour of the election.

WeTech designates CITAD to empower women on ICT in Kano From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

entre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has been designated by an international support group called Women Enhancing Technology (WeTech) to empower 200 women and girls on ICT-based Small Scale Entrepreneurship Project in Nigera, in Kano State.

A statement signed by Kabiru Saidu Dakata, the Senior Programme Officer, CITAD, stated that the IT centre has received the grant of $2,000 to $20,000 to empower women and girls in computer sciencerelated opportunities. The statement added that “ the targeted beneficiaries will include female teachers, rural women, final year secondary school girls, among other

beneficiaries.” “ This project is one of the 17 projects in Africa selected by WeTech with generous support of the lead partner, Google company. Women from Kano Staten Jigawa state, Bauchi State,etc will benefit from the scheme.” The statement said The statement further stated that “the programme was launched last fall by former secretary of state of USA,

Hillary Clinton at the 2013 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) annual meeting. It is also led by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and carried out with a consortium that includes Goldman Sachs, Google and Qualcomm Incorporated. WeTech will impact women and girls in Africa, India and the USA, developing the skills needed to fuel technological and economic growth.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

Stock Watch

Report as at Monday, June 9, 2014

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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Special Report

Consolidating democracies in Africa: The Nigerian experience By Peter Onwubuariri

n July 2015, Nigeria will assume the leadership of Community of Democracies (CoD), an intergovernmental organization established in 2000 to strengthen democracy worldwide by providing support for emerging democracies and civil society. The leadership of the forum, which assists societies in the development and strengthening of democratic institutions and values, would fall under the purview of Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2015. To some analysts, Nigeria’s leadership of the group with 101 member countries is premature, as Nigeria has only managed to have 15 years of uninterrupted democracy. They also argue that during these years, elections in the country had been fraught with perceptible irregularities, even though the last general elections, held in 2011, showed remarkable

President Goodluck Jonathan

improvements in election administration. However, there are increasing concerns that the growing insecurity in the country, provoked by the violent activities of Boko Haram insurgents and political tensions, has fuelled fears that 2015 elections may be problematic and crisisprone. In addition, some cynics argue that the Nigerian democracy is not sturdy enough in the pragmatic sense, as the central government has been under the control of one party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), since the country’s return to democracy in 1999. Another case in question is Nigeria’s credentials in promoting democratic principles as well as universal human rights and practice. Some critics describe the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill, which was signed into law in January 2014 by President Goodluck Jonathan, as an infringement of human

rights, The law prohibits same-sex marriage in Nigeria and prescribes 14 years’ imprisonment for offenders. Still on human rights, the modus operandi of the security operatives, who are currently engaged in the war against insurgents in the north-eastern part of the country, had come under the spotlight.

These challenges notwithstanding, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, the Minister of State 1 for Foreign Affairs, said that Nigeria’s presidency of CoD would enable the country to further promote ``her democratic gains and her leading role in the democratic transition in Africa’’. During the two-year presidency -- from 2015

to 2017 -- Nigeria hopes to adopt ``Strengthening Democratic Transition and Institutions’’ as the theme of its presidency of the CoD’s governing council. Top officials of the Federal Government have repeatedly challenged the disparaging arguments on Nigeria’s human rights records, both in the military and the law criminalising same-sex marriage.

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To some analysts, Nigeria’s leadership of the group with 101 member countries is premature, as Nigeria has only managed to have 15 years of uninterrupted democracy. They also argue that during these years, elections in the country had been fraught with perceptible irregularities, even though the last general elections, held in 2011, showed remarkable improvements in election administration

Senate President David Mark

Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo (1st right) with other participants in a group photograph at 7th session conference of the community of democracies in Ulaanbaatar Mongaolia, recently

On same-sex marriage, Onwuliri, who spoke on the sidelines of AU summit in Addis Ababa in January, accused Western countries of double standards over

Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal

the law banning same-sex marriages and shows of same-sex public affection in Nigeria. Her words: ``What happened in Nigeria is democracy in action and it will really be unfortunate that when the people, who are talking about democracy, now see democracy work, they want us to go against democracy. ``Is democracy for pick and choose? When it suits them, they want us to do good governance and democracy, but when it does not suit them, they want us to go against the democracy that has been put in place. ``The National Assembly took a decision, the National Assembly is the face of democracy in Nigeria; they are the representatives of the people, they form the voice of the people and they have spoken.’’ However, analysts note that Nigeria’s choice of a theme, aimed at strengthening democratic transition and institutions

for its presidency of the CoD, somewhat reflects its own contributions to democracy and good governance in Africa. These contributions have attracted a lot of commendations from several organisations and individuals. For instance, the European Union (EU), during a ministerial dialogue between the union and Nigeria in Abuja in 2012, particularly commended Nigeria for its roles in supporting democracy in Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau and Guinea. It is on record that Nigeria provided appreciable assistance for Guinea Bissau, during its May 18 presidential elections in which José Mário Vaz emerged the president-elect. Dr Nurudeen Mohammed, the Minister of State 2, for Foreign Affairs, recalled that Nigeria donated 350 Direct Data Capturing Machines (DDCM) and

photocopiers to Guinea Bissau in support of the polls. Nigeria also contributed generously to the 63-million-dollar ECOWAS Fund set up for the Defence and Security Sector Reform (SSR) in the country, according to a publication of Nigeria’s Ministry of Affairs. In 2012 alone, Nigeria donated 10 million U.S dollars to Guinea Bissau to enable its interim government to function effectively, while the Nigerian Army provided logistical support for the country’s army. Mohammed, however, conceded that Nigeria had paid some price for its strong support for constitutionality and the implementation of SSR in Guinea Bissau. ``In October 2013, the attack on Nigeria’s embassy in Guinea Bissau was politically motivated by some elements opposed to Nigeria’s demand for return to constitutionality,’’ he said.

A Nigerian was killed in the attack but this did not deter Nigeria in its efforts to ensure political stability in the West African country. Mohammed also noted that President Goodluck Jonathan had demonstrated appreciable leadership qualities by being the only foreign Head of State who visited Guinea Bissau last November, after the April 12, 2012 coup. Sen. Ike Ekwermadu, the Deputy Senate President, who doubles as the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, said that Nigeria, in collaboration with other ECOWAS member states, have made significant efforts to resolve political crises in the region, citing interventions in Mali and Guinea Bissau. Nigeria has been able to play such roles because of the good state of the country’s democracy, mirrored by 15 years of unbroken democratic rule. Ekweremadu described the 15 years of unbroken

democratic rule in Nigeria as ``something to be proud of, especially for a country with Nigeria’s kind of history. ``Only a few could have given Nigeria any such chance about two decades ago but here we are today, waxing stronger as a democratic nation. ``We also have every reason to be proud of what we were able to achieve in the 2011 general election, following the widely applauded electoral reforms. ``Although we still have several electoral challenges, the important thing is that the 2011 experience was a great leap forward, taking into consideration where we were coming from as a nation,’’ Ekweremadu added. All in all, analysts say that the Nigerian democracy is gradually becoming a model for other democracies in Africa, as pragmatic efforts are made to consolidate democratic rule on the continent. NAN

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

Feature Minna Airport: Serving as alternative route for Abuja? From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

he Minna Airport was constructed during the era of former Military President General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) in 1990 and is waxing stronger and taking a new look with the renovations being carried out by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at the airport recently. The airport which has not enjoyed full commercial patronage even as the closest airport to Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, was being used mainly for Hajj operations until recently. It was constructed to serve as a stop-over landing and as an alternate airport to Abuja airport if there was any congestion, said the Airport Manager, Alhaji Ahmed Adamu in an interview with our reporter in Minna, According to him, “the Minna airport was established to serve as alternative Abuja Airport, that is when Abuja Airport is congested or there is a problem like bad weather or crash and the route is closed, Minna would be the closest place for an airline craft to come and land and take a refuge for sometimes and it has been serving that purpose” For instance, during 2010 Nigeria @ 50, some aircrafts were parked at the Minna airport when Abuja airport was filled with aircrafts and the route was closed, the aircrafts were then diverted to Minna to stay for sometimes pending when Abuja route would be cleared. Adamu disclosed and noted that the airport is presently having one aircraft at the airport on commercial basis but it has chartered aircrafts almost on daily basis, saying that the commercial flight is the Overland Airways which operates three times a week viz Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Minna Airport in Niger state

General Ibrahim Babangida, Rtd

He pointed out that Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has embarked on renovation and remodeling of the passengers’ terminal to make it more beautiful, passenger friendly and more security conscious even as perimetre fencing has been completed while perimetre road construction is ongoing to make it

“

For instance, during 2010 Nigeria @ 50, some aircrafts were parked at the Minna airport when Abuja airport was filled with aircrafts and the route was closed, the aircrafts were then diverted to Minna to stay for sometimes pending when Abuja route would be cleared

a befitting airport. The Manager maintained that the airport has challenges of lack of adequate accommodation for passengers and offices as presently, all the staff and security agencies at the airport and even the only airline (Overland) were been accommodated in the same administrative block. Recently, the Niger State government decided to support it in its own way by expending N78 million for the construction of fuel dump, and over N18 million in the upgrading of the terminal and run-way to make the airport meet international standard. The immediate past state Commissioner for Transport, Mallam Abubakar Garba Mohammed said the State government has, through the Ministry of Transport, initiated the construction of fuel-dump at the Minna Airport costing about N78 million to improve air traffic. Garba told our reporter that the project which had since been delivered has been handed over to Messr Lubcon to run. According to him “the Minna airport renovation is being handled by the Federal government but we (Niger state) decided to

support in our own way. Apart from the N78million spent for the construction of fuel dump, the State government had spent over N18 million in the upgrading of the terminal and run-way to make the airport meet international standard, and to also get generator plant”. It should be recalled that the State government has entered into agreement with an airline operator. (Overland Airline) to keep the runway busy. Garba said “after several attempts to engage other airliners failed, the Niger State government re-engaged the Overland Airline for local commercial services in the state”. The airline according to him commenced its operations on Friday 3rd January, 2014, with the first flight taking off at about 8:45am, with only nine passengers to Ilorin, Kwara state. Garba who witnessed the official airlift from the Minna airport with some members of the Ministry lamented the absence of local commercial airline in the state, adding that “this time, the State government would give the airline operators all the support and encouragement they need to stay in the state. “We will do everything possible

to ensure the sustainability of the flight in Minna, and encourage other airline operators to patronise the Minna airport. We are also in touch with the management of Kabo airline, to operate the LagosMinna-Kano route. The Commissioner added that although, the State is committed to boosting transportation system but that at present the overland Airline will operate Abuja-MinnaIlorin- Lagos routes. According to him “the State government had earlier supported the airline by agreeing to pay for 15 seats for any flight so as to keep the flight going. Before they stopped their earlier operations, they had 5 planes that shuttled Minna to Lagos and 2 planes Minna to Abuja.” The Manager, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Niger State, Alhaji Ahmed Adamu , while commending the State government for re-engaging the airline for domestic operations noted that in the past, Capital Airline was engaged but later left and that with the coming back of Overland, the Minna Airport Authority would give it every support it needs to stay so that passengers would be able to fly to any part of the country without necessarily going to Abuja to board a flight. Ahmed told our Correspondent that the airline operates between Mondays and Fridays with departure time of 7:30am from Abuja, arrive Minna 8:00am, and expected to depart by 8:30am for Ilorin and then Lagos, adding that it is the same route back. Speaking on the safety of passengers, Ahmed said “the State government had promised to provide a temporary tent, fully air-conditioned, where passengers can relax before taking off, as the main wing of the Minna Airport is currently under construction for its upgrade to a befitting international airport.” The airport Manager however called on people of Niger state to patronize the airline, as regular patronage was the only way to make the airline continue its operations in Minna.

Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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Issues Sanusi: PDP’s gaffe and O ungainly presumption By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

n Sunday, shortly before the Kano state governor, Rabiu Musa K w a n k w a s o appointed the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the new Emir of Kano, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) issued a statement congratulating the son of the deceased Emir, Sanusi Ado Bayero, for the appointment. In the statement signed by the National Publicity of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, the party said its leadership, under the chairmanship of Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu was happy with the emergence of the late emir’s son as his father’s successor. The party described the ‘new emir’ as the heir apparent to the throne, even as it praised the kingmakers for their wise decision in choosing Ado Bayero’s son, the heir-apparent to the throne. “Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero is a rare breed. A man of exceptional wisdom and humility. We have a new Emir who, like his father, remains a detribalised Nigerian with an unshaken belief in the unity and peaceful coexistence of our people as a nation. “We have no doubt whatsoever that the new Emir will live up to his billing by building on the solid foundation and legacies left by his father to further the greatness of the Emirate where the welfare and prosperity of all are guaranteed”, PDP said in the statement. The PDP added that by doing so, the kingmakers have preserved the sanctity of the throne and the confidence reposed in the revered traditional institution, even as it pointed out that the ‘new emir’ is a gift not only to Kano Emirate but also to the nation in general. From all intents behind that statement, it was clear that the PDP never wanted Sanusi to succeed the late Ado Bayero, even though it is an exclusive preserve of the state governor, subject to the recommendation of the kingmakers, to choose. But being an APC leader in the state, Governor Kwankwaso, even in the face of pressures from the Presidency, would not have done otherwise in Sunday’s pronouncement. However, it turned out to be a hoax, which has been widely interpreted as a deliberate mischief to score many points, one of which is to stave up possible selection of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, a man that has become a nightmare, not only for President Goodluck Jonathan and his regime, but also for the ruling PDP. Sanusi, has assumed the global toga of a whistleblower who has harangued the government so much that it dreads any dream

President Goodluck Jonathan of him taking the most powerful throne in northern Nigeria, where the president’s perceived enemies abound. He announced the alleged non-remittance of $20 billion oil funds by the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC), barely 16 days to his suspension by Jonathan. Though the allegation appears set to be swept by the Senate Panel led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, it ultimately put the Jonathan regime under intense international scrutiny and pressure, thus the unceremonious suspension of Sanusi from the CBN top job. Curiously, however, it turned out that the PDP goofed. It

PDP Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu therefore started scampering for excuses, blaming it on Richard Ihediwa, a Personal Assistant to Olisa Metuh. Of course, most discerning Nigerians do not believe this hurried explanation. The PDP even went ahead to apologise, but many Nigerians do not believe or accept the apology. Many believe the ruling party cannot just be innocent in this regard, for it does not make sense that such an institution like the PDP to put out a statement without checking to be sure of its facts. What is even more curious, the PDP did not congratulate Sanusi Lamido Sanusi for his enthronement as the new Emir

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of Kano, more than 24 hours after his official confirmation by the Kano state government as the new ruler of the dynasty. Neither did the Jonathan Presidency, which is always in a hurry to congratulate or commiserate with prominent personalities, has not deemed it fit to do same for the scion of this powerful ruling house, notwithstanding any feud it had with him. This, for many Nigerians, confirmed the allegation that the party put out the hasty statement to cause mischief. However, sensing that t needs the Kano people much more than citizens from many other parts of Nigeria, given the city’s population and

From all intents behind that statement, it was clear that the PDP never wanted Sanusi to succeed the late Ado Bayero, even though it is an exclusive preserve of the state governor, subject to the recommendation of the kingmakers, to choose.

dynamic politicking, the PDP late last night, ate the humble pie by issuing a statement congratulating the officially confirmed Emir of Kano-Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Indeed, some insinuate that it deliberately did that to incite the violence that took place in the commercial city, after the ex Central Banker’s name was announced as new monarch in Kano. Presently, there is no gainsaying the fact that with Sanusi now the emir of Kano, the battle line is further stretched between President Jonathan led federal government and the Governor Kwankwaso led state government and the traditional machinery. From the above scenario, analysts have posited that Sanusi may not undermine any opportunity to pay the federal government in its own coin, having been humiliated out of the CBN. But for many others, he must forgive, and in his very first public speech as Emir of Kano, the ex CBN boss gave a clear impression that his ascension to the royal throne is a dream come true, and a time to shower much gratitude to God and move beyond the messy politics surrounding Jonathan and his quest for reelection in 2015. Whether Sanusi will prove doubting Thomases wrong is something time will tell.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

Agriculture Farmers decry high cost of animal feeds in Jigawa

ivestock farmers in Hadejia, Jigawa state have expressed concern over the hike in the price of animal feeds in the area. A check in the area showed that in the past eight weeks, the price of the commodity had increased by about 50 per cent. NAN reports that the high cost of the feeds had also led to significant increases in the prices of livestock. A 50 kg bag of refined chaff had risen to N3, 800 as against its old price of N2, 700, while groundnut weeds was sold for between N3, 000 and N5, 000, depending on the size of the bag. Prices of livestock also showed similar increase, as a well-bred cow sold for N200, 000 as against N150, 000 while a ram was sold at N50, 000 as against its previous price of N35, 000. Malam Kabiru Haruna, a livestock farmer in the area told NAN that the trend was ‘disturbing’ and was affecting livestock production. Haruna said that he was spending so much on feeds, adding that the situation was compounded by the lack of pasture. “Prices of feeds often go up during dry season due to the lack of pasture,’’ he said. Another farmer, Mudi Baffa, blamed dealers for the hike in the price of feeds, accusing them of taking advantage of the situation to exploit consumers. Baffa called for effective measures to regulate prices and encourage livestock production. “Effective measures are necessary to ensure availability of animal feeds to encourage productivity,’’ he said. NAN

L-R: Abia state Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, receiving an award as the Agric Governor of the Year from NAFDAC Director General, Dr. Paul Orhii, during the AGRIKEXPO 3rd Pan West Africa International Agric Exhibition, recently in Lagos.

Kogi govt assures investors of support From Omale Adama, Lokoja

ogi state government has reiterated its commitment to the exploration of its agricultural potentials to restore the dwindling economy of the state and enhance job creation for the teaming youth. The State Governor, Capt Idris Wada, gave the assurance over the weekend when he received a delegation of CARGILL USA, major investors in the Crop Processing Zone, at Alape in his office in Lokoja. The visit by the team to Kogi state Friday was for an update on the take – off of the multi-billion naira Crop Processing Zone at Alape in Kabba Bunu local

The Governor disclosed that the issues of road, water and other infrastructures needed for the smooth take off of the project were being addressed, saying further that there is much expectation from Government and people of the state over the realization and success of the project. The Governor promised the investors of the necessary support, noting that the State, within the last two years has become an investor’s bride owing to the enabling environment created by his administration. While noting that the state is blessed with vast arable land, Capt. Wada assured of

the people’s support in the early take – off of the Alape project and thanked the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for the concern shown on the project. Earlier in his address, Chief James Awoniyi, the Federal Government Technical Consultant on the project, said the team was in the State in continuation of consultation with relevant stakeholders of the project location with the aim to carry everyone along. Speaking on behalf of CARGILL, Peter Neilson, leader of the delegation said they were in the State to carry out other feasibility studies that will guarantee the success of the project.

Dangote pledges to improve agriculture in north-east From David Hassan, Gombe

C Gov Sule Lamido

government area of the state. The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, described the establishment of Alape Crop Processing Zone, as one of the major breakthroughs recorded by the State Government. Capt Wada described agriculture as the mainstay of the state’s economy saying it will remain cardinal in its transformation agenda. The state government, he said was working assiduously towards providing the necessary infrastructure for the take off of the project and assured the investors of his government’s political will in driving the project.

hairman Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has said that he would do everything possible to improve agriculture in the north east. Dangote made the pledge in Gombe state shortly after he paid condolence visit to Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo to sympathize with the people of Gombe over the demise of the

late Emir Alhaji Shehu Usman Abubakar. He said despite the challenges in the north-east, he would try his possible best to ensure that the region meets it demands in Agriculture, promising to discuss with the government on the way forward in order to reap the gains of the sector for the benefit of the people of Gombe. While commiserating with the people of the state, Dangote

prayed to God to give the family and citizens of Gombe the fortitude to bear the loss, adding that God who gives life takes it at the time he wishes. Speaking on behalf of the Emirate council, MAI Kaltungo Engr. Saleh Mohammed thanked Dangote for his visit to the emirate and commended him for his contribution to the development of the economy.

Aliko Dangote

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

Agriculture

Revitalising agricultural extension services in Nigeria By Mohammed Lawal

n several occasions, agriculturalists have stressed the importance of extension services to food production. They insist that as Nigeria aspires to become one of the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020; pragmatic efforts ought to be made to boost farming via the adoption of agricultural extension services. However, the Federal Government is somewhat conscious of the usefulness of agricultural extension services in plans to improve the country’s food production. Prof. Tunji Arokoyo, National Team Leader, Agricultural Extension Transformation Agenda, said that efforts were underway by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to revive agricultural extension services. “The Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, is passionate about extension services and he is making frantic efforts to revive the dying extension services in Nigeria as a key to agricultural transformation,’’ he said. He said that agricultural extension workers were the bridge between farmers and research institutes, adding that they also functioned as the link between farmers and the government. “This is because they play a key role in disseminating information to and from both sides for enhanced agricultural production,’’ he said. Adesina said that agricultural extension services involved the provision of educational services to farmers in the wide range of agricultural enterprise. “So, agricultural extension services encompass all activities carried out by extension agencies to create positive change in the farmers’ living standards through increased productivity and enhanced income,’’ he said. Drumming support for the provision of quality agricultural extension services, Dr Mohammed Khalid-Othman of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said that although agricultural extension services in Nigeria had been somewhat inactive, their importance could never be undermined. “Extension services are suffering from a number of constraints such as underfunding, ageing and dwindling staff arising from low employment rate and retirement of the old staff. “Presently, life is being injected into the agricultural extension services through various strategies and programmes championed by the Federal Government, “For the first time, the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension was established in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture

Agric extension workers

“ Minister of Agricuture, Adewumi Adesina and Rural Development. “The department is responsible for policy formulation and coordination of agricultural extension activities,’’ he said. In the same vein, Malam Sani Miko, the Country Director of Sasakawa Africa Association, a Geneva-based international agricultural development organisation, said that his organisation was collaborating with the Federal Government to revive agricultural extension services in Nigeria. “This collaboration will facilitate the free flow of information about new technologies from researchers to grassroots farmers. “It is the responsibility of extension workers to convey information from government and researchers to farmers on how to improve agriculture in Nigeria,’’

he said. Miko said that the capacity of the extension workers would be built through seminars, workshops and other means, with the hope that they would convey the message to farmers. “We want to teach the farmers how and when to cultivate their farms; how to use improved seeds; when and how to apply fertiliser; when and how to harvest. “We will connect them with banks where they could obtain loans; we will ultimately connect them with markets where they can sell their yields at higher profits,’’ he said. However, Miko observed that many extension service workers were not satisfied with the job because they possessed qualifications, which they thought could not take them beyond Salary

This collaboration will facilitate the free flow of information about new technologies from researchers to grassroots farmers.

Grade Level 14 in the civil service. He, nonetheless, said that the challenge was being addressed via an arrangement between the organisation and Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, to enable Higher National Diploma holders among the extension workers to obtain degrees from the university within a specified period. “This will give maximise their job satisfaction and it will also encourage them to work harder,’’ he noted. Mr Daniel Jacob, the Director of Agricultural Services in the Kaduna State Agricultural Development Project, who underscored the need for more agriculture extension workers across the country, observed that the extension workers were inadequate. “For instance, the ratio of extension workers to farmers in Kaduna State used to be 1:1,500; however, the present ratio stands at 1:3,240. “This is grossly inadequate and highly disturbing because the World Bank-recommended ratio stands between 1:800 and 1:1,000. “Unfortunately, the number of extension workers we have is on the decrease, while our population is on the increase,’’ Jacob added. In view of this shortfall, experts

underscore the need for privatesector participation in the funding and delivery of agricultural extension services so as to meet the needs of the farmers. They argue that agricultural extension services have been dominated by the Agricultural Development Programme in Nigeria for a long time. The experts insist that the traditional extension services, linked with production objectives and blanket recommendations, can no longer meet the farmers’ expectations. They stress that pragmatic efforts should be made to encourage the private sector to provide agricultural extension services, while the government can play a strategic role by identifying gaps in the provision of such services. Although many observers laud this suggestion, they nonetheless, call for the adoption of pragmatic strategies to change the orientation of agricultural extension workers, as part of efforts to improve their service delivery. All the same, they concede that structured private-sector participation in agricultural extension service delivery will consequently boost agricultural production in the country. NAN

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

Feature

Made in Africa: Is manufacturing taking off on the continent? By Alexis Akwagyiram

everal African countries have enjoyed economic growth in recent years - but there are fears that a failure to develop manufacturing could prove to be costly. “Made in China” is a stamp that is ubiquitous and can be found on a wide range of objects - anything from T-shirts and shoes, to watches and televisions - worldwide. The same is true of labels showing that an object originated in Taiwan or Vietnam. But it is rare to find an object which has a mark that points to origins in African country - “Made in Nigeria” or “Made in Chad”, for example. Despite experiencing regional economic growth in recent years, Africa commands a meagre 1.5% share of the world’s total manufacturing output, according to the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation. That compares with a 21.7% share for the Asia Pacific region, 17.2% for East Asia and North America’s 22.4% share. “Economies that have sustained high growth over the long term have typically gone through a process of economic diversification, the spread of new technologies, rising productivity in agriculture, the expansion of the manufacturing sector, and the development of a skilled workforce,” write the authors of a recently published Africa Progress Panel report. “These have not been characteristics of growth in Africa, even in sectors that are attracting foreign investment. Put differently, there has been a lot of growth but little structural transformation,” they conclude. African artisans have produced some of the world’s most beautiful artwork, jewelry, crafts and more. The economy of Africa consists of the trade, industry, agriculture, and human resources of the continent. As of 2012, approximately 1.07 billion people were living in 54 different countries in Africa. Africa is a resource-rich continent but many African people are poor. Recent growth has been due to growth in sales in commodities, services, and manufacturing. Sub Saharan Africa, in particular, is expected to reach a GDP of $29 trillion by 2050 buts its income inequality will be a major deterrent in wealth distribution. In March 2013, Africa was identified as the world’s poorest inhabited continent; however, the World Bank expects that most African countries will reach income” status (defined as at least US$1,000 per person a year) by 2025 if current growth rates continue. In 2013, Africa was the world’s fastest-continent at 5.6% a year, and GDP is expected to rise by an average of over 6% a year

The low cost of manufacturing in African countries is attracting companies from around the world. between 2013 and 2023. Growth has been present throughout the continent, with over one-third of Sub-Saharan African countries posting 6% or higher growth rates, and another 40% growing between 4% to 6% per year. Africa’s economy was diverse, driven by extensive trade routes that developed between cities and kingdoms. Some trade routes were overland, some involved navigating rivers, still others developed around port cities. Large African empires became wealthy due to their trade networks, for example Ghana, Sudan, Asanti and the Yoruba people. In the past ten years, growth in Africa has surpassed that of East Asia. Data suggest parts of the continent are now experiencing fast growth, thanks to their resources and increasing political stability and ‘has steadily increased levels of peacefulness since 2007’. The World Bank reports the economy of Sub-Saharan African countries grew at rates that match or surpass global rates. The economies of the fastest growing African nations experienced growth significantly above the global average rates. The top nations in 2007 include Mauritania with growth at 19.8%, Angola at 17.6%, Sudan at 9.6%, Mozambique at 7.9% and Malawi at 7.8%. Other fast growers include Rwanda, Mozambique, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia. Nonetheless, growth has been dismal, negative or sluggish in many parts of Africa including Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo and Burundi. Many international agencies are gaining increasing interest in investing emerging

African economies especially as Africa continues to maintain high economic growth despite current global economic recession. The rate of return on investment in Africa is currently the highest in the developing world. Debt relief is being addressed by some international institutions in the interests of supporting economic development in Africa. In 1996, the UN sponsored the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, subsequently taken up by the IMF, World Bank and the African Development Fund (AfDF) in the form of the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI). As of 2013, the initiative has given partial debt relief to 30 African countries. Trade has driven much of the growth in Africa’s economy in the early 21st century. China and India are increasingly important trade partners; 12.5% of Africa’s exports are to China, and 4% are to India, which accounts for 5% of China’s imports and 8% of India’s. The Group of Five (Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates) are another increasingly important market for Africa’s exports. Africa’s economy—with expanding trade, English language skills (official in many Sub-Saharan countries), improving literacy and education, availability of splendid resources and cheaper labour force—is expected to continue to perform better into the future. Trade between Africa and China stood at US$166 billion in 2011. Africa will experience a “demographic dividend” by 2035, when its young and growing labour force will have fewer children and retired people as dependents as a

Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga proportion of the population, making it more demographically comparable to the US and Europe. It is becoming a more educated labour force, with nearly half expected to have some secondary-level education by 2020. A consumer class is also emerging in Africa and is expected to keep booming. Africa

has around 90 million people with household incomes exceeding $5,000, meaning that they can direct more than half of their income towards discretionary spending rather than necessities. This number could reach a projected 128 million by 2020 BBC Africa

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

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International ANALYSIS

t is hard to imagine that just one year ago, Edward Snowden famously walked away. He was a low-level employee of Dell contractor at a nondescript National Security Agency site. A non-entity by design.Just one of hundreds of thousands of people working in the burgeoning national security complex in the United States - the ultimate faceless cog. Now, one year later, he is a household name but the world remains divided on who Edward Snowden is. Is he a whistleblower or a traitor? It turns out that question is often answered not by how people view Snowden but how they view their government. S n o w d e n t h e whistleblower For many around the world, and a growing number of Americans, Snowden is a hero and whistleblower who put his own freedom at stake to reveal shocking abuses by the US intelligence agencies. Much of what Snowden has done certainly looks like a whistleblower. First, he does not appear to have sought money for his disclosures. Indeed, he appears to have thought more about what he was taking than where he was taking it. Secondly, and most importantly, is the breathtaking disclosures that he made. Consider a few of the more important disclosures: • Secret orders under which the NSA was seizing phone and text records of virtually every citizen in the United States. The scope and lack of protection in the program was described by a federal judge as “almost Orwellian”. • Surveillance of world leaders, including some of our closest allies like German Chancellor Angela Merkel. At least 122 world leaders were intercepted by the United States. • The forced cooperation of US telecommunication companies to turn over data on every US citizen under programmes like PRISM. • Programmes like XKeyscore to search “nearly everything a user does on the Internet” through data it intercepts across the world. • The tapping of fiber optic cables by British spy agency, the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in conjunction with the NSA. • The interception of millions of calls in foreign countries, including every single call in places like Afghanistan. What is most striking is that in the wake of these disclosures, the Obama Administration first denied the allegations. National Intelligence Director James R Clapper Jr not only denied the existence of the programme before the Senate but he later explained that his testimony was “the least untrue” statement that he could make. Of course, that would still make it untrue, but he has never been investigated, let alone prosecuted. While President Barack Obama would later insist that Snowden did not influence the various reforms implemented after his disclosure, few people believe that claim. There is no question that Snowden

Edward Snowden: Whistleblower or traitor?

Snowden

succeeded in forcing multiple task force investigations and a series of changes, including the claimed cessation of some aspects of these programmes. Snowden the traitor What so many people around the world admire about Snowden is precisely what makes him such a hated figure within government. He broke the rules and worse yet, embarrassed some of the most powerful leaders in Washington. He obviously broke the law in removing and disclosing classified information - material potentially harmful to the security of the United States. The anger over Snowden clearly goes beyond the act itself however. For many of Washington’s elite, Snowden is as baffling as some alien from another planet. These are people who spent their lives playing by the rules in a system controlled

by a duopoly of power. With two parties controlling the system, there is little that happens in Washington that is not predictable and often controlled. The reactions of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and current Secretary of State John Kerry are particularly illustrative. Clinton came off as a classic passive aggressive - expressing utter bewilderment over Snowden: “I was puzzled because we have all these protections for whistleblowers. If he were concerned and wanted to be part of the American debate, he could have been.” Really, how? I represented the prior whistleblower who first revealed aspects of this programme years before Snowden. As I have testified in Congress, the whistleblower system referred to by Clinton is a colossal joke. Firstly, there are exceptions under the whistleblower laws for

“

national security information so Snowden could not use those protections. Secondly, the House and Senate oversight committees are viewed as the place that whistleblowers go to get arrested. There is a revolving door of staff going back and forth to the intelligence agencies. The only “debate” Snowden would have been part of would have been how best to terminate him in the shortest period of time. Then there is Secretary of State John Kerry who recently offered his own brand of macho advice to the kid: “Man up and come back to the United States.” Kerry appears ready to give him an “attaboy” on his way to solitary confinement to cut off virtually any contact with the outside world. I have great faith and love for our legal system, but national security law has become increasingly draconian

Really, how? I represented the prior whistleblower who first revealed aspects of this programme years before Snowden. As I have testified in Congress, the whistleblower system referred to by Clinton is a colossal joke.

and outcome determinative due to various changes in the last decade. This administration has continued the use of secret legal opinions and secret evidence in cases. The agencies continue to classify information to prevent the disclosure of potentially embarrassing or conflicting material. Obama has refused to close tribunal proceedings and reserves the right to determine whether people go to real courts or the widely ridiculed tribunal proceedings. Even with a federal trial, Snowden would be placed under Special Administrative Measures (SAMs) to cut off any outside contact and impose limitations on even his cleared counsel in speaking with him. At trial, federal judges are increasingly barring arguments from defendants as “immaterial” even when those arguments are the real reason for their actions. So there you have it: hero or traitor. Take your pick. What is clear is that Snowden pulled back the curtain on new reality of living within a fishbowl of constant surveillance. People clearly don’t like it, even if they don’t like Snowden. They are left however with the same sense of frustration and isolation when it comes to their government. Snowden stepped outside of a system that many Americans now view as impenetrable and unchanging. Whatever he may be, Snowden remains fascinating precisely because he proved to be the malfunctioning cog, the one who walked away. Source: Al-Jazeera

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International Sisi keeps Egyptian premier to fix economy after turmoil South African President Jacob Zuma home after hospital tests

ewly inaugurated President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reappointed Egypt’s prime minister yesterday, signaling continuity as he sets out to fix the economy and overcome political divisions after a long period of turmoil and

bl d h d bloodshed. In comments carried by the state news agency, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb said the current government would stay on in a caretaker role until he forms a new cabinet. Consultations had not yet begun, he said, although officials

h have said id many off the h leading l di ministers such as finance are likely to be unchanged. Sisi, who as armed forces chief toppled Islamist President Mohamed Mursi last July following mass protests, was sworn in on Sunday in a ceremony

outh Africa’s President Jacob Zuma is back home after spending a night in hospital for tests, the presidency said. His doctors are happy with his condition but have ordered him to rest for a few days, the statement said.”Doctors are satisfied with his condition,” the statement said. The announcement of his hospitalisation came two weeks after Zuma was inaugurated for a second five-year term following the election victory last month of the ruling African National Congress party. In a statement on Friday, Zuma’s office said the president would take a few days off from public engagements while continuing to perform official duties from home. Zuma, a former anti-apartheid activist, was inaugurated May 24 in a ceremony marked by dance, prayer, a 21-gun salute and air force fly-overs. In a speech, he said South Africa was a better place to live in than it was in 1994 but that poverty, unemployment and other problems persist. The ANC won 62% of the vote despite concerns about inequality and high unemployment.

Zuma

Sisi

i h low-key l k d b with attendance by Western allies concerned by a crackdown on dissent. While Sisi quit the military in March, a lower-thanexpected turnout in last month’s presidential elections fell short of giving him a strong mandate to take tough measures to repair an economy wounded by three years of instability and regular violence which has scared away foreign investors and tourists. Keeping the main ministers in their positions could enable Sisi to move quickly in implementing reform. Reuters reported on Friday that Western consultants were advising Egypt’s government including top officials from the ministries of finance and trade, industry and investment - on an economic reform plan which could serve as a basis for restarting talks on a IMF loan deal. The driving force behind the consulting project is the United Arab Emirates, which along with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait has showered Egypt with billions of dollars in aid since Mursi’s removal.

Niger says will repatriate its illegal migrants from Algeria

iger will repatriate its citizens living as illegal migrants in neighboring Algeria, the justice minister announced on Sunday, as the government steps up efforts to combat trafficking networks. In recent months, Niger says it has destroyed safe houses owned by traffickers in northern towns and turned back travelers without valid identity documents in an effort to stem the flow of African migrants across the Sahara and into North Africa and Europe. “The government has decided to repatriate all our citizens living illegally in Algeria and who are in

camps,” AmadouMarou, Niger’s justice minister and government spokesman, told state radio. “There are criminal networks from Kantche to Algeria who are organizing the trafficking of people who are then forced to do shameful things. These Nigeriens in Algeria have lost all dignity and are dishonoring our country,” Marou added. Authorities in Algeria were not immediately available for comment. A spokesperson for the Algerian Red Crescent, which provides medical aid to illegal migrants from Niger, also declined to comment.

However, a source from the Algerian Red Crescent, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to speak to the press, said Algeria would provide help to Niger to repatriate its citizens. “This is a humanitarian problem. We must handle it with extreme care,” said the source. The rising number of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa arriving in Algeria has raised concern, with some local media accusing them of spreading disease, including HIV. Increasingly, immigrants are reaching the cities of northern Algeria, where camps have sprung

judicial experts. Al Jazeera’s Stefanie Dekker, reporting from the capital Tripoli, said the GNC would comply with the court ruling and Thinni would stay on as caretaker prime minister. Thinni had announced his resignation earlier this year after an armed attack on his family, but insisted his successor should be chosen by a new parliament rather than its contested predecessor and refused to recogniseMaiteeg’s cabinet. Maiteeg was elected after clinching 121 votes, after a recount saw him pass the 120 votes needed under the constitution.

However, opposition politicians said the process suffered from irregularities after the first deputy adjourned the initial session. Maiteeg’s election prompted Thinni to refuse to hand power over until the judiciary decided on the matter. Maiteeg’s appointment adds to Libya’s woes at a time when KhalifaHaftar, former general, is waging an offensive against Ansar al-Sharia fighters. Haftar has said he will detain politicians he suspects of financing militias that he has blamed for Libya’s strife. The North African country

al-Maiteeg

up near the Mediterranean coast for migrants hoping to cross to Europe. The deaths of 92 migrants in the desert en route to Algeria in October stirred outrage in Niger and prompted the government to take action. Most of the migrants were women and children from southeast Niger sent to beg outside Algerian mosques. Despite the government’s promises to stem the flow, a Reuters investigation in May found that it continues, with security forces taking bribes to allow safe passage and smugglers charging migrants more for the route.

Libya PM’s election declared unconstitutional

ibya’s Supreme Court has declared the election of Ahmed al-Maiteeg as prime minister to be unconstitutional, and ruled that Abdullah al-Thinni remain in that post. In the latest political turmoil to strike the country, a judge at the Supreme Constitutional Court said yesterday “the election of Maiteeg at the General National Congress (GNC) [was] unconstitutional”. Maiteeg, a 42-year-old independent backed by religious groups, was elected in a chaotic session of parliament in early May, in a vote that had been disputed by some politicians and

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International

Pakistani Taliban claims Karachi airport attack T he Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for an assault on Karachi airport that has killed 29 people, and given warning that more attacks are on the way. Besides the dead, at least two dozen people were wounded and flights were suspended as a result of yesterday’s attack on Jinnah International Airport, which is Pakistan’s busiest. A spokesman for the Tehreeke-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) said the attack, which began after midnight, was in retaliation for the treatment of TTP prisoners, for air raids in North Waziristan and for the death of HakimullahMehsud, who was killed in a drone strike last year. In a statement posted on Twitter, the armed group said: “We have yet to take revenge for the deaths of hundreds of innocent tribal women and children in Pakistani air strikes. It’s just the beginning, we have taken revenge for one, we have to take revenge for hundreds.” Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said the TTP’s ShahidullahShahed sent a text message confirming responsibility

Smoke billows from a section of the airport that came under attack

and motive. The raid involved heavily armed attackers disguised as security personnel, who hurled hand grenades and fired automatic weapons as they targeted the airport’s cargo terminal. The army said it had regained control of the airport around dawn after a six-hour siege, but

explosions and shooting could still be heard on Monday morning and Pakistani troops relaunched their operation. The dead included at least 10 of the attackers, officials said. Hyder said the assault was well-planned, with the attackers “wearing uniforms of the airport security force and using fake IDs”

to enter the terminal. Most passengers were evacuated to a secure location overnight and all local and international flights were suspended, officials said. However, witnesses told Al Jazeera that more than 60 people were stranded in the main international airport terminal for

Asia & Middle East

Armed men attack Afghan courtroom

t least four people have been injured in Afghanistan’s eastern city of Jalalabad after armed gunmen wearing suicide vests attacked a courtroom. According to Al Jazeera, the injured, including one police officer were shifted to hospitalyesterday. All the three attackers have been killed before they could detonate their vests. In another attack yesterday, three suicide bombers attacked a parking lot at a police base in eastern Afghanistan, killing a guard and setting 25 trucks ablaze, oficials said The attack on the police base in eastern Behsud district took place late on Sunday, Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, the spokesman for the provincial governor of Nangarhar province said. A suicide car bomber first blew himself up by detonating his vehicle at the entrance to the parking lot, then two other attackers stormed in, shooting at the security forces, he said. The police killed both attackers but at least 25 fuel tankers and logistic trucks caught fire during the fighting, Abdulzai said.

Japan to press for resumption of annual whale hunt

Whales being freed by an anti-whaling group

assan Rouhani, the Iranian president, has said Turkey and Iran are determined to stand against violence and extremism in the Middle East during a trip to Ankara. Rouhani made the statement yesterday during a two-day visit to Turkey, where he has discussed nuclear proliferation, the Syrian crisis and trade with his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul. Iran is a strong strategic ally of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad while Turkey has been one of his fiercest critics, supporting his opponents and giving refuge to rebel fighters. Gul said that Ankara did not want any country to have nuclear weapons in the region. “We want a Middle East without nuclear weapons,” he said.

apan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said Japan will step up efforts to resume its annual whale hunt in the Antarctic. “I want to aim for the resumption of commercial whaling by conducting whaling research,” Mr Abe said. In March, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the whaling programme was not for scientific research as Japan had claimed. Australia, backed by New Zealand, brought the case against Japan in 2010. Japan had stopped the hunt in the Antarctic after the ruling but

vessels have carried on hunting Minke whales along Japan’s northern coast. Japan says these are also for research purposes. How Mr Abe intends to get around the international court ruling concerning the hunt in the Antarctic remains unclear, the BBC’s Rupert Wingfield-Hayes reports from Tokyo. Referring to the respect given to whales by those in towns where whaling takes place, Mr Abe said it was “regrettable that this part of Japanese culture is not understood”. The ICJ had said that Japan had killed around 3,600 Minke

A preliminary deal was signed in Geneva, Switzerland, in November, under which Iran accepted to halt some sensitive nuclear activities in exchange for partial easing of sanctions. While deep divisions remain between the two countries over the conflict in Syria, the potential of an Iranian market of 76 million people with some of the world’s biggest oil and gas reserves is a magnet for Turkish companies. During Erdogan’svisit to Iran in January, a preferential trade agreement was signed aimed at paving the ground to boost trade to $30bn by 2015.

Gul (L) alongside Rouhani (R)

whales since 2005 under its Antarctic whaling programme, known as JARPA II. While JARPA II could broadly be characterised as “scientific research”, the scientific output from the programme was limited, and Japan had not sufficiently justified the whaling quotas it had set, the ICJ said. During the court case, Australia argued that Japan’s programme was commercial whaling in disguise, but Tokyo said the suit was an attempt to impose Australia’s cultural norms on Japan.

Iran, Turkey want Middle East stability Both presidents supported harnessing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Rouhani also called on all nations in the Middle East to put effort in achieving stability. Last year the election of Rouhani, whose foreign policy of “prudence and moderation” has eased Iran’s international isolation. The visit will be the first by an Iranian president to Turkey since 2008. The visit comes as Iran and six major powers prepare to hold another round of talks on a final deal aimed at ending a decade-old dispute over the country’s nuclear programme.

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International

Subway strikers clash Bergdahl with Sao Paulo police family Europe and Americas

receives death threats

he family of US soldier Bowe Bergdahl have received death threats after his release from five years of Taliban captivity, according to US authorities. Bergdahl has faced criticism amid claims he abandoned his post in Afghanistan before being captured, having asked his commanding officer if he would be punished for walking off his base. The soldier’s hometown of Hailey, Idaho, where the 28-year-old’s parents Bob and Jani live, has been swamped with hate mail and angry telephone calls. William Facer, a spokesman for the FBI, said on Saturday that the agency continued to monitor the situation and took each threat seriously. On Wednesday, Hailey, which has a population of 8,000, cancelled plans for a welcomehome parade, citing security concerns over the prospect of big crowds - both for and against the soldier. Bergdahl’s freedom was secured last week by a swap deal for five high-profile Taliban members, who were released from the prison in Guantanamo Bay. He was filmed several times by his Taliban captors, in some instances making statements about his opposition to the war. Some Republican politicians have questioned whether the swap deal was lopsided in favour of the Taliban. John Kerry, the US secretary of state, said on Sunday there was time to sort through exactly what happened in Afghanistan but he fiercely defended the exchange. “It would have been offensive and incomprehensible to consciously leave an American behind. No matter what,” he said. He added that the five Taliban members, who are restricted to living in Qatar for a year, faced death if they took up arms against the US. “These guys pick a fight with us, in the future or now or at any time, at enormous risk,” he said. The US army is currently deciding if disciplinary action is needed against Bergdahl.

Striking subway workers burn tyres in protest in Sao Paulo

razil’s police have clashed in Sao Paulo with striking subway workers who are continuing to stay away from work despite a court declaring their strike to be illegal. Riot police firing tear gas pushed about 100 striking workers out of a station yesterday, the fifth day of the protest that has thrown Sao Paulo’s

avid Cameron, the UK prime minister, has promised a “robust response” to allegations of “Islamic extremism” in schools. Downing Street announced new steps yesterday to tackle the socalled Trojan Horse plot - reports of religious conservatives attempting to infiltrate schools in the city of Birmingham to make them adhere to a strict interpretation of Islam. In a statement Cameron said: “Protecting our children is one of the first duties of government and that is why the issue of alleged Islamist extremism in Birmingham schools demands a robust response.” One of the measures is snap school inspections, the statement said, to counter findings that

normally congested traffic into chaos. “This is the way they negotiate, with tear gas and repression,” Alexandre Roland, a union leader, told the AP news agency as he and others regrouped outside the station after confronting riot police. The striking workers marched toward the city centre, where they planned to join a wide-ranging rally “notice periods were used to put on hastily arranged shows of cultural inclusivity”. Oldknow School, according to the Education Funding Agency, increased its teaching and discussion of Christianity for the benefit of inspectors. Downing Street has said there will also be a special meeting of the government’s Extremism Task Force to discuss investigations by the English education watchdog, Ofsted. The meeting on Monday will be attended by senior cabinet members. Cameron’s response precedes the publication of 21 separate inspection reports on Birmingham schools by Ofsted, which is also publishing an advice note to Michael Gove, UK education secretary.

by various activist groups, including homeless workers demanding low-cost housing and a group calling for free public transportation. Bruno Matos, a 24-year-old student, told Al Jazeera’s Elizabeth Gorman in Sao Paulo on Monday that he came to the rally to support the subway workers who he saw as fighters for commuter rights.

“It’s a fight not just for them, but also a fight over inequality in transportation. They have their specific fights for a salary, but also for the rights of the commuters,” said Matos. On Sunday, a Brazilian court ordered the subway worker’s union to pay a $222,000 fine for every day that the strike continues, up from the $45,000 they had to pay for the first four days. Hours later, the union said it voted in favour of continuing the strike that was called “abusive” by the court. “Clearly, the court ruling was a big blow to the unions,” said Al Jazeera’s Gabriel Elizondo, reporting from Sao Paulo. The subway strike is threatening to jeopardise the football World Cup that Brazil will host in few days time. “FIFA and the Brazilian government are watching this very closely as the majority of the tourists and football fans in Sao Paulo will be using the metro or train to go to the opening match this Thursday.” The five-line subway system has been partially operating, but trains were not arriving at the Corinthians Arena that will host the opening game.

UK PM takes charge in Muslim schools row He is expected to present his own report on Monday and has been criticised by Theresa May, the home secretary, for his response to Trojan

Horse allegations. Some of the schools said to be involved in the plot have rejected Ofsted’s findings.

Germany’s deepest cave rescue drama near Berchtesgaden

team is trying to rescue a 52-year-old man injured in a rock fall in a 1000m-deep (3,280ft) cave in Germany, in an

operation that could take days. The Riesending cave is Germany’s deepest and it took one of the man’s companions 12

A rescuer enters the cave in a complex operation to recover the injured climber

hours to return to the surface to raise the alarm. Some 200 people are involved in the operation, near Berchtesg a d e n i n s o u t h e r n Germany. The first four rescuers arrived at the scene in the vertical cave on Monday. The man, who was with two companions on a Whitsunholiday trip, suffered injuries to his head and torso in the rockfall in the early hours of Sunday. He was one of the researchers who discovered the cave a few years ago, German media report. While one of his companions went to seek help, the other

stayed with him. He is said to be from the Stuttgart area although authorities have not released his name. Although the entrance was found in 1995, it is only in the past dozen years that explorers have begun investigating the cave system, which is said to be full of ravines and vertical shafts. The complex nature of the cave system, as well as its depth, is making the operation even more hazardous, officials say. “We have shafts that go straight down 350 meters (1,150 feet), where you have to rappel down and climb back up on a rope,” KlemensReindl told German TV.

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Strange World

Indian man has been walking backwards for 25 years to achieve world peace

or the past 25 years, Mani Manithan has been walking backwards in a bizarre bid to achieve world peace. He started in 1989, after a string of violent incidents in his home country India shocked him. Now he says that he’s gotten so used to it that he couldn’t walk straight even if he wanted to! Manithan sells mobile phones for a living in Agraharam village, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Since June 14, 1989, he has been breaking various records in walking backwards – all in an effort to achieve world peace. One of his very first acts after taking his vow was to walk backwards 300 miles, naked, all the way from his village to Chennai city. “On the international level, terrorism has increased, so many blasts are happening, the youth are misguided,” he said. “To condemn such incidents I have been walking backwards for 25 years. My only agenda is world peace,” he added. Of course, Manithan has achieved little success – nothing has really changed due to his strange style of walking.

Mani (centre)

But he isn’t one to give up. He has vowed not to stop until the world is a peaceful place to live in. “My life has been full of struggles, sacrifice, achievements and protest so I have no issue continuing my

backward walking until we achieve world peace,” he said. The man really does walk backwards everywhere – at home, on the streets and even while climbing stairs or using public transport. He’s pretty

much perfected the art of looking behind his shoulder while walking; it’s a wonder that he hasn’t injured himself once in all these years. He says that it doesn’t affect his normal routine in any way, and in fact

he has completely forgotten how to walk forwards. “Walking normally is more of a challenge – my mind has forgotten how to do it,” he said. “I have become very comfortable walking like this.”

80-year old woman dedicates life to swatting flies

hen 80-year-old Ruan Tang had retired, around 14 years ago, she wanted to spend her time

doing something useful for her community. And when she realized how much the flies were bothering people during the summer, she decided to

do something about it. Tang is now a woman on a mission – to swat as many pesky flies as possible. “I decided that killing flies

was the best way for me to be useful – and I’ve been doing it now every day since,” she said. Tang, who belongs to the Changmingsixiang Community

in eastern China’s Hangzhou City, has made it her full-time hobby – for the past 14 years she has spent eight hours a day, seven days a week, killing flies. For at least two hours at a time, Ruan circles garbage bins in her neighborhood, swatting away until she is sure she has killed all the flies hiding inside. On a really good day, she estimates that she can kill around 1,000 flies. Which is amazing, considering how difficult it is to swat those pesky little pests. Tang has become something of a local hero – the Chinese media and all her neighbors can’t praise her enough. According to a local paper, flies are “an enemy of the people, noisy, disease spreading and revolting.” But with Tang to the rescue, the community has really had some relief. “She manages to kill them in an envorinmentally friendly way,” wrote the newspaper. “Who knows how many flies there would be in the area if she was not in action?” Tang’s 58-year-old neighbor Jian Hsiao said: “She really is a fly killing specialist, she is our heroine. Just imagine how many of these pesty insects would be there if she had not been wiping out so many every day.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

Digest

A good night’s sleep really does boost your brain

he belief that a good night’s sleep boosts memory has been shown in countless tests. But up until now, direct evidence has been lacking on how exactly sleep strengthens the brains’ neural connections. Now researchers in New York have, for the first time, provided clear physical evidence that sleep fortifies learning. The finding adds to research that a lack of shut eye causes rogue proteins to build up in the eye, increasing the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Using a microscope, scientists looked inside the brains of mice to see what happened when they were either asleep, or sleep-deprived, after being trained to walk on top of a rotating rod

for the first time. They found learning led to the formation of new dendritic spines - tiny structures that project from the end of nerve cells and help pass electric signals from one neuron to another - but only in the mice left to sleep. The study, published in Science, provides the first physical evidence of how sleep helps to consolidate and strengthen new memories. It revealed learning and sleep cause changes in the motor cortex area of the brain, a region responsible for voluntary movements. Professor Wen-Biao Gan, of New York University, said: ‘We have known for a long time sleep plays an important role in learning and memory. If you do not sleep well you will not learn well. ‘Here we have shown how sleep

helps neurons form very specific connections on dendritic branches that may facilitate long-term memory. ‘We also show how different types of learning form synapses on different branches of the same neurons, suggesting that learning causes very specific structural changes in the brain.’ On the cellular level, sleep is anything but restful. Brain cells that spark as we digest new information during waking hours replay during deep sleep, also known as slow wave sleep. This is when brain waves slow down and rapid-eye movement, as well as dreaming, stops. Scientists have long believed this nocturnal replay helps us form and recall new memories, yet the structural changes underpinning this process Brain cells that spark as we digest new information during waking hours, replay during deep sleep. The study reveals hows learning and sleep cause changes in the motor cortex area of the brain (shown in orange) - a region responsible for voluntary movements

A new study has revealed that sleep after learning strengthens connections between brain cells and enhances memory. The finding adds to evidence that a lack of shut-eye causes rogue proteins to build up in the eye increasing the risk for Alzheimer’s disease

osses should allow staff to take naps at work to boost productivity and creativity, a leading academic has suggested. Vincent Walsh, professor of human brain research at University College London, also proposed they should be allowed to set their own work times, arriving whenever they want. We have become obsessed with sleeping only during the night and fail to appreciate the benefits of an afternoon siesta, he told Cheltenham Science Festival. ‘It’s best to give your brain downtime. I have a nap every afternoon,’ he said. ‘It’s only since the industrial revolution we have been obsessed with squeezing all our sleep into the night rather than having one or two sleeps through the day.’ The professor said a nap of between 30 and 90 minutes in the afternoon could help companies improve productivity. ‘If we want people to be more creative we need people to be able to do less,’ he said. ‘Companies should allow naps in the afternoon. They should get rid of the

habit of clocking in and clocking out. ‘Let people come in when they want. If they want to work through the night, let them.’ Research published today by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy reveals many employers are failing to encourage staff to take proper breaks. One in five work through their lunchbreak every day, the research suggests. Of those who do manage to take a break, half ate at their desk. Only one in five go outside, according to the study

of 2,000 people. Professor Hugh Piggins, of Manchester University’s circadian neurobiology lab, also said sleeping was vital for memory and learning. He said millions get too little sleep during the week and try to catch up at weekends. Research suggests the problem – dubbed ‘social jetlag’ – could be responsible for increased rates of cancer, dementia and diabetes.

h have remained poorly understood. So Dr Gan and colleagues used m mice genetically engineered to express a fluorescent protein in neurons to find o out exactly what is going on. A laser scanning microscope iilluminated the glowing fluorescent p proteins in the motor cortex, allowing tthe scientists to track and image the g growth of dendritic spines before and a after the mice learned to balance on a sspin rod. Dr Gan said: ‘It is like learning tto ride a bike. Once you learn it, you n never forget.’ The researchers trained one set o of mice to sleep for seven hours and a another to stay awake for the same p period of time, after both groups p practised for 60 minutes. The mice lacking in sleep experienced significantly less dendritic spine growth than the well rested ones. Furthermore, the type of task learned determined which dendritic branches spines would grow. Running forward on the spinning rod, for instance, produced spine growth on different dendritic branches than running backward on

it, suggesting learning specific tasks causes specific structural changes in the brain. Dr Gan said: ‘Now we know when we learn something new, a neuron will grow new connections on a specific branch. ‘Imagine a tree that grows leaves on one branch but not another branch. When we learn something new, it is like we are sprouting leaves on a specific branch.’ Finally, the scientists showed that brain cells in the motor cortex that activate when mice learn a task reactivate during slow-wave deep sleep. Disrupting this process, they found, prevents dendritic spine growth. Their findings offer an important insight into the functional role of neuronal replay, the process by which the sleeping brain rehearses tasks learned during the day observed in the motor cortex. Dr Gan: ‘Our data suggest neuronal reactivation during sleep is quite important for growing specific connections within the motor cortex.’ Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

‘Brain downtime’: Researchers say that allowing workers to sleep on the job could boost productivity

Scientists found learning led to the formation of new dendritic spines - tiny structures that project from the end of nerve cells and help pass electric signals from one neuron to another. These structures are crucial for improving memory

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Edo lawmaker accuses Oshiomhole of dominating state Assembly From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

L-R: Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, INEC National Commissioners, Dr. Suleiman Oniyangi, and Ambassador Ahmed Wali, during the public hearing organised by the House Committee on Reform of Government Institutions, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

2015: NGO vows to ensure hitch-free elections in Zamfara From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

coalition of nongovernmental organisations in Zamfara state yesterday said they have converged to serve as one under the name given as Zamfarawa Joint Progressive Organisations (ZJPO) in efforts to prevent the anticipated use of thugs by politicians to cause electoral crisis during the forthcoming elections in the

state. Speaking with newsmen in Gusau shortly after a meeting, the Secretary to the organisation, Malam Muhammad Kabir, said the aims of the organisation among other issues were to ensure perfect unity and enlightenment on youth against thuggery during all political activities in the state. The Secretary stated that, “Our aim is to inculcate in our youth the danger surrounding

use of weapons to facilitate the achievements of some unpatriotic politicians who, after the elections, would not mind their fate but virtually promote themselves and relatives”. Kabir, who said the organisation would embark on association with donor agencies to acquire further provisions for job opportunities for the teeming youth in the state, saying it is the only way to achieve a crime-free state. The Secretary further

maintained that the organisation has embarked upon freeing inmates who have been incarcerated over debts through settlements of their burden to reunite with their families for normal life. He said it was also the agreement reached by the organisation to embark upon constructions and clearing culverts in a fight against malaria and other related diseases as well as facilitating medical assistance to the poor.

Kwara PDP stakeholders frown at high level of poverty in Kwara From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

wara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the high level of poverty among the people of the state. Chieftains of the party, Senator Makanjuola Ajadi and comrade Ben Duntoye said this yesterday while speaking at a seminar organised for the youths by a group in PDP, the Kwara Positive Force. Comrade Duntoye, a delegate to the National Conference, in his address entitled; “Youths: Instrument for Kwara Freedom” said there was poverty boldly

written on the faces of many people in the State. He observed that the state government has not done anything to positively affect the lives of the majority of the people in the state. Duntoye, who was of the a Commissioner of Information during Dr Bukola Saraki’s administration said that the state government has more money than in the past, both from federation account and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), but the people are suffering the more. “Kwara people are not satisfied with the current situation of things in the state.

No jobs for the youths and there is poverty everywhere”, Duntoye added. He called on Kwara youths to set the state free from the bondage, urging them to be focused, united and purposeful in their resolve to liberate the State from oppresion. Duntoye, who is representing the youths at the conference lamented high rate of youths unemployment and under employment. “An employment that pays mere N5, 000 as salary is not what the youths of this state want, PDP youths reject this; this is slavery”, Duntoye said. Duntoye challenged the All

Progressives Congress,( APC) controlled state government to publish the names of the 8, 000 youths it claimed to have employed, their addresses, Local Governments and exact offices they were posted to. He also lamented that the local government system in the state was close to total collapse as both the chairmen and councilors were crying over lack of fund to operate. Duntoye decried lack of potable water for the generality of the people of the state despite billions of Naira government claimed to have spent on water reticulation.

do state House of Assembly member representing Orhionmwon south Constituency, Barrister Friday Ogierhiakhi, has accused the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole of using executive powers to turn the legislative arm into a ``lame duck’’. The Peoples Democratic party (PDP) lawmaker alleged that the legislative arm under the watch of the All Progressive congress (APC) Speaker, Hon. Uyigue Igbe, passes executive bills without observing due process. His allegation was in response to the governor’s allegations of financial inducement against four members of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Razaq Momoh (Etsako West 1), Hon. Patrick Osayimwen (Oredo east 1), Hon. Jude Ise-Idehen (Ikpoba-Okha) and Hon. Friday Ogierhiakhi (Orhionmwon south) constituencies. They defected from (APC) to the (PDP) in connection to the widely disputed APC party’s registration and congresses. Ogieriakhi spoke with journalists in Benin at the weekend in Benin City, the state Capital, where he said the governor’s threat raised by the latter as “fear of a drowning regime. According to him, ``putting all of that together, and the fact that they were almost turning the House of Assembly into a lame duck, a rubber stamp, where of course, some of us cannot actually actualize the burning vision we have; the promises we made to our people, a House of Assembly where executive bills are passed without due processes? Where the governor instructs that you have to pass bills on time.” Speaking on allegations of alleged financial inducement by the state governor, the lawmaker said the move was smacking of a hopeless megalomania. Reacting to the allegations that he and three other PDP legislators were bribed before dumping the APC, Ogierihiakhi expressed surprise that the governor could reduce himself to the “level of now assuming that he (Oshiomhole) is now the godfather of the day who could make and unmake”. He said his decision to defect was predicated on fruitless efforts of the governor to cede the three arms of government.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

Politics 20 slump at Ogun APC exco’s inauguration

Members of All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos, protesting over alleged imposition of candidates by their leaders among other issues, yesterday in Lagos.

From James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

Photo: NAN

Bauchi APC inaugurates exco From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

ll Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated its State Executive officials to run the affairs of its Bauchi State chapter of the party for next four years. The APC state Legal Adviser, Barrister Lawal Ibrahim, who conducted the inauguration yesterday in Bauchi said that the election of the state executive members was conducted free and fair without any litigation. According to Lawal, “ the inauguration of the state

executives is in line with the constitution of the party whose sole responsibility is to run the affairs of the party” “I urge you to remain committed, confidential and prudent with strict adherence to accountability as posterity will judge your conduct while in office”. Lawal advised members of the executive of the party to live up to expectations by allowing internal democracy in all their endeavours as much was expected from them in the discharge of their responsibilities. He also urged them to be open and ensure

fairness among party members. Responding, the newly sworn-in Chairman of the party, Alhaji Uba Nana, described the mandate given to the state APC executive as a litmus test to move the party forward ahead of 2015 elections. Uba said: “Shun all political differences and faction among you as panacea to wrestle power from the ruling PDP” “Our election to run the affairs of the party followed due process and was conducted free and fair as there was no report of litigation from any quarters” While urging the APC members in the state to

cultivate the spirit of unity as a mark of the party’s manifesto, the Chairman stressed that without unity, the party faces the risk of loosing all elections as 2015 elections gathers momentum. Members of the State Executive include Alhaji Uba Nana the Chairman, Barrister Buhari Disina, as State Secretary, Alhaji Auwalu Aliyu is the publicity Secretary while Sa’a datu Mamud is the women Leader. Alhaji Muktari Ubandoma was elected for the post of Financial Secretary amongst other members of the executive.

June 12: Politicians, associates to celebrate Abiola in Lagos From Akilani Abdullah, Lagos

rominent politicians in the country and long time associates of late MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential elections and democracy activists across the country, would be hosted to a tribute session and breakfast colloquium on state of the

nation on Thursday, June12, at the residence of the late politician in Lagos. The event being organised by the June 12 Movement, the umbrella body for June 12 democracy activism in Nigeria, is billed to commence by 8am and end by 12noon to allow other affiliates of the movement to attend various programs lined up for the celebration of this

year June 12 21st anniversary. Speaking on behalf of the National Organizing Team in Lagos yesterday, the moderator of the breakfast tribute session, Chief Olawale Okunniyi, said this year convergence promises to be historic as over 250 leaders of conscience and activists all over the globe are being invited to pay tributes and address the state of the nation at the

residence of the late MKO Abiola in Lagos “We have also decided to use this year’s event to set popular agenda for the ongoing National Confab in view of the growing insurgency, militancy and ominous instability in the country ahead of the 2015 elections, which already appears to be gathering explosive storms,” he said.

Kaduna APC elects state officials

he Kaduna state chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC), yesterday announced the election of new state officials to lead the party. The Chairman of the State Congress Committee, Col. Mustapha Abdullah (rtd), announced the result in Kaduna. He said Mr Barnabas Bala emerged as the state Chairman, while Alhaji Shuaibu Idris was elected Vice Chairman and Malam Saidu Kudan as the Organising Secretary, while Dr Katuka Sanaka was elected the

Public Relations Officer. According to him, the election, held on Saturday, adhered strictly to electoral processes set by the party. He described the exercise as transparent, saying it was witnessed by security agents, representatives of INEC, APC national headquarters and the media. Abdullahi called on the 35 elected officials and other party members to set aside their differences and work together towards achieving the mandates

of the party. He disclosed that 200 persons vied for the 35 positions available, including 10 persons who contested for the position of state chairman. Meanwhile, the former interim Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, Dr Hakeem BabaAhmed, urged members of the party to unite and move the party forward. Baba-Ahmed made the appeal yesterday while reacting to the election of new state officials of

the APC. He said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that, all party members must set aside their personal interest for the growth and success of the APC ahead of the 2015 election. “Without any prejudice to the rights of contestants who feel that they have been cheated out and who obviously will want to challenge the election, I will like to appeal to the rank and file of the leadership of APC in Kaduna state to move on. (NAN)

t least 20 persons yesterday slumped at the inauguration of the executives members of the Ogun State chapter of the All Peoples Congress (APC) held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. Addressing the party faithfuls from all the 236 wards in the state at the venue of the ceremony, the Ogun state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, apologized to the people for bringing the programme to an end abruptly disclosing that no fewer than 20 people had slumped and were rushed to hospital where they were revived. “I have asked them to open all the doors after I was told that there were no fewer than 20 people who have been rushed to the hospital because of the crowd outside. So, my apology, next time we would not do such a thing here again. ‘’We will go to the stadium, please don’t be annoyed with me, our people outside are really suffocating and they have been taken to the hospital, but I have the believe that it will be well with them,” Amosun said. Speaking on the emergence of the party executives, Governor Amosun appreciated the committee that conducted the congresses as well as members of the Appeal Congress Committee as well as the national executive council and national leaders of the party.” “I want to tell them that they are standing on the side of the truth, on the side of fairness and on the side of justice, Amosun said,” he said. After he declared the party executives at ward, local government and state levels sworn in, Amosun called for peace among the party members urging them to go to their individual wards and appeal to the aggrieved members with a view to bringing them back into the party fold. On his part, the newly swornin Chairman of the party in the state, Alhaji Roqeeb Adeniji, joined his voice with that of Amosun and appealed to all the aggrieved members of the party to sheath their sword and join hands with the newly sworn-in executives in the state to move the party forward stressing that the newly sworn-in executives strongly desire the support of everyone to move forward. He said, “the task before us all now is the 2015 elections and all hands must be on deck. The tendencies that undermine our efforts should be halted forthwith in the interest of the party in Ogun state”.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

PAGE 39

News Extra

Insecurity: NGO conducts special prayers in Sokoto From Raji Bello, Sokoto

L-R: Niger state Governor, Dr. Mua’azu Babangida Aliyu, condoling former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Legbo Kutigi on the death of his wife, Hajiya Maryamu Kutigi, last Friday at Justice Kutigi’s residence, in Abuja.

ith a view to ensuring the prevalence of sustainable peace and unity in Nigeria, special prayers were conducted in Sokoto to seek God’s intervention. The prayer sessions were organised by a Sokoto-based non-governmental organisation, Coalition of Sokoto state Youth Associations and presided by Sheikh Mustapha Yabo. Governor Aliyu Wamakko, who was represented by the Health Commissioner, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu described prayers as the most potent solutions to all problems. According to him “Nigeria as at now is in dire need of fervent prayers to go out of the current woods. Nigerians need to collectively fervently pray for

peace, unity and socio-economic prosperity to prevail across the nation.” Wamakko promised to continue to initiate peopleoriented policies and programmes aimed at further improving the living standard of the people. The state Information Commissioner, Malam Danladi Bako, who spoke through the General Manager of the state’s television station, Mr. Wafee Suka underscored the need for Nigerian youths to continue to be patriotic and disciplined. In his remark, the state Coordinator of NGO, Malam AbdulRahman Umar said that the event was also organised to commemorate the,” seven years of good governance and exemplary leadership in Sokoto state under Wamakko.”

Akunyili was a patriotic Katsina philanthropist donates Nigerian - Gov Aliyu

vehicles, tricycles to widows From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

philanthropist, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi has distributed 30 vehicles, 70 tricycles and other economic empowerment tools to no less than 12, 747 widows in Katsina senatorial zone. Distributing the tools to the beneficiaries yesterday in Katsina, Abdullahi said that the items were distributed to the beneficiaries free of charge. Abdullahi also distributed 250 motorcycles, 1,000 freezers, 576 drums of kerosene, 3,550 sewing machines and 1,050 knitting machines. Others were 1,000 grinding machines, 694 spaghetti-

making machines, 693 bags of beans and millet and 300 donkeys with carts. He explained that the widows were thoroughly selected based on merit in the 12 local government areas from the Katsina senatorial zone. ‘’Only the targeted persons will benefit from the gesture, you don’t need to pay a single kobo for whatever you are given,’’ he said. Abdullahi said that tools would assist the widows to take care of themselves and carter for the needs of their orphans. He, therefore, urged the beneficiaries not to sell the items and ensure their maintenance culture for their sustainability.

In his remarks, a renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Sa’id Alhassan commended the philanthropist for the gesture and urged other wealthy individuals to emulate the good efforts. Malam Sadiya Abdullahi, one of the beneficiaries, wept when she was called to receive a Peugeot 806 car. She said that she has 12 orphans, explaining that she and four of the children had to go for hard labor to get what to eat. Mrs. Abdullahi commended the philanthropist for the gesture and urged other wealthy individuals to emulate the good efforts.

Group advocates tourism as unifying force From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

ourism has been identified as a unifying force that will unite the country and help in combating crime, the Chief Executive Officer of Treasures of the Universe Resort (TUR), a tourism consultancy firm, Mr. Gabriel Tukur made this assertion while addressing journalists in Kaduna at the weekend. Mr. Tukur stressed that in war-torn countries, Tourism has reunited the warring factions in other and Nigeria, should learn from this and organize a platform to bring together young Nigerians who are key players in all l unrest “As efforts to restore peace in all troubled areas in the country is in top gear, the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National

Orientation and Kaduna state Ministry of Culture and Tourism are said to be planning a to collaborate with TUR, Kaduna on peace and unity, aimed at taking the youth off the streets for a purpose-driven lifestyle. “The Federal and Kaduna state governments have endorsed the programme and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with Kaduna state government and same is expected with the federal government. “We discovered that the mining activities in the northern region had brought about the discovery of the Terra Cotta at Nok village, in Jaba local government area of Kaduna state. “We have a treasure called the Nok

Terracotta, a monument which was discovered for a very long time about 500BC and the object have a global recognition, which we believed if a replica of it is produced and the participants are asked to hunt for it, which will give the event a cultural touch. “The programme would further help to rebuild the damaged image of northern Nigeria and help in bringing youth of diverse cultural and religious beliefs together”, he said. Mr. Tukur explained that the Season 1 of campaign, tagged: “Treasure Hunt”, was aimed at raising peace and unity ambassadors from northern Nigeria, adding that the event would feature peace campaign, image-building, education, empowerment and exposure.

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

iger state governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has described the death of Professor Dora Akunyili as a big blow to Nigeria in the area of intellectual competence and patriotic citizenship. The Niger state governor described the late NAFDAC Director-General as a fountain of knowledge, professional expertise who exuded servant leadership during her national service. The governor’s position was contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Israel Ebije, who described Professor Akunyili as a good example of a true Nigerian who despite her ill health was ready to offer her fountain of

knowledge at the on-going National Conference. “Professor Dora Akunyili was a leading example of patriotic leader for change. She believed in the Nigerian project and continued to champion her belief even till death.” “We will continue to respect her courage, which she expressed in good health and in sickness. She was indeed a symbol of hope for women in government, a symbol of hope for a better Nigeria; hope is not completely lost, as we still have Nigerians who can offer themselves to true service”. He urged Nigerians to emulate Professor Akunyili, adding that Nigeria will be repositioned socially, politically and economically if people are more selfless and determined to change the systemic rot.

‘Reliable road database critical to effective management’ By Miriam Humbe

orld governments and policy makers have been tasked on the imperative of keeping dependable database which is critical to the successful management of the road sector. Participants at the just concluded 1st International Road Federation (IRF) Congress held in Abuja, which ended at the weekend, rose from the three-day event with resolutions contained in a 17 point communiqué, stating among other issues, the need for governments to establish road agencies to manage the assets and funding of roads. The congress attended by not less than 26 African countries also noted the importance of infrastructure management to

the road sector and urged all countries to engage indigenous engineers in all the design and supervision of road projects to ensure sustainability and to partner with foreign consultants in order to share experiences on new technologies. It was also agreed that the five pillars of the United Nations (UN) Decade of Action for Roads Safety, which includes roads safety management, safer roads and mobility, safer vehicles, safer road users and post-crash response, be embraced by all countries in the sub-Saharan region. The importance of land, maritime and air transport to the continent was also emphasised, as participants urged African leaders to endeavour to connect the continent to enhance socioeconomic development.

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Photo Splash

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

L-R: Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu, Deputy Governor Eze Madumere of Imo, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia, Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi, and Deputy Governor Nkem Okeke of Anambra, addressing journlists after South-East Governors meeting, on Sunday in Enugu. Photo: NAN

L-R: Akwa Ibom state Governor, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, and Supervising Minister of Education, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, after their meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja. Photo Joe Oroye

Oyo state Governor, Sentator Abiola Ajimobi (right), addressing members of the Union of Tippers and Quarry Employers of Nigeria (UTQEON) during their solidarity visit to the governor, yesterday in Ibadan. Photo: NAN

L-R: Bishop of Kafanchan, Rt. Rev. Marcus Dogo, retired Bishop of Lokoja Diocese, Rev. George Bako, and Archbishop of Kaduna Diocese Most Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, during the 19th Synod thanksgiving service, on Sunday in Kaduna. Photo: NAN

A scene of an accident on Moshood Abiola Way, Ebute Metta, yesterday in Lagos. Photo: NAN

SPORT 41 PAGE

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046, 08036258222, albertakota@yahoo.com

2 Days to World Cup

Bolt delays return after foot injury 5 players to be missed at World Cup

World Cup: Eagles hit Brazil today

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

Sports

World Cup: Eagles hit Brazil today By Albert Akota

he Super Eagles will arrive in Brazil today for the 2014 FIFA World Cup scheduled to begin on June 12, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said yesterday. A statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Assistant Director, Communications, said in Abuja

that the team would fly aboard an American Airline flight from Miami International Airport. It said the team would land at the Guarulhos International Airport, Sao Paulo, Brazil before moving to their base, the Hotel Campiness on the outskirts of Sao-Paolo. The statement also disclosed that Aminu Maigari, the president

of NFF was already in Sao Paulo, for the 64th FIFA Congress scheduled to hold on June 10 and June 11. The congress precedes the 20th FIFA World Cup finals which kick off on Thursday with hosts Brazil confronting Croatia in the opening match. The statement quoted Maigari as saying in Sao Paulo yesterday

that he was satisfied with the Super Eagles’ build-up to the tournament. “I want to assure Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora that the Super Eagles will not disappoint in Brazil. “For sure, our people would have wanted the team to win the matches against Italy, Mexico, Scotland, Greece and the U.S. But

we drew the first four and lost the last one. “I have spoken with the Head Coach and he is optimistic that his boys will be ready for the finals. “The earlier draws and the loss to Team USA have afforded our boys some lessons which will be useful against Iran in the first match and subsequently,” the statement said.

Mikel, Enyeama tip Nigeria for World Cup glory

he Super Eagles hit man, John Obi Mikel believes the Super Eagles can punch above their weight at the 2014 Fifa World Cup finals in Brazil. The Super Eagles have failed to win a game since they booked their ticket for the World Cup with a 1-2 friendly loss to the United States on Saturday dampening expectations amongst the supporters but Mikel is keeping his chin up. The 27-year-old believes the Super Eagles can spring a surprise in Brazil. “Hopefully, we can see an African team getting to the semifinals or the final of this World Cup. It may take time.

“Yeah, Nigeria could just win the World Cup because in football, anything can happen,” Mikel told Fifa TV. His teammate, Vincent Enyeama also believes Nigeria and two other African nations, Ghana and the Ivory Coast can represent the continent creditably in Brazil. “It (an African side winning the World Cup) can happen. It can happen. We (Nigeria) have a good team; Ghana has a great team. Ivory Coast has a great, amazing team. “I believe an African team can win the World Cup. It can happen. “I don’t believe in negativity. I am a very positive person so I believe it can happen in Brazil,” Enyeama said. Speaking further on Nigeria’s preparations for the World Cup, Mikel took the time to praise national team coach, Stephen Keshi for his work with the players. “Anyone that knows him (Keshi) knows how much he demands from his players. He always wants you to work 110 per cent everyday in training and in games. “He never wants you to stop so I think we’ve responded to that. We’ve taken that on board and every player is enjoying the challenge. “I can only see a bright future for the national team with Stephen Keshi in charge,” he said. Nigeria will face Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina in the preliminary round of the 2014 Fifa World Cup.

Falcons de-camped after qualifying for 2014 AWC

Mikel Obi

Mourinho tips Nigeria to progress

ose Mourinho has tipped Nigeria to make it out of their group at the World

Cup. Nigeria faces a difficult task, having been drawn alongside Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran Group F. The Chelsea coach, speaking at a Yahoo global football ambassadors event, tipped Argentina to top the pile, but feels Nigeria are capable of joining them in the knockout stages, although admitted he is biased because his player John Obi Mikel plays for the Super Eagles. “Argentina has to be the

group winner and what makes me decide for Nigeria is the fact that I have there one player there,” he said. Mourinho was then asked for his opinion on Cote d’Ivoire, the country of his former star player Didier Drogba. “I’m very emotional, I go always with my friends,” Mourinho said in reference to his backing of the Ivorians, who will battle Greece, Japan and Colombia in Group C. Ivory Coast begins their campaign against Japan in Recife on June 14 while Nigeria open against Iran in Curitiba two days later.

Falcons By Albert Akota

he Super Falcons has begun an indefinite break after qualifying for the 2014 African Women Championship (AWC) in Namibia. A statement from the team’s Media Officer, Gracious Akujobi, in Abuja said breaking of camp till further notice followed a directive from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The Super Falcons booked their place in the competition after thrashing their Rwanda

counterparts 12-1 on aggregate. They had beaten the SheAmavubis 4-1 in Gisenyi on May 24, before putting the icing on the cake with an 8-0 win in Kaduna on Saturday for a 12-1 aggregate. The statement quoted the team’s head coach, Edwin Okon, as saying the players should work harder in their respective clubs to earn an invitation to the team’s next camping programme. He added that the team would likely regroup after the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil

in July. “As you return to your clubs, I want you all to keep your heads cool and don’t allow this little success and money get into your heads. “I will be monitoring you to ensure that you maintain your fitness and form. “I will not invite any player who falls below expectations as we regroup,’’ Okon was quoted as saying. The 2014 AWC is scheduled to hold in Namibia from Oct. 11 to Oct. 25.

Jose Morinho and Super Eagles star Mikel Obi

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

PAGE 43

Sports

Inzaghi replaces Seedorf at Milan A

C Milan has appointed Filippo Inzaghi as their new coach on a two-year contract after confirming the dismissal of Clarence Seedorf yesterday. Seedorf has been relieved of his duties less than five months after taking charge of the Rossoneri. His failure to guide the club into Europe next season has resulted in the two-and-ahalf-year contract he signed in January being terminated. The Dutchman is reportedly set to earn approximately 10 million euros in a severance package after Milan’s board of directors agreed to president Silvio Berlusconi’s notion to sack the 38-year-old, formalising his dismissal with a brief, two-line statement published on their website. “AC Milan announce that the coach Clarence Seedorf has been sacked and Filippo Inzaghi has been entrusted with the responsibility for the first team until June 30, 2016,” the statement read. Seedorf brought an end to his playing career to leave Brazilian

Dortmund rejects Barcelona deal for Reus

orussia Dortmund have rejected rumours that forward Marco Reus is set for a summer transfer to Barcelona amid reports linking the injured Germany international with a switch to Camp Nou. On Monday, the Spanish paper Sport reported that Reus and Barca have already agreed a deal on personal terms, with

the Catalan club ready to splash out some 35 million euros on the 25-year-old. Reus who will miss the World Cup after injuring his ankle against Armenia on Friday is under contract with Juergen Klopp’s side until 2017, but reportedly has a 35 million-euro release clause in his contract which can only be triggered from 2015 onwards.

Real Madrid chase Ramires

R Seedorf and Inzaghi played alongside each other for a decade at AC Milan, and won the Champions League together in 2009. side Botafogo on January 16 and take over as coach of a Milan side placed 11th in the Serie A table, 10 points behind the top five. Milan won 11 out of 19 league matches under his guidance, ending the season just one point adrift of a place in the Europa League next season. They were also eliminated from the Champions League by eventual finalists Atletico Madrid, and dumped out of the Coppa Italia by Udinese. That was deemed insufficient

to keep Seedorf in his job and Inzaghi, previously in charge of Milan’s youth team, held talks with Milan’s general manager Adriano Galliani several times over the past fortnight. When asked a week ago whether he was on the verge of replacing his former teammate, an emotional Inzaghi said he would “be delighted” to be given the opportunity, but insisted he was still in charge of the youth team, adding “whatever Milan tell me to do, I will do.”

eal Madrid is considering making a run at Chelsea midfielder Ramires, according to Marca. Los Blancos boss Carlos Ancelotti is apparently keen to be reunited with the Brazilian, whom he

signed in 2010 while in charge at Stamford Bridge. And Madrid’s midfield overhaul may not end there because, if AS is to be believed, Toni Kroos is also a target for the Bernabeu giants.

27-year-old Ramires have a new club following the World Cup?

Ahead of World Cup: Metro workers, police row in Sao Paulo P

olice confronted striking metro workers in Sao Paulo early yesterday in a central commuter station, with union officials threatening to maintain the picket beyond Thursday’s World Cup curtain-raiser in the city. Authorities are deeply worried about the strike because the subway is the main means of transportation to the Arena Corinthians located 12 miles east of the city centre where Brazil face Croatia in the tournament’s opening match. Riot police firing tear gas pushed around 100 striking workers out of Ana Rosa station as the strike threw Sao Paulo’s normally congested traffic into further chaos for a fifth day. About half of the city’s subway stations were operating, but with greatly diminished service. “This is the way they negotiate, with tear gas and repression,’’ said Alexandre Roland, a union leader, as he and others regrouped outside the station after confronting riot police. The striking workers marched toward the city centre, where they planned to join a wide-ranging rally by various activist groups, including homeless workers demanding low-cost housing and a group calling for free public transportation. Roland said the strike will continue through the tournament opener unless the government meets workers’ demands for a pay increase of just over 12 percent. A Sao Paulo labour court over the weekend fined the union $175,000 for the first four days of the strike and said it would add $45,000 for each additional day the work stoppage continued. Demonstrations have repeatedly erupted in Brazil’s metro areas in recent months, with even a small number of protesters blocking main roadways and severely disrupting traffic. The metro workers’ strike shows no signs of abating.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

Sports

United States, beat Britain, Ireland to retain to Curtis Cup

he United States regained the Curtis Cup with a 13-7 win over Great Britain & Ireland in Missouri. Great Britain & Ireland, who

won the trophy in 2012, needed to overturn a 9.5-2.5 deficit on the final day to pull off an unlikely victory. Georgia Hall, Gemma

Dryburgh, Charlotte Thomas and Stephanie Meadow all earned singles wins for GB&I in the biennial amateur tournament. But Emma Talley, Ally

McDonald and Annie Park sealed victory for the US. Talley, the US amateur champion, scored the trophyclinching point with a 4&3 win

over Bronte Law. Talley said: “This was the best week ever. We all wanted to play for each other this week and we all did that.”

Bolt delays return after foot injury

ix-time Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt has delayed his return to competition after falling behind in training because of a foot injury. The world record holder has withdrawn from this month’s Ostrava Golden Spike and Paris Diamond League meetings. Bolt, 27, said he was “100% healthy” and back in full training after missing sessions in late March and early April. But added: “Unfortunately due to the training that I missed I’m behind where I normally am at this time of year.” The 100m in the Czech Republic town of Ostrava on 17 June would have been the Jamaican’s first race of the year. He had also received top billing for the 100m in Paris on 5 July.

“I hope to be back in competition soon, but how soon will depend on my training in the next few weeks,” said the double world and Olympic champion. “It is important for me to take my time this year as I have three tough years ahead in 2015, 2016 and 2017 as I attempt to defend my world and Olympic Usain is the current 100m and 200m world record holder after smashing both records at the World Championships in Berlin in 2009 “I definitely plan to compete this season and will continue to work hard with my coach who I have the utmost confidence in to get me fit and ready to compete.” Bolt has yet to confirm whether he will compete in this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Usain Bolt

Nadal focuses on Wimbledon Froome keeps Criterium du Dauphine lead success after French Open

afael Nadal is determined to make an impact at Wimbledon again after winning his ninth French Open title on Sunday. The Spaniard, 28, beat Novak Djokovic 3-6 7-5 6-2 6-4 to win for a record fifth successive time at Roland Garros.

Nadal is now focused on making up for last year’s firstround defeat at the All England Club. Nadal struggled with the switch from clay to grass last year as he was on the way back from seven months out with a knee injury.

He made a shock first-round exit against world number 135 Steve Darcis of Belgium, and it is now four years since he won his second Wimbledon title. Nadal has now won 14 Grand Slam titles, three behind Roger Federer’s erecord total, but refuses to target the Swiss player’s mark. “We will see when I finish my career how many Grand Slams I have or if I win four, three, or five in a row,” he said. “The most important thing today is I won the most important tournament of the world on clay, probably the most important tournament of the year for me.” Djokovic has now lost five of his last six Grand Slam finals, and this time his challenge faded in the hot conditions after he lost the second set.

Crane wins fifth PGA Tour victory at St Jude Classic

en Crane won his fifth PGA Tour event as he clinched the St Jude Classic in Memphis. The United States golfer’s 10 under total of 270 gave him victory by one shot from compatriot Troy Merritt. Crane, 38, led after each round and although he did not make a birdie in his 18 holes, a three-over 73 was

enough to seal victory at TPC Southwind. England’s Ian Poulter shot a final-round 64 to finish in a tie for sixth. Another Englishman, Paul Casey, and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell both finished at three under. Crane held a three-shot lead over Merritt after 54 holes, with the third round

completed earlier on Sunday after the first three days were affected by poor weather conditions. Reigning Open champion Phil Mickelson shot a finalround 72 to finish at -6. Despite his victory, Crane is not eligible to participate in the US Open, the season’s second major, which begins at Pinehurst on Thursday.

Chris Froome

hris Froome made it two wins out of two at the Criterium du Dauphine to build a 12-second lead after the second of the eight stages. The defending champion, who also won Sunday’s opening time trial, won the 156km run from Tarare to Col du Beal in four hours, 24 minutes, 41 seconds. Alberto Contador was second and is also second in the overall standings. The race is seen as a warm-up for next month’s Tour de France, where Froome is also the defending champion. Froome triumphed in stage two when a breakaway by Alessandro de Marchi, who was two minutes and 40 seconds clear going into the final ascent, was reeled in with 7.5km remaining. Today’s third stage is a 194km ride from Ambert to Teil.

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Sports

P-i-c-t-o-r-i-a-l 1. The United States regained the Curtis Cup with a 13-7 win over Great Britain & Ireland in Missouri. 2. North London sprinter Chijindu Ujah says his sub 10-second 100m this weekend was a “shock”. 3. AC Milan have sacked head coach Clarence Seedorf after less than five months in charge, and named Filippo Inzaghi as his successor. 4. LeBron James scored 35 points as Miami Heat levelled the NBA finals series at 1-1 with a 98-96 victory over San Antonio Spurs in game two. 5. Phil Jagielka believes Italy striker Mario Balotelli can be a major threat to England’s World Cup hopes in their opening game of the tournament in Manaus this weekend.

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PEOPLES DAILY,TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

Sports

5 players to be missed at World Cup One of the greatest and highly anticipated sports event is about to kick off on June 12, with the host nation Brazil facing Croatia in the first match of the FIFA World Cup 2014. Participating teams have already started preparations ahead of the competition, with some European teams travelling to the Americas a few days beforehand, to get used to the warm weather conditions in Brazil. Coaches have announced their squads for the World Cup, comprising of the best and fittest 23 men according to them, that is. However, there are some notable miss-outs from the squads being carried to Brazil. Sunday Mba

he Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi raised some eyebrows when he left out striker Ikechukwu Uche from his provisional squad, but his decision to cut Sunday Mba from his final World Cup party came as a bigger shock. The Bastia midfielder was late arriving to the Super Eagles’ warm-up camp due to problems over his travel documents and missed the friendly draw with Scotland, but it seemed likely the hero of the Africa Cup of Nations final in 2013 would still be going to Brazil. However, with Keshi opting instead for John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Michael Uchebo and Reuben Gabriel, the man who scored the winner against Burkina Faso misses out on a first World Cup.

Alvaro Negredo

anchester City, Alvaro Negredo, was also not selected by La Roja’s manager, Vincente Del Bosque. Negredo has been brilliant this season. It was his first season in England and he has adapted well to the English game. But in his place, another player was selected who has been completely out of form since the past two to three seasons and has not been a regular starter for his club. If you guessed it, you guessed it right. It’s Fernando Torres, who was selected for the World Cup squad in place of Negredo. Negredo will be another player who deserves to be in Brazil but will only be able to support his team by cheering for them from the bench.

Diego Lopez

ne more noticeable player, who has been making some topdrawer saves since he switched to Real Madrid from Villarreal, is Diego Lopez. He has been excellent in the goal for FC Real Madrid, so much so that he made us forget who Iker Casillas was. Unfortunately, however, he was not called up for the Spanish squad. In his place, the goal-keeper from SSC Napoli, Pepe Reina, has been selected.

Samir Nasri

rench starlet Samir Nasri has recently been crowned the champion of the English Premier League with his club, FC Manchester City. He has been a regular starter in the past seasons and has shown his presence on the field week-in and week-out. Yet again, he is another star who will not be present in Brazil. Furthermore, when the French squad was announced and Nasri’s girlfriend came to know he was not selected, she took to Twitter to vent her anger at the French Football Association with many abusive tweets. Not the right way to expel frustration, but yes, the protest was right in place.

Lucas Moura

et’s talk about the host country itself, Brazil. Known for his pace, agility and samba tricks, the FC Paris-Saint Germain star Lucas Moura will not be present at the World Cup. Turning 22-years-old this August, he has what it takes to play in the competition. However, despite his commitment and brilliance in the game, he was not selected by Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Brazilian team manager. Moura will surely be a major miss for Brazil.

CHANGE OF NAME I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OKECHUKWU CHIBUZOR BRIDGET NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS EMERIBE CHIBUZOR BRIDGET. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

Leisure

Some Interesting Facts

f you’ve never done the New York Times Crossword puzzle you can not do the Thursday puzzle. You especially should not do it in ink. Theory and Reality have very little in common. Memory is very good thing to have but you still have to write the important bits down. Five gallons of freshly made beer weighs roughly the same as a small Honda. It is always advisable to get one’s husband or perhaps a neighbor to move full carboys around for you Most American car horns honk in the key of F. The name Wendy was made up for the book “Peter Pan.” Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. Every time you lick a stamp, you consume 1/10 of a calorie. The average person falls asleep in seven minutes. Studies show that if a cat falls off the seventh floor of a building it has about thirty percent less chance of surviving than a cat that falls off the twentieth floor. It supposedly takes about eight floors for the cat to realize what is occurring, relax and correct itself. Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every 2 weeks otherwise it will digest itself. The citrus soda 7-UP was created in 1929; ‘7’ was selected after the original 7-ounce containers and ‘UP’ for the direction of the bubbles. 101 Dalmatians, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, and Mulan are the only Disney cartoons where both parents are present and don’t die throughout the movie. . A pig’s orgasm lasts for 30 minutes. ‘Stewardesses’ is the longest word that is typed with only the left hand.

SUDOKU SUDOKU EASY 95

To escape the grip of a crocodile’s jaws, push your thumbs into its eyeballs - it will let you go instantly. Reindeer like to eat bananas. No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver and purple.

The word “samba” means “to rub navels together.” Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) was allergic to carrots. The electric chair was invented by a dentist. The very first bomb dropped by

the Allies on Berlin during World War II Killed the only elephant in the Berlin Zoo. More people are killed annually by donkeys than airplane crashes. A ‘jiffy’ is a unit of time for 1/100th of a second.

Say what?

PHOTO OF THE DAY

These The he ese Samburu Sambur Sa Sam buru women bu wome o en h have a e accessorised ave acces ac cessor ces so ise sor ised sed their thei heir fl flor o or oral al tea al tea dr d dresses ress esses es wit with ith c collars. ollars oll a s.. Source: Dailymail.co.uk

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TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

QUOTABLE QUOTE We urge our respected senior colleague and Special Adviser to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, to counsel government on the foolhardiness of attempts to muzzle the press in this technologically advanced global village. – Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)

SPORTS Nigeria’s worsening security LATEST

Brazil ready for Argentine hooligans, says World Cup security chief

nti-World Cup protests are not the only problem Brazilian security authorities will face during the soccer tournament. They are also bracing for an invasion of Argentine hooligans. The soccer fan clubs called “barras bravas” in neighboring Argentina are notoriously violent and Brazilian police are taking no chances. Brazil plans to beef up security in and outside stadiums where arch rival Argentina will play, deploy undercover cops and bring in Argentine police officers to spot troublemakers, police officials in some host cities said. “I don’t care what they call these people. Brazilian police, in cooperation with foreign police, will be tough in responding to anyone who comes here to commit crimes,” said Andrei Rodrigues, Brazil’s security chief for the World Cup. More than 50 000 Argentine fans are expected to come to Brazil for the World Cup, many driving across the border in cars and buses. Brazil’s government already faces the threat of street protests by Brazilians opposed to the high cost of hosting the tournament. Massive demonstrations broke out last year during a warm-up for the World Cup and have continued on a smaller scale, sometimes with violence. A record 30 people died in soccer-related violence last year in Brazil, the highest in the world after Argentina and Italy, according to data compiled by Brazilian researcher Mauricio Murad. Brazilian police are also worried that Argentine barras bravas could clash with English fans in the city of Belo Horizonte where the teams will play only three days apart. These teams have long had one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries, fueled by the Falklands war of 1982 and Diego Maradona’s notorious “Hand of God” goal that helped oust England from the 1986 Cup. Brazil also plans to deploy 157 000 police and troops to secure borders and maintain order around stadiums.

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demands new strategy N

igeria’s deteriorating security situation is likely to get much worse, unless the government changes its deeply flawed strategy against Boko Haram extremists. Support from the United States, western Europe and Nigeria’s West African neighbors can help, but only Nigeria can solve the problem – by addressing the root causes of the crisis in Boko Haram’s northern stronghold. Otherwise, Nigeria will be faced with a prolonged and spreading insurgency of potentially disastrous consequences. Over the past several months, Boko Haram has carried out high-profile operations, alongside nearly daily attacks in northern areas, including deadly raids on half a dozen villages this week. To the widespread outrage of Nigerian Muslims, the group invokes Islam to oppose all ‘western’ education and views. In February, the group killed over 50 students at an agricultural college. The next month, insurgents raided a military prison, freeing hundreds of criminals and killing nearly 400 people. In April and early May, bombings in the capital of Abuja, near the center of the country, killed over 90 people. On May 19, car bombs in the town of Jos – also hundreds of miles south of Boko Haram’s main territory – killed over 125 civilians, reflecting the group’s growing reach and operational sophistication. It was local and international outrage at the mid-April kidnapping of nearly 300 Chibok school girls that forced increased government attention to the insurgency. Helping locate the girls, as well as supporting the larger struggle against Boko Haram, is in United States’ interest. Nigeria is Africa’s most important country and a longstanding friend of the United States. It boasts the continent’s largest economy and is its leading producer and exporter of petroleum. With over 170 million people, Nigeria is also Africa’s most populous state and largest democracy. Although exact percentages are disputed, around half the people profess Islam, giving Nigeria the world’s fifth largest Muslim population.

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Tuesday Column Johnnie Carson

Johnnie Carson

In the wake of the Chibok abductions, President Obama offered U.S. help, dispatching a large inter-agency team of American diplomatic, civilian and military experts and sending drones to neighboring Chad. Great Britain, Canada and other major powers have offered military assistance. On May 17, President Hollande of France hosted a meeting of west African leaders to discuss combatting Boko Haram and preventing the insurgency from broader regional spread. The presidents of Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, Chad and Benin pledged to cooperate, share intelligence and improve border security. But Boko Haram is fundamentally a Nigerian problem, and the Nigerian government must assume the principal responsibility for solving it. The United States should assist with intelligence, advice and training, as well as with limited equipment to defuse bombs and improvised explosive devices. It would be unwise to provide combat troops, which could increase the likelihood of Boko Haram attacking American targets and would align the Obama administration with a heavy-handed counterinsurgency operation that has failed. For the past five years President Goodluck Jonathan’s government has repeatedly denounced Boko Haram’s terrorism and promised to

end the conflict. The strategy has been to deploy increasing military force and to declare a state of emergency in the worst-affected northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. That strategy will continue to fail until the government develops a more comprehensive, sophisticated and agile policy. Boko Haram has fed on widespread northern distrust and resentment toward Nigeria’s oil-rich central government. Many northerners feel politically and economically marginalized, lacking in any meaningful influence in Abuja and seeing no real gains from Nigeria’s vast oil wealth. The north has the nation’s highest levels of illiteracy, infant mortality, unemployment and over-all poverty. In the far northeast, where the insurgency is greatest, joblessness among young men is between 40 and 80 percent. To stop Boko Haram, Nigeria needs a two-pronged strategy that both provides security and offers hope of a better life. A revised security plan should put greater emphasis on intelligence and information to pinpoint Boko Haram locations, followed by surgical strikes to go after the group’s leaders and large encampments. Captured Boko Haram members should be tried in court and jailed for their activities. At the same time, the government must do a much better job of protecting civil liberties. Nigerian security forces have reportedly killed and injured hundreds of innocent civilians in recent years. The second prong of a new policy should be a robust social and economic redevelopment program – a ‘Marshall Plan’ to demonstrate to the people in the nineteen northern states that they are a valued part of the Nigerian federal republic. Elements of a more-effective strategy should include:a Northern Nigerian Development and Recovery Ministry; appointment of a highly respected and experienced northern leader to run the

new ministryA special fund to address some of the region’s most glaring social and economic inequities; a comprehensive youth training and employment program, including dedicated funding for microfinance and microenterprise activities; a mixed civilian/military court to investigate and prosecute military and security personnel accused of human rights violations; a commission to investigate and review the extrajudicial killing of Mohammed Youssef, Boko Haram’s first leader; and a forum for Nigeria’s president to meet with all northern state governors on a regular basis. In the run up to Nigeria’s 2015 presidential elections, President Jonathan also needs to make a more concerted effort to reach out to the people of the north, to visit the communities most affected by the crisis and to ensure that the people in the north will be able to vote next year. The international community and the World Bank can lend encouragement to these steps by creating a special Northern Development Fund and providing technical experts to help address the poverty and social inequities in northern Nigeria. Although security remains precarious, the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union should seriously consider establishing a joint diplomatic and development office in Kano, the north’s major city, to help implement much-needed regional development programs. Without such major changes from Nigeria’s government, bolstered by international support, Nigeria faces the grim prospects of a long term insurgency that will result in the loss of thousands of additional lives, the destruction of the northeast and the creation of angry jihadists intent not only on attacking Nigerian targets, but western targets as well. Johnnie Carson served as U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Zimbabwe and Uganda and as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 2009 to 2013. He is currently senior advisor to the president of the United States Institute for Peace. He originally wrote this for AllAfrica.com from where it is culled with permission.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234 814 292 9046. Cell: +234 802 443 2099; 803 7007 759. e-mail: contact@peoplesdailyng.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141