Peoples Daily Newspaper, Saturday 13, July, 2013

Vol. 3 No. 47

SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Ramadan Timings for Abuja MAGRIB

ALFIJR

6.57 p.m.

4.57 a.m.

AJIWA: Dying legacy of pottery arts

RAMADAN 4 - 5, 1434 AH

N150

Allah blesses the wealth of those who make life easy for others >> 12

Sheikh Balele Wali

Al-Mustapha freed

There is nothing connecting the appellants to the murder of the deceased

...I forgive my enemies

Pg 8

COVER

Panic as River Niger rises again Pg 9,10,11

Major Hamza Al-Mustapha. He was released yesterday by the Court of Appeal in Lagos

INTERVIEW

Sen. Habu Ibrahim

There is no genuine fight against Corruption in Nigeria, says Senate Minority Whip Pg 27

STYLE

Namadi’s Inimitable styles Pg 33

Page 2

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

News

Kaduna building collapse: Family loses 3 children -- infant survived miraculously From Mohammad Ibrahim and Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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L-R: Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court, Chief Awa Kalu and Vice Chancellor, National Open University, Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe at the 2nd Public Lecture in honour of the Chief Justice of the Federation, Hon. Aloma Mukhtar in Abuja .

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

ears flowed down from the faces of sympathizers at the scene of Thursday’s collapsed building along Hadeja Road at the commercial centre of Kaduna state, as they watched bodies of three children being pulled out of the rubble of the building yesterday.

Peoples Daily Weekend learnt that the corpses were removed from the rubble at around 12: 45 am by a rescue team at the scene of the accident. The rescuers were said to have worked throughout the night searching for survivors.

It was further gathered that five children including an infant

PDP not formed for power game, says Gana …Party holds special convention July 31

By Lawrence Olaoye

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hairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Special Convention Planning Committee, Professor Jerry Gana, yesterday disclosed that the ruling party was not formed solely for acquisition of power alone but to restore democracy in the country.

Gana in a press conference held in Abuja yesterday also told newsmen that the Special Congress earlier postponed because of the Ramaddan has been scheduled to hold on August 31.

Similarly, the South West zonal congress would now hold on August 24

even as he assured that the congresses would be credible and transparent.

The former minister of information while fielding questions from newsmen yesterday alongside the Deputy Senate President, and Secretary of the committee, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, stressed that the approved guidelines for both the zonal congress and the special national convention shall be released on Monday.

Gana stressed that the formation of the PDP was inspired by the principles of democracy, social justice, equity and fairness; directed by the values of honesty, transparency, integrity, due process and the rule of law and

designed to achieve the objectives of unity, progress, good governance, and genuine development with social justice.

He added “In accordance with the principles, values and ideals of the PDP, the special national convention committee has resolved to transparently ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible elections”.

On the suit challenging the removal of former National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola from office, the former minister said that the committee was aware of the letter and that the matter has been referredtohighestlevelforlegaladvice.

Gana added that the committee, contrary to reports, is not being run as

a parallel body to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) just as he declined comments on insinuations that he was shunned by the PDP National Chairman recently.

“We don’t want to speak on such an issue concerning a man we have great respect for, whatever it is shall be resolved but not on the pages of newspapers” Gana added.

It would be recalled that the PDP had earlier scheduled its zonal congress for South West and Special National Convention for 11th and 20th July respectively at the end of its 61st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on June 20, 2013.

were also miraculously rescued Thursday night alive. They spent about 10 hours under the collapsed building before rescue came their way.

It was reported that the infant whose mother was earlier rescued around 2 pm on Thursday by sympathizers at the scene was found sleeping inside a Michelin tyre when he was brought out “ Yes an infant was rescued around 9 pm alive. The boy was among the people trapped in the rubbles. Around 11: 30 four children were also pulled out and were all rushed to hospital for treatment,” an eyewitness said. .

He was said to be in a good condition as he suffers no injury and has since reunited with his mother.

The other three lucky children are currently receiving medical attention at 44 Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna while the three bodies of were deposited at the mortuary.

Hajiya Fatima who spoke with newsmen at the Hospital is the elder sister to the mother of the deceased kids. According to her, the six children were of the same family. “ The three children that died are of same parent including the three that were rescued.

Their bodies are at the mortuary and the remaining siblings are receiving treatment,” she said.

The names of the three dead children was given as Sulaiman (15), Maryam (13) and Kadir while those that survived are Taye, Kande and Idowu.

She stated that before the three died they were all fasting.

“We thank God that three survived and three were taken away by Allah. Those that died were also fasting,” she said.

False declaration: Court Pension scam: Court grants Teidi, finds Lamido’s son guilty Omoefe stringent bail condition

From Edwin Olofu, Kano

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federal High court sitting in Kano Friday convicted Aminu Sule, eldest son of Jigawa state Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido over false declaration.

InajudgmentbyFatuRimanofKano High court, Aminu Sule was ordered by the court to forfeit 25 percent of the total money falsely declared before the law enforcement agency December 12, 2012.

Aminu Sule, the 2010 graduate of mass communication, Bayero University Kano was arrested December 12, 2012 at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport December 12, 2012 en-route to Egypt in possession of $40,000 contrary to money laundering Act and was subsequently arraigned.

Thehighlypublicisedcaseinvolvingthe sonofGovernorLamidolastedfivemonths

with five adjournments that was nearly smeared by politics of 2015 Presidential ambition of Alhaji Sule Lamido.

Justice Riman Fatu declared that though the money was not meant for criminal intent, he however said that “the court was convinced by the defense arguments that the accused was on a medical trip to Egypt”.

Justice Fatu Riman noted: “ there is no doubt that he is travelling to Cleopatra Hospital in Egypt and the court is further convinced that the undeclared sum was not a proceed of crime but was meant for medical checkup”.

Justice Fatu Riman revealed that money laundering was the most difficult case he has entertained since he assumed duties in Kano, and further appealed to relevant authority to give a human face to the money laundering Act.

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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federal high court in Abuja led by Justice Adeniyi Ademola yesterday granted a former Director, Pension Accounts, in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Shaibu Teidi bail in the sum of N500 million, with two sureties in like sum.

The judge granted Teidi bail alongside Udusegbe Eric Omoefe with similar conditions.

The duo are standing trial on a 22-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, conspiracy to commit fraud and concealing the illicit origin of

stolen pension funds.

Justice Ademola held in his ruling that the bail conditions are due to the fact that the nature of the offences as contained in the charge sheet are grave.

The judge said the two sureties for each accused persons must be reliable, with landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court, and the title deeds of the said property must be deposited with the deputy chief registrar (DCR) of the court.

“The accused persons should deposit their travelling document with the court registrar and must not travel without the permission of the court.

“If the travelling passports are already with the court, they

should be transferred to the registrar of this court. Case adjourned to October 23, 2013 for trial”, the judge held.

Justice Ademola had earlier deferred ruling on the bail application last week and further remanded the accused persons to prison custody following a petition by Sani Teidi to the Chief Justice of the Federation, alleging that the court was bias in the handling of his case.

The judge then adjourned till yesterday (Friday)where he delivered his ruling.

As at the time of filing this report, the duo were yet to perfect their bail conditions and there was likelihood that they may be returned to prison.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 13 - SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Benue, Nasarawa seek end to Fulani, farmers crisis From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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enue and Nasarawa State Governments have expressed resolve to end the incessant feud alleged related to invasion by Fulani herdsmen in both states.

At a peace meeting held yesterday in Lafia, Nasarawa capital, State Governor Tanko Almakura lamented that the crisis is a great tribulation which has continued to defy any solution.

He regretted the dimension the crisis has assumed, noting that if urgent steps were taken, it could blow into a full scale war.

“The problem now is a different kettle of fish. It has brought pain and torment to both states. We have to

… Traditional chief recommends constitution amendment From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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traditional chief in Benue Chief Daniel Abomtse has advocated the need for constitutional review to accommodate grey areas even as he called on the Federal government to enact national and international policies to curb incessant conflicts.

Chief Abomtse who made this submission yesterday during a peace meeting held in Lafia, Nasarawa State to resolve the Fulani crisis between the two states, said there was need to settle once and for all, the settler-indigene dichotomy so as to give Nigerian citizens the right to live anywhere in the country.

He also stated that all forms and politically incorrect discriminations should be sanctioned to promote interethnic interactions, adding that the Nigerian Constitution should be amended to protect the land tenure system from abuse where peasants are often dispossessed by the rich and powerful.

The Ter Nagi further urged President Goodluck Jonathan to evolve policies and programmes that would reduce poverty and increase agricultural production which remains the mainstay of the rural economy.

tell ourselves the truth at this meeting no matter whose ox is gored. The relationship between the two States cannot be strained by artificial issues” Almakura said.

Governor Gabriel Suswam expressed worry at the continued invasion of his State by Fulani herdsmen from Nasarawa State.

He noted that the dimension the crisis has assumed as well as the action of leaders of both States was rather exacerbating the situation.

Governor Suswam stressed that all cards must be put on the table to find a lasting solution to the impasse.

“The Fulani herdsmen come in their large numbers, over 600 people cannot come into a place and people will pretend not to see them.

If people are pushed to the wall, they react and we are getting close to that point. Discussion should be frank without apportioning any blame on anyone but find a lasting solution to the problem”, Suswam stated.

At the end of the three (3) hour meeting which was held behind closed door, Governor Almakura briefed newsmen on the resolutions, stating that both States have decided to involve security operatives as well as traditional rulers to look into the crisis with a view to bringing it to an end.

He added that helicopter surveillance would be used while routes and hideouts of Fulani herdsmen will be identified.

River crisis: New President will emerge in 2015, says ex NBA From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

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he former Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association(NBA),Kwara State,Barrister Salman Jawondo has noted that with alleged involvement of the current Presidency in the River State crisis, suspension of party leaders and State governors, Nigerians would elected new a president who will care for a united Nigeria.

Jawondo, who stated this in an interview with Journalists in Ilorin observed that the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo during his tenure, did not ridicule the office of the Presidency like the current administration stressing that he applied maturity in dealing with party and States crises.

He noted that if Presidency could be allegedly behind the River State House of Assembly crisis, using soldiers, police and other mercenaries to cause chaos for Governor Rotimi Ameachi, his perceived political enemy, then, he has ridiculed his office.

“Those who are saying they

have impeached the Speaker have been suspended, they are still in Court over their suspension. Then, how come five suspended members could impeach the Speaker? “ If something like this could be happen in Rivers State, a volatile state with militants and closer to Bayesa, where the President comes from, one would wonder what will happen in the 2015 election”.

Jawondo noted that if other groups resort to using militants to defend themselves, it could lead to anarchy and lawlessness.

He said, “we have a President who does not care, and if he does not care for Nigeria, Nigeria will care.

Nigerians will elect a new president who will care for the country and ensure a united Nigeria. “ The River State crisis show the kind of leaders we have in Nigeria. They are not different from animals because animals believe in jungle justice. Whoever is watching or seeing the River State House of Assembly crisis, would know that we don’t have good leaders in Nigeria.”

Bauchi spends N182.5m on Ramadan meals

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he Bauchi state Government has earmarked the sum of N182.5m for the Ramadan feeding in various mosques across the state this year The Chairman of the Feeding committee, Alh Salisu Barau disclosed thiswhile briefing journalists on the preparation of the committee yesterday in Bauchi Barau who is also the state Commissioner of Religious Affairs and Community Relations explained that

the sum of N62.5million has been approved for the Ramadan feeding within Bauchi metropolis and its environs with 50% of the total amount already released to the committee.

He said due to financial constraints, the feeding scheme at the local government level was not conducted during last year’s exercise but however stated that government has approved the sum of N120m for feeding the less privilege in the 20 local government areas

of the state where the sum of N50m was released to the LG committee.

The Commissioner stated that during this year’s feeding exercise, about 124 identified mosques are expected to benefit within the Bauchi metropolis and its environs while about 6,200 persons are expected to be fed on daily basis but more than 10,000 persons are already being served breakfast meals on daily basis within the Ramadan period.

News

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Ramadan Timing Day 4 TOWNS MAGRIB ALFIJR Aba 6.52 5.02 Abakaliki 6.50 5.04 Abeokuta 7.09 5.21 Abuja 6.56 5.02 Akure 7.01 5.13 Argungu 7.10 5.01 Ankpa 6.49 5.03 Auchi 6.57 5.09 Azare 6.48 4.44 Bama 6.33 4.31 Bauchi 6.47 4.50 Benin 6.58 5.14 Bichi 6.56 4.51 Bida 7.01 5.07 BirninGwari 6.59 5.02 BirninKebbi 7.13 5.07 Biu 6.36 4.32 Calabar 6.46 5.05 Damaturu 6.41 4.37 Daura 6.57 4.48 Dutse 6.52 4.49 Enugu 6.51 5.05 Funtua 6.00 4.57 Gombe 6.41 4.44 Gwoza 6.34 4.33 Gumi 7.08 5.04 Gusau 7.01 4.57 Gwadabawa 7.10 5.01 Hadejia ` 6.50 4.43 Ibadan 7.06 5.18 Ife 7.05 5.15 Ilorin 7.06 5.16 Jalingo 6.39 4.45 Jere 6.55 4.58 Jos 5.50 4.53 Kabba 6.59 5.09 Kafanchan 6.53 4.57 Keffi/Nasarawa 6.56 4.52 Kaduna 6.57 4.58 Kano 6.55 4.51 Katsina 7.01 4.52 Kontagora 7.04 5.07 Lafia

6.49 4.57 Lagos 7.07 5.21 Lokoja 6.56 5.21 Maiduguri 6.34 4.32 Makurdi 6.49 4.59 Malumfashi 7.01 4.51 Minna 7.00 5.04 Port Harcourt 6.51 5.10 Ringim 6.52 4.49 Shagamu 7.07 5.19 Sokoto 7.10 5.01 Warri 6.57 5.14 Yola 6.35 4.41 Zaria 6.56 4.56 Cotonnou-Benin 7.10 5.26 Ndjamena-Chad 7.25 4.25 Niamey-Niger 7.23 5.14 Younde-Cameroun 6.31 4.54 Source: Society for Propagation of Islam Kaduna)

Photo Splash PAGE 4

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 13 - SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Chairman, Plateau Screening Committee of intending Muslim pilgrims, Sheikh Muhammad Suleiman (middle facing crowd), addressing pilgrims at the Plateau State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board during the screening exercise for this year’s Hajj, yesterday in Jos. Photo: NAN

L-R: Executive Director/CEO, NPHCDA, Dr. Ado Muhammad, Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, presenting Nigeria Governors Forum / Bill & Melinda Gates award to Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, as best performing Governor on Immunization in South – East, geo – Political Zone, recently.

L-R: Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna state, Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Suleiman Yahaya Richifa and Chairman, Board of Directors, Kaduna State Transport Authority, Alhaji Rabiu Bako, at the inauguration of Intra-city Mass Transit buses in Kaduna on Thursday

L-R: Leader of the delegation , Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone, Wiltshine Johnson, receiving some publications from the Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, during the delegation’s visit to NAFDAC Headquarters in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

L-R: Former Minister of Health, Chief Silas Ilo, National Organising Secretary, Rebuild Nigeria Initiatives, Chief Japhet Anyanwu and former Governor of Imo, Commodore Anthony Oguguo at the inauguration of Rebuild Nigeria Initiatives SouthEast chapter in Enugu on Thursday

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 13

News

— SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Page 5

YJF workshop on FoI Act for youth begins today

By Stanley Onyekwere

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ll is set for the maiden edition of the Young Journalists Forum (YJF) training workshop for young Nigerians on Freedom of Information Act, scheduled to hold today, at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja Council auditorium, Utako, from 10:00am prompt, with the theme: “Youth and the Promotion of Access to Public Information.”

The event which is poised to open a new chapter to the participation of Nigerian youths in governance and general development of the country,would have seasoned experts as resource person to drill the youth on the several angles to this salient topic on national development.

In a press statement signed by the Coordinator and Secretary of the forum, Chukwuma Nzeh and Ene Okon respectively, they said that, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mohammed Bello Adoke, will present the lead paper titled: “The FoI Act and the Challenges of Implementation by states.”

Also, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi

Husband charming: Nursing mother arraigned for stabbing co-wife From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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32 year-old nursing mother, Funmilola Idowu has been arraigned before an Ilorin Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stabbing her co-wife, Mrs. Abayomi Idowu for allegedly charming their husband.

The accused person, Funmilola was alleged to have stabbed her cowife, Abayomi with a knife all over the body during in a fighting on July 7, at Gaa-Akanbi area of Ilorin.

According to the complainant, the accused had charmed their husband to the extent that the husband completely snubs her in the apartment where they all live.

“I went to her apartment to ask my husband the reason why he abandoned me and my two kids and she started abusing me, which led to physical fight between us and she suddenly took a knife and stabbed me all over the body”, the complainant said.

The prosecuting police officer, Sgt. Al-Hassan Jubril told the court that investigation was ongoing stressing that the Court could however use its discretion to decide whether to grant the accused bail or not.

Magistrate Ibijoke Olawoyin, in her ruling, released the accused on bail in the sum of N20, 000 and two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to July 24, for further mention.

Lamido Sanusi, would buttress the cashless policy of the CBN, in his presentation titled: FoI Act as a tool for the Actualization of the CBN cashless Policy.”

Others who have been scheduled to present papers at the event include the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), on the topic “Mitigating Corruption through the FoI Act.” Other speakers include Prof.

Chudi P. Uwazurike, a member of the House of Representatives(Okigwe South) and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Students Affairs, Comrade Jude Imagwe, amongst others.

The statement also said that “the training, have been endorsed and supported by the Nigerian Union of Journalists, (NUJ) Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON), Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA), National Orientation Agency (NOA) Nigerian Television Authority, Independent Television (ITV)amongst several others.”

L-R: Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP); Engr. Emeka Ezeh presenting publication materials to the Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, during a courtesy visit to BPP Corporate Headquarters, recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

World Population Day: NASS urged to outlaw child marriage Ayodele Samuel,Lagos

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s Nigeria join the rest of the world to mark this year World population day, the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH) has called for legislation against child marriage in Nigeria.

ARFH President and Chief Executive Prof. Prof Oladapo A. Ladipo in a statement said Nigeria’s legislators should be in the forefront to end teenage pregnancy which is associated with high maternal mortality and mobility- anaemia, induced abortion,

pregnancy induced hypertension, and obstructed labour resulting in Vesico Vaginal fistula (VVF) by making laws against child marriage.

He said young people including adolescents face unique challenges, which may compromise their health and developmental potentials if not addressed. “ There has been a growing recognition of the need to respond effectively to the health and developmental challenges of young people in Nigeria.

Ladipo said adolescent pregnancy is not just a health issue

but a development issue. “It is deeply rooted in poverty, gender inequality, violence, child and forced marriage, power imbalances between adolescent girls and their male partners, lack of education, and the failure of systems and institutions to protect their right.

“Adolescents and youth must be provided with age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education to develop the knowledge and skills they need to protect their health throughout their lives.

However, education and information are not enough. Good quality

reproductive health services must also be readily available in order for adolescents to make informed choices and be healthy” He said the opportunities and choices girls have during adolescence, would enable them to begin adulthood as empowered, active citizens.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), there are over 600 million girls in the world today, more than 500 million of them in developing countries including Nigeria who are shaping humanity’s present and future.

Rotary offers limb surgeries to 500 polio victims in North From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

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otary Medical Mission supported by the Federal Ministry of Health has performed corrective limb surgeries for about 500 polio survivors in the North to enable them walk again, Rotary International District Governor 9125 in Kaduna state, Mr. Aninze Sunny Felix has said.

According to him, the exercise was conducted for ten days in Abuja with Kaduna state having the highest number of about 200 patients as well as other states in the North which benefited from the gesture.

Speaking to newsmen in Kaduna, Mr Aninze said the medical mission also carried out high impact mission in Makurdi, Ondo and Kwara states.

He said that the current global project of Rotary international was to contribute to global eradication of polio. “ Since beginning the project in 1985 up till June 2012 Rotary and Rotarians have committed more 1.2 billion Dollars to global polio eradication drive in addition to the hundreds of thousands of volunteers -hours, leading to the innoculation or more than two billion of the world’s children. “ Providing vitamin A supple-

ments during polio National Immunization Days has averted an estimated 1.5 million Childhood deaths since 1998.

Due to our efforts, Rotary is recognized by United Nations as partner in the eradication effort,” he said.

According to the District Governor, the club has equally distributed about 13 baby incubators to hospitals in Kaduna in order to reduce infant mortality in the country, Kaduna state in particular.

The benefitting hospitals include, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Barau Dikko, Usman Dan Tsoho Tudun Wada and Gwamna Awan hospitals.

Other facilities given to the hospitals were blood bank, boreholes, generator and a complete fitted ambulance for Saint Gerald’s hospital.

Aninze added that Rotary International has played significant role in areas such as disease prevention and treatment, Water Sanitation, Basic Education and Literacy, Economic and Community Development, Maternal, Child health and Peace and Conflict Resolution/ Prevention.

He pointed out that the Senate President David Mark is expected to attend the club’s investiture Ceremony scheduled for today in Kaduna, as the Guest of Honour.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 6 — SUNDAY 7, JULY, 2013

Crime Cycle

pmlcrimecycle@gmail.com 08138559513 (SMS only)

FCT- NSCDC arrests 25 vandals in six months

By Stanley Onyekwere

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he Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has revealed that between January to June, 2013, it made 25 arrests of persons involved in different acts of vandalism on critical infrastructures and national assets in the nation’s capital.

According to the commandant in charge of the FCT command

of the Civil Defence, Aminu Abdullahi Kofa Soro, who made the disclosure during its stakeholder’s forum on Thursday, in Abuja, out of the 25 arrested, two persons have already been tried and convicted of the crime.

A breakdown of the arrests made shows that in addition to two convictions, 13 are undergoing prosecution; ten are pending cases while one person was discharged by the court.

He said those arrested had perpetrated the act of vandalism under different shades of motivation and colour of action ranging from political to conspiratorial, organizational and vandals on vengeance mission.

The Commandant however, attributed the success recorded in making the arrests within the period under review, to the concerted efforts, collaboration, synergy and proactive intelligence sharing between

the NSCDC, community leaders and other security agencies as stakeholders, in tracking the suspects.

“The stakeholders’ interaction and cooperation is one of the greatest weapons the corps recognises and capitalizes on, to ensure crime-free society; this unfettered leading role in this area has been our greatest assets and strategy in curbing crime”, he said.

While warning vandals, syndicates on oil theft and

saboteurs on government critical facilities and national assets hibernating around FCT and environs to find to look elsewhere, the commandant maintained that, ‘otherwise any vandal or oil theft syndicates who remove, temper, destruct, damages or illegally transport petroleum products if arrested will face the wrath of the law.’

“It is worth noting that prosecution of vandals and their accomplices in our law courts without compromise by

Travel agent jailed 190 days for swindling client

By Stanley Onyekwere with agency report

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Travel Agent, Hassana Bayero, 29, was sentenced to 190 days imprisonment by Senior Magistrate Abdullahi Illelah, of an Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court, for defrauding one Hajiya Aisha Abdulkadir of the sum of N630, 000.

Bayero was convicted by the Senior Magistrate for criminal breach of trust and cheating, after she pleaded guilty to duping Abdulkadir of the said sum.

Illelah, ordered the convict to pay N630, 000 as compensation to Abdulkadir and an additional N50, 000 as value for her lost international passport, also gave the convict an option to pay a fine of N5, 500.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), the Police Prosecutor, Mr. Simon Emmanuel, had told the court that Abdulkadir of Longa Crescent, Wuse 11, Abuja reported the matter at the Life

Camp Police Station in Abuja on June 20.

Emmanuel said that in December 2012, the complainant gave the accused N580, 000 and her travelling passport to process a ticket to enable her travel to Mecca to perform the hajj.

He said the accused dubiously swindled the complainant and ran to an unknown destination and converted the said money to her personal use.

However, the convict had begged the court to have mercy on her, saying: “I’ am very sorry; I’m married with three children, as it is the work of the devil.”

Meanwhile, pronouncing judgment, Illelah, said Bayero’s plea for leniency was important but that she had to punish her to serve as deterrent to others.

“I put into consideration, the plea of the convict and the fact that she did not waste the time of the court by admitting to her offence and she is a first time offender,” he said.

Court dissolves marriage over husband’s smoking habit

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n Ilorin Area Court has dissolved a three-year-old marriage between one Rofiat Yusuf and Yusuf Ayinde over the man’s smoking habit.

Rofiat, 30, of Amilegbe area of Ilorin, had prayed the court to dissolve her marriage with Ayinde over his addiction to cigarette smoking.

The petitioner told the court that her husband was fond of smoking cigarettes in their bedroom, unmindful of its negative effect on her and their only child.

“My husband will at times smoke heavily early in the morning before leaving for work.’’

She said that the marriage was

contracted in 2010 and had produced one male child.

“My lord, I want an end to this marriage because I am fed up with his uncontrollable smoking habit,” she said.

The respondent, who did not object to the prayer of his wife, said she was free to go as it pleased her.

“I love smoking cigarette because it relieves me of my tension and stress whenever I want to relax,” he said, praying the court to grant the prayer of his wife without any claim.

The Presiding Judge, Mr .Yusuf Abdulkareem, dissolved the marriage and issued a certificate of divorce to the plaintiff. (NAN)

Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), FCT command, Aminu Abdullahi Kofa Soro, in a handshake with the Corps ACG Omokoi Agim, at the end of its stakeholder’s Forum held at Women Development Centre, in Abuja, on Thursday,

Three men arraigned for snatching woman’s handbag

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hree men have appeared before an Apapa Senior Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The two accused were alleged to have snatched a woman’s handbag at a bus stop at Orile Iganmu, Lagos.

They are Olumide Adekunle, 30, Lateef Ojo, 29, and Afees Salami, 25, of Orile Iganmu.

The Prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Inedu, told the court that the accused with others now at large, allegedly conspired to snatch a bag from one Mrs Priscilla Okpara on May 31 at about 11:00 p.m.

He said that the two men were alleged to have attacked Okpara while she was waiting

to board a vehicle at School Junction Bus Stop, Orile on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

Inedu said that the bag valued N3,500, contained N20,000, one perfume valued N1,500, female make-up valued N2,500, tissue and pad valued N500 and a purse valued at N1,500.

Other items include, Holy Bible and diary valued N1,000, one Diamond Bank ATM card, valued at N1,000 and one Nokia handset valued at N6,000, all totaling N36,500.

“The accused used fist blows to attack Okpara and snatched her bag containing all the items.

“It was when she raised an alarm which attracted passersby, that some of the

accused were apprehended, while others fled,’’ Inedu said.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 285 stipulates three years imprisonment for theft.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate, Mr Adeyemi Amos, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 each with one surety each in like sum.

He also ordered that the sureties should show two years of tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions.

He adjourned further hearing in the case till July 10. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Digest

Compiled by Jude Melea Moses

Biggest feet man finds ‘sole’ mate in world’s smallest woman

T

he man with the largest feet in the world has found his ‘sole’ mate.

At 38cm (1ft 3in) long, Brahim Takioullah’s feet are recognised by Guinness World Records as the biggest out there – four times the length of those of 19-yearold Jyoti Amge, the world’s smallest woman.

Ms. Amge, who is 61cm (2ft) tall and from Nagpar in India, has feet measuring 9.5cm (3.72in) long – tiny compared with those of the 31-year-old Moroccan, who is

also the world’s second-tallest man at 2.46m (8ft 1in) The pair have posed for a series of photos in a bid to get thousands of feet into the record books.

The Amazing Feet challenge is one of the largest records attempted, with 50,000 pairs needed on officiallyamazing.tv/feet to make the largest online photo album of feet.

It runs throughout the summer and anyone can send a photo – so, go on, put your best feet forward!

Man rapes duck in Turkish village A man was detained in Bursa province in Turkey’s Marmara region for allegedly raping a duck, daily Habertürk reported.

Police forces detained the man following complaints from his inlaws, who claimed he had raped one of their ducks during an overnight stay in their house.

The man’s father-in-law said he found “feathers and blood” in a bed with the duck.

The duck was “unable to walk,” according to the fatherin-law. The man’s mother-inlaw told daily Habertürk she later discovered the man’s bloody shirt by a tree the next morning.

The 50 year-old suspect denied all accusations, calling them all “slander.”

The duck was found to have suffered deformation and damage to its intestines and underwent several operations.

It is now reportedly in good condition and remains in a vetrenarian’s care.

Teacher nabbed stealing pupils’ lunches

I

t is common for pupils giving their teacher an apple of eatable before class but one teacher appears to have misunderstood the age-old tradition.

A teacher at a New Zealand childcare centre may be forced to do some detention after she was caught stealing food from her pupils’ lunchboxes, according to news.com. au.

The woman was captured on CCTV helping herself to the

packed lunches when children had complained of their food going missing, a Teachers Council complaints assessment committee heard.

She was censured on a charge of serious misconduct after she was seen either putting the food straight in her mouth or in a plastic bag to eat later.

The woman admitted the charge and had conditions placed on her practising certificate for five years.

Amputee makes artificial leg out of Legos

H

aving an amputation below the knee is a lifechanging and difficult experience, but Christina Stevens wasn’t going to let it get the better of her.

The 31-year-old lost her leg in a freak accident earlier this year, when her foot was crushed while she changed the brakes on her car.

Now, she is an internet phenomenon. A video where she builds a prosthetic leg

out of Lego has over 860,000 views, and it’s only been live for a month.

Ms Stevens, who is an occupational therapist, said she got inspiration for the Lego stunt from a colleague who jokingly suggested it.

The amputee, from St Louis, Missouri, in the US, has also been sharing her experiences on Facebook and showing avid readers what it is like to lose a limb.

Special Report PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 13 - SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Court frees Al-Mustapha “I have forgiven all those that offended me or played any role in my incarceration, I believe my incarceration is divine, God has a purpose for everything, I did not kill Kudirat but some people were used against me and now, God has vindicated me.”

Jamila Nuhu Musa, Matthew Irinoye, Ayodele Samuel, Lagos and Edwin Olofu, Kano

T

he long awaited decision of the Appellate Court finally reached a conclusion yesterday as the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, upturned the judgement of a Lagos High Court which convicted Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Chief Security Officer to late General Sani Abacha and Alhaji Lateef Sofolahan of the murder of Kudirat Abiola.

Reports indicate that Al Mustapha signed the discharge sheets at about 5pm, Friday at the Appeal Court Ikeja, Lagos as he regained his freedom after several years of imprisonment at the Kiri Kiri maximum prison. Unconfirmed report said after his release Al Mustapha may have headed to the Oba of Lagos, Riluwan Akinolu’s palace for some undisclosed reasons.

It would be recalled that the trial judge Justice Mojisola Dada had on January 30, 2012 passed a death sentence on the men after finding them guilty of the murder of the wife of late Chief Moshood Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections.

The appellate court in a unanimous lead judgement read by Justice Rita Pemu set aside the judgement of Justice Dada.

On the issues submitted for determination whether the offence of conspiracy had been established; whether the offence of murder had been established and whether there was any evidence apart from that given by the four prosecution witnesses, which linked the appellant(Al-Mustapha) to the offence.

The appellate court judge held that there is no evidence to suggest

any form of conspiracy and indeed the murder of late Kudirat on the part of the appellants.

Justice Pemu declared that the evidence in the matter, of the personal physician to the late Chief MKO Abiola, Dr Ore Falomo is worthless and accordingly cannot be relied upon by the court.

The appellate court described the evidences of the two key prosecution witnesses, Banabas Jabila (aka Sergeant Rogers) and Mohammed Abdul (aka Katako) as contradictory and accordingly disregarded by the court.

According to Justice Pemu, “The prosecution has failed to prove the allegation of conspiracy and murder of Kudirat Abiola against the appellants. The prosecution has failed to produce in court the bullet extracted from the fore-head of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and no reason has been given.

“The prosecution has failed to explain the aspect of contradictions in the evidences of the key prosecution witnesses “There is no evidence before the court that the appellants conspired to murder Kudirat. The totality of the evidences brought by the prosecution are of no moment and consequently baseless.

“

‘I forgive my enemies’ “There is nothing connecting the appellants with the murder of the deceased. There is even nothing to show that the appellants had the intention to murder the deceased. “ The court held.

The appellate court also held that the trial court has failed to deal with the aspect of contradictions exhibited by the key prosecution witnesses.

Justice Pemu however, faulted the police for its wishy-washy investigation. She faulted the convocation of a special investigative Panel when the police ought to have been the agency to drive the investigation according to the law and also condemned it for not carrying out a proper investigation on the matter, adding that, “It is only God who knows and would deal with those behind the murder of Kudirat.”

The judge said that Jabila and Katako, who had admitted complicity in the murder of Kudirat were not charged for murder by the prosecution, and held that the trial judge allowed herself to be carried away by the politics involved in the matter and was only interested in convicting the appellants at all cost.

“The trial judge allowed herself to be caught in the web of injustice.

The trial court only pursued shadows rather than the substance of the matter.

“No autopsy report was even tendered before the court. The entire proceeding on the matter at the trial court is a novelty,” the appeal court added.

It would be recalled that at the Contd on Pg 45

There is nothing connecting the appellants with the murder of the deceased. There is even nothing to show that the appellants had the intention to murder the deceased

Maj. Hamza Al-mustapha

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 13 - SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Court frees Al-Mustapha Contd from Pg 8

last proceeding on the appeal, Al-mustapha’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), had prayed the appellate court, presided over by Justice Amina Augie to allow the appeal and set aside the judgment of the Lagos High Court which convicted his client.

Daudu also insisted that the trial judge erred in law when she hinged her judgement on the testimonies of Sergeant Banabas Msheila Jabila (Rogers) and Mohammed Abdul (Katako) which were contradictory.

According to him, “The testimonies of PW1 and 2 were inconclusive and contradictory. The court drew inferences from these contradictory statements, to establish the guilt of the Appellants.

“It is my submission that those inferences upon which the court based its judgment are merely political evidence formulated by the respondent, and which the trial court ought not to have considered. I therefore urge the court to allow this appeal, and quash the judgment of the lower court.”

Olalekan Ojo, counsel to Alhaji Shofolahan aligned himself with the submission of Daudu (SAN).

But in swift reaction, lawyer to the Lagos State government, Lawal Pedro (SAN) on his part charged the appellate court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the judgment of the lower court.

It would be recalled that the convicts were arraigned in October 1999 on a fourcount charge of conspiracy and their involvement in the 1996 Murder of Kudirat, the deceased, along the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

The convicts had in their Notice of Appeal argued that the death sentence slammed on them by the lower court was unwarranted, unreasonable and a manifest miscarriage of justice.

They also posited that the lower court erred in law when it arrived at the conclusion that they conspired to kill Alhaja Kudirat on June 4, 1996.

Jubilation in Kano Meanwhile the release of Major Hamza Al –Mustapha, sparked off jubilation in the ancient city of Kano, Friday. When the news of his discharge filtered through the town at ahead of the Jumaat prayers, many Mosques conducted special prayers while expressing gratitude to God for the historic day.

As it meant that the former CSO was being set free from incarceration.

Peoples Daily Weekend Correspondent noticed many jubilant youths on top of vehicles and buses driving around the city displaying Al-Mustapha posters, while others chanted “Allahu Akbar” meaning Allah is great.

It was also gathered that plans were in top gear by the teeming masses to welcome Major Al-Mustapha back to the ancient city.

Mixed reactions Reacting to the development, Chairman, Unity Party Of Nigeria and Founder, Oodua

People’s Congress OPC Dr. Frederick Fasehun, the President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Yerima Shettima and National Coordinator of Arewa United Consultative Forum Alhaji Shuibu Dansudu hailed the judgment, saying it has renewed their hope and faith in Nigeria’s judicial processes.

Shettima said the judgment demonstrates that there is hope in Nigeria. “This judgment shows that evil will not continue to reign in Nigeria,’’ he said.

Dansudu on his part said “It is unfortunate that the case of Al-mustapha took so long. The court did the right thing by releasing him but if we look at the other side of how he spent about 15 years in prison, it is a pity for Nigeria. It is sympathetic that many Nigerians today are in detention for many years without their cases being decided. The judgement is not something to jubilate about because we are not happy about the judiciary looking at how long the case took before it was decided at the Court of Appeal. It took about 15 years before the court could release Al-mustapha.”

Fasehun said he knew Al-Mustapha neither ordered, nor had a hand in, the killing of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola; and that was why I stood by him.”

Fasehun, who was in court yesterday as he had been severally through the 14 years trial of Major Al-Mustapha, expressed joy at the unanimous decision read by Justice Rita Pemu.

“People used to tell me they could not understand why I would be going to court in support of an officer who served in a regime that detained me for almost three years, destroyed my health and destroyed my businesses. But I told them that I had lived my entire life based on the principle of justice.

PAGE 45

Special Report And I would still protest injustice being done to even my worst enemy.”

According to him, the judgement gave way for healing to begin throughout the country as it closed the chapter on an ugly era in the history of Nigeria.

“Mustapha and his family must find it in their hearts to forgive Nigerians collectively,” Fasehun said. “Many people, significant people, refused to speak up even when faced with the bare facts. Unfortunately, while evil interests, unscrupulous politicians, took Nigerians on a ride for 14 years and toyed with the life of this innocent man, the real culprits had enough time to escape justice.”

Fasehun recommended that based on the Court of Appeal judgement, the National Judicial Council (NJC) must review the judgement last year of Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court, and sanction her for unjustly sentencing Mustapha and his co-accused, Lateef Shofolahan, to death by hanging for an offence they knew nothing about.

“Of course it was clear that the lower court had hung its judgement on emptiness.

It beats the imagination that all the prosecution witnesses confessed in open court that they had been forced to lie against Al-Mustapha, and yet a Judge would still write a 380 pages judgement to hang an innocent man.

Also speaking, Lagos based lawyer, Ladi Rotimi-Williams (SAN) on Friday, described as shocking and surprising the Court of Appeal judgment that exonerated former CSO to the late Sani Abacha, Hamza Al-Mustapha of complicity in the murder of late Kuduirat Abiola.

The legal expert who wondered how the judges arrived at the conclusion said there are sufficient evidence linking Al Mustapha to the murder case.

“I don’t know how they arrived at their conclusion.

The law is an ass, I must say. It is surprising, very surprising and shocking. And I believe the state will appeal that judgement.

Honestly, it is surprising and shocking how they can arrive at the conclusion that he is not guilty. Because the facts are there”.

“Sometimes I don’t understand what is going on with all my long years in the inner bar. I am not suggesting any impropriety or that there is some foul play but it is shocking unless the state prosecutor messed up the case, hopelessly messed up the case, other-

wise, I will say it is shocking” he said In his reaction, chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja branch, Monday Onyekachi Ubani said the judgement is a temporary relief for Al-Mustapha because the Lagos State Government will proceed to the Supreme Court.

“I congratulate him on his temporary relief but I am sure the Lagos State Government will proceed to the Supreme Court” he said.

While a renowned constitutional lawyer, Itse Sagay (SAN) said owing to the sensitivity of the subject matter, he will refrain from giving comments now until he sees the judgment.

In Kano, Elder Statesman Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, said the CSO’s release after so many years in incarceration, is a good pointer to the fact that Allah has a definite time for everything.

“There is time for everything; this is the time Allah has destined that Major AlMustapha would regain his freedom”, he stated and commended the judge for the feat noting that most of the judges who handled the case could not summon the courage to take such bold step.

For chairman of the Movement of Justice and Defence of Democracy in Nigeria, Captain Mohammed Garba (rtd), though it is a release well deserved even as he hailed the judgment that set free the former CSO, said it is not yet uhuru as there is the likelihood that the Lagos State government may appeal the judgment In his own reaction, Colonel Yakubu Bako , former military administrator , Akwa Ibom State simply said “ judgment has been done , we thank Allah for the pronouncement that set him free at last”.

While a chieftain of the Congress for Progressive Change, (CPC ) Alhaji Haruna Danzago , said that with the release of Major Al-Mustapha , President Goodluck Jonathan has scored another point in Nigeria, saying “this is what former president Olusegun obasanjo and former military head of state Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar could not do .

When contacted, late Kudirat’s daughter, Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Costello said that the family will issue a statement on the matter soon.

“We are going to meet as a family and study the judgement and then make our position known”. Hafsat said.

Cover

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 13 - SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

s n e t a e n r i h a t g d a o a o i l r F e g i N 10 & 11

Page 10

9

From Omale Adama Lokoja, Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin & Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

P

alpable fear has gripped the victims of last year’s flooding disaster living on the flood plains of the Rivers Niger and Benue in downtown Lokoja following the early rise of water level as compared to last Year’s about the same time.

Disturbed by this development, residents of the riverine areas have embarked on routine monitoring of the water intermittently, to avoid surprises and mistakes of the past that have left indelible memories.

Although the water level has not reached any disturbing dimension for now, the victims are jolted into action by the predictions of some weather agencies, of heavy downpours.

This is made more urgent by sustained warning from government advising those susceptible residents along the flood plains to relocate in order to avert the impending devastation.

According to Mr. Nda Ndanusa of Adankolo in Lokoja who recounted the destruction by flood last year, he would not forget the trauma he went through in a hurry when the flood sacked him and the family from his house.

“That is why I have sent my family packing to the village and to avoid depending on government promises considering the way we were inconsequentially treated by government officials in our various camps. Can you imagine that government officials were giving each family two to three packets of Indomie, N200 and sachets of pure water atimes while we languished in our stinking camps without toilet facilities and at the mercy of dangerous reptiles?”

Ndanusa said, the historic flood impoverished him despite sustained government promise to make life better after it took inventory of losses.

He lamented that if the state government could not give them what was promised, what then happened to the N500 million given by the federal government and relief materials from philantrophic organisations which found their ways into Lokoja markets and its environs.

He admonished his peers not to rely on any government assistance or stay put in their houses but to save themselves and their families by leaving their homes before the next possible flood strike this year .

However, the Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Yomi Awoniyi who doubles as the Chairman of the flood Committee is cautiously optimistic that this year may not witness another flooding considering its effects on the people government was determined to serve.

He pointed out that from all predictions and reports, it appeared that the flood this year would come sooner than last year. “The best we can do is to be better prepared by fine-tuning our strategies to avoid being caught napping”, he said while addressing journalists in Lokoja.

He said that the committee was not over anticipating the flooding but added that it will be preposterous for the committee set up to handle the effects

Cover

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 13 - SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Residents panic in Kogi as River Niger rises again • Kwara erects defenses • Adamant Kaduna residents seek govt’s help

2nd left: Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state and officials, inspecting flooded areas in the state

of flooding, to be caught unawares after last year’s experience as the predictions from the Nigerian Meterological Agency(NIMET) suggest that flooding is expected to be worse than that of last year.

His words, “We don’t have reason to be caught napping and that is why we are planning and making projections ahead of time so that at the drop of the heart, we can access all that we require to mitigate the effect of any flood disaster”.

Mr Awoniyi reiterated that government in collaboration with relevant agencies, had been sounding warnings to people living in flood prone areas to relocate to higher grounds in their own interest.

Speaking on the units of houses at various stages of construction in the state capital, Mr Awoniyi cautioned some ill informed persons to guard against misconstruing them for government largesse or camps but strictly a post-flood housing scheme for those who live in flood plains, adding that modalities for the occupation of the houses would soon to be announced after completion.

He refuted insinuations that the relief materials were diverted by unscrupulous government officials taking advantage of the helpless victims. The relief materials from donor agencies and spirited individuals, he said, were distributed religiously to the beneficiaries, eventhough some miscreants who were not internally displaced paraded themselves and had their own share of the materials.

Explaining how the N500 million federal government gesture was expended, the flood committee chairman said that the money was meant to provide relief materials to the victims in the camps which the committee did well. “But because we got so much relief materials from spirited individuals, we kept the money until many of the relief materials had been dispensed”, he said.

According to him, part of the fund was used to fix impassable roads damaged by the ravaging floods while some were used as seed fund for the housing project.

“Later we sat down and categorised the nine local government areas affected into three just as the federal government did and gave them money according to the magnitude of disaster in their respective areas”, he added without disclosing how much was given to each of the local government area.

Mr Yomi Awoniyi told journalists that it was at that level that they instituted stakeholders committee which was expected to decide what was to be done with the amount received.

He comically said that it was astonishing to hear people say that all the victims got was a paltry N1,000 stressing that whatever was given as cash was to facilitate their return home after the flood.

Meanwhile,the Kwara State government has said that, since the 2012 flood disaster, it commenced sensitization and enlightenment across all the Asa River bank. The most affected areas were advised to relocate to virgin land.

The Chairman, Committee on Flood Disaster and Rehabilitation, Alhaji Mohammed Dabarako who is also Head of Service has said that Federal Government has embarked on flood control measures to mitigate any possible disaster this year in Kwara state.

Dabarako, while speaking with our correspondent said that the federal government’s ongoing dredging of Asa River in Ilorin, the state capital was part of the measures against flood in the metropolis.

He said federal government was constructing embankment against overflowing of River Niger at TsongaTada road including erosion/flood

control project at Abata-Asunkere OkeMale both in Ilorin West and Edu local government areas of the state.

He said : “The projects include construction of erosion/flood control project from Patigi-Gbaradogi community; construction of bridge at Buka-Adana community, construction of Degeji-Gbajibo road, construction of water channels at Agbabiaka, Danialu all in Moro, Kaiama and Ilorin South local government,” he disclosed.

In an interview with our correspondent in his office, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Emergency and Relief Services, Alhaji Musa Abdulahi, disclosed that apart from relief materials distributed, the state would not wait until flood disaster occurs before taking preventive measures.

He said a virgin land has been identified and cleared to serve as a rehabilitation centre in case flood disaster occured while the Muslim Pilgrim Board ground has also been set aside as rehabilitation centre.

Beside these, Abdullahi disclosed that the State Government had made provision for the construction of tents worth N10million while N7million was also set aside for mobile toilets. He added that N5 million was also made available in case of outbreak of diseases in camps stressing that the fund would be used to procure drugs and other preventive medicines.

The SA said the state government has embarked on precautionary measures to prevent and mitigate flood occurrence.

“Damages recorded during the 2012 flood disaster is still fresh in our minds considering valuables in terms of properties, livestock, farm produce and buildings that were destroyed.

With the recent forecast by NIMET that there would be downpour this year, government has identified flood flash areas, daily sensitisation programme in form of radio/TV jingles, workshop/ advocacy programme and stakeholders’ meeting with people in flood prone areas of the state,” he said.

Taking stock of last year’s disaster, the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, said 2012 not less than 180 houses were submerged around Kaduna metropolis due to the incessant rainfall in the state.

The worst affected places were buildings erected on the Riverbanks or structures put on waterways.

A rapid assessment team spearheaded

by NEMA consisting of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Nigeria Red Cross Society found out that no fewer than 178 houses were affected.

Houses in the GRAs were mostly hit due to structures on waterways.

A resident of Ramat/Kaura Road, Ungwar Rimi, a suburb of Kaduna, Salim Kimza lamented to officers of NEMA North West Zone that more than 48 houses were flooded as a result of the torrential rainfall in the state then.

Also about 21 houses at Haliru Dantoro, Malali were affected which also infuriated one Yusuf Kwara to shower blames on some residents erecting fences on waterways.

Ungwar Rimi: Ramat/Kaura Road, 49 Houses affected and Habib Alasure Close, 10 Houses affected (200 chickens dead), No loss of human lives.

Doka, Kaduna Central Town: Kigo Road, Doka Kaduna 50 Houses affected, no loss of lives.

Rafin Guza, Kawo: 12 Houses in Ganima Bread Road and School Road, Malali: 21 Houses in Haliru Dan toro Road. Nasarawa 29 Houses, Tudun

11

Cover

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 13 - SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

10

Residents panic in Kogi as River Niger rises again

Wada:Katagun Road 6 Houses, Shatima Road 6 Houses, Fulani Road 2 Houses and Kaje Road 4 Houses respectively.

Now that the rain is here again and many residents of these areas considered prone to flood are still there despite being advised to vacate the areas because the meterologists predicted that this year’s flood maybe disastrous.

Peoples Daily Weekend visited some of the areas affected in 2012 to see if the residents have moved out from their houses or not. At Kigo Road, few residents have move out of the area because of fear.

Mr Wasiu a resident of Katumba Street in Kigo, one of the most affected street in last year’s flood said he has been living in the area for about 15 years. “ I have been living in this house for more than 15 years and they expect me to leave just like that. The flood has been disturbing us every year but I will not leave this area untill it is time for me to leave,” he said.

Asked if he is worried now that the rain is hear again, he said, “Of course, as a family man I should be worried but I don’t have money yet to rent another house,” he said.

On whether he received the relief material distributed by the state Emergency Management Agency SEMA, he said “ I didn’t benefit from it because in my house we are 10 tenants and they gave us a bag of maize and 2 packets of indomie to share. Imagine, so I feel I am too big to join queue and be arguing with women at the queue,” he said.

Mr. Wasiu therefore urged the state government to try and emulate late Yakowa who promised the residents last year that his administration will dredge Kaduna River as part of the effort to tackle the problem.

Another resident of the area and a student of Kaduna Polytechnic called Alfa narrated his last year’s experience when their house was submerged. “ It was a very terrible experience because all our clothes were submerged in the water, including my credentials.

I just pray the state governor can erect fences and drainage to divert water,” he said.

Assistance is different from compensating you. Even the vice president said so when we had interaction with him. What he said was that they were only providing succour to the victims at least to alleviate their suffering. For instance, what was given to us by the Local Government Emergency Agency was 8 mattresses for the entire Kigo Road new extension area.

Asa River under channelisation in Ilorin.

...in Lagos, a bus conductor assisting his passenger to cross a flooded road

According to him, the flood forced him to leave the house for refuge in his uncle’s residence elsewhwere in the town and that he returned few weeks after the water subsided.

Another resident who didn’t want his name on print said “ truly we are scared each time its rains in this areas.

The moment it starts raining, we used to peep through the window to see the level of the water,” she said.

Peoples Daily Weekend further discovered that most of the flats along Katumba Road carried signed board that reads “ House to let”. A storey building that is occupied by many families was virtually becoming empty as most of the tenants vacate the house.

Effort to reach Executive Secretary of SEMA Mr Dogo Makama to

comment on the issue proved abortive as he was said to be out and no official agreed to speak on his behalf.

Similarly, while at NEMA office in Kaduna, the North West Zonal Coordinator, Malam Musa Ilallah said the agency has provided assistance to last year flood victims in the state through SEMA. “We have been organizing sensitization workshop to educate people on flood. We are at the same time using jingles in Hausa and English on flooding across the North West zone just to create awareness,” he said.

According to him, as part of the agency’s readiness to tackle this year’s flooding, they held meetings with SEMA’s and River Basins and other stakeholders to review last year’s flood

and how to prevent future occurence.

Mr Chimezie Enyiocha who is the leader of the entire flood victims residing at Kigo Road New Extension in Kaduna North local government Area said he participated fully in the distribution of assistance donated by the state government through SEMA. According to him, the relief materials was not a right but a privilege and that the state government did not pay for what people lost in the flood but only tried to assist the people and therefore not a compensation.

“Assistance is different from compensating you. Even the vice president said so when we had interaction with him. What he said was that they were only providing succour to the victims at least to alleviate their suffering. For instance, what was given to us by the Local Government Emergency Agency was 8 mattresses for the entire Kigo Road new extension area. “ We have not less than 300 households in the area and in a compound you may have up to four flats. We did not share based on a flat but based on streets. It was not shared on individual basis. If we did that, some people will not get. We took census of all affected houses which we submitted to SEMA before the relief materials was given. “ We have Makarfi street, Sea bridge road, Airforce road and another street.

Some street are larger than others in terms of population. We share it based on street population,” he said.

He further called on Governor Ramalan Yero to try and dredge River Kaduna as the same time to stop government officials from allocating land to people any how in areas considered as flood prone.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Interview

‘Allah will bless your wealth only if you make life easy for people’ Sheikh Balele Wali is the chief Imam of Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna. In this interview with Mohammad Ibrahim, he spoke on the importance of the month of Ramadan to Muslims.

W

hat is your view on Ramadan fast?

The month of Ramadan is among the 12 months in the Islamic calendar but Allah favours the month of Ramadan, making it one of the most important months in Islam.

Among its importance- the Holy Quran was revealed to mankind in it. As we all know, the Quran is the constitution.

No Muslim worldwide has any other law guiding him or her except the Quran. In the month of Ramadan Allah forgives about 70,000 Muslims on daily basis.

Whoever does a good deed has his reward doubled by Allah. Allah alone knows the number of rewards that will be given to whoever does a good deed. In the remaining 11 months of the Islamic calendar, Allah says whoever does a good deed, will be rewarded ten times to 700 times. Allah the Almighty says that in this holy month of Ramadan He forgives whoever worships him well or does good deeds. He further stated that fasting is His and He alone rewards whoever fasts during the month. This shows how important the month is to Muslims and Islam.

What is the benefit of fasting in this month?

Due to the importance Allah attaches to the month, it makes people to refer to it as the month of forgiveness. The reasons are not unconnected with what I told you, that if a Muslim performs a good deed in the month, he will be doubly rewarded by Allah. It is only in this month that when a man commits a sin, it will equally be doubled. This is why scholars are busy sensitizing people to stay aware from sins. They are always told to be closer to Allah so that they can worship Him the way He is expected to be worshiped. This does not mean Muslims are allowed to commit sins in other months of the year. No, it is due to the severe punishment that will be meted

on those who disobey Allah that scholars are busy educating Muslims to stay away from sins.

In other months apart from Ramadan, when a person commits a sin, he will only be rewarded for the single sin he committed. It is only in this month that God can reward a person based on the sins he committed. Allah, like I said, set free 70,000 people from hellfire every day. At the end of the month, thousands of Muslims will be set free by the Creator. This is why we always encourage people to get closer to worshiping Allah. To even tell you or suggest what an individual will benefit for fasting the month, is just a waste of time because Allah said He will personally reward a fasting individual.

What advice do you have for traders who use the month to increase prices of goods?

May Allah forgive them. It’s really sad because what some of them are doing is very bad.

If they know the benefits, it is better for them to reduce their prices and if they do that, they will acquire more profits. If a trader makes profit on ten naira in a month that is not Ramadan, but decides to reduce prices in the month of Ramadan, Allah will surely bless his wealth and the little profit he makes.

Unfortunately, our traders fail to understand the logic because of greed. They see the Holy month of Ramadan as a month to make money or be rich. When you become rich by making it hard for the masses, Allah will surely remove his blessings in your wealth. But he who helps the ordinary persons by selling his goods at affordable prices and makes it easy for the masses through discount just because of Ramadan, will have his wealth blessed no matter how small it is.

This is why we always advice and appeal to our traders-men and women- to please fear Allah

in their businesses. How can they be increasing the prices of their goods in this holy month when Allah said we should be merciful to fellow humans? For instance, during the Christmas festival, most super markets in town give discount to their customers because they always want to make it easy for the people during that festive period but our people always see the Ramadan period as a time of making unnecessary profit.

In Ramadan Muslims are advised to make masses happy by providing succor to them.

Muslims are always encouraged to always provide assistance to the ordinary people around us not only in the month of Ramadan except that when you assist your fellow human beings in this month, particularly, orphans, widows, bachelors among others, a very big reward await such an individual. Allah wants them to have succour throughout the period.

Therefore, it is worrisome and disturbing for such things to be happening in our communities. I can attribute their attitudes to ignorance.

Few days to Ramadan, many Islamic bodies like Jama’atul Nasril Islam, Izala group, including the Sultan called on scholars to guard their utterances during Tafsir lecture. Do you share same view?

Scholars and political leaders, Sultan inclusive, have all called on these preachers to

“

Sheikh Balele Wali fear Allah while conducting the Tafsir Lecture. It is important for these scholars to preach without including their selfish interests that will create disunity among Muslims. They should please translate the Quran the way the prophet translated It, His companions on that and the way other scholars of sunnah did.

For instance, during the Christmas festival, most super markets in town give discount to their customers because they always want to make it easy for the people during that festive period but our people always see the Ramadan period as a time of making unnecessary profit.

It is good for scholars to use diplomatic ways in preaching to people to understand the message of the Quran. This, as far as we know, is the best way to preach Islam. Whoever uses the Tafsir lecture as an avenue to castigate people, particularly leaders of other sects, should change.

The leader or the other sects members you are insulting will not necessarily listen to you until you use diplomatic statements that can make them understand the message you are trying to pass. When a preacher uses good words and soft voice without insults, the listeners will fully understand it better. So, we hope and pray that scholars will make use of the Ramadan period to preach peace and unity in the society.

May Allah accept our fasting, amin.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 13 - SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

PAGE 13

Peoples Page

My tradition, our marriage Even when few individuals have chosen to live a celibate life, the majority will long to marry one day as marriage is culturally universal to man. The English man calls it marriage, wedlock or matrimony. The Hausa names it Aure, the Yoruba dub it Igbe-yawo while the Igbo call it Igba-nkwu etc. No matter what name it is called, it is most importantly, a social or legal recognition of the unity of a man and woman as husband and wife. Most Nigerians in over 250 ethnic groups in the country, have adopted the marital process enshrined in Islam and Christianity leaving a little number to practice the traditional methods and process of marriage. Sometimes, both the traditional and western methods may be combined to meet peculiar yearnings. In this Vox Pop conducted by Melea Jude Moses, he brings to you different voices on how some ethnic groups in Nigeria conduct their marriage rites and the material perquisites associated with it. Just like the faces of these individuals, the obligations may differ.

Joseph Iyornyagh from Vandekya Local Government Area of Benue state, Tiv by tribe , and a contractor “who does farming business for pleasure”, the first process of marriage to “my wife whom I love so much, was to visit her village with a friend”.

“I sought the consent of her mother with bush meat (grasscutter), a very big one! After presenting the bush meat to the mother in-law, she directed me to her husband, my father in-law on what to do next”, he added.

Apart from the bush meat, is there any other thing you presented?

Before going to my father in-law, I bought a very big Yago wine, after discussing issues particularly if I really love his daugh-

Iyornyagh ter. I answered with a very big yes. He invited his daughter and asked her if she really loved me too, which she concurred. I was asked to fix a date to come and collect a list of what is needed of me. Before the list, I also offered kolanut, igiata (groundnut paste for eating garden egg).

What is the content of the list?

“I was given two lists, one for my mother in-law and the other for my father in-law. In my mother’s in-law’s list, I was to present a bunch of thread, a wheel barrow, five gallons of red oil, two gallons of groundnut oil, firewood, chairs, tables and five crakes of soft drinks etc. For my father in-

important part of the rite before the Christian wedding”.

What was in this list?

“We have two to three lists depending on the parent. The first list is the mother in-law’s list containing wrappers, umbrellas, jewelries, palm oil, groundnut oil, bag of salt, soap and some cream. The second list for the father in-law demanded traditional clothes, cap and walking stick. The third list is for the kindred which contain

Margima and his wife law, I presented alcoholic drinks; palm-wine and a pig”.

Albert Alfred Margima hails from Yaffa village of Askira/ Uba Local Government Area of Borno state, and Margi by tribe.

Are you married sir?

“Yes! I’m a family man with two kids, Albert and Alfred. I have been into family life for 14 years”.

How is traditional marriage conducted in Margi tribe?

“Traditionally, when a man wants to take a wife whether you are a Margi man or not, there are stages one must follow. The first stage is called the Bilshir’u (the introduction); this stage entails that when a man wants a lady, he has to go and see her parents with about two bags of salt or more, crates of minerals, one or two cartons of beer, some local BKT (burukutu), a local brew made from sorghum) which is normally served in clay pots. The man goes with four or five pots of BKT, the man’s parent will present kolanuts to the girl’s parents and there, his intention of coming will be discussed”.

From Bilshir’u, the groom will be given a traditional list and he is to pay a bride price. Basically, the list contain items like baba riga, pairs of shoes for the father in-law and wrappers, shoes for the mother in-law which will be worn by the parent during the marriage. The list also contains the girl’s shoes, bags, jewelries,

cloths etc.

Kelvin Ndubuisi, carpenter: “I hail from Ezinihite inMbaise Local Government Area of Imo state. I have been married since 2011”.

What were the processes involved?

“First and foremost, I picked one of my best friends and we went straight to her parent to declare my intention of marrying their daughter. Having been welcome, I went back home to bring my father and some elders and palm wine. Since my in-laws welcome me, that gave me the zeal to ask for the traditional rite list.

Ndubuisi I went back home, prepared and contacted my clan. I provided all the items I was asked to bring, to my bride’s parent, before the D-day. It is the first and the most

Jatto foodstuff like 100 tubers of yam, drinks, a packet of cigarette and snuff. When the bride’s families accept these Items, it indicates the bride is yours”.

Tayo Jatto from Ose local Government Area of Ondo State: “I have been married for 6 years with two children now.

How is traditional marriage conducted in your place?

Traditional marriage in my place is not difficult. When it is clear that the girl and the young man have chosen to live together, they go for what is called the introduction after which a traditional list is given to the young man What are in the list?

The list contain 50 tubers of yam, a bottle of honey, a carton of sugar, a bag of salt, 25 Littres of groundnut oil and red oil each, Kolanuts, bitter kola, palmwine, a young she-goat for the bride which will serve as a source of business after her marriage.

Wrappers are presented to the mother of the girl and for the father, cloths and drinks.

Ibrahim Musa from Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano state, Hausa by tribe: “I have been married for years and Allah has blessed us with children”.

What are the marriage rites in your place?

“My wife was 10 years old when she caught my eyes; I met her parent and they agreed. From then, I took the responsibilities of her welfare from school till she finished. When she became matured for marriage, I took some items to her parent to fix the day of the marriage”.

What next did you do?

“Since I showed interest in her, almost everything she needed I provided. I bought four suitcases for her containing clothes, shoes, jewelries. I also bought the mother’s wrappers, shoes and then I bought Shedda clothes for the father”.

Were you given any list of items?

“I was not given any list but they were things necessary for me to provide. I provided kolanuts, dabino (date fruits), 2 bags of salt, rice, some gallons of red oil, some gallons of groundnut oil, plates and other things needed”.

So, if you are thinking of getting married to any ethnic group in Nigeria, then you should be ready to provide some items as the case may be depending on the group and the parents.

Musa

Feature

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 13 - SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

PAGE 14

Are examinations made to be failed?

By Melea Jude Moses

I

should have scored an A in my exams, I want to be the first in my class, how can I remember all that have been taught so that I can write better during my exams?

These questions we sometimes ask because we desire to be mentally sharp as student or individuals who desire for knowledge. Intelligence as we know, can simply be defined as the ability to recollect things when needed, but how well have we make use of it?

During these few years, most examination bodies such as National Examination council (NECO), West African Examination Council (WAEC) Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) have recorded massive failure in candidate performance in one exam or the other.

The Head of Nigeria National office, WAEC, Iyi Uwadiae, said the 2012 WAEC had only 38.81per cent that obtained credits in five subjects and above, including in English Language and Mathematics. He however noted that the results showed an eight per cent improvement, when compared to last year’s May/June results, where 30.91per cent of the candidates made the pass benchmark.

Ninety per cent of candidates who sat for the 2011 November/ December Senior School Certificate Examinations of the National Examination Council failed the examination, the National Examinations Council Registrar, Prof. Promise Okpala said. The 2013 JAMB Unified Tertiary and Matriculation Exams (UTME) which was conducted in April, over 1.7 million candidates wrote the exams, with 10 students scoring 300 marks and above. Due to students poor performance, the cut-off marks for polytechnic and college of education was dropped from 170 over the years to 160 in 2013. A student lamented saying, “the exams was simple but could not imagine what my eyes saw when I checked my result”.

However, some principals and teachers in secondary schools across the country cast blame on federal and state governments for what they refer to as “poor funding,” and lack of educational infrastructure.

Chairman of the NUT, Comrade Bulama Abiso, and the Commissioner for Education in Borno State, Alhaji Musa Inuwa Kubo,

agreed that the governments, teachers and parents, including the candidates had contributed to the continued poor performances.

Even with these, the government and parents try to do their own parts, leaving majority of the success or failure to the students.

Malam Mohammed Mechanic, a sociologist from the department of sociology University of Maiduguri, once said, that humans are born with empty heads, that all the expertise and ability men have acquired, were achieved through socialisation that is, you can learn anything and be good at it if one will only apply these famous words “yes I can” and work hard towards it.

An old dog can learn new tricks, there is nothing like “bad memory” unless one is suffering from medical conditions. Neuroplasticity gives one that power through the hippocampus part of the brain to be as intelligent as the dictionary or as dumb as a statue. Perhaps these proven- to -work tips can go a long way in shaping your memory and improve your performance in your forthcoming examinations Give maximum attention on the materials you are studying. Attention is one of the major components of memory. In order for information to move from short-term memory into long-term memory, you need to actively attend to this information. Try to study in a place free of distractions such as television, music and other diversions you may think of.

Avoid cramming by establishing regular study sessions. When you cram and eventually forget a word or sentence, what then happens? According to Bjork (2001), studying materials over a number of sessions gives you the time you need to adequately process the information. Research has shown that students who study regularly remember the material far better than those who do all of their studying in one marathon session.

Make use of mnemonic devices to remember information.

Mnemonic devices are a technique often used by students to aid in recall. A mnemonic is simply a way to remember information. For example, you might associate a term you need to remember with a common item that you are very familiar with. The best mnemonics are those that utilize positive imagery, humour or novelty. You

Minister of Education, Prof. Rukayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i might come up with a rhyme, song or joke to help remember a specific segment of information.

Interest and positive attitude to study: For there to be a maximum success in any course or subject

“

of study, one must show positive might on it. With interest, study such not with the mind of being forced to study.

Visualisation of concepts aid memory and recall: Many people

The 2013 JAMB Unified Tertiary and Matriculation Exams (UTME) which was conducted in April, over 1.7 million candidates wrote the exams, with 10 students scoring 300 marks and above. Due to students poor performance, the cut-off marks for polytechnic and college of education was dropped from 170 over the years to 160 in 2013. A student lamented saying, “the exams was simple but could not imagine what my eyes saw when I checked my result

benefit greatly from visualizing the information they study. Pay attention to the photographs, charts and other graphics in your textbooks.

If you do not have visual cues to help, try creating your own. Draw charts or figures in the margins of your notes or use highlighters or pens in different colours to grouprelated ideas in your written study materials.

Intelligence as we see it can be achieved by any student who dares to achieve it, why not go and become the best you that you dream of. Yes! you can make it as an A student.

Moses is a 200 Level intern, Mass Communication Dept, University of Maiduguri

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 13 - SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

PAGE 15

Interview

We are looking at how to mitigate impending floods in Nasarawa —NASEMA Dr. Abdullahi Idris is the Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA). In this interview with our Lafia correspondent, Ali Abare Abubakar, he gave an overview of the activities of his agency regarding its handling of the impact of the 2012 flooding and what arrangement NASEMA has put in place to tackle the expected flooding this year. Excerpts:

W

hat has been the extent of the effect of the floods that ravaged part of the state last year?

The areas affected last year were numerous but I would rather put it this way, we had nine local government areas affected which includes; Nasarawa, Toto, Kokona, Akwanga, Doma, Lafia, Keana and Karu. These were the local governments that were affected by floods in 2012. Over 200 communities in these local government areas were affected out of which about 122 were displaced. We have a total of 94, 538 persons that were affected, with over 9,517 cultivated farmlands destroyed and over 5,615 buildings were also destroyed.

You mentioned quite a number of victims affected by the flood, what has government done so far to alleviate their plight?

Even before the federal government gave its relief package of N400 m, Nasarawa state government through this agency, has embarked on emergency relief for the victims in the affected communities. We have been able set up camps in six places where we took care of the displaced persons. The camps were located in Umasha, Loko, Doma, Tunga, these are some of the camps were the displaced persons were taken care of. They were not just being camped but the camp management team was set up through which all the relief materials were being managed for effective use by the displaced persons.

Nasarawa state government has bought relief materials both food and none food for over N90 m. Even before the federal government relief came in, we have been up and doing, as a responsible agency and government. Out of the N400 m that the federal government gave to the state as relief, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura before even touching that money, constituted a high powered task force of which Iam the secretary, with Dr. Mustapha

Bello as the chairman, with other 13 members. We went round to authenticate the figures occasioned by the impact of the flood and after that we also made assessments based on the other facets of the terms of reference, like number of destroyed properties, number of deaths, among other issues.

At the end of it, the governor in his wisdom, having looked at the components of the terms of reference of the task force, decided to remove N50 m out of the N400 m, which has been shared among the victims. This is of course, apart from what the state government has brought in as its own contribution. The remaining N350 m of the relief fund, government will use it for infrastructural development, to repair or construct facilities that have been damaged or destroyed as a result, as a consequence of the 2012 floods.

Now do these infrastructures include the residential buildings belonging to the victims of the floods?

Essentially, they are basically public utilities like schools, hospitals, or primary health care centers. We also look at roads, bridges among others. These are the infrastructures the governor has said he would address using the remaining N350 m. And Iam sure the governor will have to make more contributions because that amount will definitely not be enough.

Now those displaced persons you mentioned, were they relocated from their original place of abode?

They were not relocated anywhere. Part of the terms of reference of the task force, is to look at the possibility of relocating some of the communities. So far, two communities have been identified for relocation, Gutou in Nasarawa and Otiya in Ekye development area. However, the official report of the task force is yet to be presented before the governor for his consideration.

The other communities need not to be relocated but resettled back

Dr. Abdullahi Idris to their original place of abode.

And it is also the intension of government to use part of the relief from the federal government to resettle some of these flood victims. Resettlement could mean buying relief materials for them, as has been done in Assakio, to help them build their houses again.

Considering predictions emanating from the metrological office regarding heavier rainfall this year, what arrangement has your agency put in place, in terms of preparation for the impending floods?

As the Nigeria Metrological Agency has predicted, the seasonal rainfall this year is going to be much higher than what was experienced last year. Consequently, this means that there will be more water released from Cameroon and flooding is likely

“

to occur. The anticipated flooding for 2013 will be worse than that of last year. To that effect, we have held series of meetings, to mitigate the impact of the flood because it is going to happen. So our preparation essentially, is how we can mitigate, that is reducing the impact of the flood. At the state level, our preparations are essentially in four areas; first, provision of safer grounds or IDPs camp, because if this flood eventually happens, where will these people that displaced go to?

As a responsive agency and government, it is our responsibility to identify safer grounds for these people to take refuge. Secondly, our plan for evacuation, especially for those communities on the fringes of the River Benue, spanning from Gutou up to Iki, that is from Nasarawa up to Toto.

These communities have no ac-

Part of the terms of reference of the task force, is to look at the possibility of relocating some of the communities.

So far, two communities have been identified for relocation, Gutou in Nasarawa and Otiya in Ekye development area.

cess roads so they move on water, so we have to make plans for their evacuation.

In 2012, I was there and my experience was that there were no enough flying boats to convey people out of their flooding communities. It is our plan for the evacuation of these people and part of it is that we buy; government has already developed interest, in ensuring that more flying boats are available.

In fact, Governor Al-makura has even offered his flying boat he acquired at the cost of N20 m, to be used for the evacuation.

Thirdly, these people are going to be displaced, they are going to stay in places far away from their homes, where will they get food to eat? As a responsible agency and government, we are looking to stockpiling our warehouses so that when this flood comes, we can be able to take care of these people. We also identified vulnerable communities, apart from those affected last year, we have earmarked them and taken note of them. Not only that, we are also involved in mass advocacy and sensitization. Very soon we are going on tour to all the local governments and development areas mentioned, meet with the stakeholders to sensitize them on all the signs of flooding and what they should do if such happens.

PAGE 16

Homes

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Kitchen ‘store’ ideas for your jams, sauces, dried nuts W

hat can be stored in a kitchen pantry? Just what so ever you want like jams, pickles, pastas, sauces, cookbooks and all other kinds of food that can be stored without a fridge and household supplies. You can even put a washing machine, an iron and an ironing board there if you haven’t a dedicated laundry room.

There are many different approaches to the pantry design. For example if it is a separate room it can have doors that make it looks like built-in cabinet or it is simply separated by curtains. The pantry can be part of the kitchen itself. It can even be a large cabinet with labels inside.

Built-in, butler’s, walk-in, freestanding, or a combination? Storage is never in short supply when a well-designed kitchen pantry is just steps away. A pantry optimizes your kitchen layout by consolidating everything in one handy location. Keep food items organized and on hand with the perfect kitchen pantry design ideas for your home.

Style

Page 17

Kiddies World Model of the week

Page 23

Jael Gadzama

Pots

Namadi’s inimitable style

&

Pans

Why you should eat dates

Page 32

Hollywood/ Bollywood

Katrina may not have any release in 2013 Page 26

Page 28

Beauty Tips Banana facial peel recipe at home

Page 19

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Playing hard to get

Relationship Heart Matterz With Theodora Ekah

He says I am unromantic

P

L

ove IS the most exciting and wonderful “game” ever invented, so play to win. Play hard.... to get!

Rashmeen said to his girlfriend, “You don’t know the power you have over Me.” “What do you mean?” she asked him.

“You can ask me pretty much anything, and I’ll do it for you,” he answered.

And it’s true, she says. “If I say I feel cold, he jumps up to get me a blanket. He always wants to do nice things for me”.

“That’s a good sign,” I said. I knew the man we were speaking of... and after hearing this, I knew that he is IN LOVE. I was impressed by his ability to be aware of her power over him, and his ability to articulate this to her. A lot of men would not have shared this valuable information with me!

Women have far more power with men than they think. But most of the time we are not just aware or are just being ignorant or even not just using it properly. Remember the story of Delilah.

Firstly, you should know that playing hard to get gives men something to fight for. After all, men just have the most competitive and egoistic craniums in the history of the world.

And don’t we all know how much men love a good challenge.

When a man wants to woo a girl and sweep her off her feet, he’s doing this before any other fanciable man could sweep this girl away, amidst stiff competition.Along with the happy feeling of wooing this woman,

a man also gets an ego boost. It was him that she chose after all that playing hard to get and not anyone else, so what does this make him in her eyes, an alpha male of sorts. He is the “almost-perfect-definition” of the male species in her eyes.

We should note that knowing how to play hard to get with a guy can be the difference between keeping a guy interested and losing him!

Hold on to your power with men by understanding the principles of being hard to get.

Over and over again, we get caught up with things with a new man, and this triggers that part in all of us that wants to be loved, seen, understood, and accepted for who we really are.

When a woman feels this way, it is human nature to let the floodgates open - and spill everything out that she’s been holding in.

All the burdens she carries... now she’s finally found a soul mate to share it all with.

What? You’re not going to dump all your burden on him? The problem happens when you do this too soon or in a way that causes your man to feel that you’re depending on him to be the answer to the problems in your life.

However, one of the main reasons he is attracted to you is because of your strength.

Of course, you’re not expected to be “strong” all the time. But don’t give him the idea that your strength was all for show. Don’t throw away your power by dissolving on your guy. Let the relationship have time to prove itself.

Do you know why girls play hard to get? Perhaps, it’s because knowing how to play hard to get with a guy is by far the most effective way to make any guy desire you in no time. After all, it’s a secret that really works!

Don’t put undue pressure on the situation by unloading every problem on your man and suddenly changing the tone of your relationship.

Your guy may prove to be your soul mate someday. But if you’re looking for someone to unload all the burdens on, then you’re focusing more on your needs than on his.

I definitely understand how it feels. But when you find ways to take care of your own emotional needs, then you’ll be a better partner in any relationship.

Hang on to your power and value yourself. That’s the essence of being “hard to get.”

Have a great day, and keep your Flirt on!

“

And it’s true, she says. “If I say I feel cold, he jumps up to get me a blanket. He always wants to do nice things for me

If you have any relationship story you want to share with our readers, please send to the above address.

lease help me. My husband keeps describing me as being very unromantic. I have done my best but he keeps complaining. I don’t know what else to do because he is the first man in my life.

I don’t have any friend to turn to.

This isn’t something I can discuss with my mother, and since I don’t have an elder sister, only an elder brother whose wife isn’t very friendly.

How can I become the kind of woman he wants?

He is the kind of man I also cannot talk to. He is very distant from me and any attempt to ask him what I have done wrong could turn into a fight. I want uou to help me. What do I do?

How can I beware of the kind of women he wants?

Although I am shy asking this question; is it true that when a woman puts to bed, she is no longer attractive?

After the birth of our set of twins, my husband said he doesn’t get any satisfaction from me anymore.

I am pregnant again and so

afraid if this birth will further deteriorate my person. I so much want my husband to be happy but the more I try the more problems I rake up.

I am very unhappy. At 30, I am beginning to grey.

In our four years of marriage he has never complimented me on anything. I am beginning to suspect he doesn’t love me, and that he just married me when he found out I was a virgin and naïve. He is 12 years older than I am and at the time we met, he was dating this woman he told me was his age mate and very wealthy.

Although I don’t have any evidence, but I think they are back together because of the kind of perfume he comes home bathed with and the kind of cars he brings home.

Whenever I ask where he gets the cars from, he barks at me.

My parents will never take me back hence my decision to stay in this marriage and find ways of making him happy.

Do whatever you can for me; I beg you in the name of God Source:BN

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 - SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

s p i T y t u a Be

T About the fruit Banana has lots of skin nourishing and anti aging properties. They also do help our eyes to relax and recover from dark circles and sagging skin. The banana facial peel makes your skin young, wrinkle free and spot free.

he Banana peel lightens the skin to give you an ever glowing complexion.

To see faster results, use this banana facial peel once in a week Girls, guys, men and women in thirty’s, forty’s and even grannies can use this for glowing young skin.

Ingredients 1.Ripen Banana 2.Honey 3.Lemon juice 4.Gelatin Here’s how..

•Mix gelatin in half a cup of water and boil the mixture in a double boiler until it melts.

Turn off the stove.

•Peel off the skin of a banana and cut into small pieces. Mash it well.

•Add this banana paste, honey and lemon juice to the gelatin and blend well to form a smooth paste. Refrigerate this mixture for 20 minutes.

•Our anti aging banana facial peel recipe is ready now.

How to apply • Cleanse your face with a regular soap or face wash. Pat dry.

•Apply this anti aging facial

peel mixture over your face and neck, spread it to cover the entire facial skin surface evenly.

•You can cut the banana peels (Better if refrigerated) into two small pieces and keep it over your eyes, which acts as a natural eye coolant and relaxant, it also cures dark circles.

•Allow the peel to dry for 15 to 20 minutes.

• Now gently peel off from neck to face, in an upward motion.

•Wash your face with clean and cold water!

The peeling process is complete.

Results Follow this anti aging facial peel every week to see magical young glow in your skin. The peel removes the outer dead skin layer to allow the new soft skin layer to grow. The lemon juice and honey has natural whitening properties which gives you a lighter skin soon.

Banana cures the wrinkles, tightens and nourishes the skin to reduce 10 years from your skin’s age. Try this multipurpose peel for sure!

PAGE 19

Compiled by Nami Hassan Kadir

Banana facial peel recipe at home

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Page 20

LEARNING With Emmanuel Eko junioremma419@gmail.com 08165618872

The book: “Matters Related to FASTING”

T

he Islamic book titled: “Matters Related to FASTING” written

by Muhammad Salih alMunajjid, published by

the International Islamic Publishing House, is a good summary of the rulings, etiquette, decorum and Sunnah of fasting.

Did you know?

It says fasting is one of the greatest acts of worship which Allah has made obligatory to His people.

Because of the significance of this act, it is essential to learn the Ahkam (rulings) that have to do with the month of fasting, so that Muslims will know what is obligatory and what is not.

It talks about How the onset of Ramadan is determined, who is obliged to fast as well as how Muslims should prepare themselves and their environment for worship, hence it speaks about hastening to repent and return to Allah, rejoicing at the onset of the month and fasting properly. But above all, having the right frame of mind and the fear of God.

Black Sheep: fighting for a Futuree

By Kia Zi Shiru

9 good uses for salt 1. Deter ants Sprinkle salt in doorways, on window sills and anywhere else ants use to sneak into your house. It’s a sure way to keep them out!

2. Kill grass and weeds growing in cracks in your driveway Tired of weeding your driveway? Sprinkle salt on the grass and pour very hot water over it. Not only is this a highly effective way to kill unwanted plants, it’s also eco-friendly and cheap.

3. Say goodbye to fleas If your dogs have fleas, simply wash their doghouse and blankets in salt water.

If you’re worried your dogs may have brought fleas into your house, simply sprinkle your carpets lightly with salt and then brush it in. Leave it for 12 hours and vacuum thoroughly.

4. Pick up a dropped egg If you drop an egg on the kitchen floor, sprinkle salt on the mess and leave it there for 20 minutes. You’ll be able to wipe it right up.

5. Clean up oven spills quickly If a pie or casserole bubbles over in the oven,

pour a handful of salt on top of the spill. It won’t smoke, smell and, most importantly, will bake into a crust that makes the mess easier to clean once it’s cooled.

6. Clean brown spots off your iron Simply sprinkle salt on a sheet of waxed paper, slide the iron across it and rub lightly with silver polish.

Your iron will look like brand-new in no time.

7. Remove stains from your coffee pot Fill it with 1/4 cup of table salt and a dozen ice cubes. Swish the mixture around, let it sit for half an hour, fill it with cold water and rinse. Your coffee pot will look brand new.

8. Keep your windshield frost-free Dip a sponge into salt water and rub it on windows, and they won’t frost up even when the mercury drops below zero.

9. Shell nuts more easily Soak pecans and walnuts in salt water for a few hours before shelling them. Doing so will make it easier to remove the meat.

his third installment of the T Black Sheep Trilogy reveals a fulfilling, but realistically

frayed ending to the deeply emotional series. Devastated

by Jack’s brutal death, Vic blames himself; he is not alone in this, Jack’s anti-gay parents blame him as well.

Subsequent treatments with Dr. West follow, and after several tests, Vic learns that he won’t be getting better.

His illness, coupled with the abuse and drugs given to him by his chief abuser, ex-boyfriend, Dave, have all taken their toll on his body and his brain; Vic is dying.

He and the doctor make a pact, he will follow the

regime faithfully, which will leave him the time he has left to heal his family and his friends; the doctor will keep the news of his impending death to himself until both agree it must be shared.

Seen through the eyes of Anne, Adam, and Vic himself, are the final months of Vic’s life as his family and closest friends all seek to heal from their various emotional hurts and find a way to live with their painful experiences. Support comes from surprising areas and new truths are revealed in this uniquely crafted final volume. As the healing begins, Vic tracks its progress through his art, leaving his loved ones a heart-felt portrait of a family on the mend as his final gift.

BELLA key

By Scarlet Castain erendipity rescues one S harried public relations whiz when she cannot re-

schedule her flight from Miami back home. One “sign” leads to another “portent” and she finds herself taking an unexpected holiday in Bella Key of the Florida Keys. I could feel myself unwinding right alongside our harried whiz and that is just the beginning.

It was easy and delightful to become enveloped within this wonderfully friendly, secretly seductive, and magically transforming small piece of paradise.

Madison, Maddie for short, is on the fast track within M&J Public Relations. She grabbed a promotion and relocation out of NYC, NY to Portland, OR escaping several problems.

She felt relief and exhilaration but also some holes within her world and her heart.

Now, a small vacation seemed warranted and doable.

Soledad, Sunny for short, runs the B&B Casa Bonita in Bella Key. Her place is temporarily closed, but Sunny strikes a clever bargain with Maddie. That was just the first of Sunny’s artful suggestions and arrangements. She was priceless.

Page 21

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Health Diabetes education as a tool in managing disease during Ramadan Fasting (II)

Pharm. Isaac Yakubu Akogu www.diabetesguidenigeria.blogspot.com, 08176179496, diabetesconcepts@gmail.com

A Diabetes expert, Mr. Isaac Yakubu Akogu, is also Pharmacist with over 16 years experience with specialisation in Diabetes Education. Trained by The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Johannesburg, South Africa, he also acquired training in Tanzania, Uganda and Cameroon in 2011 to qualify as a Diabetes Conversation Map Expert Trainer saddled with responsibility of training doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other health care professionals on current dynamics in diabetes education. He holds a Postgraduate certificate in Diabetes Management from Dares Salaam, Tanzania and is currently the 2nd Vice President of Diabetes Association of Nigeria, North Central Zone. In his weekly column, Wellness, in Peoples Daily Weekend, he brings to you, the appropriate and current information on diabetes and other health matters.

T

he Ramadan season has come; we give thanks to Allah in His Mercy for this opportunity. How prepared are we to participate in fasting this season, especially those living with Diabetes? Last week in this column, we started the series on Diabetes and fasting, a lot of readers wrote in and some called to ask questions and some sent in useful comments and appropriate responses were given, I must thank you for your interest in this column and feel free to get in touch for further information as we go through this Holy month of Ramadan.

What happens in the body during fasting?

In healthy individuals, the process of feeding stimulates secretion of insulin which promotes the storage of glucose in liver and muscles as glycogen. During the process of fasting, glucose level circulation tends to fall thus leading to reduction in insulin secretion.

Subsequently the levels of glucagon and catecholamines (hormones) rise, leading to breakdown of stored glycogen at the same time gluconeogenesis (glucose production from the liver) is stimulated.

As the fasting progresses into hours, glycogen stores become depleted and the low level of insulin in circulation lead to increase in fatty acid released from adipocytes. Breakdown of fatty acids (oxidation) leads to formation of ketones which is used as source of energy by skeletal and cardiac muscles and organs like liver, kidney and adipose tissues. Glucose is somehow spared for utilization by the brain and erythrocytes (blood cells).

Although most religions fasts seldom exceed 24 hours, the variability of the duration of every phase may lead to different physiological response to fasting. In individuals without diabetes, the processes described above are controlled by a delicate balance between circulating levels of insulin and counter regulatory hormones that help maintain glucose concentrations in the physiological range.

In people living with diabetes however, so many factors come into play to maintain glucose balance. In people with type 1 diabetes for instance during fasting, glucagon secretion may fail to increase proportionately in response to hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) during fasting, catecholamines like epinephrine which is released in normal state is defective in some people living with type 1 diabetes due to a combination of autonomic neuropathy (problem with nerves) and defects associated with recurrent hypoglycaemia. In a person

with diabetes with severe insulin deficiency, a prolonged fast in the absence of adequate insulin can lead to excessive breakdown of glycogen, increased gluconeogenesis ( glucose production from the liver) and production of ketones which can lead to hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose) and ketoacidosis, this process is common mostly in people living with type 1 diabetes. Persons with type 2 diabetes may suffer similar responses to a prolonged fast however, ketoacidosis is uncommon.

Common risks associated with fasting in people living with diabetes -Hypoglycaemia Reduction in food intake is a common known risk factor for the occurrence of hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose). The rate of hypoglycaemic crisis is lower in people with type2 diabetes comapared to people with type1 diabetes.

-Hyperglycaemia This could be due to excessive reduction in dosages of medications to prevent hypoglycaemia.

People with diabetes who reported an increase in food or carbohydrate consumption had higher rates of severe hyperglycaemia.

-Diabetic ketoacidosis People with diabetes particularly those with type 1, who fast during Ramadan are at higher risk for developing diabetic ketoacidosis especially if they had poor diabetic control before the commencement of Ramadan. Also the reduction in insulin doses based on assumption of reduction of food intake could lead to an increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.

-Dehydration Reduction of fluid intake during the fast, especially if for a prolonged period, can lead to dehydration. The dehydration can be severe in hot and humid climates and in persons who performs hard physical labour.

Changes to treatment during fasting The change instituted in the management of a person living with diabetes depends largely on the quantity of food consumed at Sehri(morning) and Iftar(evening) and length of fast.

Patients on Diet alone: Persons living with diabetes who are managed by diet and physical activity alone should be able to observe fast during the Ramadan safely. However, it should be noted that food and drinks used to break the fast should be carefully selected, low calorie drinks or water are advised and limits should be observed on sweets and fried foods.

Patients on Medication: For people living with diabetes on medication,

it is important that changes in medication should not be attempted alone without consultating your healthcare professional. People on medication for management of diabetes should be able to fast safely, provided some guidelines below are put in place. Generally, timing of drugs taken usually change during the Ramadan because the meal time has been changed.

A. Metformin Tablets: - This tablet should be taken at the end of the days’ fast (evening), this is to cover the period of fasting.

- Should the patient feel unwell on metformin, the drug could be stopped or a lower dose considered. Metformin on empty stomach can lead to diarrhea.

- Low calorie drinks are advised with limitation or withdrawal of sweets.

B. Glitazones (Pioglitazone): The risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) with these agents are low thus the dosage taken without other medications need not be affected if taken with or without food at the same time each day.

C. Sulphonylureas -Short acting sulphonylureas like glipizide should be advisable to switch to from long acting forms like glibenclamide and should be taken once a day preferably before the break of fast meal.

-Glimepiride is relatively safe provided there is some dose reduction to accommodate their rather long acting pharmacokinetic profile.

D. Prandial regulators Drugs like Repaglinide has been known to regulate blood glucose control following meals.

The are particularly useful for fasting because of its short action and can be taken when eating and not when fasting. Its been shown to be of help in glycaemic control during Ramadan compared with sulphonylureas.

E. Insulin This is a highly technical area that requires a lot of care and information on the part of the person living with Diabetes and the health care

professional. Usually, persons living with diabetes who are being managed with insulin are advised not to fast and are encouraged to discuss this with their religious leaders, especially those living with type1 diabetes with poor control and are prone to ketoacidosis. However, for those who decide to fast, insulin should not be stopped during the Ramadan, however, this is not applicable to those with type 2 diabetes being treated on insulin.

The diabetes care team and the patient needs to work together to achieve a safe period during the Ramadan.

Other general guidelines for using insulins during the period of Ramadan include: -Wherepossible,restshouldberecommended during the day to help avoid low episodes of low blood glucose levels (hypoglycaemia).

-If available, consider a lower dose of long acting insulins (e.g Glargine) to avoid higher risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) mid day or mid fast.

-Insulin analogs Examples include lispro and Aspart insulins.

They are useful agents for fasting because they can be injected during or just after the break of fast meal and they have lower risk of hypoglycaemia at night. They have been shown to effect good glycaemic control during Ramadan when compared with regular human insulins.

-Premixed insulins are usually strongly recommended to be avoided however, should you insist to use it, the healthcare professional should consider reversing the doses such that less insulin is given at Sehri or Sahur (early morning) and the higher dose at iftar( evening).

The discussion on Diabetes and Ramadan fasting is not exhausted in this column, subsequent information will be available in www.diabetesguidenigeria.blogspot.com and I expect questions and comments through the regular contacts displayed above for further communication.

Remember, knowledge is Power.

RAMADAN KAREEM!!!

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Kiddies World

With Nami Hassan Kadir namy.kadir@yahoo.com 08130693795.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

B E AD C

HIS AND HERS’ CORNER

Why is the sky blue?

SHORT STORY Mud puddles, a dragon and a giraffe A clear cloudless day-time sky is blue because molecules in the air scatter blue light from the sun more than they scatter red light.

When we look towards the sun at sunset, we see red and orange colours because the blue light has been scattered out and away from the line of sight.

The white light from the sun is a mixture of all colours of the rainbow. This was demonstrated by Isaac Newton, who used a prism to separate the different colours and so form a spectrum. The colours of light are distinguished by their different wavelengths.

The visible part of the spectrum ranges from red light with a wavelength of about 720 nm, to violet with a wavelength of about 380 nm, with orange, yellow, green, blue and indigo between. The three different types of colour receptors in the retina of the human eye respond most strongly to red, green and blue wavelengths, giving us our colour vision.

Tyndall effect The first steps towards correctly explaining the colour of the sky were

taken by John Tyndall in 1859. He discovered that when light passes through a clear fluid holding small particles in suspension, the shorter blue wavelengths are scattered more strongly than the red. This can be demonstrated by shining a beam of white light through a tank of water with a little milk or soap mixed in. From the side, the beam can be seen by the blue light it scatters; but the light seen directly from the end is reddened after it has passed through the tank. The scattered light can also be shown to be polarised using a filter of polarised light, just as the sky appears a deeper blue through Polaroid sun glasses.

This is most correctly called the Tyndall effect, but it is more commonly known to physicists as Rayleigh scattering-after Lord Rayleigh, who studied it in more detail a few years later. He showed that the amount of light scattered is inversely proportional to the fourth power of wavelength for sufficiently small particles. It follows that blue light is scattered more than red light by a factor of (700/400)4 = 10.

J

eremiah’s feet landed in the middle of the murky waters of his Mississippi mud hole.

Splash-splash and ‘slop—slop, slurp,’ went the water and mud as it lapped over his white sneakers. His mom’s voice echoed briefly, “Don’t get those new sneakers dirty, or I’ll hit the roof Jeremiah.” He scooted his feet to the left, then to the right, getting the most splatter effect possible from twisting his sneakers.

It sure was fun outside after a rain; there were mud puddles, crawly worms, and even the air smelled wet. Mississippi must be the best place to live in the whole world!

Jeremiah smiled and looked down at his sneakers; Mom’s voice was more clear, “Don’t get those new sneakers dirty, or I’ll hit the roof Jeremiah.” Cold sweat beaded across Jeremiah’s forehead and the back of his neck prickled with guilt.

His stomach leaped up his throat and tried to jump from his mouth.

He clasped his hand over his lips just in time. Mom said she ‘would hit the roof’ if he ruined another pair of shoes. Mom never broke

a promise; and he was afraid if she saw his shoes, she would hurt herself when she ‘hit the roof’. It was up to him to keep his mom from being hurt.

Jeremiah was eight, but he recalled Mr. Ben his second-grand teacher saying that he was a smart intellect. Think—he had to come up with a plan. The answer came as easy as slipping a brownie from Aunt Kim’s bakery when she wasn’t looking. He knew what to do.

He scampered to the rear of the house and sat down on the steps leading to the garden. He tugged off his shoes, wiped the mud from them onto his face and shirt, and then tousled his hair for ‘effect’. He threw his shoes in the garden’s compost pile and dashed back to the front of the house. Sadie, his golden retriever, thought he was playing with her as he passed; but he ignored her.

“Mom, oh mom…help please…,” he wailed loudly.

Jeremiah’s mom came to the front door, “Jeremiah, what’s wrong, where are you?” She pushed the door open looking

toward the front yard.

He stumbled in front of her, moaning, and collapsed to the ground, “Mommy…I’m here,” he said more faint this time.

“For gracious sakes, what has happened to you and where are your shoes?”

“It was awful, Mommeeeee, just awful.

A great big dragon jumped out from behind the tree and landed on me. I swear I didn’t do a thing to him; he just came at me. He tried to eat me, but I kicked and kicked so the only part he ate was my sneakers. Oh, Mommy, I’m so sorry he ate my new shoes!”

Mom looked a bit puzzled said, “If a dragon ate your shoes, where is he?”

Jeremiah knew what his Mom was trying to do, but he was still in control, “After the dragon ate my shoes, he laid down across the sidewalk. Then, this great big giraffe came running clumsily down the same sidewalk, scooped up the dragon and swallowed him whole. What could I do? There’s no way I was putting my hand down a giraffe’s throat, my arms are too short!”

Sadie darted to the front porch and then circled Jeremiah. She dropped something at his feet then tackled him to the ground.

Mom reached down and picked up Sadie’s gift of a white sneaker covered in mud and compost.

“Well, what do you know?”

Mom said, handing the sneaker to him.

“Well, Mom….Sadie is a ‘real’ retriever I suppose. She braved the dragon and giraffe to ‘retrieve’ my shoes,” he said pursing his lips and wrinkling his nose. Sadie was too good a retriever.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

B

Kiddies World E AD

C

Page 23

With Nami Hassan Kadir namy.kadir@yahoo.com 08130693795.

CREATIVITY

Edible Noah’s ark By: Amanda Formaro Difficulty: Very Easy Age: 4 and up Parental supervision recommended

ACTIVITIES

Using the right colours, shade the image below. Describe the action and show your work to your teacher for correction. Cheers!

is

Crafts Make this fun and tasty Noah’s Ark craft that is completely edible! This makes for a delectable project for Sunday school or VBS. Can also be a fun craft for your kids Be sure to check out all of our crafts for school.

What you’ll need: • Wax paper • 2 hard sea shells • 2 graham cracker squares • Animal crackers in pairs • 3 pretzel sticks • Peanut butter or cake frosting • Plastic knife How to make it: 1. Line the work surface with a sheet of wax paper.

2. Very carefully break the taco shells in half. To make the shell lay flat, ask a grown-up to

use a butter knife, laying the shell flat on the table, press the butter knife onto the shell breaking off the rounded bottom.

3. Break both graham crackers in half.

4. Break one of the pretzel sticks in half make one half a little longer than the other.

5. Lay one taco shell half onto the wax paper. Next lay two more taco shell halves on top of the first, overlapping and forming the shape of a boat.

6. Place two graham

AFRICAN TALES

cracker pieces at the top of the two top taco shells, centered.

Place a third graham cracker piece centered on top of the first two.

7. Place two broken pretzel pieces on top of the top graham cracker, the larger piece first, then the smaller piece on top.

8. Line up the remaining two pretzel sticks in a triangular position on top as the roof.

9. Position animal crackers in pairs around the tops of the taco shells.

The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

A

Wolf found great difficulty in getting at the sheep owing to the vigilance of the shepherd and his dogs. But one day it found the skin of a sheep that had been flayed and

thrown aside, so it put it on over its own pelt and strolled down among the sheep.

The Lamb that belonged to the sheep whose skin the Wolf was wearing began to follow the

Wolf in the Sheep’s clothing. So, leading the Lamb a little apart, he soon made a meal off her and for some time he succeeded in deceiving the sheep, and enjoying hearty meals.

MODEL OF THE WEEK

Jael Gadzama

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Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

PAGE 25

Magazine

Ajiwa and the dying pottery art

In the past, in most villages of Nigeria, pottery products were used for storing water, cooking different kinds of food or even as a safe, for keeping hard earned money from prying eyes or armed robbers? Now the story is different, at least in Ajiwa town in Batagarawa Local Government Area of Katsina state, reports Lawal Sa’idu Funtua.

A

woman, Malama Ramatu Iliyasu who spoke to Peoples Daily Weekend at the Ajiwa market, where she was buying a mud pot for storing water said ‘ I have a refrigerator but due to the power failure I decided to buy this pot to be storing my water which usually gets cold enough to drink especially when the weather is hot’.

Malama Ramatu also disclosed that ‘soup cooked in this mud pots are always sweeter and better cooked. These metal pots we use in cooking does not give good taste of food’. She therefore called on government to come to the aid of the pottery makers in Ajiwa “to save one of our long lasting trades from extinction”.

Ajiwa town in Batagarawa Local Government of Katsina State has some unique features that distinguish it from other towns in the state. These unique features include its popular pottery arts and irrigation farming. Apart from this, Ajiwa also housed the biggest water treatment plant that supply water to the State Capital and its environs. examines the drift of a legacy.

According to people of the area the Pottery Arts of Ajiwa dates back to the time the town was established. It was also reported that the inhabitants of the town were attracted by the flourishing Pottery business and Architectural master piece of their unique building style. The chairman of the Ajiwa Pottery Workers Association, Alhaji Bara’u Khalidu noted ‘there is no house in Ajiwa that has no mastery of Pottery making business. In fact our building styles are unique and in the past people from other places used to visit the area to learn the art of pottery making and building design’.

Bara’u, 36 years old is an indigene of Ajiwa and Chairman of the Pottery Association. He gives an insight into the business, and noted that pottery as the economic mainstay of people of the area in the past is now facing serious threat from other competitors such as plastic goods manufacturers. He said ‘plastic companies are seriously posing a great challenge to us as people now patronise plastic containers more that the pottery products’. According to Bara’u ‘ like the pots we are making people

now buy them for use in the graveyards’ but he added ‘ well our only saving grace is that we have modernized our products a little as we now produced pottery items such as tea warmer, flower stand and mud cooking stove’.

The chairman however lamented that despite the pottery business being a business for all inhabitants of the town; it is dying gradually as seen in the recent past. Despite the plastic industries that posed greater challenge to their survival, the chairman identified the urge by parents to send their children to school and also disallowing them to learn the pottery business as a major contributor to the quick demise of the business.

Alhaji Bara’u noted ‘ like me I was pulled out of school by my father when I was in JSS 3 so that I can concentrate on the family pottery business. But as at now none of my five children is learning the trade even though I don’t intent to teach them pottery alone, I want them to learn other trades too’.

The chairman disclosed that in the whole Ajiwa town as at now they were only 15 people practicing the business. He lamented ‘you can see the decline; a trade practiced by thousands of people is now left for 15 people only’. He stressed ‘in the past dealers from across Nigeria come over to buy our products but now they no longer come’. Alhaji Bara’u stated that in the past they were assisted by government through the building of warmer in their workshop sites which he said has since collapsed leaving them with the option of using Sunlight to warm the pots. He however acknowledged that there was a time they had quarrel with farmland owners over the digging of mud for the pottery but the local government rescued them by purchasing the land for them.

The chairman noted that since then they have not received any form of assistance from the government. According to him, ‘our association is not strong financially may be that is why we could not get the assistance from them’ the chairman however promised to get his people organised to benefit from any further government initiative in pottery.

Chairman of Ajiwa pottery workers, Alhaji Bara’u Khalid A man working in Ajiwa pottery workshop

Some of the beautiful Ajiwa pottery arts

A woman bargaining for a mud pot at Ajiwa market

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Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Hollywood/Bollywood

Disney to produce live action ‘Jungle book’

H

ollywood Reporter has said that Disney is developing a live action adaptation of ‘The Jungle Book’.

It added that the family-friendly movie studio has hired screenwriter Justin Marks - who penned the studio’s upcoming reboot of ‘20,000 Leagues Under Sea’ - to write the script for the film.

The proposed film according to the report, is said to be in the early stages and no producers are attached to it yet, but Disney is already on the lookout for a director to helm the flick.

‘The Jungle Book’ will be based on Rudyard Kipling’s classic 1894 set of short stories, which are set in India and tell the story of a young

boy, Mowgli, who is raised by wolves, and befriends a loveable bear named Baloo and a panther named Bagheera.

Disney previously made a famous animated version of the book in 1967, which is the final film credit for pioneering producer, Walt Disney, who died midway through production.

However, Disney is not the only film studio looking to bring ‘The Jungle Book’ back to the big screen; Warner Bros. is developing its own film centred on Mowgli.

The rival films are both able to take advantage of the fact that Kipling’s original stories are no longer protected by copyright and are in the public domain.

The movie marks Disney’s latest live action adaptation of one of its hit animated films, following their upcoming remake of ‘Cinderella’.

The fairytale movie will be directed by Kenneth Branagh and will star Lily James, Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter.

Salman takes charge of Katrina may not have Sooraj Pancholi’s career any release in 2013

B

ollywood actor Salman Khan, who has taken aspiring actor Sooraj Pancholi completely under his wings, has asked Sooraj’s parents to refrain from discussing too much about his co-production starring their son, India Today has said.

It added that Salman, has roped in Sooraj as the lead role for his upcoming film ‘Hero’, a remake

of Subhash Ghai’s 1983 blockbuster.

Sooraj Pancholi, who was in judicial custody for 21 days for allegedly abetting actor Jiah Khan’s suicide, met Salman, producer of the aforementioned film, last week in Hyderabad.

Salman who reportedly has been perturbed with the several media reports focusing on the lead

actor of his upcoming film has requested Sooraj’s parents to keep mum about their son’s debut film.

A leading daily quoted a source as saying, “’Hero’ was supposed to begin shooting in January 2014. But it will now start in November 2013.

Salman has asked the entire team to get into a work-mode immediately. The script is being reworked to suit today’s times.”

I

ndia Today has revealed that Bollywood Diva, Katrina, will not have a release in 2013.

It added that both Katrina Kaif’s action-adventure films - Vijay Krishna Acharya’s Dhoom 3 and Siddharth Anand’s Bang Bang will be delayed.

A report said that Dhoom 3 might not have a Christmas release, since Aamir Khan insists he would shoot only when he’s physi-

cally and emotionally fit for the villainous part.

Bang Bang’s third schedule in Prague has been postponed indefinitely because of Hrithik’s emergency brain surgery. Hrithik will have to recuperate fully before resuming the shoot.

So, instead of waiting, buzz is that Katrina would visit her family in London for her birthday on July 16.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 13 - SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Issues PAGE 27

Making 2016 Population Census work

By Isyaku Tahir

N

igeria has a history of problems with data collection. Results of the first post-independence census conducted in 1962 were withdrawn. The reliability of the 1963 census was questioned. The results of the 1973 census were discredited and never saw the light of day, and no census was conducted in 1981. Collecting data in Nigeria can be a challenge. During the March 2006 census, thousands of enumerators walked off the job, because they hadn’t been paid. Several years ago, Holly Newby, who was the U.S. survey manager for ORC Macro (now Macro International) in Nigeria for the 2003 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS),discovered that rough terrain made her job all the more difficult. Similarly, census enumerators in the past found that some households were not easily accessible by roads.

Some were more easily reached by water. But the boats weren’t well-built and most Nigerians don’t swim, so enumerators were reluctant to go by boat.

Census exercise and figures are important to each and every community in Nigeria because they provide information about the population down to the local level across a range of different criteria e.g. age, education, employment, language spoken, health, etc. This information can be used to tell at a community, state and national level about the composition of the population and to identify the needs and requirements of each group in planning for the provision of services. And the beauty of the census information is that everyone can use it The first documented census in Nigeria was conducted by the British in 1866. Subsequently there were others in 1871, 1896, 1901, 1911, and 1921.

All the above were conducted in the Southern protectorate. Although numerous estimates of the Nigerian population were made during the colonial period, the first attempt at a nationwide census was during 1952-53. This attempt yielded a total population figure of 31.6 million within the current boundaries of the country. This census was considered an undercount for a number of reasons: apprehension that the census was related to tax collection; political tension at the time in eastern Nigeria; logistical difficulties in reaching many remote areas; and inadequate training of enumerators in some areas.

The good news however is that the new leadership in the National Population Commission (NPC) had identified these, and other challenges to be able to surmount them preparatory to the 2016 census therefore what the NPC needs is support and encouragement from the government, Nigerians and the international community instead of blackmail and falsehood.

Experts have identified lack of appropriate technology, unique identity database and focused use as reasons for corruption, mismanagement, challenges in governance, representation, security and other areas. Going by its mandate, the NPC is the only institution that can change this situation through accurate census, which could only be done through open and transparent processes consistent with global best practices, fiscal responsibility, accountability and due process.

Indeed, accurate data about a country’s population is fundamental to rational policy making, planning and programme implementation.

Planners need population and development data to evaluate demographic trends; to assess the socio-economic situation of women, men and youths and to design population policies and programmes. Knowledge of the characteristics and trends of population is also required to integrate population factors into development planning; to monitor and evaluate policies and programmes and to help promote population awareness among decision makers in public and private sectors. In Nigeria, the National Policy on Population for sustainable development recognizes population as a valuable resource and central to sustainable development.

It is in this regard that the National Population Commission (NPC) was established by the federal government in 1988 with the statutory powers to collect, analyze and disseminate population/demographic data in the country, and mandated to undertake demographic sample surveys, compile, collate and publish migration and civil registration statistics as well as monitor the country’s Population Policy.

Its other responsibilities include, undertaking periodic enumeration of population through sample survey, censuses or otherwise, establishing and maintaining machinery for continuous and universal registration of births and deaths throughout the federation, advising the President on population matters; publishing and providing information data on population for the purpose of facilitating economic and development planning as well as appointing, training or arranging for the appointment and training of enumerators or other

staff of the Commission. Its vision is to become the population centre of excellence and most responsive public institution in Nigeria’, and its mission to be the leading demographic agency in Africa by 2017, and meet data needs of all end-users while ensuring a robust population quality for national transformation and global competitiveness’.

There is no doubt that the NPC is a key national institution given the importance of accurate census in national planning, the reason chairman of the Commission, must work with all stakeholders to unlock the values for Nigerians as he has promised, during the inauguration of the new NPC Board.

However, achieving the relevant milestones, in representation and governance; for quantum leaps in economic progress and social justice and for investor friendly ecosystems, and to generate the needed jobs and taxable wealth, requires a FACT-BASED planning and organizing paradigm, in place of opinions and guesstimates.

To have this data requires a zerobased census as an absolute imperative. We as Nigerians need to know ourselves, with a logical and scientifically provable and auditable population project. We also need reliable demographics and statistical characterization of our population that will make segmentation possible and a data bank that provides intelligence on all persons within our borders are desirable, especially with the current situation of insecurity. And because Nigeria should meet all its population related key issues the commission needs all the necessary support to be able to achieve this since it believes that vital registration will sustain real-time accuracy and adoption of an appropriate portfolio of technologies, talents and partnerships. As part

of its’ strategic repositioning mechanism, therefore, the new leadership of NPC reportedly came up with some objectives which include upgrading and expanding national registration infrastructure for 100 % timeliness, accuracy and completeness of vital statistics for planning, implementation and evaluation of development programmes in Nigeria by the end of 2014, organising, designing, planning and executing a Greenfield zero-based biometric census of all persons in Nigeria from May 2016-December 2016,

establishing a National Database of Nigerians for their real time unique identity and ensure plug and play through a modern geo-portal to render services to all stakeholders, such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), security agencies and international partners, and become a more credible and respected commission locally and internationally.

Contributed by Tahir, Kano, ishaktahir@yahoo.com

Pots & Pans Page 28

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Why you should eat Dates A

product of the date palm, the date fruit is one of the sweetest fruits around and also happens to come in many different varieties. Although dates can be eaten fresh, the fruit is very often dried, resembling raisins or plums. But whether fresh or dry, the health benefits of dates are still just as plentiful.

If you’re looking for fiber, potassium, or copper, look no further than dates. While dates are rich in many vital nutrients and therefore offer many health benefits, the fruit is so small that you’ll need to consume a larger quantity to intake the necessary amount.

Health benefits 1. Promoting digestive health, relieving constipation – Fiber is essential for promoting colon health and making for regular bowel movements. The insoluble and soluble fiber found in dates help to clean out the gastrointestinal system, allowing the colon to work at greater levels of efficiency.

Some other benefits relating to fiber and colon health are reduced risks of colitis, colon cancer, and hemorrhoids.

(Dates could even be coupled with other home remedies for hemorrhoids.)

•2. Boosting heart health – In addition to promoting colon health, fiber is also known to boost heart health.

•3. Anti-inflammatory – Dates are rich in magnesium – a mineral known for its antiinflammatory benefits. One

study found that ”inflammatory indicators in the body such as CRP (C-reactive protein), TNF (tumor necrosis factor alpha), and IL6 (interleukin 6) were all reduced when magnesium intake was increased.”

Further, inflammation in the arterial walls was also reduced with magnesium intake. Based on magnesium’s anti-inflammatory properties and the findings of this study, magnesium can effectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and other inflammation-related health ailments.

•4. Reduced blood pressure – Magnesium has been shown to help lower blood pressure – and again, dates are full of the mineral. Additionally, potassium is another mineral in dates that has several functions within the body, aiding with the proper workings of the heart and helping to reduce blood pressure.

•5. Reduced stroke risk – After evaluating 7 studies published over a 14 year time period, researchers found stroke risk was reduced by 9% for every every 100 milligrams of magnesium a person consumes per day. The research can be found in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

•6. Healthy pregnancy and delivery – Further adding to the health benefits of dates, one study performed by researchers at the University of Science and Technology set out to discover

how the date fruit impacted labor parameters and delivery outcomes.

After studying 69 women for a year and 1 month, the researchers found that “the consumption of date fruit in the last 4 weeks before

Arabian roast chicken

Ingredients: One whole broiler chicken, 1 tin of rice, 2 eggs curry and thyme, seasoning cubes, salt, onions, attarugu, green pepper, 4 table spoon groundnut oil and garlic.

Method: Cook rice half done, remove from fire then add seasoning and sliced onion, green pepper, atarugu, beat eggs and add, mix well then, wash chicken whole without cutting.

Stuff chicken with rice mixture until well filled, then cover by crossing legs of chicken, then close the neck opening with one whole onion. Put the chicken in a clean pot add some water and seasoning, curry and thyme, add groundnut oil.

Cover the pot and cook until water has absorbed, then remove from heat and transfer to the electric oven and roast until golden brown, serve hot.

labour significantly reduced the need for induction and augmentation of labour, and produced a more favourable, but non-significant, delivery outcome. The results warrant a randomised controlled trial.”

With Hajiya Ramatu Usman Dorayi

•7. Boosting brain health – Some studies, such as one found in JAMA Internal Medicine, found that sufficient vitamin B6 levels are associated with improved brain performance and better test scores.

Mango shake Ingredients: 2 large mangoes, 1 tin of evaporated milk, honey or sugar, water.

Method: Wash and peel mango, cut into small pieces and blend add water, milk and honey. Serve cold.

Page 29

Womanhood

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Love so sweet! A Manor House wedding in Essex

I

f you ever thought love wasn’t sweet, then wait till you read about Simi and Gbolahan’s beautiful wedding ceremony. It is a romantic story of Simi Adedeji, a Nigerian doctor and Gbolahan Bakre, a Nigerian IT consultant in London, UK. I guess cupid perfectly planned the day Simi and Gbolahan met. Here goes the story – once upon a time, a friend persuaded Simi to attend a party which she didn’t want to go, but she finally gave in. At the party, Simi and Gbolahan’s eyes clicked and as they say, the rest is history.

Gbolahan proposed to Simi on a surprise trip to Malta. On the wedding day, Simi dazzled in an artistic lace dress by Maggie Sottero, with her hair swept up into an elegant chignon, she styled the gown with silver drop earrings and blush satin Dune shoes. Her beau looked dapper in a grey suit.

Although Simi didn’t have a wedding theme, she wanted a touch of vintage with a contemporary twist.

The proposal We met at a mutual friend’s party in London. I owe massive thanks to my friend Fiona who dragged me out to that party that night (against my wishes). Fast forward 7 years and he proposed on my 30th birthday on a surprise trip to Malta. I had always wanted to go to Malta.

He told me he was taking me away for my birthday and that I should turn up at the airport with my passport.

He refused to give me any clues about where we were going, despite my notso-subtle probing. All I knew was that we were going somewhere warm.

When we got to the check in desk, he revealed the destination.

We stayed in the most beautiful room on the top floor of the Hilton Malta which had a spectacular sea view. The day after we arrived in Malta was my birthday and it was full of surprises. First of all a beautiful, large bouquet of flowers was delivered to me in the morning along with a bottle of champagne and a fresh fruit and cream birthday cake

Simi and Gbolahan (complete with sparklers).

Next was a surprise “activity”.

As he watched me get ready for the “activity” he tried to tell me that I really didn’t need to wear make-up or jewelry but I refused to listen; When we got downstairs to the foyer, a van with a Scuba Diving logo was waiting!

So much for my make-up, jewelry and freshly straightened hair.

After scuba diving we got ready to go for dinner at De Mondion Restaurant at the Xara Palace. It was whilst we were getting ready that he got down on one knee and held out a white box with one of the most unique diamond engagement rings I have ever seen and asked me to do him the honor of being his wife.

Culture The wedding took 10 months to plan; actually we had two weddings

to plan in that time because we had a traditional Nigerian wedding two days before our white wedding. We could not have done it in that time without our Wedding Planner: Events by Emilia.

She was an absolute Godsend and her attention to detail was fantastic.

Our white wedding was at a manor house at Braxted Park in Essex, which had a quaint little church within the grounds so it was very convenient for the guests to get from the church to the reception.

We didn’t have a theme per say, but I had in mind an overall look of “vintage with a modern twist” which was inspired by my beautiful engagement ring. The colours of the day were champagne, ivory and antique rose.

We honored our culture with our Traditional Nigerian Wedding

which was 2 days before our white wedding. At the traditional wedding we wore traditional Yoruba attire (Aso Oke) and most of the guests also wore traditional Nigerian Attire.

The wedding represented a formal introduction between the two families (although they had met before then) with Gbolahan and his family formally asking my family, for my hand in marriage. His family brought lots of gifts including food items, and a large suitcase full of clothes, luxury fabrics, jewelry and shoes for me.

At the white wedding, both our family members wore traditional Yoruba attire with headties in a particular colour, to allow the family members to be distinguished from other guests. There were also other cultural elements such as the wedding breakfast, which was Nigerian food.

Position yourself for a better tomorrow!

S

o what’s next?‘ This is one question I always dread to ask myself.

It is a question that kills me but it also gets me thinking.If you are fresh out of school like me, I’m sure that you would be able to relate to what I’m saying.

The truth is that at some point in life, we don’t necessarily know “what next” or what exactly we want to do with our life or what we want our future to look like. But what we should know is that we are in a very fast moving world, where people are divided into two categories; those who are progressing and those who are moving backwards.

Fela Durotoye in a speech addressing some students said, ‘the reason

why we are able to stand without falling is because the world is spinning at such a fast rate that before we can fall, it has already moved to another point, so nothing is actually at a standstill; change is happening so fast that it looks like a constant’. So in reality, no one is really stagnant. It is either you are moving forward or going backward. Even if you remain at a particular position, and do nothing to improve that position, you are not stagnant because others around are improving their positions in life and are moving forward so you are getting farther behind.

Now that you know, figure out something to improve your present position in life, start where you are, with what you have.

PAGE 30

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Do you  have old pictures for memories?

Send them to junioremma419@gmail.com

ARCHIVES

Colonial office staff_ in Lagos, 1899

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, circa 1968. They had buffet in the Universities, before it was scrapped when the Military returned in the early eighties

Quranic school in the 60s

TOS Benson and Charlotte Clotworthy-Benson in front of their first home on King George Avenue, Herbert Macaulay, now Otunba Benson Avenue Yaba, in the 60s

Children visit Father Xmas at Kingsway Stores, Marina, Lagos. 1973

Page 31

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Leisure

CARTOON

STRANGE FACTS -The highest country in the world for doing plastic surgeries- is the US, Mexico being second.

-It is estimated that millions of trees in the world are accidentally planted by squirrels who bury nuts and then forget where they hid them.

Ernest Vincent Wright wrote a novel, “Gadsby”, which contains over 50,000 words -- none of them with the letter E. -A hard working adult sweats up to 4 gallons per day. Most of the sweat evaporates before a person realizes it’s there, though.

- A lump of pure gold

the size of a matchbox can be flattened into a sheet the size of a tennis court.

-Every year, kids in North America spend close to half a billion dollars on chewing gum.

-During your lifetime, you’ll eat about 60,000 pounds of food, that’s the weight of about 6 elephants.

the alphabet that does not appear in the name of any of the United States.

-One quarter of the bones in your body are in your feet.

-When glass breaks, the cracks move faster than 3,000 miles per hour. To photograph the event, a camera must shoot at a millionth of a second.

-In space, astronauts cannot cry properly, -The two-foot long bird because there is no called a Kea that lives gravity, so the tears can’t in New Zealand likes to flow down their faces. eat the strips of rubber around car windows.

-The penguin is the only bird who can swim, -The only 15 letter but not fly. word that can be spelled without repeating a letter -Q is the only letter in is “uncopyrightable”.

WORD SEARCH Find the words which are listed at the right side of this page in the Word Search grid. The words can be forwards, backwards, up, down, or diagonal. Circle each letter separately and keep in mind that the letters in each words may be used in more than one words name.

Market Ministry School Administration Family Education Honesty Drama Endurance Rocket Family Truth

PHOTO OF THE DAY

QUOTES • I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

– Maya Angelou • Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others.

Unsuccessful people are always asking, “What’s in it for me?”

– Brian Tracy • We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

– Plato • 54. First, have a definite, clear practical ideal; a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends; wisdom, money, materials, and methods. Third, adjust all your means to that

end.

– Aristotle • “If people refuse to look at you in a new light and they can only see you for what you were, only see you for the mistakes you’ve made, if they don’t realize that you are not your mistakes, then they have to go.”

– Steve Maraboli • “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes.

Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”

– Lao Tzu • “Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice.

It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”

– William Jennings Bryan

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Compiled by Namy Kadir Hassan

Fashion

Page 32

Two amazing looks of High-low dress

H

igh Low Dresses, Formal gowns do not always h a v e to be

traditional in design, they can be of any length. These trendy styles have a heritage that traces back to the beautiful Flamingo dresses from Old Spain, with their high fronts and long trains in the back. While the style is an old one, today’s designers have taken the concept of High Low Dresses and created gorgeous formal gowns and informal dresses that make the perfect style for dancing all night long. When a woman wants to show off her legs, yet maintain a formal silhouette, High Low Dresses are the perfect choice. They are long in the back, like a maxi dress and short in the front.

They are really pretty if you know what to wear them with it. High low dresses are very popular because you’re getting two amazing looks in one dress.

These gowns are called high low because they have a short skirt in the front and

a long train in the back. The short skirt lets you express your playful style while the long train makes the dress more glamorous.

This selection of high low gowns and d r e s s e s include sexy animal print dresses, cheap high l o w

dresses, and elegant strapless dresses.

The high-low skirt and dress have become quite popular these days. It is a hark back to vintage glamour with the arrival of these skirts and dresses.

These are sort of skirts and dresses for females who can’t decide on wearing a short skirt or a long skirt.

Highl o w dresses

can be both playful and elegant at the same time. touches can be either comfortable or elegant depending on the skirt/dress and how they are styled.

Source: en-vogue exclusive

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Style

Page 33

Namadi’s inimitable styles Y

ou do not have to be in the corridor of power to notice Vice President, Mohammadu Namadi Sambo’s unique fashion styles though Nigerians have not missed seeing the inventive, outrageous outfits of government officials (both men and women, routinely brought to the Nigeria’s fashion stage, the No. 2 citizen’s style is distinctive, i n f a c t inimitable, eye catching and timeless but certainly not budget-friendly.

BU$I#€SS PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 13 - SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

TVC News competes for viewers on global scene

By Chris Alu

T

President Goodluck Jonathan and CEO, Shanghai Electric Power Company, Mr Lin Zhen Ya during a meeting yesterday in Beijing, China.

VC News, the first genuine 24hour pan-African TV news channel from the stable of the Continental Broadcasting Service Ltd, based in Lagos, has launched on the UK’s BskyB platform (EPG 572).

The pan-African news channel aims to challenge stereotypes and correct factual inaccuracies and misperceptions about Africa and its peoples.

Nigel Parsons, the Chief Executive Officer TVC News and the former head of Aljazeera English, said: “Without shying away from reporting the conflicts or the corruption, the famines or the wars, the mission of TVC News is also to tell the many positive stories coming out of Africa.” He added: “Stories – good or bad – will be told ‘Through African Eyes’.”

The news channel serves as a medium for Africans in every part of the world to be heard on the global scene.

Through its fair and fearless reporting, TVC News will tell the unreported

NNPC loses over 11m barrels of oil in 3 years

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Wednesday, disclosed that it has lost 11,753,217 million barrels of crude oil between 2010, 2011, and 2012.

In a presentation, during the public hearing of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Finance, Anthony Ogbugbe, NNPC’s Group Executive Director Refining and Petrochemical, also hinted that the corporation’s cumulative loss between 2009 and 2012 is put at N384.88 billion.

He further argued that the operational losses suffered by NNPC in those years is responsible for its inability to make any remittance to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

“The corporation encountered huge loss of crude oil between 2010

and 2012. During the period under review, we lost 6,415,052 barrels of crude oil from the ESC/CNL-Warri pipeline; we lost 2,117,538 barrels of crude oil from the Warri-Kaduna pipeline; we lost 277,512 barrels of crude oil from the SPDC-Warri pipeline; we also lost 2,943,112 barrels of crude oil from the Bonny-PHRC pipeline. During the years under review, NNPC lost 11,753,217 barrels of crude oil from pipeline vandalism.”

He also added that the financial loss of NNPC in the upstream, midstream and downstream between 2009 and 2012 amounted to N437.34 billion, including N298.94 billion in 2009, N110.85 billion in 2010 and N27.55 billion in 2011.

According to Ogbugbe, who also put the cumulative loss of NNPC at N384.88 billion, “NNPC suffered operational losses in the years 2009 to

2011 as earlier explained, and, therefore, was not in a position to remit any surplus funds to the Consolidation Revenue Fund (CRF). The quantum of losses is indicative of crude and pipeline vandalism, as well as unrecovered subsidy claims.”

Reacting to the claims by NNPC, a member of the committee, Peter Edeh observed that the corporation was always coming up with different stories at different times.

“When we carried out an investigation into the fuel subsidy, NNPC told us that it was from the excess money they didn’t utilise that they were covering up for the subsidy, which government was not paying for regularly. And now, they are telling us that they are buying at international rate, and supplying at subsidised rate.

Which of these stories shall we believe? Which of them is correct now?

Because the first story is slightly different from the second, and the second is totally different now from the third,” Edeh said.

In his summative remark, chairman of the committee, Jibril Abdulmumin expressed worry on how the operational cost of NNPC is being managed.

“I want to believe that there is also a huge problem of inefficiency in terms of operational cost. When we say that there is a huge operational cost, for instance, the analysis you did on page eight, cost of sales 90 percent, a colleague noted that it is important for us to have a fair idea of the nittygritty of that cost. How are we sure that beyond vandals, that beyond oil theft, there is no big answer in terms of how effective the operational cost of NNPC is being managed?” Abdulmumin wondered.

Cash-less policy: Port Harcourt traders demand enlightenment

S

ome traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, on Thursday advised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to embark on aggressive public enlightenment on its cashless policy.

It could be recalled that the cashless policy was introduced by the Apex Bank in 2011 and was first implemented in Lagos in 2012. The policy has so far been extended to five states of the federation, namely Rivers, Abia, Anambra, Kano and Ogun.

The traders told NAN in Port Harcourt that it was unfair to implement a policy hinging on people’s private earnings without educating them on

its advantages and disadvantages.

They said that many citizens were still ignorant of the policy.

A trader, Mr. Uka Asiegbu, questioned the reason for the existence of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) if it could not be mobilised for such important national policy enlightenment.

Asiegbu said the policy could be in the best interest of Nigerians, but the citizens had the right to a platform to ask questions and get better education before the implementation. ``I want CBN to embark on sensitisation of people on this policy be-

cause many people, especially, in Rivers state, are still ignorant of it. ``The implementation of the policy without adequate sensitisation can cause people to device another means of banking their money to forestall any uncertainty because we have had enough experience,’’ he said.

A banker, who spoke on ground of anonymity, told NAN that the policy had started working in various banks, adding that it was aimed at reducing dominance of cash in the system.

According to the banker, the policy specifies penal charges on individuals and corporate organisations that

want to withdraw or lodge cash above prescribed limits. ``The CBN new policy stipulates a ‘cash handling charge’ on daily cash withdrawals or cash deposits that exceed N500, 000 for individuals and N3 million for corporate bodies. Processing fee for withdrawals above the limit for individual customers and corporate bodies is three per cent of the excess. ``The processing fee for lodgments above the limit for individual customers and corporate bodies is also three percent,” the source noted.

(NAN)

stories from under-reported regions across the continent, all from an African perspective.

Supported by correspondents and reporters operating from bureaux across Africa and the world, the channel aims to provide its viewers with “breaking news as it happens” while setting new standards in African broadcasting.

With its mobile app, smartphone/ tablet users can watch live news and follow latest happenings from around the world from its website, www.tvcnews.tv, and by installing its apps via mobile.tvcnews.tv and clicking on the live streaming button. They can also follow TVC News on twitter with the handle @tvcnews_africa.

Since its launch in Africa at the end of February 2013, TVC News has provided comprehensive on-the-spot coverage of the 2013 Kenyan elections, the recent war in Mali, as well as an exclusive interview with South African icon, Winnie Mandela and the former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki.

Zungeru hydro-project: Resettlement on course, says Minister

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Minister of State for Power, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi, on Tuesday reiterated the determination of the Federal Government to adhere to the implementation plans of the Zungeru hydro-project, to ensure its completion in record time.

In a statement by the Ministry’s Deputy Director/Head of Press, Timothy Oyedeji, Kuchi debunked the insinuation that there are unresolved issues on the project with the Niger state government and the locals living in the project area. She stressed that all the parties are working together to make a success of the project.

She further said that both officials of the Ministry and Community Resettlement Consultants are working on ascertaining and confirming the number of affected persons, adding that very soon they will be done with the issuing of identification cards to those that would be genuinely affected as captured by the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report, and thereafter they will be captured through bio-metric, prior to valuation of their compensation claims.

The Minister assured that thorough work has been done in the three (3) affected local government areas, namely: Wushishi, Shiroro and Rafi, stressing that the report had identified about 90 villages as communities that would be affected by the project.

During the exercise, the Ministry of Power, and the Consultants, Messrs Mohammed & Co. and George Nze & Co. will engage with the state’s Ministry of Lands, Local Governments and the locals in the affected areas to ensure that no one is short changed in the exercise.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 13 - SUNDAY 14, JUNE, 2013

PAGE 35

BU$I#€SS

L-R: Vice-Chairman, Technical Committee of National Council on Privatisation, Malam Haruna Sambo, Director General Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Dikki, Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama, and Director, Solicitors Department Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Olusola Moore, jointly briefing journalists after the meeting of National Council on Privatisation,at the State House on Thursday, in Abuja Photo: Joe Oroye

NNPP calls for speedy passage of PIB

T

he National Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Mr. Gilbert Agbo has called for the speedy passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

Agbo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday that if passed, the bill would enhance the standard of living of the oil producing communities. ``It will be in the interest of the masses if that bill is passed and remove those who have constituted problems as far as activities within the oil industry are concern. The delay in passing the bill may have overall adverse effect on the economy and poverty would continue to thrive, especially among the rural populace”, he said. ``It is just a few persons who operate like a cabal that are the benefiting from the oil industry to the detriment of ordinary Nigerians, particularly those living in the oil producing communities”, he added.

Agbo said that because of the uncoordinated manner oil was being produced in the country, many of the oil producing communities had been facing environmental challenges among others.

According to him, if PIB becomes a law, it will address most of the challenges confronting communities where such natural resources were being explored.

(NAN)

Dangote port operations plan fresh N9.7bn investment in berth expansion

By Aminu Imam

G

reenview Development Nigeria Limited (GDNL), the port arm of Dangote Group in charge of the ‘Terminal E’ of Lagos Port Complex (LPC) Apapa, has submitted fresh request to the management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to enable it commence construction work on the proposed berth 21 in the terminal.

The berth expansion projected estimated to gulp the sum of N9.7 billion ($60 million), will enable Greenview terminal to commence export of commodities through the terminal to other countries of the world, when completed.

The development project, which

is targeted at boosting the nation’s capacity as well as government revenue generation through the port, will also see to the extension of the berth by 200 meters said Bukar Abba Isa, managing director of GDNL. According to him, the terminal, which has submitted the application for approval to commence work to the Federal Ministry of Transport, is also waiting the final submission to the ministry by the Port Authority.

Explaining further, the GDNL boss said that the terminal has grown its cargo output from 1.2 million metric tonnes in 2006 to 1.9 million metric in 2012 and the number of ocean going vessels calling the terminal has also grown over the years.

“There has been heavy investment in the acquisition of cargo handling equipment for on-board and shore operations as well as transferring of goods to consignees”, Bukar added.

Findings show that the terminal, is sited on a 19.1 hectare of land with quay wall length of 510 meters with two functional berths (19 and 20) of 11 meters draught.

GDNL has in the last eight years invested the sum of N1.4 billion in the acquisition of new cargo handling equipment such as 25 and 30 tonnes forklifts; pay-loaders and portalina unloader that is currently awaiting installation at the terminal.

The terminal receives cargoes that include bulk sugar, bulk wheat,

bulk gypsum, bulk salt, bulk fertilizer, bulk rice, liquid bulk and general cargo for Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Flour Mills, Dangote cement factories and NASCON PLC. It has a functional rail line that enables it to receive all the imported locomotives for the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

Further findings have shown that GDNL invested the sum of N850 million on increased warehouse capacity for storage of sugar from 65,000 metric tonnes in the pre-concession era to 105,000 metric tonnes. It also built additional silos increasing capacity from the existing 68,000 metric tonnes to 89,000 metric tonnes at the cost of N200 million.

13 per cent derivation: Oil producing petitions Revenue Commission

By Abdulwahab Isa

A

s new revenue formula is awaited, some oil communities from Akwa-Ibom state in a memo to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission insist their demand for 13 per cent derivation was a legitimate right within confines of the law.

Oil and gas producing communities of Akwa Ibom state have joined the rating debate over payment of 13 per net derivation direct to the communities, insisting that their demands are within the confines of the law as enshrined in 1999 constitution.

The 13 members representing various oil communities of Akwa Ibom that signed the memo to the Revenue Commission include, Awawa Eka-Enang, Mr. Iniobong Willie, Prince Benhur Oduenyie, Chief

Unanaowo Akpan, Elder Ufort Udo, Sunday Okon, Mr. Ibanga Asuquo Bassey, Mr. Stanley Etim, Obong Sebastian Okon, Hon. Chris Abasi-Eyo, Chief Ime Jack, Engr. Kevin Ibok and Edet Daniel.

According to them, “ we insist on the provisions of Section 162(2) which states that provided that the principle of derivation shall be constantly reflected in any approved revenue formula as not less than 13 per cent of the revenue accruining to the Federation Account directly from any natural resources. “ We do not need an amendment of the constitution for administrative implementation of that provision.

From that provision of the constitution, it is clear that 13 per cent derivation fund is theorist line charge of the Federation Account. The fund is prior to any revenue formula, it exists before any revenue formula. The amount due

to 13 per net derivation fund is constitutionally set aside before any FAAC meeting to share the balance of the total oil revenue of 87 per cent”.

The oil communities representatives posited in the letter to RMAFC that it was wrong to send the 13 per cent derivation fund through any state government account who is the third beneficiary of the Federation Account.

According to them, the 13 years, the governors of oil producing communities have received the 13 per cent derivation fund meant for the development of oil and gas producing areas, was wasteful as such funds were never channelled to develop any part of the oil community but instead developments were focused on state capital. “ It is therefore surprising that RMAFC decided to pay the 13 per cent derivation into state government accounts when there is enough evidence

from past administrative records and law that derivation fund is a Federal government matter”. They said.

The group said that Revenue Act 1 of 1982 stated clearly that 1.5 per cent derivation fund was for the development of mineral producing areas in Nigeria, the derivation fund would be administered and managed by the a federal Government.

This they claimed was the practice and procedure and wondered why RMAFC changed this and pay the 13 per cent derivation fund into any state government accounts without recourse to procedures, practice and records.

They said it is necessary to emphasize again that it was the efforts of oil and gas producing communities during the 1994/95 constitutional conference that made derivation fund to be increased to 13 per cent and also enshrined in the 1999 constitution.

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

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

Page 36

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

Chairman Malam Wada Maida, Oon, Fnge Director/Editor-in-Chief Rufa’i Ibrahim Managing Editor Abdul-Azeez Abdullahi

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LETTERS & ONLINE COMMENTS Kaduna Muslim Pilgrims Board: Begging the question

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apanese business strategist, Kenichi Ohmae, says: “To achieve positive result from a failing system, the best strategy is to challenge the prevailing assumptions with a single question, Why? And to put the question relentlessly to those responsible for the current way of doing things until they are sick of it. To succeed in this world, for example, through the functioning of the soul of learning, the moral and intellectual aspects of humanity are developed. Based on this, I made some observations in an article in Sunday Trust of June 2, titled: Hajj 2013 and Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Board.

What is clearly harmless opinion, freely given to outgoing Executive Secretary of Kaduna State Muslims Pilgrims Board (KSMPWB), Tahir Umar Tahir, attracted venom from one Danlamin Maidabara.

In the article, I raised three fundamental questions: first, was the rationale behind the transfer of local government pilgrims’ officers less than two weeks after Tahir assumed duty at the board, especially when the affected officers sold 50% of hajj seats to intending pilgrims. Second, I conceded that appointment in Nigeria is not based on merit or competence but rather political patronage.Therefore, I will not x-ray his ability to man KSMPWB. I reminded him of claiming to be “oga at the top” ahead of executive secretary of the board and Permanent Secretary Bureau for Religious Affairs (Islamic Matters) headed then by Elder Balarabe Jigo. Third, I advised him to stop divulging his conversation with the governor to staff of the board as it contravenes administrative principles.

Lastly, I outlined administrative steps expected from a new chief executive like briefings, familiarisation and seeking expert advice.

Instead of responding to the issues, Maidabara ended up exposing his oga at the top’s egoistic and bellicose braggadocio. Maidabara alleged I was sponsored, but failed to disclose his relationship with Tahir or the board.

The most ludicrous is his claim that

WRITE TO US

Peoples Daily Weekend welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed to: The Editor, Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.

Email: opinion@peoplesdailyng.com adverts@peoplesdailyng.com pictures@peoplesdailyng.com contact@peoplesdailyng.com Tahir’s special adviser position contributed to the success recorded during the administration of Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammed, MON.Let Maidabara refer to the appointment letter of Tahir either as special assistant or special adviser on Islamic matters and show where he was assigned a supervisory role over permanent secretary of Bureau for Religious Affairs or office of the executive secretary of KSMPWB. Was Tahir as special adviser and member of state executive council or part of state Security Council meeting? If not, how can he supervise the permanent secretary, who is a member of state Security Council? Since its creation, pilgrims’ boards have been under direct supervision of the permanent secretary of the Bureau for Islamic Affairs. All official correspondence to the governor goes through the permanent secretary and there have never been any misunderstanding except the ones created

by Tahir and co. With the unrivalled mischievous antecedent of his, Tahir may ridicule himself at the national level now that he has been appointed special assistant to vice president on Islamic matters and National Mosque.

On transfer of pilgrim officers, Maidabara (or is it the clone version of Tahir) said it was because of the alleged involvement in hajj seat racketeering. This

is where my questions become an answer.

Once again, is it right to transfer problem from one location to another within the same house or to identify those involved and punish them accordingly? Administratively, he should have constituted a committee to investigate the matter and apply laid down civil service procedure to deal with the report. By admitting the transfers were based on alleged racketeering, he vindicated my stand about his incompetence.

Secondly, Maidabara stated that turning the pilgrims’ board to hosting arena was meant to take advice from the people. How can hosting people of different shades and taste amount to official briefs and expert advice? This sounds like a man who spent his valuable time letting down empty bucket into empty well with the hope of filling a drum with water.

Thirdly, Maidabara did the worst public relation hatchet job by saying his position as former president of Muslim Students Society qualifies him to head the pilgrims’ board. As an active member of MSS, it is true MSS has produced many people who excelled in their various endeavours. That does not mean all its past presidents are automatically programmed to succeed.

There are those who have not managed any public or private organisation - I am afraid Tahir falls within in this category. He also

claimed Tahir’s six-year MSS presidency is the longest; some have spent a decade as MSS president.

Before I forget, when Malam Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammed received national honour of Member Order of Niger (MON) from late President Umaru Yar’Adua, I heard him on BBC, dedicating the award to the people of Kaduna state, all staff of the board and all hajj stakeholders within and outside the state. On this basis, if he claims to be part of the success dance, I cannot dispute he was among the stakeholders referred to by Muhammed.

I await the day Barrister Muhammed and Alh. Balarabe Jigo and the chief pioneer will tell the public who contributed what and to whom during their sojourn at the board.

Curiously, Maidabara assured the people of Kaduna state that “Tahir Umar Tahir as executive secretary will not secure accommodation far away from haram during his tenure. He will refund to pilgrims any money so designated

by NAHCON”. It shows previous administrations secure accommodation far away from haram. If it is true that previous administrations (which Maidabara claimed his boss was part of and even contributed to its success) secure accommodation far away from haram, is that not self-indictment? Was Tahir as board member and special adviser on Islamic matters not part of a team sent annually by government to secure accommodation for pilgrims?

Tahir or whoever is desirous of public discourse on previous activities of the board is welcome to the ring at any point in time.

Finally, as a Muslim, I cannot disagree with Maidabara that power comes from Almighty Allah and He alone chooses whom He gives. The same God who gives power to leaders to change people’s lives positively also gave power to the likes of Adolf Hitler. After all, politicians who perpetuate evil during elections, credit their stolen victory to God. God is truly great.

Yusuf wrote from Sabon Gari, Zaria, Kaduna state

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Opinion

PAGE 37

Dialogue on the doctrine of diarchy

By Abdulhamid Babatunde

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ational Security Adviser, Mohammed Sambo Dasuki’s candid comments on the emerging mutation of the status of the Nigerian military in the democratic dispensation coincided ominously with the latest resurgence of the Egyptian armed forces as the “most powerful institution” in that country, forcefully flaunted in a coup against the democratically-elected Morsi government. It is significant to note that the imperative of maintaining national security is a common trait that links these two seemingly unrelated scenarios. By implication, there is an on-going transformation in the instrumentality of the armed forces to the sustenance of law and order which is the pillar of national stability and the essential environment for democracy, indeed any form of government, to function. When we recall that it was only two decades ago that the military was being literally pushed out of government here, followed by widespread rejection of military rule as an option especially in Nigeria and generally across the world, we will decipher the unspoken dimensions of the NSA’s concern.

There is no doubt that the military has genuine grounds for expressing its worries about the unfolding security challenges leading to what the NSA described as “more deployments

in aid of civil authority THAN ANTICIPATED” (capitals mine). It was therefore appropriate that he used the just concluded 4th National Civil Military Dialogue in Abuja which his office co-hosted to raise this issue to national attention in the presence of elder statesmen, former and current leaders among other selected stakeholders. One can only speculate on what was going through the minds of the retired generals who had been unceremoniously despatched from the seat of power as they gathered in the midst of their political detractors to lament the glaring incapacity of the “democrats” in stabilizing the polity and, inevitably, the “routine” recourse to military deployments and states of emergency !

The crux of this matter lies in the fact that the military forces whose appalling record in direct governance cannot be denied are being increasingly relied upon by civil authority to bring their “draconian” and “repressive” might to the rescue of democratically-elected governments which have become very vulnerable to destabilizing tendencies ranging from terrorist insurgencies to a deadly array of organized criminalities.

Worse still, the imperilled democrats are only too eager to cry foul about “rules of engagement” and rights abuses soon after draconian measures have yielded expected dividends of subdued rebellions. This is in addition to the collateral damage on professionalism of

My Thoughts With Ayodele Samuel 08074420617 (SMS only) Good men must die but nothing can kill their good name and good deeds - Tunde Bakare

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ne of the very good leaders that have served this country in the recent past is the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He was a President of many good deeds and Nigerians are just getting to realise this.

Late President Umaru despite his complicated health challenges and dubious men making a larger chunk of his cabinet, did not increase fuel price.

He gave amnesty to Niger Delta militants and initiated many other landmark projects for the economic development of this country without any unnecessary publicity.

President Umaru awarded the 16lane Abuja Airport road without any noise, signed a concession agreement

with Bi-Courtney Highway Services Ltd to construct the ever busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway without stepping out of the Villa to make any noise.

Governance is the responsibility of any serious government, but President Goodluck Jonathan must be joking if he thinks what happened Last Friday at Sagamu, where he purportedly performed “turning of sod” (Flagoff) for the repair of the Lagos/ Ibadan road is anything spectacular to be celebrated with fun fare, drums and pageantry.

This needless ceremony is the second official function performed on this road; the first was when it was commissioned for use in 1978 by General Olusegun Obasanjo. No ceremony whatsoever by successive governments whenever the road is marked for repairS. Here are major issues that must

the military and what the NSA described as “new dimensions of conflict between the military and civilian populace”. So whither the military in a democratic dispensation?

With all of 28 states under some form of military deployment or the other to contain one threat to national security or the other, it is only logical to see just where we are heading. It is however contentious whether indeed the NSA’s recipes of “creating new bridges of understanding” between the military and the civilians or the vigilance and provision of intelligence and information on terrorists, insurgents and organized criminals by civilians will indeed provide the desired lasting solution to this national dilemma. While all these recipes are not without their merits on the menu for law and order and the clichéd “peace and stability”, it must be admitted that the much-desired sustainable democracy is more challenged by the seemingly intractable problem of discredited electoral processes, emergence of dubious and unpopular leaders and bad governance which in turn burden the populace with the deficits, rather than the dividends, of democracy such as stagnant economy, youth unemployment, zero social security, collapsed infrastructure and eventually failed states.

Against this background, it is worth considering the relevance of a more targeted approach to the thorny problem

of restoring the ANTICIPATED and acceptable role of the military under a truly democratic dispensation which focuses more on the evident weaknesses of the leadership class and the attendant failures of national institutions to perform assigned roles. No matter how much we agonize over the apparent return of the military through the back door of spiralling security challenges, we must never gloss over the fact that more often than not such military intervention is the last resort that saves the situation and ultimately the survival of democracy.

The military and indeed the law enforcement agencies should be wary of being transformed into a forceful antidote for the virus of discontent afflicting people reeling from unfulfilled, frustrated but legitimate yearnings and aspirations as citizens.

In the final analysis therefore, the concept of dialogue between civilians and the military should be a truly patriotic endeavour in aid, not just of distressed “civil authority”, but more crucially in support of sustainable democratic governance that wins the hearts and minds of the citizens.

Otherwise, we might as well start working on a Doctrine of Diarchy which is what the Egyptian military is dusting up from the debris of derailed democracy.

Abdulhamid Babatunde, former Editor, The Democrat, wrote from Kaduna

Sagamu charade: What President Jonathan has done wrong again be of concern to every Nigerians and particularly about the Project and President Jonathan.

His late boss, Umaru, in a concession agreement with Bi-Courtney Highway Services Ltd, was to expand the lanes to 10 from Lagos to Sagamu, and six lanes from Sagamu to Ibadan. It was also expected to build trailer parks and five interchanges among other things at a cost of N89.5bn.

The Federal Government had, in November 2012, revoked the failed Lagos-Ibadan Expressway concession contract awarded to Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited in 2009.

Last Friday, President Jonathan cut a tape to mark the commencement of rehabilitation and reconstruction of a two lane dual carriageway. From Lagos to Sagamu, only a single lane is added making it three lanes.

But from Sagamu to Ibadan, no additional lanes but just resurfacing, no interchange and trailer parks for N167 Billion.

Why did President Jonathan have to

insult our collective sensibility?

This is the busiest road in Africa with average of 250,000 cars passing through that road per day. With the amount of lives that perish on that road day in day out and the kind of man hours lost, one would have expected the President to be more sensitive by making sure it’s expanded to about six lanes on either side without increasing its cost.

Also, we haven’t seen President Jonathan supervise any party to signal construction of any road in any part of the Country, not even in his home zone, South South, but he derives pleasure in gathering our Obas, chiefs and the political class to clap for him because he has just approved a contract to do a road that has killed many Nigerians irrespective of tribes.

Why did he have to do this in Yoruba land? Why did he have to play the race card? If this is to curry support of the South West people for the forthcoming elections, this has fallen flat. Nigerians cannot be fooled with this white Elephant project.

Page 38

Online comments ‘Wives of council chairmen not active on women empowerment’

We will like to see them as supporters of women empowerment.

Each and every woman has to participate.

Bhanu Didi

2015: North ready to bargain — Gov Aliyu

All bargain should wait till 2019.

Adamu Ahmed

Boko Haram accepts ceasefire deal Is Nigeria tending towards a failed state or have we already failed? Life has become short and brutish. How can we explain the massacre of innocent school children in cold blood and the president jetting out of the country “in search of investors”. He has graduated from the usual rhetorics of “we are on top of the situation” to “we shall hunt them down”. May God save this country.

Shakede Oinah Please tell us the truth because i’m sure somebody is hiding something. if the same boko haram that have killed many nigerians is now reaching agreement with government,it is confirming that you really know these people but who will hold the signing pen? for who?

The person he knows? do we really have a constitution in this country?

Murderers are now mending with government but people just asking for Biafra are facing charges.

Joe

Checkmating oil theft through community participation

Rather than have them confine their empty thoughts on Boko Haram killing Nigerians like goats, they are there talking about oil. The only way to

end it is resource control.

Paula

If the Brits holler, let them have it

As always, issues well thought of and brilliantly delivered. The ink of your pen shall never run dry.

UK’s bond issue should serve as a wake up call and not what should make us feel terribly worried. The message beneath their action is, we should focus attention on how best to develop our own country. Let’s look inward and see how we can develop our dear country.

Abdullahi Yunusa

Agric Research: ABU releases 37 varieties of improved maize, other

crops What are the biological values of SAMCOTT 11, 12 and 13?

Suleiman Musa

You have no respect for elders, Tukur tells Anglican Bishop Nelson Mandela only ruled South Africa once and respectfully resigned, knowing that he had achieved what he wanted. What else have Tukur and Anenih not got from Nigeria that they cannot go home and rest? It’s time to hear new names in Nigerian politics not old names like Tukur, Anenih, Ekwueme, Buhari, OBJ, Atiku, TY Danjumah and a host of others that have made majority of Nigerians poor.

Augustine Uche Sir, man of God did not disrespect you but simply saying that the country is not moving forward. who else can tell you the truth if not the man of God. you have been in government till now and people are still suffering, lecturers

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

not paid, old and poor facilities in schools, no steady electricity, bad roads,unemployment everywhere and you have been in offices. why can’t you give chance for younger people to help like Nelson Mandela. Now you are talking about respect rather than admit the truth. Do all of you want it the way of Jerry Rawlings in Ghana before you can allow this country to move forward?

John I remember a song from Sunny Okosun, “which way Nigeria?” Yes, those people in Abuja only think of their protection alone and are very busy embezzling money daily while the poor are suffering to death because of insecurity. I will advise this government of Nigeria to focus on security, equip the police like South Africa where each policeman has gun and bulletproof vest for any response. Two policemen must control one police vehicle. Government should ensure steady electricity so that cameras can properly monitor the environment. I’m Our politicians travel and they see how other countries tackle security, but in Nigeria they are only busy embezzling the money meant for people’s security believing that Boko Haram will not come after them. But something worse than Boko Haram will soon hit them if they refuse to stop corruption because the poor people are dying.

Joe Okpala, how did he insult them? He only gave a candid advice and that is the truth? What are the likes of Anenih and Tukur doing in the corridors of power? They belong to their graves but for the safe intervention of our looted funds. I wonder when you will be a leader if these people continue to lead you. Maybe in your death.

Alexander Orji

The Ebira girl in me (II) I am very proud of this writer. May God almighty bless you abundantly.

I’m a true son of the soil who reside outside Kogi state and got married to an Ebira girl for over six years. I have never had any cause to regret marrying her. So, don’t mind what people say.

Omeiza

Ramadan annotation May Almighty Allah reward you with paradise firdaus. Amin.

F. Yusha’u

7 must-have (free)

mobile apps to do your job better Do you mind if I quote several of your articles or blog posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your blog: http://peoplesdailyng. com/7-must-have-free-mobile-appsto-do-your-job-better/.

I’ll also make sure I give you the appropriate anchor-text hyperlink using your website title: 7 must-have (free) mobile apps to do your job better. Be sure to let me know if this is okay with you. Thank you.

Kurtis

Anambra 2014: LP sends 100,000 membership cards as Uba flies flag This is good news for Anambra State. Let’s have a feel of true democracy not the backbiting, mudslinging and press war we have witnessed in the past months. The Anambra State Government should please put our commonwealth into better use than slice them out to the likes of Val Obienyem to prosecute press wars against those pursuing their legitimate aspirations.

Chikelue Nwizu

In defense of OkonjoIweala

This is a more sensible write up than the ramblings of Sahara Reporters.

Yusuff

The economic benefits of using cassava flour for baking bread I’m looking for where to get a good processed cassava flour for breadmaking, better still, a mix of cassava and wheat flour.Thanking you in anticipation.

Ann Abah

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 13 - SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

PAGE 39

International

US grants $2m in scholarship to Nigerian students

By Hassan Haruna Ginsau

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he US has provided Nigerian studentmembers of the Education USA Advising Centre (EAC), planning to study in America with over $2m in aid and scholarship support.This was made known during the pre departure orientation for students at the US Embassy on Friday where the EAC honoured and held a send off for the Nigerian students. The EAC which is

an initiative of the US State Department helped more than 80 Nigerian students navigate admissions and financial issues for study in the US.One student, Ibrahim Yasir Mohammed received a full $66,000 a year scholarship for all his four years in University from the “Acheivers Programme” which helps economically challenged “straight A students”.The orientation which is essentially designed to provide students the opportunities to get up to date

information on studying and living in the United States also had speakers whom consisted of returning students who had also benefitted from the Centre.Bill Stassberger, an Embassy official advised the students on what to expect upon getting to America. He pointed out the differences in cultures, beliefs, and general day to day affairs such as timeliness, food, and privacy.Mr. Strassberger also reminded the students that upon getting to the US they would become ambassadors

of Africa, stressing the need to present Nigeria and Africa in a good light. But he assured students they had nothing to be worried about.The amount of financial aid for Nigerian student- members of the EAC is up from $1.8m from 2009 to $2m this year.

According to the Institute for International Education, Nigeria is the number one largest sender of students from Sub- Saharan Africa to the US with 7,028 students at more than 700 colleges and universities in the US.

Snowden accuses US of preventing his asylum

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n a letter sent to a Human Rights Watch official, former intelligence agency contractor Edward Snowden has said US officials have been waging a campaign to prevent him from taking up offers of asylum.In the letter, Snowden said he had invited human rights groups to meet on Friday at Russia’s Sheremetyevo Airport, where he has been in limbo since he flew to Moscow on June 23, to discuss “next steps

forward in my situation”.Snowden said the meeting with human rights groups would be closed to the press but that he planned to speak to the media later.Peter Sharp, reporting from Moscow, said he had spoken to one of the Russian lawyers invited to the meeting, who believed Snowden would ask for a second time for political asylum to Russia.”There is a long list of invitees,” Sharp said. “Amnesty International,

Human Rights Watch, the UN Representative to the Russian Federation and the Deputy Speaker of the Duma.”Kremlin representatives have said they have not been invited.”Asked if they would attend if they were, a spokesman went out on the line of the last couple of weeks; ‘This is not our business, he’s on his own’, our correspondent said.

Sergei Nikitin, head of Amnesty International’s Russia office, told

The Associated Press that he planned to meet Snowden. The organisation also confirmed their attendance on their website.”In Amnesty International, we believe that Snowden could face illtreatment if extradited to the United States,” the group said.”Nobody, regardless of the country they are in, should be extradited before their asylum application has been considered.”Venezuela, Nicaragua and Bolivia have said they would be willing to grant asylum to Snowden.

However, it is unclear if Snowden could fly from Moscow to any of the Latin American countries without passing through the airspace of the US or allied countries.In his letter, Snowden said “The scale of threatening behaviour is without precedent: never before in history have states conspired to force to the ground a sovereign president’s plane to effect a search for a political refugee”, referring to the denial of airspace by a number of European countries to Bolivian President Evo Morales.Spain had said on Wednesday it was asked to do so by the US.Snowden had made an earlier application for Russian asylum, but Russian President Vladimir Putin said asylum would be conditional on Snowden stopping leaking US secrets. Snowden then withdrew his asylum bid, Russian officials said.

Brazil unions stage nationwide protestsRousseff

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ens of thousands of workers across Brazil have walked off their jobs and taken to the streets in a nationwide strike demanding better working conditions and improved public services in Latin America’s biggest nation.

Metalworkers, transportation and construction workers and civil servants adhered to the “Day of Struggle’’ organised by the country’s five leading labour federations on Thursday.

Strikers either partially or completely blocked 40 interstate and intercity highways in 14 states.The disruptions were mostly peaceful aside from scattered clashes between police and protesters in a few cities and were limited compared to June protests that drew more than 1 million people onto the streets.

Late on Thursday, police in Rio de Janeiro fired tear gas and used batons to disperse a group of demonstrators, some of them hooded and masked, that were not connected with the unions. Labour activists also tried to push back some of the aggressive demonstrators.

In Sao Paulo, about 5,000 people rallied along Paulista Avenue, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, with banners demanding a shorter work week, better working conditions and affordable housing.Teachers at public and private schools also went on strike and closed schools in several cities, while some hospitals were operating with skeleton crews.

However, subway, bus and train workers in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and other state capitals did not join the strike, and transportation services were functioning normally.

The strikers are demanding better public transit, health and education services as well as agriculture reform and a reduced work week.

The strike follows mass nationwide protests that swept Brazil last month when demonstrators angered with corruption, poor public services and a heavy tax burden took to the streets.

The growing list of grievances puts President Dilma Rousseff, who is widely expected to run for re-election next year, in a tough spot as she tries to balance the demands for reforms with her government’s renewed vows of fiscal responsibility.Rousseff, who took over for the popular former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has faced criticism from mayors and defiant allies in Congress this week, even as she announced billions in new spending on public transport and other municipal services aimed at quelling popular discontent.

UK refuses to inquire Russian spy poisoning

T

he UK will not be holding a public inquiry into the murder of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, who died in London in 2006 from radioactive poisoning, a British coroner said.Robert Owen, who was assigned to hold an inquest into the death of the KGB agent, was told on Friday morning that the government had turned down his request for an inquiry.Litvinenko, 43, died after drinking tea poisoned with a rare radioactive isotope in a London hotel,

and from his deathbed he accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of ordering his murder, a charge Russia has repeatedly denied.

Owen said the British government’s desire to keep intelligence evidence secret on national security grounds means he would not be able to uncover the truth and that a full public inquiry would have a better chance of finding out who killed Litvinenko.In a letter to the government last month, Owen wrote, “I have formed the firm view that such an

inquiry is necessary if Mr Litvinenko’s death is to be properly investigated.”For the avoidance of doubt, I should say that I regard investigation of the ‘preventability’ and ‘Russian State responsibility’ issues as being of central importance in this case.”In May, Owen had bowed to government demands to keep secret information that, if aired at an inquest, could undermine trust in the British government or “cause real harm to the UK’s international relations”.

Interview PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 13 - SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

There is no genuine fight against Corruption in Nigeria, says Senate Minority Whip Senator Habu Ibrahim (CPC, Katsina South) is the Senate Deputy Minority Whip. Recently he was in Marmara, Nasarawa local government area of Nasarawa state, on the occasion of a reception organized by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) for Alhaji Imran Usman Jibrin, son of the late Group Captain Usman Jibrin, who joined the party’s fold. At a session with journalists, Sen. Ibrahim, lamented the lack of political will on the side of the PDP federal government under President Goodluck Jonathan, to effectively fight corruption in the country, among other issues. Our Lafia correspondent, Ali Abare Abubakar was there. Excerpts:

Y

our party is presently in an alliance with other opposition parties and you are here to receive one of your sons into the CPC. How do you foresee this arrangement, giving the unfolding events in the political arena across the country?

Well, the alliance is going on very well. I think we have passed the major hurdles. I learnt INEC is visiting our new APC office to get the census of the leadership of the management committee that is being set up. I believe that in the next one or two weeks we should be able to get our registration done.

The leader of the CPC, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari (rtd), as seen in previous elections, has failed to deliver Katsina, his home state, in the governorship election, in spite of his grass root support and followership.

What do you think is responsible for this?

Under the CPC, it was only once, so there are no other times. If you look at what is on the ground, we have three senators, 12 members of the House out of 15 are all CPC. So we should have won the gubernatorial election but unfortunately, to be honest, we were highly divided because of the influx from other parties who came into the CPC for the purpose of election and we couldn’t resolve our issues. But at least, it has been an experience, if there will be an election now, we will go out and win, not only in Katsina but in Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, and even Bauchi. Now, being a minority leader in the senate what has been the relationship between the minority and majority party with regards to dealings in the Senate?

What is interesting about the National Assembly, the moment you get in, the party divide disappears. We relate topically. I have four draft bills and one very important motion. Take for instance; solid minerals motion, people like Sen. Abdullahi Adamu are my major sponsors. Not even that, I have 52 persons signing for it out of 109 while we are only about 42 in the opposition. So, when it comes to discussions on the floor of the Senate or Assembly, including the House of Representatives, you find out that party lines just don’t hold. There are cases where party lines are major issues but they are very few. It is only based on intellectual capacity of the person presenting his views and his relationship with his colleagues, how he communicates with them. So, obviously, the political divide is not a major issue.

From events unfolding in the

country, its apparent the zoning system introduced by the ruling PDP has come back to haunt the party. Now that the CPC is going into a merger with other parties, are you going to introduce zoning into the APC or are you going to depend on candidate’s credibility?

But you see, the problem of PDP is not the issue of zoning, it is the issue of forcing people on the party.

Take the whole election of the South West; it had been cancelled because there was no election. Obviously, what I was telling people is that APC must be built on free and fair elections. No consensus, we should not even allow consensus.

Even if there will be consensus, those involved would have to sign a document, yes, they have agreed in principles to allow ‘X’ to go it alone.

Secondly, when we have caretaker, we will not allow them to go and contest elections as members of the caretaker; they have to resign so as to allow for fair play.

In essence, you are saying even if there would be any arrangement, it should be documented?

It should be documented. If three of us are vying for a position, and I think it has already started. Because, recently, I was reading about the ACN and there is the issue of a member of the House of reps who wants to be governor of Ekiti state.

The leadership of the party called him and said, look you have the right to contest elections but this is a governor that has performed, look at his achievements. You are a member of the House of reps wanting to be governor now but we are telling you, not forcing you to set aside this ambition because we are supporting the present governor because of his last tenure. It will be worst for the party they told him, if it changes its governorship candidate and then it fails to win. And they appealed to the member, knowing he is also strong, to pull out because they did not want to cause problems within the party.

The election is in 2014 but the ACN are preparing now so that the man will not commit his resources and when it is too late they will ask him to stand down and he would refuse having spent so much money. So, these are the kind of things people should do so that the man by himself, will not go and buy a nomination form.

What is your stand on the debate on the tenure of the president and governors?

My stand has changed. Initially, we agreed with 6 year tenure but those who are on seat will not benefit. Then

we realized that probably we are being conned, in the sense that, when we approved the position, the 6 year tenure was joint together with the exclusion aspect. But when the law has been drafted, we realized the two were separated. So there is the possibility they will approve the tenure and fail to approve for those who may not benefit from the process. This is because they have separated the two that were jointly proposed. If it has been a single provision I would have voted for it but because they separated the two, I changed my mind and I will not vote for it.

Secondly, I have reasons to believe that the PDP is trying to use us, those who don’t want their own president so they want us to flush him out for them so they can become a stronger party to challenge the APC. Regarding the prolonged debate on the passage of the 2013 Appropriation Bill, with both the executive and legislature trading blame games, what is the true situation of things?

I remembered last year, the leadership of the National Assembly consulted with the President and advised him not to bring the budget to the National Assembly until there was a meeting with its leadership and probably the President and those 15 Ministers, and we agreed on the major parameters of the budget. That would have been a much acceptable situation because the President proposes and we approve. Somehow, those who advised the President gave him the impression he was ceding his power to us so he refused. That is the genesis of the problem. But when the issue came up for discussion this year, there was no understanding at all. Jonathan has proposed but the National Assembly has its own way of doing things, some things were changed and the President failed to have proper consultation with the National Assembly. If he had consulted

“

Senator Habu Ibrahim with the leadership of the Senate, things would have gone smoothly.

The issue of immunity has drawn a lot of public concern.

What is your stand on the issue?

I am a pragmatist, to get constitutional change in Nigeria; we need support of the governors and the state assemblies, which are being controlled by the governors, if we remove immunity, I don’t think it will go through. But personally, I support it but it will not work. Even if you want to remove it, the governors will sit on their state assemblies and they will not approve it considering that a bill must have two-third support before being passed, both at the state and national assemblies.

The clamor for the removal of immunity among Nigerians has to do with the alarming level of corruption in the country. Do you think the present administration is genuinely fighting corruption?

Which is genuine? There is no fight at all. Nobody is fighting corruption, from President Jonathan downwards. There is more corruption now in Nigeria than ever. If you look at the

Even the solid minerals ministry has produced a plan to create jobs in all the 774 local governments of the country but they have no funds. This year they gave them N3 bn in the budget while billions exists to even fund agriculture where you can create millions of jobs. The corruption in this government is very high; I can say we are one of the most corrupt nations in the world.

international index of corruption, Nigeria has moved down. I think we are more corrupt than even Zimbwabwe and the rest. Corruption has not abated but increased. Go to Abuja Old airport, you will see private jets have taken over the place while Nigerians are wallowing in poverty.

Obviously, the level of corruption has increased very drastically. And we have a government that survives on the belief they can only win election when they have money, they are looking for money everywhere, taking money everywhere, they are stealing money everywhere. I will give you examples, we have what we call the natural resources fund, the ecological fund, and we have the stabilization fund. These are funds that are set for the purpose of addressing critical issues across the country. The natural resources fund is supposed to provide money for solid minerals and every state in the country has a lot of solid minerals and if you develop this sector, states like Nasarawa that has abundant solid minerals, will take 13 percent derivation and earn huge revenues.

But these monies have been squandered, they are buying offices for our embassies, building walls in Abuja with the money, instead of funding the solid minerals sector that can provide jobs for many. Even the solid minerals ministry has produced a plan to create jobs in all the 774 local governments of the country but they have no funds. This year they gave them N3 bn in the budget while billions exists to even fund agriculture where you can create millions of jobs.

The corruption in this government is very high; I can say we are one of the most corrupt nations in the world.

That was why President Obama could not come here because anyone with a sense of decency will not touch Nigeria.

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Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Weekend Assifuah sets sights Golden Boot

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hana striker Ebenezer Assifuah wants to win the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup final Golden Shoe award.

Fellow countryman Dominic Adiyiah won the Golden Boot four years ago The Liberty Professionals ace is joint top scorer of the competition with five goals alongside Bruma and Jesse who exited the competition at the first knock-out stage.

But there are promising contenders outside the top three which include Nicolas Lopez of Uruguay and France striker Yaya Sanogo on four goals.

Also, Iraq’s Farhan Shakor and Florian Thauvin are in contention with three goals each.

Assifuah will hope to score more in the third place match against Iraq and wish his other contenders fire blank in the final match between France and Uruguay.

Yaya Sonago, Arsenal’s prodigy can pose no little threat to Uruguay in contention for Golden Boot

Chelsea ‘confirm’ Mikel exit

Stories by Patrick Andrew

D

oubt that John Mikel Obi’s sojourn at Stafford Bridge is over was confirmed yesterday by the Blues after the player was excluded from the 24man team that travelled to Asia for the first leg of their pre-season tour in Thailand.

But then, AS Monaco, were reported by Daily Mail yesterday to have joined Galatasaray and Trabzonspor, both of Turkey, for the services of the Nigerian midfielder.

“Monaco are showing interest in Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, who has attracted offers from Galatasaray and Trabzonspor,”a British newspaper, Daily Mail, yesterday.

Though Mikel still has a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge, reports in the last couple of weeks have indicated that the player may be inclined to leave the club.

Perhaps his interest in taking his services elsewhere may not be unconnected with Jose Mourinho’s decision to inject fresh blood into the team, especially in his

department. It means his future with the Europa League champions is uncertain, in spite of his loyalty.

Peoples daily Weekend Sports recalls that Didier Drogba, who relocated to Turkey last season, was reported to have asked Mikel over to Galatasaray and he seems favourably disposed to the invitation even as it was confirmed by the Turkish club officials that talks were ongoing between them and Chelsea over Mikel.

Although not much has been heard about the interest of Trabzonspor on Mikel, but newspaper reports from Turkey confirmed that the club was working underground to snatch the player from rivals Galatasaray.

But that was before AS Monaco came on board.

The big-spending French Ligue 1 returnee have already signed Radamel Falcao, Joao Moutinho, R i c a r d o C a r v a l h o and Colombian midfielder, James Rodriguez, and perhaps want to lure Mikel over with the opportunity to

John Mikel Obi, seems out of Chelsea

play

alongside some of Europe’s top names as he did in Chelsea.

A S Monaco are sponsored by Russian billionaire, D m i t r y Rybolovlev.

Mikel, has already spent six years at Stamford Bridge, only recently insisted that he would respect his contract with the Blues, thus leaving the matter of transfer in the hands of the club.

And they seem to have confirmed his fears.

The Blues named a 24-man squad of 17 full international players including follow Nigerian, Victor Moses and some of the new signings like Andre Schurrle.

“I have a four-year contract with Chelsea, but you know, in football you can never guess, one day you are here, the next day you might leave,” Mikel said earlier this month.

Les Bleuets, Celeste battle chase FIFA U-20 trophy history

I

n the absence of defending champions, Brazil, Spain were the favourites. Well, hosts Turkey and Portugal were in the mix also.

Somehow, they fell by the wayside and seemingly ‘nonentities’ Iraq and Uruguay commanded the headlines.

Unfortunately too, both clashed at the semi final and one had to give way.

The South Americans, third in their continental fiesta, second in their group eventually berthed at the final and hope to seal their performance with the bragging right: the trophy.

But that would depend on what Les Bleuets are likely to

bring into the mix in their quest for the same trophy. France need the podium honours as much as Uruguay, but the fiercer of the desire would triumph in the battle of the two history chasers.

La Celeste had appeared in a U-20 World Cup final before, having reached the ultimate stage in 1997 in Malaysia where they lost to archrivals Argentina.

As for Les Bleuets, 2013 marks their debut appearance in the final.

Their path to this last hurdle is as diverse as their styles of play. The French had a relatively smooth path to the final, finishing second in Group A (where they lost their last match

to Spain) before crushing host side Turkey and Uzbekistan in the quarter- and semifinals respectively.

Ghana presented more of a challenge in the semifinals, but a brace from Florian Thauvin handed France a deserved 2-1 win.

Uruguay struggled against Nigeria but won and then went on to edge out Spain, a match the European side had themselves to blame. They barely squeezed past surprise package Iraq, drawing 1-1 after extra time before winning 7-6 on postmatch penalties.

Two players have been outstanding for them: Nicolas

Lopez and De Arrascaeta. They have grabbed headlines, yet Sebestien Cristoforo, a crafter of tricks and smooth operator plots the most scheme. He could cause no little problems for France.

But what would France have done without the inspiration of Paul Pogba and Arsenal’s new boy Yaya Sanogo. But then Thauvin has been deadly in front of goal and could re-enact form if not cheked.

The Black Satellites of Ghana and their Iraqi counterparts are to take to the pitch in the Losers’ final before this game.

Whichever way the result favours, it would be deserved as both are known fighters.

Sebastian Cristoforo, Uruguay’s smooth operator

Page 42

C’wealth Games: NBF wants massive support for boxers

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igeria Boxing Federation (NBF) has appealed to well-meaning individuals to support Nigerian boxers currently preparing for the forthcoming 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

An official of the federation Laguda Babatunde, who made the appeal yesterday, said it would ginger them prepare hard for better performance at the Games.

Nigeria would be participating in 6 events, among which is boxing, at the 20th Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to August 3.

“Presently, we don’t have any support from either the government or anyone. But if there is some support, I can assure you we are going to have nothing less than two gold medals from the Commonwealth Games. ``Everything is in our favour; we have an abundance of boxing talents in the country, even the new scoring system in boxing favours us and our style of boxing. Just a little push in form of support and I can assure you that our boxers will bring home medals and do great things,’’ he said.

Babatunde said that the boxers were capable of excelling if adequately supported. ``With enough support, everything will fall into place, because we have natural talents without limitations, being tall or short doesn’t matter. ``As long as you meet your weight category, if you are taller or shorter, you use your own advantage or strategy to undermine your opponent,’’ Babatunde said.

The official added that adequate preparation would be needed to determine the success of the boxers at the Games. ``We need to start preparing rigorously for the games because I believe in the kind of boxers we have right now and I am very sure we will bring some gold medals home. ``If only one tenth of what goes into soccer can be put into boxing, Nigerian boxers will bring home more accolades than you can ever imagine. ``Although the competition is a year from now, it’s not too late to put in more efforts as they need the support and will not disappoint,’’ he added.

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Sports

Stieglitz stakes WBO title against Kiyota W

BO super-middleweight champion, Robert Stieglitz makes the first defence of his title today against Yuzo Kiyota in Dresden, Germany.

He regained the belt from Arthur Abraham in March this year and now takes on a challenger who has been a professional for 11 years, fought in 27 bouts, won 21 of them inside the distance but has never fought outside Tokyo.

Stieglitz, whose birth name is Sergey Shtikhlits, won the WBO belt in August 2009 when he stopped Karoly Balzsay in the 11th round.

He retained it against Ruben Eduardo Acosta, Edward Gutknecht, Enrique Ornelas, Khoren Gevor, Henry Weber and Nader Hamden before losing to Abraham in August last year.

His professional record is 44-

3, with 25 wins inside the distance.

Fighting out of Magdeburg in Germany, he operates in the classic upright style. He has impressed as a skilled fighter, and has good jab.

Kiyota, 29, has a record of 233-1, with 21 knockouts but has not fought anywhere near the same level as the champion. All fights have been in the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

He holds the OPBF supermiddleweight title and is said to be a big puncher. But he has not beaten one ranked fighter.

On the same card, Lukas Kornecy (49-4; 23) defends his European middleweight title against a Frenchman, Moez Fihma, who stands at 22-2-1; 8.

The 34-year-old Kornecy, from the Czech Republic, has won 13 of his last 14 fights. His only

loss in the period was to Zaurbek Baysangurov in October last year.

Fihma, 32, has won 17 of his last 18 fights and has never been beaten inside the distance.

In Pasay City, Philippines, Merlito Sabillo (22-0; 11) defends his WBO strawweight title against Jorle Estrada (17-5; 6) of Columbia.

The 29-year-old Sabillo, a southpaw,won the interim WBO belt in February this year when he stopped Luis De La Rosa in the eighth round.

Sabillo was scheduled to fight Hekkie Budler in South Africa for the IBO belt in February but withdrew with an injured hand.

Moises Fuentes, the WBO champion, then moved up to junior flyweight Sabillo was declared as the full champion.

Estrada, 24, went through a

Robert Stieglitz, the WBO super middleweight champion

bad spell when he lost six out of nine fights from 2010 to 2011. But he has now won four in a row.

Also, in Hull, England, Kell Brook fights American Carson Jones in a junior middleweight rematch. Brook is undefeated at 29-0; 19 and Jones comes in at 359-3; 25.

In Inglewood, California, lightweight Takahiro Ao (23-3-1; 10) takes on Hardy Paredes (16-11; 10). In a junior lightweight clash, Alejandro Perez (17-3-1; 11) meets Edgar Riovalle (35-14-2; 25).

Japan’s Atsushi Kakutani takes on WBC light-flyweight champion Adrian Hernandez of Mexico next month. Kakutani has a record of 13 wins, including six knockouts, three defeats and a draw. The 27-year-old Hernandez stands at 27-2-1, with 16 knockouts.

Nippon pugilist, Yuzo Kiyota, the challenger for the title

IBO boss defends lower ranks permission to fight for titles

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he president of the IBO has explained why boxers ranked at 29 and 35 were permitted by the organisation to fight for the junior featherweight title, last weekend.

Thabiso Sonjica 29th and Silvester Lopez ranked 35th fought for the title with the former defeating the latter at the Orient Theatre in East London a week today.

Ed Levine defended the IBO’s right to let the two fight for the

title noting that other controlling bodies often sanctioned title fights between boxers with similar rankings.

“The most-vaunted associations often recognise title fights between even lowerranked boxers. For example, the WBO recently ratified a fight for one of their titles between boxers ranked 65th and 43rd.

“Other associations often disguise the rankings of the boxers fighting for their titles

by artificially inflating their standings to give the impression of legitimacy,” Levine claimed.

He said the IBO set a cut-off ranking of 35th but other associations sometimes sanctioned title fights between boxers with lower rankings.

With at least ten, probably more, organisations awarding “world” titles in the 17 divisions, there could be nearly 200 champions.

Years ago there were only eight divisions and one

champion in each.

Neither Sonjica, who is from South Africa, nor Lopez, a Filipino, has beaten a top10 opponent. Two other South Africans, Jeffrey Mathabula and Takalani Ndlovu, are generally regarded as being among the top ten in the world in the junior featherweight division.

Four Filipinos in the division are ranked higher than Lopez, including the formidable Nonito Donaire.

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Wenger coy on Suarez interest Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has refused to rule out bringing Liverpool striker Luis Suarez to the club.

The Gunners have already made a £30 million bid for Suarez, 26, only to see it rejected by the Reds.

The North London club, though, are reportedly set to return with an improved offer

of around £35 million, but Liverpool maintain that they will only listen to offers of £40 million for the Uruguay international.

Wenger did say that the Gunners are pleased to be in Asia and are preparing for four tough games, kicking off with a clash against an Indonesian XI on Sunday.

Cruz joins Malaga

Sports

Page 43

Ogbonna joins Juventus from Torino

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taly defender Angelo Ogbonna has joined Juventus from neighbours Torino for €13 million, the Serie A champions said on Thursday.

Ogbonna, who combines an impressive physical presence with a cultured left foot, was raised at Torino, helping them to secure promotion from Serie B in 2011/12 and establish themselves in the top flight last season.

Born in Italy to Nigerian parents,

the 25-year-old has won six caps for Italy and was included in the squad for Euro 2012.

Ogbonna, who escaped almost unharmed from a car crash in 2008 when his vehicle went off a bridge and ended up in a river, will face a battle to win a place in the first team.

Last season Juventus boasted the strongest defence in the league, conceding only 24 goals in the 38-match campaign.

Real sign Illarramendi from Sociedad

R

Cruz

R

oque Santa Cruz has joined Spanish side Malaga on a free transfer, the Paraguay striker, 31, signed a three-year deal at the La Liga club.

Manchester City released him in June four years after paying £18m to sign him from Blackburn. He played just 20 league games for City, scoring

three goals and last appeared for the club in November 2010.

Last season Santa Cruz scored eight goals on loan at Malaga under new City boss Manuel Pellegrini.

Santa Cruz joined Blackburn Rovers from Bundesliga side Bayern Munich for £3.8m in 2007. He scored 23 goals in his first season in England.

Spurs need more strikers, says Defoe

eal Madrid extended their new policy of snapping up promising home-grown talent by paying 39 million euros to buy Spain Under-21 midfielder Asier Illarramendi out of his contract with La Liga rivals Real Sociedad.

Big-spending Real president Florentino Perez is known for luring “galacticos” like David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu but Illarramendi’s capture follows hard on the heels of the purchase of playmaker Isco from Malaga and the return of fullback Daniel Carvajal from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.

The trio was in the Spain squad that won the Under-21 Euro championships in Israel last month and Isco and Illarramendi were both named in Uefa’s team of the tournament.

Illarramendi is seen as a long-term replacement for Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso, another former Sociedad player who will be 32 in November, and he will also compete for a place with Germany’s Sami Khedira and Croatia’s Luka Modric.

Valencia take Chelsea’s Romeu on loan

C

helsea’s defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu will spend one season on loan at Valencia, the Spanish Liga club has said.

Romeu, 21, joined Chelsea from Barcelona in 2011 but has struggled at Stamford Bridge due

to injuries. At Valencia he will take the place of veteran David Albelda, who retired in June aged 35.

Valencia finished fifth in La Liga last season and will play in the Europa League this coming season.

Southampton sign Wanyama for £12.5m

Victor Wanyama

S

Jermaine Defoe

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ottenham forward Jermaine Defoe has urged the club to bolster their strike power this summer, simultaneously shrugging off speculation he is set to depart White Hart Lane.

Defoe will be the only senior striker on Spurs’ books if Emmanuel Adebayor moves on

as expected.

Spurs are linked with Aston Villa front-man Christian Benteke, and Defoe insists he would welcome such competition.

Defoe also dismissed suggestions he is bound for pastures new, claiming he has been given no indication that his future lies elsewhere.

Asier Illarramendi

outhampton has signed Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama for £12.5m.

The 21-year-old, who joined Celtic from Belgian club Beerschot for £900,000 two years ago, has agreed a four-year-deal at St Mary’s.

Kenya international Wanyama was the Scottish Premier League’s young player of the year last season and scored a header in the 2-1 Champions League win over Barcelona.

In October, it was revealed that Wanyama had rejected the offer of a contract extension, with Lennon repeatedly encouraging the player to reconsider.

Wanyama made his international debut in 2007 against Nigeria aged just 15 and moved to Belgium the following year.

Wanyama is Southampton’s second signing of the summer and follows Croatian Dejan Lovren to the club.

Page 44

Peoples Daily WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Sports

World 400m hurdle champion Dai Greene aims to win his first race of the year at this weekend’s British Championships in Birmingham.

Marcel Kittel beat Mark Cavendish in a tight sprint to win stage 12 of the 100th Tour de France in Tours.

Former world heavyweight champion David Haye says he believes his fight with fellow Briton Tyson Fury will capture the public imagination and is great for British boxing.

Ian Bell earns a reprieve on 34 as England struggle to extend their lead over Australia at Trent Bridge.

Brendan Rodgers says he is in contact with Luis Suarez “nearly every day” in a bid to persuade him to stay at Liverpool

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14, JULY, 2013

Page 46

Feature

SEC zero-budget allocation: Staff, mgt embark on spiritual journey to stay afloat

By Abdulwahab Isa

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he Chairman, Board of Directors of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Malam Suleiman Ndanusa, is currently on a return leg appointment to the same organisation he occupied, its top position as the Director-General (DG) over a decade ago.

A technocrat imbued with cutting edge knowledge on capital market affairs, his choice by President Goodluck Jonathan as board chairman of SEC was applauded by capital market stakeholders.

Those conversant with his record of performance while he functioned as DG SEC described him a good team player and goal getter.

As it is, fate entrusted him as Chairman of the board of SEC, coming at a crucial period when a hitherto ‘chummy’ relationship between SEC management led by Director-General of SEC, Arunma Oteh on one side and members of House of Representatives on the other had gone sour, Ndanusa is seen as the anointed angel capable of bringing the feuding parties back to the fold .

Oteh had caught the lawmaker’s raw anger for exposing underhand dealings involving Herman Hembe (PDP, Benue), who was the Chairman of the committee overseeing the capital market, during a public hearing on capital market.

Oteh’s disclosure was viewed as having impugned on integrity of the house. To take their pound of flesh, the lawmakers instructed President Goodluck Jonathan to relieve her of her position as SEC DG. However, President Jonathan appeared not to be in a hurry to dispose of Oteh as the lawmakers would want their instruction speedily carried out.

At a formal inauguration ceremony of members of board of Directors performed last year

by Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a confident Ndanusa assured reporters that he would initiate action that would end the protracted impasse between SEC management and House of Representatives.

However, even months in to the fiscal year, troubleshooting efforts carried out by Ndanusa to terminate the rift between SEC management and National Assembly has not only failed, the House of Representative voted zero-budget allocation for the Securities and Exchange Committee (SEC) as it passed Budget 2013 Bill.

The zero-budget allocation to SEC in the 2013 budget by the National Assembly was seen by industry observers as a ploy hatched to punish the Executive arm of the government for ignoring the incessant calls by the lawmakers for the dismissal of Ms. Aruma Oteh.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Director-General of SEC, Ms Arunma Oteh

But some experts have faulted this stance, as according to them, it was wrong for the National Assembly to press for Oteh’s sack for exposing corrupt indulgence by some of its members.

Oteh’s resoluteness to stay put in her position at SEC flows from the President backing, an action some pundits say have ridiculed the National Assembly. How has SEC fared seven under Oteh with zerobudget allocation?

The zero-budget allocation to the Commission has become a major threat to the activities of the apex market regulator. Sources close to SEC told our correspondent that the commission is already facing some difficulties in carrying out some of its regulatory and oversight functions in the capital market.

It was learnt that SEC could not go ahead with some line-up of activities aimed at improving the capital market due to zero-budget allocation. As a regulatory body for the capital market, having to carry out a lot of oversight functions which it normally marshaled every year end, it has been unable to achieve any of these programs.

The management is said to have suspended execution of major projects, including the line-up of Road Shows due to the zero-budget allocation.

A broker, who spoke in confidence to our correspondent,

grace of GOD is at play. The prayers of eminent Nigerians and the downtrodden that lost their fortunes during the crisis that engulfed the capital market is our source of strength. Another point is that, recovery has characterized the market and there is a rebound of investor’s confidence in the market and all these have combined to strengthen us”, he said.

Adindu said both the chairman and the entire staff were fervent with prayers, noting that the whole SEC family went on spiritual prayers and that GOD answered.

A senior staff of Commission that spoke with Peoples Daily Weekend on the zero-budget allocation said it did not affect his salary and allowances, saying they are being paid as at when due.

“I earn my salary and allowance

said the zero-budget allocation was an attempt to frustrate the capital market recovery efforts, which began to manifest following the reforms undertaken by the current management of SEC led by Arunma Oteh.

According to him, as a result of reforms carried out by SEC in the last two years, the capital market closed 35 percent higher in 2012, with the bourse was during the period named asone of the top five best performing in the world.

Asked how the Commission managed to carry on unhindered in the face of zero-budget allocation, Special Assistant (media) to SEC DG, Mr. Obi Adindu told Peoples Daily Weekend on phone that two things happened which made SEC triumph over the orchestrated hurdle.

“You can’t rule it out; the

“

Backlog of cases in courts is the fault of the bench and the bar. Many judges would not come to court on time. Also, some lawyers have bad cases and instead of throwing in the towel, would continue to ask for adjournment.

That is why many cases spend up to ten years.

and it doesn’t pose a challenge to me. Those in the accounts and administration unit are in a better position to explain, to tell you the impact of zero-budget allocation. As I explained, I get paid at the end of month”, he said.

Collaborating a source noted that the market has recorded an impressive turnout in the last few years owing to the efforts of the current DG leading to the influx of both foreign and local investors into the market .

The SEC is the apex regulatory institution of the Nigerian capital market supervised by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The Commission has evolved over time having started with the establishment of the Capital Issues Committee in 1962 by the government as an essential arm of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

This was purely an ad-hoc, nonstatutory committee, which later metamorphosed into SEC in 1979, following a comprehensive review of the Nigerian financial system, with the promulgation of SEC Decree No. 71 of 1979. Successive reviews of this earlier enactment led to the introduction of a new legislation, the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) No 45 of 1999. The ISA No. 45 of 1999 was repealed with the promulgation of the ISA No. 25 of 2007, which gives the Commission its current power.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14 , JULY, 2013

Page 47

From the Pulpit What do you see? (II) GREEN

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’m pleased to bring you the second part of this message. What do you see? Last week, I pointed out that God asked some Bible characters this question. God asked Jeremiah, Amos and Zachariah this question which shows how important this question is. As I’ve said, what you see is very important because what you see determines your belief, expectation and your behavior and actions. What you see determines what you get and what you see determines what you become. I’ll continue from where I stopped last week.

Abraham In Gen 13, God established this principle that what you see determines what you get or become. Abraham must first see the enlargement and increase God wanted to bring him into before he would experience same. “And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: ‘Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are — northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.’” (Gen 13:14-17 NKJV) What Abraham could see, he would be able to obtain.

You hardly would be able to become what you cannot see especially with the eyes of faith. You must be able to visualize what God’s Word has promised you or what you trust God to do for you. You must be able to see the answer to your prayers

Matthew 5:14,15

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he Lord expects believers to always look up to Him. When He wants to mend lives through His teachings, there is always a necessity to look up to Him. In the process, the believer develops the characteristics that are painted in the Sermon on the Mount. The Lord repeated the word, “blessed ”, in the beatitudes to emphasise the importance of what He was teaching.

Just like He expected a change in the attitude, comportment, lifestyle of His immediate audience, He still expects changes in those that listen or read His Word today. Christ’s followers are those who have been transformed by His Word to live radiant lives. They have repented of their sins and do mourn for the sins of others. They are humble, lowly and meek; they thirst and hunger after righteousness. They are merciful and pure in heart; they do make peace, rejoice in persecution and live like salt in their communities.

Our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ is the light of the world (John 9:5). What Christ is to the world, He calls the believer to be also. This calling is not a new concept. In the Old Testament, this revelation was clear: God is Light and His people were called to be light (Psalm 27:1; 1 John 1:5; 2 Samuel 21:17; 1 Kings 11:36; Romans 2:19). All through Scriptures, we, as Christ’s representative are called to shine forth and radiate the gospel light to influence our world.

before they actually manifest. What do you see? Do you see yourself healed or dead? Do you see yourself passing your exam or going for resit?

What do you see?

In Gen 15:5-6, God applied the same principle in his relationship with Abraham. When he wanted to increase and multiply him, He placed what he wanted to do before him – if Abraham could see increase and multiplication, then he could experience it. “Then He brought him outside and said, ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’

And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

(Gen 15:5-6 NKJV) Until you begin to see what you want to become, you will never become it. To the natural man “seeing is believing” but to the spiritual, “Seeing is becoming” Elijah and Elisha What you see determines what you become. Elijah laid this principle before Elisha shortly before he rounded off his ministry. Elisha had asked for the double portion of his anointing in response to Elijah’s word to him to ask anything he wanted. “And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?’ Elisha said, ‘Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.’

So he said, ‘You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.’” (2 Kings 2:9-10 NKJV) Did Elisha see him? Yes, he did, and cried to assure Elijah that he actually saw him. And because of this, Elisha

got the double portion of Elijah’s anointing. You become what engages your attention, your focus. Whatever you behold, you become. “But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.” (2 Cor 3:18 ASV) Elisha and his servant What do you see? The servant of Elisha saw the enemy surrounding them but Elisha saw the host of heaven surrounding the enemy.

What you see determines your decisions, actions and responses.

Elisha’s servant responded in fear while Elisha responded in faith.

“Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, ‘Alas, my master!

What shall we do?’ So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw.

And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, ‘Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.’ And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:1418 NKJV) How many times have you acted in fear like Elisha’s servant just because you saw the enemy but failed to see the Lord’s protection and defence? The Bible says fear has

PASTURES By pastor t.o. banso

cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 torment. (1John 4:18) How many times have you seen hunger and death but failed to see the Lord’s provision? The devil always blinds people’s eyes from seeing God’s providential provision even in the midst of the most dangerous circumstances. Abraham saw God’s provision even at the most critical time he was supposed to have sacrificed Isaac. “Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, ‘In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.’”

(Gen 22:13-14 NKJV) My focus in this message is not your physical sight but your spiritual eyes. Elisha’s servant was not physically blind. What he lacked was spiritual sight. I pray that the Lord will open your eyes, and you will see well in Jesus’ name. May you see into the realm of the spirit. I’ll stop here today and continue this message next week.

TAKE ACTION! If you are not born again, I want to urge you to take the following steps:*Admit you’re a sinner and you can’t save yourself and repent of your

Radiant living 1. REFLECTING CHRIST’S LIGHT Matthew 5:14; John 1:4-9; 8:12; 12:36,46; Ephesians 5:8,9; Romans 13:11-13; Acts 13:46-49.

Jesus is the true Light of life to everyone that comes into the world.

Believers are to reflect that light to the world of darkness. Coming to Christ in repentance and faith creates the intimate relationship with Christ the Light. Those who have opportunity to believe in Him should not trivialise it, and those who have believed on Him should not abide in darkness but reflect the light of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Believers in Christ should not abide in the darkness of ignorance or sin; they are to “walk as children of light”. Having had their nature and character transformed by the Lord, they are to “cast off the works of darkness, and …put on the armour of light” and “walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.” They are to walk honestly so as to reflect the light of Christ. Every true believer has experienced a radical change from darkness to light. What a transformation that is!

Believers reflect the light of Christ.

Light has peculiar characteristics. (i) Light penetrates and eliminates

By pastor W.F Kumuyi darkness in the community. (ii) Light enlightens and enlarges a person’s vision and knowledge of an area. (iii) Light reveals and opens up the truth of an area and clears up the way to the truth. (iv) Light guides and directs the way to go and leads along the right path. (v) Light differentiates between the right and wrong way. (vi) Light warns of the dangers that lie ahead a person’s path. (vii) Light protects a person from the dangers of stumbling, falling and sustaining injury posed by darkness.

2. RADIANT CHRISTIAN LIVING Matthew 5:14; John 5:35; Job 11:13-17; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-9; 1 John 1:5-7; 2:8-11; 1 Peter 2:9; Daniel 12:3.

The Christian life should be so radiant that others would be able to take a good cue from it and go the right direction. It should be so useful to and influential on others that they would rejoice to take after it. When the penitent is cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus, it becomes easy for him to bear the light of the gospel which will influence others.

The radiant Christian holds forth the word of life. At every opportunity, he does “all things without murmurings and disputings” and lives as one of the “blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world ”. Those who are murmuring and disputing are yet in darkness. Honesty,

sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start to attend a Bible-believing, Bible -teaching church. There you will be taught how to grow in the Kingdom of God. Kindly say this prayer now: “0 Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to him today.

I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God” I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations!

You will need to join a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in your area where you will be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon.

May you grow into Christ in all things becoming all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. May the Lord be with you. faithfulness and frankness are some of the characteristics of radiant Christian living. The Christian is called to live the radiant Christian life; therefore, he is to always shine forth the marvelous light of the gospel. Those who live the radiant Christian lives are those who can positively influence others and in the end, shine as light forever.

Christians, like light, have a ministry of influence. They are like light. (i) Light is placed where its influence can be best used and felt. (ii) Light has different strengths. The more people to influence, the greater should be the strength of the light. (iii) Some places in the world are brightly lit up while others are dimly lit.

3. RENEWED CONSISTENT LIFE Matthew 5:15; Proverbs 4:18; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Philippians 2:15,16; 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1,10; Luke 12:35-37; Isaiah 62:1-3; 60:1-3.

The Lord wants the believer to shine consistently. Having brought him into the light, the Lord will give the grace to not only live in that light, but also to shine more and more as he grows older in the faith. The time has come for the believer to “arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” He should continually renew his promise to shine consistently in this world of darkness and ensure that there is no room made for darkness or its works. With his sphere of proper and righteous influence, he should encourage others to spread the light further.

BIG PUNCH “We have gotten to stage where an unelected or mere domestic appendage can seize control of a place for 11 days and because of her presence, the Governor of that state could be told by police officers you cannot pass through this place.”

- Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, speaking on Rivers state crisis.

SATURDAY 13 — SUNDAY 14 , JULY, 2013

Egypt sold for a pittance ‘And they hid him [Joseph] with a view to selling him: but God had full knowledge of all that they were doing. And they sold him for a paltry price — a mere few silver coins: thus low did they value him.’

[Quran 12:20-21]

F

ormer British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, in a desperate, repellant attempt to justify the coup d’état in Egypt gives the impression that he counted 17 million people who marched on the on the streets to oppose democracy. ‘17 million people on the street are not the same as an election,’ he writes in The Observer [7/7/13], ‘but it is an awesome manifestation of people power.’ That is the same Tony Blair, it should be remembered, who also saw weapons of mass destruction in Iraq back in 2002. He, as Prime Minister, told the British Parliament: “It [the intelligence service] concludes that Iraq has chemical and biological weapons, that Saddam has continued to produce them, that he has existing and active military plans for the use of chemical and biological weapons, which could be activated within 45 minutes.” Tony Blair was of course telling a lie, he was fully conscious of the fact that he was telling a lie to his people and to the world. Yet on the basis of this lie he found the justification to join America in the invasion of Iraq. A million people were killed and an entire nation was almost completely destroyed. Tony Blair said later to a commission of enquiry into the Iraqi invasion: ‘We expected, I expected, to find actual usable, chemical or biological weapons after we entered Iraq...But I have to accept, as the months have passed, it seems increasingly clear that at the time of invasion, Saddam did not have stockpiles of chemical or biological weapons ready to deploy.’ And that was a fact Blair knew all along.

Tony Blair was part of the generation of Western leaders who have brought their countries to bankruptcy, who have handed over the resources of the people to just one percent of the population to the detriment of the rest, who have been the architects of the irreversible decline the West. Under their stewardship the common wealth that took centuries to build simply disappeared overnight, wiping out the standard of life the people had enjoyed and treasured all this while, foreclosing the prospect of future ADVERT: BUSINESS:

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prosperity and well being. Decline and decadence are the words commonly used nowadays to describe the societies and nations Tony Blair and his generation represent. Meanwhile Blair is all over the world blissfully building his private empire. Nicholas Watt in [guardian.co.uk, 21/6/13] describes the treasure hunting of the man who, along with the leaders of America, have the blood of a million

Iraqis on their hands. His empire, Watt says, ‘ensures that the former prime minister spends most of his life criss-crossing the globe in a chartered private jet...His earnings also fund a prime ministerial lifestyle.There is the house in Connaught Square, London, where properties now sell for £6.5m.’ He could afford a 17thcentury multi million pound Pavilion as his own country retreat. In pursuit of personal fortunes Blair does not care who he fraternizes with —in fact, he particularly loves dictators who are unaccountable to their people . For instance he is an adviser to Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan who has been president since 1990, ‘won’ the presidential election in 2011 with 95% of the vote, prompting criticism from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Blair has no qualms whatsoever: ‘The purpose of this is not to make money, it’s to make a difference,’ he said of this show of inordinate greed.

Tony Blair is now defending and cohabiting with the military junta in Egypt which has taken power by force, abolished virtually all the institutions of the state and turned the weapons

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on the Egyptian people. ‘I am a strong supporter of democracy. But democratic Government doesn’t on its own mean effective Government.

Today efficacy is the challenge,’ he said. Efficacy is thus a substitute for democracy in Tony Blair’s strange, loathsome world. And so the meaning of coup has dramatically changed: and all of a sudden, the British, the Americans, the Westerners in general, have all lost sense of their own language, struggling mightily to figure out the real meaning of coup. ‘For the first time in the history of the world, a coup is not a coup,’ Robert Fisk writes in The Independent [4/7/13].’The army take over, depose and imprison the democratically elected president, suspend the constitution, arrest the usual suspects, close down television stations and mass their armor in the streets of the capital. But the word ‘coup’ does not – and cannot – cross the lips of the Blessed Barack Obama.

Nor does the hopeless UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon dare to utter such an offensive word.’ What then is it?

The Wall Street Journal, the mouthpiece of global capitalism,

explains in a revealing 4th July editorial the real import of what has happened in Egypt. ‘Egyptians would be lucky,’ it says, ‘if their new ruling generals turn out to be in the mold of Chile’s Augusto Pinochet, who took power amid chaos but hired free-market reformers and midwifed a transition to democracy.’

This, precisely, might be the wish of Western powers, and the leitmotif of the putsch. Martin Pengelly [guardian. co.uk 6/7/13 14.09BST] suggests that the Wall Street Journal ‘means us to associate two governments removed by generals – the one led

by Salvador Allende in Chile and the one led by Mohamed Morsi in Egypt,’ while warning Egyptians, therefore, to brace themselves for at least 17 years of terror, when any who dissent are tortured with electricity, raped, thrown from planes or – if they’re really lucky – just shot, as happened in Chile. It heralds a future for Egypt when its generals surrender the economy, the strategic resources and Egypt itself to free marketers of America and Europe and deny Egypt the opportunity to rise and prosper, in freedom.

Let’s go back to 1953 for a parallel.

‘In the middle of the Cold War,’ President Barack Obama stated in his keynote speech in Cairo in June 2009, as an apology to the Iranian people, ‘the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically elected Iranian government.’ The CIA admitted to hiring crowds of protesters, similar to Tony Blair’s 17 million people power in Egypt, to create the impression of a popular discontent, as a green light to the army to remove a legitimate government of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. What followed in subsequent years was an event that changed the history of the world – the Islamic Revolution. The revolution, as President Obama concedes, had produced ‘seismic repercussions that haunt us to this day.’ So now that the military coup has occurred in Egypt, Robert Kagan asks in The Washington Post, how do we avoid the “seismic repercussions”? That is a most difficult question. ‘It is past time to get out of this rut of failure,’ Kagan pleads, fearful of what lies ahead, fearful, too, of the constant imperative: Live by the sword, die by the sword. ‘Better to learn from our history,’ Kagan admonishes, ‘than to repeat it.’ Let’s move to more recent times where analysts, including Jackson Diehl, discern parallels to the current events. Egyptians, he says in The Washington Post [6/7/13] may claim that their people-power-backed military coup is unique, ignoring the fact that many such putsches are in fact frequent occurrences. From Buenos Aires to Bangkok, Diehl asserts, crowds have begged generals to oust democratically elected governments and cheered when they responded.

Without exception, the results have been dismal: violence, if not civil wars; massive human rights violations; decades-long political conflicts. Oh, and by the way, Diehl exclaims, those removed from power sooner or later have returned.

What keeps recurring in the discourse over the coup in Egypt is: $1.5 billion. The Egyptian army have delivered their country to America.

The army has, in effect, sold Joseph, the very symbol and soul of Egypt.

The price is $1.5 billion per annum, payable, not to Egypt, but to the army. And America must pay, even if they must bend their law, change their language, abandon their principles, and set in motion seismic repercussions that will haunt them

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