Peoples Daily Newspaper, Tuesday 11, September, 2012 by Peoples Media Limited

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 9 No. 22

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

. . . putting the people first

Arewa group warns politicians against Obasanjo’s antics >> PAGE 3

Again, fuel queues resurface in FCT >> PAGE 3

Shawwal 24, 1433 AH

Panic at finance ministry as obsolete lift catches fire >> PAGE 3

Disquiet at SEC over staff promotions, internal postings

R-L: President Joyce Banda of Malawi, Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, Edo state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, President Goodluck Jonathan and Agriculture Minister, Professor Adewunmi Adesina, during the launching of National Cassava Project, yesterday in Lilongwe, Malawi during the President Jonathan's twoday visit to Malawi

By Abdulwahab Isa

Outrage trails national honours list Honest people are not rewarded – NLC This is madness – CPC It has become worthless – CNPP It’s a joke – lawyers’ league By Richard Ihediwa, Mohammed Puma, Nasir Muhammed & Ikechukwu Okaforadi

ituperation has continued to pour in against the list of nominees for the 2012 National Honours Award released by the Federal

N150

Government with some Nigerians saying that many of those on the list were undeserving of the award. Some of the Interest groups

who spoke yesterday say the list was principally made up of politicians and money bags including those said to be of questionable character including those allegedly indicted in the recent oil subsidy scandal.

Business mogul, Mike Adenuga, who is to be conferred with the award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) tops the list of 149 awardees which also has serving governors, Supreme Court Contd on Page 2

here was uneasy calm at the Abuja headquarters of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday following opposition by the leadership of the staff union to management’s new approach to promotions and internal postings. Peoples Daily gathered that SEC Director-General, Ms. Arunma Oteh, in an attempt to deepen the oversight and regulatory functions of SEC as regulator of capital market last week approved internal reshuffling of staff. The exercise, which affected most of the staff that have spent close to five years in a unit, was said to have been carried out by the SEC management to broaden staff knowledge of capital market activities The exercise was however viewed differently by union leaders who regarded it a punishment targeted at staff who were opposed to Oteh’s return to the commission. Another grouse against Oteh, it was learnt, was her stance on staff promotions. Contd on Page 2

PD INDEX

10th Sept., 2012

CBN RATES $ £ EURO CFA RIYAL

BUYING 154.8 247 197.8 0.2809 41

S ELLING 155.8 248.9 199.1 0.3009 41.5

PARALLEL RATES EURO £ RIYAL $

BUYING 202 258 40 158

S ELLING 204 260 42 160

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

CONTENTS News

2-11

CIBN lauds Unity Bank By Aminu Imam

Editorial

Op.Ed

Letters

Opinion

Metro

16-18

Business

19-20

S/Report

Feature

Agriculture

he Chartered Institute of Bankers has commended Unity Bank for its tireless collaboration with CIBN in promoting professionalism in the industry. The President and chairman of Council of CIBN, Mr. Segun Aina made the commendation when he led his members on a courtesy call to the Managing Director at Unity Towers in Abuja yesterday. Mr. Aina who said the institute regards Unity Bank as

International 32-34 Digest

Politics

Sports Columnist

41-47 48

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU The Peoples Daily wants to hear from you with any news and pictures you think we should publish. You can send your news and pictures to: letters@peoplesdaily-online.com pictures@peoplesdaily-online.com contact@peoplesdaily-online.com

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management of Unity Bank to continue to encourage staff to write the CIBN examination and expressed appreciation with the growing number of active participants in the CIBN activities from the Bank. In his response, the Managing Director of Unity Bank Plc Ado Y. Wanka has assured the CIBN delegation that the Bank will take advantage of the institute’s competency framework programme to develop its human capital and charged the Institute to remain responsive to make the industry more professional.

The Managing Director also explained to the delegation the historical development of Unity Bank that started through a very difficult process in culture integration, systems and process coupled with capital problem but added that “it is with pride that I can tell you today we have a Bank that is clean”. Wanka who said no Bank should have any excuse for not being an active member of CIBN reassured that Unity Bank shall remain an active player in the institute’s development because of its dynamic programmes.

Outrage trails national honours list Contd from Page 1

Yuguda has failed the people of Bauchi, says state CPC scribe, Page 37

part of the family, assured his council’s support at all times and revealed that the institute is putting in place professional programmes aimed at enhancing quality in the industry. He revealed that the institute has, in the last one year, undertaken trips to some European and Asian countries to collaborate with them in financial talent enhancement, while 16 new certifications in various banking operations have been incorporated into the competency programme. Mr. Aina also urged

Judges, members of the National Assembly other top politicians and bureaucrats. Already, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to have a second look at the list which was released on Sunday saying it did not show recognition for hard work and patriotism. NLC General Secretary, Chris Ufot, told Peoples Daily last night that the union has gone through the list and was surprised that honest, hardworking people were not included. He said the union observed that the list was mostly made up of money bags, politicians and bureaucrats while ordinary Nigerians including activists, who have worked hard, were not recognised “We have gone through the award list and see that most of persons that will be honoured are money bags, politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats. We are surprised that honest, hardworking and poor Nigerians are not honoured. Activists who have given their contributions are not honoured. We ask President Jonathan to have a second look at the list to

ensure who people that work for this country are honoured. Nigerians who are hardworking and those that promote National unity should be honoured”, he said. Also criticising the list, Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) lamented that the award has lost its sense of honour pointing out that it is no longer given to people who have distinguished themselves in the service of the country but to cronies of those in the corridors of power. CNPP Chairman, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, who spoke to Peoples Daily last night remarked that many of those on the list were of questionable character saying the entire exercise has been ridiculed “The award has lost its sense of honour. It is no longer given to people who have distinguished themselves in the service of the country but who serve only the current PDP government. It is now given to people with questionable character, who in one way or the other have cases to answer. So as far as CNPP is concerned, the national honour has lost its sense of honour, which it is known for in the past”, he said. Also commenting on the list,

the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) described the composition of the list as “madness” saying the process has been bastardised. CPC National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashakin, said many of those listed do not merit the award adding that it was the view of his party that their inclusion was an indication that the present administration was decadent adding that that was why most honest Nigerians are now rejecting the awards. “It is very unfortunate that the nation is being driven so precipitously! There is virtually no method to the madness. The National honours scheme has become bastardized. Little wonder, great Nigerians that have impacted positively on the Nation’s image internationally are shunning these awards. A situation where an indicted oil thief is being honoured with one of the highest medals of state is a firm attestation to the decadent show of shame of the Jonathan regime”, he said. Also, rejecting the list an organisation of lawyers known as Public Interest Lawyers League (PILL) yesterday described it as a “joke”. In a public statement signed by its President, Abdul Mahmud, PILL

said that President Goodluck Jonathan would find it difficult to convince Nigerians on the selection criteria. The group lamented that instead of honest Nigerians, the list has “discredited entrepreneurs whose stars faded as their enterprises, dubious politicians who fail democracy and the people, puny public servants, with no sense of service or commitment, who make governance what it is in our country today, to the everyday jesters who walk the quarters of political governance. “Sadly, the 2012 honours list, like others before it, names debtors and thieves as patriots, dubious enterprise moguls as the exemplars of the New Nigerian entrepreneurial utopia”, it added. The group called on the President to end the “joke”, saying the award was meant for giving recognition to individuals who commit their lives of service to the community. A press statement by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation signed by Dr. Henry Akpan, Sunday night said government has concluded preparation for the conferment of National Honours Award on 149 Nigerians and others. It said the investiture will hold on September 17, 2012 in Abuja.

Disquiet at SEC over staff promotions, internal postings Contd from Page 1

A source informed Peoples Daily yesterday that a list of all outstanding promotions had been approved by the immediate past SEC board chaired by Senator Udo Udoma. Instead of endorsing the approved promotions, Oteh was said to have insisted that henceforth promotions would be earned through promotion examination, a decision that is setting her and the union leadership on a collision course. The deployment of stern looking armed policemen around SEC premises yesterday, according to a source was to

forestall “any untoward action that might be carried out by the union to register its displeasure against these decisions”. As early as 7.30 am, a detachment of policemen had taken position at SEC’s premises, even though there were no protesting staff when Peoples Daily visited the premises. A staff who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity said examination had never been the basis for staff promotion at SEC. According to her, the last management concluded everything in respect to promotions and approved that all outstanding promotions should

be effected. She said Oteh, upon her reinstatement, vowed that promotions would be tied to examination. When contacted on phone, a leading member of SEC union, Mr. John Briggs, said he did not know the reason for the deployment of policemen to SEC, and advised our reporter to direct his enquiry to the DG’s office for clarification. Briggs said the union had its congress meeting last Friday, but did not divulge the outcome of the meeting. When contacted, Special Assistant (media) to SEC DG, Obi Adindu, denied heavy presence of security at the premises.

He said the detachment was of policemen on routine duty. Adindu said internal postings and transfers was a statutory mandate conferred on the DG and she was carrying it out for efficient and effective regulation of the capital market. He said promotion examination is a norm in public service and SEC can’t be an exception. SEC, under Ms. Arunma Oteh has engaged staff in running battle as staff had vehemently resisted her reinstatement following her temporary suspension over an alleged fraud on SEC’s “Project 50’.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

PAGE 3

Again, fuel queues resurface in FCT By Muhammad Nasir

uel queues resurfaced yesterday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as motorists were seen in most of the filling stations across the city buying the product. Also, petrol vendors reappeared in some parts of the city yesterday selling the product in jerry cans to motorists. However, when our reporter

…its panic buying, says NNPC

paid a visit NIPCO Filling Station at Jabi, the Operations Manager, Yoni Maina said there is enough fuel and the station was even expecting another two trucks to supply the product; adding that the management of NIPCO has about 500,000 liters of fuel in Lagos that will go round the filling

stations they have across the country. “We have been selling fuel from 7am in the morning and stopped selling at 3pm in order to calibrate all our tanks because it will take about 5 to 8 hours to complete, and we would resume sales by tomorrow”, he noted.

Meanwhile at Total Filling Station in Zone 6, the manager of the station, Ada Mark, said “its panic buying, adding that the station has about 40,000 litres of reserves that will last for the week. “We have been selling since morning without any hitches”, she noted.

When our reported contacted the Acting Group General Manager, Public Affairs of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Fidel Pepple, he said the queues were caused by “panic buying by motorist;s, we have enough supply of the products to all our outlets and the situation has not changed as stated in a press statement by the corporation last week”.

Insecurity: Shettima reiterates support for security outfits From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

L-R: Emir of Shonga, Dr. Halliru Yahaya, Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado Muhammad, Chairman, Expert Review Committee (ERC), Nigeria, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, and Prof. Umaru Shehu, during the 24th meeting of the Expert Review Committee (ERC) on polio eradication and routine immunisation in Nigeria, yesterday in Abuja. PHOTO: MAHMUD ISA

Damaturu attacks: Gaidam fingers opponents By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

obe state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, has condemned the recent attacks in the state capital, Damaturu, by hoodlums suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect, saying they were sponsored. Gaidam made the condemnation while speaking during a visit to the offices of the State Pilgrims Commission and Ministry of Religious Affairs in the state capital, Damaturu burnt down by attackers suspected to be members of the Boko Haram recently. “These attacks are barbaric, evil-minded and counterproductive and we condemn them in totality”, the governor said. He also said the attackers were sponsored by enemies within and outside the state, who are bent on scuttling the progress the state is making. According to him, “These boys perpetrating these atrocities have sponsors. They are not doing it in the name of religion or for religion. But they stand to gain nothing from their actions”.

Panic at Finance Ministry as obsolete lift catches fire By Abdulwahab Isa

taff of the Federal Ministry of Finance scampered for safety early yesterday following a fire incident in one of the lifts in the building. The lift is in the phase 2 of the building which was taken over barely two years ago from the contractors after completion.

An eyewitness account said the fire which took the combined efforts of private security men posted to the ministry, Civil Defence corps to put out began at about 7:15am and was caused by an electrical fault. Nobody was hurt as most staff were yet to report to work at the time of the incident. Checks by Peoples Daily revealed that the elevators had

been encountering problems and routine maintenance was carried out on them just last week. There are four lifts in the building but one is reserved for the minister. An engineer who was amongst the team that supervised the phase 2 building told our reporter that they had refused to approve the elevators because they realised they were refurbished ones but “the powers that be had their way”. He said the elevators had no covering note from the supervising consultant certifying its usage.

Arewa group warns politicians not to be fooled by Obasanjo’s antics By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

group known as the Arewa Awareness and Solidarity Movement (AASM), has warned northern politicians not to allow themselves be fooled by the reports that former President Olusegun Obasanjo and incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan have fallen apart because of alleged Obasanjo’s insistence that power returns to the North in 2015. A statement by the spokesman of the movement, Alhaji Garba Bafashi, said the latest media report

of the purported division between Obasanjo and Jonathan over the transfer of power in 2015 was a smokescreen by the former president to confuse, disorganise and throw the North off the scene politically, with a view to weakening it even further. The spokesman explained that treachery is in Obasanjo’s nature and therefore, warned the North against falling prey to his latest tricks. Bafashi, recalled that Obasanjo aided and abetted the disruption of the zoning arrangement in 2010 shortly after the death of President

Umaru Yar’Adua. He also noted that in 2007, Obasanjo imposed power shift to the North on his own terms with a hidden agenda, which manifested itself even before the late President Yar’Adua was laid to rest. Having humiliated the North in 2007 and 2010, he said, the region no longer had any basis to trust the former President. According to him, the purported split between Jonathan and Obasanjo was a make-believe script his former aides are acting out to mislead the North once again.

overnor Kashim Shettima of Borno state, yesterday, reiterated his determination to establish a solid partnership with all security agencies through effective support, in order to tackle the persistent security challenges confronting the state. Shettima stated this while receiving the newly posted Commissioner of Police to the state, Yuguda Abdullahi on a courtesy call at the Government House in Maiduguri. The governor explained that there was urgent need for the government to explore all available options to find a lasting solution to the lingering insecurity pervading the state.

Airforce launches training of personnel to check insurgency From Lawal Sadiq Sanusi, Sokoto

he Nigerian Air Force has launched operation involving 273 personnel to combat the activities of insurgents in the North and other security challenges elsewhere in the country using air power. Launching the operation developed by Air Tactical Command (TAC) and codenamed ‘Exercise No Man’s Land’ in Sokoto yesterday, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Dikko Umar, said the exercise was a well thought out and modest effort of the command to add value to the efforts of the Nigerian Airforce for better service delivery of air power in the nation’s security. Dikko also described the exercise as aimed largely at exercising airmen in the conduct of asymmetric operations within a joint service setting, adding that it was coming at a point to test not only the capacity but to develop and adapt new methods for tackling threats and adversaries confronting Nigeria in the face.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

THE PAGE 4 REPORT 2012 National Honours list: More of same For many, if not most, Nigerians the annual conferment of National Honours and National Award on “deserving” citizens is nothing but a mere ritual hardly deserving of anything more than a passing interest. The cynicism is not entirely without some justifications as, over the years, the make of the awardees is so predictable that guessing who will make it is anybody’s guess, reports Abdu Labaran Malumfashi.

President Goodluck Jonathan

Faces of some of the nominees for the 2012 National Honours

he names of the 149 “distinguished” Nigerians who made the 2012 National Honours list are predictable. One does not have to be an Einstein to guess the category of people who will be on the President’s annual list for the National Honour. The one qualification necessary for qualification is closeness to the powers that be, due to either stupendous wealth (regardless of source) or political clout (no matter its dubiousness), with real service to the fatherland a somewhat distant second. As in previous years, It is only on these shores that somebody may be celebrated only on the basis of his election into a high profile office or appointment into such an office or position even before they prove their worth for the opportunity to “serve”. Or on the basis of the wealth they amass, regardless of how, and to what use such wealth is deployed. Nowhere is this absurdity in abundant evidence as in the annual ritual of awarding

Honours and Awards by the President and Commander-inChief of the Federal Republic to some supposedly deserving citizens in the land. Our Universities and the traditional institutions have also latched on to the frivolous practice of awarding honourary doctorate degrees and chieftaincy tittles respectively to those who supposed deserve them. Last year’s list drawn by President Goodluck Jonathan for the national honour was roundly condemned because many of the names on it were perceived as people whose only claim to fame, not to talk of deserving of national honour, is their closeness to the corridors of power. And, except for a very few deserving names, the list was seen to be mostly made up of apologists and or sponsors of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The list was clearly shorn of the kind of patriots whose activities remain the saving grace for a country that not long ago earned the dubious distinction of being the most

corrupt nation on earth. It is given that once a person is elected president, the office comes with the highest national honour of GCFR, with the running mate (Vice President) taking GCON, which is the second ranking national honour in the land, which also goes (automatically) to whoever emerges the President of the Senate and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). The Speaker of the lower chamber of the National Assembly, the House of Representatives, the Deputy Senate President and all the Service Chiefs get the CFR as their right on taking office. Not very long ago, Nigeria’s image on the international stage was that of the most corrupt nation on the planet. Well, perhaps not anymore lately, but the dividing line remains very thin, all thanks, in the main, to the unwholesome actions and inactions of the type who regularly find their way on any honours list; be it from the Presidential Villa, the Ivory Towers or the many palaces that

abound in the land. It is also given that such list will hardly contain the names of those whose collective toil and sincerity remain the saving grace of a nation suffering a serious image deficit. Such unsung heroes we have a plenty in our midst, but remain so only because our values and priorities defy logic. So misplaced are our priorities, so corrupt are our values and so illogical are our sense of duty that a person who found and returned lost property to the owners is derided a fool by peers, and the one who steals a goat is sent to jail but the one that scams the nation or his state sums running into billions of Naira is rewarded with another opportunity, by way of an election or appointment, to continue in the same vain with even more vengeance. The National Assembly, the state Government Houses, the leaderships of the MAD and the boardrooms of many a government parastatals and agencies are some of the most easily accessible refuge for “very important personalities” who easily make it on the honours list. But our society should have a place for the likes of Mr Umeh Usuah, an Abuja taxi driver who returned the sum of N18million left in his car by a passenger he had taken to a hotel. At a time when there is an infectious cynicism about honesty in a nation blighted by an unprecedented level of

corruption in high places, and when many, if not most, Nigerians daily struggle to find one meal to eat, Mr Usuah’s honesty is the stuff that earns honours in societies where their priorities are right. Mr Usuah is not alone in this group of honest Nigerians who would rather starve than soil the name of their country by committing dishonourable acts. As in previous years, the list of awardees is mainly drawn from the business community, the political class and the civil service, with Chief Mike Adenuga of Globocom fame and fortune on top of the heap with a GCON award. Last year, fellow business mogul Aliko Dangote emerged top of the honours list with a GCON. A total of 149 Nigerians bagged the awards, among them six Justices of the Supreme Court and the Inspector General of Police Mohammed D. Abubakar, honoured with the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR). Governors, Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Emmanuel Uduagham (Delta), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi) and Danbaba Suntai (Taraba), along with seven senators as well as the FCT and agriculture ministers, Senator Bala Muhammad and Dr Akinwumi Adesina got the CON. Four members of the House of Representatives got OFR. The complete list is on page 28.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

PAGE 5

Alleged N47.1bn theft: Akingbola’s transactions were regular, says witness From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

Borno state Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima (middle), signing into law a bill establishing Borno State University, yesterday in Maiduguri. With him are Deputy Speaker, state House of Assembly, Hon. Inusa Gamandi Danlami (left), Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha (2nd left), Secretary to the State Government, Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda (2nd right), and Chairman, Technical Committee on creation of the University, Professor Nur Alkali (right).

EFCC laments sharp practices in banking sector By Lambert Tyem

hairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde, yesterday, lamented the high rate of sharp practices in the banking sector adding that it undermines the individual, economy and the commission’s investigation activities. Lamorde spoke in Abuja when the officials of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) led by its president and

chairman of council, Segun Aina, paid him a courtesy visit. Spokesman of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, said Lamorde listed such unethical practices, which he said have negatively impacted on Nigeria’s record in the fight against economic and financial crimes, to include the secrecy surrounding private banking, doctoring or non disclosure of true position of statement of accounts of suspicious account holders and noncompliance with Know-YourCustomer, (KYC) principle.

He described as unfortunate, a situation where banks fail to disclose the identities of some people under investigation by the commission. “If you send letter to the bank to avail you the details of such account, the reply you will get is that such account does not exist. If you insist, then you will be told that such records are not on the front desk, that it is only the managing director or the deputy managing director that manages the account, this is not a healthy banking development”, he

We've 800 cops on foreign missions - IGP …says police not losing battle against crime By Lambert Tyem Abuja & Matthew Aramunde, Lagos

he Inspector-General of Police, M.D Abubakar, yesterday in Abuja, disclosed that there are 800 police officers and men currently deployed in seven United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and in one each of African Union and ECOWAS Peace Missions. The IGP said the countries where these missions are situated include Liberia, Haiti, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, East Timor, Cote D'voire, Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea Bissau. Speaking during an unscheduled visit to five police officers receiving treatment at the Military Hospital, Yaba Lagos, for varying degrees of injury received while on peace-keeping mission in Darfur, Sudan On 5th June, 2012, the IGP said it was a rain/wind storm known in local parlance as "Haboob" that struck

the camp of the Nigeria Formed Police Unit located in Zalingei, Darfur, where the Unit is deployed as part of the United Nations/ African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). Police Spokesman Frank Mba noted that the incident which occurred in the middle of the night blew off the female living quarters, as a result of which many of the officers sustained varying degrees of injury. Mba said some of the officers who were slightly injured were treated and discharged at various hospitals in Darfur and Sudan while the five officers sustained serious neck and chest injuries, as well as multiple fractures, necessitating their medical repatriation back to Nigeria, on 1st August, 2012, under referral to the Military Hospital, Yaba. "The affected officers include an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and four rank and file.

In another development, the IGP has assured Nigerians that the police are not losing the battle over the killings of policemen in different areas of Lagos. He was reacting on the heels of the three policemen who were reportedly killed in Lagos on Sunday by daredevil armed robbers in Ikeja, Agege and Gbagada where policemen were injured and their guns seized by the rampaging armed robbers. The IGP fielding questions from journalist at the premises of the Military Hospital in Yaba, Lagos, noted that it was part of the hazards the police face in their duties. "The police have a job to do. You should know that when you go chasing criminals, they will chase you back. So the tendency and possibility of criminals attacking policemen is always there but we are not losing the battle. We are setting up a special task force in Lagos", the IGP said.

declared. Lamorde told the visiting bankers that the commission appreciates the need for the banks to protect their customers, but warned that such should not be at the detriment of the society. Earlier, Mr. Aina commended the EFCC chairman for the professional manner with which the EFCC under his leadership handles matters, adding that the institute believes that the commission can do better. Aina who said the visit was aimed at discussing areas of collaboration with the EFCC, added that the commission’s training Academy will provide a veritable platform for the exchange of knowledge between the CIBN and the EFCC. “We can train staff of the EFCC to be acquainted with new trends of banking and to better understand the workings of the banks which will help in the course of investigation of bank fraud”.

ustice Habeeb Abiru of an Ikeja High Court, was yesterday told that some of the transactions carried out by former Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank), Erastus Akingbola, standing trial for alleged N47.1 billion theft, were regular. The former Chief Financial Controller of the bank, Akin Fabunmi who was testifying before the court debunked the claim that N18.6 billion was paid by the bank to Tropics Securities Limited allegedly owned by Akingbola and his wife, Anthonia (now at large), without due process. Akingbola alongside an associate, Bayo Dada, are standing trial for allegedly stealing the bank's money. Fabunmi, led in evidence by Akingbola's counsel, Chief Felix Fagbohungbe, said "The transfer of a total amount N18.6 billion to Tropics Securities between May and June 2009 for the purpose of shares purchase followed the normal payment process. "For each payment, a payment request was received from Tropics Securities and I raised memos for the commencement of the payments. "All the transactions were captured by the bank's input forms and they complied with the banking procedure. Under cross-examination from EFCC counsel, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala, Fabunmi maintained that no amount was paid into the account of Dada, who was the general manager of Tropics Securities. "No single query was raised based on the payments because they complied with the bank's transaction method which was in existence before I assumed office", Fabunmi said. The matter was adjourned till today for continuation of trial.

We will generate 5,400 MW by December – FG By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

he Federal Government has, once again, assured Nigerians that there will be an increase in the supply of electricity by the end of the year. The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, while speaking with newsmen at the weekend, disclosed that Nigerians would begin to experience uninterrupted light by December, 2012 with plans to generate 5,400 megawatts from the current 4,400 mega watts. Okupe explained that the 5,400 megawatts target will be achieved

following the arrangement by the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), to add 1,000MW to the current 4,400. The presidential spokesperson also debunked insinuations by critics that power increased because of increase in the water level. He said: “When the President assumed office, the energy capacity of the country at that time ranged between 1,900 megawatts to some 2,200megawatts. The Independent Power Projects, 10 of them were grounded and nearly moribund, but today Nigeria is generating in excess of 4,400 megawatts of electricity”, he stated.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

FRSC gets support to prosecute Edo govt officials By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

he Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has obtained backing from Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state to arrest and prosecute any

Nasarawa to build cargo airport in Karshi From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia n a bid to further boost the economic base of the state, the Nasarawa state government is to build a cargo airport in Karshi, Karu local government area of the state to complement the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura stated this in a chat with journalists in Lafia at the weekend. Work on the new cargo airport is expected to proceed simultaneously with that of the aerodrome to be built in the Kwandere area of the state capital. According to the governor, the two airports when completed, will serve to decongest and complement services offered by the only airport in the federal capital and provide alternatives to air travellers for expedience and convenience and make the state capital an accessible destination for tourists and investors. Almakura who said he understood the concern of the public regarding the need for such projects given the numerous other problems besieging the state and the meagre federal allocation accruing to the state, however, maintained that "there is no going back on these projects".

government official that violates traffic regulations in the state. Oshiomhole made the declaration yesterday while flagging off the FRSC nationwide public enlightenment awareness campaign programme tagged "Attitudethe Change We Need to Reduce Crashes", held at the Ramat Park in Benin. Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Protocol, Mr. Agharese Idubor, Oshiomhole said the campaign was apt at this

time of the year when the traffic on most roads was expected be high as the yuletide season approaches. He commended the FRSC's concerted efforts with its several programmes aimed at reducing road crashes and ensuring that the highways are safe to travel on. According to him, Edo state government is committed to ensuring safety and sanity on its roads; it established the Edo

Traffic Management Agency to complement the efforts of the FRSC in the state; stressing that his administration "believes that nobody is above the law when it comes to obeying traffic laws in the state. "Nobody is exempted from obeying traffic laws and everybody irrespective of his status in government is expected to be responsible in obeying constituted authority and laws. "I encourage the FRSC to arrest

NGO enjoins Bauchi govt to establish internet centres From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

he Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), a Bauchi-based nongovernmental organisation, has implored Bauchi state government to establish internet cafes in the entire 20 local government secretariats for effective communication. CITAD made the call yesterday in Bauchi at the end of a four-week computer training organised by in collaboration with RTI/LEAD, a USAID project Participants at the training commended CITAD and RTI/LEAD for the training and said this is the first time such a gesture will be extended to local government staff. They expressed optimism that the provision of Internet facilities in their secretariat will enable them access information. Also speaking the Programme Assistant of CITAD, Abdulahi Barau, said the participants were trained on various packages which include Microsoft word, Microsoft Excel, etc.

and prosecute any government official who flouts traffic laws", he said. The state's FRSC Sector Commander, Mr. Kenneth Nwaegbe said the week-long programme is a nationwide event. He said the highlight of this aggressive public enlightenment is that our patrol men will render free safety vehicle checks to motorists with zero enforcement and booking. Also speaking, the Zonal Commanding Officer of RS5, Mr. Wole Olaaniran, urged motorists especially members of road transport unions to ensure that they were adequately informed of the basic traffic rules while on the wheel.

Shettima assents Borno varsity law

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

meetings between the federal and state government officials. According to him, Adamawa was the only state that initially declined participation in the programme. He said that the agreement was contained in a letter signed by Gov. Murtala Nyako on Aug. 28, 2012, and made available to the ministry. The letter read: "Honourable Minister, the Adamawa Government expresses appreciation for the effort and programme you are making to enhance the lot of

our farming populace, especially those at the subsistence level. "We hereby pledge to support the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) of your ministry and to guard against any adverse measures that would mitigate its success, because Adamawa has already declared 'Agricultural Development' as the centre-piece of its economic development". The director said that the ministry was making efforts to boost agricultural production in the state through the new value chain programme. (NAN)

overnor Kashim Shettima of Borno state, yesterday, signed the bill for the creation of the state university into law. Shettima while signing the bill which was recently passed into law by the state House of Assembly, said the need to expedite action on the university is borne out of his administration's desire to establish an institution that will stand the test of time. He said the university when fully established, will be a world class institution that will not only serve the educational needs of candidates from the state but all parts of the country and beyond. The governor set up an executive committee which is headed by the deputy governor, Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha to work for quick take off of the university. The chairman of the technical committee for the establishment of the university, Prof. Nur Alkali, in his remark, said the institution will take off with four faculties which include arts and humanities, social and management sciences, education and sciences.

informed the governor on the choice of the state by NAHCON to conduct this year's orientation for pilgrims from the zone, stated that the commission was impressed by Al-makura's contribution to the welfare of pilgrims from the state, both at home and in Saudi Arabia. "We discovered that of all the accommodation in Makkah

and Madina, as well as payments for visa, that of Nasarawa is the best", Sheikh Musa stated. He said they were in the state to conduct an orientation programme for all pilgrims from the zone, stressing that this has become necessary in order to acquaint intending pilgrims on what is expected of them during the pilgrimage.

Responding, Al-makura, while pledging to give NAHCON the required cooperation, stated that he personally supervised the securing of accommodation for this year's pilgrims from the state in the holy land, which according to him, "is the best in recent times, both in comfort and proximity to the Haram".

Corps Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC) Mr. Jonas Agwu (right), leading other officers in a road awareness campaign, during the opening ceremony of the 2012 National Road Safety Awareness Week, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

70,000 farmers to benefit from GES in Adamawa - Director

o fewer than 70,000 farmers will benefit from the Federal Government's Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme under the Agriculture Transformation Agenda, an official has said. Dr. Walia Hamman, the Federal Director of Agriculture in the state, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola yesterday. Hamman told NAN that this followed the government's decision to participate in the programme after several From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

asarawa state is currently leading other states in the Northcentral zone in preparations for intending pilgrims. This was made known yesterday by Sheikh Isa Musa, the federal commissioner representing the North-central at the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), when he led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura at the Lafia Government House. The commissioner who

Nasarawa leading other states in Hajj preparations, says NAHCON

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Organisation offers free training for traditional birth attendants in Zamfara

non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Future Hope Foundation, has offered free training for 50 traditional birth attendants in Zamfara state, as part of efforts to check the high rate of maternal mortality rate in the state. Speaking at the opening of the training on yesterday in Gusau, the foundation’s Chairman, Alhaji Shuaibu Abdulsalam, said the beneficiaries of the training were selected from the 14 local government areas of the state. Abdulsalam said that the foundation was disturbed by the increasing rate of maternal mortality in the state, adding that his organisation was committed to partnering with the state government to stem the tide. He said that with improved capacity building, the traditional birth attendants have the capacity to reduce the death rate among women during child delivery, especially in the rural areas. He said that the lack of access to healthcare services, poverty and poor road network had constituted major challenges to safe child delivery by pregnant women in rural areas adding that adequate training of traditional birth attendants would help in reducing mortality rates. Abdulsalam called on other stakeholders in the health sector to join hands with the government in its effort to bring down maternal mortality index of the state. He also said that the foundation would provide child delivery kits to the participants to assist them in deliveries in their locations with minimum stress. Abdulsalam, however, urged pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics at the nearest healthpost and ensure that they deliver their babies in the hospital. In his remark, the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Kabiru Janyau, said that the state government would complement the gesture through the provision of adequate working tools for traditional birth attendants. (NAN)

PAGE 7

Lagos Traffic Law: Oil marketers, tanker drivers step up awareness campaign By Muhammad Nasir

IPCO Plc one of the nation’s leading petroleum product marketers, has stepped up its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives with an awareness campaign for truck drivers on the recently promulgated Lagos Traffic Law aimed at instilling sanity on the roads. The campaign which took place at the company’s premises with the theme ‘Promoting Safety on Wheels by drivers’ had

in attendance over 200 fuel transporters and officials of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) under the aegis of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG). The one day event which was flagged off by the Managing Director, NIPCO, Mr. Venkataraman Venkatapathy was organized in collaboration with officials of the public education unit of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Alausa, Ikeja.

Okoracha, Kalu, to attend ABU 50th anniversary By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

mo state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and his former Abia state counterpart, Chief Orji Uzo Kalu, have accepted to participate in the 50th anniversary celebration of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, slated for 23rd – 24th, November, 2012. A statement issued yesterday by the Media Assistant to the Vice Chancellor of the University, Waziri Gwantu, indicated that both invitees have acknowledged receipt of invitations to be part of the historic event and have expressed commitment to be in attendance. It added that the ViceChancellor of the University, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, stressed that the acceptance of the two prominent politicians to attend the event was an indication of their commitment to education and expression of their appreciation of the role the university has been playing in training students from different parts of the country. The Vice-Chancellor who commended the two leaders from the South-east for honouring the invitation to be

in Zaria for the anniversary, stated that “we are expecting all governors in the country to attend the event in show of solidarity and support for the true and all-Nigerian univers i t y ” . Professor Mustapha however assured that invitations and courtesy calls to other governors and stakeholders are ongoing to sensitise and educate them on the sate of preparations of the anniversary and to appeal to them to assist the university a success.

He said the primarily aim of the campaign was to improve the safety awareness instincts of tanker drivers through whose efforts petroleum products are conveyed across the country adding that it will bring about meaningful effect on fuel haulage across the nation. Venkatapathy who was represented by the company’s Administration Manager, Mr. Bonaventure Edie, said that the programme is another major flank of the company’s resolve to continuously empower stakeholders in the sector stressing that truck drivers represent a crucial element in the operations of the downstream firms. According to him, “the safety awareness initiative with the technical support of key government agencies in charge of maintaining sanity on our roads is also in keeping the United Nations decade of action on road safety by reducing road traffic crashes and fatality by the year 2020”. ‘Since we started operations in 2004, we have exhibited high level of zero tolerance to any unsafe acts within and outside our operational base, a feat that has earned us many accolades and awards for the unwavering commitment to safety

consciousness’ he said. ‘We are of the view that public education is very crucial to the success of any good initiative of government as it enables the citizenry to be carried along in the overall interest of the nation’ he said. According to him, the economic impact of heavy traffic which millions of Nigerians are exposed to on a daily basis, is awesome with its negative effects on the productivity of the workforce. An official of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation who represented the Commissioner, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, Mrs. Habibat Basiru counsel drivers on the imperativeness of the new traffic law and advised them not to see it as punitive but a clarion call for all road users to change their way of life and be more safety conscious on wheels. Commending the company for organising the event, she enjoined other corporate agencies to collaborate with government to make the law achieve its set objectives. In his own remarks, Mr. Ozekhome Julius of the FRSC, said enlightenment campaigns of this nature are very apt especially at this time of the year when vehicular movements are very high with its attendant effects.

Don tasks Northerners on religious tolerance From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

University lecturer Barrister Solomon Dalong, has said that there is need to address religious intolerance and social injustice in the northern part of the country, if the region wants to record significant development politically, socially and economically. Dalong made this assertion while delivering a paper titled ’’The quest for peaceful co-existence in Northern Nigeria’ at a seminar organized by the National Council of Muslim Youths Organizations [NACOMYO] in Bauchi. Dalung, a lecturer at the University of Jos lamented the security challenges and economic backwardness in the north,

attributing them to the current disunity among the people of different religious and ethnic groups in the region calling on the northern elites to go back to the drawing board and work patriotically to save the area. He however blamed northern politicians for the present crises bedeviling the region saying their failure to eradicate poverty and high rate of unemployment has escalated the problems. He urged northern leaders to set up poverty eradication commission with its head office in Kaduna and branch in all northern states to promote human empowerment programs that can address the current restiveness and insecurity confronting the region.

L-R: Chairman, Panel of Investigation on Pension Matters in Power Sector, Mr. Joseph Ajiboye and Minister of State for Power, Architect Darius Dickson Ishaku, during the panel’s submission of its report to the minister, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

District introduces law to checkmate vices at marriage ceremonies From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

akuwai District in Suru local government of Kebbi state has introduced law to checkmate the growing social vices and extravagances connected with marriage ceremonies in the area. The District Head of Bakuwai, Jagwadejin

Bakuwai, Alhaji Mohammed Tukur Aliyu, disclosed this to village heads and Imams during a meeting in his palace at Bakuwai yesterday. According to the District Head, the increase in social vices like drug addiction, prostitution, indecent dressing and gambling as well as the alarming nature of extravagance during

marriages and naming ceremonies has necessitated the introduction of the bye laws to checkmate social vices in the area. He asserted that the introduction of the laws would ensure decency in the society and ease marriages; promising to build Islamic schools in each village to empower the youth with Islamic knowledge.

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

L-R: Representative of Oyo state Governor, Mr Bosun Oladele, Speaker, Oyo state House of Assembly, Hon. Jumoke Sunmonu, representative of Ogun Governor, Mr. Yusuf Olaniyonu, during the opening of correspondents’ chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo state council’s press week, yesterday in Ibadan. Photo: NAN

L-R: Lagos state Deputy Governor, Mrs Joke Orelope-Adefulire, Chairman of Chairmen, Lagos Local Governments and Development Areas, Mr Suleimon Akeem, the state Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, IGP. Mohammed Abubakar, Chairman of Coscharis Motors, Mr Cosmas Maduka, Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ademorin Kuy, Commissioner of Police, Malam Umar Manko, and Secretary to the state Government, Mrs Oluranti Adebule, during the inauguration of 114 security vehicles procured by 20 local governments and 37 development areas, yesterday in Lagos. Photo: NAN

L-R: National Hajj Commissioner for North Central Zone, Sheik Isa Musa, in a handshake with Nasarawa state governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura , during his visit to the governor, yesterday in Lafia. Photo: NAN

Trained bricks-makers and assemblers constructing a class room at Govternment College, Maiduguri, under the Borno State Youths’ Skills Acquisition for Mass Housing Programme introduced by Governor Kashim Long queue returns to FCT yesterday as seen here at Total filling station, in Central Area, Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo Shettima recently.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Kano to sponsor 25 indigenes for marine engineering abroad P

Book on Gov. Yakowa for launch Thursday From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

From Edwin Olofu, Kano

ano state government has approved the sponsorship of 25 of its indigenes to study Marine Engineering in specialized institutions in India and the US. Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who announced this during the combined graduation ceremony of over 1000 youth under the government’s youth empowerment programmes and disbursement of drugs to beneficiaries of Lafiya Jari scheme

at the Government House in Kano, said the students would live the country soon. He said the studies would cost the state government 80 million USD every year for the four years duration of the course. “We are doing all this because we need to see our youth everywhere in the world and reduce the unemployment problem facing the state for the past years, but all this thing will not have been achieved if we are not financially prudent, and we

channel our resources to the priority area of human development”, the governor said. Governor Kwankwaso, his administration would also sponsor 100 young men and women from Kano to study piloting, while a similar number of youths would also be sponsored to study medicine abroad. He also said that the state government, through the Col. Yakubu Bako (Rtd.) Youth Employment Committee had secured over 200 jobs in various

Federal Government establishments and agencies for Kano sons and daughters in the past one year, while 1002 graduates and HND holders were recently recruited into the state civil service. Highlights of the occasion include presentation drugs worth millions of Naira to 200 beneficiaries of Lafiya Jari empowerment scheme, under the state Entrepreneurship Institute, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to about 1000 since the commencement of the scheme last year.

rominent Nigerians including Vice President Namadi Sambo and Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi are expected to converge in Kaduna on Thursday for the formal launch of the book: “Sir Yakowa: A Life of Service. A press statement from the organisers said that the Yariman Zazzau, Alhaji Munir Jafaru, will chair the occasion while Rev. Samuel Kujiyat and Alhaji Jafaru Makarfi, chairmen of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) respectively, would jointly review the 200-page book.

Unilorin VC designate to introduce electronic learning From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

L-R: UNESCO Country Representative, Dr. Joseph Ngu, Secretary-General, National Commission for UNESCO, Mrs. Magdalene Anene-Maidoh, and Resident Coordinator, UnN System in Nigeria, Mr. Daoua Toure, during a roundtable on cultivating peace in celebration of 2002 International Literacy Day, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

Hajj 2012: Zamfara ALGON pledges to assist pilgrims From Salisu Zakari Maradun, Gusau

hairman, Zamfara state chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Alhaji Bello Dankande Gamji, has called on wealthy, particularly Muslims, to continue contributing their quota

in the development of Islam especially in sponsoring intending pilgrims on Hajj. Dankande who is also the chairman of Bakura Local government of the state, made the call at the occasion of hajj seat allocation to the 14 local government councils of the state held at the premises of the pilgrims welfare

agency Gusau, capital of the state. He said it is only through such care and assistance that the intending pilgrims could be proud of wealthy ones around them, instructed by Allah to assist the needy. According to the , who was represented by his deputy, hajj exercise, being one of the five pillars

of Islam, should be considered as one the most difficult one, “and that is why it is good and important for every Muslim to give his helping hand in it so that he or she can be rewarded in the hereafter.” He also explained that his administration has concluded all the necessary plans for the 2012 exercise.

he Vice Chancellor designate of the University of Ilorin, Prof AbdulGaniyu Ambali has pledged to introduce electronics learning and research in order to reach larger number of students. Ambali who stated this while speaking with journalists at the weekend in Ilorin, said his administration would make the University an international centre of excellence in learning, research, probity and service to humanity. He explained that there was need to improve on the learning environment in line with the minimum standard of the Nigerian University Commission (NUC), by providing a world class environment. The designate Vice Chancellor who applauded his predecessor, Prof Is-haq Oloyede fof his achievements said his administration would continue to improve positively on the university’s immediate communities through direct service. Ambali pledged to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor of creating peaceful atmosphere, stable academic calendar and above all the national and international outlook.

Ex Unilorin UBA staff charged with diverting N59m From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

former staff of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Sirajudeen Abdullahi and two others have been charged to an Ilorin High Court over allegation of diversion of a sum of N59,000,250 from the bank contrary to Section 8(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 14 of 2006. The three accused persons; Abdullahi, Segun Adelodun and John Afolabi pleaded not guilty to

all the eight count charges proffered against them by the Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Rotimi Oyedepo, the prosecutor in the case. Abdullahi, until his dismissal by the management of UBA over the alleged offence, was the Business Manager of the University of Ilorin branch. Other accused persons but now at large in the case are Oloruntoba Akinyele, Badmus Kabir Omojasola and John Balogun. According to the counts, the

accused persons arraigned in court on Friday had by false pretence the intent to defraud and conspired to obtain the said sum of money from the University of Ilorin Personnel Cost Account in possession of the UBA. The accused persons were alleged to have pretended that the Unilorin instructed the UBA vide a letter dated September 14, 2011 with reference number UIL/BUR/ 681/VOL.1/37 to transfer the said sum from the University's account to the account of Bamestic Ventures (Bureau de Change).

They were also alleged to have carried out an illegal act to wit, forgery of a document titled: "Purchase of US Dollars for the ETF domiciliary Account" reference Number UIL/BUR/681/VOL.1/ 37 dated September 14, 2011 purported to have been issued by the University contrary to the provisions of section 364 of the Penal Code. The EFCC Counsel urged the court to remand the accused persons in the Federal Prisons Ilorin citing the gravity of the alleged offences and the need to guarantee

their safe custody. But counsel to the first accused person, Bashir Oladipo described the offences as bailable and argued that the court could order the accused persons remanded in the custody of the state Criminal Investigative Division (CID) instead of the prisons. In his ruling over the Oral application, Justice Mohammed Jaffar fixed further hearing over the matter till September 11 this year just as he ordered the acussed persons remanded in custody of the Kwara state police command.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

MONEY SENSE

PAGE 11

Beware of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wonder banksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; investment scams M

any people have fallen into the hands of fraudsters who call themselves business ventures. Such victims had lost their monies and had sad stories to tell. The form of operation of these fraudsters comes in the form of extra-ordinary profit, first comer bait, strong promotional drive, and fictitious investments. Wonder banks promise to give a very high return for the money they collect. Also, as part of the ploy to convince their customers and

Follow these steps to avoid a trip to the gadget graveyard Step 1: Turn off your gadget and immediately remove the battery -- no matter what you do - do not turn it back on. If you dropped your phone and it has a SIM card, remove that too. Some or all of your valuable contacts (along with other data) could be stored on it. To some people this could be more important than the phone itself. Step 2: Dry it off as much as you possibly can. Even take a Qtip and get into the cracks and crevices. You can never be too thorough. Step 3: Put the gadget and battery in a dry, warm spot and wait. Don't try putting the battery back in to see if it works as this would risk damaging the phone with a short circuit. Remember: Water and electricity don't mix ... don't let your short patience get the best of you. You will have to wait this one out and your best bet is to let it dry for two to three days and not a minute less! Step 4: Put your batteries back in and cross your fingers. With a little luck, your gadget will be back in working order. Note: This can work for your kids' electronic toys too. Tip: If something other than water (like coffee or soda) was the culprit, you may need to add another step ... after drying you will want to take your Q-tip and clean the gadget with alcohol (use sparingly) and then dry again. Unfortunately, liquids other than water will corrode the inside parts and the longer it dries without being cleaned out, the more concentrated the substance will become.

Quote By different methods different men excel, but where is he who can do all things well? - Charles Churchill

achieve their goals, the wonder banks ensure that they pay the stipulated amount to their relatively few initial customers to serve as testimonials to convince and secure the trust of victims. They make sure that potential investors hear about what their investors have benefited so that they can invest their money too. To achieve this, they could employ the services of agents who would assist them in introducing more people to the investment. They could even go as far as having branches of their organisations in other states or areas of the same state. At times, these wonder banks claim to be involved in the oil and gas sector, foreign exchange (forex), or some other bogus activities to convince their customers on how they make so much profit. How do they operate? They make payments to their initial investors to serve as testimonials to convince and secure the trust of more victims. With the spread of the 'good news', many investors would storm the fund managers with deposits amounting to millions with the hope of collecting their incredible interest payment within the

stipulated time. After these fund managers have amassed depositors' money, they stop payment and evacuate their premises, leaving their investors to agonise over the loss of their hardearned money.

How do you respond to wonder banks? Enquire about the organisation in order to confirm that it is a wonder bank. Get their contact address. Inform the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and

other financial market regulators. Any evidence? Recently, at the SEC investor forum held in Onitsha, Anambra state, the activities of wonder banks were made public with many victims saying they rendered them cashless. Ogochukwu Odunukwe, a victim said that he was a victim of wonder bank activities. He said: "One company (name withheld) had through their agents approached us to be making contributions. Most of us were told that we could collect our money after six months, or one year, depending on when we need it. They claimed that they were registered with the regulatory authorities but surprisingly, within the period they gave us to come and take our money with returns, they closed all their offices. When we started apprehending their agents, we learnt they have moved to Enugu state. That is why we came to complain to SEC to apprehend these people so that we could get back our money. As I speak with you, all my business capital is gone." What is SEC saying? "Investors must be wary of such offer and scams. Investors should go the extra-mile to get adequate information before investing their funds in any business opportunity as failure to ascertain the credibility of such opportunity could lead to loss of hard-earned monies," SEC said.

Tips to extend the life of your car (II) 2. Drive with care everyday Being car considerate shouldn't stop after the break-in. Drive with care every day and your car will reward you with longer intervals without repair. *Do not race your car's engine during start-up. This is a quick way to add years of wear to your engine, especially if it's cold outside. *Accelerate slowly when you begin your drive. The most wear to the engine and drive train occurs in the first ten to twenty minutes of operation. *Warming the engine by letting it idle in the driveway is not a smart idea. The engine doesn't operate at its peak temperature, resulting in incomplete fuel combustion, soot deposits on cylinder walls, oil contamination, and ultimately damaged components. *Put less strain on your engine and automatic transmission by shifting to neutral at red lights. Otherwise, the engine is still working to push the car even while it's stopped. *Avoid driving at high speeds and accelerating quickly, especially when it's very hot or very cold outside. Such driving behavior will result in more frequent repairs. *Extend the life of your tires with careful driving. Observe posted speed limits. Avoid fast starts, stops, and turns. Avoid potholes and objects on the road. Don't run over curbs or hit the tire

against the curb when parking. And, of course, don't burn rubber. *When turning your steering wheel, don't hold it in an extreme right or left position for more than a few seconds. Doing so can damage the power-steering pump. *Consolidate your short driving trips. Most of the wear and tear - as well as the pollution your car generates - take place in the first few minutes of driving. Doing several errands at once, during low traffic hours if possible, will keep your engine happier longer. 3. Buy gas at reputable service stations Ask whether the gas you buy is filtered at the pump and if the station has a policy about changing the pump filters regularly. If you get a song and dance, find another gas station. Some stations don't have pump filters, making you more vulnerable to dirty fuel. Other stations may not mix alcohol and fuel properly - or worse, water down their product. Find a station you trust and stick to it. 4. Don't fill up if you see the tanker *If you happen to see a fuel tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station. As the station's underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment. Sediment in your gas can clog fuel filters and fuel injectors, causing poor performance and possibly necessitating repairs.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

By Peter Claver Oparah

he naira is about to be restructured. The high point of the restructuring is the plan to print N5, 000 notes and the conversion of lower denominations of the national currency into coins. The issuing authority quickly unfurled the design and nature of the envisaged super note, as well as the faces marked to don its face. Almost immediately, we heard that the Central Bank has earmarked a huge N40 billion for the printing of this new currency. Although it was to deny this later, it has not told us what it plans to spend for this project. Yes, this came as a decree given the way and manner it was announced and how the Central Bank governor and the government he works for have gone on this thus far. There was no interval for us to catch our breath, least of all, make our own contribution or even our opinion on what should be a hefty policy decision that would certainly affect us all. For a regime that was whining publicly for self pity the other day, one would have expected some level of deference to the views and opinions of the governed but this was ignominiously left out. The government and its agents in the Central Bank did not expect our input. Like most policies of the government, Nigerians matter little and their interests do not count on issues like this. The announcement of the decree itself By Godwin Onyeacholem

eoples Democratic Party, Nigeria’s ruling party that likes to fraudulently describe itself as Africa’s largest party with all the deceitful boldness it could muster, recently remembered 14 years of its pathetic existence, thirteen of which it has spent superintending a fantasy wrongly called democracy. Though there was nothing in the sense of revelry, an outdated bombast nonetheless issued from two of its privileged but windy officials obviously seeking to add to their foul relevance. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, and the Niger state governor, Babangida Aliyu, at different situations, reflected on the life of PDP since 1998. But not to mince words, the duo told blatant lies about the influence of their party since the commencement of the fourth republic in October 1999. To paraphrase a reported statement credited to the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, not only has PDP returned Nigeria to the path of sustainable development and steady economic growth, it has – for the first time – put the country on an unremitting forward march to the Promised Land. Party officials, elected or appointed (selected is more appropriate in both circumstances), the statement continued, have labored unstintingly to infuse fresh ideas into all sectors of the economy. And not one to be eclipsed in the art of grand sophistry, Metuh weighed in with his own malicious deceit. In appraising his party’s performance over the years in question, the PDP spokesman had no second thought about blaming the “economic meltdown” that reared its head just about the second half of 2008, not on his inept party, for the

PAGE 13

The coming N5,000 note whirlwind was to fulfill all righteousness as the currency restructuring or whatever term it was given, could as well have been implemented unannounced. But Nigerians did not keep quiet. They shouted and blared it on rooftops that the so called restructuring especially the printing of a new N5, 000 is not going to be for them. Labour, Nigeria Bar Association, Nigerian Medical Association, civil society, the press, the critical mass, market women, students and indeed every segment of the population have voiced their disapproval of this policy and called government to drop it. They are still shouting because they know they are the prime targets of these cut and dry economic policies. Even the National Assembly has weighed in and asked the Central Bank to rescind this plan but like in the infamous fuel price increment, Nigerians must be talking to the winds as President Jonathan and his so called economic team have come to lend their weight to this unpopular policy. The stage is drawn for another round of cold battle between the government and the governed and this leads one to inquest whom government makes it policies for and to what end such policies are made. In opposing the planned printing of a super note, Nigerians have marshaled some impeccable points

and two stands out for their impregnability. One is the inflationary whirlwind the policy will enhance while the other is that the decision is not in consonance with the cashless policy of the present government which led to a ceiling on daily banking transactions for both individuals and corporate bodies. So far, there has been no convincing rebuttal of these points nor has the government enriched its own new policy with convincing reasons why it must force its way through the stiff resistance of Nigerians, as it is committed to doing at present. The absence of faultless reasons backing this new policy has fueled the impression that, as is usual with Nigerian officialdom, the government is working from the answer to the question in a vital policy that would certainly take its tolls on long suffering Nigerians. At best, what Nigerians are seeing is a government that is retching up a cacophony of reasons; spurious afterthoughts; ranging from the petty to the absurd to unleash another economic policy that will certainly exacerbate the already precarious economic state of famished and poverty racked Nigerians. So far two of such reasons stand out, not because of their value but their self contradictory worth. One of the reasons the government is dropping is that printing the N5, 000 notes would save the costs

spent on printing lower denominations of the nation’s currency. Again, it says that the proposed N5, 000 notes would not be mass circulated. One begins to wonder if the printing of the N5, 000 notes would lead to the stoppage of the printing of the lower denominations by which it is true that money would be saved. But the knockout punch is how the government can achieve limited circulation of the proposed N5, 000 notes when it has stopped or reduced the printing volume of the lower denominations. Pray, what monetary policy effectively restricts access to a currency in circulation? How can government achieve such restriction in a situation where the printing of lower denominations has been compacted or stopped so as to achieve the dream of cost saving? Is the government planning to print the N5,000 notes and restrict its circulation to its inner caucus and economic team members to be used as pieces of artifacts? Again, what does restricting or stopping the printing of lower denominations lead to if not the gradual elevation of the envisaged N5.000 note to the single denomination? Whichever way you look it, the reasons are as silly as they are impracticable even as they sell the impression that the government wants to print fancy

notes that would be employed as a status symbol or an easier way of moving or storing illicit cash. But the common man who wears the shoe knows where it pinches hence his unassailable fear that the proposed N5,000 notes will unleash another round of inflation that will take its toll from the already sapped and pummeled common man. In studiously opposing this policy, he has practical lessons to guide him. The common man operates in the practical market where it happens. This is far from the paper market-a poor mimicry of advanced markets in developed societies-where our so called economic team operates. The common Nigerian directly feels the pangs of the wild inflationary sound bites which have become the lots of the Nigerian economy and this is far from the scripted and heavily talcumed figures the government and its agents periodically humour themselves as inflation figures. So he needs no tutorial on its nuisance value because he can feel it with his bare hands. He knows he is the direct victim of such rash and thoughtless policies because by the time lower denominations are flushed out of the system, he would be left at the mercy of the harsh economic reality such policies inflict. Peter Claver Oparah can be reached on peterclaver2000@yahoo.com

14 years of PDP, 13 years of national calamity horrendous shape in which the Nigerian economy finds itself since it took over from the military. As a result of the global economic recession, said Metuh, Nigerians could not benefit from the mammoth transformation they expected from the PDP. He sang the praises of his party as a credible national party which would soon deliver on its promises of improving the lives of the people. You could almost hear some incurable critics saying, Na Today? And betraying that enduring absence of edifying thought within the party leadership, he went on to quote an aphorism attributed to General Muhammadu Buhari, when he was Head of State in the 80s. But Metuh would not deign to credit the General, who is now leader of the rival CPC, with this popular saying. However, the truth about the decisive failure of the PDP as a ruling party is apparent even to the most even-handed critic of the prevailing indulgent civil rule. Without seeming to conjure untenable evidence from abstract reality, let us begin with a concise yet wholesome scrutiny of the three administrations which the party has bequeathed Nigerians in the last 13 years. First was the Olusegun Obasanjo administration. Having been put forward by the militaryfeudal oligarchs mainly from the north of the country, Obasanjo burst onto the political scene on the charming wings of presumed rectitude as a result of his voluntary surrender of power to the civilians in 1979 when he was a military Head of State, as well as his intermittent outburst against military regimes in later years. That notion of integrity was reinforced by his inaugural speech in 1999 which promised a sweeping

departure from the dreadful legacies of past military juntas. While it seemed to be so initially, subsequent events vividly proved that nothing changed. Obasanjo, the luckiest man ever to govern Nigeria, had the greatest opportunity to transform, re-create and re-invent the country and write his name in gold. What did he do? He bungled it. His administration created two agencies, Independent Corrupt Practices and related offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to combat corruption but they turned out to be tools for hunting down perceived opponents. There was no tangible prosecution and eventual conviction of the real big thieves in the society. Under Obasanjo’s watch, corruption rose sharply with himself and his vice president Atiku Abubakar leading the binge. Of course the looting of funds belonging to Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) by the two henchmen and

“

Still under this PDP government, the value of the naira plummeted and manufacturing companies steadily went under; some of their abandoned factories were bought and converted to churches in the face of the upswing in modern-day pentecostal opportunism occasioned by debilitating economic stagnation

the shameful mutual recriminations that culminated in a temporary parting of ways for both cannot be forgotten so soon. Still under this PDP government, the value of the naira plummeted and manufacturing companies steadily went under; some of their abandoned factories were bought and converted to churches in the face of the upswing in modern-day pentecostal opportunism occasioned by debilitating economic stagnation. All the paradigms designed to kickstart the dying economy, be it NEEDS or SEEDS, were never felt beyond the pomp ceremonies that marked their launch. Infrastructural decay assumed a more disturbing dimension. Obasanjo spent much of his first four years junketing under the pretext of looking for investors. But no serious investor took interest in a country where basic infrastructure and critical social amenities were virtually nonexistent. Yet during this period, the country raked in from crude oil sales, the kind of money it never made since independence. It was an era that really brought home the sorry paradox of one of the world’s leading crude oil exporting countries that imports petroleum products from less-endowed countries. Instead of fixing the derelict refineries in order to stop importation, the administration retained the odd choice of fuel importation because it offered party leaders and their friends and supporters the gaping hole for siphoning off the country’s funds. And the cheek of it: the pump price of petrol was jacked up a couple of times, thus inflicting more pain on the teeming poor. Naturally, Obasanjo invited a few standoffs from the workers’ union.

On the political front, the administration had only negatives to leave behind. In its copybook, there was no place for free, fair and credible elections. The worst elections ever conducted in Nigeria happened under the supervision of Obasanjo, as testified by local and international observers. And instead of quitting honourably after the statutory two terms in office, he sought to finagle a third term for himself. To achieve this inordinate desire, he reproduced and nurtured on a massive scale the monster he promised Nigerians that he would tame: bribery and corruption. Though virtually all legislators in the National Assembly were bribed with no less than N40million each to favour constitutional amendments to that effect, the plan still did not succeed. For this, Nigerians will continue to thank some principled lawmakers. To rephrase the question the Republicans are asking American voters as they get set to confront the Democrats in the November elections: are Nigerians better off than they were 13 years ago? The answer is emphatic NO. Up till this moment, there is no concern and regard for the people. There is stealing, looting and impunity across the land. If the ruling PDP say they were truly voted for, they never exhibited the spirit of to whom much is given much is expected. Look around PDP, there’s no icon. Forget Metuh or the Niger governor. The best way to find out what a party would do is to find out what it has done. No question, the country is worse off than it was in 1999 when the party took over. Surely, this PDP can’t make a case for Nigeria’s future. Godwin Onyeacholem is a journalist based in Lagos

PAGE 14

By Segun O’Law

ustice Komolafe Oyetade, the coroner presiding over the inquest into the cause of the June 3rd DANA airline crash in Lagos, suspended proceedings “indefinitely” when he had yet to determine the reason why the aircraft operating Flight 0992 lost its two engines at once. The suspension of the inquest followed a suit by a group identified as Civil Aviation Round Table Initiative, filed at the Federal High Court. Less than 72 hours after the suspension of the coroner’s inquest into the cause of the crash that led to the death of over 150 people, the revoked license of DANA Airline was restored. The closeness in time of the two events—the suspension of the inquest and the reinstatement of the airline’s license—became even more controversial when DANA joined the suit challenging the inquest. Apart from becoming a codefendant in the suit filed by the said group, the Civil Aviation Round Table Initiative, DANA Air’s decision to switch from defendants to plaintiffs is indicative of its determination to boycott the inquest, ensure that the cause of the tragic crash is never revealed, avoid punitive sanctions and continue to do business as usual. Even worse, the airline’s action threatens to sabotage efforts at enhancing safety measures in order to prevent a future recurrence. Moreover, the ‘indefinite suspension’ of the Coroner’s inquest does not in any way restore the confidence of air travellers. The public was awaiting the outcome of the investigation when it was suddenly halted just when it was approaching a revealing conclusion. The result is that the public is in even greater doubt regarding the safety and air

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

The mystery in Dana Air reprieve worthiness of not only DANA Airline, the aircraft’s maintenance history. but they failed to start, resulting in but also of all the other Airlines in the Although the Accident the fateful crash into densely country. Investigation Bureau (AIB) said it populated Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos. The loss of both engines “at Worse still, the Aviation Ministry could recover only15% of the crashed has done very little to clear the plane from the site—the tail sections, once” may be due to the age and controversy. In a statement, the both engines and portions of both state of repair of the craft, a “fact” Ministry said the decision to restore wings—for further investigation, the that the inquest was close to DANA’s license followed preliminary report it submitted disclosing, and, understandably, “Government’s satisfaction with the (taken primarily from a 31-minute DANA was keen to prevent that air-worthiness of the airline after a recording of the Cockpit Voice from happening. Whatever the facts are, and rigorous technical, whether or not operational and the claims of financial audit of a i r the airline.” Far Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text unworthiness from restoring were right or confidence in the messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written D A N A ’ s public, the contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 protest is statement only led words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and justified, the to troubling a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed suspension of speculations about to: the inquest DANA Air’s and DANA’s u n d e r h a n d The Editor, decision to the measures to protect Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, join forces with its commercial 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. the original interest. This is not Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com litigants who good for the image sought to stop of the airline, or of SMS: 07037756364 the inquest the government for only stirs that matter. The Aviation ministry failed to Recorder) indicates that both engines curiosity and leads to suspicion. convince the public that the failed at once and could not be During the inquest, Captain Tito, “unknown” cause of the sudden loss restarted despite all efforts by the an aviation professional with the liquidated Nigerian Airways, of two engines by an aircraft is pilots. preventable and that serious According to the preliminary testified that the Federal Civil measures have been put in place to report, during the period of 15:37 Aviation Authority, FCAA, (now avoid a similar tragedy in the future. and 15:41, the flight crew engaged NCAA), had directed through a The indefinite suspension of the in pre-landing tasks including circular in 1982 that airlines Coroner’s inquest suggests a secret deployment of the slats and extension should put specific safety measures ploy to stop the revelation of the cause of the flaps and landing gear. At in place, but that although none of of the fatal crash and, maybe, to help 15:41:16, the First Officer inquired, the airlines operating in Nigeria DANA maintain its highly disputed “Both engines coming up?” and the today followed the directive they claim that the crashed plane had had Captain replied, “Negative.” At are nevertheless allowed to fly. no previous technical failures. 1543:27 hours, the Captain Apart from not enforcing the Prior to the suspension of the informed the First Officer, “We just airworthiness of airlines, the inquest, the coroner had followed lost everything, we lost an engine. I Aviation Ministry seems totally unmindful of the fears of the claims that the crashed plane had lost both engines.” series of technical issues, including During the next 25 seconds until public. Thus, even without hydraulic failure, and he had asked the end of the CVR recording, the allowing the dust of a fatal crash to the Ministry the airline to present the log-book of flight crew tried to restart the engines settle,

WRITE TO US

“congratulates” an airline whose operations are under a heavy cloud of suspicion and restores its licence. Considering a few facts in the issue, it can be safely said that DANA’s resumption of commercial operations by may not be in the best interest of the public. First, Barrister Gbenga Eguntola, counsel to some relatives of the victims of the crash, told me in an interview that only three out of twelve of his clients had been paid $3,000 as initial compensation, while it is not known when others will be partly or fully compensated. Secondly, the displaced residents are yet to be resettled. Those given shelter in poorly equipped premises at Abanikanda, Ogba, have been ejected after the expiration of the rent paid by a group of concerned citizens. Those victims have now been rendered homeless. Some others who were taken to a temporary shelter in Ayobo-Ipaja complain about the unsuitability of the place which they describe as a “motherless babies home.” Lastly, the dead victims of the crash are yet to be buried. Yet, the Ministry of Aviation, satisfied with “the air-worthiness of the airline after a rigorous technical, operational and financial audit” gladly reinstates DANA’s licence so it can resume commercial operations. But while the ministry is satisfied, the public is not, given that the coroner’s inquest is yet to be concluded. The ministry’s action thus leaves many questions unanswered, especially in the absence specific statements either by the Accident Investigation Bureau or any other credible body regarding the cause of the crash. Segun O’Law is on Twitter: @SegunOLaw

The Nigerians they don’t give a damn about By Ayo Sogunro

“

hey” in this title refers to all the defense men, the penbrandishing king’s men, the unrelenting, self-appointed applauders, the cozy and established, comfortable, myopic and collective children of corruption, the distant crowd of Presidential addicts, the anygovernment-in-power cinema crowd of Nigeria, who seem to be in competition among themselves to achieve the favours of President Goodluck Jonathan. This army of sponsored and selfappointed sycophants is so diverse; many of them don’t even know why or how they should defend the President and neither do they understand, or “give a damn” about, the views or complaints of Nigerians. The clear danger to public affairs commentary is that we have a lot of intelligent people initiating stupid clichés and too many unintelligent persons wasting public funds occupying offices established to lend relevance to these thoughtless clichés. Hold on. I don’t want to be misunderstood. I am not saying nobody should defend the Nigerian President. I’ve spent some time

understanding that social maxim: “He who pays the piper calls the tune”. Public position comes with its own share of sycophancy and grovelling. But the defending, praise singing, “Special Advisers” and “Senior Special Assistants” crowd of the Jonathan regime must be guided by facts. Let us gather our well rounded stones. I have spent all my life as a Nigerian. I have watched the leadership of this country since I was capable of understanding such things. I can write a whole book on the Occupy Nigeria movement, but you won’t get to read that until much later. I am certain that some government people will not buy the book if it gets written. Well, your choice. What I can state, for now, is that President Jonathan and his praise singers grossly misunderstand Nigerians. They think Nigerians are unfair to them. They criticize Nigerians as “ignorant”. They accuse everyday Nigerians as mischievous. And when Nigerians dare to protest, they simply attribute it to the work of the opposition parties. How unfair! Nigerians say he is a clueless president. A paid employee in the service of the president says Nigerians are wrong. Between Nigerians and the employee, who is clueless? Nobody is more committed

to the Nigeria Project than Nigerians themselves. In spite of unforeseen challenges, in spite of decades of brutal military rule, in spite of a bloody civil war, in spite of continuous government corruption, Nigerians have done their best to remain one and fend for themselves both in private and public enterprise. And this year alone, President Jonathan has done his utmost best to increase the burden of Nigerians with a fuel price increase and its attendant consequences. Ordinary Nigerians protested against this. Let it be known now that those parading themselves as “special advisers” to the President, and who claim that the President still has the support of Nigerians, represent only themselves and their selfish salaried interests. When Nigerians deride Jonathan about not wearing shoes as a child, they mean that as a metaphor for the irony of the President’s purported penurious past contrasted to his clearly comfortable present, and the urgent need to redress such social inequalities. But I have read a “Special Adviser” responding literally that Nigerians meant that people should never vote for a man who never wore shoes. How simplistic! Attention needs to be drawn to the fact that a party-sourced President who has given no indication of how

to transform Nigeria, and yet who campaigned on a platform of transformation, will always definitely be defended by those who consider themselves the children of the new regime, those who think that their descendants will inherit Nigeria. Wrong. They say he is focused on the challenges of nation-building but what about reinstating the president of the Court of Appeal? They say he wants to transform Nigeria, but this is based on an agenda only he knows about. They say he wants to unite the country but yet he is creating avenues for popular protest, strikes and demonstrations. They say Nigerians want regular power supply and that he is working at it—but Nigerians don’t want to cross 4, 400 MW on paper; they want to see it everywhere with their eyes. They say he is not ‘tribalistic’. True. But how many Ijaws voted for President Jonathan compared to the rest of the country? Very few, I can tell you. Jonathan was voted in by Nigerians. Well, there are of course, all kinds of persons, special advisers and the like, who go about telling people that they have the President’s ears and eyes. I have since learnt that some Nigerians consider it fashionable to wear the

false garments created by public office. They say President Jonathan is the first Nigerian leader to appoint a woman as his Chief Economic Adviser as well as the Nigerian leader who opened up the Nigerian Defence Academy to women, but is this the meaning of progress? They say he took affirmative action in political appointments to a higher level by reserving 35 per cent of all appointive positions in government for the women folk, but is this why the First Lady must take a post as Permanent Secretary? All these facts they point out may be incontrovertible but they are very irrelevant. Nigerians are not interested in whether a man occupies a position or whether a woman occupies it. Nigerians are not stupid! If it is a goat that will do the job well, Nigerians are happy to support the goat as a Minister! It will certainly not do any worse than the current ones are doing. They say the President’s commitment to Nigeria is total, but what about his appointees? They say the President’s children go to school in Nigeria, but do the children of his Ministers? Let the President wear any attire he enjoys, it is not his dress code that will promote Nigeria. Follow @ayosogunro on Twitter

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

he SMS text inviting this writer and many other friends of Senator Solomon Ewuga gave a graphic description of how you could get to Alushi, his home village. The problem was that whereas it took us about an hour to drive from Abuja to Akwanga, a distance of slightly over one hundred kilometres, driving from the Akwanga junction to the village, a distance of less than 10 kilometres took us another one hour. The untarred road could not just bear the weight of the sudden influx of vehicles that it has never experienced before. So we moved with a snail’s speed. At last, we got there, and behold Senator Solomon Ewuga on the pulpit of the yet to be competed Church beaming with smiles as he retailed the story of his tortuous, a newspaper called it “snaky way to the senate”. It began with the primary of the CPC in January 2011 when two primary elections were held on January 11 and January 15, the latter being the one recognised by the national secretariat of the CPC. Shortly after Ewuga’s defection to the CPC, he applied for waiver to contest the senatorial election in a letter dated January 10. Ewuga’s political weight among his Eggon ethic group, the largest in the zone, and in fact in the whole of Nasarawa state is such that when he declared very lately though for the CPC, the party knew it made a big catch. So in a letter dated January 12, 2011, the CPC national headquarters communicated to the Nasarawa State chapter of the party granting Ewuga’s request for waiver to contest the election. The party was then said to have

By Bayo Oluwasanmi

s part of the social contract, it is our duty to hold the president accountable for his stewardship. Part of the accountability is the relentless pounding of the president with barrage of criticisms. Nigerians have always been vocal in the criticisms of whoever is in charge military dictator or civilian president. And President Jonathan should not be treated differently. And thank goodness, he is “the most criticized president in the world.” In politics, mediated realities are more important than substance. It’s part of the Machiavellian strategy and subterfuge for presidents to employ handlers, image makers, propagandists, and attack dogs, goats, or cats to defend their policies and programs. Such attack dogs as Rueben Abati the president’s special adviser on media and publicity and lately his cousin, Doyin Okupe senior special assistant to the president on community affairs have been warlike and aggressive in defending Mr. Jonathan. But for now, my focus is on Abati. Recently, Abati threw down the gauntlet and dare Nigerians to open slugfest for being uncharitable in their feedback on how the president is doing - job wise. The oracular response of Abati titled “The Jonathan You Don’t Know,” hurled bricks and bats on the critics of the president. Abati came down hard on Nigerians for voicing their opinions on the job

PAGE 15

Ewuga, at last, a senator shifted the congress earlier slated for 11th to 15th January during which Ewuga emerged winner. But Nagogo had gone in for the January 11th congress where he emerged unopposed. And even though the congress was not recognized by his party, his name mysteriously appeared on INEC’s website up to the time certificates of return were issued. The National Secretary of the party said the secretariat had forwarded several correspondences to INEC detailing its candidate, Ewuga, for the election. A legal battle started and the party sought a declaration from the court that INEC, “has no vires or statutory power to reject the name of any candidate sponsored by a political party for elective position or compel any political party to sponsor any particular candidate for an election” and that “the submission of candidates for election is the exclusive preserve of the political party concerned under the law.” The court granted in its ruling. On June 28, 2011, Justice M. I. Awokulehin of the Federal High Court in Lafia ordered INEC to return Barrister Solomon Ewuga as winner of the election. The court ruled that Ewuga should take the place of Nagogo who was inaugurated on June 6th alongside other senators. But the euphoria which the judgment generated in Lafia and Nasarawa North itself was short-lived as the electoral commission failed to hand the certificate to him. Indeed it was one step forward, two backward. The case took its time as it ended up at the Supreme Court. The people had

voted for the CPC, clearly because of Ewuga but it was now left for the court to decide. Finally, on July 6, the Supreme Court declared Solomon Ewuga as the winner of the Nasarawa North Senatorial election. This decision sent Senator Nagogo who had appealed against the judgement of two lower finally packing as the apex court directed

Emmanuel Yawe 08024565402 royawe@yahoo.com the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue Ewuga the certificate of return as the duly elected senator on the platform of the CPC in 2011. It is a typical Ewuga story. Since 1999 has become a veteran victim of political rascality in his state. He won the PDP primaries for that year and would have been elected governor. In broad daylight, the party took his victory and gave it to his opponent Abdullahi Adamu. Still, the same PDP, conscious of the fact that they could not win an election without Ewuga’s support drafted him to be Adamu’s deputy. The party which is adept at settling intricate political problems in a ‘family manner’ still drafted

him to be a junior minister in Obasanjo’s first cabinet. His opponents stalked him even in Obasanjo’s cabinet and made sure that by 2001, he was removed – just like that. He lost the deputy governorship to which he was elected and the ministerial office to which he was appointed. In 2003, there was heavy pressure on him to run as governor but he resisted saying that: “I am loyal to PDP; I am loyal to my governor. And the party decided that its governors were to continue. So I didn’t contest, as against pressures on me.” In 2006, he picked nomination form for the same office, on the same platform, but his former boss was not amused. He looked away from him, and sought his political rival of many years – Aliyu Akwe Doma of then ANPP, and anointed him as his successor. The result of the primary was decided before the event. Ewuga protested, but the PDP was not on hand this time with a family solution so he dumped the party for the ANPP, where he picked the ticket, and swelled the opposition party’s popularity, to almost divide elective office, national and state, with the PDP at the general election. Senator Akwashiki and Rep Usman Isa Ambaka, as well as state House of Assembly members: Mary Nwongulo, Raymond Aklo, and Adamu Sule, rode on the back of Ewuga to their respective offices on the platform of the ANPP. Amazingly while the governorship election result was being awaited, a team of armed

The oracle of Aso Rock

performance of the man they hired to run the affairs of the country on their behalf for the next four years (seems like forever!). To be cursed by the devil is to be truly blessed. It means the devil is feeling the heat. For Abati in defense of President Jonathan to have masterfully turned the criticisms of his boss into a cause and curse; then Mr. Jonathan must be having some nightmare at Aso Rock. Good for him! In defending the president, the attack dogs or goats (whatever you’ll like to call them) have gone to work with a tone of truculent aggressiveness full of blatant lies and misrepresentations. I refused to dignify Abati’s defense of the president by trying to sift through the mountain of cow dung that flowed from his mouth. However, a comment or two will make sense. As expected, Abati like a fisherman baits his hook according to the appetite of the fish. As the chief media handler of the president, his job is to dress Mr. Jonathan in borrowed robes. In the course of this, Abati has become prone to criminal ambition, frustrated faith, and hunted mind by chaos. He feels so much better at convincing himself and his likes that they’re really moved by quite different things. Like many of his admirers, I’m stunned and saddened by his

huffing and puffing with profane and uncouth language on voiceless Nigerians. Frankly and nakedly, by this singular act Abati is a person who forgets the language of gratitude; he can never be on speaking terms with happiness. The fierce defense mounted by Abati for his boss paints a powerful picture of a blind eye-seeing dog. While the eyes of some people may be larger than their stomachs, the exact opposite is true of Abati. Abati’s role as a propagandist of a president of a corrupt, inept, insensitive, and moribund government opens him up for strategic dishonesty and twisted version of the truth. It is lazy intellectual shame for Abati to denounce all he once stood for. Now in concert with the PDP oppressors, he oscillates with the pendulum – reviling, rebuking, rebuffing, refuting, and castigating. Over stuffed and over bloated with the appurtenances of power and perks, Abati has repeatedly failed to see the future. Once a revered and feared writer, Abati has painfully succumbed to the kind of temptation that enticed Esau of old in the Bible. Abati’s and Esau’s larger stomachs mirror a parallelism so neat and fit. Like Esau, Abati focused boldly on the here and now, convinced that tomorrow will never come. How a person deals with the

circumstances of life tells you many things about his character. Circumstances do not necessarily make character, but it certainly reveals it. A pot of porridge and akara make a person choose one of two paths: character or compromise. In the case of Abati, he chose a port of porridge and thus compromised all he’s known for as a writer and critic. The proverbial pot of porridge as it were, clouded Abati’s vision and blinded him to see the Jonathan the rest of us know. He adamantly and catastrophically struggles to put human face on GEJ’s administration. The vitriolic attack on Nigerians who questioned the ineptitude of their president by Abati is a classical example of men in position of power but with little character or wisdom. He represents the administration’s poster boy for hypocrisy and hyperbole. Most of human suffering is caused by social arrangement under which we live. In other words, Nigerians suffer today not just from human condition in general but from very specific social arrangements. The president and his ruling party are to blame. And what is more, Nigerians are open to more suffering in the future by the instrument of PDP’s political activity. Thus to a large extent, these arrangements are

policemen stormed his residence and dragged him out for detention at the Force Headquarters in Abuja for alleged murder of an Assistant Commissioner of Police. By the time he regained his freedom after a week in police cell, his main opponent Doma, had become governor. He headed to court, challenging Doma, PDP and INEC. The courts simply told him to go away. Back in the same party again, he tried his hands on the senate. But the personalities who owed their ascendancy in politics to him – Madam Patricia Akwashiki, Laban Maku, Senator John Danboyi and a host of other PDP stalwarts conspired and frustrated his efforts. That was why he embarked on another missionary journey, this time with the CPC. Needles to say, Ewuga is a big fish, I could say the biggest political fish to catch in Nassarwa. A look at the crowd in Alusha on 1st September 8, 2012 - of his home supporters and those from all over the country - makes the point. Those present at the occasion include; the governor of Nassarawa he helped to install, Al-Makura, former governors of Benue, Akwa Ibom and Plateau, Senator George Akume, Obong Victore Attah, and Fidelis Tapgun, Dan Suleiman as well as a former deputy governor Mrs. Pauline Tallen, and former EFCC boss, Nuhu Ribadu as well as former minister Dr. Hassan Lawal, Minister of Information Labaran Maku. I have no doubt that the Solomon Ewuga with whom I was a student in Ibadan University in 70’s will make a great Senator. But I must caution him to sit down and reflect over the next move before taking a plunge. amenable to a political treatment brought about by the exercise of power by the government. This is why Nigerians expect Mr. Jonathan to roll up his sleeves and go to work. That we criticize the president doesn’t mean we hate him. Even if we’re, Mr. Jonathan and his image makers should see it as an opportunity to wake up, shape up, and perform because it is possible to learn from enemy things we can’t learn from our friends. Two questions I’ll like to ask the Aso Rock oracle: Is Mr. Jonathan on wings or on crutches? Is the president a spectator or a player? Majority of Nigerians believe the president is on crutches and is a spectator. Then our fear and criticisms are well founded, well placed, and well justified. Abati would like to convince us that Mr. Jonathan’s “transformation agenda” is bearing fruits (can’t we all see it?), that we should substitute our “hate” for the president’s nonperformance, that we should substitute what is convenient for what is obedient. Abati’s argument is cunning, his logic is inviting. The president’s image maker refuses to see the positives of our criticism of Mr. Jonathan. Do we have the right to criticize the president that we’re not safe from the Boko Harams? Can’t we complain that his government aids and abets corruption by looking the other way? Bayo Oluwasanmi wrote in from Lagos

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Scribe charges IBB Modern Market traders to be law abiding By Usman Shuaibu

he Secretary of IBB Modern Market in Suleja Local Government in the neighbouring Niger state, Alhaji Haruna Yaro, has appealed to traders to obey the laid down rules and regulations guiding the market all the times. Yaro who also urged the marketers to cooperate with government officials as well as other associations for peace to reign in the market, said that the employees of government were not employed to intimidate the traders in the market. Speaking in an interview with Peoples Daily in his office in Suleja, he said that the administration of Suleja Local Government was always open to solve the problems of marketers whenever the need arises.

Youths in Kubwa engaging in alluminiun works to eke out a living.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Welder, 25, allegedly rapes 5-year-old girl in Mararaba

25-year-old welder, Abel Haruna of Aunty Alice Road in Mararaba, Nasarawa state has appeared before a Karu Area Court in Mararaba for allegedly raping a five-year-old girl. The Police Prosecutor, Mr Inuwa Maigida, told the court that one Mrs Regina Aninago of the same address reported the incident to the police on August 25, 2012. Maigida said the accused

took advantage of Aninago’s daughter by deceiving her and having carnal knowledge of her. He said the accused used force on the girl because she was a minor, adding that the offence contravenes Section 283 of the Penal Code. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, and his counsel, Mr Innocent Maji, told the court that both parties had agreed to settle out

of court, pleading with the court to grant his client bail. In his ruling, the presiding Judge, Mr Albert Maga, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum. He ordered that the surety must be of reputable character and residing within the court’s jurisdiction with a landed property. He adjourned the case to October 4, 2012. (NAN)

Man in prison for kidnapping 14-year-old boy

27-year-old man, Aminu Adamu has been ordered by a Karu Chief Magistrates Court to be remanded in prison custody for allegedly abducting a boy with the intention to commit murder. The suspect, residing in Jikwoyi, the police prosecutor, Atteh Effiong told the court, abducted Abdul Thomas-Ibrahim, 14, of the same address, last year and took him to an unknown

destination. Effiong said the accused held the boy captive for eleven months with the intention to use him for ritual. “The boy was rescued from the custody of the accused in a remote village in Katsina state during police investigation,’’ he further told court, adding that this was achieved with the help of good citizens who gave the police the address, but the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The defence counsel, Mr Alex Edim, applied for bail for his client, but the court turned down the application. Chief Magistrate Ahmed Shuaibu ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody. “This is a serious case. I would see to it that the case is transferred to the appropriate court of competent jurisdiction”, he said. He adjourned the case to November 5, 2012 for possible transfer. (NAN)

AMAC boss reaffirms commitment towards infrastructure development By Stanley Onyekwere

he Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council(AMAC) Hon. Micah Yohanna Jiba has assured residents of the council of his commitment towards effective service delivery through provision of infrastructures, especially pipe borne water and roads, in rural communities. He gave this assurance during a visit to Tungan Madaki community in Jiwa ward of the council, on an inspection tour of the deplorable state of bridge threatening to cut off the only access road in the area, for possible intervention by the council. Jiba, who expressed shock at the worsening condition of the bridge which links the community and other adjoining communities in the ward, reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to intervene in salvaging the bridge from collapsing, thereby saving the people from further hardship. He said his administration

Court remands man for stealing necklace

Mararaba Area Court in Karu, Nasarawa state, has remanded a 22year-old labourer, Dennis Zaba in prison for allegedly stealing a necklace. Police prosecutor Inuwa Maigida, told the court that Michael Olumodeji of Charity Road, Mararaba, reported the

matter at the Sani Abacha Police Station in Mararaba on August 31, 2012. Maigida said the accused person, who lives behind Tipper Garage, Mararaba, forcefully entered the complainant’s room and stole the necklace “The accused broke the

ceiling of the complainant’s bathroom in an attempt to escape when he was caught. The ceiling is valued at N10,000’’, he said. However, Zaba pleaded not guilty to the charge and prayed the court to grant him bail. The prosecutor objected to the bail on the ground that the

He further said that government’s employees were in place to do everything possible to move the market to a greater height. He assured that his administration would continue to do its best to relate with all the tribes in the market through the collaborative efforts with their leaders, while advising the associations’ leaders to carry their members along. The secretary noted that the administration of Suleja Local Government were receiving N1,000 levy for big shops while N700 for moderate shops from the traders. Commenting on the congestion of the market, he revealed that plans were underway by the Niger state Government to build another modern market at Army Barrack in Suleja to decongest the IBB Market.

case was still being investigated. The presiding Judge, Mr Albert Maga, refused to grant the bail application and ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody. Maga adjourned the case to September 13, 2012 for further hearing. (NAN)

was aware of the campaign promises made to residents of the council and was working towards delivering them. According to him, AMAC has worked out policies that would identify projects in the rural communities in the council for possible rapid intervention by the council before the completion of his tenure as part of the ongoing community intervention project, ‘as more of such policies would help in addressing the developmental challenges of these communities’. “We put it upon our self to involve technocrat and experience people to assist us in various areas in changing the face of the council, which our administration believes strongly that in developing the rural areas, we should not rely solely on the government alone as it is a collective responsibility of both the general public and corporate organizations”, he said. Responding, the community head, Alhaji Garba Daudu, who thanked the AMAC chairman for heeding to the cry of the people over the development, expressed confidence the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n ’ s intervention promises when carried out would guarantee free movement of people and goods in the area as well as protect them from the current despair and untold hardship they are facing on a daily basis.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

PAGE 17

1. Young children displaying their God’s given talent in a public function, recently in Garki, Abuja

2. Young girls hawking walnuts, in Area 1, Abuja.

3. A dry cleaner ironing his client’s cloth, in Apo village, Abuja.

4. A tailor taking his service to his clients' doorstep, in Nyanya.

5. Keke NAPEP driver and

friend sleeping in the tricycle, in Garki, Abuja.

Photos: Justin Imo-owo

3 2 4 5

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

FG orders speedy exploration of oil in Chad Basin

Mob: 08033644990

DMO offers N75bn worth of bonds

L-R: Registrar and Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Emmanuel Ajayi, CIS Workshop Committee member, Mr. Abayomi Sanya, CIS 1st Vice-President, Mr. Emmanuel Ohanwusi, and CIS President/Chairman of Council, Mr. Ariyo Olushekun, during a media briefing on the 1st Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers Annual National Workshop, recently at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, (NSE), in Lagos.

Northern phone users may experience 6 months service disruption By Chris Alu

ollowing last week’s attacks on telecommunications infrastructure in some northern states, millions of mobile telephone subscribers in the northern states of Borno, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe and Kano may have to contend with network outages or very poor services for the next six months. The operators have said subscribers may experience disruptions to services in the affected areas. This followed bombings of about 26 telecoms base stations in the states by members of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram. Boko Haram had last week launched an onslaught on telecoms operators’ installations, bombing and torching base stations belonging to MTN, Airtel, Etisalat, Glo, Multilinks, IHS and Helios Tower. This development had already negatively affected the quality of telecoms services in the affected areas. The attacks on the installations came on the heels of a recent threat by the group to attack telecoms operators for their perceived roles in helping security operatives track suspected terrorists and its members. The telecoms operators affected by the bombings, who spoke with our correspondent, said it could take as long as six months before the affected base stations would be fixed and reconnected to

the networks. The implication of this, according to them, is that subscribers in the affected areas will experience network outages and poor services. A manager with MTN, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said it could take six months before the damaged base stations were fixed, adding that engineers had yet to fully assess the extent of damage to the installations due to general insecurity. He acknowledged that though security agencies were already on top of the situation, engineers were still largely afraid to go to the sites due to fear of being attacked. The Executive Director, Commercial and Business Development, IHS, Mr. Gbenga Onakomaiya, whose company also lost some base stations to the bombings, said repairs could take six months as some of the equipment would have to be imported. He said, “It could take as much as six months because we have to

import the equipment and because of other issues. In our case we can commence restoration immediately as we have access to take equipment from our warehouse and restore between one and two months, depending on the nature of damage. “However, security concerns and safety of our personnel is of utmost concern, as another attempt was made on another site on Saturday morning.” Onakomaiya said Saturday’s attack would have seen his company losing a fourth base station, but said the attack was foiled and damage was minimised. The President, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, had on Friday informed subscribers of the impending nationwide “consequential congestion” as a result of the bombings. According to him, some of the damaged base stations are hubs that provide services to other base stations in the region. “If anything happens to a

hub, all the subscribers in the vicinity will be adversely affected,” he said. Rising from a crucial meeting on Friday, service providers under the aegis of ALTON had said they would continue to provide unhindered telecoms services to their northern subscribers. Adebayo said this decision was taken in tandem with the operators’ licensing obligations to their subscribers. He said, “Today, there is no gain saying the fact that telecoms services have become very key to our life. It has become the network that binds other sectors together and it has great potential for our economic growth and development. “So, shutting down our operations will not be a meaningful measure because such an action will affect millions of people adversely. For instance, such an action, if taken, can pose serious security concerns, especially if people cannot communicate in real-time with one another, especially during emergencies.”

Management Tip of the Day

Decide if travel Is really worth it

o you often need to get on a plane to go to a meeting? Travel consumes a lot of time, and you shouldn’t show up in person just because that’s what you’ve always done. Here’s how to assess the real value of travel:· Understand the true cost. The full cost of your trip isn’t limited to airfare, hotel,

and meals. Consider the hours spent getting to the airport, waiting in the terminal, and returning home. Don’t forget to factor in the opportunity costs — the value you could have created if you had stayed put.· Calculate the ROI. Compare the value produced by your trip to its actual cost. Is

there a net gain or loss?· Consider other options. If there’s a net loss or insignificant gain, ask whether you have viable alternatives. Can the meeting be handled by conference call? If so, cancel the trip. Source: Harvard Business Review

he Debt Management Office (DMO) says it auctioned N75 billion worth of bonds in August. The DMO disclosed this on its website where it announced the results of three categories of bonds. The DMO listed the three categories of bonds as five-year tenor bond, seven-year tenor and 10-year tenor bonds whose worth were N25 billion, respectively. Coupon rates for the three bonds are 15.10 per cent, 16.00 per cent and 16.39 per cent for the five, seven and 10-year tenor bonds. The bonds will mature in 2017, 2019 and 2020, respectively. The number of those who participated at the auctions varied from 65, 101 and 131, but those successful ranged from 40, 27 and 22 for the three auctions, respectively. (NAN)

CBN converts more dollar reserves into Chinese Yuan

ollowing continued relevance of China as a global financial player and western financial crises, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has decided to convert more foreign reserves from the dollar into the Chinese renminbi or Yuan. The CBN had disclosed last March that it converted $500m of the country’s external reserves into the Yuan in the previous six months and The Financial Times reported last month that the central banks of Nigeria and Tanzania joined their counterparts from other continents in adding more renminbi to their reserves. Governor of the CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said the aim was to gradually increase the Yuan holdings to 10 per cent of the reserves. According to the Financial Times report, together, Nigeria and Tanzania bought bonds worth Rmb500m out of the Rmb2.5bn three-year issue from the China Development Bank, the Chinese state development lender. Standard Bank, the South African bank with close Chinese ties, which handled the issue, said one fifth of the total bonds went to African investors in a “landmark bond sale.” In a statement, the Managing Director, Standard Bank China, the Beijing arm, Bing Fan, said, “The internationalisation of the renminbi is inevitable and Africa is a fertile soil and important front for this process. We believe that African central banks will become increasingly interested and involved in the offshore renminbi market.”

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS

Heritage

eritage Nigerian deal will boost the company’s working interest production to around 7,700 barrels of oil per day (bpd) from 600 bpd, while its working interest reserve will shoot up to 290 million barrels of oil (mmbbls) from 65 mmbbls. The Heritage broker, Canaccord Genuity, who said with the production growth potential from the Nigerian assets, Heritage should become one of the leading oil producers in the sector over the next few years, adding that OML 30 will be self-financing from the outset following its acquisition of a 45 percent. In a keynote address by analyst Charlie Sharp believes that the FTSE 250 oil and gas firm is now a far stronger company with a much improved valuation and a better balance of assets.

FG orders speedy exploration of oil in Chad Basin By Muhammad Nasir with agency report he Federal government has ordered speedy exploration of crude oil in the Chad Basin after successful discovery of the mineral in the region by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The disclosure was made by Vice-President Namadi Sambo last Friday, when he received the management and experts of the NNPC at the State House, Abuja. The NNPC delegation, led by the Group Managing Director, Engr. Andrew Yakubu informed

Sambo that crude oil was discovered in about 3350 square metres in the Lake Chad Basin. Yakubu said despite the insinuations making the rounds that the corporation is not doing much on the exploration of the hydro carbon on the Lake Chad; NNPC was doing a lot to realize the noble objective of the federal government. “An integrated team of consortium of consultants set up by federal government to study the possibility of exploring oil has identified 3350sqm which was recommended for further investigation”, said Yakubu.

He added that on the submission of the report on investigation into oil exploration in the area, NNPC commissioned its subsidiary and consultants to start the exploration. “The consultants include Chinese companies that had worked in similar ventures in Niger and Chad where crude oil has been found in commercial quantity” Yakubu said the three major sub-basins in the Lake Chad area namely Biu, Maiduguri and Barga had been identified and marked as low risk while work is currently going on in that area.

Flour Mills

lour Mills of Nigeria Plc has informed the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) of its proposed merger with Nigerian Bag Manufacturing Company Plc (‘Bagco’) and Northern Bag Manufacturing Company Limited (Bagco-North). The above institutions notified the Exchange of their proposal to merge the three entities into one with Flour Mills Nigeria Plc as the surviving entity. Both Flour Mills and Bagco are public companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange while Bagco-North is a private limited liability company.

Airtel

eading telecommunication services provider, Airtel Nigeria at the weekend clinched three industry awards at the prestigious 8th edition of the Nigerian Telecoms Awards. The telecoms operator beat other competitors to emerge the Industry’s Most Innovative Telecom Company of the Year, Telecom Brand of the year and Consumer Friendly Operator of the year at the well-attended event marked by a huge presence of dignitaries from both the private and public sectors. According to Awards’ citations, Airtel emerged overall best in the three categories following its enviable strides in charting new paths in meeting the demands and needs of its esteemed stakeholders through superior brand experience, a rich portfolio of innovative products and services ranging from exciting voice solutions to inventive data packages and mobile broadband.

L-R: Chairman, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, explaining the production line to Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, while others watch with interest, during the NOA DG's visit to the manufacturing site of lnnoson Motors, recently in Nnewi, Anambra state.

Contentious oil wells belong to Kogi, says Association

he Igala Cultural and Development Association (ICDA), the umbrella body of the Igala people in Kogi State, has said the oil wells generating tension between Kogi, Anambra and Enugu is not contentious as they belong to Kogi state. The association spoke yesterday over the ownership of the controversial oil blocks that will feed the new Orient Petroleum refinery through its national youth leader, Alhaji Seidu Shaibu when he granted audience to newsmen in Abuja on the development. Shaibu said the OPL 915 and 916, which Orient Petroleum is currently prospecting are incontrovertibly on Igala land, noting that it was wrong for anyone to begin to “re-write history and redraw existing boundary for the purpose of laying claims resource that God deposited elsewhere.” He said location 1 referred to as Anambra River Well 1, which Anambra state is claiming, falls entirely within Odeke land in Ibaji Local government area of Kogi

State, and that Odeke does not share boundary with Anambra, instead at not at a distance with Enugu state. ‘The only community which shares boundary with Anambra state and at a far distance from Well 1 is Echeno community in Ibaji local government area. “For this reason, there is no way Anambra state can jump over Enugu state to own location 1 in Kogi, he said.” He urged the federal government to as a matter of urgency, step into the matter by ordering the National Boundary Commission to make public the result of its findings during the various assessment visits to the affected boarder. He also urged the Federal Government to prevail on Orient to stay action on the project until necessary understanding between it and the representatives of the host communities and governments over benefits that will be accruing from the resource are address.

PTDF okays N34bn for oil and gas museum in Oloibiri

he Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has approved the proposal made by former President Shehu Shagari for the construction and building of Oil and Gas Museum in Oloibiri, Bayelsa state. In a letter by the DirectorGeneral of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mr. Emeka Eze, dated July 17, 2012 to the Director General of the PTDF, the Due Process office reduced the price quotations for the construction of the Oil and Gas Museum from N36, 315 billion to N33, 949 billion. It also approved the award of the contract to seven contracting firms. Based on this, Federal Executive Council (FEC) is expected to give final approval for the release of funds for the take off of the project. The Oil and Gas Museum is aimed at generating revenue by ensuring that the funds earmarked for overseas training for oil and other allied workers and other necessary conferences take place in Nigeria, while at the same time ensure the sustainable development of the eco-system of Oloibiri, where oil was first struck in 1956 by the Dutch Oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company. Ijaw elders and youth leaders have been commending the Federal Government for fasttracking the construction of the Oil and Gas Museum as one of the best ways of developing and sustaining the Oloibiri oil wells that have dried up.

NIPP projects adds 1,150 megawatts to national grid - Official

bout 1,150 megawatts have been added to the national grid from new power projects executed under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) says. NDPHC’s Managing Director, Mr. James Olotu made the disclosure in Lagos in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He said out of the 10 newlyconstructed power generation stations in the country, four stations had contributed a total of 1,150 megawatts to the national grid. “We have 10 newlyconstructed power generation stations in Nigeria. Out of these, four of them, located in Olorunsogo in Ogun, Omotosho in Ondo State, Sapele in Delta and Alaoji in Abia, have brought new units of power into the system. “As of now, about 1,150 megawatts from these units have been thrown into the national grid,” Olotu said.

He said the inspection of some of the NIPP projects in the Eastern and Northern parts of the country, as well as Ibadan and other parts of the Western States, would soon commence. “By next month, we will go to Ibadan and Benin and commission further projects and that will continue till December,” the NDPHC official disclosed. He said that NDPHC gave some NIPP contractors a deadline to round up their projects in June and that they had complied with the directive. The managing director said the NDPHC would no longer condone the culture of delaying projects by contractors. “I am happy to say that many of the contractors who were lagging behind have buckled up, because they know that the hammer would be on them. “The days of unnecessary delays by contractors are over. Now, it is time for the delivery of projects, which is what we promised Nigerians,” Olotu said. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

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Stakeholders marshal out plan for ICT penetration in Nigeria By Chris Alu

takeholders from the Information and C o m m u n i c a t i o n Technology gathered in Lagos to brainstorm on the poor performance of the sector in which they lay emphasis on poor quality of broadband penetration in Nigeria among others. They said a lot has been done over the years, yet, the country cannot be said to have developed technologically today. In fact, ICT penetration in the country is still very low, especially in the rural areas. However, all hope is not lost for the country as efforts are ongoing by relevant government agencies saddled with the responsibilities of developing ICT. One of such is (USPF) an arm of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which was established specifically to provide telecommunications and ICT services to un-served, underserved and deprived groups and communities in the country.

Having completed the implementation of the first phase of its Strategic Management Plan (SMP) for ICT between the year 2007 and 2011, the fund has unveiled a new SMP covering another five years: 2013-2017, through which it intends to achieve equal access to ICT across the country. To fast track the new plans, the USPF organised a one day stakeholders’ consultative forum to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to make inputs and help properly define the direction of the Fund’s activities in the next five years. Speaking at the event, Omobola, who is also the Chairman of the Fund’s board revealed that the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 placed significant responsibilities on the Universal Service Provision Fund to not only facilitate universal access to communication and applications services, but to also promote greater social and cultural development in Nigeria.

Windows Server 2012 embraces data center

icrosoft has said that its has taken its server OS a giant step forward with the release of Windows Server 2012, making this version the first that can be controlled remotely for more suitable data centers. The devices which will delivered on the promise of an operating system that can be completely managed from the command line,” said Don Jones, the author of a series of Windows that have been released by the training firm CBT Nuggets. According to him the technologies are in place to manage 100 servers easily. This is the first major upgrade since 2009 from Microsoft and will features a bevy of new items he stated , most designed in the server will make it more suitable for large-scale data-center deployments. Satya Nadella, Microsoft president stated . According to him, Microsoft’s Hyper-V virtualization can now support up to 64 virtual

processors and 1TB of memory for users, The Server Message Block (SMB) network communication protocol has been updated to handle faster data transfers and the OS’s Server Manager has been updated to handle multiple servers at once.

L-R: Regional Sales Manager - West, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Adekunle Adenuga, winner of a generating set, Mr. Akin Ojo Olatunji, and Churn and Retention Supervisor, MultiChoice Nigeria, Miss Dayo Otinwa, during the DStv Knock and Drop promo raffle draw held at Radac Communication, recently in Opebi, Lagos.

Telecoms: 37,038,204 lines inactive By Muhammad Sada with agency report he monthly subscriber data of telecommunication operators shows that there were 37,038,204 inactive telephone lines on operators’ networks in July as figures made available by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently, showed that the inactive lines increased by 3,366,204 above 33,672,000 recorded in June. The subscriber data revealed

Nokia launches new free music service

n a move to boost sales of its Lumia smartphones and raise its profile in the highly competitive mobile phone marketplace, Nokia has announced the launch of a new free music service. A recent press release on the company’s website revealed that its new cloud music service, Nokia Music, will provide over 150 exclusive playlists hand-crafted and regularly updated by music experts (and top artists like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, etc.) This similar to other services such as Slacker

Radio, Pandora, Spotify, etc., that stream in radio-fashion. With ad-free music streaming, over 15 million songs, and an offline mode to enable the caching of songs on the Lumia, Nokia will be hoping to capture more of the smartphone market by offering a steady stream of free music that some services charge for. Incidentally, Nokia says that if you have a Lumia 710 or 900, then you can download the free Nokia Music app from M a r k e t p l a c e . (Source: mp3.about.com)

that although the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) mobile network had a total of 124,266,618 connected lines, only 99,474,080 lines were active while the figure showed that the section had 24,792,538 inactive lines and the mobile section of the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) had 10,350,537 as against 13,802,905 connected lines and 3,452,368 active CDMA network users. Furthermore, the Fixed Wired/Wireless network with a total of 2,394,139 connected lines in July had an active subscriber base of 449,010 with the number of unused lines at 1,945,129. However, active lines on the GSM (mobile), CDMA (mobile) and the Fixed Wired/Wireless networks stood at 103,425,458 as at July, as against 102,369,999 in June, showing an increase of 1,055,459. Installed capacity on the GSM (mobile), CDMA (mobile) and the Fixed Wired/Wireless networks increased to 210,846,910, as against 208,659,327 in June. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that installed capacity refers to the total infrastructure that a network put in place to accommodate a certain

number of telephone lines, without resulting to congestion or poor network quality at a particular period of time. The GSM networks had an installed capacity of 181,160,659 to accommodate their 124,266,618 connected lines while the CDMA installed a capacity of 18,400,000 for the 13,802,905, while the Fixed networks installed 11,286,251 capacities for the connected 2,394,139 lines. Teledensity of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry climbed to 73.88 per cent in July, compared to 73.12 per cent in June. Teledensity measures the percentage of a country’s population that has access to telecommunications services as determined by the subscriber base. Nigeria’s teledensity is currently calculated by NCC on a population of 140 million people. The Subscriber Data showed that although operators were working aggressively to increase subscriber base, some SIM card holders would buy and not use the SIM cards. Operators’ revenue increase might also be hampered with a continued increase in inactive lines or users.

Committee commends FG on ICT policy By Muhammad Sada

he Joint Action Committee on Information and Communications Technology and Development (JACITAD) has commended the Federal Government for the approval of the new National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policy noting that it will complement the national economic growth aspirations.

JACITAD, the umbrella professional body of ICT Journalism in Nigeria stated that its membership cutting across all newspapers, magazine, online and key ICT media institutions will partner stakeholders across the industry ecosystem towards to actualising the vision of the new national ICT policy. According to National President of JACITAD, Mr. Shina Badaru, “our Association is

encouraged by the news of the recent approval in principle granted by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Federal Executive Council which we believe represents the administration’s commitments to leverage ICTs for overall national growth and economic development and also, a key highlight of the new policy thrust is the pursuit of true convergence based on the proposed merger of the Nigerian

Communications Commission (NCC), the industry regulator for telecommunications and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the broadcasting industry regulator in line with convergence”. Under the plan, the infrastructure and frequency held by NBC will now be merged with NCC which is envisioned to become a Converged Regulator for the sector. NBC will subsequently be saddled with

the responsibility of regulating broadcast content. With the new National ICT Policy, Nigeria has defined a new roadmap for its aspiration to be a key player in a connected global economy and fast-paced globalization while also showing that government has heeded industry advocacy that government promotes true convergence running the entire gamut of her policies and across regulatory institutions as well.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

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CONSCCIMA harps on PPP for economic development of North By Josephine Ella

onference of the Northern States Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (CONSCCIMA) has said that for any meaningful sustainable development to take place in the Northern region there must be a strong partnership between the public sector and the private sector. The Chairman of CONSCCIMA, which is said to be

the largest regional organised private sector and the biggest assemblage of business interests in northern Nigeria making up of the Chambers of Commerce in the 19 states of Northern Nigeria and the FCT, Alhaji Ahmad Rabiu, stated this at the weekend in Abuja. Speaking at a media roundtable on the 2nd Northern Nigeria Economic and Investment Summit (NEIS 2012), billed to take place between15th-16th October at

the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre in Minna, Niger state, Rabiu said that the first edition of the summit organised in 2008 was a success in terms of participation and quality of presentation. He however, regretted that the absence of strong partnership of the Governors of the northern states with the private sector in the 2008 summit created a great challenge in implementing

recommendations of the summit. According to him, the first edition provided the opportunity for participants to diagnose the socio-economic challenges of Northern Nigeria against existing global realities and develop a blueprint/roadmap, which would lead to the accelerated development and investment generation of the following sectors in the region. He added that it focused extensively on issues of importance to the socio-economic development of northern Nigeria such as education, infrastructure, banking and finance services, environment, micro, small and medium enterprises and good governance. On the forthcoming second edition, he explained that the summit is put together to highlight the effect of insecurity

on the overall economy of Nigeria generally and Northern Nigeria specifically and develop a clear and realistic integrated economic revival agenda for northern Nigeria. He said that it would also ensure a buy-in and ownership of the economic revival plan by all stakeholders. He lamented that Northern Nigeria which is inhabited by over 60 per cent of the population of Nigeria and occupies over 65 per cent of the total landmass is also unfortunately the region with a poverty ratio of over 70 per cent of the population. This state of affairs, the chairman further observed has been brought about by the inadequate development of the human, agricultural and mineral resources that nature has so generously blessed the region with.

NANS President advocates financial autonomy for LGs

T R-L: Chairman, Conference of the Northern States Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (CONSCCIMA), Alhaji Ahmad Rabiu, Executive Vice- Chairman Northbridge Investment and Trust Limited, Mr. Ahmed Rufai Mohammed, and Acting President, Plateau Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture, Mrs. Helen Gbadamiso, during the pre-summit media roundtable on the Northern Nigeria Economic and Investment Summit, recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Naira eases on strong dollar demand

he Naira eased against the U.S. dollar on the interbank market yesterday after a surge in demand by one lender buying the greenback for its customers, dealers said. The local currency closed at N157.80 to the dollar, weaker than Friday’s close of 157.55 naira. The Naira had firmed to

N157 level last week from N158 to the dollar after the stateowned energy company NNPC sold around $480 million to some banks. “The dollar inflow from the NNPC is gradually thinning out because of a surge in demand, driven by importers who were taking advantage of cheaper dollars to bring forward their obligations,” one dealer said.

Dealers said the Naira should be back at N158 level this week as dollar demand continues to reduce market liquidity, unless a major inflow from oil companies come in. At the bi-weekly auction, the central bank sold $180 million at N155.78 to the dollar, compared with the $200 million it sold at N155.80 at last Wednesday’s auction. (Reuters)

Nasarawa govt. earmarks N8.5bn for cargo airport, aerodrome

ov. Umar TankoAlmakura of Nasarawa state said that arrangements had been concluded to construct an ultramodern cargo airport worth N7.5 billion at Karshi, Karu local government area of the state. Tanko-Almakura announced this while briefing newsmen at his residence in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital. He said the project would be executed under a Public-PrivatePartnership arrangement with some American and Chinese construction companies. The governor said the project would boost the economic base of

the state and complement the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. “Considering the proximity of the state to the FCT and the security challenges bedeviling the country, top government officials and foreign investors can have an alternative airport to travel through,’’ he said. The governor said work on the cargo airport would start simultaneously with that of an aerodrome to be built in Kwandere in Lafia Local Government Area. According to the governor, the two projects, when completed, will make the state

capital an accessible destination for tourists and investors. He explained that the aerodrome would have a threekilometre runway expected to cost N750 million, adding that other structures to be constructed at the aerodrome are expected to gulp N250 million, bring the total cost to N1 billion. He said there was no going back on the projects as suitable sites had been chosen for them. According to him, the projects will not deter him from delivering other dividends of democracy to the people. (NAN)

he National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the National Assembly to consider financial autonomy for local government councils in its review of the constitution. The National president of the association, Mr. Dauda Mohammed, who made the call in Jos while addressing newsmen, said that financial autonomy for the third tier of government would create opportunities for development at the grassroots. “We are calling on the National Assembly to use the opportunity of the amendment of the constitution to ensure the independence of local governments. “This will strengthen our democratic process and promote accountability at the various tiers of government in Nigeria.” The student leader, who also spoke on other national issues, called for the abrogation of the state Independent Electoral Commissions. He said that the authority to conduct local government polls should be transferred to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). “This will ensure democratic emergence of local government leaders and avoid the undue manipulations by the various state governments in the name of transition committees. “We commend the determination of President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure genuine review of the constitution as demonstrated in the hosting of stakeholders forum to secure inputs from various sectors of the Nigerian Society.’’ The NANS president commended the Federal Ministry of Education for its assistance to Nigerian students to improve their careers. “We particularly appreciate

the Federal Government for the recent launch of the Presidential Scholarship Award which, at inception, will provide opportunity for at least 100 students to fulfil their dreams in education. (NAN) “We are, however, urging the government to expand the scope of the scholarship and other supportive packages that would assist Nigerian students, especially the indigent ones, improve their education.’’ he said. (NAN)

Flight Schedules Aero

Los-Abj: 06:50, 13:30, 16:30, 19:45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/ Sun); 12:30 (Sun); 16:45 (Sat) Abj-Los: 07:30, 13:00, 19:00 (Mon-Fri/Sat); 10:30, 14:30, 19:30 (Sun), 18:30 (Sat)

IRS Los-Abj: 9:45, 11:45, 2:45, (Mon-Fri); 9:30, 12:45 (Sat & Sun) Abj-Los: 11.30, 3:45, 4.45 (Mon-Fri); 12.00, 14:30, (Sat/Sun) Los-Kano: 6:15 (Mon-Fri); 16:30 (Sat & Sun) Kano-Los: 07:30 (Mon-Fri), 10:30 (Sat & Sun)

Arik Lag-Abj: 07:15, 09:15, 13:45, 15:50, 18:45 (MonFri); 7:15, 10:20, 2:20 (Sat & Sun) Lag-Kad: 10:00, 15:10 (MonFri) Lag-Kano: 12.20 (Mon-Fri);

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

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Doubt, cynicism trail Lagos state’s new traffic legislation By Bimbo Ogunnaike, Lagos

agos state, the commercial nerve centre of the nation, is notorious for its traffic logjam caused most especially by reckless driving and non compliance with road transport rules and regulations. The biggest offenders are commuter bus and taxi-cab drivers, motorcycle operators popularly called okada and some private car owners. Residents of the city state spend countless hours on the road because of the traffic snarl. Apart from this, innocent lives have been lost and those who are lucky to be alive are maimed for life. The traffic chaos was so choking, at a point, that the immediate past administration of Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu set up the Lagos State Government traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to check the recklessness on the state’s roads. Still, the problem persisted. Now Governor Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, Tinubu’s successor, thinks it has found a way to end the chaos. On Thursday, August 2, 2012, the governor signed the Lagos Road Traffic Bill into law. Explaining which the piece of legislation has become necessary, he churned out statistics to illustrate the alarming rise in accidents, resulting in injuries and deaths. While describing the law as “ g o v e r n m e n t ’ s intervention” to curtail the alarming statistics on road accidents, Fashola said “from records at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), 722 accidents were reported between January and July, this year, involving 568 males and 154 females”. He added: “At our Toll Gate Trauma Centre, 254 accidents, which resulted in 35 deaths, were recorded during the period. Fifty percent of the cases were caused by okada riders, 27 percent of the victims were passengers and 23 percent pedestrians. These are alarming figures and we cannot allow this to continue, hence our intervention with this law.” The new law spells out the offences and punishments attached. For example, trailers (apart from fuel tankers and long buses) are prohibited from plying the roads between 6.00 a.m. and 9.00 p.m.

Lagos molues (buses) are notorious for recklessness on the road Commercial motorcycle operators are not to ply major trunks, such as Ikorodu Road, Funsho Williams Avenue, ApapaOshodi Express, LagosBadagry and Lekki-Epe Express. Motorists are also forbidden to make phone calls, eat, count money or engage in “other dangerous activities,” while at the wheel. Pedestrians are forbidden from crossing expressways. They are to use the pedestrian bridges provided. Violation of the law attracts fines ranging from N30,000 and N50,000 fines or imprisonment up to three years. The new law effectively repeals the Road Traffic Law Cap. R10 Vol. 17 Law of Lagos State, as amended. That, by implication, heralds an entirely new traffic administration regime in the state. The new law appears to be all embracing, covering many aspects of vehicular traffic, including the ubiquitous commercial motor cyclists (okada), and cart pushers.

S e ction 1 proh ibits th e use of specified roads by vehicles of a specified class, regulates the conduct of drivers while driving, propelling, riding any vehicle or animal on a highway and restricts the use of sirens and blaring of horns. Subsections 2 and 4 gave LASTMA officials the power to arrest and for offenders to pay the stipulated fines for offences. However, the power of LASTMA to prosecute any offender is subject to the provisions of Section 211 of the 1999 Constitution. Section 3 bars persons from riding, driving or manually propelling a cart, wheelbarrow, motorcycle and tricycle from about 11 highways, 41 bridges and 496 routes. Commercial motorcyclists are banned from Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki. Subsection 4 forbids commercial motorcyclists from carrying more than one person, pregnant women, and children below 12 years of age; as well as adult with a baby or with a heavy load on the head. Any operator who fails to comply with

these provisions will face stiff penalties ranging from three-year imprisonment to rendering community service. The law stipulates that driving against traffic, popularly called one-way driving, will attract a one-year jail term for first time offenders and a three-year jail term for subsequent offenders, following psychiatric evaluation and/or forfeiture of vehicle, without an option of fine. It is also an offence to

eat, smoke, count money, make or receive phone calls or engage in other risky or life-threatening activity while driving, and the penalty for a breach is N20,000 to N30,000. Even owners of vehicles abandoned on highways in the state could face a threeyear jail sentence or a fine of N50,000 or both. The law also bans commercial motorcycles and tricycles on walkways, highways and major bridges within the state, and expects commercial

“

Expectedly, mixed reactions have continued to trail the law. Peoples Daily sought the views of people on the new development. Many motorists complained that the law is draconian and may do more harm than good

bus drivers and conductors to wear identification tags and uniform, among others. Under the new law, a wide range of traffic offences include smoking while driving, making or receiving phone calls, counting money or engaging in any other activity like eating and drinking while driving. All commercial motor operators, including owners, drivers and conductors are to be registered under the law. The drivers and conductors would to be issued uniforms bearing the hackney number of their vehicles. The law also sacked members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) from motor parks. Expectedly, mixed reactions have continued to trail the law. Peoples Daily sought the views of people on the new development. Many motorists complained that the law is draconian and may do more harm than good. Some residents, particularly private motorists, however, have

applauded the g o v e r n m e n t ’ s intervention, saying it was long overdue to check the excesses of commercial motorists and motorcyclists, the category of road users generally considered the most problematic. Others, however, fear that the replacement of the old traffic law will succeed only in filling prison cells with offenders. A commercial motorist, Semiu Tajudeen, said the law “is too much; when you have punishment without an option of fine; all the cells will be full within one year.” Another motorist who identified himself as Chukwudi Okafor described the new law as “too unbearable”. He was, however, confident that the law would be swiftly repealed by the government, predicting that it would spark street protests. “I know they will reverse it after one week because it is too high, and it is definitely going to affect everyone in the state and could even lead to a riot,” he said. According to him, the state is not ready for such a law. “There are too many prohibited routes and there are no signs to warn motorists, particularly first-time visitors.” According to a private motorist, Akin Fayemi, “the law lacks a human face and it will force people to cut corners and prefer to settle law enforcement officers at roadsides.” “It’s not realistic; this will only give room for more corruption as the penalties are not reasonable or realistic with workers’ minimum wage,” he added. Some motorists, who agree with the governor, expressed optimism that the law would promote safety on the roads. A business woman, Taiwo Olamipo, said the law would make Lagos a better place, and urged residents not to “dismiss government’s intention.” In spite of these reservations from the public, the new law has received the backing of traffic regulatory agencies. In his reaction, the state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nseobong Akpabio, said the law was good for the state. “There is nothing wrong with it; we give our support to what the state

government is doing,” he added. Expert opinion transport expert, Adepoju Fowokan, said attention must be paid to detail in the enforcement of the law to avoid wrongful prosecution of innocent road users and prevent others from taking advantage of lapses in the

the land will have nothing to fear. Only those bent on maintaining the “jungle city” reputation of Lagos have cause to worry. But how laudable the state government may see the new traffic law, the real problem, however, according to observers, is whether the state government has the capacity to implement this

“

In spite of these reservations from the public, the new law has received the backing of traffic regulatory agencies. In his reaction, the state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nseobong Akpabio, said the law was good for the state law. He also questioned the need for psychiatric evaluation, saying the process of solving a problem should not put undue cost on the government. Fowokan said “traffic offenders don’t actually have mental problem.” adding that “part of the law could be used to embezzle money by “sending people for tests at inflated costs”. According to him, “all identified routes that are one-way should be spelt out for motorists and visible signs to indicate ‘one-way’ should be placed there. It is also good to consider if there are clauses because some people will play with the law. For instance, is there a clause that allows traffic officials to use their discretion to divert traffic against the normal flow in case a truck breaks down on the road?” Fowokan added that all traffic offences should have come with an option of fine, due to the “politicized nature of our environment”. For instance, he said that a hefty fine of “N250,000” should have been made an option for offenders who drive against the flow of traffic or on “one-way” and would want to avoid a jail. To those who believed the new law is too draconian, Fashola said “We share the reservations of those, who feel that sending a traffic offender to three years in prison is way over the roof. But at the same time, we believe any citizen, who is willing to obey the laws of

Gov. Babatunde Fashola

law. One of such observers is Segun Adewale. “Does it have the disciplined personnel to instill discipline on erring members of the public?” he asked. According to him, fears are being expressed that the record of law enforcement agencies like Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and LASTMA) has not been enviable. He said “laws like the ban on commercial motorcycles use of the highways and the wearing of crash helmet failed due to poor implementation. Secondly, rotten eggs in LASTMA capitalize on these laws to victimize citizens through corrupt entrapment tactics for selfish profit. LASTMA officials permit drivers of their own vehicles to violate the law, and military and police officers harass officials bent on implementing the law.” the old traffic law has raised is the issue of implementation. With the state’s abysmal record at implementing its

laws, many residents already assume that the law will soon be forgotten, along with some others in history. A civil servant who does not want his name in print berated the state government’s commitment to implement laws, saying nothing had “come out of the laws” made in the past. “Take a look at the tenement law in the state, is it working?” He asked. “Landlords and agents still collect two or three years rent and nothing has happened to them, so it is not about making the law but enforcing it is the problem.” However, Mr. Bamijoko Adamson, a lawyer said what the state government needs to do to make the new law works is “massive public enlightenment must be mounted on all media, and government alone should not be left to do it. The law is in our collective interest. Let us give it a chance.”

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

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The gains of Jonathan’s diplomacy ANALYSIS By Reuben Abati

he gains of President Jonathan’s diplomacy are often overshadowed by misrepresentations of the size of his delegation, ignorance about the value of his foreign travels, and the positives of his constant engagement with the international community. I have had cause on more than one occasion to expose the lie about published figures about the size of his delegations. I intend to deal here with what is overlooked. Given the damage that the Nigerian interest suffered a few years ago, the same interest needed to be clarified and strengthened. We are living witnesses to that short, critical, phase in Nigeria’s foreign relations when the country failed to show up at important international meetings, lost many positions in multilateral associations, forsook obligations, and found itself in a situation where many of our allies started wondering what had gone wrong with Nigeria. President Jonathan has brought the muchneeded change in this arena, and has launched an operational framework for Nigerian diplomacy, which continues to strengthen the place of Nigeria in the world. In 2010, as Acting President, he embarked on a number of diplomatic shuttles, as part of a deliberate attempt to reassure the world that Nigeria was well and secure despite the trauma of succession that it had just experienced and the divisive politics of zoning that threatened to scuttle the country’s political transition. Many may have forgotten, selective amnesia being a dangerous national malaise, that President Jonathan’s statesmanship, his humility, and the maturity that he displayed during that momentous season proved to be a strong stabilizing influence on a nervous Nigerian community. He had promised that Nigeria’s next general elections to be conducted under his watch, in 2011, even with him as a contestant, will be free and fair, and that nobody’s blood was worth being shed for him to win an election. That promise was kept. The elections were not only free and fair, they were adjudged the best ever in Nigeria’s modern history. The achievement was not merely one of legitimacy; the applause from the international community was redemptive. Nigeria, at that point, almost a typical case study of the challenges of democratic consolidation, became yet another success story. President Jonathan has since taken many steps further to build on this. One of the very early steps was a four-day, August 2011, seminar on Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Process, with inputs from

President Goodluck Jonathan the Presidential Advisory Committee on Foreign Affairs led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku. The seminar and the foreign policy experts, recommended, inter alia, a robust diplomacy, driven by Nigeria’s economic interests. This accent on self-interest had shown up during the Obasanjo years. It reflected an increasing awareness that Nigeria’s foreign policy should not be driven by the vainglory of being a certain brother’s keeper, or the Father Christmas pretensions that dominated it for years, rather, hard-headed pragmatism. The world had changed a lot since Nigeria distributed its oil wealth to other countries and asked for nothing in return. The new strategy called for partnership, mutual respect, enhanced and innovative diplomacy, and constructive exchange. In this context, President Jonathan leads a foreign policy process that has been fruitful and meaningful, and properly linked to domestic policy. His foreign travels fall into three categories: state visits (formal state to state activity), courtesy visits (attendance at ceremonies, burials, inaugurations) and working visits (trips to attend multilateral, bilateral and regional meetings). Each of these visits is official, the ultimate gainer is Nigeria, and it is well worth noting that since his assumption of office, President Jonathan has not gone on any unofficial or private trip abroad. It is a trite point that a strong foreign policy process, one which involves constant interaction and openness brings a country much goodwill, promotes understanding and strengthens the country’s friendship with other countries. Closed countries are often treated with suspicion; their leaders are subjects of mystery. President Jonathan

has worked very actively in the last two years to promote Brand Nigeria. His foreign travels are usually, carefully chosen. He has equally played host to Heads of State and Governments and delegations from around the world including high profile visits by Britain’s David Cameron, Germany’s Angela Merkel, and US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. On all of these occasions, Nigeria’s interest is strategically promoted. The President is accompanied on each of his trips by members of the National Assembly and Ministers who attend the relevant meetings and make necessary inputs for follow up action. Trade and investment always tops the agenda. The President personally leads the campaign of inviting investors to set up industries in Nigeria, and produce locally if they wish to take advantage of Nigeria’s huge market potential. Interestingly, Nigeria’s domestic security challenges have not proved to be a disincentive. Foreign Direct Investment generated in the last year alone according to UNCTAD’s 2012 Investment Report was $8.9

billion making Nigeria No 1 in Africa and a top quartile investment destination in the world. During a recent trip to Rio, Brazil, Nigeria signed an MOU with Electrobras to invest in the generation of 10, 000 MW; since then, there have been subsequent visits to Nigeria by Brazilian investors interested in infrastructure, food and beverages and consumer items. In October 2011, when President Jonathan met with the Australian investment community in Perth, on the sidelines of CHOGM, the Australia-Nigeria Trade and Investment Council (ANTIC) was established to facilitate the flow of investments into agriculture, mining and the petrochemicals sector. Australian Council members have since visited Nigeria, and there is an agreement in place to provide technical support for the local mining sector. In April 2012, the President, in the course of an official visit to Germany, got Siemens to commit to investment in power generation, and turbine maintenance and repair in Nigeria. Generally, there has been massive support from

“

President Jonathan never fails to acknowledge the importance of Nigerians abroad and the invaluable resource that they represent. To prove the point, many members of his government were sourced from the Diaspora

governments and investors for the President’s policies and strong interest to invest in the country. The corollary to this is the search for opportunities for Nigerian investors in foreign markets. The President often times travels with Nigerian businessmen who are looking for in-roads into foreign markets: the Nigerian private sector is involved in banking and insurance in Rwanda and other parts of Africa (Access Bank, IGI, GTBank), in manufacturing in Ethiopia, and Southern Africa (the Dangote Group, LUBCON) and so on. Such investors often require the support of the Nigerian government, which has been readily and consistently provided by the Jonathan administration. The class of Nigerians who have probably benefitted most or who stand to do so, would be the Nigerians in Diaspora. Wherever President Jonathan goes in the world, he insists on the local embassy organizing a meeting with the Nigerians in the country. He likes to exchange views with them, find out how they are faring and even ask them to raise issues they may want him to take up with the host country. Such issues usually range from immigration to Nigerian issues, particularly absentee voting, and in one instance, request for the airlifting at Government expense of Nigerians who are willing to return to home, but cannot afford to do so. President Jonathan never fails to acknowledge the importance of Nigerians abroad and the invaluable resource that they represent. To prove the point, many members of his government were sourced from the Diaspora. The Jonathan administration has always had cause to defend the interest of distressed Nigerians in diaspora in pursuit of citizen diplomacy, famously the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from Libya (more than 2,000 between March and November 2011) and Egypt (more than 1, 000 in January 2012). It continues to engage with several development partners to ensure managed migration in the overall interests of all sides, including Nigerians. The fifth Nigeria/EU dialogue on Migration and Development was held in Abuja in January 2012. Thus, the welfare of Nigerians in their relations with other countries has also been given the top most priority. Government has stood up to all countries in upholding the principle of reciprocity and by insisting that Nigerians be treated fairly. Multilateral institutions usually have vacancies to be filled by nationals from all over the world. Even when the positions are rotated on a regional basis, the relevant countries still have to compete for such Continued on page 28

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Maths prodigy becomes Britain’s youngest university student at just 12 years old

12-year-old boy who got A* in his maths GCSE aged eight, has now become Britain’s youngest university student. Xavier Gordon-Brown may still be too young to join Facebook, but is already studying for a degree in maths. He manages to fit his university studies into his free hours between full-time school, practicing the clarinet, piano and violin, learning four languages and playing football with his friends. When Xavier, from Haywards Heath in Sussex, passed his GCSE in 2009 he was the youngest ever student to gain an A* in maths, and could recite 2,000 digits of Pi. He is now studying abstract structures, vector calculus and Newtonian mechanics in his spare time, but since he only turned 12 last month he has to be accompanied to his Monday evening lectures by his mother. Despite being the youngest student by far, his proud mother Erica said he is still top of the class. Erica said: ‘He absolutely loves it. ‘It’s one of those things we thought about for a while, but seeing how much he enjoys it has made it all worthwhile. ‘People make a lot out of keeping children in their age group, but it is good for him to be amongst his intellectual equals too.’

The youngster’s interest in numbers started at an early age. Xavier knew his times tables before he was four and could do double-digit mental arithmetic before starting school. A year after his GCSE success he passed his A-levels. Xavier, who lives with housewife Erica and father Michael, travels with his mother to Open University lectures in East Grinstead two to three times a month. ‘When he’s with kids his own age he’s fine, but when it comes to maths he needs to be with people on his intellectual level,’ she said. She added that Xavier loves playing football with his friends and that, despite his busy schedule; he never falls behind in his studies. Erica said: ‘He’s not falling behind. If anything he’s top of the class and everyone gets on with him really well ‘When I go I absolutely don’t understand a word of what’s going on.’ Although Xavier is an extraordinary talent, it seems to be a family tradition; both Xavier’s older sister and brother took GCSEs at a similar age. As well as football, Xavier enjoys chess, Taekwondo and trampolining and on top of French and Spanish lessons at Oathall Community College, he is teaching himself Latin and Mandarin at home. Source: Dailymail.co.uk

The issue has united Germany's Jewish and Muslim organisations

Whizz kid: Xavier Gordon-Brown, aged 12, is the youngest university student in Britain after taking up a degree in maths.

The gains of Jonathan’s diplomacy Continued from page 26 positions. It is not always an easy struggle as each country jostles for the positions with the highest possible visibility or influence. It requires sharp diplomacy to secure the support of other countries and to get the required number of votes for your candidate. When your country is not eligible for the post, you become one of the brides to be wooed to deliver the vote in favour of a particular country’s candidate. It sounds like routine diplomacy, but it is high-wire politics. In the past one year, President Jonathan has devoted considerable energy to lobbying and campaigning for Nigerian candidates to get into positions in international organizations. The achievement in this regard has been remarkable: Dr. Bernard O. Aliu, President of the Executive Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) based in Montreal, Canada; Mrs. Theodora Oby Nwankwo, member, UN Committee on the Elimination of All forms Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); Dr. Aisha Laraba Abdullahi, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs.

After three unsuccessful attempts, Nigeria finally broke the electoral jinx at the AU for the first time in ten years. Mrs. Salamatu Sulaiman, Commissioner Political, Peace and Security at the ECOWAS Commission; Nigeria’s election to the Executive Board of UNESCO for a term of four years in November 2011; Nigeria’s election to the Governing Board of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP); Nigeria was also elected to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on October 24, 2011; Election of Mr. Adamu Mohammed, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, as the Vice President of INTERPOL representing Africa at a meeting held in Hanoi, Vietnam in October, 2011; Re-election of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN to the International Law Commission on November 17, 2011. The election of Dr. Chile Eboe-Osuji as one of the six judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in a tightly contested election in New York in November, 2011 and the election last year, of Nigeria as the first President of the

Executive Board of the United Nations Entry for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (UN Women). Our embassies abroad are also better organized. Ambassador Gbenga Ashiru, Jonathan’s appointee as Minister of Foreign Affairs is a career diplomat who has been doing a good job of actualizing the new framework for Nigerian diplomacy. He is collegial in approach, and supportive of Mr. President’s vision. Career diplomats used to complain about their jobs being taken over and messed up by politicians. This year, President Jonathan handed over letters of commission to the country’s new set of ambassadors, mostly career diplomats, and because he has thus encouraged the professionalization of the diplomatic service, career diplomats are no longer complaining. Many who have no foreign postings have achieved their career dreams as ambassadors-in-situ; our diplomats are reciprocating by showing higher levels of enthusiasm for the job. Nothing can be more damaging to a country’s foreign policy process than a distracted professional

foreign affairs cadre. We have a leader who is respected by the international community. When TIME international magazine named President Jonathan one of the 100 Most Influential leaders of the world in 2012, a fitting acknowledgement of his achievements, and the only African leader to be so recognized, the warm citation was written by the Liberian President. Our President also holds one of the highest national honours in Liberia. In the last year, he has also been honoured by people, governments and institutions in Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. At the regional level, Nigeria’s voice now rings loud and clear; its interventions are taken more seriously. President Jonathan served as ECOWAS Chairman for two years, and received great applause at the end of his tenure in February 2012. Under his watch, he led both Nigeria and ECOWAS to put an end to the threatened mayhem in Cote D’Ivoire when Laurent Gbagbo refused to hand over power, after the 2010 Presidential elections in that country. He helped to check a similar crisis of self-perpetuation

in office in Niger, and has provided support for democratic efforts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Mali, Ghana and Guinea Bissau. He was one of the first African leaders to recognize the National Transitional Council of Libya and ask Muammar Gaddaffi to quit. Since handing over as ECOWAS chair, President Jonathan has remained a respected voice among his brother Heads of State. At the moment, he is a comediator in the crisis in Mali. The relationship between Nigeria and other countries in the region, particularly Ghana, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Republic of Benin, Niger, Senegal and Liberia has never been stronger. Commentators often insist that greater emphasis should be placed on domestic policy, not foreign policy. Our new framework links both strategically. The investments that are flowing into Nigeria create jobs, deepen competition within the market, push the drive for necessary infrastructure further, and on all fronts, Brand Nigeria is strengthened. Dr. Abati is Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to President Jonathan.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

PAGE 27

Street hawking can be suicidal!!! By Joy Mbachi

ixteen-year-old Nwanneka Odah was quite healthy before her death. She was a student of Nawfia Girls’ Secondary School in Nawfia, Anambra, where she had just written her Junior Secondary School Examinations. Perhaps, if her parents had the inkling that their daughter might soon die, they would not have allowed her to leave Ebonyi, her state of origin, to another state for her schooling. Nwanneka was living with her uncle, Friday Ogalagu, who some years ago relocated to Umuriam village in Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra, to start a business. While the girl was eagerly awaiting the release of her examination result, she engaged in street hawking, selling groundnut to support her uncle’s efforts to cater for the family. However, on a fateful day — Aug. 27, 2012, to be precise – Nwanneka was approached by three young men who pretended to be potential customers at a spot adjacent to Nawfia Comprehensive Secondary School. According to an eyewitness, one of the three men, who looked like a madman, was standing beside her, while the other two were engrossed in a discussion by the roadside. The eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said that as Nwanneka bent down to scoop some groundnuts into a polythene bag for the “customer’’; the man standing by her brought out a sharp object and attempted to slash her neck. “The object hit the girl’s head instead and she slumped. When a motorcyclist dashed to the scene to intervene, the three men speedily ran into the bush,’’ he recalled. The eyewitness said that some Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) officials later ferried Nwanneka to the hospital but she died on the way. Since then, controversies have trailed the circumstances which led to the girl’s death, as the community members want to ascertain whether the girl was actually killed by a madman or someone who just feigned madness. However, the police say that they are still trying to unravel the mystery behind the girl’s killing. Mr Raphael Uzoigwe, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Anambra, however, stressed that investigations into such cases were usually painstaking. “In such a case of homicide, you hand over the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department of the police to get to the root of it. “For now, the police cannot conclude that the person who killed the girl is actually a madman or not. “If indeed, the person is truly mad, why should he run when he saw another person coming to the rescue of his prey? “One still ponders on who the ‘madman’ really was and the actual motive of the two other men waiting by the roadside,’’ he said. Uzoigwe reiterated that the

Street hawking has become a common sight in most of our roads and highways. police had initiated investigations into what actually happened, adding that the body of Nwanneka had been deposited at Amaku General Hospital, Awka, for autopsy. In his reaction, Ogalagu, Nwanneka’s uncle, said: “The girl in question was my elder sister’s daughter and the third in a family of five. “Nwanneka has been with me in Anambra for more than three years; even her elder sister lived with me before she got married.

“I was not there when the incident took place; I was at the police station to secure the release of my confiscated goods when I got a call from somebody that my niece had a fatal accident. “I was later told that the person who killed my niece dressed like a madman; I was also informed that there were three men there and that the other two men were standing close to the bush when she wanted to sell the groundnuts. “But I was told by some people

Women and youths engaged in street hawking.

in the area that when my niece bent down to sell groundnuts to the man, he pulled out an axe from his waist to cut her neck. “They said that as Nwanneka tried to raise herself up, the weapon cut her face and she slumped; while a motorcyclist approached the scene to intervene. “The people said that when the motorcyclist saw the girl struggling with somebody; he stopped to know the reasons behind the confrontation but the assailant ran away with the

others standing nearby. “They said that the FRSC officials later took Nwanneka to the hospital but she could not survive the attack,’’ Ogalagu said. All the same, a middle-aged woman, who pleaded anonymity, alleged that rape and murder cases were rampant in Nawfia. “Two days before this particular incident, a man was murdered behind a hotel, his head was cut off and taken away; only the body was found and the man could not be identified,’’ she said. The traditional ruler of Nawfia, Chief Chijioke Nwankwo, stressed that that the masterminds of Nwanneka’s killing should not be allowed to go unpunished, whether they were from his community or not. He said that he had directed the community members to report any person, suspected of any complicity in the crime, to the security agencies. Nwankwo, however, conceded that concerted efforts were being made by the security agencies to rid the community of miscreants, warning that any person who partook in criminal activities would be apprehended and punished. Although the police in Anambra have given assurances that the killers of Nwanneka and other criminals in the area would soon be apprehended, observers insist that the handling of the Nwanneka case will be seen as a litmus test of the readiness of the police to curb crime in the state. Source: NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

PAGE 27

List of 2012 National Honours nominees S/N NAMES

STATUS

CLASS OF MEDAL

DR. MIKE ADENUGA, CON

CHAIRMAN/CEO, GLOBACOM NIG LTD

GCON

HON. JUSTICE MAHMUD MOHAMMED

SUPREME COURT JUDGE

CFR

HON. JUSTICE WALTER S. NKANU ONNOGHEN

SUPREME COURT JUDGE

CFR

HON. JUSTICE SULEIMAN GALADIMA

SUPREME COURT JUDGE

CFR

HON. JUSTICE BODE RHODES-VIVOUR

SUPREME COURT JUDGE

CFR

HON. JUSTICE NWALI SYLVESTER NGWUTA

SUPREME COURT JUDGE

CFR

HON. JUSTICE MARY UKAEGO ODILI

SUPREME COURT JUDGE

CFR

HON. JUSTICE ANDREWS OTUTU OBASEKI (RTD)

RETIRED SUPREME COURT JUDGE

CFR

HON. JUSTICE KAYODE ESO (RTD)

RETIRED SUPREME COURT JUDGE

CFR

M. D. ABUBAKAR

INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE

CFR

BRIG. GENERAL MOBOLAJI JOHNSON

FIRST GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE

CFR

CHIEF GABRIEL OSAWARU IGBINEDION, CON

BUSINESS MAN/PHILANTROPHIST

CFR

RT. HON. GABRIEL SUSWAM

GOVERNOR OF BENUE STATE

CON

DR. EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN

GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE

CON

CHIEF MARTIN ELECHI

GOVERNOR OF EBONYI STATE

CON

ALH. DANBABA DANFULANI SUNTAI

GOVERNOR OF TARABA STATE

CON

ALH. AHMED MUAZU

FORMER GOV. OF BAUCHI STATE

CON

SEN. VICTOR NDOMA-EGBA, OFR, SAN

SENATOR

CON

SEN. ABDUL AHMED NINGI, OON

SENATOR

CON

SEN. AYOGU EZE

SENATOR

CON

SEN. ZAINAB ABDULKADIR KURE

SENATOR

CON

SEN. AHMAD IBRAHIM LAWAN

SENATOR

CON

SEN. UMARU IBRAHIM TSAURI

SENATOR

CON

SEN. EMMANUEL BWACHA

SENATOR

CON

SENATOR BALA MOHAMMED

MINISTER OF FCT

CON

SEN. HAMISU MUSA

FORMER SENATOR/MINISTER

CON

SEN. BELLO JIBRIN GADA

FORMER MINISTER

CON

AMB. (SEN.) ADAMU AJUJI WAZIRI

FORMER SENATOR/AMB.

CON

SEN. EMMANUEL AZU AGBOTI

POLITICIAN

CON

SEN.MIKE AJAEGBO

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN MINAJ GROUP

CON

DR. AKIN ADESINA

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE

CON

HAJIYA INA CIROMA

FORMER MINISTER OF WOMEN AFFAIRS

CON

ALH. KAWU BARAJE

FMR AG NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF PDP

CON

PROF. STEPHEN DEBO ADEYEMI

BUSINESS MAN/FMR MINISTER OF HEALTH CON

MR. TONY ELUMELU, MFR

ACCOMPLISHED BANKER

CON

DR. COSMAS MADUABUCHUKWU MADUKA

BUSINESS MAN

CON

MR CLETUS IBETO

BUSINESS MAN

CON

HON. MULIKAT AKANDE

MEMBER HOUSE OF REP.

OFR

HON. SULAIMAN KAWU

MEMBER HOUSE OF REP.

OFR

HON. HALIMS AGADA

MEMBER HOUSE OF REP.

OFR

HON. BASHIR ADAMU

MEMBER HOUSE OF REP.

OFR

CHIEF ANTONY ANI

FORMER MINISTER OF FINANCE

OFR

JUSTICE N. O. ADEKOLA (RTD)

FORMER C. J. OF OYO STATE

OFR

MRS. SARAH ADEBISI SOSAN

FMR DEPUTY GOVERNOR, LAGOS STATE

OFR

ENGR. EMEKA EZE

DG BUREAU FOR PUBLIC PROCUREMENT OFR

OLUWOLE OLANIPEKUN, SAN

LEGAL PRACTITIONER

OFR

ALEX A. IZINYON, SAN

LEGAL PRACTITIONER

OFR

GODWIN JEDDY AGBA

PUBLIC SERVANT

OFR

O. OMONUWA, SAN

LEGAL PRACTITIONER

OFR

DR. PATRICK DELE COLE

FORMER AMBASSADOR (DIPLOMAT)

OFR

H.E. ALHAJI SANI ABUBAKAR DANLADI

DEPUTY GOVERNOR TARABA STATE

OFR

DR. IFEANYI OKOYE ERIC, mni

CHAIRMAN/CEO OFJUHEL COMPANY

OFR

BARR. DAN NWANYANWU, mni

NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, LABOUR PARTY

OFR

JOHN GOZEN GOBAK

DR. AMBROSIE BRYANT C. ORJIAKO

FORMER SSG, PLATEAU STATE

OFR

EXEC. CHAIRMAN, SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVT. CO. LTD

OFR

ALH. MOH’D SANI ALIYU AUGIE

COMMUNITY LEADER

OFR

ALHAJI IBRAHIM K. ALIYU mni

COMMUNITY LEADER/POLITICIAN

OFR

ALH. MUHAMMADU INDIMI

BUSINESS MAN

OFR

DR. EMMANUEL SAMSON MIRI

COUNTRY REP. CARTER CENTRE

OFR

ALHAJI BASHARI AMINU

DIRECTOR, G. CAPPA PLC

OFR

ALH. ADAMU ALIYU

DIPLOMAT

OFR

ENGR. (MRS.) ESTHER GONDA

PERMANENT SECRETARY

OON

DR. EMMANUEL OKEREKE

ENGR. BALA NA’ADE ADAMU

LT. COL. SHEHU IBRAHIM (RTD)

SECRETARY BOT (I CARE WOMEN AND YOUTH)

OON

HABIB BABA HABU

CONSUL GENERAL OF NIGERIA TO NEW YORK

OON

HAJIA MUHEEBA DANKAKA

CEO, FARIDA BUSINESS VENTURE LIMITED

OON

UCHECHUKWU S. OGAH

BUSINESS MAN

OON

ALHAJI SALISU MAIKASUWA

CLERK TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

OON

OTHMAN BABAYOLA MOHAMMED

ADAMAWA STATE HOS

OON

ALH. YAKUBU MUHAMMED

RETIRED CIVIL SERVANT

OON

DR ADESEGUN AKIN-OLUGBADE

CONSULTANT (BANKING & FINANCE)

OON

CHIEF ALEXANDER CHIKA OKAFOR

BUSINESS MAN

OON

PROF. CYPRIAN O. OKONKWO (SAN)

DR. NIMOTA NIHINLOLA AKANBI

CHAIRMAN, AFRICAN LIBERATION PARTY (ALP) CONSULTANCY SERVICES

OON OON

COMMISSIONER NIGERIA LAW REFORM COMMISSION OON DIPLOMAT

OON

DR. TAHIR MAMMAN

DG. COUNCIL OF LEGAL EDU.

OON

MAJ. GEN. A. A. OLANIYI

NIG. ARMY (MAJ. GENERAL)

OON

AVM. TOMBOIYI DICK IRUENABERE

NIG. AIR FORCE (AIR VICE MARSHAL)

OON

REAR ADMIRAL EMERAKU IJIOMA

NIG NAVY (REAR ADMIRAL)

OON

PROF. CHARITY ASHIMEM ANGYA

ACADEMICIAN

OON

PROF. OLUFUNMILAYO FALUSI OLOPADE

ACADEMICIAN

OON

ALHAJI MOHAMMED KABIR AHMED

DG PENCOM

OON

HON. MUSA IBRAHIM AHMADU

FORMER MEMBER, HOUSE OF REP.

OON

ALHAJI MAHMOUD LAI ALABI

ACCOMPLISHED BANKER

OON

MRS. MARY GALADIMA

EDUCATIONIST

OON

PROF. (MRS.) ADENIKE ABIOSE

ACADEMICIAN

OON

MR. PIUS J. MAJOR

FORMER PERMANENT SECRETARY

OON

AMB.S. O. WILLOUGHBY

FORMER PERMANENT SECRETARY

OON

DR. PAUL BOTWEV ORHII

DG. NAFDAC

OON

MABEL ALABA AMONI-OKWUONU

PUBLIC SERVANT

OON

INYANG, SAMUEL EDWARD (MR)

FORMER EXEC. DIR., SHELL, BP & NDDC

OON

BRIG. GEN. ANTHONY DANIEL ETUKUDO (RTD)

FMR CEO SON

OON

MR. TIJANI YUSUF

STATE HOUSE OFFICER

OON

MR. MATTHEW OSAYABA AIKHIONBARE

SNR SPECIAL ASST TO PRESIDENT(ADMIN) OON

ENGR. CHIEF JAMES BUKOHWO ERHUERO

FORMER HOS/SSG OF DELTA STATE

OON

MRS. SARAH ALADE

DEPUTY GOVERNOR (CBN)

OON

SULEIMAN BARAU

DEPUTY GOVERNOR (CBN)

OON

DR. KINGSLEY BOSAH CHIEDU MOGHALU

DEPUTY GOVERNOR (CBN)

OON

MR. ABU KAROFI

RENOWNED GEOLOGIST

OON

100 TECO BENSON

ARTIST

MFR

101 PROF.ABUBAKAR ADAMU RASHEED

ACADEMICIAN

MFR

102 ARCH. (CHIEF) DANIEL NWABUEZE DENNE NWANKWO

ARCHITECT

MFR

103 HRH. IGWE PETER CHUKWUMA EZENWA

TRADITIONAL RULER

MFR

104 HIS LORDSHIP, BISHOP MICHAEL C. OKONKWO

RELIGIOUS LEADER

MFR

105 RT.REV. GODFREY ANAYO CHUKWU AGUPUSI

RELIGIOUS LEADER

MFR

106 HRH. EDUN AKENZUA

TRADITIONAL RULER

MFR

107 HIS LORDSHIP, BISHOP PETER IMASUEN

RELIGIOUS LEADER

MFR

108 HRH. EZEUDO ABEL NWOBODO

TRADITIONAL RULER

MFR

109 PRINCE EZE MADUMERE

PUBLIC SERVANT

MFR

110 HAJIA DIJE BALA JIBRIN

EDUCATIONIST

MFR

111 HRM. OBA DR. VICTOR ADEMEFUN ADESIMBO KILADEJO TRADITIONAL RULER

MFR

112 DR. ADEGOKE OLAOYE JACOB

MFR

PUBLIC SERVANT

113 HRM. OBA RAUF OLAYIWOLA OLAWALE

TRADITIONAL RULER

MFR

114 BITRUS PAM KIM

PUBLIC SERVANT

MFR

115 HON. (CHIEF) GODSPOWER UMEJURU AKE

POLITICIAN

MFR

116 DIG. AUDU ABUBAKAR, NPM (RTD)

DIG (RTD)

MFR

117 HRH. ALHAJI ADAMU ABARA GUMMI

TRADITIONAL RULER

MFR

118 ALHAJI UMAR AHMAD USMAN DAN ALI B/MAGAJI

TRADITIONAL RULER

MFR

119 PEACE ANYIAM OSIGWE

ARTIST

MFR

120 HRM ANSELM ODALOIGHE EDENOJIE II, JP

TRADITIONAL RULER

MFR

121 CHIEF DAVID NNOCHIRONYE ONYENWEAKU

RENOWNED FARMER

MFR

122 ARCH HARCOURT ADUKEH

ARCHITECT

MFR

123 CHIEF JOSHUA FUMUDOH

INDUSTRIALIST

MFR

124 OKECHUKWU NWADIUTO EMUCHAY

CONSUL-GENERAL, SOUTH AFRICA

MFR

125 CHIEF (DR) MICHAEL OLAWALE COLE, FNIM

PRESIDENT NIM

MFR

126 MUHAMMAD TAHIR ZAKARI

CIVIL SERVANT

MFR

127 BASORUN DOJA ADEWOLU

SEASONED ADMINISTRATOR

MFR

128 AUTA MAMMAN BUSA

COMMUNITY LEADER/POLITICIAN

MFR

129 HRM OBA KEHINDE GBADEWOLE OLUGBENLE

TRANDITIONAL RULER

MFR

130 ALHAJI ALHASSAN SULE GWAGWA

POLITICIAN

MFR

131 HON. ZEPHANIA B. JISALO

COMMUNITY LEADER/POLITICIAN

MFR

132 ALHAJI MOHAMMED ADAM

POLITICIAN

MFR

133 ALHAJI MUHAMMED BABA ABOKI

COMMUNITY LEADER/ PHILANTROPHIST

MFR

134 MOST REV. BISHOP CALLISTUS V.C. ONAGA

RELIGIOUS LEADER/ PHILANTROPHIST

MFR

135 ARCH. FERDINARD NWABUEZE AGU

ARCHITECT

MFR

136 MR. JELANI ALIYU

DESIGNER WORLD FIRST ELECTRICAL

MFR

137 LT. COL. M. A. SULEIMAN

NIGERIAN ARMY

MFR

138 ALH. YAKUBU HARUNA

POLITICIAN

MON

139 DR. USMAN ABDULKADIR MAIDUGU

TRADITIONAL RULER

MON

140 HAJIA MUSLIMAH KAMALDEEN

RETIRED CIVIL SERVANT

MON

141 ELDER EVANG SAMUEL MADUKA ONYISHI

CHAIRMAN/CEO, PEACE MASS TRANSIT NIGERIA LTD/PHILANTROPHIST

142 ALHAJI IBRAHIM BUBA VOKNA

MON

FORMER ACCOUNTANT GENERAL ADAMAWA STATE MON

143 ELDER CYRIL CHUKWUDI NGEMEGWAI

EDUCATIONIST

MON

144 ADO HUSSAINI

PUBLIC SERVANT

MON

145 ABDULKADIR JIBRILU

COMMUNITY LEADER

MON

146 IGWE CHRIS OGAKWU

TRADITIONAL RULER

MON

147 AHMED ABDULLAHI

PUBLIC SERVANT

MON

148 LAWRENCE AYINDE OSAYEMI

MAN

MON

149 CHIEF (MRS.) OBALEYE OLAYINKA

BUSINESS WOMAN

MON

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

PAGE 29

Fish farmer tasks Delta govt. on security in farms

hairman, United Fish Farmers Association, Ekpan, Uvwei Local Government Area of Delta, Mr Richard Dafioghor, has called on the state government to provide security at a fish farm located in the area. Dafioghor, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ekpan, said the local government area was known for fish farming but lamented that criminals sometimes attacked the farms. He said that the state government had promised to provide security among other facilities at the farms in the area, regretting however, that nothing had been provided. Dafioghor disclosed that the farm, which currently had four phases, was producing about 10,000 tonnes of fish daily and had no less than 4,000 farmers. “This farm has been a wonder in Delta and it has been in existence for the past 12 years. We have been trying to make sure that we eliminate poverty through farming. “As you can see, in Uvwie, we are known for fish farming and we have done a lot to improve on that aspect of farming and by so doing, we have been able to empower a lot of the youths,” he said. Dafioghor, a lawyer, revealed that in 2008, the state government constructed the road to the farm and gave each farmer a “soft loan” of N100, 000, adding that the farmers were expected to pay back

Ministry urges Servicom to checkmate rowdiness By Mohammed Kandi

n an effort to address inefficiency and disorderliness in service delivery, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has re-inaugurated its Servicom Unit and charge it to checkmate unruly behaviour of staff at all times. The ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr. Ezekiel O. Oyemomi, according to a statement issued in Abuja recently made the call while re-inaugurating the ministry‘s Servicom Unit in his Office. Oyemomi also observed that, eight years after the introduction of Servicom by the Federal Government, not much was achieved on issues relating expenditure retirement, delay and poor handling of mails by Public Officers. He disclosed that for the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) to be effective the staff should, from time to time be reminded on the responsibilities and role expected of them towards rendering quality service to Nigerians. The permanent secretary however requested that the Servicom Unit work closely with the ministry’s top management so as to fast-track staff performance while it also liaises with the departments of planning, research and statistics as well as the human resources.

only N50, 000 of the loan. “The government did very well with the provision of the loans to us but we are still waiting for the facilities they promised to give us in the farm, especially security. “I am sure that if the government can actually intervene as promised, we can eradicate poverty in our community through job creation for our people,” he stressed. He lauded IFAD-FGN

Community Based Natural Resources Management Programme (CBNRMP) for training the farmers on better fish farming programme, saying it had impacted positively on them. Dafioghor called on IFAD to further assist the farm through funding and building of fish feed mills and hatchery. Speaking on the profitability of the fish farm, he said that the returns on investment could not be

compared to any other “even in the oil industry.” “I am a graduate of Law; I have done facility management course and I am a safety personnel and also a farmer. “In all these my adventures, it is in this farming that I have been making much money. I started with just one fish pond but today I have more than 30 ponds, on a land covering more than half acre. “My advice is that government

should empower the youths so that they can get better. For me, I was empowered through thrift contribution with which I starting fish farming with one pond. The business is fabulous and cannot be compared to salaries of oil company workers. “It is pay as you go and as you are investing, you are getting the returns and you can estimate your targets at the end of every day,” Dafioghor said. (NAN)

Minister of Agric and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina (middle) rejoicing with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ezekiel O. Oyemomi (right) and the CEO of the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation, Ilorin, Engineer Ikechukwu Ignatius Azogu (left) on their conferement of the National Productivity Order of Merit Award recently by President Goodluck Jonathan

FG to commission 25,000 MT silos in Osun By Mohammed Kandi

he Federal Government has in its effort of fast-tracking the new regime of value chain on all agricultural commodities, promised to deliver to the farmers a 25, 100 capacities silos under construction in Ilesha, Osun state. It also said the project would be ready for commissioning by October this year. Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, Dr. Ezekiel O. Oyemomi, who disclosed this while chatting with Journalists shortly after been conducted round the Ilesha 25000 MT silos, noted that the project had reached 80 per cent completion. In a statement issued from the ministry recently in Abuja, Dr. Oyemomi stated further that several measures had been taken by the government to revitalize the Nation’s

economy by repositioning agriculture as a lead transformational programme I the country. He however disclosed that the present administration’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) has been making a steady progress towards the consolidation of entrepreneurships, particularly for young graduates in agri-businesses across all states of the federation. Moreover, another positive procedures taken by the ministry in boosting farming system in Nigeria, as a sin qua non pre-occupation in Nigeria’s attractive agric-business, the Permanent Secretary specified that the recent nationwide flag-off of the Growth Enhancement Support scheme (GES) in all the states of the federation was a step in the right direction. The GES scheme would afford the farmers direct purchase of fertilizer via their mobile phones in addition to free distribution of hybrid seeds of

rice and maize. The scheme include the on-going construction of silos, establishment of staple food and cash crop processing zones in the nation’s six geo-political zones as well as government subsidy on basic farm inputs. Other interventions include the de-centralization of the ministry’s operations across all states of the federation, re-designing of Agriculture Research Institutes, provision of mills for processing of tomato, cassava and rice in Lagos, Kano, Oshogbo, state. There are efforts directed at quality control on plantation and administration of cocoa industry, strengthening of ginneries, textile industries, allocation and production of certified cotton and sorghum seeds to growers and farmers in states with high yield of such commodities. Dr Oyemomi noted that in order to ensure the workability of all initiated programmes the Ministry

had in partnership with the Central Bank went into lending agreement with some Commercial Banks via NIRSAL bond of over N100billion so that all category of registered farmers and relevant stakeholders access agric-loans via individual Banks of their choice within their farming communities. He pointed out that all these were put in motion so as to ensure strict compliance with the Government Policy on stoppage of food import and locally produced items into the Country before the end of 2013. The Permanent Secretary also informed that in line with the Federal Government’s directive on ensuring remarkable success on the value chain initiatives, the ministry‘s chapter of the Agricultural Transformation Implementation Council (ATIC) Secretariat has been recently inaugurated by the Honourable Minister, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

PAGE 30

Agric transformation: FG establishes women agric division By Salisu Na’inna Dambatta

he Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is taking its commitment to mainstreaming women and youth to the centrestage of Nigerian agricultural sector a step further by working with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to create a Division to cater for the interests of women farmers. The Division will ensure that women and youth farmers or are genuinely interested in taking agriculture as an economic activity, are given close attention by the Ministry. It will also pave way for them to gain access to and benefit from the many incentives the Federal Government is delivering to them through a special scheme. The Division will as well address a recent appeal and similar ones in the future, by the leader of women farmers in Kano State, Hajiya Fatima Kiru, for the introduction of a special agricultural loan scheme for female farmers in the country. While making the appeal, she announced that over 1, 000 women farmers registered in the state under the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) would be trained in modern agricultural practices to boost their productivity. This is in line with the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the Federal Government which has a built-in component for encouraging and empowering women and young farmers to establish sustainable agribusinesses. It also tallies with President Goodluck Jonathan’s vision who on April 16, 2012, reinstated that the Federal Government was working hard to make agriculture attractive and profitable to encourage young educated Nigerians join the sector. The President said in a conversation with Ms. Joanna Hewitt, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Australia: “We need to achieve self-sufficiency in food production, and one sure way is to make it attractive and profitable for the

A woman displaying vegetables for sale young graduates to want to participate in farming.” The Presidential comment is evidence that women and youth are taken seriously and considered as major players in the drive to give agriculture a new direction and turn it into a vehicle to ease millions of Nigerians out of poverty. Women and youth have critical roles in actualising the main goals of ATA: taking agriculture away from its current subsistence orientation and putting it into a business mode; increasing annual food production by a minimum of 20 million metric tons, eliminating food importation, developing the value chains of dozens of crops and reviving many agro-allied industries by growing their raw materials locally. They can contribute in diversifying the economic base of the country by producing and exporting commodities in addition to Cocoa, Cassava derivatives and sesame in large quantities.

The move to mainstream women and youth and harness their productive capacity in agriculture is appropriate: demographics resulting from the 2006 National Population and Housing Census indicate that women and youths constitute over 60 per cent of the population. Research outcomes have affirmed the strong role of women in agricultural production. In a paper titled “Gender Dimensions of Agriculture, Poverty, Nutrition and Food Security in Nigeria”, Dr. Olubunmi Idowu Yetunde Ajani, of the Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, noted: “Women form the highest proportion of the economically active population in rural Nigeria and play an important role in agricultural activities, particularly in subsistence food production, where they contribute an estimated 60-80 per cent of the total labour used.” The scholar further underlined

the importance of women in Nigerian agriculture thus: “Female farmers are important participants in all sub sectors of agriculture, namely crops, livestock, fisheries and agro-forestry. Research studies show that women play major roles in vital farming operations: planting, weeding and harvesting. Generally, rural women are actively involved in postharvest processing as well as in raising poultry, sheep and goats as a way to store wealth.” The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Bukar Tijjani, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi, have separately and jointly repeatedly urged more women and youth to get deeper into agriculture and seize the many opportunities it offers through the value chains of various crops and the livestock sub-sector, access to credit on favourable terms, a huge sellers’

market for food and special incentives for investors in the sector (agripreneurs). Indeed, many women and youths had their fortune transformed from living in penury to the status of micro tycoons, as primary producers of grains, horticultural crops, small-scale food processors and marketers. This kind of leap out of poverty is one of the central objectives of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda. Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Bukar Tijjani commended youths in Jigawa State for embracing the production of sesame and escaping poverty. They have also turned Jigawa into one of the largest sesame producing states in the country. Sesame is exported from Nigeria in large quantities thereby contributing to the country’s earnings in hard currency and boosting our profile as an exporter of things other than crude oil. Sesame seeds are also crushed by domestic oil mills for its oil which experts say is free of harmful cholesterol. Other opportunities for women and youths in agriculture are in catering, the processing of soybeans into several products such as soya milk, and milling it for its excellent oil, which is recognized world-wide as a health booster. Investing in irrigation farming in any of the irrigation facilities across the country is another opportunity. Doing so will boost food production in the country. Fish and rabbit farming are as lucrative and money spinning as growing sugarcane or using highquality cassava flour for the production of confectionaries. Indeed, many women and youths have taken to these aspects of agribusinesses through which they contribute to the nutrition intakes of their fellow citizens, growing the economy, and at the individual level, laughing to the bank. Thus, ATA is making the desired impact. Salisu Na’inna Dambatta is of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Organic farming: Recipe for healthy vegetables, soil By Mohammed Kandi

irst and foremost, vegetables nurtured under organic system remain the best, producing far more high yields, healthy plants and nutritious harvests in all ramifications. Organic growing (farming), according to experts, looks at the interrelationships of all living organisms and works in concert with the cycles of nature, where crops are naturally grown without any chemically induced procedure such as synthetic fertilizers, synthetic pesticides and genetically modified organisms

(GMOs). In fact, some farmers observed that organic growing keeps the soil and environment healthy by using composting, green manures, and crop rotation, as well as natural methods of pest and insect control. Moreover, some nutritionists posits that organic vegetables have more vitamins and minerals, don’t contain unhealthy chemical residues and contribute to better soil, water and air quality. They also taste better too. However, most Nigerians are today carried away by the sudden “media hype” on fertilizer applications and gradually

becoming familiar with organic farming. Thus most people still opt for vegetables that are grown with the use of harmful pesticides. We all need to be concerned about what we eat and how it is being produced; hence a lot of diseases come from foods or, worse, contribute to their development. We all need safe food to stay healthy. Organic farming builds healthier soil Organic methods restore soil health by adding compost and manure and creating a healthy balance of nutrients. But, conventional farming methods

increase harvests for the first few seasons, but then the soil becomes depleted. Synthetic fertilisers replace macronutrients, but trace minerals are not replaced; pesticides kill “good” microorganisms - necessary to maintain soil health - along with the “bad”. Organic products contains more Vitamins and Minerals Healthier soil means healthier vegetables. Research has shown that organic vegetables contain more of certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C. Organic farms respect the water resources

Water quality is threatened by fertiliser and pesticide runoff from farms and gardens. In the UK, for instance, it costs about 128m euros annually to lower the levels of pesticides in drinking water to an acceptable level. Organic growing is good business As people realise the health and environmental benefits of growing food naturally, organic vegetables are becoming more main stream. Organic growing is being embraced by big businesses worldwide. Global sales of organic food are rising at the rate of about 10 percent yearly.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

PAGE 31

Meles Zenawi Asres TRIBUTE By Abdulkadir Isa

he essence of leadership is to impact positively on the electorate. Leaders always want to be remembered for the services they rendered to their people, and this varies because every society comes with its kind of challenge. Many leaders develop concepts or policies to serve as roadmaps at the implementation stage. We hear about "rescue missions", "visions," "common " and "uncommon transformations" and so on. But results remain the yardstick to measure the success level because it is actually the only thing that matters. People succeed because they are not afraid of trying, and don't want to fail. Even within one family circle, there are faces you always want to impress; people you want smiles all over their faces; with the reward being that feeling of fulfilment that greets you especially when you are directly responsible for the smiles. World over, we have seen leaders come and go, but only a handful stood by their words, out of which many have been accused of regional, ethnic or racial stance - quality true leaders shouldn't possess. August 20th 2012, Africa lost a rare gem. Best among equals was Ethiopia Prime Minister Meles Zenawi Asres. Until his death, he was a motivator, selfless and inspirational leader, and above all, an ambassador of peace. Unlike other leaders, past and present, Zenawi will be remembered for countless roles he played in impacting positively on the lives of many. His campaign spreads across ethnicity, geography or even the colour of one's eyes. The selflessness in him came to limelight in 1975 when he dropped out of school as a second year medical student at the then Haile Selassie University, now Addis Ababa University to pursue a better life for Ethiopians. Zenawi was born in Adwa, in northern Ethiopia to an Ethiopian father and an Eritrean mother from Adi quala. This for sure says a lot about his neutrality in the roles he played in African politics. He wanted his voice to be heard so he opted to get to the topmost level in decision making circle. He brought like minds together to form the Tigrayan Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) in 1974 and months later, founded the Marxist-Lennist league of Tigray. The fearless man in him

Late Zenawi made him adopt the name of the university student and fellow, De guerre Meles who was executed by Mengistu Hailemarian in 1975. In this move, a brave and courageous revolutionary was born. This showed his readiness to die for his people and justifiably added to his credence. We in the media see Zenawi as a leading luminary and will always remember him as the man who did not only bring freedom to the press, but the first to allow for the operation of private-owned press in Ethiopia. It was his idea from inception that the private community play a role in information dissemination. This single act brought about a facelift in Ethiopian politics. As expected, more voices were heard, information dissemination was faster and easier to access thereby striking a balance in the polity. In 1991, Zenawi led the Transitional Government of Ethiopia (TGE), a position that succeeded his leadership of both the Tigrayan Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Front (EPRDF).

He kick started his regime with the introduction of a multi-party political system. He saw the need for wider participation in politics; his interest for the involvement of the people in governance at all levels was evident. Efforts were made to enlighten the populace in public participation and this was attained with the help of the private media he licenced. It was an awakening period for Ethiopians; a sense of belonging was established and consolidated. The sincerity of purpose was glaring as words were matched with action by his administration. He created an avenue for debate, dialogue and communication. He understood the politics and knew that what was missing was a platform. Platform that facilitates the mining of perception based on facts from the locals. In this move, there became the need for delegated representation at grassroots level, paving way for ethnic gerrymandering. This can best be described as an ethnic-based federalism. The argument was that, it was the best alternative to constitute the federating units , as the cultural

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

heritage of the people was drew the margins amongst the people and was the most commanding platform as at then. There were criticisms from opposition parties as to their fear of domination by the majority. This is natural, but the most important feat was the involvement of the people in policy making, contrary to what was obtained by previous administrations. It was also noted that fronts at that time were ethnic based. This policy was buttressed with this quote as he said: "if you think it is a threat, it will be; if you think it a benefit, then it will be." Tension was doused when the economic policies were rolled out by his administration. Favouritism, which was the fear of the opposition was smothered immediately the administration ushered in a vibrant pathway to economic recovery. The structure of his administration's economic policies was tagged "pro-poor" by the United Nations. Zenawi initiated the concept of "Land to the tiller". This was a move directly aimed at toppling feudal monarchy. Farmlands ownership was dissolved and redistributed at local levels, engaging each and every willing farmer in Ethiopia. Evidently, the "pro-poor" policies directly reflected in the economy as "gross primary enrolment rates", a standard indicator for investment in the poor, went up to 93 percent in 2004 from 72 percent in 1990, contributing to rise in the literacy rates from 50 percent in 1997 to 63 percent in 2002. He was a health sensitive leader. The national health policy penetrated the nooks and crannies of Ethiopia. According to a UNICEF report, "child mortality rates have declined by 40 percent since his administration took charge". His wife, Azeb Mesfin led the campaign against the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS, she was latter crowned "legacy of a dream" for this role. Indeed the first family was a team. It was the reign of Zenawi that empowered locals to own companies with introduction of "endowment companies". This concept was agro-processing based, it was aimed at

He understood the politics and knew that what was missing was a platform. Platform that facilitates the mining of perception based on facts from the locals. In this move, there became the need for delegated representation at grassroots level, paving way for ethnic gerrymandering.

supplementing the processing requirements of cash crops for exports and wholly indigenous. This paid-off immediately as two years after kick-off; Ethiopia became the second largest exporter of flower in Africa. Meles also championed the first market exchange program called Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX), meant to revolutionize the inefficient market, which it did. The education sector got most of his attention. It involved a whole scale approachquantity and quality. Latest statistics shows that, in 1991, only 27 percent of Ethiopian children attended school, but in 2007 gross enrolment rate was up 77 percent and 85 at present. Zenawi was a culturally attracted fellow; he introduced the policy of decentralization of language system in Ethiopia. Under this policy, children were taught using their own languages and further encouraged to develop their languages. He was dogged about maintaining the heritage of the people. This icon was a friend of the environment and even debated with Tony Blair on the implementation of the cap and trade agreement. He was as 'friend of chair' at the 15th conference of the political parties (COP15), and on 31st August 2009, Zenawi was appointed Chair of the African Heads ofa State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC). His efforts in peace building was bold, the campaign for a peaceful Somalia was singlehandedly shouldered against the opposition in Ethiopia. Sudan also had a slice of his mediating prowess. The continent of Africa cannot forget this. This pillar never had a manifesto, all he wanted was development; development in the real sense of the word, covering all spheres of lifefinancial, co-existence, economic, religious etc. As demonstrated in both policy and implementation. The whole of Zenawi's life was charity, struggle, and capacity development for the common man. He was an exemplary leader, a man of vision, hope, who dusted idle hearts, energized weak minds and consolidated his efforts by taking a neutral stand, home and abroad. The departure of this altruistic man has created a vacuum. He was the pegin the hole that kept the hopeless man breathing; he was the conductor of zero to hero. World leaders from far and near wept at his funeral, a reflection of what he lived for. You have left Africa with the daunting task of replacing you, a result oriented mediator. Rest in peace, Meles Zenawi.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

PAGE 32

Somali MPs electing new president in historic vote

warlords vote. It is the first time in many years that a president will be chosen on Somali soil - a sign of improving security. However, the al-Qaeda linked group, al-Shabab, still controls many southern and central parts of the country, and has staged frequent suicide attacks in the capital since it

was driven out of Mogadishu last year by African Union troops and progovernment forces. Current Islamist President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, in power since 2009, is regarded as one of the favourites among the 22 candidates. The president's opponents have accused him of corruption - a charge he has repeatedly denied.

Outgoing Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali is seen as one of his strongest challengers, along with former Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullah Farmajo. All the candidates are men and they also include several former ministers, academics and moderate Islamists. Analysts say the election is likely to be decided by the clan structure, which remains a huge factor in Somali life. However there are also reports of votes being sold. The BBC's Daud Aweis in Mogadishu describes a mood of real excitement in the city. The election is being broadcast live on several local TV stations, and is being streamed live on an official feed. As well as the tight security checks, the election was also delayed by the swearing-in of the last batch of MPs and then a vote on whether a group of disputed MPs, including former warlords, could take part. The MPs voted in favour. To win in the first round of voting, a candidate needs to secure a two-thirds majority. If no candidate achieves that, the four best-placed candidates go through to a second round, when again a two-thirds majority is needed.

a new president, the first of its kind in decades, would alter the political landscape of the nation and be a milestone in the warravaged country's quest to end two decades of violence, corruption and infighting. However, the bribery allegations confirm fears of the election being rigged. Earlier, international diplomatic sources told Al Jazeera

that "if MPs don't vote with their conscience, this will continue the orgy of corruption". The incumbent president, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, is up against 25 candidates including prominent Somalis who have returned from overseas. Among his strongest rivals is prime minister, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, and the main opposition figure, Hassan Sheikh.

If no one candidate secures a two-thirds majority in the first round of voting and a simple majority in the second, the election would go to a third round. Al Jazeera's Nazanine Moshiri, reporting from Mogadishu, said: "I have spoken to a senior diplomatic source as well as various MPs and people connected to the technical selection committee as well.

South Africa miners stage march any workers of South

Africa's Marikana mine have marched in protest over poor, defying a deadline to return to work. The bulk of the 3,000 members of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) - who led the socalled wildcat strike - have continued their protest. At least 34 men died when police opened fire on August 16 on striking workers at the Lonmin PLC-operated platinum mine, located in North West province. Hundreds of striking miners marched on Monday in defiance of the agreement signed by the mine management and the main National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). Al Jazeera's Mike Hanna, reporting on Monday from Rustenburg, 100km north of Johannesburg, said the loss of income for the mine companies as a result of the strike, which has severely hampered operations, has been "massive". "Lonmin says as well that in total they are losing about a 100m a month in operating profit," he said. Frans Baleni, NUM general secretary, told Al Jazeera that a high level of intimidation has stopped many miners from returning to work. "The workers are still scared. There have been threats that those who have reported for duty would have their homes torched," he said. "Some of the workers also feel threatened by their managers. Peace has not really prevailed at this stage, which is the main reason why workers would stay away." The workers, who have been on strike for a month, have vowed to stay off the job until they receive wages of 12,500 rand ($1,500) a month, double what they now earn. Negotiations on the wage demand between the mine management, unions and the arbitration commission were set to take place at noon on Monday. "If workers don't come to work, we will still pursue the peace path. That is very, very necessary for us to achieve because this level of intimidation and people fearing for their lives obviously does not help anybody," Barnard Mokwena, Lonmin's executive vicepresident in charge of human resources, said. "For now it is a fragile process and we need to nurture it."

Election campaigns are a novelty in Somalia

omalia's parliament has started choosing a new president, in the latest step to end decades of war. The newly elected MPs have convened at a police academy in Mogadishu for the secret ballot. The process began five hours late, following tight security checks and a wrangle about whether to let former

omalia's presidential elections have been marred by allegations of bribery, with up to $50,000 said to have changed hands among members of parliament, Al Jazeera has learnt. Senior diplomatic sources deployed in the region to ensure honest and fair election, have confirmed that the process of vote buying has been under way over the last few days. It was hoped that the vote for

...Asbribery allegations blight election

Swedes Schibbye and Persson â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;pardonedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by Ethiopia

t least 30 people have been killed in renewed ethnic clashes in south-east Kenya. Children and policemen were among those killed in an attack on a village by hundreds of people. Nearly 100 people have now been killed in the clashes in the eastern Tana River district since last month. Rival ethnic groups have been involved in tit-for-tat violence over cattle-grazing rights in the region, one of the poorest in Kenya. The Red Cross said that in this

latest violence, Kilelengwani village was attacked on Monday by more than 300 people, who set fire to 167 houses. "The bodies have not been removed from the ground... The situation is getting dangerous, something needs to be done urgently," Kenya Red Cross chief Abbas Gullet said in a statement. Mr Gullet put the death toll at 39, saying eight children were among the dead. A police spokesman told the BBC that 30 people had been killed, including eight policemen.

Johan Persson (L) and Martin Schibbye (R) have always maintained their innocence

Kenya Tana River renewed ethnic clashes kill 30

cattle-grazing rights in the region, one of the poorest in Kenya. The Red Cross said that in this latest violence, Kilelengwani village was attacked on Monday by more than 300 people, who set fire to 167 houses. "The bodies have not been removed from the ground... The situation is getting dangerous, something needs to be done urgently," Kenya Red Cross chief Abbas Gullet

said in a statement. Mr Gullet put the death toll at 39, saying eight children were among the dead. A police spokesman told the BBC that 30 people had been killed, including eight policemen. Last month more than 50 people were killed in the fighting and a further 12 died last week. It is the worst violence to hit Kenya since disputed presidential elections

in 2007. The Orma and Pokomo communities have a long history of tension over access to land and water. The Pokomo are mostly farmers, while the Orma are semi-nomadic cattle-herders. Some analysts say there may be a link between the violence and parliamentary and presidential elections which are due in March 2013.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Asia and Middle East

raq's vice-president has rejected his death sentence given by a Baghdad criminal court that found him guilty of masterminding the killing of two people. Tareq al-Hashemi denounced the verdict, which was handed down in absentia on Sunday, as "politically motivated" during a press conference in Turkey on Monday. Hashemi, who fled the country after Iraq's Shia-led government authorities had accused him in December of running a death squad, repeated his claim of innocence and said that he would not return to Iraq within 30 days as demanded by the court. "Yesterday Prime Minister [Nouri] al-Maliki and his judicary concluded the final phase of the theatrical campaign against me using a kangaroo court set up for this purpose. It was really a shambles," he said. "Therefore, while reconfirming my and my guards' absolute innocence, I totally reject and will never recognise the unfair, the unjust, the politically motivated verdict." Hashem's case sparked a crisis in Iraq's government and has fuelled Sunni Muslim and Kurdish resentment against Maliki, who critics say is monopolising power. Hashemi himself has dismissed the charges against him as a political vendetta pursued by Maliki, his longtime rival. The Baghdad courtroom was silent as the presiding judge read out the verdict convicting Hashemi and his son-in-law of organising the murders of a Shia

PAGE 33

Iraq vice-president rejects death sentence Muslim security official and a lawyer who had refused to help Hashemi's allies in terror cases. The court sentenced both men in absentia to death by hanging; they have 30 days to appeal the

verdict. The judge said Hashemi was acquitted in a third case linked to the killing of another security officer, due to a lack of evidence. The defence team began its

closing statement with a searing indictment of the judicial system, accusing it of losing its independence and siding with the Shia-led government. "From the beginning and

Yemen â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;kills key al-Qaeda leader Said al-Shihriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Hashemi dismissed the Baghdad court's verdict as 'the final phase of a theatrical campaign [Reuters]

Deadly car bomb hits Pakistan's northwest

ecurity forces in Yemen have killed Said al-Shihri, described as the second-incommand of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), government officials say. A Yemeni government website said al-Shihri was a Saudi national who was released by the US from detention in Guantanamo Bay in 2007. Al-Shihri was reportedly killed in the Hadramawt area of southern Yemen. The army has been fighting Islamic militants in the area for months. The Yemeni ministry of defence website said al-Shihri was killed along with six other militants in an army operation, but gave no further details. Official sources in Yemen told the BBC the death occurred in an air raid in the Wadi Ain area of Hadramawt. Military sources, however, said it had no information of the death and refused to confirm it. But the sources did confirm that the area was subject to air raids. The US, which has labelled AQAP as the most dangerous branch of alQaeda, has operated drone attacks in the region previously.

Hong Kong's prodemocracy leader steps down

car bomb targeting security forced has exploded at a market in northwest Pakistan, killing at least 11 people and wounding more than 40 others, officials say. The blast struck near a convoy of security forces in Parachinar town of Kurram district, senior administration official Sahibzada Mohammad Anis said. "The death toll is 11," Anis said, updating the earlier figure of 10. There are more than 40 wounded, 20 of them are in serious condition, he added. The blast also destroyed 30 shops and damaged 50 others in the busy commercial area, Anis said, adding that the site was littered with rubble, concrete slabs, and twisted metal. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, but the Pakistani Taliban have staged similar attacks. "A large number of people were present in the market when the blast took place," tribesman Dildar Hussain told the Reuters news agency by telephone. "Most of those killed and injured were the poor people selling vegetable and fresh fruits on their push-carts."

through all procedures, it has become obvious that the Iraqi judicial system has been under political pressure," attorney Muayad Obeid al-Ezzi, the head of the defence team, told the court.

Official sources in Yemen told the BBC the death occurred in an air raid in Wadi Ain

Pro-Beijing and pro-establishment parties appear to have held their ground in Sunday's election [Reuters]

he leader of Hong Kong's Democratic Party has stepped down after the party performed poorly in the country's legislative elections, despite a high turnout and strong support for full democracy. Despite the poor showing, election results on Monday gave the pro-democracy camp the "critical minority" it needs to veto constitutional amendments before a crucial debate about universal suffrage in the coming four-year term of the legislature. The results mean the Civic Party with five seats, up from four previously, overtakes the Democratic Party as the biggest pro-democracy party in the legislature, with almost all the votes counted. Official results showed that the Democracy Party won only four seats, down from eight, in the new 70-seat assembly, prompting Albert Ho, chairman, to offer an emotional apology to the party faithful, according to AFP news agency.

PAGE 34

Europe and Americas Mexico violence scares away tourists

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Chicago school teachers go on strike

Rahm Emanuel and the city's school board. Around 29,000 teachers and other staff are expected to take part in the strike voted for by 90 per cent of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) earlier this year. CTU Vice President Jesse Sharkey told Al Jazeera by phone that teachers began the strike on Monday by forming picket lines at schools across Chicago.

"Nobody who works with children everyday takes the responsibility lightly," Sharkey said. "This is weighing heavy on minds of the union and its members. "But we feel schools are important enough to fight for and that's what's behind the strike. We're going to work very hard to get it resolved quickly," Sharkey said. Emanuel, who served as President Barack Obama's chief of

staff, described on Sunday the strike as "unnecessary" and unfair to Chicago's children. David Vitale, Chicago school board president, said on Sunday night: "We believe that we have put on the table an agreement that should satisfy most of their needs if not all of their needs. "We have moved dramatically from where we were earlier this year to meet [teachers' needs] - we do not want a strike." Eve Rivera, a mother whose four children attend Chicago public schools on the city's south side, told Al Jazeera over phone that she, like many parents, had heard about the possibility of the strike for months but thought it "wouldn't happen". She said that she does not blame the teachers for the strike. "Kids have suffered not because of teachers because of government," Rivera said. "Schools have been closed down, they shove students in one classroom and teachers still show up." Chicago has closed dozens of schools in recent years, and is expected to close many more. Emanuel wants to expand the number of charter schools, which are publicly funded but privately run. Most charter schools are nonunion and the teachers' union argues that the city is draining funds from public schools for charters.

formal organisation that backed him, the Movement for National Regeneration. The motives for the break were not clear, but it could complicate efforts for the left to rally again around a single candidate as it has in every election since 1988. Lopez Obrador has been the most prominent figure within the Democratic Revolution in recent years, one of only two people it has ever run for the presidency since forming in the wake of the fraudtainted 1988 election. Still, he has not been able to dominate the structure of the party, which has suffered through bitter internal feuds, many of which Lopez Obrador's faction has lost.

Lopez Obrador, who turns 59 in November, was one of many political figures who abandoned the ruling

Institutional Revolutionary Party in 1988 to support the candidacy of Cuauhtemoc Cardenas.

orthern Mexico's Copper Canyon is considered one of the world's most spectacular landscapes. But the site is also located in the middle of Mexico's druggrowing heartland, so it is struggling to attract tourists. Drug-related violence in Chihuahua state, home to the canyon, has prompted the US to issue a travel warning that has scared away many potential visitors.

Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hollande outlines sweeping new taxes

rance's Socialist President Francois Hollande pledged 30 billion euros in new taxes and savings to balance the budget and fund a turnaround in two years, and rejected criticism of dragging his feet. The pledge, made to the nation in a prime time television interview, comes four months into his presidency as tumbling ratings and talk of inertia have forced him to become more proactive on the economy. "I am in a battle and will not look back," he said. "I am setting up a calendar ... two years to create a policy for work and competitiveness. I am accelerating," he said. Hollande's remarks were clearly aimed at turning around perceptions that he is not moving fast enough. "I know where I am going. I will assume all the responsibility and I will talk regularly to the French people," he said. He also said a 75 per cent wealth tax on incomes over one million euros ($1.28 million) would not be diluted. Hollande, whose immediate challenge will be to find $38.40bn in savings in the 2013 budget, said the government would lower its growth forecast to 0.8 per cent from 1.2 per cent for next year. Hollande - who has famously said he does not "like the rich" - said $10bn would come from additional taxes on households "especially the well-heeled", 10 billion more from businesses and 10 billion from savings in government spending. It would be the biggest hike in three decades. The budget is expected to be the most austere in 30 years as France tries to hit a deficit target of 3 per cent of gross domestic product next year or risk losing investors' trust. It will be presented at a September 28 Cabinet meeting, which has been pushed back by two days to allow for Hollande's trip to the United Nations' General Assembly in New York.

Young students march in support of Chicago teachers in advance of Monday's strike [Reuters]

hicago school teachers have gone on strike for the first time in 25 years demanding better pay, health benefits and more resources to serve students in the third-largest school district in the US. Monday's strike comes less than one week after the start of the school year and after months of failed negotiations between the Chicago Teachers Union, Chicago Mayor

Ex-candidate quits Mexico leftist party

he man who led Mexico's main leftist party in the past two presidential elections has announced he is leaving it behind and may start a new party, throwing uncertainty over the future of the nation's political left. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told supporters at a rally at Mexico City's main plaza on Sunday that he is leaving the Democratic Revolution Party "on the best of terms". He also announced he is leaving the smaller Labor Party and Citizens' Movement, which also backed him in the July presidential election, when he finished second. Lopez Obrador said he would begin consultations that would create a new party out of another, less

Obrador said he will begin consultations that would create a new party out of another, less formal organisation [AFP]

Alps shootings: Bomb squad visits Saad al-Hilli home

rmy bomb disposal experts have visited the Surrey home of a British man, shot dead with his wife, mother-in-law and a cyclist in the French Alps last week. Neighbours of Saad al-Hilli in Claygate were evacuated as items

in a garden shed were examined but police later said they were not "hazardous". Meanwhile, French police have confirmed the death of Mr al-Hilli's 74-year old mother-in-law, but have not named her. The al-Hillis' eldest daughter

Surrey Police called the Army bomb disposal unit after concerns over items found in the garden shed

Zainab has been brought out of a coma. The seven-year-old was shot and injured during the attack last week. Her four-year-old sister, Zeena, has returned to the UK. Zeena lay undiscovered for eight hours after her parents, her grandmother, and a local cyclist died in Wednesday's attack in Chevaline. French and British investigators, including Surrey Police firearms officers, started examining the Claygate home of Mr al-Hilli, 50, on Saturday as part of an attempt to establish a motive for the murders which took place during the family's camping holiday. Officers from the Royal Logistics Corps bomb disposal unit arrived at the family home after concerns were raised by Surrey Police. They spent about two hours at the property before leaving shortly after midday. An extended cordon, put up

around the property while the explosives experts were there, has since been relaxed and residents have returned to their homes. Surrey Police said: "The items were found... when the search of the property was extended from the main building to outbuildings in the garden. A bomb disposal unit was called to the scene to carry out an assessment as a precautionary measure." A cordon around the house and gardens will remain in place as the search of the property continues. Surrey Police said earlier that the investigation is French-led, with British officers facilitating requests rather than following their own leads. On Sunday, French prosecutor Eric Maillaud has said seven-yearold Zainab is still under sedation and will not be able to be questioned for several more days.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

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The Daily Caller giving away guns T

his week, the winner of the free gun has to help catch a hacker.The Daily Caller website has been giving away guns for about 10 weeks now, and for weeks 11 and 12, they are trying to track down someone who hacked their page. If you'd like to win an American-made FMK 9C1 hand gun, you'll have to fill out the form on the Daily Caller's site, and supply information leading to the person responsible for putting "unsafe" ads on their front page. First, if you're the first person to find our hacker and turn his name over to us, we'll give you a gun. We realize this may seem like a daunting task, but we believe it can be done. You'll have only 2 weeks to complete your mission, and

we wish you good luck. For all of you readers out there who aren't Internet sleuths we have a second way to win: Write an essay telling us what you think we should do with the hacker when we find him. We'll give a prize to the person with the funniest and most inventive ideas for how The DC should repay this jerk. Enter your essay in the box on this form, and please note that the winning essay will be published on The Daily Caller at the end of the contest.

Cocaine-stuffed roast chicken nets arrest in Nigeria

uthorities in Nigeria say they arrested a man at an international airport who was bringing in roasted chicken with unusual stuffing: $150,000 worth of cocaine. National Drug Law Enforcement Agency spokesman Mitchell Ofoyeju said Monday that suspect Vincent Chegini Chinweuwa arrived at Lagos' Murtala Muhammed International Airport this weekend from Sao Paolo in Brazil. Ofoyeju said Chinweuwa told investigators he had hoped to start a business in Nigeria with the drug money. Chinweuwa could not immediately be reached for comment as he remained in

custody of the anti-drug agency Monday. Ofoyeju said Chinweuwa had yet to hire a lawyer.

Nigeria is a major transit point for drugs coming from Latin America and going to Europe and the US.

New iPhone app saves you from horrible dates

f you're on a dreadful date, don't fear: there's an app for that. Dating site eHarmony.com now offers a free iPhone "Bad Date Rescue" app that can fake an incoming call to help you somewhat politely bail out on the situation, Reuters reported. "There are all sorts of reasons for why people would want to get out of a date," Arvind Mishra, director of product management at eHarmony, told Reuters. "We can all sympathize because we have all been on bad dates in our lifetime." The app, which launched this week, allows users to choose a personal contact to "call" their phone during a date. To make it believable, pre-recorded

messages with prompts include a boss who wants help immediately or a neighbor with a leaky pipe. Plus, if the contact has a photo, it will even show up during the call. Users can schedule the call ahead of time to play it safe. But if the date takes an unexpected turn, a quick rescue option can immediately activate a call.

iPhones come to the rescue on your bad date.

Woman keeps dead friend’s New East village café sells only tap water olecule in the East drink bleach? No one wants to Shots of vitamins, mixtures of corpse for two years Village filters New drink bleach. So that's my herbs and roots and even pH

Michigan woman kept the corpse of her dead friend and roommate in their home for nearly two years because she did not wish to be alone, according to a report. When police officers visited the Jackson home of Linda Chase on July 6, the 71year-old told them that she had kept the mummified body of her roommate, Charles Zigler, in a chair, the Jackson Citizen Patriot reported. Chase told the newspaper that she

often talked to her silent companion and watched NASCAR races with him. She said she kept his corpse dressed and clean. "I didn't want to be alone," Chase said. "He was the only guy who was ever nice to me." Zigler's body was discovered after concerned relatives called police. Zigler's son Walter said he had made several attempts to visit his ailing father but was refused entry by Chase.

Man accused of writing bomb threat on Job application

f you be quiet and help me, you won't die," note said A Nebraska man was busted for listing more than references on his job application. Jason Dornhoff was arrested after allegedly writing a bomb threat on the back of a job application for a restaurant in Kearney, Omaha.com reported. "I have no money, a hung bomb in my truck, and a syringe of bleach that

will kill you instantly. If you be quiet and help me, you won't die," he allegedly wrote. After an employee called police, the man admitted using meth earlier that day, police said in an arrest report. Dornhoff's vehicle was searched but did not contain any of the items outlined in the note. He was charged with making terroristic threats and threatening the use of explosives

York tap water through a custom device and then sells it for $2.50 per 16ounce glass. The $25,000 machine makes "pharmaceutical-grade water" using a seven-stage process to produce "pure h20," according to the shop's website. A spokesman for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection told The Wall Street Journal that New York tap water is already renowned for its quality. "Public health experts agree that New York City tap water is among the safest, highest quality in the world, a standard we confirm through more than 500,000 tests each year," he said. But Molecule founder Adam Ruhf dismissed that claim. "I don't want chemicals in my water. I don't even want chlorine in my water. Chlorine is like bleach. Do you want to

opinion on New York tap water," Ruhf told the Journal. In addition to being cleaner, Ruhf claimed his water tastes better. He said the taste difference is "subtle, but if you have a sensitive palate you can totally tell." He called his water "fluffy" and said it finishes smoothly.

infusions can be added to orders of the artisanal water. "It's about treating water a little more consciously, mindfully and respectfully," the 32-year-old owner added. "We are trying to change the way people think about water." But some critics weren't buying it.

New York is filled with trendy single-item restaurants, but this new water-only café might take the cake, if only it sold any.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

People can be fat and fit – study N

early half of fat people are just as healthy as slim people - and at no more risk of developing heart problems or cancer, researchers claim. Doing exercise can offset the dangers of being obese, the researchers found. The study - which is the largest of its kind - abolishes the notion that obesity automatically leads to ill-health. It shows that some fat people manage to remain ‘metabolically healthy’ even though their body mass index would suggest they are not. They have less risk of dying prematurely than unhealthy obese people and up to half the risk of developing or dying from heart disease or cancer. Other research suggests that, among those with heart problems, those who are underweight or even normal weight are actually worse off than those who are fat. Overweight and obese people should not fight the flab after having a heart attack because they are more likely to outlive their leaner counterparts, the new data says. The controversial findings come as Britain grapples with an obesity epidemic, with almost a quarter of Britons classified as obese and around half overweight. But an international study of 43,265 people shows people can be obese but metabolically healthy and fit, with as much chance of keeping cardiovascular disease and cancer at bay as normal weight people. Obese people who are metabolically healthy don’t suffer from conditions such as insulin resistance, diabetes and high cholesterol or blood pressure and are fitter, as measured by how well the heart and lungs perform, than other obese people. The new study, which recruited Americans between 1979 and 2003 who underwent fitness tests, found 46 per cent of the obese recruits were metabolically healthy. They had a 38 per cent lower risk of death from any cause than

their metabolically unhealthy obese peers, and the same risk as healthy, normal weight participants. The risk of developing or dying from heart disease or cancer was reduced by between 30-50 per cent for metabolically healthy, obese people, compared with fat unhealthy people, and was similar to those of normal weight. Study leader Dr Francisco Ortega said ‘It is well known that obesity is linked to a large number of chronic disease such as cardiovascular problems and cancer. ‘However, there appears to be a sub-set of obese people who seem to be protected from obesity-related metabolic complications. ‘Our study suggests that

Fat but fit? Dr Ortega said not all obese people have the same prognosis

metabolically healthy but obese people have a better fitness level than the rest of obese individuals. ‘We believe that getting more exercise broadly and positively influences major body systems and organs and consequently contributes to make someone metabolically healthier, including obese people. ‘In our study, we measure fitness, which is largely influenced by exercise.’ Dr Ortega is a research associate at the Department of Physical Activity and Sport, University of Granada, Spain), and at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, but the investigation took place at the University of South Carolina, USA. Dr Ortega said ‘Physicians should take into consideration that not all obese people have the same prognosis. Physician could assess fitness, fatness and metabolic markers to do a better estimation of the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer of obese patients. ‘Our data support the idea that interventions might be more urgently needed in metabolically unhealthy and unfit obese people, since they are at a higher risk. This research highlights once again the important role of physical fitness as a health marker.’ The findings are published online today in the European Heart Journal. A second study which analysed data from 64,000 heart patients in Sweden provides new evidence supporting the ‘obesity paradox’, which means fat patients with heart disease have ‘paradoxically’ better outcomes and survival than thinner patients. The greatest risk of dying was among the underweight and morbidly obese, who have the very highest levels of obesity. The lowest risk of death was found among overweight and obese patients, said researcher Dr Oskar Angerås, consultant cardiologist at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. He said it was well known that

People can be obese but metabolically healthy and fit, found an international study. maintaining a healthy weight could help avoid heart problems. But advice to overweight and obese patients who have already developed heart problems to lose weight was wide of the mark as it might have a ‘negative effect’. Excess weight may help because patients have more reserves to fight chronic disease than thinner patients. Amy Thompson, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: ‘In the majority of cases, obesity is an undeniable risk factor for developing coronary heart disease. However, these studies

remind us that it is not always your weight that’s important, but where you carry fat and also how it affects your health and fitness. ‘It is particularly important to be aware of your weight if you are carrying excess fat around your middle. The fat cells here are really active, producing toxic substances that cause damage which can lead to heart disease. Maintaining a healthy diet with lots of physical activity can help to slim you down as well as reduce your risk of heart health problems.’ Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Migraines not tied to greater weight gain D espite what some research has suggested, women with migraines may have no greater risk of becoming overweight than other women do, a large study finds. Some studies, though not all, have found a connection between excess pounds and a higher rate of migraine. But they have mainly studied people at one point in time - leaving it unclear whether the pounds or the migraines came first. “Our study should be reassuring that having migraine is not associated with future increase in relative body weight or obesity,” researcher Dr. Tobias Kurth, of the French national research institute

INSERM and the University of Bordeaux, told Reuters Health by email. In the new study, researchers looked at data from the Women’s Health Study, a long-term clinical trial that began following thousands of U.S. women in the mid-1990s. Overall, women who had migraines at the outset were no more likely than other women to become overweight or obese over the next 13 years. And the average weight gain in both groups was almost identical, at around 10 pounds. “We do not see convincing data that migraine should be considered a risk factor for the development of obesity,” Kurth said.

In theory, migraines could contribute to weight gain indirectly. Frequent or severe headaches could keep a person from regular exercise, for example. But the new findings, reported in the journal Cephalalgia, do not support that theory. The results are based on 19,162 female health professionals who were age 45 or older, and normal-weight, when they entered the study. Almost 3,500 reported a history of migraines. Over the next 13 years, 41 percent of those women became overweight, while about 4 percent became obese. The odds of becoming obese were no

greater among women with a history of migraine, and the risk of becoming overweight was only slightly higher - 11 percent. Severe migraines did not seem to carry a risk of extra pounds, either, Kurth’s team found. Women who had migraines weekly to daily were at no greater risk of becoming overweight or obese than those whose migraines came a few times a year. The study did not look at the question in the other direction: Are overweight or obese women at increased risk of migraines, or more severe ones? “This is still possible,” Kurth said. “In fact, several studies have now shown that obesity is

associated with increased migraine frequency.” There is also some evidence tying obesity to an elevated risk of developing migraines in the first place, Kurth said. But, he added, the prevalence of migraine has remained stable in recent decades, while obesity rates have soared. So it would not seem “reasonable” to assume obesity is causing cases of migraine, Kurth said. A limit of the study, the researchers say, is that all of the women were at least 45 years old at the start, and still normalweight at that point. So it’s not clear if the findings would be the same for young women. Source: Reuters.com

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

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Yuguda has failed the people of Bauchi, says state CPC scribe INTERVIEW

hy do you have leadership crisis in your party both at the national and state levels? You know most of CPC problems were sponsored by PDP (Peoples Democratic Party). It is the PDP’s agents that are fuelling crises in the CPC. I can say there is little friction in the CPC but we don’t have leadership crisis in Bauchi. If not for the court case we have with Shehu Barau Ningi, everybody knows about the organized leadership of the state CPC led by Aliyu Sai’du. General (Muhammadu) Buhari identified himself with us; the national leadership of the party recognized our leadership and you have seen in this Press Conference that we were accompanied by who is who in the CPC like Baba Garba Gadi, Chief of Staff to the National Chairman of CPC, Captain Bala Jibrin National auditor of CPC, all gubernatorial candidates and all members of State and National are with us. We are united. Why did you have the crises in the first place? The CPC crises was sponsored by the ruling PDP to scuttle our party to destabilize us, because they are afraid and they think we will capture power from them. But now, we have identified the people sponsored by the PDP among us and both at the national and state level we are doing our best to become one united family. What prompted the press conference by CPC in the state We came here to hold a press conference to express our concern about how the present administration is running the state as well as to react to the way the Bauchi State government is running the affairs of the state including the recent comment made by Governor Isa Yuguda where he claimed to have executed some projects in Bauchi State. In fact, many of the things he claimed to have executed were not projects on the ground. First the government had awarded the contract for the renovation of State House of Assembly since 2008 but the contract is still ongoing because only one chamber of the House was renovated and none of the principal officers

Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Dogarai Ningi, Bauchi State Caretaker Committee Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in this interview with our Bauchi Correspondent, Ahmed Kaigama, scores Governor Isa Yuguda low in performance just as he alleges that the crises in the opposition party, both at states and national levels are being sponsored by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Governor Isa Yuguda in the House has office. You can go and check and ask the members. We have first hand information from our members; we were there; we saw things for ourselves. Secondly, he claimed to have built a College of Medicine in Bauchi state, everybody knows that there is no such college. Take for instance, what he called legacy projects like building specialist Hospital, airport roads and many all these were still ongoing projects even though he claimed to have given them 70% down payment; but the projects have yet to reach appreciable level. Some of them were turned to be undertaken through direct labour by the state’s ministry of Special Duties; because for now it’s difficult for the government to pay salary of workers they pay between middle and second week of next month. To be candid, the serious problem of this administration, to my understanding, is lack of focus, insincerity and lack of supervision of contracts awarded due to the reason best known to the government. This is because there were many allegations of fraud and distribution of money by government officials. They paid contractors 70% with

Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Dogarai Ningi right hand and collected the money with left hand. Take for example, on projects awarded like the case of Specialist Hospital, there is one internet news published by 247 ureport where they alleged that over N400 million was shared among government officials. The government was silent on the report and they did not deny it. They are aware of it and they didn’t even make attempt to sue the author of the report. You can get a copy of the report published as evidence. Again, we have authentic document where a senior government official collected a loan of 25million naira for personal use to be paid to private firm in Abuja. You can also collect copy of this document. You can see their

names and everything; the people whose names were mentioned did not deny to clear their names and the government too is silent. Then in the education sector, I can tell you even students in both primary secondary and tertiary institutions took lessons under the shades of trees while others still sit on the floor to take their lessons. Go to the School of Health Technology, Ningi, my home town you will see for yourself. All these problems were becoming serious because of the inability of the governor to stay in the state due to his frequent travels using public funds. Are you making all these allegations just because you are in the opposition party? Well, if it’s a mere

“

You can see the huge amount of money spent on Governor Isa Yuguda son’s wedding; the money was tax-payers’ money

allegations let the government come out and deny all that I have told you, and tell people the truth and put the record straight. All of you are in Bauchi state, you know the truth; where you don’t know I supported you with lots of authentic documents to verify my facts. And for the 247-ureport, if the report is not true let the government come out and deny. The reason why we are doing this is because of our love for our dear state, not because of we are not in power because we know that all power belongs to Allah. It’s He who gives power to whom He wishes and accept it from whom He wishes. You can see the huge amount of money spent on Governor Isa Yuguda son’s wedding; the money was tax-payers’ money. Any advice for the people of Bauchi state? Well my advice is first to the government. It’s good for them to focus and carry- out good work for the people of the state as they pledged during their electioneering campaigns. They should learn from their past mistakes, and the people of the state should continue to be patient, law abiding and work for the development of the state.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

CPC decries FG lift of DANA’s suspension By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

L-R: Members, Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdulazeez Yusuf, Senator Awaisu Kuta, Chairman, Senator Adamu Gumba, and Deputy- Chairman, Senator Mudashiru Hussain, during the committee's oversight tour of Bauchi games village, on recently in Bauchi. Photo: NAN

Mark, retired military colleagues, committed to peace By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

ormer top military officers rose from a meeting in Otukpo, Benue State on Thursday with a resolve to contribute to the peace and building bridges of understanding across the religious and ethnic divide in the country. Meeting under the aegis of 3rd Regular Course of the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), Alumni Association Annual General Meeting (AGM), the retired military officers said peace and unity of Nigeria cannot be compromised. Making the resolution known at the end of the 2012 AGM hosted by its chairman, Senator David Mark, its Publicity Secretary and former transport minister, Rear Admiral Festus Porbeni, pledged the association’s readiness to support

the present administration in the task of ensuring peace and progress of the nation. Porbeni urged Nigerians to rise above the mundane divisive tendencies and face the challenges of nation building saying that the fight against violence or terrorism in the country should be a challenge to all well meaning Nigerians saying. “As statesmen, we all have a duty to ensure that peace reigns in our communities, states and the nation at large. We cannot sit back and watch the situation deteriorate. We must come together to say no to violence. No to destruction of lives and property”. He stated. Collaborating Porbeni, former ECOMOG Commander General, Tunji Olurin, noted that there is no alternative to peace and security if Nigeria must make progress.

In his comment, former Chief of Army Staff, General Alwali Kazir, lamented the challenging Security situation in the country and urged security operatives to be more proactive in order to bring the situation under control. Kazir counseled that nobody should play the ostrich but to come out and proffer solution even as he advised government to be fair and just to all sections of the country. Welcoming his colleagues earlier, Mark implored them to continue to play the role of statesmen where ever they find themselves so that citizens can emulate them and learn to live in harmony with one another. He enjoined them to bring their wealth of knowledge and experience to bear so that the discipline and patriotism inculcated in them in the NDA could be impacted positively on the larger society.

National interest paramount in constitution amendment, says Ekweremadu By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

eputy President of the Senate and Chairman, Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has called on Nigerians and leaders at all levels of government to show statesmanship and exhibit highest level of patriotism in the on-going efforts at evolving what he described as a “people’s constitution.” This is even as he said that any attempt to reduce any matter up for amendment, to regional or ethnic rhetoric, rather than looking at it on its merits and how it would further enhance the political and economic growth of the country, would certainly not be in the interest of the country. He made these submissions at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, on Thursday, while delivering a paper, titled: “Strategies for Evolving the

People’s Constitution,” at a Presidential Retreat for Civil Society Organizations and Professional Associations, organized by the Presidency, as part of its contribution to the ongoing effort at amending the 1999 constitution. The Deputy President of the Senate, who expressed his disappointment over insinuations in some quarters that to contemplate fiscal federalism as proposed by Nigeria in their submissions to the National Assembly, was to further impoverish some parts of the country, also noted that such insinuation was not only false, but a “wrong and an unfortunate imputation of motive.” While arguing that every state in the country had no reason to be poor, with graphical details of solid minerals deposits in each of the state waiting to be harnessed, Ekweremadu said “Besides the fact that fiscal federalism was proposed

by memoranda submitted by Nigerians, it is also an inalienable feature of federalism. “Also, the decline of the nation’s economy and development recorded at the time of the nation’s agro-based economy can be directly traced to the replacement of fiscal federalism which engendered hard work and healthy competition with a ‘feeding bottle’ federalism which has continued to churn out indolence, poverty, and underdevelopment”. He added that “importantly, the table (making reference to the graphical details) shows that every part of this country is too richly endowed to be poor.” He further noted that while the lawmakers, as representatives of the people, would do everything to ensure that the review produced a constitution that would reflect the views and aspirations of Nigerians, Nigerians must be ready to abide by the spirit and letters of the constitution.

ongress for Progressive Change (CPC) has decried the decision of the federal government to lift the ban earlier placed on the DANA Air, saying it shows institutional sluggishness. In a statement issued recently by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Rotimi Fashakin, CPC said that decision was an anti-climax to the investigation process. “While we are not entirely averse to the lifting of the operational license of the Airline if there is an over-arching need to do so, it is pertinent to ask for the original purpose of suspending the Airline’s operational license.” the statement read in part. In addition, CPC questioned how the government arrived at the

conclusion of the air-worthiness of the air craft, saying that on the basis of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Act 2006, Section29 (13), after the investigation, findings of accident investigations, the Director General shall take corrective actions that, in the judgment of the Authority, will prevent similar accidents in the future. “Indeed, we have trodden this path way before as a Nation in which air disasters occurred incessantly, thereby eroding confidence in the Aviation industry despite government’s constant assurances. There is a real concern whether, with the opacity with which the Federal Government had conducted this Accident Investigation Process thus far, this is not the beginning of an incipient crisis in the Aviation Industry.” CPC stated.

Constitution Amendment: Reps want timely submission of bills to NASS Lawrence Olaoye

he House of Representatives has called on the Presidency to ensure timely transmission of executive bills on the amendment of the constitution to the National Assembly to allow thorough work them before 2015 electioneering activities take centre stage in the polity. The House said it will not wait indefinitely for the executive bills which may arise from the Justice Alpha Belgore Presidential Committee on Constitution Review and therefore urged Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, to hasten the tidying up of the committee’s report and facilitate the transmission of the ensuing bills to the National Assembly in decent time. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, in a statement on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Oke Epia stated that the House is targeting the second quarter of 2013 to conclude work on an amended constitution for the country.

Stating that an incremental approach is preferred in amending the constitution, Ihedioha said the House has resolved to “secure the buy-in of the greater majority of Nigerians on any issue that would be brought up for possible amendment” and that consensus be built on those issues. “As umpires in this process, it is our considered view that the House of Representatives at this stage should listen more to the Nigerian people rather than dictate to them.” The Deputy Speaker, who said the House Committee on Constitution Review is working in cooperation with its senate counterpart, noted that over 124 memoranda have been received from the public bordering on various burning national issues. He however said it has become critical for consensus to be built on some of these issues including security architecture, devolution of powers, structure of the federation, fiscal federalism, indigeneship/ residency, justice sector reform, the legislature, and the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy.

2nd Republic Deputy Senate President joins Plateau North Senatorial race From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

enator John Wash Pam, Second Republic Deputy Senate President has joined the race for the Plateau northern senatorial zone bye-election following the death of Senator Gyang Dantong. Pam’s posters were seen placed at the strategic places in the states which announced his intention to contest the bye-election. The former Deputy Senator President is contesting under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Also, Yakubu Pam Jack who contested the last Senatorial election under the platform of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) challenged the former occupier of the seat, late Senator Dantong, but lost the election.

Jack decamped to PDP shortly after he lost the election alleging that he heeded to his friends and political associates who advised to come back to PDP having been a founding member of the party. Senator Pam and Jack both hailed from Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of the state and are Jang’s kinsmen as well as Pwajok. However, the two contestants are to slug it out with the former Chief of Staff to Governor Jonah Jang, Mr. Gyang Pwajok at the party’s primaries though no date has been fixed for the primaries yet. It was gathered that for unknown reason, both Pam and Jack had to go to Abuja and pick their nomination forms and submit same to the National secretariat of the party. Speaking to newsmen, Pam he is sure of victory and that he is ready to challenge whoever that is contesting with him on the platform of the PDP.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

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PDP stalwart warns against political adventurers From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart in Bauchi state, Alhaji B.B. Dogo, has advised the party against opening its doors to political adventurers and opportunists in the 2015 elections. Dogo while speaking to newsmen in Bauchi said PDP as the largest political party in Africa should not mortgage its hard earned credibility to political opportunists now on the corridors of power amassing wealth for the 2015 elections. “Some of those that may want to use the platform of the party in 2015 are not even registered members of the party but intruders in search of a credible platform for the sake of elections. Some of them are making plans to contest elections on the platform

of the PDP after betraying and abandoning the party that provided them platform in 2007 to contest and win elections. There are those that accused Governor Yuguda for dumping the ANPP in 2009 to the PDP despite the fact that he was pressured by the late President and leader of the party to do so”, he said The chieftain alleged that one of such political prostitutes now running helter-skelter to use the platform of the PDP is the FCT minister, Senator Bala Muhammed, who openly accused governor Yuguda of dumping the ANPP in 2009 despite the genuine reasons offered for doing so. “Senator Bala had accused Yuguda for dumping the ANPP in 2009, but when President Goodluck (Jonathan) offered him a ministerial position in 2010, he made desperate attempts to join

the PDP in Bauchi state. His reason was that he wanted to join the PDP to serve the President and by implication, his joining the PDP was to serve only the interest of the President, not the interest of Nigerians and the party as he said at different occasions. He never offered any convincing reason for wanting to dump the ANPP nor for wanting to join the PDP”, Dogo alleged. The chieftain wondered why such a politician should be allowed by any party to use its platform to contest any election without fear of betrayal as he did to the ANPP. He advised the leader of the PDP in Bauchi state, Malam Isa Yuguda, to make sure that such intruders are neither accommodated nor offered any slightest opportunity to use its platform to contest an election in 2015 for fear of betrayal.

“Governor Yuguda offered convincing reasons before decamping from the ANPP to the PDP and part of his reason was in the interest of the state but Senator Bala was only interested in the PDP to serve the President and that is why the FCT is under-developed because he is not there to serve the FCT but the President. Tomorrow, he may dump the PDP for wanting to serve another person in another party or even dump the party if not allowed to use its platform to achieve his selfish ambition”, Dogo added that for the PDP to maintain its credibility in the state, the likes of Senator Bala should be kept at a distance or advised to return to those parties that provided them platforms to contest in 2007 and continue from where they stopped rather than bringing confusion and hatred into an organized party.

Wada not involved in plans to impeach Kogi Speaker From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

member of the Kogi State House of Assembly has defended Governor Idris Wada over a purported plan to impeach the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello. Chief Gowon Paul Haruna, member representing Dekina/ Biradu constituency, said the insinuations making the round in the state to the effect that the executive arm was behind the purported plan was a mere figment of imagination. Media reports recently suggested an alleged move by “external forces” to use some members of the state house of assembly to impeach the speaker. The reports quoted a source as saying that the alleged move may not be unconnected with the on-going oversight function by the House into the performance of some ministries and parastatals in the state. The source was quoted to have said that the executive view such move as targeted at Wada. However, Haruna described the insinuation as frivolous, while challenging those making the claims to name the members that were allegedly sponsored to impeach the speaker. The member said rather than treating all members as equal, the Speaker chooses “to work with a few and regarding others as second class citizens”, alleging that “it was this clique that are raising unwarranted alarm and giving a dog a bad name.” “Let the speaker put his house in order and stop threatening the entire house as his constituency. He surrounded himself with people whose interests are self-serving, and those who are bent on creating unnecessary crisis to achieve their objectives, but they should not draw the governor’s name in the mud,” the member noted.

L-R: Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Information and Communication Technology, Hon. AyoYusuf Tajudeen, and Kogi state Governor, Captain Idris Wada, during an award of scholarship of the 2012 Back to School Summer Studies Initiative for senior secondary school students in Kabba/ Bunu/IJumu Federal Constituency by Hon. Ayo Tajudeen, at the weekend in Kabba, Kogi state.

Inflated contracts: ANPP wants FG to tackle culture of impunity and the Legislature to be By Umar Muhammad Puma

he All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has called on the government to tackle the culture of impunity by making those found culpable of inflating contracts to face the wrath of the law. The opposition party, while reacting to the warning handed down to government contractors by President Goodluck Jonathan at the 21 st Assembly of the Council for the Registration of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) on the high cost of projects in the country, said the government may have woken up to reality. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Emma Enuekwu, the

party stated “We believe that the wealth of this great nation is frittered away on a daily basis through deep-seated corruption which finds its throne in inflated government contracts” He added “The cost of projects in Nigeria is the highest in subSaharan Africa because the people in government collude with contractors to pad the cost, without fear of any punishment whatsoever.” According to Enuekwu any pronouncement and plans in the direction of reducing the cost of projects in Nigeria which does not deal with the fundamental issue of culture of impunity amounts to mere lip service and playing to the gallery. He therefore called on the President to allow the Judiciary

effective arms of government whose fundamental duties are to check the excesses of the Executive and its machinery and in so doing disperse the spirit of impunity that has suffused the government. ”We also call on the National Assembly to consider more strident checks against government and public officers’ interference in procurements, in the ongoing constitutional amendment. We hope that the spirit of transparency, accountability and probity introduced by the honourable action of the former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji, sprouts into a veritable new fruit of responsibility and discipline in the service life of our public officers,” he said.

Group plots recall of Nasarawa lawmaker for incompetence By Joy Baba

embers of a sociopolitical outfit, the Integrity Movement of Keana (IMK), over the weekend disclosed that they have started compiling signatures aimed at ensuring the recall of a member of the Nasarawa House of Assembly, Mr Francis Orogo. Spokesperson of the group, Alhaji Mai Yau Abdulkarim Allarana, said the moves to recall the lawmaker was due to the fact that he has clearly exhibited acts of incompetence as a representative of the Keana constituency of Nasarawa state. Allarana who is the chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the group further accused the lawmaker of frustrating on –going efforts by the Nasarawa Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura to institute an electoral body required to conduct election for Chairmen and Councilors of local government areas of the state. Allarama who spoke to journalists in Abuja claimed that members of his group who are already dissatisfied over the delay to conduct the council poll have started the collation of signatures of Orogo’s constituents in Keana council of Nasarawa state. According to him: “We have already started the process of recalling our lawmaker from Keana. He is not doing what we sent him to go to the House to do. We have problem of water, good roads and health facilities in our constituency. He should be working towards addressing these problems. We didn’t send him to block the process of conducting election for our chairmen and councilors at the local government level in Nasarawa state. “This is one and half year now since we elected him, we have not heard anything good about him in the way he conducts himself in the House of Assembly. He doesn’t relate nor consult with the people that elected him to know what we want from the state government. This is not what we expect from him; it is high time we recall him and replace him with a progressive minded person that can attract development to our area.” Applauding Governor AlMakura for his developmental agenda for the people of Nasarawa state, he urged the governor not to be dissuaded with the antics of retrogressive elements in Nasarawa state that would not want elections held to usher in chairmen and councilors of all the local government areas of the state. When contacted, Orogo called the bluff of the group saying “Tell whoever is behind the plot that they should put his plot to test. Let them hurry up and commence the process of the recall. I am at home with my people. I am very sure that such mischievous persons laying this claim are not even from Keana.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Kogi guber: S/Court dismisses ACN, Audu’s appeal By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

he Supreme Court yesterday dismissed the appeal brought before it by the Action Congress of Nigeria (A CN) and its governorship candidate in Kogi state, Prince Abubakar Audu challenging the judgment of the Court of Appeal which had, on July 12, 2012 which upheld the election of Capt Idris Wada as the governor of the State in the December 2011 governorship election. The full panel of the apex court presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Alloma Muhktar, hinged its decision on the ground that the applicants were out of time in bringing their appeal and hence it lacked jurisdiction to entertain such. Audu’s counsel, Charles Edomsomwan (SAN), had earlier prayed the court to allow the appeal and exercise its discretion in hearing it. He further submitted that filing the appeal outside the stipulated time was an error on his part adding that he thought that 21 days was provided for instead of 14 days. He therefore prayed the court to exercise its discretion in a way that it will not affect hearing of the merit of the appeal. Counsel to PDP, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in a counter affidavit opposing the application for extension of time, submitted that the court did not have jurisdiction to hear it in the first place as provided for by Section 285(7) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Counsel representing Wada and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chris Uche (SAN) and Yusuf Ali (SAN) respectively also prayed the court to

dismiss the appeal for being incompetent. Ali had argued that the ignorance of the counsel was not a ground for indulgence adding that the applicant’s counsel had not shown due diligence in carrying out his case. He added that the applicant was only inviting the apex court to accept that it made a mistake in putting together Practice Direction. The apex court in its short ruling delivered by Justice Mahammed Mahmud held that court had to consider the provision of the Practice Directions 2011 to determine the fate of the applicants adding that such power to extend time for appeal of an election matter was not given to the court and hence,the court lacked jurisdiction to do so. He further held that Section 285(7) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and paragraph1 of the Practice Directions are statutes of limitation and it must be observed as such. According to him, “the court has no jurisdiction to extend the time for filing of an appeal. Granting the application will be contrary to the Practice Direction. Even if the application brought by the applicant is competent, the applicant has not known a cogent reason for filing his application out of time. “The applicant does not satisfy the criteria to grant such application. The affidavit of the applicant did not show any good reason why the appeal must be heard; the requirements of the law are not satisfied so the applicant has failed. The application is hereby refused. Consequently there is no appeal before this court. The application has no merit”, the Court held.

Dariye, Tallen disagree over LP candidate for Plateau North From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

enator Joshua Dariye and former deputy governor and governorship candidate of Labour Party in the last general Dame Pauline Tallen are at logger heads over who should fly the party’s ticket in forthcoming Plateau North Senatorial District bye-election. The bye-election was occasion by the death of late Senator Gyang Dantong in Maseh village of Barkin Ladi LGA during the mass burial of 50 people massacred. Dariye and Tallen are loggerhead over who should fly the party’s flag in the bye-election between Dr. Danladi Atu and Hon. Lumumba Dah Adeh. Dariye is behind the candidature of Atu while Tallen is behind Lumumba which appeared to be a repeat of the governorship primary of the party. However, the Plateau state chapter of the Labour Party yesterday disassociated itself with purported primary election in which Atu emerged as the party’s candidate. Atu scored 104 votes while Hon. Lumumba was not at the primary neither was his delegates and he did not score a single vote. It was gathered that Atu has decamped to the Action Congress of

Nigerian (ACN) in pursuance of his Senatorial ambition but he met an iron fence as the national leadership of the party has already endorsed Yesufu Pam, former Attoney General and Commissioner of Justice as the party’s candidate. The Labour Party, in a statement signed by its chairman and secretary Comrade Bulus Ibrahim and James Stephen Pam, urged all the party loyalists, supporters and well wishers cutting across party lines, and the general public to note that the National Secretariat did not okay the primary election that Dr. Atu won as there was no representatives of party from the headquarters. The statement said the exercise fell short of meeting set guidelines of party and declared that the primary was an exercise in futility and nullity. It read “For the avoidance of doubt, the national leadership has taken a definitive position, and made it known to all interested parties in the contestthat the party’s candidate in the April, 2012 election for the same position and Senatorial district Hon. Lumumba Dah Adeh remains its flag bearer in the Plateau North Senatorial District bye-election tentatively fixed for October 6, 2012".

L-R: Deputy Prime Minister of Republic of Zimbabwe, Hon. Thokozani Khupe, with Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, during the deputy prime minister's visit to the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Democratic convention: Tinubu inculcating negative values, says PDP By Lawrence Olaoye

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its leader, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, of inculcating negative values of lies and deceit into the younger generation. The party in statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the revelation that Tinubu neither had a special invitation to attend the National Convention of the Democratic Party in Charlottes, North Carolina, USA nor was the party officially recognized had shown that the ACN constantly live a lie to court the attention of the people. PDP stated "The usual desperation of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Party to court attention at all cost has taken an international dimension. This time, Senator Tinubu who prides himself as the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has been basking in a delusory frenzy of being 'specially invited' to the just concluded Democratic National Convention which held in Charllotte, North Carolina in the United States of America." "When the former British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli said that no government can long be secure without a

formidable opposition, what he had in mind was a focused and constructive opposition whose view would be an alternative to government in power. He never envisaged an opposition that is founded on fraud and deceit, all in an effort to buy cheap popularity and run down the government in power." "Whenever we in the PDP say the ACN is not offering and cannot offer Nigerians any alternative, it is because we know that the foundation and the leadership of the Party is based on fraud and deceit." "While Tinubu and his cotravelers are still humouring themselves on being recognized in the international circle as leaders of opposition for attending the convention, it has since been revealed that the man actually laboured vigorously to purchase his invitation. "We do not really question Tinubu's right to engage in any form of political tourism but we find it reprehensible that he could take to even the fraudulent to establish importance for himself and his party. It is laughable though unfortunate. Neither a political Party nor a politician worth the onion needs to live a lie to create enough effect and acceptance before the people. We therefore wonder at the driving motivation behind ACN's desperate maneuverings. Is the ACN just a political party

with a constitution and manifesto devoid of moral code for members? It appears it is." According to the PDP, the claim by the ACN of a working agreement between it and the Democratic Party which the latter has debunked and waved off as an inconsequence is a sludge on the image of Nigeria. "With over half a decade of independence behind us and with generations of eminent Nigerians at the national and international levels, it is painful that our people are being subjected to denigration by a foreign political party on the account of fraudulent claims of an international alliance by the ACN." "The PDP is not surprised at this merchandise of falsehood by the ACN because evergreen in the memory of Nigerians is the doubtful background of the so called National Leader of the ACN, not excluding his state of origin, his date of birth and educational qualifications." The statement further said that "very laughable in Tinubu's image laundering trip to the US is the presence in the delegation of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji who is standing trial on corruption charges." "We wish to remind the ACN that no amount of "black market" convention trip or pseudo

Mimiko wins National Waves award By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

overnor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has been nominated for the National Waves Award by Media waves Ltd, Publishers of National WAVES magazine and newspapers, over his laudable achievements as the best performing governor in the year 2012.

According to Jimmy Enyeh, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of National Waves, Mimiko was nominated based on his monumental achievements in the area of infrastructural development in the state. Guest lecturers at the event, which will hold in Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on the 25th, include the immediate past Director General of Nigeria

Television Authority (NTA), Usman Magawata, who will deliver a lecture titled "Digitizing the Broadcast Media; The Pros and Cons." Also, Ben Amodu, who invented Halamin Phytomedicine drugs, will deliver a lecture titled "The Importance of Phytomedicine in Nigeria". Meanwhile, the ceremony will be chaired by Senator Abdul Ningi.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Ocean Boys issue NPL 7-day ultimatum

arely four days the NPL board expelled Ocean Boys, the management of the Brass-based side, has issued the board with a seven-day ultimatum to rescind the expulsion order or face court action. NPL had on Wednesday invoked article 4.2 (3) which states: “If a club fails to honour two consecutive matches without an acceptable reason such a club shall be expelled from the league and its matches played and un-played shall be cancelled.” The board summarily expelled Ocean Boys said to have fouled the provision while their matches played and un-played were cancelled outright. In what looks like a twist of fate, the General Manager of the Brass-based side, Anthony Ogola said NPL must reinstate his side to honour Matchday 38 game at ABS in llorin. “We’ve given NPL seven days to restore our status on the league and allow us honour Week 38

game at ABS failure of which we’ll commence legal action against them. “Why would NPL turn round to expel us after they begged us to return to the league following our decision to pull-out and even made fund available to us to honour the rescheduled Matchday 23 tie at Sharks in Port Harcourt? “We must remind them that they’ve defaulted in its responsibility to clubs which was expressly agreed before the start of the season. “NPL as it stands at the moment lacks the legal or moral right to expel us. We equally demand for immediate payment the backlog of TV rights cum sponsorship deal due to us,” he was quoted to have said. The expelled side, Ocean Boys, completed the four teams relegated at the end of the 2011/ 2012 NPL season on Friday. Others include Niger Tornadoes, Jigawa Golden Stars and Rising Stars.

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Amiesimaka rips Keshi’s ‘class-less’ Eagles E x-international, Adokiye Amiesimaka, has lent his voice to the growing disdain for the Super Eagles’ poor run of form in recent matches against seemingly minnows and has described the bunch as ‘class-less’. Amiesimaka, an entreprising left wing attacker in his hey days in the colours of the then Green Eagles-now Super Eagles- was reacting to the team’s 2-2 draw against the Lone Stars of Liberia in the first leg of the final phase of the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier in Monrovia, on Saturday. “Nigeria has lost ‘class’ in football and so can’t show it. Depressing that we can’t be pitted against likes of Liberia,Sierra Leone, even Madagascar,and have any justifiable expectation of winning at all not to talk of doing so with relative ease,” Amiesimaka was quoted to have said by a wire service. According to former Attorney General of Rivers State, Nigeria have lost the gleam and glow that the Eagles were known adding that the present bunch now exhibit anything but classic football and thus hardly able to instill in the hearts of opponents and inspire confidence in the hearts of the populace. The former dashing winger, who was part of

the Nigeria team that won the Africa Nations Cup in 1980, decried the country’s failure to churn out quality players as it did in the past stressing that the trend has robbed the country of quality and class in the national team. “For too long we stopped producing players. For much longer we may continue to struggle to beat the weakest teams even in Africa. In other words,Nigeria has joined the family of ‘class-less’ teams. Shame!,” he said even as he lamented the depression that the present Eagles’s game do engender in the soccer fans. The Eagles may have drawn the ire of Amiesimaka because the team had failed in recent matches against Rwanda, Malawi, Niger Republic and now Liberia to stamp and exert itself above mediocre performance, a development he said has exposed the depth of the decay in Nigeria football. He dismissed optimism of some who believe that with the 2-2 draw the Eagles were at an advantage stressing that rather than giving them any edge it would exert lot of pressures on them during the return leg in Calabar on October 13. The ex-Eagles believes the Super Eagles are no longer the force they once were noting that the return tie is now evenly poised on a knife edge.

NPL kick-off 2012/2013 season next month By Albert Akota

he Chairman of the Nigeria premier League (NPL), Chief Rumson Victor Baribote, has said that the 2012/2013 football league season will kick-off next month. Baribote, who evaluated the just concluded league season as one of the best, said his administration has achieved much to be appreciated by football loving Nigerians. He warned that implementing the rule against Ocean boys FC of Yenagoa, is an indication that the present

league body worked without fear or favor from any clubs. The NFF board member however, noted that more strict sanctions would be on defaulters who violet the NPL rules come 2012/2013 league season. The Bayelsa State born football administrator said that next season is poised to kick off with the endorsement of mega sponsorship that the NPL is already in contact with multinational companies. He appreciated sports journalists in their efforts in covering the league and constructive criticisms throughout the season.

Vincent Enyeama, Eagles’ keeper who has been blamed for letting in cheap goals in the matches against Malawi, Liberia

Akpabio celebrates Eaglets with N10m

kwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, has appreciated the Golden Eaglets’ 4-1 away victory over the Junior Menas of Niger Republic with N10m. The Governor actually met the team by chance last Thursday at the Abuja International Airport on their way to Niamey when he unconditionally promised the largesse to the officials and players when they return! “I’m glad to meet with you guys again,”said Governor Akpabio in reference to the duo of Emmanuel Amuneke (MON)

and Nduka Ugbade, who were part of soccer celebrities when Akwa Ibom State commissioned the posh Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort last year. “I have just been told that you guys are currently with the Golden Eaglets and that you are going to Niger to represent the country,” said Governor Akpabio. “I’m just coming back from an overseas trip but that notwithstanding, I’m giving the players and officials of the team the sum of N10m. When you come back, you come and pick it for the team,” the Governor added, and was given a

thunderous ovation by officials and players. Late Sunday night, emissary of the Governor reached out to the team’s Oasis Hotel camp in Niamey with words that the donation is ready for collection, adding that the amiable Governor is a man of his words. Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach, Manu Garba (MFR) saluted the Governor’s uncommon gesture, saying that the tremendous amount of goodwill so far enjoyed by the team from the NFF, induvidials and state governments would further challenge the team to do the best.

NFF’s Technical Committee member and consultant for the annual Secondary Schools Athletics Championship in Akwa Ibom state, Etubom Paul Bassey who was on the Golden Eaglets’ contingent to Niamey, lauded Governor Akpabio even as he tasked Corporate Nigeria on their social responsibility. “Nigerian football and indeed sports need tremendous amount of support from induvidials,corporate organisations and state executives as demonstrated by Governor Akpabio to the Golden Eaglets,” he stated.

Gov. Godswill Akpabio

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

The All-Star Team of the Season

Segun Alebiosu

NPL Special: 5 Top Rookies of the Year

ventually, the season has ended for the Nigeria Premier League (NPL). Of course, there were some outstanding rookies, those with potentials and lots of prospects. Today, Peoples Daily Sports serves the picks of MTNFootball.com which singled out five new comers who they considered took the Nigeria Premier League by storm during the past season. 5. Yahaya Adamu (Rising Stars/Striker) Fast, young striker from the Jobi Academy in Lagos who finished the season on seven goals for relegated Rising Stars. His biggest attribute is his movement on and off the ball, which has seen him get into great scoring positions time and again. If he could be more composed inside the box, he will be scoring a hatful of goals for whatever team he plays. 4. Shehu Abdullahi (Kano Pillars/Midfielder) Attacking midfielder for champions Kano Pillars, who made over 28 appearances in his debut season in the top flight. Last season, he starred for Plateau United in the lower Nigeria National League (NNL). He has shown his versatility with the Nigeria U20s, where he is played mainly in defensive positions. 3. Andrew Abalogu (ABS FC/Striker) Exciting forward who loves to take on defences. Last season, he featured for OUK in the lower league and this past campaign he has proved to be one of the most prized assets of modest Ilorin club ABS FC with his power and sheer brilliance. 2. Segun Alebiosu (Kwara United/Striker) This 17-year-old is already the top striker for his Ilorin-based side. The former Golden Eaglets invitee joined Kwara United from a youth team in Ilorin and was able to impress in his first season in the NPL by scoring eight goals for the’ Afonja Warriors’. He is very fast and strong with a bright future ahead of him 1.Azubuike Okey (Niger Tornadoes/Midfielder) This highly exciting defensive midfielder, who a few months ago was featuring for a youth club in Suleija, has already been called up by the Super Eagles, the Flying Eagles as well as the U17s. He has truly shone in the NPL after his debut in January. Already he is top of the shopping list of several clubs like Enyimba and Warri Wolves ahead of the new season. He is a pure gem with his vision and battling qualities. Honourable mention: Jonah Usman, Bright Esieme (ABS FC/ Goalkeeper); Christopher Obiorah (Kwara United/Midfielder); Umar Aminu, Alaba Johnson (Wikki Tourists);Uche Agbo (Enyimba);Olamakinde Talabi (Shooting Stars); Mathias Samuel (Gombe United);Austin Amutu (Warri Wolves).

Shehu Abdullahi

ere is a suggested NPL Team of the Season, playing a 4-3-3 formation and to be handled by Pillars championshipwinning coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru, according to Mtnfootball.com Goalkeeper: Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves) He was outstanding in goal for his team despite their position on the league. He has also been doing well with Super Eagles, where is the captain of the home-based team. Defenders: Namso Edo (Akwa United) Akwa United captain is a superb right back with great technique. He has great marking ability and also good when going forward. He is one of the few dead ball specialists in the NPL and he has netted five goals that way. Mutiu Adegoke (3SC) Veteran defender is unarguably the best left back in the NPL, he has brought his experience over the years to bear on 3SC to lift them from precarious position. His defensive skills, attacking flair and dead ball speciality have stood him out in this campaign. He scored a total of seven goals two from free kicks and five from the penalty spot. Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves) The giant central defender was again outstanding for Warri Wolves and that earned him a place in main stream Super Eagles. He is the best when it comes to aerial battle and he is also a good man marker. It is a matter of time before he will be plying his trade overseas. Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars) Sunshine Stars captain has gained in confidence since becoming an important part of Super Eagles late last year. His versatility as a defender is an added advantage as he played well as a full back, central defender or defensive midfielder. Midfielders: Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers) The dazzling winger was outstanding for his team in the NPL. His pace and runs on the left wing has been a great problem for opposing defenders and that he has shone in the Eagles as well which has made him a big transfer target for teams in Turkey and Olympique Marseille in France. Philip Asuquo (3SC) The mercurial central midfielder is always a delight to watch for his side. He is a good dribbler, ball juggler and great ball passer. His efforts with 3SC earned him the nickname ‘Iniesta’ after the Spain star and he has since won a cap with the Super Eagles this season. Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars) He is without a shade of a doubt the best holding midfielder in the Nigeria Premier League. He has again posted another great season which has been crowned with him becoming a key man in the Super Eagles. He was on the verge of moving to Belgium this summer before the transfer was scuttled. Strikers: Gambo Mohammed (Kano Pillars) This consistent Kano Pillars forward netted 15 goals this past season to rank as one of the foremost front men. His goals helped Pillars to their second league title as they also reached the last four of the country’s cup competition, the Federation Cup. However, a move to Turkey failed to go through. Abdulrahman Bashir (ABS FC) The young striker once again he is born to score goals as he scored vital goals for ABS FC. Despite the fact that his modest club battled against relegation for most of the season, Bashir still managed to fire 15 goals to ensure their survival. He attended trials at Charleroi of Belgium. Sibi Gwar (Niger Tornadoes) The former Enyimba and Kwara United star finished as top scorer this season with 17 goals. What made his achievement even more interesting is that his club Niger Tornadoes were eventually demoted to the lower league after battling against relegation for most of the campaign. His exploits in front of goal earned him a deserved call-up to the Eagles and he made his debut in a recent friendly in Niger. A move to Israeli club Bnei Yehuda hit the rocks amid claims and counters claims. Reserves GK: Moses Ocheje (Sunshine Stars) D: ThankGod Ike (Warri Wolves) D/M:Chinedu Efugh (Heartland) M: David Tyavkase (Lobi Stars) M: Abduljaleel Ajagun (Dolphin) A: Dele Olorundare (Sunshine Stars) A: Chikeluba Ofoedu (Rangers) Coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru (Kano Pillars) The loyal and dutiful assistant coach has finally won his spurs as the big boss. His work has been helped by the fact that he inherited a team he has worked with for the past five years or so. This season has been the one for Baba to shine.

Chigozie Agbim

Godfrey Oboabana

Azubuike Egwuekwe

Philip Asuquo

Sibi Gwar

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Hodgson upbeat despite injury problems

ngland manager Roy Hodgson is confident he has the players to maintain their winning start to their 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil qualifying campaign, despite mounting injury problems for today’s match againstUkraine at Wembley. Already without the likes of Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole, Andy Carroll and Adam Johnson, John Terry, Theo Walcott all out and Daniel Sturridge under watch, Hodgson remains confident he could secure the maximum points. He followed that up by giving nod to Liverpool teenager Raheem Sterling, Tottenham Hotspur’s Jake Livermore and Southampton’s Adam Lallana. Sterling though may not be used but is there to feel the atmosphere, according to him. “It was a good opportunity to invite some young players to come in and be part of the atmosphere,” he said. “We still have enough good players to be able to deal with the game, but it’s always good when you have the chance to invite these players to come in and be a part of the atmosphere and see how things are.” Either Gary Cahill or Phil Jagielka will fill the gap left by Terry at centre-back. England began their Group H campaign with a 50 thrashing of Moldova, while Ukraine were not in qualifying action over the weekend. Ukraine coach Oleh Blokhin has named a 20man squad for the trip to London, although he is without the services of Taras Mihalik and Oleksandr Kucher.

erbia coach Sinisa Mihajlovic once branded his team as one of the favourites in their World Cup qualifying group but a five-game winless streak has left the tough talker watering down his expectations. Since he took over in May, Serbia have lost three of four friendlies and drew 0-0 in Scotland in their opening World Cup qualifying Group A match on Saturday. They have scored once and conceded six goals in the five

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2014 World Cup qualifiers- Europe

Coach makes U-turn on Serbia’s ambitions games, leading the coach to make sweeping changes to his side for today’s World Cup qualifier at home to Wales. “We will bring several new players into the starting lineup against the Welsh, especially up front because we have to play a different game and be much faster than we were in Glasgow,” he said yesterday. “However, this is not a must-win match and I don’t

want the players to feel that they have to win tomorrow because it’s early days yet and points will be dropped in this balanced group.” Mihajlovic took over after Serbia failed to reach Euro 2012 but a mere 5 000 turned up for his debut on home soil in August a goalless draw with Ireland in a friendly - and the situation has failed to improve. “We will do everything we

can to qualify for the World Cup but the main thing is to get the crowd behind us and if we are jeered in Novi Sad tomorrow like we were in Belgrade several times, we will play our upcoming home games elsewhere in Serbia,” he said. Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, one of the most experienced players in Serbia’s youthful side, said beating the Welsh in only their second group game was

Marko Arnautovic, Austria, Steven Gerrard, England, Andre Iniesta, Spain, Karim Benzama, France

For Spain the World Cup begins now, says Del Bosque

eigning world and European champions Spain begin their bid to win a fourth successive major tournament tonight with a trip to Georgia and a warning from Coach Vicente del Bosque. Spain travel to Tbilisi for their opening 2014 World Cup qualifier on the back of a 13-match unbeaten run which has brought them 11 wins, one of which was a 4-0 mauling of Italy in the final of UEFA EURO 2012. Spain’s haul of two European Championship titles and one World Cup trophy in the last four years means they have eclipsed Brazil as the team to beat but the South Americans still hold a special place in the heart of most footballers. They will be highly-fancied to pick up more silverware in Brazil in two years’ time.

WORLD CUP QUALIFYING - EUROPEAN MATCHES TODAY Serbia vs Wales N/Ireland vs Luxembourg England vs Ukraine Scotland vs Macedonia Cyprus vs Iceland Israel vs Russia Georgia vs Spain Romania vs Andorra Bosnia vs Latvia Bulgaria vs Armenia Norway vs Slovenia Turkey vs Estonia Switzerland vs Albania Slovakia vs Liechtenstein Hungary vs Netherlands San Marino vs Montenegro Sweden vs Kazakhastan Austria vs Germany Belgium vs Croatia Portugal vs Azerbaijan France vs Belarus Poland vs Moldova Italy vs Malta Greece vs Lithuania Friendlies Brazil vs China Czech Rep. vs Finland Ireland vs Oman

a must if they were to stand any chance of progressing. Group A also includes Belgium, Croatia and Macedonia. “We have to win and in order to do so we have to play much better than we did against Scotland,” he said. “Wales have a style similar to Scotland’s but they also have an exceptional player in Gareth Bale, who will have to be marked tightly.” thatSpain won in Johannesburg we need to first qualify for Brazil. “The players know that we are starting a tough qualification phase, where we cannot afford to be complacent because a mistake could be a problem,” said Del Bosque in AS. Xavi said Spain would be taking nothing for granted in today’s match. “Being world and European champions doesn’t guarantee anything,” he said. “We have analysed Georgia and they are a tough rival. “They defend in numbers and have quality going forward. It is being taken for granted we will be in the finals but it is going to be difficult.”

However, Del Bosque has been keen to point out that prospect is much further down the line and first they need to get through a fiveteam qualifying group that also includes France, Finland,

Belarus as well as tomorrow’s (today) opponents Georgia. “It’s a great incentive to be there (Brazil). I have complete confidence in all the players, the new and the old. For the veterans around the 30 mark

ustria’s self-belief has grown and they will feel capable of ending a 26-year victory drought against Germany in today’s World Cup qualifier, said visiting coach Joachim Loew. Loew, who had spells in charge of FC Tirol and Austria Vienna earlier in his career, said Germany’s opponents were now a bigger threat than they had been in previous meetings. “Austria have improved and are more self-confident,” he told reporters yesterday. “This time you can feel they mean it when they say they are sniffing a chance to beat Germany.” Loew has previously won 1-0 and 2-1 in Vienna as Germany coach. We have had big problems here before and there is always a heated atmosphere,” he said. “The whole country is feverish about this match. “They have learned a lot in terms of organisation and structure, they are a courageous and attacking team. “The players who have come on the scene over the last few years all play abroad ... it used to be the other way round with foreign players moving to Austria so the players had less match practice,” added Loew. “They all have regular first team action, they are all important players in their clubs and there are eight or nine in tomorrow’s starting line-up who play in Germany. “The danger posed by

Loew on high alert over improving Austria

players such as Marko Arnautovic (Werder Bremen) and Martin Harnik (VfB Stuttgart) has increased because they have asserted themselves in the Bundesliga,” said Loew. Austria have lost their last seven meetings with Germany and have not qualified for a tournament since the 1998 World Cup. They were included automatically as co-hosts for Euro 2008 and were eliminated in the group stage but they are unbeaten this

I am sure it will be a motivation to make the finals,” Del Bosque said yesterday. “The World Cup does not start in 2014, but now, here against Georgia in Tbilisi. To defend the title

year under new coach Marcel Koller. “We shouldn’t underestimate ourselves,” said Austria captain Christian Fuchs. “We have some good qualities. “Losing to favourites Germany would not be the end of the world in a group where Austria are likely to fight for second place with Ireland and Sweden, with Kazakhstan and Faroe Islands as rank outsiders,” added the Schalke 04 defender. “Germany are not our

only opponents,” he said. “Even if we beat them it is only one game and we have to keep looking forward.” Loew said Germany had to be more clinical in front of goal. “We have lots of shots but we have converted too few of them into goals,” he said, referring to Friday’s 3-0 win over the Faroes in a game where they could have trebled that tally. “We have to talk it over and look to keep our concentration so we can put a decisive end to our attacks.”

celebrate for the next three weeks, we won’t get any points in Kazakhstan.” The central Asian nation will be Austria’s next opponent on October 12 in Astana. For Koller, today’s encounter at Vienna’s sold-out Ernst Happel Stadium will also be his first competitive match as Austria coach, 10 months after taking over the struggling national team. The last time Austria qualified for a World Cup was in 1998 in France and in 2008, it only made it to the European championship as co-host with Switzerland. Since Koller’s arrival last November however, Austria ranked 49th in the world by FIFA has put together three wins and a draw, after an initial

defeat. “We will have the stadium behind us. Every Austrian is going to scream himself hoarse,” Koller predicted. The cool 51-year-old Swiss however warned not to get over-excited but to focus on the matter at hand. “We have to stay concentrated and consistent until the final whistle. If we can manage that, I’m convinced we’ll have a good game.” In 37 encounters since 1908, Germany has beaten Austria 23 times, with the last match - a Euro 2012 qualifier in September 2011 - ending in a 6-2 victory for the Germans. Germany opened their campaign with a 3-0 win over Faroe Islands.

...Austria to look beyond Germany game

arcel Koller was relishing the thought of his first competitive game as Austria’s coach yesterday, but said it was important not to lose sight of the ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. “I am looking forward to this game immensely,” the Swiss national told journalists on the eve of Austria’s first 2014 World Cup qualifier against neighbours Germany. “You feel in Austria that the Germany game is ‘the’ game,” he added in reference to the longstanding rivalry between the two neighbours. “But for me, it’s just an important match at the start of our qualifying campaign: if we get points, we’ll still go on as before. Because if we sit back and

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Federation Cup champions, Heartland, to retain core players

eartland coach, Nduka Ndubuisi said there will not be mass sack of players from the team. The Cup holders secured their position in the Premier League on 51 points courtesy of the 1-0 win against Akwa United in Friday’s last day game in Owerri. The Owerri-based side started a two-week holiday yesterday.

Ndubuisi said its not fashionable to sack players who did very well in the out gone season. “There won’t be massive shake up in the team, the players performed creditable well and the best thing would be to retain majority of them. “That’s not to say we won’t drop players nor some players won’t seek greener pastures, its natural

and we expect it now the season is over. We’ll bring in few players and somebody must give way to the new ones. “Area of great needs will be the target and we must strengthen it for the campaigns in the league and continent,” the former Plateau United coach told supersport.com. Asked the area that will require

the biggest attention, the former Dolphins’ manager fingered the attack. “Attack will receive attention, last season we had limited options, so we’ll bring few hands in that area. The midfield, too, will receive mention. We had limited options there also, not that we didn’t have good midfielders, we had.

“But we want to broaden our options so that if one is injured, unfit or suspended there will be quality replacements. “Aside the two departments mentioned, I think we don’t have problem in other areas. But all the departments must be touched to operate on the same page for the challenges next season,” he said.

A glance at top 5 Junior Middleweights boxers

Erislandy Lara

Miguel Cotto

unior middleweight is one of the most loaded divisions in boxing. The weight class has elite champions and several talented young fighters. Therefore, who are the best junior middleweights in the world? 5. Erislandy Lara Erislandy Lara had an impressive amateur career. And he defected from Cuba in 2007 to begin his professional boxing career. Lara is also an excellent counterpuncher that has good hand speed and strong punching power. Lara will be fighting the undefeated WBC Silver light middleweight champion Vanes Martirosyan on November 10th, 2012. The fight is a WBC final eliminator bout so the winner will become mandatory challenger for the winner of the Saul AlvarezJosesito Lopez fight. 4. Carlos Molina Carlos Molina has been overlooked by many of the best fighters in the junior middleweight division. So he has been fighting lesser known opponents when he should be fighting elite boxers. Likewise, Alvarez and Miguel Cotto did not seriously consider him as an opponent when they were deciding who to fight in their next boxing match. Molina is a vastly underrated boxer that has won 12 of his last 14 fights. And he schooled James Kirkland for 10 rounds on March Saul Alvarez 24th. Yet, he loss the fight because of a ridiculous and controversial disqualification. 3. Saul Alvarez Alvarez is one of the best junior middleweight fighters in the world at just 22 years old. He is also a heavy handed fighter that is a ferocious body puncher. And he has a fan-friendly style that has helped him become one of the most popular boxers in Mexico. Alvarez has defeated former champions such as Shane Mosley, Carlos Baldomir, and Kermit Cintron. And he will be defending his WBC light middleweight title against Josesito Lopez on September 15th, 2012. 2. Miguel Cotto Cotto showed in his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. that he is not a shot fighter. “You’re the toughest guy I ever fought,” said Mayweather. Likewise, Cotto is an old school fighter that will fight anyone, anytime, anywhere. Cotto and Pacquiao could not agree on the weight for a rematch. So he will be facing undefeated Austin Trout on December 1st at Madison Square Garden. 1. Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mayweather was released from jail on August 3rd. And he had discussed fighting one more time this year. However, he will taking the rest of the year off. There are currently no fights on the horizon for Mayweather. Mayweather is past his prime. But, he showed in his win over Cotto that he is still one of the best fighters in the world. Mayweather is also a masterful defensive fighter that has superior hand speed and excellent counterpunching skills. Carlos Molina

Disabled sports have redeemed Nigeria’s image – Ekeoma

am Ekeoma, Technical Director, Nigeria Power Lifting Federation, says the disabled athletes at the just concluded London Paralympic Games have redeemed the image of the country. Ekeoma told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Umuahia, Anambra, that the success recorded by the athletes was a milestone in the history of the sports in the country.

Nigeria ended the 2012 London Games without a single medal, but Ekeoma said the performances of the disabled athletes was an opium to Nigerians. He said that after qualifying 21 athletes, 16 athletes were selected to represent Nigeria at the games as required by the international paralympic federation. “This paralympic games marks the best paralympic games ever

in the history of power lifting. Out of all the federations that went for this championship, it is only power lifting that won the whole medal that Nigeria is celebrating today. It’s an evidence of hard work. “So Nigerian Power Lifting team worked day and night as a federation to ensure that we redeemed the image of this country where our able counterparts had failed as the

same London 2012 Games. “So in this championship Nigeria won six gold, five silver and one bronze - all courtesy of Power Lifting Federation of Nigeria.’’ He regretted that nobody was talking of the successes recorded by the disabled athletes “even after redeeming the image of our country”. Ekeoma said that the athletes were better poised to bring glory to the country in future events

through greater performances. “There is a hope for Nigeria, sports especially in power lifting. The disable sports will continue to be excelling because it is a challenge to those of them that are still on the streets or don’t have any focus in life. “We were amazed seeing a lot of events in London 2012 where Nigeria can still feature in the nearest future. Power lifting will continue growing in Nigeria.’’

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

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PI CTO R IAL 1/ Matt Dawson says the appointment of Warren Gatland as British and Irish Lions coach could be a master-stroke. 2/ Rory McIlroy produces a finalround 67 to secure the BMW Championship and his third Tour victory in four outings. 3/ Atletico Madrid captain Gabi has described Radamel Falcao as "the best number nine in the world" and said the striker can achieve all his ambitions without leaving the club.

4/ Goalkeeper Richard Kingson has claimed he rejected a $300,000 offer to throw a group match against Czech Republic when playing for Ghana at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

5/ Britain's Andy Murray says winning gold at the Olympics will help inspire him to a first Grand Slam title yesterday. 6/ FIFA.com rounds up the action and reaction from the two football competitions at the 2012 Paralympic Games, which wowed spectators and ended with Brazil and Russia taking gold. 7/ Raheem Sterling, Jake Livermore and Adam Lallana have been added to the England squad for the World Cup qualifier with Ukraine.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Rooney’s career rescued by ‘prompt medics action’

Wayne Rooney being taken out in a stretcher

anchester United striker Wayne Rooney says prompt action from medical staff helped “prevent serious damage” when his thigh was cut recently. Rooney is currently sidelined after the studs of Fulham’s Hugo Rodallega left him with a deep thigh wound. It was an unsavoury incident and one that the England international now claims could have caused him even more trouble. In an interview with national newspapers, Rooney said: “I was quite lucky it didn’t cut my muscle. “I was told it was just one millimetre away from severing an artery. It could have been a lot worse, so thank God for that. I could have been in serious trouble. “The doctors said a lot of players could have fainted. They tried to cover it up from me in the dressing room and put something in it to stop it being infected, but I

told them I wanted to watch. “Thankfully, their prompt action prevented serious and possible lasting damage.” Rooney’s injury has stopped him developing a partnership with new signing Robin van Persie who, in Rooney’s absence, scored a match-winning hat-trick at Southampton last weekend. Some pundits have suggested van Persie’s arrival spells the end for Rooney at Old Trafford, but he thinks nothing of the sort. “You can’t assume you’re going to play but I’ve always worked very hard to make sure the manager has got to play me,” he said. “It’s great for us now. I’m looking forward to getting back in the team and trying to forge an understanding with Robin.” On leaving, he added: “Let’s be honest, where else can you go from this football club? It’s probably the biggest in the world.”

Ex-Ghana keeper confesses $.3m bribery offer

oalkeeper Richard Kingson has claimed he rejected a $300,000 offer to throw a match when playing for Ghana at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Kingson, 34, told the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Nigeria that the offer had been made before his team took on Czech Republic in the competition's

group stages. He claimed the bribe was to ensure that the Czechs won 2-0 - but he had rejected it after his wife pleaded with him not to lose his dignity. Kingson told the church's broadcast channel Emmanuel TV he had "got confused by weighing the options of getting richer by $300,000 after that match, whereas all that I would get

in the event of a Ghana victory would be much less just $3,000". He explained: "In the 2006 World Cup in Germany, we were about to play Czech Republic. By then they were the second best in the world. "A Ghanaian led me to some people to take a bribe and it was this woman (his wife) who delivered me and delivered Ghanaians. I was

very confused and I didn't know what to do but I called her and told her. My wife said: 'Richard, I love you not because of your money, so don't get tempted by this offer to lose your dignity and credibility.'" Goals from Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari saw Ghana beat the Czechs 2-0. They went on to qualify for the knockout phase, in which they

Heitinga wants Dutch to focus on future

etherlands defender John Heitinga feels the team must focus on the future under coach Louis van Gaal and not dwell on the memories of their recent disappointments. Led by Bert van Marwijk, who had taken them to the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, the Dutch crashed out of UEFA EURO 2012 at the group stage after losing all three of their matches. His successor Van Gaal, returning for a second spell in the job, then endured a less-than-ideal first game back as the side suffered a 4-2 friendly defeat in Belgium last month.

They are now working their way towards the 2014 FIFA World Cup, though, with their qualification campaign getting underway with Friday’s 2-0 home victory over Turkey in Group D and continuing with today’s clash with Hungary in Budapest. Ahead of that contest, Heitinga has stressed the need for the Netherlands to keep pushing forward. The Everton centre-back told De Telegraaf: “The European Championships (performance by the Netherlands) was mediocre, but let us not forget that under him (Van Marwijk) we also came second in the World Cup.

Yobo, Yakubu, Mikel earn N400m a year

oseph Yobo, Mikel Obi and Yakubu Aiyegbeni are Nigeria’s biggest earners as they each pocket in excess of two million Euros a year, according to a wire service which also observed that Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike is among the top earners. Yobo is smiling all the way to the bank because his earnings are free of tax in Turkey, unlike when he was in England with Everton. “He’s on crazy money at Fenerbache and he is also playing week in, week out, which was not the case at Everton at a point,” a top source said.

That could well explain why several more players from Nigeria have now moved to seek their fortune there Kalu Uche (Kasimpasa), Raheem Lawal (Adana Demirspor) and Uche Kalu (Caysur Rizespor). “It is a good place for Nigerians to go to because the football is not bad and the money is good because it is free of any tax,” a top agent informed MTNFootball.com Yakubu has proved himself in the English Premier League by scoring double digit number of goals, season after season and so his decision to cash in on a final pay day in China, where he

is reportedly on 100,000 pounds-tax free a week. His super agent Pini Zahavi has even before the striker’s move to China secured his financial future for him. Mikel is on 80,000 pounds a week at Stamford Bridge, but when he has to pay about 42% of that as tax, it leaves him with a little more than 40,000 pounds a week. He also received a hefty bonus when Chelsea made history by winning their first UEFA Champions League. But again it was heavily taxed. Emenike is also on a fabulous contract of about 2.5 million Euros a year, but in

Russia he has to pay tax and that way he earns less than his national team skipper. Spartak have reportedly inserted a buy-out clause of 42 million Euros in Emenike’s contract after he extended his deal till 2016. Defender Taye Taiwo also bagged a super deal when he signed up with Italian giants AC Milan. He was on something like 335,000 Euros a month but tax and limited playing time would have eaten deep into this little fortune. Taiwo is now on loan in Ukraine, where a player like Brown Ideye is also on a very good contract.

were beaten 3-0 by Brazil. Kingson also hit the headlines this week when he used Facebook to post messages denying that his wife was a witch. The former Blackpool 'keeper wrote "My wife is not a witch" after she had allegedly confessed to a pastor that she had "bewitched" him, throwing his career and life into disarray.

Richard Kingson

“It is now time to look ahead, however. I want the next two years to be of value to this team and I know that I can be and at Everton, should I start playing again.” Heitinga’s only appearances in the Premier League so far this season have been as a substitute and, after coming off towards the end of the Turkey game with cramp, he admits he is a little short of full match fitness. His condition will be assessed, but the Netherlands will definitely be without Tim Krul for the Hungaryfixture after the Newcastle United goalkeeper picked up an elbow problem. Van Gaal has reacted by calling up PSV Eindhoven stopper Jeroen Zoet. The 21-year-old, who is on loan at RKC Waalwijk, said: “I have packed my bag with a big smile. It is a very beautiful thing that I get the chance to show myself. I look forward to training with Maarten Stekelenburg and Michel Vorm.” Turkey will be looking to bounce back from their loss to the Dutch by securing maximum points from their home game against Estonia, although their goalkeeper Tolga Zengin is taking nothing for granted. Zengin told reporters: “I hope we can take three points from the game against Estonia and move on, but it is going to be a tough match. They seem like an easy opponent on paper, but we are playing on a football field, where there is no guarantee.” Elsewhere in Group D, Romania 2-0 winners in Estonia last Friday - host an Andorra side beaten 5-0 at home by Hungary in their opening match.

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS. ODINE RITA OTIBHOR, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS SALAMI RITA OTIBHOR. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AUDU YAKUBU, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AUDU YAKUBU MONDAY. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

Mikel Obi

Joseph Yobo

Yakubu Aiyegbeni

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS KUDIREAT SHOYINKA MUSA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS LAMA HARUNA DIO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. NYSC AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

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FACTS * The flashing warning light on the cylindrical Capitol Records tower spells out HOLLYWOOD in Morse code. * Every time you lick a stamp, you're consuming 1/10 of a calorie. * The average person has over 1,460 dreams a year. * One in every 4 Americans has appeared on television. * The average American will eat about 11.9 pounds of cereal per year. * Over 1,000 birds a year die from smashing into windows. * The State of Florida is bigger than England. * Ants stretch when they wake up in the morning. Source: Weird facts

JOKE

A Fisherman's Tale Two friends were fishing in a boat under a bridge. One looks up and sees a funeral procession starting across the bridge. He stands up, takes off his cap, and bows his head. The procession crosses the bridge and the man puts on his cap, picks up his rod and reel, and continues fishing. The other guy says, "That was touching. I didn't know you had it in you." The first guy responds, "Well, I guess it was the thing to do - after all, I was married to her for 40 years."

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Quick CrossWord (24) ACROSS 7 Bucharest’s country (7) 9 Hibernian (5) 10 Sink (3) 11 Get under way in a hurry (3,3,3) 12 Open-air swimming pools (5) 14 Confined to a particular area (7) 16 Meat-filled pasta cases (7) 18 Shopper (5) Through lack of positive action (2,7) 20 American crime-fighting organisation (inits) (3) 21 Metal threads (5) 22 Wearing away (7)

DOWN 1 Grappler in a ring (8) 2 Polluted air (4) 3 Raps (6) 4 Transfixed (6) 5 Popular card game (3,5) 6 Aga __, hereditary leader (4) 8 Now (2,3,6) 13 Separators (8) 15 Train’s passenger-coach (8) 17 Lubberly (6) 18 Haberdashery item (6) 19 Weep loudly (4) 20 Be unsuccessful (4)

Yesterday’s answer

A fishing settlement on the atlantic coastline in Akwa Ibom, where residents remain unaware of warnings by meteorology services of an impending flood and ocean surge in the area. An earlier surge had sacked over 5,000 people from the area in 2010. Photo: NAN

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

. . . putting the people first

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Fired 3SC players cry over pay

everal sacked 3SC players have expressed disappointment over the non-payment of their entitlements by the Ibadan club. Defender Nojeem Raji said that Shooting Stars are yet to pay him his full entitlements after they released him from his contract even as the exEnyimba player said that out of N2.5 million the club owes him, they only paid him N100,000. "As I'm talking to you, I only got an alert of N100,000 while they are saying they have balanced us. They have not balance us and I'm disappointed because they place me on transfer, no entitlement to back it up. "3SC have not even paid our sign-on fees not to talk of our clearance fees. I'm not the only one they owe. They also owe Kingsley Elvis, who is expecting more than what I am expecting.” Former skipper Sakiru Lawal said he has yet to be paid his severance package. "We are waiting for their call because we need to be paid for our service. They betrayed us and we are not happy with the management of the team, we are calling on them to pay us,” he said. However, top club official Ade Somefun said that they are update with the payment of players. "We do not owe any player. As far as I'm concerned, 3SC are the highest paying club in the country and this is just the beginning because we are doing this to motivate all our players, their well being is our priority. All the reserve players, players placed on transfer have all been paid and we are debt free,” Somefun said. "Oyo state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, is behind us and we are ready to pay him back by going for league trophy next season because of his support, so too the commissioner for sports, Dapo Lam Adesina.” The players have been given a two-week break after the season ended on Friday.

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QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE At the appropriate time we’ll come and join them, but for now, leave us in our suits, boots, overalls and helmets because this agbada isn’t good for clearing refuse and tarring the roads — La gos Go v. F ashola e xplains his Lag Gov Fashola explains rejection of a chieftaincy title

Jonathan and his internet Frankensteins F

our years ago at the height of the American Presidential Primaries and Election; US President, Barack Obama took electioneering campaign to a whole new different level; when he utilized internet resources as one of his biggest outreach tools. Facebook was at the forefront of his online campaign as people who were even remotely related to the Obama Brand sold out to the Yes We Can slogan. In Nigeria, a highly placed Government Official organized a fund raising dinner for ‘Obama’ regardless of the fact that such gestures aren't allowed in the electoral laws of the United States. Hardly was there any person on Facebook who did not cast a conscious vote for the AfricanAmerican when he sparred with Republican John McCain in 2008. This time around however, the Obama Campaign Team for his reelection bid slowed down the use of internet as a campaign tool. Nowadays we barely saw an Obama for re-election slogan on Facebook as we saw four years earlier. If Facebook were to be polled right now, more than 80% wouldn’t know what Obama/ Bidden 2012 slogan is compared to the "Yes We Can frenzy of 2008". As much as this was a deliberate act by the people handling the US President’s publicity and campaign; it must be stressed that the factors that influenced this decision were essentially strategic. Firstly, those who are handling President Barack Obama’s campaign understood perfectly that his brand is not as new as it was in 2008; therefore there is no need in harping on an old brand as if it were new. Secondly, President Barack Obama has spent four solid years in office; of which he barely fulfilled more than half of the campaign promises made four years earlier; so it will be detrimental to expose him to a barrage of petitions from the disappointed electorates. Although, Barack Obama knew that the failure to accomplish his set out objectives within the last four years (especially the economic aspect of things) wasn’t particularly all his fault; provision of that excuse on Facebook or Twitter for the ultimate deciders of his fate will amount to a Political Harakiri. It will be daft to allow any form of heckling of the President by his opponents and angry Americans alike on his Facebook and Twitter pages. Obama and his

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GUEST COLUMNIST Demola Adeniran

President Goodluck Jonathan publicity/campaign personnel can then be said to be in control of the Frankensteins they created. Using new media as a communication tool is like the sharp sides of a razor. One have to be careful during the usage of one end so that the other will not cause unwanted damage. This then brings me to the recent issue of information mismanagement of The Nigeria Presidency by the President and his publicity personnel. At the height of President Goodluck Jonathan’s stardom on Facebook and Twitter etc. in 2010; he was almost untouchable albeit touchable by the Nigerian masses. With a swift hand of an understanding man, the President rescinded on his earlier stance of banning Nigerian Football from International Competitions for two years after citing people’s plea on Facebook and elsewhere on the internet as a major reason for his decision. Nigerians loved that singular act to bits because it showed President Goodluck Jonathan in a big contrasting shade of hue when compared to his predecessor who was always sickly and shrouded from the people. Sensing the great surge of goodwill oozing from Nigerians, the President and his media handlers began announcing policies to the people on Facebook; so much that about 340,000 people liked his page within months. At the peak of the celebration of Goodluck Jonathan on the internet, his serving Minister of Information

famously said “Goodluck Jonathan brought Facebook to Nigerians”. The crest of the President’s popularity on Facebook helped to make him Nigeria’s President in April 2011; and the marriage with new media looked unbreakable. However, things began taking a slow turn when the President waited one full month before submitting his list of ministers to the Senate. All of a sudden, people who were used to dictatorial announcement of policies on Facebook were subjected to a lethargic process of decision making. Some of the President’s online followers thought he should have been ready with his ministerial list way before May 29 2011; since he spent over a year of late Umaru Yar’adua’s tenure as President before being elected. And also, the tone of those chosen as ministers was generally viewed as a déjà vu of ministerial recycling by the people. Then the President’s first catastrophe came when he said he would send a bill suggesting a single 6 or 7-years tenure to the Senate. For whatever the intention of that bill, it sent a wrong message because principally, the idea presented the President as a smash and grab man. A large number of the President’s Facebook followers began to doubt him from there. Still he dug deeper by showing traces of sentiment with his exoneration of MEND from all blame after the October 1st 2010 Eagle Square bombing in Abuja; while a known MEND member admitted complicity. Although, few Presidents or Statesmen would pass a war time situation with flying colours, President Jonathan failed his test absolutely. The way things turned out for him in 2011, would have shook even a dictator but it isn’t an excuse for the gross inept that he showed in tackling security that has since dogged his administration. In January, the President bore the caustic brunt of Nigerians when he removed fuel subsidy while most people were still on holidays. It took pity away from

the eyes of a very formidable base of his online followers. Things dramatically became uncontrollable on his page as many Nigerians on his list attacked him to an unimaginable level. As recently as last week, the President and his chief Media handler; Reuben Abati engineered another chain of negative reaction by exposing an aspect of vulnerability never before known of Aso Rock. They told Nigerians and the World that the Presidency is indeed ‘bothered’ with the numerous attacks caused by long chains of gaffes and bad Government Policies. The President said "he wasn't a hurricane that blew off the roads hitherto built in Nigeria", an insinuation that Nigeria's problems preceded his administration. All of a sudden, the Presidency is accusing everyone of the over 740,000 of the President’s followers on Facebook of decamping to the opposition all because their perception of him has dutifully changed. His Special Adviser on Media Matters, Reuben Abati in particular defecated in Public Space by calling the President's huge Facebook base children of anger, who are idle with twitter, BB and Facebook”. Because of these attacks from the Presidency, seven rejoinders have been written and more stones are still being hurled back at the Presidency as the army of angry online youth bay for more blood. This type of bickering was what the handlers of President Barack Obama sought to avoid when they downplayed the President’s re-election bid on the internet, but it seems those handling President Goodluck Jonathan are as inept in their duties as their Principal. They have so far done a bad job by exposing their collective deficiencies. They have also failed in the simple task of being honest to their master. A public or media adviser should be in tune with real live scenarios on the streets and not dance naked there. Abati has therefore danced naked in a place where he used to hold court because he has chosen to wrap himself into the President’s dark and opaque cocoon rather than provide illumination and transparency. To this extent, the Presidency has chosen to provide oxygen to an army of idling frankensteins which it helped create. Demola Adeniran wrote in from Leicester, England

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