Thursday 12th June, 2014 Edtion by Peoples Media Limited

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 13 No. 83

Thursday, June 12, 2014

. putting the people first

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$620,000 saga: ICPC re-arraigns Faruk Lawan, Emenalo

Sha’aban 13, 1435 AH

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N150

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Gwoza gets new Emir

2014 World Cup begins today

Jonathan wants to kill me, Kwankwaso alleges By Ahmed I. Shekarau

overnor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso of Kano state has alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan was plotting to eliminate him, a report on

PREMIUM TIMES has revealed. The Kano state governor, in an exclusive interview he granted the online newspaper in Abuja, said: “I have told my friends, and people of Kano, Nigerians and indeed the international commu-

nity to hold Jonathan responsible for whatever happens to Kwankwaso, his family or even the people of Kano state”. Governor Kwankwaso is not the first prominent political figure in the country to accuse President

Jonathan, of plotting to eliminate him. At the peak of his prolonged row with the president, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state, made a similar allegation. Addressing an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Port

Harcourt on the 23rd of December, last year, Amaechi claimed that he is one of the persons on the list of 1,000 politicians that the president was allegedly targeting to kill, as alleged in former Contd on Page 2

OPEC Sec Gen: Hope dims for Diezani By Etuka Sunday

Yobe state Governor, Malam Ibrahim Gaidam (middle standing), congratulating new Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (left), during the governor’s visit to rejoice with him over his appointment and to condole him over the death of the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, yesterday in Kano. With them is the Kano state Deputy Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (left).

he push by President Goodluck Jonathan for his candidate, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources, to be installed as Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), was yesterday given a cold-shoulder by members of the body. Rising from its 165th meeting at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria, OPEC rather decided to extend the tenure of Abdullah al-Badri of Iraq, the current secretary general, until June, 2015, instead of the earlier expected December this year. It would be recalled that President Jonathan on Tuesday nominated Mrs. Alison-Madueke to succeed the long-serving incumbent, al-Badri. Nigeria’s proposal, according reports, was intended to solve the deadlock over the post created by opposing candidates from Saudi Arabia and Iran. Diezani’s name, according to reports, has been in tow since December last year when she was elected the

Tax default: FIRS may shut Nicon Insurance, hotel

Contd on Page 2

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Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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News

CONTENTS News 2-10 Editorial 12 Op.Ed 13 Letters 14 Opinion 15 Metro 16-18 Business 19-22 Stockwatch 23 S/Report 24-25 Earth 27 Property

#BringBackOurGirls: Campaigners’ suit hearing begins today By Stanley Onyekwere

earing on the suit filed against the police by campaigners calling for the release of the over 200 abducted Chibok girls commences today. The group had filed the suit after the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu, on June 2, issued an order banning protests by the group. They are seeking N200 million in damages and an order restraining the police from interfering with their protest. Members of the group also planned to write to the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to effect his plans of deploying security operatives to protect the group while its protests are on.

Coordinator of the group, Hadiza Usman, said that it had become worrisome to note that the IGP had not attached security operatives to protect the group in the course of daily sit-outs, one week after his advice for adequate security at the venues of rallies. IGP Abubakar, had on June 3, reversed the order by Mr. Mbu banning protest in the nation’s capital Abuja. Contrary to Mbu’s order, the spokesman for the Police, Mr. Frank Mba, told reporters in Abuja that the police authorities had not issued any order banning peaceful assemblies and protests anywhere in the country. Mr. Mbu had hinged the ban on the emergence of parallel groups which posed security risk to the nation’s capital, but the

‘Bring Back Our Girls’ campaigners rejected the directive, insisting that the protest would continue. The Police High Command reversing the ban explained that intelligence report had necessitated the need to advise the protesters on the possibility of infiltration by

criminal elements. The group started protest few weeks after the abduction of the girls on April 14 by a terrorist group, Boko Haram. Military say it is has identified the location of the girls and is putting strategies in place to rescue them without casualties.

Gwoza gets new Emir

he kingmakers in Gwoza Emirate Council of Borno state, yesterday announced Alhaji Muhammad Timta as the new Emir of Gwoza. Timta replaces his father, Shehu, killed by Boko Haram sect members on his way to Gombe two weeks ago. The new emir was chosen after a meeting of the king makers in Gwoza.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the coronation was low keyed due to security challenges and continuous attacks on Gwoza by Boko Haram insurgents. However, the new emir, according to the report, promised to unite and strengthen the relationship between Christians and Muslims in the area. (NAN)

Jonathan wants to kill me, Kwankwaso alleges Contd from Front Page

Lamido vows to set record over 13-month old airport – Page 6

Int’l

S/World

Digest 36 Politics 37 Newsxtra

Sports 41 Columnist 48

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dent Olusegun Obasanjo’s famous letter to President Jonathan. “There is no rule of law in Nigeria at all. We are being molested by police. They are paying thugs to shoot dynamites and guns against innocent citizens,” Amaechi told the crowd. Citing the letter by Obasanjo, alleging that President Jonathan had hired snipers for targeted politicians, Ameachi alleged that: “I am number on the list. “They want to kill me but they have no God. The God we worship will do what?, he asked. “Kill them,” the crowd responded. In his interview with PREMIUM TIMES, excerpts of which was published on the newspaper’s site yesterday, Kwankwaso also accused the president of igniting crisis in Kano state after the appointment of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as new Emir of Kano on Sunday. PREMIUM TIMES said, Presidential spokespersons, Reuben

Abati and Doyin Okupe, did not respond to its requests for comments yesterday. Similar, our reporter made efforts to get Mr. Abati’s reaction to Kwankwaso’s allegations last night, but the Presidential spokesman neither answered repeated calls to his cell phones nor replied to an sms sent to them. Sources close to the newly appointed Political Adviser to the president, Professor Rufa’i Alkali, also told our reporter last night that he (Alkali), may not want to comment on such an issue barely 24 hours after he assumed duty. Kwankwaso further claimed in his interview with PREMIUM TIMES, that he had “credible information” the president instructed his supporters in Kano to unleash “mayhem” on the state. “We don’t know his intention, but, certainly the intention is not good,” he said. “We have to tell him that igniting crisis in Kano is not in the interest of anybody. We have enough crisis already in the country, and now they are fund-

ing their stooges in Kano to protest and burn government properties”, he added. The governor further claimed that the president was bent on igniting crisis in Kano because the state is controlled by the APC. “Recently, we also lost an esteemed Emir in Gombe and they basically followed the same process to elect a new emir, but they did not say anything because it is a PDP state. “Now they are funding crisis in our state, I have never seen something like this,” Kwankwaso said. The governor confirmed reports that the new Kano emir, Sanusi, was unable to move to the palace due to a police siege on the building, a development he equally blamed on the presidency. He accused the presidency of planning to arrest Sanusi to stop his appointment as emir. “We got information that they were planning to arrest him, so, we moved him to the Government House. I don’t want to imagine what would have happened if they succeeded,” he said.

The governor claimed that his government and the APC enjoy overwhelming support in the state, and was only bidding their time before reacting to the “intimidation” from the federal government. “By the recent survey we just had and the local government election we held, we enjoy about 92 per cent support of the population, and the remaining 8 per cent are brewing and supporting crisis. There will come a time when this 92 per cent will be on the offensive, that is when they will realise that they are making a mistake. “A sitting president brewing a crisis in a state like Kano? Everybody in this country knows that it is Jonathan that is creating this problem in Kano. I am yet to know why, but posterity will clearly show what his intentions are,” he said. On the siege on the Emir’s palace, Kwankwaso said his government was just “watching and seeing how far they can go”.

tion restraining the House, its members, committees or agents from summoning or directing her to appear before the probe panel. The House had commenced the investigation following a motion on March 20, 2014, that was presented by Samuel Adejare. The motion had accused Alison-Madueke of committing about EURO 500,000 (N130 million) monthly to maintain the private jet. She has gone back to court to challenge the House’s move, insisting that the lawmakers cannot subpoena her without the president’s approval. The group, had at the end of the meeting, reviewed recent oil market developments and world economic growth, as presented by the secretary general, in particu-

lar supply/demand projections for the second half of the year, as well as the outlook for 2015, noting that the relative steadiness of prices during 2014 to date is an indication that the market is adequately supplied, with the periodic price fluctuations being more a reflection of geopolitical tensions than a response to fundamentals. The meeting observed, however, that, whilst world economic growth was projected to reach 3.4 per cent in 2014, up from 2.9 per cent in 2013, downside risks to the global economy, both in the OECD and non-OECD regions, remain unchecked. It noted, moreover, that whilst world oil demand is expected to rise from 90.0 mbpd in 2013 to 91.1 mbpd in 2014, non-OPEC supply is projected to grow by 1.4

mbpd, with OECD stock levels, in terms of days of forward demand cover, remaining comfortable. In light of the foregoing, the oil cartel again decided that member countries should adhere to the existing production level of 30.0 mbpd. In taking this decision, OPEC unanimously agreed that member countries would, if required, take steps to ensure market balance, which is so important to world economic activity. Member countries, in turn, reiterated their willingness to firmly respond to developments that might jeopardize oil market stability. The next ordinary meeting of the group has been scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2014, in Vienna, Austria.

OPEC Sec Gen: Hope dims for Diezani Contd from Front Page

group’s alternate president. Unconfirmed reports said by nominating her, President Jonathan was trying to give the minister a “soft landing” since that would mark her exit from the petroleum resources ministry. With the decision of OPEC, Diezani must have to wait for a year for a post that was held for five years by Dr. Rilwanu Lukman, one time minister of petroleum of Nigeria. The minister is currently being investigated by the House of Representatives for allegedly spending N10 billion to charter a private jet for two years. She has, however, made repeated attempts to foil the probe by the House. Last month, she sought an order of interim injunc-

News

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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ICPC re-arraigns Faruk Lawan over $600,000 alleged bribe By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

he Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has re- arraigned before an Abuja High Court, the chairman of House of Representatives ad hoc committee that probed fuel subsidy scam, Farouk Lawan, for allegedly obtaining $620,000 bribe from Femi Otedola. Joined in the case is Lawan’s secretary, Boniface Emenalo, both facing a seven-count criminal charge bordering on obtaining $620,000 from an oil magnate, Otedola, in order to doctor the committee’s report in favour of Zenon Oil and Gas Ltd.

Lawan and Emenalo were first arraigned before Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi on Febuary 2, 2013, before he was elevated to the Court of Appeal, resulting in the re-assignment of the case to Justice Adebukola Banjoko. At resumed re-arraignment of both men, Counsel to the ICPC, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), told the court that the case was slated for re-arraignment of the accused. The ICPC alleged that the accused conspired in April 2012 to demand three million dollars gratification from Otedola to remove his firm, Zenon Oil and Gas Ltd, from the list of oil companies indicted for the fuel subsidy scam. Awomolo argued that the of-

fence contravened the provisions of Section 26 (1) (c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and punishable under Section 8 (1) of the same Act. Emenalo, Farouk Lawan's Secretary, was separately accused in count seven for receiving $120,000 as gratification from Otedola for the same purpose. The prosecution said the action violates Section 10 (a)(ii) of ICPC Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 10 of the same Act. The accused persons however pleaded not guilty to the charges read to them by the court. Counsel to Lawan and Emenalo, Omowale Jolawon, urged the

court to allow his clients to continue with the N10 million bail granted to each of them and two sureties each in like sum. In a short ruling, Banjoko ordered the accused to continue with the bail conditions granted by Justice Oniyangi. She ordered the accused persons to present their sureties before the court and adjourned the case until July 7 and 8 for accelerated trial. Part of the bail terms required the accused persons to submit their international passports with the court’s Registrar, and restraint from traveling outside Nigeria without the permission of the court.

3 STF men, 5 civilians killed in fresh Plateau attack From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

o fewer than three Special Task Force (STF) personnel restoring peace in Plateau state and five other civilians were killed yesterday in Jol village of Riyom Local Government of Plateau State. It would be recalled that on Monday, there was an incident of attack where 60 cows were killed and 30 others wounded in same village of yesterday's assult. Captain Ikedichi Iweha, who is the STF media and information officer in the state, said the attack took place around 1:30am yesterday. He said, "The attack is alleged to be a reprisal of the killing of 60 cows belonging to Fulani herdsmen few days ago in same village. So, the attack resulted in the killing of five civilians and three of our men”.

R-L: President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Head of Federal Service, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, Chief of Staff to the President, Brigadier Jones Arogbofa (rtd), and National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, during a valedictory session in memory of former Minister of Information, the late Professor Dora Akunyili, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

Jonathan inaugurates new political adviser, others

By Aminu Imam

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday inaugurated his new Political Adviser, Prof. Rufa’i Alkali, and a member of the Federal Civil Service Commission from Akwa Ibom, Mr. Simon

Etim. The event, which took place before the Federal Executive Council meeting, also witnessed the inauguration as permanent secretaries of Mr. Nanpam Danjuma, Mrs. Binta Bello and Dr. Babatope Adamu, representing

Plateau, Katsina and Ekiti respectively. In a remark, Jonathan urged the Political Adviser to change the language of public discourse from that of division to unity of the country using his good offices.

FIRS threatens NICON Insurance, Luxury Hotels over tax default By Etuka Sunday

ederal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) yesterday warned all companies and organisations in the country to comply with the tax laws by remitting taxes due to the government or be forced to do so. The warning came after it attempted to seal-off NICON Luxury Hotel and NICON Insurance Limited for alleged failure to remit more than N90 million outstanding tax liabilities due to the government. A statement by the Head, Communications and Liaison Department, Wahab Gbadamosi said that the company’s officials are currently held and being interrogated by the officials of the FIRS Special Investigation and Enforcement Unit. The investigation, according to the statement, was aimed at recovering arrears of taxes accruing to government from Companies Income Tax (CIT), Education Tax (EDT), Withholding Tax (WHT) and Value Added Tax (VAT). He said the Service had served series of notices on the companies earlier to pay their outstanding tax liabilities or be compelled to do so. However, the companies had admitted their outstanding tax liabilities when the enforcement team called at their offices. Gbadamosi said the enforcement would serve as a warning to other organisations and individuals in the country on the need to comply with the tax laws. “Section 40 of the FIRS Establishment Act 2007 provides that; "Any person who being obliged to deduct any tax under this act or the laws listed in the First Schedule to this Act, but fails to deduct, or having deducted, fails to pay to the Service within 30 days from the date the amount was deducted or the time the duty to deduct arose, commits an offence and shall, upon conviction, be liable to pay the tax withheld or not remitted in addition to a penalty of 10 per cent of the tax withheld or not remitted per annum and interest at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria minimum re-discount rate and imprisonment for period of not more than three years,'' he concluded.

Corps members in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe on their own – NYSC By Evelyn Okakwu with agency report

irector-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier-General Johnson Olawumi says the Corps has since suspended the posting of youth corps members to the NorthEast states of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno, and anyone who wants to be posted or is serving in any of those states is on his or her own. Brigadier Olawumi, who stated

this at the annual management conference of the NYSC taking place in Calabar stated that insecurity in the North East region has claimed the lives of many Corps members in the region making it inadvisable for young people to be posted there while insecurity persists. The NYSCC D-G stated that the annual Management Conference is an opportunity for top management and staff of the scheme to take stock and appraise critical operations of the scheme, taking into

cognizance its mandate and service charter. He said the theme for this year’s conference: “Evolving dynamic operational strategies to tackle present challenges in the NYSC”, is in tune with current security realities in the country and it is with the view to improving on the service delivery of the Corps. He said the Board is planning a review of the Corps Insurance policy scheme with a view to making it more sensitive and respon-

sive in the delivery of services to corps members. The Cross River State governor, Mr. Liyel Imoke, in his speech said the state was the highest employer of serving corps members in the country because of its believe in rewarding dedicated and loyal corps members. Imoke, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Efiok Cobham said the NYSC which is forty one years should go beyond its original concept of national integra-

tion and make evolve strategies which will make the National Youth Service Corps more beneficial to the people and communities where they are servicing. He praised the National Youth Service Corps skill, acquisition programme which he said will meet the needs of current challenges of unemployment in the country and assured the scheme of the continued support and partnership of the state government.

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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News

Fashola bows to LASU students, reduces fees From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

ollowing series of protests by students of Lagos State University (LASU) over exorbitant tuition fees payable by new students of the university, Lagos state Government, yesterday announced a reduction in LASU’s tuition fees by 34 to 60 percent

across different faculties. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Lateef Raji and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Hakeem Bello, disclosed this at a joint media

briefing in Alausa, Ikeja. The institution’s Governing Council is expected to subsequently issue details of what is now payable by students in each department. It announced: “On the basis of these principles, government agrees that, with the subsidized tuition fees and appropriate mod-

eration of the incidental fees, a reduction, ranging from 34 percent to 60 percent, is possible across the different faculties and courses”. Olukoga explained that the decision was based on the resolution of the Lagos State executive Council on the report of the Adhoc Committee on LASU.

APC legislators’ court order renews hostility in Edo Assembly From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

Benin High Court order restraining the four suspended lawmakers in Edo state House of Assembly, yesterday afternoon renewed hostilities during the peace meeting to resolve the

crises rocking the House. The court restrained the former deputy Speaker, Hon. Festus Ebea and three other PDP lawmakers, Hon. Patrick Osayimwen, Hon. Jude Ise-Idehen and Hon. Friday Ogieriakhi, suspended on Monday by the APC House members from gaining entrance into the premises

of the Assembly and the legislative quarters. Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 5, Benin City and the Commissioner of Police, Edo State was also restrained from interfering with the sitting activities and other functions of the state Assembly, pending the determination of

a Motion on Notice before it. The closed door meeting was held under intense atmosphere within the precinct of the chambers and presided over by the State commissioner of police along with some officials of Department of the State Security Service (DSS). When the House eventually

L-R: Bauchi state Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) Head of General Admin, Alhaji Bello El-Nafati, representative of Bauchi state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Emmanuel Umenger, and Bauchi state Head of Department, Voters Education and Publicity, Alhaji Garba Muhammed, during a workshop on voters education for principals of secondary schools and electoral officers, yesterday in Bauchi. Photo: NAN

‘Ajaokuta Steel Coy requires N15bn to start production’ By Etuka Sunday with agency report

he National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe, Kogi, said no less than 2.13 million tonnes of iron ore were required by Ajaokuta Steel Company to enable it to begin production. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Sole Administrator of NIOMCO, Malam Abubakar Ibrahim, stated this yesterday at Itekpe, while receiv-

ing the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Musa Sada. The sole administrator said, at that level of production, their inhouse study has shown that the operating cost per tonne shall be about N7, 000, which translates to N14.910 billion. Ibrahim said that with that quantity of iron ore, the steel company would be able to produce 1.3 million tonnes of steel annually. He, however, said that for NIOMCO to meet the iron ore need

of the steel company’s first phase production, it would need to produce and process seven million tonnes of raw iron ore annually. He said when on stream with necessary facilities, the company could produce about 36,000 tonnes of iron ore concentrates per month. “At that level of production, our in-house study has shown that the operating cost per tonne shall be about N7,000. “This means that a net monthly operating income of about

N228 million shall be realised, taking current world market concentrate price of N16,000 per tonne’’, he said. In his remark, the minister said that the federal government was doing everything possible to see that NIOMCO resumed production. Sada said the National Industrial Revolution Plan, recently launched by the government, would address the challenges of the company and help it meet its mandate.

SURE- P: Plateau lawmakers probe alleged missing N70bn From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

ollowing the quarrel over alleged missing N70 billion Subsidy Re-investment Programme (SURE-P) fund among the lawmakers of the Plateau State House of Assembly, the House yesterday asked the Committee on Public Accounts to start investigation of the accusation. It would be recalled that a petition against the Plateau state governor, Jonah David Jang was

recently brought before the State House of Assembly for investigation. The House Speaker, Hon. Titus Alam, in a plenary session said the petition brought before the house by Plateau Patriotic Front (PPF), over the missing 70 billion Naira SURE-P funds would surely be investigated with rapt attention, assuring that no influence would make the house to stop the investigation. He said, “No one in the

House is saying the matter will not be look into; but what we are saying is that let the appropriate thing be done. The petition was circulated, it was on the internet, everybody have read it; so it is not a hidden thing”. Also in the plenary, the Minority Leader in the House, Hon. Wakdung Abbas, said, “The petitioners have alleged that 129 Hi-lux Vehicles were purchased at inflated cost, that the Governor has illegally and forcefully deducted monies from the 17 lo-

cal government councils on the guise of constructing 5 kilometre roads and that the Chairmen were forced to write cheques of N400 million for the award of same contracts. “There was an illegal collection of loans from banks, purchased of governor’s convoy vehicle. Others are N80 billion bond and loan scam; mismanagement of N8bn water loan as well as extra-budgetary spending and inflated contract scam among others”, he added

Olukoga, added that notwithstanding, the approval of reduced fees for students in the LASU, government would retain and continue with its enhanced scholarship and bursary provisions as well as research fund sponsored by the government to foster a culture of research and innovation in the university.

reconvened for the day’s business at about 5:30pm yesterday, 24 members were present at the sitting, which was presided over by the suspended APC Speaker, Hon. Uyigue Igbe. The source told our correspondent that the 24 members of House of Assembly made progress in the harmonization process during the meeting, which lasted for over six hours. Earlier, some PDP and APC Legislators reportedly engaged in a physical combat at about 7am before they allowed common sense to prevail at about 8am. APC member representing Akoko-Edo 1, Hon. Bamidele Oloruntoba was allegedly injured when suspected thugs supporting two rival political parties stationed few meters away from the King Square where the Assembly complex is located allegedly clashed. The exit glass door of the chamber was smashed, along with some vehicle windscreens belonging to private individuals before the intervention of a combined team of policemen, who placed barricades at the adjoining roads leading to the King Square, who used tear gas canisters to disperse the youths.

Auto crash claims 7 Borno APC supporters en route convention From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

ragedy struck the Borno state chapter of All Progressives Congress, (APC) yesterday as seven of its supporters travelling to Abuja for the party’s National Convention died in a ghastly road mishap along Damaturu- Potiskum highway, Yobe state. It was gathered that five other people were also wounded in the accident, which occurred around 10 a.m. The incident has thrown other party members in Maiduguri into mourning. Yobe state’s Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC), Alhaji Yusuf Garba, who confirmed the incident, explained that the crash occurred when a Volkswagen Saloon car and a Honda perfection had head-on- collusion while both vehicles were on high speed, killing seven person on the spot. Garba, who said he immediately mobilized his rescue team to the scene, noted that the five survivors were been treated at an undisclosed hospital in Damaturu He revealed that prominent member APC, Hajiya Saratu Ibrahim is among those who lost their the incident. The commander added that the sum of over N90,000 and other valuables were recovered from the scene of the incident.

News

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

PAGE 5

Education aid to Nigeria down by 34% in 2010, 2012, says UNESCO

By Maryam Garba Hassan

L-R: Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Ajjampur Rangaiah Ghanashyam, Niger state Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, and Vice-Chancellor, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, Professor Riskuwa Arabu Shehu, during their visit to the governor, yesterday at the Government House, in Minna.

BBC clears air on reception problem in Nigeria By Doyin Ojosipe, Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia, Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina, Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos and Umar Dankano, Yola

he British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Hausa service, yesterday clarified on the inability of its listeners to access its services yesterday afternoon. In a swift response to the incident, the BBC issued a statement saying, “The interruptions of BBC Hausa shortwave transmissions today (yesterday) was as a result of a power outage at one of our transmitters. The power has now been restored and we expect ser-

vices to be operating normally”. The inability to access the two important International stations yesterday fuelled the thoughts of possible clamp-down, or jamming, of airwaves by government forces, which have been on the trail of some media houses to stop circulation of newspapers across Nigeria. The news made headlines, Friday, of how the Nigerian military had descended on media, seizing thousands of newspaper copies, while stopping their vans from circulating the newspapers across Nigeria. Meanwhile, the oppressive actions have drawn up criticisms from the Nigerian populace, es-

pecially in the northern states like Nasarawa, Plateau Adamawa and Bauchi as well as the international press, who have termed it as ‘war on free press’ and an attempt to impede on Nigerians freedom of communication. Virtually all have blamed the actions on the Federal government, using the military to gag the press while the military has termed it as just a security exercise. However, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has criticized the actions saying: “We strongly believe a free press is very critical in the sustenance of democracy and any obstruction to the operations of any

critical organ of our democratic process would be resisted as the recent infringements in the circulation of newspapers portend.” In a statement issued by its president, Abdulwaheed Omar, the union demand that the newspapers affected be compensated while explaining that there won’t be democracy without the press Abdullwaheed also expressed fear over the tendencies to reawaken military rule by that singular act, he said ““The period of impunity associated with unaccountable military dictatorships should not be reawakened by those elected under democratic platforms as this will mean an open invitation to anarchy.”

‘Early warning signs, antidote to conflict resolution’

he early detection of signs of conflict and disaster with early and sharp response has been described as the key antidote in the resolution of conflict and crisis management. The National Coordinator of Development and Peace Initiative, Rev. father Clement Bamaiyi Kagoma disclosed this in his address at a sensitisation workshop for traditional rulers, community leaders, youth leaders and security personnel, held in Kaduna. Rev. Kagoma said the present security challenges facing the country would have been nipped in the board if leaders are sensitive in the early warning signs. Rev. father Kagoma, who was represented by the programme manager of the association, said the sensitization training workshop is a contribution from the British Council to curtail the present insecurity bedeviling the nation. Father Kagoma informed the gathering that, in order to sustain the present peaceful atmosphere in the state, the peace partnership

committee has been set up in Kaduna state to ensure the effective implementation of all suggestions and recommendation of the workshop. Father Kagoma added that the selection of the Wusasa and Tudun Wada communities as the pioneer of the training is because

of the unique place they occupy in sustaining peace and stability in the state. The project facilitator, Mrs. Fejiro olokpo, in her welcoming address to participant said the British council deemed it necessary to bring the Christians and Muslims leaders and other stake

holders to a round table discussion and ways to detect the early warning signs. According to her, the local people need awareness to detect any upcoming crisis in their environ and they will be good materials to curtail the spread of such crisis before it escalates.

By Umar Muhammad Puma

in an interview yesterday shortly after the lunch of his book titled: “Power struggles and corruptions deconsolidating democracy in Nigeria”. He said, “That is what we have seen, everybody want to create an empire for himself, then you see politicians fighting not because they want to better the lot of Nigerians but to enrich themselves and somebody said all the terrorism we are having is a fall out of intent power struggles in PDP and we saw it and somebody came and said this insurgency is as a result

of intent power struggles because power is attracting in Nigeria” He said He added that by now he expect all Nigerians to become activists and speak out so as to rescue the country from the corrupt leaders. On why he wrote the book, Barr. Okoi Obono-Obla said he wanted to educate, enlightened and empower the people through scholarship to know why there is poverty, what is corruption, what is democracy and consolidating democracy.

‘Insurgency: Power struggle in PDP breeds Boko Haram’

eputy chairman, Convention screening committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barr. Okoi ObonoObla, has said that the on-going insurgency in Nigeria caused by the power struggle in the ruling People Democratic Party (PDP). He also said because the power struggle the nation has had was not to better the lot of Nigerians but to use it in an illegal way and to acquire wealth. Barr. Okoi, told journalists

NESCO’s recent report has indicated that the amount of aid to basic education going to Nigeria has reduced by 26 million from 2010 to 2012 which stands at 34%, despite the country having the most children out of school in the world. The report further said that aid to education globally has also gone down by 10% since the year 2010. The new figures released by UNESCO’s Education For All (EFA) Global Monitoring Report, ahead of the Global Partnership for Education’s Replenishment Pledging Conference in Brussels, coming up between 25-26 June, at which donors will be asked to help raise a much-needed US$3.5 billion for education in the poorest countries. The report stated that decline fell by over 6% between 2010 and 2011, and a further 3% in 2012 adding that basic education which enables children to acquire foundational skills and core knowledge is now receiving the same amount of aid as it was in 2008. It added that the decline in the aid to the sector is coming one year before the deadline for achieving the global ‘Education for All’ goals and when 57 million children and 69 million adolescents are still out of school.

UN committee to sanction Boko Haram leader, splinter group

he U.N. Security Council is set to sanction Abubakar Shekau, leader of Nigeria’s Boko Haram, and its faction Ansaru, the first individual and entity to be designated by the world body since the Islamist militant group was blacklisted last month. Russia has delayed the process by placing a technical hold on the designations, but diplomats say it is simply to give Moscow more time to complete its review of the proposal made by Nigeria to the Security Council al Qaeda sanctions committee. Once Russia lifts the hold, Shekau and Ansaru would be banned from international travel and have their assets frozen. Last month, the Security Council al Qaeda sanctions committee blacklisted Boko Haram at the request of Nigeria, following global outrage when the group kidnapped more than 250 girls from a secondary school in remote northeastern Nigeria on April 14. The Islamist militant group was described in the U.N. listing as an affiliate of al Qaeda and the Organization of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). It is subjected to a travel ban, an asset freeze and an arms embargo. (Reuters)

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

PAGE 6

News

Lamido vows to set record over 13-month old airport From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

igawa state governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido has vowed to put in place all the necessary equipment that would not only make the state airport world class but also beat a record time of 13 months. The governor said this yesterday while receiving the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authourity (NCAA) in his office after they

inspected the Dutse airport. Lamido also gave a marching order that the five shortfalls facing the airport should be completed within the stipulated time of six weeks said the government had invested a huge sum of money to allow for any shortfall to hinder the progress of the airport. Lamido also assured that this year’s hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia would be airlifted from the Dutse airport.

Earlier, the Director Aerodynamics Airspace standard Mr. Nkemakolam Daniel said they were in the state to audit the airport operation. He said the government had made investments that made the airport stand out as one of the best in the country warned that certain measures must be taken to actualise a full pledged functional airport. He said additional works on the

inner and outer perimeter fencing together with road network that would facilitate monitoring of the fences should be done within six weeks. He also advised the government to sign an MOU with Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Metrological Agency, to serve as staff of the airport pending the time the government made provision for its manpower.

Gaidam urges Sanusi to follow footsteps of his forefathers From Uche Uche, Damaturu

ov. Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State has called on the new Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to follow in the exemplary footsteps of his forebears and embrace all the people of Kano as his own. The governor made the call yesterday during a visit to Emir Sanusi in Kano to congratulate him over his appointment and to condole with him and the government and people of Kano over the death of late Emir Ado Bayero. Gaidam said late Emir Bayero was a great leader who contributed immensely to the development of Kano and helped foster peaceful coexistence among the various people of the state and the country in general. “ I urg e th e ne w E mir to follow the Footste ps of his predecessor and forebears and work to make not just Kano but the whole country greater and better “, Gaidam said. The governor also called on Kano people to support their new Emir and give him all the necessary support to discharge his responsibilities. Gaidam said it is only Almighty Allah who gives power to whom He wishes and take away power from whom He wished. He prayed Almighty Allah to grant the new Emir wisdom in discharging his duties.

L-R: Chief of Staff, Rivers state Government House, Mr. Tony Okocha, Senator Magnus Abe, Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, and member, House of Representatives, Hon. Asita O. Asita, during a protest against the directive of the National Judicial Council (NJC) for Daisy Okocha to take over as Chief Judge of Rivers state, yesterday in Port Harcourt. Photo: NAN

Fashola declares June 12 work-free day in Lagos

ov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has declared Thursday, June 12 as work-free day in the state in commemoration of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ikeja by the Head of Service, Mrs Oluseyi Williams.

According to the statement, the holiday is to enable workers to participate in the various programmes lined up to commemorate the historic election. The June 12, 1993 election, presumed to have been won by the late Chief MKO Abiola, was adjudged to be free and fair, but was annulled by the then military

administration. The statement said that schools and government offices would be closed in observance of the election anniversary. It urged workers to attend the programmes organised by the state government and pro-democracy groups to commemorate the election.(NAN)

Miyetti Allah wants FG to implement full autonomy of traditional institutions From David Hassan, Gombe

s part of the effort to boost the affairs of traditional institutions, the National President of Miyetti Allah Socio- cultural Fulani Association Alhaji Bello Abdullahi has appealed to the

federal government to consider the plea of traditional rulers in the country and grant them full autonomy. According to him traditional institutions have not been given opportunity to operate as it is expected, noting that government should look into this matter and

consider them by approving full autonomy to enable them rule their people accordingly. He called on government as matter of urgency to find a lasting solution to rescue 30 Fulani women who were abducted by gunmen near Chibok community, adding that the abduction of

Fulani women by the gunmen differ from that of Chibok girls which he said the gunmen did so in order to be compensated with cattle he said. Speaking further, he urged the federal government to constitute a grazing reserve commission for herdsmen.

FEC holds Special Valedictory session for late Akunyili

he Federal Executive Council (FEC), yesterday in Abuja, held special valedictory session in honour of late Prof. Dora Akunyili, former Minister of Information. Akunyili, also a former Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), died in an Indian hospital on June 7 while undergoing treatment for cancer. At the solemn meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, council members took turns to pay glowing tributes to the late NAFDAC boss. They condoled with the president, family of the deceased and the entire Nigerian women over the loss. In his tribute, President Jonathan described Akunyili as ``very upright, courageous and a role model per excellence to young Nigerians and the women folk in general.’’ The President added that Akunyili made a huge impact as director-general of NAFDAC and her re-brand Nigeria programme as Minister of Information remained a national reference point. Vice-President Namadi Sambo described Akunyili’s death as a great loss to the country, describing her as ``a patriotic and dedicated Nigerian.’’ (NAN)

ICPC assists 7 widows to get entitlements from NRC

he Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday said it aided seven widows to get the entitlements of their late husbands from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). Spokesman of the ICPC, Mr. Folu Olamiti, in a statement in Abuja, said the intervention of the commission had also facilitated the payment of entitlement to two other former members of staff of the corporation. The widows are Mrs. Celestina Onyibor, Mrs. Roseline Obiekwe, Mrs. Comfort Okeke, Mrs. Cordelia Ifechelobi, Mrs. Rose Okoye, Mrs. Teresa Ani and Mrs. Roseline Agu. Olamiti said the that two former members of staff whose pension entitlements had lingered for a long time before ICPC intervention are Ogbe Valentine and Onwu Charles. He said that the intervention of the ICPC followed a petition filed by the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) Enugu chapter, on behalf of the seven widows against NRC. “The Civil Liberties Organisation had filed a petition dated Sept. 8, 2011 challenging an alleged claim that officers of NRC had stolen the money meant for the pension of their late husbands. (NAN)

News

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

PAGE 7

3 nationals, Beninoise, Ghanaian nabbed with 1000kg of cannabis

From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

he marine unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it foiled an attempt by a West African drug syndicate to employ the services of fishermen in smuggling 1,020.5kg of compressed dried weeds suspected to be cannabis. It said it marine officers

attached to the Apapa Port Command, Lagos intercepted the drug on Nigerian waters during patrol. Five suspected fishermen, comprising Beninoise, Ghanaian and a Nigerian have been arrested in connection with the illegal importation of the drug from Ghana. The NDLEA said it is the

highest single seizure of cannabis made by the Marine Unit since its establishment as the drug has a street value of ten million naira. Five of them, Joseph Akpe, Gabriel Fokito, Zutah Edward, Ameriato Tafe and Celestine Azarante were conveying the drugs in a motorized boat at the time of arrest. Apapa Port Commander of

NDLEA, Mr. Nse Jack said that the compressed cannabis originated from Ghana. Leader of the suspects Joseph Akpe said “we were given 100,000 naira part payment for logistics. We would have collected a balance of 250,000 naira if not for the arrest”.

L-R: Deputy Director, Information, Directorate of State services (DSS), Ms. Marylyn Ogar, Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, and the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, briefing journalists on current security issues, yesterday in Abuja Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Alleged homicide: Jalingo Magistrate Court arraigns 24-year old From Yusha’u Alhassan Jalingo

wenty one pieces of wrappers stolen from a tailoring shop in Lasandi, Mile-6, Jalingo local government area have been admitted into evidence at a Jalingo Chief Magistrate Court. When the case came up for mention, the owner of the shop, which was burgled on the thirtieth of last month, Patricia Joseph identified the wrappers and told the court that she was a tailor and that the wrappers were brought by her customers to make dress for them. Patricia expressed gratitude

to God that the accused Mudassir Ibrahim, who claimed to be a photographer, was caught by a vigilante, who alerted her of the burglary and directed her to go to the police station where the wrappers were kept. After the complainant had satisfied the court, by giving the names and colour of some of the wrappers into evidence, which was granted by the Magistrate, Ester Tata, the accused, Mudassir Ibrahim, who pleaded guilty asked the court to temper justice with mercy. The case has been adjourned

to the nineteenth of this month for judgment; meanwhile, the accused also has a similar case of house breaking and theft before the same court. In a related development, a twenty-four year-old Elijah Inju, of Wukari Local government area has been arraigned before a Jalingo Chief Magistrate Court, for culpable homicide punishable with death. According to police reports, Elijah Inju conspired with one Smally Oparah to beat up his father and stabbed him a knife resulted to his death.

When the case came up for mention, the Police prosecutor, Markus Taki prayed the court to read the charges to the accused, but the court did not take the plea because the court was holding brief for the high court due to the capital nature of the offence. The Chief Magistrate Babasoro said he was only holding proceedings for the High Court pending the release of legal advice from the state Ministry of Justice. He ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case to twentieth of this month for further mention.

Bus conductor remanded in prison over stealing

n FCT High Court, on Tuesday fixed July 28 and July 29 for hearing of the statement of defense filed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in a N20 billion libel suit. A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun, Chief Buruji Kashamu, filed a N20 billion libel suit against Obasanjo on March 2014.

Kashamu said, in the suit, that Obasanjo referred to him as “a criminal and fugitive wanted in the United States”, in a letter he wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan”. Justice Valentine Ashi fixed the date after both parties exchanged court processes in defense of the case. Ashi had earlier ordered Obasanjo to file his statement of defense and serve the plaintiff. The

judge, however, struck out a motion filed by counsel to Obasanjo, Mr. Boyega Oyewale. Oyewale had asked the court to strike out paragraphs one to 10 of the plaintiff`s reply to the defendant’s statement. He held that the paragraphs were irrelevant, embarrassing and scandalous. Plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Alex Iziyon (SAN), contended that the

defamation of plaintiff`s character by the defendant was actuated by malice as shown in the statement of defense. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the letter was titled: “Before it is too late”. Kashamu is asking the court to award him N20 billion as damages he suffered due to the alleged libel. (NAN)

Police arrest man with fresh human head in Lagos

he Police Command in Lagos State has arrested a 38-year-old man for allegedly being in possession of a fresh human head. The Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Ngozi Braide, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) NAN yesterday in Lagos. She said that the man, name withheld, was arrested on Tuesday at Orile, Lagos by anti-robbery policemen, attached to the Orile Police Station. “The police team that arrested the suspect was led by one Insp. Bernard Oyinlade, while they were conducting a ‘stop and search’ operation near the white sand area of Orile. “The team stopped the man who was walking along the road with a polythene bag having suspected him and immediately called for a search. “He immediately took to his heels and was pursued. “He was arrested and during the searching of his bag, a suspected fresh human skull was found. “The suspect is undergoing interrogation. “He will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department, Panti, Yaba for further investigations,” Braide said. (NAN)

3 arraigned over alleged possession of corpse

hree men yesterday appeared before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, charged with unlawful possession of a decomposing corpse of a child. The accused are Idris Nureni, 28; Nathaniel Omale, 27, and Friday Anifofun, 28. They are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and illegal possession. However, the trio pleaded not guilty. The Prosecutor, ASP. Godwin Anyanwu, told the court that the accused, who reside at Ese-Offin Village in Shibiri Ajangbadi, near Lagos, committed the offence on April 7 at 6 p.m. Anyanwu said that the accused were apprehended bearing the corpse of an unidentified child. He said that the three men claimed that they found the corpse in a nearby bush and were conveying it to the palace of the Baale of the village for investigation. ``The men were accosted by some villagers who alerted the police. They were thereafter arrested,’’ Anyanwu said. The prosecutor submitted that the offence contravened Sections 44 and 166 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011. The Magistrate, Mrs. Yewande Aje-Afunwa, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum. Aje-Afunwa adjourned the case until July 16 for hearing. (NAN)

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

PAGE 8

Conference votes for new body to administer Lake Chad D BY Patrick Andrew

elegates to the National Conference yesterday voted overwhelmingly in support of a proposal for the Federal Government to set up a Save- Lake- Chad body to oversee the lake and prevent it from further incapacitation. A delegate , Mahmud Usman, had during a deliberation on the recommendations made the Agriculture Committee penultimate day, suggested that a body be set up to ensure that the Lake is resuscitated. Usman had pointed that no fewer than five dams are built in the lake by Nigeria alone meaning that Nigeria may have inadvertently contributed to the incapacitation of the lake. Though Sen. Ibrahim Idah had thrown more light into the efforts made Nigeria and five others to effect a feasibility studies on what to do to revive the lake, Usman had insisted that without a body to take charge of overseeing Lake Chad it would dry off. He argued that the efforts of Nigeria and the surrounding nations had not yielded dividends for 25 years. But Idah, who said he served in a committee set up by the government in respect of the reviving the Lake Chad, had informed the house that $6m was expended on the project and that what is needed to revive the lake was $25m, which is to be contributed by the countries along the Chad basin and donor nations. Yesterday, the conference

L-R: National Conference delegates, Hon. Musa Elayo, Ambassador Yerima Abdullahi, and Dr. Maryam Abdullah, during the conference proceedings, recently in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

favoured the formation of a body to oversee and manage the lake to ensure that it is being well cared for. Besides, delegates want states which directly benefit from the lake to contribute something in addition whatever proceeds from the other countries and the donor nations. Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, the deputy chairman, who presided, while putting

the amendment to the original recommendation urged the people to give serious consideration to the essentiality of the lake especially as its affects power generation for Nigeria. Meanwhile, the conference rejected the establishment of a National Agricultural Programme Co-ordinating Agency. The argument had been

that such agency would provide technical support to the states in planning, formulating and designing agricultural programmes based on the states priority and comparative advantage, working closely with the state agencies. It would also assist the states in carrying out periodic evaluation and particularly impact assessment of the

state and federal projects and programmes; and coordinate the gathering, updating and dissemination of national agricultural data including marketing and price information. But delegates felt that it would be usurping the function of the Ministry of Agriculture and therefore objected to the establishment by voting overwhelmingly against it.

Egwu causes stir over fertilizer importation By Patrick Andrew

ormer Governor of Ebonyi state, Dr. Sam Egwu, caused a stir yesterday when he vehemently opposed the recommendation of the Committee on Agriculture for the importation of fertilizer to boost local product. Though the conference had voted in favour of the recommendation and seem to have had some reasonable interest among them, the former governor however spoke strongly against bringing of fertilizer because it could constitute serious threat to the health of Nigerians. Egwu mentioned three types of fertilizers and said major countries in the world are rejecting the chemicalized fertilizer and

wondered why the Federal Government as well as states should be encouraged to bring in what would have adverse effect on the health of Nigerians. “Some delegates are just saying “aye, aye” without actually considering the grave implication of importing chemicalized fertilizer. Other countries have rejected chemicalized fertilizer why we are here encouraging what would increase the prevalence of cancer in the country. “Rather than seek to bring in chemicalized fertilizer, we should encourage the production of natural fertilizer as had been done by other countries. We must guard against falling prey to contractors who connived with the big companies abroad to bring

in chemicalized fertilizer,” he said stressing that Nigeria should discourage this brand of fertilizer. “Organic fertiliser being banned in other countries, but here we are importing poison, bringing destructive chemical. We are only thinking of making money. As a specialist in this area I find it hard to allow this to continue without speaking on the danger therein,” he said. Another delegate, Kili Mohammed, said he wholly agreed with Dr. Egwu and wanted a reconsideration of the earlier resolution by the house. “How can we agree with people encouraging the importation of poison! “There should be an amendment. I want to recommend that the federal

government should encourage improved seedlings. The various agriculture agencies should introduce seedlings which can yield without fertilizer,” the delegate stated even as colleagues chanted agreement. However, amidst the growing storm, Femi Falana stood up to raise a point of order drawn from Order 9 (11) in which he implies that delegates are barred from wrongful importation of words which are insulting words. He called on Egwu to apologized for insulting the delegates with his use of language,”he said we are just saying ‘aye aye’” noting that he could have made similar comments without insulting the delegates,” he said. But even before he conclude

many delegates shouted in jeers, “no, no, he did not insult us,” even as the leadership of the conference waited patiently as the delegates exchanged banters over whose interest was being protected. Sen. Saidu Dansadau relying on Order 9 (9) said there was no need to go back to what has already been resolved by vote in line with the order. “No, organic fertilizer has not been banned by countries as claimed by Dr. Egwu. It is wrong for Egwu to say we should ban importation of fertilizer. “I am aware that the existing policy by the federal government has been tapped into by all states except two states. Why cannot now ban importation of fertilizer,” he said stressing that fertilizer is needed to boost food production.

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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FG should emphasize access to safe water as a human right, Confab agrees By Hassan Haruna Ginsau

n a win for clean water campaigners, delegates to the on-going National conference have adopted a recommendation put forward by its committee on Agriculture and water resources which calls on the Federal Government (FG) to emphasize the access to safe and adequate water as a fundamental human right. If implemented by the FG, the recommendation would require it to better ensure the provision of potable water to the 47% of Nigerians who currently don’t have access to it. Delegates approved the recommendation during yesterday’s morning session whereby delegates considered amendments to the committee on agriculture and water resource’s report which was presented to delegates on Monday by the committee’s chairman, Alhaji Umaru Hadejia. The conference however rejected the creation of a National water commission, opting to stick with the current Ministry of water resources. In addition, the confab also adopted that the FG should encourage a system of production of healthy foods, going further to agree that the FG should promote food sovereignty in order to attain food security and support local and regional trade. Furthermore, coming to the protection of land owners, delegates adopted the recommendation which called on the government to guard against land grabbing, stating that irrespective of the purposes, land owners whether individuals

L-R: National Conference delegates, Rev. Bassey Nnimmo, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Jaye Gaskia, and Mrs. Wosika Macarthy, at the conference, recently in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa or communities must not be dispossessed without due consultation and adequate compensation. Delegates also agreed that funding should be dedicated to bio technology research, especially those that do not involve cross species genetic manipulation. Furthermore, delegates agreed that the FG involve farmers and rural dwellers in the design and

implementation of policies, in part to solve soil degradation. The conference called on the FG to divest from the implementation of activities in the field, which when put it context include all forms of extension work. However, the committee rejected a number of proposals put forward, including; that the Bank of industry (BOI) and Bank of Agriculture (BOA) should give

5% interest loans and long term payments; that the FG should provide clear cultivatable land in all parts of the country for willing farmers especially in the rural areas; and that the National Assembly should fast track the passage of a warehouse bill before it. Delegates also rejected that practical agriculture be made compulsory from the primary

to the university level. They also rejected a recommendation proposing that state governments “pay for every single drop of water extracted from dams, agreeing however for the FG to revitalise already constructed multipurpose dams to ensure full utilisation of hydro-electric power, also calling for a diligent study of dams to determine their state and take immediate action where required.

Delegates agree 50% of natural resources fund be used for agric, water development By Hassan Haruna Ginsau

elegates to the on-going National conference yesterday adopted a recommendation by its committee on agriculture and water resources proposing that 50% of the Nigeria’s natural resources fund be channelled towards the development of agriculture and water resources in the country. The recommendation if implemented by the Federal Government (FG) as contained in the conference’s final report

would see 30% of the country’s resources development fund going to agricultural development, while 20% would go to water resources development. The fund, which warehouses 1.68% of balance in the Federation account, is designed to service the country’s minerals sector as a means of divesting from crude oil exploration and opening other avenues for revenue generation. During yesterday’s morning session which was chaired by the conference’s secretary Valerie Azinge, delegates

also agreed for the need to emphasise horticulture as a part of agricultural production for income generation, both internally and for foreign exchange earnings. In a bid to provide a strong alternative in settling of disputes between farmers and herdsmen, delegates agreed that the traditional institution should be primarily responsible for conflict resolution between the two parties, however in the event that resolution failed, alternative dispute resolution centres should be their’ last resort.

The conference also adopted a recommendation calling on the FG to enhance the availability of enhanced seedlings to farmers, and also for authorities to return river basin authorities to the intentions which they were originally established. In promotion of local goods, the conference adopted a recommendation stating that the FG create a policy on agricultural trade to promote agricultural exports and production of food materials locally to discourage importation. It also agreed that a policy for infrastructure

development be made to provide infrastructure as part of general rural development so that basic amenities be provided to rural communities for agricultural development. During the session, all recommendations and amendments regarding land use were bracketed by the conference’s leadership due to the dispute the topic had previously caused. In addition, the conference called on the FG to involve farmers and rural dwellers in the design and implementation of policies.

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

PAGE 10

News

FG to build 227 fire stations across Nigeria By Doyin Ojosipe

inister of Interior, Abba Moro has disclosed the f e d e r al g o v e r n m e n t ’ s intention to build 227 fire stations in the country yesterday. Speaking at a fire safety award presentation by a group, Fire Disaster Prevention and Safety Awareness Association of Nigeria (FDPSAAN), the Minister, who received the award on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, stated that the federal government is already making consultations

with a consortium of American project development companies as regards the building project. He also disclosed that, in a bid to improve on fire service technology and delivery, “ the Federal Fire Service, in partnership with private organisations have been able to develop a Federal Fire Alert system, the system that triggers-off alarm on the detection of smokes that could lead to fire outbreaks.” While commending the group for its selfless contribution and efforts to help reposition the

Federal Fire Service in order to achieve an effective service delivery to Nigerians, Comrade Abba said that the just-concluded annual fire service conference, which took place in Calabar was meant to create a network of stakeholders in the industry who would share ideas on how to tackle fire disasters in the country. Earlier, the President of the Fire Disaster Prevention and Safety Awareness Association of Nigeria (FDPSAAN), Mr. Badanga Ahmed Lamidi, who presented the award to President Goodluck,

disclosed that the organisation has been able to produce a practical research document to help stall fire disasters in market places. Mr. Lamidi commended President Goodluck for his concern for victims of the fire outbreak at a Sokoto market, by donating a sum of N250 million for compensation, but however regretted that market fire outbreak was more rampant in the country and has impoverished many business-minded Nigerians, who lost goods worth millions to fire outbreak.

L-R: First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, receiving a bouquet of flowers from the President, Association of Spouses of Heads of Mission in Nigeria (ASOHOM), Mrs. Mai Shoji, during her visit to the first lady, yesterday at the State House in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

Dakingari urges IPMAN to exhibit honesty, promote peace From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

ebbi state governor, Alhaji Sa’idu Usman Dakingari has urged the newly elected leadership of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria [IPMAN] to exhibit honesty, accountability as well as promoting unity among the members when discharging their civic responsibilities.

He made this called yesterday when the new exco paid him a courtesy visit, at the state liaison office Abuja adding that their responsibilities is more important than any other things, and urged them to work collectively with relevant agencies and departments in the petroleum industry and put the nation first in the discharge of their duties’’ he said. In a press statement signed

by the chief press secretary to the Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Mu’azu Dakingari said that commended the IPMAN for the availability of petroleum products in the country, assured them his support and cooperation to ensure their success. Responding, the National President of IPMAN, Elder Chineu Okoronkwo thanked the Governor for accommodating them and the

support given to their members in the state, adding that IPMAN has planned to establishes two refineries in the country, which would also be located in Bayelsa and Kogi states . ‘’The decision to establish the refineries is part of the contribution of the association to reverse the current trend of fuel importation into the country’’ he said.

Jonathan commends IGP on police welfare, housing By Edoamaowo Udeme

resident Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday in A bu j a, c o mme n d e d t h e Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar for ensuring that officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force’ welfare is paramount, especially in the area of housing. Jonathan made the

commendation during the commissioning ceremony of Housing Estate made up 1,000 mixed housing units at Dakwa named after Sunday Adewusi in Dakwa. The President urged other Ministries, Departments and Agencies to emulate the Nigerian Police, who have built 2,000 housing units in two years in this support system for its personnel.

In his address, the IGP said the concept of the accommodation is to ensure that officers who work tirelessly night and day have befitting accommodation to return to so as to perform their civic duties. He said the houses will be given to the officers on owners occupier bases noting that the acquisition of the houses will give the policeman a great sense

of belonging, motivation and encourage them to be more dedicated to their duties. In his remark, Chairman, Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo urged the executive to do something drastic and urgent in the funding of all security agencies in the country to enable them in performing their civic responsibility of securing lives and properties.

Train vandalism: NRC beefs up security in Lagos, Ogun stations

he Management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has beefed up security in its stations in Ogun and Lagos state, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. A correspondent of NAN who monitored the development, reports that the corporation tightened security from Ijoko station, Ogun to Iddo and Apapa Terminals in Lagos state. This followed the attacked on the corporation’s train and coaches at Itoki Station in Ogun, on Tuesday, by hoodlums. The attack, NAN learnt was in protest against the sharp hike in fares from N150 to N230 for the old trains, while the new service cost N750. The new fares took effect from June 10. The violence came a day after Vice-President Namadi Sambo launched two new Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) and six 68-capacity air conditioned coaches at the Lagos Terminus, Iddo. NAN reports that some hoodlums attacked one of the corporation’s stations, vandalising trains and coaches before burning it. The hoodlums also carted away money, tickets and phones belonging to staff of the corporation that fled from the scene. No fewer than 100 persons were on Tuesday arrested by the Nigerian Railway Police Command for the facilities’ vandalism. Speaking on the development, the Lagos District Manager of the corporation, Mr. Akin Osinowo, described the attack as unfortunate. Osinowo said the destruction of the station and train was carried out by hoodlums and not passengers. According to the district manager, the Police Commands in Lagos and Ogun states and the Nigerian Railway Police Command with the Railway Task Force brought the situation under control. Meanwhile, the corporation had shut down its stations at Itoki and Opoosuure both in Ogun due to the attack on the stations. The corporation said the affected stations would remain closed until repairs were effected. NAN reports that the NRC on Wednesday continued with the arrest of suspected hoodlums believed to have taken part in the attack. A police officer attached to the Railway Police Command, who pleaded anonymity told NAN, that the arrested hoodlums would appear in court today. The officer, who could not ascertain the number of hoodlums arrested so far, said the arrest would continue. (NAN)

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Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

Money Sense

Nigeria: Investing in cashew nuts for local and export markets

ashew has its origin in Brazil, South America. It is now grown in tropical countries of Africa, introduced to Africa by the Portuguese and has been growing in Africa for the past 400 years. It is a sprawling broad leafed evergreen that is well adapted to poor soils and dry sandy locations. Cashew belongs to the ‘nuts’ plant. Apart from being nutritionally rich, it is rich in oil and fat and contains moderate amounts of carbohydrate and protein. Cashew nut, which is the seed, is of high commercial value and to extract this seed, the shell must be removed. The shell contains skin blistering oil which is highly valued for its many industrial applications. The oil, when extracted, contains oleic acid (about 74 percent) and 18 percent protein. The oil is used as medicinal, an irritant, wood protector, and a source of resin. The young leaves are sometimes used as flavouring and as medicinal. The yellow gum obtained as exudates from incisions made in the bark is used mainly as adhesive, while the wood of the plant (when dead) is utilised in several ways, and the bark to some

extent, for tanning and yellow dye. Market potential, project justification: Besides numerous uses the cashew nut can be put to, the demand (local and foreign) is also rising steadily and prices are good, moreover, it is a good source of foreign exchange. The nuts are heavily consumed in temperate countries. They are either prepared as delicacies or used in confectionery. North America and Europe are known as the largest consumers of cashew nut. It therefore has a lot of export market potentials and local industries can also be encouraged to process cashew nuts. In addition, recent policy of government has made cashew production gain a very tremendous popularity. This is because of the boost given to the non-oil exports. A lot of abandoned cashew plantations located in northern parts of Oyo State (Iseyin, Saki, Oyo and Ogbomoso) have been re-activated by their owners. Suddenly, cashew production is being seen as one of the major sources of foreign exchange earnings. In view of the above, it has been identified that establishment of cashew plantation is one of the investment opportunities

for Nigerian investors. Not only because of its foreign exchange potentials but also as life investment for owners. This project is strongly recommended for consideration by investors. Requirements, technical information: A medium sized factory is acquired where the processing plant is installed. Cashew nuts processing involves

procurement of dried cashew from produce buyers. Cashew is heavily grown in Oyo North, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Benue and some northern states. The production processes are parboiling, drying, cracking, sorting and packaging. It has a ready local and export markets, and has a ready market in America, Europe and Asia. Revenue projection Capacity of

the plant is about 250 metric tons per annum and average selling price per ton of cashew is about N120, 000, while turnover of N30 million is achievable. 30 percent profit margin is being calculated. This gives us net income of N9 million annually. Serious minded investors can be assisted in the establishment of this project.

…and how to overcome fear of investing in cashew nuts

One

of the biggest concerns for investors in reforestation projects is the long time it takes for trees to be ready to harvest. Ten to twenty years without cash flow is a very scary proposition for most people. One solution is agroforestry, with cash flow crops planted inside the tree plantation, or to raise sheep, which can feed and fertilize around the trees. Another option is to plant fruit

Money Tip:

new year is around the corner, once Christmas is out of the way it’s always how you can make your hardearned money work hard for you? If you are thinking about investing, here are four options worth considering: Investing in the stock market High Interest Savings Account Invest in property Invest in a local business

Quote It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy – George Horace Lorimer

trees that offer some cash flow. It is this latter option that offers some amazing opportunities to tropical tree plantation owners. Specifically, let me talk about the opportunities that come from the cultivation of cashew trees (Anacardium occidentale). The cashew tree is native to the Orinoco River basin, perfectly adapted to poor acidic soils, high rainfall (above 2,000 mm or 79” a year), a dry season with no or little rain, and open savannah conditions with intense sunshine when first planted. Cashew trees are

now cultivated in many equatorial regions of the world, such as India, Mozambique and Brazil. At Amazonia Reforestation in Vichada, Colombia, they plant cashew trees that have been grafted, using local roots, but enhanced fruit bearing stems. The cultivation is usually done in grids of 12m by 12m or 40’ by 40’, resulting in approximately 60 trees per hectare (25 trees per acre). The trees naturally develop an umbrella shaped canopy that radiates some 6 meters or 20’ around from the tree trunk, hence

the spacing. It allows the tree to bear a maximum amount of fruits and therefore nuts, and makes picking of the fruits and nuts easier. As with any tree in poor soils, the addition of organic material, such as cattle or chicken manure or compost will greatly enhance fruit production. In Colombia’s plains, the addition of coffee plantation fertilizer (17-6-18-2) has been found to work well. While the tree is not a fast growing tree, it starts producing fruit after its third year, and by year five is considered to be producing

at a commercial rate. Commercial plantations expect to have 35 years of good productivity before production declines, and the trees need to be replaced. Production will average 1 ton of cashew nuts per hectare for 35 years. The world price for cashew nuts ranges between $7,000 USD to $8,000 USD per metric ton FOB plantation gate. A plantation with 100 hectares of cashew trees in marginal soils can therefore look forward to some $750,000 USD in annual cash flow just from the nuts. But it gets better! Each nut grows on the end of the cashew fruit. The fruits have a gross weight that on average is 8 times greater than the nut. That means there is 8 tons of fruit per hectare. The fruit can be processed as pulp for juices, as dried fruit or as an extract for natural cough syrups. The fruit juice has 5 times more vitamin C per glass than does orange juice (262 mg of Vitamin C per 100 ml of juice), and the pulp has ready markets for industrial and medicinal uses. There are other uses for the tree, not the least of it being the eventual harvest and sale of the timber once it has used up its productive life and the tree needs to be replanted. This should give the reader an idea of just one example of the many possible cash flow solutions that exist in tropical forestry settings. At Amazonia Reforestation and CO2 Tropical Trees this is also a socioeconomic development process that offers local people opportunities.

PAGE 12

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

EDITORIAL

Kano: Exit of Ado Bayero and Sanusi’s entry have said that “we helped them first to leave Kano and after the war to settle down again in their homes. We knew the war was temporary. We knew we would live together again as brothers and sisters. So we did what we saw fit for the sake of safety and continuity of our lives together.” For Ado Bayero, his religion

“

lhaji Ado Bayero made history by becoming the youngest Emir of Kano in 1963 at the age of 33. Educated in Arabic studies, administration and agriculture, Ado Bayero worked as a clerk with the Kano Native Authority and the Bank of West Africa in pre-independence Nigeria. In 1956, widely respected for his clarity of thought and purpose, he was elected to the Northern House of Assembly. But he relinquished this position when he took over from his brother as Chief of Native Authority Police. In 1962, two years after Nigeria’s independence from Britain, he was appointed Ambassador to Senegal. He gave up his diplomatic career to become the ruler of his people. For over half a century, he presided over traditional and religious affairs in Nigeria’s most populous state. Without argument, he was one of the most respected traditional rulers in Nigeria. His role in Nigeria’s affairs has been hailed by all. Over the years as Nigeria galloped from one crisis to another, he remained the shock absorber – stabilising a very volatile city and country. He worked to bridge Nigeria’s religious, ethnic and regional divisions. In 1967 when a civil war began in Nigeria, many of the largely Christian Igbos were living in Kano at that time. Alhaji Ado Bayero took a considerable risk in deciding to shelter some of the Igbos and others who were likely targets. He was quoted to

We call on the new Emir to be magnanimous in victory. He should embrace all, opponents and supporters. was his life. In the years he served as Emir, he faithfully attended to the religious, judicial and practical needs of his people. A very disciplined leader, he drew inspiration from the many books he read, both in English and Arabic. He was a man of deep spiritual conviction who argued that if all believers practised their faith in the way they lived, there would be far fewer problems in today’s world. In 1987, for instance, following religious violence in the

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neighbouring state of Katsina, he hosted a conference organized by Moral Re-Armament which aimed to foster better understanding between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria. The Emir spoke from the same platform as the retired Bishop Kale of Lagos and the Anglican Bishop of Kano. With one voice they called for greater unity among Nigerians. Hoping that more leaders might catch this vision, the Emir hosted a follow-up conference in 1988. This included many traditional rulers, who as custodians of Nigeria’s culture know how to pass on the message of unity. His death has robbed Nigeria of a great patriot. To step into his big shoes is the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who has been appointed the 57th Emir of Kano. This appointment has come with rancour. Given the sensitivity of the exalted office, the volatile nature of Kano, Lamido Sanusi’s own controversial background and the politicking for 2015, this is widely expected. There have been demonstrations on the streets of Kano and even some acts of violence. We call on the new Emir to be magnanimous in victory. He should embrace all, opponents and supporters. For those demonstrating against his appointment, we call on them to give the new Emir a chance. He is there by the will of Allah.

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Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

Page 13

Opinion

By Paul Ibe

ast Friday, Emir Ado Bayero, the longest reigning monarch in the history of the ancient city of Kano passed on to the great beyond. The monarch’s death followed prolonged illness that may have been exacerbated by the traumatic experiences of the Boko Haram attacks in and around the palace and the ancient city of Kano. But Ado Bayero could not have chosen a better day to join his maker: a holy Friday. And in line with Islamic doctrine, the man, who only last year marked his golden jubilee on the throne of Kano, was interred. The demise of this venerable and quintessential bridge-builder marked the end of an era. And on Sunday, maverick former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (SLS) was named in his stead as the 14th Emir of Kano. His appointment as Emir, in fulfillment of a life-long ambition, was victory for his supporters and bookmakers, who had wagered their money on him. But it has left butterflies in the stomach of his opponents, who find it inconceivable that they may have to eventually bow before Sanusi. Sanusi knew what he wanted and had started very early in life to make real his ambition. His ascension to the throne lends credence to the postulation by Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist and poet, that “the only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be”. Sanusi did not become the Emir of Kano by accident. Though he is qualified by virtue of his lineage (being a grandson of Muhammadu Sanusi, the 11th Emir of Kano) to make a bid for the exalted throne, it was indeed, ironically,

How Jonathan, PDP helped Sanusi to become Emir of Kano

the actions and inactions of some of his opponents that helped him in achieving his lifelong ambition. In this category can be counted the Jonathan administration, in particular, some of his aides who acted as if they were fifth columnists in his government and the erstwhile BamangaTukur-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Sanusi’s path to becoming emir started to become easy last August 31 when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar led the G7 in a walkout at the PDP national convention in Abuja. The resultant split paved the way for the formation of the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), which members were later to find permanent residency in the mega opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC). The Bisi Akande-led opposition party was too willing to open its doors to political heavyweights that included Atiku Abubakar Governors Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), among others. And soon, the opposition party was further buoyed by the cross carpeting of 11 senators, 49 members of the House of Representatives, ex-governors and ex-lawmakers. For the APC, there seems to be no end to its fishing for new members from the ranks of the ruling party. If the mismanagement of the PDP crisis that led to the split of the party and defection

of some of its key members to the APC was a tipping point, the suspension of Sanusi as the helmsman of the CBN by President Jonathan on February 19 elevated the administration’s “political potholes” to “political craters.” That suspension, which was a culmination of the face-off between Sanusi and the Jonathan administration over unremitted oil proceeds totaling $20 billion ensured a convergence of opposition in that flank of the many battles of the administration. It was only a matter of time before the APC, which now has his state governor, Kwankwaso, in its fold, took ownership of Sanusi’s battle. Reminded of William Shakespeare’s exhortation that “it is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves,” Sanusi, now out in limbo, was too willing to align forces with the opposition party. For the party and the pariah, it could only have been a win-win. I am not in a position to verify if those who wanted Sanusi’s head ever read the “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu. If they did, then they would have been in the know about the Chinese writer’s counsel to “keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” Out of job, Sanusi had plenty of time to fraternize with the opposition and learn one or two tricks from them. It needs no telling that the relationship that benefited him the most was that between him and Governor Kwankwaso, the man who would have the last

say on the appointment of a new Emir of Kano. Of course we all knew that late Emir Ado Bayero was ill but no one except the clairvoyant could have had a sense of his passage. But keeping tabs with the power bases, if and when the need arises, is a sine qua non in these matters and Sanusi did just that. The scenario would surely have been different if Kwankwaso did not defect to the APC. That would have made it an uphill task for a sitting PDP governor to make one of the harshest critics of the Jonathan administration the Emir of Kano when the stool became vacant following the demise of Emir Ado Bayero. As they say in PDP parlance, the issue would have been handled as a “family affair” and perhaps Sanusi’s dream of mounting the throne of his forebears would have gone up in smoke. By now I am sure that the Jonathan administration must be bemoaning a lost opportunity arising from the wrong choices it made. If the government had not been focused on humiliating Sanusi by bundling him out of the CBN, the banker would have quit the plum job on June 1 and Godwin Emefiele would still have stepped into his shoes. Sanusi’s exit date from the CBN was just five days before the demise of Emir Ado Bayero last Friday. The truth is that a battleweary and damaged Mr. Sanusi may not have been an attractive and preferred option for the coveted throne.

The Jonathan administration made a hero of Sanusi by its mismanagement of the crisis over the missing $20bn. Because of the manner the controversial banker was booted out, he attracted huge deposits of sympathy to his bank of goodwill. And don’t we all love the seemingly oppressed? It was no secret that Sanusi wanted to be Emir of Kano more than anything else. The man himself had said so in an interview in 2009. His appointment as Dan Maje Kano in June 2012 was to ostensibly prepare him for the office. He walked with the swagger of royalty and was not shy to show off his regalia at the CBN headquarters in Abuja. That was how much Mr. Sanusi desired the Kano stool. His desire was, however, matched by his determination to make his dream come true. Now his harshest critics would know that in preparation for this journey from banker to the throne, Sanusi had as far back as in 1997 obtained a degree in Sharia and Islamic Studies from the African International University in Khartoum, Sudan. Sanusi was destined to be Emir of Kano and was ironically helped in his quest by his opponents. Mr. Kwankwaso’s defection to the APC and the controversial former banker’s humiliation out of CBN all worked in concert in his favour.

people of Iraq do not blame the government, they blame the terrorists”. Going by this warped logic, Nigerians should not hold him responsible for the increasing levels of corruption in the country. After all, he is not the policeman on the street that extorts money from motorists and the bureaucrats in government offices demanding bribe from the public. He is not the accountants, administrators and other upper level government officials that masterminded the alleged disappearance of $20bn from the public coffers. He is neither the oil minister nor a party to her splurging of more than N10bn of the people’s money on her personal air travels. And again, why blame him for the frayed and defective healthcare delivery system in Nigeria when he is not a hospital administrator, and definitely, not a nurse or a medical doctor. And the least goes on and on. But then, what is he responsible for - absolutely nothing? How can he be blameless when, apart from his campaign promises to curb corruption and improve the overall quality of life for the generality of Nigerians, he, also, as president, swore to uphold the Nigerian constitution? One

of the fundamental objectives of the Nigerian constitution is the security of lifes and property of the people of Nigeria. Nigerians are holding him accountable to the oath of his office, and quite naturally, blaming him for his failure to make good on it. That Mr. President has enemies is no news. The object of his enemies, which, according to him, is to bring down his government, is a question of detail. It is impossible to ascend to that pinnacle of national power in this our complex and heterogeneous country without having enemies – lots of them. It is how a president handles his enemies that is a measure of who he is; it shows the stuff that he is made of - his mettle as president. By failing to live up to the moral and constitutional obligations of his office, the president handed his enemies the ammunition to undue him. His government’s ineptitude and irresponsible and antipeople economic policies increased unemployment and deepened and widened impoverishment and deprivation in the land. It left too many Nigerians, especially, among the youth, desperate and despondent. Boko Haram feeds off of these direct consequences of misgovernment. The

increased scale of corruption in Nigeria under his watch is worsening the dysfunction of Nigerian institutions, including the armed forces. Not surprisingly, the military and other security agencies, corrupt and unmotivated, cannot effectively fight Boko Haram. The 19th Century British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, relevantly stated that, “it is the duty of government to make it difficult for people to do wrong and easy to do right”. Like bad governments in general, the administration of Goodluck Jonathan makes it easy for people to do wrong and difficult to do right. As such, it hamstrung the efficiency of the military and other security agencies in performing their rightful roles and provided the enabling environment for terrorism, violence and all forms of lawlessness to thrive. Thus, Boko Haram, almost uninhibited, is striking with impunity and increased capability at their civilian and military targets, while the defense and law enforcement agencies, enervated and demoralized, are, essentially, losing the war on terror. If the president can rise to the responsibilities of his office, then his government will live

up to the duty of government. It will then become easy for the military and other organs of government to do their work, which is to defend and protect Nigerians from terrorists and other criminal predators and the Nigerian government from undemocratic forces plotting to bring it down. And thus, difficult for wrong doers, especially, that most notorious wrong doer and relentless purveyor of death and terror, Boko Haram, and other forces of evil planning to bring down his government, to operate. And Nigerians will exhale, in relief from terrorism and its attendant horror and sorrow. Ultimately, in passing the buck, it stops at the president. Nigerians elected him president: the Commander in Chief of her armed forces, the repository of the powers of her government, the personification of her hope and the embodiment of her will. No evil force and/or power can successfully undermine, thoughtless of bringing down, his government, without his, first, having abdicated his moral and constitutional responsibilities to the people of Nigeria.

The measure of a president By Tochukwu Ezukanma

t the 2014 Democracy Day Interdenominational church service, President Goodluck Jonathan talked about his enemies. He called them evil forces, and said that their violence and other distractions are planned to bring down his government. It was the Nigerian president at his best - his blame-game best. In his self-righteousness and feigned immaculate blamelessness, he takes no responsibility for his administration’s ineptitude, moral lapses and repeated political blunders; he blames them away on everybody and everything. Although as president, he is the Commander in Chief of the Nigerian armed forces and personifies the powers of the government, he insists that he should not be held accountable for the insecurity in the country because the terrorists, not him, are responsible for the killings and bombings. In a recent speech; he wondered why Nigerians blame him and his administration for the insecurity in the country but “when a bomb goes off in Kabul, Afghanistan, the people do not blame the government, they blame the terrorists. When (it) goes off in Baghdad, Iraq, the

Paul Ibe is a member of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES

Tochukwu Ezukanma via maciln18@yahoo.com

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

PAGE 14

Opinion

Attack on Fayemi, Ekiti election and 2015

By Peter Claver Oparah

he attack by the mobile police on Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state, Babafemi Ojudu, a serving senator, the leadership and supporters of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti who were holding a peaceful rally forewarns of the dangers ahead as 2015 approaches. The attack was provocative and is a direct umbrage and assault on the constitution and an affront to the people of the state. It was meant to point the way the Jonathan presidency and the PDP hopes to overwhelm and over run the country as he dreams of continuing in the office they have collectively ridiculed and minimized since 2010 unfurls. The attack adds to a rich list of worrying predilection to illegality, irascible exuberance, dread and impunity that the Jonathan presidency and the PDP are employing to serve notice of their readiness to trample on the rules, the laws and existing ordinances so as to appropriate an increasingly hostile political clime that had been made more hostile by their dour and humbling performance in power, which had attracted hefty international condemnation and ridicule. The desire not to take enemies by Jonathan and his tendency had led to deep fissures within the PDP and this led to a mass exodus that had considerably weakened its strength and resolve to continually annex power through foul electoral practices. That Jonathan and his PDP have been engaging

in expensive campaign rallies and road shows even when party campaigns are yet to be flagged off, says a lot of the damage the unilateral quest of Jonathan and his clique for continuity had inflicted on the PDP. That a sitting governor, the chief security officer of his state, the embodiment of

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the constitution of his state should be set upon by commissioned police officers, claiming directive ‘from above’ and that the sacred office of the governor should be so violated in such impudent manner, speaks of the ensuing dangers ahead. It speaks of a democracy imperiled and it launders the gargantuan impunity and lawlessness that continue to dog our so called democracy such that it remains a stunted democracy fifteen years after it berthed as a nascent democracy. The show of shame in Ekiti where a police officer sabotaged and held hostage the democratic institution forewarns of the endangered and mutilated form of democracy we have in Nigeria; subjected to the inordinate whims and idiosyncrasies of one man and his cahoots. The attack on Governor Fayemi is coming on the heels of the shameful and

and all manners of outlawry were employed to violate the tranquility of the sedate state. It was a period Ekiti trust into the national limelight for all the wrong reasons and witnessed a dearth in development and progress as the largely internal PDP

primitive way soldiers have been commissioned to attack and wrestle down newspapers and curtail the free press and coming just at the same time the aircraft of Governor Chibuike Amaechi was grounded in Kano on silly suspicion that he was supportive of the emergence of former Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido. Sanisu was removed from office for revealing a whopping multi-billon dollar scandal perpetrated by the Jonathan government, as the Emir of Kano. These and many other cases of clear exasperation point to the imminence of many more crackdowns and a widened impunity forte that will be unleashed in the days to come. The contest in Ekiti is well projected given that the two leading candidates are clear contrasts of each other. Fayose’s enforced stint as Ekiti governor was a bloody, tragic era when murder, impunity, lawlessness

bickering lasted. Lives were lost, limbs were severed and governance screeched to a halt as the fierce contests for fortes lasted. Fayose himself was impeached as governor for reasons of corruption and till today, he has corruption and murder charges hanging on his neck. In contrast, incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi is a suave, urbane, cool and calculated scholar, prodemocracy fighter, politician and administrator. He had brought these lofty personal traits to not only reduce the tension that reigned in Ekiti prior to his coming but also to positively impact on governance resulting in massive achievements in the nearly four years he had been in power. While his academic pedigree is redoubtable, Fayose’s remains shrouded in conjectures. What more, going to the contest for the governorship stool on June 21, Fayose has

exist that they are onerous to access. The attention of the Governor is thereby invited to re-interrogate such funds to remove any obstacles on the path of those who might wish to access them. The indication that small borrowers requiring to borrow not more than fifty Thousand Naira will be able to do so without collateral under the umbrella of organized cooperatives has tremendous potential to alleviate poverty and most certainly people focused. We salute the Governor for his stand regarding the gradual reduction of the level of interest rates in the economy. Any engagement with the Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises would highlight the fact that one of their major complaints about doing business in the country is the high cost of capital. If the Governor is going to provide support to the fiscal authorities by growing job opportunities, reduction of interest rate is an area deserving of his focused attention. It would send the correct signal if for instance the Governor at the next MPC meeting would reduce the MPR which has remained at 12 per cent over a period of 16 MPC meetings now albeit notionally. One does not think that if we tweak slightly the MPR that this would result to sudden enhanced demand for

risk capital. Also often we argue that it is difficult to pursue foreign exchange stability while at the same time pursuing a reduction in interest rate. This argument is premised on the rationalization that if interest rates drop there would be a surge in loan demand which would enable economic agents to put pressure on the exchange rate through increased demand for foreign exchange. But we should be asking ourselves if that really is the experience in this country. Sometimes this argument is extended to the effect that you could not control all three indices of inflation, interest rate and exchange rate stability at the same time. But my argument in this connection is that both interest rates and exchange rates are both factor costs which if moderated would directly impact the inflationary level. We commend the Governor for removing the charges on deposits under the cashless policy regime. This is so as the Governor observed that it is in the best interest of the economy to deliberate shrink the informal sector by reducing the money in circulation outside the banking system. When the financial market is deepened through this process the effectiveness of monetary policy is at once enhanced. But we have some

CBN: Emefiele’s agenda By Boniface Chizea

n apolitical Central Bank is a goal which the new Governor Godwin Emefiele must advisedly and tenaciously pursue and stick to. All the problems that the Central experienced under the immediate past administration was because it over reached itself by dabbling into purely political matters. In fact the attempt made to revisit the autonomy of the Central Bank with the proposal to appoint a Chairman other than the Governor was a comeback due to this ill advised foray into the political arena. The thought of a review of the structure of the Central Bank it would appear has not been perished but no doubt we do not have a choice as a nation in the matter other than to allow sleeping dogs to lie as we have explained severally Nigeria cannot be rated the largest country in Africa and the 26th in the world and yet be inclined to adopt measures and take steps that would project it in very poor light in the comity of nations. The way the Central Bank of Nigeria is structured now is best practice which aligns with the structure of most Central Banks in the world and therefore should not be tampered with. The governor showing some sensitivity to the prevalent worry in the economy has declared that

the Central Bank under him will be people focused and therefore in addition to the developmental initiatives included in the agenda the Governor has specifically indicated that the data on unemployment would be part of the complement date which would be included to assist the MPC in its deliberations. This is commendable and a clear departure from the recent past except that one is at a loss how the Central Bank would find current data for such purposes. There is often a time lag in the provision of such data. And already the omen is not looking too good. Fiscal authorities indicated that the quantum of jobs created in 2013 is 1.6 million while this figure in the agenda document is specified as 1.2 million jobs! But nothing could be more pro poor than the maintenance of price stability. Inflationary spiral is a deadly cankerworm that affects mainly the poor who are in regular employment as they do not possess the clout to insulate their income from the ravages of inflation. And the productivity enhancing activities arising from the targeted intervention funds if deliberately made accessible would most certainly boost the availability of employment opportunities. The general complaint now is that where such funds already

a tattered house bristling with malcontent and reservations about his candidature, from his co-contestants to the PDP ticket, Fayemi has an impregnable and coherent structure that had harvested the very best and brightest in Ekiti PDP in the person of former governor, Segun Oni. The difference between the two candidates is like that between two parallels. It is like what separates day from night, darkness from light, black from white. It is as clear as contrast might be. So it presents alternatives, it presents choices, it presents jarring opposites from which voters in Ekiti must choose. There are no blurred lines, noted herrings, no meeting points, and no similarities. In deploying the type of brute force that was at display in Ekiti last Sunday, it may be apparent that the PDP doesn’t fancy the chances of its candidate. It is apparent that the resort to crude and illegal self help is meant to awe, intimidate and overwhelm Ekiti voters to go with the most fearful and the most brutal. It is apparent that the PDP is exploiting its notorious alliance with the police to scare Ekiti people to grudgingly go along with it. How well it succeeds in this deadly mission will be revealed in a few days to come. But Ekiti voters and people are not fools that cannot differentiate oranges from apples, even under the nozzle of the gun. They certainly will survive this callous effort to enchant them and force a diseased choice on them. Peter Claver Oparah is on linkedIn

worry with the recommendation that the charges on withdrawals would be retained in the interim. The fact is that the cashless infrastructure is fraught with problems of network availability that reliability is often challenged. It is therefore necessary that attention is averted to making the cashless operations more reliable. And once that is done economic agents would need no further cajoling to do business without carrying cash about. Fears have been expressed that if we reduce the market yield on fixed income securities that it might result in reversed capital flow and that reduction in deposit rates might in fact negatively undermine the current attempt by the Central Bank at financial market inclusion. The resolve to black list serial bad debtors if faithfully implemented will inculcate the desired discipline amongst borrowers and help clean up the balance sheets of banks resulting in a more robust financial system. One just believes that what is important is to track developments in the market as the measures are implemented for quick intervention as negative signals manifest. Dr. Boniface Chizea is Managing Director, BIC Consultancy Services, Lagos

Comment

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

By Kashim Shettima

e are passing through some of the most difficult security challenges in Nigeria’s modern history. Not since the tragic events of the 1960s, which culminated in the Nigerian Civil War, has Nigeria been so challenged in its security architecture. I say this as the Governor of Borno state, which is at the epicenter of a most vicious, bloody and anarchic insurgency. The Boko Haram insurgency has drenched our society in blood and systematically, it has been responsible for a creeping destruction of the harmony of communities in huge swathes of Borno state especially, but also in other states of Northern Nigeria. The insurgency threatens the order of human and civilized existence and the ability of the state to provide the security and the welfare which Nigeria’s Constitution says is the basis for the existence of the state. This is on the one hand. On the other hand, we have seen the systematic spoliation of several other communities in other parts of Northern Nigeria, as a result of the spike in conflicts between nomadic groups and settled agricultural communities, as have been repeatedly reported by the media, in states like Benue, Kaduna, Taraba and Plateau. In the past couple of years, new forms of banditry have emerged

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Misunderstanding Boko Haram a major hindrance to solving insurgency (1) around BirninGwari, in Kaduna state, and in Zamfara state, whereby groups of bandits have entered communities to rustle cattle, kidnap women and lay to waste communities whose livelihoods are disrupted and have been pushed further and further to the desperate margins of social existence. Several questions come to my mind all the time I reflect on our unfortunate situation in Northern Nigeria today. How did we arrive at this sorry pass? Why did we allow the security situation to deteriorate to the point where we now devote so much physical and intellectual energy as well as resources, to attempting to beat back the multi-pronged patterns of security challenges in our society? Were they no early warning mechanisms to have detected the portents coming to haunt our society? Did we as leaders play the ostrich or were we too busy tendering our individual comforts and so could not be bothered by the gradual approach of the monster of discord that metamorphosed into insurgency and general lawlessness? What really happened and what is the solution?

If I must be honest and you should know this, for us in Borno state, our people are far from issues of human rights, our concerns are about human existence due to the frequency and ease with which the Boko Haram elements sniff out lives out of our citizens. Boko Haram slaughters; shoot and crush innocent people, destroy communities and public establishment for the fact that citizens do no share their violent ideology of murder and destructions. To the Boko Haram, the life of a Muslim who doesn’t share the sect’s ideology is as condemned as that of a Christian or a traditionalist. This group of misdirected few amongst us has continued to unleash horror and of course, do so much harm to the integrity of religion of Islam. They have killed thousands of innocent souls in Borno and destroyed property worth tens of billions of naira. I had blamed different forms of negligence as basis of our ordeal. There is one form of negligence that I didn’t mention, but which to me, is one of the major factors, standing in our way to ending the Boko Haram. There is a supreme negligence

of understanding the Boko Haram crisis its self and this makes it stubbornly difficult to make prescriptions.Only days ago, my friend, the Minister of Information, the Chief spokesman of this country, LabaranMaku, trivialized the Boko Haram crisis by blaming it on Borno state government. Maku is the one to educate not just Nigerians but the entire world on what constitutes Boko Haram. However, the driver happens to be blind. What would make someone really disturbed is that Maku was supervising minister of Defence for some time. No one might ever know the extent he might have inflicted his understanding of the Boko Haram, on security chiefs he had to work with. Maku spoke just days after the President, Commander In Chief, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan said after the Paris summit, held recently, that the Boko Haram attacks began in 2002. He only coroborated what we know, what has been reported. In 2002, a group of men, then nicknamed Taliban, established a territory in border village called Kanamma in Yobe state which the sect code named Kandahar. The first attack of the sect

was in that village in 2002. The group went under ground, resurfaced in 2004 and attacking Bama and Gwoza in Borno; again went underground and resurfaced in 2007 in Panshekara in Kano for attacks on police; went underground and came out again in 2009 in Borno and some parts of Bauchi in what looked like a none violent movement at that time, under the late Mohammed Yusuf. In July, 2009, the sect launched serial attacks on police formations in Bauchi and Maiduguri towns. They went underground and returned in 2010 and here we are today. In between the periods they were going underground and resurfacing one can again see negligence somewhere along the line. Shettima, Governor of Borno State and former lecturer at University of Maiduguri, delivered this as keynote address at a two-day conference on security and human rights organised by the Centre for Historical Documentation and Research of Ahmadu Bello University which held Tuesday at the Arewa House in Kaduna.

With Oshiomhole, others losing grips, whither APC? By Abubakar Galadima

hese are not the best of times for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and this should concern all progressives in the country, from the real to the latter day ones like Governors who have come into the APC and bequeath the party with nothing but crises. From Lagos to Edo; from Kogi to Katsina, there are crises everywhere; the generality of the youth in the party from the northern part of the country are no longer sure that the beloved General Muhammadu Buhari will get the presidential ticket following a selfish machination put together by the so-called Yoruba leader who misfired by hurling invectives at all but three of the traditional rulers of his tribe. It is not clear yet what he hoped to achieve, but he has caused mileages to be lost in an area he is supposed to deliver. The progressives, or this 21st Century version, now have to contend with a house divided against itself. Femi FaniKayode left, but not quietly because Nigeria’s version of Goebbels in the APC, could not rein in his tongue and his pen, against a man more articulate than himself. And that articulate party hopper has spilled some poisonous beans into the public space.

And what about Edo state where the Comrade Governor is no longer beloved and cannot keep together his game. First, Chief Tom Ikimi was treacherously dealt with at the centre and he wrote some satanic verses, but now that he is prevaricating about leaving, those verses are there for all to recall. Couched in diplomatese, the architect drew the image of a collapsing party structure everywhere, noting that he was writing from Benin City where all was not well with the party. He said: “The latest problems arise from the congresses where in the South-south region, there are fundamental problems in Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Cross Rivers and Edo. I have been informed of similar problems in most other States across the country. Parallel excos have emerged in Ogun state! Before Ikimi’s verses, some founding leaders of APC had taken a walk from the party to the PDP. Among them were Chief Solomon Edebiri (2012 ANPP governorship candidate) and many leaders from the state and Local government areas who were received into PDP. Like the loquacious Governor of the State, Edebiri described the government of Adams Oshiomole as one of the most corrupt governments ever, adding that the APC

government was run on pages of newspapers. He mocked the ward and Local government congresses of APC, describing them as a sham. If Edebiri was not a big fry, Pastor OsagieIze-Iyamu, could not be described as such. He left in a huff and dragged his supporters with him. He was also not quiet in leaving and reiterated what Ikimi hinted; only this time he said the APC was an “Animal Farm.” Oshiomhole did not take kindly to Ize-Iyamu’s truthful barbs and hit back. Ize-Iyamu said he joined the PDP because he believed that the party was the best vehicle for democratic governance. He said there was a desperate move by the governor to dismantle his structures and that his problem with the governor was because he dared to speak the truth. His words: “The governor publicly and privately has come to me to say Pastor, I appreciate the support you have given to me. I know how competent you are. When the time comes, I will support you to become the governor. If he denies it, it will completely show he is not a man of his words. The issue is somebody has consistently promised me this but with the way the comrade has been going, by 2016, I don’t think there will be any APC again.

At the APC state congress, Oshiomhole had his day when he said: “Those who insist we must do politics as usual where positions are appointed by one person, those who insist that I should unilaterally decree them as the next governor cannot fit in.” Fearful of the hurricane that is heading his way, the self-acclaimed strongman of Edo politics has started whining about a plot to impeach him. As usual, PDP chieftains in Abuja are the whipping dogs for Oshiomhole who is daily getting his politics and his own agenda wrong. Two things quickly come to my mind about Oshiomhole. First, I remember how Oshiomhole in his first term as governor deployed the instrumentality of the state and its resources to depopulate the PDPcontrolled House of Assembly such that the ACN ended up having the majority in the state legislature. Persons elected on the PDP platform defected to the ACN to the admiration of Oshiomhole. Today, Oshiomhole is crying, talking about huge money being used to woo his party legislators over to the PDP and for his impeachment. If his claim is true, then I think it rings true that what goes round comes round. He now knows how it feels to be at the receiving end. Second, Oshiomhole

said that these people were not known in their neighbourhoods, that they rode on his back to get elected into the House of Assembly; and, I ask, how come these purportedly unknown individuals are the ones giving him sleepless nights? If they were unknown, he should not bother about them or their antics. But the fact is that they are now known, reputed representatives of their people; and the governor cannot deny this. But what is playing out in Edo and at the national level where the uncontained ambition of a Yoruba leader is about to tear the party apart, is being replicated in Lagos as it appears that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is losing grip. His own anointed son in Alausa has even suggested that his successor will not be imposed as he was in 2007. Also, the joiner-governors from the PDP are working at a plot to bloody the noses of the original owners of the party who themselves are questionable soul mates. The question that continues to rankle, however, is: where are the true progressives to save this sinking ship? Abubakar Galadima is reachable on Twitter:@ abubakargaladima

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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Police move to rescue abducted sisters in Abuja By Stanley Onyekwere with agency report

he police in Abuja on Tuesday said that it is working hard to rescue the two sisters allegedly abducted by unknown gunmen in Karmo, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This was disclosed by the Public Relation Officer (PRO), of the FCT Police command, Altine Daniel, who spoke to our reporter via telephone. This is coming three days after the two sisters, Ejura and Unekwu Opaluwah, were purported kidnapped from their home in Karmo, Abuja, on Sunday June 8th, by five unknown armed men. It was gathered that the gunmen stormed the area in a blue Honda with registration nos HR152ABC abducted the two sisters; Ejura Opaluwa, a medical student at St. Lucia University, South America and Unekwu Opaluwa, a Covenant University student, studying Economics, from their home in the area. Peoples Daily learnt that the incident has been reported at the police station at Life Camp, near the area. Confirming the incident, the PRO simply said: “It is a case of alleged abduction not kidnapping that we are working at.” It was however gathered that the ladies father, is Engr. Samson Opaluwa, a Director in the Federal Ministry of Works. “The gunmen, numbering about 5, at about 5 p.m. stormed the young ladies’ parents’ home at Associated Estate, No. 55, Impresit Camp, Karmo, Abuja to rob them. “After the robbery, they were dissatisfied with the amount of money they got from their victims and on their way out abducted the two ladies”, an online source quoted the girls’ uncle, Mr. Atayi Opalwah. According to the report, the family of the ladies said they have been contacted and the kidnappers are demanding N200million.

Members of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) on duty, yesterday along Gudu market in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Govt moves to eradicate infanticide practices in FCTA By Stanley Onyekwere

n continuation of its effort to tackle practice of infanticide in some communities of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has set up a 24-member White Paper Committee on the Elimination of the evil and ‘barbaric’ acts against humanity from the Territory. Peoples Daily reports that the committee headed by Secretary, FCT Education Secretariat, Alhaji Kabiru Usman, has the mandate of examining the observations and recommendation of the earlier committee as they affect each of the identified communities and to evolve a viable action plan to address issues raised. Also, the committee is to identify the communities

involved; establish the roots of such practice and suggest the way to put an end to it. Again, the committee is to examine the basic social and structural gaps in affected communities and come up with prototype structures and costing consideration. It would recalled that following reports of the incidence of infanticide in some rural communities in the FCT, came as a shock to the FCTA in 2013, the administration had swung into action bc setting up a ministerial committee on harmful practices to investigate the matter. According to the FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, who inaugurated latest committee on Tuesday, a month ago, the first ministerial committee, submitted its findings and it turned out that the reports

were not totally unfounded. Akinjide said the implementation committee has been given three months to deliver its report. “According to my pledge to eliminate the harmful practices that have no place in a modern society, I approved the setting up of a implementation committee on the report of the ministerial committee to She therefore urged members to bring their wealth of experience and track records to bear on the performance of a very important task. In another development, the Minister received a White Paper Report on the Kwali Chieftancy matters which had lingered for a long time. The White Paper Report was a follow up to that Senator Philip Aduda earlier report on the Kwalil Chieftaincy

crisis. Presenting the Report to the Minister, the Chairman of the Committee, Barrister Ima Okpongete said the committee developed a spreedsheet of comparative analysis of past Reports and Recommendations on the Chieftaincy matters. The Chairman said the Committee developed a template on each of the six Chiefdom in Kwali Area council (Kwali, Ashara, Kundu, Pai, Wako and Gomani) stating their historical antecedents, customs, traditions, population size and existing administrative structure. In the Report, the committee recommended strongly that the second class status of Chief of Kwali be reversed to the Etsu of Kwali while Pai, Wako and Gomani Chiefdom be upgraded to 3rd class status.

Court remands dismissed police officer over impersonation

n Upper Area court, in Kado, Abuja, has ordered a 35-year old dismissed police officer, Luka Halgim, to be remanded in prison for alleged impersonation, forgery and cheating. Halgim resides in Angwan Dadi, Nyanya, Abuja. The presiding judge, Mr Abubakar Sadiq, who gave the order, said it was to enable the

police to conclude investigation on the matter. Sadiq, therefore, adjourned the case until July 7 for hearing proper. The prosecutor, Sgt Simon Ibrahim, had earlier prayed the court to remand the accused to allow the police conduct further investigation on the charges against him. Ibrahim told the court that

Sambo Garba of Tunga Maje Village, Abuja, lodged a report against the accused at the Utako Police Station on May 28. He alleged that the accused paraded himself to the complainant (Garba) as a police officer attached to the Provost Office, Police Headquarters, Abuja. Ibrahim alleged that Halgim collected N240,000

from Garba, with a promise to reinstate him into the police force, having been earlier dismissed from the police service. The prosecutor said that the accused later issued the complainant a forged letter of reinstatement and another posting him to a different police command. He said that during police

investigation, Halgim confessed to have been dismissed from the police force sometime in March 2013, for committing offences similar to impersonation. The prosecutor said that documents, wireless messages and receipts belonging to the police force were recovered from the accused. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. (NAN)

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

Metro

Palm oil seller bags 3 months’ imprisonment for cheating supplier

n Upper Area court in Zuba, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has sentenced a palm oil seller, Sadiya Mohammed, to three months in prison for cheating her supplier of the sum of N177, 500. Mohammed, who resides at Sabon Wuse, Niger, was

arraigned on two counts of criminal breach of trust and cheating. The judge, Malam Aminu Sa’ad, sentenced Mohammed after he pleaded guilty. Sa’ad however, gave the convict an option of N15, 000 fine.

Earlier the prosecutor, Sgt. Haruna Danlami, told the court that on November 1, 2013, one Hajiya Khadija Yahaya, of Sabon Wuse, Niger reported the matter at the Zuba Police Station. Danlami said Yahaya told the police that sometimes in September 2013, she supplied

An under-aged girl hawking clothes and shoes, at Waru village, recently in Abuja.

the convict with palm oil worth N177, 500. He told the court that the convict collected the palm oil and refused to pay her. The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 312 and 322 of the Penal code respectively. (NAN)

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Conspiracy: Court remands 2 “fake pastors’’

Senior Magistrates’ court, in Mararaba, has ordered that two suspected “fake pastors”, should be remanded in prison custody pending their bail application. The accused, Bisong Otu, 28, and Monday Luka, 30, both of Masaka in Nasarawa State, are charged with criminal conspiracy and obtaining under false pretext. Senior Magistrate Iliya Aku gave the order after the accused persons pleaded not guilty.

Aku ordered that they should be remanded in Keffi Prisons, until they are able to engage the services of a lawyer to file written bail application. He then adjourned the case until June 18. Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl Hemen Donald, had told the court that a report was lodged at the `A’ Division Police Station on the matter. He said the report was lodged by one Ms Ikung Glory of Calvary

Road, Mararaba Division Police Station on June 3. Donald said the complainant had gone to bank to withdraw N8, 000 from an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), only to be robbed on her way back home. “The accused persons had stopped the complainant on the way and introduced themselves as pastors. “The accused persons allegedly hypnotised her into parting with the N8, 000, a Techno cell phone

and an ATM card,’’ he told the court. Donald said after the accused collected the money, cell phone and ATM card from the complainant, they ran way. The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 97 and 292 of the Penal code respectively. If convicted, the accused are liable to a prison term of about five years or with an option of fine. (NAN)

Bizwoman in trouble for assaulting police officer

he police have arraigned a businesswoman, Susan Pama, 26, in a Senior Magistrates’ court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, for allegedly assaulting a police officer. Pama, who resides at Tudun Wada village, Lugbe, Abuja, is charged with four counts of Joint act, criminal intimidation, resisting arrest and assault on a public servant. The prosecutor, Cpl Paul Anigbo, told the court on June 17 that one Mr. Babada Kolawole of same address as the accused lodged a report against the accused at the Lugbe Police

Station. Anigbo told the court that Kolawole had reported that the accused threatened to kill his wife. According to the prosecutor, Cpl Baba John was sent to arrest and bring the accused for questioning; but instead of complying with the officer, she resisted arrest and attacked the police officer, while performing his lawfully duty. “She beat up the police officer with the help of her brothers, Victor Pama, and Lucky Idris, of same address who are now at large,’’ Anigbo said. Anigbo told the court that

during police investigation, the accused was unable to give a satisfactory account of herself. He prayed the court to remand the accused in prison custody, because investigation into the matter was still ongoing. He said the offence contravened sections 79, 397, 172, and 267 of the Penal code respectively, which if found guilty; she would be liable to prison term which may extend to seven years, with fine or both. The counsel to the accused, Mr. Friday Okenkwu, applied for her bail under the 1999 Constitution which presumed an

accused innocent until proven otherwise. He said that if his client was obliged, she would not jump bail jeopardise further investigation into the matter. Okenkwu informed the court that the accused was pregnant and needed proper medical attention. The Magistrate, Mr. Aliyu Shafa, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one reasonable surety who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction. Shafa adjourned the case until July 7 for hearing proper. (NAN)

Man docked for allegedly stealing phone

ne Mr. Akpla Simon of Deeper Life Junction Mararaba, is standing trial before a Chief Magistrates’ court, in Mararaba, for allegedly stealing a Nokia phone worth N12, 000. Simon is facing a two-count charge of trespass and theft, contrary to section 349 and 288 of the Penal code respectively. The police prosecutor, James Ahua, , told the court that on June 5 and at about 6.30 a.m., one Sandra Chi of Gidan Bera, Mararaba, reported the case to the police. Ahua said the plaintiff told the police that the accused, of the same address with the plaintiff, entered her room and stole her Nokia Asha phone valued at N12,000. Ahua alleged that effort by their neighbours to get the phone from the accused proved abortive. Simon, who had no lawyer to defend him in the court, denied the charges and Ahua appealed to the court not to accept his bail application. He said granting the accused bail would hamper the police investigation. The presiding officer, Mr. Habila Abundaga, however, granted the prosecutor’s pleas and directed the accused to be remanded in prison until June 30. (NAN)

Court discharges driver charged with manslaughter

n Abuja Chief Magistrates’ court, has discharged a 43- year old driver, Lanre Adeniyi, charged with manslaughter. He was accused of dangerous driving, which allegedly led to the death of a 26 year old lady, Victoria Chukwudebelu. Adeniyi resides at No 10 Uche Steven Street off Aso Road Mararaba Nasarawa state. The trial Chief Magistrate, Mrs.Fati Tafida, struck out the case and discharged the accused following an application by the family of the deceased to withdraw the matter. Tafida said that the letter of withdrawal of the case by the deceased family indicated that both families had successfully resolved the matter amicably as well as settled all medical bills incurred. Earlier, the police prosecutor, Cpl. Simon Emmanuel, told the court that Adeniyi drove a Mazda 232 car with registration number, FH 829 in a dangerous manner. “Adeniyi drove recklessly along Obafemi Awolowo Way Jabi, Abuja, on June 3; he lost control and knocked down Victoria along the pedestrian lane; and as a result, she dead instantly,’’ he said. (NAN)

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Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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

Diezani leads Nigeria delegates to World Petroleum Council

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

inister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke will lead Nigerian delegates to Moscow, Russia to participate in the 21st World Petroleum Congress holding from 15th to 18th June. Leader of the Nigerian delegation, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke will present the Nigerian country paper at the conference.

This year’s theme is “ Responsibly Energising a Growing World” . Nigeria will be participating under the theme “Harnessing Nigeria’s Gas Resources for Sustainable National and Regional Development” in its exhibition and country presentation. The exhibition, which is being arranged jointly by the Nigerian oil and gas industry, will highlight the nation’s gas potentials, achievements, current activities and plans in

the upstream, midstream and downstream sub sectors of the gas industry. Her paper will enunciate government’s policy initiatives and incentives to encourage investment in the entire value chain of the gas industry. The Minister will also participate in focus discussions by women in the industry and address investors and friends of Nigeria at the Nigerian Investment Dinner being organised by the Nigerian oil and gas industry as

an important side event during the conference. Hosted every three years by a member country, the World Petroleum Congress (WPC) is widely recognized as the “Olympics of the oil & gas industry” which brings together the largest gathering of policy makers, operators, technology developers and academics in world oil and gas industry and is organised around a thematic focus that benefits the industry. The World Petroleum

L-R: Public Relations Manager, Transcorp Hilton, Mr. Shola Adeyemo, General Manager, Transcorp Hilton, Mr. Ehenne Gailliez, Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, and Managing Director, Transnational Hotels and Tourism Service, Mr. Valentine 0zigbo, during the world press conference on the hosting of the 2014 World Travel Awards by Transcorp Hilton Nigeria, on Tuesday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

NDIC strengthens collaboration with CBN on stable financial system

By Etuka Sunday

he Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has said it would strengthen its collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) with the focus on safe, sound and stable financial system in the country. A statement by the Head, Communication & Public Affairs, NDIC, H. S. BIRCHI said the Managing Director/ Chief Executive of NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim who led the Senior Management of the Corporation to pay a courtesy

call on the new CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele also congratulated him on his well-deserved appointment and expressed confidence in his ability to continue to transform the nation’s financial system. Alhaji Ibrahim observed that over the years, the two institutions had played complimentary roles in the banking supervision, particularly in the aftermath of 2008 banking crisis and the emergence of the Bridge Banking which was a novel initiative in Africa. The NDIC boss pointed out the need for both institutions to

We will develop railway to complement road transportFG

>>Pg 20

continue to work more closely to ensure the vibrancy of the nation’s banking sector. He recalled the various efforts and contributions of the Executive Committee on banking supervision and other CBN and NDIC joint committees on critical issues affecting the financial sector, saying that the nation’s economy had always been better off for the collaborative efforts. Responding, the new CBN Governor expressed his appreciation for the visit and pointed out that the apex Bank had always enjoyed harmonious

working relationship with the Corporation. Mr Emefiele promised to continue with the collaborative and efforts of the two institutions, especially in the area of Joint Examination of Banks which he described as highly beneficial to the nation’s banking system and the economy as a whole. He expressed his support to the Members of the Financial Services Regulation Coordinating Committee (FSRCC) towards ensuring effective consolidated risk based supervision of the nation’s financial conglomerates.

FCMB restates commitment to economic development >>Pg 21

Council is the only international organization representing all aspects of the petroleum sector. It was established in 1933 with the intent to promote the management of the world’s petroleum resources for the benefit of mankind. The World Petroleum Council’s prime function is to catalyse and facilitate dialogue among stakeholders - both internal and external to the petroleum industry - on key technical, social, environmental and management issues in order to contribute towards seeking solutions to those issues. The Congress in Moscow is expected to attract 5,000 delegates, 600 speakers and over 500 Ministers and CEOs from around the world who will come together to discuss and exchange ideas on how to ensure that the petroleum industry continues to galvanize world development and growth in a responsible way. Highlights of the Congress will include the Opening Ceremony at the Kremlin Palace and the Russian Night in Gorky Park, together with regular features such as the Global Business Opportunities Centre with country stands from the 70 WPC member countries, the interactive digital Poster Plaza, the Global Village showcasing social responsibility projects, the Youth Lounge with a full engagement programme and many more. Established over 75 years ago, the World Petroleum Council continues to grow with new member countries. There are at the moment, over 60 member countries representing over 95% of the World’s major oil & gas producing and consuming countries. Nigeria joined in 1973 and has attended all the congresses since, the last three being in Doha in 2011, Spain in 2008 and South Africa in 2005 which Nigeria co-hosted.

CBN Exchange Rates $ € £ Riyal YEN CFA

as at 11th JUNE, 2014 Buying Selling

154.7 256.94 212.44 41.25 1.49 0.30

155.74 258.60 213.81 41.52 1.50 0.32

X-raying the gains of air safety in Nigeria >>Pg 22

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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Business FCMB restates commitment to economic development

From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

irst City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has pledged to support agricultural sector and other sectors in order to fast-track the growth of the Nigerian economy. The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of of the bank, Mr. Ladi Balogun, disclosed this at the recently concluded Ogun State Investors Forum held at the state capital, Abeokuta. The forum which is in its second edition was organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Ogun State Government. This year’s theme aptly titled “Ogun State – Open for Business” focused

on the enhanced agricultural production sectors and accelerated urban development areas of the state, highlighting the abundant agricultural resources and investment opportunities which abound. Mr. Balogun, who was part of the plenary session on, ‘’Financing Agriculture and Housing Development: Investment and Potentials’’, said that FCMB’s funding of the agriculture sector has been on the rise, adding that, “we have provided various lines of credit to the sector and its value chain, including small and medium scale businesses”. He added that the Bank is focused on being a strategic partner to the government and other stakeholders, ‘’because we believe that creating wealth and

enhancing productivity, will also boost revenue generation within the state which will ultimately lead to increased economic activity and development ’’. The FCMB GMD pointed out that the challenges facing the agriculture sector can be eliminated if all stakeholders worked together by ensuring that the, ‘’entire lending process is streamlined’’. Commenting on the Bank’s participation as one of the key sponsors of the Ogun State Investors Forum, Mr. Balogun explained that this is part of its contribution to the development of the state and demonstration of its resolve to play a frontal role in all initiatives that would boost the well-being of the society and

its people. He assured that, ‘’we will continue to identify and implement initiatives that would leave positive and lasting impacts in areas that matter to the people across all states of the federation”. First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited is a member of FCMB Group Plc, which is one of the leading financial services institutions in Nigeria with subsidiaries that are market leaders in their respective segments. Having successfully transformed to a retail and commercial banking-led group, FCMB expects to continue to distinguish itself by delivering exceptional services, while enhancing the growth and achievement of personal and business aspirations of its customers.

People inspecting a multi crops threshing machine initiated by Jigawa Agricultural and Rural Development Authority, yesterday in Dutse. Photo: NAN

Nigeria, Pakistan bilateral trade volume up by $1bn By Etuka Sunday

igeria has signed bilateral agreements with Pakistan to boost trade volume by $1 billion within the next few years. The agreements were reached on Tuesday at the State House, Abuja between Jonathan and President of Pakistan, Maroon Hussain, who is on a three-day state visit to Nigeria. The bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding meant to deepen ties between Nigeria and Pakistan cover

agricultural development, industrial cooperation, cultural exchanges and trade/chambers of commerce, narcotics, antiterrorism/security, poverty reduction and human capacity development. Jonathan while briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting with the Pakistani leader said that despite the good relations between Nigeria and Pakistan, the volume of trade had remained low at less than $100 million. He express his conviction that

with faithful implementation of the bilateral agreements reached now, the trade volume would spike in the next few years to no less than $1 billion. Jonathan accepted Hussain’s offer to visit Pakistan at a later date, and urged the foreign ministries, military delegations and other relevant agencies of both countries to exchange similar visits and deepen cooperation in all areas. He thanked Pakistan for supporting Nigeria’s position at several international organisations

and fora like during her quest for United Nations Non-Permanent Security Council seat; and pledged that Nigeria would reciprocate such gestures, especially as Pakistan also maintains good relations with other African countries. The President described Hussain’s visit as important given the fact that both countries are both suffering the scourge of terror attacks, and with Nigerian government battling to rescue young schoolgirls recently abducted by terrorists in Chibok, Borno state.

GEMS3 trains revenue collectors in Zamfara

DFID funded programme GEMS3 on tuesday commenced the training of revenue officials in Gusau local government area of Zamfara state with strong charge on accountability and transparency. The GEMS tax advisor, Mr. Latif Adebiyi disclosed that, the

training exercise was aimed at improving the capacity of the officials in revenue collection exercise in the local government council. According to him, GEMS 3 was not only in the state to operate as consultant or on contract mission, but rather to

give support to the state and local governments in capacity building in the area of revenue generation, therefore appealed to the participants to make best use of the training. The Council chairman, Alhaji Lawal Mada while expressing support for the training exercise,

however, has commended GEMS 3 for its viable intervention in the state. Mada said, apart from revenue officials, he also mandated lawmakers of the council to partake in the training exercise to enable them have clear knowledge of revenue collection.

Apologise to A’Ibom people over pension law, ex-lawmaker tells Akpabio By Mike Etim Uyo

espite the turn around by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio to bow to the wishes of the people over the controversial Pension Bill which elicited protest across the country, a former Deputy Speaker in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Uwem Udoma has asked the Governor to apologize to the people of the state for the embarrassment cause it by the pension saga. Speaking to Newsmen in Uyo, Udoma said, beside tendering un reserved apology, the Governor must ensure that the House of Assembly expunge the exclusivity clause which allows the Governor and his spouse and the past deputy Governors to enjoy a medical Bill worth over a N100,000,000.00 and in fact revert to the 2006 pension law enacted by his predecessor, Obong Victor Attah. His words: “The first things for him to do is to thread the path of honour by apologizing to Akwa Ibom people and revert back to the old law otherwise it is not going to be accepted. Secondly, he should not join issues and start calling names. He should know that this is democracy. “I would also want him to use this window to bring in certain amendments to the law. I am talking about the exclusivity clause that has excluded some governors and deputy governors. I will appeal to him and appeal to the State Assembly that it should be expunged. It is not good. “If he wants to make a law he should do that to favour all Akwa Ibom people. Any former governor or deputy governor even for a single day should be included in the law. If the pension law is to be amended now then nobody should be excluded. If he goes on to still exclude some people then we would still rise against him”. Giving reasons why the pension law was passed by the State House of Assembly, the state AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Ekpenyong Ntekim said that office took the responsibility of drafting the executive Bill and sent as proposal to the House for deliberation and subsequent passage into law when the governor accented to. He said, the state executive council presided over by Akpabio collectively took the decision seeking amendments to relevant sections of the law to put a ceiling on the hitherto open ended law that allows beneficiaries to draw the medical cash with reckless abandon. The State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Unyime Usoro commended the governor for reconsidering a review of the pension law, saying Akpabio’s move was good for democracy. Usoro, however, stated that there should be a total review of the law so that Akwa Ibom people would not have a reason to doubt the integrity of the Governor or resist him in any way as regards the law. “Like some other people have said, I think it is better to look beyond one or two items that they want to review. In fact, I think they should review the entire law. When they keep saying that they inherited it, it doesn’t make sense to me”.

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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Aviation Ajaokuta Steel, Kano Disco add 25MW electricity to national grid By Miriam Humbe

he Ajaokuta Steel Plant would be signing a Power Purchase Agreement with the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC) this week for uptake of the energy to be produced from the Ajaokuta Thermal Power Plant with a view to delivering at the initial stage, a 25MW of electricity to the National Grid. Also, efforts at partnering with the Ajaokuta Steel Plant through rehabilitation in harnessing its 110 MW Thermal Power Plant capacity are in top gear and ezxpected to add value to the national economy. While briefing the visiting Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Musa Mohammed Sada and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, who were on a working visit to the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, Monday the Managing Director of 3D Hitech System Limited Mr. Patrick Azi, disclosed that his company has since mobilized on site and has commenced rehabilitation work. He disclosed that his company has already delivered on site electrical and mechanical spares as well as lubricants, gases and other essential consumables meant for the rehabilitation works. Mr. Patrick Azi assured the Ministers, that 3D Hitech System Limited will work assiduously to ensure that the Plant commences operation in the next 30days and build capacity gradually to achieve 85MW generation capacity by end October 2014. It will be recalled that, 3D Hitech System Limited, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ajaokuta Steel Plant in May this year to rehabilitate and operate the 110MW Thermal Power Plant.

We will develop railway to complement road transport-FG From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

he federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to continue the development of the rail sector in order to lessen the present heavy traffic currently witness on Nigerian roads as it seek for more investment in the rail transport. Specifically, the government said it has outlined plans to increase the coaches on the railway tracks across the country with more modern ones. President, Goodluck Jonathan who spoke at the inauguration of two diesels multiple units in Lagos declared that as part of the plan, the implementation of a 25 year

transport plan to develop the sector has begun across Nigeria affirming that “This is part of the concerted efforts of our administration to steadily improve the railway rolling stock. It is the beginning. Within the next few months, more rolling stocks will be delivered.” The President, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said “The ongoing railway rehabilitation will continue because of adequate funding from regular budget and SURE-P intervention,” The Managing Director, NRC, Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade also outlined the intention of the corporation to increase the traffic on the Lagos corridor.

Mr. Sijuwade said with the two new air-conditioned trains and six 68-seater passenger coaches, passengers traffic in Lagos is expected to increase from 16, 000 to 22,000 daily. He said “Today, we move a monthly average of 3,570 tonnes of cement from Ewekoro; 3,170 tonnes of wheat from the Apapa flour mills and 120 bonded containers from the Apapa Port, all the way to Kaduna and Kano. These freight volumes are expected to rise significantly over the next few months. “ The DMUs according to him will be deployed for mass transit train services in densely populated cities starting with Lagos.

He added that “The six coaches will be deployed as first class coaches on long distance intercity train services, starting with the Lagos to Kano service. This is expected to increase the number of passengers on the Lagos to Kano service from 6,000 to 7, 000,” The Chairman, Board of Directors of NRC and former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, said the deployment of the new coaches is a milestone in the history of NRC. “Our intention as a board is to continue to improve on the facilities of the NRC to ensure that the system further increases its passenger and freight movement.” He said.

L-R: Director, Air Drum and Airspace Standard, Mr. Nkemakolam Daniel, being received by Jigawa state Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, during his visit to the governor after inspection of Dutse International Airport, yesterday in Dutse. Photo: NAN

Trade: Nigeria, Cameroon sign MoU to remove technical barriers By Clem Khena-Ogbena

igeria and Cameroun have signed a memorandum of undestanding, Mou, aimed at removing all technical barriers to trade and improving trade volume between the two countries. Prior to signing the Mou proper, at the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, corporate headquarters in Abuja, the DIRECTOR- General and Chief

Executive of the Organisation, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, added that the purpose of the Mou was to foster closer working tie meant to bring the two countries together, using standards. “Odumodu, who also doubles as the Presdent of African Regional Standards Organisation, ARSO, stated: The purpose of signing the Mou was to foster closer working relationship that would bring the two countries together, using standard will help

our economies to relate better by removing all tecnn technical barriers to trade volumes “Today is, indeed, marking a turning point for our business men who seek and desire removal of hindrances to free flow of goods and servies. “Beyond signing this Mou, a faithful implementation of all aspects contained therein is expected to benefit our countries, fostering regional integration, using standards.”

Odumodu said his focus as ARSO president was to ensure regional integration of Africa and its regional economies though the common language of standardisation. Meanwhile, the Director General, Standards and Quality Agency of Cameroon, ANOR, Dr. Charles Booto expreused the hope that if the relationship was foster, it would go a long way to improve standardation activities in the subregion. Acwording to

Camerounian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr.Salao-Heddine Abas, all technical issues had been finetuned at the diplomatic level. He added that apart from the high number of Nigerians living in Cameroon, Nigeria had the highest rate of imports into Cameroun, hence the need for the Mou to strengthen standardisation. While Odumodu signed on behalf Nigeria, Booto signed on behalf of Cameroon.

Sokoto Cement disburses essential drugs worth N3m to host communities From Raji Bello, Sokoto

he Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) on Tuesday presented some essential drugs worth N2.5 million to Wajake community clinic at Wamakko Local government area of Sokoto state. The company also disbursed

some clinical items estimated N500,000 to the Mobile Police Barrack’s in Sokoto. The items disbursed to the two beneficiaries include a refrigerator, clinical items as well as medicare drugs, among others. Speaking at the event, the Commanding Officer of the 7 Police Mobile Force Squadron,

CSP Yusuf Danlami, commended the organisation for the gesture. He empathised that police could only carry out their statutory responsibility of securing lives and property when they and their family members are healthy. Also speaking at Wajake village, the Chairman, Wamakko

Local Government Council, Alhaji Ahmed Kalambaina expressed happiness over the cordial synergy existing between the host communities and the cement company. He added that the gestures was part of fulfilment of a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Council, TSHIP

and the cement company for periodical procurement of essential drugs to health facilities in the council. In his remarks, the Company’s Managing Director, Mr. Alf Karlsen noted that the gestures was part of the company’s social responsibilities to the host communities.

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Business Analysis

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

X-raying the gains of air safety in Nigeria By Sulaman Idris

he crash of a Boeing 737200 aircraft belonging to Bellview Airline on October 22 2005, killing 117 people aboard the ill-fated flight 210 plane was the last straw that break the camel’s back following the rate at which airplane plunge down from the sky between 2000 and 2005. Government swung into action by injection an intervention fund into the aviation sector to stifle the dangerous trend. Suleiman Idris takes a look at the aftermath effect of the intervention. When Bellview Airline flight 210 crashed in Lisa in Ogun state, the difficulties in locating the crash site for about two days was indication that all was not well with the country’s airspace. Most painful was the proximity of the village to the Lagos airport, the aircraft originating aerodrome with many expressing anger why it took more than a day to locate the site, hence government decided to tackle the challenges of surveillance of the Nigeria airspace. Five years later, after the entire pro and cons by stakeholders and experts opinions, the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) was commissioned in Abuja by President Goodluck Jonathan on October 18th 2010. The project the federal government said provides a total coverage of the Nigerian airspace which will in turn enhance civil and military surveillance of aircraft operating in the country’s airspace. In recent time, it is Gradually becoming increasingly apparent to discerning Nigerians that recent air mishaps or incidents have no bearing on the safety or otherwise of the airspace. Reports obtained from the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau indicated that recent air crashes in the country and elsewhere have been traced to poor pilot judgment, fatigue and technical problem among other human errors and judgments. In all the hypothetical instances so far projected however, disasters resulting in loss of lives and maiming and destruction have been the outcome of most crashes and early findings of the Accident Investigation Bureau often suggest all or a combination of the above causes of the crashes and not the challenge of airspace. It must also be stressed that a good standard of road network in a country does not necessarily denote absence of road accidents. Several other factors such as the health of the vehicle and the driver’s state of mind account for accidents as it were. The federal agencies heads told our correspondents they are not leaving anything to chance on the question of ensuring an all- round and eagle-eye watch over the aviation industry which has witnessed great improvement lately. In an interview, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Managing Director,

Engineer Ibrahim Abdulsalam told Peoples Daily that the agency is set to offer critical intervention in the country’s airspace. With such operational facilities as NAVAIDS incorporating Instrument Landing System, Very High Omni Directional Radio Range and Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) among others, it has succeeded in delivering safe skies to the country. The pivot for all these according to him is the TRACON. It has 9 radar locations in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano with each having both primary and secondary co-fixed radar head. There are five other stand-alone stations in Ilorin, Maiduguri, Talata Mafara, Numan and Obubura. The primary has a range of 65 nautical miles while the secondary covers 250. The overlapping range enables the air traffic controllers to monitor flights far beyond the shores of the country. A visit to some of the facilities At the TRACON control rooms at the major airports in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano, one easily see the screens and the controllers at work. At these airports one can view aircraft landing at the neighbouring flight information regions through the monitoring screens. Lately the agency said it unveiled a new plan to boost security in the Niger Delta

and protect the country’s Oil Industry using multi-lateration surveillance in the Delta creeks. The initiative will cover Helicopter activities of the oil companies. This initiative will definitely increase the agency’s revenue on installation. It is reckoned that since there are more than 160 daily flights of such type in the region, the new NAMA drive would attract tremendous patronage to benefit both the agency, oil companies and the nation at large. NAMA has also been known to be working on the completion of WGS-84 survey of 26 airports to prepare them for performance based navigation system (PBN). Procedures for the four major airports in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano have been completed while trials for PBN were arrived at recently by some airlines. They recorded outstanding results. Recently 13 towers of some airports of the nation’s facilities were refurbished to eliminate communication breakdown within the airspace. In this regard, NAMA is planning to install Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC), the modern system used globally to sustain uninterrupted reach among airborne and the ground control. Also worthy of mention is the recent installation of solar powered Airfield Lighting

System at Lagos and Port Harcourt International Airports. The installed lighting system is a product of Avlite System Pty Ltd, Australia. The lighting system is certified by ICAO and FAA and is in currently in use at various airports around the world. The installation of lighting at these two airports has galvanized the tempo of night and low visibility operations, thereby reducing operational cost to airlines.NAMA is also to benefit from this project in the area of low maintenance cost. Also as part of efforts to improve safety, the agency is deploying VSAT facilities and systems for installation at 11 designated centres across the country to automate aeronautical information service. These stations include NAMA Hqtrs, NEMA Hqtrs, Lagos, Kano and Abuja. Others are Port Harcourt, Sokoto Ilorin, Jos, Maiduguri and Wukari. The automation of aeronautical information service billed to commence by October 2014 is expected to bring about efficiency and precision in the aeronautical information dissemination. This would as a consequence, translate into reduction in man hours as most of the paper work would give way to digitalization. It would also integrate the country’s aeronautical information system into the

System Wide Information Management Network. The benefits of AIS automation are legion. As a backbone to the above infrastructural acquisition, several categories of technical staff to include Air Traffic controllers and engineers are being trained regularly both at home and abroad to boost capacity and also sustain the drive for technology transfer. The operations of these highly technical devices, needless to say, are digitalized with skilled and well-trained staff required to man them. Their training, locally and abroad, together with capital investment on critical areas of air safety, is said to have cost the Federal government more than $9.5m. Now we have a government and an agency that are collaborating to ensure that an enabling environment for investors in the aviation sector to offer flawless service to the people and the nation is created. For without safe air corridors, monitored round the clock by well trained technical crew and modern and regularly maintained tracking systems, the best pilot flying the best aircraft would be a mere accident waiting to happen. Good aircraft and good flight crew operating in unsecured skies are potential tragedies.

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

Stock Watch

Report as at Wednesday, June 11, 2014

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Peoples Daily, Thursday, June 12, 2014

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Special Report

Adopting effective social housing scheme in Nigeria By Sani Adamu

n evaluation of accessibility of LowIncome earners to housing finance in Nigeria, by Prof. A.O. Olotuah, in a Review, indicates that housing provision in Nigeria is fraught with a plethora of problems especially for low-income earners who incidentally constitute the majority of the population. The report said, fundamental to this is the lack of access to housing finance by this segment of the society. In view of its enormous cost therefore, housing is the item of the highest expenditure of every household and it can rarely be purchased directly from one’s earnings. Access to housing finance is thus imperative in the acquisition of housing, but this has always eluded lowincome earners a great deal. Nigeria is yet to develop an effective and workable mortgage mechanism that will enable citizens to own houses and participate in the housing for all initiative in a more pragmatic way. Available records indicate that attempts by successive governments since the country’s independence in 1960 to address the housing challenge have not yielded the desired results. Ironically, gigantic housing programmes initiated by successive administrations since independence have been jettisoned because of what observers describe as policy somersaults. Statistics showed that between 1973 and 2006, more than 30,000 housing units were constructed by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) but these houses have also failed to tackle the nation’s housing deficit. Besides, the sale of Federal Government property, including government-owned staff quarters, to their occupants by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration has also failed to remedy the situation. As laudable as the sale of the government quarters sounds, analysts insist that the policy ought to have been sustained to enable it

Former President Shehu Shagari

to have a lasting impact. They note that even the public-private partnership in housing delivery, which was introduced by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, has equally failed to reduce the housing deficit. This is because most Nigerians, especially civil servants, still cannot afford the exorbitant cost of buying or renting houses built by private developers. For instance, it is absolutely difficult for an average civil servant earning N18,000 minimum wage to buy a one-bedroom apartment from private estate developers in Abuja or anywhere in the country. A market survey shows that a two-bedroom apartment, offered by private estate developers in Abuja, costs between N15 million and N25 million. This, perhaps, underscores the concern expressed by the World Bank on the widening housing deficit in Nigeria. Statistics released by the World Bank revealed that Nigeria would require N59.5 trillion to bridge the spiraling housing deficit of 17 million units. This development aptly highlights the need for the government at all levels to begin to think of how to embark on direct massive

construction of houses in major cities and towns across the country, so as to cut down the housing deficit. However, Dr Omobola Johnson, the Supervising Minister of Science and Technology, urged all stakeholders in the building and construction industry to explore avenues of meeting the growing housing needs of the citizens through innovative strategies. The minister, who spoke at a recent International Housing Summit in Abuja, said that researchers have argued that Nigeria, with an estimated population of 170 million, required at least additional 820,000 housing units per annum. Nevertheless, Dr Abiodun Talabi, the Director of Technology Acquisition and Assessment in the ministry, stressed that the provision of affordable housing would entail the active input of the public and private sectors as well as the citizens. ``Achieving affordable housing in Nigeria requires dogged determination on the part of government, private sector and citizenry towards surmounting the challenge,’’ he said. All the same, Mr Adeyemi Williams, a private property consultant, urged

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

the Federal Government to adopt the social housing scheme in its efforts to address the housing deficit facing the country. Social housing scheme is the provision of affordable houses by the state or nonprofit organisations or by the combination of the two. Williams said that the key objective of a social housing scheme was to provide accommodation which would be particularly affordable to low-income earners. He said that rents charged on housing units under the scheme were usually kept low through government subsidy. ``The social housing

scheme should be governed by a strictly defined system of rent control to ensure that rents are kept low. ``Unlike the private sector in which rents are dictated by the landlord, houses in a social housing scheme, on the other hand, are allocated according to the needs of the people. ``Each social landlord operates an allocation policy, stating in advance what factors will be taken into account when deciding who gets preference,” he said. Industry experts, nonetheless, cite the inability of the Federal Government to amend the Land Use Act of 1978, which

President Goodluck Jonathan

vests all land in the hands of government, as a major obstacle to the actualisation of the housing for all initiative. However, Mr Tunde Makanjuola, a property consultant, urged the three tiers of government to

reduce the trouble which people often encountered while processing title deeds on landed properties, so as to boost investment in real estate. He noted that less than three per cent of landlords in the country had valid

title deeds on their landed property. As a result, only about three per cent of property owners were paying taxes on their property, as there was no way of mounting surveillance on the remaining 97 per cent, he added. ``This means that many illegalities were being perpetrated in transactions on landed property, while the government is being short-changed. ``The proceeds from taxes levied on property can be used to address the current housing problems facing the country,’’ he said. Makanjuola, nonetheless, urged the government to create a database on property owners to ensure their proper registration and regulation. ``This will help the government to keep track of any transaction on landed property, while reducing problems caused by fraudulent property agents and family land owners,’’ he said. Makanjuola argued that property tax was a more stable way of generating revenue than other forms of taxes. ``If the governments

can exploit this avenue of revenue generation, it would be useful in efforts to provide the needed infrastructure. ``Also, property owners will be able to exploit the potential of their property to the fullest because the title can be used as collateral to get loans for other investments,’’ he said. Besides, Makanjuola called for the establishment of a land commission that would be empowered to formulate policies on land matters, title registration and property development. Acknowledging the gravity of the housing challenge in Nigeria, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has initiated plans to construct N960-billion housing estates for workers in all the 36 states, including the FCT. The project, which involves the construction of affordable houses, is being executed in concert with Kriston Lally EPC Nig. Ltd., a private property developer. The NLC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the project with the company on April 6, 2013. ``To make the scheme worker-friendly, the

“

Available records indicate that attempts by successive governments since the country’s independence in 1960 to address the housing challenge have not yielded the desired results

Gigantic housing programmes initiated by successive administrations since independence have been jettisoned

interest rate is put at 2 per cent of the total amount of the property per annum; and payment can be spread over five, 10 or 15 years, depending on the choice of each subscriber,’’ Comrade Abdulwahab Omar, the NLC President, said. The labour leader said that the houses would comprise two and threebedroom bungalows, semidetached or fully-detached bungalows; blocks of two and three-bedroom flats; as well as four-bedroom semi-detached and fullydetached duplexes. Mr Mustapha Madawaki, the Group Managing Director of Kriston Lally EPC Nig. Ltd., said that President Jonathan would perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the housing project. ``All the equipment for block making and materials for the construction of the houses have been imported,’’ he said. Apart from this, Mr Bobboi Kaigama, the National President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), also said that the union had concluded arrangements to build 100 houses for its members and other citizens in Taraba State.

He said that the houses were the first set of the 500 houses that would be built in the state by the congress. Kaigama said that the project would be executed in partnership with the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company. He said that contributors to the National Housing Fund across the country would benefit from the scheme. Kaigama said that the project was aimed at minimising the housing deficit in the state, adding that it would particularly cater for the housing needs of civil servants. He pledged that the 100 houses would be delivered to the beneficiaries before the end of the year. All in all, mortgage experts underscore the need to make concerted efforts to ease the process of obtaining mortgage loans in the country. ``If the citizens are given liberal access to mortgage loans with good interest rates; many people will be encouraged to own houses and the current housing deficit in the country will be reduced considerably,’’ some say. NAN

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Mother Earth

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

Illegal mining in the midst of poverty

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mohammed Musa Sada

or 40-year-old Surajo Baba, who lives in the midst of Darata gold mining fields in Zamfara state, poverty remains a daily reality. But Nigeria as one of the world’s richest solid minerals deposits, besides the oil wealth, the country’s majority has no reason living in abject poverty. “Here in Darata village, the gold wealth has not helped in any way to change our lives for the better, but rather for the worse as we have strayed further into poverty,” said Surajo. That tells a story of how Nigeria is rich in mineral resources, yet its

majority may have to wait a long time before they benefit from it, due largely to the mismanagement of the sector by the state vested with the responsibility to manage it on behalf of the people. Today, across the length and breadth of this country, illegal mining is widespread, with the Chinese and Indian operators, in collaboration with local communities sabotaging the economy, while the authorities who supposedly in charge to are regulate and supervise the sector look the other way. This has been blamed, partly on the weak federal regulation and in violation of the 1999 Constitution,

which has made illegal mining thrives since some state and local governments illegally issue permits to artisans that do not have the expertise in mining. This was the cause of the estimated 400 children that were reported to have died, and 30,000 others poisoned in Zamfara state, in the world’s worst recorded outbreak of lead poisoning in March 2009. It could be recalled that the source of the outbreak began after the price of gold shot up and villagers realized they could make more money from exploiting local gold deposits than from farming. Pronto, young and old began to dig metal ore from nearby mines and process it in their homes in the search for gold. But they were unknowingly mining lead, and the dust from the processing contaminated their houses, as children play in the dust around water wells, ignorant of the danger. They were actually poisoned by dust released by gold miners breaking open rocks near their homes, as contaminated soil dumped in water sources as rain further spread pollutants. Do we have to blame the local miners who did not know the health implications of their mining activity? The authorities charged with the responsibility to regulate and supervise the mineral resources sector should carry the burden of guilt. Considering the enormous potential for economic growth if the mining sector is formalized, experts believe that soon Nigeria would be dominating the list of one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and would have slowly shed its image

Ambrose Inusa Sule,

mnes

environment watch globenviron@yahoo.com 0703-441-4410 (sms only)

as a development burden. But without a clear policy, and with government folding its arms watching helplessly, while foreign operators with their local collaborators go on plundering the sector, it will be a long night. Sadly is the claim by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals Development (MMSD), Linus Awute, at a forum in Abuja sometime ago, that the amount of unprocessed gold that has left the country through neighboring countries, Ghana in particular, is being processed in Ashanti (Ghana) is enormous. And again, his admission that the activities of illegal gold miners had gone “beyond control,” bordered on crass incompetence, to say the obvious. The claim also that Nigeria lost $50 billion to her neighbors through illegal gold mining, coupled with the negative economic, environmental and health impact on the country, shows that our solid minerals sector remained unregulated or at best haphazardly. That underhand dealing in the mining of gold and other rich minerals in the country has fuelled poverty with its attendant environmental problems, is an understatement, as Nigeria will first have to rein in its corrupt

“

Do we have to blame the local miners who did not know the health implications of their mining activity? The authorities charged with the responsibility to regulate and supervise the mineral resources sector should carry the burden of guilt. Searching for gold in the outskirts of Bagega village in Zamfara

officials before its resources can enrich its own people. Without dealing with the cancer of corruption blighting the country, and robbing it of revenue from mineral resources through corrupt officials receiving bribes from these illegal mining operators, the country shall continue to have the worst poverty indices globally. It is unimaginable that a country that depends on oil and gas exports for 92 per cent of her external revenues, failed to seize the opportunity to diversify her earnings by exploiting available abundant minerals. It’s unfathomable that till date, we are yet to see the reforms of the solid minerals sector which begun since Obasanjo administration that were poised to attract investors from around the world to exploit the more than 34 mineral types available in Nigeria. Unfortunately, both federal and state governments who are the gate-keepers in this sector have been irresponsibly reluctant to confront the menace of unregulated mining and smuggling. While Economic analysts say that Nigeria’s best economic years are yet to come, it remains to be seen if the billions of dollars Nigeria has in natural resources will trickle down to people like Surajo.

P A G E

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

Mother Earth Reps move to regulate waste recycling by industries By Umar Muhammad Puma

oncerned by non compliance of the rule of recycling industrial waste, the House of Representatives has warned industries against excessive waste littering across the country. To this end, the House urged that waste must be recycled to protect the Nigerian environment. The Speaker of the House, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal in a keynote address at a Oneday Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility Programme in Abuja, called for stakeholder collaboration to tackle the menace of industrial waste. He reminded stakeholders of provisions in the law compelling industries to adhere to the rule of recycling industrial waste. “Specifically, section 8 of the

National Environmental(Food, Beverages , Tobacco sector) Regulations, 2009, states that all manufacturers of various brands of products shall establish a Buy Back Programme for bottles and other packaging for products, and subscribe to an extended products stewardship programme”, he said. The Chairman of the Committee, Rep Uche Lilian Ekwunife(APGA Anambra) in her opening address stressed the need for manufacturers to observe strict adherence to recycling rules. According to the Committee, the Lawmakers and other stakeholders were worried by the seeming neglect of corporate social responsibility of manufacturers in the waste recycling regard. “This meeting is essentially convened to address our collective concerns regarding the filthy and deplorable condition of our city centres due to poor waste prevention and management. “The meeting will provide

Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal us with adequate opportunity to address one of the biggest problems of our time, which is the indiscriminate disposal of

Minister seeks Zamfara govt’s support towards fighting desertification

Zamfara state governor, Abdulazeez Yari

he Minister of Environment, Mrs Laurentia Mallam, said on Tuesday that the support of the Zamfara government was critical to success of fighting desertification through the Great Green Wall (GGW) project. Mallam said this when she met with the State Governor, Alhaji Abdulazeez Yari, at the Government House in Gasau, Zamfara. According to her, desertification will have negative impact on the lives of people if it is not tackled with all seriousness. “It (desertification) will affect a lot of activities; it will affect the lives of our people negatively. “So Mr President, in his Transformation Agenda, has made it possible for the Federal Government, states and local governments to collaborate and see what can be done to fight the menace. “So, we are here today to create awareness for the people of Zamfara

State to support this noble programme and to encourage people to plant trees and encourage them to participate in this programme fully,” she said. The minister explained that desertification had come to the country through the 11 frontline states, including Zamfara. She listed other frontline states

as Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Yobe. Mallam said the federal government would rehabilitate more than 22,000 hectares of degraded lands in the frontline states, under the GGW. She pointed out that 11 countries, including Nigeria, would participate in constructing “a wall of trees”, stretching 4,300 miles long and nine miles wide across the continent, from the Republic of Djibouti to Senegal. The minister said countries such as Mali and Senegal had started reaping the benefits of the project. She said Nigeria would likely learn the best practices in these countries and share experiences with them on the project. Responding, the governor said: “It is compulsory for the states to join hands with the federal government to fight desertification”. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more that 40 million Nigerians are affected by desertification each year and this poses serious threats to their means of livelihood NAN

A town bedeviled by deforestation in the North

solid waste materials, such as glass products, plastic bottles and other packaging materials, as well as allay our fears on the hazards

of growing waste management challenges. “It is disheartening to note that most industries and businesses whose activities generate solid wastes do not show desirable interest towards efficient disposal of such wastes”, she stated. The Committee regretted that companies were not adhering to statutes on the environment regarding the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility rule. “The Committee observes with dismay the weak compliance and adherence to the provisions of the National Environmental (Food, Beverage, Tobacco Sector) Regulations, 200c and the National Environmental/ Electronic Sector) regulations, 2011, bearing on Extended Producer Responsibility”. In her address, the Permanent Secretary who represented the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Lawrentia Mallam, regretted that though the EPR was extant for decades, the implementation on enforcement was lacking.

AFAN to restore agriculture’s lost glory in Nigeria

Bumper harvest for maize farmers

he All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has resolved to bring back the lost glory of agriculture in the country. was contained in a communiqué issued to news men by the national body of the association immediately after inauguration of its new executive yesterday in Dutse. The communique maintained that the association, with the support of government at all levels will make all effort to initiate new policies for enhancing the agricultural sector in the country. It also stated that AFAN will initiate avenue to dialogue with government to evolve policies that would revitalise the revenue earning potentials of agriculture in Nigeria. While making his remarks during the inauguration ceremony, the outgoing president of the

association and former Governor of Nassarawa state, Senator Abdullahi Adamu said that Nigeria before 1980, was the best producer of palm oil, coffee and groundnut oil in the world. He maintained that, unlike today that Nigeria cannot even stand on its feet for genuine food security for protecting its citizens from imminent threat of hunger. The ex-president of the association also called on the farmers to embrace farming as a noble profession so as to restore its dignity in the eyes of the world. The newly inaugurated members include Alhaji Kabiru Ibrahim as the President, Rev. Tobias A.U Iwuh as National Deputy President, High Chief O.O Olaifa as National Deputy President 11 and Mr. Ajibade M. Babalola as General Secretary.

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Emergency Update

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

The imperative for insurance cover against fire disaster

ire outbreak has remained a major disaster not only in Nigeria but the world over. In the recent past so many lives and properties worth billions of Naira were lost to uncontrolled fires in the zone and the country at large. In addition to loss of lives and properties there are incalculable indirect fiscal looses due to unemployment, reduced property values and lost business incomes. There is no pattern for when a fire may occur. However experience has shown that in this part of the country the incidence and intensity of damage and looses is more during the harmattan season, Period between November and March of every year. Experience has also shown that the inferno could occur at home, schools, markets, factories,

farms and so on. The best fire fighting technique is prevention and the best strategy for recovery is insurance cover. To prevent fire out breaks we need to generate sufficient awareness towards building a culture of safety consciousness among the authorities and the communities. To be able to recover from fire disasters in the markets, so that traders can get back to business as soon as a calamity strikes we need to have our markets and properties in the markets insured. While it is the responsibility of the market authorities to insure the markets it is the responsibility of the traders to insure their wares and properties. Through this market authorities will receive claims to restore the market structure in earnest while the traders will use their claims to

bounce back to business. This is the best recovery strategy from market fire disasters all over the world. It is rather ironic that throughout the North West Zone only few markets have insurance cover. It is disturbing that even in the two markets insured, namely Abubakar Gumi Central Market Kaduna and Sokoto Central Market in Sokoto, traders did not insure their wares and properties. Thus when the market authorities make claims in case of fire disaster the claim is only limited to the market and it does not cover the wares and properties of the traders. While the market can be repaired quickly the traders suffer untold hardship and most of them could never return to their businesses. It is against this background

that we call on market authorities and traders in the zone to insure their markets and businesses respectively. It is for these reasons that the North West Zonal office of the National Emergency Management Agency undertook a sensitization campaign for insurance against market fire disasters at the premises of Abubakar Gumi Market Development Authority on Thursday 22nd October 2008. A part of the market was torched on Saturday 25th October 2008. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and the Local Government Emergency Committees (LGEMCs) are not compensating agencies. They provide relief assistance but

do not offer compensation to victims of market fire disaster. The assistance usually comes in form of food to relieve the traders who lost their means of survival, this can not resuscitate livelihood. What can resuscitate livelihood is insurance cover. We collectively have a duty to protect lives, properties and livelihood of the people and to do that in this regard we should be dedicated towards measures and procedures for stopping the outbreak of fire, early detection and prompt response to save lives and minimize looses. We should also work toward getting our markets and properties of traders in the markets insured. Contributed by Alhassan Nuhu, Zonal Coordinator NEMA, Kaduna.

Tips for personal safety during flood

Avoid walking through flooded area

uring rainy season, residents are encouraged to take precautions and protect themselves and their property from flood risks and flood damage. How to go about it •Avoid walking through flooded areas. Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths, mostly during flash floods. Currents can be deceptive; six inches of moving

water can knock you off your feet. If you walk through flood, use a pole or a stick to guide you. •Do not drive through a flooded area. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else. Do not drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed out during flood. •Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. The number two flood killer after drowning is electrocution. Electrical currents

can travel through waters. Report downed power lines to the appropriate authority. •Have your electricity turned off. Some appliances, such as televisions, retain electrical charges even after they have been unplugged. Do not use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have been cleaned and dried. •Look out for animals, especially snakes that have been

flooded out of their hidings and may seek shelter in your home. Use a pole or a stick to uncover pests that might be hiding in some obscure parts of the house. •Watch your step. After a flood, the ground and the floors are covered with debris which might include broken bottles, etc. Floors and staircases that have been covered with mud can be very slippery. Therefore you should always get the house

cleaned up after a flood. •Be alert for gas leaks. Use torchlight to inspect for damage. Do not smoke or use candles, lanterns or open flames unless you know that gas has been turned off and the area is well ventilated. •During rainfall, stay away from flood channels and areas prone to sudden flooding. Source: NESREA

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Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

Emergency Update

1 2

1. Group photograph of participants at the meeting between Nigeria government agencies and the EU Joint Research Centre. 2. NEMA/ NYSC EMV takes its sensitization campaign on Basic Fire Fighting Technique to Govt. Girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt. 3. The Governor of Ebonyi State represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Border, Peace & Conflict Resolution, Hon. Donatus Aja having a handshake with the new Zonal Coordinator of NEMA South East, James Eze Major 4. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Community Development Service of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA CDS) organized a quiz competition for secondary school students in Bauchi on flood disaster management sponsored by NEMA Gombe office.

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

Page 30

Feature

NAFDAC and the war against unregistered sachet water By Victor Adeoti

y most accounts, the production of sachet water, popularly called “pure water’’, has been a major source of income for many people across the country. Economists note that the production, marketing and consumption of sachet water have recently increased tremendously, as the money-spinning business now has several brands on sale. Attesting to this, Dr Paul Orhii, Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), said that a lot of money was realised daily from the sales of sachet water across the country. Due to the lucrative nature of the business, Orhii, during a visit to Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, the Director-General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Abuja, said that a lot of people had ventured into sachet water production. He, nonetheless, expressed regret that in spite of the prospects of the business, some sachet water producers had willfully decided not to follow the regulations prescribed for sachet water production by NAFDAC. He lamented that the environment in which some of the sachet water producers operated was not hygienic, while some of them had not registered with the agency. In view of this, Mr Olatunbosun Adeoye, an environmentalist, argued that NAFDAC should be more proactive in determining the prerequisites for sachet water production so as to ensure the safety of the public. He alleged that some sachet water producers packaged untreated water from various sources and labeled it as ``pure water’’ with fake NAFDAC registration number on the sachets. Another environmentalist, Mr Lekan Agboola, noted that in some cases, consumers had expressed concern with the appearance and taste of some sachet water with NAFDAC numbers. He said that in recent years, some research had been carried out in various parts of the country to determine the purity of sachet water. He stressed that the results of the research revealed that the “pure water’’ might not be completely “pure’’ and safe for human consumption because of the unhygienic conditions in which the water was processed. In the light of this, NAFDAC says that it has begun a nationwide assessment of sachet water factories, as part of efforts to ensure the wholesomeness of the water, Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, the Director of Special Duties in NAFDAC, said that the agency had introduced modern mobile laboratory equipment for the survey. He said that the equipment was used for onsite physical-chemical microbiological test analysis to

Pure water packs in a factory ensure that the sachet water being sold to the public met safety standards. Jimoh said that the agency had carried out the exercise in Nasarawa State, adding that the sachet water analysis was going on in some parts of the country. “We are still trying to build on the latest technology; we have introduced another technology called modern mobile laboratory equipment used for testing the quality of water. “The technology was inaugurated in Abuja about three months ago and right now, the mobile laboratory for testing water is working. “We have used it in scanning and testing water; we will move all over the country to test the quality of water being sold to the public,’’ he added. Jimoh said that the essence of testing sachet water was to safeguard the health of Nigerians by ensuring the safety of the water being sold to the public. However, in some places, where

the technology has yet to be introduced, NAFDAC is using other methods to ensure the safety of the sachet water on sale. For instance, Mr Kayode Fagboyo, the NAFDAC Coordinator in Osun, said that some sachet water factories were recently shut in the state because they failed to meet with the required standards. He said that the agency had to close down the sachet water factories, following complaints by some consumers over the quality of the water produced by the affected factories. “Through our field survey, we have discovered that many of the factories are no longer producing sachet water under the conditions which made us to grant them the approval to produce in the first instance. “We have now made it clear to all sachet water producers that we will be visiting their factories once in a month unannounced. “If we get to any factory and we find out that the conditions which

“

He alleged that some sachet water producers packaged untreated water from various sources and labeled it as “pure water” with fake NAFDAC registration number on the sachets.

NAFDAC DG, Dr Paul Orhii existed when the production approval was given no longer exist; we will withdraw the approval and appropriate sanctions will be imposed on the factory,’’ he said. Fagboyo reiterated the commitment of NAFDAC to ensuring the eradication of counterfeit drugs, foods and cosmetics in the state. “What we did in 2013 was to appeal to the conscience of sachet water producers in the state through a workshop we organised for them on the need to strictly adhere to production standards. “Henceforth, any person caught producing or selling sachet water without NAFDAC approved registration number will be made to face the wrath of the law,’’ he warned. He emphasised that routine inspection of sachet water factories by NAFDAC officials would continue in all parts of the state. Fagboyo advised the owners of

food and drug factories to comply with NAFDAC’s production guidelines, urging the public to also be conscious of the products they bought. He, however, vowed that NAFDAC would make concerted and pragmatic efforts to stamp out the sales of unregistered sachet water across the country. Although some concerned citizens have proposed a total ban on the production and sale of sachet water, observers insist that the inadequacies in public water supply and economic benefits of sachet water production should also be considered. They, however, recommend that in the meantime, NAFDAC should be encouraged to intensify its efforts to ensure strict compliance with the standards set for the production of sachet water and other food items. (NAN)

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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International

ANALYSIS

osul is an Iraqi city that has been under siege for most of the past 10 years. The latest gains by fighters belonging to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) are only a culmination of nearly a decade of persistent brutality and terror which the Iraqi government has been ill-equipped to counter. Various militant groups have been waging a high-profile war against the Iraqi government in Mosul and other towns in Nineveh with near impunity. During this time, the multi-ethnic fabric of Kurds, Turkmen, Arabs, Assyrians and Yazidis has been torn apart, as the city suffers under the grip of lawlessness and insecurity. During the US occupation when the US Marines would liberate a town of Islamist militants, there would be a short-lived reprieve until these elements would quickly return. It was a deadly and costly cat-and-mouse game which the US and its Iraqi allies lost. The situation worsened after 2007 when Sunni tribal fighters known as al-Sahwa brigades, with US military backing and blessing, pushed al-Qaeda forces out of Anbar province. The keyword here is pushed not vanquished, because these extremist elements simply moved elsewhere. Strategic foothold Despite the best of talking-head assurances and punditry in the Green Zone, an international area in Baghdad, al-Qaeda was never defeated in Iraq. Nineveh Province offered a strategic foothold for the group: It provided easy access to Syria and Turkey; it was predominantly Sunni, and ArabKurdish tensions could be exploited. More importantly, al-Qaeda which had now rebranded itself the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) - could launch strategic raids back into Anbar as part of an overall strategy to regain control of the province. Profile: Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) The civil war in Syria could not have come at a better time; thanks to Gulf and US bungling of the conflict there, the war against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad provided the best opportunity for ISI’s growth and expansion. So much so that one year into the Syrian civil war, ISI added Levant (or Sham, in Arabic) to their moniker indicating that they intended to reach well into Lebanon. Ironically, between 2011 and 2013, the people of Mosul enjoyed better security conditions, as ISIL fighters were siphoned into the Syrian theatre of operations. But with each initial victory against Assad, ISIL gained popularity, materiel, funds and most importantly, a parade of young men willing to enlist. The now-swelling ranks poured back into Iraq, making good use of the insecure borders and returned to their bases in Nineveh and Anbar. With Prime Minister Nouri alMaliki’s army pinned down in a losing battle in Anbar, it was no surprise then that ISIL would choose to make its move to fully consolidate its control of Mosul. For years, ISIL has terrorised the people of Mosul, known as Mislawis. Mosque imams who did not toe the line were executed; shops that sold alcohol or western pop culture were firebombed; flyers were sent to homes demanding

Iraq’s province of Nineveh has rarely seen stability in the past decade, writes Al-Atraqchi [AP]

Did Iraq government’s neglect lead to Mosul’s downfall?

that men have their women properly clothed; artists were intimidated and threatened, warned to draw landscapes or Islamic motifs only. Throughout Nineveh, a vicious campaign was launched against the Christian, Yazidi and other minorities. Army barracks were routinely attacked while university staff, judges, government workers and even electric company labourers were assassinated. Civilian deaths have been terrifyingly high. Heads rolled and ISIL made full use of their social media propaganda machine to disseminate the message that the opposition would be decapitated. Not decapitation, but slaughtering - as in cutting of heads with knives. Hundreds of such videos have been circulating online for years. Pity the poor Iraqi army recruits

- mostly Shia - stationed in Nineveh who have seen captured comrades butchered in front of camera. News that many abandoned their positions this week should not come as a shock. However, fault must lie with the Baghdad government which has been unable or unwilling to secure Nineveh. The systematic defeat of the US-trained Iraqi army in the face of ISIL fighters coupled with failed policies since the 2010 general elections has created just the right conditions for this kind of collapse of national security. The Kurdish factor This is where the Kurds can play a huge role if they plan it right. In the past few years, it was the peshmerga or Kurdish fighters who provided some semblance of security to Mosul and the rest of Nineveh. When the Iraqi

“

army took over the security portfolio, however, matters quickly changed. Arab Sunnis in Mosul trusted the army less than they trusted the Kurds, with whom they have always walked a delicate tightrope of diplomacy and mutual benefit.

Kulajo: My Heart is Darkened The Kurds have also made little effort to hide their belief that Mosul could - would - become part of a future independent state. Years ago, powerful Arab tribes threatened an all-out war if Mosul became part of a “Greater Kurdistan”. However, much has changed since then. Many of the influential tribal elders - and their kin - have been targeted by ISIL for “collaborating” with Baghdad. They could see the Kurds as

More importantly, al-Qaeda - which had now rebranded itself the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) - could launch strategic raids back into Anbar as part of an overall strategy to regain control of the province.

the last, best chance for some semblance of stability in Nineveh. This could be a boon for the Kurds who have been increasingly in conflict with Baghdad over their claims to sell oil drilled from wells located in the Kurdish autonomous region. The Kurds could push Baghdad for leverage if they commit the powerful, well-trained peshmerga to rid Nineveh and Mosul of ISIL. But this, too, would be costly. Iraqis have seen the devastation wrought on Falluja in 2004, 2005 and 2014, as government forces tried in vain to dislodge Islamist extremists. They have also seen how many Syrian cities have been wiped out in the same process. But failure to eradicate ISIL now will have many repercussions. The Baghdad government could itself collapse as powerful politicians rail against Maliki who has consistently failed to secure the capital, let alone the rest of the country. Continued control of Anbar, and perhaps Mosul, in the long-run could become a de facto partition of the country, and encourage other provinces - think Basra, Kurdistan - to throw in the federal towel and go to it alone. More dangerously, however, an ISILcontrolled Nineveh could put pressure on the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, a multiethnic powder keg with a fuse that is just waiting to be lit. Source: Aljazeera

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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International

Congo says army clashed with Rwandan troops after incursion

oldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo exchanged fire yesterday with Rwandan troops who crossed the border and seized a Congolese soldier, a Congolese government spokesman said. “Elements from the Rwandan army crossed the border not far from Kibumba around 0330 this morning and took a Congolese corporal, which provoked a reaction from our soldiers there who opened fire,” Lambert Mende told Reuters. Kibumba is in North Kivu province where Congo’s army, backed by U.N. peacekeepers, defeated the M23 rebellion last year. Rwanda denied allegations by Congo and United Nations officials that it had backed the rebellion. No comment was immediately available from the Rwandan government on Wednesday on the reported border incident. Renewed tensions between the two neighbours may undermine international efforts to bring stability to Congo’s mineral-rich, lawless east and the wider region after years of conflict. General Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz, commander of U.N. peacekeepers in Congo, told a news conference on Wednesday fighting had taken place and said the U.N. would investigate the clash now that the situation was calm. Mende said the clash went on until 0800 when the Rwandan troops pulled back. “However they still have the corporal, so tensions remain high despite the end to the shooting,” he said. “This is pure provocation.”

Egypt activist Alaa Abdul Fattah jailed for 15 years A

court in Egypt has sentenced one of the country’s most prominent pro-democracy activists, Alaa Abdul Fattah, to 15 years in jail for illegal protest and attacking a police officer. Mr Abdul Fattah’s family said the verdict was issued in absentia as he was refused entry into the court. Mr Abdul Fattah played a key role in the 2011 revolt against Hosni Mubarak. The sentence comes three days after ex-army chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi took office as president. The authorities have cracked down harshly on Islamists and secular activists since former President Mohammed Morsi was removed by the military in July 2013. Hundreds have been killed and thousands arrested. ‘Concerns about democracy’ Mr Abdul Fattah was arrested in November after taking part in a protest calling for the repeal of a new law that banned unauthorised demonstrations. On Wednesday, his mother Laila Soueif told the BBC Mr Abdul Fattah had not been allowed into the court

for the verdict. “Alaa and his lawyers were outside the court. They were refused entry,” she said. “There was not justification for the judge to issue this verdict in absentia... we expected a court hearing with the prosecution and witnesses speaking. “I believe that the judicial

system in Egypt has nothing to do whatsoever with law and justice.” She added that the family would challenge the verdict. The campaigner was previously detained under Mr Mubarak’s government and questioned over demonstrations against the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013.

The harsh sentence will deepen concerns about democracy and free speech in Egypt, the BBC’s Orla Guerin in Cairo reports. In a recent BBC interview, Mr Abdul Fattah said the authorities intended to jail him for a very long time, and the current regime was worse than Mubarak’s, our correspondent adds.

Mr Abdul Fattah is viewed as an icon of the 2011 revolution

United Nations’ Ugandan appointee Sam Kutesa under fire

he expected election of Uganda’s foreign minister as UN General Assembly president in New York yesterday

has provoked opposition in the US. Politicians have joined thousands in signing a petition

Uganda’s Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa is said to have played a role in the nation’s new strict anti-gay law

urging UN member states to block Sam Kutesa because of his country’s treatment of gay people. Kutesa, 65, is Africa’s unanimous pick for the largely ceremonial role. But critics are opposed because in February Uganda passed a law threatening gays with life in prison. It would be “disturbing to see the foreign minister of a country that passed an unjust, harsh and discriminatory law’’ preside over the UN body, US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand told the Associated Press news agency. It is Africa’s turn to make the

ceremonial appointment, reports the BBC’s UN correspondent Nick Bryant, and Mr Kutesa represented the continent’s unanimous choice. Mr Kutesa, a lawyer and MP, has been Ugandan minister of foreign affairs since January 2005. On Wednesday, he is expected to be formally elected to the UNGA presidency. In response, more than 9,000 people have signed an online petition urging UN member states and US Secretary of State John Kerry to block Mr Kutesa’s appointment.

South Sudan government and rebels ‘agree to end fighting’

he government and rebels in South Sudan have agreed to end fighting and form a transitional government within 60 days, Ethiopia says. The regional Igad bloc, mediating the conflict, has threatened sanctions if they fail to abide by the agreement. It follows a rare meeting between President Salva Kiir and rebel chief Riek Machar in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Previous deals to end the violence have been broken by both sides, compounding the worsening humanitarian crisis. Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn announced the new agreement on

Tuesday, after President Kiir and Mr Machar met on the sidelines of an Igad summit on Tuesday, “If they don’t abide to this agreement, Igad as an organisation will act to implement peace in South Sudan. On that, we have different options including sanctions and [other] punitive actions as well,” he said. “There has been a growing tendency to continue with the war,” he added, criticising both sides for breaking a previous ceasefire agreed on 9 May. It is the first time South Sudan’s neighbours have issued such a warning, reflecting a growing frustrating with the South Sudanese leaders, correspondents

say. The US has already imposed sanctions on both sides of the conflict, singling out commanders loyal to both President Kiir and Mr Machar. The violence began in December when Mr Kiir accused his sacked deputy of plotting a coup. Mr Machar denied the allegation, but then marshalled a rebel army to fight the government. The battle assumed ethnic overtones, with Mr Machar relying heavily on fighters from his Nuer ethnic group and Mr Kiir from his Dinka community. Nearly four million people in

South Sudan, which seceded from Sudan in 2011, are now at risk of serious food insecurity, according to the UN. More than a million people have fled their homes since fighting erupted last December

South Sudan is the world’s newest state, becoming independent in 2011 after seceding from Sudan.

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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International

Iraq city of Tikrit falls to ISIL fighters T

he Iraqi city of Tikrit has been seized by fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, security sources have said, the second city to fall to the group in two days. According to Al Jazeera, gunmen had set up checkpoints around Tikrit, which lies between the capital Baghdad and Mosul, which was caputured by ISIL on Tuesday. “All of Tikrit is in the hands of the militants,” a police colonel told the AFP news agency. A police brigadier general told AFP that fighters attacked from the north, west and south of the city, and that they were from ISIL. A police major told the agency that the militants had freed about 300 inmates from a prison in the city, the capital of Salaheddin province. Meanwhile, sources said the nearby city of Kirkuk, home to Iraq’s biggest oil refinery, was also being attacked by ISIL. Sources told Al Jazeera that the fighters had guaranteed the safety tol Iraqi soldiers if they gave up their weapons. In Samarra, south of Tikrit, witnesses told the AFP

ISIL fighters

news agency that fighters had arrived in trucks mounted with machineguns, while a policeman said his unit was involved in fighting at the northwest entrance the city. Half a million people are believed to have fled Mosul, a quarter of the city’s population, since the city was taken over by ISIL on Tuesday. The Geneva-based International Organisation for Migration said the Mosul takeover had “displaced over 500,000

people in and around the city”. The Turkish government also said that ISIL had stormed its consulate in Mosul, taking staff and the consul captive. Imran Khan, reporting from Baghdad on Wednesday, said aid agencies were under pressure to deliver humanitarian aid as nobody had expected Mosul to fall quite so dramatically. Earlier yesterday, ISIL advanced into the oil-refinery town of Baiji before Iraq’s Fourth ArmouredDivison forced the group

to retreat. The group had threatened local police and soldiers not to challenge them and warned the town’s most prominent tribal leaders to lay down their weapons. “We are coming to die or control Baiji, so we advise you to ask your sons in the police and army to lay down their weapons.” In Baghdad yesterday, a suicide bomb destroyed a tent where elders were meeting in the Sadr City district, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens.

Iran casts doubt on nuclear deal deadline

ran has questioned whether a July deadline for a nuclear deal with world powers will be met after talks with senior US officials in Geneva. Iran’s talks with six major powers on curbing its nuclear programme in exchange for an end to Western sanctions could be extended for six months if no deal is reached by a July 20 deadline agreed by all parties, a senior Iranian official said. Abbas Araqchi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, said the talks were “fruitful” but that “divergences

Araqchi

remain and the consultations are going to continue”. He said the discussions were “intense and difficult, but they are taking place in a positive atmosphere,” the AFP news agency reported. Araqchi said it was “too soon to judge” whether more time was needed. “But the good thing is all parties are seriously committed to meet that goal,” he said of the July 20 target. “Whether we can do it or not is something else,” he told Iranian media in the Swiss city.

Asia & Middle East

Gaza rocket hits Israel, first time since Palestinian unity government formed

ilitants in the Gaza Strip fired a rocket into Israelyesterday for the first time since a Palestinian unity government was formed, prompting strong Israeli condemnation of President Mahmoud Abbas. After past rocket attacks, Israel has said it holds Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007, responsible, and frequently responds with air strikes on militant positions there. Israel gave no indication it planned to take any punitive action against Abbas’s West Bankbased Palestinian Authority, and there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the rocket strike, which caused no casualties or damage. But it said that now that the Western-backed Abbas had sworn in a government supported by Hamas Islamists in the Gaza Strip, he needed to take more action to prevent cross-border attacks. The official Palestinian WAFA news agency said Abbas condemned the attack and called on all Palestinian factions to hold their fire and “not give Israel any pretext” to strike in the Gaza Strip. Mark Regev, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said Abbas’s condemnation was “nothing but empty rhetoric”. In an emailed statement, Regev said: “President Abbas claims that the new Palestinian government honors all previous commitments. So why has he not disarmed the terrorist organizations in Gaza as he is obligated to do?” After the unity government was formed last week, Abbas pledged its continued commitment to existing interim peace deals with Israel. Israel said the administration was a front for Hamas, a group that advocates its destruction, and suspended peace negotiations with the Palestinian leadership.

Thai army delegation visits China amid Western reproach of coup

delegation of Thai military commanders travelled to China yesterday for talks on regional security and joint training amid Western reproach of the army’s seizure of power in a coup last month. General Surasak Kanjanarat, Thailand’s de facto defence minister, said the meeting was aimed at mapping out “future plans of action” with the Chinese army, one of its oldest regional allies. He did not elaborate on the plans. The bid by Thailand’s

military rulers to strengthen ties with China comes after Western powers, including old ally the United States, criticised the May 22 coup and called for a speedy return to democracy. The junta has said it has China’s support. “This meeting will be to talk about ties ... and future plans of action and exchange views on regional security,” Surasak, the head of the delegation, told reporters. “We will discuss in which areas we could increase military training. We will not talk about

the situation in Thailand because it is not relevant.” Surasak was due to meet the deputy chief-of-staff of the China’s army, LieutenantGeneral Wang Guanzhong. The coup was the latest convulsion in a decade-long conflict between the Bangkokbased royalist establishment and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his allies. The ousted government had been headed by the self-exiled, former telecommunications tycoon’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra.

Several foreign government have voiced disapproval of the co up , inc lu din g t he Un it e d

States, which scrapped joint military programmes days after the generals took power.

Thai Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha speaks during a meeting with Thai ambassadors at the Royal Thai Army Headquarters in Bangkok

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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International Europe and Americas

Colombia split over peace talks in election battle

wo camouflaged military helicopters dot the sky as Silvio Mora sweeps up remains of a freshly killed chicken at his backyard slaughter house in Colombia’s southern conflict zone of Putumayo. “At least peace may end that,” he says, pointing toward the troop carriers as vultures pick at the bloody slop he brushed into the jungle behind his concrete shack. “Look at how we live. The war has brought only misery, we need peace talks to work.” Mora, 45, turned to subsistence farming in the regional capital Puerto Asis after his 20 hectares (49 acres) of coca were fumigated during former President Alvaro Uribe’s hardline rule to stop Marxist rebels using the crop to produce cocaine. The father-of-four is among hundreds of thousands of Colombians in frontline areas who want President Juan Manuel Santos re-elected on Sunday so he can continue negotiating an end to five decades of war with guerrilla leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Yet many other voters, living in once-violent regions that were pacified during Uribe’s U.S.backed military offensives against the FARC, oppose the negotiations with rebel leaders and instead support Uribe’s candidate, rightwing opposition leader Oscar Ivan Zuluaga. Polls show the men neck-andneck ahead of the runoff vote in Colombia’s closest presidential race for two decades. Zuluaga says any peace deal must include prison terms for rebel leaders and a ban on entering politics. That could sink the talks and force an escalation of the military solution that Uribe favors. Santos would allow the rebels into politics and likely impose alternative sentences like community service. The two visions of how to end the war have split Colombia and turned the election on Sunday into a choice between making concessions to end Latin America’s longest-running insurgency or seeking the rebels’ surrender, on or off the battlefield. Voting patterns in the first round of the election last month showed strong support for center-right Santos in coastal and border areas where the conflict continues, like Putumayo, which once produced most of Colombia’s illegal coca leaves. Zuluaga won in provinces that benefited from Uribe’s relentless military push during his 20022010 rule, like rice-growing central Tolima and cattle-ranching Meta, where residents live in relative peace and their economies have improved.

Chile rejects $8bn damn project in Patagonia

Environmental groups protest the proposal to build five dams in a pristine river basin

resident Michelle Bachelet’s government has rejected a huge $8bn hydroelectric project in Chile’s Patagonia region, citing its adverse impact on the environment. The decision by the Chilean cabinet to shelve the controversial

seven-year-old scheme was a victory for environmentalist groups which fought the proposal to build five dams in a pristine river basin. “The Hidroaysen hydroelectric project is hereby rejected,” said Pablo Badenier, the environment minister.

Hundreds of people on Tuesday cheered the decision in the streets of Santiago and in the region of Aysen, about 1,300km south of the Chilean capital. Patricio Rodrigo, executive secretary of the Patagonia Defence Council, called the decision “the greatest triumph of the

environmental movement in Chile”. It “marks a turning point, where an empowered public demands to be heard and to participate in the decisions that affect their environment and their lives,” Rodrigo said. The joint Spanish-Chilean venture formed for the project now has 30 days to challenge the decision in the Environmental Court of Valdivia in southern Chile. The next step would be to appeal to the nation’s Supreme Court, the AFP news agency reported. Spanish power company Endesa, which is controlled by Italy’s Enel, has a 51 percent stake in the project, and Chile’s Colbun the remaining 49 percent. The project involved construction of a 2,000km long transmission line to carry power to the centre and north of the country, where Chile’s major population centres and energy-hungry mining industries are located.

Putin accuses Ukraine of sabotaging gas talks

ussian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine yesterday of forcing gas talks into a “dead end” by rejecting the offer of a cut in duty to resolve a price dispute that threatens supplies not just to Ukraine but to the rest of Europe. Talks ended with Kiev demanding contract changes to bring down the highest prices in Europe for Russian gas supplies, and Moscow suggesting its proposed cut of about one-fifth to around $385 per 1,000 cubic metres was its final offer. Further negotiations could take

place by phone before Monday, when Moscow has threatened to halt supplies. The dispute is part of a broader stand-off between Ukraine and its former Soviet master, as Kiev’s new West-leaning leadership struggles to contain a pro-Russian separatist rebellion in its eastern provinces. Arguments over how much Russia charges for its gas have rumbled on for years and led to supply cut-offs in 2006 and 2009. Putin, meeting his government outside Moscow, said Russia had offered a discount of $100 per 1,000 cubic metres by removing an export

duty. That would roughly bring it in line with the price paid by other European consumers. “The reduction is too little for our Ukrainian partners; they want more, although it’s not clear on what basis,” he said. “If this is the case, then it seems that the issue is being driven into a dead end.” The latest crisis flared with the overthrow of Ukraine’s Moscow-leaning president Viktor Yanukovich in February, after which Moscow annexed its neighbour’s Crimea region and nearly doubled the price Kiev has to pay for gas. Russian gas exporter Gazprom

had been charging a preferential rate as part of Moscow’s effort to keep Ukraine from drifting into the orbit of the European Union.

ransport in major European cities has been disrupted by twin strikes, affecting taxis and rail services. Two-thirds of trains did not run in some areas of France in a strike against reforms and taxis blocked roads, including around major airports. There were demonstrations by taxi drivers in Madrid, London, Milan, Berlin and several other cities. They are protesting at w h at t h e y re g a rd a s a l a c k of regulation of rival mobile service Uber.

The biggest taxi associations in the Spanish capital asked their drivers to observe a 24hour stoppage until 06:00 this morning. More than 15,000 licensed vehicles operate in Madrid, Spanish media say. N o t a x i s w e re v i s i b l e a t Barajas airport or Atocha station, reports said, despite Uber not yet being available in the capital. At one point, a car suspected of being a private taxi came under attack from demonstrators. The strike was also being observed in Barcelona, where the mobile app is in operation.

Putin

Taxi, rail strikes hit European cities T

During a 24-hour protest in Madrid, cab drivers surrounded a car suspected of being a private taxi

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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Strange World

Ball-size hail leaves US town looking like a war zone

A house and car damaged by the hailstorm

arlier this month, a ferocious hailstorm wreaked havoc throughout the American Midwest. Several cities were badly affected, but perhaps none as much as Bray, a small town in Nebraska. The hailstones that hit Bray were unbelievably large, roughly the size of tennis balls. Naturally, the town was completely battered – the storm left it looking like a

war zone with houses and vehicles almost completely destroyed. Large chunks were ripped out of houses and the paint was torn off the walls. The cars in the town looked as though they had been through a gang war – with the windscreens and windows completely smashed in. Although tornadoes were reported in the region, the hailstones did the most of the damage, wreaking havoc among the locals. Over 20

people from Bray were injured as well; they were rushed to the emergency room, but none were seriously hurt. Other Nebraska towns are also struggling with the same fate. “The worst part is it lasted 10 minutes and it was over,” said Scott Hayek, a resident of Nebraska 41 on the east edge of the business district. “Every one of these vehicles is junk pretty much.” His own home was severely hit; he fixed up the broken

windows with sheets of plywood and strapped tarps to his damaged vehicles. But he’s just glad that his family is safe. “There’s a lot of damage in town,” said Terry Hynek, owner of the Wilber Meat Market. His store suffered broken windows. “As a whole we can feel lucky because things can be fixed and things can be replaced. The damage could have been worse with the amount of wind and hail. It made you feel

like the small town feeling is back because sometimes we lose that. We’re a caring community, but we had a special feeling last night.” The local lumber company had kept its doors open throughout the night of the storm so people could get plywood and other materials to cover their broken windows. Megan Howe, from Clatonia, lost five windows and a tree, and had gaping holes in her slate sliding. The Wilber Care Center, where she works, lost 15 windows. Dustin Wallman, a resident of Pickrell, said that the town was hit hard by 45 mph winds. He even saved a few of the large hailstones in his freezer. According to Mike Hollingshead, a daredevil who chases storms, some of the hailstones that hit the region had a circumference of 4.25 inches. He actually chased the hailstorm all the way from Norfolk to Blair in Nebraska, taking brilliant photographs of the storm clouds and the damage caused. “It was pretty sweet looking,” he wrote. “It seemed worth changing course to check this storm – and I even wanted to drive into the big hail. Some of the stones were the size of a grapefruit. It sounds like most of them were tennis to baseball size, but if you set out looking hard enough for the biggest stone you’d be sure to find much bigger.” I suppose it’s really okay to admire just how big and beautiful these hailstones were, given the fact that no one was seriously injured. As for repairing the damage done to property, costs are expected to soar to millions of dollars. Fortunately, it’s all covered by insurance.

World’s most luxurious ice cubes are carved by hand, cost $325

ost people are happy to use regular, homemade ice cubes in their drinks. But there is actually such a thing as a perfect, ‘luxury’ ice cube, available to those who can afford it. It is supposed be healthier and last longer than those measly chunks of ice we have lying around in our freezers. The concept of healthy ice, I must say, sounds ridiculous. And so does the price – a whopping $325.50 for a bag of 50 cubes. That sure is a lot of money for frozen water, don’t you think? But according to the manufacturers, Gläce Luxury Ice Co, these cubes are definitely worth the dough, because they provide ‘minimum dilution and maximum cooling’. Their luxury ice is also tasteless, which allows consumers to ‘maximise the beverage experience’ at high profile parties and events. In fact the company insists that the good old-fashioned way of making ice – filling

plastic trays with water – might actually be damaging people’s health. “Traditional machine-ice, generally made with local tap water, may contain upwards of 150 impurities and carcinogens, resulting in poor tasting and potentially unhealthy ice,” they claim. Because high quality drinks deserve high quality cooling, Gläce Ice is supposed to be the solution to all our cooling needs. Each cube is hand-carved from a 300-pound, 8,000-cubic inch block of purified ice, which is made by freezing water from the outside so the center of the ice is stirred to allow gases to escape. When they are almost frozen, they are drained and replaced with sprayed layers, making them perfectly clear in appearance. Then, they are shaped into cubes or spheres, completely clear and free from impurities. The cubes measure exactly 2.5 inches on each side, and can last up to 40 minutes in a drink. The spheres are supposed to be ‘the

most mathematically efficient way to cool your drink’ – they can last for 20 to 30 minutes, owing to

their smaller size. The ice is then stuffed and sold in re-sealable bags, with a one-way air valve to

Glace ice cubes

push out possibly dirty ambient air. So even if they do melt, you are left with a bag of pristine water.

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Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

Digest

Is the noise of modern life making you ill? W

e are surrounded by the sounds of the machinery that make our lives comfortable and convenient. The constant thrum of traffic, the thunder of jet engines overhead. But when we have to listen to these noises for too long or at the wrong time, they can inflict silent and stealthy damage. Increasing evidence shows this damage isn’t just to our ears, but to our blood vessels and hearts. Nor is this just a problem for people who live near busy roads or under flight paths. New research suggests noise pollution also causes harm in places such as hospitals. Last week the world’s experts gathered in Japan to discuss the latest findings about noise and health. Perhaps most eye-catching was the study that linked noise pollution to your waist size. In a four-year project published last year, researchers from Karolinska University in Sweden found that the louder the traffic noise to which people in different parts of Stockholm were exposed, the greater the increase in their waist size - there was nearly a centimetre increase for every tendecibel rise in the noise levels. This is like the difference between a whispered conversation and the noise level in an average house or personal office. Last month, scientists from Karolinska University found an even more dramatic effect from plane noise. After tracking more than 5,000 people for ten years, they reported that the waistlines of those most exposed to plane noise increased on average by 6 cm. A similar study last year by the School of Public Health at Imperial College London found that being exposed to higher levels of aircraft noise around Heathrow raised the risk of admission to hospital for heart disease by 20 per cent. The effects of noise pollution are even felt by babies in the womb. In another of the studies presented at last week’s conference, researchers from Utrecht University in the Netherlands examined data from more than 68,000 births and found that for every six-decibel increase in

Being exposed to higher levels of aircraft noise raised the risk of admission to hospital for heart disease

The waistlines of those most exposed to plane noise increased on average by 6 cm traffic noise there was a drop of 15g to 23g in birth weight. Low birth weight is linked to a range of long-term health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Of course, the most common response to noise exposure is annoyance. But while this may be limited to making you feel angry or exhausted, a major review of research published in the Lancet last October showed it can also disturb sleep and increase the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. It also affects schoolchildren’s academic performance. ‘We are gathering more and more evidence that noise in the environment can have a direct effect on health,’ says Professor Adrian Davis, one of the authors of the Lancet review and director of population health science for Public Health England. What is unsettling is that noise pollution can affect you without you even consciously hearing it. At night, heavy traffic is a major cause of insomnia, with all the knock-on effects of missing out on the restorative phase of sleep, such as depression, weight gain, raised blood sugar levels as well as daytime sleepiness. The result can be an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. But the noise doesn’t even have to keep you awake to have an impact.

When the Imperial College researchers monitored sleepers’ blood pressure, they found it went up in response to a quite low sound, such as a passing car - even though this might register only 50 decibels, and even though the sleeper didn’t wake. ‘It seems as if the subconscious never stops monitoring what is going on around you,’ says Professor Paul Elliott, an epidemiologist (expert in the incidence of disease) at Imperial College. Noise pollution makes you fat So, what’s going on here? How can the sound of traffic make you put on weight or raise you risk of heart disease? ‘The connection comes from stress,’ says Professor Elliott. It dates back to our Stone Age ancestors, he says, explaining that back then, being alert to new sounds around you could mean the difference between life and death. ‘In the wild, sounds are often a sign that something dangerous might be about to happen,’ he says. ‘When they catch our attention because they are new or annoying, our bodies produce stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, to make us ready to fight or flee.’ These hormones raise energy and

Heavy traffic is a major cause of insomnia, with all the knockon effects of missing out on restorative sleep

make blood more ready to clot. That’s good for a short-term emergency when you may be injured, but long term it’s one of the factors pushing up heart attack risk - which might explain the link between noise pollution and heart disease. One of the chemicals from this cocktail, cortisol, is a hormone that makes it more likely you will pack on the pounds around the middle. This is the so-called visceral fat that also pushes up heart attack risk. Noise can also increase blood pressure, another risk factor. When we’re stressed, the endothelium - the fine lining of the arteries - contracts, raising blood pressure. The effect of noise stress isn’t limited to making us physically ill, it can also make it harder to concentrate, especially for children. The background noise in the classroom shouldn’t be more than 35 decibels, but that can be doubled by cars passing by or planes overhead. Research shows heavy traffic or being under a flight path is linked with learning more slowly. The children pay less attention or become more annoyed. Hospital din can harm patients Around 20 per cent of people in the EU have to put up with traffic noise greater than 65 decibels in the day, while nearly a third have noise measurements greater than 55 decibels

outside their houses at night - the level that can trigger problems, says the World Health Organisation. A level of 45 decibels and below is considered ideal. The problem isn’t limited to towns and cities. Aircraft fly over the countryside and agricultural machinery can be intrusive. And as Anna Hansell, a doctor at Public Health England, explains: ‘If aircraft noise has an effect on the heart, then so might other sorts of noise that people find stressful - such as building works or constant loud music from neighbours.’ One of the big shocks of the Lancet report was the harm caused by noise in hospitals. The review found that noise levels in hospitals have increased and are typically 15 to 20 decibels higher than the recommended 40 decibels - that’s the difference between the hum of a fridge and someone practising the piano. Intensive care units, which look after some of the most vulnerable patients whose systems are already stressed, can be full of ‘irregular’ sounds such as alarms sounding, phone ringtones and pagers going off, staff chatting and doors banging open and shut. These are just the sort of sounds that can trigger the damaging stress ‘startle’ response to noise. The result is patients take longer to heal, need higher doses of painkillers and are likely to be readmitted to hospital, according to the Lancet review. The review also found that staff, too, are affected by this constant noise, making them tired and suffer headaches. As Professor Davis points out: ‘Many of these noise sources can be dealt with simply with soundabsorbing ceilings and cutting the volume of ring tones - that would lower the rate of cardiovascular disease.’ Crying babies aren’t a risk The decibel levels linked to health problems such as cardiovascular disease don’t seem too high - just 50 to 60 decibels for traffic noise. That’s not very different from having a conversation (60 decibels), let alone a crying baby (100 decibels) or a rock concert (120 and up). So, why is traffic noise harmful and a screaming baby not? ‘There are several reasons why you can’t compare them directly,’ says Dr Hansell. Source: Dailymail.co.uk

The sound of a screaming baby may be stressful, but it doesn’t keep going 24/7 for four or more years

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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National Congress: APC zones chairmanship to South-South By Umar Muhammad Puma

arely twenty four hours to its national convention, the National Convention and Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has zoned the position of National Chairman, Deputy National Secretary and Deputy National Legal Adviser to the South-South. At the end of its caucus meeting yesterday held in Abuja, the party agreed to zone its incoming National Executive Committee, with the position of Deputy National Chairman, National Financial Secretary and the National Legal Adviser going to the South West, while the position of National Organising Secretary, National Auditor, Deputy Finance Secretary and Deputy Women Leader were zoned to the South East. Positions of the National Publicity Secretary, National Women Leader, Deputy Treasurer and Deputy Welfare Secretary were zoned to the North Central while the North East will take the position National Secretary, National Youth Leader and Deputy National Auditor. North West is to produce Deputy National Chairman, Welfare Secretary, National Treasurer and Deputy National Organising secretary. Each of the six geo-political zones is expected to produce one Zonal National Vice Chairman, one Zonal Women Leader, one Zonal Youth Leader and one Ex-Officio. The South-South candidates in the race for the position of the party’s National Chairman are Former Governor of Edo State, Chief Mr Odigie-Oyegun and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, former Bayelsa state governor, Timipre Silva, among others. The party’s decision, it was gathered, was a fall-out of the northern governors support for the emergence a South-South aspirant as the next National Chairman of the party in order to pave way for the emergence of a Northern Presidential candidate at the parties primaries. The meeting has in attendance the former Head of State, General Muhammad Buhari, Sen.Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, Sen. Ali Modu Sherrif, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Aminu Bello Masari, Mallam Nasir EL-Rufai, Sen. Bukola Saraki, Sen.Danjuma Goje, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu.

R-L: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidates in Ekiti and Osun states, Mr. Ayo Fayose and Senator Iyiola Omisore, answering questions from journalists after their meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

Mu’azu denies plot to gag press

By Lawrence Olaoye

ational Chairman of the Peoples DemocraticParty (PDP), Alh. Adamu Mu’azu, has denied the report that he warned newsman against carrying negative reports of the activities of the party at his inaugural meeting with journalists sometimes ago. Mu’azu in a statement signed by his Special Assistant (ICT), Akin Oyegoke, stated “The attention of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu is once again drawn to yet another misleading article in one of the online media, Sahara Reporters,

...urges members to unite ahead of 2015 elections

on the 9th of June 2014 in which it reported that Adamu Mu’azu has said “he will not tolerate any negative report from the media when he resumed office. “We wish to state that the National Chairman of the PDP during his chat with the press corps covering the PDP spoke on various issues affecting the party and the nation and gave a roadmap to reposition the party as is visible today in the current positive developments in the PDP. He also applauded the contribution of the Nigerian press in their reportage and at no time admonished members of the media as was captioned in the

said article. “The Chairman clearly understands the constitutional role of the media as it is well spelt out and will always work to protect it especially knowing the contribution of the press to the emergence of the present democratic institution in Nigeria. “We therefore wish to urge the media to abide by all ethics and privileges of the press in their reportage and continue to remain an unbiased umpire, show transparency, neutrality and above all remember that democracy is the only vehicle to actualize the freedom that we all enjoy today, there is no

alternative to democracy,” he said. In a related development, the PDP National Chairman has urged party members to unite to conduct free, fair credible primaries ahead of 2015 general elections. Speaking at the weekly meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, Mu’azu said “We should be united to conduct free, fair and credible primaries as that would enable the party win elections”. The NWC also celebrated Mu’azu on his 59th birthday, taking turns to pay glowing tribute to him.

Nigeria not ripe for part-time legislature, says Sen. Tinubu

enator Oluremi Tinubu yesterday said that Nigeria was not ripe for part-time legislators. Tinubu, who represents Lagos Central Senatorial District in the Senate, spoke with newsmen at the 11th town hall meeting she organised to empower her constituents in Lagos. She said that part-time legislating would be counterproductive, except the nation had a better constitution. ``There is nothing wrong with part-time legislating if the entire system in Nigeria is working well. ``With the situation in the country, the oversight function of the legislature has become so

huge that part-time meetings cannot handle it for now,’’ she said. According to her, a part-time legislature is a very delicate issue for the country and there is the need for Nigerians to be careful with the laws they intended to pass. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that delegates at the ongoing National Conference had proposed that legislators in the Nigerian Parliament should function on part-time basis to reduce the cost of governance. Earlier, while addressing members of her constituency, Tinubu, said that there was hope that Nigeria would overcome all

odds and rise above its challenges. The senator, however, said that efforts must be geared toward addressing problems of education and healthcare, among others, in the country. She identified them as some of the underlying issues promoting insecurity in the country. The senator said: ``Our march towards the Nigeria of our dreams will be hindered if insecurity persists. ``I have tried to play my part by channeling my legislative efforts, constituency empowerment initiatives and infrastructure projects obtained through various committees toward education, economic empowerment, poverty

alleviation and rehabilitation of those at the crossroads of life.’’ NAN reports that 15 physically challenged persons received the sum of N100, 000 each as startup capital for businesses under the Oluremi Tinubu Good Boys and Girls Empowerment Scheme. She also presented free forms to 220 beneficiaries aspiring to sit for the forthcoming GCE examinations. The Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs Oluronti Adegbunle; a former Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Femi Pedro and some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress were among dignitaries at the event. (NAN)

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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Politics

APC raises alarm over alleged PDP’s desperation to win Ekiti election From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm on the alleged desperation of the PDP-led federal government to capture Ekiti State at all cost at the June 21st gubernatorial election. The party in a statement said the ongoing clampdown on the national media was part of a grand strategy to silence Nigerians ahead of the satanic plan to thwart the will of the people of Ekiti and indeed that of all Nigerians. In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the multi-pronged approach started with the harassment and intimidation of the people of Ekiti to prevent them from coming out to vote on 21 June. ‘’The pre-meditated violence inflicted on innocent and harmless Ekiti people last Sunday by the police, which has now turned itself to PDP enforcers, is aimed clearly at signalling to the people of the state what they should expect before, during and after the forthcoming election,’’ it said APC said that was being followed up by a clampdown on all those who could challenge the federal government’s planned impunity in Ekiti, starting with the nation’s fiercely independent media. ‘’The clampdown on the media has nothing to do with Boko Haram or any ‘’intelligence’’ report. That is a ruse. Journalists do not carry weapons. They only fight with words. In fact, this terror band called Boko Haram has had occasions to threaten the media with attack over their reports exposing the terrorists

for what they are. Therefore, the unprecedented and utterly indefensible clampdown on the media is part of a sinister plot that is not unconnected with the elections scheduled for this and next year. ‘’The PDP-led federal government’s strategy is simple: We must capture Ekiti at all cost, even when we may not have the votes to win the state. After that, we can then dare anyone who alleges rigging or election manipulation to head to court. In the meantime, we must tamper with the freedom of expression and the right to information, of which the media is at the vanguard,’’ APC said. The party said anyone who

believes this strategy is far fetched only needs to look at the groundwork that has been laid for it by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, who picked both the Minister of Police Affairs and the Minister of State for Defence from the Southwest. ‘’This federal government sees the South-west as very critical to the President’s chances of getting re-elected next year, and has thus turned it to a battleground. They are desperate to capture Ekiti and Osun, which they see as the road to the heart of the Southwest next year. That explains their desperation about the elections in the two states,’’ it said. APC however said that the

federal government has shot itself in the foot, first with the deadly attack on defenceless citizens in Ekiti, including the governor of the state, and then the senseless and irresponsible clamp down on the national media, the same media that no dictator in the history of Nigeria has succeeded in silencing. The party urged the PDP-led federal government to desist from its satanic plot and allow the people of Ekiti and indeed the people of Nigeria to choose their leaders in free, fair and transparent elections, warning that while a standing army or a tyrannical government can indeed suppress a people, no where in the world have they succeeded in defeating the people, the ultimate reservoir of power.

Osun state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, addressing a crowd, during his re-election campaign, on Tuesday at Ila/Ifedayo/Boluwaduro Federal Constituency, in Ila Orangun, Osun state.

Niger governor urges elected councillors to foster unity From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

iger state governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has urged elected councillors in the country to foster unity irrespective of political differences so as to better the lots of the people at the grass root level. Aliyu made the call at the National Councillors of Nigeria Forum 6th National Convention held in Minna yesterday with the theme: General election--The role

of councillors in the grass root Mobilization and Promotion of National Unity. Represented by his Special Adviser on Political matters, Mr Tony Lanko, who urged them to be in touch with their people at all times because it is through them that government impact could be felt even as he told the forum to start mobilizing their people as 2015 elections draw nearer to shun the syndrome of money politics rather then voting for people

who will represent them in their respective elective offices. Aliyu counseled the members of the forum to be security conscious in their localities in order to maintain peace in their domain by sharing and discussing with the people they directly represent. “We share the burden and sympathize with those parts where there is violence and prayed that the menace will soon end.” He added that the proactive

nature on security issues was what saved Niger state as it remained the most peaceful state in the country. National President of National Councillors Forum, Hon. Usman Ibrahim Mohammed, said their duty was to partner not to be confrontational with the executives for the development of the grass root in Nigeria while reassuring of their determination to succeed in their constitutional responsibilities.

Group commends Jonathan for sustaining democracy By Edoamaowo Udeme

political pressure group known as PDP patriotic Citizen Association (PPCA) has commended the PDP federal government for successfully leading Nigeria through the past fifty years of uninterrupted democratic experience. A statement by its National president, Mr Larry Agboh said despite the enormous challenges facing the country, successive PDP led Federal government has impacted positively on the growth of democracy in Nigeria since 1999. According to Agboh, even the threat of Boko Haram insurgency in some parts of Northern states should not discourage Nigerians from being fully committed to the growth of democracy in the country. “We as an Association which believes strongly that democracy remains the best system of government in any society, ‘’ he explained. The Association president welcome President Goodluck Jonathan’s desire to offer amnesty to members of Boko Haram in order to secure the release of the abducted girls so as to ensure peace returns to Nigeria in the of development. Agbo called on PDP members across the country to close ranks irrespective of personal difference so as to overcome the many challenges facing the government in Nigeria. Meanwhile, Mr. Inyang Emaeyak Essien, the Akwa Ibom State coordinator of PPCA said the group is in full support of the zoning arrangement that emanated from Town Hall meetings organised by H.E. Gov. Godswill Akpabio and the party leadership in the state which has zoned the 2015 gubernatorial slot of the PDP to Eket Senatorial District. Mr. Inyang Essien explained that the move by Governor Godswill Akpabio is to ensure peace, justice, and equity in the state and called on all peace loving people of Akwa Ibom to support the decision.

Osun NCP guber candidate promises massive investments in agriculture

r Olanrewaju Afolayanka, the National Conscience Party (NCP) gubernatorial candidate for Osun, yesterday promised to embark on massive investment in agriculture if elected. Afolayanka made the promise in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo. The NCP gubernatorial candidate in the Aug. 9

governorship election in Osun also promised to subsidise farm inputs and provide soft loans to farmers. ``Food is man’s most important need. In order to ensure that nutritious and affordable food is made available to our people, the NCP government will take advantage of the state’s rich natural endowments. “This will be done by embarking on massive investment in food crops and livestock farming while

farmers ‘cooperatives will also be encouraged. “Agricultural subsidies in terms of seeds, tools, equipment, grants and soft loan will be provided. “We will produce not only to meet the food needs of our people internally but also for export to other countries,” he said. Afolayanka also promised to give priority to the problem of unemployment in the state if elected.

“Our government will make conscious, serious, honest and well organised efforts to deal with the problem of unemployment in the state. “Employment will not only be provided, there will be job security until retirement. “We will not only create jobs, a living minimum wage will be introduced and it will rise periodically as inflation rises. “Our government will ensure

that unemployment allowance is given to unemployed graduates,” he said. He said all other programmes of the party in the area of health, housing, education, water, electricity, transport, telecommunication and security would be actualised. Afolayanka also urged the electorate to come out en mass to vote for the party during the election.(NAN)

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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News Extra Jigawa youths volunteer to pick garbage

L-R: Dr. Babatope Oluseun Ajakaiye, Hajiya Binta Lami Adamu Bello, and Ambassador Danjuma Nanpon, taking oath during the swearing in ceremony of new permanent secretaries, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

Photo: Joe Oroye

Gov Aliyu advocates adequate funding of research in Nigeria From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

iger state governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has called for adequate funding of research if Nigeria must join the global technological trend as beneficiaries of such funds, to key into the concept from inception to the final evaluation of research work. Aliyu, who made the call in Minna yesterday, when he received on a courtesy call the Permanent Secretary Ministry

of Science and Technology Mrs. Winifred Ita at the Government House, added that the place of research in the technological development of any society cannot be overemphasized. “There should be a way for beneficiaries of research findings to key into research work from inception to fruition; they should even participate in the funding of the research”. The Governor noted that most institutions charged with carrying out research works in the country have gone comatose because those

that are supposed to galvanize them to action have not done so. He argued that with the 1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expected to be devoted to research work in the country , which is a lot of money; going by the currently rebased GDP of the country’ the nation has a lot of resources to plough into research work. Aliyu stressed that parents in particular should encourage their wards to study science-related and other professional courses as a way of bridging the wide gap

existing between graduates of liberal arts and the sciences in the country. Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Winifred Ita, who said she was in the state in preparation for the National Council of Science and Technological conference, expected to hold in the Niger state capital later in the month, said the federal government has been laying a lot of emphasis on research as one of the ways to improve the economy of the nation.

Oshiomhole mourns Dora Akunyili From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

overnor Adams Oshiomhole has described the Late Professor Dora Akunyili, one-time Minister of Information and DirectorGeneral of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), as a true Amazon, who left her imprints in the sands of time. In a condolence message, issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria,

…says she was an Amazon Oshiomhole said: “Professor Dora Akunyili was a true patriot, who put the country’s interest above her personal comforts as she displayed extreme courage, discipline, honesty and incorruptibility as DirectorGeneral of NAFDAC. “She displayed an uncommon trait when she returned an unspent medical allowance to the coffers of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), as South-East

Zonal Secretary of the Fund, an act which stood her out in and earned her elevation to the exalted position of DirectorGeneral of NAFDAC”, the governor stated. “A true Amazon, Dora Akunyili put her life on the line in her efforts to sanitise and salvage the nation’s drug industry and earned the ire of fake drugs’ importers who almost snuffed the life out of her in a desperate

bid to continue in their nefarious and unwholesome business. “Even as she battled with illhealth, she ignored her personal discomforts as she was keen to contribute her quota to the national discourse as a member of the ongoing National Conference. “Dora’s sense of patriotism and commitment to the unity of the country defined her engagements through her trajectory in public service.

Books importation: TETFund establishes 9 publishing centres By Maryam Garba Hassan

he Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has established nine publishing centres across the country, in its efforts to discourage book importation meant for tertiary institutions in the country. Chairperson, TETFund Book Development Committee (BDC), Prof. Patricia Donli disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, while fielding questions from the press at the end of a general meeting of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG)

of the committee. Donli said the establishment of the centres was for publishing TETFund’s books and to address the degeneration of tertiary institution in the nation as a result of lack of good text books in various libraries. She said another reason for the establishment of the centres was to discourage the importation of books in the country which Nigeria’s higher institutions depend on. She said so far, 50 professional journals have been published by

the TETFund while publication of another 50 journals is in progress. The Professor expressed worry over the inability of University of Ibadan to publish the 20 books sponsored by the TETFund even as it received the sum of N7million for the publication a long time ago. Earlier, Chairman of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, who was represented by the Chairman subcommittee on Book Development, Prof. Charles Aworth disclosed that the TETFund Book Development Fund (BDF) intervention was

initiated to address problems affecting tertiary institutions regarding text books. He said from inception to date, the committee had reviewed over 200 thesis and selected 50 that are worthy for conversion into books after scrutiny by academicians, adding that in the end only 11 theses were found worthy for conversion into books. According to him, “So far, eight thesis and 12 professionals have been converted into books and would be printed by University of Ibadan, by July 15.

everal youths in Jigawa under the aegis of National Volunteers for Lamido (YVL) have taken to the streets of Dutse, the state capital, to pick trash and rubbish that littered some parts of the state. The youths, comprising of males and females, thronged the state in their droves, picking polythene bags, plastic sachets and containers, cans, papers and any rubbish they came across on the way. Our correspondent, who visited the scene, observed that the members were able-bodied youths, mostly civil servants that have volunteered to sanitise the state. The Special Assistant to the Governor on Students Affairs, Alhaji Umar Danjani said the youths have volunteered out of their own interest to defend some legacies that the state governor has been able to entrench. Alhaji Danjani told our reporter that the effort is conceived by the members and are serving the state freely, in partnership with the state’s Task Force on Environmental Sanitation.

Product counterfeiting worse than HIV/ aids, malaria scourge-NAFDAC From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

he National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), North-West Zonal Co-ordinator, Pharmacists E. S Iful has disclosed that the evil of product counterfeiting is worse than malaria, HIV/AIDS and armed robbery. Iful made the disclosure, yesterday in Katsina, in a paper presented at a three-day NAFDAC stakeholders consultative and enlightenment forum in Katsina. He added: “This is because Malaria or HIV can be prevented and armed robbery may kill a few at a time, but counterfeit/fake drugs kill en masse”. The zonal co-ordinator stated that social problems posed by hard drugs, cocaine, heroin and other related illicit drugs cannot be compared with the damage done by fake drugs. He noted that consumption of unwholesome foods was a major cause of food-borne disease and poisoning, with serious social, economic and health-related problems, adding that potassium bromate used as bread enhancer is associated with cancer of the kidney. The co-ordinator averred that their experience on the field while performing their regulatory responsibilities have shown that substantial level of non-compliance was due to ignorance or insufficient knowledge about the agency.

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Photo Splash

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

L-R: Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Professor Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali, in a handshake with President Goodluck Jonathan, after taken his oath, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

L-R: Head of Registration, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr Zainab Makarfi; Head of Zonal Offices Operations, Alhaji Idris Mohammed, and Executive Secretary, Dr Femi Thomas, during NHIS workshop for zonal and state coordinators, yesterday in Enugu. Photo: NAN

Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu (M) with NAWOJ officials during the introductory visit of newly elected North-East NAWOJ zonal secretary to the emir, yesterday in Bauchi. Photo: NAN

L-R: Senator Oluremi Tinubu, a beneficiary of Senator Tinubu’s Empowerment Programme, Mrs. Bola Badmus and Secretary to Lagos state Government, Dr Oluranti Adebule, during the 11th Senator Oluremi Tinubu town hall meeting, yesterday in Lagos. Photo: NAN

Participants at a workshop on voters’ education for principals of secondary schools and electoral officers, yesterday in Bauchi. Photo: NAN

SporT 41 Page

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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

People running away from tear gas fired by police during the fifth day of metro workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; protest in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The protest has affected World Cup preparations especially the World Cup opening match of today

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Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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Sports

Brazil eyes win against Croatia as World Cup begins today

razil is expected to storm through their opening matches of the World Cup. But if Luiz Felipe Scolari’s team show any big-game nerves, Group A opposition could unsettle their ambitions. The opening clash against Croatia in Sao Paulo will set the tone for a group that promises to offer unpredictability and intrigue, and not just from Neymar and his team of samba superstars. With all the pressure on hosts Brazil, they may not like to be reminded that the side weighed down by expectations in an opening match of World Cup do have a history of running into trouble. Neymar (Brazil): Expectations will weigh heavily on the shoulders of this magical Barcelona forward, who has been one of the faces of this World Cup in the build-up to

the tournament. The football family is waiting to see if he can live up to the hype. Luka Modric (Croatia): A classy performer in the heart of the midfield for Real Madrid and Croatia, Modric will take centre-stage for the national team in a more reserved role than this attack-minded creative maestro may prefer. Brazil is expected to win Group A, so the battle for second is all important, and Croatia’s hopes and ambitions are likely to be defined by their opening two games. With uncertainty surrounding Mexico and Cameroon’s form heading into the World Cup, Croatia appear to be favourites to challenge for second spot, yet it’s not hard to imagine a scenario that sees them collecting just one point from their first two games. Host nation Brazil is the

World Cup: Adamawa shuts down TV viewing centres over insecurity By Albert Akota

he Adamawa Government has banned the operation of football viewing centres indefinitely in the state. The state government said in a statement by Ahmad Sajoh, Director Press and Public Affairs to Governor Murtala Nyako, that the ban was based on the advice of the Nigerian Army. The statement said the government regretted any inconvenience caused by the action to the teeming football fans and the owners of the viewing centres. There has been growing concern over the safety of viewing centres in Adamawa following last Sunday’s bomb attack on a pub in Mubi. The beer parlours also serve as football viewing centres at Kabang ward of Mubi town where the incident claimed many lives. The ban, many football fans will not be able to watch the 2014 World Cup matches from

the centres which had sprung up across the state. The 20th FIFA World Cup in Brazil will kick off on 12 June while Nigeria will play their first match against Iran on June 16.

Gov. Murtala Nyako

headliner of Group A, which features a team from four different continents. The other three teams aren’t considered title contenders, and history agrees. No team has ever emerged from Brazil’s group to win the World Cup. Meanwhile, the Brazilians are still in protest over what they described as hardship to the economy. Brazil remains unprepared to deal with the influx of an estimated 500,000 tourists who will arrive in the country for the World Cup. Airports and stadiums in several of Brazil’s 12 host cities remain unfinished, while droughts have placed a significant strain on the country’s power grid. As dissent mounts, many people now believe that Brazil’s World Cup will be a disaster.

Neymar

Modric

Keshi debunks Echejile must stay report …Ejike arrives Sao Paulo T he Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi has debunked news making the rounds that he has insisted on keeping injured Elderson Echejile in camp against medical advise, adding that he never spoke to any Nigerian journalist on the matter. Reacting to the story, Keshi said he was pained that Echejile, who is a very key member of the squad, will be missing out after putting in so much but there was nothing he could do to hasten the healing process. “We have spoken to the medical team and the NFF and we have agreed, so I was a bit shocked when I got a call from some of my friends back home that I insisted on an injured player. It’s a fallacy because I never spoke to anyone about Echejile”. Ejike Uzoenyi, the Rangers International winger who was named by Keshi as replacement will arrive Brazil by 4pm local time from Nigeria. Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, said all logistics to receive and reintegrate him into the team quickly have been made.

Ejike Uzoenyi

NSC raises alarm over Eagles’ World Cup outing

he Director of Federations and Elite Athletes in the National Sports Commission (NSC) Bolaji OjoOba has said the Super Eagles might be shown the exit door in the first round of the 2014 Fifa World Cup if they underrate any of their group opponents. Coach Stephen Keshi’s men are pooled in Group F alongside Bosnia, Iran and

Argentina of the 20th edition of the quadrennial global football showpiece. According to him, the 2-1 defeat of the Eagles to USA in their last friendly match was a blessing for Keshi’s side as it will afford them the opportunity to correct their mistakes before taking on Iran in their first game of the tournament. “My biggest fear is that we

have continued to underrate some of the teams in our group which ought not to be. None of the 32 countries in Brazil can pass for a pushover. So, we cannot afford to underrate any of them,” The former secretary general of the NFF Ojo-Oba said. When asked to rate the level of preparedness of the team, he said the team have all it takes to do well in Brazil while urging

Keshi to raise a good team that will make the nation proud. “I will say so far so good, the coach has done a tremendous job to put in place a solid team. The good thing is that the team keeps improving with every match. “Although we lost the tie against USA, the encounter will give the technical crew the ample opportunity to correct one or two mistakes ahead of the real

battle. “Even though I cannot stake my neck, I want to however say that the team will do well. Doing well is elastic and I know that it is too early to predict if the team will play in the quarterfinals or semifinals. “We will think of how to cross the river when we get to the bridge. Let us take game after game,” he concluded.

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Sports

Saunders sets sight on world title contention in 2015

edgefield light-welterweight Bradley Saunders hopes to be in world title contention in the summer of 2015, after taking the WBO intercontinental belt. Saunders, 28, knocked out Finnish fighter Ville Piispanen inside the first round in Newcastle on Saturday to pick up the vacant champion position. The fight was his 10th consecutive victory since turning professional. Now over the hand injures that delayed his progress in the professional ranks, Saunders moved his training camp to Spain and now has the honours to validate his efforts. “I believe I can be number one, that’s what I’m in the sport to be. If I didn’t think I could do it then I wouldn’t go through all the diets and training. “We’re on the way up now and the move now, I’ve got to keep moving forward.”

Sir Bradley Wiggins

Wiggins named in Britain’s Glasgow team

S Bradley Saunders

Murray beats Mathieu in straight set at Queen’s Club

ndy Murray got his partnership with new coach Amelie Mauresmo off to a winning start against France’s Paul-Henri Mathieu at Queen’s Club. The Briton, trying to win his fourth Aegon Championships title, won 6-4 6-4 to reach the last eight. Murray has now won his last 19 matches on grass, stretching back to the 2012 Wimbledon final. He will play Radek Stepanek, who beat Bernard Tomic 7-6 7-6, in round three today.

All eyes had been on practice court three earlier in the day, when Murray had a 45-minute session under the watchful eye of Mauresmo. Murray, 27, looked more sure-footed than the Frenchman from the start, recovering from 40-0 down to get the decisive break of the first set in the opening game. Murray saw off a late fightback from Mathieu, and two break points, before clinching victory on his third match point with another of those trademark backhand winners.

McIlroy to silence phone at Pinehurst

R Andy Murray

Gemili, Kilty set to race at Diamond League 100m

dam Gemili and Richard Kilty will bid to become the latest Britons to break the 10-second barrier in the 100m at the Diamond League meeting in Oslo on Wednesday. They will be among a strong field in the men’s race at the Bislett Stadium. Chijindu Ujah became the fifth Briton to dip under 10 seconds on Sunday, clocking 9.96 at the FBK Games in the Netherlands. Gemili, 20, was third in Rome with a season’s best time of 10.07. Four-time Olympic gold medallist Allyson Felix makes her comeback from injury in the women’s 200m in Oslo. Other highlights in the fifth of 14 meets include the Dream Mile event and a competitive men’s javelin field. World record holder

ir Bradley Wiggins has been included in England’s 31-strong cycling team for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The four-time Olympic champion and 2012 Tour de France winner, 34, will compete in the road race event. Olympic champions Laura Trott, Joanna Rowsell, Dani King, Ed Clancy, Steven Burke, Jason Kenny and Philip Hindes have also been selected. Para-sport cycling makes its debut with 2014 two-time world champion Sophie Thornhill named in the tandem. Wiggins, who is expected to be overlooked by Team Sky for this year’s Tour, has previously won Commonwealth silver medals in the 1998 and 2002 Games. Team England Chef de Mission Jan Paterson said: “This cycling team is undoubtedly the best we have ever seen selected for Team England. The track events at the Commonwealth Games will take place at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome from 24-27 July.

Adam Gemili and Richard Kilty

ory McIlroy says his mobile phone will be switched off this week as he tries to win a second US Open title at Pinehurst. The 2011 champion has had to deal with plenty of publicity since the end of his engagement to former tennis world number one Caroline Wozniacki. McIlroy’s focused approach helped him win the BMW PGA title at Wentworth three weeks ago. He won the European

Mickelson keen to seal career at US Open

P Ashton Eaton of the United States goes in the men’s 400m hurdles, while Britain’s Phillips Idowu competes in the triple jump against American and Olympic champion Christian Taylor. Elsewhere, other British interest is represented by William Sharman (men’s 110m hurdles) and Jodie Williams (women’s 200m). Jessica Judd, 19, faces Kenya’s Eunice Sum, who triumphed in Rome last week, and Olympic silver medallist Caster Semenya in the 800m.

hil Mickelson admits trying to win the US Open for the first time has created extra pressure for this year’s event starting at Pinehurst today. Mickelson has won five majors, but has finished runnerup at the US Open on six occasions. Only five players have won all four majors - Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Mickelson comes into his 24th US Open with just one top10 finish to his credit this season,

Tour’s flagship event four days after announcing his split with Denmark’s Wozniacki. The Northern Irishman, who finished seven shots behind winner Hideki Matsuyama a week later at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio, says that he will go into this year’s second major full of confidence. McIlroy acknowledged that he may have to curb his attacking instincts given the number of run-off areas around the Pinehurst greens. a joint-second place with Rory McIlroy behind Pablo Larrazabal in Abu Dhabi in January, and in the first major of the season in April he missed the cut at the Masters for the first time in 16 years. However, the left-hander remained optimistic about his chances of lifting the trophy on Sunday, the day before his 44th birthday.

Phil Mickelson

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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Sports

World Cup 2014: Lawro’s predictions - opening games (I) BBC Sport football expert Mark Lawrenson is predicting the outcome of every game at the 2014 World Cup. He starts with the opening games in each group, which include the repeat of the 2010 final between holders Spain and the Netherlands, and England’s tough-looking start against Italy. Lawro also picks his two teams to go through from each group into the knockout stage. He is backing Argentina to win the World Cup, and believes England will reach the quarter-finals. Lawro was speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan. Group A Games Score Thursday, 12 June Brazil v Croatia x-x Friday, 13 June Mexico v Cameroon x-x

Lawro’s prediction 2-0 1-0

Group D Games Score Lawro’s prediction Saturday, 14 June Uruguay v Costa Rica x-x 1-1 Saturday, 14 June England v Italy x-x 1-0

Brazil v Croatia (12 June, 21:00 BST) Brazil are the hosts and a lot of people’s favourites, but the pressure and expectation they will have to put up with is massive. I think they will go very close to winning the tournament but it will not be easy for them. They will get through their first game without any problems, though. This Croatia side is nowhere near as strong as their teams from previous tournaments.

Uruguay v Costa Rica (14 June, 20:00 BST) Costa Rica have lost one of their best players to injury in Alvaro Saborio, who fractured a metatarsal, but I still think they will prove more difficult opponents for Uruguay than people might expect. Yes, Uruguay have got a lot of attacking talent, but I am not sure Luis Suarez will be fully fit - and defensively they are extremely average.

Mexico v Cameroon (13 June, 17:00 BST) Cameroon have some talented players in their team but I am not sure they have the consistency they need to get out of this group. The Indomitable Lions can be hit and miss and, if they have a bad day, Mexico have got the quality to punish them.

England v Italy (14 June, 23:00 BST) This is not the Italy of old and they are not a team that frightens me. The humidity in Manaus will be a factor but I think England will win. I also think they will top the group and will have a decent tournament. Without getting ahead of myself, the fact they know a team from Group C is waiting for them in the last 16 is a big positive. Whoever they get, it will be a winnable tie and I think England will get to the quarter-finals, at least.

Pos Team P W D L F A GD PTS 1. Brazil 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3 2. Mexico 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3 3. Cameroon 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0 4. Croatia 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0 Lawro’s pre-tournament picks to go through: Brazil and Mexico. Group B Games Friday, 13 June Spain v Netherlands Friday, 13 June Chile v Australia

Score Lawro’s prediction x-x

1-1

x-x

1-0

Spain v Netherlands (13 June, 20:00 BST) I am in Salvador covering this game for the BBC. Because of the importance of the fixture, which is a repeat of the 2010 final, I think both teams will cancel each other out. Spain lack an outstanding striker and they are not a brilliant side any more but they are still a very, very good team. The Dutch, under new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, will be extremely competitive. Chile v Australia (13 June, 23:00 BST) The Australia players will give everything, as always, but they don’t have the quality they need, especially in a group like this one. Chile have got enough class to pick them off.

Pos Team P W D L F A GD PTS 1. England 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3 2. Uruguay 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 3. Costa Rica 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 4. Italy 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0 Lawro’s pre-tournament picks to go through: England and Italy. Group E Games Score Lawro’s prediction Sunday, 15 June Switzerland v Ecuador x-x 2-0 Sunday, 15 June France v Honduras x-x 2-1 Switzerland v Ecuador (15 June, 17:00 BST) The Swiss are ranked sixth in the world and have some highly-rated young players who will all want to prove themselves at a major tournament. I think they will have too much for Ecuador, who looked impressive in flashes against England last week - but we have to remember that was effectively an England B team in a pre-tournament friendly. I don’t think they will cut it in Brazil.

Pos Team P W D L F A GD PTS 1. Chile 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3 2. Spain 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 3. Netherlands 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 4. Australia 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0 Lawro’s pre-tournament picks to go through: Spain and Netherlands.

France v Honduras (15 June, 20:00 BST) Bearing in mind their problems with harmony in their camp at previous tournaments, it is interesting to see what France boss Didier Deschamps has done with his squad for this World Cup. He has left out some good players, such as Manchester City’s Samir Nasri, maybe because he does not think they are good tourists. France could not have a worse tournament than they did in South Africa in 2010, when they went home without winning a game. They will get a victory against Honduras for starters.

Group C Games Score Lawro’s prediction Saturday, 14 June Colombia v Greece x-x 2-0 Sunday, 15 June Ivory Coast v Japan x-x 1-0

Pos Team P W D L F A GD PTS 1. Switzerland 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3 2. France 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3 3. Honduras 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0 4. Ecuador 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0 Lawro’s pre-tournament picks to go through: France and Switzerland.

Colombia v Greece (14 June, 17:00 BST) I think the Greeks are ordinary but, even without Radamel Falcao, I am looking forward to watching Colombia. I think they will win their opening game, although I doubt it will be a classic. Because it is the opening game, Greece will be even more defensive than usual but Colombia have got enough quality in their attack to break them down.

Group F Games Score Lawro’s prediction Sunday, 15 June Argentina v Bosnia-Hercegovina x-x 2-0 Monday, 16 June Iran v Nigeria x-x 0-1

Ivory Coast v Japan (15 June, 02:00 BST) Ivory Coast still have some fantastic players in their squad but I don’t look at them and think they will make a big impact on this World Cup. Likewise, Japan do not excite me - especially because they do not have a world-class player like Yaya Toure to inspire them. He might make the difference in an otherwise tight match.

Argentina v Bosnia-Hercegovina (15 June, 23:00 BST) Argentina are my pick to win the World Cup. They have sorted out where Lionel Messi plays - behind the front two of Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain - and they have quality right through their team. Bosnia-Hercegovina have one or two outstanding players but not enough to help them progress through the competition, and certainly not enough to stop Argentina.

Pos Team P W D L F A GD PTS 1. Colombia 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3 2. Ivory Coast 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3 3. Japan 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0 4. Greece 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0 Lawro’s pre-tournament picks to go through: Colombia and Ivory Coast.

Iran v Nigeria (16 June, 20:00 BST) Nigeria are a bit like Wigan used to be when they were in the Premier League under Roberto Martinez and I had to predict how they would do every week; I never knew what they were going to do. If they play to their potential, Nigeria should beat Iran, but the clash of playing styles between the two teams means that might not be as straightforward as it seems.

To be contd

Sports

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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P-i-c-t-o-r-i-a-l 1. Andrea Pirlo has signed a new contract with Juventus, committing himself to the Serie A champions for a further two years.

2. North London sprinter Chijindu Ujah says his sub 10-second 100m this weekend was a “shock”. 3. Rory McIlroy says his mobile phone will remain switched off this week as he attempts to win a second US Open title. 4. Enugu Rangers have sanctioned Ejike Uzoenyi’s trip to Brazil despite not receiving formal notification from the Nigeria Football Federation 5. Britons Adam Gemili and Richard Kilty will aim to break the 10-second barrier at the Oslo Diamond League meeting.

3 4

Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

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Sports

10 African players to watch at the World Cup

All over the world and around Africa, fans are looking forward to cheering their favourite teams at the World Cup in Brazil this June. Five African teams that will be at the World Cup, here are our top 10 African players to watch at the tournament.

Wilfried Bony, 24 (Ivory Coast)

Kenneth Omeruo, 20 (Nigeria)

Joël Matip, 22 (Cameroon) Since the legendary centre back Rigobert Song retired from the national team, Cameroon has lacked the right person to step in his shoes. However, this is where Matip comes in. The 22-year old central defender plays for Schalke in Germany and he’s really been impressive for both club and country. He’s very tall, strong in the air and tackles intelligently. He’s not only the player to watch in the Cameroon team, but he’s also the future of Cameroon football.

Fabrice Olinga, 17 (Cameroon) and Serge Aurier, 21 (Ivory Coast) Olinga is the youngest player to score in La Liga, at 16. He’s been described as the next Samuel Eto’o because of his prodigious attacking style. On the other hand, Aurier is a skillful defender who has improved very much since he joined Ligue 1 side Toulouse. He’s even benched the more experienced Emmanuel Eboue to establish himself firmly in the Ivory Coast first team. He and Olinga are two of the most promising lads in African football and will be keenly watched by many at the World Cup.

Omeruo doesn’t look much like a strong defender, but he’s actually a rock. He was exceptional at the 2013 Nations Cup, which his country won, and during the World Cup qualifiers. He’s one of the best African defenders right now. It’s no surprise that Chelsea have signed him. Sofiane Feghouli, 24 (Algeria) A lot of pundits have written off Algeria’s chances in Brazil, but one player who is expected to shine is Feghouli. The midfielder is presently the most prominent player on the Algeria team, and he plays for top La Liga side Valencia. So much of Algeria’s chances will depend on his form in Brazil.

Bony is a prolific striker with a powerful shot. He’s made an outstanding impression since arriving at Swansea this season, and a lot of people are tipping him to deliver for the Ivory Coast team in Brazil. His captain Didier Drogba will be playing in his last World Cup, and fans expect that Bony will use this tournament to prove that he’s capable of filling the retiring man’s shoes. He will lead the team’s hunt for goals in Brazil alongside Drogba.

Kwadwo Asamoah, 25 (Ghana) Asamoah is a creative, energetic midfielder with a lot of stamina. He was named Ghana Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013. Ghana have other good players in the midfield like KevinPrince Boateng, Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari. Notwithstanding, Coach Kwesi Appiah should be looking to play him in the left wing, a position where he often functions at his club Juventus. Ghana is drawn in a difficult group alongside Germany and others, but with players like Asamoah, they can make a strong impact in the competition.

Vincent Enyeama, 31 (Nigeria) As Lille coach René Girard described him, Enyeama is a cat. He’s not only the best African goalie right now, but he’s also one the best goalies in the top five European leagues. This season, but for an own goal by a teammate, Enyeama could have equalled Gaetan Huard’s 20-year record of playing 1176 minutes in the French Ligue 1 without conceding a goal. He’s the captain of his team and will be a strong influence in Brazil.

Emmanuel Emenike, 26 (Nigeria) Emenike was nominated for the 2013 CAF African player of the year award. He is rugged, quick on the ball and scores many crucial goals for his national team. He’s certainly a goal-getter. He’s been the spearhead of the Nigerian team for over a year, and fans will be banking on him to get the goals and lead the attack in Brazil.

Yaya Toure, 27 (Ivory Coast) Certainly the best African footballer at the moment and among the best midfielders in the business, Yaya Toure is well above average in all areas. He’s strong in defence and in attack. He’s a very consistent player, and he works tirelessly for the whole team. He’s a complete midfielder indeed. A player like Yaya Toure will have no problem commanding a worldwide following at the World Cup.

Mikel Obi, 26 (Nigeria) Mikel is the nucleus of the Nigerian team and was voted second best African player in 2013. He’s not a great goal scorer, but he has a knack for passing the ball and keeping ball possession. The Chelsea midfielder also has a quick mind and much stamina, and his form will be very decisive for his team in Brazil.

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Peoples Daily, thursday, june 12, 2014

Some Interesting Facts

he first automobile race ever seen in the United States was held in Chicago in 1895. The track ran from Chicago to Evanston, Illinois. The winner was J. Frank Duryea, whose average speed was 71/2 miles per hour. Each of us generates about 3.5 pounds of rubbish a day, most of it paper. Women manage the money and pay the bills in 75% of all Americans households. A rainbow can be seen only in the morning or late afternoon. It can occur only when the sun is 40 degrees or less above the horizon. It has NEVER rained in Calama, a town in the Atacama Desert of Chile. It costs more to buy a new car today in the United States than it cost Christopher Columbus to equip and undertake three voyages to and from the New World. The plastic things on the end of shoelaces are called aglets. An eighteenth-century German named Matthew Birchinger, known as “the little man of Nuremberg,” played four musical instruments including the bagpipes, was an expert calligrapher, and was the most famous stage magician of his day. He performed tricks with the cup and balls that have never been explained. Yet Birchinger had no hands, legs, or thighs, and was less than 29 inches tall. Daylight Saving Time is not observed in most of the state of Arizona and parts of Indiana. Ants closely resemble human manners: When they wake, they stretch & appear to yawn in a human manner before taking up the tasks of the day. Bees have 5 eyes. There are 3 small eyes on the top of a bee’s head and

2 larger ones in front. Count the number of cricket chirps in a 15-second period, add 37 to the total, and your result will be very close to the actual outdoor Fahrenheit temperature. One-fourth of the world’s

Leisure

population lives on less than $200 a year. Ninety million people survive on less than $75 a year. Butterflies taste with their hind feet. Only female mosquito’s’ bite and most are attracted to the color blue

twice as much as to any other color. If one places a tiny amount of liquor on a scorpion, it will instantly go mad and sting itself to death. It is illegal to hunt camels in the state of Arizona.

Say what?

SUDOKU

SUDOKU EASY 97

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Tea for two: Baby elephant Aisha snuggles up to Daphne as she attempts to pour herself a cup of tea. Source: Dailymail.co.uk

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QUOTABLE QUOTE If it were possible to divide the position of emir into six and share them to all the contestants, I would have done that; but it was not possible…As governor I must take a decision; if not things would go bad.

. . . putting the people first

THURSDAY, june 12, 2014

SPORTS latest

Minister meets NFF over Eagles’ allowance, bonus row By Albert Akota

he Minister of Sports Dr. Tammy Danagogo has waded into the brewing crisis between the Super Eagles a nd t h e l e ad e r s h i p o f t h e Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the world football governing body’s $8 million allocation to the federation. The players had protested to the NFF’s president Alhaji Aminu Maigari in the United States (US) demanding their own share of the money and threatened that should the federation refuse to pay them the money they were not going to play in the opening match of the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil. But the NFF claimed that they have only received $1 million from FIFA out of the $8 million with which they have been organising friendlies and pre-world cup preparations. It was also gathered that in addition to the FIFA $1 million, the Federal Government has made available to the NFF N850 million out of the N1.4 billion total budget for the tournament. In a meeting held between Dr. Danagogo and Alhaji Maigari, at the Maksoud Plaza Hotel, Sao Paulo, Brazil, the minister charged the NNF boss to negotiate with the team to be able to reach an agreement so that the players’ morale would be boosted during the tournament. The minister was of the view that the welfare of the team should be paramount during the tournament adding that “if we do not treat them well and make them happy, they may just go into the tournament and perform badly and ensure that we pack our bags and return. “So they are the reasons why Nigeria is participating in the tournament and we should do everything within our powers to ensure that we do our best for the team”.

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– Kano state governor, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on the choice of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the new Emir of Kano

So Bayero is gone?

o Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano is gone? It is incredible. My generation grew up thinking emirs and kings were ‘immortal’. This was especially so with the revered late monarch. He exuded the aura of immortality. He had been emir forever. The idea of Bayero dying was so remote for kids my age as to invite the word ‘impossible’. The emir dying or dead? Inconceivable. Death was for ordinary mortals. And the late king was extra ordinary. It was similarly incredible that he could be assailed by illness of any brand. Our juvenile minds believed that he, indeed, was enduring. He represented to us, impressionable youths, the super human. In our infantile mentality, Bayero was eternal. He was above human foibles and frailties. It was, for instance, unthinkable for the monarch to betray any ‘humanness’ in public. To yawn or to even guffaw before ordinary mortals was a taboo, the late Bayero dutifully violated. In the course of my career as a reporter, I can’t recall a single incidence the emir was overwhelmed by consuming mirth in public. The closest was a charming smirk behind the ‘amawali’ As a kid growing up in the walled city of Kano attending Kwalli Primary School, a walking distance to the palace, we struggled every day to catch a glimpse of his royal majesty. His sartorial elegance was matchless. His presence was such that he dominated the environment. I recall stories fed to us of his grandeur. We were told and we believed that the Magajin Dabo was “invincible”. During festivals especially the two annual Eids, we struggled to have a visual contact. We grew up believing the tale that a visual contact with the

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THURSDAY Column Ali M. Ali

aliyumaliyu@yahoo.com

Late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero emir would wash off our “sins” of the previous year. So like a moth to a naked light, so were we attracted to the departed emir during any of such festivities. Such was the awesome veneration my generation held the emir. His palace protocol was elaborate. But he was a simple man. He might not have betrayed ‘human’ foibles in public but he was humane. As an adult I recall two close encounters with the departed emir. The last was as recently as 2012. On both occasions, Bayero completely disarmed me by his infectious humility. The first was in 1993.

It was the year he celebrated 30 years on the throne. I was head of news desk of the now rested and state run TRIUMPH newspaper. I led a team of reporters from the stable. We sought an interview and we were duly granted. No advanced questions were requested. On the appointed date we turned up on time and the monarch, I must say, a stickler for time, was waiting. Untutored on palace protocol and very heady, I ‘fired’ questions unhesitant, some of which were pointedly unkind. They were deeply personal. I fancied myself as ‘Larry King’ or ‘Stephen

It was similarly incredible that he could be assailed by illness of any brand. Our juvenile minds believed that he, indeed, was enduring. He represented to us, impressionable youths, the super human. In our infantile mentality, Bayero was eternal. He was above human foibles and frailties. It was, for instance, unthinkable for the monarch to betray any ‘humanness’ in public.

Sucker’ of BBC Hard Talk fame. I ignored ‘cold’ stares from my older and more sober colleagues from the vernacular titles at each question I asked. And gracefully and straightforwardly, the late emir answered in his slow majestic tone. ‘Your Highness, you have been on the throne for 30 years, can you tell me what the saddest moment was?’….how many children do you have? What has shocked you the most these past 30 years? Which government do you prefer? Civilian or military? How is your typical day? Etc. And he answered all queries. “We can’t remember a sad day during our reign….all our subjects are our children….we have seen changes these past years especially in the growth of the media… Done and dusted, the emir bid us farewell but not until we all prayed to the Almighty Allah to spare his life to mark his Golden Jubilee twenty years later. And we prayed that we would be alive to conduct what would be the ‘final interview’. Except for me and the photographer that covered that event, my two other colleagues Danjuma Baffa and Umaru Wudil, are late. May Allah rest their souls. Fast forward to 2012. Sometime in November of that year, I was privileged to lead the Management of this newspaper to a courtesy call on the esteemed king. It was part of the programme to open a regional office of this paper in that ancient city. Originally the chair of the Board was billed to lead but the onus fell on me as he was unavailable. This time, my encounter with the late ruler was different. It was not an ‘interrogation’ passing off as interview. It was more like a ‘homeboy done good’ paying homage and seeking royal blessings. He gave both in abundance. I reminded him of our prayer 19 years earlier and that only a few months remained to make history as the longest serving king in the thousand year’s history of the emirate. He listened attentively. He responded through the Wanbai, Abbas Sanusi who assured that our request for an interview when the emir celebrates 50 years was granted. This paper’s 2013 almanac had the emir reading a copy intently. Bayero was a tolerant leader. That bears repeating. He was also progressively modern. That explains in part, the presence, in his court, the colour of rainbow. Under his shade, everybody found a home. He was greatly diplomatic. Adieu Ado Bayero.

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