Peoples Daily Newspaper, Monday March 12, 2012

Insur ance g emium to hit Insurance grross pr premium N2.5 trillion in 2015, says NAICOM

Vol. 7 No. 92

Monday, March 12, 2012

Rabiul Thani 19, 1433 AH

PAGE 19

N150

FRONT PAGE COMMENT

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Poverty in the North

ast month, the National Bureau of Statistics came out with the Nigeria Poverty Profile Report 2010 which showed, among other things, that absolute poverty is rising throughout the country and, more importantly, that the North is the most economically depressed and poverty-stricken part of the country. If the Bureau’s statistics have any significance at all, it is that they have confirmed, with facts and figures,

what we have always known to be the case. It has always been obvious, from the increasingly falling living standards of most Nigerians, the rising level of rural and infrastructural decay, the rising rate of unemployment and the collapse of industries, to mention but a few, that absolute poverty has been on the rise in our county. According to the Bureau’s figures, well over 60 million Nigerians now live below the poverty line-living on

less than one dollar a day, as has now become the fashionable way of saying it.

And, according to the Bureau also, most of these poor of the poor are northerners. The Bureau in fact cited the North-East geo-political zone as the poorest region of the country.

The North has been in a dire strait economically for long time now. Over the decades since the 1970s, the region’s Contd on Page 12

Confusion over deaths in reprisals in Jos . . . As suicide bombers kill 3 in Catholic Church We’re winning war on terror – Jonathan >> PAGE 3 From Nankpah Bwakan & Bayo Alabira, Jos, with agency reports

C

hristian youths allegedly killed at least 10 people in reprisal attacks after a suspected suicide bomber hit a Catholic church in Jos, the Plateau state capital yesterday, killing three people, authorities said.

“The situation is bad,” Plateau state health commissioner, Sati Dakwat told Reuters. “Several were killed in the reprisal attacks, more than 10.”

But the commissioner, in an interview with Channels TV last Contd on Page 2

Two women running away from the scene of the bomb blast at St. Finbarr's Catholic Church at Rayfield, yesterday in Jos. Photo: NAN

INSIDE

PDP govs agree on consensus chairman >>PAGE 2

Embrace dialogue, North’s govs urge Boko Haram

Suspects admit killing Briton, Italian

>>PAGE 3

NUPENG threatens nationwide strike

>>PAGE 3

WWW.PEOPLESDAILY-ONLINE.COM

>>PAGE 5

ACN slams naming of Abuja district after Jonathan >>PAGE 7

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

CONTENTS News

2-11

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-17

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

S/Report

24

Newsxtra

26

Issues

27

Health

29

PDP Chair: PDP governors decide on consensus candidate

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he twenty-six governors under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met yesterday in Abuja in a bid to have a consensus candidate among the hordes of aspirants campaigning for the slot ahead of the party’s National Convention, which is 12 days away.

The governors, sources said, were not at ease with the frontline candidate, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who is said to be enjoying the backing of President Jonathan.

They, in turn, prefer a younger chairman who they feel would be able to carry out the transformation agenda of the party with a view to moving it forward.

Before yesterday’s meeting, which was held at the Rivers state governor’s lodge in Abuja, the PDP governors were undecided on whom to support but there were speculations that the North-East governors had decided to back down on their support for Tukur.

It was speculated that the Adamawa state governor, Murtala Nyako, was not comfortable with Tukur’s ambition because of certain political differences and had pointedly told the President that his state was not ready to produce the party’s national chairman for now.

It was learnt that Bauchi state governor, Isa Yuguda, who has been vigorously campaigning for the emergence of the incumbent Acting Na-

tional Secretary of the party, Dr. Musa Babayo, had succeeded in convincing majority of his colleagues ahead of yesterday’s meeting on the need to back his candidate who hails from his state.

Although, others in the race including incumbent National Publicity Secretary of the party, Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali, Dr. Shet ima Mustapha and Mallam Adamu Bello also have some governors backing their aspirations, there were indications that the governors may have settled their minds on the party's scribe as probable successor to Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje at the Wadata House headquarters of the party.

Details of the resolution of the meeting and whom the

governors eventually decided to back for the PDP number one position were however unclear.

At the end of the meeting which did not last more than an hour, all the governors present went out of the meeting straight to their waiting vehicles and refused to speak with newsmen.

Some sources said there was a stalemate while others said an agreement had been reached, but the governors refused to known their stand, because only few of them attended yesteday’s meeting.

Our sources said further that the governors are expected to reconvene today at the end of which, they would make known their choice for the PDP chair.

Confusion over deaths in reprisals in Jos Contd from Page 1

Waziri on the verge of history?, Page 37

International 31-34 Strange World 35 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

48

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

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night claimed he neither spoke to any newsman prior to the TV station’s chat with him, nor disclosed any casualty figure in the reprisals.

A Reuters witness however said he watched angry Christians set up road blocks near the church. Other witnesses told Hausa service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC’s) correspondent in Jos that the Christian youths attacked and set ablaze a mansion, and a shop in Mai Adiko area of the city.

A Reuters reporter at the scene of the church bombing said he was unable to gain access, as the police had cordoned off the area around Finbarr’s Catholic Church in the Rayfield suburb of Jos. “We haven’t got actual figures of injured yet, but at least three people have been confirmed dead by our men attending the scene of the blast,” the Jos coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Al Hassan Aliyu However, one of our correspondents reported that four suicide bombers wanted to force their way into the premises of St. Finbarrs Catholic Church, but detonated the bomb after a struggle between them and boys scout keeping watch at the church, leading to the death of seven parishioners.

The suicide bombers were said to have been mangled beyond recognition while about 20 casualties are currently hospitalized in Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos, the Air Force Hospital, and other medical centres, all in

A victim of the bomb blast at St Finbarr’s Catholic Church on admission in hospital, yesterday Photo: Nankpah Bwakan

the city.

But NEMA officials confirmed that only three persons died in the explosion.

Yesterday’s blast occurred at about 10:10am, when parishioners were in their third Mass. The suicide bombers allegedly used a Vectra car which blasted at the gate of the church as Boys Scouts refused them entry.

The incident caused a stampede around the church and its environs resulting in reprisal attacks in places like Abattoir, Rayfield, and Mai Adiko, where about five Okada riders were allegedly killed, besides two that were said to have been mobbed to death around St. Finbarr’s church.

Our correspondents in Jos observed that the members of the Special Task Force, STF, cordoned the church area,

which ran through the GRA leading to the seat of government in the state.

Reacting to the blast, the Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, who appealed for calm, expressed sadness over the incident, describing the act as evil and criminal, saying such would not deter Christians from worshipping.

The STF spokesman, Captain Mdahyelya Markus could not be reached for comments as his cell phone was not reachable.

Meanwhile, Governor Jonah Jang on Plateau state visited the scene of the blast as well as the various hospitals yesterday, and called for calm saying that the security challenges in the state and the country would end.

He said that the attack happened 10 minutes into the 10.00 a.m. mass.

“I was at the altar when I heard a loud explosion.

Suddenly things were falling all over, and there was pandemonium in the church,” the priest said.”Some members grabbed me and rescued me to a safe place. I later learned that it was a suicide attack and that the bomber tried to enter through the gate, but was prevented.

That was when the bombers rammed their car into the fence wall and exploded the device, killing the Scout boy,’’ the Parish priest of the church, Reverend Father Peter Umoren told newsmen after the incident.

No group claimed responsibility for yesterday’s attack on the Catholic Church in Jos, up to press time last night.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

PAGE 3

Police investigate killing of ward head in Gombe

Police arrest 11, foil attack in Borno

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olice in Borno state yesterday repelled an attack on a police post in Bama area of the state, by gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect.

One person died while 11 others were arrested.

“A large group of gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram attacked the mobile police base yesterday around 17:00 hours but the attack was repelled”, state police spokesman Samuel Tizhe told AFP. “One gunman was killed in the shootout and 11 were arrested while two bags containing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were abandoned by the fleeing attackers,” he said.

He said the incident happened in Bama, some 70 kilometres (45 miles) from Maiduguri, the hotbed of recent deadly attacks by the Boko Haram sect which have claimed hundreds of lives.

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L-R: Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Local Governments Congress Committee for Adamawa state, Mrs. Vivian Anazodo, and the state governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako, during the congress election at the party secretariat, at the weekend in Mayo-Belwa local government. Photo: NAN

North-West govs, stakeholders parley with Sambo over PDP slots

By Lawrence Olaoye

S

even governors from the North-West geo-political zone yesterday met with VicePresident Namadi Sambo over which of its seven states are to produce the two executive slots zoned to the area by the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Executive Council (NEC).

The party’s NEC had, in its resolve to ensure equitable distribution of seats at its National Working Committee (NWC) at its forthcoming National Convention,

zoned the positions of the national organising secretary and the national treasurer to the Northwest.

Others at the meeting include critical stakeholders of the PDP from the North-west geo-political zone.

The meeting which held behind closed doors at the Vice President’s lodge in the Presidential Villa, was attended by the seven state governors including the Kaduna state governor, Ibrahim Yakowa. It was learnt that the ousted Kebbi state governor,

Usman Dakingari, was also at the meeting.

The seven states in the zone include Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, Jigawa, Kano, Sokoto and Katsina.

Although details of the meeting were sketchy at the time of filing this reports, our reporter gathered that the governors met with the Vice-President to determine whom to support among the array of aspirants for the position of the PDP national chairman and national secretary should the North-east and South-

west zones fail to reach a consensus on whom to present.

Our source equally disclosed that the meeting deliberated on which states among Zamfara, Kebbi, Jigawa, Kano and Katsina would provide the two candidates earmarked for the North-west.

It was gathered that the duo of Kaduna and Sokoto were not being considered because they have produced the VicePresident and the Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively.

Embrace dialogue, northern govs tell Boko Haram From Iliya Garba, Minna

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he Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has for the umpteenth time condemned the spate of explosions currently rocking the nation, just as it urged members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace dialogue.

Chairman of the forum and governor of Niger state, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu gave the charge

yesterday while reacting to the bomb incident at St. Finbars Catholic Church in Jos, the Plateau state capital in which eight persons were feared dead and many others injured.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, Governor Aliyu urged the perpetrators of the dastardly act to respect the sanctity of human life while

expressing their grievances, saying that the forum is pained by the latest bomb attacks on schools and places of worship.

Governor Aliyu said the surest way to resolve differences is through dialogue and therefore challenged those with grievances in all parts of the country to follow the path of dialogue instead of violence.

The forum commiserated with

the families of those killed or injured during the blasts and called on all security agencies to double their efforts in the discharge of their responsibilities of protecting the lives and property of the citizens.

The statement reiterated the resolve of the governors of the 19 states of the North to work with the federal government to ensure that normalcy returns to the country.

Jos blast: We’re winning war on terror, insists Jonathan

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

I

n the wake of yet another suicide bomb attack that killed several worshippers at St Finbar's Catholic Church in Rayfield, Jos yesterday, President Goodluck Jonathan has insisted that the country is on the verge of winning the battle against terrorism.

President Jonathan while condoling the victims of the bomb

attack, urged Nigerians not to despair in the struggle since some progress has been made in recent weeks in government’s bid to end terrorism in the country.

“In this regard, it is worthy of note that in recent weeks national security agencies have identified and arrested more of these agents of darkness than at any other time. Their hideouts and modus operandi are also being consistently exposed. President

Jonathan assures all Nigerians that government will continue to build on these recent successes by our security agencies," a statement signed by presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati said.

Jonathan reassured all Nigerians and friends of the country that the Federal Government is doing everything possible to end the spate of attacks and killings in parts of the country.

The President urged Nigerians

not to be discouraged by the persistence of the attacks in spite of government’s efforts to deal decisively with the menace of terrorism within the country’s borders, "because despite seeming appearances to the contrary, government is indeed winning the war against the terrorists and will continue to progressively destroy their ability to unleash murderous attacks on peaceful, law-abiding Nigerians".

he Police in Gombe have commenced investigations into Friday’s killing of a ward head in Gombe metropolis by gunmen.

Mr. Ahmad Muhammad, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, revealed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Saturday.

Muhammad said the gunmen shot dead Alhaji Bello Kagarawal, the ward head of Kagarawal area of Gombe metropolis at about 8.45 p.m. on Friday.

He said the police had yet to identify the killers but investigations were still on.

“We will not say it’s a case of armed robbery or Boko Haram because, as of now, the investigations are in progress on the matter”.

A resident of the area commended the deceased for promoting peace and progress in the area during his lifetime.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, said the traditional ruler always alerted security personnel whenever there was problem in the area. (NAN)

Sokoto kidnap suspects admit killing Briton, Italian

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi, with agency report

S

uspected kidnappers of British and Italian engineers confessed to having murdered the two during the attack on their hideout in Sokoto, security sources said on Saturday.

British engineer, Chris McManus, 28, and his Italian counterpart, Francesca Molinara, 48, who worked for an engineering company were killed when a joint rescue operation by British and Nigeria forces stormed the location of their detention on Thursday, sparking off a row between Italy and the UK over the incident.

The arrested suspects who are in SSS custody reportedly told security agents that the duo were killed because they did not see themselves surviving the operation.

One of the captors, Abu Muhammad, was identified as the leader of the group. President Goodluck Jonathan has said they belonged to the radical Islamist militant group Boko Haram which has been involved in a series of violence in the country.

However, Boko Haram has denied having a hand in the operation.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

PAGE 4

Inspector shot dead T in Aba

From Bala Nasir, Kano

A

police Inspector, Ahamba Njoku, has been shot dead by robbers in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia, the police said.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Abia, Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba at the weekend.

He said that Njoku was killed at Omuma Road, Eziama, a suburb of Aba, by hoodlums on Thursday night about 11 p.m. during an exchange of gunfire while he was on a patrol with other policemen.

“The hoodlums accosted them while on patrol and opened fire, killing the inspector, who hailed from Obingwa Local Government Area of the state,” he said.

Ogbonna said that two policemen also sustained bullet injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment.

He said two of the robbers escaped with bullet wounds and abandoned the vehicle they used for the operation.

He said that the hoodlums on Wednesday snatched a Peugeot 307 saloon car belonging to a chief superintendent of police, which they used for the operation.

Ogbonna said the vehicle was recovered after it was abandoned by the robbers and that some expended magazines were found inside it.

He said that a full investigation into the incident had begun and urged the members of public, especially medical personnel, with information on any person with bullet wounds to report to the police.

(NAN)

he Kano state Police command yesterday stopped some Ulamas (Islamic clerics) from conducting a meeting at the Kofar Mata Juma’at Mosque in the state capital a few hours before the time, for not obtaining prior permission.

The invitation to the meeting, which was convened by renowned Islamic scholars from the state, was extended to individual scholars, university lecturers, businessmen, artisans, women bodies among others, to deliberate on the way forward for the state.

The conveners of the meeting posited that the economy and social life of the people of Kano have been shattered as a result of the January 20 coordinated bomb attacks on police formations in the state capital.

The security situation in Kano, in addition to the inhuman treatment being meted out to them by the respective security agents deployed on Kano streets as a result of the security situation since the first Boko Haram attack, has become a matter of grave concern that must be tackled, they said.

Most of the invited guests who only got to know about the order after arriving at the venue were dismayed and sought to know the reason for the police action.

One of the organisers, Professor Aliyu Dauda of the Bayero University Kano told newsmen that nobody communicated to them of the stoppage as they only saw the police sealing the hall where they were supposed to conduct the meeting.

Meanwhile, when our reported called the police commissioner’s mobile phone to find out why they stopped the meeting he did not pick the call

...arrest man for attempted abduction of Italian in Asaba

T

he Delta state police command has arrested a man alleged to have attempted to kidnap an Italian, Mr Galvagni Renze, in Asaba, Delta.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr. Charles Muka, who confirmed the arrest of the suspect on Friday, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the attempted kidnap took place on Thursday in Asaba.

Muka said that the Italian, an Asaba-based businessman, was rescued at Maryam Babangida Way while the suspect and others who escaped, were trying to force him into a vehicle.

He said that the attempted abduction was foiled by a police patrol team in the city, which was promptly alerted by some members of the public.

He also disclosed that the hoodlums first dispossessed the Italian of a Toyota Hilux vehicle he was driving at the time but said that the vehicle was later recovered at Ugbolu, a neighbouring town to Asaba.

“We arrested one of the culprits of the kidnap attempt and he has also confessed the other accomplices who are on the run.

“The police are on top of the

matter to ensure that all the fleeing members of the gang are arrested,” Muka said, adding that the expatriate was, however, not hurt.

Muka appealed for cooperation from members of the public “through right information that will enable us to effectively protect lives and property in the state”.

(NAN)

Police stop Kano mosque meeting but he responded to the SMS message sent to him, in which he stated: “The police was not informed by the organisers.”

But Professor Dauda responded that meetings of this nature holding in mosques don’t

T

he Ogun state police command has taken a further step towards discouraging students from engaging in criminal activities, as the command took them (students) up in a classroom lecture to open their eyes to the danger associated with crime.

In view of this, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi was a guest lecturer at a privately owned secondary school, the Taidob College, in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital.

He said the step taken by the command was in line with the authorities, to draw the young, particularly students, to have good

The meeting, he said, was for the peaceful co-existence of the people of Kano that is why all stakeholders were invited so as to contribute their own quota in finding a lasting solution to the problems affecting all of them.

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin (right), in a handshake with Chief of Defence Staff of Cote d'Ivoire, Major-General Soumaila Babayoko (middle), during the emergency meeting of ECOWAS CDS, at the weekend in Abidjan. With them is Director of Defence Information, Colonel Mohammed Yerima (left).

Photo: NAN

Provide information on foreign currencies’ substitution, Falana asks CBN

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

H

uman rights lawyer, Femi Falana has written to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi requesting for information on substitution of foreign currencies paid into the Federation Account.

A letter dated March 5, 2012,

...lecture students on crime in Ogun From Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Abeokuta

need permission from anybody, arguing that if members of CAN should be conducting similar meetings inside their churches why then would they be stopped from conducting a similar one in their mosque.

synergy between the police and the students communities in the state.

Adejobi laid emphasis on the reconnection of the police back to the society considering the nature and present status of the force, which he said is of great concern to all and sundry, adding further that the command, in line with the ideological perspectives of the Inspector-General of Police has commenced series of programmes, lectures and symposia through which the plans and achievements of the police could be relayed to the public.

He urged them to contribute their quota towards achieving better policing and a more secured Nigeria, by using their talents to support the policies and plans of the police and the Federal Government.

which Falana wrote on behalf of his clients, Henry Olujimi Boyo and Adaighofua Ojomaikre, said by virtue of Section 162 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999) as amended, “there shall be a Federation Account into which all revenues collected by the government of the Federation shall be paid except the proceeds from the personal income tax of the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the ministry or department of government charged with responsibility for foreign affairs and the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

It is further stipulated that, “any amount standing to credit of the Federation Account shall be distributed among the federal and state governments and the local government councils in each state on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly.”

Contrary to the aforesaid provision of the Constitution, the letter alleged that the apex bank has been substituting foreign currencies paid into the Federation Account with naira funds before distributing same to the three tiers of government.

The adverse effects of the said substitution, it said, include among other things, increasing production costs thereby occasioning national deindustrialisation, fueling inflation at rates that pauperise and make pension contribution a worthless pursuit, (current projected inflation of 15% compared to less than 5% in successful economies) and creating increasing unemployment with over a third of working population idle with the collateral risk of rising insecurity.

Other effects, according to Falana are weakening of the Naira value and instigating high fuel prices with increasing subsidy component, instigating national debt accumulations at exceedingly high cost projected at over N500 billion in the 2012 budget as well as creating an adverse economic ripple that deepens poverty, when dollar revenue increases.

The lawyer is demanding clear information on all dollar revenues substituted with Naira in monthly allocations (and the applicable rate for substitution) in the past five years, monthly balances in the Excess Crude account, and the details of all withdrawals from the Excess Crude account.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

PAGE 5

Netherlands targets N3.3tr investment in Nigeria

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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he Vice Minister, Foreign Trade of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Mr. Simon Smits, has said that the country will soon double its current N1.656 trillion worth of investment in Nigeria He disclosed this during a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, in Abuja, at the weekend.

He said, “Many of our businesses have been active and committed in Nigeria for over 50 years. What I have observed during the past few days of my visit to Nigeria is that when I spoke with both business people from Nigerian and Netherlands , they said the opportunities in Nigeria out-weigh the challenges. That is what I think is the right way to do business.

Investments from the Netherlands to Nigeria now total about eight billion Euros. However, there is always room for improvement. So, we hope to see the doubling of this investment in the coming years, and also in the balance of trade between the two countries.

“A number of our businesses have been into various sectors of the Nigerian economy for many decades. Obviously, they would not have still been here if Nigeria is not profitable for them because business is a two-way thing."

Smits stated that the government of Netherlands would partner Nigeria to improve the bilateral trade relationship between the two countries.

He said, “I am convinced that trade and investment are the drivers of change,development and wealth creation .

Therefore, it is the responsibility of my government and any other government to take care of its people. We have visited some places in Nigeria such as Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja.

So far, we have seen tremendous changes and improvements in the livelihood of the people.

Speaking during the meeting, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said the Federal Government would collaborate with the government and investors from the Netherlands to attract Foreign Direct Investment into the country.

L-R: Osun state Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar, and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, during the traditional rulers visit to the governor, at the Government House, yesterday in Osogbo, Osun state.

NUPENG threatens nationwide strike Wednesday

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he National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), yesterday in Abuja gave the Federal Government a 72-hour dealine to intervene in its dispute with some banks or face a nationwide strike.

A communiqué issued by the union and signed by its Secretary General, Mr Elijah Okougbo, indicated that NUPENG would proceed on strike at the expiration

of the deadline if the government failed to prevail on the banks to extend the tenore of loans it acquired to 15 years.

The union in its strike notice threatened to shut down vital oil services if the government refused to intervene.

Members of NUPENG had acquired loans from banks for fuel importation but had failed to repay the loans, even though the federal government was not indebted to

them.

Okougbo rationalised the union's ultimatum, saying it was to save jobs in the oil sector, as most of their members had been forced to prune down their workforce to be able to meet up with the loan repayment.

The statement reads in part: ``Recall that an inter-ministerial committee was set up to by the Federal Government, which in the aftermath of a thorough

investigation submitted a report and some highly productive recommendations.

“Sequel to the committee’s report, the Federal Government has made efforts to fully implement some aspects of the recommendations.

However, some of the core recommendations have been completely ignored.

“For instance, of key importance is the recommendation which clearly stipulates the restructuring of JEPTFON debts to 15 years and at three per cent interest as contained in the MOU.” (NAN)

Kwankwaso revokes undeveloped plots Emir of Ilorin charges institute From Bala Nasir, Kano

G

overnor Rabiu Kwanwkaso of Kano state has directed the state Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to revoke any land title, whose owner refuses to develop within the legally stipulated time.

Giving the order during the inauguration of a Task force on Land Revenue generation at the Government House in Kano, Governor Kwankwaso said undeveloped but fenced plots are posing serious security threats to the people as criminals use uncompleted structures as hideouts.

Kwankwaso emphasized that the Task force was set up to

facilitate the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy to plot owners and to generate revenue, adding that the certificate has other benefits including collateral for land owners who need loans from banks.

The governor reminded the certificate owners to pay ground rent duly, to enable the government to execute more development projects.

Assuring that the Kano Geographic Information system project was on course, Governor Kwankwaso disclosed that plans were in the pipeline to number houses and name streets in the state as part of strategic efforts to ensure a more orgainzed society, as well as to enhance security.

on national security From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has charged participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 5 of the Institution of Security Studies, Abuja, to use their knowledge and wealth of experience to address the security challenges facing the Nigeria.

Sulu-Gambari who gave the charge in Ilorin while receiving a team of the course during their courtesy visit to the monarch in his palace, said there was need for the group to explore the state and

utilise its findings for the betterment of Nigerians.

The emir, who described security services as an interesting and challenging task, said the participants should justify the confidence reposed in them by their respective agencies during and after the programme.

Gambari said gone were those days when Nigerians could sleep outside their houses overnight without fears of armed robbery attacks, regretting that 419 section of the Criminal Code has become a Nigerian language of fraud and high profile corruption at all levels.

BPP gives fresh conditions to MDAs for contract approval

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

T

he Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) has mandated all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to comply with the Industrial Training Act by remitting one percent of their personnel cost for the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme(SIWES) fund.

This is sequel to a circular issued by the Secretary to the

Government of the Federation, (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim that all federal government agencies shall comply with the statutory provisions for the ITF Act with regards to section 6(1-13) To this end, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has sought for the assistance of BPP to make it mandatory for all MDAs when advertising their contracts to ensure that ITF contribution was included as one of its conditions.

“The ITF Act states that every employer having five or more employee in its establishments and having less than five employees but with a turnover of N50 million and above per annum, shall with respective of each Calendar year, and on prescribed date, give to the ITF one percentage of its total earnings.”

Director General of ITF, Longmas Wapmuk, said at a one- day stakeholders meeting with the Bureau for Public Procurement, the

Manufacturing Association of Nigeria and the Centre for Management Development in Abuja, that all MDAs must ensure compliance.

The DG said the money when remitted “will be used to establish 37 skill acquisition centres all over the country, we will have one in each state of the federation and one in the FCT. “Each of these centres will run programmes in 15 general trade areas, like plumbing, electrical,

automotive etc all over the country and then there will be four specific trades that will be specific to each state of the federation in addition to a programme in management and general studies.

He continued: “Each of these centres will be running 21 programmes and we believe that within two years of the existence of these centres we will be able to produce enough manpower for the need of the Nigerian economy.”

PAGE 6

New automotive policy on local vehicles underway

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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he Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga said over the weekend that mechanism has been put in place to evolve a new national automotive policy that will give priority to the patronage of vehicles assembled in Nigeria.

The policy, when fully implemented, would fast-track the growth and development of the nation's automotive industry, create jobs and generate wealth for the country.

Aganga said the new automotive policy which will soon be sent to the Federal Executive Council for approval was part of the Integrated Mass Transit Policy of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration.

The minister disclosed this during a meeting with officials of General Motors led by the Managing Director, GM South Africa and President of GM SubSaharan Africa, Edgar Lourencon.

Aganga told the visiting team that: "We want to leverage the policy to develop our local automotive industry by ensuring that we patronise vehicles that are assembled here in Nigeria.

By so doing, we will be able to boost the productivity of our vehicle assembling plants, create jobs, generate wealth and transform our economy".

"The meeting I held today with officials of General Motors dwelt on their desire to come and set up an automotive plant in West Africa.

The choice is whether the plant will come to Nigeria or go to Ghana. But we have held very fruitful discussions with them that Nigeria is the best place for them to establish the plant given our vast raw materials, a huge market, which is the largest in Africa, and most importantly, the fact that our country has the highest returns on investment.

"Already, we have begun the process of making it possible for investors to obtain their visas when they are coming into the country. Also, we are setting up trade and investment desks in our major missions abroad.

We have commenced an Investment climate reform programme to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria," he added.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

Borno govt to reconstruct schools burnt by Boko Haram G ov. Kashim Shettima of Borno state yesterday promised to reconstruct public schools destroyed recently

by Boko Haram members in Maiduguri metropolis.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group had taken responsibility for setting ablaze 10 schools in the city last month.

Shettima, who was

inspecting one of the schools at Gwange, said the destruction of the schools was a huge set back, but pledged to ensure their quick reconstruction.

"It is hard, it is disturbing that our own sons are busy going about burning schools.

"The burning of schools cannot be justified under any guise because the Prophet of Islam during his time urged

Muslims to seek knowledge even in far away China.''

Shettima said burning centres of learning was unIslamic and unjustifiable.

"These schools serve many purposes; in the morning pupils take lessons, in the afternoon they serve as adult classes and in the evening women classes are held.(NAN) "Some of these lessons are on

Islamic teachings. So how can you say you are burning the same schools in the name of Islam.

"Islam is very clear on any issue, there is no part of the Quran that sanctions the burning of Churches and killing of people.

"If any one has any counter evidence on this he should come out and prove it.'' (NAN)

Eleganza building on fire at Alaba Bus Stop on Lagos Badagry Expressway, yesterday in Lagos.

Bauchi govt recruits more personnel to all the 23 general hospitals in improve health care services affect the state.

From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

I

n its efforts to improved health care delivery services the Bauchi state government has approved for the immediate employment of doctors, pharmacists, radiographers, laboratory scientists, and other categories of health workers.

According to the State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Sani Abubakar Malami, the government has directed the state Hospital Management Services to place an

immediate advertisement in print and electronic media.

Malami who was speaking while receiving the report of a committee on Human Resources for Health (HRH) in the state, explained that the government has already recruited six expatriates and five Nigerian doctors who have since assumed duties.

He revealed that the government has also approved for the renovation of staff quarters in eight general hospitals across the state and exercise will similarly

The commissioner also disclosed that the government has in its efforts to reduce the suffering of doctors in the rural areas approved the purchase and distribution of 15 brand new cars to them.

These, Malami said, were in addition to the government offer for immediate employment to all NYSC doctors that served in the state, as it also absorbed for employment all midwives that served in the state under the Midwives Service Scheme (MSS) programme of the Federal Government.

Gombe TB, leprosy control unit identifies 30 supplied us with cases of multi-drug resistance Programme these machines which can easily detect the disease within eight From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

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he project manager of Gombe State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Unit, Dr. Sirajo Abdulkarim has said that over 30 people had been recognised with multi drug resistance of tuberculosis cases in the state.

Dr. Abdulkarim who disclosed this while speaking with the journalists in Gombe, said out of the number, seven were confirmed and five of the

victims died while the remaining two were sent to Ibadan University Teaching Hospital for treatment.

Dr. Abdulkarim said that as a result of the effort made by the state project, the National TB and Leprosy Control Programme has provided machines in the state for detecting the disease.

According to him, "Because of the efforts put in place and the efforts made in identifying these patients that the National

minutes and any form of TB that is difficult to diagnose".

He further explained that the multi drug resistant TB takes very long time to treat; compared to the normal TB which requires six months, multi drug resistant TB takes 20 months.

Dr. Abdulkarim also appealed to the Federal Government to establish another centre in the North because of the distance of the only centre which is located in Ibadan.

Photo: NAN

LG c’ttee boss calls for prayers in Zamfara From Salisu Zakari Maradun, Gusau

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ommunities and religious leaders in Zamfara state have been urged to continue t o p r a y f o r t h e continued peaceful coexistence in the state.

A prominent politician in the state, Alhaji Bello Dankande Gamji made the plea in Gusau, the capital of the state while ex cl u si v el y spea k i n g to ou r correspondent during the weekend.

Dankande said prayer is the only strong weapon people should use to have their dreams realised.

According to Gamji, who is currently the chairman, transition committee of Bakura local government, the people of the state have been blessed with an honest and dedicated, as well as determined governor, who is all out to develop the state and rid it of corruption, which even the w h o l e world is fighting against.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

PAGE 7

53,803 farmers get N10bn CBN’s agric loans

By Abdulwahab Isa

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L-R: Minister of Power, Prof. Bath Nnaji, Delta state Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, and Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Plant, Mr. Abiodun Olotu, jointly briefing journalists after their meeting on power sector with Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, at the State House, recently in abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye.

o fewer than 53,803 individual farmers benefitted from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS) with a total disbursement of N10.190 billion last year.

According to published statistics by CBN, 56, 328 applications were received for the loans of which 53, 803 individuals benefitted from the laons.

Under the scheme, a total of N969.404 million was guaranteed in the first quarter (Q1) of 2011 compared to the N1.377 billion in Q2 and N3.553 billion for Q3. In the three months period ended December 2011, a total of N4.443 billion was disbursed to farmers under the ACGS. When analysed on month-by-

Amosun moves to State House after spiritual cleansing From Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Abeokuta

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en months after resuming as governor of Ogun state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun at the weekend moved to the Government House, located in Oke-Igbein, Abeokuta.

He has since been resident at the Presidential lodge after his swearing-in on May 29, 2011.

Peoples Daily investigations revealed that the decision of the governor to keep off the official residence was to allow for proper renovation and spiritual cleansing of the building and its surroundings.

The building which was constructed by the colonial masters had since the creation of state remained the governor’s official residence, where number of both military and civilian governors and their families lived.

Former governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba upgraded the building with the construction of

an edifice to add glamour to the premises, it also housed the immediate past governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel who spent eight years there.

Amosun on assumption of office, ignored immediate move to the house, according to sources,

because of the fear over alleged ritual tendencies of the former administration which may cause setbacks for the new governor and family.

As at the time of filing this report, sources informed that properties were being transported

into the building, while a number of personal aides of the governor were sighted when our correspondent visited.

Meanwhile, efforts to reach the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Yusuph Olaniyonu on the movement proved abortive.

month basis, October accounted for the largest amount guaranteed totalling N1.877 billion and was followed by November with N1.501 billion.

July had N1.377 billion guaranteed for farmers while June and July recorded N1.223 billion and N1.222 billion respectively.

The CBN put the total loans repaid during the review period at N7.186 billion. A further repayment analysis on quarterly basis showed that Q3 2011 recorded the highest rate of repayment of N2.531 billion while Q2 accounted for N1.876 billion out of the repaid loans. In the 4th Quarter, a total amount of N1.875 billion was recovered compared with the N992.581 million of the 1st quarter.

The apex bank report also showed that when analysed on the basis of purpose and amount disbursed, food crops recorded the largest amount of N6.817 billion out of the entire N10.190 billion and was followed by livestock which accounted for about N1.878 billion of the guaranteed loans. Cash crop farmers got N109.029 million compared with other applicants’ total disbursement, including cooperative societies, of N443.645 million.

Airlines to face sanction over flight cancellations, delays From Suleiman Idris, Lagos he Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will soon come up with a sanction regime on delays and cancellations of flights by airlines operating in Nigeria.

The sanction was disclosed by the Director General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren during a meeting in Lagos with airlines, oil marketers and other stakeholders including security agencies.

According to the Head of Public Relations/Media Assistant to the Director General, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, the emergency

T

meeting with all the stakeholders in the Industry was called specifically over the prevailing flight delays and cancellations and the attendant safety and security implications.

While warning airlines of the dangerous implication of ignoring safety advisory directives, Dr. Demuren reminded airline operators of the renovation works at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport, Abuja which would last till June ending and the Notice to Airmen [NOTAM] already issued to that effect.

The DG therefore directed that no flight should be cleared by Air

Traffic Controller (s) to operate from Lagos to Abuja after 9.00pm from now till of June 30, 2012.

It should be noted that last Sunday, Air Nigeria violated the advisory note contained in the NOTAM informing airlines that the Abuja Airport would remain closed between the hours of 11pm to 5am from February 7 till June 30 due to renovation work going on the apron and so no flight should be operated into the airport during this period.

Due to the inability of the airline’s flight to land at Abuja late in the night having ignored the NOTAM, it had to return back to

Lagos.

Dr. Demuren during the meeting also advised the Airlines to always adjust their schedule whenever they have reduction of aircraft in their fleet on account of maintenance or for any other reasons adding that this should be announced promptly to passengers.

The meeting presided over by Dr Demuren, deliberated on a wide range of issues that might have been responsible for the incessant flight delays and cancellations and proffered possible solutions for immediate adoption.

ACN slams naming of Abuja district after Jonathan From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has described the decision to name the Maitama District Extension in Abuja after President Goodluck Jonathan as a 'poisoned chalice' which the President must immediately refuse to drink from.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said while President Jonathan may not have been the one behind the decision, it is incumbent on him to exhibit a sense of decency and modesty which many have attributed to him - by rejecting it. ''A President who has been described by his erudite Spokesman as 'thoughtful', 'highly experienced', and 'scholarly' is definitely not expected to allow himself to be

hoodwinked into accepting such an offer of having anything named after him while still in office. ''In the first instance, none of President Jonathan's predecessors, including the man who initiated the Abuja idea, the late Gen. Murtala Mohammed, and the man who finally moved the capital city from Lagos to Abuja, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, has a district named after him, whether in or out of office. ''Secondly, it is the height of immodesty for a sitting President to agree to any decision to name a street, a monument or a district after him, even when he may not have been the one who initiated the idea. This probably explains why 'District Six' in Cape Town, South Africa, was not changed to 'Mandela's District' when he (Mandela) was in office, or why the Manhanttan area of New York has

not been named after US President Barack Obama.

“Back home in Nigeria, we have no scintilla of doubt that Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos will reject any offer to name the Victoria Island Extension after him while in office.

“President Jonathan should know that whoever is behind the idea to name the Maitama District Extension in Abuja after him is not doing so for altruistic reasons, and he should not fall for such a cheap idea that amounts to self glorification.

When he leaves office, and on the basis of the legacy he is perceived to have left behind, his successor will decide - and Nigerians will acclaim - which street or monument should be named after him. ''Until then, Mr. President, please concentrate your energy on how you can deliver the

dividends of democracy to our long-suffering people, who have waited in vain since 1999 under successive PDP administrations - for the goodies that come with this muchacclaimed system of government,” the ACN said.

The party warned that if the President allows the heroworshippers behind the districtnaming idea to have their way, he should remember that there is always the ignominy that goes with having such actions reviewed and reversed in future.

In the meantime, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has said the naming of the Maitama Extension District after President Goodluck Jonathan was in good faith, disclosing that similar honour would be done other deserving Nigerians in the

future.

Responding to the criticisms raised by the opposition ACN, the minister explained that the decision was a token of appreciation to the President for his selfless, humble and patriotic leadership.

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed stated " While acknowledging the right of the ACN to subject government actions and decisions to constructive criticism, we wish to state here that the naming of the district after the President was a spontaneous and altruistic action taken by the Honourable Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, with the best of intentions right at the venue of the ground breaking for the provision of infrastructure to the Maitama Extension district last Thursday.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

By Chris Gyang

H

e has brought a rare mix of personal integrity, vision and, most significantly, rectitude to bear on the art of governance. This in a country where leadership is routinely seen as the easiest means to personal aggrandizement. To Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau state, his foray into politics was anchored on his strong desire to utilize it as a platform to further his calling as an ordained pastor. And when he was elected governor, he saw the leadership position it conferred on him mainly as his pulpit for propagating the Word while at the same time meeting the material needs of the people.

In that context, the governor can be said to have made the most phenomenal impact on the physical landscape of the state. Ranging from the magnificent Gada Biyu fly-over to the myriad of dualized highways and breath-taking bridges all round the state, the governor’s revolutionary agricultural projects have even become a key reference point for the Federal Government in Nigeria’s quest to attain self-sufficiency in food production. In fact, the Federal Government has on many occasions expressed the desire to adopt the system the state has applied through the agricultural services and training centres which is gradually, but surely, transforming agriculture into a highly lucrative venture in the state.

Once described by a former national chairman of the PDP as ‘recalcitrant’, for his principled and dogged stand on issues pertaining party disciple, Governor Jang is not one to brook immorality, vice and corruption. Neither has he been known to walk away when confronted by injustice. He would gladly say the truth not minding

By Demola Adeniran

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ast week, a diplomatic row between Nigeria and South Africa occurred when some 125 Nigerians including some Senators were deported for what the South African authorities believed to be “improper documentation for yellow fever clearance”. The action produced outrage in Nigeria.

Clearly Nigerians seemed fed up with the South Africans’ antics over the last couple of years. On the other hand, some people suspected the main reason why the Nigerian authorities protested against the deportation was that some notable ‘big men’ in the country were affected. However, there are questions to ask: since the flight that carried 125 Nigerians wasn’t the first ever flight that Nigerians had boarded to South Africa why was it important, all of a sudden, to deport all the passengers based on a policy that had been in place before last Thursday? Again, if the required yellow fever documentation was to be issued by the traveller’s domicile local government council, why must the signatures on it be uniform? Although the World Health Organization has certified Nigeria yellow fever free, it is still required of Nigerians to get the appropriate documentation if it is part of the travelling requirements of the South Africans. But saying whatever documentation they

PAGE 13

Jang: The cleric, iconoclast as servant-leader whose ox is gored and suffer for the truth no matter how many people are on the other side. Which is why his image as an iconoclast has gained wide currency in and outside the country, especially in the wake of the recurring Jos crises.

The governor believes that as a cleric and servant-leader, he owes God and the people he leads the responsibility of being forthright in order to serve as a worthy role model and committed shepherd.

For instance, while the state’s detractors would want to hoodwink the world into believing that Governor Jang is the cause of the Jos crises, the patriotic citizens of the state know otherwise. The truth is that the crises would have long since snowballed into a major national conflict had someone else not possessing Jang’s rare qualities been governor. The people were unequivocal in this belief and proved this by massively voting to give him a second tenure. As a matter of fact, but for Jang, the minority tribes that own Jos would have been dispossessed of it through the machinations of certain interests - which, in any case, would have been yet another cause of crisis in itself.

While other leaders would naturally prevaricate or pontificate in accordance with standard political correctness, the governor is legendary for his directness once he is fully convinced that his cause is right, just and in the interest of his people and fatherland. It was, therefore, the patriot in him that inspired him into becoming one of the most vociferous

proponents of the total removal of fuel subsidy when the national debate on the matter raged. Bitter as the removal would have been, he saw in it long term benefits that would far outweigh the perceived benefits derivable from continuing with it. And from the mind-boggling revelations we have so far heard from the probes of the fuel subsidy by both arms of the National Assembly, there is little doubt that the so-called subsidy has chiefly been a monumental fraud by which the nation’s commonwealth has been audaciously diverted into making a few Nigerians outrageously rich. No doubt, Nigerians are anxiously awaiting the outcome of those probes. Then we shall truly know whether or not people like Governor Jang were on the side of truth, and the suffering masses of Nigeria.

Of course, in an environment where moral rectitude and leadership are essentially viewed as strange bed-fellows, it is only natural that men of Jang’s convictions will come against stiff resistance from entrenched forces that had milked the state before his advent. However, determined to cleanse the Augean Stables and set the state on the path probity and accountability, during his first tenure, he blocked the major drainpipes through which corruption had thrived and streamlined the administration of the state’s finances in line with laid down laws. The governor was doing this in fulfillment of one of his campaign promises to the people of the state. While on the hustings

before the 2007 gubernatorial elections, he promised Plateau people that, rather than personally pocket and share out the remnants of the state’s resources to a privileged few, he would dutifully gather the monies and conscientiously plough them into meeting the enormous socioeconomic needs of the people of the entire state.

But even before the end of his first tenure (and in spite of the persistent crises that rocked Jos and surrounding areas), the fulfilment of that pledge had become selfevident. Not only had the physical landscape of the state been dramatically transformed in an unprecedented manner, a new consciousness was beginning to take root in the minds of the people.

Where the relationship between the leadership and the led had hitherto been akin to that of master and slave (with the attendant suspicions and distrust), Governor Jang clearly demonstrated that democratic governance is basically at the ordinary people’s behest, it could be trusted and partnered with and, to boot, is meant to practically serve them in a way that should have a far reaching and holistic impact on their very lives. At the root of this is his passionate belief that the true leader must positively slave for the people, make sacrifices in order to change their conditions of living and, where necessary, even make the supreme sacrifice on their behalf.

Well aware that the consciousness sweeping across the state could only flourish and prevail

if it is sown on a fertile ground, the governor envisioned a unique plan of strategically making youth the fulcrum of his administration.

Today, they are at the vanguard of policy formulation as they make up the largest part of political appointees. And at every step and opportunity, he has ensured that they are given positions of responsibility and, or, empowered.

The reasoning here is that the youth should be comprehensively mentored in order to effectively equip them for the onerous challenge of stepping into the shoes of the governor’s generation who will soon be quitting the stage. To be sure, only a selfless and foresighted leader would have the wisdom and courage to even contemplate this.

More than anything else, it is the uncommon wisdom, foresight and courage that we celebrate as the Governor Jang celebrates, on March 13, his 68th birthday – only two years before he attains that biblically ripe age of three score and ten. Yet, the very depth and quality of that wisdom, foresight and courage are the preserve of sages and come rare in Jang’s peers.

Happily, this means that in the years to come, the people of Plateau State and indeed Nigerians as a whole will still have much, much, more to relish from the bounties of this refreshing fountain because, like vintage wine, it gets better with age.

Chris Gyang is the Personal Assistant to Governor Jang.

He can be reached at Gyel25@yahoo.com

Nigeria/South Africa diplomatic row: Gains of reciprocity obtained was faked was a deliberate action to embarrass Nigeria, simple and short. It is unimaginable that all 125 people would fake yellow fever card.

Let us leave the contention that the victims were ‘big men’ of the Nigerian state on one side. The question then should be: are these victims Nigerians? If the answer is ‘yes’ Nigeria is right to protect its citizens if it feels they have been maltreated in South Africa or anywhere at all. That Nigeria had belittled its potentials and the international clout it had used large resources to gain in the past is now manifesting negatively abroad.

Why would any country deport all 125 citizens on board an airline when they are not terrorists? Even at the height the Abdul Mutalab Terror crisis, treatments like these was never meted out on Nigerians. The South Africans since 2007 have lost respect in my eyes with the way they handled the xenophobic attacks; of which many Nigerians died. And since 1995, they seem to be competing with Nigeria in almost every sphere of African and World Politics. So I was not at all surprised to hear that they might have

instigated all these as a strategy of winning Africa’s sole seat in the UN Security Council.

Be that as it may, Nigeria’s counter reactions on this issue were spot on. For the first time in my life, I have been very proud of a move initiated by a PDP led Government.

The rationale behind Nigeria’s reciprocity in all these is well balanced. If you must take actions in international politics, you must understand the position in which you stand. The South African government got it wrong by deporting the Nigerian travellers because their stand was baseless. For one, there are many ways to embarrass Nigeria, if indeed there is a compelling reason to do so. South Africa intended to use our country as a pawn to win an UN Security Council seat. Rather than deport legal travellers, they should have deported illegal Nigerian aliens.

Better still, they should have aligned with the British Authorities by exposing the many business of ex Delta state governor, James Ibori in South Africa. There are also tens of oil refineries owned by Nigerian politicians in South Africa; they could help expose them to the Farouk

Lawan-led House of Representatives probe panel. That way, they can later go to the UN and highlight their important role in helping Nigeria fight corruption. That way, they would have been able to portray Nigeria as a little brother needing elder brother guidance. That way, the UN would have considered the evidences and award South Africa the UN Seat. But they chose the easier way of embarrassing Nigerians; which is at the airports.

Exactly a week after, an apology came from the South African authorities after their Nigerian counterparts had deported close to the same 125 passengers over 3 flights back to South Africa. Suddenly, a tit for tat scenario had emerged. I guess they must have weighed the overall factor and realized that Nigeria has nothing to lose if the row continues.

The investments owned by Nigerians in South Africa were mainly obtained through illegal wealth by one man and his family or friends. But the ones owned by South Africans in Nigeria are of their National Identity. If MTN lock up shops today in Nigeria, Nigerians would simply shrug their shoulders and continue with their other services as provided by Zain,

Etisalat, Visafone and Glo. If DSTV were to go today, it will only take a new Cable TV provider few minutes to realize the potentials of the markets they have vacated to move in.

But of what benefit is a James Ibori or Peter Odili owned oil refinery in Pretoria or Johannesburg to the average Nigerian on the streets of Lagos and Aba? These are not National Companies like the MTN’s DSTV’s and the SAA’s that the South African Government owns. All that amounted to a late realization by the South African authorities they had acted hastily. Unfortunately, they have left it too late. They have conceded a very vantage position to Nigeria for future situations.

International diplomacy warrants the use of common sense. That is the reason why the US will never initiate an attack on North Korea or condemn outright Afghanistan’s fraudulent democratic process that produced Karzai as a leader.

With this episode, I believe the realization of Nigeria’s bargaining power in international politics has just begun...

Demola Adeniran’s piece was lifted from nigeriavillagesquare.com

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

Plea bargain is quick end to long trial

By Rachel Fola

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t is surprising that an issue is being made of plea bargain. For awhile now, the EFCC has been asking the government to allow it set up special courts across the country to prosecute public officers with proven corruption cases to answer. It believes the special courts will try such cases much quicker than the traditional courts.

Now the EFCC is pushing for plea bargain to enable both parties in a trial avoid the lengthy prosecution through fast-tracking of justice. At this point, I think we need to educate ourselves on the meaning of plea bargain. What is it all about?

A plea bargain (also plea agreement, plea deal or copping a plea) is an agreement in a criminal case between the prosecutor and defendant whereby the latter agrees to

By John Igoli A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles Christopher Reeve

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igeria is a country where the tree of opinion bears fruits on only one branch.

That branch is usually the government’s opinion. Once the government or a current lead political leader makes his opinion known or takes a stance, those who wish to be heard or given the opportunity to speak latch on to it and the idea is driven to ridiculous proportions. A case in point is the fuel subsidy removal. Privileged politicians and ‘’common men” and individuals who hope to benefit spoke in favour of it.

However they quickly moved unto other items as soon as odious revelations started emanating from the house probe of the fuel subsidy matter.

All the noxious vapours generated by the revelations have been blown away by two

plead guilty to a particular and finally he pleaded guilty to war on terrorism began.

Thank God, terrorism is not charge in return for some a charge of money laundering, concession from the prosecutor. a lesser charge than the other what we are talking about; we This may mean that the of corruption. A guilty charge are just asking our judiciary to let the EFCC defendant achieve the will plead main aim of its guilty to a establishment less serious by allowing plea charge or to Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text b a r g a i n . one of several messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written Through it, the charges, in contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 guilty can be return for the words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and sentenced and dismissal of a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed p u n i s h e d the others; or to: without all the it may mean delay they are that the The Editor, expressing with defendant Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, most of their will plead 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. cases in court. guilty to the Although plea o r i g i n a l Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com bargaining may criminal SMS: 07037756364 not have given charge in them a longer or return for a had not been reached just life sentence, the guilty are still lenient sentence.

With that definition, let’s because the British no longer punished, some of what has look at the recent case of James practice plea bargain, as his been stolen is recovered and Ibori, former governor of Delta lawyer said. According to him, they end up with a convict tag state which had gone on for British jurisprudence has to their names. Is this not good awhile in the United Kingdom changed considerably since the for us?

WRITE TO US

The hero’s apprentice current issues. One, a minor issue of former governor James Ibori confessing to money laundering charges brought against him in London and the other the major issue of the passing of Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and the state burial given to him. He was buried as a hero and the Ibos stood proud at every corner of the globe.

All the eulogies and encomiums may have been poured but one thing is certain; Nigeria’s history can never be written without Ojukwu’s name being mentioned!

His sterling and heroic qualities have been expressed but the question now is who will step into his shoes? Certainly the attempt to split the country is not one of his heroic achievements but his firm belief in unity and equity and the freedom to live and prosper in any part of Nigeria is what we speak about. Ojukwu may have been prophetic for believing and defending the right of individuals to live in any part

of the world, as today, the internet has enabled people to fill needs across borders. While Nigerians cannot cross the invisible boundaries of states within the country we are able to fly over oceans, deserts and overcome identifiable barriers such as languages and culture to excel in other parts of the world.

The difference is while matters are determined by merit abroad; similar issues are determined by places of origin in Nigeria or where it is a legal matter, the weight of evidence is tipped off by the balance in one’s bank account.

Hence Ibori was cleared of 700 charges in Nigeria but pleaded guilty to just about 10 per cent of those same charges.

Our hero’s apprentice should now step forward. Many have claimed to be apprentices of our past heroes; the far seeing glasses of Awolowo is still floating looking for a successor to wear it, the allembracing Babanriga of Nnamdi

Azikiwe has still not found a suitable person to wear it and the calm turban of Tafawa Balewa is still hanging largely invisible to those claiming to follow in his footsteps. Indeed none of our heroes past had an apprentice or produced a successor rather people who use the opportunity of their lives and death to amass personal wealth and curry political favours or business opportunities. Their families are truly shocked to see charlatans claiming to be of their schools of thought and actions.

They cringe to see individuals who were poles apart from their family heads eulogise them to the high ears of Aso Rock.

Those who believe in Ojukwu’s ideals and ideas no matter their state of origin should start pointing out and eliminating issues inimical to the actualisation of those ideals. We should start pursuing an ‘’equal opportunity for all” motto in Nigeria and do away with the skewed federal

If we look at this carefully, we will see that it is not only the EFCC that will benefit from it. It is a quick way for the courts to dispose of cases, which would otherwise have been very long drawn out, time consuming and with the potential of error.

For the prosecution, plea bargain gives them the opportunity of securing convictions particularly in instances where a conviction is highly desired, yet the outcome of a full trial is unpredictable or tricky.

I consider it expedient that the EFCC be made to continue with this unique and novel legal arrangement. This is all that we need to decongest our courts of all cases that have been there for years. The EFCC is sure to deliver more on this and our criminal justice system will be the better for it.

Rachel Fola wrote in from Lagos. character policy we are currently enforcing. This has given birth to state character, local government character, family character, language and even religious character. Unless you are of the right ‘’character” you do not get a job even if you are the better qualified. Our heroes are described as persons of character but not the ones we value and emulate today.

They did not become heroes through federal character but through personal achievements, discipline, respect for others, value for human life, rights and equality and a personal character they maintained till the end. The truth is that nationhood is a journey and only the best drivers and mechanics are needed at each point in time. A hero’s apprentice just as a Sorcerer’s apprentice must learn from the master and act with him while he is alive and should be seen to be actively following in his footsteps not claiming to know him or ‘’being closely” associated with him after he has passed on.

John Igoli can be reached at igolij@yahoo.com

Chidi’s assets: A bridge and a prayer Contd. from Back Page

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he loudest message sent out

by Chidi is that those in positions of responsibility should be responsible. And there are no boundaries to this responsibility. Its foundations are in the manner we conduct our lives and treat public assets and trust. There should be no reason why people who sit in judgement over how billions of public funds are spent should not tell the public what they are worth. If you have a reason for hiding your real personal worth, you have no business approaching an elective office.

The failure to appreciate the burden of responsibility is the reason this nation is crumbling

before our very eyes. It is the reason why the Dundaye bridge which links Usumanu Danfodio University, Sokoto (U.D.U.S) where I am a visiting lecturer and Sokoto City could collapse again with the coming rains. The absence of the required levels of responsibility by the Federal Government is the reason why the patch-patch work done on the bridge when it first collapsed two years ago will give way. This bridge which links Sokoto with one of the biggest universities in the North, whose student population is about 70% North and 30% South, which links Sokoto with six LGAs and even with Niger Republic; and which is a vital economic asset, may collapse again because neither

the Federal Government nor the state governments will bother to mobilize the funds to reconstruct it. When it does collapse again, we will close down the university again. Children of the rich and powerful will continue their studies in the UK, Malaysia, Ghana and Ukraine, while those of the poor who go to U.D.U.S will sit at home. They will curse and hate the leaders whose personal wealth will build ten Dundaye bridges. They will resent authority, resent their circumstances, and resent children of the rich and powerful who do not go to U.D.U.S. Professor Chidi Odinkalu has challenged Nigerians who hold positions of trust and responsibility to take steps

towards submitting themselves beyond ritual legal requirements, and to actually commit to one of the most important steps to fight corruption and official impunity.

I have serious doubts over whether our leaders today will even notice, not to talk of being shamed. How I wish a wealthy northerner will shame the Federal Government and catchment states whose young people attend U.D.U.S, by reconstructing the vitally strategic Dundaye bridge.

And now this: When Professor Chidi Odinkalu’s declared assets and liabilities were published, my younger brother, Mouftah, posted this prayer: “Maulana Chidi, may

your shadow never grow shorter.

By di grace of God, school fees no go deplete those £12k and $11k.

Mortgage interest and repayment sef, no go chop dem. Dat N94k no go go down…. Na so so e go increase, with legit earnings. Keke NAPEP no go scratch either dat RAV4 or di Kia Rio. From dat Kia na to Range Rover… and from dat RAV4 na straight to aeroplane… Dat Lekki house go born for Banana Island. E go born country house…Your two generators no go knock. Mechanic and rewire no go come near dem… Dat pension plan and those stock shares no go experience 2008 meltdown… and may you never use BUPA insurance.”

Could there be a better prayer?

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

T

he most enduring legacy of military intervention in our politics is the conversion of our federal structure to a unitary system.

General Johnson Aguyi-Ironsi started it all with the promulgation of Decree 34 which collapsed the federal structure into a unitary state.

That singular act accelerated the demise of his government, hastened his death and put the country on a slippery route to a break-up.

Even though the succeeding military governments abolished that infamous decree, “the egg was broken”, in the words of General Hassan Usman Katsina, one of Ironsi’s regional military governors.

Each military government after him paid lip service to federalism while running the country in the only tradition that is known to the military system of administration – regimental control and hierarchy of authority. The military governors were nothing but prefects of the man at the centre – appointed and controlled by him. Not even General Ibrahim Babangida (perhaps the most liberal military dictator we have had) who uses every opportunity to remind us that federalism is a non negotiable status of Nigerian life gave his governors the freedom to act as heads of the federating units.

When the country returned to democracy in 1999, a big blow was dealt to federalism with the election of a General who had ruled the country earlier under a unitary

PAGE 15

South-west: Still the zone to watch (II) system as a military dictator. As an elected President, Olusegun Obasanjo had no time for dissent or independent lines of thinking and action from state governors. The evidence is there in Bayelsa, Oyo, Plateau, Benue, etc. But the Southwest remains the biggest casualty of his medieval style of unitary government. The zone roundly rejected him at the polls in 1999. In the 2003 general elections, he served his revenge, sweet and cold.

He used ethnic sentiments to sedate his tormentors and as they slept, he launched a swift military action to oust the governors who had humiliated him in 1999.

Amazingly, Lagos survived.

Today, thanks to that act of survival, the south-west group that has always loathed Obasanjo has regained its strength. We are now back to the days when the Western Region proudly advertised itself as “the first” in every field of human endeavour in Nigeria. The records of the Lagos state government under Babatunde Fashola are such that no other state in Nigeria can dare compete with. The other ‘liberated states’ in the South-west are moving fast, using Lagos as a selling point to garner support. Only a fool can ignore the tremendous political advances of the South-west in these few months.

In my opinion, the South-west is

the zone to watch because they have certificates. Instead of clearing always placed a high premium on himself, he has mounted multiple education. Beginning with the free legal obstacles from the customary education declaration in 1956 by court to the Supreme Court, blocking every the then Premier scrutiny into the of the Western allegations.

Region, Chief In the north, O b a f e m i illiteracy is even Awolowo, every celebrated by some succeeding state governors. In government has 2006, there were kept it as a beacon. several newspaper It has suffered reports that said several setbacks public funds, but it has Emmanuel Yawe federal allocations remained very 08024565402 to be more precise, popular with the royawe@yahoo.com were being stolen people and God by agents of the save the politician or the governor who opposes it. It is Borno state government with links not just mass education alone. In to the state governor, Modu Sherrif. every field of academic endeavour A newspaper reporter confronted today, you will find somebody from him and he quickly retorted that he the South-west who is considered an was not bothered. His reason? Less than one percent of Borno indigenes authority, globally.

Compared with what we have were literate, he pointed out to the up north, one can understand why reporter. The newspapers could the South-west is miles ahead of us. write what they wanted. Borno Here in the north, education is people did not know or care about considered not a priority and treated the allegations! With such a mindset with casual indifference. Look at of a state governor, are we therefore Benue. For the past one year, public surprised that Boko Haram started primary school teachers have been in Borno and Modu Sheriff himself is on strike and it does not bother the alleged to be the brain behind the government or the governor. The group that is waging a bloody war governor, Gabriel Suswam, in fact, against western education?

Even in the worst of times, no is himself in a mess with allegations that he falsified his secondary school governor in the South-west will treat

education with the benign indifference we have in Benue under the present state government; or the criminal celebration of illiteracy as we had in Borno under Modu Sheriff.

The South-south may not lay so much emphasis on education because there is so much oil there.

The politicians and agitators from there have made their people believe that the oil is their own by right and all the wealth accruing from it should be their own. They don’t need to be educated or work before they are wealthy.

The South-easterners are exemplary merchants who make money from trading; just any kind of trade – legal or otherwise - that brings in quick bucks. I was shocked when in 2007 I met my Ibo friend and secondary school classmate who never went above that level. He was a multi-millionaire. When I asked him how business was going, he shocked me with a reply that he had just decided to close down his prosperous supermarket store.

When I asked why, he told me bluntly that he was moving into kidnapping because that was what “is moving market now”!

Here are we in the North - left far behind in education, without oil and without the skills in trading or even kidnapping. How can we survive in this federation?

Nigeria-South Africa tango - Matters arising

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igeria, in the week ended Friday, March 9, 2012, engaged South Africa in a hard diplomatic tackle over that country’s unconscionable deportation of 125 Nigerians. Fifty of the passengers were on Nigeriaowned Arik Air flight, while 75 were on South Africa Airways flight.

Abuja’s response was a new vibrancy in diplomatic slug-fest and Nigeria came off besting the opposition. The South Africans drew first blood when they peremptorily deported the Nigerian travellers, after literally holding them hostage for several hours at the Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on the flimsy excuse that they possessed fake yellow fever vaccination cards. The excuse should be regarded as flimsy since the South African High Commission in Lagos was expected to have verified the vaccination cards as one of the conditions for visa issuance.

So, if those South African diplomats on the ground in Nigeria apparently certified the cards okay, on what basis could the immigration officials at Jo’burg deny the Nigerian passengers entry? If it is even granted that they felt justified to suspect the authenticity of the cards, the normal protocol, as explained by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is to quarantine the passengers for a specified period and thereafter let them in.

But then, it would seem that South Africa, like many other countries in Africa, some of them even Lilliputian, take delight in taking pot shots at the lumbering African giant that historically carries no punch, but would rather rub the sore point of the hit and bear the pain all to demonstrate its brotherly African love. “Nse la’gba

ngba”, the elder absorbs jabs, as the government functionaries, Yoruba would sometimes say. including Mr. President.

Fortunately, the Minister of Foreign After reportedly spending about Affairs, Ambassador Gbenga one hour with the permanent Ashiru, a Yoruba man, is not sold on secretary, the Nigerian government this enslaving philosophy and had made its position very clear: “We decided to hit back at the cocky South are demanding unreserved apology Africans in a double whammy of from South Africa for this illdeportations, of course, with the treatment of Nigerian travellers or backing of President Goodluck else, we will take more drastic Jonathan. Media reports had quoted actions”. It doesn’t get tougher as an a source in the Foreign Affairs ministry as stating: “We will no longer overlook certain with procedures which we have condoned in the spirit of A f r i c a n olawunmibisi@yahoo.com brotherhood”. It is 0803 364 7571 (SMS only) long over-due.

By the time Nigeria had deported 131 South unambiguous statement of intent.

Africans in what became a tit-for- That the South Africans eventually tat, the South Africans were forced apologized showed that Nigeria, at to come down their high horse and least in Africa, is not a toothless apologize, as demanded by Nigeria. bulldog. In fact, in the international The South African affront united arena, Nigeria had demonstrated Nigerians and thus they supported before now that it can be a player whatever action the government among the big league when it faced might decide to take. The South down the United States in 1976 over African High Commissioner to which of the nationalist factions in Nigeria, Kingsley Mambolo had Angola should prevail. Nigeriabeen summoned to the Ministry of backed MPLA led by Augustinho Foreign Affairs, not only to receive Neto prevailed over the UNITA led Nigeria’s protest but to explain his by Dr. Jonas Savimbi and backed government’s action. It was by America. Many referred to the gratifying that the High independence struggle in Southern Commissioner was not made to meet Africa and Nigeria’s heroic role in the minister or either of the two that battle as the zenith of Nigeria’s ministers of state in the foreign activist foreign policy. Are we likely ministry, but shunted to meet the to see a new era of activist foreign permanent secretary, Ambassador policy but one driven by Nigeria’s Martin Uhomoibhi, who anyway is national interest and not the ‘Father still senior to the High Commissioner. Xmas’ folly of a braggadocio political It should signal the end of the era leadership? where all kinds of foreign characters The chairman of the House have cheap access to top Nigerian Committee on Foreign Relations, Mrs.

The Bisibee Bisi Olawunmi

Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, expressed the sentiments of Nigerians when she observed of the South African deportation of Nigerians:”We are indeed worried about all the indignation and scorn Nigerians are subjected to all over the world, especially by sister African nations.

This calls for a review of our relationship with these countries”.

Foreign Minister, Ambassador Ashiru hinted at this in an earlier address to an ECOWAS ministerial meeting where he enunciated the Doctrine of Reciprocity as the new guiding philosophy to drive Nigeria’s foreign policy. It is hoped this would not stop at the stage of rhetoric. As at now, Ambassador Ashiru has demonstrated dynamism not usually associated with protocol and procedure-bound career diplomats.

The firm stand Nigeria took on the crises in Cote d’Ivoire and Libya, though subjected to criticism, including by this writer particularly on Cote d’Ivoire, is still welcome rather than playing a vacillating pussycat.

There should, however, be a sobering aspect to the series of humiliations Nigeria and Nigerians suffer across the world, the South African affront being only the latest.

It is generally acknowledged that foreign policy is predicated on domestic well-being. A country not at peace with itself cannot engage in a robust, enduring activist foreign engagement because it demands a national consensus to bear whatever fall-outs from such an encounter.

Our national indiscipline, projected by some of our

citizens abroad, is particularly one major source of denigration of Nigerians. Why should lawlessness be a Nigerian export? We also do not operate a knowledge-based anything – most of our actions are not thought through but rather precipitate, which was why we could not make up our mind on time whether President Jonathan would run for chairmanship of the African Union or not at the last AU Summit in Addis Ababa only to sulk at being ambushed by our beneficiary nations in West Africa. Anyway, if we are so disorganized as to lose the presidency of the African Development Bank (ADB), of which Nigeria is the largest shareholder, right there in Abuja, how can we expect many nations to regard us as serious people?

Our diplomats in foreign missions need to stand by Nigerians, not abandon them, thereby reinforcing the notion of guilt by the accusing host country’s law enforcement agencies. As a foreign correspondent in Washington D.C in the late 1980s, I witnessed some of the unjustifiable conduct of our diplomats. On one occasion when our diplomats abandoned a doctoral student at the point of deportation, it was my report which, fortunately, the foreign ministry at home took up, that got the student voluntary exit.

The Nigeria – South Africa row offers an opportunity for a fundamental review of the nation’s foreign policy. However, in doing this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will have to articulate Nigeria’s core national interest in foreign policy and collaborate with the intelligentsia and the media to mobilize public opinion in support of the vision.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

Kicking like a mule. Snoring like a pig. Popping to the loo every five minutes... How to stop your husband (or wife) wrecking your night’s sleep

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e snores like a warthog while she kicks like a camel. She’s always freezing cold, while he complains of being too hot.

Every night, bedrooms turn into battlegrounds, with research suggesting half of all of our sleep disturbances in an average night are due to our partner.

Sleep is a precious commodity, with deprivation linked to a host of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and depression. Last month, scientists at Yale University reported that a disrupted sleep pattern may lower immunity.

TOSSING AND TURNING We all change sleeping position around 20 times a night, but men seem to shift around more than women, says Professor Jim Horne, director of Loughborough University’s Sleep Research Centre.

‘In one experiment, we placed movement sensors on men and women, and found that men move around twice as much in the night. And we saw that if the man is, say, twice as heavy as his partner, then whenever he turns he causes the mattress to spring up on her side, and she can actually be propelled quite far.’

Night movement is also increased when a person is unwell, adds Dr Tim Quinnell, of the Sleep Laboratory at Papworth Hospital, Cambridge: ‘The symptoms of other illnesses, such as pain or asthma can sometimes be particularly troublesome at night.’

What can you do? Try to time your medication regimen, so that you are taking it up to an hour before bed. But if your partner’s tossing or turning is due to insomnia, send them packing from the bedroom. ‘It won’t help either of you if they just lie there getting frustrated,’ says Dr Stanley. ‘They should go to read a book until they feel sleepy.’

FREQUENT TRIPS TO THE LOO The urge to use the lavatory more than once a night, called nocturia, affects more than 15 million adults, says Julia Herbert, of the Bladder and Bowel Foundation.

In older men, this urge is frequently caused by an enlarged prostate, which presses on the bladder. In women, the condition is often linked to incontinence.

‘Women are constantly worried about leaking, and so go to the loo many times during the day “just in case”,’ says Julia Herbert. However, if the bladder does not regularly hold a large amount of liquid, then the muscular walls will begin to shrink. The organ then holds less liquid, causing women to regularly need the loo during the day and at night.

What can you do? Bladder training — increasing the time between trips to the loo — and pelvic floor exercises can help, as

Here, the experts reveal the problems that could be disrupting you and your partner's sleep - and how to tackle them: can cutting caffeine intake. For further help, call the foundation on 0845 345 0165.

SLEEP-WALKING AND NIGHTMARES Up to 7 per cent of adults regularly sleep-walk. ‘Although a sleep-walker will have no memory of it the next morning, it can prove stressful for a partner,’ explains Dr Andrew Cummin, director of the Imperial College Healthcare Sleep Centre.

Meanwhile, around 300,000 Britons suffer night terrors — an intense nightmare characterised by a sudden feeling of intense dread or fear.

‘A person will wake up shrieking, but usually remember nothing about it the next day,’ says Professor Horne. ‘Night terrors can occur if someone has ever experienced a moment that is horrifyingly scary, such as a car accident.’

Both conditions are thought to be caused by the brain not properly switching out of sleep mode, says Dr Quinnell. ‘These people wake from deep sleep, but they wake so quickly that parts of the brain are asleep while others are awake.’

What can you do? Anything that reduces the quality of your sleep, such as alcohol or stress, working just before bedtime, or even sleeping away from home, can act as a trigger for these ‘parasomnias’.

For sleepwalkers, lock any doors in the bedroom, says Dr Stanley, especially if you are in a friend’s house or hotel.

If they do sleep-walk, avoid waking them, as this can make them disorientated, he adds. Just guide them gently back to bed.

However, if there is the possibility of them coming to harm, always wake them. Night terrors may be linked to trauma, so seek

psychological help, says Professor Horne.

TWITCHING A kick or elbow is a common hazard of sharing a bed. ‘Every night our brain paralyses most of the muscles, to prevent us from acting out our dreams,’ says Dr Cummin. ‘It is a form of selfprotection to make sure we don’t injure ourselves. However, in some people this safety feature fails.’

The problem, known as rapid eye disorder movement, is thought to affect around 300,000 Britons and tends to strike men over 50.

For some people, these twitches occur throughout the night, a condition known as Periodic Leg Movement. This becomes more common with age — some estimates suggest up to four in ten people over the age of 65 suffer from it. A related condition, called restless legs syndrome, causes a tingly sensation in the limbs and also strikes at night.

These can occur as a side-effect of some drugs such as antidepressants, antipsychotics,

antihistamines, as well as iron deficiency.

What you can do? Seek help if your partner appears to be acting out their dreams, which will be characterised by movements in both arms and legs. In rare cases, Dr Cummin says, it can herald Parkinson’s disease about 15 years before the development of other symptoms.

However, most cases can be easily treated — one treatment is the benzodiazepine drug Clonazepam, which acts as a muscle relaxant. Twitches and restless legs can be treated with a type of medication called a dopamine agonist.

P E R S O N A L I T Y DIFFERENCES Find your partner wants the light off before you, or you want to open the curtains earlier than they do?

Our body clocks are coordinated by a complex interaction of hormones and nerve pathways, and various genes can influence this.

For example, a study last December of 10,000 people found those with a variant of a gene

Wakey wakey: Sometimes you just have to accept that your partner is not a morning person

called ABCC9, which is responsible for sensing energy levels in our cells, may need 30 minutes extra sleep in the morning to feel fully awake.

Added to this is the fact that some people take much longer to become ‘fully-operational’ first thing in morning. This is due to sleep inertia, Dr Stanley explains.

Most of us suffer from this for the first ten minutes after getting up, but in some people it takes up to two hours. Also, Professor Horne adds that women tend to need about 20 minutes more sleep than men, due to their brains carrying out more multitasking in the day.

What can you do? Negotiation is key, says Dr Stanley. ‘If your partner is not a morning person, then just accept that you won’t get any sense out of them until they’ve had two strong coffees.’

DUVET WARS The nightly tug of war of the duvet is often precipitated by women complaining about being too cold. And they may have a point, explains Dr Stanley.

‘Research suggests that men don’t perceive temperature as sensitively as women, which is why they feel warmer.’

One theory for this is that women tend to have more blood circulating around their core organs, and less around their extremities such as their hands and feet, which are the body’s temperature sensors.

In other cases, a woman can be the partner generating the most heat. A 2001 study found that women’s body temperature rises by as much as one degree towards the end of their menstrual cycle. Hormonal changes during the menopause and pregnancy can also lead to a raised temperature.

What can you do? ‘As a rule, your bedroom temperature should always be between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius,’ says Dr Stanley.

TOOTH GRINDING AND SNORING Around one in ten Britons grind their teeth at night at some stage in life.

‘Teeth-grinding is amazingly disruptive to the partner, due to the dreadful sound it makes,’ says Professor Horne. Nearly a third of us snore, and this is consistently one of the biggest disruptions to couples’ sleep, says Dr Cummin.

What can you do? Your dentist can provide you with a dental shield to wear at night that will protect the teeth from damage.

Alcohol increases snoring, as it relaxes the airways. Losing weight also often helps. Dr Quinnell suggests sewing a golf or tennis ball into a T-shirt at the base of the spine or wedging pillows to stop your partner rolling on to their back.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

By Ibrahim M. Hamman

B

arely two weeks to the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that promises to avail itself the latitude to elect officers to run the affairs of the National Secretariat for the next four years, the question on the lips of many Nigerians is; who leads the largest single party in Sub-Saharan Africa?

In preparation for the election of the National Chairman, there appear to be some level of desperation among some contestants as posters, souvenirs, handbills and gigantic billboards adorn strategic locations in major cities of the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, ostensibly in search of blessings and support from their teeming supporters, nationwide.

The contestants for the exalted seat of National Chairman, who are all from the North-East Geopolitical zone have been engaged in epic political battles to curry favour from the President, State Governors, National Assembly members, Ministers and other stalwarts of the party. This is meant to submit themselves for proper evaluation, so as to secure the peoples’ mandate to lead Nigeria’s ruling party.

The level of anxiety and desperation is becoming apprehensive as some whispering rumour, meant to fly a kite by some reactionary political marauders and spin doctors has now been raised and elevated to Olympian height. The media is in the forefront of accepting this rumour hook, line and sinker that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has anointed one candidate among the number. I think it is a fatal error of judgment to subject such an important issue of national importance to trivialities, bearing in mind that the current democratic tempo might be an exercise in futility if the process is influenced by a President who professes to a reform agenda. The reform agenda presupposes that it would no longer be business as usual.

Although we are in a political system that remains grossly predictable and one, that is characterized by shallow understanding of the system, one might be tempted to read the lips of President Jonathan and may be, subject the issue to the court of public opinion, that this convention would be a radical departure from the past, as the will of the people would be allowed to prevail.

As the days to the convention draws nearer, opinion appears to be divided on who the cap fits. Most contenders have gone underground for strategic thinking, better assessment and possible evaluation of vote-catching mechanisms.

Policy thrust, principles, manifesto and political background are some of the contending issues that would work for them in getting the sympathy of their compatriots. For now, there are over ten contenders and pretenders to the position of National Chairman of the PDP. So, who wears the crown?

Bamanga Tukur At almost 80 Years, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, a former Governor of defunct Gongola is submitting himself for election to the position of National Chairman.

A seasoned politician with

PAGE 27

ISSUES PDP: A behemoth’s difficult search for a leader

Musa Babayo

Bamanga Tukur

Mohammed Abba-Aji

Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu

International clout, Bamanga belongs to the old school that could find it difficult if not impossible to fit into the current reform agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Adamawa born politician who was a governor, over 30 Years ago, and one that walks with the aid of a ‘walking stick’ does not have the energy, drive, vision and foresight to lead a party that rules a nation, currently faced by huge political and socio-economic challenges. Bamanga has served this country in different capacities and I think the ovation is loudest, bearing in mind that at four scores and may be, more, his memory retention would be fast declining to meet the tempo of modern politicking.

His ability to bring desired changes in the party structure to face the challenges of globalization in internal democracy might be a mirage. In terms of political sagacity and relating with the new breed politicians, Bamanga would record low points as he lack the vitality and vigour to run a vibrant party like the PDP. Among the low points of Bamanga is that he is seen to be a candidate of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Bamanga does not seem to enjoy the support and confidence of his State Governor, Murtala Nyako.

Dr. Musa Babayo Although Babayo is the current acting National Secretary of the PDP, he is however seen by many as a colourless politician that speak from both sides of the mouth.

Believed in many circles to be a candidate sponsored by VicePresident Namadi Sambo, Babayo according to dependable sources does not enjoy the support of even his colleagues at the National Secretariat to contest for the position of Chairman.

He is believed to have the support of his State Governor Isa Yuguda, who is also adjudged to be a non performer. Babayo, despite his position at the national level, has lost substantial political relevance at the grassroot. Infact, at the last presidential election, Babayo is reputed to have lost his polling unit and local government to the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, in his native Azare.

Although it is alleged that

under his leadership, the PDP suffered series of crises and loss of confidence, it is the considered opinion of many party stalwarts that Babayo and Prof. Rufai Alkali should have resigned their appointments on moral grounds so that their current positions does not influence the outcome of the forthcoming elections.

Dr. Shettima Mustapha It is the opinion of seasoned politicians in the land that Dr. Mustapha is a very decent, intelligent and articulate politician of the old school. He has vision and is highly respected as a transparent technocrat that served the nation in many capacities, but age, just like Bamanga, does not favour him. He taught in the University and served as a two-time Minister of Agric and Defence. With all these attributes, Dr. Mustapha’s problem arises from the fact that he comes from a State that is not PDP- controlled. As an individual, he does not enjoy nature’s magnanimity due to age, to be strong, vibrant and dynamic to face the rigours of long political meetings of the present set-up.

Senator Mohammed AbbaAji Abba-Aji came into politics from the academia. As a former Senator from Borno, Abba–Aji served former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as his Presidential liaison officer to the National Assembly. Although, nothing much is known about his political antecedence, Abba Aji might not likely be in the good books of the president, as he was reputed to have brought serious controversy between the presidency and the National Assembly when Yar’Adua was on his deathbed.

Accused by many for inconsistency and lacking in vision, Abba Aji is best remembered for his role in trying to deny President Jonathan the latitude to become acting President. He is believed to enjoy the support of Vice President Namadi Sambo as a fall back position, if Musa Babayo fails in his bid.

Of all the contestants, Abba Aji and Babayo seems to have spent the largest funds in media and publicity as their advert

placements in several newspapers and gigantic billboards costing several millions of Naira adorn Abuja, the FCT and environs.

Ahmau Adamu Muazu Adamu Muazu as a former Governor of Bauchi State has age and tremendous political goodwill working for him. He seems to have character with optimum characterization of managing all scenarios.

With a record of solid personal achievement trailing him when he was Governor of Bauchi State, Muazu is one of the founding fathers of the PDP. During his 8 Year tenure in Bauchi, Muazu changed the face and character of governance as his diligence, industry and ruthless pursuit of excellence has brought him many friends and foes, alike. Very amiable and friendly, and one with less controversy except the one generated by his bosom friend and Governor of Bauchi Mal Isa Yuguda. Yuguda sees Muazu’s shoes as too big a size, and the only option is to bring him down with a view to denying him a position of Chairman of the PDP. Muazu, as a middle aged politician who governed a state under the current dispensation for eight years, commands a lot of goodwill from the present crop of governors in the system. With tremendous managerial skills that has the capacity to bring the governors and the presidency to work together for the common good of the country, Muazu has the capacity to resolve outstanding conflicts and also, reposition the party to meet the desired objectives of the President’s reform agenda.

As a well educated politician the former Governor of Bauchi stands tall amongst the other contenders and a serious candidate to beat.

Prof. Rufai Alkali Rufai, is also an academic that ventured into politics. Either by design or daint of destiny, Prof.

Alkali has no solid political antecedence apart from being a lecturer at Unimaid and the Nigerian Defence Academy. He is currently the spokesman of the party who attempted to contest for governor of his home state, but suffered monumental defeat at the primaries. History has it that as a

spokesman of the party, he was full of contradictions that brought serious problems to the party. He lacks the capacity to even defend major decisions of the party and could not be in a good frame of mind to improve the fortunes of the party if elected Chairman. He is reputed to have suffered worse image problems as he lacks diplomatic skills to convey issues.

Gambo Lawal Nothing much is known about Gambo Lawal as he is not a consistent politician that keeps to a party. He dances with the wind, as he is reputed to have been jumping from one party to another in search of the proverbial greener pasture.

No record to show achievements apart from being a Chairman of a very tiny party under the late General Sani Abacha. It is believed in many circles that one of Gambo’s major sponsors is Chief James Ibori, the former Governor of Delta state, who was one of his soul mates during the Abacha regime.

Architect Ibrahim Bunu Bunu’s major political achievement was being a minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. Though one of the founding fathers of PDP in Borno, Bunu, an Engineer, is seen in many areas as a conservative and highly arrogant politician, that cannot successfully fit into the reform agenda of the President. Though very intelligent with sound track of knowledge of the political space, Bunu’s ability to accommodate political controversies and excesses of political exigencies seems to be weak. Bunu has charisma and courage and seem to enjoy good relationship with the presidency.

Just like Shettima, Abba-Aji, and Gambo, Bunu is also from Borno state.

Adamu Bello Adamu Bello was a former Minister of Agriculture. He is from Adamawa state and seen in many quarters as an opportunist that came into the race, courtesy of former President Obasanjo. He is passive in the political process of the country at large and Adamawa state in particular.

Ibrahim M. Hamman writes from Bendel Street, Garki, Abuja.

SMS Only (08056277222)

PAGE 28

BSU matriculates 3,562 students

T

he Benue state University (BSU), Makurdi, on Sat urday matriculated 3,562 students into six faculties of the university for the 2011/2012 academic session.

The matriculating students were selected from the 17,433 candidates who sat for the last UTME and 3,280 direct entry candidates who applied to study at the university.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was no intake at the College of Health Sciences for the session due to the non-completion of the priority areas at the Teaching Hospital.

In her address at the 20th matriculation ceremony, Prof.

Charity Angya, the vice chancellor of the university, told the students that Gov. Gabriel Suswam had promised to complete the hospital within two weeks. ``This will pave way for admission into the MBBS programme in the 2012/2013 academic year and ensure that our medical students do not continue to stagnate at the clinical level.’’

She urged the students to dedicate themselves to promoting academic excellence.

The don noted that many educational institutions had been plagued with social problems such as cultism, noting that BSU also had its share of the menace.

She appealed to then shun all social vices that could impede their progress in life, warning that the consequence of indulging in social vices was expulsion.

NAN reports that the matriculation oath was administered by Dr Timothy Utile, the registrar of the university. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

T

he National Examination Council (NECO) on Friday said that it has introduced biometric data capturing machines in a bid to curb impersonation during its Senior School Certificate Examinations.

Prof.

Promise Okpala, Registrar of NECO, made the announcement at an interactive session with newsmen in Minna, saying that ``impersonation is a type of malpractice that is becoming rampant, especially during the November/December external candidates. ``More recently, the use of biometric data capturing/ validation has been employed as a veritable means of curbing impersonation," he said.

Okpala explained that sensitive examination materials were now stored in one place in

NECO moves to check impersonation each state unlike in the past when they were stored in many locations within the state, thereby exposing them to leakages.

Okpala said that the council had also involved the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and lecturers of tertiary institutions in the country to combat examination malpractice through effective monitoring of all the council’s examinations. ``With these measures in place, it is not surprising that in

June 2011, three candidates were convicted by the Federal High Court in Calabar for impersonation,” he said.

He said that the council had upgraded its ICT division to strengthen its scoring and data capturing capacity, ``with the result that NECO has the best scanners in the country today”.

The registrar noted that since 2007 the council had successfully conducted its June/July schoolbased and November/December external-based SSCE and released

FCE Gombe matriculates 456 students

T

Students of Government Secondary School (G.S.S.), Jiwa, Abuja, during the UN Gender Group Careers Day, at their school, on Friday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

ABU VC tasks students Wamakko inaugurates 13-man committee on computer college on Nigeria’s unity

P

rof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Vice-Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has charged matriculating students of the institution not to succumb to any idea detrimental to the corporate existence of Nigeria.

He gave the advice on Friday at the 2011/2012 matriculation ceremony of the university, held at the main campus of the institution in Zaria.

Mustapha said: “I urge you to be very cautious and avoid anything that may disunite Nigeria. However, put the interest of your motherland at heart. ” He advised the students to refrain from rumour mongering which, according to him, was not in the best interest of peace, unity and stability, appealing to them to endeavour to carefully learn and observe the norms and values governing their stay in the university.

While describing the

results within 80 days. ``The Council has improved on this record since 2009 by consistently releasing its results within 60 days,'' he said, noting that the council was committed to ensuring that examination malpractice was reduced to the barest minimum or completely eradicated. ``The measures listed above have ensured that NECO results are not only reliable and credible but have met international standards,” he stated. (NAN)

composition of the ABU community as a true reflection of Nigeria, Mustapha pledged to remain focused and determined to actualising the vision and mission of the founding fathers of the university.

He noted that the vision of the institution was to be the largest and an excellent centre of learning not only in Nigeria but in the entire African region and beyond.

He assured that in the next two years, ABU would be a full e-learning institution.

“When this is achieved, as a student, all you need to do is just to consult your laptop for efficient learning.”

Mustapha restated the commitment of the university in collaboration with some organisations to build worldclass students’ accommodations, calling on the matriculating students to count themselves lucky because out of 35,000 applicants only 20 per cent was successful. (NAN)

G

ov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State on Friday in Sokoto, inaugurated a 13man technical committee for the establishment of the state's College of Computer Technology.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee has as its chairman, Dr Ahmed Chafe, Director of Management Information Services of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

Speaking at the event, Wamakko said that the establishment of the college became imperative as ’’we are presently living in the age of digital technology.

“Contributions of ICT in all aspects of human development cannot be ignored and the new educational policy in Nigeria made ICT a core subject in senior secondary school syllabuses,’’ the governor said.

Wamakko who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Mukhtari Shagari, described computer as a necessity in

catching up with global trends, saying that the State Government planned to make the state a centre of excellence in computer technology in the nearest future. ``A journey of a thousand miles starts with a step. The college will groom young talents, build as well as strengthen the capacities to appreciate computers and prepare engineers to address the ICT requirements of the state,’’ he stated.

Wamakko said that members of the committee who were chosen, based on merit should not betray the confidence reposed in them.

The Permanent secretary in the state’s Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr Buhari Kware, said that the establishment of the proposed college was part of government's reform agenda.

The chairman of the committee said that the members would live above board, saying, ‘’we will work as a team to deliver on the terms of reference.’’(NAN)

he Federal College of Education (FCE), Gombe, on Saturday matriculated 456 students into degree programmes for the 2011/2012 academic session.

The college is an affiliate of the University of Maiduguri and the Abubakar Tafawa Belewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.

The provost of the college, Dr Adamu Abbas, said that out of the 456 matriculating students, 330 were undergraduate students in various programmes of the University of Maiduguri, while 126 were undergraduate students of ATBU, Bauchi.

He said the occasion was the second matriculation for degree programmes in the school, noting that the first was in July 2010.

The provost advised the students to be serious with their studies, stressing that ``antisocial behaviours such as indiscipline, refusal to attend lectures and cultism would not be tolerated.''

In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of University of Maiduguri, Prof. Malah Daura, said the institution would maintain high quality staffing and improve its infrastructure to produce quality graduates and maintain the standards set by the National Universities Commission.

He gave the assurance that efforts aimed at maintaining high standards in degree programmes would be encouraged.

Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of ATBU, Prof.

Muhammad Hamisu, advised the students to be of good behaviour. ``Effective teaching and learning cannot take place in an atmosphere of rancor, crisis and instability.''

According to him, the current state of insecurity in the nation and the indiscipline in various institutions of higher learning in the country are causing concern not only in the institution but also the entire nation.

The college introduced degree programmes in 2010. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

PAGE 23

Report as at Friday, March 9, 2012 Security

Price

Change

Price Open High Low Trades

Volume

Value

Security

Price

Close

Change

Price Open High Low Trades

Volume

Value

1

59,733.00

29,866.50

67

3,706,957.00 2,710,139.49

22.62 +

35

184,400.00

4,378,985.00 29,795.00

Close

7UP

43.90

43.90 +

7

12,015.00

506,807.40

INTENEGINS

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

+

ACADEMY

2.09

2.09

+

1

3,874.00

8,096.66

JAPAULOIL

0.74

0.74

0.77

0.72

0.77

+

ACCESS

7.60

7.30

-

228 54,974,690.00 411,788,246.47

JBERGER

22.62

AGLEVENT

1.32

1.32

+

2

10,130.00

LASACO

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

+

1

59,590.00

AIICO

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

+

20

15,840,886.00 7,920,853.00

LAWUNION

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

+

1

9,855,352.00 4,927,676.00

AIRSERVICE

1.61

1.69

1.69

1.69

1.69

+

0.08

6

263,800.00

442,196.00

LIVESTOCK

1.23

1.29

1.29

1.26

1.29

+

41

3,010,931.00 3,882,296.49

ASHAKACEM

10.57

10.72

10.72

10.72

10.72 +

0.15

37

305,610.00

3,291,564.25

LONGMAN

2.81

2.81

+

1

500.00

1,475.00

AUSTINLAZ

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

+

10

500,000.00

1,000,000.00

MANDRID

5.66

5.66

+

1

50.00

297.00

AVONCROWN

5.37

5.37

+

1

7,540.00

38,529.40

MAYBAKER

2.75

2.62

-

4

124,200.00

325,524.00

BAGCO

1.62

1.69

+

28

402,325.00

674,282.17

MOBIL

133.00

18

157,272.00

19,871,864.70

BECOPETRO

0.50

0.50

+

2

10,000.00

5,000.00

NAHCO

7.55

7.54

7.54

7.54

7.54

-

0.01

36

433,585.00

3,243,101.68

BERGER

7.85

7.85

+

7

8,626.00

67,514.10

NASCON

4.00

3.98

4.12

3.98

4.10

+

0.10

23

811,530.00

3,317,938.60

BOCGAS

6.50

6.50

+

2

1,719.00

10,783.42

NB

93.52

95.00

95.00

94.11

94.90 +

1.38

168

2,791,047.00

264,339,517.87

CADBURY

9.17

9.62

+

16

164,246.00

1,580,046.52

NCR

10.23

10.23 +

1

1,000.00

10,100.00

CAP

15.12

21

38,367.00

584,882.42

NEIMETH

0.90

0.90

0.90

0.90

0.90

+

7

242,514.00

218,187.44

CCNN

4.88

5.12

5.12

5.12

5.12

+

17

249,812.00

1,276,404.16

NEM

0.51

0.52

0.52

0.50

0.50

-

9

273,066.00

137,871.90

CHAMPION

3.46

3.46

3.46

3.46

3.46

+

1

50,000.00

173,000.00

NESTLE

400.00

400.00 +

31

165,679.00

66,449,563.54

CHEVRON

41.23

41.23 +

3

2,340.00

96,272.20

NIGERINS

0.50

0.50

+

2

11,195.00

5,597.50

CILEASING

0.50

0.50

+

8

1,411,758.00

705,879.00

NNFM

21.48

21.48 +

1

1,000.00

20,410.00

CONOIL

24.50

24.50 +

9

4,523.00

113,428.90

OANDO

24.77

185

2,825,038.00 69,888,585.58

CONTINSURE

0.78

0.78

+

3

52,000.00

40,560.00

OKOMUOIL

21.80

21.80 +

10

7,414.00

155,148.50

CRUSADER

0.50

0.50

+

2

64,750.00

32,375.00

PRESCO

8.51

8.51

+

10

64,150.00

519,077.50

CUSTODYINS

1.52

1.59

+

4

201,000.00

319,450.00

PRESTIGE

0.67

0.67

0.67

0.67

0.67

+

5

224,370.00

150,070.50

CUTIX

1.58

1.58

+

3

22,000.00

35,020.00

PZ

24.95

24.98

24.98

24.97

24.97 +

0.02

44

369,465.00

9,162,601.54

DAARCOMM

0.50

0.50

+

8

59,000.00

29,500.00

REDSTAREX

2.39

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

-

0.09

9

548,300.00

1,261,340.00

DANGCEM

108.50

108.50

113.80 108.50 113.80 +

5.30

38

4,181,863.00 454,071,480.81

ROADS

8.69

8.69

+

1

450.00

3,717.00

DANGFLOUR

4.10

4.25

4.25

4.02

4.02

-

0.08

80

1,292,371.00

ROYALEX

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

+

11

585,682.00

292,841.00

DANGSUGAR

3.75

3.90

3.90

3.82

3.82

+

0.07

87

1,190,222.00 4,588,403.26

RTBRISCOE

1.29

1.27

1.27

1.27

1.27

-

12

553,270.00

695,122.10

DIAMONDBNK

2.55

2.60

2.60

2.50

2.50

-

0.05

48

5,411,068.00 13,570,135.85

SCOA

5.52

5.52

+

1

560.00

2,940.00

DNMEYER

0.93

0.93

0.93

0.93

0.93

+

4

150,000.00

139,500.00

SKYEBANK

4.25

4.23

-

48

2,009,580.00 8,371,516.92

DUNLOP

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

+

6

141,000.00

70,500.00

STARCOMMS

0.50

0.50

+

4

20,000.00

EQUITYASUR

0.50

0.50

+

1

22,000.00

11,000.00

STERLNBANK

1.02

0.97

-

35

2,255,084.00 2,234,534.11

ETERNAOIL

4.09

4.29

4.29

4.29

4.29

+

8

105,940.00

454,482.60

TANTALIZER

0.50

0.50

+

1

909.00

454.50

ETI

11.00

11.19

11.19

11.00

11.00 +

60

1,299,688.00 14,361,683.74

TOTAL

171.48

171.48 +

18

61,683.00

10,048,777.53

FCMB

4.30

4.15

4.15

4.15

4.15

-

0.15

37

607,703.00

TRANSCORP

0.52

0.54

0.54

0.53

0.54

+

0.02

102

17,374,003.00 9,371,760.07

FIDELITYBK

1.44

1.45

1.51

1.40

1.48

+

0.04

123

62,508,686.00 90,407,242.01

UAC-PROP

10.39

10.30

10.30

10.30

10.30 -

0.09

14

281,162.00

2,892,126.46

FIDSON

0.87

0.87

0.87

0.83

0.87

+

15

889,261.00

UACN

29.03

28.00

29.00

28.00

29.00 -

0.03

76

1,971,555.00

56,507,335.53

FIRSTBANK

11.59

11.30

11.45

11.21

11.25

-

418

19,910,946.00 223,961,908.07

UBA

3.12

3.15

3.25

2.97

2.97

-

0.15

464 79,691,298.00 243,559,526.33

FLOURMILL

57.61

48

172,883.00

10,031,675.57

UBN

6.37

6.06

6.06

6.06

6.06

-

0.31

5

111,047.00

672,944.82

FO

10.10

20

392,155.00

4,007,407.00

UNILEVER

29.30

29.00

29.00

29.00

29.00 -

0.30

32

601,625.00

17,456,942.03

GLAXOSMITH

19.99

32

307,926.00

6,010,816.75

UNITYBNK

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

+

17

7,668,486.00 3,834,243.00

GTASSURE

1.20

1.20

1.25

1.20

1.24

+

0.04

21

1,011,500.00

1,238,797.12

UPL

3.30

3.15

3.15

3.15

3.15

-

8

186,905.00

592,961.61

GUARANTY

14.38

14.45

14.69

14.45

14.60 +

0.22

537

26,871,725.00 392,396,411.72

UTC

0.50

0.50

+

4

429.00

214.50

GUINNESS

210.11

209.10

209.10 209.10 209.10 -

1.01

73

849,919.00

VANLEER

13.28

13.28 +

2

6,865.00

86,636.30

HMARKINS

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

+

1

20,000,000.00 10,000,000.00

VITAFOAM

3.20

16

190,898.00

631,269.76

HONYFLOUR

2.34

2.43

2.43

2.43

2.43

+

0.09

23

320,386.00

769,630.92

VONO

2.88

1

88.00

253.44

IBTC

7.39

7.52

7.52

7.48

7.48

+

0.09

34

718,341.00

5,395,110.85

WAPCO

41.00

40.00

40.00

40.00 40.00 -

43

325,274.00

13,237,462.04

IHS

2.59

2.59

2.59

2.59

2.59

+

2

2,000,000.00 5,180,000.00

WAPIC

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

+

4

123,606.00

61,803.00

IKEJAHOTEL

1.67

1.67

1.72

1.67

1.72

+

24

400,000.00

663,289.34

WEMABANK

0.55

0.53

0.54

0.53

0.54

-

0.01

23

1,381,036.00 734,336.20

INTBREW

5.79

5.79

+

7

50,400.00

280,224.00

ZENITHBANK

13.82

13.58

13.71

13.58

13.65 -

0.17

206 15,076,117.00 205,668,133.02

7.60

1.70

9.62

7.60

1.70

9.62

7.22

1.69

9.62

0.30

0.07

0.45

15.12 +

0.50

1.59

0.50

1.59

0.50

1.59

0.24

0.07

0.20

0.34

57.61 + 10.60

10.60

10.60

10.60 +

0.50

19.99 +

0.05

12,763.80

5,412,079.71

2,524,972.76 768,543.88

177,655,916.60

2.62

2.62

2.62

0.03

0.06

0.13

133.00 +

24.70

4.12 1.01

3.30

24.80

4.23 1.01

3.30

24.70

4.11 0.97

3.30

24.80 +

3.30

+

2.88

+

0.01

0.03

0.02 0.02 0.05

0.15

0.10 1.00

10,000.00

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

Nasarawa begins free HIV/AIDS mobile counselling, testing

N

asarawa state Ministry of Health in conjunction with the World Bank, has commenced a one week free mobile HIV counseling and testing programme in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was meant to check the spread of the disease.

The programme, which began in Lafia, would also be conducted in Akwanga, Obi, and Karu local government areas. An official, Mrs. Rose Eigege, said the team would spend two days in each of the selected four local government areas. She urged the people to avail themselves of the opportunity to know their HIV status in order to safeguard their lives and those of others.

“It is only when you know your status that you would be able

to properly receive medical advice at the appropriate place and get quality attention,” she said. Eigege also said there was the need to create more awareness on the disease, especially preventive measures and the handling of stigmatization, among others.

She noted that the fear of stigmatization had prevented a lot of people from coming out openly to know their status. “In fact, this has led to the death of so many people in our communities, who would have been alive had they gone out to be tested early enough,” she further stated. NAN reports that a recent sentinel survey in the country placed the HIV/ AIDS prevalent rate in Nasarawa state at 6.7 per cent, making it the second largest in the country after Benue

PAGE 29

Northern governors tasked on polio eradication

By A’isha Biola Raji

N

orthern Governors have been challenged to mandate their Local Government Council Chairmen to discharge their duties in seeing to the fulfillment of the Governor’s commitment to polio eradication in the country.

In a statement signed by Sa’adu Salahu Head, Public Relation Unit, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado J.G Muhammad made the appeal while addressing Northern Governors’ Meeting held yesterday at Usman Katsina

House, Kaduna.

In the statement, Ado attributed failure of the Local Government chairmen to copy the kind of commitment given by President Goodluck Jonathan and the Governors’ Forum to polio eradication as the main obstacle to a polio-free Nigeria.

Dr. Ado therefore urged the Governors to ensure direct involvement of local government chairmen in the realization, monitoring and supervision of the immunization exercise with regular report and accountability to the Governors.

He disclosed that the recent Presidential taskforce, inaugurated by President Goodluck

Jonathan was to hasten Nigeria’s chances at interrupting polio transmission, saying, members of the taskforce, under the chairmanship of Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, rely much on the Governors for continued support, to ensure the success of their assignment.

Dr. Ado presented a state by state account of all states in the North on the polio eradication to the Northern Governors’ Forum.

Speaking on behalf of the Governors, the Chairman of the Forum Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu expressed the collective determination of the Northern Governors’ Forum to ensure a polio-free Nigeria.

NAFDAC to recertify sachet water factories in Kano

T

he National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) will in April commence the re-certification of all registered sachet water factories in Kano state. The state NAFDAC Coordinator, Akinwomi Adedeji, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano. He said the exercise would also audit available facilities in the factories to ensure that they meet the set standards. “During the re-certification, those who meet our requirements will be re-certificated, while those who

do not will be given time to adjust or be deregistered,’’ Adedeji said. The coordinator said NAFDAC officials would inspect facilities in all the registered factories in the 44 local government areas of the state. According to him, the agency plans to hold a meeting with the registered water producers and organise a workshop to sensitise them on the proposed exercise. “There are more than 470 registered sachet water producers in the state, and we intend to inspect the facilities of each and every one,” he added. (NAN)

Poor ventilation, overcrowding favourable for TB infection, says expert

D

r Ifeanyi Aguyiorsi, Control Officer, Tuberculosis and Leprosy, Enugu State, has said that poor ventilation and overcrowding can predispose people to tuberculosis infection.

Aguyiorsi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka, Enugu State, on Friday that tuberculosis (TB) could be spread through coughing, sneezing or speaking with people who had the disease.

“It is an airborne disease that is spread from one person to another. It is easily spread in poor ventilated places and staying in overcrowded environments.

“People should avoid sleeping in overcrowded rooms in the night,” he said He said some of the early signs of TB infection were persistent cough for two weeks or more, loss of weight, prolonged fever, night sweating and cough with blood.

The officer said the ongoing nationwide tuberculosis survey

was to enable the National TB Programme to know the extent of the disease and plan for the future.

He said more than 138,000 patients died of TB yearly but pointed out that the disease “is curable when detected early”.

According to him, highly effective medicine is available in the country for patients free of charge Aguyiorsi commended the Federal Government and International donors, such as WHO, for ensuring that TB was eradicated in Nigeria.

He said the TB survey was made possible through the assistance of the Federal Government and WHO and advised patients to present themselves for free treatment.

He commended Nsukka Local Government Chairman, Mr Tony Ugwu, for providing the survey team accommodation when it arrived in the area, saying the support boosted the morale of the team. (NAN)

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate and Minister of Environment, Hajiya Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafiya, discussing during a recent Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the State House, Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Medics call for national emergency ambulance service

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team of 10 medical experts has advocated immediate establishment of a National Emergency Medical Service and a National Ambulance Service for efficient handling of mass casualty incidents in the country.

The experts led by Dr Abdurrazaq Gbadamosi, Director, Emergency Preparedness and Response in the Federal Ministry of Health while briefing the Health Minister said the need for the services had become more urgent in the light of recent developments in the country.

According to reports, the team was drawn from different teaching hospitals in the country and sent to Israel for two-week training on Trauma and Emergency Medical Services.

Gbadamosi said that the team was moved by the nature of Emergency Medical Services

(EMS) that was in place in Israel and urged the nation to emulate Israel so as to save more lives in times of medical emergency.

“Though compared to Nigeria, Israel is just a size of one state in Nigeria both in land mass and population but her EMS are simple, practical and easily adoptable with little adjustments in Nigeria,” he said.

Gbadamosi also on behalf of the group, called for the establishment of a paramedic corps and pilot designated trauma centres in some teaching hospitals.

The group also called for the enhancement of inter-agency coordination and collaboration as well as retention of the group as the steering committee for the establishment of the nation’s EMS. He disclosed that there would be follow-up training for the group with the support of the Israeli

Government.

On his part, the Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, pledged the unalloyed support of the ministry in harnessing the acquired knowledge and converting them to practical models.

He charged the trainees to return to inculcate their acquired knowledge to other medical practitioners, especially in their teaching hospitals.

The Minister called on them to come up with proposals on a sustainable project so that Nigerians could benefit from the knowledge they had acquired.

While expressing his gratitude to the team, Chukwu said that there would be more training in future so that more doctors would learn new things that would be of benefit to the country and improve the health of citizens.

(NAN)

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

Gombe records two cases of meningitis

Combating polio scourge in Kogi T

From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe wo cases of Cerebral-Spinal Meningitis (CSM) have been found in Gombe state out of the 11 suspected cases recorded by the state ministry of Health.

The state Commissioner of Health Dr. Kennedy Isahya disclosed this to newsmen in Gombe.

He explained that two cases had been confirmed to be cerebral spinal meningitis and the patients are currently receiving treatment, while the remaining nine are still undergoing investigation.

According to him, those infected by the disease are those who did not receive the vaccine named CCSM menafrivac during its exercise.

It could be recalled that the vaccination of the CSM menafrivac was conducted in the state in December 2011 and targeted 1,928,711 population of the vulnerable group aged between 0 to 29 years.

The commissioner said the state had the vaccines in the state cold store and advise people to always clean their environment as well as sleep in ventilated areas to prevent contacting the disease.

Lagos to refurbish 254 health centres, says lawmaker

T

Special team for the 2012 Immunization Plus Day, administering Oral Polio vaccine (OPV) to a child, recently at Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina state.

Photo: Mahmud Isa From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

K

ogi state government in recent past constituted Task force on Polio eradication through routine immunization and primary health care with the commissioner for health, Dr Dorcas Onumiya as the chairman who was mandated to ensure strict compliance to eradicate the scourge from Kogi state through sensitization and adequate immunization of children against the killer disease and proper routine immunization coverage in the entire state. Captain Idris Wada, recently in Lokoja, during the flag-off of the kick-polio from Kogi state program stated that it has become necessary to sensitize the people and ensure strict compliance with the exercise. He told the people that the state would leave no stone unturned to see that polio is eradicated from the state.

Dr Dorcas said the overall objective is to ensure zero status of the wild polio virus, {WPV}, transmission in the state by the end of 2012. Since the discovery of the incurable polio virus in the 80s in Nigeria, significant efforts have been made by various voluntary organizations, foreign partners in health care delivery system, stakeholders, Federal, states and local government to eradicate the virus and other childhood killer disease from the state.

Capt. Idris Wada the state governor in his bid to ensure that kogi state joins other polio free status states in the federation, has declared his support for every round of Immunization Plus Days, {PDS}, morally and financially, so that about six Wild Polio Virus discovered in three local government areas in kogi state,

Dekina government area alone had three, Igalamela/Odolu two and Lokoja had one respectively could become a thing of the past.

Some factors have been discovered to be responsible for the poor outcome of every effort of the foreign agencies, NGOs and the three tiers of government. But the good story today is that Lokoja has gotten clean bill of health that polio has completely been wiped out of the LG, the acting chairman, Comrade M Iyaji stated this during the flag-off.

In the data of the four priority local government areas with highest number of un-immunised children released by the World Health Organisation, {WHO}, in Kogi state, Dekina local government has the highest number of 2,586, Olamaboro had 2, 497, Ofu LG had 2,021, while Lokoja LG had 1,958 unimmunised children respectively.

Though the scourge has been reduced to a minimal level, during advocacy visits to stakeholders, religion and traditional institutions in the state, the chairman of the Okun traditional council of Chiefs, the Obaro of Kabba, Oba Michael Olabayo blamed the existence of polio in the state despite all efforts, on insincerity of the health personnel, monitors and coordinators. He has at a point argued that both independent monitors, federal and state monitor and social mobilization committee monitors have been paying lips service during implementation of PDS. A World Health Organisation personnel in Kogi State Dr Olarewaju Afeniran at the ministry of health Lokoja sensitization on routine immunization and Primary health care said a lot more needed

to be done to attain the status of polio free state, Factors like manpower, to bring out adequate qualified health workers to man facilities at the state and local government areas, Materialsappropriate vehicles required for supervision, distribution of vaccines to health institutions and other designation in the state and adequate cold store facilities, among others.

Other challenges of Supplemental Immunization Activities, {SIA}, according to WHO consultant includes recurrent political violence and civil strikes in few local government areas, inadequate technical support team to supervise special areas needing more focus during immunization PDS. Poor documentation/ reporting and follow up of non compliance of guardians and unreliable monitoring data from some monitors and supervisors are equally responsible for the low performance.

The overriding principle to guide proper implementation of the Wild Polio Virus WPV according to the State commissioner for health Dr Dorcas Onumiya is to constantly monitor and report the activities of the technical and medical officers on the field, and with the report so far available to the ministry, polio scourge in the state has reached zero level. A medical officer at the Federal Medical Center, FMC, Lokoja, Dr Iduh opined that adequate attention should be given to the scourge to ensure its total eradication from the state. He said that all necessary materials to combat the scourge are there, all depends on the authority to provide logistics for the medical team to perform.

he Lagos state Government will soon refurbish about 254 health centres in the state to improve its health care delivery.

Assemblyman Suuru Avoseh, the Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly’s Committee on Health Services, made this known recently during a visit to Badagry General Hospital.

He said that the government would start the refurbishment and reconstruction of the health centres in 57 Local Council Development Areas of the state in April.

Avoseh stressed the government’s commitment to providing quality and affordable health care services to the citizens by procuring appropriate medical

equipment and motivating the medical personnel.

“We want to improve our hospitals to the standard that is obtainable in developed countries,’’ he said.

Responding, Dr Gbolahan Durojaye, the Medical Director of Badagry General Hospital, said that the hospital had 370 workers, including 26 doctors and 103 nurses.

He said that some of the challenges facing the hospital include insufficient drugs and erratic power supply which, he noted, had hindered its operations.

Based on reports, Avoseh inspected facilities at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit, Medical Laboratory, Male Surgical and Paediatrics Wards. (NAN)

FG to control autism rise in Nigeria

By A’isha Biola Raji

T

he Federal Government has made moves to manage the rise in autism in the country by inaugurating a local organizing Committee for the World Autism Awareness Day coming up in April.

Minister of Health, Prof.C.O.Onyebuchi Chukwu who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Fatima Bamidele during the inauguration of the Committee in Abuja recently said, Nigeria as a nation has the burden of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a situation that is not misunderstood but also associated with stigmatization equal to what obtained with HIV/AIDS initially.

He explained that ASD is a developmental irregularity that affects the operation of the brain such that affected individuals have difficulties with learning and social interactions.

He pointed out that all segments of the population are affected without discrimination stressing that in the severe form; these individuals cannot lead normal lives but have to depend on others for life.

He noted that Nigeria cannot attain the level of development of our dream if autism continues to be neglected.

He said that in line with the policy direction of government

that places a high premium on human capital development, the Ministry is encouraged to begin to deal with the issue of autism now because it has been established that early intervention is associated with good outcomes.

Prof.Chukwu further stated that the needed interventions are multisectoral, requiring inputs from other sectors of Nigerian economy other than Health.

He said the inaugurated the committee is to serve as the coordinating body for the 2012 WAAD to raise awareness of Nigerians on autism to a substantial level such that stigmatization will fade and early diagnosis and intervention will become the routine.

In her welcome remarks, the Director of Family Health, Dr.Bridget Okoeguale said that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neglected condition that affects 1 in 100 persons globally adding that in Nigeria, the problem is compounded by ignorance and misconceptions among the populace as well as scarcity of facilities and services for care of those affected.

The Chairman of the Committee Dr.Nwanze Okidegbe, Chief Economic Adviser to the President on behalf of the Committee members thanked the Minister of Health for the efforts made so far in addressing the problem of autism in the country.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

Boko Haram days are numbered, says CDS N

igeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, on Saturday in Abidjan, said the days of Boko Haram menace were numbered as security forces are decimating the network.

Petinrin gave the assurance on the sidelines of a meeting of ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff held in Cote d’Ivoire to stem the rising insecurity in West Africa.

Petinrin said that the security forces had gained more intelligence from frequent arrests of the members of the leadership of Boko Haram.

“Boko Haram is a religious sect that initially started by condemning western knowledge in Nigeria and blossomed into a terrorist group that had unleashed

mayhem on unsuspecting victims.

“Boko Haram has killed over 1,200 people in Nigeria, including Christians, Muslims and most internationally remembered was the bombing of UN House in Abuja that killed about 23 people.

“The truth of the matter is that we have decimated the leadership of Boko Haram and most of them are now in detention.

“They have been caught.

And just recently, about 23 days ago, we again caught the leader of the military wing, which led to our knowing where the kidnapped victims were and unfortunately the victims died in an attempt to rescue them.

“We all know that this can happen in the best planned operations and that shows the extent to

which we already have a good angle on how to grab the leadership of Boko Haram and it is a matter of time.”

Petrinrin said that Boko Haram sect had no clear sense of direction from the list of their demands from the interrogations that had been conducted so far.

He said: “These are people with no clear cut ideology and when you ask them what they want, you will hear very stupid and silly things. So, to me this is a flash in the pan which will be over soon.”

The Chief of Defence Staff said the Boko Haram network was spread to Niger and Cameroon and the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff had agreed on a broad-based regional strategy to nip the insurgents.

“The issue of Boko Haram also came up and the issue of Boko Haram is not only in Nigeria, it is now in Niger and Cameroon is also

feeling the impact and so the meeting urged Cameroon to come on board and work with Nigeria to make sure this issue of Boko Haram is quickly brought under control.”

On the anxiety, fear and allegations of lukewarm security attitude to the issue, Petinrin said it usually would take a while to handle terrorists like the Boko Haram because of the broad network and mode of operations.

“The issue of terrorism is not something you can cure in a day, it is not something you do with immediate effect, what I am trying to say is that the issue of terrorism is not something you will say it can end tomorrow.

He said that the meeting of the Chiefs of Defence Staff also agreed on the need to deploy peace keepers to Mali that would intervene on the growing menace of the Taureg rebels that had killed many innocent people since January.

Lagos lawmaker laments state of facilities in LSPC

Kogi sets up environmental task force From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

P

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

C

hairman of the Commit tee on Information, Secu rity and Publicity of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Segun Olulade representing Epe Constituency 2 has condemned the facilities and the poor environment of the Lagos Printing Corporation (LSPC).

Bemoaning this when he visited the premises with other committee members of the House, Olulade said it was a shame that the printing corporation did not meet up with the mega city project of Lagos state, and the premises needed total overhauling.

According to him, “I am sure that Governor Babatunde Fashola was not aware of the state of things here because equipment in the corporation are a disgrace to the state.

“General Manager of the corporation and the Commissioner for Information would be summoned to the House of Assembly next week to give reasons why LSPC is not well taken care of.

The committee members were received by the Secretary of LSPC Board, Mr. Sina Bamgbose Staff of the corporation also used the opportunity to register their grievances by displaying placards complaining of non payment of January and February 2012 salaries.

They also complained of poor welfare package and failure of the management to remit their pension funds deducted from their salaries to the appropriate quarters.

“As regards the Sahel region, Mali’s issue came up for discussion and it was agreed that ECOWAS Standby Force should be deployed by the authority of the Heads of States to bring peace to Mali .

“Some far reaching decisions were reached basically to deal with Mali because of the Sahel region. Security in the region was one of the focus of this meeting and then of course, the Gulf of Guinea, the maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.”

For the Gulf of Guinea maritime security issue, he said, a Maritime Security Strategy draft was being considered and it had been agreed that the draft should be made available by March 15 to all the members.

Top military officers from Nigeria, Cameroun, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Niger and Liberia also participated in the meeting. (NAN)

L-R: Sokoto state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Shagari, and Permanent Secretary, the state Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr. Buhari Kware, during the inauguration of the committee for Computer Technology College, on Friday in Sokoto.

Photo: NAN

Women’s Day: Mothers urged to be role models vised.

From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

W

omen in the country have been urged to mentor and have positive influence on the younger generations, in the discharge of their responsibilities to the family and the nation.

Kogi Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr. Folashade Shinkaye made the call recently in Lokoja in a key note address to mark the 2012 International Women’s Day organised in collaboration with the Action Aid Nigeria.

Titled: “Connecting Girls: Inspiring the Future, Building the next generation through effective

mentoring of the girl child”, Shinkaye said women were the mirror with which the younger generations looked into the future.

She however admonished the students drawn from selected secondary schools across the state to strive and work hard to attain success saying: “We are where we are because even in the midst of pain we endured.

“Let me stress that the road to success is hard work and more hard work. There is no short cut to success. If you have a chance to get a degree, do not be satisfied with a diploma and if you have a chance to get a diploma, do not be satisfied with a School Certificate” she ad-

In her welcome address, Mrs Patience Ekeoba, Women’s Rights Coordinator with the Action Aid Nigeria said this year’s theme was remarkable because of the focus on the girl child.

“We are encouraged to bring attention to the need of girls by connecting and inspiring them to enable them acquire the desired knowledge and skills necessary for healthy and productive growth and development”, she said.

Ekeoba pointed out that half of the world’s population of 6.3 billion people was under the age of 25 and in most countries girls made up half or more of the number saying that it was instructive to urgently address critical challenges of the girl child.

iqued by the unhealthy environmental situation in Kogi state, Governor Idris Wada has inaugurated a 17 man committee to ensure cleanliness of the state in conformity with his electioneering promise to enthrone a new order in environmental management of major towns.

The governor who was represented at the inauguration Saturday in Lokoja by his deputy, Arch. Yomi Awoniyi stated that the government attaches importance to the beautification of Lokoja, the state capital.

According to him, “this exercise is very compulsive because of the environmental conditions of Lokoja. I urge you to stop the people from indiscriminate dumping of refuse on roads ,defécating by the riverside and all forms of lawlessness,” he charged.

The deputy governor said, in stopping defacement of the environment, an interministerial committee of relevant agencies has been set up adding that Lokoja local government has been co-opted for its strategic location.

He charged them to discharge their duty with fairness, equity and justice and should work hard to rid the major towns of waste.

He maintained that the government would embark on a long term programme of beautification of Lokoja, saying that parks, monuments, recreation centers and landscaping of roads would be vigorously pursued.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

PAGE 11

Lamorde reorganises EFCC

By Lambert Tyem

T

he chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde at the weekend announced major appointments in the anti-graft agency.

The new arrangement saw the emergence of Mr. Olaolu Adegbite, a Chief Superintendent of Police as the new Director of Operations.

He succeeds Mr. Lamorde who held that position before he was named acting chairman of EFCC on November 23, 2011.

The new Director of Operation had been the head of the Advance Fee Fraud section of the EFCC since inception.

That unit is a major contributor to the bouquet of convictions recorded by the EFCC in its nine years of existence.

Apart from Adegbite other appointments announced include Mr. Mohammed Wakili who heads the newly created Internal Affairs Department.

Mr. Ayo Olowonihi, former Head of the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, SCUML now becomes Commandant of the EFCC Academy.

Mr. Bala Sanga, former Deputy Director, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit moves to the Legal Unit of the EFCC Academy, while former Director of the EFCC Training and Research Institute (now re-designated EFCC Academy), Dr. David Tukura becomes Director, Planning, Policy and Statistics in the newly created Directorate of Planning, Policy and Statistics.

Mr. Osita Nwajah, Assistant Director and pioneer Head of Media and Publicity, becomes Acting Deputy Director, Media and Public Affairs.

He is to superintend the newly created Directorate of Media and Public Affairs.

L-R: Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Abubakar Jijiwa, Executive Director, News, Mr. Ken Nwachukwu; Director, Administration, Mrs. Margaret Obanya, and Director, Programmes, Mr. Ajibola Yusuf-Ajibola, during a news conference on the inauguration of VON’s ultra modern transmitting station, recently in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Police officers to face sanctions over attacks on stations - IG T

he acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, on Saturday in Jos, warned that the force would henceforth hold officers responsible for attacks on police formations in their domains.

Abubakar said this in an address at the graduation of Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) to Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) Promotion Course in Jos. He warned that the leadership of the force would no longer tolerate officers running away from criminals.

“Of a particular worry is the increasing number of attacks on

police stations. Similarly, it is a cause for concern the increasing number of police officers killed in the line of duty.

“You can’t afford to run away when there’s trouble. Post sufficient men around your stations and when there’s problem, face it squarely, you don’t run away.

Then, the enemy will think twice before attacking you.

“The Force will no longer tolerate this development. You are hereby charged to effectively marshal your resources to bring crime down to tolerable level and muster your men to provide adequate security for police stations and barracks”.

Abubakar, who was represented by the DIG “E” Department, Abdulrahman Akano, said that his goal was to make officers and men of the Force “more competent, more confident and more efficient” in the art of modern policing.

According to him, the attendance of the ACPs to DCPs course is in line with the police reform programme which tied promotion from constable to DCP to the successful completion of certain courses.

The IG said that he had declared a state of emergency in training and made it a central focus under his leadership, as well

as constituted eight committees to appraise the needed reforms in the force.

Earlier, Commandant, Police Staff College, AIG John Morenike, thanked the IG for approving N15 million for the hotel accommodation of the participants, saying the ongoing massive renovation and construction works in the college would make successive participants comfortable.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ACP to DCP Promotion Course 2/2012 has 96 participants comprising 92 male and four female officers.

(NAN)

Monoeuvres: Army advises Plateau, Kaduna residents not to panic

T

he Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) would conduct manoeuvres in four locations in Plateau and Kaduna states and has advised residents of the areas not to panic.

A statement by Lt. Col. Andrew Idachaba, Assistant Director,

Army Public Relations of the 3 Armoured Division, Jos indicated that manoeuvres would hold from March 12 to March 19 in Kachia, Kaduna state and Shere Hills, Bukuru and Bassa in Plateau.

It said the exercise, which would involve troop movement

and live gun shorts, was part of drills for students of Direct Short Services Course 20 of the institution.

“The public is to please note that this is a normal military training exercise and necessary measures had been put in place

to ensure the safety of lives and property of citizens in these areas.

“Consequently, firing simulating guns and artillery/ engineer demolition sound will be heard in the NDA exercise camp in these mentioned areas.”

The statement, therefore, advised people in the affected locations not to panic, “as these are normal military exercises”.

It regretted the inconveniences the exercise would cause the people and solicited for understanding. (NAN)

Kogi gets ActionAid-assisted HIV counseling units Firemen avert conflagration in Yobe From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

A

ctionAid International has built four Primary Health Centres (PHC) equipped with HIV counseling units for four communities in Kogi to serve the health requirements of the rural populace.

Mr. Victor Adejoh, Programme Manager of the organisation disclosed this in Lokoja at a one-day training on “HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) and Access to HCT Ser-

vices” organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Health.

He said that the centres established in Ayah, Ofuloko and Ujagba in Igalamela/Odolu local government and Ege/ Iruvochinomi in Adavi were aimed at providing basic health interventions that would enable substantial health gains at low cost.

On the HCT training, Adejoh said the package is targeted at the delivery of minimum health interventions in the grassroots to

fast-track attainment of the global target of Health for All and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“We had a baseline study which revealed that none of the primary health centres in the various communities had HIV counseling units.

“So, we sought collaboration with the Ministry of Health to see how we can provide the knowledge and basic skills for counselors to boost the knowledge of HIV and AIDS in the rural areas”, he said.

From Godswill Uche, Damaturu

F

iremen in Damaturu on Saturday, saved properties and lives when their timely arrival rescued residents of Kasuwar Jagwal in the metropolis from a fire ignited at a refuse dump.

The site is beside the United Bank for Africa opposite police ‘A’ division in Damaturu. Witnesses say at the time the fire servicemen arrived the scene, the fire was already burning the rear part of one of a rows of buildings surrounded by other residential houses and

business premises along Maiduguri road in Damaturu.

The fire fighters were able to combat the fire and put it out before it could cause any significant damage.

Some residents who spoke to our correspondent in the area said they have been calling for a stop to using the area as a refuse dump to no avail. They therefore appealed to the authorities concerned especially the mpinistry of environment to take necessary action that would deter people from dumping refuse in the area.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

Sabo Mohammed: The Demise of a PR Doyen in Nigeria

By Yushau A. Shuaib

M

ore deaths came calling at a period the country had just buried the ex-Igbo warlord IkembaOdumegbuOjukwu and an economist of distinction, Professor Sam Aluko, when the news filtered in that a doyen of public relations in Nigeria, Alhaji Sabo Sarki Mohammed passed away on February 5, 2012. Alhaji Sabo Mohammed was the first elected National President of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) from the North.

Before the announcement of Alhaji Sabo Mohammed's death, this writer attempted to write a tribute to compare the effect of OdumegwuOjukwu's led civil war of secession by Biafra, in which about two million Nigerians were killed and the impact of economic theories of Professor Aluko to knowledge and economic development. The draft article "Between Ojukwu and Aluko" gave way to this dirge on Sabo Mohammed, the unsung PR guru in Nigeria. This change of mind by this author does not in any way underrated the significance of Ojukwu who was born in the Northern Nigeria and was accorded most dignified state burial ever that witnessed military parade and presence of top ranking public figures. Professor Aluko's burial ceremony too was a gathering of genuinely detribalized Nigerians and intellectuals that strangely included Professor Wole Soyinka, an atheist who attended a church service in the honour of the economist.

Born in the ancient city of Kano on May 20, 1939, Sabo Mohammed who later became the President of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) 1993 to 1998 after serving as Vice President to Mr. Mike Okereke between 1988 to 1993 was among the very few who promoted scholarship and inspired many young Nigerians to take to public relations profession from the university. During his tenure, he campaigned for mandatory registration of PR practitioners with NIPR to check the menace of quacks. It was in that same period that the idea of specialized courses on PR in universities was propagated which saw to the introduction of Postgraduate degree progamme in PR, first at the University of Nigeria Nsukka.

At a period when students of Mass Communication in Nigerian universities, including Bayero University Kano (BUK), would either specialize in Electronic Media or Print Journalism, Sabo Mohammed inspired us to think beyond reporting events

Late Sabo Mohammed (left) with YAShuaib at a PR Forum in Abuja in 1999 but becoming active players in every stage of communication.

His family became synonymous with PR practice when his younger brother, late Sabiu Mohammed, the Head student Relations Unit in BUK became PR evangelist who introduced Mass Communication students in the early 90s to develop interest and register as studentmembers of NIPR. The campaign was so successful that the younger brother later became the Chairman of NIPR for Kano/Jigawa Chapter while his senior brother was National the President of the institute. Through the support and encouragement from Senior Sabo, the young Sabiu who died a decade ago, was the most recognised voice of PR revivalism in the North as he turned the activities of local NIPR chapter only comparable to the 'Eko Yankees,' the coined name for pragmatic NIPR Chapter in Lagos.

Late Sabo Mohammed was a strong believer in the fact that public relations is not only about theory but also practice by which the communicator is seen as a practitioner. When a series of awards were instituted in selected university by NIPR to recognize and reward excellent in PR, he insisted that the award named after him at BUK "Sabo Mohammed Prize for the Best Student in PR" should not only recognize academic

bookworms but students that demonstrated creativity, ingenuity, writing skills and exemplary qualities that are basic requirements for

“

Born in the ancient city of Kano on May 20, 1939, Sabo Mohammed who later became the President of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) 1993 to 1998 after serving as Vice President to Mr. Mike Okereke between 1988 to 1993 was among the very few who promoted scholarship and inspired many young Nigerians to take to public relations profession from the university.

successful PR practice. This writer was a beneficiary of that scholastic gesture in 1992 The humility of Sabo Muhammad who was once Chief Press Secretary to late Major General ShehuYar'Adua, the then Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters and acted on the same position briefly for the then Head of State, General OlusegunObasanjo, was some of the qualities that endeared some of us, as students in the early 90s, to relate with him closely. As our professional guardian he converted some potential broadcasters and print journalists into PR people with persuasive and convincing approach. We believed him because he had experienced the other sides when he was a writer and reporter for Daily Express, Nigerian Citizen, New Nigerian, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Voice of Germany (deutschwelle) between 1960 and 1975.

A gentleman who worked hard to eke a living, he lived a simple and corrupt-free life, that some wonder how a former Chief Press Secretary to first governor of Kano State AuduBako and former commissioner of Information and Finance in the state could not build a mansion or drive exotic cars many years after his retirement.

As if he had premonition of

his death, in 2011 he published and presented a book "The Monarch of Hope" where he provided a glimpse on his background, his controversial state of origin and other challenges he met to reach the peak of his career as one of the fathers of Public Relations in Nigeria, especially from the Northern part of the country.

Some of his unique foray in public life included working under Dr. Sam Epelle, Director Federal Ministry of Information and founding father of PR in Nigeria and was Information Attache in Germany. Before his death at the age of 73, he was Chairman and chief executive of Sarki Media Limited, a PR and advertising firm he founded after his retirement in October 1979.

Buried according to Islamic rite, late Sabo Mohammed who left behind a wife and four children would forever be remembered as a PR professional whose simple lifestyle, humility, commitment to professional excellence and sense of patriotism are quite exemplary for emulation by PR practitioners.

Yushau A. Shuaib Head of Public Relations National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yashuaib@yahoo.com

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

We’ve seen the threats against Iran before (I) ANALYSIS

H

ere we go again with the Iran hysteria. It is tempting to think this time will be just like previous periods of sabre rattling against Iran. But there are significant new dangers. The Arab Spring, Israel's position, changes in the regional and global balance of forces, and national election campaigns, all point to this round of anti-Iranian hysteria posing potentially graver risks than five or six years ago.

We have seen all this before.

The US ratchets up its rhetoric, Israel threatens a military attack, escalating sanctions bite harder on the Iranian people, Iran refuses to back down on uranium enrichment.

But at the same time, top US military and intelligence officials actually admit Iran does not have a nuclear weapon, is not building a nuclear weapon, and has not decided whether to even begin a building process.

There is certainly a big dose of déjà vu. In 2004 Israel's prime minister denounced the international community for not doing enough to stop Iran from building a nuclear weapon. In 2005 the Israeli military was reported to "be ready by the end of March for possible strikes on secret uranium enrichment sites in Iran". In 2006 the House Armed Services Committee issued a report drafted by one congressional staffer (an aide to hard-line pro-war John Bolton, then US ambassador to the UN), claiming that Iran was enriching uranium to weapons-grade 90 per cent.

That same year a different Israeli prime minister publicly threatened a military strike against Iran. In 2008, George W Bush visited Israel to reassure them that "all options" remained on the table.

The earlier crisis saw a very similar gap between the demonisation, sanctions, threats of military strikes against Iran, and the seemingly contradictory recognition by US, Israeli, United Nations and other military and intelligence officials that Iran actually did not possess nuclear weapons, a nuclear weapons programme, or even a decision to try to develop nuclear weapons.

The 2005 US National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) determined that even if Iran decided it wanted to make a nuclear weapon, it was unlikely before five to ten years, and that producing enough fissile material would be impossible even in five years unless Iran achieved "more rapid and successful progress" than it had so far. By 2007, a new NIE had pulled back even further, asserting "with high confidence that in fall 2003 Tehran halted its nuclear weapons programme ... Tehran had not started its nuclear weapons programme as of mid2007". The NIE even admitted "we do not know whether it currently intends to develop nuclear weapons". That made the dire threats against Iran sound pretty lame. So maybe it wasn't surprising that Newsweek magazine described how, "in private conversations with Israeli Prime Minister

went ballistic.

All of that sounds very familiar right now. Military and intelligence leaders in Israel and the US once again admit that Iran does not have nukes. (Israel of course does, but no one talks about that.)

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta asked and answered his own Iran question: "Are they trying to develop a nuclear weapon? No." Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper, Jr. admitted the US does not even know "if Iran will eventually decide to build nuclear weapons". The latest 2011 NIE makes clear there is no new evidence to challenge the 2007 conclusions; Iran still does not have a nuclear weapons programme in operation. According to the Independent, "almost the entire senior hierarchy of Israel's military and security establishment is worried about a premature attack on Iran and

“

Almost the entire senior hierarchy of Israel’s military and security establishment is worried about a premature attack on Iran and apprehensive about the possible repercussions Ehud Olmert last week, the president all but disowned the document".

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA - the UN's nuclear watchdog) issued report after report indicating it could find no evidence that Iran had diverted enriched uranium to a weapons programme. The UN inspection agency harshly rejected the House committee report, calling some of its claims about Iran's alleged nuclear weapons activities incorrect, and others "outrageous and dishonest".

And outside of the Bush White House, which was spearheading much of the hysteria, members of Congress, the neo-con think tanks, hysterical talk show hosts, and much of the mainstream media

apprehensive about the possible repercussions." Former head of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said "it is quite clear that much if not all of the IDF leadership do not support military action at this point."

But despite all the military and intelligence experts, the threat of war still looms.

Republican candidates pound the lecterns promising that "when I'm president..."

Iran will accept international inspectors - as if the IAEA had not maintained an inspection team inside Iran for the last many years.

We hear overheated rumours of Iranian clerics promising nuclear weapons to their people - as if Iran's leaders had not actually issued fatwas against nuclear weapons, something that

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

would be very difficult to reverse.

Some strategic issues are indeed at stake, but the current anti-Iran mobilisation is primarily political. It doesn't reflect actual US or Israeli military or intelligence threat assessments, but rather political conditions pushing politicians, here and in Israel, to escalate the fear factor about Iranian weapons [however nonexistent] and the urgency for attacking Iran [however illegal]. And the danger, of course, is that this kind of rhetoric can box leaders in, making them believe they cannot back down from their belligerent words.

One of the main differences from the propaganda run-up to the Iraq war is the consistent centrality of Israel and its supporters, particularly AIPAC in the US, in this push for war against Iran. Israel certainly jumped aboard the attack-Iraq bandwagon when it was clear that war was indeed inevitable, but US strategic concerns regarding oil and the expansion of US military power were first and primary. Even back then, Israel recognised Iran as a far greater threat than Iraq. And now, Israelis using that alleged threat to pressure US policymakers and shape US policy - in dangerous ways.

During this campaign cycle, Obama is under the greatest pressure he has ever faced, and likely ever will face, to defend the Israeli position unequivocally, and to pledge US military support for any

Israeli action, however illegal, dangerous, and threatening to US interests.

Iran simply is not, as former CIA analyst and presidential adviser Bruce Reidel makes clear, "an existential threat" to Israel. Even a theoretical future nuclear-armed Iran, if it ever chose that trajectory, would not be a threat to the existence of Israel, but would be a threat to Israel's longstanding nuclear monopoly in the Middle East. That is the real threat motivating Israel's attack-Iran-now campaign.

Further, as long as top US political officials, from the White House to Congress, are competing to see who can be more supportive of Israel in its stand-off with Iran, no one in Washington will even consider pressure on Israel to end its violations of international law and human rights regarding its occupation and apartheid policies towards Palestinians.

Israel gets a pass.

Israel is more isolated in the region than ever before. The USbacked neighbouring dictatorships Israel once counted on as allies are being challenged by the uprisings of the Arab Spring. Egypt's Mubarak was overthrown, the king of Jordan faces growing pressure at home, and the threats to Syria's regime mean that Israel could face massive instability on its northern border - something Bashar al-Assad and his father largely staved off since Israel occupied the Syrian Golan Heights in 1967.

Source: Aljazeera.com

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE - Pg 20 Nigeria to host Islamic Development Bank...

Mob: 08033644990

DStv Nigeria engages subscribers through Social Media From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

W

ith an estimated 44 million internet users and over 5 million users active on social media portals in Nigeria, there are huge opportunities for online interactions between brands and their customers.

MultiChoice Nigeria, operators of the leading pay TV service DStv, is in the forefront of harnessing the power of online media interaction, with its Facebook page and Twitter handle which have been introduced for the benefit of existing and potential subscribers.

Designed by MultiChoice Nigeria to bring its services closer to the end users, the DStv Nigeria Facebook page available at www.facebook.com/dstvng and Twitter handle @DStvng, have become active social media communities aimed at servicing customers in five core areas which include creating brand awareness, resolving customer service queries, providing sales and technical support, creating discussions around DStv content and channels, and rewarding fans via regular competitions and contests.

Flight schedule AIR NIGERIA (MONDAY - SUNDAY) LOS-A BJ: 07.15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.30, 17.00, 17.20, 18.30.

ABJ-L OS: 07.00, 09.30, 10.30, 11.15, 16.15, 19.15, 19.35 ABJ-KANO: 18.40 KANO -ABJ: 08.35 ABJ-SOK (MON): 09.35 ABJ -SOK (FRI): 10.10 ABJ-SOK (WED/SUN): 11.20 SOK -ABJ (MON ): 11.35 SOK-ABJ (FRI): 12.00 SOK-ABJ (WED/SUN): 13.20

AEROCONTRACTORS (MON - SUN) LOS-ABJ: 06.50, 13.30, 19.45 LOS-ABJ (SUN): 12.30 LOS-ABJ (SAT): 16.45 ABU-L OS: 07.30, 13.00, 14.00, 19.00 ABU-LOS (SUN): 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 ABU-LOS (SAT): 18.30

DANA AIRLINES (MON - SUN) LOS-ABJ: 07.02, 08.10, 12.06, 15.30, 17.10 ABJ-LOS: 07.20, 09.36, 13.05, 14.40 ABJ-LOS (SAT/SUN): 13.05, 18.00 LOS-KANO: 08.10 KANO-LOS: 11.25 KANO-ABUJA: 11.25 ABUJA-KANO : 10.08

IRS AIRLINES

According to John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, “We’ve always had an

‘Inability to accurately value information bane of cyber insurance’ From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

R

isk managers have been urged to accurately articulate their cyber risk concerns to insurers if this evolving area of insurance is to properly develop.

This admonition was given by the head, Insurance at UK-based information security firm, BAE Systems Detica, Mark Fishleigh at an emerging risks seminar organised by Commercial Risk Europe held on Wednesday, in London.

Fishleigh noted that there is growing awareness of cyber risk among risk managers, as proven by the fact that it was highlighted as one of the major challenges facing the profession in CRE’s 2011 Risk Frontiers Survey.

According to him, there are also an increasing number of insurance products available for cyber risks. “There is currently an imbalance between the supply from insurers and the demand of insured in what is still an immature market”, observed.

He explained that cyber insurance products have tended to come from two different directions—liability underwriters extending their standard coverage to include cyber-related risks and property underwriters that have finally accepted that losses can occur where there is no

By Abdulwahab Isa

T

he Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel has predicted that the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) target of N2.5 trillion Gross Industry Premium for the insurance sector by 2015 is achievable.

The Chief Executive Officer of National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) said this in a paper presented recently at LBS PanAfrican University breakfast club meeting in Lagos.

EXCHANGE RATES

CBN CFA • £ RIYAL $

another layer of customer service that allows us to resolve their queries in real time”. He added that “these types of interactions are very important in showing that our brand is always listening and values our customers’ loyalty”.

With dedicated resources, the interactions on DStv Nigeria’s social media channels occur numerous times daily and with a rapidly increasing number of existing and potential customers who get regular updates on programmes and opportunities to win gift items.

L-R: Chairman of Fort-Oil, Chief Femi Otedola, and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, after the meeting of the Economic Management Team, at the State House, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye.

£ RIYAL $

Fola hinged his firm belief on positive figures already posted in gross premium income by the insurance sector.

He said figures at his disposal in the last three successive years had revealed a sustained increase in the industry gross premium income.

In 2009, according to him, the industry gross premium income rose to N190, 310.31 billion from N155, 815.19 billion in 2008; and N201, 284.35 billion in 2010.

“This increase has been more

SELLING 0.3185 207.8147 248.7073 41.5667 155.9

BUYING 243 43 154

SELLING 257 45 159

pronounced with respect to Life Insurance Business which has percentage growth rates of 25.23% for 2009 and 41.83% for 2010. This result can be quickly explained on the basis of increasing compliance with Compulsory Group Life Insurance as required by the Pension Reform Act 2004. It is hoped that the impact of other Non-Life Compulsory insurances on the industry premium position will become more apparent from the industry’s 2011 report,” he added.

In terms of average growth

rate, the industry, according to him, recorded 36.0% for 20072009 up from 11.67% for 20042006.

He listed the challenges of the sector to include weak regulatory framework, poor corporate governance, limited industry capacity and low insurance awareness and lack of public confidence.

He expressed optimism that series of innovations undertaken by the leadership of the commission will reposition the sector in taking its rightful place.

Management Tip of the Day

Know the basics of putting your professional self online

3rd Mar, 2012 BUYING 0.2985 206.4817 247.112 41.3001 154.9

PARALLEL RATES

ABJ-L OS: 11.30, 3.45, 4.45

KANO -LOS (SUN/SUN): 10.30

physical damage.

“There are even some policies, such as a US-based coverage for the cost of notifying customers in the event of a data breach, where some insurers are stepping back from the market because they believe it is over-supplied”, he said.

interact online has been quite natural”. We believe that the growing influence of online media especially among youths has made it a veritable tool through which responsive corporate bodies like us can reach our ever-growing subscriber base Head, Corporate Communications at MultiChoice Nigeria, Segun Fayose also said “We believe that social media is an ideal medium to communicate our messages and also create an open forum for customer engagement. Additionally, it provides our subscribers with

Insurance gross premium to hit N2.5tr by 2015, says NAICOM

LOS-ABJ: 9.45, 11.45, 2.45

LOS-KANO: 6.15 LOS-KANO (SAT/SUN): 16.30 KANO-LOS: 07.30

innovative culture, so the shift to adopting the new ways our subscribers communicate and

S

ocial media is not just for socializing. When handled correctly, you can use it to enhance your personal brand, establish your expertise, or demonstrate your digital fluency.

Commit to using social media for professional reasons

and be proactive about managing your activity and image. Consider what potential employers or colleagues will see—you don’t want them to discover only pictures of you and your dog, or worse.

Make sure at a minimum you have a LinkedIn account

with a completed profile. Try tweeting or blogging about your area of expertise, thereby creating content that others can forward, retweet, or repost.

This can help you establish yourself as an expert.

Source: Harvard Business Review

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS Dangote to open tomato processing plant in Kano

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he quest by the Kano state government to attract private capital to the development of the agriculture sector, has received a boost as Dangote Group of Companies commenced development of multi –billion tomato processing plant in the state.

NASENI to establish solar panel plants across Nigeria May commence local production of tri-cycles he National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has unfolded plans to replicate its solar panel production plant in the six geo-political zones of the country.

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N

o fewer than 53,803 individual farmers benefitted from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS) with a total disbursement of N10.190 billion last year.

According to published statistics

by CBN, 56, 328 applications were received for the loans of which 53, 803 individuals benefitted from the laons.

Under the scheme, a total of N969.404 million was guaranteed in Q1 of 2011, compared to the N1.377 billion in Q2 and N3.553

53,803 farmers benefitted from N10bn CBN’s agric loan billion of the third quarter. In the three month period ended December 2011, a total of N4.443 billion was disbursed to farmers under the ACGS. When analysed on month-bymonth basis, October accounted for the largest amount guaranteed totalling N1.877 billion and was followed by November with N1.501 billion. July had N1.377 billion guaranteed for farmers while June and July recorded N1.223 billion and N1.222 billion respectively.

The CBN put the total loans

largest amount of N6.817 billion out of the entire N10.190 billion and was followed by livestock which accounted for about N1.878 billion of the guaranteed loans. Cash crop farmers got N109.029 million compared with other applicants’ total disbursement, including cooperative societies, of N443.645 million.

The ACGSF was established by Decree No. 20 of 1977, and started operations in April, 1978. Its original share capital and paid-up capital were N100 million and N85.6 million, respectively.

Deposit money banks’ total assets hits N19.2bn From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

T

he Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) has recorded a total assets and liabilities of N19, 271.1 billion as at November, 2011.

According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s economic report for the month of November, 2011, at N12, 190.7 billion, DMBs’ credit to the domestic economy rose by 0.6 per

cent over the level in the preceding month.

Funds sourced mainly from the disposal of unclassified assets, increased claims on other financial institutions and Federal Government deposits were used, largely, in the extension of credits to the private sector and build-up of foreign assets holdings.

The breakdown, on a monthon-month basis, showed that

MTN faults move for compulsory listing of firms

T

he ongoing clamour to list major companies in the telecommunications, power, oil and gas sectors of the economy through legislation was yesterday, opposed by MTN Nigeria.

Ondo, Estaport feud over palm oil firm’s management

credit to the core private sector rose by 2.7 per cent above the level in the preceding month.

CBN’s credit to the DMBs rose by 1.2 per cent to N243.4 billion at end-November 2011, while specified liquid assets of the DMBs stood at N4,782.3 billion, representing 33.9 per cent of their total current liabilities.

This level of liquid assets was 0.9 percentage point below the preceding month’s ratio and 3.9 percentage points above the stipulated minimum ratio of 30.0 per cent for fiscal 2011. The loanto-deposit ratio was 47.9 per cent and was 32.1 percentage points below the stipulated maximum target of 80.0 per cent.

In the same vein, total assets and liabilities of the discount houses stood at N331.17 billion at end-November 2011, showing a decline of 1.4 per cent below the level at endOctober 2011.

The development was accounted for, largely, by the fall in claims on Federal

Government and fixed assets.

Correspondingly, the decline in total liabilities was attributed, largely, to a fall in money at call and other liabilities. Discount houses’ investment in Federal Government securities of less than 91-day maturity rose to N61.7 billion and accounted for27.2 per cent of their total deposit liabilities.

Thus, investment in Federal Government Securities was 32.8 percentage points below the prescribed minimum level of 60.0 per cent for fiscal 2011.

At that level, discount houses’ investment on NTBs increased by 146.8 per cent above the level at the end of the preceding month.

Total borrowing by the discount houses was N48, 000 billion, while their capital and reserves amounted to N49.6 billion. This resulted in a gearing ratio of 2.2:1, compared with the comparable period of last month, the stipulated maximum target of 50:1 for fiscal 2011.

Nigeria to host Islamic Development Bank Group business forum

T

he frosty relationship between Ondo State government and Estaport Farms Limited, over the ownership of Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc may have put the operations of the back-to-business company in the quandary.

By Aminu Imam

States’ GDP computation project to cost N1.044bn

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s Nigerians become more concerned about emerging and changing trends of the economy, N1.044 billion has been estimated for the computation of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in all the states of the federation and Abuja.

Olam consolidates expansion into West Africa with milling facility

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ot long after Olam International Limited, a global integrated supply chain manager and processor of agricultural products and food ingredients, set up a $200 million (N31 billion) sugarrefining venture in Nigeria, a move that saw it, tap into the growing demand for sugar in Nigeria.

repaid during the review period at N7.186 billion A further repayment analysis on quarterly basis showed that Q3 2011 recorded the highest rate of repayment of N2.531 billion while Q2 accounted for N1.876 billion out of the repaid loans. In the 4th Quarter, a total amount of N1.875 billion was recovered compared with the N992.581 million of the 1st quarter.

The apex bank report also showed that when analysed on the basis of purpose and amount disbursed, food crops recorded the

Inflation rates from Feb, 2011 to Jan, 2012 Max = 12.8%, Min = 9.3% for period in display.

Current Inflation rate = 12.6% Source:CBN

Group. Other members of his delegation includes HE Dr Birama B. Sidibe,Vice President (Operations), Dr. Abdel Rahman Taha, CEO, Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment & Export Credit (ICIEC), Khaled Al-Aboodi, CEO, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) and Dr. Waleed AlWohaib, CEO,International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is an international development financing institution, established in 1975, to foster economic development and social progress in member countries and for Muslim communities in non-member countries.

IsDB provides assistance through products and services that are based on Islamic Principles.

The IDB membership stands at 56 countries, when IsDB welcomed Nigeria as its 56th member country. As a Group, IsDB now offers a range of specialised, complementary and integrated services and activities to support the socioeconomic development of its member countries.

PAGE 24

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

PAGE 37

Waziri on the verge of history?

FEATURE

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he National Congress of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) slated to hold on 24th, March, 2012 is getting hotter by the day. As expected, more aspirants are declaring their interests to contest the party's National Chairmanship position at the forth-coming National Convention. Already, Abuja the venue of the Convention is awash with posters, billboards and handbills of the contestants.

The North East where the chairmanship of the Party was Zoned has between one to three aspirants from each state of the zone. But how many of these contenders are actually set, serious and weighty enough to spring surprises going by their popularity and political structures? The PDP as a ruling party deserves to have a leader whose background and personality has not only been tested, but also proven to be trustworthy. One of such contender of the Chairmanship position is Ambassador Adamu Idris Waziri, a career civil servant.

Waziri was born in Ibi Local Government of Taraba State, on 12 October 1952.

He began his formal education in his native Ibi Primary School in 1957 and in 1961 moved to Wukari Senior Primary School. He was at the Wukari Divisional Combined Secondary School (now Mbiya Government Secondary School, Takum Taraba State. The young Waziri, rather than despair took the suffocating and challenging childhood experience which ordinary should have subdued him as a tonic that propelled him to greater heights.

In 1973, the young Waziri became a teacher in Wukari East Primary School. His desire for self actualization and thirst for higher education saw him gaining admission into the famous Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 1974 where he graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science Degree B.sc in political science. He served the mandatory oneyear National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programmed in Oyo State between 1977 and 1978.

Not yet satisfied with his academic attainment, Waziri in 1992 travelled to England

As the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chapters in the 36 States of the federation are busy electing their executives from wards to the state levels in preparation for the National Convention, the National Chairmanship aspirants have intensified their campaigns building contacts and holding consultations across the country. Umar Mohammed looks at the profile of one of the aspirants, Ambassador Adamu Idris Waziri, in this piece. in search of golden fleece.

Between 1982 and 1983, he attended University of Manchester where he receives an Advance Diploma in Development Administration and passed with Distinction.

He also bagged Masters of Arts, MA (Econs) Degree in Development Studies in 1984 from the same institution.

On his return to Nigeria Waziri, between 1984 and 2011 held the following position; Director (Administration Finance and Supply) office of the Secretary to the state Government, Taraba State 1991, Director General, (Permanent Secretary) Special Duties Government House Taraba State-1992. He was elected delegate (Member) to the National Constitutional Conference, representing Ibi/ Wukari Constituency-19941995. He was a member PDP National Finance Committee -1998, Elected Deputy Governor in the Jolly Nyame/ Idris Waziri ticket but was denied the position in February 1999.

Waziri was elected ViceChairman World Trade Organization (Hong Kong Ministerial) in 2005. He was equally the leader of a highpowered Ministerial Delegation to china-in 2005.

As one of the founding members of the PDP, and a grassroots politician, Waziri has served in many capacites among which are: the Sole administrator of his native Ibi Local Government Area in 1981; former Finance and Industries Commissioner in Taraba State 1993; he was appointed Nigerian High Commissioner to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Maldives and Afghanistan in November 1999.

The Ibi born politician was appointed Minister of Commerce in 2003 during Obasanjo administration. He was the gubernotorial aspirant under the Platform of PDP 1998-1999. Waziri is said to have an untainted carrier

Amb. Idris Waziri in both the public and private sectors. He is a man of integrity and has accumulated an incredible wealth of experience in the line of duty which spanned several years, covering local, state, national and international services.

Through these years, he has retained an impeccable integrity, honesty and sense of purpose. He has indeed left remarkable imprint in the course of selfless service to his nation and humanity.

Waziri who will attain the age of 60 by October this year is being admired by many because of his simplicity and honesty. He is said to be the favorite of leaders of the party and has recently been enjoying supports from the six geo political zones of the country; recent being from the South-South where some

stakeholders from the zone are rooting for his candidacy at the forthcoming National Convention of the party.

Waziri is also a community leader; a patriotic Nigerian with tremendous national and international exposure having schooled and worked home and abroad. He has travelled to over 30 Countries of the world. He is happily married and is blessed with children In appreciation of his selfless service to humanity, he has received many letters of commendation and awards which include Noble International Award by West African, Nobles Forum in recognition of his status as an eminent West African who upholds the virtues of honesty, integrity and accountability, (9th September 2004); Award of

Good Governance presented by the Korean American Business Association, (June 2004). In 2006, he was awarded the best Minister of the year by the Abuja chamber of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ). He had earlier in 2002 received the award of the best Ambassador of the year and from American Biographic Institute, amongst others.

Ambassador Waziri while serving as an Ambassador in Pakistan was able to use his diplomatic skills to save the lives of five Nigerians, including a woman and a Gambian, who were condemned to death for drug trafficking by the Pakistani authorities.

On the local scene, he was in the fore-front for the creation of his Local Government Area, Ibi, and also in the fore-front for the creation of his State Taraba.

In fact, he was said to be the one who wrote the historic memorandum that led to the creation of the State.

From all indications, Waziri is poised to make resounding impact during the election. This is because of his enormous political structures throughout the country and he seems to enjoy wider supports from the six geo political zones. While other candidates are said to be paperweights, Waziri has been making serious impression in the minds of the delegates who are determined to bring change to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

As a bridge builder between the old generation and the present day politician, Waziri, according to political observers, may have an edge over the other contenders. In one of his interviews, he was quoted as saying that if elected, he is poised to be a servant leader who will use his wealth of experience to help President Goodluck Jonathan to achieve his Transformation Agenda.

But, as the PDP delegates prepare their minds to cast their votes at the National Congress, it is important to note that they should look out for a leader that will promote internal democracy within the party and cement the unity of the country.

Political commentators counseled that they should look out for detribalized Nigerian, an individual that would not mar the harmonious coexistence of the people of the country.

PAGE 16

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he Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide has inaugurated a seven-man committee of Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board (CPWB) to resolve the challenges faced by pilgrims.

While inaugurating the committee she said it would ensure suitable transportation, good accommodation for the pilgrims in the Holy Land and render all reasonable assistance during the exercise.

Furthermore, the committee according to Akinjide would assist the pilgrims in areas such as health, immigration,

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

2012 pilgrimage: Minister sets up committee on pilgrims welfare security, foreign exchange and consular services.

She advised the committee to exercise powers and duties as may be delegated by Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) or any issues concerning the general welfare of Christian pilgrims in the FCT. "It is important to note that while the tenure of the Chairman and members of the

Board of Directors of the CPWB is on part-time, the Secretary on the other hand, is on full-time being a career civil servant.

"For avoidance of doubt, the Directors are not entitled to official vehicles, domestic servants and official quarters,'' she said.

Members of the committee are Rev. Israel Adelani, Chairman, Pastor Peter Aroge, Mr Mathew Akinola, Rtd. Col. Y.

J. Madaki, Sir Joseph Uzoama and Dr L. Z. Gaza, as Secretary.

Responding, the chairman pledged the commitment of the committee to its responsibility and promised that members would live up to expectation.

He urged the members to see the appointment as a call to nation-building and service to God and humanity and to put in their best in the discharge of their duties. (NAN)

Dear reader, Metro welcomes human interest stories in your neighbourhood. Please call or send SMS to 08065327178 or e-mail jomarch4@yahoo.com to inform us about happenings in your area. Share your experiences or those of your friends and neighbours with fellow readers.

Senate c’ttee lauds FCTA over districts’ devt

By Adeola Tukuru

T

New batch of NYSC members undergoing drill at the Kubwa camp, Abuja recently.

Photo James Bature

Aduda pledges more dividends of democracy to FCT residents

S

enator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Philip Aduda on Saturday in Abuja pledged to facilitate more dividends of democracy to the people territory.

Aduda made the pledge during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) local government congress held at Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

He said the active participation of his people in political activities had further stimulated him to continue

giving quality leadership to the electorate.

Aduda, who praised delegates for ensuring a peaceful congress, noted that the emergence of consensus candidates through dialogue was another aspect of democracy.

While calling on the winners to provide quality leadership, the Senator urged the losers to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship and support the emerging leadership for better performance.

Chairman of the AMAC,

Hon. Micah Jibah, while congratulating the party on a successful congress, stressed the need for members to continue to abide by the party's constitution.

Jibah said the congress ended in a most peaceful manner due to the adoption of a consensus approach.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the congress was held amidst tight security, with security operatives maintaining law and order.

Alhaji Mamuda Mohammed emerged as the PDP Chairman,

AMAC chapter through consensus, while Musa Dala, his contender, stepped down.

Mohammed thanked the people for turning out in large numbers to vote for him.

He commended the party stakeholders for ensuring that the congress was rancour free and appealed to other elected officials to cooperate with him for better performance.

The new chairman promised to use his experience as the longest serving local government PDP secretary to provide the best leadership. (NAN)

he Chairman, Senate Committee on the Federal capital Territory (FCT), Senator Smart Adeyemi has commended the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed for his efforts towards provision of infrastructure and development in Abuja.

The former President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) spoke at the weekend during the ground breaking ceremony for the newly created Wuye District said he came to the event with the authority of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly (Senate).

According to the Senator representing Kogi West District at the National Assembly, Mohammed is the first minister in the history of FCT to embark on the opening up of ten districts simultaneously through massive provision of infrastructural development.

He emphasized that taking into account the huge cost of infrastructure in a world class city like Abuja, the achievements by the incumbent FCT minister have become a rare feat that would be difficult to equal or surpass in future.

Among the districts being provided with infrastructure or opened up for housing development by the administration in the FCT are Katampe, Kagini, Jahi, Wuye, Goodluck (Maitama extension), Mabushi, Gwarinpa, Kado, Durumi and Okanje.

Speaking further, Adeyemi made a case for allocation of adequate plots of land in Abuja to journalists and National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives) members to enable them build their own houses.

He recalled the enormous contributions of members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm to the development of the FCT from inception to date.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

PAGE 32

Senegal opposition rallies behind Macky Sall

S

enegal opposition candidates who combined won over 65 percent of the ballot in a first round presidential election rallied on Saturday behind Macky Sall to challenge incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade in the second round on March 25.

All 12 other candidates who

ran against Wade in the first round, and civil society group M23, which has been calling on Wade to step down, pledged to campaign and call on their supporters to vote for Sall.

Wade's controversial bid for a third term triggered street protests in the normally calm

West African state ahead of the February 26 first round, and galvanised the opposition against him.

Octogenarian Wade, scored 34.8 percent of the first-round votes, ahead of Sall's 26.6 percent, falling short of the outright majority he needed to

Senegalese presidential candidate Macky Sall speaks at a news conference in Dakar, Senegal, recently.

avoid a run-off.

"Macky (Sall) is our standard bearer, we have all individually decided to support him. We are convinced that we will win this battle," said Amath Dansokho, honorary president of the M-23 movement which has been leading street protests against Wade.

Former Prime Minister Moustapha Niasse, who came third in the first round vote, told a joint press conference in Dakar that 12 years ago, many of them had backed Wade, but he had turned his back on some of their shared principles.

"We are here today to support Macky Sall," Niasse said.

"Each of us must go back to our bases and whip up support so as to better the score of the first round," he said.

Sall, a former prime minister in Wade's government, had called on the other opposition parties to back him and has won the support of hugely popular Senegalese musician Youssou N'Dour.

Sall said he will not betray the trust the candidates had placed on him and reiterated his promise to fight poverty, reform and strengthen Senegal's political institutions while maintaining a clear separation of powers between the executive branch and other branches of government.

Nairobi bus station blast toll rises to five: Red Cross

A

grenade attack at a bus station in central Nairobi killed five people and wounded 69, the Kenya Red Cross said yesterday.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. The attack was similar to two strikes at a nearby bus station and a bar that killed one person and wounded more than 20 in October, soon after Kenya sent troops into Somalia to fight Islamist rebels.

Police blamed al Shabaab, the Somali militant group allied to al Qaeda that has pledged to carry out

more reprisal attacks in Kenya until the east African country pulls its soldiers out of Somalia.

Witnesses say a grenade was tossed from a passing vehicle into the Machakos bus terminal near the central business district of Kenya's capital early on Saturday evening.

The Kenya Red Cross said on Sunday morning that 59 men and 10 women had been admitted to hospital, two of them were in intensive care, and five people were confirmed dead.

After the attack a fire blazed in a

small crater at the bus station and police cordoned off the area where the body of a man lay facing upwards and dressed in a blue jacket and white trousers. Bystanders helped carry the wounded to ambulances.

Witnesses said they believed there were multiple blasts.

A Kenyan man who admitted to carrying out the October grenade attack on a Nairobi bus station admitted to being a member of al Shabaab. He was jailed for life.

The October attacks spooked

Egypt army court acquits doctor over virginity test

A

military court acquitted yesterday an army doctor who was charged with carrying out a forced virginity test on a female detainee during protests last year, a court source said.

Samira Ibrahim, an activist, had said she was forced to undergo a test in March. Her case and other similar ones stoked anger against the generals who took control of Egypt after Hosni Mubarak was driven from office on February 11 by a popular uprising.

The source said Ahmed Adel, a doctor conscripted to the army, was acquitted of testing Ibrahim. Egypt's state news agency also carried the report, adding that the court said it issued the ruling because of conflicting witness accounts.

Kenyans and security was beefed up in the capital at hotels, government buildings, restaurants, bars and shopping malls.

On Saturday morning, Kenyan police at a regular weekly briefing had again urged people to remain vigilant as the threat of attack from Somali militants remained.

There was no immediate reaction from al Shabaab. After the October strikes, a top al Shabaab official urged its supporters in Kenya to carry out a major strike, rather than tossing grenades at buses.

C

hiefs of Army Staff of ECOWAS in Abidjan on Friday advised governments in the sub-region to deploy peacekeepers to Mali to contain the crisis in the North of the country.

The Northern region of Mali was thrown into crisis in January

by Taureg rebels, who are demanding autonomy for their nomadic desert tribe.

Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff, Air Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the decision was reached based on the growing humanitarian crisis in the country. ``We agreed to return to our countries and advise our governments on the need to send peacekeepers to Mali,'' Petinrin said.

He said the chiefs of army staff also agreed on an intervention plan in the Gulf of Guinea, where pirates have continually launched attacks.

Petinrin said the meeting deliberated on the Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria and the outlook on security in West Africa.

Earlier, after a meeting with the Ivorian President, Mr Alassane Ouattara, the Ivorian Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Soumaila Bakayoko, gave an indication that ECOWAS would intervene in Mali.

Bakayoko, who chairs the ECOWAS Chief of Army Staff meeting, said the humanitarian situations in Mali and the Gulf of Guinea were unbearable.

Attacks by Taureg rebels in Northern Mali have resulted in the loss of lives and increase in the number of refugees across West Africa. (NAN)

Nigerian, 4 others sworn in as judges of ICC in the Hague they gave him.

A

A woman holds a sign that reads ''Egypt women red line'' as they protest against military council violations and virginity tests against females outside the State Council court and in support of Samira Ibrahim in Cairo, recently.

ECOWAS to deploy peacekeepers in Mali

Nigerian, Chile Eboe-Osuji, was among five new judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) sworn in at a ceremony held at the seat of the Court in The Hague.

The other judges were Howard Morrison (UK), Anthony T. Carmona (Trinidad and Tobago), Olga Herrera Carbuccia (Dominican Republic) and Robert Fremr (Czech Republic).

They were elected at the latest session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute (ASP) in December, 2011, for nine-year terms.

Speaking with the North America Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York shortly after the swearing-in ceremony, Eboe-Osuji thanked Nigerians for the wonderful support

``No one succeeds into international positions such as this without strong support from his or her government. ``And I did receive extremely strong support from the president, the Federal Minister of Justice and the minister of Foreign Affairs and the permanent secretaries and senior functionaries in those ministries. ``I particularly thank our ambassador at the UN in New York, our ambassador to the Netherlands and our ambassador in Switzerland, as well as their colleagues in Addis Ababa, Stockholm and other parts of the world. ``Without the strong support I received from them and the diplomats in their missions, this would not have been possible. I thank them all,'' the judge said. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

PAGE 33

Japan mourns, grapples with tsunami aftermath

W

ith a moment of silence, prayers and anti-nuclear rallies, Japan marked yesterday one year since an earthquake and tsunami killed thousands and set off a radiation crisis that shattered public trust in atomic power and the nation's leaders.

The magnitude 9.0 earthquake unleashed a wall of water that hit Japan's northeast coast, killing nearly 16,000 and leaving nearly 3,300 unaccounted for. The country is still grappling with the human, economic and political costs.

In the port town of Ofunato, hundreds of black-clad residents gathered to lay white

chrysanthemums in memory of the town's 420 dead and missing.

"We can't just stay sad. Our mission is to face reality and move forward step by step," said Kosei Chiba, 46, who lost his mother and wife in the disaster.

"But the damage the town suffered was too big and our psychological scars are too deep. We need a long time to rebuild."

The country observed a minute of silence at 2:46 p.m. (0546 GMT), the time the quake struck.

Residents of Ofunato gathered before a makeshift altar with a calm, sun-flecked sea behind them.

Ofunato paused again 33 minutes later -- the time when a year ago a 23-metre (75-foot) tsunami

engulfed the town of 41,000.

Just a kilometre (half a mile) from Tokyo Electric Power Company's (Tepco) wrecked Fukushima plant, where reactor meltdowns triggered the world's worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl, residents of the abandoned town of Okuma were allowed back for just a few hours to honor the dead.

"It was a wonderful place. If it wasn't for all that has happened, I'd be able to come back. But thanks to Tepco, I wasn't even able to search for the bodies of my relatives," said Tomoe Kimura, 93, who lost four members of her family in the tsunami, two of whom were never found.

Syria’s Assad meets peace envoy, Annan, again

F

ormer United Nations chief Kofi Annan, on a difficult peace mission to Syria, held a second day of talks with President Bashar al-Assad yesterday as Syrian forces pursued a drive to crush rebel bastions in the northwest.

A U.N. spokesman said the two men had resumed talks at the presidential palace. He gave no details, but said Annan was expected to leave Syria for Qatar when the meeting concluded.

Annan, joint envoy of the United Nations and Arab League appeared to make little headway

on Saturday in a "candid and comprehensive" meeting with Assad, who blamed the bloodshed on "terrorists" seeking to destabilise Syria.

The Syrian state news agency SANA said he told Annan Syria would help in "any honest effort to find a solution" to a year-long conflict that has cost thousands of lives.

But there was no sign he had accepted what a U.N. spokesman said were Annan's proposals for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid access, release of detainees and a political dialogue.

Syrians involved in a popular uprising against Assad say there can be no meaningful dialogue with a leader who has inflicted such violence and suffering on his own people.

Annan met Syrian religious leaders, including the mufti, the senior Sunni Muslim authority, and the Greek Orthodox Christian patriarch, on Sunday before he saw Assad again.

Annan's mission has coincided with a Syrian military offensive against opposition strongholds in the northwest.

The wounded, at least five in critical condition, were rushed to Peshawar's main Lady Reading Hospital (AFP)

Bomb blast targets Pakistan funeral

A

t least 15 people have been killed after a bomb exploded at a funeral in the northwest Pakistani city of Peshawar, local police officials say.

The blast took place in the Badaber area, on the outskirts of the city, which is the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, senior police officer Kalam Khan told the AFP news agency.

The explosion occurred after mourners had offered prayers for a local woman.

"It was a suicide attack, we have found the head and legs of the bomber," he said. Imtiaz Altaf, the police chief for Peshawar, confirmed that initial investigations indicated that a suicide bombing had taken place, and that eight kilograms of explosives had been used in the blast.

Abid Rehman, a police officer, said the attacker appeared to have gained access to the inside of the house where the funeral prayers had taken place.

At least 37 people are reported to be wounded in the attack.

"We received nine bodies from the blast site and six died later in the hospital," Rahim Jan, a doctor at the Lady Reading Hospital where the injured were being treated, said.

He said that many of those in the hospital were in serious condition.

Rehman told the Associated Press that the blast appeared to have been targeting Khushdil Khan, the deputy speaker of the provincial assembly, who has been critical of armed anti-state groups in the past.

Khan, who belongs to the secular Awami National Party (ANP), escaped unhurt, the police officer said.

The site of blast was littered with human limbs and trails of blood soon after the bombing, witnesses said.

"We lifted the coffin and headed towards the graveyard after the prayers when a huge blast was heard," said Saddam Hussain, 21.

"There were body parts and blood stains. People were crying for help.

"There was no doctor and no ambulance. People who had come to attend the funeral put the casualties in their cars and rushed to the hospital. I myself put one wounded man in a car heading to the hospital," Hussain told AFP. "We are devastated," said Zahir Khan, 32, weeping while lying in a hospital bed. His elder brother died in the attack.

"I never knew I was going to lose my brother forever."

Death toll climbs after Israeli An air raid late on Friday struck raids on Gaza down three Palestinians after an

A

U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan (middle), Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem (right) and Bouthaina Shaaban, adviser of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (left) attend a working lunch at a restaurant in the old Damascus, on Saturday.

Mass grave in southern Mexico yields 167 bodies

A

uthorities are investigating a mass grave in southern Mexico containing 167 bodies that may have been dumped there at least 50 years ago, a Mexican official said on Saturday.

The remains, found in a cave near the Guatemalan border, "disintegrated at the touch," said the official at the Chiapas state prosecutor's office.

Investigators are trying to determine the age and gender of the victims and the cause of death, the official said on condition of

anonymity.

The advanced state of decomposition suggests they are at least 50 years old, he said, adding there were no obvious signs of violence.

Mexican authorities including the police, the prosecutor's office, civil protection personnel and the military were working to exhume the bodies and transport them for analysis.

The grave is on a remote ranch near the town of Frontera Comalapa, about 11 miles from the

Guatemalan border in an area where migrants from Central America often cross on their way to the United States.

A 36-year civil war in Guatemala, which began in 1960, claimed 250,000 lives and left 45,000 people missing. Activists suspect they were killed by soldiers and secretly buried.

In recent years, drug trafficking gangs have dumped the bodies of hundreds of victims, including scores of Central American migrants, into mass graves.

12-year-old boy been killed in a fresh Israeli air strike on the Gaza Strip, bringing the death toll from Israeli attacks to 18 since Friday, according to Palestinian medical sources.

At least one more Palestinian was wounded in the early yesterday raid in the eastern part of the Gaza Strip, the sources said, after armed groups fired 100 rockets into Israel.

A Palestinian riding a motorcycle was killed and two others were wounded on Saturday afternoon in an Israeli air raid close to the southern town of Rafah near the border with Egypt .

Two men also on a motorbike were killed earlier the same day in another raid on the town of Khan Yunis, medics said.

In a statement on Saturday, the Israeli army said: "The targeting is in direct response to the rocket fire at Israeli communities in southern Israel.

"Over the past 24 hours, over 45 rockets have hit communities in southern Israel- injuring four people, one severely, one moderately and two lightly."

Apache helicopter fired rockets that hit a house and a car, medics told Al Jazeera.

An earlier attack targeted the leader of Popular Resistance Committees, Zuhair Al-Qaissi, and his military escort Mahmoud AlHannani, a Palestinian prisoner released from Israeli jails five years ago.

Witnesses said Israeli drones were seen hovering above just moments before al-Qaissi's vehicle burst into flames.

The intensity of the blast was so fierce that al-Qaissi's head detached as a result, they said.

Al Jazeera's Paul Brennan, reporting from Jerusalem, said: "The Israeli army is saying these two people it targeted with its clinical airstrike on Friday night were senior militants who were plotting an attack. “The Israeli army says that last year's attack on the road that runs alongside the Egyptian border, where eight people were killed and 25 Israeli soldiers were wounded, was masterminded by the two men they targeted.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

PAGE 17

Dangerous driving: Court orders Police to produce vehicle

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

n Abuja Chief Magistrate's Court has ordered the police to produce a Julius Berger mixer truck with registration number XE 534 Abj, which allegedly knocked down a motorcyclist along Berger Quarry road, Mpape, Abuja, killing both the rider and his female passenger on the spot, for examination.

The Chief Magistrate, Azubuike Okeagu, gave the order after a prosecution witness,

Sergeant Onoja Isaac, in a case of causing death by dangerous driving before it, informed the court that the police had on November 25, 2010 released the said truck to Julius Berger.

The case which came up on Friday for continuation of hearing saw the Police officer, who is the third witness of the prosecution (PW3) testify in the matter against the accused person under oath, to establish his culpability.

According to the PW3, the truck was initially

impounded at a Police Area commander office after the incident occurred for investigation, but was released upon request from an unnamed Chief Traffic Officer to Julius Berger.

However, Okeagu ordered the Police to bring the said vehicle to the court on the next adjourned date.

The truck in question was allegedly driven dangerously by one Abdul Habib, of Julius Berger Camp, Kubwa, who is now facing trial in the court, for allegedly causing death of one, Mrs. Susan Mercy

Ishaka and Samalia Yusuf.

The deceased met their fate when they were knocked down by the accused at the stated road, on October 27, 2010.

Habib, 27, is charged with causing death by dangerous driving, contrary to section 27, Road Traffic Act (RTA), CAP 548 Laws of the Federation, 1990.

Earlier, an attempt by the police prosecutor, Musa Abdullahi, to tender in evidence, a sketched mark of the accident scene drawn by the Motor Traffic

Division (MTD) of the Police, was objected to by counsel to the accused person as it was done in the absence of the accused, therefore not appropriate.

The counsel argued that the fact the victims died on the spot and the accused abandoned his truck and fled the scene immediately after the incident and the said sketched mark was drawn thereafter, contravened procedure for drawing such, and urged the court to reject it.

Sustaining the

objection, the Magistrate urged the prosecution to take more steps to clear the discrepancy over the said document before it can be considered by the court for adoption as an exhibit.

Subsequently, the prosecutor, requested from the court for a date to bring witnesses who were present at the accident scene when the said document was drawn to testify and clear issues surrounding its admissibility.

The case was adjourned to March 28, for continuation of hearing

AEPB director bags Role Model Award

By Morufat Ojulari

T

he Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Mr. Isah Shuaibu was at the weekend, conferred with the Young Minds Role Model Award.

The honour, which was bestowed on him by the New Ways Innovations Association, was in recognition of his contribution to the development of the FCT according to the Spokesman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the association, Akakabola Derick.

"We formed a panel that scrutinized the antecedents of all the people nominated and the director emerged as the winner of the youth role model category. He has contributed immensely to the advancement of the FCT," he said.

Responding, the AEPB director, attributed the honour to "humble commitment to duty" saying that service to humanity has a way of attracting recognition.

"I have worked in four departments under the FCT, Development Control Department, Parks and Recreation, Archives and the most recent, AEPB. That puts me in a unique position to contribute effectively in the development of the FCT," he said.

Shuaibu remarked that the award would spur him to offer greater services towards the development of the territory, as he encouraged youths to dedicate themselves totally to hard work and service to humanity.

This he noted "is the only way to leave an indelible foot print in the sand of time".

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

PDP Congress: Youths set Benue LG chairman’s home ablaze From Uche Nnorani, Makurdi with agency report

F

ollowing the allegation of hoarding the electoral materials meant for the conduct of the Local Government Congress of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Gwer Loacal Government in Benue state, the house of the Chairman, Dennis Aernyi was set ablaze at the weekend.

The youths carried out the crime because Aernyi and other chieftain of the party in the local government were suspected to have attempted to alter the party register for the area.

State PDP Public Relations officer Mr. Godwin Ayihe noted that in a big party like PDP, it was expected that there would gross violence, assuring that the State Working Committee of the party and the panel set up by the national secretariat to conduct the primaries are working towards amicable resolution of the crisis.

It could be recalled that during the ward congresses, similar violence was witnessed in Guma LGA where angry party supporters attempted to burn down the house of the Permanent Secretary in the Benue state government, Mr. Tivlumum Nyitse.

PDP chair: Stake your credibility, Bamanga Tukur challenges opponents

By Lawrence Olaoye

A

lhaji Bamanga Tukur yesterday challenged his co-contestants to the office of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stake their credibility even as he declared that he would not join issues with those spreading unfounded rumours.

The Chairman of the African Business Roundtable who spoke through his Campaign Organisation in Abuja through a statement said he was unperturbed by the speculations

making the rounds that the North-East PDP governors have dumped him for a younger candidate.

The statement signed by the Media Assistant of the organization, Ipole Amajana, described rumour as 'puerile, cheap and sensational'.

According to Amajana, Tukur remained focused and committed to repositioning the PDP for the overall good of the country. He added that given the near-impeccable credentials of Tukur, it was natural for other

aspirants to try to undermine his candidacy. He emphasized that the campaign organisation would not descend too such low tactics.

The Media Assistant also disclosed that as part of efforts to provide both intellectual and practical way of reforming the party, the campaign organisation has concluded plans for a public lecture with the theme: The Individual, Party and National Unity, in Abuja tomorrow where renown academics and politicians would speak.

PDP warns against conduct of congress in Ogun

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday warned against the conduct of the primary elections in Ogun state as the party insisted that congresses at all levels in the state remained suspended.

The party in a release made available to newsmen and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor Rufa'I Ahmed Alkali, stated "The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) has been drawn to plans by some groups in Ogun State to conduct Congresses contrary

to directives to suspend the exercise.

"The NWC wishes to reiterate that Congresses at all levels in Ogun State have been suspended until all issues relating to disputes in the State are resolved. Any such congress purportedly conducted is null and void and of no effect whatsoever. Any persons or group of persons who flouts this directive shall face the appropriate disciplinary action.

"Party stakeholders in Ogun State are advised to await further directives on Congresses and ignore anybody claiming to be conducting congresses in the State."

Borno governor condemns killing of Customs official

B

orno state governor, Kashim Shettima has expressed shock over last week's killing of Alhaji Adamu Ahmadu, the Comptroller of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in charge of Yobe and Borno.

Ahmadu was killed on Tuesday at his residence in Potiskum, Yobe, by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members.

Shettima, who was exchanging views with journalists in Maiduguri, described the killing as sad.

The governor condoled with the NCS and family of the late comptroller over the incident.

Shettima said that from his brief encounter with the late comptroller, it was clear that he was a professional gentleman that had a vision to transform the service.

The governor prayed to God to grant his family and the NCS the fortitude to bear the loss. Ahmadu was killed barely one month after assuming duty as comptroller of the command.

L- R: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, and Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal during a visit by the Arbitration Committee of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to the leadership of the National Assembly, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Nigeria not ripe for electronic voting, says Rep

A

member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Odeneye Olusegun (ACNOgun), says Nigeria is not yet prepared for electronic voting.

Olusegun said this in Abuja on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He was reacting to comments made by the INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega that ``electronic voting was likely in 2015 general elections.''

According to him, the electoral commission should concentrate on perfecting the manual system of voting instead of the electronic system.

``I think INEC should concern itself with the manual system we are operating currently,'' he said.

He said that the country currently lacked the infrastructure that would effectively facilitate the electronic voting process.

Olusegun added that it also lacked the manpower to operate the system which had to do with Information technology.

The legislator said that the current manual system had been marred by late arrival of voting materials experienced in past elections due to a lack of manpower.

PDP Enugu LG congress peaceful as Sokoto adopts consensus

T

he Local Government Congress of the PDP held across the country on Saturday was peaceful and orderly in Enugu State.

NAN correspondents who monitored the congress reported that distribution of materials for the 17 Local Government Areas in the state was concluded around 11.15 am.

Members of the National Working Committee of the party who supervised the exercise, led

by Chief James Lawrence, earlier paid a courtesy visit to the state chairman of the party, Chief Vita Abba.

Meanwhile, at Enugu East Local Government Area, the Chairman, Mr Cornelius Nnaji, expressed satisfaction with delegates' conduct during the primary.

His counterpart at Enugu South, Chief Nwabueze Okafor, expressed the same opinion. ``I am pleased with the level of preparations and conduct of the delegates in the congress and I hope that subsequent congresses will be the same. `` In Sokoto, the party adopted consensus candidates in all the 23 Local Government Areas of

the state. Only symbolic elections were conducted in the local governments to affirm the consensus agreement.

The exercise was peacefully conducted in all the areas with adequate security arrangements by the security agencies and the party.

Gov. Aliyu Wamakko said after participating in the exercise, that the PDP was the ``most organised party in the country''. ``I am extremely happy with the orderly and peaceful behaviours of all the members and delegates of the party,'' he

told newsmen in Wamakko, his hometown.

The leader of the five-man delegation from the PDP National Headquarters in Abuja, Seagent Awuse, said ``We are only here to assist you as you have finished the entire job.'' ``Sokoto is the home of the PDP and we are proud of this.

The party is united and intact.''

Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, the former state's Commissioner for Social Welfare, who was the Coordinator of the poll in Sokoto North Local Government Area, said the party was strong, peaceful and indivisible.

Commenting on the clamour for a sovereign national conference by some Nigerians, Olusegun said that members of the National Assembly were legitimately elected to represent the people.

Rivers assures residents of regular power supply

R

ivers state government, has reassured residents of the state of adequate power supply before the end of the year.

The State Commissioner for Power, Mr Augustine Wokocha, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt yesterday that the state had invested much funds to provide electricity to the people.

He said that the stateowned Independent Power Plants in Eleme, Omoku, Trans-Amadi and Afam currently generate 536 megawatts of electricity.

Wokocha also said that the state government recently awarded N6 billion contract to a French firm to supply 28 medium voltage substations.(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

PAGE 8

Wind-up: Access Bank faults petition against it T

Kaduna gets new Eze Ndigbo

From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

A

ccess Bank has faulted a petition filed against it by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ajibola Aribisala, seeking to wind up the bank over alleged inability to pay a N2.264 billion debt.

Aribisala had filed the petition claiming N2, 264, 716, 007. 98, which allegedly constitutes the fees for various legal services he had rendered to the bank.

According to the petition, Aribisala averred that he was instructed at different times by Access Bank to recover various debts, running into billions, owed the bank by Zenon

Petroleum and Gas Limited and Bi-Courtney Limited, and that the bank agreed to pay him 10 percent of the recovered sum.

Aribisala further added that after he had taken various steps to recover the debt, Access Bank secretly went behind him and sold Zenon's loan assets to the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) for N13.5 billion, which according to him, was not the initial agreement.

But speaking through its lawyer, Babatunde Fagbohun at the continued hearing of the matter before Justice John Tsoho, Access Bank faulted the suit, stressing that it was not true that 10 percent was agreed to be paid to Aribisala.

Fagbohun countered that in the letter of instruction given to Aribisala, the mandate given to him (Aribisala) to recover the debt was not an exclusive one, and that it was never the agreement that the bank could not resort to other means to recover the money.

Contrary to Aribisala's allegation that Zenon's loan was sold for N13.5 billion, Access Bank stated that AMCON only issued bond for the loan, which was in itself an instrument of debt.

The Bank described bond as a promise to pay at a letter date, adding that it was not true that AMCON had paid for the loan.

The bank stated that apart from

the fact that Aribisala had been paid N173 million, the amount being claimed by Aribisala was seriously disputed, which robbed the Federal High Court of jurisdiction over the matter.

The bank is therefore seeking a stay of proceedings on the ground that the alleged indebtedness was being disputed on substantial ground, and that the court was not the proper forum for the matter to be heard.

But Aribisala through his lawyer, Wole Olanipekun has also filed a preliminary objection to Access Bank's motion, and urged the court to dismiss it and proceed with the matter.

Ruling has been reserved till May 23.

he Igbo community in Kaduna has a new Eze Ndigbo who was yesterday installed in a colourful ceremony.

The new Eze Ndigbo, Igwe Sylvanus Aneke who was turbaned along with his wife, Ugoeze S. Aneke succeeded late Igwe Cyprain Ihejiahi who died on December 13, 2010.

The installation was performed

by Igwe Sunday CO Asogwa, the Omena Oha 1 of Edema. Speaking with newsmen shortly after the installation ceremony, Igwe Aneke said he would ensure unity and peace among all the Igbo as well as other tribes in Kaduna state.

According to him, "I see this occasion as a special privilege and I intend to use it to solidify the peace and unity between the Igbo and other tribes in Kaduna.

KRPC increases production capacity to 70% From Lawal Sadiq Sanusi, Kaduna

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L-R: Rev. Timothy Akanbi, receiving a copy of the holy Bible from Rev. Olusola Afurugbin of Penuel Prayer Ministry on behalf of Dorcas Bola Afurugbin Bible Foundation, during the presentation at the Faith Baptist Church, Lugbe yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye.

Tsav condemns Jos bomb blast From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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ormer Lagos state commissioner of police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav has condemned yesterday's bombing of St. Finbar's Catholic Church in Jos, Plateau State by suspected Boko Haram members which killed four persons and left over 43 injured, stressing that there was no need for such continued killing of innocent souls.

Tsav in an interview with journalists in Makurdi, yesterday, regretted the killing of innocent souls and urged the Federal Government to overhaul the security operatives in Jos.

"There is no need for such killings. If Boko Haram is dissatisfied with government, let them come out and state their grievances rather than kill innocent people. If the police serving in Jos are incapable, let government change them and bring in new set to provide security. It is clear now that some of them may have become too familiar and friendly with the sect members at the expense of their job," he said.

Tsav also frowned at the recent murder of a British and Italian in Sokoto state by the same sect, accusing the country's security agencies as defective since they embarked on the rescue mission too late.

He regretted over the dwindling number of policemen in the country and urged government to take drastic steps on security to prevent the country from disintegration.

Dr. Tsav who commended the northern leaders for putting heads together to find lasting solutions to Boko Haram insurgence, however disassociated himself from the incessant call for sovereign national conference.

The anti-corruption crusader viewed the on-going pension probe by the National Assembly as an exercise in futility, noting that many of such probes by them did not see the light of the day.

he Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU), an essential unit of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) has been revived to end 13 years of redundancy.

A very senior official of the refinery, who pleaded for anonymity, told members of the correspondent's chapel who were at the refinery on a media tour recently that, the revitalisation of the unit has raised the 110,000 barrel per day production capacity of the refinery to over 70 percent production capacity.

He said the KPRC is now refining 12.6 million litres of petroleum products per day, which translates to refining of 77,000barrels = 12,601,761, litres of product.

According to the source, the FCC unit which forms part of about the 23 other units will improve on the production and supply of basic refined products such as dual purpose kerosene (DPK), and is expected to service and increase the supply rate to consumers as well as reduce the lingering shortage of the commodity in Nigeria.

Insecurity: SSS partners churches to organise gospel musical contest

By Lambert Tyem

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s a way of engaging youths, the State Security Services (SSS) is partnering with religious groups in the country to organise musical contest to restrain them from criminal activities.

The maiden edition which kicked off yesterday in Abuja with a musical concert in the Spirit and Life Church, in Katampe Hill, Abuja, attracted youths from different denominations.

The event which was put together to discover the talents of young budding gospel artistes saw many officers of

the Service storming the venue to provide iron cast security.

Speaking with journalists, the General Overseer of the Spirit and Life Church, Apostle Eunice Gordon Osagiede, said the young gospel talent hunt is aimed at engaging the army of unemployed youths in the country to use their talents in different ways to benefit the country.

According to the Apostle, "there was the need to partner with the security agencies to harness the potentials of the youths and divert their attention from violence and other vices.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

Sovereign conference may hold June From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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olitical leaders of thought across the six geo political zones may have already concluded plans to convene a peoples’ national conference of the Nigerian federation independent of government by June to prevent military intervention and chaos in the country.

This hint was dropped yesterday in Lagos by Mr. Olawale Okunniyi, spokesperson for the pro national conference

(PRONACO) advocates in Nigeria, while reacting to the government’s disinterest with the idea in the last three weeks.

Okuniyi said government could eventually not stop a peoples’ driven national confab to be initiated by the coalition of forces advocating for an independent peoples’ national conference by mid-year as the window given to government to make up its mind closes by June Okunniyi, a close confidant of the former leader of the Pro National Conference

Organisation, PRONACO, late Chief Anthony Enahoro, and the secretary of the Prof Ben Nwabueze-led Project Nigeria – National Consensus Group, said a special document calling for the participation of the nationalities in the Nigerian federation at the proposed confab was already being prepared by sponsors of the conference He also disclosed that some of the main working documents for the proposed national conference, which is likely to run for one year,

would be the 1999 constitution, the PRONACO’s Draft Peoples’ Constitution among others such as the model Constitutions of the Patriots, the Citizens’ Forum for Constitutional Reforms and the United Action for Democracy “Constitution making is a special activity reserved for a constituent assembly of a country in every decent clime. It is irresponsible and shameful for Nigeria to

Enrol your wards in schools, Wamakko tells Miyetti Allah Group From Muhammad Abdullah, Sokoto

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L-R: Benue State Governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, Chairman, Transcorp Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu, President Goodluck Jonathan, and Senate President David Mark, during the commissioning of Teragro Benfruit Juice Concentrate Plant by President Jonathan, on Friday in Makurdi. Teragro Benfruit Juice Concentrate Plant is a Transcorp's agribusiness subsidiary company.

continue to run a democracy without a consensus document but on a decree tagged 1999 constitution foisted by the military on May 29, 1999 after elections have already been conducted” Okunniyi stated He also said that the military had advised the civilian regime to ensure that the transitional anomaly was corrected by convening a proper constituent assembly immediately they assumed power.

overnor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto state, has called on cattle breeders in the state, to enrol their children in schools to acquire western and Islamic knowledge.

The governor made the plea at the weekend, while receiving the Miyetti Allah Cattle Rearers Association led by its Chairman, Alhaji Bello Wamakko, in his residence in Sokoto.

According to him, there was the need for herdsmen to change their attitude towards western education, as no society could attain any development without embracing education.

He challenged the leadership

of the association, to enlighten herdsmen on the need to enrol their children in school to enable them acquire western and Islamic education. ”As you are aware, no nation can move forward without education. So, you should embark on aggressive enlightenment campaigns on the need for herdsmen to embrace western education, he said.

Wamakko also appealed to them to allow their wards to be immunized against polio and other child killer diseases.

The governor maintained that the immunization exercise has no negative effects but aimed at improving their health.

Import: Nigeria to save $1bn from local fruit juices, says Elumelu

By Abdulwahab Isa

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igeria is set to conserve over $1billion it expends annually on the importation of concentrating juice with the commissioned over the weekend, of a 30,000 metric tonnes orange/mango plant, a joint venture between Transcorp Nigeria plc and the Benue state government.

Speaking during the commissioning of the plant executed by Terago, an agric subsidiary of Transcorp, Board Chairman, Tony Elumelu described the occasion as jinx breaking. because the juice plant

located in Makurdi, the Benue state capital would save the country close to $1billion expended on importing juice concentrates.

The fruit plant, was one of the projects commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan during his official visit to Benue state over the weekend.

Elumelu , the immediate past Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa Plc, noted that “the commissioning of this plant is as a result of answer to your call, when you became President you pronounced transformation agenda starting with agriculture tagged Agric

Transformation”.

He said the plant would be expanded five fold in the next two years to meet the increasing requests from both local and European markets.

Elumelu said the farmers nightmare arising from rotten fruits was over, as the plant would buy their oranges and mangoes saving them from huge losses.

He enjoined other states to take cue from Benue state which he said was already on the path to reducing her numerous unemployed youths.

In his remarks, Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue state

said the plant was constructed by state government but had to reach out to Teragro ,due to lack of capacity and knowledge to kickstart the business.

He said the state the plant has installed capacity to process all mangoes and oranges produced by the state.

In an opening remark, President Goodluck Jonathan expressed the commitment of his administration to lend the needed support to the private sector which he described as driving force of the economy.

He said his administration knew that the task of turning around the economy for better

depends to a large extent on partnering with the private sector whose members he incorporated into Economic Management Team.

“The idea is to encourage private sector because our dream is move the country economically to a viable state in line with Vision 2020 so that we can get to development ladder.

We must industrialize and doing that means we must partner with the private sector”, he said.

He urged the states to look inward at those products they have comparative advantage and develop those ones they could thrive.

Insecurity threatens quality university products, say VCs From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

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he Vice Chancellors of the University of Maiduguri and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi have said that the present insecurity, indiscipline, instability and dangerous behaviors exhibited on the campuses of the nation’s institutions of higher learning is threatening the quality of university products.

The Vice Chancellors gave this indication at the joint

matriculation of their students undergoing degree programme at the Federal College of Education Technical Gombe over the weekend.

The Vice Chancellor, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Bauchi, Professor Hamisu Muhammad argued that no meaningful academic progress and societal development could be achieved under the atmosphere of acrimony and rancour.

He cautioned the students against involvement in cultism

and other anti-social behaviors capable of derailing their educational pursuit.

Prof. Muhammad expressed happiness that 126 students had been admitted to undergo degree programmes in Automobile, Building, Electrical/ Electronics and Computer Science Technology in education in the 2011/2012 academic session.

Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Professor Mala Muhammad Daura reiterated

the determination of the institution to the maintenance of high standard, quality staffing and improvement of infrastructural facilities in line with national Universities commission guidelines.

Prof Daura stated that the 333 students admitted under the programme could compete favourably with grandaunts of other universities worldwide.

Earlier speaking the Provost of the Federal College of Education Technical Gombe Dr. Adamu Gimba Abbas emphasized

the need for the students to maintain high academic standard, adding that anyone found involved in cultism and other social behaviours would be decidedly dealt with.

He added that the quality staff, classrooms, workshops, theatres, laboratories and other equipment had been provided for the use of the over 400 students admitted under the degree programmes affiliated to the Universities of Maiduguri and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Bauchi.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

PAGE 41

Salido stops Lopez again to keep his WBO title

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Orlando Salido

rlando Salido retained his WBO featherweight title by stopping Juan Manuel Lopez in the tenth round in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Saturday night.

The Mexican handed Lopez, of Puerto Rico, his second big defeat in under a year and insisted he wanted to maintain constant pressure on Lopez, who had knocked him down in the last few seconds of the fifth round with a forceful right.

Two of judges had Lopez ahead on points when the fight ended.

Cheering the fighters were Puerto Rican greats Felix Trinidad and Ivan Calderon, along with Mexican greats Julio Cesar Chavez, Jorge Arce and Juan Manuel Marquez.

The judges were Puerto Rican Cesar Ramos, Michael Pernick and Dennis Nelson of the US. Salido and Lopez both weighed 57 kg.

Lopez had won 16 of his 18 fights since June 2006 by stoppage before the rematch against the champion.

He had so settle for a points

win against Tanzanian Rogers Mtagwa in October 2009, when he retained his WBO superbantamweight title before moving up in weight.

The 31-year-old Salido improved his record to 38-11-2 with 26 knockouts. Lopez, 28 years old, fell to 31-2 with 28 short-cut wins.

Salido also stopped Lopez in April last year, winning in the eighth round. It was the first defeat in Lopez’s career.

The Mexican, known for his powerful right hand, had also

won his previous fights by knockout, beating Filipino Weng Haya in a title defence and Kenichi Yamaguchi of Japan in a non-title bout.

Lopez, a southpaw, has held the WBO super-bantamweight and featherweight titles.

He had only one fight since losing his belt a second-round stoppage of Mike Oliver in October last year when he won for the WBO Latino interim featherweight title before challenging Salido in the rematch.

Uche smashes Espanyol hattrick

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alu Uche scored a fantastic hattrick for Spanish Primera divison side, RCD Espanyol yesterday to underline his importance notv only to Mauricio Pochettino’s side but the Super Eagles, which are undergoing restructuring under Stephen Keshi.

Uche, who was left out of Keshi’s squad against the Wasps

of Rwanda in the Nations Cup qualifier, helped Espanyol to a 5-1 victory over Rayo Valeccano at Estadio CornelláEl Prat on match day 27 of the 2011/2012 La Liga season.

The midfielder who joined the Catalan club from Swiss first division outfit, Neuchatel Xamax has now scored four goals since his January move to

Spain.

Uche’s goals against Rayo arrived in the 3rd, 44th and 68th minute and gave Espanyol crucial points which lifted them up the lower echelons of the la liga table.

Uche is making his second appearance at a Spanish club after his time at Almeria between 2006 and 2009.

SuperSport.com can report that the 29 year old also played for Wisla Krakow (Poland) and Girondin Bordeaux (France) after leaving Nigeria Premier League (NPL) club, Iwuayanwu Nationale (Heartland) in the 1999/2000 season.

Kalu Uche has played 34 times for the Nigeria senior national team bagging 5 goals.

Kalu Uche

Micheal wins ‘future category’ of CBN junior tennis championships DSTV oses Michael claimed 9- with a colleague who match.

“Most importantly I will also 7 proset triumph over understands the way you play An elated Pyagbara said that want to thank my parents for Basketball: Christian Paul in the your game. I had to serve fast pace he was happy with the victory their support and belief in my Union Bank finals of the sixth edition of the shots to put him off balance and and thanked the organisers for abilities,”Pyagbara said.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) made quick returns in order to giving him the opportunity to In the Ladies category, Fortune Junior Tennis Championship. make my way through him,” play.

Aniso defeated Ruth Ayodele 9-0 defeat The defending champion said Michael said.

“I really want to thank the in a proset. Godwin Kienka, the after the game that he was happy Meanwhile in the U-16 organisers for all their support, coordinator of the championship Customs 58-54 to retain the title. “I am really category, number one seeded and all the other participants in said the championship was

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happy that I won the game given the fact that my opponent plays in the same club with me.

“It was not an easy task playing

Port Harcourt-based Emmanuel Pyagbara overwhelmed the number two seed Chris Itodo in the final game 9-6 in a proset

the competition. I would also like to thank my coach and fellow club mates for their useful tips which helped me.

growing in leaps and bounds, and promised that the next edition will be a bigger and better competition.

Only the best’ll play Eagles, Amavubi return leg, Keshi declares

By Albert Akota

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ead Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, has assured that only the best will play against the Wasps of Rwanda in the decisive return leg of the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier in June.

Keshi was spoke against the backdrop of the disappointing display by the majority of the foreign-based players that featured in the first leg in Kigali,

Rwanda, which ended on a barren draw.

“I don’t want to talk about what happened in Kigali because the players should know that playing for the national team is an honour and the reponsibility that comes with that duty must be discharged with zeal and patriotism. Our aim now is to get the best players irrespective of where they ply their trade to play for the country,” he said adding that what happened in

US 4x400m team stripped, reinstated after finishing first

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he men’s 4x400-meter relay team from the United States was disqualified and later reinstated from the race after finishing first yesterday at the world indoor championships.

The Americans crossed the line first, but they were disqualified for “exchanging positions before take-over.”

However, the U.S. team filed an appeal which upheld. Britain got silver, while Trinidad and Tobago got the bronze while Russia lost the bronze which she got after US was stripped of gold.

Kigali should better be left in the past.

“I want to assure Nigerians that when next we invite players for national assignment, the coaching crew will ensure that only players who are fit will be invited to be part of the Eagles in subsequent matches. We would want everyone to realise that each must fight to merit a shirt in the Eagles. As long as I am in charge of the team, nobody will just walk and grab a shirt,” the former Eagles captain said.

Keshi expressed optimism that the technical crew will get only committed players call up for the Eagles, especially those with the winning mentality for the second tie against Amavubi in June.

He aslo assured that the technical crew will continue to comb the knooks and crannies of the country to identify players who have what it takes to feature for the national team.

Stephen Keshi

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yinla Johnson, Union Bank coach joined his team in the game against newly promoted side, Customs, in a thrilling encounter at the ongoing DSTV Basket Ball League in Lagos, which ended 58-54.

Johnson dropped his couching tag to feature in the match at the 3rd period when his team was 4 points down. He made several assists, which helped the team to clinch the game.

Johnson told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the match that he had to go in to boost the confidence of his players. “ I decided to feature in the game of play just to show the players how fun the game can be; it got them relaxed and confident. This is a good way to start the league and I hope we continue with this winning streak,” he said.

Meanwhile, Scott Nnaji, the coach of Customs said it was a good way to start in a premier league despite the loss. “My team was unfortunate to lose, it was a close shave but I am impressed with my players’ performance and hope to win other games, `` he said.

John Paul Okogie had the highest number of shots in the match with 18 points.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

Daz wins CBN U-12 junior tennis championship Kuje Utd defeat

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erry Daz, the 10-year old number one seeded player in the ongoing Central Bank (CBN) Junior Tennis Championships, has has won the U-12 category of the competition.

Daz showed off Saheed Oyekan, seeded two 9-0 in a proset.

The Indian told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) moments after the match at the Lagos Tennis Club Onikan that he anticipated the victory because of the hard work. ‘’ When I served my first and my opponent could not reach out to it, there, I knew that I had struck his weak point.

“From then on, my confidence grew and I knew that I would be able to defeat him and I am really happy that I won this game because I have never won in this category.

“I’m grateful to the organisers for coming up with this initiative where young and aspiring tennis players are given the opportunity to showcase their talent.’’

Meanwhile Oyekan who lost out to Daz said his performance was not up to scratch. “I am not happy over my performance, I guess I was nervous; I am going back to work on my serve and

foot work.”

In the futures category, Christian Paul got a ticket to the final after defeating Ayande Rasaq 9-6 in a proset, while Moses Michael showed off Babajide Ipaye 9-2 in a proset in the semi final game.

Christian Paul and Moses Michael will play in the finals for the sixth edition of the CBN junior tennis championships.

In the U-14 category, number one seed Emmanuel Pyabara, also qualified for the final after beating Ayodeji Oyesanya, seeded four 9-3. Chris Itodo, seeded two, defeated number three seed Olumide Ayoola 7-5 tie break.

Youth Centre Hall. All the six teams that registered will play in one group, playing five matches each between he 2012 edition of the Kaduna March 24 and April 28.

“The first and second-placed teams Corporate League Cup will commence on March 24, the will advance to the final match, while organisers said in Abuja over the the third-placed and fourth-placed teams will play in the third-place weekend.

Competition Chief Organiser Vincent match. The final and third-place Akinbami told the News Agency of Nigeria matches will be on May 12.”

Akinbami said the competition’s (NAN) that six teams had registered to opening match will see last year’s play in the annual football event.

“The draws for the fifth edition of the finalists, Fidelity Bank, taking on Kaduna Corporate League Cup have Microcred Micro-Finance Bank.

“The opening day’s second match been held. It took place on Saturday in Kaduna at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium’s will see Access Bank against Ecobank, while the day’s third CHANGE OF NAME match will see 2009 I, formerly known, called and addressed as MISS IKERODAH finalists UBA locking OMOKHISOYA CONSTANCE now wish to be known, called and horns with Zenith Bank.” addressed as MRS OSHOMAH IKERODAH OMOKHISOYA Speaking on the ideals CONSTANCE. All documents bearing IKERODAH OMOKHISOYA CONSTANCE remain valid. To the general public, National of the competition, Examination Council (NECO), Auchi Polytechnic and National Youth Akinbami said it was

organised to improve the physical well-being of staff of various organisations. “It also helps to foster unity and camaraderie among organisations and the staff of different organisations.”

Akinbami said this was the reason the organisation started motivating winners in the competition with token prizes.

“Individual prizes like Best Goalkeeper, Best Midfielder, Best Defender, Highest Goalscorer, Most Valuable Player, Best Coach, and other awards have been made available for them.”

NAN reports that the tournament which came into inception in 2008 is organised annually by Bestworth Insurance Brokers, supported by Wadson International.

Skye Bank won the first edition of the competition, while Unity Bank has won the second, third and fourth editions to win the cup for keeps.

2012 Kaduna Corporate League Cup gets underway March 24

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Service Corp (NYSC) should take note.

Badminton coach courts corporate partnership

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Grace Daniel

Ifraimu Jinkam

Taraba-based badminton coach, Mr George Shitta, has called on corporate organisations to partner with the badminton federation to develop and popularise the game at the grassroots level. Shitta said in Lagos over weekend that the only way badminton could grow was through regular competitions and grooming of emerging talents.

“The game is very expensive, when you don’t have money to build infrastructure and to buy equipment, this drawback reduces the number of players you are supposed to showcase.

“When you have up to five to six players who are not adequately funded or kitted, it brings down the level of the game.”

Shitta said the Badminton Federation of Nigeria ought to be organising at least five national tournaments in a year, adding that lack of funds had turned it to an uphill task.

“I can count on my fingers the number of tournaments that are usually staged every year which is not encouraging at all for budding talents.

“Without regular championships, upcoming players would find it difficult to train and keep up with the current trends in the sport, badminton is a potential medal winning avenue for the country in international competitions.”

He said concerted efforts at nurturing badminton at the grassroots would build a sturdy foundation for the sport in the country.

The coach stressed that the game was not known in most primary and secondary schools in the country.

“Most Primary and Secondary schools don’t know anything about the sport, because they don’t have it in their curricular, it is only at tertiary institutions that most encounter badminton because it is usually featured at the NUGA, NIPOGA NICECA Games.”

He urged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to initiate programmes that would boost the sport.

“Ifraimu Jinkam, the country’s number one seeded badminton player, was discovered from school sports, almost all our players from Taraba State were discovered through the school because we have realised its importance.”

Lobi Juniors 20 in Nationwide

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uje Utd yesterday defeated visiting Lobi Juniors 2-0 in the second week of the Nigeria Nation Wide League.

Kuje Utd opened the score sheet in the 9th minute through Uchenna Chukwu and sealed the game in the 54th minute with Useni Yusuf’s powerful volley that sailed unperturbed in the net.

Two yellow cards were issued to both sides by the referee in a match Lobi’s coach, Imadu Amos said his team was not ready for. ‘’We were told that the match would start by 4 p.m only for the organisers to change the time to 2 p.m. ‘’The players tried their best, though they were not able to play well at the first half of the game but the second half was a good game. ‘’’’ Amos, however, said that they have learnt a lot to enable them do better in other matches.

Multichoice pledges continued support for basketball

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ultichoice Nigeria, Sponsors of the DSTV Men’s Basketball League, on Saturday in Lagos pledged its continued support to the premier basketball league in Nigeria.

Mr John Ogbe, Managing Director, Multichoice Nigeria, gave the assurance at a media briefing to formally herald the 2011/12 league season.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2011/2012 DSTV Men’s Basketball League dunked-off on Feb. 25 at the In-door Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

Ogbe said that “though the four-year sponsorship contract with the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) is lapsing this season, we look forward to more seasons”.

He said the sponsorship of the league was a key corporate social initiative to develop the sport in Nigeria.

“We hope to make a big impact in the game of basketball by putting up other programmes alongside the league,” he said.

The managing director also said that the company planned to take the game back to schools “where it ought to begin from, where young talents and future stars can be discovered. We will be happy to see the league bigger than what it is today,”he said.

Tijani Umar, NBBF President, in his remarks, applauded Multichoice for the immense support to the game of basketball in Nigeria.

Umar said the DSTV league was a forward looking league that would be great soon, adding that the sponsors were giving back to the community.

He decried the lack of spectators at matches, promising that the federation would do all it could to fill the hall this season and beyond.

“This year we are seeing a lot of value being added to our league and the federation itself without disturbing the programme on ground” Umar said.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

PAGE 43

Mata focuses on Chelsea Euro fight back

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helsea midfielder Juan Mata has told his teammates they can stage a dramatic fightback against Napoli if they treat the Champions League last 16 second-leg tie like a cup final.

After a 3-1 defeat in the first leg in Naples, Mata knows Chelsea are underdogs heading into Wednesday’s return at Stamford Bridge, but the Spanish star is convinced Roberto Di Matteo’s team can secure the 2-0 win that would send them through to the last eight on away goals.

Mata insists Chelsea, who have won both their matches under interim boss Di Matteo following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, should take inspiration from their perfect European record at Stamford Bridge this season.

“In football, nothing is impossible,” he said. “At Stamford Bridge, this Champions League, we had good results in the group - 3-0, 2-0 and 5-0. All the supporters, for sure, will be cheering us. It’s a final for us and I think we can do it.”

While Napoli’s attacking trio of Edinson Cavani, Marek

Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi are capable of troubling the Chelsea rearguard, Mata believes his side’s forwards should be able to exploit the Italians’ own weaknesses at the back.

“From the first minute, we have to try to create chances to score,” he said. “We know that they have very, very good strikers. We have to be careful with them but we are going to press them from the first minute.”

Mata, whose side beat Stoke 10 on Saturday, admits morale was low during the final weeks

Luke Moore scores the opening goal for West Bromwich Albion

World Cup qualifiers: Nigeria’s Flamingoes beat Zambia 2-1

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he Flamingoes of Nigeria on Saturday in Lusaka beat hosts She-Polopolo of Zambia 2-1 to boost their chances of qualifying for the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The Nigerian under-17 women football team’s victory is in a 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final qualifier round, first leg match. Patience Okaeme, who scored twice in the team’s 2-0 win against Kenya in Nairobi in the previous round, was again on the scoresheet this

time around.

She and team playmaker Halimat Ayinde scored for Nigeria early in the match’s second half, before the Zambians could get a consolation goal later in the game.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Zambians had in the previous round beaten Botswana 7-1 aggregate, while Nigeria also beat Kenya 5-0. The Nigerian girls will host the return leg of the fixture at the M.K.O. Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on

March 24.

The fixture’s aggregate winners will qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals, scheduled for Azerbaijan later this year.

Eliminating the Zambians will see the Flamingoes qualifying for their third consecutive appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals, which debuted at New Zealand in 2008.

Their earlier outings were at New Zealand in 2008 and Trinidad and Tobago in 2010.

of Villas-Boas’s reign, but he is adamant that is no longer a problem under Di Matteo.

“It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t easy, because you know we had a change, a big, big change,” he said.

“But I believe the team is still working very good and the two wins, for sure, bring to us a lot of confidence.”

Di Matteo has persisted with the Villas-Boas experiment of

playing Mata more centrally, something that paid off on Saturday when the Spaniard came off the bench to set up Didier Drogba’s 100th Premier League goal.

Asked whether a free role was something he could expect more often, Mata said: “I always try to be in contact with the ball it’s the football that I like. But, I don’t know, it’s a question for Robbie.”

Rooney brace lifts United top after City lose to Swansea

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anchester United went above Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table when they beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at Old Trafford yesterday while rivals and former leaders Man City went down to a 1-0 defeat at Swansea.

Two goals from Wayne Rooney, the first after 36 minutes and the second from a 71st-minute penalty, lifted United on to 67 points from 28 games, with City slipping back to second on 66.

With United already 1-0 up, the game turned against West Brom in a five-minute spell in the second half after Jonas Olsson was sent off for tripping Javier Hernandez after 66 minutes. Five minutes later Keith Andrews conceded the penalty by hauling down Ashley Young.

City did not play well at the Liberty Stadium and were beaten by an 83rd-minute header from the unmarked Luke Moore to give Swansea, who missed a first-half penalty, victory.

Moore scored with a powerful close-range header for the Welsh side as City, unbeaten in the league at home, lost its fourth away match this season.

City’s Micah Richards had a goal called back for offside in the dying minutes of the game at the Liberty Stadium.

Joe Hart saved a penalty from Scott Sinclair in the 7th minute after the England goalkeeper was judged to have brought down Wayne Routledge.

CAF‘B’ Licence Course shifted to March 18

T

he Nigeria Football Federation has postponed, by one week, the muchawaited CAF ‘B’ Licence Coaching Course, earlier billed to yesterday.

NFF’s Director of Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme said on Saturday that the postponement is as a result of logistics reasons, but that arrangements have

been concluded to hold the course from March 18, this Saturday.

The venue though remains the FIFA Technical Centre, Package B of National Stadium Complex, Abuja.

Ikpeme said: “We tender unreserved apology to all those who are billed to take part in the programme, either as instructors or participants, as

Egyptian league cancelled after Port Said riots

T

he Egyptian Premier League season, suspended after 74 spectators died in a riot following a match in Port Said on Feb. 1, has been cancelled with 19 games remaining.

The match was between Al Masry and champions Al Ahly The league will be replaced by a friendly tournament due to run from March 29 to May 18, the Egyptian FA announced on

Saturday.

Haras El Hedoud was on top of the 19-team table after 17 matches, one point ahead of Al Ahly.

Last month Egypt’s African Nations Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic was also postponed in the aftermath of the Port Said disaster.

The two countries will now meet twice in June.

well as the football-loving citizens of this country, for the one-week postponement to the programme”.

The CAF ‘B’ License programme comes five months after the CAF ‘C’ programme, which drew over 80 coaches from across the Federation.

African football-governing body, CAF has given its blessings to the course, which will be coordinated by Nigeria’s highlyrespected FIFA Technical Advisor, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde.

The two-week CAF ‘B’ License course will run alongside the CAF ‘B’ Equivalent, which is for senior trainers. Among the instructors already confirmed is former NFF Technical Director, Dr. Kashimamo Laloko.

A total of 60 coaches, from those who passed the CAF ‘C’ License course and a few others, will take part in the CAF ‘B’ License programme while 20 coaches will partake in the CAF ‘B’ Equaivalent.

Armadillo to be World Cup mascot

T

he mascot for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil will be an armadillo, according to a report Sunday in the Brazilian weekly Veja.

The Brazilian three-banded armadillo, native to the country’s north-east, is capable of rolling itself into the shape of a ball when it feels threatened.

Veja added that tournament organisers will only make an official announcement regarding their choice of mascot in October via Fifa.

The decision to make the armadillo mascot was backed by the Caatinga Association, a NGO whose mission is to protect the biodiversity of north-eastern Brazil.

The three-banded armadillo – known as a ‘tatu-bola’ in Brazil is an endangered species.

It has been chosen ahead of the puma as well as the ‘Saci’, a character in Brazilian folklore that was the preferred choice of Brazilian sports minister Aldo Rebelo, according to Veja.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

World Indoor Championships

Isinbayeva breaks 3-year gold drought, as Lagat dims Farah’s shine Y

elena Isinbayeva put a three-year gold medal drought behind her with just two jumps by winning the pole vault yesterday even as Bernard Lagat dimmed the shine of Mo Farah to win the 3000m gold at the world indoor championships The Russian set a world record of 5.01 metres last month and failed to improve that to 5.02 after ensuring gold. It was Isinbayeva’s fourth indoor world title overall but her first in four years. Over the same period, she also lost her world outdoor title.

She won the title at the Atakoy Arena with a height of 4.80, which she cleared with the consummate ease she has so often showed during her career. With Isinbayeva is back on track, Meseret Defar felt what it’s like to lose.

The Ethiopian failed in her quest to become the first woman to win five straight world indoor titles when Hellen Obiri of Kenya came from behind on the final lap to win the women’s 3 000 metres.

Defar took the lead halfway through the race and long looked like winning until her Kenyan rival appeared out of the blue on the outside. The Ethiopian champion still sought a final kick to go with Obiri, but she fell ever further back on the final straight.

In the men’s race, Bernard Lagat won his third 3 000-metre world indoor title, pushing free with 100 metres to go to beat Kenyan rivals Augustine Choge and Edwin Soi. Favourite Mo Farah was supposed to make it a straightforward duel with the American, but he failed to get into the medals and finished fourth. The Briton beat Lagat in a stirring 5 000 finish at the world outdoor championships in August.

And at 37, Lagat still has the finishing kick of runners half his age. “It is not dying away,” he said.

Lagat fully knew the Kenyans were going to make the race and refused to fall back and be surprised by a sudden breakaway. So when the final rush came, he was prepared.

“I am going to stay here because those guys are strong,” Lagat said he thought to himself.

In the women’s long jump, Brittney Reese jumped a championship record 7.23 metres on her last attempt to push American teammate Janay Deloach into the silver-medal position with 6.98. Shara Proctor took bronze with a British national record of 6.89 metres.

“I decided to get my confidence up and get the crowd involved,” Reese said of her final attempt. “My coach told me to go and get it, and I went out and got it. I had to go out and bust the big one.”

Lagat and Reese pushed the US gold medal haul to seven overall early in the final day. No other nation has more than one.

In the women’s 800, 2008 Olympic champion Pamela Jelimo put years of physical problems behind her to take on the whole field from halfway and again became the front-runner she once was.

The Kenyan finished in a world leading 1 minute, 58.83 seconds to beat Nataliya Lupo of Ukraine and Erica Moore of the United States.

Merritt wins world indoor 60m hurdles title Aries Merritt of the United States won the world indoor men’s 60m hurdles title here on Sunday.

Merritt timed 7.44 seconds, with China’s Liu Xiang taking silver in 7.49sec and Frenchman Pascal MartinotLagarde claiming bronze (7.53).

World Indoor men’s triple jump final results 1. Will Claye (U.S.) 17.70 2. Christian Taylor (U.S.) 17.63 3. Lyukman Adams (Russia) 17.36 4. Fabrizio Donato (Italy) 17.28 5. Daniele Greco (Italy) 17.28 6.

Benjamin Compaore (France) 17.05 7. Alexis Copello (Cuba) 16.92 8. Dong Bin (China) 16.75

J Yelena Isinbayeva

Bernard Lagat

Nigeria’s Asunmu posts 7.19 seconds

N

igeria’s candidate in the women’s 60 metres race at the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Gloria Asumnu’s effort was not enough to fetch her podium honours ahead of the likes of Sanya Richards-Brown of Jamaica, who clocked 7.01 seconds to clinch the gold.

Her effort, 7-22 seconds could only fetched her a sixth place on the rung but enough for her to earn the participatory $2000.

Murielle Ahoure of Ivory Coast made Africa proud with her 7.04 seconds which earned her the silver behind Sanya, while Tianna Madison put the United States on the medal table with 7.09 seconds for bronze. Her compatriot Barbara Pierre was fourth with a time of 7.14 seconds leaving Chandra Sturrup of Bahamas with 7.19 seconds.

Gold for Gatlin, as Eaton sets world mark

Gloria Asunmu

Will Claye

ustin Gatlin won his first title since returning from a four-year doping ban with victory in the 60 metres at the world indoor championships on Saturday as the red-hot Americans grabbed four gold medals and a world record in Istanbul.

Heptathlete Ashton Eaton bettered his world mark and further wins for high jumper Chaunte Lowe and 400 metres runner Sanya Ross-Richards took the US’s gold medal tally to five.

While not garnering golds like the US, host nation Turkey had something to cheer with their first ever world indoor medals thanks to a second place for Kenyan-born Ilham Tanui Ozbilen in the men’s 1 500 behindMorocco’s Abdalaati Iguider and third for Asli Cakir Alptekin in the women’s race, which was won by Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia.

Gatlin, who tested positive for testosterone in 2006, kept low out of the blocks and had edged clear of the field by the time he looked up to win the 60 metres title in 6.46.

“I’m just thankful. I wasn’t trying to come back and do anything extraordinary, I just wanted to come back and be myself the way I left and I’m on the road to doing that,” the quietly spoken Gatlin told reporters.

“I think I can go out there and dominate and win the fans back,” added the 2004 Olympic 100 metres champion.

Nesta Carter took silver with a time of 6.54 as once again, Jamaica failed in their bid to win a first men’s 60 title at the championships and Britain’s Dwain Chambers, champion two years ago in Doha, happily settled for third in 6.60.

“I knew it was going to be tough with those guys. But to get back on the podium again is a great feeling. It show’s that the old boy’s still got it in the old legs, the 33-year-old said.

Eaton’s heptathlon world record was his third since breaking Dan O’Brien’s 17year-old mark of 6 476 in March 2010.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

PAGE 45

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE If you have a talent, use it in ever yw hic hw ay possib le ery whic hich wa possible le..

Don't hoard it. Don't dole it out lik e a miser vishl y like miser.. Spend it la lavishl vishly lik e a millionair e intent on g oing like millionaire going br ok e — Br endan F brok oke Brendan Frrancis

MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Blood, goals as Enyimba beat Heartland

Chidi’s assets: A bridge and a prayer

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There is no end to what you can accomplish if you don’t care who get the credit – Florence Luscomb

Austin Eguavoen

have never met Professor Chidi Odinkalu, the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in person although I hear he is the type of Nigerian I should list among my friends. Chidi and I belong to a cyberspace group which has many other people I know very well, most of whom think very highly of Chidi. Every time Chidi says or reacts to something someone says, you see evidence of learning, grooming and openmindedness rare even among educated people these days. Our group is passionate about most things important, and we often get all worked up for days when there is something to argue over. Chidi is always in the thick of it, even when the matter involves Islamic theology, Fulani marriage customs or the place of Ojukwu in Nigerian history, or the worrying tendency for the younger generation to see everything through very narrow and destructive prisms. You could tell Chidi has spent much of his life in foreign lands, but he does not have that see-me-here Diaspora mentality.

So why is Chidi on the title of this column today? Because, on November 23, 2011, he, as is required by law, went and declared the totality of his assets and liabilities with the Code of Conduct Bureau. So what, you say.

Everyone does that. And you might even say many deliberately increase their assets to make allowances for what may “accrue” during the periods they hold offices; and then hope that the severe lack of capacity of the Code of Conduct Bureau to verify such exaggerated declarations will remain severe. They will then stay on the shelves of the Bureau until an exit declaration is made, which may not be cross-checked with the entry declaration either.

Chidi did not just go through the statutory ritual of declaring all his assets. You would think this former lecturer in Law at the Havard Law School and a man vastly experienced in the frailties of the human character will be wary of telling relations, friends, in-laws and the entire public what he is worth, as well what he is

ormer CAF Champions League winners Enyimba edged a superb contest against Heartland by the odd goal in five.

Heartland took the lead in the 7th minute through former Enugu Rangers forward, Kabiru Umar after good work from another exRangers man, Brendan Ogbu.

Heartland continued to press and probe and duly doubled their advantage when Abdul Haruna finished brilliantly.

Enyimba, however, never know when they are beaten and battled back gamely pulling a goal back almost immediately through Chinonso Okonkwo as the half veered into extreme levels of excitement.

Enyimba coach, Augustine Eguavoen then substituted his goal scorer much to the consternation of the away faithful.

Eguavoen’s move however proved to be a master stroke as the man who came on for Okonkwo, Ndube Anajemba scored with practically his first touch of the game to send the fans of the People’s Elephants into dream land.

The excitement of the first period was always going to be difficult for the second half to match but Enyimba made sure the script would be followed as Henry Uche finished off a sweeping counter attack with a header dispatched with frightening force on 57 minutes.

Enyimba had to defend manfully for most of the game as Heartland launched wave after wave of attack in a bid to rescue some joy from the throes of defeat, but to no avail.

The game was marred by ugly scenes after the final whistle as supporters of Heartland attacked and beat up the center referee, Gabriel Adigwe from Lagos State for perceived biased officiating against their side.

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FIFTEEN MINUTES with Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed drbabaahmed@yahoo.com

Prof. Chidi Odinkalu owing. Some people who will say even your spouse(s) should not know what you are worth (but will make allowances for telling them your liabilities) will be shocked that Chidi went the extra mile of requesting that his declaration should receive full public disclosure. In other words, even though the law does not compel him to publicly disclose his assets and liabilities, and most people will be reluctant to do this for fear of opening floodgates to relatives and sundry persons; kidnappers, armed robbers, and enemies who

may reveal the lies in the declaration, he asks that his own declaration be made public. Many people will say it is fine to do this, if you do not own much. But judge for yourself whether Chidi’s assets and liabilities are the type you declare quietly or the type over which you will be indifferent if everyone knows of them.

A non-governmental organization, R2K (Right to Know), said details of Professor Odinkalu’s assets and liabilities were: i. Personal earnings in two Standard Bank Accounts with balances of N94,000 and $11,700; ii. Two Barclays Bank accounts in the U.K containing £7,752 and £4,542; iii. A mortgaged 3-bedroom house in Edmonton, London; iv. A 4-bedroom house in Lekki, Lagos; v. A Toyota RAV4 bought in 2004; vi. A Kia Rio car bought in 2005; vii. Shares and stocks worth about N3m; viii. A personal pension plan managed by Friends Provident; ix. A 27 KVA Nioda generator; x. 7.5 KVA Inverter;

“

Professor Chidi Odinkalu has challenged Nigerians who hold positions of trust and responsibility to take steps towards submitting themselves beyond ritual legal requirements, and to actually commit to one of the most important steps to fight corruption and official impunity. I have serious doubts over whether our leaders today will even notice, not to talk of being shamed. How I wish a wealthy northerner will shame the Federal Government and catchment states whose young people attend U.D.U.S, by reconstructing the vitally strategic Dundaye bridge

xi. 10,000 books which the professor described as “invaluable.”

Now, if you are among the 80% of Nigerians who earn less than N300 a day, Professor Chidi will be an incredibly wealthy man. But if you were an Ibori or many of his former colleagues whose cases before the EFCC and the courts appear unlikely to ever be concluded, what the professor has may be the value of what you could dash a girl friend. Even if you are a serving Governor, Minister or some powerful person in the corridors or bedrooms of power, the total value of Chidi’s assets is what your wife could spend on a two-day trip to Dubai or London.

The voluntary publication of Chidi’s assets and liabilities has raised the bar in accountability and openness. It is a challenge to all those who hold positions of trust to accord some respect to the Nigerian public and the values and rules governing probity and honesty by making public what they own, and are owed. Even as I say this, I know it is a challenge that will not be taken up. I was close to the take-off of the late Umaru Musa Yar’adua administration, and I remember the panic he caused when he decided, against the most vociferous advice, not to publish his declared assets and liabilities.

His decision was ground-breaking in terms of its impact, and it really set the cat among the pigeons.

Panic ran right through all the political office holders and the hundreds angling to be appointed Special Advisers, Ministers, Chairmen of Boards etc. Would he demand that they did same, even against existing law? Would he change the law to compel the publication of declared assets and liabilities? Would he hold it against them if they did not? Would it be worth holding a public office under Yar’adua if one had to declare his entire assets (or some of it, and then risk exposure by those who know better)? In the end, the late President said it was a personal decision of his and he was not going to compel anyone to do so. His number two, now President Jonathan, also published his own declaration. I do not recall anyone else doing the same. And the nation lost the opportunity to raise the moral standards of leadership.

Contd. on Page 14

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